book-reviews – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: America ABC

Title: America ABC
Author: Judy Wilson
Genre: Children’s, Board Book
Publisher: Taffy Tales
Source: Publisher
Format: Board book
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Celebrate the spirit of America with America ABC, an exciting and whimsical board book that introduces young readers to the wonders of the United States in a fun, interactive way. Part of the best-selling Fun Flaps series, this colorful book features die-cut pages and thick, sturdy flaps that open in a star shape–capturing the essence of the American flag and making each turn of the page a delightful surprise.Designed to be both educational and entertaining, America ABC takes little explorers on a journey through the alphabet, with each letter showcasing an iconic American person, place, invention, or symbol. From the Statue of Liberty to the Wright brothers, from apple pie to the stars and stripes, your child will discover the rich history and culture of the United States in a way that’s easy to understand and fun to explore.The whimsical artwork brings American history to life in vibrant colors, making each page a joy to turn. With its thick, sturdy flaps, this book is perfect for little hands eager to engage with the content and learn while they play. Whether it’s learning about George Washington or discovering the invention of the telephone, America ABC offers a perfect blend of fun facts and interactive discovery.Just in time for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, America ABC is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the people, places, and inventions that shaped this great nation. It’s a perfect keepsake to celebrate this milestone in American history while fostering a love of learning.

Review:

This board book has words in alphabetical order that represent things in the United States. These include inventions that are associated with America as well as the names of people and places. This book has flaps that have fun facts underneath them. I think children and adults will enjoy reading this board book!

America ABC is a cute board book!

Thank you Taffy Tales for sending me a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read America ABC? What did you think of it?

Review: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage

Title: Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage
Author: Travis Short
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Publish Authority
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 18, 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anna is a touching story from an autobiographical memoir written of Anna Marie Gamble’s later years. It tells of a desperately impoverished life as an undernourished and sickly child, where she is protected by an older sister from her cruel alcoholic father and abusive mother. The sister’s deep faith is passed on to Anna who finds God at an early age and devotes her life to worship of Him. She inherits a love for music and her father’s gift of a beautiful singing voice. Her itinerant family moves forty times before Anna is fourteen years old. Her mother leaves home for long periods and is arrested for larceny and then for prostitution, but not before she attempts to poison Anna’s father. Desperate for money, Anna finds work in a silk mill when she is sixteen and becomes active in union problems. She is in constant prayer and faithfully attends prayer meetings and church services as a devoted Christian. In an effort to help take her out of a life of misery and poverty, Anna is nominated by her pastor to attend bible college despite her lack of formal education. While attending college, where she excels, she meets her future husband, also a dedicated Christian. After marrying, they settle in a small town in New York where they raise four children. Their lives are not easy, but they never lose faith In God. They are active in church and devote much of their lives to helping others. Her story begins and ends in a convalescent center in Michigan and is told by the author, who looks after her in her waning years. He is so blessed by their friendship that he writes this book as a tribute to a beautiful life of faith and courage.
Anna is an inspiration to all of us.
If you enjoyed “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls, you will also be touched by Anna’s story

Review:

This book tells the story of Anna, a girl who was mistreated as a child but found solace in her Christian faith. In the present day, a man whose wife has just moved into a nursing home meets an elderly Anna. He is curious about her life, so he’s happy to read her autobiography. Anna suffered a lot throughout her life, both physically and mentally, but she used her faith to keep going.

Anna is a powerful and emotional story about the power of faith.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: alcoholism, parental abandonment, parental death, childbirth complications, child abuse, death, gun violence

Have you read Anna: A Life of Faith and Courage? What did you think of it?

Review: The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket

Title: The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket
Author: Mark Nutter
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: BookBaby
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Frustrated novelist Danny is resigned to writing material for trade shows, promoting garage doors and non-stick cookware. His ex-wife threatens legal action for non-payment of alimony. Danny never dreamed the answer to his troubles could be larceny.
But then wealthy, charming Packard Hale III reenters his life. He was Danny’s college roommate, and like Lupin and Raffles, he now fancies himself a gentleman thief. Packard hires Danny to write about his capers.
Danny follows Packard as they break into a mansion and steal, among other things, a priceless Chinese vase and a curiously valuable souvenir blanket from Branson, Missouri. However, it’s not Packard who is pursued by the police, but Danny.
Simultaneously, he struggles to please his client, a lawn-and-garden CEO with an erotic attraction to lawnmowers. Danny also endures abuse from Soren, a boozy has-been Vegas magician. He tolerates the mistreatment because of Crystal, the magician’s assistant. He’s falling for her.
When he learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.

