Reviewed by Manik Chaturmutha for Readers' Favorite

In Exit Velocity by Barbara Gregorich, Rowan Pickett grapples with grief, unemployment, and societal tensions while encountering a mysterious parrot. Amidst her struggles, she seeks help from Titus Longshaw, navigating interruptions from Jake Terranova and encounters with Zeb Snoddy. Securing a job boosts her confidence, leading her to advocate for social justice and women's rights. However, she faces numerous challenges at work, and things get even more complicated when she has a confrontation with Snoddy, putting her newfound stability at risk. As tensions escalate, Rowan mobilizes her community and allies to demand justice, showcasing resilience and strength in the face of adversity. The title captures the essence of the story by comparing to physics the speed at which an object leaves a particular space or system. Metaphorically, it can represent how strongly people keep going despite facing tough times.

Barbara Gregorich's writing style is engaging and descriptive. Her attention to detail and skill in conveying emotions make the story interesting. The characters are complex and relatable, each struggling with their internal conflicts and external pressures. Rowan's resilience in the face of grief and unemployment, Jake's moral dilemma regarding his interview with Rowan, and Deeply's mysterious mission on Earth all contribute to the depth of the story. The parrot (Deeply) adds intrigue and suspense, keeping readers engaged and curious about its significance. Its involvement in pivotal scenes heightens tension and unpredictability, enhancing the overall story. The discussion of societal justice is of paramount importance as it reflects the real-world issues and challenges faced by many individuals today. From gun control to economic inequality, the characters grapple with complex social issues that resonate with readers on a personal and emotional level. Themes such as loss, self-discovery, and ethical duty are intricately intertwined, evoking deep reflection and emotional connection. Exit Velocity is a captivating narrative that showcases bravery and resilience amid life's challenges. Ultimately, readers will find themselves deeply moved and inspired by its powerful message of hope, making it a genuinely compelling and impactful story. It is highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Home for the Bewildered by Michelle Tobin is a poignant novel that delves into social issues surrounding mental health in 1970s Lansing, Michigan. The story follows Dr. Dorothy Morrissey, the first female psychologist at St. Lawrence Asylum, as she navigates her complex relationships with her patients amid a changing societal landscape. As Dorothy grapples with her patients' chaotic lives, she simultaneously confronts her own personal emotional turmoil and the strain on her relationship with her boyfriend, Kenneth. The novel explores the challenges of healing, both for patients and the healer herself. Tobin offers her readers a nuanced perspective on the struggles faced by healthcare professionals and patients during a time of societal upheaval and shines a light on how little support there was for either party during the 1970s. Her ability to present the inner lives of her characters with empathy and authenticity helps readers understand their experiences and struggles.

I loved the narrative style that gives different snapshots of patients from Dorothy’s educated but highly empathetic perspective. Each person is vividly drawn and multi-dimensional in their description and dialogue, each representing different facets of emotion and strain. Dorothy evolves throughout the story at the center of all these experiences, grappling with her own vulnerabilities while striving to support her patients. The intricate character work around her narration and dialogue invites readers to connect on a deeply personal level. At its core, the novel explores the theme of self-healing from every possible angle. Michelle Tobin poignantly illustrates that the journey to understanding oneself can be as complex as that of helping others, which is a strong message to take away from a deeply engaging character-led drama. Overall, Home for the Bewildered is an important and powerful read that will impress fans of emotive storytelling. It also has a lot to teach us about healing and how we view and treat others around us.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Indelicate Deception by V.S. Kemanis is a poignant literary novel exploring family secrets, self-deception, and the unbreakable bond between a father and daughter. Caty Robertson grows up idolizing her father, Roy, a loving and resilient Vietnam veteran-turned-chef. Though her childhood is filled with his warmth and vivid stories, there’s one glaring omission: her mother, Lenore. Caty constructs a romanticized version of her parents’ love story whilst she's young, and this is set against the backdrop of 1970s Berkeley in a time of social upheaval and personal transformation. Lenore, a passionate law student, and Roy, a wounded soldier, were bound by love but divided by race, class, and ideals. When Caty begins to question why Lenore disappeared from their lives, she embarks on a quiet but determined investigation. What she uncovers shatters her carefully crafted narrative, forcing her to confront the painful realities of love, loss, and self-delusion. With evocative prose and a gripping emotional core, Kemanis delivers a tale that questions how well we ever truly know the ones we love.

Author V.S. Kemanis offers readers a beautifully written and emotionally rich novel that lingers in your mind between chapters because of the messages it delivers about how important family influences are in our development and future happiness. Kemanis masterfully weaves a multigenerational mystery that has superb pacing and a lot of interesting revelations, and this is mixed with authenticity and close narration that lets you feel everything Caty feels in heart-wrenching detail. I was also really interested in the subtle discussion of the narratives we build to protect ourselves and how it feels when that all falls away. Overall, Indelicate Deception is both an intimate character study and a larger reflection on societal change that I would certainly recommend.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Saving Phoebe Murrow by Herta Feely is a modern tale of the struggle between parent and child. DC lawyer Isabel is trying her best to protect her daughter, keep her safe, but things go awry when Phoebe meets Shane on Facebook. Shane is a stranger, but that doesn’t stop Phoebe from flirting, treading in dangerous waters. Then Phoebe becomes the victim of a cyber-bullying event, one that pushes her over the edge with terrifying consequences. Isabel will find out who did this to her daughter and she will have justice, no matter what it takes. Protecting her daughter is all that matters and Isabel will do everything in her power to save Phoebe Murrow.

