Book Review: "Well Versed" by Jen DeLuca

OMG!! I’m so happy that Jen DeLuca has taken us back to the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire with another book in her Well Met series! Reading this book really brought me so much joy. Thanks so much to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the advance copy!

When she was a teenager, the Willow Creek Renaissance Faire was Caitlin’s favorite place to be. She loved working there each summer, singing and portraying the queen’s lady in waiting. But when she turned 18, she had her heart broken for the first time, and she no longer enjoyed any of the magic.

Now, six years later, she had to move back to Maryland after getting laid off from her job. She’s being pressed into service as the queen’s lady in waiting once again, as her aunt Emily is filling in for the queen this season. She just has to survive four weekends of wearing the same costume she did when she was in high school.

Returning to the Faire brings back lots of memories and helps her rekindle some friendships. But the last thing she’s expecting is to see Alex, one of the sword-wielding performers, who broke her teenage heart six years ago. His old act is gone, but he now performs Shakespeare on demand, and he’s even hotter than he was back then.

Caitlin is absolutely not going to let Alex derail her summer. But of course, they’re thrown together at every instance, so they start to become friends. Caitlin insists she will not fall for Alex again—but that’s easier said than done. But with them both going their separate ways after the summer, there’s no chance of them having a future, right? What if that’s exactly what they both want?

It was so great to return to these characters and see how they’ve been living their lives since the last book in the series was published. As always, DeLuca imbues her books with so much heart and humor, and I wish I could be there at the Faire. I hope we’ll get to return again!

The book publishes 9/22.

Book Review: "25 Days in Athens" by Jack Strange

Will and Ollie broke up more than three years ago, after Will rejected Ollie’s second marriage proposal. But even though they clearly wanted different things, Will still pines for Ollie and believes they are soulmates, despite the fact that Ollie has moved on.

Ollie’s announcement on social media that he and his boyfriend Alec have gotten engaged throws Will into a spiral. And then Will gets invited to their wedding in Athens. Why would Ollie invite him?

Even though he’s not sure it’s the right idea, Will decides to attend the wedding. But he plans to arrive in Athens earlier than others, so perhaps he can tell Ollie how he feels and maybe they can be reunited. No one thinks this is a good idea.

When he arrives in Athens, Will runs into Sam, his childhood best friend, who moved away years ago. They were once totally inseparable, and Will is pleasantly surprised to see that Sam grew up to be absolutely gorgeous. Reconnecting feels amazing, and there’s definitely some serious chemistry between them. But Will is in Greece to get Ollie back.

Sam agrees to be Will’s plus-one at the wedding, and they pretend to be a couple. But the closer the two of them get, the more Will considers telling Ollie how he still feels. Will he throw away a chance at happiness for a glimpse of what might have been?

The book was a mashup of some of my favorite romance tropes: friends to lovers, fake dating, and second chance. I loved the pairing of Will and Sam, and thought that the supporting characters were a lot of fun. And don’t get me started on the setting of the book!

Book Review: "Play It Again" by Georgia Clark

As teenagers they were inseparable. Four friends—Annie, Lola, Vicky, and Dylan—took their hometown by storm when they starred in a gender-swapped adaptation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It was an incredible summer, but the night the show closed the four were torn apart, and went their separate ways.

Twenty years later, they all have very different lives from what they dreamed of. But when their hometown of Rhodes, NY, gets a less-than-impressive write up in a tourism magazine, the town gets closer to dying out completely. Given that Annie owns a pet grooming place in town, she’s definitely concerned.

All four of them get summoned back to the now-closed playhouse where their fondest memories reside. Jazz, their director, wants to revive their production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to hopefully bring some life (and money) back into the town and the theater. Of course, it will only work if all four agree.

The pleasantries of their reunion quickly fade as the memories of the show’s end 20 years ago are revisited. There’s no doubt that the feelings both couples had for one another still linger, but so do secrets, misunderstandings, and emotional wounds. Can they put the past aside to not only save Rhodes and put on a show, but also to see if a second chance is possible?

This was a mostly fun and lighthearted story, full of nostalgia and emotion. I was a theater kid so I definitely enjoyed those aspects of the book. I felt like the pacing got very slow in the middle and I also thought at times the characters’ actions were a little more petty and childish than they should have been.

Book Review: "Second Helpings" by Dylan Morrison

Y’all, this book had a dog named Pastrami! I thought this was really sweet, but it had me at Pastrami.

Sam has been a part of Silverman’s Deli, his family’s restaurant, for as long as he can remember. It’s been an institution in Cleveland for 75 years. He’s now the manager and he loves every aspect of the job.

But things have been dicey since the restaurant got a scathing review by a well-known columnist. Sam and his staff question the authenticity of the review, because there are a lot of criticisms that seem completely false. Regardless, the number of customers who have been coming in has reduced sharply, and Sam isn’t sure he can keep the deli afloat for much longer.

To top things off, one day Jake walks into the deli. Jake was Sam’s high school boyfriend until a tragedy ripped them apart. They’ve not seen each other in 12 years, and although their first few encounters are awkward, they quickly realize how much they’ve missed one another.

Having Jake around helps Sam’s anxiety about the deli, and Sam gets to cook for him, which is definitely one of his favorite things. But as they draw closer, they need to confront the event that tore them apart, and there are other secrets that Jake needs to share.

I enjoyed another book by Dylan Morrison so I had a feeling I’d like this one too. I’m a big fan of second-chance romances and I thought that Sam and Jake had great chemistry. And now I’m going to lament that there are no good delis around here…

Book Review: "Still Into You" by Erin Connor

I. Loved. This. Book.

Erin Connor’s debut, Unromance, was one of my favorites last year. But if possible, I loved her newest book even more. It just made me smile and tear up and laugh.

“It’s the only relationship I’ve ever had that’s actually worth talking about, except for the fact that I absolutely do not want to talk about it.”

Sloane has dreamed of being a music journalist for as long as she can remember. She’s gone from helping her friends’ band with their social media to a freelance writing job, with hopes of landing an actual position with benefits.

She can’t believe she gets offered the chance of a lifetime—to interview Final Revelations, a famed punk band that has not done an interview in 8 years. This could be career-making.

The thing is, the band’s lead singer, Dax, is her ex. Hanging around with the band feels like old times, and she and Dax quickly fall back into passionate flirtation. But Sloane knows that her integrity will be called into question if she doesn’t resist her feelings for him.

Second-chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. Throw in musicians and journalists and banter and steam, and I’m totally sold. I can’t say enough about this book and can’t wait for Connor’s next!!

Book Review: "Saddle Studs" by Max Walker

“I thought I had to run away to find myself, but maybe all I had to do was come back home.”

In July, I read Stirring Spurs, my first cowboy romance. It was part of a 4-book series called Rainbow Ranch, which focuses on a family of queer siblings and the ranch they own in Oklahoma. I was excited to return to the ranch for another adventure!

Sam’s life is falling apart, personally and professionally. He knows he’s going to get fired from his PR job at any time, and his latest girlfriend dumped him. And then he gets notified that he’s been left a strange inheritance from an old friend: a miniature horse and a small patch of land at Rainbow Ranch, where Sam spent some of his high school days.

To claim the inheritance, Sam has to stay and work at the ranch for 90 days. While he’s hoping to better understand what he’s been bequeathed, the big deterrent is having to go back to Oklahoma and face Benny, who was his best friend growing up. Benny and his family treated Sam like one of their own until Sam broke Benny’s heart, then disappeared from his life.

Benny loves ranch life, although the gay scene in Oklahoma is pretty sparse apart from occasional Grindr hookups. When he learns that Sam is returning to the ranch, it reopens the pain and heartbreak that Sam caused all those years ago. Benny vows to be stronger this time, but when Sam arrives—even sexier than he remembered—Benny’s resolve goes out the window. And while Sam’s feelings appear to have changed, his fear of coming out causes the same problems.

I really enjoyed these characters. There is longing, emotion, humor, and lots of steam. I wish that Benny’s siblings (and Dennis) played a larger part in the story, as they did in Stirring Spurs, but I have two more books in the series! This book made me say yee-haw!

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: "The Shots You Take" by Rachel Reid

This was so fantastic! Thanks so much to Carina Adores and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ The last person Riley was expecting to show up at his father’s funeral was Adam, his former best friend and hockey teammate. Twelve years had passed since they’d seen each other, and the last time they spoke, Riley told Adam he wanted him out of his life.⁣⁣

⁣ What they had was so much more than a friendship. Yes, they shared an immense love for hockey, but their relationship was a physical one as well. And while Riley knew he was in love with Adam, Adam was afraid to acknowledge his feelings. It was easier to pretend it only happened when they were drunk or in the heat of the moment following a game.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ Adam’s arrival in the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia causes quite a stir. Even though he retired from hockey, he’s still favored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But his career achievements aren’t nearly as important as trying to help Riley through his grief—and letting him know how much he regretted denying his true feelings when they were younger.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ Not only does Riley have to deal with his grief about his father’s death, but Adam’s return reminds him of the anger and sadness he had tried to put behind him. But he’s never stopped loving Adam, although he tries everything not to allow himself to be vulnerable again.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ I love Rachel Reid and the way her books are fun, emotional, steamy, and heartfelt. What was fantastic about this book was that the main characters are more mature—in their late 30s or early 40s—so there was a gravity to the story that really worked. I loved it!⁣⁣

⁣⁣ The book will publish 3/4/2025.⁣⁣

Book Review: "What Happened to the McCrays?" by Tracey Lange

Thanks so much to Celadon Books for the advance copy of Tracey Lange’s latest book!!

When Kyle’s father suffers a stroke, he has to make his way across the country to his hometown of Potsdam in upstate New York. He’s upset about his father’s condition but also is dreading returning to Potsdam, since he left unexpectedly nearly three years ago. He’ll have to face those he left behind—friends, coworkers, family, and his ex-wife, Casey, whom he’s loved since he was 18.

While Casey isn’t surprised that Kyle has returned, his presence leaves her on edge. She really can’t be near him, but their lives intersect in so many ways. He is asked to coach the middle school hockey team for as long as he’s in town, and it finally gives him a sense of purpose.

The longer Kyle remains in Potsdam, the more he learns about the emotions his departure—and his return—stirred up. As he considers staying in town for good, he knows he can only do so if he and Casey are in a good place. But in order for that to be possible, there are many issues between them that need to be addressed, things that can no longer remain unsaid.

“You know, I think that’s how grief works. You have to feel it so you can heal it, not bury yourself in it. You get through it, and each time it’s a little less.”

I have enjoyed all of Lange’s books, and this one is definitely a favorite. There are so many beautiful moments, so much grief, emotion, and hope, and I felt like the characters were so well drawn.

The book will publish 1/14/2025.⁣

Book Review: "12 Dates of Christmas" by Brigham Vaughn

“It suddenly feels a little crazy to realize I totally uprooted my life in Chicago to move to some Christmas-themed small town on the off chance of finding love.”

Leo likes living in Chicago, but dating there drives him crazy. He’s tried it all—apps, bars, blind dates—but he can’t seem to find the right person. He’s even gotten scammed because he’s too naive.

His best friend Hayden had moved to the small town of Christmas Falls a year or so ago—reluctantly—but he ultimately found true love and decided to stay. With his job as a web developer, he can work from anywhere, so he decides to give Christmas Falls a try.

He already has a client in town he’s been working with—Nick, who runs a matchmaking service. When he meets Nick face-to-face for the first time, Leo is instantly smitten. But Nick is not only a widower, he’s straight. So when Nick offers to set Leo up on some dates as a way to thank him, Leo agrees.

Each date turns out to be a total flop. And after every date, Leo and Nick debrief, which Leo starts enjoying more than anything. When Nick tells Leo that he’s actually bisexual, Leo is filled with hope that they might get together. But Nick needs to be sure that his heart is ready to take a chance on love again. Will Leo be willing to wait?

This was my second trip to Christmas Falls, and I absolutely love this series. There were so many themes at play here that I loved, and the characters were just so appealing. I’m thankful that there are so many books in this series still to read!

Book Review: "The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern" by Lynda Cohen Loigman

What a fantastic book. Lynda Cohen Loigman has done it again!!

Forced into retirement just before her 80th birthday, Augusta doesn’t know what to do with all of her free time. She moves to Rallentando Springs, a retirement community in Florida. Much to her surprise, the first person she runs into is Irving, who worked as a delivery boy at her father’s pharmacy 60 years ago. He was her first love and her first heartbreak.

Augusta grew up in Brooklyn in the 1920s. She admired her pharmacist father more than anyone, and although it was almost unheard of at that time, she wanted to follow in his footsteps. But when her great-aunt Esther moves in with their family, Augusta’s perspectives change. Esther is a healer, and Augusta sees that there are ailments that traditional medicines can’t help.

Meanwhile, she and Irving draw closer together, and she dreams of marrying him and working with him when they take over her father’s pharmacy. But one night, everything changes and her dreams of a future with Irving are shattered. It’s a blow from which Augusta has never quite recovered, even 60 years later.

Augusta seems to constantly run into Irving in her new Florida community. Yet he seems oblivious to the hurt and anger she still carries. And when another old friend from their Brooklyn days appears, the tension between him and Irving confuses Augusta and makes her wonder what she missed all those years ago.

The book is told in dual timelines, in the 1920s and the late 1980s. It’s a story of love, family, tradition, and maybe a little bit of magic, and I was hooked from the very first page. I loved this so much.

Book Review: "Holiday Tides" by Laura Langa

I was looking for a little bit of joy to brighten up the craziness of the last week. And then I found it: an enemies to lovers, second chance holiday romance? In a beach town? Ho Ho Ho, indeed!!

It’s been a long time since Summer was back in Wilks Beach, but it’s finally her turn to live in her grandmother’s cottage—being the youngest of six kids means you have to wait a while. It’s not long before she discovers that Nick, her high school rival, is back in town, too. He made her teenage years miserable, and Summer is determined not to let his handsome charm win her over.

Nick is thrilled to see Summer, and is saddened that the feeling is far from mutual. But seeing as he works for his adopted brother’s renovation company, and Summer’s cottage is old and in desperate need of repair, Nick is more than happy to help her out. And then she’ll owe him.

When they graduated high school, they were both headed to college and then medical school. Summer is a pediatrician now, but why is Nick back in town working construction? Why does he smell so darn good? And why is he all she thinks about, although the memories of their rivalry still stick in her craw?

Ironically, Summer loves Christmas more than anyone. Can her first Christmas back in Wilks Beach be made holly jolly by the handsome surfer in a Santa wetsuit? And are his feelings for real this time?

This was all kinds of adorable. I’m a sucker for banter, and this book has it at full-strength. I really loved the setting and the characters, and I’ll be waiting for Laura Langa’s first full-length Wilks Beach romance this summer!

Book Review: "Perfect Fit" by Clare Gilmore

Josie has always wanted to work in fashion; even as a young girl she was drawing costumes for her friend's stories. Now she is the CEO of Revenant, a fashion brand based in Austin, Texas. She works incredibly hard and has put countless hours into making her company a success, and has so many ambitious plans to move it forward. But for the most part, she is all work and no play.

When she wants to ensure that Revenant is a certified sustainable brand, her major investor orders her to hire a consultant. She's more than ready to do so, and then a last-minute candidate enters into consideration: Will Grant, the twin brother of her ex-best friend. They haven't seen each other in nine years, since a drunken makeout session during their senior spring break. That kiss led to a fight between her and Will's sister which ended their friendship.

Sure, Will is immensely good-looking now and he seems to know his stuff. Josie can't quite forget overhearing him call her shallow when they were younger, but she's determined to put their past behind them in order for Revenant to succeed. But being a CEO is exhausting, and spending all of her time working is starting to burn her out. Will tries to show Josie that there's more to life than work, and of course, in the process, they draw closer.

Josie's heart is longing for Will but her head is trying to keep her from making the same mistake twice. Besides, they live so far away from one another, and where would she find the time for a relationship anyway? And what about Will's sister? Ultimately, Josie must decide if she can have both success and happiness, or which one is more important.

This was a cute story. Will and Josie were characters I rooted for, and I enjoyed their banter. I just felt the pacing of the story was much slower than I would've liked, and that hampered my full love of the book.

Book Review: "Marshmallow Mountain" by A.J. Truman and M.A. Wardell

An M/M romance that’s part of a series called “Big Boys, Small Spaces,” and the characters are both Jewish? I couldn’t have loved this any more than I did.

Marshall and Marshall (aka “Data”) were together for eight years, when Marshall unceremoniously ended their relationship, saying he needed time and space. Marshall is an aspiring comedian and Data is an accountant.

The two haven’t spoken in six months, so Data is shocked to get a phone call from Marshall. He suggests the two of them travel up to Maine to pack up the cabin they co-own, so they can sell it. Data is still angry and hurt, so he’s determined to pack everything up over the weekend, and then he won’t have to see Marshall again. But of course, neither of them are counting on a snowstorm which strands them together at the cabin.

“I’m not good. I’m stuck in a cabin with my ex who broke my heart six months ago and is now attempting to pick his way inside to do more damage by having amazing sex with me multiple times before we pack up and sell the damn place. I should write a country song.”

Between multiple rounds of breakup sex, the two talk about where things went wrong; each of their anxieties about life, work, and family; and keep getting distracted from finishing the packing. But how could you not root for two guys with the same first name?

Both Truman and Wardell are great authors in their own right, but this first collaboration hit the spot. It’s super steamy, emotional, romantic, and funny, and you can bet I’m ready for Book 2 in the series!

Book Review: "Given Our History" by Kristyn J. Miller

Clara has wanted to teach history for as long as she can remember. She’s finally achieved her goal, teaching at a private college in Maryland, and her department chair wants to submit her name for tenure.

When her boss asks if she’d be willing to share her office with a visiting scholar, she agrees without considering the consequences. And then she learns that the visitor is Theodore Harrison—Teddy—with whom she fell in love when they were teenagers. She’s not seen him apart from a very brief run-in since she broke his heart 10 years ago.

Teddy tries to stay out of Clara’s way, but both feel the pull of attraction and their mutual history. As they work together on a project and reminisce about their days attending a camp for homeschooled children, and think about the relationship that grew out of periodic phone calls and sharing CDs and history books, they can’t help but wonder whether they’re being given a second chance.

However, knowing how things turned out the first time has them both guarding their hearts this time. They’ve both gotten older, and Clara wonders if their past history will keep Teddy from fully trusting her, not to mention the fact that he’s only here for a semester.

The narrative shifts back and forth, between the present and the start of their relationship at camp, to when it fell apart. Along the way we get a glimpse of the challenges that each faced with their families, which also had an impact.

I enjoyed these characters as well as some of the supporting ones. I think the story would have benefited from getting Teddy’s perspective instead of seeing everything just through Clara’s eyes. And of course, far too much of their issues stemmed from miscommunication, which is my least favorite trope. But it was a fun and charming story.

Book Review: "All I Want Is You" by Falon Ballard

I had vowed not to start reading holiday romances for a bit longer, but I’m such a huge fan of Falon Ballard’s books, so I figured, one wouldn’t hurt. And truth be told, while it takes place over Christmas, it’s more than a holiday romance.

Jess had always dreamed of being a romance writer, and now she’s living her dream. (Well, if the dream included still working as a barista and seeing her books sell fewer and fewer copies.) She’s worried that her publisher might not even take her latest book—if she can actually find something to write about.

To add insult to injury, Jess’ ex, Nick, is a best-selling romance writer. Sure, his books don’t have happy endings so they shouldn’t really be considered romances, but it doesn’t matter to his readers. Each book makes a bigger bang than the last, and he’s even sold some to be adapted into movies.

When Jess is asked to present Nick with an award at their publisher’s holiday ball, it’s the last thing she wants to do. But it wouldn’t be good for her career to say no. So she buys a dress that she looks fantastic in, grits her teeth, and plans to give the award to Nick. Of course, when they see each other for the first time in five years, there’s still an intense chemistry between them.

Their interactions are minimal until a snowstorm keeps Jess stranded at the inn where the ball was held. And wouldn’t you know it, her reservation got lost, and the only option is to share Nick’s room—which has only one bed. But their forced proximity not only intensifies their attraction, but leads Jess to wonder why Nick ended things five years ago. There’s a lot to discuss—and lots of sexual tension to avoid.

This was everything I hoped for. It’s not only romantic and steamy and funny and emotional, but it plays on so many romantic tropes. Ballard can do no wrong, and this was so worth starting my holiday reading early!!

Book Review: "This Used To Be Us" by Renee Carlino

After reading this book, I was completely undone. I literally sat on my couch for a few minutes and had to collect myself emotionally. It’s not just that the book was sad in parts, but it was just so beautifully written.

Alex and Dani have been married for 22 years. There once was a time where they were madly in love with one another and couldn’t wait to be together; now, neither can stand the other. Dani thinks Alex is cold and unfeeling, and leaves her to do most of the parenting of their two sons; Alex thinks Dani is a drama queen who likes pointing out all of his faults.

They decide to get divorced, and they rent a nesting apartment where one can stay when the other is at their house with the boys. Of course, Alex realizes how much work it is to raise two children, deal with school, activities, laundry, etc. Dani misses having someone to share things with, and remembers how Alex used to be that person.

As they both start eking out their lives post-divorce, they each individually reflect on their relationship and where they both went wrong. They try to figure out whether to start dating again, and Dani works to resurrect her career as a television writer. Little by little, they come to realize what their love transformed them into, and how much they miss what they had.

“You think love equals happiness?” “No. I think the act of loving does, the skill, the ability in it—practicing and refining it…you know?”

Renee Carlino is an amazing, evocative writer. This is beautiful, emotional, sad, funny, and totally realistic. Love—and marriage—aren’t perfect, and neither are the people in a marriage. I absolutely loved this book.

Book Review: "Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies" by Catherine Mack

This was a fun romp that I’ve had on my stack for a while. I recently took a two-day vacation just an hour or so away, so what better time to read this book?

”Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. I want to commit a homicide.”

Eleanor Dash is a successful mystery writer who has written a series of books that follow the protagonist and her handsome sidekick as they solve murders across Europe. Amazingly, her foray into fiction was inspired by a trip to Rome, where she fell in love and got embroiled in a robbery and murder.

Ten years later, Eleanor is more than ready to kill off the sidekick, Connor, who was modeled after her real former boyfriend-turned-nuisance, Connor. She’s tired of him being the focus of her fans, and she’s tired of him blackmailing her to give him a share of her advance for each book. So she’s ready to kill him off—at least the fictional Connor.

But on a trip of Italy arranged by her publisher to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her series—which of course, Connor is part of, along with several other mystery authors—she learns that someone might actually be trying to kill Connor. (Although who wouldn’t?) And when she becomes the target of attempted murder as well, she needs to figure out who might want her dead—and it’s someone on the tour.

This was definitely enjoyable and compulsively readable. Eleanor’s voice is fun and I hope she will be back in another book—although I could definitely do without the footnotes!!

Book Review: "Till Death Do Us Part" by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

How could a book have such a great concept and start so strong, yet leave me rolling my eyes by the end? I’m so disappointed that this one didn’t work for me.

Ten years ago, June and her fiancé Josh decide to have a spur-of-the-moment wedding without friends and family. But on their honeymoon, Josh drowns while on a morning swim, and his body is never found. June is overcome with grief.

Since that horrible day, June has pulled her life together. She owns a natural wine bar, Grape Juice, in Brooklyn, and the man she’s been dating for the last several years, Kyle, has just proposed. She’s ready to begin their life together.

“I’ll always be a widow first and a wife second.”

When June and Kyle are taking engagement photos, June sees a man staring at her. As impossible as it seems, she knows it’s Josh. This isn’t grief, this is real, and she sees him more than once. While doing some research, she discovers a winery in Napa owned by a married couple—and he is a dead ringer for Josh. June has no choice but to go to Napa and find the truth—but what she uncovers is beyond anything she could imagine.

So, you’ll really need to suspend your disbelief when reading this. It’s definitely a twisty book (and a confusing one at times), but I found the twists really didn’t work for me. I almost would’ve loved more about the wine business and natural wine! But others have loved this, so maybe it’s just me.

Book Review: "Slow Dance" by Rainbow Rowell

I hate it when one of my most anticipated books falls flat for me. I’ve been a Rainbow Rowell fan for a long while—Eleanor & Park is one of my all-time favorites—so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Damn.

Shiloh and Cary were two-thirds of a trio of best friends, with their friend Mikey. But Shiloh and Cary spent the most time together, just hanging out and annoying each other the way high school best friends do. They both had plans to get out of their Nebraska hometown—Shiloh was going to college and become an actress, while Cary was going to join the Navy.

When they graduated high school, they vowed their friendship would never change, no matter what they did or where they went. But of course, it did. Now 14 years later, Shiloh is a divorced mother of two living in the house she grew up in, and she has no clue where Cary is. Until they run into each other at Mikey’s wedding.

“Shiloh had been imagining this moment—the moment she’d see Cary again—for months, but even in her imagination, it wouldn’t mean as much to him as it did to her.”

As they talk at the wedding, it feels like so much has changed, yet so much has not. It’s easy to fall back into the immature behaviors and emotions of high school, but now these actions can have real ramifications. But despite their history, they both want to spend more and more time together. Could the feelings everyone thought they had for one another then be real, even now?

I love second-chance romances and friends to lovers as well. I just didn’t like Shiloh. She had some very annoying traits and habits, even as an adult, and I honestly couldn’t understand why Cary would be interested in her. But I did get caught up in the nostalgic feelings, so all was not lost.