Back of Book: 

Aisha isn’t known to hold her tongue, but that’s until she finds out her boyfriend and her best friend are having an affair on New Year’s Eve. This sends her packing. She leaves Denver and moves to Dallas to have the time and space to process the betrayal.

Spending time alone also spotlights other issues she has been trying to conceal: her broken relationship with her mother, her growing apart from her brother, and the impact of her late absentee father on her life.

Aisha is overwhelmed by everything, so instead of using her time away to “do the work,” she spends weeks putting it off and indulging in every possible distraction—until she hits a wall.

Aisha will have to either confront the ghosts from her past before the year ends or continue to pretend they aren’t there and let them haunt her until the very end.  

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A book that explores the complexities of the human condition in one year filled with heartbreak, sorrow, hopelessness, depression, acceptance, hope, and so many other complicated feelings. 

Aisha finally feels like her life is in a decent place. That is, until she finds her boyfriend and her best friend having an affair on New Year's Eve. This sends Aisha packing up her things and taking off to a location that she draws out of a hat: Dallas, Texas. Her time away from everything and everyone causes Aisha to realize that many aspects of her life are falling apart including the relationship with her mother, the unresolved feelings she has towards her absentee father, and the void growing between her and her brother. Aisha must learn to confront her problems before she drowns under the weight of everything that she has been shouldering on her own. 

I hope that nothing as bad ever happens to me as what happens to Aisha in this book; I truly don't know how I would get through it. I'm not saying her coping mechanisms were in any way good, but I don't know how anyone would healthily go through a breakup with your best friend and your boyfriend simultaneously. I'm glad that Aba was willing to showcase some of the horrible emotions one might feel in this kind of a situation to shine light on the types of horrible things people sometimes go through in life. 

I can't say that I enjoyed reading this book, but it was penned so beautifully that I can't give it anything less than a four star. There are so many quotes in this book that I highlighted because they so profoundly capture complicated aspects of the human condition. This book showcases depression and loneliness so poignantly, which I think many can find relatable. I hope to never reach a point in my life where my depression is that bad, but I can still see how easy it would be to fall into these bouts of numbness. 

One thing that I thought was really neat about this book is that it takes place in 52 weeks (which is one entire year). Each chapter highlights a different week, which leads to some chapters being quite lenghty. However, I thought this was quite a powerful way to organize the book and was a really fun play on the title. 

This book really had me thinking about how much can truly change in a year. Aisha goes from happily in a relationship, with a paying job, and a happy-ish life to depressed, alone, living in a different state, back to being happy-ish but single and healing from her injuries. People can go through so many things in such a short amount of time and this book did a great job of reminding me never to assume you know what others are going through and to never take anything for granted because things change so rapidly. 

This book did often have me spiraling to some pretty dark places due to the nature of some of the content. Aisha drinks, does drugs, aggressively seeks out sexual companions, contemplates suicide, becomes so numb to life, and even considers turning to things such as murder. Aisha never expected some of the things to happen to her to happen, and this book often got me thinking about what if something like this would occur in my own life. I usually could pull myself out of the rabbit hole relatively quickly, but I just wanted to warn people that this book does dip into some pretty dark places at times. 

Overall, "52 Weeks a Party of One" is a complex book that dives deep into some of humanities darkest emotions and the way that we spiral when our lives are overturned. This wasn't a very fun read, but it was a very profound one brimming with masterful quotes that really had me thinking about different aspects of life. It certainly gets dark at times so makes sure you are in the right mindset to read this one, but I think it does a great job of illuminating some of humanities less fine moments. I had quite the rollercoaster of a journey reading this one, but I think it was a worthwhile one. 

Back of Book: 

 Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads to America, where despite her academic success she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze has hoped to join her, but with the post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. At once powerful and tender, Americanah is a remarkable novel of race, love, and identity by award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary 

Review: 🌟 

Back of Book: 

A modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice for a new generation of love.

Ayesha Shamsi has a lot going on. Her dreams of being a poet have been set aside for a teaching job so she can pay off her debts to her wealthy uncle. She lives with her boisterous Muslim family and is always being reminded that her flighty younger cousin, Hafsa, is close to rejecting her one hundredth marriage proposal. Though Ayesha is lonely, she doesn't want an arranged marriage. Then she meets Khalid, who is just as smart and handsome as he is conservative and judgmental. She is irritatingly attracted to someone who looks down on her choices and who dresses like he belongs in the seventh century.

When a surprise engagement is announced between Khalid and Hafsa, Ayesha is torn between how she feels about the straightforward Khalid and the unsettling new gossip she hears about his family. Looking into the rumors, she finds she has to deal with not only what she discovers about Khalid, but also the truth she realizes about herself. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

After their daughter Maribel suffers a near-fatal accident, the Riveras leave México and come to America. But upon settling at Redwood Apartments, a two-story cinderblock complex just off a highway in Delaware, they discover that Maribel's recovery—the piece of the American Dream on which they've pinned all their hopes—will not be easy. Every task seems to confront them with language, racial, and cultural obstacles.

At Redwood also lives Mayor Toro, a high school sophomore whose family arrived from Panamá fifteen years ago. Mayor sees in Maribel something others do not: that beyond her lovely face, and beneath the damage she's sustained, is a gentle, funny, and wise spirit. But as the two grow closer, violence casts a shadow over all their futures in America.

Peopled with deeply sympathetic characters, this poignant yet unsentimental tale of young love tells a riveting story of unflinching honesty and humanity that offers a resonant new definition of what it means to be an American. An instant classic is born. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Bestselling and award-winning author Mason Deaver’s adult romance debut follows a journalist in a dead-end job who agrees to teach his disastrous blind date how to be a better boyfriend. Readers will delight in this sweet and steamy queer romance with trans representation!

Eli Francis is stuck. Stuck in an assistant position at the online magazine Vent when he should be a writer. Stuck with a boss who dangles a promotion but would rather he just fetch the coffee. Stuck working alongside the ex who has had no trouble moving up at work… or moving on.

When Eli’s roommates push him to date so he can get over his ex once and for all, they set him up with Peter Park. Tall, handsome, and unbelievably awkward. The date is a complete disaster, and further proof to Eli that love isn’t for him. But when his boss overhears Eli recounting the catastrophic night, he suggests teaching Peter to be a better boyfriend through a series of simulated dates so he can write an article about it.

But Eli has other ideas… Eli plays along, pretending to write the article, while secretly interviewing Peter about growing up queer in the South and coming-of-age dating wise in adulthood. Eli hopes writing this sort of piece will finally get him the promotion he deserves. And in exchange, he will teach Peter how to be a better boyfriend.

But the more time Eli spends with Peter, the closer they become, and the lines between what’s real and what’s fake begin to blur. Before long Eli is forced to face his greatest fears to become the writer he wants to be and secure the love he’s always needed.  

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

When a struggling journalist meets a bumbling techie, the worst date in the history of ever occurs—is it possible to salvage this situation and build the perfect boyfriend? 

Eli Francis is stuck as an executive assistant at an online magazine by the name of Vent. He dreams of being a full-time writer, but he hasn't caught a break. Eli's also hung up over his ex-boyfriend of seven years, Keith. When his roommates get sick of his mopey behavior, they set him up with the gloriously handsome Peter Park. Unfortunately, the date is an epic disaster that only has Eli feeling worse. That is, until his boss takes interest in the incident and begs Eli to give Peter a second chance and convinces him to secretly write an article about how Eli is fixing up Peter to be a better dater. As Eli and Peter's fake-dating arrangement begins, Eli believes that he'll finally have the article that will grant him the promotion he deserves. But putting yourself in a fake relationship is never easy on the heart, especially when one has a hard time opening up to others. Will this end in disaster for the two men, or will their hearts manage to come out of the encounter unscathed? 

This book showed up unexpectedly in my inbox one day, making me feel as though I had no obligation to read it. However, the title and the cover caught my eye; I tend to love MM romances, so I couldn't logically pass this one up. And boy am I glad I didn't. This story is filled with so much humor and heart, while also offering a window into what it is like to be a member of the queer community in various different ways. There are some very serious themes, and the romance has a realistic arc despite it also giving a rom com experience that made me want to kick my feet and giggle constantly. 

From the very start of this book, I really liked Eli as a character. Seeing him stuck in a secretarial job that places so much burden on his shoulders made me pity him, but it also made me curious to see how his life would change throughout the course of this novel. The first few chapters honestly reminded me of "The Office," which I found to be quite fun. Seeing how stuck Eil was on his relationship with Keith really had Eli starting this book really down in the dumps. I think it is so easy to feel like a failure in today's society which expects one to be successful as soon as they graduate from college. Eli is certainly entering mid-life crisis territory, and I found this relatable despite the fact that I'm not even twenty yet. 

When Peter finally entered the scene, I couldn't stop giggling. Their first date is an absolute disaster, but it is easy to tell that Peter is such a sweet boy who is truly just inexperienced. I loved Peter pretty much from the first interaction, so it was easy to start shipping these two early on. 

After the two boys make their dating pact, the story truly comes to life. The dates that these two go on are all so cute. From ice skating, to bowling, to rock climbing, to jazz clubbing, the experiences that these two collect are priceless and adorable. The general bantering and flirting between Eli and Peter was so funny, and it had me wondering just how far this fake romance would go before it all fell apart. 

Speaking of falling apart, I actually didn't hate the third act conflict in this story. It felt very reasonable, and I totally understand why both men made the decisions that they did. I don't fault either of them; I honestly would have accepted if their relationship didn't pan out in the end. This book really plays on classic rom com movies, but it does a great job of showcasing how real-life romance isn't like it is in the movies. The epilogue was pretty adorable though, so I'm not complaining about how everything panned out. 

The way that this book dives into how being Asian and gay intersect with one another and often make it even harder to just exist in society was heartbreaking. I'm so glad Deaver also made it a priority to highlight all the good experiences that Peter had growing up in a Southern red state; they handled the nuances and complexities of interconnected identities so well. 

I must admit, I wasn't a huge fan of all the steamy scenes in this book. There are only like two major ones, but they were still a bit too much for me. Some spicy scenes are starting to grow on me, but I still really don't like dirty talk while in bed; it just makes me really uncomfortable, so it was a little hard for me to get through these scenes. I did think they were an interesting learning experience about trans expectations and courtesies in the bedroom, though. 

Overall, I found "The Build-a-Boyfriend Project" to be a fun MM adult rom com that offered plenty of insight on the publishing industry and the queer community. The fake dating element was pulled off well in this one and I didn't mind the third act conflict. Both Eli and Peter are great characters, and I came to love them both in their own right. This is my first introduction to Deaver's work and can say with certainty that I will definitely be checking out more of their work in the future! 

Back of Book: 

Three best friends. Two resolutions. One year to pull it off.

Emmy is newly single, and not by choice. She was this close to the ring and the baby she's wanted her whole life when her boyfriend left her for his twenty-three-year-old personal trainer—whose fees are paid by Emmy. With her plans for the perfect white wedding in the trash, Emmy is now ordering takeout for one. Her friends insist an around-the-world sex-fueled adventure will solve all her problems—could they be right?

Leigh, a young star in the publishing business, is within striking distance of landing her dream job as senior editor and marrying her dream guy. And to top it all off, she has just purchased her dream apartment. Only when Leigh begins to edit the enfant terrible of the literary world, the brilliant and brooding Jesse Chapman, does she start to notice some cracks in her perfect life...

Adriana is the drop-dead-gorgeous daughter of a famous supermodel. She possesses the kind of feminine wiles made only in Brazil, and she never hesitates to use them. But she's about to turn thirty and—as her mother keeps reminding her—she won't have her pick of the men forever. Everyone knows beauty is ephemeral and there's always someone younger and prettier right around the corner. Suddenly she's wondering...does Mother know best?

These three very different girls have been best friends for a decade in the greatest city on earth. As they near thirty, they're looking toward their future... but despite all they've earned— first-class travel, career promotions, invites to all the right parties, and luxuries small and large—they're not quite sure they like what they see...

One Saturday night at the Waverly Inn, Adriana and Emmy make a pact: within a single year, each will drastically change her life. Leigh watches from the sidelines, not making any promises, but she'll soon discover she has the most to lose. Their friendship is forever, but everything else is on the table. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Chick Lit 

Review: 🌟 

Back of Book: 

After an affair with a client's husband leads to scandal, private chef Devon Paige is left with only one client in Boston -a reclusive professional basketball player with a craving for cookies. With no other choice, Devon lands on the doorstep of Rockwood, a boarding school on the New Hampshire seacoast, taking a job leading their dining services. She is shocked to soon discover Kyle Holling on staff, who she hasn't seen in over fifteen years since a memorable night just before departing for college in different cities. Devon and Kyle must determine what their relationship looks like years later, all while dodging the cameras of an underground newspaper, dealing with the installation of a controversial campus sculpture, and grappling with the arrival of Devon's former lover's daughter as a newly-enrolled student.

When Devon meets a handsome paramedic named Heath, she ditches the possibility of romance with Kyle in favor of what appears to be a more straightforward relationship. But a trip to Los Angeles to keep her client well-fed ahead of his basketball game threatens to upend everything, forcing Devon to finally answer the one question she has been is fifteen years too late to rekindle a one-night stand? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A sweet second chance romance featuring plenty of delicious food, boarding school shenanigans, and a swoony soccer coach. 

Devon Paige has had quite the successful career as a private chef. That is, until she has an affair with a famous client that leads to a scandal that has her losing all of her clients except for one (who happens to be a famous basketball player who loves cookies). Now with few options remaining, Devon decides to accept her best friend Tam's offer to work at Rockwood, a prestigious boarding school that is in desperate need of a food coordinator. Upon her arrival, she is shocked to find none other than Kyle Hollis among the school's staff. Her and Kyle met fifteen years ago in college and had a one night stand that Devon still can't get out of her mind. Devon tries her hardest to fight her feelings for Kyle, but she feels the same attraction that she did all those years ago. When Devon meets a hot paramedic by the name of Heath, Devon's love life gets even more complicated, and she quickly finds herself amidst a love triangle that she's having a hard time unraveling. Will she give true love a second chance, or will she take the easy way out and choose the man with the least resistance? 

This is the first book that I have read by Bouchard, and I found it to be quite an enjoyable read. I thought that this was going to be a summery road trip book based on the cover, but it actually is a fall/winter read that takes place at a boarding school (which is honestly better in my opinion). I must say, I thought she was working at a college initially, but it is indeed a high school boarding school. Overlooking this fact made a couple of things feel a little odd originally, but I eventually figured it out. It was neat to read a rom-com that took place at a school between two adults. This just seems really unique to me and I can't recall reading another book like this. 

I really enjoyed Devon and Kyle as characters. The fact that Devon is a chef is really fun; I may not be much of a foodie myself, but I think it's super cool that some people are super into cooking. Her relationships she develops with David, an elite basketball player, and Adrienne, the daughter of the man she had an affair with were sweet to watch form; seeing these bonds blossom was definitely a highlight of this book. Devon's intimate decisions are questionable, but I could overlook this for the sake of the rest of her character. Kyle was my favorite character, for sure. I love how into history he is and all the quirky stories he tells about the US presidents. Teachers like Kyle are ones that students really latch onto, and I'm pretty sure I would be no different. Kyle's character also has a ton of depth due to his divorce and his kid that he has split custody of. I loved getting to know these two as people and seeing them fall in love all over again was quite entertaining and a bit inspiring actually. 

I also want to mention Devon's best friend, Tam. She has a love for movies and comparing the real world to events that happens in iconic (and less heard of) films, which I found really neat. I may not have understood every reference due to my lack of film knowledge, but I think having characters addicted to rom-com movies in a romantic comedy of a book is a ton of fun. 

I must admit, this book did have me missing my boyfriend a ton. His name is also Kyle, so reading a romance novel with a Kyle as one of the main love interests was simultaneously really fun and slightly painful. Kyle did end up being one of my favorite characters, though, so it was definitely worth all the emotions in the long run. 

Overall, "Considering Us" is a fun romantic comedy that pulls off several iconic tropes with finesse. I am usually not a huge fan of second chance romances or love triangles, but I felt that they both worked so well in this novel. This book takes place at a boarding school and has impeccable fall and wintery vibes. I really like Kyle as a character and Devon was also a great lead character. They both have a ton of baggage, so I found it inspiring seeing them come together despite everything. I really enjoyed my time with "Considering Us" and will definitely be checking out more work by Bouchard in the future! 

Back of Book: 

What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live? 

One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them is a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured vet returning from Afghanistan, a septuagenarian business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. And then, tragically, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.

Edward's story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place for himself in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a piece of him has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery—one that will lead him to the answers of some of life's most profound questions: When you've lost everything, how do find yourself? How do you discover your purpose? What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life—until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who has captured his heart.

But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Still reeling from a sudden tragedy, our biracial narrator receives a letter from an attorney: he has just inherited a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather. He travels to a beach town several hours south of his home with the intention of selling the land immediately and moving on. But upon inspection, what lies beneath the dirt is far more complicated than he ever imagined. In a shocking irony, he is now the Black owner of a former plantation passed down by the men on his white mother’s side of the family.

Vercher deftly blurs the lines between real and imagined, past and present, tragedy and humor, and fathers and sons in this story of discovering and reclaiming a painful past. With the wit and rawness of Paul Beatty’s The Sellout, Devil Is Fine is a gripping, surreal, and brilliantly crafted dissection of the legacies we leave behind and those we inherit.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary | Magical Realism 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

An emotional read following an unnamed protagonist through his struggles with grief, fatherhood, alcoholism, and an unwanted inheritance.

After the sudden death of his teenage son, our narrator receives some unexpected news: he has inherited a plot of land from his estranged grandfather. Not knowing what else to do, he sets off with every intention of selling the land. That is, until he uncovers the dark secrets that the land hides beneath the soil. Now, our main character is forced to grapple with the hard truths of his inheritance and work toward finding his individual freedom.

"Devil Is Fine" is a very complicated novel. It's touching, yet cruel. It's funny, yet dark. It's intriguing, yet hard to stomach. I really appreciate so many little things that Vercher decided to do with this one including leaving the narrator unnamed and having the story be narrated towards Malcolm, the main character's dead son. It gave the book a very personal feel because he was directly talking to his son, but it also felt ambiguous due to the unnamed narrator, almost as though this story could happen to anyone. I think that these are two really strong decisions that the author made.

