Paris Is Always A Good Idea

Chelsea Martin is a successful fundraiser at the American Cancer Coalition in Boston. Following her mother’s death seven years earlier, Chelsea threw herself into her job and quickly rose to the top. Intelligent, organized and a workaholic, there was little room in Chelseas’s life for any nonsense - like romance, fun or flirting. After a surprise announcement from her father Chelsea is desperate to find her old self, the fun and adventurous young person she had been when she experienced Europe during a gap year falling in love, not once - but three times! Chelsea realizes that opening her rigid schedule for travel is just as hard as opening her heart. Searching for her past loves in Ireland, Paris and Italy proves more surprising than she could have imagined. If you have ever wondered about your younger self or daydreamed of finding her once gain, you will fall in love with this adorable rom-com. Fun fun beach read (yeah, I’m still doing those!) ⭐⭐⭐

The Cactus League

The star Outfielder Jason Goodyear looks perfect on the outside but his marriage is unraveling and so is his reputation. Batting coach Michael Taylor and his wife find their home vandalized when they return to Arizona for the season. Tamara is a longtime sports muse who has been the girlfriend of many a hot rising star. And Herb Allison is an eccentric sports agent that is losing his place on the totem pole. This story is narrated by a legendary sportscaster as the hot dessert sun makes everyone this season just a little off kilter. Great idea and writing for a behind the scenes, albeit fictional, peek at the professional world of baseball. The character stories jumping around became alittle confusing - but I am not a seasoned baseball fan. On the fence for this one folks, I’d say if you really love baseball, it’ll be a home run. ⭐⭐⭐

The Roommate

It has been awhile since Paige had romance, it’s been a long while since she had any fun at all. When her best friend’s younger brother Cannon unexpectedly needs a place to crash, she has a room to spare. The tall, gorgeous hunk that shows up at her door is nothing like the young nerd she remembers. He is coming out of a bizarre relationship and confides in Paige that the problem is after women sleep with him, they fall in love. Even though she is suddenly finding this young man hard to resist, Paige assures Cannon that he is full of himself and sets out to prove him wrong. Super hot steamy sex ensues (of course it does!!) Throughly enjoyed this fast paced, entertaining romance read. Now I find myself hooked on author Kendall Ryan whenever I need a quick fix! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Age of Consent

Justine and Eve are unlikely friends at a boarding school in Connecticut. Justine has hippie parents who run a well known theater in New Haven and live a penniless, haphazard existence leaving Justine free to do as she pleases. Very bright and well read she snags a scholarship to this prestigious school only to find it very difficult to fit in and make true friends. She enjoys the illicit attentions of a male teacher, a few fringe students and a sophisticated NYC socialite named Eve. At the end of an unexpected first year Justine decides to spend the summer working and living in the city. She rooms with another friend called India and dives deep into the art and club world she had only imagined. Cool 80's nostalgia but that’s where it ends for me.  All the relationships in this story feel contrived and it becomes tedious to follow when you don’t care about a single one of them. ⭐⭐

Mr. Malcolm's List

Selina is a vicar’s daughter from a small village in England. She has spent the last three years as a lovely companion to a very kind, wealthy widowed lady. At the time if a girl doesn’t have the means to secure a certain kind of marriage she would wind up living in the smallest of villages simply as a housewife. Selina, beautiful, well read and fiercely independent has always wanted more for her match. She wants to be worldly, she wants to be in love. When her companionship ends Selina is invited to visit an old school friend named Julia at her London townhome. Amid the chaos of extravagant balls and parties, Julia sets Selina up to seek revenge on Jeremy Malcolm to whom she was briefly courted and been quickly disposed of. Mr. Malcolm apparently has a list and Julia did not meet his strict criteria. With the tables turned Mr. Malcolm instantly falls for Selina and it is up to her to conjure up her own list! Filled with quirky, adorable characters - this fast paced rom com will have you waltzing through ballrooms and riding in carriages with very handsome gentlemen. Absolutely delicious tale of love and friendship. This little taste of book candy is just what I needed!!  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Regretting You

