Book Review Waterline by Aram Mrjoian

 

Obviously, it is still 2025 and I am still reading on the theme of Water.  I'm not sure where this is getting me, the theme, that is, but I am definitely picking up books I might have otherwise ignored.  This one was difficult to ignore because of the bright colors used on the cover. 

Secondarily, I wanted to read this because I had a good friend in my first two years of college who was Armenian.  Her mother often discussed this genocide which, of course, I had not heard about. Her mother always reminded us that "You can't give up because you don't know what will happen tomorrow"  this is in very stark contrast to my Mom who would wonder and worry incessantly about what could happen tomorrow. So, it's stuck with me. 

The novel, however... 

Has nothing to do with my college friend beyond the fact that both my friend and the novel characters were both affected by the Armenian genocide. Or maybe, if I spoke with her today I'd find out it had EVERYTHING to do with her, who knows.  

     

    For me this is an astounding work of fiction, that I think, is advertised as something that is maybe isn't. 

What I thought I was going to get- a deep look at the generational trauma of the Armenian genocide and how it affects persons today. 

What I feel I got?- A deep look at grief  and the effects of suicide within a close knit family, with a nod to generational trauma related in this case to the Armenian genocide. 

    Both of these are things worth writing about, but as I read through this book, I definitely felt that they were two different things  and that reviewers were leaning into the historical aspect very heavily, when the book just touches on it as part of the family lore. Mrjoian says that he intended that less than 10% of the novel be focused on the genocide - which I believe he achieved. The genocide itself was like a ghostly spectre sort of hovering about throughout all of the characters we are introduced to- in one way or another.  Reviewers, however, really pushed the genocide connection which lead me to think that I would be getting chunks and chunks of history. 

For me, this was a novel of a portrait of deep grief and the way a family processed this grief in the modern era. The author explores different ways to process (or not process) grief and loss and leaves space for readers to recognize themselves in characters and processes. Some characters drink, others find release in movement (hiking, swimming, sex, exercise classes) while others power forward and only melt down when it all becomes too much. The knowledge of the genocide seeps in at the corners of their minds, and affects the choices they make in grief, but a glaring direct connection isn't present- which is likely the point. Perhaps, generational trauma isn't a sledgehammer exactly, but more of an insidious process that finds us and creates core expectations and beliefs that we'd be hard pressed to explain. 

   This is a worthy read, but I can't say it would be one if you wanted to learn exact details of the Armenian Genocide. The writing is gorgeous and to the point and I'd gladly read another work by Mrjoian any time- but I might check into the topic a wee bit more deeply before diving in!

STATS

First Published : June 3, 2025 

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book : yes

Trigger Warnings: suicide, generational trauma, genocide, alcohol and drug use, revenge porn, infidelity, as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

 

Book Review: Cowboy It's Cold Outside by Maisey Yates 3/5 stars

 Every year in July, I like to read at least one Christmas novel.  It's hot, everything here is miserably humid and just reading about colder weather is very very welcome. 

So when I saw this very cute cover over at NetGalley,  I decided to request it! 

  I'll just say - there is nothing new under the sun in this romance.  That said, it delivers exactly what the cover promises! Generally when I read romance, I'm not looking for a stunning new life revelation, so this was perfect!  We have a FMC, Sheena  who is tough as nails, but also smart, sassy and sexy.  our MMC is Denver, and he's really been living lately mostly to make amends for his Father's mistakes- some of which directly affected Sheena and her family. 

