Reviews

As Serena Williams closed out her professional tennis career at the US Open this month, I finished listening to Taylor Jenkin Reid’s newest novel, Carrie Soto is Back. I am not a huge tennis fan, but I can appreciate the immense time and heart that goes into being a professional athlete. Reid tells the story of Carrie Soto, a fierce competitor who is determined to win at any cost. She is not well liked, but by the time she retires, she is the greatest player the world has ever seen.  She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father as her coach. At 37 years old, Carrie makes the shocking decision to come out of retirement in an attempt to reclaim her record. Her comeback is grueling, as she fights her body’s limitations, her competitor’s youth, her critics, and most significantly her doubts.  This story is not just about tennis, but also about a father’s and daughter’s love for one another and various life lessons.

The audiobook was immersive and brought the characters to life. It gave me the sense that I was there with Carrie on her journey to greatness. Taylor Jenkins Reid continues to enlighten me with her characters in unique situations and has cemented herself as one of my all-time favorite authors.

Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe was an eye-opening account of a young girl’s summer living in the Chicago projects as they were being torn down around her. Wolfe describes the atmosphere of living in the housing projects of Chicago in 1999 with raw emotion. It’s a realistic depiction of what occurs in the inner city, from the poverty, the gangs, the violence, and everything else many struggle with on a daily basis. The main character, Fe Fe, and her friends learn to navigate the system as best they can. Their friendships are fragile, and their fear is evident as they are thrown into many life altering choices. This 224-page book packs a punch with its realistic, yet violent, story. I love that Wolfe shares in the similarity of her main character, as a strong female who made it out of the Robert Taylor Homes.

Reading this book had me Googling photos and videos to find out more about the Chicago projects. This short, yet moving novel, will stick with you and would make for a hearty book discussion.

Christina Lauren’s newest book Something Wilder is a suspenseful adventure seeking story with a cute second chance romance. Lilly Wilder is struggling to make ends meet and trying to find a way back to Wilder Ranch where she grew up. She runs Wilder Adventures that offers guided fake treasure hunts in the vast mazed canyons of Utah. When an annual boy's trip brings her lost love, Leo, on one of her tours, he has the opportunity to make things right with her again. Lily and Leo try to reconnect after unforeseen circumstances separated them years ago, all while going on a treasure hunt filled with secret codes and riddles.

The story shifts part way through into something dangerous, suspenseful and exciting, a transition I never saw coming but certainly enjoyed. It forces Lily and Leo to confront their past, come to terms with it and decide on their futures all while trying to navigate the treachery in their midst.

The writing duo that is Christina Lauren is so skilled at crafting unique stories. They have written a lot of books over the years, and none of them are similar, which can be a hard task in the romance genre. Something Wilder combines romance with action and adventure and it works so well! I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen tells a dark and twisty story about people who aren't what they seem. In this instance, the "golden couple" is Marissa and Matthew Bishop, who seem to have it all, at least by social media standards. In real life, however, things aren't quite so shiny. Marissa admits to infidelity, and they seek outside help from a therapist who previously went rogue in her treatment and subsequently lost her license.

The therapist, Avery Chambers, is in desperate need of help herself. When these three collide, secrets from the past begin to surface, and we aren't quite sure whom to believe when stories don't quite add up.

The Golden Couple has great character development and spot-on creative deception. This author duo produces enthralling psychological thrillers that will keep you guessing until the last page. Perfect for fans of domestic noir!

One Italian Summer will make you want to drop everything and immediately fly to the Italian Riviera. This book does a beautiful job of depicting Positano, capturing its natural beauty. The town does feel like a place where magic can happen, making it an appropriate setting for this book.

Katy’s mom passes away and her marriage is struggling, so she decides to take the trip to Italy her and her mother had planned before she died. Rebecca Serle does an amazing job of capturing the grief of losing a mother. Yet, overall, I did not like Katy as a character, as she seemed quite selfish and seemed co-dependent on her mother.

I appreciate magical elements in a novel, but find they work best when the character struggles to understand them at first. Upon arriving in Positano, Katy encounters the 30-year-old version of her mother, Carol, and the two connect and enjoy each other's company. Katy learns more about her mother through the magic of time travel, both the good and the bad - including some difficult revelations that lead Katy to question everything she believed about her mother and their relationship. 

In the end, I struggled to understand Katy's borderline obsession with her mother because it blinded her to other things in her life. I also struggled with the time travel piece, as Katy readily accepted it without investigating the reason. Despite these issues, I did find the story to be well written and the vivid description of the Italian setting enthralled me. 

Colleen Hoover's newest book Reminders of Him is a story that will rip your heart apart and then slowly put it back together again.

