DRB Reviews...Snowflakes by Ruth Ware

I often listen to audible while I do chores around the house, garden or drive. Audible is usually where I "read" my non-fiction books. However, Snowflakes popped up on my recommended list. At first I couldn't believe I missed a book from one of my favourite authors...then realized that Snowflakes is a short story.

I had to drive for over an hour so this was a perfect, "devour-able" short story. It was 57 mins in length and I thought a perfect choice.  Many people argue that audio books should not be classed as "books read", but I disagree. Audio books still stimulate the brain in the way reading does, and they provide language nuance, and unique comprehension processing skills as you listen to the modelling of the oral language.

Snowflakes did not disappoint me. I have to admit, I was 75% through the story and was indifferent to the plot; hadn't fallen in love with the story line or the characters. The ending made it all worth it. I find myself still reflecting and contemplating this story, while I still try to understand all the little details that had huge lasting impacts on the characters.  The twists and turns at the end were sharp, jaded and delicious. I definitely turned 365 degrees in aww. 

Ware never disappoints me. Brava Ware for another absorbing story. 

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...A Good Animal by Sara Maurer

I am in love with this book. My heart grew a couple diameters and I don't think I can contain it, as it kept leaking out of my eyes in tears. In a good way. My heart is full after reading this coming of age story. It was so pure. Maurer took me back in time to my own youth and innocence, and I remember fondly just how deeply I felt things. 

​There is something so special and romantic about being a farmer...having a homestead and taking care of the animals and crops; having a simpler life, close to nature and all God created. I know it's a hard life, but it's rewarding; all that hard work has a wonderful end result, something visceral and meaningful. I love animals and have such deep empathy for them and their beauty.

My husband grew up on a farm raising sheep. I have heard so many stories and Maurer truly captured a sheep farmers life and lambing season perfectly. I have so much respect for farmers. It was really refreshing to read this story; grounded me. I truly believe A Good Animal will be in the top ten books of 2026. I consumed every morsel of it and read it in less than 24 hours. Completely absorbing.

​www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...Penance by Eliza Clark

My step-daughter bought this book for me as a Christmas present. She said firstly that she thinks I will really like it, but secondly that she read it over a year ago and still can't stop thinking about it! I can understand why. 

Penance is completely fictional, but written like a true crime novel. It is written from the perspective of a journalist, who is examining the murder of a teenage girl in 2016. She was murdered by three teenage girls she knew from her high school; her peers. When I first started reading this book, I had to look up if it was based on a true story, because the characters, the social-economic classes and the portrayal of society was so real and raw. 

Clark was spot on creating the brokenness of relationships. The story was so deeply disturbing and so believable. Bullying was the underlining theme through-out, which is an all too real systemic problem in schools. Nearly 14% of children who are repeatedly bullied during their school years end up in prison; there is a much higher risk for them to engage in violence as adults. I love how Clark referred to childhood bullies as a hierarchy, with popular kids  being in "tier A" and the group below as "tier B." It still perplexes me as to why bullies exist, but I love this quote from Penance: "Kids, they're very instinctual, they're very primitive, in a lot of ways. They can smell the difference on you." 

Clark creates her story around corrupt home lives and how it flows into systemic social problems. Teachers see hundreds of children every year, and truly understand developmental and social norms for age groups. The story really hit home for me when one of the teachers who repeatedly wrote home about a child's bad behaviour and the parent's response was "Oh that woman - the teacher - she had a vendetta against [my daughter]." It speaks volumes to the ignorance of closed mindedness that sometimes money or lack of education can foster.

Honestly, this book was so deeply disturbing as it highlighted how bullying can erode in itty bitty slights, and if one gets hit often enough, it's like water eroding the earth, over time it wears away a hole...a hole created from a thousand cuts. A hole that destroys. 

Clark...brava! What an intellectually stimulating read. I don't think I have read something so tangible, real and expertly detailed. I was so deeply moved and engaged. It was a tragic story, that was far too believable, and therefore was both sad and terrifying. I am completely blown away! What a gripping read!

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DRB Reviews...The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

I was hoping for a sequel to "The Last Thing He Told Me" because so much was left unknown. Dave did not disappoint! When I heard that "The First Time I Saw Him" was being released, I pre-ordered it, and have been filled with tantalizing anticipation ever since. 

The book arrived in the post and I read it in almost one sitting. This was the best sequel I have ever read. Dave started right where she left off, and then proceeded to fill in all the gaps and missing pieces of the puzzle. Dave answered all the questions I had from the first book, and this is no small feat.

"The First Time I Saw Him" was exciting, well more like exhilarating...I had to just keep turning the pages to find out more. I was on the edge of my seat and just wanted to binge through to the end as fast as I could. It was well worth the wait!  I have never read a book by Dave that I haven't loved!

I just learned that "The Last Thing He Told Me" was adapted into an Apple TV thriller series starring Jennifer Garner.  The second season is premiering on February 20th, 2026 and is based on "The First Time I Saw Him". I have time to watch season one before season two is released. Love Jennifer Garner, can't wait! I adore screenplay adaptions from books!

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRBReviews...Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

This book took my breath away. It was my March choice from Book of the Month last year in 2025; my Birthday book. I never got around to reading it. When I was shopping this Christmas at Indigo, I noticed that Wild Dark Shore was chosen as the book of the year for 2025. I remembered it was sitting on my shelf unread, and realized I have missed something huge. 

