REVIEW - These Heathens (eARC/ebook)

 These Heathens by Mia McKenzie (eARC/ebook)

OVERVIEW

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This is the first book by Mia that I have read, but it won't be the last. Wow! What a fantastic story of Black culture, church culture, and excellence.

Mia weaves so many famous Black leaders of the 1960s throughout this story of a young girl in rural Georgia who needs an abortion. But the story is so very much more than that! It is personal discovery, growth, and learning about a life unavailable in small-town Georgia.

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Mia writes beautifully and hauntingly with descriptions that are vivid yet not overdone. That is a true art!

The biggest takeaway is that the writing of the characters' code-switching was done so very well.  

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters are Doris (a pregnant 17-year-old), Mrs. Lucas (her teacher), and Mrs. Broussard (Mrs. Lucas's friend). Doris and Mrs. Lucas travel from rural Georgia to Atlanta to obtain an abortion arranged by Mrs. Brousegnant.

The secondary characters are Dexter (Mrs. Broussard's step-nephew) and Erik (bodyguards to KKK harassed Blacks), whom Doris becomes friends with along the way.  

The tertiary characters are the legendary 1960s Black leaders, philanthropists, writers, and artists, including Black Civil Rights leaders and Black church folk in Atlanta.  

Storyline:  5.0 stars

This novel was about the intersectionality of race, gender, LGBT+, and class in 1960s Atlanta. There was so much packed into this amazing historical novel. 

The rise of the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), the Muslim Brotherhood, the KKK, and sit-ins across the South orchestrated by student activists in SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) in 1960 plays a huge, but subtle role. 

The location was primarily Atlanta, Georgia.   

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

Writing about the infancy of the Civil Rights movement, while including the tremendous differences among the various subsets, was incredibly creative.  

I had always thought that Coretta Scott King was a tremendous force in her own right. This novel confirms my suspicions.

Finally, I need to learn more about all aspects of the Civil Rights movement, as we need to learn from our past to make a better future. Unfortunately, we may need to take to the streets again en masse to fight this predatory Administration.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect representation of this book!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Hysterical! It proves to be telling!

 

HIGHLY recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie

272 pages

Random House

FUTURE release date: 6/17/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mia McKenzie

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Random House

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

Guns, racism, racial slurs, pregnancy, abortion, violence, cursing, homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next eARC/ebook is ...

 

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie (eARC/ebook)

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Homeseeking (ebook)

 Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is Karissa's debut novel, and what a first novel! I loved this historical fiction book from beginning to end! An absolutely stunning, fascinating, and beautiful story. I eagerly await the next book that she writes!

I had taken Asian history in high school, but had forgotten so much about the Chinese Civil War (especially that it was two parts around WWII). It seems that all civil wars are horrific, devastating, and brutal. Brothers fighting brothers, and possibly my husband's extended family, were involved in this war was heartbreaking. Yes, this was another WWII book - this war keeps following me!

My dear husband is an American of Cantonese descent. But to his dismay, I prefer the flavor profile of Taiwanese food. After reading this novel, I now want to eat my way through Taiwan!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Karissa can write! This was her debut, and it did not read like a debut! It was so beautifully written, descriptive, and thought-provoking. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters were Haiwen and Suchi, who were childhood friends from the same longtang (alley/neighborhood) in Shanghai. Their lives diverge after WWII when the Chinese Civil War begins. 

The secondary characters are Howard and Sue's family and friends from the longtang. They all endured so much during WWII and then even worse during the second half of the Chinese Civil War and the final takeover by the Chinese Communist Party. 

The tertiary characters are the friends and family in Taiwan and the United States. 

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The storyline was done incredibly creatively. Brava!

Sue and Howard's stories are told in separate chapters. Sue's stories are looking forward, while Howard's are looking backwards (as explained by the author at the beginning of the book). Such a perfect way to feel their characters. I loved it! 

What the author also does is have the characters code-switch between the languages of Tawainese, Cantonese, Shanghaiese, Wu, English, and Mandarin (I hope that I didn't miss any others). The names of the characters also change, which also happens in other languages. But, Karissa makes us work for it by not labelling the chapters with the appropriate language names, but rather the time. 

