You don't even know who I am: THE PERFECT HOSTS.

The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want a wild ride of a thriller, THE PERFECT HOSTS fits the bill.

It starts off with an explosion at an over-the-top gender reveal and just keeps going.

Madeline and Wes Drake run Lone Tree Ranch. Their gender reveal party goes terribly wrong, resulting in the death of a close friend.

Agent Jamie Saldano is sent to the tiny town of Nightjar to investigate--but Jamie has his own mysterious ties to Nightjar. Add in a couple of surprise visitors to Lone Tree Ranch, and you have the perfect recipe for a crazy mystery.

Go in blind to this one -- sure, it's a little preposterous at times, but it's also twisty, maniacal, and fun!

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

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Know the things we need to say: FRIENDS TO LOVERS.

Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This story just felt so long and slow. Joni and Ren have been friends since childhood. When Joni moves from Washington to New York for work, the two agree that they will be each other's "plus ones" for weddings. It all goes great, until something happens at one wedding, and the two don't speak for nearly 2.5 years.

Now it's the wedding of Joni's sister, Stevie, and so Joni and Ren are forced together at their parents' shared beach house.

The book alternates between Stevie's wedding preparations and the various weddings Ren and Joni attend over the years, building up to whatever happened to cause the two to stop talking. It is a lot of fuss and drama about nothing. These two are the best of friends, talking constantly, until they aren't, and you just want them to freaking communicate.

Also, Joni seems completely clueless that she and Ren do not have a normal friendship--they speak constantly, gaze into each other's eyes, and their lives are basically entwined. You sort of want to shake her when she's surprised to "suddenly" care for Ren.

Joni and Ren share some moments of chemistry, though often their friendship is the best part. This is an emotional story, often overwrought, with a big emphasis on LOVE. The families are far too involved and are often irritating. This is a cute story, but nothing memorable.

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

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I've been a jaded lady when it comes to love: LOVE AND OTHER HOLLYWOOD ENDINGS.

Love and Other Hollywood Endings by Susannah Erwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a fairly straightforward second chance romance.

We have Sutton and Xavier -- Sutton was a student in Xavier's film class and sparks fly (after her graduation). However, after a night together, she never hears from him again. Now she's an exec for Monument Films and is sent to Arizona to shut down filming on an up-and-coming director's set: Xavier's.

Xavier and his crew manage to convince her to resume production, but Sutton will need to remain on set to oversee filming. Cue sparks flying again. Sutton and Xavier agree to an on-set romance, but, shockingly things get complicated fast.

This is a fairly standard romance. There is lots and lots of film discussion--if you're into movie and shop talk, that will appeal to you. Sutton and Xavier have decent chemistry and banter, but nothing amazing. The book does resolve their decades old misunderstanding fairly quickly, which is a plus (I hate when those things drag on).

The plot relies heavily on Xavier not wanting to open himself or his nephew, of whom he has custody, up to being left or hurt, and on Sutton wanting to impress her parents by getting a promotion. This focus gets overdone after a while--just say what you feel people and forge your own path!

This is a fun, film-focused story but not necessarily a memorable one.

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

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The kind of man it feels good to be around: WHAT WE FIND.

What We Find by Robyn Carr
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I picked this up off my shelves as part of a "read my shelves" project, but didn't find it too enthralling. Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan flees to Colorado and her father's camp/general store after a series of traumatic events and lawsuits upend her personal and professional life. Once there, there's more upheaval, and she finds herself caring for her older father, Sully, who's been running the campsite for years. She meets Cal, who is staying at the camp, and waiting until the weather warms to hike the trails. The two grow close as they help Sully take care of things.

There's nothing wrong with WHAT WE FIND, it's just that nothing really happens. Maggie cares for her father and meets Cal. Repeat. There's no real depth to either Maggie or Cal, making it hard to get attached to either one. Maggie is supposedly facing bankruptcy thanks to issues with malpractice lawsuits and trouble with her medical partners, yet she can escape for months and continue to keep her home in Denver. The middle of the story is bogged down by a tangent related to Maggie's lawsuit.

The scenic descriptions in this one are good, and I enjoyed Maggie's gruff but kind father, but overall, this bland story wasn't a real winner for me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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I don't care who you might want me to be: IT'S ONE OF US.

It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know that I can always count on J.T. Ellison for a suspenseful tale! IT'S ONE OF US did not disappoint. Olivia Bender's life is ruled by fertility treatments. She and her husband, Park, have gone through multiple rounds of IUI/IVF, but even when Olivia gets pregnant, she cannot seem to keep the babies. She feels like a complete failure and is convinced she's letting Park down by depriving him of what he wants most. Then the police show up at their door with some shocking news: DNA in a murder investigation has been traced back to Park... well, Park's son. Ummm, what? Reluctantly, Park reveals he donated sperm years ago. We soon learn that the clinic was lax in its policies, and no one is exactly sure how many children Park has. Olivia feels betrayed and devastated--and as the secrets continue to be revealed, they must face that fact that one of Park's "children" is out there doing unspeakable things.

Oh boy, this is a juicy one! First, you have to go in and read IT'S ONE OF US with a little bit of a suspension of disbelief, or at least, willingness to go on a wild ride. Not to say the things that happen, couldn't, it's just that, wow, things get a bit crazy!

That's not to say that this book doesn't have some real moments. It does. Because J.T. Ellison writes about infertility and miscarriage (and here's pointing out a big trigger warning for both of those elements) with amazing honesty. She shows the toll it takes on Olivia and how hard it can be on a marriage. You need to read her author's note to understand how she write about this so realistically (and then want to send her about a million hugs like I did). As someone who spent nearly five years trying to have children, this book hit me hard in the feels. Olivia made some crazy choices, but wow, her thoughts about trying to be a mom, how hard it was to see others as parents, and oh my goodness, her insight into losing her babies--that was all so well-done and real. Amazing writing, truly, and it all really added to and fit into the story.

US also delves into sperm donors and how everything can go awry, which is sometimes a touchy subject for me. I am never a huge fan when authors take this route, as it really makes the general public seem to think this is the case for all kids who come into the world this way. However, the scenario in this book is so insane and over-the-top that hopefully people will read it like that.

As for the characters other than Olivia... oh boy! Park is a piece of work, folks. The murder case being investigated is a local woman, who drowned. Park just happens to have a history of being around missing or drowned women. He seems to be a compulsive liar! (But is he a murderer??!!) He has a twin (fraternal) brother whose presence adds a whole bunch of a drama. (There's so much drama here--but in a good way!)

Luckily we hear from other characters too, but I won't go into much detail as I don't want to give away any spoilers. But all the POVs are interesting and give a broad range of insight into what is going down. Because oh yeah, it's going down! There is a tangled web being woven here, folks. Get ready.

Overall, this is a dark and twisty thriller that offers all sorts of insight into family and biological ties, as well as marriage, motherhood, and infertility. It gets a little wild at the end, but it's a fun ride. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing/MIRA in return for an unbiased review. Look for US on 2/21/2023!

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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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What makes me think I could start clean slated: THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT.

The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex becomes a popular influencer by posting inspirational messages and photos of her twin daughters and husband. At first, it's just for fun, but soon, as her followers grow, it becomes a full-time job. She hires a personal assistant, AC, to help her manage the posts and everything that comes with maintaining a social media presence. When Alex hits a coveted follower count, she's thrilled, but things change overnight when she posts something controversial and her followers turn against her fast. She needs AC's help, but she's nowhere to be found. Alex isn't even sure she made the post and the more she digs into things, she can't help but wonder who AC is and if she's responsible for Alex's crumbling life.

This is an exciting, page-turner of a tale. Will it stick with me forever? Probably not. But it's captivating while reading thanks to its format, which is told from Alex, AC, and Alex's husbands POVs. The whole story keeps you on your toes--talk about the dangers of social media! We see how Alex is on top of the world one day and the subject of complete scorn the next. Her followers turn against her, sweeping her teenage daughters and husband up in their hatred. A body turns up and things get interesting quickly!

I loved the then & now format, with the snippets from Alex, AC, and Patrick, Alex's husband. The book has great insight into the power of social media and family. The ending was a little wild, but I enjoyed being kept guessing!

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

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I didn't know it was a devil town: THE WRONG VICTIM.

The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

On the small San Juan Islands, a bomb explodes on an evening charter cruise, killing everyone on board. This includes Neil, the boat's pilot and a former FBI agent, and Vince Jefferies, the wealthy older husband of Madelyn Jefferies, who bows out of the cruise at the last minute when she realizes an old acquaintance is on board. The cruise is run by the West End Charter company, who is disliked by a group of activists and environmentalists who blame them for leaking fuel into the local waters and doing other things to threaten the islands. Was it one of these groups who bombed the cruise? A disgruntled convict Neil put away in his former life as an agent? Vince's children who resented his marriage to the younger Madelyn? Special agent Matt Costa and detective Kara Quinn and the rest of the Mobile Response Team have their work cut out for them determining the motive--before another bomb can explode on the small island.

This was an intriguing story, but wow, was it long with a lot of names and characters to keep track of! It seemed every chapter included more names and intricacies to follow. When I requested this book, I did not realize it was part of a series. The mystery stands alone, but there were definitely team dynamics between Matt, Kara, and the rest of the group that I felt I was missing. Because of these, the team fought a lot. This in-fighting also got old quickly, and I would have preferred more focus on the cases at hand.

The actual plot here--a bombing that seems to be tied to a series of cold case murders--kept my interest. It was somewhat easy to figure out a part of it fairly quickly, but there were parts that kept me guessing. I think VICTIM would have benefited from being shortened a bit (cut that fighting!). There is a lot of small town drama; some of it is appropriate, but some seems too much.

Overall, this is an interesting story filled with character dynamics and a bit of drama. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 here. I would be intrigued enough to read the next book in the series.

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

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BLOG TOUR: FOOL ME ONCE by Ashley Winstead.

Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lee Stone works as director of communications at Lise Motors, the first female-led electric vehicle company. She idolizes its founder and has big dreams for electric vehicles in her home state of Texas. She's known to her friends as "Stoner," thanks to her partying ways and her inability to commit. Thanks to her father cheating on her mother while Lee was in high school--and a string of bad relationships since--Lee's mantra is not to trust men and never get serious. The one time she felt she truly liked someone, Ben Laderman in grad school, she was convinced he was cheating and so cheated on him--he fled to California and she's never dated seriously again. But now Ben is back, working for the governor of Texas, and the one person Lee has to make nice with to get her passion project passed: a clean energy bill that would have Texas using electric vehicles throughout the Government. Soon Lee and Ben are back to their competitive ways, but it seems like sparks are flying as well.

"The past I thought I closed was coming back to haunt me. Ben Laderman, my greatest mistake--the one person in the world who'd seen me at my worst, who'd seen the real me, who I'd thought I'd really, truly loved--was coming back."

FOOL ME ONCE is a cute read, filled with lots of romantic tension and sparks. I honestly liked a lot of the politics and drama more than some of the romance, though in this day and age, it was hard to imagine Texas even touching the thought of going green. Lee, especially her "Stoner" personality, was a little hard to like and sympathize with. She took the"can't trust or believe in love" trope to extremes and at times, I just wanted to shake her. There was a little too much unwillingness to commit and a lot of back and forth on her part. At times, I just felt bad for Ben. He's incredibly easy to like and while he may take their competitiveness a bit too far, he usually got my vote in most of their arguments.

Still, as Lee and Ben cross Texas trying to drum up support for their bill, there are lots of comedic moments and plenty of romance and silliness. There are tender and touching bits too and some serious topics as they work to save the environment and make the future better. I enjoyed an appearance by a grizzled advisor to one of the senators and some of Lee's friends. There's a good cast of characters here and some surprising drama behind the scenes. (This is politics after all.)

If you like political dramas or Parks and Rec, this one is for you. It's funny with lots of political (and romantic) tension. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 here.

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

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There's a wolf at the door: THE OVERNIGHT GUEST.

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Wylie Clark is a true crime writer escaping her ex-husband and son by working in Burden, Iowa. Years ago, at this isolated farmhouse she's renting, a horrible crime happened--two parents were murdered and a young girl disappeared. Wylie finds herself trapped in the farmhouse in a snowstorm, working on her book, when she finds a small child nearly frozen in the snow in her backyard. As she tries to figure out where the child came from, she quickly realizes neither she nor the child are safe--and that she's not as isolated and alone in the farmhouse as she thought.

I loved this dark and twisty thriller--it was a total page-turner. It's told from three different perspectives that intertwine perfectly. We have present day Wylie, a writer escaping her present by researching the past. We have the 2000s timeline that gives us the story of the farmhouse murder Wylie is researching. And we have an undated story told by a daughter and her mother.

So much of Wylie's story takes place in the snow and ice, creating an eerie and ominous setting. The snow feels oppressive and dark, mirroring how Wylie feels. The theme of darkness, in fact, threads superbly through the entire book.

"It isn't the dark you should be afraid of, the girl thought, it's the monsters who step into the light that you need to fear."

I don't want to give away too much about this one, but the story is excellent--full of twists and plenty that kept me guessing. It touches on family and friendship while offering a dark, creepy, and intricately plotted tale. 4.5 stars.

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

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As if I belonged to you: MY DARLING HUSBAND.

My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jade Lasky thinks she has a perfect life--a beautiful home, a wonderful and handsome chef husband, Cam, who owns a chain of successful restaurants, and two lovely children. But all that changes when a masked man springs on her and the children in their garage. He terrorizes them and demands a large amount of ransom from Cam. As Cam rushes to gather the money, Jade tries to decipher clues about this man and begins to wonder if their lifestyle is really as good as Cam was telling her.

I quite enjoyed this riveting page turner; it's quite impossible to put down, honestly. The story is told from Jade's POV as the invasion unfolds, interspersed with an interview from the Cam after it happens and a few snippets from the "bad guy's" perspective. It's an amazingly effective format, propelling the story forward in an action-packed format. Why on earth is that man torturing this family? Is it random or personal? The family's young children are involved, as Jade feels she must do anything to protect them.

As a reader, you can't help but wonder what would you would do in this horrible situation. It's a dark and twisty read, with secrets popping up around every corner. While it's very much a thriller, there's also a lot of emotion and family trauma involved as well. Definitely an excellent page-turner. 4 stars.

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

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It's paradise as long as I'm with you: THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING GUEST.

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Reggie and Dena Somerville are sisters from the small town of Wishing Tree. Reggie, however, hasn't been back to visit since her broken engagement, which lasted all of two days, when her finance proposed on a Friday and broke it off on a Sunday. But since Reggie and Dena's parents are renewing their vows, she finds herself back in town, the scene of her humiliation. Dena doesn't have the best track record with love herself, so she's taken matters into own hands. She's gotten pregnant on her own; she's also a teacher at the local school and runs the B&B handed down by her grandmother. Once back in Wishing Tree, Reggie gets stuck working with Toby, her high school boyfriend, on a holiday charity project. Meanwhile, Dena finds herself drawn to the famous singer who has checked into her B&B. Can the Somerville sisters find it in their hearts to love again?

This is a very sweet and charming holiday romance. The town of Wishing Tree exudes a lovely festive air, a cross between Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls and a Hallmark set, and I couldn't help but find myself rooting for our couples. Sure, Toby frustrated me sometimes (he's a single dad with some particular quirks), but these characters were personable, flawed, and strong. Perhaps the most lovable was Reggie's dog Belle, who was a force to be reckoned with, followed by Toby's sweet young son.

The story is repetitive at times and seemed a bit uneven--I couldn't tell if the author was going for cute or erotic at points, and it was a bit jarring--but overall this was a fun and merry read. I would have liked an epilogue, but I am hoping that since this is the beginning of a series that maybe we will see some of these characters again. I would definitely read the next book. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.

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

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And reconnect me to the beauty that I'm missing: THE CHRISTMAS ESCAPE.

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Christy Sullivan and her best friend Alix have spent Christmas together since they were children. This year they are planning to go to Lapland, a snowy wonderland. The trip will include Christy's husband and their young daughter, Holly. But when Christy faces trouble with her marriage, she asks Alix to take Holly to Lapland without her. She'll be joined by their family friend, Zac--whom Alix has been avoiding ever since Christy's wedding. But as Alix, Zac, and Holly enjoy their time in Lapland, Alix realizes she may have made a mistake in avoiding him. Meanwhile, Christy starts to wonder if her friendship with Alix and marriage will survive the holidays.

I hate rating books low, but this just did not work for me. It was a sweet enough story and I liked the fun, snowy Arctic setting, but, oh, this book could have been so much shorter and enjoyable. The repetition is intense, to the point I found myself skimming sections. We are constantly bombarded by everyone's thoughts and issues. Did you know Alix has commitment issues? Oh you will. Christy struggles with perfection? The overwhelming focus on the characters' tropes and the rehashing and pontificating on thoughts and feelings was incredibly frustrating. It was very slow moving with far more telling than showing. I was not that invested in Alix and Zac's relationship.

There's a sweet storyline involving Christy's aunt, who lives at Lapland, which I enjoyed, and others have enjoyed the overall story more, so take my review with a grain of salt, but most of this book was just too repetitive and trite for me. 2.5 stars.

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

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BLOG TOUR!! Beat down broken up and bruised: LOCAL WOMAN MISSING.

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm so excited to be a part of the blog tour for this dark, frantic page-turner of a thriller

First Shelby Tebow goes missing. A new mom, Shelby's husband is quickly suspected in her disappearance. Then Meredith Dickey and her young daughter, Delilah--who live just blocks from Shelby--vanish. The rest of the neighborhood, including couple Bea and Kate, are terrified. Are the cases related? An investigation is launched, with few results. Then, eleven years later, Delilah is found, bringing back memories of all the incidents, especially for her father Josh and brother Leo. Everyone wants answers, but Delilah is too traumatized to provide them. Besides, the secrets unearthed with Delilah's return may be too much for everyone.

"I don't know how old I am. I don't know how long they've been keeping me here."

This was a captivating page-turner that I read in three breathless sittings. It's undeniably compelling and sucks you in from the beginning. It starts with Delilah's point of view, shocking and terrifying, and sort of never lets you go. Her voice and story are hard to forget. Among other narrators, we hear from Meredith, eleven years ago, and then Kate and Leo in the present. Working out how the various families and characters are interconnected is part of the challenge and honestly, I was truly shocked at various points in the story. How exactly these missing women and Delilah are tied together is incredibly dark and twisty.

I was completely into this book for most of the story and thought I was looking at 4.5+ star read. It started to dissolve a bit at the end, as things (including some characters) went a little crazy. Still, some of the twists were truly awesome and breathtaking. I think--in that way--this is one of Kubica's best in a while.

Overall, this is an addictive thriller filled with some truly shocking plot twists. It keeps you guessing the entire time, and its complex and layered plot is different and exciting. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin / Park Row in return for an unbiased review. It's out as of 5/18/2021!

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You sold me on the fantasy: THE WRONG FAMILY.

The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A wild and wacky thriller

Juno, a former therapist, moves in with Winnie and Nigel Crouch because she thinks the family is nearly perfect. They appear a loving couple who adore their teenage son, Sam. But once she's living in their picture perfect house, Juno realizes all isn't as it seems. And when she overhears a conversation between the couple that she cannot forget, she gets involved... setting in motion a string of events that she cannot undo.

"Humans had a way of uprooting happiness. They found flaws in it, picked at it until the whole system unraveled."

Well, this was an interesting read, to say the least. It had the odd distinction of being both predictable in many ways yet really weird and crazy. It's a fast read and while there's nothing really amazing here, it was certainly good for a crazy (!) twist or two. I didn't care for any of the characters--Winnie, Juno, or Nigel--and most of my sympathies stayed with poor Sam, who had to deal with all these wacky adults in his life. There's a lot of drama and truly, the plot is bizarre and wild. Which is definitely fun at times and a bit too much at others.

Overall, this is a dark read with an insane plot and characters that aren't exactly endearing. It's a quick read that stressed me out and probably won't stick with me long, but was enjoyable enough for a few days. 3 stars.

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BLOG TOUR: HONEY GIRL by Morgan Rogers, out 2/23!!

So excited to be part of the Blog Tour for this beautiful, charming, must-read lesbian romance! I cannot stop talking about HONEY GIRL, which I adored! This amazing LGBTIQA novel releases tomorrow, 2/23.

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
My rating: 4.5+ of 5 stars

For most of her life, Grace Porter has done everything right. She's followed her father's (aka the Colonel) orders, living life according to the rigid "Porter way." Now she's twenty-eight, with a newly acquired PhD in astronomy. On a girl's trip to Vegas, Grace strays from her workaholic, straitlaced ways, gets drunk and marries a girl she's just met. Upon returning home, Grace feels burned out and less fulfilled about finally attaining her degree than expected. So she leaves home (and her father's expectations) to spend time in New York with a wife she doesn't remember and certainly doesn't know. In New York with Yuki, Grace feels something real for her new wife. But acknowledging her feelings for Yuki will also mean confronting what made her flee home in the first place.

"I got married last night, Grace thinks. To a girl with rosebuds on her cheeks. To a girl whose name I don't even know. I should be screaming."

I loved this book so much I could cry. (I did cry.) Oh Grace, my sweet, emotional girl, and oh this book. This beautiful book. Do not go into HONEY GIRL thinking it is a gimmicky read because of the Vegas marriage premise. It's a real, heart-wrenching book that will rip and tear at your soul. But don't worry, this is a good thing. Because this is a ridiculously romantic and adorable story, as well as a nuanced coming-of-age/finding yourself (hey, it can happen at twenty-eight) story.

"Have you ever gone to bed thinking of someone you only knew for a night? Have you ever stared up at the sky and wondered where it was you saw yourself, all those years ago? Which star it was you followed here?"

Rogers writes with a lyrical beauty. She gives us Grace and Yuki, two sweet, lovely, flawed, real characters whom I adored. As for Grace, I wanted nothing but good for her. I identified so much with an anxious workaholic crippled by the expectations of her parents. ("Being angry at his unattainable expectations is so much easier than accepting that the only ones I have to meet are my own." -- I think I may need to have this bronzed, as it sums up my life.) Grace struggles with the pressures placed on her by her ex-military father, by intense racism that makes it difficult to succeed in a field where she's extremely qualified, and with mental health/anxiety issues. Rogers handles all of these excellently, covering them so well in her story, along with Grace and Yuri's burgeoning relationship. It seems like it should be too much for one book, but everything fits perfectly together.

Honestly, no review of mine can do this book justice. I love the characters of Grace and Yuri and the supporting cast is excellent (and the book is diverse). It's hilarious and funny yet deftly and kindly covers mental health issues. It also takes an insightful look at racism--especially in academia--and how difficult it makes life for Grace. There's romance, friendship, family, and so much more. I loved it all, and I highly highly recommend HONEY GIRL. I cannot wait to read what Morgan Rogers writes next. 4.5+ stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Park Row Books for my copy in return for an unbiased review.

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O, A to Z Challenge: OUR OWN PRIVATE UNIVERSE.

Our Own Private Universe by Robin Talley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

A great book for gay teens finding their way

This is the fifteenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

Aki Simon is ready to start living her life. At fifteen, she believes she's bisexual, but she's only dated boys, and only her best friend, Lori, knows about her feelings. So when Aki and Lori go on a church trip to Mexico, Aki vows to stop sitting around and start living. This becomes possible when she meets Christa, another student on the trip. Christa, older and more worldly, clearly seems to like Aki as much as Aki likes her. But how does Aki--whose father is a pastor and along on this trip--experiment with Christa on this trip? How does she figure out if she likes, or even loves, Christa? And if she does, how does she tell her religious parents?

I've read several books by Robin Talley and really loved them all. This one was a little young for me, but I think it would be an excellent read for the teen age group. It covers a range of vital and big themes for teens: bisexuality, coming out, safe sex, parental expectations, religion and being gay, etc. There's a moment when Aki is trying to track down dental dams, and she's researching how to use them. I'm honestly not sure I've ever seen that in a book, and it's so important and honestly, really cool. I would have loved to find a book like this when I was a teen trying to figure out a lot of various things.

Unfortunately, a lot of the plot of UNIVERSE is based on the premise of one character lying to another, which I really do not care for. It gets off to a slow start. And there is a lot of teen drama, with Lori and other kids on the trip at the center. Maybe it wouldn't seem so melodramatic for teens, who live in that world, but it's a bit much and gets repetitive.

Still, I love how important this book is, covering coming out and featuring such a diverse cast of characters. It's serious yet romantic. I would certainly recommend it for teens grappling with their sexuality, those coming out, or those wanting to support their queer friends or kids. 3.5 stars. (Also, if you are older and queer (or even if you're not), read Robin Talley's PULP. It's amazing.)

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BLOG TOUR: LIES LIES LIES from Adele Parks!

Dark and twisty thriller with a surprising plot

I'm incredibly excited to be part of the blog tour for this twisty thriller by Adele Parks! LIES LIES LIES is out now!

On the surface, Simon and Daisy's marriage looks perfect. He's an architect, she's a teacher, and they are parents to their beloved daughter, Millie, brought into the world after many years of trying to have a child. But looking beyond the perfection, you see the strain. Simon drinks too much, embarrassing Daisy and even Millie, though she may be too young to truly realize it. Their friends typically look the other way, expressing sympathy but not offering much help. Until the night of a friend's party, where things get out of control, and their lives change forever.

"Millie was a miracle. Conceived without any medical intervention. A miracle. She saved us."

This was my first book by Adele Parks, and I found she sucked me into the story from the very beginning. For me, the plot was easily the star here. This was a twisty thriller that kept me guessing, often wondering which path it was going to lead us down next. While I had an inkling about one particular plot point, others took me by complete surprise, which was fun. I always love a mystery that keeps me on my toes and goes down completely unexpected paths.

"People with secrets rarely sleep soundly. Fact."

One strength of the book is the fact that it's told from both Daisy and Simon's perspectives. Neither are particularly sympathetic, but it's easy to get caught up in their worlds. Daisy comes across as a doormat, who cannot stand up to her alcoholic husband. And Simon, of course, a drunk who endangers his family on a regular basis. You want to shake some sense into both of them. But there's certainly a twisted web of lies and secrets behind the foundation of this couple. Nothing is as it seems, and as time goes on, you can start to at least understand some of their motivations.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. I welcomed a different plot, which had some surprises in store. The ending was a bit ambiguous, but overall still a solid read. 3.75 stars, rounded to 4 here.


I received a copy of this book from Harlequin/Mira and Netgalley in return for an honest review.


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I never wanted to say goodbye: SAVING RUBY KING.

Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

My rating: 4+ of 5 stars


Ruby King is twenty-four-years-old when her mother, Alice, is found murdered in the home she shared with Ruby and Ruby's father, Lebanon. The police show little interest in--to them--another death in the King's black neighborhood, but Alice's death unhinges Ruby and leaves her alone with her violent, abusive father. Her only confidante is her best friend, Layla, who knows how long Alice and Ruby have suffered under Lebanon's wrath. But Layla is angry that Ruby won't do more to get away from Lebanon and she's even angrier at her father, a pastor, who has been close to Lebanon all these years, and yet never did anything to free Alice or Ruby from his abuse. Layla is determined to save Ruby, but as she works to rescue her friend, she starts to uncover a world of secrets and lies flowing back generations.


"I'm stitched together by the lies I tell myself and the lies people want to believe about me." ~Alice


I found this excellent and timely book to be incredibly well-written, with a power and tenderness to it that goes far behind your typical debut novel (I had to double check that this was actually West's first novel, I was so impressed).

West tells her story from a variety of points of view--Ruby; her late mother, Alice; her father, Lebanon; her best friend, Layla; Layla's father, a pastor; and more. We even hear from a central figure in all of these characters' lives--their church, via its omnipresent voice. The plot spans generations, with West giving a nuanced look at each of her complex characters. She does an amazing job of showing the power of family, for both good and bad. How choices can affect generations: one person's bad decisions can pass poison on, with children reliving dysfunction and sins.


"How can there be a me without her?" ~Ruby


No one is simply good or bad here, though Lebanon is not an easy-to-like man. Abused and neglected by his own parent, Sara, we see how Sara's neglect has turned Lebanon hard. But West is such a good writer that Lebanon is not a one-dimensional bad guy, as much as you want to hate him. I was incredibly impressed at how she could create sympathy for so many of her players, even when they did despicable things.


"Without Sara, who do I blame for...being me? Are children supposed to forgive their parents for the horrible things they've done?" ~Lebanon


This novel does an impressive job at delving into racism, domestic abuse, and sexual assault and trauma. The city of Chicago appears as its own character, springing to life via West's lovely prose. She expertly shows the difficulties black people face on the south side (and in general). I read this book during George Floyd's murder and found myself highlighting passages about police brutality that just hit me right in the gut. It's very powerful.

West's book features a variety of characters--they can be hard to keep track of at first, and I was glad to have the family tree in the beginning of the book. A few times the plot felt repetitious and the middle dragged a bit, but it picked up in the second half. There's a surprising amount of twists and turns. Overall, this is a realistic look at racism and domestic violence, but also friendship. It's quite well-written and layered with a twinge of hope throughout. I can't wait to see what West writes next. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin/Park Row and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It releases on 6/16/2020.

You can support indie bookstores and a buy a copy of this book here.

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