With a dash of magic and a cast of oddball, small-town characters, this feel-good novel explores forgiveness, family, and the sense of humor it takes to live with the ones we love the most.
Ebey’s End is a small town on an island off the Pacific coast, reachable only by ferry (assuming the gods are with you and it’s not a Tuesday). It’s a comfortable, familiar (but okay, fine, sometimes lonely) life for its resident grocer Anita Odom. That is, until fourteen-year-old July shows up on her doorstep.
Taking in the recently orphaned daughter of an estranged cousin had not been on Anita’s to-do list. In fact, it’s a terrible idea. Anita is ill-suited, ill-prepared, and absolutely certain the entire enterprise will end in disaster—for both of them.
From the moment she arrives, July seems to “know” what each customer at the Island Grocery needs. They’re small things: a housekeeping magazine slipped into old Mr. Daly’s basket or a coconut cream pie pressed into the hands of Pastor Chet. But one by one, these gifts start to change the lives of nearly everyone in town in ways much larger than they—or July—could have imagined.
It’s not long before secrets are exposed and questions emerge, and everyone in Ebey’s End has to open their hearts a little wider to make room for it all.
Ream (Before We Were Innocent) pens an engaging family tale tinged with magical realism. Set on Ebey’s End, a fictional small island off the coast of Washington State, it is home to quirky characters who love to gossip. Anita, the never-married owner of a local grocery store, becomes the unexpected guardian to July, a 14-year-old orphaned relative she never knew about. Anita is extremely observant; she parses out her customers’ lives based on how they shop and what they buy. July helps out in the store after school, and Anita quickly realizes that July has a remarkable gift: an intuition for providing customers with ordinary items, like magazines or pies, that somehow transform their lives. On her first day of school, July meets Malcolm, the pastor’s introverted son, and they form a friendship that helps her adjust to her new life on the island. July’s search for her birth mother leads her to take a DNA test with unexpected results and leads to a beautiful ending, while the undercurrent of humor lends lightness to the story.
VERDICT This poignant novel with fantastical elements should appeal to readers and book groups who enjoy Maria Semple, Anne Tyler, or Rachel Linden.
This is sure to make my best books of the year list. Don’t miss it!
Action-Packed Historical Fiction with a Grumpy Hero, Uncover the Plot to Steal the Crown Jewels!
In the swoon-worthy opener of her Princes of London series, Christy Carlyle takes readers on a breathless chase through Victorian London as a wild bluestocking from a family of treasure hunters and a handsome, serious gentleman from the Scotland Yard butt heads while attempting to thwart a plot to steal the Crown Jewels, inspired by National Treasure.
Alexandra Prince is clever, outspoken, and, yes, perhaps a bit impulsive. Yet she’s always been overshadowed by her siblings. While they are off on adventurous expeditions, she’s the one left to keep the family’s antique shop going while she works on a book about lady pirates—and longs for an adventure of her own. When she overhears a group of suspicious customers whispering about a plan to steal the Crown Jewels, she knows it’s her opportunity to shine. But she needs a little help.
Detective Inspector Benedict Drake takes his duties at Scotland Yard seriously. In fact, he takes almost everything seriously. Except for the breathless beauty who crashes into his office to tell him about a ludicrous scheme to steal the Crown Jewels. Despite his turning her away, she keeps popping up wherever he goes, and he’s not sure whether she’s determined to cause a scandal or is trying to drive him to distraction. Just when he thinks he’s rid of her, an event compels him to believe her account, and he begrudgingly enlists her aid to thwart the theft of the century.
But while thieves seek the Crown Jewels, the troublesome bluestocking he can’t seem to keep away from might just steal his heart…
“For the launch of her new Victorian Princes of London series, Carlyle serves up a cleverly conceived romance that seamlessly blends a danger-infused plot with an engaging cast of characters that includes a charming heroine with a penchant for historical female pirates, a smolderingly sexy, career-driven hero, and a villain who could double for Moriarty.” — Booklist
“Carlyle starts a new Victorian-set romance-adventure series about Detective Inspector Benedict Drake, an ambitious, determined police officer, and Alexandra Prince, the smart, equally determined aspiring adventurer and proprietor of her family’s antique shop . . . Carlyle’s fans will be delighted, and those who enjoy historicals but also want adventure romances will be happy to find this series launch.”—Library Journal
“A plot to steal the Crown Jewels animates this rip-roaring Princes of London series launch from Carlyle . . . Carlyle makes her progressive leads perfectly matched: dogged detective Ben values Allie as his intellectual equal, and plucky bluestocking Allie loosens him up a bit. This is a promising start.”—Publishers Weekly
“A fast-paced Victorian romance packed with as much criminality as chemistry.” —Kirkus Reviews
Alexandra “Allie” Pierce grew up in a family of adventurous antique dealers, but her childhood illness kept her home while her siblings traveled the world in search of treasures. Now an adult, she manages the family shop while her older brother and sister continue their globe-trotting antiquities hunts. Years of being left behind have left Allie restless and hungry for her own adventure, though her experiences have also forged her into a strong, independent woman.
Everything changes when Allie overhears a conversation at the neighboring coffee shop—strangers discussing plans to steal the crown jewels. Despite her brother’s warnings about jumping to conclusions, her instincts tell her this threat is real. She marches into Scotland Yard demanding to speak with someone in charge.
That someone is Detective Ben “Duke” Drake, a by-the-book investigator who dismisses Allie’s story as fantasy. Ben has worked hard to rise above his impoverished background and dreams of becoming Chief Inspector. He’s not sure whether this case connects to his ongoing blackmail investigation—or whether he’s simply drawn to the spirited woman before him.
When one of the men from Allie’s overheard conversation visits her antique shop asking about gem cutting, and someone later breaks in, Ben finally takes her seriously. As he investigates the jewel theft and its potential connection to his other case, he and Allie grow closer.
Ben’s difficult past drives his commitment to justice and making a difference in the world. Allie, who never planned on marriage and values her independence, finds herself powerfully attracted to the detective. In a bold move that reflects her direct nature, she confesses her feelings and proposes they have an affair.
The story shines in Ben’s character development—watching him evolve from a single-minded, career-focused detective to a man whose priorities shift after meeting Allie. With strong characters, a slightly steamy romance, action, and intrigue, this story delivers on multiple fronts. Carlyle consistently delivers engaging reads that satisfy on every level.
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE DUKE AND LADY SCANDAL by Christy Carlyle. Avon (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063347342. 368p.
As my regular readers know, I’ve been struggling with various eye issues for years now, and not surprisingly, my eyes are getting worse. It’s become exceedingly difficult for me to read a print book anymore. I am listening to more and more audiobooks and reading print exclusively on my Kindle or iPad.
I know there are other e-readers out there, and at one point, I had a Nook, which Barnes & Noble sold to compete with Kindle. My particular model has long since been discontinued and is no longer supported, but they have newer ones available now. Too late for me, I am firmly in camp Kindle.
I’ve had several Kindles over the years, and my most recent is a few years old. But it serves me well, has more than enough memory for my needs – I have over 8000 books on there! I actually have the Kids Paperwhite Kindle, and I’ll tell you why.
When my last Kindle slowed down enough to make me crazy waiting for the page to turn – it was probably only a second or two, but not instantaneous, which is what I was used to and wanted. This was in the summer of 2022, and Amazon had started its crazy summer sales, Prime Days. Wirecutter, the consumer reporting/testing arm of the New York Times, reported their picks for the Amazon summer sale, and that included a new e-reader, the Kids Paperwhite Kindle. It was the same Kindle as the adult version, but it came with a two-year warranty versus a one-year warranty, and it included the cover. (Mine is solid black, but now they have prettier ones.) It was on sale for $105, and at the time, it was the same price as the adult one, so it was a no-brainer for me. It is still working perfectly, and I couldn’t be happier with it.
A few weeks ago, I got an email from Amazon. They were introducing what they called “Recaps for books in series”:
Refresh your memory before you jump back in
If you’ve ever waited months — or years — for the next book in a series, only to realize when it comes out that you don’t remember what happened last, Recaps can help you pick up where you left off. You can now access short summaries on your Kindle device for thousands of best-selling titles in series you’ve purchased or borrowed.
To determine whether a series has Recaps available, look for “View Recaps” on the series page in your Kindle Library.
I think this is a truly inspired idea. Especially when there are long gaps between books in a series (looking at you, Alexis Daria!) For me, it’s just another reason to love my Kindle and keep on reading.
Note: Amazon Prime Days runs for four days this summer, July 8-11. I bet you can find a good deal on a Kindle (and lots of other things) then! If you’re not already a member, please use these links to sign up:
Prime for Young Adults: 6-month trial for $0! 18-24 year-olds and students enjoy full Prime benefits and 5% cash back*
Prime: Join Prime and elevate your Amazon experience. Free delivery, award-winning TV, exclusive deals, and more. Prime is only $14.99/month (plus tax). Cancel anytime.
Prime Access: Eligible government assistance recipients and income verified customers can access all of Prime for $6.99/month.
Book News
A false alarm delivers ridiculously hot firemen to romance writer Abby Jimenez’s book event!
A “book boyfriend” — a literary hunk you pine for in real life — has been around for centuries. But today’s readers have taken this fantasy to a new level.
The “book boyfriend” phenomenon seems to reflect strain in heterosexual dating dynamics: Men are from Mars, women are conducting emotional affairs with fictional astronauts. (Illustration by Amber Day/for The Washington Post)
Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden speaks out on her firing by Trump
The university where I work offers a hospitality degree, has a beautiful teaching kitchen, and a professor who is also a chef. He has been using ChatGPT for recipe creation with his students since it first became available. I got to work with him in the spring semester of 2024 on presenting a cooking class for students who were using the food pantry that I started at my university.
To be honest, ChatGPT wasn’t impressive. He would plug in a list of ingredients and ask ChatGPT to create a recipe. It didn’t seem to matter what sort of ingredients he included, ChatGPT almost always suggested using every single ingredient in a salad. I introduced him to another AI, Perplexity, and that seemed to work a little better. It natively understood that not every single ingredient needed to be included in the recipe, and the recipes made a bit more sense.
Here we are, 18 months later, and ChatGPT has improved considerably. Pete Wells of The New York Times followed up with some serious chefs who are using ChatGPT as their favorite kitchen tool – a very interesting article!
Cuban Crunch Wrap
I’ve never had one, but Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap Supreme has become one of the chain’s most successful innovations. The NY Times offered a way to make a custom one at home that they called the Crunchy Queso Wrap, and that certainly appealed to me. I tried their version, subbing in some leftover Cuban pork that I had made for the ground beef, and it was a hit with my family!
I probably should try the original, though. I haven’t been to a Taco Bell in years – definitely pre-pandemic*, and probably years before that. There is one just a few miles from my house though, so the Crunchwrap awaits me.
*I’ve noticed I tend to look back in time as the pre-pandemic (or post-pandemic) years. It definitely made a strong dividing line in my mind. Anyone else notice themselves doing this? Or am I just weird???
The James Beard Awards
ICYMI: We Need to Talk About Trader Joe’s won the James Beard Award for “Feature Reporting.” It really changed the way I think about TJs. I posted a link to this article last May, but it’s worth reposting here again.
2025 James Beard Foundation Book Award Winners
The Book Awards recognize cookbooks and other nonfiction food- or beverage-related books that were published in the U.S. in 2024. Books from foreign publishers must bear a 2024 U.S. copyright date and/or must have been distributed in the U.S. during 2024.
Baking and Desserts Sift: The Elements of Great Baking byNicola Lamb Beverage with Recipes The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar by Emma Janzen, Jim Meehan, and Bart Sasso Beverage without Recipes Sake: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink by Yoshiko Ueno-Müller Bread Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking by Richard Hart, Henrietta Lovell, and Laurie Woolever Food Issues and Advocacy Ruin Their Crops on the Ground: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch by Andrea Freeman General Pass the Plate: 100 Delicious, Highly Shareable, Everyday Recipes: A Cookbook by Carolina Gelen International The Balkan Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of the Balkans by Irina Janakievska Literary Writing Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves by Nicola Twilley Professional and Restaurant Convivir: Modern Mexican Cuisine in California’s Wine Country by Rogelio Garcia and Andréa Lawson Gray Reference, History, and Scholarship & Visuals (2 awards for this self-published book!) McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches by Gary He Single Subject Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking (More than 60 Recipes Featuring Gochujang, Doenjang, and Ganjang) by Nadia Cho, Mingoo Kang, and Joshua David Stein U.S. Foodways Our South: Black Food Through My Lens by Ashleigh Shanti Vegetable-Focused Cooking Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking: Vegan Recipes, Tips, and Techniques by Joe Yonan Emerging Voice Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store by Paola Velez Cookbook Hall of Fame Rose Levy Beranbaum This one really meant a lot to me – I’ve been a Beranbaum fan since I worked for Borders back in the 1990s! Not that long ago, I started weeding (cleaning out) my cookbook collection. It was starting to take over my house. I got it down to 200 or so of my favorite cookbooks.. Now I am considering moving to Portugal when I retire, and the books just can’t come along. I’ve gotten it down to about fifty cookbooks or so, and The Pie Bible, The Cake Bible, and The Bread Bible, all by Beranbaum, are still here. I will probably move these with me, or maybe I’ll just buy the Kindle versions. Did you know you can add your own notes to a Kindle?!
Good News
My hair stylist’s daughter is a pilot on the Goodyear Blimp, one of only eleven! The NYT did a great piece on the 100th anniversary of the Blimp. There are some great photos and videos within the article, including one of all the pilots (she’s bottom left in that photo.)
Last month, I wrote about how baseball and other sports have become more and more expensive to watch on TV, not to mention in person. I’m not the only one who noticed:
As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe.
Thanks to The New York Times for allowing me to “gift” my readers with free access to these articles, a lovely perk for subscribers.
From a New York Times bestselling author, a second-chance rom-com about a debut author who unexpectedly goes viral when readers discover her hero was inspired by a beloved pro hockey player—and her high school crush.
Debut author Gemma Stanton knows romance readers love a bad boy—and she has the perfect prototype for her novel: Mason Moretti. High school hockey god-turned-pro player, Mason was Gemma’s first crush, but she couldn’t forget the sting of his very public rejection. So, she casts him as a hot-headed Highlander in her spicy new historical romance. She never expected readers would find out on live TV when a morning show host invites Mason for a surprise on-air reunion…
As an aging hockey player with a rep for being ruthless on the ice—and roguish off of it—Mason has an image problem. So, when his meet-cute with Gemma goes viral, Mason proposes they build on the momentum with a few fake dates to boost her book sales…and his sagging profile. But when the fictional flirting gets a little too real, Mason realizes Gemma actually makes him want to become a better man—someone worthy of her trust and her love.
Will Gemma give him a second chance? Mason knows it’s a long shot, but taking shots is sorta his thing, and besides, who loves a redemption arc more than a romance author?
Gemma is finally releasing her debut romance novel, featuring an alpha hero inspired by her high school crush, now a pro hockey player with a notorious playboy reputation. The twist? Her book is a historical romance set in Scotland, so no one is supposed to know the hero is based on Mason Moretti. That is, until her publicist schedules a segment on a local morning talk show, hosted by none other than her high school nemesis.
The host has pieced everything together and orchestrates an ambush by bringing Mason on as a surprise guest. Suddenly, Gemma finds herself trapped in a narrative where she’s the sweet romance writer who penned what amounts to fanfiction about her famous hockey player ex—and now they’re getting a second chance at love. The interview goes viral, and both their publicists see dollar signs, pressuring the pair to date publicly to rehabilitate his reputation and boost her book sales.
Gemma agrees to fake dating reluctantly, haunted by memories of high school heartbreak. Mason, however, is all in—he’s determined to win back the girl he let slip away. What starts as a publicity stunt becomes something deeper as they navigate their complex history and present circumstances.
This second-chance romance works so well because both Gemma and Mason are grounded, mature characters. She’s working to rebuild her confidence, and he’s grappling with the uncertainty of an aging sports career. There’s no forced miscommunication here—just two adults navigating their baggage and reconnecting through open, honest conversations. It’s refreshing.
As their faux relationship plays out in public—complete with hand-holding and carefully staged selfies—their old friendship quietly rekindles. Neither addresses where this relationship might be heading, but the sexual tension is palpable from the start, building into a satisfying slow-burn romance that eventually sizzles.
I usually skim my reviews to remind myself what I’ve read by an author, and I was stunned to see how many genres Armstrong has mastered—fantasy, urban fantasy, thrillers, horror, romance, YA. Having read her work in a few of these categories, I was truly impressed by her versatility; the woman has mad skills!
The audiobook production deserves special mention. The dual narration is excellent, enhanced by a first for me, a sound effect—a text message “ding” whenever characters read texts. This small detail adds remarkable authenticity and immediacy to the experience. The production quality is exceptional and elevates the entire experience. I absolutely loved it.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
WRITING MR. WRONG by Kelley Armstrong.Narrators: Patricia Santomasso & Sean Patrick Hopkins. Forever. June 24, 2025. Listening Length: 9 hours and 4 minutes.
A Heartwarming Novel of Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Unlikely Love in the Midst of Family Secrets and Life’s Unexpected Turns
Welcome back to Sunrise Cove for this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers tale where found family, forgiveness, and love may just be the key to finding yourself, from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.
Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.
Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged. So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to.
Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for Lexi: for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.
Jill Shalvis (Better Than Friends) continues her Sunrise Cove series with this eighth entry centering around stepsisters Lexi and Ashley and their childhood friend, Heath. Ashley and Heath have lived in Sunrise Cove pretty much all their lives, but when Lexi was ten years old, her father got sole custody and brought her to live with his second wife and her children.
Lexi had a very unhappy childhood, first with her mother, Daisy, who was an inveterate gambler, and then with her father’s new family, who were cruel to her. The final straw was when her long-time boyfriend and boss dumped her when she was accused of stealing from the antique appraisal company where they both worked. An investigation was launched, and Lexi didn’t worry since she knew she was innocent, but nonetheless, it hardened her heart even further.
Shortly before Daisy died, she won quite a bit of money in the lotto. After her death, she leaves instructions with her lawyer, Heath, that he follows to the letter. A year after her passing, both Lexi and Ashley are to distribute six letters, in person, to people Daisy felt she wronged, along with checks for varying amounts. Lexi had no relationship with her mother, so she was surprised when Ashley insisted she had to come home to Sunrise Cove to take care of this. Since she was no longer employed and running out of money, Lexi couldn’t really say no.
