Girl Who Reads

The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson ~ a Review

2026-04-08T06:30:00.003-04:00

by Susan Roberts

From a well-camouflaged still in the moonshine-slicked mountains of Prohibition-era Missouri, to the drink order of a Hot Springs gangster, and even the hidden depths of her own heart, a Strong woman knows how to keep a secret…

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; A John Scognamiglio Book; 978-1496748300
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); historical fiction

In 1929, in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, there was a moonshine still operated by a father and his daughter Shine. They made some of the best moonshine in the area because of some of the special flavors that their grandmother added to the mash. This is during Prohibition, when government agents spent time searching for and destroying stills on small farms and pouring out the moonshine that they found. When the father is killed by government agents, the business is taken over by all three of the sisters and helped by their grandmother Liddy – who has been making moonshine for ages. The sisters are all totally different, but work together to get their business running -Rebecca is an outside girl who is interested in nature and in hunting and would sooner be in the woods than be around people. Elsie is the middle sister, and she yearns for love and marriage and a life very different from the life she is living. Jace – who everyone calls Shine - is the most interested in the moonshine business. She has red hair and a fiery temper to match and has learned all about making moonshine from her beloved father. She basically takes the lead on the family business after their father dies.

After their father is killed, the girls decide that they need to take their product further away to sell. They believe that it’s better than most moonshine and want to get top dollar. Shine takes their product to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she gets a buyer from a popular bar in the area where she meets and has to deal with gangsters like Al Capone. Can they keep their business intact to keep food on their table and avoid the government men who are working hard to make sure that they don’t stay in the business of making illegal moonshine?

I really enjoy books about sisters, and even though these sisters are very different from each other, they are all strong in their own way and determined to keep their family safe. They each do their part to keep the family running despite their occasional disagreements. This book was well written, and the setting was so well described that you almost felt like you were in the Ozarks with the family. The research was extensive, and the storyline was interesting. My only problem with the book is the time jumps later in the book and the fact that the first 50% of the book, while the family was still on the farm, was much more exciting for me.

Overall, I thought this book was a well-written look at a significant time in our history – when people had to resort to doing something illegal to keep food on their table, as it also looked at the people who, despite working on something that was against the law, were hardworking and were good people. If you enjoy historical fiction, you don’t want to miss this one!

Buy The Moonshine Women at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west. She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.

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Killing Me Softly by Sandie Jones ~ a Review

2026-04-07T06:30:00.009-04:00

by Donna Huber

The perfect couple... A terrible tragedy... A bitter feud....

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; Macmillan Audio; 9781250434609
audio (8h 50m), ebook, print; domestic thriller

Sometimes I can't remember what made me want to read this book. I usually enjoy domestic thrillers along the lines of Megan Miranda, Lisa Gardner, or Lisa Scottoline. They have you on the edge of your seat. But this one didn't keep my interest.

There is a fatal car accident near the beginning, but I had almost forgotten about it by the middle of the book.

The story is told from the point of view of Charlie and Freya. There are two narrators, Matthew Biddulph for Charlie's chapters and Anna Burnett for Freya. The narrators are excellent and make it easy to listen to the story.

I just didn't connect with either character, which made it difficult to engage with the plot. While in the beginning, I was curious about what would come of the car accident, but then the story seemed to deviate from that into more of a dysfunctional relationship focus. And since I didn't like either character, I didn't care what happened to them. I did get a little more interested in the story when I thought Charlie was trying to have Freya killed. There are several twists like this.

If you like reading about what happens behind closed doors, then you may enjoy this book more than I did. The book was well-written, but it just wasn't the book I was looking for.

