Audiobook Review: Well Versed (Well Met, #5) by Jen DeLuca

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Title: Well Versed
Series: Well Met, #5
Author: Jen DeLuca
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: September 22, 2026
Print length: 352 pages
Audiobook length: 10 hours, 8 minutes
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Purchased (audiobook); e-ARC via NetGalleyRating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

It’s a second chance at first love at the Renaissance Faire, where the search for a new queen shapes a destiny, from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Caitlin Parker was eighteen when she fell out of love with the magic of the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire—the site of her first real heartbreak. But now, twenty-four and unemployed, she finds herself in her childhood bedroom and her childhood lady-in-waiting costume, assisting a rotating cast of substitute queens for the season. The very last person she wants to see is Alexander Wright—the sword-fighting, Shakespeare-spouting young man who won and broke her teenage heart. Yet there he is, older, annoyingly hotter, and back on stage at her Faire.

When Alex broke things off with Caitlin the first time, he thought he was just ending a summer fling. He didn’t realize how much he’d fallen for her until he let her go, and he certainly didn’t know he’d tarnished her memories of her cherished Faire and worse, shattered her view on love and relationships. His need to right that wrong this summer brings them together again and again, and this time, it won’t be so easy to let go of this summer fling.

But as summer winds down, real life is catching up to both of them. Caitlin’s always thought that being an adult with adult responsibilities means leaving whimsy behind. Alex, with a life full of stage combat, songs, and sonnets, doesn’t know how to live any other way. Can they go after their dreams and find a future together where they can still say “huzzah”?

It’s good to get back to the Faire! Four years after the release of Well Traveled, Jen DeLuca’s delightful Renaissance Faire romance series is back, delivering her signature mix of Faire fun and modern-day romantic challenges.

In Well Versed, Caitlin — whom we first met way back in book #1, Well Met, as a 14-year-old volunteering at the Faire — is now all grown up! Time flies for sure. Caitlin is now 24 years old and recently laid off from a tech job, and while she job hunts, has moved back home with her mother April and April’s partner Mitch (whose love story was the focus of book #3, Well Matched). And since it’s the start of summer, that means it’s also time for the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire, organized by Caitlin’s aunt and uncle and the focus for their entire community each summer.

Caitlin used to love the Faire as a teen, when she’d don the costume of a lady-in-waiting, get into character, and wander the faire grounds at the side of her queen. But a heartbreaking end to her first love left her disillusioned and absolutely done with anything related to Faire — she hasn’t been back, and even swore off her love of Shakespeare in order to pursue a career in IT. No more swoony sonnets for her!

The past comes crashing back on opening day of Faire, when her ex Alex strolls back into her life. Two years older than Caitlin, he’d broken up with her after their first romance, telling her to find someone her own age (he was 20, she was 18). She’s never forgiven him, and is furious that he’s back, up on a stage spouting Shakespeare and looking unfairly great. It gets worse, though — when Mitch is injured, Alex steps in to take his place in the Faire’s centerpiece swordfighting exhibition, and that means he’s at her house every day to practice. She can’t get away from the guy!

Meanwhile, the Faire itself is missing its queen — the former queen has officially retired, and each replacement seems to miss the mark. It seems inevitable that a certain jaded someone will finally step up and embrace the role, if only she can recapture some of that earlier joy she used to feel at the Faire each summer.

As Caitlin and Alex spend time together, old wounds are finally given time to heal. Caitlin thinks a summer fling with Alex might be a great way to have fun, as a break from dealing with the pressures waiting at the end of the summer — figuring out jobs, where to live, and what to do with the rest of her life. But as things heat up, Caitlin and Alex’s feelings definitely go beyond a mere fling, leaving them wondering how to balance this new beginning with all the demands of adulting that they feel closing in on them.

As always, the sense of delight at the Renaissance Faire is fully embodied here in Well Versed. The book captures the summer experience, the joy of putting on a costume and embracing a different way of being, and the sense of community as people come together to create something magical.

While it was a bit of an adjustment at first to see Caitlin as an adult (we met her as a young teen!), she’s an interesting main character to spend time with. Caitlin’s struggle to get over past hurts, assert herself differently, fit back in with her hometown, and also figure out her future feel realistic for a young woman in that particular phase of her life. I enjoyed seeing her reconnect with family and friends, especially since they’re all so much a part of the Well Met series’s broader story. How fun to catch up with them all and see how they’re doing!

The love story elements are well done, showing the repairing needed before Caitlin can accept Alex as a friend once again. I appreciated that Caitlin comes to realize that Alex’s intentions were good all those years ago, despite his not-great delivery, and that the time wasn’t right back then for a serious relationship. Of course, being set at a Ren Faire, their reconciliation is full of swoony gestures, and all the swordplay and sonnet deliveries don’t hurt!

I treated myself to a signed paperback, which came with this adorable artwork!

I did wish for a bit more Faire content — we see them at the Faire throughout, of course, but often it’s just a recap of how the day went after a few brief scenes of the day starting. Perhaps the author felt that we didn’t need full-on scenes of Faire life, after the previous four books… but I did! I wanted to spend just a little more time wandering the lanes, hearing about characters and accents and flower crowns and mead, seeing the jousts… all the little touches that make these books so enjoyable.

The inevitable communication issues pop up right near the end, as is typical for so many romances. Thankfully, here the issues are less about misunderstanding one another than that the characters are so in in their own heads that they’re not fully listening to one another… and also, thankfully, it all gets resolved without too much agonizing to wade through.

Brittany Pressley is one of my favorite audiobook narrators, and once again, she does a terrific job with the characters and the Ren Faire dynamics. She lets the various personalities shine through and keeps them all distinct, conveys the humor and whimsy of so many scenes, and captures the dialects (pirate, Scottish warrior, Queen!) of the Faire voices with flair.

Overall, I really enjoyed Well Versed… and as usual, really hope we’ll get more books set in this world! Huzzah!

Interested in this series? Don’t miss the previous books:

Purchase links: Amazon –  Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Covers Featuring Autumnal Colors

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Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Book Covers Featuring Autumnal Colors.

My list includes books I’ve read plus a bunch from my TBR. My top 10 are:

  1. Hawaii by James Michener (read long ago)
  2. Dust by Hugh Howey (TBR)
  3. The Burning Girls by C. J. Tudor (TBR)
  4. Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon (TBR)
  5. The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle (TBR)
  6. A Wild and Heavenly Place by Robin Oliveira (TBR)
  7. My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin (review)
  8. East of Eden by John Steinbeck (read long ago)
  9. The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune (review)
  10. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger (review)

Have you read any of these? Do you have a favorite book with autumn colors on the cover?

If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

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The Monday Check-In ~ 10/12/2026

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My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

Last weekend, I was away in Colorado visiting my daughter, and got home Monday night. It was a wonderful trip, but I didn’t rest at all before getting back to work Tuesday morning, so I kind of dragged all week. Luckily, the sun came out over the last couple of days, and I was able to enjoy some outdoor time this past weekend, and still managed to take care of some much-needed errands (including buying myself a new pair of walking shoes — yay!).

Bookish bits & bobs:

I’m sure everyone already saw the announcement, but I’ll share this one anyway:

Goodreads has FINALLY added quarter and half stars! It’s about time — people have been asking for this for years. Of course, now there’s something new to be annoyed about — tags no longer seem to be available to select while leaving a rating and review; we have to shelve the book (i.e., add tags) from the book itself, so it’s extra steps to do so after finishing.

Still, it’s nice to not have to constantly add a note on reviews to say “rounding up from 3.5” or what have you.

Is anyone going back to modify previously submitted ratings? I’m not — seems like too much of an effort, and not all that important — but I’m curious if others are doing so.

What did I read during the last week?

Wool (Silo, #1) by Hugh Howey: Terrific science fiction. Can’t wait to continue the series! My review is here.

