Review: Summer at Lake Haven by RaeAnne Thayne

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Release date: June 23, 2020

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Return to Haven Point for one last summer by the lake…

Samantha Fremont may still be grappling with her mother’s death, but this summer she’s determined to build a new life for herself. Starting with making her friend’s dream wedding dress and establishing herself as a boutique fashion designer in the process. What she does not need is a surprise litter of puppies, the voice in the back of her mind saying she can’t do any of this—or her friend’s gorgeous brother who’s visiting from England for the wedding.

Ian Somerhill knows a sabbatical in Haven Point is exactly what his children need to recover from their own mother’s death. And even if he and Sam got off on the wrong foot, she has a way with Miranda and Thomas. As Sam—and her adorable puppies—bond with his children, they fall into a friendship unlike any he’s had in a long time. But Ian has obligations in England her can’t ignore—and a complicated past that might just stop this summer romance from ever blooming into something more. 

Review:
I write this review feeling bittersweet because it’s the final book in the Haven Point series 😩😭 This series has brought me so much joy, I’ve fallen in love with the town and its residents over the years and I’ll miss looking forward to a new book. I took my sweet time reading this one too knowing that it was the last and I have to say, it was a very fitting ending to one of my favorite small town romance series.
I’ve been dying to read a book following Samantha forever now, she’s been one of the best reoccurring characters throughout the entire series and I was so happy she was finally getting her own book. Besides finally getting to learn more about Sam you have this charming English family visiting for the summer and a wedding, talk about the perfect setting for romance. This is romance at its purest and sweetest, it’s clean and adorable and so heartwarming. Highly recommend this whole series!
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane L. Rosen

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Goodreads

Release date: June 23, 2020

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. When Eliza Hunt created The Hudson Valley Ladies’ Bulletin Board fifteen years ago she was happily entrenched in her picture-perfect suburban life with her husband and twin preschoolers. Now, with an empty nest and a crippling case of agoraphobia, the once-fun hobby has become her lifeline. So when a rival parenting forum threatens the site’s existence, she doesn’t think twice before fabricating a salacious rumor to spark things up a bit.

It doesn’t take long before that spark becomes a flame.

Across town, new mom and site devotee Olivia York is thrown into a tailspin by what she reads on the Bulletin Board. Allison Le is making cyber friends with a woman who isn’t quite who she says she is. And Amanda Cole, Eliza’s childhood friend, may just hold the key to unearthing why Eliza can’t step out of her front door.

In all this chaos, one thing is for sure…Hudson Valley will never be the same.

Funny, romantic, raw, and hopeful, this is a story about being a woman and of the healing power of sisterhood. 

Review:

Ahh rumors and gossip in the suburbs, why is this a topic that never fails to intrigue me? The whole premise of the book is exactly what the title states, an empty nester named Eliza starts what she thinks will be a harmless rumor and turns out to be anything but. In actuality it is the catalyst for a series of events that effects many people in the Hudson Valley, some she knows and others she doesn’t. So, an interesting premise for me for sure and it’s told via multiple perspectives providing a birds eye view of an entire community which I always enjoy. I loved the female friendships that developed throughout the book and was invested in all of the characters lives.

This wasn’t quite the lighthearted summer read that I was expecting it to be, yes it had plenty of humor but it really dove into some pretty dark topics. Just wanted to give a heads up for anyone that may mistakenly think this is all lightness like I did. I still wouldn’t say it’s super heavy overall, just know there are some moments that were rough. But in the end it was ultimately an uplifting read and one I enjoyed.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Two Truths and a Lie by Meg Mitchell Moore

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Goodreads

Release date: June 16, 2020

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Suspense

Blurb:

Truth: Sherri Griffin and her daughter, Katie, have recently moved to the idyllic beach town of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Rebecca Coleman, widely acknowledged former leader of the Newburyport Mom Squad (having taken a step back since her husband’s shocking and tragic death eighteen months ago), has made a surprising effort to include these newcomers in typically closed-group activities. Rebecca’s teenage daughter Alexa has even been spotted babysitting Katie.

Truth: Alexa has time on her hands because of a recent falling-out with her longtime best friends for reasons no one knows—but everyone suspects have to do with Alexa’s highly popular and increasingly successful YouTube channel. Katie Griffin, who at age 11 probably doesn’t need a babysitter anymore, can’t be left alone because she has terrifying nightmares that don’t seem to jibe with the vague story Sherri has floated about the “bad divorce” she left behind in Ohio. Rebecca Coleman has been spending a lot of time with Sherri, it’s true, but she’s also been spending time with someone else she doesn’t want the Mom Squad to know about just yet.

Lie: Rebecca Coleman doesn’t have a new man in her life, and definitely not someone connected to the Mom Squad. Alexa is not seeing anyone new herself and is planning on shutting down her YouTube channel in advance of attending college in the fall. Sherri Griffin’s real name is Sherri Griffin, and a bad divorce is all she’s running from.

A blend of propulsive thriller and gorgeous summer read, Two Truths and a Lie reminds us that happiness isn’t always a day at the beach, some secrets aren’t meant to be shared, and the most precious things are the people we love. 

Review:

What a delicious, slightly wicked summer read this one was! It was like a mash up of Liane Moriarty and Elin Hilderbrand and that combination worked really well for me. It had the secretive, light style mystery of LM and the ensemble cast and idyllic setting of EH, everything I look for in a summer read for sure!

This is told via several viewpoints, Rebecca, her daughter Alexa and new to town Sherrie are the main ones and then there are a few random chapters from other characters thrown in but the best ones were from the collective Mom Squad. These women were BRUTAL,they were catty, judgmental and wicked and I loved how juicy and dramatic their chapters were. The whole book was slightly scandalous as almost every single character was keeping some sort of secret and it felt really gossipy and just ideal for a summer read. Some of it was a little predictable in the end but other aspects were surprising, overall I enjoyed it a lot and definitely recommend it!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Head Over Heels by Hanna Orenstein

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Goodreads

Release date: June 23, 2020

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

The past seven years have been hard on Avery Abrams: After training her entire life to make the Olympic gymnastics team, a disastrous performance ended her athletic career for good. Her best friend and teammate, Jasmine, went on to become an Olympic champion, then committed the ultimate betrayal by marrying their emotionally abusive coach, Dimitri.

Now, reeling from a breakup with her football star boyfriend, Avery returns to her Massachusetts hometown, where new coach Ryan asks her to help him train a promising young gymnast with Olympic aspirations. Despite her misgivings and worries about the memories it will evoke, Avery agrees. Back in the gym, she’s surprised to find sparks flying with Ryan. But when a shocking scandal in the gymnastics world breaks, it has shattering effects not only for the sport but also for Avery and her old friend Jasmine. 

Review:

You know how some authors can write a romance with the perfect blend of lightness and depth? It doesn’t always work, but when it does it’s THE best and the author knocked it out of the park here. Avery is a former competitive gymnast who lost everything when she was severely injured and several years later she’s back in her hometown, living with her parents after a breakup. Poor girl, right?! The one bright spot is her new coaching job at her old gym alongside Ryan, a fellow gymnast who she’s always had a crush on. I loved Avery and Ryan was alright too 😉 he was a little wishy washy for me but redeemed himself in the end. Avery was fantastic enough to carry the whole story, she’s fierce and endearing and I was rooting for her so hard. This was a keen look into the cutthroat and demanding world of gymnastics and there were some serious issues explored (abuse, #metoo movement etc).

I’ve read all three of the authors books and I’m such a fan, she writes fresh, modern romances full of wit and heart and I agree with my friend Kailey, this is her best yet! And if you’re like so many of us who are bummed about no Olympics this summer this is the perfect antidote, especially if you’re a competitive gymnastics fan.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: You Can’t Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie

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Goodreads

Release date: June 9, 2020

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Do you want to play a game?

Twelve years ago Jessica Williams escaped a cult. Thanks to the private detective who rescued her, she reintegrated into society, endured an uncomfortable notoriety, and tried to put it all behind her. Then, at an airport bar, Jessica meets a woman with an identical name and birth date. It appears to be just an odd coincidence—until a week later, when Jessica finds her bank account drained and her personal information stolen.

Following a trail of the grifter’s victims, each with the same name, Jessica gathers players—one by one—for her own game. According to her plan, they’ll set a trap and wait for the impostor to strike again. But plans can go awry, and trust can fray, and as Jessica tries to escape the shadows of her childhood, the risks are greater than she imagined. Now, confronting the casualties of her past, Jessica can’t help but wonder…

Who will pay the price? 

Review:

With many thrillers feeling very basic and formulaic for me lately it’s getting harder and harder for me to find authors that I can truly count on to deliver solid books time and time again. CM is one of those rare authors for me, each of her books feels different from the last and they’ve all been highly entertaining and compulsive reads for me.

If a book has anything cult related in the plot I’m instantly interested and then the idea of meeting a total stranger who not only has the exact same name but also the exact same birthday really just piqued my interest even more. That was just the tip of the iceberg y’all, this one was WILD and kept me on my toes the whole time. It’s one big game of cat and mouse that never once faltered or let off the gas. If like me you’ve had trouble lately with finding a book to hold your attention then give this a try because it worked for me!

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: I Was Told it Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman

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Goodreads

Release date: June 16, 2020

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

Jessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.

For Emily, it’s a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she’s sure she even wants to go to college, but let’s ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school. . . . They have to, right?

For Jessica, it’s a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play-Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn’t even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn’t sure she likes herself.

Together with a dozen strangers–and two familiar enemies–Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever. 

Review:

Abbi Waxman is just my kind of author, I adore her style and would read anything she writes, aight unseen. I don’t need to read the description or see the cover, I’m already sold as long as her name is attached. She’s an incredibly witty author and there’s always a playful quirkiness in her books, this was no exception.

Last year I fell head over heels for The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and now I have two new characters to love in mother/daughter duo Jessica and Emily. You hear from both women in alternating chapters and the author captured both personalities so well. Road trips can be fun, but they can also be hard, and so can mother/daughter relationships especially when the daughter is a moody teenager. Add in the stress of being on a college tour with a bunch of strangers and things can be tense. Both women were so relatable especially in terms of how they reacted to situations and bumps in the road, they just felt super authentic and like genuine, real life people and not just characters in a book. Definitely recommended to add to your summer reading list, it was funny, smart and heartfelt.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

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Goodreads|Bookshop.org

Release date: June 9, 2020

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

USA Today bestselling author Farrah Rochon launches a new series about three young women who become friends when the live Tweeting of a disastrous date leads them to discover they’ve all been duped by the same man.

Samiah Brooks never thought she would be “that” girl. But a live tweet of a horrific date just revealed the painful truth: she’s been catfished by a three-timing jerk of a boyfriend. Suddenly Samiah-along with his two other “girlfriends,” London and Taylor-have gone viral online. Now the three new besties are making a pact to spend the next six months investing in themselves. No men, no dating, and no worrying about their relationship status . . .

For once Samiah is putting herself first, and that includes finally developing the app she’s always dreamed of creating. Which is the exact moment she meets the deliciously sexy, honey-eyed Daniel Collins at work. What are the chances? When it comes to love, there’s no such thing as a coincidence. But is Daniel really boyfriend material or is he maybe just a little too good to be true?

Review:

Gah do you guys know how rare it is to read a romance that’s not only smart but also funny, sweet, sexy and engaging?! It really is but thankfully TBP is one of those rare gems that had all of that and more. More meaning what exactly? Well it had a heavy focus on a newly developing friendship between Samiah, London and Taylor and it also explored Samiah’s workplace and the dynamics at play in her office. I’m telling y’all, this one had a little something for everyone.

I have to tell you about the hero, Daniel this man is majorly swoon worthy and I just loved how he was a strong person in his own right but he also wasn’t put off or intimidated by Samiah because she is fiercely independent and incredibly strong too. They were both such interesting and multifaceted characters and I just adored them both separately and together. I’m thrilled this is the start to a new series, (London and Taylor will both be getting their own books) and I can’t wait to see where it goes. Highly recommended by me for romance fans!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Last One to See Her by Mark Tilbury @MTilburyauthor

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Goodreads

Release date: June 4, 2020

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

He says he is innocent. So why did he lie?


Mathew Hillock was the last person to see eleven-year-old Jodie Willis alive. When her dead body turns up four days later in his garden shed, the police think he’s guilty of her murder. So do most people in the town. But there’s no DNA evidence to link him to the crime. 
Battling the weight of public opinion and mental illness due to a childhood head trauma, he sinks into a deep depression. 
Can Mathew do what the police failed to do and find evidence linking the real killer to the crime?
The Last One to See Her is a terrifying story of what happens when you’re accused of a crime and no one believes you are innocent.

