The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline: This historical novel about the marriages of the famous conjoined twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, is fascinating, informative, and respectful; the author (a distant relation to the twins) never resorts to sensationalism or melodrama. I have always been fascinated by the history of Chang and Eng, and told from the perspective of Eng’s Wife, Sarah (her sister, Adelaide married Chang), the reader is inserted into the inner workings of the marriage including intimate relations, children (21 total for both brothers!), along with the history of the time, including slavery, women’s rights, bigotry over interracial marraige, and the Civil War. I was absorbed from start to finish, and the ending was quite emotional. I have enjoyed all of Kline’s books, but this is my favorite.

Recommended for readers who enjoy Ariel Lawhon, Melanie Benjamin, and even Kristin Hannah.

Side Note: This comment is not meant to denigrate the book or make light of the hardships, but there were times the storytelling gave “Little House on the Prairie” vibes, mainly because of the farming and food-raising descriptions, and honestly, that wasn’t such a bad thing.

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer. This is a compelling gothic-toned novel set in contemporary Australia. Recently divorced 50-something Fiona, a successful architect, buys her late uncle’s decaying country estate with plans to refurbish it, but various things start getting in her way, including her mother, who is adamant that she not live there, and locals who fear the place is haunted. Fiona discovers a novel that appears to be set in the house, and from there it becomes a dual-timeline story, with chapters from the book woven into the narrative. At about a third of the way through the book, it’s apparent where the story is going, but that didn’t stop me from racing through the pages. This is a perfect readalike for Kate Morton, although not quite as complicated, and fans of Lucinda Riley will also enjoy this. (To be published in late July.)