Ashley is thrilled that Lexi agrees, and the stepsisters start to get to know one another again as adults. Ashley is big hearted and kind, and Lexi can’t help her heart thawing towards her. More surprising is how she feels about Heath. Heath also had a tumultuous childhood, but neither of them knew that about the other. They have a bit of history, none of it very good, but slowly he worms his way into her heart, and she into his.
As Lexi, Ashley, and Heath work on fulfilling Daisy’s final wishes, they reconnect as adults, creating a heartwarming tale of found family, forgiveness, and love. The setting of Sunrise Cove is the tie-in for this series, and each book stands alone beautifully.
VERDICT Shalvis’s fans will love this, and it should gain her new fans as well. Recommend to readers who enjoy Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, or Lori Wilde.
Perry and Daisy’s fake relationship is fooling everyone . . . but they’re the ones who might be getting fooled.
When Daisy Hershberger and Perry Bontrager meet, they discover they have one thing in common: both their families are way too eager to see them matched with the person of their dreams. Daisy is convinced that Maynard is the one for her, but her parents have their doubts. And Perry? His family wonders if there’s anyone out there for a quirky guy like him. He’s also certain that some people–himself included–are destined to be single for life.
After comparing notes, Perry and Daisy agree to a pact. He’ll help her make Maynard realize what he’s missing, and she’ll pretend to be Perry’s love interest to keep his matchmaking mother satisfied. For a while, their pact seems to be working.
Maybe their imagined futures aren’t exactly what fairy tales are made of, but they’re committed to their plan . . . until they realize that a real-life fairy tale is happening where they least expect it. Sometimes, you don’t have to pretend to be anything but yourself in order for love to find you.
The final book in the Amish of Marigold series is a heartwarming, cozy inspirational romance featuring a pretend relationship and plenty of small-town charm. A perfect read for fans of Beverly Lewis and Suzanne Woods Fisher.
A new Amish romance set in a sect that is not quite a strict as others I have read about. Daisy has a crush on Maynard, and he comes over to see her fairly often, but he is a cold fish. Her parents are not too fond of this match, so they get the idea to send her to visit her cousin, Grace, who is engaged. They tell Daisy that Grace needs help planning her wedding, even though it is several months away. A dutiful daughter, Daisy goes off to see her cousin in another state but tries to get Maynard to commit to her in some way before she goes, but that is a fruitless endeavor.
When Daisy arrives at her cousin’s house, no one is home so she wanders over to the neighbor to see if he knows where they are. She meets Perry, a young man with a successful farrier business but he doesn’t know where the family is. They chat a bit and it seems they have something in common. Perry comes from a very large family and he is the only one who isn’t married. He feels like an outsider in this community because the woman he had courted rebuffed him, and he figures he’ll just always be single, but his mother is working overtime to find him someone. Daisy’s family wasn’t thrilled with Maynard, but they want Daisy to find someone, too, and are hopeful her cousins will find her someone.
Meanwhile, Perry hires an older man to help him with his business but he gets hurt, and ends up staying in Perry’s tiny house as he recovers. Daisy feels bad for him and comes over to help out. As Perry and Daisy get to know one another, they come up with a scheme – they will tell their parents that they are dating. Daisy hopes to make Maynard jealous, and Perry wants his mom to step back a bit. But both are too honest to keep the ruse going for very long, and all their plans are upended as they realize they have fallen in love.
This was a sweet Amish romance, a fast read, and a perfect escape. I didn’t realize it was the third book of a series, so it easily stands alone – and I get to go hunt down the first two books in the series.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE MARRIAGE PACT by Kathleen Fuller.Zondervan (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-0840713384. 304p.
A Contemporary Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity Romance of a Life-Changing Road Trip
There are no rules this cruel summer…
Samantha Parker has the perfect life—a loving husband, three wonderful kids and a comfortable suburban lifestyle. But on the brink of their long-awaited empty-nest chapter, Will asks Samantha for something she never dreamed of: an open marriage. Desperate to keep her husband happy, Samantha proposes a summerlong separation with no contact. She knows she has to use the opportunity to find herself, but she also has no interest in being with anyone but Will. She’s confident when the season is over, they’ll get back together like this time never happened.
Then Sam gets an adventurous offer from Will’s best friend, Logan Martin, a classic-car restorer. Logan and Sam haven’t had an easy relationship, but prickly Logan needs help driving across North America making deliveries. Among the winding roads and breathtaking backdrops, everything Sam thought about life is challenged—even her new connection with Logan.
But when summer closes, Sam has to decide: Will she go home to the familiar stability of her past…or choose the thrilling uncertainty of her future?
Samantha and Will were married young, high school sweethearts who found themselves expecting a baby before they even graduated. What started as teenage love endured for twenty years, through three children and a looming empty nest. Will had built a successful real estate business, and Sam created a successful work-from-home journalism career. Sam believed they were both happy with their life together. She was wrong.
When Will announces he wants an open marriage, Sam’s world crumbles. He confesses that he feels cheated out of the dating and sexual exploration that typically happens in one’s twenties, and he wants to experience that freedom now. Devastated but determined to maintain some control, Sam establishes firm boundaries: they will separate for the summer, neither will stay in their family home, and there will be no contact until fall. With their children already settled into summer plans, the stage is set for a season of reckoning.
Will leaves, and Sam is surprised to find Will’s best friend, Logan, at her door. Initially, she resents him—Logan lost his wife years ago and has been cycling through casual relationships ever since. In Sam’s mind, his lifestyle influenced Will’s sudden desire for an open marriage. But Logan surprises her by expressing his anger at Will’s decision.
Logan offers Sam an escape: a summer job helping him deliver restored classic cars across the country. His daughter usually accompanies him on these trips, but she’s staying at college for the summer. With nowhere else to turn, Sam accepts, despite their historically prickly relationship. After all, Logan is Will’s friend, not hers. She clings to the hope that once Will experiences his newfound freedom, he’ll realize what he’s lost and want her back. The question that haunts her is whether she will be able to take him back after knowing he’s been with other women.
As their road trip unfolds, Logan challenges Sam to examine her life with brutal honesty. Her world has been shattered, and she’s not even sure what to think about the pieces. Through Logan’s unwavering support and his insistence on complete transparency, Sam begins a transformative summer of personal growth.
But honesty works both ways. When Logan admits he’s harbored feelings for her since high school, everything shifts. Sam has always found him attractive—there was even a charged moment during a family vacation years earlier when she almost kissed him. But her commitment to her marriage vows held her back, and she deliberately maintained distance from Logan. Until now.
As Sam reflects on her past, patterns emerge. Logan has been present for her most difficult moments—her mother’s death from cancer, her decision to undergo preventative surgery—while Will was notably absent. On this road trip, she realizes she’s never been as authentic with Will as she is with Logan. Part of this stems from her upbringing in their small, Christian community, where her mother taught her to prioritize everyone else’s needs above her own—a lesson that has served her poorly.
This story resonated deeply with me. I experienced my own midlife crisis of sorts when I was around Sam’s age. While my situation differed—my husband was stalwart—I discovered important truths about myself when I took a part-time job at a bookstore after my daughter started kindergarten. I had been a stay-at-home mom for twelve years, so this was a major life change. I loved the work and realized I hadn’t been as fulfilled as I’d believed. My husband’s support throughout my journey of self-discovery actually strengthened our marriage, making us fall more deeply in love with one another. Sam’s path to her own happily ever after felt familiar and genuine. In fact, Sam writes a book about her experience, and this quote hit home:
Indeed.
I’ve enjoyed several of Yates’s previous novels, but this one struck a particularly personal chord. While it was emotionally challenging at times, I found it deeply satisfying. The story captures the complexity of marriage, friendship, and self-discovery with remarkable honesty. I loved it.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
CRUEL SUMMER by Maisey Yates.Canary Street Press (June 24, 2024). ISBN: 978-1335471451. 320p.
You’ve Got Mail meets The Hating Game! Vying for a promotion against a bitter rival as the only female data analyst for a professional baseball team, Emmy finds solace in the text-flirting relationship that started as a wrong number exchange—unaware that the man she’s texting is the one she’s fighting for the promotion.
Emmy Jameson lives by three rules: no dating, no sharing personal news at work, and baseball above everything. As the only female data analyst for a professional baseball team, Emmy is constantly trying to prove herself.
Especially when she’s put up for a senior analyst position against her arrogant, infuriating coworker Gabe Olson. Sure, he’s gorgeous and smart and he was a baseball star in college who knows the sport inside and out, but so does Emmy. She is not going to lose to him again. There will be no distractions this summer. Not even her sister’s pending destination wedding in Mexico for which she needs to find a plus one.
But then she receives a text from an unknown number with a simple message: “Last night was fun.” When she strikes up a conversation with the mystery texter, they realize that he was given a fake phone number after a bad date that just so happened to be Emmy’s. Despite her rules, Emmy can’t deny the instant connection she feels and soon finds herself falling for the stranger on the other side of the screen…and inviting him to her sister’s wedding.
Emmy’s world turns upside down when her mystery man turns out to be none other than Gabe Olson. They are left having to travel to the wedding together while trying to sort out which version of their relationship is real: their in-person rivalry or the deep connection they found in their messages.
This book opens with a charming meet-cute: Emmy Jameson receives a mysterious text from an unknown number saying, “Last night was fun!” It doesn’t take long to figure out that the sender was ghosted by his date and given a fake number. But instead of ending the conversation, they keep texting. Their connection is immediate—he’s sweet, funny, and endearingly awkward. Emmy playfully saves his contact as “Axe Murderer” while he dubs her “Bird Girl,” since she is delighted by his bird/music puns, establishing their quirky dynamic from the start.
At work, Emmy faces a different kind of challenge. Emmy is a statistician for a professional baseball team, and the only woman in her department. She’s locked in professional combat with Gabe “Ruthless” Olson, a charismatic former baseball player turned sports statistician who constantly undermines her efforts. He talks over her in meetings and somehow manages to get the credit for her hard work. With a major promotion on the line in their male-dominated field, Emmy is determined to fight for what she deserves without letting him intimidate her. Fortunately, one of the department directors—an influential woman—is rooting for her.
The pressure intensifies when Emmy’s sister begins planning her dream destination wedding to Mexico and insists Emmy bring a plus one. The situation becomes even more complicated when Emmy learns her ex-boyfriend—who always resented her career—will be attending with his new girlfriend. In a moment of desperation, she takes a bold leap and asks her mystery texter to be her wedding date. After all, he’s become the unexpected bright spot in her days, and she loves their texting relationship.
When they finally agree to meet at a local park, Emmy discovers her texting companion is none other than Gabe—her workplace nemesis. Looking back, all the signs were there, but they both missed the obvious clues. Faced with the prospect of attending her sister’s wedding alone, Emmy decides that she is desperate enough to make this work. What could possibly go wrong?
Patti Murin’s narration was absolutely outstanding. She completely drew me in, and I found myself unable to stop listening. Despite the book’s nearly 12-hour length, the time flew by. This story delivered all my favorite romance tropes: workplace romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a nod to my favorite romcom “You’ve Got Mail”. The witty dialogue and undeniable chemistry between Gabe and Emmy kept me hooked, and I loved the refreshing twist of featuring a female sports statistician navigating a male-dominated field. This was a complete winner!
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
LAST NIGHT WAS FUN by Holly Michelle.Narrator: Patti Murin. HarperAudio: June 10, 2025. Listening Length: 11 hours and 50 minutes.
A MOST ANTICIPATED READ BY PASTE • THE NERD DAILY • BOOKBUB • TODAY.COM • & MORE!
From the international bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adiós, the exciting third and final book in Alexis Daria’s bestselling Primas of Power series
No strings
After Ava Rodriguez’s now-ex-husband declares he wants to “follow his dreams”—which no longer include her—she’s left questioning everything she thought she wanted. So when a handsome hotelier flirts with her, Ava vows to stop overthinking and embrace the opportunity for an epic one-night-stand.
No feelings
Roman Vázquez’s sole focus is the empire he built from the ground up. He lives and dies by his schedule, but the gorgeous stranger grimacing into her cocktail inspires him to change his plans for the evening. At first, it’s easy for Roman to agree to Ava’s rules: no strings, no feelings. But one night isn’t enough, and the more they meet, the more he wants.
No falling in love
Roman is the perfect fling, until Ava sees him at her cousin’s engagement party—as the groom’s best man, no less! Maintaining her boundaries becomes a lot more complicated as she tries to hide their relationship from her family, but Roman isn’t content being her dirty little secret. With her future uncertain and her family pressuring her from all sides, Ava will have to decide if love is worth the risk—again.
“This ultra-steamy, feel-good, and funny romance is filled with a large and lovable cast of characters and emotional family dynamics and is lovingly rooted in Latine culture… [A] sensational final installment” —LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)
“[A]n emotional roller coaster of a finale that will leave readers exhilarated.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred review)
This is the third and final book in Alexis Daria’s Primas of Power series, arriving nearly four years after the previous installment. This novel centers on Ava, a recently divorced schoolteacher, and Roman, a wealthy hotelier. Their romance starts as a no-strings-attached fling but soon deepens into something more serious. As in the earlier books, their path to a happy ending is filled with twists, secrets, and family drama.
Ava is struggling with the aftermath of her divorce and ongoing emotional abuse from her toxic extended family—her judgmental grandmother, neglectful father, and a stepmother who treats her like a servant. The book thoughtfully addresses Ava’s trauma and therapy, highlighting her issues with abandonment and her tendency to become her family’s emotional punching bag.
Roman enters Ava’s life as a secret escape, someone with whom she can truly be herself. Ironically, while she can set boundaries with Roman, she can’t do the same with her family. Their secret affair becomes complicated when Roman turns out to be the best man at Ava’s cousin’s wedding, where she’s the maid of honor. Despite Ava’s attempts to end things, she’s drawn to Roman’s kindness, attentiveness, and emotional maturity. He falls for her first and harder, and their chemistry is off the charts—the book is definitely steamy.
The real conflict lies in Ava’s struggle to believe she’s worthy of love and her inability to set boundaries with her family. While the story delivers a satisfying happy ending, Ava’s confrontation with her family feels somewhat rushed and forced by circumstance rather than her own choice. Some family members dismiss her feelings, which is frustrating, though it’s gratifying to see her half-sister defend her. There’s a bizarre scene involving Roman giving Ava’s mom a lap dance, which felt unnecessary and awkward, though it provided some comic relief.
While this isn’t my favorite book in the series (that honor goes to the first), I enjoyed it nonetheless. The epilogue, which offers a glimpse into Ava and Roman’s future, is a sweet way to wrap up the series. I’m looking forward to whatever Daria does next.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
ALONG CAME AMOR by Alexis Daria.Avon (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-0062960009. 512p.
For fans of Elin Hilderbrand, USA Today bestselling author Pamela Kelley invites readers to step onto the shores of Nantucket, the perfect backdrop for your summer beach read.
Three sisters, each at her own crossroads in life, inherit a Nantucket restaurant and embrace working together.
Mandy, Emma and Jill O’Toole are as close as three sisters who live hundreds of miles apart can be. They grew up together on Nantucket, but have scattered around the country. When their beloved grandmother passes peacefully in her sleep a week before her ninety-ninth birthday she leaves them quite a surprise. In addition to her Nantucket home, they learn that they’ve inherited Mimi’s Place, one of Nantucket’s most popular year-round restaurants. They had no idea that she was the silent owner of a restaurant, and no idea how they’re going to handle this kind of inheritance.
There is of course, a catch―she left the restaurant equally to Mandy, Emma, and Jill―and also to Paul, the executive chef for the past fifteen years.
And before they can sell, all three women need to work at the restaurant for a period of one year. Now they have to examine their priorities and figure out a way to make it work, all while discovering that Mimi’s Place is in serious need of a facelift. The restaurant hasn’t changed in years, and its finances are declining. Meanwhile, Nantucket is a special place, a tight-knit and insular upscale beach community, both supportive and challenging.
Three sisters, each at a crossroads in her own life, facing the challenges of a surprise inheritance in the close-knit community of Nantucket.
This novel was previously self-published and is now traditionally published. It is also considerably longer with more depth.
It’s a character-driven story following three sisters unexpectedly reunited on Nantucket—exactly the kind of feel-good beach read that delivers emotional depth alongside comfort. When Mandy, Jill, and Emma O’Toole return home to Nantucket after their grandmother’s death, they discover she secretly owned Mimi’s Place, a beloved local restaurant. Her final wish: the sisters must run it together for one year alongside longtime chef Paul before deciding its future.
Each sister brings distinct baggage to this unexpected inheritance. Mandy, the only island resident, feels restless and unfulfilled. Married to a wealthy businessman who doesn’t want his wife working, this provides the opportunity for Mandy to stretch her wings a bit. Jill and her business partner run an uber-successful job placement firm in New York City, so she struggles between her New York ambitions and this new family obligation, not to mention a change in her relationship with her partner. Emma is in the middle of an amicable divorce and sees this opportunity as a chance for the new beginning she needs. They are all genuinely flawed, hopeful people navigating uncertainty with authenticity.
As they stumble through restaurant ownership—harder than expected—the story unfolds with gentle humor and brings Nantucket to life. Kelley captures the restaurant industry, from morning deliveries to lunch and dinner rushes, while exploring grief, family duty, and finding your place in the world. Paul, the loyal head chef, adds both heart and humor as he navigates sudden co-ownership with three women who know nothing about running his kitchen, but are happy to leave it to him. Watching them preserve their grandmother’s legacy while figuring each other out drives much of the story’s charm, and Paul adds a bit of romance as well.
The Nantucket Restaurant celebrates family in all its messy glory. Despite financial setbacks and self-doubt, hope and warmth prevail. It’s about starting over at any age, finding strength through difficulty, and self-discovery. By the end, each woman has transformed and truly finds her place in this world. Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, this comfort read delivers emotional growth and a satisfying resolution. I loved it.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE NANTUCKET RESTAURANT by Pamela M. Kelley.Sourcebooks Landmark (June 10, 2025). ISBN: 978-1464246197. 352p.
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