An Affair of Spies

In 1938 Nathan Silverman’s parents sent him to the United States to live with his Aunt Gertrude. Life in Berlin had become unbearable, the family anticipated the worse was yet to come. Nathan’s father, a well known nuclear physicist made the dreadful decision to remain in Germany with his wife and daughter. As a young man Nathan began taking classes at Columbia in NYC. A few years later the war is full blown and Nathan is offered an opportunity with the U.S. Army to help fight the Nazi’s. With his sharp insight, language skills and geographical expertise, it is not long before he is transferred to work on the top secret Manhattan Project. The race is on for the U.S. to develop nuclear weapons before Germany. On his first assignment Nathan is disguised as a Wehrmacht officer and will travel with the beautiful and brainy Dr. Allison Fisher on his arm. Their mission is to enter Berlin, learn everything they can about the Nazi nuclear weapons program and extract a world renowned theoretical physicist who wishes to defect. This fast paced WWII novel takes us deep into the evils of Nazi Germany and a peek into the creation of the atomic bomb. A nail biting chase from until the very last page. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mr. Perfect on Paper

CEO of a successful Jewish dating app, Dara Rabinowitz is a wealthy, well known young woman living in Hoboken, NJ. While multi-tasking and list making is her specialty, this perfectionist young woman suffers from GAD, a severe anxiety disorder. This is beyond feeling stressed, Dara’s condition can be completely debilitating. As Dara juggles her hugely popular company called JMate and also keeps a watchful eye on her beloved Bubbe (grandmother) Miriam, she must contend with her disease. When a local daytime television show has Dara and her matchmaking Bubbe as guests they are an unexpected hit and the very charismatic (hot) host Chris Steadfast suggests Dara and her matchmaking business help their diminishing ratings, presently in the tank. Chris takes Dara’s perfect on paper husband list and runs with it. Going viral would put it mildly. The viewers love it and Chris’s show attempts to find the perfect husband for this modern matchmaker through a series of laugh-of-loud dating mishaps. There is one little problem - Dara is falling for Chris, head over heels and everything she has ever believed in. Although he checks none of her boxes, her heart has other plans. Adorable romance with a capital C for comedy. Wonderful and easy to understand references to the Jewish holidays and traditions. I simply had a smile on my face through every single page. Another winner by author Jean Meltzer (The Matzah Ball) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Woman of Intelligence

In 1954 post-war New York City Katharina Edgeworth is a socialite with every advantage a woman could desire. A handsome, wealthy husband who saves children’s lives on a daily basis as a pediatric surgeon; two beautiful sons and a fancy apartment on Fifth Avenue. But Rina lived another life. She has a graduate degree in languages from Colombia University, speaking four fluently and was deeply passionate about her career at the United Nations. Before motherhood took over every detail of her life, Rina had friends, she traveled and enjoyed an exhilarating social life. Most women would be grateful in her position but all she feels is lost, lonely and regretful. When Rina is mysteriously offered an opportunity from the FBI to assist as an informant, she cannot refuse. Completely out of her comfort zone yet mesmerized by this secrecy and newly found purpose Rina puts her skills and a friendship from her past to work. What initially begins as a way to escape her restlessness quickly turns into unimaginable escapades in the mysterious world of espionage. Rina must find a way to balance subterfuge and responsibility to survive. Fast paced cold war spy novel, A Woman of Intelligence is the perfect mix of history, politics, feminism and family drama. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Carrie Soto is Back

Six years after retirement Carrie Soto and her father, Javier are in the heart of the massive screaming crowd at the 1994 US Open finals in Flushing Meadows, NY. She is mesmerized by Nicki Chan, leading the way in women’s tennis as Carrie herself once did when she held the title of number one player in the world. At 37 Carrie has multiple world records, titles and quite a lot of wagging tongues as she was nicknamed The Battle-Axe back in her heyday. At this moment Nicki Chan is one win away from overtaking the most Grand Slam wins ever. By a stroke of fate or luck, Nicki doesn’t win that match and Carrie decides to come out of retirement with her father coaching to take one more victory. This incredible journey through the cut throat all-consuming world of tennis, beautiful relationship between father and daughter and most surprising friendship with top seeded men’s player Bowe Huntley who helps Carrie get back in the game and weasels his way into her hardened heart. I was completely swept away by this peek into women’s tennis which I know very little about. The pages turned themselves as I desperately needed to know what happens next. Great characters, a lot of passion and yes, surprise, Carrie Soto is the tennis player that had an affair with Nina Riva’s husband in Malibu Rising (clever clever!) Could not put down this fast paced story of a woman attempting to hang onto who she “was” while accepting life has changed. Absolute five star summer stunner!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out of His League

