Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 326 pages
Published: June 2026

My last read of September was a first read by author Tia Williams. The Missed Connection is a playful, fast-paced romcom with heart, humor, and a dash of chaos. In it, we follow protagonist Sasha Cruz who meets an engaging, handsome stranger during a transatlantic flight to Europe. After talking for several hours and forming what feels like an instant connection, the passengers are quickly deplaned, leaving Sasha and her mystery man with no chance to exchange contact information or even names! In a haze of anti-anxiety medication and wine, Sasha emails a coworker hoping for help tracking him down, but she accidentally copies the entire company. It’s hilarious and exactly the kind of inciting incident you’d expect in a romcom.

Upon her return to the United States, Sasha reconnects with Wes Dane, a detective who previously helped her through a difficult situation. Together, they embark on a quest to find her elusive travel mate from Seat F. However, the rekindling of this professional relationship also stirs up personal complications and unresolved feelings that make Sasha’s search for her supposed soulmate far more complicated than she anticipated.

The Missed Connection is a fast-paced and funny novel that also intertwines heavier themes of anxiety, mental health, and personal safety. I found the story intriguing, and I was deeply committed to Sasha’s mission to find Seat F. However, it was clear though, there were unresolved issues between Sasha and Wes. I found their dynamic predictable, and it felt appropriate for a romcom of this nature. I also appreciated how Williams handled some of the more serious elements with care, balancing emotional depth with well-timed humor. Her chapter titles were accurately descriptive and definitely added an extra layer of charm.

The main shortcoming for me was the suspension of belief required for the plot to work. It took a little more than a stretch to imagine Sasha sharing intimate details with Seat F for hours without either person offering their name or contact information. As a reader, you have to accept this premise from the outset for the rest of the story to land. Additionally, the ending of the book felt a little underdeveloped. It seemed as though the author felt a little rushed to resolve the Seat F storyline, resulting in a conclusion that felt slightly far-fetched.

In summary, if the reader approaches this novel as a lighthearted escape from reality, it delivers entertaining value. And for me, it was a nice story to end the summer reading season.

Recommendation: This book is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, but I’ll offer a warning: There are several open-door sex scenes that didn’t necessarily add value to the story. If that’s not your preference, just keep it in mind.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Score by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: May 2026

I read Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan in 2023, and while many readers adored it and the subsequent books in the series, her writing style didn’t resonate with me. So, when one of my book club friends suggested I try Score, I was hesitant but made a genuine effort to approach it with an open mind. Unfortunately, I found more of the same: serious themes paired with superficial character development and a heavy reliance on open-door sex scenes that overshadowed the emotional core of the story.

The story centers on Verity Hill and Wright “Monk” Bellamy, who meet in college and fall into what some might call love, but felt more like lust. Their relationship implodes after Verity experiences a life-changing event she never fully explains, and the two go their separate ways without another word. Fast forward 20 years and we find Verity, a successful screenwriter, and Monk, a celebrated musician who score films. Fate brings them back together on a major project in Los Angeles, and for the sake of their careers, they agree to work together amicably. As old feelings resurface, they must confront the possibility of rekindling their relationship, yet both are still withholding the truth. Verity has never been honest about what happened in college, and Monk can’t fully acknowledge his lingering feelings or the broken trust between them.

I really wanted to like this book. Like the earlier book I read, this one attempts to explore mental health, identity, and emotional healing – all topics I find compelling. But what could have been a deeper, more nuanced examination of these issues was overshadowed by explicit scenes and limited relational development. By the end, I didn’t believe Verity and Monk’s connection was rooted in love. Their bond made sense in their young college years, but not in their later 30s. I never understood how either character knew the other was “the one” when most of their interactions centered on physical attraction rather than meaningful emotional intimacy.

My other challenge with the book was the open-door sex scenes. It’s simply not my jam. I think it’s quite possible to craft an emotionally-resonant romance novel without giving the play-by-play of what happens behind closed doors. This is not something I enjoy reading, and I honestly don’t think it adds value to any story, especially when there were so many other facets that could have been explored more deeply in this novel: mental health and its stigma in the Black community. death, grief, healing, forgiveness, just to name a few. At times, it felt like the novel was trying to do too much. You can write a thoughtful, emotionally-rich story, or you can write smut. But trying to merge the two and present it as cerebral didn’t work for me.

Recommendation: I promised I would go into this story with an open mind and give Kennedy Ryan a fair chance. After finishing Score, I think the verdict is that her style of writing just isn’t my cup of tea. And that’s OK. She’s a prolific author with a huge and devoted following, so losing me as a reader isn’t going to make a dent in her success. Not every book is for everyone, and this one was not for me.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 464 pages
Published: February 2024

The Women by Kristin Hannah is a work of historical fiction that follows the coming-of-age of protagonist Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman who naively volunteers to serve as a nurse in the Vietnam war. Inspired by her father’s wall of military heroes and encouraged by a childhood friend who insists that women can be heroes too, Frankie signs up shortly after her older brother deploys. Just before she leaves, she learns he has been killed in combat — an emotional blow that shapes everything that follows.

Against her parents’ wishes and their shared fear of losing their only surviving child, Frankie arrives in Vietnam and is immediately thrust into the brutal reality of war. She forms deep bonds, loses people she cares about, and witnesses unimaginable tragedy. When she returns home, she finds a country in turmoil. Society is severely fractured by protests against the war, and most of the public is unwilling to acknowledge the service of those who fought. The remaining two-thirds of the novel follow Frankie as she struggles to heal, rebuild her identity, and navigate a world that no longer makes sense to her.

I found the historical elements of this book incredibly compelling. While I wasn’t alive during this era, I grew up learning about it. I remember the late Senator John McCain sharing his story as a POW during his presidential campaign. That context helped ground my reading. What challenged me, however, was Frankie’s naivety. It was difficult to imagine someone like her volunteering for a war without doing any research, and her sense of helplessness upon returning home was frustrating at times. But I also recognize that I read this in 2026, through a modern lens where women (at least for now) have far more independence and agency than they did in the late 60s and 70s. My expectations were shaped by my own era, not hers.

It was also jarring to read about soldiers returning home without support or celebration. Coming from a military family with service in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, my lived experience is that service members are honored for their bravery. That disconnect is a limitation of me as the reader; not the book.

Now, the part I cannot forgive, and hence the 4-star rating, was the romance elements. It felt so unbelievable that a woman who survived the death and devastation of Vietnam would remain so emotionally stuck on a lost love. I wanted Frankie to be stronger, and I felt the romantic thread was unnecessarily drawn out. Still, once I pushed through that section, the ending delivered a satisfying and meaningful conclusion.

Recommendation: Hannah is a gifted writer with an extraordinary ability to transport readers to the time periods she brings to life. Her research permeates every page, and this novel is clearly a labor of love. In her endnotes, she shares that she first wanted to write this book in 1997, and honestly, I’m glad she waited because I might have missed it otherwise. The Women is Kristin Hannah at her best, and I recommend picking up a copy. In a moment when we find ourselves in another global conflict no one asked for, this novel is a powerful reminder that if we don’t learn from history, we are destined to repeat it.

Other Books by Kristin Hannah I’ve Reviewed

The Four Winds

The Nightingale

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 416 pages
Published: April 2025

Well, Abby Jimenez has done it again. Say You'll Remember Me delivers all the lovely, funny romantic-comedy moments she's known for, but it also reaches deeper. The story explores emotional themes of abandonment, complicated family dynamics, and the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. Jimenez's books are always lighthearted, but they also pack a punch by pairing the romantic and comedic elements with more thoughtful elements. This story is no exception. Like many of her others, this is the kind of story that sneaks up on you. One minute you're laughing so hard you're wiping away tears, and then a few pages later you're truly crying for an entirely different reason.

I've read many of Jimenez's books over the years, and they always give me all the feels. Her storytelling style is comforting like a nice warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold day. She does a great job balancing real-life heaviness with hopeful promise. And her novels can be a bit formulaic and predictable, but honestly that's part of the charm. When you pick up one of Jimenez's books, you know you're going to confront some hard truths. But when you turn the last page, you feel full of hope and inspiration. And sometimes, that's exactly what I need in my reading journey.

In this latest book, the reader jumps right into a Minnesota meet-cute between Samantha and veterinarian Xavier when Samantha brings her kitten to his clinic. At first the doctor comes off as emotionally distant and a bit rash in his bedside manner, but his tough exterior is all a facade as he's trying to cover up his attraction. After a memorable first date, he learns Samantha is moving back to California the next day to help her family. Samantha thinks this is a one and done, and Xavier wants to respect her boundaries, but sometimes love knows no distance and a tender, heartfelt relationship unfolds.

Recommendation: If you're a fan of romantic comedies with emotional weight, this deserves a spot on your TBR today. Jimenez gives us what she's best known for - a sincere story that blends humor and vulnerability. And what's more is this book is the first in a series, with the second one scheduled to release this spring. You already know I'll be snagging a copy.

Second Tide's the Charm by Chandra Blumberg

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 336 pages
Published: August 2024

I first heard about Second Tide's the Charm by Chandra Blumberg via the Modern Mrs. Darcy virtual book club's annual Summer Reading Guide publication in 2024. A couple of months later, I picked up a copy of the romcom at my local Barnes & Noble bookstore, but I didn't get around to reading it until about a year later. I read this as a sort of buddy read with my long distance reading friend who resides in New York. I consumed my copy while making annotations on the page as she did the same with The Love Simulation by Etta Easton, then we swapped books. (More to come on The Love Simulation later!) Thanks to the bookstagram community for the fun activity!

My chosen novel follows the fictional lives of Hope Evans and Adrian Hollis-Parker who were both colleagues in the field of shark research and committed romantic partners until life got in the way causing them to call it quits. An opportunity in the summer allows Hope to relocate from Michigan to Florida to get her professional life back on track. When Adrian realizes that Hope will be working with him, tension ensues and the reader is given a front row seat to former lovers turned friends navigating the waters in hopes of finding themselves again.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were realistic, and the representation of Black professionals in a S.T.E.M. field was refreshing. I also enjoyed the references to nearby Chicago (one of my favorite cities) when the novel opes and Hope is living up north. Overall, this is your traditional romance-comedy mash-up. It's light, somewhat predictable, and injected with humor. However, there are some heavy topics that are addressed in a relevant and sensitive manner, which I fully appreciated. The plot is captivating and intertwines themes of resilience and self-discovery. The author does a great job of crafting a narrative that explores the complexities of interpersonal relationships, but also writing in such a way that draws the reader into the emotional plot while creating a smooth chain of events. My only criticism of this novel is that some scenes seemed to drag on just a bit too long, often lasting several pages and even an entire chapter. I would have appreciated a little faster paced novel.

Recommendation: Second Tide's the Charm is a beautifully-written exploration of romantic persistence, proving that love has transformative power. Readers of contemporary fiction are sure to love Blumberg's work.

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 372 pages
Published: October 2023

I snagged a copy of A Winter in New York by Josie Silver when I had a Book of the Month subscription in late 2023. I tucked the book away in one of my TBR (to be read) piles and quickly forgot about it. Then, I got stung by the Christmas bug in 2024 and wanted to read something light and happy that aligned with this joyful time of year. So, I opened up my Libby app and downloaded a copy of this book. I kept thinking, gosh that cover looks familiar. I soon realized a couple of pages in I owned a hard copy. So, I returned the library book for someone else and switched to the physical copy.

Silver presents a heartwarming story that begins with a meet cute ... in a bookstore! ... between the two main characters Iris, a young chef, and Gio, whose family owns the local gelato shop in her neighborhood. Iris is recovering from a very difficult romantic relationship, and Gio is trying to figure out how to save his family's shop as his uncle, the only person who knows the secret family recipe to the one gelato flavor the shop is famous for, is ill and unable to recall. On top of those challenges, Iris soon realizes she has a familial connection to this shop that could jeopardize Gio's uncle and her budding friendship with Gio.

The author is an excellent writer who beautifully captures the magic of the season and the New York setting. Her writing is engaging and creates a moderately-paced novel. As with most romcoms like this, the plot is mainly predictable, but there are definitely some deviations that took me by surprise. Overall, I enjoyed the story and found the novel delightful and meeting the needs of the read I was looking for this season. I wish some of the secondary characters were better developed and Iris didn't drag her lies (by omission) on for so long, as it became trite over time.

Recommendation: I enjoyed the romance with a touch of holiday spirit that provided a cozy escape for the holiday season. The book reminded me of the movie While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock, so I watched that shortly after to continue the good feels!

You Are Here by David Nicholls

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 368 pages
Published: May 2024

You Are Here by David Nicholls was selected by Anne Bogel for her annual 2024 Summer Reading Guide as part of my benefits as a member of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. Bogel always does a good job with picking diverse selections for the organization, even if they don’t always hit home with me. Gratefully, this one did. It’s one I slowly savored over its nearly 400 pages and thought about long after I closed the hardback cover.

The story centers around Michael and Marnie, both recovering from romantic relationships that have come to an end. Michael, a geography teacher in London plans to embark on a weeklong coast-to-coast walk on the English countryside in solitude. His colleague, boss, and well-meaning friend, Cleo, asserts herself into the adventure by tagging along. She also invites Marnie, another friend who has become a bit of a recluse in the years following her divorce from her difficult husband. As a freelance proofreader who worked in the field during the Covid pandemic, she has become comfortable and accustomed bo being alone. Cleo attempts to play a bit of a matchmaker by bringing a female friend for Michael and a male friend for Marnie along for the journey. However, due to circumstances beyond all their control, the hike starts with many and ends up with Michael and Marnie on the trek alone together.

I really enjoyed the slow burn of this book. The prose is captivatingly descriptive, and there isn’t much dialogue. Nicholls does an excellent job of painting vivid pictures with his words. As someone who found love later in life, and traveled the bumpy road to get here, I was drawn to this book because of the parallels in my own life. While the story was relatable it provided so much more. The talking and walking that Michael and Marnie engaged in was akin to getting a voyeuristic gateway into the relationship development of others, making the story enticing. I especially loved the section of the book where Marnie extended her walk with Michael and they listened to and shared their favorite songs and meanings that impacted their respective formative years. As a music lover and bibliophile, this scene was simply perfect.

Private, intimate, a book was something she could pull around and over herself, like a quilt. -p. 51

She would shrug off this self-pity but shrugging hurt and here it was, creeping in again like damp in the walls, the loneliness, present even in company. -p. 86

For the moment she felt content, not because she’d spoken but because she’d been listened to. -p. 153

In the Lavender Suite she had felt like a teenager but also exactly her own age, and that combination was thrilling and rare, lust and experience, together at last. -p. 242

Perhaps solitude is more frightening when something is snatched away. -p. 244

While the ending wasn’t neatly wrapped up in a bow, it was satisfying and left me feeling fulfilled. I read Nicholl’s One Day years ago, but I have to say this one found me at just the right time, and I loved it all the more. My one minor criticism is based on my limitations in geographic knowledge of the UK. The map provided in the front of the book did help provide some context, but I wish I had more first-hand experience with the area for a greater understanding.

Recommendation: If you’ve ever been in love or overcome (or are overcoming) heartbreak, I think you could find value in this novel. Just keep in mind, it’s not about the destination. It’s the slow, quiet journey through two characters’ perspective.

In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 348 pages
Published: August 2023

I snagged a digital copy of In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros from Amazon through the First Reads Kindle program. Because my husband exclusively shops at Amazon and is a Prime member, I get his benefit of free books through First Reads. As luck would have it, several months later my work book club selected this novel as a book of discussion. The premise seemed interesting, which is probably why I selected this book in the first place.

The primary characters, Izzy and Nate meet on a plane and shortly after takeoff the plane crashes in the Missouri River. Forever bound by this tragedy, the two develop a romantic relationship where timing never seems to align so that it can develop into anything more than the occasional hook-up. (As an aside, I feel like Keanu Reeves's Jack and Sandra Bullock's Annie on the movie Speed told us everything we need to know about this: "Relationships that start under intense circumstances never last." But I digress.) About a decade later, Izzy has started a career in politics and travels to Afghanistan where Nate happens to be serving in the military special forces during a volatile time. When she arrives, he is charged with serving as Izzy's security detail. This encounter forces them to deal with their past and address their future.

The story was fairly predictable. The alternating perspectives of each of the main characters revealed a bit of relevant background leading up to an interesting, although not completely germane, plot twist. All of their romantic chatter and sexual tension is set on the backdrop of a war-torn country. And like many reviewers have mentioned, this seemed a little ... privileged. Why are they focused on "does s/he love me?" when there are way more important things going on ... like people literally dying. I think this book could have easily been set in the U.S., but perhaps the author thought the international setting would make the story more interesting. I don't think it's ever OK to use other people's true suffering as a prop for a fictional novel. But that's just me.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again, I'm not really intrigued by reading the play-by-play of sexually explicit scenes. It just doesn't do it for me. Overall, I found most of the dialogue to be superficial, and the characters lacked depth. The premise was promising, but it fell flat in the end. I pushed through because I try to complete book club books so I can actively participate in the discussion.

Recommendation: I'm glad I got this book for free. I've heard Yarros' latest book, Fourth Wing, is super good, but this one kind of tainted her for me. I wouldn't recommend this book and highly doubt I'll be picking up her latest.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 236 pages
Published: January 2012

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith made its way to my radar after watching the 90-minute movie adaptation, Love at First Sight, on a whim on Netflix a few weeks prior. As I was embarking on a 6+ hour flight to start life with my husband (i.e., honeymoon), I thought this would be the perfect light and short read to enjoy. Both the book and the movie feature the same predictable meet-cute scenario, although there were some liberties (as per usual) taken with the film. I found them both equally entertaining, emotional, enjoyable, and a nice way to begin my last quarter of 2023 reading.

So, basically what happens is Hadley is on her way from the U.S. to England to participate in her father's wedding to a woman whom she's never met. Whether as a result of bad luck or subconsciously not wanting to watch her dad really put the nail in the coffin of his marriage to her mother, she misses her original flight and meets Oliver. Their seats are near each other on the flight she makes and they spend the bulk of it getting to know one another. However, once the plane lands, hectic schedules and potential delays separate the two, and the only thing that can bring them back is a little romantic fate.

You can probably guess exactly how the story unravels. It's one we've all read or seen in one form or another. I just really enjoyed the escape from reality to read something totally fun during one of the most happiest times in my life. It's a young adult novel, and as a middle-aged reader, I have no regrets.

Recommendation: I'd give this book (and the movie too!) a go if you're looking from some lighthearted entertainment as we enter the cozy, holiday season. At less than 250 pages, it can easily be completed in a day.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 331 pages
Published: January 2023

I first learned of Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn through the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club — AKA one of the nicest places on the internet. During Anne Bogel’s spring preview webinar, this romcom was listed as one of the hot ticket items for the year. As Anne mentioned, romance books are a delight because you know there will be a positive, uplifting ending. And I wholeheartedly agree, but the rub is in how you get to that happy ending.

In this book the main character, Georgie returns home to Darentville, Virigina from Los Angeles, California where set served as a personal assistant — often putting her client’s needs before her own. When her latest client decides to take a break from “Hollywood,” Georgie is somewhat forced to as well. In the midst of that break, she comes home to help her best friend in the latter part of her pregnancy. In doing so, she stumble upon this “friendfic” notebook she and said BFF created when they were in high school. Georgie realizes, like many of us do years post-high school, she hasn’t accomplished a lot of the popular teenagery things she wanted to. Amid recreating some of those antics, Georige meets Levi Fanning, who has a reputation for being a troublemaker as a teen and is now living a fairly secluded life because of it. To boot, Levi is the older brother of Georgie’s high school crush, who happens to take up quite a bit of real estate in that friendfic notebook. Levi offers to help Georgie on her quest of completing her high school wish list. And you can only imagine where things go from there.

While the book is somewhat predictable, the character development and real life scenarios are what make this romance one of substance. Additionally, the endearing novel contains a variety of plot elements including humor, reflection, forgiveness, honesty … and yes, some juicy love scenes (This is not my favorite thing about romance novels, but I understand it to be a necessary device for the book to be labeled as such.)

It took me a couple of days to get into the writing style of this book, but I am glad I stuck with it. The payoff in the end was worth it, and I truly enjoyed getting to know all the primary and secondary characters of the story. If I had one criticism to offer, it would be about a tertiary character of the book. Before I offer this, I will say I consider myself to be a progressive and inclusive person. I enjoy the company of a diverse set of friends, and I do believe that representation matters. However, what I don’t necessarily agree with is forcing diversity into a book to check a box. One of the tertiary characters was identified as being in a polyamorous relationship, which really had no bearing on the plot of the book or development of the character, but rather seemed there to check the diversity box. I think when we include characters in any creative form, it should be done with purposeful intent. And that’s all I will say about that. You’re welcome to disagree (respectfully) with me, but keep in mind I rated this book and its plot a 4.5, and I am just as entitled to my opinion as anyone else.

Recommendation: I truly enjoyed Georgie and the people she met along the way … including her true self. I think the author put a great deal of heart into her writing style and story, and as a reader, I appreciated her craft very much. I highly recommend!

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 400 pages
Published: November 2022

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is a romance novel, but it’s not your typical romance novel. Yes, there are some steamy, blush-worthy scenes (that I didn’t necessarily have to read), but the book is so much more than a couple of romps in the hay. The story is about an affluent Black couple living in an Atlanta suburb who experience devastating loss that tests their relationship as lovers, spouses, and parents. One loss leads to another which fractures their marriage, but just when they think all hope is lost a night of passion makes them both question the major decisions made in the midst of grief.

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book. I enjoyed the characters and the way most of them were presented - as just a normal family trying to live out their dreams. I appreciated the academic success that was attributed to the son. I admired the entrepreneurial spirit of the leading couple. Overall, I felt as though I could relate to these characters. They could be my neighbors or people in my circle.

Having said that, this is not my favorite read of the year. It took me forever to get through this book. It was the only novel I was able to complete in March because I just couldn’t sit down and knock it out. I do wonder if the author purposefully wrote the book this way to help the reader experience the lengthy feeling and waves of grief or if she could have benefitted from some heavier editing. Additionally, I was a bit disappointed in the physical or “romance” aspect of the book. It seems like the main characters were more concerned about having sex than truly working through their issues with each other. I also didn’t understand the Biblical scripture added in at the last chapter when the none of the characters were presented as religious. It just seemed like a careless, incongruent afterthought. Lastly, I found the relationship between the mother and daughter to be wholly unrealistic.

The bright spot in this book is the emphasis on mental health and continually seeking professional help until you find the right counselor for you. I think this “character” (mental health) is an important aspect, especially because the main characters are African American and oftentimes seeing a therapist is deemed unnecessary in our community.

This is the first book in a series featuring the neighborhood, Skyland, that the couple lives in. I am hopeful in future books the author will explore more relationship development between the couple and further character development of some of the secondary characters (e.g., children, girlfriend circle, etc.)

Recommendation: If I said it once, I’ve said it 100 times; not every book is for everyone. This one was just ‘eh’ for me. I am glad I read it. I am glad I participated in the author talk with my online book club, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up the remaining books in the series. After attending the Zoom-based author talk, I find her quite delightful and wish her the best in her voracious writing career!

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 336 pages
Published: January 2023

Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen is the perfect meet-cute to read at the beginning of the Lunar New Year, and that's exactly when I picked up this book from Book of the Month. The story features protagonist Olivia "Liv" Huang Christenson, a multi-racial young entrepreneur who is on the cusp of taking over her grandmother and aunt's face-to-face, professional matchmaking business when by happenstance she meets Bennett O'Brien, also a multi-racial young entrepreneur who is trying to launch a dating app that mimics Liv's family busy and is threatening to destroy her family's decades-long legacy. Thinking there won't be room for both businesses in the matchmaking space, the two entrepreneur's strike a deal — that each can find love for the other on their matchmaking platform, and whomever loses will give up their business.

Romcoms like Lunar Love are perfect because you know how they're going to end. The fun in the romance is the journey from the initial meeting to the end. This book, like many in the genre, was a light read and did not disappoint. I enjoyed not only the developing relationship between Liv and Bennett but also learning about their families, culture and the very realistic baggage they carried.

Recommendation: I found this book to be a fun yet realistic story that touched on some deeper themes like cultural isolation, fitting in, and imposter syndrome. It was one of my first reads of the new year and perfect for leading up to Valentine's Day effectively using the Lunar New Year as a solid plot device. It could easily be devoured in an uninterrupted weekend. Highly recommend!

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 330 pages
Published: December 2021

What a fun little Christmas read The Holiday Swap by writing duo Maggie Knox (Karma Brown and Marissa Stapley) turned out to be! I was looking for a light, fun pick-me-up for the end of the year festivities, and this book did not disappoint. It's about identical twin sisters, Charlie, who lives the seemingly glamorous life of a celebrity chef in Los Angeles and Cass, who helps run the family bakery business in their quaint, cozy hometown of Starlight Peak a couple of hours drive away from LA. When a work accident causes Charlie to lose her sense of taste and smell at the most inopportune time, Cass steps in, and the sisters do a switcheroo for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Thrown in the mix are two handsome love interests of both sisters who each think he is dating the other sister. It sounds like it could be a recipe for disaster but turned into one for holiday rom-com fun!

I really enjoyed the fast-pace nature of the book as I was trying to get this one in just under the 2022 wire. (I succeeded.) But I also appreciated the love and loyalty each sister had for the other. I do wonder if the authors pulled on their relationship as friends to develop such realistic and thoughtful characters. This is a feel-good book with characters that are well-developed and it has all the plot elements of a holiday Hallmark movie - romance, comedy and some tasty food treats!

Recommendation: The synopsis on Goodreads.com says this book is perfect for fans of One Day in December by Josie Silver, and having read that one too, I have to say I agree. This could be a fun read any time of year, but it is especially touching during the holiday season. I highly recommend!

Murder up to Bat by Elizabeth McKenna

Synopsis | My Review | Buy Now | About the Author

Series: Book 2, A Front Page Mystery
Category: Adult fiction; Genre: Cozy mystery
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 186 pages
Published: August 2022

Mystery with a whiff of romance … After falling in love with the quiet lake life and a certain police detective, former Chicago Tribune reporter Emma Moore trades interviewing jocks for chasing champion cows at the county fair. As a small-town newspaper reporter, she covers local topics both big and small, but when her friend Luke is arrested for the murder of the head coach of his club softball team, she’ll need to hone her investigative skills to clear his name. Emma calls up best friend Grace for help, and together the women go up against cutthroat parents willing to kill for a chance to get their daughters onto a premier college sports team.

Murder up to Bat is my third read written by author Elizabeth McKenna. In all three novels, I have found McKenna to be a talented writer with an attention-grabbing story. In her latest novel, which is the second in the Front Page Mystery series, we again meet friends Emma and Grace. Emma, who is now living in the town where she last investigated and reported on a robbery, and plans on spending a weekend with Grace, while she's in town, along with her police detective boyfriend Ryan. However, just before the festivities begin, one of their close friends, Luke, is arrested after the head coach of the softball team he sponsors is found dead in his fitness center. The fast-paced book covers the effect this homicide has on the friend group and Emma's relentless pursuit to find the truth and save their friend from decades in prison.

As in her previous books, it took me little to no time to get into and be captured by the story. McKenna does a great job of creating suspense while also making the story easy to follow. With a total page count of just under 200, this is a quick read that covers a weekend in plot timeline and also could easily be completed in one. But don't mistake the shorter page count for lack of depth. McKenna explores themes of competition in student sports as well as overly-aggressive parents of those athletes. While the story if fiction, I am sure readers can relate (in some way) to the seemingly unrealistic (read: they're not) behaviors of sideline parenting.

I was glad for the opportunity to revisit some previously-read characters and get involved in their lives again. My only critique of this book is the believability that Emma's character would be able to get so involved in an investigation and her brazen questioning of police tactics. However, I would say this is a minor fault when reviewing the book as a whole.

Recommendation: I would definitely recommend this book for cozy mystery fans. It would be a great read to get baseball lovers ready for the season as well.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Amazon.com | BarnesandNoble
Add to Goodreads.com

Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene).

Her novels reflect her mercurial temperament and include historical romances, contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and dark mysteries. With some being “clean” and some being “naughty,” she has a book for your every mood.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband and Sidney, the rescue dog from Tennessee. When she isn’t writing, reading, editing, or walking the dog that never tires, she’s sleeping.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire (audiobook)

Rating: 2 of 5 stars

Duration: 10:30:53
Published: January 2014

I listened to Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire as part of a group read with a small group of coworkers. Let me just say, this is not a book I would have read on my own. It is not something I would have enjoyed in my late teens/early 20s. And it is not something I care to listen to nor read again. The over-written teen romance novel surrounds Abby Abernathy, her best friend, America, and her college mate, Travis Maddox.

The book is too long. It’s basically something you might watch on the CW television station where teens are in angst about their love interest of the moment. There is no real depth to the story, there is an absence of diversity, and much of the plot is far-fetched and unrealistic. Additionally, I found the main male character, Travis, to be emotionally abusive to Abby, and I don’t think the book addressed this properly and glorified his outrageous behavior. I didn’t find a ton of value in this book. I don’t think I really learned anything other than I definitely do not enjoy this genre. The best part of this read/listen was discussing it with coworkers over happy hour.

Recommendation: This probably would have been a DNF (did not finish) for me had I not been reading with others. I do not recommend this book at all, especially for someone in my demographic.

Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 342 pages
Published: May 2022

I don’t even recall where I first heard of Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley, but like many books this one found me at just the right time. The story is centered around, you guessed it, Iona Iverson who commutes to work on the train from Hampton Court to Waterloo Station everyday. She’s made up nicknames for the repeat commuters based on their physical traits. Then, one day, a man she’s deemed the “Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader” chokes on a grape, and this man, Iona, and several other people connect and create an eclectic group of relationships with one another.

There is nothing surprising about this book. Honestly, a lot of it is predictable, but I think that’s the beauty of this novel. From the moment you pick it up, you know where it’s going, the message is conveying, and the vehicle it’s using to get there, but much like a train ride, it’s a fun, predictable journey nonetheless less. I’m a sucker for a train ride, and I very much enjoyed meeting Iona and the people around her in this heartfelt story that left me with a smile on my face.

Recommendation: If you’re feeling down and just need some good and kindness in your life, this book is an excellent choice. Thank you to the Fort Worth Digital Library for this loan.

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 325 pages
Published: May 2022

A part of the multi-author “Meant to Be Series,” By the Book by Jasmine Guillory is the lane in which she swims best. In a meet-cute fictional tale with hints of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the man character, Isabelle (emphasis on Belle) is working in the publishing industry when she makes an opportunity for herself with an author who is late on his manuscript delivery. Unfortunately, the author, Beau is a incorrigible beast who lives in a mansion (with an expansive library). The bulk of the book focuses on their character development and the conflict of their interaction with one another.

This was a light, cute, and quick read. I loved the references to the characters from the Disney movie. While the overall book was light and enjoyable with a satisfying ending, I did appreciate Guillory’s efforts to include some deeper conflict and topics making this fairy tale one with substance.

Recommendation: This was a cute and fun buddy read. If you’re looking for something light and airy to pull you out of a reading slump, the book will definitely fit the bill. I thank the Fort Worth Library for the digital loan.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pages: 400 pages
Published: April 2022

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez is a romcom with substance! This book offers a lot to its readers: romance, comedy, drama all wrapped up in a heartfelt blanket. The main character, Alexis Montgomery meets total opposite Daniel Grant by happenstance, and there’s immediate chemistry between them. However, Abby is not interested in getting into any type of relationship while in the midst of trying to get out of a very toxic one. Struggling with ending a relationship and a domineering and intimidating family creates a lot of stress for Alexis and we as the reader are along for the emotional roller coaster.

I wouldn’t consider myself a big romance fan, but I found this story to be very intriguing. The characters were complex, some even reminding me of characters from Grey’s Anatomy. The thing I enjoyed most about this book was while the romance storyline was predictable, there were also some important themes including domestic abuse, emotional intimidation and sexism that were addressed carefully without making the overall book too dark. Additionally, Jimenez has a talent for humor. It can be difficult to convey via the written word, but she pulled it off well!

Recommendation: I really enjoyed this book and would definitely read another book by this author. I would absolutely love a second book that follows the story of the main characters as well as some of the secondary characters that I didn’t get to learn as much. If you’re looking for something not-too-light and not-too-heavy, this may be just the book for you!

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Friday, December 23, 2022

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Monday, June 27, 2022

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Search This Blog

Pages I've Turned

About Melyssa

Instagram

Fable

The StoryGraph

Contact for Book Review

Review Policy

Readers I Follow

Fellow Page Turners