Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson – Review by Barbara Bohls

Five Tries to Get It RightFive Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing story of friendship and all the healing and tribulations that can come from friendship. It is an amazing heartwarming tale that takes twists and turns that are relatable to the reader. These two friends take a trip to try to work out everything that is going on in their lives at the time. One friend is feeling like there is no where for her to go and is seeing the everything as the end. The other is trying to figure out life without her spouse and a grown daughter. This book deals with some heavy issues that might stir up some feelings in the readers. It deals with depression, suicide, loneliness, but it also deals with strength, courage, finding oneself, and learning to live through what seems like the most. This book not only has the characters going on a journey but takes the reader with them. I was turning pages because I felt myself become so emotional involved with the characters. I needed to know what was going to happen and how they were going to process and heal. I haven’t felt this emotionally connected or moved by a story in a while. I would highly recommend that anyone who reads this book to take the trigger warning seriously. There are some heavy issues that may not be suitable for everyone.
Reviewed by: @bbohls

View all my reviews

Make Me Want to Love You (Love in Emerald Creek) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Amber Howard

Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald CreekMake Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Make Me Want To Love You by ND Jackson is a wholesome feel good romance novel. Shayna is a single mom and DV survivor with a ton of walks up but the kindness and generosity of Burke has them crumbing down. Burke is a man who is only seen for his good looks and wealth. But there’s so much more to him that Shayna sees.

These two are absolutely adorable. The heat leaps off of the page. They bring out the best in each other. I found this story extremely relatable. I was once a single mom and it’s hard. Rewarding but hard. My now husband took to my kids and did his best to make my life easier. The relationship he built with them made me love him even more. So this story really resonated with me. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper – Review by Deborah Joseph

One Quarter VillainOne Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maddy- She is a goody little two-shoes who everyone trusts to always do the right thing. She NEVER likes breaking any rule, no matter how insignificant it may be.

Leo- Football jock who does everything he can to protect Maddy. They have been friends since they were kids. He is the goofy one in the friendship, never taking anything seriously (the complete opposite of Maddy).

Oh my goodness! I am not normally into YA books but to say I enjoyed this book is an understatement! This has a good mix of fairytale and modern-day aspects to it. There were some parts in the beginning of the book that made it a bit hard for me to get through, but I am so happy I kept reading through it. The growth of the MFC, the story, the twists, all perfection. The ending had me cracking up! I can’t wait until the next book! I am so excited to see how Leo and Maddy’s story progresses and grows.
((This book does NOT end on a cliffhanger don’t worry!))

View all my reviews

A Patriot’s Tale by Nicole Pierman – Review by Mary Espinoza

A Patriot's TaleA Patriot’s Tale by Nicole Pierman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Patriot’s Tale: An American Revolutionary War Novel by Nicole Pierman was a book that I enjoyed reading. This is a new author for me, and I enjoyed how she was able to pull me into world that is set during the American Revolutionary War, and she did a good job at setting the scene from the start. Nicole was able to put a lot of thought and time into the development of the characters and the parts that they play in this book. This is about Lily and her determination to overthrow a British captain due to the fact that this Captain plays a big part in the loss of her brother. Lily is the main character that has a lot on her plate between the death of her brother and what she is dealing with at home from her family. As far as Lily is concerned, the Redcoats are the enemy, and they need to go down for what they have done to her brother. Lily finds herself being held captive, then has to join a spy ring, and has to find a way to help all of those that are struggling just to survive. I really enjoyed the way that Nicole brought Lily and her story to life, Lily brings so much to the plot of the story and Nicole captured all of that wonderfully. Lily is a strong, determined character that brings inspiration to the women of the story. Nicole did a great job at bringing the historical aspects to the tale of Lily as well as developing Lily into a strong, independent character. I look forward to seeing what else Nicole has to bring to us, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book and getting lost in the story of Lily and all of the adversity that she has to face!

