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Release date: October 16, 2018

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Angela Carson wants nothing more than to be the third-generation to run her family’s holiday store, Heart of Christmas, successfully. They’ve weathered over sixty tourist seasons, major hurricanes, and urban sprawl, in their old decommissioned lighthouse. But the national chain that set up shop in their small North Carolina town of Pleasant Sands may be more than Heart of Christmas can survive.

Encouraged by her niece to ask Santa for help, Angela gives in and lets the words fly in a way that, if Santa were real, would no doubt land her on the naughty list. What’s the harm when it’s just a computer-generated response?

Geoff Paisley has been at his mother’s side running the mega-chain Christmas Galore for the last ten years. When his mother falls ill, Geoff promises to answer the town’s Dear Santa letters in her stead. Soon he realizes the woman he’s been corresponding with on Dear Santa is Angela. How could the woman that grates his every last nerve in person have intrigued him so deeply through those letters?

When Geoff reveals that he’s her Dear Santa, will Angela be able to set aside their very public feud to embrace the magic of the holiday and possibly find true love? 

Review:

I know I’m not the only one who loves the slightly cheesy movies the Hallmark Channel plays in the run up to Christmas, right?! There’s something so sweet and innocent about them, yes they’re predictable but there is comfort in predictability and they provide such a great escape from real life. If you’re a fan of those kind of movies then you have got to read this book, I just know it’ll show up on that channel eventually and it’s perfect for fans of holiday romances.

The first thing I heard about this one was that it was a holiday retelling of the movie You’ve Got Mail and all I could think was yeessssss! It definitely draws on inspiration from the movie but is it’s own unique version and was adorable in it’s own way. Angela and Geoff have the whole enemies to romance thing going on and their bickering was honestly probably one of my favorite aspects of this. Another thing I enjoyed was that each chapter began with either a Dear Santa letter or a fact about the town of Pleasant Sands and in an era where most chapters are just numbered I found this to be a sweet touch.

Recommended as an ideal holiday read and one that will sweep you away for a few hours, it’s uncomplicated and cute but the characters still show depth. It was my first book by Naigle but won’t be my last, and I just checked and two of her other books are already Hallmark movies so I’m off to set my DVR haha!

Dear Santa in three words: Whimsical, Cheery and Bright.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: March 1, 2019

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

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Release date: December 18, 2018

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Meredith Nichol was found dead on the lonely train tracks behind Skid Row in Los Angeles. A transgender woman, the police suspect a hate crime. No clues have been left and they have little to go on beyond prejudice and speculation. She’s quickly figured for just another lost soul and a cold case with little hope of ever thawing.

After leaving behind his life in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the terrible events which nearly killed him, Inspector Kosuke Iwata has started a new life working as a private investigator in LA. He spends his days spying on unfaithful spouses and searching for missing persons, and his nights with an unavailable woman.

But this uneasy peace is shattered when a voice from his past demands he find Meredith’s killer.

Reluctantly throwing himself back in to the dangerous existence he only just escaped, Iwata discovers a world of corruption, exploitation and murder – and a river of sin flowing through LA’s underbelly, Mexico’s borderlands, and deep within his own past.

Review:

It’s not very often that I find myself moved when I’m reading Crime Fiction, it’s usually a rare occurrence but a totally appreciated one when it does happen and Obregon managed to touch a part of my soul with his painfully beautiful writing and stunning imagery. It was a little like reading high brow literary fiction without the pretentiousness and with way more grit.

The real appeal of this one for me was two fold, the main character, Iwata was just the kind of damaged and broken leading man that always gets under my skin and then there was the setting. When an author can make me truly feel the location they’re describing and make it a living, breathing entity I am blown away and Obregon did a phenomenal job creating a strong sense of place. It takes place mainly in LA, and this isn’t the glittering mecca we’ve all seen on TV, this is the dark underbelly, the very depths of humanity.

One last thing that made this a standout was that you can clearly see this is written by an author who is not only extremely talented, but he has a social conscience. This examines the marginalized community of transgender individuals and it was explored in a sensitive yet honest and raw manner. It was also diverse with Iwata being Japanese and I learned some interesting things about the culture and their traditions that was really cool. This whole book was just really cool, it mixed a modern vibe with current social issues with an old school noir style that is entirely the authors own.

Sins as Scarlet in three words: Intoxicating, Smooth and Sophisticated.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the author and the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: February 5, 2019

Publisher: Gallery

Blurb:

A search for the truth. A lifetime of lies.

In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists.

When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister?

Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you? 

Review:

Are you guys ready for another must read recommendation from me?! Don’t worry about your gigantic TBR, this isn’t out until February so you still have some time and it was so damn good that I think you’ll thank me for urging you to read it.

This is told in two timelines and from both Abi’s POV as well as Olivia’s. Abi’s chapters are after Olivia fell and Olivia’s are six months before the accident. Right from the start this one tugged on my heart strings, immediately seeing Abi get the nightmarish news that her daughter is as good as dead and then going back to when she was a happy, carefree teenager damn near broke my heart in two. Seeing the events that led up to Olivia’s tragedy juxtaposed with knowing the inevitable outcome was really clever and awful all at once.

This was definitely an emotional read and McDonald did an incredible job of making me feel the characters emotions, especially Abi, as a mom I couldn’t even fathom her pain and heartache. Besides such an evocative journey, this had some really tricky moments and was not easy for for me to put down or figure out what would happen next. Super impressive debut by an author to watch, the comparison to Reconstructing Amelia was spot on so if you’re a fan of that one do not miss this!

The Night Olivia Fell in three words: Emotionally-charged, Gripping and Authentic.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: November 10, 2018

Publisher: Two Tales

Blurb:

The day Mia Jensen died, she finally got to live.

WHAT IF… 

We’ve all played the “what if” game. For Mia Jensen, “what if” is a fact of life. Dissatisfied with her choices, she often dreams about what could have been. Now she has the chance to know. But that knowledge is going to cost her dearly. Only through death can she fully realize the value of her life. 

* 

Forty-year-old Mia Jensen is home after a terrible day, trying to figure out how she’s come to this point in her life, when she hears a strange noise from the kitchen. She investigates, only to be brutally attacked and left for dead. As she dies, she experiences some of the lives that could have been hers had she only made a different choice. 

Can one woman can find peace with the path she’s chosen before it slips through her fingers forever? 

Review:

In general I’m not a huge fan of anthologies but when I saw that J. T. Ellison had managed to snag some of my favorite female thriller authors to make this book I had to give it a shot. Besides an amazing group of writers, the premise is also fantastic, I loved the idea of seeing the various paths one woman’s live could’ve taken and it wound up being pretty damn cool.

Each author has a chapter with one of Mia’s lives and while I enjoyed all of them, The Homeless Woman by Kerry Lonsdale left the biggest impression on me. I really liked the way this centered on one character, most anthologies usually don’t follow this pattern and I believe that’s why this one worked so well for me. The way things all came together in the end was really cool and unexpected too. If you’re looking for something different or if you want to try out a few new to you authors this would be a great choice!

A Thousand Doors in three words: Innovative, Unique and Clever.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: November 20, 2018

Publisher: Harper

Genre: Historical Fiction

Blurb:

Shortly before World War II, Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet one summer on the Jersey shore and fall in love. Both are talented and ambitious, and both share the dream of becoming singers for the legendary orchestras of the time: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman. They’re soon married, and it isn’t long before Chiara and Tony find that their careers are on the way up as they navigate the glamorous worlds of night clubs, radio and television. All goes well until it becomes clear that they must make a choice: Which of them will put their ambitions aside to raise a family and which will pursue a career? And how will they cope with the impact that decision has on their lives and their marriage?

From the Jersey shore to Las Vegas to Hollywood, and all the dance halls in between, this multi-layered story is vivid with historical color and steeped in the popular music that serves as its score. Tony’s Wife is a magnificent epic of life in a traditional Italian family undergoing seismic change in a fast paced, modern world. Filled with vivid, funny and unforgettable characters, this richly human story showcases Adriana Trigiani’s gifts as a storyteller and her deep understanding of family, love and the pursuit of the American dream. 

