Book Review: The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler

Author: Lyn Liao Butler

Title: The Fourth Daughter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 280

Published: August 1, 2025

Where I got It: Amazon

Summary: 

In Taiwan, the bond between grandmother and granddaughter opens up a healing world for them both in an inspiring family saga about the comfort of food, untold histories, and indomitable mother love.

Chef Liv Kuo’s star is on the rise…until a traumatic incident leaves her emotionally unable to venture outside her Manhattan apartment. But an unexpected reason to break free comes from Ah-Ma, Liv’s beloved grandmother in Taiwan. Ah-Ma needs Liv’s help in finding her fourth daughter, taken from her when the girl was an infant. After all these years, it seems impossible. It’s also a Ah-Ma’s fourth daughter is an aunt Liv never even knew existed.

After landing in Taiwan, Liv hears the heartbreaking story of her grandmother’s plight in a country once under martial law, of choices made for her, and of the hopeful search for a lost girl that has endured for more than sixty years. Like the enriching food and traditions that bind Liv and Ah-Ma, their journey for answers brings them together.

And it’s a quest that turns up both a precious old cookbook and a tale of fatal betrayal that shakes everything Liv believed about her family—revelations that could also give her the courage to face the trauma she left behind.

Review:

A member of my Twitch community (if you're curious, my name on Twitch is Carole_Rae) picked this book for me to read. I was instantly curious when I read the summary because I love books like this!!

The story follows Liv and her grandmother. Liv went through a terrible tragedy and can't get out of her house because of the fear. However, everything changes when she speaks to her grandma who is convinced she seen her missing daughter at the store. It has been decades since grandma had last seen her daughter, but she believes it is her. Years previous, her fourth daughter was taken away from her because of a superstition that the number 4 is a bad luck number. To help her beloved grandma, Liv forces herself to fly out to help find this woman.

This hit me so hard especially near the end. I was in tears. Happy and sad tears. So many years wasted because of the mistakes of people in the past. 

I loved following along with the current POV and the past POVs. It made me sad seeing how people had good intentions and some not so good bring such sadness to everyone. Yes, there was happiness and joy, but so much could've been avoided. 

Gah! Grandma's husband was a rat bastard! *shakes fist* Bad man.

There was a sprinkle of romance between Liv and Simon. I didn't really think it was needed, but it was lovely seeing Liv finally find peace again and he helped her. It didn't overtake the story (thankfully) but the love was wildly quick.

The ending was lovely. I loved how it ended SO much. That letter? GAH! Beautiful. 

Such a good book. I for sure recommend it. The romance didn't seem needed, but it was fine overall. It was lovely seeing Liv find some peace after what she went through. I hope she finally gets the therapy she needs. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): grandma and Liv

Least Favorite Character(s): Grandma's husband

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak and Dagger #26

Book Review: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Daisy Jones and the Six

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 369

Published: March 5, 2019

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A gripping novel about the whirlwind rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, revealing the mystery behind their infamous break up.

Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six, but nobody knows the real reason why they split at the absolute height of their popularity...until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go-Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it's the rock and roll she loves most. By the time she's twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Another band getting noticed is The Six, led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she's pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

Review:

I've eyeballed this one and funnily enough this was picked for Book Club soooooooooo sure why not. 

Told in the format of an interview we get to the heart of the raise and fall of Daisy Jones & The Six. We'll get the behind-the-scenes that everyone has wanted. 

First thing first.....the format was wildly different. You know those documentaries where they interview people to tell the story? The author attempts this here. We get multiple people telling us the story of the band. It was interesting and refreshing. It was done alright. I do wish we had more descriptives of HOW the people were talking and feeling and looking. You could assume. There were some instances of the author putting a few descriptives like "[pauses]", but there should have been more instances and more descriptives. I'm sure if I had done the audiobook, the narrator would've taken liberties and it might've helped. But yes, more would've been a great benefit, because the reader is left to pretty much assume.

The beginning had me curious...and then it lost me for a few, but after a certain scene it had me in it's grasps again. I could only read small chunks at a time, but I was hooked. I had to know what the final straw to break the camel's back was. There was SOOOO much drama in this band. It was bound to erupt, but it was just waiting for that last straw to fall. 