View all my reviews

Mary Espinoza, June 2024

Bad Enough (The Deadman’s Tribe Series Book 2) by Nicole Craig – Review by Terri Jo McAllister

Bad Enough (The Deadman's Tribe, #2)Bad Enough by Nicole Craig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Tribe are looking for one of their own who has been MIA. While following a lead, the group makes a connection to the local BDSM club, where Tribe member TB happens to be a regular. A romance author seeks his expertise with BDSM for her next book and soon he doesn’t just want to be a reference for her anymore. This was an intense read with content warnings. I love this series and cannot wait for book #3 to come out. I recommend the book, but not without a content warning.

Reviewed by Terri Jo McAllister

View all my reviews

The Big Book of Booper Snoots by Suzanna Lynn – Review by Crystal Brehant

The Big Book of Booper SnootsThe Big Book of Booper Snoots by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An adorable book of animals A to Z. There are a lot of these types of books out there. This one is completely different. There is a focus on their cute little noses. Kids can guess which animal will be next by their booper snoots! I love that it’s filled with fun facts about animals that are educational too. Plus a weird interesting fact about each one! I think this will become a favorite in many households.

View all my reviews

The Handshake Agreement (Book 1) by A. Akinosho – Review by Melissa Fink

https://www.amazon.com/review/RZ63PN2UUQ0YT/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

The Handshake AgreementThe Handshake Agreement by A. Akinosho
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Handshake Agreement was such a great read. The author pulls you in from the first page to the last. This book had so many twists, I just couldn’t put the book down. It definitely had you wanting to know what would happen next. This was definitely a page turner for me. Great character building. Great detailing. Great world building.

View all my reviews
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1121276147

Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story by C. L. Schneider – Review by Jennifer Reimer

Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story (The Crown of Stones)Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story by C. L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not wait to read this one when I seen it was out. This book was so intriguing, and I loved how it gave a background read on Ian Troy, before he had the crown of stones. This book just like the others is action packed with magic, and fantasy. Once again, the story was so filled with detail that it always makes me feel like I’m sitting there right in the book, experiencing everything that is going on around. This book grabbed me and wouldn’t let go till I was done. Ian is set out to be in the Queens army and of course he’s almost like the outcast in the story, no one talks to him, on one trust him, looks at him, all because he’s an outcast and has magic. This book was so captivating I couldn’t out it down. I do recommend that if you haven’t read the other books in this series, START HERE, this was an amazing rad to jump into this story and you dot want to miss what this has to offer.

View all my reviews

Evil Sushi (Evil Sushi Series) by C.A. King – Review by Jennifer Reimer

Evil Sushi (Evil Sushi #1)Evil Sushi by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a really short and fast read that I really enjoyed, it had a very interesting and intriguing twit to it that kept me reading to the end. As humans save animals and the whole climate problem, humans decided it would be a good idea to also go ahead and destroy the oceans thinking it was a smart thing to do. As two fishermen try and catch something to eat, what they got instead wasn’t what they were really looking for. This book took me by surprise by every page and kept me hooked till the end. I really cant wait to read the next book to this installment, but highly recommend that you keep your afternoon free because this read will take that time and you won’t want to do anything but finish it.

View all my reviews

One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris

One Quarter VillainOne Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was absolutely charmed by this hilariously sweet fairy tale spin off story about the good girl who finds out she is one quarter villain and what that could mean for her future. I loved all of the characters interactions with each other, even characters we only saw briefly, the author did a great job of making them well rounded and realistic characters. I absolutely loved the relationship between Maddy and Leo, her best friend since kindergarten and even though they have vastly different personalities, they make their friendship work. I loved seeing Maddy discovers more about her heritage and learning about the magical realms that exist and how they are used to keep people safe. The character arcs for Maddy were surprising and delightful. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, the author threw out another curveball twisting things into a new direction. If you love fairy tales, happily ever after’s, and characters that will make you laugh and root for them, this is a fantastic story! I can’t wait to see what the author comes out with next.

