bethreadsandnaps's reviews
2678 reviews

Fireweed by Lauren Haddad

4.0

 

I really enjoyed this debut and, while I was disappointed that the overall Goodreads community has rejected it (less than 3 star overall rating right now), I can see why - there are some themes that can put off some readers. 

In this debut novel, Jenny is a lower class white woman who has lived next to Rachelle, an Indigenous woman, for the past five years. Through her mother and society, Jenny has learned that she’s better than Indigenous people, so many of her thoughts are blatantly racist. In other words, she comes across as very ignorant to today’s reader (i.e., not likeable at all). Jenny hasn’t spoken to Rachelle, and most of her thoughts about Rachelle include judgment about the state of her yard (based on her being Indigenous, which I hadn’t even heard of that stereotype). When she finally meets Rachelle and her two daughters, Jenny’s eyes are opened.

At the beginning of the novel, a white woman named Beth disappears, and there’s a full investigation. When Rachelle disappears, a now-invested Jenny tries to get the local police force to investigate, and she runs into a different philosophy towards missing Indigenous women.

This is essentially a coming-of-age story, as Jenny’s real-life experiences force her to confront her stereotypes and thoughts. 

Jenny has a lot of time on her hands, as her main job is keeping up the house (her husband is gone a lot for work), she doesn’t have kids although wants them, and she has a very part-time job. I wonder how this novel would have changed had Jenny been busy with her life and didn’t have time to think all day. 

➕ The story was really engaging to me. I am fond of first-person narration. I do think many of us grew up with this type of racism (maybe towards other racial groups, depending on where you live), and I think it takes courage for an author to write a racist white main character in this day and age.  

➕ Jenny truly has a growth trajectory or coming of age throughout the novel.

➕ Once I adjusted to the writing style, I really liked it.

➖ As I mentioned before, Jenny is unlikeable at the beginning, and I think her reception would be better if she wasn’t SO racist initially. You really don’t see any nuance to Jenny until she takes care of her mother’s boyfriend’s children, and even then it might be too little, too late for some readers. Do you know how a middle grade book tends to hit you over the head with themes? This book is kind of like that but with adult themes.  

➖ The writing style tended toward stream of consciousness, and it felt uneven at the beginning of the book, which could also deter some readers. I’m not sure if the first 10-20 pages were recently rewritten because they felt far more lyrical (almost poetic) than the rest of the book. Or I could have needed some time to adjust.

Thank you to NetGalley and Astra House for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes April 29, 2025. 

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

4.0

I thought this was a very accessible book, short, full of small anecdotes, and vulnerable. It probably would have been better on audio, as I often have a hard time with self-improvement books in print and feel that I capture more from the audio. 

I think the author's other books would help to supplement learning because I know she has themes throughout all her work. I believe this is my third book by her, each separated by several years, and I don't remember much between books, except shame underlies many things, like perfectionism, and vulnerability is courageous. 

Throughout this book, I was wondering how the author conducts her research. With a research background myself, I was trying to get my head around what her research methodology must look like. So I really appreciated how she spent a few pages at the end going through her methodology. While it isn't as "research-based" as I thought it would be (compilation and coding of stories), these are tough subjects to get your head around and there are SO many layers to them, so I appreciate the patience, thought, and persistence it takes to get to the heart of these matters.

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

5.0

I loved this book! This is my second Jonathan Evison novel, and the second 5 star rating I've given him. I think I need to pick up more of his backlist. :)

Mike Muñoz is 22 years old, and he's stuck taking care of his older, developmentally-disabled brother Nate whenever he's not working. Mike's job history isn't the best, and he has to battle a lot of oppression, having grown up very poor after his dad left and living on a reservation. His father was Mexican, and his mother is Native American. (I wish the author would have explored this more, as I'm presuming she was Native American because they lived on a reservation.)

I loved the voice of the novel (first person) and being in Mike's perspective. I liked the trajectory he experienced over the course of the novel, and it felt really realistic. The struggle of being poor is so real, and he . 

Most importantly, Jonathan Evison is a great writer who I've explored in the past few months. 

The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb

4.25

 

4.25 ⭐️

THE DARK MAESTRO by Brendan Slocumb

This novel had a really intriguing, and taken-from-real-life, premise. Curtis is a young, accomplished cellist with a father named Zippy who is earning a living working for a Bad Guy. After a prison stint, Zippy gets involved in an *interesting* business proposition that has the whole family fearing for their lives.

➕ This had a really engaging plot with some unique aspects. Was it a little *too* much in terms of being a little far-fetched? Maybe, but it was still really interesting and I kept wanting to read it. 

➕ It was easy to empathize with Curtis.

➕ I really liked how the family collaborated on its project.

➖ There was a lot in this novel in terms of subjects brought up and themes. When I thought about what I wanted more of and less of, I thought the author gave a balanced lens to each item. Maybe it’s more than I can’t wholeheartedly give this novel more than 4.25 stars because of the suspension of disbelief and the sheer quantity of areas brought up. 

If you’re a fan of Brendan Slocumb, this one definitely has more plot than THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY. Actually, at many points when I was reading this, I thought I was reading an S.A. Cosby action-packed novel. (That’s quite a compliment!) I thought it was a strong novel, yet more unique. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes May 13, 2025. 

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

3.75

3.75 ⭐️

I liked this coming of age/light mystery that features an elusive writer Cate Kay who tells the reader her past amidst other characters in her life. I especially liked the relationship between Annie and Amanda when they were young. 

I think fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid would enjoy this one. 

I listened to this one on audio, and there were a few times I was confused in whose perspective was narrating (especially when people have multiple names), but I found it to be an overall enjoyable listening experience. 