No Matter What by Cara Bastone: Touching contemporary romance about a marriage in trouble and the couple’s slow reconnection. My review is here.

Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong: Mind-warping horror from a favorite author. My review is here.

Well Versed (Well Met, #5) by Jen DeLuca: The newest book in a very fun romance series centered around a small town Renaissance Faire. Finished on Sunday — watch for my review later this week!

Pop culture & TV:

Dancing with the Stars check-in: My favorites (Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Julia Stiles, and Tatyana Ali) are all still in it! I enjoy the rehearsal videos and performances, but the popularity contest aspect of the eliminations makes me so mad sometimes. And yet, I keep watching!

Speaking of watching… check out the move toward the end of this dance, which has now become a challenge all over the socials:

Elsewhere on my screen… I managed to catch up with the 2nd season of the Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood, and have now seen the four episodes available so far (with six more yet to come this season). Episode 3 was especially good. The show is inconsistent, and some storylines are much better than others. No news yet on whether there will be a season 3… but since I just saw a comment from a cast member that season 2 ends with a cliffhanger, I certainly hope there will be more to come!

Fresh Catch:

One beautiful new book arrived this week:

Plus two used books that I’d ordered a couple of weeks ago:

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:


As You Wake, Break the Shell by Becky Chambers: I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, and I’m excited to be starting her new release.

Now playing via audiobook:

The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty: I think this will be my next audiobook! I’ll be starting later today. The book has been on my shelf for a while now, and with Julia Whelan as narrator, audio feels like a great option.

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 95%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 15 and 16. So close to the end!

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

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Book Review: Dive Bar at the End of the Road by Kelley Armstrong

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Title: Dive Bar at the End of the Road
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication date: October 6, 2026
Length: 288 pages
Genre: Horror
Source: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Final Destination meets The Cabin at the End of the World in this supernatural horror from New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, in which a series of car accidents traps a group of strangers at a dive bar.

A forested road at night, slick from the pounding rain and eerily illuminated by flashes of lightning. Just before midnight, a car swerves to avoid something―or someone―mysteriously standing in the road, only to slam into a fallen tree instead. In the pitch black, four more cars follow in a pileup no one can seem to avoid.

Stumbling out of the wreckage, soaked from the rain and nursing various injuries, five strangers find themselves in a backwoods dive bar, waiting for daybreak and hoping for cell service. But as tensions rise and the storm rages on outside, the occupants of the dive bar start to notice that not everything is as it seems. Time is moving differently, and they quickly learn that going outside―whether to assist another accident victim or to hike for help―is a very bad idea.

There’s something in the woods, something that isn’t natural. Could the figure in the road have been a warning? Or something more sinister? None of this is normal, and they’ll need to work together to figure out what’s happening if they have any hope of surviving the night.

If it’s October, it must be time for a new stand-alone horror novel from the prolific and talented Kelley Armstrong! Dive Bar at the End of the Road delivers a menacing sort of existential horror, as a puzzling situation turns life-threatening and characters find themselves in a trap that defies logic and understanding.

Ellie drives through a storm to reach her parents’ home, but ends up on a deserted road with no GPS or cell service after following detour signs. A shocking crash leaves her stranded, and within moments a second car collides with her own. Wounded and disoriented by their sudden accidents, she and Henry stumble up the road in search of help, following lights to a bar in the middle of nowhere, empty except for the bartender and one strange woman. Before long, they hear the sounds of further crashes, and soon, there are five accident survivors huddled in the bar, seeking shelter until the storm passes and cell service is restored.

But this is no ordinary storm, and these are not ordinary car crashes. Dangerous anomalies abound; they’re all sure that they left their hazard lights on when leaving their totaled vehicles, but each new driver swears that the cars were in pitch blackness with no lights on at all. Could someone or something have intentionally caused the massive pile-up? If so, why?

More terrors await. Venturing off the road into the forest, Henry swears he sees zombies… but another driver encounters a rabid dog, and Ellie is sure someone is hunting her with a gun. Meanwhile, the bartender cracks jokes and the strange woman makes only cryptic comments. As the night wears on, some answers surface, but not before there’s bloodshed and absolute nightmares that are all too real.

Dive Bar at the End of the Road delivers chilling moments of horror, as experienced by a group of seemingly ordinary people who simply have the bad luck to be on that particular road at that particular time. But as we learn, it may not be random or bad luck… and each may have a reason why they find themselves stuck at this awful bar.

One of the most fascinating elements of this book is the character focus, as the various people — especially Ellie and Henry — are revealed to have backstories that add complex issues to their current lives. For a story that takes place over a relatively short time frame, we get to know most of them very well. The author lets us really feel the conflicts that drive each of them, as well as the deeply embedded fears and issues that they carry.

The action is compelling, and while much of the horror feels psychological, there’s also plenty of blood and gore. Some scenes are particularly brutal and frightening. While I had a few ideas about what might actually be going on, the revelations about the meaning of it all were nothing that I could have anticipated, and I could empathize with the sense of disbelief, shock, and denial the characters experience when answers are finally provided.

Dive Bar at the End of the Road is a fast, compelling read that’s impossible to put down. Scary and disturbing, it’s a great choice for a horror-filled October.

Kelley Armstrong’s previous stand-alone horror novels:

  • Hemlock Island (2023) — on my TBR (still)
  • I’ll Be Waiting (2024) — I gave this book 5 stars! Check out my review.
  • The Haunting of Payne’s Hollow (2025) — 4.5 stars! My review.

Purchase links: Amazon –  Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Birthstone Book Covers: October = Tourmaline!

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I starting participating in Birthstone Books Covers in August 2025, and I’ve stuck with it ever since. I’m now in my 2nd time through, so the challenge is to find new books to spotlight! Leslie at Books Are the New Black hosts this fun monthly meme — why not give it a try?

The rules are simple:

Mention the creator (Leslie @ Books Are The New Black ) and link back so she can see your post! Pick 5+ book covers that match the current month’s Birthstone.
HAVE FUN!

October has two birthstones — and since last year I focused on opals (which I love!), I’m going to highlight tourmalines this time around.

According to GIA.edu:

Tourmaline is the newer October birthstone. The name comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means “stone with mixed colors,” because it often has multiple colors in one crystal. Very few gems match tourmaline’s dazzling array of colors. Perhaps this is why ancient mystics believed this October birthstone could inspire artistic expression – it has a color palette for every mood. Among the most popular are the pink and red rubellites, the emerald green “chrome” tourmalines, and the neon green and blue-to-violet “paraíba” tourmalines.

Because of its vast range of colors, tourmaline was often mistaken for other gemstones  One of the “rubies” in the Russian crown jewels, the “Caesar’s Ruby” pendant, is actually red (rubellite) tourmaline. A Spanish conquistador found green tourmaline crystals in Brazil in the 1500s and confused the stones with emerald. These and other cases of mistaken identity continued for centuries until scientists recognized tourmaline as a distinct mineral species in the 1800s.

Tourmaline comes in so many gorgeous shades!

I especially love the “watermelon” variety:

Inspired by these gorgeous gems, I decided to look for book covers with vibrant pinks and greens on the covers… which maybe don’t really look like tourmalines… but feel vaguely related anyway!

Do you have any favorite tourmaline book covers to share?

Book Review: Wool (Silo, #1) by Hugh Howey

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Title: Wool
Series: Silo, #1
Author: Hugh Howey
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication date: 2012
Length: 594 pages
Genre: Science fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

The first book in the acclaimed, New York Times best-selling trilogy, Wool is the story of mankind clawing for survival. The world outside has grown toxic, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. The remnants of humanity live underground in a single silo.

But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they want: They are allowed to go outside.

After the previous sheriff leaves the silo in a terrifying ritual, Juliette, a mechanic from the down deep, is suddenly and inexplicably promoted to the head of law enforcement. With newfound power and with little regard for the customs she is supposed to abide, Juliette uncovers hints of a sinister conspiracy. Tugging this thread may uncover the truth . . . or it could kill every last human alive.

I’ve been hearing about Wool for years and years, and now that I keep seeing the AppleTV adaptation (Silo) popping up on my recommendations list, I finally had both the time and motivation to pick up this chunky book and dive in.

Wool is structured around five stories, originally self-published as stand-alones, later picked up by a traditional publisher and bundled together into this very large (and totally engrossing) novel. The five stories work extremely well as parts of the whole; all together, they tell a fascinating story of a post-apocalyptic world where secrets abound and where the people at the heart of the story slowly learn the truth about their own existence.

Wool starts with a dramatic short section, introducing the novel’s world and core concepts. Wool takes place in a silo — a structure buried deep within the ground, with only the very top level having a view of the outside world. Outside is a place of death; the air is toxic and the earth is barren. Inside the silo, 144 descending levels provide life for thousands of people, from the sheriff and mayor who live on the highest floors, to the all-powerful IT department on the 30s, and further down to medical, farming, supply, and mechanics at the very bottom (where the generators, oil rigs, and mining functions keep the silo powered and functional).

The silo has existed for hundreds of years. No one really knows the origin, although priests say that the silo came from the gods. There are rumors of an uprising at some point in the past, but that’s not to be discussed. Breaching taboos — especially the absolute taboo of expressing an interest in going outside — is the ultimate crime, and those who do so are sent to “cleaning” — sent outside the silo to clean the sensors that allow those inside to see the outside world. Cleaners don’t survive — the cleaning suits protect for a short time, but eventually, the toxic environment eat away at the suits and the cleaners die.

As the story opens, we’re introduced to the basics through one memorable character, and the narrative shifts to yet another interesting person in the 2nd story. But it’s in the 3rd story and beyond that the action and investment really kick in, as a woman from Mechanical, Juliette, shifts places within the silo’s hierarchy and finds herself in possession of dangerous secrets — putting herself in danger, but also endangering the secrets guarded closely by the people who truly hold the reins of power.

I can’t go too much further into plot without divulging spoilers, which I really don’t want to do. What I will say is that each section of this book opens up new territory for thought and consideration, and reveals even more secrets about the inner workings and history of the silo. It’s fascinating, start to finish, and although I felt a bit daunted at the beginning, I quickly became hooked and raced through to the end. I can see why Wool has attracted such a devoted following over the years!

I will definitely be continuing with this series. From what I understand, book #2, Shift, is a prequel, and book #3, Dust, picks back up where Wool leaves off.

Thanks to Reddit, I’ve learned that I can safely watch seasons 1 and 2 of the AppleTV series without getting spoiled for future books… and while part of me is more inclined to wait until after I finish reading the trilogy, I’m not sure I’m all that patient!

Wrapping things up… I highly recommend Wool for those who enjoy sci-fi with a dystopian/post-apocalyptic focus. Great characters and an intriguing premise make the pages fly by!

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Audiobook Review: No Matter What (Hearts of New York, #3) by Cara Bastone

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Title: No Matter What
Series: Hearts of New York, #3
Author: Cara Bastone
Narrator: Alex Finke
Publisher: Dial Press
Publication date: March 3, 2026
Print length: 352 pages
Audio length: 10 hours 39 minutes
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Source: Library
Rating:

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sometimes love sends you back to the drawing board.

After a traumatic accident threatens the foundations of their happy marriage, a couple tries to rebuild and find their way back to each other—and themselves—in this tender, slow-burn romance.

Roz and Vin can’t look each other in the eyes anymore, let alone share a bed. It’s been a year since they survived a life-altering accident, and their marriage hasn’t been the same. But Roz has held out hope that they can fix things, until she discovers Vin has signed a new lease. So she does what any soon-to-be-divorced Manhattanite would do: sign up for a figure-drawing class.