The name code-switching helps non-Sinitic language speakers understand what these characters had to do to learn the multitude of languages in the region. I cannot imagine how difficult it is for any refugee or immigrant not knowing the new language of their home. 

The locations were primarily Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Los Angeles, and New York City.  

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

The characters were seeking a home, but they already had their homes with their memories. They just didn't realize it! I also think of my loved ones and dearest friends as my home - I am happiest when I am with them. Powerful!

A quote from the book, "It is better to kill a thousand innocent men than to let one guilty man live" has been attributed to Chiang Kai-shek or Wang Jing-wei. The author discusses it in her Notes, and it made me realize that both sides were horrific in this civil war and most other wars. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Beautiful!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect! 

 

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

512 pages 

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Release date: 1/7/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Karissa Chen

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

War, violence, gun violence, sexual violence, physical violence, starvation, classism, death of a parent, death, racism, xenophobia, medical trauma, blood, cursing

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is ...

 Read This to Get Smarter by Blair Imani (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Measure (audiobook)

 The Measure by Nikki Erlick (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

Firstly, I normally do not read "popular" books when they are released because I read and borrow so much from the library. Even as a three-year-old digital book, it has a wait of 19 weeks!

I am certain that I would have enjoyed this book more as a physical or digital copy. Since I was looking for an audiobook that was available when I wanted it, I decided to read it this way. 

For me, this book is like candy. It was sweet and just what I needed after some very heavy books. It is not great literature, and not every book has to be great literature. I enjoyed it, and that is what matters - no guilt or shame for reading it

Most importantly, thank you to my niece, Julia, for recommending this book. I love you, sweetie! 💜

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

 

Writing: 3.5 stars

The writing was the weakest part of this book for me. Since it was a debut novel, I understand that writers have to find their footing, their voice, and their style for a book. 

Narration: 4.0 stars

Nikki did not narrate the book, which I totally get with a novel, as it requires a professional narrator. Julia Whelan narrated who is a professional actress and has a lot of accents and voices to perform. 

I wanted and needed more emotion in this audiobook, but that may have been how the narrator was directed. It just missed the mark just a little for me. 

Character development: 3.5 stars

There were too many characters! It was really hard to keep track of them all, plus the character development wasn't as strong as I normally like in a novel. I wanted fewer characters with more before and after the threads were received. 

Everyone around the world (aged 22 and over) received a box that contained a piece of thread. But once the magnitude of the threads is determined, the reactions of the characters don't seem extreme enough. I truly believe that there would have been rioting in the streets, marches, and mass suicides/murders. 

Memorable:  3.5 stars

This audiobook will not be extremely memorable for me because it is not my typical audiobook, as it was a novel. But it was a good escape from the world, which is what books are supposed to do.  

I liked this book, but didn't love it. Sorry, Julia! But, it is a PERFECT book club pick as it will foster a lot of discussion!

Entertaining/Educational:  4.0 stars

This was an entertaining book with so much promise. Unfortunately, the book underdelivered on the fascinating premise. It could have been so much more meaningful and powerful. 

The biggest takeaway is that society ALWAYS has prejudices and needs someone to tell them that they are being "mistreated". The parallels to this current administration are shocking. 

Finally, I liked the idea of living like you were a short-threader. Read the book to understand it and why!

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Pretty!

 

Book title: 4.0 stars 

On point. 

Recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

10 hours, 57 minutes 

HarperAudio

Release date: 6/28/2022

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Nikki Erlick

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

HarperAudio

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNING: Cursing, classism, violence, blood, medical content, physical violence, prejudice

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next audiobook is ...

 

The Measure by Nikki Erlick (audiobook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - Medicine River (audiobook)

 Medicine River by Mary Annette Pember (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This audiobook has seven beautiful kids on the cover. I do not know if it is an antique or a contemporary picture. They are the archetype of children whose lives were destroyed by the U.S. and Canadian Indian boarding schools. Heartbreaking!

My brain and heart are filled with so many emotions after listening to this audiobook. I feel guilt, shame, and anger for what happened to these children, but I also feel deep love and concern for their welfare. Too many emotions, too much to process, and too much shock to cry.

This book needs to be read by California students in the high school ethnic studies class required for graduation. It should be mandatory reading for all high school U.S. History classes. It is THAT important!

California had the horror of Junipero Serra and the mission system, and now we have the legacy of the Indian boarding schools.  

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

The writing was beautiful, emotional, powerful, and thought-provoking. Mary is a journalist by degree and occupation, but this was a passion project and family memoir. 

The writing was supplemented by intensive research, including interviews and boarding school paper trails. Unfortunately, many of these schools were run by religious organizations that block access to their records. Mary did an outstanding job breaking down the bureaucratic and administrative walls!

Narration: 5.0 stars

Mary did not narrate the book. Erin Tripp narrated, and she is a citizen of the Tlingit of the Disheetaan clan, born and raised in Juneau, Alaska. 

Erin does a phenomenal job of narrating. She pronounces the tribal names correctly, which was important for me to learn and understand. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

The main characters were the Indian boarding schools in all their horrific splendor. The schools were meant to "assimilate, civilize, and educate" (my words) the children (which were lies, lies, lies). Instead, they destroyed the culture, language, and family relationships by forcing families to send their young children away for years at a time. Finally, the Indian boarding schools were workhouses where the children lived in inhumane conditions with minimal food and rampant deadly diseases. 

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

Mary had a challenging childhood with epigenetic and inherited pain from the Indian boarding schools. By writing this book, she learns about herself, her family of origin, and her extended family. The biggest and most beautiful takeaway is that Mary understands herself, her mother, and their relationship at the end of the book.  

I also learned much about the Native healing being utilized today through traditional methods. This gives me so much hope for future generations impacted by the Indian boarding schools.  

Entertaining/Educational:   5.0 stars

This is not an entertaining book, but rather an educational one. It is the non-whitewashed horror stories of the Indian boarding schools. We must learn from this history, be educated about it, and correct the outcome.  

My biggest concern is that the current administration will erase all of the history education of the Indian boarding schools for natives and non-natives. What happened at the Indian boarding schools could have happened to any culture, and that is terrifying and sobering. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Love!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Perfect. The Ojibwe community in northern Wisconsin. 

 

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook

Medicine River by Mary Annette Pember

9 hours, 46 minutes 

Random House Audio

Release date: 4/22/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Mary Annette Pember

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Random House Audio

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNING: Cursing, classism, colonialism, war, violence, lack of food and water, xenophobia, forced institutionalization, rape, physical violence, sexual violence, blood, racism

NOTE: This book is very explicit, but not gratuitously. It is difficult to believe that religious and/or educators treated children this way, but it DID happen. 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

My next ebook is ...

 Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (ebook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Secrets of Lovelace Academy (ebook)

 The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict/Courtney Sheinmel (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the first book I have read by Courtney Sheinmel and the fifth by Marie Benedict.  

Unfortunately, the conception and idea behind this book didn't execute as I had hoped. The idea is brilliant and could be a series, but it didn't work for me as a middle-school book. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars.

 

Writing: 3.5 stars

Marie and Courtney definitely write well. 

Some contemporary slang, such as cool, slipped into the novel's dialogue before it was commonly used. Also, the unusual car accident and dyslexia diagnosis at this time seemed out of place. It may have been to add an interesting tidbit to interest current readers.

Character development: 3.5 stars

The main character was Lainey, who was at an orphanage and offered a scholarship to Lovelace Academy. Lainey has great difficulty transitioning from the orphanage to the Lovelace Academy. 

The secondary characters are Lady Blunt (headmistress of Lovelace Academy and daughter of Ada Lovelace) and Mileva Einstein (yes, the first wife of THAT Einstein). 

The tertiary characters are the orphanage caretakers, orphans, students at Lovelace Academy, and Lainey's friends in Switzerland and at the Academy. 

