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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Stud Next Door

 

The Spark

 

Did you ever check your luggage tag and check it twice as the carousel went round and round? Autumn was just about to unpack when she realized she had grabbed the wrong suitcase. Once it was open it couldn’t hurt to take a peek. Autumn uncovered some very beautiful expensive clothes and shoes and it only took a moment to imagine the kind of handsome man that might wear them. More importantly, she needed her belongings back. After finally contacting the owner, Autumn walks into the coffee shop where they agreed to meet and he literally takes her breath away. Gorgeous, sexy and sweet - Donovan is surprisingly friendly and coffee turns into dinner and escalates into the hottest weekend of her life. But Autumn’s world is complicated at the moment so instead of hurting his feelings, she disappears. A year later they meet up again. She is on a date. With his boss. When their eyes meet there is no doubt that the spark from that fabulous weekend is still on fire. Hot, quick romance. Thumbs up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Invitation

 

When Sparks Fly

 

Spark House is an event planning business that Avery runs with her sisters in Colorado. Best friends, the three girls have clung tightly to each other since their parents passed away. They are doing their best running the family business while their Aunt is traveling. Avery is beautiful, sweet and smart but Avery is like one of the guys when it comes to her tight knit group of college friends. One of them is Declan, who is both her close friend and super sexy roommate. Just friends, Avery secretly smirks at the parade of beautiful women who leave Declan’s room in the morning. When Avery has a horrific accident it is Declan who steps up to take care of her. It is Declan that she suddenly realizes can fulfill her every need. Sweet and sexy romance about friends becoming more than friends. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

He's with the Band

Twenty years ago Campbell Cavett was a groupie. Well, not exactly a lovelorn groupie but she was an amateur photojournalist following the hottest rock band around the country trying to get her foot on the tour bus. Blocked by an overprotective manager and a harem of girls with big hair, Campbell didn’t get the ticket to ride. Back to Iowa and normal people life, Campbell met Jake and has spent the last two decades suffocating in a loveless marriage. With their recent divorce finalized and a benign portrait studio job, Campbell doesn’t have a lot to lose or look forward to. In an attempt to recapture her youthful spirit, she and best friend Marissa buy tickets for the Golden Tiger reunion concert in Chicago. At 41, Campbell easily blends in with the roaring crowd of screaming middle aged women. Fighting her way to the front of the mob and being pulled onstage by Davis Scott - lead heartthrob, is a fantasy. Given the opportunity to photograph the band while on tour is just too good to be true. Campbell is not sure if she is more excited by Davis Scott himself or his manager Vince who is more handsome than she remembers. Diving deep into the rock star life on the road she always imagined, Campbell will do whatever it takes to make this journey a success. A story filled with second chances and rock n’ roll, I simply loved these characters! Could have replaced a bit of repetitiveness with some hot scenes, i.e. “The Idea of You”, but this is definitely a fun rockin’ read not to be missed! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Three Weddings and a Proposal

At 38, Delphie Mertens has it all, or so she thinks. As assistant to the CEO at a highly successful firm, Delphie has worked day and night and traveled the world to climb the corporate ladder. Her family constantly berates her for sacrificing her personal life and more specifically the idea of marriage and family. Always searching for a plus one to the nonstop parade of events, Delphie is at her brothers wedding with her ex-boyfriend when she receives the awful news regarding her beloved boss Conrad. This catalyst sets Delphie up against her male chauvinist rival at the office and she is suddenly fighting to survive. As Delphie uncovers secrets to save her position and her boss’s widow from ruin she finally has the chance to reevaluate the future she has always dreamed of living. A little misleading, the title doesn’t really fit the story as well as I imagined. Characters were predictable and somewhat disappointing. Not my favorite. ⭐️⭐️

The Heart Principle

Anna Sun has been a violinist her entire life but when a you tube video goes viral, she becomes a star. Exhausted from trying to keep up with her performing schedule and popularity, Anna experiences a breakdown and must take a hiatus from the violin and pressures of the stage. Anna decides she is ready to have some fun, other experiences that she has not allowed herself to enjoy. Initially furious that her longtime boyfriend requested a break, she retaliates with a mission to have her own hot romance or at least a sizzling one night stand. When Quan Diep rides his motorcycle into her life he appears as dangerous as he is gorgeous, just perfect. To Anna’s surprise the two become fast friends. Quan offers Anna an unconditional acceptance of her quirks and sometimes irrational behavior with and open mind and true friendship. When her father becomes ill Anna goes home to help with his care. As difficult as this time may be she has an opportunity to learn that even though she knew she was different, her family has denied her undiagnosed spectrum. Putting the pieces together, Anna finally has a chance to be herself. A good read and better than book #2 but I must admit The Kissing Quotient is still my favorite. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Heard it in a Love Song

Layla teaches music class at the local elementary school. Thirty five and recently divorced, she truly enjoys her job and the children. Happy to finally be free from a suffocating and loveless marriage, Layla is trying to rebuild her life one day at a time.Years ago she was part of a successful local band that was making quite a name for themselves. Imagining a life on stage, Layla followed her dreams of making music to share with the world. When she got married her husband slowly convinced her to move on with her life as it was time to be grown-ups and put silly fantasies aside. But Layla never forgot the way it felt to sing and play, to perform in front of a live audience. Josh is a single dad, also going through a difficult divorce. Having married his high school sweetheart at such a young age, he feels they have grown too far apart. His daughter is in Layla’s class and they slowly and carefully become friends. Layla builds a music studio in her basement and for the first time in years begins to explore her old feelings and figure out a brand new future. Guarding both their hearts and protecting Josh’s sweet little girl the two can no longer deny their instant chemistry and the happiness they allow themselves to feel when they are together. Heard it in a Love Song is a really simple, sweet romance about second chances. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The People We Keep

In 1994, April Sawicki was 16 years old and living alone in a motorless motorhome. Her mom skipped town long ago and her less than responsible dad recently shacked up with a local woman and her son. Flunking school, often annoyed with her sex driven boyfriend Matty, April only had one love, one passion - her guitar. Self taught with a voice like an angel, April even wrote her own music. She believed that someday these songs and her music would set her free. Reaching the end of her patience with another failed math test and believing in her father would be relieved, she packed a bag, “borrowed” a car and hit the road. The only one to notice or care was Margo, her boss and possibly only friend at the diner. As April travels the country singing for her supper, she experiences petty theft, homelessness, hunger, loneliness, friendship and happiness for the first time. Collecting an odd ragtag group of friends through the years April never stays in one place too long. When she finds herself desperate for help she realizes for the first time that there are people who care, people we keep, someplace we can call home. An unputdownable, beautifully written, memorable must read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Die With Zero

We are taught all our lives to save for a rainy day and contribute part of our earnings to a retirement fund as early as possible. Most of us have watched our parents do better than their parents and their grandparents live longer and fuller lives than their parents. Soon we many be watching our children exceed our wildest dreams. Ideas about saving, spending, donating and waiting for our golden years is deeply ingrained in our beings and we tend to make financial decisions on auto pilot without thoroughly evaluating what we truly want. Bucket lists are a fairly new way for this generation to list experiences they are looking forward to - when they have the time and money. Overspending is often frowned upon as irresponsible. Author Bill Perkins shares his personal views on our collective mistake. Working long and hard, living frugally and saving for the future. If we are lucky enough to make it to retirement age (deemed by the government) many of us will find ourselves without the health and energy and desire to do the things we once fantasized about. Sadly each decade we may have more money to do things but less time. When we have the most time we will not have the health to optimize the experiences we’ve been waiting for. This book analyzes the value put on experiences that far outweigh any balance in our bank accounts. Taking a break from work and spending time with loved ones creates memories that are far more valuable than cash in the bank. Die with Zero is a simple, straightforward reminder to live each day of every year to the fullest. There is no question that time is our most limited resource. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beautiful Little Fools

In August 1922, Jay Gatsby is found dead in his swimming pool. The lead detective refuses to be fooled by three beautiful suspects. He has nothing to lose and is further induced with a monetary incentive from yet another shady character to solve the case. Daisy Buchanan is beautiful, smart and was raised as a proper Southern Belle. Long ago, Gatsby was her first love. Now she hides behind her cheating, lying husband Tom. Jordan Baker is Daisy’s lifelong best friend and confidant. She is a golf superstar and secretly having a love affair with another female player on the team. Jordan would do anything for Daisy - but the question is whether she will sacrifice herself for the truth. Catherine McCoy fled to NYC in hopes of starting a new life fighting for women’s rights and freedoms both voting and sexual. She will do anything to protect her sister from an abusive marriage and stop at nothing to transform her future. In this reimagining of the literary classic The Great Gatsby, it is the women who finally take center stage. Filled with the swanky jazz age, romance gone wrong and the women’s suffrage movement - Beautiful Little Fools brings it all back to life. This original delightful  reinvention of our favorite characters is absolutely unputdownable. A must read for 2022! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️