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.

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch by Julia McKay

 

3*

This dual romance has vibes similar to the movie, The Holiday, but is about two best friends, not strangers, who swap holiday destinations. Holly, whose fiancé dumps her the night before their wedding, goes to an eco-cabin in upstate NY where Ivy was going to take her annual two-week art retreat while Ivy goes to Holly’s honeymoon resort in Hawaii only to find that the a’hole ex-fiancé is there with his new girlfriend. The hot bartender, Oliver, who resembles Ryan Gosling, finds her a place to stay and there’s an instant attraction. Meanwhile, Holly, who still hasn’t cried after the breakup of her 10-year relationship, meets the cabin’s owner, Aiden, who is, serendipitously, her former high school friendly rival who’s had a major glow-up, now resembling Henry Cavill.

The chapters alternate between Holly and Ivy (this nod to the holiday is mentioned more than once), and describe not only the different ways Christmas is celebrated in a small Hudson Valley town and on a breathtakingly beautiful Hawaiian island, but also how each female lead finds instalove when neither is looking for it. Although there are some mildly steamy scenes, there’s not really much obvious chemistry. It definitely has a Hallmark movie feel to it. In fact, the focus is just as much on the loving friendship between Holly and Ivy than the two romances. If you’re looking for a feel-good, low angst Christmas story, this is a good one to check out.

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.

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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.

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

5*

Possible spoilers

In this mature romance set in the fictional coastal town of Beechwood, NY, Monaghan has crafted a beautiful story about a 38-year-old, soon-to-be divorced mother’s reawakening and the surprising man from her past who is the impetus for it. I couldn’t help but recognize the use of the changing tides as a metaphor for washing away the detritus of life. leaving a clean slate on which to forge a new path and rediscover parts of herself that were carried away by grief and loss.

On the one-year anniversary of her mother’s death, Ali Morris’s husband Pete asks for a divorce. On the two-year anniversary, she wakes up drowning in grief and decides to take her dog, Ferris, to the dog park to help clear her head. In a unique “meet-cute,” he pees on a charming, handsome stranger’s foot, and despite Ali’s embarrassment, Ethan doesn’t seem bothered by it at all. In fact, he looks at Ali as if he’s seeing the vibrant, attractive version of herself that she thought she’d lost years ago, before grief, a failed marriage, and three kids left her a shell of her former self. Even before she realizes that Ethan is her best friend Frannie’s younger brother Scooter, he’s already awakened feelings that she thought were long gone.

Since Ethan lives four hours away and is just visiting his parents, she knows the best they can expect is a summer romance with sex off the table (since, in her opinion, it can lead to complications and possible heartbreak). Having had a crush on her since high school, Ethan is happy to spend whatever time he can with Ali. So, when his parents announce that they’re retiring to Florida and leaving their home to him, he and Ali negotiate a deal that will benefit them both and allow them to have some alone time. As a part-time professional organizer (who can’t seem to keep her own house in order), Ali will help him clear the house out prior to listing it and Ethan, a lawyer who can’t seem to shake the reputation he earned as a trouble-making teen, will help Ali get the best deal in her divorce settlement. Is it any surprise that these two kind, supportive, and protective people, who feel truly seen and accepted by each other, find themselves falling?

There is so much to love about this slow burn, closed-door romance that really evokes emotional responses ranging from laughter to sadness. Ali’s “conversations” with her enthusiastic and eccentric mom provide guidance beyond the grave and her care for and friendship with her elderly neighbor Phyllis is poignant. Witnessing Ali’s casting off the cloak of grief (or, in her case, stained sweatpants and t-shirts) and reclaiming her self-reliance after a loveless marriage to a selfish man (especially while realizing that her feelings for Ethan are what she deserved all along) is really life-affirming. Her relationships with her three children are touching, especially with her pre-teen Greer who is navigating the horrors of middle school mean girl machinations. Ethan’s devotion to the skateboarding kids in his hometown and his selfless acts of kindness with his neighbors are endearing and provide a window into the wonderful man that he’s become, despite his family’s inability to see how he’s changed. It’s also worth noting that, despite there being no graphic sex scenes, Monaghan has managed to establish such tension and intimacy between Ali and Ethan that the fade-to-black scenes are not a disappointment (for those who crave them). If you’re looking for the perfect beach read, you’ll find it here. 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.

Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell

5*

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

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

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

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandra Bellefleur

 

4*

Alexandria Bellefleur’s queer romances are always a pleasure to read. Truly, Madly, Deeply (not to be confused with the fabulous Alan Rickman movie) is a very sweet enemies-to-lovers romance between queer historical romance author Truly and family (divorce) lawyer Colin, whose meet-cute takes place when they spar about relationship advice on his sister’s top-rated podcast. The chemistry between them, masked by flirty bickering and sexual innuendo, is really hot and the sex is steamy and raw. However, it’s Colin’s kindness, devotion, and protectiveness towards Truly and the way she both challenges and defends him that make this such a special love story.

This is a slow burn, somewhat enemies-to-lovers romance featuring two bisexual characters (although there is a discussion between them where Truly questions whether she can legitimately call herself that if she’s never acted on it with any woman). Honestly, the only things that keep it from a 5* rating are the overabundant scenes where Truly and her musical theater-loving parents talk about serious stuff using song titles and lyrics. It was cute at first, but then became absurd. I also started getting annoyed by how many times (six) Bellefleur mentions Colin’s moles. Otherwise, I definitely recommend reading it.

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

The Truth About the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline

 

5*

Legal thrillers aren’t my usual genre. In fact, I don’t think I’ve read more than a few. However, after reading The Truth About the Devlins and enjoying it immensely, I’m eager to read more of Scottoline’s books. She’s a former lawyer herself who, in her own words, hews “as close to the law when there are legal situations in the novels.”

In this story about a family of lawyers and TJ (the narrator, the youngest sibling, the college dropout, and the recovering alcoholic), the plot revolves around the mysterious death of a corporate accountant and how TJ and his older brother John are caught up in the mystery, to the point that they’ve put themselves and their entire family in the criminals’ crosshairs. However, it’s also about addiction and the lengths those afflicted will go to chase the high, the selfish actions they take that put people at risk, and the toll it takes on their loved ones.

Daughter Gabby Devlin, who is dedicated to her pro bono work, elicits TJ’s help as the family firm’s investigator on an actual civil case involving men incarcerated in Holmesburg Prison between 1951 and 1974. Without informed consent, they were subjected to legal, but unethical medical experimentation led by Dr. Albert Kligman, a dermatology professor at UPenn, that left them with horrendous scarring and often fatal illnesses as well as PTSD. Although the men in the book are fictional, the horrors the actual former inmates faced and the lengths the complicit corporations (who benefitted from the experiments), doctors, and our military and CIA went to avoid any civil or criminal liability are as appalling as what the Nazis did to concentration camp prisoners. You can read more about this in the novel Acres of Skin by eyewitness Dr. Allen Hornblum who believes these experiments violated the Nuremberg Code.

The pacing of this story is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat while trying to figure out how all the puzzle pieces fit together. TJ’s narration is charming, vulnerable, and honest, and you can’t help but hurt for him while also cheering him on. Whether or not you’re a legal thriller fan, I highly recommend you read this story.

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.
 

Dream On by Angie Hockman

 5*

What happens when the man IN your dreams turns out to be real?

In Dream On, author Angie Hockman explores the idea of whether fantasy can live up to reality in this romance with a twist. Cassidy Walker slowly wakes up from yet another delicious dream featuring her perfect boyfriend, Devin Bloom. So, she’s shocked to learn that she’s in the hospital after a 6-day coma and that Devin doesn’t exist. Despite the detailed conversations and clear vision she has of him (which she fills up a sketchbook with during her year-long recovery), she finally acknowledges the truth and turns her focus to resuming her fledgling law career. However, fate has other plans when she runs into Devin in the flesh at his brother Perry’s florist shop, and he doesn’t recognize her.

Intrigued, he agrees to help her solve the mystery despite Perry’s suspicion of her motives. As they spend more time together, she begins to wonder if the memories are a sign they were meant to meet, if fate brought them together, or if dreams should be left in the realm of fantasy. With the thoughtful and sensitive observations Perry shares with her, she also begins to question if a career in a high-powered law firm will bring her fulfillment and the life she wants.

Although this is a slow-burn, only slightly steamy romance, it also deals with traumatic brain injury, parental interference, sibling rivalry, and betrayal. In a departure from the normal trope, Hockman also ingeniously uses government corruption and the evils of capitalism as vehicles to drive the plot. Add in a twist that observant readers will pick up on early in the books, and you have a delightful summer read which will appeal to fans of Kate Clayborn, Christina Lauren, and Abby Jimenez. Highly recommended.

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

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa

 

4*

This is a fake dating romance featuring Dean, a lawyer who has his whole life planned, including a strategic marriage of convenience, and Solange, an educator/social worker who crashes Dean’s wedding to keep him and his intended from marrying for all the wrong reasons. When Dean realizes that having a girlfriend would make him more competitive at a shot of becoming partner, he asks Solange to enter into a fake relationship, which she’s on board with since she’s in need of a fake boyfriend as well thanks to her mother’s lie to save face with her annoying cousin. Talk about a relationship of convenience!

Thus ensues a steamy romance with all of the predictable tropes, including having to share a bed, finding their chemistry is off the charts when they have to act like they’re in love by sharing public displays of affection, and more. Of course, they’ve both made it clear from the start that they’re not interested in love and commitment, and it’s baggage from being raised by single moms at the root. Although there’s nothing particularly unique or memorable in this version of the fake dating trope, Solange’s family dynamics, especially between her Brazilian mother and two aunts, make for an amusing journey. It’s also fun to catch up with Max and Lina from The Worst Best Man. (Solange and Lina are cousins and more like sisters.)

If you’re looking for a fun, easy read that’s light on the angst and rife with sexual tension, pick this one up.

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

Life's Too Short (The Friend Zone #3) by Abby Jimenez

4.5*


Trigger warnings for mental illness, drug addiction, and grief.

It’s extremely challenging to talk about this story without spoilers, so I won’t go beyond the basic set-up. Just know that it’s about two really kind, decent people, travel vlogger Vanessa Price and criminal defense attorney Adrian Copeland, the cousin of Josh from The Friend Zone (Book 1), who we first met in The Happy Ever After Playlist (Book 2) when he went on a double date with female lead Sloan Monroe. (We are given a nice catch-up with the two couples in this book.) Vanessa began her highly-successful YouTube channel after losing her older sister to ALS (a disease that also took her grandmother, mother, and aunt). She has a 50/50 chance of succumbing as well, so she doesn’t want to waste a single moment wallowing, choosing to travel the world instead. In her introductory video, she shares her intention to donate proceeds to ALS research.

She meets her next door neighbor Adrian after he knocks on her door at 4:00 a.m. to see if she can get her baby to stop crying. (It’s actually her niece who she’s fostering.) This leads to a fast friendship that quickly becomes serious, a true meeting of soulmates. However, the past trauma of losing parents, either through abandonment, death, or mental illness (her father is an extreme hoarder), has greatly impacted their way of dealing with life’s challenges. For Vanessa, it’s to push away negative thoughts, even if it means sometimes faking happiness. In Adrian’s case, it’s to maintain total control and bury himself in his work. Will they be able to adapt and change to give each other unconditional love or will they crash and burn? You’ll need to read (and cry a lot of tears) to find out.

I’d give this a 5*, but it put me through the emotional wringer, so I can’t be objective. All 3 books in this series have female protagonists dealing with life-altering (or, in this case, life-threatening) conditions. The romances are genuine, complex, and deeply-emotional and the men they love are supportive and willing to make sacrifices (in this case, eventually). However, Jimenez never lets her readers forget that life is fragile and that we’re all on this planet to make the best of bad situations and find joy amidst the disappointments and tragedies we’ll all face on the journey. As this title so aptly points out, life IS too short and we must live our best lives rather than dwelling on the inevitability of future loss. Although this is a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first two books as well because, despite the heavy subject matter, they are extremely well-written stories of loss, grief, love, and redemption.


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

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

 

2*

Oh, this was really disappointing.

Didn’t like the deep insecurities of the two main characters, even if it’s what drove the story.

Didn’t care for any of the parents except perhaps Luc’s mom, although she seemed very cavalier concerning his feelings.
Didn’t like how “smart” (precious) so much of the conversation was. Perhaps it’s because it’s British, or maybe it’s just pretentious. Either way, I needed a dictionary for so much of it.
I especially didn’t like all the gay-bashing. The only people who weren’t homophobic were his group of friends. I also found it problematic that Oliver had no gay friends.
I wish it were more steamy. After enduring the boredom of the slow-build romance, the least Hall could have done was reward readers with some sexy talk and action.
Finally, what was the deal with Luc’s co-workers’ cluelessness, especially Alex’s nitwittedness, which supports the argument that British nobility suffer from centuries of inbreeding?

Overall, this was a big fail for me. I only reason I didn’t give it 1* was because I finished it

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.