Book Review: "Sounds Like Love" by Ashley Poston

“We were all made of up memories, anyway. Of ourselves, of other people. We were built on the songs sung to us and the songs we sang to ourselves, the songs we listened to with broken hearts and the ones we danced to at weddings.”

There’s just something about the way Ashley Poston writes. I’ve enjoyed all three of her books—the first two were among the best books I read those particular years. I cannot get enough of the way she sprinkles her romances with magical realism as well as humor and such gorgeous emotion.

Joni has finally made her dreams come true, being a sought-after songwriter in LA. A few of her songs are tremendously popular, and everyone is waiting for what she writes next. But she cannot find anything that inspires her, that makes her feel compelled to create.

With the pain from her mother’s recent dementia diagnosis still fresh, Joni returns to her hometown on the Outer Banks. She grew up spending most of her time at The Revelry, the music venue that’s been in her family for more than 70 years. But when Joni gets home, she’s floored by her parents’ plan to close The Revelry, her mother’s fading memories, and the way she feels life has gone on without her.

The other thing that happens shortly after her arrival at home is she starts hearing snippets of a melody in her head, one she can’t place. She starts hearing the voice of a man, whose thoughts she can hear in her head (and vice versa). They start to rely on each other, but when he comes to her hometown, she’s surprised by how different he is in person—until he lets down his guard. He believes that if they write the song they’re hearing, they may be able to sever the psychic connection.

As always with Poston’s books, I find myself highlighting so many quotes and definitely getting choked up. I know this book will be on my year-end best list!!

Book Review: "Seas the Dating Coach" by Laura Langa

I think my heart grew two sizes larger while reading this book! I love a small-town romance, and this was such a sweet, fun, and emotionally rich read.

Vivian grew up in the small town of Wilks Beach, and all of townspeople are tremendously protective of her, as is her twin sister, Brynn. Vivian is kind, a talented tailor and designer, but she is painfully shy and often stumbles over her words when she gets nervous.

She’s had a crush on Atticus, a handsome accountant, for some time now, but he’s never seemed to notice her. Every time she tries to muster up the courage to talk to him, she fails. And then one morning, she is ready to make her move at her sister’s coffee shop, and she slips on a puddle of coffee and falls into the arms of Finn, a handsome newcomer to town.

People in Wilks Beach don’t have a lot of trust in “mainlanders,” but Finn in particular is very unpopular. As the new director of the town library, his plans to improve everything are met with resentment, even though they will make everything better. So when Finn realizes that Vivian can’t seem to approach Atticus, he offers to be her dating coach. In exchange, she’ll start to correct the misconceptions about Finn and his plans.

Vivian has no idea how beautiful and how brave she is, and Finn delights in helping her realize that. For his part, Finn has never let anyone get too close for fear they’d hurt him, but the more he coaches Vivian, the harder he falls. But he has to keep reminding himself that she wants Atticus, not him.

I first became familiar with Laura Langa when I read her holiday novel that took place in Wilks Beach. I was so glad to go back to that setting, and I look forward to more books in this series!! It seems like a terrific small town.

Book Review: "Bitterfrost" by Bryan Gruley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review: "Every Sweet Thing is Bitter" by Samantha Crewson

Add this to the rapidly growing list of fantastic debuts in 2025! While bleak at times, this book was tremendously thought-provoking and powerful.

“No matter how many years separate me from that day, there is no new beginning. Nothing changes. Absolution is a myth. Some sins you must pay for again and again and again, as long as you live.”

Providence hasn’t been back to her hometown in 13 years, when she put her car in reverse and inadvertently ran over her mother. Her mother survived, but Providence was sent to jail, guilty of a felony. She was told never to come back to town, but now her mother has disappeared mysteriously, ostensibly on the way home from a Bible study class.

While the last thing Providence wants is to constantly be reminded of her transgressions, she hopes that her return might help bridge the gap between her and her sisters. But of course, it also means confronting Tom, her abusive father, who bullied everyone into turning a blind eye to his faults.

As the search for her mother continues, Providence discovers that in many ways, things have gotten worse since she left town. Her sisters resent her for what she did to their mother, but at the same time, they want her to make their father pay for his abuse. Should she sacrifice herself for the chance to save her sisters?

I love books when there are secrets and resentments uncovered at every turn. This was an emotional exploration of guilt, forgiveness, love, loyalty, and the cycle of violence that preys on us. I couldn’t put this down!

