Ali and the Ganderwat - a great pick for classrooms, home libraries, or storytime

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ali and the Ganderwat by Roxie Fiste is a delightful early chapter book that follows young Ali as he tries to solve a curious and funny problem. Although I haven’t read the first book in the Ali’s Adventures series, I had no trouble jumping right into this story. It stands well on its own and gives just enough context for new readers to feel at home.

 

The colorful illustrations bring warmth and energy to each page, making the story even more engaging for early readers. The short chapters and simple, clear language are just right for children beginning to read on their own.

This book also works wonderfully as a read-aloud for younger children. It offers several teachable moments about family, curiosity, and cultural traditions, making it a meaningful and entertaining choice.

Ali and the Ganderwat is a great pick for classrooms, home libraries, or storytime with little ones.

As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Blackberry Book Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites. 

 

Miles in Time - everything you want in a time-travel mystery

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Miles in Time is a page-turner—a high-stakes mystery with heart, humor, and a ton of imagination. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, it’s an adventure worth taking. Told through the eyes of 14-year-old Miles Hardy, the story immerses readers in his thoughts, emotions, and evolving sense of courage as he embarks on a time-traveling quest to uncover the truth and protect the future.

 

About Miles in Time 

As a longtime fan of time travel stories, I’m always on the lookout for authors who bring fresh ideas to the genre while respecting the internal logic that makes time travel so compelling. In Miles in Time, Lee Matthew Goldberg delivers exactly that—an engaging, twist-filled adventure that blends mystery, suspense, and smart science fiction, all with a tone that’s pitch-perfect for young adult readers.

Miles Hardy is an insecure yet brave amateur detective who finds himself in the middle of a life-altering mystery after the sudden death of his older brother, Simon. What begins as small-town sleuthing quickly evolves into a thrilling journey through time, featuring shadowy threats, hidden laboratories, and a mission as personal as it is perilous. Goldberg nails the emotional complexity of adolescence, making Miles a protagonist readers can genuinely root for—flawed, earnest, and unexpectedly heroic.

 

Book Hookup Book Review: Miles in Time 

One of the book’s biggest strengths lies in its handling of time travel. The mechanics are imaginative and internally consistent, with just enough rules to raise the stakes without bogging down the story. Goldberg avoids the trap of over-explaining or dumbing things down; instead, he keeps the pace brisk and the twists sharp, grounding the sci-fi elements in emotional reality.

That said, there were a few moments when modern themes of inclusiveness felt somewhat shoehorned in—non-essential to the plot and mildly distracting, slightly sidetracking the story’s tension and narrative flow. Still, this is a minor critique rooted in personal preference and does little to detract from what is otherwise a gripping and heartfelt story.

Miles in Time is everything you want in a time-travel mystery: smart, fast-paced, and emotionally resonant. Whether you’re a young reader with a taste for the unknown or an adult who appreciates a well-crafted story, this book is absolutely worth your time. It's thrilling, clever, and surprisingly moving—proof that a great adventure transcends age.

As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Blackberry Book Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. 

 

About the Author: Lee Matthew Goldberg 

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the Anthony, Lefty, and Prix du Polar nominated author of fourteen novels including THE ANCESTOR and THE MENTOR, and THE GREAT GIMMELMANS along with his five-book DESIRE CARD series. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, he’s been published in multiple languages and his writing has also appeared as a contributor in CrimeReads, Pipeline Artists, LitHub, Chicago Quarterly Review, Electric Literature, The Los Angeles Review of Books, The Jewish Book Council, The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Mystery Tribune, The Nerd Daily, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Maudlin House and others. He is the publisher of Fringe Press, the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series, and lives in New York City. Follow him at LeeMatthewGoldberg.com

https://www.leematthewgoldberg.com/
https://X.com/LMGBooks
https://www.facebook.com/LeeMatthewGoldberg
https://www.instagram.com/leematthewgoldberg/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8001634.Lee_Matthew_Goldberg

 

Proximity of the Stars - spacefaring journey worth taking

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Proximity to the Stars is a classic style sci-fi adventure that delivers a nostalgic punch with modern-day relevance. With laser-sharp clarity, Benedict Stuart weaves a tale set against a dystopian backdrop that feels ripped from the golden age of science fiction, yet carries emotional depth and moral weight that elevate it beyond genre homage.

