Book Review: All the Ice Cream in the Land by Emmy Kastner

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All the Ice Cream in the Land  by Emmy Kastner  is about a princess, the kingdom she lives in, and her loyal subjects. Full of twists and turns, children will surely delight in this story about ice cream. When I saw the title and cover art of this kid's book, it made me instantly think of my childhood and how I would've loved a book like this one. A huge shout out and thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. The storyline is very easy to follow, making it especially suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers, particularly children between the ages of two and six. Its straightforward narrative and clear structure make it an excellent choice for read-aloud sessions at home, bedtime stories, or classroom story time. While there is limited character development, which is typical for a picture book format, the princess is still an intere...
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Book Review: The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney

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Netgalley ARC Book Review of The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney

The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney is a compelling work of women’s fiction that also blends elements of mystery. The novel is scheduled for release on May 2, 2023 and is published by Poisoned Pen Press.

The story begins with Clemmie and her friend Muffin attending a church service, where Muffin unexpectedly spots someone from her past. She quickly pulls Clemmie out of the service, much to Clemmie’s irritation. However, as Muffin starts to reveal the story behind the encounter, Clemmie realizes that she may not be the only one carrying dark secrets.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney in exchange for my honest review. I was genuinely thrilled when my request was approved. Caroline B. Cooney was one of my favorite authors as a tween and teen, so discovering that she now writes adult novels was an exciting surprise.

The Wrong Good Deed appears to be a sequel to Cooney’s earlier novel, Before She Was Helen. While this book can absolutely be read as a standalone novel, I do think my reading experience would have been even richer if I had read Before She Was Helen first, as it provides important background on the main character. That book has definitely been added to my reading list.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Wrong Good Deed is its powerful flashbacks to the 1960s. The portrayal of a small Southern town’s reaction to desegregation was shocking and deeply moving. Although this is a work of fiction, it offers meaningful insight into the emotions, decisions, and regrets people experienced during that turbulent time in history. As someone who wasn’t alive during that era, I found the story both eye-opening and heartbreaking.

The writing is strong, the pacing is engaging, and the emotional impact lingers long after the final page. I truly have no complaints about this novel.

Well-written, engrossing, and emotionally powerful, The Wrong Good Deed by Caroline B. Cooney delivers a gripping historical narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I highly recommend it and give it five out of five stars.

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