Review: Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen

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Release date: June 4, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

A woman inherits a beach house, along with a series of weekend guests, while butting heads with the irritable (and irritatingly handsome) man next door, in this sparkling new escape from Jane L. Rosen.

When a Zoom disaster upends Addison Irwin’s decade-long career at a posh Manhattan advertising agency, things look bleak for the thirty-something mid-western transplant. But an unexpected inheritance from an aunt she barely remembers—a property on Fire Island, complete with guest house and artist’s studio—changes everything.

While debating whether to stay or sell, Addison learns that she’s also inherited her aunt’s list of eclectic guests, tying her to the island for seven summer weekends. Eager to convince Addison to keep the house rather than let a new buyer build a monstrosity in its place, the neighbors welcome her to their laid-back community. Well, all except the moody guy next door, who seems intent on glowering his way through life.

Steadfast in her path since college, Addison is determined not to let this detour on Fire Island throw her off track. But soon, between the revolving door of weekend visitors and the up-and-down relationship with her neighbor (and his adorable dog), she finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Should she try to pick up where she left off—or embrace entirely new possibilities?

Review:

If you’ve read the authors previous release, On Fire Island you will recognize some of the characters here which was a pleasant surprise for me! Though connected you can still read this one on its own too though just fyi. I loved the setup with each section of this following Addison over seven summer weeks as a lively and colorful cast of characters rents out the guesthouse her aunt left her in her will. The estrangement added a level of depth and complexity to the otherwise fluffy beach read and opened up a bunch of emotional issues for Addison. The characters, both and main and secondary were all such a delight and charmed me almost as much as the setting did. This is ideal summertime reading, it has basically everything you would want in a seasonal read, there’s romance, drama, laughs and a dreamy setting.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Follow Her Down by Victoria Helen Stone

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Release date: June 4, 2024

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The murder of Elise Rockwood’s sister shattered her family. Their mother’s anxiety kept her housebound. Elise’s paranoid brother, Kyle, saw conspiracies everywhere. Elise numbed her grief in an aimless lifestyle that left her emotionally broken. All of them victims. A local boy eventually confessed, but the damage was already done.

Years later, Elise is reinventing herself. She’s bought a mountain lodge to be close to home again and to find stability. Not even an email from her ex tempts her into revisiting the past. But Kyle won’t let it go. He still believes there’s more to their sister’s murder—and the confession—than meets the eye. When Elise’s ex is found dead in the same forest where her sister went missing decades before, Elise is finally willing to listen.

The traumas of the past are reemerging. So is the truth. Elise’s greatest fear now is who will survive it.

Review:

I’ve really enjoyed several of the authors books but this one just didn’t work for me. I was disappointed because I had high hopes but I had too many issues with it. The premise had potential but the execution was lacking, the pacing was very slow and the payoff wasn’t there for me in the end. I failed to connect with any of the characters, I didn’t feel like they were well developed and in turn I just didn’t care what was happening. Then there were still some unanswered questions at the end and I hate when things are unresolved. Overall a flop for me.

Overall rating: 2.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Feels Like Summer by Wendy Francis

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Release date: May 28, 2024

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

For three sisters, this Memorial Day weekend is a much-anticipated reunion—and a sizzling escape—where secrets, lovers, and betrayals collide in a small coastal town.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, the annual kickoff to summer for the Lancaster sisters. But the festivities take a deep dive when a mysterious boating accident occurs off their seaside town, sparking questions about how well the sisters know their neighbors—and each other.

Kate, whip smart and rich, lives a charmed life—if only her lawyer husband wasn’t always disappearing for his next big case. Older sister Shelby, when not selling houses, is falling hard for an on-again, off-again lover. He’s perfect for Shelby in many ways, and so wrong in others. And Bree, the youngest, is reeling from a recent breakup and in desperate need of her sisters. They’ve always been there for each other, but as secrets arise and gossip spreads like wildfire, the idyllic weekend takes a dramatic tailspin. Will this summer’s troubles change their bond before their sisterhood is righted again?

Review:

Looking at this you already know it’s a perfect summer read but I have to say, it would be absolutely ideal to bring on your summer vacation. It’s light and gossipy, plenty of drama and intrigue and has a pretty summer setting that makes you feel like you’re already on vacation anyway. This is a family drama that follows three sisters who are all at pivotal moments in their lives. I love a story about sisters and Kate, Bree and Shelby were entertaining and relatable at times. Besides an interesting family dynamic there is also a mystery sub plot that was a pleasant surprise. If you want an escapist read with all the summertime vibes this was really enjoyable.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Next Mrs. Parrish

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Release date: June 18, 2024

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Daphne and Amber Parrish are thrust back into each other’s lives upon the resurgence of a long-forgotten threat, forcing a vicious game of cat and mouse where everything is on the line, in this thrilling sequel to the million-copy-bestselling Reese’s Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish.

Amber Patterson Parrish has come a long way from being an invisible wallflower. Her hard work and immaculate planning have paid off now that she’s a prominent socialite, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been bumps along the way. Less than a year since her husband Jackson’s tax-evasion scandal, Amber is still at the top of the Bishops Harbor community pecking order, free to do as she wishes while Jackson sits in prison. But that freedom is quickly coming to an end. With Jackson getting released from prison, Amber’s time—and money—is vanishing.

Meanwhile, Daphne Parrish left Bishops Harbor after her divorce from Jackson Parrish, swearing she would never go back. But when one of her daughters runs away from home, desperate to see her father, Daphne agrees to return for the summer to allow him supervised visits. Once out of prison, Jackson swears he’s a changed man, but Daphne knows all too well that he can’t be trusted.

When a ghost from Amber’s past emerges looking for revenge, the three of them find unlikely allies in one another, but who is playing who? When all is said and done, they’ll have to fight tooth and nail for everything they have left in this zero-sum game.

With shocking turns and entertaining characters, The Next Mrs. Parrish will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about duplicity and betrayal.

Review:

As much I was excited about getting an early copy of this I did wonder, do we really need a sequel? Things were fairly wrapped up in the first book but yes, we did need a sequel because this was just as wickedly fun and outrageous as the first book. Besides perspectives from Amber and Daphne there was a third one from Daisy Ann and I wondered how she fit in. When all came to light it totally made sense and she was an excellent addition to this group of messy characters. If you enjoy domestic suspense with characters you’ll love to hate, twisty stories and plenty of delicious drama this was so fun and I predict will be in many beach bags this summer.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.