Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell

5*

After graduation and an unexpected and somewhat rushed engagement to her college boyfriend, Sawyer and Charles moved to New York City where he landed a job at a high-powered law firm and she began as an editorial assistant at a publishing house while also pursuing her dream of becoming a writer. Soon after, they attend a stuffy company dinner where Charles virtually ignores her in favor of his gorgeous colleague, Kendra. When Sawyer tries to converse with Kendra’s boyfriend Nick, he is rude and disdainful. So, imagine her surprise when he follows up with an email apology and a texting conversation via AOL Instant Messenger (when online communication was in its infancy, 1999) where he shares his belief that their significant others are having an affair. Since Charles is spending more and more time with Kendra at work and the gym, Sawyer quickly agrees to meet Nick on a Friday afternoon, since most of the city empties out at lunchtime during the heat of the summer. That first non-date leads to a weekly adventure, taking them on a ferry ride to The Statue of Liberty, a visit to the Lower East Side Tenement Building, the beach and amusement park at Coney Island, a secluded swimming hole north of the city, and other hidden gems throughout the city. While the physical and emotional distance between Sawyer and Charles widens, despite their impending October wedding, her friendship with Nick blossoms into something she might not be ready for, until tragedy strikes, making the decision for her.

If there’s one clear message in this love story, it’s to recognize when you’ve found the person who accepts you for who you truly are and brings out the best in you, doesn’t play games, and will do everything in their power to support you and make the time to be with you. Rindell keeps readers in the dark until the very last page about whether Sawyer and Nick will have a chance at a happily-ever-after, but you can’t help rooting for them. This is a beautiful story and a love letter to NYC pre-9/11. It’s also a reminder of how different, and perhaps simpler, life was when we weren’t glued to our cellphones and social media, and actually made the time to engage face-to-face. Perfect for fans of Kate Clayborn, Katherine Center, Emily Henry, and Sarah Ready. Highly recommended.

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

The House Like an Accordion by Audrey Burges

 

4*

Not being a fan of science fiction or fantasy, it was difficult to read this story because it’s not in my nature to suspend disbelief. However, the premise is so intriguing and the characters so charming and flawed that I felt compelled to see it through to the end. I’m so glad I did, because this metaphorical tale full of magical realism about a family of artists whose drawings influence life is unique, thought-provoking, and ultimately redemptive. I had so many questions along the way, and I’m still not sure I found satisfactory answers to some of them. There were also a couple of decisions that the main character Keryth made that I wished had been different, but that’s the prerogative of the author.

It’s not possible to give a clear synopsis of this book given the twists and turns it takes, but the appendix of book discussion questions helped me make more sense of what I read and can share without spoilers. Ultimately, this book is about “the act of creating, and the role of a creator in defining—both successfully and not—what they’re trying to bring into the world.” In this case, it makes the reader think about the choices creators make, whether it be fine artists or tech gurus, the ethical considerations behind their ideas, and the impacts (both positive and negative) their work has on the people around them and, sometimes, all of humanity. It makes us think about the choices we’d make if we had the opportunity to revive someone we’ve lost, rekindle an old love, or hold tight to something that wants or needs to be set free. It also makes us reflect on the lessons we’ve been taught by our parents and the ways we interpret them, sometimes wrongly. This impactful story will stick with me for awhile, thinking about the life choices I’ve made, the people I’ve loved and lost, and the way I might reimagine my future. Kudos to author Audrey Burges!

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

Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb

5*

Who knew birding could be so sexy? In this unique, mature romance, two 40-something strangers share an awkward but endearing meet-cute at the start of a birding (aka bird watching) competition in Tucson. Celeste, a middle-school literature teacher, was asked to partner with John, part-time woodworker and aspiring birding guide, by John’s friend Chris when he has to drop out. Celeste interpreted this to mean being his fake girlfriend to keep his ex at bay while John is just looking for a partner for the 6-week competition. Recently divorced, she’s on a path of self-discovery, so they agree to keep the fake relationship going for the duration while allowing her to try a new hobby. Neither is interested in a future together, but after a while, they realize that “birding with benefits” is a temptation they both want to give into. In the meantime, she draws him out of his shell with her enthusiasm and belief in his dream of turning his special interest into a vocation he’s passionate about, and he helps her learn to be still enough to see and hear the sights and sounds of the birds all around them. John appears autistic-coded, but it isn’t a focus of the story, just an explanation of how he views the world.

This is a lovely story that is a refreshing look at how love in the second half of your life is possible if you’re willing to shed the baggage from previous relationships and trust that partnering up doesn’t mean losing yourself. It’s a very slow burn, friends-to-lovers, dual POV romance between two kind, caring people who communicate honestly (talking through issues rather than building resentment) and slowly turn up the heat with well-chosen words and gentle touches. When their passion ignites, it’s steamy, but the focus remains on the competition and their shared experiences in their hikes through the southern Arizona mountains and desert. Dubb has done a wonderful job crafting characters and painting the landscape that they travel through. Celeste’s relationship with her teen daughter Morgan is an accurate portrayal of the natural distancing that can occur when a parent’s dreams conflict with their child’s own ideas for their future. There is quite a bit of LGBTQ representation in secondary characters as well. This is a great beach read! Fans of Emily Henry, Kate Clayborn, Christina Lauren, and Katherine Center will enjoy this. Highly recommended!

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.

The Graham Effect (Campus Diaries #1) by Elle Kennedy

 

4*

If you’re looking for a steamy, college hockey romance, you can’t go wrong with Elle Kennedy. This is the first book in the second-generation series Campus Diaries and tells the love story between Gigi Graham (daughter of Garrett and Hannah from The Deal, Book 1 of the Off-Campus series) and Luke Ryder. They’re both top hockey players and come to an agreement that he’ll help her with her behind-the-net skills in anticipation of making the Team USA roster and, in return, she’ll talk him up to her retired and revered dad so he has a shot at being hired for Garrett’s elite summer hockey camp. After being cheated on by her former boyfriend Case (Ryder’s co-captain in a newly-formed team combining rival colleges), the last thing she’s looking for is a relationship, and Ryder’s sole focus is on making sure the Dallas NHL team that drafted him has no reason to change its mind. So, they’re both surprised when feelings begin to grow.

I really enjoyed this romance because their relationship is grounded in respect, honesty, and friendship. It’s a dual POV, so we get to hear about both of their vulnerabilities. I especially appreciate that there is no third act break-up due to miscommunication, a common but unwelcome trope, in my opinion. They also both seem wise beyond their years. Highly recommended.

The second book in the series, The Dixon Rule, is now available as well.

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

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

 

4*

I gave this 4* instead of 5, only because I struggled to get into it. There’s not a lot of action or twists and turns, so I had to focus more on the dialogue. When I did, and thought about DeWitt’s choice of a dual POV, I was so thankful. This romance wouldn’t have been nearly as compelling and heartwarming if readers hadn’t been privy to Fisher’s thoughts. I can’t think of any love story I’ve read in the past few years that comes close to Sage and Fisher’s honesty and vulnerability. It is so refreshing to witness two people who have faced tragedy and its subsequent damage to the mind and soul, and who care enough to help each other overcome their personal challenges and navigate the way to a better, mentally healthier way of living.

Yet, despite this description sounding like this is an emotionally heavy story, it’s actually not. Over the summer they get to know each other, Sage and Fisher share a plethora of punny comments (many with sexual innuendo), bond over a bunch of unique and engaging adopted farm animals, cook and share some amazing meals (doesn’t hurt that he is an award-winning and 3 Michelin-starred chef), train for the small town’s annual festival competition, and create ephemeral sand labyrinths that the town is famous for and which are a metaphor for the impermanence of their relationship (before Fisher and his orphaned niece Indy return to New York City), but the enjoyment it can bring in the meantime.

Set is the fictional Spunes, OR, DeWitt mostly avoids the small town cliche of everyone being in everyone else’s business by focusing on the colorful and ever-evolving life on Sage’s hobby farm, Fisher’s struggle navigating his new role as parent to a hurting and angry teen, and the inherent goodness and selfless concern and caring of the two main characters. There’s plenty of steamy scenes between Sage and Fisher as well. Highly recommended.

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

Fated (Ghosted #3) by Sarah Ready

 

4*

Just after Fiona Abry and her brother Daniel make a bet over who will find and accept love first, Fiona’s hippy dippy mother Buttercup, who abandoned her at age 6, comes for a very brief visit and gifts her a long-lost family heirloom, the first pocket watch made by Adolphus Abry, founder of the family’s watch company. According to her great-great-uncle Leo, who gave her mother the watch to pass on to her, if Fiona falls asleep holding it, “it will show you your heart’s desire. And then once you’ve dreamed it, you can grasp it.” Next thing she knows, she’s waking up on an isolated Caribbean island in bed with a stranger, Aaron, and mother to two children. To further confound things, she looks like the woman whose body she seems to be possessing. Over the course of the summer, she revisits the island nightly in vivid dreams, never knowing how much time has passed, if any, and slowly falling for Aaron.

There were a couple of minor issues that kept this from being a 5* read for me. It frustrated me how unintentionally cruel Fiona was by not being honest with Aaron about who she is, causing him such incredible hurt. Also, as a huge fan of Jillian and Daniel Abry, the couple from Ghosted, it is disappointing that this story takes place before they meet, so readers don’t get to revisit with them.

As always, though, Sarah Ready does an incredible job of crafting romances that defy time, space, and logic. In this third book of the Ghosted series, there are so many twists that readers are left guessing until the end whether Fiona’s dream guy, Aaron, is real but in another dimension or just a figment of her imagination. Highly recommended!

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

Ghosted by Sarah Ready

 

5*

If you’re a fan of the movie Just Like Heaven, you’ll love this ghostly love story.

Jillian Nijat can’t talk with men, so it’s the height of irony that she’s a love and relationship columnist for The Daily Exposé. However, minutes after she moves into her new NYC apartment, she’s startled by the appearance of a shirtless, gorgeous man named Daniel who insists that they know each other and that he isn’t dead. After the initial shock wears off, she suddenly realizes that she can speak with him. Although neither knows why he’s literally ghosting her, it’s clear that they can help each other out. He'll coach her on her dates (in a twisted Cyrano way) and with relationship advice that will help her keep her job, and she’ll figure out how to help him move on. What neither expects is that they’ll fall in love.

Like all Sarah Ready books, this romance is far from the norm. The dialogue is often poetic, the heartbreak is real, the narrative is full of twists you don’t see coming, and the message is that love transcends space and time. The main characters are fully fleshed-out (no pun intended), the secondary characters, including unsuccessful but heartfelt matchmaker Fran and Jillian’s co-workers at the paper, are perfect foils, and Daniel is a swoonworthy book boyfriend (except, you know, he’s dead). This one will keep you guessing right to the end, but it’s a journey you’ll want to take. The biggest bonus? Book 2, Switched, featuring Jillian’s best friend Serena, is available now, and Book 3, Fated, featuring Daniel’s half-sister Fiona, will be out in July. Highly recommended.

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

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

 

5*

This story is an absolutely heartwarming and heartbreaking delight. Full disclosure? I’ll always love a book about books set in a small Irish village. Add a steamy, slow-burn romance between a handsome, black-haired, blue-eyed Irishman with a sexy accent and a ginger-haired librarian from America on a year-long, working holiday in his Last Chapter bookshop, and all my fantasies are fulfilled.

However, this book is so much more than an enemies-to-lovers, small town romance. Kier (aka Kieran Murphy) and Red (aka Emily Allen) both carry baggage from difficult, abusive childhoods that have left her with anxiety attacks and hypochondria and him with a strong aversion to change and a sense of abandonment. Yet, it’s their devotion to famous author Siobhan Reardon that binds them together. Siobhan’s Tig McMorrow fantasy series provided comfort, support, and escape throughout Em’s adolescent years, so she’s thrilled when asked to be her assistant as she writes the conclusion to the series after a ten-year hiatus. It’s also an escape from her stifling life and opportunity to break out of her shell. On the other hand, Kier is fiercely protective of his mother, and is resentful of and worried about how she blocks out the world when she’s fully-engrossed in the writing process. So, they almost immediately butt heads, not just over how to handle Siobhan, but also with the changes Em proposes to bring the bookstore into the 21st century. As Siobhan’s deadline fast approaches and the chemistry between Kier and Em heats up, will the last chapter have a happy ending? You’ll have to read it to find out.

McKinlay paints a vivid picture of this quaint Irish village and its colorful and kind inhabitants, builds great tension between Kier and Em, and sensitively portrays the damage done by narcissistic, neglectful, and abusive parents, while still maintaining the fine balance between witty, lighthearted scenes and heartbreaking moments. Don’t be surprised if, like Em, you find yourself daydreaming about epic romance and grand gestures as you read this wonderful story. Highly recommended!

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

The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna by Erin Palmisano

4*

If you like Chocolát and Like Water for Chocolate, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this debut novel with a vein of magical realism running through it. A few generations back, a group of women in the village of Potamia on the small Greek island of Naxos drank from an elusive spring and magical things began to happen. This is the story of their female descendants.

Although she doesn’t believe in fate, American Marjory (Jory) finds herself in Potamia after a brochure with a beautiful wooden yacht calls to her. There she meets Cressida, a young widow who owns the guesthouse and taverna (that never opened following her husband’s tragic death) who has a gift for imbuing her baked goods with whatever emotion she’s feeling at the time, her older neighbor Mago who sews stunning garments and other pieces based on the color waves that speak to her and guide her hand, the surly, but beautiful Nefeli who has a sixth sense that allows her to anticipate future events (although she’s incapable of seeing the truth in her own marriage), and a bevy of friendly and quirky villagers who add color and a certain mystique. In this story, this group of women, with help from Jory who travels when inspiration strikes and creates a sense of home wherever she lands, form an unexpected friendship and work together to finally open the taverna and guesthouse. And then there’s the mysterious Shane, the handsome, charming American Jory meets and instantly feels a “sizzle” with.

Over the course of one summer, Cressida moves beyond her profound grief, Mago faces her fears and embraces her future, Nefeli reaches her breaking point, and Jory learns the true meaning of home and wrestles with her instinct to leave. Although the closed door romance between Jory and Shane is the primary one, the focus is on the unlikely female friendships and the over-riding sense of “home.” Personally, I would have preferred multiple narrators (Cressida, Jory, and Mago) rather than third person since, many times, the narrative became bogged down with descriptions, but this was a minor flaw in an otherwise delightful, delicious tale.

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

Love, Lies and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau

 

4*

If you enjoy reading about over-zealous, interfering mothers and their adult children who care too much about their opinions and expectations, this book is for you. Children of immigrants (in this case, from China to Toronto, Canada) often have immense pressure put on them by parents who moved for a better life. Emily and Mark are two such offspring, forced together by her meddling mother who fancies herself a matchmaker. Although Emily is a published author with second and third books in progress, she has to work two other jobs and share an apartment with her best friend to afford living in such an expensive city. Compared with her four successful, married sisters, she is satisfactorily single at age 33. So, she’s not eager to meet Mark, who has been hand-picked by her mother. When they finally meet at her sister’s wedding, Emily’s pre-conceived negative opinions guarantee there will be no future for them. It isn’t until her mother tricks them into a follow-up date that Emily proposes the idea that they fake date to get her off their backs. As with all other relationships in this genre, real feelings grow, but will Emily be able to handle it if and when the truth comes out?

 

Although no new ground is broken in this story, it’s still a fun, albeit at times frustrating, take on the enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, fake relationship tropes. Emily’s insecurities about their secret coming out and her older sister’s aggravating, callous superiority are minor roadblocks to a happily-ever-after, but neither heavily weigh down the narrative. Mark is a kind, caring, supportive book boyfriend, which is always a bonus. This is a great beach read.

 

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

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

 

5*


I can’t believe I waited so long to read this wonderful book. Rowley strikes the perfect balance between drowning in grief and finding the joy, laughter, and will to live by connecting with family and friends (old and new).

When Patrick’s best friend and sister-in-law Sara dies of cancer, his younger brother Greg asks him to take care of their two children (Maisie, 9, and Grant, 6) for the summer while he checks into a nearby rehab center to overcome his pill addiction. He feels ill-equipped to take care of two grieving children as a 40-something, childless gay man who is mourning both her loss and his unaddressed grief over the death of his boyfriend Joe almost a decade prior. However, Patrick accepts the responsibility and treats his niece and nephew like two little adults, not altering his extensive vocabulary of big words, his frequent references to pop culture from earlier times, his “colorful” language, or his penchant for bright caftans and comforting cocktails.

Whether it’s celebrating Christmas in July (complete with a towering pink tree), visiting kitschy Palm Springs tourist attractions, sharing useless facts (“distraction bombs”) and silly selfies, doling out “Guncle rules.” or just lounging in the backyard pool, he learns that he has an innate understanding of what these kids need to cope with the grief of losing their mother, making mistakes along the way, but also finding a way out of his self-imposed isolation and back to the world of acting he walked away from four years back. His methods may be unorthodox, but they’re also very thoughtful and effective.

I love how naturally funny Patrick is and how Rowley portrays his journey and re-awakening, so to speak. I also appreciate the insight into how hurtful it was for Patrick, with his platonic love for Sara, when she chose his own brother to spend the 2nd half of her life with after Patrick moved across the country to follow Joe and pursue his acting career. One of the reasons he is able to connect so well with Maisie and Grant is because she lives on through them. Rowley also raises the curtain on the struggles Patrick has endured as a gay man, especially when he lost Joe before same-sex marriage was legalized. Not gonna lie…that brought tears to my eyes! Rowley elicits a range of emotions, but I couldn’t help but think of my own life’s mantra borrowed from late comedienne Erma Bombeck: “If you can laugh about it, you can live with it.” And Patrick O’Hara really knows how to live. I can’t wait to read the upcoming sequel, The Guncle Abroad. Highly recommended!!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam's Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.