My address is your name: THE SWEET SPOT.

 

The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

In New York City, a group of women form unlikely friendships when they are brought together by forces of fate--and a baby. There's Lauren and her children, who just moved into a brownstone gifted by her husband Dan's father. But Lauren quickly makes an enemy in Melinda by hastening her divorce. Melinda's been dumped by Russell for Felicity, who runs a fancy shop that sells Lauren's art. At said shop works Olivia, who is unceremoniously fired after a video of her goes viral. Add in Evelyn, Lauren's uppity mother, who comes to stay for the weekend, but winds up not leaving. These women are on a crash course collision--tempers are running high--and oh yeah, Felicity is pregnant!

This is an incredibly charming book that made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions! I truly loved it--some of these characters are crazy, some are downright lovable, some are silly, but I was completely caught up in their wild and chaotic lives. Lauren and Dan have three children who add to the insanity, and soon we have a visit from Dan's father too. There's an untrained dog, a biting gerbil, and a bar in the basement of the brownstone. But at its core, SPOT is an endearing look at families--both your own and the ones you find and make on your own. It delves into motherhood, marriage, friendship, and love (and, sometimes, hate).

The story can meander a bit, but ultimately it's such a lovely and witty read that I did not care. This is such a sweet and fun book. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE SWEET SPOT on 1/31/2023!!


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I'm stronger than the monster beneath your bed: BEHIND THE SCENES.

Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters
My rating: 4+ of 5 stars

Filmmaker Ash Stewart went through a traumatic experience and a subsequent breakup with her ex that completely derailed her career. Now she's making commercials and is exiled from the film industry and all her former friends, except the loyal Emma. Business consultant Rose Josten has put everything into a job she does not really like just to take care of her sisters after their parents died. Now, thanks to Emma, Rose is helping Ash chase her filmmaking dream by pitching a new project to a famous producer. Rose should be concentrating on making partner at her firm and Ash should be focusing on her film, but the two of them can't help realizing how much they like each other...

I requested this ARC on a whim because I liked the synopsis and oh wow, I'm so glad I did! I love finding a new author, and this book was really good. It was really sweet, very funny, and often sexy. I completely enjoyed watching Rose and Ash fall for each other. Stetz-Waters wrote a story that is very true to the lesbian experience, and Ash and Rose felt like women that I would be friends with. They were easy to like, but also real and flawed. Ash is struggling after her breakup and being pushed out of the industry. She's scared to open up her heart again. Rose, meanwhile, has a lot of anxieties due to her parents' death and the pressure she's felt to care for her sisters. Neither woman felt like a cardboard character, but instead genuine and fully fleshed out. Honestly, I found both Ash and Rose to be badass and sexy! (Also, it's so great to have a lesbian romance with characters in their 30s and 40s.)

The supporting cast in this book is really fun--Rose's sisters are a trip as is Ash's team helping her film. There are places in this book that made me laugh out loud. (Rose's pugs are the best!) Every one supported each other and Ash's movie project, which just made for a feel-good read. There were occasional miscommunications (always my pet peeve) or kept secrets, but they never lasted long--therefore making this the ideal read for me.

Overall, this is an excellent, touching, and funny read. I loved the romance and story. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for BEHIND THE SCENES on 1/31/2023!

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I'd have no home if you left me alone: THAT WEEKEND.

That Weekend by Kara Thomas
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Claire and her friends Kat and Jesse sneak away during prom to Kat's family's lake house for a camping trip. But everything goes wrong when Claire wakes up alone, covered in blood, with no memory of what happened over the weekend. Kat and Jesse are gone, and after a crazy series of events, the police and FBI declare them dead. The weekend plagues Claire and she sets out to figure out what happened to friends, only to realize she's not sure she wants to find the answers.

THAT WEEKEND is a definite page-turner; I flew through it. It starts off very exciting, as you desperately want to determine what happened to Kat and Jesse. Things get a little more convoluted as Claire returns home and starts conducting her own investigation. Soon you start wondering if and why the FBI cannot do what Claire is doing. Claire is also a bit of a listless character... she seems to have little personality beyond wanting to find her friends. There are also a lot of heartless characters, making it really hard to root for anyone here.

This is a fast read and it's interesting, but it lost the thread a bit for me as the story went on. Still enjoyed it overall. 3.5 stars.

Also, this was my first book of my 2023 random # generator shelves challenge, where I've numbered my bookshelves (in a spreadsheet) and used a random google number generator to pick the shelf and then the book!

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How do you count all the stars in the sky: BEGIN AGAIN.

Begin Again by Emma Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andie Rose always needs a plan. And her current one seems flawless. Transfer from her community college to Blue Ridge State to be with her long-time boyfriend Connor, major in psychology, and get her life back on track. But as soon as she arrives at Blue Ridge, a major crack hits: Connor has transferred from Blue Ridge to be with her. Oops. Blue Ridge is tough academically. Andie needs a campus job. And her new roommate Shay needs a major, which Andie is struggling with, despite her reputation as someone who can fix anyone's problems... except maybe her own.

So this is cute and fun, for sure. Not my favorite Emma Lord (that is still TWEET CUTE) but a very good read nonetheless. I spent half the book trying to figure out if Blue Ridge was a stand-in for UVA, so I need some mental health help of my own. Andie certainly came with her own set of issues, but don't we all? Her mom passed away when she was young and then her dad basically bailed, leaving her in the care of two sweet, silly grandmas. Sure, they took care of her, but wouldn't that give you a bit of a complex, too? Blue Ridge is where Andie's parents met and fell in love, so she's dealing with that extra heaping of pressure.

The highlights in this book are the friend groups. I loved AGAIN's message about finding yourself and finding your friend family in college (or anywhere). Shay, Andie's roommate, is great, as is Valeria, another friend. And Andie's R.A., Milo, is wonderful--along with his extended family that seems to lurk at every place in Blue Ridge, including the local bagel shop. Andie and Milo's relationship is a slow burner, but it's a good one, and like a lot of Emma Lord relationships, it's really hard not to get behind it. They are just so darn... perfect. Milo has lost his dad; we know Andie has lost her mom, and the book does a strong job of exploring grief and how losing a parent affects your ability to trust. (We will just ignore the whole side plot with Connor, because frankly, he's not worth our time.)

This one felt a bit repetitive off and on--Andie is obsessed with earning these school ribbons, for example, because her parents did--that are tied to club events at the school and sometimes that all felt too much. For someone who loves to give advice, you wanted to shake her from time to time for her decision-making. There's a broadcasting/radio angle that seemed like it would be too much, but actually turned out to be perfect.

Overall, BEGIN AGAIN is chaotic and probably not one bit reflective of my college experience, but it's sweet and touching and full of charm and humor. There are representative characters and a couple you can root for--sometimes there's not much more you need, right? 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.

I received a copy of this book from Wednesday Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for BEGIN AGAIN on 01/24/2023!!

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Without you, I'd be the kind of lost that's hard to find: 6 TIMES WE ALMOST KISSED.

6 Times We Almost Kissed by Tess Sharpe
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Penny and Tate have always been in each other's lives, thanks to their best friend moms. But Penny's mom, Lottie, checked out once Penny's father died. And Anna, Tate's mom, has battled cancer and is now facing another illness. When Lottie offers Anna part of her liver to help, the girls are thrust together even more, as the families will be moving in together to facilitate everything. The only problem: Penny and Tate seem to nearly kiss when in intense situations. What will happen when they live in the same house?

This is way more than the lighthearted YA love story that the title gives off. It's a gorgeous yet oft-heartbreaking examination of grief, trauma, mental health, healthcare, friendship, parenting, and more. Penny and Tate are real, flawed characters who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and are just trying to survive.

The book is told in a back and forth format--the present day focuses on Anna and Lottie's operations and the aftermath. In the past, we examine all of Penny and Tate's important moments--and near kisses. We see two girls struggling to get by in a rural, small town. There's Penny, who is coping after having lost her beloved father in a terrible way--and then losing her mother to grief as well. And Tate, who has spent most of her life worrying about her sick mom. Both have taken on the burden of caring for their family, the finances, and more. Luckily, they have one strong figure in Penny's gran, Marion, who is a wonderful lady.

Every character in this story flies up from the page, thanks to Sharpe's writing which... there are no words, really. The writing in this book is vivid, stunning, and painful. This is one of the best written books--it's strong and gorgeous with tension and heartbreak searing across every page.

Overall, this is a beautiful story of two girls trying to find their way in the world--and to find love. It's amazing, and I highly recommend it for teens and adults alike. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for 6 TIMES on 1/24/2023!!

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All the years seemed to take up air : THE BLACK KIDS.

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Ashley is a senior in high school grappling with college admissions and the fact that she feels like she's drifting apart from her best friends, whom she's known since she was a little kid. Then four police officers are acquitted in the brutal beating of Rodney King and the riots begin. As one of the few "black kids" at her school, she feels acutely affected by the violence unfolding around her. It forces her to take a step back and truly take in the world around her.

This was an amazing read. It offers an honest and moving examination of racism, friendship, and class. But it's also Ashley's story and how she's trying to find herself, just like any teen. Her parents have worked hard to shield her from the world, but there's only so much protection parents can provide. The way the book covers historic events through the prism of Ashley's eyes is really unique, and honestly, quite educational for me, as I was young when the riots hit and should have spent more time learning about them when I was older.

This is a beautiful story (the writing is gorgeous) and it covers such important topics. I was completely immersed in THE BLACK KIDS. 4.5 stars.

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They say that I'm the kind of man who always speaks his mind: DESERT STAR.

Desert Star by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Harry Bosch and Renee Ballard agreed to go private together, but she backed out on him to take a gig in Robbery Homicide working cold cases. Bosch feels hurt, but when Ballard invites him to join the squad as a volunteer, he reluctantly agrees so he can work his "white whale" case: the Gallagher family, four members who were murdered and dumped in the desert in 2013. Bosch is convinced he knows who did it, but he's never been able to prove it. But first, Bosch and Ballard have to play politics and work on the cold case of Sarah Pearlman, the younger sister of Jake Pearlman, the councilman who helped stand the cold case unit back up.

This is a somber yet excellent entry in the Bosch and Ballard series. We see Ballard dealing with the politics and stress that comes with being the boss of the cold case unit--including handling Bosch, a lone wolf for life. Bosch is in a bad place and also determined to solve the Gallagher case, no matter what. The cold cases Connelly presents are all intricate and detailed (as always) with his usual research and police authenticity.

We are seeing Ballard mature as she attempts to branch out in her career, learning to work with different team members, politicians, and more. We also get to see a bit more of Maddie, Bosch's daughter. As always, Bosch is my favorite, no matter how grumpy or stubborn he may appear, and I'll love him forever. I'll be so lost when his role in Connelly's books ends.

This book certainly was a bit sad in places, but I loved the mysteries and the relationship between Ballard and Bosch. It's a great read, though I suggest at least reading the previous Bosch/Ballard books to understand how they interact (they're so good!). 4.5 stars.

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I wish I would've laid my hands on you: ASTRID PARKER DOESN'T DOESN'T FAIL.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Astrid is afraid of failure thanks to her overbearing mother. Jordan is scared to love again after a devastating loss. When Astrid is hired to redesign Jordan's family inn, Jordan hates the design... but, at the same time, cannot deny her attraction to Astrid. Complicating things is that the entire design is being filmed for TV.

This is an excellent slow-burn romance and the second book in Blake's Bright Falls series! I'll read absolutely anything Ashley Herring Blake writes, and she never lets me down. The friend group in the Bright Fall series is amazing-- funny, smart, queer, honest, and totally refreshing! There are appearances from Delilah and Claire from book #1, and I love how all these women have each other's backs, no matter what! And, of course, the amazing queer representation.

The tension between Jordan and Astrid here is excellent and once the book hits its "burn," there are some fun steamy scenes. But I really loved the banter between Jordan and Astrid, and the way they paid attention to the details in each other's personality and psyche. There's so much beautiful yearning. Plus, the ability to really get to know Jordan and Astrid makes it so easy to root for them.

At its core, this is a book about friendship and family, and there are some touching moments that really resonate. I loved every moment! 4.5 stars.

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Say hello to friends you know: JUST THE NICEST COUPLE.

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lily is a math teacher--exhausted by spending her days teaching math to teenagers. Her husband, Christian, a market analyst, is especially worried about her as she's pregnant again after several miscarriages. One day he comes home to find Lily staring out into the backyard--and she tells him of an encounter at a local forest preserve with the husband of her close friend, Nina, also a teacher. Nina's husband, Jake Hayes, is a surgeon. And now he's missing.

Honestly, this was a strange thriller. It seemed to be told from a weird simplistic writing style that often felt repetitive--yes, we know Lily is pregnant. Yes we know Christian would do anything to protect Lily. Yes Nina's mom is suffering from an illness, etc. It's hard to explain, but I felt like I was reading the same snippets over and over.

Basically, Lily feels she did something, Christian goes all wild trying to protect her, Jake is missing, and Nina freaks out, because they fought before he disappeared. Who is telling the truth--anyone, everyone? Christian irritated me with his impulsive doltish ways, Nina needed to stand up for herself, and even Lily got to me after a while. And Jake seemed to have no redeeming qualities and could stay missing for all I cared. One of the twists was a pretty decent surprise; the other one not so much. An odd read overall. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Park Row in return for an unbiased review. Look for it on 1/10/2023!

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Next year all our troubles will be out of sight: ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS.

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A year ago, Isabelle Drake was asleep when her toddler, Mason, was taken from his crib in the middle of the night and never seen again. Isabelle's life in total shambles--she can barely sleep; she and her husband, Ben, have split up; and she spends her days obsessively going over Mason's case, trying to find any leads. When speaking a true crime convention, she meets a podcaster, Waylon, who shows interest in Mason and his disappearance. But talking to Waylon brings up unsettling memories from Isabelle's own childhood--and stokes her fears that she is responsible for what happened to Mason.

This was a compelling thriller, if not a rather depressing and dark read. It really shines a light on the societal pressure new mothers and women face, including a look at post-partum depression--looking at both Isabelle and going in flashbacks to her own mother. I found it sad and tense to read about her feelings as a new mom, because Willingham really did a great job of capturing the sense of isolation, fear, and failure that new parents can often face. This is not an easy book to read, especially as a parent. As Isabelle's sleep deprivation grows and you are not sure how trustworthy she is an narrator, the book becomes even more stressful.

It's funny; overall, I had an idea of "who did it" fairly early on, but it did not diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. The character of Waylon was a good introduction (the book can slow down a bit when it focuses just on Isabelle), as were the snippets giving us a look at Isabelle's childhood. Overall, a mesmerizing and gripping tale.

I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THINGS on 1/10/2023!

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That's the only love I get: THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Yamilet Flores and her younger brother, Cesar, are headed to a new school--a very white, very wealthy Catholic school. Yami does not look forward to being one of the few Mexican kids at the school, but she'd do anything for her brother, a great student who was being bullied at their last school. Besides, she's glad to leave behind her ex-best friend who outed her and made her life miserable. Her new goals are to keep Cesar out of trouble and to appear straight. But the latter is pretty difficult when Yami meets Bo, the one openly queer girl at her new school. Bo is smart, funny, talented, and really cute. Yami knows her mom will kick her out if she comes out--but she really, really likes Bo.

This is a really powerful and moving story led by Yami's unique voice. It starts out a little slow and seemed like it might get mired in being too melodramatic and YA, but it picks up very quickly.

I loved sweet Yami and Cesar, Bo, and all their friends. My heart went out to Yami and Cesar, struggling as kids of color and Yami working through her sexuality. The book did a really good job of showing how hard it is for teens who do not have a supportive structure at home--and how truly terrifying it can be to be gay or bi without parental support and love. The fear of being kicked out for so many teens is real, as is being bullied and hurt.

GUIDE did a wonderful job being true to Yami and Cesar's culture and showing how isolated they felt at school. There's also a wonderful plot with Bo, who is adopted, and grappling with how her parents are handling her own native culture. I really loved how the book dealt with so many serious topics. At some times, it felt like maybe it had picked too many topics, but it really does a good job overall.

This is a brutal book to read at points. There is a trigger warning for mental health and suicide. GUIDE is not afraid to get into heavy topics, but it also makes a point that these subjects are ones that gay teens are dealing with every single day of their lives.

Overall, this is a really amazing book. I loved Yami, Cesar, and Bo. I wish the story had not wrapped up quite so easily--I'm not sure how realistic that was--but I really loved it nonetheless. 4.5 stars.


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I shout it out to the night: THE BODYGUARD.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiny Hannah Brooks doesn't look like an Executive Protection Agent (or bodyguard), but that's exactly what she is. And she's good at it. Her firm has been assigned to guard superstar actor Jack Stapleton from a recent threat. Jack is well-known, but has been laying low for a couple of years after a loss in the family. His mom is sick now, though, and he's heading home to their Texas ranch. Worried about protecting her, he doesn't want the family knowing about the threat (or the bodyguard). Enter Hannah, who will have to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend while actually keeping him safe. And what would you know? Stuck out there on that ranch, being Jack's girlfriend doesn't seem so bad.

This read is cheesy at times, but truly very charming too. Even I found Jack Stapleton dreamy! His family is completely adorable, especially his sweet mom, and it was hard not to fall for all of them. Hannah is a tough cookie trying to figure out life after a terrible ex (who frankly deserves everything he gets). She has her annoying moments, but you have to love her too.

The female bodyguard angle here is really fun and something different. And, I mean, it's always enjoyable to read about hot actors and the celebrity world, right? You feel like you're being let into a secret space. This one had a little bit of a wild ending, but it was a fun, quick read and exactly what I needed and expected from a romance.

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

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Whisper it's all right in my ear.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emily is struggling to finish her latest book after a prolonged illness and a recent breakup with her husband. Her childhood best friend, Chess, is also an author: well-known for her life brand and self-help books. When Chess offers Emily the chance for the two of them to spend time at an Italian villa, Emily agrees, even if the pair are not as close as they once were. The Villa Aestas was once known as the Villa Rosato and, in the early 1970s, rented by rock star Noel Gordon. Noel invited another musician, Pierce Sheldon, and his girlfriend, Mari, to join him at the Villa--but the summer ended in disaster-with Pierce's murder. It also led to Mari writing a famous horror novel and her stepsister, Lara, composing a famous album.

This was an intriguing one for sure. It's certainly a page-turner, and I flew through it pretty quickly. There are stories within stories within stories with THE VILLA--Emily and Chess in the present day; Mari, Noel, Pierce, and Lara in the 1970s; and then the book Mari is writing while she stays at the Villa as well. There are some journals Mari left behind and Lara's songs. Eventually Emily and Chess start to write about the 70s, too, and whew... Trusting all the stories and narrators here is nearly impossible, but it's what keeps the book moving and interesting.

The twisty Italian setting is fun, with the gothic Villa becoming nearly its own character. I was fascinated by Mari and her life and intrigued somewhat by Emily and Chess (but truly found the 1970s characters to be the stars). No one in the tale exactly comes across as lovable, but they certainly make for a dark and suspenseful read. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE VILLA on 1/03/2023!

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I see what's missing in your eyes: I'M THE GIRL.

I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

At sixteen, Georgia Avis has big dreams, but she's held back by a life of poverty. While walking alongside the road, she discovers the body of thirteen-year-old Ashley James, the daughter of the local sheriff. Georgia is hit by a car during everything, and her memories of the incident are jumbled. But she teams up with Ashley's older sister, Nora, to try to figure out what happened. All trails seem to lead to Aspera, a beautiful resort where Georgia's late mother once worked.

Ugh, I feel terrible as I love Courtney Summers, but this one just didn't work for me. Her writing is as lyrical and gorgeous as ever, but I didn't care for the plot, which dragged and had a lot of issues. I really enjoyed the writing in this book, that there was a queer relationship between Georgia and Nora, and that it featured a mystery to solve. The rest of it... not so much.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Nora and Georgia has no depth. It's thrown at us, but we see no development with them, or really any other characters in the book. I wanted to care about them--and everyone else--but it was hard. Georgia honestly came across as frustrating beyond words. Her decisions made me want to scream. Aspera--this strange, fancy resort--and its owners--loom over Georgia's life. She's obsessed with it, but we are never sure why, and her focus on working there is borderline insanity. So many of the problems in this book could have been avoided if everyone would have just been honest with each other from the beginning (including Georgia's family)--this is a huge pet peeve of mine in literature.

GIRL bills itself as a cautionary story about the power of the wealthy and the power males hold over women, but it adds nothing new. If it's focused on sexism and patriarchy, Georgia does not seem to want to fight those things--if anything, she lets things happen to her and spends a lot of time caring what the men around her think of her. Again-this just adds to the confusing angle of Georgia and Nora's relationship.

Overall, I had a hard time caring about any of the characters or the story here. It was confusing, seemed full of plot holes, and then, after everything, gave us a vague ending. So frustrating. 2 stars for me, but many others liked it more.

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



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