  Sheena decides it's time to call in the favor that he's promised quite some time ago. She wants help starting up a business. Despite skepticism from his family, Denver knows he's going to offer that help.  What he doesn't know is that he's going to fall for Sheena as the season gets chillier! Sheena is just as caught off guard when she realizes she doesn't like seeing Denver with anyone but her! Yates digs into themes of family trauma, guilt, forgiveness and trust. All these complex emotions are of course resolved with a little bit of love, because this is a Happy Ever After ending book!  One kind of disappointment for me is that there isn't a whole lot of ranching being done at Four Corners Ranch, but that also gives the novel a very contemporary feel as there are fewer working ranches these days and more folks in that area branching out into viable business ventures, just like Sheena and Denver are doing.  I admit, I had real expectations of branding cattle, inspecting fence posts on horseback and other "ranchy" activities.  Despite the Holiday cover, I did kind of feel like the Holiday wasn't really the emphasis of the novel and so I did not get my usual Warm fuzzy Jingle Bell feeling from this one, which detracted from my joy, but might be just exactly what someone else wants, less holiday hoopla and more healing and growth! 

This is the ending of the Four Corners Ranch series, and as a newcomer to the series, I can attest that it isn't necessary to have read the other books in order. This comes out in October, and would make a good gift for the romance reader in your life, even if, of course, that romance reader is you! This looks like a perfect gift to top off a stocking! 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press and Maisey Yates for this ARC.

STATS

First Published : Coming October 2025

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :YES planned release on same day at the print novel. 

Trigger Warnings: parental death, drug use (not on page) alcohol,   As always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review Esperance by Adam Oyebanji

  Many thanks to Astra Publishing House/Daw books for the gift copy of Esperance to read and review.

  As seems to always be the case for this reader, a great cover sucked me right in! 

Small attempt at a synopsis: Detective Ethan Krol is called to an apartment in Chicago where a father and son are deceased with their lungs oddly full of sea water. Ethan knows this is strange, but he begins his investigation rather normally. Soon, he is swept wholly into the investigation leading him to Providence RI, and Edinburgh Scotland. 

A second story line introduces us to Abidemi Eniola who arrives in England from parts unknown. She hooks up with a modern gal, Hollie Rogers to help her along her way. Abidemi is super smart and has a lot of cool technology that Hollie's never seen, but sometimes seems like she doesn't quite understand how basic things like, airplanes, or pawn shops work. Abidemi states she has inheritances for several people she has to find and Hollie - who's at a loose end- decides to go along for the ride. 

What Hollie doesn't know is that the inheritances are for Descendants of a Rhode Island Merchant and Ship owner from back during slave trading days. 

Chaos ensues. 

Honestly, I did not know it was possible to write a cohesive novel that brought together classic noir detective fiction, supernatural sci-fi elements, Nigerian spirits/spirituality - the concept of debt to be paid (gbese) and historical events, I would have said that this might be a step to far, but somehow Oyebanji has put it all together into a bit of a Cyperpunk, Sci-fi, Detective Noir and Historic fiction novel that reads nicely and makes sense. 

Is this a book for everyone? No, it really is not.  I think it falls into the weird genre for me and will appeal to Sci fi readers, those who like weird stuff and those interested in cybertech.     I expect readers who enjoy Blake Crouch, or Rob Hart would find this appealing! Could it have a wider readership? It could because it's well written and easy to follow! 

STATS

First Published : May 2025

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Violence, police action, murder, references to slave trade, medical situations, blood, and injury. distant parent, parent death, child death.  As always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards 5 stars

  I picked this book up as part of Net Galley's Summer Camp reads!  I was immediately attracted to the cover, but I was entirely not sure how I would feel about the book. It is historical fiction, and I'm very hit or miss on historical fiction.  But, I am a sucker for a good cover, and this is a really really nice cover!

It's a debut novel for Janet Rich Edwards,and if you're a historical fiction type of reader, this is worth putting on your TBR. 

Spoiler free review- because Spoilers are just.. NOT IT. 

    Readers dive into the 13th century Bruges  where wealth is measured in wool and social station is highly prized and protected. We meet Aleys- a young girl who's prone to visions and deep passionate feelings, specifically related to the church. I'm unclear if she would have been prone to religiousity in a different time or if that was simply because that was what she had exposure to in her sheltered life.  Her only exposure to books is her Mother's richly illustrated psalter which Aleys covets. 

I imagine the psalter may have looked a bit like this:

Printer Of Teghen Die Strael Der Minnen, Printer, Prosper Louis Arenberg, and Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection. Alle die Epistelen end Euangelien metten sermonen vanden gheheelen iare. [Gouda Printer of Tegen die strael der minnen 23 June, 1484] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/65058916/.

Aleys is smart, passionate, and also stubborn and proud. On the eve of her wedding (which would secure her and her families social standing) she runs to join a religious order. There she is tasked with an almost impossible seeming task and to make progress she must reexamine many of her notions about others, God, and her place in society. Change is afoot in the religious community (and the world as a whole).  Forces greater than Aleys and her local religious organizations are at play. Aleys must confront her place within this complex situation and, like all young people, make the choices that will determine her life.

   As a novel, this book does move at a leisurely pace, with a lot of room for Aleys, and the reader to reflect on religion, prayer, and community. (It is not a religious book, but a book about persons who were highly involved in the religious life at the time- so readers be assured, this is not a religious propaganda type of novel at all.) I found I enjoyed it best by absorbing a few chapters at a time. 

   Strengths of this novel are the richly detailed descriptions of life in that time period, and the insight into the Catholic church in that time period. I often felt as if I could step right into the Beguine's dormitory, or touch the wool prepared for the market. As a non-Catholic, the explanations regarding different orders and roles flowed easily and did not feel didactic.  Aleys herself is a compelling character, though I can't say she is particularly loveable, she was peculiar and interesting and I did want to read on to see how things would play out for her and the community.   This is an excellent read for book clubs as historical fiction is very book club popular, and this is a unique time period that isn't well represented in the historical fiction landscape. 

This book is scheduled to come out in December, just in time for holiday gifting!  While I have an electronic copy (Thank you to Spiegel and Grau and Net Galley for the advance reader copy)  I suspect this one may make it on to my wish list. (I'm on an economical book buying ban, but I know I can use all the holidays and birthdays for book hauls!!!  Hint hint!) 

STATS

First Published : December 2, 2025 (Scheduled) 

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book : Planned for release on 12/ 2/25

Trigger Warnings: Medical content, fire, confinement, death Sexual assault, violence, sexism, mental illness,sexism, animal death - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: A Misguided Thought By Jaelyn D Jordan

   I picked up an audio copy of this volume of poetry as I was driving to a high pressured job interview and I wanted something... a little different.  (Spoiler alert- I decided 2 hours into the all day process that I did not really want that job- but I had to continue to met people for the last 6 hours.) 

Another Spoiler alert- I did not really LOVE this book, but I had to say perhaps my interview clouded my judgement of the entire reading experience. 

As it turns out July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, So this was a good read for that. 

   This is a collection of poetry showing the life experiences of a young  person living a sheltered life while struggling with mental disorders.  Jordan is a black author, and while I didn't entirely love this book - I do see it's value as part of a collection.

  As I listened to the poetry- I was struck by memories of how it felt to be a young person experiencing rejection, attraction, frustration and successes as they navigate that liminal point between childhood and adulthood. It's a time which a lot of adults tend to forget about, or actively disrespect the often very strong emotions felt at that time. So, for that, I felt like this was a really open exploration of this time, mental health, and life experiences in general!

 

  For me overall, however, this felt a little bit unfinished or unpolished.  It wasn't unpolished in a gritty sort of natural way, but more in a way that I felt with a little more work on the language a lot of the work would have carried more power and weight.  Instead, I mostly felt I was reading the secret diary of a teen going through some things. 

So 5 stars for the Message!

2.5 stars for the execution.

I would definitely , however, read more from this author! 

STATS

First Published : December 2023

Pages: 88

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Depression, suicide, mental health issues, - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloley 5 Stars!

 It's been a hot minute since I posted a book review!  I've had a lot of things taking up my time!  Sometime in July, I injured my eye and have been trying to get the eye back to full functioning, which has obviously slowed down my visual reading quite a bit.  My Audiobook reading has also suffered a bit just because while I've been listening a lot, I don't seem to be finishing that many reads. 

