This month’s reviews include some mediocre books as well as a couple that are favorites of the year. I can’t wait to share my thoughts, so let’s get right to those reviews!
FICTION
Lady Tremaine, by Rachel Hochhauser—In this clever reimagining of Cinderella, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley carries not only the names of her two deceased husbands, but also their burdens—the crippling debt, the crumbling mansion whose upkeep far exceeds her means, even the stepdaughter who refuses to accept Ethel’s love or her abide by her expectations. Ethel DOES care for her stepdaughter, Elin, but not nearly as much as the children of her womb, the two daughters for whom an advantageous marriage is the only viable option for any sort of security or future. With this in mind, Ethel clings to the presumed respectability of her latest husband’s title and pours herself into the deceptive art of maintaining appearances. Mornings are spent hunting with her beloved falcon Lucy. Afternoons are devoted to harvesting apples, tending to the decaying household, navigating complex sibling dynamics, and selling off every possible piece of jewelry and furniture that she can without raising suspicions of the fellow aristocrats upon whom her future depends on impressing.
When a royal ball is announced in anticipation of the prince’s forthcoming selection of a bride, Ethel will do everything within her power to obtain invitations for the three marriageable maidens in her care. But preparations uncover glaring rifts within Ethel’s own home, and with the prospect of better fortunes on the horizon, it soon becomes apparent that this fairy tale ending is not at all the one that Ethel has imagined.
Within the first few pages of this imaginative novel, I was certain that I was reading what would be my #1 book of 2026—immaculate, lyrical prose; unforgettable narrative voice; mesmerizing storytelling; impressively researched historical elements; fascinating glimpses at castle life and the world of falconry and a bygone era of womanhood so different from what we know today; haunting, vivid atmosphere that I never wanted to leave. . . . Everything about this novel completely stole my breath away, and I read slowly, savoring every tasty morsel.
I was entirely enthralled with Ethel, a narrator and heroine (or antiheroine, depending on the telling) unlike any other: flawed and rough around the edges, but relentlessly resourceful, fiercely resilient, and unapologetically devoted to her daughters. Her actions—driven by visceral love and desperation for survival—are ethically complex but also a genuine reflection of feminine strength and pure maternal instinct. I didn’t only sympathize with Ethel, I related to her and admired the very qualities that, in another light, would cast her as a villain.
Unfortunately the story takes a VERY dark turn around the 70% mark that lowered my overall opinion of the book, knocking the novel from its certain top position (though still an easy five stars). Gorgeous writing will always gloss over all manner of plot shortfalls for me, and it was the prose and the world building that kept me reading even when it felt as if the story had gone entirely off the rails. We eventually arrive at a satisfying conclusion that is not the ending I expected but still brilliant, but the unsavory elements may be too much for many readers for whom a tidy ending and likable characters are of higher priority.
While it was the Cinderella connection that first drew me to this title (that, and the STUNNING cover), it is a very distant cousin to the origin story. The author herself calls it an “untelling” because of the way that it doesn’t just reframe the fairy tale but complete deconstructs it. And because of this deconstruction of a story I happen to love, I found it easier to view Lady Tremaine as an entirely different story altogether rather than accepting a villainized Cinderella character or the whitewashed sins of genuine antihero. That said, it was fun to spot some of the Cinderella Easter eggs, and I admired the creativity that went into capturing all of the fairy tale vibes without incorporating any fantastical or magical elements (this reads more like straight historical fiction, though the specific time and place are never stated).
While story elements kept this from being the PERFECT read it might have been, this is an astounding debut whose protagonist completely captured my heart. I will be thinking about this one for years to come. I very much enjoyed hearing more about the author’s inspiration and writing process in this interview. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!
My Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
After That, the Dark, by Andrew Klavan—Hardened government assassin turned English professor Cameron Winter has finally found love in the form of the Jesus-loving, utterly charming Gwendolyn Lord. When Gwendolyn shares the story of a locked-room mystery, Winter can’t help but investigate. The mystery involved Owen McKay, an apparent family man who inexplicably murdered his family and then was murdered himself from inside a locked, video-monitored jail cell. Winter quickly discovers that McKay’s story is not a unique one and he sets out to intercept more deaths before it’s too late. His pursuit of truth and justice leads him into the dark underbelly of government operations and corrupt billionaires, causing him to question the integrity of the one man in the world that he thought he could trust.