Now let's dive into some of the nitty gritty parts of this book. Race is a super important part of this story for many different reasons. Our main character is biracial, which has always left him feeling either not white enough or not black enough. This feeling of living on the border between these two identities has caused the MC to burn many bridges, especially when it comes to the close relations in his life. This book also deals with the highly touchy subject of repatriation of dead bodies. It is only right that human remains be sent back to their homeland rather than be presented in museums as "a learning experience." It saddens me to think that there is still so much disagreement surrounding this, but I'm glad that this book shines a spotlight on this.

Fatherhood is another thing that is explored in great detail. There is no one right way to be a father, but there are a million and ten different ways to be a bad one. Our MC has many complicated emotions with his son Malcolm, especially after his untimely death. He always had extreme expectations for his son and forced many of his childhood trauma and daddy issue's onto his own child. Being a father certainly isn't easy, and it is dang obvious to tell from this novel.

The grief that our MC feels throughout this book is something I would be remiss if I didn't bring up. Even before his son's death he was a depressed alcoholic, which led to many questionable decisions. As you could probably guess, it only gets worse after Malcolm's accident. The delusions/hallucinations that our MC faces are riddled in deeper meaning and Vercher did such a great job of writing just how confused the mind can be when it is grieving for our loved ones. The fact that our MC is also prone to panic attacks was another thing that made him feel authentic and allowed for another interesting angle of grief to be explored.

I want to talk a bit about the publishing world here, because the MC is an author. As a biracial author, he was told some pretty awful things by his company, his agent, and other people that he worked with. The racial bias that is still present in today's publishing world saddens me greatly, and I thank all publishing firms that view diversity as more than "just a phase" or a "trend." This story ended with one of my favorite tropes with writer characters, that being that "Devil Is Fine" was penned by our MC himself.

Finally, I want to touch on the importance of the jellyfish. I think it was so smart to attach some generational trauma to something so unique as the jellyfish. The fact that the MC eventually has to relive a bit of his childhood trauma when he encounters a jellyfish near his newly inherited land adds something really special to the story line. The speech that Vanessa (his ex-wife) gives him near the end of the book was beautifully written and really ties a bunch of the novel's themes together in one nice monologue.

Overall, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed "Devil Is Fine." It is such a nuanced book that explored many complicated themes and ideas. Really, it would be hard to read this book and not have some serious things to think about. The writing in this book is top-tier and when you pair that with all of the difficult topics this book dives into, there is no mistake that "Devil Is Fine" is a literary masterpiece.

Back of Book: 

When Sarah meets Eddie, they connect instantly and fall in love. To Sarah, it seems as though her life has finally begun. And it's mutual: It's as though Eddie has been waiting for her, too. Sarah has never been so certain of anything. So when Eddie leaves for a long-booked vacation and promises to call from the airport, she has no cause to doubt him. But he doesn't call.

Sarah's friends tell her to forget about him, but she can't. She knows something's happened—there must be an explanation.

Minutes, days, weeks go by as Sarah becomes increasingly worried. But then she discovers she's right. There is a reason for Eddie's disappearance, and it's the one thing they didn't share with each other: the truth.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟 

Back of Book: 

Sam leads a glamorous life as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore while trapped in a dull dating arrangement with Kate... or is he? 

Despite passing the good nights in his world of dreams, Sam is no longer sure which alternate reality is true anymore. 

Is he a diplomat in Singapore, discussing politics with his intellectually stimulating partner, Kate, and struggling with finding passion in their relationship...

...or a surgeon in Los Angeles, in love with the art curator Shiva? 

His causal relationship with Kate is real, but what if his dreams become more tangible than reality itself? 

Will Shiva awaken something in Sam? Or, if not, maybe beautiful Céline or the mysterious Lara will? How many dreams can one live in, really? 

Follow Sam as he struggles to find answers to his dilemma: 

What is more fulfilling—a complicated relationship with Kate in real life or an exciting crush on the women in his dreams? Can you have a double life? Double you? Double love, at once? What does it really mean to date someone, anyway? Where does fantasy end and reality begin? 

From opulent diplomatic receptions in Singapore to operating rooms in LA, from strolls through elegant Paris to the dramatic cityscape of Dubai, join Sam on a mind-bending journey of the quest for love, the power of dreams, and the harshness of reality. 

Chances are, you will never look at fantasies the same way again...

And who knows, maybe in the coming nights you, too, will have your own dreams of destiny...

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Magical Realism 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Torn between reality and the women in his dreams, Sam is forced to reevaluate what he truly wants when it comes to love. 

Sam Cooper is a diplomat working for the United States government who is currently stationed in Singapore. His life mostly consists of work, but at least he has Kate to help pass some of the long hours before he retires for the night. Once his eyes close though, Sam finds himself transported to an alternate universe where his chances at finding love are flourishing and his happiness is better than he's felt in his current life. As the dreamscapes begin to expand, Sam starts to wonder which life is he truly living? And what exactly does he desire in a romantic relationship? 

"The Good Nights" is a thought-provoking book with a truly interesting premise. The fact that Sam is living multiple different AU versions of his life all while he sleeps raises quite a few questions but is mostly used as a uniquely cinematic way to explore some deep questions about life and love. 

One thing that was really interesting in this one is the fact that Sam is sorta with four different women at different times. It is interesting to compare the four, and see which ones make Sam truly happy. The best part is, every woman is quite different from the next, which leads for an exciting dating pool. Kate is a successful diplomat who values her independence and her physical relations with Sam over any other part of their relationship. Shiva is a caring art gallery curator who values family and loyalty above all else. Céline works in marketing in the fashion world and is rambunctious and spontaneous. Finally, Lara is a bit shyer and more reserved, while also having a quiet sense of adventure. It's cool to see how each woman brings out a version of Sam. It really made me think about how we act differently depending on who we're with and the importance of finding someone that makes us truly happy. 

Also, Sam's dreams force him to think about the situation that he is currently living in. Is he truly happy? Can he keep living how he is? I think we all need a reminder to be proactive with our lives rather than just coast through doing things that are easy and familiar. This book does an amazing job at passing on this reminder. 

I was a bit thrown off by the whirlwind nature of this narrative. Mid-chapter and after many of the dinkuses, the perspective often changes to a different Sam in a completely separate AU. This was often not the easiest to follow, but it truly fit the vibe of this story. The dream Sams are not aware of the fact that they aren't real, so it is totally fitting that there is little warning that they are now suddenly existing again with no knowledge of anything else. When Sam wakes up again, he retains his memories, but it's still a jarring experience that he is waking up from. I wouldn't recommend this style for many books, but I actually liked it for this one. 

The themes that discuss destiny, fate, and taking control of one's own life are very powerful. There is obviously a reason that Sam, Shiva, Céline, and Lara are connected with one another, but I love that they're not really sure what it is. The universe works in mysterious ways, after all. I think this book did a great job of balancing the messages that some things are meant to happen while also pressing that with enough effort, one can find the things that they desire. 

Another thing that was neat about this one is that every Sam had a different career as well as lived in a different city. It was not only cool to experience various areas in the world (I think learning a bit more about Dubai was my favorite), but it also made me think about just how different one's life can become off of one single life decision. This can be scary to think about, but it's also insanely interesting. 

The ending to this one is a bit predictable, but it has such a feel-good vibe that it's hard to be mad at this fact. I'm obviously not going to spoil the ending, but you can rest easy knowing that Sam gets his happily ever after. 

Overall, "The Good Nights" was a very intriguing read that had me thinking about fate, destiny, and the idea of true love. Seriously, the number of deep thoughts that this book had me thinking about was pretty crazy, but it's still a super easy to read book. I'm glad that I was given the chance to witness Sam's search for love and all the various messages that his journey had to offer. If you're interested in a philosophical love story with a hint of magical realism, I highly recommend this one! 

Back of Book: 

A charming homerun of a queer holiday romance where two former classmates’ plan to fake-date their way to freedom goes immediately awry—but, perhaps, exactly the way they need it to.

Murphy was supposed to be settling into her junior year at the University of Illinois with her best friend, Kat. Instead, she’s stuck in a hellish suburban holding living with her parents, failing the same class that kept her from graduating the first time around, and making minimum wage at the same coffee shop she’s worked at since she was sixteen. It doesn't help that the dating pool for a twenty-one-year-old lesbian in the tiny town of Geneva, Illinois, is anemic at best. 

When her and Kat’s long-awaited reunion is plagued by stuttering conversation and uninvited guests, Murphy’s resentment threatens to boil over. That is, until a miracle appears in the form of Ellie Meyers, a former classmate who is way cuter and not nearly as straight as Murphy remembers. Their heavy flirting holds the promise of something more… until Murphy learns that Ellie’s mom is the very professor preparing to flunk Murphy for a second semester in a row. Talk about killing the vibe.Romance might be off the table, but Ellie could be Murphy’s key to getting into Professor Meyers’ good graces and finally getting out of Geneva. And Murphy—well-versed in defying parental expectations—might be Ellie’s chance to get her mother onboard with her own dreams. Together, they hatch a fake a relationship for a holiday weekend at the Meyers’ house. If everything goes according to plan, Ellie will be living her dream halfway across the country, and Murphy will finally be able to graduate community college and start her life in earnest. So, the fact that Murphy can’t stop thinking about Ellie’s lips on hers isn't relevant. It’s just a part played well. Right?

A story about opening your heart to possibility, I'll Get Back to You is a giddy love letter to anyone in need of a bit of bravery to step up to the plate—and to the unending process of finding yourself. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟 

A fake dating holiday rom-com featuring two young girls trying to find their place in this world that just may catch feelings for one another along the way. 

Murphy's plans never seem to work out. She's supposed to be having the time of her life as a junior at the University of Illinois with her best friend, Kat, but instead, she's stuck living with her parents and attending community college due to the fact that she failed accounting. Luckily, Kat is coming home for Thanksgiving and a late celebration of their twenty first birthdays. However, things go differently than planned when Kat brings her boyfriend Daniel with her and the two get into a massive argument. Rather than drink alone, Murphy ends up reuniting with an old classmate by the name of Ellie. Their night of drinking leads to a slumber party and an impromptu meeting with Ellie's parents in which Ellie convinces them that Murphy is her girlfriend. Now forced to grapple with the bizarre situation, Murphy finds herself fake dating Ellie for Thanksgiving, and she finds herself swiftly falling in love with Ellie's family. Thanksgiving at a stranger's house might just be a great way to discover things that one never knew about oneself. 

I'm going to start this review by saying this is the second book marketed as a Christmas novel that I've read this year that ended up being set over Thanksgiving instead. So much for getting myself into the Christmas spirit. Third times the charm, I guess. 

Upon reading this book, I have come to the conclusion that I am not a fan of fake dating. This is the second one that I've encountered and the entire things just makes me feel so icky. I am a very honest person, so reading an entire book filled to the brim with lies and half-truths is just not it for me. Also, starting off a relationship with this many lies seems like a very poor idea to me, but to each their own. Fake dating is still winning over the jealousy trope though; I will truly never understand why some people thing trying to make their crush jealous is a good idea. *shakes head*

I did end up really appreciating the second half of this book though after the whole fake dating charade was over. Murphy goes through some pretty life-altering situations in a small period of time, and it was interesting to see how she dealt with all of the news that was sprung upon her. Many of her inner monologues about not being a kid but not quite being an adult yet either were quite insightful and this book had me whipping out my phone to take pictures of quotes several times. The parts that tackled how friendships change over time was also quite lovely. Despite really appreciating Murphy's struggles with being a new adult and changing vibes of friendships, it didn't make up a large enough chunk of this book for me to say that I really enjoyed it. 

For this being a romance, I just wasn't sold on it. Murphy and Ellie aren't terrible together, but their relationship comes on really fast and I was never convinced that these two were a wonderful pairing. I did like how Murphy interacted with Ellie's family, but I just couldn't get on board with how fast the actual romance occurred in this one, especially when it came to the physical aspects of their relationship. I completely give people the right to move as quickly as they want to romantically, but I just don't get much enjoyment out of reading romances like this. I'll be clear though, this book isn't overly smutty, I just didn't care for the main characters' romantic vibe. 

Overall, "I'll Get Back to You" is a queer holiday rom-com that features fake dating and Thanksgiving. I wasn't a fan of the romantic pair, so I didn't find myself liking this one very much. This book did help me understand why I dislike the fake dating trope so much though, so that was definitely a positive takeaway. If you are looking for a witty Thanksgiving read, this might be a decent one to check out. This novel certainly falls into the "it just wasn't for me" category, but I'm sure many others will enjoy it immensely. 

Back of Book: 

Set against a sizzling-hot Greek summer filled with sunshine and souvlaki, Rufaro Faith Mazarura’s Let the Games Begin is a page-turning debut rom-com about two strangers at the top of their game.

Athens, 2024. Olivia Nkomo has always been ambitious, smart, and an overall go-getter. Now that she’s graduated from university, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to land her dream job at the Summer Games. The first step? Securing her new internship, which will put her in the center of all the action, where she hopes to run into some of her favorite athletes.

Ezekiel “Zeke” Moyo, the heartthrob star runner of Team Great Britain, is more than ready to claim his title as the fastest man in the world, following in the footsteps of the greatest athletes of all time. His future to the finish line is looking bright―despite his recent breakup with celebrated gymnast Valentina Ross-Rodriguez constantly making headlines.

When Olivia and Zeke collide―literally―on the first day of training, sparks fly. As the games grow closer, so do Olivia and Zeke. But the competition starts stirring up uncomfortable memories from Zeke’s past... and Olivia’s internship doesn’t turn out to be what she expected. Will they be able to overcome these hurdles and achieve their dreams? Or will it come at the cost of their budding romance?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Sports 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A heartfelt romance featuring an Olympic sprinter and an ambitious woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind set amongst the backdrop of the 2024 summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Zeke has a pretty good chance of winning win gold during his third Olympic games. Olivia is an ambitious woman on the fast track to obtaining her dream job of working at the Olympics. But both of their dreams are shaken when the two literally collide on the day before the opening ceremony. After their initial negatively-charged meeting, the two end up in a series of chance encounters that keep each other on their minds. Neither one wants to admit it initially, but Zeke and Olivia are both are quickly falling for each other. Unfortunately, they've both been hurt in the past before, and are hesitant to take things too far. The Olympic games only last for so long, and as soon as they are over, Olivia and Zeke must return to their separate lives and careers. Can their feelings persist past the games, or will this be just another summer romance for the duo?

I was shocked by how much I enjoyed reading this book. I adore both Zeke and Olivia; he is such a nervous guy who happens to be an overactive worrier and Olivia is such a headstrong gal with ambitions that she will plan years in advance in order to fulfill. These two couldn't be more different personality-wise, but their entire dynamic works so well together. Their banter is golden and I really enjoyed the moments that gradually ended up pushing these two together.

One thing I appreciated about this book is how much we got to learn about both the romantic interests. The book is told in both Zeke and Olivia's POVs, so we get a deep dive into both of their innermost turmoils and emotions. Some readers may find this annoying, but I loved having a front row seat into these two's minds to see what they were thinking and how their feelings were developing for one another. Zeke's anxieties felt very applicable to most humans, and I totally related to the panic attacks that he experiences. Olivia is a toxic over planner, which is another attribute that I myself possess. I relate to many aspects of both of these characters, so this most definitely helped grow my love for this book rather quickly.

I also really like the look into how people of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are viewed in sports and in the media. Certainly some people still have outdated views towards these people, so I'm glad that this is a topic that Mazarura was willing to tackle. The influence of social media on these athlete's lives was another fascinating topic to explore. Olivia is faced with discrimination in her career field, too. She came to Greece for an internship, but it was given biasedly to a rich, white, young male instead. Olivia has also been treated horribly by some men during her career; Mazarura did a great job of highlighting many of the struggles that Olivia faced in an empowering, hopeful way. The heavy expectations Olivia feels from her Zimbabwean immigrant parents is another pressing point brought up in this book that I feel many people can relate to.

The writing is often introspective and the story often dwells inside of Zeke's and Olivia's heads. I loved experiencing their internal monologues and the fact I got both sides of the story was very refreshing. I ended up taking so many pictures of quotes from this book due to how much I related to many of their thoughts. Some of Zeke's and Olivia's thoughts so perfectly mirrored some of my own opinions on romance and life that it felt as though they were taking the words out of my head at times. The author most definitely wrote out some of these emotions much more eloquently than I ever could have. I've never experienced the art of falling in love and things such as kissing described in such a exquisite way before reading this story. I found the words to flow so beautifully, and the figurative language used to describe things was spot on. Long story short, I really enjoyed the prose in this book.

Overall, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed reading "Let the Games Begin." It is such a cute story, that includes real-life issues that anyone can relate to, likable characters, and maximum summer vibes. After finishing it, I could literally already reread this book to annotate many passages with my thoughts and opinions. There were so many things that made me feel seen, and that's coming from a cisgender white girl who would never dream of running for fun. I really adored this new adult romance and really appreciated how the romance aspects were addressed. A perfect summer read for anyone, but especially if you are a fan of the Olympic games!

Back of Book: 

A searing debut about the complexities of gender, power, and fame, told through the story of a young woman’s destructive relationship with a legendary writer.

It’s 2015, and Tatum Vega feels that her life is finally falling into place. Living in sunny Chile with her partner, Vera, she spends her days surrounded by art at the museum where she works. More than anything else, she loves this new life for helping her forget the decade she spent in New York City orbiting the brilliant and famous author M. Domínguez.

When a reporter calls from the US asking for an interview, the careful separation Tatum has constructed between her past and present begins to crumble. Domínguez has been accused of assault, and the reporter is looking for corroboration.

As Tatum is forced to reexamine the all-consuming but undefinable relationship that dominated so much of her early adulthood, long-buried questions surface. What did happen between them? And why is she still struggling with the mark the relationship left on her life?

Told in a dual narrative alternating between her present day and a letter from Tatum to Domínguez, recounting and reclaiming the totality of their relationship, Like Happiness explores the nuances of a complicated and imbalanced relationship, catalyzing a reckoning with gender, celebrity, memory, Latinx identity, and power dynamics.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

A lyrical debut surrounding a toxic relationship between a college student and a prestigious author that delves into topics such as sexism, racism, and the danger of meeting one's idols. 

