Book Review: "The Accidental Italian" by Michael Hartwig

Chalk this up to another book I hadn’t heard of but stumbled upon. This was just wonderful in so many ways—any book set on the Amalfi Coast already has an advantage, but what a beautiful story.

With his marriage over, Theo decides to take a vacation to Positano. He’s not really a fan of Italy, but a friend had booked a hotel room she couldn’t use, so how could he pass it up? As soon as he arrives, he blown away by the beauty of the town, the water, and the handsome Italian men.

His beach lounger is next to Raffaello and Renata, an Italian couple. Theo is immediately drawn to Raffaello, but thinking the two are married, he keeps a low profile and doesn’t acknowledge that he speaks Italian. When at a dance club one night, Theo overhears two men talking about trafficking young children. While he doesn’t want to get involved, he needs to alert the police.

Much to his surprise, the police detective he reports the conversation to is Raffaello. When he enlists Theo in a return trip to the club to see if he can identify the men he heard, the two develop a quick rapport—and there’s no doubt they’re attracted to one another.

Theo reawakens dormant feelings in Raffaello, feelings he has tried to hide for a long time. He knows he would love to be with Theo, but can he risk his life and his career for a possibility? Although the two draw ever closer, Raffaello cannot give Theo all he wants to.

This is a beautiful book, filled with longing, coming to terms with your own issues and reclaiming yourself, and some really hot steam. The story is definitely an emotional one in so many ways, and I couldn’t get enough. And I needed to go to Italy pronto.

Book Review: "The Things We Never Say" by Elizabeth Strout

“In his study of history, he had learned about the leaders, and the various groups involved, but he had somehow missed this fact about every single person: that they held within themselves a vast, unknowable universe. And he understood that it could make a person lonely; people had to take and give to one another whatever they could. If it was not enough…Well, then it meant one just had to be a grownup.”

The power of Elizabeth Strout’s storytelling often catches me by surprise. At first glance, her books seem to be straightforward, yet when I’ve finished, I find myself marveling at the numerous moments which took my breath away. This was also the case with her newest book, The Things We Never Say.

Artie Dam is a high school history teacher. He loves his job and he loves his students, and they love him right back. He’s the kind of teacher that you look back on years later and you realize what a profound impact he’s had on your life. He always has a kind word for those in need.

But while Artie seems like an affable guy—a good husband, father, and friend—internally, he is struggling. As the 2024 presidential election looms, he’s becoming increasingly disheartened by the world around him. He feels lonely, even when he is surrounded by people. He thinks about taking his own life in a way that can’t be classified as suicide.

One day, his son shares a secret that has been kept from Artie for a number of years. He cannot believe it, and it turns his world upside down. How can life go on as usual? Should he pretend not to know anything about the secret, or should he confront the person responsible? This knowledge changes his perspective, not to mention his relationship with many people.

Strout always shows such incredible empathy to her characters amidst their struggles and idiosyncrasies. This is an emotional book but it’s never melodramatic. It’s a beautifully written gem that will linger in my mind.

Book Review: "Transcription" by Ben Lerner

Even though more experimental fiction doesn’t usually work for me, I wanted to read Transcription. The concept sounded unique and I am always interested in social commentary about our relationship with technology.

Anyway, Ben Lerner’s new book did have some beautiful moments. It’s essentially a novel divided into thirds. In the first, “Hotel Providence,” the narrator travels to Rhode Island to conduct an interview with his 90-year-old mentor and former professor, Thomas. This will be Thomas’ last interview, and given what he has meant to the narrator, the pressure is on.

At his hotel before heading to Thomas’ house, the narrator drops his phone into a sink full of water. He now has no way of recording the interview, but he can’t seem to be honest with Thomas about it.

In “Hotel Villa Real,” set after Thomas’ death, the narrator is part of a symposium, where he finally reveals he wrote most of the interview from memory because of his phone mishap. The final third, “Hotel Arbez,” is a dialogue between the narrator and Thomas’ son Max, who has been the narrator’s friend since college.

