Book Review: "The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman" by Deesha Philyaw

Can I get an “amen”? Deesha Philyaw’s first novel is deliciously gossipy, thought-provoking, steamy, and emotional. Having been an enormous fan of Philyaw’s debut story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, I’m not surprised how good this is. But it’s a lot of fun, too.

“And you know what? I own all the parts that are true. The lies and the lessons. The messes and the mistakes. Because they are the stones that forged the path leading from my difficult past to my beautiful present.”

Scharisse Freeman is the much-younger wife of Rev. David Freeman, pastor of the Hope in Christ Baptist Church, one of the largest Black megachurches in the U.S. Given the age difference and the fact that Scharisse had no real religious background before marrying her husband, it’s taken quite a while for some in the church to warm up to her as First Lady. But she hasn’t let that stop her from using her brand to make millions of dollars.

What she craves more than anything, however, is acceptance from the First Ladies of other churches. Yet a misstep when she was first married has made her a pariah. But when she finally gets an invitation to compete in the First Lady USA pageant, she believes that winning will be her ticket to acceptance.

However, she doesn’t anticipate being in the middle of a huge scandal, which calls her reputation into question. It also highlights the hypocrisy of many so-called devout people, as well as the double standard that exists between men and women where infidelity is concerned. She needs to find her own path and be her authentic self—no matter what.

Schar isn’t always the most sympathetic character, and when miscommunication occurs a few times, I wanted to shake her a bit. But she is a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, and definitely doesn’t suffer fools! I really enjoyed this.

The book publishes 9/29.

Book Review: "Little Miss Petty" by Sally Kilpatrick

“…if there’s one life lesson that has been drilled into me, it’s that you’re never too young—or too old—to be petty.” (Truer words have never been spoken.)

Stella runs a private investigator business with her partner, Ken. One night she’s able to serve a very elusive man with divorce papers, and she’s ready to celebrate. She’s got champagne, lingerie—and there’s a woman in her bed. And on Stella’s side. Apparently Ken has found himself a younger girlfriend.

Breaking up with Ken means losing her home and her job, among other things. She starts to think that being 39 is just the top of a downhill slope, and there’s no hope for romance or happiness. But she’s also angry enough to warn a young woman about her date when she eavesdrops on his phone conversation.

From this encounter, Little Miss Petty is born. Stella will help women achieve karmic revenge on those who did them wrong. It’s fun to make men pay for their stupidity, cruelty, and/or infidelity. With her two new friends, Havisham and Salcedo, Stella sets up her business and immediately gets results.

When she’s hired to get revenge on a woman’s cheating husband, it seems like an easy job. The guy lives in her new apartment building. But when all of her acts of revenge don’t make him angry, she realizes that he’s not only handsome, but funny, smart, and interested in her. He offers pizza with benefits. It would be bad to take him up on this, right?

This was a lot of fun, but the book isn’t just petty revenge plots. There’s some timely social commentary about the double standards that exist between women and men, as well as some discussion about getting older, finding love on your own terms, and keeping your heart safe. I’d love another book with Stella and her crew!

Book Review: "The Last Sunday in May" by Kate Clark Stone

Mackenzie “Mack” Williams has always had the need for speed. In fact, her father always said she was born with her foot on the accelerator. And he should know, as he was a star in dirt track racing.

Her competitive streak compelled her to push herself as hard as she could in every race she entered. She took the motorsports world by storm, and each race she won took her closer to her ultimate goal: the Indianapolis 500.

But when she wasn’t racing, she was drinking, partying, and sleeping around, so when she became pregnant, she knew it was time for her to hang her helmet up. Now, 10 years later, she lives in rural Indiana with her daughter and her father, who requires constant care even years after an accident. She manages the family’s small dirt racetrack and fills in for drivers every now and again. And she tries not to think about what could have been.

One night, she gets a visit from her idol, Janet Joyner, who blazed a trail for women in racing. Regardless of what Mack says, Janet believes she still has the spark that could make her a winner. She offers Mack the chance to qualify for the Indy 500. It’s not going to be easy, and she’ll have to leave her father and daughter behind, but how can she pass up this chance?

