Book Review: The Secret History of Audrey James

By Melissa Amster

Northern England, 2010. After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers that the mysterious elderly proprietor is harboring secrets of her own.

Berlin, 1938. Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As war looms, Ilse’s family disappears and high-ranking Nazi officers confiscate the house. In desperation, Audrey becomes their housekeeper while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic. When a shocking turn of events embroils Audrey in the anti-Hitler movement, she must decide what matters most: protecting those she loves, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during World War II, The Secret History of Audrey James is a captivating novel about the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Since I loved Looking for Jane last year (reviewed here), I was looking forward to reading Heather Marshall's sophomore novel, The Secret History of Audrey James. This Holocaust story was chilling as it felt like a mirror to everything happening in the present. I am surprised this novel hasn't been talked about more often and I wish it had been published at this time last year and put in the hands of every American voter. It could have read as a cautionary tale.

I liked both Audrey (young and old) and Kate and cared about what happened to both of them. Audrey's story was surprising in some ways, as I hadn't read much about women who joined the resistance and tried to get rid of Hitler altogether. It was definitely a risky endeavor. Especially since she was also hiding her Jewish best friend from Nazis. And there was more that happened that I won't talk about as to keep some parts a surprise. Kate's present situation was heartbreaking and I only wanted her to heal from it. 

The story is really well told and I was riveted the entire time. Definitely make time for it in your busy reading schedule! Perfect for a book club discussion (just like her previous, also extremely relevant novel is). Heather has become one of my go-to historical fiction writers and I look forward to whatever she releases next!

Since this is about a horrible time in history, I think that's enough of a trigger warning, but there are things that happen in the present that I will mention below.

Movie casting suggestions:

Audrey (present): Vanessa Redgrave

Audrey (past): Florence Pugh
Ilse: Yasmin Paige
Muller: Joe Alwyn
Kate: Charlotte Ritchie
Ian: Julian Morris

Thanks to Ballantine for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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TW: Miscarriage, death of parents, cancer, divorce

Book Review: We Loved to Run

By Sara Steven

At Frost, a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts, the runners on the women's cross country team have their sights set on the 1992 New England Division Three Championships and will push themselves through every punishing workout and skipped meal to achieve their goal. But Kristin, the team's star, is hiding a secret about what happened over the summer, and her unpredictable behavior jeopardizes the girls' chance to win. Team Captain Danielle is convinced she can restore Kristin's confidence, even if it means burying her own past. As the final meet approaches, Kristin, Danielle, and the rest of the girls must transcend their individual circumstances and run the race as a team.

Told from the perspective of the six fastest team members, We Loved to Run deftly illuminates the impossible standards young women set for themselves in spite of their own powerlessness. With startling honesty and boundless empathy, Stephanie Reents reveals how girls—even those pitted against each other—find ways to love and defend one another. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

WOW. I’d originally wanted to read We Loved to Run because I’m a runner. In the end, though, this book was about much, much more. The setting takes place in the early 90s, where the reader quickly discovers how contentious it can be competing in a field that was still finding its footing for young women competitors. There is so much more to factor in than just how fast they are. It was interesting to go behind the scenes and see how far they’d go to win, even if it means hurting themselves in the process to get there. 

The six women are individuals, but at the same time, they are a collective group. In the beginning, that collectiveness is highlighted a lot in the way team decisions are made, and how each one has their own role to play within the group dynamic. But as the chapters unfold, each woman begins to break away from the collectiveness of their experience, and we learn more and more about their background stories and what has legitimately led them into an at times brutal field that strips away at everything, but gives them so much back in the process. As a runner, I could relate to that. 

When Kristin’s secret is revealed, it shakes the foundation of the friendships and teamwork that has been so carefully built, but at the same time gives much-needed truth, allowing everyone a chance towards honesty. It really pinpointed how different of a time it was in the 90s vs. today, and I thought the author did an excellent job of staying true to the characterization of a young woman and her viewpoints from that timeframe, when extra allowances could be made for behaviors that wouldn’t fly nearly as much today. The sad thing is, that is the lens we were given back then, with the well-known “boys will be boys” idiom; if a woman puts herself into what is considered by society a risky situation, “she’s asking for it.” There wasn’t as much accountability placed on the aggressor; the woman should have known better. The arguments on and for either side between the characters was true to life and made them even more believable and real.

