A Perfect Hand
A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman Unlike most historical romances, the heroine of A Perfect Hand is not a member of the aristocracy but a lady’s maid, Miss Alice Lockey. […]
Villa Coco
Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer Geoffrey is a clueless young American who accepts a post as an archivist in Italy. As he is patently unqualified and doesn’t speak Italian, […]
The Un-Retirement
The Un-Retirement by Penny Mirren Recent widow and retiree Maggie Lawford is thrilled with her principal role as doting grandmother to precious Alice, but she occasionally considers finding a proper […]
Yankee Doodle Dixie
Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton Yankee Doodle Dixie chronicles the adventures of divorcee and professional Southerner, Leelee Satterfield. I was disappointed in this sequel to Patton’s bestselling novel Whistlin’ […]
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1-8 by Beth Brower More my style is a series of historical novels which were recommended to me by my friend Jerry. […]
Still Life with Bread Crumbs
Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen I have been a fan of Anna Quindlen’s work for years. I was an avid reader of her Pulitzer Prize winning column […]
Clare Pooley Novels
Clare Pooley Novels If you are looking for charming, feel-good stories, I recommend the novels of British author and former advertising executive Clare Pooley. I reviewed How to Age Disgracefully […]
Beautiful Ruins
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Satirical novels about the movie business are funny but rarely charming. Beautiful Ruins manages to be both. In 1962, a beautiful actress arrives on the […]
One Death at a Time
One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman Romance writer Abbi Waxman (The Bookish Life of Nina Hill) has written a mystery. Twentysomething Natasha Mason and iconic, retired actress Julia […]
Murder Takes a Vacation
Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman As we swelter in Nashville, a river cruise in France sounds delicious! Unless you are the traveler who discovers the body! Mrs. Blossom, […]
The Golden Gals French Adventure
The Golden Gals French Adventure by Judy Leigh Another completely predictable but charming novel features an unlikely pair of friends, wealthy, self-absorbed Fliss and her hardworking housekeeper Shirl. When Fliss […]
Table for Five
Table for Five by Izzy Bromley When Abbie Finch is fired from her fabulous, if all consuming, job in Leeds, she realizes that her only confidant is her cat, Elvis. […]
The Country Club Murders
The Country Club Murder Mysteries by Julie Mulhern In the first of these novels, set in Kansas City 1975, artist, and unhappy wife Ellison Russell stumbles over a body during […]
The Rosie Project
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion After many years of contented singledom, methodical professor of genetics Dr. Don Tillman decides he needs a wife. But rather than depend on traditional […]
The Pursuit of Love
The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford I also reread Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love, which is by far the best Mitford authored book. (Hons and Rebels, an autobiography […]