The Lucky Winners

 

The Lucky Winners by K.L. Slater
3/18/26; 362 pages
Bookouture 

The Lucky Winners by K.L. Slater is a highly recommended suspense novel following a couple who have won a lottery to win a dream home and cash.

Merri and Dev are behind on bills and the bill collectors are always calling, so when Dev buys a ticket to win the house of their dreams, and gives it to her for their anniversary, she thinks it was a waste of the little cash they have. Then they actually win the home worth millions by Lake Windemere in the lake district along with $250,000 cash. It seems their troubles are over, or have they just begun? While Dev shines in the attention, Merri has a past that she hasn't told Dev about so being in the spotlight is uncomfortable. Making new friends also is uncomfortable for her.

Who hasn't dreamed of winning a life changing sweepstakes? That dream is what will initially pull you into the plot, although most people would choose to sell or a cash option rather than moving to an unknown area with a huge target on their heads from winning the lottery. That is Merri and Dev's first mistake and this quickly becomes clear as they try to settle in and make new friends while a shadowy person is watching them.

The pace is even through most of the plot and doesn't pick up until the end. While the present day chapters follow their win and trying to acclimate to the house and area, alternate chapters flash back to Merri's past, telling her story. Once the story of Merri's past is started, the direction it is likely going to take is predictable, especially with hints at her big secret throughout the novel. There are also some chapters from the watcher, a man who has a grudge against Merri and is planning to take retribution. It is a decent suspense thriller, well-written, and will hold your attention throughout. 3.5 rounded up

The Lucky Winners will be appreciated by those who enjoy novels of suspense. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

A Better Life

 

A Better Life by Lionel Shriver
2/10/26; 304 pages
HarperCollins 

A Better Life by Lionel Shriver is an exceptional, very highly recommended domestic drama and fictional dystopian treatise on contemporary immigration issues. Shriver has always kept her own council and never shied away from controversial topics, which is appreciated by this reader. A Better Life will be on my list as one of the best books of the year. 

Gloria Bonaventura, 62, is a divorced mother of three living in Brooklyn. Both of her daughters, Palermo and Vanessa, are living on their own, but her son Nico, 26, is still living in the family home, and has never looked for employment after college. When NYC starts a program called 'Big Apple, Big Heart' that would pay people to take in a migrant as a boarder, Gloria is thrilled and applies. Martine Salgado, a Honduran immigrant, arrives and immediately ingratiates herself with Gloria, as well as Palermo and Vanessa, taking on household chore. Nico is skeptical and believes she has ulterior motives. When Martine's uninvited brother, Domingo, arrives things begin to go south and Nico's concerns become realistic.

This fictional account hits all the problems and nuances concerning open borders and immigration on both sides of the issue. Along the way there are some incredible human flaws, humor, and foolishness portrayed. Pointing out defects in a system or program is not anti- anything; it is using your mental acuity to examine an issue logically and realistically. There were times while reading that I wanted to yell at the characters, especially Gloria, to stop accepting the exploitation, realize that there are people who don't mean well, and take action, especially when Domingo showed up. This all begged the question, How much is one expected to tolerate to conform to ever changing arbitrary societal views?

What I have always appreciated about Shriver is that she is an incredibly gifted wordsmith. Her novels are intelligent, well-reasoned, impeccably written, and the correct word is always utilized. She also likes to tackle a specific topic in her books,  the plot is well researched, clearly presented, and believable.  Shriver never kowtows to the changing politically correct landscape, and I am all in for what ever topic she chooses. This would be a perfect choice for a book club that enjoys lively, perhaps heated, discussions.

The characters, likeable or not, are all presented as fully realized, complicated individuals with strengths and weaknesses. In this case, you will know these people or have met their doppelgangers on an almost daily basis. They can be foolish or perceptive, but they are all honestly portrayed as realistic individuals. 

A Better Life is a perfect choice for those who can appreciate novels on contemporary topics and enjoy Lionel Shriver's novels.  

Life: A Love Story

 

Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg
3/17/26; 208 pages
Random House  

Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg is the very highly recommended story of a life. This is a heart warming, intimate novel that captures the many forms love takes in a lifetime and will certainly be on my list as one of the best books of the year.