This is the fifth book in the Cameron Winter series, and while I really enjoyed the mystery portions of this, I didn’t care for the romantic storyline or for Gwendolyn and her performative Christianity, and I found our protagonist particularly insufferable in this installment. Winter’s pretentiousness and condescension towards women (particularly the woman he claims to love) grated on me, especially as his attitudes and behavior are clearly intended to be perceived as normal or even admirable.
I love Andrew Klavan’s weekly news podcast and appreciate (though don’t always agree with) his unconventional takes on politics, human behavior, religion, and the male/female dynamic, and those sentiments are woven into the essence of this book that touches on themes of faith, questionable loyalties, government conspiracy, medical technology, and blatant heroism. It is refreshing to read a book written from a non-Woke perspective, even if the tone here tips in the opposite direction. While this was not my favorite in the series, I am certain I will continue to read and am eager to see what awaits Cameron Winter.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
Caroline: Little House Revisited, by Sarah Miller—The Little House books were a huge part of my childhood. I read and reread the stories with my mom, dressed as a pioneer girl for historical dress days at school, and played “Laura and Mary” with my friends. (I fancied myself a Mary, with her golden curls and perfect behavior, but my headstrong nature and precociousness more closely resembled Laura.) To this day, when called upon to imagine any bygone era, it is the Ingalls family and their covered wagon that immediately comes to mind.
I have been gradually introducing my children to the books in this beloved series, and with this rereading—my first time returning to the Little House books as an adult—it is the characters of Ma and Pa that have captured my attention. I’ve been utterly in awe of their courage, resilience, perseverance, and thirst for adventure, and I’ve wondered what the Little House books might be like if written from an adult perspective. In Caroline, I have my answer.
Caroline is the story of Little House on the Prairie as told from Ma’s (Caroline’s) perspective. As winter of 1870 draws to a close, Charles Ingalls and his family leave the warmth and security of their Wisconsin family for a new life in Kansas Indian territory. With nothing but what they can haul in their covered wagon, the Ingalls family—including a largely pregnant Caroline—embarks on the journey west, where they face a lonely and rigorous life marked by peril, tremendously difficult work, and dire illness. Caroline must support her husband in building a cabin that she will transform into a home, all while shouldering the physical and emotional needs of her young daughters, pining for the family she has left behind, and carrying, birthing, and nursing an infant without the aid of doctors or family.
This vivid reimagining of a familiar story adds layers of emotional resonance and historical insight to the iconic pioneer family. I loved the romance we see between Caroline and Charles, as well as the realistic portrayal of pregnancy, childbirth, and other womanly issues that are glossed over or ignored in the children’s series. (In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s version of this story, baby Carrie is already born, though Sarah Miller’s timeline is the historically accurate one). These details and other glimpses into the pioneer life elucidate the challenges of life for these adventurers and the courage and fortitude that must have been required of them to survive such a difficult journey.
Retellings can be hit or miss. Here, I found it fascinating to view the well-known anecdotes (from Mr. Edwards’ Christmas visit, to building the log cabin alongside Charles, to the illness that nearly took their lives) through an adult lens. This book is very internal, offering a window into Caroline’s thoughts and emotions—the good and the bad. We feel her grief over the easier life of her early marriage, the imprints of childhood poverty, her complicated feelings (the rigors and joys!) towards motherhood, her adoration for and loyalty to her husband, and the depths of strength required to put on a happy, bold face for her children. Ma is a little less saintlike and more human here than in the Little House books, but I loved how relatable she becomes as we get to know her more intimately. (And as a side note: The shift in perspective offered in this book was the launching point for a personal thought experiment reflecting on how some of my own family memories might be told differently from the perspectives of other members of my family!)
This is on the slower side, which made it a good fit for audio. The narration is excellent, especially the reader’s singing of the many songs that figure into the story. I followed along on Kindle so that I could sit with some of the more memorable quotes and details. This is mandatory reading (or listening) for adult fans of the Little House books who have always wondered if there was a little more to the story.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 5 Stars) // Book Format: Audiobook (followed along on Kindle)
Fun for the Whole Family, by Jennifer E. Smith—The four Endicott siblings—conscientious oldest daughter Gemma, bookish Conner, and twins Roddy (the athlete) and Jude (the actress)—always lived by the motto, “No Endicott left behind.” Having been neglected by their workaholic father and a mother who was too busy chasing dreams to spend more than a few days each year with her children, the siblings had no option but to remain close. . . until, one day, they weren’t.
Now in their late 30s and early 40s, the Endicotts have gone on to great acclaim: Jude as an Oscar-nominee, Roddy as a professional soccer player, and Conner as the winner of many book awards. Only Gemma, who always put her siblings’ needs before her own, is not a household name, though she’s happy with the quiet path she’s chosen. But the siblings’ success has not translated to their family life, and somehow the four Endicotts have gone three years without speaking to each other.