Saving Phoebe Murrow by Herta Feely is a story that is close to many people’s hearts. There are parents the world over who would do anything to protect their children from harm but, these days, the harm is often invisible or online. This was a compelling read with a gripping story line that kept me reading right to the end. The character development was done so well that it was impossible not to fall into their lives, to feel as though I were living their stories alongside them. These are characters that so many mothers, daughter, fathers, and sons will be able to identify with. This is a dramatic story, as close to real life as a fictional book can get without being classed as a non-fictional true account, and it is also incredibly thought provoking. This is the kind of book that should be included in school reading as it something that has the potential to affect every school-age child. Great book, I really enjoyed it.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Kill for You by Nichole Rose and Nichole Fallon is a new adult romance that begins with Faith, a prisoner with the Bratva gang, where she's been abused for years. Her mother has absconded, and the only piece of Faith left intact is her virginity, but even that is tenuous since it will ultimately be auctioned off. When the bar she is forced to work at is shot up, Faith has to decide whether to help the investigating cops and accept witness protection. She decides to do this. After the downfall of the detail protecting her, Detective Octavio Hernandez takes Faith under his wing. Octavio has his own reasons for wanting to see the gang destroyed, but the relationship he and Faith end up having makes revenge all the more important; so important that Octavio would be willing to kill to protect her. “One way or another, I'm going to make sure Tarasova and his men pay for everything they did to her.”

Kill for You by Nichole Rose and Nichole Fallon is a spectacularly charged book that shows real skill in both writing and character work. Rose and Fallon go a long way in making sure to respect the characters’ pain, and Faith’s trauma is treated with care, as is Octavio’s. Octavio is sensitive toward Faith, which is a refreshing change in an alpha male main character. The writing has a smooth, natural style that is easy to follow, and every single scene has meaning and intent. The story has crazy chemistry and the added intensity of both Faith and Octavio, because the former is a virgin and the latter has been celibate, making the push and pull more believable. Multiple subplots are blended right in, with plenty of twists that all land at just the right pace. The authors build a steady momentum toward a bold and satisfying finish. I loved every page and hope the Warrior for Her series continues. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lorraine Cobcroft for Readers' Favorite

All Daniel Robinson ever wanted was a normal loving family. To escape an abusive father and mentally ill mother, he leaves home at sixteen to seek refuge with a pastor. But a man he believed would protect him — a man he should have been able to trust implicitly and depend on — sexually assaults him. From thereon, his life takes many twists and turns as he struggles to find his place in the world, facing repeated challenges and betrayals and becoming increasingly disillusioned with the church and the authority figures he looks to for help and protection. While benefiting from the wisdom and caring guidance of a few good people he meets along the way, he also learns a great deal from troubled folk to whom he extends the hand of friendship. Eventually, he finds his soulmate in Kate Fitzgerald. Together, they build the family he always wanted. But can he ever outrun the demons that haunt him?

Running As Fast As I Can is a genuine page-turner. A good writer makes you either laugh or cry. John David Graham did both. Daniel’s story had me struggling at times to read through my tears. Graham is a truly great author, in my view, because long after putting the book aside, the characters still live with you. Graham takes you into their world to walk in their shoes, to feel what they feel, to think what they think, and to know what they know. You learn with them. You love with them. You cry with them. And in the end, you draw on the experiences you share with them to shape your view of the world. This book shines a light in dark corners. The author does not hold back in his judgment of human behavior and a society shaped by prejudices. But he reminds us that life is written in pencil so that we can erase a mistake and start over. As we join Daniel on his journey, I suspect most of us will reflect on the times we needed to erase a chapter and rewrite it. We ponder the race we are running; our own search for love, for a place to belong in the world, and for a way to light the path for those who struggle in a dark place. Running As Fast As I Can is told with deep compassion and understanding. It’s a story of love and forgiveness. Intensely emotional, it is also timely and relevant, highlighting social issues our society still struggles with today. It is, in my opinion, truly a masterpiece.

Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite

In Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens, early in the summer of 2018, Charley's mundane routine is disrupted by encounters with death and a mysterious stranger. Her morning jog is interrupted by the sight of a dead squirrel, triggering reflections on responsibility and mortality. At work, she has awkward interactions with Xander, a charismatic activist. Meanwhile, Xander and his colleague Terrance celebrate a victory against a corporate giant. As the storm rages outside, Charley is beset with existential fears, unaware of the subtle impact Xander has had on her life. Her fear dissipates as she gets closer to Xander, and as their friendship deepens, she even participates in protests. But betrayal soon threatens to upend her life, and she might even lose her beloved bookstore, which is the one thing that has held her life together. Can Xander and the circle of friends she has learned to cherish save her from depression and rescue her bookstore?

