The Best Christmas Ever - Fiction Review

Goodreads: The Best Christmas Ever by Sarah Morgan

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description:  As the snowstorm of the century bears down on New England, reclusive author Mabel Miller is preparing to spend yet another Christmas alone with her cats. While everyone else is making merry, she’ll be avoiding the whole painful holiday. No decorations. No tree. No traces of Christmas. That is, until the weather intervenes and sends not one but two cars spinning into the stone wall surrounding her isolated cottage. Now she has a house full of strangers when the last thing she wanted was company for Christmas.

Yet Mabel’s unexpected guests—a family with two young children expecting Santa to drop gifts down the chimney, and two work colleagues who clearly have a history—are determined to make the best of the situation. As her attempts to protect her privacy are thwarted by the two little ones who are charmingly oblivious to her boundaries, soon Mabel is making cocoa and cookies for the first time in years, and allowing them into her library, a place that contains so many of her secrets.

Mabel has her reasons for keeping her truths so deeply hidden. But this Christmas, if Mabel is brave enough to share, she might finally be able to rewrite the past and find a festive happy-ever-after - for her new friends, but also herself.

Genre: Fiction 

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author and this sounded like a good one!

My Impression:  Three groups of characters are racing a snowstorm and dealing with very different feelings regarding Christmas in this latest from Sarah Morgan.  When all three paths collide everything is turned upside down for the better.  I loved all three main characters - Mabel, Brooke, and Izzy - as well as all the other side characters - Jason, Matt, and the two little girls Elsie and Poppy.  I'm not always a huge fan of kids in books but these two were handles really well and really added to the story.  

This was a warm and cozy read but tackled some really serious issues regarding families and relationships.  Family relationships can be complicated at the best of times especially when holidays are involved and I really liked how Morgan handled the different perspectives.  It never got too angsty but nothing was presented as an easy fix.  I also really enjoyed the relationships between the three women and the friendship that developed as well as the very different relationships between the two different couples.  

This was a lovely cozy holiday read that was neither cheesy or cookie cutter sweet.  I thoroughly enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I need to look through this author's backlist and pick up the books I haven't read and I'll definitely be looking for her new books.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  If you're looking for a cozy holiday read with relatable and likable characters this is a perfect pick.

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

Sleeping Murder - Read Christie 2026 Review

Goodreads:  Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie

Rating: Love It (5 Stars)
Source: Purchased

Description: Soon after Gwenda moved into her new home, odd things started to happen. Despite her best efforts to modernize the house, she only succeeded in dredging up its past. Worse, she felt an irrational sense of terror every time she climbed the stairs.

In fear, Gwenda turned to Miss Marple to exorcise her ghosts. Between them, they were to solve a “perfect” crime committed many years before.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the October 2026 Read Christie Challenge pick - and it happens to be my favorite Miss Marple Mystery.

My Impression: While this was Christie's last published book she actually wrote in in the 1940s and put aside to be published after her death.  If you are reading the Miss Marple books in order it will be a bit surprising as all of a sudden Miss Marple is suddenly in much better health and Colonel Bantry has come back to life.  As is common in her books, Miss Marple is very much a side character who gently (or pointedly) steers the characters to the truth.

This is definitely one of my favorites and a reread didn't make it lose its status.  I really enjoy Gwenda and her husband Giles digging into the investigation.  The story itself does start with a coincidence but coincidences do happen.  Miss Marple is at the top of her game though Giles and Gwenda don't always fully listen.  They do have a lot of respect for her and for each other which I appreciated.

This was a delightful read with a fascinating mystery.  I've read it countless times, and it never lets me down.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  Next month is And Then There Were None which is another favorite.

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes, this is always on my Top Ten list for Christie recommendations and that hasn't changed.

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Books I've Read Recently

 

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. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison - This was a surprise hit for me.  I'm a bit iffy on rom-coms and a Booktuber who I usually like the books she hates and vice versa really enjoyed this one.  As well, it was (very loosely) inspired by the movie Sleepless in Seattle which while I like fine isn't a favor.  However, I'm so glad I took the risk and went on and picked this one up.  I really enjoyed it.   Lucie is a fantastic and sympathetic main character and the developing of her relationship with Aiden is really fun to watch.  The slight involvement and pressure by the outside world was kind of fun and I loved all the side characters that make up Lucie's world.  Aiden is a little more standoffish but his motivations were interesting and I enjoyed getting to know him.  I loved the world of the radio station - especially Jackson.  There is one doors wide open lights on spicy scene that was a big much for my preferences but overall while I really enjoyed this one from beginning to in.  The audio was really well done, and I went on and reserved book 2 from my library before I even finished this one.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

