Blog Tour + Review: The Economy Always Gets Better

Today I'm partnering with WOW! Women on Writing to celebrate the release of The Economy Always Gets Better: Navigating Uncertain Times with Confidence by Nikki M. Finlay, PhD.  Keep reading for my review!  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Economy Always Gets Better: Navigating Uncertain Times with Confidence

Nikki M. Finlay, PhD

Published August 18, 2026

For those of us who forgot what we learned years ago or never had the opportunity to take an economics class, terms like recession, depression, tariffs, inflation, and gross domestic product can make our heads spin.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

In The Economy Always Gets Better, award-winning economist Dr. Nikki Finlay explains the economy in its simplest terms, making it easier to understand and giving readers the tools to approach even the most distressing economic information with confidence.

Dr. Finlay combines her knowledge and years of academic experience in this practical and accessible guide for anyone wishing to better their understanding of the economy. Using personal stories, useful metaphors, visual representations, and statistical data, she makes economics accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re worried about the current economic troubles or trying to figure it all out for the first time, The Economy Always Gets Better will leave you better informed and better prepared to thrive. - from Goodreads

I am not a person who follows things like politics or the well-being of the economy very closely.  I'll be honest, I don't really understand a lot of it.  Sure, I notice things like the cost of groceries and gas and how my investments are doing on a quarterly basis, but I don't really think too much about (or understand!) why those things happen the way they do.  Economist and professor Nikki Finlay aims to solve that problem with her new book, The Economy Always Gets Better.  She explains terms and concepts in an easy-to-understand way, breaking down big picture themes into smaller bites.  She uses examples from her own life to illustrate the concepts, and she also references the pandemic often, since the economy was hit so hard.  The book is split into two parts: part 1 focuses on basic concepts such as prices, trade, and banks, while part 2 focuses on problem areas such as inflation, unemployment, and recessions and the role the government plays in helping us get out of tough times.  I liked the way she ended each chapter, with a little exercise asking the reader to think about how they would explain the gist of the chapter to an 8 year old.  Sometimes breaking something down into its simplest terms is the best way to learn.  While I'll never be an expert, I do feel a little better equipped to talk about the economy after reading this book.

3.5 stars

Michele's Monday Picks #101

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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Big Little Truths

Liane Moriarty

Expected Publication: August 25, 2026

From Goodreads:

In her first-ever sequel, Liane Moriarty examines the complexities of modern women’s lives, shining light on shame and family secrets with wit and compassion. Whether you’ve read Big Little Lies or not, this is the perfect novel for longtime fans and new readers alike.

The last time we saw the women of Big Little Lies—Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie—their children were five years old. If someone wasn’t invited to a child’s birthday party, feelings were hurt. But ten years have passed, and the kids are now in high school, with all of the drama that accompanies teendom (goodbye playdates, hello drugs, sex, and alcohol).

Now, after the principal of the high school receives a severed human finger in the mail, the parents are in an uproar. But Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie have other things to worry about. Celeste’s mother-in-law, Mary Louise, is behaving oddly—is it old-age forgetfulness and forthrightness, or something more sinister? Madeline is facing perhaps the biggest challenge of her life, Jane is at a dangerous fork in her marriage, Bonnie has realized there’s only so much solace in yoga. And Renata? Renata is living her best life—revenge is sweet.

When a strange man begins lurking around the school asking supposedly innocent questions, this tightly connected group of women must finally face the full repercussions of the big little truths they have and haven’t shared with their kids. Because the stakes are now much higher than not being invited to an ice-skating show—and the ice has never been thinner for any of them.

I loved Big Little Lies and the TV adaptation! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Month in Review: July 2026

 

July was a decent month!  We took Henry to the movies to see the new Minions movie, and he had fun!  We spent 4th of July in my sister's pool, which was so nice!  Henry started music again, so that's been a fun way to spend Saturday mornings.  We took advantage of our zoo membership to attend a Member's Night, free from the crowds.  My college roommate passed through New Jersey on a road trip, so we met up for dinner - it was so good to see her and catch up!  My stepmom hosted a craft day for the ladies, and it was such a fun, chill day - no kids or husbands allowed!  My craft was a paint-by-number painting, which is now proudly displayed in my home office, ha!  The weather this month has been wild - some seriously hot weather, wildfire smoke that kept us indoors for a couple days, and lots of thunderstorms!  But thankfully, we also got some really beautiful days.

The Books

The Devil Wears Prada // Tristan 4 America // The Storm // Gardens & Grudges

Mad Mabel // The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes // Fable for the End of the World // The Divorce

The Economy Always Gets Better // The Chateau on Sunset

The Posts and Reviews

Recent Reads

Mid-Year Goals Check-In

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Extracurricular

Recent Reads

Michele's Monday Picks #99

Recent Reads

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Residency

Review: Gardens & Grudges

Michele's Monday Picks #100

Recent Reads

How are you doing?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Recent Reads

 Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid (2025)

In a dystopian future, Inesa's mother has sacrificed her to the Lamb's Gauntlet in order to get rid of her debt.  In this livestreamed assassination, Melinoe, a trained assassin, will hunt down Inesa; however, neither of them expects that they'll have to work together to survive the wasteland and that feelings might develop in the most unexpected of circumstances.  I really liked the premise of this - a bit Hunger Games, a bit Running Man - but the execution really fell short for me.  It felt really dated, like I was reading something from 20 years ago that was trying to depict the future.  The constant references to tablets and Melinoe's physical upgrades (like her robot eye) didn't feel fresh.  And the plot holes and just overall inconsistencies - for instance, the author indicates that Melinoe's upgrades make her body temp colder, yet Inesa says something about her "warm body" later, and Melinoe explains that the rulers in charge can't do Gauntlets all the time, because it would diminish their effect, yet Inesa's Gauntlet is literally just a couple days after another one ends.  Also, we come across at least two parents that willingly sacrifice their CHILDREN to the Gauntlet to alleviate their OWN debt - so gross, sacrifice yourself!  However, I liked Inesa's brother and the tension he brought to the story, and while a lot of readers will have a problem with the ending, I appreciated that it was more open-ended and not your typical happy ever after.  3 stars

The Divorce by Freida McFadden (2026)

Seemingly out of nowhere, Naomi's husband Jeremy asks her for a divorce and kicks her out of their house.  Naomi is predictably upset, but even more so when she finds out that Jeremy has a new girlfriend, Veronica, and she becomes obsessed with saving her son Teddy from the secrets she uncovers.  I'll be honest, I've read so many Freida McFadden books because she has a huge backlist and there always seems to be one available when I need an audiobook.  I have been loving thrillers this year, so her books usually scratch that itch.  That being said - do I love her books?  Not usually.  Are they entertaining?  Yes, but also wildly implausible and totally bonkers, and not generally in a good way.  That brings us to The Divorce, my latest McFadden book.  For the first half or so, I was on board.  I really felt for Naomi and the cruel way Jeremy treated her, basically tricking her into moving out and then filing for divorce out of nowhere.  The way it seemed like he was gaslighting her was truly infuriating.  But then we get to the second half of the book and things started to go off the rails.  As is typical with McFadden books, no one is who they appear to be at first, so when we get a second POV (Veronica), the entire story changed.  Naomi went from having my full sympathy to being unlikable.  I did, however, enjoy the theme of mothers doing whatever it takes for their children.  3 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Michele's Monday Picks #100

Before we jump into today's post, can we all give Michele a round of applause?  This is her 100th MMP!  Her little series has turned into a staple on the blog!

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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Wings of Reverie

Anna Bright

Expected Publication: August 4, 2026

From Goodreads:

Centuries after the events of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wings of Starlight, two fairies must battle a dangerous magic—and their growing feelings for each other—in order to save their home in the Winter Woods of Pixie Hollow.

When frost fairy Periwinkle travels too close to the forbidden border where Spring meets the Winter Woods, she unknowingly discovers a thread of a lost magic. And, for the first time, she begins to dream. While Periwinkle’s dreams start sweet, they slowly morph into more disastrous visions of the Pixie Dust Tree—the life source for all of Pixie Hollow—destroyed. Soon Periwinkle is confronted by a sparrow man who knows two things: one, that Peri has been dreaming, and two, that the Winter Woods is in terrible danger. 

