Every Beat After by Sara Larson

Every Beat After
By Sara Larson
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: June 2, 2026

Description from the Publisher:
Years after a life-saving heart transplant, Liv Karlsson lives in the fragile space between gratitude and fear—thankful for every heartbeat and afraid of when they might stop. Running her family’s cozy Swedish bakery gives her purpose, but mounting financial pressures and the shadows of her past leave her wondering: Is she truly living . . . or simply existing?
Then Hunter moves in next door. Guarded, cynical, and annoyingly attractive, he’s everything Liv avoids—and he’s also unfortunately her roommate’s cousin. But when he unexpectedly steps in to help Liv save the bakery with a new marketing plan, their reluctant partnership sparks something neither one is prepared for. He pushes her. Challenges her. Sees her. Suddenly, the girl who’s spent years protecting her heart finds it racing for someone who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.
But just as Liv begins to imagine a future worth fighting for, a devastating revelation threatens to unravel everything. Now Liv must face the ultimate test: Will she find the courage to love, or will fear take it all away?

My Review:
Olivia and Hunter both have a lot of emotional baggage--which makes them relatable to readers, even if their particular burdens aren't the most common. I totally understood why Hunter would lash out during their initial meeting and why Olivia would respond in kind. Their relationship progressed slowly, with a lot of one-step-forward, two-steps-back action, but again, it made sense with their backstories. There's a lot going on here--Olivia's health and her worries, her grandmother's health, the precarious situation of their small business, Hunter's issue, etc.--so it can feel pretty weighty. At the same time, there are lots of funny lines, and so I devoured it for about 80% of the book; I just couldn't get enough....and then there was one more really big problem, and it was maybe one too many things. (I know life is sometimes like that, but for me, it upset the delicate balance of reading something realistic but also reading for escape and entertainment.) I was ready for the happily ever after, not another fifty or so pages of heavy emotions and conflict. Overall, I still enjoyed the book and I think other readers will, too!

4 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Anxious People

Anxious People

By Fredrik Backman

Published by Atria Books

Publication Date: September 8, 2020 (for the English version)

Description: 

This is a poignant comedy about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined.
Viewing an apartment normally doesn’t turn into a life-or-death situation, but this particular open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes everyone in the apartment hostage. As the pressure mounts, the eight strangers slowly begin opening up to one another and reveal long-hidden truths.
As police surround the premises and television channels broadcast the hostage situation live, the tension mounts and even deeper secrets are slowly revealed. Before long, the robber must decide which is the more terrifying prospect: going out to face the police, or staying in the apartment with this group of impossible people.

Review:
I love Fredrik Backman's books because they always have such amazing characters--they're so real to life. He has this fantastic way of creating dynamic, totally believable characters, complete with flaws and strengths. He also has a way of inviting the reader to almost become a character, thinking about whether you would react and respond the same way his characters do or in different ways. What I love most about Backman's books, however, is how they make me empathize with others. At the outset of Anxious People, I had the thought that I might have to read it in small doses because several of the characters were annoying or abrasive. But as I continued reading Backman skillfully pulled back the layers on each character, taking me past their outward actions to their hearts. I found myself not only wanting to reread the book when I finished it but wanting to restart right in the middle of the book with my new understanding of and appreciation for the characters so that I could erase my earlier annoyance with them and instead read every moment with my newfound insights into their true characters. These sweet, beautiful, totally flawed, and totally relatable people stole my heart--and also reminded me of how often in real life if we would stop being annoyed with people and see who they really are, our hearts would melt and we would do whatever we could to help them. 

Besides the wonderful cast of characters, Backman's plot and the setting were so interesting--the majority of the book takes place in one apartment--and there were several twists that I did not see coming at all. It was a fascinating read that was so thought-provoking. I adored it, and I want everyone I know to read it so we can talk about it! 

5 stars. Definitely one of my favorites for 2020. 

I read an ARC of #AnxiousPeople provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Before I Called You Mine

Before I Called You Mine
By Nicole Deese
Published by Bethany House
Publication Date: March 31st, 2020

Description:
Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery. Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver. With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart...even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

 Review:
Wow. This book really tugged at my heart. Lauren's struggles--her desire to be a mother through adoption and fulfill her mission from God, her shaky relationship with her family, her instant connection with Joshua at what seems to be totally the wrong time, and her confusion about why her efforts to follow God's plan don't seem to be panning out--were so realistically written. I could really feel her heart as I read. There were such hopeful moments and such heartbreaking moments that I really wasn't sure how things were going to play out--but I love how they did play out (although I would have liked an epilogue with a scene a year or two in the future). While Lauren was dealing with heavy stuff, Joshua was such a breath of fresh air. He was just so funny and charming and the perfect male lead for this book.' This was just such an enjoyable book to read!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

No One Ever Asked

No One Ever Asked
By Katie Ganshert

When the South Fork school district loses its accreditation, the school district has to provide solutions--one of which is busing students to the Crystal Ridge district, a top-tier district in an affluent community.

