REVIEW: Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

 

OUR REVIEW:

As per usual, whenever I see a new Carley Fortune at the library, I immediately put myself on the list to check it out. And as usual, I find that her latest novel, Our Perfect Storm, was a pleasure to read. It had all of the things I've come to associate with her novels: two friends who have a long history together, who care deeply about each other, but have not acted upon it (at least in this novel). In this particular novel, there was a chance for this love story to start sooner, but as it happens in many romance novels, there was an epic miscommunication or misunderstanding that led to Frankie and George to keep each other firmly in the friendzone. This, of course, creates a situation where feelings go unrequited and tensions eventually begin to form, which all come to a head after Frankie's fiancée dumps her hours before the wedding. After weeks of depression and moping, Frankie invites George to go on her honeymoon and it's during this time that feelings emerge and these two discover that they were meant to be together all along.

In addition to the back and forth of the present and past, and the intense emotions they delve into, I also enjoyed this novel for the way the setting and food were described. I enjoyed it so much that I found myself wondering if I could one day visit this beautiful place. 

Very sold summer read.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3Qod3yp

SYNOPSIS:

Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.

Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.

Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.

Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.

REVIEW: Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score

OUR REVIEW:

If you're looking for a light romcom, Mistakes Were Made is a good choice. Zoey is absolutely ridiculous, as are many of the situations she finds herself in. Gage and his family also provide some laugh out loud moments, as do many of the secondary characters in this novel. Be prepared, it's a long one, but many laughable moments and one that you don't have to follow too closely to enjoy. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4eOaq2Q

SYNOPSIS:

Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn't like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan's publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She's totally broke.

All she needs is for Hazel's next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He's smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he's ready to settle down.

Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it's clear they're all wrong for each other. She's allergic to commitment and can't work a calendar app; he's looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She's afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage's world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.
 

REVIEW: Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone

OUR REVIEW:

As with everything I read by Sierra Simone, I did not want Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl to end. It was so good. I loved everything about Bram and Maddie, even when they made me a little nuts. Both characters were smart and funny and thoughtful and even when they weren't wonderful, I adored them. The secondary characters and setting were equally delightful and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next books in this series. From the cleverly drawn characters, the chemistry between them, and the connections to a previous series, this is a solid 5 start read. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4dfW9Ld

SYNOPSIS:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone comes a brand-new college town raunch-com about a sexy single dad professor and a feisty law school grad turned nanny in this steamy tale of Academic Affairs…

She wants to be a good girl. He’s dying to teach her.

New to town and freshly single, rookie lecturer Maddie isn’t looking for trouble … until she ends up in bed with Bram – a sexy, grumpy single dad – on her first night.

The catch? He’s her new boss at home (he needs a nanny), and her colleague at work (he's a professor, too). So to make it work, they set some ground

- No more sex

- They can never be alone in the house together

But Maddie’s great at breaking these rules, and Bram’s even better at dishing out consequences…
 

REVIEW: The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

OUR REVIEW:

I read this ahead of assigning it as part of a dystopian book club unit; I wanted to make sure it would work as an option with the other options selected. It did and the students who read it had THOUGHTS. The things we all liked were: the integration of the texts and emails and the overlapping narratives/flashbacks and we loved to hate the premise because who really likes the idea of being in a world like the one Lalami created? Uhhhhh no one. That being said, she definitely made it feel realistic and uncomfortable. We also loved to hate the characters; at varying points I think we wanted to throttle each of them. The things we didn't love: the ending. We all wanted more and we all felt like there were some loose ends that could've been more tied up at the end. Despite all of that, it was a solid 3.5 read--a good fit for the dystopian unit I created and one that my students enjoyed.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4wBFjOe

SYNOPSIS:

A novel about one woman’s fight for freedom, set in a near future where even dreams are under surveillance.

Sara has just landed at LAX, returning home from a conference abroad, when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration pull her aside and inform her that she will soon commit a crime. Using data from her dreams, the RAA’s algorithm has determined that she is at imminent risk of harming the person she loves most: her husband. For his safety, she must be kept under observation for twenty-one days.

