Only If You're Lucky | By Stacy Willingham

 

Margot meets Lucy Sharpe at the end of her freshmen year. Without knowing Lucy she eagerly accepts her invitation to be her roommate. Margot joins Lucy, Sloan and Nicole at an off campus house owned by the next door fraternity. 

Margot has been dealing quietly with the death of her best friend Eliza and becoming friends with Lucy is helping the wound heal. Then one of the frat boys is murdered and Lucy goes missing. Margot, Sloan and Nicole are being questioned and finding out that Lucy isn't who she said she was. 

Only If You're Lucky is told via multiple points of views and different timelines. As the story unravels more than one character becomes suspect. The story unravels quickly and unreliable narrators put you on edge as the plot twists unravel. 

Stacey's Mistake: A Graphic Novel ( The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #14) | By Ellen T. Crenshaw (Adapter, Illustrator), Ann M. Martin (Author)

 

Stacey has invited her friends from the Baby-sitters club to visit her in New York. They have plans to sleepover, babysit a group of ten kids and go sightseeing. Mary Anne, Dawn, Kristy, Claudia, Mallory and Jessi re out of sorts in the big city. Stacey's best friend in New York feels out of sorts and things aren't going the way Stacey imagined. 

Stacey has to find a way to save the weekend with her friends. 

Stacey is quite possibly my favorite character and I enjoy her stories. The illustration seems a bit different in this book but it's still an enjoyable read. 

Penitence by Kristin Koval

 Angie and David's world is rocked when their 13 year old daughter Nora is arrested for the murder of  their 14 year old son, Nico. In an effort to get their daughter the best counsel possible David reaches out to Julian. Julian just happens to be Angie's ex-boyfriend and they have a complicated past. 

Angie and Julian were once deeply in love but their love couldn't survive a family tragedy and the foundation of lies the set up to protect themselves and their families. 

Penitence is told via multiple point of views and by revising the past. The story takes a bit to build up but as it unravels you find yourself immersed in the story. This is a story about love, grief and forgivness.

This debut novel is a perfect read for those who are fans of Jodi Picoult. 

Mary Anne's Bad Luck Mystery: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #13) | By Cynthia Yuan Cheng (Adapter, Illustrator), Ann M. Martin (Author)

 

Mary Anne tossed a chain letter she received in the mail and now bad lucks is following her. Bad luck is also happening to other members of the baby-sitters club. Mary Anne gets a bad luck charm necklace in the mail and puts it on. She starts to put things together and her bad luck might become a thing of the past.

This is another sweet addition to the Baby-Sitters Club  but it's been my least favorite so far. 

If There Be Thorns (Dollanganger, #3) by V.C. Andrews

 

If There Be Thorns is the third installment in the Dollanganger series. Chris and Cathy are living as husband and wife. They are raising Cathy's sons Jory and Bart. A woman moves into the empty house next door to them and befriends Bart. 

Bart slowly becomes unhinged and angry.  He acts out and no one is safe. Cathy and Chris's long buried secrets start to see the light of day throwing chaos and confusion into the family dynamic setting forth things in motion that they may never fully recover from. 

The story is told from Jory and Barts points of views . This book hits different that when I read it in my teens and twenties. It's still disturbing but I like the drama. 

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games #0.5) | By Suzanne Collins

Sunrise of the Reaping is an excellent addition to the Hunger Games Series. This book is a prequel that gives us insight to the Quarter Quell. The game in which twice as many tributes were taken from each district and the game that Haymitch wins.

Suzanne Collins has outdone herself with this book. I was hooked from page one and had no choice but to devour it. The new information readers receive and the background about characters will break your heart and leave you gasping. 

I don't want to spoil this so just pick it up and read it!

Jessi's Secret Language: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novels #12) | By Chan Chau (Adapter, Illustrator), Ann M. Martin (Author)

 

Jessi is one of the newest members of the Baby-Sitters Club. She takes on the task of sitting for Matt Braddock. Matt is deaf and Jessi takes on learning sign language. Jessi is busy teaching other kids in the neighborhood sign language and preparing for her ballet recital. 

Jessi is also working on a secret for Matt. This book is an inspiration and shows how kindness and learning new things is beneficial. I continue to be impressed with the beautiful adaptations being made from the books to graphic novels. I hope a new generation is enjoying them as much as I am.

Yours Truly Part of: Part of Your World (2 books) | by Abby Jimenez

Dr. Briana Ortiz's divorce is nearly final, her brother needs a kidney donor and the new doctor at her work is likely to get the huge promotion she wants.

Dr. Jacob Maddox isn't exactly good at first impressions and boy did he make a bad one with Dr. Ortiz. He sends her a letter starting off an exchange of letters between him and Briana. They soon start having lunch together and build a friendship but will it turn into more?

Briana and Jacob are well developed characters and the story is entertaining making this is a delightful read. 

Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #11) | by Gabriela Epstein and Ann M. Martin

 

Stacey has to move back to New York due to her dads job.  She is both excited and sad.  Excited to be back in her beloved New York and see old friends and haunts. Sad to leave behind Stoneybrook, her BSC friends and the kids she babysits in particular Charlotte. 

Stacey has to find a way to break the news to Charlotte and the BSC girls are working on putting together a spectacular end off.

I like that the book focus's on real events. Sometimes people move and it affects not only them but also others in their life. It's a sweet book about friendship. 

Kristy and the Snobs: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #10) | by Chan Chau and Ann M. Martin

 

Kristy hasn't been living in her new neighborhood that long. It's quite different from her old one. It's much more upscale and the other kids aren't as friendly. One could say they are snobby. Kristy runs into some issues with other baby sitters in the community. They aren't pleased that she is taking jobs away from them. 

This is quite possibly the first book I have an issue with.  A beloved pup dies and is quickly replaced by a puppy! This was a punch to the gut and felt callus. 

Famous Last Words | by Gillian McAllister

 

PUB DATE: Feb 25, 2025

Camilla's returned to work after maternity leave. Her first day back at work turns out to be a lot more hectic than she bargained for. The police arrive at her work to let her know that her husband has taken people hostage. Never in a million years will Camilla have predicted that Luke would do this. The hostages can't be identified and Camilla has no idea why Luke would do this. 

Seven years pass and new evidence resurfaces resulting in turning Camilla's life upside down. Will this evidence exonerate Luke and will unanswered questions finally be answered?

The book starts off well enough but then ... it drags and drags. It finally picks up but it becomes incredibly predictable. This book wasn't exactly my cup of tea as it felt unrealistic. Famous Last Words is character driven and well developed but the plot lacked the energy and flow to keep my fully absorbed.

** I have received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Claudia and the New Girl: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #9) | by Gabriela Epstein and Ann M. Martin

 

Another installment in the Baby-Sitters Club (graphic novel) series. This one focuses on Claudia. There is a new girl at school named Ashley. She is spunky and enjoys art the way Claudia does. They bond over their mutual interest and Claudia ends up spending a lot of time with Ashley and missing BSC meetings! 

This causes hurt feelings and Claudia has to learn how to navigate new and old friendships. Another quick and easy read. I recall making new friends in middle school and having to learn how to maintain friendships with new and older friends. It wasn't easy! 

Logan Likes Mary Anne!: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #8) | by Gale Galligan and Ann M. Martin

 

It's the start of a new school year. The gang is going to be in 8th grade! There is a new student and his name is Logan. Mary Anne and Logan each have a crush on one another but they don't know the crush is mutual. 

Logan ends up on a baby sitting job with Mary Anne. Will he join the BSC? Will the BSC clubs accept him as a member. 

Do you remember your first crush? The nervous feelings and being a bit shy about it? If not this will bring back some of those memories. 

This is one adorable addition to the series. I like that they shy girl got a boyfriend because that was NOT my experience, 

Petals on the Wind (Dollanganger, #2) by V.C. Andrews

This is the second book in the Dollanganger series. Cory is dead and Chris, Cathy and Carrie have escaped the attic and Foxworth mansion. A series of circumstances leads them into the care of a Doctor who adopts them. Paul Sheffield gives them the life they deserved one of love and safety. 

The Dollanganger children are traumatized by their life in the attic and struggle to find peace. Cathy is full of anger and seeks revenge on her mother. Chris is obsessed with Cathy and Carrie misses her twin and feels she has no place in the world. 

This book while having moments of brightness is dark and disturbing. Their will be moments of discomfort. I don't wish to give anything away and I am quite surprised how much I had forgotten! 

I listened to an audiobook version of this book and it was done incredibly well. 

Boy-Crazy Stacey: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #8) by Raina Telgemeier (Adapter, Illustrator), Ann M. Martin (Author)

 

Stacey and Mary Anne have been invited to baby-sit for the Pike Family. It in
volves going on a two week vacation to the New Jersey Shore. They get to baby-sit , vacation and get to know one another better as they haven't spent much time together before. 

Vacation starts off decent but then a boy on the beach catch's Stacey's eye. Stacey ends up spending a lot of time at the lifeguard station talking with Scott. This means extra baby sitting duties for Mary Anne. Mary Anne is at her wits end and  frustrated with Stacey. Will their friendship survive this?

Kristy's Big Day: A Graphic Novel (The Baby-Sitters Club #6) by Raina Telgemeier (Adapter, Illustrator), Ann M. Martin (Author)

Kristy's mom is getting married and she gets to be a bridesmaid. Kristy and her family are also moving out of their moms house and into her stepdad's mansion. Their family and friends are coming into town for the wedding and that means that on top of the wedding and moving their will be 14 kids to take care of!

The BSC steps up to the plate and  pitches into help with childcare. It's a busy week for the girls but they work together to make it happen.

Another easy read. I find that I am reading these graphic novels in 30-45 minutes and I take a fair amount of time looking at the graphics so I can get ideas for coloring. This is an easy read but I hope they aren't too dated for the younger generation. 

A Thousand Broken Pieces (A Thousand Boy Kisses #2 ) | By Tillie Cole

 

Savannah Litchfield's sister died over  three years ago. She remains in a world full of grief and pain. When her sister died, she stop living.

Cael Woods brother died a year ago. Cael and his brother were ment to go to Harvard and play ice hockey together but he hasn't stepped foot on the ice rink since his brothers death. Cael is full of anger.

Savannah's therapist and Cael's parents have encouraged them to go on a trip around the world for grieving teens. They are able to open up to one another and start on their healing journey. 

While I didn't like this book as much as the first one in the series it was worth the read as it explores grief.  I didn't like what Cole does with the character of Rune. 

I attempted to listen to this on audiobook but the Boston accent that was done for Cael was distracting and I had to read the book instead. 

The Road: A Graphic Novel A... The Road: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Manu Larcenet (Illustrator), Cormac McCarthy (Original Work)

 

The Graphic Novel is bleaker than the book. The illustrations are stunning and depict the postapocalyptic world created in McCarthy's mind beautifully. The illustrations don't hold a lot back in that it shows the violence of this dark sad world. Some readers might find the graphic novel easier to read than the novel simply because some people have difficulties reading McCarthy's style. I recommend using the graphic novel as a companion to the book. 

The Road follows a father and young son as they navigate and try to survive in a world that is full of horrors. The US is decimated and humanity is at it lowest. Food and supplies are scarce and living is one a one day at a time challenge.