Buy Killing Me Softly at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer ~ a Review

2026-04-06T06:30:00.007-04:00

by MK French

Rainy March is a third-generation book witch, jumping in and out of novels to keep their stories safe from chaos. When her grandfather vanishes, and a book is stolen, she must team up with the Duke of Chicago, the hero of her favorite mystery series. Moving through different classic novels, Rainy and the Duke find danger, desire, and long-buried secrets.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2026; Montlake; 978-1662529443
audio, ebook, print (255 pages); romantic suspense

Rainy grew up with her grandparents, and the only thing she has of her mother is photos before she dies when Rainy was a baby and the first Nancy Drew novel. There are supposed to be clear lines of division between the real world and the fictional worlds of books. The book witches repair stories, since damage to them will erase every copy of it from existence, and Burners are invested in destroying fiction by burning them. Rainy had always loved the Duke of Chicago mystery novels, and for a period of time, broke rules to have a relationship with him. She was soundly chastised when caught, and her boss thinks she's a terrible book witch. When her grandfather disappears, and her Nancy Drew book is stolen, she accidentally summons Duke back. Working with him rekindles the feelings they had, but they work well together both in and out of books.

I enjoyed the bit of meta discussion regarding plotting and the parts of mystery novels, recognizing Freytag's pyramid even if it wasn't outright named. It was a fun plot twist, and it explains a lot about the world Rainy lives in. The final quarter of the book blurs the lines between fiction and reality a bit, a commentary on the effects that stories have on people. We don't always realize the effects fiction has on us, and this novel shows us in the characters and the authors who are part of the story. Rainy has the best of both worlds, and I truly loved the finale. There's a happily ever after not only for her, within the bounds of the story, but also for the other characters she meets.

Buy The Book Witch at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Cultivating Native Plants for Pollinators by Helen Yoest ~ a Review

2026-04-05T06:30:00.006-04:00

by Donna Huber

Spring is here, and since it is Easter weekend, I can start putting out plants in my area, as we are past our last freeze date. However, if you are in a cooler clime, you may still be dreaming of the summer garden. If that is the case, then this book will give you information that you can put to use as the ground thaws.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2026; Creative Homeowner; 978-1580116206
ebook, print (196 pages); gardening nonfiction

Soon after I moved to my home, I realized I didn't have a lot of pollinators. I live in a subdivision, but it is an older one, so we aren't quite filled with monoculture lawns. But I don't think many of my neighbors were gardeners. That is slowly changing as new people move in. I've been working hard on my own yard.

I can't attract as many pollinators as I would like because my yard is mostly trees, and finding plants that thrive in full shade is difficult. Yet, last summer, I saw my first swallowtail butterfly on my mountain mint!

I'm always looking for information to up my game, which is why I picked up Helen Yoest's new book.

I was a little disappointed with the book. From the title, I really thought it would be focused on the plants, maybe how to lay out your garden. I was looking for information on companion plantings and maybe tips for less-than-ideal spaces - arid, shady, etc.

The first chapter was good. It gave a lot of information on getting started on a pollinator garden. But then the next 3 chapters were all about the pollinators that you might be able to attract. These chapters are basically taxonomic summaries. If you have a good field guide for identifying butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, then you will have all the same information.

The final chapter is finally about plants, but again, if you have a field guide to native plants, then you probably already have the information.

If the book was more like the first chapter, I would have found the book more useful. If you want to learn more about the pollinators you can attract and don't have field guides, then this book would be useful for you.

Buy Cultivating Native Plants at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Dog Person by Camille Pagán ~ a Review

2026-04-04T06:30:00.007-04:00

by MK French

Harold is an older dog that absorbed romantic notions from Amelia May, the romance novelist who adopted him. After she has passed away, she asks him to help her partner, Miguel, find love again. He rarely leaves home, and the bookstore he and Amelia owned together is in danger of going under. When a renowned author doesn’t show up for his event, the store’s finances are even more precarious. Miguel and Harold set out to find the author to save the store, but his sister Fiona tries to keep his privacy. Fiona doesn't like dogs, but her eleven-year-old daughter Amelia immediately befriends Harold. The dog is trying to get Miguel to speak with Fiona and convince him that he's able to have a happy ending after all.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