I hated everyone BUT I was enraptured with them all. They are all selfish, emotional, and immature. But you gotta remember....they are young and they are "stars". LOTS of ego in the room. 

The ending felt...rushed in a way. And I don't agree with a certain email. Gah. I'm just going to say it.......no I'm not.....I am. EEE. Okay [SPOILER ALERT] Billy's wife passes and pretty much gives the AOK for Billy and Daisy to reconnect and make another "song". Which YOU KNOW was her giving them permission to finally be together. Gag. They are so toxic for each other. Billy being Billy, though, he'll do it. :S Plus it felt so reductive of the characters. You can love someone but it doesn't mean that you should be together. SIGHS. Plus....I feel like Camila would've NEVER wanted that. IDK. It just didn't vibe with the whole story [SPOILER END]

Other then that ending and how I wanted more from the format.....I did like this. It was different and entertaining. Toxic characters doing toxic things in the 60s and 70s. What more can you ask for?

All-in-all, I did find myself liking this. I had some issues especially the ending little curveball. Bleh. Other than that I liked it. I can't wait to discuss this one. I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about. Rating???? Mmmmm. This has been a struggle for sure. 3....yes....3 stars seems fine. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Conflicting

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #31

Book Review: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Author: Alice Sebold

Title: The Lovely Bones

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 372

Published: July 3, 2002

Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend

Summary: 

"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."

So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her -- her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy.

Review:

Been meaning to read this for a while. I watched the movie eons ago but never the book. My friend decided to be nice to me and let me borrow her copy ;) 

Susie Salmon was murdered and she is still trying to adjust to that fact. She is trying to adjust to her new home in heaven. Watching her friends and family continue on earth try to come to terms with first her disappearance and then obvious murder. It breaks her heart watching her killer covering his tracks, her family falling apart because of grief, and her friends trying to cope. Out of this tragedy and loss, we will watch Susie and everyone find their way through grief. 

I first want to mention the format and writing style. Loads of people had some issues with it in Goodreads. I honestly feel that it was fitting. The narrator is a 13/14-year-old ghost who wasn't a writer. She would write simply. I found that the jumping around between her memories and what is going on on earth would make sense. It was easy enough to follow. I found the writing style and format were perfect for this particular story. That is my two cents. 

The story was simply and utterly tragic. However, there is hope. There is some humor. There is some light. I think the author did a fabulous job of balancing this. 

I loved the perspective we got to see. So often we only get to see the family cope with the loss and get through the steps of grief. Here....we also get to see the dead cope with the loss and get through the steps of grief. In a way...being dead seems harder. You can see the people you love but you are mute and can very rarely communicate. Sometimes the living can hear whispers or shadows or have dreams. 

This was for sure a book I would recommend. Just be ready to have some tears here and there. The ending (and I knew from the movie) wasn't going to fully satisfy me. Yes, karma and justice does find the target but not the way I wanted. Not the way we all deserve to see/read. Sighs. 

I also was a little meh about the Ray and Susie scene near the end. Mmmm. I have a love-hate of that. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this. It is a refreshing read and it will make you feel all the feelings. I do want to watch the movie again. There are a couple of scenes/plot points that I feel meh about, but overall I highly enjoyed this. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea

Author: Charlie Donlea

Title: Some Choose Darkness

Series: Rory Moore/Lane Phillips #1

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary

Format: ebook

Pages: 307

Published: April 2, 2019

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

Forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore sheds light on cold-case homicides by piecing together crime scene details others fail to see. Cleaning out her late father’s law office after his burial, she receives a call that plunges her into a decades-old case . . .

 

In the summer of 1979, five Chicago women went missing. The predator, nicknamed The Thief, left no bodies or clues behind—until police received a package from a mysterious woman named Angela Mitchell, whose unorthodox investigations appeared to unmask the killer. Then Angela disappeared without a trace. Forty years later, The Thief is about to be paroled for Angela’s murder. But the cryptic file Rory finds in her father’s law office suggests there is more to the case.

 

Making one startling discovery after another, Rory becomes helplessly entangled in the enigma of Angela Mitchell and what happened to her. As she continues to dig, even Rory can’t be prepared for the full, terrifying truth that is emerging . . .

Review:

This is the next book for my book club. I had enjoyed a previous book by the author so I was pretty excited for this one. 