Mack moves to Indianapolis and moves in with her older sister, who hasn’t been home in years. She’s determined to give everything she has to qualifying, even though it’s much harder than it was 10 years ago. Along the way, she has to deal with the stress of being away from her family, and all of the domestic dramas that come with motherhood and dealing with her daughter’s father. But she can’t let herself get distracted by anyone or anything this time.

I think I’ve only read one book about racing, and it was a rom-com, so I found this book to be a pleasant surprise. Even though I had a feeling what would happen, I was invested in the story from start to finish. This was one of Amazon’s First Reads for April.

Book Review: "Saving Face" by Mansi Shah

The CEO of a global skincare company, Ami Shah is a role model. Raised in Singapore, she had to break down a lot of barriers to get to where she is, and convince many that despite her gender and the color of her skin, she’s a businesswoman to be reckoned with. Her company, Amala, is about to merge with a Fortune 500 company.

Her nomination for the Global Changemakers Award is unprecedented. This prestigious award has only gone to white men; she is the first woman of color to be nominated. If she wins the award, it will increase the value of Amala and cement her legacy.

While she should be beside herself about this honor, Ami would prefer to withdraw her nomination. All of the publicity makes her nervous—not because she’s shy, but because she’s not who she says she is. Ami (whose real name is Monica) was an orphan raised in a convent in Singapore. But since orphans in her country never had a chance to amount to much, she decided to steal a former classmate’s identity and move to London, which is where her new story began.

But as the merger details are finalized and the award ceremony draws closer, Ami starts getting threatening text messages promising to expose her lies if she didn’t confess. She knows if the truth comes out, everything she built will fall apart. To figure out who is blackmailing her, she must go back to where she vowed she’d never return: Singapore.

“She wanted to prove that just because a girl had been abandoned, it didn’t mean she had to carry that weight with her forever. She could find purpose, and through that, she could find herself.”

This was such a thought-provoking, emotional book. Mansi Shah created a story that seemed so plausible, and even though it’s a bit of a slow burn, it was tremendously compelling.

Book Review: "Tart: Misadventures of an Anonymous Chef" by Slutty Cheff

I’ve been wanting to read this for a few weeks, but I’m not ashamed to admit that I was today years old when I realized this is a memoir and not a novel! (That realization didn’t affect me; I clearly didn’t pay close attention to the blurbs I read!)

“There are two things in my life that are a constant reminder that pleasure exists: food and sex. And I am learning about the different forms they may come in.”

Anonymous chef and columnist Slutty Cheff quit her marketing job after a workplace relationship went sour. She decided the thing she enjoyed most was cooking, so she went to culinary school and eventually did a trial run at a London restaurant. The energy, the camaraderie, even the stress captivated her, and the trial run turned into a job.

She is quickly enamored of her job and craves more responsibility. While it’s hard to be the only woman working in the kitchen, she more than holds her own. But the 60+-hour workweek, coupled with late nights fueled by alcohol and drugs with her colleagues, exhausts her both physically and emotionally.

The book follows her love/hate relationship with being a chef and the whole restaurant culture. She gets overwhelmed by the pressure and the lifestyle, but misses cooking when she’s not doing it. At the same time, she gets involved with several men over time, and realizes that sex gives her the same high.

You know how much I like books about chefs, cooking, restaurants, etc., so this was definitely right up my alley. This is one of those books you shouldn’t read on an empty stomach, and at times, it’s quite steamy, so be prepared. It’ll make you think twice about staying until a restaurant is nearly empty, too!

Book Review: "Smile and Look Pretty" by Amanda Pellegrino

Honestly, I’m almost embarrassed how long I’ve had this book hanging around my stack. I’m so easily distracted by shiny new things (and books), lol. But I was in the mood for a little workplace drama (since I don’t have any in my new job), so I finally picked this up.

Cate, Olivia, Lauren, and Max are best friends with big dreams. But in order to achieve them, they’re all working as assistants to some movers and shakers in the entertainment world. Their bosses are all awful—a cross between Miranda Priestley and the bosses from the Horrible Bosses movies. All four women are constantly stressed, working way too much and not getting paid well for all the work they do.

They get together every Friday to commiserate. And the more they talk about their respective situations and share their frustrations about being overlooked and mistreated, the angrier they get. So they decide to air their grievances on an anonymous blog.

It doesn’t take long for the blog to catch fire. More and more women anonymously step forward to share that they’ve had the same—or worse—experiences. And as the blog continues going viral, they learn that someone is trying to figure out who is behind it. Is the validation of their treatment worth the risk to their futures? Can they actually take down their sleazy bosses?

I enjoyed this book a lot. The camaraderie between the women was great, and even if they seemed a little naïve at times, the characters were generally appealing. The tone of the book shifted to more female empowerment and courage, and that was great.

Thanks to Park Row Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. If you’re looking for a great backlist read, pick this up!

Book Review: "The Accomplice" by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and Aaron Philip Clark

I’ll admit that of all the celebrity authors out there, I never would’ve expected a crime novel from Curtis Johnson, aka rapper 50 Cent. And while I’m often dubious about celebrities writing books, when I saw a blurb from S.A. Cosby, how could I resist?

From a young age, Nia Adams was fascinated by law enforcement and crime scenes. Her dream was to become a Texas Ranger, and now, she’s the first Black female Ranger. It’s not always easy under that kind of scrutiny but she’s really good at what she does.

It’s 2004. Nia and others are called in to stop a bank robbery in progress. While the other law enforcement officers present try to keep Nia from intervening, she steps in just in time to prevent total disaster.

When she is sent to a remote Texas town to investigate another bank robbery, she can’t understand why a Ranger needs to be involved. There are things about this robbery that perplex her, and despite the fact that the local sheriff has no concerns, she decides to do some more digging. But she has no idea of the web she’s stepping into.

Desmond Bell is a veteran of the Vietnam war, still haunted by what he saw back then. He’s more than a bank robber; his preferred currency is secrets that his employer can use as leverage for blackmail. But when Desmond targets a powerful family, which includes a potential presidential candidate, he’s taken on enemies that will stop at nothing to protect their interests.

Nia finds herself caught in the middle of two powerful nemeses. Every step forward puts her life and career in danger, and puts others in the crossfire. Who will blink first?

While I’m always a bit dubious when a book by a celebrity is co-authored so you don’t know how much of a part they actually played, I enjoyed this. Although the pacing was uneven and the ending felt a bit rushed, I’d definitely read another of Jackson’s crime novels.

Book Review: "Effie Olsen's Summer Special" by Rochelle Bilow

I’ve been reading a lot of thrillers and heavier books lately, so I was craving something a bit lighter. Boy, did this book fit the bill!

Effie grew up on a tiny Maine island and couldn’t wait to get out of there. She went to culinary school and then spent 16 years traveling all over the U.S. and the world, working in various restaurants. She finally got a gig as a head chef in San Francisco, but it turned out to be far less successful (and less enjoyable) than she had hoped.

In desperate need of money, she returns home to Alder Isle for the summer. Brown Butter, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the island, is in need of a sous chef. Effie plans to work there only for the summer, to get enough money to head to her next location, and she vows not to get attached to being back home.

Within a few hours of returning home, she runs into her childhood best friend, Ernie, whom she’s not seen since the night they graduated from high school. Ernie’s kindness and sense of humor makes Effie feel at home again, and it doesn’t hurt that Ernie has gotten seriously hot as he’s grown older. It turns out he’s working at Brown Butter, too.

She finds herself falling for Ernie but keeps pushing him away since she knows she’ll only be in Maine for the summer. As things at the restaurant become tougher, and a scandal is on the verge of blowing up, Effie wonders whether she’s found the place—and the person—she wants to stay with, or if she needs to leave again.

I love second-chance romances, and if you combine that with a story set in New England and at a restaurant, you bet I’m sold. I loved the banter between Effie and Ernie as well as all of the supporting characters, and I loved the way Rochelle Bilow combined romance, steam, humor, emotion, and heavier issues. So good!!

Book Review: "Jaded" by Ela Lee

Jade, the daughter of a Korean mother and a Turkish father, is an attorney at a corporate law firm. She’s always felt tremendous pressure to succeed, to be the best, which as a woman and a minority, isn’t as easy as it should be.

“That Jade isn’t even my real name. That Jade began as my Starbucks name, because all children of immigrants have a Starbucks name.”

One night at a fancy work event, she drinks too much, and the senior partner of the law firm acts a bit inappropriately toward her. Another colleague sees Jade in the awkward situation and offers to make sure she gets home safely.

