It's a big sea, but it can't touch you and me: THE FIANCEE FARCE.

The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exhausted with her stepmother's constant questions about her love life, Tansy Adams invents a fake girlfriend. So imagine her surprise when said girlfriend shows up at a relative's wedding and not only agrees that she's Tansy's girlfriend, but announces that they are engaged as well. Not only that, but this girlfriend is Gemma West, aka Gemma van Dalen, a gorgeous model and member of the wealthy van Dalen family. Turns out Gemma needs Tansy too: in order to satisfy the requirements of her grandfather's will and inherit Van Dalen Publishing, she must be married. Tansy and Gemma strike a deal: Tansy will marry Gemma to help her earn her inheritance and Gemma will help Tansy buy her family's struggling bookstore.

But their business proposition turns complicated--with van Dalens challenging them at every turn and Gemma and Tansy starting to fall for one another--can they make it through the engagement to the altar?

This was just a really fun book. It sets up "good versus evil" right away, with Tansy and Gemma fighting against the evil van Dalens and overall corporate greed and just runs with it in yes, a somewhat cheesy, but an enjoyable, way. I couldn't help but root for Tansy and Gemma, and I feel like this story would make a good movie. The two have a bit of instalove going on (they are practically head over heels by the end of their first meeting), but they are infectious and have some great banter and chemistry.

The result is a book that you can't help but smile while reading. Tansy is quiet and anxious, but she's also brave--the perfect antidote for Gemma, who has never had an advocate in her life. Gemma has something to prove to the van Dalens and perhaps to herself. They're a good pair.

FARCE makes some great points in its support for publishing and newspapers, and I love how both Tansy and Gemma are bisexual. Gemma has a great gaggle of queer friends (yay found family). I would have liked a few more surprises (the villains are pretty clear here). Still this is a really fun and romantic read. 4+ stars.




View all my reviews

Just another whisper, if you please: THIS SPELLS LOVE.

This Spells Love by Kate Robb
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After a bad breakup, Gemma does the only reasonable thing a person could do: a love cleanse found in an old book in her aunt's dusty shop. Sealed with a kiss by her (platonic) best friend, Dax, what could go wrong? Gemma wakes up the next day to realize that her ex has indeed been wiped from her life, and her new life is profoundly different... so different that Dax doesn't know her.

So the premise to this one is a little strange, a little fun, a little... unbelievable? Time traveling books always confuse me a little. The hardest part of this one is that it's difficult to understand why Gemma is suddenly so adamant that Dax, her best friend of four years, should suddenly be her boyfriend in her new timeline. Her obsession with him is borderline creepy. Dax, meanwhile, while momentarily weirded out that a girl shows up seeming to know everything about him, easily adapts and wants to date her, despite the two not really having anything in common. Gemma's early attempts to bond fail, and while the book has a ton of steamy scenes, I'm not sure they have a ton of chemistry together. Gemma has one month to get Dax to kiss her (it's a full moon thing) and revert back to her old life, but soon she starts to wonder if she should stay in her new life.

I did quite enjoy the side characters, like Gemma's quirky aunt and her poor sister, who deserved so much more appreciation. It was interesting to see how Gemma's life differed in her two timelines, and the focus on small business ownership was intriguing. The book had a good focus on believing in yourself and not being afraid to fail.

Overall, I think this is a cute read if you can get past some of the weirdness about Dax and Gemma's friendship/relationship choices.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House / Dial Press Trade Paperback in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Still could manage to smile just takes a while: RESURRECTION WALK.

Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

When Mickey Haller feels the high and joy of getting an innocent man released from prison--the Resurrection Walk--he asks his half-brother, Harry Bosch, to look into the many letters he's receiving from other imprisoned persons begging for Haller to take their cases. Bosch focuses in on Lucinda, a woman in prison for murdering her ex-husband, a sheriff's deputy.

I've been a huge fan of Bosch and Connelly's work for years, leading me to love Haller as well. The Bosch/Haller dynamic here is really exciting to see, with the two teaming up to get Lucinda out of prison. We're reminded at how the pair look at things, especially their cases, in such different ways. Bosch is struggling not to disavow the law enforcement principles he holds so dear, being a former cop himself. Can he defend working for the defense--and stay true to himself? But our beloved Bosch is aging and working for Haller means insurance and access to medical treatment. Honestly, seeing Bosch deal with cancer is still really hard for me; it's watching one of my heroes age and struggle. But the nuanced way we saw Bosch and Haller each depict the evidence found against Lucinda (defense versus law enforcement) was fascinating.

Their pieces are even told differently, with the first person for Mickey and third person for Bosch. It's a little jarring at first, but you get used to it, especially if means having access to both of these greats in the same book. The first half is understandably more Bosch, as he digs in on Lucinda's case and the second more Haller, as we get a bit of a "courtroom" (just a judge this time) thriller. There's nothing much better than Mickey Haller in a courtroom, just like you can't top Harry Bosch digging into the timeline of a complicated case.

There are lots of puzzle pieces to fit together in WALK and plenty to keep you captivated besides our two brothers, but I really do feel the story here is Bosch and Haller. I would love more books with both of these guys. The ending seemed a little ambiguous to Haller's future and with Bosch getting up there... well, let's just say I cherish every moment I still have with these two literary favorites. 4.5 stars.

View all my reviews

I start thinking that I am sinking inside a hollow fortress: THE FICTION WRITER.

The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Olivia Fitzgerald's stalled writing career leads her to take a ghostwriting job with Henry "Ash" Asherwood, a mysterious billionaire. He's drawn to her recently failed novel, Becky, based on Rebecca, and wants her to tell the story of his late grandmother and Daphne du Maurier (the author of Rebecca). But at Ash's fancy Malibu estate, nothing is as it seems. Is Ash telling the truth about his family's past, and can Olivia trust him?

This was an... interesting... read. Made me want to re-read Rebecca, but perhaps not this story! Olivia and Ash were incredibly annoying characters. Olivia had an amazing inability to stand up for herself, letting Ash dictate everything, resulting in some very poor decisions and judgements. About 25% in, it felt as if there was no forward progress on the book whatsoever, as Ash and Olivia just hung out in Malibu and did... nothing. Except drink and talk . And did I mention make poor decisions?

Yes, Olivia consistently drinks too much, with the book focusing constantly on her drinking and oh, did it happen to mention Ash was the "sexiest man alive?" Maybe once or twice or a hundred times. The gothic mystery wrapped in layers of meta seems like it would be intriguing, but ultimately winds up confusing, with too many layers of Rebecca and retellings and stories within stories. 2.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

When I wake with her head on my shoulder: FRIENDS DON'T FALL IN LOVE.

Friends Don't Fall in Love by Erin Hahn
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Lorelai Jones has a strong country music career when she stands up for what she believes in, plays a "protest song," and is blacklisted by the country music community. Her career crashes, and her fiancé, another country star, dumps her (online). Five years later, Lorelai is looking to get back into country music, and she turns to her friend, Craig "Huck" Boseman, who runs a small label. Craig has always had a thing for Lorelai, but he was a backup player in her fiancé's band back in the day. Can Craig help reunite Lorelai's career--and get the girl?

This book had everything I love... friends to lovers, country music, tough heroines, cute lyricists, ties to other favorite books... it was so, so good. The relationship between Lorelai and Craig smolders off the pages; their chemistry is amazing. It's sexy and full of banter and romance through songwriting and poetry. There are some really fun ties to Hahn's other country music story (YOU'D BE MINE) and her book featuring Lorelai's friend, Shelby Springfield (BUILT TO LAST), but it easily stands alone (I love everything Hahn writes, though, so definitely recommend them). The way music weaves into the story is really fun. Lorelai has a great group of friends, and it's interesting to hear about Craig's job running his label and writing songs.

Overall, this is a really great romance with fun, real characters (loved them both) and a wonderful story rooted in music. This one was a hit for me. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

You were always the one to follow the light: SEARCH HISTORY.

Search History by Amy Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dating in a digital world really sucks. SEARCH HISTORY does a good job of illustrating said fact. When Ana suffers a bad breakup, she moves to Melbourne and tries online dating. After yet another terrible experience, she meets Evan and is thrilled to find someone who is funny and kind. Still, Ana can't resist looking Evan up online, where she discovers his previous girlfriend, Emily, died in a tragic accident. Ana becomes obsessed: not with Evan, but Emily, cyberstalking Evan's late girlfriend and allowing her to become a shadow in their relationship, even though he rarely mentions her.

This is a very generational read: Ana overshares consistently, and the book is filled with references to apps and current culture. It's certainly a true portrayal, in many ways, of dating in today's environment and even how much we let online culture affect our world. We get snippets of Ana's life after her move to Melbourne and anytime something in her present reminds her of the past, she'll go back in time and share a story. The switches in time can be a bit jarring, and it's hard to keep up reading momentum with the format.

Ana's obsession with Emily seems incredibly frustrating at times. You want to shake her and have her focus on being present in her own world (the point of the story, no doubt). This story is depressing at times, sometimes irritating, but also funny and honest (her portrayal of her divorced parents especially hit home). I'm sure it will resonate with a certain group of people. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House/The Dial Press in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

So come on darling, feel your spirits rise: THE NEIGHBOR FAVOR.

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm so glad I read this for my A to Z owned book challenge!

Lily Greene feels inadequate compared to her parents and sisters. She wants to be a children's book editor but is stuck as an assistant in nonfiction to a terrible boss. So she strikes up a correspondence with her favorite fantasy author--finding solace as the two begin communicating frequently via email. It seems like they may become more than email pals when he suddenly ghosts her.

This is a really cute read, completely propelled by the lovely and charming Lily, who carries the whole book. I found Nick, her love interest, to be an incredibly frustrating character. Nick moves in down the hall from Lily, and the two feel an instant attraction. An author writing under a pen name, he soon realizes Lily was the person he was writing to via his author website, but (of course) he keeps it from her, and (of course) he agrees to set her up with someone else instead.

So much miscommunication ensues and angst follows. Nick has a huge inability to move past the damage his parents caused him and just act, which made me want to scream sometimes. But I still managed to enjoy him and Lily together. And Lily was great! She was a sweet heroine who worked hard to find herself. The book portrayed her relationships with her sisters very well, as well as Nick's friendship with his agent (and college friend) Marcus and Marcus' husband. There are lots of little tidbits about publishing and the writing world. Lily and Nick's quirky neighbors give us some much needed lighthearted fun.

The book starts off being told solely via Nick and Lily's emails--often an irritating format, it worked quite nicely here. Eventually we go back to narrative form and while there's the annoyances with Nick, this is still a cute read with diverse characters and a fun story. 3.75 stars.

View all my reviews

I'll find my way back home and light up every tree: IT'S A FABULOUS LIFE.

It's a Fabulous Life by Kelly Farmer
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Kelly Farmer brings us a very progressive and cute It's a Wonderful Life, the lite version. Bailey George cannot wait to escape her hometown and vacation in New York City. It means she finally will not be responsible for Lanford Falls' annual Winter Wonderfest. But, of course, the new person in charge has a medical emergency, and Bailey winds up on the hook, yet again. The only bright spot is that her old high school crush, Maria Hatcher, is back in town, and she agrees to help Bailey out.

LIFE glosses over a lot of the more depressing aspects of the original while keeping somewhat to its framework. If you're a huge fan of the Jimmy Stewart classic, you'll love seeing what stays in this story and how the parallels are made. There's the romance between Bailey (who runs her family's real estate business and battles town nemesis Felicity Potter) and Maria, who works at the local library. Bailey's desire to leave Lanford Falls and her disgruntlement with the Wonderfest leads to the arrival of the Angels, a trio of drag queens, and her own personal queen, Clara, who are determined to help her find her Christmas spirit again.

Nothing has quite the same gravitas as the film, but, hey, we're reading a holiday romance. Bailey's reason for a lack of spirit--and her eventual "tada" moment--feel a bit forced. As with the original, you do wonder why she has to give up all her dreams in the name of friends and family.

But, this is a really cute read overall. I loved seeing what quotes and pieces came across from the movie. The small town charm of Lanford Falls really shone through, and while Bailey irked me sometimes, Maria was such a sweet character. She and Bailey each had adorable dogs who were literary stars in their own right. The book is packed with queer characters--always a winning combo for me. There are some really funny inside jokes and great messages sprinkled throughout. As Christmas romances go, I liked this one. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Alcove Press in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

With a heart of gold and arms to fall into: IRIS KELLY DOESN'T DATE.

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not much makes me happier than an Ashley Herring Blake book, whether it's one of her lovely YA reads, or a gorgeous romance from the Bright Falls series. This is the the third (and final) book from Bright Falls, though each book stands alone. This time we get Iris' story--tough, independent Iris, who is scared to find real love after being hurt, so she focuses on one-night stands and being the fun, flirty Iris that everyone loves. Meanwhile, Stevie suffers from anxiety disorder and spent six years dating her close friend Adri because she was too scared to be on her own. Now that Stevie and Adri are broken up, Stevie knows she has to get out and meet someone. She and Iris endure a disastrous one-night stand. They never expect to see each other again, until Iris turns up at auditions for Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Adri and starring Stevie. Imagine Iris' shock when Stevie's friends think the two are dating...

This is a totally adorable and charming fake dating tale! It weaves in all our favorite Bright Falls characters (but again, stands alone) while introducing Stevie and her friends, including the rather uptight Adri, Stevie's watchful non-binary friend Ren, and their friend (and Adri's new gf) Vanessa. What I love about the Bright Falls series is the pure abundance of queerness everywhere. How nice to read a story that could be me and my friends: our jokes, our bars, our lives. Herring Blake captures it all so perfectly.

I adored Stevie. I'm a sucker for a character with anxiety (my friend!) and of course, I loved Iris, even if I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop being so stubborn! There are some great literary references tossed in and lots of fun with the MUCH ADO plot. While Stevie and Iris may not have as much banter as some, they have fabulous chemistry, and this is a really sexy, enjoyable read. It gives us some great messages about friendship and learning to overcome fears and being strong on your own. I loved all the queer rep and references to theater and books. Another winner from AHB! 4.5 stars.


View all my reviews

Ode to the girls who don't marry well: VLADIMIR.

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sometimes I think a book is just too intelligent for me, and VLADIMIR is one of those. This book might have made more sense if discussed in a group, or dissected in class, but when I read it alone, I just wanted it to be over. I did not find our unnamed protagonist, a professor in her fifties, to be either likable nor nuanced. Her husband, John, heads the English department at their small college, but is swept up in scandal. He's been accused of sleeping with several of his students. Our professor finds herself unnaturally focused on a new, younger professor Vladimir. She shares, ad nauseum, her inappropriate thoughts about him, while focusing on all the things she hates about herself. She also hates John, and their marriage, and it seems, many of her students, Vladimir's wife, eating properly, and much more.

VLADIMIR seems like it's saying a lot of smart things about society, academia, feminism, and more. I think a lot of it went over my head. I didn't enjoy the plot and while it has some sort of crazy twist, it felt forced and unbelievable. This one was not my cup of tea. 2.5 stars.

View all my reviews

It's just a teenage dream: THE QUEEN OF JUNK ISLAND.

