Readers will love the fast-paced wit of both Amy and the supporting characters while she discovers who she is, where she wants to be, and what is truly in her heart.
Plot discrepancies and uneven pacing detract from full enjoyment the narrative, but fans of Dorothea Benton Frank will appreciate revisiting Sullivan’s Island.
Full of ambivalent love, modern Southern charm, and contemporary concerns, the stories in this collection are timeless as well as sharply contemporary.
This forceful, necessary novel, which includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault, depicts the often silent suffering and unfathomable effects of sexual abuse. Readers of Garth Greenwell or Eimear McBride will find it well worth diving into.
Gaynor’s immersive novel pairs well with Jessica Mann’s nonfiction book Out of Harm’s Way: The Wartime Evacuation of Children from Britain, in which firsthand accounts and extensive research relate the experiences of children who were removed from their families and taken to foreign countries. Similarly, Julia Kelly’s novel The Lost English Girl takes place at the very beginning of the war when children were being evacuated to the countryside.
Newton’s latest historical novel (following The Girls from the Beach) brings to light the kidnapping of Czech children during World War II. Readers who like this genre will enjoy.
Smith wrestles contemporary themes surrounding women’s independence, racism, and class disparity from centuries-old events in her beautifully crafted historical. Readers of Geraldine Brooks or Hilary Mantel will be enthralled.
The level of chaos in Robin’s life overwhelms the issue of widowhood at times in the novel, but there is a strong setting and many elements to engage readers. Recommended for fans of Emiko Jean or Marisa de los Santos.
Wray deftly explores late adolescence with its roller-coaster intensity of friendship and the music that binds everything together, in this case heavy metal and its mythological fantasies, which here become all too darkly real.
Thompson combines a gothic novel, a time-travel romance, and a frank depiction of living with mental illness. Most compellingly, the protagonist’s mental state is central to the narrative without driving the plot.
Shin successfully crafts yet another beautifully presented and heart-rending tale, giving readers much to ponder. Not to be missed, it will appeal not just to fans of Please Look After Mom but to anyone who enjoys strong, introspective storytelling; also a good candidate for book groups.
A bittersweet and humorous take on falling in and out of love; give to readers who enjoy stories with quirky characters and tongue-in-cheek humor that still explore real emotions.
This helpful overview of ’80s and ’90s action films also ventures into the forgotten subsequent film failures of the far-from-invincible men stars, guiding readers to films to avoid or to reevaluate.
Waldman’s fun guide brings together a fascinating cast of experts to help readers discover the real-life influences behind science-fiction movies and TV shows.
Readers interested in Black history, community traditions, self-awareness, and the works of Toni Morrison will enjoy Reeves’s first essay collection, as will those searching for a unique voice to help make sense of today’s chaotic world.
A fun collection of Beatles-related information that adds to the canon. Readers looking to see what extra work the group from Liverpool did outside of their own recordings will find it in this title.
Hardcore house music fanatics will enjoy this book’s discussions on various clubs, drum machines, and acetates. Give it to readers who fondly remember the genre.
Often insightful and rewarding in its commentary on the Victorian roots of evangelical Christian ideas, this book could confront current issues a bit more strongly.
Ayuyang (Blame This on the Boogie) presents a gripping and romantic Depression-era noir about a fledgling community struggling to achieve the American dream without sacrificing who they are.
Will appeal to listeners seeking a quirky, concise cozy mystery that is deliciously diverting. Recommended for fans of Jenn McKinlay, Ellie Alexander, and Diane Mott Davidson.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking psychological suspense with a sympathetic but unreliable narrator facing guilt, gaslighting, and grief. Recommended for fans of Alice Feeney, Ruth Ware, and Gillian Flynn.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking offbeat, uplifting friendship fiction with lots of retribution and a little romance. Recommended for fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella, and Meg Cabot.
This impressively researched work with engaging narration is perfect for libraries with patrons interested in science, history, climate change, and ecology.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a steamy romantic comedy about a woman tired of the corporate world and the cowboy who woos her. Recommended for fans of Diana Palmer, Tracy Brogan, and Susan Mallery.
An important, if dryly narrated, account of humans as accidental and purposeful animals of environmental extinction. Recommended for fans of environmental histories and scholars of the same.
Williams’s (The Second Time We Met) latest romance is perfect for listeners who enjoy love triangles, miscommunications, and character growth. Despite a somewhat far-fetched ending, this summer read satisfies.
Henry’s fans will be pleased with this tale of friendship, found family, grief, and growing up. A superb collaboration between a writer and narrator, both at the top of their game.
A solidly narrated, if somewhat exasperating, romance from Tanamachi (Her Hawaiian Homecoming, as Cara Lockwood). Recommended for Christina Lauren and Jasmine Guillory fans, but an otherwise optional purchase.
Listeners will be charmed by this sexy romance that smartly addresses the challenges of balancing family, love, and work. Recommended for fans of Jasmine Guillory, Farrah Rochon, and Noué Kirwan.
While deeply poignant and emotional, Kelly’s (Love & Other Disasters) charming writing, humor, and care for her characters make this a stunning romance. Contemporary romance at its best; essential for most core romance collections.
This slow-burn romance from an established author should appeal to readers who appreciate strong, well-developed characters and a thought-provoking story line. For fans of Farrah Rochon, Ali Hazelwood, and Kate Spencer.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a closed-door contemporary rom-com with While You Were Sleeping whimsy. Recommended for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and Elle Cook.
This audiobook is a winner for patrons who enjoy medical nonfiction and true crime or are interested in medical forensics. Narrator Barr makes listeners want to hear more.
Through these stories, listeners will learn not only about the monetary cost of medical care but the human cost as well. With facts and heart, this is a timely book that showcases the realities of a system in crisis.
Told with candor and compassion, this well-narrated book should not be missed by anyone who is interested in the ethics and the real-life experiences of medical personnel.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an amusing, upbeat travel rom-com with a quirky cast of tourists. Recommended for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Jo Wilde, and Emily Henry.
Listeners will come for the spies and pirates but stay for the romance. This joyous steampunk offering is full of camp and tropes, and Elizabeth Knowelden’s narration perfectly matches the delightfully outrageous story, ensuring that even newcomers to Holton’s world will be laughing and crying along with the characters.
Asher’s endearing cast of characters and lively writing style, combined with Johnson’s appealing narration, make this audio a must-listen. Share with listeners who enjoy romances that are both fluffy and steamy, enlivened by witches, demons, and even a shapeshifter or two.
Lots of buzz for this book, combined with Clayborn’s well-received backlist, makes this a must-purchase. Press into the hands of listeners who also enjoy Nora Roberts and Emily Henry.
Baird’s lighthearted novel, based on stories of famous feuding families, would be a welcome addition to any romance collection. For fans of Emily Henry, Allison Winn Scotch, and Jennifer Weiner.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a fast-paced, flirtatious rom-com that is both sweet and sexy. Recommended for fans of Amy Lea, Allison Winn Scotch, and Dylan Newton.
Björnsdóttir’s steamy thriller should appeal to readers of romantic suspense and cataclysmic fiction and to anyone interested in learning about the geology and history of Icelandic volcanoes. Share with fans of Ragnar Jónasson’s Outside or Harry Turtledove’s Supervolcano Explosion.
A fun cozy mystery for those who stay up on politics and aren’t afraid to poke fun at serious subjects. Recommended for fans of J.J. Murphy’s Murder Your Darlings and the author’s “Obama Biden” mysteries.