Book Review: "Conflict of Interest" by C.G. Macington

I read and loved the first book in this series so I had to get to the second book quickly. While you could read this as a standalone, I definitely recommend starting with Bedside Manner.

Preston York is the younger son in the family, known as “the Spare.” His brother Max is Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the hospital his family owns; Preston is just expected to be a smiling host at parties and look good in a tuxedo. Which he does, but he’s bored.

When Max mocks Preston’s dilettante life, saying he wouldn’t last a week in the hospital trenches, Preston rises to the occasion. He goes to medical school and then starts his residency at the hospital. He’s ready to prove his brother wrong—he’s just not ready to give up his Gucci loafers.

To the surprise of everyone, Preston is impressive as a resident, taking everything thrown at him and succeeding. No one is more surprised than his boss, Chief Resident Lucas Silva. Luke works his ass off, with a huge chip on his shoulder due to his modest upbringing and his mother’s sacrifices. The last thing Luke wants to do is to tend to someone playing doctor, someone who will be gone once he’s had his fun.

But while he tries to show disdain, he’s actually impressed with Preston. When Preston works with him to save a patient, his respect turns to attraction. But when the hospital director wants to make an example of Preston and Luke, will Preston stand by his man or will he return to the board room instead of the ER?

I really love these characters that C.G. Macington has created. While Max and Jax have my heart a bit more, I enjoyed this book’s banter, steam, romance, and humor just as much. Book 3 will be read soon, that's for sure!!

Book Review: "Charming Puckboy" by Eden Finley and Saxon James

I may be in a tiny bit of denial over the fact that this series came to its end after 10 books. I’ve been reading these books long before Shane and Ilya went to the cottage or were drafted (IYKYK). They’ve always hit the perfect balance of attraction, romance, banter, super-steamy steam, and an ever-growing chosen family of queer hockey players and others.

When Lachie (short for Lachlan) was younger, he always seemed to attract stray animals or those in need of help. He’d always bring them to the local animal shelter, where Sam, a handsome employee (and Lachie’s crush) worked. Sam used to tease him, calling him a Disney princess.

Now, Lachie is on the cusp of becoming an enormous star in the NHL, and he’s back at home in Colorado for the summer. And when he finds a pregnant cat about to give birth, he brings it to the animal shelter and—surprise—Sam is now the director. Cue the Disney princess nickname again!

Sam can’t believe how hot Lachie has gotten. And while he never had the confidence to make his feelings known before, Lachie’s confidence has also grown. Now he’s perfectly clear about what he wants—Sam.

There’s no denying the intense attraction and chemistry between them. But Lachie is only home for the summer; is a casual fling all the two of them can handle? Or is there a chance for something more, no matter how much trouble it could cause?

This was the perfect ending to the series. Each character from the previous books got their due, and Sam and Lachie were an excellent couple to end on. I’m hoping another book will pop up down the road, but both Eden Finley and Saxon James have so many great backlist books—on their own, together, and in collaboration with others.

Book Review: "Chase Hooper Likes It Hot" by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey

Last fall, I found the first book in a new rom-com series set in a small Virginia town called Goose Run. I was completely hooked by the tight-knit group of friends, the banter, the steam, and the theme of chosen family. Now, having just read the third book, I’ve completely fallen in love with these characters.

“Dating you is like riding a roller coaster. Except there are no seat belts, and it’s also on fire.”

Chase and his twin brother Cash had a traumatic childhood. Years later, Cash still has nightmares and only Chase can comfort him. But with Chase having to work overnight shifts at Goose Run Gas, neither is sleeping well, and it’s taking its toll.

The one semi-bright spot in his overnight shifts is the regular appearance of Lee, a customer who complains about the horrible coffee and stale pastries. It annoys Chase to no end, but the customer is kind of hot. But when Chase asks to switch to day shifts and instead gets offered a job at a new bakery, he waits for the other shoe to drop. And the shoe is that Lee, a talented baker, will be his boss.

There’s no doubt that the chemistry between them is intense and it leads to some hot post-work encounters. But Chase has been hurt too many times to let his guard down, which makes it difficult for him and Lee to get closer. In the end, all Chase can do is worry about his brother, right?

This series utterly warms my heart. I found this the most emotionally complex book of the three so far, and that added another layer to everything else I love. I’m so excited Book 4 will be coming in June!

Book Review: "Cheesecake" by Mark Kurlansky

Interestingly enough, this book (a rare foray into fiction by the award-winning author) is both about and not about cheesecake. It is more social commentary, about the changing nature of NYC neighborhoods, apartments and landlords, gentrification, and art.

Art Katsikas, along with his brother Niki and sister-in-law Adara, were part of a cheese making family in Greece. The three decide to move to NYC in the 1970s and open a diner (a business sure to succeed, they are told by friends). They open Katz Brothers on the Upper West Side, and it becomes a popular spot for the neighborhood.

But while Niki and Adara are happy with their humble (yet successful) diner, Art has larger ambitions. He sees the changes coming to the neighborhood as landlords raise rents to drive their tenants out, and he wants a part of this. So he convinces Niki and Adara that the diner should be changed into a fancy restaurant, Mykonos, which will serve “modern classical cuisine.”

The centerpiece of the menu is cheesecake, but an adaptation of the earliest-known recipe by Cato the Elder, a Roman born in 234 BCE. This cheesecake is very different, both sweet and savory, and its introduction at Mykonos is met with fantastic reviews. Of course, imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery, so it’s not long before everyone is trying to replicate Cato’s cheesecake—in very different ways.

While the restaurant and cheesecake are core to the story, much of the book focuses on various neighborhood residents and their encounter with Cato’s cheesecake, as well as what variation they become involved with. At the same time, it follows Art’s transformation into a ruthless landlord and how the neighborhood where Mykonos is changed through the years.

Mark Kurlansky is an excellent writer, and the book is tremendously informative about cheesecake’s history, variations, etc. I felt like the book was a little overstuffed with characters and subplots that didn’t quite come to fruition, when the story of the Katsikases would have been enough.

Book Review: "The Love Haters" by Katherine Center

Thanks so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! I always love the arrival of a new Katherine Center book each year!

Katie enjoys her work as a video producer, helping companies raise their profile with promotional videos. On the side, she has a YouTube channel for which she films interviews with ordinary people who do heroic things.

When word gets a large number of employees will be fired to cut costs, Katie is a bit panicked. But then her coworker, Cole, taps her to film a recruiting video for the Coast Guard, by profiling Hutch, a rescue swimmer down in Key West. (He also happens to be Cole’s estranged brother.) Hutch had gotten some notoriety after a rescue, but he turned down any opportunities to cash in on his 15 minutes of fame.

Rather than stay and get fired, Katie agrees to the assignment. Of course, she can’t swim, but is that a big deal? She is quickly embraced by Hutch’s aunt Rue and her gaggle of friends, and is dazzled by Hutch in every way. But while Cole keeps pressuring her to get Hutch to film one of her hero videos, she understands why he is reluctant for publicity.

But then Cole arrives in Key West—with his and Katie’s boss in tow. Apparently Cole isn’t good with the truth, and to save his job—and hurt Hutch—he lies about his relationship with Katie. Lots of drama ensues.

I really love Center’s books, but sadly, this wasn’t a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the focus on self-esteem and body positivity, and loved Hutch (and George Bailey, his Great Dane), but miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes.

The book publishes 5/20.

Book Review: "The Float Test" by Lynn Steger Strong

“What is the feeling that tells any of us, even after we’re grown-up and know better—know it’s likely that they’ll hurt us, maim us, leave us flayed open—to check in with the people with whom we share DNA?”

I’ve said this before, but I cannot get enough books about family dynamics and dysfunction. Relationships that fray and knit themselves together—often multiple times—are fascinating to read about. (Much less fascinating to live through, of course.)

When the Kenner family matriarch dies unexpectedly, all four of their adult children convene at their parents’ home in Florida. Jenn, the oldest, is a wife and mother who is always there to take care of everyone—even if she resents it. Fred is adrift; she’s a writer who has lost the ability to write and is at odds with many of the people in her life.

The youngest, George, is sad about the end of his marriage but has other issues to deal with. And Jude, the narrator, has flown in from NYC, and must deal with the fact that she hasn’t spoken to Fred—once her favorite sister—in several years.

As with any family gathering, there are plenty of secrets everyone has kept hidden, hurts and resentments they’ve tried to forget, and at least a handful of fond memories to lean on. But there are also big questions to be answered, particularly what went wrong between Fred and Jude, and why did their mother keep a gun in her underwear drawer?

This book was really well-written; there were many quotes I noted. My issue was that I didn’t find the characters particularly sympathetic, particularly Fred, and she’s the character most of the book focuses on.

Book Review: "Possessive Puckboy" by Eden Finley and Saxon James

Eight books in, I’m still loving this series. These books are sexy, fun, romantic, and really hot, and make me wish the world of professional sports was more open for athletes to be themselves.

Parker’s father was a hockey player for Colorado. When an injury ended his career, he never lost his loyalty to the team—and Parker became a big fan, too. And when the team goes up for sale not long after his father passes away, Parker—a young tech billionaire—buys it.

While Parker bought the team primarily to honor his late father, there is another reason that brings him more joy. One of the team’s stars, Connor Kikishkin, bullied Parker in high school, and now, Parker can’t wait to make Connor’s life utterly miserable. This should be fun!

Growing up, Connor was always told he needed to protect his two younger brothers. But even as they’ve both grown into hockey players in their own right, Connor has never stopped being protective. Or more like overbearing. And while having to grovel to Parker to protect his career isn’t an ideal situation, Connor starts to realize that maybe his issues with Parker are caused by his confusion over his own sexuality.

“…how do you wrap your head around having sex with someone you’ve built up into a dream?”

I don’t always love enemies to lovers stories, but this was a good one. The way Eden Finley and Saxon James balanced banter, steam, and real emotional issues had me hooked. You know I’m eagerly awaiting book #9!

Book Review: "The Forager Chefs Club" by Rita Mace Walston

My social media feeds may be full of ads for all kinds of things, but I’m grateful for a Facebook ad promoting this book! This was really a fascinating book that was definitely right up my alley.

The Forager Chefs Club is a bit of a secret society. No one knows about it unless they’re involved, and the members of the Founders Circle are a mystery. But the club is committed to the practice of foraging, of celebrating the elements and foods that are local to a particular area.

The Club is hired to run a cooking competition in which the contestants must only use ingredients from Michigan—apart from three “exceptions.” Five individuals from different backgrounds are invited to participate in the competition, and winning could change the trajectory of their lives.

Eden spends most of her time cooking for her father’s mission in Detroit, and winning the competition could expand her ability to help those in need. Blaise is a culinary school graduate with immense talent and the attitude to match. Cooking is a way of connecting with his twin brother, who is on the autism spectrum.

Christian was attending culinary school until his mother got sick, and he moved back to his hometown of Flint to care for her. Celeste lives on Mackinac Island and is the youngest competitor, but she can’t find anyone to give her a chance. Daniel is a private chef raising his young son after the tragic death of his wife and is fighting his in-laws, who want custody of the boy.

If you’re a foodie, this book is for you. I loved the comprehensive discussions about foraging as well as the meals each competitor approved. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the story, and while there is a little suspense, it’s just a satisfying and hunger-inducing read!

Book Review: "Open, Heaven" by Seán Hewitt

When a poet writes a novel, the language used is often mesmerizing. That’s definitely the case here; thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy of this!

“I had thought it would be painful to be reminded, but what I felt instead was a sort of collapse in time, or a possibility: a curious but strong sense that my old life might still exist there, that if I went back I might find those people, that summer, all going on there still, unharmed and unchanged.“

In 2002, James is 16. He’s gay, which makes him an object of curiosity in his small English town. His parents don’t quite know how to treat him, but it saddens them that James is a loner. What they don’t understand is just how much he wants to belong and how much he wants to find someone just like him.

And then Luke arrives, the nephew of James’ parents’ friends. Luke has come to stay at his aunt and uncle’s farm just outside James’ village because he has no one else to care for him—his mother has moved to Paris to be with another man, and his father is in jail. Luke has a reputation for being a bit of trouble, a bit out of control, and James is immediately smitten.

The story is told 20 years later. James is an adult and is looking at property that is for sale—the farm where Luke lived that year. James looks back on this not-quite-relationship that had such an impact on his life. It’s amazing how much our interactions with a person—particularly for a short time—can change us.

This was a beautifully told coming-of-age novel. James isn’t entirely sympathetic but his struggles, his longing felt very familiar to me. I’m amazed that this is a debut novel and can’t wait to see what comes next for Seán Hewitt.

The book will publish 4/15/2025.

Book Review: "The Bones Beneath My Skin" by TJ Klune

“Not until they feel a heart beating in a chest like I have. Not until I felt the bones beneath my skin. We’re not alike. Not really. We’re separated by time and space. And yet, somehow we’re all made of dust and stars.”

Three of TJ Klune’s books have been at the top of my annual best books list, so needless to say, this was an eagerly anticipated read for me. While it wasn’t quite what I expected, I still enjoyed it tremendously for all of its Klune-like magic.

In 1995, Nate has lost both of his parents, he’s estranged from his brother, and he lost his job as a journalist in Washington, DC. With nothing to do and nowhere else to turn, he travels to Roseland, Oregon, to his family’s summer cabin, which his mother left him in her will. He figures he can lay low there for a few months and enjoy the solitude while he plans his next steps.

But the cabin isn’t empty, as he had expected. Two people have been staying there: a man named Alex and a 10-year-old girl who says her name is Artemis Darth Vader. Nate doesn’t know what to make of either of them, but it’s not long before he realizes that Artemis is extraordinary, and there must be a reason why she and Alex are hiding.

When the truth is revealed, the book shifts into high gear and feels more movie-like, with bad guys appearing, chases, etc. But while all of the action and suspense are occurring, the bones beneath the story are still quiet and lovely.

Themes familiar to the Klune books I’ve loved are present here, too: found family, queer love, memorable children, and more than a touch of fantasy. While I would’ve loved more time with the characters themselves, I was hooked on this story and the magic Klune created.

Book Review: "Grave Talk" by Nick Spalding

Since her husband Joe died suddenly six months ago, Alice isn’t having an easy time coping. She still reaches for him in bed every morning, and talks to him quite a bit. She wonders if the loss will ever get easier to bear.

On Joe’s birthday, she decides to visit his grave by herself for the first time, but it’s far too much for her emotionally, and she briefly falls apart. When she pulls herself together, she’s stunned to see a man dressed like Kermit the Frog standing by the grave next to Joe’s.

Ben is mourning the death of his older brother Harry. Harry was quite the prankster, and in his will he stipulated that once a year Ben must visit his grave and stand there for three minutes. And Ben must wear an embarrassing costume that Harry picked out for each year.

The intensity of grief that both feel creates the spark of a friendship. The time they spend talking to one another feels cathartic, because both know what this grief feels like. They make a promise to meet at the gravesites the following year on the same date.

Each year, they both arrive at the cemetery. Alice usually laughs when she sees what costume Ben is wearing. And as they talk and share the emotional crises and challenges each has faced through the year, both begin challenging one another to make a change here or there, in the hopes the changes will help. Does grief get easier over time? Can you move on to a new phase without forgetting the person you’ve lost?

I loved the concept here, but felt it fell short in execution. Both Alice and Ben are understandably miserable, but it often seemed as if they were willing to remain in this state forever rather than confront the issues and people that were holding them back. While there certainly are emotional moments, I found myself more frustrated than sad.

The book will publish 11/1.

Book Review: "Forbidden Puckboy" by Eden Finley and Saxon James

If you’ve been following me at all, you know how much I love hockey romances, and this series is one of two that was responsible for stoking that fire. So glad this one is continuing!!

Knox dreamed of being a professional hockey player since he was young, and entering the league with his best friend Connor. But he never felt he was good enough, so he decided to become a ref instead, while Connor has become a popular NHL star.

Easton, Connor’s younger brother, is following in his footsteps and has been drafted on the same team. He’s had a crush on Knox since he was 16, but Knox would never get involved with him out of loyalty to Connor (although he definitely wanted to). And even now that they’re both adults, and there’s clearly attraction between the two of them, Knox keeps his distance.

But when Easton participates in a hockey game for queer players and allies—one that Knox will referee—Connor is worried that Easton will hook up with another player and cause a scandal. So he enlists Knox to keep Easton out of trouble, which is fine for Knox, so he doesn’t have to be jealous of Easton being with someone else.

After a little too much alcohol (actually, a lot), Knox and Easton get tangled up. While both don’t want Connor to know (for different reasons), their long-pent-up feelings are obvious to everyone. And when Connor finds out about his brother and his best friend, he causes some trouble, but realizes he can’t lose them both. So Knox and Easton decide to give being together a try.

“…there’s only one thing worse than your dream man being nothing like you thought he would be. And that’s your dream man being everything you imagined.”

This book, as well as the entire series, is full of banter, emotion, and steam. Knox is a bit of a whiner, which grows annoying kind of quickly, but it’s still an enjoyable story. Can’t wait for Book 8 in March!!

Book Review: "Seven Summers" by Paige Toon

I’ve been trying to think how best to express the way this book made me feel, and then I saw this blurb from Carley Fortune: “This book wrecked me in the best possible way.” Same, Carley, same.

Liv and Finn knew each other in grade school until he moved away. But six summers ago, they meet again at the bar Liv is working at, because Finn is filling in as lead singer for the house band. Their flirtation lasts all summer, and just when they give into their feelings, tragedy strikes. Liv is utterly bereft and Finn is there for her, but ultimately, he has to go back to Los Angeles and his real band.

They love each other deeply, but neither can move to the other. Finn doesn't want to come back to Cornwall because there are too many bad memories (and his music career is taking off), and Liv can't leave her older brother, Michael. So they make each other a promise—Finn will come back to Cornwall every summer, and if both are single, they’ll be together until Finn leaves again. But each summer it gets harder and harder to say goodbye and wait until the next year.

This summer, Liv meets Tom, a brooding man who rents out her guest cottage. At first she thinks he is surly, but she realizes this handsome man has so many layers, and is just as attracted to her as she is to him. As they draw closer, Liv realizes she’s found the reason to move on to a love that will stay all year long. But is that enough to give up on Finn?

The book alternates between the present and each of the previous six summers. Essentially it’s Liv’s story, as you see everything that unfolds through her eyes. Once again, Paige Toon dazzles with her ability to make you smile through your tears and weather the ups and downs with these characters.

I absolutely loved this book and I’m such a huge fan of Toon’s writing. This was a beautiful, emotional story I couldn’t get enough of.

Book Review: "Flip Job" by Raleigh Ruebins

Nathan and his younger brother Shawn own a construction company, Fixer Brothers, in their small Colorado hometown of Jade River. While Nathan is the father of a teenage daughter, Shawn has had trouble finding a relationship, as boyfriends keep breaking his heart.

And then Rush returns to town. Rush is Nathan’s best friend, and during high school, he was the object of Shawn’s fantasies, but Shawn was too afraid to come out. While Shawn had always found Rush attractive and confident in his own skin, seeing him now reminds him just how sexy he can be.

Rush is amazed to see what a handsome man Shawn has grown into. He’s returned to town because his father left him his house and a brewery, and Rush plans to stay in town only long enough to get the house remodeled and flipped. And who better to help than Shawn and Nathan?

Shawn feels an immediate attraction to Rush once again, and the two begin a steamy flirtation. But Rush would never want to jeopardize his friendship with Nathan by sleeping with his brother. And Rush has never been the relationship type, more the guy who just wants something casual and then walks away before he gets too attached. He definitely thinks Shawn is the type who needs a relationship.

Shawn has heard all the stories about Rush, and he doesn’t care. He’s willing to do the whole no-strings-attached thing, and he is able to convince Rush (in a very persuasive way) to fool around. Of course, both catch intense feelings very quickly, and Rush is so convinced he’s not the relationship type that he’s afraid to follow his heart. Can the two have everything they want?

This is the first book in a 6-book series, and I enjoyed the mix of banter, romance, and seriously steamy steam. (Seriously.) The characters are fun to root for, and I’ll be getting further into the series for sure!