Review - - The Summer Swap

The Summer Swap

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Cecilia Lapthorne always vowed she’d never go back to Dune Cottage. So no one is more surprised than Cecilia to find herself escaping her seventy-fifth birthday party to return to the remote Cape Cod cottage—a place filled with memories. Some are good—especially memories of the early days with her husband, volatile artist Cameron.  But then there are the memories she has revealed to no one.

After dropping out of medical school, aspiring artist Lily is cleaning houses on the Cape to get by, guilt-ridden for disappointing her parents. Unoccupied for years, Dune Cottage seems the perfect place to hide away and lick her wounds—until Cecilia unexpectedly arrives. Despite an awkward beginning, Lily accepts Cecilia’s invitation to stay on as her guest, and a flicker of kinship ignites.

Then Todd, Cecilia’s grandson—and Lily’s unrequited crush—shows up, sending a shock wave through their unlikely friendship.  Will Lily find the courage to live the life she wants? Can Cecilia finally let go of the past to find a new future? Because as surely as the tide erases past footprints, this summer is offering both Cecilia and Lily the chance to swap old dreams for new…

PJ's Thoughts:

I always look forward to a new novel by Sarah Morgan. She writes stories I can sink into, characters who are intriguing and relatable, and settings that bring everything together in a vibrant, visceral way. The Summer Swap is another shining example of all the facets that make a Sarah Morgan book hard to put down. 

I love character-driven stories and Morgan's are among the best. I appreciate the way she develops her characters, giving them a multitude of layers, realistic flaws, and challenges. The three primary women in this book are of different generations, each at a defining crossroads in her life, each facing a different set of challenges, and yet each with something of value to teach - and learn from - one another. 

Relationships: that's something else Morgan writes especially well. The way the relationships among these women - as well as romantic relationships for each of them - weave together is flawless, encompassing all the emotion and strife to be expected from real-life situations when secrets, betrayals, forgiveness, and unexpected new beginnings are at play. Whether family, friends, business partners, adversaries, or romance, Morgan's ability to guide her characters through the complicated peaks and valleys of difficult relationships, delivering them to the other side - usually happier, stronger, and more complete - is one of the main reasons her books resonate so strongly and are always on my must-buy list. This one is no exception. I loved it the first time through. I'll probably love it even more when I revisit it, likely sometime this summer, as Sarah Morgan once again carries me away to cozy cottages, sandy beaches, and the soft, sultry breezes of a summer's day on a coastal island.

Add The Summer Swap to your summer reading list. I highly recommend it. 

 

Review - - This Summer Will Be Different

This Summer Will Be Different

by Carley Fortune

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Reviewed by Santa

This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won't give into temptation. This summer will be different.

Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

Santa Says:

The book This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune really is a gem. Felix and Lucy make an explosive connection as soon as they meet on Prince Edward Island. Lucy is planning to meet her friend Bridget there and spend some time at her house. Felix does not know she is his sister Bridget's best friend Lucy ‘Bee’ Ashbey. Bridget’s friendship means too much to Bee. They realize a relationship is out of the question.  

Bee is escaping to Prince Edward Island (PEI) at a crossroads in her life. She quit the corporate world and is trying to figure out her next move. Felix is coming off a breakup with his high school sweetheart. He is as rudderless as Bee is.  

Over the course of five years they become friends. Bee returns to PEI with Bridget over the years to recharge her batteries. She vows to keep Felix at arm's length which is easier said than done. They keep in touch and exchange gifts and books. They even date other people but still find themselves in each other’s arms. They seem to deny that their feelings go any deeper.  

No one is the wiser. Bee comes to love the island and visits every year with her friend Bridget.  She takes over her aunt’s floral business and thrives. Felix and his business partner create vacation cottages on the island and become a great success. 

The true test of their relationship comes when pre-wedding jitters send Bridget to PEI. Bee follows her there. Will this be a catalyst for Bee to pursue her dream of owning her own flower farm? Will Felix and Lucy finally come to declare their love out in the open and live happily ever after? I was rooting for them throughout the book. I think I may have even yelled at them to get on with it! 

I highly recommend this book. Every character added a roundness and real texture to the story. Even PEI was like another character in the book and I think a very important one. Felix calls it home but it becomes Lucy ‘Bee’ Ashbey’s lodestone. Its beauty and simple joys were heartwarming to me. I am adding Prince Edward Island to my bucket list. I think you will, too.

 

Tour Review - - People in Glass Houses

People in Glass Houses

By Jayne Castle

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

His name is Joshua Knight. Once a respected explorer, the press now calls him the Tarnished Knight. He took the fall for a disaster in the Underworld that destroyed his career. The devastating event occurred in the newly discovered sector known as Glass House—a maze of crystal that is rumored to conceal powerful Alien antiquities. The rest of the Hollister Expedition team disappeared and are presumed dead.

Whatever happened down in the tunnels scrambled Josh’s psychic senses and his memories, but he’s determined to uncover the truth. Labeled delusional and paranoid, he retreats to an abandoned mansion in the desert, a house filled with mirrors. Now a recluse, Josh spends his days trying to discover the secrets in the looking glasses that cover the walls. He knows he is running out of time.

Talented, ambitious crystal artist Molly Griffin is shocked to learn that the Tarnished Knight has been located. She drops everything and heads for the mansion to find Josh, confident she can help him regain control of his shattered senses. She has no choice—he is the key to finding her sister, Leona, a member of the vanished expedition team. Josh reluctantly allows her to stay one night but there are two rules: she must not go down into the basement, and she must not uncover the mirrors that have been draped.

But her only hope for finding her sister is to break the rules…

PJ's Thoughts:

If Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick (she's all three) ever writes a book I'm able to put down before reaching the end, I'll probably fall over in shock. It doesn't matter if they're set in the past, the present, or the future, they are all compelling, addictive, and keep me compulsively reading way past my bedtime. People in Glass Houses is the newest entry in what is a very long list of books that would not only fill a keeper shelf of their own in my library, they would fill the whole dang bookcase. 

Molly and Joshua drew me into their story and kept me riveted through a series of surprises, twists, breath-stealing danger (haunted houses, anyone?), and endearing romance right up until the final scene. I loved them, had the best time tagging along on their adventures, and am already eagerly anticipating Molly's sister, Leona's story next. 

This is the seventeenth novel set on the planet of Harmony, far into the future, but don't let that scare you off. First, Harmony was originally populated by citizens of Earth when a curtain opened between the planets (then suddenly and inexplicably closed). Characters have developed advanced psychic and crystal using skills but they're descended from Earth's explorers, not aliens. Each book is written in such a way that you really can start anywhere and not feel lost or confused. Having said that, however, don't be surprised if once you experience any of these stories you immediately want to read more. The characters are relatable, the suspense threads are tightly constructed, the unique qualities of Harmony are fascinating (it really is a character in itself), and the dust bunnies are beyond adorable. Also dangerous when necessary. Or hungry. It's part of their charm. 

If you're a Krentz/Castle/Quick fan, add this one to your summer reading list. If you're new to the author, People in Glass Houses is a great place to jump in. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review & Giveaway - - The. Best Life Book Club

The Best Life Book Club

By Sheila Roberts

Publisher: Mira

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

It started as a book club. It became a way to build a better life together.

Karissa Newcomb is ready for a new start in a new neighborhood, as far away as she can get from Seattle, where her husband cheated on her with the neighbor who was supposed to be her best friend. She and her nine-year-old daughter are moving on to the city of Gig Harbor on the bay in Puget Sound. She even has a new job as an assistant at a small publishing company right in Gig Harbor. Her new boss seems like a bit of a curmudgeon, but a job is a job, she loves to read, and the idea of possibly meeting writers sounds fabulous.

Soon she finds she’s not the only one in need of a refresh. Her new neighbors, Alice and Margot, are dealing with their own crises. Alice is still grieving her late husband and hasn’t been able to get behind the wheel of a car since a close call after his death. Margot is floundering after getting divorced and laid off in quick succession. They could all use a distraction, and a book club seems like just the ticket. Together, the three women, along with Alice’s grumpy older sister, Josie, embark on a literary journey that just might be the kick start they need to begin building their best lives yet.

PJ's Thoughts:

As someone who has met some of my dearest friends through a shared love of books, The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts found a special place in this reader's heart. 

Moving to a new city, especially as an adult, can be difficult. Making new friends, even harder. For these three new neighbors, and one's very cynical sister, books will hold the key to new friendships, new opportunities, new growth, forgiveness, healing, and, in some cases, romance. 