Review:

This novel is a funny twist on a heist story. Danny is a writer who is convinced by his college friend to steal things from a mansion, in exchange for Danny writing about his friend’s capers. However, Danny ends up taking the blame for the theft. There were many laugh out loud moments, including with some bumbling detectives who were investigating the theft.

The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket is an entertaining story!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Have you read The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket? What did you think of it?

Review: The Artificial Conspiracy

Title: The Artificial Conspiracy
Author: Jesse Muehlbauer
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Allaire Publishing
Source: Author
Format: Ebook
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

New Year’s Eve in Times Square—an elusive secret society starts the countdown clock on humanity.

365 days until the end of time…

The chilling prediction haunts Mirai McGarry, a young woman who dreams of being a renowned artist even as multiple sclerosis begins to ravage her health.

In the midst of the chaos, a powerful doomsday cult emerges as a safe haven for the masses. Their allure is undeniable, unnatural, and for Mirai, devastatingly personal. Her efforts to thwart them are futile until a mysterious messenger provides the first insights into a dark conspiracy.

When Mirai opens the eyes of a handsome cult member, inspiring him to break free, he joins her odyssey to seek out the one man prophesied to end the madness. With the world around her—and her own body—beginning to crumble, Mirai must confront the mastermind of a nightmare before the countdown is complete.

The Artificial Conspiracy is a philosophical thriller that explores a wide panorama of human nature and challenges the assumptions of our oldest why do we suffer?

Review:

This book is a thrilling dystopian. There were so many twists throughout the story that kept me guessing until the end. The story began with multiple subplots but they were intricately woven to be connected to the main plot. I highly recommend this thriller!

The Artificial Conspiracy is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com and Jesse Muehlbauer for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: cult, death, kidnapping, poisoning, multiple sclerosis, suicide

Have you read The Artificial Conspiracy? What did you think of it?

Review: A Bedtime Story (Beauty Meets the Beast) (Fairy Tales From the Underworld #1)

Title: A Bedtime Story (Beauty Meets the Beast) (Fairy Tales From the Underworld #1)
Author: L.C. Moon
Genre: Romance
Publisher: BookBaby
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A traumance. A tragedy. A love story.

Fairy tales weren’t always about finding true love with Prince Charming. Once upon a time, they were dark stories about innocence lost, seeking through veiled attempts to make sense of life’s unfathomable hardships. Unfit parents turned to evil stepmothers, kindly neighbors became fairy godmothers, while alluring but dangerous men were presented under the guise of the Big Bad Wolf. Through their trials, the heroes were forever changed. For better or worse.

It is a tale as old as time. Good girl meets bad boy; the pure faces the corrupt. Loosely inspired by classic tropes, Fairy Tales From the Underworld breathes new life into age-old motifs, casting them against the backdrop of modern times. Beasts and monsters no longer lurk in shadows but now inhabit our protagonists, who are plagued by the ceaseless whispers of their inner demons.

A Bedtime Story is not a romance, but a raw erotic tale chronicling the twisted love affair between two profoundly broken souls: the child of the moon and the child of the underworld. Their paths were never meant to cross… And yet, by a twist of fate, Beauty meets the Beast, plunging into a world of lies, deceit and debauchery, where her only salvation lies in the hands of her captor.

As Part I of the Fairy Tales From the Underworld saga, this first installment delves deeply into the psyche of its characters, offering a poignant exploration of the relentless pull between torment and passion in the aftermath of trauma.

(Please note, this book contains graphic sexual content and deals with heavy subject matter, suitable for readers 18+.)

Review:

This story is a dark romance. It loosely followed the Beauty and the Beast fairytale, but it had dark themes such as abuse and human trafficking. Kayne, the “beast,” didn’t have redeeming qualities like the Beast does in the usual fairytale. The ending deviated from the traditional ending as well. There were quite a few dark scenes, so check the content warnings before reading.

A Bedtime Story is a dark twist on Beauty and the Beast.