To conquer both the GoodReads Winter Challenge, and my obviously "way to high" TBR pile...I dove in. Wild Dark Shore is about a family that lives on a secluded Antarctic Island, taking care of a vital seed bank, that could help the world in case of ecological collapse. When Rowan washes up onto the shore, dark secrets begin to spill out as she falls in love with each of the members of the family. McConaghy's characters were beautiful, not outwardly, but inwardly...real, humble, and filled with integrity. 

The real gem of this book wasn't even the storyline, although gripping, but McConaghy's writing style. The imagery evoked created a deep sensory journey for me. The rhythm of her writing had an almost musicality to her phrases, that made her words resonate more deeply within my soul. 

I honestly don't think I have read a book that hit me as hard as this one. It is a complete diamond. If I had to give it a rating out of 5, it would be a 7. Wild Dark Shore will live long in my soul. The way I feel after reading this book, is exactly how I felt after reading my beloved Anne of Green Gables for the first time. McConaghy has captured my soul.

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite

My first book read of 2026, my first review of 2026 and my first GoodReads challenge accomplished!  I wanted to add a few reading challenges to the New Year, and chose the GoodReads "bookmark" challenges and Indigo's 2026 Reading Challenge. Cursed Daughters was a Star Selections, part of the GoodReads Winter Challenge. I felt by following these two challenges through-out 2026, it may get me out of my usual genres and help narrow down my choices.

I am so glad I decided to read this book. I found it a little challenging to dig my teeth into at first, but right when I thought "this book isn't for me" the pages kept turning, because deep down, I was in love.

I was in love with the characters. The women of this book were so real. The story felt authentic, something that could possibly be a true story. It was full of fun and lightheartedness amongst the sad realities of life...death and broken hearts. 

The chapters were short, and Braithwaite's writing is easy and flowing...like a gentle breeze in a new spring air. I loved the infused culture in the story; it made everything feel more rich. I became truly engrossed and am a little sad I finished the book. (That is always the mark of a truly great novel!)
​
www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

I have had this book on my TBR for over two years. I bought my copy at a thrift store one summer and considered it such a lucky find. I had all of Quinn's books except this one, so it was a happy purchase. I often try to buy books that complete collections of my favourite authors, for my home library. There is something so comforting have a complete set. 

The hard copy was quite heavy and bulky to carry around, and I think that is why it didn't get read sooner, as I am always on the go. Moreover, the book is set in winter time, and I just had to wait until winter before reading it. I think what finally got me around to it was a book bub kindle deal. I purchased a second copy for $1.99 for my kindle and when the winter arrived I dug in.

This book kept me reading long into the night. It was my favourite bedtime read for the past couple of weeks. I became absolutely mesmerized by the main character Mila. She is so strong, resilient and feminine. Mila is a Ukrainian history student and mother turned sniper.  "Lady Death", her knick name, has quite possibly become an idol in my eyes. Her character is based on the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, a highly decorated Soviet sniper. I am now very keen on reading the autobiography of this incredible woman.

This is a five star book. I LOVE historical fiction, and am so glad I finally got around to reading this wonderful book by Quinn. Thank you!!

www.dawnrodger.ca
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DRB Reviews...His & Hers by Alice Feeney

I finished this book just in time to watch the new limited series on Netflix released today!  I have never read a book by Feeney before and I have heard and read incredible reviews about her work. I decided I would start with her first debut novel. It didn't disappoint.

I did not fall in love with the characters, so at first it was hard to commit to finishing at first. But, with each page I turned, I wanted to know more. I was more than 50% through and realized I was hooked. The content grew a bit dark for my taste at times, and some of the scenes were hard to swallow. This is awkward coming from me considering just how dark my own novel Scattered Garbage is, but the story line of His & Hers must have triggered me in some way. The triggers definitely didn't stop me from finishing this book. lol 

Feeney understands hooks and twists and it made this novel difficult to put down. His & Hers is really well written. I truly couldn't guess who did it. The alternating perspectives left me guessing and I was desperate to find out the truth. THE ENDING WILL BLOW YOU AWAY!

​I am very excited to read her latest release coming soon called "My Husband's Wife"; I pre-ordered it yesterday!

If you like psychological thrillers, this is a book not to miss!
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DRB Reviews...Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

Firstly, I LOVE Book of the Month. It is so exciting to get to choose newly released hard cover books, from a variety of genres, every month, by incredible authors. It always stretches me out of my comfort zone; choosing books I wouldn't necessarily choose if I were shopping in a store.

I really wanted a "Christmasy Fee" book this month, so I chose Good Spirits. I love a good old Scrooge story, learning from your past to make a better future. And that is exactly what Good Spirits is...except with an adorable twist. How can you fall in love with a ghost? Borison can show you the way.

I adored this book. It made me laugh and smile. I was enjoying reading it so much, I read it too fast...just couldn't stop turning the pages and then BOOM, it was over. What an incredibly fun-loving story; I thought the storyline was so unique. What a beautiful cover too, with sparkly snow flakes! This is the best light-hearted story I have read this season. Thank you Borison! And thank you to book of the month for choosing Good Spirits as one of December's choices! What a warm and cozy feel-good read.

www.dawnrodger.ca
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