Audiobook Review: Once Upon a Time by Elizabeth Beller

Genre: Biography/Audiobook

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Pub. Date: May 21, 2024

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "A quarter of a century after the plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and sister-in-law Lauren, the magnitude of this tragedy remains fresh. Yet, Carolyn is still an enigmatic figure, a woman whose short life in the spotlight was besieged with misogyny and cruelty.

Amidst today’s cultural reckoning about the way our media treats women, Elizabeth Beller explores the real person behind the tabloid headlines and media frenzy. When she began dating America’s prince, Carolyn was increasingly thrust into an overwhelming spotlight filled with relentless paparazzi who reacted to her reserve with a campaign of harassment and vilification.

To this day, she is still depicted as a privileged princess—icy, vapid, and drug-addicted. She has even been accused of being responsible for their untimely death, allegedly delaying take-off until she finished her pedicure. But now, she is revealed as never before.

A fiercely independent woman devoted to her adopted city and career, Carolyn relied on her impeccable eye and drive to fly up the ranks at Calvin Klein in the glossy, high-stakes fashion world of the 1990s. When Carolyn met her future husband, John was immediately drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence. Their relationship would change her life and catapult her to dizzying fame, but it was her vibrant life before their marriage and then hidden afterwards, that is truly fascinating.

Based on in-depth research and exclusive interviews with friends, family members, teachers, roommates, and colleagues, this comprehensive biography reveals a multi-faceted woman worthy of our attention regardless of her husband and untimely death."

 

Many people believe they know Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy based on what the tabloids highlighted, but she was so much more than that. Once Upon a Time by Elizabeth Beller explores Carolyn's childhood, formative years, career, and her relationship with John Kennedy Jr. If you want to learn more about Carolyn, her motivations, and the triumphs and struggles she experienced, this biography will help you appreciate her more deeply. It also sheds light on the challenges she faced with the media in the latter part of her life, evoking sympathy for her situation. Elizabeth Beller’s Once Upon a Time is a compelling biography of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a misunderstood woman who was truly larger than life.
 
This debut biography starts with Carolyn's childhood, and it examines her relationship with her formidable mother, her sisters, and the often complex relationship with her father. As a teen, she was well-liked, popular, and often a little too social, which had her mother start her in a Catholic school instead of the public school in the neighborhood. Her mother remarried a successful doctor, so Carolyn's life was a bit more affluent after their marriage, and she lived in a nice house in New York. She attended Boston University, and the biography takes us through her college years, and I was surprised to find out she majored in education. This was just one of the interesting tidbits that challenged my original ideas on Carolyn.  
 
Always drawn to fashion, she ends up working at Calvin Klein and works her way up the ladder. Beller dives into some of her fashion and how that evolved through the years. At Calvin Klein, this is where she meets John F. Kennedy Jr., and then her life is forever changed. Once Upon a Time takes us through their first meeting, the dates, breakups, more dates, and eventual engagement. I adored the details surrounding their secret wedding on a private island, how she navigated the Kennedy family, and eventually how she deals with the overbearing media scrutiny. The last quarter of the book mainly focuses on how the tabloids destroyed Carolyn's sense of peace, and she couldn't deal with it in a healthy way. She was constantly portrayed horribly, and it wore her down. Readers can help but feel sympathy towards her and see her in a different light.
 
What inspired me to dive into Once Upon a Time was watching a few episodes of Love Story on FX, which is based on this book. I'm glad I made that choice because the biography filled in some gaps that the show couldn't fully explore. Was it the best written biography? No, it did feel repetitive at times and hyper-focused on Carolyn's looks, but if you're a fan of Love Story, I recommend picking up a copy of Once Upon a Time. Even though we know the sad ending, I still enjoyed learning more about Carolyn. It evoked a strong sense of 90s nostalgia, which I relished in! Also, I appreciated Carolyn as more than just a fashion icon. I hope she is remembered for her full legacy.
 
Are you a fan of Love Story? Do you want to read Once Upon a Time? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

 

Romance Roundup (3)

 

There's nothing like unwinding with a romance, whether it be a contemporary novel or historical, they are sure to distract you from the news-cycle or any other stressful events in your life. I love both historical and contemporary romance novels, so if you are like me, these two books will definitely catch your eye.

 

Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia

Pages: 368

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: December 23, 2024

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Sasha Rubinstein is not on her game. Parenting with an absent (and objectively douchey) ex has never been easy, but, lately, the judgmental side-eye from people at school pick-up feels extra. It doesn’t help that some entitled dad—with his perfect t-shirts and perfectly punchable (yet adorable) face—keeps stealing the last after-school spots and school hoodies out from under her.

Ethan Jones is not trying to trip Sasha up… at school or otherwise. In fact, ever since they met (which she promptly forgot), he’s been hoping for the exact opposite…or at least to stop thinking about her.

When a game-changing job lands them trapped together on an exclusive private island, they resolve to stop sniping at each other and keep things professional. But with tension building between them and the permeating intoxication of island time, temptation blows in on every tropical breeze."

 

 

 

Sasha Rubenstein is a divorced mother of two living in Brooklyn as a freelance video producer. It’s been difficult to juggle it all as the father of her kids isn’t involved. When she is offered a freelance job for the week at Turks and Caicos for a magazine, she jumps at the chance as she needs the money. Once she secures childcare, thanks to her best friend, she then touches down in idyllic Citrine Cay to realize that the editor-in-chief of the magazine is none other than Demon Dad, Ethan Jones. Sasha and her best friend call Ethan Demon Dad because he sabotages Sasha’s school life more often than not. A few examples: He stole the last hoodie for school spirit week right out from under her and took the last and much coveted after-school drama slot right from under her. She was counting on that spot for her daughter, but Ethan is charming, good-looking, and a single divorced dad, so the women and other moms at school bend over backward for him. This irritates Sasha to no end. The problem is that Ethan is attracted to Sasha and before they know it after spending time at Citrine Cay, sparks fly. This complicates things tremendously, but their attraction is real. Could this be the start of a relationship? Nora Dahlia’s Pick-Up is a delightful rom-com in the vein of Annabel Monaghan and Emily Giffin.

I appreciated Sasha in Pick-Up, and I think Dahlia does a great job portraying a single mom’s life, the mundane task of school pick-ups and drop-offs, overly involved PTO moms, life as an only child, and the sandwich generation. The narration jumps from Sasha to Ethan and also another mom at pick-up. This extra narration is at first a bit confusing, but it all comes together by the end. Also, the romance in Pick-Up felt very realistic and I enjoyed it; my only gripe is that it was a workplace romance for at least part of the novel, which I didn’t love. However, I did really enjoy the Caribbean setting; it made me want to get on a plane and get out of the cold. If you enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope and appreciate a good romance with quick-witted dialogue, you’ll enjoy Pick-Up. .

 

Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb

Pages: 432

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: March 21, 2023

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: The Next Ship Home

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads says,"In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define--and defy--an era...She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.

Ava's star is rising just as Frank's career--and public image as a family man--is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.

As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all--the end of all they've shared.

A captivating novel with a star-studded cast spanning continents and decades, Strangers in the Night brings to life the most riveting love story of the twentieth century."

 

Frank Sinatra spots Ava Gardner at the Hollywood Palladium and she takes his breath away. This started an obsession, but the timing was never right between the two. For starters, Frank is married to Nancy, who he is convinced he shouldn't leave, because they have an understanding and she is the mother to his kids. Ava doesn't have time for Frank's games. She is married to Mickey Rooney and is focused on becoming one of Hollywood's starlets. As the years go by, they cross paths and Ava is finally on the brink of success. Frank is a struggling singer plagued by the media giving him grief for one thing or another and his temper is always getting the best of him. Once Ava is divorced, they start a relationship that is on-again-off-again for years and so very tumultuous. Their relationship is like a car wreck; you don't want to stare, but you can't help it. Cue the drama! Heather Webb's Strangers in the Night, while is dishy like your favorite celebrity magazine, lacks emotional depth.

Webb does a decent job taking readers through the ups and downs of Frank and Ava's relationship in Strangers in the Night. However, it was like something out of a Colleen Hoover novel - very unhealthy and very toxic. In fact, their relationship was depressing, because readers hope for something more for both of these larger-than-life Hollywood stars. The plot was basically this: Ava and Frank have incredible chemistry. They get in a fight. It's horrible and they do something regrettable. Then they get back together. Rinse, lather, repeat. I wish there was more substance and character development. I wish Webb would have done a deeper dive into what makes Ava Gardner and Frank tick. Instead, it jumps from one disturbing event to another. Needless to say, I was enthralled by the Old Hollywood setting and I learned a lot about these two celebrities, but I just wish it offered so much more than it did.  

Have you read Pick-Up or Strangers in the Night? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Mini Reviews: Mysteries Perfect for Fall

I love a good romance, but there's something about the fall weather that lends itself to thrillers and mysteries. Today I'm sharing two mysteries that will be sure to keep your flipping the pages this fall season.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: March 5, 2024

Publisher: Celadon

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter?

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it.

The truth is out there, if we just listen."

 

Lucy left her small hometown in Texas years ago, but after losing her job, she returns home to attend her beloved grandmother's birthday party. But this isn't just any homecoming. In her twenties, Lucy was accused of killing her best friend, Savannah. Savannah was found in the woods bludgeoned to death and Lucy doesn't remember what happened. She was walking around delirious covered in Savannah's blood. All arrows pointed to Lucy as the murderer, but there wasn't enough evidence. Plus, why would she kill her best friend? Now Savannah's case has been reopened by Ben Owens, a famous true crime podcaster. He is asking around and taking interviews about Savannah's death. Lucy starts to work with him to  uncover what happened to Savvy and slowly secrets are revealed and more evidence is gained through Ben's interviews. Fans of true crime podcasts will eat up Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera; it's a debut that will surely keep readers flipping the pages.

At first I didn't really like Lucy in Listen for the Lie. She's brash, has a lot of dark humor, and makes really poor choices, not to mention she hears voices. This part of the novel took some time to get used to. I was thinking she was a bit of a headcase, but slowly, as readers get to know her, they can empathize with her and her situation.  She was in an unhealthy marriage and has tried to escape that as well as her hometown's prejudices, but now she must face them when she returns home. Her slow burn relationship with Ben, the podcaster, was also done well, and I was desperate for them to uncover the truth regarding Savvy. Tintera told the story very well in that she tied in podcast episodes and like everyone else, I went through a true crime podcast phase, so this book was right up my alley. My only gripe was how so many dysfunctional (not to mention abusive!) people can live in one small town. They were all so  tragically flawed, but I guess that makes for an entertaining story. Other than that, I thought it was a well-executed mystery. This would be a great pick for fall!

 

 

 

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Fiction/Audio Book

Pub. Date: May 23, 2023

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says,  "Can you stop a murder after it’s already happened?

It is midnight on the morning of Halloween, and Jen anxiously waits up for her 18-year-old son, Todd, to return home. But worries about his broken curfew transform into something much more dangerous when Todd finally emerges from the darkness. As Jen watches through the window, she sees her funny, seemingly happy teenage son stab a total stranger.

She doesn’t know who the victim is, or why Todd has committed such a devastating act of violence. All she knows is that her life, and Todd’s, have been shattered.

After her son is taken into custody, Jen falls asleep in despair. But when she wakes up… it is yesterday. The murder has not happened yet—and there may be a chance to stop it. Each morning, when Jen wakes, she is further back in the past, first weeks, then years, before the murder. And Jen realizes that somewhere in the past lies the trigger for Todd’s terrible crime…and it is her mission to find it, and prevent it from taking place."

Jen is a happily married divorce lawyer and mother to a son, Todd, who is eighteen years old. On the morning of Halloween, she witnesses her son stab an older man, who appeared to be following him. Her brain can't process this! How could her sweet son do this? Consequently, Todd is arrested and her family is left in shock. The next morning she wakes up and it's October 29th, the day before the fateful incident. Jen has no idea what's going on, but she realizes that maybe she has "time traveled" and can stop Todd from committing this horrific crime. Hopefully, she can also piece together who is the man he has stabbed and how things have led up to this. Each morning Jen wakes up and she is further back in time. Slowly she starts to piece together the puzzle of crime, why her son did this, and what secrets her husband is hiding. Gillian McAllister's Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a thrilling mystery that's perfect for the fall.

