Tag Archives: Contemporary Women

Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto – a Review

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Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q, Sutanto – a Review

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Description:
Izzy Chen is dreading her family’s annual Chinese New Year celebration, where they all come together at a Michelin-starred restaurant to flaunt their status and successes in hopes to one up each other. So when her seventy-three-year-old glamorous and formidable grandmother walks in with a stunning woman on her arm and kisses her in front of everyone, it shakes Izzy to her core. She’d always considered herself the black sheep of the family for harboring similar feelings to the ones her Nainai just displayed.

Seeing herself in her teenage granddaughter’s struggles with identity and acceptance, Magnolia Chen tells Izzy her own story, of how as a teen she was sent by her Indo-Chinese parents from Jakarta to Los Angeles for her education and fell in love with someone completely forbidden to her by both culture and gender norms—Ellery, an American college student who became Magnolia’s best friend and the love of her life. Stretching across decades and continents, Magnolia’s star-crossed love story reveals how life can take unexpected turns but ultimately lead you to exactly who you’re meant to be.

 

 

Review:

Next Time it Will be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a standalone novel.   Magnolia Chen is the matriarch of her family, and her granddaughter is intrigued about her grandmother’s life.  Magnolia begins to tell Izzy (granddaughter) about her past, when she was sent from Jakarta to Los Angeles for school, at the age of sixteen.  Her sister, Iris, awaits her on her arrival, as they will be living together; even though she knows her older sister wants nothing to do with her.   Magnolia and her rebellious sister Iris had a difficult time in the early years, but over time things changed.  

Over the course of decades and continents, Magnolia meets a college student, Ellery, who was 22 and Magnolia was 16.  They became best friends, and I loved how Magnolia always viewed Ellery as the love of her life, since they truly were soulmates.  This was truly a wonderful love story.

Magnolia was an amazing character, with a fabulous story to tell. Over the years, Magnolia learned what she needed to do throughout her life, with her strength and happiness. A beautiful story of love, loss, finding herself, making the hard choices in life, sometimes breaking your own heart in the process.  Magnolia lived a long life, married with children, and the eventual loss of her sister, as well as Ellery. 

Next Time Will Be Our Turn was a wonderful story, about family, love, culture, ethnicity, sexuality, and even living with a sister, daughter, wife and love of her life. Next Time Will be Our Turn was so very well written by Jesse Q. Sutanto.  I suggest you read this wonderful story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Lady on Esplanade by Karen White – a Review

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The Lady on Esplanade by Karen White – a Review

 

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Description:

People and secrets from the past threaten to disrupt Nola Trenholm’s new life in New Orleans. Nola is ready to focus on starting over in the Big Easy. She wants to get back to work on the renovations of her Creole cottage, and she is eager to launch a new murder-house-flipping business with contractor, closet psychic, and part-time nemesis Beau Ryan. After a near-death ghostly encounter and the return of Beau’s missing sister, they are confident that the ghost of his mother can finally rest.

Nola believes the shotgun house on famed Esplanade Avenue is a prime fixer-upper for her first project. It may have been the site of a woman’s murder and the disappearance of an entire family, but the house will be perfect for new-to-town Cooper Ravenel—who happens to have caused Nola’s first heartbreak. 

That’s the least of Nola’s worries, though. In addition to the elusive spirit of an angry young woman who accompanied Cooper to New Orleans, the house on Esplanade has its own ghosts, including one that is becoming increasingly dangerous as he tries to hide his dark secrets.  And the wet footprints from the spirit of Beau’s mother have returned to let them know there is still unfinished business before she can rest.  Spectral danger is headed toward them, and it’s up to Nola to convince Beau to help before it’s too late. .

 

 

 

Review:

The Lady on Esplanade by Karen White is the 3rd book in her Royal Street series. Nola Trenholm is renovating her new home in New Orleans, with vengeful ghosts, psychic gifts, unsolved murders; with her business partner and reluctant psychic, Beau Ryan. We meet a few new characters and get to know some old characters a bit better, with each of them playing major parts in the story, adding charm & humor to the story.

There continued to be a mystery surrounding Beau’s family, and Nola’s determination to discover the truths behind the Esplanade house.  Nola and her friend Jolene investigate a mystery involving ghostly spirits that are under renovation. The supernatural elements lead to an old murder case involving the death of Adele, with ghosts and psychics that gives us suspense and hints of danger.

I loved some of the wonderful characters, such as Sarah, who was only 13 years old, with her ability to see and hear ghosts; she was a fantastic addition, helping Nola reveal what the ghosts are telling her.  I also loved Nola’s best friend, Jolene. She too was a fun and awesome character, helping to cook for others, and helping Nola dress good.  I did like Beau, though somewhere they will eventually find a way for them to discover their real feelings.

The Lady on Esplanade is a story that is packed with tension, humor, intrigue, and suspense. What follows is the mystery as well why the ghosts continue to haunt the house on Esplanade; with Beau helping to rescue Nola.

The Lady on Esplanade was so very well written by Karen White, which was an excellent story, with a fabulous heroine in Nola. There was so much history in New Orleans, with ghosts, mystery, suspense and historical homes. Karen White once again gives us a fabulous addition to this series, and I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Sandy Page Bookshop by Hannah McKinnon – a Review

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The Sandy Page Bookshop by Hannah McKinnon – a Review

 

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Description:
After her publishing career and engagement fell apart in Boston, Leah Powell has no choice but to return to her sleepy coastal hometown on Cape Cod. Feeling lost and discouraged, she stumbles upon a once prominent historic sea captain’s home that now looks as dilapidated as she feels. Suddenly inspired, Leah decides to transform it into a bookstore and café she will call The Sandy Page.

Luke Nicholson, a life-long local and contractor, remembers Leah even if she doesn’t remember him. Intrigued by her return and her project, he agrees to help her bring the old captain’s house back to life. As they work together, The Sandy Page slowly becomes the town’s go-to gathering spot for locals, tourists, and anyone who is feeling adrift during this long, sweet summer. It’s a home for second chances. But will it be enough for Leah and Luke?

 

 

Review:

The Sandy Page Bookshop by Hannah McKinnon was a sweet heartwarming beach read.  We meet Leah Powell, who returns to her hometown of Chatham, MA.; have lost her job in publishing and dumped by her fiancé.  During her walk-through town, she stumbles upon an old abandoned Captain’s House, which is in disarray; the house calls to her, as she dreams to open a bookstore. 

Leah decides to rehab the place, and name it The Sandy Page; she has help from Brad, a student spending the summer at the cape, as well as Luke, a friend of her brother, who is a talented craftsman.  Also, Leah hires Lucy, a high school student, who loves working with Leah; who also hides that her sister is in rehab from a serious accident. A short time later, Eudora, a local widow and retired high school counselor, decides to help Leah; she is seriously trying to get past her anxiety due to her husband’s death.

The bookstore brings all of these people together, providing comfort and support for each of them.  Together they come up with ideas to expand the bookstore, which in other rooms, include knitting, book-club, and a café. The Sandy Page slowly becomes the town’s go to spot for locals and tourists; and getting to know each of the character’s POV.

Luke found himself very attracted to Leah, always helping her fix everything in the bookshop, as well as building different rooms for expansion. Leah also finds herself attracted to Luke, but she slowly backs away, since she is determined to concentrate on the shop. She did feel that she did not really have time for fun and flirting. Leah was happy with her co-workers, met new friends, connected to old friends, which was turning out to be a wonderful chapter in her life.

The Sandy Page Bookshop was a sweet, emotional, heartwarming romance that had a bit of everything.  The Sandy Page Bookshop was very well written by Hannah McKinnon. I really enjoyed this feel-good story, as it had my attention throughout. I suggest you read this book, as it was a great read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis – a Review

 

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Description:
Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.

Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged.  So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to. 

Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.

 

 

 

Review:

The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis is the 8th book in her wonderful Sunrise Cove series. We meet Lexi Clark, as she recently lost her job, and agrees to help her stepsister, Ashley at Sunrise Cove.  Her mother, Daisy passed away a year ago, but Lexi and Ashley learn that Daisy won the lottery, and now they are asked to deliver several envelopes to people that Daisy lent money too in the past. Sunrise Cove holds too many painful memories for Lexi, as her mother was never close to her; as all she ever had with her mother was broken promises.

Heath Bowman is good friends with Ashley, always makes sure she is ok.  In the past, Heath and Lexi were private to each other while at school; and the more Lexi gets to know Heath, as well as Ashley, she knows why she always felt guarded being hurt (because of Daisy.)

Heath tries to help both Lexi and Ashley, as they had to deliver 6 envelopes to those issued by Daisy. Heath feels like Daisy was there for him and his brother when they were young. Heath spends most of this time watching over his grandfather, as well as his brother and family.  Heath secretly had a crush on Lexi in their teenage years, and now he finds the chemistry between them becoming sizzling, but he is hesitant to start, since Lexi plans to leave after 6 weeks.

In a short time, Ashley and Lexi begin to forge bonds between them; as Lexi feels her heart is slowly crumbling.  Ashley is more outgoing than Lexi and longs for them to be closer, emotionally & physically.  Ashley is also determined to push Heath and Lexi together.  I really loved how Ashley and Lexi became so close to each other. The ensuing road trips to carry out these wishes reveal a mother Lexi never knew. Their journeys met with surprises, revelations and experiences they did not expect.

The Love Fix was a sweet, wonderful heartwarming story with forgiveness, healing, finding yourself and letting go. I loved how Heath and Lexi found themselves, and love prevails. The Love Fix was so very well written by Jill Shalvis. Another fantastic book by Jill Shalvis, who never fails to give us great stories. I suggest you read The Love Fix, as it was a great read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
When Charlotte Sitterly’s husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, she and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house by the FBI and—what’s potentially even worse—thrust into the spotlight of @JuniperShoresSocialite, the town’s snarky anonymous Instagram account. Cut off from her bank accounts and feeling desperate, Charlotte takes up an acquaintance’s offer to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast that’s home to a community of single mothers and draws plenty of gossip in the small coastal North Carolina town.

Charlotte and Iris find solace and are surprised by how much fun they’re having with the other families despite their circumstances. But when the women discover a secret link between them, it changes everything they thought they knew about the unconventional family they’ve created and leaves them wondering whether their coming together was a coincidence at all. Will the skeletons in the mommune closets help Charlotte and Iris reclaim their place in the Juniper Shores community—or shatter the sisterhood forever?

 

 

Review:

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a wonderful sweet story. We meet Charlotte Sitterly, who has been shut out of their home by the FBI, due to her husband, Bill being arrested for suspected fraud. Charlotte and her 14-year-old daughter, Iris, have lost her assets, and while trying to get some money at the bank, she hears a woman behind her offering a place to stay.

Alice invites them to move into her house (former Bed & Breakfast), where she also has two other women staying at her home with their children.  They call the home “Mommune”, which is a unique living arrangement with Alice’s wonderful Beach House by the beach. Charlotte and Iris are thrilled to have a place to stay; with a wonderful group that makes a family. Alice, a widow; Julie, single mom of three; and Grace, with two teens.  The women embrace living together and helping each other, and the children become close friends.

Charlotte is determined to find a way to prove her husband’s innocence.  The ladies and kids work together to help clear Charlotte’s husband’s name.  I really enjoyed the different POV’s from Charlotte, Iris and Alice.  Iris gets help from friends who gather around her, and she begins to work on solving the financial documents, that were not done by her father. Together everyone in the Beach House were able find a way to free Charlottes husband. 

Beach House Rules was a wonderful, enjoyable and heartwarming story; with friendship, women, community & found family.  I really enjoy this story, which was filled with love, compassion and intrigue.   Beach House Rules was very well written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle – a Review

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To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle – a Review

 

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Description:
On a journey to find hope and purpose, Rosemary is determined to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, despite the possibility of a tropical storm. On the way, she stops at Tug’s Diner, where she quickly develops a bond with the kind and helpful owner, Tug.

But soon, Tug’s diner is a destroyed by the storm, adding to his grief from losing the love of his life last year. In the aftermath, Rosemary sees the heavy sadness in Tug and is determined to help him heal. Alongside Tug and his friend Paul, Rosemary helps them provide meals and support to the community.

When Amanda and Paul reunite after being out of contact because of the storm, the take-it-slow plans they’d committed to feel unrealistic. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple move forward in their relationship, they discover that love might be possible for them too, reminding everyone that life is meant to be lived in one direction…forward.

 

 

Review:

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle is a wonderful heartwarming story; that brings together friendships, as well as an elder romance.  This is a sequel (The Shell Collector), which brings together some of the main characters into this new book (Amanda, Tug, Paul, Hailey, Jesse). With a dangerous Hurricane Edwina finding their way to Whelk’s Island, North Carolina; Amanda takes her two kids (and dog, Denali) to safety, and Paul gets Tug (owns Tugs Diner) to stay at his Paws land, to be safe.

Newcomer, Rosemary is not happy staying with her daughter, after the death of her husband.  She decides to visit a friend in Whelk’s Island, and packs her car; along the way she runs into Amanda, Hailey and Jesse, leaving for safety.  Rosemary’s first friendship on Whelk’s Island. As she enters Whelk’s Island, she stops at Tug’s Diner, and though he was closing the diner, Tug does go out of his way to cook a hamburger for Rosemary to take. Another friendship will bond.

Later on, Rosemary tries to help people during the storm, especially when Paul cannot contact Amanda; with her phone working, she gets in touch with Amanda, allowing Paul to talk to her.  As the hurricane comes, the devastation is heartbreaking, especially for Tug, who diner was destroyed. Rosemary will work alongside Tug, Paul and herself to help provide meals to support the community.

Having enjoyed the main characters in The Shell Collector, I loved seeing Amanda, Paul, Tug, Hailey and Jesse again. The messages used on the shells continued to be a great addition, with quotes printed, and no one who knew who did it. I did early on get a kick out of “the Wife”, Tugs talking bird.  I thought Rosemary was a wonderful addition to this story. It was great to see Amanda and Paul finally get married. And I loved that Tug and Rosemary would discover that love would be perfect for them too.

To Light the Way Forward was a wonderful sweet heartwarming, delightful story, with hope, romance, restoration, relationship and passion. To Light the Way Forward was once again, written so very well by Nancy Naigle.  If you read The Shell Collector, you will love this book, too.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer – a Review

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Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer – a Review

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Description:
Blythe Benedict is content. Her life didn’t end when her marriage did. In fact, she’s more than happy living in her comfortable house in Boston, working as a middle school teacher, and raising four wonderful children. With three of her kids in the throes of teenagerhood and one not too far behind them, Blythe has plenty of drama to keep her busy every single day.

But no amount of that drama could change the family’s beloved annual summer trip to Nantucket. Blythe has always treasured the months spent at her island home-away-from-home, and has fond memories of her children growing up there. But this summer’s getaway proves to be much more than she bargained for.

Yes, there are sunny days enjoyed at the beach. But Blythe must contend with teenage angst, her ex-mother-in-law’s declining health, and a troubling secret involving her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Blythe reconnects with her first love, her former high school sweetheart Aaden. But their second-time-around romance becomes complicated when another intriguing man enters the picture.

It’s all a bit out of Blythe’s comfort zone. This particular island summer may not be as relaxing as Blythe had hoped, but she’s never felt that life has given her more than she can handle—especially when she has the love and support of her family around her.

 

 

Review:

Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer is a wonderful family-oriented story in the summer at Nantucket. We meet Blythe Benedict, who is a divorce mother of four children: Miranda is the oldest at 17, Daphne is 15, Teddy is 13 and Holly is 11.  Blythe is content living in Boston, raising her four wonderful children, planning on returning to middle school to teach; and looking forward to spend their annual summer each year at Nantucket.  Blythe inherited their Nantucket home, and the family looks forward to spend time seeing family and friends.

Blythe must deal with Miranda’s angst, wanting her boyfriend, Brooks, to go on vacation with them.  She is very close to Celeste, who is her ex-mother-in-law; and she has a good relationship with her ex and his girlfriend, as they all get along, especially with the kids sharing time between homes.

Blythe’s best friend, Sandy, introduces her to a handsome and charming man, Nick, whom she becomes attracted to. While at the restaurant, to her shock, she sees her former high school sweetheart, Aaden, who moved to Ireland, with many years having pasted. Blythe finds herself trying to deal with two men who are determined to win her over. The romance becomes complicated, especially with someone new, who enters the picture; and Aaden pressuring her to visit Ireland. Who will Blythe choose: Nick or Aaden?

Things fluctuate between Aaden and Nick; her ex-mother-in-law getting sick, lots of issues with her children; and a secret that her ex was hiding from his girlfriend. Blythe also has to deal with her 4 children, as they are reaching teenage years, and more difficult.

Summer Light on Nantucket was a wonderful, sweet, family oriented, love, children and a terrific summer at Nantucket.  I really enjoyed this story.  Summer Light on Nantucket was very well written by Nancy Thayer.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis – a Review

 

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Description:
When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

 

 

Review:

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis is the 7th book in her wonderful Sunrise Cove series. The story revolves around Olive Porter and Noah Turner, who were former teenage flames many years ago. Olive returns home to Sunrise Cove to help her best friend, Katie, as her husband, Joe, was injured in accident, still unconscious. Olive sees her first love Noah, who is Katie’s brother, with both not having seen each other in decades.  Noah also works with Joe, who is also recuperating, but totally concerned about his friend. Noah is a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, where Joe also works. With Olive staying at Katie house, Noah sees her after all these years, looking gorgeous and as well as being very successful.

At first both Noah and Olive continue to ignore each other, but when Olive parents seem to be missing, and not responding to her emails. She seeks Noah to help her find her parents.  Noah agrees to help her, but he is determined to not allow himself to fall for Olive, who he felt broke his heart.  As they began to be friends again, the memories of the past were raw still, but they navigated their feels into the present; with both dealing with the pain of those emotions and find their way to back to each other.

I loved Katie, who did her best to try and bring Noah and Olive together. She was a fantastic friend and brother, and her young son was a riot.  I also love Olive, who you couldn’t help liking her and hoping for her to fall in love with Noah again. Olive was smart, strong, successful and still held back to not getting hurt again, even though she knew how much she began to care for Noah. He was always amusing and wonderful helping his sister and Joey, while Joe was still in the hospital.     Of course, due to the past, Noah was a bit infuriating at times, still determined not to allow himself to have a second chance with Olive.

Finally, Joe began to wake up, and eventually back home with Katie and Joey. His closeness to Noah was also his push to try and reconnect with Olive.  Joe decided to quit his job, be home a lot more.  Olive and Noah succumb to their feelings, with great chemistry.  Olive decides to move to Sunrise Cove, where she can be near Katie, and her family; as she can continue her successful business from there.

Better Than Friends was a wonderful, charming, second chance, enemies- to- lovers, small-town love story, surrounded by family and friendship. I was happy that Noah and Olive found their way back.  Better Than Friends was very well written by Jill Shalvis.   

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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