Dru’s Short Musing:
This was an evenly paced and complex family drama that was intertwined in the telling of this story.

This well-written tale was filled with dysfunction from all ends with grief, betrayal, and personal growth comprising most of the visually descriptive narrative. Everything was done to keep me in suspense and intrigued as I watched this all play out that included witty dialogue, some humor and an eclectic yet flawed cast of characters that had pivotal roles in how well this story was being told. With each chapter read, I became more immersed in what was going on and couldn’t wait for the final piece of the puzzle to be exposed. Overall, a nice read.

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Release: June 1, 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Book Synopsis:
A successful journalist returns to her hometown just as her biggest mistake becomes headline news in this vibrant, funny, and heartfelt novel about facing the past, and its secrets, head-on.

Entertainment journalist Dawn Roberts has a lot to work through: a widow’s grief, betrayals of family and friends, and scandals that almost tanked her reputation. Not that Dawn dwells on the past. Well, hardly. When she returns to Baltimore with her husband’s ashes, she can’t avoid it. In fact, she’s diving into decades of backstabbing and treachery for her first trip home in years.

She’s looking at you, Joe Perkins. Her former mentor, whose explosive exposé about big-city corruption is being turned into a slanderous movie, is also back in town. The villain of the piece? Dawn. The good news is that this could all be a chance to reset—heal family wounds, admit to her own mistakes, and maybe even reconnect with the one who got away. Oh, and get even with Joe any way she can.

With the surprising help of an up-and-coming journalist and a legendary R & B diva, Dawn will finally set the record straight. Returning home might just be the biggest story in Dawn’s life, a fresh start—and happy ending—she never expected.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.