Jen is a lawyer in Wrong Place, Wrong Time, so it was interesting to see  her piece together this crime and slowly solve the puzzle along with the readers. I must say I didn't see the resolution coming at all, so McAllister provides readers with a lot of plot twists. But this isn't just a thrilling mystery, it also includes a lot of commentary about family, and especially motherhood. I could appreciate Jen's observations about the different phases of raising a boy and how fleeting each stage is, only to be replaced by another. The novel also dabbles in the butterfly effect - how even small actions can change the future. This was the first novel I've read by McAllister novel and it certainly won't be the last.

Have you read either of these novels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Mini Reviews: Genre Bending Novels

 

I really love when a novel can push the envelope regarding its genre. Is it a romance? A mystery? A thriller? One of my favorite novels, Outlander, definitely excels at this, so I am always on the hunt for a novel that can be all the things! That's the case with these two noteworthy novels of the summer.

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

Pages: 608

Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Pub. Date: June 25, 2024

Publisher: Crown

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope."

 

 

 

 

It's 1975 in rural Missouri town filled with a cast of characters. Patch, a thirteen year old boy (who is aptly named Patch because he is missing an eye and wears a patch like a pirate) is best friends with Saint, a determined and adventurous girl being raised by her grandmother. They live very different lives; Saint has always looked out for Patch as he is being raised by an alcoholic mother who isn't there for him. One day Patch witnesses a masked man attack his crush, Misty, in the woods and he is  determined to save her. Misty escapes, thanks to Patch, but the man kidnaps Patch. He ends up in a very dark cellar with another girl, who  after spending many days with, has changed his life and essentially  keeps him alive. Meanwhile, Saint is determined to find out what happened to Patch. Once Patch does escape, he vows to find the girl from the cellar, even if it takes years. Things get even more complicated  when the town finds more buried bodies and Saint has some ideas of who could be abducting and killing these girls. Chris Whitaker's All the Colors of the Dark spans decades as it follows Saint and Patch on their individual, but related quests. The story is part mystery and part coming of age story; despite its massive length it is a very well written novel that will definitely stay  with readers.

I was sucked in immediately when I started All the Colors of the Dark. I really enjoyed Whitaker's short chapters and the way he spun this tale. The first hundred pages read like a coming of age story, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and despite some parts being difficult to read (this is a crime novel!), I was invested in Patch's story as well as Saint's. Saint was determined to find Patch and as the story continues, he remains a focal point in her life. I can't give away too many details for fear of spoilers, but All the Colors of the Dark is hard to pin down. It's so much more than a crime novel; it's deeply layered and filled with such memorable characters. My only gripe was the length; it was extremely long, but other than that it was a fantastic novel and one of my favorites of the summer.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Pages: 352

Genre: Sci-fi

Pub. Date: May 7, 2024

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads says, "In the near future, a civil servant is offered the salary of her dreams and is, shortly afterward, told what project she’ll be working on. A recently established government ministry is gathering “expats” from across history to establish whether time travel is feasible—for the body, but also for the fabric of space-time.

She is tasked with working as a “bridge”: living with, assisting, and monitoring the expat known as “1847” or Commander Graham Gore. As far as history is concerned, Commander Gore died on Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1845 expedition to the Arctic, so he’s a little disoriented to be living with an unmarried woman who regularly shows her calves, surrounded by outlandish concepts such as “washing machines,” “Spotify,” and “the collapse of the British Empire.” But with an appetite for discovery, a seven-a-day cigarette habit, and the support of a charming and chaotic cast of fellow expats, he soon adjusts. Over the next year, what the bridge initially thought would be, at best, a horrifically uncomfortable roommate dynamic, evolves into something much deeper. By the time the true shape of the Ministry’s project comes to light, the bridge has fallen haphazardly, fervently in love, with consequences she never could have imagined. Forced to confront the choices that brought them together, the bridge must finally reckon with how—and whether she believes—what she does next can change the future."

