Visit My Previous Blog for More Ideas: TBDTEACHER

http://tbdteacher.tumblr.com/

TBD Teacher

Teaching By Design...Teaching Buttheads Daily...Tortured But Determined...Tiny Bit Dorky...Totally Brain Dead...Too-busy Disorder. You can decide what the TBD stands for.

Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde

by // Leave a Comment

Sometimes the great stories aren’t filled with shocking twists or jaw-dropping surprises. Instead, they quietly tug at your heartstrings with characters who feel like people you’ve known your entire life. That’s exactly what Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers in Come Back to the World.

Book cover of Come Back to the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde, featuring a young boy gently feeding a donkey in a sunny meadow with mountains in the background.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Click to read the summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: A single mother strives to understand the enigma of a reclusive novelist in a poignant novel about belonging, secret lives, and the want to disappear by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 300

Publication Date: May 5, 2026

My Thoughts on Come Back to the World:

📖 A Sweet Story with Plenty of Heart

Catherine Ryan Hyde is known for her wonderful characterization, and she certainly didn’t disappoint with Come Back to the World. This is a sweet, heartfelt story filled with emotional depth and characters who feel genuinely real.

The story moves at a steady pace, giving readers time to get to know the characters and understand their relationships. I think many single parents and divorced parents will find something relatable in this book. While there aren’t many twists and turns, the story kept my interest throughout. Sometimes a book doesn’t need big surprises to make an impact!

👥 Characters Who Make You Think

One character who particularly caught my attention was E.L. Swann. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked her, but the more I read, the more I understood her. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older myself, but I could definitely appreciate her perspective! It’s funny how age and life experiences can change the way we view certain personalities. Plus, E.L. Swann rides a donkey into town to get groceries. How cool is that?

I especially loved Amelia, the main character, and the way she cared for her son. Her love and devotion to him shone through on every page, and their relationship was one of my favorite parts of the story.

The challenges of parenting, particularly as a single parent, are woven naturally into the storyline. Hyde captures both the challenges and the beautiful moments that come with loving and protecting a child. That’s one thing I’ve always admired about Hyde’s writing. She creates characters who aren’t necessarily perfect or even likable at first, but she gives us reasons to understand them.

🌴 A Familiar Place Makes the Story Even Better

Having visited Santa Rosarita, Mexico, myself, I especially enjoyed revisiting the area through this story. When Amelia flew into San Diego and then drove into Mexico, I could picture the journey and the surroundings. There’s something special about reading a book set in a place you’ve actually visited. It made the story feel even more personal.

✍️ Why Catherine Ryan Hyde Remains a Favorite

As always, Hyde’s writing is thoughtful, engaging, and full of emotional depth. She has a remarkable ability to take ordinary people and everyday situations and turn them into meaningful stories.

Come Back to the World may not have shocking revelations or dramatic plot twists, but it offers something just as valuable. It is a touching story about love, family, and the people who shape our lives.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is, and always will be, one of my favorite authors!

📝 Extra Credit Reading:

If you enjoyed the heartfelt moments, family relationships, and beautifully developed characters in Come Back to the World, consider adding these books to your reading list!

  1. Falling Apart and Other Gifts From the Universe by Catherine Ryan Hyde | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Both novels highlight Hyde’s ability to create realistic characters facing difficult circumstances. They explore complicated relationships, unexpected connections, and the healing power of kindness. Both remind us that family and love can take many forms.
  2. Michael Without Apology by Catherine Ryan Hyde | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Both stories explore acceptance, compassion, and the importance of understanding people rather than judging them too quickly.
  3. Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Although written by a different author, this novel shares Hyde’s talent for creating memorable characters who stay with you long after the final page. Both explore family, unconditional love, and the ways people influence one another.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Catherine Ryan Hyde for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click here to buy this book!

Click here to learn more about Catherine Ryan Hyde!

Let’s Chat:

Have you ever read a book where you weren’t sure you liked a character at first, but as the story progressed, you began to understand them?

Or maybe you’ve noticed that getting older has changed the way you relate to certain characters in books.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! And if you’re a Catherine Ryan Hyde fan, tell me which of her books is your favorite!

One Split Second by Robert Dugoni – Tracy Crosswhite Book Review

by // Leave a Comment

One split second can change a life. But what happens when the consequences don’t come to light until forty-five years later? In One Split Second, Robert Dugoni the past and present comes together in another intriguing Tracy Crosswhite mystery.

I’m a huge Robert Dugoni fan, and I always look forward to another book in his Tracy Crosswhite series. One Split Second is the latest installment. Although it’s part of a series, I think it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

One fun thing about reading this book was that I started it while vacationing in Washington State! Since the story takes place in Washington, too, it made the setting even more enjoyable for me. There’s just something about reading a book set in the same part of the country you’re visiting that makes it a little more special.

One Split Second by Robert Dugoni book cover featuring a fiery orange sky, a wooded ranch entrance, and a winding dirt road leading to Carson Ranch. The Tracy Crosswhite mystery novel.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Click to read the book summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: A girl’s unsolved disappearance. A tragic shooting. Two crimes, forty-five years apart, with a blood-chilling connection in a gripping new Tracy Crosswhite novel by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Genre: Mystery, Fiction

Pages: 415

Publication Date: September 15, 2026

My Thoughts on One Split Second:

🔎 A Mystery That Connects the Past and Present

The story is told through two timelines, which I thought worked really well. In the past, a young girl disappears while babysitting, leaving behind an unsolved mystery. In the present, Tracy’s friend Jenny, a fellow law enforcement officer, is accused of shooting a man who may have been connected to that long-ago disappearance.

I enjoyed how Dugoni slowly connected the past to the present. There were enough twists and unanswered questions to keep me interested, and I was curious to see how everything would eventually come together.

❤️ Tracy and Dan Make a Great Team

One of the things I particularly enjoyed about this book was seeing Tracy work alongside her husband, Dan. Since Dan is an attorney, he brings a different perspective to the investigation. Tracy has her detective instincts, while Dan approaches things from the legal side.

I liked watching them work together and seeing how their different strengths helped move the case forward. I’ve also enjoyed watching their daughter, Daniella, become a bigger part of their family story with each new book.

🎧 Sometimes Listening Is Better Than Reading!

I read about half of this book and listened to the other half on Audible. Here’s something that doesn’t happen very often for me. I actually think I enjoyed listening to this book more than reading it! Emily Sutton-Smith did a wonderful job with the narration, and I found myself looking forward to the times when I could listen. I’m usually pretty particular about audiobooks, so when I find one that makes me prefer listening over reading, that’s saying something!

🧩 An Ending That Touched My Heart

I really liked how Dugoni brought everything together at the end. One of the things I appreciate about a good mystery is finally finding out what actually happened, especially when the story involves something that took place so many years earlier. What surprised me, though, was how emotional the ending made me.

There was a touching part about marriage, love, and what it takes to make a marriage last. I wasn’t expecting a mystery to choke me up, but those words really touched my heart. I love when an author can give me a good mystery to solve and then unexpectedly add something meaningful about life and relationships. That made the ending even more memorable for me.

📖 Don’t Skip the Acknowledgments!

Now, here’s something I really want to mention because it ended up being one of the most meaningful parts of the book for me.

Robert Dugoni’s acknowledgments.

Dugoni shared that his mother passed away last year and talked about the feeling of being an orphan when both of your parents are gone, even when you’re an adult. I could relate to his words so much. Having lost both of my parents, I understand that feeling. No matter how old you are, there’s something about realizing that both of your parents are gone that is hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. Reading his heartfelt thoughts really touched me.

I’m already a huge Robert Dugoni fan, but reading something so personal from him made me appreciate him even more. It was a reminder that behind the wonderful stories he writes is a real person who experiences the same love, loss, and emotions that the rest of us do.

I also enjoyed reading about where he got the inspiration for this particular story. I always find it interesting to learn what sparks an author’s imagination. And that brings me to something I don’t understand.

Why aren’t the acknowledgments included in this Audible version?

I enjoyed the audiobook tremendously, but I would have missed these personal reflections entirely if I hadn’t also been reading the book. I think that’s a shame. Sometimes an author’s acknowledgments are nothing more than a list of people they want to thank, but other times, like in this book, they share something deeply personal. Those words can create a connection between the author and the reader that goes beyond the story itself. Audiobook listeners deserve that experience, too!

In this case, the acknowledgments made me like Robert Dugoni even more than I already did. And considering how much I already enjoy his books, that’s saying something!

⭐ My Final Thoughts

Although One Split Second wasn’t my favorite book in the Tracy Crosswhite series, it was still a good mystery that kept me interested from beginning to end.

What I’ll remember most, though, are the unexpected emotional moments. The thoughts about marriage and lasting love near the end, along with Dugoni’s personal reflections in the acknowledgments, gave this book a little something extra.

Sometimes it’s not just the mystery that stays with you after you finish a book. It’s the words that touch your heart.

📝 Extra Credit Reading: When the Past Refuses to Stay Buried

If One Split Second by Robert Dugoni kept you guessing, here are three more mysteries that deserve a spot on your TBR list. From cold cases to determined female detectives, these books prove that some secrets don’t stay buried forever!

1. A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni

📖 Read My Review

Why? If you’re not ready to say goodbye to Tracy Crosswhite, this is the perfect choice! Another suspenseful investigation featuring Tracy, with a dangerous game of cat and mouse, interesting characters, and plenty of twists. It’s also the book immediately before One Split Second in the series.

2. The Waiting by Michael Connelly

📖 Read My Review

Why? If you enjoyed Tracy digging into a decades-old mystery, you’ll appreciate Detective Renée Ballard and her work with the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit. With multiple cold cases, including the infamous Black Dahlia murder, this is another mystery that proves the past doesn’t always stay in the past.

3. In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan

📖 Read My Review

Why? If you liked Tracy’s determination and investigative instincts, meet Detective Kat Frank! She tackles cold cases with an unusual partner—an artificial intelligence detective. It’s a fascinating mix of traditional police work, technology, and human intuition, with some great twists along the way.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click here to learn more about Robert Dugoni!

Let’s Chat:

Do you read the acknowledgments at the end of a book, or do you usually skip them? Have you ever read an author’s personal reflections that made you appreciate their work even more?

And for my audiobook listeners, do you wish publishers would include the acknowledgments in the audio versions? I certainly do!

The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey: Book Review

by // Leave a Comment

Jane Healey’s The Women of Arlington Hall took me into a part of history that I knew very little about, and that is why I enjoyed this book so much. Set during the Cold War, the story follows a group of women code breakers working to uncover Soviet spies in America.

Book cover of The Women of Arlington Hall by Jane Healey, featuring a woman in a teal coat and hat walking near a government building.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Click to read the book summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: A female codebreaker puts her future and her heart on the line in a stirring novel about love, loyalty, betrayal, and Cold War spy games by the bestselling author of The Secret Stealers.

Genre: Historical Romance, Women’s Fiction, Fiction

Pages: 335

Publication Date: August 1, 2025

My Thoughts on The Women of Arlington Hall

Breaking Codes and Catching Spies:

I especially loved the character Cat Killeen, who is hired to help break Soviet codes and track down spies operating in the United States. After becoming a runaway bride, Cat begins working as a cryptologist and codebreaker. I found this fascinating because I knew very little about the role women played in intelligence and code breaking during the early Cold War. I definitely don’t remember learning about these women in my history classes! It sent me down a fun historical rabbit hole and made me want to learn more. I had no idea women were doing this kind of work during the Cold War.