I wrongly assumed that the Lovelace Academy would be the focus of this novel. Most of the time was not spent at the Lovelace Academy, and we didn't really get to know much about it. What a missed opportunity!

Storyline:  3.0 stars

The storyline really details the horrific time that Lainey spends at the orphanage. It was ugly and very descriptive, which I didn't enjoy, and a middle school student wouldn't either. 

Lainey attends the Lovelace Academy and doesn't fit in there due to being a scholarship student. 

Then the story veers wildly when Lainey travels alone from London to Bern, Switzerland. She meets Mrs. Einstein, and it just seems unbelievable from there. 

The locations were primarily London and Bern. 

Memorable/Informative:   3.0 stars

I already knew Ada Lovelace was an incredible mathematician. But, I didn't know much about her life, and most especially that she died so young. I would have enjoyed learning more about her and having the period shift quite a bit earlier to include more of her life. 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Beautiful!

 

Book title: 3.0 stars 

We did not learn much about the secrets of the Lovelace Academy. 

 

Recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

The Secrets of Lovelace Academy by Marie Benedict/Courtney Sheinmel

304 pages 

Aladdin

Release date: 4/22/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Marie Benedict

Courtney Sheinmel

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Aladdin

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNING: Institutionalization of orphans, physical violence, starvation, child labor, theft, classism, death of a parent

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

May 2025 - Amazon First Reads

 

Hi, book blog friends!

A perk of your Amazon Prime Membership is a FREE monthly Kindle book! It is called Amazon First Reads, and you can find out more about it here: Amazon First Reads.

The Amazon First Reads email for May went out a few days ago. There is a free Kindle book and a free Kindle short story for May 2025. I am enjoying the additional short story along with the free Kindle eBOOK!

My TWO choices for May 2025 are:

Death Row by Freida McFadden (short story)

The Baker of Lost Memories by Shirley Russak Wachtel (ebook)

So, what Kindle book are you choosing? The book I chose for May is historical fiction, so I am back in my comfort zone!

Also, as a reminder, remember to "buy" AND download the freebies from Amazon! You can't read a book or a short story that hasn't been downloaded! 

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - The Library of Lost Dollhouses (ebook)

 The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper (ebook)

OVERVIEW

This is the first book I have read by Elise Hooper, and I have one word to describe it: LOVELY!! What a perfect book to start out my May reading journey! 

As much as I would like to avoid it, this book mentions (not the entire plot) of WWI and WWII. The parts included were needed and added so much to the depth of the storyline. 

One of the best parts of this lovely book is that strong, intelligent, and artistic women are the primary focus. Amazing!

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.

 

Writing: 5.0 stars

Elise is an amazing author. She writes beautifully, descriptively, and emotionally. It is the writing that I seek out and most enjoy in the historical fiction genre. 

Character development: 5.0 stars

This was a dual timeline story with 1910-1974 (long) and 2024 (short) storylines. The character development was exceptional! The main character of the long storyline is Cora (a gifted artist), and the main character of the short storyline is Tildy (a head library curator). Once Tildy discovers a secret room in the private library where she works, her and Cora's lives intersect and implode. 

The secondary characters are Belva (long story; a wealthy woman), Hugh (long story; soldier), and Ben (short story; Cora's relative). 

The tertiary characters are the coworkers at the library, WWII soldiers, wealthy individuals, library patrons and contributors, and the family and friends of the main and secondary characters. Of course, the dollhouses are also beautiful characters, each in their own right.

Storyline:  5.0 stars

The long storyline is about Cora escaping her life to Paris to start an art career, but WWI and life get in the way. She escapes and lives in England, and then WWII breaks out, forcing her to remain. Cut to the short storyline when Tildy discovers the dollhouses. It was so well done to tie these disparate storylines together like a gorgeous piece of silk.

The locations were: New York City, Paris, rural England, rural New Hampshire, Los Angeles, and finally, San Francisco. 

Memorable/Informative:   5.0 stars

I knew nothing about these beautiful dollhouses, miniatures, and the artistic/engineering skills needed to make them. I am gob-smacked by the talent utilized for all of them. Now, I have something new and different to add to my bucket list!! 

Book cover: 4.5 stars

Lovely!

 

Book title: 5.0 stars 

Excellent! 

 

HIGHLY recommend

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook

The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper (ebook)

320 pages 

William Morrow

FUTURE release date: 4/1/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Elise Hooper

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

William Morrow

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)

TRIGGER WARNING: War, sexual situations, mild cursing, classism, pregnancy, death, death of a parent, medical content, domestic violence, violence

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

 

The Storygraph First Milestone!!!

Good evening, book blog friends!!

As you can see from my graphic, I have met my first milestone for The Storygraph! 100 consecutive days of reading!! Woo hoo! Now, to hit 200 straight days!

On a side note, I have been missing in action since Thursday. Unfortunately, my best friend's auntie passed away last Friday, with the Celebration of Life this weekend. Also, it was her widower/uncle's 90th birthday. So lots of remembrances, joy, and love this weekend! 

Thankfully, I could stay with my best friend at her hotel in San Clemente and support her during this difficult time. So much love, tears, and laughter shared between us for almost 60 years!!! 

So thanks for your support and patience! 

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

booksbydorothea - The Storygraph April 2025 Monthly Recap

Hi, book blog friends!!

If I didn't already LOVE The Storygraph, look at my monthly (April 2025) wrap-up graphics that are FREE to everyone! It is so much better than that "other site", which does nothing monthly!

If you like book statistics like me, check out booksbydorothea's April 2025 full, free statistics HERE.

Yes, I will keep the "other site" until publishers, authors, and my friends come over to The Storygraph!! Come on over, please be my "friend"!!!

Happy reading,

Dorothea 💜

booksbydorothea - April 2025 - Monthly Wrap-up

Hi, book blog friends!!

April was a hectic month for our family with college Spring Break (daughter), my birthday, Easter, jury duty for me (only two hours!), and the finale was a Sacramento school trip (daughter). I’m tired just reading about it, and I lived it!

Yes, I continue to read and listen to books to avoid the news and social media. Not listening to the news and not being on social media (except for my book-related accounts) has been a huge lift for my mental health! The good news was that this was another strong reading month with SEVENTEEN books (audiobooks and ebooks).

April had eleven five-star books: seven ebooks, four audiobooks, and no physical books. This was a unique month filled with incredible books!!!

 

BEST BOOKS APRIL 2025 (plus previous months) 

ebooks 2025

JANUARY

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova

Paris Undercover by Matthew Goodman

The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman

Come Fly with Me by Camille Di Maio

The Memory of Cotton by Ann K. Howley

The Secret History of Audrey Jones by Heather Marshall

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall

FEBRUARY

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly

 

MARCH

This One Life by Amanda Prowse

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner

Isola by Allegra Goodman

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

 

APRIL

The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe

Marsha by Tourmaline

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan

The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly

Audiobooks 2025

JANUARY

Me by Elton John

Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen

FEBRUARY

Never by Rick Astley

Unlovable by Darren Hayes

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan

 

MARCH

-NONE-

APRIL

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green

The Next Day by Melinda French Gates

Time to Thank by Steve Guttenberg

Change the Recipe by José Andrés

Physical books

JANUARY-FEBRUARY; APRIL

-NONE-

MARCH

This One Life by Amanda Prowse

 

2025 READING GOAL

My goal is to read 101 books in 2025. As of April 30th, I have read 60 books, or 59.4% of my goal.

  

APRIL 2025 STATISTICS

17 total books

9 ebooks; 8 audiobooks; 0 physical books

7 books - ARC (Advanced Reader Copy)

9 books - Library

0 books – Purchased

0 books - Amazon First Reads

0 books - Book Club Girl

0 books – author gifted

0 books – friend gifted

 

Audio listening time in April 2025: 65 hours, 11 minutes

Pages read in April 2025: 3,104 pages

Average review rating: 4.71 stars

 

APRIL 2025 BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS 

ebooks 2025

5.0-star ebook

The Wandering Season by Aimie K. Runyan LINK

The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris LINK

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe LINK

Marsha by Tourmaline LINK

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan LINK

The True Happiness Company by Veena Dinavahi LINK

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly LINK

4.5-star ebooks

The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson LINK

 

4.0-star ebooks

A Clean Mess by Tiffany Jenkins LINK

NOTE: There were no 3.5-star or 3.0-star ebooks this month.