Here we follow Rory Moore and Angela Mitchell. For Angela's POV it is the year 1979 and there is a serial killer in Chicago, however, the bodies of these missing women cannot be found. Thanks to Angela's unorthodox investigation, she is able to help the police unmask the killer. Still no bodies and she goes missing without a trace. In 2019, Rory Moore is a forensic reconstructionist. She helps shed new light on cold-case murders. When her father unexpectedly passes away, it is up to her to clean out her late father's law office and take care of his clients...she will find herself looking over a decades-old case and representing the serial killer from the 1970s when he goes up for parole. 

Okay. There is a lot going on in this one. Things start happening pretty quickly at the beginning, but there are some slowdowns which was nice. You need some time to learn about Rory in 2019 and Angela in 1979. They are both fumbling with life and what has landed in their laps. 

Omg....poor Rory. Her mom died a couple years ago, now Dad is dead, and then someone else she cares about passes too! Poor thing. She has a cold case she needs to work on and taking up the mantle for her father's clients. She hasn't used her law degree in a while and she is suppose to be in mourning. Lordiieeee. 

Of course, poor Angela too especially when you find out all the truths by the end.

When the big reveal of who the serial killer is I wasn't overly surprised. The person was super sus to me. However........there was something I was surprised by!!!!!! I can't say without spoiling. I still find someone sus of something. IDK, it just bugs me. Can't say. GAH so hard not to just spoil...okay. [SPOILER ALERT] I was totally surprised The Thief's business partner wasn't involved. I was waiting for an accomplice. I mean...he kind of did have a 2nd with his uncle. The uncle let him bury the bodies on his property. WHICH....what did he get out of that??? Sicko. But I truly felt the business partner was going to be a sicko too. [SPOILER ENDED] Okay, I got that off my chest. 

There is another reveal that I didn't see coming at all. Nice twist there. 

At first I was meh about to the two different time periods going on. By the end I grew to like it and understand why it was written the way it was written, but I think I would've liked just Rory's POV and to uncover stuff with her. Like I said...I did end up getting used to it and I did up liking Angela's side of the story.

In the end, this was pretty dang good. I would love to see this be a movie or show. Rory is a fascinating main character. And the twists and turns were good. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich

Author: Louise Erdrich

Title: Love Medicine

Series: Love Medicine #1

Genre: Historical Fiction, Classic, Short Stories, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 367

Published: January 1, 1984

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Set on and around a North Dakota Ojibwe reservation, Love Medicine is the epic story about the intertwined fates of two families: the Kashpaws and the Lamartines.

With astonishing virtuosity, each chapter draws on a range of voices to limn its tales. Black humor mingles with magic, injustice bleeds into betrayal, and through it all, bonds of love and family marry the elements into a tightly woven whole that pulses with the drama of life.

Filled with humor, magic, injustice and betrayal, Erdrich blends family love and loyalty in a stunning work of dramatic fiction.

Review:

Been meaning to read this for a long, long time. I couldn't find any paper version of this at any of my local stores BUT I wanted to read this and I gave up for a long while. A little while ago this was for sale as an ebook on Amazon...so I grabbed it and then decided to make my book club read this with me. 

The Kashpaws and Lamartines are two families that seem to have intertwined fates. A mixture of some dark humor...magic....injustice....betrayal....the bonds of family will continue on. 

I wish I had checked out this ebook that I bought because the formatting is all wrong and I couldn't return it so I just pushed through. It was so hard to read because of this. I am really upset that the ebook did me dirty like this.

The beginning was rough for me for a couple of reasons. 1) The formatting made it SO hard to read 2) I was really confused on who was who and what was really going on. I feel like we just got dropped into this world. Maybe if the formatting was right there would've been clearly defined chapters with "Kasphaws" or "Lamartine" or whoever is narrating. What made it was that it was jumping around SO much. I think we even were jumping to different times WHICH maybe if the formatting was right....it would've made sense. 

Once I got used to the formatting and found my footing, I enjoyed this immensely. This was really profound and it really hit me hard. Especially the one funeral scene. I think I even shared the quote on Facebook. This author really does know how to get the heart and pull your emotions. 

I need to find a paper version or a better ebook version. I feel like I missed a lot and I can't necessarily blame the author. Please avoid this version. I should've read the reviews....