A Romance That Felt Just Right:

The Women of Arlington Hall is listed as a historical romance, and I thought the romance was very well done. It never felt over the top or like it took away from the historical part of the story.

Instead, it felt realistic for the time period and fit naturally into Cat’s life. There was enough romance to make me care about the relationship without letting it take over the entire story. For some reason, I kept picturing the main characters from the movie Grease as the four women in this book. The story lines are totally different, of course, but some of their personalities and group dynamics reminded me of them.

My Favorite Part: The Friendships:

My favorite part of the book was the friendship between the four women in this story. I’m always a sucker for a good found-family storyline, and this one worked especially well.

Because these women had to keep their jobs secret from almost everyone in their lives—even their own families—they depended on one another in a way that made their friendship feel even more meaningful. They were some of the only people who could truly understand what the others were going through.

For me, their friendship was really the heart of the story.

A Strong Finish:

The book is well written, and the story kept me interested throughout. I also thought the ending was strong. It wrapped everything up without feeling rushed and gave the story a satisfying conclusion. I especially appreciated that I finished the book feeling like I had learned something while still getting an entertaining story filled with friendship, romance, suspense, secrets, and characters I cared about.

If you enjoy historical fiction, found-family stories, a little romance, and learning about women whose contributions to history deserve more attention, The Women of Arlington Hall is definitely worth picking up.

📝 Extra Credit Reading:

If you enjoyed the women-centered history in The Women of Arlington Hall, these three historical fiction novels are worth adding to your list. Each one shines a light on women doing remarkable work during important moments in history—often in roles that didn’t get nearly enough attention.

  1. Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, and Chris Crabtree | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If you liked discovering the story of the women code breakers in The Women of Arlington Hall, this is another great choice. I love historical fiction that shines a light on the important work women were doing behind the scenes, especially when it’s something I never learned about in school.
  2. The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? This one is perfect if you enjoy learning about women who broke barriers in professions dominated by men. Like The Women of Arlington Hall, it introduced me to a woman and a part of history I knew very little about, which is one of my favorite things about reading historical fiction.
  3. The Stars Are Our Witness by Siobhan Curham | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here (You’ll have to scroll down a little)
    • Why? If you enjoy historical fiction that shines a light on the brave work women did during wartime, this is another powerful read. I loved learning about the women who risked their lives working with the resistance and secretly helping the rebellion. Like The Women of Arlington Hall, it introduced me to an important part of women’s history I knew very little about.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Jane Healey for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click here to learn more about Jane Healey!

Let’s Chat:

What’s a piece of women’s history you first learned about through historical fiction?

Building 903 by Lois Lowry: A Dystopian World Without Imagination

by // Leave a Comment

As someone who has spent years putting books into the hands of middle school students, a world without books is almost impossible to imagine. Lois Lowry’s Building 903 takes that idea and makes it a reality. Her newest dystopian story takes readers into a future where imagination is outlawed and books are no longer available to the public.

Book cover of Building 903 by Lois Lowry, a young adult dystopian novel about a future without books or imagination

Click here to read a summary or to buy the book on Amazon

From the publisher: In the tradition of her bestselling, award-winning phenomenon, The Giver, Lois Lowry delivers a story about censorship, comfort, complicity, and the radical power of books to open portals and unlock our humanity through our most powerful tool: the imagination.

Genre: Science Fiction / Middle Grade

Pages: 240

Publication Date: September 29, 2026

3/5 stars ★★★☆☆

My Thoughts on Building 903:

I Love Lois Lowry

I have shared Lois Lowry’s books with my middle school students throughout the years, so I was excited to read an advance copy of Building 903. This is a middle grade dystopian novel that takes place in the future, and the subject of censorship was one of the things that immediately drew me to the book.

I ended up giving it three stars. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either.

A World Without Books or Stories:

The premise of Building 903 was probably my favorite part of the book. Lowry creates a world where imagination has been outlawed, which means there are no books or stories. Can you imagine? No books. No stories. And people aren’t even allowed to dream up ideas of their own!

As someone who loves books, I could feel Lois Lowry’s love of reading and storytelling throughout the story. I also enjoyed the way the characters viewed things from our time. It was funny to see what they thought about things that are completely ordinary to us. Tessa, the 14-year-old protagonist, had to keep asking her parents what things were that they had experienced in the past. She had never even seen a book and had never heard of the word “pages.”

There are some great vocabulary words throughout the book! I kept thinking about the words I would have pulled out to use with my students, especially my 8th-grade gifted kids. They were words that they should learn and use, which I liked. They weren’t totally outlandish, like she was trying to swallow a thesaurus!

The Characters and Plot:

I liked all of the characters, but I never felt like I got a deep enough dive into any of them to become really emotionally attached. My favorite character was Miriam, the elderly next-door neighbor. She was somewhat of a rebel, and I can appreciate that in an elderly woman.

There is a little mystery woven into the story, but not a lot. I think I was hoping for a little more depth and a little more mystery as the story progressed.

I did enjoy the second half more than the first. It took me a while to really get into the story, but once I did, I was more invested in what was happening.

The Ending:

My biggest issue with the book was the ending. The story takes a while to build, and then suddenly—bam!—it was over.

I know this book is written for middle school readers, so it doesn’t need to be extremely long. But I still felt like the ending came much too quickly. I wanted a little more resolution after all that buildup.

The Audiobook:

I read half of the book and listened to the other half. I enjoyed the narration by Elise Arsenault, and I would give the audiobook 4 stars.

