Confessions of a Book Addict

Friday, May 15, 2026

Mini Reviews: Historical Beach Reads

There's nothing better than escaping in a summertime read that has a gorgeous setting that transports readers to a far away place. That's exactly what these two historical novels do; they would be perfect to get lost in this summer.

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison

Pages: 304

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: St. Martin

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author:

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "1956: On idyllic Balboa Island, just off the California coast, life seems peaceful and welcoming. But when the lives of three women begin to unravel in shockingly different ways, an unlikely friendship―and the game of tennis―may be the only thing that can save them.

Milly Kinkaid's plan to fix her crumbling marriage seems to be falling apart before it even begins. She believed that moving her young family from Hollywood to Balboa Island might entice her increasingly distant husband to come home earlier after work. Instead, he's barely coming home at all.

Society matriarch Sylvia Johnson and her husband have been pillars of their community for decades, and have just recently begun a new business venture: The Island Club, a place for members to swim, play tennis and dine in style. But when she learns that he has been risking their financial security and putting their family's future in grave danger, she's not only poised to lose the club, but the entire community she holds dear.

Meanwhile, standoffish loner Adele Lambert's entire world is on the brink of being destroyed if the dark secrets of her past and her hidden identity is revealed. Twenty years ago, she ran from a shameful scandal and left behind the only thing she ever loved. Now, terrified that the anonymity she's spent decades guarding will be exposed, but desperate to stay afloat, she risks everything to return to the game that brought her to her knees all those years before.

Set against the sun-drenched beaches of Balboa Island, with its prim and proper 1950s facade, The Island Club is a story of love, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves―and what can be gained when the truth is finally revealed."

It's 1956 on Balboa Island, a small island off the California Coast. Three very different women come together over the summer, and their lives are forever changed. First, there's Milly, a young mother who has moved with her family from Hollywood to avoid the hustle and bustle of the workaholic crowd. She hopes that by living here, her husband will want to unwind more, spend more time with his family, and stop working late nights. However, he seems to have gotten worse. Then there's Sylvia, a pillar of the community and the owner of Balboa's exclusive The Island Club, This private club is where residents can swim, play tennis, and dine after paying the hefty fee to get in. All is well and good until Sylvia realizes her husband got them into a financial disaster. Lastly, there's Adele, who keeps to herself. No one really knows her backstory, but she has come to the island to hide from secrets that have plagued her for years. Her great love was tennis, and she finds herself being drawn back to the game, especially as the other women take interest in it at The Island Club, but she is worried people will find out about her past. Nicola Harrison's The Island Club is an easy summer read with a great historical setting; the tennis subplot keeps readers entertained, and all the mellow drama that ensues on this island kept me flipping the pages. Ultimately, I was rooting for the women to find their way, and I liked how they challenged society's expectations.

A private island on the coast of California seems like the perfect setting for a summertime read, and Harrison does a wonderful job bringing it to life in The Island Club . Each chapter is from a different woman's point of view, so that helps readers dive into each woman's backstory and what makes them tick. All three women have secrets that they are hiding, and behind the perfect facade, perhaps their lives aren't picture perfect. I enjoyed how Adele, Milly, and Sylvia's stories were interconnected by the end. The Island Club is a charming summer read for fans of historical beach reads focusing on the power of women and female friendships.

The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom

Pages: 400

Pub. Date: March 17, 2026

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "For sale: Greek cottage. One Euro. Skye doesn’t make impulsive decisions. But when she sees a derelict Greek cottage for sale by lottery, she enters with dreams of a fresh start.

However, her heart sinks as she pushes open the tattered blue door weeks later. Can this wreck ever be her home?

Then Skye finds a bundle of letters hidden in the fireplace, their faded pages drawing her in with a story of long-forgotten love, tragedy, and unbelievable bravery.

But all the while, Skye’s own past is circling. No matter how far she goes, fate is never far behind…

This gorgeously sweeping, escapist dual-timeline novel is perfect for fans of Karen Swan, Victoria Hislop and Lucinda Riley."

