Do You Take This Man: A Novel by Denise Williams

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

From the author of How to Fail at Flirting and The Fastest Way to Fall comes another delightful rom-com that hopeless romantics and absolute cynics alike will love. DO YOU TAKE THIS MAN (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; September 6, 2022) by Denise Williams features an enemies-to-lovers story starring a divorce lawyer-turned-wedding officiant and a wedding planner. They’re both pessimists when it comes to love, but as they work together to plan their clients’ perfect wedding, the chemistry between them only gets stronger.

 

After conducting an unplanned wedding for a couple in a park, RJ swiftly goes from divorce attorney to sought-after officiant. Though she wouldn’t call herself a romantic, she enjoys overseeing “I do’s.” What she doesn’t like is working with an annoying wedding planner. Lear is a master events manager nursing a broken heart. After his longtime girlfriend betrayed him, the last thing he wants is to be pushed into working with an opinionated officiant on the only thing that still brings him joy. Surrounded by love at every turn, Lear and RJ are pulled together despite their best efforts to stay at arm’s length. Lear refuses to get hurt again. RJ refuses to let herself be vulnerable to anyone. But this partnership might just be the start of an unexpected happily ever after for them both

my thoughts:

A fun and smart romance that you won't want to put down. Do You Take This Man by Denise Williams is such a treat to read! I just loved getting to know RJ and Lear - talk about a dynamic duo! She's a top notch divorce lawyer who moonlights as a wedding officiant and he's a terrific wedding planner who is recovering from heartbreak - what could go wrong? Well, how about their meetup. They literally bump into each other and Lear doesn't even apologize. Say what? Yep, and he even tells her to smile. And, now they are being forced to work together on multiple weddings. Will they manage to get along just enough so that they can provide their clients with the BEST wedding day ever? Or, will they wind up falling in love? After all, they are surrounded by happy couples everywhere they turn...hmm...will RJ and Lear have a happily ever after of their own? 

Williams has written a terrific story about enemies turned lovers that makes for an entertaining and enjoyable read. I would happily recommend Do You Take This Man to anyone and everyone looking for their next romance - you are going to fall in LOVE with these characters and their story! So, make sure to check out Do You Take This Man ASAP! 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

A Thousand Miles: A Novel by Bridget Morrissey

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Dee Matthews is the cohost of the smash-hit podcast Did I Forget To Tell You? where she interviews family, friends, and past lovers. Nothing is off-limits, except for one man (known on the show only as “Name Redacted”) who happens to be her high school best friend Ben. During their senior year spring break, Dee and Ben took a road trip to visit Ben’s grandma. They buried a time capsule in her backyard, pledging to return in ten years to open it. Then their friendship fell apart in spectacular fashion. They haven’t spoken to each other since.

 

Ben Porter’s life since that moment has been unexciting but comfortable until his grandma reveals a family secret that flips his whole world upside down. Her dying wish is for him to stop taking the safe route and go after what he really wants. He starts by showing up on Dee’s doorstep with every intention of fulfilling their long-ago promise. Despite her reservations, Dee can’t say no. This trip could be her chance to give her listeners the “Name Redacted” interview they’ve been begging for—and finally, put her unresolved feelings for Ben to rest.

 

As the miles fly by, Dee and Ben's friendship reignites and so does their undeniable spark. Their last adventure ended in disaster, and they’re about to find out if their relationship can be rekindled or if it’s at the end of the road.

my thoughts:

Fun, fun, fun! What a delightful treat of a book. I just LOVED A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey. 

Ex-best friends/ex-lovers, a road trip, a time capsule, and LOVE - what more could I want in a breezy summer read? Morrissey delivered in spades. This book has such a fun and romantic feel to it - the relatable characters, the 'will they, won't they' theme, and the magic of LOVE between old friends that just sparkles off each page. A Thousand Miles is a treat to read.

I would most-definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check this one out ASAP!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Out of the Clear Blue Sky: A Novel by Kristan Higgins

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (from Goodreads)

From New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins comes a funny and surprising new novel about second chances--and why the lies we tell ourselves are the most dangerous.

Lillie Silva knew life as an empty nester would be hard after her only child left for college, but when her husband abruptly dumps her for another woman just as her son leaves, her world comes crashing down. Besides the fact that this announcement is a complete surprise (to say the least), what shocks Lillie most is that she isn't...heartbroken. She's furious.

