One day I'll return to dust: TOO OLD FOR THIS.

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elderly Lottie James lives alone, far away from her son and grandchildren. No one knows that years ago she changed her name, moving away from those who knew her, to distance herself from a life of crime. Now the highlights of her week are Thursday bingo nights at church.

But when journalist Plum Jones shows up at Lottie's door, she threatens to upend Lottie's quiet life. It's hard enough to commit murder when you're young, but when you're old... still Lottie sure doesn't want anything--or anyone--getting in the way of her new life.

This book is everywhere right now, but seems justifiably so. It's dark but wryly humorous. Lottie is a nuanced, flawed (!), but oddly endearing character, and the skill of this book is how easily it makes its reader empathize and root for a murderer. This is a suspenseful page-turner and fascinating character study.

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It's just a case of heart over mind: BATTLE OF THE BOOKSTORES.

Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a cute story, though it takes a while to really ramp up.

Ryan and Josie are both booksellers on the same block. They've never really interacted until their boss decides to combine their stores and eliminate one of their managerial positions: only the manager whose store makes the most profit over the summer will survive. This instantly turns the two into rivals, putting easygoing Ryan up against uptight Josie.

Josie turns to an online bookseller forum for solace and comfort -- with no idea that the person she's pouring her heart out to is, in fact, Ryan. (This is a very cute You've Got Mail touch.)

Ryan sells romance, managing a team of quirky characters while Josie peddles literary fiction and prefers to fly solo, with only a little help from her younger sister. Both have childhood issues that affect their outlook on life. At first, the story is a bit frustrating as they just seem to yell at each other, but once we get to know them both more, it takes more shape and complexity.

The book plays with romance tropes, especially since Ryan deals with them every day. It sometimes tries a little too hard to be funny, but often succeeds. This is a book for book lovers, for sure. 3.5 stars.

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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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A heart from a world of hurt: A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE.

A Little Ray of Sunshine by Kristan Higgins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Don’t be fooled by the bright cover and breezy title—this novel is anything but light and fluffy.

The story centers on Harlow, who became pregnant during her freshman year of college and, after much soul-searching, gave the baby up for adoption—telling no one but her best friend, Rosie. Fast forward eighteen years, and that child, Matthew, unexpectedly walks into the Cape Cod bookstore Harlow now runs. Surprise! Turns out Matthew orchestrated his family's summer vacation to the Cape without his parents—or Harlow—knowing.

The premise is compelling and kicks off with a lot of promise. But as the story unfolds, it starts to lose focus. With a sprawling cast and multiple intertwining plotlines, it becomes difficult to keep track of everyone. I found myself wishing the narrative had streamlined a few of the subplots and honed in on the most emotionally resonant ones.

Despite the setup, this isn’t a romance either. Harlow’s former prom date, Grady, is back in town with his young daughter, and while their history hints at potential sparks, their actual interaction is disappointingly minimal. Instead, much of the story is devoted to the emotional aftermath of Harlow's decision to place Matthew for adoption—and his unexpected reappearance in her life. That focus is understandable and important, but the constant internal monologues and repeated reflections start to feel repetitive rather than insightful.

Several side plots also strain believability, particularly one involving Harlow’s “cousin” Cindy, who co-owns the bookstore. Her storyline veers into the absurd. Meanwhile, Rosie returns to support Harlow, adding yet more drama to an already crowded narrative. On top of all that, there’s the challenge of Matthew integrating into Harlow’s large, opinionated family—an emotional process that’s handled with varying degrees of depth.

A particular frustration: Harlow’s married lesbian sister and her wife are portrayed in a surprisingly negative light. They’re often mocked or dismissed by Harlow and others for being wealthy or for their parenting style. It’s frustrating to see queer characters reduced to stereotypes or used as easy targets for criticism. If you're going to include LGBTQ+ characters, give them the nuance and respect they deserve.

That said, the book has its bright spots. Harlow’s Grandpop is a charming standout—quirky, kind, and full of heart. And at its core, this is a deeply emotional story about family, forgiveness, and identity. While the plot can feel overly complicated and stretched thin at times, the emotional truths the characters grapple with are undeniably powerful.