April 2026; Delacorte Press; 979-8217092055
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); romance

This romance novel is told from Harold's POV. He's a 14-year-old rescue dog that lived with Amelia and Miguel before Amelia's death. It is explicitly stated later in the novel, but she had heart issues and an aortic dissection. Miguel wasn't coping well afterwards, and the adventure of tracking down his favorite author with one of his employees leads him to meeting Fiona and Amelia Mae. As much as Miguel and Fiona hit it off, Miguel is reluctant to trust or ask for help. Precocious Amelia Mae loves Harold and is just as invested in getting Miguel and Fiona together, so Harold has help in his mission. There are bumps along the way, since this is still a romance novel, with some devastating news right before the massive blackout, causing Miguel to reevaluate his isolationist stance.

I haven't read too many novels with an animal as the narrator, and this is the first romance novel. Harold is a wonderful observer, and it doesn't feel odd at all that we're looking through his eyes to see how the humans are faring. He is grieving as well and wants to look after Miguel in his own way. The bookstore employees are friends, with their own problems that Harold isn't entirely aware of. They're a nice counterpoint to Miguel's issues and help take care of Harold. He's an older dog, with signs of illness himself toward the end of the book. The interactions he has with others feel genuine and heartfelt, and I adored him as a character as much as the human ones.

Buy Dog Person at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Guess where I'm going from these 5 books

2026-04-03T06:30:00.056-04:00

by Donna Huber

I'm preparing for a trip. I thought it would be fun to do a little game. So I'm featuring books set where I'm going. Can you guess where my travels are taking me?

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

Victoria's War by Catherine A. Hamilton

Victoria's War tells the story of two women who to the world seem to be helpless but stand up to the evil spreading through their countries during WWII. I really liked the characters. The audiobook was well done. The story was easy to follow even with moderate distractions. Read my full review.

Buy Victoria's War at Amazon

Gerta by Kateřina Tučková

I read a lot of WWII novels but I haven't read one like this before. It covers a huge chunk of time - from slightly before the war until the 2000s. It was largely focused on what happened after the end of WWII. The female protagonist is of German nationality, though her mother was Czech. It is a heartbreaking and difficult story to read, but eye-opening as well. Read my full review.

Buy Gerta at Amazon

(free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers)

The King of Warsaw by Szczepan Twardoch

The title of this one gives it away if you haven't guessed yet.

It was a little too stream of consciousness for me, especially in the beginning. I didn't like that the Yiddish dialogue didn't have a translation on the same page. There is definitely a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. I wish I could tell you this is a happy story, but we know what happens to Europe just a few short years after these events occur. It is a difficult story, but one I'm glad I read. Read my full review.

Buy The King of Warsaw at Amazon

(free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers)

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The title also gives it away if you haven't guessed yet.

If you havevn't read it... It is well written and the audiobook was easy to follow. I read a lot of WWII stories and this one didn't have a lot of uniqueness but I'm glad that this man's story was told. It is based on real people and the author did a good job of bringing the story to life. You can check out Susan's review.

Buy The Tattooist of Auschwitz at Amazon

(free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers)

The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto: The True Story of Five Courageous Young Women Who Sparked an Uprising by Elizabeth Hyman

One final book to recommend if you want to delve into the history of where I will be on my trip.

This is a really good book. So much history I didn't know. I'm not sure why more hasn't been written about the Polish resistance, particularly in fiction. It was an engaging read. Parts of it were difficult to listen to. If you are interested in WWII history, this is a must-read book, and the audiobook is really well done. Read my full review.

Buy The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto at Amazon

Did you guess which two countries I'll be visiting? Unfortunately, I have not read too many books set in one of them.

