Book Reviews – Page 22 – Sassy Reviews

June 5, 2025

Where We Begin

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Where We Begin 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Lyla Cohen ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Fans of romance novels will definitely want to pick up this book. At the heart of the story is Scarlet Harrison—effortlessly beautiful and self-assured, she knows well how to carry herself.

Her dynamic with Nathan, a guy from her pre-law class, is light and fun—something to pass the time. But while he checks the boxes on paper, he doesn’t make her heart race. Their connection feels surface-level, more physical than emotional.

Then there’s Jason—the youngest of three brothers. His inner world is shaped by the voices of his siblings: Mark’s commanding tone and Ryan’s quiet judgment. Jason constantly compares himself to others and often feels like he falls short. For him, enrolling at American University was a fresh start. That’s where he shared a meaningful moment with Scarlet. With her, he doesn’t feel the pressure to have all the answers. He feels seen—truly himself. He notices parts of Scarlet she tries to keep hidden.

Told from a dual point-of-view, this story unfolds as secrets from the past begin to surface. What will they mean for Scarlet and her journey?

The book features an appealing cover and a fitting title. Scarlet and Jason are deeply engaging characters, and their development is compelling. If you enjoy coming-of-age love stories with emotional depth, this one is worth your time.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 5, 2025June 6, 2025

The House Filler

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The House Filler 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Tong Ge ✍️
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Review:

The House Filler is a gripping, fast-paced novel set against the backdrop of early 20th-century China. At the heart of the story is Jinfeng, also known as Golden Phoenix—a woman considered past marriageable age at twenty-six, who is compelled to wed a widower ten years her senior.

Jinfeng’s feet had been bound in childhood by two elderly witches, leaving her with four-cun feet, a painful reminder of societal expectations. As the narrative unfolds, readers are immersed in traditional Chinese wedding customs, where a woman’s value was judged by the size of her feet, her embroidery skills, and her ability to cook.

Haunted by insecurities about her feet, Jinfeng enters her new household only to be stunned: she already has a stepson and even a daughter-in-law. The shock deepens when she discovers that her husband is actually forty-six, not thirty-six as she had been told. She also learns that Qi, the stepson, is the illegitimate child of a servant. Qi and his wife are determined to secure the family inheritance for themselves and fear the arrival of another heir who will take his share too in the estate.

Will Golden Phoenix manage to bear a son and secure her place in the household?

This is a beautifully written novel rich in cultural detail, filled with themes of tradition, betrayal, and intrigue. The author’s writing is engaging and easy to follow. I was especially drawn to the character of Golden Phoenix—her strength, curiosity, and resilience make her unforgettable. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and highly recommend this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025

Eat, Pray, Nomad: Book One: Thailand

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Eat, Pray, Nomad: Book One: Thailand 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Ara Tanner ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Eat, Pray, Nomad: Book One: Thailand” by Ara Tanner is an engaging and thought-provoking read. In this memoir, the author recounts her journey as a female digital nomad, beginning from the moment she decided to leave behind her life in the Dominican Republic to start anew in Thailand.

Tanner provides a clear explanation of what it means to be a digital nomad. While in the Dominican Republic, she shares her troubling experiences with a woman named Karen, who was dishonest and financially dependent on others, as well as with a manipulative tattoo artist named Lorenzo. Determined to embrace a new lifestyle, Tanner minimized her belongings, eventually whittling them down to just what could fit in a carry-on suitcase.

Her time in Thailand marked her first experience in a Buddhist country. Though she found the beaches of Samui less picturesque than online descriptions, she was captivated by the abundance and grandeur of the temples. As a beach lover, she enjoyed exploring the coastline and felt a strong desire to return and explore the country more deeply.

I especially appreciated the photographs included in the book—they added a personal and immersive touch. Reading this made me reflect on my own life and the idea of living in just one city. The concept of becoming a digital nomad feels incredibly freeing and full of adventure. Tanner’s “Thailand: Overview” section was particularly informative, and the idea of traveling the world with just a backpack is both inspiring and exhilarating. I am excited to read book two of the series.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 4, 2025

Subtle Shadows

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Subtle Shadows 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Amelia Bennett ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Subtle Shadows” by Amelia Bennett is a captivating read. The story centers around Paige Turner and Ethan Miller. Paige is deeply dedicated to her work, leaving little room for a social life. She holds a strong belief in divine timing and hopes to one day be blessed with love or companionship.

