Mini Reviews – The Co-op, Perfect Fit, & Holding the Reins

December 16, 2024/0 Comments/by Suzanne

Hey everyone! I just finished up my last week of work for the year, so now in addition to getting ready for the upcoming holidays, I’m spending my downtime getting caught up some reviews that I’ve gotten behind on writing. Today I’m sharing three recent romance releases that I really enjoyed, including a debut from Paisley Hope. Last year Elsie Silver started me in my cowboy romance era with her Chestnut Springs series and I think Paisley Hope is going to keep me firmly in it with her new series!

The Co-op Goodreads

Author: Tarah DeWitt

Publication Date: November 12, 2024 (First published, October 20, 2022)

Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

LaRynn and Deacon haven’t seen each other since a decade before when they were teenagers in the midst of a summer fling and Deacon broke LaRynn’s heart. Now they have been awkwardly reunited as co-owners of their married grandmothers’ home. The home is completely run-down and in need of major renovations before they can even begin to sell it. While Deacon has the construction skills to complete the renovations, he has no money to do so, and while LaRynn has a trust fund with plenty of money, the only way she can gain access to the funds is to get married. LaRynn and Deacon agree to a marriage of convenience in order to gain access to the money they need and thus start working on the house together, living in the house while they work.

I do love a good second chance romance, and in this one, I love how DeWitt uses the backdrop of working on this renovation project as a way for LaRynn and Deacon 1) to realize they really do still have feelings for one another that are way more than just a teen summer fling, and 2) to really confront what happened in the past and what is happening between them now. There were both some emotional moments as they explored their past, as well as some more rom-com worthy moments courtesy of the home renovation scenes.

This was my second read from DeWitt this year and I look forward to reading more from her! 4 STARS

Perfect Fit Goodreads

Author: Clare Gilmore

Publication Date: October 29, 2024

Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Josie has spent most of her twenties building her unique fashion brand Revenant, headquartered in Austin, Texas. When her biggest investor tells her she needs to hire a consultant, the last person she expects to end up working with is Will Grant, her ex best friend’s brother and the guy she mistakenly shared a kiss with one night nine years earlier. Will and Josie are both much too busy focusing on their careers and have no interest in romance, especially with one another, and yet, somehow they still can’t seem to stay away from one another.

What I really enjoyed about this one is that both characters and their day-to-day struggles felt very relatable, particular the work-life balance struggles and the fear of burnout if you don’t slow down and take care of yourself. I also just really enjoyed the chemistry between Will and Josie. They were fun and flirty together, but also just really supportive of one another and whatever choices they made with respect to their lives, careers, etc. Not to sound cheesy, but they really were a perfect fit. 4 STARS

Holding the Reins (Silver Pines Ranch, #1) Goodreads

Author: Paisley Hope

Publication Date: October 22, 2024

Publisher: Dell Romance

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

CeCe Ashby has returned to her family’s ranch in Laurel Creek, Kentucky, after breaking her engagement and leaving what had become a toxic relationship. Almost as soon as she returns, she runs into her brother’s sexy best friend, Nash Carter, the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars hockey team. Nash is a hometown hero, local business owner, and a notorious bachelor. He and CeCe immediately hit it off and when he learns she is back for good and in need of a job, he hires her.

This was a super spicy western romance! It was a lot of fun watching CeCe and Nash get to know each other as something more than the brother’s best friend dynamic that they had both grown up with, and oh boy, the spice was definitely spicing the more they got reacquainted! I also loved the small town vibes, the secret dating, and of course, that there’s my favorite trope of all, found family, and that it’s so well done.

Holding the Reins is the first installment in the Silver Pines Ranch series and it’s Paisley Hope’s debut. I look forward to reading more from her. 4 STARS

Romance Review – FRAGILE SANCTUARY by Catherine Cowles

December 9, 2024/2 Comments/by Suzanne

Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles

Series: Sparrow Falls #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on November 12, 2024
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 384
Source: the Publisher
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
Goodreads

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via the Publisher. All opinions are my own.

Fragile Sanctuary is the first book in Catherine Cowles’ new romantic Sparrow Falls series, and if this first book is any indication, this is going to be a phenomenal series!

The story opens with a heartbreaking prologue that immediately hooked me and had me fully invested in the well being of Rhodes (Rho), the female main character. Her life has just been filled with pain and loss, and my heart just hurt for her. I also truly admired her though even after all she has been through, she’s just so upbeat, resilient, and determined.