The agents transfer Sara to a retention center, where she is held with other dreamers, all of them women trying to prove their innocence from different crimes. With every deviation from the strict and ever-shifting rules of the facility, their stay is extended. Months pass and Sara seems no closer to release. Then one day, a new resident arrives, disrupting the order of the facility and leading Sara on a collision course with the very companies that have deprived her of her freedom.

Eerie, urgent, and ceaselessly clear-eyed, The Dream Hotel artfully explores the seductive nature of technology, which puts us in shackles even as it makes our lives easier. Lalami asks how much of ourselves must remain private if we are to remain free, and whether even the most invasive forms of surveillance can ever capture who we really are.
 

REVIEW: The Shippers by Katherine Center

 

OUR REVIEW:

Katherine Center is still a new to me author; I believe I've read one of her other novels, but I recall enjoying it, so when The Shippers was available on NetGalley, I decided to give it a try. The Shippers is most definitely a romcom-JoJo reminds me of a Lucille Ball type character--physical comedy, that comes off as kind of a ditz, even though she's really not. She's just trying to figure out how and why she's so bad at relationships. About half of this novel is about JoJo working on trying to snag the guy she thinks all other relationshis failed because of. When she finally wakes up to the truth, it's almost too late...but luckily for us, this is romance...so it's never too late. Cooper. Cooper is an interesting dude. On the one hand, such a good guy. Seriously such a good guy. On the other hand, I wanted to shake him for letting things go on for as long as it did. Because COME ONNNNNNN, we knew it was him all along. Gah. 

Anyway, this novel is a great vacation read--light, funny, cute, and easy to read. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3LodjLD

SYNOPSIS:

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest ), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sister’s a little busy being a bride at the moment—so JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wing man. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if she’s honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJo’s life. It’s bliss for her to see him again, and it’s agony, too—and the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she can’t bring herself to ask.

Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance—as JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way.

No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.

REVIEW: The Last Page by Katie Holt

OUR REVIEW:

I really enjoyed Katie Holt's previous release, Not in My Book, so when I saw this one was available on NetGalley, I quickly requested it. The Last Page is an enemies to friends to lovers trope that is a little bit of a slow burn. Ella and Henry are basically pitted against each other because the now deceased owner (and Henry's grandfather) promised both of them the bookstore and much to Ella's chagrin, when Henry shows up to take over, she feels betrayed and led astray. She just KNEW she was going to have the store; she KNEW she'd be able to keep its legacy alive. Well, good thing that didn't come true because it turns out the store was in so much debt that had she been left to manage it, she most likely would've failed. So once she gets over her hurt feelings, she works with Henry (who specializes in saving companies in similar situations) to do everything in her power to save the store.

The rest of the novel is really Henry and Ella working together to try to save the store and as they're doing that, Ella introduces Henry to the New York she knows and loves. They get to know each other, get to liking each other, and they fall in love. 

Their love story is delightful. It's cute and sweet and funny and emotional and I enjoyed getting lost in their story for a few days...it sure beats the shitshow that's happening in our world today. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3Oe01lE

SYNOPSIS:

Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.

Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.

But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them.

Fans of Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood will adore this rivals-to-friends-to-lovers bookish romance!

 

REVIEW: Love Song by Elle Kennedy

OUR REVIEW:

Fans of the Off Campus series will love the next gen books, I'm certain. Having read some, but not all of the first gen characters, I found that I didn't have to have read them all, or remember much of them, to follow along and enjoy Love Song. 

I'll be honest and say that Wyatt was frustrating AF at first. I didn't have much sympathy for his plight because he seemed to assume a lot and then use those assumptions as a basis for action or inaction. Blake also gave me fits at times. She didn't do what I wanted her to do, when I wanted her to do it, dang it. I think what got me past all of this was when they capitulated to their feelings ...and when their family came in for the summer. The extra characters added a layer of tension and fun and conflict and the pages were flying. It was also amusing to have the dads all interact and be ridiculous.

Speaking of ridiculous, the group chats. Those were the best. Loved those.

All in all Love Song was an angsty, funny, sexy, and quick read.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4eJ6kJc

SYNOPSIS:

New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy returns with her signature heat and humor for a Briar universe standalone romance featuring the next generation Off-Campus characters―where one unforgettable summer changes everything.

