Mini Reviews: Spring Romances

 

We are in the heart of spring, and what better way to embrace it than with a spring romance? These two romances have very different settings, but their unique environments enhance the romance beautifully.

  

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn

Pages: 464 

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: April 7, 2026

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Georgie, All Along

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she's moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be her worst enemy…especially since her ex isn’t attending alone.

The only thing that could make the week more difficult is getting through it without the distraction of the wedding.... But when what Layla thought was a harmless conversation about the choices of her younger self leads to the bride getting cold feet, Layla finds herself facing down the groom’s mysterious, taciturn best man, Griffin, who will do anything to make sure this wedding happens.

Since she broke it, Griff demands she help him fix it. Going along with his plan to alleviate the engaged couple's doubts seems like Layla’s best chance at maintaining a good relationship with a family she once called her own. But as she learns more about the past heartbreak that’s driving Griff to help his friend, she gets closer and closer to confronting the true depth of her own pain…while finding herself more and more willing to risk it all again for Griff."

 

 

Lydia Bailey is divorced but has always maintained a good relationship with her ex-husband's family. When her former sister-in-law, Sarah, begs her to attend her destination wedding in Paris, Lydia agrees. Although things have remained amicable for everyone, she is aware that her ex-husband, Jamie, will also be present, accompanied by someone new. Upon her arrival, Lydia inadvertently clashes with the elusive best man, Griffin. However, as they spend more time together, they begin to discover a surprising chemistry between them. Complicating matters further, after a girls' night out, Sarah expresses second thoughts about the wedding. When Griffin learns this, he believes that Lydia’s comments during their conversation contributed to Sarah's doubts. Determined to help, Griffin confronts Lydia, and together they work to sort out the issues surrounding the bride and groom. Additionally, having Griffin by her side provides Lydia with a buffer against her ex-husband. The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn is a slow-burning romance set against the captivating backdrop of Paris, which plays a central role in the story.
 
I liked Lydia from the start of The Paris Match. It's not often we get a mature, well-accomplished divorced woman as the protagonist, but I am here for it. I enjoyed her journey to Paris, her awkward encounters with Griffin, which blossomed into something more, and her beautiful time in Paris. Springtime is the perfect time to crack open a book set in Paris (I mean, look at that cover!), so if you are a fan of slow burn romances, this would be a good option for you. Admittedly, I did enjoy Clayborn's Georgie, All Along a little bit more, but overall, this was a solid romance.
 

 

 

 

Darling Daffodils Farm by Brittanee Nicole

Pages: 416 

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: March 17, 2026

Publisher: Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "They say you can never tame a wildflower...When aspiring pastry chef, Tally Darling, returns home to her family’s daffodil farm, the last thing she expects to find is a hot—half-naked—farmhand living in her childhood bedroom and running her late daddy’s business.

Jesse Walker might be gorgeous but he’s also infuriatingly grumpy. Walker has no time for Tally and the feeling is mutual.

That is, until Tally hears him moan over one of her signature salted honey cupcakes. And then discovers how good it tastes when they kiss.

As dewy April days turn into warm May evenings, Walker and Tally soon realize that there is a thin line between love and hate. But will their budding connection grow into something that lasts beyond one season?

 

Tally's father has recently passed away, prompting her to return home to her family's farm to help out. Once there, she discovers a mysterious and gruff cowboy living not only in her family's house but also in her room! It turns out he has come to assist on the farm at her mother’s request. Awkwardness ensues! Upon her return, Tally finds herself grappling not only with her grief but also with the new dynamics at the farm. She doesn't fully understand why Jesse, the cowboy, is working there, and she realizes her mother isn't being clear with her about it. The more time Tally spends with Jesse, who is her complete opposite, the more she starts to see that opposites attract. Their grumpy/sunshine romance begins to blossom, but Jesse is hiding secrets from Tally that are nearly ready to come to light. Brittanee Nicole's Darling Daffodils Farm is a sweet romance filled with a touch of spice, small-town charm, and the essence of spring.
 
A daffodil farm is just about the best setting you could think of for a spring romance, am I right? The small town charm just oozes off the pages, which was reminiscent of a Hallmark movie or The Dream Harbor series. But be forewarned! Darling Daffodils Farm isn't your mother's Hallmark movie; there are a ton of spicy scenes! So, if spicy romances are your thing and you are looking for a spring one, this has it all, including the usual tropes, but Nicole does a good job making them feel fresh and fun. 

 

 

Are you a fan of romances? Are any of these books on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

  

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Shampoo Effect

 

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

Pub. Date: June 26, 2026

 

 

Goodreads says, "When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one.

Together, the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches, and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children, and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next—in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak—exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather. Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, the dawn of midlife, and a group of old friends finally growing up despite all their best efforts to the contrary."

 

This summer is shaping up to be fantastic for beach reads! Jenny Jackson has a new novel coming out, and just look at that cover! I loved Pineapple Street, so I'm excited to get my hands on a copy of The Shampoo Effect. It sounds like a perfect beach read. What do you all think? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Blog Tour: Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block

 

You can always count on Jesse Q. Sutanto to create quirky, lovable characters. That's why I’m excited to be a part of Berkley's blog tour to showcase her latest novel, Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block, which comes out today. This story is sure to have readers laughing out loud, with a main character who feels like a delightful mix of Vera Wong and Elle Woods.
 

Ms. Mebel heads back to culinary school to win back her husband’s heart, except the school isn’t in France, as she thought, but rather in a sleepy British town in the countryside. Hilarious hijinks ensue, along with a truly lovable protagonist you’ll be rooting for from page one. 

 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

 

 

Goodreads says, "A nearly divorced housewife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to start questioning the strange antics of her classmates in this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Retirement should mean long-awaited trips to the sapphire waters of Santorini or careening down a sand dune in Dubai. For sixty-three-year-old Mebel, retirement means her husband of more than forty years announcing that he's leaving her for their private chef. Mebel isn’t sure who's the bigger loss.

Not to worry, Mebel has the perfect plan: she’s going to win back her husband. No one knows what he needs better than her—after all, she's been anticipating his needs their whole marriage. And if he wants a wife who can cook (why else would he leave her for a chef?), she will simply go to cooking school. Luckily, class at the renowned Saint Honoré School of Culinary Arts in France starts in just four days!

However, Mebel quickly realizes that her culinary school is not in illustrious Paris but rather in England—and some small village outside of Oxford no less. Despite the less-than-warm welcome from her much younger classmates, Mebel manages to befriend Gemma, the breakout star of the program, who offers to help Mebel on their first day. When Gemma stops showing up to class, Mebel knows she must figure out what—or who—caused her friend’s sudden disappearance. After all, Mebel may not know the first thing about how to cut a potato, but she certainly knows how to identify a fraud, and there’s definitely something fishy going on. 

 

You can purchase your own copy of Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Amazon, and Books A Million. To learn more about Jesse Q. Sutanto, visit her webpage and connect with her on Instagram and Twitter/X.

In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of Jesse Q. Sutanto and if you'll be adding Ms. Mebel to your spring TBR list.  

Audiobook Review: Once Upon a Time by Elizabeth Beller

Genre: Biography/Audiobook

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Pub. Date: May 21, 2024

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "A quarter of a century after the plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and sister-in-law Lauren, the magnitude of this tragedy remains fresh. Yet, Carolyn is still an enigmatic figure, a woman whose short life in the spotlight was besieged with misogyny and cruelty.

Amidst today’s cultural reckoning about the way our media treats women, Elizabeth Beller explores the real person behind the tabloid headlines and media frenzy. When she began dating America’s prince, Carolyn was increasingly thrust into an overwhelming spotlight filled with relentless paparazzi who reacted to her reserve with a campaign of harassment and vilification.

To this day, she is still depicted as a privileged princess—icy, vapid, and drug-addicted. She has even been accused of being responsible for their untimely death, allegedly delaying take-off until she finished her pedicure. But now, she is revealed as never before.

A fiercely independent woman devoted to her adopted city and career, Carolyn relied on her impeccable eye and drive to fly up the ranks at Calvin Klein in the glossy, high-stakes fashion world of the 1990s. When Carolyn met her future husband, John was immediately drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence. Their relationship would change her life and catapult her to dizzying fame, but it was her vibrant life before their marriage and then hidden afterwards, that is truly fascinating.

Based on in-depth research and exclusive interviews with friends, family members, teachers, roommates, and colleagues, this comprehensive biography reveals a multi-faceted woman worthy of our attention regardless of her husband and untimely death."

 

Many people believe they know Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy based on what the tabloids highlighted, but she was so much more than that. Once Upon a Time by Elizabeth Beller explores Carolyn's childhood, formative years, career, and her relationship with John Kennedy Jr. If you want to learn more about Carolyn, her motivations, and the triumphs and struggles she experienced, this biography will help you appreciate her more deeply. It also sheds light on the challenges she faced with the media in the latter part of her life, evoking sympathy for her situation. Elizabeth Beller’s Once Upon a Time is a compelling biography of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a misunderstood woman who was truly larger than life.
 
This debut biography starts with Carolyn's childhood, and it examines her relationship with her formidable mother, her sisters, and the often complex relationship with her father. As a teen, she was well-liked, popular, and often a little too social, which had her mother start her in a Catholic school instead of the public school in the neighborhood. Her mother remarried a successful doctor, so Carolyn's life was a bit more affluent after their marriage, and she lived in a nice house in New York. She attended Boston University, and the biography takes us through her college years, and I was surprised to find out she majored in education. This was just one of the interesting tidbits that challenged my original ideas on Carolyn.  
 
Always drawn to fashion, she ends up working at Calvin Klein and works her way up the ladder. Beller dives into some of her fashion and how that evolved through the years. At Calvin Klein, this is where she meets John F. Kennedy Jr., and then her life is forever changed. Once Upon a Time takes us through their first meeting, the dates, breakups, more dates, and eventual engagement. I adored the details surrounding their secret wedding on a private island, how she navigated the Kennedy family, and eventually how she deals with the overbearing media scrutiny. The last quarter of the book mainly focuses on how the tabloids destroyed Carolyn's sense of peace, and she couldn't deal with it in a healthy way. She was constantly portrayed horribly, and it wore her down. Readers can help but feel sympathy towards her and see her in a different light.
 
What inspired me to dive into Once Upon a Time was watching a few episodes of Love Story on FX, which is based on this book. I'm glad I made that choice because the biography filled in some gaps that the show couldn't fully explore. Was it the best written biography? No, it did feel repetitive at times and hyper-focused on Carolyn's looks, but if you're a fan of Love Story, I recommend picking up a copy of Once Upon a Time. Even though we know the sad ending, I still enjoyed learning more about Carolyn. It evoked a strong sense of 90s nostalgia, which I relished in! Also, I appreciated Carolyn as more than just a fashion icon. I hope she is remembered for her full legacy.
 
Are you a fan of Love Story? Do you want to read Once Upon a Time? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Rescue Clickity Clack

 

Some of my very favorite books to share with young readers are about the ocean and sea life. I especially love to highlight these stories as summer approaches and the beach calls. I’m also drawn to picture books with a rhythmic, read-aloud quality and a deep appreciation for nature and marine life. That’s why I’m excited to showcase Rescue Clickity Clack: A Fun Interactive Wordplay to Save a Crab’s Day! by Debra Pehrson Haun. Kirkus Reviews calls this book “a vibrant introduction to marine biology with charming illustrations,” and I think it would be a wonderful addition to any home library. I know my two little beach bums would have loved this interactive picture book!

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Rescue Clickity Clack: A Fun Interactive Ocean Wordplay to Save a Crab's Day!

Written and illustrated by Debra Pehrson Haun

Ages: 1-5 | 32 Pages

Publisher: BookBaby (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9889223-1-5

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Clickity Clack, a young crab, finds himself lost and stuck in some yucky muck. He wants to get back home, but he knows he will need help to guide him. Every page turn is a new adventure to brave the waves as you rock, pop, tickle, and wiggle your way through the seas in this captivating multisensory interactive rhythmic adventure where sea stars, vibrant fish, sea turtles, hermit crabs, and a whale join in the fun. Clickity Clack celebrates being home by clicking and clacking his claws with his new friends and his Mom and Pop. Fun facts about all the sea creatures add to the educational value in this rocking, rolling, interactive, rhythmic wordplay sea adventure. BRAVE THE WAVES—YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS!"

 

You can purchase your own copy of Rescue Clickity Clack at Barnes & Noble, BookBaby and Amazon. Also, to learn more about Debra Pehrson Haun visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

The Giveaway:

 

I've partnered with Debra Pehrson Haun to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Rescue Clickity Clack. Enter for a chance to win a splash-tastic prize pack inspired by Rescue Clickity Clack! Four lucky winners will receive a signed hardcover copy of the book plus a small plush crab, and one grand prize winner will receive two toddler t-shirts featuring a crab and sea star design, a signed hardcover copy of the book, and two small plush crabs. Giveaway ends April 27, 2026, at 11:30 PM Mountain Time. Good luck!