How Could She by Lauren Mechling (debut)
Publisher: Viking
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Length: 320 pages
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Close friends or secret enemies? That’s what Geraldine, Sunny and Rachel contemplate as they navigate their way through shifting careers and changing relationships….

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The post How Could She by Lauren Mechling | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

The Better Sister by Alafair Burke
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: April 16, 2019
Length: 336 pages
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

When Chloe finds her husband lying dead in their home, the question becomes who might be responsible: an intruder, his son, his first wife who happens to be Chloe’s older sister, or Chloe herself?…

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The post The Better Sister by Alafair Burke | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

The Editor by Steven Rowley
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Length: 320
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Much to his delight James Smale finds his debut novel being edited by none other than Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, but her suggestions are much more difficult than he ever imagined….

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The post The Editor by Steven Rowley | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.

Sometimes your reading takes a turn that surprises you in a good way. That’s exactly what has happened for me this month. I really liked two out of the three books I’m sharing today and NEITHER of those was originally on my radar for September.

Not Our Kind by Kitty Zeldis
Publisher: Harper
Release Date: September 4, 2018
Length: 352 pages
Amazon

From the Publisher: “With echoes of Rules of Civility and The Boston Girl, a compelling and thought-provoking novel set in postwar New York City, about two women—one Jewish, one a WASP—and the wholly unexpected consequences of their meeting….Gripping and vividly told, Not Our Kind illuminates the lives of two women on the cusp of change—and asks how much our pasts can and should define our futures.”…

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The post A Trio of September Mini-Reviews appeared first on Novel Visits.

Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton (debut)
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Length: 288
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

When mousy Louise is taken under vibrant Lavinia’s wing everything about her life changes, and she never, ever wants it to go back….

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The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Length: 464 pages
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

For nearly 15 years, The Female Persuasion follows Greer Kadetsky as she learns to use her “outdoor voice” with the help of a powerful mentor and her own convictions….

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Laura & Emma by Kate Greathead (debut)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: March 13, 2018
Length: 352
Amazon

{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

It’s 1981 when quirky, single Laura finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, and with indomitable spirit brings Emma into her world….

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I’m not sure of the exact distinction between novel and novella, but I do know that at roughly 150 pages each neither The End We Start From by Megan Hunter nor Heather, the Totality by Matthew Weiner felt like much more than a long short story. Neither is billed as novella in the publisher’s descriptions, and both are priced in line with much longer novels. These are mini-books, and as such I’m going to do really, really mini-reviews of each!…

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The books in today’s mini-reviews couldn’t be more different, but they do have a few key elements in common. Both were written by South American writers. Isabel Allende was born in Peru and is a Chilean-American. Martha Batalha is from Brazil, and also now lives in the U.S. Her book takes place in Brazil, and while Allende’s takes place in New York, many times its storyline travels to Chile, Brazil and a little north to Guatemala. So, “The South American Edition” was born!…

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{A Bit of Backstory}

Single Sentence Summary

Siblings Franny, Jet and Vincent always knew they were a little different, and as Franny turns 17 they begin to learn just how different they really are….

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The post The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman | Review appeared first on Novel Visits.