Rachel, Out of Office by Christina Hovland

* * * * 1/4

Single mom Rachel Gibson seriously needs a break. Between an absent ex-husband, rowdy twin boys, and running her own work-from-home business, her candle isn't just burning at both ends, it's a full-blown puddle of wax. She's the go-to girl for other entrepreneurs, handling all the tasks they dread. Social media posts? She's got it. Website updates? She's on it. Light bookkeeping? She loves it.

Thank goodness Rachel’s about to get a reprieve, as her former in-laws plan to whisk her boys away for a summer of fun at the family lake house. But when her ex backs out at the last minute, she finds herself in a pickle. Even though she's drowning in to-dos, she's horrible at saying no—especially when it comes to providing some stability for her kids.

Once Rachel arrives at the lake house, she struggles to keep up with work and balance the demands of family, all the while fending off pesky new feelings for her ex-brother-in-law. Which makes her wonder...is falling for her ex-husband's brother just one more messy complication added to the dumpster fire of her life? Or is anything possible when she's out of office…?

Source: ARC generously provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

It's just one of those things where a part of Rachel spoke to me. That part where she's a harried mother of twin boys working a full time job and simply trying to keep it all together. I enjoyed the very realness of her world, her struggle to maintain boundaries, especially as she's a virtual assistant with clients across different time zones and even continents. As much as she's a skilled a workhorse as she is - she relishes being in control, strategizing, organizing - it's becoming increasingly clear that she needs to let loose. However, her inclination to do everything by herself because then it's done the way she wants, is not doing it for her lately. Her ex, Gavin isn't picking up the slack but instead throws more on her plate. 

What's somewhat unusual in Rachel's situation, though is that her ex's family is pretty involved in the twins' lives - her ex's brothers, Travis and Dave, and even ex 'momster-in-law', Evelyn. Where Gavin slacks off, Travis arrives to pick up that slack. This unique dynamic instantly won me over because how many divorced couples and their families can still be amicable with each other and try their best for their kids? Travis, especially loves being around his nephews and he certainly doesn't mind Rachel, either. For as much as they antagonize each other, there are also plenty of sparks. After much deliberation, Rachel takes the family up on their offer for her and the boys to stay at the lakehouse for the summer. On the optimistic side, it'll keep her twins occupied and the family's willing to help with them so she can continue to work while there. On the flip side, there's more time with her ex momster-in-law who is determined to see Rachel and Gavin back together. That's not going to happen. But what might happen is those sparks she has with Travis that threaten to ignite into something bigger. And of course it does!

The story moves quickly and amusingly because shenanigans are involved, too. As chaotic as Rachel's life is, she's somehow managed to keep it all in check so far. Except now it's dawning her that she needs better boundaries between work and her personal life, even as the boundaries between her and Travis are blurring. You all, Travis is a dreamboat! I'm not just referring to his hotness. It's how much he cares about Rachel and the twins, and how he wants to help her attain a better balance. He's always been viewed as the clown, the guy who hooks up and dumps them, the irresponsible one. He's allowed them to view him as such and considers that the role he plays within the family. Rachel is a different story. He needs her to know that he can be serious, that he wants to be all in for her and the boys. This burgeoning romance is authentic and complicated. It's like walking through a minefield not knowing how people will react once they're ready to bring it out to the open. 

But first, they need to navigate just the two of them. Rachel's discomfort with being intimate for the first time in a while is basically any of us. The logistics of hooking up in a household full of people AND not being walked in on by one of her kids are at times funny. Everything about this relationship from time management, the family, the kids ... it all feels real, that these are genuine concerns for two people embarking on something new and fragile. Falling for Travis is a long time coming and I was happy that they were adults about it. They actually talk! And that is such a turn on! They avoid any unnecessary drama by addressing things upfront, and any fallout that does occur, happens within the realm of reason. They know where the other stands and that just got me in the feels. 

Rachel, Out of Office is a fun romance where the overworked and overtired mama gets to win at life and have her happiness with someone who clearly loves and respects all of her. This was such a delight to read!

~ Bel

Then There Was You by Mona Shroff

* * * *

The wrong man never felt so right.

When helicopter medic Daniel Bliant answers an emergency call at Phil’s Bar, he can’t believe who the bartender is: the beautiful woman he saw in his ER months before and hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. He should forget her. After all, he knows he’s damaged goods. But Annika is intelligent, fun and totally stunning—the breath of life he desperately needs after the incident that left him shattered.

Annika Mehta is doing just fine. She loves her job as a kindergarten teacher, even if the pay is low and she has a side gig working at Phil’s. At least the bar owners are more like family. Sure, she’s reeling from a bad breakup and the terrible event that caused it, but she’s fine. Really. What she doesn’t need is Daniel. He’s wrong for her in every single way—so why is their chemistry off the charts?

Source: Netgalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Goodness, Shroff has written an achingly tender story about two people who have experienced the kind of pain you don’t wish on anyone, and each has dealt with it differently. It's not for the faint of heart and my review will contain some spoilers.

From the onset, Then There Was You seems like a sweet romance. Annika is excitedly preparing for her first day as kindergarten teacher and Daniel is completely immersed in his work. Beneath the surface, though, lies immense pain. Annika suffered a miscarriage months ago and her fiance at the time broke up with her shortly after. Daniel was working in the ER that day when Annika was brought in and helped comfort her, though she doesn't remember him there. Her pain echoed everything that Daniel had lost years before when his daughter was gunned down during a school shooting. It so happens that the school is where Annika currently teaches. Where Annika has been working at processing her loss and grief, Daniel has simply resorted to shoving it away somewhere and instead, drowns himself in work. Daniel has often thought of Annika since that day in the ER and when he finally sees her at a medical emergency he's called to, he feels relief but also curiosity. There's an inexplicable pull there that he can't ignore, and so he quietly inserts himself into her orbit by starting to frequent the bar she works at part time.  He knows he should be upfront with her about their previous meeting but he's not sure how to approach that. Meanwhile, hanging out together brings a bit of sunshine into their lives. 

I liked that the story dealt with personal pain and guilt on a very real level. It didn't feel like Shroff rushed to resolve lingering anguish to get to the romance, particularly in Daniel's case as he suffers from PTSD as well. If anything, I think it's all handled rather sensitively. Also tucked into the plot is Annika's parents push to see her settled with a proper man as they try to set her up with someone they think would be a good match. This would see her taken care of and also stop the endless gossips who've been muttering unkind things about her. The guy they're not so subtly setting her up with is great but Annika hasn't caught feelings for him the way she has for Daniel. But Daniel has so much to deal with on his own before they can move forward together, if that's what they actually want to do. 

Then There Was You is genuinely moving. My one criticism is the misleading blurb which makes the novel out to be a cutesy romance when it is clearly delving into some heartbreaking storylines - ones that need  content warnings for some readers. Despite the sadness that permeates the romance, I liked this even more than Shroff's debut mainly because of how cautiously she tread with Annika and Daniel's emotional baggage. Had she not done that well I think it would've been a different reading experience. Shroff is only getting better and I'm looking forward to reading more from her!

~ Bel

Content warning/triggers:

miscarriage, school shooting, child death, PTSD, passing racist remarks, brief racist incident 

My Kind of Love Release Blitz

Nikki Ash’s My Kind of Love is out now! Check out the contemporary romance and be sure to get your copy today!

   

What you need to know about My Kind of Love:

Military romance

A little bit of an age gap

ALL the feels

Order My Kind of Love

Add to your TBR

About My Kind of Love:

Micaela

Once upon a time, a boy and a girl met and fell in love…

That’s the way my love story began, but unlike the fairy tale, it ended with me standing in the cemetery, watching my prince get lowered into the ground, along with all our dreams.

Now he’s gone and I’m lost.

Until an impromptu trip to my family’s beach house has me spending time with Ryan.

