Middle Grade Review: Sugar Shack

* Book 3 in the Peapod Farm trilogy * 

Winter is here. There are a lot of chores that need doing around the farm, especially bringing in wood for the fireplace. There's so much wood to bring in. Luckily Jen has her half-sisters at times to help her. Jen still isn't sure of her place within the family. There are moments of happiness and sharp moments that make her heart ache. Will she ever get things right?

My Thoughts: This was such a fun trilogy and I'm sad that the trilogy has ended. I would have read so many of these stories. I love the moments on the farm. Winter is such fun. I loved the moments in the snow - like snow living. I used to love spending time playing in the snow as a kid. We don't get too much snow now anymore. The syrup part was cute. I love that they tapped the trees the old fashioned way and that they had a party when they had enough. The families started this trilogy fractured and getting used to each other blended well by the end. 

Why I Read This: I loved the first two books in the trilogy

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended trilogy for your school and public library

 Hand this to: readers who love drama and the outdoors

** I interviewed Lucy a few months ago, check out our conversation here. 

Movie Review: Thursday Murder Club

I had been waiting to watch this movie and it did NOT disappoint. 

A group of three people who live in senior house meet to discuss cold cases. When a person accidentally interrupts their meeting, they decide to invite her to join them - temporarily. 

In current times, there's a financial fight going on between the co-owners of the senior housing. When one of the men dies, everyone is in an uproar over what will happen.

The four club members decide to look into the murder and see what they can find. They start with getting someone on the inside in the police department. Can they solve the mysterious events happening in current day as well as the cold case from the past?

I really enjoyed this movie. I loved Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. To be fair, everyone in the cast was great. This movie had lots of funny moments and a few sweet moments. There were twists and turns in the movie. The ending is open for a sequel, which I really hope happens.

* This movie is on Netflix

** Highly Recommended  

Review: Mindy Kim and the Fun Family Vacation

 

* Book 12 in the Mindy Kim series *

Mindy and her family are going on vacation! She's so excited about. She hopes that vacation time with help relax her Dad and Julie; they've been fighting a lot lately. Jeju Island has so many cool spots; she can't wait to see them all. But traveling with a baby is hard. Mindy gets irritated when Charlie causes the plans to change. Will they have any fun?

My Thoughts: I really love this series - Mindy is so much fun. I love that she's so excited about vacation and all the research she did about the island prior to arrival. I love the relationship between her and Charlie - even though she gets angry and frustrated with him. I hope there are many more books in the Mindy series to come. I want to see their relationship grow as they do. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library collection

Re-read: The Recovery Agent

 

I don't usually re-read books, but the second book is coming out in November.

I didn't remember this book, so it was nice to have a reminder.

It's a typical Evanovich book:

Lots of Action and Danger

Fast-Paced Read

Sexual Tension

Bad Guys

Funny Moments

I enjoyed this book, both times I read it. Gabriela is a fun character - a cross between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. 

Review: Writing Mr. Wrong

 

After her divorce, Gemma wrote a romance novel; no one wanted to publish it. She wrote another one featuring an asshole alpha. He's based off a guy she knew in high school who now plays professional hockey. 

On the day of the book's publication, Gemma's on the local morning TV show. The host is a woman she went to high school with, and she brings out Mason Moretti. Gemma is stunned to see him and also embarrassed. Mason hasn't read the book, so he's flattered that she based her hero after him. 

After their interview, people start talking about them. Mason's going through a rough patch in his career. He could use a boost of good publicity. He offers Gemma a deal where they fake date for good publicity for them both. After the moments in their past, Gemma's not sure she wants to open that door. But she can't help be tempted by it either.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love how Gemma and Mason had history from high school. Yes, Mason is kind of a jerk. But he has good intentions, he just needed to stop and think before he acted. I love that Mason was trying to become a better person, but really it was just become the right person for Gemma. I love how he influenced her writing. I loved how he talked about his troubles reading, but that didn't stop him from finding alternatives. 

Cover Thoughts: Funny

 Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's romance collection.

* I loved the Easter Egg to this book:

Picture Book Wednesday: Books I can't wait to read

I just placed a huge book order for the library and here are some picture books that I'm looking forward to reading:

Board Books:

Do you still read picture books? Are you looking forward to any of these too?

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Candles

 This week's topic is bookish candles.

I'm a sucker for candles - particularly for bookish ones.

I really like From the Page.

I have a few of their candles, but here are a few I would purchase:

Anne of Green Gables

Pride and Prejudice

 

Reading Spaces 

Lord of the Rings

Sarah Beth Durst

Fourth Wing 

Book Witch

Would you grab any of these candles?

Middle Grade Monday: Books I Want to Read

 This week, I'm sharing some middle grade books I have on my TBR.

Upcoming Reads:

April 2026

Thriller - art heist

Book 2 - mystery

November 2025 

October 

Graphic Novel - love this series

September

Book 2 - Thriller

October 

October 

Drama

October

Drama

Currently Available:

Graphic Novel

Book 3

Graphic Novel

Companion Novel

Adventure 

Novel in Verse

Mystery

Mystery

Have you read any of these?

Are any of these on your TBR list too?

Review: I Love You S'mores

 

Ivy's happy to head back to the camp she attended as a child. Right now, her personal life went up in flames. Her girlfriend of four years broke up with her. Ally's now a fan favorite on a TV show. The break-up hit the news, and Ivy just wants to forget everything. 

When she returns to camp, she's stunned to see her ex-best friend. Rynn is also a counselor who also wants the theater directing job. Now they're stuck co-directing. Ivy's bunk is having some friendship drama, and she feels inadequate. She's trying but feels like she's failing on every level. Could Rynn have some advice for her?

My Thoughts: This was a fantastic summer read - perfect for those who are nostalgic for camp. I felt terrible for Ivy for all the drama: the bad break-up, the cheating girlfriend, and the bunk drama. I wanted to give her hug. She's having a rough summer. I loved that she reconnected with Rynn - even though there are hurt feelings on both sides. I really enjoyed this summer reading. I love reading books about camp. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fantastic summer romance for your public library.

Review: Every Summer After

 

Percy and Sam have been inseparable since Percy's family moved next door. They haven't talked in years. Charlie, Sam's brother, calls with news of his mother's death. He knows that Sam and Percy haven't talked recently. But Percy loved the boys' mom and they could use her at the funeral. Could this be the right time to heal the rift between Sam and Percy?

My Thoughts: I know I'm late to the party with this book. I've been wanting to read this, but it was nice to finally read it. This was a fun summer read with a dual timeline - as Percy and Sam grew up. I loved that they were best friends from the first moment they met. I wasn't a fan of Percy's best friend from home, but she did grow on me. The twist at the end made me annoyed but I'm curious enough to read Charlie's story. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect for Summer

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended romance book for your public library's collection. 

Picture Book Review: Fall Picture Books

Just a few picture books for fall:

This Little Golden Book celebrates the colors and traditions of fall.

I love this book - the illustrations are great. The color concepts are spot on. I love the way it rhymes and all the animals. It will make for a great read aloud for storytimes. It's just perfect. 

An informative picture book without a lot of text and fantastic illustrations. 

Fall is so much fun for these three friends as they navigate fall and Halloween. From leaves to costumes to favorite candies, this book showcases it all.

* this isn't a picture book, but an adorable easy chapter book with great pictures 

I'm here for all the fall books and the cooler weather.