At its heart, this is a story about relationships: familial, romantic, and philosophical. Researcher Brian Sunderland, our thoughtful and quietly heroic protagonist, is as much a seeker of truth as he is a man of action. His journey through time and trials is both physical and existential, prompting readers to ponder big questions about destiny, love, and what it means to be human.

But no good sci-fi saga is complete without a formidable villain, and Proximity to the Stars gives us a truly memorable one in Dixon, the so-called "Master of the Earth." Dixon is a tyrant of the old school: cold, calculating, and entirely convinced of his divine right to rule. There’s no hand-wringing moral ambiguity here—Dixon’s intentions are transparently evil, his regime unapologetically totalitarian, and his vision for humanity chilling in its scope. In contrast, everyday heroes like Peter Drake and his brave band bring warmth, humor, and humanity to the resistance.

The novel plays with classic tropes—time travel, dystopian futures, high-tech despotism but does so with a sense of fun and purpose. Stuart’s tone shifts easily between action, introspection, and even light comedy, which keeps the narrative brisk and the stakes emotionally grounded. The influence of mid-century sci-fi is unmistakable, and fans of that era will find themselves smiling at the retro charm paired with more contemporary character development.

With its straightforward but compelling plot, Proximity to the Stars doesn’t get lost in its own complexity. Instead, it strikes a satisfying balance between philosophical musings and laser blasts. Whether you're in it for the thrill of rebellion or the reflection on fate and love, this is a spacefaring journey worth taking.

A fast-paced, thought-provoking, and at times surprisingly tender tale of tyranny, time, and the ties that bind. Fans of vintage sci-fi and moral clarity in their heroes and villains will feel right at home.

Wandering Feelings - An Intimate Portrait of Love and Emotional Resilience

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Wandering Feelings is a poetic and deeply emotional tale that explores love—and the absence of it—in its raw, unfiltered form. The story follows a young couple who, though deeply connected, must endure neglect and even abuse from those who should care for them most. And yet, in spite of the pain, their relationship becomes a refuge, a place of warmth and meaning.

BookHookup Review: Wandering Feelings

From the very beginning, I was drawn into their private world, witnessing the joy they found in small, intimate moments—like the tender scene where he buys her a teddy bear after he “felt his heart for the first time.” These details, while subtle, carry immense emotional weight.

Boyko Ovcharov’s lyrical and philosophical writing breaks traditional storytelling rules. The characters are nameless, the plot is fluid, and the structure flows more like a meditation than a standard narrative. Yet this unconventional style works beautifully, allowing the reader to reflect on their own emotions and experiences.

Though the characters face real hardship, the story ultimately leaves a lasting sense of hope. Love may be fragile, but here, it endures—and that quiet resilience is what stays with you.

Murder With Motive - plenty of intrigue

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the very first page, Murder With Motive pulled me right in. Told through the first-person perspective of Sylvia Shipman—a young woman of privilege navigating the treacherous waters of 1920s New York—the novel is both engaging and suspenseful. This narrative choice is particularly effective, drawing the reader close to Sylvia’s thoughts and fears, and letting us uncover the truth alongside her. We only know what she knows, and that limited viewpoint builds tension and heightens every twist.

 

The story begins with the sudden and mysterious death of Sylvia’s uncle, who falls from a balcony during a high-society gala—on the very eve of the infamous stock market crash. The timing is suspicious, and though the family is quick to call it an accident or suicide, Sylvia isn’t convinced. She saw something—or rather, someone—that night. And her instincts won’t let her look away.

As the world around her scrambles to protect crumbling fortunes, Sylvia begins asking questions no one else wants to ask. Her search for answers takes her from glittering ballrooms to smoky jazz clubs and shadowy backstreets, where secrets and lies swirl just beneath the surface. Helping her is Miles, the new family chauffeur, who is as enigmatic as he is capable—and whose quiet strength and mystery make him the perfect sleuthing companion.

The mystery is well-paced, and I genuinely enjoyed trying to piece it all together. I found myself solving the case right alongside Sylvia, which made the final reveal all the more satisfying. The plot kept me guessing, but never felt convoluted or out of reach.

While the novel could benefit from some light editing to smooth grammar and a missing or extra word, its strengths far outweigh any minor issues. The pacing is brisk, the setting is richly atmospheric, and the dynamic between Sylvia and Miles is a delightful bonus.

Murder With Motive is a promising start to what I hope will be a long-running series. If you're a fan of historical mysteries with smart female leads, a hint of romance, and plenty of intrigue, this is one to add to your list.