Ninety-two-year-old Florence "Flo" Greene has learned from her doctor that she has four-to-six-weeks left to live due to terminal cancer. In this novel she is writing a letter to Ruthie, the woman who grew up next door to her.  For Flo, Ruthie was like a daughter and she is leaving her house and everything in it to her in her will. In the letter Flo reminisces about events in her life and describes the items she is leaving Ruthie. 

In between excerpts from the letter, which Flo is working on writing throughout the novel, are events happening and people Flo is meeting right now, including neighbor Teresa, who is a death doula.The letter quickly becomes an autobiography of a life well-lived with plenty of ups and downs along with lessons Flo learned. It is uplifting and positive, while also being honest and everything shared is wrapped in warmth and wisdom. Even while knowing the end is near, Flo also takes a chance and tries something new.

The writing is exceptional in this short, lovely novel. Yes, it is clear from the start the Flo is nearing the end of her life, but Berg gives us a the chance to spend time with a character whose wisdom, kindness, warmth, and honesty are all traits to aspire to. May we all have a Flo in our lives or be the Flo for others.

Life: A Love Story is an exceptional, heartwarming story that would be a perfect choice for those who can appreciate a life well lived. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley . My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

North of Ordinary

 

North of Ordinary by Sue Aikens, with Michael Vlessides 
3/10/26; 304 pages
Sourcebooks 

North of Ordinary by Sue Aikens is a highly recommended memoir covering the author's difficult childhood, coming-of-age alone in Alaska, starting a family in the Lower 48, and eventually life at Kavik River Camp in Alaska, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Aikens was the star of National Geographic’s Life Below Zero.

There is no question that starting as a child Aikens's life has been a long fight for survival and her autobiography honestly covers it all. It was rather shocking when her mother abandoned her in Alaska at age twelve. The fortitude required to survive in Alaska on her own at that young age highlighted the personal strength and determination which is was evident throughout her life.  Aikens resilience and self reliance are a strength which serve her well and reflect the harsh reality of living in the wilds of Alaska, while also cementing her love for and connection with the land.

She does head south to the lower 48 states, marries twice, and has two children. When her children were teens, she felt she was losing part of herself in the busy life around her and she craved solitude. She moved back to Alaska and eventually became the manager/owner of the Kavik River Camp in Alaska’s North Slope, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. In this remote location she experienced brutal winters and the constant threat from wildlife. It is a harsh, unforgiving life of hard work and solitude that also provides a beauty of its own. The story of the bear attack is brutal. 

Aikens was the star of National Geographic’s Life Below Zero which ran for 23 seasons from 2013-2025. Admittedly, I do not watch much TV and did not know who Aikens was before agreeing to read an advanced review copy of her memoir. Anyone who enjoys survival stories or tales of rugged, remote living circumstances, as well as fans of the TV show, will definitely appreciate this memoir. I, however, did question some of her choices which were never adequately explained. 

North of Ordinary is a great choice for fans of the long running National Geographic TV series Life Below Zero. Thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Want to Know a Secret?

 

Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden
3/3/26; 368 pages
Poison Pen Press 

Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden is a highly recommended domestic psychological thriller with soap opera overtones. Originally published on January 5, 2021, new fans will be excited to read this earlier popcorn thriller by McFadden being released by Poisoned Pen Press.

April Masterson has a YouTube baking show called "April's Sweet Secrets." She is married to Elliot, a lawyer, and the two have a seven-year-old son, Bobby. Everything seems bright, shiny, and sweet in April's world. Her best friend is Julie, who has iron-clad control of the PTA, neighborhood HOA rules, and the book club. Julie's son Leo is the same age as Bobby. New neighbors, Maria and Sean, also have a son, Owen, who is seven and April immediately makes them her BFFs too. But someone is trying to sabotage April's perfect world. She is receiving anonymous texts pointing out her failings, as well as cruel comments on her YouTube show. Someone knows her secrets and that simply won't do.

This is one of those soap opera-esque novels that is an extreme take on suburban denizen's behaving badly while showing smiling faces or acting like Karens. Like any entertaining over-the-top drama, most of the characters are unlikable with exaggerated personalities. At first you will feel some sympathy for April. You would definitely not want her as a neighbor, but it does seem like someone is out to hurt her. Then the last quarter of the novel from another character's point-of-view will totally change your view and the plot gets twisty and wildly unpredictable.