When Jude sends her siblings a cryptic invite to a family weekend in North Dakota, they begrudgingly drop everything to be there. As the weekend unfolds, the siblings must confront the past disagreements that have kept them apart. Secrets are divulged, old resentments resurface, and each of the siblings must answer the question of whether or not this family is still a cause worth fighting for.
This novel has so much of what I love in a good family saga: plenty of intrigue, a past/present timeline, heart-rending storylines. . . . Unfortunately, these selling points were not quit enough to draw me into this story of unrelatable stock characters and predictable plot twists. The prose lacked sparkle, the same-sex romantic relationship was a little much for me, the ending was way too tidy, and the odd portrayal of the two kids in the story left me convinced the author has never had children. However, I appreciated the themes of family connection and enjoyed seeing how the surface-level distance between the Endicotts did not tell the full story of the underlying love for each other that never quite dissolved. The travel element (with an aim of visiting all 50 states) and Secret Garden connection were also nice touches. Ultimate verdict on this book: decent and certainly readable, but with nothing to make it stand apart from other family dramas, it’s not a title I would rush to recommend.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 3 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
NONFICTION
You Bet Your Stretchmarks, by Abbie Halbersadt—As a homeschooling mother of ten, Abbie Halberstadt is well acquainted with the daily ins and outs of parenthood. But she also knows that motherhood is a worthy calling that no mom should ever regret or apologize for. In this empowering book that is filled with personal stories and advice from other seasoned moms, Abbie shares insights into many of the prevalent cultural attitudes towards parenthood (such as “it’s not worth it” and “it’s not possible to like my kids” and “it’s important to be relentlessly honest/negative about the hard parts of parenting”) and brings moms into a more Biblical understanding of this worthwhile and joyful calling.
Abbie Halberstadt is one of the few contemporary “mommy writers” whose ideas fully align with my own and whose tone totally matches what I am seeking in a parenting book. She presents parenthood in an honest but positive light and her suggestions on managing children, cultivating the home life we desire, and living out God’s standards are practical, actionable, and rooted in Scripture. This is not a diatribe against children, nor is it a sterile how-to that sets an impossibly high bar for parenting standards. Abbie’s presentation of motherhood is not overly aspirational, but it does hold moms and our children in the highest regard while directing our attention to the Lord above all. I love that she calls us to be better without ever leaving readers feeling disempowered or defeated.
I had many important takeaways from this book, the biggest being a conviction to take time to equip my kids with important skills rather than doing all the things on their behalf—something that is important for their development and that, after a briefly challenging period, will help our whole household run more smoothly. I also appreciated (and needed) the reminders to take delight in my kids. And of course I loved Abbie’s humor (funny but not forced) and stories of her kids. You can bet your stretch marks that I will continue to read everything she writes!
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook
Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith, by Russ Ramsey—“Beauty is a relic of Eden—a remnant of what is good. It comes from a deeper realm. It trickles into our lives as water from a crack in a dam, and what lies on the other side of that dam fills us with wonder fear. Glory lies on the other side. And we are made for glory.” So writes Russ Ramsey in this book that explores the intersection of faith and art.
Ramsey begins with a brief examination of three transcendental properties of human nature—goodness, truth and beauty—that are essential for knowing God because they define God’s nature. Ramsey points out that many Christians struggle to give goodness, truth, and beauty equal weight because goodness and truth are easily understood, controlled, and pursued in isolation, whereas “the pursuit of beauty requires the application of goodness and truth for the benefit of others. Beauty is what we make of goodness and truth.” But, Ramsey argues, we “have a theological responsibility to deliberately and regularly engage with beauty” because God and His creation are inherently beautiful, and one day God’s people will also be adorned in beauty for all eternity.
The study and pursuit of beauty is not just enjoyable, it is also functional, and it is with this in mind that Ramsey guides us through the lives and artwork of nine celebrated artists spanning nearly four hundred years of Western art history. These chapters blend history, theology, philosophy, and an analysis of the human experience, and the stories they carry teach us about the artists themselves (fascinating!) while also offering profound insights into the nature of God and nuances of the Christian life. Michelangelo teaches us about a thirst for glory. Van Gogh reveals the redemption that can be found in the most tragic of circumstances. The Impressionists offer lessons on community and belonging, and Lilias Trotter reveals the joys and sorry that accompany sacrificial obedience.