I really enjoyed how Roberts explored these characters. She gives each woman the time and attention she deserves while also weaving their individual journeys together into a fabric of friendship, support, and new beginnings. I found myself cheering them all on, even the curmudgeon. 

The book quotes at the beginning of each chapter are fun additions that set the tone for what's happening with - and to - the characters at that point in the story as well as cool Easter eggs for longtime Roberts readers. Muriel Sterling, anyone? 

Books, what we learn from them and how they impact our lives, is a prevalent theme throughout this book. So too, is both humor and heart-tugging emotion. One thing I'm guaranteed when I pick up a Sheila Roberts book is that she will make me laugh and also touch my heart. It's an intoxicating combination. This book did both, keeping me eagerly reading from start to finish. It's one of my favorites from an author who always entertains. 

Have you read any of Sheila Roberts' books?

Are you, or have you ever been, in a book club?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 8 will receive a print copy of The Best Life Book Club.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - The Dressmaker on Amelia Island

The Dressmaker on Amelia Island

by Hope Holloway

Publisher: Hope Holloway

Release Date: May 3, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

A sisterhood saga with threads of drama, dreams, and danger.

Life for the Wingate women of Amelia Island is never dull! While Raina balances the challenge of nurturing newborn twins and a budding romance, trouble arrives on her doorstep to threaten her sweet new life. And when Tori and Justin firmly disagree on an issue that affects the whole family, their love faces a test that could end their relationship forever.

But one person in the family is enmeshed in the adventure of a lifetime, and she’s keeping the secret from everyone but her former flame. Under the guise of creating a wedding dress for a mafia princess, Madeline steps into a thrilling but risky new role. Leaving the safety and security of her quiet life, this dressmaker must put everything on the line to protect the people she loves most.

As the winds of change blow over Wingate Way, the seven sisters continue to face every crisis with strength, grace, humor, and love.

PJ's Thoughts:

Each book in Hope Holloway's Seven Sisters series has been a pleasure to read but this one, The Dressmaker on Amelia Island, ticked all my happy reader buttons in a big way. Holloway is a master at creating a family of characters who leap from the pages of her books. I feel like I know each of them personally and am thoroughly invested in their lives, their hopes and dreams, their challenges, and, yes, their happiness. I enjoy how each book in the series focuses on the storylines of four primary characters while also threading other family members, friends, local citizens, and adversaries throughout. Just as in real life, no one character lives in a vacuum. I also appreciate the age span of the sisters which gives us relatable journeys at various points of life.

I do love an older heroine and never-married Madeline, at almost fifty is a gem. It's such fun to watch her not only rediscover love but rediscover joy and adventure at the same time. Raina is my favorite of the sisters. She has a fair number of obstacles thrown her way in this book with some surprises along the way. She also has a new man in her life who makes me want to shout, "If you don't take him I will!" Her storyline never fails to make me smile, shed a few tears, and want to stand and cheer. Then there's Tori, a character to whom anyone who has ever had teens will be able to relate. I love the possibilities in her future and especially the tear-inducing grand gesture awaiting her. Finally, there's a new - unexpected - character in this book, one who brings disruption and chaos to one of the sisters. I was surprised by the direction this new character's storyline took. I don't want to give away spoilers so I'll just say I love the way Holloway weaves grace, accountability, and forgiveness into the journeys of (some of) her characters. Alas, there will always be villains who stay villains. 

If you enjoy family sagas with endearing (closed door) romance, sisterly bonds that may stretch but never break, heart-tugging emotion, humor, and (in this book) a bit of danger and suspense, Hope Holloway's Seven Sisters is a series that will have you reading late into the night, closing each book with a deep satisfied sigh, then wanting nothing more than to go back to the beginning and read them all over again. 

This is a series where the stories and relationships in each book build upon the previous book(s). I strongly recommend beginning with book one and reading the entire series in order. The final book, The Inn on Amelia Island, is scheduled to be released on July 12, 2024. 

The Beach House on Amelia Island (book 1)
The Café on Amelia Island (book 2)
The Bookstore on Amelia Island (book 3)
The Florist on Amelia Island (book 4)
The Chocolate Shop on Amelia Island (book 5)
The Dressmaker on Amelia Island (book 6)
The Inn on Amelia Island (book 7)

Have you read any Hope Holloway books yet?

Do you enjoy family sagas? Have you read any that you would recommend?

In this book, Raina is embracing the joys - and challenges - of life with infant twins. Are any of you twins? Do you have twins in your family? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 6 will receive a print copy of book five, The Chocolate Shop on Amelia Island. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Effie Olsen's Summer Special

Effie Olsen's Summer Special

by Rochelle Bilow

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Reviewed by Santa

These childhood best friends swore they’d never speak again. But a surprise summer reunion changes everything when it gives them the chance to turn up the heat.
 
Effie Olsen thought she’d never live on the tiny Maine island where she grew up, but she’s returning from sixteen years as a professional chef in far-flung countries for one summer and one summer only. Her hometown boasts one of the best restaurants in the US, and lucky for her, Brown Butter needs a sous chef. Effie's eager for a chance at redemption after her last job went up in flames, but reluctant to set down roots in a place that reminds her of the ghosts of her past.

Until, that is, she runs into Ernie Callahan, her onetime best friend who now works in the very same restaurant. Early morning swims and late-night games of truth or dare with Ernie remind her of what she’s been missing while traveling the world. He knows her better than anyone, and it doesn’t hurt that his smile lights her up brighter than the lighthouses dotting the craggy coastline.

But their restaurant has a secret that’s bursting at the seams, and if Effie doesn’t keep it, her job will vanish into the foggy Maine air. As summer draws to a close, her dream job and the perfect guy are both within reach. Her salty seaside hometown might be the key to Effie’s sweet ending...if she can learn to let her heart lead the way in time.

Santa Says:

 

Effie Olsen’s Summer Special by Rochelle Bilow melted like butter on a pan seared lobster tail. It would get five stars on Yelp! You see, Effie Olsen is a hot mess. Not that she would ever admit to it. She always has a plan and meets her goals most of the time. She has traveled the world. Worked in world class Michelin star restaurants. Her one shot as head chef at said restaurant and she choked under pressure and got fired. Now it’s time to regroup before heading to the next country on her culinary journey.

What better place to do so than her father’s house where she grew up on Adler island off the coast of Maine. Get in. Get a job as sous chef at Brown Butter, the island’s own Michelin starred restaurant. Save money. Get out by summer’s end She gets the job and celebrates a little too hard. Clears her head at her favorite spot on the island and runs into the hottest man she has ever seen on the island. Closer inspection shows it to be none other than her best friend. This was not part of her plan.

She had only been back a handful of times in the sixteen years that she left. Not that she was avoiding anyone. Not her former best friend in the whole world, Ernie Callahan, who helped her through her parents divorce and adolescence. They were inseparable.

Ernie professed his undying love for her their senior year. He knew what her dreams were and he was willing to wait for her. She panicked and ran for 16 years.

 

Running from Ernie was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. Now this hot, ginger cinnamon roll of a man turns out to be just as wonderful. To add insult to injury, he is working at the same restaurant as a butcher. 

They fight a growing attraction time and again throughout the book. As their renewed friendship grows deeper, Effie reconnects with old and new friends on the island and at the restaurant. It really is a beautifully written love story. 

The only fly in the brown butter, if you will, is the tensions in the restaurant both in the dining room and kitchen largely caused by the toxic masculinity of the owner and head chef. He created Brown Butter as a classy farm to table restaurant. It quickly grew in popularity. Its Michelin standing and quality menu was unsurpassed. But something wasn’t quite right to Effie and most of the crew. An anonymous email had a reporter from New York sniffing around.

The author, Rochelle Bilow, crafted such a great story with Effie and Ernie but the island , Brown Butter and Maine were just as important to it. The laid back atmosphere of the island was in sharp contrast to the tensions in the restaurant kitchen. She really nailed it for me and portrayed it all so realistically. I couldn’t wait to see where the story went. 

I am excited to read more from this author in the very near future.

~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever worked in a restaurant? What did you do? Did you like it?

Have you read Rochelle Bilow?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 5 will receive a print copy of Effie Olsen's Summer Special.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Coming Attractions & Giveaway - - May 2024

 

May has arrived! I'm back from my sojourn to the UK where the gardens are in glorious bloom. I've never seen so many stunning varieties of tulips. I could have happily spent the entire three weeks taking leisurely strolls through gardens and nothing else. You know what else is in full bloom this month? Books! We have a full lineup of terrific new titles to share with you this May. Here's what's on the schedule.