I listened at 1.25x speed which worked better for me. My one issue was recognizing when the point of view changed to Theo, Tessa’s twin brother.

In the print book, Theo’s sections are indented because they appear within another character’s chapter. That gives the reader a visual clue that the point of view has changed. On audio, though, the narrator’s voice didn’t change much, so there were times when I wasn’t immediately sure that we were hearing Theo’s perspective.

I think having another narrator for Theo might have made those transitions much easier to follow.

Would I Recommend Building 903 to Students:

This is where I think my three-star rating gets a little complicated.

Would this be my first choice of Lois Lowry’s books to share with my students?

No.

Would I still share it with them as a choice?

Absolutely.

I think some of my students would really enjoy the dystopian setting and the idea of living in a world where imagination and books are forbidden. As a teacher, I love the opportunities this book could provide for discussions about censorship, imagination, books, and why stories matter. Amazon lists the book for ages 8–12. I’m not sure I agree with that. I would say it’s more for 7th grade and up. I think younger students could struggle with some of the vocabulary and become frustrated or bored.

Final Thoughts:

Building 903 wasn’t one of my favorite Lois Lowry books, but I’m still glad I read it. The premise was interesting, the vocabulary was strong, and I appreciated the underlying message about the importance of imagination and books.

Lois Lowry is a great writer, and I will always be a fan. Sometimes even a three-star book from an author you love is still worth reading—and I think Building 903 is one of those books.

📚 Extra Credit Reading:

If Building 903 made you think about what happens when young people are forced to live within rules they didn’t create, these three young adult books from my reading list are worth checking out next:

  1. The Heart Trials by J. Elle | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Both take place in dystopian societies where powerful people have decided what citizens should be allowed to feel, do, or experience. In The Heart Trials, love is forbidden; in Building 903, imagination and books are forbidden. Both also feature strong teenage girls who begin questioning the rules of the world around them.
  2.  The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? This one isn’t dystopian, but it does feature a teenage girl living in a world where other people seem to control the story being told about her. Iris has to question what is true and what she has been led to believe, which makes it a good choice for readers who liked watching Tessa slowly discover that her world might not be exactly what she has been told.
  3. Influenced by Sara Darer Littman and Cindy L. Otis | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Instead of government control, this YA novel looks at the power of social media and how easily it can begin controlling a teenager’s choices, relationships, and identity. Like Building 903, it could lead to some great classroom discussions about independence, influence, and what happens when outside forces begin deciding how we should think or live.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollin’s Children’s Books, Lois Lowry, HarperAudio Children’s, and Elise Arsenault for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click here to learn more about Lois Lowry!

Let’s Chat:

If you lived in a world where books and imagination were forbidden, what book would you miss the most, and why?

The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James: A Twisty Psychological Thriller Review

by // Leave a Comment

What would you do if you were covered in your husband’s blood and the police were about to take you away? That’s exactly where Robin James drops us at the beginning of The Lawyer’s Husband, and I was hooked! I always love a good psychological thriller, and this one didn’t disappoint. With some shorter chapters, multiple points of view, plenty of secrets, and twist after twist, The Lawyer’s Husband kept me guessing.

The Lawyer’s Husband by Robin James book cover featuring two gold wedding rings on a blue background

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Click to read the summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: The killer isn’t in the courtroom. He’s in your marriage. A must-read psychological thriller that will make you stay up all night. Fans of Gone Girl, The Housemaid and The Girl on the Train will be gasping out loud as they read the twists in this!

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Pages: 328

Publication Date: July 1, 2026

📚 Judi’s Report Card for The Lawyer’s Husband:

🪝 The Hook: A

The prologue did exactly what a good hook should do—it made me want to know what happened. We meet Mina, an assistant prosecutor, at the worst possible moment in her life. She is covered in blood and being taken away by the police. Then the story takes us back and lets us slowly figure out how she got there. I immediately had questions, which is a good sign. How did she get from Point A to that?

🏃 Pacing: A

The story moves quickly! The shorter chapters made me want to keep reading. I wish all psychological thrillers were set up that way. The different points of view kept the story moving. It was difficult to figure out whom to trust. There were so many twists and turns, and I kept second-guessing myself. I was usually wrong! With so many secrets floating around, I had to figure out which ones actually mattered. Robin James did a great job of giving us enough information without giving away too much too soon.

👥 Characters: B+

Mina was my favorite character. Since she was an assistant prosecutor, you would think she could look at things logically, but that wasn’t always the case. When the investigation becomes personal, you keep cheering for her, but you also wonder what the heck she must be thinking. She wasn’t a perfect person: she was stubborn, emotionally reactive, and sometimes just downright frustrating. That’s why I liked her. I especially liked seeing her involved in both the investigation and the courtroom scenes.

Corrine, whose point of view we also get throughout the story, added another layer that kept me intrigued. I’m glad James decided to include a separate point of view throughout the story.

⭐ Overall Grade: 4/5 Stars ★★★★☆

The Lawyer’s Husband was exactly the kind of psychological thriller I enjoy: fast-paced, twisty, full of secrets, and fun to try to figure everything out. In the beginning, I thought I had figured out the mystery, and I was expecting this to be a 3-star book. Then the story started making me second-guess everything, and I didn’t want to stop reading. I’m glad I was wrong about the mystery—that extra surprise earned it another star.

This is Book 1 in the The Mannings series. The second book comes out in January 2027, and I can’t wait to read it!

📝 Extra Credit Reading:

If you loved all the secrets, shifting suspicions, and “wait…what?” moments in The Lawyer’s Husband, these three thrillers should be next on your reading list:

  1. A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison |  Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If you liked trying to figure out what everyone was hiding in The Lawyer’s Husband, this one has the same kind of “who is telling the truth?” energy. Multiple story lines, buried secrets, and twists keep changing what you think you know.
  2. House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen |  Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? This is another great pick if you love collecting clues and constantly changing your mind about who to trust. The suspicion shifts from character to character, and the mystery unfolds piece by piece.
  3. The Marriage Rules by Samantha Hayes  |  Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If the marriage secrets and hidden motives were what kept you hooked in The Lawyer’s Husband, this one is a natural next read. It has that same domestic-thriller tension where you start wondering how well people really know the person they married.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Robin James for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click to learn more about Robin James!

Let’s Chat:

What’s more unsettling to you in a thriller—a spouse keeping secrets or realizing you may never have really known them at all?

The Wonder of One by Suzanne Redfearn: A Moving 5-Star Book Review

by // Leave a Comment

Suzanne Redfearn’s The Wonder of One is the kind of book that makes you care about a character almost immediately. Vivien Kendall got under my skin and stayed there. She’s a character I’ll remember for a long time, and that’s when I know I’ve read a really good book!

Born with a large birthmark on her face, Vivien grows up in a world that can be unbelievably cruel to anyone who looks different. But The Wonder of One isn’t just a story about cruelty. It’s about resilience, found family, friendship, competition, prejudice, and the people who love us enough to help shape who we become.

The Wonder of One by Suzanne Redfearn book cover featuring a woman’s silhouette against an orange and gold background.

5/5 Stars ★★★★★

Click to read the summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: “From the #1 Amazon bestselling author of In an Instant comes an inspirational coming-of-age story about one extraordinary girl’s determination to chase a dream.“

Genre: Coming-of-Age, Women’s Fiction

Pages: 381

Publication Date: September 15, 2026

My Thoughts on The Wonder of One:

⛸️ Growing Up With Vivien

One of my favorite things about The Wonder of One was that it was truly a coming-of-age story, but not one confined to a small period of Vivien Kendall’s life. We get to follow her through the decades, seeing how the experiences of her younger years continue to shape the woman she becomes.

Vivien was such an easy character for me to care about. She is born with a large birthmark covering part of her face, and because of it, she experiences an incredible amount of cruelty and prejudice. So many people have a hard time seeing beyond her birthmark to the person she actually is.

That part of the story broke my heart. But it was also probably my favorite part of the book.

Vivien could have allowed the way people treated her to define her. Instead, those experiences helped make her stronger, more compassionate, and more determined. I loved watching her become the person she was meant to be despite all the people who tried to make her feel like she was somehow less.

As for the bully in the story? I wanted to punch him!

❤️ The Family You Find

This book is very much about found family. Vivien may experience plenty of cruelty, but she also has people in her life who show up for her, love her, and give her a place to belong.

I loved those relationships.

The characters surrounding Vivien were one of the strongest parts of the story for me because they reminded me that family isn’t always about who you’re related to. Sometimes it’s about the people who choose you and never stop!

🧊 The Competitive World of Figure Skating

I also really enjoyed the figure skating story line. I found the competitive side of figure skating fascinating, especially as Vivien tried to find her place in a world where appearance and perfection mattered so much. I love books with a sports element, so the fact that figure skating was such an important part of the story made me very happy.

🔎 A Little Mystery Makes Everything Better

As if Vivien’s story weren’t interesting enough on its own, Redfearn adds a murder mystery. That gave the book an entirely different kind of tension and kept me wondering how everything would eventually connect.

I thought the mystery blended really well with the coming-of-age portion of the story rather than feeling like two completely different books mashed together. The mystery and dual timelines also helped keep the pacing strong throughout the book.

🎧 Read It or Listen to It?

I did both! I read about half of The Wonder of One and listened to the other half, and the audio was extremely well done.

I love being able to switch back and forth between a physical or digital book and the audiobook when the narration works, and this was definitely one where it did.

If you’re an audiobook reader, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend listening to this one. If you have Kindle Unlimited, the audiobook is included.

🎀 What About the Ending?

The ending was incredibly well done. Everything came together at exactly the right time, and all of the loose ends were tied up without the conclusion feeling rushed or too perfectly packaged.

I especially appreciated the timing of the reveals. Redfearn didn’t give things away too early, but she also didn’t drag everything out simply for the sake of keeping the reader guessing. By the time I reached the final pages, I felt like Vivien’s story had been given the ending it deserved.

📝 Extra Credit Reading

If you loved The Wonder of One like I did, add these three books to your extra-credit reading list:

  1. Catch the Sun by Jennifer Hartmann  |  Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If you loved watching Vivien grow up and become the person she was meant to be, Catch the Sun is another emotional coming-of-age story with characters you become completely invested in.
  2. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston |  Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If the found-family aspect of The Wonder of One was one of your favorite parts, this is another story about the people who come into our lives, choose to love us, and eventually become family.
  3. Liberty Street by Heather Marshall  |  Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If you liked the dual timelines and mystery woven through Vivien’s story, Liberty Street combines both while exploring how prejudice and society’s expectations can shape a woman’s life.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Suzanne Redfearn for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click to learn more about Suzanne Redfearn!

Let’s Chat:

Have you ever read a book where you became so attached to the main character that you felt personally offended when someone treated them badly?

Because apparently I was ready to climb right into The Wonder of One and deal with Vivien’s bully myself. 😂

Let me know in the comments!

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

by // Leave a Comment

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury immediately caught my attention because, as a teacher, I’m always looking for books set in schools and universities. There’s just something about an academic setting that pulls me in. Add Oxford University, spies, espionage, murder, and a little romance, and this sounded like exactly my kind of book.

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury book cover, an Oxford-set mystery featuring espionage, murder, and romance.

