RaveLibrary JournalThis is a Western full of classic tropes, but it also surprises with its philosophical examination of generational trauma, justice and retribution, and racism and politics. The supernatural element ties together the timelines and the themes, adding resonance. With a powerfully drawn setting and viscerally convincing characters, James’s novel is a strong addition to any general fiction collection.
Claudia Cravens
RaveLibrary Journal\"...combines classic Western tropes with a fresh perspective and fine writing ... The author’s familiarity with the Western genre comes through in her setting and characterizations. Featuring gunslingers, gamblers, outlaws, madams and brothel workers, this story is fast-paced, racing to an explosive conclusion. Lesbian romance plays a definitive role, with complex characters whose motivations and desires are integral to the plot.\
Elizabeth Brundage
PositiveLibrary JournalBrundage carefully outlines the tangled relationships of love and ambition among three students in stylized prose; her central concept of photography is evocative both literally and metaphorically. Starting out slow-paced and character-driven, the story picks up speed once there’s the mystery of Rye’s disappearance. Recommended for readers of Anne Tyler or William Boyd.
Janelle Brown
RaveLibrary JournalBrown’s fourth novel...is a riveting tale of secrets and deception ... Moving back and forth between Nina and Vanessa’s perspectives, the story is a slow burn that comes to an explosive conclusion ... With flawless suspense, masterly storytelling, and a plot that hits all the notes of our Instagram world perfectly, this novel is a must-read.
Emily Neuberger
PositiveLibrary Journal... evokes the golden age of Broadway, from an author whose own performing background shines through. Historical details are well placed, and the characters are engaging ... While the writing is a little dry at times, the theme is sure to appeal to fans of musical theater. Readers of Elizabeth Gilbert’s City of Girls or Fiona Davis’s The Chelsea Girls will enjoy, too.
Tarryn Fisher
MixedLibrary Journal... it all breaks down in the second half when she’s checked into a psychiatric hospital. This unsettling effect carries over to readers as the story flounders in details and sudden revelations and suffers from a violent ending that feels abrupt and unfinished ... This domestic suspense is recommended for fans of Louise Jensen’s The Surrogate or Carol Goodman’s The Other Mother. The language is edgy, but readers eager for a new thriller release will most likely snap this up.
Linda Legarde Grover
RaveLibrary JournalTold with vibrancy by an Ojibwe professor and poet, this own voices story of Ojibwe girls in a situation only too common for indigenous families shouldn\'t be missed. Recommended for readers seeking contemporary takes on indigenous life and those who enjoy family sagas containing hope and beauty alongside sadness.