The Queen of Junk Island by Alexandra Mae Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This YA book has much promise and covers so many important topics, but was a bit of a slog for me, thanks to a slightly unlikeable main character and some weird elements that made me uncomfortable. After something terrible happens to her at school, sixteen-year-old Dell and her mom go to stay at the family cabin, which they learn was being used as a dumping ground by their last tenant. Dell's mom asks Ivy, the daughter of her (the mom's) boyfriend to stay with them as well, much to Dell's consternation. Ivy appears confident and outgoing and gets along with Dell's mom--all the things Dell is not.

Set in the 2000s era in rural Ontario, the author outwardly admits QUEEN offers outdated thoughts on bisexuality, but I won't lie, they are still really horrible to read sometimes. Dell is struggling with finding herself and dealing with her sexuality, but she's also just really hateful at points--mean to her mom, mean to Ivy, cruel about other's sexuality, and just a harsh character. She's been through a lot, but she makes herself very hard to like. There's a plotline involving Ivy and Dell that almost crosses the line into icky, even if they aren't related, and again... my main emotion here was uncomfortable!

Add in a bunch of other tangential stories... buried secrets about Dell's family, more stuff about her mom's boyfriend and family, dealing with the literal junk by the lake house: there was a lot going on with this book. It could have benefited from narrowing down some of its focus. My favorite character was Dell's oft-abused but incredibly self-aware BFF, Paul. I'd read a book about Paul! I really appreciated QUEEN's points about identity (once it circled around and stopped bashing bisexuality), parental relationships, and love, but overall, this was a strange read. 3 stars.


View all my reviews

You're always my destination: HOOK SHOT.

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Kenan is dealing with a messy divorce, an ex-wife out for revenge, and a teenage daughter who wants nothing more than her parents to get back together. Lotus is busy with her fashion career, but comes up short when emotional and sexual trauma from her childhood affect her present-day relationships. Still, she can't help but be drawn to Kenan, a handsome and kind basketball player. As for Kenan, he's head over heels for Lotus, even if she's 11 years his junior.

I'm a fan of Kennedy Ryan's Hoops series (this is the third and final book), because I adore basketball. This book is related to the others (Kenan plays hoops with August; Lotus is Iris' cousin, and Banner is Kenan's agent), but can easily be read as a standalone. I will say that when you read the books closer together, they do feel a bit more formulaic. But overall, I enjoyed this one. As I said, I loved the basketball angle, with Kenan as the player, and seeing glimpses of his teammate August, who we know from other books. There's a good tie back to Lotus and Iris' childhood and New Orleans roots, too.

As with all the other books from this series, Kenan is a really, really good guy, but a bit possessive. This is the straight-up formula for Hoops. Please be aware the book covers sensitive topics like child sexual abuse and there's a trigger warning for suicide. The story felt just a tad bit long for me--it could have been shortened just a little. But it's sexy and fun, with great banter and strong chemistry between Lotus and Kenan. It tackles a serious topics while still giving us a flirty read. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Because love's a one way street, and you will always have my heart: SIGNAL FIRES.

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

SIGNAL FIRES is a lovely, haunting book that explores how small and big decisions affect families. The night before he's set to leave his family's beloved home on Division Street, Dr. Ben Wilf encounters his young ten-year-old neighbor, Waldo Shenkman, a sweet, intelligent kid who loves constellations. Although Waldo does not remember, the pair has met before, and the two will meet again, over and over. SIGNAL is the sweeping story of Division Street and the secrets it holds, of the Wilf family, of Waldo, of love and loss, and all that comes in between. It's beautifully written, with a touch of magic and a pinch of hope. I loved this book. 4.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Why do you see right through me: TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I know I cannot add anything that hasn't already been said about this book, which seemed to blow up on release. I was so intrigued to see what the fuss was all about. It's an amazingly well-written story about some often very unlikable characters. When Sam Mazur, a Harvard student, gets off a Subway car, he sees a long lost acquaintance, Sadie Green, and feels compelled to call her name. Sadie, who goes to nearby MIT, almost ignores him, but then she turns, and the rest is history. The two, with the help of Sam's roommate Mazur, soon create a legendary video game that catapults them into fame, a lifelong business association, and a very tight personal connection.

TOMORROW is told through series of chapters grouped in titled sections and while it moves chronologically through Sam and Sadie's life, with each of them contributing their thoughts via third person point of view, it often veers back into the past, so we learn their history together. It's a complicated tale, spanning a large swath of their lives and relationship (strictly platonic, they are quick to point out). With the two making video games, the book makes sweeping and intelligent points about the similarities of video games and real life (and the differences), what creating a virtual world can mean--and how it can affect those who live in the real world, and how video games may be the same or different from other forms of art.

I won't lie, it's a "smarter" book than I often read, and I'm sure many of the points sailed right over my head. The writing is beautiful, and the characters are often unlikable because they are freaking real people with flaws and tics and issues, standing out brilliantly on the page in full dimension, versus cookie character people half created to fill out the story. A few things that happen feel violent and raw because I came to care for everyone so deeply--always my sign of a truly good book. And while there is romance in this story, I love the theme and idea that the main characters aren't in love and are tied together by forces almost bigger than romantic love.

Overall, this is a different book. I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. I don't really play video or computer games, and there is truly a lot of gaming talk in this story. But it's a really fascinating character exploration, too, and I'm really grateful for my #backlistbooks23 challenge for getting me to pick it up. 4.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Stars falling down and I fell for you: THE CHRISTMAS SWAP.

The Christmas Swap by Talia Samuels
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

At first I thought THE CHRISTMAS SWAP was destined to disappoint me like so many other holiday stories, but it managed to redeem itself. Sweet, nerdy Ben Gibson hasn't had much luck in serious relationships, much to the consternation of his family, which encourages perfection. So he asks Margot Murray, who recently designed his company's website, if she'd mind accompanying him to his family's beautiful country house (which doubles as a B&B) and posing as his fake girlfriend. Dealing with her own relationship drama, Margot happily say yes as she's eager to get away from the city. Ben and Margot make great friends, but Margot quickly realizes she has major romantic feelings for a different Gibson: Ben's sister, Ellie.

Told in a back and forth POV from Margot and Ellie, SWAP is a bit repetitive at first as we see events through both Margot and Ellie's eyes. At first, this looks like it's going to be a story filled with characters who do not communicate and lack common sense (ok, this may be a theme throughout). Ellie immediately makes a (wrong) snap judgement about Margot and then vacillates in her feelings about her in a very annoying and unhinged way. What follows is a series of bad decisions and miscommunications that made me cringe.

Luckily, around halfway through, the book picks up, as Ellie wises up a bit and we gain more insight into Margot's history. The book deals well with some serious topics, such as emotional abuse and anxiety about expectations, which I really appreciated. It's very festive; I wouldn't read it hungry, as it describes delicious food quite well! By now, things are predictable and silly, but in a good way. Margot and Ellie have a cute chemistry, and as we get to know them, it's easier to realize that they are not making their bad decisions maliciously.

There's no deep character development here, perhaps with the exception of the little exploration into Margot's past relationship, but I grew to care for everyone, including some fun side characters, like Ben's grandpa and other sister. And, of course, it's always fun to see a lesbian holiday romance. Oh, and there are cute dogs! Overall, a fun holiday read, especially if you like that sort of thing. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Alcove Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

The kind of real connection that I crave: THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP.

The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really need to learn my lesson now. Kristy, you love cheesy Christmas movies, but not so much Christmas books. Please stop requesting them, because then you must read them. For instance, THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP is billed as an updated WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, which is probably in my top-five movies. I love that movie. I watch it every year. I will watch it when it's not Christmas.

Well, MIX-UP is no SLEEPING. This book hurt me. I get that it's supposed to be a lighthearted, fluffy Christmas story and nearly everyone else seemed to enjoy it, so please take my review as such. The writing here is painful. Nothing is left to the imagination, but instead is explained in excruciating detail with all telling and no showing. Nothing really happens, so we're left with a repetitive plot stuffed with character introspection and people bemoaning about their feelings over and over (and over).

Katie works at a diner, where she meets Juan, a regular customer. For some reason (supposedly to avoid his aunt fixing him up yet again), he asks her to join him and his family for Christmas (as a secret favor), but before she can, he walks into the street and is nearly killed by a van. Katie shoves him out of the way, but he's still placed into a coma by the doctors. His family is led into thinking they are dating, so they take her in. Katie has no living family of her own and welcomes their care and attention. (Honestly this all sounds so much better as described versus the agony we go through to learn this in the book.) Once she meets his family, she meets Juan's younger brother Mateo, whom she immediately crushes on, and it seems the feeling is mutual. In the background is the story that the family's long-held winery is going under, thanks to bad business decisions by Juan. (This is the only remotely interesting plot piece, though where it will end is telegraphed a mile away.)

Katie and Mateo have zero chemistry, but instead opine in the narrative about their potential feelings for one another constantly--only to dismiss that the other could care for them. There is no excitement, banter, or anything fun. Mateo and Juan's grandparents have more zest. Things slowly progress up until Christmas. We all know how everything will end, but there's no real joy about it, because everyone is too busy thinking or repeating themselves for any real happiness. Instead, we execute the Christmas romance playbook step-by-step. I wanted to love this one, but I just couldn't. 2 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Dance floor spinning like a hurricane: LIE BESIDE ME.

Lie Beside Me by Gytha Lodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catching up on this series is quite enjoyable. LIE BESIDE ME is a captivating mystery filled with red herrings and a cast of suspects that kept me guessing until the very end. Louise wakes up after a night of drinking with her best friend, only to find that instead of her husband, Niall, next to her in bed, it's a strange man. Even worse, that man is quite dead. Louise quickly becomes the top suspect in the murder of this man, Alex, and DCI Jonah Sheens and his team focus in on Louise's memory gaps. But the more they dig--and the more Louise remembers--the more dark secrets they all discover.

I enjoyed LIE, as it's great blend of the actual case, delving into Alex's murder, and insight into the private lives of Jonah and his investigative team. For instance, we learn more about Juliette, who is being stalked and harassed by her horribly abusive ex. Lodge explores this topic very thoughtfully and delicately. There are other little side angles and crimes, too, which add depth and dimension to the story.

LIE BESIDE ME is told from Louise's point of view, and we learn bits and pieces as she remembers more and more from the night of Alex's death. We also hear from Sheens and his team. The only part I didn't really enjoy were excerpts where Louise spoke to her husband, explaining her evolution as "Drunk Louise"--these were emotionally focused short chapters where Louise talked about her alcoholism (my word, not hers) and how alcohol affected her life and their relationship. While I appreciated the psychological deep dive, those parts were a bit much, and I much preferred the action and gaining more insight into what went down with Louise and Alex. And, truly, the constant focus on alcohol was a lot; it made me feel uncomfortable at times!

This mystery has plenty of characters--enough to keep you wondering exactly what happened and how Alex wound up dead in Louise's bed. It's twisty and filled with surprises. The plot is intricate and puzzling. I just love a good British police procedural. 4+ stars.



View all my reviews

July is dressed up and playing her tune: THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andie has her whole life planned out when it's derailed by an investigation into her Congressman father. When scandal hits her dad and his campaign, her hard won internship is lost, and she winds up with a job walking dogs for the summer. While doing so, she meets Clark, a handsome young author. But falling for Clark, spending time with her father, and enjoying a carefree job requires Andie to reach deep and get past her fears of being hurt in relationships and left behind--something she's dealt with since her mother passed away and her father focused fully on his job. Opening up to something real and true isn't easy.

This was a surprisingly emotional YA read, filled with nuanced characters and plenty of teen drama. Andie could certainly be frustrating. Even though we know she is this way because of her mom's death and her father's career, I still wanted to shake her sometimes. She could make some terrible decisions! But, it's nice to see a realistic teen character with some depth. I also enjoyed that this was a teen book that featured parties and teen antics, but didn't focus solely on drinking, sex, and drugs. A bit refreshing. Though I was surprised Andie's dad was okay with his high school daughter dating a nineteen-year-old!

I enjoyed Andie's interactions with her father, even though his changing emotions seemed a bit improbable at times. The book focuses on family and friendships, with a lot of time spent on Andie's friend group. Much of their story is told via text message, as well as narrative. I preferred reading about Andie's relationships with Clark and her father. This is a very long book, and it was the teen drama with her friends that made it feel so lengthy.

The dog walking angle is cute and funny (Bertie the dog may be the true hero of the story), and Clark's fantasy writing adds a different touch. There's a lot going on in EVERYTHING, but I enjoyed its message about living life to the fullest and insights into friendship, loss, and grief. 3.75 stars, rounded up.

View all my reviews

Seems like to me the sun has lost its light: DREAMING OF WATER.

Dreaming of Water by A.J. Banner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been seventeen years since Astrid returned to her Aunt Maude's home in Heron Bay. She left after her little sister Nina drowned in a reflecting pool near Maude's house. But when Maude calls Astrid, saying she's found some mysterious letters relating to Nina's death, Astrid comes back. She finds Maude unconscious and her house a mess.

Of course, as with all thrillers, a woman returning to her past will now start meddling and trying to solve a crime for which she is unqualified to figure out. I will give Astrid a little bit of credit in that she's a forensic document examiner, so she's at least somewhat competent in that area. Also, luckily for us readers, Banner takes this trope and weaves a great story with it.

Told from present day Astrid's point of view once she arrives in Heron Bay, along with memories of Astrid past, DREAMING is fast-paced and suspenseful. Astrid is haunted by Nina's death and blames herself, as she was babysitting Nina that fateful night when she wandered away. She sees the letters as a chance to figured out what really happened. But they cloud her perception of what truly went on and cause her to get pulled in to Heron Bay's small town cast of characters, including someone who wants Astrid to leave town immediately. Banner does a great job of mixing up Astrid's thoughts and casting suspicion on everyone--the rich family who owned the pool where Nina drowned, including their son; Maude's young caretaker; a local policeman; a diver with a checkered past; even Nina's own parents. Each page keeps you guessing.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this atmospheric, tense thriller. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

The miles are taking their toll on me: THE INTERN.

The Intern by Michele Campbell
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Well, this is quite the wild ride. Law student Madison Rivera is thrilled to get a coveted internship with Judge Kathryn Conroy, her idol. But, of course, Madison declines to tell the judge one "minor" fact--her brother Danny was recently arrested, and his case is before Judge Conroy. Because why would you just come clean with someone who could probably help you? Instead, please open yourself up to utter stress, the dangers of lying on security clearance forms, and possible expulsion. I was so not here for the beginning of this book and the fact that it was filled with so much miscommunication and lying. I dislike those tropes immensely!

Luckily, this thriller picks up and turns into a far-fetched but quite readable tale. Danny goes missing, and Madison does not know if Kathryn is a friend or foe. It's a story of corruption, abuse of power, family ties, and good versus evil. Emotions run high and danger is around every corner. If you can suspend disbelief for a bit, it's an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

One part glory, two parts glow: BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CHRISTMAS.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Be warned... this review may make me sound slightly like a Grinch. I love holiday movies and the whole season, but I think I need to acknowledge that holiday books are not my thing. Somehow the schmaltz works in film form for me but not in a literary format. Not that this is a bad book, at all, and most reviewers loved it, so take my review with a grain of salt.

When Kerry loses her job, she's forced to move back to her rural North Carolina hometown (the same town in which Andrews' story THE SANTA SUIT is set). When her dad falls ill, she's stuck accompanying her gruff older brother Murphy on the annual trip to New York City to sell the family's Christmas tree allotment, which, of course, makes up the main share of the income for their farm. Murphy and their dad Jock (whose name immediately makes me think of DALLAS, I'm so old, guys) typically sleep in a tiny trailer parked by the stand powered by an extension cord they run to a kind nearby business. Immediately I call foul--where in NYC can you a) park a trailer for a month? b) run extension cords across the sidewalks and c) find kindly people who feed you for free and let you use their showers? Because, oh yeah, the trailer has no running water and is powered by a space heater. I felt cold reading most of this book.

Kerry immediately makes friends with all the neighbors, including an elderly man, Heinz, and her brother's friend Patrick and his young son, Austin. Heinz and Austin are easily the best part of this book--they have far more depth than the other characters. I felt empathy and cared for them because of this. Kerry's "romance" with Patrick is utter instalove and makes no sense--there was no reason to root for them, as they had no chemistry, banter, or any sort of connection or backstory whatsoever.

The book was incredibly slow in the first half (it's cold, sell some trees, repeat) but picks up a bit in the second half. Honestly, I would have been fine cutting the romance story altogether and just focusing on Heinz' piece. That aspect was incredibly touching.

Overall, it's a sweet read but lacks much depth, like many of the movies I watch each year on Hallmark. Although there's a gay character in this read (yay!) so I guess we'll have to call this a Lifetime book instead, right? ;) 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Can any human being ever reach that kind of light: CLEAT CUTE.

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for a good sapphic romance and CLEAT CUTE certainly fits the bill. Soccer star Grace Henderson shoulders the pressures of serving as captain of her team plus acting as figurehead of the soccer community ever since she was a teen. She's not out to anyone but her family. Young Phoebe Matthews is a soccer upstart, out and proud. Matthews appears loud and brash, but has a caring, thoughtful side and is focused solely on her soccer career. Phoebe and Grace form an unlikely friendship, which soon becomes friendship with benefits. But as Grace struggles with an injury and Phoebe becomes more and more successful, the two wonder if their friendship and budding relationship can survive.

CUTE is a really fun read, and if you like sapphic and/or sport books, you'll enjoy this one. I personally found it slow to warm up to, but eventually grew to care for the characters, especially Grace. I loved and empathized with this tough woman, who felt the pressures of the world so deeply and found solace in her routines and solitude. The force of life that is Phoebe takes over Grace's world, shocking her out of her regularly scheduled life, and letting her see everything through fresh eyes. This may be exactly what she needs. Watching the two of them be good for each other--that's the beauty of this book. (Okay, their sexual tension and banter isn't exactly so bad, either.)

The hardest part of CUTE is the thinking. Something about the narrative style makes it feel like there's so much rehashing of feelings and introspection. There's a lot of telling and less showing. At times I wasn't in the mood to read it and deal with all the internal chatter.

But, if you can get past that, CUTE is filled with diverse characters and queer relationships. The supporting cast is excellent. It's a sports romance, but you do not need to be a soccer expert to enjoy it (but if you are a sports fan, you'll get into that aspect). It covers the pressures of playing sports, being in the public eye, and neurodivergent personalities.

While this book dragged a bit for me at times, I love having so many books about queer relationships in the world. It's a fun sports romance! 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

If you wanna see a miracle watch me get down: BLOCK SHOT.

Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I really loved LONG SHOT, the first book in this series, so I was really excited when I received the next two books as ARCs, as they are being re-released. I am a total sucker for sports books, especially basketball ones. These books can be read independently, though some characters do reoccur. BLOCK SHOT picks up with Jared, the stepbrother of August West from the first book. Jared is a ruthless sports agent who has built his agency, Elevation, from the ground up. His life motto is built around not getting attached to anyone, especially women. But he cannot get a certain woman, Banner, his college best friend, out of his mind. They shared one special night together before a misunderstanding tore them apart.

BLOCK is an interesting book. Jared is not necessarily a good guy, and it takes a while to grapple with his desire for Banner. He is dominant, possessive, and pushy. Jared refuses to take no for an answer in all areas of his life, especially with Banner (not sexually, thankfully) or care she has a boyfriend. That's a little difficult to take in. He does grow throughout the course the book, but perhaps not as much as he should. He's not the easy-to-love hero that August was, though you come to understand his flaws.

There's a ton of focus on Banner's weight and while the book seems to be focused on body positivity--Banner loves herself at any size, so does Jared, etc.--that was a stretch at times. Body positivity morphed into a constant discussion of her size and the emphasis is less on health and more on her losing pounds, not eating, what she ate, etc. No thanks, and it seemed rather triggering for anyone with food disorders.

I did love Banner's intelligence and spark. That woman was tough! And freaking smart! It's great to see a woman in the sports agency market, especially one beating all the boys. The basketball talk was enjoyable. Her relationship with Jared was charming and quite sexy. Overall, while I didn't love this one quite as much as LONG SHOT, it was still a fun read. 3.5 stars

I received a copy of this book from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.


View all my reviews

Never mind the blinding skies: FLY WITH ME.

Fly with Me by Andie Burke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The abundance of lesbian romances out in the world now makes me so happy. Reading this book also made me realize that there's an untapped market out there (ok maybe just for me) of lesbian romances set at Disney World. I love the combination of queer woman and that wonderful place.

But, I digress. Nurse Olive Murphy is terrified of flying, so it seems only fitting that on her first trip on a plane, a man has a medical emergency. The plane is diverted, and Olive goes viral for heroically saving his life. One of the pilots, Stella Soriano (that name just sounds beautiful, doesn't it?) offers to drive Olive from Atlanta to Florida so she can make the marathon she's running at Disney World in honor of her brother. Stella Soriano, of course, is a gorgeous, sexy, pilot, because why wouldn't she be? Olive slogs through her race, Stella is waiting for her at the end, and the two have a beautiful day (and night) at Disney. As all good lesbians should.

Then Stella asks Olive to be her (fake) girlfriend. With Olive going viral, Stella is sure this publicity will help her finally get the promotion to captain she's been desiring for so long. As reasons to fake date in romances this one seems a bit flaky, but I've seen worse. And have I mentioned that Stella Soriano is really hot? And that Olive is absolutely adorable and funny? Please fake date ladies, please.

Burke writes Olive wonderfully. She made me laugh out loud. The book is told entirely from her point of view, which I feel like is rare anymore, but it totally worked. Burke is a former nurse who writes Olive quite realistically. Even more, she writes Olive's brother, a terminally ill patient, with complete respect. Olive suffers from anxiety and depression and that topic plays a strong role in the plot, but it's well-done and portrayed in a very appropriate fashion.

The emotion in this book! Olive's family was terrible. Downright awful. I wanted to jump through the pages and give this poor woman a hug (and push her into Stella's arms). Stella and Olive felt like authentic lesbians with whom I would be friends. Olive is scared she's a burden for Stella and Stella's afraid her workaholic issues are too much for Olive. Get it together, ladies! At the core, their romance is so sweet, and you cannot help but root for them.

When reading, it's clear this is Burke's first book, but this is still a very witty, enjoyable sapphic romance. Also, I feel as if Olive's friend Derek is the true superstar of this story and deserves his own book (with appearances from Gus the dog, of course). 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review.


View all my reviews

That lonesome feeling comes to my door: THE DISINVITED GUEST.

The Disinvited Guest by Carol Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Carol Goodman's books and somehow didn't get to GUEST when it first came out, so made sure to include it in my #backlistbooks23 challenge this year. Lucy Harper got sick in the 2020 pandemic, an event that also affected her husband Reed and his family. Years later, as another virus looms, she, Reed, and five other close friends and family members sequester themselves on Reed's family's island to stay safe and sheltered from whatever is coming.

"'This is what people do when they're desperate and have nothing left to lose... They begin making their own idols and gods.'"

As Goodman does so well, GUEST immediately creates an eerie feel, with its atmospheric and stifling island settling. The island is isolated and soon Lucy suspects it's haunted as well. This creates a locked room type story--very Agatha Christie-like. When Lucy discovers a journal left behind by one of Reed's ancestors, Nathaniel Harper, a doctor who treated patients who came to the island to quarantine from typhoid fever, she's immediately sucked into his story. Goodman deftly draws parallels between Nathaniel's past situation and Lucy and her friends today. The pieces of the story from the typhoid fever times were utterly intriguing--I would have read an entire book about that period alone.

"'Don't underestimate the power of stories, Dr. Harper. Sometimes it's all we poor folk have to pass our truth along.'"

As Lucy becomes more entangled in the journal and exploring the island, she is consumed by Nathaniel's story. But, can we trust her as narrator? All our characters have their own secrets, lies, and fragile pasts. It's so easy for emotions to fray during a pandemic and for feelings to quickly become volatile. Desperation, jealousy, power all come into play. Again, the cloistered setting has such a strong role here.

At times the story drags a little, focusing a bit too much on Lucy questioning those around her, and there are no major twists and surprises (it's pretty easy to guess how this is going to end). But this is an eerie, dark, and compelling tale that easily captures the creepy island setting (and the parallels to the past are especially fascinating), even if things get a little preposterous at times. 3.75 stars, rounded up here.

View all my reviews

When they look my way they're always looking down: DARK CORNERS.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read a few not-so-positive reviews for this book, so I wasn't expecting a lot. Happily, I found it to be an enjoyable read. DARK CORNERS is a follow-up to Goldin's book THE NIGHT SWIM, featuring podcaster Rachel Krall. It starts off with a bang, with the FBI summoning Rachel to a prison to see an inmate, Terrence Bailey, and to ask about a missing travel influencer, Maddison Logan. With Bailey about to be released from prison, despite being a suspect in the murders of six women, and Maddison, the only person to ever visit him in prison now missing, the FBI is at a loss. Rachel's name has come up in their investigation, and Agent Martinez reluctantly asks for her help.

"Always know what you're walking into. Dark corners can be danger points."

CORNERS keeps up a brisk pace, telling the story from Rachel and Martinez's points of view, along with bits of her podcast and the POV of a rideshare driver. All these short snippets build up the suspense and tension. You find yourself wanting to know what is happening and how everyone is connected. Further, Rachel and Martinez's relationship deepens and they have a bit of tension between themselves too (if you catch my drift). There are some major dark moments and gruesome places--be prepared!

Rachel winds up going undercover at a social media conference to seek out information about Maddison. As she does, Goldin gets in some not so subtle digs on the artifice of the influencer life and social media. There are some great characters introduced via the other influencers--some of them are quite humorous. We hit on all the latest trends in social media: influencers, travel bloggers, podcasts, and true crime.

This is still a mystery at heart, and it's engaging and interesting. There's never a huge twist, and I had a decent idea early on about a big piece of the plot, but I still found the book to be quite compelling. Rachel Krall is a very smart and intriguing character--and it would be fun to see Martinez again, too. 3.75 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

I can't forget the way you looked at me: YERBA BUENA.

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The lyrical story of two intersecting women, Yerba Beuna is a lovely and quiet read. Sara experiences tragedy young, forcing her to leave behind her hometown and younger brother to seek a safer and better life in Los Angeles. Across the city, Emilie is a slightly lost soul, in her seventh year of undergraduate school. While working at a flower shop, she arranges flowers at an upscale restaurant where she both has an affair with the married owner and runs across Sara, the bartender, with whom she has an instant connection.

Told from both the perspective of Sara and Emilie, we see the world from each of their viewpoints, with special ties to Yerba Buena the restaurant and the flower. Their stories both separate and intertwine, as these two damaged women try to heal and survive. LaCour's prose is beautiful and lyrical, propelled by Sara and Emilie trying to determine if they can move past their pain and choose love. If you enjoy a character-driven story, you'll like this one. 4 stars.


View all my reviews

I can feel it when your heart starts pounding: SIZZLE REEL.

Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In my quest to read as many queer romances out there as I can, I came across SIZZLE REEL. Luna wants to be a cinematographer, though she's stuck working for a horrible talent manager boss instead. At work, she meets actress Valeria Sullivan and the two click, leading Luna to hope Valeria can get her a job on the set of her latest film. This plan is complicated slightly by the fact that Luna has just come out as bisexual--to her best friends only--and is falling head over heels for Valeria.

Major pros for this book having a queer Jewish protagonist. It does a good job of exploring all the nuances and issues of coming out, figuring out who you are, and how hard it can be to be queer and bisexual in today's society. It's a bit slow moving, though, with a lot of focus on Luna's career angst and so, so, so much talk about virginity. Luna seems hyper-focused on the topic and there's a lot of discussion on what exactly constitutes virginity, especially if she's with a woman, almost to the detriment to the plot. It was a little much.

A lot of SIZZLE REEL focuses on Hollywood and Luna's love of cinematography. I must admit I sort of glazed over the parts where she was mentally framing scenes. But if you're a movie buff, you'll love those. I did enjoy Valeria a lot. I'm a sucker for stories that include a regular person and a movie star getting together. Stars, they're just like us!

There's a good queer non-binary character in Luna's best friend and roommate, Romy. For the most part, Romy is the voice of reason in the book, whereas Luna comes across as whiny and irritating for much of the story. I would have loved to see all our characters a little more fleshed out. Things pick up at the end, and I was engaged in the outcome. No matter what, I'm excited these stories are being told, even if a little bit choppily. 3 stars.


View all my reviews

She's never learned how to live for today: NONE OF THIS IS TRUE.

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is yet another impossible-to-put-down thriller from Lisa Jewell. For most of the book, I was all in. It's easy to suspend disbelief when you're reading one of Jewell's books. They have a compelling, frenetic feel. Alix and Josie meet at a restaurant, where both are celebrating their 45th birthdays. They realize they're "birthday twins." A few days later they meet again, and Josie reveals she's been listening to Alix's popular podcasts. She suggests her life would make a great subject for Alix. As the two start working together, Alix realizes Josie is a rather dark individual, and she's starting to take over Alix's life.

It's easy to read TRUE in big great gulps. Josie is the ultimate unreliable narrator--the title certainly seems prescient for much of the book. How much can we trust her, or Alix? The book has a creepy and ominous feel, as Josie ingratiates herself into Alix's life, taking over and seeming like she just won't leave. Is she just friendly and in awe of Alix, or is there more to this story? Jewell delves into the topics of motherhood and family while we watch, breathlessly, to see the story behind Josie's life. At the same time, we learn more about Alix's relationship with her husband.

This would have been an easy 4-star read for me, but there are some issues that were glossed over that really bothered me--excusing both pedophilia and alcohol abuse being the main ones. I'm not sure the racing, exciting plot was enough to truly overcome those. 3 stars for now...

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review.


View all my reviews

I'm a thousand miles from nowhere: THE LAST ONE.

The Last One by Will Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Caz is so excited when her boyfriend, Pete, takes her on vacation aboard the luxury cruise liner, RMS Atlantica. They have a great first night, but when Caz wakes up the next morning and reaches for Pete, he's not there. As she leaves their room to look, she realizes that the ship is empty. Not empty, as in the passengers are elsewhere, but empty empty. No passengers, no crew. The giant ship is in the middle of the ocean, and Caz is all alone on it. I won't say much more to avoid spoilers, but this is a crazy read. It has a tense, eerie feel-- you rarely get a "locked cruise ship" story, but that's what we have here. The story certainly keeps you wondering, and it offers an interesting, timely commentary on society. I won't say on what. ;)

I found this book hard to put down, and the story is really unique. Those are all major plusses. It goes a little off the rails as it continues, though. And there are a lot of unresolved plot points that made me feel as if the story didn't truly finish. (The actual ending is also cray cray.) Overall, this was a 3-star read for me.

I received a copy of this book from Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Try to see how precious you are: THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE.

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite a vow to focus on backlist books and ARCs, I broke my rule and nabbed this one off Libby. I enjoyed the last politically themed romance I read from Winstead and this one was just as fun. It follows up on some characters from the last, featuring Lee Stone's school librarian sister, Alexis, but can easily stand alone. After her ex calls her mousy (and bad in bed), Alexis worries she's boring and timid and doomed in relationships. There's no way she's as interesting or smart as Lee, who is in the Texas state legislature. Introverted by nature, Alexis vows to get out of her comfort zone and have a one-night stand.

But things go awry when Alexis meets Logan at a bar. After lightning literally strikes their hotel, the two are caught on camera, and Logan flees. Confused, Alexis has no idea what happened until pictures of them hit the Internet, and she realizes the handsome man she nearly slept with is the current Democratic gubernatorial candidate of Texas. In an attempt to stop the ensuing scandal and help Logan, Alexis agrees to pretend she's been dating--and continuing to date--Logan. Nothing will go wrong with this foolproof plan, right?

What follows is a cute, witty story filled with funny banter and sexual tension. I loved sweet Alexis, who just needed to find herself, and tough, stoic Logan. While this is a romance, it also covers serious topics such as the importance of teachers and school funding, the impact of banned books, and politics in general. There are a few ups and downs (oh, please, everyone, just communicate), but they are balanced out by the humor. The side characters are great, too, and it's fun to see Lee and Ben again. Overall, this is a really sweet romance (power to the introverts). 4+ stars.

View all my reviews

My past has caught up to me, and I've lost track: GREYWAREN.

Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I'm not sure I can adequately review this book, because the magical world within is so intricate that it feels wrong to judge it. I still get a little confused reading this series, with all the dreamers and Zeds and Moderators and dreaming worlds and real worlds, but I love it anyway. Perhaps the most amazing thing about book 3 is that it made me like Declan, ha! Overall I found this to be a fitting end to the trilogy, even if it dragged just a bit in the middle. 3.5+ stars.

View all my reviews

If I cause you pain, my own sweet child: OUR MISSING HEARTS.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm so thankful to my #backlistbooks challenge, because it introduced me to this lovely book. HEARTS is insanely good. It's a beautifully written dystopian tale that seems like its story could happen tomorrow. The plot focuses on patriotism, racism, and a scared nation. The country is divided by hatred and turning against each other, especially Asians, whom they are blaming for America's economic downfall. When citizens start to fight back, the Government's response is to take books from the shelves and children from their families. It really doesn't sound so far-fetched, does it?

Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Bird, we learn about the power of PACT, a series of laws to root out anti-American elements after a time of deep instability. When a group of dissidents uses the words of Bird's mother, a poet, to fight back, she has to go on the run, and Bird and his father must disavow all knowledge of her. But when Bird receives a coded message from his mother, he begins to question PACT and everything's he's been told. As he searches for his mom, Ng weaves a gorgeous story about the love of a mother, the power of stories and folktales, and the lengths we go to fight for what we believe in.

This is a lovely yet terrifying story, as we see Bird finding his way through the prism of his parents, and we see how much his parents want to protect their child--but at what cost? The greater backdrop of society looms large, and it's impossible not to compare our present society to Ng's. This is a thoughtful story, a touching story, and a scary one. I highly recommend it. 4.5 stars.




View all my reviews

He'd have his foot on the pedal and my heart on the brake: GONE TONIGHT.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It seems like Ruth and her daughter Catherine are close. It's always been the two of them, even as they've frequently moved around and Ruth has kept much of her past from her daughter. But as Catherine prepares to move away for the first time, Ruth feels panic at the thought of her daughter being apart from her, and their careful little world starts to crumble.

This fast-paced thriller is easy to read, with short chapters that tell us both Catherine and Ruth's point of view, but kept me waiting for a bigger twist that never came. Most of the surprises were pretty obvious. And while I know we needed drama for the story to move forward, I am not a fan of books where being honest would have just saved everyone most of the trouble! Ugh, just don't keep giant life changing secrets that affect everyone's safety, folks.

Pekkanen excels at writing "creepy," so you can't help but turn the pages and feel like something bad is going to happen. There are some eerie personalities at play here. I just wish things were a little more exciting and less predictable. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Now I need to rewind real slow: THIS TIME TOMORROW.

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

TIME is a quiet book that weaves time traveling in with the themes of family, love, and loss. I always get slightly confused in time traveling books, because I am a slow individual, but this book presents an interesting premise for sure. What would you do if you could go back into your life? At nearly 40, Alice is slightly aimless, working in admissions at the same school she once attended. Her father is very sick, and she fears losing him. When she wakes up and realizes she's now sixteen again, while she's fascinated at being young again, having a new chance with an old flame, and hanging out with her best friend, she cannot help but focus on her father the most: her young, healthy, vibrant father. Can she do anything to keep him this way? Or can just keep returning back in time to be with him?

Straub is always good at weaving stories. While time travel always feels a bit repetitive to me (Alice returns back to her sixteenth birthday over and over--also so many descriptions of people smoking), I was quite drawn into the story of her and her father, Leonard. The world of parallel lives is an interesting thing. Watching Alice grow up by going back in time is a pretty neat trick.

This is an enjoyable love story between father and daughter. 3.75+ stars.


View all my reviews

Cause you came to my world on time: WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME.

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was totally drawn into my first Gillian McAllister book, albeit slightly confused at times! On Halloween morning, Jen is waiting up for her eighteen-year-old son, Todd. As she watches him come up the street, she breathlessly sees him stab a strange man. After Todd is taken into custody and charged with murder, Jen falls into a horrified sleep. She wakes up terrified about his future, only to realize it's yesterday. What the heck? Todd is downstairs, seemingly oblivious to what he's about to do. Jen slowly realizes she may have been given a second chance to save Todd from himself.

So this book is sometimes confusing with the backward time-telling format, but once you get the hang of it, that part is intriguing and compelling. You have to be able to roll with the time travel element to enjoy the story. McAllister builds tension with excerpts from a rookie cop named Ryan, whose story seems to somehow link with Todd's, though we're not sure how.

As Jen lives her life backward, she starts to learn more about Todd, her husband, and herself. How does this murder happen--does it go beyond Todd and their family? Did he kill a random man, or a friend? She learns more each time she goes backward, but only she retains the information, as anyone else's slate is wiped clean. It's a genius plot mechanism, honestly.

While Jen is unraveling a mystery--a murder, really--she is also learning about motherhood and how her actions may have affected her son. It's easy to emphasize with a mother questioning herself. The story is dramatic, but also emotional and tense. And wow, there are certainly some good twists and turns. I love books that surprise me! 4+ stars.


View all my reviews

You're like concrete feet in the summer heat: DEAD AND GONE.

Dead and Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Chicago police detective Annalisa Vega cannot get away from investigating cops... even former ones. Her boss pulls her in to the case of Sam Tran, once a cop and now a PI, who is found hanging from a tree with a terrible message across his chest. Annalisa digs into Sam's cases, wondering if he found something that someone would rather have left buried. Her investigation reveals her own brother, Vinny, was a client. Sam was looking into a stalker on her niece Quinn's college campus.

Oh Annalisa, I just want to give her a hug. She's still haunted by her past choices related to her family--Pop is sick and on house arrest; another brother is in jail; the rest of the family, including Quinn, blame her; and other cops distrust her. She has her partner (in every sense of the word) Nick, but even those two have a troubled history.

As always, this is an excellent entry from Schaffhausen. She expertly weaves in several cases along with appearances from Annalisa's family. It was great to see Quinn, who plays a big role in this book. More Vegas! There are plenty of cases and a lot to keep us guessing. The stalker on Quinn's campus, Sam Tran's murder and his associated cases, and then Annalisa and Nick are tracking down a robbery suspect known as the Chicken Bandit. We get pulled into Tran's cold cases, as Annalisa worries that they may have something to do with his death. It seems like a lot, but they all meld together perfectly.

I love Schaffhausen's books because they are a great balance of police procedural and Annalisa's family life. She attempts to deal with the ramifications of turning in her father and brother, her future with Nick, and now, Quinn's safety. It adds an excellent personal tinge to the story. There are still plenty of twists and turns and surprises. And don't let the family aspect fool you--this is a dramatic and dark tale filled with violence and suspense!

Overall, this is an excellent read. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netalley and Minotaur in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

You wanted to see me in your future: THE BREAKAWAY.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abby seems to have it all with her boyfriend, Mark. But she cannot forget the memories of a one-night stand she had with a man called Sebastian two years ago. So imagine her surprise when she reluctantly agrees to lead a bike trip from NYC to Niagara Falls and discovers that Sebastian is one of the group members. Even worse, Abby's nagging mother Eileen shows up as well.

This is a cute, easy read that I enjoyed, even if it doesn't have the full zing of some of Weiner's other works. BREAKAWAY is part romance, but also tries to tackle serious social issues such as abortion and body positivity. I think it does the body positivity piece quite well. Abby has struggled with her weight all her life--she and Mark originally met at weight-loss camp before reuniting years later--and she feels as if her mother has never accepted her for who she is. But even if she's still trying to find her way at times, Abby is tough. A cyclist who can fix a flat or cycle for miles in the rain. She impressed me over and over.

As for covering abortion, the book delves into a serious situation. At times, it seems like it handles this topic a little glibly and not always in-depth enough. Things wrap up awfully easily. But it was good to see the topic being covered at all.

My favorite part of BREAKAWAY was Abby and Sebastian. Their chemistry and relationship was enjoyable. I would have liked more of them honestly. The focus on relationships overall was good--mother/daughters, especially. I also learned a lot about cycling from reading this book.

This is a good read, perhaps a little light on the topics it delves into, but enjoyable nonetheless. 3.75 stars. (I wouldn't mind a follow up on Abby and Sebastian!)

I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

And the memories bring back, memories bring back you: THESE TOXIC THINGS.

These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mickie Lambert has a job creating digital Memory Boxes, where she curates digital artifacts for people. When she's hired to create a Memory Box for the elderly Nadia, the shop owner of Beautiful Things, she's fascinated by Nadia's life and her shop of curiosities. But Nadia dies shortly after they get started, apparently by suicide, but no one is quite sure. Mickie inserts herself in the investigation, determined to find out what happened to Nadia, and continues to finish her Memory Box.

This is my first book Howzell Hall, and I really liked the premise of it, though I have to say, the outcome seemed really obvious from Day 1. The story is interspersed with descriptions of Nadia's objects and where she found them, which is an interesting concept.

My problem with this one is that I just really disliked Mickie, and the whole book is focused on her. She takes advantage of her parents, makes poor decisions, sticks her nose in everything (except for using Google when it could easily solve a lot of problems). She's so whiny and needy and drove me insane.

This story starts off very ominous, and I was sucked in right away. Then it plateaus a bit, with Mickie doing her Mickie thing. It also wraps up a bit fast after everything we've been through. I give it points for being a quick read and a unique storyline, but I wish there was a bit more. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

I was always sad, mom was always mad: EVERYONE HERE IS LYING.

Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Angry and devastated when his affair with a neighbor unravels, William Wooler returns home in the middle of the day and surprises his nine-year-old daughter, Avery. The two argue and William angrily leaves. A few hours later, William and his wife declare Avery missing.

This is a fast-paced read focusing on a group of people in a neighborhood tied together by their secrets and various lies. It's easy to suspect everyone in the neighborhood once Avery goes missing--her angry dad; the husband of the woman with whom he was having an affair; a shifty teenage boy, and so on. The book starts off like gangbusters, sucking you in with Avery's disappearance and the various points of view of the neighbors. The short chapters keep things moving, with lots of intrigue and messed up relationships. Everyone suspects one another, and it seems as if there are no happy marriages or strong relationships with their children. The book slowed a little near the end and the vague ending ruined things a little for me. This was still a mysterious and enjoyable read. 3.75 stars.

View all my reviews

But I found a place where I can erase my past: THE MOST LIKELY CLUB.

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In high school, best friends Melissa, Priya, Tara, and Suki were going places. Their senior superlatives confirmed it (think Most Likely to Win the White House and Cure Cancer). At their 25th-year high school reunion, Melissa, Priya, and Tara reunite--Suki is off running her popular, million-dollar makeup business. The other women decide to get back to their old selves, forming a club "The Most Likely Girls" based on their superlatives. It reminds them of their younger selves and their strong friendship.

This was a good enough book -- certainly easy to relate to. I graduated from high school a year after these ladies, so I enjoyed the 90s era nostalgia that permeated the story. It started off as a slow mover; it's over 100 pages in before we get to the true premise of fulfilling their superlatives.
We learn a bit about the four girls in high school, but mostly focus on the four women navigating their 40s. Suki's success has a bit of its own story. The book touches on fighting the patriarchy as well as motherhood, marriage, and running businesses. The theme of trying to capture the optimism or vibrancy of high school runs throughout. I enjoyed Melissa's character the most--she and her teenage daughter grew on me. 3+ stars.


View all my reviews

You gotta dance, like a symphony of joy: CHANGE OF PLANS.

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I keep telling myself to stop requesting random ARCs, but I can't, and the reason is books like this. The premise sounded intriguing, and I adored this incredibly charming story. Chef Bryce Weatherford becomes guardian to her three nieces June, 12; Cecily, 8; and Addison, 5, after the death of her brother and sister-in-law. If suddenly leaving her job and moving to a small town to care for these spunky girls isn't enough, Bryce has to fight off guardianship overtures from the girls' maternal grandparents. She finds an unlikely ally in Ryker Matthews, who rescues the group at the grocery store. The former Marine is struggling with own demons, though.

This is a delightful romance filled with fun and serious moments. I'm a total sucker for stories with kids, and Bryce's nieces are silly but very touching as they grapple with the death of their parents. Ryker is a guarded Marine dealing with PTSD; he has a below-the-knee amputation and phantom pain from his missing limb. It's rare to read a book that handles the military, PTSD, and amputation so well--and with the respect these topics deserve. I adored the stoic Ryker and his introverted ways.

CHANGE is still a really funny and cute story even if it touches on some tough subjects. Both Ryker and Bryce have hang ups, between his PTSD and her trying to keep the girls and figure out her life, but the instant attraction between the two crackles. Their banter is witty and sexy. Bryce is a tough cookie, and both main characters are more unique than you see in your usual romance. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I didn't realize it when I read it, but it's the third in a series about the Matthews brothers, but can be read as a stand-alone. Looking forward to catching up on the first two! 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews