Tag Archives: Contemporary Women

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay – Review & Giveaway

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Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
For Samantha Gale, a summer on Martha’s Vineyard at her family’s tiny cottage was supposed to be about resurrecting her career as a chef, until she’s tasked with chaperoning her half-brother, Tyler. The teenage brainiac is spending his summer at the local library in a robotics competition, and there’s no place Sam, who’s dyslexic, likes less than the library. And because the universe hates her, the library’s interim director turns out to be the hot-reader guy whose book she accidentally destroyed on the ferry ride to the island.

Bennett Reynolds is on a quest to find his father, whose identity he’s never known. He’s taken the temporary job on the island to research the summer his mother spent there when she got pregnant with him. Ben tells himself he isn’t interested in a relationship right now. Yet as soon as Sam knocks his book into the ocean, he can’t stop thinking about her.

An irresistible attraction blossoms when Ben inspires Sam to create the cookbook she’s always dreamed about and she jumps all in on helping him find his father, and soon they realize their summer fling may heat up into a happily ever after.

 

 

Review:

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay is a standalone novel. We meet Samantha (Sam) Gale, our heroine, who is returning home to Martha’s Vineyard, to spend the summer at her family’s cottage to chaperone her half-brother, Tyler.  Her parents are going away to Europe on vacation for most of the summer, and since she quit her job (passed over on a promotion) as a chef in a well-known restaurant, she agrees to come home. Tyler (who is 14) and Sam aren’t that close, since she rarely visits, and he is enrolled in spending his summer at the local library in a robotics competition.  Sam, who has struggled all her life with dyslexia, is happy she doesn’t have to be around his class, keeping her dyslexia a secret.

While on the ferry home, she meets a handsome stranger, who she accidently destroyed the book he was reading.  Bennett (Ben) Reynolds, our hero, has taken a job as the director at the library for the summer, as he is also trying to search for the father he never knew.   When Sam visits her friend in the library, she is shocked to see the handsome stranger now working there.  In a short time, a slow built romance begins, with Ben finding himself very attracted to Sam, and will help him try to find his father.  Sam also gets a job at a new restaurant to handle Friday Night appetizers, which she will make her own recipes, which turns out to be very successful.

The relationship between Ben and Sam was wonderful to watch, as he learned about Sam’s dyslexia, and would read the book out loud for her to enjoy the story; he was so sweet, endearing and supportive for Sam. He also convinced Sam that she should write a cookbook, since she had so many wonderful recipes.   Sam worried, as she knew she was falling for him, and she did not plan on staying past the summer.  Will Sam and Ben find a way to stay together?

Most of all I loved the bonding between Tyler and Sam, as in a short time he totally opened up to Sam, and they were so much fun together. I adored Tyler teasing Sam about her relationship with Ben, as well as Sam teaching him how to dance, and meet his girlfriend.  It was so warm and loving to watch them become so close.

Summer Reading was a sweet, heartwarming story, with a wonderful sibling relationship, a great couple, and fun likeable characters throughout. We learn a lot about dyslexia, as well as the book is written in a dyslexia friendly font. There were also some great food recipes. Summer Reading was a delightful read, written so very well by Jenn McKinley.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Jenn McKinlay’s publisher, Berkley Romance is offering a paper copy of SUMMER READING to ONE (1) commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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You’re My Home by Debbie Burns – a Review

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You’re My Home by Debbie Burns – a Review

 

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Description:
Coming home will always give you a second chance… When Riley Leighton and Levi Duncan finally meet again, the chemistry between them is as hot as ever. But as much as Levi has missed Riley all these years, he still remembers the heartbreak when she left him the first time… Riley has spent a lifetime running from love. Now that she’s home again, starting her dream job at the local pet rescue, she also has another chance to get it right with Levi. Everything Riley’s wanted but thought she couldn’t have is almost within reach.

 

 

Review:

You’re My Home by Debbie Burns is the 7th book in her wonderful Rescue Me series. Once again, Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful sweet story as we return to the High Grove Animal Shelter, where we also get to see many of the people we got to know in the previous books.

Riley Leighton (our heroine) has returned home to support her mom during her cancer treatment; it has been 12 years since she left home.  To her surprise, Riley runs into her ex-boyfriend from school, when she left town and broke his heart.

Levi Duncan (our hero), suffered a terrible accident during his deep-sea diver job, and has been warned that he cannot continue to do that job because of his severe concussion.  Taking time off to decide on his career, he receives a message from his friend Marcus to help out at his dog training camp. When Levi runs into Riley, he still feels the chemistry between them, even after all those years.  There friendship between them resumes, as Riley keeps their feelings as friends only, since knows she will eventually be leaving again.

When she discovers a Great Dane, who seems to be lost, she brings him to High Grove Animal Shelter, where she meets some of those she knew, such as Meghan, the director, Tess, Kelsey and Patrick.  Riley offers to help work at the shelter, and begins to love her job walking the dogs, as well as taking control of the social media for the shelter.  She realizes that she has fallen in love with Arlo, the Great Dane, which in time, she will adopt.

Riley and Levi spend a lot of time together, with both helping to promote the plans for Marcus’s training camp, and the fundraiser for the Shelter; not to mention their love of the dogs they help.    Slowly, their feelings bring them back together, and will need to decide what the future holds for them.

You’re My Home is a charming second chance romance that is delightful, heartwarming and fun story of two people trying to get beyond their past, and move forward. It was great to see some of the past characters who lead the previous books, but most of all, I adored the dogs and the adorable & lovable, Arlo.

Debbie Burns gives us another wonderful addition to her Rescue Me series, which was a delightful, heartwarming story that kept us hooked until the very end.  You’re My Home was well written by Debbie Burns.  If you love animals, with a romance in the background, you need to be reading this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The Daydreams by Laura Hankin – a Review

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The Daydreams by Laura Hankin – a Review

 

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Description:
A deliciously entertaining novel about the stars of a popular teen show from the early 2000s–and the reunion special, thirteen years after their scandalous flameout, that will either be their last chance at redemption, or destroy them all for good.

Back in 2004, The Daydreams had it all: a cast of innocent-seeming teenagers acting and singing their hearts out, amazing ratings, and a will-they-or-won’t-they romance that steamed up fan fiction forums. Then, during the live season two finale, it all imploded, leaving everyone scrambling to understand why.

Afterward, the four stars went down very different paths. Kat is now a lawyer in Washington, DC. Liana is the bored wife of a famous athlete. Noah, the show’s golden boy, emerged unscathed and is poised to become a household name. And Summer, the object of Noah’s fictional (and maybe real-life) affections, is the cautionary tale.

But now the fans are demanding a reunion special. The stars all have private reasons to come back: forgiveness, revenge, a second chance with a first love. But as they tentatively rediscover the magic of the original show, old secrets threaten to resurface–including the real reason behind their downfall.

Will this reunion be a chance to make things right? Or will it be the biggest mess the world has ever seen? No matter what, the ratings will be wild.

 

 

 

Review:

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin is a standalone novel, with POV’s from 2004 and 2018.  In 2004, four unknown teenagers were chosen to star in a musical drama, Daydreams, where they will be singing, dancing and acting, with terrific ratings in the first season. Summer is the beautiful girl next door, Noah is the handsome leading man, Kat plays the mean girl, and Liana istheir best friend, who also has an amazing voice. During the season two finale, all hell broke loose, and the show was cancelled. All four of them went their own ways, unable to handle some betrayal, competition, stress, paparazzi and fans.  13 years later, they all agree to return in a new reunion that has fans excited.

As the four of them reunite, they learn how so much has changed for all of them. Noah became a famous movie star, as he was the only one truly unscathed from the show.  Kat is now a lawyer in Washington, DC, hoping to become a partner.  Liana is a trophy wife influencer, married to a famous sports athlete.  Summer, who in 2004, was the rising star, but her life now was a meltdown, with her going to rehab.

What follows has the four of them rekindling their friendship, working together to sing and dance even better now, as they fall into the magic of the original show; but secrets are revealed, including betrayal, revenge, and love. I truly liked all four of them, as they were flawed and somewhat broken in many ways, especially owning up to mistakes they made years ago. Noah and Summer were still very much attracted to each other. Will there be a second chance to love?

The Daydreams was a thought-provoking emotional and fun story, with wonderful characters.  I loved the epilogue, which was very good.  The Daydreams was an entertaining story that was so very well written by Laura Hankin.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas – a Review

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Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas – a Review

 

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Description:
Starri Knight is a big believer in fate. How else to explain the compelling connection she feels to the stranger she pulls out of a wrecked car on the very same road where her parents died twenty years earlier? Alongside Auntie Ona-May, the only mother she’s ever known, Starri saves Rusty O’Sullivan’s life—just as Ona-May once did when Starri was an orphaned babe. But convincing Rusty he has something to live for is going to take all of Starri’s faith in miracles . . .

Like a wish he hadn’t even known to make, Starri landed in Rusty’s life, filling him with a longing for a family . . . Then Jackson Landry, a new lawyer, turns up to present a surprise that will change the direction of his life: An inheritance from the father Rusty never knew—and the promise of the family he’d never had. It’s a lot for the hard-bitten loner to accept as love rushes into his life . . .

A sense of duty has Rusty heading to Honey Creek to deal with his father’s estate—and find his lost siblings. But having family is one thing, learning to love them is another. Good thing new friends are by his side to help him along the way.

 

 

Review:

Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas was a nice sweet heartwarming story in her new Someday Valley series. We meet Rusty O’Sullivan from the start, when he is travelling home in a major storm, in which he is in a terrible accident during a mudslide.  Starri Knight, who lives with her aunt, sees the accident and together with her aunt, they manage to rescue Rusty; the aunt helps as much as she can, but he has serious damage, and is taken to the hospital for a recovery period.

Starri herself was involved in a similar car accident almost 20 years ago, where her parents were killed, and her aunt took care of her.  Starri is a sweet and gentle soul, who believes in fate, and she makes it her business to watch over Rusty, as he is now a friend.  While Rusty is recovering in the hospital, he meets Jackson Landry, who is a lawyer, and tells Rusty that the father he never knew, left a will giving him and three other unknown brothers all of his money.  Rusty, not having known about his father for 32 years, declines the inheritance.  Jackson will continue to look for the other brothers, but him and Rusty do become friends. As Jackson finds a young brother, Zach, he and Rusty automatically hit it off, as Rusty is thrilled knowing that he has half siblings (a family he never had). There is an evil uncle, who comes forth to try and take Zach away; but it was nice that the town stood up to protect Zach.

There are quite a few main characters who have their own story lines, as we watch them find their true future paths and love.   Jackson has taken over his father’s law firm, and everyone seems to like him, which makes him happy to be back in Honey Creek.  Slowly, he finds that Sharri always is able to predict things and calm him, helping him succeed; though he is 10 years older, this will turn into a slow burn romance.  Rusty’s stay at the hospitable was lengthy, with the doctor, (Amber) being the one who took care of him.  Amber was a workaholic, working long hours, and she would fall asleep, with both of them finding solace. Though she was tough, slowly Amber began to enjoy Rusty’s comfort, and by closer to the end, theirs will also be a slow burn romance. There was also a mature romance between nurse, Emma, who spent her free time, watching and constantly talking to Heath, who was in a coma; not expected to live.  Heath slowly comes out of his comatose state, and together they will find true love.

Strawberry Lane was a sweet, heartwarming, entertaining story of love, friendship and new found family. There were many wonderful main characters, with unexpected romances, that we really liked.  Strawberry Lane was well written by Jodi Thomas.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Happy Place by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

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Happy Place by Emily Henry – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.

They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best?

 

 

Review:

Happy Place by Emily Henry is a fun sweet romantic standalone novel.   We meet our heroine, Harriet, a surgical doctor, who is invited to her annual Happy Place, where she spent the last 10 years with her wonderful and fun best friends, Sabrina and Cleo; after college Parth, Wyn and Kimmie became part of the group. When Harriet heard that Sabrina’s father was selling their Happy Place, she knew it may be the last time they get together.  Sabrina, a lawyer, has been dating Parth, also a lawyer, and they planned to get married.  Cleo, a farmer, was with Kimmie. Harriet has kept a secret from her friends, as she and Wyn (together for 8 years) broke up 5months ago, and to her shock, when she arrives, Wyn is there.

They both agree not to ruin the week with the news of their breakup, and tell them when the holiday is over.  So they pretend to be together, sharing a room, and totally fake dating (not admitting their attraction to each other remains). Harriet has still not gotten over why Wyn broke up with her in a brief phone call.

What follows is a fun, sweet week with all of them enjoying each other’s company, drinking wine & cheese, eating at various restaurants, having the time of their lives in their sun filled happy place. Harriet and Wyn began to succumb to their feelings, and the chemistry between them was hot; but would that be enough to bring them together, after the week was over? Slowly, things change, as each of the couples have issues, which caused concern.  Harriet was always the one who kept others together, never fighting, as she hated conflicts, and wanted to please everyone.

Happy Place was a wonderful second chance romance, with fantastic friendships, family atmosphere, and love all around. I loved Harriet’s fantastic friends in Sabrina and Cleo, and really like Parth, Wyn and Kimmie.  It was so much fun to see them together. As we got closer to the end, secrets are revealed, causing possible break of friendships.  An amazing group of friends will rise to the occasion, to bring love back into the picture.  Happy Place was so very well written by Emily Henry. I really enjoyed this book, and suggest you need to read this.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Emily Henry’s publisher is graciously offering a hardcover copy of  HAPPY PLACE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

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Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
She’s determined to start a new chapter, so why is she still drawn to a man from her past?

When Jasmine Weaver, the chief of staff to a powerful D.C. congresswoman, chose integrity, she didn’t anticipate ringing in the New Year disgraced, unemployed, and sleeping in her childhood bedroom. Now back in River’s Edge, Indiana, identical triplet Jazz has her sisters’ support while she plans her next steps. She agrees to lead the committee for their high school’s fifteenth reunion, never dreaming that her co-chair is the man who broke her teenage heart.

As the new CEO of Walker Construction, Elias Walker has taken the family business to new levels of success. He’s buried himself in work to ease the grief of losing his fiancé several years earlier and wants nothing more than to be a carpenter again. Elias grudgingly agrees to co-chair the high school’s reunion committee, but when Jazz Weaver blows into town, suddenly anything seems possible.

These high school sweethearts have lived half their lives apart. Can they reinvent themselves back in the town where it all began?

 

 

Review:

Home to River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the first book in her new The Weaver Sisters series. We meet Jasmine Weaver, our heroine, when she is travelling back home to River’s Edge, having been fired from her job in Washington, DC.  Jasmine was the chief of staff for a congresswoman for many years, and when she discovers the woman she idolized was doing something disgraceful behind the scenes, she approaches her and gets fired. Now unemployed, losing friends, she sells her home and heads home to her family, which includes two sisters, with all three being triplets.

Eli Walker, our hero, is the CEO of Walker Construction, and has helped successfully increase the business.  Eli lost his fiancée a few years ago, and is still grieving from her death, burying himself totally into his work.  When a car slams into his fender, they both are shocked as they recognize each other from many years ago.  Jazz is shocked to see Eli, the man who broke her heart during her high school days.  Together they could see that each had their own hard times, with Jazz now unemployed and Eli not being able to go back to the house he was building, still grieving the loss of his fiancée.  While talking, they both agree that they need to move on, and a friendship begins.

With her sisters help, Jazz finally pulls out of her doldrums, and decides to help out at the local restaurant, until their helpers can return.  She begins to enjoy the comradery meeting old and new friends, including spending time with Eli, especially him able to return to fixing up his house, with her help.

Jazz agrees to lead the committee for the high school’s 15th reunion, and to her surprise, Eli is the co-chair person with her.  Eventually, Jazz will be offered a job as a councilwoman, working close to the Mayor, especially since her experiences is perfect for the job.  Eli and Jazz begin to have feelings for each other, and a wonderful slow burn romance begins. I really loved Eli and Jazz, as they were great together; I also loved the amazing wonderful secondary characters. The Weaver sisters were great, as well as the Walker family; it was fun to see many of the Lange family (previous series).

Home to River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, entertaining and heartwarming story. Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, making this story even better.   The atmosphere of this small town was terrific, with a sweet romance, and wonderful friends to lover’s story.

Home to River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

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The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore – a Review

 

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Description:
Sloane Parker lives a small, contained life as a librarian in her small, contained town. She never thinks of herself as lonely…but still she looks forward to that time every day when old curmudgeon Arthur McLachlan comes to browse the shelves and cheerfully insult her. Their sparring is such a highlight of Sloane’s day that when Arthur doesn’t show up one morning, she’s instantly concerned. And then another day passes, and another.

Anxious, Sloane tracks the old man down only to discover him all but bedridden…and desperately struggling to hide how happy he is to see her. Wanting to bring more cheer into Arthur’s gloomy life, Sloane creates an impromptu book club. Slowly, the lonely misfits of their sleepy town begin to find each other, and in their book club, find the joy of unlikely friendship. Because as it turns out, everyone has a special book in their heart—and a reason to get lost (and eventually found) within the pages.

 

 

Review:

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore is a wonderful and emotional standalone novel. The storyline revolves around 5 main characters, who will eventually form a book club.  We meet Sloane Parker, our heroine, who loves her job as a librarian, and is engaged to a chiropractor doctor.  Sloane always is outgoing when meeting people in the library, and then she meets Arthur McLachlan, who is mean grumpy old man, constantly hurling insults to anyone who looks his way.  In a short time, Arthur makes sure to come to the library when he knows Sloane is there, happily insulting her, but Sloane enjoys giving it back to Arthur.

One day, when Arthur doesn’t show up, Sloane becomes concerned when a few days pass with no Arthur. She decides to track him down, and learns he was bedridden, having checked himself out of the hospital. Though he was grumpy, Arthur was happy to see Sloane.  When she loses her job, because of her visitation, Sloane makes it her business to visit Arthur every day, including at times staying over his house to help him.

Sloane meets Maisey, a clairvoyant and Arthur’s next-door neighbor. The two of them become friends, and together they make it their business to watch over Arthur.  When Maisey notices a man parked by Arthur’s house for a few days, she confronts him, and learns that he is Arthur’s grandson, Greg.  Of course, the grumpy Arthur treats his grandson as bad as the others.  Soon Mateo ( Sloan’s coworker from the library, who is also a trained nurse) will join them, as he becomes part of the newly set up book club. 

What follows is we learn more about each of the group, their lives, their secrets, their personality, and even Arthur slowly opens up. Especially when Nigel, a former enemy of Arthur, joins the book club. The characters were great, with so much fun humorous banter between them; you couldn’t help but care about each of them.  All 5 were an unlikely group of friends, who were always there to support each other, with each having their own favorite books.

The Lonely Hearts Book Club was so very well written by Lucy Gilmore.  This was a joyous story of friendship, that was heartwarming, emotional, fun, humorous, with each person dealing with love as well as their own grievances.  The Lonely Hearts Book Club was a fantastic read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow – a Review

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Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow – a Review

 

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Description:
When a thirty-something American food writer moves to a Scottish village for one year to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook she finds more than inspiration–she meets a handsome Scotsman she can’t resist in this charming debut romance.

Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It’s hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment–but she knows it’s high time she had an adventure.

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn’t hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can’t help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life.

 

 

Review:

Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year by Rochelle Bilow is a stand-alone romance novel.  We meet our heroine, Ruby Spencer, at the start, when she travels to a charming village, Thislecross, Scotland.  Ruby, who is in her 30’s, decides to change her life, leaving New York, and move to Scotland for year, hoping to write and sell her cookbook. She finds herself in a cozy cottage, becoming friends with local woman who runs the pub/restaurant, as well as working with her to create wonderful dishes (to add to her cookbook).

In a short time, Ruby finds herself with a wonderful group that becomes part of her new found family, including meeting the handsome hunk, Brochan, who is also the town handyman. As they got to know each other, this turned into a slow burn romance.  The wonderful secondary characters within the town, was fun, and whiskey was the main attraction in the pub, with many tasty creations.   Ruby and Grace (pub owner) worked so well together, and designing a weekly table dinner with some colorful locals.  I did love how close Ruby and Grace became.

The romance between Ruby and Brochan sizzles with amazing chemistry, as she gives up her decision to swear off men when she arrived, to open her feelings to Brochan. Ruby gets to know many of the village people, and eventually befriends the town mayor, Anne.  Ruby will also learn about secret plans to close the pub, and bring in an American restaurant chain, which would be destructive to both Grace and Brochan. Will Ruby leave her close friendship with Grace, as well as her losing Brochan?  Can she find a way to help save them all or leave Scotland?

Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year was a cute, fun, lighthearted read, with fantastic characters, great local village people, and a wonderful couple we rooted hard for.  Ruby was a wonderful heroine, totally fun throughout, as well as falling in love, living her true magical life, and adding a wonderful family.  I suggest you read this book, as it was very well written by Rochelle Bilow.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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