The Missing Half: A Novel by Ashley Flowers

4.0

 

4 ⭐️

THE MISSING HALF by Ashley Flowers and Alex Kiester

Is this the most unique premise? Probably not, but I thought it was well-executed for what it was. Nicole is struggling with alcoholism after her big sister disappeared 7 years ago. Kasey’s body was never found, and when Jenna - whose sister also disappeared around the same time - asks Nicole to become an amateur sleuth with her, the sleuthing gives Nicole some purpose. Nicole is a messy character, which adds a wrinkle to the sleuthing. 

➕ Quick, propulsive read

➕ I really liked the first person narration, and I liked our flawed main character Nicole. 

➖ Not a unique premise

➖ Sometimes it felt like it got lost in the weeds, but even when it did, I was still invested. 

This is an ideal book for the beach. Not too long, not a complicated plot, not too many characters, not high literature but still well-written, engaging story. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes May 6, 2025. 

 

One in Four by Lucinda Berry

3.0

3 ⭐️

ONE IN FOUR by Lucinda Berry

Lucinda Berry has made waves in the Kindle thriller world in the last few years, but I hadn’t yet read anything by her. When I saw she had a new novel coming out, I thought I’d give her a try. 

In this novel, therapist Laurel works on a reality show Comeback Kids with washed-up child stars who are now drug addicts (think Big Brother crossed with Intervention). One of the show stars Maddie passes away one evening, after coming out of the bathroom bleeding. When the detectives show Laurel evidence that implicates her as being involved, the story turns. While most of the story is in the present day, there are occasional flashbacks to an unnamed woman’s past experiences. 

➕ The premise and setting of the murder sounded really interesting
➕ Quick, propulsive read

➖ The novel pivots a little over halfway through and abandons the initial murder of Maddie. I felt like it WAS resolved, but at the same time I didn’t want to pivot in such a way.
➖ There are a lot of triggers and more close-up horror than I expected with a lot of weak characterizations.

I know the author has a background in psychology and trauma, but I’m not sure this book approached those topics with much care because a lot seemed gratuitous. Due to the vivid descriptions of some scenes, I think this one will stick with me. I’m not sure I’d recommend it though. 

Thank you to NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes May 13, 2025. 

Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan

3.75

 

3.75 ⭐️

MIDNIGHT IN SOAP LAKE by Matthew Sullivan

Abigail is new to Soap Lake, Washington, and her husband Eli quickly was summoned to Poland to do research. So when she finds a little boy George whose mother was murdered by a screwdriver, she immerses herself into the community, takes an active role in George’s life, and tries to help solve the murder of Esme. The novel flashes back to when Esme was younger in Soap Lake. 

➕ Unique way to bring together an actual, mystical lake with a mystery. Soap Lake is a few hours away from me by car, and I enjoyed learning more about this actual lake. 

➕ I really liked the found family element in this novel, as Abigail is new to town, and finding George after his mother’s murder gets her more involved in the town. I liked the unique individuals in the town, including the recovering drug addict. 

➖ I didn’t think the actual mystery was very compelling.

➖ It felt a little too drawn out.

I’m not usually too much of a fan of quirk, and this novel has some elements that are off the beaten path. I actually liked several of these elements although I didn’t quite grasp the myth of “Tree Top.”  

I thought the audiobook narrator Kristen Sieh did a good job narrating the audiobook. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Hanover Square Press, and Harlequin Audio for an Advance Reader Copy and Advance Listener Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes April 15, 2025. 

 

Such a Good Mom: A Novel by Julia Spiro

3.5

 

3.5 ⭐️

SUCH A GOOD MOM by Julia Spiro

Brynn is a new mom and is very overwhelmed by her baby Lucas. She’s deeply struggling with postpartum depression, and I felt Spiro gave a very accurate portrayal of a new mom who can’t focus, can’t sleep, is worrying about everything, and feels like she is doing so much worse than every other mother that she knows. To top it all off, her husband Ross is being accused of murder. 

➕ I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an accurate portrayal of postpartum depression. The author did a really good job, but I can see it being *too much* for a lot of readers. 

➕ I appreciated following Brynn’s evolution throughout the novel.

➖ The mystery element didn’t carry the book. There was a murder, but solving it felt extraneous to Brynn’s internal machinations.

➖ Ross, Brynn’s husband, was a bit too milquetoast to care much about.

While I thought the mystery element was rather weak in this novel, I did enjoy the writing and thought Spiro did an excellent job capturing the lived experience of postpartum depression. 

I thought the audiobook narrator Abigail Reno did a great job conveying the turmoil that Brynn was going through. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and MacMillan Audio for an Advance Reader Copy and Advance Listener Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes April 29, 2025. 

 

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

4.0

4 ⭐️

DREAM COUNT by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chiamaka is the nexus that brings the reader these four women’s stories: Chiamaka, her cousin Omelogor, her best friend Zikora, and her family’s maid Kadiatou. Each is experiencing challenges, particularly related to men or motherhood against the backdrop of the beginning of the pandemic.

➕ I liked seeing the issues each woman was going through and being able to compare and contrast them.

➕ The writing is solid, as you would expect from this powerhouse of an author.

➖ While each of these women is experiencing different issues, I felt the “voice” of each narrator sounded similar. If I picked up the novel while in the middle of a narrator’s section, I had to use the issues of the narrator to figure out which section I was in.

➖ I wasn’t as invested in Omelogor’s section. Some sections felt very long-winded and too character-driven for even me.

Loved the writing with so many keen observations from the author. This read like separate novellas, which is a decent structure. I wish the “voice” of the novella subjects differed more from one another. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review. 

It publishes March 4, 2025.