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: child abuse, human trafficking, murder, gun violence, rape, drug use, overdose

Have you read A Bedtime Story (Beauty Meets the Beast)? What did you think of it?

Review: Divided Heart

Title: Divided Heart
Author: K.M. Daughters
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassidy Finnegan, a widow, returns to her hometown Redbird, Illinois after inheriting a book store from her mother. Ty Martin, a celebrated gallery artist and a member of the fantastical Sisters of the Legend Binder family, has moved to a home a straight shot from Cassidy’s across Redbird Lake.
Cass meets Ty at his book signing at her store the same day that she is visited by the ghost of her dead husband, Sawyer, whom she met at Cozy Nook Books, too. It was love at first sight with Sawyer…and maybe with Ty.
When Sawyer visits Cassidy, their perfect love is rekindled. When she is with Ty, all she wants is the new love blossoming between them.
Ty learns he is the unwitting third in Cassidy’s spectral love-triangle. He has no problem competing with flesh and blood men. But the heaven-perfected spirit of her loving husband? Nothing in Ty’s realm of experience prepares him for that contest.
Cassie is forced to choose in order to mend her divided heart.

Review:

This is a cute cozy romance! I love books about bookstores. A lot of this book took place in Cassidy’s bookstore, where she met Ty. This book is part of a series but it can be read as a stand-alone. There was a supernatural twist at the end of the story which I wasn’t expecting, but it tied everything together.

Divided Heart is a short and sweet cozy romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this for a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: death of spouse, death of parent, cancer

Have you read Divided Heart? What did you think of it?

Review: Legacy of Honor: The Descendants

Title: Legacy of Honor: The Descendants
Author: Larry A. Freeland
Genre: Historical Fiction, Military
Publisher: Publish Authority
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From award-winning author of Chariots in the Sky, author Larry Freeland pens “Legacy of The Descendants.”

An enthralling military novel and multigenerational war saga, The Descendents immerses readers in the valor and sacrifice of the McCormick family across 20th-century battlefields. This gripping historical fiction, the culminating book of the Legacy of Honor trilogy, follows three American brothers—Alan, Lee, and Scott—whose unwavering commitment to duty and family defines their lives amid the Army and Navy’s most harrowing conflicts.

Alan, the eldest, commands an Infantry Company in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War, leading his men through brutal jungle combat in the A Shau Valley, including the ferocious battle for Hamburger Hill. Lee, a skilled U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, braves perilous missions, from Vietnam’s skies to the First Gulf War’s deserts, embodying courage under fire. Scott, the youngest, serves in the Army along South Korea’s DMZ during the Vietnam era before joining the CIA, undertaking covert operations across the Middle East. Bound by a proud military lineage, the brothers’ patriotism shines, yet they grapple with the moral complexities of war, as Scott “What happens if my sense of right in the moment clashes with others’ judgment after the fact?”

From Vietnam’s jungles to Middle Eastern sands, this powerful saga of brotherhood, honor, and resilience captures the McCormick family’s sacrifices. Freeland’s vivid prose, steeped in military history, contrasts the brothers’ receptions—Alan’s cold homecoming from Vietnam against Lee’s heroic welcome from the Gulf. This novel isn’t just a war story; it’s a testament to survival, family, and an enduring military legacy.

Review:

This is a thrilling saga about a family in the U.S. military. It follows three brothers who all fought in different wars in the 20th century. They each saw tragedy in war as well as their family lives. This is the third book in a trilogy about generations of this family, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a book that will touch your heart.

Legacy of Honor is a thrilling and emotional military story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: war, death, death of child, cystic fibrosis, lupus, death of parent, suicide

Other books in the series:

Legacy of Honor: The Patriarch
Legacy of Honor: The Air Warrior

Have you read Legacy of Honor: The Descendants? What did you think of it?