 

Audiobooks 2025

5.0-star audiobooks

Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green LINK

The Next Day by Melinda French Gates LINK

Time to Thank by Steve Guttenberg LINK

Change the Recipe by José Andrés LINK

 

4.5-star audiobook

Source Code by Bill Gates LINK

4.0-star audiobooks

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver LINK

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams LINK

Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus LINK

 

NOTE: There were no 3.5-star or 3.0-star audiobooks this month

 

Physical books 2025

NOTE: There were no physical books read this month.

 

If you want to read my full review of any of these April books, there are individual review links for each ebook or audiobook next to the book title and author (under APRIL 2025 BOOK RATINGS with BOOK COVERS just above). Click on the specific book link to get to that book review.

April has been a fun reading month with so many extraordinary books. What have been YOUR most recent extraordinary books? Inquiring minds want to know!!

Happy reading!

Dorothea 💜

P.S. For additional helpful tools on my blog, check out:

Book Rating Legend LINK

Glossary LINK

booksbydorothea social media:

My next ebook is ...

 The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper (ebook)

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜

REVIEW - A Clean Mess (eARC/ebook)

 A Clean Mess by Tiffany Jenkins (eARC/eBOOK)

OVERVIEW

This is the first book by Tiffany Jenkins that I have read. However, this is the second book she has written about her life with drug addiction. From what I understand, this second book begins where the last one stopped after she got out of prison, rehab, and finally a sober-living home.  

I have not read many books about drug addiction because it has not directly affected me, nor have I had a close friend or family member addicted to drugs. I am very fortunate in that regard.

I liked this book as it was an easy read about a difficult topic. I will not be reading her first book, as this second book was enough for me. I liked this book, but didn't love it! It just didn't connect with me. 

OVERALL REVIEW: 4.0 stars.

 

Writing: 4.0 stars

The writing was okay, but it wasn't a book of great literature, and that was not the intent. For the subject matter, the writing was on point. 

As a side note, the overuse of "dude" and f-bombs was a bit much. 

Character development: 4.0 stars

The main characters are Tiffany and Colin, who met at her cousin's recovery graduation event. Both were in recovery and had not yet achieved a year of sobriety. The book is told from Tiffany's viewpoint. 

The secondary characters are Tiffany's dad, Frank, and Tiffany's sister, Lanie. Additionally, her close female friends from recovery are also secondary characters.  

The tertiary character who is the most insidious is addiction. It is scary, horrifying, and humiliating.

Storyline:  4.0 stars

The storyline starts when Tiffany enters a women's sober living home. When she meets Colin, all hell breaks loose, and the rollercoaster begins. 

The main location was Florida.    

Memorable/Informative:   4.0 star

This memoir is very graphic and honest about how hard it is to stay sober with a drug addiction. Addiction is evil, vindictive, and manipulative. This explains why so many folks go to rehab several times before it sticks. But, sadly, many never get clean and sober and die from overdoses. 

What I would have loved is information, from an addict's perspective, on how to help keep kids off drugs, alcohol, and other addictions. This would have been helpful, or maybe it will be another book. 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Pretty!

 

Book title: 4.0 stars 

Very appropriate. 

 

DEFINITE recommend

NetGalley eARC/ebook

A Clean Mess by Tiffany Jenkins

304 pages 

Harmony

FUTURE release date: 6/3/2025

 

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Tiffany Jenkins

Goodreads review

The Storygraph review

Harmony

NetGalley

TRIGGER WARNING: Drug use, infidelity, pregnancy, drug addiction, recovery, death of a parent, mental illness, heavy cursing

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