Book Review: "Prestige Drama" by Séamas O'Reilly

The townspeople in the Irish town of Derry are excited, which doesn’t happen that often. A show about the Troubles in Northern Ireland is going to be filmed in town. Then it is announced that famous American actress Monica Logue is going to play the lead, and the excitement reaches a fever pitch.

Not long after Monica’s arrival in Derry, where she rubs shoulders with the locals, she disappears without a trace. Everyone in town has a theory on what happened and where she could have gone. But her disappearance throws the future of the show into doubt, which could prove disappointing to many in town.

This is one of those books with multiple narrators—some that are recurring, some we hear from only once. Everyone has their own perspectives, on the Troubles, on the show, and, of course, Monica’s disappearance. And when you have multiple people sharing their views, you don’t know who’s telling the truth.

We hear from the alcoholic screenwriter, trying for one last chance at success; the woman who lost her teenage son during the Troubles and is now the focal point of the script; a local man hoping to have a part in the show; and a woman whose house is going to be used for some of the filming, among others. Each person has their own unique voice.

This was an entertaining book, because you get to shape the plot based on how you saw the characters and what they said. There are some surprises which slowly unfold, and that made the narrative a bit richer.

Book Review: "Enormous Wings" by Laurie Frankel

Every time I read a book by Laurie Frankel I’m tremendously moved but I’m also changed. Her books make me think beyond my worldview and they challenge me both intellectually and emotionally. Her newest book is no exception.

“People like their old ladies polite and demure, but as one ages, things get more fucked-up, not less, and it seems important to say so.”

Pepper is a feisty, independent 77-year-old whose children force her to move to an independent living community in Austin, Texas. She’s not happy about it but she quickly finds a group of friends and, much to her surprise, starts up a relationship with her next door neighbor, Moth.

Not long after they sleep together, Pepper starts feeling sick—woozy, nauseous, tired, and sometimes disoriented. She starts to worry that there’s something seriously wrong with her. But the doctor reveals an even more surprising diagnosis: Pepper is pregnant.

She cannot believe that some 40-plus years after her last child was born that she’s pregnant again. The doctors don’t expect the pregnancy to be viable for long, but as the months go on, Pepper is faced with some serious decisions. But living in Texas, abortion is illegal, and once the press gets ahold of her news, she is approached by groups on both sides of the issue. Her life is turned inside out, and the facility where she lives is overrun with media.

I loved this book because while it focuses on the issue of bodily autonomy and women’s rights, it’s also a very human story. I love how Frankel focused on the emotions everyone felt over Pepper’s pregnancy more than the morality and politics, even though that needed to be addressed as well.

Book Review: "Broken Threads" by Sagit Schwartz

I definitely fall prey to the whole #Bookstagrammademedoit concept, but never have I finished someone’s review of a book and immediately bought the book. At least until I read the review of Sagit Schwartz’s excellent short story, “Broken Threads.”

Clare has always dreamed of being a bestselling author but she can’t seem to land a deal. The longer it takes, the more resentful she becomes of those who do succeed, especially those she believes she has more talent than.

When Clare’s longtime job as a technical writer is eliminated because she can be replaced by AI, her desperation grows. She knows her historical fiction novel is excellent, but no agent will talk to her because she’s older and not photogenic. But with barely any money to cover rent, she’s willing to try anything.

Her last shot is approaching her neighbor, Amber, who has built a career as a successful influencer. Nearly everything Amber owns or wears has been given to her in exchange for mentions. Clare thinks having Amber promote the book will be a great idea, but Amber doesn’t think that effort will be successful. And then Amber suggests that she tell people she wrote the book, and in exchange, she’ll give Clare 50 percent of the profits.

Of course, when things seem too good to be true, they usually are. The book becomes a huge success but Clare starts suspecting that Amber is ripping her off. And then Amber winds up dead.

I devoured this in a very short time and I honestly could’ve read a full-length version of this. @sagitschwartz had me hooked from the very first word! This was a great story and so timely.

Book Review: "Stars in Your Eyes" by Kacen Callender

I’ve had this book on my stack for quite a while. But if I had known had incredibly good it was, I would’ve read it sooner!

Mattie is on his way to becoming Hollywood’s golden boy. He’s handsome, sweet, and Southern, but he’s not quite comfortable with the scrutiny of fame yet. But he’s just been cast in a gay romantic comedy that could launch him into the big time.

His costar, Logan, has been acting since he was young, but he’s better known for his trips to rehab and his bad behavior. Just before the movie starts shooting, he says that he doesn’t think Mattie has any talent. That’s not awkward…

When Logan gets caught up in another scandal, the producers aren’t happy that his behavior is killing interest in the movie. So they suggest that Mattie and Logan pretend to date and fall in love. While Logan is dubious, Mattie admires Logan, and is willing to try and convince the public of his feelings.

Little by little, the chemistry between them intensifies, and it becomes more difficult to distinguish fiction from reality. But Logan has an inability to let anyone get too close to him, and he sabotages any chance at happiness. Mattie wants to help Logan, but Logan has to help himself first.

This is an emotional and beautiful story, but there are a number of trigger warnings listed at the front of the book. There’s definitely a lot of trauma and hurt that Logan, and to some extent, Mattie, have to deal with. I’m such a fan of Kacen Callender and they hit it out of the park with this one.

Book Review: "The Rules of Royalty" by Cale Dietrich

This is a sweet story that reminds me of the show Young Royals with a dash or two of The Princess Diaries. I feel those comparisons are much closer than Red White & Royal Blue, which it’s also being compared to.

Jamie is pretty happy with his life. He is close with his mother and stepdad, has a great group of friends, and can’t really imagine anything different. Yet on his 17th birthday, his mother tells him a long-kept secret: his father is King Alexander of Mitanor, a European country near France and Spain. Jamie’s mother, who adopted him, promised her best friend she’d not reveal the secret until Jamie was old enough to choose his own path.

When the King reaches out to Jamie, he invites him and his parents to spend the summer in Mitanor. He also shares with him the contact info for Prince Erik of Sunstad, who, like Jamie is also gay, and understands what it’s like to be a teenage prince.

Jamie and Erik hit it off, and the King invites Erik to Mitanor to help Jamie learn the etiquette and other aspects of being a prince. At the same time, Erik is getting pressure from his family to begin dating a suitable man—and Jamie isn’t their choice.

As Jamie deals with the responsibilities and publicity of his new life, he has to navigate issues with his friends back home, and control his attraction to Erik. He doesn’t understand why Erik can’t do what he wants, and as Erik sees Jamie making a difference in Mitanor after only a short time, he decides he might need to fight for what he wants.

Jamie and Erik are adorable characters, and I loved the way their relationship unfolded. Even though there is some friction in the book, it’s devoid of the typical melodrama, which I really appreciated. I’d love a sequel someday!

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advance copy. The book publishes 12/10.

Book Review: "Always Only You" by Chloe Liese

It’s been several years since I first discovered her books, but I am utterly obsessed with Chloe Liese. Her Bergman Brothers series is so fantastic—full of love, serious steam, banter, family, and they each feature a character living with physical, emotional, or neurodiverse issues. Yet they never condescend or create an unfair power dynamic.

In Book 2 of the series (I also read Book 5, and I’m not apologizing for reading that one out of order), Ren is a successful pro hockey player. He’s also absolutely gorgeous, almost always smiling, willing to take being a role model seriously, and he is fiercely devoted to his family.

While Frankie, social media coordinator for Ren’s team, definitely appreciates his physical attributes, as a self-proclaimed grump, she can’t understand how someone can be so sunshiny all the time. She takes her job very seriously, and dating a player is certainly off-limits, but how can she be immune to Ren’s charms?

As their friendship starts to take on a more flirtatious tone, both would love to turn it into something more. But as someone on the autism spectrum who also deals with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, Frankie is afraid to let her guard down and be honest with her feelings, because she knows that her problems will ultimately doom a relationship.

Liese has such a knack for creating complex and appealing characters that you root for, plus her descriptions make me want to see what they’d look like in real life! I loved this book so much, and cannot wait to read Book 3. It almost makes me want to have grown up with six siblings!! (Almost.)

Book Review: "If You Love Something" by Jayce Ellis

Jayce Ellis' If You Love Something is a sweet, sexy, and thought-provoking M/M romance!!

Thanks to my friend Phil for putting this one on my radar.

DeShawn Franklin is the executive chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Washington, DC. Everyone wants him—he’s a media darling and VIPs stop by the restaurant to meet him all the time, but what he’d really like to do is cook. But he keeps getting pulled away from the kitchen.

One day he gets summoned home by his grandmother, who raised him. She tells him she no longer plans to continue her cancer treatment. She also tells him that while she’s leaving him her house, she’s leaving the assets of her estate to Malik, DeShawn’s ex-husband, with whom she’s still very close. Oh, and their divorce apparently never went through, so they’re still married.

Of course, this throws DeShawn for a loop. He loved Malik but as DeShawn’s star rose, Malik was less enamored of a life in the spotlight, especially when he wasn’t out yet. But both regretted the end—even though both have moved on. Kind of.

When DeShawn’s uncle starts legal action to get what he believes is his rightful inheritance away from Malik, DeShawn and Malik decide the best course of action to defend themselves is to pretend they’re reigniting their marriage. (And rom-com fans, we know what happens with pretend relationships, don’t we?)

I thought this book was terrific. A sexy rom-com with two somewhat older Black men is a rarity and I just loved the story, the relationships, the supporting characters, and the steam!! (Plus, a book about a chef? You know I'm there!)