Between Roz’s determined attempts to improve her artistic skills and her adventures with her best friend, Raffi, she can almost ignore Vin’s impending move-out date and his footsteps in their previously unoccupied guest room. But it would all be a lot easier if Vin wasn’t Raffi’s older brother, and if she didn’t still find him incredibly, debilitatingly attractive and kind.

So kind, in fact, that Vin offers to let Roz draw him. What is she supposed to say? It’s probably better than her original plan of finding some random male model online, and she needs all the practice she can get. Plus, that’s sure to make a separation easier, right? Focus on every detail of your estranged spouse’s body while drawing him in the nude? But after the year they’ve spent avoiding each other, it feels good to see and be seen by one another again.

As Roz works to capture the wholeness of the person she fell in love with, will they both be able to draw upon the feelings they buried deep inside to finally heal together?

Cara Bastone excels at portraying people going through difficult times and responding in ways that feel real, and No Matter What is another fine example of her compelling storytelling. What’s more, this book has a quite lovely reversal of a standard romance trope — more on that in a moment!

Quick note first, though: No Matter What appear on Goodreads and elsewhere as #3 in the Hearts of New York series — but if you didn’t see that on the description, it wouldn’t really matter. The series is actually just different stand-alone stories, all set in New York. There’s a teeny bit of cross-over between books, but in No Matter What, you could blink and miss it. My point is — while I’ve enjoyed each of these books, there’s no actual reason to go in a particular order, so if the synopsis for this book appeals to you, there’s no need to worry if you haven’t read the other books.

Onward with the story: No Matter What opens with main character Roz contemplating the end of her marriage. Married for eight years to Vin, the man she expected to spend forever with, Roz comes home one day to find a lease for a new apartment on her kitchen counter. They’ve had the year from hell: Following a devastating accident that left her, Vin, and Vin’s brother (and Roz’s best friend) Raffi with serious injuries and lasting trauma, she and Vin can barely be in the same room together any more, and he’s been sleeping in the guest room ever since Raffi finally recovered enough to move back out on his own. So it shouldn’t be a total surprise that Vin is leaving, but Roz is distraught. Fleeing her apartment, she goes to check out the building he’ll be moving into, and stumbles across a figure drawing class taking place there. Although it’s been many years since she explored her artistic side, Roz picks up pencils and begins to draw.

As the story unfolds, we start to learn more about Roz, Vin, and Raffi, and see the lingering after-effects of the accident. Roz and Vin clearly still love one another, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to move them past the horrible experiences of the past year. But as Roz continues attending the drawing classes, she finds herself looking not just at the models, but at the world around her with fresh eyes — and learning how to see helps her finally start to view Vin’s behavior and their crumbling relationship in new ways.

I could feel the tension and pain between Roz and Vin, and loved how Raffi — a total cinnamon roll character — manages to bring joy to the people he loves, even when things clearly aren’t going well. Roz’s exploration of drawing gives her a way to get out of her own head, and also helps her look at Vin in a different way — including literally, when he offers to model for her when she needs extra practice. Nothing like carefully viewing your nude husband to make you truly see him!

I mentioned early on the inversion of expected tropes. What I’m referring to is the classic 3rd act break-up, which can be maddening when it feels more like a plot device than an organic development in the course of a love story. Here, we get something that feels fresh: a 3rd act reconnection! Roz and Vin are separated by pain and trauma and emotional struggles when we meet them; he’s on the verge of moving out, she’s angry and feels abandoned. No one is happy. Their love story seems to have come to a screeching halt. But over the course of the novel, they finally begin to inch back toward one another, so that the 3rd act becomes a focus on rebuilding from the ashes left behind after the accident, and committing to finding a way to rediscover their love and learn to be together once again. It’s lovely.

On the flip side, these are two people in desperate need of therapy, both as a couple and as individuals who clearly suffer from PTSD. Their communication is absolutely awful — and perhaps it’s especially maddening via audiobook, where the stilted sentences, incomplete thoughts, and awkward pauses are all the more obvious. I had to wonder what their communication style was like before the accident. Were they just so happy then that it didn’t matter that they didn’t know how to express themselves directly? It can be painful to read/listen to their interactions in the first two-thirds or so of the book, and while it’s a huge relief when they finally start to truly talk, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by their inability to have a complete conversation for so long.

