JCL Reads - Missouri Book Challenge

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

noreply@blogger.com (Library Liss) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:36:58 +0000

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman, 452 pages

From the MARC: "A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an 'old maid' to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman."

One of the biggest selling points of this novel was the fact the heroines are middle-aged women, and it's a refreshing change of pace, especially for historical fiction novels. Goodman did a wonderful job building the world of the Colebrook sisters--not just the trappings of the aristocracy but also the humdrum life details that are so removed from our own--without making it feel alien or too unfamiliar to understand and enjoy. I also appreciated that the covert details of the shennanigans were never quite predictable.

I can't wait to read the next installment, and I'm hoping there will be more to this series. I have questions that need answers!

The Love Haters

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Berberich) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:56:44 +0000

The Love Haters by Katherine Center | 309 pages | 2025

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

This sweet Florida-based romance is the bright and colorful book your summer needs. With a cast of supporting characters that make you want to hang out with them by the pool, a giant Great Dane who loves toads, and a strong theme of learning to love yourself - it's a warm hug and a cold fruity drink in book form.

Tower of Dawn

noreply@blogger.com (Amanda Berberich) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:51:42 +0000

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas | 688 pages | 2017

Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the famed Torre Cesme for the wounds Chaol received in Rifthold.

After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help the young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need—and will honor it. But Lord Westfall carries shadows from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realize they could engulf them both.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

The Sheet Pan by America's Test Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Amy - Children's Librarian) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:03 +0000

The Sheet Pan by America's Test Kitchen -- 326 pages

I really liked this cookbook. It had a lot of great recipes using just a sheet pan -- including things I never would have thought of. I would definitely recommend this book.

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:33:58 +0000

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison -- 464 pages

Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover the snowstorm of the century, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.

Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal. If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With an undiscovered chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship. But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains, stay in the mountains?

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:57:06 +0000

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark -- 376 pages

He’s no Prince Charming…Callum Griffin is the heir to the Irish Mafia. He’s ruthless, arrogant, and he wants to kill me. We got off on the wrong foot when I set a (very small) fire in his house. Our families believe a marriage pact is the only thing that will prevent all-out warfare. I think I might need to murder him while he sleeps. This would all be a lot easier if Callum wasn’t so damned good-looking. But I’ve got a lockbox around my heart. Because even if I’m forced to marry him…I could never love a brutal prince.

Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick

noreply@blogger.com (Abby Y) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:19:44 +0000

Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick

304 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Phoebe Berman fears the one thing she wants the most: love. Thanks to an extremely unfortunate first kiss attempt, crippling intimacy anxiety has plagued her since she was a teen.

Phoebe has so much going for her: a dream teaching job, a supportive and hilarious group of best friends, and all the romance novels a girl could want at her fingertips—but she can’t help but beat herself up over the one thing she can’t quite seem to figure out. Determined to change this, she drafts up the ultimate "Guide to Losing My Virginity" checklist with the hope of finally getting laid.

Suddenly, she goes from a relatively boring (basically non-existent) dating life to juggling three romantic prospects at once. There's the gorgeous new fourth grade teacher at her school, a former high school classmate that resurfaces through Words with Friends, and there will always be her roommate, who might just be the best friends-to-lovers situation of her dreams.

Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest by Isabel Greenberg

noreply@blogger.com (Abby Y) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:17:55 +0000

Young Hag and the Witches’ Quest by Isabel Greenberg

272 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Once there was magic in Britain. There were dragons and wizards and green knights and round tables and kings that pulled swords out of stones. But now, the doors to the Otherworld have closed, and the magic is gone. All that is left are the stories of those bygone days. Young Hag, her mother and her grandmother, Ancient Crone, are the last of the witches in Britain. At least, that’s what Ancient Crone says.

Young Hag has grown up hearing those tales and believing in her the power of her Grandmother. But when tragedy strikes, and their world is shaken, Young Hag turns her back on magic. She is sick of the tales of family curses, faerie doors, lost magic, and ancient swords. If they are witches, where is their magic when they really need it?

And then one day they find a changeling baby in the woods. Confronted with real magic at last, Young Hag has no choice but to believe. She sets off on the greatest quest of her life; to bring the magic back to Britain. But when faced with magic and myth, can Young Hag put aside her doubts and fears? Or will she simply become a forgotten footnote in the tale of famous kings and wizards?

Nights and Weekends by Alexis de Boschnek

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Amy - Children's Librarian) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:33:56 +0000

Nights and Weekends by Alexis de Boschnek - 272 pages

I thought this cookbook would give recipes to make on the weekend and then more recipes using the leftovers to make on weeknights. However, instead it gave what it considered time-friendly recipes to make during weeknights and then recipes that you could savor making on weekends. I didn't actually see much difference between the two types of recipes other the weekend recipes usually required baking rather than stove top cooking.

My Hero Academia, Volumes 4 - 6

noreply@blogger.com (KAB) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:13:17 +0000

My Hero Academia, Volume 4 - 189 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 5 - 192 pages

My Hero Academia, Volume 6 - 189 pages

Kohei Horikoshi, Caleb D. Cook (Translator)

Series Summary (From Volume 1 on Goodreads)

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks” at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…

Review

I'm glad we're getting to see the abilities and personalities of the students at U.A. highlighted, be they from class 1-A or other programs entirely. It's nice to see elements of the worldbuilding fleshed out beyond the system by which students become "heroes."

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

noreply@blogger.com (Jason P.) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:50:53 +0000

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden-274 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/4

Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime.

To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she’s done.

But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night.

Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn’t the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching.

In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She'll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom.

But first, she must survive the night.

Do Not Disturb is a Hitchcock-style psychological thriller that will keep you tearing through the pages until you reach the shocking conclusion!

Thoughts: I liked this one, but not quite as much as others I've read by McFadden. I saw some of the twists coming, but I didn't see the biggest one, which was pretty shocking (but made sense looking back). Freida McFadden has emerged as one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors.

Fireball by Abbi Glines

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:49:40 +0000

Fireball by Abbi Glines -- 246 pages

The truth behind the lie isn’t always a relief. Loving a man known for his wealth, arrogance, and power had been a mistake. My head had known he was dangerous but my heart hadn’t cared. When the lies began to unravel and the truth slapped me in the face, running was the only thing I knew to do. I didn’t belong in this world. His world. But you don’t run from The Family. Not when they claim you as their own. Trusting anyone is a mistake. Friendship is only as deep as the Boss allows it to be. You are never hidden. They will always find you. Every move I made, he controlled. The people helping me were all under his command. The only weapon I had was his obsession with me. Learning to use it against him could destroy me but I had no other choice.

Smokeshow by Abbi Glines

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:20:29 +0000

Smokeshow by Abbi Glines -- 258 pages

Set in a world where southern wealth and power comes from one source. The Family is ruled by one boss and it's time for the newer generation to step into place.

It’s a fragile thing - the whispers of truth that you hope are lies. Hughes Farm was the largest racing horse establishment in the south. The family that owned it were known to be wealthy, powerful, arrogant, and terrifying. My first encounter with them didn’t prepare me for all that was to come. I don’t think anything truly could have.

Growing up with only my father and brother hadn’t been easy but we’d had each other. Losing them was the hardest thing I’d ever faced. It had made the times we went without food, electricity, or even shelter seem insignificant in comparison. It is when a woman, claiming to have been my mother’s best friend, arrives to take me home with her that questions begin to surface. My father had rarely spoken of my mother. She’d died when I was a toddler. Having no other option, I trust this stranger and am thrown into a world of mansions, racing horses, extravagance, and him. It’s true that there is a thin line between love and hate. But there is an even thinner line between truth and lies.

The Divorce by Freida McFadden

noreply@blogger.com (Jason P.) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:46:28 +0000

The Divorce by Freida McFadden-354 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What is a happily ever after really worth?

Naomi was living the quintessential love story. Boy meets girl. They fall in love, get married, buy a dream house, start a family…

Then―he kicks her out, hires the city’s best divorce lawyers, drains their accounts, and takes up with a 20-something.

It’s a brutal end to the story. Naomi should accept defeat: move into a dingy apartment, get back into the workforce, and piece together the shattered remains of her life.

Except, why should she?

Instead, Naomi fixates on her husband’s new girlfriend. What begins as cynical curiosity soon twists into obsession―and then into something far darker. As Naomi uncovers secrets she never imagined, she realizes her own life may be in danger.

But if it keeps her perfect family intact, isn’t it worth it?

Thoughts: This is right up there with The Intruder for me. I really liked this one. I saw some of the twists coming, but not all of them. McFadden is so good at leading the reader in one direction, but then going 180 degrees in the other direction and throwing readers off. McFadden's books are fast paced and so readable. I don't usually want to put them down and The Divorce was no different.

Bleach, Vol. 1 by Tite Kubo

noreply@blogger.com (Abby Y) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:32:40 +0000

Bleach, Vol. 1 by Tite Kubo

Bleach #1, 192 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts—he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow—a malevolent lost soul—Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace.

S'more of You by Tessa Bailey

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:31:39 +0000

S'more of You by Tessa Bailey -- 77 pages

Senior counselor Margot Berry is finally going to tell Dean Ingram how she feels. Sure, she’s been pranking him for eight years and they’ve formed something of a rivalry. But surely that will all be set aside when she fesses up to her crush, right? Wrong. Dean assumes her confession is just another prank. Can she convince him she’s for real before the camp session ends?

Hawkeye, Volume 1: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction

noreply@blogger.com (Abby Y) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:45:43 +0000

Hawkeye, Volume 1: My Life as a Weapon by Matt Fraction

Hawkeye (2012-2016) #1-5, 136 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

The breakout star of this summer's blockbuster Avengers film, Clint Barton - aka the self-made hero Hawkeye - fights for justice! With ex-Young Avenger Kate Bishop by his side, he's out to prove himself as one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes! SHIELD recruits Clint to intercept a packet of incriminating evidence - before he becomes the most wanted man in the world. You won't believe what is on The Tape! What is the Vagabond Code? Matt Fraction pens a Hawkeye thriller that spans the globe...and the darkest parts of Hawkeye's mind. Barton and Bishop mean double the Hawkeye and double the trouble...and stealing from the rich never looked so good.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Abby Y) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:25:43 +0000

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

The Rose Bargain #1, 389 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

London, 1848—For four hundred years, England has been under the control of an immortal fae queen who tricked her way onto the throne. To maintain an illusion of benevolence, Queen Mor grants each of her subjects one opportunity to bargain for their deepest desire.

As Ivy Benton prepares to make her debut, she knows that not even a deal with the queen could fix what has gone wrong: Her family’s social standing is in shambles, her sister is a shadow of her former self, and Ivy’s marriage prospects are nonexistent. So when the queen announces a competition for Prince Bram’s hand, Ivy is the first to sign her name in blood. What a bargain can’t fix, a crown certainly could.

Ivy soon finds herself a surprising front-runner—with the help of an unexpected ally: Prince Bram’s brother, the rakish Prince Emmett, who promises to help Ivy win his brother’s heart…for a price. But as the season sweeps Ivy away, with glittering balls veiling the queen’s increasingly vicious trials, Ivy realizes there’s more at stake than just a wedding. Because all faerie bargains come with a cost, and Ivy may have discovered hers too late.

Summer Staycation by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:34:08 +0000

Summer Staycation by Sarah Grunder Ruiz -- 58 pages

If you ask Beck Penrose, Florida summers aren’t relaxing so much as roller coasters of sensory overload. But her nervous system settles down with Lucas Holiday, a travel blogger who gets her like no one else does. It’s easy to say yes to living like tourists for a weekend. But it’s harder to say goodbye when that weekend comes to an end.

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy by Jessica Peterson

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:29:46 +0000

Save a Horse, Keep the Cowboy by Jessica Peterson -- 57 pages

Josie Reid abandoned her Texas hometown six years ago, when Weston Jessup chose his family’s ranch over her. Now a country music sensation, she’s back where it all started to officiate her brother’s wedding. Wes is the best man, and he’s determined to make things right. But can he convince Josie to give him another shot, or is their love song played out?

1984 by George Orwell

noreply@blogger.com (Library Liss) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:31:25 +0000

1984 by George Orwell, 328 pages

From the MARC: "The year 1984 has come and gone, but George Orwell's nightmare vision from 1949 of the world we are becoming is timelier that ever. 1984 is the great modern classic of a 'negative utopia' - a startlingly original and haunting novel that creates an imaginary world that is completely convincing."

1984 is a classic that slipped through the cracks in my education. I was aware of the novel and its importance to literature, but until now I had never actually read it. Haunting is a good word for the vision provided in this story. The events feel eeriely relevant and sharply prescient. I hate to say that I enjoyed the novel because it was terrifying

One Hot Summer Wedding by Falon Ballard

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:57:04 +0000

One Hot Summer Wedding by Falon Ballard -- 53 pages

It’s been ten years since Lucy last saw her childhood friend, but when she’s invited to Sara’s Costa Rica wedding, she can’t say no. She starts wishing she had, though, after running into Beckett, Sara’s still-hot older brother. He and Lucy are stuck sharing a hotel room. It doesn’t take long for old feelings—and old wounds—to resurface. But maybe this time, something new will blossom too.

Summer Thaw by Rebecca Jenshak

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:54:52 +0000

Summer Thaw by Rebecca Jenshak -- 49 pages

Hattie Cannon’s sure Colin Jettson hates her. Colin is happy to let her believe it. It’s easier that way. That is until a summer hockey camp puts them in the same hotel. Keeping their college teams focused is one thing; keeping things civil is another. Good sportsmanship is a start, but what Hattie and Colin really need is to throw out the rulebook and play their own game.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

noreply@blogger.com (Samantha Lee) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:14:52 +0000

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera -- 336 pages

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it. The truth is out there, if we just listen.

Monster Blood IV (Goosebumps #62) by R.L. Stine

noreply@blogger.com (Jason P.) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:49:55 +0000

Monster Blood IV (Goosebumps #62) by R.L. Stine-118 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evan Ross can't forget about Monster Blood—the evil green slime that never stops growing. It can turn ordinary pets into ferocious animals and twelve-year-old kids into freakish giants.

But now there's a new kind of Monster Blood in town. It comes in a can just like the others. Only difference is this slime is blue instead of green. And instead of just growing, it's multiplying—into terrifying blue creatures with razor-sharp teeth...

Thoughts: I have now read all of the original Goosebumps series! This one is pretty good. This is a new, different kind of Monster Blood that grows and multiplies. Evan, Kermit, and Andy are in for a big surprise. This one has a fun ending like many of the others in the series.