⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
Confessions of a Grammar Queen
By Eliza Knight

Another advanced reader copy of a book given to me by @netgalley and another super fun read!

Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight is about copy editor Bernadette Swift, who is the only woman copy editor at publishing house, Lenox & Park. Determined to break the glass ceiling of 1963, Bernadette wants to be the first woman CEO of a major publisher. Encountering bumps at every turn, and with her faithful dog Frank at her side, Bernadette presses on and works towards her goals with determination and grace.

I really enjoyed this story. Bernadette was such a fun character to share a story with, and her determination was inspiring. There are so many characters I enjoyed, especially Frank the dog. His chapters were some of my favorites in the book! This is a fun, quick read, and anyone who enjoys grammar, women's equality, and dogs should pick it up. It is also not lost on me that I read this book about women fighting for their rights during Women's History Month.

#reader #netgalley #elizaknight #confessionsofagrammarqueen

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC.
Reading historical fiction is always a delight but books like this make it even better.
This story is set in 1960s though it's still applicable today. While it's appalling that women even now have to face chauvinistic behaviour and misogyny, the fact that there are courageous, wise, wonderful women who never give up. The fact that there are men who do agree with women and don't hesitate to stand against their own sex makes it even better.

Eliza Knight delivers a witty, insightful, and thoroughly entertaining read with Confessions of a Grammar Queen. This book is a delightful blend of humor, history, and wordplay, making it a must-read for language lovers and historical fiction fans alike.

From the start, the narrative voice is engaging and full of personality, making the story feel both intelligent and fun. The protagonist is sharp, endearing, and refreshingly unique, pulling readers into a world where grammar isn’t just a set of rules but a way of life. Knight’s ability to weave historical elements into a charming, lighthearted story is truly impressive, adding depth without making it feel heavy.

What I particularly enjoyed was how the book balances humor with genuine historical intrigue. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed grammar nerd or simply someone who enjoys a clever, well-crafted story, there’s something here to appreciate. The pacing is smooth, the writing is smart, and by the end, you’ll find yourself both entertained and maybe even a little more mindful of your own grammar!

A sweet and empowering read. Bernadette just might be the best copy editor in NYC. But as the only woman in her department, she is often tasked with making coffee and dry cleaning her boss’s stained shirts. Still, Bernadette is ambitious and resilient. With the help of her friends, and a distractingly handsome and supportive colleague, Bernadette sets out to secure equality for women in the workplace.

This was a lovely read with a cast of characters (many likable and a few terrible ones). Bernadette is a compelling lead, Wall a loathsome manager, and Graham a wonderful match. Recommended to anyone looking for a feel-good story with charming characters.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Book Review: April Fools by Jess Lourey
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

First off, big thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

April Fools is the sixth book in Jess Lourey’s Murder by Month series, following Mira James, a journalist turned sleuth who keeps stumbling into mysteries in small town Minnesota. This time around, it’s April, and she’s investigating a missing person case that, of course, turns into something much bigger (and more dangerous) than she expected.

I really liked Mira as a character, she’s funny, relatable, and definitely the kind of person I’d want to grab coffee with. The small town setting was also super charming, and Lourey does a great job balancing humor with suspense. Some of the twists were pretty solid, and the book kept me engaged for the most part.

That said, I had a few issues. The pacing was a little off, especially in the middle, and some parts felt repetitive. The mystery itself wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped, and I saw a couple of the twists coming. I also felt like some of the side characters weren’t as developed as they could have been, which made it hard to really care about their involvement in the story.

Overall, April Fools is a fun, light mystery with a quirky main character and a good dose of humor. It’s not groundbreaking, but if you like cozy mysteries with a little snark, it’s worth checking out!

4/5!

It’s 1960’s New York, Bernadette is aiming for CEO of a big publishing house while navigating workplace harassment and protesting for women's rights.

This book is the definition of girl hood, women supporting women and I loved every second of it.We see Bernie’s amazing friendship with Melanie and the book club girlies as well as the relationship with her great family

Thank you to SourceBooks and NetGalley for the Arc!

Review coming soon! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

i want to be bernie swift when i grow up

this book had me so enamoured that words are ironically hard for me to conjure right now

firstly, i am a sucker for a literary based book and secondly, i am also a sucker for books based in new york city so this for me was like dumping malteasers (pre gluten allergy) into my popcorn – a delicious combo

having this set in 1960s nyc during a height of women’s rights protests following an ambitious woman with fierce determination made me feel equal parts sad at the lives those before us had to endure, and proud of the resilience our matriarchs showed

i absolutely admire all the different relationships shown in this story; the love and loyalty between frank and bernadette you’d know first hand if you’ve had a dog, just sweet sweet baby graham in general, the friendship between bernie and melanie, but also all the women in the book club – i even admired her relationship with her family, but more importantly her mother; it was nice to see the big support system our fmc had around her during such a monumental time and all that was thrown at her

i think what i like most about this book is it didn’t veer into the tropes it could have, there was no white knighting or a fmc full of self doubt in her job and people had room to change and grow – some parts were predictable but not in the way i originally thought

side note; it was really refreshing to read a book based in the literary world and not have the writing feel pretentious, there are some words i admittedly had to google but given our main character it made perfect sense

if i had one small critique it would be that i wish we did have a few more book club scenes, even if were like some of the shorter ones that would lasted about a page, i really enjoyed the dynamics and perspectives of all the women

admittedly i am an epilogue hater, but the way eliza knight delivered hers was the cherry on top, it was so perfectly fitting

thank you to netgalley for the arc 💌