The Intentional Reader
Reading is one of the ways I slow down and think more clearly — a quiet counterbalance to modern life.
Here you’ll find considered book reviews, curated reading lists, and thoughtful book recommendations that stay with me long after the final page. From literary fiction to historical novels and emotionally layered contemporary works, this is where I share what I’m reading — and why it matters.
Each recommendation is selected with the same intention that shapes my home, style, and travel: discernment over trends, depth over noise, and stories chosen for their lasting impact.
Latest Reviews
Literary fiction, historical fiction, emotionally layered contemporary stories, and thoughtful seasonal reads.
A curated collection of recent book reviews spanning literary fiction, historical narratives, and contemporary novels.
Each review reflects what lingered beyond the final page — the themes, the craft, and the questions that stayed with me. These are thoughtful, in-depth book reviews designed to help you discover stories worth your time.
The Reading List
This reading list serves as an archive of the books I’ve thoughtfully reviewed and recommended over time. While the genres may vary, what connects them is depth — layered characters, a strong sense of place, emotional nuance, and themes that resonate well beyond the story itself.
Each selection reflects the same editorial lens that guides this space: substance over hype, intention over impulse, and book recommendations chosen for their enduring value.
Romance
Thoughtful love stories exploring connection, vulnerability, emotional growth, and the relationships that shape our lives.
Psychological & Domestic Thrillers
Atmospheric thrillers where secrets, deception, obsession, and psychological tension unravel through unforgettable characters and expertly crafted twists.
Women's Fiction
Emotionally resonant stories exploring family, friendship, resilience, self-discovery, and the moments that shape our lives through unforgettable characters.
Historical Fiction
Atmospheric historical novels filled with unforgettable characters, emotional depth, vivid settings, and stories that illuminate the people and moments that shaped history.
The French Promise
A sweeping and emotional historical fiction novel about love, trauma, healing, and the lasting impact of war. The French Promise continues Luc and Lisette’s story with depth, tenderness, and a richly layered look at rebuilding life after World War II.
Valley of the Fireflies
A beautifully layered historical fiction novel that blends love, loss, resilience, and mystery against the backdrop of wartime Italy.
The Lavender Keeper
A beautifully written World War II historical fiction novel filled with love, sacrifice, espionage, and emotionally layered storytelling set in occupied France.
Before the Mountain Falls
A deeply emotional World War II historical fiction novel about survival, identity, motherhood, and unexpected human connection in wartime Wales.
Additional titles are added throughout the year as I continue my reading practice. In 2026, I’ve committed to reading 75 books — not as a race, but as a deliberate return to stories that shape perspective and slow the pace of modern life.
My full reading log and progress toward reading 75 books in 2026 can be followed on Goodreads.
Additional titles are added throughout the year as I continue documenting my 2026 reading life. To explore the evolving archive of thoughtful reviews, seasonal favorites, and newly added books, browse the complete 2026 reading list here.
For a complete, organized archive of every book I read and reviewed in 2025, explore the full reading list here.
Currently Reading
This is my current reading list — the books I’m actively reading and preparing to review. Each title is chosen with intention and added to my evolving monthly reading list as part of my 2026 goal to read 75 books.
Full book reviews and thoughtful recommendations are published throughout the month as I complete each one.
The Secret Dressmaker
Inspired by a true story, The Secret Dressmaker is a sweeping World War II historical novel about courage, family secrets, sacrifice, and a mother's dangerous mission into Nazi-occupied Paris to save the daughter she never stopped searching for.
That Night
A tense psychological thriller about three siblings bound by a deadly secret after a vacation in Italy, where buried truths and unraveling lies threaten to tear their family apart.
All That Is Left of Life
A sweeping, atmospheric family saga about love, loss, buried secrets, and the lasting impact of an unsolved murder.
How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop
A charming seaside romance about a literary agent rebuilding her life in a small-town bookshop, where books, community, and an unexpected connection with a struggling novelist offer the possibility of a fresh start.
My Best French Wedding
A witty destination romance about rival journalists, old heartbreak, and unexpected second chances at a glamorous wedding in southern France.
The Irish Orphan’s Prayer
A powerful historical novel about stolen children, grieving mothers, and a former detective uncovering a decades-old truth rooted in Ireland’s institutions and inspired by real events.
Night Songs
A haunting family saga about a young woman uncovering her country music legend mother’s past while racing to break a mysterious generational curse.
The Quiet Girls
A gripping psychological thriller about a murdered teacher, a missing student, and a prestigious boarding school hiding dangerous secrets that powerful people will do anything to keep buried.
Shop My Book Recommendations
Every book I’ve reviewed and recommended is gathered here in one curated reading list — a complete archive of my book reviews and trusted book recommendations.
This collection includes the titles I’ve read, discussed, and thoughtfully reviewed across fiction, historical novels, and contemporary literature. If you’re looking for a refined, searchable reading list in one place, you can browse the full collection below.
Let’s Stay Connected
Follow along for ongoing book reviews, curated reading lists, and thoughtful reflections on the stories shaping my year. I also share California coastal lifestyle inspiration, home updates, travel moments, and carefully selected favorites across each platform.
You can connect with me on Instagram, Pinterest, and ShopMy for additional book recommendations and curated collections.