I can honestly say Summer of Songbirds is KWH at her FINEST, and I have read all of her books! Add this to your TBR, preorder a copy, request it from I can honestly say Summer of Songbirds is KWH at her FINEST, and I have read all of her books! Add this to your TBR, preorder a copy, request it from the library because I promise, this will be one not to miss this summer.
What I loved: -SUMMER CAMP setting! Being a huge sleep away camp girl myself, I was immediately transported right to my childhood summers at my favorite place ever. KWH made me feel all the nostalgia from the bunks to the blob to the camp songs and so much more.
-The full cast of characters! This story alternates between the POV of two best friends, Daphne and Lainer, and then Daphne’s aunt, and owner of Camp Holly Springs, June. All three characters were equally lovable and had great arcs. Daphne and Lainer also had a third best friend, Mary Stuart, and while there were no chapters narrated by her, we got to see her POV through email exchanges with her friends and amazing friendship dialogue, which I loved!
-All the romance! While this is a women’s fiction story at heart, readers will get to witness two epic second chance romances. I loved both Huff and Rich, especially how forgiving and sincere they each were.
-Found family theme! Once you start reading, you will quickly learn that these characters have formed one epic, interconnected family throughout the years, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!
-Single mom trope! Daphne is a successful, hardworking mom who has the most adorable four year old, Henry. What’s even better is how her son’s father, Steven, was integrated into the story. While never married and not together, the co-parenting was drama free and full of platonic love. It was so great to see how much Daphne and Steven cared about each other, which is something not often show in books a lot.
-The last few chapters were excellent. All the loose ends were tied up perfectly, and it brought a lot of closure to the themes unraveled in the story.
I hope this has persuaded you to read this one!!
Thank you so much Gallery Books for the ARC! Pub date 7/11/23...more
Elin is back with another winner and must read for this summer!!
When tragedy strikes, newly widowed Hollis Shaw decides to recreate her own “Five StarElin is back with another winner and must read for this summer!!
When tragedy strikes, newly widowed Hollis Shaw decides to recreate her own “Five Star Weekend” and invite four friends, from four different stages of her life, to spend an unforgettable weekend with her in Nantucket. Filled with love, friendship, mother-daughter tension, drama, and secrets, you will be flipping through the pages to find out how the weekend plays out.
What I loved: -Hollis was such a fun main character that you want nothing but to root for. I love how she had a big social media presence with her food blog, the opportunity for a second chance at love with her HS boyfriend and how she rekindled some older friendships at a time when she needed these people the most. -Elin did a great job creating characters that have their own personal drama and history with eachother, keeping you engaged and eager to fill in the gaps from the past. This set up led to strong character growth not only for Hollis but also with all the secondary characters -The mother/ daughter relationship was complex but also written realistically. -As per usual, all the Nantucket references from the restaurants, to the landmarks and to the summertime activities, were transportative and picturesque. -The cameos from her previous books, while not as many as in Hotel Nantucket or Golfen Girl, were fun!!
Thank you Little Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Pub date 6/13/23...more
A deeply emotional story, probably one of the saddest I’ve read, about love, loss, grief and resilience. It reminded me of PS I Love You because thereA deeply emotional story, probably one of the saddest I’ve read, about love, loss, grief and resilience. It reminded me of PS I Love You because there are monthly letters, and while the premise is close, the story is not! Told in a nonlinear and alternating POV format, Pack Up the Moon follows a young couple grappling with the wife’s terminal diagnosis and the grief the husband goes through after her death. The author did a great job immersing you into the couple’s journey, through all their pain and saddress as well as the happy, joyful and humorous moments. This will stick with me. ...more
This book was such a winner!!! A must read for summer.
What I loved: -The book is inspired by the story of John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-KennedyThis book was such a winner!!! A must read for summer.
What I loved: -The book is inspired by the story of John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy -It was the perfect balance between women's fiction and romance -There were dual POVs (and if you are planning to listen to the audiobook, the two narrators depicted the two characters perfectly) -The story takes place in the 1990s -The characters felt so real that at times I forgot this wasn't a true story
Thank you PRH audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
It wasn't until the epilogue that I realized how much I really loved this book.
Winter Garden is a heartbreaking and emotional story about family secreIt wasn't until the epilogue that I realized how much I really loved this book.
Winter Garden is a heartbreaking and emotional story about family secrets, mending relationships and the power of love. It centers around the troubled dynamics between two sisters, Meredith and Nina, who have very little in common, and their Russian-born mother, Anya, who has always come across as cold and distant. When their father, who is the glue that held the family together, passes away, the three women have to figure out how to live with one another. Moreover, Nina and Meredith make a promise to their father that they would get their mother to finish telling them an old Russian fairytale to its completion. While it has always seemed that the start of this fairy tale is the only joy that their mother has, it is also obviously a painful story.
