Book Review: "Twelfth Knight" by Alexene Farol Follmuth

Here’s an existential question: is it a retelling if you’ve never read the original? I know the answer is yes, but the question came to mind when I was reading this enjoyable YA romance. It’s a retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which I never read, so I just enjoyed the story for what it is.

High school makes Viola cranky. She’s not afraid to express her opinions, which gives her a reputation of being prickly and doesn’t gain her many fans. She also is student government VP under Jack, the charismatic quarterback who would rather charm people than do his job, which leaves Vi to be the bad guy. And it seems as if her best friend would rather apologize for her behavior than support her.

“No matter how smart I am or how hard I work, my acceptance is always conditional. And it’s not just me—I don’t know how any girl can exist in the world without being perpetually furious.”

The only place she really feels comfortable is in the world of Twelfth Knight, the MMORPG she loves. But even here she capitulates a bit—she plays as Cesario, a male knight, because she knows that her fellow players would condescend to a girl playing.

And when Jack’s football career gets sidelined by injury, a friend introduces him to Twelfth Knight. While at first he can’t believe he’s playing an online game, he gets hooked pretty quickly. Vi recognizes his character but doesn’t reveal her online identity to Jack. Little by little, they strike up a friendship in the game, and their conversations expand beyond vanquishing their enemies to life and love.

Follmuth is the pen name of sci-fi/fantasy writer Olivie Blake. She has created a really enjoyable story with characters who seem much more realistic than in many YA stories. If you’re familiar with Twelfth Night, you might enjoy this even more!

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: "Sleeping Giants" by Rene Denfeld

Whenever I read a book by Rene Denfeld, I know that it will be both emotional and thought-provoking. Denfeld’s books often look at the most vulnerable or marginalized in society, and I’ve been a huge fan since her incredible debut, The Enchanted.

Amanda was adopted as a baby, but she had no idea that she had an older brother Dennis, who died years ago. In need of connection to her past, she travels to the remote Oregon town where he drowned when he was nine.

Seeing the memorial the community put up after he was lost to the ocean prompts Amanda to find out what happened to him. She meets Larry, a retired, widowed police officer, who wants to help Amanda find answers.

They find out that Dennis was living in a home for disturbed boys from the time he was four. While the home had at one point been well-regarded, the boys were subjected to a controversial and dangerous form of treatment, and several boys disappeared. The home is now in ruins, and those still around to remember things are fairly reluctant to share any details. And someone will stop at nothing to make sure secrets stay secret.

“They say inchoate memory, formed before language, is the worst of all, because it flies like bats in your bones: you cannot heal from what you cannot voice.”

The book shifts between past and present, following Dennis’ time in the home and Amanda and Larry’s search for information. This book made me cry—definitely check trigger warnings because it packs a powerful punch. But out of the sadness comes hope.

Book Review: "Himbo Takes It All" by CD Rachels

Having an unrequited crush on a friend is difficult to deal with. It’s even worse when you’re gay and you have a crush on your straight best friend. That’s the situation with Andres. He’s been best friends with Hamadi since college, they live together, and they’re very affectionate with each other, but Hamadi still dates women. Lots of them.

“Hamadi, even on his worst days, is so damn lovable. He’s a hulking mass of brown skin, chiseled abs, three brain cells, and a heart of gold.”

Andres has put dating on hold because he keeps hoping Hamadi’s feelings might change. But his friends convince him to try speed dating, and even Hamadi supports it—but he tags along to make sure no one takes advantage of Andres, which causes quite a bit of chaos. In the end, though, Andres meets Hector, and they hit it off.

Suddenly, with Andres in a relationship, Hamadi feels left out. He loves Andres, but not like that. Right? But the more alone he feels, the more he starts to realize his feelings are more than just friendship. He wants to be with Andres.

When Andres gets an opportunity to intern for a famous chef, Hamadi worries that he’s too much of a himbo to be a good partner. And as they continue “experimenting,” neither wants to admit their true feelings. Will that cause them to lose out on everything?

This is the second book in CD Rachels’ Single Gamers’ Society series. I found this to be sweet, super steamy, and fun, and I just really enjoy these characters and their camaraderie.

Book Review: "The Champions" by Kara Thomas

Hadley is new to Sunnybrook, as her mother took a job as the superintendent of schools there. She is biding her time, hoping her senior year will result in her being named editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and getting accepted to Columbia so she can study journalism.

She’s not particularly thrilled that her first assignment is to write an article about the Tigers, Sunnybrook’s football team. They’ve won two consecutive state championships and are hoping to make history by winning a third. Everything in school—and in the town—revolves around the Tigers.

She receives an anonymous email warning her to stay away from the football team, and another telling her not to go to a party being thrown by one of the star players. But Hadley goes to the party, and one of the players that she interviewed collapses and falls into a coma. The players wouldn't let Hadley call an ambulance, and everyone was acting strangely. It turns out he was poisoned.