Skye MacKinnon has won a lottery to buy a cottage on a Greek island for only one euro. The cottages date back to the 1940s and have largely been abandoned. It's up to Skye to get her cottage in working order, and once she sees the views, she is smitten. It's much different than her life in dreary England! While working on the cottage with local contractor, Andreas, she finds hidden letters dating back to the 1940s. Through these letters, Skye finds out more about the island during the war, the cottage's previous residents, and more. Broom includes chapters that flashback to the 1940s, which paint a brighter picture of the past. In addition to the flashbacks, there's also a focus on Skye, her new life on the Greek island, the other residents of the cottages, and the connection to the 1940s during WWII, when the Nazis infiltrated the island. The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom is a novel that will transport readers to sunny Greece, and is perfect for readers who enjoy historical touches in their summer reads.

Who hasn't dreamed of escaping to a remote Greek island and renovating a cottage? This is an ideal fantasy right here, and I loved how Broom helped readers escape to Skye's world. She added a layer of intrigue by including a tie to WWII through the hidden letters; however, it never got overly dark, and hope was always bubbling to the surface. Also, I enjoyed Skye and Andreas' relationship, as well as the rest of the residents on the island. If you appreciate beach reads with an emotional plot and a strong sense of community, not to mention a gorgeous setting, check out The House of Hidden Letters this summer.

In the comments below, et me know if The Island Club or The House of Hidden Letters is on your summer TBR list.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Alli the Alligator

I always appreciate picture books that convey a positive message, and this new one, Alli the Alligator by Cindy Miller, highlights a beautiful theme of kindness and celebrating differences. This book would make a wonderful addition to an elementary classroom and serve as a reminder that our differences are what make each of us special.

Learn More About the Book:

Alli the Alligator

Written by Cindy Miller

Illustrated by Joan Coleman

Ages: 4–7 | 32 Pages

Publisher: BookLogix (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1-6653-1069-7

Publisher's Book Summary: "What happens when being different makes you feel like you don't belong? Alli Gator loves swimming and playing along the banks of the Rumbly River with her family. When she discovers children nearby, she dreams of going to school just like they do. But being the only alligator in a classroom full of children isn't easy. On her first day at Swamp Elementary, the other students stare, whisper, and laugh. Just when Alli begins to lose confidence, an unexpected moment reveals her bravery and kindness—and shows everyone that differences can be a gift."

Readers can purchase their own copies of Alli the Alligator at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon. Also, to learn more about Cindy Miller, please visit her website.

The Giveaway:

I've partnered with Cindy Miller and The Children's Book Review to host a giveaway to celebrate the publication of Alli the Alligator. Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win a hardcover copy of Alli the Alligator by Cindy Miller. Good luck!

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Book Review: Last Kiss of Summer by Jessica M. Felleman

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: G.P. Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When Sera Watkins and her family arrive at their summer house on Cape Cod, she has one goal in mind: protect her heart from the boy who broke it, her next-door neighbor, Luke Tisdale. The problem is, Luke still has a piece of her heart—literally. When Sera received a new heart as a baby, the healthy valves of her old heart were given to Luke. Forever bonded, Luke and Sera grew up together, spending sun-soaked days swimming at their secret beach and painting at art camp.

Then, two summers ago, their friendship almost turned into something more. Key word: almost. Because one fateful night, everything changed. Sera’s health took a turn for the worse. A family secret sent Luke spiraling. And they weren’t there for each other when it mattered the most.

Now, Sera is ready for a fresh start, which means no more pining over the boy next door. But Luke has grown up a lot since she’s seen him, and the chemistry she felt two summers ago? It’s still there. Sera isn’t sure she’s brave enough to risk it all again, but when she gets some difficult news, she realizes there’s no time to waste. Maybe it’s finally Luke and Sera’s moment, their chance to enjoy the sweet kiss of summer together—before it’s too late."

Sera Watkins has returned to Cape Cod. She is looking forward to a summer of fun, but her next-door neighbor and ex-friend, Luke, is also back in town for the summer. They had a falling out and haven't reconnected since, which is a shame as they share a deep connection stemming from childhood. They are both organ transplant recipients. Sera has had a heart transplant, and Luke received Sera's heart valves, and the families have been connected by this event ever since. Thanks to flashbacks provided by Felleman, readers are privy to their previous summers together, the growing feelings between them, and the eventual fallout. Jessica M. Felleman's Last Kiss of Summer is a heartfelt YA summer novel that packs an emotional punch.

