Tag Archives: Friendship

A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan – a Review

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A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan – a Review

 

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Description:
This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents…

Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?

Her twin sister, Rosie, married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but Rosie’s insecurities are growing. Will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?

Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie. The Balfour Christmas traditions sound wonderful, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?

Despite everyone’s best intentions, all the chaos and confusion could derail their normally happy holidays. Can they tell each other the truth in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?

 

 

Review:

A Merry Little Lie by Sarah Morgan is an enjoyable story during the Christmas holidays; which follows the Balfour family.  This is a delightful story surrounded by those who return home for the holiday, family relationships, love and life. Becky is stranded at the airport, when she sees her brother’s best friend, Will. At first, she is determined to find a different way, but ends up that Will has a car, and she agrees to drive home together.

Becky is single, and does privately have a crush on Will.  She is also a twin to Rosie, who was recently married to Declan. James is the older brother, who brings his girlfriend Hayley (they are already married, and soon will tell their secret).  Will is James’s best friend, and he too has a crush on Becky. Jenny and Martin (the parents) have been married for many years, and they look forward for all the family to arrive at their place.

We follow the four main ladies, with Jenny who always worries about her kids, and her husband, Martin. Rosie is struggling with her marriage, constantly concerned to Declan is having possible issues.  Becky, who is trying to keep a secret from her twin, Rosie; which is not the real truths. Hayley, the woman none of them have met who is coming with Rosie and Becky’s older brother, James; and to the family’s surprise, they are married.

A Merry Little Lie is a sweet wonderful story that revolves around the family sharing struggles and worries with each of the couples; with secrets revealed. A Merry Little Lie experiences obstacles, emotional trauma revolving around the siblings.  But over all it was a wonderful sweet story throughout.  A Merry Little Lie was very well written Sarah Morgan.  I really enjoyed reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden – a Review

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The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden – a Review

 

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Description:
Rising star Jules Costa loves re-creating vintage recipes for her popular online cooking show. But when personal and professional disaster strikes, her only chance of saving her career is to complete her new cookbook before the end of the summer. Panicked, Jules returns to her family’s beloved olive farm on the shores of Italy’s stunning Lake Garda. Seeking culinary inspiration, she’s hoping to convince her spunky eighty-year-old Nonna Bruna to share her precious collection of family recipes.

Jules’ plans quickly go awry as she discovers Nonna’s cookbook has magical and unpredictable powers. It only reveals one recipe at a time, offering a cooking experience guaranteed to satisfy the chef’s palate and bring clarity to their life. Yet it remains stubbornly blank for Jules. To make matters worse, the olive farm is in deep financial trouble, and Jules soon uncovers a web of family secrets involving the cookbook and a lost recipe for orange blossom cake that holds the key to everything. And Nicolo, the boy next door who broke her young heart, is now all grown up, even more attractive, and the only person poised to help her find answers.  

In a whirlwind summer beyond her imagination, Jules begins to unravel the mysteries baked into her family’s history and discovers the essential ingredients to create the future of her dreams.

 

 

Review:

The Secret of Orange Bloosom Cake by Rachel Linden is a sweet standalone story. Juliana Costa is a fan of wonderful popular food, which she shows on social media, called The Bygone Kitchen.  She works at Trader Joe’s to help pay the rent, and her partner in these videos, is Drew. Juliana’s cooking abilities help save the day for several people who enjoy the videos. When Drew receives a chance to work with someone else in LA; Jules decides to create her new Cookbook.

When Juliana’s mother makes plans to travel, she must take her 15year old niece, Alex to Italy, returning to her beloved family after many years.  Jules has not been back to the family farm since a tragedy 15 years earlier. Shel loves her wonderful aunt, beloved Nonna Bruna, who has a lovable olive grove farm in the shores of Lake Garda.  Jules is hoping to get Noona to share her personal family recipes, to add to her cookbook. Her half-sister, Alex, would only eat vegan/vegetarian diet.  But Alex love taking pictures, and in time when Nonna and Jules created wonderful food.  Alex was always there to load the pictures on videos, which became very successful with thousands of people looking.

The story makes matters worse, when Jule’s overhears Nonna discussing that they are in deep in financial trouble. They had planned for Jules’s to stay and help increase the farm.  Jules uncovers an old cookbook filled with secrets, as well as the recipe for the Orange Blossom Cake, that could be the key. The legend of the magical orange blossom cake and a family cookbook itself, was passed down through generations

The romance between her and Nicolo, who was the boy next door, with her leaving 15 years old. As they rekindle their friendship, she sees how attractive he is, and determined to help her find the family cookbook.  This does turn into a whirlwind love story, as they are now grown up.  Will Jules leave when the summer is over, or will she stay and help Noona, and her feelings for Nicola.

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake was a sweet, wonderful, romance that was filled with love and family. I got a kick out of all the Italian food they created with each session, such as lemons, olive oil, pasta and the Orange Bloosom Cake, with all the secrets. The epilogue was great when Jule’s found herself falling in love with Nicolo, and both she and Alex would remain. The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake was very well written by Rachel Linden.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne – a Review

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Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne – a Review

 

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Description:
‘Tis the season for a little white lie…

Christmas has always been single mom Holly Goodwin Moore’s favorite time of year. The twinkly lights on the tree, the cookies in the oven, the snow on the ground. But she’s just not feeling it this year. The wedding in her ex’s family is almost here, her daughter, Lydia, is bursting at the seams to be a flower girl…and Holly couldn’t be dreading it more. She told a little white lie about having a new boyfriend as her plus-one, hoping to save face. She needs a date for the wedding…and she needs it now.

Ryan Caldwell wants to be free this holiday season. So even he isn’t sure how he landed in Shelter Springs, looking after his niece, Audrey, with his estranged father down the road. But when he meets Holly, she makes him want to belong for the very first time. So they make a he’ll be her date if she’ll help him give Audrey a true Christmas to remember while her mom is away. 

 

 

Review:

Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne is a wonderful heartwarming, sweet romance. We meet Holly Goodwin, who is divorced, with a 5-year-old daughter, Lydia; she lives in a small town, Shelter Springs. Holly is struggling during this holiday season, as she is preparing for the wedding of her former sister-in-law, with Holly doing all the flowers, Lydia is happy being a flower girl, and her ex-husband will be attending.

Holly’s employee/friend Kim, was going to rehab, and she begs her brother to come to town to watch over Kim’s daughter, Audrey. Ryan Caldwell arranges to take a leave from his Navy pilot assignments, and watch over Audrey. Ryan is tall, handsome, and recovering from an injury; but he is determined to give Audrey a fun time.  Then he meets Holly, and together they strike up a deal; she will help his niece celebrate Christmas, and he will be her plus one for the upcoming wedding.

What starts as a fake dating agreement, turns into a slow burn romance, with both Holly and Ryan beginning to feel the chemistry between them which in time will become much more.   The family dynamics appear within both Holly and Ryan’s family.  Holly will find a way to accept her ex and his wife, and allow Lydia to enjoy both.  Ryan had issues with his estranged father, when he realizes that his father changed over time. I really liked Holly and Ryan, as they were great together. It was wonderful to see them fall hard for each other.  I adored both Lydia and Audrey.

Snow Kissed was heartwarming, sweet, emotional, romantic and a perfect cozy Christmas magical story.  Snow Kissed was so very well written by RaeAnne Thayne. This was a wonderful holiday escape, that should not be missed.

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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The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland – a Review

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The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland – a Review

 

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Description:
In a perfectly ordinary building, four strangers who couldn’t be more different meet for the first time. Their skepticism of this new kind of grief therapy—and the unnervingly perceptive group leader—means they’re all wary, but as the weeks go by, they find themselves returning again and again, pulled to work toward healing, even if it means first facing the pain head-on.

A sharp-tongued lawyer who has no intention of letting down her walls, a fragile young woman looking for a place to belong, a musician at the top of his game who’s one drink away from losing it all, and an interior designer facing the crumbling of her picture-perfect life—this unlikely group slowly opens up, not only to the possibility of a happier future but to friendship, change, and even romance.

When a shocking revelation reveals the real reason they were chosen for this group, it shakes the very foundation of what they thought they knew. What began as a journey designed to heal turns out to be a much greater test of friendship, strength, and love as they realize happiness is just outside the door…if they’re brave enough to seek it.

 

 

Review:

The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland is a stand-alone novel centered on four strangers who are brought together in an experimental treatment to fix broken hearts. This was a powerfully emotional read. Genevieve Dempsey promises a different approach to healing, and four participants are selected, with all four showing up every Wednesday night at 7 O’Clock. Genevieve, the group facilitator, who poses questions to be answered by each participant in a round-robin style.

We meet the four participants;
Victoria: a lawyer, who is 41, and strong, independent, taking no nonsense in openly dealing with others.

Freya: 31 year old, very nice, struggling in her marriage, also suffering from panic attacks.

Mischa: 20 years old, sweet, quiet and sensitive, giving up much of her life to care for her mother.

Callum: 29 year-old, successful musician/rock star, who is spiraling from drug and alcohol abuse.

All four of these have experienced loss, bereavement, tragedy, grief, despair and anger, with us learning about each of the alternating POV’s, during their weekly sessions. As they learn more about each other, they become closer and friendships grow; with coming to terms with their grief. There were so many heart-warming stories, with love, sadness, forgiveness, drama and remorse.

About three quarters into the book, a shocking revelation changed everything, which was a fantastic twist that I did not see coming.  This twist blew my mind. Rather than reveal anything, I will say that the twist was a shock, and did enhance the story.

The Seven O’Clock Club was a fantastic and different story line.  I really enjoyed this book, as well as the amazing twist.  The Seven O’Clock Club was so very well written by Amelia Ireland.  Loved this story, and plan to check out Ireland for future books.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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