Ethan Miller, a newly hired Senior Research Reporter, quickly becomes someone Paige feels unexpectedly comfortable with. Their conversations spark a connection she hadn’t felt in a long time, and she begins to wonder if Ethan might be the answer to her lingering loneliness.

One day, Ethan notices a painting above Paige’s fireplace — a piece by Ava Raud, a missing artist whose trail went cold a year ago. Something about the artwork strikes him deeply, as if Ava is trying to communicate through the brushstrokes.

As Paige and Ethan delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Ava’s disappearance, the plot thickens and becomes even more compelling. Amelia Bennett’s storytelling is seamless and immersive, making it easy to binge through the pages. Her books are true page-turners that leave me eager to read more.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 3, 2025

Buried in the Walls

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Buried in the Walls 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Amelia Bennett ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Buried in the Walls: Some Houses Never Forget” by Amelia Bennett is a captivating read. The story centers around Emma Clarke, a successful psychologist based in Chicago. Despite her professional achievements, her personal life is in turmoil—her recent divorce has left her emotionally exhausted and longing for a fresh start. Hoping to find peace, she relocates to Madison and settles into a charming old Victorian house.

But tranquility quickly turns to unease. Emma stumbles upon a hidden compartment in a wardrobe and hears a loud, unexplained knock echoing through the house—making her question whether moving here was a mistake. She had hoped that restoring the house would help her rebuild herself too.

Things take a darker turn when she discovers a journal belonging to the previous homeowner, Margaret Delaney. In its pages, Margaret describes seeing a shadowy figure and feeling constantly watched. Emma becomes determined to uncover the truth about Margaret’s mysterious death.

To find out what secrets Emma uncovers, you’ll have to read the book yourself. I’ve always enjoyed stories about old historic houses with eerie happenings, and this one delivered on every front. The plot is both haunting and gripping—Amelia Bennett has crafted a story that held my attention from start to finish. I binge-read it, unable to put it down as each chapter unraveled more secrets. I highly recommend this book to fellow mystery and thriller enthusiasts.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 3, 2025

The Child I Left Behind

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Child I Left Behind 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Anjalia McGoldrick ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
In this powerful memoir, the author opens up about her harrowing experiences with trauma and domestic abuse. Her world was shaken when she discovered that the man she believed to be her father was not her biological parent. Following her parents’ divorce, her mother moved in with a man named Percy—who soon revealed himself to be a source of pain and turmoil.

The author found relief only in Percy’s absence. When Charlie entered her life, she was yearning for love and someone to save her. However, what began as hope quickly turned into horror. At just thirteen, she became pregnant with Charlie’s child. After the birth of her daughter, Lea Nicole, her mother stepped in to help—but Charlie’s possessiveness and cruelty grew worse, especially when it came to their baby. His explosive temper began to tear their fragile family apart.

This deeply moving memoir explores whether the author can find the strength to break free from a toxic relationship. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for others trapped in similar situations—encouraging them to reclaim their courage and seek freedom. The author’s unfiltered honesty brings raw emotion to every page, making her pain and resilience palpable.

For anyone searching for peace, healing, or inspiration, this book is a must-read.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

June 2, 2025

The End of the River

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The End of the River 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Albert Loftus ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“The End of the River” by Albert Loftus is a compelling and intense read. The story opens in Albany, New York, along the west bank of the Hudson River, and follows the journey of a young gay man who receives writing advice from his mentor Aeshma.

Aeshma, a flamboyant drag queen, lived in a Victorian townhouse in Albany. On a bitter winter night in 1959, Leighton Brady abandoned his Irish identity and fully embraced his new persona—Aeshma. With flair and conviction, Aeshma told the aspiring writer, “If you want to be a writer, you must be truly interested in people.”

