It’s time for my first half of January 2025 book review post! I am sharing what I read in January so far, although I am skipping my 5 star reads to share later in the month. The Amazon links to the books I’ve read are affiliate links and if you use them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. If you’ve read any of these books or are interested in them, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Title: Beautiful Ugly
Author: Alice Feeney
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Flatiron Books, 1/14/25
Source: Book of the Month
Why I Read It: BOTM pick
My Rating: 4 Stars
I’m not really a fan of Alice Feeney, mainly because I think she uses a lot of trickery in her writing. This is about Abby, who goes missing, and Grady, her husband who is left behind. His agent sends him to a weird island to work on his new book, but everyone there is weird and he keeps thinking he’s seeing Abby.
“Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life. Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared. A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible – a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.”
This book was pretty atmospheric and I didn’t hate it or love it. I wasn’t a fan of the way the book ended either.
Title: Nanny Dearest
Author: Flora Collins
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Harlequin Audio, 11/30/21
Source: BookTrib – print, Library – audio
Why I Read It: Backlist
My Rating: 4 Stars
I received this book in 2021 randomly and I remember wondering whether or not to read it. I finally listened to the audio this month. It is narrated by Brittany Pressley and Reba Buhr and it is about Sue, who runs into and reconnects with her childhood nanny, Annie. Sue has recently lost her father and her mother died when she was a child, so Annie provides comfort as well as information about Sue’s childhood.
“Sue Keller is lost. When her father dies suddenly, she’s orphaned in her mid-twenties, her mother already long gone. Then Sue meets Annie. It’s been twenty years, but Annie could never forget that face. She was Sue’s live-in nanny at their big house upstate, and she loved Sue like she was her own. Craving connection and mothering, Sue is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue starts to uncover the truth about Annie’s unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure—or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie’s care.”
This book definitely kept me listening, although I didn’t find that it had much of a plot. Annie was a creepy character and this was a quick listen!
Title: And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
Author: Fredrik Backman
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, 11/1/16
Source: Library audio
Why I Read It: Looking for books about dementia
My Rating: 4 Stars
I listened to the novella And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman. I wanted to listen to this because it is about a man grappling with losing his memory. The man is talking to his grandson about what it is like inside his head, and he is remembering his wife who has passed away and his son, who is now grown up.
“From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, and Anxious People comes an exquisitely moving portrait of an elderly man’s struggle to hold on to his most precious memories, and his family’s efforts to care for him even as they must find a way to let go. With all the same charm of his bestselling full-length novels, here Fredrik Backman once again reveals his unrivaled understanding of human nature and deep compassion for people in difficult circumstances. This is a tiny gem with a message you’ll treasure for a lifetime.”
This book made me cry a lot. I think these quotes will illustrate why.
“It’s an awful thing to miss someone who’s still here.”
“Those who hasten to live are in a hurry to miss.”
“That’s why we get the chance to spoil our grandchildren, because by doing that we’re apologizing to our children.”
“It hurts less and less. That’s one thing about forgetting things. You forget things that hurt too.”
“We can walk down the road with him. We can keep him company.”
“I’m constantly reading a book with a missing page, and it’s always the most important one.”
“[It feels] like constantly searching for something in your pockets. First you lose the small things, then it’s the big ones. It starts with keys and ends with people.”
Anyone dealing with aging or with aging family members should appreciate this one.
Title: Doctors and Friends
Author: Kimmery Martin
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Berkley, Books on Tape, 11/9/21
Source: Publisher, Library audio
Why I Read It: Backlist
My Rating: 4 Stars
Doctors and Friends is about a group of doctors (and friends) during a global pandemic. This book is not about Covid and was written before Covid, making it extremely predictive of what actually occurred, and I am glad that I read it with as many years separating me from actual events as I did. I listened to this one and it is told from the viewpoints of Kira, a mom as well as a an infectious disease doctor, Hannah, who is an obgyn and also has infertility struggles, and Compton, an ER doctor.
“Hannah, Compton, and Kira have been close friends since medical school, reuniting once a year for a much-needed vacation. Just as they gather to travel in Spain, an outbreak of a fast-spreading virus throws the world into chaos. When Compton Winfield returns to her job as an ER doctor in New York City, she finds a city changed beyond recognition—and a personal loss so gutting it reshapes every aspect of her life. Hannah Geier’s career as an ob-gyn in San Diego is fulfilling but she’s always longed for a child of her own. After years of trying, Hannah discovers she’s expecting a baby just as the disease engulfs her city. Kira Marchand, an infectious disease doctor at the CDC in Atlanta, finds herself at the center of the American response to the terrifying new illness. Her professional battle turns personal when she must decide whether her children will receive an experimental but potentially life-saving treatment.”
So many things in this book reminded me of Covid, besides the fact that in this world, they actually had a competent president. Some of the medical talk went over my head, but I enjoyed listening to the issues the doctors dealt with, their relationships with each other, and getting to know their families.
