The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom

A special thank you to Harper for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound new novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord.” And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.

Adrift in a raft after a deadly ship explosion, nine people struggle for survival at sea. Three days pass. Short on water, food and hope, they spot a man floating in the waves. They pull him in.

“Thank the Lord we found you,” a passenger says.

“I am the Lord,” the man whispers.

So begins Mitch Albom’s most beguiling and inspiring novel yet.

Albom has written of heaven in the celebrated number one bestsellers The Five People You Meet in Heaven and The First Phone Call from Heaven. Now, for the first time in his fiction, he ponders what we would do if, after crying out for divine help, God actually appeared before us? What might the Lord look, sound and act like?

In The Stranger in the Lifeboat, Albom keeps us guessing until the end: Is this strange and quiet man really who he claims to be? What actually happened to cause the explosion? Are the survivors already in heaven, or are they in hell?

The story is narrated by Benji, one of the passengers, who recounts the events in a notebook that is later discovered—a year later—when the empty life raft washes up on the island of Montserrat.

It falls to the island’s chief inspector, Jarty LeFleur, a man battling his own demons, to solve the mystery of what really happened. 

A fast-paced, compelling novel that makes you ponder your deepest beliefs, The Stranger in the Lifeboat suggests that answers to our prayers may be found where we least expect them. 

Albom's words are simple, yet powerful and are always thought provoking and emotional. I like to think that you leave a Mitch Albom novel a better person than when you started. 

Tuesdays With Morrie is probably one of the greatest books I have ever read. As a love song to life's teachers, it has stuck with me over the years. But the problem with Tuesdays With Morrie is that it is the pinnacle of Albom's books and is the yardstick that his other works get measured against.

That being said, even without the lens of Tuesdays With Morrie, I'm not the target audience for this book—there are many whose faith is an integral part of their life and they would get more from this book than I did.

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MITCH ALBOM is an internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have collectively sold more than 40 million copies worldwide; have been published in 49 territories and in 47 languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies.

The Lost Family: A Novel by Jenna Blum

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blum's latest generational work spans from the 1960s to the 1980s.  Her beautiful prose is juxtaposed against culinary delights (trust me, her descriptions of food will make you want to throw a dinner party).

In 1965 Manhattan, Masha's is the talk of the town—not only because its exquisite faire and impeccable service, but because of the movie-star handsome owner and head chef, Peter Rashkin.  Peter is a survivor of Auschwitz, his wife (the restaurant's namesake) and two young daughters perished and he has resigned himself to a solitary life, even with all of the attention he attracts from the women who flock to the restaurant in hopes of snagging the city's most eligible bachelor.

An up-and-coming model, June Bouquet, catches Peter's eye and soon his heart. Although she is twenty years younger, they have a passionate relationship.  June becomes pregnancy and Peter ends up proposing thinking that perhaps this new beginning will help heal him from the horrors of his past.  Over the next twenty year, the family is eclipsed by Peter's grief and memories that overshadow them in life, loss, and love.

This beautiful story is about relationships, family, and grief.  Blum is artful and detailed in her writing that is so effortless and elegant.   Her study in loss is monumental and could overtake the narrative at any time, however she deftly navigates through the story than spans several years with ease.  What I loved about the book is how immersed the reader is in each decade through pop culture, fashion, and of course food!

Peter is a broken and flawed character that cannot escape the guilt and grief he has over the death of his wife and daughters.  The Lost Family could be considered a ghost story with a modern twist in that the family are forever living with the ghosts of Peter's past.  His life is overshadowed by the ghost of his wife and daughters.  Her memory smothers Peter, and June feels in constant competition with Masha. Their daughter also feels the effects, with the strife between her parents as well as the loss of a family she never knew.

This was my first book by Jenna Blum and I'm utterly enchanted.  She pens complex, interesting characters, provides gorgeous descriptions, and charges her writing with emotion and depth.  

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this delightful sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven, we once again meet up with Eddie who is reunited with Annie, the little girl he saved. This is a story of how we are connected in life and loss.

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, we are introduced to Eddie, a war veteran that worked at an amusement park as a mechanic. Eddie died a hero when he saves Annie's life. Forever scarred emotionally and physically—Annie's hand was surgically reattached—Annie's life is forever changed when she endures a life of bullying even though she can't remember what happened to her. She further struggles when her guilt ridden mother suddenly uproots them and moves away.

Finally finding happiness, as an adult, Annie reconnects with her childhood love Paulo. The novel opens with the two of them marrying. Unfortunately their wedding day ends in terrible tragedy and Annie finds herself on her own journey to discover her five people that will show her how her life mattered and one of those people is Eddie.

I can't believe it has been fifteen years since The Five People You Meet in Heaven was published. Fans of the book have always wondered what ever became of Eddie and Annie—this is a testament to an inspiring story when it stays with readers and keeps them wondering.  

In true Albom style, this book is full of life lessons and grace. Whether you are a spiritual person or not, this book will touch you in some way. Every ending is also a beginning, sometimes we are simply just unwilling to see it as such.

The Secrets Between Us by Thrity Umrigar

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Part two of the Between Us series by Thrity Umrigar picks up on Bhima's story from The Space Between Us.  Bhima had been a servant for the last 20 years and she lost her job when she spoke up against a crime that was committed against her family.  What is more painful to her than losing her job is the loss of the relationship with her former employer, Sera, who was her only confident in her otherwise lonely life.  Bhima must now find a way to make ends meet for her and her granddaughter, Maya.

Her luck seems to change with the chance meeting with Parvati, a bitter and street-wise older woman.    They form an unlikely relationship from acquaintances to business partners.  Each woman fills the voids in the other that were created by their pasts.  Bhima has made her first true friend.

