April 2026
- Katie Peterson
- Jun 19
- 5 min read
Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old:
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Something new:
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
Something steamy:
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAllister
Something true-ish:
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Book Club pick:
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
Something old:
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Full disclosure. I did not read this book. I had it checked out from the library long enough to get multiple calls about it being overdue. I tried starting it many times. For whatever reason, I just could not get past the second page. I want to try it again in the future as it's been highly recommended--someone I know even called it 'life changing'. But for now, this one went to my DNF pile.
Quick poll:
American Dirt...
Must read!
Worth a read, if you have time.
You're not missing out.
Something new:
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
A wonderfully unique reimagining of Cinderella, from the POV of the stepmother. With two daughters from a loving marriage, becoming a widow has forced Lady Etheldreda, Ethel, to become independent and self-sufficient. A second marriage, out of necessity, ensures her daughters have shelter and food...but also saddles her with the care of another child: her stepdaughter Elin. When she is widowed once more, she does whatever she needs to make certain her daughters (all of them) have a chance at a secure life, including arranging a respectable marriage. But proposals aren't given freely, and maintaining the appearance of a prominent household is the ultimate ruse. The manor they live in is literally crumbling around them, there is hardly enough food to go around the table, and their clothing could hardly be considered fashionable.
When Ethel hears about an upcoming royal ball, the chance at having one of her daughters meet the future heir, she'll stop at nothing to obtain invitations for her girls. To her disappointment, Elin is one who catches the princes eye, prompting a noble courtship. But the closer to the crown her stepdaughter gets, the clearer a sinister plot within the royal family appears to Ethel. Can she make Elin finally see reason? And if she does, can the Queen and her plan even be stopped?
This was delightful and unexpected! While I went in thinking it was going to be the stepmothers POV, I thought the storyline would ultimately be the same. But Ethel is not only likeable, you understand her deep conflicting feelings and the actions that accompany them.
My rating:
Something steamy:
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAllister
Jonah and Sadie have long been academic rivals, from their time as undergraduates to their current role as co-teachers at university, arguing different sides of literature in their combative style that makes their jointly taught class popular with students. Dealing with some family drama leads them to call for a truce...but the next day a dream job that they're both eligible for becomes available. Sadie is ultimately offered the position, and when reading her contract learns of a 'partner hire clause' which allows married couples to ensure their spouse can get a job at university along with them. To make sure they've covered their bases, they buy rings, hold a simple ceremony and move into their new university housing...with one bed.
Forced proximity in their new roles finds them co-writing lectures and sharing an office space. Shockingly (ha), they find that underneath their years-long hatred of one another has been simmering feelings. When things are just starting to feel stable, the carpet is ripped out from under them when their college announces 'Renewniversity", a restructuring plan to save money by combining and eliminating positions. Ultimately, Sadie & Jonah find out they are now competing against each other for one job. Will their past rivalry rear its head once more....or will their partnership prove to be stronger than any competition?
My rating:
Steam rating:
Something true-ish:
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Pearl & May are privileged young women living in Shanghai, late 1930's. Working as 'beautiful girls' they pose for calendars & portraits for artist Z.G., whom Pearl has always dreamt of marrying. Arriving home one night after working, their parents confess that they have arranged marriages for both daughters to avoid complete bankruptcy. The girls have been sold to a businessman in California for his sons. Instead of getting on the boat, the girls hide-out, unaware that by not leaving the country they have just imprisoned themselves in China, a country soon to be taken over by Japanese when the war breaks out.
They manage a harrowing escape from China, including events that left their mother dead, Pearl severely injured from a volatile assault, and May having to be responsible for the first time in her life. Upon arrival in Angel Island, the girls are detained until they can prove that their marriages are real and not an immigration sham, designed in order to gain entry. Little do the immigration officers know, Pearl & May are harboring a secret...one that will alter their existence as members of their new family. Learning how to exist in their new dynamic as wives is more difficult than they could ever imagine. Pearl's husband Sam is kind and hardworking, but Pearl is traumatized from her previous experience. May's husband Vern is intellectually disabled, forced into marriage from his parents. Both experience growth in ways they could have never imagined as they learn how to live, no longer as Shanghai Girls, but rather American Wives.
My rating:
Book Club pick:
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Theo, an elderly Portuguese man, arrives in the town of Golden in a mysterious fashion. Giving only his first name, he seeks to get to know others, rather than disclose information about himself. During one of his many walks, he discovers the town coffee shop The Chalice where he finds 92 portraits hanging on the walls. He decides to purchase each picture and deliver them to their rightful owners: the subjects. These meetings lead to him befriending many varied people. An accountant, feeling trapped in her career by family expectations, an aspiring cellist, a night janitor tasked with caring for his injured daughter following an accident, a homeless woman, and ultimately, the artist himself.
Theo develops deep bonds with several members of the community. Asher, whom shares his love of art and beauty. Tony, whom connects with Theo over literature. And James Ponder, a consultant who confidentially learns of Theo's true identity, and helps him in his pursuit of gifting the paintings. His arrival in town betters the lives of everyone he meets as he generously finds ways to fulfill their varying needs. His identity becomes known at the end in a dramatic conclusion that I didn't see coming.
I liked this book, but it's a slow mover...when I read it, I was looking for a more fast-paced option.
My rating:
As always, send book recs to sosnssst@gmail.com or tag me on IG @ktpete23.
If you read this far, would you mind leaving a comment, or better yet, hitting the 'like' button on the post?
I am no longer outlining what I'm reading next month. I don't like leaving things unfinished, and when I've said I'm going to read a book that I don't end up getting to, or *worse* start and don't finish, I will put off writing the post, leading to lots of crammed blogging at the end of the month. That's a big reason why you're reading April's post two months late...I just couldn't get past not finishing that first book! So, from now on, I'll read books and categorize them later!
Comments