View all my reviews

Make Me Want to Love You (Love in Emerald Creek) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Beverly Finnie

Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald CreekMake Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Make Me Want to Love You is a sweet romance about a woman’s second chance at love. The author presents the reader with a wonderful story about a single mom who persevered through the disaster of her first marriage and is holding her head high. Be mindful that disaster though a minor subplot could very well be a trigger for someone. The two main characters are characters to love. With the female character experiencing growth throughout the story.
Shayna has been through the ringer. Now a divorced mother of two she unfortunately still has to deal with her ex-husband’s family while he’s in jail. Which doesn’t make her life easy. She just wants to stand on her own two feet and do what’s best for her kids. Never realizing Burke was right in front of her. Her best friend’s business partner, he finds a way to slowly make himself a positive presence in her life. As much as she enjoys it she’s scared. Scared to open up. Scared of being hurt again. But what’s life without a little risk? What will she decide to do?
Meanwhile Burke is a patient man. Especially when it’s something he really wants. He knows if he pushes too hard he could lose her. So he’s along for the ride. Knowing full well he could end up brokenhearted in the end.
But when her ex-family threatens her livelihood, how does she handle it? Does Shayna let Burke help?
So many questions and tons of answers. So many ideas that pop into one’s mind that keep you turning the page, just to see if you were on the right track.
Like I stated previously you will love these two. Their dynamic between each other and their supporting cast of characters. If you’re looking for sweet with some passion mixed in. This book is perfect!

@placexba
View all my reviews

The Big Book of Booper Snoots by Suzanna Lynn – Review by Daryian Lucas

The Big Book of Booper SnootsThe Big Book of Booper Snoots by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5/5 stars

This book is a heartwarming treasure! Filled with adorable animals and playful captions, this book is a joy for all ages. Perfect for animal lovers, it brings smiles and laughter with every page. Highly recommend!

View all my reviews

A Patriot’s Tale by Nicole Pierman – Review by Shelby Wilson

A Patriot's TaleA Patriot’s Tale by Nicole Pierman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Patriots Tale is the perfect book for anyone that enjoys historical fiction! Lily is not your average female character from the time period. It is a very interesting take on how women might have been in this time and just weren’t documented. It was a fun read and I look forward to more books from the author!

View all my reviews

Purrfectly Framed (A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Julie Johnson

Purrfectly Framed: A Mobile Cat Groomer MysteryPurrfectly Framed: A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great read by this author!

Molly, who owns a mobile pet spa, is doing a photo shoot with some of her newest clientele. The photographer, Evan, then finds his art teacher in his studio. Molly can’t stay away from a good mystery and, with the help of her four legged friends, may be able to solve this mystery quickly.

The characters in this book are great but the page stealers have to be the cats! I love the sprinkles of humor throughout these stories. Looking forward to more from this author!

View all my reviews

Finding Love (The Oath Series) by Lacey Furr – Review by Robin Rankin

Finding Love (The Oath Series)Finding Love by Lacey Furr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finding Love (The Oath Series)

What a introduction to the band. I loved all of the guys from the beginning and I felt myself immediately needing to take care of Loch and help him heal. His pain spoke to me in a way that I didn’t expect at all and I’m not sure why it hit me the way it did. Thankfully he had Hailey there to help him when he needed it most.

Hailey who is no stranger to pain but was further down the path than Loch is amazing. She remembered being where he was and helped him start to move forward instead of being stuck in that pain loop.

The main characters were great but I may have fallen in love with Nola and Jonas just a little bit, especially Nola. She reminded me of my best friend who has supported me during some difficult times in my life over the last 36 years and that may be why I loved her as much did.

I have added the rest of this series to my TBR and can’t wait to meet up with everyone again.

View all my reviews

In the Midst of Omens (The Legacy of Gilgamesh Series) by Nicole Bailey – Review by Jenni Bishop

In the Midst of Omens (The Legacy of Gilgamesh Book 1)In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars

In the Midst of Omens is a loose retelling of Gilgamesh a mythological fantasy reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast with a LGBT twist. It is not only a MM romantasy tale it also has Polyamorous relationships. Nicole blends mythology, fantasy and romance into a vivid world of gods of ancient times. She has pulled mythological legends from dusty old books and given them a new lease on life and voices.

