Dèy

"Dèy pa kon jou fèt. Grief takes no holidays." ~ 94%

Dèy is a slow burn with themes of fear, grief, and surviving trauma. It is an exploration of Haitian culture, mass shootings in America, and events that shape our before/after. I resonated with the duty of daughters to take care of their parents. Summer reads don't have to be light and beachy. Step away from the chick lit and get into this literary fiction.

Magnolia is a successful Haitian American real estate agent in Miami, Florida. When shopping at the mall for her daughter's birthday present, she is caught in a random act of violence. She hears gunfire and takes shelter in a nearby restaurant with fellow shoppers and diners. The minutes are tense. Once she's safely home, Magnolia keeps the traumatic event to herself. Instead she is hyperfocused on her life: the bond with her daughter Zoë, her recent relationship break with Zoë's father, the challenges of her mentally ill mother, being a sister to the result of her father's affair, and the threat of gangs where her parents live in Haiti. 

Edwidge Danticat is an author on my watch list. I see her name and it's an automatic read. Her writing is impressive, inspiring, vivid and deep. Danticat took it a step further in Dèy and introduced me to a different language, culture and customs. The story transports us to Florida and Haiti with fresh eyes. It gives us something to think about. Beautifully written!

Happy Pub Day to Edwidge Danticat! Dèy is officially on shelves.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Dèy
Author: Edwidge Danticat
Published: August 2026
Pages: 256
Edition: Galley
Genre: Lit Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

Just as Long as We're Together / Here's to You, Rachel Robinson

"You mean you never had more than one best friend at a time?" ~ 29%

Bookhearts far and wide know that I grew up on Judy Blume. Her books contributed to my love of reading. No matter the stage of adolescence, there is a Judy Blume book that covers it. I vividly remember reading Just as Long as We're Together for the first time. I was in the 4th grade starting a new school for the gifted and talented. I was among other math nerds and kids with their nose stuck in a book. I was welcomed into a friendship clique, connected with more than one best friend, and immediately knew this is where I belonged. 

Just as Long as We're Together was the Judy Blume book for this stage of my life. And here I am 39 years after it's original publication re-reading it for a new release. It has a new look for middle grade readers. The new cover is simple with a bright teal background and a friendship bracelet. Remember those?! But the story within is the same. Stephanie and Rachel have been inseparable. But everything changes when Alison moves in next door. Stephanie clicks with her instantly and wants to form the perfect trio. But Rachel drifts away not wanting to make room for someone new. The story answers a common question: can you have more than one best friend?

Re-reading this book proved why it was a childhood favorite. Blume knows how to reel young girls in, teach a lesson and apply it to real life.

"Life is an obstacle course." ~ 42%

The companion book titled Here's to You, Rachel Robinson is a heartfelt story about shifting friendships, messy families and perfectionism. From the outside, Rachel is perfect. She is a straight-A student, excels at music, and is the best friend everyone counts on. But the pressure to be perfect builds while life at home is a disaster. It's hard to hold it together. Again, Judy Blume writes with her trademark way of connecting with young readers at the right time in their lives. Even though I did not enjoy Here's to You, Rachel Robinson as much back then, I now appreciate the deep message it provides: check on your strong friend.

Just as Long as We're Together and Here's to You, Rachel Robinson are best read as companion novels. I recommend it as a buddy read with the young reader(s) in your life. It will spark conversations, open dialogue and strengthen friendships. I am so delighted they are being re-released and celebrated!

Happy Early Pub Day to Judy Blume! Just as Long as We're Together and Here's to You, Rachel Robinson will be re-published next Tuesday, August 25.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Just as Long as We're Together

Author: Judy Blume
Re-Published: August 2026
Pages: 272
Edition: Galley
Genre: Children's Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Title: Here's to You, Rachel Robinson
Author: Judy Blume
Re-Published: August 2026
Pages: 272
Edition: Galley
Genre: Children's Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

You'll Love It Here

"Of course, I normally avoid my neighbors. I'm not about to engage in small talk with the people stuck living here alongside me." ~ 6%

It only takes one day for Mona's life to implode. After years of climbing the corporate ladder, she is expecting a promotion and finally moving out of her crumbling apartment building. Instead, she is jobless and stuck in a space barely big enough for a yoga mat. To make matters worse, her landlady takes a tumble and asks Mona to be the substitute super. She gets pulled deeper into the building's chaos and closer to her neighbors: a shouting couple, mysterious shut-ins, panty thief and more. Sometimes life gives us what we don't expect!

Was it heartfelt? You bet. Was it LOL-funny? A couple times. Was it fun to read? Oh yeah. Do I recommend it? Sure. If you like reading eccentric characters and was a fan of the TV show Good Trouble, then add You'll Love It Here to your TBR. It is predictable but entertaining with a heavy dose of character growth.

Happy Pub Day to Natalie Sue! You'll Love It Here is officially on shelves.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: You'll Love It Here
Author: Natalie Sue
Published: August 2026
Pages: 320
Edition: Galley
Genre: Humor Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