An unnamed young woman works for the government in a special section, Ministry of Time, which helps time travelers get acclimated to 21st century life. The narrator's job is to be a "bridge" for Lt. Graham Gore, a polar explorer, best known for the 1845 Franklin Expedition. Before Gore's untimely death, he is pulled from that time to the present day. It's the narrator's job to get him settled into his new life in London as he will initially live at her house. As the days go on, many funny as well as interesting things occur as Gore gets used to modern life as well as the fact that the British Empire is, in fact, not an empire anymore. Slowly the narrator shares a connection with Gore. Readers also get snippets from Gore's point of view while on the fateful expedition in 1845. Kaliane Bradley's debut novel, The Ministry of Time is a mash up of time travel, sci-fi, romance, and is even a spy novel, but ultimately it fell flat for me.

I think the premise of The Ministry of Time is very clever. It has all the elements of some of my favorite novels. I enjoyed the narrator as well as Gore, and really liked the parts about him adapting to his new life. I appreciated the fact that The Ministry of Time is thought provoking and makes many observations; however, the story lacked world-building as well as character building. Essentially, I wanted to dig deeper into the narrator's life and we don't even get to know her name! I felt like the  writing was very surface level and I wanted so much more. So, while many people enjoyed this debut novel (President Obama for one!), I felt like it was a letdown despite all its potential.

 

Have you read either of these novels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Book Review: The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff

 

Pages: 336

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: July 30, 2024

Publisher: Park Row

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Unforgettable and utterly romantic, The Days I Loved You Most is a heart-wrenching, life-affirming novel that asks, How much would you sacrifice for the one you love?

In the summer of 1941, on the New England shores where they were raised, Evelyn and Joseph fell in love. Now, more than sixty years later, with a lifetime between them, they have gathered their three grown children to share the staggering news: she has received a tragic diagnosis, and he cannot live without her. So in one year’s time, they will end their lives on their own terms.

As the couple comes to grips with their fate, they retrace their past—the joys and regrets, the laughter and the sorrow—that brought them to this moment. They embark on a journey to live out their greatest dreams and to comfort and connect with each of their children before they're gone. But as their final days draw closer, they must confront the stark reality of what they are about to do, and make peace with the legacy they will leave behind for their family.

Spanning the twentieth century from World War II to 9/11 and beyond, The Days I Loved You Most is a timeless tale of unwavering devotion -- a moving tribute to the enduring power of love and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope and beauty to be found.

 

Evelyn and Joseph have grown up together on the shores of Connecticut. Joseph's family owns an inn and has spent most of his childhood days with Evelyn and her brother. As they get older, feelings develop between Evelyn and Joseph, but Evelyn is sent away to school in Boston. She will only see her brother and Joseph during the summers, but each summer is glorious. WWII tears them apart like many other American families, but Evelyn and  Joseph come together after much strife to be married. As the years go by, Evelyn, a new mother, has to give up her dream of being a concert pianist, for life as an innkeeper in the town they grew up in. This isn't the life she imagined, but it has its sweet moments. They share three children: Jane, Thomas, and Violet, and their love sustains them for many years. Fast forward to their 70s and Evelyn finds out she has an aggressive form of Parkinson's Disease and doesn't have much time left. She makes the decision that instead of falling apart as her mother did, rattled with illness, and being a burden to everyone around her, she will end her life in one year. They have one more year of memories and celebrations by the Connecticut shore with their beloved family, but the catch is Joseph wants to end his life, too. They can't imagine a world without one another. Obviously, their family is shocked by this news and each child handles it differently. Amy Neff's debut romance, The Days I Loved You Most is a sweeping saga that is reminiscent of The Notebook. Fans of romance will relish this one.
 
I really enjoyed how Neff told the story of Joseph and Evelyn's romance. The story starts out with them as young children along the shore all the way to their 70s.  It takes us through important moments in history: WWII, the Kennedy assassination, the sexual revolution, and even 9/11. If you enjoyed the romance in The Notebook, you'll appreciate this sentimental story that shows a marriage through the ups and downs of life, parenthood, and eventually a life altering diagnosis. While The Days I Loved You Most deals with some heavier topics at times, it is balanced out nicely by the rest of  the story and flashbacks to happier times.
 