The characters are complex and well written. It is a darker slow burn romantic tale of Gilgamesh and the different dynamics and various relationships. Enkidu is an endearing character with his actions and Shamhat kicks ar$e and takes no prisoners and fights for what she wants.

It is a world of action, battles, mythical creatures, passion and more. I also enjoyed the historical value of the mythological king from ancient Mesopotamian times the man behind the story. It did end on a cliffy, but there is a book two coming.

In the Midst of Omens was an interesting tale and one for those who love mythology, retellings and LGBT romance stories. As this is book one of The Legacy of Gilgamesh I am interested to see where it goes.

View all my reviews

Make Me Want to Love You (Love in Emerald Creek) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Samantha Cleaver

Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald CreekMake Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shayna is trying to move on after her divorce. She was able to leave an abusive relationship and is now trying to heal and live her life. Follow Burke and Shayna through a budding relationship. Definitely should read this!

View all my reviews

Brushed Up on Murder (A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Julie Johnson

Brushed Up on Murder (A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery, Book #1Brushed Up on Murder (A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery, Book #1 by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a new series by an author that I enjoy reading.

Molly owns her own mobile pet spa and upon returning a furry feline to her owner, Molly finds the owner has met an untimely demise in his backyard. Not quite what one would expect! Molly loves animals and she also loves a good mystery. She jumps in and is determined to help solve this case, especially when someone she cares about becomes a suspect!

This is a fun cozy read that has some humor infused throughout. There are also some really cute cats!

View all my reviews

Make Me Want to Love You (Love in Emerald Creek) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Rosanna Ingram

Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald CreekMake Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shayna is a single mom that is trying to do the best for her children. She is determined to protect them from her abusive ex. Burke is supportive from day one and builds an amazing relationship with Shayna’s children as he is trying to build a relationship with her. But, Shayna has a hard time accepting that someone can treat her the way she deserves.

These characters were easy to fall in love with. Shayna is a single mom who puts her children first and her own needs last. I think most mothers can relate to that. Burke is not only determined…but he is just a good man. The way he built relationships with the children just warmed my heart.

This is another good story in a great series. You don’t have to read the first book to understand this one…but more Emerald Creek is never a bad thing! I am enjoying this small-town romance series…and I am looking forward to reading what comes next!

View all my reviews

Wasabi (Evil Sushi Series) by C.A. King – Review by Jenni Bishop

Wasabi (Evil Sushi Book 3)Wasabi by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And it all started with Evil Sushi followed by Sashimi and now Wasabi. They each follow on from the other, so if you haven’t read the first two books, I highly recommend that you do so before diving into this book because you will be missing a major part of the storyline.
C.A. is an author that is full of surprises. I love that she jumps from genre to genre but also depth to depth with every tale she writes. It’s why she is a bestselling author.
Wasabi is another unique thriller from the talented C.A. I love the darkness she infuses in her stories. It has a little bit of everything and aspects of mystery, suspense, horror, paranormal/supernatural, sci-fi, dystopian and action. Throw in some creepiness and some chills and you can’t put it down. It is a past paced cleverly woven tale with a well-developed plot that is original, intriguing and flows smooth.
With twists and unexpected turns, danger and anger, secrets and lies, a pandemic and mayhem, mutations and so much more.
The sea is a dangerous place. Beware what is hidden in its depths and what floats to the surface. Imagine you are now the bottom feeder and the top of IT’s list, and it wants food, and that food is you. What’s left of the world is in an uproar. What would you do to survive?
I loved it.

