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May was an incredibly busy month. My birthday was last month, (anyone else in the Taurus gang?) I sadly had to put down one of my pets and have been doing my best to maintain a decent work-life balance.
Despite the craziness that was May and coming off an April where I DNF’d nearly every book I borrowed on Libby, let’s dive into what I read in May!
What I Read in May
- “On A Quiet Street” by Seraphina Nova Glass
- “The Night She Disappeared” by Lisa Jewell
- “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang
- “Finlay Donovan is Killing It” by Elle Cosimano
On A Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass has definitely been one of my favorite reads so far in 2023!
Synopsis
Brighton Hills is a quiet, suburban neighborhood on the Oregon coast where opulence mixes with idyllic natural landscapes. We then meet Cora, who is convinced her husband Finn, is cheating. Paige, who after a year is still grieving the loss of her son, who was killed in a hit and run. Right in their own charming neighborhood. Then we meet Georgia, a reclusive new mom who only intrigues her neighbors.
Behind the smiles, marble countertops, and perfectly manicured lawns, lay dark secrets. Some that many in Brighton Hills would prefer to remain secret. But like most nosey neighbors, nothing can stay secret for long when everyone is snooping around.
Mini Review
Can we talk about women supporting women? This novel tackled some heavy topics. I could feel my heartbeat race during some intense scenes. But what really did it for me, was the chosen sisterhood that develops. Women who seemingly could not be any more different, come together when they learn the dark truth about one of their neighbors.
Synopsis
In 2017, Tallulah attends a party at a place called ‘Dark Hills’. Leaving her young infant son under the care of her mother, Kim. The trouble is, Tallulah never makes it back home in the morning and despite the police’s theory that Tallulah simply ran away because she was tired of being a young mom, Kim knows Tallulah and knows that is far from the truth.
Meanwhile, in 2019, a woman named Sophie is strolling in the woods behind her new living quarters when she stumbles across a sign that reads “DIG HERE”. Sophie unknowingly sets wheels in motion which reveal dark secrets, family trauma, an abandoned mansion, and a cold case.
Mini Review
I am a big fan of Lisa Jewell. “The Family Upstairs” was the first novel by her that I read and pulled me in. This book, however, fell a bit flat for me. It dragged on and on and on. None of the characters were truly likable. There were little bits that did not truly make sense to me and even though I wanted to badly to like this book, it just did not do it for me.
Synopsis
June Hayward and Athena Liu both graduated from Yale the same year and debuted the same year in publishing, as well as both being authors. Except June spends her days envious of Athena’s seemingly unearned success. When Athena has a freak accident and June witnesses her death, she has a moment of impulse and steals Athena’s half-finished manuscript.
June finally feels the warm light of success shine down on her as she bathes in the words that once belonged to Athena. Her success threatened at every turn, June will discover just how far she will go to keep her secrets hidden and to keep what she believes is rightfully hers.
Mini Review
This book was extremely meta. This seems to have bothered a lot of people but I found added another layer of amusement to this already satirical-toned novel. June is self-centered and you don’t want to root for her. When she isn’t complaining about Athena’s success, she is defending her decision to steal Athena’s work. This book did feel like it needed more under the surface. It felt as if R.F. Kuang was holding something back. Refusing to peel back a layer.
Overall, it was a good read.
Synopsis
Finlay Donovan is a lot of things, killing it, is not one of them. She is a stressed-out mom, soon-to-be ex-wife, and struggling author.
The problem is, when out to lunch with her agent discussing the plot of her new novel, a woman sitting at a table across from them mistakes Finlay for a contract killer. Finlay soon discovers that real-life crime is nothing like fictional crime and has to find a way out of the even bigger mess she now finds herself in.
Mini Review
Let me preface this by saying, Finlay Donovan sucks at making a decision and if it were not for the nanny, I would have DNF’d this book.
This book felt like it was trying too hard. And Finlay got on my nerves at every turn. Stressed about her deadline, but doesn’t do anything about it. Stressed about the kids, and doesn’t do anything about it. Stressed about her life, lets it continue to roll out of control. Girl. Get it together.
What I’m Currently Reading
- Babel by R.F. Kuang
- The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros
- Alone With You in The Ether by Olivie Blake
- The Girls in The Garden by Lisa Jewell
Overall, May was a pretty good month for reading. I managed to get back on track with my reading goal for the year. I am almost halfway through my reading list!
My reading goal for 2023 is 36 books and right now I am 16 out of 36.
I’m hoping to read a few more over my goal but I am just enjoying all of the stories I have been reading lately.
With that said, the reviews for the books mentioned will be up soon. I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and I’m curious to hear what you have been reading!
You Might Also Like: The Family Game Review // March Reading Recap