McFadden excels at portraying characters who all have a plethora of secrets, with plenty of twists along the way. Really, I didn't like any of these characters, but it was entertaining to follow all their drama. Thanks to Poison Pen Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

A Perfectly Nice Family

 

A Perfectly Nice Family by Nicole Trope
3/6/26; 314 pages
Bookouture 

A Perfectly Nice Family by Nicole Trope is a highly recommended psychological thriller. Troupe always very reliably writes a compelling thriller full of twists.

Stephanie Gordon is recently divorced from her physician husband, Christopher, who was having an affair with his office manager, Vanessa. Stephanie and their children, Luke, sixteen, and Avery, twelve, based on the divorce settlement, are living in the family home until the children are out of school, but money can be a struggle. It doesn't help that Christopher always makes Stephanie ask for him to pay support. When her bestfriend Gail mentions a nice family who lost their home in a fire is looking for somewhere to live while they wait for the insurance settlement, Gail suggests Stephanie rent the granny flat in her backyard to them. It would add income for Stephanie while helping someone in need. 

The family, Cecilia and Jason Kemp along with their daughter Polly, fifteen move in. and seem perfectly nice, but perhaps a little odd. Quickly, Stephanie begins to think renting to them was a mistake. They are constantly asking for something. Celia seems strange. Polly is rude and flirting with Luke. Jason is always there, watching. When things start to break and require expensive repairs, Stephanie has had enough and asks Gail for more information about them. 

This is a well-written psychological thriller where the atmospheric tension slowly simmers for much of the novel, right up until everything boils over. You will be suspicious about what is really going on for much of the novel, because there are plenty of hints that something isn't right, but once it is all uncovered and the twists begin, it becomes a nail-biter right up to the end. The intense ending will hold your complete attention. 

Stephanie is a fully-realized character with both strengths and weaknesses. Her patience is amazing through much of the novel. Anyone who has experienced the life circumstances she is going through will understand how great she really is as a character and you will be on her side. Honestly, having things break in your house when you can't afford repairs is always a nightmare. Most readers will feel the uneasiness of being watched while reading and will also be questioning Gail's reliability as a freind w-a-y before Stephanie does.

A Perfectly Nice Family is a great choice for those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Big Nobody

 

Big Nobody by Alex Kadis
3/10/26; 320 pages
Random House 

Big Nobody by Alex Kadis is a highly recommended coming-of-age novel following Constance (Connie) Costa, a half-Greek, half-British teenager in the 1970s. 

It’s 1974 in London and Connie, 14, is stuck with her abusive father, “The Fat Murderer,” after the tragic death of her mother and younger brothers. George Costa requires Connie to attend Greek Night (aka Freak Night) every Friday night where the only thing to look forward to is talking to and smoking cigarettes with her friend, potentially boyfriend, Vasos (Vas) Petrides. George uses violence to punish Connie and keep her in line while preventing her from doing things other teens do, like attending school dances (disco night). She spends most nights in her room, playing her guitar and talking to her posters of Marc Bolan and David Bowie about her plans to murder her father who "was probably always an abomination of nature."

This well-written debut novel perfectly captures teen angst along with a firm sense of time and setting. In this debut novel you will sympathize with Connie. She is a fully realized, complicated character placed firmly in the time period and many of her actions and choices reflect her age. Vas is also a character who is judged and restrained by cultural expectations thrust upon him.

Soon becomes clear that the abuse/punishment is generational. Her grandfather abused her and her father denied it. Now her father controls her every move and freely hits her when angry. Her Auntie Roulla is aware of everything but can only do so much to protect her as she is restrained by cultural expectations placed on her and enforced by her husband. There will be an increased of sympathy for Connie as more information makes her continual focus on killing her father understandable.

The majority of the novel takes place from 1974-1977, with the final section jumping forward to 2007. I must mention that Kadis inherently understands the 70's and uses this superpower to really capture the time period. Even the posters in Connie's room, causally mentioning disco, and clothing choices in the novel line up with the time period. Unlike a previous novel I read supposedly set in the 70's, there are very limited phone calls and even a mention of getting off the phone due to the cost. The final section of the novel provides some closure, but also require you to set a bit of disbelief aside. On the other hand, the final line in the novel is brilliant.

Big Nobody is a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys well-written coming-of-age stories with an edge. Thanks to Random House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.