Camille Gray, PTA supermom in Crystal Ridge, is worried about how having students with low academic performance and troubled backgrounds will affect her three kids and the other kids in the Crystal Ridge district--but she insists it's not about race. At the same time, her marriage of twenty-plus years is falling apart. All Camille wants is what's best for her family.

Jen Covington, who has recently adopted a daughter from Africa, wants to make sure her daughter has a diverse class and despite living in the Crystal Ridge district is considering enrolling her daughter in South Fork. When South Fork kids are allowed to enroll in Crystal Ridge, Jen sends Jubilee to a Crystal Ridge school, but just getting her daughter a black teacher isn't enough to help her navigate the ins and outs of being a new mom to a daughter who is different, and taking a job as the high school nurse doesn't fill that gap in her heart that she thought being a mom would fill.

Anaya Jones wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and teach at South Fork, but with the district a mess, she accepts a position teaching second grade and coaching high school track in the Crystal Ridge district., knowing all the while that parents like Camille Gray don't want her people--including her high school age brother--in their district. As their lives intersect, all three women will come to see that they have much to learn about life and about each other.

DANG! This is the first book I've read by Kaite Ganshert and it blew me away. This book is so thought-provoking and heartwrenching. I loved seeing how each woman made good and bad choices; they just felt so real and so very human. I loved the message that they (and others) are more than just one bad choice and that learning and changing are possible. This book serves as a great reminder that we need to be really careful about judging people and situations because there are usually so many more factors and details than we realize. I read this by myself but I will definitely be recommending it to my book club because this is the sort of book you definitely need to talk about with others.
 This is one of my picks for the best of 2018. 5 stars.

 I read an ARC via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Romancing Daphne

Romancing Daphne
By Sarah M. Eden

Daphne Lancaster is used to being ignored and rejected, so she isn't anticipating Lord Tilburn's attention to her--even though she has admired her since a brief encounter with him, in which he was kind to her, when she was twelve. So when he seems interested in her, she's inwardly thrilled--but when she finds out that his father forced him into a courtship with her, she is heartbroken. For his part, James never intended to court Miss Lancaster; he agreed to be civil and pay a little attention to her; when his father threatened to cut off not only his funds but his brother's and mother's as well, James is torn, knowing it's not fair to a young lady to have someone forced into caring for her but also wanting to take care of his family. When he finds himself coming to know Daphne, he finds that she is delightful, but the truth of how his attentions began threatens to ruin everything. James must find a way to convince first Daphne's formidable brother-in-law, the Duke of Kielder, who will not allow anyone to hurt his family, and then Daphne herself that he can be trusted.

I was a little apprehensive as I started this book, because Adam (the Duke of Kielder) is such a forceful character, that he would take center stage and Daphne would be overshadowed--and indeed, at the outset, it almost felt like the book was more about Adam than Daphne (at least in the chapters from James' POV). However, as the book progressed, I got to see more and and more of Daphne and Adam was moved to the sides more--which was brilliant because it realistically depicted how James's perspective and emotions shifted. I loved having another glimpse of Adam--he's one of my favorite characters and I laugh out loud at some of the things he says--but I also liked seeing both Daphne and James find their voices. This is another excellent book from Sarah M. Eden! Can't wait for more!

The Dressmaker

The Dressmaker
By Kate Alcott
Doubleday, 2012. 306 pgs. Adult fiction

Fed up with her status as a servant, Tess leaves her employment and heads for the Titanic, hoping to find a job that will get her across the ocean. As luck would have it, she winds up getting Lady Lucille Duff Gordon to accept her as a servant. Lucille is a fashion designer, and Tess, eager to become a designer herself, is eager to work with her. However, she soon sees Lucille's little fits of temper and isn't quite sure where she stands with the formidable lady. While aboard the ship, she meets both a kind sailor and a dashing American businessman, both of whom appeal to her, although in different ways.
Then, the unthinkable happens and the ship sinks, and Tess finds herself torn between her employer, who is giving her opportunities that she's only ever been able to dream of, and Jim Bonney, the sailor who insists that Lady Duff Gordon and her husband, once safely aboard a lifeboat that could have held fifty people, only allowed their small group of twelve the safety of the boat, refusing to go back for others. As an official investigation is being conducted, Tess finds herself having to examine herself and see where she stands and what price she'll pay to become the woman she wants to be.