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas ~ a Review

2026-04-02T06:30:00.007-04:00

by Donna Huber

1937. It’s been seven years since the dust storms started in Colorado. Folks can barely remember a time when the clouds were filled with rain instead of dirt, and when the fields were green instead of brown. High school student Martha Helen Kessler and her family are luckier than most; they still eke out a living from the land. Even so, evidence of the Dust Bowl’s grim impact on families, especially on the women who bear the brunt of their husbands’ frustration and their children’s hunger, is everywhere.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250352392
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); historical fiction

Sandra Dallas takes on the Dust Bowl era with her new book, The Hired Man. She has a lot to live up to. When I think of "Great American Novel", I think of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Then, a few years ago, Kristin Hannah delved into a single mother's struggle during the Dust Bowl with the best-selling novel The Four Winds. If that isn't enough, her novel last year, Tough Luck, was spectacular.

The Hired Man started out strong. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in a small town in Colorado. Martha Helen is moving from child to adult, and as such, she learns some hard truths about life, particularly for people down on their luck and with little hope.

Somewhere in the middle of the book, I started to get a little bored as I wasn't sure where the story was going. It starts off basically as a slice-of-life story, but then there is a murder mystery twist thrown in. It almost felt like I was reading a different book.

Overall, it was a good book. I found it to be very entertaining. I read it quickly as it is easy to lose yourself in the story.

Buy The Hired Man at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

Whispers of Ink and Starlight by Garrett Curbow ~ a Review

2026-04-01T06:30:00.006-04:00

by MK French

Nelle was born from ink and imagination, and her life is carefully scripted by her creator and captor, reclusive author Wallace Quill. One Fourth of July night, she meets James, and the two soon fall in love. Traveling together across Europe, they enjoy their time together. Unfortunately, the farther from Georgia they go, Nelle’s ink grows thin. Any moment could be her last, so Nelle and James must write their own happily ever after.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; Lake Union Publishing; 978-1662530081
audio, ebook, print (315 pages); romantic fantasy

We meet Nelle in a short and brutal chapter one: Quill cutting her to get her ink blood. Everything she does must be expressly written down as a command, or she's locked in place. This is how he kept her in his home and punished her if she talked back. James barely even sees how badly he treats her, and helps her escape the house. She wants to see the world and everything she wasn't allowed to experience. For his part, James wants to write novels and doesn't want to go to medical school as his parents want him to. He has the rest of the summer to spend with Nelle, so they go to New York City, then Europe.

Nelle’s "father" is controlling and abusive, and it's not clear at first if he's truly following them or if it's her fear talking. James' parents are well-meaning with their dismissive attitude towards writing. Doctors and nurses (if he can't get into medical school) will always find a job somewhere, but journalism is too unstable a field, let alone writing novels. It's not abusive, but still constraining for James. They want different things from the start, and the thinning ink isn't what stops Nelle from trying to see the world. Mastering her ability isn't what she expected it to be, leading to the final quarter of the book. The concerns she and James have are bigger than their emotions; through it all, they love each other, but that doesn't invalidate the very real potential problems that can arise. This is a fascinating concept, and I liked seeing how it played out. I was hoping for a happily ever after, but this isn't that kind of book.

Buy Whispers of Ink and Starlight at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Get Ready for Summer 2026 Beach Read Season

2026-03-31T06:30:00.003-04:00

by Susan Roberts

It’s officially spring now, and even though the weather is very warm in some places, there is also snow falling in some of the Northern States. It’s gotten warm in my part of North Carolina, which makes me start thinking about trips to the beach and, of course, beach reads to enjoy while I’m there. Here are a few of the beach reads that I’m looking forward to this year.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site.

These are the two books that I’m most looking forward to:

Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey

May 2026; Gallery Books; 978-1668074886
audio, ebook, print (384 pages); southern fiction

After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, North Carolina, looking for a new life—and possibly a new romance. On her first day at her “simpler” job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby, sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town of Cape Carolina.

Mason is still struggling to reconcile the scars of the injury that kept him out of the big leagues, stuck in his hometown, and searching for a way out. This newcomer and the child they’ve saved together might be just the motivation he needs to stay put. Sparks fly as Mason acquaints Daisy with Cape Carolina, introducing her to his friends and family, including his batty Aunt Tilley, who is looking for relief from long-buried family secrets and her own fresh start.

