Women’s Fiction | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Spotlight Review: CRUEL SUMMER by Maisey Yates

June 24, 2025

From the publisher:

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?
https://amzn.to/4j5KK0s

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.

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THE NANTUCKET RESTAURANT by Pamela M. Kelley

June 20, 2025

The Nantucket Restaurant Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

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.

https://amzn.to/3SQWysz

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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THE FRIENDSHIP FLING by Georgia Stone

June 13, 2025

From the publisher:

The Hilarious New Grumpy/Sunshine, Friends-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy―and your New Favorite Summer Romcom

In this delightfully charming and heartfelt debut love story, two lonely and wildly different strangers embark on a short-term friendship over one London summer—only to discover they may be something more by the time the season ends.

No one would ever call Ava Monroe a people person, which isn’t ideal for a barista in a busy London coffee shop. She’s sarcastic, blunt, and cynical, and her relationships are strictly no strings attached. With her best friend Josie soon leaving for a year, Ava knows she’ll be all alone unless she shakes up her routine. But she can’t risk bringing chance back into her carefully controlled life.

Then insufferably cheerful, country-hopping, undeniably gorgeous Finn O’Callaghan rolls into her coffee shop with a horrifying proposal —a strictly friends-only summer fling. Finn needs a local to help him complete his London bucket list, and Ava needs to reassure Josie she won’t be on her own. And it’s only for a few months.

To Ava’s surprise, their mismatched friendship of convenience becomes oddly tolerable, and as they work their way through Finn’s list and around the sun-drenched city, from rooftops and floating bars to nights at the museum, their adventures—and Finn’s company—start to feel . . . nice. Incredibly, terrifyingly, dangerously nice.

Still, rules are rules—Ava has good reasons for them—and as the days get shorter, Finn’s departure gets closer. Because that’s the thing about summer: it always ends. Right?
https://amzn.to/3F3l7ih

This debut had a surprising twist in the grumpy/sunshine ouvre – she’s the grump, and he is pure sunshine. Ava works as a barista in a London coffeeshop. She hates her job, but it is also perfect for her; she likes the routine but hates dealing with the customers, and she’s none too subtle about it. Her best friend and roommate, Josie, is concerned about Ava because she has no social life other than her one-night stands. Josie wants Ava to make some friends, and when she pushes her, Ava tells her that Finn is her new friend.

Finn works across the street from the coffee shop, but lingers in the store on the regular. He is in London for the summer, then he’s off to parts unknown. Finn has traveled the world, and starts getting antsy when he’s in one place for too long. In every new city he visits, he creates a bucket list of touristy things to do and see, and his London list is extensive. When cornered about being Ava’s new friend, he agrees to deceive Josie but insists that Ava help him with his London bucket list. And a friendship begins.

As Ava and Finn experience what London has to offer, feelings begin to grow. Ava is determined to quash those feelings and continues with her dating app one-night stands until it just stops working for her. But Finn has a deadline – he has applied to work for the same company his father works for, in San Francisco. He has a complicated relationship with his parents, but he figures his father will be impressed with the new job and will want to spend time with him, something he has felt sorely lacking in his life.

But nothing goes as planned for Ava or for Finn. Complicated doesn’t begin to cover the baggage they are both carrying, but their friendship is real and deep. There is a lot of humor here, and their banter is fabulous. I couldn’t help but root for them to find their happy ending, and for Finn especially to learn how to deal with his family and their fraught relationship. Nothing makes me happier than finding a new author. This was a terrific debut, and I’m looking forward to reading whatever Stone comes up with next.

6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE FRIENDSHIP FLING by Georgia Stone. Harper Perennial (June 3, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063434790. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: JOE NUTHIN’S GUIDE TO LIFE by Helen Fisher

June 10, 2025

From the publisher:

A thoroughly uplifting novel about a neurodivergent young man who unexpectedly builds a community and saves a friend in need by following—in a way only he can—his mother’s words of wisdom.

Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, good at his job, good at making things and at following rules, and he is learning how to do lots of things by himself.

Joe’s mother knows there are a million things he isn’t yet prepared for. While she helps to guide him every day, she is also writing notebooks of advice for Joe, of all the things she hasn’t yet told him about life and things he might forget.

By following her advice, Joe’s life is about to be more of a surprise than he expects. Because he’s about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.

“Fisher portrays Joe with tenderness and grace, highlighting his genuine challenges, frustrations, and sparks of joy… Fisher’s latest is an utter delight.” ― Booklist
https://amzn.to/4j5KK0s

Joe-Nathan Clarke is a 23-year-old neurodivergent man who lives with his mother. He has a job at The Compass Store, stocking shelves. He’s been there for five years and has made some friends among the staff. Joe-Nathan also has OCD, and he has crafted routines that allow him to navigate both work and home life successfully. His mother, Janet, is an older mom, and he has lost his father. Janet emerges as a thoughtful guide, creating a detailed notebook filled with practical advice to prepare him for eventual independence, with things like recipes, how to light the gas stove, basic home repairs, etc. He refers to the blue notebook regularly, and later on, finds another notebook filled with more esoteric advice.

While he has built meaningful relationships with most colleagues, some still mock him—particularly “Mean Charlie,” who dubbed him “Joe-Nuthin.” Janet has always told Joe-Nathan that he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, and he desperately wants Charlie to see that. Despite warnings from others who have written Charlie off as irredeemable, Joe-Nathan remains determined to befriend this sullen coworker, setting himself on a dangerous path that threatens more than just his own well-being.

Told primarily through Joe-Nathan’s perspective, the narrative reveals a refreshingly simple logic to his thinking that feels both endearing and hopeful. Unlike most people who develop protective cynicism through life’s challenges, Joe-Nathan approaches the world without layers of defensive armor. This openness proves both refreshing and occasionally unwise in difficult situations.

The characterization of Joe-Nathan impressed me most, as his voice maintains dignity without falling into parody. The author skillfully distinguishes secondary characters through their unique voices, demonstrating exceptional storytelling abilities that bring each person to life authentically.

This charming story exceeded my expectations by delivering something profound yet accessible. While those around Joe-Nathan work diligently to prepare him for adult realities, he becomes the one teaching life lessons to everyone in his orbit. He takes their guidance seriously but isn’t afraid to challenge their perceptions when they conflict with his own moral compass.

By refusing to abandon Charlie, Joe-Nathan forces others to confront their hardened assumptions and discover hidden depths in someone they had dismissed. The result is a beautiful message delivered through a young man who defies conventional definitions of “normal” and proves that wisdom often comes from the most unexpected sources.

This book was unputdownable. I loved these characters and didn’t want to leave them. This is sure to make my best books of the year list – don’t miss it!

6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JOE NUTHIN’S GUIDE TO LIFE by Helen Fisher. Gallery Books (May 28, 2024). ISBN: 978-1982142704. 416p.

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BEACH HOUSE RULES by Kristy Woodson Harvey

June 6, 2025

From the publisher:

Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a delightfully moving new novel about a mother-daughter duo learning to lean on their community of women—and each other—after their world is turned upside down.

When Charlotte Sitterly’s husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, she and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house by the FBI and—what’s potentially even worse—thrust into the spotlight of @JuniperShoresSocialite, the town’s snarky anonymous Instagram account. Cut off from her bank accounts and feeling desperate, Charlotte takes up an acquaintance’s offer to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast that’s home to a community of single mothers and draws plenty of gossip in the small coastal North Carolina town.

Charlotte and Iris find solace and are surprised by how much fun they’re having with the other families despite their circumstances. But when the women discover a secret link between them, it changes everything they thought they knew about the unconventional family they’ve created and leaves them wondering whether their coming together was a coincidence at all. Will the skeletons in the mommune closets help Charlotte and Iris reclaim their place in the Juniper Shores community—or shatter the sisterhood forever?

“Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Jennifer Weiner” (Country Living), Beach House Rulesis a charming exploration of the joy of friendship, the true meaning of family, and reclaiming the power to reshape our own destiny.

“Charming and beachy in the best way, Beach House Rules will appeal to those looking for an escape with emotional depth.” ― –Booklist, starred review

https://amzn.to/4jtubeB

Charlotte Sitterly’s comfortable existence in the affluent beachfront town of Juniper Shores, North Carolina, crumbles overnight when her husband Bill is arrested for securities fraud. She and her fourteen-year-old daughter Iris suddenly find themselves homeless and nearly penniless, with their assets seized and bank accounts frozen. In a tight-knit community where news travels fast—amplified by both a persistent journalist and an anonymous gossip Instagram account—everyone knows their business.

When Charlotte discovers she can’t even withdraw money from her account, an unlikely savior appears. Alice Bailey, overhearing Charlotte’s predicament at the bank, extends an invitation to join her unconventional household. Alice owns a former beachfront bed-and-breakfast that she’s transformed into a “mommune”—a shared living space for single mothers and their children. Despite Alice’s whispered reputation as the town’s “Black Widow” (she’s buried three husbands), Charlotte accepts the offer out of desperation.

What Charlotte finds at the mommune is far from what she expected. Living alongside two other displaced mothers and their children, she must navigate new house rules, unfamiliar dynamics, and her own wounded pride. The concept of the mommune really works—these women create a functioning family unit despite their individual struggles, insecurities, and complicated pasts.

As Charlotte adjusts to her new reality, she becomes entangled in a web of small-town gossip, shifting loyalties, and questions about public perception versus private truth. The mystery surrounding Bill’s guilt or innocence adds layers of intrigue, while Charlotte grapples with themes of trust, reputation, and identity. Through moments of both heartbreak and surprising humor—including snarky commentary from the anonymous “Juniper Shores Socialite”—she discovers that friendship, family, and loyalty can emerge from the most unexpected places.

This story explores the delicate balance between judgment and compassion, reminding readers not to rush to conclusions while examining how people rebuild their lives after everything falls apart. Romance and mystery weave through the narrative, but at its heart, this is a tale about women supporting women through life’s most challenging moments. Don’t miss it.

6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BEACH HOUSE RULES by Kristy Woodson Harvey. Gallery Books (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-1668074800. 368p.

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THE SUMMER THAT SHAPED US by Lori Wilde

June 6, 2025

Hobby Island, Book 1

From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde comes her newest story about three generations of women, an island with an air of mystery and magic, and one summer that changes everything—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery.

In the Gulf of Mexico, near South Padre, sits a private island with a bit of a magic about it: the colors are brighter, the food tastes better, and turtles and cranes find sanctuary there. The billionaire heiress who built the thriving resort on Hobby Island exclusively for crafters, Eloisa Hobby, is as much a mystery as she is a mentor. Those with troubles are invited in the aftermath of an emotional turmoil, and with help from the other crafters on the island Eloisa acts as a sounding board while she gently and unobtrusively guides the visitors toward healthy resolutions in their lives. Only a few receive the honor of a golden ticket.

Luna, ever the pragmatist, is reeling in the wake of tragedy: she’s just moved with her fierce, opinionated teenage daughter Artemis to her mother’s house, after they lost their husband and father. But her mother, Jeanie, artistic and sensitive, has faced her own troubles recently, and her home may not be the stable sanctuary the three women so desperately need.

When Jeanie receives one of the coveted tickets, inviting her and her family to Hobby Island, the blessing is one they can’t turn down, though both Luna and Artie remain skeptical of their eccentric host and benefactor. Together, the three of them will have to learn to trust one another again, accept help from those who love them, and embrace life—during a summer they’ll never forget.

“Fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery will relish the complex family relationships Wilde creates.” — Booklist

https://amzn.to/4drZRzA

Jeanie wins a golden ticket to Hobby Island—a two-month, all-expenses-paid getaway. Wanting to share the joy, she invites her daughter Luna and granddaughter Artie to join her. The timing couldn’t be better: the entire family has been through a rough patch. Luna is grieving the tragic murder of her husband, only to discover he had secretly gambled away everything they owned. Forced to leave their home, she and Artie have moved in with Jeanie. Meanwhile, young Artie is struggling with the loss of her father, and Jeanie herself is reeling after falling victim to a scam that’s left her on the brink of losing her house. Added bonus: there is a quilt competition on the island, and the prize is substantial.

