Mini Reviews: Quirky Debuts

 

Sometimes a quirky romance is just what you need, right? A novel that will keep you entertained and make you laugh-out-loud is always the perfect escape from the mundane and that is what I require in a good audio book. Mrs. Nash's Ashes and Dial A for Aunties is what these two novels have in common--there's a lot of hijinks, some romance, and funny moments that had me snickering.

 

Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler

Genre: Romance/Audio Book

Pub. Date: May 23, 2023

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Source: Library

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love. Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she’d reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash’s remains in her backpack. But Millie’s determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it’s (really) too late—and hopefully reassure herself of love’s lasting power in the process. She just didn’t expect to have a living travel companion.

After a computer glitch grounds flights, Millie is forced to catch a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an also-stranded acquaintance from her ex’s MFA program. Hollis certainly does not believe in happily-ever-afters—symbolic or otherwise—and makes it quite clear that he can’t fathom Millie’s plan ending well for anyone.

But as they contend with peculiar bed-and-breakfasts, unusual small-town festivals, and deer with a death wish, Millie begins to suspect that her reluctant travel partner might enjoy her company more than he lets on. Because for someone who supposedly doesn’t share her views on romance, Hollis sure is becoming invested in the success of their journey. And the closer they get to their destination, the more Millie has to admit that maybe this trip isn’t just about Mrs. Nash’s love story after all—maybe it’s also about her own."

 

Millie Watts-Cohen was a childhood star and one of her closest friends was her elderly landlady, Rose. After Rose's death, she promised to reunite her remains with her long-lost love, Elsie. Elsie is on hospice in Florida, so Millie's time is limited. She needs to take Rose's remains to Elsie before it's too late. While en route to Florida, there's a mishap at the airport and flights are canceled. While there, she runs into Hollis, her ex-boyfriend's friend, who also was supposed to go to Florida. After some discussion and plans that don't pan out, they both agree to drive to Florida together. A road trip between grouchy Hollis and sunny Millie....what could go wrong? Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler is a delightful rom-com debut filled with laugh-out-loud moments, a lot of tropes, and some major spice.

I love a good road trip book, so Mrs. Nash's Ashes was a nice escape. Adler relies heavily on many tropes: opposites attract, forced proximity, one-bed, and more, but it was fun. I can't say the romance knocked my socks off, but it was a nice way to pass a few afternoons. It was filled with quirky road trip moments (there's a religious bed and breakfast, small town parades, etc) and a budding romance. I did think Hollis's grouchy behavior was grating after a while as I didn't think he was broody, but rather rude. To enhance the story, there were flashbacks to Rose and Elsie's relationship during WWII, which brought more seriousness to the romance. Overall, it's a romance filled with a lot of spice and road trip fun.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Genre: Adult Fiction/Audio Book

Pub. Date: April 27, 2021

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Source: Library

Other Books By Author: Vera Wong's Unsolicited 

Advice for Murderers

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "What happens when you mix 1 (accidental) murder with 2 thousand wedding guests, and then toss in a possible curse on 3 generations of an immigrant Chinese-Indonesian family? You get 4 meddling Asian aunties coming to the rescue! When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is inadvertently shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working at an island resort on the California coastline. It's the biggest job yet for the family wedding business—"Don't leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!"—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie's perfect buttercream flowers.

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy's great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?"

Meddy Chan fell for her college boyfriend, Nathan, but her overbearing Chinese-Indonesian family convinced her to dump him and work for their wedding catering business as a photographer. So years later, Meddy is now living near her family, working for her family, and listening to her meddling aunts as well as her mother, who sets her up on a date with Jake. Jake, while seems like a put-together businessman, is a real jerk and assaults Meddy on her date. In turn, she tases him, and he doesn't wake up. Cue the drama! Who does she call? Her aunts! Who, naturally, then put Jake's body in a cooler till they can figure out what to do. As luck would have it, the cooler gets mistakingly sent to their next catering event, a wedding at a big hotel, that is owned by none other than Nathan, Meddy's ex-boyfriend. Cue even more drama! They must keep this body hidden as they can't mess up this big event...what could go wrong? Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto is her debut novel that is filled with hijinks, slapstick comedy, and laugh-out-loud meddling aunts.  

Dial A for Aunties is filled with some unbelievable moments, but that's what makes it fun. It's absolute mayhem that's quirky and hilarious. More often than not, I was laughing out loud while listening to this story, especially the auntie's dialogue, which was the best part as they are the true stars of the novel. Do I believe any of this would actually happen? No. Was it fun? Yes. If you like dark comedy with some romance mixed in, look no further.

Have you read Mrs. Nash's Ashes or Dial A for Aunties? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Book Review: Mercury by Amy Jo Burns

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: January 2, 2024

Publisher: Celadon

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "A roofing family's bonds of loyalty are tested when they uncover a long-hidden secret at the heart of their blue-collar town--from Amy Jo Burns, author of the critically acclaimed novel Shiner. It's 1990 and seventeen-year-old Marley West is blazing into the river valley town of Mercury, Pennsylvania. A perpetual loner, she seeks a place at someone's table and a family of her own. The first thing she sees when she arrives in town is three men standing on a rooftop. Their silhouettes blot out the sun. The Joseph brothers become Marley's whole world before she can blink. Soon, she is young wife to one, The One Who Got Away to another, and adopted mother to them all. As their own mother fades away and their roofing business crumbles under the weight of their unwieldy father's inflated ego, Marley steps in to shepherd these unruly men. Years later, an eerie discovery in the church attic causes old wounds to resurface and suddenly the family's survival hangs in the balance. With Marley as their light, the Joseph brothers must decide whether they can save the family they've always known--or whether together they can build something stronger in its place."

 

It's the 1990s and Marley and her mother move into Mercury, Pennsylvania, a small blue-collar town. While getting accustomed to the town, Marley runs into the Joseph brothers during a baseball game. Baylor, the older athletic brother, has his eyes set on Marley and starts to date her. Before she knows it, she is invited to the Joseph family dinners, which Elsie, their mother, puts together every day. Baylor has a younger brother, Waylon, who is responsible and is often looked at as the favorite, and the there is also the youngest son, Shay. All three boys will inevitably work with their father, Mick, at the family roofing company, whether they have other dreams for themselves or not. Marley is enamored by the Joseph family as it's the complete opposite of her house. As time goes by, Baylor dumps Marley and she moves onto Waylon, as he is more sensitive and a better match for her. Fast forward many years, Marley and Waylon are married young and have a child. Marley tries to help Waylon with the family business and while she does make it more successful, she finds out there are a lot of secrets in the Joseph family. Elsie, while always put together and a pillar of the community, is hiding many secrets and has made many sacrifices of her own for the family. Mick, a Vietnam veteran, isn't always a nice guy and doesn't always have his sons' best interests at heart. Not to mention there's a literal skeleton in the closet in the town of Mercury. Mercury by Amy Jo Burns is a compelling family drama with great character development and a realistic small-town setting that's perfect for fans of Lange's We Are the Brennans.

At first I didn't really like Marley in Mercury. She seemed to be the kind of weak character that needed a man to complete her life. She sort of drifted around not really sure of what she wanted, but that may be because she lacked a reliable home life. Her mother is a nurse and often isn't around and when she is, she feeds her popcorn, not the home-cooked meals the Joseph family has. She seems to orbit around the Josephs, and not just for Baylor and Waylon, but also Elsie, too. She desperately wanted her love and approval, which oftentimes did not come. Once Marley really inserts herself into the Joseph family, Elsie comes to lean on her in a crisis and that's when their relationship truly changes; plus, Marley sees the Joseph family for what they are.

Burns does a phenomenal job with character development in Mercury. Each character is grappling with their own issues and I thought not only was it realistic, it was memorable. I kept guessing as to who was the family villain, but once more information was shared with readers, I questioned my assumptions. Also, the small blue-collar town of Mercury, Pennsylvania was done very well and felt like a character in and of itself.

If you love stories featuring interesting family dynamics and filled to the brim with secrets, check out Mercury this winter. I loved We Are the Brennans, and Mercury had a similar vibe. Have you read Mercury? Is it on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Blog Tour: Once Persuaded, Twice Shy

I love all things Jane Austen and my favorite of her novels is Persuasion, so when I heard that Melodie Edwards was writing a modern retelling, I knew I had to read it. Today I'm part of Berkley's blog tour featuring Once Persuaded, Twice Shy, which comes out today and like Persuasion, it features a young woman’s whose "carefully crafted life unravels the moment an old flame comes back home." 

Learn More About the Novel:

Goodreads says, "When Anne Elliott broke up with Ben Wentworth, it seemed like the right thing to do . . . but now, eight years later, she’s not so sure.

In her scenic hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Anne is comfortable focusing on her successful career: filling her late mother’s shoes as town councilor and executive director of her theater company. She certainly keeps busy as the all-around wrangler of eccentric locals, self-centered family members, elaborate festivals, and the occasional attacking goose. But the more she tries to convince herself that her life is fine as is, the more it all feels like a show—and not nearly as good as the ones put on by her theater company. She’s the always responsible Anne, always taken for granted and cleaning up after other people, and the memories of happier times with Ben Wentworth still haunt her. So when the nearby Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben’s aunt and uncle, Anne’s world is set ablaze as her old flame crashes back into her life—and it’s clear he hasn’t forgiven her for breaking his heart. A joint project between the winery and Anne’s theater forces both Ben and Anne to confront their complicated history, and as they spend more time together, Anne can’t help but wonder if there might be hope for their future after all."

 

 

You can learn more about Melodie Edwards by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram and Twitter. You can also purchase your own copy of Once Persuaded, Twice Shy at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon. 

Is Once Persuaded, Twice Shy on your winter TBR list? Are you a fan of Austen re-tellings? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Mini Reviews: Non-Fiction Audio Books

You all know I love fictional audio books and getting immersed in the world the author creates, but sometimes I need to switch it up with some non-fiction. Sometimes I find myself really engaged with an non-fiction memoir more than I expected and I get sucked in. Today I'm sharing two non-fiction audio books that I thought were really engrossing, each in their own way. 

The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty by Neal Thompson

Genre: Biography/Audio Book

Pub. Date: February 2, 2023

Publisher: Harper Audio

Source: Library

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Based on genealogical breakthroughs and previously unreleased records, this is the first book to explore the inspiring story of the poor Irish refugee couple who escaped famine, created a life together in a city hostile to Irish, immigrants, and Catholics, and launched the Kennedy dynasty in America.

Their Irish ancestry was a hallmark of the Kennedys’ initial political profile, as JFK leveraged his working-class roots to connect with blue-collar voters. Today, we remember this iconic American family as the vanguard of wealth, power, and style rather than as the descendants of poor immigrants. Here at last, we meet the first American Kennedys, Patrick and Bridget, who arrived as many thousands of others did following the Great Famine—penniless and hungry. Less than a decade after their marriage in Boston, Patrick’s sudden death left Bridget to raise their children single-handedly. Her rise from housemaid to shop owner in the face of rampant poverty and discrimination kept her family intact, allowing her only son P.J. to become a successful saloon owner and businessman. P.J. went on to become the first American Kennedy elected to public office—the first of many.

Written by the grandson of an Irish immigrant couple and based on first-ever access to P.J. Kennedy’s private papers, The First Kennedys is a story of sacrifice and survival, resistance and reinvention: an American story."

 

Most people when they think of the famous Kennedy family think of Joe Kennedy, JFK, RFK, and other influential male Kennedys. However, this book peels back the layers of the Kennedy family. It brings us to Ireland in the 1800s and a woman named Bridget Murphy, JFK's great-grandmother. It starts there with the struggle in Ireland during the Great Famine and their escape to Boston. But while in Boston things weren't easy for any of the Irish immigrants. Bridget married Patrick Kennedy and had many children, but then Patrick died of consumption, like many others, in 1858. She had no choice, but to provide for her family and return to work as a servant with a family member watching her brood. She went from a servant to a hairdresser, to working at a fancy hotel, to becoming a female entrepreneur by opening her grocery store. She ended up being so successful, that she bought the building and surrounding real estate. This is unheard of in the 1800s for a female widow to not only thrive after her husband's death but to become a successful businesswoman. Thompson credits the Kennedy family's success to Bridget's, which is fascinating as most biographies don't even mention her. Bridget's son, PJ, thanks to her success and money, opened his saloon after struggling for a bit. He then became a liquor importer and involved in local politics, which led him to become a Democratic party boss. He ended up being one of the most influential men in Boston and he also paved the way for the Kennedy family. The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty by Neal Thompson is a fascinating look into the Kennedy family as well as all Irish immigrants in the 19th century.

I was completely glued to The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of an American Dynasty and blown away by Bridget's grit and determination. What I also really appreciated was Thompson's ability to explain the Kennedy's situation in Boston as an Irish Catholic immigrant, but also relate it to all Irish immigrants during the time. Thompson really highlighted the immigrant experience and while I was aware of a few things, I found all the details about the hardships that they had to endure to be eye-opening. If you have family that also immigrated from Ireland during this time, this is a must-read as it will explain the experience. If you love books about the famed Kennedy family or about the American Dream, look no further.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Genre: Biography/Audio Book

Pub. Date: November 1, 2022

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.” So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who traveled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us. . . and so much more.

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell—and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it—Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he’s found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humor, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is an unforgettable memoir that is both intimate and eye-opening—as well as a hand extended to anyone struggling with sobriety. Unflinchingly honest, moving, and uproariously funny, this is the book fans have been waiting for."

 

Everyone knows Matthew Perry from Friends, but do people know the real Matty? I certainly did not. This memoir was eye-opening. It takes readers through Matthew's childhood, which at times was tumultuous and seems to be something he can't get over. It takes readers to his first drink of alcohol and his breakthrough in Hollywood, the women, the success, and the parties. At first, he was just partying like the rest of the celebrities, but then it became something more and he got hooked on opioids. He certainly tried for years to get clean with many stints in rehab, but he could never seem to completely break away. He had many surgeries, which broke my heart, and after each one, he was offered opioids to help with the pain, which only furthered his addiction cycle. But not all of his stories were sad, as many of the details surrounding Friends and various movie sets were honest and fun. Matthew Perry's memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is heartfelt, self-deprecating, funny, and honest. I am glad I read it and anyone who has an addict in their lives should read it, too.

 

He had such success but was so unlucky at times and my heart felt for him as he fell into his problems again and again. What was so heartbreaking is that he tried for years to break away from drugs. He spent millions on rehabs that didn't completely work. Also, I had no idea that during a few seasons of Friends, he was on the amount of drugs he was on. This was eye-opening and explained addiction to me and how people can function and hide it. I will say Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing hits differently as you listen to his voice narrate the audiobook now that he has passed away. It makes it that much more heartbreaking and haunting because by the end of the memoir, readers think he had it figured out. He was always searching for something to fill that void and it broke my heart that he never found it.

Have you read either biography? I am glad I listened to these two as they really lent themselves to the format of an audio book. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Book Review: The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 13, 2024

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Alice Network,

and The Rose Code

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "From bestselling authors Janie Chang and Kate Quinn, a thrilling and unforgettable narrative about the intertwined lives of two wronged women, spanning from the chaos of the San Francisco earthquake to the glittering palaces of Versailles. San Francisco, 1906. In a city bustling with newly minted millionaires and scheming upstarts, two very different women hope to change their fortunes: Gemma, a golden-haired, silver-voiced soprano whose career desperately needs rekindling, and Suling, a petite and resolute Chinatown embroideress who is determined to escape an arranged marriage. Their paths cross when they are drawn into the orbit of Henry Thornton, a charming railroad magnate whose extraordinary collection of Chinese antiques includes the fabled Phoenix Crown, a legendary relic of Beijing’s fallen Summer Palace. His patronage offers Gemma and Suling the chance of a lifetime, but their lives are thrown into turmoil when a devastating earthquake rips San Francisco apart and Thornton disappears, leaving behind a mystery reaching further than anyone could have imagined . . . until the Phoenix Crown reappears five years later at a sumptuous Paris costume ball, drawing Gemma and Suling together in one last desperate quest for justice."

 

Gemma Garland is an opera singer at the Metropolitan Opera and is traveling with them to San Francisco to sing a special performance with Enrico Caruso. This is just the thing that Gemma hopes will revitalize her stagnant career. While there in this bustling city in 1906, Gemma meets Henry Thornton, a railroad magnate, who mixes and mingles in high society. Gemma finds herself thrust into this world and even singing at their parties. Henry seems like a perfect gentleman until she discovers his darker side. He dabbles in Chinese antiques and even has items from Bejing's fallen palace. Gemma's friend, Suling Feng, a Chinese embroiderer, makes Gemma question Henry's character. Suling has been hired by Henry to fix a few items from the Bejing palace, which leads her to question him. To make matters worse, Suling hints at Henry's even darker side as she blames him for her boyfriend's disappearance. The two women band together to challenge Henry, but before they know it, the infamous San Francisco earthquake is upon them. Kate Quinn and Janie Chang's The Phoenix Crown is a solid historical novel filled with strong female leads and a very atmospheric setting.

I enjoyed Gemma from the start of The Phoenix Crown, but I am not very interested in opera, so this portion of the story dragged a bit for me. What I liked the most was going along for Gemma's ride in old San Francisco. Quinn and Chang developed the setting so well and brought it to life. Their descriptions of Chinatown were also very detailed; I felt like I was there. I didn't know about the darker side of it all, so that was especially enlightening, which the authors really explain in the detailed author's notes. I also enjoyed Suling's story and Chang did a really solid job of highlighting what life was like for Chinese immigrants living in San Francisco during the time. I truly learned a lot. 

Who doesn't enjoy a historical novel where two strong women team up to take down a powerful (but bad!) man? That was also one of my favorite aspects of The Phoenix Crown. My only complaint is that since two authors wrote the novel, it felt a little disjointed at times, and didn't flow as well as I was hoping. It may be because I am used to Quinn's writing style, so this felt different to me. However, it was a solid historical novel overall, and many of Quinn and Chang's fans will enjoy it.

Have you read Kate Quinn or Janie Chang? Is The Phoenix Crown on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Just for the Summer

 

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

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Pub. Date: April 2, 2024

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.

Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?"

 

I can't wait for this new romance from Abby Jimenez. I have an early copy, but I just can't bring myself to read it until the weather warms up a bit. Is Just for the Summer on your TBR list? Believe it or not, it comes out soon! Let me know what you think in the comments below.  

Mini Reviews: More Romances

 

'Tis the season to curl up with a romance. Winter is not over yet! I am sharing my thoughts on a new release from the queen of romance, Ali Hazelwood. This is a departure from her usual STEM romances and while it wasn't entirely my thing, I am glad I read it. I also am sharing my thoughts on a sweet audio book that tugged on my heartstrings. 

 

 

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

Pages: 416

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pub. Date: February 6, 2024

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Loathe to Love You,

The Love Hypothesis, Love on the Brain, 

and Love, Theoretically

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance. Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again... Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was…. Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf."

 

Misery Lark (yes, that's her name) is the daughter of a big wig in the Vampyre world. She has gone through most of her life being used as a chess piece in various alliances with the Werewolf community. This time her father has arranged her marriage to Alpha Werewolf, Lowe Moreland. At first, Misery gives this whole opportunity a hard pass until she realizes that Lowe may be the key to finding out what happened to her best friend who disappeared in Were territory never to be heard of again. So, Misery enters this marriage of convenience with that mission in mind, but as time goes on, she realizes that there may be something between Misery and Lowe, even though they are vastly different. Also, she is surrounded by enemies, so things start to get difficult for her. Bride by Ali Hazelwood is her first paranormal romance that had me laughing out loud; it was a lot of fun!

Everything that readers have come to expect from Hazelwood can be found in Bride. There's a spicy romance that is a slow burn, witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud moments, and fantastic writing. My only issue was the world-building; I felt readers might have benefited from more setting in order to buy into the "fantasy" world a bit better. I also think I didn't love this book as much as the average romance reader because I am not sure paranormal romances are a genre I still enjoy. I really liked the genre in my twenties, but I think it didn't translate to this point in my life. I prefer Hazelwood's STEM romances, but keep this in mind--if you love paranormal romances, you will love Bride.

 

 

The Last Love Note by Emma Grey

Genre: Romance/Audio Book

Pub. Date: November 28, 2023

Publisher: Zibby

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "You may never stop loving the one you lost. But you can still find love again. Kate is a bit of a mess. Two years after losing her young husband Cameron, she’s grieving, solo parenting, working like mad at her university fundraising job, always dropping the ball—and yet clinging to her sense of humor. Lurching from one comedic crisis to the next, she also navigates an overbearing mom and a Tinder-obsessed best friend who's determined to matchmake Kate with her hot new neighbor. When an in-flight problem leaves Kate and her boss, Hugh, stranded for a weekend on the east coast of Australia, she finally has a chance, away from her son, to really process her grief and see what’s right in front of her. Can she let go of the love of her life and risk her heart a second time? When it becomes clear that Hugh is hiding a secret, Kate turns to the trail of scribbled notes she once used to hold her life together. The first note captured her heart. Will the last note set it free? The Last Love Note will make listeners laugh, cry, and renew their faith in the resilience of the human heart—and in love itself."

 

 

Kate and Cam are soulmates. Their romance is adorable and is told through flashbacks. Things are a little more difficult as they get older though. Kate is re-entering the workforce after having their son and things aren't going smoothly. It's one thing after another. However, their world is turned upside down when Cam receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. How could her brilliant professor husband have this horrible disease? As time passes, and Cam slips from her slowly, Kate receives a lot of support from her boss, Hugh. He is understanding and a great support for not only her but also Cam as they become good friends. The story also follows Kate after Cam's death and how she rebuilds her life as a single mother. Two years after Cam's death, Kate finds herself on a work trip with Hugh and not only does she finally see what is right in front of her, but she also realizes he may be withholding an important secret. Emma Grey's The Last Love Note, her adult debut, is a sweet audiobook that broke my heart and then pieced it back together slowly.  

The Last Love Note is a romance with a lot of substance. It is heartbreaking and raw, but I am glad I listened to it. The narration was outstanding (loved the Australian accent!) and the flashbacks were done well in that they developed the backstory which only further broke my heart. I applaud Grey for highlighting such a horrible and heartbreaking disease as every bit of awareness can help. I could also tell that Grey has experienced a lot of heartbreak in her own life because she writes so passionately and in a way that only someone who has experienced it firsthand could write like that. But have no fear, many moments in The Last Love Note were beautiful and hopeful. If you love romances with a lot of heart, look no further.

So, have you read Bride or The Last Love Note? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Swan Song

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

 

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand

Pub. Date: June 11, 2024

 

 

Goodreads says, "In the grand finale of "queen of the beach read" Elin Hilderbrand's beloved Nantucket novels, there's a new couple in town... and they instantly shake things up. Amid the extravagant parties on land and sea, there's trouble on the island, forcing Chief of Police Ed Kapanesh to postpone his retirement and changing the fabric of life on the picturesque island forever... After thirty-five years serving as the Chief of Police on the island of Nantucket, Ed Kapenash's heart can no longer take the stress. But his plans to retire are thwarted when, with only three days left to serve, he receives a phone call. A 22-million-dollar summer home, recently purchased by the flashy new couple in town, the Richardsons, has burned to the ground. The Richardsons are far from hurt—in fact, they're out on the water, throwing a lavish party on their yacht—but when news of the fire reaches them, they discover that their personal assistant has vanished. The Chief is well-acquainted with the Richardsons, and his daughter is best friends with the now-missing girl, leaving him no choice but to postpone his retirement and take on the double case. On a small island like Nantucket, the Richardsons shook things up from the second they stepped on to the scene, throwing luxurious parties and doing whatever they could to gain admittance to the coveted lunches at the Field & Oar Club (with increasing desperation). They instantly captured the attention of local real estate agent Fast Eddie, and the town gossip Blond Sharon, both dealing with their own personal dramas. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce, and in order to avoid becoming a cliché, she's enrolled in a creative writing class, putting her natural affinity for scandal towards a more noble purpose. To solve the case of the fire and track down his daughter's best friend, the Chief will have to string together the pieces of the lives of all of these characters and more, rallying his strength for his final act of service to the tight-knit community he knows and loves. The last of Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling Nantucket novels, Swan Song is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself."

 

I can't quite believe that Elin Hilderbrand will be retiring from writing beach reads. Can you? I heard she has teamed up with her daughter to write a novel, but Swan Song will (supposedly!) be the last of her beach reads. It's the end of an era! I hope to get caught up on some of her backlist beach reads this coming summer. So, are you a fan of Elin Hilderbrand? Is Swan Song on your TBR list?

 

My Favorite Picture Books for Valentine's Day

 

Here are some of my favorite children's books to share with little ones on Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is truly the perfect day to share the LOVE of reading with a child.

Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

The Very Special Valentine by Maggie Kneen

 

Baby Penguins Love Their Mama! by Melissa Guion

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

 

The Berenstain Bears: We Love Our Dad! by Jan Berenstain

Baby, I Love You by Karma Wilson

 

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney

Mama Loves You by Caroline Stetson

Plenty of Love to Go Around by Emma Chichester Clark

  I Love You Because You're You by Liza Baker

 

  I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Shustak-Rosetti

 I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

 

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat

Happy Valentine's Day, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer

Happy Valentine's Day, Curious George! by H.A. Rey

The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll

 

 

 

 A Crankenstein Valentine  by Samantha Berger

Biscuit's Valentine's Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

 

 

Valentine's Day by Miriam Nerlove

Love by Matt de la Pena

 

 

 

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Hug Machine by Scott Campbell

Grumpy Monkey: Valentine Gross-Out by Suzanne Lang

Love from the Crayons by Drew Daywalt

 

Are any of these children books on your favorite list, too? Let me know which ones are your favorite to share on Valentine's Day in the comments below.