I hope I live on a road in the town in your heart: A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY.

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh this was such a lovely book (and my second read of Pride Month)!

It combined two things I love dearly: country music and adorable gay boys.

Aspiring musician Emmett travels to Jackson Hollow, TN from Chicago to perform at the amusement park Wanda World. There he meets local boy Luke who is working in a restaurant at the park while trying to help his family. Luke has always hated country music while Emmett wants to be the first gay country music star. Luke's disdain for country music is due to his grandmother, Verna Rose, who was the best friend of Wanda Jean of "Wanda World"; the two had a huge fight that led to Verna basically being banned from the industry.

Kennedy's book deftly explores the lack of diversity in country music and the homophobia that can run rampant. It also discusses the idea of coming out on your own terms, as while Emmett is out, Luke struggles to reveal to his religious family and conservative friends that he's gay. The two fall fast for each other, but have to navigate the fact that Luke is still closeted. It's a wonderful story about self-acceptance while also still highlighting how hard it can be when teens do not have the acceptance or openness that they crave and need about their sexuality.

The book also has a strong side plot involving Wanda Jean and Verna Rose, explored through Emmett's love of music and Luke's family history. The story includes song lyrics--both Emmett's and Verna's--and has such excellent Dolly Parton vibes. However, even if you don't like country music, you'll still enjoy this book, as it's full of angsty teen romance, fun theme park moments, and a serious exploration of sexuality and identity.

COUNTRY covers so many important issues with grace and sweetness, while still providing humor and romance. This is a well written and heart warming read, filled with cute boys and tender moments. Loved this important read!

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But I'm not being radical when I kiss you: DREAM ON, RAMONA RILEY.

Dream On, Ramona Riley by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was my first read of Pride Month. I love Ashley Herring Blake, but this wasn't my favorite book of hers.

Ramona finds herself stuck in her hometown of Clover Lake after her mom leaves, forcing her to care for her little sister, Olive. Most of her childhood is filled with grown up responsibilities, but she savors one magical teenage kiss with a girl by the lake. Flash forward to the present, where she now knows that girl was Dylan Monroe, famous actress of rock star parents. Dylan is coming to Clover Lake to film a queer romance.

We quickly learn that Dylan is a train wreck who refuses to be held accountable for her own behavior, blaming everything on her tumultuous childhood. Of course, her people decide for her to fake date Ramona to rehab her image. As for Ramona, she knows proximity to Dylan means a potential introduction to her favorite film customer designer-- which has always been her dream job.

I know this will come as a shock to you all, but neither tells the other about their secret.

Also shockingly, fake dating quickly becomes a situation where they have real feelings.

Alas, much of this story is punctuated by sooo much miscommunication or a major lack of communication. Dylan is like a grown child who is unable to deal with real life. Ramona is quite mature, but too afraid to speak up for herself after losing herself to her family for years. I get that miscommunication is a common romance trope, but it felt too much here. The book was less enjoyable and more stressful.

This is also a very spicy story. No problem with that, but sex seems to be used as a substitute for actual connection between the characters. Sex is awesome, but it doesn't equal a healthy relationship, especially here. (Also, those scenes are LONG. I listened to the audiobook for part of this book, and traveled between two towns during one. I think they are about 30 minutes apart!)

It feels like a huge chunk of the book is just sex scenes and various episodes of Dylan "crashing out," as my teens would say. This comes at the expense of character development and a more in-depth explanation of their relationship. One of my favorite scenes in the book is Herring Blake's description of Ramona and Dylan meeting as teens. It reminded me of so many of her wonderful YA novels, where she goes so in-depth into her teen characters. I often wished for more teen Ramona and Dylan, or just more of that old characterization.

The book improves in the last third, as it's a romance, and I'm a sucker for happy endings. There's a bit of character growth (and some much needed communication and growing up). Some points still felt a bit unresolved, though. I was very glad to see some glimpses of Iris from Bright Falls! (Dylan is starring in the movie version of Iris' book.)


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There was a lonely girl from nowhere: I HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL.

I Hope This Finds You Well: A Novel by Natalie Sue
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was really excited to read this, as I spend every day in a "charming" corporate environment, but it wasn't really the funny office comedy advertised.

Jolene has spent years toiling at Supershops, where she feels both misunderstood and left out by her coworkers. She copes by hiding angry messages in white text at the bottom of her sent emails. But when one such message is discovered by her office nemesis, Jolene is sent to mandatory HR training led by the new HR guy, Cliff. As part of the monitoring changes he makes to her computer, she realizes she suddenly has access to all her colleagues' emails and chats. At first she's just appalled at what her coworkers are saying about her, but soon realizes she can use this information as a weapon while upcoming layoffs loom.

Soon, though, Jolene finds herself becoming friendly with Cliff--and even a few of her other coworkers. She starts to realize maybe she has played a part in her ostracism at work. Jolene is a tough nut to crack: and like. And this comes from me, a rather unsociable and shy officer worker at times! She makes a lot of questionable decisions and doesn't always treat people the best.

There's less humor in this story and more bitterness and sometimes, full on, sadness. No one at Supershops likes one another, and there's less office banter and more office showmanship. The plot plods for a while, and you want to shake Jolene for not just coming clean about her discovery. There are several other side stories involving secrecy, which are just stressful, honestly. So is the one involving a young girl who lives in Jolene's apartment building. Positives include some strong Iranian/Persian representation and an attempt to highlight the depths people will go to hide their loneliness and real truths from their coworkers.

This book just felt uneven; it's a story with promise, but be prepared for a rocky journey. The ending helps a lot.


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I know you want to be brave but I don't make it easy: EVERY SWEET THING IS BITTER.

Every Sweet Thing Is Bitter by Samantha Crewson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I feel as if thrillers lately are getting incredibly dark and violent.

At age 17, Providence backs over her mom using the family car, badly injures her, and goes to prison. Very few people know, however, that she meant to run over her abusive, alcoholic father. Providence is now out of prison, but hasn't seen her family in years. Her mother has been reported missing, and Providence returns to help with the search. This means confronting not only her father but her younger sisters, Harmony and Grace, who blame Providence for their mom's descent into addiction.

The trope of bitter daughters returning to their hometowns to deal with family issues seems to pop up a lot. This debut handles it fairly well, though it is very dark and gritty. The theme of abuse is threaded throughout the story, and there are very few sympathetic characters, starting with Providence's utterly hateful father. We see how the small town closes around him, though, even if it's because they are too scared to stand up to him and prevent the horrific abuse he reigns upon his family.

As an ex-con, Providence is wary and unable to trust, with only a tentative friendship with a fellow inmate, Sara, who lives near her hometown. She's lost a chance to know or have her sisters in her life. Many things in the story feel a bit unfinished--a storyline with Sara's brother Daniel; Providence's childhood lesbian relationship with Zoe, now a local politician; and a lead not followed up on.

If you like your protagonists angry and damaged, along with creepy stories rife with drinking, addiction, and evil, this book will be right up your alley. I will say, despite how violent this book is, it's quite poetically written. 3.75 stars.

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

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Where do you go when you're in love and the world knows: THE NEXT CHAPTER.

The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This charming romance brings a delightful Notting Hill energy to the queer bookish world.

Jude, a lovable butch bookseller, is working at The Next Chapter when she unknowingly sells a book to Kat, a former child star turned nearly has-been celebrity. Sparks fly, and the two women begin to orbit each other more closely. For Kat, who’s slowly navigating the complexities of coming out later in life—and in the public eye—Jude seems like the perfect partner to help her take that leap. But for Jude, still reeling from heartbreak and deeply rooted in the bookstore her mother once owned, this relationship is far more than a PR opportunity.

There’s so much to love here, starting with Jude herself. She's thoughtful, endearing, and surrounded by a vibrant cast of quirky, queer friends. She's lost her bookstore-a beacon for queer folks-to a hateful man who wants to whitewash it, and she's struggling. Through it all, her desire to support Kat is honest and selfless.

The story also tackles the nuances of coming out, especially when it happens under the spotlight. Kat’s journey is compelling, though at times frustrating—particularly in how she treats Jude. Her hesitance, while understandable given her past trauma and dependence on her image-conscious agent, sometimes crosses into emotional carelessness. I found myself wishing she’d just talk to Jude more openly!

Despite some of that tension, the chemistry between them sizzles from their very first meeting, and the romance unfolds with both steam and sweetness. The Notting Hill nods—celebrity/“normal person” dynamic, bookstore meet-cute, and other fun Easter eggs—are clever and satisfying.

Ultimately, THE NEXT CHAPTER is a warm, heartfelt read about love, identity, and rediscovering courage. Perfect for fans of celebrity/commoner pairings, queer found families, and stories about learning to believe in yourself again.

I received a copy of this book from Dial Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE NEXT CHAPTER on 06/10/2025!

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And summer faded into fall: FAR AND AWAY.

Far and Away: A Novel by Amy Poeppel
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A house swap between two families on opposite sides of the world—what could go wrong?

When Lucy’s teenage son, Jack, makes a monumental mistake, she sees only one way out: escape. Enter Greta, a German woman whose husband has just accepted a job in Dallas—right where Lucy and her family live. The solution seems perfect: Greta and her family will move into Lucy’s house, while Lucy, Jack, and her twin daughters, Alice and Zoe, take up residence in Greta’s Berlin flat. A fresh start for everyone.

But swapping houses doesn’t mean escaping problems. As Lucy navigates motherhood, a demanding job, and the fallout from Jack’s actions, Greta struggles with leaving behind her beloved flat, sister, and mother. What unfolds is a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious tale about family—the ones we’re born into and the ones we find along the way.

Poeppel’s characters leap off the page, brimming with personality, quirks, and dreams. Lucy and Greta, despite being separated by an ocean, become quickly entangled in each other’s lives. Greta envies Lucy’s spontaneity, while Lucy admires Greta’s discipline—though only sometimes. Meanwhile, Greta and her husband, Otto, are drawn into Lucy’s world thanks to her well-meaning parents, who live in her backyard. Clueless but endearing Otto embraces Texas life with gusto, donning cowboy boots, diving into barbecue culture, and developing a love for Costco, while Greta struggles to find her footing, focusing instead on her complicated relationship with her teenage daughter, Emmi.

Poeppel masterfully weaves these storylines together, blending humor with heartfelt moments. Lucy’s absent husband, Mason, is at a NASA training facility in New Mexico—or, as Greta thinks, possibly in jail. "Mason is on Mars." Regardless, Lucy is left to handle everything on her own. Despite a colorful supporting cast, the novel never feels overcrowded; every character serves a purpose.

Equal parts funny and poignant, FAR AND AWAY will have you laughing one moment and tearing up the next. From hilarious moments (you’ll never hear The Chicks' "Goodbye Earl" the same way again) to the deeply personal struggles of marriage and parenting, Poeppel delivers a rich, emotionally resonant story.

As a longtime fan of Poeppel’s novels, I can confidently say this one continues her tradition of witty, character-driven storytelling. When I reached the final page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And the epilogue? Absolutely perfect.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for FAR AND AWAY on 06/10/2025!!

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Didn't know enough to be scared: WHAT KIND OF PARADISE.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow, this was utterly captivating.

Jane lives in Montana with her father Saul. They've lived in a remote cabin since the death of Jane's mother when Jane was four. Their house is a hour away from the nearest town, powered mainly by solar energy, and Jane is taught solely by her father, who rages against technology and preaches over and over that his daughter must fear "the feds" and other people. Now 17, Jane slowly begins questioning her father and his teachings. When she realizes he's unwittingly drawn her into committing a crime, she runs away and heads to San Francisco, looking for answers about the mother she never knew. It's the mid-90s, the Internet is just starting to come into power, and Jane--sheltered from so much--must decide what choices she'll make for her own survival.

This story was so mesmerizing, weaving a tale of isolation and fear. It was easy to feel how trapped Jane felt and see the power of only one voice in her life. She had so few choices, no other way of life to even dream about, with no access to education (except for the philosophy and anti-technology rants of her father). Still, through Saul, Brown makes excellent points about the control technology has over everyone's lives, including the Internet--it's all very timely for a novel set in the 1990s.

This is a powerful and emotional story, powered by its teenage protagonist. While often naive about the world, Jane is a tough kid and a fascinating person to follow. Her story highlights the importance of education and the stark contrast between parental love and parental control. It's also a relevant story for our technology-focused times.

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

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I was young what did I know: PASSION PROJECT.

Passion Project by London Sperry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not the happy-go-lucky romance that the cover and title seem to indicate.

Bennet loses her college boyfriend to a car accident; shes wracked by guilt and sinks deeply into grief and depression. She leaves college and moves to New York City because it was her boyfriend Sam's dream. But she finds herself just as sad in New York and even more removed from her friends and family. Her roommate pushes her on a date with Henry Adams, but Bennet panics, stands him up, and gets drunk at a restaurant across the street. Of course, she literally runs into Henry later that night, while drunk and crying, and the two start talking. Bennet confesses how reluctant she is to date, and Henry comes up with a plan: the passion project--as just friends, they'll explore New York together, learning about new things and places.

It's a cute concept, especially when they are out exploring and hanging out. Henry and Bennet have cute and witty banter. But a lot of this book is a little gloomy and not so much a romance as a story of finding yourself and recovering from grief. The romance is such a slow burn, especially because so many contrived instances keep pushing Henry and Bennet apart, and they spend most of their time arguing and apart. Bennet is also depressed, yes, but not the best person to her friends, making her harder to like at times.

This is a sweet story but also a serious one at times. It's slow moving with a thoughtful look at grief and moving on.

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