Opposites attract―and go head-to-head―in this cheerfully irresistible small-town romance.
With just ten days left till her folks’ loan comes due, ever-pragmatic Charlotte Delaney is officially throwing in the towel on the bet that she made with her sisters. It looks like it’s up to her to save their parents’ café and beloved home with a marriage of convenience to her family’s rival. It’s time to get the in-name-only nuptials over with. Of course, Charlotte’s never been one to easily admit defeat…
Aidan Strong has exactly zero intentions of marrying one of the Delaney sisters―even Charlotte, his first crush. He’s come to Majestic, Maine, to make things right…only Charlotte has other plans.
She’s challenging Aidan to a new wager. And the prize? His billion-dollar coffee empire. Now the tiny seaside town of Majestic is about to witness the ultimate game of hearts…and winner takes all.
Each book in the Majestic Main series is STANDALONE: * First Bride to Fall * Second Bride Down * Last Bride Standing
“There’s no denying the appeal of this quaint Maine town and the loves that blossom within it.”-Publishers Weekly
At one time, Aidan and Charlotte’s parents were best friends and business partners, but that time is long past. While Aidan’s parents turned their half of the business into a global empire, Charlotte’s parents ended up with a coffee shop. After a death in the family, the moms have cooked up a plan to marry off Aidan to Charlotte, as she is the only sister not engaged already. Charlotte is ready to do her part in saving her parent’s business, so she is shocked when Aidan arrives from England to announce he is not marrying anyone. He offers them half his business, but that’s not good enough for Charlotte. She challenges him to a wager: whoever sells the most cups of coffee at the upcoming town festival gets the entire company. And a bet is made.
What Aidan and Charlotte didn’t count on was falling in love. Spending all that time together has brought them closer than ever, but Charlotte is stubborn and has dug her heels into this competition. The happy ending is inevitable, and it is easy to suspend your disbelief until they get there. This is the third book in the series (somehow, I missed the second one,) and it is a good ending to the series. I’m looking forward to whatever Baird does next.
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
LAST BRIDE STANDING by Ginny Baird.Entangled: Amara (June 27, 2023). ISBN: 978-1649373724. 384p.
Indulge in a second chance standalone romance by #1 NYT bestseller Lauren Blakely!
The first rule of working together? Don’t fall for the boss’s daughter. Definitely don’t fall for her when you’re trying to buy the business. The trouble is Sloane is smack dab next me from 9 to freaking 5. And she’s as captivating, brilliant, and sexy as ever, which means I’m taking more than the recommended dosage of office romance temptation every day. Make that every single second, because she’s not only “the one” — she’s the one who got away. But she’s the very definition of off-limits, so I keep my hands to myself. Fine, we might flirt. Okay, we do indulge in the occasional dirty text. And there was that one time when we kissed on the street. But we’ve been good since then. Until the night she issues me a challenge — seven nights of O lessons and then we walk away. Sounds like a simple arrangement. But I was never good with those kind of rules
I love Lauren Blakely’s books – she is a great storyteller, writes great sex scenes, and imbues her romances with enough angst, drama, and laughs to make the pages flow. She is mostly (entirely?) a self-published author, and I have yet to find advance copies of her books on either of the mainstream egalley providers. That means I either have to buy them, a big no-no for a reviewer with access to thousands of egalleys, or get them from my library when they have them (on occasion) or through Kindle Unlimited. I grabbed the three-month free trial of Kindle Unlimited right before Prime Days, and I plan to utilize it as much as I can (see former comment about thousands of egalleys!) This was one of the first books I grabbed.
This is a super steamy, second-chance romance in a work setting. Malone is a veterinarian, like his father was before he passed away. Even though his father is gone, he feels a strong desire to please him, to follow the career path that would have made his father proud. He lands a job in an upscale clinic in Manhattan, and his boss becomes his mentor.
Just before landing this job, he met Sloane, and they shared an incredible week together. But when Malone interviews for this job, he notices a picture of Sloane on his new boss’s desk – he’s her father. Malone ends things with Sloane because he’s pretty sure his new boss wouldn’t like it. One of the things they had in common was their love of animals – Sloane has her own foundation and animal rescue.
Meanwhile, Malone is hoping his mentor retires so he can take over the practice, but it is happening on a much longer timeline than he envisioned. As Sloan comes around the office and eventually moves her office there, they are both sure they did the right thing by ending it seven years earlier. But it is impossible to work next to one another and ignore their explosive chemistry. Eventually, they both get everything they want and their happy ending. Blakely is always a sure thing for a fast-paced, sexy romance.
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED by Lauren Blakely.Little Dog Press (June 10, 2019). ISBN: 978-1732575561. 302p.
Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.
Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.
June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.
Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.
But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.
From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” (E! Online), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.
“Harvey reminds us that sisterhood can take many forms…With a strong dose of nostalgia and multiple narrations from Daphne, Lanier, and June, the book will appeal to Mary Kay Andrews and Katherine Center fans, who will revel in the support the women demonstrate for one another.”—Booklist
“Equal parts moving and nostalgic, Kristy Woodson Harvey’s latest novel is a story of four friends who unite to save a summer camp and find out much more about friendship, love, and their own lives in the process.”—Southern Living
“Anyone in the sleepaway camp mood? Now that our kids’ trunks are in their cabins, it’s the perfect time to dive into this beautiful, heartwarming narrative by New York Times bestselling author and southern sensation Kristy Woodson Harvey. [An] ode to female friendship and the places that shape us into who we are.”—Good Morning America
This author was new to me, but I’ve heard great things about her over the years and I’m not sure why it took me so long to get here. Better late than never, and this was a glorious read, especially if you have fond memories of sleepaway camp.
I did not have the experience of returning to the same camp summer after summer, but I did attend a variety of sleepaway camps, mostly in upstate New York. I loved the escape of camp, to be away from my divorced but still warring parents, to spend so much time outdoors in the freezing mornings and hot afternoons, to learn new skills like diving, rowing, water-skiing (ok, I never quite learned how to water-ski but it wasn’t for lack of trying!) archery, horseback riding, making lanyards (the only craft I mastered!) and of course, boys. But I have wandered way off course here, and if you attended camp, you probably will, too. This book brought back a lot of memories.
The three women at the heart of this story met their first summer at camp when they were six-years-old; their age group was called Songbirds, and the girls became lifelong friends. When the camp is in danger of going under, they flock together to try and save it. That is the basic premise of the story, and that’s all you really need to know about the plot.
What you should know is that these characters are fully realized on the page – I felt like if I took a trip to their small North Carolina town, I’d recognize them all. This was a nostalgic read and brought back so many wonderful summer memories. I loved watching their friendships grow from childhood to adulthood, and how much these women cared about one another and their families. Not everything was an easy ride though; they deal with serious topics like drug abuse, death, single motherhood, and much more. There is also a touch of romance, which I appreciated, and a happy ending. And one of the characters owns a bookstore, which was just the icing on this delicious cake. If you are looking for a charming, beautifully written, nostalgic summer read, look no further. I loved it.
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE SUMMER OF SONGBIRDS by Kristy Woodson Harvey.Gallery Books (July 11, 2023). ISBN: 978-1668010822. 368p.
A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.
Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.
Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.
ABOUT BUSINESS OR PLEASURE
An Indie Next Pick A LibraryReads Hall of Fame Pick
Named a Most Anticipated Summer Read by Buzzfeed, Glamour, Town & Country, BookRiot, and more!
“Solomon consistently balances spicy and sweet, making her romance novels a sure bet for a good read. A must-read modern romance that emphasizes silliness and sexiness in equal parts. Solomon’s best yet.”—Kirkus Reviews(starred review)
“Solomon delights with this hot and heartfelt rom-com…This is a joy.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Sweet, steamy, and satisfying, this is sure to please readers.”—Library Journal
“Fans of comic conventions and Hollywood crushes will adore Solomon’s sexy celebrity romance…Finn is exactly the book-boyfriend readers will adore.”—Booklist
I loved Solomon’s earlier books and this one is another winner! It is also one of the sexiest romances, so if you are not a fan of sex on the page, look elsewhere.
Chandler and Finn meet at a bar next door to the bookshop where she attended a signing. The author didn’t recognize Chandler, which she found really off-putting since she was the actual ghostwriter of the book. Finn seems like a nice guy and there is some real chemistry there, so they end up in his hotel room where sadly, Chandler fakes an orgasm before sneaking out of the room.
When Chandler’s agent calls with her next ghostwriting job, it turns out to be a memoir of a TV cult classic star who has spent most of his career since that show doing Hallmark movies and traveling the Comic-Con circuit. And he is also her one-night stand.
Chandler takes the job; the money is too good to pass up, plus she’ll get to travel to all the Comic-Cons with Finn. As they get to know one another, Chandler tells him she faked it with him. A blow to the male ego for sure, but then he asks his former long-time girlfriend, and she concurs. Humbled, Finn asks Chandler if she would perhaps help him learn how to please a woman in bed. She agrees, and as they travel the country, she learns more about him and his definite ideas about what he wants his book to say. They fall in love, but as always, there are obstacles in their way.
What I loved about this book was how they both learned from one another, and helped each other grow and achieve more than they dreamed possible. There are a lot of laughs along the way as well. This was a fast, fun, sexy read, and I highly recommend it.
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon.Berkley (July 4, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593548530. 384p.
A former SEAL and his best friend’s widow find that the path of healing leads to forbidden feelings in this emotional western romance for fans of Maisey Yates and Jennifer Ryan!
For widow Tess Valdez, there are two things keeping her husband’s memory alive: her daughters and the ranch he loved. And Tess has thrown herself into caring for both. But when the wild horses that roam her land are threatened, Tess seizes the opportunity to become their advocate—and finds a new purpose that is hers alone. She expects resistance from some of the locals, but what she doesn’t anticipate is needing the one man she can’t have by her side…
No one understands Tess’s pain better than SEAL Silas Beck. He lost his best friend on the battlefield, and he’s spent every day since living up to the promise he’d made Jace to take care of the family he left behind. Falling for Tess was never supposed to happen, and Silas knows he should leave for both of their sakes—but he can’t say no when she asks him for one last favor. Even if staying means confronting feelings they’d both rather ignore . . .
“This is a must-read for cowboy romance fans.”—Publishers Weekly
I’ve read many of Sara Richardson’s books and enjoyed them all, but somehow I miss books in every series. I need to pay closer attention! This is the second book of a series, and I have the first book but haven’t read it yet – but I will.
This is a good cowboy romance with a strong storyline besides the romance – saving wild mustangs. In this small ranching town, Tess is shocked to learn that some of her neighbors are killing the wild horses. Tess is a widow whose husband was a Navy SEAL. His friends and fellow SEALs have returned to town and have a construction company. When Tess finds an injured mustang and Silas, her husband’s best friend, helps bring the horse back to the ranch so he can heal.
Silas has strong feelings for Tess but thinks she wouldn’t be interested. Until they have a one-night stand. There is a lot of chemistry there but Tess thinks they shouldn’t let anyone know and that pisses Silas off. Nevertheless, he’s on board to help with the injured animal and helps her try and rally the town to stop hurting these horses. Most of the ranchers agree except one…
Meanwhile, Silas thinks he’s not good enough for Tess and decides to re-up with the SEALs. Tess finds out who is shooting at the horses, and things heat up between Silas and Tess. There are a lot of hurdles before these two can find their happy ending, and I couldn’t put the book down until everything was resolved. This is another good read from a terrific author.
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY by Sara Richardson.Forever (June 6, 2023). ISBN: 978-1538725900. 480p.
A whip-smart and charming debut novel that brilliantly reimagines Pride and Prejudice, set in contemporary Chinatown, exploring contemporary issues of class divides, family ties, cultural identity, and the pleasures and frustrations that come with falling in love.
When Elizabeth Chen’s ever-hustling realtor mother finally sells the beloved if derelict community center down the block, the new owners don’t look like typical New York City buyers. Brendan Lee and Darcy Wong are good Chinese boys with Hong Kong money. Clean-cut and charismatic, they say they are committed to cleaning up the neighborhood. To Elizabeth, that only means one thing: Darcy is looking to give the center an uptown makeover.
Elizabeth is determined to fight for community over profit, even if it means confronting the arrogant, uptight man every chance she gets. But where clever, cynical Elizabeth sees lemons, her mother sees lemonade. Eager to get Elizabeth and her other four daughters ahead in the world (and out of their crammed family apartment), Mrs. Chen takes every opportunity to keep her investors close. Closer than Elizabeth likes.
The more time they spend together, the more conflicted Elizabeth feels…until a shocking betrayal forces her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about love, trust, and the kind of person Darcy Wong really is.
This debut novel by the pseudonymous C.K. Chau is an updated retelling of Pride and Prejudice with an Asian American twist, set in New York City’s Chinatown around the turn of the 21st century. The protagonists are Elizabeth Chen, Darcy Wong, and their families and friends, all with similar Austen-like names. Elizabeth’s mother is a realtor who has finally sold her white whale, the community center of Chinatown. Darcy heads the company that purchased the building, putting him in direct conflict with Elizabeth, who’s determined to keep the community center from becoming an upscale mall.
Darcy and Elizabeth come from different worlds; his, a wealthy Hong Kong family, and hers, a large family all crammed into a tiny NYC apartment, adding humor amid the chaos. The plot line of Pride and Prejudice remains intact here, and the story reaches its denouement with Darcy to the rescue, causing Elizabeth to reexamine her prejudices and forcing Darcy to set aside his pride. While it takes a while to get there, the rest of the novel speeds by until everyone gets their happy ending.
Verdict: Jane Austen fans should enjoy this, especially those who like the modern, multicultural reimaginings of her novels, such as Sonali Dev’s Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Uzma Jalaluddin’s Ayesha at Last.
In this charming installment of the Heart Lake series, a grumpy single dad and a small-town bookseller—who’s secretly an advice columnist—find love when they least expect it.
As chaotic as it can be, Rosie Dean loves her unruly life. But between raising twins alone, running her struggling bookshop, and secretly writing a parenting advice column, the single mom can’t think about dating. At least that’s what she tells herself . . . until her high school crush (and his incredible blue eyes) return to Heart Lake for the summer. Even though Evan has grown into a huge grump, he’s still a super sexy one, and soon sparks begin to fly.
Single dad and widower Evan Mills is used to hearing he’s too serious. But with a grieving tween daughter to raise on his own, the graphic designer is just trying to stay strong for her. He hopes a few weeks at the lake will be the fresh start they both need. Evan never anticipated reconnecting with Rosie, or that she could make him feel whole again—if he’d give her the chance. Will one steamy summer with Rosie be long enough to melt Evan’s heart?
I think this was my first time reading this author, and this book is part of a series. To be honest, I never would have known that so I think it’s fair to say it stands alone. And it was a really good read!
Sometimes I just want complete fluff, an escape from everything going on in the world that terrifies me, but other times I want my happy ending but with a bit more substance. I think this books falls into the latter category.
Evan is a widower with a young daughter and both are still grieving their loss. He decides to move home to this small town for the summer, thinking a change of scenery will do them both good. He was so very right about that.
Rosie is a single mom raising her twins on her own. She is definitely not one to feel sorry for herself; instead, she works hard to give her kids all the love they need, struggles to make her bookstore a success, and on the side, she writes a parenting column, which of course Evan stumbles upon. They start a correspondence while in real life, Evan and Rosie reconnect. Evan was her high school crush, so it’s been a while, but the attraction is still there. On both sides.
It is easy to see where the romance is heading, but it’s the complications of being a single parent and grieving in a small town that really makes this story stand out. It’s also a story about blending families and dating while also being a parent. Highly recommend, and I will be looking for the first book in this series, Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas. Robinson also writes a lesbian romance series, and I may be checking those out as well.
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE LITTLE BOOKSTORE ON HEART LAKE LANE by Sarah Robinson.Forever (May 23, 2023). ISBN: 978-1538755129. 336p.
I can’t lock up the library until the guy asleep at his desk leaves. Thank the universe for audiobooks because I could be here all night. But I see his mouth twitch at the exact moment a steamy kiss takes place. My face burns when I realize my headphones aren’t plugged in and my phone is at full volume.
It’s not every day you see a new face in my small hometown of Two Harts, let alone one belonging to an annoyingly handsome all-star NFL player. But for some reason Chris Sterns has decided that the library where I work is his go-to spot to hide from his mega-fans, and unfortunately, winding me up is his new favorite sport.
Being crowned “world’s sexiest man” has done little to curb his confident charm and when he somehow ropes me into his two-person book club, I can’t help warming to his endless positivity.
But when a photo of him stumbling out of a Las Vegas club with a woman in tow is leaked to the press, I can’t help but question whether his good boy persona is just an act.
And that’s far from the only answer I’m left searching for when Chris pops the question I’ve only ever heard in my favorite romance books. Did he really just ask me to marry him?
It’s not the proposal I was expecting, but with my mom’s medical bills piling up faster than I can pay them, and with the scandal threatening to ruin everything Chris has worked for; could an engagement be the perfect fake out for us both? Or is this a game we’ll both lose?
A totally uplifting and addictive friends-to-lovers romance full of laugh-out-loud moments. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sarah Adams and Olivia Dade.
This author was new to me, and I think this is just her second novel after The Do Over, (which I will be reading for free thanks to Kindle Unlimited!)
This is a sweet romance between a grumpy girl, our librarian heroine Mae, and the man of sunshine and forever in a good mood, star football player Chris. He is hiding out in this small town and the meet-cute happens in the library, where he is napping when Mae is trying to close up. Turns out Chris is a reader, and he talks her into joining his romance book club. This two-member club brings them together, but when a video of Chris and a half-naked woman goes viral, Mae suspects he might not be completely forthcoming with her.
Chris is one of the good guys of football, spending his off time helping raise funds for a children’s hospital and pediatric cardiac research. But the hospital is having doubts about having him as their spokesperson in light of the recent video. His agent and publicist cook up an idea; get him a fiancee stat. Who better than the sweet librarian, Mae, to turn around his reputation? Turns out Mae is more than a librarian, she moonlights on weekends at a Hooters-type restaurant. Her mother had a severe stroke, and even with insurance, the medical bills are astronomical. Chris offers her money to be his fake fiancee for three months and not being an idiot, she takes him up on his offer and takes a leave of absence from her waitressing job.
The more time they spend together, the more real their feelings grow, but Chris isn’t going to force himself on her – he wants Mae to want him for real too. Once their families get involved, things really get complicated, especially when an anonymous source is keeping the viral video in the spotlight.
This is a sweet romance, and I liked the juxtaposition of grumpy girl versus happy guy. For some reason, it’s usually the men who are the grumps in contemporary romcoms, so I liked that Peterson turned that on its head. I didn’t quite understand why Chris freezes Mae out before their happy ending, but I went with it. This was a laugh-out-loud yet heartfelt romance, and a thoroughly delightful read, perfect for summer.
One last comment: each chapter is titled with a bad pickup line, but I really loved some of them!
–Life without you would be like a broken pencil. Pointless
–Even if there was no gravity on Earth, I’d still fall for you
–Our love is like Pi, irrational and endless
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE FAKE OUT by Sharon M. Peterson.Bookouture (June 30, 2023). ISBN: 978-1803149370. 384p.
When a woman discovers a rare book that has connections to her past, long-held secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II are revealed.
In the war-torn London of 1939, fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora are evacuated to a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in a charming stone cottage along the River Thames, Hazel fills their days with walks and games to distract her young sister, including one that she creates for her sister and her sister alone—a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own.
But the unthinkable happens when young Flora suddenly vanishes while playing near the banks of the river. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, and she carries that guilt into adulthood as a private burden she feels she deserves.
Twenty years later, Hazel is in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore to a career at Sotheby’s. With a charming boyfriend and her elegantly timeworn Bloomsbury flat, Hazel’s future seems determined. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing an illustrated book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel never told a soul about the imaginary world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years?
As Hazel embarks on a feverish quest, revisiting long-dormant relationships and bravely opening wounds from her past, her career and future hang in the balance. An astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling.
“[A]ffecting…Henry’s offering shines most in its exploration of the ways relationships grow and adapt to time and trauma, making for a poignant meditation on the bonds of sisterhood. This captivates.”—Publishers Weekly
“Magical…an enchanting tribute to the power of storytelling.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A charming story that weaves fairy tale, mystery, and historical importance with a good dose of romance, The Secret Book of Flora Lea will appeal to all ages, as the author unfurls a fantastic story about ‘an invisible place right here with us.’” New York Journal of Books
“In this heartfelt novel, Henry deftly examines the bonds of sisterhood while seamlessly melding the horrors of war with the comfort of fairy tales, reminding us that “telling stories is one of the greatest powers we possess.” The Washington Post
This was my first book by this author, and I’m not sure how she has escaped me! This was such a lovely book about storytelling and families and sisters and first loves, set in a backdrop of war but moving back and forth in time. It is a wonderful book, and everyone should read it.
I had never heard of Operation Pied Piper, but it was a real program where children from London were sent to live with strangers out in the English countryside to keep them safe from all the bombings during WWII. They packed up a few clothes, their gas masks, and were packed onto busses. In this story, Hazel, a young teenager, and her little sister Flora get lucky and a warm, loving woman agrees to house them during the War. That was not always the case; they meet another girl in the same village who was taken in by a “hag,” a nasty woman who, like some foster parents, took her in for the money she would be paid and to put her to work. But Hazel and Flora were very lucky, and Bridie is such a warm, loving mother figure to them, it makes the transition that much easier. She has a son, Harry, who is around the same age as Hazel, and he is an artist. He draws beautiful pictures of Flora and the lovely countryside and slips them under their bedroom door each night.
But that is only part of this story. Hazel has a vivid imagination, and she invents a fairytale for her younger sister, set in a small enchanted town with a “river of stars” running through it. She begins every story the same way, and the two girls are always in the story, sometimes as girls, but often as other fanciful beings, fairies, owls, etc. But then tragedy strikes; Flora goes missing and is never found. Hazel was with Harry at the time, and she can’t forgive herself or Harry for not keeping an eye on Flora, and she vows to never see him again.
Fast forward many years to 1960, and Hazel is working for a rare books dealer. It’s her last day on the job; she has gotten a new position at Sotheby’s. On her last day of work, her boss asks her to unpack a new shipment, which she does. To her shock, it is a fairytale about the place she invented as a child. The author’s name is unfamiliar, and she lives in the United States. Along with the book are some illustrations, and before she even realizes she’s done it, Hazel has taken them all and gone home.
Hazel has never accepted that Flora died. A few years later, a body of a young girl is found not that far from where they lived and the police consider the case closed, but Hazel does not. So when she finds this book, she is convinced more than ever that Flora must still be alive.
It’s a beautifully written, totally engrossing story that I hated to end. Book groups will find lots to discuss here. Put it on your summer reading list and enjoy!
7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA by Patti Callahan Henry.Atria Books (May 2, 2023). ISBN: 978-1668011836. 368p.
If you are a reader, and I’m guessing that’s how you got here, then you are probably aware that the book banning that is going on in this country has reached epidemic proportions, much worse than the McCarthy era of the 1950s and the Reagan resurgence in the 1980s. As a librarian, watching what is happening all over this country, especially in my state of Florida, taking award-winning books away from children and threatening teachers and librarians with prison, is just sickening.
If you believe that everyone should have access to books that interest them and that parents should make the decisions about what is appropriate reading material for their own children and not for everyone else’s children, then I hope you’ll read this Freedom to Read statement and sign on. Thank you.
The Freedom to Read Statement
Seventy years ago, leaders from across the literary world joined together in writing to condemn attacks on free expression. The statement at the heart of that endeavor, the Freedom to Read Statement, was authored by the American Library Association and Association of American Publishers over a period of several days. It begins with this timeless observation:
The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack.
A resurgence of attacks on the freedom to read again threatens our democracy. Calls for book bans, the adoption of unconstitutional legislation, and campaigns to criminalize the work of librarians, teachers, booksellers and other individuals for distributing materials protected by the First Amendment threaten our fundamental liberties.
Recognizing that the battle to preserve our freedoms is as old as the freedoms themselves, the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers have reconvened on this 70th Anniversary of the Freedom to Read statement to reaffirm its timeless message, joined by the Authors Guild and American Booksellers Association. Together, we recommit to the proposition that the freedom to read is essential to our democracy and the birthright of all persons regardless of their beliefs or political persuasion.
Prime Day is coming! Lots of great bargains heading our way. Reminder: Customers can only participate in Prime Day if they are Prime members! So try it free for 30 days…
Grab a Kindle! I followed Wirecutter‘s advice and got the “Kindle Paperwhite Kids” last year on Prime Day – it’s the same Kindle as the adults, but it comes with a nice black case/cover, a longer warranty, and no ads! And it’s 44% off; the price is down from $159.99 to $89.99! The storage of 8 GB is probably more than enough for anyone. I have over 6000 books on mine and have never had a problem adding more. (I have recently made it a habit to remove the download of the book as I finish reading it, just in case!)
I still have the World Book set my mom bought when I was in elementary school. My kids occasionally used it for homework. Most of the information is still good; how much has the information on the polio vaccine or the Revolutionary War changed? I’m sure quite a bit is outdated or ignores contributions by women or people of color – one can only hope this latest edition is more diverse and inclusive.
At this point, I keep it more for its sentimental value than anything else, plus no one wants it. You can find ads for free encyclopedias on NextDoor, Facebook Marketplace, etc., but no one really wants them, even for free. When I worked at the public library, people often donated encyclopedias and other old, moldy, mildewed books that went straight into the dumpster.
My personal favorite was in a phone call I took from a woman who had recently lost her husband. He had been a physician, and she wanted to donate his medical books, most from the 1930s. We respectfully declined.
The public library in my area does purchase a new set of print encyclopedias every year or two and houses them in the children’s section. They keep the previous edition on hand – the older set could be checked out, but the latest edition could only be used in the library. All of this is leading up to this article:
I just bought the only physical encyclopedia still in print, and I regret nothing: The still-updated World Book Encyclopedia is my antidote to the information apocalypse.
The Saga Over Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Russian Novel” Has an Uncomfortable Lesson—and It’s Not for Her
By Imogen West-Knights, Slate
Gilbert, or her publishers, or both, has decided not to go ahead with publication after all. When the book went up on Goodreads, it was flooded with one-star reviews from people who could not have read it yet. “While Ukrainians are dying from russian terrorists, famous authors are writing books about them and romanticizing these bastards,” one commenter wrote. There are 532 such reviews as of this writing.
Need a recipe in a snap to make your summer produce shine? From June 21 – August 15, text a fruit or vegetable emoji to 361-COOK-NYT (361-266-5698) and receive free recipes from New York Times Cooking! This summer, New York Times Cooking is bringing home cooks inspiration around beloved summer produce and more, with a Recipe Emoji Line. From June 21– August 15, text any fruit or vegetable emoji to 361-COOK-NYT. In return, texters will receive a delicious free recipe, and will be guided to continue texting emojis for more free recipes. My only caveat is I haven’t found an emoji for the odd fruits or vegetables that show up in farm shares or co-ops, like dragonfruit, daikon, or kohlrabi!
Fun fact: As a New York Times Cooking subscriber, I’m entitled to gift two free recipes to friends and family (or my readers) each month. Please let me know if you are not a subscriber and would love a specific recipe from the NYT. I’m happy to share! For this month, I’ll share two of my favorites:
Serendipity is a funny thing. Did you watch the TV series “Modern Family?” You still can on Hulu. I recently ran across one of my favorite quotes from the show, which led me to think about it more than I have in years. I loved that show for most of the years it was on, starting with what I affectionately think of as the Lion King episode. (“Pilot,” Season 1, Episode 1):
ABC. (2009, September 24). Lion King Moment 9-23 – Modern Family. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/1aSzTVrP5FQ
Another memorable episode is also from Season 1, “Phil Gets an iPad,” (episode 19.) Watching it at the time felt like watching a commercial for the newly released Apple iPad, but in hindsight, it was almost prescient – Phil says, “oh, who’s ready for the first day of the rest of their lives!” Yep, I’m pretty sure a lot of lives were changed by the iPad. I know mine was. And in a weird coincidence, I now work at a university that is an Apple/iPad school. So maybe not a commercial but more a glimpse of things to come?
Modern Family Clips. (2020, September 7). Modern Family 1×19 – Phil gets an iPad [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/rkbgDtNGv3o
What started me on this topic was the quote I mentioned earlier. It’s from a conversation between Haley, the not-quite-bright daughter, and Alex, her much brighter sister:
Alex: Can you drop me off at the library?
Haley: Sorry. I’m meeting some friends at that coffee shop on Lake.
Alex: You mean the one next to the library?
Haley: That’s a library? I thought it was a church for a religion that didn’t allow makeup.
Corrigan, P., Walsh, B., & Wrubel, B. (Writers). Case, R. (Director). (2014, April 30.) Sleeper. (Season 5, Episode 21.) [TV series episode]. In Levitan, S. & Lloyd, C. (Executive Producers) Modern Family. 20th Century Fox
Now I know a lot of librarians took offense at that. I’m not sure why, to be perfectly honest. Maybe it hit a little too close to home? Since I’m one of the minority librarians who does wear makeup but have rarely worked with or seen many other librarians who do, I knew it to be mostly true and, therefore, funny. Even the younger generation of librarians coming up in the profession are not prone to wearing makeup. I have to add that the librarians I currently work with are pretty evenly divided, some wear makeup, some don’t, but all look professional. That has not always been my experience.
I hate to generalize, but I’ve been to several major librarian conferences over the years, like the American Library Association Annual Conferences, Public Library Annual Conferences, and local ones, like those sponsored by the Florida Library Association and the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN.) I’ve also done presentations at these and for library systems like the Palm Beach County Library System, the New York Library Association, the Kansas Library Association, and other groups. In other words, I have witnessed thousands of librarians – sans makeup.
It’s hard to see, but that is a tattoo of a piece of hard candy behind the ear of this young librarian in a bun!
Added bonus: there is always a booth or two at these conferences selling book/library-themed clothing or cat-themed clothing and accessories, and they usually have lines of librarians waiting to buy them. Buns and bobs are seen throughout the conference. Cardigans galore (I love them!) Glasses! Lots and lots of librarians in buns, cardigans, and glasses. All I’m saying is that stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason.
Does wearing makeup have any impact on a librarian’s work? Absolutely not. Most librarians love to help people find good information, which is more important now than ever, especially with the advent of generative AI and the misinformation and disinformation that is so easily spread. As Neil Gaiman said,
“Google can bring you back 100,000 answers; a librarian can bring you back the right one.”
Did you know that archivists are generally also librarians? They are a subspecialty of the Masters in Library and Information Science or Masters in Information Science degrees. There are also certificate and degree programs in archiving. I mention this because the National Archive has been in the news lately. When Trump was indicted in Miami in the Classified Documents Inquiry, a colleague said, “This is what happens when you fuck with archivists!”
Well said.
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.
Posted by Stacy Alesi 
Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™ 