Beautiful and Terrible Things brilliantly articulates contemporary social issues, featuring characters with different ethnicities and backgrounds. The protagonist is genuinely flawed, and readers instantly sympathize with her inner struggles. There is excitement in watching her evolve and emerge from her shell. The conversations between Charley and Xander help Charley confront her past traumas and rediscover herself, while Xander's exuberance and compassion offer her a glimmer of hope. Their evolving friendship hints at the possibility of healing and connection amid life's uncertainties and challenges. The emotional fallout among friends, mainly Xander's disappointment and Charley's sense of betrayal, is palpable. Amidst the turmoil, memories of happier times provide a bittersweet contrast, highlighting the depth of their relationship. Through vivid descriptions and dialogue, the author creates emotionally rich, often tense, and heartwarming scenes. One such moment is the description of the panic and uncertainty surrounding Jess and coworkers. The unfolding events create a sense of urgency and dread. Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens is a compelling literary novel with resonant themes and characters that stay with readers after the last page is turned. The pathos is balanced by bittersweet moments.

Reviewed by Keyla Damaer for Readers' Favorite

The Committee Will Kill You Now by JL Lycette is a medical thriller that takes you into the mad world of a hospital residency program. Noah, the protagonist, is a young intern struggling with a tormented past. When a fellow intern dies tragically, Noah stumbles upon a secret involving both the hospital and his deceased father. Back in the 80s, his father was a member of the committee responsible for the first dialysis trials. They basically signed the death sentences of many Americans. His father's lack of ethics and the recent loss led Noah to make a mistake that might have caused the death of a patient, and the hospital accuses him of making a mistake he didn't commit. All this causes a surge of doubts about his role as a physician.

The Committee Will Kill You Now is a gripping medical thriller with well-rounded characters that seize your attention from the start. Noah, the main character, is someone to root for, and Marah's strength and intelligence are refreshing until they aren’t. Author JL Lycette, a physician herself, doesn't shy away from difficult questions about medical ethics and the pressures physicians have to endure when practising their profession. The most impactful scene for me, as a woman, was the one inside the O.R. when Andrews asks what Marah is wearing under her scrubs. Overall, I recommend The Committee Will Kill You Now to anyone who enjoys a good medical thriller with a thought-provoking twist.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Crossing the Tracks is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, interpersonal dramas, and social issues subgenres. It is best suited to the adult reading audience and mature teens wishing to learn about the dark realities of recent history. Penned by author Drew Hill, this is a powerful story set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement unfolding in Kansas City. The novel follows a white, working-class family man who takes a bold stand for justice and inclusivity amid a society marked by racism and bigotry. As history unfolds with pivotal events like Greensboro, Selma, and Memphis, the protagonist faces personal and moral challenges that force him to confront his own biases and the systemic prejudices ingrained in his community.

Author Drew Hill has crafted an enlightening experience that provides a vivid portrayal of the challenges individuals faced in confronting racial injustice during the Civil Rights Movement whilst also offering a powerful and emotive family drama at its heart. The story's authenticity and exploration of personal transformation made it a poignant and thought-provoking read that resonated long after the final page, not least because of Hill's capacity for emotional depth, creating a narrative that captures the essence of a transformative era in American society with the reality of how it directly affects people. The book shines a light on the individual's struggle against deeply rooted societal norms and offers a perspective on the significance of personal integrity and moral conviction during a tumultuous era in American history. Overall, Crossing the Tracks is a highly recommended read which delves into the complexities of family dynamics, community pressure, and personal growth, presenting a compelling narrative of one man's journey to overcome prejudice and advocate for change.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Of White Ashes is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, military adventures, and emotive slice-of-life subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author duo Constance Hays Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto, this WWII historical novel follows the lives of two Japanese Americans, Ruby Ishimaru and Koji Matsuo, whose paths diverge after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Ruby is forcibly relocated from her Hawaii home to incarceration camps on the mainland, while Koji navigates the dangers of wartime Japan, concealing a perilous secret. As their journeys unfold, they eventually cross paths in California, where their magnetic chemistry is overshadowed by the trauma of war. Inspired by true events from the authors' family, the novel delves into themes of resilience, love, and the human capacity to endure hardship with dignity.

Author team Constance Hays Matsumoto and Kent Matsumoto have crafted a powerful tale of courage and adventure that is sure to deeply resonate with readers and blurs the lines between fact and fiction so well to deliver a blend of realistic, exciting fiction and real-world poignant lessons. I was very impressed with the development of the plot, set out in such clear beats with a strong rise and fall that keeps readers in suspense as it takes each bend of history’s path and surprises us with new, unforeseen challenges that really test the mettle of the central characters. The work succeeds in illuminating the struggles of ordinary individuals caught in the tumultuous tide of history, prompting readers to contemplate the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of remembering past injustices to prevent their recurrence. Overall, Of White Ashes is a highly recommended read for fans of wartime fiction that tugs at the heartstrings whilst also staying true to its real-world roots.