Click to read the summary or buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: Set against the backdrop of post-WWII Oxford University, The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is the irresistible debut from Kate Westbury that seamlessly layers mystery, romance, and a dash of academia to introduce the Crown’s newest undercover operatives.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Historical Fiction

Pages: 352

Published: September 1, 2026

📚 Judi’s Report Card:

🎓 Premise & Setting: A-

Oxford University, spies, espionage, murder, and romance? The premise immediately grabbed my attention. I loved the idea of all that secrecy and scandal playing out against the backdrop of Oxford. One day, I would love to visit Oxford just to see some of the places mentioned in this book.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Main Characters: B+

Gin and Sidney were easily my favorite part of the book. I liked both of them and enjoyed their relationship and the scenes they shared. I actually wished they were together more throughout the story. You could tell right from the start that there was going to be some type of relationship between them. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel nearly as connected to the rest of the characters.

🔎 Mystery & Suspense: C

This is going to be controversial because so many other readers loved the mystery and suspense of this story. It really does have an Agatha Christie feel to it. For me, however, it fell a little flat. There wasn’t much of a lead-in to the librarian before he was murdered (this happens at the very beginning), so I never felt very invested in finding out what happened to him. I wanted the mystery to pull me in more than it did.

🐢 Pacing: C

The beginning caught my attention, but the middle struggled to hold it. There were stretches where I just wasn’t that anxious to get back to the story. Thankfully, the ending picked up and added some much-needed tension. I found myself much more interested in what was happening the last few chapters. I just wish that same energy had been there throughout more of the story.

🎧 Audiobook Performance: A-

The audio performance by Ell Potter saved the story for me. It was very well done. It took me a little while to adjust to the British accent, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Since the story takes place at Oxford University, the accent actually added to the atmosphere and gave the book more character. I found myself wanting to listen to the book more often than read it, and that doesn’t happen very often for me.

⭐ Overall Grade: C+ (3/5 Stars ★★★☆☆)

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies had so many ingredients that should have worked for me. It had Oxford University, espionage, murder, romance, and two main characters I genuinely liked. Unfortunately, it lost my interest through much of the middle, and I never became invested enough in the murder mystery. The stronger ending and enjoyable audiobook helped, but overall, this one landed right in the middle for me.

📝 Extra Credit Reading:

If the Oxford setting was what first pulled you into The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies, here are three more books from my bookshelf that offer interesting settings, suspense, secrets, or a little espionage of their own.

  1. The Teacher’s Pet by M.A. Hunter | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Like The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies, this one takes place in a school setting, which I always like after spending more than thirty years in education. It also has secrets from the past and a mystery at the center of the story. I gave this one three stars too, but the familiar school setting kept me interested.
  2.  A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If you wanted more suspense and tension from The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies, this is a good one to try next. A Dead Draw has a much stronger cat-and-mouse feel, characters I became invested in right away, and a second half that really picks up the pace.
  3. Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, and Chris Crabtree | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If the espionage side of The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies interested you, Hold Strong takes that element in a very different direction. Set during World War II, it includes a highly classified U.S. code-breaking team along with a powerful historical fiction story. This was a five-star read for me.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, Kate Westbury, and Ell Potter for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Click to learn more about Kate Westbury!

Let’s Chat:

Are you more likely to pick up a book because of its setting? I’m always drawn to stories set in schools or universities. What kind of setting grabs your attention?

Your GLP-1 Game Plan by Heidi Skolnik Review: Nutrition, Side Effects & Recipes

by // Leave a Comment

Your GLP-1 Game Plan: What Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You About How to Eat, Move, and Thrive on Weight Loss Medications—With 50 Easy, Nutritious Recipes by Heidi Skolnik caught my attention right away because I grew up as an athlete, and I’ve always appreciated a good game plan. Plus, I’m just a sucker for a good book about health and nutrition.

I’m not currently taking a GLP-1 medication, so I read this from the perspective of someone who wanted to understand more about how these medications work and what people need to do to be successful while taking them. What I liked most is that Skolnik doesn’t treat a GLP-1 as something you simply start taking and then hope for the best. She explains the nutrition, movement, habits, and planning that need to go along with the medication. I found it interesting even just from a “how to make healthier food choices” standpoint.

Cover of Your GLP-1 Game Plan by Heidi Skolnik Review: A Practical Guide for GLP-1 Success.

Click to read the summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: Maximize results and minimize risks on GLP-1 medications with cutting-edge nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle guidance. GLP-1 are transforming lives, yet lasting success depends on more than just the prescription. Research shows that people who also apply nutrition, exercise, and mental health strategies achieve better, longer-lasting results. Unfortunately, most are given little guidance, risking issues like malnutrition, muscle loss, and fatigue as they lose weight.

Genre: Health

Pages: 352

Published on: September 22, 2026

📚 Judi’s Report Card on Your GLP-1 Game Plan:

Nutrition Guidance: A

This was the strongest part of the book for me.

Skolnik spends a lot of time explaining how important it is to get enough protein and fiber while taking a GLP-1. Since these medications can reduce your appetite so much, you may not be eating nearly as much as you did before. That makes the food you do eat even more important.

I liked that she didn’t just say, “Eat more protein” or “Get more fiber.” Everyone talks about how you should eat your protein first. She talks about swapping foods, building meals differently, and choosing foods that help you meet your nutritional goals even when you are eating smaller portions.

That made the advice feel practical rather than overwhelming.

Visual Meal Planning: A

I definitely enjoyed her example of a balanced plate, whether you are on a GLP-1 or not.

I think this would be especially useful for visual learners because sometimes seeing what a meal should look like is much easier than reading a list of percentages, grams, and serving sizes.

Her plate example made the nutrition advice feel much more manageable. Instead of trying to remember a long list of rules, you can actually picture what you are aiming for when you sit down to eat.