Book Review: "And There He Kept Her" by Joshua Moehling

I’ve had this book on my list for a while and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to read it! This was an excellent start to the series, and I will definitely be diving back into books 2 and 3 soon.

After a personal tragedy, Ben takes a job as a sheriff’s deputy in Sandy Lake, Minnesota, where his family once had a summer cabin. Working and living in a small town is a little unsettling for Ben, as everyone has an opinion about his life, but he’s determined to do right by the town.

When two teenagers disappear late one night, Ben is determined to find them, especially given his connection to one of them. What is puzzling and disturbing is that both teens have left their phones behind, which either means they weren’t expecting to go missing or they didn’t want to be tracked. He’s not entirely surprised to learn that one of the teens was dealing drugs in his high school, but the more he investigates, the more tangled the web becomes.

Meanwhile, Emmett is an old man in failing health, but it doesn’t keep him from viciously defending his property. His house may be falling apart, but his basement has seen many horrors through the years, and he’s not sure if his latest captive is worth the trouble.

As Ben and his colleagues dig further into the disappearance of the teenagers, he’s reminded of an unsolved mystery in his own life. He also realizes that no matter how small the town is, there are lots of secrets hidden within it. Can they solve the mystery before more tragedy strikes?

I thought this was a terrific book. I was hooked on the story and loved the emotional depth that came along with it. Ben is such a fascinating, complex character, and I really hope the next two books in the series continue the exploration into his own issues and emotions.

Book Review: "Keeping it Casual" by Jax Calder

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review: "The Unmaking of June Farrow" by Adrienne Young

I picked this up as part of my continuing quest to read books I already own as opposed to just chasing new and shiny ones. Adrienne Young utterly slayed me with this incredible book. I am slain.

“It came for my grandmother, as it came for my mother, and now it had come for me. For years, the town of Jasper had been watching me, waiting for the madness to show itself. They didn’t know it was already there, brimming beneath the surface.”

June Farrow’s family has lived in Jasper, North Carolina for generations. The women in June’s family are known for their flower farm, and they’re known for the curse that has affected them. They remember June’s mother, Susanna, who disappeared when she was pregnant, only to leave the baby with her mother and disappear for good.

June took care of her grandmother in the last years of her life, her memories disappearing. But even before her grandmother died, June was already seeing and hearing things, and experiencing memories she doesn’t recall occurring. She knows the time will come when she will need to be cared for, and that is why she’s always pushed the idea of love and children away.

After her grandmother dies, June finds a photograph that sends her reeling. She tracks down a few other clues to try and figure out what is happening to her, and then she realizes that the door she’s been seeing isn’t a hallucination: it’s real. She can walk through it. But when she does, what she finds could change both the past and the future, and make her realize what she truly wants.

I thought this was truly beautiful and so moving. I’m a huge fan of magical realism and time loops, so the book worked for me completely. Adrienne Young is an incredibly talented storyteller, that’s for sure!!

Book Review: "Change of Heart" by Falon Ballard

When you find an author whose books you love completely, you jump on each new one right away. Or at least I do! That’s been the case with a number of authors since I joined Bookstagram, including Falon Ballard. I’ve loved every single one of her books!

Cam is an attorney whose entire life revolves around work. She is a partner in her grandmother’s law firm and expects to take over someday. So what if she has no work/life balance? She’s a kickass attorney and that’s all that matters.

But Cam’s grandmother wants her to find a suitable partner, so she sets her up on dates. One night Cam goes out with Ben, a handsome doctor, and although he seems nice and smart, she can’t be bothered with getting to know him. She’d rather deal with her work emails. So she’s rude to him and the friendly waitress who believes there’s a connection between Cam and Ben, whether or not they see it.

The next morning, Cam wakes up in an unfamiliar place: Heart Springs, a town straight out of a Hallmark movie. Her hair and makeup are always perfect, the clothes in her closet are far from the power suits she’s used to. Ben is her next door neighbor, and he doesn’t know how they got there either.

It turns out that Cam will be trapped in Heart Springs until she finds a job she’s passionate about, becomes a valued part of the community, and experience true love. Which should be interesting, given she doesn’t believe in love. Can she change her life—and her heart?

I love rom-coms and I love magical realism, so this book was right up my alley. There’s great banter, great steam, and fun characters—it feels like a cross between a Hallmark movie and The Truman Show. Once again, Ballard has charmed me completely.