Kicking things off on Wednesday, May 1 is Santa's review of Funny Story by Emily Henry. Santa loved this new romcom that she says "is a funny story about how two people can be thrown together by horrible circumstances and are able to find real, lasting love."

Friday, May 3 brings Santa's review and a giveaway of Effie Olsen's Summer Special, a romcom by Rochelle Bilow that features a reunion romance between childhood best friends who vowed they would never speak again.

Saturday, May 4 features a review of The Dressmaker on Amelia Island, book six in Hope Holloway's emotional and heartwarming Seven Sisters series. This one will definitely tug at your heartstrings. 

Sheila Roberts will be in the spotlight on Monday, May 6 when we feature a review and giveaway of her newest book, The Best Life Book Club. These book club neighbors all had me cheering for them.

Tuesday, May 7 brings a tour review of People in Glass Houses by Jayne Castle (a/k/a Jayne Ann Krentz). This 17th book in her futuristic Harmony series (can totally be read as a standalone!) features another adorable dust bunny along with a riveting story I couldn't stop reading.

Santa returns on Wednesday, May 8 with a review of This Summer Will be Different by Carley Fortune, a women's fiction novel with a best-friend's-younger brother romance. 

Be sure to stop by on Thursday, May 9 for a review of The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan. This women's fiction novel with a strong romantic thread is another keeper from one of my favorite authors. 

Hellie returns on Friday, May 10 with a Top Dish review of Happily Never After by Lynn Painter. Stop by to read why Hellie thinks this romcom should be on everyone's summer beach read list. 

Debbie Mason is back this month with a new story of the complicated relationships among the Rosetti women of Sunshine Bay. Stop by Saturday, May 11 for a review of Three Little Wishes.

On Monday, May 13, I'll be sharing my thoughts about The Heiress's Daughter, a new historical romance novel by Anne Gracie. This is the third book in Gracie's The Brides of Bellaire Gardens series and one I'm eagerly looking forward to reading. 

Speaking of books I'm eager to read, Jenn McKinlay's Love at First Book releases this month. Stop by on Tuesday, May 14 for my review of this book that features an American librarian who moves to a small Irish village and falls for her favorite author's grouchy son.

Wednesday, May 15 brings a review of Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau, an Asian American romcom with a meddling mom who just maybe really does know what's best for her daughter. 

So, I'm an unapologetically enthusiastic fan of The Bachelorette/Bachelor franchise which makes me doubly excited for former Bachelorette Hannah Brown's upcoming debut romcom. Stop by on Thursday, May 16 for my review of Mistakes We Never Made. 

We're heading back to WWII on Monday, May 20 with a review of Kelly Bowen's newest novel, Tomorrow is for the Brave. Bowen is one of my favorite authors which makes me even more eager to dive into this one.

On Tuesday, May 21 I'll be sharing my thoughts about The Prince's Bride, book two in Charis Michaels' Hidden Royals series about French royal siblings who have been secretly living (separately) in exile since childhood. 

Vanessa Riley returns to historical romance with A Gamble at Sunset. Stop by on Wednesday, May 22 for a review of this first book in her new Betting Against the Duke series.

I love a good character redemption arc and am looking forward to discovering what Susan Sands has in mind for cardiac surgeon, Elizabeth Keller. Join us for a review of Bayou Redemption, book four of Sands' contemporary Louisiana series, on Thursday, May 23.

I thoroughly enjoyed Emmaline Warden's debut, Love and Other Perennial Habits, and have been looking forward to the second book in the series. Join me on Friday, May 24 when I share my thoughts about book two in Warden's A Genus of Gentlemen historical romance series: Seasonal Habits of Husbands and Honeybees. 

Next up is a review of the newest historical romcom from Virginia Heath. I'll be sharing my thoughts on Tuesday, May 28 of All's Fair in Love and War, the first book in Heath's Miss Prentice's Protegees series. 

Wrapping up the month on Wednesday, May 29 will be a review of The Promise of Tomorrow, a new women's fiction novel by Mary Ellen Taylor. Taylor, who also writes suspense thrillers as Mary Burton, never fails to touch my heart with her emotional women's fiction stories. 

What are you looking forward to this month?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 3 will receive a print copy of A Summer of Second Chances by Miranda Liasson. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18