Buy Summer State of Mind at Amazon

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

June 2026; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250372888
audio, ebook, print (448 pages); women's fiction

Maeve and Therese Dunigan are sisters, but the two have been estranged for years. They could not be more opposite: Maeve is the rule follower and Therese is the rebel. But when their mother’s death brings the family back together, the two find that they have inherited a painting―one that could be worth millions and save them from the wolves at their door. The only issue is whether it’s real or a fake―and the only way they can prove that theirs is the real McCoy is to solve the mystery of how this portrait of an Anglo-Irish aristocrat made its way to their childhood home in Savannah, Georgia. This means a road trip―to Ireland, to their family roots, and to a mysterious crime that occurred generations ago. With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm. Can Maeve and Therese actually survive the journey without killing each other?

Buy Road Trip at Amazon

Other new books that look like they’ll be great to read at the beach:

Rules for the Summer by Meghan Quinn

May 2026; Bloom Books; 978-1464243677
audio, ebook, print (576 pages); romantic comedy

He clicked "yes" on a dare. She bought a failing candy shop. Now they're neighbors for the summer―and neither is ready for what comes next.

Renley Gossage has one shot to prove she's more than Cape Meril's favorite cautionary tale: restore her favorite candy shop before the town writes her off like they did her father. No help, no shortcuts, and definitely no rich men wielding engagement rings and making things messy.

Buy Rules for the Summer at Amazon

The Shippers by Katherine Center

May 2026; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250408051
audio, ebook, print (336 pages); women's fiction

After a lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton vows to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. Armed with pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest). Determined to woo him for closure, she ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, as her wingman. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but showed up anyway. Cooper, who moved to London without a word four years ago. Cooper, who broke her heart.

Buy The Shippers at Amazon

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

May 2026; Berkley; 978-0593953242
audio, ebook, print (432 pages); women's fiction

Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.

Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.

Buy Our Perfect Storm at Amazon

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren

Three years ago, Emery Finch did something completely out of character: she got married. To Luca—the impossibly charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas who made her laugh, made her dance, made her feel.

But now, Emery is consumed by her top-secret job, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge research comes to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her.

Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule to bring him back. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her. Their first kiss, their Sunny Sundays at the beach, the life they built together...all of it is gone.

It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance. And this time, she won’t waste it—because true love is always worth reviving.

Buy The Romance Revival at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west. She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.

God Won't Leave You There by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright ~ an Audiobook Review

2026-03-30T06:30:00.005-04:00

by Donna Huber

God Won't Leave You There: Joseph's Story, an incredible testimony of jaw-dropping faith and patient perseverance in the face of devastating trials, will leave you in awe at what God can do in and through one person. It's a powerful reminder that wherever you find yourself, God is at work putting the pieces of your life together to bring about His sovereign plan.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

March 2026; Thomas Nelson; 9781400348169
audio (6h 48m), ebook, print; Christian nonfiction

A year or so ago, my small group went through the book of Genesis, and I taught a section of Joseph's story. If you are thinking, "I know Joseph's story. I don't need to read this book," think again. I appreciated the different perspectives and personal stories of Anne Graham Lotz and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright.

Even though I was familiar with Joseph's story, this book still gave me things to think about.

I liked listening to the audiobook. it is a bit longer than some of the other devotional books I've listened to recently. I appreciated that, as there is a lot going on in Joseph's story, the authors took their time going deeper into the story as well as sharing personal testimonies that connect the lessons to our modern life. The book is read mostly by Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, but there are sections read by Anne Graham Lotz.

If you enjoy listening to podcasts, you will have no problems with this audiobook.

If you are struggling right now with life - feeling like everything is going wrong - then this book will give you encouragement and strength as they remind you that God won't leave you in your trials.

Buy God Won't Leave You There at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.