But yes...what I could decipher and understand...I enjoyed. The ending was much better and it was SO impactful. I'll have to give this 2 stars for now. Maybe someday I'll find an actual version that works well and give it a second chance/re-read. 

Challenge(s):

- TBR Reading Challenge (#8)

Book Review: A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam

Author: Tahmima Anam 

Title: A Golden Age

(Bangla Desh #1)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 276

Published: 2007

Where I Got It: My shelf (Pamida)

Summary: 

Set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence, A Golden Age is a story of passion and revolution, of hope, faith and unexpected heroism. The first volume in a planned trilogy.

As young widow Rehana Haque awakes one March morning, she might be forgiven for feeling happy. Today she will throw a party for her son and daughter. In the garden of the house she has built, her roses are blooming, her children are almost grown, and beyond their doorstep, the city is buzzing with excitement after recent elections. Change is in the air.

But none of the guests at Rehana's party can foresee what will happen in the days and months ahead. For this is 1971 in East Pakistan, a country on the brink of war. And this family's life is about to change forever.

Set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence, A Golden Age is a story of passion and revolution, of hope, faith and unexpected heroism. In the chaos of this era, everyone—from student protesters to the country's leaders, from rickshaw'wallahs to the army's soldiers—must make choices. And as she struggles to keep her family safe, Rehana will be forced to face a heartbreaking dilemma. This is the first volume of a planned trilogy.

Review:

Years ago (maybe 2008 or 2009) I picked this bad boy up at the local store when I was a teen. It's been so long that the store isn't even there anymore. Finally decided enough was enough and to get myself to read it because of the TBR challenge I'm part of.

This is set during the Bangladesh War of Independence. Rehana Haque is a young widow with children. She decides to throw a party for her son and daughter. Outside the party the city is buzzing with excitement after the recent elections. Change is in air! However, East Pakistan is on the brink of war and her and her family's lives are about to change forever. 

This started off really good. I was hooked. I was scared for the family and for the country. I couldn't stop reading!!! 

And then we got to the middle point and I was.............tired. I was ready for this to end.

I know, I know...that sounds bad. 

Not sure what changed for me. I soon found myself wanting to skim to just get to the end and find out what happens. I was still invested in the characters and their fates, but I was ready for the answer. It started feeling like a history book. Don't get me wrong...I like a good history book, BUT when I want one or I'm feeling like researching a topic. I fee like this got stuck on the details and feel flat.

I skimmed through Goodreads and there are so many people who love this and there is a small grouping of people who didn't. 

Gah. I wish I had loved this! 

In the end, it wasn't horrible or boring. I enjoyed our characters and I had been hooked for nearly half, but then it got too hooked on the details and started reading like a history book. I'll give this 2 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):

- TBR Reading Challenge (#2)

Book Review: Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Author: Judy Blume 
Title: Summer Sisters
Genre: YA, Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit
Pages: 416 
Published: 1998
Where I Got It: My shelf (Gift from a friend)



In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard's world changed forever—when Caitlin Somers chose her as a friend. Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomed Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha's Vineyard, a magical, wind-blown island where two friends became summer sisters...

Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard. And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin has begged Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor. And Vix knows that she will go—for the friend whose casual betrayals she remembers all too well. Because Vix wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer. And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart...

Read this for book club. Which was perfect because a friend gave this to me as a gift a while back.

The story follows Vix/Victoria who's life changed forever when Caitlin Somers chose her to be her friend. Caitlin welcomed Vix into her family and summer vacations to Martha's Vineyard. From there they become friends for life and summer sisters. However, something happened and it broke their friendship apart and they barely talk. Caitlin asks Vix to be her maid of honor . Even with all the betrayals and years of being apart, Vix agrees.

Poor Vix. I feel so bad for her. Caitlin is a terrible, terrible person. I won't go into all examples so I can avoid spoilers, but one thing that really bugged me. Caitlin decided to get married on Vix's birthday and then had the nerve to make a joke about it. *SPOILER ALERT* And you have the nerve to do this AND marry Vix's first boyfriend/love. *SPOILER END* You spoiled, selfish brat.

Okay - so I don't hate Caitlin as much as I throwing insults at her. She has serious problems. I really think the lady needs therapy. However, I can't really forgive her for all the terrible things she did as an adult. Little Caitlin and teenager Caitlin...sure, but adult Caitlin...is terrible to everyone who loves her.

