Mini Reviews: Memorable Women

I love reading books about women who were misunderstood or long forgotten—women written off as secondary characters in the pages of history. Today, I’m sharing two new books about notorious (and often misunderstood)! women: Anne Boleyn, Queen of England and one of Henry VIII’s wives, and Peggy Shippen, also known as Mrs. Benedict Arnold.

 

The House of Boleyn by Tracy Borman

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction 

Pub. Date: August 4, 2026 

Publisher: Grove/Atlantic

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "When nobleman Thomas Boleyn, lord of Hever Castle, is called to London in 1509 to present himself to the newly-anointed eighteen-year-old king, Henry VIII, Thomas's young daughter, Anne, implores him not to leave. "Well, make sure the prize you bring me is worth it, Father," Anne demands of him. "I will try," he responds. "But I'll wager even a crown wouldn't satisfy you." Such premonitions resonate convincingly throughout Tracy Borman's rich and compelling novel. Blending the history she knows so well with the creativity of her imagination, Borman brings the Boleyn family's three-decade rise and precipitous fall to vivid life.

Borman surrounds the main dramatic events of the Boleyn saga with a colourful tableau in which servants play key roles, familial and inter-familial rivalries threaten, and true love often loses out to keen ambition. Anne's ever-loyal attendant Agnes Frideswide, and Thomas Boleyn's perfidious steward Robert Cranwell, are as memorable as Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, or anyone in the increasingly dangerous orbit of Henry VIII's court, as he pursues Anne relentlessly, only to abandon her when she can't give him the son and heir he desperately seeks."

 

Everyone knows the story of the Boleyn family, who took Henry VIII's court by storm; the rise and fall of this family is legendary, and of course, everyone knows what happened to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. However, Tracy Borman, a Tudor Historian, delves deeper into the Boleyn family as a whole, starting with Anne's father, Thomas. The story of this family spans three generations and offers a fresh perspective by examining not only the usual Boleyns (Mary, Anne, and George, along with their father) but also their grandmother, Margaret. Her story is complex, and other secondary characters come to the forefront, one being Anne's attendant, Esther, and Thomas's steward, Robert Cranwell (not to be confused with Cromwell!). Since Borman is a Tudor historian, readers can appreciate the level of detail in The House of Boleyn and the fresh perspective on a much-told story.
 
Borman did a superb job of bringing Tudor England to life; she truly knows the topic. I felt like I was there! Anne is portrayed as bookish, smart, charming, interested in politics, and a little unconventional, much to her mother's dismay. The House of Boleyn depicts her sister, Mary, (with an interesting take on her situation), George, George's wife (also an interesting take), and the other usual suspects: Cromwell, Cardinal Wolsey, and more. Even though I knew Anne's fate, Borman made the story feel fresh; I appreciated the new perspectives. Fans of stories centered on the Tudors, as well as Philippa Gregory, will appreciate The House of Boleyn the most.

 

 

 

Mrs. Benedict Arnold by Emma Parry

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction 

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: Zando

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Philadelphia in the 1770s. Peggy Shippen longs for the war she’s living through to end. Though not always appreciated at home, she finds her curiosity is welcomed by a lively and influential circle of friends, including a glamorous rising star in the British army, Captain John André.

When the war separates them, Peggy is devastated—both by his absence and the horrors of ongoing conflict—before finding consolation in a man whose heroics for the Patriots have captured the world’s imagination: General Benedict Arnold.

As she trades Loyalist balls for Patriot salons, entertaining the most prominent figures of early America, and navigating the country’s lethal political currents, she conceives of an audacious scheme to achieve peace and her family’s survival, unleashing what would become the most famous act of treason in history.

When uncertainty and bloodshed are the only constants, Mrs. Benedict Arnold asks, how far will one woman go for safety?

 

This debut novel, which focuses on Peggy Shippen, otherwise known as Mrs. Benedict Arnold, will pull in any fan of the American Revolution. I knew a little about the Arnolds and mostly had a negative impression of them, like most people. However, Parry did a great job bringing Peggy Shippen's story to life and humanizing her. Peggy grew up in a wealthy family in Philadelphia and was mostly concerned about balls and clothing. She brushed shoulders with the British soldiers in the city; however, her family was well-known for not getting involved in politics, but had Loyalist tendencies. She forms a relationship with British Major John Andre, but once he leaves the city, their romance dwindles, much to her dismay, but they keep up a correspondence. Then Benedict Arnold comes into her circle and her world is forever changed. Despite her father's Loyalist tendencies, she starts a relationship with Arnold, the Continental military commander of Philadelphia. What ensues is a story of intrigue, espionage, conspiracies, romance, and more. Emma Parry's debut, Mrs. Benedict Arnold, is perfect for fans of Hamilton as well as AMC's Turn.
 
I have always enjoyed stories about the American Revolution, and Parry does an excellent job of bringing Peggy Arnold to the forefront. Oftentimes, she is merely a footnote in the history of the American Revolution, but she actually played a significant role in the conspiracy, which Parry highlights in Mrs. Benedict Arnold. What surprised me most about this novel was that I found myself feeling sympathy for the Arnolds. Their situation was complex, and when learning about these events, we often don't get the full picture of what Benedict endured. It’s definitely a complicated story. My only issue with the novel was the use of modern language throughout, which felt jarring. I’m not sure why this wasn’t edited to more appropriate phrasing for the time period. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Peggy's story, and I now appreciate her much more. She is much more than just a "spy" or the wife of the notorious Benedict Arnold.

 

 

Have you read either novel? Are you a fan of the Tudors or the time period of the American Revolution? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Anytime we can start conversations with children about big emotions and managing their feelings, it’s a win. Books can help facilitate these important discussions, which is why I’m happy to showcase a new Bella and Bird book, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness by Deana Plaskon, an award-winning children’s author and licensed mental health professional.

Helping children understand their emotions, recognize that their feelings are normal, and learn the importance of talking about them is a meaningful step in the right direction.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

By Deana Plaskon

Illustrator: Lea Marie Rivotti

Bella and Bird Books (2026)

ISBN: 979-8987268452

Age Range: Ages 5–10 (32 pages)

Series: Bella and Bird — Emotion Explorers

Synopsis: "Molly cried. She really cried. When Molly comes into the pasture, gloomy and sad, Bella, the wise horse, and Bird, the wisecracking barn swallow, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Molly is sad and offer valuable lessons and better ways to cope. By the time Molly leaves the pasture, she's gained new insights, is in better control of her feelings, and has tools to take along with her.

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness provides a foundation for readers to explore, understand, and effectively manage sadness, and serves as an invaluable tool for starting honest conversations about big emotions."

 

You can purchase your own copy of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. To learn more about Deana Plaskon visit her website and connect with her at Facebook and Instagram. 

 

The Giveaway:

Big feelings, big prizes! I have partnered with Deana Plaskon to host a giveaway for Bella and Bird Explore Sadness. Follow along on this virtual book tour and enter to win one of five signed copies of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness. Feeling extra lucky? One grand prize winner will take home the complete set—signed copies of all three books in the series: Bella and Bird Explore Anger, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, and Bella and Bird Explore Happiness. The giveaway ends at 11:30 PM MT on 9/24/26. Good luck!

 

Book Review: Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw

Pages: 304

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: July 7, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "The night Clay Lockhart’s wife dies, a violent storm tears their home—and the eight hectares of land beneath it—away from the Scottish coast, sending it adrift into the Atlantic. Thirty years later, twelve-year-old Ellie Mills discovers the fabled floating island off the coast of Nova Scotia and finds Clay still living in the weatherworn farmhouse perched on its highest hill.

When the island vanishes overnight, Ellie is left questioning whether it ever existed at all. But decades later, now in her thirties, the island resurfaces—and Ellie returns, determined to uncover the truth. What she finds is even Clay hasn’t aged a single day.

Faced with the impossible, Ellie learns that some mysteries aren’t meant to be solved—and that a life shaped by wonder may hold more promise than one bound by certainty.

Spanning centuries and coastlines, Habits of the Sea is a haunting, romantic journey through time, memory, and the invisible tides that pull us home."

 

 

Clay Lockhart's wife dies on the night a storm ravages his home along the Scottish coast, and the storm is so strong that it tears apart the strip of land his house is on and forms an island. This island floats away into the sea, adrift forever. People question Ellie's version of the story until one day twelve-year-old Ellie Mills spots the floating island off of Nova Scotia and ends up meeting Clay. The next day, the island is gone, and it has Ellie wondering if it even existed. Years later, the island returns and is spotted by many. Now Ellis is a grown woman and she wants to meet Clay once again and finally get some answers to her long-awaited questions. When she does, she finds out Clay hasn't aged at all. Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw is a beautifully written and genre-bending sort of romance that transports readers.
 
Immediately the premise of Habits of the Sea sucked me in. I mean, what a concept! I was intrigued. People were even making comparisons to Outlander, and if you know me, you know that is right up my alley. Plus, Ernshaw, who is a new-to-me author, writes beautifully and lyrically. However in the end, Habits of the Sea had so much potential, but the romance really fell flat for me. I just didn't feel connected to the characters as much as I wanted to, and in turn, the pacing of the story felt slow to me at times.
 
What truly stood out in Ernshaw's work was her genre-bending and atmospheric storytelling. I appreciated the magical realism woven into the narrative as well as the Gothic elements, and her lyrical writing brought those elements to life beautifully. However, despite her outstanding writing, I found Habits of the Sea to be just okay in the end. Have you read Habits of the Sea? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Book Review: The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: September 1, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "In this wise and warm debut novel, an Italian American grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter all named after the Roman myth of the Three Graces find their lives—and their secrets—colliding when, after years apart, they come to live under the same roof.

Graziella, a ninety-six-year-old former nun, spends her days running the parish’s food kitchen, convinced it is her responsibility to keep everyone fed in their working-class New York neighborhood. Her daughter, Grace, a respected psychology professor, appears accomplished and composed, yet finds herself unmoored as her personal life falters. Ella—Graziella’s granddaughter and Grace’s daughter—is weary of defending her vegan diet and anti-capitalistic lifestyle; blind to her own brilliance, she longs, above all, for a place to belong. Living together again, the three Graces reckon with the distances that have shaped them, and with what it means, at last, to be fully known.

Populated by unforgettable characters, The Three Graces of Pearl Street explores the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, and the quiet courage it takes to move through the world with true grace."

 

 

Graziella Valentini, a woman in her nineties, lives in New York's Little Italy. She helps out her community, works at the parish's food pantry, and is a well known and generous person who is always willing to lend a hand. After all, she was a former nun! Her daughter, Grace, is a psychologist in the city and is going through a divorce. She is at a major fork in the road of her life. Meanwhile, her daughter, Ella, is also going through some difficulties. She dropped out of MIT, is working at a thrift store in the city, and has lost her way. Things aren't great between the two women until a freak accident involving Ella brings them together under the same roof. Elizabeth Wellington Rollins’s debut novel, The Three Graces of Pearl Street, draws on the Roman myth of the three Graces. It’s charming and heartfelt, and it’s perfect for readers who enjoy generational sagas.
 
I adored Graziella from the start. Her brash demeanor, tough can-do attitude, and insightful observations about life were the highlights of The Three Graces of Pearl Street. After the untimely death of her husband, she has worked hard to pick herself up and channel that energy into giving back to her community. Her main project is the parish's food pantry, which she dedicates herself to day and night. When her granddaughter, Ella, moves back in with her, Graziella takes her under her wing and encourages her to work at the food pantry as well. She helps Ella get her life back on track. Then there's Grace who is navigating the challenges of her divorce and adjusting to being an empty nester. However, all three women are hiding secrets that living under the same roof will likely expose. Additionally, Ella keeps running into her former friend and crush, who happens to be her grandmother's accountant. As the Valentini women face numerous changes in their lives, it is comforting to know they have each other for support.
 
Rollins does a phenomenal job bringing Italian Americans to light. Quite often this book made me think about my grandmother, the Italian American immigrant experience, and even more about the culture. I enjoyed every aspect of that part of the novel - Graziella's Italian, her dedication to the church, the food pantry, her recipes, and more. Fans of Adriana Trigiani's novels will especially appreciate this aspect of The Three Graces of Pearl Street.
 
While I felt part of the story in the middle lagged a bit, overall, I thought it was an excellent debut. The story and the characters were so heartfelt and charming. It even brought a tear to my eye. Needless to say, I am a fan of Rollins and look forward to reading what she writes next.   

 

The Ultimate Fall Reading List

 

Fall is almost here, and so many great books are hitting the shelves. Bookmark this page for your next trip to the library or bookstore so you’ll know what’s coming out. There’s nothing better than curling up with a good book in the fall, and this list has something for everyone. I’ll keep adding to it as the season goes on. 

 

 Out Now:

The Matchmaker's Cottage by Kat Sloane 

The Unknown by Riley Sager 

Something About September by Julia McKay

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier

Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty 

A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin (9/1)

 

 

September:

The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters (9/1)

Under Story by Chloe Benjamin (9/1) 

Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison (9/1) 

The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins (9/1)

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (9/8) 

Tempest by Victoria Aveyard (9/8)

Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang (9/8) 

The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman (9/8) 

 

 

The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (9/15)

Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison (9/15)

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult (9/15) 

Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey (9/15) 

Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel (9/15) 

Free Falling by Lyla Sage (9/22) 

 

Hollywood Ending by John Green (9/22) 

Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley (9/22) 

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter (9/29)

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw (9/29)

The French Illusion by John Grisham (9/29)

 

 

October:

The Witch by Freida McFadden (10/6)

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver (10/6)

Broken Rival by Tessa Bailey (10/6) 

Under the Orchard's Spell by Ann Adams (10/6) 

Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger (10/6) 

What Happens at Nightfall by Lauren Willig (10/6)

 

 

Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus (10/13) 

Samantha: The Next Chapter by Fiona Davis (10/13)

The Royal Witch by Philippa Gregory (10/20)

A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Maas (10/27) 

 

 

November:

Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (11/3)

Peregrine Hill by Nina de Gramont (11/10)  

Peculiar Stars by Rebecca Yarros (11/17)  

Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (11/17) 

 

Shop All Books Here:  

So, which books catch your eye? Let me know which books are on your fall TBR list in the comments below.