Goodreads

Release date: March 23, 2021

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

When two strangers are linked by a mail-in DNA test, it’s an answered prayer―that is, for one half-sister. For the other, it will dismantle everything she knows to be true.

But as they step into the unfamiliar realm of sisterhood, the roles will reverse in ways no one could have foreseen.

Caroline lives a full, happy life―thriving career, three feisty children, enviable marriage, and a close-knit extended family. She couldn’t have scripted it better. Except for one thing:

She’s about to discover her fundamental beliefs about them all are wrong.

Sela lives a life in shades of gray, suffering from irreversible kidney failure. Her marriage crumbled in the wake of her illness. Her beloved mother and lifelong best friend passed away. She refuses to be defined by her grief, but still, she worries about what will happen to her two-year-old son if she doesn’t find a donor match in time.

She’s the only one who knows Caroline is her half-sister. That Caroline may be her best hope for a future. But Sela’s world isn’t as clear-cut as it appears―and one misstep could destroy it all.

After all, would you risk everything to save the life of the person who turned yours upside down?

From the moment Caroline meets Sela, both must reexamine what it really means to be family, the depths of a mother’s love, and the limits and the power of forgiveness.

Review:

I’ve become such a fan of this author, she really has the kind of writing style that I enjoy and she creates these characters that are relatable and believable and this was no exception. I feel like DNA testing has been a hot topic in quite a few books lately, so I was slightly hesitant if she could bring something new to the table and I feel like she did. It was remarkably thought provoking and made me wonder what I would do if I was in either Caroline or Sela’s shoes.

This one was very twisty for a book that isn’t even remotely a thriller which gave the whole thing a suspenseful feel. Not that it was fast paced and tense necessarily, just that so many secrets kept coming out that you really didn’t know what would happen next. A family drama would be my best way of explaining what it was for me, with an emphasis on drama, it veered slightly into Lifetime movie territory but I actually love that vibe. Ultimately I loved the exploration of the usual family dynamics and found it to be an engrossing read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 23, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Marin Cole has never:
Seen the ocean
Climbed a mountain
Taken a risk on love
….But if her sister’s plan works, she just might do all three.

Ever since her journalist mother died on assignment, Marin has played it safe, refusing to set foot outside the state of Tennessee. Her wild-child younger sister, Sadie, has trotted the globe as a photographer, living off of art and adrenaline.

When Sadie returns from a tough assignment abroad and looks a little worse for wear, Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters’ spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba. But her lifelong fear of travel is affirmed when Sadie misses the flight, Marin’s luggage gets mixed up with another passenger’s, and an episode of turbulence sends her hurtling into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the handsome stranger who stole her sister’s seat.

For the first time in a long time, Marin has to step outside of her comfort zone as she explores the island with Lucas and learns what she’s been missing out on. With each breathtaking new experience, Marin gets closer to her real self, the man she’s falling for, and the heart-wrenching truth about why she’s there in the first place.

Review:

Before I get into my thoughts on this one I feel the need to talk about some triggers. If you don’t want anything to be spoiled skip this review. I always try and keep my reviews completely spoiler free but in this case, the content is so heartbreaking I feel like it needs a big warning, especially since the cover and synopsis combination makes it seem like a light hearted rom com and it’s really not. Last warning…………..Sadie has cancer and her death plays out on page. It was brutal and I cried, I’m not a crier but this was absolutely tragic y’all. If cancer is at all a trigger for you please know that this one is heavy.

This starts off lighthearted and fun, exactly what I expected to begin with based on that adorably cheerful cover and description. I loved Marin and was excited to see how her island adventure, I agreed with Sadie that she needed to step outside her comfort zone and let loose. But then things turned dark and instead of a spicy rom com it read like women’s fiction with a secondary romantic plot line. This was fine by me, I had some friends that gave me a heads up, but I just don’t want anyone to go into this one with the wrong expectations. If you go in knowing like I did that this is more of a story about sisters and one’s journey to self discovery. It was heart wrenching, beautiful and memorable though. This review may lead you to believe that I didn’t enjoy it, but I actually liked it a lot. Between the gorgeous setting, vibrant secondary characters and a bittersweet story about Marin and Sadie, I was super invested. It’s just not necessarily the book you would think it’s being marketed as and I wanted to make that very clear. But if you don’t mind crying your eyes out for a good chunk of the book, this was such a heartfelt read! Just proceed with caution and have those tissues ready.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: February 23, 2021

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

What if you made yourself your number one priority?

Of all the women and men Noni Blake has pleased in her life, there’s one she’s often overlooked–herself. After the end of a decade-long relationship, Noni decides it’s time for that to change. She’s finally going to prioritize her wants and desires and only do things (and people) that feel good in the moment.

As she embarks on a pleasure-seeking quest that takes her halfway around the world, she discovers that maybe she can have everything, and everyone, she’s ever wanted.

Effortlessly hilarious and relatable, Claire Christian spins a fresh, feel-good tale about starting over as a thirtysomething woman who’s been living life for everyone else. A story of self-discovery for the ages, Noni’s journey serves as a sparkling reminder that life is what we make of it–so why not enjoy it?

Review:

Ok I loved this one you guys! I didn’t expect it to be so inspirational and uplifting, but it was really wonderful. How often do we, as adults do things just for the simple pleasure of it? Not often I’m afraid, and following along with Noni as she embarks on a pleasure quest was such a damn delight. It was a unique way for her to start a path of self discovery and I was rooting for her so hard!

Noni was such a complex and well crafted character, she was very honest and vulnerable throughout the book as she faced her own insecurities. There was so much body positivity and sex positivity and I am SO here for that. It was refreshing to read about a strong woman going after what she wanted and to put her own needs and wants first. I adored my time with Noni and was sad to say goodbye. Read this is you want to feel empowered and hopeful, it was sexy, funny and utterly charming.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 16, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Alice Sullivan feels like she’s finally found her groove in middle age, but it only takes one moment for her perfectly curated life to unravel. On the same day she learns her daughter is struggling in second grade, a call from her son’s school accusing him of bullying throws Alice into a tailspin.

When it comes to light that the incident is part of a new behavior pattern for her son, one complete with fake social media profiles with a lot of questionable content, Alice’s social standing is quickly eroded to one of “those moms” who can’t control her kids. Soon she’s facing the very judgement she was all too happy to dole out when she thought no one was looking (or when she thought her house wasn’t made of glass).

Then her mother unloads a family secret she’s kept for more than thirty years, and Alice’s entire perception of herself is shattered.

As her son’s new reputation polarizes her friendships and her family buzzes with the ramification of her mother’s choices, Alice realizes that she’s been too focused on measuring her success and happiness by everyone else’s standards. Now, with all her shortcomings laid bare, she’ll have to figure out to whom to turn for help and decide who she really wants to be.

Review:

With a twelve year old daughter set to be a seventh grader next year this one read a bit like a cautionary tale to me. I don’t mean that in a bad way, more like it brought all my worst fears to life but in a very relatable, witty and entertaining way. It tackles some very relevant and timely topics and I think many parents will be super engaged with this one.

I love a family drama, and even better for me is when there are multiple points of view and this one has several. You have from Alice and her son Teddy, and her mom Evelyn. Then there’s Meredith and her daughter Sadie and a couple of random chapters from other characters that I don’t want to spoil. It provided a delicious birds eye view of the events that unfolded in an insightful way and I was totally wrapped up in the drama of all of the characters. A really engaging read that surprisingly gave me a lot to think about.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 2, 2021

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Reena Manji doesn’t love her career, her single status, and most of all, her family inserting themselves into every detail of her life. But when caring for her precious sourdough starters, Reena can drown it all out. At least until her father moves his newest employee across the hall–with hopes that Reena will marry him.

But Nadim’s not like the other Muslim bachelors-du-jour that her parents have dug up. If the Captain America body and the British accent weren’t enough, the man appears to love eating her bread creations as much as she loves making them. She sure as hell would never marry a man who works for her father, but friendship with a neighbor is okay, right? And when Reena’s career takes a nosedive, Nadim happily agrees to fake an engagement so they can enter a couples video cooking contest to win the artisan bread course of her dreams.

As cooking at home together brings them closer, things turn physical, but Reena isn’t worried. She knows Nadim is keeping secrets, but it’s fine— secrets are always on the menu where her family is concerned. And her heart is protected… she’s not marrying the man. But even secrets kept for self preservation have a way of getting out, especially when meddling parents and gossiping families are involved.

Review:

This book should come with a warning label stating you should not read it without plenty of snacks, specifically bread 😋 Seriously I’ve never snacked more while reading and that’s saying something because all I do is snack 🤣 There is much more to this than just food though, this was an adorable, inclusive romance that I couldn’t get enough of!

Reena meets her new neighbor Nadim and there’s an instant mutual attraction and then she finds out he’s her father new employee AND the latest in a line of setups orchestrated by her meddling parents. Then there’s the cooking competition she wants to enter but she needs a fiancé and Nadim quickly agrees to a fake arrangement. Oh and she also decided to keep this all a secret from her nosy family. Did I mention they’re champion meddlers? What could go wrong?!

This focused on family, friendship, a love of food and Muslim culture, what’s not to love? There was humor, a sweet romance and wonderful secondary characters that I adored almost as much as I enjoyed Reena and Nadir. Such a feel good, comfort read that will leave you feeling happy and cozy.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.