The next morning, Jade wakes up naked in her bed with a horrible hangover. She has no clue how she got home but hopes she didn’t embarrass herself in front of her supervisors or colleagues. But little by little, she starts having flashes of memories, she notices bruises all over her body, and she’s experiencing pain and bleeding. Are her memories accurate?

Jade throws herself into her work, as she looks to the client on whose case she is working on as a bit of a mentor. Emotionally, however, she is a complete wreck. Telling her longtime boyfriend what happened causes friction between them. She doesn’t feel she can confide in her parents or anyone at work. She feels powerless, and doesn’t know how she’ll ever move forward.

This is a very powerful and thought-provoking book, but it may be triggering for those who have experienced similar situations. Jade is a very vividly drawn character, and the book is full of insightful commentary on power, race, identity, and sexism in the workplace.

Book Review: "American Mermaid" by Julia Langbein

Julia Langbein’s debut novel is unique and thought-provoking.

Penelope was a high school English teacher, barely making ends meet, and still having to rely on her parents far more than she’d like. But then inspiration strikes and she becomes the author of a feminist novel about a mermaid.

The book becomes a surprise hit, and Penelope is offered the opportunity to help write the screenplay for the film adaptation. She moves to California and quickly realizes the world of film isn’t quite what she thought it would be. Paired with two male screenwriters, they try to change the main character from a fiercely feminist eco-warrior to a sexy teenage nymphet wearing a clamshell bra. How much latitude does she have to fight back before the movie doesn’t resemble her book at all?

But the more things change in the script, the more weird things start happening. Strange additions and changes appear in the script and no one can figure out who is responsible. People are lured into dangerous situations. Is there a possibility that Penelope’s character has come to life to avenge the changes being made?

This is a quirky and really creative story within a story. We see both Penelope’s struggles in Los Angeles and get to see her book’s plot unfold. The problem for me, however, is that nothing felt fully done; in jamming the book full of two plots, neither seemed complete.

Some reviews have said that this book is really funny, but I didn’t see that. There’s a lot of the same jokes about men being sex-crazed chauvinists and after a while that gets tiring. (I don't disagree about some men, but still.)

This wasn’t a book I enjoyed, but it definitely was an interesting story. And now I’ve read two mermaid/merman books (with The Pisces). Who knew it was a genre?

Book Review: "Best Served Hot" by Amanda Elliot

In Amanda Elliot's follow-up to Sadie on a Plate, the heat gets turned up when two restaurant critics team up.⁣

⁣ Julie loves being a restaurant reviewer on social media. She works as an executive assistant in order to support her side gig as @JulieZeeEatsNYC, and her more than 50,000 followers love her food photos and videos.

⁣ ⁣ What Julie wants more than anything is an actual job as a restaurant reviewer for a newspaper, and her dream job is to work at the New York Scroll. But when the Scroll doesn’t even contact her after receiving her application, and they hire Bennett Wright (whose mom is friends with the paper’s CEO) instead, she’s angry and hurt.⁣

⁣ While at a food festival in Central Park, Julie runs into Bennett, and their encounter devolves into Julie confronting him for his snobby attitude toward social media and those who use it for restaurant/food reviews. Her video footage of their confrontation sees her follower count jump dramatically—and it brings more traffic to Scroll's social media, too.⁣

⁣ Seeing benefit for both of them, Bennett proposes that they collaborate. They’ll both visit the same restaurants at the same time and contrast their approaches and opinions. And after some initial hijinks, they start to enjoy each other’s company, and they learn from each other.⁣ Of course, the more they collaborate, the more the chemistry intensifies. Is this a reservation for love or disaster?⁣

⁣ I love books about food and restaurants, so this was right up my alley. I loved Sadie on a Plate (and Sadie makes a cameo in this book), and this is fun, steamy, and romantic. I enjoyed the discussion about social media and the battle of print vs. internet, too.

⁣ Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy! The book publishes 2/21/2023!⁣

Book Review: "All This Could Be Different" by Sarah Thankam Mathews

This book was a finalist for the National Book Award and several friends raved about it. The best description I’ve seen from people is that it is a quintessentially millennial novel, one that captures the angst of dealing with work, love, friendship, money, and family. Being a bit (ahem) older than a millennial, this book didn’t quite hit me the same way but it’s definitely well-written and powerful.

Sneha moves to Milwaukee for a consulting job shortly after college, at the cusp of the 2008 recession. The job is soul-crushing, but she actually likes some of it. But the job provides her with a free apartment (despite a challenging property manager), a group of colleagues she can at least drink with, and enough money to spend as she wants and still send money home to her parents in India.

All is definitely not perfect, though; she struggles with real connection. Although she is able to get a job for one of her college best friends, and while she finds a close friend, Tig, the dating apps aren’t helping her find a girl to really connect with. Then she meets Marina, a dancer and choreographer with her own set of problems.

Sneha’s life and those of her friends seem built on the flimsiest of foundations. Jobs are in danger, evictions are threatened, addictions are struggled with, and Sneha must come to terms with secrets she has tucked away.

These characters are flawed and complex, and Mathews isn’t afraid to show you their unflattering sides. That doesn’t always make for easy reading; at times characters are racist, transphobic, and fatphobic, but those attitudes are more typical of the time in which the book was set.

If anything, this book may make you happy you survived the stressful days of youth and made it to wherever you are now!!

Book Review: "Assembly" by Natasha Brown

Assembly may be short, but it's also powerful, thought-provoking, and relevant.

When you go to a bookstore, are you a focused shopper, picking up what you came for and nothing else, or are you a wanderer, looking at displays and shelves to see what catches your eye? While I’m a combination of the two, I definitely lean toward the latter, which is how I encountered my most recent read.

In this book, the unnamed narrator is a Black British woman who has risen to a position in the financial world (although her success is attributed to quotas in the eyes of some). She is smart, wealthy, and wants to question the world around her but knows it’s best not to make waves.

She’s been invited for a weekend at the country estate of her boyfriend’s family. She doesn’t have expectations for this relationship, as she thinks she’s just a diversion; at some point he’ll marry the white woman his family expects. As she takes the train up to the estate, she ponders her own mortality, as well as racism, sexism, and her place in the world.

I tend to be a person who likes a traditional narrative, and this book is anything but. At times I found it a little hard to follow but there’s no doubt that this story packs a punch. It reminds me a bit of Ali Smith in terms of the power that can come from few words. Quite a debut!

Book Review: "Big Red" by Jerome Charyn

Jerome Charyn's Big Red is a compelling, fascinating novel about Old Hollywood.

I was so excited to be part of the virtual tour for this book, and I’m grateful to Over The River PR, Jerome Charyn, and Liveright Publishing for the signed first edition!

“I was an actress who couldn’t act, a dancer who couldn’t dance, a singer who couldn’t sing. So I went straight to Hollywood after my sophomore year of college.”

With those words we are introduced to Rusty Redburn, the book’s feisty narrator. It’s 1943. She is in love with the movies and the movie business, and works at Columbia Pictures.

The legendary Rita Hayworth is Columbia’s biggest movie star to date. But studio mogul Harry Cohn is worried about Hayworth, because she’s with troubled filmmaker Orson Welles. So Cohn does what any other studio head would do—he hires Rusty to spy on Hayworth. She becomes her private secretary and confidante, but things don’t quite unfold the way Cohn hopes.

I found this book so fascinating. It’s a look behind the curtain at the rise and fall of a Hollywood legend, but at the same time it’s commentary on how actresses were treated by the studio system. It’s also an interesting look at what life was like for a lesbian in the 1940s.

Whether or not you’re a fan of classic movies and Old Hollywood stories, this is a great read.

Book Review: "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus

In Bonnie Garmus' debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, a female chemist confronts the realities of 1960s society.

⁣ ⁣ Elizabeth Zott is a chemist with a bright future. But not as a chemist, because as a woman in the 1960s, her intelligence and ambition aren’t appreciated or encouraged. She confronts indignity after indignity, and although she gets a position at the Hastings Research Institute, her contributions are not welcomed, even though she’s the only one who actually knows anything.⁣

⁣ At Hastings she encounters Calvin Evans, a brilliant, famous scientist known for holding grudges and his obsession with rowing. After an awkward (and messy) encounter at the opera, the two fall for each other. And although Calvin loves Elizabeth as much for her mind as everything else, their relationship only serves to further denigrate her in the minds of her colleagues.⁣

⁣ Somehow, a few years later, Elizabeth is now the host of a television cooking show, “Supper at Six.” (Cooking is chemistry, after all.) But despite the network’s wishes, she’s not quite the happy housewife on television—she’s telling women about covalent bonds and adding sodium chloride (salt) to their food. At the same time, she’s teaching women that they’re not JUST housewives, but they’re capable of so much more. And while that makes her popular, it also makes her a target.⁣

⁣ This was just absolutely fantastic. Elizabeth is a remarkable character—funny, stubborn, brash, and yet remarkably sensitive. This is a beautiful story about love and family and standing up for what is right, but it’s also about the unfairness of society towards anyone who doesn’t fit a specific mold, particularly in the 1960s. And Six-Thirty was the absolute best! (IYKYK)⁣

⁣ I won’t forget this book anytime soon.⁣

Book Review: "Icebreaker" by A.L. Graziadei

They’re fighting to be the best on the ice—but what happens when rivalry melts into romance? This is the question at the core of A.L. Graziadei's Icebreaker.

Mickey James III was born to be a hockey star. Literally. His father and grandfather (Mickey James and Mickey James Jr.) were legendary players, and it’s been said that he has five sisters because his parents were desperate for a boy to carry on the familial legacy. His future is planned—he’ll play hockey in college for one year, then get drafted by the NHL as the #1 pick and head wherever his team is.

It’s as simple as that. The only thing he doesn’t count on is that his main rival for the top draft spot, Jaysen Caulfield, is attending the same college. He’s got a real chip on his shoulder about all the attention Mickey gets, and the foregone conclusion he’ll be #1. Jaysen is determined to make Mickey beat him or he'll prove he's better.

The last thing either is counting on is their rivalry turning into something else, something far more serious and with longer-term potential. But can they be together if both want to be #1? And is that dream what both want?

Icebreaker was a fantastic book. In addition to the hockey talk and the rivalry and the romance, a lot of attention is paid to mental health issues, as well as the way female athletes' accomplishments get short shrift when compared with their male counterparts. It’s also a powerful look at dreams vs. legacy, what you want vs. what you’re trained or raised to want.

I loved the open way different sexual orientations were treated in the book, even among college athletes. Even in a world where openly gay athletes are still a relative rarity, this wasn't presented as a real issue in the book, and it was great to be free of that drama. I loved Mickey and Jaysen and their relationship, and while the discussion of mental health was tough for me coming at a time when mine is in shreds, it brought so much more depth and emotion to this book.

I loved everything about Icebreaker.

Book Review: "Blush" by Jamie Brenner

Wine, cheese, and trashy romance novels from the 80s? Yes, please!⁣ I'm all in for Jamie Brenner's Blush.

⁣ The Hollander Estates winery was once the pride of Long Island’s North Fork, but it’s not the jewel it once was, and the family’s finances are in a bit of trouble. Vivian Hollander is determined that the winery can survive, but her husband isn’t much interested in her opinions where the business is concerned.⁣

⁣ Leah, Vivian’s daughter, always dreamed of running the winery, but after her father made it clear women had no place in the wine business, she made her own way, eventually running her own successful wine and cheese shop in NYC. But now she’s not sure what she wants—in business or her marriage—so she heads home for a visit.⁣

⁣ Her daughter Sadie, in the midst of an academic crisis, heads to her grandparents’ for a visit, too. While trying to write her thesis, she uncovers journals from the book club Vivian used to run at the winery in the 1980s. Those women used to read “trashy” romance novels by authors like Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz.⁣

⁣ Vivian, Leah, and Sadie decide to restart the book club and read some of these books again. They discover that the heroines of these “trashy” books are stronger than they appeared to be, which provides each woman the inspiration they need. At the same time, decisions are made, old secrets are revealed, and truths are uncovered.⁣

⁣ Jamie Brenner is such a great writer and her books always mesh emotion and gorgeous scenery. Blush was a fun concept—I read many Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz books back in the day!⁣

Book Review: "Songs in Ursa Major" by Emma Brodie

If you’re a fan of books about the music industry, here’s one for you: Emma Brodie's debut, Songs in Ursa Major.

In 1969, all eyes were on the Bayleen Island Folk Fest as Jesse Reid was getting ready to perform. His star was already on the rise but the festival performance was expected to launch him into the stratosphere. But when a motorcycle accident renders him unable to perform, local girl Jane Quinn and her band, The Breakers, get their break on the main stage.

While at first the crowd is angry that Jesse isn’t performing, Jane captures the crowd within the first few notes. She gives a star-making performance that quickly catches the eye of the music industry.

Jesse stays on Bayleen Island to recover from his injuries, and he and Jane become friends. As she and her band work on their first album and she encounters the sexism and capriciousness of the music industry, Jesse and Jane inspire each other musically and deeply connect on a personal and romantic level.

When Jane and The Breakers get the opportunity to open for Jesse on tour, the music they play is electric, and Jane’s star rises, both because of her talent and her proximity to Jesse. But both have dark secrets they are keeping from one another, and when it all becomes too much for Jane, she walks away, only to be inspired to create some iconic music.

I loved this book. I wondered if it would be similar to Daisy Jones and the Six, and while there are some parallels, this is a story all its own. Books about the music business and musicians hook me completely, and I tried so hard to imagine what the music must’ve sounded like.

Just excellent and atmospheric.

Book Review: "Revenge of the Sluts" by Natalie Walton

Natalie Walton's Revenge of the Sluts (awesome title) is a totally compelling, thought-provoking high school drama and a commentary on how young women are treated for being sexually active and confident.

“It all started with a pair of boobs. More specifically, a photo of Sloane Mayer’s.”

One morning an anonymous email is sent to all students at St. Joseph’s High School. The email includes nude photos of seven female students. These are photos they took at one point and sent to someone, but they never intended them for public consumption.

The school is in an uproar. While many feel these girls have had their privacy violated and don’t understand who would do this and why, others believe that it’s the girls' own fault for taking such photos, for being sexually active. Among the worst culprits of this philosophy are many male students, who think it’s great they get these pictures from girls but don’t have any problem sharing them or other lurid details with their peers.

Eden Jeong is the executive editor of the school newspaper, and she is assigned coverage of “Nudegate.” She’s amazed at the different attitudes of people toward this scandal—even the girls themselves—and wants to get to the bottom of it. But it appears even the school doesn’t want to figure out the truth—they want it all to go away and they don’t want the paper to cover it. Eden also has to resolve her own feelings about this issue and her own fears, too.

What ensues with Revenge of the Sluts is a terrific story—a little bit of mystery and a little bit of commentary on double standards. I really thought this was great—high school drama always appeals to me—and it’s sad how skewed people’s thinking still is in this day and age.

I enjoyed being on the blog tour for Revenge of the Sluts. Storygram Tours and Wattpad Books provided me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

Book Review: "The Ex Talk" by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Everything is true if you heard it on public radio, right? See what Rachel Lynn Solomon's The Ex Talk has to say about that!

Shay Goldstein has been working at a public radio station in Seattle for 10 years now, and she’s the youngest senior producer the station has had. She loves her job, and while she wishes she could one day make it on the air, she knows she doesn’t quite have a radio voice, so she’s content at doing what she does.

Dominic Yun is the station’s new wunderkind. Straight out of graduate school, he somehow has charmed his way on air already and he thinks he knows more about journalism and radio than everyone, especially Shay. Of course, she’s jealous of his success, and if he wasn’t so damned handsome (and tall), she’d hate him even more. (Or maybe she hates him more because of those things.)

During a brainstorming session, Shay suggests a great new show idea: a program hosted by two exes, discussing relationship advice, etc. Shay’s boss thinks “The Ex Talk” is just what the station needs, and he proposes that Shay and Dominic host the show, given their issues with each other. It doesn’t matter that they haven’t dated—they’re storytellers, right?

Faced with lying to listeners or unemployment, the two decide to host the show. Of course, it’s a big hit: people love the on-air chemistry and banter the two share, and some even hope they’ll “get back together.” And as their relationship becomes more complicated and intense, the show gets even better.

The problem is, they’ve lied to nearly everyone—their colleagues, their families, and, of course, their listeners. The deeper they fall for one another, the bigger of an issue their deception becomes.

The Ex Talk is such a playful, romantic, and sexy story. I loved Solomon’s last book, a YA novel called Today Tonight Tomorrow so much, and this was terrific, too. Sure, you know much of what will happen, but I couldn’t get enough of this deliciously fun rom-com.