I really liked how the book explored the aftermath of the Titanic sinking; I've read a few that dealt with the voyage and sinking, but this was the first one I read that really addressed what happened afterwards. The questions of who is guilty and what should have happened and what people should have done and whether or not they did it are thought-provoking and not easily answered. I think the author made a very good choice in allowing Tess to be the main character, having been a servant but now being introduced into a world of privilege gave her a unique perspective that really helped pull the book off well.

4 stars. Clean read.

Midnight in Austenland

Midnight in Austenland
By Shannon Hale
Bloomsbury, 2012. 272 pgs. Adult Fiction

Charlotte Kinder, freshly divorced, takes a vacation in Austenland, hoping to find the same sort of comfort there that she finds when she reads Jane Austen's book. However, she finds herself unsettled by the man who is supposed to be her romantic match for her vacation: Mr. Mallery is handsome but unnerving. At the same time, she's certain that she felt a dead body in a hidden room, and as much as she tries to convince herself that this murder mystery is all part of a game, she can't help but wonder if something sinister is going on.

Fans of Austen spin-offs will probably like this new addition to the field from Hale. Charlotte is a likable character, and the mystery adds a fresh element not found in Austenland (Hale's original Austen effort). It's not overwhelmingly amazing, but it's a fun way to pass an afternoon. Probably tamer than a lot of adult fiction; does have some drinking and language and little behavior that would have been frowned on in Austen's day.

3 stars.

Room

Room
By Emma Donoghue
Little, Brown and Company, 2010. 321 pgs. Adult fiction

For his entire life, five-year-old Jack has lived in Room with Ma. They don't have much--Bed, Wardrobe, Table, Rug, 5 books, and little else. But for Jack it's enough. The only bad thing is that sometimes Old Nick comes in, punching in his special number in the keypad to unlock the door, and Ma doesn't like him, and doesn't like Jack being anywhere near him. Then Ma starts "unlying"--telling him that the things he sees on TV aren't just pretend and there's a whole world out there and she used to live in it until Old Nick stole her. Now she says they need to get out, and Jack has to help her make that happen.

This book is heartbreaking and disturbing and intensely thought-provoking. AHHHHHHHHHHH! (Trust me, you will need to vent somehow after you read this book; it's not an easy read by any means.) Jack is a precocious and unforgettable narrator, and it's interesting to see first Room and then Outside through his eyes. The book also provides a lot of food for thought about human nature, motherhood, basic needs, and more. Pretty much the only thing that I didn't like about the book were the very frequent references to breastfeeding--Jack has never been weaned and asks for "some" and describes when he has "lots" and how sometimes it's "creamy." Interestingly enough, there's a passage where the mother is doing a TV interview and the TV host says that it might startle viewers to know that she still breastfeeds Jack, to which Ma gives a profound response.
"Ma laughs.
"The woman stares at her.
"'In this whole story, that's the shocking detail?'"
So, feeling slightly chastened, I wondered why it's so disturbing for me, and I think mainly it stems from the fact that Jack's describing it--I don't want to hear about it being creamy or whatever...
So, I think I'm not alone in the descriptions of the breastfeeding being somewhat weird (and I don't totally understand why it continues--why didn't she wean him, especially if she was planning on escaping and knew they'd be back in the world? Granted, maybe the actual plan to escape came suddenly, but it's something she'd always wanted to do, so I'd think she'd be a little more prepared.)
Anyway, breastfeeding tangent aside, this is a gripping story, and I can't really do it justice in describing it, so just do yourself a favor and check it out.

4 stars. Pretty clean.

Jane Austen in Scarsdale

Jane Austen in Scarsdale

By Paula Marantz Cohen

St. Martin's Press, 2006. 275 pgs. Adult Fiction

Summary:
In this modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, Anne Ehrlich is a high school guidance counselor who, thirteen years before, was persuaded by her grandmother that her boyfriend Ben wasn't a good choice for her. She's never been able to forget about him, and when his nephew transfer to Anne's school, she finds herself face to face with Ben once again--and finds that her feelings for him have never died. However, Ben has a fiancé, and Anne is certain he won't forgive her for how things ended between them.

My opinion:

This is a clean read and a fun modern version of Persuasion. Even those who aren't familiar with the original will still enjoy the plot line.It's an easy, breezy read that's perfect for an afternoon of light reading.

3 stars.

