Week of September 15, 2025

I was really lost in my head all week. Last week was an emotional one, and it spilled over into this one for sure. I took a much-needed social media break and deleted all of my social media accounts from my phone so I could have some peace and quiet. But my brain never really settled into the lull, especially with the books I happened to pick up. It was book 4, Never Let Me Go, by Lyla Dane, that had me particularly twisted up. This was a re-read for me and I loved it just as much this time as I did the first time I read it, maybe even more. But emotionally, this book is a hard one to get through. And I think I picked it up again this week because of my own brain’s ramblings about how thoughts can influence behavior, whether its our own thoughts or those imposed on us by others. As a Gen X’er, I was raised on the adage of “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Does anyone remember that one? And now in 2025, we hear the 24 hour news networks talk about people being fired or worse for saying things out loud or that spoken words and language can be classified as actual assault on entire classes of people. It’s become the polar opposite of how I was raised, and I’m struggling with it. Logically, there’s no way that all 8 billion people on this beautiful planet will ever all have the same opinions and beliefs. Each of us is bound to disagree with literally millions of other people. It’s simply not possible for us all to think the same way. And to categorize any spoken differences as assault is such a gross over-simplification. We’ve lost all sense of morality in this quest for equality, and sometimes it leaves me feeling so sad and hopeless. This all got me thinking about some of the past books I’ve read where hate speech has played a really strong part in the plot and I wanted to re-visit those books. Never Let Me Go was one that immediately came to mind, and I originally just wanted to refresh my memory with a few of the more poignant chapters. But I ended up starting at the beginning and re-reading the entire book again, and it didn’t disappoint. And it was a beautiful representation of both the best and the worst within people, and it was kind of a fitting read for my emotional state for the week.

• As always, here’s my rating scale for your information:

  ⭐️ Did not like this book, would not recommend. Lots of errors, plot holes, not worth the effort to read, most likely didn’t finish. But I’m giving this author a single star for making the effort to publish a book. Not everyone’s even gotten that far, so yay for you.

  ⭐️⭐️ Didn’t really like it, multiple issues with style, plot, syntax or characters. Most likely forced myself to finish it. Would consider other books by the same author but I might have to be convinced.

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyed the book. Perhaps there were issues with plot or style but it was an enjoyable read. I could see recommending it if it were of a specific genre or trope or series. Most of what I read could easily fall into this category and I’d be a happy camper.

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a good book. Like a really good book. I will think about this book when I’m finished, and there’s a really good chance I’ll buy it for my personal library if it was a KU read. I’d recommend it to other readers of the same genre or trope. I’ll definitely search out other books by this author, probably as soon as I’m finished reading.

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wow. Just wow. Amazing book, amazing story. If there were flaws in the book I’m completely overlooking them because in my mind the book was sheer perfection. I didn’t want the book to end and I’m immediately adding it to my favorites and my re-read pile. And if there’s an audio version I might have to buy that, too. I have a book hangover, I miss the characters, and I feel actual, physical loss in my life when this book is finished.

Thanks for joining me this week! Let’s dive in!

1. The Fall, by Tal Bauer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

   Kindle Unlimited, 810 pages

   Genre/tropes: MM romance, sports,

   Tal Bauer is always an instant read for me, and usually and instant purchase as well. I adore his writing and the depth he incorporates into his books. Whisper is still one of my all-time favorite books, and when I saw that this book was over 800 pages (!) I went into it with equally high expectations, and it did not disappoint. There’s absolutely no way to summarize this book without ruining the incredible complexities within it, so I won’t even try. It’s a book that leaves you thinking and re-thinking and trying to untangle the web of what everyone said and the manner in which it was said. It was well done.

   But even more than that, when you as the reader step back and acknowledge the astonishing depth that Bauer brings to his books, it’s breathtaking. The entire book is told from Torey’s POV, which I love. The first third of the book almost felt repetitive with the constant inner chatter of “remember, remember, remember”. But it was so essential to bringing the reader into the turmoil of Torey’s conflicted brain and the never-ending inner dialogue of anxiety that was running through his mind. Similarly, in the middle third of the book, when Torey and Blair were connecting on the ice and Blair was essentially taking Torey under his wing and coaching him and guiding him, the incredible depth of knowledge of hockey was so impressive. Bauer is a master at this, and his characters become so vivid and real through the author’s mastery of his subject. The ONLY reason this book didn’t get a full 5⭐️ from me is that, even after 800 pages, the ending felt rushed. But I still absolutely loved the book and will without a doubt re-read it.

2. The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Kindle Edition, $13.99, 432 pages.

   Genre/tropes: Historical fiction, mystery

   This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. This was recommended to me by a new friend whose reading likes and dislikes I don’t really know that well yet, but this was a stellar recommendation. (Thanks, Lisa!!) The entirety of this story (with the exception of a few flashback scenes) takes place in the winter of 1789 in Maine, and is told mainly through the eyes of village midwife and healer Martha Ballard. Martha documents her days and the births that she attends in her journals, which become evidence in a rape trial over the course of the winter. This is a wonderfully woven story of strong women, greedy men, scandal, love, and hope and it’s incredibly well done. Be sure to read the afterward when you’ve finished the book, as the author goes into great detail about her study of the real Martha Ballard and how this book came to be.

3. Dream On, Jennifer Hartmann ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

   Kindle Unlimited, 448 pages.

   Genre/tropes: Romance, second chance, fake dating

   Jennifer Hartmann writes a good story. Her characters are always strong and tell a good tale. I liked Lex in this one. Hartmann wrote him very well, first as a spoiled rich kid, and then as the neglected and jaded Hollywood star. His father was awful to him, his mother merely used him, his agent only wanted him to advance her own career. He had no idea he held any value in the world. And that’s where Stevie was able to help him find his way. There’s nothing particularly novel in this book, but I enjoyed seeing these young characters fight their own way out of despair and realize that life goals can change and happiness can be fulfillment on its own.

4. Never Let Me Go, by Lyla Dane ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

   Kindle Unlimited, 494 pages

   Genre/tropes: MM romance, enemies to lovers/friends to lovers

   2nd time reading this book, and it’s just as wonderful the second time around. Gavin and Beck are so well written and the story is tortuous. Gavin is so broken, his spirit so crushed at the hands of his abusive and homophobic father, and he turns into exactly the monster his father created. But Beck saw glimmers of the best friend he once knew and was able to help draw Gavin back out from the depths of the hate his father created within him. It’s a beautiful love story and a wonderful reminder to treat others with kindness, for no reason other than it’s the right thing to do.

That’s it for this week! As always, you can keep up with all of my reading on my Goodreads if you want to. https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12921106-karen

Love, Karen