Review:

Do you like your thrillers dark, fast paced, disturbing and wholly unsettling? Then allow me to introduce you to the work of Mark Tilbury. He’s one of the few thriller authors who I can count on to always deliver a story that is at once compelling and twisty and his latest is no exception. There’s a reason he’s referred to as Twisted Tilbury after all…

As much as I love a dark plot if you add in some great characterization then I’m really satisfied and this book had some fantastic characters. Some I just adored and some I hated beyond comprehension, but they were all very well drawn. The plot was also great, you have several suspects and no clue who the bad guy really is right until the end and I never saw anything coming ahead of time either. The tension is palpable the whole time but as you get closer to the end things reach a whole new level of tense and the end was powerful and satisfying.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Review: The Summer Deal by Jill Shalvis

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Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: June 2, 2020

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

Brynn Turner desperately wishes she had it together, but her personal life is like a ping-pong match that’s left her scared and hurt after so many attempts to get it right. In search of a place to lick her wounds and get a fresh start, she heads back home to Wildstone.

And then there’s Kinsey Davis, who after battling serious health issues her entire twenty-nine years of life, is tired of hoping for . . . well, anything. She’s fierce, tough, and pretty much the opposite of Brynn except for one thing: they’re half-sisters. Kinsey is keeping this bombshell, and a few others as well. Long time frenemies from summer camp, there’s no way she’s going to tell Brynn they’re related.

But then Brynn runs into Kinsey’s lifelong best friend, Eli, renewing a childhood crush. He’s still easy-going and funny and sexy as hell. When he gets her to agree to a summer-time deal to trust him to do right by her, no matter what, she never dreams it’ll result in finding a piece of herself she didn’t even know was missing. She could have a sister, love, and a future―if she can only learn to let go of the past.

As the long days of summer wind down, the three of them must discover if forgiveness is enough to grasp the unconditional love that’s right in front of them. 

Review:

You may remember that late last year I finally discovered Jill Shalvis and in that short amount of time I’ve become such a huge fan. There’s a handful of authors that I can truly depend on to take me on a fun, entertaining escape and she is definitely one of them. Also, look at that cover, I mean have you ever seen a more perfect one for summer? The inside is amazing as well.

So this one is much more than just a summer romance novel. Yes, there is romance (two actually 😍🔥) but it’s also about friendship and family as well, truly a little bit of everything for everyone. It also has the author’s trademark fantastic characterization, every single person in this book feels so authentic and relatable on some level. A cute little addition that I adored was journal entries from two of the main characters back when they were frenemies at summer camp, and oh yes instead of a friends to lovers romantic relationship the two female leads have a love/hate relationship. I’m telling ya, this was such a fun one and a perfect addition to summer reading!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

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Release date: May 5, 2020

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

When Graham Barnett named his diner The Tourist Trap, he meant it as a joke. Now he’s stuck slinging reindeer dogs to an endless string of resort visitors who couldn’t interest him less. Not even the sweet, enthusiastic tourist in the corner who blushes every time he looks her way…

Two weeks in Alaska isn’t just the top item on Zoey Caldwell’s bucket list. It’s the whole bucket. One look at the mountain town of Moose Springs and she’s smitten. But when an act of kindness brings Zoey into Graham’s world, she may just find there’s more to the man than meets the eye…and more to love in Moose Springs than just the Alaskan wilderness. 

Review:

There’s something about a grumpy hero in a romance novel that just works for me, maybe it’s because I’m kinda grumpy myself but Graham stole my heart almost instantly. His diner started out as a joke and his customer service is nonexistent, picture lots of grunting and you get what you get with a surly attitude. Then there’s Zoey who is his polar opposite, she’s adorable, sweet, quirky and awkward and I loved her too. So with two main characters that I liked I was already happy and then throw in an amazing Alaskan setting and it really couldn’t be anymore perfect for me!

This had all the rom com feelings and was super sweet too, very much cutesy rather than sexy but Graham and Zoey’s chemistry was great. It’s a great beginning to a new series, the secondary characters were fantastic and I can’t wait until my next trip to Moose Springs! Oh, if you’re an animal lover there is also plenty to love her taking this to a whole other swoon level.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.