Book Review: "Deck the Fire Halls" by N.R. Walker

One indie author I’ve become a huge fan of over the last 12-18 months is N.R. Walker. She writes lots of fantastic MM romances, and I think I’ve read at least 2-3 of her books this year alone.

Rob’s constant work as a doctor has burnt him out and left him with little opportunity for a life away from his job. It’s gotten so bad, he’s considering walking away from medicine completely. But a friend suggests he move to the small town of Hartbridge, Montana, to work as a general practitioner.

Hartbridge is one of those picture-perfect small towns where everyone is incredibly friendly. He meets his next door neighbor, Soren, who happens to be a muscular, sexy firefighter. Even though the last thing Rob wants is to jump into a relationship so soon, he wouldn’t mind jumping on Soren either!

Soren has never been attracted to a (slightly) older man before, but Rob drives him crazy. He has lived in town for two years and loves that there is an actual gay community, but there hasn’t been anyone for him. Until Rob’s arrival, that is.

The more time Rob spends in town, the more he falls in love with it. The sparks between him and Soren intensify as well, and while each wants to take it slowly to see if something real can develop, it’s becoming impossible to resist giving into their passion. What else can they do?

I loved the setting of this book and all of the characters. The banter was pretty great and the circle of friends cracked me up. This is one steamy book, but it’s also a romantic one!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The book will publish 1/14/2025.⁣

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review: "Scrooge You" by Brigham Vaughn

It’s the holiday season all year long in the small town of Christmas Falls, but residents really go all out when the holidays actually come along. Joel owns Ginger’s Breads, a bakery that he bought from his aunt and uncle. Everyone loves his baked goods, both sweet and savory.

Living in a small town means you pretty much know everyone. But Joel doesn’t recognize the handsome young runner who passes by the bakery early each morning. Thanks to a patch of ice in the street, Joel meets Hayden, who has moved to town from Chicago to stay with his mother and stepfather.

Hayden is grumpy because his life isn’t going the way he planned. His post-college job evaporated before he started, and no one seems to be hiring web designers right now. Given that he absolutely loathes Christmas, being stuck in a town called Christmas Falls is truly the seventh circle of hell.

But while Hayden seethes inwardly (and not always quietly), he is intrigued by the handsome, bearish baker whose pumpkin cinnamon rolls are pretty fantastic. Joel, whose life pretty much revolves around the bakery and town events, is attracted to Hayden as well, even though he’s probably 10-11 years younger than Joel.

Flirtation turns to friendship and sex, and it’s not long before both want to spend as much time together as they can. Hayden definitely wants out of Christmas Falls, however, and is hoping he’ll find a job back in Chicago soon. But as their feelings for one another intensify, what does this mean for their future?

This is the kind of rom-com I love, full of small town charm, steamy scenes, romance, humor, and emotion. It’s apparently the 9th book in a series written by different authors, and while I got the sense that certain characters probably were from previous books, this was fine to read as a standalone. How can you resist when a Scrooge regains their love for the holidays?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review: "Jump to Recipe" by Jena Wade

I love finding recipes online and am always in awe of the work people put into their food blogs. I will admit, though, that when I’m in a rush I love the “Jump to Recipe” link, which is why the title of this book caught my eye.

Sam is an amazing baker. His bakery and his blog, both called “Whisk Me Away,” are tremendously popular. In addition to sharing his recipes, he shares a bit of himself and life in the town he grew up in.

One secret that Sam hasn’t shared with his customers or followers is that he’s in love with Graham, his brother’s best friend and business partner. Well, he hasn’t shared it until now, as his confessing his love for Graham amidst a recipe—inspired by too much wine—has just been published. And now the secret is out.

Graham is a travel writer whose blog is also quite popular. In fact, he and Sam often fight to be the first person to comment on each other’s posts. He loves Sam’s baking, and he loves how Sam always has cookies waiting for him when he comes home from a trip. But even with all that, Graham is surprised—and very pleased—to read Sam’s confession.

The whole town is abuzz with gossip and they all are rooting for Sam and Graham to end up together. Sam is embarrassed and worries that Graham isn’t interested in him. He quickly finds that’s not an issue!

This was all kinds of fun and adorable, and sweeter than a bakery confection. I hope Jena Wade will give us more of these characters and this town!!

Book Review: "My Best Friend's Secret" by Romeo Alexander

Adam couldn’t wait to leave his hometown of Fairlake, Colorado and get his life going. Even though his parents and his best friend Bennett still lived there, Adam didn’t come back to visit that often, so no one had any idea how badly his life was falling apart.

And now he’s back, in the midst of a bitter divorce, his business sold, and he feels like having to come home with his tail between his legs means he’s hit rock bottom. It’s not too long before he’s the topic of conversation in his small town.

Bennett and Adam were inseparable friends through high school. But when Adam moved away and got married, their friendship became more of an acquaintanceship than anything, which hurt Bennett a lot. He’s never told Adam—or anyone, for that matter—that he’s been in love with him all these years.

It’s not long before Bennett finds Adam contracting work so he can feel productive again. The more time they spend together, the more they fall into their old routines. But for the first time, Adam finds himself seeing Bennett in a different light, and it confuses him. Why is he having sex dreams about his best friend?

As they acknowledge their feelings for one another, Adam realizes how much he wants to stay in Fairlake and make a life with Bennett. And then Adam’s ex-wife comes to town with a secret that could topple everything.

I buddy read this with my friend Matthew, and neither of us realized this was the 8th book in a series. There were lots of characters who made cameo appearances and I guess if we had read the earlier books we might have known who they were. And there also were some plot lines that were introduced and never picked back up again.

I liked Adam and Bennett a lot, and the steam was very steamy. But the third-act melodrama really irritated me, even though I read romances all the time and should be used to it. I wanted more from this book and these characters.

Book Review: "Village in the Dark" by Iris Yamashita

I’ve never been to Alaska but it’s high on my travel bucket list. Luckily, lots of books are set there, so I can visit by reading.

A year ago, Cara’s husband and young son disappeared while on a hike, as the family vacationed. Their remains were found, but Cara’s grief and anger have remained, and led to her suspension from the Anchorage Police Department.

When she finds a picture of her family on the cellphone of a dead gang member, she starts to wonder what really happened to her husband and son. And while every lead she follows winds up in a dead end, she’s determined to find the truth.

As she tries to investigate what happened to the other people whose photos appeared on the gang member’s phone, she steps into a very complicated web of deception and danger. Connecting with a young Native woman, they wind up traveling to a remote village called Unity, created to protect women and children from their abusers. It is there that Cara learns the truth.

As she puts herself and others at risk in order to find answers, she must also resolve her feelings for JB, a police detective she met while on assignment. He’d do anything for Cara, but will his sacrifices lead to happily ever after or grief and danger?

This is the second book in a series which in part takes place in Point Mettier, Alaska, an isolated town that can only be accessed by an underground tunnel, and where all the residents live in one large condo building. The first book, City Under One Roof, is really good, too, but you don’t have to have read that first.

I love the way Iris Yamashita writes. These books are so atmospheric I can feel the cold and see the images she creates. The fact that these books read like a movie is no surprise, considering Yamashita is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter. I hope there’s a third book!!

Book Review: "Lies He Told Me" by James Patterson and David Ellis

If I have whiplash, I blame James Patterson and David Ellis for packing so many twists into one book! Given the teaming of these two authors, my expectations were fairly high, and this book exceeded them all.

Marcie grew up in the small town of Hemingway Grove, Illinois. She was determined to be somewhere bigger, so she wound up getting a job as a lawyer at a big Chicago firm. But after that lost its appeal, she moved back, met and married David, and they’re raising two children. David also is the owner of a local pub in town.

They have the idyllic small-town life people envy. And then one day while on a hike, they see a car drive off a bridge and plunge into the river. Without thinking, David jumps in to save the driver, and after some tense moments, both are rescued. Video of David’s bravery goes viral, making him an object of attention in town.

But while David is hailed as a hero, both he and Marcie are thrown by a series of odd things that keep happening. While each is relatively innocuous on its own, taken all together, they start to fear for their safety and that of their children.

It seems as if the news of David’s bravery has made him the center of attention for people with a different interest in David. And Marcie can’t help but wonder what David is hiding—but is he the only one with secrets?

I used to be a faithful reader of Patterson’s but as his volume increased, I lost track. Ellis has been a favorite of mine for a while. I really loved this collaboration.

Book Review: "Don't Go Bakin' My Heart" by Shane K. Morton

Like I could resist a book with this title? This was as good as I hoped it would be.