Each section of the book revisits many of the same themes—the fickleness of memory, how we rely on and—sometimes shun—technology to help our memory, and how technology both brings us together and creates gaps between us. At the same time, there are discussions about parenthood, children, and relationships. There are moments of real emotion, as the book touches on the isolation of the early days of COVID, and what it’s like to raise a child with an eating disorder.

This is a short book but it does pack a punch. The narrative gets a bit wordy and esoteric on occasion, but there’s no doubt Lerner is a talented storyteller who has given us much to think about.

Book Review: "Celestial Lights" by Cecile Pin

“I was born the day Challenger fell out of the sky, and I was born blue. At least, that is what I was told.”

Oliver was a smart, quiet, English child. His life began at a tragic moment for the world, but he was a dreamer, inspired by the things we didn’t yet know. His intellectual curiosity led him to study engineering, then to a Royal Navy submarine, and finally to a career as an astronaut.

Throughout his life, Oliver had trouble expressing his feelings, and many people found him cold. But he did fiercely love his parents, his wife, and his young son, even if his actions didn’t always convey that fact.

He is tapped to command a mission to the moon Europa, to see if the conditions there could ultimately sustain human life. It would require 10 years’ time, and during most of it, there would be no communication with Earth. Oliver cannot turn down the opportunity, even though it means he won’t be present to watch his son grow up, and the decision could end his marriage.

During the mission, Oliver thinks about the life-changing importance of what they’re doing. But as he looks back on his life and his family, he can’t help but wonder if the sacrifices will be worth it.

This was a beautifully written and profoundly thought-provoking book. Oliver is a complex character and I’m not sure I had him figured out by the end of the book, but I know that this will live in my brain for a long while.

Book Review: "Head of Household" by Oliver Mundy

I saw the cover of this book before I had any idea what its title was or what it was about. (I’ll admit I thought this might be a coming-of-age or a YA novel, just from the socks.)

So many books are written about motherhood—the highs and the lows, the relationships mothers form with their children, etc. Head of Household is a collection of short stories about fatherhood and fathers in all phases of life and in all kinds of situations. I’m not a father, but I definitely found these stories moving and intriguing.

I didn’t feel like there was a weak story in the bunch. Considering that this is Oliver Munday’s debut, I’d say that bodes pretty well for his career!

Some of my favorite stories included “Vandal,” in which a father’s old graffiti habit starts tugging at him again; “Cabin Pressure,” where a grieving father is flying back home to his family after a tragedy (my favorite in the book); “New Motion,” about a new father who asks his estranged father to pick him, his wife, and their new baby from the hospital; and “Pizza Party,” in which a restaurateur feels the pressure of preparing a meal during which he’ll meet his daughter’s fiancée.

While one or two of the stories tilt a bit more on the outlandish side, the themes of the stories feel very universal. They touch on overprotectiveness, tension, feelings of inadequacy, difficult relationships, dating a woman who already has a child, and the relationships between a man and his own father.

Sometimes when I read short stories, they don’t feel complete. With this collection, while there were definitely stories I would have loved more of, they all felt complete. Definitely an enjoyable read!

Book Review: "Train Dreams" by Denis Johnson

What’s this? Two backlist books in a matter of a few days? What about all the shiny new ones, lol?

Robert Grainer is an ordinary man living in the American West in the early days of the 20th century. He’s not particularly smart or ambitious; he just wants to provide a good life for his young wife and infant daughter.

He has always been fascinated by trains. While he doesn’t know exactly what happened to his birth parents, he knows he was put on a train and sent to live with his aunt and uncle. But he has little recollection beyond that. Still, from time to time, he makes a living clearing trees and doing other manual labor so that railroad tracks can be built out west.

Grainer remembers being part of an attempt to kill a Chinese man accused (rightly or wrongly) of stealing. The Chinese man curses those who try to kill him. When tragedy strikes Grainer’s life, he wonders if it is the manifestation of the curse, or perhaps it’s punishment for not helping an injured man he found in the woods when he was a teenager.

This is a bleak story punctuated by moments of levity. I’ve never read Denis Johnson before, but his prose—particularly his imagery—is luminous. I don’t know if I enjoyed this per se, but it definitely made an impression on me.

Book Review: "It Had to Be Him" by Adib Khorram

Oh, I loved this book so much! Ever since I read Adib Khorram’s debut Darius the Great Is Not Okay seven years ago, I’ve been a huge fan. I’m grateful to BookSparks for the complimentary copy of his newest book as part of #FRC25!

Ramin plans to propose to his boyfriend Todd at dinner. He’s so ready to start the rest of their lives together. But rather than say yes to the proposal, Todd breaks up with Ramin in the middle of the restaurant. Worse, he tells Ramin he’s too boring.

As someone who’s struggled with self-esteem his entire life, Ramin is devastated. He’s determined to prove—at least to himself—that he’s not boring, so he plans an 8-week trip to Italy, where he can sightsee, shop, and sleep with lots of Italian men.

But the day he arrives in Italy (without his luggage, of course), he runs into Noah, his high school crush. Noah looks fantastic. Although it’s been years since they’ve seen each other, Ramin quickly realizes the crush is still there. He worries that Noah won’t be attracted to him or he’ll think he’s too boring.

Noah can’t believe he’s seeing Ramin again. He really enjoyed their friendship—which he now realizes was something stronger. He’s in Italy with his ex-wife and son, but all he wants to do is spend time with Ramin. Noah has always put everyone else’s happiness first; can he concentrate on his own for once?

Italy is at the very top of my travel bucket list, so the book had me at “buon giorno.” But Ramin and Noah are such appealing characters so I was hooked on rooting for their happy ever after. There’s some great steam and fun banter, and if you read Khorram’s last book, I’ll Have What He’s Having, you’ll recognize some characters!

Book Review: "Homecoming for Beginners" by Ashlyn Kane

This book hit me in all the feels!! I was looking for something to read because none of the hundreds of books in my house appealed to me, when I stumbled on this. What a wonderfully sweet, emotional, fun surprise!

Tyler couldn’t get away from his hometown—or his disapproving father—fast enough. He’s finally made a life for himself as a paramedic in Chicago when he gets the news that his father died and he has to go home.

Returning to a town where everyone still judges you for your teenage shenanigans is hard enough, but to stay in the house you hated is worse. But Ty gets another surprise when Ollie, a helicopter pilot fresh out of the military, shows up at his door. Apparently Ollie was hired to be a caregiver for Ty’s father, who had dementia, and he packed up himself and his young son, Theo, to make the move.

Ty is ready to head back to Chicago when he learns his father has struck again, this time from the grave. Either Tyler stays in the house and serves as executor of the estate or his father’s entire fortune goes to a hate group. With no other choice, Ty is stuck in town, so he asks Ollie and Theo to move in.

Ollie loves Theo, but with the boy surviving cancer and dealing with the death of his mother, he’s become pretty overprotective. But Ty helps with Theo, and it’s not long before the two men are letting their guards down and falling—hard. If Ty goes back to Chicago, though, can they make it work?

I thought this book was just so heartwarming. The characters each have issues but the way they show up for one another is amazing. I smiled, laughed, and even teared up a bit while reading—and I was there for all of it.

Book Review: "The Life of Chuck" by Stephen King

I’ve been reading Stephen King’s books since I was a teenager (which was shortly after movable type was invented, lol). While I definitely have had my favorites through the years, I always enjoy when he departs from his usual work to write more thought-provoking and emotional books.

“The Life of Chuck” was originally included in King’s 2020 collection If It Bleeds. But when a movie adaptation starring Tom Hiddleston (squee!) was released last year, King’s publishers released this on its own.

The story opens at a time where the world seems on its last legs. Natural disasters are destroying the U.S., wiping out farms and manufacturers. The internet and other forms of communication are sporadic when operational at all, and the overall state of the world has led to a significant rise in suicide.

Marty is a schoolteacher who is trying not to become too cynical as the destruction continues. Meanwhile, all over town, he sees billboards and signs proclaiming, “Charles Krantz. Thirty-nine great years. Thanks, Chuck!” But who is Chuck, and what has he spent 39 years doing?

The story follows Chuck from adulthood through his teenage years. You see him spending a few hours one afternoon dancing to a street drummer’s music, an occasion that fills Chuck with nostalgia. We also see Chuck growing up, living with his grandparents, who share some memorable moments and also leave him with a secret that shakes him to his core.

I couldn’t devour this fast enough. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, life-affirming, and a bit of a warning about what could come. It’s definitely a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Book Review: "For the Record" by Emma Lord

Mackenzie was a pop star, part of a trio called Thunder Hearts. She and her two best friends had the time of their lives performing songs she wrote.

Sam was the lead singer of Candy Shard, a punk band. When their agents thought putting the two bands together for a tour might work, they had no idea that the chemistry between Sam and Mackenzie would ignite. Their will-they-or-won’t-they act had fans rooting for them, but after taking a step towards something, it quickly fell apart, and shortly after, both bands did as well.

Two years later, Sam has traded punk for a more acoustic singer/songwriter style, but no label seems interested. While he dreams of a second chance, he’s also happy helping to raise Ben, his young son, whom he found out about around the time his band fell apart.

Mackenzie, too, is looking for a change. After some surgical procedures left her voice altered a bit, she’s not felt comfortable performing, except under a pseudonym who uploads songs online. Seeing Sam again reawakens the complicated feelings she had for him, a combination of rivalry, desire, and friendship. It quickly becomes clear that the only way they’ll both get their second chance is by writing and performing a joint album.

Collaborating again will require them (mostly Mackenzie) to put aside their negative feelings towards one another. As their relationship deepens, the same flames spark again, but both have secrets they’re not ready to share. And on top of that, have they both matured enough to have a real relationship?

Emma Lord’s books are really cute, and Sam and Mackenzie really do have great chemistry with one another. But interestingly enough, while this is an adult romance, it skewed a little YA for me—although that was totally fine. I loved the insights into their creative process and the banter.

Book Review: "Bitterfrost" by Bryan Gruley

I love it when the setting of a book plays a role in the plot. It’s especially great when the author gives such an effective sense of place that you feel as if you’re there. In his newest book, Bryan Gruley does just that. I felt the frigid winds, cold temperatures, and pelting snow as the story unfolded.

Jimmy was once an ice hockey player, but when he nearly killed an opponent, he quit playing. Now, 13 years later, he lives in his hometown of Bitterfrost, Michigan, where he operates the Zamboni for the local arena.

One night after closing up the arena, he goes to the local bar for a drink. Before he heads home, two out-of-towners create a stir, and Jimmy exchanged words with them. Once he knew the bartender had it under control, he left.

And then the next morning, Jimmy wakes up with his head pounding, a black eye, and his hands are bruised. He also smells blood—and discovers it in his car, all over his jacket, everywhere. But he has no memory of what could have happened. Did he get into an accident? Was there an argument he has forgotten?

It’s not long before Jimmy gets arrested for a double murder. As the evidence stacks up against him, he desperately tries to remember what happened that night. While his friend Devyn, who becomes his defense attorney, tries to protect Jimmy and hopefully uncover the truth, Jimmy struggles with memories of the incident 13 years before. Could he have taken two lives?

I have really enjoyed Gruley’s previous books, and I’m really excited that this is the start of a new series. This is the kind of mystery I like, full of characters I became attached to and a case that kept me thinking. I can’t wait to return to Bitterfrost when book #2 is released!

Book Review: "Lloyd McNeil's Last Ride" by Will Leitch

I’ll tell you, between this book and watching the last two episodes of Adolescence, I was a giant puddle of emotions! Thanks to Will Leitch for the complimentary advance copy of the book!

Lloyd, an Atlanta policeman, and the son of a policeman, gets the news no one wants: he is dying, and only has a few months to live. As he starts tying up loose ends in his life, he learns that even with 20 years in the police department, his benefits won’t be enough to support Bishop, his teenage son. Unless he dies in the line of duty…

With not much to lose but everything to gain for Bishop, Lloyd tries to find a way to get himself killed. But every time he throws himself into a dangerous situation, sure this will be the one to end his life, he fails. (Or does he?) To top it off, he’s getting a reputation for his heroics, through no fault (or effort) of his own.

“I bet old Major McNeil never kicked in a door and dared a guy to shoot him. (Did he?) I bet old Major McNeil never straight-up ramped his car over an embankment, falling seventy-five feet and crashing in the parking lot next to the Falcons bus, all in pursuit of a suspect.”

As Lloyd keeps trying to find ways to provide for his son once he’s gone, he also wants to be sure his son is prepared for adulthood. So Lloyd shares “The Ten Gentle Edicts of Lloyd McNeil,” offering advice, guidance, and love.

I love the way Leitch writes, balancing humor and emotion with rich storytelling. It’s such a wonderful book, about the love of a father for his son and the desire to leave the right legacy. I enjoyed this so much!

The book will publish 5/20/2025.

Book Review: "The Bright Years" by Sarah Damoff

I cannot believe this was a debut! This will definitely be one of my absolute favorite books of the year, I know that much.

“Maybe what children do is straighten time out. Like clock hands, they keep us ticking forward even as we try to apprehend the lines and circles of it.”

When Ryan and Lillian meet one weekend day in the library, they both feel a pull toward the other. Their love buoys them, and they build a life together, one that expands with the birth of a daughter, Georgette, whom they call Jet.

But there are secrets they’ve not shared with each other. Lillian had a son 12 years ago and gave him up for adoption. Ryan’s father, whom his mother left when Ryan was young, was an abusive alcoholic. And Ryan feels himself following in his father’s footsteps, so he leaves before he can hurt Lillian or Jet. Of course, abuse is only one way to hurt someone.

As the years pass, Ryan makes attempts to sober up and be present for his daughter, but often fails. And then he realizes what he is missing, and hopes for a second chance.

This book was so beautifully written, so powerful and emotional. It’s narrated by Lillian, Ryan, and Jet, and it’s an exploration of the myriad ways people we love impact our lives. This book really struck a chord with me.

Book Review: "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy

I’ve read all three of Charlotte McConaghy’s books now, and each one has been a 5-star read for me. They’re intense, tremendously thought-provoking, and emotional, and they really make me think about climate change’s effect on our world.

“…I can understand why he might not, in fact, be alright. Why maybe none of us will be, because we have, all of us humans, decided what to save, and that is ourselves.”

Dominic is the caretaker of Shearwater, an island not far from Antarctica. It is home to seals, penguins, and other animals and birds, as well as a vault containing samples of countless seeds. Dominic and his three children are the only inhabitants left on Shearwater, which used to be a research hub, until the rising tides began destroying the island.

One day, the body of a woman washes up on shore. Dominic and his children rescue her and care for her until she recovers. This woman, Rowan, has come to Shearwater to find her husband, who was once the head researcher there. But he is nowhere to be found, and while Dominic tells Rowan that her husband left with other researchers, she thinks he is hiding something.

As they spend their last few months on the island before they are to be picked up, they must decide which seeds they can take back with them. At the same time, Rowan tries to make sense of the secrets that Dominic and his children are keeping—from her and from one another—and they each need to imagine their futures.

This is a slow-paced book but there is an underlying tension, as you wonder what secrets there really are, and what will happen to all of the characters. At the same time, McConaghy has created a setting so evocative yet so dangerous, that I wanted to visit and also stay as far away as possible. This was just fantastic.

Book Review: "Tender Tackles" by B.T. Wolfe

Bryan was overwhelmed with grief after his brother’s death. He decided he needed a fresh start, so he took a job as a head football coach at a small town high school.

When one of his star players gets hurt during practice, Bryan meets his father and gets quite a surprise. It turns out that they’ve met before: Emerson, who is the town doctor, was the man with whom Bryan had an intense one-night-stand in NYC two years ago.

While the chemistry between the two men is still intense, Emerson doesn’t want to give into temptation again. He wants to focus on his relationship with his two sons and his busy practice, and he doesn’t want to complicate things. But every time he and Bryan are together, they can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves.

The two decide to pursue a relationship but keep it secret for a while given Bryan’s coaching job. For the first time since his brother’s death, Bryan feels freer and happier, and he looks forward to building a future with Emerson.

But when news of their secret relationship leaks out, it threatens Bryan’s job and Emerson’s relationship with his sons. Can their love withstand the stress of possible scandal?

I haven’t read many M/M age-gap romances, but I enjoyed this. I wanted a bit more intensity in their relationship but I liked the way the author kept things from getting too melodramatic.

Book Review: "Keeping it Casual" by Jax Calder

“Apparently, the whole town of Mineral Creek is just a giant Grindr site where all swipes lead to Jeremy King.”

Dustin is worried that his teenage son Lachie is heading down the wrong path, so he moves them to the small town of Mineral Creek. No sooner have they gotten the keys to their rental house than Dustin hears from townspeople—repeatedly—that he should meet Jeremy, since Jeremy is the town’s other single gay dad.

When Dustin and Jeremy meet, there’s instantaneous chemistry. But during his last relationship, Dustin found his focus drifted away from Lachie, and he doesn’t want that to happen again. The two men decide just to be friends.

Of course, they decide just to be friends and then they run into each other everywhere. And after a casual lunch at Jeremy’s office, their attraction ignites and they wind up becoming friends with benefits. Because that always works, right?

The more time they spend with one another, the more they both realize how strong their feelings are for one another. But when Lachie gets himself in trouble, Dustin has to decide if being a good father has to mean sacrificing his own happiness.

I’ve really been enjoying Jax Calder’s books over the last year or so. I love the balance of banter, emotion, romance that leaves me grinning, and steam. Even though this was predictable, I loved every minute of it.

Book Review: "In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some" by Josh Gad

From the first time I saw him stumble onto the stage in The Book of Mormon, I’ve been a fan of Josh Gad’s. Whether seeing his face or just hearing his voice (as Olaf in Frozen), his presence in a show adds laughter and heart.

I’m always fascinated by funny people and what makes them tick. Where did their sense of humor and desire to make people laugh come from?

For Gad, his “radioactive-spider-bite-inception moment” was in kindergarten, when his mother threw his father out of the house for being unfaithful to her.

“The trauma of going from a full family unit to a broken household in a matter of minutes was fairly earth-shattering to me, but it would also set me on a course to become the entertainer I would one day be.”

What I enjoyed about this “Tell-Some” was the combination of Gad’s humorous asides and times when he addressed things that affected him emotionally. He talks about his parents’ divorce, his struggle with his weight and self-image, and what it felt like to become a father in the midst of his career trajectory starting to rise.

I don’t read a lot of memoirs, particularly celebrity memoirs, but there’s something about Gad that reminds me of myself. (In the fat Jewish kid who desperately wanted to show all of his doubters how talented he was way, not the Tony-nominated actor way.) It definitely revealed his complexity and served as a reminder that you never know what a person is going through just by looking at them!

Now…do you want to build a snowman?

Book Review: "Something Close to Nothing" by Tom Pyun

“Adulthood isn’t a fairy tale; long-term relationships don’t play out like a Hallmark movie. Relationships are primarily about having shared goals, like creating a family. You have to be in it for the long haul.”

Winston (Wynn) and Jared have been together for a number of years now. Jared is the responsible one; Wynn recently quit his corporate job to become a hip-hop dancer. But they’re about to take a major step: flying to Cambodia for the birth of their baby girl via a surrogate.

The thing is, Wynn isn’t so sure he wants to be a father. Jared may already be planning for their second child, but Wynn can’t imagine being tied down, forced to take care of a baby and give up his dreams. As they get ready to board the plane, Wynn flees, leaving Jared alone with no explanation.

Jared can’t believe that Wynn didn’t tell him sooner that he didn’t want a baby. But Jared desperately wants to be a father, so he makes the trip on his own and his mother meets him in Cambodia, where they await the birth of his daughter.

As Jared deals with the rigmarole of surrogacy in a foreign country and then settles in back at home in San Francisco with his new daughter, Wynn is trying to find himself and get started on his new dance career. Jared devotes himself to fatherhood while Wynn auditions for a singer’s comeback tour and teaches dance in different countries. Both think the other is self-centered and wonder if they made a mistake, but try to get on with their lives.

Neither character is entirely likable, but you can see how they are both right and completely wrong for one another. This is a book about what it feels like to realize you need to grow up, and how you don’t have to give yourself up to be with someone else. It’s both a funny and sad story, and very thought-provoking.

Book Review: "Deck the Palms" by Annabeth Albert

I’ve been loving the holiday books I’ve read so far, but given it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a white Christmas, it’s always fun to read about a less-traditional celebration. And what better place than Hawaii?

Nolan has been in love with the theater since he was young, and he’s been lucky to perform both on and off Broadway. He loves NYC, but when his sister-in-law has complications with her pregnancy and his brother is in the middle of his deployment, he drops everything and heads to Oahu to help.

Once his nephew gets out of the NICU, Nolan plans to stay in Oahu for the fall season, and takes a short-term job as the music teacher and choir director at a middle school. His responsibilities include directing the school’s holiday festival, for which he’s teamed with the school’s hunky shop teacher, Merry.

Merry, a single dad to twin boys who happen to be in Nolan’s class, comes across as a giant surfing curmudgeon. It’s not that he doesn’t like Nolan (although it seems that way), it’s just that he’s learned not to get attached to people who are in Hawaii for a short time. And despite their attraction to one another, Merry is determined to keep things professional with Nolan.

Of course, their collaboration and friendship includes lots of flirting and even a little matchmaking on the part of Merry’s kids. But what happens when Nolan’s job ends and he heads back to NYC? Is the possibility of love worth the risk of pain?

Hawaii is one of my favorite places, and so it’s the perfect setting for this rom-com. I really enjoyed both of the main characters and their banter (not to mention the steam) and I found many of the supporting characters to be a lot of fun, too.

Book Review: "The Christmas You Found Me" by Sarah Morgenthaler

“WANTED: HUSBAND FOR HIRE.” The day that Sienna’s divorce became final, an ad with this headline started appearing all over her small town of Caney Falls, Idaho. It’s the handiwork of Sienna’s best friend Jess, who was never a fan of Sienna’s ex-husband anyway.

While everyone in town knows the ad is a joke, Guy, a newcomer, doesn’t. When he introduces himself to Sienna he explains that his four-year-old daughter Emma is in end-stage kidney failure, and needs a transplant. But in order for her to remain on the transplant list, he must demonstrate financial stability, which he doesn’t have. A few hours after hearing this story, Sienna proposes to Guy, promising to be there for him until Emma gets the kidney she desperately needs.

Living and working on her family’s ranch is satisfying, but since her marriage ended, it’s been difficult to manage on her own, not to mention lonely. Guy and Emma’s presence makes things more enjoyable, and it’s not long before Sienna thinks of Emma as her stepdaughter and someone she’d do anything for.

While there’s no denying the chemistry between her and Guy, Sienna is afraid to get too close in case Guy wants out once Emma gets her kidney. But to be needed and wanted are feelings she’s not had in a long time, and there’s definitely a part of her that wants to be in this “marriage of purpose” for the long haul.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgenthaler since reading her Moose Springs, Alaska series. (I would love another book in that series!) She creates such memorable, complex characters you can’t help but grow attached to.

I loved this book with every fiber of my being. It made me smile, made me blush, made me laugh, and made me sob. It’s not the jolly Christmas romance I was expecting, but it was simply amazing.