Book Reviews – Page 5 – Sassy Reviews

February 13, 2026

Year of the What?

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Year of the What? 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Jennifer Lieberman✍️
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Year of the What? is a raw coming-of-age story about heartbreak, sexual awakening, and the awkward journey of learning who you are when the relationship you built your identity around falls apart.

The novel follows Dana in the aftermath of a long-term breakup that leaves her emotionally wrecked and questioning everything she thought she knew about love, sex, and herself. What begins as a desperate attempt to heal turns into a year of misadventures: romantic, sexual, and personal. Dana’s voice is candid and vulnerable, and her internal monologue feels refreshingly unfiltered.

Lieberman’s writing shines in its emotional honesty. The book shows the confusion, the bad decisions, the late-night spirals, and the small, hard-earned moments of growth. The supporting characters, especially Dana’s unapologetically bold best friend, bring humor and contrast, highlighting the different ways people cope with pain and desire.

If you enjoy emotionally raw contemporary fiction with a strong female perspective, this book will hit home.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 11, 2026

The Prodigal’s Son

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: S.E. Tschritter ✍️
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The Prodigal’s Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak is a memoir that walks readers through the wreckage of addiction and the slow, painful work of redemption. Told through the intertwined perspectives of Clint, a pastor battling alcoholism, relapse, and devastating consequences and Samantha, the wife who loves him through the chaos, this book refuses to sanitize suffering.

Tschritter doesn’t present a neat, inspirational arc where faith magically fixes everything. Instead, she shows the long road: the lies we believe about ourselves, the collateral damage addiction causes to families, and the exhausting cycle of hope, failure, and trying again. The writing is vivid. It pulls you into hospital rooms, jail cells, late-night phone calls, and the quiet moments of fear and shame that often go unseen.

Even readers who don’t identify as Christian will likely connect with its central themes: brokenness, love that refuses to give up, and the human longing to be seen as worthy despite our worst mistakes. The portrayal of Samantha’s resilience and complicated love adds emotional depth, reminding us that addiction is never a solo battle, it ripples outward into every relationship.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 9, 2026

Hygge and Homicide

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Hygge and Homicide 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: A.L. Jensen ✍️
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The story follows Minna, a recently divorced interior designer who returns to her hometown of Lakewood in Northern Ontario to help run her mother’s Nordic lifestyle shop. From the very first chapter, the setting shines: forest trails, lakeside views, cozy storefronts, and a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. Jensen excels at grounding the reader in this world, making Lakewood feel like a place you could step into and might never want to leave.

What truly sets this novel apart is its embrace of Nordic culture and the concept of hygge. From Finnish terms of endearment to Scandinavian design, food, and traditions, these details are seamlessly woven into the narrative.

Minna is a relatable and engaging protagonist. She is thoughtful, slightly anxious, and quietly observant. Her relationships with her mother, her best friend Christie, and her daughter Sofia add emotional richness and authenticity.

As the plot unfolds, the calm, comforting rhythm of small-town life is disrupted by darker undercurrents. The mystery develops at a steady pace, with enough intrigue to keep readers turning pages until the last page. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 9, 2026

Between the Tines

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Between the Tines 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Ben Leman ✍️
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The story features Arran Lamont, a young Highland warrior raised for battle and burdened by the expectations of his clan. As battles mount and alliances fracture, Arran learns that courage and strength alone are not enough; command requires foresight, humility, and a willingness to bear responsibility for the lives of others.

The battle scenes are vivid, tense, etc, capturing not only the chaos of combat but also the strategic decisions that shape victory and loss. Yet the novel’s most haunting moments often occur away from the battlefield when Arran and his companions witness the devastation inflicted on innocent civilians.

The supporting cast, particularly the leaders and warriors of allied clans, enriches the narrative. Clan loyalties feel lived-in, and the political tensions driving the conflict are clearly conveyed.

Arran’s ultimate dilemma, whether to die preserving tradition or lead his people toward an uncertain future, gives the story a powerful emotional resonance. Fans of historical fiction, particularly those drawn to Scottish history and clan culture, will enjoy every bit of this novel.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

February 7, 2026

Shoes That Fit Her Soul

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Shoes That Fit Her Soul 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Shamayne Olivia ✍️
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Shoes That Fit Her Soul: One Woman’s Midlife Journey to Reclaim Her True Self is an empowering memoir that blends storytelling with practical self-development tools. Shamayne Olivia Kotfas invites readers into her life with honesty, sharing experiences of childhood emotional neglect, divorce, grief, and the disorienting questions that often surface at midlife and then gently guides them toward healing, self-awareness, and personal transformation.

What sets this book apart is its beautifully simple metaphor: the parts of a shoe become a roadmap for inner growth. Each “component” represents an essential step on the journey to wholeness. This creative framework makes abstract emotional concepts easy to remember, turning personal growth into something practical and approachable.

Kotfas’s writing is relatable. She positions herself as a fellow traveler who has learned through loss, reflection, therapy, and courage. The sections titled “Walk With Me” are especially powerful, grounding each lesson in real-life experiences that many readers, particularly women navigating midlife transitions will recognize in their own lives. The book thoughtfully explores how childhood coping mechanisms can follow us into adulthood, how unhealed patterns shape our relationships.

