Cute picture book on the president's day

If Otis was POTUS by Slater Harry

 As a retired second grade teacher, this is a very child-friendly way to explain what life is like for the president.  The little dogs are cute, the rhyming text is fun although maybe a bit contrived in some spots, and the illustrations are warm and fun.  The real-life pictures of the dog characters at the end add a very special feature that kids will love.  I can easily imagine reading this to a classroom to illustrate how our president works to get things done for our nation.  And of course, the flea infestation easily corresponds to another national emergency in the recent past. I am grateful to have received this arc in exchange for this, my honest review.

Charming Novel about an Octogenarian

 

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

This book was easy to love.  Frederick was an endearing character who finds himself near homelessness when he stumbles into Bernard’s life, literally. 

The writing was humorous, even laugh-at-loud funny.  The characters were lovable.  Frederick’s attitude toward his new life and good fortune are refreshing.  He changes the lives of people around him by loving them well.  In short, there was much to enjoy about this book.

The reason I gave it four stars instead of five was due to the language.  It was a bit cruder than I would have liked, but I understand that is a personal preference.  I do think the author could have achieved the same effect without the four-letter words.

If you are a fan of lovable characters, clever plots, happy endings, and funny situations, you will enjoy this book.  I am grateful to HarperCollins Publishers for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas Novella by Lynn Austin

 

Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin

This novella takes up where Ms. Austin’s last book, All My Secrets, published in 2024, left off.  I really enjoyed learning how Addy and Howard were adjusting to married life.  Their little family expands to welcome some orphans in need of temporary home.  Addy and Howard do their best to help them find their missing father, who may be working as a sailor.  As they prepare for the holiday and work to find Jack and Polly’s missing parent, both Addy and Howard learn important lessons about love and trusting God.

The characters are lovable and determined.  I admired Addy’s tenacity and determination to be a good wife.  Howard is creative and loves Addy well.  Each character grows and develops in a realistic way.

The plot is neatly tied up at the end of the book with some interesting possibilities for the characters’ futures and a couple of surprises the reader will enjoy.  I am grateful to the publisher for this book in exchange for this, my honest review.

New to Me Author

 

It’s All Relative by Rachel Magee

Helena is a high school teacher who considers it a good day if she arrives at school early enough to review her lesson plans for the day.  Her best friend Landon is a history teacher and soccer coach at the same school.  She wrangles him into tagging along as her plus-one on a wedding week celebration for her mom and her new step father.  The ground work is laid for lots of comedy and some surprises.

The narrator makes this story zing!  I really enjoyed listening to it.  The plot twists, although not unexpected were fun.  I loved how the characters developed over the course of the story.  The epilogue answered many of my questions and gave the story closure.

Even though this was published by Thomas Nelson, the content was not explicitly Christian, but was very clean and enjoyable, even for teen readers.  It was the kind of story that I was comfortable reading without having to filter any content.

I am grateful to Thomas Nelson for this very enjoyable audio book in return for this, my honest review.

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

 Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

Josephina runs her own event planning business in a small town that has snubbed her because of an issue with her father’s construction company which has sullied her family’s reputation.  She has been dumped by her boyfriend and needs a change, so she takes a job as a project manager for an elderly gentleman who has bought an island to refurbish the lighthouse.

The setting immerses the reader in the outer banks of North Carolina.  Small towns and marshes and the sea provide the backdrop for the mystery that sweeps up Joey, Finn, the grandson, and Walt, the grandfather.

The characters are interesting and revealed slowly by the author.  I especially enjoyed Joey.  Although all of them have their flaws, they grow and learn and give each other second chances. 

There is a bit of romance laced throughout the story, both in the past and the present, but not too much for a reader like me who prefers just a little of it.

This was a captivating story and I am grateful to the publisher for the opportunity to read it in exchange for this, my honest review.

New Novel by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

 

I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

A grieving widow learns through an AI chatbot that her dead husband thinks he was murdered.  This sets her on a quest to find out how and why. 

The novel has some mystery, romance, and suspense as well as some unique features.  The AI chatbot and bitcoin mention captured my attention.  The Norwegian village and restaurant added a charming element.  And of course, not everything is as it seems, which adds some unexpected plot twists.

 Even though Colleen Coble has partnered with Rick Acker, I found the storyline and characters to be true to her former books.  If you are a fan of hers, you will love this new series where she partners with Rick Acker.  I am grateful to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for this, my honest opinion.

Audio book review

 

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh

This audio book was delightful.  The narrator really added to the story.  The plot was cute, but still thought-provoking.  The characters were very personable and quirky, especially Kelsey and Georgina. My go-to genre is Christian fiction.  This book was not overtly Christian but was clean and I didn’t have to filter out any non-Christian elements.  The ending was perfect as all the threads came together in a very satisfying way.  This was the first time I had read anything by the author, but I will make it a point to read her books from now on.  I am grateful to the publisher for the privilege of listening to this audio book in exchange for this, my honest review.