The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer

THE STORY KEEPER by Kelly Rimmer is sure to be a popular choice with readers of mysteries and historic fiction. Just released, it is an upcoming Indie Next pick and also number one for July’s LibraryReads selections. Set in Australia, this novel cleverly provides a book within a book story, using a dual timeline and suspenseful gothic undertones.  Fiona’s daughters are starting their adult lives when her husband asks for a divorce and pushes her out of their shared architectural business. Desperate for a project and purpose, she returns to the family estate named Wurimbirra, intent on restoring it. But her mother, who lives nearby, actively discourages her from changing anything and several local residents insist the house is haunted. After some strange happenings, Fiona even starts to question her decision and turns to a book, called The Midnight Estate, for diversion. Readers can share in deciphering that tale of marital abuse and escape which has some surprising parallels with Fiona’s life and contains its own mysteries and adventure. Booklist recommends THE STORY KEEPER for those “who enjoy secret-filled family sagas by Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley.”

An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton

Suspenseful and with a surprising ending, AN INFINITE LOVE STORY by Chanel Cleeton (The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes) is a work of historical fiction and set in the 1960s. The emphasis is on the nascent space program and the lives of test pilots, early astronauts and their families. Cleeton begins with the facts that divorces in the United States at that time were 2.9 for every 1,000 marriages; while “there were thirty-nine married astronauts in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. Twenty of those marriages ultimately ended in divorce.” And, then she shifts to fiction and the news of a missing spaceship in 1968. Employing frequent flashbacks, she introduces readers to the main characters: Vivian, an aspiring journalist, and Joe, a fighter pilot who has dreams of travelling in space. The most memorable element of this book is the devotion which Viv and Joe have for each other. For the most part, that is beautifully written, but it becomes somewhat repetitive as Cleeton continually emphasizes the tension: “It must be an extraordinary thing to be loved by a man who felt things so deeply, so passionately, that he devoted his life to a vocation with such singularity. Or was his love for flying, for his dreams of space, so great that there was room for little else?” Still, AN INFINITE LOVE STORY not only conveys the love between two people, the historical events and details also invoke many memories of rocket launches and a country’s love affair with space travel in a more hopeful, inspiring time. Discussion questions are included as are references to relevant works like The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin, Apollo 8 by Jeffrey Kluger, and Rocket Men by Robert Kurson. Publishers Weekly gave AN INFINITE LOVE STORY a starred review, saying, “Readers won’t want to miss this.”

Everything Changes Everything by Lauren Kessler

EVERYTHING CHANGES EVERYTHING by Lauren Kessler is a memoir which covers “Love, Loss, and a Really Long Walk.” Kessler, an award-winning author and teacher, shares the emotional story of the assisted suicide death of her husband and the overdose of her daughter a few months later. These heavy topics are treated reverently and insights conveyed poignantly through beautiful writing:

“I can, ever so hesitantly, every once in a while, sit across from a friend and let them in on a sliver of my life. But I can't turn my head on the pillow at night and talk to the person who knows me as much as I have ever let anyone know me.”

“WIDOW. WINDOW. I am not trying to be clever. I'm saying that widowhood is a window. Looking through it, you can view, assess, learn from, cry over, laugh about, regret, celebrate - everything - a marriage that was, the relationship that helped define you for decades. Falling in love is easy. A long marriage is hard.”

Referring to her husband and their children: “I have a past that does not include him. They do not.”

“…so much a part of who I am, and who I will ever be. I am walking through the world with them and without them. There is no denouement. The story continues.”

Kessler intersperses flashbacks about her family and feelings with the story of her walk along the Camino Francés, an ancient 500-mile pilgrimage route between Spain and France. At times a physically challenging route, this endeavor (requiring about a month to complete) allowed her to spend time alone, to observe nature, visit picturesque villages, and meet new people – essentially an opportunity to reflect on her life before and in the future. Kessler writes about “a lesson of the Camino that translates directly to life: that occasionally and gloriously, there are true aha moments, but mostly there is the long slog toward making sense of who you are.”  Along the way, she quotes Mary Oliver (“When Death Comes…”) and comedian George Carlin (“I want to live my life backwards…”).

I would also highly recommend The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks; these, too, deal with time spent in nature and self-reflection while facing the loss of a spouse.