This school year, our family has spent a lot of time studying master artists and their best-known works, deepening my appreciation for historic artwork. And Ramsey’s approach to this subject is EXACTLY how I want to explore historical masterpieces. Ramsey acknowledges the inherent beauty of these pieces while drawing our attention to the greater story told by each piece, with every painting and artist serving as an arrow that points us to the Master Creator and HIS beautiful nature.
Rembrandt is in the Wind is filled with the goodness, truth, and beauty that Ramsey hopes we will find in the artwork he is helping us study. This was a refreshing break from the left-brained theology books I tend to love and wonderful nudge to continue pursuing a life marked by beauty.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook
MIDDLE-GRADE
The Bletchley Riddle, by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin—War has begun in London in 1940, and 14-year-old Lizzie Novis is meant to be sailing to the safety of her grandmother’s home in America. But Lizzie refuses to leave her family behind and dodges her chaperone, returning to London and determined to find out what has happened to her mother, Willa, who disappeared several months ago. Lizzie desires the help of her older brother, Jakob, but he has grown strangely silent and distant over the past year. What Lizzie doesn’t yet know is that Jakob, at 19, is doing top secret work in Britain’s codebreaking factory Bletchley Park.
Soon, Lizzie has embedded herself at Bletchley where she works as a messenger girl while investigating her mother’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Jakob is hard at work deciphering Nazi codes. Could it be possible that Jakob’s riddles and their mother’s disappearance are connected? Or is the whole thing a trap. With the stakes getting higher, the siblings must determine whom they can trust, which secrets must be guarded at every cost, and which are ready to be revealed.
I picked up this library book for Charleston and ended up listening to the audio version as a buddy read, and we both liked it a lot. Since we are both fans of riddles and codes, we loved learning about WWII codebreaking and the very real work that took place at Bletchley park. I appreciated the sweet sibling story and liked the alternating narration from precocious Lizzie and serious Jakob.
The story is fairly predictable, but this nicely straddles the line between Middle Grade and YA, without the usual YA content concerns but with a more complicated plot and deeper themes than a typical elementary novel.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
On the Banks of Plum Creek, by Laura Ingalls Wilder— [Review mostly written by Charleston, with contributions from the family.] Imagine the plague of locusts in Exodus. You probably wouldn’t realize how bad it was for the Egyptians unless you were living on the prairie with the Ingalls family in On the Banks of Plum Creek. The Ingalls family had recently moved from Indian territory in Kansas to a small dugout along the banks of a creek. Get caught up in the story as they experience economic loss and gain and loss again as they move from covered wagon to dugout to a home with furnishings and real glass windows, not to mention a fancy stove. We see them endure prairie fires and grasshopper infestation that destroys their crops; a creek full of bloodsuckers; nearly losing Pa (more than once); going to school and church for the first time; facing bullies from town; and surviving a blizzard that threatens their lives. Continue reading as you see that their different circumstances reveal different parts of their personality, from anger to pride to bravery; in they end, they remain grateful for all they have.
Mom loves this whole book, and this has been her favorite in the current read-through of the series as we we see the Ingalls family’s resilience in the face of so much trial and tragedy. Charleston enjoyed the excitement and adventure of being a homesteader in the 1800s and especially liked that we got to visit a Pioneer Farm during our reading. Sullivan liked how the house was underground. Kalinda liked learning how they stored their food underground and reading about Laura and Mary’s dolls. We are looking forward to reading more of this series soon!
Kalinda’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Sullivan’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Mom’s Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Print (Mom’s copy from childhood!)
Lent Stories for Kids 2026, by Noelle Truevine—I wanted to do something a little different for Lent with the kids this year, and I hoped this children’s story book would offer the Easter-focused devotionals I was looking for. Each day’s reading contains a short story within a theme (faith, kindness, forgiveness, love, etc.) followed by an action step, a simple prayer, and a related Bible verse.
While the format seemed like it would be perfect, I ended up liking the idea of this book more than the execution. The stories are very basic, and though they were engaging and relevant for my six-year-olds, I felt that they lacked creativity and true connection to the Gospel message. All of the stories feature modern children and contain vague references to God, but there is very little incorporation of the Bible, and even the Scripture passages included at the end of each chapter are only brief snippets of whole verses (sometimes taken out of context). The result was that this focuses a lot on behavior and very little on the true Gospel message. It was a fine addition to our usual Bible reading, but certainly not a substitute for deeper study—at Lent, or otherwise.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 3 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Print
Have you read any of these titles? What did you think? What have YOU been reading this month?
