Book Review: Dear Pen Pal (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, #3) by Heather Vogel Frederick

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Dear Pen Pal (The Mother-Daughter Book Club, #3)  by Heather Vogel Frederick  is the third book in a middle grade book series that is being rereleased. Chaos erupts in this third installment as the daughters in the book club get themselves into trouble. Each of the girls have big changes in their lives:  Jess is going to boarding school; Megan's grandmother comes to live with her; Emma starts a campaign against school uniforms; Cassidy has a lot of unexpected change coming to her family. Will the mother daughter book club stay together? I'd like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Dear Pen Pal  by Heather Vogel Frederick with it's upcoming rerelease to the public. I always love a good book that involves books, even if its target audience is children between the ages of eight and twelve. It wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realized that it...
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Book Review: The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson

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NetGalley ARC Book Review of The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson is a general fiction book about a marriage of two artists, Lucia and Ray Hanrahan, and their family gathering for Ray's newest exhibition of art, the first in years.  The family does their part in supporting him, but will it be a success?

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Readers Copy of The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson.  When I read the synopsis of the latest novel by Mendelson, I was intrigued as it sounded absolutely fantastic.  I was thrilled to be approved to read her story.

Unfortunately, The Exhibitionist didn’t quite resonate with me. The pacing felt slow from the start, and I found myself hoping the narrative would gain momentum. While the writing itself is polished and Mendelson captures the subtleties of relationships with authenticity, the story continued at a measured, almost plodding pace throughout the novel. The abrupt ending left me wishing for a more developed resolution. I truly wanted to love this book, and writing a less-than-positive review is always difficult.

Despite my personal experience, The Exhibitionist does have many strengths. The characters are believable, and the portrayal of family dynamics, artistic ambition, and marital tension is thoughtfully executed. Those who appreciate character-driven fiction, detailed emotional landscapes, and the quieter rhythms of literary storytelling may find it highly engaging.

Two out of five stars is what I rated The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson. However, I encourage readers to explore the book themselves to form their own opinion. Happy Reading! 

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