There's nothing like unwinding with a romance, whether it be a contemporary novel or historical, they are sure to distract you from the news-cycle or any other stressful events in your life. I love both historical and contemporary romance novels, so if you are like me, these two books will definitely catch your eye.
Goodreads says, "Sasha Rubinstein is not on her game. Parenting with an absent (and objectively douchey) ex has never been easy, but, lately, the judgmental side-eye from people at school pick-up feels extra. It doesn’t help that some entitled dad—with his perfect t-shirts and perfectly punchable (yet adorable) face—keeps stealing the last after-school spots and school hoodies out from under her.
Ethan Jones is not trying to trip Sasha up… at school or otherwise. In fact, ever since they met (which she promptly forgot), he’s been hoping for the exact opposite…or at least to stop thinking about her.
When a game-changing job lands them trapped together on an exclusive private island, they resolve to stop sniping at each other and keep things professional. But with tension building between them and the permeating intoxication of island time, temptation blows in on every tropical breeze."
Sasha Rubenstein is a divorced mother of two living in Brooklyn as a freelance video producer. It’s been difficult to juggle it all as the father of her kids isn’t involved. When she is offered a freelance job for the week at Turks and Caicos for a magazine, she jumps at the chance as she needs the money. Once she secures childcare, thanks to her best friend, she then touches down in idyllic Citrine Cay to realize that the editor-in-chief of the magazine is none other than Demon Dad, Ethan Jones. Sasha and her best friend call Ethan Demon Dad because he sabotages Sasha’s school life more often than not. A few examples: He stole the last hoodie for school spirit week right out from under her and took the last and much coveted after-school drama slot right from under her. She was counting on that spot for her daughter, but Ethan is charming, good-looking, and a single divorced dad, so the women and other moms at school bend over backward for him. This irritates Sasha to no end. The problem is that Ethan is attracted to Sasha and before they know it after spending time at Citrine Cay, sparks fly. This complicates things tremendously, but their attraction is real. Could this be the start of a relationship? Nora Dahlia’s Pick-Up is a delightful rom-com in the vein of Annabel Monaghan and Emily Giffin.
I appreciated Sasha in Pick-Up, and I think Dahlia does a great job portraying a single mom’s life, the mundane task of school pick-ups and drop-offs, overly involved PTO moms, life as an only child, and the sandwich generation. The narration jumps from Sasha to Ethan and also another mom at pick-up. This extra narration is at first a bit confusing, but it all comes together by the end. Also, the romance in Pick-Up felt very realistic and I enjoyed it; my only gripe is that it was a workplace romance for at least part of the novel, which I didn’t love. However, I did really enjoy the Caribbean setting; it made me want to get on a plane and get out of the cold. If you enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope and appreciate a good romance with quick-witted dialogue, you’ll enjoy Pick-Up.
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Goodreads says,"In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define--and defy--an era...She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.
Ava's star is rising just as Frank's career--and public image as a family man--is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.
As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all--the end of all they've shared.
A captivating novel with a star-studded cast spanning continents and decades, Strangers in the Night brings to life the most riveting love story of the twentieth century."
Frank Sinatra spots Ava Gardner at the Hollywood Palladium and she takes his breath away. This started an obsession, but the timing was never right between the two. For starters, Frank is married to Nancy, who he is convinced he shouldn't leave, because they have an understanding and she is the mother to his kids. Ava doesn't have time for Frank's games. She is married to Mickey Rooney and is focused on becoming one of Hollywood's starlets. As the years go by, they cross paths and Ava is finally on the brink of success. Frank is a struggling singer plagued by the media giving him grief for one thing or another and his temper is always getting the best of him. Once Ava is divorced, they start a relationship that is on-again-off-again for years and so very tumultuous. Their relationship is like a car wreck; you don't want to stare, but you can't help it. Cue the drama! Heather Webb's Strangers in the Night, while is dishy like your favorite celebrity magazine, lacks emotional depth.
Webb does a decent job taking readers through the ups and downs of Frank and Ava's relationship in Strangers in the Night. However, it was like something out of a Colleen Hoover novel - very unhealthy and very toxic. In fact, their relationship was depressing, because readers hope for something more for both of these larger-than-life Hollywood stars. The plot was basically this: Ava and Frank have incredible chemistry. They get in a fight. It's horrible and they do something regrettable. Then they get back together. Rinse, lather, repeat. I wish there was more substance and character development. I wish Webb would have done a deeper dive into what makes Ava Gardner and Frank tick. Instead, it jumps from one disturbing event to another. Needless to say, I was enthralled by the Old Hollywood setting and I learned a lot about these two celebrities, but I just wish it offered so much more than it did.
I love an Old Hollywood setting, but Strangers in the Night did feel very repetitive!
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