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[fictionophile]

"The Last Letters Of Sally And Walter" by Cammie McGovern - Book Review @Sourcebooks #SourcebooksLandmark #TheLastLettersOfSallyAndWalter #BookReview

Lately, I have been drawn to novels that feature ‘older’ protagonists. The reason of course is that I can relate, because I too, am old. On the surface, “The Last Letters Of Sally And Walter” is a book about two elderly adults who live in an independent living community who meet over a Scrabble board and discover a bond – with Scrabble, and with each other.  Look deeper though, because you will…

"The Last Letters Of Sally And Walter" by Cammie McGovern - Book Review @Sourcebooks #SourcebooksLandmark #TheLastLettersOfSallyAndWalter #BookReview

[bucolicbook]

All the Little Houses: A Novel by May Cobb

Pub date - 1/20/2026

With a soap opera plot full of concealments and sins, zero likeable characters chock full of secrets they would never want their neighbors or friends to know, a soap opera plot with a wildly implausible ending, why am I giving this three stars?

Because it was still highly fun despite my issues with it.

This was my first time reading the author, and I would read more of her work.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

All the Little Houses: A Novel by May Cobb

[bucolicbook]

The Dead Husband Cookbook: A Novel by Danielle Valentine

pub date - 8/5/25

Wow! I was immediately drawn into this story. I read it over two days and it kept my attention the entire time - I didn’t want to put this one down, I was so engaged. Deliciously unsettling, The Dead Husband Cookbook kept me guessing til the end and didn’t disappoint.

This was my second time reading Ms Valentine’s work, and both have been excellent - I can’t wait to read more.

A definite recommendation!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

The Dead Husband Cookbook: A Novel by Danielle Valentine

[bucolicbook]

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

Pub date - 6/3/25

I’ll start with the positive that this pulled me right in. 

However, the culmination of the story is so fast that it leaves a flat, anti-climactic feel to the rest of the story; so much is left but in ways that didn’t feel realistic. It affected my overall enjoyment of the story. 

Other readers may love this but it wasn’t a favorite for me. *I will absolutely read more by the author however. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

[bucolicbook]

A Forty Year Kiss: A Novel by Nickolas Butler 

US pub date - 2/4/24

The premise intrigued me and I began this one eagerly. 

However…

I wasn’t enjoying the writing (very terse, short sentences) and when the dialogue didn’t have quotation marks, I was ready to be done. 

I pushed ahead in this one anyhow, due to the synopsis, was eventually able to get used to the writing style but never connected with the story. 

*Honest question - if one of the reasons you left your husband was because he drank too much, are you really going to meet up with this guy 40 years later at a bar? 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

A Forty Year Kiss: A Novel by Nickolas Butler

[bucolicbook]

Babylonia: A Novel by Costanza Casati 

US pub date - 1/14/25

100% pure magic.

A woman in a time of men (although really, when hasn’t it been a time of men…) doing what she needs to, for her own survival, to become the Queen. 

The writing made it very easy to visualize as I was reading and Ms Casati’s gorgeous and lyrical writing held me rapt, fully bringing me under its spell. All characters are well fleshed out and come across as utterly real, each adding their own stamp to the plot.

I’m so so glad I had the opportunity to read an early copy of this wholly engaging story. This was my first time reading the author, and I can’t wait to read more of her work! 

Babylonia has a full recommendation from me. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC 

Babylonia: A Novel by Costanza Casati

[bucolicbook]

The Secret War of Julia Child: A Novel by Diana R. Chambers

US pub date - 10/22/24

The richly vivid and detailed writing pulled me in right away and I really enjoyed learning more about Julia Child and her younger years (I grew up occasionally watching her PBS show in reruns and not knowing anything about her other than her cooking talent). The descriptions allowed me to visualize what I was reading with ease and I really appreciated that. 

A highly enjoyable historical fiction read and a definite recommendation. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

The Secret War of Julia Child: A Novel by Diana R. Chambers

[bucolicbook]

The Witch of Colchis: A Novel by Rosie Hewlett

US pub date - 9/10/24

Growing up, mythology held no appeal for me - now that I’m middle aged, I find that I have much more interest in it - and I really appreciate clever feminist retellings.

This pulled me in and held on tight throughout my reading - I was invested. I found this well written and captivating and kept turning the pages, finishing this in two days. 

Though I found the time jumps confusing from time to time, and Medea’s story is certainly a tragedy, I enjoyed this and look forward to reading more by the author. 

Recommended!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

The Witch of Colchis: A Novel by Rosie Hewlett