Upward Bound by Woody Brown

In Upward Bound, the reader meets both the employees and the clients of an adult day care center for people with disabilities. There's Walter, who's non-verbal and has gone to college. Tom nurses a crush on Ann (one of the workers), but complications of his cerebral palsy prevent him from telling her of his feelings. Dave, the director of the facility, is a failed actor who tries to do what he thinks is best without adequate funding. Worker Carlos is beloved by everyone and has developed a strong bond with Jorge, who doesn't speak and has a tendency to bolt from the center frequently. Written by author Woody Brown--whom the character Walter is based on--the novel is able to give the reader much insight into the disability community.

Missing by E.A. Jackson

In 1990, amid a heatwave in London, DI Martha Allen is in charge of the investigation into the disappearance of five-month-old Bella Carpenter. Bella and her parents--Viv and Tom--are visiting from Wells and staying at a local hotel where Bella was taken from the room as her parents slept. With two distraught parents and intense media coverage, no one is more surprised than Martha when Bella is dropped off at the police station by a woman named Nell Beatty. Even though Bella is back with her family and Martha is told to drop the case, she has lingering questions about the situation. Now, thirty years later, Martha gets word that Nell Beatty has died and decides once more to investigate Bella's kidnapping. With a tense, almost claustrophobic setting, Missing is a book that's hard to put down. A great read-alike for Nicci French's Frieda Klein series.

The Politician by Tim Sullivan

The former mayor of Bristol, Peggy Frampton, is found dead in her home. She was not without enemies--after her tenure she provided online advice and had more than five million followers. DS George Cross and DS Josie Ottey soon are looking for her murderer. The Politician follows along with their investigation, but also explores George's feelings about his mother, who left his father Raymond when George was a child. What part might Raymond have played in the breakup? A solid entry to the series.

Hot Chocolate on Thursday by Michiko Aoyama

In this delightful short novel, the story starts at the Marble Cafe in Tokyo, where Wataru, the manager, has feelings for a regular customer that he has nicknamed Ms. Hot Chocolate. From there, in each subsequent chapter the reader meets characters who are tangentially connected to one another. There's Ena who is reprimanded by senior teacher Yasuko for wearing nail polish to her job as a kindergarten teacher and  Yasuko, who gets her own story about her friendship with childhood friend Risa (who is getting married). Risa and her husband, Hiroyuki, then honeymoon in Sydney, where several of the stories are set. Hot Chocolate on Thursday then comes full circle with the last story told by Maco, Ms Hot Chocolate. A cozy, heartwarming read.

Life: a Love Story by Elizabeth Berg

As Flo Greene nears the end of her life at ninety-two years old, she begins to write letters to a woman named Ruthie. Ruthie grew up next door to Flo and they developed a strong friendship. Flo has decided to leave her house and possessions to Ruthie in her will, since Flo and her late husband Terrence had no children. Throughout Life: a Love Story, Flo recounts the events of her life, both major and minor, through the possessions she's leaving behind. A heartwarming story of connection and love.

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

When the women in Lauren's family are born, they are given a ticket that they can use once to turn back time. Lauren's mother, Marcella, used hers when Lauren was fifteen and Lauren's father, Dave, died in a car accident. Lauren's grandmother, free spirit Sylvia, still has hers, as does Lauren. The three generations of women, along with Dave, lived together in a house in Malibu (that Sylvia bought in the 1960's) until Lauren grew up. Lauren, now married to Leo, is coming back to the house as Leo is working in New York City for the summer. There has been strain in Lauren's marriage of late, owing to their inability to have a child. Leo wants to stop trying and move on, Lauren does not. When Lauren's first love, Stone, comes back into the picture she finds it hard to resist his charms. Once and Again explores the relationship between mothers and daughters and how the opportunity of a "do over" affects people's lives.

The Patient by Tim Sullivan

In this third book in the DS Cross series, George and his colleagues Ottey and Mackenzie investigate the death of a young woman named Flick after her mother, Sandra, repeatedly tries to tell the authorities that she was murdered rather than having died of a drug overdose. The team finds evidence that seems to support her claim, along with several suspects that deserve a look. The Patient is a satisfying police procedural that continues to develop the personal relationship between George, Ottey, and Mackenzie. Give to readers who enjoy Ann Cleeves and Peter Robinson.