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Because time and love remember: JANE & EDWARD.

Jane & Edward by Melodie Edwards
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! As a devoted fan of Jane Eyre, I was eager to see how a modern reimagining would unfold—and Jane & Edward did not disappoint.

While the novel follows the essence of the classic story, it doesn’t rigidly adhere to it, which works beautifully. Our Jane is a resilient foster kid scraping by as a waitress while attending night school, determined to build a better future as a legal assistant. When she lands a coveted job at a prestigious Toronto law firm, she quickly discovers that her new boss is none other than Edward Rosen—the formidable, notoriously feared partner of the firm. But unlike everyone else, Jane isn’t intimidated. She’s faced far worse in life, and Edward, for all his gruffness, seems intrigued by her unwavering spirit. Naturally, secrets lurk in the background, threatening to keep them apart.

The novel cleverly weaves in nods to the original—there’s an "attic" of sorts (the upper floors of the building), an Adele (a fellow assistant who befriends Jane), and other subtle parallels. But where Jane & Edward truly shines is in the undeniable chemistry between its leads. Their dynamic crackles with tension—sharp banter, smoldering glances, and electric moments that leap off the page. Jane remains as independent and strong-willed as ever, carving her own path despite the challenges she faces. Meanwhile, Edward is every bit the brooding, complex figure we love, harboring secrets and depths that make him utterly captivating.

I was completely hooked by the fiery connection between Jane and Edward, but what I loved most was Jane’s unshakable strength and resilience. If you’re a Jane Eyre fan, you’ll absolutely adore this take—but even if you’re simply looking for a compelling romance, this is a must-read. 4.5 stars!

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Most of the summer feels like fall: THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Lucy's roommate and closest friend, Bridget, has talked up Prince Edward Island for years. She invites Lucy to visit; when she arrives, she meets a handsome local, Felix, and they spend a magical evening together. Until Bridget gets there and Lucy realizes that Felix is actually Bridget's brother, "Wolf,"--the one person she promised Bridget she'd never get involved with.

Lucy visits the island with Bridget every year, but no matter how much she studiously avoids Felix, they are always drawn together. When Bridget summons Lucy to the island a week before her wedding--an uncharacteristic move for Bridget--Lucy goes, despite how busy she is with work. But Bridget won't reveal why she's dragged Lucy out there, and Felix has no idea either.

The romance part of this book: excellent! Lucy and Felix's forbidden romance was tantalizing, with a smoldering chemistry between the two. Bridget and Lucy's friendship: frustrating! Bridget's unwillingness to say why she brought out Lucy, who is stressed beyond belief with work, was not cute or funny but incredibly irritating!

Communication was the name of the game, here. Bridget, just tell your friend the truth. Lucy, just tell Bridget that you love her brother. So much time spent worrying about what each other would think. In many ways, SUMMER is a story of friendship just as much as it is of romance, but these friendships are not always healthy, as much as Bridget and Lucy care for one another.

The story is told in a back and forth format, with present-day Lucy dealing with Bridget's crisis and her own work stresses, and then the past, recalling all her times on the island, especially with Felix. We see how their relationship has grown, even in secret, and Lucy's own personal development. Prince Edward Island sits as a beautiful backdrop, providing a gorgeous setting for Lucy and Felix.

Overall, I found the island setting charming and really enjoyed Lucy and Felix; some of the other plotlines were frustrating, but this was still a fun read. 3.5 stars.

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Oh it's a hard time trusting fate: FUNNY STORY.

Funny Story by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As Emily Henry stories go, this one captured my attention with its small but enjoyable cast and surprising romance. Daphne's life is rocked when her finance, Peter, breaks up with her right before the wedding. Even worse, he leaves her for his longtime best friend (and his best "man"), Petra. With no place to live, Daphne winds up rooming with Miles, Petra's own jilted ex.

As couples go, Daphne and Miles are just cute. She's dealing with a difficult absent father situation along with the breakup. Miles has his own family baggage, but he hides it better, behind a charming, happy go lucky exterior. Daphne is the quintessential librarian--a homebody who loves her books and her job, especially reading to kids and finding ways to connect them to books. Miles appears to be a wayward guy, but Daphne quickly realizes he has a vast network of connections and friends across their small Michigan town. Daphne just wants to get out of said town--it reminds her of nothing but Peter--but Miles asks to show her around for the summer. This works out well, since Daphne accidentally blurts out that she and Miles are dating to get everyone off their back.

The two aren't exactly fake dating, but they aren't exactly not, either. What follows is a delightful and engaging story that explores the Michigan setting, introduces us to our cast of fun and quirky characters, and sees the chemistry between Miles and Daphne quickly ratchet up. The two seem well-suited for one another and the librarian/books angle is fun.

This is a cute story--nothing crazy--but I enjoyed the cast and Miles and Daphne's relationship and journey of self-growth.

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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.

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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.


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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.


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But your want-me-back eyes, get-me-back smile: HAPPY PLACE.

Happy Place by Emily Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harriet is headed back to her favorite place in the world, a Maine cottage belonging to her college friend Sabrina. She's spent over a decade returning to this beloved place with her college pals. But now she's back at the cottage with her fiance, Wyn. Sounds great, right? The only problem... Wyn and Harriet broke up six months ago--and haven't told their best friends yet.

I have loved many Emily Henry books and while I liked pieces of this one, it was not my favorite. Sacrilege, I know! I did not care for present-day Wyn or Harriet much at all. Honestly I did not like most of the characters. It seemed like Henry dropped in our token lesbians, Cleo and Kimmie, who were the only sane ones. How did these people last so long as friends? All they did was drink, fight, and not communicate with one another. Basically all the issues in the book could have been avoided if they just talked! And Harriet--all she did was whine, whine, whine. I wanted to shake some sense into her.

Our story is told in present-day sections and then flips to the past, as Harriet and Wyn meet and fall in love. I enjoyed those pieces and always felt annoyed when we came back to the bickering present. Sure, there were sexy moments and the lingering wanting between Harriet and Wyn was beautifully tense at times, but mostly they were frustrating.

I wanted Kimmie and Cleo to leave the rest of these folks in the dust and head back to their lovely farm. Still, there were sections of the book I liked, so 2.5 stars, rounded to 3 here.


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Make me remember who I am: THE INVISIBLE HUSBAND OF FRICK ISLAND.

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anders has big dreams of being a famous journalist. Instead, he's tasked to cover a boring Cake Walk in the tiny town of Frick Island, which has only 91 residents. While visiting, he starts to think there is more to Frick Island than meets the eye, as the little island--so resistant to change--will soon be lost to climate change. Drawn to Frick Island, Anders returns over and over, especially captivated by one resident, Piper Parrish. He soon learns that Piper lost her husband Tom in a boat accident. Devastated by the loss, Piper continues to act as if Tom is still with her, talking to him and eating lunch with him at the local diner. Even more wild? The whole town is pretending he is still alive to placate her. Fascinated by the situation, Anders starts a podcast about Frick Island and Piper, but cannot seem to tell Piper or the town as it gains a life of its own.

INVISIBLE was quite hyped around the book community. It was a bit slow to warm up, but was good once it did. I never fully liked Piper, but adored sweet awkward Anders. Still, I found myself frustrated that he would not come clean about Piper being the subject of his podcast. (The island, conveniently, does not receive reliable Internet for most of the novel.)

Oakley's writing is lovely and the characters of this little island pop before your eyes. The cast is full of charming and quirky folks. Still, this is a story of grief and it's often quite sad. The end result is a thoughtful and beautiful tale.




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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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Yours was the kiss that counted: BOOK LOVERS.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Nora Stephens is a cutthroat literary agent who reluctantly agrees to spend the summer in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina at the request of her adored little sister, Libby. Libby has this dream that Nora will have some sort of rom-com small town transformation in Sunshine Falls, but the main male Nora keeps running into is Charlie Lastra. Unfortunately she already knows Charlie from New York and they've met, repeatedly. None of those meetings have been cute or romantic. But as the two keep running into each other over and over, they start wondering if maybe they don't hate each other after all.

I needed this book after reading a few disappointing books by some favorite authors. This was just what I craved: witty banter and a romance I could believe in. A really simple way of saying it: this book is really good. It plays on writing and literary tropes so well. With both Charlie and Nora being in the publishing business, this is truly a book for book lovers. (Imagine that?) It's filled with hilarious banter that made me laugh constantly - the sexiness between Charlie and Nora is amazing.

But this is also a sweet book in a lovely small town setting. There are so many good side characters and quirky small town folks. Nora's desire to take care of her sister was almost too much for me at times (she's a grown woman!), but I understand why she was so protective of her.

Overall, this is a gorgeous, sexy, sweet romance! 4.5 stars.

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

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You're the only thing that I'm chained to: THE ROAD TRIP.

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Addie and her sister Deb are headed to the north of Scotland for their friend Cherry's wedding. They get an early start, but it does nothing to prevent them from getting into an accident on the highway when a car hits the back of theirs. Even worse, the driver turns out to be Addie's ex, Dylan, who is headed to the same wedding. With the car carrying Dylan and his best friend Marcus totaled, Addie feels obligated to offer them a ride--and soon Deb's Mini is packed with Dylan, the acerbic Marcus, Addie, Deb, and Rodney, a tag-along they gathered from Cherry's Wedding Facebook group. Now Dylan and Addie are literally forced together to confront their failed relationship... with an audience.

I loved Beth O'Leary's other two books, but this one was not for me. I did not care for any of the characters, beyond maybe Deb, and while this is supposed to be a romance between Addie and Dylan, it often felt like a serious exploration into Dylan and Marcus' friendship. The problem is that Marcus is pretty awful--a spoiled rich drunk who constantly interferes in Dylan's life and while we are sometimes given some excuses for him, they all fall flat. Dylan is also wealthy, and the "rich boys partying away their life" got boring quick.

The book is told in alternating chapters and alternating points of view--Dylan and Addie's. We get the present day road trip and then flashbacks to Dylan and Addie meeting and their relationship progressing. I did not care for the flashbacks and had no interest in their relationship and felt no investment in rooting for these two. The present day is supposed to be filled with crazy road trip hijinks, but they often felt forced instead of funny. My favorite parts certainly involved Deb and a trucker she meets named Kevin.

This story improves a bit near the end, even though it offers some serious and emotional moments, but by then it was too late. I did not care if Dylan and Addie got back together, because I never liked them as a couple in the first place. I did not care if Marcus redeemed himself, because he had been so awful all along.

I will certainly read Beth O'Leary's next book, because I've all truly enjoyed the others, but this one was a miss. 2.5 stars.

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Oh, you're my holy place: PLAYING THE PALACE.

Playing the Palace by Paul Rudnick
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Funny and sweet romantic comedy

Carter Ogden fantasized about the Prince of England growing up--who didn't? Openly gay Prince Edgar is handsome and easy to adore. When Carter meets Edgar through a work event, sparks fly. Before he knows it, it seems like the two are dating. But their relationship receives intense media scrutiny--and the disapproval of the Queen of England. Can they find a happily ever after when it seems like everything--and everyone--are against them?

"He was destined to become the king of England, and I was a nice Jewish boy from New Jersey; we both knew what we were supposed to be doing, but we were fighting it. When it came to emotional stability, neither of us had a prayer."

This is a cute and funny story overall. We have Carter, who is reeling from a breakup and does not feel worthy of love and then Edgar, who is scared to trust. It's not easy to be in a relationship when you're the Prince of England. As Edgar states, he's "a symbol and an institution." The two meet at the United Nations and there's definitely some insta-chemistry, but they are also pretty sweet together. You can't help but root for this pair.

"Because ever since I can remember, there's been only one unthinkable sin, and that was disgracing my family and my country, in any way. I was being held to a different standard, which I agreed with. I had one job: to represent the royal household and to make England proud, and I was a calamity."

The book is a little ping pong-ish in its highs and lows. Everything is good... and then it's not. Rinse and repeat. At times, it seems a little insane that Edgar and his family cannot trust Carter, yet you can understand how utterly crazy and invasive the British media is--we see it all the time. I would have liked to see the two communicate a bit more, but new relationships are hard.

The cast of characters in PALACE are wonderful--completely engaging. Carter's family and friends are adorable, especially his sister and aunt Miriam. They make you laugh and cry. There's an excellent vomiting scene with poor Carter that will have you cringing and chuckling. Parts of this story are just plain hilarious. But it's also serious in its look at finding love after loss, insight into homophobia, and seeking acceptance for yourself and your partner, no matter what kind of relationship you may be in.

Overall, this is a fast and fluffy romantic read that also offers a good take on acceptance. 3.5 stars.

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From someone with a strong heart: ARE WE THERE YET.

Are We There Yet? by Kathleen West
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

A heartfelt look at parenting and growing up

Alice Sullivan is an interior designer and mom whose nearly perfect life goes off the rails when her son Teddy gets in trouble bullying at school. The same day she learns her daughter Adrian is having trouble keeping up in second grade. Soon Alice learns Teddy is caught up in a social media battle with another kid and she's rapidly being subjected to the judgement of the other moms. This includes her good friend, Meredith, whose daughter Sadie may be more involved than Meredith realizes. Then, Alice finds herself reeling further when her mom, Evelyn, reveals a long-held secret. Alice needs to stop caring what other people think--and starting focusing on her family. Fast.

This book was one of those happy surprises, where it was even better than I expected. It was real and captivating, highlighting how difficult it is to be both a parent and kid in the digital age. The story is expertly told from a variety of perspectives--Alice, Meredith, Teddy, Evelyn, and Sadie.

West does such a great job of portraying the interconnected people, both kids and parents, in her tale. All are mostly trying their best but often failing while some are judging others. Yet it seems like their world falls apart anyway. Everyone's story was told in such a unique voice, and I could not help but feel so sorry for these kids trying to survive in a digital age, and their parents attempting to maintain some type of control.

Overall, this is excellent book--very timely, realistic, and both heartbreaking and hopeful. 4.25 stars.

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BLOG TOUR!! And once in a while, you feel close enough to touch: PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So excited to be part of the Blog Tour for this wonderful intense and emotional romance!!

Poppy has her dream job, working at one of the top travel magazines. She has a nice apartment and a good friend in New York. But she's not happy. She knows clearly when she last was: two years ago, on a trip with Alex Nilsen. Poppy and Alex have been best friends since college. This despite the fact that they are very different and spend most of the year apart. She works in New York City. He teaches in their small hometown. But every summer, they reunite for one amazing week-long vacation. Until two years ago, when they ruined everything and stopped speaking. Poppy knows she needs to get back to that happiness she shared with Alex. So she plans one more trip. She has one week to repair her friendship with Alex and to make everything right. No big deal, right?

"On vacation, you can be anyone you want. Like a good book or an incredible outfit, being on vacation transports you into another version of yourself."

Like most people, I adored Emily Henry's book BEACH READ and was quite excited to read PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION. She's back with another unique romance. I'm not sure I enjoyed this one quite as much as BEACH READ, but I still loved it. This book is intense and emotional yet hilarious at times. A section on Poppy helping Alex rework his Tinder profile had me actually laughing out loud.

"I know right away when when I was last truly happy. Two years ago, in Croatia, with Alex Nilsen. But there's no finding my way back to that, because we haven't spoken since."

VACATION has a small cast of characters, which means the spotlight is focused on Alex and Poppy throughout. It's incredibly easy to get swept up in their story. I flew through this book in a day (on vacation, ironically). It goes back and forth in time, with some chapters revolving around "this summer," which tells us about Poppy's trip and her attempt to save her friendship with Alex. Past chapters look at other summers and their other trips. We know something happened on their Croatia vacation, but don't find out until we get to that chapter. That melodrama was a bit much for the actual "big" reveal, but that was my only major issue with the book.

This is a slow burn, with Poppy and Alex's story unfurling in bits and pieces, thanks to the back-in time-format. However, it was incredibly effortless to become lost in the plot and become part of this book. Henry is an amazing storyteller, and I felt like I was a piece of Alex and Poppy's journey and their trips. I was invested in their friendship from the start. Henry's romances are different, but the lust, passion, and intensity just ooze from the pages nonetheless.

Overall, this is a different and intense story. Our main characters are complete opposites, and it's fun being a part of their journey. 4 stars.

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

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Like a whisper inside me each and every day: THE ROOMMATE.

The Roommate by Rosie Danan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun, sexy romance

Clara Wheaton comes from a wealthy family--the well-to-do Wheatons are infamous for many things, but socialite Clara has made a life around pleasing her parents and doing everything just right. But she's breaking out of the mold for the first time: heading across the country to move in (as a roommate) with her longtime childhood crush, Everett. But when Everett picks Clara up at the airport, he breaks the news that he's leaving to tour with his band, and she'll be living with a stranger, Josh. Josh seems friendly enough, but uppity Clara has no intentions of sharing a place with someone she doesn't know. When she researches him on the Internet, she makes a startling discovery about his profession. Clara realizes any association with Josh may turn her into another Wheaton scandal. But the more she gets to know him, she realizes Josh is more than his job. And he has a lot to say about women and sexuality and the power of women deserving better sex.

"Somewhere in her bloodline, a Wheaton had crossed Fate, cursing his descendants to pay the price. That was the only explanation for why, the one and only time Clara had taken a leap of faith, she'd landed with a spectacular belly flop."

THE ROOMMATE was one of those books that seemed to be everywhere for a while. I think if it hadn't been quite so hyped, I would have enjoyed it more. I liked it, but did not love it. Josh and Clara are a good couple, but didn't have that irresistible chemistry and witty banter that takes a romance to the next level.

Clara was too worried about the impression she made on everyone--Josh, her family, strangers, etc. I get that she came from a well-known family, but the fact that she dodged her mom's phone calls for weeks because she was too afraid to tell her she wasn't living with Everett was a bit much. But I could relate to a lot of Clara, and I appreciated her growth process. Josh was an interesting character and certainly not typical of what you see in a lot of romances. Neither seemed fully developed to me, though, and perhaps that's why it was hard to fully root for them.

Still, this is a cute and sexy book. It's a fast read and I enjoyed its push for female sexual empowerment. I'll definitely pick up the next book in the series. 3 stars.

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Don't be afraid of the fire: THE WEDDING PARTY.

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A hate to love romance that's heavy on the hate

Maddie and Theo are both close with Alexa. Maddie's her best friend and Theo is her best work bud. But they hate each other, ever since a terrible interaction that left them both offended. But when the two meet again at Theo's birthday party, they somehow wind up kissing and feel an undeniable spark. And with Alexa getting married--and Maddie and Theo the two main members of her bridal party--they are stuck together for awhile. So they agree to hook up (and hook up only) for the duration of the wedding preparations. No falling in love allowed. Right?

So this was a cute and fun entry in the series, per usual, but I did not care for Maddie and Theo as much as some of the other couples. There was not as strong as a supporting cast, either, though Alexa had some good moments. I think I cared for Maddie and Theo as individuals, ironically, but together, they just didn't get me as romantically invested. For one thing, Maddie and Theo were mean to each other! Really mean. This was haters to lovers with a lot of hate, like cringe-worthy hate, at times, and I didn't find that funny or sexy. So between the copious amounts of mean, plus secret romance hidden from your *best friend*--I was a little tense. I needed more happy go lucky romance!

Overall, this was a light and fluffy romance, but I had a hard time always rooting for the couple, and sometimes Maddie and Theo just didn't seem right for each other. I was mostly smiling by the end, but I didn't always enjoy the ride. 3 stars.

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