After a brutal breakup, college junior Blake Logan escapes to her family’s lake house in Tahoe, determined to shut out the world. Her plan is simple: no men, no drama. Until Wyatt Graham shows up. Four years older and far too good at getting under her skin, Wyatt is the living embodiment of a “bad idea,” and the guy who shattered her pride when she confessed her crush at sixteen.

With his music career stalled, Wyatt has come to Tahoe for inspiration. The last thing he expects is to find it with Blake. He’s spent years keeping his distance, convinced he’s all wrong for her, but she’s no longer the innocent girl he once knew. She’s confident, captivating, and impossible to ignore. And the slow-burning tension between them? It’s catching fire fast.

They both know this can’t last, but one reckless kiss turns into another, and soon they’re tangled in something that feels dangerously like more. Just as they finally give in to the pull, tragedy tears them apart, leaving their hearts in pieces.

But forgetting that one, nearly perfect summer? Not a chance. And when fate brings them together again, Blake and Wyatt must decide if this is a second chance…or the final verse.
 

REVIEW: The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

 OUR REVIEW:

I suspect that Larissa and Chris will probably live rent free in my brain for a while; I think I'm not quite ready for their story to end, even though it has to be over because there are no more pages to read. Though, maybe when Mike gets his HEA, we'll see them more (I'm assuming he will...he has to, right?!). The angst Jimenez put them through (put us through) required a lot of patience on my part and while it was definitely worth the wait, I definitely was impatient for their love story to have its chance. 

I know this one had to be tough to write and the headspace she had to be in to write it was probably pretty awful too. There was a lot of pain and suffering so many of the characters had to go through and with the added burden of Larissa being Chris's best friend's girl friend at some point?! That must've felt like walking a tightrope to make sure it didn't get weird. Thankfully, it didn't get weird, if anything, it was frustrating because she was so very careful with how long they waited to succumb to their feelings. 

All of that to say, that I'm glad Chris and Larissa had each other (and their killer dog); they were perfect for each other and it was clear that they both needed the other one. 

Part friend love story, part romance, The Night We Met added up to a thoughtful and surprisingly quick read.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3Oay1jn

SYNOPSIS:A beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything...

For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But Chris isn't the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago—Chris is her boyfriend's best friend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else. And he’s just not that guy.

REVIEW: Every Version of You by Natalie Messier

 

OUR REVIEW:

Well, this was a pleasant surprise--if I'm being honest I can't remember what drew me to requesting this on NetGalley but I'm glad I did. And I wish I could tell you a lot more than I can (it would be so easy to spoil this one!), but since I can't I'll just tell you that this is one of those books that really stuck with me. The question that it starts with is one that I am still pondering the answer to. Luckily, this book isn't about me and my conundrum, it's about Joey and hers. She is way more definitive in her decision/answer and while she does struggle with the aftermath of it, she also makes the most of it. I enjoyed being a fly on the wall as she worked through each consequence from each decision and reveled in the good things that came her way. 

I definitely haven't read something like this and I really appreciated reading something that had me really pondering how I'd handle the situation posed. It's a definite must read.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3Y9iQbz

SYNOPSIS:

Joey Vasquez’s life is the definition of good on paper. At thirty-two, she’s a Los Angeles lawyer on the cusp of making partner, but while she’s a professional success, she’s a personal disaster. Her social life mostly consists of nights spent watching TV with her elderly cat. Life isn’t quite what she dreamed when she was younger, but really, whose life is?

But a dinner party with the best friend she’s secretly pined after for years and its aftermath changes everything.

When Joey is given a second chance at life, she finds herself in college again. Armed with memories from her first life, Joey is certain she’s come back to finally convince the one man she ever loved to love her back—so why does she find herself strangely drawn to the man she thought she hated?

REVIEW: A Song Only We Can Hear by Elliot Wake

 

OUR REVIEW:

Has it really been a decade since we've had a new Elliot Wake novel? Yes. Yes it has. What a great surprise to have him return and give us a thoughtful take on falling in love while battling cancer. 

The story of Cam and Brynne begins with a fender bender, continues as chemo partners, and ends in love. Not a simple premise and not one that just anyone could take on and do well, but Wake does. He blends the harsh reality of what it's like to experience cancer treatment with the soft edges of the love story of these two. Add to that some drama with their exes, and you have the making of an unconventional, dark, romcom. Their story is a blur of the effects of the toxic poison that's flooding their veins --days turn into weeks of discomfort and exhaustion-- and then before you know it, they've reached the end of chemo. Interspersed with that, they have nights with these moments that feel straight out of an 80s John Hughes movie--romantic and filled with good music and big feelings. And of course, it wouldn't be romance...or a John Hughes movie...without evil exes. 

I think I'm rambling because I'm trying not to spoil things? So let me end with this: this novel won't be for everyone, I know. Not because it isn't well done (it is), but because there are so many of us who are living with or living through or coping with or struggling with the impact that cancer can have, so for some this may hit a little too close to home. I know that when I read it, I had to take breaks because there were many instances when it mirrored some of my experiences with cancer and chemo. I'm glad I took the breaks I needed, and I'm glad that I stop reading; the ending felt so hopeful and promising and cinematic. 

One more thing: Ro and her family? *chef's kiss* I enjoyed them so much. 

If you've been missing the lush prose of Elliot Wake and are looking for a romance unlike most you'll read,  A Song Only We Can Hear should be your next read.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4syTWyX

SYNOPSIS:CAN A LOVE STORY THAT STARTS IN CHEMO REALLY HAVE A HAPPY ENDING?

GETTING DUMPED the same day he’s diagnosed with cancer is pretty on-brand for Cam LeClerc. He was the darling of the Chicago indie music scene until his ex aired their dirty laundry online. Now he’s the fallen star everyone loves to hate, shivering in a hospital gown, coming to grips with losing his girlfriend, his reputation, and the family jewels.

Of course, things won’t be that easy.

On the way to chemo, Cam collides (literally) with a fellow cancer patient: Brynne Bogdan, a popular podcaster who’s exactly the sort of music nerd he writes songs for… and who’s just rear-ended his car. But what starts as the worst day of both of their lives becomes one of the best. They’re kind of messily perfect together. Because of Brynne, Cam actually looks forward to chemo. He’s falling fast. He’s making music again. He’s finding the will not just to survive, but live.

Which is probably too good to be true.

When ugly realities resurface, Cam begins to question his bond with Brynne. And the past isn’t the only their futures aren’t guaranteed, either. They’re both fighting the battle of their lives.

Can a love story that starts in chemo really have a happy ending?

VIBES:

dark romcom
witty banter
cancer humor
music nerds
beautiful, lyrical prose
emotional rollercoaster
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets High Fidelity

REVIEW: Catch Her if You Can by Tessa Bailey

OUR REVIEW:

If I've said it once, I've said it every time a new book in this series comes out....this series has a hold on me and as soon as I see it on my Libby app, I'm reserving it like it's my job. 

After reading so many emotionally heavy books, Catch Her If You Can was such a pleasant break from it all, which is interesting because there were some ugly aspects to this book. Madden and Eve have been circling around each other (and my imagination) for a while and we finally go to the bottom of their story. It's a tale as old as time. Not really, I just felt like typing that. It's a story of secrets and love and desire and friendship and how all of those things feel impossible and big...and yet. And yet, Madden and Eve manage to build years and years of friendship while suppressing and denying all of the real and intense feelings that zap between them until Madden learns the truth and refuses to let Eve hide from it. What happens next is the natural push and pull of these two trying to figure out if it can work, the fear of wanting it too much, and the love and care they have for each other-so much so that they almost lose it all, as per all romance novels. 

I don't care what anyone else says, I will continue to jump on the newest release in this series until there isn't one to jump on.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4mmqFGh

SYNOPSIS:

Madden Donahue, the newest catcher for the Yankees, has been in love with Eve Mitchell since high school, but for some mysterious reason, the burlesque club owner always turns him down. That never stopped him from being her self-appointed protector. Case in point, now that Eve’s sister has left Eve with her two children indefinitely, Madden steps in with a proposition—marry him for the much needed health benefits.

Eve has secretly harbored feelings for Madden all along, but there’s one problem—her best friend Skylar called dibs on him when they were fourteen. Eve has always put their friendship above all else, and she’s not willing to risk losing Skylar over a man. Raised by the local strip club owner, Eve is woefully short on friends and treasures the ones she has. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve finds herself accepting Madden’s proposal—on the condition that their marriage remains strictly private. She’s not about to let her unique profession and maligned reputation destroy Madden’s shiny new career.

Madden won’t let Eve get away that easily, though. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon ignites into something much hotter, and now it’s up to Madden to convince Eve that their connection is far more than a business arrangement. As the passion builds, can their fake marriage become the real deal?

 

REVIEW: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

OUR REVIEW:

Theo of Golden has been on all of the lists for a while and so of course I reserved it on Libby. I had to see if it lived up to the hype; it, in my mind, has been linked with The Bright Years and The Correspondent and those were so good that I had hopes that this one would be too. 

There were definitely touching moments in Theo of Golden. I liked the protagonist and his merry band of small town characters; he was kind and considerate and mysterious. This had all of the pieces and parts that work for me: good characters and a question that was begging to be answered. The writing was solid. So what didn't work, if anything? Afterall, I gave it 4 stars, so what's my issue? For me, it dragged. I need more breadcrumbs to lead me to the big reveal and it felt like there were times they came sparingly. In retrospect, maybe that was part of the point? He didn't want to be known, really; he wanted to know others, to serve others, to elevate them and but by doing that his mysterious background became even more intriguing, not less.

So ultimately, yes, I enjoyed Theo of Golden; I'd definitely read another of Levi's books--I appreciate that he gave me a character to aspire to. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4bW1TYv

SYNOPSIS:

One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…

His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers.

Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.

 

REVIEW: Sweet Spot by Staci Hart

 

OUR REVIEW:

When Staci Hart publishes, I read it. Period. She has never let me down. Not ever. Sweet Spot continues that streak. In this newest addition to the Roseville Ramblers series, we get to learn more about why Grey is so grumpy and how, exactly, Molly breaks through. 

This was fun, y'all. Molly is just so sweet and Grey is so broody and it shouldn't work but it does. It really, really does. These two cannot get enough of each other, even though Grey tries really hard to deny it, and so what we get is a novel full of these two exploring all of the things Molly wants Grey to teach her-from softball, to house stuff, to anything Molly's heart desires. And y'all, Molly has some desires. Hooooboy, this one is a steamfest. So steamy. So spicy. And yet, so sweet and cute and so very easy to read and adore these two, and really, all of the extended cast of characters.

Looking for a sweet and spicy spring break read? This one is the exact one you need.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4tkAxT0

SYNOPSIS:

I should absolutely, under no circumstance develop a crush on my co-worker--the grumpy, wolf-daddy, much older high school baseball coach.

First problem? He's twenty years older than me. Second? I've never even been kissed. Third? When I ask him to teach me, he said yes.

In my defense, Grey Brooks is a great coach. As an elementary school librarian, I know more about books than swinging hammers or baseball bats. I thought I was a lost cause, but from showing me how to throw a baseball to fixing up my rickety old house, all he does is teach me. And somewhere between the lessons and the laughter, we become friends. So asking him to teach me to kiss...etc, just makes sense. Right? Right?

He makes rules. Keep it casual. Keep it secret. Keep the feels in check.

But in a small town where everyone's watching, nothing stays secret for long. Every rule we break blurs the line between lessons and love, the rumors are getting louder, and Grey thinks he's going to ruin me.

He might be right. But not for the reasons he thinks.

Because there's more than gossip hiding in Roseville. And by the time I see the danger coming, the only person who can save me is the one everyone says I should stay away from.

REVIEW: The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

 

OUR REVIEW:

If I were a sobber, I'd have sobbed by the end of this book. I'd heard that this book, The Bright Years, would do that to you, but since I'm not typically one to cry, I didn't think I'd cry. There were tears, y'all. Good tears. Sad tears. Tears because of the truth this novel revealed. Gah. So good. For a novel that spends so much time examining grief and the complexity of love and relationships and being human, you'd think that I wouldn't feel so warm and fuzzy about it, but I do. I needed this. I needed to be reminded of how fleeting and precious our time on this earth is, even when it feels so arduous and dull and monotonous and excessively difficult or challenging, it ends way sooner than maybe we want it to. It reminded me that yes we make mistakes but we also create opportunities. We aren't binary, we contain multitudes and as complicated as that may be to acknowledge, if we can, it may ease some of the complicated things we carry with us. How many times can I write complicated?  All of that to say, that when I put this novel down, I felt sad for these characters and the time they lost to hard to process feelings and it made me want to just try to live life a little better with, and for, those who are walking on this ground around me. 

The Bright Years surprised me. I read it in one day. I absolutely could not put it down. With its spare diction and raw emotion, quick pacing, complex characters, and unflinching stare into the pain that comes with living and dying, I could not stop reading it until it was over. 

I love that this is Sarah Damoff's debut because it means that I'll have years of upcoming releases to look forward to. I also hate that it's her debut because I don't have a backlist to read. Also...it's so good, how is it her debut?! Kudos to her! 

If you're a mood reader like I am and need an emotional read, read this. You won't regret it. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4c19bvN

SYNOPSIS:

One family. Four generations. A secret son. A devastating addiction. A Texas family is met with losses and surprises of inheritance, but they’re unable to shake the pull back toward each other in this big-hearted family saga perfect for readers of Mary Beth Keane and Claire Lombardo.

Ryan and Lillian Bright are deeply in love, recently married, and now parents to a baby girl, Georgette. But Lillian has a son she hasn’t told Ryan about, and Ryan has an alcohol addiction he hasn’t told Lillian about, so Georgette comes of age watching their marriage rise and fall.

When a shocking blow scatters their fragile trio, Georgette tries to distance herself from reminders of her parents. Years later, Lillian’s son comes searching for his birth family, so Georgette must return to her roots, unearth her family’s history, and decide whether she can open up to love for them—or herself—while there’s still time.

Told from three intimate points of view, The Bright Years is a tender, true-to-life novel that explores the impact of each generation in a family torn apart by tragedy but, over time, restored by the power of grace and love.

REVIEW: Rose Hill Series by Elsie Silver

OUR REVIEW:

On the advice of a book blogger I gave this series a try and it was the perfect way to start my new reading challenge. As soon as I finished one book, I was downloading the next. This series reminded me of some of my favorite comfort read authors in that nothing about these novels was earthshatteringly new but they entertained me, made me care about the characters, and fall in love with the small town of Rose Hill. 

In each of these novels, there was a character searching for a partner who could really see them, to see past the armor put up and see the soft inner vulnerable part of them. Each of our male characters were used to pushing their own needs and wants aside and while they each wanted a relationship with a good, kind, caring person, they never felt that they deserved it. So naturally, when a woman comes into their lives and seems like the perfect fit, it takes time for them to accept that it'll work. Each of our female main characters also has to overcome some things-but mainly they each have to relearn how to trust and believe in the potential for greatness with these men. Clearly they all figured it out, with a few bumps and bruises along the way, but I truly appreciate that Elsie Silver didn't torture us too much before she gave each couple their HEA.

If you're looking for a good, quick, easy to love series to consume, definitely give the Rose Hill Series a shot.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3Zyar1X

SYNOPSIS: click on the link above to get to know each book.

 

REVIEW: Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

 

OUR REVIEW:

I think I overhyped this book and so the high expectations I had going in, which weren't fair, that I felt a little let down when I finished. I liked the idea of it and I liked the execution, for the most part, but I predicted much of the ending or the *gasp-y* parts and so it ended up being a solid four star read, rather than the five star I was hoping for. 

For me, I enjoyed the excerpts from Lorelei and the ideas she was pondering. I liked thinking about the morality and ethics of AI because of all of the unanswered questions. The annoyances of Noah and his kids felt realistic and based on the keen observation of teaching and working with young adults that the author's experience has given him. (Ugh, that was an awkward sentence that I am too lazy to fix). The fears and worries that the accident heightened or created was also interesting. 

I think if I'd been able to get into the head of all of the characters, I would've felt a little more engaged than I felt, but all in all a good read that asked me to consider, or reconsider, some of the big ideas that are coming our way. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/4qxH8rH

SYNOPSIS:

Set at a summer rental on the Chesapeake Bay, a riveting family drama about moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence, from the bestselling author of the “wise and addictive” (New York Times) The Gifted School.

