Mini Reviews: Summer Wedding Edition

 

Whether you like a rom-com to read while at the pool or on vacation or you like your summer reads with a strong side of steamy scenes, I've got you covered. I'm sharing my thoughts on two novels involving summer weddings and all that drama that a family wedding can bring.

Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan

Pages: 288

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "A modern comedy of manners about two mothers, the best-laid plans, and one very memorable wedding.

Penelope and Chase make a lovely couple. She’s a bubbly Southern Californian with a killer work ethic. He is smart and charming, with political aspirations. They are planning a spectacular California wedding, wrapped in peonies and thousands of little white lights. Everyone is excited about it­­­­­­—except their mothers.

The mother of the bride, suave, Greek-born Alexa Diamandis, was a single mother by choice and does not understand why any woman would ever get married. The mother of the groom, Abigail Blakeman, is a garden-club stalwart firmly planted in coastal Connecticut. She thinks the whole enterprise would be so much easier if the wedding were at the golf club. When a sudden twist of fate calls them into action, these two very different women are forced to take over the wedding planning."

 

 

Mother of the Bride, Alexa Diamandis, has always been a self-sufficient woman and a single mother by choice. When her daughter, Penny, decides to marry, Alexa is confused as to why she would want to tie herself to another person, especially at such a young age. However, she tries to support her daughter's decision by helping plan a wedding in glamorous Montecito, California, despite her hesitations. Mother of the Groom, Abigail Blakeman, is also confused why her son, Chase, wouldn't just get married at their home in Connecticut and have a reception at the local golf club they frequent. A California wedding is the polar opposite of what she expected; plus, the Blakemans, who have always been well-off, are currently in a financial bind, so this wedding couldn't have come at a worse time. They must keep up appearances, though! Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan is a laugh-out-loud rom-com that is perfect for readers who love a good wedding story filled with family drama.
 
I liked that Dolan focused on the Mother of the Groom and the Mother of the Bride by sharing their points of view in Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding instead of the usual bride and groom. This was a nice touch and really showcased Abigail and Alexa's vast differences. However, as the story progressed, both women realize they have more in common than not and pull together a beautiful wedding for their children despite all the bumps in the road. Leading up to the wedding, there were some laugh-out-loud moments, some cringe-worthy episodes, and some heartwarming ones, too. If you love a good wedding story complete with a gorgeous setting, look no further this summer.

 

 

 

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

Pages: 416

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Berkley

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025 

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: The Love Hypothesis, Deep End,

Love on the Brain, Loathe to Love You, 

 Bride, and Love, Theoretically

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life. Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life. But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one."

 

 

Maya Killgore is a twenty-three-year-old grad student and is not sure of the next step in her life. Conor Harkness is a thirty-eight-year-old man in biotech who has a boatload of money and is Maya's brother's best friend. Maya has secretly - and not so secretly - crushed on Conor for years. So when their paths cross at Maya's brother's destination wedding in Sicily, Maya hopes they might reconnect. After all, they are spending a lot of time together and in a gorgeous spot complete with stunning vistas, grottoes, fantastic food and wine, and picture-perfect rocky shorelines. As more time passes and things lead up to the wedding, Conor and Maya realize they share a connection, but their large age gap is a major deterrent to Conor. If you want a steamy summer romance (and I mean steamy!), then pick up Ali Hazelwood's Problematic Summer Romance.
 
If you're a fan of Hazelwood's romances and have read Not in Love, you might remember Conor and Maya from that book. However, it's not necessary to have read Not in Love to enjoy Problematic Summer Romance. I really loved the Sicilian setting; it’s perfect for a summertime read, featuring beautiful locations, delightful dinners, grottoes, and more. You can clearly see that Hazelwood knows Italy well. My main issue with the novel was the constant emphasis on the age gap between the characters. This aspect was overly focused on, which made the novel feel lacking in significant plot development. It leaned heavily on romance rather than offering a robust storyline. So, if you prefer stories without intense romantic elements, this one may not be for you. Despite this, I believe that Hazelwood's dedicated fans will enjoy it, especially while lounging at the beach or by the pool.
 

 

 

Are you a fan of Lian Dolan or Ali Hazelwood? Is either book on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Wreck

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

 

Wreck by Catherine Newman

Pub. Date: October 28, 2025

Goodreads says, "If you loved Rocky and her family on vacation on Cape Cod, wait until you join them at home two years later. (And if this is your first meeting with this crew, get ready to laugh and cry—and relate.)   

Rocky, still anxious, nostalgic, and funny, is living in Western Massachusetts with her husband Nick and their daughter Willa, who's back home after college. Their son, Jamie, has taken a new job in New York, and Mort, Rocky’s widowed father, has moved in.

It all couldn’t be more ridiculously normal . . . until Rocky finds herself obsessed with a local accident that only tangentially affects them—and with a medical condition that, she hopes, won’t affect them at all.

With her signature wit and wisdom, Catherine Newman explores the hidden rules of family, the heavy weight of uncertainty, and the gnarly fact that people—no matter how much you love them—are not always exactly who you want them to be."

 

If you have been a blog reader, you know my love for Catherine Newman's Sandwich. It was one of my favorite books of last summer and it wasn't just me who thought so. It was a NYT bestseller and on many "best book" lists. I am excited to continue with Rocky's story in Wreck. Will you be adding it to your TBR list?

 

10 Books To Read in July

 

July marks the height of summer, making it the perfect time to soak up the sunshine and enjoy ocean views—ideally with a good book in hand. This month promises some fantastic new releases that have caught my eye. Here's a glimpse of what's coming out and what I plan to read during these sunny days.

1. The View from Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani (7/8)

This new novel from Trigiani is about "one woman’s quest to build her own life before it’s too late."

 

 

2. Our Last Vineyard Summer by Brooke Lea Foster (7/1)

"A captivating new novel set in 1965 and 1978 about a graduate student who returns with her sisters to their family’s summer home on Martha’s Vineyard and begins to unravel old family secrets."

 

3. Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams (7/29)

"When a daughter and her famous mother return to Winthrop Island to confront their complicated past, they discover a secret trove of paintings that connect them to a mysterious woman who vanished on a luxury steamship two centuries earlier."

 

 

4. The Sandy Page Bookshop by Hannah McKinnon (7/22)

"The return of a prodigal daughter to her sleepy Cape Cod town brings the community together in this heartwarming all-new beach read."

 

 

5. Sunburned by Katherine Wood (7/1)

Katherine Wood (a.k.a. Katherine St. John!) has a new suspenseful novel coming out!"St. Barth’s has a murder rate of zero. But that’s about to change."

 

 

6. The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White (7/22)

"A contemporary stand-alone novel about sisterhood, secrets and one woman’s reckoning with the past."

 

 

7. Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely (7/22)

"Always each other’s plus-ones, but never each other’s real dates, two childhood best friends have one last summer wedding to fall in love in this dual-narrative debut."

 

 

8. Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza (7/15)

"an explosive thriller about two estranged friends, a grisly murder, a sudden disappearance, and the truly shocking revelation that everyone is lying to you about something."

 

 

9. These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean (7/8)

MacLean's "first foray into contemporary fiction, with a sharp, sexy novel about a wealthy New England family's long-overdue reckoning with hidden desires, destructive secrets…and one week that threatens to tear them apart."

 

 

10. The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor (7/22)

"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in this enchanting novel about estranged lovers reconnecting over mysterious tapes found in an attic and the old Hollywood secret hidden within them."

 

What books do you plan to read this month? Let me know in the comments below.

The Best Southern Beach Reads

Some of the best beach reads are set in the South, where it's always warm, with palm trees, crystal blue waters, and a cold iced tea in hand. I’ve updated my list of Southern beach reads, and there's something here for everyone to enjoy!

 

Adult Fiction: 

 

 

Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck  (Key West, Florida)

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White (Georgia)

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - (North Carolina)

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa LaFaye (Key West, Florida)

 

 

 

 

 

Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams (Cocoa Beach, Florida)

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe (Charleston, South Carolina) 

Summer at Hideaway Key by Barbara Davis (Florida) 

The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey (North Carolina)

Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews (Florida)

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton (Florida)

Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews (Florida)

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey (North Carolina)

The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis (South Carolina)

Dreams of Falling by Karen White  (South Carolina) 

 

 

 

 

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews (Outside Savannah, Georgia) 

The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe (Charleston, South Carolina)

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews (Florida)

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras (Key West, Florida)

Flight Patterns by Karen White (Coastal Florida) 

A Lakeside Reunion by C.Chilove (Florida)

Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe (Isle of Palms, South Carolina)

 

 

 

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey (North Carolina) 

The Beautiful People by Michelle Gable (Palm Beach, Florida)

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Beaufort, South Carolina)

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews (Georgia)

 

 

YA Fiction:

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen (Colby, North Carolina)

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm (Key West, Florida)

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Southern beach town)

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols (Alabama)

Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton (Georgia)

 

Audiobook Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: June 3, 2025

Publisher: Random House

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Daisy Jones and the Six,

Malibu Rising,  Carrie Soto is Back, One True Loves, After I Do,

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Maybe in Another Life

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.

Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easy-going even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.

As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.

Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars."

 

 

Joan Goodwin has always been interested in space. As an astrophysicist professor, it's been her life's work, so when NASA is looking for females to join their space program, she jumps at the idea of joining such a prestigious organization. However, once she gets there, she she realizes that things are still very sexist at NASA in the 1980s. As she gets to know the other scientists training, she realizes that some, more than others, are ready to help women break into the field. She also befriends other women in her program, such as Lydia and Vanessa. The more the group works together and gets to know one another, the more they feel like family. Meanwhile, Joan has to balance her personal life with such a demanding career; it isn't easy and her personal life is anything but that as well. Reid also flashes back to a space disaster in 1984, which keeps readers flipping the pages to find out what happens to these interesting and beloved characters. Taylor Jenkins Reid's latest novel, Atmosphere, is a heart-pounding tale that her legions of fans will surely enjoy.

 

I really loved the character of Joan from the beginning of Atmosphere. Her complex relationship with her sister, Barbara, and her niece was central to the story. Barbara is insufferable, and Joan often has to pick up the pieces of her disastrous life. Also, Joan's friendships with her colleagues at NASA are portrayed very well, and I think Reid effectively captures the sexism that women often face in this field. As readers get to know Joan better, they realize that her love life is far from easy. When combined with her demanding career, this leads to a lot of conflicts for her.

 

While I am not the biggest fan of space-themed novels, I think Reid did a fantastic job bringing it to life in Atmosphere. There were various parts that kept me in suspense and readers can tell Reid did a phenomenal job researching what it takes to work at NASA. My only complaint with Atmosphere is that it took a while for me to get hooked and feel connected to the characters. But once Reid hooked me in, I was glued to the story.

 

I listened to the audiobook of Atmosphere and as always, Julia Whelan hit it out of the park. There were other chapters narrated by Kristen DiMercurio, who also did a great job depicting Vanessa. They both did an outstanding job.

 

So, if you are looking for a beach read that is a bit different than the usual fare, look no further. Taylor Jenkins Reid's Atmosphere is out of this world.