The chapters are also told from the children's points of view, so readers can get to know the family's shared history. Jane is the wild child who has a falling out with Evelyn and it takes years to get back on track. She flees to California and this upsets the family greatly. Then there's Thomas, who has always been responsible and studious, but he is dealing with some heavier issues as a married adult. Then there's Violet, who lives near her parents, but things aren't always as picture-perfect in her life as one might expect. All children deal with their parents' news differently and process things at a different pace. I found it frustrating that Evelyn wanted to end her life early, but I can't absolutely understand why. So, Neff explores the big issues of mortality and the idea of dignity in dying in The Days I Loved You Most.

I really enjoyed the Connecticut shore setting, which makes The Days I Loved You Most a wonderful romance for the summertime. If you love a sappy and emotional romance, definitely give this one a try before summer ends. Are you a fan of romances like The Notebook? Let me know in the comments if you read The Days I Loved You Most or if it's on your TBR list.

 

 

 

Mini Reviews: Book Club Picks

 

If you are like me and always curious about celebrity book club picks, then I've got you covered. These two debut novels were recently book club picks and would be solid summer reading choices. 

 

How To End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

Pages: 384

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: April 9, 2024

Publisher: Avon
Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the thirteen years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever. Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels, and if she can hide her imposter syndrome and overcome her writer’s block, surely the rest of her life will fall into place too. LA is the fresh start she needs. After all, no one knows her there. Except…

Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past, including building a life across the country. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects that he just can’t pass up.

Grant’s exactly as Helen remembers him—charming, funny, popular, and lovable in ways that she’s never been. And Helen’s exactly as Grant remembers too—brilliant, beautiful, closed off. But working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all.

When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. And yet… the key to making peace with their past—and themselves—might just lie in holding on to each other in the present."

Helen Zhang is a YA novelist and one of her novels is being adapted for television. While in the writer's room, she finds out she'll be working with her former high school classmate and all-around popular guy, Grant Shepard. This isn't a normal high school acquaintance though. She has a dark history with Grant in that her sister jumped intentionally in front of his car which ended her life thirteen years ago. There's so much unresolved angst and sadness for both characters around this that seeing one another brings it all up again. They have to work together and keep things professional, but it is becoming challenging, especially as they start to have feelings for one another. Helen's parents would never go for this, so their budding relationship is essentially doomed unless Helen starts living her authentic life and faces her family and her past. How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang is a steamy romance filled with a lot of heart and trauma.

Reese Witherspoon's Book Club selected How to End a Love Story as their book of the month, so I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. There was some definite chemistry between Grant and Helen but their on-again-off-again/will I...won't I...romance was sometimes annoying. It felt really immature, but admittingly, the characters are quite younger than me. There were a lot of steamy scenes in this novel, so much so that I think it distracted readers from the plot. I wish there was more of a focus on Helen and her growth as a character, especially dealing with her parents and her sister's death. Nonetheless, it was a solid debut if you like romance novels on the sad side as it does deal with a lot of  trauma - anxiety, unresolved grief, suicide, the immigrant experience, and difficult relationships with family.

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Doubleday

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There’s only one problem—she’s not married. She’s never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they’ve been together for years.

As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can’t remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you’ve taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?"

 

 

Lauren attends a bachelorette party one night and returns home to her apartment a bit  tipsy. Much to her surprise, there is a man in her apartment, one who  seems to know her quite well. After a bit of a freak out, and some  investigation, she realizes that this man isn't necessarily a threat,  but instead, he is her husband. How can this be? As Lauren investigates what's going on, she realizes it has to do with her attic. It's experiencing an electrical malfunction and every time a "husband" goes up there, a new one comes out. So, basically, Lauren gets to experience a new version of her life along with every new husband. Some of the husbands are great, some are not so great, and the less than desirable ones she promptly sends them back up in the attic. Will Lauren ever find "the one?" Holly Gramazio's debut novel, The Husbands, is a fun take on the typical time loop novel.

The Husbands had me laughing out loud in true rom-com fashion more than I expected. It has some major Groundhog Day vibes and I really enjoyed this fresh take on the usual time loop novels I read. Lauren gets herself into some hilarious circumstances and while this novel is unrealistic, Gramazio presents it in such a fun way that I enjoyed being lost in Lauren's world. The Husbands is a "Read with Jenna" Book Club pick and I could see why as it not only is a rom-com, but it also touches on  bigger questions about life and the choices we make. 

 

 

Have you read either debut novel? Let me now your htoughts in the comments below.

 

Mini Reviews: New Releases

I'm sure most beach read lovers out there have had their eye on Christina Lauren's latest novel; how could you not with such a tropical cover like that? It did not disappoint! I'm also sharing my thoughts on a debut novel that is perfect for fans of baseball.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Pages: 352 

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: May 14, 2024

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Unhoneymooners,

Love and Other Words, Twice in a Blue Moon,

 and In a Holidaze

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Christina Lauren, returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance. Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.

Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.

Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents—his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.

But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie."

 

 

Anna Green married Liam Weston years ago as an arrangement to qualify for the much coveted campus housing in college. After an amicable arrangement, they part ways at graduation and don't see each other for years; that is until Liam shows up on Anna's doorstep. Apparently, they never really divorced and he needs her help again. Liam is the heir to a major successful grocery store chain and needs to stay married for five years to obtain his inheritance. This is where Anna comes in. He needs her to pretend to be married to him and attend his sister's wedding; in turn, Anna will get a cut of the money, which she desperately needs and Liam will get his inheritance if all goes well. So, off Anna and Liam go to a private island for a family wedding and although Liam's family is pretty horrible, Anna has come to realize that he isn't. Christina Lauren's The Paradise Problem is a steamy rom-com with everything readers could want in a beach read: a tropical setting, an opposites attract romance, family drama, and a lot of witty banter.

The Paradise Problem had me laughing out loud at times. It reminded me of one of my favorite rom-coms from the 90s. Anna is a delightful character, but also very quirky; you can't help but love her. Liam is her polar opposite, so I really enjoyed how their romance unfolded. Fans of the fake marriage trope will especially enjoy this one. Also, I liked the private island setting of The Paradise Problem as this only added to the beach read appeal. Fans of romance can't go wrong with Christina Lauren's novels. The Paradise Problem will make for great vacation reading this summer.

Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss

Pages: 368

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 16, 2024

Publisher: G.P. Putnam

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A young woman's reluctant return to her Jersey Shore hometown gives her the second chance she didn’t know she needed.

In New York City, newly single Caroline Kline is stumbling her way through the recent implosion of her life. After a surprise breakup leaves her with no job, no apartment, and no backup plan, she’s unsure what to do next. That is, until her father, Leo, injures himself in a bad fall and asks her to move home to the Jersey Shore suburb she was always desperate to escape. But Leo doesn’t want his daughter to be his caretaker; he needs her to replace him as third baseman in his local men’s softball league. This isn’t just any season, he claims. This is the year they have a real shot at the World Series, the pride and joy of Glen Brook, New Jersey.

Caroline agrees to move home, concerned that Leo is hiding a more serious health condition than he’s willing to admit. As the first female player in a league full of old-school men, she’s up against more than a few challenges. And when a night gone wrong lands her in the path of her hometown crush—and first love—Caroline struggles to reconcile the life she thought she’d have with the life she might actually want."

Caroline Kline has escaped her small Jersey shore hometown for the big city, except things aren't going as planned. She is struggling in all areas of her life and things only get worse when she gets a call that her dad, Leo, has fallen and is injured. He requests she come home to help him out while he recovers. Caroline really doesn't want to return home to all her old problems and the people she'd rather avoid, but she wants to be there for her dad. Turns out, her dad wants more than a caretaker. Caroline, who used to be a softball star, would be the perfect replacement on his men's softball team. She could take his spot on the team as he is convinced that the team is going to go all the way to the Men's Softball World Series. Being that Caroline's prospects in New York City aren't great at this time, she sticks around to help out and even play on her dad's team, which isn't very welcoming to her in the least. Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss is a charming debut novel that had me laughing out loud. Fans of baseball as well as family dramas will especially appreciate this one.

