Coming in with some book reviews for July….in August.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Well this was an interesting, twisty book with a messed up family and an old house. There were times that I didn’t really care for any of the characters in the book….but the story of Ruby kept me checked into it. I do love some family drama. I saw a few twists coming, others I did not. I feel like overall it was lacking something that would make this book memorable for me. I tend to forget books after a month or so without that extra something….and I feel like that is going to happen with this one. I liked it better than some others of hers I have read though.

Bottom Line: Read it

**I received an ARC copy of The Heiress and am leaving a voluntary review. All opinions are my own.**

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

First, I really liked Weather Girl and Ex Talk. I feel like the author has some really interesting premises for her books. This one was no different, though the execution of this one wasn’t as good as the other two. I liked how realistic the characters interacted with each other throughout the book. They had really healthy communication. Though, I find it hard to believe that Finn had no clue he was lacking in bedroom skills considering he was in his 30s with several past relationships under his belt. I did relate to Chandler in that she felt stuck in her career and not sure where she wanted to go. The book had a good flow to it, and I appreciated the overall vibes for it. But…..

I am not sure why we have to constantly address a list social issues/agendas/hot topics in romcoms. I feel like every book I read lately had to hit some kind of social credit quota, and the way they are thrown around in the book that is disconnected from the rest of the story. Major eye rolls. This book hits on aging parents, ocd, anxiety, anti-semitism, bullying, abortion, and hollywood. And it’s not like any of these topics are really explored to the fullest. Though, Chandler brings up her abortion three separate times in the book….and she didn’t have a traumatic experience or any real reason she did it besides she was 19. She just has to tell Finn about it towards the end of the book but then finishes her confessions with “I don’t even think about it that much.” Girl, then why did it need to be brought up so much. This made me like her way less.

And when it came to the “education” that Chandler was dishing to Finn…..all the dirty talk that she liked? Major cringe. I felt like the chemistry between the characters started out strong and wasn’t as great throughout.

Bottom Line: Ehhhh I took some serious issues with this one, it was entertaining and I actually read the whole book…so that is saying something. I will DNF something so fast. But like, can authors stop with the random hot topics throughout their books just for touching on them? It’s getting so old. Go read Weather Girl and Ex Talk because I did like those!

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

So excited to dive into another CL book! I know I am always going to have a solid read with them! I always love a fake relationship/forced proximity trope, and on a private island…let’s do this! You can definitely feel the chemistry build between Anna and Liam. There are definitely plenty of laughs and spice thrown into this one. I also enjoyed the family drama, which lets face it, Liam’s family is absolutely ridiculous! Loved Anna’s dad! Just the perfect beach read this summer.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

The queen of beach reads brings us the final book. I have mixed emotions about this one. I love diving into EH’s Nantucket world and I am not sure what I wanted for her last book? I am not sure this was it? There was so much going on, so many side stories, so many characters. I am glad that the book was based around Ed retiring. I loved seeing so many of our beloved characters. Though, I was annoyed with Ed’s daughter. She was quite childish and annoying throughout the whole book. Sometimes it was hard to follow because of all the side stories. And it didn’t have some monumental ending like a true Swan Song should give. It was still entertaining though, and I still enjoyed it. But it wasn’t my favorite, and I am sad it wasn’t.

Bottom Line: Read it.

You With a View by Jessica Joyce

Absolutely loved this one! Noelle’s grandmother died, and she has been having a hard time moving on. She posts a video after she found a picture and letter from a man that isn’t her grandmother. Turns out, she knows the person who responds with the answers. And they were high school nemesis. They embark on a journey to learn the what happened in the past and connect along the way. Such a fun plot. I loved Theo and his grandfather. I loved reading the letters and learning about a love lost. The travel was fun and getting to see Noelle overcome her depression. But the lying really bothered me throughout the book. Lying/not disclosing certain things was a common theme and I could have done without all of that. Either way, it was still a great read and my favorite out of this bunch.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

I enjoyed this one, but not as much as her other books. She gives a warning at the beginning that it is different than her others, less rom-com and more intense. I liked the storyline and was pulling for Eli and Rue…and I can’t really put my finger on what I disliked? But I wasn’t as into it as other books I have read lately, or as much as other Hazelwood books. At times I was more interested in the side plot between what was going on between the companies over the romance part. And I felt like we could have used more back story on it all seeing as how it made up a big part of the book. It was almost like we were thrown in the middle of the deal. I liked Rue’s best friend, and Eli’s partners. It was a little weird how many times Eli brought up his ex-fiancé.

Bottom Line: If you enjoy women in STEM, this could be for you.

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, sweet, heartbreaking, all the feelings. It was also spicier than I thought it was going to be. It reminded me a lot of an Emily Henry book, which is one of my favorites. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the trauma bonding, I can only imagine the difficult layers of guilt that Helen felt feeling attracted and feelings for Grant after everything that happened in their past. But the rawness of it all was felt throughout the book, and really connected me to the characters. I just really enjoyed this one.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Rosalyn’s Hero by Gia Cobie

This is a third book in a series of heroes, and I did not read the first two. I don’t think you have to, to understand what is going on in this book or enjoy it. Though, I looked up the previous ones and all the characters are in this book….so it would be fun to know their back stories. With all that said, this was an interesting plot. Rose moves to Sleepy Hollow from the city and opens up her own little art studio. She was attacked one night and Ian, a man she had just had one date with, is there as a fire fighter. Ian didn’t really want a relationship after his divorce, but he cant help but be drawn to Rose and want to help her. There were a few twists in turns in the book as we try to figure out why Rose was attacked…and that part of the book was interesting. But unfortunately, I never really felt chemistry between Ian and Rose. Perhaps if the book would have started with their first date before the attack, I would have had more of a connection to the relationship? But since we jump into the attack and then watch as Ian struggles with if he wants to try something with her….there wasn’t as much spark there. Either way, it was an interesting book.

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

Malibu Summer by Libby Gill

The cover of this book is so pretty. So so pretty. And very deceptive, because the writing is awful. I got to about 33% in and calling it. I’m so bored. The characters all have forced small talk, zero chemistry…I don’t mean for this to come out so mean. I commend anyone who writes a book and has it published. This just wasn’t it for me.

**I received a copy of Malibu Summer from Netgalley. I am writing this review volunatarily.**

June was a good reading month for me! So good, this is my second book post for the month! Let’s get into it!

This Summer Will Be Different by Carly Fortune

That’s it, pack my bags…I am going to PEI! I absolutely loved this one from Carly Fortune! She has become a must read for me. Felix and Lucy meet one night, have major sparks and chemistry and then they realize who the other is…..and a forbidden romance has just entered the scene. Lucy can’t fall for her best friend’s brother!!! And yet, every summer…they keep coming back to each other. The progression in this book was spot on. It took place over several summers, and they had to sort of work out their own lives. It was very realistic and believable. I absolutely loved the ride, and this is the perfect summer read with the setting.

Bottom Line: Read it!

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

It has been awhile since I have read something beside a romcom, and this was a nice break! I love a good whodunnit, and this one is so well written! We have the Barclay family…who was all home at the time of the nanny’s murder…and it could have been any of them. But Stella is there for the best interest of the daughter, Rose. Who is mute, and a little creepy. As Stella gets to know the family to determine the best interest of Rose’s custody arrangement, she starts to investigate who actually murdered Tina as well. It is a slow burn to the finish line, leaving many chapters ending on cliffhangers to force you to keep going! I loved that about the book. And I switched my thoughts on who did it many times. And while I loved that whole storyline….there was something that really bothered me towards the end of the book.

While I like to get to know the characters and their backstories….you have Stella who is going through a divorce herself from Marco. And there are scenes where she is feeling lonely and stuff. But out of no where towards the end of the book, Stella finds herself attracted to the female detective. Like what???? There was no implication anywhere in the book that she was going through some change or self discovery. I feel like almost every book now has some sort of LGBTQ+ character in it and it’s fine if it makes sense in the book. But for our lead character to all of a sudden switch? Felt like a cash grab to me, or the author trying to find a way to weave it into our story to be listed as a LGBTQ+ novel for social points or something. It really took the book from a 5 star to like a 3.5. It was out of no where and forced rushed in at the end. We already had enough side stories with Stella and her divorce, her father-like relationship with her mentor Charles, Marcos mom, the neighbor, etc….it just didn’t make sense.

Bottom Line: Read it! Overall, despite my gripes, I really enjoyed this one.

**I received an ARC copy of House of Glass. All opinions are my own.**

The Catch by Amy Lea

Just a week or so ago, I read Love You, Mean It that had a similar While You Were Sleeping/The Proposal vibe…and here we are again! Mel is an influencer that tells the hospital that she is Evan’s fiancé after a boating accident so that she can go back with him. After, they enter an agreement to continue their fake relationship to help Evan save the Inn and his family. They sort of have an enemies to lovers type thing going here…but I don’t always feel the chemistry. I felt like the side story of Mel’s 11 year old stalker was weird. And the storyline with her brother was very anticlimactic. Overall, it was a fun read and I liked the setting!

Bottom Line: Read it.

The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner

Oh, what a good read! Sadie doesn’t like to take anything from anyone, and tends to be very vocal when something happens. Which completely blows her life up. She loses her job and her man, and finds herself moping on her little brother’s best friends couch with ice cream and the Golden Girls. Until she is given a second chance year.

What a premise! Listen, sometimes magical realism just doesn’t do it for me. But Rebecca Serle and Ashley Poston always seem to get it right….and this definitely reminds me of their books. I loved following along with Sadie as her second chance year starts, and she handles things with a hindsight perspective. The thing we have to consider is…would we want a second chance if it was truly given to us? Will things still shake out the way they are supposed to in the end? Is the grass greener on the other side? This book focuses a lot more on Sadie’s self realizations than any romance. It handles a lot of hard topics like bullying, family dynamics with a golden child, sexual harassment in the work place and the boys club work culture that still exists in many industries today. This was a fun ride!

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received a copy of The Second Chance Year from Netgalley, I am leaving my review voluntarily.**

Book reviews coming in hot! I think this is going to be a part one of two, hopefully. I finished two books right after I posted my May reviews, and I have been devouring some other books…so I already have a long post and we are only 10 days into the month. LOL. Since a few of these are new releases, I wanted to go ahead and share about them.

Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore

This is my second book from Clare Gilmore, and she is going on my list of must reads when something new comes out. I devoured this book in a day. Josie is such a millennial girl, working too hard and trying to please everyone. I definitely think that most people can relate to her. And Will. Oh, Will. The most patient book boyfriend there ever was. I laughed. I cried. The friendship theme in this book hits hard. Especially reconnecting with an old best friend after years apart.

This book comes out in October and I simply say you must read it!

Annnnnd omg can we please talk about the last sentence of the book when you do?!?!? I need your thoughts.

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received a copy of Perfect Fit from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**

Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews

This is an older Mary Kay Andrews book that I had sitting on my shelf. The plot was interesting enough, two cooking stars compete for a spot on a major network. Where this book goes a little wrong for me, is that I don’t know if it was intended to be a romcom or not? But it majorly missed the mark in chemistry. I never felt any between Gina and Tate. They bickered back and forth and then BOOM love. I need more of a build up. I also felt like the book wasn’t really going anywhere. Like it was just interesting enough to keep me reading, but overall it was very forgettable. And usually MKA books are 4 or 5 stars for me. This one just wasn’t a hit.

Bottom Line: This passed the time ok, but it is probably one of my least favorite I have ready from MKA.

Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams

I will be honest and say that I wasn’t real sure how I felt about our lead male in this book for most of it. He comes across as a cold and immature. But I stayed for Flo’s family, I just really loved them. The slow burn and angst in the build up was fun, and by the end I was happy for all. I don’t want to say too much more and give anything away. that is half the fun of this book that is set in a wonderful vacation town.

This book releases on August 1st.

Bottom Line: Would make the perfect beach read.

**I received a copy of Enemies to Lovers from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**

The Idea of You by Robin Lee

A few of my friends read this book years ago when it came out, and based on what they said about it….I decided it probably wasn’t for me. But then I keep hearing everyone talk about it and hyping it up and figured, why not read it with the new breath of air it has been given recently.

I have to be honest, the thing that kept me from reading this…and loving anything about it….is the plot line. I just cant see a world where it is ok for a 40 year old mother to go after a 20 year old teen heart throb. Especially one whose daughter was obsessed with the band. Like how messed up is that? Soooooo selfish. Honestly, what did she think was going to happen? There is no way this relationship was ever going to sustain. While I found the book interesting to listen to (I did this on audio) and the narrator was the author, it had a good delivery. I also think that it is such crap that Daniel can move on, date someone 10 years younger and everyone thinks that is great. The societal views on the difference for men and women isn’t fair. But Daniel also wasn’t trying to date a teen heart throb his daughter was obsessed with. His relationship didn’t effect Isabell in a negative way. All that to say, I still just don’t think it is for me. And I read some raunchy stuff sometimes.

Bottom Line: Read at your own risk.

Bridesmaid to Bride my Terra Weiss

I have only read one Terra Weiss book so far, Buried Roots. I loved it! So I did not realize that this was like book 3 in a series when I requested it. That is on me. However, I don’t think you have to read the first two to get into this one. This was a fun, silly ride of a book! While I feel like many of the shenanigans that took place were unrealistic, it sure was fun to think about and laugh at in the moment. I enjoyed the banter between West and Eva. And all the other crazy characters we meet in Eva’s family. Her ex-stepmother was a hoot. I liked that there was a bit of a mystery thrown into this book, trying to figure out who was the saboteur of the wedding. It wasn’t who I thought! What a twist!

Bottom Line: Overall, I enjoyed this one…even if it was a bit silly.

**I received a copy of Bridesmaid to Bride from Book Siren in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Savor It by Tarah Dewitt

I absolute loved this one! This is my first from this author, and I can promise it wont be my last. Sage lives in small town Spunes, Oregon on the outskirts with a collection of unwanted animals and a beautiful garden. Fisher, a Michelin starred NYC chef moves in next door with his niece for the summer. A friendship begins to forge, and a deal is struck up. You see where this is going? Except, there is so much more to this novel. The way the characters overcome grief and hardships in their lives and focus on small joys. The way the town rallies around their people. Just everything about this book I absolutely loved. I am here for the slow burn, small town romance. Can we get a series where the brothers all find their happiness? Maybe an Ellis and Wren second chance?

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received an ARC from Netgalley for free and am leaving my review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**

When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein

Listen, I tried to get through this. I really did. But I had to stop. I tend to throw out a bad work now and again, more than I would like. But the amount of times F*&K was used in this book is obnoxious. What even is the point?? And the inner monologue is straight up exhausting. I couldn’t stand to read through a basic conversation of because there is just so much. I also don’t like the 3rd person POV. Overall, I think that this author’s writing style just isn’t for me, I doubt I would pick anything else up by her. Life is too short to read a book you aren’t jiving with. Sorry, not sorry.

Bottom Line: Pass

Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon

I stayed up way too late finishing this book, so know that I eventually got into it. But man, did I want to quit at the beginning. Ellie Gregor, who inherited her family’s deli to run after her father passed away…has a problem with Theo Taylor….the popular guy from school who has a wealthy family. She rants on and on about how big of an asshole he must be because his family has money. I am so tired of judgement on people just based on the economic status. And hello, Ellie. YOU RUN A FAMILY DELI. So while maybe they don’t make as much money as the Taylor family, you can’t be mad at someone for staying in the family business. Lord it took everything in me to keep going, but I was determined. I don’t have a problem quitting books, but for some reason, The While You Were Sleeping style trope kept me engaged in the beginning.

And then the book got good. Theo gets his memory back, and then enters a fake dating trope. The banter was fun back and forth, and there was enough going on with both their families and the deli and everything that it remained interesting the whole time. Then we get another complicated entry of Theo’s ex, Sam. Who honestly, is quite lovely. I went back and forth on if I wanted Sam and Theo to get back together, seeing as how Ellie was so negative and self-sabotaging for most of the book.

And that is another thing, sometimes I felt like the book lacked some chemistry. Maybe it would have helped to have had a few chapters from Theo’s POV. The pacing in the book was a little off. I felt like they hooked up fast, everything came to a halt, then the ending was sort of abrupt. And as many times as Sam asked Ellie if she was sure, I felt like maybe Ellie should have been the bigger person and came clean with either Sam or Theo…but she didn’t. That was very disappointing. Made it harder to root for her in the end.

Bottom Line: Whether you think Theo should have ended up with Ellie or Sam, this book was a fun ride getting to the end.

**I received an ARC copy of Love You, Mean It from Netgalley and am leaving my review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**

I read so many good books this month, let’s jump in…shall we?

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain

This is a debut novel from this author, and I cant wait to read more! Ellie is a ghost writer and is paired with a hot up and coming chef who won a reality cooking show. She is organized and he is chaos and they clash in the beginning. But, both of their pasts bubble up to the surface and a lot of depth comes out.

