*4

Adler has written another winning romance (actually two romances) using a dual timeline featuring a relationship in 1908 between a female ornithologist who fights hard to be taken seriously in a field where women aren’t welcome and a newspaper publisher and wildlife illustrator who helps her discover a rare goose. Cal’s and Annie’s romance picks up over 100 years later when his ex finds the goose in the attic of her new home and asks for his help in discovering its provenance. The lighthearted mystery is the wild goose chase they find themselves in, and the solution is a hoot (or should I say honk).

One of the highlights of the story are the funny and rather poetic analogies Cal uses to compare love to furniture. Annie is quirky and believes in repurposing antiques in disrepair for use by her modern clientele whereas Cal believes that antiques should be restored to their former glory. Their relationship is a combination of the two viewpoints and reflects their personalities.

Readers can always depend on Adler’s romances to have a unique premise (the opposite of formulaic). In Wild Goose Chase, she’s written yet another witty, engaging story that stands out in a field of contemporaries. 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.

Every Version of You by Natalie Messier

 

5*

This is one of the most well-written and entertaining debut novels I’ve ever read and fans of Kirsty Greenwood and Ashley Poston will eat this up.

On the surface, this is a second chance, enemies to lovers romance that has the added element of postmortem time travel. What would you do if, after dying and finding yourself in a tacky 1970s afterlife waiting room, you were offered the chance for a do-over? That’s what Joey (Josephine) Vasquez is asked when she dies in a car accident after leaving a dinner party thrown by the love of her life who is now married and expecting a baby with his wife. Add to the mix Alex Aquino, another college acquaintance who she hates with a passion, and it’s bound to get messy. Dig deeper though, and it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what different choices you’d make to improve on a former life that made you unhappy and lonely, mostly because they were made because of your parents’ wishes.

Although Messier alludes to the idea that any changes a time traveler makes can have an immense ripple effect, I really enjoyed the idea of a 30-something navigating life again in an 18-year-old body with raging hormones and an under-developed frontal lobe. It was also interesting to see Joey reflect on the idea of friendship, how it grows (or fails to) and how it can fall apart due to distance. Ultimately, though, this is a romance between two people who have a passionate connection that epitomizes the fine line between love and hate. If you like romances in which the MMC has a huge redemption arc and that include the magical realism trope, you’ll love Every Version of You. 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.

A Perfect Summer in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson

4*

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this new addition to the Starshine Cove series, especially since I assumed Book Four ended the series. Although I enjoyed revisiting this quirky, welcoming village, Suzie’s story wasn’t as compelling as those in the previous books. The friends to lovers romance with Guy is a very slow burn, and there is no spice if that’s your thing. They are in their forties, and have each spent their entire adulthood wandering the world solo. Not surprisingly, they consider themselves “flight risks.” Suzie has come home after about a decade and is nervous about her family’s welcome, and Guy, who has never had a family or a stable home, is visiting Starshine Cove for the first time, hoping for a chance to right a wrong. They serendipitously meet while she’s stuck up a tree, and their friendship blossoms.

The best part of the book is the reunion with Suzie’s family and the rest of the villagers. It’s like being wrapped in a warm hug. There are some trigger warnings for miscarriage, cancer, and accidental death, and there’s a big feeling of grief for much of the story. However, there are still plenty of the funny, heartwarming moments which readers of the series will appreciate. Although it could be read as a standalone, I highly encourage you to read the first four books in the series. 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.

The Tea Room Inheritance by Hannah Langdon

 

4 *

I was saddened to hear that Hannah Langdon died unexpectedly last September. I so enjoyed reading her Christmas romances and looked forward to many more.

This book is such a delight…for foodies, Anglophiles, and anyone else who loves a small town, friends to lovers sweet romance that is low on the angst. Yes, there is some grief and heartache, but there are also many happy moments that balance it out. Reading this makes me want to hop the next plane across the pond to share a cuppa and some biscuits with all of the charming and unique characters! Fans of Debbie Johnson and Jill Mansell will eat this one up. 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.

 

The Last Page by Katie Holt

 

5*

Although it touches on grief, guilt and depression, The Last Page is mostly a humorous story with a steamy workplace romance and one of the most eccentric and endearing cast of characters (The Last Page bookstore’s staff) I’ve ever read. The theme of chosen family is central to the story, and I couldn’t help reflecting on the idea of New York, with its huge population, being one of the loneliest places on earth. Ella and Henry, through the power of reading and shared love of books, managed to foster a sense of belonging and family for a hefty slice of the city’s denizens, including Henry himself. One of my favorite elements of the book are the “Staff Picks” at the start of each chapter. (My overwhelming TBR list has grown.)

As I read the passages where Ella shares her favorite parts of her city as only a native can, I couldn’t help thinking of Kate Clayborn’s wonderful book, Love Lettering, which I called “a love letter to NYC” when I reviewed it several years ago, as well as Cole and Layla Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner. All three have their protagonists fall in love while exploring the city. If you know readers who love NYC and/or bookstores, please share this delightful enemies-to-lovers romance. Highly recommended!

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

First and Forever by Lynn Painter

5*

I love that, no matter how bad my mood, reading a Painter romance snaps me out of it. First and Forever is a swoon-worthy, hilarious delight that had me laughing from the first scene and didn’t let up. Duffy DiStefano is snarky, tells it like it is, and isn’t one to back down from a challenge. She’s also been friend-zoned with every guy she’s ever dated because she’s so easy to like and doesn’t play the games like other women do. Lucky for her, Heisman-winning tight end Connor Cunningham likes a challenge. What starts out as an agreement to be her fake boyfriend in order to make her grieving and ailing father happy becomes so much more as they get to know each other, whether it’s scootering to White Castle or coaching a kids’ flag football team. Connor, despite his fame and devastatingly handsome looks, is an absolute sweetheart who goes out of his way to make her and her father’s life more comfortable, but is he too good to be true?

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed more while reading a romance. Whether it’s taking on a hoard of zombies or verbally sparring with Duff’s dad, Tony (an absolute hoot!), the humor doesn’t quit. Of course, at its core, this is a romance and Painter delivers incredible chemistry and some spicy scenes, too. This is one of those books that you wish you could read again for the first time, which is the highest compliment I can give. So, pick this one up for the perfect beach read. 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.

Down with the Ship by Chloe Jory

 

4*

With a nod to Pride and Prejudice, Jory’s debut novel hits all the high points: grumpy male lead, classism, enemies-to-lovers, the relationship between sisters, and first world problems of the rich. She sets her story in Fiji, on a yacht owned by a billionaire media family, where Stella (an uptight, recently suspended PhD art history fellow) has joined her sister Jules, her fiancé Harry and his family for a two-week cruise. Imagine her surprise when she finds out the charming, handsome first mate who came to her rescue after being injured on the beach is actually the ship’s captain, who is none too happy to see her. Although they’re at odds with each other from the outset, the chill between them thaws as they face down killer sharks, discover a romantic bioluminescent lagoon, and escape near death falling down a cliff. In the process, Stella begins to question if she even likes the life and career she’s built, especially as it’s taken her far away from the art she enjoyed making for most of her pre-college life. As Caleb observes, it’s never too late to change the course of your life to find happiness with your chosen profession.

This lighthearted, adventurous romance makes a fantastic beach read with its gorgeous Fijian setting, many humorous moments, and just enough yearning and spice to make it interesting. An added bonus is Jory’s focus on conservation efforts to save the coral reefs. Fans of Katherine Center and Christina Lauren will thoroughly enjoy this. Highly recommended.

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

Love and Other Side Effects by Deidra Duncan

 

4*

Grief is a powerful thing, and this bittersweet romance is flooded with it. Luckily for Joss, Asher’s steadfastness, kindness, and friendship keep her from drowning in it, although her metaphorical walls are a mile high and nearly insurmountable. This lovely and frequently hilarious story by Duncan strikes a good balance between romance, humor and grief, but the path to love is a very twisted one, with many heartbreaking scenes. Joss’s denialism does start to get tedious, but Mother Nature has a wicked way of leveling the playing field. Asher is a “beautiful unicorn” of a man who has his own insecurities which he hides well behind his charm and affability. Joss's and his friendship is enviable, although I frequently wanted to shake some sense into both of them. Overall, though, I really enjoyed their story and recommend it to fans of Katherine Center, Kate Clayborn, Abby Jimenez and Christina Lauren.

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

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

 

4*

Although the premise of this new romance by West is a fun one, there are subjects that are emotionally heavy and take away from the otherwise lightheartedness of the story. Foremost is Sutton’s mother who is one of the meanest characters I’ve ever read about. Her obsession with the husband who left when Sutton was 13 and never returned is in direct opposition to the love she should have for her daughter, especially since she dropped everything (including being at her new and struggling restaurant) to take care of her mother who was injured in a serious car accident. I kept hoping she had walked out and left her ungrateful mother to figure out how to pay for a caregiver/nurse.

Although I enjoyed the progression of Sutton and Elijah’s journey from strangers to lovers, any relationship that begins with deceit is bound to be rocky. Add to that the fact that Sutton would need to return to LA as soon as her mother is healed enough to take care of herself, and Elijah feels obligated to work at a job he hates in order to pay his father back for funding a boxing gym Elijah didn’t even want, and it’s no surprise there’s a third act breakup (my least favorite romantic plot device). However, I really appreciate how West resolved the conflict. Overall, this is still a funny story and one that readers will enjoy. Recommended.

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

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

5*

I am a big fan of Kate Clayborn’s and eagerly look forward to each new book. The Paris Match was well worth the wait. One of her greatest skills is in full evidence here: writing nuanced and flawed characters who fall in love despite some heavy damage and work to overcome their pasts in order to feel worthy of the objects of their affection. This is written in third person, but there is enough internal monologue for readers to be tuned into the innermost thoughts and fears of the characters. Griff and Layla who, on the surface, seem to be polar opposites are actually very well-matched. He is the grumpy to her sunshine, but maybe because she is a doctor and has witnessed immense suffering, she has the patience and insight to recognize that his gruffness isn’t so much a personality trait as a coping mechanism for his chronic pain. As a result of this insight and the time they spend alone together (discovering the hidden treasures found throughout Paris where they’re both visiting for a destination wedding), Layla comes to Griff’s defense when he is scapegoated by people who should know better.

Clayborn uses themes from both Beauty and the Beast and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, especially Griff’s numerous references to being a self-imposed prisoner in a “belltower” following the long ago event that left him deeply scarred in both body and mind. They both face metaphorical demons and work on themselves to reach the happy ending they both deserve. 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.



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Yours For the Season by Emily Stone

 

4*

This lovely second chance romance is what I’ve come to expect from Emily Stone. My only complaint is that the entire plot is based around a huge case of miscommunication and false assumptions. Being that’s one of my romance pet peeves, I had to focus on other aspects of this emotionally-charged story, which was easy given how well Stone writes about family dynamics, creates characters who are full of complexities and goodness, and describes locations so well that you can easily be transported there. If I take any lessons from this story, it’s that we should focus on the love we share, have honesty and transparency in relationships, and be willing to grant forgiveness. If you are looking for a Christmas romance that tugs at your heartstrings but leaves you hopeful, I highly recommend Yours for the Season.

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

Big Nick Energy by Kristen Bailey

 

5*

Bailey has become one of my absolute go-to favorites for charming Christmas romances with a bit of spice. Her latest offering, Big Nick Energy, which takes place in and celebrates my favorite city, London, is a combo of love triangle, second chance romance, and grumpy/sunshine with a kind, thoughtful and hot tree farmer (New Nick) and a former college love (Old Nick) who broke Kay’s heart. When she runs into him 10 years later, she wonders if fate has a hand in it. Yet, there’s also this handsome grump who doesn’t get her jokes and seems to be lacking in holiday spirit. However, the more time she spends with him, she realizes that first impressions are misleading. Lucky for her, she has guidance and encouragement from her beloved Nana, who is in the early stages of dementia, her zany friend Lucy, and her colleagues at the library where she works to help her see things clearly.

If you love closed door romances with a load of humor (cue the Christmas tree netting fiasco meet-cute), set in the most magical city during the winter holidays, and you haven’t yet discovered Bailey’s books, now’s your chance. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

 

5*

Katherine Center has done it again! Her love stories never disappoint. In The Love Haters, commercial videographer Katie finds herself in Key West after her supervisor Cole asks her to take over a project he doesn’t want while also helping her save her job as the company is laying off almost half the staff. The assignment? To create a Coast Guard recruitment film that highlights the excitement of the job. The added benefit? Cole’s estranged older brother Hutch, a gorgeous rescue swimmer who is far from the taciturn, love-hating Mr. Perfect his jealous brother makes him out to be. As Katie spends her days taking swim lessons from Hutch, being entertained by his eccentric and loving honorary Aunt Rue and her hilarious crew of Golden Gals, and being enthusiastically assaulted by his Great Dane George Bailey, she and Hutch grow closer. However, this is more than a sweet romance with a few steamy kisses. It’s also a story of Katie’s journey towards self-love after a lifetime of hating everything about her body. With the help of her best friend Beanie, who is well-acquainted with self-help books, and the sincere compliments from both Hutch and Rue, Katie finally recognizes how damaging her negative self-talk has been.

Center does a wonderful job of showing all types of love while also keeping readers on the edge of their seats as a hurricane brews. There is humor, heartfelt moments, harrowing water rescue, and so much more. Fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Beth O’Leary will love this one. Highly recommended.

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

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

 

5*

I love this book! The unique premise, a one-night stand that turns into a harrowing, yet somehow romantic, 12-day adventure at sea, is riveting. However, it’s the love story between Lexi and Zeke that is really captivating. On the surface, they’re polar opposites: a 31-year-old plain Jane (only in her own eyes) trying to figure out her future while still dealing with the grief of losing her mother, and a handsome, edgy 23-year-old who works as a junior chef but feels like a failure. They are both dealing with family dysfunction baggage, but when fighting together for their lives, they form an unbreakable bond and help each other see that the low opinion they have of themselves is based on external influences, not reality.

The forced proximity trope is there, but not in the formulaic way it’s used in most romances. Yes, there is a strong attraction, but it takes a backseat to the struggle to survive against nearly insurmountable odds. There are many lighthearted moments, so it’s not all doom and gloom, but when O’Leary adds a twist you don’t see coming, the tension continues to grip you until the end. 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.

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.

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.

The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves

 

4*


This is the 2nd book by Graves I’ve read, the first being The Girl He Used to Know. That one remains one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read, and I’ve recommended it to countless people. This one is also a tender love story, but it didn’t grab me quite the same way. I found the pacing a bit slow and, as an “indoorsy” person, I couldn’t get excited about geo-caching, the activity that brought Wren and Marshall together, but also provided much of the framework for the story.

I appreciate this romance in which the couple, despite tragic circumstances that have left them grief-stricken and wary of starting a new relationship, have the maturity and personal integrity to communicate as openly as their wounded souls will allow them to while acknowledging that trust takes time to build and that healing does not follow a linear path. In The Trail of Lost Hearts, these two start as friends who quickly develop feelings but live thousands of miles apart. What should have been a brief fling turns into so much more but Wren, having been betrayed in the worst sort of way in her previous relationship, isn’t willing to accept anything less than a man who “checks all the boxes” and doesn’t hold anything back. She’s self-aware enough to recognize that and to be honest about her boundaries. The irony is that he, as a psychologist, needs to get help in coming to terms with his own loss so that he can share his feelings and his future with Wren. The question is, will the tenuous connection they made in their week together be enough to motivate them to do the emotional work they need to be together, especially when Wren drops a huge surprise?

If you’re a reader looking for romances with depth, mutual caring and consideration, a focus on relationship-building, and a small touch of spice, this is one worth checking out. If you’re a fan of the great outdoors, even better, since the scenes in Oregon sound breathtaking. Recommended.

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

Happily Never After by Lynn Painter

 

5*

I absolutely loved this book! Lynn Painter has such a talent for infusing her characters’ dialogue with humor. As a result, her books are all feel-good romances that we need with so much wrong going on in the world. In Happily Never After, she employs the fake relationship trope…that isn’t.

Sophie meets Max, a architect/engineer, when he is hired by her best friend and maid of honor to object to her wedding to Stuart on the grounds that he’s cheating. (It’s a side gig he fell into by accident.) Since she didn’t actually love him, she’s able to work out her aggressions by lobbing Twinkies at his car from the balcony of the bridal suite. When Max comes to collect payment, they end up spending hours drinking and talking. A couple of weeks later, he calls out of the blue to remind her of her offer to be the Objectress to his Objector, thus starting a beautiful friendship fueled by “halting a lifetime of misery, one wedding at a time.” When her boss tells her she needs a better work-life balance if she’s going to recommend her for promotion and his father says he can’t retire until his mother is convinced he’s “taken care of” (i.e., in a committed relationship), they play up the “friendship” with cosy photos posted on social media and conveniently-timed FaceTime calls in front of witnesses that hint at a deeper relationship, while stressing they’re just friends. With Max believing in love but avoiding it after a painful break-up (figuring the risk is greater than the reward) and Sophie convinced it doesn’t exist at all (especially after being cheated on in every relationship she’s had), a friends with benefits scenario is awfully tempting. Will they be the exception to the rule and manage to not fall in love?

The chemistry between these two delightful characters is scorching, in large part because of the respect they have for each other, their honest communication, and the laughter and lightness they share. Max is the perfect book boyfriend, and Sophie is a smart, successful businesswoman who actually does manage to find time for a social life. To add even more levity to this delightful story, Painter introduces Larry and Rose, Sophie’s meddling, irreverent, geriatric roommates who move in to help with rent after she kicks Stuart out. They’re like cool, protective grandparents who live to embarrass her but who also dole out sage advice on her love life.

If you’re looking for a convincing, witty, light-hearted romance that doesn’t rely on tired tropes, you’ll love this book. 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.

Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy

 

3*

Abbey Bly is the daughter of an aging rock star who quit touring when she was 11 to become an overprotective, full-time dad. The last thing he wants is for Abbey to repeat his mistakes. So, when she announces she is going to Pembridge University in London for her sophomore year, he doesn’t take the news well. When she arrives, she discovers that what she thought were three female roommates are actually attractive men (with androgynous names). Lee is the fashionable gay one, Jamie the whorish aristocratic one, and Jack the Australian Chris Hemsworth lookalike who she’s instantly attracted to. However, the number one (and only) house rule is no fraternizing among housemates.

Unlike their American counterparts, these three are not impressed with her dad’s fame which is a huge relief to her. As Jamie says, “Englishmen only make a big deal about pints and footy.” Being the daughter of a rockstar and a groupie, Abbey never understood musician worship until her first night out with the gang…when she’s dumbstruck by the edgy singer/guitarist on stage, Nate. Soon, she’s juggling her feelings for two guys and still keeping the truth of her living arrangement from her dad.

In addition to the romance, there’s also a mystery element to Girl Abroad. Shortly after Abbey is given a year-long assignment to research and report on an interesting topic, she discovers a painting of a mysterious woman from the 1940s-50s at an estate sale at an ancestral home of the Tulley family, aristocrats who have fallen on hard times. She decides to investigate what this woman’s connection is to the Tulleys, one of whom paid to have her portrait painted. The only clue she has is a Dear John letter tucked into the back of the frame from Josephine to the man she’s rejecting. Josephine was in a love triangle, and it’s Abbey’s job to discover who she chose and what became of them all. As a librarian and lover of research, I found this subplot really compelling.

One big frustration I had that almost spoiled the book completely for me is that nearly halfway through the book, Abbey is in a love triangle with two different guys, but she can’t have either of them. It’s a double slow burn, but when it catches fire, it feels almost like cheating although none of them is willing to commit. It’s all a little too messy for my taste, especially when the feelings are strong all around. I didn’t feel Abbey had enough of a personality for two guys to fall for her, and her behavior was really hypocritical. Unfortunately, aside from the mystery element, there isn’t much to recommend this story. It falls far short of Kennedy’s hockey romances.

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

                                    

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

 

5*

Another ambiguous ending? This is the second book of Serle’s that I’ve read (the first being In Five Years), and I feel like it’s a cop-out. Please, make a decision and don’t make your readers draw their own conclusions. Yes, I’m going to believe that Daphne is getting the happy ending I want for her, but it would have been better to read it on the page.

The premise was interesting, but by Chapter Five, I was already thinking that, if Daphne knows the expiration date on a relationship, why doesn’t she end it sooner if she knows it won’t work out or if she knows her heart will be broken when she starts to catch feelings? I was also frustrated because, to me, it was obvious that she should be with Hugo who she’d had only a three month romantic relationship with but who she still remained close friends with five years later, not wanting to imagine her life without him. Isn’t that what love is all about, someone knowing all of your secrets and flaws, but still wanting to be in your life? Why does she let a little slip of paper decide for her?

As for her relationship with Jake, it’s all so boring. Where’s the passion, the not being able to imagine a life without him in it? Jake’s a great guy, but he deserves better than someone who just wants a safety net because she doesn’t think she deserves anything more. Her parents love Hugo, her best friend thinks there’s still something there, and even Jake, after meeting Hugo for the first time, acknowledges that Hugo is in love with her. Yet, she lets a damn piece of paper determine her fate.

I don’t actually think Serle is a romance writer based on the two books I’ve read, if your definition of romance is a clear happily-ever-after. I won’t be reading anymore because they leave me very dissatisfied. In Expiration Dates, there’s also way too much of Daphne’s introspective monologue obscuring the dialogue, and it annoys me that Daphne isn’t forthcoming with the men in her life (except Hugo).

I chose this book to fulfill the prompt “Quick Read” in a book challenge I’m doing and, despite the fact that it’s only 272 pages and I’m generally a fast reader, it took me too many hours to slog through it. It’s not that she’s a terrible writer, by any means, but I just don’t like ambiguity in my romances.

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.