Kotfas encourages readers to slow down, listen inwardly, and redefine their identities on their own terms rather than living by inherited expectations. Shoes That Fit Her Soul will resonate strongly with women who feel stuck, disconnected from themselves, or quietly yearning for a more meaningful, aligned life.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Winning the War Over What-ifs

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Winning the War Over What-ifs 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Billie Corley ✍️
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Winning the War Over What-ifs is an encouraging, faith-filled guide for anyone who has ever felt stuck in cycles of fear, doubt, or “what if” thinking. With warmth, biblical insight, and personal testimony, Billie Corley walks readers through the emotional and spiritual battles that arise when life takes unexpected turns and shows how to face those moments with hope and confidence in God.

Each chapter focuses on being “empowered”, empowered by hope, in weariness, in waiting, in discouragement, and even in the messiness of everyday life. This book is perfect for readers who want tools they can apply in their daily walk with God.

The theme of “what-ifs” is powerful and universally relatable. Corley reframes these moments not as obstacles, but as divine opportunities for God to reveal His power, faithfulness, and purpose. Her message gently challenges readers to surrender control, trust God’s plans even when they don’t make sense, and move forward in faith rather than fear.

The writing style is heartfelt and devotional, making this book ideal for personal reflection, journaling, or small group study. The included prayers, Scriptures, and “battle plans” at the end of chapters offer practical ways to pause, reflect, and apply each lesson.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 5, 2026

The Waters of Awakening

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Waters of Awakening 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Brian A. Mulliner and Dr. Joseph James ✍️
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The Waters of Awakening is a powerful tale of courage and destiny that captured my attention from the very first page. The story follows Arieh, a young boy gifted with the ability to read metal by its color. From his father, Ronan, Arieh learns the art of blacksmithing along with discipline, faith, and reverence. When Arieh is just fifteen, his father’s sudden death places the weight of responsibility squarely on his young shoulders.

Forced to leave school, Arieh takes over his father’s blacksmith shop. Over time, he begins to lose his passion for shaping metal, while his mother retreats into silence under the weight of grief. One day, driven by an irresistible call to “Ascend,” Arieh leaves home in search of something more. The journey he embarks on transforms not only his own life but also the lives of many others he encounters.

Arieh’s path is marked by loss and betrayal, as well as wisdom, kindness, and love. The story is rich with life lessons, and readers will find much to reflect on through his experiences. I’m truly grateful to have read this book. The narration is smooth, and the storyline kept me engaged right up to the final page. This is a must-read, and I highly recommend it to fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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February 2, 2026

The Enchanted Forest: A Point of View Adventure

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Enchanted Forest: A Point of View Adventure 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Brian A. Mulliner ✍️
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Charlie and Susie’s parents decide to send them to stay with Aunt Joan and Uncle Gary for the entire summer. Their relatives live in a forest beside a beautiful lake, and they already have an adventure planned for the kids. The children discover a magical room that feels almost alive, and the house itself seems designed to keep curious minds endlessly engaged.

Uncle Gary gives them a map and explains that the siblings will need to rely on each other, explore on their own, and solve puzzles along the way. They face challenges filled with mystery and danger, and they must learn to listen with their hearts, not just their eyes.

Their journey through forests and rivers is packed with risky trials, and Susie and Charlie uncover strengths they never knew they had. This is a wonderful story that reminds us of the courage within ourselves. Both siblings are well-written characters, and the storyline is full of surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat. Pick up this book without a second thought.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 31, 2026

Sunflower Underground: A Kyiv Memoir

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Sunflower Underground: A Kyiv Memoir 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Richard W. Coad ✍️
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Sunflower Underground: A Kyiv Memoir is an account of a young Englishman’s journey into post-Soviet Ukraine in the mid-1990s, a country still finding its identity amid political uncertainty, cultural awakening, and underground power structures.

From the beginning, the reader is drawn into a world of bone-chilling journeys, unfamiliar languages, and the quiet tension of crossing borders. The background setting is done well. Ukraine itself becomes a living, breathing character in the story.

As an English teacher navigating daily life in Kyiv, the narrator moves between classrooms, family kitchens, metro stations, and secretive social spaces. These encounters, whether with students, host families, diplomats, or dubious “businessmen” offer an intimate look at ordinary lives shaped by extraordinary political change. The warmth of Ukrainian hospitality sits alongside the ever-present undertone of danger, corruption, and uncertainty, creating a constant sense of tension.

While the book is based on true events, its fictionalized elements made it more interesting. Readers interested in Eastern European history, travel memoirs, or personal stories set against geopolitical change will be delighted to read this book. The author has done an amazing job in this book.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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January 29, 2026

Heir of the Fallen

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Heir of the Fallen 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: M.D. Holly ✍️
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Heir of the Fallen is a dark, gripping fantasy. At the center of the story is Dante Valerius, a reluctant heir caught between prophecy and survival. The novel opens with a nightmare that quickly becomes reality, setting the emotional tone: inheritance is not a gift, but a curse. Dante’s journey is not about seeking power, but about enduring it and that distinction makes him a deeply human protagonist.

The character of Cassian, the eldest brother, is well-written. His descent feels inevitable. Lucian and Lucia provide sharp contrasts: control versus compassion, silence versus resistance. The family does not merely shape the plot; it is the plot.

The recurring imagery of falling, suffocation, and erased evidence reinforces the novel’s core themes: loss of agency, inherited guilt, and the cost of survival in powerful families.

I appreciate the author’s vivid imagination in world building. Heir of the Fallen is ideal for readers who enjoy morally complex fantasy, intense character studies, and stories where power reveals rather than redeems. It is a strong, unsettling opening to what promises to be a dark and emotionally rich series.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

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