Kenna Rowan is a heroine who represents the raw realities of being a young girl, woman, daughter and mother. Having made an honest and horrific mistake 5 years ago landing her in prison, she loses two loves of her life – one being her daughter. Coming back to the town where everything started and ended, Kenna does all that she can to receive forgiveness and to once again be a part of her daughter’s life.

The only person in town who doesn't hate Kenna is local bar owner Ledger Ward, and as they grow closer, the chances of Kenna ever having her daughter in her life drift farther and farther away. Kenna and Ledger are both connected by an unimaginable tragedy, and it's going to take so much courage and forgiveness to move past it and build a future.

Reading the story through both of their own POVs and watching each of them fall in love with the other showcased true endurance and perseverance. This was definitely a heavier read than other contemporary romances and it centers around family, grief, and forgiveness. This is a compelling story that is heartbreaking, yet hopeful. Fans of Colleen Hoover's other fantastic novels and those who enjoy second chance stories will love this book.

Wahala by Nikki May is an incisive and exhilarating debut novel centered on the female friendship of three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group. This female trio is the most unforgettable friendship since Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. For those who aren’t familiar with those names, I am talking about the epic friendship circle of the women of Sex and the City.

This story follows a friend group made up of 3 British/Nigerian girls who met in grade school and bonded over their shared heritage. Ronke, Simi and Boo are the kind of friend group that make others jealous. They have grown up together as close as sisters - sharing their successes, their dreams, as well as their failures. With the introduction of Isobel (a childhood friend of Simi), things start to take a turn for the three close friends. A turn which has the potential to tear this group apart for good.

If you are a fan of Sex and the City or Big Little Lies, this drama filled novel with strong mystery/thriller undertones is perfect for you.

This is Book One in the From Kona with Love series by Anna Gomez and Kristoffer Polaha. I had never heard of either of these authors before but when I read that the series would depict multicultural romance, love, loss, and redemption woven into a family saga set in the beautiful islands of Hawaii I knew that I had to give it a try.  Then I was beyond thrilled to find out that Kristoffer Polaha is an actor that I have seen in numerous television shows and during my Hallmark Christmas movie binge watching. 

In this beautifully written book that is part travel log and part romance, we are introduced to Andie and Warren. Andi has had a awful year, so she is now questioning the choices she made. In a quick decision, she escapes her problems by running off to Hawaii to help her friend, Api. What Andi finds is more than a coffee shop and run down plantation; she finds a purpose. She unexpectedly meets Warren Yates on Christmas Eve, a mysterious man who has a connection to the shop and wants to help Andie explore the island for whatever time she has.

Moments Like This delivers a beautiful love story wrapped inside two journeys of self-discovery.  The authors beautifully wrote the Hawaiian and Filipino cultures and traditions, wherein both cultures respect and honor family, love, and food. It is the perfect book to get into the holiday spirit, so grab a hot beverage, a cozy blanket, and snuggle in for a Hawaiian treat.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins has written various young adult fantasy and romance novels. She recently starting writing adult psychological thrillers as well. The Wife Upstairs is one of my favorite 2021 reads and I am looking forward to her upcoming novel Reckless Girls. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the witchy romcom I picked up by Erin Sterling was the pen name for Rachel Hawkins.

The Ex Hex is a lighthearted, quick read to get you in the holiday spirit. Think Sabrina the Teenage Witch, with a little bit Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic thrown in. The story centers on Vivi, who after a summer fling with Rhys ends badly, curses the man who broke her heart using a Bath and Body Works candle. Vivi moves on with her life until Rhys waltzes back into her life 9 years later and it just happens maybe Vivi's curse worked after all.

This second chance romance includes humorous banter and steamy chemistry. While the plot could be predictable at times, I still found this is a great read for getting into the spooky season, and perfect for anyone who needs a good light romcom.

Women’s fiction is a genre that continues to evolve and provide us a window into the lives of strong female protagonist.

Jamie Brenner’s newest novel, Blush, is a complex, domestic, multi-generational, family drama centered on the Hollander family.  It's a story of 3 generations of women who are trying to save their family vineyard. Leah Hollander, a NYC cheese shop owner, is visiting her family home, Hollander Estates Vineyard, when she abruptly finds out that her father needs to sell. Her own daughter, Sadie, shows up unexpectedly for the weekend at a crossroads in her life.

Sadie finds a secret journal detailing her grandmother's long-ago romance book club and begins to read these 80’s "trashy" novels along with the other women in the family. They soon come to realize that the book’s characters show them a whole different way of being a strong woman.

This was a terrific story, backed by excellent writing. Brenner develops characters with such a sense of immediacy and familiarity that you feel like you know these women and are part of their journey. Blush is perfect for a lighthearted book discussion and end of summer beach read. Don’t forget to pair it with a good glass of wine and cheese!