Eleven years ago, five of Sunnybrook’s cheerleaders were murdered. When another football player winds up dead after causing trouble at a game, Hadley is determined to figure out what’s behind the tragedies. Her investigative methods make her an outcast, but she’s able to track down some people who remember what happened 11 years ago.

What secrets are being hidden? Who is responsible for what is happening? Could Hadley be a target? And most importantly, can the truth be uncovered before someone else dies?

This was a great story, full of drama and twists and turns. It’s a follow-up to Kara Thomas’ book The Cheerleaders, but this can be read as a standalone. Reading this made me glad I didn’t go to high school when social media existed!

Book Review: "T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories from Being Fat in a World of Thin People" by Ian Karmel and Alisa Karmel

“To be fat in America is to be subject to a ceaseless and powerful campaign to make you feel ashamed of yourself. It happens directly, it happens indirectly, on purpose and by happenstance, but no matter how it happens, it’s cruel and constant and consistent.”

Ian Karmel is a comedian and comedy writer who was the co-head writer for The Late Late Show with James Corden. He’s also struggled with his weight for the majority of his life—he’s weighed as much as 420 pounds and now is comfortable with where he is. (Mostly.)

In this deeply personal, funny, and thought-provoking memoir, Karmel recounts his experiences growing up fat, from his early childhood to the days where he was at his heaviest, as well as his reflections on his journey to a place where he feels more in control of his weight. He touches on everything from dealing with the ridicule of his classmates (not to mention teachers and other adults), the myriad diets he tried, his success as a football player in high school, and what it was like trying to find someone to date.

“Now that I’m an adult, I can see all the terrible places I went, physically and mentally, because I was a fat kid.”

The last section of the book, “What Now?”, is written by Karmel’s sister Alisa, a psychologist who provides counseling for weight-centric concerns. She also struggled with being fat, so her section deals with more of the facts than the feelings.

As someone who has dealt with weight issues for most of my life, this book definitely hit close to home for me. The emotions, the shame, the diet attempts, the reaction of others—my experiences were similar but different. I found this very meaningful and cathartic in a way.

Book Review: "Seven Summers" by Paige Toon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review: "Fatal Intrusion" by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado

There was a time in the 1990s when I read thrillers and crime novels almost exclusively. Among the authors I read was Jeffery Deaver; I really enjoyed his Lincoln Rhyme series, but as the years passed, my interest shifted away from thrillers.

Fatal Intrusion is the start of a new series by Deaver and Isabella Maldonado. It follows Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez and quirky security expert and hacker Jake Heron, who tangled several years ago when she arrested him.

One day Carmen’s sister Selina is assaulted outside a coffee shop. The attack was planned; the suspect had approached her earlier in the day. Luckily, an innocent bystander broke up the attack and the suspect got away, but Selina was able to grab his cellphone.

Carmen turns to Jake to hack into the attacker’s phone to try and get information on him, since no DNA or fingerprints were identified. The only characteristic is a vivid tattoo of a black widow spider.

Carmen and Jake team up to find the Spider before he strikes again, but he always seems to get the jump on them. And the closer they get to capturing him, the more confusing the situation gets, so it’s difficult to determine who the real target is and why.

This was a compelling read, but I felt the pacing was really uneven. I learned more about spiders than I needed to, and there’s a lot of tech speak in the story as well. The concept behind the book, that those who are disillusioned can easily turn to crime via the web, is pretty creepy.

This was an Amazon First Reads selection. The book will publish 9/1.

Book Review: "Cubs & Campfires" by Dylan Drakes

There’s something about feeling seen when you read a book. I read a lot of M/M romance and for the most part, the main characters are usually gym-toned and muscular. But that’s not me. Which is why Dylan Drakes’ new book resonated so much for me, apart from being romantic and steamy as hell.

Luca has always wanted to be a journalist. But in 2005, news outlets have become more conservative, and they’re not comfortable publishing the sex-positive, queer-friendly type of work Luca has been best at. So he makes a deal with a newspaper: he’ll write a column about staying celibate for the entire summer. The catch is, he has to live what he’s writing, or he’ll get fired.

Since he’s taken a summer job as a fire lookout in a remote part of a forest in Washington State, he feels fairly confident he can avoid temptation and get his article written. But within a day or two, he’s caught in an awkward situation by Artair, a handsome, bearish musician who is camping in the woods nearby.

The attraction between Luca and Artair is immediate and intense. Luca is determined to resist the temptation that Artair presents—a difficult challenge, considering that every time they encounter one another, one of them is barely dressed.

While remaining celibate is tough enough with Artair around, Luca is enjoying his company and flirtation so much. Does he give into temptation and lose the newspaper gig, or embrace the possibilities that Artair presents? And given Artair’s wandering ways, will this just be a summer fling?

I absolutely loved this. It’s a sexy, emotional, body-positive romance with two amazingly appealing characters and an adorable fox. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Thanks so much to Dylan Drakes for the advance copy!

