June, 2025 

“Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister” by Gregory Maguire

After the death of their father, Iris, Ruth and Margarethe, their mother, flee to Holland.  They initially find room and board with an eccentric painter.  After the painter is hired by a wealthy tulip prospector, all of them move to the Van den Meers house.  Clara, the subject of the painting, is a beauty.  After Van den Meer’s wife dies, Margarethe seizes the opportunity to marry him.  

I really wanted to like this book, but ultimately I found it slow moving and boring.  The characters felt like caricatures and I had a hard time relating to them.  I did like the twist on the classic fairy tale, but ultimately had a hard time getting into the story.  Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

“Deep Water” by Christine Poulson

Patent lawyer Daniel is hired by a biotech firm to investigate the discovery of an obesity drug.  However, the first lawyer hired, his ex-wife, has been killed and an important lab book has disappeared.  Scientist Katie is researching a genetic disorder, the same one that Daniel, and his wife Rachel’s daughter suffers from.  After her mentor dies, Katie relocates to the lab where the obesity drug was discovered.  However, she quickly realizes something is wrong.

This was a fast paced book.  I found myself reading long into the night.  The characters were well developed and interesting.  The book was not bogged down by science or law, and provided just enough details to peak my interest.  Overall, a well written engaging book.  5 out of 5 stars.

“Damocles” by S. G. Redling

After receiving a coded message indicating that aliens had seeded human DNA throughout the universe, the Damocles set’s out to follow the trail. When they come out of deep sleep to find their spaceship in danger, they are forced to land on Didet, a planet with humanoid appearing aliens.  Meg, a linguist, and Loul, an alien, make contact and begin the rudimentary process of communication.  The Didet government is up in arms, expecting the worst.  Slowly the two races begin to understand one another, leading to a complicated relationship between them.

Wow, this was a fascinating book.  I could not put it down.  The storytelling was excellent, the book was well paced, and the characters were highly engaging.  I thought the world building and creation was superb.  I can’t wait to read more from this author!

“The Family” by Marissa Kennerson

Twig is a member of the Family, a cult in Costa Rico.  Adam, their prophet, and a father figure, announces that Twig will become his next wife.  After falling from a horse, Twig is taken to a nearby hospital, where she is exposed to the outside world for the first time.  She begins questioning everything about life with the Family and finds her own way to learn more.

I loved the character evolution throughout this book.  Twig was an intriguing character and her growth was fascinating to watch.  My only complaint is that the book ended on a cliffhanger.  There is no epilogue and no sequel.  I would love to read more from this author!!!

“The Dressmakers Gift” by Fiona Valpy

This book alternates between 1940’s Paris, and the modern day.  In the 1940’s, 3 seamstresses lived above their employer's shop.  Mireille, a member of the resistance, Claire, who is dating a German officer, and Vivienne, a wireless radio operator.  In the modern day, Claire’s granddaughter Harriet arrives in Paris and finds herself living in the same building as her grandmother.  

I thought the modern day story was completely unnecessary and took away from the story at large.  Towards the end, the book went on and on about inherited trauma, which I found to be off putting.  Unfortunately, this is a book that I did not enjoy and can not recommend.