BUT  The Island of Lost Things by Emma Sloley was actually impossible for me to forget about or put off.  I loved this novel - in part because it was so unique. 

I was attracted by the vibrant cover, but the blurb indicating that this is the story of two zookeepers working at a zoo filled with the last animals on earth had me wondering exactly what type of adventure this novel was going to provide for readers!

Thankfully, because of my eye issue, I was provided with the audiobook from Macmillan audio, so I was able to dive right in!

Without any spoilers, our two main characters Camille and Sailor meet while working for a zoo that houses some of the last animals on earth. They had polar opposite personalities with Sailor being one to quickly shake things up and Camille being a more reserved personality who likes to play it safe.  Their friendship is built on a mutual love and respect for the animals in their care. It's clearly not "just a job" for these unlikely friends. Sailor has some secrets that she slyly keeps from even the readers until nearing the end of the novel, and she concocts a plan to possibly help the animals, and save herself. Camille, always in her orbit is drafted, reluctantly to assist. Sloley touches on themes of friendship, ethics, risk, environmental adaptation/change, and the future.  Readers are left with a hopeful conclusion about our changing world and a future for all. 

Suzy Jackson narrates this story with smooth transitions between the two female characters. I had no problem following the story and never felt that the narration got in the way of the storyline.  I highly recommend this one. It is a fantastic option for book clubs as it has so many discussion points, an easy to follow narrative, and themes that will appeal to a variety of readers! 

STATS

First Published : August 2025

Pages: 272

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, Animal death, violence, animal confinement/ethics - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen

  This is the final book (supposedly) in Megan Bannen's Tanria Trilogy!

 Honestly this was one of my most highly anticipated releases for 2025- and in fact, when saddened by the world, I did remind myself that Rosie and Adam would be coming out as something to look forward to as things seem to be going up in flames all around us. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! 

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of the audiobook! Narrators Kacie Rogers and Jim Frangione really brought to life Rosie's "act first think later" personality and Adam's reserved demeanor- as well as the magic of Tanria and all of the beloved characters we adore! 

   Because this book is billed as romance, I do not think it gets enough credit as a novel that is also fantasy and has some fairly extensive world building which doesn't have a lot of plot holes.  One of the biggest themes that all of Bannen's novels deal with in this series is the idea of immortality and death. In some ways, I really found all three of the novel's exploration of death and or lack of death to be fascinating and frankly very comforting. People fear death, and a popular fantasy trope is immortality- granting a character time to make lots of mistakes, woo lots of lovers and generally feel they haven't missed out on anything.  As a person with extremely elderly parents, the idea of death is constantly on my mind and I am sometimes filled with some anxiety regarding the changes it will inevitably create. Bannen addresses this with her immortal and mortal characters, and in the end, shows that possibly mortality is a better bet for most. It certainly was comforting to see characters who had lived for decades and decades feeling that it wasn't all it's cut out to be as an experience. This is all set in a fun, campy very 1950's cowboy country kind of atmospheric world, with of course some very active Gods (both old and new ones indeed!) and it's just fun to read about the clothing and wonderful Auto-ducks (cars that are water and land rovers) while contemplating just exactly what will happen between our lovely Rosie and lonely Adam! 

  As far as a romance, this also has a lot to offer- a tall demi-god and a short king, an age gap (Adam is a few thousand years old  while Rosie is only 150! Oh - La-La!), forced proximity trope (work project gone wrong), DRAGONS!, possibly he Falls First - though it seems that they really fell years ago, but didn't have an opportunity to pursue things properly. The Happy Ever After ending was perfectly satisfying as both Rosie and Adam had started off in such a lonely state. Readers who has read the entire series will be glad to know that Bannen doesn't leave up hanging with Zeddy and Duckers- we do indeed find out how they are coming along as well.  

Highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quirky, fresh romance with some LGBTQIA  representation (not the major focus), dragons, and an entirely tear jerking romance. 

STATS

First Published : July 2025

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, parental neglect (minor),family drama, toxic relationships.