Gretchen Harper has a thriving business as a wine sommelier. She is independent, trustworthy, a planner and has under no circumstances been a risk taker. Gretchen is single but she definitely has never tried to pick up a strange man in the airport. When she sees Joshua Malvern, her all time favorite heartthrob baseball player in the wait lounge looking incredibly sad she buys him a coffee (just the way he likes it.) This small gesture warms his heart and they begin a quick easy friendship. The entire flight to Las Vegas is a dream come true. Just to be near him makes Gretchens heart sway and to learn how nice he truly is - well, thats just icing on the cake. Imagining this is just a fling she decides to let loose of the first time in her life. Even though she cannot visualize the details of what a future with Josh would look like she knows that their meet-cute was definitely a home run. Fast paced, steamy sports romance. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How to Fake it in Hollywood

Behind the scenes, it’s been almost a year since Grey Brooks has had actual job. When her long running teen drama series came to an end so did the offers. Having been an actress since she was eight years old, at 27 Grey considers herself lucky. She was able to help her mother pay the bills when her dead beat dad disappeared and has been independent ever since. Smart, pretty and possibly a little lonely, Grey has stayed out of the gossip mags and done the hard work. While she eyes a new role that could put her back on the map her feisty publicist feels the directors need a little nudge. She proposes Grey create a fake relationship with an absolute A-lister that has been reclusive for over 5 years and requires a creative come back as well. A decade older, Ethan Atkins was Grey’s teen heartthrob. A poster of this gorgeous hunk hung on her wall fulfilling all her young fantasies. She agrees with the crazy plan. Little did she know sparks would mutually fly, their chemistry off the rom-com charts. When the paparazzi become uncontrollable Grey and Ethan must put down their scripts face actual feelings Hollywood style. The grass is not always greener but it’s a wild ride to read about. Beach reading at it’s best! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the Girls

Lexi is getting married to the perfect guy. He is successful, handsome though just a tad bit too controlling. After a decade of dancing professionally and partying hard Lexi is ready to settle down. Her closest friends and future sister-in-law are throwing her a hen party (bachelorette to Americans!) They have arranged an idyllic weekend in the Greek Islands. As soon as the women arrive things start to go wrong. With emotions running high it is clear each of the women are hiding something and one of them won’t make it back to London. I desperately wanted to like this latest book by Lucy Clarke, having loved all her others but this one didn’t fly for me. Didn’t like a single character and the story felt like a retelling of something I’ve already read. ⭐️⭐️

The Displacements

The Larsen-Hall family has relocated from Michigan to Miami, Florida. In a big beautiful house by the bay Daphne is still adjusting to this fanciful life as an artist, a wife and mother of three. Oliver and Mia are in elementary school and Gavin, who should be finishing freshman year at Stanford, is unexpectedly taking a break. Brantley, her pretentious surgeon husband hasn’t been around very much since they arrived. Closely following the news, Daphne is alarmed one morning that a category 6 hurricane, the largest the world has ever seen, changed direction and is heading their way. Quickly arranging the kids, the dog and a few necessities in the minivan they race to pick up Brantley at the hospital only to be told he will meet them in northern Florida as he is in charge of evacuating patients. Panic beginning to simmer along the highway, suffocating traffic and long gas lines, the Larsen-Hall bunch just keep driving. When absolutely nothing works out as planned the family is transported to a FEMA megashelter in Oklahoma with thousands of evacuees, now called IDP’s - Internally Displaced Persons. The days pass slowly, the news out of Miami is devastating. There is no sign of Brantley. As the plot thickens life at Tooley Farms is no picnic. Other residents don’t look like Daphne with her manicured fingers and huge diamond ring. With no choice but to remain in place each member of the Larsen-Hall family quickly learns the hard truth about family and the unethical world they live in. Fast paced novel, like watching a train wreck the reader are unable to turn away. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Woman in the Library

