Monet鈥檚 Garden of Giverny on the cover caught my eye and drew me to the book. While reading I realized I have previously read and reviewed this book iMonet鈥檚 Garden of Giverny on the cover caught my eye and drew me to the book. While reading I realized I have previously read and reviewed this book in 2022. (The cover has been changed with this newer edition.) I still enjoyed looking through the book again and realized I have added two more of the gardens to my visited list. I am including my original review below.
Beautiful photographs are the highlights of Amazing Gardens of the World. The European section was my favorite as it covered many places I've visited. Castles, palaces and great homes are always on my travel list and many have gardens included in this book such as Frederiksborg Castle, Blenheim Palace, Versailles, Chateau de Vilandry, Tivoli, Peterhof Palace and the Alhambra. Smaller homes are included with the gardens of Beatrice Potter and Monet's lovely Giverny. I thought it was interesting that in the USA the gardens aren't tied into large estates but are usually botanical gardens. Africa, Australia and the Pacific are included as well. I don't think I even thought about gardens in Iraq or on islands. This is for garden lovers and couch travelers who enjoy beautiful places. Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books for a temporary eARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
(3.5 Stars) A reimagined telling of Knotting Hill. Katrina Kelly (24) is a former child star who hasn鈥檛 successfully made the transition to an adult a(3.5 Stars) A reimagined telling of Knotting Hill. Katrina Kelly (24) is a former child star who hasn鈥檛 successfully made the transition to an adult acting career. Her manager has plans and Kat is willing to do whatever she says. She meets Jude Thacker at The Next Chapter, a NYC bookstore that Jude鈥檚 mother once owned before dying of cancer. She sold the store to pay medical bills but Jude has the option to buy the place back as long as she continues to work there. When the pair meet there is attraction but they get off to a bumpy start. Jude suffers from trust issues and occasional panic attacks. Kat鈥檚 manager insists now is the perfect time for Kat to come out to her followers. It will update her image and the attention should land her the lead in an off broadway play. But Kat doesn鈥檛 tell Jude she is part of her new PR campaign.
I enjoyed all the nods to Knotting Hill. And there were probably more references I didn鈥檛 catch. Kat is harder to like because she isn鈥檛 being honest with Jude and is mostly concerned about herself through much of the story. But their dates together feel real and they share private moments from their past when getting to know each other. I liked Judes鈥檚 family of choice who are her co-workers at the store. They were a good sounding board for her and helped her see the grand gesture near the end. I thought this was fun and read it fairly quickly. I liked the cute cover as well. I would have liked to know where Jude ends up career wise and wanted some comeuppance for the store owner but those are small things. I did enjoy the curling story at the end of the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
I am truly enjoying this new series from Virginia Heath. This is the second book where there is a class differences in the MCs. The FMC鈥檚 in the serieI am truly enjoying this new series from Virginia Heath. This is the second book where there is a class differences in the MCs. The FMC鈥檚 in the series are all trained to be governesses or ladies companions by Miss Prentice. Lottie Travers never understood how Miss Prentice chose her for her school. She was raised with four brothers and loves horses. After being dismissed from her latest governess job she becomes a ladies companion. She needs the job to help her family鈥檚 farm. She meets Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington when she inadvertently unseats him while racing on a borrowed horse. She doesn鈥檛 realize her new employer is his aunt until they arrive at his country home.
Guy loathes being in London and would rather manage his estate. But he long ago made a promise that his mother would be a grandmother by the time he was thirty. She hasn鈥檛 forgotten and arranges a week-long house party to celebrate Guy鈥檚 30th birthday. It is the kind of attention he hates but he does love his mother.
Lottie and Guy are wonderfully fun as they push each other's buttons. He can鈥檛 resist his attraction and I love every time he refers to her in his thoughts as Valkyrie. She is eventually and equally smitten. I love that he falls first and hard. Even though he doesn鈥檛 express himself in words, his actions, like helping her family, fits his character. This is light and fun. No miscommunications, no last act break up. It was a delightful read for a summer day. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Maggie North returns to the wilderness of Canada for her second book. This is a direct sequel to 'Rules for Second Chances鈥� (June 2024) and begins almMaggie North returns to the wilderness of Canada for her second book. This is a direct sequel to 'Rules for Second Chances鈥� (June 2024) and begins almost where that one leaves off. The MCs in this were big side characters in the first novel. But you can read this as a stand alone as there is no overall story arc between the two books. Stellar J Byrd has been floundering for the last year after burning out and leaving her position as an ER doctor. To stay in the area near her best friend she has been doing gig work and surviving on savings.
Lyle (McHuge) McHugh is starting up a couple's wilderness experience that is a follow up to his doctoral thesis and best selling self help book. He hires Steller to be his medical aide for the camp and to assist in the wilderness experiences. Neither has forgotten they hooked up for an incredible night a year ago and have never discussed it. A lot is riding on the success of the adventure and it doesn鈥檛 help that his old professor is claiming credit for Lyle鈥檚 work. On the first adventure Stellar is also dealing with her half sister, a tv celebrity, who wants to connect with her.
The book is pitched as he is sunshine to her grumpy, but as with the previous novel there is a much more serious tone. Stellar鈥檚 upbringing makes her feel she can鈥檛 be loved and she is transactional even with her best friend who she loves dearly. I was hoping this book was going to be Stellar鈥檚 story but in the previous book she has broken up with her girl friend. I was actually looking forward to a f/f story. Of course now I know she is Bi and I can see her fitting with Lyle.
Lyly is incredibly sweet and lovable. But trying to get his business launched is taking all his energy.
I really like the writing style and how the author addresses serious issues. I wanted a little more closure with the sister story because those always hit my feelings. This is a great book but not as light as the beautiful cover looks. It is correctly being marketed as women鈥檚 fiction with a romance. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
'Rewind to Us' delivers with a great premise. Dixie Mulligan鈥檚 family has a unique gift. One time during their life they get a rewind or a mulligan. T'Rewind to Us' delivers with a great premise. Dixie Mulligan鈥檚 family has a unique gift. One time during their life they get a rewind or a mulligan. They can change a moment from their past year. And the rest of the world will never know it was a do over or rewind. The how鈥檚 and why don鈥檛 get explained so you have to accept the premise.
Dixie has spent the last four summers staying in a small desert town visiting her aunt and cousin. This summer she wants to tell Sawyer, her best friend and fellow film nerd, that she loves him. They are both going to be attending NYC film school in the fall. But when she arrives she finds he may be with someone else. She wants to use her rewind to go back to a moment from the spring when he came to NYC and they were supposed to meet up but didn鈥檛.
I was drawn into the story from the beginning. I did have to park my brain a bit on the fantasy logistics and just roll with it. Its scenes presented themselves and it led to good discussions on choices and accountability for actions. Would you use a redo if you could? The middle part of the story gets more to the meat. Dixie鈥檚 relationship with her parents is complicated. I don鈥檛 want to put spoilers in my review, but honestly I was far more invested in Dixie鈥檚 anger and feelings towards her parents. That was the relationship I wanted healed. I never got the attraction of Sawyer other than they were friends with common interests.
And honestly I was disappointed in how the rewinds played out. Aunt Kate鈥檚 story didn鈥檛 make sense when you learned that they鈥檙e supposed to get an impact warning about how the rewind will affect others. And why wouldn鈥檛 her son have used his rewind to help his mom?
This is a YA/teen novel appropriate for middle school and up. I am new to the author but would absolutely read more from her. And while I enjoyed the story overall, and like where the story ends. I was slightly disappointed, after all the build-up, to how the rewinds play out. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
Things were hit and miss for me but I landed on the positive side of this book. Claudia Khoury (27) is a new attorney in Dallas and starting a new jobThings were hit and miss for me but I landed on the positive side of this book. Claudia Khoury (27) is a new attorney in Dallas and starting a new job for a charity organization. She is thrilled about and prepared for the work. Her personal life takes a hit when she realizes the man she has been dating for the last four months is married. She wants to warn his wife only to find out that she is her new boss Elizabeth (46) who started and runs the charity.
Things I liked: Both characters are very likable, although Elizabeth is a bit prickly at first. They are adults and talk to each other honestly, no miscommunications. Romance progresses organically, focusing on being friends first. I always enjoy a toaster oven romance. Very readable. Even though it was longer (362 pages), I read it almost in one sitting. Strong friend and family side characters that add to the story.
Things I was less fond of: I thought the banter felt forced in the beginning. The first texting and random conversation topics were awkward. I enjoyed conversations more when they talked about things they were dealing with. The 18 year gap is big. I enjoy age gaps but I prefer the half the age plus seven rule to stay out of the icky zone. The chapter with a several month time jump could have been labeled to avoid confusion.
Overall I like the story and felt I got to know the characters well. And the original strange setup was handled far better than I could have expected. I like the newer cover for the book that is on my copy, although the women seem to be similar in age. Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
(3.5 Stars) This is a fun spy story with a big nod to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Yardley Whitmer is a top field agent for the CIA known as the Unicorn. She h(3.5 Stars) This is a fun spy story with a big nod to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Yardley Whitmer is a top field agent for the CIA known as the Unicorn. She has always known she鈥檇 be a spy like her grandfather before her. What she didn鈥檛 count on was falling in love with KC Nolan. Even though they live together their relationship is crumbling because of the secrets of their jobs and frequent absences. Only when an operation goes awry is KC revealed as Tabasco, a top tech agent for the CIA. She is a computer genius, graduating MIT and pressed to work for the agency while still in her teens.
But now instead of being able to work through what this revelation means they are thrown into an international race to stop a dangerous weapon being sold and used. I enjoyed their dialogue and their inner thoughts made me laugh. They both reflect on the way they were raised and grow from it during the course of the story. The spy craft is satisfying and I love that both women have good skills. Some parts were very exciting while others slowed down a bit. And of course all along the way they still are working with their feelings and attraction.
I think I enjoyed the author鈥檚 previous book, Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous (June 2024), a little more. But they are very different types of stories. Although both could be considered untraditional second chance romances. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
This is the third in the University Police Series from Karis Walsh. I鈥檝e read and enjoyed the previous two books. You could read this book on its own,This is the third in the University Police Series from Karis Walsh. I鈥檝e read and enjoyed the previous two books. You could read this book on its own, as there is catching up on who is with whom, but I鈥檇 recommend reading from the beginning of the series. And even thought there is a death, these books are surprisingly fun.
A student who was once destined for pro football league is found dead in his room and it looks like suicide. But library director Jasmine (Jazz) Harold who had befriended him doesn鈥檛 believe it. She asks her friend, the police sergeant if someone can investigate. Cappy Flannery, a University police officer, gets assigned to it while waiting for Seattle police findings. Jazz asks to tag along with Cappy on some of her investigative interviews. Cappy and Jazz are delightful as they banter and get to know each other better. Jazz鈥檚 friend group is intermigled with the university police now because of the romances from the previous books. And these are the kind of people you want to be friends with. Supportive, teasing, and welcoming.
There are only a couple of possible suspects so the mystery isn鈥檛 ovally complex. It is more following along as they investigate. Cappy was a standout character whom I mentioned by name in my review of the first book, so I was happy to see her get her gal. And Jazz is fantastic as the strong librarian. Karis novels stay in the PG range for intimacy but the kissing is hot. I hope this series isn鈥檛 finished. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
Very enjoyable. Catherine Bybee completes 鈥楾he Heirs鈥� series with this third novel. I would suggest reading the previous two books in order, but if yoVery enjoyable. Catherine Bybee completes 鈥楾he Heirs鈥� series with this third novel. I would suggest reading the previous two books in order, but if you are reading as a stand alone there is adequate catching up on the characters. The series revolves around the heirs of Aaron Stone. He ran a multibillion dollar hotel empire but was estranged from his three children. Chase and half brother Max found love in the first two novels. I have been waiting for younger sister Alex鈥檚 chance at romance.
While the three siblings have all taken on some of the workload the bulk has fallen on Alex鈥檚 shoulders as CEO. She had previously worked for a competing hotel empire and was more prepared for the challenges. But things are never smooth and someone is still out to cause problems with the company and there are threats specifically towards Alex. Enter security expert Hawk Bronson. He is working security on the night someone tries to grab Alex. Soon he is brought on to increase security for the company headquarters and for Alex as well.
There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot, throwing a nice amount of suspense into the romance. The book also finishes up a couple of ongoing storylines that carry through the three stories. The pace felt steady and the story moved along quickly. I wish there was a little more family time but all the previous mains get appearances. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
I always find Pamela Kelley books easy to read. In The Nantucket Restaurant three sisters, Jill, Emma and Mandy inherit a restaurant on Nantucket fromI always find Pamela Kelley books easy to read. In The Nantucket Restaurant three sisters, Jill, Emma and Mandy inherit a restaurant on Nantucket from their grandmother. The catch is that they must run the restaurant for a year before they can sell it. Otherwise it goes to Paul, who鈥檚 been the chef for the last decade. The opportunity comes at a good time for each of them. Jill loves the business she built with her best friend Billy as executive recruiters in NYC. But she has started having feelings for Billy and maybe some distance would be good. She can work from the island. Mandy lives on Nantucket and is a stay at home mom of two. But her husband doesn鈥檛 appreciate her and he may not be faithful. Emma鈥檚 fifteen year marriage has just ended. Her photography career is just taking off and she is getting national attention. All three agree quickly to working together for the year.
If this was a different author I鈥檇 think this may set up a few different novels with a romance or story for each. Instead all three get some attention in the story and the progress of changes in their lives. I have read several of the author's previous books and usually appreciate all the food descriptions and the easy flow. But this time it felt superficial. Two of the characters are going through some major changes and you never see anger or worry about how they will pay their bills. It is like everyone all the time knows everything will work out just right and it does. And I know Kelley writes closed door romances but I do want to see some of the romance. I want to see a date or two or feel the longing for passion.
I didn鈥檛 realize till I came to post a review on 欧宝娱乐 that the book was originally published in 2020 under the name of The Restaurant and already has a sequel. It doesn鈥檛 change my review but now I am curious about what gets covered in the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
(4.5 Stars) Ana Mendez is of Cuban descent growing up in Florida. Now she is a senior associate at a NYC law firm. A new position is opening up that s(4.5 Stars) Ana Mendez is of Cuban descent growing up in Florida. Now she is a senior associate at a NYC law firm. A new position is opening up that she has earned and her current Mal-practice case may be her way to be sure she gets the spot. Rachel Cohen is a successful cardiac surgeon. She is Jewish and loves her family and culture. As happens in stories Ana and Rachel hook up after meeting in a NYC bar. They know nothing about each other beyond first names. Ana is stunned when she realizes Rachel is the last deposition she needs to interview for her big case.
I love that these two can鈥檛 get over their attraction but they slow things down. They spend time texting and with phone calls learning about each other. There is time for dates while the tension builds between them. I felt I got to know both very well over the course of the story. I am currently on vacation, in a condo, in the Rocky Mountains and couldn鈥檛 venture out to enjoy the beauty until I finished this book. The only thing that was disappointing was how simply the big conflict gets resolved. But I love how the story ends. It was very enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
(3.5 Stars) The story begins with police detective Kelli McCabe being shot while on duty and taken to the hospital. There she meets Dr. Nora Whitmore,(3.5 Stars) The story begins with police detective Kelli McCabe being shot while on duty and taken to the hospital. There she meets Dr. Nora Whitmore, the attending surgeon. Nora is aloof and professional at all times and Kelli can鈥檛 help but push a few of her buttons. This is a slow burn story of two people letting down their barriers and becoming friends before they can become more. Usually in police/doctors romances there is a police case needing to be solved. That isn鈥檛 the case here. Kelli is firmly in an off duty recovery zone using crutches and attending physical therapy. But it is Nora who is thrown for a loop as a resident has made claims against her that could impact her career. Kelli is a friend to lean on and offer support.
I enjoyed this book. Evidently it originated as fan fiction of Rizzoli & Isles and knowing that I could see similarities of the MC鈥檚 backgrounds to the tv show. But the story is original and Nora is almost unlikeable; she is so closed off as the story begins. I enjoyed seeing her character change over the course of the story. This book was originally published in 2016 and is the beginning of a series of novels. I would like to find those books and see where is they take these characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for the digital copy and I am leaving an honest review....more
This is the second book in the D.I. Jo Shaw mystery series and I am all in, totally committed to the series. This book takes place close after A CalcuThis is the second book in the D.I. Jo Shaw mystery series and I am all in, totally committed to the series. This book takes place close after A Calculated Risk (Sept 2023). Detective Inspector Jo Shaw has barely recovered from her injuries sustained in that book. The afternoon she is cleared for work she is the lone person available to take a call regarding a dead body. This is the beginning of a great police procedural novel. When a second person is found barely alive with some similar injuries Jo starts to put pieces together.
While all this is going on Jo is reconnecting with her first love Dr. Isla Munro. They were together fifteen years ago before Isla鈥檚 mother broke them up. Their relationship was beginning to spark in the previous book and I love that they continue forward cautiously with texting and check-ins. But Jo has a hard time staying out of the ER and Isla has connections that are helpful for her case. Isla also has a police matter for Jo to handle at her hospital as well. I love that it didn't linger too long in the will they wont they. I wanted them together in the last book and was happy to see it here.
I can鈥檛 mention enough that I love how very English this is. The titles, acronyms, slang that I mostly get from watching mysteries on my BritBox. The case moves quickly and there is danger. I was on the edge of my seat. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
(3.5 Stars) I am usually a fan of police procedural novels and gave the author five stars on the last book I read from her. Detective Inspector Darren(3.5 Stars) I am usually a fan of police procedural novels and gave the author five stars on the last book I read from her. Detective Inspector Darren (Mac) Mackenna comes off a longtime undercover assignment to learn that an old friend and mentor has died. She is shocked to learn it was suicide and decides to investigate further. When she finds some clues intentionally left by him she knows she is on the right track. Ashley Spencer is starting a new career as a new constable in Cambridgeshire. She was previously a school teacher. Things don鈥檛 seem to be quite right at her precinct. When Ashley鈥檚 car is forced off the road and calls for help she is rescued by Mac.
For me the favorite parts of the story were Mac and Ash. Often in detective stories a romantic encounter is thrown in at the end. But here it is very much part of the story. Mac isn鈥檛 sure how much she can trust Ash as she works with the same officers that covered up her mentor's death. The police part of the story was lacking for me. There was a lot of checking CCTV and background checks. But it wasn鈥檛 like Mac went undercover on the police force. She is posing as a building construction manager. I am going to round up because of the romance but I wanted more from an investigative side. Thank you to NetGalley and Ulva Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
Annabel Monaghan continues to impress me with her women鈥檚 fiction romances. I didn鈥檛 love this one as much as last year's Summer Romance (June 2024). Annabel Monaghan continues to impress me with her women鈥檚 fiction romances. I didn鈥檛 love this one as much as last year's Summer Romance (June 2024). But this is still very good. Jane Jackson was a sidekick child actress on a popular tv sitcom. She has left being in front of the camera behind her and is now a creative executive at a studio. She is willing to do just about anything to get her latest film project approved. It has her crossing paths with Dan Finnegan, a cinematographer and her one time crush.
There are some genuinely funny lines in this book and some heart wrenching moments. Of course Jane has to find herself and deal with some issues from her past. I think that is where the author excels. Jane has to learn that she can鈥檛 fake being perfect. The romance with Dan seems predictable and comes with good banter and some slow burn heat.
I enjoyed the story and it is easy to recommend for a summer beach read. I love the continuity of the illustrated covers for the last few books. It makes Monaghan鈥檚 books very recognizable. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
(June 14, 2025) I previously read an ARC copy of this book and then got a copy of the audio book. I did enjoy the narration of Esme Ramos but it didn'(June 14, 2025) I previously read an ARC copy of this book and then got a copy of the audio book. I did enjoy the narration of Esme Ramos but it didn't change my thoughts on the story. My original review is below. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the audio book.
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This is not listed as a sequel so I will call it a stand alone novel that is in the same world as Play to Win (July 2023) and Bet on It (July 2022). I have read those contemporary romances and enjoyed the representation and diversity in race, sexuality and body shape and size. The books all take place in the small town of Greenbelt, South Carolina and this is the first one to feature a f/f romance.
Jade Dunn and Francesca Lim are both teachers at the local high school. Jade has been there for years and has worked very hard to be part of the assistant coaches for the football team. When the current head coach announces this will be his last year, Jade is all in to prove that she is worthy of being made head coach. Francesca helped coach junior teams in Texas before she moved to Greenbelt two years and asked to join the coaching staff.
I never bought into Franny being a contender for the head coach spot so the perceived rivalry by Jade didn鈥檛 make a lot of sense. Jade鈥檚 antics only made her come off as juvenile and petty. I honestly didn鈥檛 understand why Franny was interested in Jade. But of course they are attracted to each other. I enjoyed the cameos from the previous books. Jade鈥檚 bowling group friends are there to add some extra humor but I find crass to be cringe. There is a good portion of the book that focuses on football (American). I am a college level football fan and understand the rules and positions discussed. But others could find those parts of the story less interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
This book can stand on its own but you will enjoy it more if you read Those Who Wait (March 2020) first. In that book the reader is introduced to RegaThis book can stand on its own but you will enjoy it more if you read Those Who Wait (March 2020) first. In that book the reader is introduced to Regan Gallagher, the roommate and life long friend of Sutton Spencer. At the end of that story Sutton is heading to Rome for a year working in a prestigious archive. To encourage her to leave Regan agreed to let Emma Bordeaux, Sutton鈥檚 work friend and fellow TA, have her spot in the apartment. The only thing is the two have never gotten along.
I am a mega fan of the first book so I had high expectations being back in this world and I was not disappointed. Cass gives good back stories to both main characters. Regan is delightful as the ADHD roommate that oversteps and doesn鈥檛 understand personal space and boundaries. Emma is the grumpy to her sunshine but she has her reasons too. My heart hurts for her trying to understand her place with her mom after she has created a new family. And then in the midst of roommate dynamics Regan clocks an attraction to Emma. And much to my delight she seeks out advice from lesbian guru Charlotte, who is Sutton鈥檚 girlfriend.
The story is long and yet I breezed through every page. Watching Regan go from frenemies to roomies to friends and then to more is wonderful. Regan especially shows up with a heart of gold helping Emma鈥檚 grandmother and reconnecting with her sister. Emma gets her moments to show her support to Regan as well. I love there is no last act break up. Every time I am in this world it makes me want to read the two full length novels and two novellas again. I am kind of hoping there may be a romance for Regan鈥檚 sister just so I can return and catch up with these characters. ...more
I always enjoy stories from April Asher. Harry is a witch who left her magical Colorado town 13 years ago. She returns now as guardian of Grace, a teeI always enjoy stories from April Asher. Harry is a witch who left her magical Colorado town 13 years ago. She returns now as guardian of Grace, a teen shifter who needs help controlling her powers. Grace's mother is off searching for the father. Harry is surprised to learn that Jaxon Atwood, a cougar shifter, is now in charge of the Rocky Mountain Pack. Jax is the reason Harry left town originally after seeing that Jax was fated for someone other than her.
The story is a second chance romance but spends a lot of time on finding Grace鈥檚 dad and on the interactions of the friend group. The small town gives Hallmark vibes but with an R rating. I have the feeling that a lot of this book is setting the stage for future books in the series. There is also a lot of immature humor like naming the town bakery Sugar Tits but I expect this having read the author before. Jax is an alpha male type, which I don鈥檛 usually love. But where he is the alpha for his pack it fits. There is a lot of miscommunication that could easily have been cleared up with some honest conversations. I had fun with the story and like the small magical town setting. I do want to see where Grace鈥檚 story is going to go.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
Emma by the Sea is more of a slight nod and not a retelling of the classic Emma by Jane Austin. In this story Emma is in her mid twenties and has spenEmma by the Sea is more of a slight nod and not a retelling of the classic Emma by Jane Austin. In this story Emma is in her mid twenties and has spent the last three years caring for her father who has early-onset dementia. She returned home after getting her degree in psychology not wanting to miss spending this time with her father. But she also isn鈥檛 happy seeing her friends move forward in relationships and attaining advanced degrees.
Her next door neighbor is Georgia who is 13 years older. She is a neurologist and they have known each other all their lives. They are friends and neither is admitting to ever thinking of the other as something more. This summer Georgia鈥檚 niece Cora, is coming to stay and work in her aunt's offices. It is mostly to keep her away from her current boyfriend.
I really enjoyed the story. I like the set up and established friendship. Cora is a nice catalyst to igniting a change in the friendship status of Georgia and Emma. The story deals compassionately and realistically about dealing with someone with beginning dementia. Of course it helps that these people are wealthy and money is not a stressor. I actually sat and read this in one sitting. It is a debut novel and I hope the author is already writing her next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review. ...more
(3.5 Stars) In order to survive the next round of lay offs as a video producer Katie Vaughn accepts a new assignment. She is going to Key West to shoo(3.5 Stars) In order to survive the next round of lay offs as a video producer Katie Vaughn accepts a new assignment. She is going to Key West to shoot a promotional video for the US Coast Guard. It will feature Tom 鈥淗utch鈥� Hutcheson who already has a following after a video went viral of him rescuing a celebrity鈥檚 dog. Of course Katie never shares that she doesn鈥檛 know how to swim which could get her kicked off the assignment. And Hutch turns out to be the most handsome person she has ever met.
The set up sounds great and there is typical Katherine Center humor. But there are heavier topics too, especially Katie鈥檚 body image thoughts that come up frequently. Stand out side characters are auntie Rue and George Bailey, an enormous great dane. I鈥檓 not sure if I am supposed to like Hutch鈥檚 brother Cole who works with Katie. He tells so many lies and never seems to suffer the consequences of them. This is a nice summer read and almost as light as the cover suggests.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin鈥檚 Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
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