Lillie has loved her life on Cape Cod, but as a mother, wife and nurse-midwife, she's used to caring for other people...not taking care of herself. Now, alone for the first time in her life, she finds herself going a little rogue. Is it over the top to crash her ex-husband's wedding, dressed like the angel of death? Sure! Should she release a skunk into his perfect new home? Probably not! But it beats staying home and moping.

She finds an unexpected ally in her glamorous sister, with whom she's had a tense relationship all these years. And an unexpected babysitter in of all people Ben Hallowell, the driver in a car accident that nearly killed Lillie 20 years ago. And then there's Ophelia, her ex-husband's oddly lost niece, who could really use a friend.

It's the end of Lillie's life as she knew it. But sometimes the perfect next chapter surprises you...out of the clear blue sky.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins is a terrific story. I just loved it to bits!

The writing is superb - chock full of relatable characters, emotional scenes, and a story that you don't want to stop reading. Talk about the perfect summer read!

I really enjoyed getting to know Lillie as her life fell apart, or at least she thought it felt like it was falling apart. Fortunately for her, when one door shuts, so many others fly open.  Soon, Lillie is living her best life yet and it is truly an adventure. 

Kristan Higgins has created a fun and emotional story that will grab you right from the start. You are going to fall in deep and love every minute you spend with Out of the Clear Blue Sky. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Very Sincerely Yours: A Novel by Kerry Winfrey

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A charming and heartwarming new romantic comedy by the author of Waiting for Tom Hanks, Kerry Winfrey. 

Teddy Phillips never thought she'd still be spending every day surrounded by toys at almost thirty years old. But working at a vintage toy store is pretty much all she has going on in her life after being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend. The one joy that she's kept is her not-so-guilty pleasure: Everett's Place, a local children's show hosted by Everett St. James, a man whom Teddy finds very soothing . . . and, okay, cute.

Teddy finds the courage to write to him, feeling slightly like one of the children who write to him on his show. He always gives sound advice and seems like he has everything figured out--and he pretty much does: Everett has a great support system, wonderful friends, and his dream job. But there's still that persistent feeling in the back of his mind that something's missing.

When a woman named Theodora starts writing to Everett, he is drawn to her honesty and vulnerability. They continue writing to each other, all the while living their lives without meeting. When their worlds collide, however, they must both let go of their fears and figure out what they truly want--and if the future they want includes each other.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! What a fantastic story! I just LOVED Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey to bits! It was fun, engaging, sweet, and just such a delight to read. I gobbled it up in one sitting and can't wait to read it again and again. 

Teddy works at the vintage toy store in town. Her boyfriend has dumped her. And now she is at a loss. She's trying to figure out who she is and what she wants from life. So, she decides to write to Everett. He's the host of the local kid's show. And, Teddy likes him, a lot. Plus, she believes he has his life together, so why can't he help her out with a bit of advice. Everett does have his life together. In fact, his life appears to be picture perfect, except it's not. Nope, Everett is not happy. Something, or someone is missing from his life. So, when he starts to read Teddy's letters, he finds himself writing back. Soon they have developed a relationship of sorts via their letters. Of course, life intervenes and the two actually meet. The only thing is that they don't have a meet-cute, nope their's is the opposite. And, that is all I will share about the story. This is one book you must read for yourself to find out what happens next. Trust me, you will LOVE this book to bits. Definitely check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Road Trip: A Novel by Beth O'Leary

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Two exes reach a new level of awkward when forced to take a road trip together in this endearing and humorous novel by the author of the international bestseller The Flatshare.

What if the end of the road is just the beginning?

Four years ago, Dylan and Addie fell in love under the Provence sun. Wealthy Oxford student Dylan was staying at his friend Cherry's enormous French villa; wild child Addie was spending her summer as the on-site caretaker. Two years ago, their relationship officially ended. They haven't spoken since.

Today, Dylan's and Addie's lives collide again. It's the day before Cherry's wedding, and Addie and Dylan crash cars at the start of the journey there. The car Dylan was driving is wrecked, and the wedding is in rural Scotland--he'll never get there on time by public transport.

So, along with Dylan's best friend, Addie's sister, and a random guy on Facebook who needed a ride, they squeeze into a space-challenged Mini and set off across Britain. Cramped into the same space, Dylan and Addie are forced to confront the choices they made that tore them apart--and ask themselves whether that final decision was the right one after all.

my thoughts:

Wow. What an emotional read. I thought I was in for a fun and cheeky story about past love and second chances. Instead, I found myself hooked on a romance story chock full of layers, all the feels, and so much depth I needed to take a minute to let it all sink in. This story covers mental health, love, relationships, family drama, and so much more. I absolutely LOVED it to bits!

Dylan and Addie are exes - the kind that were madly in love, broke up, and never talked again.  Except, they are both attending a wedding and find themselves stuffed inside a Mini driving across England to make it in time.  They aren't alone. Nope, there's the over-protective sister, the BFF who wants them broken up, and a stranger who just needed a ride. Talk about motley crew. All I'll say is that the more we learn about Addie and Dylan, the more we begin to wonder if breaking up was the right thing to do. 

O'Leary has written a smart and fun story that will captivate you from the start. You won't help but get caught up in all the drama and fall in deep with these characters. Such a great story! I would happily recommend The Road Trip to fans of O'Leary and to anyone looking for a summer read - you will LOVE this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

His Only Wife: A Novel by Peace Adzo Medie

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

     Peace Adzo Medie’s captivating debut novel, HIS ONLY WIFE, paints a nuanced portrait of a young African woman who must forge her own sense of identity and worth within the strictures of a less-than-ideal arranged marriage. Medie, who is also an accomplished academic in the UK and her native Ghana and the author of the seminal text Global Norms and Local Action: The Campaigns to End Violence Against Women in Africa, displays a great talent for fiction writing, crafting a deceptively breezy narrative that invites readers into the intimate world of its heroine, Afi—a world that straddles traditional expectations and modern desires. As Afi navigates the pressures of an unusual marital situation, she also learns to exert her own independence in unexpected ways.

     Afi is a young seamstress living in the small town of Ho when she is betrothed to Eli, the
successful son of her family’s benefactor. The marriage has been arranged by Eli’s family in an
effort to get him away from his Liberian mistress, a woman viewed as unsuitable by all. Eli is not
even at the wedding—the couple is married by proxy. Afi moves into a luxury apartment in
Accra, the bustling capital city, but weeks go by without a visit from her new husband. She
enrolls in design school and begins to build a life for herself. When Afi and Eli do finally
consummate their marriage, the attraction and affection between them is real. But, Eli continues
his second life with the other woman, leaving Afi confused about her options.

     HIS ONLY WIFE “is a commentary on the value that is placed on marriage in Ghanaian
and most African societies (and in many other places in the world),” Medie says. “This emphasis
on marriage and its association with womanhood, places a great deal of pressure on young
women and causes many to settle for relationships that are often unfulfilling and unhappy.” At its
heart, the novel is a story of a young woman coming into her own and finding her voice. It also
offers a unique glimpse into a very unconventional marriage, and into life in Ghana. HIS ONLY
WIFE “is also a feminist novel,” Medie adds, “but not in a way that might be familiar to many
readers. This is because Afi’s path to finding her voice is circuitous and not always
empowering.”

     Depicting a way of life that may surprise many uninitiated Western readers, HIS ONLY
WIFE is also “a hilarious, page-turning, sharply realized portrait of modern womanhood in the
most infuriating of circumstances. A gem of a debut,” says Wayetu Moore, author of She Would
Be King.

my thoughts:

I absolutely LOVED reading His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie. It's the story of Afi, a young woman who enters into an arranged marriage with a man from a wealthy family.  His family is not happy that he is entangled with a mistress and is hoping that by marrying Afi, he will finally settle into a respectable life. Except, that doesn't happen. In fact, he doesn't even show up to his own wedding and instead Afi marries him via proxy. Yep, a proxy. How crazy is that?! So, Afi settles into her new married life sans husbands which is strange, but also freeing in a way. She enrolls in school and starts a new life for herself. And then, he shows up. Things take a turn for Afi when she finds herself attracted to her husband. It's obvious that he likes Afi, too. Except, he won't break things off with his mistress. And so, Afi's marriage becomes complicated as emotions become entangled and options become limited. Talk about a difficult relationship.

Medie does a fantastic job of describing Afi's marriage, the Ghanian culture, and the concept of womanhood. She explores the ways in which women find their voices within unhappy relationships and how society plays a role in limiting women's growth. This story is captivating and eye-opening. It's definitely a must-read for anyone looking for their next great read. You won't want to miss out on Medie's excellent writing and her unforgettable characters. Such a great book!!









Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

You Lucky Dog: A Novel by Julia London

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (from Goodreads)

An accidental dog swap unleashes an unexpected love match in this new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Julia London.

Carly Kennedy's life is in a spiral. She is drowning in work, her divorced parents are going through their midlife crises, and somehow Carly's sister convinces her to foster Baxter--a basset hound rescue with a bad case of the blues. When Carly comes home late from work one day to discover that the dog walker has accidentally switched out Baxter for another perkier, friendlier basset hound, she has reached the end of her leash.

When Max Sheffington finds a depressed male basset hound in place of his cheerful Hazel, he is bewildered. But when cute, fiery Carly arrives on his doorstep, he is intrigued. He was expecting the dog walker, not a pretty woman with firm ideas about dog discipline. And Carly was not expecting a handsome, bespectacled man to be feeding her dog mac and cheese. Baxter is besotted with Hazel, and Carly realizes she may have found the key to her puppy’s happiness. For his sake, she starts to spend more time with Hazel and Max, until she begins to understand the appeal of falling for your polar opposite.

my thoughts:

A sweet and delightful story about falling in love. Definitely a great book to have on a rainy day - perked me right up.

Carly's life is not going so great - too many feels all at once. Enter Baxter. A depressed basset hound that her sister convinces her to foster. Okay, not exactly what she wanted, but she's going with the flow - sort of. Anyhow, she comes home to find her dog walker has switched dogs on her. Well, not on purpose. And now, she's left with a very energetic pup named Hazel to deal with. Enter Max.  Carly meets him when she goes to switch dogs.  He's Hazel's owner.  The two dogs are smitten with one another. Thinking that Hazel will be good for Baxter's depression, Carly decides to spend time with her and Max. Of course, it might not just be the dogs bringing Carly and Max together.

London has written a cute and charming story about puppy love and falling in love. What a treat! You will just gobble this one up in a few short hours and be cheered up as a result. Definitely a fun book to fall in with.

I would happily recommend You Lucky Dog to fans of London and to anyone looking for their great read.





Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

Eighty Days to Elsewhere: A Novel by K.C. Dyer

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (from Goodreads)

"The Amazing Race" meets Around the World in 80 Days as a woman desperate to save her family bookstore falls for her competition.

Born and raised in New York City, Ramona Keene dreams of attending photography school and traveling to Paris, but her reality never quite catches up with her imagination. Instead, she works at her uncles' quaint bookstore, where the tea is plentiful and all the adventures are between the covers of secondhand books. But when the new landlord arrives with his Evil Nephew in tow, Romy's quiet life comes crashing down. He plans to triple the rent, something her uncles can't afford.

In order to earn the money to help save the bookstore, Romy applies for a job at ExLibris Expeditions, a company that re-creates literary journeys. Romy snags the oddest internship ever: retrace Phileas Fogg's journey from Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days and plan a suitable, contemporary adventure for a client. The task is close to impossible; sticking to the original route means no commercial aircraft permitted, and she's got a lot less than eighty days to work with. Shaking off her fear of leaving home, Romy takes on the challenge, only to discover she's got competition. Worse, Dominic Madison turns out to be the - unfortunately hot - nephew of her family's worst enemy.

Can Romy win the race and circle the globe in time to save the bookstore? And what happens when she starts to fall for the very person who may just be the death of her dreams?

my thoughts:

Fun, engaging, and entertaining - Eighty Days to Elsewhere is such a treat to read!

Ramona (known as Romy) has dreams of travel and photographing it all, but life is not matching up with her dreams. Instead, she is working for her uncle at his bookstory in NYC.  Life is moving along steadily when suddenly her uncle gets saddled with a new landlord and his Evil Nephew. Yep, they want triple the rent and they want it ASAP. Well, Romy's uncle can't afford it and options are limited. What's he to do? Fortunately, Romy decides to earn the money via a company called, ExLibris Expeditions. Basically, the company recreates literary journeys for their clients. Romy is tasked with Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Talk about a tough job! Not only does Romy have less than 80 days to plan the journey, but she's got competition - Evil Nephew. Yikes!

Dyer has written a delightful story that will cheer you up on a rainy day. I sure enjoyed getting lost in Romy's adventures as she worked her way around the world planning her client's dream journey. Such a great story - drama, books, photography, romance, and traveling! Love, love, loved Eighty Days to Elsewhere by K.C. Dyer!!

I would happily recommend this book to fans Dyer and anyone looking for their next great read!





Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Friendship List: A Novel by Susan Mallery

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Already a worldwide success in mass market and trade paperback formats, Susan Mallery’s newest hardcover is an emotional, witty, and heartfelt story about two best friends who are determined to help one another shake things up and live life to the fullest...only to discover that possibilities are everywhere--especially in the most unexpected of places.

Ellen and Unity have been best friends basically since birth, but they couldn’t be more different. Unity married her childhood sweetheart just after high school and became an Army wife, moving from base to base…until her husband's shocking death in the line of duty leaves her a widow. Grief-stricken, it’s time for Unity to come back home to Ellen—the only person she can trust to help her rebuild her life. But Ellen has troubles of her own. Boys never seemed to notice Ellen…until one got her pregnant in high school and disappeared. Her son is now 17 and she’s wondering what to do with herself now that he’s heading off to college and he's literally her entire world.

But now that Ellen and Unity are reunited, they’re done with their stale lives. It’s time to shake things up and start living again, knowing that they'll always have one another to lean on. So they create a list of challenges they have to accomplish--everything from getting a tattoo to skydiving to staying out all night. And whoever completes the most challenges is the winner. But with new adventures and love just around the corner, there’s no such thing as losing…

my thoughts:

What a fun, engaging, and heartwarming story about friendship, love, and family. The Friendship List by Susan Mallery was such a treat to read on a rainy afternoon. I just fell in so deep, that I wound up finishing the book in one sitting. It was just too good to put down.

Ellen and Unity are BFFs who have known each other since birth. They have been there for one another all of their lives.  Middle-aged and feeling out of sorts, the two decide to create a list - challenges to push them to shake up their lives. Challenges like, getting a tattoo to skydiving. Yep, these two want to show everyone around them that they are just fine and living life to the fullest. You see, Unity is a widow, mourning her husband; while Ellen's son is afraid to go to college and leave her all alone.  By joining forces, these two best friends plan on embracing life once more and having a few exciting adventures of their own.

Talk about a love letter to friendship! This book shows the true meaning of friendship through Unity and Ellen's relationship.The ups and downs they go through, their deep bond, and the love they have for one another just shines through. I really enjoyed getting to know them both and reading all about their misadventures. Such a great story!

I would happily recommend The Friendship List to fans of Mallery and anyone looking for their next great read.




Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book!

The Moonglow Sisters: A Novel by Lori Wilde

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

It’s Jill Shalvis meets Susan Mallery in this gorgeous novel by New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde about three sisters, one small town, a wedding, and the summer that changes everything.

Welcome to Moonglow Cove, Texas, a place where your neighbors know your name and the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico lap lazily against the sands. It’s a magical spot, especially in the summertime…

Once the town was the home of the Clark sisters—brought up by their grandmother at the Moonglow Inn. Nicknamed “The Moonglow Sisters”, as children they were inseparable.  Then, a wedding-day betrayal tore them apart and they scattered across the globe and away from each other.  But the sisters have at last come home…

There’s Maddie: smart, sensible, and stubborn. Shelley, who ran off to find her bliss. And Gia, a free-spirit determined to keep the peace. It’s her impending wedding that keeps them together…but Gia has a secret, and when her sisters find out all heck is going to break loose!

The Moonglow Sisters continues Lori Wilde’s trademark storytelling to create an unforgettable novel of family, betrayal, love, and second chances.

my thoughts:

What a fun and engaging story! I absolutely enjoyed The Moonglow Sisters by Lori Wilde. It was such a lighthearted and entertaining read. I would happily recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in LOVE with this story!!

The Clark sisters were super close as kids. They had their grandma, Moonglow Inn, and each other. And then, betrayal showed up.  Wedding-day betrayal!! Yep, the sisters scattered and their close bond was broken. Fast forward, they are all gathered together at the Moonglow Inn, because grandma is sick. She's got a brain tumor and her last wish is for the sisters to reconnect. They used to quilt together, so she would like for them to finish a quilt together.  She's hoping that through the quilting, they will start to heal their broken relationship.  Of course, life is not always as easy as you wish it would be.  The sisters do come together, but they also bring all of their baggage, which threatens to break them further apart.  And, they also learn some of their grandmother's secrets, which leads to even more drama. Talk about a very eventful reunion.

Wilde has written a terrific story filled with interesting and well-developed characters that you can't help but befriend. I just loved getting to know the Moonglow Sisters!  And the story itself, is just so good - you won't want to put the book down for anything! Definitely a treat to read!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Moonglow Sisters

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming — mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account. 

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time. 

All’s fair in love and cheese — that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life — on an anonymous chat app Jack built. 

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate — people on the internet are shipping them?? — their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

my thoughts:

What a book! I LOVED the title, the book cover and the delicious story inside.  It was just such a fun treat to sink my teeth into on a rainy day. Or, I should say a chilly day.  This book was engaging, entertaining, and sweet. Definitely a must read for anyone looking for their next great read. You will fall in love with Pepper and Jack and find your mouth watering for some of the delectable dishes being whipped up throughout the story. I'm serious - YUMMY!

Okay, so what's the story about. Well, its about two teens, Pepper and Jack.  Each one runs their family's restaurants' twitter account.  Yep, social media is key once again. Especially, since Jack created an app for chatting. An app that he and Pepper use to get to know one another.  Except, this app disguises you, so you have no idea who you are chatting with. So, the two rivals have no clue that while they are falling for each other via the app, they are warring on twitter over their restaurants.  Crazy, right?! Talk about a modern take on the notion of a meet-cute. Which, lets be honest, is always fun to hear about. And, this story definitely makes it fun to read about Pepper and Jack's meet-cute.  I won't reveal what happens once the teens discover the truth about being rivals, suffice it to say, you will not be disappointed. Tweet Cute is a heartwarming story that you will fall in deep with. 
Definitely check it out!

Don't You Forget About Me: A Novel by Mhairi McFarlane

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“Don’t You Forget About Me is one of those books I couldn’t put down. Crackling with energy and wit, I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. Mhairi McFarlane’s voice is as clear as a bell—she makes you laugh, but she also makes you feel. I adore her!” — Sally Thorne

Internationally bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane delivers a funny, romantic, heartfelt novel perfect for fans of Josie Silver or Sally Thorne, and anyone who loves Bridget Jones!

You always remember your first love… don’t you?

If there’s anything worse than being fired from the lousiest restaurant in town, it’s coming home early to find your boyfriend in bed with someone else. Reeling from the humiliation of a double dumping in one day, Georgina takes the next job that comes her way—bartender in a newly opened pub. There’s only one problem: it’s run by the guy she fell in love with years ago. And—make that two problems—he doesn’t remember her. At all. But she has fabulous friends and her signature hot pink fur coat… what more could a girl really need?

Lucas McCarthy has not only grown into a broodingly handsome man, but he’s also turned into an actual grown-up, with a thriving business and a dog along the way. Crossing paths with him again throws Georgina’s rocky present into sharp relief—and brings a secret from her past bubbling to the surface. Only she knows what happened twelve years ago, and why she’s allowed the memories to chase her ever since. But maybe it’s not too late for the truth… or a second chance with the one that got away?

my thoughts:

A funny romance coupled with a huge cuppa - talk about a recipe for the perfect bookish experience! Don't You Forget About Me is my first Mhairi McFarlane story and it most certainly won't be my last. What a book! I absolutely enjoyed every minute I spent with it. This was truly a treat to read.

Georgina is not having a good day - she gets sacked from her job and then finds her boyfriend in the sack with someone else. Yep, life seems pretty bent on throwing lemons her way.  What's Georgina to do? Well, getting a new job seems to be priority. Luckily, she lands one straight away.  The only catch, is the owner of the new pub she will be tending bar at happens to be her "the one that got away" person.  Except, he doesn't seem to remember Georgina at all.  Say what? Yeah, talk about awkward. 

McFarlane has written a terrific story about a relatable, smart, strong female character that you will easily fall in love with.  I just loved getting to know Georgina and her old flame, Lucas - they are a perfect match.  Of course, there are dramas throughout that need to be dealt with, but isn't that what makes for a great romance story? And, Don't You Forget About Me is most definitely a great romance story- it's engaging, entertaining, and unputdownable. You won't help but fall in love with it.

I would happily recommend Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane to her fans and to anyone looking for their next great read - you won't be disappointed!


Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Don't You Forget About Me

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Oysterville Sewing Circle: A Novel by Susan Wiggs

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“Stitched together with love, this is a story just waiting for your favorite reading chair. With her signature style and skill, Susan Wiggs delivers an intricate patchwork of old wounds and new beginnings, romance and the healing power of friendship, wrapped in a lovely little community that’s hiding a few secrets of its own.”
— Lisa Wingate, New York Times Bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

The #1 New York Times bestselling author brings us her most ambitious and provocative work yet—a searing and timely novel that explores the most volatile issue of our time—domestic violence.

At the break of dawn, Caroline Shelby rolls into Oysterville, Washington, a tiny hamlet at the edge of the raging Pacific.

She’s come home.

Home to a place she thought she’d left forever, home of her heart and memories, but not her future. Ten years ago, Caroline launched a career in the glamorous fashion world of Manhattan. But her success in New York imploded on a wave of scandal and tragedy, forcing her to flee to the only safe place she knows.

And in the backseat of Caroline’s car are two children who were orphaned in a single chilling moment—five-year-old Addie and six-year-old Flick. She’s now their legal guardian—a role she’s not sure she’s ready for.

But the Oysterville she left behind has changed. Her siblings have their own complicated lives and her aging parents are hoping to pass on their thriving seafood restaurant to the next generation. And there’s Will Jensen, a decorated Navy SEAL who’s also returned home after being wounded overseas. Will and Caroline were forever friends as children, with the promise of something more . . . until he fell in love with Sierra, Caroline’s best friend and the most beautiful girl in town. With her modeling jobs drying up, Sierra, too, is on the cusp of reinventing herself.

Caroline returns to her favorite place: the sewing shop owned by Mrs. Lindy Bloom, the woman who inspired her and taught her to sew. There she discovers that even in an idyllic beach town, there are women living with the deepest of secrets. Thus begins the Oysterville Sewing Circle—where women can join forces to support each other through the troubles they keep hidden.

Yet just as Caroline regains her creativity and fighting spirit, and the children begin to heal from their loss, an unexpected challenge tests her courage and her heart. This time, though, Caroline is not going to run away. She’s going to stand and fight for everything—and everyone—she loves.

my thoughts:

I am HUGE fan of Susan Wiggs' novels - they are simply the best. Heartwarming, relatable, and compelling with a capital "C", Wiggs' books never disappoint. So, I was super excited to get my hands on a copy of her latest, The Oysterville Sewing Circle.  And let me just say, I absolutely LOVED every minute I spent reading this book - it was fantastic!

Caroline left her hometown of Oysterville to become a fashion designer in NY.  Ten years later she is coming back to figure out what to do with her life - turns out NY brought drama, scandal, and tragedy to her doorstep.  So, now she is returning to the one place she's always called home.  Except, life in Oysterville has changed in so many ways.  And, Caroline isn't coming home alone. Nope, she is bringing back two kids with her - children who have been put in her care.  Talk about having to face reality over and over again.

With so much happening in her life, plus, having to deal with past reminders on the daily, Caroline decides to start the Oysterville Sewing Club.  She figures it could be a safe space for women to join together in creating something special and also share with one another their troubles/worries.  Of course, just as life seems to finally be running smoothly for Caroline, life throws an unexpected curveball her way.  Fortunately, this time round, Caroline is ready to face it head on.

And, that is all I will write about this terrific story. Just know that you will LOVE it.  The writing is superb, the characters are unforgettable, and the story itself is unputdownable.  The Oysterville Sewing Circle is about family, friends, love, and community.  Its one book you won't want to miss!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Oysterville Sewing Circle

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!