Foggy Basin is a quintessential small town in California, not too far from San Francisco. Many of the businesses in town have existed for years, but recently a resort developer has been trying to convince the owners to sell, so a gigantic resort and golf course could be built. And they’re not above making offers that would allow the owners to live quite well.

Percy grew up in town, and his parents owned a bakery called Don’t Go Bakin’ My Heart. When they were ready to retire, Percy left his job as a pastry chef at a Michelin-starred hotel in Europe to buy the bakery from them. It’s hard keeping a business going, but the bakery is in his blood.

Percy and Ben grew up together, and became very close, until Ben became afraid of his feelings and proceeded to treat everyone, especially Percy, cruelly for four years of high school. Ben couldn’t wait to leave Foggy Basin and never look back. He’s on the verge of becoming partner at the development company where he works, but his promotion depends on him convincing the business owners of Foggy Basin to sell and make way for the resort.

Percy can’t believe Ben has returned after 10 years. Their feelings for one another still burn intensely, but Percy has to get over his resentment of how Ben treated him in high school. As they draw together again, there’s one little secret—the reason Ben has returned—that can tear them apart for good.

Did I guess how the book would go just from the description? Yes, but did it matter? Nope. This is a sweet, emotional, sexy love story with more than a touch of pastry, and the characters were just terrific. I’m looking forward to a return to Foggy Basin!

Book Review: "Up All Night" by Annabeth Albert

After more than 20 years and two children, Sean’s marriage to his best friend has ended amicably, and he decides to return to his hometown of Mount Hope, Oregon, to fill in for a firefighter on maternity leave. He moves in with one of his oldest friends, Eric, to help him deal with the death of husband and help care for his four children.

When Sean meets Denver, the overnight cook at the local diner, the handsome, rugged man awakens feelings he’d always kept inside. And when their encounter turns physical, Sean is hooked right away, but Denver isn’t the type to want a relationship—or even put down roots anywhere.

As their hookups intensify and feelings grow stronger, Sean wants Denver to be a bigger part of his life. But Denver is getting ready to leave again before he gets burned emotionally—although his heart wants to stay with Sean.

While Sean has a fairly good relationship with his parents and a solid group of friends, Denver hasn’t let himself get too close to anyone. Growing up in foster care, he learned to tamp down emotional expectations and quash relationships before they hurt him. But being with Sean makes him feel good, although he’s wary of getting in too deep.

I felt like there were a number of issues in the book that were really glossed over. For one, Sean literally had sex and decided to come out—no anguish, no nothing—and that seemed odd to me. And second, Eric was raising four teenage kids who had come from foster care. Eric’s husband died, and yet for the most part, the kids had no issues. (And don’t get me started on the eleventh-hour appearance of Sean’s adult son.)

There’s intense chemistry and steam between Sean and Denver, and I enjoyed Sean’s circle of friends. I just wish the book was less disjointed and inconsistent. However, I am a fan of Annabeth Albert's books, so I may give this series one more try.

Book Review: "Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout

What does anyone’s life mean?

Elizabeth Strout’s latest book is another masterpiece of storytelling, and it’s tremendously thought-provoking at the same time. We return to Crosby, Maine, and some of her favorite characters from other novels: Bob Burgess, Lucy Barton, and the irascible Olive Kitteridge.

“People did not care, except for maybe one minute. It was not their fault, most just could not really care past their own experiences.”

Lucy and Bob have become close friends; they go on long walks almost every day, and talk about everything from the superficial to the super-serious. Their feelings for each other intensify the more time they spend together, and each acts as a sounding board, a shoulder to lean on. But Bob is married and Lucy lives with her ex-husband, William. Are either of them the type to blow everything up?

Meanwhile, when a crime occurs in town, Bob swiftly moves to help the accused. The case is far more complicated than meets the eye, full of emotional issues and past trauma. But Bob believes it’s his responsibility to protect his client, which impacts him profoundly.

Olive, now 91, has stories to tell, so she tells them to Lucy. And after a while Lucy shares her own stories with Olive. A friendship blossoms, built around shared untold stories ripe with lessons to be learned.

These characters are flawed, big-hearted, and so memorable. Strout can make you love the prickliest people and be fully invested in their stories. I’ve been a fan of most of her books which explore Amgash and Crosby, and hope we’ll get another chance to visit!