Join us for our online discussion on Monday, Sept. 28. 4.1 on Goodreads WHAT GOODREADS SAYS: “Have you ever tried to pass the time by imagining the lives of the strangers standing next to you? “Ilona Bannister’s Five introduces readers to five seemingly random people waiting for a train. But these are not just any five people. “From the beginning we know that one of them is going to die soon. Very soon. “In five minutes the next train to London will arrive, killin

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Beneath the Book Club, it’s time to talk about our August read and I can’t say enough good things about Road Trip. This novel by Mary Kay Andrews’ takes readers on a journey through Ireland after two sisters set out on a quest to learn more about their family and a mysterious painting. It’s so descriptive that I felt like I was in the backseat! Road Trip is fun and mysterious, sprinkled with a bit of historical fiction, romance and fantastic banter

Despite it topping the Amazon charts and getting a 4.6 on Goodreads, the book bored me to tears. I admit the story is heartwarming - about how one person can change a person’s life - but the dialogue and storyline were long and tedious. I almost gave up half-way through, but I’m not a quitter, so I carried on. The ending saved the book, but for me, this is a big, fat no. I give it a 3. **** 4.54 on Goodreads Join us for our online discussion on Wednesday, July 29. WHAT G

By SARA VANDEN BERGE I’ve come to the conclusion that most romances fail to keep my attention, and while I enjoyed June’s Beneath the Book Club pick, Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune, it didn’t leave me wishing for more. It was a cute, but predictable story: Girl ditched the night before her wedding, takes the honeymoon with her best guy friend from her childhood, and well, you guessed it - the two fall in love and live happily ever after. It was a nice read. The wri

May’s book made me a new fan of this author. The novel is the perfect blend of mystery and humor, with an intriguing storyline that had me hooked from the beginning. At the heart of this story is Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, one of the most fascinating characters I have ever encountered. This unapologetically grumpy 81-year-old lived under a cloud of suspicion her entire life – pre-empted by the fact that people close to her had a bad habit of croaking. Given the nickname

March’s read was heavy and atmospheric with an interesting storyline. I loved the book’s California setting and enjoyed Poppy’s 1970’s feminist views. But what I didn’t love was an ending that wasn’t absolutely clear. I think the author left it up to the reader to determine who killed Danny and Poppy. Here’s what I think happened: I think Mr. Stewart killed Poppy after she learned that he was abusing Danny. Then Danny finds Poppy as she’s dying, then Vincent comes in and beli

By SARA VANDEN BERGE I loved this fast-paced story about a suburban woman who writes an advice column and has had enough of the nonsense that keeps coming her way. So, she starts quietly fighting back with some pretty inventive paybacks. This book reads more like a dark comedy than thriller, but just like all of Freida’s books, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I give it a four out of five stars. 4.47 on Goodreads WHAT GOODREADS SAYS : “ A brand new twisted thriller that will have you

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney 4.35 on Goodreads (I give it 5 stars) WHAT GOODREADS SAYS : “ The New York Times bestselling Queen of Twists is back with a psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity and revenge. "Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothi

Editor’s pick, Best Book of the Year 2025, Reese’s Book Club pick, instant NYT bestseller, Amazon’s No. 1 Best Book of the Year 2025

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli was the perfect atmospheric read to get into the Halloween spirit. A ghostly tale centered around three women - Meghan, Brecia and Skye – who were murdered by the same man. The killer was a bad dude. A really bad dude who hunted his victims online, pretending to be an eligible bachelor, though he had a wife and kids at home. After charming his victims, he lures them to a desolate area and un-alives them. The kill

By SARA VANDEN BERGE There aren’t many books that I continue thinking about long after finishing the final chapter, but the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is definitely one of them. Beneath the Book Club’s September book takes you on a 300-year journey across the world following Addie’s life of immortality. It’s a gorgeous, immersive story that makes her, well, very unforgettable. Born in a small French village in 1691, Adeline LaRue doesn’t want an or

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Most of the books I read are for pure entertainment; mysteries, thrillers, rom-cons - ones I forget about soon after I finish reading them. Only a few books have stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall will be one of those books. For those taking part in Beneath the Book Club , you’ll recall that Broken Country was on our April list, but it wasn’t chosen. The book had such great reviews and high ratin

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Ok, book clubbers! I totally enjoyed Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I tore through June’s book in 48 hours and felt a little sad when it was over. Of course, I loved the fact that it was set in Malibu, California and featured a family of superstar surfers, but what I really loved was the drama. This unique story surrounds four siblings in a 24-hour period leading up to the annual star-studded summer party held by sister Nina Riva. Nina