Title: The Minders
Author: John Marrs
Genre: Sci Fi Thriller
Publisher: Berkley, 2/16/21
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Backlist
My Rating: 4 Stars
The Minders takes place in the same world as and makes many references to the events that occurred in The One and The Passengers, so it is worthwhile to read these books in order. The Minders is about the government’s attempt at keeping secrets safe from hackers by implanting them into the brains of citizens who are willing to give up their lives and start over. The main characters are all trying to escape something in their personal lives including depression, loneliness, and an abusive relationship. There is also a character who has lost her memory and her finding out what is happening makes up a good deal of the plot.
“In the 21st century, information is king. But computers can be hacked and files can be broken into – so a unique government initiative has been born. Five ordinary people have been selected to become Minders – the latest weapon in thwarting cyberterrorism. Transformed by a revolutionary medical procedure, the country’s most classified information has been taken offline and turned into genetic code implanted inside their heads. Together, the five know every secret – the truth behind every government lie, conspiracy theory and cover up. In return, they’re given the chance to leave their problems behind and a blank slate to start their lives anew.”
I liked this one more than The Passengers and I liked learning about each of the characters here. Sci fi is still not my genre, but this reads as a thriller as well!
Title: We Can Be Heroes
Author: Kyrie McCauley
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books, 9/7/21
Source: Publisher, Library Audio
Why I Read It: Backlist
My Rating: 3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4
Another backlist book from my shelf, I listened to We Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley, which is about Beck and Vivian, who have survived a school shooting that killed their best friend Cassie. The killer, Cassie’s ex who she was afraid of, was the son of the CEO of Bell Firearms. This is a town that loves their guns. Beck and Vivian want vengeance for Cassie. They begin painting murals to memorialize her – and they begin to talk to her ghost.
“Beck and Vivian never could stand each other, but they always tried their best for their mutual friend, Cassie. After the town moves on from Cassie’s murder too fast, Beck and Vivian finally find common ground: vengeance. They memorialize Cassie by secretly painting murals of her around town, a message to the world that Cassie won’t be forgotten. But Beck and Vivian are keeping secrets, like the third passenger riding in Beck’s VW bus with them—Cassie’s ghost. When their murals catch the attention of a podcaster covering Cassie’s case, they become the catalyst for a debate that Bell Firearms can no longer ignore. With law enforcement closing in on them, Beck and Vivian hurry to give Cassie the closure she needs—by delivering justice to those responsible for her death.”
In the audio, I couldn’t really tell apart Beck and Vivian, although they each had their own story. I also couldn’t tell that Cassie’s parts were written in verse until I looked inside the print version. The podcast episodes were done well in the audio, and I appreciated the full cast narration. This is an important topic and it deals with abusive relationships as well as gun laws and how far a town will go to protect its income stream.
Title: Truth or Beard
Author: Penny Reid
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, originally 7/21/15 and reissued 1/28/25
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4
I have always heard good things about the Winston Brothers series so I was excited to check out this special edition version of the first book in the series. It is about Jessica, who always thought she liked Beau, but goes on to realize that it is his twin brother Duane who she is actually attracted to. These childhood friends to lovers are conflicted because Jessica wants to travel while Duane is committed to staying in the town where his family lives.
“Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. That’s why perpetually level-headed Jessica James has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau for most of her life, while Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t bear the sight of her. But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in the middle of a massive confusion kerfuffle. She’s spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain, so now that she knows she’s been wrong all along, she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest…and his hot looks and hot hands and even hotter kisses. She always thought she knew her own mind, but as Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who’s been her sworn adversary for years, how much of her heart is she willing to risk?”
I loved the illustrations and editions inside this book – they are so cute! I also liked the brothers a lot, especially Cletus. I didn’t really love the side drama involving the motorcycle club and some of the pacing was a little slow for me. However, I will definitely consider reading more from this series!
Title: Chickenpox
Author: Remy Lai, illustrated by Brian Geffen
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co BYR, 1/14/25
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
This graphic novel is based on the author’s childhood and is about the oldest of 5 siblings in 1994. Abby, who is 12, deals with her mom expecting her to care for her younger siblings and to “know better” since she is older. The siblings catch chickenpox from Abby’s friend and are stuck home together while they recover.
“All big sister Abby wants is to spend more time with her friends, far away from the sticky fingers and snooping eyes of her annoying brothers and sisters. But when a case of the chickenpox leaves the Lai kids covered in scratchy red spots and stuck at home together for two weeks of nonstop mayhem, Abby thinks this might be the end . . . of her sanity. Yet she feels responsible for the situation since her best friend was Patient Zero and brought chickenpox into their home. Will the itch to escape her siblings overwhelm Abby or will she realize being a big sister isn’t all bad?”
This book felt so nostalgic as I also had chickenpox when I was older, around the same time period. The middle school friendship misunderstandings felt familiar and I loved the included explanations of things like rotary phones that were common in the ’90s. While this is a middle grade book, at times it felt like it was meant for adults who had already lived through the struggles of the siblings while growing up. This was a quick, one sitting read for me.
This post includes 8 of the books I read this month. 4 were print books and 4 were on audio. 6 of them were adult books, 1 was YA, and 1 was middle grade. Genres included thriller, contemporary, rom com, and a graphic novel.
Have you read any of these books or do you want to? What have you been reading lately?