I’m a sucker for a good grumpy-sunshine romance and when Anson, a gruff and broody former FBI profiler, crosses paths with Rho, and the two of them exchange a few witty barbs, I was sold on the possibility of them as a couple. I love some snarky banter, and I also love chemistry that feels authentic, and Rho and Anson have exactly that. Rho gets under Anson’s skin from the moment they meet, and slowly but surely, she breaks through his walls to the kind, caring, and very protective man underneath. I really enjoyed watching them grow closer.

Cowles really excels when it comes to writing romantic suspense. There were several unpredictable twists and turns that had me just as engaged in the suspense plot as I was in the romance, especially since the suspense angle not only impacts the present day events in the books, but it also draws on Anson’s former career and gives us some insight into his painful past.

Lastly, I absolutely loved the whole Colson family and can’t wait to get to know them better in future installments in the series. Grandma, in particular, was just cracking me up!

If you love romantic suspense, or even if you are new to it and would like a good starting point, you can’t go wrong with Fragile Sanctuary.

About Catherine Cowles

Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she’s not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Thriller Thursday Reviews: A Very Bad Thing & The Hitchcock Hotel

December 5, 2024/1 Comment/by Sharon

Hey Everyone! Yes, Sharon here and I am back with a Thriller Thursday edition. Sorry for the hiatus, but life got in my way. I cannot believe it is already December and in just a few weeks it will be 2025. Where has the year gone? But today I am happy to share my thoughts on A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison and The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel.

Thriller Thursday Reviews: A Very Bad Thing & The Hitchcock Hotel

A Very Bad Thing Goodreads

Author: J.T. Ellison

Publication Date: November 1, 2024

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Columbia Jones is a best-selling author, at the top of her game. She is on a book tour for her latest novel, but on the final night of the tour, a face in the audience makes Columbia collapse on stage and by the next morning she is found dead in her hotel room. Who would want Columbia dead? Turns out there are a few people who would. And that is the premise of J.T. Ellison’s, A Very Bad Thing.

Riley Carrington is a reporter that Columbia hired to accompany her on tour and write an article on Columbia and then possibly help her write her memoir. Riley was supposed to meet with Columbia the morning after the final night tour and she is the one who found her body.

Columbia’s daughter and assistant, Darian, had an argument with her mother the night before. When she walked into the hotel room and saw Riley standing over her mother, she immediately accused her of murder.

Kira Hutchinson is Columbia’s biggest fan and she had won a meet and greet with her on the last day of the tour. Kira is devastated to find out the Columbia has been murdered.

The story is told from the POV’s of Riley, Darian, and Kira. Ellison did a great job of creating these characters and bringing them to life. I really liked getting to know each one and try and figure out how they are connected. The secondary characters are also just as fully developed.

We also get chapters on a draft that Columbia had written years ago but was never published. In this draft we find out about Columbia’s secret past and possibly who would want to see her dead. I really like getting to know Columbia through these chapters.

I know I have not said anything about what goes on in the book, but if I did then I would be spoiling things. And I think this book is best to go into blind. I will say that I loved following the investigation and trying to make sense of the clues that came out. I really thought I had things figured out, but then a twist would come to prove me wrong. I pretty much ended up suspecting everyone in the story at one point.

A very Bad Thing was a fast paced read, that never had a dull moment and was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The suspense and tension really picked up at the end and I could not read fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. 4 Stars

The Hitchcock Hotel Goodreads

Author: Stephanie Wrobel

Publication Date: September 24, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

I have never read anything by Stephanie Wrobel before, but when I came across The Hitchcock Hotel, I had to read it as I am a fan of Alfred Hitchcock.

Alfred Smettle has been a fan of Alfred Hitchcock since he was a child, thanks to his mother. Alfred knows everything there is to know about Hitch, as he calls Alfred Hitchcock. In college he was the head of the Film Club, and it was here that he met his friends: Zoe, Samira, TJ, Julius, and Grace. But an event happened in their senior year and Alfred has not spoken to any of them in Sixteen years. Alfred is now the owner of a Victorian house high on a hill in the White Mountains. Alfred has turned this house into the Hitchcock Hotel, complete with a screening room, movie props and even an aviary filled with black crows. To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, Alfred invites his college friends to spend the weekend. And in true Hitchcock fashion, before the weekend is over someone will be dead.

I am a Hitchcock fan, though not to the extent as Alfred was. LOL! So, I really loved all the references to his movies and the props that Alfred has acquired for his hotel. I learned a thing or two about Hitchcock that I did not know. So not only was this a mystery but also a learning experience for me. Hahaha

I will say that I did not like any of the characters very much. With friends like these, you really don’t need enemies. They each had secrets they were keeping, some more severe than others. And when the events of what happened their senior year of college came out, I was like “Go get them Alfred.” Then I learned more and was like “Oh Alfred, you are no innocent party here.”

