Editorial Reviews

Thoughtfully delivered from a space of transparency, clarity, and vulnerability, Money Without the Noise: A Canadian Guide to Clear Financial Thinking in a Clickbait Era by Stephanie Sirot is a common-sense guide to financial competence from a distinctly Canadian perspective. Offering practical advice that realistically accounts for flawed choices and common coping mechanisms associated with financial hardship, Sirot acknowledges that no one is perfect, but emphasizes that everyone deserves a chance at independence and stress-free living. Whether analyzing root causes of overspending, unpacking debt and credit management, or outlining the arduous steps of financial recovery, Sirot humbly shares her story of struggle and the hard-earned wisdom she gained to achieve long-term stability, which is more forthright and relatable than most financial guides, as well as applicable for every walk of life.

A YA adventure loaded with magical mischief, odd-couple companions, and the sympathetic pressure of meeting impossible standards, The Plight of Team 27 by Lucas Nava is an absorbing tale of unexpected friendship and daunting duty. Belu Syrus, a new recruit to the noble Bovesi Rangers, is determined to step out from his mother’s shadow and prove his mettle in the contested skies of Avantius. When his first expedition spirals into a political debacle that could fuel another war, his three-person crew must unravel a conspiracy before their careers disappear into the depths of the Cloud Sea. With carefully designed world-building and allegorical themes of individuality, conquest, propaganda, anxiety, and the intimidating pursuit of personal growth, this multifaceted novel brims with meaningful themes and messages for readers of every age.

A gritty road novella about uncovering the past and finding yourself, Blue Flamingo by Joyce V. Harrison is a nostalgic slice of American drama. After becoming an orphan at 24, Dylan Ryker hits the road and winds up in the Florida panhandle, working at a bar called the Blue Flamingo – a dive that his father once passed through – in the hopes of finding a fresh direction in life. Between ousting badly behaved drunks, pursuing his passion as an artist, and trying to charm the girl next door, Dylan is a relatable and endearingly flawed protagonist. The raw emotion of the narration and the atmosphere of small-town suspicion make for a rich and unpredictable backdrop, elevating this seemingly spare narrative into an impressively impactful read.

Viscerally gripping and methodically plotted, The Wetlands by J.J. Richards is another breathless police procedural in the DCI Walker Crime Thrillers series. A merciless serial killer is preying on the weak and elderly in the murky marshes of Lancashire, drawing Walker into a dark rural hunt for the sadistic force of nature. Offering an immersive glimpse into the nuance and investigative instincts of a high-stakes case, the prose is realistic and deeply detailed, but also flavored with emotive descriptions and a hauntingly evil antagonist. Loyal fans of the series and new readers will not be disappointed, as this installment is easily one of Walker’s most chilling and psychologically intense mysteries yet.

A season of friendship and romance unfolds vividly in May Flowers at the Three Coins Inn by Kimberly Sullivan, the third installment of the charming Three Coins series. Emma and Annarita are hosting a new round of guests at their agriturismo in the Italian countryside – everyone from heartbroken political climbers and meticulous artists to embattled families and eccentric writers. Layered with intimate character development of each of these players, the novel probes into universal themes of human nature, as the members of this kaleidoscopic cast find healing and renewal in the springtime. Immersively descriptive in both setting and emotion, this is an especially satisfying installment of the series, highlighted by the author’s cozy, refreshing, and affirming prose.