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: "Heavy Hitter" by Katie Cotugno

It’s a measure of pop culture that Heavy Hitter is the second book I’ve read that is (very) loosely based on Taylor Swift. (The first was The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka.) This book parallels Taylor’s relationship with Travis Kelce. I definitely enjoyed this one a bit more.

Lacey Logan is an international megastar of the music world. Every move she makes is followed by paparazzi and her fans, who overanalyze everything she does. She was dating a comedian for two years, only to discover he was a cocaine addict and had a secret girlfriend who was pregnant. So now, when she isn’t performing, she’s pretty lonely.

One night while at a club with a friend, she meets Jimmy Hodges, a baseball player in his last season before retirement. He’s a mountain of a man, totally unlike anyone Lacey has been interested in before, and a few years older than her. But they click right away, and their banter lights a fire in both of them.

After a brief encounter leaves them both breathless, neither expects anything to happen again. But their nightly phone conversations blossom into something more, and they’re both interested in and afraid of seeing what would happen if they got together again.

Even though Jimmy has dealt with the press throughout his career, he’s totally unprepared for what comes with even being near Lacey. And as they try to navigate their lives separately and together, questions arise about each other’s intentions and if they ultimately want to move forward anyway.

I’ve become a real fan of Katie Cotugno’s, having read all three of her adult novels. I thought this was fun and steamy, and it even had some raw emotion, so while at times I wanted to scream at Lacey and Jimmy, I was rooting for them all the same.

Book Review: "The Last Party" by A.R. Torre

Wow. Just wow. I had been waiting for this book because everyone that had gotten ARCs of it was raving about it. All I can say is, again, wow.

“Breadcrumbs. Lay enough of them down on the ground, and even the stupidest of animals will find their way.”

Perla, her husband Grant, and their 11-year-old daughter Sophie live a comfortable life in Pasadena. Grant works too hard, but he loves his wife and daughter. While at times he’s not sure that he fully understands Perla, they’ve both overcome difficulties in their lives and have a strong relationship.

But while she plays her roles at home and in the community quite well, Perla has become obsessed with a convicted murderer and a crime he committed 23 years ago. Leewood Folcrum murdered two young girls at his daughter’s birthday party, but has never explained why.

The case has recently been the subject of a true crime podcast, and Perla isn’t the only person interested in it. A doctoral student and researcher is writing a paper on the crime, and hopes to get insights from Folcrum himself.

There’s so much more to this book that you need to read for yourself. I couldn’t get enough of it, and while this was my first book by A.R. Torre, I’m hooked and need to dig into her backlist!

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: "Find Me in California" by Kerry Lonsdale

“Time doesn’t heal relationships, but conversation does.”

Matt is a photographer in Santa Fe. He lives a lonely life, with his business partner, Dave, as his only friend. But when he arrives home one night to find boxes stacked outside his garage, he is confused and figures someone else's boxes were mistakenly delivered. And then he sees that they were sent on behalf of his grandmother, who raised him for eight years, and never gave him one ounce of affection.

Julia volunteers at the nursing home where her grandmother, Ruby Rose, has been a resident since her dementia diagnosis, in order to afford her staying there. It’s becoming harder and harder to deal with the imminent loss of the woman who raised her, and handle not being recognized, even being feared at times.

Matt’s grandmother is a resident at the same facility; in fact, Julia is the one who shipped the boxes to him. When he learns his grandmother has run out of money and needs him to find a new facility for her, he reluctantly agrees to drive to California. But he’s not sure he can face the woman who made him close his heart to love.

When Julia finds her grandmother’s diary, she is shocked to find out what her life was like back in the 1970s. But more than that, she discovers that there were connections between her grandmother and Matt’s, and that Matt’s grandmother might have come to the facility because of Ruby Rose.

This is an emotional read, with a lot of loss as well as Ruby Rose’s dementia. It’s also a hopeful book, about letting yourself love and be loved, and about the secrets we hide to protect ourselves, but they may hurt others. There is also a strange thread of magical realism which I didn’t enjoy and found very unsettling (strange, since I love magical realism), so I focused on the rest of the story.

Book Review: "Between Friends & Lovers" by Shirlene Obuobi

Dr. Josephine Boateng is better known to her hundreds of thousands of followers as “Dr. Jojo,” the woman who tells it like it is when it comes to matters of health, sex, and love. It doesn’t matter that Jo has never really had a relationship, because she’s been in love with her best friend Ezra since college.

Jo knows that Ezra is aware of how she feels. But the handsome rom-com actor is always quick to throw her over for the woman of the minute without thinking. The last straw, however, is when Ezra’s date for his 30th birthday party is none other than Ashley, who bullied Jo when they were younger, and he took Ashley's side when she and Jo interacted.

Malcolm is a photographer-turned-bestselling novelist, much to his surprise. His debut novel, a love story, is climbing the charts. He’s invited to Ezra’s birthday party because his famous mother is interested in optioning the book for film. But Mal doesn’t really enjoy schmoozing or crowds, so he hides in an empty bedroom in Ezra’s home.

Jo is shocked to find a man in her bedroom at Ezra’s house, especially one as handsome as Malcolm. From their conversation, she feels seen for the first time, and realizes that Mal could be her ticket out of pining for Ezra. Mal is all too interested, but he wants to woo Jo, and this has never happened to her.

Their relationship experiences highs and lows, especially when Jo comes into contact with Ezra, who realizes how much he misses her adulation. And with Jo’s own issues with love and trust, she isn’t sure where to turn, or what to do.

I don’t normally enjoy love triangles, but this one worked for me. While Mal was the only truly sympathetic character, the dynamics between him and Jo, and Jo and Ezra, were fascinating. This was a more emotional book than I expected, but it really was a good one.

Book Review: "The Last Doorbell" by William Parker

Thanks so much to Pride Book Tours for the advance copy of the book and inviting me on the tour!

This is an utterly charming and sweet story about an enduring friendship between two men over many years. Honestly, if you had told me that this was a book written by Alan Hollinghurst or Edmund White, I wouldn’t have been surprised, as this has a nostalgic feel to it.

Ben is a young actor in England who isn’t particularly ambitious or successful. When a guy he met at the gym suggests he work for an escort service, it’s the last thing Ben could imagine doing. But after a while, with money running low and no real prospects on the horizon, he decides to give it a try.

Ben’s experiences are interesting, as he’s generally sent to provide “massages” to wealthy older gentlemen. While he doesn’t necessarily get enjoyment for the actual act, his knack for conversation and his intelligence makes him a more sought-after companion. And for the first time, he has enough money to pamper himself a bit.

After a random encounter turns alarming, Ben decides he no longer wants to work for the escort service. But just a few weeks later, his ex-boss asks if he could take one more appointment. Although he agrees reluctantly, ringing that last doorbell changes his life.

This is one of those books that gives you the ending at the start, so you ultimately know where the story will lead, but it’s the journey that is beautiful to read about. The prose gets a bit verbose at times, but the main characters are so likable you get caught up in their story.

The book will publish 8/28.

Book Review: "Rip Tide" by Colleen McKeegan

Kimmy Devine leaves her prestigious finance job to move back to Rocky Cape, her hometown on the Jersey shore. When she graduated high school 15 years before, she swore she’d never move back, but she’s taking over the family business so her parents can retire. Her sister Erin moved home prior to the pandemic, following the end of her marriage.

Kimmy had forgotten what a small town Rocky Cape was. (Too small, actually.) And within a few days of her return, tragedy strikes: their former neighbor, Peter, was found dead in the water following the Devines’ party to celebrate their daughters. But Peter was more than just a neighbor when Kimmy and Erin were in high school.

It’s not long before Kimmy and Erin fall into their same behavior patterns from high school, and they’ve never quite escaped the gossip and secrets from that time. But in the aftermath of Peter’s death, all of the old resentments and hurts are revisited and brought into the light.

The book is told in two separate timelines: from 2005-2007, when the sisters were in high school, and 2022, when the tragedy occurs. It’s mostly narrated by Kimmy and Erin, as young women and adults.

Colleen McKeegan really captured the essence of the mid-2000s, with AOL Instant Messenger and MySpace, along with the fashion and music. But while this is billed as a mystery, it’s much more of a family drama than anything else.

The pacing of the book was really slow at times, but the epilogue is where all the big secrets are revealed, quite quickly. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it definitely had some elements I enjoyed.

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: "Miranda in Retrograde" by Lauren Layne

Over the past few years, Lauren Layne has become an auto-buy author for me. Her books are fun and funny, romantic and emotional, and I can’t seem to get enough of them.

Dr. Miranda Reed is an astronomer and a professor at Nova University in New York City. She’s a brilliant researcher and her classes are all well-loved. More than that, she’s become a bit of a celebrity, invited to provide scientific information on news programs, and she’s even guest hosted Jeopardy! a few times.

But Miranda is shocked when the university decides to deny her tenure. Has everything that she’s given her career to been a mistake? The administration encourages her to take a year-long sabbatical and then she can have a lesser position upon her return.

Miranda’s best friend tries to convince her to do something completely different, perhaps even life-changing. Why not study astrology and spend a year following the advice of her horoscope? It seems unfathomable for someone who once denounced astrology on television, but somehow she decided to give it a try. So she moves into her Aunt Lillian’s townhome for a year.

Her horoscope seems pretty spot-on a lot of the time. As she bonds with the grumpy artist who lives next door, she’s relieved that he’s not an astrological match, but the handsome father of a young girl she’s tutoring certainly is. But as her year progresses, has she just traded one set of rules for another? Is she capable of making her own decisions, based on her heart and not on science or the stars?

I really enjoyed this. I loved the banter between the characters, watching Miranda grow and change (or maybe not), and all the moments that made me smile. Did the stars make me read this?

Book Review: "The Brothers Kenney" by Adam Mitzner

Sean Kenney became interested in track because his older brother Michael ran it. But Sean became an even better and faster runner than Michael, winning a NJ state championship and setting his sights on the Olympics.

He never quite got over the failure to achieve his dreams, and that feeling proved detrimental to his relationship with his wife and daughters as well as his family. One night he had a huge fight with his brother and it was the catalyst to essentially cut himself off from everyone.

But two years later, he is summoned home with the sad news that his brother took his life. Amazingly, Sean had just gotten a call from Michael saying he was in some trouble and would need Sean’s help, so Sean can’t believe he’s dead.

While all signs point to suicide, Sean has the nagging feeling that it was murder instead. And when he learns that Michael may have been involved in some shady financial dealings, he’s even more convinced that Michael didn’t kill himself. But everyone around him tells him he’s losing his grip and he should just let it go.

He decides to stay in New Jersey, to try and rebuild his relationships with his daughters and his family. But he can’t shake his suspicions about Michael’s death. And while the reappearance of an old flame makes him believe in second chances, it also gives him the push to truly find out what happened.

I loved this book. It was a combination of family drama and mystery, and I really was drawn into this story of regrets, second chances, and forgiveness. I’ve not read anything by Adam Mitzner before but I definitely will read more now!

Book Review: "No Road Home" by John Fram

At times this book was off-the-rails crazy, and at other times it was tremendously moving. Having now read both of his books (including his debut, The Bright Lands), I can honestly say that John Fram is one of a kind.

After a whirlwind relationship, Toby marries Alyssa Wright, the granddaughter of a famous televangelist. But despite the fact that religion is such a huge part of her family’s life, Alyssa insists that they aren’t bigoted or backwards, like so many are.

To celebrate Alyssa’s 30th birthday, she and Toby, along with his young son, Luca, drive to Texas to spend the weekend at the Wright family compound. While Toby is dizzied by the wealth on display and the eccentricities of Alyssa’s family, he has no idea about the madness he and Luca are walking into.

It turns out that the Wrights have plans for Toby and Luca—and they don’t really have a choice in the matter. When a prominent member of the family is found dead, Toby is sure they were murdered, but the family doesn’t seem to care. Until, suddenly, their suspicions swing Toby’s way, which could have massive implications for him and his son.

A torrential storm has flooded any exit from the compound, which means they’re all trapped with a killer and lots of crazy family members. And Luca keeps talking about seeing a shadowy man in a dark suit, but no one else seems to see him. Will the storms end so they can escape, or will they be tangled up in all of the madness?

There is a lot going on here—murder, hidden memories, the fierce love between father and son, unresolved grief, secrets, even a touch of the supernatural. It may be too much for some, but I absolutely love the unbridled way Fram spins his stories. And his author’s note brings it all home. This slayed me.

Book Review: "Lo Fi" by Liz Riggs

Alison left her home in Michigan to move to Nashville. She’s in love with the city and the opportunity to immerse herself in music, which she loves so much. She works at The Venue, a club where both aspiring artists and famous bands come to play.

“I just work the door. I stamp hands. I’m not even a critic or journalist, not a true insider. I’m not in a band. To even say I write songs wouldn’t be fair, not in a town full of songwriters. If I’m anything at all here, I’m just a fan.”

Al would love to become a musician, but after a disastrous performance at an open mic night (she refers to it as “the incident”), she has no desire to perform again, nor has she been able to find the inspiration to write more songs. So when she’s not working, she and her roommate go to clubs and hear bands, and even get to attend some exclusive parties.

When she is working, Al is also drinking a lot, sleeping with the bartender, talking about music, and flirting with Julien, her coworker. She’s also trying not to obsess over her ex, who is the lead singer of an up-and-coming band, or dwell on the disappearance of a famous singer.

Al has no idea what she really wants, or how to get what she thinks she wants. She knows she wants Julien but can’t seem to fully commit to that, and she wishes she could perform again, but she can’t get past her fear. It takes help from some unlikely sources to move forward.

It took a bit for the book to hit its stride, but then it really clicked for me. Liz Riggs uses a stream of consciousness style at times, but it really puts you in Al’s frame of mind. It reminded me of being in my 20s and going to concerts all the time, barely sleeping and living for music.

Book Review: "Flip Job" by Raleigh Ruebins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach

It’s so hard at times to remember that you can’t tell what a person is struggling with just by looking at them. That’s certainly the case in Alison Espach’s newest book.

Phoebe arrives to check into the exclusive Cornwall Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island. She’s dressed to the nines but has no luggage with her. She’s surprised by the crowd at check-in but quickly discovers there’s a wedding at the hotel, so nearly every guest is attending the festivities. In fact, she’s even mistaken for a wedding guest given how she’s dressed.

The truth is, Phoebe is the furthest away from a celebratory mood. She’s actually hit rock bottom, as everything in her life has gone wrong. Her plan is to have a sumptuous meal, smoke a cigarette, and then end her life.

The last thing she expects is to run into the bride, Lila. Lila has painstakingly planned six days of pre-wedding and wedding festivities, and she’s taken everything into account. Everything, that is, except a hotel guest planning to commit suicide. Imagine what that will do to all of Lila’s plans! She does everything she can to keep Phoebe from taking her own life, even involving her in different events.

