Rewrite the Stars by Lindsay Hameroff

 

5*

In a genre that sometimes seems overpopulated with teens to 20-somethings, it’s so refreshing to have a romance with main characters in their late 30s who have the maturity to know what they want, even as their baggage tries to weigh them down. Marissa is a famous actor who has become irrelevant after making the choice to sideline her career to raise her children, one of whom has autism. In order to escape the tabloid frenzy after her unfaithful ex-husband gets engaged just six months post-divorce, she decides to take the kids to the Poconos lake home she’s inherited from her grandmother, a place with positive memories and, as it turns out, handsome contractor Jesse who has had quite the glow-up from when they knew each other as pre-teens. Marissa has been used to putting the needs of everyone before her own, so Jesse is a breath of fresh air who supports her and encourages her to fight for what she wants, both personally and professionally.

Although this steamy romance satisfies in that regard, there’s much more depth to this story of childhood friends to lovers. Hameroff, an autism mom herself, does a wonderful job of portraying the challenges Marissa faces raising her neurodivergent child Levi while also demonstrating how capable, loving, and healthy he is. There’s even a particular bit of dialogue that highlights how misinformed people can be about children on the spectrum. In a nod to Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Productions and Book Club, Marissa fights to feature female authors’ novels and to give women in the notoriously misogynistic film industry the opportunity to shine. Between this focus and the willingness to make sacrifices to make Jesse’s and her relationship work, she rewrites the stars by forging her own path. 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.

Tags: ,

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

5*

Road Trip is so much more than I expected, and I loved it. It’s about estranged sisters who fulfill their mother’s dying wish to travel together through Ireland in the hopes they’ll reconcile. It’s also a mystery thriller centered on a painting that has been in the family for generations and determining its provenance. Was it stolen? Is it authentic? The actual story behind it is told in a series of letters between their great-grandmother who fled to America at age 18 and the younger brother she had to leave behind. It’s also a delightful romance between younger sister Maeve and a sexy Irish whiskey distiller named Liam. Who doesn’t dream of discovering love while tracing their roots?

Andrews strikes the perfect balance between the romance, the healing of Therese and Maeve’s relationship, and the sordid and tragic story behind the painting. Her characters are richly-drawn and the various locations perfectly set the stage. This would be a wonderful book to take on your summer vacation. 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.

The A to Z of Everything by Debbie Johnson

 

5*

This brilliant women’s fiction novel is an exploration of grief and a literal and figurative journey towards forgiveness. Told in alternating voices (mother Andrea through videos, audio clips, and written notes, her daughters Rose and Poppy, and even her best friend Lewis and Rose’s son Joe), it begins with the surprising death of Andrea whose dying wish is for her estranged daughters to reunite, remember the good times in their early lives, and ultimately forgive each other. Her masterful plan, The A to Z of Everything, is full of activities that go from emotionally heavy to lighthearted while exposing secrets, forcing Rose and Poppy to be vulnerable with each other, and even bringing some enlightenment, all well navigating their grief.

Damn, this woman can write! Johnson masterfully balances everything from grief and postpartum depression to hilarious karaoke nights and glitter-adorned dice games, allowing her readers to experience the emotional highs and lows of her well-drawn characters. It elicited both laughter and tears and captivated me from the start. This is a reissue, originally published in the UK in 2017. Highly recommended.

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

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

 

3*

It takes something special to hold my attention, and although I’m a fan of Silver’s previous books, I struggled to get through this one. Yes, the title is Slow Burn Summer, but it seemed more about lack of forward momentum that would keep me engaged than about the buildup of a tepid romance. The chemistry between Kate and Charlie was the opposite of explosive, so much so that I didn’t remember the one s#x scene between them that came late in the book. I also didn’t care for Silver’s choice of third person narration because it created a sense of unnecessary distance between this reader and the main characters. There are other aspects of the story that disappointed me, but are hard to describe without spoilers. So, I’ll just leave it that it wasn’t the book for me, but I think it’ll find its audience.

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

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler

 

4*

Sarah Adler’s debut is such a delight. It’s not just a road trip romance between grumpy, handsome writer Hollis and sunshiny former child star Millicent, but also the queer romance (flashing back to 1944) between Millie’s late neighbor Rose Nash and the Army nurse, Elsie, she fell in love with only to lose her, first to Elsie’s urging her to marry the boy back home, and then to Elsie’s supposed death in the Korean War. Millie is on a mission to bring Mrs. Nash’s ashes to Elsie before it’s too late. It’s her way to reunite them in the best way she knows how and prove that love can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, cancelled flights are only the first of many mishaps that she and her nasty ex’s frenemy encounter when they run into each other at the airport and then choose to drive from DC to Florida together.

Along the way, downright rude Hollis shows glimpses of the softie underneath as he responds to Millie’s unique brand of weirdness, charm, and optimism. They both have their share of baggage, but it doesn’t bog the story down thanks to a heaping serving of witty banter and ridiculously silly encounters with everything from suicidal deer to dozens of paint-by-number Jesus’s. If you’re looking for a feel good, steamy romance, I highly recommend checking this one out.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley 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.

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell

 

3*

Slow Dance is a childhood friends-to-lovers, second chance love story, which is usually my vibe, but I just couldn’t get into it as I had hoped. There were several issues I had with the book. Part of the problem was that Rowell chose to constantly switch timelines, in no particular chronological order, which was made worse by the fact that she didn’t date the chapters, but rather used the word “before” for anytime prior to the present (which was randomly set in 2006). So, it could be when Shiloh and Cary were pre-teens or high schoolers or young adults or even just a month or so earlier than the previous chapter. Another problem was when they’d email each other, there was no clear indication (using different fonts or their names) whose words were whose. There were also a number of short, random chapters that gave some insight into their childhoods or the lives during the fourteen years they were apart, but they disrupted the flow of the narrative. I also didn’t feel there was much chemistry between Shiloh and Cary. I got the sense she is demisexual, and never had an interest in the act with her ex-husband but did with Cary. Even so, the intimate scenes were awkward to read.

On the plus side, I did enjoy their friendship and Shiloh’s precocious children. It was also interesting to read a romance where the main characters weren’t gorgeous human specimens. Shiloh is a hirsute Amazon and Cary, although he grew into his looks, is covered in moles and suffers with eczema. Overall, this is a romance that’s very realistic and not the kind that sweeps you away with swoon-worthy characters, steamy scenes, and grand gestures. It was enough to keep my attention but not a book I’d read again.

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.

What's In a Kiss? by Lauren Kate

 

4*

Alternate reality romance with a “what if “scenario which poses the question of whether or not true love transcends space and time.

Can a moment in time (or a missed opportunity) profoundly change your life’s trajectory? If you had the chance to live your life in two different dimensions but had to sacrifice one or more loving relationships, which life would you choose? Equipped with this knowledge, would you be able to make the necessary changes and take the risk of rejection to have an epic love in either dimension? These are the questions Olivia Dusk faces when she suddenly finds herself in an alternate reality. In her Real Life, she’s a recently furloughed middle school drama teacher in Los Angeles, busy planning her best friend Masha’s wedding, hosting a fledging podcast with her mother, and dreading the arrival of best man Jake Glasswell, former high school crush and nemesis who wouldn’t kiss her at prom, but went on to New York City for college and a very successful career as a talk show host. In high school, they competed in sports, on stage, and in the classroom, both being voted Most Likely to Succeed, However, when Olivia’s father died right after prom, she gave up her dreams of attending Juilliard and becoming a successful actress to support her grieving mother. When Jake arrives for the wedding, their sniping picks up right where they left off 10 years before, but there’s a fine line between love and hate. When Olivia finds herself in the other dimension (her High Life), she experiences the life she would have had if the prom kiss had actually happened. With no memory of the intervening years, however, she can’t live genuinely and honestly, nor can she repair the relationships she damaged along the way.

This is the first book I’ve read of Lauren Kate’s, but it definitely won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this fantastical romance reminiscent of the movie 13 Going on 30. Whatever dimension, the chemistry between Jake and Olivia is palpable and the love they have for each other in the High Life is relationship goals! The friendship between Liv and Masha and her relationship with her mother in her Real Life are a wonderful depiction of female empowerment. Living in LA, it was also fun for me to read about places I enjoy just like the characters. If you’re looking for a fun summer read, check this one out. 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.

Nice Work, Nora November

 

3*

Although this book ends on a high note, I struggled with it because it was really depressing and not just because Nora herself suffered with mental illness. After reading the synopsis, I’d expected an “uplifting and heartwarming” story, and it wasn’t. I’d describe it as sad and highly dysfunctional with a few pages of hope and renewal at the end. From the moment Nora wakes up from a coma after her near-death experience of drowning, it’s obvious that her family puts the D in dysfunction. Her ethically-challenged father, a personal injury lawyer, is both emotionally and physically abusive, her mother is in major denial and lives to criticize and gaslight her, her younger sister has lost all faith in her after being disappointed too many times when Nora’s depression caused her to break promises, and her cousin Gus is a lonely, sad alcoholic who also doesn’t trust her.

As Nora goes through rehab and therapy, she re-evaluates her life Before (capitalized in the book) the drowning and decides that she needs to make some major changes, including trying to recapture some of what she lost. She creates a reverse bucket list that includes trying to find Jack, the man she met during a robbery hostage situation who she thinks may be The One, and tending to her late grandfather’s community garden plot that she let go wild while her mental health was spiraling. I didn’t understand London’s choice to have Nora fail at everything she tried, unless it was to highlight how easy it is to slip back into depression and self-doubt. One of the only highlights of the story is the group of senior citizen thespians she meets who knew her grandfather. They provide the only bit of comic relief in the book and are instrumental in helping Nora navigate her After life. There are also many deathbed vignettes of Jack’s hospice patients which were really interesting and set the stage for how kind and empathetic he is. I wouldn’t classify this as a romance, although there was an element of it, but women’s fiction instead.

As someone who has suffered from chronic depression and lost my father way too young, it was somewhat triggering to read Nora’s story, especially the joy she felt seeing her late grandfather while in the coma. So, I think it’s important to share trigger warnings. If you don’t want any spoilers, stop reading here.

*
*
*
*
*

Depression, abuse, suicide, death, grief, alcoholism

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Harper Muse 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.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard

 

3*

Spoilers ahead

*

*

*

*
Although this is a cute, spicy Hallmark-esque, enemies-to-lovers rom-com, it is just too much of a cliche to be more than 3* for me. I didn’t understand whether Emmy’s hesitancy towards falling for Grayson was due to her father’s untimely death and fear of losing someone else she loved or her lingering hurt feelings over something that happened between them when she was just 15 and he was 17. Either way, it just seemed to be a contrivance to drive the plot. On top of that, I’m also not a fan of a 3rd act break-up, especially when it’s due to eavesdropping and a failure to communicate. Overall, this lacked strong character development, and maybe it’s because I live in LA and am tired of “the industry”, but I just couldn’t get into the relationship between two successful stars and the public’s obsession with their romance.

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.

Take Two, Birdie Maxwell by Allison Winn Scotch

 

4*

Birdie Maxwell was the rom-com queen until a video of her berating the director of her next film for inappropriate behavior goes viral. Overnight, she goes from being America’s sweetheart to teetering on the edge of losing all she’s spent nearly 20 years of hard work building. With nowhere to hide, she runs away to the small California town she escaped at 18. The last thing she expects to find is a love letter in her childhood bedroom. When she shows it to her best friend, Mona, they realize that it might be the key to salvaging her career. What she doesn’t expect is for Elliot O’Brien, Mona’s twin, renowned journalist, and the man she’s loved unrequitedly since age 12, to walk into the bar and for Mona to suggest they work together to hunt down and interview all her past loves. The ensuing road trip in Mona’s rickety old RV is road trip rom-com heaven. 

 

There’s a lot going on in this story: a journey of self-discovery and growth for Birdie, a second-chance romance for Birdie and Elliot if they can learn to be open and honest about their true feelings for each other, a nod to the #MeToo movement and how Hollywood so easily forgives and defends abusive men, the challenges in sibling relationships, the price of fame and putting one’s career above all else, and how two people in a relationship can have vastly different perspectives both during and after it ends. Scotch does a great job of balancing emotional plot points with humorous banter, garnering sympathy for characters who often make choices that hurt those they care about, and building up to a resolution that brings both surprises and satisfaction. Recommended read for rom-com lovers.

 

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 Last Phone Booth in Manhattan by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi

 

5*

The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan is part love story, part magical realism, part platonic friendship and, at its heart, the story of a woman who lost her way but, with the help of a couple of ghosts, a rusty old phone booth, and the immortal words of Charles Dickens, gets a second chance at pursuing her dreams and putting herself first. 

 

Avery Lawrence seemingly has it all: Adam, her gorgeous, generous boyfriend of 6 years who provides her with everything her heart desires including a star-studded wedding proposal under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree…until it all comes crashing down when he’s arrested for fraud. Finding herself outside the prison with no money, she accepts the help and advice of a security guard who directs her to a phone booth to call the number she’s been given. When the call goes through, she’s given an address that leads her to her former boyfriend Gabe’s front door. Thus begins her do-over, but is it really a restart if she falls right back where she was before becoming a ghost of her former self by sacrificing her own dreams of a life in the theater for a man to take care of her?

 

After what turns out to be a ghostly encounter that guides her from a past she’s eager to put behind her, she begins to audition again while rekindling her relationship with Gabe. However, it’ll take another spectral presence to give her a glimpse of the future she might have if she’s willing to let go of her fears and insecurities, focus on her passions, and not let anything or anyone get in her way. This includes having to decide which path she’ll take so that she has no regrets in the future. A quote from Dickens keeps popping up as a reminder: No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.

 

This isn’t a Christmas story, although it begins and ends on the holiday. However, the themes from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol are featured heavily throughout. It’s all about Avery listening to her heart and the voice inside her head so that she’s finally set on a redemptive path that brings her joy and causes as little emotional hurt as possible to herself and the people she loves. The authors have written a beautiful story that leaves you guessing until the very end about which path Avery will choose. Fans of Broadway musicals will thoroughly enjoy how infused the book is with performances at Mimi’s Shooting Star Diner where Avery and other Broadway hopefuls work between auditions and gigs. Highly recommended.

 

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

Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker

 

4*

With a nod to P.S. I Love You and with parallels to Christina Lauren’s Roomies, Walker has written a movie-worthy rom-com about an American woman, Cara Kennedy who, while nursing a broken heart, decides to take an already planned 3-day holiday to Dublin without the ex-boyfriend. Serendipitously, her Uber driver from the airport is Finn McGuire, a charming, handsome bloke with a killer Irish accent with whom she feels an instant attraction.

On Leap Day in Ireland (once every four years), tradition dictates that women can ask men to marry them, Thanks to copious amounts of Irish whiskey, Cara’s evening in the pub where she meets up with Finn on her last night ends with a proposal followed by a return to her beachfront bungalow in Malibu where they spend days getting to know each other, all while planning an annulment. Given the obvious attraction and easy friendship, it’s no surprise that they keep putting it off.

Cara is an aspiring screenwriter who has been paying her dues at a top talent agency working for Hollywood’s version of Amanda Priestley. Finn shows up at her office on a whim and, in the blink of an eye, finds himself auditioning for the lead in a highly-coveted blockbuster movie. Shortly after, Cara begins questioning if Finn’s affection is real or if she’s just been a pawn in his quest for stardom.

There is so much to love in this story: swoon-worthy book boyfriend who helps buttoned-up Cara learn to be spontaneous, Hollywood boss from hell who unwittingly drives her to finally write a winning screenplay, former starlet and sassy landlady Penelope who provides color, wit, and wisdom, feisty best friend and co-worker Julia who provides an endless supply of homemade Italian treats, tequila shots and a shoulder to cry on, and Oscar, devoted canine sidekick who voices the epilogue.

Highly recommended to readers who can’t resist a man with a panty-melting accent and sparkle in his eye.

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.

 

 

Wilde Child (The Wildes of Lindow Castle #6) by Eloisa James

4*

(possible spoilers)


It’s always fun to visit the Wilde family. Thaddeus, the oh-so-proper heir-apparent to the Duke of Eversley, failed in his courting of Joan Wilde’s sisters Betsy and Viola, but her apparent illegitimacy prevents him from pursuing her because he must marry well. His lunatic father, who abandoned him and his mother shortly after his birth, wants him to revoke his birthright and will use any scandal to expedite it. However, what starts as a lark, helping Joan fulfill her desire to act on stage, becomes so much more as he’s taken in by her beauty, laughter, and general joie de vivre. That she is part of the loving, eccentric and accepting Wilde family seals the deal. He loves Joan, but also sees the rest of them as the family of his heart. Over time, he starts to drop the rigid, arrogant, aristocratic facade he’s perfected, and with her genuineness and trusting soul, he begins to shed the “disguise” he’s worn his entire life to reveal the fun, mischievous man he is at his core.

This enemies-to-lovers historical romance is the 6th book in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series, and is as delightful as all the rest. The story mirrors Shakespeare’s Hamlet, with Joan taking a gender-bending turn as the Prince of Denmark, with Thaddeus unwittingly personifying Ophelia...without the tragic ending. It’s always a treat to visit with the large, boisterous and scandalous family of the Duke of Lindow. Plot-wise, there isn’t much to distinguish this book from others of the genre, but Eloisa James does a marvelous job of bringing her characters to life and allowing readers to share in the joy this family evokes. There are still two young Wildes in the nursery, so let’s hope we’ll be gifted with their stories in the near future.

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

One Week 'Til Christmas by Belinda Missen

5*

In one of the best meet-cutes, the handsomest man literally knocks Isobel Bennett down and almost into a bus’s path when he slips and falls on an icy sidewalk. Despite some bruises, she regrets not having gotten his name and number. She’s a travel writer based in Australia and on vacation in London through Christmas. However, her boss, who is concerned about falling readership, hounds her to do an interview with an actor whose star is on the rise. Tom Bracken, famous for his TV character, is rehearsing for a play and preparing for a big movie role. However, Isobel doesn’t watch TV and has no idea who he is until she shows up at the National Theater and finds he’s the man from the sidewalk. Those two fateful meetings turn into a week of togetherness that leads to a very promising relationship. However, with her returning to Australia and a text from her boss that spells betrayal to Tom, will they ever have a chance for a happily-ever-after?

Humble, naturally charming and intelligent Tom cares for his friends and has the same insecurities as any normal person. Isobel, who’s tiring of her boss and career, wants to write more in-depth serious stories and perhaps turn her amateur photography into something full-time. After 10 years travelling the world, Tom very quickly becomes her vision of home and normalcy. The attraction between them is instantaneous, but they take their time before even kissing, simply enjoying each other’s company and sharing intimate conversations while shopping at Liberty’s, eating at market halls, and skating at one of the temporary ice rinks that pop up in London at the holidays. This delightful book, set in one of the most ideal cities to celebrate Christmas, is the perfect present. Treat yourself!

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

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

5*

When 18-year-old Tate and 21-year-old Sam meet while on vacation in London, it’s love at first sight. Not only is there physical attraction, but there is a soul-bearing closeness between them that allows Tate to let her guard down, sharing that she is the long-lost daughter of famous actor Ian Butler. So, when the paparazzi descend on her hotel, making it clear that Sam has sold her story, the heartbreak is devastating. Rather than disappear again, she dives head-first into an acting career, as a way to get to know her father, to escape from the pain of Sam’s betrayal, and to haunt him whenever he sees her on-screen.

Fast forward 14 years, and Tate is set to star in her 7th feature film, working with her father for the first time. It’s the kind of film that has award-winner all over it, and it’s a part that speaks to her heart. So, when she walks on set and sees Sam after all those years, it messes with both her heart and head. Unbeknownst to her, he is the screenwriter and the love story is between his grandmother Roberta and step-grandfather Luther, the same man who accompanied Sam to London. She has trouble reconciling the boy who sold her out with the man who could write such a sensitive story, but, as they are forced to work together, she softens enough to allow him to tell her why he did it.

“Can you believe me, though?” he asks quiets. “That the worst thing I ever did was for the best reason I ever had?”
She’s never again opened herself up to love, but will his explanation be enough for her to forgive him and to take a second chance with him?

Christina Lauren have, once again, written a romance that makes you fall in love with the well-drawn characters. The emotions are palpable, the storyline complex and rich, and the resolution heart-warming. This one is another winner!

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.

Once Upon a Bad Boy by Melonie Johnson

3*

Once Upon a Bad Boy (Sometimes in Love #3) is Sadie’s story. After years struggling to be taken seriously as an actress, with critics chalking up her Emmy-winning role on a soap opera to her rich family’s influence rather than her talent, she’s finally won the part of a lifetime as the gutsy heroine in a major action flick. So, the last thing she needs is a major distraction in the form of her teenage love, Bo Ibarra. Unfortunately, he’s the stunt coordinator for the film and there’s no escaping him. On the night of their senior prom, he ended their relationship without explanation, telling her he didn’t want to see her again. For ten years, she mentally boxed up her pain and avoided following news of him. Now it’ll take all of her self-control to fight the attraction that is still there and avoid exposing the secret from her past. This second-chance romance wasn’t as well-written as the first two books in the series. The chemistry wasn’t as strong and Sadie, who is supposedly a tough, self-confident woman, is way too forgiving of Bo, first for the way he ended their teen relationship and then for his reaction when her secret is revealed. Compared with Logan in Book 1 and Theo in Book 2, Bo is lacking in charm and genuine passion for his love interest. It’s still a great series to follow, but here’s hoping the next book recaptures the magic of the first two.


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.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

3*

Major spoilers:

On the first day of law school, Kailyn collides with former child star and her massive crush Daxton Hughes while she’s “visualizing success” with her eyes closed and he’s running to catch a Frisbee. She gushes like a fangirl, embarrassing herself in the process. Minutes later, she trips in class and lands in his lap for a 2nd time. From this "meet cute”, they carry on a flirty rivalry until graduation when he screws her over to be first in class. Fast forward five years and he walks into her office with his parents to establish a trust for his little sister. He doesn't understand the reason for her hostility, remembering them as friendly rivals. A few months later, a tragedy and ensuing custody battle draw them together again. An inevitable (borderline unethical) romance blossoms, but is it strong enough to survive grief and betrayal?

There are several problems with this book. First, it is too predictable. Hunting uses the same tired tropes and fails to elevate the story beyond the norm. We learn enough about the characters to form opinions, but the witty dialogue and depth of feeling are in short supply.

Second, it seems very dated. Feminism flies out the window when Dax calls Kailyn to help him buy sanitary products and then gags at the idea of menstruation and Kailyn, a short, curvaceous brunette, feels she can’t compete with blond Barbies for the hot guy’s attention and then gives up a great promotion to win him.

Finally, it has several implausible plot points. Would a former teen heartthrob really fall in love with a 30-something woman who still wears and uses memorabilia from his show? Although not spoken aloud, Kailyn says “Freaking teenage crushes die hard.” Can an aunt with a dubious reputation and 3 failed marriages, and who was removed as guardian 6 months prior to the parent’s death, really have a case for custody? There is also no way that two busy Los Angeles police officers would show up at a school dance to “mediate” because minors were caught with booze. How is it that two lawyers fail to see the clues that are right in front of them? For example, Emma’s journal is missing from the same locker where they found the booze and, days later, the aunt is using pages from the same journal to try to discredit Dax.

Bottom line: it’s entertaining enough to read through, but the implausibility of several situations makes it difficult to fully buy in to the story.


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.