Review: Eat Dessert First

Title: Eat Dessert First
Author: Michelle Paris
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Apprentice House
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Can a plus-sized, big-hearted baker discover the recipe for happiness? Abbey Reilly has heard “you have such a pretty face” enough times to know that it’s code for “if only you’d lose weight.” Giving up her architectural career to care for her ailing mom and working in a bakery to make ends meet, she is convinced no one will ever find her attractive. So she’s stunned when a handsome regular customer not only shows interest but asks her on a date.Devastated when she learns her would-be beau is married, Abbey resigns herself to a lonely future. But the insecure woman can hardly believe her luck when she draws the attention of a dreamy guy at a bachelorette party… until his horrible ex plots revenge. Will Abbey claim the confidence she deserves and find a keeper who recognizes her true beauty?With light humor and loving insight, Michelle Paris weaves a delightful tale of learning to believe in yourself. Juggling elder parent care, tight finances, and hating the image in the mirror, Abbey Reilly will charm any reader fond of rooting for an underdog.Eat Dessert First is a heartwarming work of women’s fiction. If you like relatable heroines, chasing a dream, and finding hope and happiness, then you’ll adore Michelle Paris’ sweet story of fulfillment.

Review:

This is a great romance with a plus-size heroine! I could relate to Abbey’s struggles with her weight and finding a partner who liked her for herself. Abbey was the primary caregiver her mother who had dementia. I helped look after my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s for 9 years, so I could relate to that part of her life too. Abbey was a great baker, so I recommend having some yummy baked goods on hand while reading this book!

Eat Dessert First is a yummy romance!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: bullying, dementia, death of parent, hospital scenes, broken bone

Have you read Eat Dessert First? What did you think of it?

Review: Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)

Title: Princess Academy (Princess Academy #1)
Author: Shannon Hale
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury Books USA
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This deluxe twentieth anniversary edition of the beloved modern classic, Princess Academy, will feature stunning sprayed edges, a brand new cover, and a letter from the author!

What if you had a chance to become a Princess?

Miri lives high atop a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have lived a simple life, working in the quarry. But everything changes when word arrives that the prince of the kingdom will choose his princess from among the village girls.

A makeshift academy is set up on the mountain and every eligible girl must attend and learn how to become a proper princess. Soon Miri finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires. Being chosen could give her everything she ever wanted, but does Miri really want to leave her home and family behind for a royal life?

Review:

I’ve wanted to read this book for years, so I’m excited that I finally had the opportunity to read it! This is a great middle grade book about self-discovery. Miri thought she was going to learn to become a princess and leave her village to live in the palace, but she ended up discovering the secrets of her people and realizing where she belonged. This book has a new special edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary, with beautiful stenciled edges!

Princess Academy is a modern middle grade classic!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com and Bloomsbury USA for providing a copy of this book for a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: child abuse, death of parent, kidnapping

Other books in the series:

Palace of Stone (Princess Academy #2)
The Forgotten Sisters (Princess Academy #3)

Have you read Princess Academy? What did you think of it?

Pub Day Review: Difficult Girls

Title: Difficult Girls
Author: Veronica Bane
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen girl’s attempt at social reinvention takes a deadly turn when a co-worker disappears—and she learns she may have been the last person to see the missing girl—in this razor-sharp, murderously funny thriller debut.

After the incident last year, Greta Riley Green is looking for reinvention—a fresh start—and a job at Hyper Kid Magic Land, the local amusement park, seems like the perfect way to forge a new path . . . no matter what it takes.

So when fate pulls Greta into Mercy Goodwin’s orbit, it feels like things are looking up. Beautiful and confident, Mercy dazzles audiences daily. And at the first party of the summer, she picks Greta to confide in. Mercy has a secret to share, if Greta will just meet her the next day. It’s a sign that Greta’s truly fitting in.

Only, when the time comes, Mercy is a no-show—as she is everyday after that—and Greta knows something’s wrong. She can’t help thinking back to the night of the party. Did Mercy seem upset? Terrified, even? Could she be in trouble? It wouldn’t be the first time a talented young performer came to a sinister end at Hyper Kid. . . .

Of course, Greta has her own issues with the past, and the more she uncovers Hyper Kid’s secrets, the more her own threaten to surface. This job was meant to be a reboot, a summer without trouble. But trouble, it seems, finds Greta, and her past—and the bloody past of Hyper Kid—is about to catch up with her.

Review:

This was a creepy summer thriller. It had a great summer setting in a theme park. I liked that there was some suspense about what happened in Greta’s past. I couldn’t figure out the mystery of what happened to Mercy. There were some key clues that were held back until the end, but it was a satisfying ending!

Difficult Girls is a great summer thriller!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: divorce, bullying, murder, suicide, knife violence

Have you read Difficult Girls? What did you think of it?