The infuriatingly handsome stranger introduces himself as Weaver, claiming to be a dream-talent, the last of his kind. There's a chance he can spin Periwinkle's dreams into dream thread which could protect the Pixie Dust Tree. But to do so, they will have to embark on a quest to find a magic spindle and scissors in the legendary lost fairy workshops of dream-talents past.

Peri begins a reluctant journey with Weaver through the uncharted heart of the Winter Woods. But dreaming is dangerous, and as Peri’s dreams begin to unravel, she will start to question everything she thought she knew. For in Winter even beautiful things can hurt you… and Weaver is no exception.

Return to Pixie Hollow with this exciting new story set in the world of Wings of Starlight several hundred years in the future.

I really loved the first book in this series! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Review: Gardens & Grudges

Gardens & Grudges

Amanda Pennington

Expected publication date: July 28, 2026

He stole her cat. Now she might steal his heart—if he doesn’t leave town first.

Sylvie Fogg is living her best quiet life in Southern Indiana. She has a steady job, a peaceful neighborhood, a flower garden in her backyard, and a semi-adopted cat.

Then Jack Murray moves in next door. He’s a famous chef looking for his own quiet life, far from the chaos of high-end restaurants and publicity. But he doesn’t expect a Type A neighbor who declares war the moment he starts spoiling her cat.

Their playful neighborhood rivalry turns into something neither of them planned: slow-burn chemistry, flirty banter, and a connection that feels dangerously real.

But when Jack is offered a high-profile cooking show that would put him back in the spotlight, he must choose between their blossoming romance and the fast-paced lifestyle of the rich and famous. And Sylvie would get her cat back, but she’d miss out on the man who knows his way around the kitchen—and the way to her heart.

Gardens & Grudges is a closed-door romantic comedy featuring enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn chemistry, and quirky neighborhood drama. Perfect for fans of clean rom-coms, cozy Midwest settings, and feel-good fiction with plenty of heart. - from Goodreads

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sylvie has created a cozy, drama-free life for herself, including starting a garden and sort-of adopting her neighbor's cat.  Then Jack, a famous chef, moves in next door, and starts feeding Sylvie's cat, inadvertently starting a rivalry between the two and upending Sylvie's quiet life.  But as she gets to know Jack, Sylvie wonders if it's time to open her heart.  

I've been a fan of Amanda Pennington's closed-door romances since her first book came out in 2022.  Gardens & Grudges continues her tradition of clean romances with relatable characters and settings.  Sylvie and Jack are new neighbors in a small Indiana town.  Sylvie has lived there for awhile, while Jack, fresh from big city life, is looking for a change.  They are drawn together when they both start feeding the same cat, and then further during the neighborhood association meeting, where they are tasked with working together on an adopt-a-pet event.  Although Sylvie is put off by Jack at first, she starts to see a different side to him.

I enjoyed getting to know Sylvie and Jack.  Pennington does a good job creating the backstories for each (a difficult family life for her, a chaotic career for him) that have ultimately led them to this place.  I liked the tension that Sylvie feels, trying to ignore her feelings for Jack because she's apprehensive about change in her life.  And I especially liked that Jack kind of falls first and is the one pushing for something more.  

But beyond crafting characters and fun storylines, Pennington's writing is the real star.  It's cozy, it's relatable, it flows well, and it feels like you're having a conversation with a good friend.  There's nothing outlandish here; it all feels so natural, and that's what makes reading her books such a treat.

4 stars

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Residency

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

The Residency

C.D. Major

Expected publication date: August 4, 2026

Don't linger in the gallery. Don't look too closely at the artwork. Don't ask questions.

Artist and single mom Ginny is offered a place on a three-month artist retreat on a remote Scottish island. She leaps at the chance. Even better, her host is happy for her to bring her daughter Isla.

But the island is not what it seems. The inhabitants greet Ginny and Isla with stares and avoid contact wherever possible. And the house they're staying in is old and strange. Eerie whispers follow Ginny through the corridors. Artworks once covered become uncovered. And unexplained smells clings to the walls lavender, cigar smoke and vomit.

With no WiFi on the island, no help from the locals and no regular transport back to the mainland, Ginny is stranded and all alone. She must unravel the dark secrets of the house before they claim her and her beloved daughter.

An unsettling gothic horror novel set on an isolated Scottish island. Perfect for fans of Sarah Pinborough, Rebecca Netley and Laura Purcell. - from Goodreads