Although set in modern day India, there are some horrific and almost barbaric things that are almost unbelievable in today's society.  Then again, we live in the western world and cannot fathom what life is like for women in India, especially poor and illiterate ones.

Umrigar's story is about love, loss, struggle, class, and misfortune due to circumstances.  Her words read like fine poetry and are a sharp contrast to the cultural brutality that is depicted.  I have had the pleasure of reviewing her before, and this certainly won't be the last.  Her writing is captivating and thought provoking and I highly recommend this series.  

The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twice a week, the mommy group dubbed as the May Mothers (because their babies all have birthdays in May) meet at the park. They discuss being new mothers, swap stories, and share advice and support.

It is one of the hottest summers on record. As a break from the heat (and the babies) the members decide a night out is in order at the hip local bar. Winnie, a single mother, had never left her six-week-old infant, Midas. Nell, one of the May Mothers, offers up her babysitter so that Winnie can join them. She insists that everything will be fine. On this stifling Fourth of July, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is abducted right from his home. Midas is missing and the police are asking disturbing questions that are putting Winnie's private life on display and the media can't get enough.

None of the other members are particularly close to the guarded Winnie, yet three of them will go to great lengths to help find her baby. Secrets are exposes, relationships are tested, and the mothers are scrutinized.

All I can say is, what a surprise! The writing is taut, the story is well thought out and expertly paced with just enough suspense—nothing is given away too soon.  Apparently this book will be adapted for the big screen and will star Kerry Washington (um...yes, please). Molloy's novel is also eagerly anticipated as one of this coming summer's must reads. I would definitely recommend you add it to your poolside/cottage/beach to read pile.    

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AIMEE MOLLOY lives in Western Massachusetts with her family. The Perfect Mother is her debut.

Everybody's Son: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thrity Umrigar is a beautiful writer who capitalizes on human emotion in her latest novel about two families that couldn't be more different.

During a terrible heatwave in 1991, ten-year-old Anton has been locked in his mother's apartment in the projects.  After being by himself for seven days without any air-conditioning, or fan, with the windows nailed shut, and no electricity, Anton breaks a window and climbs out.  He is bleeding from a wound in his leg when the police find him.  All-the-while, his mother, Juanita is discovered unconscious and half-naked in a crack house less than three blocks away.  When she comes to, she immediately asks for her "baby boy" insisting she only left for a quick hit, but that her drug dealer kept her high while repeatedly raping her.  Anton is placed with child services when his mother is sent to jail.

David Coleman is the son of a US senator and a white Harvard-educated judge.  After the death of his only high-school-aged son, Coleman is desperate for a home with a child again.  David and his wife, Delores, foster Anton and quickly grow attached to the bright boy.  Despite Anton's mother's existence, Coleman uses his power, connections, and white privilege to keep his foster son.

Anton follows in his adoptive father's footsteps and seems to have a knack for politics that is complimented by his charm. On the cusp of greatness, Anton learns the truth about his mother and the lengths Coleman went to to keep him as his very own.  He begins to question who he really is—he is nobody's son, yet everybody's son.

Umrigar explores class, race, power, privilege, and morals in this emotional heart-wrenching story that will stay with the reader long after it is finished.

The Reason You're Alive by Matthew Quick

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You may be familiar with Quick because of the success of The Silver Linings Playbook—isn't that such a great title?  I had not read anything of his and happily requested this book because The Silver Linings Playbook was such a fantastic movie, not just because of Bradley Cooper, but because of the story.

David Granger is a sixty-eight-year-old Vietnam vet that has crashed his BMW.  Upon further testing, it is revealed that he has a brain tumour that he attributes to his exposure to Agent Orange.  In the twilight from surgery, David repeats the name "Clayton Fire Bear" over and over.  Fire Bear a Native American soldier that Granger had the task of disciplining during the war, and his nemeses.  Granger stole something from him and decides that in order to make peace with his life, he must return it.  In search of closure, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery; this may save his sanity and help him deal with the loss of his beloved wife.

He is an incredibly multi-faceted character that is hanging on to his not so politically correct ideals in a changing world.  There is so much he doesn't understand, yet he ploughs forward, and stumbles his way through awkward social situations and modern American life with the help of his loved ones.  At times his behaviour is cringe-worthy, but under the surface is a kind, patriotic, honourable, and compassionate man.

I loved the book and by the end I absolutely adored David, even with his many flaws.  His outspokenness was so comedic yet strangely endearing.  Pick this up, you'll be so glad you did!

MATTHEW QUICK is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including The Silver Linings Playbook, which was made into an Oscar-winning film, and The Good Luck of Right Now.

Quick lives with his wife, the novelist-pianist Alicia Bessette, on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

We Were On a Break by Lindsey Kelk

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What should've been a proposal on a vacation turns into a break for Liv and Adam.  From here things further spiral out of control as Adam tries to climb out of the hole he's dug while Liv throws herself into her veterinary practice.  They keep colliding throughout the story, but can they get themselves back on course and take a run at happily ever after?

I adore British books, their phrasing, and slightly cheeky-yet-charming characters—this book is no exception. My only criticism is that the pacing was off in that it stumbled when the narration changed mid-chapter. I don't mind the alternating points-of-view, but to randomly change part way through a chapter is confusing. That being said, Kelk is a gem and I would definitely pick up anything she writes.

LINDSEY KELK is an author and journalist. She was also a children's book editor and columnist for Marie Claire. Lindsey is published in twenty-two countries and her novels, including the I Heart series, the Tess Brookes series, and standalone books, have sold over a million copies worldwide. 

Kelk is newly married and lives in Los Angeles.