Reviewed by Alija Turkovic for Readers' Favorite

The Heir of Two Worlds by Arianna Reed is a compelling tale of prohibited young love. The main character of this story is Prince Kael, who ventures into his kingdom's forbidden forested lands to clear his head. Kael grows tired of the unyielding dogma his father, King Ardan, uses to rule their kingdom. While in the woods, Kael crosses paths with a beautiful young witch, Elara. Instantly, he falls in love with her. Their encounter lingers in his mind and heart. His father, fearing the unknown and uncontrollable, sends scouts to the border to investigate the possible presence of witches. When the scouts report sightings of magic near the borders, the king proposes that they strike first before the witches get the chance to orchestrate an attack. Kael is torn between two opposing worlds. Will he choose his duty to his father (and kingdom) or his heart?

In The Heir of Two Worlds, Arianna Reed weaves a bewitching romantic fantasy that will enthrall readers from the very first page. Reed offers a fast-paced, engaging story filled with detailed world-building and a rousing plot that intertwines flawlessly. She skillfully covers themes like love, self-identity, deception, fear, choosing between two extremes, sacrifice, and loyalty. The forbidden love between Kael and Elara--and the conflict between their two worlds--create an intriguing storyline brimming with tension, drama, and adventure. Reed’s descriptive writing radiates from every page. She masterfully builds a unique world occupied by fascinating and relatable characters. The illustrations at the end of each chapter create an enigmatic and spellbinding story. The beautiful drawings amplify this magical world and its people even more. Fans of romantic fantasy and deeply interwoven narratives will love this charming read.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Like No Other Boy by Larry Center is a poignant novel that explores the deep bond between a father and his autistic son, Tommy. Chris Crutcher, facing a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife, is determined to protect Tommy's unique world, where he finds joy in communicating with chimpanzees at a local primatology center. As Chris struggles to maintain custody, he must navigate the complexities of fatherhood, love, and the challenges of autism. This heartwarming story delves into the emotional depths of parenthood while also touching on scientific concepts of communication and the human-animal connection. Center beautifully captures the profound and unconditional love between a father and his son in this emotionally varied novel, and there’s a very complex journey at work that he’s thought about from every nuance and possible angle to get the most out of the tale.

The author’s sensitive portrayal of autism and the unique ways in which individuals connect smacks of deep personal experience and excellent research and empathy, and readers with any experience of having autistic people in their lives are sure to see all those details come to life with compassion and resonance. Larry Center also combines scientific insights into the well-paced beats of this compelling story, enriching the reader’s understanding of communication and human-animal bonds, educating as well as entertaining along the way. Despite some tricky and heartbreaking subject matter at times, the novel’s optimistic tone and heartfelt storytelling make it an inspiring and uplifting read by the time readers reach the highly satisfying conclusion. Overall, I would certainly recommend Like No Other Boy to fans of heartfelt, realistic drama as an accomplished work that tugs at the heartstrings from cover to cover.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

These Things Happen by Michael Eon revolves around the life of Daniel Zimmer and the challenges he faces, centered on family dynamics, addiction, and personal growth. After a devastating opening scene, the story shifts between periods of Daniel's life, from tense family memories to Daniel's attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and both old and new interactions with friends and family. Tragedy strikes when death occurs in an accident, leading to guilt and a reliance on self-medicating. Daniel's journey through addiction and recovery continues, marked by moments of relapse and self-reflection. With his relationship with his brother Max severely strained, and the declining health of his childhood friend and wife Brie continuing, Daniel's only chance at recovery will require complete surrender and the turning of his life over to a higher power.

Michael Eon does an incredible job of transporting readers to specific moments in New York City's past, creating a visual atmosphere through descriptions of its neighborhoods, his characters' roles in them, and the music scene in These Things Happen. From drives home after getting fresh haircuts and listening to ball games on the radio to the seven-floor walk-up apartment in Brooklyn that Daniel shares with Jill, they all feel real. Eon is also skilled in applying symbolism in nuanced ways, such as the interpretation of the song Dreamer Deceiver to explore the difficulty of adolescence, identity, and the allure of escapism, and champagne flutes that run the double edge of celebration and temptation. I grew up in urban San Francisco and even though the landmarks were different, the energy of being a child in a city that will eat you up, if you let it, seeps through the pages. Overall, this is an excellent piece of literary fiction. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

An Unexpected Ally: A Greek Tale of Love, Revenge, and Redemption is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, interpersonal drama, and intrigue subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Sophia Kouidou-Giles, this enchanting tale follows the journey of Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios, as she navigates love, loss, and her divine heritage. After bidding farewell to Odysseus, Circe finds solace in a newfound love affair and explores her relationship with her mother, Perse, leading her to embrace her destiny alongside the amphibian god Glaucus. Their underwater adventures unveil Circe's knowledge of herbs and her ability to heal and harm, culminating in a fateful return to Aeaea. However, when trouble arises in Delos, Circe must confront the forces of evil using her extraordinary powers.

Author Sophia Kouidou-Giles has crafted a work that masterfully intertwines ancient Greek mythology with timeless themes of humanity, offering readers a captivating narrative filled with beauty and intrigue from start to finish. As I delved into the pages, I was immediately drawn into Circe's world of love, loss, and divine intervention by the sense of passion and imagination in the narrative voice. The author expertly weaves together elements of fantasy and reality, creating a balanced and well-paced narrative that feels both timeless and relevant to contemporary readers. Circe's journey is beautifully penned with close narrative skill, bringing her into reality with a resonant and relatable sense of attitude, speech, and thought. Through a rich tapestry of ensemble characters and settings around Circe, the author takes us back through history, offering readers a fresh perspective on familiar tales while addressing universal themes of love, vengeance, and the struggle between good and evil. Overall, An Unexpected Ally is a must-read for fans of Greek history, mythology, and interpersonal drama.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Butterfly Tree: An Extraordinary Saga of Seven Generations is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, historical fiction, and family saga genres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Woody Woodburn, this highly engaging debut novel explores the enduring power of family ties across time. The story follows multiple generations, starting from the Mayflower and traversing through significant historical events such as the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War. The novel highlights how these diverse, multiracial lineages come together to form a single, majestic family tree. Told in short, fast-paced chapters, this sweeping adventure is anchored by a kitchen table that symbolizes the interconnectedness of love and friendship among the protagonists.

Author Woody Woodburn really knows how to show personality and emotion in crafting a deeply moving and enlightening novel. The interwoven narratives across different eras offered a rich tapestry of historical and emotional depth, and the confidence and control over different elements of the storyline were impressive. The complex depiction of how disparate lineages and races come together to form a united family tree was particularly inspiring, reflecting the beauty and strength found in diversity over the years, and every generation was so clearly influenced and molded by the last. Each generation’s story of overcoming adversity and rising to help the next was given the same detailed treatment of psychology and emotion in the narrative, with brilliant speech and thought presentation that brought every individual to life in their own right. The vivid historical settings, from the Mayflower’s journey to the jungles of Vietnam, showed history in a personal and relatable way, packed with atmospheric touches and well-researched detail. Overall, The Butterfly Tree is an incredible work of heartfelt drama that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Splintered Heart: A Red Dust Novel by Linda Dowling is a sweeping tale of abuse and heartache seen through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl growing up poor in the Sydney suburbs in the 1960s. Lisa was a typical, slightly rebellious girl until the day she realized her older step-sister’s fiancé appeared to have designs on her. After being brutally raped and assaulted by the fiancé, Lisa’s behavior became “uncontrollable” and she was shipped off to the infamous Paramatta Girls’ Home for rehabilitation. There, the abuse became even more violent and more horrific. Almost at breaking point and following some harrowing experiences, Lisa is rescued from the depravity by her father’s sister and her husband. Aunty Zena takes Lisa far from the city to a remote sheep station in the New South Wales hinterland, where she begins the slow process of healing and coming to terms with acts no young girl should ever have to experience. With the aid of some Aboriginal spiritual medicine and the love of her aunt and uncle, Lisa slowly begins the crawl back to normality, always knowing she will have to face and recount the trauma all over again if the accursed Girls’ Home Superintendent and her step-sister’s fiancé are ever to face justice for their horrific acts. When Lisa meets a sweet, loving, charismatic, and spiritual young Aborigine boy, her heart is slowly mended but she will run slap-bang into the intense prejudice that was the norm in 1960s Australia.

When you read as many books as I do in a year, it takes something special to make a real impact on you emotionally. Splintered Heart is exactly such a book. Author Linda Dowling has created a scenario that was not only heart-wrenching and in places gut-churning, but sadly incredibly real and true for the time. The author pulls no punches when describing the level of depravity faced by this poor teenager but she also gives us real hope and inspiration as to the indomitability of the human spirit to rise above such terrible injustices and to seek to right the wrongs. Her portrayal of the indigenous people, the much-maligned Aborigines, was sensitive and deeply moving. Their understanding of the human spirit and its needs comes shining through every page. In many ways, I found myself comparing this work to that of one of the great Australian authors, Colleen McCullough, and it did not suffer in comparison. I found the relationship between Lisa and her aunt and uncle to be the highlight of the story. I loved their liberal, caring, and loving attitudes, not to just Lisa but to all those around them. Alan especially typified the Australian hard-working sheep rancher of his time but his attitude toward the Aborigines was certainly rare for the period. In the lexicon of the time, one would probably describe him as a “real good bastard”. This is a fantastic story and I cannot wait to see where this goes in the next iteration of the tale. I particularly look forward to Book Two, as Lisa faces seeking justice for the crimes committed against her along with possibly finding love in the arms of Billy and what problems that relationship would have to endure in 1960s Australia. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is an absolute cracker.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When asked his name, the frightened young boy who has just shot his mama replies: “Earl, honey.” The officer sniggers, except the response isn’t funny. Nor is Earl being sassy. He is simply slow after being brain-damaged by his abusive father years before. It’s episodes like this that will have readers coming to love the young protagonist of Earl, Honey by D.S. Getson. Based on information in Getson’s family history, the author has penned an unforgettable historical novel that I found impossible to put down. Getson is an author who does more than create an engaging plot: her characters are so realistic that readers feel every emotion, especially Earl’s. He’s a lonely, often confused, and scared child, eager to learn and please his elders, and devoted to his younger sister, Lucy. His bond with Lucy and his desire to be with her when life separates them drive the plot.