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY is the latest novel by award-winning author Elizabeth Strout (Olive Kitteridge, My Name is Lucy Barton, and more). Once again, Strout offers readers insight into the thoughts and feelings of a “regular” person: in this case, fifty-seven-year-old Artie Dam who is married to Evie with one son, Rob and teaches high school history classes where he impacts the lives of students like Danny Marino and Rhonda Lazarre. Strout writes, “all of us live with a huge blind spot before our eyes, meaning that no matter what we think we know we can never fully understand how we appear to others.” This is a bittersweet story which explores themes of loneliness, sadness, compassion, perspective, inter-connectedness, and, overall, the secrets we keep. There are several upheavals in Artie’s life and one in particular leaves him feeling “as though he had lived these many years looking at things from one angle, and now it was as though someone had turned him partly in a different direction and everything - everything - looked different.” Both melancholy and hopeful (“it was a private thing to be alive”), THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY received a starred review from Booklist.

The Queen's Coronation by Jennifer Ryan

THE QUEEN'S CORONATION by Jennifer Ryan (The Kitchen Front and more) is a work of historical fiction set in early 1950’s Britain. Based in large part on reminiscences from her grandmother, Ryan has written numerous books set during WWII and I would recommend those over this latest. Here, readers will again find women building a community and supporting each other, but this book seemed to focus more on their problems and to be more repetitive than Ryan’s other novels. THE QUEEN'S CORONATION is still a good story involving Caroline, an assistant dresser to the Queen; Lucy, a beautiful aspiring singer who is taken advantage of; and Miranda, a self-centered, independent newspaper woman. Because of events in their pasts (an out of wedlock pregnancy, potential for stepparent abuse; and widowhood), each of these women struggles with her own feelings of inadequacy. Whereas Ryan’s books are often more about a group of women actively encouraging each other, this one seems to focus on the individual plights and the unhappiness and abandonment faced by Caroline, Lucy, and Miranda. Earlier works are more uplifting; this one compensates with some “inside” details on the coronation and the young queen as she, too, copes with 1950s gender stereotypes and expectations.

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff

THE BURNING SIDE by Sarah Damoff is a beautifully written, character-driven story set in Texas and a LibraryReads selection for May 2026. The focus is on April and Leo whose house burns down and whose marriage is falling apart. They have two young children, Sadie and Otto, and move in temporarily with April’s parents, Deb and Billy. The narrative jumps around in time and there are many sad moments and missed opportunities for clearer communication in this book, only intensifying the “feels” and affection for these characters. Deb and Billy have their own poignant story as they adjust to the impact of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, reflecting throughout on their long, not always happy marriage. April and her siblings, Josie (dramatic middle child involved in theater) and Cameron (with girlfriend Rachel) also need to cope with selling the family home (“We live in homes until we leave them, and then they live in us. … I miss it. But we can only return to a place, not a time.”) and decisions about their own Alzheimer testing. There are plenty of issues and shifts in the characters’ reality, but that contributes to the realistic feeling of family life: “It doesn’t go fast, but it will have gone fast.” Having myself just returned from a memorial service for a dear Aunt who loved to read, Deb’s musings resonated: “In a flash, I'll be gone, my own children recalling their favorite things about me in some new house at some new table with some new iteration of family. So I dance now as if time is the music. This, I know, is how you dream. This is how you live forever.”

The May House by Jillian Cantor

THE MAY HOUSE by Jillian Cantor (The Hours Count) is a book about sisters and the week they spend together each year (“‘It’s my favorite day of the year,’ she called out. ‘May day!’”) at their Grandmother Vera’s house on the beach at Coronado Island near San Diego. The story is sometimes confusing because it skips around in time and shifts focus between Julia (the eldest, obsessing over rules and scheduling), Emily (big-hearted middle sister struggling to find a purpose in life) and Nora, (the youngest, pursuing an acting career despite opposition from their widowed father). Over thirty years, they experience personal and professional upheaval, including marital problems, parenthood for some, and an unrequited crush on next door neighbor, Nate, a local surfer. Given the sisters’ lack of contact during the year, THE MAY HOUSE is somewhat like the Alan Alda rom-com, “Same Time, Next Year,” providing opportunity for readers to judge the choices being made and to observe the characters’ growth. Still, they do care about each other: Julia muses, “Her sisters. She would never love anyone in quite the same frustratingly wonderful way that she loved Emily and Nora. They'd bickered their whole lives. But being sisters always transcended everything else. Their shared history, their shared trauma, their shared DNA. It was all irreplaceable.” Cantor drops plenty of hints about a not-so-secret secret that eventually emerges and propels the sisters forward, embracing the many blessings they have.