To be honest, Caroline isn't a very likable character in Welcome Home, Caroline Kline. She is struggling, makes poor choices, is pretty insecure, and is a self-saboteur. She is dealing with a lot of demons and needs to get it together. Where better to do that than back at home, right? Wrong. She is forced to confront issues she has run away from, her divorced parents, her old crush, her raging temper and even the sexist behavior of the men's softball team. As time passes, Caroline does evolve and grows as a person, which helps her to confront some of her issues. I really enjoy baseball, so I loved all the details of the softball games and the team's dreams of attending the World Series. This was a cute debut novel with a lot of steamier moments than I anticipated; nonetheless, a solid summer read with a Jersey Shore setting and all the baseball details.  

So, are you a fan of Christina Lauren? Will you be adding any of these books to your summer TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Mini Reviews: Romantic New Releases

There are so many cute romances coming out this spring and today I'm sharing two that were at the top of my radar. One involves some magical realism and the other will have you armchair traveling to gorgeous Scotland. Both did not disappoint!

 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: March 19, 2024

Publisher: Atria

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By the Author: In Five Years and

One Italian Summer

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Being single is like playing the lottery. There’s always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all. From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man , she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.

Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for."

Daphne Bell works in Hollywood as a production assistant. Other than the glamorous setting of Hollywood, California, her life is pretty normal except for one thing. She receives notes from the universe regarding the people she dates. The note includes the person's name and how long she will date him. This has happened to her since the 5th grade. This is all well and good until one day she receives a note with the word "Jake" on it with no time length. Could this be it for her? Could Jake be the one? After she meets Jake, she realizes he is charming, adorable, and someone she could see herself with, so why not go all in? Except she doesn't. She is hiding a secret from him. Once Jake meets Hugo, her ex-boyfriend and current best friend, things start to get weird. Could Hugo, who is perpetually dating other women, actually still have feelings for Daphne? Daphne must decide to let fate take over or finally take control of her life. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is a charming romance with a touch of magical realism.

I have really come to enjoy Serle's novels as they always have a bit of magical realism - not too much to make it entirely unbelievable, but just enough to make it fun. Notes from the universe? Sounds compelling! That is until you think about it and question how much you are taking control of your life versus just living out the note's expectations. This is exactly what Rebecca grapples with in Expiration Dates. The book isn't all romantic fluff though as Daphne does deal with some chronic health issues, but Serle handles it very well and really highlights how a chronic disease can impact just about every aspect of your life and your decisions. So, if you are looking for a cute romance and enjoy touches of magic, look no further than Expiration Dates.  

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: March 5, 2024

Publisher: Harlequin

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Ready or Scot... Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm.

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself.

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

Addie Macrae is a travel consultant; she travels the world helping tour groups revamp their businesses. Her latest job is in Scotland consulting for Heart of the Highlands Tour Company. Scotland holds a special place in her heart as it is her late mother's favorite destination. While there, she hopes to not only help the struggling tour company avoid bankruptcy but also visit some of her mother's old haunts. Once she meets The Heart of the Highland Tour Company's owner, Logan Sutherland, she realizes this is going to be much harder than she thought. Even though he is a sexy kilt-wearing Scotsman, he is stubborn and isn't open to change despite his parents' insistence that the tour company gets some updates. Logan isn't interested in providing a tour just like everyone else with stops at gimmicky souvenir shops and the usual destinations; he wants to provide a more off-the-beaten-path tour with a lot of heart. While this is all well and good, the tour company needs to make money, so Addie hopes to find a compromise. The more time they spend together, the more sparks fly and the more time Addie is in Scotland, she starts to address her mother's death, a topic she has been avoiding head-on. Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley is a romantic debut that had me dreaming of planning my own trip to Scotland.

I absolutely adore books set in Ireland and Scotland, so I knew I'd fall in love with the setting of Kilt Trip. Kiley did not disappoint. Readers who enjoy a good armchair traveling session will especially appreciate this one! I also really enjoyed the budding romance between Addie and Logan, not to mention his Scottish brogue which felt extremely authentic. If you love a heartfelt romance with some depth as Addie does address issues of grief, you'll enjoy Kilt Trip. I can promise, like me, you'll be scanning for some airfare deals to escape to Scotland.

 

Have you read Expiration Dates or Kilt Trip? Are these books on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.