Intrigued and eager to become a writer himself, the young man was captivated by Aeshma’s tales and yearned for a life of adventure, longing to meet fascinating people worth writing about—much like Hemingway’s journey to Kilimanjaro. Aeshma soon became his literary guide, urging him to move to New York City, wait tables, and navigate the dangers of Forty-Second Street.

However, things take a darker turn. The writer gradually senses a troubling void within Aeshma—an absence of love or empathy. Disturbed, he decides to disengage from Aeshma’s dramatic world and stop feeding his mentor’s illusions. As suspicion grows, a terrifying question emerges: Is Aeshma actually a serial killer?

With unpredictable twists and an undercurrent of psychological tension, this novel is a gripping page-turner. Fans of psychological thrillers and stories centered on the battle between good and evil will find it hard to put down. “The End of the River” is a must-read for those who crave dark, thought-provoking narratives.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 31, 2025

Silent Betrayal

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Silent Betrayal: A Con of Broken Promises 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Amelia Bennett ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Silent Betrayal: A Con of Broken Promises” by Amelia Bennett is an intriguing read. The story centers around Judith Cardwell, who is grappling with the recent loss of her husband, James. Upon his passing, James leaves everything to Judith — including the land and cattle.

However, when Judith visits James’s office, she uncovers shocking secrets from his past. She learns about a former girlfriend and a son he gave up for adoption before they met. To her surprise, James wrote letters to this woman after twenty-six years into their marriage. On top of the emotional betrayal, Judith discovers financial decisions James made behind her back, including loans and collateral she knew nothing about. Her grief is deepened by these hidden truths.

As she tries to piece her life back together, Judith begins receiving phone calls from Douglas Rottman. His humor and warmth are a welcome relief, giving her a glimmer of hope that genuine people still exist. But is Doug truly trustworthy? Is he the person Judith needs in this storm of revelations? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the story unfolded. The unexpected twists and emotional depth kept me engaged till the very last page. The cover is beautifully designed, and Judith’s character, in particular, resonated with me. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, making it nearly impossible to put down.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 30, 2025

Happier Us

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Happier Us 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Abigail Ferrell ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Happier Us: The Timeless and Proven Way to Greater Peace and Joy—For You and Those You Love” by Abigail Ferrell is a compelling and insightful read. In this book, the author highlights various fleeting sources of joy, ultimately emphasizing that meaningful relationships are the most enduring and powerful source of true happiness.

Abigail thoughtfully explores how communication affects both our spiritual and physical well-being. She presents practical and uplifting strategies to foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships. One of the most valuable takeaways for me was the reminder that correction should come from a place of love, not criticism.

Inspired by the book, I’ve decided to cultivate a daily habit of gratitude. I also learned how something as simple as a smile can ease stress, reduce anxiety, and elevate our mood.

“You are only as happy as you are grateful.”

If you’re seeking deeper relationships and lasting joy, this book is a must-read. It beautifully illustrates how love—for ourselves, others, and God—can lead to transformation and a more joyful life. As someone who tends to get overwhelmed by minor stressors, I found the tools in this book incredibly helpful and grounding. The writing is concise, impactful, and practical. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow readers on a journey toward greater peace and happiness.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

May 30, 2025

The Phantom Ghost of a Sunflower

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Phantom Ghost of a Sunflower 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Courtney Mulholland ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“The Phantom Ghost of a Sunflower” by Courtney Mulholland is a deeply personal collection, filled with words and stories the author had long kept to herself.

In the poem “Keep Breathing,” the author encourages us to hold on and be patient. She urges readers to wait for the rainbow—to not give up before the miracle arrives.
“Daddy’s Little Girl to Queen of Hell” reflects a powerful transformation. Once her father’s little girl, by the age of twenty-one, the author realizes life hasn’t unfolded the way she once imagined.

In “What I Really Am,” she lays bare her inner truth—expressing the pain of being misunderstood, of being seen not for who she is, but for how others choose to see her.

Mulholland pours her raw, unfiltered emotions into these pages. As a reader, I could feel the depth behind each word. I admire her bravery in sharing such intimate parts of herself. For those who have walked a similar path, this collection will resonate deeply. It serves as a poignant reminder that growing up often brings unexpected changes.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon