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.

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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.

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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.

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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.



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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.


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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.


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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.

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