When we find out who dies, I immediately thought I knew exactly what was going on. I was so sure I was right and then came a twist that blew that theory out of the water. I so did not see that twist coming at all.

The Hitchcock Hotel was a good read. It didn’t knock my socks off but kept me entertained throughout. 3 ½ stars

Romance Review – UNDER LOCH AND KEY by Lana Ferguson @berkleyromance

December 3, 2024/1 Comment/by Suzanne

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
Also by this author: The Fake Mate

Published by Berkley Romance on December 3, 2024
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 415
Source: Netgalley
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
Goodreads

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been loving paranormal romances lately and Lana Ferguson really delivers with her latest novel, Under Loch and Key. The idea of cryptids, particularly the Loch Ness Monster, has always fascinated me, so the concept of this book, where the Loch Ness Monster is actually a young man who is the victim of a generations-long curse just really called to me.

What called to me even more though is that this paranormal romance features two of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers and grumpy-sunshine. So not only is the Loch Ness Monster really a hot young man named Lachlan Greer, who turns into Nessie at night, but he’s also bit of a grump who has a grudge against the MacKay family and is more than happy to let Keyanna MacKay know about it when they first cross paths and he has to rescue her before she falls into the dangerous loch.

I loved watching the sparks fly between Keyanna and Lachlan when they first meet, but both of their stories just tugged at my heartstrings once I got to know more about them. Keyanna’s story was especially heartbreaking, as she has come to Scotland to spread her father’s ashes. He was the only family she had and she is just lost without him and hoping to connect with his estranged family in Scotland. Things don’t go well when she first arrives and then she has an angry confrontation with Lachlan so my heart just went out to her. But then as soon as I learned about the curse and all that Lachlan has had to deal with that wasn’t of his own making, my heart went out to him as well.

When Keyanna discovers Lachlan’s secret and starts to develop strange powers of her own and realizes that she might be able to help Lachlan, I loved that the two of them learn to trust each other enough to put aside their differences and work together to try to break this curse. I was really rooting for the two of them in every possible way.

If you enjoy paranormal, enemies to lovers romances, Scottish settings and lore, and heartwarming family stories, you can’t go wrong with Under Loch and Key.

Thanks so much to Kristin Cipolla for the invitiation to participate in the blog tour. Under Loch and Key is available now!

About Lana Ferguson

Lana Ferguson is a sex-positive nerd whose works never shy from spice or sass.

When she isn’t writing—you can find her randomly singing show tunes, arguing over which Batman is superior, and subjecting her friends to the extended editions of Lord of the Rings.

Lana lives mostly in her own head, but can sometimes be found chasing her corgi through the coppice of the great American outdoors.

Lana hopes to give the world all sorts of sexy stories between two dummies sharing a single brain cell—but until then: practice safe text, use commas.

Lana is represented by actual angel and anxiety-wrangling aficionado, Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

Lana’s profile art was designed by mooncrabdesigns.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Romance Review – HER KNIGHT AT THE MUSEUM by Bryn Donovan @berkleyromance

November 14, 2024/5 Comments/by Suzanne

Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan

Published by Berkley Books on November 12, 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 352
Source: the Publisher
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop
Goodreads

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via the Publisher. All opinions are my own.

If you are looking for an entertaining romcom that will help you escape reality for a while, look no further than Her Knight at the Museum!

The story follows Emily Porter, a recently divorced conservator at the Art Institute of Chicago. Emily has been tasked with restoring a statue of a medieval English knight for an upcoming exhibit. As she begins her task, she keeps imagining that she hears the knight speaking to her, which is crazy, right? Well, when Emily gives in to the voice she’s hearing and kisses the knight, imagine her surprise when he actually comes to life!

It turns out that Sir Griffin de Beauford really is, in fact, a medieval English knight, who was presumed dead in the late 1400s, but who was actually cursed by a ruthless enchanter and turned into a statue. For all of these years, he has been able to see, hear, and think, but has been unable to move or speak. Emily’s kiss has apparently broken the curse and now Sir Griffin must learn how to navigate the challenges of 21st century America, with Emily’s help, of course.

Oh my goodness, this was just so fun and so cute! You definitely have to suspend disbelief and just go with the flow since the concept is a little out there, but once you do that, it’s just such a good time and the chemistry between Sir Griffin and Emily is just perfect! Their interactions have the perfect blend of knightly chivalry and spice, and I couldn’t resist rooting both for Sir Griffin to find a way to successfully live in modern society of course for he and Emily to find their way to a happily ever after.

If you enjoy movies like A Night at the Museum or Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, this book would be a great choice for you!

Thanks so much to Stephanie Felty at Berkley for the blog tour invite!

