Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen

Often times in novels, the relationships between people are very two-dimensional. It is a difficult thing to capture the different shades of gray that a relationship can live in. This author does a superb job of taking the reader through the different stages and depth of the relationship of Julie and Michael. Instead of an obvious protagonist, just like in real life, both characters have good and bad characteristics. This book was a surprisingly quick read considering the subject matter. A near-death experience proves to be the thing that forces these two to examine what is truly important. I don’t think the answers will surprise anyone, but it is nice to see both the characters get to similar understandings. The range of emotions that Julie has to go through kept me engaged and rooting for her. I must admit there were a few tears on my part, which isn’t generally my favorite thing, but they were necessary and had me feeling connected to Julie’s story.

Imperfect Endings by Zoe FitzGerald

Zoe FitzGerald does an amazing job of tackling a very difficult situation that she was faced with. After years of suffering, her take-charge mother decides to take control of her own death. What could have very well have been a depressing book, is the exact opposite. Obviously feelings of despair, helplessness and sadness make there way into this novel, but the author does an amazing job of focusing on her mother’s life and the steps that brought her to such a drastic decision. I loved this book. I could identify with Zoe and admired her strength even when she didn’t feel like she had any. The selfless decision to stand by her mother  had to be both an easy one and a debilitatingly difficult one. Definitely a book worth reading. Not so heavy that you will cry the whole way, but definitely substantial in its content.

Strangers at the Feast by Jennifer Vanderbes

Written from the varying perspectives of each of the dinner guests at a family Thanksgiving, the author gives information about the present and the past while dropping hints about the events that will transpire later in the novel. This was a good way to present the family issues and drama. I liked getting different perspectives about varying topics. Hinting was a creative way to introduce to the reader that something major would happen later in the novel. However, I found myself longing to be reading the ending instead of fully enjoying what I was reading. I felt it was very well written and done in a most efficient way. I think it may be an issue of personal preference, but I think had there been less outright hints, I would have enjoyed this book a little more.

The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich

A compelling story about a Jewish midwife essentially forced to deliver a Christian baby although it was against the law to do so. I became attached to her character and felt that her unjust struggles were probably experienced by many women of that era. I love historical fiction and Midwife of Venice does not disappoint. It captures the time period brilliantly. I had never read a story that talks about the capture of Jewish men on the island of Malta. The account was very interesting. Both the midwife, Hannah and her husband, Isaac prove to be smart and resourceful as they find a way back to one another in spite of persecution, plague and capture.  Aside from a slightly abrupt ending, this book was treasure. It kept me guessing and interested the whole time.

The Possibility of You by Pamela Redmond

In three different tales of unexpected pregnancy, Redmond weaves together the lives of three women. I found myself mesmerized by this book. I loved that the same feelings of love and loss and hope and despair were found in each story even though the circumstances and outcomes of each woman’s pregnancy were so different. I spent most of the book wondering how the stories would tie together. And when that became clear, it seemed meant to be. I don’t think that saying this book was about “unexpected pregnancies” explains the book at all though. It is about so much more than that. Redmond does an amazing job of evaluating the feelings and emotional state of each of her characters. Also, since each pregnancy takes place at a different time in history with different external circumstances influencing each woman, it is interesting to see how decisions are made and how those decisions affect the people involved. Definitely a page turner. I was excited to see what would happen next from start to finish. I wish it had a different cover though. The angel on the front along with the title made me think it was some kind of self help book. So glad I know not to judge a book by its cover, or I would have missed out on this one.

Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin

“Sea Escape is the story of the layers that exist in the relationship between a mother and a daughter. The author does a nice job of examining both the things that kept the relationship together and the walls that kept the two apart. The characters in this novel seem very real and you can almost imagine you are at their house on the beach on the east coast. The setting is almost its own character. The lives of mother and daughter parallel in some ways that are revealed through the book. It felt like each family secret that was revealed was a breadcrumb that led to something bigger at the end. I do wish that the author had given more explanation at the end. Overall, this was a decent book with lots of layers.”

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

"Set in the future where all the genetic modification has created humans that live for hundreds of years; and their offspring who die at age 20 or 25. There is a futile rush to find a cure for the virus that kills off subsequent generations. Rhine is a twin who get sold to become one of three new brides for a wealthy man. I never knew who to trust or root for but that is what made the book so thrilling. The story of Rhine and her sister wives definitely keeps your attention from start till end. Everything that happens in this well told story has a sense of urgency because of the end time on their lives. The worst part about this book is that I have to wait for the sequel."