"Like Happiness" is a very complex story that had me feeling many things throughout its entirety. The story follows a naive girl named Tatum as she begins to form a deep connection with an author by the name of M. (Mateo) Domínguez. She finds his book "Happiness" to be more relatable than anything else that she has ever read. When she reaches out in a fan letter and Mateo responds, she can't help but feel enamored by the man that she begins to discover. But it turns out that Mateo has more secrets than Tatum ever could have imagined. 

 Through Villarreal-Moura's writing, I can feel the distaste that Tatum has for Mateo, while even at the same time she remembers how desperately she needed him in the past. I love how this book was written as a letter to Mateo from Tatum, which allowed the reader to have an interesting perspective in which we can see Tatum's current feelings as she reiterates the past. I thought that this was very refreshing, as it was unique to read a book that was written in this way. 

Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was some of the heavy themes that were explored. Tatum deals with trying to find her own identity without Mateo in her life, she grapples with her sexuality, and she struggles to finally step up and use her voice for the greater good. The sexist and racist views of many of the characters were also addressed in a beneficial way that made Tatum a realistic character, while also acting as a learning experience for the reader. 

The meeting your idol trope is one that I really enjoy reading about. Unfortunately, it never tends to work out the way that the protagonist expects it to. This is most definitely the case for Tatum. She had no idea the mess that she was getting herself into and I think that this is a good reminder that people aren't always as they first appear to you. I also love how this book acknowledges the joy of reading and how books can act as an escape from reality, but also a mirror into the soul. 

The ending really got to me. When I learned what "Emulations of Us" was about, my breath hitched and all the puzzle pieces came together. The ending reminded me how cruel humanity can be and the lengths that some people are willing to go to achieve their aspirations. 

Overall, "Like Happiness" was just as complex, emotional, and reflective as I thought it would be. I came to appreciate Tatum as a character, even if she often made poor decisions and couldn't seem to escape from the toxicity of the various elements of her life. If you are looking for an emotional journey about finding one's voice and identity, I would highly recommend "Like Happiness."   

Back of Book: 

We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it.

Nevertheless, you need to know enough to buy it so we will just say this:

This is the story of two women.

Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice.

Two years later, they meet again—the story starts there...

Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

When Jack returns home to Minnesota, he meets the town’s newcomer. She’s bubbly, beautiful... and his latest adversary.

Considering that her name is Merry Noel Blake and she was born on Christmas Eve, it’s not surprising that Frost, Minnesota’s newest resident is crazy about the holiday. She has single-handedly convinced the entire town to help her turn Frost into a Christmas destination; there’s a tableau of the stable in Bethlehem, a concert, many events at the church, and Merry’s own holiday boutique.

Jack Frost has always tried to live down his whimsical name—a gift from his playful parents—and he does his best to deter Merry from making what he considers a kitschy mockery of the town and the season. But she believes that below Jack’s frosty exterior is a warm heart—and that she is the one to thaw it.

Book Number: Stand Alone (Note: This book is technically part of the Love Finds You series, but I doubt I'll ever read another one in my life and since none of them are connected, I'm just going to leave it at that.) 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Christian 

Review: 🌟🌟 

I found this book in a box at my grandma's garage sale and thought that it looked like a cheesy romance book that I would make fun of with my friend, so I rescued it and decided to give it a read. I had my doubts when I started reading this, and in the end, they were right.

As I started reading this, I thought that it had a chance. It follows bubbly and cheerful Merry Noel Blake, who is crazy about everything Christmas and owns a Christmas themed shop. Then, grumpy, handsome, and rich Jack Frost enters the scene who is an Ebenezer Scrooge to the max. I personally really disliked Merry and found that most of her perspective consisted of, "Oh no! I think I'm falling in love with the enemy" and other such sentiments that really grated on me. Jack on the other hand at least has an interesting backstory and a huge growth arc throughout the book. I can see how they fell for each other, so at least the romance was believable in this one.

My major issues with this one is the robotic writing. It often fell flat and got oddly repetitive as the book progressed. I got bored about halfway through and had to push myself to keep reading it. The worst part for me was by far the ending. I hate how easily Merry mistrusted him and the epilogue was borderline cringey.

I think the most interesting things about this one for me was the fact that it is the first Christian romance I have ever read. The Christian references were so heavy in this one, which I thought worked due to the huge Christmasy vibes and Merry's eccentric character. It was interesting to read a romance that was so clean that they almost feared touching each other. An interesting experience, for sure.

Overall, "Love Finds You in Frost, Minnesota" had a ton of issues, but was still a cute, clean romance at its core. I think if the writing would have been stronger, this one would have been more entertaining in the long run. Luckily, I'm not out anything in the long run, so this is just another lighthearted book to add to my Christmas reads this year.

Back of Book: 

A grieving widow. A haughty maestro. An unexpected symphony of hearts.

Grieving widow Abigail Davitt, lost everything when her husband died, including her home, her stability, and her heart. Desperate to support herself, she applies for a live-in maid position that has the potential to get her on her feet again. The only catch? It’s in the home of notoriously demanding Maestro Kendrick Grant, the brilliant but infamously arrogant conductor who caught her sleeping in the front row of his concert last week.

Kendrick swore off romance after his fiancée’s betrayal, devoting himself to his career. He seeks to hire a maid that will allow him to do just that. When the best applicant turns out to be the insulting sleeping beauty, he’s prepared to turn her down, but something in her sad eyes stirs emotions he’d thought dead. Against his better judgment, he hires her.

Now, both are questioning their close proximity as they circle each other, treading carefully, keeping an emotional distance despite the undeniable attraction between them. When circumstances force them to blur the boundaries of their relationship, emotions crescendo. Will they let fear silence their hearts—or will they risk everything for a second chance at love?

A heartwarming, contemporary, slow burn, workplace romance of the battle between desire and trust despite past wounds that will make you believe in life’s second chances. Perfect for fans of emotional, character-driven love stories with slow-burning chemistry and a touch of fate. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟 

Sparks fly when a heartbroken widow finds herself working as a housekeeper for a grumpy maestro. 

Abigail Davitt is in debt and desperate for a job. After her dead husband's medical bills cost her everything, she is in need of a steady income and some financial security. When her friend Clare suggests she apply for a live-in maid position, Abigail reluctantly does so and finds herself working under maestro Kendrick Grant. They may have had a rough start when Abigail fell asleep during the opening movement of Mr. Grant's latest symphony but sparks soon begin to fly. Both Abigail and Kent are heartbroken and on a path to recovery. Maybe they are exactly what the other person needs to find love again. 

This one was fairly underwhelming for me. It honestly wasn't that bad of a book, but I found myself bored most of the time. I was hoping that music was going to be a bigger part of this one, but it mostly follows Abigail taking care of Mr. Grant's house. 

I did appreciate watching the two of them help each other heal from all the grief and trauma that their past partners afflicted on them. Abigail's late husband was quite controlling and manipulative, so it is nice to see Abigail grow her own wings. Kent was also in a manipulative relationship with his ex-fiancée who was only with him for his prestigious position and his money. Seeing these two learn to trust again was a slow process, but also the main highlight of this book. 

I think my biggest problem with this one is the writing. Not only is the vocabulary used rather plain, but reading this book felt like watching a movie on fast forward. At the start of almost every chapter, a new day, week, or month would begin, which I found to be a tad disorienting. This book takes place over a six-month period and the page count is pretty short, so I feel that so many events were barely touched on. Also, there are only a few small sections from Kent's point of view, which I also found to be just weird. I would have either expanded them or cut them out entirely. 

The third act conflict was also a tad frustrating. The fact that Mr. Grant and Abigail can't seem to sit down and have a conversation with one another leads to most of the conflict in this book, and I was just kind of over it before I even got very far into the book. 

Overall, "Maid for the Maestro" is a clean romance that I found to be rather underwhelming. It has great messages about learning to trust again and healing from traumatic relationships, but it didn't explore anything I haven't seen before. Not a horrible read, but not one I took much away from either. 

Back of Book: 

What if you could take a vacation from your marriage? A couple decides to give it a shot in this fun, adventurous novel by Lian Dolan, the popular author of The Sweeney Sisters and Lost and Found in Paris . 

After twenty-three years of building careers and raising kids together, Jason and Nicole Elswick are ready for a break from their daily lives. Jason has spent years planning his dream sabbatical—ditching work for a nine-month-long motorcycle trip through South America. Problem is, that’s Jason’s dream, not Nicole’s. After years working retail and parenting in Portland, Nicole craves the sun of the Southwest and the artistic community in Santa Fe, where she wants to learn jewelry design. 

A chance encounter at a dinner party presents a surprising—and intriguing—way out of their dilemma. Over a little too much wine, Jason and Nicole’s married neighbors sing the praises of the 500 Mile their policy of enjoying themselves however they wish—and with whomever they wish—when they’re temporarily far apart. It seems like the perfect nine months pursuing their own adventures—with a bit of don’t-ask-don’t-tell—and then a return to their shared lives. It’ll be a sabbatical from their marriage as well as their day jobs. 

As Jason bikes his way across a continent and Nicole reclaims the art she’s long neglected, they discover the pleasures and pitfalls of the 500 Mile Rule, confronting temptations of all kinds, uncomfortable truths about themselves, and gaining new perspective on their partnership. But all sabbaticals come to an end… then what?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Releases April 24th, 2024! 

When given the chance to put their marriage on hold for a year, Nicole and Jason embrace the opportunity with open arms. 

"The Marriage Sabbatical" follows Nicole and Jason who are a strong married couple of twenty-three years. With their kids off to college on foreign exchange programs, they are about to set off on a year long trip around the world. That is, until Nicole confesses that she doesn't want to go. The two decide that they will each explore their own passions and interests for one year and take a sabbatical from their marriage while they are at it. With this agreement in place, Nicole moves to Santa Fe to learn the art of silversmithing as Jason bikes his way across the world. Each feels freer than they have in years, but eventually, their sabbatical has to end. 

The 500 Mile Rule is an interesting philosophy, for sure. It states that once a couple is at least 500 miles away from each other, they can act and partake in anything they want with anyone they want. This rule mainly applies to having sex and I think that it is an interesting concept, though it does have its flaws. Personally, I don't think that it is a great idea, but it was interesting to see how Nicole and Jason each worked through having a freedom that hadn't felt in over two decades. Even with the rules relaxed, they mostly stayed faithful to each other, which was nice to see. A good portion of this book did follow them contemplating the times they'd slept together in the past and if they wanted to sleep with someone new while they were on sabbatical, which was a bit tiring at times, but to be expected with the change in the rules. 

My favorite part of this novel, was watching the self-discovery that Nicole and Jason both experienced. While they took a year off from all the expectations of their life, one came to realize that they weren't doing what they loved and should adjust their life plans as the other one rediscovered their passion for what they were already doing. It could be said that Nicole and Jason were going through of a bit of a midlife crisis moment, but I like to think of it more of a midlife rediscovery scenario, which I found to be inspiring. They both found a renewed longing for their relationship while they were a part from each other, and I think that this book sheds some light on how easy it is to get burned out, even while dealing with the things and people we love. 

There are many moments in this book that seem a bit fantastical and not that likely to occur, but I feel that it added to the magic of Nicole and Jason's alternative lives that they were living. I just wanted to point out that if one went on a marriage sabbatical in their own life, there is a great chance that it wouldn't work out as nicely as Nicole and Jason's did (this is the difference between fiction and real life people!). Despite this, I wasn't frustrated with the events that did happen, and I thought it was neat that we got to follow their new lives. 

Overall, I really wasn't expecting much when I picked up "The Marriage Sabbatical," but I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think it served as a good reminder that one doesn't have to do the same thing every single day, especially if it doesn't make them happy and that one should embrace their hobbies and passions before it is too late. The whole idea of the marriage sabbatical isn't too original, but I also haven't read a book like this either, so I see that as a win. I think that many people in longstanding relationships could have much to glean from this novel. I am only eighteen years old at the time of writing this, so I feel that there are many things in this book that I can't connect to personally, but I can see where they are coming from. It wouldn't be the first book that I'd recommend, but I found it to be a good read. 

Back of Book: 

Acclaimed author Suzanne Park returns with a charming and compelling novel about an aspiring tech entrepreneur who goes on a rollercoaster journey of self-discovery after her app, which sends messages to loved ones after you pass, accidentally sends her final words to all the important people in her life—including the venture capital mentor she’s crushing on. 

Sara Chae is the founder of the app One Last Word, which allows you to send a message to whomever you want after you pass. Safeguards are in place so the app will only send out when you’re definitely, absolutely, 100% dead, but when another Sara Chae dies and the obituary triggers the prototype to auto-send messages that Sara uploads on one drunken night—to her emotionally charged mother, to a former best friend who ghosted her, and to her unrequited high school crush Harry—she has to deal with all the havoc that ensues and reopen old wounds from the past.  

She applies for a venture capital mentorship and is accepted to the program, only to find out that the mentor she’s assigned is none other than her former crush and VC superstar Harry Shim, and her life goes from uncertain to chaotic overnight. Empowering and laugh-out-loud funny, One Last Word  is a remarkably relatable story about a woman in tech who learns to speak up and fight for what she wants in life and love.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

"One Last Word" follows Sara Chae, an aspiring app developer who is fed up with the sexist, racist men in her company and is ready to take the reins of her own destiny. 

Sara Chae has created an app entitled One Last Word, which allows the user to send messages to anyone in their life after they are deceased. She meant for it to act as a means to get the things that one was never able to say during their lifetime off their chest so that they can rest in peace. So let's just say that Sara is surprised when she wakes up one morning and all of her drunken test emails are sent out to everyone she knows. Now, Sara has to deal with her past wounds, including her high school crush, who also happens to be the mentor that she has been assigned for her venture capital membership program. Confronted with many ghosts of her past, will Sara learn to forgive and move on, or will her past life come back to bite her in the butt? 

My favorite thing about "One Last Word" is the fact that it shines a spotlight on women of color working in the tech industry. There is a bunch of sexism and racism in this industry, so seeing this issues addressed was great. Sara has snark for days and is willing to put those old white men in their place, which was both funny and stress-relieving. Seeing Sara come out of her shell and finally be able to speak up against some of these wrongs was both inspiring and uplifting to experience. 

I also like how this book dealt with reconciling past grudges and wrong-doings. Sara had a falling out with her best friend, Naomi, never admitted to liking her crush, Harry, and has decades of unsaid resentments for her parents. When her "final" emails were sent out to these people, it forced Sara to encounter these complicated relationships and deal with them, rather than ignoring the fact that she no longer had healthy relationships with these people. It made me consider what I'd tell people if I'd only got to speak with them one last time and what truly makes up the essential part of human relationships.  

The thing that really didn't work for me in this one is the fake dating elements and how lustful Sara is. For some reason, she ends up telling her high school crush, Harry, that she is currently seeing someone so she doesn't seem like a workaholic loser. This really didn't add much to the story and just felt like a way to put a prominent romance trope into the book. Especially because other elements of fake dating also appeared in this book, and they were much more casual than this large reference towards the beginning. I also couldn't get over the fact that Sara has been thirsting for this man for over a decade now. It was a bit bizarre and made some of their initial interactions really awkward. 

Overall, I think that "One Last Word" explores some interesting topics such as women of color in the tech industry and having one last chance to talk to people in your life. However, I've seen both of these topics explored in more entertaining and original ways, so I found this book to be very mid-tier. I didn't hate it, but there were instances that made me feel uncomfortable and the romance wasn't exactly my cup of tea.  

Back of Book: 

A deeply moving and resonant story of love, identity, and belonging. 

As an Indian wedding gathers a family back together, parents Rafiq and Layla must reckon with the choices their children have made. 

There is Hadia, their headstrong eldest daughter, whose marriage is a match of love and not tradition; Huda, the middle-child, determined to follow in her sister's footsteps; and lastly, their estranged son, Amar, who returns to the family fold for the first time in three years to take his place as brother of the bride. 

What secrets and betrayals have caused this close-knit family to fracture? Can Amar find his way back to the people who know and love him best? 

A Place For Us takes us back to the beginning of the family's life: from the bonds that hold them together to the differences that pull them apart. All the joy and struggle of family life are here, from Rafiq and Layla's own arrival in America from India to the years in which their children—each in his or her own way—tread between two cultures, seeking to find their place in the world, as well as a path home. 

A Place For Us is a book for our times: an astonishingly tenderhearted novel of identity and belonging, and a resonant portrait of what it means to be an American family today. It announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen's classic comic romance, in which the five Bennett sisters try to find that most elusive creature: a single man in possession of a large fortune. Sparks fly when sweet, pretty Jane meets their new neighbor, Mr. Bingley, but her sister Elizabeth is most offended by his haughty friend, Mr. Darcy. This is Austen at the height of her powers: the ironic narration, hilariously drawn supporting characters, and romantic suspense make this her most enduringly popular novel. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Snowy landscapes, a cowboy's rugged charm, and a love rekindled. Dive into Evergreen Creek for a childhood friends to lovers romance under the Christmas lights.

Returning to her hometown of Evergreen Creek was the last thing Holly Morgan, a young fashion designer, expected. But when her parents’ beloved toyshop faces some challenges, Holly rushes back to lend a hand during the holidays.

Once there, memories flood back, especially of her childhood crush on Flynn Dawson, who is now a rugged and very handsome cowboy. Holly is ashamed of the years she spent longing for Flynn to declare his love to her!

As the young woman immerses herself in the holiday spirit, helping to transform the shop into a winter wonderland, she unexpectedly crosses paths with Flynn again.

What is this strange chemistry between them after all these years? Flynn seems to have finally noticed Holly, but why now? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

A small town, friends to lovers, clean holiday romance between a rancher and a fashion designer.

Holly Morgan has always loved returning to her hometown of Evergreen Creek for the holidays. However, this year is a little more bittersweet because her family's toy store has been struggling, and her parents are considering shutting it down. Holly and her twin brother Ethan have different plans, though. Holly decides to return home early and do everything in her power to throw an event that will restore some holiday spirit to the town of Evergreen Creek and inspire the younger generations to get more involved. While on her mission, Holly can't help but notice that her high school crush, Flynn Dawson, is still single. Can Morgan save her parent's business while also pursuing the man of her dreams all in time for Christmas?

Honestly, this book was way better than I thought it would be. Between the seductive cover and the supreme indie vibes of this book, I had serious doubts that this book would pan out to be anything worth reading. Luckily, this book contained no spice and honestly did a great job of presenting a Hallmark like vibe. The plot in this one was pretty cute with the Morgan twins trying to organize a townwide event to restore holiday spirit and draw attention to their family's shop.

This book was certainly very indie though. It was definitely not edited rigorously enough; there were so many spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and even some names that were lowercased or misspelled. This did take away from the reading experience just a little because there were several times that I had to pause to figure out what the typos were supposed to be.

The biggest gripe that I have about this one is the third act conflict. It was so petty and stupid. Yes, misunderstandings happen, but they were all so pathetic in this book. How could one think that the instances they saw were acts of romance? Anyway, I digress, but the ending was truly a bummer in my opinion. And the conclusion of this book felt very rushed and didn't touch on any of the festival events at all. A big disappointment, in my opinion.

Overall, "Saddle Up for Christmas" was a pretty cozy holiday read that really read like a Hallmark movie. It wasn't a horrible story, but it certainly had its fair share of problems. However, for a Christmas romance, I didn't find it that bad, which was quite a welcome relief. I can't say I'd recommend this one, but if you are a fan of small town holiday romances with no spice, this in an option to explore.

Back of Book: 

For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage is also their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis: He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artist’s heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams.

At first, Wren internally resists her husband’s fate. Is there a way for them to be together after Lewis changes? Then, a glimpse of Lewis’s developing carnivorous nature activates long-repressed memories for Wren, whose story vacillates between her childhood living on a houseboat in Oklahoma, her time with her college ex-girlfriend, and her unusual friendship with a woman pregnant with twin birds. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary | Magical Realism | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An emotionally devastating tale of a newly married couple in which the husband starts to gradually morph into a great white shark.

Lewis and Wren may be complete opposites, but their love will get them through anything. When Lewis gets diagnosed with a rare condition in which his physical body will quickly shift into the form of a great white shark, their devotion for one another is truly tested. With little time to achieve his life dreams, Lewis grapples with the turmoil of his condition with his diligent wife by his side. Wren tries to resist the truth of her husband's condition, but she soon finds herself alone with the memories of her tumultuous childhood. Can Lewis and Wren's love survive when life's conditions are determined to pull them apart? 

Oh. My. Goodness! This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way! When I first heard of this book back in 2023, I thought that the premise of this book was so odd that I immediately added it to my TBR. When I saw it in person for the first time on a library run, I couldn't leave without it. And I'm so glad that I didn't! This is by far one of the best books that I've read this year, and I need to obtain a copy for my personal collection ASAP. 

Wren and Lewis are both phenomenal characters; I loved and related to both of them immensely. Wren is a perfectionist as well as a diligent planner. She hates surprises, and she strives to do better than her best in everything that she does. Lewis, on the other hand, is a dreamer who shoots for the stars, no matter how many times he misses. He is also a stage actor and director, which made me love him even more. These two are complete opposites in many ways, but they mesh so well together as a couple. 

This book is mainly literary, with a touch of magical realism. I think the animal mutations are such a unique idea. In this version of the world that Habeck lays down, people shift into sharks is rare, but not abnormal. People also give birth to falcons, mutate into giant lizards, and lose their brothers to the animalistic urges of zebras. This sounds so bizarre, but in the setting of this book, it all felt so natural, which is quite a feat. 

The formatting of this book also greatly added to the appeal. Many segments are told in scripts, poetry, and vignettes of the most magnificent prose. The writing in this one is so powerful and it sucked me in from the very beginning. 

Act I—or the first part of the book—which stars Wren and Lewis as he shifts into a shark, absolutely destroyed me! By the time I finished this segment, I was actually sobbing. Tears were streaming down my face leaving a puddle on my blanket and my body was physically heaving. It honestly felt like I was reading someone's memoir who had personal dealt with taking care of someone terminally ill and coping with grief in the aftermath. I would be absolutely destroyed if this entire ordeal ever happened to me. Despite knowing the inevitable was coming, it had me absolutely shook. This is the type of writing that had me whipping out my phone and telling my boyfriend that I love him over and over again. 

Act II then shifts into the past and explored Wren's mother's life. I was a bit confused at first how this was relevant to the overall story, but I soon found that Angela's history explained so much about Wren's behavior and the way that she handled the situation with Lewis. By the end of this section, I was once again crying my eyes out. I truly wasn't expecting to be wrecked so thoroughly twice by the same book, but this was totally worth it! 

Act III showcases the aftermath of both parties. Seeing Lewis' life in the ocean depths was super interesting and the most fantastical part of this whole book. Watching Lewis adapt to life as a shark was brutal; he was so alone and he had all of these beautiful memories of Wren that he couldn't act upon. Witnessing Wren living through this departure from the love of her life was so emotionally draining, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Wren and Lewis both have to learn to cope with their new lives and work through all the regrets that they are left with. The ending was quite hopeful, despite all the devastation that this book contains, which was a bit of a relief honestly. 

Overall, "Shark Heart" was one of those books that I didn't know I needed but moved me so immensely that I will never forget it. It is fabulously heartbreaking in the best way possible. I love Wren and Lewis so much and my heart goes out to everything that they go through together and apart. I need to own "Shark Heart" in my personal library because it touched me so vividly. I sincerely hope that I can convince many a person to read this one, because it is quite literally one of the most powerful books that I have ever read. If you like emotionally stories that dive into complex topics such as grief, reconciling with regret, and learning to live anew after heartbreak, I implore you to pick up this book as soon as you are able to! 

Back of Book: 

A wife’s secret. A husband’s heartbreak. A devastating loss.

In Sleeping Daddy, Keith Higgins’ life seems like a fairy tale—filled with promise and joy. With twins on the way, Keith and his wife, Ella, should be celebrating their dream come true. But Ella’s hidden secret is a dark spell cast upon their happiness.

Just as Sleeping Beauty’s curse plunged her into an enchanted slumber, Ella’s traumatic labor leads to her sudden disappearance, leaving Keith to face an uncertain future as a single father. As he navigates the challenges of parenthood alone, Keith is haunted by his past—much like the prince searching for the truth behind the enchantment. His quest for answers takes him back to his own mother, whose abandonment casts a long shadow over his new role as a father.

Keith’s journey is a battle against his personal demons, a struggle to break free from the cycle of pain and cruelty that has haunted his family for generations. As he seeks to uncover the truth, he discovers that some questions are better left unasked, and that some truths—like a hidden curse—bring more pain than solace.

Sleeping Daddy is a poignant story of a father’s enduring love and his quest to break free from the chains of the past. It’s a tale that mirrors the timeless battle of Sleeping Beauty, revealing the true strength found in love, forgiveness, and the courage to face our deepest fears.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ | Suspense 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

A father's journey to fight the demons of his past while learning to fall in love with the daughter he never knew he needed. 

Keith Higgins is about to become a father, but he is plagued by the demons of his past. His father, Frank, is an abusive alcoholic and Keith can't help but worry that he has been permanently tainted by the way he was raised. Can he truly be a father to his daughter when he was never loved by one himself? And on top of that, Ella's labor goes traumatically wrong, and she soon takes off to California, leaving Keith alone, struggling to be a father his daughter needs him to be. With the help of an eccentric coworker by the name of Jenny, Ella's mother Christina, and his doctor Ethan, who has insight on Ella's secrets, Keith is forced to fight his demons if he wants his daughter to have the life he's dreamed of her having. 

"Sleeping Daddy" is such a complex book that had me tearing up near the end. It's a story of a man grappling with the demons of his childhood. It's a tale of finding one's true identity after wearing a mask for decades. It's finding love in unlikely places and learning what it is like to love someone more than you could ever love yourself. It's the fight of trying to stitch a family back together after they are ripped apart at the seams. But most importantly, it shows the unconditional love that a parent can have for their child. I don't want to go too deeply into any specifics of this book, because the impactful nature of this novel truly comes from following the ups and downs of Keith's life as he navigates some treacherous waters. 

This book is pitched as a Sleeping Beauty retelling, but it mostly just has loose elements inspired by the tale. The Sleeping Daddy bit that Keith has with his daughter is so heartwarming though, so I'm not disappointed by the fact that this book sold itself as a Sleeping Beauty tale, just know that it is a very loose inspiration. 

This book goes into many long monologues of Keith thinking to himself about the complexities of life and the nature of things that happen to humanity. I personally ate up all of these psychological musings, but I could see how these could be distracting to some readers or make the story drag for those who like faster paced stories. 

As a teenager myself, I am not looking to have children any time in the near future, but I love how Westerfer captured the father-daughter relationship in this book. The way that Keith thinks about his little girl is so powerful and I feel that reading "Sleeping Daddy" helped me better understand the unconditional love that parents feel for their children from moment one. 

The very end of "Sleeping Daddy" was so well done. The suspenseful scene close to the end had my heart racing and my body filling with dread. Luckily, the story let me down nicely with some really cute moments between Keith, his daughter, and Ella that involved the movie "Frozen" which I thought was sweet. Funny enough, "Frozen" was part of Keith's philosophical final think fest of the novel. As a girl who grew up with Anna and Elsa as some of my childhood companions, I found this session to be quite amusing. And the epilogue? Man, it had me tearing up. This book really encompasses the entirety of Keith's life, so I really felt like I knew this man by the end. That made the nature of the epilogue to be very moving and quite sad. 

Before I leave this rant fest, I have to give a brief warning about how heavy this book is. This book covers topics such as alcoholism, physical abuse, sexual assault, the loss of a child, homophobia, complex identity crises, death of a parent, gun violence, and other traumatic experiences. Make sure to check this book for all its trigger warnings and make sure you are in a safe place to read this book. I learned so much about many of these traumatic events, but it is always important to put your mental health first. 

Overall, I was pleased by how much I learned and the extreme feelings that "Sleeping Daddy" elicited from me. This book is definitely a hard read with all the traumatic events and identity hurdles that it tackles. The fact that so many people live through things like the events that happen in this book on a daily basis pains me greatly, but I'm glad that survivors of these events are strong enough to share their struggles with others like me which turns me into a more empathetic and caring person. If you are wanting to make yourself a better person by tackling a tough read with hopeful and inspiring takeaways, I would definitely recommend looking into "Sleeping Daddy." 

Back of Book: 

Do you believe in love at first sight?

A laconic novel fraught with exquisite tension and arresting beauty, The Sun Never Dies is the unforgettable story of one woman's journey back to self after encountering a strange young man twenty-three years her junior.

Meet Beth, a newly single woman in the late 1990s, and Liam, a recent college grad backpacking his way across the world—as the two collide unexpectedly one fateful night.

Liam’s philosophy on life greatly conflicts with Beth’s. She’s also concerned her family won’t approve. Over the course of two years, this couple sifts their way through a series of life-changing events, ultimately resulting in growth and lessons learned. Namely two:

That we meet people for a reason.

And there are no coincidences.

Leaving the reader to beg the question…

Does the soul plan out this miraculous trip we call life? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Literary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

A novella that explores the concepts of fated meetings, second chances, and the gender expectations that are deeply engrained into our society. 

Beth as a newly single woman in her forties doesn't know what to do with her life now that she now has an empty nest and she broke things off with her husband. One fateful day in New York City, she meets a man twenty years younger than her who shakes her world forever. Liam is a newly graduated youngster who has been backpacking around the world trying to fill the void inside of him now that college is through. When Liam meets Beth, sparks fly and their worlds begin to fill with sunshine. However, there are a ton of obstacles keeping them apart. But then why does the universe keep bringing them back together again? 

For a novella, this story is rock solid. Heck, I think Liam and Beth's tale would have been beautiful even as a short story. This novella is much steamier than the books that I usually enjoy, but the topics that this book dives into had me putting that aside to think deeply about the questions that this story evokes. 

At the forefront of this tale is rediscovering oneself and fated encounters. Beth is going through a midlife crisis, and she is in a desperate need to find that spark that brings her from living to truly alive. I think it is common for middle-aged people to forget the things that bring them joy, and I found it inspiring to see Beth rediscover feelings that she has long forgotten. And for fated encounters? I've always found this to be a fascinating topic. I totally believe that we are in charge of our own destinies for the most part, but the way that events line up sometimes seems a bit too suspicious to not be ordained in some way. I know that this is a fictional story, but I think this notion definitely applies to Beth and Liam. The way that these two reconnect after their original chance encounter truly feels like fate, and I think most people can think of a few times in their life that seem a little too unlikely to just be chalked up to chance. 

One of my favorite parts of this novel is the way that it explores gender expectations and sexual stereotypes that exist in this world, especially in American society. This book talks in great length about how it is generally accepted when an older man dates a younger woman, but that a woman is often shunned if she dates a man who is younger than her. This is so sexist and backwards, yet I can agree that most of society would probably be pretty disgusted by everything that goes on between Beth and Liam. 

From time to time, Liam also talks about the "bro code" in which men feel like banging girls is a necessity and that men are seen as less masculine if they don't get laid constantly by a variety of women. I think this is such a dated concept, but it is a stark reminder that many people feel that they have to do certain things or else be viewed as weak by other members of society, which is quite sickening. Beth as a mid-aged woman sometimes feels as though she shouldn't be viewed as someone who desires sexual attention and tries to conceal her innate beauty that she doesn't feel entitled to. Women in society are often viewed as solely monogamous when it comes to sexual activity, which is both false and unfair. 

I think that there are expectations for both males and females that society presses onto everyone, but I think people often forget that stereotyping gets us nowhere, and that so many people don't fit into any such labels. (I mean, so many people don't even fit into the so called "gender binary," so knowing how one is supposed to act can be challenging to say the least. And then who wants to fit into these stupid gender expectations anyways?) Also, some boys would never imagine straying from their designated person, and some girls are just as notorious skirt chasers as men. Gender and sexual stereotypes are a horribly shallow part of society, and I think it is greatly important that books such as this novella come around to shake up the status quo and remind the world that all humans are their own individuals. 

The ending of this novella was exactly what I expected it to be, but it was still a stark reminder to me that nothing is eternal and the things that we cherish can vanish in a single instant. The ones we love are definitely something that people take for granted way too often, so this is another important reminder that this book may instill on the reader. 

Overall, "The Sun Never Dies" certainly wasn't the novella that I thought it would be. Though the spice count is higher than I'd usually prefer to palate, the prose is masterful and the themes are altogether powerful. The way this book takes a deep dive into gender stereotypes and the inequality of expectations that society presses on people is adept. I've always enjoyed pondering the possibility of fated encounters, so this book really had my gears spinning in multiple ways. If you want a short read that addresses some powerful topics, I wouldn't hesitate to point you in the direction of "The Sun Never Dies."

Back of Book: 

Beloved New York Times bestselling author Karen White returns with a brand-new contemporary stand-alone novel about sisterhood, secrets and one woman’s reckoning with the past

As a child, Phoebe Manigault developed the gift of premonition after she was struck by lightning in the creeks near her Charleston home. Plagued throughout her life by mysterious dreams, and always living in the shadow of her beautiful sister, Addie, Phoebe eventually moves to the West Coast, as far from her family as possible. Now, years later, she is summoned back to South Carolina, to help Addie care for their ailing mother.

As Phoebe’s return lures her back into deep-rooted tensions and conflicts, she is drawn toward Celeste, whose granddaughter went missing years ago. Their connection, woven through shared losses and hope, brings comfort to Phoebe, while Celeste’s adult grandson Liam resurrects complicated emotions tied to Phoebe’s past.

But the longer Phoebe spends in her childhood home, the more her recurring nightmares intensify—bringing her closer to the shocking truth that will irrevocably change everything. Unfolding against the lush backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, That Last Carolina Summer is an unforgettable family drama and mystery about the unbreakable bonds of family and the gift of second chances. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Mystery 

Review: 🌟🌟 

A touching story about complex family relations, unexpected connections, and cherishing one's hometown. 

In her youth, Phoebe Manigault was struck by lightning which left her with prophetic dreams about people she encounters. Plagued by a reoccurring nightmare and the beauty of her older sister, Addie, Phoebe moves to the West coast to escape all the stress. When their mother develops dementia, Addie implores Phoebe to return home to help out and the sisters are once more at each other's throats. Back in her hometown, Phoebe meets an elderly woman by the name of Celeste whose granddaughter disappered years ago. Celeste hopes that she can befriend Phoebe in the hope that she can solve the disappearance of her beloved Julia. The longer Phoebe remains in South Carolina, the worse that her premonitions get but the closer she gets to reconciling her differences with her elder sister. 

Personally, this one was just okay to me. Dementia is a brutal thing to deal with, so my heart goes out to Phoebe and Addie's plight, but I wasn't overly connected to either of them. I was even less invested in Celeste's story due to the fact that I found what happened to Julia to be pretty obvious despite not knowing all of the details. 

Phoebe's gift added an element of magical realism that added an interesting twist to this rather mundane slice of life story. It is neat that she developed "thunder powers" but I still found them to be mostly underwhelming. 

Phobe and Liam's romantic arc was also pretty mid in my opinion. I always find the savior trope to be rather cringe, but it was okay in this case. Liam saved Phoebe's life when they were really young and they only met each other for real as midlife adults, so I found their blossoming romance to be cute. Once again, I wasn't overly invested in any of the characters, so it was just okay. 

This book is told in uneven dual PoV between Phoebe and Celeste. Personally, I found both of their voices to be really similar and often forgot whose 

Back of Book: 

There was a time when the world was sweeter... when the women in Beaufort, North Carolina, wore dresses, and the men donned hats... when something happened to a seventeen-year-old boy that would change his life forever. 

Every April, when the wind blows in from the sea and mingles with the scent of lilacs, Landon Carter remembers his last year at Beaufort High. 

It was 1958, and Landon had already dated a girl or two. He even swore that he had once been in love. Certainly the last person in town he thought he'd fall for was Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. 

A quiet girl who always carried a Bible with her schoolbooks, Jamie seemed content living in a world apart from the other teens. She took care of her widowed father, rescued hurt animals, and helped out at the local orphanage. No boy had ever asked her out. 

Landon would never have dreamed it. Then a twist of fate made Jamie his partner for the homecoming dance, and Landon Carter's life would never be the same. Being with Jamie would show him the depths of the human heart and lead him to a decision so stunning it would send him irrevocably on the road to manhood...

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