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WILD AND WRANGLED by Lyla Sage

May 23, 2025

Rebel Blue Ranch, Book 4

From the publisher:

She’s the one that got away. He’s the one that never let her go.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Done and Dusted and Swift and Saddled, the next book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, a small-town romance in which past lovers get a second chance to rediscover what they lost.

Camille Ashwood had always loved a plan. Her latest was her best yet. She was going to get married so she could secure her daughter’s future, get her overbearing parents off her back, and finally start building her own life in small-town Meadowlark, Wyoming. Easy, right?

But when her groom doesn’t show up to the wedding, Cam’s life is turned upside down—she doesn’t even have a place to live. That is until she finds out the house she’s loved since high school is available to rent. There’s only one problem: the neighbor.

Dusty Tucker has spent nearly all of his adult life running. Running from what, though? More like who: Cam Ashwood. But ever since he returned home last year, the girl who was his first, well, everything has become a woman seemingly determined to keep him at arm’s length. And he was okay with that—at least, that’s what he kept telling himself. She was getting married, after all. But now she’s single and living next door. Dusty wants to show her that they can be friends, and that he can stay put.

Despite her best attempts to stay far away from Dusty Tucker, Cam realizes that being close to him is like slipping into her favorite jeans. Easy. Comfortable. That is until past wounds start to open and feelings—both old and new—wreak havoc. Nearly ten years after they first met, Dusty and Cam begin to wonder if their first love can also be their last. And this time, will it be forever?

“Nearly 10 years after being each other’s first everything, Cam and Dusty have a second chance—but adult baggage complicates their romance. This series finale returns to the Wyoming mountains with a Yellowstone-esque slow burn that leads to the perfect happy ending.”—People

https://amzn.to/44XL7q0

This was my first read by this author, but this is the last book in a series, although it stands alone beautifully. Judging by a lot of the reviews, people loved this series and were seriously bummed that it ended, and since I really enjoyed this, I will be going back to find the earlier books.

Single mom Cam gets stood up at the altar, not an auspicious beginning to the rest of her life. But she’s strong enough to just move on by moving herself and her young daughter out of the house she shared with her former fiancé. She is thrilled to find that the house she’s always loved in town is now available for rent, and she snatches it up. She soon finds out that her neighbor is the man who broke her heart back in high school, Dusty. Dusty has been avoiding any kind of commitment for a long time, but seeing Cam stirs up the old feelings. She is not having it, though, and tries to keep her distance.

Cam is a real people pleaser, longing for perfectionism and satisfying everyone else at the cost of her own happiness. Dusty is finally able to admit to himself that he wants to put down roots, wants to feel tled down for the first time in his adult life. Dusty has never forgotten Cam, in fact, his heartbreaking yearning for her shows up in spades. They slowly find their way back to each other and realize why their timing was not right 15 years earlier.

This book hits a lot of the most popular romance tropes: childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance, slow burn, single mom, small town, and a new one for me – love letters. This was such a compelling story with characters that I really cared about, despite not having read the earlier books. Can’t wait to get started on those!

The series in order:

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WILD AND WRANGLED by Lyla Sage. Dial Press Trade Paperback (April 15, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593732472. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: NIGHTSHADE by Michael Connelly

May 20, 2025

From the publisher:

Introducing Detective Stilwell: a cop relentlessly following his mission in the seemingly idyllic setting of Catalina Island.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Stilwell has been “exiled” to a low-key post policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. But while following up the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Detective Stilwell gets a report of a body found weighed down at the bottom of the harbor—a Jane Doe identifiable at first only by a streak of purple dye in her hair. At the same time, a report of poaching on a protected reserve turns into a case fraught with violence and danger as Stilwell digs into the shady past of an island bigwig.

Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, Stilwell doggedly works both cases. Though hampered by an old beef with an ex-colleague determined to thwart him at every turn, he is convinced he is the only one who can bring justice to the woman known as “Nightshade.” Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city.

Propulsive and atmospheric, Nightshade launches a brand new character into the Connelly universe, and proves without question that Michael Connelly is “the undisputed master of the modern crime novel” (Real Book Spy).

“Connelly’s compulsively readable, best-selling crime fiction is propelled by justice-seekers committed to their calling, no matter the risks…With an intriguingly low-key but skilled and principled hero, his significant other, a pesky if useful reporter, a conniving mayor, and a crime boss known as Baby Head, Nightshade is a gripping and promising start to crime virtuoso Connelly’s new series.”―Booklist (starred review)

“In this winning series launch, L.A. noir maestro Connelly proves small-town policing can be just as high stakes as crime solving in the big city . . . The claustrophobic setting and layered plotting evoke the crime novels of John D. MacDonald, and Stilwell makes for an intriguing hero, with enough biographical gaps for Connelly to sketch him in further in subsequent installments. The author’s fans will be thrilled to find him working in a new register.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Idyllic Catalina Island turns out to be just as crime infested as the rest of Los Angeles County in the latest series launch by the creator of Harry Bosch, Renée Ballard, and the Lincoln Lawyer . . . Connelly handles his hero’s obligatory romance with assistant harbormaster Tash Dano and his increasingly wary alliance with assistant D.A. Monika Juarez with equal professionalism, and if the wrap-up leaves some loose ends dangling, well, that’s what franchises are for.”―Kirkus Reviews
https://amzn.to/3F8rjpo

This is Michael Connelly’s first new series since introducing Renée Ballard, but at least in this debut installment, there’s no crossover with Mickey Haller, Harry Bosch, or Ballard herself. So, if you haven’t read those series yet (and seriously, why not?), you can jump in here with a clean slate. That said, the story is set on Catalina Island, just off Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department does play a role—so who knows where Connelly might take things next? Either way, this is a gripping, compulsively readable book and a stellar launch to what promises to be a terrific series.

Our protagonist, Detective Sergeant Stilwell, commands the local police substation on Catalina, a refuge for misfit officers who’ve been banished from the mainland after various career mishaps. Stilwell himself landed there after a homicide investigation went sideways—partly due to fellow detective Ahearn, who cut corners rather than doing the work. While Ahearn got a slap on the wrist, Stilwell got exiled. But as it turns out, the island suits him just fine.

Stilwell is also navigating a new relationship with Tasha, the island’s harbormaster. His deputies are mostly inept, providing rare moments of lightness in an otherwise tense environment. The story opens with a bizarre crime: one of the island’s protected animals, a buffalo, has been decapitated. But what seems like an odd local incident soon snowballs into something much more serious.

There’s also a high-stakes theft at the exclusive Black Marlin Yacht Club, whose membership is limited to 100 original families and their heirs—openings occur only when a member dies without descendants. The club makes rare honorary exceptions for the judge who visits the island weekly and the mayor. When the club’s manager reports that the priceless black jade marlin statue, a fixture in the lobby for over a century, has vanished, Stilwell learns that the front entrance—where the statue sat—is rarely used. Members typically dock their yachts and enter from the water side. With no security system or cameras inside the club, Stilwell must rely on footage from the harbormaster’s cameras that point to the dock.

But the stakes escalate dramatically when a body in a bag is discovered submerged beneath a boat, tied to an anchor. LAPD Homicide steps in, and Stilwell is initially content to hand over the case—until he learns that Ahearn, his nemesis, is leading the investigation. Ordered to cooperate, Stilwell and Ahearn are forced into an uneasy alliance. Distrust simmers between them, and when Ahearn once again takes the path of least resistance, jumping to an easy conclusion without doing the legwork, Stilwell defies orders, digging deeper on his own. Eventually, he manages to convince his superiors that the case is far more complex than it seems.

Connelly layers the story with enough red herrings and misdirection to keep you hooked from start to finish. I found the new characters engaging, and I’m excited to see how they develop as the series continues. As far as I’m concerned, Connelly remains the king of crime fiction, the unparalleled master of the police procedural, and the virtuoso of Los Angeles noir. Don’t miss it.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

NIGHTSHADE by Michael Connelly. Little, Brown and Company (May 20, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250329813. 352p.

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Audiobook Sunday: BOLD MOVES by Emma Barry

May 18, 2025

Read by Savannah Peachwood & Jeremy York

From the publisher:

From the author of Bad Reputation comes a smart and sexy second-chance romance, where exes reunite to adapt a memoir, only to discover that after a decade apart, they might finally be ready for more.

Working with your ex isn’t that bad an idea—not with artistic integrity on the line. Jaime Croft is determined to prove his directorial range, and Scarlett Arbuthnot’s biography is the perfect project. He once thought Scarlett was his perfect match too, but it’s been seventeen years. Surely he’s over it by now.

Or maybe not.

Scarlett is a grand master taking the chess world by storm. If she can handle that pressure, she can handle Jaime Croft. Even if that means working together in close quarters…and constant reminders of how she broke his heart. She didn’t do it without reason, but if he knew the details, he would despise her even more.

As Jaime and Scarlett pore over her memoir, they unlock their own memories, and old feelings rise to the surface. But giving in means abandoning the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and that’s a move neither one seems ready to make.

https://amzn.to/4ib9PX5

Scarlett Arbutnot is at the top of her chess game—both literally and figuratively. She’s breaking barriers in a historically male-dominated field, working tirelessly to carve out her own legacy while also advocating for greater diversity and inclusion, particularly for women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Her journey is a solo one, navigating the isolation that often comes with standing out. In a bold move against the powers that be in the competitive chess world, she releases a tell-all biography.

When Jaime Croft, an old high school flame turned award-winning documentarian, approaches her with the idea of adapting the book into a TV series, she agrees. As they collaborate closely on the project, old memories and unresolved feelings resurface. Their shared history is complex: their previous relationship ended abruptly when Scarlett left to pursue her chess ambitions, leaving emotional scars on both sides.

There was little depth to their connection beyond physical attraction, and that shallowness came through clearly in both characters’ points of view. At no point during the story did I feel that they were genuinely in love or that they truly belonged together. And isn’t that the point of a romance?

I also expected a more in-depth look into the chess world, especially given Scarlett’s status and the premise of her biography. I was hoping for insight into her mindset during matches, her preparation strategies, or even detailed accounts of her most pivotal games. Unfortunately, the book only briefly touched on a few matches. I loved the Netflix show, “The Queen’s Gambit,” and was hoping for something similar here, so it was very disappointing.

In the end, this book didn’t make the bold move I was hoping for. It was a struggle to get through it. That said, the narrators did a fine job with the material they were given – it was the actual story, the writing, that was the issue for me.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BOLD MOVES by Emma Barry. Narrators: Savannah Peachwood & Jeremy York. Brilliance Audio; April 22, 2025. Listening Length: 10 hours and 40 minutes.

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JILTED by Vi Keeland

May 16, 2025

From the publisher:

From #1 New York Times bestseller Vi Keeland comes a brand new slow burn, swooning romance where 27 Dresses meets The Hating Game.

Weddings. I spend every working minute talking and writing about them, when just the thought of one makes me want to scream. After my fiancé abandoned me at the altar last year, my dream job at Bride magazine has turned into a reoccurring nightmare.

To add insult to injury, the bridezilla at my latest assignment somehow roped me into filling in for a missing bridesmaid. Of course, I had to get paired with the most gorgeous groomsman. Wilder Hayes is perfect―except when he opens his mouth and we end up bickering all evening. That is, until the coat closet incident.

At least I’ll never have to see him again. Or so I think… Until I walk into work on Monday and find out Wilder isn’t just a jerk, he’s also my boss’s son. And I’ll be spending the rest of the season working with him at every single wedding I cover this year.

It’s a match made in heaven…or hell. Only time will tell.

DELUXE EDITION–a gorgeous paperback edition featuring bright turquoise sprayed edges!

https://amzn.to/4jEtoIa

Jilted is a charming, feel-good romance that’s equal parts fun and heartwarming. It’s one of those stories where you quickly become invested in the characters’ journeys and can’t help but smile along the way.

Sloane, our heroine, is obsessed with weddings—she works for a wedding magazine and hosts her own wedding-themed podcast. But after being left at the altar, her personal and professional worlds collide in the worst way. Despite the heartbreak, she has to keep doing her job, which means immersing herself in all things love and marriage. When her latest assignment unexpectedly places her in a wedding party, she’s paired with a man who has mesmerizing eyes—and an attitude that quickly kills the vibe. Still, a few drinks and a night of dancing might be exactly what Sloane needs to start rediscovering herself.

Wilder, the handsome, cocky playboy, isn’t exactly looking for commitment—but Sloane changes something in him. He finds himself drawn to her in a way he’s never experienced. Determined to spend more time with her, he devises a plan to keep her close by involving her in the weddings of his friends. Sloane, still nursing her wounds, has sworn off men for the time being. But Wilder might be the one person who can convince her to take a chance again.

Told in dual point of view, we get insight into both Wilder and Sloane’s perspectives, which adds depth to their connection. Their banter is witty, their chemistry undeniable, and their emotional growth genuine. Wilder, despite his past, shows a surprising level of patience and attentiveness, proving he’s more than just a smooth talker. Sloane, on the other hand, slowly lets her guard down and begins to find healing through their unexpected bond.

What makes this story stand out is the natural progression of their relationship. There’s no rush, no forced drama—just two people getting to know each other and slowly falling in love. Supporting characters like Sloane’s family and Wilder’s brother and friends enrich the story and add warmth and humor to the narrative.

Jilted is a character-driven romance that highlights the power of communication, personal growth, and second chances. It’s a light, engaging read with a perfect happily ever after. Don’t miss it!

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JILTED by Vi Keeland. Bramble; Deluxe edition (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250359858. 272p.

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AN AMISH WIDOW’S PROMISE by Winnie Griggs

May 16, 2025

Sweetbrier Creek, Book 2

From the publisher:

One Amish man helps to revive a young widow’s struggling orchard—and heal her heart—in this light, warmhearted Amish romance perfect for fans of Jo Ann Brown and Jocelyn McClay.

Widow Miriam Esh has to find a fiancé, or her overbearing bruder-in-law will sell her familye apple orchard. He’s already taken it upon himself to hire someone—likely another man presuming he knows what’s best for her land. But if she’s going to save it, Miriam must focus on finding a suitable husband, not on the new orchardist or on how good he is with her son, and definitely not on how his smile scatters her thoughts . . .

By the looks of things at the Esh estate, Daniel Beiler knows Miriam could use a hand. Only the stubborn widow doesn’t want to take any of his advice. Yet as they spend their days working side-by-side and sharing warm meals, Daniel and Miriam can’t deny the growing comfort in each other’s company. So when Miriam begins receiving attention from eligible men seeking a wife, Daniel must admit his feelings for her before it’s too late. With the promise that he’ll be the partner she can trust, can Daniel convince Miriam that he should also be the mann in her life?

https://amzn.to/44jdkr8

I can’t review this without saying that the characters’ names hit weirdly close to home. Daniel is my son, his wife is Miriam, and their son is Jonah, the same as these characters. I can’t recall ever reading a book where all the main characters’ names were also names of my family members, and I thought it especially interesting as these characters are Amish, and my family is decidedly not!

Miriam is a young widow left with a little boy, Jonah. Her husband left half of their apple orchard to their son, and the other half to his brother who has no interest in the orchard. In fact, he wants to sell it, but Miriam is adamant that it is her son’s legacy and fights her brother-in-law as best as she can. She doesn’t have any legal standing, but that doesn’t deter her. They agree on a compromise; he will hire someone to run the orchard for a period of time, but he is moving on to a new job in a new town, and doesn’t want the responsibility of the orchard. She will find a husband who will let her keep the orchard; easier said than done.

The hired orchardist is Daniel, who has been working at another orchard for years, in hopes of purchasing it one day. Instead, the owner brings in his own family, and Daniel is out of a job. He is now hopeful that he will be able to buy Miriam’s orchard, but she is unaware of the deal he made with her brother-in-law.

Miriam grew up in this place and has been working in the orchard for most of her life, and she truly loves it. But she resents all the men in her life ignoring her knowledge and making decisions for her, instead of with her, including her own husband before he passed. Daniel is knowledgeable about orchards, but she still wants a say in any work that is being done. There is some miscommunication there, and Miriam is none too pleased with him. But she can’t help but appreciate how good he is with her son, who needs a man to look up to, and Daniel is the kind and gentle man she hoped for.

Miriam and Daniel butt heads continuously, until he finally wears her down and she starts to trust him. But he is keeping a secret from her, and he knows things are going to go sideways when she finds out. I really liked the strength Miriam showed throughout, and how she stuck to her guns despite her growing feelings for Daniel. Eventually, they work their way to one another, and a happy ending for this sweet family is found.

I read the first book in this series, An Amish Christmas Match, and really enjoyed it, but it is not necessary to read them in order. This book stands alone beautifully.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

AN AMISH WIDOW’S PROMISE by Winnie Griggs. Forever (April 29, 2025). ISBN: 978-1538766392. 320p.

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Spotlight Review: CHANGING TIDES by Linny Mack

May 13, 2025

Cape May, Book 1

From the publisher:

An emotional neighbors-to-lovers romance about a woman determined to heal from heartbreak in Cape May, who kindles an unlikely attraction for her grumpy neighbor with his own tragic past.

“I think about how a person can be like a Cape May diamond. A dull piece of quartz but when the tide changes, as it always does, they can become shiny and new again.”

Sometimes the tide that sweeps you away can bring you home…

After thirteen years of marriage and seven years of infertility with her supposed soulmate, Sophie Bennett’s life is turned upside down. Not only does she discover her husband is having a sordid affair, on her birthday, but his mistress is also pregnant with his baby. Seeking solace, Sophie flees to Cape May, New Jersey, a quiet coastal town where she spent many summers as a child. There she encounters Liam Harper, a brooding carpenter who seems intent to keep everyone at a distance. Despite his best efforts, Sophie recognizes the vulnerability under his prickly exterior, sparking a curiosity about him that she can’t ignore.

Liam Harper is walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Haunted by a tragedy from his past that changed him forever, Liam doesn’t believe he deserves love or happiness. After being unexpectedly awarded permanent custody of his one-year-old niece, Liam’s script flips yet again. He doesn’t know the first thing about parenthood, and his gruff exterior makes it hard for him to ask for help. When the beautiful and heartbroken Sophie becomes his new neighbor, Liam never expects her to be the one to chip away his defenses.

As the two navigate their attraction and work to heal old wounds, emotions run high. If they want to change the tides of their futures, they must decide whether love is worth the risk. Will they walk away forever, or will fate step in and see them through?
https://amzn.to/3GuoPSK

This debut novel is the first book of a series set on the Jersey shore, and is a terrific slow burn romance. Sophie is 38 years old, and on her birthday she walks in on her husband in their bed with another woman. After being married for 13 years and struggling with infertility for most of their marriage, she never expected this kind of betrayal, which only gets worse when it turns out the new girlfriend is pregnant. Sophie feels like her life has been stolen from her, and there is a scene where she confronts the other woman that was memorable and inspiring.

Sophie flees to Cape May on the Jersey shore, where spent some of her happiest childhood summers. Because season hasn’t started yet, she gets a good deal on a small cottage behind a lovely Victorian home. The owner, Ellie, is an older widow who immediately takes Sophie under her wing. Ellie babysits for the man next door, Liam, who recently became guardian to his infant niece when his sister passed away. There’s no baby daddy in the picture, or on the birth certificate for that matter, and Liam’s parents can’t deal with it, leaving him as de facto guardian to Lucy. Sophie is thrilled to help out with the sweet baby girl, and she and Liam start spending some time together. They both have a lot of baggage, and do not rush into anything.

Sophie is a family and marriage counselor and never thought she’d be in this position. There is a psychiatrist in town, and she starts seeing him to help her get through the divorce. Turns out Liam is a long-time patient of the doctor as well, and has had some real trauma in his life that he is still trying to work through. I found it so inspiring that therapy is so well represented here. Sophie’s best friend is devastated that she’s moved away, but they stay in constant contact which helps with everything she is going through. She also makes some new friends in the small beach town.

As Liam and Sophie get to know one another, feelings start to grow. Liam has real issues with feeling like he is not deserving of love, and Sophie is skittish about getting into another relationship while the ink on her divorce is barely dry. But eventually, they both give in to their feelings and find their way to a happy ending. One of the standout aspects of the book is its realistic portrayal of emotional healing and the positive emphasis on therapy. The narrative underscores that recovery is a deeply personal journey, one that unfolds at its own pace.

Overall, Changing Tides is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant read that blends romance with themes of resilience, self-discovery, and second chances. It’s a charming and heartfelt story that explores love and personal growth between two characters in their late 30s—a refreshing change from the typical twenty-something protagonists. I especially appreciated the message that it’s never too late to start over or pursue happiness in whatever form it takes. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, Chasing Stars, which comes out in September. This feels like my first beach read of the summer, and I loved it.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CHANGING TIDES by Linny Mack. Page & Vine (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-1964264103. 387p.

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Audiobook Sunday: THE NANTUCKET INN by Pamela M. Kelley

May 11, 2025

Read by Karissa Vacker

Nantucket Beach Plum Cove Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

Lisa Hodges needs to make a decision fast. Thanks to her dead husband’s gambling addiction, their savings is almost gone. In her early 50s with a large, waterfront home on Nantucket to support, Lisa hasn’t worked in over 30 years, has no in-demand skills and is virtually unemployable.

Her only options are to sell the house and move off-island, or, she could use her cooking and entertaining skills and turn her home into a bed and breakfast. She desperately needs it to succeed because she has four grown children with problems of their own and wants to stay close to them.

Her oldest daughter, Kate, has a fabulous career in Boston – working as a writer for a popular fashion magazine and engaged to a dangerously handsome, photographer, who none of them have met.

Kate’s twin, local artist, Kristen, has been reasonably content with her on-again off-again relationship with an older, separated businessman.

Her son, Chase, runs his own construction business and is carefree, happily dating here and there but nothing serious.

Youngest daughter, Abby, is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and they’ve been trying to have a baby. But it hasn’t happened yet, and Abby wonders if it’s a sign that maybe their marriage isn’t as perfect as everyone thinks.

Come visit Nantucket and see how Lisa’s new bed and breakfast has an impact on almost everyone in her family. It’s the first book in a new series that will follow the Hodges family, friends, and visitors to Nantucket’s Beach Plum Cove Inn.

https://amzn.to/3GBn2eN

I was so sad that Elin Hilderbrand decided to stop writing her Nantucket stories, but now that I’ve found Pamela Kelley and this wonderful series, I am sad no more! There is something magical about stories set in Nantucket, and Kelley captures that magic beautifully. This is the first book of a series, and while I haven’t read any of the others yet, I definitely will.

Lisa Hodges is a woman in her early fifties who owns a large, waterfront home on Nantucket that she can no longer afford. After the death of her husband, she discovers that he had a terrible secret; he has left her with no money at all due to his gambling addiction. Lisa hasn’t worked in thirty years and with the scarcity of jobs on the island and her lack of any kind of experience, finding a job is proving impossible. Saddened that she may have to sell her home, a friend suggests she turn her house into a bed and breakfast. At first, Lisa doesn’t think it will work, but the more she thinks about it, she realizes she doesn’t really have any other option if she wants to stay on Nantucket and be near her four adult children.

Lisa’s eldest daughters are twins: Kate and Kristen. Kate lives in Boston, where she writes for a fashion magazine and is engaged to a photographer. Her world is shaken when the magazine is sold, and she uncovers unexpected truths about her fiancé. Kate ends up moving home with her mom.

Kristen, an artist living in Nantucket, is romantically involved with a man who is separated from his wife. They’ve been dating for a while and the divorce has yet to be filed, leaving Kristen unhappy and insecure.

Lisa’s only son, Chase, runs his own construction business. Lisa approaches Chase about doing some renovations on the house so she can maintain some privacy while still being able to rent out some of the bedrooms. He thinks it’s a great idea, and with her only having to pay for materials on a minor renovation, it’s an affordable option.

Her youngest daughter, Anna, is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff. The couple is struggling with infertility, which may be jeopardizing their marriage.

The book also introduces a variety of local business owners and friends, laying the foundation for future installments in the series. There appear to be nine books in this series, and possibly a spin-off series as well. I will investigate!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the cozy atmosphere it created. The characters are likable, and the story is engaging. I especially appreciated getting to know Lisa’s family, with a particular focus on the women. While Chase’s character plays a smaller role in this installment, I expect we’ll be seeing him and his siblings in the later books. I enjoy stories with strong character growth, and this one delivers. I recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet—if occasionally predictable—read, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Karissa Vacker. Her performance was articulate and expressive, and I especially appreciated how convincingly she voiced the male characters. I was pleased to see she narrates other books in the series as well. I highly recommend the audiobook for fans of this format.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE NANTUCKET INN by Pamela M. Kelley. Narrator: Karissa Vacker. Piping Plover Press; August 17, 2019. Listening Length: 6 hours and 19 minutes.

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ONE GOLDEN SUMMER by Carley Fortune

May 9, 2025

From the publisher:

A radiant escape to the lake from #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and This Summer Will Be Different

As featured in People ∙ Good Morning America ∙ Cosmopolitan ∙ TODAY ∙ E! News ∙ Buzzfeed ∙ Us Weekly ∙ The New York Post ∙ SheReads ∙ and more!

I never anticipated Charlie Florek.

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.

“The sparks between Alice and Charlie fly off the page and endearing Nan adds heart. This is a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

“Readers will enjoy the steamy love story that develops but will also appreciate Alice’s personal growth. Not only does she find love, she finds her purpose in her career. Fans of Annabel Monaghan will agree with Nan that ‘good things happen at the lake.'”—Booklist (starred review)

https://amzn.to/4jEtoIa

This is the sequel to Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After, which I absolutely loved—and this one is another hit. While Fortune released a couple of other books in between, this novel stands beautifully on its own. You don’t need to read the first one to appreciate this one, but you should – it’s fantastic!

This story follows Charlie Florick, a finance bro in Toronto, but is summering in Barry’s Bay. He’s taken a sabbatical and is spending the summer at his family’s lake house. His parents are gone, but his brother and sister-in-law live nearby.

Alice, a successful photographer, decides to spend the summer back in Barry’s Bay when her beloved grandmother, Nan, breaks her hip. She rents the cottage they once stayed in when she was a teen, wanting to be close to Nan and take a break from her career. The cottage is owned by John, a widower and close family friend, who agrees to make the place more accessible for Nan. Charlie is handling the renovations, and while Alice is initially grateful, her first impression of him is less than stellar—he’s snarky, and she’s annoyed by his cocky note and the key being hidden in an outhouse.

But everything changes when they officially meet. Alice soon realizes Charlie is one of the boys from a photo she took as a teenager—a photo that launched her photography career. As he continues working on the cottage and bonding with Nan, Alice finds herself warming to him. She even has a summer bucket list of things she never got to do as a teen, and once Charlie spies it, he is eager to help her tackle it.

Despite Charlie’s friendly nature, there’s a depth and sadness beneath the surface. The two form a genuine friendship that deepens into something more, though Charlie resists a real relationship. Alice, meanwhile, isn’t looking for anything serious either—but a summer fling wouldn’t be the worst idea. As they grow closer, it becomes clear that this is more than just a fling. Charlie gets her access to a local high school darkroom, and when Alice develops the photos, she sees the truth in Charlie’s eyes—he’s in love, even if he won’t say it.

Their story builds to a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion. This novel is full of charm, banter, nostalgia, and longing. It blends the forced proximity and friends-to-lovers tropes with themes of family, healing, and rediscovering joy. There’s humor, heat, and heart—and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I absolutely loved it.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ONE GOLDEN SUMMER by Carley Fortune. Berkley (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593638910. 400p.

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PARENTS WEEKEND by Alex Finlay

May 9, 2025

From the publisher:

From the bestselling author of If Something Happens to Me, comes one of the year’s most anticipated thrillers.

In the glow of their children’s exciting first year of college at a small private school in Northern California, five families gather over dinner and cocktails for the opening festivities of Parents Weekend. As the parents stay out way past their bedtimes, their kids―five residents of Campisi Hall―never show up to dinner.

At first, everyone thinks they’re just being college students, irresponsibly forgetting about the gathering or skipping out to go to a party. But as the hours tick by and another night falls with not so much as a text from the students, panic ensues. Soon the campus police call in reinforcements. Search parties are formed. Reporters swarm the small enclave. Rumors swirl and questions arise.

Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella―The Five, as the podcasters, bloggers, and TikTok sleuths soon call them―come from very different families. What drew them out on that fateful night? Could it be the sins of their mothers and fathers come to cause them peril―or a threat to the friend group from within?

Told from each family’s point of view―and marking the return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller from Every Last Fear and The Night Shift―Parents Weekend explores the weight of expectation, family dysfunction, and those exhilarating first days in the dorms when friends become family.

“From one of the genre’s best . . . Finlay has a gift for intertwining many storylines and characters in a cohesive, compelling way. The tropes used here don’t feel stale, and plenty of surprises and red herrings will keep readers interested. Fans won’t want to miss Finlay’s latest.”―Booklist

“Finlay writes . . . with red herrings galore, and he caps the proceedings with a particularly shocking conclusion.”―Publishers Weekly

A Barnes & Noble’s “Most Anticipated Mysteries & Thrillers”
A LibraryReads Hall of Fame Selection for May 2025 ― Best Books Voted by Librarians
A Goodreads’ Readers’ “Most Popular Books Published in May 2025”

https://amzn.to/3RQiYtl

The title is what drew my attention here, but it’s the story that kept it. One of the worst weekends of my life was a parents’ weekend at college, for very different reasons than those in this story. Plus, I work at a small, private university and experience parents’ weekend every year from the staff side of things. Thankfully, nothing like this ever happened where I work!

The student body here is a mixture, like most campuses, of the haves and have-nots. One of the parents is a highly placed federal government employee who has Secret Service protection, while at the other end of the spectrum is the college president’s admin, whose son attends on a full scholarship. Another set of parents are staying at a five-star resort some distance from the school as they are too snobby to stay at the local hotel, so it’s a real mix. Most of the students live in the dorms, but one student lives in a fraternity house. These parents are thrust together because their kids are in the same capstone program at school.

The first nightmare is that a student goes missing a few days before the weekend, and is found accidentally drowned in a cave off the shore. That is horrible enough, but when the parents all meet up for the first night dinner, none of their kids show up. The parents spend some time getting to know one another and musing about their missing kids, chalking it up to kids being kids, and figure they probably went to a party instead of the parental dinner. But when no one can get hold of their kids, no texts, no phone calls, nothing, they start to worry a bit. By the next day, there’s still no word and no sign of them anywhere, and panic starts to set in.

FBI Agent Sarah Keller (Every Last Fear and The Night Shift) has asked for a hardship transfer as her father-in-law isn’t doing well and needs help. Her husband, a stay-at-home dad, and their kids have moved in with him, and her first assignment is at the university. Being new to the area, she doesn’t know anyone, even in her new department, but she is happy to work with the head of security at the university. He is professional and seems to have a real handle on things, as he was a former law enforcement officer. The story moves quickly, and I liked that we get different points of view. The local police are also involved, and as the days go by, the tension really ratchets up.

There are plenty of twists and turns here, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that the ending was a shocker and very well done. This was a suspenseful page-turner, and I highly recommend it!

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PARENTS WEEKEND by Alex Finlay. Minotaur Books (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250360724. 320p.

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Spotlight Review: WHAT HAPPENS IN AMSTERDAM by Rachel Lynn Solomon

May 6, 2025

From the publisher:

Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.

Dani Dorfman has somehow made it to her thirties without knowing what she wants to do with her life. So when an office romance ends poorly and gets her fired, she applies for a job in Amsterdam, idly dreaming of escaping the mess she’s created, but never imagining she’ll actually get it.

Except she does. By the end of her first week in Amsterdam, she’s never felt more adrift or alone. Then she crashes her bike into her high school ex-boyfriend—and suddenly life is blooming with new opportunities.

Wouter van Leeuwen was a Dutch exchange student Dani’s family hosted, a forbidden love that ended in a painful breakup. Years later, there’s still sizzling chemistry between them, and okay, maybe a little animosity. More importantly, Wouter needs to be married to inherit a gorgeous family home on a canal—and when Dani’s job falls apart, she needs a visa. As the marriage of convenience pushes them together in unexpected ways, Dani must decide whether her new life is yet another mistake—or if it’s worth taking a risk on a second chance.

“Solomon showcases her talent for creating flawed by appealing characters, and it’s gratifying to see Dani and Wouter’s relationship mature.”—Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/3GuoPSK

Dani Dorfman met Wouter van Leeuwen in high school, when he lived with her family as an exchange student from Amsterdam. They spent a year falling in love—until he dumped her via text after returning home, leaving Dani heartbroken.

Now thirty, Dani’s life has hit rock bottom. Her boyfriend cheated, their breakup went public when she accidentally forwarded his explicit emails to their entire office, and she lost her job—while he got promoted. So when a job opportunity with a tech startup in Amsterdam appears, Dani jumps at the chance for a fresh start, despite her overprotective parents’ objections.

Born a micro-preemie with asthma and a cosmetic port-wine stain, Dani’s been coddled her whole life. Determined to prove she can thrive on her own, she moves across the world—only to find her new job is drudgery, her basement apartment has no flooring (a quirky Amsterdam rental reality), and then it floods. To top it off, the startup goes under.

Things start looking up after she literally crashes her bike into Wouter. It’s their first encounter in over a decade, and it leads to an unexpected offer: move into his lovely ground-floor apartment, and he’ll charge her the same reduced rate she’s been paying. Reluctantly, Dani agrees—she has nowhere else to go.

Unless she finds another job, Dani is on the brink of losing her visa. Wouter proposes a solution: a green card marriage. He needs to be married to inherit his family home, and Dani needs to stay in the country. What starts as a pragmatic arrangement soon stirs up old feelings neither of them are ready to face.

This trope-packed romance—complete with fake marriage, forced proximity, and second chances—is full of heart and humor. Dani and Wouter’s story is not just about rekindled love, but personal growth, healing, and the messy beauty of imperfect people finding connection.

Solomon also refreshingly breaks romance norms: Wouter has thinning hair (yes, a balding romantic lead!), a rare and welcome touch of realism in a genre that often prizes superficial perfection. With the thousands of romances that I have read, I can’t think of another with a balding protagonist. There may have been a few shaved heads, but that’s about it (given that my memory isn’t what it used to be!)

Consider this, from a study entitled, “Prevalence of male pattern hair loss in 18-49 year old men” in PubMed: “The proportion of men with moderate to extensive hair loss was 42%. The proportion of men with moderate to extensive hair loss increased with increasing age, ranging from 16% for men 18-29 years of age to 53% of men 40-49.”

Yet balding men are severely underrepresented in romance novels, so I loved that – my hero/husband included! When my husband and I were getting married – I was 23, he was 25 – I convinced him to go to my hair stylist instead of his usual barber. But the stylist pointed out that his hair was thinning in the back, and my husband never forgave him. If women only want men with full heads of hair, they need a lot of luck or to marry rich – Exhibit A, Elon Musk was balding when he was in the U.S. on a student visa, (although he never actually attended any classes.)

If you haven’t read Solomon, this is as good a place as any to start – but truth be told, I’ve loved all of her books with their flawed protagonists. Yes, there is still the fantasy, but touches of reality too, and I think that is a good thing. With its rich Amsterdam atmosphere and relatable characters, this is a smart, funny, and emotional love story. Don’t miss it.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHAT HAPPENS IN AMSTERDAM by Rachel Lynn Solomon. Berkley (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593548554. 384p.

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