Everyone is carrying emotional baggage, but that’s what Hobby Island is for—a place to heal, reconnect, and rediscover joy. Over the course of their stay, the three women must confront their pasts and embrace change in order to emerge stronger. Along the way, new friendships are formed, and even romance—new or rekindled—might be on the horizon.

This heartwarming story follows three generations of women as they navigate personal challenges, family dynamics, and emotional growth. I appreciated how the book wove together themes of forgiveness, coming of age, and second chances. The layered character arcs, combined with a compelling mystery subplot and a touch of second-chance romance, kept the narrative engaging and heartfelt.

Whimsical and dreamy, this is a beautiful tale of self-discovery, community, and learning to let go of what no longer brings joy. If you’re in the mood for something cozy and uplifting, with relatable characters and a soothing, picturesque setting, this story delivers a moving journey of love, healing, and hope.

Just a personal side note: Hobby Island gets its name from the woman who owns it, but also because every type of craft is available here. I am not the least bit crafty; a visit to Michaels make me feel very uncomfortable! But I do appreciate those with the talent and patience to enjoy crafts. My mother-in-law was incredibly crafty – she knitted, crocheted, did macrame, quilting, shell art, needlepoint, sewing (she made my sister-in-law’s wedding gown and all the bridesmaid dresses!) She was amazing and so talented – and also a great cook. She taught my daughter some, but I was hopeless. I just don’t have the patience for it. If you are someone who enjoys crafting, that should be another level of enjoyment here for you in this book.

6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SUMMER THAT SHAPED US by Lori Wilde. Avon (April 22, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063352155. 352p.

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Spotlight Review: PARK AVENUE by Renée Ahdieh

June 3, 2025

From the publisher:

The HIGHLY ANTICIPATED adult debut novel from #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author Renée Ahdieh

Jia Song has always been destined for greatness. As the daughter of Korean bodega owners, she promised herself that she would have every Fifth Avenue luxury when she grew up, and it is all finally within reach. She has just made junior partner at her prestigious Manhattan law firm, she can count on her two best friends to have her back, and she is about to score the ultraluxe gold-on-gold Birkin bag of her dreams. So when her boss asks her to sit in on the hush-hush family implosion of a high-level client, she accepts without hesitation―only to find out that it is one of the most famous Korean families in the world.

The Park family’s net worth is estimated at a billion dollars, and their megasuccessful Korean beauty brand has shaped the culture for the past two decades. But the patriarch is filing for divorce while his wife is dying, and their three children can’t stop snapping at one another. With both the family fortune and legacy under threat from the worst kind of scandal, it’s up to Jia to set things right―and she only has a month to do it.

As Jia sorts through the lies and subterfuge, chasing the truth across the globe on private jets, she finds herself falling for this broken, badly-behaving family in ways she can’t quite explain. But it is also becoming clear that the Parks are hiding dark secrets. Can she find the truth in time to protect the Parks’ fortune and secure her success at the firm? And can she hold on to what’s most important, even if it means admitting that what she’s always wanted isn’t what she actually needs?
https://amzn.to/3F3l7ih

Ahdieh’s debut adult novel is an enthralling narrative that explores the themes of ambition, family loyalty, and cultural identity. Jia Song, a driven Korean-American lawyer, is the daughter of immigrants who own a bodega. Jia has a deep-seated sense of familial responsibility to achieve success, so when her boss assigns her to a high-profile client – the Park family, owners of a billion-dollar Korean beauty brand, she seizes the opportunity. The family is embroiled in a complex situation: the matriarch is dying, while her husband has abandoned her for a much younger woman. He offers a small divorce settlement, prompting outrage from his three adult children, who don’t agree on anything except this: they know he is concealing assets. Jia is tasked with sorting through the family drama, finding the missing money, and forcing a more equitable divorce settlement. But the Park family and staff are all hiding secrets, and as Jia navigates this intricate web of family dynamics, legal complexities, and hidden agendas, her findings culminate in a shocking ending.

VERDICT A dysfunctional family set against an opulent backdrop makes for an entertaining escape and should appeal to readers who enjoy Min Jin Lee, Jean Kwok, or Jhumpa Lahiri.

6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PARK AVENUE by Renée Ahdieh. Flatiron Books (June 3, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250897954. 320p.

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THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center

May 30, 2025

From the publisher:

It’s a thin line between love and love-hating in the newest laugh out loud, all the feels rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center.

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but pretends that she can.

Plus, Cole and Hutch are brothers. And they don’t get along. Next stop: paradise! But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good-looking man she has ever seen . . . but maybe a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two. Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

“A documentary unites two people who are jaded about love in the sparkling latest from bestseller Center . . . Striking a perfect balance of comedic moments and emotional authenticity, this may be Center’s best yet.” —Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/43mcckl

Katie works for a small documentary production company. When her boss, Cole, assigns her to profile Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson—a Coast Guard rescue swimmer based in Key West—she’s told the project is a recruitment video for the Coast Guard. What Katie doesn’t know is that Cole’s motives aren’t entirely professional: looming layoffs mean he’s hoping to keep her on staff, but more importantly, Hutch is his estranged brother. And they have a complicated history.

Katie has only one hesitation: the job seems to require swimming skills she doesn’t actually have. Not wanting to lose the opportunity, she fibs and says she can swim, figuring she’ll deal with it later.

Upon arriving in Key West, Katie learns she’ll be staying with Hutch’s Aunt Rue, who owns a cluster of seaside cottages. Rue also rents to a circle of lively, divorced and widowed friends—the “gals”—who quickly take Katie under their wing and become invested in both her assignment and her personal life.

When Katie meets Hutch, she’s floored—he’s the most attractive man she’s ever seen. Struggling with body image issues and lacking even a bathing suit, she’s relieved when Aunt Rue, who also owns a boutique, steps in to outfit her… though Rue’s idea of what Katie needs is a bit different from Katie’s own.

Hutch ends up tasked with teaching Katie to swim, and as they spend more time together, sparks begin to fly. Hutch’s lovable rescue Great Dane, George Bailey, also takes an instant liking to Katie, adding some heartwarming humor to the mix.

But Hutch, like Cole, has his own baggage when it comes to relationships. Eventually, the simmering tension between the brothers boils over in a dramatic confrontation, leaving Katie caught in the middle. Yet through the chaos, they all manage to navigate their personal struggles and find their way to a happy ending.

This was a fun, breezy read—maybe not quite up to the level of Center’s earlier novels, but still a cut above the average romcom, warm, funny, and full of heart. Maybe not Center’s best, but definitely a feel-good romcom worth curling up with for the weekend.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center. St. Martin’s Press. ISBN: 978-1250283825. 320p.

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Spotlight Review: WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK? by Sara Hamdan

May 27, 2025

From the publisher:

Mia’s secret comedy career, forbidden office crush, and a long-guarded family secret take center stage, threatening her newfound confidence and her one shot at fame in this hilarious, heartfelt coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Curtis Sittenfeld and Etaf Rum.

Mia Almas has a secret. By day, she works at a respectable job as a media fact checker―a position her conservative, Arab grandparents approve of―and, by night, she takes to the stages of New York City comedy clubs. She holds herself back in a lot of ways, especially in the romance department, but being on stage lights her up and makes being a wallflower the rest of the time more bearable. That is, until Phaedra, her stylish and bold new neighbor, inspires Mia to take a few risks.

As Mia pursues a forbidden romance with her boss, her standup gets better and bolder, leading to a surprise spotlight that exposes her secret gig. Horrified and worried that her rebellious act could mean big consequences for her reserved Palestinian-American family, Mia frantically dives into damage control. But all of her efforts to pull back from the spotlight expose a family scandal from the 1940s that could change everything…

Equal parts funny and tender, What Will People Think? is a heart-bursting exploration of what it means to discover and embrace the hidden parts of yourself, and how love in all forms can make you whole.
https://amzn.to/3OiELYI

This beautifully written debut novel tackles some serious issues like immigration, bigotry, and cultural identity, using standup comedy as the frame. Mia is a second-generation Palestinian-American and has lived with her very traditional grandparents since she lost her parents. She shared a love of standup comedy with her father and has been working on her own comedy act in secret, not wanting to disappoint her grandparents. Her heritage is great fodder for her comedy, but it’s her day job as a magazine fact checker that helps pay the bills. She has had a crush on her boss since he hired her, and when a reporting job opens up, he urges her to submit something. Instead, her best friend submits a piece about Mia’s standup, along with some video, and it goes viral. Mia’s grandparents are in the US illegally, and she is terrified that her success may lead to their deportation. When a new Arab neighbor moves into their building, she mentions knowing a family with the same last name that owned some very successful jewelry stores in Dubai. Mia’s grandmother refuses to talk about her family and ends up giving Mia a journal to read to gain some insight. The journal creates a second storyline that starts in the 1940s in Palestine, and both stories are woven together until all the family secrets are revealed.

Verdict: This compelling read should make for an interesting discussion, like James McBride’s The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store or Evil Eye by Etaf Rum.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK? by Sara Hamdan. Henry Holt and Co. (May 20, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250329813. 336p.

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SONGS OF SUMMER by Jane L. Rosen

May 23, 2025

From the publisher:

A young woman crashes the wedding of the summer on Fire Island in search of her birth mother—and gets a whole lot more than she bargained for—in this warm, heart-stopping getaway from Jane L. Rosen

Maggie May Wheeler is living her best life—at thirty, she has big plans for her vintage record shop and is about to be engaged to her childhood best friend. But when she stumbles across a letter she wrote to her future self when she was thirteen, she realizes it may not be enough. The letter ignites a desire to find her birth mother and discover where she really belongs.

Her search takes her to dreamy Fire Island, where her birth mother is a guest at a wedding. As Maggie spies on her biological family, she’s caught between diving into their chaotic lives and returning to her comfortable world. Things heat up when a charming local makes her an offer to crash the wedding as his date.

Is it the island’s magic, the whirlwind of the weekend, or the thrill of a fake beau that has her rethinking everything? Swept away by every love song she hears, Maggie must figure out where her heart truly lies.
https://amzn.to/3Wue7Rf

Rosen (Seven Summer Weekends) returns to Fire Island, weaving a compelling narrative centered on an adoptee’s quest for her birth mother. Maggie May Wheeler has known she was adopted since she was nine years old. Now an adult and orphaned by her adoptive parents, Maggie inherits their record shop but finds herself at a crossroads when her best friend, Jason, proposes marriage. Driven by a desire to uncover her past before committing to her future, a DNA search leads her to Fire Island. There, she unexpectedly witnesses her birth mother engaged in a heated altercation, prompting her to reconsider her decision. Fortuitously, she meets Matt, a Rolling Stone reporter who is her mother’s neighbor, and he offers to help keep her secret while she discreetly observes her mother, and also discovers an extended family network. Matt invites Maggie as his date to a family wedding where her birth mother is the maid of honor, serving both her covert mission and his need to deflect familial matchmaking attempts. Their burgeoning connection challenges Maggie’s existing relationship with Jason, adding a layer of complexity to her emotional journey. The novel employs multiple perspectives to narrate the story, infusing a sense of lightness into Maggie’s profound familial exploration. A unique feature of the book is its chapter titles, each named after a song, complemented by an accompanying Spotify playlist that enhances the reader’s experience.

Verdict: Rosen skillfully balances elements of romance with a nuanced exploration of family dynamics and self-discovery. Recommend to readers who enjoy Elizabeth Berg, Adriana Trigiani, or Nancy Thayer.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SONGS OF SUMMER by Jane L. Rosen. Berkley (May 20, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593818794. 336p.