With his help, I’m learning to live again and make plans for the future.

The only problem is, we both know they can’t include him.

So, when our time is up, we do the only thing we can do—go our separate ways.

 

Ryan

My entire life, I’ve felt like the waves in a raging sea—crashing and breaking, never settling.

Until Micaela stormed in like a hurricane, colliding into my life and my heart.

I thought she’d be my destruction, but instead she turned out to be my calm.

The more time we spend together, the more life she breathes into both of us.

But all too quickly, our time is up and she’s ready to face her future—one I can’t be a part of.

So, I do the impossible and walk away.

   

Exclusive Excerpt:

“I can’t believe you’re graduating tomorrow.” Lexi, my best friend and pseudo cousin, takes a hit off the joint she brought with her as a graduation gift and passes it to me.

I take a small hit, since I’m not usually one to get high, and nod. “This will be you next year.”

I pass the joint to Georgia, my other pseudo cousin and best friend. “Both of you, right?”

“Yep,” Lexi says, speaking for her younger sister like she often does. “Georgia took extra classes and we’ll be walking across the stage together. We’ll both be free from educational hell in twelve months.”

Without taking a hit, Georgia passes the joint to Lexi. “I’d hardly call it hell. We go to a private school that costs more a year than most pay for their house.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “Our lunch is catered and includes items like sushi and Thai, and we have a Starbucks… an actual Starbucks in the quad.”

I laugh at that, but don’t argue. She’s not wrong. Lexi and Georgia live in Los Angeles and attend one of the most prestigious private schools on the West Coast. Similar to the one I attend here in Las Vegas… well, did attend.

As of tomorrow at ten o’clock I will officially be a high school graduate. And come August I’ll be a freshman at the University of Las Vegas.

“Semantics.” Lexi takes another hit. “I can’t wait to be done with high school. It’s such a waste. I don’t need a diploma to do what I want to do.”

“You need one to go to college,” Georgia points out.

Lexi rolls her eyes. “Maybe I won’t go.” She shrugs, making Georgia and me laugh.

We all know Lexi is all talk. She’s a daddy’s girl through and through, and Tristan Scott has made it clear a college education is important, which means Lexi Scott will be getting one, whether she likes it or not.

   

About Nikki Ash:

Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book. Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Ally While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!

Connect with Nikki:

Facebook | Bookbub | Amazon | Instagram | Goodreads | Reader Group

Roommate by Sarina Bowen Review Tour

* * * * *

Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.

Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.

I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.

A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.
Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart ...

Source: advance ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

It genuinely feels like a long-awaited homecoming reading a book that’s set in Sarina Bowen’s True North universe. It was fun to be reacquainted with the Shipleys and branch out to the extended members of the family.  

Roommate is such a tender story of two people finding in the other what’s been missing in their lives. For Kieran who has remained in the small Vermont town of Colebury all his life, it’s the chance to finally explore his sexuality and curiosity. For Roderick, he learns what a healthy relationship should be. His return to Vermont has been anything but happy. He abruptly left an abusive relationship on the other side of the country, drove all the way back home only to be turned away by his parents because they can't accept that he's gay. Roderick may be broke, jobless and homeless but has enough self-worth to refuse to renounce who he is. Luckily, he lands a job at the Busy Bean, Audrey Shipley's and Zara's cafe, where his baking skills will come in handy. At least one thing is looking up for him. Kieran sees it differently, though.

Kieran recognizes Roderick as soon as he shows up. Roderick was out in high school which fascinated the quiet, man-of-few words. He's not exactly comfortable knowing that Roderick will be working alongside him at the Busy Bean, not because he's gay, but because his presence brings back forgotten memories and confusing thoughts. Roderick mistakes Kieran's quietness for dislike which is the opposite of what Kieran feels. Anyway, events transpire in such as way that they end up as roommates which leads to the kind of intimacy that's long been simmering.  Kieran's hardly dated in the last couple of years because he hasn't been interested. Around Roderick, however, his imagination comes to life, and as much as it's a bad idea to get sidetracked from his goals, that pull is just too strong.

Same goes for Roderick who's desperately trying to establish new habits so he won't find himself in the kind of mess that landed him back in Vermont. But Kieran is irresistible. His steadiness, his calmness, his reliability, the way he treats Roderick so respectfully, speaks to him. The sexual tension that's been steadily building leads to the inevitable. What becomes tricky from here on is that Kieran is still new to all this and hasn't come out. He's not ashamed just private. Roderick knowing this is slightly hesitant to let his heart get deeper into whatever it is they have but he's never been one to make the wise, selfless decisions. He's a goner, for sure.

The best quote to describe their respective journeys comes from Roderick - “We’re walking different parts of the same path.” It's such a wise and sympathetic perspective to have, and recognize how much Kieran's struggling with coming out because of his complicated family dynamics. It's also a universal truth that people ultimately arrive at their place of acceptance and contentment in their own way. Yeah, that line made me feel all sorts of sappy, in a good way, of course.

Reading Roommate was easy. Bowen has a smooth way of conveying earnest stories that get to the center of you. Revisiting with the Shipleys and absorbing their joyful vibes is like the best medicine. The family gatherings are always comforting. Bowen also adds a vital piece of detail to Kieran's backstory towards the end that upends all the years of secrecy and lack of communication, and hopefully leads to reconciliation. Kieran and Roderick's story is everything I love about her stories in the True North world - family, hope and new beginnings. Fans will definitely not be disappointed.

~ Bel

Click here to read an excerpt from Roommate! 

Roommate Release Day Blast

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!

We're so excited to help Sarina Bowen celebrate the release of Roommate. We even have an excerpt for you!

Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.  

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed. 

Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: a room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread. 

I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me. 

A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another fresh-baked pretzel. But if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.

Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart… 

PURCHASE LINKS

All Links in one spot I Audible I Amazon I  Apple I Kobo I    Nook

EXCERPT:

Back at home, I do all the chores and then some. 

First I put the cows in the north pasture. Moving cows is easy enough in good weather. It only requires me to move the portable fence and wave them through the opening. “Go on, enjoy,” I say as they file past me eagerly. Our herd is grass fed, and they don’t need to be asked twice. The long, seedy grass and corn stalks I’m offering are like a recently freshened, all-you-can-eat buffet.

Let’s face it—the cows are easier to handle than any of my family members. They go where they’re needed, no questions asked. But my dog—Rexie—gives the cows a nice loud woof just to pretend he’s working hard. 

After the cow parade, I close up the fence and turn the electricity on. After that, I spend forty-five minutes raking cow shit out of the lower farmyard in the dark. 

It’s boring drudge work, and my mind starts to wander. And, fuck, it wanders right to Roderick Waites—the guy who climbed out of a blue Volkswagen and right back into my brain.

I wish I could say I haven’t thought about him since high school, but that would be a lie. And if I were a more spiritual person, I’d probably interpret Roderick’s reappearance in town as a sign. A wakeup call.

Nobody knows all the tangled things in my brain, but for a split second when I was a teenager, Roderick came close to learning one of my biggest secrets. 

The first time I saw him on his knees in front of another guy, it was an accident. 

It was autumn then, too. I’d been at a high school football game. It was chilly that night and, last second before leaving for the game, I’d grabbed my dad’s jacket from the hook by the door. After shoving my hands into the pockets while standing on the windy sidelines, I’d found a flask of whiskey. My father must have last worn the jacket when he was sitting out in the deer blind with his pals. Bonus. 

But, of course, I’d had to sneak around to find a place to take a taste. 

Leaving the crowd and the game, I ducked inside the door to the school’s gym. Under the cover of the bleachers, I drew out my dad’s flask, and unscrewed the top. Just as I raised it to my lips, I froze at the sound of whispered voices. Whoever was speaking had entered the gym at the other end of the bleachers. 

Their shadowy figures weren’t easily visible. But I guessed it was a couple looking for a little privacy for a make-out session. And since a couple sneaking off together wasn’t a threat to me, I stood my ground. 

I took a swallow of my father’s hooch. My first sip wasn’t life-changing—it burned going down and made my eyes water—it’s what happened next that changed everything. 

After screwing the lid on the flask and pocketing it, I ducked out of the gym and into the hallway. Feeling nosy, I walked toward the gym’s other entrance, noiseless in my Nikes. When I reached the door, I eased into a position that allowed me to spy on the couple I’d heard whispering to each other. They were silent now, and I wanted to know why. 

When I saw who it was, I swear my heart almost stopped. A varsity soccer player—Jared Harvey—stood beneath the bleachers, bracing his hands on a tread overhead. Roderick Waites knelt in front of him, unzipping Jared’s jeans. 

You can bet I didn’t even blink for the next five minutes…

Read more:

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Heavenly Hazelnut Murder (Southern Belle Cozy Mysteries #2) by C.C. Dragon

* * * 1/2

Everyone has secrets…even a pastor.

Life had been back to normal in Sweet Grove, with smoothie sales up and murders down to zero. With Gran’s shop doing well, Belle helps her best friend by tending bar at the Honey Buckle whenever needed. Belle tries her best to like Pastor Luke, who she’s been dating for the last few weeks, but when she finds out he’s been less than genuine, things end badly. Their break-up is epic gossip all around the small town.

When the pastor turns up dead, people rush to suspect her. Apparently, their fight about her spending so much time in a bar was overheard. Belle knows she didn’t do it, but who would kill a pastor? Who else would have a motive? With the handsome but romantically complicated sheriff asking her a lot of questions, Belle decides she needs to get to the bottom of it ASAP.

This had better be the last murder in Sweet Grove, or Belle’s amateur sleuthing might become a habit…

Reader advisory: This book contains references to parental abandonment, off-page murder and brief references to domestic abuse and infidelity.

Source: ARC generously provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Oh yeah, am I a sucker for cutesy-titled mysteries which is why I've just read my first C.C. Dragon book.

A lot happens immediately and there are so many characters to keep up with right off the bat. Belle works at the pastry and smoothie shop with her grandmother with whom she's extremely close, and she also tends bar for one of her closest friends. The girl is busy it feels like 24/7. Somewhere in there, she squeezes time to date Pastor Luke. It's a fairly new relationship and only a couple of weeks old before they break up.  She has good reasons, too, and I was impressed. She doesn't think anymore of it but when he's found dead a few days later, all eyes go to her because of their recent very public breakup. It's a unique enough case as the murder weapon of choice was a snake. A python to be exact. EWW. The sheriff who is a former love interest believes in her innocence and they work in unison to uncover what happened. As with murder mysteries, the deeper they dig, the more secrets reveal themselves and it seems like the Pastor wasn't as holy as people thought he was. 

I'll be honest - all those snakes gave me the heebie jeebies. I kind of wanted to stop reading because I didn't want to have nightmares. My discomfort aside, I was keen to learn who was behind this reptilian horror. 

The mystery was a puzzler and by the time the culprit was caught I was stunned. Partly because I didn't see it coming and partly because it's sensitive. Admittedly, I was also thrown off by some other things. I was unaware until after I started that this was book 2, so as think there were some background details missing like descriptions of the town or the people. I'd mentioned before that there are many characters but I didn't pick up on any physical details to create mental images in my reader's mind. The conversations between characters are mostly continuous, flowing from one to the next which is the author's style and I realized that I’m not used to that. It made it challenging to follow and since the story is told in first person, Belle's thoughts felt inaccessible. It would’ve helped me if there were breaks between conversations where Belle shared her inner monologue as she ruminated over new information or provide better context to people in general or connections as she’s helping to solve the crime. There were a couple of occasions when she did that but not enough for me to feel privy to what's on her mind and as a result, she didn't come off as a multi-dimensional character to me, so I didn't feel I got to know her or develop a connection to the town or other characters. 

