What I'm Reading Right Now - June 10

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Ebook:

When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams - I'm only a few chapters in but so far, I'm really enjoying it.  I'm really enjoying that it's set in the same places as last year's book so I'm seeing some of the characters from that book.

Print Book:

White Hot by Ilona Andrews - I still hate the cover - especially because it just doesn't fit the story - but I'm really enjoying the book.  It's not my usual genre but it's a fun story with snarky banter, teamwork, and some serious bad guys.

Audio Book:

Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman - This is a little bit biography but mostly a look at how Austen's work became as beloved and well known as it is today. I'm not the hugest Austen fan but I'm finding this pretty interesting.

Slow Read:

Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis - This reads like a fast paced action story so far and I'm struggling to keep it as a slow read.  Odette's story is fascinating and I really enjoy Loftis's story telling.

What are you reading right now?

Top Ten Tuesday - Books with Handwriting (or Font That Looks Like Handwriting)

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books with Handwriting (or Font that Looks Like Handwriting) on the cover.  I pulled up my various TBRs and here are ten I found.  

1.  The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman

2.  The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom

3.   Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel

4.  Recipe for Joy by Monica Comas

5.  The Shippers by Katherine Center

6.  West with Giraffes by Linda Rutledge

7.  Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

8.  The Rainy Day Bookshop by RaeAnne Thayne

9.  The Butler by Clair Mackintosh

10. Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Have you read any of these?

The Reimaging of Thornwood House - Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Reimaging of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson

Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: Evelyn Sharpe is accustomed to dealing with natural disasters as a land witch, but she longs for a life with a little less danger for her and her adopted daughter, Ruby. So when the opportunity to take over as Caretaker of Thornwood House—a sentient home that acts as the magical heart of the village of Iskendra—arises, it seems almost fated.

When they arrive in sunny Iskendra, Evie and Ruby find the house is nothing like what they thought. First of all, it has walked away from the address. Thornwood House is grumpy, guarded, and extremely hesitant to allow the two witches through its doors.

Armed with gentle hearts and wild magic, Evie and Ruby begin to form tentative bonds with the house and the citizens of the small town. But there’s something deeply damaged about the building seeping into the forests surrounding Iskendra, and Evie will have to use all her power to protect the roots she’s started to grow.

Genre: Fiction - Fantasy

Why I Picked This Book: The blurb just sounded to magical to pass up.

My Impression: This was just absolutely lovely.  I loved Evie and Ruby right from the start and the community of Iskendra.  Thornwood House is incredibly special.  It has such a personality right from the start sometimes pitching temper tantrums, sometimes protecting, and sometimes offering wonderous surprises but always making itself felt. 

There's quite a journey here as Evie has to get to know her new community and forge a new life for her and for Ruby.  Her most important and most challenging task is getting the house to trust her and learning its secrets.  And what secrets it has!   

This was a delightful read from start to finish.  I rooted for Evie from the start and really enjoyed getting to know her.  I loved seeing the community develop around them and getting to know that as well.  There's a bit of a sweet romance and supportive friends.  I loved how Evie tackled some really challenging issues.  I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately and this was exactly the salve I needed.  It was lovely and poignant and full of hope but with a lot of heart.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and I'll also be looking for more books involving sentient houses as it turns out I'm a fan.  

Would I Recommend this Book? Absolutely!  Especially if you enjoy fantasy and don't mind a touch of romance.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Month in Reading - May 2026 Recap

Monthly Reading Total: 10 - This was a tough reading month.  The weather was terrible which triggered a ton of migraines which tanked my reading.  As well, I've been in a bit of a slump with audio books.  I have a lot of books that are half finished though so I'm hoping June will be a much better month.

Type:

Print: 5

Ebook: 2 

Audio: 3

Genre:

Mystery - 5 

Fiction - 4

Nonfiction - 1 

Favorite Books of the Month:

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston - This was my favorite audio of the month.  It was a solid 4 star read (probably a 4.25).  I found the plot entertaining and compelling and I really enjoyed the listening experience.

Mrs. Jeffries on the Trail by Emily Brightwell - This was my favorite print book of the month.  It's got a bit of a classic mystery feel and I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of upstairs/downstairs and who knows what.  Also, the mystery was just a solid one.

Rereads:  Only one in May - The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie.  I really enjoyed this one and it's one where I really feel like Christie's enjoyment of the plot and the writing comes through

Monthly Armchair Bookish Travel:

Domestic Travel - I only visited 2 states this month.  I visited Louisiana for the first time this year and had a revisit to New York.

International Travel - This month I only visited England though I did visit 5 times.  

Other than that, I had 2 fantasy books and 1 nonfiction (though that one did take place in England).

How was your reading in May?  Where did your books take you?

