Fredrik Backman has the uncanny ability to make me laugh and cry at the same time and I love it. 
There once was a small town where four teens lived the best they could with the world they were given -protecting each other, making each other laugh instead of cry and most important - trusting each other. What they couldn't find in the world they found in each other and the artist among them captured it in one painting. That painting then went out into the world and became the most important thing to another teenage artist. A chance encounter brings Louisa into the four friend's universe where one crazy roadtrip will complete the full circle. Full of love, soul rocking friendship and honesty, this is his best story yet. I fell completely for these characters and didn't want it to end. All of his fans will enjoy this but if the BEARTOWN story touched your heart this one is for you. ​  5 stars

There is something that always makes me smile when reading Emily Henry's quirky romances. The characters are far from perfect, they usually don't love each other at first sight but there is always a sense of not giving in or giving up (even though we the reader knows it will have a happy ending). This story begins with Alice who is a ghostwriter and is given the job of a lifetime - to write the story of an heiress who has been hiding from the world and whom Alice has been obsessed with since childhood.  Sounds perfect until she goes for the interview and finds out that an award winning ghostwriter is also trying for the job.  They have a month to each work with their future boss and then she will decide who gets the job.  They are on a small island and bound to run into each other at every turn.  Can the emotionally reserved Hayden and the effervescent Alice not share what they know and resist each other to score the job? I listened happily to the audiobook which gave me sore cheeks from smiling while driving.  An excellent narration and the perfect pick to take your mind off the rest of the world.   4 1/2 stars

Ruth has been quietly robbing banks with a computer code of her own design helped by a couple of accomplices. She has been careful and amassed millions offshore but the jig is up and she takes to the road. There are a few people looking for her but Mike is obsessed with finding her. Keeping low in towns and places she thinks they won't look for her Ruth tries to stay one step ahead. Can Ruth outwit her pursuers and stay out of prison? The hunt is on and they are close. Dual POV alternating between Ruth and Mike this is a high speed chase that moves quickly and keeps readers fully engaged. ​  4 stars

Elle meets Parker at a nightclub and sparks fly but they are the wrong kind. She forgets about him until while housesitting for her sister she discovers that he is her neighbor. He needs a fake girlfriend for the summer and she needs someone to show her New York City for the screenplay she is writing. A win-win until they get over those pesky first impressions and really learn about each other. Classic enemy to lover with sparkly prince in shining armor vibe but also a clear sense of how complicated people are. Each of them has to work out what is important and then get past it even when we are rooting for the fairytail ending. The other part of the love story is to NYC itself with all of the fantastic locations. The author clearly loves the city and I wanted to reread this book while walking the city taking in the magic. Fans of Emily Henry will love this well written romcom with a twist. ​  4 stars

There have been love stories that revolved around music before but this is one that straddles the line between partner and lover, obsession and critique. Percy and Joe seem like oil and water. He is the artist and Percy is the critic. Throughout their collaboration they dance between friends and lovers with their edgy obsession to the music and each other. Along with Joe's girlfriend/ex Zoe they form an unusual friendship triangle. Afraid to ruin the one great thing they have - making great music. Nostalgic, smart and deeply soulful this will appeal to DAISY JONES AND THE SIX FANS and will make you pull up every song that they analyze - great playlist. 
​4 stars

A psychiatrist and his patient share an unusual bond that is difficult to describe. Jane is a single parent raising an infant son when she suddenly disappears for days only to wake up not remembering anything from when she mentally blacked out. While it appears to be dissociative fugue some are not convinced. She possesses incredible recall of events dating back years to the day and also has insight into her doctor's days as well. Memory and the mind are tricky things and Jane and her doctor must try to understand what is happening and if these hallucinations are warnings or her mind playing tricks. I will share that nothing bad happens to her son and it isn't meant as a spoiler but to comfort readers who may shy away from the story. Her doctor is grieving the death of his wife and finds solace in Jane's memories which makes him want to solve her case even more. It makes you question how much the subconscious mind knows and goes into fascinating detail about dissociative fugue. Readers interested in psychiatry and THE SILENT PATIENT will find much to ponder here. ​  4 stars