Only Kristin Hannah can seamlessly weave an emotional fairytale into a story so perfectly. Hearing about Anya's experiences during WWII was emotional, but I love how this truth brought the family together. Going in, I'd know this is not a historical read fiction like many of Hannah's other stories though you will still learn a bit about life in Russia when the Nazi's invaded the country. The reason I am not giving this story five stars is because the book started off kind of slow. The ending totally made up for it. It was fulfilling and brought real, ugly tears. The narration for the audiobook was also spectacular. ...more
This is definitely going to be a top read of 2022! This story mixes WWII history, secrets and stolen art with suspense and thrill in the best way possThis is definitely going to be a top read of 2022! This story mixes WWII history, secrets and stolen art with suspense and thrill in the best way possible. The writing was exquisite, the characters were well-developed, and while the plot may not seem unique when skimming over the summary, you will realize how original it is the second you start reading. Told in multiple perspectives, you get a classic hero vs. villain story as two women are in search of the same painting, Woman on Fire. The chapters take place in many cities around the world (Chicago, NYC, Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam to name a few), and while the majority of the book occurs in present day, some chapters shift back to the 1930s. Barr does such a great job interweaving the multiple storylines together and educating the reader about this piece of history. I am not lying when I say I was at the edge of my seat biting my nails during the second half of the book. Hands down an extremely memorable and fun read!
Read if interested in: -Investigative journalism -Art heists/ art history -WWII -Suspense and crime fiction -Family drama and secrets...more
A riveting, compelling and emotional read that I couldn't recommend more!!! This book shows us that that alcoholism is not the end of a person's life A riveting, compelling and emotional read that I couldn't recommend more!!! This book shows us that that alcoholism is not the end of a person's life and also that recovery is possible when you fight for yourself. In this story, Cass is offered a second chance, and what she does with this opportunity is totally moving and shifted my perception of addiction. I felt like I was Cass's biggest supporter and part of her journey.
Read if you're interested in: -Women's fiction -Stores set in MA -AA/ recovery -Baseball -Pregnancy journey
4.5 ⭐️ There was so much I totally loved about Night Road. While it is extremely sad and emotional (expect lots of tears), the themes of loss, motherh4.5 ⭐️ There was so much I totally loved about Night Road. While it is extremely sad and emotional (expect lots of tears), the themes of loss, motherhood, forgiveness, doing what's right and love were so powerful and prevalent. I highly recommend only starting this book when you have a big chunk of time to sit and binge it because it's so hard to pull away from the story.
What I loved: Like many of Hannah's books, Night Road focuses on the complicated relationships between mothers and their children; how the story takes place over ten years and is split into two parts; the balance of love and friendship between Mia, Zach and Lexie, and the chemistry they had with each other; All of the supporting characters that were there for Lexie throughout her journey
I did find a lot of the story to be predictable. Early on, I immediately knew two of the "twists" that happened were, and guessed correctly, as Hannah foreshadowed these moments throughout part one of the story. Also, I WISH there was a little more at the end. An epilouge maybe? Something to just see everyone interacting together and happy. I do not want to give anything away but if you read, you probably know what I'm talking about!...more
Upon the death of their mother, Eleanor Bennett, estranged siblings Byron and Bunny are called in by thI promise you've never read anything like this!
Upon the death of their mother, Eleanor Bennett, estranged siblings Byron and Bunny are called in by their family lawyer to meet together after years apart. Eleanor has left them an audio recording sharing parts of her life the two siblings never knew existed. As these secrets are revealed, Byron and Benny are faced with a whirlwind of emotions and the reality of who they are and what they can be.
What I loved: -How beautifully written and wovon together this story is -The explaining of the origins of the black cake and how it tied the generations together -How the author incorporated so many diverse voices and POVs into the story (black and white, gay and straight, male and female, young and old) -The historical references and learning about the Carribean culture -The dual timelines that spanned multiple years -The powerful themes of loss, identity, family and traditions
Black Cake is such a captivating debut novel that I recommend to everyone!! Great for fans of the Vanishing Half.
Thanks Ballentine Books and NetGalley for the ARC. Pub Date: 2/4/22...more
4.5⭐️ Reema Patel’s debut novel was so much more than I thought it would be! If you’re a fan of women’s fiction, and want a gripping and insightful st4.5⭐️ Reema Patel’s debut novel was so much more than I thought it would be! If you’re a fan of women’s fiction, and want a gripping and insightful story that transports you right to the streets of a third world country, this book is for you!
After losing her parents at age 7, and escaping from the home of her abusive uncle, Rakhi fled to Bombay, India where she grew up living in the streets and begging for food and money to get by. In her late teens, Gauri Verma, the director of a human rights law office, found Rakhi and took under her wings. She slowly taught Rakhi English and gave her an assistant job at her office, where Rakhi has been working for the past 6 years. She then meets Alex, a Harvard-bound intern from Canada, and he and Rakhi form an unlikely friendship. Alex encourages Rakhi to apply to college, which she never thought was possible, and as the story progresses, Rakhi's past and present coincide and everything changes.
I thought that Reema Patel did such a great job taking the reader through the "real India." It was eye-opening to learn about the class divide, living conditions in the slums and even the everyday commuter life. The descriptions were vivid, from the sights to smells to sounds, and the characters were well-developed, making Rakhi's life story feel totally plausible. The dialogue was well-written, especially when Rakhi and Alex were communicating in English, which Rakhi was not fluent in. Also, some powerful themes were embedded into the story that had me rooting for Rakhi despite some of the not so great choices she made earlier on. And the ending!! Wow!! There were so many different directions this book could have went, and while parts were emotional, I loved how it all wrapped up.
Read if interested in: -Indian culture, customs and food -Poverty vs. privilege -Human rights work -Flashback chapters -Second chances
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review...more
Recently divorced Valentina heads to London after she finds out that she inherited a bookstore from her mother, Eloise, who abandoned her iSO GOOD!!
Recently divorced Valentina heads to London after she finds out that she inherited a bookstore from her mother, Eloise, who abandoned her in LA when she was only 12. When Valentina gets to her mother's store in Primrose Hill, she finds a note from her mother in one of her favorite books. This note starts the beginning of a scavenger hunt, opening Valentina up to the important people from her mom's life and slowly revealing the real reason why she left all those years ago. With time, Valentina learns how much her mom really loved her and how this trip to London was just the beginning.
This book is told in two timelines from two point of views- Valentina in the present and Eloise in the past. The writing is clear, concise and easy to follow. I felt SO touched when reading this story and LOVE how everything came full circle in the end. Honestly, if you are looking for a fiction book, with a bit of romance, that will draw you in with a beautiful setting, well defined- characters, a perfectly constructed ending, I highly recommend this.
Read if you like: -London setting -Bookstores -Scavenger hunts -Love triangles -Supportive communities -Alternating timelines
*If you are looking for a book club read, I think this book would be perfect...more
This book is a must-read and laugh out loud funny. I can totally see the resemblance to Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it also gave me some Queen's Gambit This book is a must-read and laugh out loud funny. I can totally see the resemblance to Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it also gave me some Queen's Gambit vibes. The characters are witty, resilient and totally unforgettable. While it's only January, this may just be a top read of 2022.
Premise: Elizabeth Zolt is a brilliant chemist who never fails to say what's on her mind. Being a woman in the sciences during the 50/60s is not easy, especially when she has an unwed pregnancy that skews people's opinions of her. Fired from her job in a lab, and needing to support her daughter, Elizabeth somehow agrees to be the host of a daytime cooking show, "Supper at Six." Being the chemist she is, Elizabeth does not describe ingredients and cooking instructions in laments terms but rather uses chemical names and scientific reactions. With this method, she quickly captures the audience of millions of "housewives," and with her child who is wise beyond her years and a supportive friend, Elizabeth starts to change the world and fight for equality.
WOW! This was such a strong debut novel that I immediately connected with. I knew after just a few chapters, it was going to be a five star read for mWOW! This was such a strong debut novel that I immediately connected with. I knew after just a few chapters, it was going to be a five star read for me. The story mixes heavy topics like grief and healing perfectly with joy, love, and humor.
Synopsis: Jo is working on her “30 by 30” bucket list, but her progress has been stalled since the death of her 11 year old nephew, Samson. When her two nieces, Mia and Kitty, unexpectedly come to Florida for the summer, they insist she must complete the list with the support of her best friend Nina. One of the first items we see her do is “kiss a hot stranger at the bar.” Little does Jo know that this unexpected kiss, sets off a series of events that will alter her life plans.
Review: While I was jumping off my seat in angst, I loved the build up between Alex and Jo and how they truly became friends before jumping into anything more, despite the sexual tension and obvious feelings. They were both dealing with grief and vulnerability in their own ways yet brought out such great sides of each other. Their banter was phenomenal; I literally laughed out loud several times. While the romance was just the most painful slow burn, it was so worth the wait! Also, Jo’s relationship with her nieces/ Greyson was amazing and added so much life to the story.
A powerful and emotional story that is told through the eyes of two best childhood friends-one black and one white- who have to navigate their friendsA powerful and emotional story that is told through the eyes of two best childhood friends-one black and one white- who have to navigate their friendship after a tragedy rocks the city. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this story really makes you think and relate the issues discussed to your own life and community around you. It was intense, thought-provoking and would make an excellent book club discussion....more
4.5 ⭐️Like other TJR other books, this was beautifully written and gave me all the feels. I flew through this in one sitting.
Read if you like/ are in4.5 ⭐️Like other TJR other books, this was beautifully written and gave me all the feels. I flew through this in one sitting.
Read if you like/ are interested in: -All the other TJR books -Everything happens for a reason motto -Two parallel story lines -The importance of strong female friendships -One's strength during the recovery process -Cinnamon buns...more
This book was amazing and truly the perfect summer read. It’s one of those books that you read quickly because you have to know what happens but wish This book was amazing and truly the perfect summer read. It’s one of those books that you read quickly because you have to know what happens but wish you went through it slower because you don’t want to leave the characters behind. It was endearing and positive and full of love and friendship. I’m looking forward to reading more of Kristen Woodson Harvey’s books!...more
Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat)
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