Persuasion

Persuasion
By Jane Austen
Oxford University Press, 2004. 249 pgs. Adult Fiction

Eight years ago, Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth fell in love, but Anne's father, a vain, shallow man who is overly hung up on appearances, money, connections and social class, won't approve the marriage. Anne's deceased mother's closest friend also discourages the match, and Anne is persuaded to end their engagement. Now, the Elliots are running up debts and have to economize; they rent out their estate to the Crofts--Captain Wentworth's brother-in-law and sister--and Captain Wentworth, recently returned from sea and now distinguished and wealthy, comes to visit. He and Anne barely speak, neither acknowledging their previous engagement. Captain Wentworth seems to be taken with another young lady in the neighborhood, and soon, Anne realizes her true feelings for him.

I'm not sure why I never bothered to read this book before; I enjoy Jane Austen, and I liked this one, although not as much as some of her others. Still, I like the idea of second chances and both Anne and Captain Wentworth are likable, although I wish we got to see a little deeper into both of them. Still, I'm not sure you can go wrong with Jane Austen.

4 stars.

These Is My Words

These Is My Words
By Nancy E. Turner
Regan Books/HarperCollins, 1998. 384 pgs. Adult fiction

Sarah Agnes Prine keeps a diary of her life, telling of her time journeying in a wagon train with her family, losing her father, and trying to keep her family together. On her journey, she meets the infuriating army captain, Jack Elliott, and falls in love with books. She settles into a loveless marriage, has a daughter, and manages a ranch. And ultimately, she finds true love.

My summary does not even begin to do this story justice. It's been a year or so since I've read it cover to cover (although I do go flip through it sometimes, to reread favorite scenes), so I'm a little fuzzy on some of the details, but I wanted to put this on here since I need more 5 star books, and this one definitely gets 5 stars. I love this book. I've heard a couple people say this book was boring; I, on the other hand, loved it from the first page. I like historical fiction, and I'm particularly drawn to historical fiction romances that take place in the west. However, I find most of them aren't really very well written. This book, however, is dazzling. The writing and dialogue are realistic, Sarah, who is spunky, strong, and stubborn, is a fantastic protagonist, and the love story is wonderful. I loved everything about this book.* Some of my co-workers have commented that I read a lot of romances; my response was that I'm on the quest for the perfect love story...and this book comes pretty darn close to giving that to me. Definitely five stars.

Side note: it's not exactly entirely "clean"; there's some sexual content, although not really explicit (and it's in the context of marriage).
In case you noticed, this is INTENTIONALLY labeled as a love story, not a romance. I feel like a lot of romances aren't really love stories, or not a love story I can really believe in. But for me, this is a love story. (And that's not to say nothing else on the blog is a love story, but for me, this is the love story of love stories.)

*SPOILER*

(Other than the fact that Jack dies, of course. That about killed me. I did not love that part. And yet, I can't entirely hate it because it was so well written.) And I refuse to read the sequels because I can't handle not having Jack in the story.

The Help

The Help
By Kathryn Stockett
Amy Einhorn Books/G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2009. 451 pgs/approx. 18 hours. Historical Fiction

In 1962 in Jackson, Mississippi, society girl Skeeter, who is an aspiring writer, finds that she's uncomfortable with the way white women treat their black maids. As she decides to write about things from the perspective of the help, she gets Aibileen and Minny, two of the black maids, to tell stories about their lives and their experience working for white families. Although this puts them all at great risk if anyone ever finds out, as they work together, they also realize how important it is for them to take that risk.

This was one of the most-talked about books of 2009...and I just finally got around to listening to it on CD. (In my defense, it's been constantly checked out at the library.) I really enjoyed it; the story really makes you think about race relations and how people can work together to change things. The characters are great, the story is moving, sad, funny, and inspiring, the setting is well-developed, and the language is perfect! This is a book that could draw in just about any reader.

Looking at things from a multicultural aspect, I've done some internet searching and found that some African American readers think the book is offensive because of the dialect; others have said the dialect was accurate and that the story is good because it dispells the Mammy image. One complaint was that only the African American characters speak in dialect. I haven't seen the book so I don't know about the way it's written, but I will say that listening to it on CD, I did think the white women spoke in a southern dialect, too. I definitely thought the portrayal of African American women invited readers to look beyond this "Mammy" image of African American women and see that they're aren't jolly, happy, love-to-serve-their-white-families type women. Instead, we see a diversity of African American women; we see women who are strong and sassy and smart. We see women who are sweet and those who have a bit of a temper. We see PEOPLE, not stereotypes. For me, that's the mark of a good book--when the characters are real, rather than flat, stock, stereotypical characters.

Listening to it on CD was both good and bad--I loved the narrators' voices, however, it's SO long, and I could have read it so much faster than I listened to it. But for listeners who have the patience to make it through all 18 hours, it really is a treat to listen to the narrators.

Five stars.