Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics This is a bit more than the story of the 1936 Olympic crew challenge by the team from the University of Washington. Using one of the crew members as the focus, it combines his personal experience against the backdrop of the… Continue reading The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown ★★★★★
Madeline (Maddy) Whittier has literally lived in a bubble for most of her 17 years, afflicted with a rare disease affecting her immune system. She’s never left her house, living a lonely existence with her mother and nurse, Carla. That is until new neighbors move in next door and high school senior Oliver (Olly) Bright… Continue reading Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon ★★★★
Business consultant Olivia McGovern and firefighter Derek Gilman find themselves trapped in a stalled elevator. They’d checked each other out right before entering and their attraction was undeniable. They went their separate ways following rescue but days later had an unplanned reunion at a charity meeting. This time they wasted no time in moving forward… Continue reading Under Control by Shannon Stacey ★★★★ (Boston Fire #5)
Lydia Fitzsimons and her husband get caught up in some deadly business that takes a wrong turn. He’s a judge and she comes from a prestigious family so there’s a lot at stake. The things that happen afterwards are shocking, unpredictable, diabolical and...fascinating. The opening line of this story sets the tone: “My husband did… Continue reading Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent ★★★★★
The aftermath of the grudgingly put together merger of two publishers created two co-CEOs with their own personal assistants who sit adjacent to each other in silent (mostly) animosity. Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are protectful of their respective CEOs and never miss an opportunity to one-up each other in any way. Things ratchet up… Continue reading The Hating Game by Sally Thorne ★★★★★
Sofia Tres Santos is young (20-years old) but has already faced a lot of suffering. Her highly-abusive father regularly beat her and her siblings and she was raped as a teen. She was so traumatized that she then engaged in risky, demoralizing behavior. Now she’s taken control of her life and is going to school… Continue reading Once Pure by Cecy Robson ★★★★ (Shattered Past #3)
Maggie Hughes is the 15-year old daughter of an English speaking Canadian father and a French mother living in Quebec. Despite her father’s admonishments to not cavort with French boys, Maggie’s young heart is captured by Gabriel Phénix, the young and impoverished boy living at the adjacent farm. When she ends up pregnant, her parents… Continue reading The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman ★★★★1/2
Our story begins with Quinn and Graham’s first encounter, the one that started them down the road to a relationship, and it is unconventional to say the least. It next transitions to years after their marriage and they’re in trouble. I didn’t read the synopsis before I started listening to the story and had no… Continue reading All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover ★★★★1/2
Poppy Wyatt was having tea with some friends at a hotel, celebrating her upcoming nuptials, when the fire alarm went off (fire drill). When it was over, her engagement ring was missing and her phone snatched. She finds a phone in the trash can and it becomes her lifeline to the hotel finding her ring.… Continue reading I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella ★★★★★
Told by the second Mrs. de Winter, the story begins in Monte Carlo where she's the orphaned paid companion of an American matron. When she meets the elegant widower Maxim de Winter, he sweeps her off of her feet and they quickly marry. Though his wife Rebecca died a year ago, her presence continues to… Continue reading Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier ★★★★★
Blue Mood Café 