Can’t Wait Wednesday – THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS by Kristy Woodson Harvey

 

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which encourages fellow bloggers to spotlight upcoming releases that we’re excited about.  It is a meme that I have  loved participating in since I first started blogging, but as Jill is no longer actively posting, from now on I’ll be linking to Can’t Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which is a spinoff of the original WoW meme.

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My selection for this week is THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS by Kristy Woodson Harvey. Those who have followed my blog for a while know that I’m a big fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s novels.  Her Peachtree Bluff series is a favorite of mine, full of heart and southern charm, but I’ve read seven of her novels so far and have loved them all.  I honestly didn’t even have to read the synopsis of her latest to know it would be a must-read for me, but wow, it sounds like it has the potential to become my new favorite!

 

THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Publication Date:  July 11, 2023 by Gallery Books

From Goodreads:

Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” (E! Online), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.

 

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I’d love to hear what upcoming book releases you’re waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me your link in the comments below and I’ll stop by and check out your CWW selection for this week. 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday – My Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2023

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Most Anticipated Releases of the First Half of 2023.  This is always an easy topic just because, of course, there are always so many books that I’m excited to get my hands on.  I have ARCs for several of these so I’m glad I don’t have to wait too long to dive into them. As always, it’s a mix of romance and historical fiction, with just a hint of thrillers and fantasy.

My Most Anticipated Releases of the First Half of 2023

 

 

1. FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano  –  “Author and single mom Finlay Donovan has been in messes before―after all, she’s a pro at removing bloodstains for various unexpected reasons―but none quite like this. When Finlay and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero accidentally destroyed a luxury car that they had “borrowed” in the process of saving the life of Finlay’s ex-husband, the Russian mob did her a favor and bought the car for her. And now Finlay owes them.”

2.  THE TRUE LOVE EXPERIMENT by Christina Lauren – “Sparks fly when a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the perfect Hollywood love story and take both of their careers to the next level—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script—from the New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners .”

3.  CODE NAME SAPPHIRE by Pam Jenoff  – “A woman must rescue her cousin’s family from a train bound for Auschwitz in this riveting tale of bravery and resistance, from the bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris.

4.  HAPPY PLACE by Emily Henry – “A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.”

5. THE PARIS DAUGHTER by Kristin Harmel – “From the bestselling author of the “heart-stopping tale of survival and heroism” (PeopleThe Book of Lost Names comes a gripping historical novel about two mothers who must make unthinkable choices in the face of the Nazi occupation.”

6. THE GOLDEN DOVES by Martha Hall Kelly – “Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—an extraordinary novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls.”

7.  IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS by T.J. Klune – “New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.”

8.  YOURS TRULY by Abby Jimenez – “A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match from “a true talent” (Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author).”

9. THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis – “New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis transports us back to 1950s Manhattan and the glamorous Radio City Music Hall. . .”

10. LOVE, THEORETICALLY by Ali Hazelwood – “Rival physicists collide in a vortex of academic feuds and fake dating shenanigans in this delightfully STEMinist romcom from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain.”

 

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Question:  Are you planning to read any of these?

Can’t Wait Wednesday – PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Adams

 

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which encourages fellow bloggers to spotlight upcoming releases that we’re excited about.  It is a meme that I have  loved participating in since I first started blogging, but as Jill is no longer actively posting, from now on I’ll be linking to Can’t Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which is a spinoff of the original WoW meme.

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My selection for this week is PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Adams.  I loved this author’s last book, When in Rome, and when I saw her follow-up is set in the same world and that it features fake dating, it immediately became a must-read for me.

 

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Adams

Publication Date:  May 2, 2023 by Dell

From Goodreads:

When the owner of the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky, makes a questionable agreement with a tattooed bad boy, a delightful friends to lovers romance begins to bloom–from the author of When in Rome and The Cheat Sheet.

Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match-someone who nicely compliments her happy, quiet life running her flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. Unfortunately, she worries her goal might be too far out of reach when she overhears her date saying she is “sounbelievably boring.” Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice…and Annie has the perfect person in mind to become her tutor: Will Griffin.

Will–the flirtatious, tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard–is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement grows for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker. He has one personal objective during his time in town: stay away from Annie Walker. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will soon finds himself not only breaking his rule, but tasked with far more than simply providing security.

Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie, but he can’t bring himself to say no to her request, so he officially agrees to teach her how to be the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky, and find the love of her life-even if he doesn’t believe in love himself. Between faking a relationship so the meddling town doesn’t catch on to what’s really happening on their practice dates, and tutoring lessons that convince Annie to add passion to her list of must-haves in a mate, it doesn’t take long for the lines of their friendship to blur…

 

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I’d love to hear what upcoming book releases you’re waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me your link in the comments below and I’ll stop by and check out your CWW selection for this week. 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday – My Ten Favorite Reads from 2022

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Favorite Books of 2022. The hardest part about this topic is narrowing down to just ten favorites. I tried to pick a few from each genre I read last year, but if you’re interested in a more detailed breakdown by genre of my favorite reads of 2022, be sure to check out the recent posts on my Bookstagram account.

 

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My Favorite Reads from 2022 (in no particular order):

 

       

         

1. PART OF YOUR WORLD by Abby Jimenez

2. THE BODYGUARD by Katherine Center

3. BOOK LOVERS by Emily Henry

4. THE DIAMOND EYE by Kate Quinn

5. THE BOOK EATERS by Sunyi Dean

6.  LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus

7.  DAISY DARKER by Alice Feeney

8.  CARRIE SOTO IS BACK by Taylor Jenkins Reid

9.  FINLAY DONOVAN KNOCKS ‘EM DEAD by Elle Cosimano

10. GALLANT by V.E. Schwab

 

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Question:  Did we share any favorite reads in 2022?

Can’t Wait Wednesday – BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which encourages fellow bloggers to spotlight upcoming releases that we’re excited about.  It is a meme that I have  loved participating in since I first started blogging, but as Jill is no longer actively posting, from now on I’ll be linking to Can’t Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which is a spinoff of the original WoW meme.

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My selection for this week is BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon. Solomon is an auto-buy author for me. I love everything she has written, both adult and YA, and her latest sounds like it’s going to be another winner for me.

 

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Publication Date:  June 20, 2023 by Berkley

From Goodreads:

 

A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. But Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.

Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.

 

 

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I’d love to hear what upcoming book releases you’re waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me your link in the comments below and I’ll stop by and check out your CWW selection for this week. 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Hope Santa Brings This Year

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is Books I Hope Santa Brings This Year.  This is probably the easiest topic of the year for me since books and preorders are the main things I ask for every year for Christmas.  This time around I have seven books that are already out in the world that I’m hoping will be under my tree on Christmas morning.  It’s a mix of backlist titles from favorite authors and more recent releases that I’ve been persuaded I need to read by fellow bloggers.  The last three books are preorders of favorite authors I’d love to receive. I’ve actively been taking advantage of those BOGO sales at Target and Barnes and Noble since those always include preorders, but these are three I haven’t purchased for myself yet.

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Books I Hope Santa Brings This Year

 

 

 

1. WOLFSONG by T.J. Klune

2. IN THE SHADOW GARDEN by Liz Parker

3. BY A THREAD by Lucy Score

4. GET LUCKY by Katherine Center

5. THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

6.  THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman

7.  THE WINNERS by Fredrik Backman

8.  THE INVISIBLE HOUR by Alice Hoffman

9.  THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis

10. THE CUBAN HEIRESS by Chanel Cleeton

 

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Question:  What books are you hoping to get this holiday?  Did any of these make your list?

Can’t Wait Wednesday – BEST SERVED HOT by Amanda Elliot

 

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which encourages fellow bloggers to spotlight upcoming releases that we’re excited about.  It is a meme that I have  loved participating in since I first started blogging, but as Jill is no longer actively posting, from now on I’ll be linking to Can’t Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which is a spinoff of the original WoW meme.

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My selection for this week is BEST SERVED HOT by Amanda Elliot.  I really enjoyed this author’s last book, Sadie on a Plate, which also featured main characters who were foodies.  I don’t know if foodie rom-com is technically a genre, but I’m here for all the foodie romance books!

 

BEST SERVED HOT by Amanda Elliot

Publication Date:  February 1, 2023 by Berkley Romance

From Goodreads:

 

“Two restaurant critics learn their opposing tastes might make for a five-star relationship in this foodie romantic comedy. By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she’s @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll’s rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job. While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie’s follower count soars-and so does the Scroll’s. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously. Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they’ll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take”–

 

 

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I’d love to hear what upcoming book releases you’re waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me your link in the comments below and I’ll stop by and check out your CWW selection for this week. 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Winter 2022-2023 To-Read List

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is a Books on My Winter 2022-2023 To-Read List.  I always say I’m going to request less ARCs and concentrate more on books I already own, but here we are again, getting ready to start another year and I already have a few dozen review books stacking up.  Today I’m sharing the ten I’m most excited to dive into this winter. I think I’ve got a pretty good mix of romance, historical fiction, and thrillers to look forward to.

 

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Books on My Winter 2022-2023 To-Read List

 

 

1. BEGIN AGAIN by Emma Lord

2. ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS by Stacy Willingham

3. DO I KNOW YOU? by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

4. WHAT HAVE WE DONE by Alex Finlay

5. FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano

6.  THE GOLDEN DOVES by Martha Hall Kelly

7.  THE LOVE WAGER by Lynn Painter

8.  THE VILLA by Rachel Hawkins

9.  EXES AND O’S by Amy Lea

10. CODE NAME SAPPHIRE by Pam Jenoff

 

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Question:  What are you planning to read this Winter?  Did any of these make your list?

Can’t Wait Wednesday – VACATION WARS by Meghan Quinn

 

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which encourages fellow bloggers to spotlight upcoming releases that we’re excited about.  It is a meme that I have  loved participating in since I first started blogging, but as Jill is no longer actively posting, from now on I’ll be linking to Can’t Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which is a spinoff of the original WoW meme.

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My selection for this week is VACATION WARS by Meghan Quinn.  I enjoy Quinn’s books anyway, but this one is particularly irresistible to me with its second chance romance, family shenanigans, and Santorini setting.

 

VACATION WARS by Meghan Quinn

Publication Date:  April 18, 2023 by Montlake

From Goodreads:

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a fun, sexy story about the family dynamics that can stand in the way of rekindling a romance.

Prepared for a good time, Tessa is thrilled to spend the weeks before her sister’s wedding at their family’s favorite vacation spot: Santorini. Sandy beaches, stonewashed houses, attractive men—it’s heaven.

But Tessa’s idea of a girl’s trip comes to a screaming halt when her sister thinks it’s high time Tessa finds some love herself. Unfortunately, Tessa forgot about the deal she made back in high school: she has to find her soulmate before her sister’s wedding. Or else.

As she dodges suitors and her sister’s pranks, Tessa finds an ally in the oh-so-dreamy Myles, her childhood crush who just so happens to work at the resort. But Myles is dealing with some family conflict of his own. He’s elated at being reunited with Tessa, but his father’s refusal to acknowledge his interest in the family business and relegating him to only grunt work casts a dark cloud.

As Tessa and Myles help navigate their way through their families’ antics, they begin to realize that their past feelings may have a future—if only they can turn their island fantasies into something real.

 

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I’d love to hear what upcoming book releases you’re waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me your link in the comments below and I’ll stop by and check out your CWW selection for this week. 🙂

Top Ten Tuesday – Ten Books Before the End of 2022

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!

This week’s TTT topic is a Freebie so I thought it would be fun to share ten reads I’m hoping to fit in before the end of the year.  I did a similar post on my bookstagram but I’m already almost finished with that list so this is a mostly new one.

Ten Books Before the End of 2022

 

 

1. HOME SWEET CHRISTMAS by Susan Mallery

2. LOVELIGHT FARMS by B.K. Borison

3.  YOU’RE A MEAN ONE, MATTHEW PRINCE by Timothy Janovsky

4.  RESTING SCROOGE FACE by Meghan Quinn

5. THE CHRISTMAS WISH by Lindsey Kelk

6. ACCIDENTALLY AMY by Lynn Painter

7.  THE PEOPLE WE KEEP by Allison Larkin

8.  WELL TRAVELED by Jen DeLuca

9. LEASE ON LOVE by Falon Ballard

10. THE LOST APOTHECARY by Sarah Penner

 

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Question:  Have you read any of these?