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

Finding Love (The Oath Series) by Lacey Furr – Review by Felicia Bates

Finding Love (The Oath Series)Finding Love by Lacey Furr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never read anything by Lacey Furr before Finding Love and let me tell you, I was hooked from the very first chapter!
Loch and Hailey had undeniable chemistry from the very start and it was great to see how both of their stories unfolded. I was really excited to see there was a playlist at the very beginning of the book, something I often get really excited about when I stumble upon it. I liked that the author alternated chapters between both Loch and Hailey, this really adds depth to the characters in my option. Finding Love was as emotional and well written as it was fun and entertaining. I can’t speak enough about how much I loved the characters. I definitely look forward to looking into the Oath series a bit deeper.

View all my reviews

Italian American (Jack & Mariella Book 2) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Betsy Melano

Italian American: Jack & Mariella’s journey continues…Italian American: Jack & Mariella’s journey continues… by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful story of family and love. I missed reading the first book but had no issue reading the story of Jack and Mariella. Jack met Mariella years before when she was selling postcards at the Colosseum in Rome when he was stationed there. Jack returned to the states with the plan to bring Mariella to the States after World War Two. They continued to write each other and the day finally came when Jack could return to be with Mariella and ultimately facilitate Mariella’s immigration to the United States. The book takes you on an emotional ride as the young couple realize that they both need to transition to their new lives as a couple and help each other as cultural differences pop up. I really enjoyed reading the book and connected to the characters.

View all my reviews

Moonlight Drive by A.R. Hadley – Review by Jayme Raffauf

Moonlight DriveMoonlight Drive by A.R. Hadley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very interesting story. I enjoyed it a lot. Loving music, the storyline between Dani and Nick/Nicki was intriguing and multi-layered, but it also takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. I am glad there was a lot of background of Dani and Nick as kids, because that really sets the stage for the story and the flashbacks fill in the gaps. There could be some triggers related to addiction and some family relationship triggers. This was a quick and easy read and again, I really enjoyed it.

View all my reviews

Finding Love (The Oath Series) by Lacey Furr – Review by Mandy Ott

Finding Love (The Oath Series)Finding Love by Lacey Furr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first book in The Oath Series, Finding Love, caught me by complete surprise. This is the first book I’ve read by Lacey Furr but it will definitely not be the last. I thought Finding Love was going to be your typical rock star story, but was wonderfully surprised when it turned into so much more! Loch and Hailey’s instant chemistry was mesmerizing, but there was so much more to their story. There is heartbreak, mental health struggles, healing, drama, romance, and so much more! I like that Lacey Furr was not afraid to touch on some sensitive topics in this book. She tackled them with relative ease and sensitivity. The other members of Loch’s band, The Oath, also played a major role in this story, which I liked. Overall, the world building was amazing (I felt like I was jumping into the cool water or picnicking on the rocks) and the characters were so realistically flawed, believable, and lovable. I can’t wait to read more from The Oath Series as well as more by Lacey Furr.

View all my reviews

One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper- Review by Heather Knalls

One Quarter VillainOne Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So for Maddy’s birthday her grandmother gives her a Heritage box to test her DNA. After a little hesitation her mother convinces her to take the DNA test and they are awaiting the results. When the results finally come in she has to video call her grandmother who is in France. The results were as normal as expected until she gets to the part of being one quarter villain. So her grandmother is now on her way to visit and no one will let Maddy know what’s going on. While she is waiting for her grandmother to arrive she still goes to school but ends up being contacted by the VDA which was sooner than her mother expected. What is in the future for Maddy? What does being one quarter villain mean?

View all my reviews

The Silent Forest (The House on the Hill Book 2) by David Kummer – Review by Trisha Cargile

The Silent Forest (The House on the Hill, #2)The Silent Forest by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“The Silent Forest” by David Kummer is a haunting and suspenseful tale set in the town of New Haven, where the disappearance of Allison sets off a series of chilling events. As the town tries to move on from the tragedy, Kaia remains relentless in her search for answers, uncovering unsettling truths along the way. Kummer masterfully builds tension as more residents go missing, and Sheriff Wheeler struggles to keep up with the mounting pressure. The cryptic clues lead to a revelation in the forest, threatening to expose New Haven’s darkest secrets. With a gripping plot and well-drawn characters, “The Silent Forest” keeps readers on edge, proving that some shadows can never stay buried. This book truly left me on the edge of my seat and ready for the next installment!

