Chronicles of a Radical Hag by Lorna Landvik

4*

Best-selling author Landvik has written another wonderful story set in MN featuring a charming and quirky set of characters who welcome us into their lives. Haze Evans has been a columnist for the Granite Creek Gazette since 1964, chronicling both the news (locally and worldwide) and human-interest stories supported by her (often liberal) opinions. As a result, she has built a huge fan base but has also had her share of detractors. In fact, she earned her nickname from one of her most ardent critics who wrote “...this morning’s looney harangue was nothing more than a chronicle of a radical hag.” When she falls into a coma after a stroke, the editor/owner Susan McGrath decides to publish some of her old columns chronologically along with comments.

Sam, Susan’s 15-year-old son, has been acting up as the result of his parents’ separation, so she puts him to work reading the old columns and choosing which to publish. In the process, he comes to know Haze, learns about history, reveals shocking family secrets, and, most importantly, finds his own voice. “This is kind of a surprise to me, but I’m really getting into writing in a way that seems to matter way more than a hobby. Not like I’m good or anything at it, but I really like—no, I love doing it. Love trying to put down what I’m thinking and feeling.” He has so much to say that his teacher adds “Radical Hag Wednesdays” to the curriculum so that Sam and his classmates can weigh in on the events and opinions expressed in the columns. As his teacher said, “I think that’s the gift of any good writer...By bringing us into their own world, they bring us into the whole world.”

Whether intentional or not, Landvik has used Haze’s opinions on past and current events to advance a very liberal political agenda, which may offend Trump supporters and other ultra-conservatives. There is nothing off the table: Watergate (“...no one—not even the president—is above the law”); immigration; Christians against LGBTQ; the AIDS crisis; abortion and Roe vs. Wade; terrorism; the opioid crisis; the 2000 election; the senselessness of war; teens and porn; gun control; and white male privilege. Every topic is supported either by Haze’s personal anecdotes or the experiences of secondary characters in the book who are suffering the consequences of prejudice, hatred, or government’s heavy-handed regulation. There is so much packed into the pages of this novel, but the ultimate take-aways are that there is great value in putting pen to paper rather than communicating via technology, the old have so much wisdom and knowledge that they can share with the young if given the chance, long-buried secrets are often exposed, people’s bad behavior often masks deep pain and loss, and history has a way of repeating itself unless people learn from it.


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

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan

4*

In this thoughtful novel, author Ruth Hogan (The Keeper of Lost Things) takes a deep dive into the emotions of grief and guilt from two voices. Masha lost her son over 12 years before, but she has never fully grieved or forgiven herself for what she perceives as her negligence. It isn’t until a dinner party with friends on the night of her son’s 14th birthday that she has an epiphany (at her friend Epiphany’s home, no less), realizing the negative impact her refusal to let go and live has had on her friends and family. “My grief has become an addiction; a bad habit like a tattered comfort blanket that I have hung on to for far too long.” It is the titular Sally Red Shoes, the crow-loving, opera-singing, elderly & muddled ragamuffin she meets on her frequent sojourns to the cemetery, whose words of wisdom help her find a way past her grief. Then there’s Alice, the over-protective mother who, when facing her own mortality, worries that her sins will be beyond forgiveness. However, she’ll make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that her son is protected if the worst comes to pass.

Other characters, such as Kitty Muriel Peachey, the “vintage sex siren” who sashays into Masha‘s life when she needs her most, sharing her own story of tragic loss, and Edward, her gay best friend and honorary father to her son who has grieved alongside her, show her that opening up to the possibility of love and joy is the way to honor the memory of their loved ones. Despite the heavy nature of grief, the humorous conversations and commentaries on life keep the story from being morbid and depressing. Unfortunately, the ending was very abrupt if not surprising. It’s unfortunate that readers, who are privy to Masha and Alice’s inner thoughts throughout the book, are deprived of them when curiosity all but demands it. Still a worthy purchase!

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

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry WInfrey

5*

If you’re a fan of the romantic comedies of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, this is the book for you. In an homage to the late Nora Ephron, writer of When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail Winfrey introduces us to Annie Cassidy, aspiring screenwriter with a major in film studies, who has spent her entire adult life waiting for the meet-cute with her perfect partner, someone like the characters Tom Hanks played. As a result, she’s 27, living with her man-child uncle, and still single because no man she’s ever met lives up to the ideal she set her heart on in high school after her fellow fan and mother died. What’s the likelihood that a sweet, sensitive, attractive man will fall into her lap, especially one who owns a houseboat in land-locked Columbus, OH?

When it’s announced that a top director is coming to her town to film a rom-com starring notorious prankster and action film hero Drew Danforth, Annie is less than pleased. When she’s hired as a production assistant, rather than swooning over the movie star, she constantly argues with him and makes it clear that she doesn’t like him and is very disappointed that a man who has never even watched a romantic comedy thinks he’ll be successful in the role of the hero.

What ensues is as much fun as any of the rom-coms she’s watched ad infinitum. Is Annie, as her friend Chloé suggests, hiding behind rom-coms to avoid making a major change? Will she give her heart to “Sexy Gaffer” Carter, a local who ticks all of the boxes and actually DOES own a houseboat, fall hard for immature joker Drew, or end up on her own? You’ll have to read this delightful, romantic story to find out.

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

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

4*

Grace is a soon-to-be empty-nester, sad to see her daughter go off to college, but excited about spending more time with her husband David, beginning with a trip to Paris to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Unfortunately, he has other plans: to divorce Grace and move on with a woman half his age. So, she decides to make the trip herself. Once there, she meets Audrey, an 18-year-old Londoner who has been struggling with dyslexia and parenting her alcoholic mother for years. Knowing she needs to escape, she takes a job at a bookstore in Paris with the offer of a free apartment. When the two women each end up living above the bookstore and Grace begins to give Audrey French lessons, a fast friendship develops. Despite their differences in age, education, wealth and circumstances, they are both on a journey of self-discovery and, along the way come to share respect, trust and love (which Audrey has never been given unconditionally).

Although Sarah Morgan is a stellar romance writer, the friendship between these two is the driving force with the romantic relationships (yes, there are a few) taking a backseat. There are some sweet, sexy (but not too steamy) love scenes and the Paris that the tourists rarely take time to see. There’s also a charming subplot about a man who visits the store every day methodically looking for something in every book. When that mystery is revealed, most readers will shed a tear or two. Although Grace’s decisions will probably disappoint many readers, this delightful book is still the next best thing to spending a summer in Paris.

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

Happy Messy Scary Love by Leah Konen

4*

A cute, fun summer read that gives a nod to both Cyrano de Bergerac and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Olivia and Jake become online friends while sharing their love of horror films. When he asks for a photo and then sends one of himself, Olivia panics when she sees how cute he is and sends a selfie taken by her gorgeous best friend Katie. Little does she expect is that she’ll run into him when they both end up working at an adventure camp in upstate New York over the summer. When faced with the decision to reveal her true identity or perpetuate the lie, will she come clean or hope that Jake will fall for the real-life Olivia?

Although this sweet romance skews a bit young for a YA book, it has so much to love and messages to share. It’s refreshing to have main characters who come from loving families and aren’t abusing substances or sleeping around, yet don’t come off as goody two-shoes…although Jake IS adorable inside and out! Although Olivia is insecure enough about her looks to hide behind her friend, she still believes that all bodies are beautiful. By the end, she recognizes that everyone has insecurities, even if they seem perfect on the surface. The message about self-love and seeing yourself through others’ eyes is clear, but not preachy. A few more observations worth mentioning: horror film junkies will love that they feature heavily; there is a queer character who does not appear gratuitous; and, the lesson Olivia’s friend Katie learns about acting is a good one that applies to life in general: giving up and walking away isn’t the correct response when you don’t get a part, and that a key to success is knowing that you’re not right for every role. This is a winner that will appeal to romance-loving teens.


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

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

2*

From all appearances (namely, cover design and publisher blurb), this rom-com should be a hit. It features two popular tropes that usually progress from growing romantic relationship into passion: best friend’s little sister grows up and the fake relationship. However, Fix Her Up more closely resembles a tamer 50 Shades of Grey with frequent and ultimately boring sex scenes between a rich, chauvinistic, alpha playboy and an innocent virgin, and further strains plausibility when, following a physically rough deflowering, the couple agree that sex can’t happen again if they’re going to fake date. For washed-up, borderline alcoholic baseball “player” Travis, a good girlfriend will clean up his image, making him an attractive candidate for a sports commentator slot. The reason Georgie, a party clown (by choice) with a business degree, perpetuates the fraud is so she will be taken seriously by her family…and because she’s had a crush on Travis her entire life. The one saving grace is that they both mature by the end, Georgie by taking a stand and proving she can be successful and Travis when he acknowledges his faults, faces his demons, and becomes a better man. Readers who stick with it may root for a happily-ever-after, but, for many, the chauvinism and implausibility of the plot will make this one a hard pass.

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.

Tangled Up In You by Samantha Chase

4*

Fans of Chase’s Shaughnessy Brothers have waited a long time for Bobby Hannigan’s story and won’t be disappointed with this 7th (and probable last) book in the series. Bobby, a cop in the process of slowly recovering from a gunshot wound, has moved back home to heal with hopes of rejoining the force. Single mom Teagan Shaughnessy, cousin to the large brood immortalized in previous books, has also moved to the Carolina coast with her parents and young son, Lucas and runs into Bobby at a family gathering. Although both have plans for the future that don’t include romantic entanglements and Teagan wants to protect Lucas from growing too attached, the attraction can’t be denied and the bond between them grows. However, Teagan worries about getting involved with another man who puts himself in front of the line of fire after losing her fiancé in Afghanistan. Can these two people help each other through their grief and build a life together?

Chase excels at writing heart-warming, honest stories with complicated family dynamics, sexy scenes that aren’t too graphic, and the struggles romantic partners must overcome to be together. Many of the characters in previous books that readers came to love are featured in this book, especially Quinn and his wife Anna, Bobby’s sister. Although Bobby and Quinn have had a contentious relationship in the past, it’s Quinn who talks with Bobby about the extent of his injuries and the probability that his career is over. It’s very satisfying to see past hurts and animosities ease as the extended Shaughnessy clan celebrate family and protect and defend those they love.

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

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

4*

What if you had the chance to reinvent yourself by taking a semester in London, pursuing your passion rather than continuing to follow the career path your parents chose for you, forcing yourself to socialize, and even trying to get your first kiss? What if the boy you’re falling for turns out to have a girlfriend at home and things between you become painfully awkward? What if you spent the first twenty years of your life living to please others and it still blew up in your face? If you’re regretting your decisions and are given another chance, would you take the do-over in the hopes of getting it right the second time?

These are the questions that timid, insecure Shane Primaveri is faced with in this frustrating, but ultimately redeeming story. The first half of the book drags because Riccio uses running commentary, via first-person narrative and Shane’s blog, journal, emails and postcards, to chronicle her thoughts and recount everything the characters said and did on a daily basis. Shane was so full of self-doubt that it made much of it uncomfortable to read. However, when the story fast-forwarded six years and Riccio added a magical element, the pace picked up and much of the detail in the first half made sense.

The well-described supporting characters are varied (including different races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations), and fill critical roles without their own subplots being superfluous. Beware: descriptions of their travels also inspire wanderlust!

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

The Boy Next Story by Tiffany Schmidt

3.5 stars

In this 2nd book in the Bookish Boyfriends series, Rory is a freshman at tony prep school Hero High where she, her older sister Merri, and sister’s friend Eliza are the scholarship kids. Toby, a sophomore lacrosse player side-lined for the season with an injury, is the boy-next-door. They’ve all been friends since sandbox days which is where Rory kissed him as a pre-schooler…and she’s been in love with him ever since. Unfortunately, he only has eyes for Merri. Rory got into Hero High because of her prodigious art talent, but her fellow art students are routinely sabotaging her work, seeing her as a threat to winning the once-every-four-years competition to work with a famous artist for a week in New York City. How the teacher fails to see that the destruction of her work isn’t accidental is incomprehensible, especially when Rory might lose her place at the school if she doesn’t keep her grades up. When she needs some math tutoring, Toby volunteers and, as the months ensue, their friendship strengthens and they begin to see each other as more than just the crush and the little sister. Is there a chance Toby will ever see her as more than a substitute?

If you picked this book up based on the publisher’s blurb, you might be a bit confused when nearly the first half of the book focuses on The Great Gatsby, not Little Women. And, if you’re a fan of the latter, you’ll find many of the comparisons loose, at best. Merri is nothing like Jo March in looks or personality; the father isn’t away at war, but is very present; and Amy and Laurie are adults by the end of the Little Women whereas Rory and Toby are 15 and 17. Also, the “quirky teacher” who makes fantasies come to life isn’t Miss Frizzle for the literary set, but just a teacher who knows her students well enough to put the right books in their hands and hope that they’ll make the connection between the characters and their own lives.

Overall, this is a cute YA romance that would make a fun summer read. In all likelihood, most teens haven’t read Little Women, so the loose comparisons won’t bother them. They’ll be eager for the 3rd book in the series.

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

The Key to Happily Ever After by Tif Marcelo

2*

If you pick this up looking for what’s billed as a “charming romantic comedy”, you’re bound to be disappointed because it’s not at all funny and has hints of romance lacking in emotion with no satisfactory endings. This is much more a family saga about three Filipino-American sisters who co-own a wedding planning business, but who are stuck in the ruts established when they were in late adolescence. The oldest sister, Mari, is emotionally-stunted and a control freak unwilling to let her baby sister Penny (who’s 26) take the lead on any events because she doesn’t trust her. The middle sister, Jane, is a single mom who serves primarily as peacekeeper. Oddly, the story is told in only two voices, leaving out Jane’s perspective which is disappointing since she is the most level-headed and insightful.

Ultimately, this is a character-driven novel that lacks…well, character and leaves us with too many unanswered questions. What happened to Saul? Will Reid move from Atlanta to be with Mari? Will Jane end up with Gabe or Marco? Why didn’t Marco know he had a son, or is he just lying to save face? Very disappointing!

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