Equally impressive about D.S. Getson’s writing are her settings and dialogue: both are in keeping with country farm folk and the gentry of the 1920s. No anachronisms here! Likewise, Getson perfectly captures the attitudes of the various classes of society, and many of those, while realistic, are heartbreaking. But there’s one other thing that Getson does that is rare: Earl’s story, and who he becomes is a sustained metaphor. Getson prefaces each of the three sections of Earl, Honey with a description of 3 plants and how they grow to maturity: chickweed, sourwood, and American holly. Those processes parallel Earl’s development, making this novel a stunning coming-of-age story. In this respect, Getson’s Earl, Honey is a classic that deserves your attention. It would make a wonderful movie too. This is brilliant writing and highly recommended reading.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Reasons for Waking is a work of fiction in the Southern fiction, family saga, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience and was penned by author Karen Foster. In this heartfelt tale about family dynamics, secrets, hurting, and healing, we discover how life has turned out for Philip, a reclusive man with a lot of pain in his past. He’s brought back into family life by a young woman touched by the same tragedy that sent Philip off on a lonely road, and together they begin to unpick the complex web of misunderstandings, assumptions, secrets and lies that have led to a difficult and prolonged silence.

Author Karen Foster has crafted a truly unique family drama like nothing else I’ve read this year, and one which has a poignant message about openness, communication, and the danger of not speaking up when you really should. One of the features that most impressed me in this emotionally intelligent work was its commitment to character, as every figure in the family and those close acquaintances around them all seemed totally realized with their own personality, dialogue style, attitudes, and values. The layers of realism surrounding the estranged Philip make the impact all the more enjoyable when he’s able to dig deep and break down some of the walls he’s built for himself. Combining this with the hardships, struggles, and tearjerking moments of pure emotion, Foster delivers a stellar drama in Reasons for Waking that is both highly recommended and not to be missed.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

More Than Halfway There is a work of fiction focused on small-town drama and character-led story arcs, and was penned by author David Hartshorn. The central drama is based around Jake Taylor, who abandons a successful law practice to return to Jackson Meadows, New Hampshire, where he once grew up. Returning to the past in his current lonely state is bad enough for Jake’s psyche, but when complications arise with old friends, old flames, and a demented father who now lives in a nursing home, it seems Jake will never get his life back on track. However, maybe a small-town visit is just what he needs to get some real perspective, however happy or sad those are.

Heart-warming and superbly poignant in the writing, author David Hartshorn has created a literary styled slice of life that speaks volumes about the human condition. Central to the emotional powerhouse of the piece is the character work and devotion to the development of Jake, who is relatable in his conflicts, and the heartaches that he has carried from the big city back to the small world of his roots. Despite these serious themes and emotive truths, the novel is also layered with intelligent and subtle humor that keeps you smiling throughout, bringing the many simplicities and complexities of life into stark and humorous contrast. Jake’s story is well told and well settled, but beyond that, there is an even bigger message for readers to absorb. Overall, More Than Halfway There is a highly recommend and thoughtful work of fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Long Way Home from Crete is a work of fiction in the historical, military, and cross-cultural fiction subgenres. It is best suited to the adult reading audience and was penned by Isaac Kal. In this fascinating and socially relevant work of historical fiction, we explore the world through the eyes of father and son Abraham and Aaron in the time preceding, during, and after the Second World War. Based on a true story, we explore the life of an Israeli Royal Pioneer Corps member who enlists after escaping Germany in the 1930s, only to find that the pressures of global war put yet more strain on his family and relationships than he had ever thought possible.

Isaac Kal delivers a tribute to soldiers like Abraham from the 1930s through to the present. They were displaced from their homes and turned to a solid career in the army in an attempt to live a more stable life. This is balanced with the realistic and emotional struggles of his wife Genia, who was a standout character for me. She had a fighting spirit and a desire for hope and companionship that was powerfully relatable. Then along comes Aaron, born into a dangerous and difficult world on the precipice of destroying itself, which makes for a heartfelt narration and some cinematically described images of a lonely child in a broken world. The Long Way Home from Crete is a detailed and evocative read that relates personal, religious, cultural, and familial issues in a highly engaging, heart-breaking, and relevant way. I can’t recommend it highly enough.