Sandwich

Ms. Newman doesn't hold back with her portrayal of menopause. This book is a roller coaster of emotion captained by Rocky. Prepare for emotional whiplash. 

The story is well told, and the characters well fleshed out. There's plenty of funny moments and plenty of sobering ones too. 

There is too much swearing for my taste. 

Some content may be triggering for women who miscarried pregnancies accidentally or by choice, which isn't in the description. 

The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job. 

AMAZON

For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.

This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.

It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

An Unlikely Alliance

Ms. John based her story on an interesting premise, and it paid off. 

Bit of a love triangle, which isn't my favorite, but it's clear from the beginning that Preston's relationship with his girlfriend isn't going to last. And she doesn't endear herself to the reader either. Keeping it clean, Preston doesn't make any moves on Corrie until he's broken up wtih his fiance. So, at least he doesn't come off as a cheater. A very fine line to walk and Ms. John does it well. 

The forbidden relationship trope is the main one with a few other sides, boss/nanny, frenemies to lovers, etc. 

Well crafted, well told, and good kisses. 

AMAZON

Two strangers, bound by one little girl who needs them both...

Preston Ford's life turns upside down the moment he decides to become his niece's guardian. And he's fine with that. He'll learn. They'll adapt. What he doesn't expect is for the nanny to insist on coming along. She's the key to making everything work and a complication he doesn't know what to do with. After all, his girlfriend is expecting him to propose.

Corrie Windsor has been taking care of Ella for most of her life, and she won’t let the little girl lose another person who loves her. Even if it means butting heads with Ella's infuriating uncle. Even if it means moving states. Even if it means squelching her attraction for a man who isn't sure she should stick around. Good thing she has a lot of experience with being the most stubborn person in the room. As long as they both focus on Ella, everything will be fine.

It's a fragile alliance, with more than one heart hanging in the balance. Could their family by chance lead to a happily ever after?

Casters & Crowns

Brilliant. Simply brilliant. Ms. Lowham does an outstanding job crafting a world and story to get lost in. 

The writing is flawless. The characters fully formed. Everyone has burdens and obstacles both internal and external to overcome. Story arc nailed down with no plot holes. Breadcrumbs and foreshadowing, check. And plot twists - perfect. 

And the romance is pretty sweet too. 

Shout out to the audiobook narrator. Fabulous job. 

This is your next MUST read. 

AMAZON

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with the Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.

When Stars are Scattered

If my book club hadn't picked this one, I would've missed an incredible story. 

The brilliant choice to cast multiple voice actors for the audiobook really made the story come alive. I didn't even know it was adapte from a graphic novel until the book was over. Amazing. 

The only way to tell this true life tale is with unwavering honesty. Thank you, Omar, for sharing your incredible life with us. Your experience truly opened my eyes to what refugee life is like. 

An inspiring must read. 

AMAZON

A National Book Award Finalist, this remarkable graphic novel is about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a former Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl.

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day.

Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It's an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story.

Beatrice the Bride

Let me give my compliments before my concerns. 

I liked the premise, the characters, and the town. 

I struggled with the writing. I'm not sure what happened with Ms. Osbourne's crafting of the story. I've read other books by her and not encountered these same issues. 

Head hopping was the worst offender. I'd be reading a chapter started in Beatrice's head then suddenly find myself in Arthur's head without any scene or chapter break. Confusing and irritating. I get that this was written in 2017, but head hopping by that point wasn't really what was done by the writing community anymore. 

Grief takes many forms but Beatrice was far too cheerful for a young woman who lost her parents to a tragic accident before entering town and being married to a stranger. 

Editing, or rather, lack thereof. Nearly an error on every page. 

I'm grateful I started in the middle of the series and not with this book, the first book. Had I started here, I probably wouldn't have read the rest of the series, which would've been a shame as the other books so far haven't shared these problems. 

Other than setting up the town, you really don't need to read this book to read the rest of the series. I do recommend reading them in order, if you can, as each book builds on the previous cast of characters. I'd suggest starting with book 2. 

I'm sad to leave a review like this as it takes a great deal of effort and time to produce a story. 

AMAZON

Beatrice Hart loves her life as a teacher in Missouri. When her parents tell her they’re moving to Creede, Colorado, she goes with them, having nothing else to do. Just before they reach town, her parents plummet to their deaths, leaving her alone to face the world and an entire town of men.

When telegraph operator Arthur Jameson sees a young lady crying on a bench in town, he immediately goes to her to try to make things better. An hour later he finds himself married to her, wondering what had gotten into him. Together, two strangers try to navigate their way through marriage and life. Beatrice hates that she’s not allowed to go out because of the dangers presented by the town of Creede. Will the two of them learn to compromise? Or will they spend their lives in a loveless marriage?

Lucky in Love

I  always know I'm in for a well crafted story when I pick up a book by Jo Noelle. 

Pit a gambler against a preacher's daughter and you have a winning recipe for tension between your two main characters. They also have marvelous chemistry, and their meet cute is so fun and original. 

Builds and twists in all the right places. I love how each angel is suited to their character instead of one angel doing the work throughout the series. 

Block out some time for this clean romance because you won't want to put it down. 

AMAZON

She’s a preacher’s daughter, and he’s a gambler—and both of them are out of luck.

If Julianne Parker doesn’t leave now, she’ll end up in an arranged marriage her parents are thrusting on her. Boarding a train in the middle of the night, she leaves Chicago for the new state of Colorado. Upon arriving, she finds that her adopted hometown is not what she expected, nor is she safe. She has no work, little money, and no place to stay.

Hugh Fontaine is poised on the cusp of achieving his every dream, provided he can win the massive fortune on the table of a poker game. The other men at the table want the same and will do anything to win—using their skill with cards or guns. Winning this hand could be the last thing he ever does.

After saving Julianne when her carriage wrecks, he knows for sure that he wants her in his life. He’s also sure he’s the last thing in the world she needs. But—what would he give to be wrong?

Rescuing the Rancher

Mr. McVey does an excellent job of writing historical romance that has you on the edge of your seat wondering, "will they or won't they?" There aren't many male romance writers out there, but if you can get your hands on one of his books, you'll be very satisfied. 

I loved the premise of this book: I dare you to marry me and care better for my children. So great. 

There's plenty of emotional turmoil for both Royce and Marta to work through in their hearts and marriage. The children are the least of their problems!

Wonderful chemistry and setting, plus a little threat to up the tension. 

AMAZON

Marta Campbell has always been the girl no one wanted. Left on the steps of an orphanage at birth. Never adopted. Never chosen by a beau. Never asked to marry. She’d resigned herself to the life of a nanny for other people. Never wanted, never loved, only occasionally needed. Then on the way to San Francisco to take a new nanny position, she is kidnapped. Now freed, she isn’t even wanted as the nanny. So when an angel tells her to go to the mercantile in Creede and accept the first proposal she receives, she has nothing to lose.

Royce Clark is still mourning the loss of his wife after two months. He has a ranch to run and five small children to care for. He knows he’s quickly losing complete control. In a moment of anger, he challenges Marta to marry him and do better caring for his children. Imagine his surprise when she accepts his proposal and insists they marry that very day.

Can this couple find love amid a marriage entered into for the sake of five small children? Will Royce’s love for his deceased wife keep them apart for a lifetime? Will Marta live the rest of her life unloved and only wanted for her childcare and housekeeping skills. Will a threat against the ranch end in the death of yet another Clark?