I finished 22 books in May. Out of all of those, ten were 4-5 star reviews and 18 were 2-3 stars. Today I’ll share with you my absolute favorites from that top ten.

On the Trail of the Jackalope by Michael P. Branch

Non-fiction

This book was an absolute delight! If you’re intrigued by jackalopes (like me) you’ll love it. The author investigated the jackalope’s history through three lenses: lore/mythology, taxidermy, and science. I learned so much and there are great photos too!

It Takes a Woman by Piper Sheldon

Contemporary romance

Available on Kindle Unlimited. Book four in the Scorned Women’s Society series, which is a spin off of the Winston Brothers series by Penny Reid. I loved everything about this book. It’s the perfect conclusion to a fantastic series. Apparently it’s a retelling of Hello Dolly but I’m not familiar with that musical so I can’t compare. I will say this is a wonderful story about grief and healing, and realizing you can love again after loss. In the other books, Gretchen played a role in matchmaking the couples. Here, she gets a dose of her own medicine, which was fun to see. It was also nice to see her find love after helping her friends find it. This book is funny and sexy. I especially loved seeing characters from previous books and getting an update on their relationships.

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

Thriller/Mystery

Advanced copy from NetGalley, expected publication June 21, 2022. I was excited yet nervous to read this one because I enjoyed the author’s previous novel so much. I’m thrilled to report this is a worthy follow up! This story follows two women, each bent on revenge for different reasons. The characters are compelling and believable. The story is intense, I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t guess what was happening next. This is a fast paced, twisty story that hops around in time yet is easy to follow.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

Thriller/Contemporary fiction

I was expecting a different kind of book when I went into this but I love what I got! I was hooked from start to finish, though I will say I would have liked a more finite ending. This isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense. It’s more of a dark family drama, and it’s high tension. I was never quite sure if our narrator was reliable or not, and I think that’s part of the appeal. As a woman who’s never had kids, I was surprisingly emotional throughout the book. I couldn’t fully relate to the protagonist or other mother characters yet I could understand and feel their emotions because the writing is that great.

The No Show by Beth O’Leary

Contemporary fiction

It’s difficult to discuss this book without spoiling it so I’ll keep things vague. I absolutely loved it so much! It ripped my heart out and put it back together, in the best way. The middle is a little confusing but the rest more than makes up for it. The author makes some choices while telling the story that feel manipulative but again, it’s worth it. It’s one of those books that you appreciate more once you’re finished than when you’re reading it. It’s important to note this is not a straight forward romance novel. It’s a love story for sure and has romance elements but it’s something all its own. Beth O’Leary is amazing when it comes to intertwining characters’ lives and telling a beautiful story.

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings

Contemporary romance

This is an absolutely perfect romance novel. It has everything I want from the genre: witty banter between the love interests, sharp writing, enjoyable side characters, heaviness, and of course hot sex scenes. I appreciated getting glimpses of characters from the previous book, too. What I liked most about this story is the realistic portrayal of life with ADHD. I don’t have it but I love people who do, and I really felt Lizzie’s pain when she was misunderstood and it makes me want to be better in my life. Lizzie’s life is chaotic and she doesn’t spend more than one night with a man. Then she breaks her rule with Rake and they find themselves in a situation neither had ever imagined. While it’s funny and sexy, the book also tackles serious subjects such as infidelity and parental neglect.

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