That ending was sad. Super sad. However, it left slightly open-ended and I liked it. It really is good for conversation especially for the book club meeting I had for this book. I go back and forth about my opinion on what happened. But I am leaning towards one way.

This really was a good book. It makes you think and I feel like you connect with someone. I can really relate Vix so I can't really be mad at her for keeping falling into Caitlin's world and stay loyal to her and love her. I feel like we all have a Caitlin in our lives. Someone who we can't stop loving. Maybe a family member or friend. I know I do for sure. This book does make you feel all the emotions and makes you think about yourself.

All-in-all, this is a book worth the read. It makes you feel all the emotions from anger, to sadness, to even happiness. It is also a good book for discussions like book club ;). I shall stamp this with 4 stars.

Happy Halloween & Movie Review: Halloween (1978)

Film Title: Halloween (1978)

Length:    1h 31min 
Released:     27 October 1978
Genre:    Horror, Thriller 
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Friend's copy

SUMMARY:
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
In honor of Halloween we watched this classic horror film. 

This is the beginning of Michael's reign of horror. Michael would become immortalized in film history! Michael started his killing young. Years later, he has escaped and is ready to start killing again. 

This is such a good movie even though it was from the 70s. It had a small sprinkle of cheese but it didn't cloud the film or story (which...as you know...70s movies had that tendency to do). What I also love about this film is that it is not a gore fest. Sure, I love gorey films too, but this is scary without all the blood. Michael is just a scary dude and he stalks his prey like an animal. SO CREEPY. 

Michael is one of the scariest killers. He never runs. He doesn't have to. He'll catch up and you won't except when or where. Scary!

Now...our victims. I feel for them, but they were SO dumb. SOOOOOOOO dumb indeed. Laurie was the only decently smart one...kinda. She had her moments like believing she killed Michael. Pssshhh. Girl please. Don't drop the knife by his body. SIGHS. 

There were some things that confused me and made me laugh.

That ending was classic and it really left the story open to make sequels or even showcase there could be more killers out there. Who knows? Evil is everywhere and you won't expect it. Nioce. Love it. 

In the end, this is a classic film. Not too gory so it is good if you don't like gore fest movies. It will scare you. There are a couple of moments you will chuckle from the cheese-y moments, but this is a great horror film for sure. 4 stars from me. 

Movie Review: A Star Is Born (1976)

Film Title: A Star is Born

Length:   2h 19min
Released:   1976
Genre:   Drama, Music, Romance 
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Watched at a friend's house

SUMMARY:
A has-been rock star falls in love with a young, up-and-coming songstress.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Watched this forever ago and I couldn't remember much from it. I didn't really care for it back then, but I was a teen and teens don't care much about anything. My friend is watching all the movie renditions and she started this so I sat down to join her. 

This follows Esther and John. John is on a dark path of burning out because if his drinking and drugs. Esther is an up-comer that he sees a talent and love in her. They get together and he helps her shine as his career goes down the drain. 

I remembered bits and pieces of this film as we were going through, but I totally forgot how cheesy this was. Sooooo 70s/80s! There was one scene that had us simply laughing into tears and it was meant to be so intimate and so romantic, but my goodness sooooo cheesy. There was another scene that was just so awkward that I wanted to look away but I couldn't. Someone needed to be edit this and refilm it and change the scene.

I did like Esther and John BUT I wanted more back-story. We didn't get anything. I think Esther said she had been married before? But that was about it. We just jumped into this world and characters and we didn't get to KNOW the characters. So some of the actions and feelings didn't connect with me. WHY was John falling apart? WHY did he have an addiction? Did he always have it and it just escalated? We just needed more as the audience to feel connected for them. I wanted them to be happy and for John to find his way, but it felt hollow to me. 

The ending. OOO my heart. Barbra Streisand can for sure act. She really gave it her all. I wasn't 100% keen on the song at the end when it turned to rock, BUT I get it because John was a rocker. Sooo it makes sense to blend their styles there. 

Overall, not bad. It was for sure a 70s/80s indie film. SO campy. SO cheesy. Be prepared like I was. I wasn't shocked at the awkward scenes. I like the modern version better with Gaga though. This needed more back-story for our couple in order for me to really connect. But I shall give this 3 stars. Good for what it is. :)