The Current

 Fiction by Tim Johnston

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Audrey and Caroline, a pair of college girls, go on a road trip and end up in some trouble in rural Iowa. What happens to them there is an unwelcome reminder of another tragedy in the past of Audrey’s small hometown, where her daddy is the longtime sheriff and has just retired for medical reasons. Audrey’s father is spurred to investigate, and more trouble follows. 

This was a strange story. There were interesting and believable characters, and the mystery of the past does finally get solved. albeit in a convoluted way. I'd say this was a good book but not great. 

Trust Exercise

 Fiction by Susan Choi

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

In 1982 a group of teens begins their time learning theater at a performing arts high school — oh wait, excuse me; I meant “theatre.” Yes, the people in this book are just as pretentious as that sounds. I almost gave up reading after meeting so many unpleasant characters; however, I persevered.

After I finished reading, I went looking for reviews from others who had read it, because I was wondering what the heck had just happened at the end. I discovered that many other readers were confused, but the reviews were split between those who loved and those who hated the book. 

In my opinion it was an unnecessarily complicated story about unlikable people. But to be honest, that is often the sort of thing that wins book awards…

I’ll have to go with the reviewer Becca Hoetger who (cleverly) said, “I did not enjoy this book.”

All the Other Mothers Hate Me

 Fiction by Sarah Harmon

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Florence is a single mother who doesn't really fit in with the other moms at her son Dylan's fancy private school. She used to be in a girl band, but now she just does odd jobs and lives on child support from her ex-husband. But when another boy in Dylan's class is kidnapped on a field trip, Florence is determined to find out what happened, mostly because she is worried that Dylan may get blamed.

This was a really fun story with a surprise ending.

Nobody's Fool

 Fiction by Harlan Coben

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Twenty years ago, Sami Kierce was on a summer trip to Europe when he fell in love with a girl named Anna. The romance ended abruptly when Sami woke up one morning to find Anna stabbed to death. Sami had run away then, but he has never forgotten. So when he suddenly sees Anna again at a class he is teaching, he feels like he can't rest until he finds out what really happened.

This was a really good thriller with several surprises!

I also read recently by this author: I Will Find You

Drawing Home

 Fiction by Jamie Brenner

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Emma Mapson enjoys her job at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, New York, although it can be difficult when the summer rush is on. Working twlve-hour days makes it hard for her to spend time with her fourteen-year-old daughter Penny. But then an unexpected inheritance changes things for Emma and Penny forever...

This was a pretty good story. I really liked the characters but there were some plot elements that didn't hang together in my opinion.  

I also read recently by this author: The Forever Summer

The Marriage Act

 Fiction by John Marrs

https://www.audible.com

This story, set in the same futuristic Britain the author created in Passengers and The One, explores the idea of a national "Sanctity of Marriage" Act. The Act gives tax advantages and other financial incentives to married couples who participate in a national program called "smart marriage." Smart marriage is ostensibly designed to ensure stable family relationships through keeping legally married couples (both gay and straight) happily together with the the help of AI monitoring. But is that really the goal of the Act, and more importantly, is that goal even achievable?

This was an exciting story with several twists, The narration was also really good!

I also read recently by this author:  The Minders

Darling Girls

 Fiction by Sally Hepworth 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are sisters, but not biological sisters. The three of them were foster sisters together under the supervision of Miss Fairchild, a damaged and abusive woman who looked after them during their childhood at Wild Meadows farm. Although all three girls are grown now and remain close-knit, they are always haunted by Miss Fairchild's influence. The shadow of their past touches each woman in a different way.

Now the three of  them have been called back to Wild Meadows because a body has been discovered, long buried under the house. The sisters must confront their shared traumatic past and its individual effects, and they are desperate to know whom the body belongs to....

This was a really good character story and mystery. There was a little twist at the end.

I also read recently by this author: The Younger Wife