Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

5*

This is the second book I’ve read by Bastone (the first being Ready or Not), and I can’t wait to read more. This friends-to-lovers romance between Lenny and Miles is a touching and heartbreaking exploration of grief and the process of working through it to be able to live and love again. I absolutely love how Miles is so committed to helping Lenny navigate her grief journey (following the death of her best friend), using his own experiences to inform the way he both supports her and gently and patiently guides her through her depression.

“You are not betraying her [her friend Lou] by healing,” he whispers directly into my ear. “You are honoring her. You are learning to love her exactly as she is. As someone who isn’t here anymore … That’s who she is now. And this journey through grief … It’s what we do for the great loves of our lives.” In return, Lenny helps Miles build a relationship with his half-sister and niece, the only family he has left.

Lenny has what Miles refers to as “love-at-first-sight fantasies” which are really just her first reactions to men she sees, and hers toward Miles is initially positive, but quickly dashed when he opens his mouth. Yet, she soon realizes that he’s just socially awkward (perhaps autistic-coded) and his gruff exterior masks a kind, empathic man. He turns out to be the perfect book boyfriend, sensitive to her needs and totally supportive and protective.

Bastone is wonderful at building tension. This is a VERY slow burn, but the wait is worth it with a hilarious, but spicy love scene towards the end. Highly recommended.

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

 

Insignificant Others by Sarah Jio

 

4*

With a nod to both Ghosts of Girlfriends Past and Groundhog Day, Jio has spun a delightful, emotional, illuminating timeslip novel about a woman who, in the process of living a day with each of the choices she could have made with various men from her past, is also given the opportunity to reflect on her dissatisfaction with her current life. The day after her latest relationship ends with Coldplay tickets instead of a proposal, Lena runs to the comfort of her Aunt Rosie’s arms, the woman who raised her after her mentally ill mother died when she was just 12, following a life of instability, lack of plans, and occasional abandonment. Before falling asleep, she comes to the realization that, due to her chaotic childhood, she fears the unknown and clings to her rigid life and career plans as a result.

The following morning, she wakes up in Paris, married to a sophisticated Frenchman she’d met years before at a mutual friend's wedding. Over the next nine days, she finds herself waking to 9 other ghosts from her past (including a farmer, past boyfriends and crushes, near-strangers, etc.). In the process, she is forced to reevaluate her views on motherhood, infidelity, desirable qualities in a romantic partner and more. When she finally breaks free from this time loop, will she have discovered enough about herself to be open to a true love relationship? You’ll have to read it and see. Highly recommended.

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

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

 

5*

(Publication date: 4/1/25)

Jimenez has done it again, written a romance that renews our belief in the goodness of humanity in spite of toxic parents, misogynistic exes, and more. The love story between soulmates Samantha and Xavier is one of the most beautiful she’s ever written. When you know, you know, and both of them fell fast and hard, even with Sam moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles the morning after the first best date of their lives. Long distance relationships are hard enough for couples who have a history, but what do you do when you’re just getting started and it’s too good to give up?

There is so much I enjoyed and appreciated about this book. The depiction of Sam’s mother’s early-onset dementia is sensitive and compassionate, portraying how a caring family is willing to make huge sacrifices to fulfill their loved one’s wishes and treat her with dignity. Xavier’s hard-earned success as a veterinarian, in spite of his abusive, narcissistic parents, is a testament to his strength of character and inherent goodness as is his need to take care of the people he loves and the animals he’s sworn to protect and heal to the best of his ability. Samantha’s wit, as evidenced by her sassy and snarky social media posts for the mustard company she works for, and her dedication to her family draw grumpy Xavier out of his shell, making him happier than he’s ever been, especially when her family falls for him, too. There are some LOL moments, especially the dead mouse and swallowing the earbud, that bring levity to some pretty heavy subject matter. Finally, the relationship Sam has with her siblings and parents is a clear example of how, despite their different personalities and irritation towards each other, they can work as a team to take care of their mother.

Fans of ACOTAR will appreciate how Xavier resembles Rhysand (had to look it up since I’m not a romantasy fan, but wowza!) and anyone who craves delicious, slightly steamy romances without the miscommunication and third act breakups that are far too prevalent in the genre will want to read this gorgeous love story. Very highly recommended.

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

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

 

5*

I’ve read other fictionalized accounts of Titanic survivors, but this one is the first where there’s a focus on the PTSD and survivor guilt they endured following the unspeakable tragedy.

Elinor Coombes, believer in true love and happily-ever-afters thanks to the books of Austen and Brontë, was tricked into a loveless marriage with an heir to an earldom so they could get a huge dowry from her industrialist father. Shortly after giving birth to a son and heir, she learns that aristocratic women don’t raise their sons, whose upbringing is left to a nanny and then boarding school by age 7. When she finds out that, in the event of her husband Frederick’s death, her disapproving and hard-hearted in-laws would gain custody, it is an abstract worry since he’s young and healthy; that is, until the Titanic sinks and the worst comes to pass. Desperate to save her son from the cold, callous path set out for him, she assumes a deceased woman’s identity to start a new life, but will she always be looking over her shoulder?

Quinn paints a clear picture of life in the Lower East Side tenements of NYC, putting a human and compassionate face on the squalor and seeming chaos of the poor neighborhood. Her story is a testament to the immigrants who came from Europe for a better life and the hard work they put in to make their dreams a reality and to the human spirit and the strength and courage of women who are underestimated by both men and other women who see them as weak. Finally, it’s a beautiful portrayal of chosen family and the capacity for forgiveness. Fans of Susan Meissner, Fiona Davis, and Beatriz Williams will love this. Highly recommended.

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

Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff

 

5*

Second chance romance, gorgeous book boyfriend with a killer British accent, and plenty of steam? Yes, please! After loving Hameroff’s debut novel Till There was You, I was excited to read Never Planned on You, and it didn’t disappoint.

On the night before Ali is due to return home to Baltimore after her semester in London, she finally meets her friend Artie’s reclusive roommate Graham. What starts as a friendly darts competition leads to matching horrendous tattoos and a night neither will forget. Flash forward eight years, and they run into each at her local coffee shop. The spark is still there, but the timing is all wrong, yet again. Will it ever be the right time?

This is a wonderfully swoon-worthy romance, the perfect read for Valentine’s Day. Both MCs were endearing, and the chemistry between them is off the charts. I really enjoyed Ali’s family and the way 3 generations of Rubin women and Graham’s grandmother play matchmaker for these two misguided soulmates. 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.

A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler

 

3*

I struggled for much of this story because I really couldn’t see a redemption arc for Charlie. He destroyed their marriage with his drinking, disregard and callousness, yet forty years after his and Vivian’s divorce and now very comfortably retired, he’s still drinking and being less than forthcoming. I also didn’t see the appeal of Vivian. She’s a very poor woman who has been beaten down by life, but who pours all of her love and attention into her daughter and granddaughters. She leads a very insular life, and understandably, has trust issues with men. So, it was difficult for me to cheer for the rekindling of their relationship.

Having said this, it was very life-affirming to see two people in their 60s realize that they’ve grown up a lot in forty years and that loneliness (even when surrounded by people) and forgiveness are choices. They can choose to let past hurts and mistakes keep them from moving forward, or they can acknowledge the hurt, forgive each other, and embrace a new life together. Butler intentionally chose dual narration which was a wise decision because it gave clearer insight into Charlie and Vivian’s insecurities, regrets, and secrets. I still don’t understand why Charlie never told Vivian where his money came from, especially since she had such a problem with him spending it on her and because he had shared the truth with her daughter, Melissa. Finally, I also didn’t like the choice to limit punctuation. I’m a grammar snob, so it was difficult, at times, to distinguish what was dialogue without the use of quotation marks. A minor quibble, but one that took me out of the story more than once.

I recommend this to readers who are looking for a mature, closed door romance and women’s fiction. Yes, it’s written by a man, but not from the male gaze, in my opinion.

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.

Starting Over in Starshine Cove (Starshine Cove #4) by Debbie Johnson

 

5* 

(release date: 2/19/25)

Like other devoted fans of Johnson’s Starshine Cove series, I waited a long time for Connie’s love story, and I couldn’t be happier. She is the heart and soul of the village and after losing her soulmate five years ago, she deserves to find love again. It’s scary to be vulnerable after loss, but life as an empty-nester can be lonely, even with her close friends and family who provide support, comfort, and great company. So, it is so heartwarming to see how happy her friendship with and blossoming feelings for Zack make her.

As a single 60-something, it’s so encouraging to read a romance between two beautiful, reacquainted friends who find each other after 25 years. Also, reading about Starshine Cove and its delightful inhabitants is a wonderful way to spend a few hours, especially catching up with characters from previous books. There’s a bit of angst, but it doesn’t drag the book down. If you’re a fan of Johnson’s or just love a mature, closed door romance, definitely check this one out. Highly recommended.

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

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

 

4*

A grieving husband who is struggling with writer’s block after his wife Abby, an investigative journalist who’s been getting threats, disappeared one year ago on the night he made the New York Times bestseller list, Grady Green jumps at the chance Kitty, his agent and Abby’s godmother, gives him to get out of his pathetic hotel room in London and spend three months on the Isle of Amberly off the Scottish Highlands in the writing shed of a late author who willed it to her. Even before he reaches its shores, he gets his first sighting of who he believes is Abby. Is it a hallucination, a ghost, or a result of his alcoholism? As it turns out, this is just the beginning of the strange happenings on the small island, its only full-time inhabitants about 25 women who are both mysterious and disturbing. There’s plenty of tension as Grady realizes that he’s essentially trapped with no phone service and a ferry that runs at the whim of the captain who seems determined to keep him from leaving.

Through a series of flashbacks in both Grady’s and his wife Abby’s voices, we get a sense of the state of their marriage before she vanished. There was definitely love but, contrary to what Grady professes, his writing had been his primary focus. Like any good psychological thriller, Feeney kept me on the edge of my seat, but I never anticipated the twists near the end. This isn’t my usual genre, but I appreciated the way Feeney set up the story and her eerie depiction of Amberly. Recommended.

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

The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris

 

5*

My first 5* rating of 2025 goes to this beautifully written story of a young single mother who, despite the toxic men in her life, will do anything to protect her young daughter, even temporarily living in the storage closet in the hospital where she works as one of the cleaning crew. Beatrice (Bea) grew up in foster care after losing her parents at age 11. It wasn’t until she made friends in college that she had a semblance of family again, that is until she met much older Declan and got pregnant at 25. Giving up everything to move in with him and raise their daughter, she’s blindsided when he not only leaves her but also forces her out of her home just before Christmas. Little does she know that, when she meets octogenarian Malcolm, her life will grow in ways she never anticipated.

Set during the Christmas season, this is a heartwarming story of chosen family, the resilience and fierce protectiveness of mothers, the plight of homelessness with inadequate safety nets, the power of friendship, and the kindness of strangers. There is a romantic element, but it is not the focus of the book. Bea’s daughter Ellie is absolutely precious, her lovely nature in stark contrast to her father and Finton, Bea’s best friend Cora’s live-in boyfriend. Highly recommended.

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

Get Lost With You (Rock Bottom Love #2) by Sophie Sullivan

 

3*

Although I enjoyed this sweet, romantic story, it didn’t capture my attention. I’m a fan of the second chance, friends to lovers, brother’s best friend, and small town romance tropes, but I prefer a slower build-up of a relationship. This was almost Instalove, Levi and Jilly quickly realizing that the feelings they both secretly harbored for each other in their teens were all the more potent as adults. There was very little angst, tons of kissing with some very mild, totally non-descriptive steamy scenes, and a ridiculous 3rd act breakup that was quickly resolved. Levi is a wonderful book boyfriend, and Jilly’s 9-year-old daughter is a delightfully precocious character. Overall, though, there just wasn’t much happening in the book, so predictable but ultimately forgettable.

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.

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid

 

4* (release date: 3/4/25)

Rachel Reid writes beautiful, heartwarming hockey romances that get me every time. That this one is a second chance romance between former best friends and teammates makes it even more special. Professional male athletes, especially hockey players, are “liars” as Adam says. They lie about their pain, their mental illness and addictions, and, sometimes, their sexuality as well. Reid gently explores the pressure to “man up” in this story, with Adam denying his love for and attraction to Riley for over two decades. In the process, he hurt Riley deeply and himself as well. It isn’t until two years into retirement that he reconnects with Riley at his father’s funeral, and it’s anything but smooth sailing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way these two navigate their second chance, with honesty, humility, forgiveness, and a good deal of steaminess. The choice of a dual point of view really helps to round out the relationship. I highly recommend this beautiful soulmates’ love story.

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

Into the Woods by Jenny Holiday

4*




If you read Holiday’s Canadian Boyfriend, you’ll already know Gretchen, Rory’s boss and best friend. Gretchen, on the eve of her 40th birthday, has built a successful dance school, but is eager to expand. At the same time, she’s decided to give up on dating and become a “crone.” On a whim, she agrees to fill in at a summer arts camp for teenagers, and not only finds a friend-with-benefits in rock star Teddy, but also begins to learn that she may be pursuing the wrong dream. However, she’s so determined to remain single that she rejects the evidence right in front of her.


This story is all about honest conversation, artistic expression, self-discovery, female empowerment, and finding your muse. The six artists-in-residence become an unlikely group of friends, and the way they discovers parts of themselves through their interaction with the teens and each other is heartwarming. If you’re looking for a mature romance with a perfect balance of vulnerability, humor, and parental baggage, you’ll love Into the Woods. Highly recommended.


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

Unromance by Erin Connor

 

4*

Author Erin Connor has given us a delightful romance where life imitates art…or vice versa. Each chapter begins with the name and description of a romantic trope or element, such as “Meet-Cute,” “Just Once, To Get It Out of Our Systems,” “Miscommunication,” and “The Grand Gesture,” which then plays out on the page. Sawyer is a romance writer with a severe creative block and Mason is an actor who is also a hopeful romantic who falls in love too fast, only to see it fall apart after the wrap party. In a bit of serendipity (which is actually one movie that ISN'T mentioned in this story that borrows from several classic romances), they meet up and agree to help each other. He’ll provide inspiration to help her get over her writer’s block and she’ll “unromance” his notions about love by having a series of stereotypical dates gone wrong. However, in the best romantic traditions, those pesky feelings get in the way.

Although I’m not a fan of third person narration or third act break-ups, I still thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. Mason is the perfect cinnamon roll boyfriend (in a gorgeous package), Sawyer writes my favorite genre, and there’s loads of laughter, friendship, and steamy scenes. The secondary characters aren’t very fleshed out, but there’s so much to enjoy in the central romance that there’s really no need for a supporting cast. I look forward to reading Connor’s future books. Recommended.

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

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

 

4.5*

This is a really solid, character-driven story, reminiscent of Daisy Jones and the Six, except that the many people who influenced Annie/Cass/Cate’s life tell their own story for a multi-narrated “memoir” rather than being interviewed. In this case, Cate is an author who uses her writing to make amends, process her feelings about the women she’s loved, and finally realize what will ultimately fill the black hole that is her life. In the process, the story serves as an exposé of Hollywood and how both writers’ and actors’ managers hold immense control over the celebrities they handle, sometimes using it for good, but often for self-serving reasons. Cate is a sympathetic character who made a desperately bad decision, but created something memorable from her catharsis. The secondary characters are fully-realized, perhaps because we get to see them from more than one perspective.

My only slight criticism is that the ending seemed abrupt, but that’s more because I like stories tied up in pretty little bows and that’s not how life works. Although there is a sapphic romance element, it’s not the book’s primary focus which is ultimately about ambition, guilt, loneliness, love in various iterations, the power and pitfalls of celebrity, hiding in plain sight, forgiveness, and redemption. A solid work of women’s fiction I highly recommend.

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

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain

 

4*

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is reminiscent of some of Shakespeare’s comedies as if read aloud by Bridgerton’s Lady Whistledown. It’s a fun romp through the English Regency period, complete with cousins Lady Isabelle (Issie) and Arabella Grant (Bella), who look very much alike and agree to switch identities so that anxiety-ridden Issie can avoid her first season on the marriage mart. What neither of them anticipates is that they’ll fall in love and risk losing the objects of their affection when their deceit is revealed.

As with her previous book, Mr. Malcolm’s List, Allain pokes innocent fun at the haute ton’s ideas about marriage and the convoluted rules of primogeniture. If you’re looking for a fun, low angst, historically researched, clean romance, this fits the bill well. 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.