You Can't Hurry Second Chances by Michelle Stimpson

YOU CAN'T HURRY SECOND CHANCES by Michelle Stimpson is about a new life in small town Texas. Joyce Hicks has finally decided to divorce her husband after thirty years of being unfulfilled in her marriage. She moves away from Austin and settles in her grandmother’s house, but finds that her funds cannot cover all of the needed renovations in a timely manner. Her tenant, Gabriella Santos, is a talented chef who also struggles to see her own self-worth. Together the two of them push and pull each other along until Joyce learns to make decisions (including saying No to her daughter and Yes to a date with an old friend) with more confidence and Gabriella becomes brave enough to showcase her talents in public, leading to a new opportunity. Aspects feel like a coming-of-age story involving adults – with a rather abrupt, but happy ending.

Save the Date by Mallory Kass

SAVE THE DATE by Mallory Kass is, as several members of my book club would say, “a palate cleanser.” Kass, who has written previous bestsellers as Kass Morgan, offers a romantic comedy set at a wedding in Maine as her adult fiction debut. The action revolves around three women: bride-to-be Marigold who discovers she still has feelings for an ex-husband; Matron of Honor Natalie who is suppressing long held feelings for the groom; and lawyer Olivia who is Marigold’s sister and out to find her own perfect match. It is all a bit ridiculous and fairly predictable, but as Publishers Weekly says, “Fans of romantic comedies with a Hallmark Channel vibe will enjoy this heartwarming tale.” Cute and undemanding, if a bit slow paced and full of fluff, SAVE THE DATE will leave readers smiling. Below is a great graphic summarizing all of the confusion; the fact that none of the characters are shown with faces simply confirms how little they know themselves and their feelings. 

Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg

LIFE: A LOVE STORY by Elizabeth Berg (The Story of Arthur Truluv and others) has a beautiful cover and expresses some truly wonderful and universal sentiments. Berg introduces readers to Flo, a widow in her nineties. Flo has received a terminal diagnosis and in an effort to wrap up her affairs she crafts a lengthy letter to Ruthie, the now grown woman who, as a young child, was her neighbor and almost a daughter. Flo tells Ruthie “You can do with my things whatever you like but I just think you should know why they are not just objects, but pieces of my life that point to something bigger than my life. I'll tell you what, a rubber band is not just a rubber band, as you will come to see.” Filled with wisdom, this letter includes many memories and meaningful stories (“an autobiography in things”), particularly about Flo’s marriage to Terrence (“She never would have predicted that he would be taking care of her long after he was gone. Yet he is.”), and one which might provide some guidance for Ruthie’s own troubled relationship. Even though this novel is almost a monologue from Flo, it is engaging and thought-provoking, totally enjoyable. I also liked the references to older books and songs (e.g., Mrs. Mike and Jesse) and a comment from Flo’s new friend, Teresa, who says, “You know, I had a patient once tell me that the best index he had to his mental health was whether or not he looked up at the sky every day.” LIFE: A LOVE STORY is a March 2026 LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection and received a starred review from Booklist (“The prolific Berg has a huge following, and this is the author at her heartwarming best.”). Highly recommended.

The Queen of Wishful Thinking by Milly Johnson

THE QUEEN OF WISHFUL THINKING by Milly Johnson is a feel-good novel about friendship, resilience, and the antique trade. Bonnie Brookland is a young woman who has lost her father, her faithful dog, and her independence. She’s trapped in a loveless marriage and a thankless job. Things change, however, as she dares to take a risk and apply for a position at The Pot of Gold, a newer antique store run by Lewis Harley. He is already pursuing a second chance at life after suffering a heart attack. They gradually come to depend on each other and share stories about their lives and relationships. Both of their spouses (Stephen and Charlotte) are controlling and deceitful, but readers will not be surprised that all works out in the end as they follow the advice of Bonnie’s mother: “First wish it. Then think of yourself doing it. Then do it.” I was surprised to learn that this is the author’s twenty-second novel, although it certainly fits with her publisher’s characterization of her writing as “highlight[ing] the importance of community spirit and the magic of kindness” – something we all need these days. THE QUEEN OF WISHFUL THINKING is an upbeat book as the characters grow and discover “the greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow.” A series of book group discussion questions are included.

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

To be published in early March, LAKE EFFECT by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney is a multi-generational story with a Rochester, New York setting. I loved the many local references like Sibley’s or McCurdy’s department stores and several restaurants as well as the Lilac Festival. With a story that focuses mainly on the last third of the twentieth century, D'Aprix Sweeney also subtly weaves in historical details like Mr. Bubble (loved that!), Lollypop Farm, and the new concept of personal computers and the “undo” button for mistakes. She writes about cooking, Weight Watchers, divorce, Xerox corporate strategy, growth of supermarket chains, the AIDS epidemic and much more… all against a framework of two intertwined middle-class families, the Larkins and the Finnegans. I could readily picture them going to church on Sunday, socializing, and raising children in a close-knit town where so many folks worked for Kodak or Xerox (like Sam Larkin). Finn Finnegan pursues the family business, updating and expanding the local grocery chain (shades of Wegman’s?). But both their marriages are unhappy and changes impact them, their spouses (Nina and Honey), and their high school age children, Clara and Bridey (Bridgid) Larkin and Dune and Fern Finnegan. Subsequent events track the life choices of that younger generation (particularly the relationships between mothers and daughters), with a poignant ending. Overall, I would recommend this novel, but caution readers that there are some explicit scenes, including the rape of a fifteen-year-old girl. LAKE EFFECT received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus (“An inviting family drama with the warmth, interest, and edge readers love in Sweeney’s work.”), and Library Journal. Marin Ireland performs well as the audiobook narrator. 

The Last Letters of Sally and Walter

THE LAST LETTERS OF SALLY AND WALTER by Cammie McGovern is a charming but very sad novel about two older people who find a connection through Scrabble (offering much wordplay and many new vocabulary words along the way). Walter and Sally live in an independent living facility named Golden Grove where everyone “is superficially friendly and no one is really friends.” They, however, gradually form a deep friendship where each can be vulnerable enough to share their personal stories and concerns. McGovern’s previous works for middle grade students and young adults all featured characters with disabilities. In her latest, Sally has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and learns to cope with its limitations while Walter also has a health setback. Despite these circumstances, there is hope woven throughout this book, as when Walter notes,  “These are the facts of our lives now. We both have our younger selves sitting inside of us, horrified by these developments, but I'm hoping we also have the wisdom of age. We are not defined by the limitations our bodies have imposed on us.” Both Walter and Sally experience emotional distance from and somewhat difficult relationships with their adult children who, in turn, are dealing with their own stressors related to work and family life. THE LAST LETTERS OF SALLY AND WALTER provides a unique window into a crucial time of life as when Sally gently points out, “the hardest part of aging … wasn’t the battle to retain your abilities, it was the absence of a chance to develop new ones.” This poignant novel will have readers reflecting about their own relatives and life choices. Scheduled to be Published April 7, 2026.

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

THE STORM by Rachel Hawkins is full of suspense as the best-selling author uses multiple viewpoints to share events that takes place over several decades. A central theme is the physical and emotional damage which hurricanes can leave behind. In 1984, Landon Fitzroy, considered an heir apparent in Alabama politics, died during Hurricane Marie. His teenage mistress, Lo Bailey, was acquitted of the murder, but returns 40 years later with a young author, August Fletcher, to write a book about her experiences. Another strong storm starts brewing during their stay where the innkeeper of the Rosalie Inn, Geneva Corliss, is their hostess. Geneva also has a box which her Mom (Ellen, now residing at a memory care unit) filled with old clippings about the 1984 storm. So, what, if anything, is the connection? Slowly, Hawkins brings these pieces of a puzzle and the consequences of another fictional hurricane together. There is quite a bit for readers to track and they will likely be surprised by some of the twists. The audiobook of THE STORM is narrated by a cast of characters, providing a creative way of differentiating who is speaking and when. Library Journal said that readers will enjoy this “fast-paced, atmospheric suspense novel” which is a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for January. 

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

To be available on Tuesday, THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM by Laura Dave is the sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me and once again (it is five years later) Hannah and Bailey are forced to run to stay safe. This LibraryReads January 2026 Hall of Fame Selection is a very quick read … I had finished thirty percent in just one sitting … and the suspense and plot twists will keep readers engaged. Owen (Hannah’s husband and Bailey’s father) and Nicholas (Bailey’s grandfather) play prominent roles with multiple timelines and perspectives adding to the tension and feeling of trepidation. Another excellent thriller from Laura Dave which will appeal to those who enjoyed Alias Emma, Going Zero, and First Lie Wins.

Deeper than the Ocean by Mirta Ojito

DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN by award winning author Mirta Ojito is beautifully written. The story takes place in two time periods, contrasting a tale that is set in the modern day with one that begins in the early years of the twentieth century. It is a story of family, of secrets, and of thwarted love. In 2019, Mara Santander, an investigative journalist, is mourning her husband: “What I needed, what I wanted was life assurance, the guarantee, in writing, if possible, that he would live as long as I did, that his side of the bed would never be pristine and that my hand would always find his in the dark. He laughed off my fears and hugged my worries away. Now, of course, I'm grateful for his foresight.” She eventually travels to the Canary Islands in search of information about her great grandmother, Catalina. Married to one man and in love with another (“my love for you is higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean”), Catalina experiences the heartbreak and trauma of an ocean storm and eventually rebuilds her life in Cuba which is where, many years later,  Mara emigrated from (“What do you do when you can’t stay, and you can’t go back?”). DEEPER THAN THE OCEAN is a very moving debut novel, where “hope … could be even more heartbreaking than grief,” and is recommended by USA Today for “fans of Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, and Kristin Hannah.” The settings are beautiful, the culture is exquisitely shared, and the emotions are complex. 

A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen

A FIELD GUIDE TO MURDER by Michelle L. Cullen is described as “perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Benjamin Stevenson” so naturally I rushed to read a preview of this debut which is scheduled for a January publication. The main character, Harry Lancaster, is indeed a bit of an older curmudgeon but he bonds with Emma Stockton, his caretaker, and together they set out to solve what could be a murder mystery while simultaneously distracting each other from some sad thoughts. Harry is concerned about growing less independent and Emma has to make an uncomfortable decision about her upcoming wedding. A FIELD GUIDE TO MURDER is a cute, entertaining story which Kirkus describes as “[A] neighborhood cozy that ticks all the boxes.” Enjoy! And consider tuning into Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside,” also featuring an older sleuth.

My Beloved by Jan Karon

MY BELOVED by best-selling author Jan Karon is book fifteen in the Mitford series featuring Father Tim Kavanaugh and his many parishioners in a small town in North Carolina. It was refreshing to return to Father Tim’s simple truths (I understand. Thank you. I'm sorry. Love you.) and the endearing cast of characters who make up his friends and extended family. They always seem ready for a challenge – whether it is running a bookstore or rehabbing a derelict building. I especially enjoyed the scenes with (former mayor) Esther and Ray Cunningham as they get ready to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. And then there is the mystery of the disappearing love letter – will it be found/returned in time for Christmas? In between, Karon sprinkles observations (“They say you fall because you're old. You do no such thing. You fall because you're not payin’ attention.”) and mini-homilies (“That's one of the things friends are for - to listen to our repeat stories.”). Jan Karon puts her heart into these books and of MY BELOVED, written after her daughter’s death, she says, “The characters are essentially the same, but the author is different. In MY BELOVED, I opened up like I hadn't done since Candace's diagnosis. Opening up can be scary but I didn't run - I surrendered. … I was laughing, hard. And crying, hard. And I knew I was home.”

The Lifeguards by Amanda Eyre Ward

THE LIFEGUARDS by Amanda Eyre Ward is by a local Texas author and has an Austin (Barton Springs and Zilker Park) setting. The story revolves around the title characters - three fifteen-year-old boys - and their parents. Sadly, none of the adult characters are especially likeable and everyone makes poor choices again and again. A body is found, bringing suspicion onto the trio and soon both police and lawyers are involved. The sense of entitlement and false friendship is almost nauseating; unfortunately, it is not unique to Austin and this could have taken place in any affluent, privileged community. What are we modeling for our children when they seem wiser than the parents? The adult insecurities and immaturity are captured perfectly and Ward adds an extra twist before quickly resolving the plot. This is the second novel I read by her and they seem to have a dark, menacing aspect, although I found The Same Sky to be more issue-oriented.

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton

THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton is one of my favorite reads of the year so far. The story takes place in three distinct time periods: 1900 when Eva, a Cuban school teacher, travels on an exchange program to the United States; 1966, when librarian Pilar and her husband, Enrique, struggle with the changes and oppression of the Cuban revolution; and 2024 when Margo and her ex-husband Luke combine efforts to locate a missing book originally written by Eva. Cleeton does a good job of evoking the characters and their respective time periods, but I would have liked to have learned even more. The mystery involving the lost story and a violent murder were well done with a twist at the end. But the aspect which I truly enjoyed was the way in which Cleeton repeatedly spoke to her readers about lost love, emotions like grief, and about the value of books and stories. She writes, “If the roles had been reversed, if something had happened to her, Enrique would have taken solace in the company of others. She took hers in the cocoon she placed around herself that kept the world at bay” … “Fear and anger wound their way through her like twin snakes, and in her grief, she did the only thing she knew to do. She read.” Another example: “The reader was promised the possibility of sinking into another world, of escaping their problems, the weight of life subsiding for minutes, hours, days at a time. They were promised a story, a fiction, a sleight of hand, a shuffling of letters that altered reality. And yet, in that make believe world the reader looked for truth - for the words on the page to resonate, for the characters in the scene to make them feel seen, for a thread that they could hold on to, for the book to sink its hooks into them and carry them on an unforgettable adventure.”