It was fun reading through the cookbook writing process, and the side characters made things interesting. I really liked Ellie’s relationship with her father in law. The book is called the slowest burn, and it is just that! The pace of the book was fine, but it was weird that we would go from one day to the next, then months had past. I am not sure the purpose of that time line? Also, a fake relationship was thrown in at one point, but it wasn’t expanded on. Overall, it was very enjoyable.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Releases September 24, 2024

**I received a copy of The Slowest Burn from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

So excited to get Sarah Adam’s newest from the library so quickly. I got hooked into this one immediately. This is mixing second chance/enemies to lovers/forced proximity/sports romance/fake marriage all into one fun story! I loved the banter and antics between these two in the beginning, you can definitely feel the past love in the tension. Nora was such a strong female lead, and Derek was great too. I also really enjoyed Nora’s mentor and Derek’s teammates, they made great side characters.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

I think that Lynn Painter has become another must read for me. I just devoured this book in less than a day. Could not stop. I loved Blake and Izzy/Amy. The way that they became fast friends felt so natural. Both characters are so quirky and witty, the banter was on point. Loved!

Bottom Line: Read it!

Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven

This was a super quick, inspirational read. There isn’t anything too profound as far as the little things go that can change your life….but listening to how he applied these through stories from his service was so interesting and inspiring.

Bottom Line: This would make a great listen on a road trip.

The Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Love a good Sally Hepworth read, and this was no different. What a twisty, disturbing ride! I loved to watch as our three darling girls all became sisters and were there for each other through it all. That part was heartwarming and so redeeming, in an otherwise super messed up world. I saw some of the twists coming, but man, that last chapter! I love how the book weaves the perspectives from each of the girls, as well as flashbacks and scenes from the psychologists office. This one was hard to put down, and definitely kept my attention.

I switched between ebook and audio for this one. The audio book was done really well. I feel like the narrator added something to the telling of the story that made it very enjoyable for me.

Bottom Line: Read it.

**I received a copy of Darling Girls from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Love, Just In by Natalie Murray

This one was a fun read that I finished pretty fast. I will say though, I wanted to smack the leading lady a few times for her immature behavior and bad decisions. Her decisions were truly like a train wreck that I couldn’t help but watch. Maybe I am so far removed from my twenties dating life that I cant remember the blaringly obvious red flags, but I suppose that and miscommunication is what makes a story, right? I loved the sleepy beach town location of this one. Zac was a fun male lead, with his sweet little dog.

The health anxiety angle that Josie experienced was interesting, and something I don’t see represented in books very often. Couple that with Zac’s grief…and it went a little bit deeper than your average romcom. There was some fun banter, a few steamy scenes and this was a childhood friends to lovers situation that was fun.

Bottom Line: Read it.

**I received a copy of Love, Just In from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**

Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

This is an older Mary Kay Andrews book, but the quirky characters and the beautiful small town scenery is why I come back to her books time after time. Bebe meets a guy who is perhaps a little too helpful when her life starts to fall apart. Even though she is thrice divorced, she welcomes him into her life with open arms and then realizes she has lost everything and he conned her. Enter a scorned woman on a mission to get her life back! I loved that even though Bebe was too trusting, she was strong and capable of trying to right the ship. The characters we meet along the way are stellar, so entertaining. I absolutely loved her grandparents! This was such a fun read.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Funny Story by Emily Henry

I am always looking forward to Emily Henry’s next book, and this one was no different. I absolutely loved Daphne and Miles. What a fun plot, Daphne’s fiancé realizes that he was in love with his best friend this whole time….and Daphne ends up staying with her ex fiancé’s new girlfriend’s ex boyfriend. Try to say that three times fast!

I loved the lakeside town, the fun cast of characters from the library, Mile’s sister, Daphne’s mom. There is a lot of character growth going on with Miles and Daphne as they pick their lives back up, work through their grief and their family issues.

Emily Henry’s book always ends up in my top favorites for the year, and I know this one is already there! I just could not stop devouring it and am sad that it is over. I smiled and LOL’d several times throughout the book, and just cant stop gushing.

Bottom Line: Read it!

More book reviews coming in hot! I have read many over the last month after a bit of a lull so let’s jump in!

Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey

Ok, so I mostly do like Tessa Bailey books. Her characters are always fun, and I did enjoy this one. However, there was a spicy scene in this one that was not my jam at all. Like it took this book from being a 4 down to like a 2.5 for me. Which is sad, as it had potential. Golf is so boring to me, but she really made it seem fun and like I should give it a try. And I liked that this wasn’t following the usual romcom track with the third act breakup over miscommunication. The banter was fun, and the other spicy bits were alright…but that one scene? Just no.