About Bryn Donovan

Bryn Donovan is the author of several romance novels, including Sunrise Cabin, a Publishers Weekly bestseller. She’s also written nonfiction books and the story treatments for two Hallmark Channel movies. Her work has appeared in McSweeney’s, Writer’s Digest, and many literary journals. A former executive editor in publishing, she earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. She’s a voracious reader, a rescue dog lover, and a hopeless romantic who lives in the Chicago area and blogs about writing and positivity.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Thriller Thursday Reviews: The Boyfriend & Original Twin

October 24, 2024/5 Comments/by Sharon

Welcome to another edition of Thriller Thursday with Sharon. My reviews for this week are, The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden and Original Twin by Paula Gleeson. I enjoyed both of these books so much.

Thriller Thursday Reviews: The Boyfriend & Original Twin

The Boyfriend Goodreads

Author: Freida McFadden

Publication Date: October 1, 2024

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

I can always guarantee that when I pick up a Freida McFadden book I am going to love it and her latest book The Boyfriend is no exception. I was very excited to read The Boyfriend and McFadden did not disappoint.

Sydney Shaw is a single thirty-year-old living in New York, and she has the worst luck with men. She has dated men who have stuck her with the check, lied on their dating profile, who are mama’s boys, and who won’t take no for an answer. Sydney believes she will never find Mr. Right. But then all that changes when she meets Tom, a charming, handsome doctor. Sydney thinks she has finally hit the jackpot. But when a young woman is brutally murdered and the prime suspect is a mystery man the woman dated, Sydney is on edge. She should feel safe dating Tom, but there are a few red flags that are starting to make Sydney suspicious that he may not be as perfect as she thought. Sydney needs to get to the truth, or she could be the next victim.

The story is told in a dual timeline. In the present day we get Sydney’s POV as she navigates the dating world and tries to get the truth about Tom. And then we get Tom’s POV from when he was in high school. In this POV we learn more about who Tom is. I don’t want to say too much about what we learn from when Tom was in high school, I think getting that info as you read adds to the mystery and outcome of the story.

I liked Sydney for the most part, but I did think at times she made the worst decisions. She meets Tom, right after a young woman is murdered and yet she has no qualms about jumping right in. Sure, you are not going to just stop dating, but do a bit of research on the guy first. LOL! I do give her points for what she does after she starts getting suspicious of Tom.

As always Freida McFadden created a story that had me engrossed from start to finish. As the story progressed and we got more info from Tom’s timeline, I really thought I had things figured out, and then McFadden threw in a twist that blew my theory out of the water.

The Boyfriend is another winner from Freida McFadden. If you have enjoyed her other books, then I believe you will enjoy this one as well. And if you are looking for your first McFadden book, then definitely give The Boyfriend a read. 4 stars

Original Twin Goodreads

Author: Paula Gleeson

Publication Date: June 1, 2024

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Original Twin is Paula Gleeson’s debut novel and what a debut it was. I am already looking forward to her next book that is due out next year.

May and June may be fraternal twins, but they are so different from each other. May is plain looking, quiet and withdrawn. Whereas June is beautiful, loud and outgoing. June went missing a year ago and at the time everyone thought it was just June being June. Now a year later they are having a funeral for June, even though she was never found. May doesn’t believe June is dead, but goes along with her father, aunt and grandmother to have the service. While she was looking through June’s things in her bedroom, May finds and old newspaper article from nineteen years ago. The article is about their mother who also vanished but turned up three weeks later. May had no idea their mother had also vanished at one time, but what really stands out is the date. Both June and their mother vanished on the same exact date. May now realizes that June was looking into the events of what happened to their mother. In order to find June and find out what happened to their mother, May has to follow the clues that June has left her. Following these clues will unbury a dark family secret.

I love how Gleeson unfolded this story. The book opens at June’s funeral, with May’s discovery of the newspaper article. And we then follow May as she finds more clues that June left her. With each clue that May finds, more questions are brought to life. We also get chapters from May and June’s mother, Diana. In these chapters we get bits of information on what happened to Diana when she was missing for those three weeks and the events that followed. And then there are chapters with letters that June wrote to Diana, who died the year before June went missing. In these chapters we follow as June investigates what happened to her mother all those years ago. I loved following each of these women and getting to know them, as well as trying to figure out both the mystery of what happened to Diana and what happened to June.

There were so many twists and turns in this story. I really thought I knew where things were going to go and then in comes a twist to turn things around. I was not sure who to trust while I was reading. I love when a story does that to me.

I thought all of the characters were well developed. They were all flawed and complicated. Original Twin was an amazing debut novel and I definitely recommend it. 4 stars

Thriller Thursday Reviews: The House That Horror Built & The Swimmer

October 3, 2024/10 Comments/by Sharon

Happy Thriller Thursday! Sharon here with a couple of great books to read for spooky season. 🙂 This week I am happy to share my thoughts on Christina Henry’s, The House That Horror Built and Loreth Ann White’s, The Swimmer. I hope everyone is getting some great reading in and if you have any recommendations for spooky season let me know. I love finding new authors. 😀

Thriller Thursday Reviews: The House That Horror Built & The Swimmer

The House That Horror Built Goodreads

Author: Christina Henry

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

I love Christina Henry, so I was very excited to read her latest book, The House That Horror Built. I am happy that I waited for spooky season to read this, as this book was perfect reading for this time of year.

Harry Adams is a single mother to fourteen-year-old Gabe. Harry loves horror movies and books, so no surprise that she takes a job cleaning the house of award-winning horror director Javier Castillo. His Chicago mansion, Bright Horses, is filled with props and costumes from not only his movies, but other horror movies as well. Javier lives as a recluse after a family tragedy five years ago. Harry keeps her head down and does her job, even though she swears she hears banging and voices coming from a locked room and is sure one of the props is moving and watching her. After being evicted from her apartment, Harry reluctantly moves with Gabe into Bright Horses with Javier, who has taken an instant liking to Gabe. But Harry soon realizes that moving in was a bad decision and she needs to get her and Gabe out of there before it is too late. Javier is hiding secrets that put Harry and Gabe’s life in jeopardy.

OMG this book was so creepy and gave me the chills. As you know I also love horror, so I was instantly hooked. My first thought when I read the synopsis was, if my favorite horror director needed someone to clean their house, sign me up! LOL! But, If I started hearing noises coming from a locked room and the props started moving, I so would have been out of there. I have seen enough horror movies to know, that is not a good combination.

I love how Henry incorporated so many of my favorite horror movies into the story. There were so many mentions of my favorites, I would have loved to tour this house and see all the props. I also think Henry did a great job of creating Javier Castillo and bringing him to life. Being a horror director, he came across as odd and a bit quirky.

I really liked Harry and thought she was also a well-developed character, as well as her son Gabe. Harry does everything she can to give Gabe a good life. She has gone without things, just so he could have what he needs. She was a great mother. She instilled her love of horror in Gabe, so it was fun watching him in fan mode when he met Javier and toured the house.

I kind of figured out what Javier’s secret was, but there was a twist at the end I so did not see coming.

My only issue with this book is that I wish the end had more to it. It ended abruptly and I think there should have been at least one more chapter to explain things and tie everything up. But all in all, I loved this book and if you are looking for a book to read this spooky season, I definitely recommend The House That Horror Built. 4 stars

The Swimmer Goodreads

Author: Loreth Anne White

Publication Date: September 10, 2024

Publisher: Montlake

Loreth Ann White’s newest story, The Swimmer, is another winner. This book had lots of twists and turns, characters I loved and characters I hated, as well as a few tearjerker moments.

Chloe Cooper has always been socially awkward. She is forty years old and for her whole life her mother has instilled in her to never draw attention to herself, and to trust her instincts. If something seems off, then it probably is. Chloe spends her days caring for her ailing mother, as well as being a dog walker and bartender. Chloe is also a people watcher. When new neighbors, Jemma and Adam Spengler, move in next door, Chloe is instantly drawn to watching them. One rainy morning while Chloe is walking her mother’s dog, she witnesses a swimmer get hit and killed by a jet ski. Chloe is sure that it was Adam on the jet ski and against her better judgement she calls the police and reports what she saw. In doing so, Chloe has put herself in the Spengler’s path. The Spengler’s are not the happy, carefree couple they portray to be, they are harboring secrets that has put Chloe’s life in danger.

The first part of the book is broken up into chapters labeled, The Hit-and-Run, and After-The-Hit-and-Run. The second part of the book is broken up into chapters labeled, Before the Murders and After the Murders. And we also get chapters throughout the book from a true crime podcast called, It’s Criminal: The Chloe Cooper Story. I loved how Loreth Anne White created the story this way. It created so much suspense and mystery with lots of twists and turns added in. I found myself caught off guard so many times while I was reading.

I loved Chloe and had so much sympathy for her. I did find myself tearing up a few times while reading. Being so socially awkward, Chloe did not always make the right decisions, and I found myself thinking “No Chloe don’t.” Especially when it came to Jemma. Chloe so wanted them to be friends and I hated how Jemma used that against Chloe. White did a great job in creating Chloe and having her jump off the pages.

White also did a great job in creating the other characters as well, especially Jemma and Adam. OMG! I loathed them both. LOL!

I really cannot say what happens in the story because I think it is best to go in blind and have the twists and turns blow your mind like they did mine. If you are a Loreth Anne White fan, I recommend The Swimmer, I don’t think you will be disappointed. 4 stars

Reviews – STORYBOOK ENDING, NOSY NEIGHBORS, & I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVING

September 16, 2024/5 Comments/by Suzanne

Hey everyone! I’ve been way behind on writing book reviews but finally played catch up this past weekend, so today I’m back to share my thoughts on three recent reads that I really enjoyed. Two are from authors I’ve reviewed before on the blog, while the third is a new to me YA author who has written his adult debut.

Storybook Ending Goodreads

Author: Poppy Alexander

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

Publisher: Avon

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Poppy Alexander’s new book, Storybook Ending, follows Imogen, a children’s book author, is pregnant and in the midst of a move to the countryside when her husband unexpectedly passes away. Imogen wants to make a fresh start and a good life for her baby so she decides to go ahead with the move. For those familiar with Poppy Alexander’s The Littlest Library, Imogen’s new home is in Middlemass. I loved Middlemass so I was excited to be returning to the quaint and charming little village. I knew the residents there would take good care of Imogen and her baby.

After a rough start, particularly in terms of dealing with her gruff neighbor Gabriel, Imogen soon settles in to life in Middlemass. Gabriel reminded me a bit of Luke from Gilmore Girls, grumpy as heck on the outside, but would do absolutely anything he could to help someone he cared about. It becomes pretty clear early on that Gabriel cares about Imogen. I loved their scenes together, and especially all of the small things here and there Gabriel would do to make Imogen’s life a little easier.

There’s a bit of drama throughout the story surrounding Imogen’s home that kept things interesting, but overall I’d consider Storybook Ending to be a heartwarming, feel good story about finding yourself and your path forward after grief and loss, and about second chances, especially when it comes to love. 4 STARS

Nosy Neighbors Goodreads

Author: Freya Sampson

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Nobody writes the found family trope quite like Freya Sampson. Nosy Neighbors is my third read from her, and that found family element is what takes each book to the next level for me.

In Nosy Neighbors, the long-time residents of Shelley House and Kat, the young pink haired girl who ends up renting a room there, are the found family. Before Kat’s arrival, the residents had mostly just kept to themselves, only interacting when necessary.

77 year old Dorothy Darling has lived in Shelley House for over 30 years. She’s a cantankerous old lady who spends her days spying on her neighbors and taking detailed notes of their comings and goings. She seems to have a particular disdain for Joseph, the elderly gentleman who lives across the hall from her and his adorable dog, Reggie, and when Joseph sublets a room to Kat, her disdain for Joseph immediately extends to Kat as well.

When the residents learn that their awful landlord has decided to sell the building out from under them and evict them all, everything changes. They start to bond over their shared desire to save Shelley House. All of the residents are so endearing in their own way, and I just loved watching these wonderful friendships blossom as everyone worked together and as they tried to get through to Dorothy, who seems to be in denial about the eviction and who also seems to be harboring some deep rooted secrets.

The relationship between Dorothy and Kat was especially compelling for me as Kat is carrying the weight of some secrets herself. The two women have so much more in common than either would have ever thought, and their relationship was, by far, my favorite friendship to come out of such a heartbreaking situation.

There’s also an element of mystery to the story, especially surrounding the house itself and some of Dorothy’s more eccentric tendencies. While the mystery element is quite entertaining and definitely kept my attention, it was that element of found family that made this such a special read for me. 4.5 STARS

I'll Have What He's Having Goodreads

Author: Adib Khorram

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

Publisher: Forever

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ll Have What He’s Having is Adib Khorram’s adult debut and it follows Farzan and David, two thirty-something year old men as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life and love.

When we meet Farzan, he is reeling from his most recent heartbreak. His love life is a mess and he’s also not overly happy with his life as a substitute teacher either. Farzan needs to get out of his own head for a while, and when his best friends are not available, he decides to head to a new restaurant he has been wanting to try. Farzan is surprised when David, the restaurant’s hot sommelier, starts acting super flirty with him, but he decides to just enjoy it and see where things go, not realizing that this night will change everything.

David has been told that Frank Allen, famed food critic, will be visiting the restaurant. When Farzan enters, Davis thinks he is Frank and really pours on the charm. One thing leads to another, and the two men end up spending an unforgettable evening together. When they both realize the mixup, Farzan and David laugh it off and the two part ways, assuming this was a one-night stand since neither is interested in a relationship at this point.

