by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

Miracle Books bookstore owner Nora Pennington first came to Miracle Springs, North Carolina, to heal from both her physical and mental scars. She has since recovered from the burn scars caused by her poor decision to drive while drunk, but it’s been a longer journey for her to move past the betrayal that led to her drinking in the first place. The healing she’s done is threatened by the sudden appearance in town of Kelly Walsh, the “Other Woman” who spurred Nora’s spiral by having an affair and pregnancy with Nora’s husband Lawrence. Nora may have divorced Lawrence and even begun a romance with Sheriff Grant McCabe, but she is unable to accept Kelly’s somewhat distraught plea for forgiveness. Pushing away the desperate woman is an act Nora will soon come to regret, as when Kelly is found dead both Nora and a suspicious K-9 officer are quick to assign blame.

Kelly had come to Miracle Springs in the hope of taking advantage of their legendary healing springs, but an act of murder took her away before her case of terminal cancer. Guilt-ridden and needing to escape the accusations of an aggressively passive-aggressive police officer Paula Hollowell, Nora begins looking into the death of both Kelly and another woman linked to Lawrence. Fortunately, this is a series of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a close-knit group of four women bonded together by their secrets and regrets. They’ve supported one another and helped each other to heal, and again they are ready to help Nora not only as she investigates Kelly’s life but as Nora’s past is brought back into the present. Bakery owner Estella Sadler’s past is resurrected as well when her father returns from his stay in prison, convicted of murder while defending his daughter. Estella is unsurprisingly burdened with guilt and feeling responsible for his incarceration, so she and her fellow society members are invested in helping Gus reintegrate back into the town and the workforce.

This sixth in the series is truly a warm-hearted mystery that follows the women as they heal emotionally and physically. Nora still has time to practice her art of bibliotheraphy, prescribing the perfect book for those in need of help, and here she is able to focus on a special needs child at a particular moment of crisis. Food and cooking is, of course, a vital part of their community, not only as Estella heals through her baking but when her father shares his talent in the kitchen. As events collide in the finale, satisfying conclusions are given to all, not just as justice is wielded out to the guilty but as forgiveness and happiness is given to our heroes – one through perhaps one of the most unique interventions ever. This is a genuinely rewarding novel that delivers all of the humor, heart, and emotion longtime fans will need. Book lists for those needing an Alpha male romance or family theme are included as well, delighting those looking to add to their to-be-read bookshelf.

To enter to win a copy of Paper Cuts, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “paper” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen June 10, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you ented via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.