While reading We Loved to Run, it made me want to lace up my Hokas and get out there and run, too. This book captured the spirit, the dedication, the pain and intense love that running can bring to those who are enraptured by it, an obsession that is hard to let go of. It was a definite five-star experience!

Thanks to Random House for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Always Hope

By Melissa Amster

Obstetrician Jessica Schorr will never forget the worst day of her life and the way it ended, with the traumatic delivery of a baby with cerebral palsy. Plagued with debilitating panic attacks since that day, she can't stop blaming herself for what happened.

Kendall Carlson can't forget that day either and the distressing memory of her newborn daughter, Hope, being taken away to intensive care. Is Hope's diagnosis because of mistakes the doctor made during the delivery, or is Kendall partially responsible too? With only weeks until the state deadline, Kendall needs to decide soon whether to file a malpractice suit against Dr. Schorr.

Following the retirement of his partner, Attorney Abe Silverberg is having trouble getting his law practice back on track. Every malpractice case that comes his way seems like a scam. What he needs is a case with real merit, a chance to prove to himself, and to everyone else, that he's not just some lowly ambulance chaser.

Always Hope combines a fast-paced story with deep emotional resonance, ultimately exploring the imperfection of being human, the importance of forgiveness, and the power of transformation. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

I really liked Heather Frimmer's first two novels, so I was thrilled to have an early opportunity to read Always Hope. I ended up devouring it in one day. It was really good! 

Some aspects of this story reminded me of Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. While it didn't go into the same gray area, the topic at hand was written in a sensitive and thoughtful way. I like that all three narrators were flawed and I cared about their well-being. I definitely felt bad for each of them for different reasons. There's also a lot of Jewish joy and it explores another topic that is prevalent these days (I won't spoil it, but I know people who would find it relatable).

When Jessica flashed back to everything leading up to Kendall's botched delivery, I felt annoyed that Jessica didn't receive more support for everything she was going through. She had to deal with some personal emergencies that came up last minute and it wasn't like she didn't have coverage. I just felt like people were too happy to shift all the blame to her even though some things were out of her control. 

I really liked the Jewish aspects of this story and am glad the aforementioned relatable topic was explored along with it. There was also an interesting connection with another character. The identity mix-up that was also related to one of the Jewish aspects added another complex element to the story.

Definitely add this to your autumn TBR when it releases in a couple weeks. It would make for a great book club discussion too!

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Jessica: Marissa Jaret Winokur
Kendall: Grace Van Patten

Abe: Fred Melamed

Thanks to Heather Frimmer for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Heather Frimmer:

Bedside Manners

Better to Trust

(Links are to Melissa's reviews.)

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TW: Death of spouse, death of parent, Alzheimers, panic attacks, descriptions of traumatic birth, medical descriptions, severe disability, loss of money

Reviews at Amazon: July-September 2025

We're posting some reviews at our Amazon (or Goodreads) accounts, as either they've been sitting in our queue for a while and deserve their time in the sun, fall under our featuring policy, or they're new reads that we couldn't wait to post at the blog. You can check them out at the links below. Hope we can help you find your next favorite book!

Sara:

Diana Says Yes by Jen Besser and Shana Feste

Melissa:
Come Fly with Me by Camille DiMaio
Penitence by Kristin Koval
We Are Made of Stars by Rochelle B. Weinstein
Counting Backwards by Jacqueline Friedland
Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

Something Like Fate by Amy Lea

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

Thrill Ride by Amy Ratcliffe

The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

What's Yours Is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose

The Big Fix by Holly James

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt

Love Sick by Deidra Duncan

The Road to Yesterday by Maryellen Donovan

Perfect Modern Wife by Kristen Van Nest

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Heartbreak Hotel

Today we are checking into The Heartbreak Hotel. Ellen O'Clover's debut adult romance is sure to be a hit, especially seeing how many well-known authors already love it and all the five-star reviews it is receiving from readers. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy to give away!

A bed-and-breakfast for the brokenhearted might hold the key to another chance at love in this achingly hopeful debut romance.