My other, quite minor quibble about this book is that the drawing scenes go on a long time. Maybe this will work for readers who are more drawn (pun intended) to artistic pursuits. For me, a little goes a long way, and the descriptions of the class and the drawing styles and lessons felt repetitive after a while.

The narration by Alex Finke is highly engaging, with a great deal of expression in both the sad and funny moments. Certain characters are especially fun to listen to, and the narrator delivers distinct voices, full of personality.

Overall, I enjoyed No Matter What, and look forward to reading more by Cara Bastone, including the next book in the Hearts of New York series, I’ve Got You, scheduled for release in March 2027.

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books that Conjure Up Happy Memories

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Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Books that Conjure Up Happy Memories.

I ran out of time to really think this one through, so I’m stopping at just 8 for this week’s list! Here’s my selection of books that I associate with happy memories:

1) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: I picked up this paperback for the first time while on a family trip near Yosemite. I went out to the meadow behind our cabin, sat on a big rock, and started reading. I’ll always associate this book with that gorgeous setting!

2) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith: This one is a little bittersweet. The book was a gift from a very dear friend who has since passed away, and I miss her all the time. But whenever I come across this book, it makes me think of her, and that’s worth smiling about.

3) The Emily Starr trilogy by L. M. Montgomery: Another choice that mixes happiness with a bit of sadness. During the pandemic, I did a lot of traveling back and forth to spend time (in full protective gear!) with my elderly father. My only distraction was going to the hotel fitness room at the end of each day and getting on the treadmill, and the Emily books were my workout companions. They’re so joyful and wonderful, and always lifted my spirits.

4) Letters from Thailand by Botan: This book is part of my love story with my husband! Our conversation about this book was the first time we really connected on a level beyond being casual acquaintances. And of course, talking about books was the key to my heart!

5) Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1) by Tamora Pierce: My daughter fell in love with this series when she was in middle school and insisted that I read it. What a great shared reading experience!

6) All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor: I loved these books as a kid, and later shared them with my own kids!

7 & 8: Historical fiction from James Michener: I read this author’s massive historical novels, Alaska and Hawaii, before traveling to each place for the first time, years ago. I loved the books, and loved how they made the visits to each place so much richer and meaningful.

Do you have certain books that bring up happy memories for you?

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The Monday Check-In ~ 10/5/2026

Posted in The Monday Check-In by

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My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.

Life.

After a busy workweek, my real highlight was spending the weekend with my daughter and her husband. It was wonderful! Great visit, lots of fun, beautiful scenery… what a joy!

Bookish bits & bobs:

Another exciting cover reveal this past week:

Carley Fortune’s next book, Only in Summer, will be released May 2027. Once again, a stunning cover!

What did I read during the last week?

An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton: Historical fiction with a speculative twist, set during the 1960s space race. My review is here.

Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel: Beautiful, complicated story that’s difficult to describe. My review is here.

Pop culture & TV:

I’ve still been mainly offline as far as viewing and streaming are concerned — but I am enjoying Dancing with the Stars. My updated favorites are Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Julia Stiles, and Tatyana Ali!

I’ve watched the first two episodes of the 2nd season of the Outlander prequel series, Blood of My Blood — good so far, even if the show seem to enjoy nothing more than tormenting its characters and finding fresh ways to make them unhappy.

Fresh Catch:

No new books this week.

What will I be reading during the coming week?

Currently in my hands:

Wool by Hugh Howey: This is a big, chunky sci-fi book — and I’m hooked! I’m getting close to the end, and I’m eager to see how it wraps up… and I have a feeling I’ll want to pick up the sequel pretty quickly.

Now playing via audiobook:

No Matter What by Cara Bastone: A New York-based love story that defies certain expected romance tropes. So close to finishing!

