He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow!! This book had me at the first chapter. It was an amazing book by Amanda Cox. I have read her other books The Edge of Belonging, and The Secret Keepers of Old Grocery. Both were exceptional.  This is the third book she wrote, but they are all stand alone books. I love her writing style. it completely draws me and and the characters are so real.
This book was nothing short of excellent. I read it over two days. There was a passage in it that really hit a raw nerve in me - in a very good way. It described something about myself that I never realized.
The book grabs at your soul. There is a lot of sacrifice and learning to trust between the characters stories. I was so invested in the lives of Beck and Callie. I was torn between the two sides and angry at other characters. I won't explain that as I want no spoilers.
My heart broke reading parts of this story and was slowly put back together as it went on. It was a true roller coaster of emotions as I read it. I experienced so many emotions - confusion, anger, contempt, worry, suspense, hope, happiness - and not in any order. It was a wonderful read and I have ordered another Amanda Cox book because I simply cannot stop reading them. She is an amazing storyteller.
I have read her other books The Edge of Belonging, and The Secret Keepers of Old Grocery. Both were exceptional.  This is the third book she wrote, but they are all stand alone books.  

Book Description: Beekeeper Beckett Walsh is living her dream, working alongside her father in their apiary, until his untimely death sends her world into a tailspin. She suddenly finds she must deal with a new part owner of the family business--one who is looking to sell the property. Beck cannot fathom why her father would put her into the position to lose everything they built together.

If you would like to read this book you can find it here. 

If you would like to read the first book you can find it here: The Edge of Belonging, and you can find my review of it here. 

If you would like to read her second book you can find it here: The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, and you can find my  book review of it here.

I consider this a 5-star book and a 5-star author. I highly recommend it!

September 09, 2026 – Started Reading

September 11, 2026 – Finished Reading

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 Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am absolutely drawn to how Amanda Cox weaves a fascinating story throughout her novels. She bounces between the present day and the past, slowly unveiling pieces of each timeline and leading you through a story that beautifully unfolds. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is no exception.

When Sarah returns to her childhood home and wants to run the old grocery business with her mother and grandmother, she discovers that her mom wants to close the store. Her mom has always seemed to push Sarah out of the small town where they both grew up, but Sarah may have other ideas.

Grandma Glory Ann starts the story back in 1965 when she confesses to her family that she is pregnant with her deceased fiancé’s baby. In those days, this could be a scarlet letter that ruined a family’s reputation. From there, the story moves between the present day, following Sarah as she tries to get her life back on track, and Glory Ann’s story from the 1960s through the present. Interwoven throughout the story is the mother’s perspective as well.

It is absolutely enthralling and captivating, and you quickly feel like you know these characters. There are so many emotions woven throughout the story, along with moments that may completely blow your mind. It was an amazing story that I absolutely could not put down. I read the book in one day because it pulled me in so completely. I felt like I was right there in the grocery store with them, experiencing everything alongside the characters.

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here.  

If you would like to read the first book you can find it here: The Edge of Belonging, and you can find my review of it here. 

If you would like to read her third book you can find it here: He Should Have Told the Bees, and you can find my  book review of it here.

I consider this a 5-star book and a 5-star author. I highly recommend it!

August 25, 2026 – Started Reading

August 25, 2026 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I did not enjoy this book at all. I kept forcing myself to try to muddle through it, but I just could not find it interesting. Normally, I enjoy anything involving Egyptian history, but this book was so detailed and descriptive that it felt more like a scholarly text than a story.

The book felt cold and without purpose to me. I could not connect with the characters, and the character development just wasn’t there. I never felt engaged in the story or invested in what was happening. Instead, it felt like I was reading a textbook for school rather than a book for enjoyment.

I’ve enjoyed other books by Jodi Picoult, but unfortunately, this one wasn’t one of them.

Hard pass for me.

August 23, 2026 – Started Reading

August 25, 2026 – Shelved

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 Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and WOW! I can already tell you it will not be my last. I will definitely be reading more of her books! Beneath a Prairie Moon is a standalone novel—not part of a series—though I desperately wish it were because I am not quite ready to say goodbye to these characters!

The story begins with a woman who runs a matchmaking service. She receives letters and payment from sixteen men in Kansas who are hoping to find brides. Rather than simply sending the women off to marry these men, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She brings along a particularly troublesome bride who has already been returned several times and sets off for Kansas herself. Her plan? To teach the men of Kansas a little proper etiquette and, more importantly, what it really means to be a good husband before she sends any of the women to marry them.

What follows is a story filled with humor, romance, unexpected plot twists, and meaningful spiritual lessons. I laughed, I cried, and I was completely invested in what was going to happen next. I started reading this book late one night and finished it the following day because I simply could not put it down!

One of the things I particularly enjoyed was getting the perspectives of many of the townspeople and the women throughout the story. Seeing the events unfold through different viewpoints added depth to the characters and made the little community feel wonderfully alive. There are quite a few storylines woven throughout the book, and Sawyer does a wonderful job bringing them together.

On a predictability scale, I would say that some parts of the story were fairly predictable, but there were enough twists and surprises to keep me thoroughly engrossed. Even when I thought I knew where the story was headed, I still wanted to keep reading to see how everything would unfold. Near the end of the book a shocking turn takes place.

I also felt that this book had a similar feel to Amanda Cox's books, which is probably a big part of why I loved it so much. It has that same combination of heartfelt storytelling, engaging characters, emotional moments, and back and forth between characters own perspectives naturally throughout the story.

My biggest complaint? I desperately wanted a sequel! I was not ready to leave these characters behind, and I would happily read another book following their lives and seeing where their stories take them next.

The only slightly negative thing that I would mention is that I was on this incredible journey into these peoples lives and the book was amazing. There was a build up and an event near the end of the book and the last maybe 10 pages wrapped it all up quickly. I wish that it had gone more slowly over those parts of the story. Plus I wanted to know what happens next!!

If you enjoy historical fiction with romance, humor, faith, memorable characters, and plenty of heart, I highly recommend Beneath a Prairie Moon. This was such a delightful read, and it has definitely made me a new Kim Vogel Sawyer fan!

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here. 

August 16, 2026 – Started Reading

August 17, 2026 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

Amish Front Porch Stories by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Amish Front Porch Stories by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

For some reason, I just could not get into this book. I really wanted to enjoy it, especially because I normally love Amish fiction, but unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.

The biggest issue I had was that the stories were simply too short to allow me to become invested in the characters. The book is made up of 18 “short tales,” but most of them felt more like very brief essays or snapshots than fully developed stories. Many were only around 5–8 pages long, which didn’t give the characters, relationships, or situations enough time to develop. Just as I started getting interested in someone’s story, it seemed to be over and another one would begin.

I also struggled with the fact that the stories didn’t seem to have much connection to one another. I kept waiting for the different pieces to come together or for there to be a larger storyline tying everything together, but that never really happened. Because of that, I found it difficult to feel emotionally connected to the book as a whole.

I rarely stop reading a book before finishing it, but I ended up putting this one down about halfway through. There just wasn’t enough substance to keep me engaged, and I found myself wishing the individual stories had been longer and more developed.

That being said, I know that every reader is different, and someone who enjoys very short, simple stories may appreciate this collection much more than I did. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. Not every book is for everyone, and this just wasn’t my book.

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here. 

August 9, 2026 – Started Reading

August 10, 2026 – Shelved

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 Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling (Book 2 of Home to Green Creek Series)

At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Continuing on with the *Home to Green Creek* series by Lauraine Snelling, Book 2 picks up where Book 1 left off. It continues the story of Amalia, a Norwegian immigrant who came to Iowa to start a new life. She is raising Ruthie, an orphan in her care, while also running a boardinghouse until Ruthie comes of age. In this book, Amalia’s cousin makes the journey across the ocean to immigrate to Iowa and help her with the boardinghouse. We see more characters in this book to fall in love with as well as book 1 characters to continue reading about their journeys.

This book was just as good as the first—and I loved it! There is quite a bit more sadness and heartache in this story, but there is also love, healing, and faith. The characters take you on an emotional journey, and you find yourself laughing, crying, and feeling every emotion right alongside them.

I won’t give away any spoilers, but when I finished this book, I immediately wanted to pick up the next one. I am fully invested in the lives of these characters and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Unfortunately, the third book in the series hasn’t been published yet, so now I have to wait to find out what comes next. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this series!

If you would like to read this book, At Morning's Light, you can find it here. 

If you would like to read my review of the first book in this series, Land of Dreams, you can find it here. If you would like to read the first book you can find it here. 

August 8, 2026 – Started Reading

August 10, 2026 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling (Book 1 in the Home to Green Creek Series)

Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**5 stars!** Completely engrossing! I was attached to the characters and their stories right away.

I have lived near Decorah, Iowa, all my life, and I am also very Norwegian, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to pick it up. It felt like it could have been connected to my own family tree. My grandpa came to the Midwest from Norway with his mother when he was just two years old, so I especially loved reading about what life was like for Norwegian immigrants during those days.

The challenges, faith, and endurance of the characters were so refreshing to read about. I found myself becoming completely invested in their lives and finished the book in just three days!  The book had be thinking a lot about how I could help others more in my life.  Amalia is so open to serving others and grounded in her Faith.  It was inspiring.  

I loved this book so much that I ordered the second one in the series right away. I want to keep following these characters and find out where their lives take them. Of course, I immediately looked up the third book, only to discover that it hasn’t been released yet! 😭 Now I’ll have to wait, which will be hard because I need to know what happens next!

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here. 

If you would like to read the second book in this series, At Morning's Light, you can find it here. 

If you would like to read my review of the second book in this series, you can find it here. 

I’m also excited to discover that Lauraine Snelling has several other series that look amazing. I’m so happy to have found a new author whose books I know I’m going to love!

**Book Description:**
On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge.

August 3, 2026 – Started Reading

August 6, 2026 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~