The universe has other ideas for them though and they cross paths again when Farzan inherits his family’s bistro. Farzan needs advice on running a restaurant and David could use some help studying for his exam to become a master sommelier, so they agree to help each other out. Even though David’s plan is to relocate to L.A. once he passes his exam, he and Farzan have an increasingly difficult time trying to fight their growing feelings for one another.

I thought this story was going to be a rom-com but it’s actually a much more emotional read than I was expecting. It’s heartbreaking to watch Farzan struggle with his life choices on a day-to-day basis, especially since his heart is always in the right place. I was rooting so hard for him to find his path both on a personal level and of course for him and David to figure out how they can each follow their dreams and still keep this wonderful relationship that is within reach if they would both just embrace it.

Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, and filled with so many delicious descriptions of food and wine, I’ll Have What He’s Having is sure to please anyone who enjoys more emotional romance reads. 4 STARS

Thriller Thursday Reviews: Look in the Mirror & Wrong Place Wrong Time

September 12, 2024/2 Comments/by Sharon

Happy spooky season! Sharon here with another edition of Thriller Thursday. This week I am reviewing Look in the Mirror by Catherine Steadman and Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. I have only read one other book of Steadman’s before and have never read anything by McAllister, but I am happy to say these two books were awesome. I love finding new to me authors and so glad I found Catherine Steadman and Gillian McAllister, I look forward to reading more from both of them.

Thriller Thursday Reviews: Look in the Mirror & Wrong Place Wrong Time

Look in the Mirror Goodreads

Author: Catherine Steadman

Publication Date: July 30, 2024

Publisher: Ballantine Books

I first came across Catherine Steadman last year when I read The Family Game. I loved it so much that as soon as her newest book, Look in the Mirror, came out I bought a copy and I am happy to report that I loved this book as well.

The story is told mainly from the POV of Nina and Maria. There are a few other POV’s, but Nina and Maria are the two protagonists of the story, and I loved them both. They were both strong and determined women. I loved watching them fight back and not just give up and accept whatever horror awaited them.

Nina’s father recently passed away and she discovers that she has inherited a house he had in the British Virgin Islands. Nina had no idea her father had this house. The house is state of the art. How did her father have the money to build this house? And why did he keep it from her? Nina travels to the BVI and after she has been in the house for a couple of days, she realizes that she may not have known her father as well as she thought. Why would her father build a house like this and what is up with the room in the basement? Nina must use everything her father taught her to survive the terror that is awaiting her.

Maria is a medical student who has taken time off and is now a nanny for the superrich. All she needs is another year of nannying and she will have enough money saved to fund the rest of her medical school. But Maria’s latest job could be her last. When she arrives at the house on an secluded estate she is given a list of rules, among them; Do not under any circumstance go into the room in the basement. When her boss and his two children do not show up, Maria spends her days lounging by the pool and in the sauna. But then her curiosity gets the better of her and she enters the room in the basement. Maria is now in the fight for her life.

I don’t want to say too much and spoil things, especially on how these two women are connected. But I will say what a wild ride this book was. Look in the Mirror gave me so many horror movie vibes. There was so much suspense and tension throughout the whole book. I did figure a couple of small things out, but not the major reveal at the end. That just blew my mind and gave me major chills.

I definitely now need to check out some of Catherine Steadman’s older books, because she has me hooked. If you are looking for a Catherine Steadman book to dip your feet into, then I highly suggest Look in the Mirror. 4 stars

Wrong Place Wrong Time Goodreads

Author: Gillian McAllister

Publication Date: August 2, 2022

Publisher: William Morrow

I have never read anything by Gillian McAllister before and don’t even remember how I came across Wrong Place Wrong Time. But it sounded so good, and the library had a copy available, so I borrowed it immediately and now that I have finished the book, I will be buying a copy for myself because I need this in my collection.

When the book opens it is midnight on October thirtieth and Jen is waiting up for her eighteen-year-old son Todd to come home. As she is watching through the window, she finally sees him, but then another man emerges from the dark and Jen witnesses Todd just walk over and stab and kill this man. Todd is arrested and Jen is determined to help her son. Why would he just stab someone and show no remorse? But when Jen wakes up the next morning it is actually the day before the stabbing and none of that has happened. What is going on? Each time Jen goes to sleep and wakes up it is further in the past. First it is just a few days and then weeks and then months and years. Jen realizes somewhere in the past something happens to make Todd kill this man and she needs to figure out what it is so she can fix it and stop her son from becoming a murderer.

OMG, I love time travel books and Wrong Place Wrong Time was no exception. I loved the concept of going back in time and trying to figure out what the jumps mean to Jen. I really cannot say anything that happens because anything would be a spoiler. I did figure a couple of things out as we were going back in time but figuring them out did not in any way take away from this story. Even though I did figure some things out, there were still a few twists that caught me off guard.