When the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat, with his father, Noah, riding shotgun. In the back seat, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones, while their mother, Lorelei, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret that implicates them in the accident.

During a weeklong recuperation on the Chesapeake Bay, the family confronts the excruciating moral dilemmas triggered by the crash. Noah tries to hold the family together as a seemingly routine police investigation jeopardizes Charlie’s future. Alice and Izzy turn strangely furtive. And Lorelei’s odd behavior tugs at Noah’s suspicions that there is a darker truth behind the incident—suspicions heightened by the sudden intrusion of Daniel Monet, a tech mogul whose mysterious history with Lorelei hints at betrayal. When Charlie falls for Monet’s teenaged daughter, the stakes are raised even higher in this propulsive family drama that is also a fascinating exploration of the moral responsibility and ethical consequences of AI.

Culpability explores a world newly shaped by chatbots, autonomous cars, drones, and other nonhuman forces in ways that are thrilling, challenging, and unimaginably provocative.

REVIEW: 107 Days by Kamala Harris

 

OUR REVIEW:

Honestly, it feels a little weird to review this but I read it and want to record my quick thoughts. In some ways I feel like this felt satisfactory when I finished--it gave me a sense of how all of it went down--from Harris being the Vice Presidential candidate to Presidential candidate and many of the days of her campaign. She gave some insight into her thoughts and emotions in a way that was diplomatic (which in my mind, is a signal that she is leaving the door open for future campaigning). I definitely got a sense of what she felt strongly about, what she cares about, and just how thoroughly prepared she was for what she hoped was coming next. I think the thing I wanted more of was the dirty details, the more emotive response about things, which is why it's weird for me to review this, because who am I to say how she should feel and express it?

Ultimately, very informative and I'm glad I read it.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3LvTBNM

SYNOPSIS:

For the first time, and with surprising and revealing insights, Kamala Harris tells the story of one of the wildest and most consequential presidential campaigns in American history.

Your Secret Service code name is Pioneer.
You are the first woman in history to be elected vice president of the United States.
On July 21, 2024, your running mate, Joe Biden, announces that he will not be seeking reelection.
The presidential election will occur on November 5, 2024.
You have 107 days.

Written with candor, a unique perspective, and the pace of a page-turning novel, 107 Days takes you inside the race for the presidency as no one has ever done before.

REVIEW: Avenging Angels: Bad Medicine by Kristen Ashley

 

OUR REVIEW:

Bad Medicine is the latest Kristen Ashley novel and you know we had to read it as soon as it went live. This series, Avenging Angels, has been a great companion to the Rock Chicks series and the more I get into it, the more I've enjoyed these characters. They have the zaniness of our favorites from the previous series, but they also have their own thing too. They're interconnected through work and their less than easy upbringings, which I like as a contrast to the Rock Chicks. In this book we get Willow and Gabe's (STARK...yes, related to THAT Stark) romance. And apparently Gabe's not one to deviate from his uncle's tradition of locking in early with his woman...much to Willow's chagrin (and eventual delight). These two are sweet and romantic and hilarious...all things that keep me coming back for more. Once a KA reader, always a KA reader. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/49bP6zG

SYNOPSIS:

Willow Knightley has just been through it with her ex-mooch of a boyfriend. But sadly, he’s just the latest in a long string of men (starting at birth) who didn’t treat her right.

She decides her only recourse is to give up on men forever.

The problem is, her friend/acquaintance/one-time bodyguard, member of the Nightingale Investigations & Security team, Gabriel Stark, has targeted her as His One.

Gabe’s been through it at the hands of women too, so he knows exactly what he wants.

And he wants Willow.

Willow states her case against them being an us, but she doesn’t count on the fact that not only does Gabe love a challenge, he lives for them.

Up against an onslaught from a man who rinses his own whiskers out of the sink, Willow might not stand a chance.

But then, while the Angels are trying to figure out what’s got one of their informants very jittery, she gets a hint that there are demons in Gabe’s history, and she has to know.

The bets are on…

And luck favors a Stark.