Library of Forbidden Books

Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I love Mario Escobar’s writing, and this book was another good read. The plot was compelling, and the story was heartbreaking at times. The characters were interesting, each bringing their own struggles and emotions to the story. I appreciated their strength and resilience, especially given the difficult circumstances they faced.

However, while I enjoyed the journey, the ending felt a bit underwhelming. I was expecting something more impactful after such an emotional story. Overall, a good book with a great premise, but the conclusion left me wanting more.



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I Will Die on This Hill

I Will Die on This Hill by Meghan Ashburn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


As a parent of an autistic child, I was really interested in reading this book and hearing different perspectives on autism and parenting.

While I appreciate the authors sharing their experiences and advocating for the autism community, I honestly didn’t find myself relating to their perspectives as much as I expected. My personal experiences and views on raising an autistic child are quite different.

There were some valuable points and important conversations throughout the book, but I didn’t always agree with the authors’ approaches or opinions.

Overall, I respect the message behind the book, but it wasn’t quite what I hoped it would be. A reminder that every autism journey is different, and not every perspective will resonate with everyone.



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The Wife Across the Street

The Wife Across the Street by James Caine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book had all the ingredients for a great psychological thriller, but somehow, it just didn’t work for me.

The pacing was fast, which I appreciated, and the plot was intriguing to a certain point. The twists and the ending were actually good! My issue wasn’t with what happened, but rather how it was delivered.

I can’t say I predicted the ending, because I didn’t. It just didn’t wow me. Instead of feeling hooked, I found myself bored at times, and the story never truly pulled me in.

I think a big part of that was Sidney. I just couldn’t connect with her character, and unfortunately, that affected my entire reading experience.

A good concept with some clever twists, but the execution left me wanting more.



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The Royal Windsor Secret

The Royal Windsor Secret by Christine Wells

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The premise of this book was fantastic, and I really wanted to love it. Unfortunately, something just didn’t quite click for me. The story had so much potential, but I found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters and the way everything unfolded. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, just one that left me wanting a little more. A great concept, but the execution didn’t quite win me over.



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Don’t Say a Word

Don’t Say A Word by Nicola Sanders

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Don’t Say a Word by Nicola Sanders was a suspenseful thriller with a truly unique plot! Kate and Holly’s desperate attempt to cover up Max’s death takes an unexpected turn when the mysterious Teri enters their lives. A dead husband in the freezer, dark secrets, and questionable decisions made this quite a roller-coaster ride!

Some twists were predictable, but overall, I enjoyed the originality of the story and the suspense. Definitely an entertaining read!



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Jackie and Maria

Jackie and Maria: A Novel of Jackie Kennedy & Maria Callas by Gill Paul

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The more I read about this infamous triangle between Jackie Kennedy, Maria Callas, and Aristotle Onassis, the more I realize how heartbreaking the entire story truly is.

I hesitate to even call it a love triangle, because was there really any love involved? Especially between Aristotle and Jackie, whose marriage seemed more like a mutually beneficial transaction than a great romance.

And yet, the person who suffered the most, in my opinion, was Maria Callas. A woman with an extraordinary voice, immense talent, and a heart that loved deeply, only to be betrayed and left behind. Her story breaks my heart every time I revisit it.

But putting my personal feelings aside, Gill Paul has written an absolutely beautiful novel. It’s important to remember that this is historical fiction, not a biography. While many historical facts are accurate, the author uses imagination to bring these complicated relationships, private emotions, and heartbreaking moments to life.

The writing is captivating, the characters are wonderfully portrayed, and the emotional depth makes it difficult to put down. Even knowing how the real story unfolds doesn’t make it any less devastating.

Five stars for a beautifully written novel about love, ambition, betrayal, and the terrible price some women pay for loving the wrong man.



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The Divorce Lawyer

The Divorce Lawyer by McGarvey Black

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



What a roller-coaster ride! The story starts with the shocking murder of Ollie Spalding, a successful divorce lawyer with more enemies than anyone can count. His loyal assistant, Kim DeLuca, is determined to uncover the truth, while Ollie’s wife, Joanna, and his complicated past add even more intrigue.

I enjoyed the interesting plot, the tangled relationships, and the many suspicious characters. With so many secrets and possible motives, there was never a dull moment!

I did have a feeling that a big twist was coming, so the ending didn’t completely surprise me. Still, it was a fun, suspenseful read with plenty of drama and unexpected turns. Overall, a very entertaining psychological thriller!



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The Last Collection

The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel by Jeanne Mackin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A Wonderful Story of Fashion, Rivalry, and Ambition!

I’ve read so many fiction and nonfiction books about Coco Chanel, yet her greatest rival, Elsa Schiaparelli, has always remained a mystery to me. So when The Last Collection appeared on my reading list, I knew I had to read it. And what a wonderful story!

Set in glamorous 1930s Paris, the novel beautifully captures the fierce rivalry between two extraordinary women. Chanel, known for her timeless elegance, and Schiaparelli, with her bold, imaginative designs, couldn’t have been more different.

I especially loved experiencing their world through Lily Sutter, a young American widow navigating grief, romance, and new beginnings. Her journey brings us closer to the personal lives, ambitions, insecurities, and complicated relationships of these legendary designers.

The fashion, romance, fascinating characters, and looming shadow of WWII made this book impossible to put down. I particularly enjoyed learning more about Schiaparelli and her remarkable creativity.

A beautifully written historical novel that I highly recommend!



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Replaced

Replaced: A domestic suspense thriller by Stephanie Kreml

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What a wild ride! I really enjoyed this thriller, especially all the twists and turns that kept me guessing. The way everything was carefully set up to destroy Juliette’s life was absolutely crazy! Eva’s manipulation, the forged documents, and the revelation that Peter had actually been poisoned made the story even more shocking.

I enjoyed the characters, even the ones who drove me crazy! Some parts were a little far-fetched, but overall, a great plot filled with secrets, betrayal, and unexpected surprises. Definitely an entertaining read!



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The Queen’s Secret

The Queen’s Secret by Karen Harper

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I was expecting a much more captivating plot, but The Queen’s Secret fell short of my expectations. While Karen Harper clearly did her research and the historical details were well developed, the story itself felt dry and lacked the intrigue I was hoping for. I never fully connected with the characters, and the pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but it just didn’t have the excitement or emotional depth I was looking for in a historical novel.



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The Divorce

The Divorce by Freida McFadden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another incredible thriller from one of my absolute favorite authors, Freida McFadden! The Divorce started off like a fairly typical domestic suspense novel, but don’t let that fool you. The story is told from the perspectives of three main characters, and one of those perspectives completely caught me by surprise.

Right around the middle of the book, the plot took a turn I never saw coming, and from that point on I couldn’t put it down. Every twist kept me guessing, and the ending was absolutely fire! If you love fast-paced psychological thrillers with shocking reveals, this is a must-read.



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The Windsor Conspiracy

The Windsor Conspiracy: A Novel of the Crown, a Conspiracy, and the Duchess of Windsor by Georgie Blalock

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The Windsor Conspiracy by Georgie Blalock was an absolute delight from beginning to end. Amelia was a fantastic protagonist—intelligent, determined, and incredibly easy to root for. The story moved at a perfect pace, keeping me engaged with every chapter, and I loved how seamlessly the fascinating historical details were woven into the plot without ever slowing it down.

This wasn’t the story I expected, and that made it even more enjoyable. The twists, rich historical setting, and memorable characters came together to create a truly compelling novel. If you enjoy historical fiction with mystery, intrigue, and a strong female lead, I highly recommend this book!



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