Morgan and Chris are the idyllic in-love high school couple - and then she gets pregnant. Their lives are turned upside down and against all odds they manage to build a beautiful life and have a wonderful, if not feisty teenage daughter. Morgan is just turning 34 and regrets not going to college, regrets that her husband now has a busy, successful career and her daughter, Clara, is soon to leave the coop. Her best friend/sister Jenny has a newborn and is going to marry Jonah, their oldest and dearest friend who recently reappeared in their lives. As easily as plans are made, they can be taken away. An unexpected car crash leaves the family in pain deeper than they ever imagined possible. Relationships that were already strained take on heartbreaking clarity and Morgan desperately wants to make sure her daughter does not make the same mistakes she made. Could not put down this beautiful story of love, trust and friendship. Author Colleen Hoover takes us deep into the hearts of this family and even when the going gets tough her words easily flow to the next chapter. Highly recommend this perfect beach read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

With or Without You

Stella and Simon have been a couple for almost twenty years. An unlikely match, Stella is a somewhat quiet, kind nurse at a busy NYC hospital and he is a gorgeous hard core rock n’ roll musician. While in the past supporting Simon on his musical rollercoaster had always made Stella happy, she suddenly yearns for more stability, maybe even a baby. The night before a huge opportunity awaits him in Los Angeles the two disagree and a fork in their relationship can no longer be ignored. After a night of unexpected drug use Stella falls into a mysterious coma. Simon becomes the devoted boyfriend she had always dreamed of, Stella is someone completely new. They must unravel who they have become to each other and to themselves. There are parts of this story I really enjoyed, not to mention Caroline Leavitt’s writing is always a pleasure - but the truth is that Stella became annoying and I could not sympathize with her journey. In fact, all the many relationships were a bit off to me. I’m on the fence with this one friends. ⭐⭐⭐

One to Watch

Reality hit series The Bachelorette meets rom-com delight! Bea, a plus size fashion instagrammer superstar is chosen to compete on the next bachelorette series and make tv history. She is beautiful, funny, smart, sweet and a more than a few sizes bigger than the average contestant. Bea faces a chance to choose a love match from 25 handsome men ferociously fighting for the spotlight. Thinking it’s a good business boost, Bea and a spunky female producer want to show America that it’s time to change the way we think, letting love, not body type, lead the way. When the camera’s start filming it is harder than she ever expected. Insults are hurled, opinions flood the internet and Bea is not sure what reality means anymore. This read is filled with fun quirky characters and a lot of heart. Fans of The Bachelorette reality series will get a kick out of this romantic twist. ⭐⭐⭐

The Boys' Club

Gorgeous, smart, Harvard grad Alex Vogel is taking NY by storm. She is about to begin a coveted position at one of the top law firms in Manhattan and just moved into a swanky apartment with her longtime beau who is plugging away at a start up. The junior associate class has few girls and none make it into Mergers and Acquisitions, so naturally, Alex, a competitive former athlete, cannot resist going for the gold. Slowly drowning in the insane work hours she faces, Alex feels an adrenaline rush with every successful deal she closes and the handsome partner’s she is drawn to. With all morals generally thrown out the window this fast paced novel is an absolute page turner as Alex tries to figure out how far she is willing to go down the rabbit hole of BigLaw and big bucks in the big city. This FIVE STAR novel has already been optioned by Netflix and is a perfect end of the summer read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

All the Rivers

Liat is a beautiful Israeli translator spending a year working in New York City. She is apartment sitting for family friends and thoroughly exploring this dense exciting metropolis. One day Liat unexpectedly meets a friend of a friend, named Hilmi. She is immediately captivated by this handsome, charming, talented artist. The two quickly fall into a steamy, thoughtful friendship in and out of the bedroom. Their chemistry is undeniable. Their past is unavoidable. Hilmi is Palestinian. As they explore this bustling city, visiting art galleries, museums, and an endless array of restaurants they can no longer hide from the black cloud following every step they take. Friends cannot begin to understand, their families would be irreparably devastated. My heart was pounding for this couple, the dreamworld they were living in and self imposed deadline of their hearts. A hopeless romantic, I was immediately intrigued and in love with both characters, the politics and drama they cannot escape and literally could not put this book down. It was only afterwards (and I’m glad I waited because spoilers abound!) I found an array of articles written by and about the author and this novel. Highly recommend this 5 star read!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Pull of the Stars

It is 1918 in Dublin, WWI is just ending and the Spanish Flu pandemic has in a sense taken over the world. Nurse Julia Power works in an understaffed hospital Maternity ward for flu patients. Since she has overcome a mild case, she is a perfect candidate to help as she will most likely not contract the virus again. In this dark, small, musty space Julia helps a variety of women get through some of the toughest days of their lives. She assists a rebellious (almost unheard of) female physician and an unexpected volunteer shows up called Bridie that surprises everyone she meets. It is an interesting novel with an imaginative cast of characters but to enjoy you must have some interest in obstetrics which is painstakingly described in detail throughout the book. Because it is Emma Donoghue and so well written, I had no trouble immersing myself in this gloomy scenario but there is not a lot of action here. The entire story is a hospital setting during a tough time in history. ⭐⭐⭐

Float Plan

Anna waits tables at a pirate themed bar in Fort Lauderdale. The last year spent in a haze as she grieves the loss of her fiancé and the life she hoped to build with him. The sailboat they refurbished sits idly at the dock filled with memories of Ben and all of their dreams. As the day set for their maiden voyage approaches Anna decides to take her chances at it solo. She sets off on the journey alone towards the Bahamas. After a difficult night at sea Anna realizes she cannot complete the planned trip without some assistance. She looks for an experienced sailor to get her to Puerto Rico and through the Caribbean. That is when she meets Keane, a gorgeous Irishman who fits the bill and more. Following Ben’s itinerary, Keane and Anna sail well together and they both learn more about sailing and life than either of them ever expected. If you love the romance of the sea filled with sunsets, dolphins and hidden island treasures you will adore this wonderful tale that reads like a cool breeze on a hot day. Highly recommend - although not out until 2021 - so keep your eyes open for it’s release! Worth the wait! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Without Her

Claudia and Hannah were inseparable at their all girl’s boarding school. Growing up in England and feeling abandoned by their parents these young girls bonded like sisters. Always dreaming of running away together the pair eventually attend Cambridge and their lives take completely different paths after graduation. Claudia follows her passion for filmmaking all the way to America and Hannah marries Phil and settles down into a somewhat predictable English life. It is many years later that Claudia receives an urgent message from Phil reporting that Hannah is missing. As Hannah’s oldest and dearest friend, he doesn’t know who else to turn to. Together they search out the many possibilities of Hannah’s sudden disappearance. This absolutely beautiful story is a witness to a most fragile and precious friendship. All the choices one makes throughout their lives affect not only themselves but those closest to them as well. The meaning of love, jealousy, loyalty and even friendship changes as we age and is redefined over our entire lives. This is a quiet, intense and very well written novel. New author for me, I would definitely read more of her work. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Verity

Lowen is a young ambitious writer struggling with her next deadline and publisher’s demands. She is offered an unlikely opportunity to co-write and finish a series for renowned author Verity Crawford who has mysteriously been incapacitated. Jeremy, the handsome husband has handpicked Lowen to spend some time at his home, in Verity’s office to read her notes and write in a style her fans are familiar with. Lowen discovers a manuscript that reveals Verity’s innermost thoughts and feelings and it scares her to death. Not one but two of their daughters have succumbed to tragic accidents. In this stately mansion lives the handsome Jeremy, his sweet little boy and Verity staring off in a comatose state. As Lowen grows attached to this complicated family, her affection for Jeremy grows and she cannot shake the feeling that she is being watched. Could not put down this absolute page turner. I don’t know how author Colleen Hoover was not on my radar but this thriller cannot be missed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Come Again

Kate and Luke have been together since college and married for 28 years when Luke is diagnosed with a tumor and quickly passes away. Kate, a brilliant IT specialist has also recently uncovered a dangerous scandal at work which makes her despise her longtime boss even more than she already had. With no children, a frivolous mother and a handful of distant friends, Kate has pretty much decided it’s over. One day she mysteriously wakes up from an alcohol induced episode and it’s 1992. Kate has a chance to meet Luke all over again, change the future and maybe even save his life. This read had a really promising storyline that disappeared in an avalanche of words. I love stories based in London, I love romances and I love time travel. This would have had a great chance if it was edited properly. Sorry folks, this is barely ⭐