Happy Tuesday, friends!
I have TWO very different posts for you today.
First up, in honor of today officially being the first day of fall, it’s SIMPLE WAYS I’M SAVORING FALL (because we totally need another fall post around here!).
And because it’s the 22nd of the month, it also means it’s BOOK CLUB DAY!
FALL + BOOKS is the best way to kick off autumn!
Alrighty, let’s head to…
Before we start, if you would like to read the “rules” of Shay’s Book Club and see a complete list of every book we’ve read as a group along with my personal “star” ratings, they are all RIGHT HERE.
In this blog post and in the comment section, WE WILL BE DISCUSSING SPOILERS. If you are interested in reading this book, you might not want to read below this line. In SEPTEMBER’S BOOK REVIEW later this month, I will give a quick recap and let you know if I recommend the book or not, so if you haven’t read it, you might want to wait until that official BOOK REVIEW because there will be no spoilers and based on that, you can decide whether or not to read the book.
***Anything below this though will include spoilers as everyone commenting here has already read the book.***
Ready, set, here we go!
This month’s book was…
…The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer
Just as a reminder, I absolutely adore this author!
Her book The Things We Cannot Say was MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2019, A-N-D her book, The Paris Agent, was my FAVORITE BOOK OF 2023!
She’s the only author that has ever received my #1 spot multiple times.
All of that to say…
…for the love.
Sigh.
Geez.
This is not my year, people.
In 2025, my Top 3 Favorite Books of the entire year (out of 58) were…
#3: THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA by Patti Callahan Henry
#2: BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall
#1: ONE GOOD THING by Georgia Hunter
…and do you know what they all three have in common?
THEY WERE ALL THREE BOOK CLUB PICKS!
All three of them.
This year, it’s like I’m specifically picking terrible books and making you all read them with me.
What. Is. Happening?
My apologies because once again, our book club selection has let me down. Now, if you disagree and absolutely loved this book, I would love to know in the comment section. Truly, I would. In the meantime, I will keep my thoughts brief because I really do typically love this author, I just thought she missed the mark on this one.
Honestly, I don’t even know where to start as there are so many things I didn’t like about this book. It was predictable, it had way too many coincidences (after decades, she just happened to find the ring behind the toilet or the loose floorboard with all of the SUPER important information just sitting there RIGHT after she read that chapter in the book), it was cheesy, the “spooky” element was so ridiculous and not flushed out at all in the story…my list could go on.
You know me, I hate when there are ghosts in my novels, but for the love, I’d have taken a ghost over a stray cat in this book just to make it more interesting.
I think blog reader Addy said it best…if Kelly Rimmer’s name wasn’t on the cover, I wouldn’t have believed she wrote it. The writing seemed very immature which is NEVER a word I would have used to describe this author in other books.
I don’t hate the idea of “a story within a story”. Oddly enough, the same thing happened in last month’s book club book too (When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams), but I don’t love when the “story within the story” is better than the actual story. Which, once again- oddly enough- happened in this book as well.
I know that unlike Williams’ book last month, the story within the story comes full circle back to the “main story” in this novel, but I just found it way more entertaining than the “real life” version that was playing out.
I’m going to stop with “my thoughts” because honestly, when it was over, I was just SO ANNOYED that I had suggested it for our book club. Ugggggg, I want a do over, friends. This one fell super short.
Next month, we are either going to continue with me selecting the worst books OR we are going to hopefully redeem the situation when we read…
…Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult.
Surely this one will be better, right?
S-U-R-E-L-Y.
Let’s head to the comment section to chat books and then make sure you pop over here to see all the ways I’m trying to savor fall this season. xx
Kristen Thompson says
I had a feeling you weren’t going to like this one when ghosts started being mentioned haha! I didn’t dislike it as much as you but I agree it was not her best!
Brandi says
I listened to this one on audiobook and really didn’t enjoy the voice reading it- I thought that’s why I had a hard time getting into the book! But maybe it wasn’t just the voice… When I started and it was all about ghosts and haunted houses I wanted to quit. I did continue on, and thought the story was redeemed a little bit, but definitely didn’t love it. I was happy that Fiona and her mom reconciled after the truth was finally out though! I gave it 3⭐️
Lauren says
Completely agree that this did not feel like a Kelly book! I kept waiting for some plot twist because it was just too predictable. I actually wished for more of the backstory on the house like last month’s book.
Mix and Match Mama says
Me too, me too!
Emilee says
I love me some Kelly Rimmer but this book was not it. I was so relieved when it was over 😅
Elspeth Mizner says
I’ve heard great things about Jodi’s book! I’m
Looking forward to reading along!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Samantha Harris says
I just finished Hollow Bones and declared it one of my favorite reads of the year. I will warn you… the first 30 percent is a little slow but then it gets GOOD! Heavy, important, lots to talk about, content about for a book club. Can’t wait for next month!