Ongoing reads:

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe: My book group’s classic read. We’re reading and discussing two chapters per week. Progress: 92%. Coming up this week: Volume 4, chapters 13 and 14.

What will you be reading this week?

So many books, so little time…

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Book Review: Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel

Posted in Book Reviews by

Title: Exit Party
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Publisher: Picador
Publication date: September 15, 2026
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Science fiction
Source: Purchased
Rating:

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

From the bestselling author of Station Eleven, Exit Party is Emily St. John Mandel’s epic new story of crimes committed and loves lost across worlds and decades.

2031. America is at war with itself, but for the first time in weeks there is some hope: the Republic of California has been declared, the curfew in Los Angeles is lifted, and everyone in the city is going to a party.

Ari, newly released from prison, arrives with her friend Gloria just as a fragile new era begins. But there are people at the party who shouldn’t be there. Something is very wrong…

Years later, living a different life in Paris, Ari remains haunted by that night. Whatever happened at the party fractured her sense of reality – and may hold the key to a very different world.

Freedom and surveillance, art and survival, love and loss in a broken world: Exit Party is the electrifying new novel from Emily St. John Mandel.

Emily St. John Mandel’s books are always startling and practically impossible to describe. They have to be experienced; there’s a sense of wonder that comes with seeing her stories unfold on the page. Exit Party is another fine example of her strange, lyrical storytelling.

In 2031, the United States is no more. After a coup d’état, the country has fractured into a myriad of territories and republics and city-states. As the story opens, war has ended — at least for the moment — in Los Angeles, and people are ready to celebrate. The main character is Ari, recently released after an eighteen-year prison sentence, who lives in LA with her roommate Gloria. Gloria had intended to bring Ari to a friend’s party, but has a hard time leaving the apartment; Ari — after a lifetime of premonitions that come true — feels strongly that they need to attend.

The party is fun at first, but odd things happen. A woman Ari’s never met calls her by the name on her birth certificate — a name she never uses — and then seems to appear in a completely different outfit moments later. Another woman looks almost exactly like Gloria, and Ari sees more things that she can’t explain. Later, the party’s host disappears, and is never heard from again.

Following the party, Ari’s life goes on, as she move from place to place, in and out of danger, finding new ways to survive and making new connections, navigating a world of militias and checkpoints and violence. The mysteries surrounding that party never really leave her mind, and we see how the ripple effects follow her across decades.

All this is in the “A-Side” section of Exit Party; the book’s second half is “B-Side”, and without going into too much detail, it provides a look at a very different version of the world. In “B-Side”, there’s no longer a United States — instead, there’s the State, a surveillance based country in which life is supposedly safe, because it’s absolutely controlled. There’s no war, because the Service knows and sees everything and stops problems before they start. There’s a connection to Ari’s story; let’s leave it at that.

Exit Party is astounding in all the right ways. The parallels between the halves of the book are a joy to discover, a puzzle to unravel and muse over. Characters weave in and out of both halves, some fully fleshed out and alive, some who make brief but memorable appearances before disappearing again. Both halves show worlds that seems awful in their own ways, yet it’s intriguing to see how events play out in both, and scarily possible to imagine a path from our own world to these other versions.

My one minor quibble with this book is that despite how much I loved the writing and was fascinated by the complex storytelling, I often felt emotionally disengaged. I was interested in the characters, but not actually connected to them on a deeper level. The plot threads are woven together beautiful and I was intrigued by the characters’ lives and experiences; I just didn’t feel that I was in the story alongside them, if that makes any sense.

Despite that, I was very absorbed throughout my time with Exit Party. The author’s writing casts a spell, and the book as a whole is a fascinating journey. Highly recommended for fans of the author as well as for readers new to her work.

Interested in this author? Check out my review of more books by Emily St. John Mandel:
Station Eleven
The Glass Hotel
Sea of Tranquility

Purchase links: Amazon – Bookshop.org – Libro.fm
Disclaimer: When you make a purchase through one of these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.