The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

The Rumor will be published on June 16, 2015.

Elin Hilderbrand has done it again - created a beautiful story that I absolutely couldn't put down! Although her books are mostly all set during the summer on the island of Nantucket, she manages to create distinctly different story lines and characters that blend perfectly. The Rumor is a story of Grace and Madeline, who have been friends forever. As each woman deals with their own family issues and stress, rumors start to swirl throughout town. One thing I really loved is that each chapter has a different character perspective, and Elin gives makes the island of Nantucket a character in itself. The chapters titled Nantucket are informative about just how skewed actual events become when they are turned into rumors. I found myself laughing out loud at the absurdity of some of the rumors. Another awesome thing is that Elin wrote this book while also battling breast cancer, and as such, she dedicated it to her doctors and medical staff. I won't give away much about the plot, because you have to read it for yourself to fully appreciate the story. No spoilers! I absolutely loved this book. Thanks, Elin, for keeping my must-have-great-books addiction in control.

The Doomsday Equation by Matt Richtel

My favorite author, James Rollins, endorsed this book, which is the main reason I gave it a try. I normally do not go for fictional bordering on sci-fi, or technological thrillers. However, I enjoyed The Doomsday Equation. It reminded me a little bit of Dan Brown's work, but heavier on the technology aspect. The story line is fast paced as it is a race against the clock situation where one guy, Jeremy, a computer genius with a major lack of social skills, knows what is going to happen and is trying to prevent it, while also trying to determine who he can trust and who is trying to stop him. He has built a computer program which is able to predict conflict, and it has predicted a conflict on a global scale which would be catastrophic and end life as we know it. And, the kicker is that the computer tells him it will happen in less than 3 days. Get ready for a thrill ride, readers. Good luck trying to figure out who is really with Jeremy, and who is against him. I was shocked to figure out the truth. Overall, a good read.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything is a YA novel which is set to be published on May 5, 2015.

First off, this book didn't read like a typical YA novel, with some of the same overused themes. More than anything, it is a story of family relationships and resilience in times of great stress, grief, and heartbreak. While Sydney's family is trying to deal with her older brother, and the true golden child, being in prison after many mistakes have caught up with him, another family enters the picture and the story blossoms from there. The Chathams is a family as different from Sydney's family as possible. Readers will love the relationships that Sydney develops with the youngest sister, Layla, brother Mac, and even their mother, Mrs. Chatham who is battling MS. As Sydney gets to know a new family and close friends, she begins to feel less invisible and is allowed to come out from behind her brother Peyton's shadow a bit. Unlike some YA novels which have cheesy or sappy romantic scenes, the romance in this story is touching and subtle, as young love should be. This is a beautiful story, and I would recommend it for young adult readers, as well as adults.

Best Boy by Eli Gottlieb

Publication date: August 24, 2015

I enjoyed this book, mostly because of the fact that the narrator is man with autism and the story follows his unique perspective of his childhood and adult life. He has lived in the same institutional home since the age of 11, and though he misses his family, his positive outlook and honest portrait of day to day happenings around him are touching. The way he describes his emotions and relationships with others allows for a truly moving look at a life lived in the moment. Sad at times, and bittersweet at others, this is a book that I would recommend.

The Summer of Good Intentions - Wendy Francis

This novel will be published July 7, 2015.

This was my first summer read for the season to come. When I saw that my favorite summer read author, Elin Hilderbrand, endorsed this book and author, I simply had to read it. I enjoyed the story line, and the writing kept me entertained and intrigued. I appreciated that their wasn't a lot of nasty language or graphic sexual scenes. The story follows three sisters and their divorced parents as they make their annual trek to their summer house on the Cape for the month of July. Each chapter switches back and forth between the perspective of one of the three sisters, Maggie, Jess, and Virgie, as well as their aging father, Arthur. The month starts out with not much excitement, as each sister and their families learn to wind down from the hustle and bustle of busy lives. As the month goes on, however, there are some minor and some major events which shape the story line. At times, I laughed out loud, and cried at others. I hope Wendy Francis writes more of these summer reads, because I really enjoyed it.

Where They Found Her - Kimberly McCreight

This book will be published April 14, 2015.

I really enjoyed this suspenseful, fast-paced psychological thriller. The author weaves together multiple story lines of four women living in the same community with loose ties to one another. As the story line progresses, much of the plot comes together in startling ways, with connections to past covered up crimes. I was hooked from the beginning and had to find out what happened. This caused me to read it very quickly. I haven't read any other books by Kimberly McCreight, but I think after reading this, I would enjoy her other works. Her writing is crisp and real. My only criticism is that I wasn't a fan of the harsh language that was used in the book. I think some of it would have been okay, but it was used a little too much. A story can be a good story without throwing vulgar words in as adjectives all over the place. However, I did enjoy the thrill of this story and I would recommend it to fans of suspense and thrillers. It may keep you up at night!