Goodreads

Release date: May 31, 2022

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

When fate brings three strangers to a charming space for lease on the California coast, the Boardwalk Bookshop is born. Part bookstore, part gift shop, part bakery, it’s a dream come true for Bree, Mikki and Ashley. But while their business is thriving, their personal lives are…not.

Bree, wounded by brilliant but cold parents and her late husband’s ultimate betrayal, has sworn to protect her heart at all costs. Even from Ashley’s brother, a writer and adventurer who has inspired millions. He’s the first man to see past Bree’s barricades to her true self, which terrifies her. Mikki has this divorce thing all figured out—somehow, she’s stayed friends with her ex and her in-laws…until a new man changes how everyone looks at her, and how she sees herself. Meanwhile, Ashley discovers that the love of her life never intends to marry. Can she live without being a wife if it means she can have everything else she’s ever wanted?

At sunset every Friday on the beach in front of the Boardwalk Bookshop, the three friends share a champagne toast. As their bond grows closer, they challenge one another to become the best versions of themselves in this heartachingly beautiful story of friendship, sisterhood and the transformative power of love.

Review:

I always know before I start a book by the author that I’ll be getting an entertaining story about three different women and usually they’re all at some sort of crossroads in their lives. Her books are about friendships, romantic relationships, parenthood, marriage, divorce and more. So yes, predictable in some ways, but the path each woman takes is always interesting and I sometimes find comfort in knowing what I’m in for. I found this to be steamier than some of the authors more recent releases which was a pleasant surprise too. There is some definite heat, I can’t complain about that 😉 Add in a bookstore, a California beach setting and plenty of drama and love and this was a fun summer read. Tanya Eby narrates and I’ve gotten so used to listening to her tell the authors stories that it’s a fun experience.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 17, 2022

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

When Joanna Whitman’s famous ex-husband dies in a car accident, she doesn’t know what to feel. Their dysfunctional marriage held more painful secrets than she cares to remember. But when she discovers that the young woman with him in the crash is pregnant, Joanna feels compelled to act, knowing exactly how brutal the media spotlight will be on celebrity chef Cliff Whitman’s ex-wife and his mysterious female friend.

Ashley Blake can’t believe it when Joanna shows up in her hospital room and suggests they hide away at her beach house on a sleepy stretch of California coast. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But alone and pregnant, Ashley can’t turn down Joanna’s offer. Yet she knows that if Joanna ever found out the real reason Ashley was in that car, their tentative bond would shatter instantly.

Joanna’s only goal for the summer is privacy, but her return causes major waves in the local community, especially for the man she left behind years ago. All Ashley wants is space to plan for her and her baby’s future, and to avoid causing any trouble for Joanna. But as secrets spill out under the hot summer sun, this unlikely friendship is about to be put to the test.

Review:

Ok how can I get myself a beach house summer?! Doesn’t that sound amazing? The next best thing besides living beachside for the summer is being able to cozy up with the authors book and escape mentally though!

Since I’ve been a fan of the author for awhile now I know I can expect a great mix when I start one of her books. This was no exception and besides the idyllic setting you also have a mystery surrounding Ashley’s true identity, a few friendships (new and old) blossoming and some romance too. The author is such a gifted storyteller and she always creates characters that are memorable and fun. I’m always a sucker for an unlikely friendship and the relationship between Joanna and Ashley was really lovely. This is the true definition of a beach read, it’s light but not too sappy, it conures up some gorgeous summery imagery and has a plot that’s interesting.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 31, 2022

Publisher: Celadon

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

The Latecomer follows the story of the wealthy, New York City-based Oppenheimer family, from the first meeting of parents Salo and Johanna, under tragic circumstances, to their triplets born during the early days of IVF. As children, the three siblings – Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally – feel no strong familial bond and cannot wait to go their separate ways, even as their father becomes more distanced and their mother more desperate. When the triplets leave for college, Johanna, faced with being truly alone, makes the decision to have a fourth child. What role will the “latecomer” play in this fractured family?

A complex novel that builds slowly and deliberately, The Latecomer touches on the topics of grief and guilt, generational trauma, privilege and race, traditions and religion, and family dynamics. It is a profound and witty family story from an accomplished author, known for the depth of her character studies, expertly woven storylines, and plot twists.

Review:

This is one of those middle of the road reads for me, I didn’t dislike it but I also didn’t love it either. I appreciate what the author was doing and knew what she was trying to say but it too way too long to get there and it was a slog for me to get through it. The Oppenheimer family was full of unlikable people and hearing them whine and behave terribly became grating for me quickly. I’m one hundred percent sure that I would have given up on this one but since I listened to the audio version and Julia Whelan narrates I was drawn in enough by her amazing performance I stuck it out. I seem to be in the minority here though so take my review with a grain of salt. I was also an outlier with my thoughts on The Most Fun We Ever Had so I think these dense and wordy family stories are maybe just not for me.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 10, 2022

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Having just broken up with her boyfriend, London Spark is not in the mood to be hit on. Especially not when she’s out celebrating her single status with her sisters. So when a very attractive man pays for their drinks and then slips her his number, she passes it right back to him with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’. As the business administrator for their family’s event hotel, the Spark House, London has more important things to worry about, like bringing in new clientele.

As luck would have it, a multi-million-dollar company calls a few months later asking for a meeting to discuss a potential partnership, and London is eager to prove to her sisters, and herself, that she can land this deal. Just when she thinks she has nailed her presentation, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in and inserts himself into the meeting. Not only that, but he also happens to be the same guy she turned down at the bar a few months ago.

As they begin to spend more time together, their working relationship blossoms into something more. It isn’t until their professional entanglements are finally over, that London and Jackson are finally ready to take the next step in their relationship. But between Jackson’s secretive past and London’s struggle with her sisters, London must question where she really stands – not just with Jackson, but with the Spark House, too.

Review:

This is the second book in a series following the Spark sisters and while you don’t have to read the first book to enjoy this one you should because it was cute! I really liked what I saw of London in the last book so I was excited to learn more about her here and I now I like her even more than before. She was very relatable and her flaws were realistic. Her relationship with Jackson was a super slow burn which I’m not always into but it worked for me here. Sometimes seeing characters take their time before jumping into a relationship is refreshing and seems more mature and real to life and I felt that here. Of course HH knows how to write amazing banter and this was no exception. The audio was dual narrated by Jason Clark and Stella Bloom and they both did an amazing job at bringing London and Jackson to life so I can definitely recommend that format. Overall a charming and sweet read with some heat.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: April 12, 2022

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

As the older sibling to identical twins Violet and Lily, Cami Porter was always the odd sister out. The divide grew even wider when their parents split up—while the twins stayed in Cape Sanctuary with their free-spirited mother, Rosemary, fourteen-year-old Cami moved to LA with her attorney father. Nearly twenty years later, when Cami gets the terrible news that Lily has drowned saving a child’s life, her mother begs her to return home to help untangle the complicated estate issues her sister left behind.

Navigating their own strained relationship, Cami readjusts to the family and community she hasn’t known for decades, including the neighbor who stands in the way of her late sister’s dream, while Violet grieves the loss of her twin and struggles to figure out who she is now, without her other half, as the little girl Lily saved pulls her back into the orbit of the man she once loved.

Review:

Ahh it was so nice to be back in Cape Sanctuary, some of these small town romance settings are so idyllic and I think this author may create my favorite of them all. The best part of this series is that it’s not even really a series, the books are all totally standalones because the only common factor is the town. There are a couple of fun little Easter eggs though if you have read any of the previous books but it’s definitely not necessary.

This author always writes the sweetest and most tender romance and this was no exception, but there was some darkness here as well. Cami and her family are grieving the tragic loss of her sister and that plays a big role in the story here. While it definitely has some sad and emotional scenes it’s not an overall heavy book, there is so much hope throughout and plenty of lighthearted fun as well. Per usual there is romance for sure but also relationships between family and a great and strong sense of community that makes me long for a Cape Sanctuary of my own. Loved this delightful read and recommend it when you just want to escape in a sweet little book.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Dating Dr. Dil features a love-phobic TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody they are destined to be together.

Kareena Mann dreams of having a love story like her parents, but she prefers restoring her classic car to swiping right on dating apps. When her father announces he’s selling her mother’s home, Kareena makes a deal with him: he’ll gift her the house if she can get engaged in four months. Her search for her soulmate becomes impossible when her argument with Dr. Prem Verma, host of The Dr. Dil Show, goes viral. Now the only man in her life is the one she doesn’t want.

Dr. Prem Verma is dedicated to building a local community health center, but he needs to get donors with deep pockets. The Dr. Dil Show was doing just that, until his argument with Kareena went viral, and he’s left short changed. That’s when Kareena’s meddling aunties presented him with a solution: convince Kareena he’s her soulmate and they’ll fund his clinic.

Even though they have conflicting views on love-matches and arranged-matches, the more time Prem spends with Kareena, the more he begins to believe she’s the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But for Prem and Kareena to find their happily ever after, they must admit that hate has turned into fate.

Review:

Enemies to lovers may be my most loved romance trope ever, there’s something about that thin line between love and hate that just makes for some sizzling chemistry. Some authors do this trope better than others but I think this author may have done it better than all of them! True enemies who really and truly dislike each other and then a slow switch to lust. I found so much of this one to be original and I think I’m a romance specifically that can be tough. One of the most original and interesting things about this for me was that originally Prem and Kareena actually spend a night chatting over drinks before shit goes up in flames and pieces of their conversation are revealed slowly throughout the book. It provided such a fun insight into their instant connection and it made me root even harder for them knowing how great they could be together if they could just get along. Besides A plus romance, heat and chemistry between the leads you also have hilarious family drama brought mostly by meddling families led by aunties. Also lots of delicious sounding Indian food, which pair food alongside any story and I’m SO in but next to a romance as sweet, swoony and sexy as this and I was 🥰 Highly recommended by me if you couldn’t tell!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 22, 2022

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

A musician facing the untimely end of his career. An end-of-life doula with everything, and nothing, to lose. A Star Is Born meets Me Before You in this powerful novel by the author of A Million Reasons Why.

As an end-of-life doula, Nova Huston’s job—her calling, her purpose, her life—is to help terminally ill people make peace with their impending death. Unlike her business partner, who swears by her system of checklists, free-spirited Nova doesn’t shy away from difficult clients: the ones who are heartbreakingly young, or prickly, or desperate for a caregiver or companion.

When Mason Shaylor shows up at her door, Nova doesn’t recognize him as the indie-favorite singer-songwriter who recently vanished from the public eye. She knows only what he’s told her: That life as he knows it is over. His deteriorating condition makes playing his guitar physically impossible—as far as Mason is concerned, he might as well be dead already.

Except he doesn’t know how to say goodbye.

Helping him is Nova’s biggest challenge yet. She knows she should keep clients at arm’s length. But she and Mason have more in common than anyone could guess… and meeting him might turn out to be the hardest, best thing that’s ever happened to them both.

The Next Thing You Know is an emotional, resonant story about the power of human connection, love when you least expect it, hope against the odds, and what it really takes to live life with no regrets.

Review:

Have you ever heard of an end of life doula? I hadn’t before this one and it instantly fascinated me. I can’t even imagine having such an emotionally draining job but I sure was interested in reading about it and that was just the tip of the iceberg as far as interest goes. Normally I wouldn’t describe a contemporary fiction novel as surprising or twisty but this one got me a few times which I was pleasantly surprised by. Surprised enough that I had to rewind actually to make sure I had heard what I thought I did. It was emotionally charged as well, I mean it deals with death but there’s so much more than death as far as emotional upheaval goes here. The audio narration was fantastic and engaging as well, if you enjoy unique character driven novels with plenty to discuss consider this one, it would also be a great book club read with tons to discuss.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Franny Doyle is having the worst day. She’s been laid off from her (admittedly mediocre) job, the subway doors ripped her favorite silk dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the not-so-plus side, he can’t get away from her fast enough.

Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her knight-in-couture, Hayes Montgomery III, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping #SubwayQTs.

Only Franny and Hayes couldn’t be a more disastrous match. She’s fanciful, talkative, and creative. He’s serious, shy, and all about numbers. Luckily, in a city of eight million people, they never have to meet again. Yet somehow, Hayes and Franny keep running into each other—and much to their surprise, they enjoy each other’s company. A lot. But when Franny’s whole world is turned upside down (again!), can she find the courage to trust in herself and finally have the life—and love—she’s always wanted?

Review:

This one had one of the funniest and cutest openings I’ve read in awhile, a totally awkward yet adorable meet cute that instantly pulled me into the story all the while set in NYC which I always enjoy. Franny and Hayes are total opposites but in a weird way they still fit in the end. You get both of their perspectives and that means tow narrators for the audio version and I love seeing things from each of their viewpoints. Hayes can come off like kind of an ass but reading his chapters gives insight into who he is and he’s not actually a jerk, he’s just shy and a little awkward. Franny was great as well, I really liked her sense of humor and I loved her relationships with her two best friends. This one is a slow burn and closed door giving it more of a women’s fiction vibe, but I didn’t mind because it was so charming and lighthearted. Definitely recommended as an escapist, flirty little read!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 1, 2022

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time–in bed and out–and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… and… man overboard! He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man…

Review:

The first book in this series, It Happened One Summer was my new favorite Tessa Bailey book until this one and now they’re tied because they were both SO good!! As per usual when I adore a book this much I’ll leave you with a list of exactly what made me swoon.

💗The most adorable text message exchanges between Hannah and Fox that left me giddy

💗Forced proximity as Hannah temporarily moves in with Fox when she’s in town for work

💗Steamy sex and filthy talk from Fox 🥵

💗Friends to lovers that actually truly built upon the friends portion of the trope

💗So many amazing musical references 🎶

💗An equal balance between humor and heart and some tenderness that melted my cold black heart

💗An epilogue that almost brought me to my knees

I’ll stop here but I’ll say while the audio was fantastic and Lauren Sweet has the voice of an angel I’m sure this would be amazing in whatever format you choose because this book was just that good!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: February 22, 2022

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre:

Synopsis:

When money and lies come between Faiza and her husband, Faiza will do anything to fix it, even if it means taking risks that could ruin their lives forever–if she’s caught.

At the school gates, Faiza fits in. It took a few years, but now the snobbish white mothers who mistook her for the nanny treat her as one of their own. She’s learned to crack their subtle codes, speak their language of fashion and vacations and haircuts. You’d never guess, seeing her at the trendy kids’ parties and the leisurely coffee mornings, that her childhood was spent being bullied and being ashamed of her poor Pakistani immigrant parents. When her husband Tom loses his job in finance, he stays calm. Something will come along, and in the meantime, they can live off their savings. But Faiza starts to unravel. Creating the perfect life and raising the perfect family comes at a cost – and the money Tom put aside has gone. Faiza will have to tell him she spent it all.

Unless she doesn’t…

It only takes a second to lie to Tom. Now Faiza has mere weeks to find $100,000. If anyone can do it, Faiza can. She’s had to fight for what she has, and she’ll fight to keep it. But as the clock ticks down and Faiza desperately tries to put things right, she has to ask herself: how much more should she sacrifice to live someone else’s idea of the dream life?

Review:

This is a tricky one for me because there was plenty that I enjoyed and I was definitely entertained by this one, but there was also plenty that didn’t work so well for me either. The first half really held my attention, Faiza was digging herself a huge hole with all of her lies that I wondered how she would ever climb out of it and honestly, I was totally hooked. I think about halfway in is where I started to lose interest. I think it was too long, seriously one hundred pages could’ve been cut and it would’ve been fine, there were some side plots and characters that just didn’t add anything of value to the story, unnecessary for me personally. I did appreciate what the author was trying to say about money and class and I loved reading about the desi culture as well. But overall this one just ended up being a middle of the road read for me as so many of the plot points were silly and too over the top for me, they ventured into the unbelievable and absurd unfortunately. However the audio narration was top notch so if you’re gonna give this one a shot I can definitely recommend that version.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.