Friday Fives - June TBR

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. Since this is the first Friday in June, I'm planning my June TBR.  Here are 5 books I plan on reading in June. 

1.  When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams - I really enjoyed the last book by this author that was also set on Winthrop Island and I'm so looking forward to reading this one!

2.  Code Name: Lise: The True Story of World War II's Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis - I've enjoyed other biographies by this author and this sounds like a fascinating story.

3.  Colour Scheme by Ngaio Marsh - I'm a little hit or miss with this author but the last few books have been hits and I love that this one takes place in New Zealand where Marsh was from.

4. Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates - This is the latest book in the Lighthouse Library series which usually makes for perfect summer reading.

5.  White Hot by Ilona Andrews - The covers for this series are really dreadful but I really enjoyed the first book and want to finish the series.  

What are you hoping to read in June?

Recipe Thursday - Asiago Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce

 

One of my goals for 2026 is to sort through all the recipes I have laying around tucked into folders and notebooks as well as my gigantic Pinterest/food blog collection that hasn't been touched in years.  I've been having quite a good time with it.  I enjoy cooking but it can become a chore pretty easily and this has made it a lot more fun for me as I feel like I'm working on a project.   Around here we've taken to calling it Recipe Thunderdome as all recipes have to be auditioned before earning their place in the final recipe binder. 

*For context I'm a reasonably capable home cook but one who is often trying to multitask and who is pretty much completely self-taught. *

Today I'm sharing Asiago Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce from Julia's Album

Changes:  I used olive oil instead of vegetable oil and left out the parsley because I find parsley to be more trouble than it's worth - though I am willing to hear arguments to the contrary.  I also only used bacon in the first part and did not garnish with the additional bacon.

Thoughts on Recipe Difficulty:   I don't love cooking chicken in a skillet because I'm always afraid of undercooking it but the way this recipe is done that isn't an issue.  This isn't a dump it in a pan and leave it recipe but it is pretty straightforward - seer chicken, make sauce, then simmer chicken in the sauce - and can all be done in the same pan.  I could clean up the kitchen and work on the sides while it was simmering which is always a plus.  As well, the recipe was easy to follow and I didn't have to reread for clarification.

Cook Time:  I'd say from start to finish about 30 - 35 minutes.  

Served With: Mashed potatoes (which were fantastic with sauce poured over them) and roasted green beans

Results:  So good!  It's a little rich for everyday but would be perfect for a company meal or when you're just wanting a little treat.  Serving it with rice or mashed potatoes to use with the extra sauce is a must.    

Verdict:  Survived - it has earned it's place in the final recipe binder which I need a catchy name for now that I think about it.  

The Valencia Expat Club - Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Valencia Expat Club by June Patrick

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: Dahlia Delaney’s marriage just imploded, her friend group picked a side (not hers), and her fancy San Francisco life now fits into a single suitcase. Armed with a broken heart, a freelance marketing gig, and one blurry childhood memory of her abuela’s garden, she impulsively hops on a flight to Valencia, Spain, to reconnect with distant family—and maybe herself.

But Valencia isn’t just sunny plazas and sangria. There’s her chaotic new job at a quirky expat bar, a family she barely knows but who embrace her like she’s always belonged, and a brooding American bar owner who’s frustratingly attractive and entirely too familiar.

As Dahlia stumbles through language mishaps, clashing cultures, and late-night paella with new friends, she begins to realize that the fresh start she came for might turn into something even better—if she can let go of the life she planned and embrace the one unfolding around her.

Genre: Fiction - Contemporary/Romance

Why I Picked This Book: I love starting over books and I loved the idea of a Spanish setting.

My Impression: I have mixed feelings about this one.  I adored the setting and the author did a fantastic job of making it come alive.  I loved the side characters and the whole huge welcoming Spanish family.  The author's writing style pulled me in immediately and at the beginning I liked Dahlia as she dealt with a divorce (not unwanted but definitely unsettling), the betrayal of friends and the struggle with relearning what she wanted as an adult.  

As the book went on I liked Dahlia less and less.  Her struggles with her changing circumstances and dealing with her relationships with her friend group post-divorce came off as very authentic and relatable but the more I got to know Dahlia the less I liked her.  She just struck me as a bit whiny and pretentious.  As well, I never connected with Liam.  The man must be beyond dreamy to make up for his rudeness that never quite made it to delightful banter for me.  As well, anytime Dahlia and Liam were together I liked each of them less.  

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  This was my first book by this author and I loved her writing style and her way of making the setting and characters come alive.  I wish I had enjoyed my time with the main characters more but overall, the reading experience itself was a winner.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  I really enjoyed the book even though I didn't like the main characters.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you like escapism starting over books, I'd definitely give this a try.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *