Anyone who has ever experienced 9 to 5 life in cube farm hell might be able to relate to Jolene’s passive aggressive email responses which she always writes in white font . . . that is, until the day she forgets to adjust the setting and lets her true feelings fly. Jolene finds herself in a mandatory HR course that will teach her how to behave in the corporate environment, but also comes with an unexpected glitch where she can see EVERYTHING going on by way of the computers. We’re talking not just calendars, but emails and even instant messaging. With rumored “rightsizing” on the horizon, maybe Jolene can use this inside track to become a better version of an employee after all.
Okay, so these hermit-y people with trauma in their past stories might seem like a dime a dozen at this point (I mean I unintentionally found myself listening to one while reading this so they are errrrryyyyywhere), but Jolene’s voice felt so fresh that I really enjoyed this one. I could have lived without Miley the neighbor kid and the drinking issues because they really weren’t necessary whatsoever to me except to add to the page count, but other than that not a whole lot of complaints.
I’ve said it a billion times that I don’t generally love magical realism . . . unless it’s in the form of a romance story. I was 100% sure this would I’ve said it a billion times that I don’t generally love magical realism . . . unless it’s in the form of a romance story. I was 100% sure this would be for me. The idea of coming home from a girl’s night out to be greeted by a husband you didn’t have when you left the flat – only to be greeted by a NEW husband each time the previous one goes in to the attic to fetch something sounded absolutely delightful. I wasn’t sure if this would be finding Mr. Right by accident or maybe a “one who got away” do-over sort of love connection, but I was certain I was going to love it.
I mean NOTHING happened aside from Lauren sending literally hundreds of dudes back up the ladder. WTF? Where was the plot? The character development? The chemistry? The romance???? I have soooooo many can’t wait to reads that have queued up from the library in the past few days I spent wasting my time waiting for something to happen with this. So disappointing! ...more
This is for everyone who dreams about vacations roaming the Italian countryside (but also do not willingly leave their house), want to eat allllllllllThis is for everyone who dreams about vacations roaming the Italian countryside (but also do not willingly leave their house), want to eat allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the pasta and cannoli (but are actively trying not to be the next person on My 600 Lb. Life), and fantasize about a slow burn turn hot and heavy romance with a new beau (but have been married nearly 30 years).
Olive’s father always chose “Nicky’s” - the restaurant he owned - over their family. It was the catalyst of her mother finally deciding to divorce him and strained her own relationship with him to the point where they shared only occasional phone calls. When he dies and leaves Nicky’s to her with a final request she finish penning the cookbook he had been working on – which she must do by traveling to the final three destinations of Sicily, Catania and Liguria with Leo, the restaurants sous chef – she has to deal with not only the grieving process, but whether to sell/not sell the restaurant and some unexpected feelings she finds herself catching for Leo.
I loved last year’s trip to Scotland where Birdy had to fake it ‘til she made it as a sommelier in The Summer Job. Being that I’m not a wino, but DEFINITELY an eatie, I loved this trip to Italy even more : ) Lizzy Dent is must read for fictional summertime getaways. Oh, and by the time I was done with this one I was all . . . .
The Jacobson siblings (all previously known as the “Fantastic Foursome” by their dearly departed mother) have been thick as thieves despite
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The Jacobson siblings (all previously known as the “Fantastic Foursome” by their dearly departed mother) have been thick as thieves despite age gaps, tax brackets, parenting styles, career paths, etc. But when they take a gamble and buy a few lottery tickets for a Megamillion on a whim . . . and then WIN . . . the newly coined “Jackpot Jacobsons” find their relationships put to the test.
I almost read this in time for Pub Day, but alas I still suck. Good news is it’s now out so if you were just waiting with bated breath to see my opinion, you can go pick up a copy now ; ) I love a good family story. I don’t care if it’s full of stabbies, full of drama or just a feel good one like this – I’m always down. Each sibling has various chapters dedicated to their individual goings on, they were all well developed and each charmed a place in the black pit which is my heart. I also just now realized I’ve read this author several times and have enjoyed every one of her books so consider me a fan (if my old lady brain can remember her name next time). Oh, and there was a house on the cover + it was "cartoony" so DUH of course I was going to read it.
3.5 Stars and rounding up.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
This last hurrah at summer camp for these now grown-ups is full of Broadway musical and Young Adult bestseller namedrops that will take many a reader This last hurrah at summer camp for these now grown-ups is full of Broadway musical and Young Adult bestseller namedrops that will take many a reader on a trip down memory lane as the two narrators attempt to save their “Chicka-awesome” teenage getaway while rekindling respective romances with their old crushes (please be warned the smexuals are most definitely not in the fade-to-black category). Unfortunately for me, I never attended a sleepaway camp so there was no nostalgia to be had. My only experience came from watching the CITs of North Star on an endless loop during my pubescent summers off . . .
I will die on the hill that no fluff piece like this will EVER require 450 pages so this was a true 2.5 Star for me. Alas, no halfsies on the Goodreads so I’m rounding down rather than up.
Good news is, if this doesn’t work out for you, maybe The Beach Trap will be a better fit like it was for me : )
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Let me start by saying I will continue to pick up whatever Sidney Karger lays down because his stories are thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to turning me into a superfan. Unfortunately this one had a main plot point that simply was not for me.
In this latest release you tag along with Wyatt and Biz on their “Babymoon” while they make their way cross country for the birth of their new baby via surrogate. The problem here is the two’s relationship was already on the rocks on page one and then ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER they are having a baby while having the exact same problems when in all actuality they should have probably broken up and definitely should have put the babymaking on pause.
I love a road trip and rekindling romance stories, so this would have 100% been my jam if the whole baby thing wouldn’t have been a part of it. A baby doesn’t save a relationship and they should not be brought in to a toxic environment. Having just binged all of Flipping Out recently, these two were reminiscent of . . . .
Clare Pooley might just be the gal for you. All of her books sort of follow the same thing – a ragtag bunch of folks finding unlikely friendship and a common cause. The cause this time around is saving the local community center from demolition. The ragtag friend group starts with some senior citizens and the woman who has been hired to run a social club for them. A high schooler, his baby, the kids from the nursery school and a dog eventually get added to the mix to bring on the saccharine sweet feels.
The story here jumps off with the community center van being pulled over by the cops who are looking for one suspect in particular. Nearly every occupant begins confessing to why they are the one the police are looking for – while the actual suspect is making a break for it. Then it does a rewind to introduce you to all of the characters, their backstories and eventually ends back at the beginning.
If you’re a fan of the Thursday Murder Club folks (particularly Elizabeth) and want to have some more fun with geriatrics, but without a body count, this one might work for you.
3.5 Stars and rounding up because it’s nice to smile sometimes : )
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Ooooof. This is a hard one. It had all sorts of swooney Ryan Goslingy types of dialogue to make a romantic heart go pitter-pat and while I knoooooooooOoooof. This is a hard one. It had all sorts of swooney Ryan Goslingy types of dialogue to make a romantic heart go pitter-pat and while I knooooooooooooooooow romance books aren’t steeped in reality, the plotline was sort of problematic for me.
I set aside the fact that most workplaces have anti-fraternization rules and simply went along with that trope for the sake of . . .
But this idea that the boy your entire family has blamed for your sister’s death for well over a decade somehow coinky-dinkily becomes not only your co-worker in a REAL niche profession of screenwriting, that also happens to be 100% across the country from where you grew up and then also can somehow become your love interest was a lot for my logical non-romantic brain. Also, I’m in a current phase where I prefer fade-to-black smexuals so all the dirty talk did absolutely nothing for either me or my lady garden.
Ol’ Momma Nature has been teasing my part of flyover country with near 80 degree temperatures some days (followed by snow and single digits the next, Ol’ Momma Nature has been teasing my part of flyover country with near 80 degree temperatures some days (followed by snow and single digits the next, but we’ll pretend those aren’t happening). When those hints of springtime occur my TBR immediately turns toward beachy reads like Elin Hilderbrand or rom coms.
I actually knew this was about an influencer who would fall for some gruff and grumbly lobsterman and I’m happy to report if you’re thinking about picking this one up because it reminds you somewhat of It Happened One Summer, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The bit of blurb I read had me thinking this was going to be a grumpy/sunshine, but it turned out it was more of a fake dating (or engagement, as the case was here) trope instead with teeny little shoutouts to favorites like . . .
Along with some Hallmarky good vibes about a small town where everyone knows/likes each other and a dilapidated B&B with plenty of potential. Per usual, I skimmed all the smexuals because I really have to be in the mood to get down with the dirty talk and I could have really lived without the brother subplot, but all in all this was a cute one.
And if you’re REALLY looking for some fun – try Woke Up Like This by this author. Oh be still my 13 Going on 30 ever loving heart!
3.5 Stars
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
If you’re old here, allow me to apologize for the umpteenth reminder that I am not a blurb reader. If you’re new here – I am not a blurb reader. I am If you’re old here, allow me to apologize for the umpteenth reminder that I am not a blurb reader. If you’re new here – I am not a blurb reader. I am addicted to a cartoony cover and a catchy title so that’s what hooked me here. I’m also always looking for the next . . . .
Or what I like to call the “Mom Com,” and from the title/cover art I thought maybe that’s what this would be. I probably would have skipped it over had I read it was about a very young and ill-prepared financially new mom who takes to Only Fans as a source of income with her fresh-out-of-rehab father as her roommate. That just sounds like A. LOT.
Turns out I sort of loved this one. I guess I’ll always be a fan of an underdog story. And while there were most DEFINITELY times I wanted to shake the shit out of Margo for being so naïve, the way the author broke the fourth wall and had Margo recognizing her errors in hindsight was a smart way to keep me invested.
Maybe venture out of your comfort zone and give this one a whirl in June.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Once again I didn’t read the blurb for this. I read the first in the “Knockemout” series and figured I would continue reading this author, it fit the Once again I didn’t read the blurb for this. I read the first in the “Knockemout” series and figured I would continue reading this author, it fit the bill for the . . . .
Had a cute cover and I just assumed from the title Maggie moving on was going to be about a woman finding a second chance at love after a divorce.
That is incorrect. Maggie was actually a house flipper with a near million person following on You Tube where she has been broadcasting her projects. HGTV/Magnolia is my Saturday/Sunday morning addiction (especially the Lake/Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renos – LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!) so this plot was actually right up my alley. And some things are just no-brainers: Maggie will find love despite professing how she’s always going to be single, she will make friends, she will fall in love with the town a la Hallmark romance movies, etc., etc., etc.
I’ll be honest and admit that I did not read even one bit of the smexuals (but from flipping pages on my Kindle to get to the end they lasted FOR.EV.ER.). Every once in a while I’m down for a trip to pound town, but the majority of the time I prefer fade-to-black. And I’ll say the “Imma marry you” instant commentary from the landscaper would definitely have had me NOT hiring him for the job for fear of becoming a murder victim should I not return the sentiments, but I get that’s what the majority of gals are looking for when it comes to their mommy smut.
As per my reaction to the other Lucy Score I read – did I think it was great? No. Will I read more of her stuff?
If you are like and get a little squicked out with too much dirty sexy talk, multiple masturbation and dry-humping sessions and a plot that all but completely disappears once the two main (pretty much only) characters start boffing like bunnies, well, you might want to skip this one.
I’m going to give this 2.5, but round down for the aforementioned not smexy smexuals. The pacing was off a bit at the beginning as well and “grumpy” really turned his frown upside down and acted like he was “sunshine’s” B.F.F. without much interaction. But then things settled in and for a while I was loving the banter between Mable and Alfie as they got to know each other while she was ghost writing the famous footballer’s memoir. I just wish the flow would have kept going once things got steamy.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
My reactions to Emily Henry’s books have gone down star by star each new release – to the point where I have so far managed to avoid Happy Place placeMy reactions to Emily Henry’s books have gone down star by star each new release – to the point where I have so far managed to avoid Happy Place place completely. But then I got an email offering me this one and . . . .
Not to mention I am well aware of how lucky I am to be someone who receives Berkley widgets so I’m not about to look that gift horse in the mouth.
The “funny story” (or meet/cute, if you will) here was a cute one. Daphne’s fiancé calls it off after realizing at his bachelor party that his lifelong BFF is really the girl for him, leaving Daphne scrambling for a place to stay in said fiancé’s home town after relocating herself halfway across the country for him. Miles has a place to stay (including an extra bedroom) and is the other dumpee – this time of the aforementioned BFF. Thus begins a co-habitation period and Daphne’s countdown clock to the big all-night Readathon for kids at the library where she works. After that event is over, Daphne can move away from Michigan with a clear conscience. But when an invitation to the wedding of Peter and Petra (barf, right?) arrives, Daphne makes a bit of a boo-boo and openly defines the relationship with Miles . . . into a romantic one.
Cute, right? You’re right. It is cute. This one will most likely make Henry fans swoon because all of the rom com feels will be felt. But I didn’t much like either of the main characters so it didn’t quite work for me. Note to Miles: It doesn’t matter how many people say you’re a “great guy.” If you are so easily distracted and get caught up in random conversations that make you late for scheduled dates/your job/whatever – you’re kind of NOT so great. Punctuality is a real thing for me – especially if you plan on some before dawn sort of excursion. Don’t come to me with coffee and an excuse, just GTFOOH. And note to Daphne: You are not a good friend. If you never let anyone in, they certainly aren’t the jerks for choosing to hang out with other people. And again, if you make plans with someone like me and then stand me up? You can GTFOOH too and don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya on your way out.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Book #2 in my annual quest for a new coffee mug . . . .
Generally reserved for the Third Act break-up/make-up portion of light romance novels, this one takes a deep dive and features it right from the beginning . . . .
The story here is that Iris has moved to New York for a fresh start. With her memories of the romantic comedies her deceased mother loved and a secret family recipe for gelato that was given to her mother ages ago, she goes in search of said gelateria – only to discover the only person in the family who knows said recipe has suffered a stroke and lost his memory. Iris befriends the entire family, but particularly Gio as she helps him experiment with various recipes in hopes of finding the perfect mix.
I have really loved Josie Silver’s stuff in the past, but I just couldn’t get over the entire premise here being based on lies (not only about the gelato recipe, but also about her previous relationship and the weird crap with the uncle not wanting anyone to know about the whopping TWO DAY "romance" he had with Iris’ mother after going on only a couple of dates with his future wife – weird). Not to mention this “gelateria” only serves vanilla? Snore. We live in the land of 31 Flavors, folks, ain’t nobody lining up for just vanilla.
I will give credit where credit is due and the shoutouts to famous NYC rom com locales was great . . . .
And I’m not a blurb reader so when my turn came at the library I dove right in. Turns out the three holidays in question are Ramadan, Christmas and Hanukkah which all coincide right around the same time as Maryam’s sister’s wedding. A winter storm derails things, however, and Maryam’s entire family find themselves stranded (along with Anna – who was Maryam’s seatmate on the flight) in a picture-postcard holiday town of Snow Falls where Hallmark movies make their magic. It’s there that both Maryam and Anna find their true selves and maybe even a little love connection with their respective suitors.
I’m always down to clown when it comes to Hallmark holiday movies, but you have to SERIOUSLY suspend some disbelief with this one with the town alone that is somehow this huge melting pot of inclusion and diversity and everyone knows everything about everyone’s religions without needing to ever ask a single question, but is simultaneously tiny and no one has ever heard of it. Obviously that’s not a bad thing – it just isn’t very realistic. I actually loved the family bits and traditions and religious practices the most out of the entire book. Maryam’s Dadu in particular was a gem. But both Anna and Maryam were of the one-dimensional doormat sort, so that was unfortunate, the “romance” was pretty meh and all the extra goings on like the holiday pageant were just a bit too much. 100 pages could have easily been cut and maybe this would have worked better for me.
Was this book even remotely as charming and wonderful as the first? Absolutely not. Would I still read 8,000 versions of whatever The Guncle might be Was this book even remotely as charming and wonderful as the first? Absolutely not. Would I still read 8,000 versions of whatever The Guncle might be up to next?
This is a prime example of why I rarely read sequels. It’s hard to capture that lightning in a bottle twice – ESPECIALLY when the story features children. In round two of Patrick and the kids, said kids are getting to be in that not-quite-so-lovable stage of pre-teenery and, let’s just be honest, as a mom I’m telling you it’s not a cute time. Gunc is once again in charge of Maisie and Grant while their (now twice) absentee father is preparing for his nuptials – which Maisie especially has no intention of letting happen. The trio spend a few weeks gallivanting around the most tourist guide-book types of European hotspots as they count down to the big day and The Guncle finds himself battling to be the favorite with the introduction of a new “Launt” (lesbian aunt). The dad jokes still abound, but somehow the quips aren’t quite as quippy. The good news is, if Rowley is going to keep up with this series there’s a good chance #3 could redeem itself with Patrick back on his side of the pond and in love. Until then I will anxiously await the film version of the original.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
About mid-July publishers begin offering up Christmas selections and much like the Pokemon – I gotta catch ‘em all. Having had much success with Kerry Winfrey previously, this was a no-brainer and I instantly accepted Berkley’s offer of a widget without even taking a glance at what this was about. I assumed from the title it would be a fake dating trope and dove right in on Sunday morning. To tell you the scream I scrummed when I realized this was a modernization of a very underrated holiday classic . . . .
Christmas In Connecticut was Hallmark holiday gooeyness before Hallmark movies were even a thing. The premise here is woman gets a job writing for a magazine as a Martha Stewart type – all about life on her goat farm and décor and fabulous food . . . . but really she only does the social media management and her sister actually owns the farm. All is well until the boss invites himself for Christmas Eve-Eve and Laurel has to fake it ‘til she makes it – complete with a pretend husband in the form of her brother-in-law’s bestie who she can’t stand.
When it comes to holiday romances, this was a winner.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
Before I bash this one (just a lil’ bit), can we just take one moment to delight in all that is the perfect Autumn cartoon cover? Soooooo good.
Now forBefore I bash this one (just a lil’ bit), can we just take one moment to delight in all that is the perfect Autumn cartoon cover? Soooooo good.
Now for the bashing. First, Goodreads’ effing LIIIIIIEEEEESSSSSSS that the Kindle version of this is 368 pages. My copy was 441 and lemme tell you the perfect amount of pages for a rom com is 325 and not a paragraph more . . . .
Which leads to the absolute lack of character development whatsoever and a real slog for the first 100+ pages. Really, the only thing I ever got to know about Ari was . . . .
I’m all for sex positivity, but good lord, we’re talking about a grown ass woman and she had no other personality traits than being a bangbot????? Josh’s development wasn’t much better, but at least we got to climb around in his head a wee bit more.
I will 100% continue to read anything Mhairi McFarlane releases, but this one wasn’t my fave. While I sign up for her stuff because I love the friend I will 100% continue to read anything Mhairi McFarlane releases, but this one wasn’t my fave. While I sign up for her stuff because I love the friend groups and actual plot with a side of romance thrown in, maybe I read this too soon after Mad About You as there were several similarities in the goings on with those two releases.
Rather than requesting to be “big,” when 26-year old Lucy finds herself fed up with a leaky ceiling in her flatshare, what appears to be a dead-end job despite having just earned a promotion and dodging a rainstorm after an unfortunate dating app connection with a disgusting tongue-sucker, she puts (a borrowed) eleven pence into the Wishing Machine and asks simply to “Skip to the Good Part.” You can probably figure out what happens next . . .
It’s 16 years later and Lucy has to figure out how to navigate marriage, motherhood and being a successful television producer – all while trying to get back to her old self.
Yep, this was the bees knees for me. Give me allllllll the 13 Going on 30, The Family Man, Big, 17 Again, Never Been Kissed, etc., etc., etc. I love this trope unapologetically and this needs to be made into a streaming movie so I can watch it on a loop until my husband threatens to murder show me.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!...more
Kelly (and the Book Boar)
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