I really enjoyed Sera from the start of Last Kiss of Summer, and I think many YA readers can relate to her, especially if they have a chronic medical condition. She has to deal with that every day: the limitations, her parents' worry and hovering, in addition to a myriad of other issues - not to mention the everyday pressures of being a teenager. The more the summer progresses, the more Sera realizes that what went down between her and Luke was really just a product of miscommunication. Could they get back to the place they were before? However, in the back of her mind, Sera is worried about her current medical struggles.

The fictional beach town on Cape Cod is the perfect setting for a summer read. I really enjoyed that aspect of Last Kiss of Summer. I also really appreciated Felleman's take on chronic medical conditions as well as organ transplant recipients. Readers could tell that Felleman did her research and brought to the forefront what goes into the daily life of living with this condition. Felleman did it with sensitivity, and it brought a deeper level to the story. Lastly, fans of Nicholas Sparks and A Walk to Remember will especially appreciate this YA novel that gives readers all the feels. Grab your tissues for this one!

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Book Review: The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Romance

Pub. Date: March 24, 2026

Publisher: Forever

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: Just for the Summer,

Part of Your World, Say You'll Remember Me, and Yours Truly

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way. In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything...

For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But Chris isn't the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago—Chris is her boyfriend's best friend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else. And he’s just not that guy."

After a fun night out at a concert, Larissa gets a ride home from Mike, and not his more subdued (and slightly grumpy) friend, Chris. Once Larissa and Mike start dating, though, things get complicated. Mike doesn't have it together, and often Chris fills in for him. When Larissa needs a ride to the hospital for her mother's surgery, it's Chris who steps in to help out. The more time they spend together, the more time they realize they have a lot more in common than they thought, and perhaps there is some chemistry, too. She can't help but wonder what if she had gotten a ride home from Chris the night of the concert? Once Chris adopts a rescue dog, Larissa volunteers to help take care of him when Chris can't due to his busy job, and now they are spending even more time together. But Chris could never betray his best friend, even when Mike doesn't deserve someone like Larissa. Readers keep wondering how long they can deny it, though, especially when Mike has some major difficulties he is hiding from Larissa. Abby Jimenez's latest novel, The Night We Met, is a slow-burning romance filled with real-life issues and a strong friends-to-lovers romance.

Don't get me wrong. Jimenez writes some of the most enjoyable romances out there, but for me, The Night We Met felt a little too heavy at times. Larissa's life is in shambles. She has a really co-dependent relationship with her mom, who is also a mess , and her dad has screwed over her line of credit. She can't get it together, never went to college, and often needs people to bail her out of situations. This got old for me, because I wanted Larissa to be the hero of her own story without the help of men. Eventually, things fall into place, but she needs a lot of assistance. Which is fine! But......this type of scenario felt very young to me at this point in my life. Mike, her boyfriend, is no different and is battling many issues in his life - some more serious than others and Chris cleans up all his messes. Chris seems like the perfect book boyfriend, but the fact that he is constantly doing this for Mike eventually feels like he is enabling him. This dynamic got old.

However, Jimenez does write a good friends-to-lovers romance in The Night We Met. All the aspects of a Jimenez novel that we have come to love are there--witty dialogue, a rescue dog, real-life issues (like a nut allergy!), a realistic romance, and a lot of pining. Due to this, The Night We Met would make a great beach read for those who want a realistic contemporary romance.

So, while The Night We Met isn't my favorite of Jimenez's novels, I still enjoyed it overall. Have you read it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and if you are a fan of Jimenez.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

The Ultimate Summer Reading List for 2026

It's finally here—the best time of the year, in my opinion: beach read season! Find a sunny spot and grab a good book because it's time to relax. I'm here to provide you with recommendations throughout the season, so be sure to bookmark this page. Below, you'll find a list of the best beach reads and summer releases to add to your summer TBR (to-be-read) pile. It looks like it's going to be an excellent summer for books! I've marked any titles that I believe would be great for book clubs with an asterisk (*). Keep an eye on this space for upcoming releases, spotlights, and more as we dive into the joys of beach read season!