Thursday, January 27, 2022

Just Haven't Met You Yet

Laura tells the best love stories. Her online interviews of “how did you meet?”are one of the most popular columns for Love Life magazine. Laura’s upcoming story will feature her parents historic and most romantic meeting on Jersey in the Channel Islands. After a bit of a rocky morning Laura arrives at her hotel only to realize she has grabbed the wrong suitcase off the carousel. Calling back Ted, the grumpy taxi driver with the unkempt beard - they head to the airport to straighten out the mix-up. Unfortunately, the airline does not have the case, nor will they divulge passenger information. Searching the bag for clues Laura realizes fate has intervened as this man has her most favorite novel, sheet music for none other than her most favorite Phil Collins and clothes that she instantly imagines only the most handsome, sexy man would wear. With a number found on the tag Laura has left messages for her new soulmate and awaits their eventual meet-cute. Grumpy Ted becomes Laura’s personal tour guide as she attempts to retrace the steps her parents took on this quaint island years ago. As she hunts for lost luggage lover this adorable character finds trouble at every turn. Together with the now shaved and shockingly handsome Ted, Laura slowly discovers the painful truth about her family and herself. Perfect, fast moving and sweet, this romcom is the perfect Valentine’s treat. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Becoming

Growing up in the South Side of Chicago, Michelle Obama may not have had many luxuries but she was rich with enormous love and support from her strong parents, older brother and memorable extended family. Always fastidious in her work, Michelle strove from a young age to excel in school and reach for the stars. Achieving student accolades and entrance to the prestigious Princeton University followed by Harvard Law School, she ultimately returned to Chicago to work in a prominent corporate law firm high in the sky. Michelle realized quickly that although her bank account was enjoying this newfound freedom, her heart was not fulfilled. On the day she was asked to mentor a young associate for the summer he was late. When Barack finally arrived he was as charming and handsome as the rumors claimed. Friends at first, it didn’t take long for the young couple to begin their journey and beautiful romance. Through tumultuous political campaigns and growing their family Barack remained the steady anchor while Michelle reinvented her career more than once. Between his eternal optimism and her fastidiousness there was nothing this dynamic duo could not accomplish. Thoroughly engaging and emotional ride through the Obama presidency with an honesty I have sorely missed. These pages are well written and graciously filled with love, family and hope. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Monday, January 17, 2022

Honor

Journalist Smita is summoned away from her vacation in the Maldives to assist her coworker and friend Shannon in India. She has had an accident that requires surgery. Shannon needs Smita’s assistance finishing a chilling series that is approaching its dramatic finale. Meena, a poor Hindu girl from a small village married her true love Abdul, a Muslim. Furious at this forbidden match, Meena is never to enter the village or contact her family again. When she becomes pregnant the young couple naively believe that Meena’s brothers will find forgiveness. They proceed to destroy her. The judge is days away from his final verdict and Smita, accompanied by Shannon’s good friend Mohan, set out to uncover the truth. Smita struggles as she faces the heartless and medieval ways that still exists in these small villages. While she has covered wrongdoing all over the world, the depth of unnecessary hatred and lawless violence is astounding. As she and Mohan get to know each other, Smita slowly reveals why her family left India many years ago. While India’s familiarity deeply touches her emotions, the painful memories of her family’s departure can never be forgotten. Author Thrity Unmrigar simply mesmerizes the reader with the sights, sounds and tastes of this colorful nation, slowly building a story that is equally captivating and heartbreaking and cannot be put down.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, January 15, 2022

One Night on the Island

Cleo writes a dating column for one of the top women’s online publications in London. She cleverly calls the man she is searching for her “flamingo” as they mate for a lifetime. While most matches amount to nothing, Cleo has not given up on the idea of true love. As her 30th birthday approaches the editor in chief suggests a publicity stunt that sends Cleo’s world upside down. Cleo is to marry herself to signify independence and self love. She is sent to an idyllic island off the Irish coast where she intends to write a series and search for life’s hidden meanings. Unfortunately, when Cleo arrives on the island the weather is brutal and her simply adorable cottage is not empty. Cleo is greeted by Mack, an American whose distant cousin owns the property. Accompanying Mack is a mountain of baggage that rivals her own and the two find themselves in a stubborn standoff deciding who gets to stay. Due to the inclement weather and no alternative lodgings - a line is visibly drawn and Cleo and Mack have to figure out how to coexist in this small space. Naturally a meet cute ensues. Always a fan of everything Irish, this romcom dragged just a wee bit but was saved by the quirky adorable cast of characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Monday, January 10, 2022

Finding Freedom

At an age where she could barely reach the stove, Erin French was helping her dad at the family’s local diner. The small town of Freedom, Maine had but one eating establishment and people liked what they liked just fine. Change was not welcome. At first she was an annoying kid in her dad’s way but very quickly he began to enjoy the tiny bit of assistance Erin offered. She gave him break to drink on the back porch with his buddies and made a few bucks to put in her pocket. All Erin wanted to was earn her way off the farm and out of Freedom to the real world. She succeeded in getting to college only to make a u-turn back to her parents house pregnant and ashamed at 21. Searching for a better way to raise her son Erin only knew and loved one thing - food. She got jobs in restaurants and with catering companies in nearby towns and started to make a name for herself as a hard worker and an excellent cook. After a horrible marriage and stint in rehab Erin is pulled back to Freedom, where she ironically cannot seem to get away. Reinventing herself once again Erin searches for the life she deeply desires. With her loving mother by her side Erin pulls on her apron strings and finds The Lost Kitchen. This creative, hardworking, inventive, honest cook shares her story and passion for food in this magnificent memoir. You will laugh, you will cry and most likely get very hungry! If you love reading and eating, this one is absolutely delicious. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Raised near Homer, Alaska Jewel Kilcher grew up singing and yodeling with her parents. Always a writer and natural performer Jewel was happiest when she was creating music, art and poetry. Her parents divorced when she was young and her father struggled to raise the children alone while facing difficult family relationships. After leaving home to attend an arts school in Michigan, Jewel then found herself on the road alone, at a young age, performing in bars and clubs, living out of a car and falling in love for the first time. Her folksy, poetic lyrics and soft clear voice instantly connected with the audience and Jewel was signed by Atlantic Records. In this memoir Grammy Award winning Jewel draws on memories from life on the road during her Spirit World Tour. She beautifully shares the vivid details of her experiences through words and song. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How to Love Your Neighbor

Grace Travis has her priorities in order. Finish college, quit her many part time jobs as coffee barista, dog walker and Morty’s house helper and begin a brand new career as an interior designer. Having been on her own for as long as she can remember Grace is shocked to learn she has inherited the small beach home of her grandparents - whom she never met. Having broken ties with her conniving, manipulative mother long ago, Grace considers grumpy old Morty and his girlfriend Tillie her family now. Bumping into new next door neighbor Noah Jansen changes everything. Breathtakingly handsome, wealthy and completely full of himself, Grace refuses to fall for his tricks. She will not sell him her property so he can build a pool. She will not fall for those sexy biceps and beach wavy hair. She is an independent woman who refuses to fall in love on a whim. When the hottest home magazine wants to feature Grace redesigning Noah’s property it is 100% renovation romance and her heart doesn’t stand a chance. Adorable hate-to-love romcom to start off the new year. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Monday, January 3, 2022

With Love from London

At thirty five, Valentina Baker never dreamed she would be completely reinventing herself. Finding out that Nick is having an affair sent their marriage into an irreparable spiral. As the divorce and separation proceedings move forward Valentina receives the unexpected news that her long lost mother has passed away and she is the heir to her estate. This quiet Seattle librarian never expected to find herself alone, on a plane to London. She is equally surprised to find her mothers quaint apartment is located above The Book Garden, the most perfect bookstore she has ever encountered. And now, when it seems she has lost everything, a new beginning appears on the horizon. Primrose Hill is a lovely storybook neighborhood and Valentina quickly falls in love with the various shopkeepers and her mother’s best friend Millie who may hold the answers to her past. With the small notes she finds scribbled in her favorite novel Valentina begins to unravel this literary mystery which is the story of her life. Absolutely dreamy read for any book lover. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saturday, January 1, 2022

The Divorce Party

Gwyn Huntington is beautiful, wealthy and about to celebrate her 35th wedding anniversary. But the day that should have been one of love takes a turn for the worse. Gwyn is planning her divorce party. The new thing among the wealthy set, Gwyn and Thomas have decided that what is best for their family and to end their marriage in a positive way instead of tragic would be to memorialize the happy years they had surrounded by their loved ones. Thomas does not know that Gwyn has secretly hired his mistress to cater the event. Nate and Georgia, their grown children will be attending. Georgia, nine months pregnant, unmarried and desperately trying to hang onto her unpredictable boyfriend. Nate brings Maggie, his fiancé and business partner to meet his parents for the very first time. They all gather at the Huntington estate in Montauk. This multigenerational story about love and family was a little off for me. While the character portrayal was excellent the theme got lost somewhere in the shuffle. I really like Laura Dave’s more recent novels and reached back to check out this one from 2008. ⭐️⭐️⭐️