This book in a book, where you are never quite sure where the story begins and reality ends is absolutely unputdownable. One day four strangers are sitting at a table in the Boston Public Library. They hear a piercing scream. The library is cordoned off and then closed. A murder has occurred and these four unlikely characters quickly form a deep friendship. Handsome Man is a published author working on his next novel, Heroic Chin is trying to fail Harvard Law School to piss off his socialite parents, Freud girl - a tattoo covered beauty getting her graduate degree in psychology. Lastly, there is Freddie, an Australian writer on scholarship who deems this scene as chapter one of her latest mystery, a work in progress. As the strangers learn about each other, more dead bodies are discovered and fingers are pointed. The police investigate and alibi’s become crucial. The story unfolds with a string of letters interspersed between a famous author named Hannah and Freddie’s neighbor Leo (friend or psychopath?) In an unexpected twist the reader finds themselves in a fictional funhouse. Writers, books and murder mystery all rolled into one, this wholly original tale is a must read for summer. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Beach Trap

At Camp Chickawah Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill become inseparable as twelve year olds tend to do. Pinky swearing to lifetime friendship, the two are devastated when they learn they share the same father. Blake is raised by her loving grandparents, just getting by in Minnesota and Kat lives a luxurious lifestyle in Georgia and becomes a well known social media influencer. Determined resentment on both sides, they do not speak for fifteen years. When their father suddenly dies, he leaves the girls a beach house his family owned in Destin, Florida. Having never finished college and working as a nanny, Blake is determined to sell the beach house as quickly as possible and use the money to help with her grandpa’s care. Kat on the other hand refuses to let go of the beach house and the childhood memories she holds dear. The house is found in total disrepair and a deal is made. Blake, who is very handy is determined to renovate and get the best value and Kat who is demanding and a little spoiled is convinced she will find a way to buy Blake out. The summer brings unexpected renovation romance and reminders of a lost friendship back to life. Sweet as a summer breeze, this fast paced read is absolutely vacation worthy! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Where the Crawdads Sing

In 1969 Chase Andrews, handsome town charmer, football quarterback is found dead at the bottom of the fire tower. This small southern marsh town is overwhelmed with grief and rampant with suspicion. Appalled that Chase had a past relationship with Kya Clark, they immediately point their nasty fingers at this beautiful young woman who lives alone out in the marsh. Taunted by the other children, she only attended school for one day. After being abandoned by her family, Kya raised herself alone in the woods and a little boy named Tate taught her to read. Kya spent her days intensely studying nature and the world around. Much to the towns surprise reclusive Kya became a published author and expert naturalist. With few people in her life to vouch for her whereabouts, Kya has always been an easy target for their malice. Told between the past and the present the reader dives deep into the marsh and the surroundings that Kya struggles to understand. Viewing life in the simplest form she is both brilliant and honest, lonely but terrified of letting anyone into her world. With the movie releasing any day now, I had to read this 2018 bestseller first! I loved every minute of it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dead Romantics

When Florence Day arrives to meet her new book editor she finds none other than Benji Andor, handsome hunk with an attitude sitting across from her. Florence is a ghost writer for the romance series of the very successful Ann Nichols. She has written the last three novels for Ann with great success and now Ben is refusing her an extension. The past year has been hard for Florence. After being dumped by her no-good story stealing boyfriend she doesn’t believe in happy endings anymore. To add salt to the wound Florence is called back to her small home town in South Carolina as her beloved father has sadly and unexpectedly passed away. After ten years of avoidance, she returns to Mairmont and the family’s funeral home business stricken with loss and grief. This peculiar family (think Adam’s Family) has been in the funeral business for generations. Florence and her father also shared a mysterious gift. They can see and communicate with the dearly departed. As if things weren’t complicated enough, a few days into her stay she see’s Benji, her editor. Both of them completely baffled they find a way to dig deep and unwind the greatest and most complicated happy ending of all. This original, funny, heart warming love story was such a complete surprise. Absolutely adored all the bizarre characters and fast paced banter. Perfect beach read for ghost lovers and regular people too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Truth About Ben and June

Ben and June meet on New Year’s Eve in the Emergency Room of a New York hospital. Ben had broken his hand punching a man in a bizarre attempt to help a stranger that didn’t want his assistance. June had an awful flu. Their chemistry was intense and it didn’t take long for Ben to ask June on a date. Slowly easing into a thoughtful romance, June was an aspiring dancer and Ben a law school student on the cusp of a promising career. His unwavering support emotionally and financially was generous and loving. Years later after an unexpected pregnancy they are in the suburbs “living the dream.” Only June’s dream was left behind with the dance company. As much as she loves baby Mikey his incessant crying and discontent throbs through her heart and soul every single day. Ben works nonstop and June is home with her infant son, little sleep and hallucinations of her dead mother. Their yuppy little enclave is filled with immaculate homes and perfect moms. Ben is too busy to notice June’s downward spiral until it is too late. Narrated from both Ben and June’s perspective, this novel carefully depicts a young couple’s struggle with unfulfilled dreams, expectations and a very real disorder. Compelling exploration of a young marriage and new motherhood. Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Counterfeit

Straight A student, type A personality, Ava Wong has never gotten so much as a parking ticket. This Stanford educated lawyer has a surgeon husband that saves lives and a two year old little boy that does nothing but cry. Taking a break from her high pressured firm Ava has lost her confidence and her patience. As her nanny handles most of the day to day with her tantrum throwing child, her husband’s completely consuming career has left alone to figure out their lives as a family. One day Winnie Fang mysteriously reconnects with Ava. Long ago Winnie was an awkward college roommate from Mainland China who was decidedly not cool and quietly abruptly left school after one semester. Today Winnie shows up gorgeously outfitted, dripping in designer labels and exuding the self assurance Ava is currently lacking. She runs a luxury handbag business and squeezes herself into Ava’s life just when she needs a friend. Well aware that Ava needs some money of her own gives Winnie the perfect opportunity to reel her in. As these two women dive deep into unimaginable schemes laced with Chinese factories, mobsters, counterfeit designer bags and high end department stores it is never quite clear whose story is the truth. Unforgettable twisted drama will keep you on the edge of your beach chair! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Can't Look Away

Every day Molly Diamond focuses on moving one foot in front of the other in her new life. She has a wonderful attentive husband named Hunter and beautiful little girl Stella. Living in the suburbs can be lonely at times, the small town of Flynn Cove, not that many miles from Manhattan feels a world away. The local women are obsessed with labels, decorating and the fancy country club. Molly misses her old friends, the noise of the city and she hasn’t been able to write a word since the day she left. Trying to be optimistic, Molly welcomes Sabrina into her life. The two meet at yoga and then again at a fertility clinic. With instant chemistry Molly feels like she finally found a friend. One day on the radio she hears a recent remake of Jake's greatest hit called Molly's Song. Molly has spent every day of the last ten years trying not to think about her old love Jake Danner, a beautiful and talented musician that lit Molly’s heart on fire. Their tumultuous and passionate affair tore their young hearts apart. Just thinking about Jake fills Molly with pain and confusion. As their story unravels flashing back between the past and present, it is clear that not everything is as it seems. Fast paced suspenseful romance, I devoured this perfect beach read with a twist! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Italian Job

In the blink of an eye, Anna Roberts has lost her boyfriend, job as a chef and apartment. Devastated she moves back home with her father, a retired policeman to come up with a new plan. Immediately annoyed by her neighbor - handsome Jake has always been trouble - Anna works hard to avoid him and his loud motorcycle. One day Anna finds an ideal opportunity online, to manage and cook at a magnificent private castle in Italy. There is one catch, the owners are looking to fill the caretaking position with a couple. Initially discouraged Anna begins to think Jake might also be searching for a brand new start. The two apply and shockingly get the job. Now they are off to the beauty of Italy, the splendor of this gorgeous castle and the quaint town nearby. They are to spend a year pretending to be in love. After accomplishing one or two hurdles it is quite clear they actually work well together and make a dynamic team. When a “fake” kiss shoots off more than a few fireworks Anna realizes that maybe it won’t be that hard after all. Loved this story, love the setting and steamy flirting. Another perfect getaway for the armchair traveler. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bloomsbury Girls

As the world adjusts to post WWII, London is slowly coming back to life. The women held it together and many men have heartbreakingly not returned. Centered around a charming century old shop called Bloomsbury Books, three lovely women struggle to find their place in this strange new world. Vivien is a beautiful, talented writer whose wealthy fiancé went missing along with her future plans. Grace is married with two feisty boys and a husband that has become an unmanageable angry shell of his former self. She would rather be at the bookshop than at home. Evie, one of the first females to graduate Cambridge is a shy brilliant young woman who discovers first love and a literary mystery that can change their lives. As they live and work amongst the men of the shop the women realize they want more than fetching tea and standing at the register. These women want to rock the literary establishment by changing the way books are sold. This small, witty cast of characters revolve their lives around books, publishing and the literary salons of the time. As they meet and befriend some famous figures the women gather the confidence they need to carry on. Not exactly historical fiction but felt like it. This novel has quite a lot of characters and is literally all about books. I loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bodyguard

When Jack Stapleton’s mom gets sick he heads straight to their Texas ranch to be by her side. Jack is a world famous movie star in every sense of the word, he is literally a household name. Hannah Brooks gets assigned to a task force to protect Jack. She shows up at his house to go over the details and Jack is not a happy camper. Laughing at Hannah’s freckled girl-next-door school teacher appearance and the idea that she is going to save his life seems like a joke to him at first. Hannah quickly demonstrates her capabilities which are deceivingly hidden in her petite stature. Forced by his manager Jack has no choice but to accept Hannah’s help. The twist is she must pretend to be his girlfriend so his parents don’t panic. Being a bodyguard is all Hannah knows. She is a complete professional and very likable so naturally fits right in at the ranch. Away from the cameras and screaming fans, Jack turns out to be a pretty normal, kind and funny guy who just happens to be extraordinarily handsome. Dealing with a stalker situation that could escalate at any moment, a brother Jack is completely at odds with and her own recent breakup, Hannah must juggle a lot of emotional energy all at once. This extremely fast paced romantic comedy is another adorable must read by Katherine Center. The perfect laugh out loud beach getaway. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nora Goes Off Script

Nora is a single mom living in the small town of Laurel Ridge struggling to pay the mortgage and keep their eclectic home from crumbling. She exists paycheck to paycheck writing screenplays for The Romance Channel while her no-good husband Ben takes off in search of his real happiness. Nora realizes she is better off without him but that doesn’t mean the hurt isn’t real. So what does a good writer do? She pours her heart into something little different. Nora works in a little cabin in their yard called The Tea House and writes a movie called The Tea House. Not the Hallmark happy ending her agent is used to but its a powerful story loosely based on her own heartbreak. Quickly purchased and filmed with the sexiest man alive as the main character, Nora is thrown for a loop when they do a bit of filming in her yard and she and Leo Vance (absolutely sexiest man she has ever seen) fall into their own surprising romance right out of the movies. Her 8 and 10 year old instantly warm to Leo’s charms and it is only when he is called away for another film that Nora begins to panic. When plans don’t go as expected Nora wonders if she actually imagined the whole thing. A script within a script, Nora once again pours her story to the page but even she is struggling to find the right ending. This evenly paced, witty five star summer fun is pure joy and days later I find myself still smiling. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Time Tomorrow

Alice is about to celebrate her birthday. She has a good job at the school she attended as a young girl, a somewhat likable boyfriend and a rent controlled apartment. Things are not great, but good enough. Then Alice’s father falls ill. An accomplished and somewhat famous author her father raised her on his own and has been her lifelong source of joy and happiness throughout her 39 years. As Alice sits by his bedside in the ICU she has a hard time accepting his fate and cannot imagine life without him. Drinking way too much on the eve of her big 4-0 Alice walks towards her father’s home on Pomander Walk, her idyllic childhood home on the Upper West Side. When she wakes in the morning she doesn’t feel quite right. Glancing down Alice sees a young woman’s body and an unlined face in the mirror reflects her 16 year old self. It is her birthday in 1996. After adjusting to this incredible time hop Alice relives this day over and over again desperately searching for a way to change the outcome. Every choice she makes sends her future in a different direction. In a Sliding Doors sort of way this parallel universe teaches Alice what she had in her heart all along. Completely devoured this wonderfully written, clever time-travel drama filled with lovable characters and lots of life lessons. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️