Despite the fact that these two women are strangers, both find it easy to confide in each other. Phoebe, much to her surprise, becomes enamored of Lila and the self-assurance she has, and before she realizes it, she’s being helped by people she doesn’t know, and helping them in return.

This is a beautifully told story, of those who come to the aid of people who need it most, and they might not even know it. While there are sad parts of the book, others are quite humorous, as some of the characters are just hysterically funny.

Book Review: "The Seventh Veil of Salome" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

If you like stories about old Hollywood and the behind-the-scenes activities that came with making movies, this may be a book for you. The truth is, it probably would make a fascinating limited series on television even more than a book.

It's the 1950s, and movies based on Bible stories are all the rage. A famous director decides to make a movie about the princess Salome, and nearly every actress in Hollywood has auditioned for the title role or wishes they could. But the director chooses Vera Larios, a young Mexican woman who has never been in a movie before.

Vera is excited about the movie but also very nervous, as acting was never a path she considered. She deals with impostor syndrome, because she doesn’t quite understand how she got the role or what is expected of her. And as the studio begins introducing her to the public, she finds herself on the arm of famous actors, going to glamorous parties, but she’d rather be at home.

It’s not long before Vera’s naïveté causes trouble with one of her costars, and makes her the object of gossip and scrutiny. At the same time, Nancy Hartley, an aspiring actress more known for sleeping around and drinking too hard, becomes envious of Vera, wanting everything she has, as Nancy thinks she deserves it more.

While these narratives are unfolding, they’re intertwined with the story of Salome, a young woman torn between her love of a handsome preacher and her duty to her family, including her stepfather, King Herod.

I really wanted to love this book, but there was just too much going on at the same time. The book is narrated by a large cast of people who flit in and out, sharing their perspectives. I enjoyed the story but felt the pacing moved much slower than I wanted it to.

Book Review: "Like Mother, Like Daughter" by Kimberly McCreight

“Every mother I knew learned how to laugh at so many unfunny things. Like the realization I’d faced as the parent of a teen, and then a young adult: that you were expected to have endless empathy—but no vulnerabilities of your own.”

Cleo and her mother, Kat, have had a strained relationship over the last several years. She hasn’t forgiven Kat for her overreaction about guys that she has dated—including a drug dealer who sells to her fellow NYU students. But somehow, Kat guilts her into coming home for dinner one night.

When Cleo arrives, she finds the smoke alarm going off, food that has been overcooked to burnt, broken glass, and one of her mother’s shoes, with blood on it. What could have happened to her?

Despite a detective investigating Kat’s disappearance, Cleo decides to do some digging herself. She discovers that her mother isn’t the harried patent lawyer she has always believed, but rather the law firm’s fixer, straightening out matters for clients in ways that might not always be legal.

The more Cleo looks into things, the more secrets she uncovers, about her parents, the extent to which her mother has tried to protect her, and her mother’s job. Plus, it turns out that she was being blackmailed for something in her past, and Cleo was being threatened.

This was a twisty, emotional thriller, one I really enjoyed. It’s narrated by both Kat and Cleo, shifting from Kat’s teenage years to the events leading up to her disappearance, as well as what happened as Cleo tried to figure out her mother’s whereabouts. Another great read from Kimberly McCreight!

Book Review: "Just One Taste" by Lizzy Dent

I love rom-coms so much, but I feel there needs to be a sub-genre of culinary rom-coms, or something like that. Because when you throw any food-related elements into a rom-com, it’s quite often a win for me.

Olive is a restaurant critic in London, writing savage reviews of pretentious places. It’s ironic, because she grew up in her father’s Italian restaurant, although after her parents’ divorce her relationship with her father was strained, and she hadn’t been to the restaurant in years.

When her father dies suddenly, she is shocked to learn that she has inherited the restaurant and the building it’s in. She definitely wants to sell it, much to the chagrin of Leo, the sous chef who became her father’s surrogate son.

Her father was in the middle of writing a cookbook when he died, and Olive agrees to finish it. It will mean traveling to Italy, where her family vacationed when she was young, and working with Leo, since he’s the chef who can develop the recipes. (It doesn’t hurt that Leo is absolutely gorgeous.)

The trip to Italy fills Olive with inspiration, as well as unresolved feelings about her father. The more time she spends with Leo, the less certain she is about selling the restaurant and the more intense the chemistry between them grows. But she saw the way the restaurant destroyed her parents’ marriage—could she have the restaurant and Leo, too?

Lizzy Dent’s books are always so enjoyable for me. This one made me absolutely ravenous, and it was an emotional read as well. Italy, pasta, banter, steam, and emotion: could I ask for anything more?

Book Review: "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" by MJ Wassmer

It was going to be the perfect vacation for Dan and his girlfriend Mara: a newly opened resort on a remote island in the Bahamas. For the first few days it really does feel like paradise. And then the sun explodes.