Lisa D says
I thought the book was ok, not 5 stars but maybe 3 out of 5. It did feel a bit convoluted. I’m glad I read it and I was also glad to finish it. But I do think the author, Kelly Rimmer, has wonderful (other) books out there.
Kelly Sites says
I’m ready for Hollow Bones! I had a rough reading period as well and need a winner. I’m starting Swan Song by Charles Spencer (Princess Diana’s brother- which came out just this a.m.)
Katie Compton says
So I did not read the book last month because it didn’t appeal to me, and now I’m really glad I didn’t. Ha! BUT, I did pre-order Hollow Bones earlier in the summer and am just starting it, so I’m excited to join along for October!! Fingers crossed it’s a good one. JP has always been one of my favorite authors!
Brooke Griffith says
Totally agree with your review. This one was a struggle to finish 😩. I’m currently reading “Meet Me In Paris” by Kristin Harmel and enjoying it so far.
Maureen says
I didn’t read the Story Keeper but I finished Hollow Bones minutes ago and I loved it! Just wanted to offer you some hope!!
AJ says
I don’t do ghosts, so this was a DNF for me. Very disappointing after the author’s stellar historical fiction books.
V says
I’m currently reading Hollow Bones! It’s a slower start but I’m enjoying it. I love most of Jodi Piccoult’s books!
Jessica says
I ended up rating it 3 stars but only because I liked the story within the story more than the actual book itself. There were many moments when I asked myself what I was reading because I just wasn’t that into it. I also felt like it kind of just ended abruptly. I kind of expected a reunion. The book was just okay for me and easily forgettable.
Mix and Match Mama says
I asked myself the very same question.
Michelle says
I gave it 4 stars (but I am generally generous with my stars). I am an audible listener because I am in my car 2 to 2-1/2 hours a day and for this one, the audio was subpar. There were weird pauses in the middle of sentences (not normally where a comma would be). Almost like the narrator got to the end of a page and had to turn it, or lost her place. My favorite so far this year is The Calamity Club! I can’t quit talking to people about it! I also have enjoyed Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser, The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (Frozen River), and I’m currently listening to The Briar Club by Kate Quinn, which I am liking so far (about halfway through).
Sande Wier says
Great book recs! Thanks 😊
Lindsey says
I totally judged this book by the cover – it is so beautiful and has such an intriguing description, I thought there’s no way it’s not the best book of the year! But I agree with you completely. It was a downer and I was glad when it was over!
Terry says
How about The Calamity Club? I’m listening to it now and it’s really good!
Mix and Match Mama says
That was our book club pick in July! After you finish, go back and read the review. Don’t read it now though because it does contain spoilers. It’s Book Club #29!
Kay says
Hi Shay! I listened to this one as I was currently reading a different book on my kindle at the same time. I do agree with you-it wasn’t amazing in the way her other books are. I also enjoyed the story within the story more. Although it made me kind of annoyed how much they lied to Silas’ wife? I felt bad for her. Why couldn’t they be honest since there was nothing to hide?
I also felt like they never addressed how she got locked in the office? So was there something supernatural at play? I was kind of curious how that would be resolved and it just wasn’t?
Looking forward to Jodi’s book-she’s an excellent writer. And also FYI, “Big Little Truths” is amazing so far!
Mix and Match Mama says
Did the cat lock her in? Was she so discombobulated that she forgot how to turn a handle? She was planning her death inside that room and then later noted there was a window and easy exit. It was maddening.
Jessica Schlosberg says
I kept looking at the cover because I couldn’t believe it was a Kelly Rimmer book. I stuck with it, hoping it would get better or there would be a twist or the something, anything but what it really was- boring, coincidental and just eehhhh.
I’m excited for next month’s book. It looks fantastic!
Addy Robinson says
awww love the shout-out!
there have been a few duds but I love that you read with us vs. read ahead and only recommend bangers 🤣 book clubs push us to read what we wouldn’t necessarily pick on our own.
rec for you: The Brunswick by Callie Murray. first-time author based in a suburb of Atlanta (where she lives). Historical fiction. I thought of you for several reasons reading it!
Rachel Jones says
Whoa I also read this book but it was called The Midnight Estate. I Googled it and it’s the same book?? I’m in Canada and that’s just what my library app called it. Anyway I also hated it, I couldn’t believe Rimmer wrote it. It was so boring. She’s way better at historical fiction like The Things We Cannot Say and Truths I Never Told You.
Emily Firko says
I gave it a 1 star review and DNF it! I could not get into this book at all. I love this author too! Next month will be better I’m sure!
YOLANDA MCLEAN says
I almost hated this book – but then ended up really liking the story in the story. Almost halfway through I looked up a summary of the story so that I could figure out what the heck was going on. I did finish this book but boy was I glad when it was over. I’m so glad to read the positive comments about the upcoming book!
Christina says
I read this book and I’m partway through Hollow Bones and it’s already much better than Story Keeper. Ha!
Kelly McClure says
I agree, this did not seem like a Kelly Rimmer book but I did like it! Yes, it was predictable but I enjoyed the story!