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.

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.

Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

4*

This is a heartwarming romance between polar opposites. Elle is a successful astrologist who wears her heart on her sleeve and sees the positives in life, manifesting this in her cheery personality and belief in goodness. Darcy is an actuary who values order, keeps her feelings close to her chest, and hides her emotional baggage. When their first date, a set-up by Darcy’s brother and Elle’s new business partner Brendon, ends in disappointment, the last thing Elle expects to hear is that Darcy is “smitten.” When confronted, Darcy admits to lying to Brendon so he’ll stop trying to set her up and convinces Elle to fake a relationship for a couple of months.

For anyone familiar with the fake dating trope, the rest of the story follows the script: feelings becoming real, fears getting in the way, parents who are either neglectful, dismissive, or horribly misguided, preemptive heartbreak and more. The only thing that sets this apart is that it’s a relationship between two women. It used to be rare to feature a main couple who weren’t heterosexual, but major publishing houses are finally beginning to acknowledge that there’s an eager market for LGBTQ romance, including fans from the cis straight community. Bellefleur’s lovely story proves the point that, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, people who love risk getting hurt, but the heart wants what it wants.


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.