Now I say all this while recognizing that the background I’m seeking could all be in the first book and perhaps I shouldn't have read this as a standalone. The author's style is also different from what I've been used to reading. So considering all of this, my rating is based purely on my experience jumping into this series by reading book 2 first. I do plan on reading the first book, The Mint Julep Murder at some point so I can get a better feel for C.C. Dragon's writing and the series. In the meantime, I did like Heavenly Hazelnut Murder. Snakes aside (eww again), it was different and kept my attention, and I'm glad to have read a new author. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes small town cozy mysteries, and any mysteries set in the south.

~ Bel

My Kind of Love Cover Reveal

Today Nikki Ash is sharing the cover for her gorgeous new romance, My Kind of Love! Check it out and be sure to pre-order today!

Release Date: January 21st

Cover Designer: Jersey Girl Design

Image: Sara Eirew Photography

 

What you need to know about My Kind of Love:

Military romance

A little bit of an age gap

ALL the feels

 

Preorder My Kind of Love

Add to your TBR

About My Kind of Love:

Micaela

Once upon a time, a boy and a girl met and fell in love… That’s the way my love story began, but unlike the fairy tale, it ended with me standing in the cemetery, watching my prince get lowered into the ground, along with all our dreams. Now he’s gone and I’m lost. Until an impromptu trip to my family’s beach house has me spending time with Ryan. With his help, I’m learning to live again and make plans for the future. The only problem is, we both know they can’t include him. So, when our time is up, we do the only thing we can do—go our separate ways.   

Ryan 

My entire life, I’ve felt like the waves in a raging sea—crashing and breaking, never settling. Until Micaela stormed in like a hurricane, colliding into my life and my heart. I thought she’d be my destruction, but instead she turned out to be my calm. The more time we spend together, the more life she breathes into both of us. But all too quickly, our time is up and she’s ready to face her future—one I can’t be a part of. So, I do the impossible and walk away. But life is crazy, and love knows no bounds. You might’ve thought this is where our story ends, but the truth is… it’s only the beginning.

 

About Nikki Ash:

Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book. Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Ally While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!

Connect with Nikki:

Facebook | Bookbub | Amazon | Instagram | Goodreads | Reader Group

Bel's Best of 2020

Oh, 2020. You've been something else! Between Covid-19 and the election, books became even more of an escape than before. Here is a sampling of some of my favorites...

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

This is one of the most gorgeous piece of storytelling ever. I've recommended it, gifted it, raved about it. It is simply spectacular!

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

I have such affection for this novel. Luc and Oliver stole my heart, but we also need to give it up to Alex Twaddle, the baffling, not quite all there hapless co-worker of Luc's. The humor is spot on witty. Luc and Oliver's bring on deadpan banter and arghhhh...I fell in love! I own the ebook, the paperback, the audio - you get the idea. 

Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep (audio)

I read fantasy off and on but during the shutdown I needed an absolute escape and even more than that, I needed an absolute good versus evil storyline where everyone knew where they stood and where evil got crushed. Kill the Queen delivered that for me along with a gritty heroine. I binged this trilogy.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Talia Hibbert gives good rep. She writes about characters with issues - in this case, Zaf suffers from anxiety - without being patronizing. Take A Hint is written with loads of humor and heart and her female characters are not to be trifled with. Such a joy to read.

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez (audio)

This YA set in Argentina took me out of my little bubble. Furia has aspirations to be a professional soccer player but in Argentina, young girls are not encouraged in such endeavors. She has to practice and play in secrecy so her abusive father doesn't find out. It was startling to read of some of the archaic views on women within the culture. Also disconcerting, the disappearances and assaults of young girls. Furia and the rest of her teammates struggle to survive against this troubling backdrop. A little comfort comes in the form of her crush, Diego when he returns from his first-year stint at Italian club, Juventus. He encourages her love of soccer and becomes her staunchest ally. Mentions of Messi and Dybala made me happy and I highly recommend the audio to truly immerse yourself in the language and culture. 

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Another hit from the man who writes addictive stories. He knows how to set up a story and the players and develops them with such authenticity. There were more unusual characters involved with a timeline that went back and forth before bringing all the pieces together. 

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum (audio)

This was so gut-wretchedly emotional. Three generations of Palestianian-immigrant women within one family have to come to terms with brutal truths and secrets. It can be disturbing and honestly, depressing but I could not turn this off in my head. These women were very much alive and in front of me. I was so gripped by their journeys that I had to know how everything transpired. It's extraordinary writing and the three passionate narrators who delivered this haunting story did so with such compassion and humanity.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins

I do enjoy a good historical romance and throw in a mystery and you have me. Newspaper owner, Lady Katherine joins forces with a Scotland Yard detective, Andrew Eversham to uncover a series of murders, and their chemistry as partners and romantic interests is amazing. 

Three Party Harmony by Holley Trent (audio)

I've only read two other polyarmorous stories - Trent's previous Writing Her In being one of them - and this one just took my whole heart. All three of these characters are so deeply complex and introspective. I loved each one of them equally. To echo what I said in my Goodreads review, Trent doesn't make the intimate moments crude. The true intimacy comes from the emotional and intellectual connection which makes their physical union so potent. And that's what makes this story so undeniably romantic.

Southern Seducer by Jessica Peterson

This struck a chord with me. Bel is a single mom who's getting used to life post-baby and Beau is the man who's offering her a chance for some R&R at his resort. These two friends follow through on their mutual attraction while she's there. This was the first romance that I'd read that included all the crazy ups and downs of life with a newborn and a woman who's struggling to feel like herself again. Postpartum depression, physical changes, feeling sexual again ... all part of the joys of being a woman.

Season of the Wolf  by Maria Vale

Vale impressively creates a vivid world of humans and shifters. This is book 4 in the series and it has a lot to do with uneasy alliances and building trust. I liked the little touch of Evie and Constantine picking up from where the other's point of view left off. Their wolf versus human upbringings make them drastically different and suspicious. But that continuity of their points of view showed how they began to understand each other at a surprisingly intimate depth that no one within their own camps was able to do. This was a slow, delicate dance between two headstrong and worthy opponents at first, who eventually become the other's other half.

Loud Mouth by Avery Flynn

If you want a good time read, then pick up an Avery Flynn romance. You will not be disappointed by funny scenarios that somehow lead to some good sexy times. This book makes you want to be snowed in in a cabin with a smoking hot hockey player.

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leach Johnson (audio)

I enjoyed this so much I made sure my daughter read it, too. It's set in a small Indiana town where a young, resourceful girl decides that the best way for her to achieve her dreams of attending an expensive music school is to enter the contest for prom queen. Winning it would give her a financial lifeline but entering also means conforming to a certain extent and also confronting things she'd prefer to set aside. It's freaking adorable and touching. 

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn (audio)

For someone who has no artistic ability or creativity whatsoever, Love Lettering had me hooked whenever Meg went through her technical and creative processes to draw her popular calendars. I felt like I was receiving an education in how to notice the art I don't see, like street signs. This was also a splendid love letter to New York that makes me want to revisit it so I can retrace Meg and Reid's footsteps through the city.

Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O' Connor (audio)

It's book 5 in her Irish Village Mystery and each one keeps getting better. Carlene O'Connor is my go-to person for cozy mysteries. This one involved a bit of the supernatural with legends of fairies and curses.

Whiteout by Adriana Anders

It's the wildest, most suspenseful kind of adventure in the Antarctic wilderness. Outwitting the bad guys while trying very hard not to die from the extreme weather conditions - this was a pure adrenaline rush! This needs to be a movie.

Starbreaker by Amanda Bouchet

It's an exciting adventure featuring outlaws - the nice ones like Robin Hood - trying to right the wrongs and bring down a tyrannical regime. This series gives me Firefly vibes and I'm totally here for the galactic thrill ride!