2.  Inherit the Bones by Emily Littlejohn - This has been on my TBR for ages and I was so glad I finally took the time to pick up the audio.  It was a really interesting mystery involving a cold case, a missing person (kind of), and a whole heaping helping of possible corruption and influence.  The main character is Gemma Monroe, a detective who has a bunch of baggage and is also 6 months pregnant.  The mystery was a good one and while I guessed parts there were other parts that were still a surprise.  The world around Gemma is not always a nice one but has a lot of complicated characters that even though I wasn't always sure how I felt about them I do want to see more of them.  There were times that Gemma really annoyed me but never so much I didn't want to finish the mystery.  It's definitely a series I would like to continue with but not one where I must pick up the next book right away.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan - This took me a bit to get into but once I did I was absolutely hooked.  Joy Davidman is a fascinating person.  Brilliant, intense, a constantly questioning mind, desperately trying to be the best mother she can be and a bit of insecurity.  Her relationship with C.S. Lewis aka Jack was entertaining and interesting if a bit frustrating at times.  While the actual letters between the two were destroyed the characters were brought to life with a lot of research and a lot of respect for who they were as authors and as people. At the same time they are far from perfect and feel authentic and genuine.  Once I was pulled into the story I found it fascinating, frustrating and at times incredibly poignant.  I will say this is one of the few times where I felt like listening to the audiobook negatively impacted my feelings about the story.  The narrator's almost robotic narration was a bit distracting and undermined the emotions in the story.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

4.  The Guest List by Lucy Foley - This is the third Lucy Foley book I've listened to and it may be my favorite so far (over The Hunting Party and The Paris Apartment).  All of the people are either terrible or miserable or both.   The wedding is set to be beautiful, the bride and groom are equally gorgeous, and the remote island setting could not be more breathtaking.  The problem is that not all it is what it sounds and little by little things get revealed for how they are.  This is told in multiple POVs and I found each perspective interesting even if I didn't like all the characters.  The way it all worked out kept me absolutely hooked.  Foley doesn't really do extended ending so while the reader gets the conclusion of the story we don't get much of the fallout or what happens next.  The audio is fantastic with multiple narrators who all do a fantastic job.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

5.  The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston - I've heard good things about this author but none of her books had ever really appealed to me until this one came out.  At first, I wasn't sure what I thought of it.  I wasn't disliking it but I wasn't loving it but as the story went on I got more and more invested.  I really liked getting to know Sophie and watching her get to know the people and the gardens of Lilymoor.  I enjoyed her time both in and out of the golden hour garden (though to be honest I probably enjoyed the out part a bit more).  Time travel is on my list of least favorite plot points but this worked - probably because it's more of a time slip than actual travel.  I really liked getting to know all the characters and that ending had me absolutely enthralled.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4.25 Stars)

Recipe Thursday - Chicken Mozzarella Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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:  Chicken Mozzarella Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes from Life in the Lofthouse

Changes: I left out the red pepper flakes (because I forgot) and used smoked Paprika vs regular.

Thoughts on the Recipe: This came together really easily and pretty quickly without too many ingredients.

Cook Time:  Maybe 30 minutes?    

Served With: Salad and bread

Results:  This was good as long as you like Sun-dried tomatoes as that flavor comes through the most.  It makes excellent leftovers and could also be made vegetarian pretty easily by leaving out the chicken.  

Verdict: 

The Bone Woman - Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton

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

Description:  The desert runs through Hazel Dylan’s marrow. She grew up on the edge of The Wild, an untamed expanse outside her hometown of Black Vulture, Arizona. She became fascinated with bones as a child while observing her taxidermist father, Wilmot, until he disappeared without a trace decades ago. Now, after years of study and countless cases, she’s known as the Bone Woman. She can read the dark stories that bones tell.

When a hiker makes a disturbing discovery in The Wild—bleached human bones arranged with surgical precision into a taxidermy-like sculpture of a coyote mid-howl—Sheriff Calloway summons Hazel to the scene. Not just for her formidable expertise but because it looks like it could be Wilmot’s work. Could Hazel’s father be behind this twisted creation? Are these his bones?

Hazel doesn’t want to believe either is true, but after another sculpture is found and Wilmot’s well-known talisman—a rogue finger bone—is discovered amid both sets of remains, she can’t deny the optics.

As the case takes Hazel deep into her past, she unearths long-buried secrets. And with time running out, she’ll have to risk her own skin to catch the killer.

Genre: Mystery 

Why I Picked This Book: I've enjoyed other books by this author and this sounded intriguing.

My Impression: I really liked the writing in this one.  Shelton does a fantastic job making the setting come alive and setting a grim and forbidding atmosphere.  I also think the add-in of the killer's POV was well done.  It was enough to get a sense of the madness but not so much it took over.  I liked Hazel and the community of Black Vulture.  They're a little odd but they're supportive without being over the top with it.  The mystery itself was interesting especially when combined with the mystery in Hazel's past.

While there were a lot of positives the book didn't fully connect with me.  For starters while the writing did keep me engaged the story doesn't progress very quickly.  By 50% there are only 2 skeletons, and I didn't feel like I knew very much more than I did at the beginning.  As well, I found the attitude towards Hazel's father being a taxidermist a bit odd.  She mentions harassment and things like that like he had been a serial killer and not an actual trade - especially since he had a reputation for being an ethical one.  Also, I would have liked more evidence of Hazel's gift for "reading bones".  It's mentioned a lot but with very little explanation.  

While not perfect this was an enjoyable mystery.  I like this author and like how she tackles grittier subjects without it getting too violent or over the top grim.  It this is a series I will definitely pick up the next book.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Yes, while not perfect it was overall enjoyable and I've liked everything I've read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would with some reservations.  If you're interested in a unique mystery this is a good pick though I wouldn't expect a slightly slower pace.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Halloween Freebie

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 a Halloween Freebie so I'm picking ten books I'd like to stay in and read on Halloween night (with candy - of course!).

1.  Dracula by Bram Stoker - Somehow I never read this but my husband just finished it and is obsessed so I should probably give it a try!

2.  The Witches by Roald Dahl - I'm a total wimp when it comes to spookiness so this looks my speed.

3.  Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn - I loved this book when I was a kid even though it completely creeped me out.  It'd be fun to do a reread.

4.  A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - This would be starting not a full read as it's a billion pages but I've heard such good things about it Halloween would be a good time to start.

5.  Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris - Harris is so creepy and this one has been on my TBR for ages.

6.   Home Before Dark by Riley Sager - This sounds like such a fun creepy read.

7.  Lord of the Wings by Donna Andrews - I really enjoy this series and I love her Christmas books so I bet the Halloween mystery would be super fun.

8.  Wicked Autumn G.M. Malliet - This is more autumn than Halloween but it still sounds perfect for a nice fall night read.

9.  A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James - A haunted house (maybe?) and a creepy author sounds perfect for a Halloween read.

10. It Could Have Been Here by Lisa Jewell - I do love a dilapidated house and Jewell is one of my go-to authors for creepy reads.

What would you read on Halloween night?

A Haunting on the Hill - Creepy Fiction Review

Goodreads: A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand

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

Description: From three-time Shirley Jackson, World Fantasy, and Nebula Award-winning author Elizabeth Hand comes the first-ever authorized novel to return to the world of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House: a suspenseful, contemporary, and terrifying story of longing and isolation all its own.

Holly Sherwin has been a struggling playwright for years, but now, after receiving a grant to develop her play, The Witch of Edmonton, she may finally be close to her big break. All she needs is time and space to bring her vision to life. When she stumbles across Hill House on a weekend getaway upstate, she is immediately taken in by the ornate, if crumbling, gothic mansion, nearly hidden outside a remote village. It’s enormous, old, and ever-so eerie—the perfect place to develop and rehearse her play.

Despite her own hesitations, Holly’s girlfriend, Nisa, agrees to join Holly in renting the house out for a month, and soon a troupe of actors, each with ghosts of their own, arrive. Yet as they settle in, the house’s peculiarities are made known: strange creatures stalk the grounds, disturbing sounds echo throughout the halls, and time itself seems to shift. All too soon, Holly and her friends find themselves at odds not just with one another, but with the house itself. It seems something has been waiting in Hill House all these years, and it no longer intends to walk alone . . .

 
Genre: Fiction    

Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House so of course I had to pick up this one - especially since it's the first authorized novel from the Shirley Jackson estate.

My Impression:  The original Hill House story is frequently billed as a horror story which I don't think is the most accurate description.  It is a horror story but not in a way that is always obvious.  There are no jump scares or violence or blood and gore.  Instead, the atmosphere is off and as the book progresses it becomes more and more wrong and claustrophobic.  None of the characters are the most likable but as the story goes on their behavior slowly changes and becomes more and more irrational.  It's only when you finish the book do you realize just how creepy it is.  

This authorized visit back to the world of Hill House mirrors the original in a lot of ways.  The characters are unlikable and not only did I as a reader not like them (especially Nisa) I'm not exactly sure they liked each other.  While there are a few creepy events or sights nothing much happens for most of the book however like Jackson, the author does a good job of making the atmosphere become more and more unsettling until the finale.  It's only when I finished the book did I realize just how creepy the story was. 

The chapters are very short and it read very quickly.  Hand did a good job recreating the atmosphere of the original book and I ended up enjoying this one.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I would if I see another story that interests me.  

Would I Recommend this Book? If you are a fan of the book version of The Haunting of Hill House then absolutely.  If you're looking for a full on scary book this might be a bit more subtle than what you're looking for.