Side Effects & Problem Solving: A-

Skolnik explains some of the problems people may experience and gives suggestions for how to prevent them or make them easier to manage. I found the information about which foods may make certain side effects worse especially interesting. Honestly, a lot of it is just good information for supporting a healthy gut microbiome, which is something I’ve really enjoyed learning more about lately.

This section helped make the book feel realistic. She isn’t pretending there are no downsides. Instead, she gives readers a better idea of what they might encounter and how to prepare for it. This definitely fits into a strong “game plan.”

Supplements: B+

I thought this was an important addition because when someone is eating much less food, it makes sense that they may need to pay more attention to whether they are getting enough of certain nutrients. As someone who has practiced intermittent fasting for a while, I already think a lot about whether I’m getting enough nutrients when I’m eating less, so I appreciated that she included this topic instead of focusing only on weight loss.

Recipes: A

The book includes 50 recipes, and I thought they were a really useful addition. The recipes are healthy and give readers a good idea of how much to eat and what a balanced meal can actually look like. I especially liked that she includes the amount of protein and fiber in each recipe. Since those are two of the main nutrients she emphasizes throughout the book, having that information right there makes it much easier to put her advice into practice.

The recipes also help turn the book from something you simply read into something you can actually use.

Author Expertise: A

Heidi Skolnik has an impressive background when it comes to nutrition and healthy eating, and that came through in the book. I felt like the advice was grounded in real nutrition principles rather than the latest diet trend. She explains things in a way that is easy to understand without talking down to the reader or making everything overly scientific.

That balance is hard to get right, and I thought she did it well.

Kindle Experience: C+

I personally would not recommend reading this book on a Kindle. There are so many charts, recipes, and visual examples that I found them difficult to read electronically. I think this is one of those books that would work much better in print. With a physical copy, you could flip back to a chart, look at the balanced plate example again, mark a recipe, or keep it nearby as a reference.

⭐ Overall Grade: A- / 4 Stars

Your GLP-1 Game Plan is a practical and informative guide that helps explain what needs to happen beyond just getting a prescription from your doctor. For someone just starting a GLP-1 and wondering, “Now what?” this book provides a very good game plan. Even if you’re not taking a GLP-1, like me, there is still plenty of useful information about nutrition and healthy eating.

📝 Extra Credit Reading:

If you enjoyed Your GLP-1 Game Plan and want to keep reading about nutrition and healthy habits, try these books that I’ve reviewed in the past:

  1. The Foodie Diet by Ella Davar, RD | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Both books focus on making food choices that support your health rather than following a restrictive diet. They also offer practical nutrition advice and recipes that can help you put what you’ve learned into practice.
  2.  Food Fix Uncensored by Dr. Mark Hyman | Buy on Amazon
  3. Living Proof by Tiffany Graham Charkosky | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Both are health-focused nonfiction books that encourage readers to become more informed about their bodies and the choices they make for their health. They approach the topic differently, but both offer information that can help readers think more intentionally about their own health.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Heidi Skolnik for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Visit Heidi’s website to learn more about her!

Let’s Chat:

Which would be hardest for you to keep up with: protein, fiber, hydration, or meal planning?

You Know Why by J.T. Ellison: Unraveling Secrets

by // Leave a Comment

How well do you really know the people closest to you? That question kept coming to mind as I was reading You Know Why by J.T. Ellison. Since I enjoyed Ellison’s novel, A Very Bad Thing, I was excited to pick up another thriller by her, and this one gave me exactly what I was hoping for – twists, secrets, and reasons to question who was telling the truth!

You Know Why by J.T. Ellison book cover, a domestic thriller

Click to read the summary or to buy it on Amazon!

From the publisher: From New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison comes a suspenseful domestic thriller about identity, revenge, and the dangerous secrets kept hidden from the ones we love most.

Genre: Mystery/Thrillers; Police Procedural

Pages: 479

Published on: August 25, 2026

📚 Judi’s Report Card for You Know Why:

👭 Characters: A-

All of the characters were interesting and most played a big role in the story. My favorite two characters were the twins, Brooklyn and Margot. I appreciated the sisterly love between them, no matter what was going on in their lives. Family was definitely a common theme throughout the book. This crazy story needed at least one solid relationship!

Theresa brought the police procedural side of the story. She was all-in on solving the mystery of Chloe’s death, even when it came at a cost to herself. I appreciated her dedication a woman detective.

⏱️ Plot, Pacing & Point of View: A-

You Know Why moved along quickly. Each chapter seemed to reveal another twist, clue, or new piece of information. It was never boring. Yes, that was me reading past midnight last night because I needed to know what was going to happen next.

The different points of view made the story even more interesting because I was constantly deciding who I trusted and who might pull one over on me. Basically, I trusted no one! At times, the plot was a little outlandish, but it made reading the different points of view more fun. I totally didn’t care that some events were a little out there because I came for the entertainment and stayed for the craziness!

🧩 Ending: A

I love when a thriller finally pulls all of those clues together and makes me think, Ohhh, so THAT’S why that mattered! The ending was pure entertainment, and I was happy with how it all came together.

⭐ Overall Grade: A- / 4 Stars

You Know Why was fast, entertaining, and kept my interest the whole time. I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery right along with the characters. I need to read a more mellow book next, so I can get some sleep! After enjoying two books by Ellison, I know she is an author that I will continue to follow.

Where to Buy You Know Why and More:

Buy You Know Why on Amazon!

Extra Credit Reading:

If You Know Why had you questioning everyone and trying to piece together every little clue, here are three more thrillers from my bookshelf that might make you suspicious of absolutely everyone.

  1. A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? If you liked Ellison’s twists and the way she slowly connects random characters and clues in You Know Why, this is an easy choice. A Very Bad Thing also has multiple story lines, plenty of secrets, and an ending that pulls everything together. This was the book that made me want to read more J.T. Ellison in the first place.
  2.  Ours Is a Tale of Murder by Nora Murphy | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Both books give you multiple points of view and a whole group of people who may or may not be telling you the truth. There are family secrets, murder, plenty of suspicious behavior, and one of those plots where you know all of the different story lines are eventually going to collide. I especially loved trying to figure out how everything was connected.
  3. House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? This is another great choice if your favorite part of You Know Why was collecting clues and constantly changing your mind about who you trusted. House of Glass drops little hints along the way and keeps shifting the possibilities just when you think you have the mystery figured out. Apparently, I enjoy spending my free time distrusting fictional people.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and J.T. Ellison for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Visit J.T. Ellison’s website to learn more about her and her books!

Let’s Chat:

Do you think we ever really know the people closest to us, or does everyone keep a few secrets?

The Heart Trials by J. Elle Book Review: A Five-Star Dystopian Surprise

by // 1 Comment

I honestly didn’t expect to give The Heart Trials by J. Elle 5 stars!

As a language arts teacher, I read and taught so many dystopian novels when the genre was at its peak that I eventually grew tired of them. I started avoiding them on purpose. When I realized The Heart Trials was a dystopian novel, I wondered whether it would feel too familiar.

Instead, I loved it from beginning to end. I couldn’t wait to get back to the story each night. I’m so glad that there is going to be a sequel!

Book cover of The Heart Trials by J. Elle, a young adult dystopian romantasy novel.

Click to read the summary or to buy it on Amazon

Genre: Dystopian, Romantasy

Pages: 400

Published on: September 1, 2026

From the publisher: In a world where love is forbidden, one girl must fight for her heart and freedom through deadly trials in the first book of a new dystopian romantasy duology from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Elle.

Welcome to The Heart Trials.
The prize is love.
The cost is everything.

📚 Judi’s Report Card for The Heart Trials:

👩 Main Characters: A+
The main female character, Axira, is smart, capable, determined, and completely badass. She doesn’t sit around waiting for someone else to rescue her. She makes difficult decisions, takes risks, and fights for what she believes in. I was cheering her on every step of the way.

Prince Caelus, well, he is not what I expected, and I’m happy about that.

🎭 Characterization: A+
The characterization is extremely well done. The characters have distinct personalities, motivations, strengths, and vulnerabilities. I cared about what happened to them…well, most of them anyway. Others I wanted to punch! I’m looking at you, the Benevolent!

❤️ Romance: A
The love interest is handled very well. The romance adds emotion and tension to the story without taking over the entire plot. I mean who doesn’t love “love”? I’m glad J. Elle kept the romance tame enough for the book to remain appropriate for its young adult audience. (The publisher recommends it for ages 14 and up.)

🔥 Plot & Pacing: A+
From the beginning to the end, I was never bored. Something was always happening, but the book still allowed enough time for the characters and relationships to develop.

🌎 Dystopian World: A
Although the story reminded me at times of The Hunger Games, the author added enough original ideas to make the world feel fresh. That is not easy to do in a genre that has already been explored so many times. If The Hunger Games had a more hopeful twin, this book would be it.

🎬 Movie and/or Book Club Potential: A+
This book would make a great movie. The trials, action, emotional moments, romance, and strong characters would all translate well to the screen.

It would also make an excellent book-club choice for eighth-grade readers and older students, with plenty to discuss about freedom, power, loyalty, sacrifice, found families, and whether emotions should ever be controlled.

⭐ Overall Grade: A+

I gave The Heart Trials an A+ because it surprised me in the best possible way. I went into it thinking I was tired of dystopian novels, but J. Elle made the genre feel fresh again. The storyline kept me interested from beginning to end, the characters were well developed, and the romance added emotion without taking over the plot. Axira was exactly the kind of strong female character I love reading about. I could not wait to get back to the book each night, which is always a sign of a five-star read for me.

Who Do I Recommend The Heart Trials To?

I recommend The Heart Trials to readers who enjoy:

  • Strong female characters
  • Dystopian worlds
  • Dangerous competitions
  • Well-developed characters
  • Romance that does not overpower the plot
  • Fast-paced stories
  • Books similar to The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner but with a different twist

Where to Buy The Heart Trials and More:

Buy The Heart Trials on Amazon!

Extra Credit Reading:

If The Heart Trials earned an A+ from you, add these three books to your extra-credit reading list:

  1. Target Acquired by Lynette Eason | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? This is another action-filled story featuring a strong, capable female character. It also includes suspense and romance, making it a good choice for you if you enjoyed the way The Heart Trials balanced Axira’s strength with romance.
  2.  The Fall of Iris Henley by Jennifer Graham | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? This young adult thriller also features a fast-moving plot, danger, secrets, and a teenage girl trying to determine whom she can trust. It does not have the fantasy world or romance of The Heart Trials, but if you enjoy suspenseful pacing and high stakes, you should find plenty to like. I compared it to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Black Mirror.
  3. Beach Thriller by Jamie Day | Buy on Amazon
    • Read my full review here
    • Why? Holly and Jade, are very different from Axira, but they are also strong female underdogs with complicated pasts who must face danger rather than wait to be rescued. The story combines suspense, emotional relationships, and well-developed female characters, making it a good choice if you were most drawn to the characterization in The Heart Trials.

Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and J. Elle for my free copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Visit J. Elle’s website to learn more about the author and her books.

Let’s Chat:

Would you enter a dangerous competition for the chance to change your life? Why or why not?

Recent Posts

Use the Code While You Can!

https://amzn.to/3YW7KXd Get great deals on Amazon Prime today. I have already saved over $3,000 this year.