Always, In December by Emily Stone

 

5*


What an effing gut punch! There have only been two other times when reading books that I’ve cried this much, and I won’t mention them for fear of spoiling this for other readers. I couldn’t help thinking of Josie Silver’s One Day in December, being set in London just before Christmas and featuring the coming together of two people who are inevitably driven apart for different reasons. Without going into any detail, this book is ultimately about how people come into your life when you least expect it, and profoundly change your trajectory. In this case, Max, over a few days’ time, recognized that Josie was settling rather than living a life of adventure. He taught her to forego her strict plans and take chances since life is unpredictable and precious. Despite their estrangement, he made it his mission to set things in motion so that she’d live life to the fullest, tapping into her creativity and not settling for a job that didn’t fulfill her. This is a story that will stick with you long after the last page. Don’t hesitate to read it, but have a box of tissues beside you.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dell Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Moment I Met You by Debbie Johnson

 

5*

Debbie Johnson really weaves beautiful stories. The first one of hers I read, Maybe One Day, was packed with intense emotion: love, heartbreak, grief, PTSD, etc. It’s actually, in that respect, not too different from the core of this one. A traumatic event rips two people apart. Many years pass as they live separate lives, but the feelings never fade and the potential for a happy reunion sustains both the characters and the readers.

However, there’s a definite twist to this story in that it’s a love triangle. Harry and Elena have been together since college and have taken a trip to Mexico; in her mind, to figure out if their relationship has run its course or if this time together will help them reconnect. When disaster strikes as Elena has just met Alex, the course of their lives is thrown off-kilter. Circumstances occur and decisions are made, whether through guilt, pity or perhaps love, that force them all to give up on their dreams and expectations and forge new paths.

It isn’t until a decade has passed that a documentary on the anniversary of the moment Alex and Elena met stirs up painful memories and forces all three of them to face the past that they’ve buried. Sometimes people do “the wrong thing for all the right reasons” and the time comes to make painful, but inevitable decisions about what the future might look like if they have the courage to be honest with themselves and each other.

Johnson is a masterful storyteller. She deftly weaves a stunning love story from the ashes of disaster, drawing characters who are flawed but have the best of intentions. She’s delicate and respectful in her handling of grief and survivor guilt, and navigates the lives of her characters in a way that helps her readers find empathy for all of them and hope that they’ll each find their happy ending. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

And Now You're Back by Jill Mansell

 

5*

Another winning romance from Jill Mansell! It’s been awhile since I have read one of her books after discovering this British author a few years back and reading through her entire catalog. She hooked me with her complex romantic relationships, her quirky and colorful characters who are integral to the stories they inhabit, and her descriptions of England that make me yearn to be there. She infuses her books with a balance of humor, heartbreak, friendship, and, ultimately, hope that life will turn out like it’s supposed to, regardless of the mistakes we make or the tragedies we face.

In this, her latest offering, we meet Didi and Shay at age 17 when they’re both in Venice celebrating the birthday of a mutual friend. The magic begins on a snowy night in St. Mark’s Square when they build a snowman together and inevitably fall in love. Unfortunately, an event six months later fractures their relationship, and Shay disappears, only to show up in their quaint Cotswold Village thirteen years later to help his father who’s dying of cancer. Unfortunately, Didi is engaged, so any lingering feelings they may have for each other can’t be acted on. As Shay spends months renovating his childhood home so his father can spend his last days there, we come to learn and care for Red, the charming reprobate, Didi’s best friend Layla who has a blossoming romance herself, and Layla’s mother Rosa who is working through her grief over losing her husband. There are a couple of surprising secondary relationships as well that add further depth to this second-chance romance, ensuring that readers of the genre get their fill. Highly recommended for fans of Maeve Binchey, Sophie Kinsella, and Jenny Colgan.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur

4*


Brendon Lowell wins the prize for 2021 Book Boyfriend of the year. If only unicorns like him existed in real life. Every great romance novel includes main characters who reject love because of some trauma from their past or parents who modeled the worst in married partners. Yet Brendon does just the opposite. Blindsided by his parents’ divorce when he was twelve, he makes it his mission to help people find love. He has a hero complex so deeply-ingrained that he created a hugely-successful dating app (OTP = One True Partner) that focuses on real love connections rather than casual hook-ups. He watches rom-coms with the belief that the HEAs in them can be replicated in real life.

So when his sister Darcy’s best friend Annie comes to visit her in Seattle and he realizes his childhood crush pales in comparison to the attraction he feels for her now, he makes it his mission to woo her by re-enacting scenes from the movies. Annie, who has decided to give up on finding love since she’s always the one who puts in the effort only to be rejected, does everything in her power to deny the chemistry and affection she almost instantly shares with the very grown-up Brendon. She’s convinced that, as soon as she agrees to pursue the relationship, he’ll grow tired of it and move on. No way does she trust that the feelings she has for Brendon, after just the two weeks in Seattle (before starting her new job in London), will be worth walking away from a lucrative career...even if her heart isn’t in it and is, in fact, already left behind when she leaves. The question is whether she’ll be able to work through her fear to seize the life she craves with Brendon, her best friend Darcy, and the other true friends she’s made.

In Bellefleur’s previous book, Written in the Stars, she told the story of Darcy and Elle who were set up on a blind date by Brendon. So it’s such a treat that she has now shared the love story between Darcy’s brother and her best friend. It’s refreshing to have a gender-swapping best friend’s little brother romance in which the older sibling doesn’t go all alpha when her friend violates the “bro code.” She’s turned the trope on its head, and it’s so refreshing to have an older sibling who encourages and supports the budding relationship instead of throwing up roadblocks. There’s so much to love about this story. So, if you’re looking for a swoon-worthy romantic hero, pick this book up. You won’t be disappointed!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

5*


This debut novel is an excellent portrayal of the stages of grief and the incredible hole the death of loved ones leaves, whether it’s a parent, a child, a niece or nephew, or a friend. In this case, Jo has recently lost her nephew Samson to a tragic accident after suddenly losing her father when she was only 12. As a result, she’s closed herself off emotionally to avoid being hurt or abandoned again. Of course, it takes a hot guy (in all his iterations) and the vulnerability of her two grieving nieces (visiting for the summer) to make her realize that being alone is no way to live.

The romance, which starts with a steamy meet-cute kiss in a bar, builds slowly, especially since both Alex and Jo are resistant to opening themselves up. However, the friendship is enviable and the way they tease and laugh together is delightful. Jo is also blessed with a colorful, quirky best friend and boss, Nina, who pushes her out of her comfort zone by encouraging her to live her fullest life leading up to her 30th birthday. In fact, she suggested the 30 by 30 bucket list which starts with a blog and drives much of the action throughout the story. When Samson’s sudden death temporarily halts her progress and the unexpected arrival of her nieces derails her plans for a vacation to Europe to check off two items on the list (sleep in a castle and visit 10 countries), it takes some creative thinking to achieve her goal. However, with the help of her friends and family, completion might be attainable.

The emotions Ruiz draws from readers is a testament to her power as a storyteller. She doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, yet she’s respectful of the pain and guilt the death of a child evokes. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

One More for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

4*

Gayle Mitchell is a successful consultant and bestselling author of self-help books who has inspired and changed the lives of countless readers. However, the confidence she displays hides a world of hurt that impacted the way she parented. As a result, she hasn’t spoken to her two daughters, Samantha and Ella, for 5 years following an emotional blow-up. It takes a serious accident for her to begin questioning the choices she made in raising her daughters as a single mom.

When Gayle suggests that they all spend Christmas together at Kinleven, a lodge in the Scottish Highlands which Samantha is evaluating as a possible destination for her luxury travel company, it sets in motion a confrontation that can either permanently sever their relationship or clear a path to reconciliation. For that to happen, all three women will need to acknowledge their feelings and Gayle will have to share the events that led to her rigid and emotionally bereft child-rearing.

Morgan has deftly woven the Mitchell family saga with that of the McIntyre clan, owners of Kinleven, along with a sizzling romance between Samantha and Brodie. The wintry beauty of the Highlands is the backdrop for an unforgettably magical Christmas that ushers in hope and happiness after a lifetime of secrets and suffering. A satisfying read for the coming holidays!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQN through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Impossible Promise (Providence Falls #2) by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets

4*

Spoilers

I don’t know how to feel about this because, just like in the first book, this one also ends with an unsatisfactory cliffhanger. The murder mystery aspect is compelling as is the ever evolving love triangle between Liam, Cora and Finn, but it’s so sad and frustrating that Liam has to suppress his feelings and go against his very nature in order to avoid the fiery pits of hell. While he is doing everything in his power, albeit begrudgingly, to get Cora and Finn together, Cora is starting to fall for him and won’t give up. It’s frustrating to know that readers will have to wait another year or so before they have a conclusion (assuming the authors conclude with the third book). 

As for the murder investigation, it’s anybody’s guess. Clearly, Magnus is guilty of theft, at the very least, but I think Boyd, the police captain and Liam’s friend from his earlier life, is corrupt as hell. Just as Cora and Liam have the same personalities as they had in their past life, Boyd must as well…and he was a scheming, deceitful criminal who wasn’t averse to using violence. My guess is that he needs money to keep up with his high-maintenance wife’s spending habits and has resorted to getting it illegally. That’s really the reason for his extreme anxiety and volatility and why he’s trying to misdirect Cora and Liam. 

So, although the writing is really good, it’s hard to judge the book when we don’t know how it’s going to wrap up. Will they discover that Boyd is a corrupt cop? Will Finn and Cora get together so that the mysterious future event will take place or will the angels somehow take pity on Liam, seeing that he’s a changed man, and let him return to earth and live out his love story with Cora? I’m Team Liam the whole way, but all signs are pointing to Finn and Cora. I recommend this story but warn readers that they’ll be frustrated when they face a long wait for the conclusion.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Mira through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella

5*

Another treat from Sophie Kinsella! It’s all about how, despite love and the perception of permanence, families and romantic relationships can fall apart. The question is, can they be restored to some semblance of the original or are they irretrievably broken?

Effie, age 26, is the youngest of 3 children who have grown up in a quirky (aka, so ugly, only a mother could love) home with a loving dad and stepmom. So, it’s a shock when her parents announce their divorce. Fast forward 18 months and her dad has a new girlfriend from hell and has become someone nearly unrecognizable. When he announces that the family home is being sold, feelings of loss and anger drive the narrative. Effie, who turns down an anti-invitation to a “house cooling” party, decides to sneak in to retrieve a treasured set of Russian nesting dolls and ends up accidentally crashing the party.

The romantic entanglements include not just her father and Krista, but also her brother Gus with his equally bitchy girlfriend, her sister Bean and her fledgling relationship with her new guy, and Effie and her lost love Joe. Four years earlier, Effie and Joe’s lifelong friends-to-lovers relationship abruptly ended with no explanation. Other than one awkward encounter in the interim, they’ve had no communication and no hope for reconciliation. Yet, over the course of the party weekend, truths come to light leading to decisions that will either strengthen and restore bonds or leave carnage in their wake.

Kinsella is always dependable for giving readers satisfying romances with ample amounts of humor and family drama. The Party Crasher does not disappoint. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Dial Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

4*

This is a heartwarming romance between polar opposites. Elle is a successful astrologist who wears her heart on her sleeve and sees the positives in life, manifesting this in her cheery personality and belief in goodness. Darcy is an actuary who values order, keeps her feelings close to her chest, and hides her emotional baggage. When their first date, a set-up by Darcy’s brother and Elle’s new business partner Brendon, ends in disappointment, the last thing Elle expects to hear is that Darcy is “smitten.” When confronted, Darcy admits to lying to Brendon so he’ll stop trying to set her up and convinces Elle to fake a relationship for a couple of months.

For anyone familiar with the fake dating trope, the rest of the story follows the script: feelings becoming real, fears getting in the way, parents who are either neglectful, dismissive, or horribly misguided, preemptive heartbreak and more. The only thing that sets this apart is that it’s a relationship between two women. It used to be rare to feature a main couple who weren’t heterosexual, but major publishing houses are finally beginning to acknowledge that there’s an eager market for LGBTQ romance, including fans from the cis straight community. Bellefleur’s lovely story proves the point that, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, people who love risk getting hurt, but the heart wants what it wants.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.