Review:

Trigiani is an author that has come highly recommended to me ever since I decided to try reading more historical fiction and after reading my first book by her, I can definitely see the appeal. There is something utterly effortless about her style, this was almost 500 pages and I read it in twenty four hours if that tells you anything! I just found it very easy to be caught up in Chi Chi and Tony’s lives and just had to know what would happen to them.

This begins when Tony and Chi Chi are both teenagers and follows them the rest of their lives, both individually and together. They’re both musicians and I love the Big Band Era, it was such a fun piece of musical history and the author did a great job of bringing it to life. While the majority is set on the east coast the characters did travel to the west coast as well which is always fun to see how things might have been in the fifties in California and Las Vegas.

The best part of this for me was the characterization, following them both throughout their lives really built an attachment for me, especially to Chi Chi. She was a one of a kind woman, fierce and daring and way ahead of the times, the kind of character that stays with you long after you’ve finished the book. Recommended for fans of HF but especially those who enjoy music.

Tony’s Wife in three words: Engaging, Nostalgic and Endearing.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: April 2, 2019

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Annika (rhymes with Monica) Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people’s behavior confusing, she’d rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.

Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game–and his heart–to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone.

Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She’s living the life she wanted as a librarian. He’s a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins. 

Review:

What a unique read this one was! It really wasn’t the story itself that made it so unusual but rather the memorable characters that left such an impression on me. I can never really answer the question, is a plot or the characters more important to you? But after reading this I may have to say great characterization can make or break a book for me.

This is told via two timelines, one back when Annika and Jonathan first meet in college and then ten years later when their paths cross again. You hear from both of them, and while I did truly like Jonathan, Annika was the star of the show for me. She is quirky, beautiful and intelligent and she has major anxiety in social settings, therefore she doesn’t have many close friends. Going to college away from her parents is a huge deal for her and I loved how the author explored her coping mechanisms to just get through a normal day of college. I thought she did an excellent job highlighting Annika’s issues in a really authentic way, it was realistic and truly moving.

I really don’t want to say too much more because I did find this to be slightly predictable and I would hate to ruin things for anyone else. I really enjoyed this second chance romance with diverse characters but I really wish the ending would’ve been handled differently, it was just a little sudden for my liking but overall a sweet read.

The Girl He Used to Know in three words: Unique, Emotional and Compassionate.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: December 4, 2018

Publisher: Gallery

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Millie Morris has always been one of the guys. A UC Santa Barbara professor, she’s a female-serial-killer expert who’s quick with a deflection joke and terrible at getting personal. And she, just like her four best guy friends and fellow professors, is perma-single.

So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Mille and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. There’s only one hitch: after making the pact, Millie and one of the guys, Reid Campbell, secretly spend the sexiest half-night of their lives together, but mutually decide the friendship would be better off strictly platonic.

But online dating isn’t for the faint of heart. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine”—Millie’s fictional profile persona, in whose make-believe shoes she can be more vulnerable than she’s ever been in person. Soon “Catherine” and Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship…but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, Millie will have to face her worst fear—intimacy—or risk losing her best friend, forever.

Review:

I only recently discovered CL when I read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating so I’ve been so looking forward to reading another one of their books mainly to see if I would love it just as much, or if it was just a one off. So thrilled to report that I absolutely adored this one just as much and will now read anything this dynamic duo puts out!

One thing I’ve noticed about CL books now is that while the tropes they use may seem like old news the way they execute is anything but. Their books have such a modern and fresh feel to them, totally hip and current feeling and what I can only assume is a very accurate look at the world of dating today. Millie and Reid are the best of friends who have never crossed the line into more than friends, mostly due to Millie being totally afraid of intimacy and going “deep” with pretty much any one. While I really liked them both, Millie was my fave, she’s a little quirky with an amazing sense of humor, truly one of the guys which is so my type of girl.

The world of online dating is totally terrifying to me, I can’t even imagine trying to navigate it and this book had plenty of hilarious moments based on dating apps alone. I also liked that this one focused on a whole group of friends, the super tight knit kind who give each other a hard time but also have each other’s backs no matter what. This was sexy and sweet, a combination that always slays me and left me feeling happy and light!

My Favorite Half Night Stand in three words: Saucy, Funny and Cute.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.