May and June Confessions

We have reached the portion of the summer where I'd like it to slow down a bit! How is it already July? I still have so many beach reads to before the summer's end.  What about you? Meanwhile, here's the books I read in May and June. 

Books Read in May and June: 

1.  The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (Adult Historical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars

2.  The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 4 out of 5 stars 

3.  The Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 3.5 out of 5 stars 

4.  The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Adult Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars

5.  The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Kay Andrews (Adult Fiction) - 3 out of 5 stars  

6.  Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Adult Fiction) - 5 out of 5 stars 

7.  Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 3.5 out of 5 stars

8.  Blush by Jamie Brenner (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars 

9.  The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner (Adult Historical Fiction/Audio Book) - 4 out of 5 stars - Review to come!

10.  Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!

11.  Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars 

12.  The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars  - Review to come! 

 

May and June Top Five:

1. Favorite Book: Malibu Rising was so, so good and The People We Meet on Vacation was also fantastic. It was a great month for engaging and memorable beach reads.

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Lost Apothecary took me by surprise. It was such a great mash-up of fantasy and historical fiction. I really enjoyed the audio version!

3.  Biggest Disappointment: The Summer of Lost and Found was a big disappointment for me, mostly because it focused a too much on COVID. I wasn't ready to relive it all, which is a shame because Mary Alice Monroe usually writes such solid beach reads.

 
4.  Favorite Post: My Favorite Historical Beach Reads

5.  Favorite Part of May and June: My family's trip to Disney was, hands down, the best part of May and June. It was so magical and I can't wait to go back.

What was your favorite book of the month? Were you disappointed by any books? Let me know in the comments below.

My Favorite Historical Beach Reads

There's something about historical beach reads that I love. Maybe it's how they immerse me into another time period during a beautiful summer or maybe it's that gorgeous house on the coast that always seems to be present in these novels, but either way, "historical" beach reads are my absolute favorite.   So, grab a cold beverage and crack open one of these tales; these books will definitely please historical fiction fans. 

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff - Who doesn't love a romantic historical read? This one is epic and I love that part of it takes place at the Jersey Shore.  Local friends will love this one!

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa Lafaye is set in the Florida Keys during the 1930s. The novel highlights the social history of the Keys, there's also romance, and the monster of a hurricane that hits the Keys in 1935. 

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is not only a well written novel, it's also an amazing beach read because of the gorgeous setting of coastal Italy.

The Summer I Met Jack by Michele Gable is an engaging historical beach read that is all about Jack Kennedy and his relationship with Alicia Corning Clark.

Summer of '69 by Elin HIlderbrand is historical beach read perfection set during the summer of 1969 and it is filled to the brim with family drama.

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton is an edge of your seat historical tale about the hurricane of 1935. Cleeton brings to life the Keys very well and makes you care about her characters.

Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster takes place on Martha's Vineyard in the 1960s. This one had a Mad Men vibe, which I loved.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid is brilliant. It involves surf culture, various time periods, major beach vibes, and family drama amongst the Riva siblings. 

Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman (Not pictured) - This novel depicts Hawaii during WWII.  Ackerman brings to life Hawaii so very well; I felt like I was there! 

Of course you can't go wrong with any of Beatriz Williams's novels! These are my favorite of her historical beach reads:

The Golden Hour which takes place on the beautiful island of Nassau during WWII makes for a tropical setting along with the spies, traitors, and did I mention the Duke and Duchess of Windsor?

A Hundred Summers is my favorite of her novels, which takes place at the oceanfront community of Seaview, Rhode Island. It's a complicated summer filled with family drama, secrets, and a hurricane.

Cocoa Beach is a suspenseful thriller that takes place during the Prohibition Era in Florida.

The Summer Wives is set on Winthrop Island and focuses on a high society during the summer of 1951. It's very atmospheric and a mystery and some plot twists.

Along the Infinite Sea is the third in the Schuyler Sisters series and I loved the various amazing settings of this novel including the Breakers at Palm Beach.

There's a few historical beach reads that I haven't read yet and I hope to soon. Let me know your thoughts if you read one of these books!

 

The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman

A Summer to Remember by Erika Montogmery 

Haven Point by Virginia Hume

 Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman

 

So, are you a fan of historical beach reads? Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Book Review: Blush by Jamie Brenner

 

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: June 22, 2021

Publisher: Putnam
Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author:
Drawing Home, Summer Longing,
The Forever Summer, The Husband Hour,
and The Wedding Sisters 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "From acclaimed author Jamie Brenner comes a stunning new novel about three generations of women who discover that the trashy novels of a bygone era just might hold the key to saving their family's coastal winery--and to finding the love that's eluded them.  For decades, the lush vineyards and majestic manor house of the Hollander Estates winery made it the North Fork of Long Island's premier destination for lavish parties and romantic day trips. Now the Hollander family fortunes have suffered, and as matriarch Vivian Hollander prepares for the arrival of her daughter and granddaughter for their annual summer reunion, she fears it might be their last. Worse, selling the family legacy to strangers might expose the dark secret she's harbored for thirty-five years.... Visits to the winery have been bittersweet for Leah Hollander Bailey ever since her father refused to let her take her place in the family business. Now a successful Manhattan shop owner, Leah loves the life she's built with her husband and daughter--but with her store, and her marriage, at a crossroads, she can't help but view this year's pilgrimage home as a sorely needed escape. College senior Sadie Bailey has a thesis to write, and the towering shelves of the manor's library offer endless academic inspiration. But when Sadie discovers evidence that her proper Grandma Vivian once ran a book club dedicated to the scandalous women's novels of decades past, the shockingly outrageous tomes give her new insight into her family's glory days. Resurrecting the trashy book club begins as the distraction all three women need. But as they battle to save their birthright and heal old wounds, they just might find that the pages contain everything they need to know about how to fight for what they want--and for the life, and love, they deserve."

 

The Hollander family owns a vineyard and winery on Long Island and for years it has been extremely successful.  The matriarch of the family, Vivian, is the epitome of style and class and her husband, Leonard, is an incredible winemaker.  As the years go by, they suffer financially though and refuse to change with the times.  Their daughter, Leah, has always wanted her place in the family business, but thanks to her father, she was overlooked and the job was passed to her incapable brother.  Devastated Leah built her own business instead, and lives happily with her husband and daughter, Sadie.  Sadie is a college senior and is putting off writing her thesis, much to her advisor's dismay.  To top it off, she finds herself newly single.  Thankfully, she is going with her parents to her grandparents' winery this summer and she is hoping this is the change of pace she needs. While there, her grandfather makes an important announcement that sends some of the women spiraling.  Sadie has found solace in her grandparents' library and has come across some of the books that her grandmother read at her now defunct book club from the 80s.  Cue Jackie Collins, Judith Krantz, and others along with the super fun and sexy plot lines. Sadie discovers the enjoyment in these "trashy" books and in turn, reconnects with her family members.  All three women are changed this summer for the better in Jamie Brenner's Blush.

Vivian Hollander is an interesting character and she reminded me a bit of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. She's stylish, smart, well-rounded, and everyone loves her taste. It's timeless.  She has decorated their family home in such a beautiful way that it's been featured in magazines. People recognize her as the matriarch of the winery and she has gained notoriety.  Things were going well for her, except Vivian is hiding a secret and it may come out this summer, especially with the financial turn of events.

Leah is the sort of character you can't help but root for in Blush. She was basically pushed out of her family's business for the sole reason that she is a female, so instead of wallowing in things, she opened up a successful cheese shop in New York City and often incorporates wines into the fold.  She doesn't need her family's winery after all and has moved on. She has a dedicated husband and a beautiful daughter, Sadie, but deep down she still feels slighted by her father's sexist behavior by giving her brother some control of the business.  Predictably,  her brother is a mess and shouldn't be given a say in anything.  While visiting over the summer, things definitely come to a head in this area of her life, especially when everyone realizes they might need Leah more than they thought.

Sadie is also an interesting character in Blush and despite her age, she does share some conflicts with her mother and grandmother.  Even though they all different ages, they deal with a lot of the same issues in love and life.  My favorite part of Blush was when Sadie came across her grandmother's old book club selections and initially she thought they were just bodice rippers. It's hard to imagine your grandmother reading books like this, but once she starts reading the novels, she realizes there's more to them than she thought.  Resurrecting family book club also helps the other family members reconnect and provide some possible solutions to pressing problems.

Various parts of Blush included details and excerpts from these romance novels and I especially appreciated that. I was too young to be familiar with these novels, but I liked Brenner's details surrounding the various plots.  In fact, I looked a few up on Goodreads! I also enjoyed how Brenner incorporated these books into Blush and the idea that a book club can bring family members back together.

Blush wasn't my favorite of Brenner's novels; however, I loved the setting of the winery and how the story focuses on three generations of women.  There were a lot of details surrounding wine making that I also appreciated.  Blush was the perfect book to spend time with on a summer afternoon along with a crisp white wine. 

Are you a fan of Jamie Brenner? Is Blush on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Audio Book Review: Before the Crown by Flora Harding

 

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Audio Book

Pub. Date: May 18, 2021

Publisher: One More Chapter

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

 

Goodreads says, "Windsor Castle, 1943   As war rages across the world, Princess Elizabeth comes face to face with the dashing naval officer she first met in London nine years before.  One of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, Philip represents everything she has always been taught to avoid. Instability. Audacity. Adventure.  But when the king learns of their relationship, the suitability of the foreign prince is questioned by all at court.  He is the risk she has never been allowed to take. The risk not even the shadow of the crown will stop her from taking…  Step through the palace gates and discover a captivating historical novel of royal secrets and forbidden love exploring the tempestuous courtship between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the wake of WWII."

The year is 1943 and Elizabeth is a young woman who plays an important role in the British monarchy and has started thinking about who she will marry.  She still thinks about the handsome Prince Philip of Greece that she met nine years ago.  Her parents want her to marry someone stable, which is pretty much the opposite of Philip who is the epitome of a dauntless bad boy who loves adventure.  After seeing Philip again,  there's no denying that Elizabeth is smitten. Who wouldn't be? He is often described as an extremely good looking, tall Viking. Things with Philip aren't easy though.  Behind the scenes he has issues with obtaining citizenship (he is a foreign prince!), his family isn't exactly stable or respectable in the eyes of the British monarchy, and he has a reputation of being someone who fights convention.  Elizabeth's parents are certain that this is a match that cannot happen; however, Elizabeth's heart says differently.  As Elizabeth and Philip's relationship progresses, they deal with many issues, such as separations, war, unsure feelings, and meddling parents. But we all know how this ends and the glimpse into their early years of courtship was definitely a captivating one.  Flora Harding's Before the Crown is a fantastic and timely historical tale based on the real-life courtship of Elizabeth and Philip; it tugged on my heartstrings. 

Harding portrays Elizabeth just how I would imagine her to be in Before the Crown. She's shy, loyal, constant, determined and understands her role in the monarchy.  On the other hand, Philip is exactly how I would imagine him as well.  He is charismatic, good looking, adventurous, says what he wants, and tends to break the rules. Harding does a phenomenal job bringing these influential people to life so very well and making them relatable too.  Readers get an inside view from Elizabeth's perspective about the rules of the monarchy, the pressures of her family, the ins and outs of Royal life, and much more.  I also appreciated the background information regarding Philip's childhood and his unconventional family life, not to mention some of issues surrounding his sisters.  His sisters' ties to the Nazis makes it another hurdle for Elizabeth and for her to showcase Philip as a suitable suitor.  In addition to this, Philip's childhood was anything, but stable and readers learn more about this in Before the Crown. Readers can easily see how he might not be the traditional suitor that Elizabeth parents were hoping for.

Nonetheless, their relationship blossoms despite all the challenges in Before the Crown.  I loved their courtship and their dedication to one another as well as Elizabeth's role in the monarchy. That takes a lot of dedication from both of them and Philip had to give up a lot to support Elizabeth.  Before the Crown was a very timely book, because I had read and listened to it right after Philip's passing, so I found aspects of this novel to be especially moving.  I also listened to the audio version of the book, which was fantastic. I really appreciated the two different narrators and I think Imogen Wilde captured Elizabeth's cadence very well.  

Fans of The Crown will will especially love Before the Crown, because it's well researched, but heartfelt, too. If you are a Royal family fan like me, you will love being immersed in Elizabeth's world back to a time when she was young and they had their whole lives ahead of them.  

Are you a fan of the Royal family? Is this book on your TBR list? Do you enjoy historical audio books? Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

 

Book Review: Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams

 

Pages: 448

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: June 1, 2021

Publisher: William Morrow

Other Books By Author: A Certain Age,  A Hundred Summers, 

Tiny Little Thing,  Along the Infinite Sea,  Cocoa Beach, 

The Summer Wives, The Wicked City,  The Wicked Redhead,

The Golden Hour, Her Last Flight, and The Secret Life of Violet Grant

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

 

 

Goodreads says, "The New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Flight returns with a gripping and profoundly human story of Cold War espionage and family devotion.  In the autumn of 1948, Iris Digby vanishes from her London home with her American diplomat husband and their two children. The world is shocked by the family’s sensational disappearance. Were they eliminated by the Soviet intelligence service? Or have the Digbys defected to Moscow with a trove of the West’s most vital secrets?  Four years later, Ruth Macallister receives a postcard from the twin sister she hasn’t seen since their catastrophic parting in Rome in the summer of 1940, as war engulfed the continent and Iris fell desperately in love with an enigmatic United States Embassy official named Sasha Digby. Within days, Ruth is on her way to Moscow, posing as the wife of counterintelligence agent Sumner Fox in a precarious plot to extract the Digbys from behind the Iron Curtain.  But the complex truth behind Iris’s marriage defies Ruth’s understanding, and as the sisters race toward safety, a dogged Soviet KGB officer forces them to make a heartbreaking choice between two irreconcilable loyalties."

 

The year is 1952 and Ruth Macallister works at a Manhattan modeling agency.  Things are pretty good for her until she receives a mysterious postcard from her estranged twin sister, Iris.  The postcard is requesting her presence in Moscow, where Iris lives with her family.  You see Iris left the UK two years ago very mysteriously along with her diplomat husband and her children.  Most people think they defected to Moscow and that her husband, Sasha, was a double agent. Enter government agent Sumner Fox who starts questioning Ruth and asking if she has heard from Iris.  After she spends more time with Sumner, she becomes more honest with him and they team up to extract her sister from Moscow.  Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams is a compelling spy thriller filled with romance, adventure, and family drama.

I loved the character of Ruth right off the bat in Our Woman in Moscow. Williams knows how to write such fun, spunky heroines; I was immediately drawn to Ruth's story.  I like how Williams has readers get to know both Ruth and Iris by taking us back to their summer in Rome. That was the summer Iris met Sasha Digby and her life was forever changed.  Iris ended up staying behind in Rome once their summer was over, which pretty much sealed the deal for her.  

Ruth hasn't talked to her sister in years, but after receiving a postcard from her, she knows something is up and so does counterintelligence officer Sumner Fox. Sumner is everything you could want in a literary hero and I was a big fan of his character.  He and Ruth go undercover to extract Iris and Ruth poses as his wife. It's a brilliant match up and I really enjoyed these two in Our Woman in Moscow.

Iris isn't as compelling (at first!) as her twin sister, Ruth, but as Our Woman in Moscow progresses, I was really invested. Parts of the story really break my heart for Iris, but as she becomes more confidant, I became more interested in her secrets and her tumultuous relationship with Sasha.  Iris definitely presents herself as one way, but offers much more than I was expecting.

Williams provides an engaging spy thriller in Our Woman in Moscow. Fans of Williams won't be disappointed. I loved the espionage in combination with the family drama and the Cold War setting. Also, avid readers of Williams's novels will enjoy the appearance of certain characters from her other novels.

So, are you a fan of Beatriz Williams? Is this novel on your summer TBR list or have you read it already? Let me know in the comments below. 

  

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Vanished Days

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

 

The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley

Pub. Date: October 5, 2021

 

Goodreads says, "In the autumn of 1707, old enemies from the Highlands to the Borders are finding common ground as they join to protest the new Union with England. At the same time, the French are preparing to launch an invasion to bring the young exiled Jacobite king back to Scotland to reclaim his throne, and in Edinburgh the streets are filled with discontent and danger.  Queen Anne's commissioners, seeking to calm the situation, have begun paying out money sent up from London to settle the losses and wages owed to those Scots who took part in the disastrous Darien expedition eight years earlier--an ill-fated venture that left Scotland all but bankrupt.  When the young widow of a Darien sailor comes forward to collect her husband's wages, her claim is challenged. One of the men assigned to investigate has only days to decide if she's honest, or if his own feelings are blinding him to the truth.  The Vanished Days is a prequel and companion novel to The Winter Sea, with action that overlaps some of the action in that book. The Vanished Days goes back in time to the 1680s and introduces the reader to the Moray and Graeme families."

 

A new Susanna Kearsley novel...cue my excitement!  I love that Diana Gabaldon gave her endorsement! Are you a fan of Kearsley's novels? What do you think of this one? The cover is GORGEOUS!

Book Review: Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis

 

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 6, 2021

Publisher: Graydon House

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Summer Sail,

 and The Summer of Good Intentions 

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Goodreads says. "THE SEAFARER IS THE PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN IN THE SUMMER... With its rich history and famous guests, the glamorous Boston hotel is no stranger to drama. But the bustle at the iconic property reaches new heights one weekend in mid-June when someone falls tragically to her death, the event rippling through the lives of four very different people.  Bride-to-be Riley is at the hotel to plan her wedding. She would have preferred a smaller, more intimate celebration, but her bossy mother-in-law has taken charge and her fiancé hasn’t seemed to notice. Jean-Paul, the hotel’s manager, is struggling to keep his marriage and new family afloat, but now he must devote all his energy to this latest scandal at work. Claire, recently widowed, comes to town to connect with a long-lost love, but has too much changed in the last thirty years?  And then there’s Jason, whose romantic getaway with his girlfriend has not exactly gone the way he'd hoped and instead has him facing questions he can't bring himself to answer. Over three sun-drenched days, as the truth about the woman who died—and the secret she was hiding—is uncovered, these four strangers become linked in the most unexpected of ways. Together, they just might find the strength they need to turn their own lives around."

 

There's an untimely death at the Seafarer Hotel in Boston and this tragic occurrence directly impacts four hotel guests.  First there's Riley, who is there with her fiance and her mother-in-law, and much to her chagrin, they are at the hotel for a wedding tasting.  Her mother-in-law has pretty much taken over wedding planning and this disturbs Riley.  Then there's the new manager of the hotel, Jean-Paul, who is a new father and is struggling to be the best father and husband he can be while also managing this iconic hotel that now has a scandal attached to its name.  Then there's Claire, who is recently widowed, and is in town to take a breather, but also she hopes to reconnect with a former flame.  Lastly, there's Jason who is on vacation at the hotel with his girlfriend, but things aren't going well mostly because his career is taking a nose dive and he is hiding some secrets from his girlfriend.  All four of their issues start to boil over just as there's an alarming death at the hotel.  Slowly readers find out the truth in Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis, a beach read mixed with a page-turning mystery. 

Right off the bat I enjoyed the character of Riley in Summertime Guests. Planning a wedding is difficult and it broke my heart that she would rather have a small affair, but instead, is catering to her mother-in-law.  Riley's own mother is deceased, so she feels even more unsure about the entire event, not to mention that she wishes she could do this with her own mother.  She is trying to make her husband happy, but in the process it is making her unhappy. He doesn't even seem to notice that this isn't what Riley actually wants; however, she shows up at the Seafarer for a tasting and during it tragedy strikes. Each chapter has a different character's point of view, but it was Riley's that I enjoyed the most.

Then there's Jean-Paul, who is a new father and is stressed out in Summertime Guests. I mean who wouldn't be as a new parent; plus, managing the hotel in the midst of this tragedy. Jean-Paul brought a different perspective to the story since he works at the hotel and isn't merely a guest. Claire's chapters broke my heart in more ways than one, mostly because she is a widow and dealing with a lot.  She comes to the Seafarer to kick back a bit, but she also is hoping to reconnect with her old boyfriend from thirty years ago! I couldn't help but feel like her plan was completely misguided or straight out of a Nicolas Sparks novel.  Lastly, Jason's chapters were my least favorite in that I didn't really care for him.  He is a professor, but completely uninspired by his job. He also treats his girlfriend like crap and is dealing with a lot of personal issues.  While on vacation at the Seafarer, he is hiding things from his girlfriend, which definitely made me frustrated.  

The setting of the Seafarer in Summertime Guests was my favorite aspect of the novel. Who doesn't love a luxury hotel by the water? A hotel on the water is the perfect beach read setting, not to mention the cocktails, the pool, and much more.

All of the character's issues come to the forefront of things once the tragedy strikes at the hotel.  This obviously impacts all four guests and it plays out different for each character in Summertime Guests.  If you like how Mary Kay Andrews's novels are beachy, but also include a strong mystery, then you'll enjoy Summertime Guests.  I did find aspects of it to be a bit depressing, but overall, it was a solid beach read.

Are you a fan of Wendy Francis's novels? Do you like your beach reads with a side of mystery? Let me know in the comments below. 

Book Review: Shipped by Angie Hockman

 

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: January 19, 2021

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating. But when she’s shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams, all her sacrifices finally seem worth it.  The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Although they’ve never met in person, their epic email battles are the stuff of office legend.  Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos—best proposal wins the promotion. There’s just one catch: they have to go on a company cruise to the Galápagos Islands...together. But when the two meet on the ship, Henley is shocked to discover that the real Graeme is nothing like she imagined. As they explore the Islands together, she soon finds the line between loathing and liking thinner than a postcard.  With her career dreams in her sights and a growing attraction to the competition, Henley begins questioning her life choices. Because what’s the point of working all the time if you never actually live?"

 

Henley Evans has been working so hard at her job in marketing for a cruise line. She deserves the latest promotion at work. She is even going back to school to get her MBA. This promotion should be hers, or maybe not? They are also considering her co-worker Graeme Crawford-Collins, who she can't stand and just so happens to work in her division, except he is in charge of social media.  She has never met him as he works from home, but he drives her nuts through email daily.  Their boss has decided that both Graeme and Henley are candidate for the promotion need to submit a proposal that outlines how to increase cruise sales to the Galapagos Islands.  They can also take the cruise themselves to better get an idea on how to promote it.  This should be an exciting time for Henley, except that she has to spend the week with Graeme on a ship.  Despite her best efforts, she is starting to feel something for Graeme. Is it the beautiful location, the cocktails, and his perfect bod in a swim suit? Henley can't let this go to her head, because what about the promotion? Angie Hockman's Shipped is a fun enemies-to-lovers tale set against the beautiful tropical backdrop of the Galapagos Islands.

Henley is a character that readers can really root for in Shipped. She works hard, loves her job, but has that one co-worker that gets under her skin.   Thankfully, she doesn't have to see him at work as his job is remote.  That is until they are both vying for the same job and put on the same cruise together.  Avid romance readers will know this trope---the whole enemies to lovers in the work place, but Hockman sets herself apart by having such an incredible setting of the Galapagos Islands.

Graeme is the type of character that we love to hate in Shipped.  His emails drive Henley nuts, but once she hangs out with him in person, she realizes he is so much more than the man behind the screen, not to mention his good looks!  They have an epic rivalry, but what will happen to those boundaries once they are crossed? Hockman shares Graeme's backstory, which tugged on my heartstrings and made me feel sympathetic a bit more than before.

What really stands out in Shipped is the outstanding setting of Galapagos Islands; in fact, Hockman includes a lot of information about the environment there and the unique wildlife, which I wasn't expecting.  The cruise to the Galapagos is the perfect beach read setting, especially as their romance blossoms.

So, if you like an enemies-to-lovers romance and want a gorgeous setting, look no further. This was a fun romance and would be the perfect light read to throw in your beach bag this summer. Let me know in the comments below if Shipped is on your TBR list or if you've read it.  Are you a fan of enemies-to-lovers romances?

 

Book Review: The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe

 

Pages: 368

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 11, 2021

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Beach House for Rent,

and On Ocean Boulevard

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "The Beach House series returns with this tender and compassionate novel following the historic Rutledge family of Charleston, South Carolina as they face a summer of upheaval and change with perseverance, a spirit of unity, and a dose of humor.  The coming of Spring usually means renewal, but for Linnea Rutledge, Spring 2020 threatens stagnation. Linnea faces another layoff, this time from the aquarium she adores. For her—and her family—finances, emotions, and health teeter at the brink. To complicate matters, her new love interest, Gordon, struggles to return to the Isle of Palms from England. Meanwhile, her old flame, John, turns up from California and is quarantining next door. She tries to ignore him, but when he sends her plaintive notes in the form of paper airplanes, old sparks ignite. When Gordon at last reaches the island, Linnea wonders—is it possible to love two men at the same time?  Love in the time of coronavirus proves challenging, at times humorous, and ever changing. Relationships are redefined, friendships made and broken, and marriages tested. As the weeks turn to months, and another sea turtle season comes to a close, Linnea and the Rutledge family continue to face their challenges with the strength, faith, and commitment that has inspired readers for decades. In The Summer of Lost and Found, Mary Alice Monroe once again delves into the complexities of family relationships and brings her signature storytelling to this poignant and timely novel of love, courage, and resilience. "

 

If you are familiar with Monroe's The Beach House series, you know that Linnea Rutledge loves her job at the aquarium; however, she is furloughed due to COVID cutbacks, and on top of it, her boyfriend, Gordon, was supposed to come back from England to the Isle of Palms, but due to the COVID outbreak, it's looking like he won't be able to.  Thanks to COVID, her life has been thrown for a loop.  Even her ex-boyfriend, John, the one who had her move to California, is back home on the Isle of Palms and is now quarantining next door.  She is set to ignore him, because he broke her heart, but how can she when he is next door and throwing paper airplanes with notes her way?  Like many Americans last year, the rest of the Rutledge family is challenged during COVID. There's love, there's heartbreak, there's friendship and marriages tested, and so much more.  Mary Alice Monroe's latest edition in the The Beach House series, The Summer of Lost and Found, is a decent beach read; however, I could have done with more descriptions of the Isle of Palms and less focus on the coronavirus.

Linnea is a character I have come to enjoy in The Beach House series. Although I haven't read every novel in this series, I have read enough that I've started to get to know the Rutledge family though the years and appreciate them.  Linnea finally has found her happiness (at least we thought she did) with her boyfriend coming back from England, and her dream job at the aquarium.  However, things are turned upside down due to COVID, which I am sure we can all relate to.  The distance between her and Gordon has her thinking about things, not to mention John's presence next door is a difficult one. At first, she is dead set against dealing with John, but he slowly breaks down her walls, especially when he connects with Hope, who Linnea is watching for a bit.  Despite my hesitation, I think Monroe does a good job illustrating the complications of love during COVID.

One of the reasons I gravitate towards Monroe's novels is the fact that she describes nature so beautifully. Her descriptions of the Isle of Palms are so well done in each novel and of course, I appreciate her details regarding the island's sea turtles as well as the environmental themes. Well, if you are like me and look forward to that, you may be disappointed with The Summer of Lost and Found. There wasn't much appreciation of nature in this novel, especially in comparison to the other books in the series. I knew this The Summer of Lost and Found was going to deal with the COVID outbreak in its early stages, but I didn't realize it was going to be such a big focus of the novel.  If you are mentally ready to read stories about the pandemic, then definitely pick up The Summer of Lost and Found; however, I wasn't ready in the slightest. This took me by surprise, but I found it triggering to relive it all again, especially the early stages when there were so many unknowns.  Maybe if Monroe tackled this topic a few years down the road, I'd be ready, but for now it was stressful and quite frankly, who wants that in a beach read?  So, if you are looking for a beautiful island escape, look elsewhere. I hope Monroe's next book in The Beach House series is more of what we have come to love.

Are you a fan of Mary Alice Monroe? Is this book on your TBR list? Are you mentally ready to read about the pandemic? Let me know in the comments below.