I loved all the characters in this story. Especially Jen as this is told from her POV. I loved her determination in trying to find a way to help Todd. Even when some things came to life that could alter her future life, she did not let that deter her. I was so invested in trying to figure out what was of importance with each jump back. I loved how even the events that seemed minimal at the time took on a bigger picture when Jen went back even further in time.

I am so glad I came across Wrong Place Wrong Time. And now want to check out more reads by Gillian McAllister. If you like books about time travel, then Wrong Place Wrong Time is the book for you. 4 ½ stars

Mini Reviews – Magical Meet Cute, The Summer Pact, & Wicked Serve

September 3, 2024/6 Comments/by Suzanne

Hey everyone! I was actually motivated to post today so I’m really hoping it means that the end of my blogging slump is in sight. Today I’m sharing reviews for some books I’ve read in recent weeks but didn’t have time to write the reviews until our long holiday weekend. These were mostly really good reads, although I did have issues with a couple of them.

Magical Meet Cute Goodreads

Author: Jean Meltzer

Publication Date: August 27, 2024

Publisher: MIRA

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I always enjoy Jean Meltzer’s books so I was excited to receive a review e-arc of her latest release, Magical Meet Cute, from Mira Books.

The story follows Faye, the Jewish owner of a pottery shop in Woodstock, NY. Faye is usually pretty content with her life, but after someone leaves anti-semitic fliers all over her town, she is distraught and looking for comfort. She turns to her pottery, and in a drunken haze, decides she needs to create a golem to protect the town. She takes some creative license along the way, infusing the golem with characters she finds attractive in a man. The next day, too hungover to properly function, Faye accidentally runs into a handsome man with her bike. He has no memory of who he is and no idea what he is in her town. Faye becomes determined to help him find out who he is. The more she gets to know him, however, the more she finds herself incredibly attracted to him and also a little fearful that instead of being her dream man, he may, in fact, actually be the golem she crafted.

I really enjoyed this story! It’s the perfect blend of adorable romance and magical realism, while also tackling the very serious topic of anti-semitism. 4 STARS

The Summer Pact Goodreads

Author: Emily Giffin

Publication Date: July 9, 2024

Publisher: Ballantine Books

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The Summer Pact is the latest novel from Emily Giffin and I’m not going to lie, it’s a tough read in that it covers heavy topics like suicide and addiction. It’s a story about friends coming together after an unthinkable tragedy. It’s dark at times, which I found somewhat at odds with the bright, summery cover, but once I got past that, I appreciated it for what it is, a story that explores the bonds of friendship and found family.

The story starts out on a college campus where four students from four different walks of life meet and become the best of friends. When tragedy strikes, three friends are left reeling from the loss and make a pact to always be there for each other no matter what. Ten years later, one of them makes good on the pact which leads them all on the most surprising, healing, and life changing journeys.

I really enjoyed the travel aspect of this book as the three remaining friends each choose a destination they’ve always wanted to visit, and one of them chooses Capri, a place their lost friend always dreamed of visiting, as a way to keep her with them.

Even though I enjoyed the book overall, it wasn’t quite as much of a hit with me as Giffin’s books usually are. It felt a little off, like too heavy but not heavy enough at the same time, if that makes sense. 3.5 STARS

Wicked Serve (Beyond the Play, #4) Goodreads

Author: Grace Reilly

Publication Date: August 13, 2024

Publisher: Avon Books

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Wicked Serve is the new hockey romance from Grace Reilly. The story follows Nikolai and Izzy. Nikolai is a college hockey player who is determined to make the most of his senior year. When he’s forced to transfer to a rival college, things get messy when he realizes he had a secret summer fling with the younger sister of his new team’s captain. Nikolai knows that rekindling his fling with Izzy would not go over well with his captain, not to mention he’s dealing with scars from his past that make a real relationship impossible. As soon as he sees Izzy again though, all bets are off because he can’t deny he’s still attracted to her.

Izzy, for her part, is solely focused on two goals this school year. She wants to win back the spot she lost on the volleyball team, and she wants to forget that Nikolai even exists. Just like with Nikolai though, as soon as Izzy sees him again, she can’t resist the attraction she still has to Nikolai. They begin a friends-with-benefits arrangement that soon morphs into so much more.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this book. I really like Izzy and Nikolai and thought Nikolai’s journey of healing as he worked through the scars of his past was really well done. I liked Izzy and Nikolai as a couple but would have liked a bit more depth to their connection, which felt mostly sexual and surface level to me. I also thought the pacing was a little slow at times. I still very much enjoyed the story overall but did catch myself checking a few times to see how many pages I had left to read. 3.5 STARS