View all my reviews

Finding Love (The Oath Series) by Lacey Furr – Review by Candida Hopper

Finding Love (The Oath Series)Finding Love by Lacey Furr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story was a great read. There is loss, love, friends, healing, romance and some suspense about what’s going to happen between Loch and Hailey. The author wrote this book in such a way that had me glued to the pages and it pulled at my heartstrings throughout the entire story. Loch’s manager books him a getaway at a B&B to give him some space and time to heal from the tragic loss of his sister. Loch hasn’t been the same since she passed away and he isn’t able to write music. Hailey, the owner of the B&B is no stranger to loss. Both of these characters need healing in many ways. They start spending time together and it’s a beautiful thing but what happens when Loch’s stay ends? Loch and Hailey have friends that are there for them through their ups and downs. I enjoyed all the characters in this book. I enjoyed experiencing a myriad of emotions while reading this book. I recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Murder a la Christie (Golden Age of Mystery Book Club) by Marilyn Levinson – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

Murder a la Christie (Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub Book 1)Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Murder a la Christie is Book 1 in the Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub series and if you enjoy a cozy mystery of who done it….I would recommend this book. This was a fun read trying to figure out whom may have been responsible for these murders and putting the pieces to the mysterious puzzle together to find out. Something suspicious is going on…

Professor Lexie Driscoll is looking forward summer months and was asked to stay at a friends mansion….having a safe place to stay. With the upcoming Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub starting things turn puzzling when one of Lexie’s friends is murdered. Although the fingers point toward a medical issue, something does not sit well with Lexie and suspects there is more to this then is led on. When more and more of the bookclub come up deceased…there are secrets to discover more than meets the eye. Will Lexie be able to uncover the full truth to what is happening to her bookclub friends before it is to late….

If you are a lover of mystery, secrets and murder….definitely check this book out!! Looking forward to more!!

View all my reviews

The Big Book of Booper Snoots by Suzanna Lynn – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

The Big Book of Booper SnootsThe Big Book of Booper Snoots by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a cute kids’ book. The book was an adorable way to teach kids about the alphabet and animals. Booper Snoots are when a person boops an animal on the nose because they are just so cute. This book takes the approach of showing noses you may want to boop and guessing what animal is behind the nose. They follow A-Z and allow the child to guess the animal. Once you flip the page it shows you the whole animal, but then gives you a bunch of info on the animal, too. Really cute for young kids who are learning how to read, learning their alphabet, or just love cuter animals.

View all my reviews

Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

Five Tries to Get It RightFive Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Five Tries to Get It Right is a story about 2 lifelong girlfriends on a mission to find themselves. Lydia is a retired school teacher, widow, and whose daughter is doing a semester at sea. She goes to help her bestie of decades, Kate, who is at her lowest point in life after a divorce and being bought out of her company. The two women feel so lost and decide that they are going to get back on track or at least try. They plan to go back to the lives they lived in their 20s (now in their 50s), travel the world, and reexperience “the good times”. Their plan involves traveling back to the 5 countries they once traveled to. At each stop, they tried to partake in similar adventures from their youth, but they realized things were just not the same. So, they try to relive these experiences in new ways as they travel around the world. Without giving too much away, each woman has goals that they want to figure out by the end of the trip. Lydia wants to find a husband and a future that is different from the path she was on. Kate wants to find peace. Will traveling “back in time” give them the space to find what they are looking for?
I thought this was a truthful story. If you are looking for a story about girlfriends being there for each other, suffering together, but also finding themselves, this is a good choice. As someone in their 40s, I understand the need to reinvent yourself or fix things you wished would have happened, but didn’t have the guts to make happen. These women try to accomplish this through travel. I enjoyed both characters. They felt real, relatable, and troubled, but also strong and hopeful at the same time. I would warn people to look at the trigger warnings because there are a lot of mental health aspects to this book.

View all my reviews