The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera

Siriwathi "Siri" Perera drives a taxi in New York City. One evening she picks up public defender Amaya Fernando and Siri senses they could possibly be friends, since both are Sri Lankan. While in Brooklyn, Siri then gets another fare and is stunned soon after to find the man dead with the knife still in his chest in her back seat. She then calls Amaya for help and, after calling the police, Siri is then arrested for murder. While out on bail, with Amaya's help, Siri must investigate who the man she supposedly murder was, in addition to finding the real killer to clear her name. The Midnight Taxi is a debut mystery featuring an likable main character in Siri, with a rich backstory.

One & Only by Maurene Goo

Soon to turn forty, Cassia works in the family business--One & Only Matchmaking--in Los Angeles. It was started by Cassia's grandmother Halmoni and her great aunt Emoni, and has been very successful. All the women in the family have the ability when meeting someone to be able to see their past lives and loves, so they are able to produce a name of the person who is their perfect match for their clients. Cassia has known the name of hers, Daniel Nam, for ten years, but hasn't had any luck finding him. When she meets a much younger guy named Ellis, they have an instant connection and sparks fly. Then Ellis introduces Cassia to his boss, Daniel Nam. Can Cassia forget Ellis and be with her fated, Daniel? One & Only is the adult debut of young adult author Maurene Goo.

My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney

When Eden Fox comes back from a run, she's perplexed because her key won't open the front door of her house, Spyglass. The woman that answers the door looks like her and tells Eden that she can't possibly be Eden Fox because she is. Even her husband, Harrison who's home at the time, tells Eden to leave. The big question for the reader becomes just who the real Eden Fox is. Another storyline in the book is told through the eyes of a woman named Birdy who six months ago inherited Spyglass from her estranged grandmother. In My Husband's Wife the stories of Eden, Birdy, Harrison, and those around them are told as Feeney reveals one surprise after another in her signature style.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page

When Tilly gets a phone call from Alfie, the owner of London bookshop Book Lane, letting her know she has a book to collect, she's confused. It turns out her husband Joe, who passed away six months ago, ordered a book a month over a year for her. At first, Tilly is angry about the gift, but slowly, over the course of the year begins to embrace the books and messages that Joe left for her. She also begins to open her heart. A cozy, heartwarming tale, perfect for readers of Jojo Moyes, Clare Pooley, and Jenny Colgan.

The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan

In the second DS Cross mystery, George leads his team in the investigation of the murder of cyclist Alex Paphides. Alex was found dead at a building site. Who could have wanted to kill him? Did it have something to do with Alex's business dealings or possibly the cycling club that he was part of? Suspects abound, but the guilty are no match for George's brilliant investigative techniques. A traditional British procedural, especially for fans of the Monk and House television shows.

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Debbie lives with her husband, Cooper, and two teenage daughters, Lexi and Izzy, in suburban Massachusetts. When things start going wrong in her daughters' lives and she's fired from her job as an advice columnist at the local newspaper, she decides to exact revenge upon those who have wronged her family. Once Debbie starts down this road, she finds it hard to stop... A novel that's hard not to finish in one sitting.

The Hitch by Sara Levine

Rose is thrilled when her brother Victor and his wife Astrid let her take care of her six-year-old nephew Nathan while they go away to Mexico for a week. Rose can't wait to spend a lot of time with Nathan, since they usually only see each other for a few hours on Saturdays. However, soon after Victor and Astrid leave, Rose's dog Walter kills a corgi at a park and Nathan tells Rose that the corgi's spirit is now inside of him. This incident, of course, unsettles the quirky and judgmental Rose as she attempts to make things right, i.e. exorcise the dog. A novel, at times humorous, about love and familial obligations.

The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits

Twelve years ago, when he found out his wife Amy was having an affair, Tom vowed to leave her once their younger child went to college. That day has come, as Miri is leaving for Carnegie Mellon. After dropping Miri off in Pittsburgh, Tom heads west, visiting his brother in South Bend, an old girlfriend in Las Vegas, eventually arriving in California to see his son, Michael. However, a mysterious illness is dogging him as he reflects on the relationships and the choices he's made. A meditative novel of one man's life.

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing

Lottie, now in her 70's, has tried to put her violent past behind her, but when producer Plum Dixon knocks on Lottie's door wanting to interview her about some murders she was accused of many years ago, Lottie murders Plum and disposes of her body. The police know Plum was at Lottie's house and are asking if she knows what happened to Plum. Will Lottie be able to stay ahead of the authorities, keep the secret of all the people she's killed and live out her retirement in peace? Only time will tell...