Bottom Line: Read with caution lol

This Used to Be Us by Renee Carlino

I am not sure how I want to rate this book, I have so many thoughts! First off, I really appreciated characters in their 40s, I read so many with the main characters in their 20s. This is a second chance romance, so you know what you are going into when you start it. Dani and Alex are getting divorced, they have a messy, heartbreaking history and two sons they are trying to do right by, so I understand and found interesting their arrangement with the shared home and nesting apartment. There were times I didn’t really care for either character, but they came back around for me. Bits of the book dragged in the mundane, but I did feel like I got to know everyone really well and see the complicated depth there. I LOVED the bits of writing in the albums we got to see, and the overall flow of the book.

But then we got to near the end and it took a turn. And I am not sure how I feel about that turn!?!? I didn’t love it. I wish it was different. I can appreciate that it didn’t go where I thought the book was heading. But again, it wasn’t my favorite either. I am curious to hear what you think if you have read it!

Bottom Line: Read it.

This one comes out July 9, 2024

**I received a copy of This Used to Be Us from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley

This book stirred in my heart. It makes me want to be more intentional in my home with our habits and how we handle certain things. I didn’t love everything the author said, I definitely read these types of books with my own discernment. And I felt like half the book he was trying to prove some point that he is one of us, with a messy imperfect house. It was a point that was made over and over. I appreciate it once, but it got sort of repetitive. But again, it stirred in me and I think the book was written with good intention.

Bottom Line: Read it, take what you want from it and let the idea stir your heart.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

I absolutely love Abby Jimenez and devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I could not stop. I laughed, I teared up, it was just so good. Justin has to be one of the best book boyfriends ever. He was so funny, strong, charming, and so sweet. Him stepping in to take care of his siblings? Swoon. Emma has such a painful past, and watching her grow and deal with it throughout the book was heart warming. I love that her and Maddie ended up on an island for some of the book, and it being a metaphor for how Emma lives her life. There were so many details like this sprinkled throughout, And OMG the baby racoon scene? I was howling!!! I love all the side characters; Justin’s mom, aunt and siblings, Maddie, Justin’s friends, they were all so good.

Bottom Line: Read it!!

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

I love to jump into a good Mary Kay Andrews, and this one delivers. I thought I was picking up a cute beach read and it turned into a murder mystery in the best way possible. There are a lot of characters in this book to keep up with, as we have an entire hotel staff and some guests, but it was all laid out well and easy to keep up with, as the book will constantly hold your attention. I really liked Traci and some of the other side characters in the book. I saw many things coming and predicted several things that were going to happen, but I was slightly off on a few things…so I love when a book gets me like that.

I switch between an ebook and audio book for this read. The audio is done from one of my favorite narrators and she really added to the overall experience for me while consuming this one and I definitely did nearly 90% on audio! I couldn’t stop and had to know what was going on. Highly recommend putting this on your summer reading list!

Bottom Line: Read it!

Releases May 7, 2024

**I received a copy of Summers at the Saint from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

To Have and To Scold by Valerie Pepper

This was a fun little spicy novella from Valerie Pepper! When Reese realizes that the guy that ghosted her after her best night ever is on the island and part of her friend’s planned trip…she is not pleased. Derrek is ready for a second chance after the night he left, but is it too late? Lots of fun banter as these two work together to help their friends plan a wedding in a tropical paradise. As with novellas, I am always left wanting more from the characters, but it was a fun, albeit short, ride!

Their Last Resort by RS Grey

I love an RS Grey novel, so I was excited to jump into this one. I loved the island vibe and the setting of a hotel where we get to see all the ins and outs of the day to day running it along side Paige and Cole. I loved the personality differences, and the side characters of the other staff members. The banter was always fresh and funny, a signature of RS Grey that always has me coming back. I will say, the pacing of this one felt slightly off. There was a lot of tension and build up and then I felt like it was over too soon. But that is sort of how a slow burn is supposed to go, and slow burn this was!

I really liked Cole’s character a lot. I wish we got a few more chapters from his POV. Paige was alright, but very immature. Maybe because I am 40, I might be further removed from the dating in my 20s, but it just seemed to me that she made some very rash/emotional decisions and was immature overall.

Another thing that bothered me was the way the villain was portrayed in this story. He should have just been a slimy character in action, but the main thing that was focused on in ever encounter with him was his eating habits and his weight. It was almost like all villains are known to be overweight or something? I don’t know, it rubbed me the wrong way. I have never been offended by anything from this author previously, so I hope this character was a one off.

Bottom Line: Overall, it was a fun read to kick off summer! I had a hard time putting it down, and finished it in less than 24 hours.

**I received an ARC copy from the author and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**