The resort guests panic. They have no phone or internet access to see how their families back home are—and they can’t reach the airlines to try and get out of there, not that they know whether planes would still be able to fly. Plus, there’s the fact that without the sun, the temperatures will start to drop.

When the wealthiest resort guests stage a coup, anger erupts along with the panic and paranoia. The leader of the coup, the head of a fitness pyramid scheme, pretends to be folksy and faith-based, but she’s actually a dangerous threat. Supplies start to be rationed and tensions between classes intensify.

Dan has been content to let life go by, although he always wanted to make a difference. Somehow he is pressed into duty to fight for the non-wealthy guests, and although he’s a bit of a bumbler, as things get crazier, he starts to relish his role as hero. But what will that mean for him and Mara?

I thought this was a terrific concept and parts of the book are hysterically funny. But as things went further and further off the rails, the story went way over the top, and I found myself not caring that much.

Book Review: "Four Weekends and a Funeral" by Ellie Palmer

I loved this book so much! Not only did it have a title similar to one of my all-time favorite movies, but it had everything I love in a rom-com: emotional depth, banter, terrific supporting characters, even a little steam.

When Alison goes to her ex-boyfriend Sam’s funeral, she makes a surprising discovery: he never told his parents that he broke up with her. Sam’s sister asks her to pretend they were still dating, just for her parents’ sake, and given Alison’s people-pleasing tendencies, she agrees.

Sam’s parents are so happy that he had Alison in his life. Out of guilt for lying, she offers to help pack up his apartment so his parents can sell it. Much to her displeasure, his best friend Adam also will be helping. And Adam seems to hate her. But she's determined to change that.

They spend four weekends together, and of course, Adam never really disliked Alison. But as their chemistry catches fire and both realize how much they want to be together, each has many unresolved issues they need to deal with, from health to career ambition to their relationships with Sam. And there’s the lie that Alison was Sam’s girlfriend when he died. How can they ever move past that?

This was really such a fantastic book. It had me laughing at times and crying at others, and having lost one of my best friends nearly 3 years ago, it hit close to home in parts.

“How am I supposed to know if any time is a good time for anything? Does anyone? You just have to make the choices that feel true to the life you want and hope like hell it will all work out.”

Book Review: "The History of Sound" by Ben Shattuck

When short stories are done well, they can have as much power as a full-length novel. And sometimes, they make you long for more time with their characters but don’t leave you hanging. The History of Sound hits both of those targets.

What’s unique about this collection, however, is that elements of one story appear in another, so they’re essentially paired. Sometimes the pairing is more obvious and other times it’s more subtle, but this technique gives you a different perspective from a different timeframe.

There are absolutely beautiful stories in this collection. My favorite is the title story, where a music student meets a man in a bar just as WWI is heating up. The two fall in love, and spend a summer walking through the woods of Maine, collecting folk songs from various people. Their relationship is brief but has an immense effect on the musician, even years later. (This is being made into a movie with Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor.)

Some other stories that I know will stick with me include: “The Auk,” which follows a man dealing with his wife’s dementia in a very unique way; “August in the Forest,” about relationships and secrets we keep from those we love; and “Edwin Chase of Nantucket,” in which a young man’s life in 1796 is upended when his mother’s old boyfriend arrives with his new wife.

All of the stories take place in New England, and are set anywhere from the 1700s to the present. Ben Shattuck is definitely an immense talent, one whose career I’ll eagerly be following.

Book Review: "Heart of Gold" by Ariel Atwater

It’s Olympic season—I can’t pass up a gymnastics romance, can I? This was a really sweet story, and apparently the first book in a trilogy.

Danny is an American gymnast, known as much for his super-friendly personality as his gymnastic skills and his California good looks. His ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal, but he really enjoys making friends with the athletes from other countries, and believes good sportsmanship and encouragement goes a long way.

Sasha also aspires to win medals, but being a Russian gymnast comes with a different kind of pressure. He goes to the 2012 games as an alternate. When his best friend Kirill overhears Danny’s effusive excitement and congratulations, he lashes out and makes fun of him. Sasha goes to apologize to Danny on Kirill’s behalf, and it ignites a friendship between the two.

The book follows both Danny and Sasha through different international competitions. While Danny is always gregarious, Sasha is more reserved. Both feel a strong connection, and they start to realize their feelings are becoming romantic and sexual, but neither has ever been with a guy before. And while this could have implications for both, Sasha lives in a country where it’s dangerous to be gay, and he doesn’t want to get kicked off the team.

I found myself smiling a lot during this book, and I was so glad there wasn’t any real drama to be had. Sasha and Danny are both characters I rooted for, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for them.

Book Review: "The Most" by Jessica Anthony

It’s a Sunday in November of 1957. Winter should be on its way but for some reason it is unseasonably hot. Kathleen decides she doesn’t feel like going to church with her husband Virgil and two sons, and stays in bed while he gets the boys fed and dressed.

While the rest of her family is at church, Kathleen cleans up after her husband and puts the house back in order. Then she finds her old red bathing suit in a closet and she decides to get into the pool. That is where Virgil finds her when they get home from church.

Virgil is planning to go golfing with his boss and colleagues from the insurance company where he works. For some reason, however, Kathleen doesn’t plan to get out of the pool. The boys watch her from their apartment balcony, so Virgil goes to the golf course.

Much to his surprise, Kathleen is still in the pool in the early evening. Over the course of the day, both of them make discoveries about their marriage that had been obvious all along, stemming from a few phone calls.

The entire book takes place in an eight-hour period, although there are lots of flashbacks to Kathleen and Virgil’s earlier lives, as well as chronicling their relationship from its start to the day the book takes place. It’s a fascinating, well-written, and character-driven book. However, I didn’t find either Kathleen or Virgil to be particularly likable.

Book Review: "We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay" by Gary Janetti

Do you enjoy traveling? Not just being in new places, but do you like the actual process of travel? Gary Janetti’s new book is a funny and thought-provoking look at some of the high and low points of travel, and it seriously made me laugh out loud more than a few times.

“To me, a vacation is doing exactly what I would do at home, only with better weather and room service. I don’t want a list of activities designed to push me beyond any mental or physical limits I may have. I like my mental and physical limits where they are.”

Gary Janetti is a television writer and producer, and seriously, one of the funniest people I’ve ever read. His first collection of essays, Do You Mind If I Cancel? (Things That Still Annoy Me), had me laughing so hard I cried. He’s a bit crankier and more particular than I am, but we’re definitely on similar wavelengths!

In this book, he shares his philosophies on packing (don’t check a bag), eating alone in a restaurant if you’re traveling by yourself, and staying in a hotel rather than with family or friends. He also shares some hysterically funny anecdotes of cruises he has taken with family; trips to Mykonos, where he met his husband; an experience with a pop-up version of Noma, once the highest-rated restaurant ever, and other travel highlights.

What made this book work for me was that it never felt too outrageous to be true, and some of his thoughts definitely mirrored my own. It's a bit less zany than David Sedaris, but I laughed like I usually do when I read his books. This was a tremendously enjoyable read, with moments of poignancy which balanced the humor.

Book Review: "The Best Men" by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely

It was the late-night scotch. That’s what Mark can blame for his drunk texting. With his younger sister getting engaged pretty quickly, he wanted to be sure she really had thought things through. But he sent a group text by mistake, which included his sister’s fiancé and Asher, his best man, whom Mark referred to as a “super hot wingman.”

Oops.

And now Mark, as his sister’s best man, is stuck having to handle a lot of the wedding logistics with Asher, who is a sexy and cocky former soccer player. Asher knows how to push every one of Mark’s buttons, which both frustrates him and turns him on. But it’s been a very long time since Mark has been with a guy, as he married his college girlfriend when she got pregnant. For Asher, Mark's nerdiness and love of spreadsheets is a definite turn-on, too.

Mark and Asher take a trip to Miami to tie down all of the last-minute details, and their attraction boils over, especially when they stay in a guesthouse together. So Asher suggests a no-strings-attached fling for the days leading up to the wedding. But the more time they spend together, the more each thinks about wanting it to be more than a fling. Could Mark make a relationship work along with co-parenting his young daughter? Would Asher want to settle down?

I have been a fan of Sarina Bowen’s books for a long while, and this pairing with Lauren Blakely really worked for me. It had romance, banter, serious steam, and emotional depth, with two great characters to root for.

Book Review: "Behind Every Good Man" by Sara Goodman Confino

Three years ago, I read Sara Goodman Confino’s first book, For the Love of Friends. I immediately fell for her ability to tell a story with immense humor and heart. Now, having just read her fourth book, which publishes 8/6, I can honestly say that she’s one of my favorite writers.

It’s 1962, and Beverly is the perfect wife, taking care of the house and her two young children, while making life easier for her husband, Larry. She even makes cookies for Larry’s office once a week. And when she drops by with the cookies on a different day than usual, she finds Larry, umm, entangled with his secretary.

Men have needs, you know. That’s Larry’s excuse (and he blames Beverly), but he figures she’ll forgive him and move on. Nope. She throws him out of the house and decides to get even. Since Larry is the campaign manager for one of Maryland’s senators, she decides to work for Michael Landau, the earnest young candidate running against the incumbent. Of course, Michael’s campaign manager doesn’t like that she’s after his job…

Larry tries to intimidate Beverly into letting him move back home, but she knows what his obligations are to her and the kids. And despite the friction between her and the campaign manager, she does help transform Michael into more than a long-shot candidate, encouraging him to reach out to female and Black voters at a time when both were taken for granted.

Beverly wants Michael to win, but her interest in him is more than political, and the feeling is mutual. Despite their mutual attraction they do all they can to focus on the campaign, not each other.

The characters in this book are flawed, funny, and fantastic. I devoured this book, and thank Sara for the gifted copy. (She signed the book and apologized to me for making the character named Larry a bad guy.)

If you’ve never read her books, you should!