Louisa Walsh emerged from a tumultuous childhood with a degree in counseling, a wealthy boyfriend, and her sunny outlook on life mostly intact. But that optimism is tested when she’s dumped and left unable to afford rent on their gorgeous house in the mountains of Colorado. Even with her life in disarray, Lou knows losing the one stable place she’s ever called home is not an option.

Her plan: ask her reclusive landlord, Henry Rhodes, to let her stay for free in exchange for renting out the house’s many rooms as a bed-and-breakfast. She’s shocked when he agrees to her terms, and even more surprised to discover Henry is a handsome thirtysomething veterinarian with silver at his temples and sadness in his eyes. One who does not take it well when Lou starts marketing her B and B as a retreat for the recently heartbroken.

But as the Comeback Inn opens its doors to its weary, hopeful guests, Lou and Henry find themselves dancing around both their undeniable connection and the closely held secrets that threaten to topple this fragile new start. A chance at love, here, could be too close to home…or it could be exactly where their hearts finally heal.

“A big, beautiful, beating heart of a story about giving help and learning to accept it.”
—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Poignant and life-affirming, this is contemporary romance at its absolute finest!"
—Sarah Adler, USA Today bestselling author of Finders Keepers

“Cozy and utterly charming, The Heartbreak Hotel left us wanting never to check out.”
—Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of Book Boyfriend

Credit: Noah Berg

Ellen O’Clover writes stories about love, identity, and belonging for both teens and adults. She grew up in Ohio and studied creative writing at the Johns Hopkins University before moving west to Colorado, where she lives in a little green house under a giant aspen tree with her rocket scientist husband and two perfect bulldogs.

Visit Ellen online:

Website * Instagram * TikTok

How to win: Use Gleam to enter the giveaway. (Rafflecopter is shutting down at the end of September, so we are switching over to Gleam.) If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Gleam on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

Heartbreak Hotel (1 print copy)

Giveaway ends October 5th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The Bridge

By Sara Steven

One Bridge. Five Strangers. A Christmas Eve That Changes Everything.

On a bridge suspended above the Willamette River, five lives collide for a journey through hope and hardship in a suspenseful, heartwarming tale of courage, connection, and the magic of second chances.

Sergeant Archer Raines has worked every holiday all year for one reason: to finally spend Christmas with his wife. But when a desperate man threatens to jump from Portland’s St. Johns Bridge, Archer’s expert negotiation skills are required to defuse the situation.

Rosalee, a high-powered accountant and mom-to-be, only meant to swing by home for a forgotten phone and client file. Then her car is caught in the chaos on the bridge, she unexpectedly goes into labor, and her carefully planned world begins to unravel amidst the unfolding drama.

Exhausted nurse Nova just wants to make it home for Christmas after too many night shifts. When the pileup halts traffic and Rosalee’s baby is on the way, Nova puts her own plans on hold to help a stranger in need.

Carter, the owner of a busy tow truck business, regrets taking the call to clear the multi-car collision off the bridge. He’d intended to spend the day tackling last-minute holiday errands. Instead, he’s praying the lunatic pointing a gun at him doesn’t pull the trigger.

Fresh out of college and anxious to kick-start his career, Ian’s running late when his car won't start the morning of his big interview. His rideshare driver turns out to be a captivating girl with a penchant for aggressive driving that narrowly saves them from being part of the wreck on the bridge, sending Ian on an unexpected path of his own.

The Bridge is the perfect uplifting holiday read and a story of how one frozen moment can thaw even the loneliest of hearts. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I can appreciate when various characters within a story weave together in ways that weren’t entirely expected, and there is a lot of that in The Bridge. One moment in time and one decision serves as a rippling effect that causes all sorts of chaos, starting and ending with Archer and his need to serve at all cost. Through his eyes and experience, we get to see why he decided to assist a struggling man on Christmas Eve, as well as gain more insight as to why the man struggles and makes the choices he’s made that holds everyone up during the Christmas holiday. 

The relationship that forms between Nova and Rosalee was very sweet. I think out of all of the partnerships, I liked theirs the most. Nova becomes a support for Rosalee during a difficult time, even though it means Nova is setting aside her own plans and interests in order to do what she can to make Rosalee feel safe. I think the humanity that is presented between the two women was an excellent nod to the holiday spirit, and what we’d all come to expect and crave from that time of year.

One by one, the reader discovers how each and every character is somehow connected to the last, with all of them trying to put the pieces back together. Despite the scary situation the majority of the characters have recently experienced, they all persevere and deal with it, because they all have a greater need to do more and be more than their shared trauma. 

I love reading books that take place in familiar places, and having grown up and lived in Oregon for most of my childhood and young adult life, it was neat to read about the Portland hot spots and more importantly, the almighty Willamette River. Having walked across the Union Street bridge late at night in Salem, while witnessing the flowing current of the Willamette below, I can attest to the severity of Archer’s need to protect the struggling man he is trying to save. It took me back to those feelings of awe and fear while I scurried as fast as I could to get from one side of the river to the other. The Bridge captured that awe and fear perfectly, while also blending in many a holiday miracle that made this a great holiday read.

Thanks to Roger Charlie for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Shanna Hatfield:
Baker City Brides (series)
Pendleton Petticoats (series)
Summer Creek (series)

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Book Review: Under a Spanish Sky

By Sara Steven

Amy Hardy once lived a life full of colour, but a tragic accident has turned her world to shadows. Determined to embrace her new life, Amy sets off on the famous Compostela pilgrimage, hoping to find light in the darkness and a new path.

Accompanying her on her journey is Luke Patterson a man whose own troubled past casts dark shadows over his life. He’s hoping that guiding Amy will be a distraction from his own troubles.

But as Luke and Amy travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, following in footsteps of those travellers before them, they feel a connection to each other. And as their bond grows, a love story from the distant past emerges before them, forcing them to confront their own secrets, pain and feelings for each other.

Can a story of courage and bravery help them both to emerge from the shadows into the light once more?

Under A Spanish Sky is an enchanting novel about the search for happiness, fulfilment…and above all love. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

It’s been a while since I’ve read one of T.A. Williams’s romance novels–lately, I’ve been delving into his cozy mystery reads. Under A Spanish Sky was the perfect bridge back, with characters who are deeply connected and engaging. I loved the dynamic between Amy and Luke. They are an unlikely pairing, portrayed well when the two meet for the first time. Yet, over time, they both begin to learn a lot more about each other, allowing for the chance for something possible to grow. 

The trip they take in 2016 replicates and parallels a story that is also center stage with two characters (Luc and Aimee) in 1314, and I appreciated going back and forth between the two timelines. In 2016, Luke feels guilt in developing any sort of feelings for Amy, because it goes against his moral compass. In 1314, Luc feels the same way, and for the same reason, but with an entirely different backstory from Luke’s. Ultimately, both men are drawn to the strength and perseverance of the women they are guiding, at times sure their feelings are reciprocated, but entirely unsure of how to feel about that. 

Out of the two timelines, 1314 is my favorite. The author made the Late Middle Ages fun and exciting. Luc and Aimee face a lot of obstacles and there are plenty of action-packed moments. It had more of a physical explorer element, given the era and lack of modern comforts. Yet, I liked 2016’s take on going from an era of modern comforts to stripping some of that away, to where Amy feels like she’s reconnecting with the core of herself and re-discovering who she is. Excluding Luke as her guide, it felt a little Eat, Pray, Love in that regard. 

There was a sweet, gentle tone mixed in with the adventures both couples take, and while reading it, I felt refreshed. Usually this author’s writing makes me yearn for food (he usually includes scenes with delicious meals that makes me want to travel to the destinations he writes about) or makes me want to hop on a plane and fly hours and hours to see the destinations in person), but this time I yearned for my own special pilgrimage, that could potentially help me to grow and expand in ways I would have never thought possible. This was a well-worth it experience!  

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was previously published as Chasing Shadows

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Kobo

T. A. Williams is the bestselling author of the Armstrong and Oscar cozy mystery series. He studied languages at University and lived and worked in Italy for eight years, returning to England with his wife in 1972.  T.A. and his wife now live in Devon.

Visit T.A. Williams online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram 

Sign up for his newsletter.

Visit all the stops on T.A. Williams' tour:

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