Dirty Diana

Diana and Oliver are married raising a young daughter in Dallas, TX. They appear to be an average couple busy with the mundane events of daily life. But lately every time Oliver reaches for Diana she cringes. Their once romantic escapades have withered along with the yearning she once felt for her handsome and very kind husband. As Diana reflects on her earlier life we are taken to Santa Fe, a decade before Oliver and her mind numbing office job. In the old days she was an artist, a painter. She was curious, sexual, spontaneous - and young. Diana published a small art book focusing on women and their secret desires through words and portraits. She was deeply in love with Jasper, a breathtaking photographer who appreciated everything that was beautiful and encouraged her art and ideas. When present day Diana is called back to Santa Fe for a funeral, her confusion deepens. She returns home even more distant, no longer recognizing the housewife she has become. Most importantly she still cannot connect with Oliver and as their marriage collapses she reexamines her abandoned art project, interviewing women to restart painting and possibly reignite her own sexuality. The grass is not always greener but can you spend your life faking happiness to please someone else, even if you love them? As Diana continues her exploration, this trilogy will take the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. What began as an award winning podcast for this best friend writing duo developed into three novels that will soon become a mini series. Would be an incredible book club discussion if women were brave enough and felt comfortable enough to talk about this sensitive subject matter. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Greatest Lie of All

Whoever said diamonds are a girls best friend never met Gloria Diamond - a bestselling romance novelist with thirty novels on her shelf and a reputation for happy endings. In reality Gloria lives an isolated lonely existence bossing her assistant around and desperately hanging on to her grown son’s dwindling adoration. When Amelia, a pretty, semi-successful actress is offered the lead in Gloria’s biopic, she jumps at the opportunity to escape Los Angeles. The unexpected loss of her mother and very public breakup with Jase - a too handsome actor and rising star - has become more than she can handle. In preparation for the role Amelia heads to Washington State to spend a few days with Gloria prior to filming. A Method actress, Amelia wants to capture the essence of what makes Gloria tick. Upon arrival Amelia immediately senses a coldness she cannot understand. The adoring assistant tries to remain neutral but it appears the only one who can reveal the truth about Gloria is her son. Will is a kind, charming lawyer who doesn’t fawn over Hollywood actresses and doesn’t even watch television. As Will and Amelia get closer and she learns about Gloria’s past, too many things don’t add up. A stack of old photos sends the couple on a goose chase they never expected as they discover the fine line between fiction and the truth. Quick, easy read filled with suspense and a great cast of characters. Always love a good book in a book with a twist! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Christmas You Found Me

When Guy walked into the local coffee shop Sienna immediately thought it was part of the joke. As the divorce had just finalized, her best friend Jess hung up flyers around town featuring “a husband wanted” ad. But Guy was not laughing. The man that approached her begged with his blue eyes for work, he was willing to do anything. Guy admitted that his young daughter Emma was suffering from stage 5 kidney failure and was on the transplant list. He desperately needed insurance and a paycheck for the meds that would not be covered. Even though Sienna’s heart broke hearing the details of Emma’s illness, there was not much she could offer. After the divorce the family ranch, rich in history and beauty was all she had. Her bitter ex-husband made sure she didn’t have two cents to rub together. Unable to stop thinking about this startling handsome man and the love he had for his child, Sienna came up with a plan. She could marry this stranger, put him on her insurance, and with her connections probably scramble up some local jobs. As the holidays approach Sienna, Guy and Emma become a little family. Having previously shut down all emotional attachments, Sienna is surprised to find herself falling in love the two of them. Laser focused on getting Emma the care she needs, they are simply praying for a Christmas miracle. Heartfelt, loving holiday story you will be thinking about long after the final page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Love We Found

A decade is a long time and yet it feels like yesterday Lucy lost Gabe. Finally saying goodbye is more painful than she ever imagined. Divorced for seven years, Darren has remarried and Lucy is blessed to get along with his new wife and their children, smoothly transitioning to a large blended family. A ten year commemoration of Gabe’s award winning photography book is underway and a prestigious gallery show is being organized. As executor of his estate Lucy is drawn back into her memories, literally opening boxes she sealed long ago. One day she finds an address in Rome and a drawing that mysteriously pulls at her emotions. She cannot close this chapter until she knows for sure what it all means. Whether coincidence or fate, Lucy, whose heart has been closed to even the notion of another love, meets Dax, an NGO doctor working across the globe. Wondering if things happen by chance or another part of life we simply cannot understand, Lucy wants to set things straight. She starts by deciding it is time to tell her youngest Sammy why he looks different from his siblings and who his biological father really is. Brimming with themes of divorce, motherhood, and the complexities of friendship, Lucy discovers that while it may take years, when one door closes, another truly opens. I couldn't put down this captivating sequel to my all-time favorite romance, The Light That We Lost. Thank you, Jill Santopolo, for bringing heartfelt closure to such a beautiful story. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

More or Less Maddy

Freshman year at NYU is not turning out exactly how Maddy imagined her college life to be. Happy to be distanced from the watchful eye of her mother’s country club mentality, Maddy expected more fun and freedom to follow. Instead she is finding classes difficult, focus nearly impossible and as her high school boyfriend Adam is thriving at Columbia, she is faking most of their time together. Finally accepting some assistance at the student health center Maddy goes on a widely used antidepressant that immediately takes effect. She has more energy than a rocket ship and school, partying and visions of a future become crystal clear. Until they don’t. With the fog lifted Maddy falls into a severe mania that spirals out of control landing her in the hospital, diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her family cannot understand how a perfectly healthy girl with every opportunity is falling apart before their very eyes. While her mother grabs the reins to rebuild Maddy’s life, and keep her safe, Maddy falls further into a complex world of drug cocktails with multiple side effects leaving her a shadow of her former self. One she cannot recognize or love. Maddy must learn to navigate this new world she did not choose and does not know if she can ever accept. Once again incredible author Lisa Genova introduces her readers to the unpredictable world of bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive, a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings and episodes of mania. As these characters capture our hearts and imaginations we learn about an illness that effects an estimated 4.4% of adults nationwide. This novel educates, fosters empathy and forces us to ask questions. I could not put it down. Releases in January, this is a must read for 2025!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Like Mother, Like Mother

Lila Pereira grew up without a mother. At only two years old, she and her siblings were abandoned into the care of their abusive, heartless father and his distant, mysterious mother. The story they are told is that Zelda was crazy and after being admitted to a mental hospital, killed herself. For Lila and her brother and sister Michigan in the 1960’s was a nightmare they just had to survive. With drive and perseverance Lila makes her way to college where her strength and beauty captures the heart of Joe, the perfect guy. He is handsome, kind and smart. Joe never shouts and commits to raising their three daughters as Lila’s career soars and for obvious reasons she never learned how to be a proper mother. The girl’s excel and the family lives in DC where Lila is a big time editor at The Globe and is rarely home. Grace, their youngest is also a talented writer and as journalism becomes her life she can not let go of the unanswered questions surrounding her mother’s past history and the possibility that more relatives may be waiting to be found. This generational story about mothers and families and friends that are like family was unputdownable. I loved the fast paced writing and numerous references to books and authors. Once you dive into their world there is no escape but to sit down and read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Blue Light Hour

In Vermont, in a small ordinary dorm room, an international student from Natal, Brazil calls her mother every day. The blue light from her desk lamp and lap top screen illuminates her room as Skype invites her mother into her world, her life. An avid reader and writer since childhood, this young woman has earned a scholarship to attend a prestigious university and study her passion, literature. When she is not Skyping with her mother she attends class, works hard and slowly makes an American life for herself. Her mother is happy for her and proud too. But she is lonely, sickly and struggling to make a new existence for herself. While her only daughter, her whole heart, is far far away, speaking a language she does not understand in a cold town covered in white. The mother and daughter build a new relationship through the hardships they face and help each other understand this new reality. Through softly spoken prose and lyrical descriptions of daily living in both countries, this short novel is a breath of fresh air. This award winning translator took seven years to write this beautiful story in English. Loosely autobiographical she later translated it to Portuguese, her native language, so her mother could enjoy it too. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Christmas in Bethel

We meet Beth Stilton when she has truly hit rock bottom. Running through the timeline of her life it seems she started off in a bad place with bad people and it only got worse. With each turn Beth tried her best to escape the abuse and loneliness that haunted her days but Beth never found that happy ending she dreamed about. When she had finally given up, Beth - a lifelong reader - found a novel by J.D. Harper. It saved her life, literally. The years following she remained as isolated as possible but this author, whose books she devoured over and over again - helped her climb into the light of the living. To her delight J.D. Harper scheduled a local book signing and Beth would not miss it for the world. In line for hours she takes a coffee break and miracle of miracles, meets the man himself. He is kind, smart, good looking and calls himself Lee. Beth cannot imagine a scenario where this perfect human is interested in her sorry self. But he is. Their instant connection and friendship blossoms with love and excitement that Beth had long ago given up on. There is a lot J.D. does not know about Beth’s horrific past. And apparently there is an equal amount Lee is hiding. As the Christmas season approaches Lee and Beth must figure out if their feelings can withstand the hard truth. Forgiving oneself is the theme of this magical holiday story that I read in one sitting. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Paris Novel

When Stella St. Vincent’s coldhearted mother passes away, she is bequeathed a strange inheritance. A small amount of money has been provided for a prearranged trip to Paris. Stella is a reclusive copy editor living in New York. She loves her work which fills her life with structure, routine and quiet. It is how she avoids memories of her abusive childhood and lonely existence. But it’s the 1980’s and certainly bohemian to travel to Paris alone. Her boss, the one person she admires insists she take this as an opportunity to expand her little world. Upon arrival she finds pleasure walking the cobblestoned streets, letting her imagination take flight. One day she stops in a magical boutique and tries on a dress that changes her life. The dress leads to a friendship with Jules, a widow that takes Stella under his wing. Jules brings her into the world of delectable food, breathtaking art and history that may have been forgotten. Together they dive into the life of a female artist whose work has mysteriously disappeared. For the first time Stella can taste what she is eating and with each bite and every sip of French wine a part of Stella she never knew existed is revealed. Experiencing this taste of love and friendship for the first time Stella becomes tempted to search for her long lost father. This story leaves you savoring its flavors and themes long after you've finished, just as any great meal should. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

Augusta and Bess had always helped their father in his pharmacy below their NY apartment. While Bess, older and beautiful worked the makeup counter, Augusta shadowed her father, confident she would be a pharmacist someday. In the early 1920’s it was not easy for women to become professionals but Augusta was determined and had no doubt this was her future. When their mother became ill and passed away, Great Aunt Esther came to live with the Stern’s and help the family any way she could. As Augusta got older she noticed Aunt Esther had some magical potions of her own. Back in the old country she was called a witch but in America she quietly helped women with natural herbs and tinctures that often had better results than the local doctor. Esther felt Augusta had the gift to heal and these lessons along with her father’s would someday bring Augusta great success. The pharmacy’s delivery boy, Irving Rifkin, had his eye on Augusta since the day he started. Their friendship filled Augusta with joy and she was sure he was the one, until he left town one day with no explanation and broke her heart. Sixty two years later Augusta has finally retired and moves to a retirement community in Boca Raton. She is turning 80 years old and having lost most of the people she loved doesn’t exactly feel like celebrating. One morning swimming her laps in the pool she bumps into Irving. All these years later she doesn’t know how to interpret these feelings of loss and regret and love that still linger. Cleverly narrated between her past and present life, this magical five star read shares life’s many lessons. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Some people thought Olive Stone was cold as ice. Her scathing restaurant reviews in the London Post were often feared and greatly respected. When her estranged father Chef Nicky passed away unexpectedly Olive inherits his small Italian family style restaurant and with it the responsibility of completing the last few chapters of his latest cookbook. Although she cherishes her childhood memories filled with dreamy summers in Italy and with her loving parents, recent years have been difficult. Olive has kept her distance physically and emotionally from the man she blamed for it all falling apart. Immediately Olive decides she should sell the restaurant but concedes to travel through Italy for part of the summer with his sous chef, Leo to finish the final recipes. Traipsing through Sicily, Tuscany and the coast Olive and Hot Chef cannot ignore the explosive chemistry they share and Italian food they cannot get enough of. With her father’s memory heavy on her heart and his ashes in her carry-on, Olive must come to terms with her parents imperfect past and the scary future that lay ahead. Filled with delicious ingredients and mouthwatering possibilities, you will find yourself racing into the kitchen this holiday season! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Working in the White House may sound glamorous but Ina Garten’s heart was most definitely in the kitchen. Counting the minutes to escape her unpleasant childhood, Ina met and married Jeffrey while he attended Dartmouth. A long road ahead, the young couple landed in DC but accounting and analysis work never made her heart soar. While Jeffrey’s career was growing by leaps and bounds Ina was happy figuring out their small dinner parties. Her joy was trying and perfecting new recipes and feeding those she loved. One day an ad in the newspaper displayed a specialty food store called the Barefoot Contessa for sale in the Hampton’s. Far out on Long Island Ina knew little about the area and even less about running a store. As fate would have it, she saw the opportunity as a challenge and her loving husband supported and encouraged this seemingly crazy endeavor. Sharing the ups and downs of running a shop and expanding her career, there was no doubt Ina Garten belonged in the business of feeding people. More than 40 years later Ina Garten’s mouthwatering recipes and entertaining ideas have filled dozens of cookbooks, television shows and an array of food products. Ina doesn’t only explain how to make something - which this non-trained cook insists anyone can do - but she brings joy to the presentation and satisfaction eating good simple food. An inspiring and mouthwatering memoir, it’s a good thing reading has no calories. ⭐⭐⭐⭐