Review - - The Lost Book of First Loves

The Lost Book of First Loves

by RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Raised by her literary icon father Carson Wells, Alison Wells always felt loved, even though her mother died when she was a teen. But when she takes a DNA test on a whim and discovers she has a sister she never knew about, it’s clear there are things her father didn't tell her before he died. Determined to meet Juniper—her half sister—and unravel the truth of what happened all those years ago, Ali finds herself taking a job as Juniper’s intern. She’ll eventually figure out a way to tell Juniper the truth of their relationship. But she never could have imagined what would happen next…

Juniper Connolly has always been incredibly healthy…until she wakes up in the hospital after experiencing cardiac arrest, with her new—and recently fired—intern to thank for saving her life. It’s clear June needs to de-stress her life a little, so when Ali offers her the use of her family’s cabin in a small Wyoming town, June has no reason not to go. But when she arrives, her life will never be the same.

Under the wide-open spaces of the Wyoming summer sun, Ali and June will untangle the secrets and lies their lives were built on to discover who they really are and what family really means. But even more than that, they'll build a real relationship with one another and finally become sisters. 

PJ's Thoughts:

The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne is another multi-layered story of complicated relationships that tugs masterfully at the heartstrings. Thayne has a gift for creating complex families - both biological and family of the heart - that take me on an emotional journey.

I enjoyed not only the unfolding story of Ali and June but also the romantic journeys each of them traveled. The themes in the book are plentiful, including found family, forgiveness, acceptance, second chances (in life, career, and love), self discovery, and mapping new paths. That could be a bit much but in Thayne's skilled hands, they are interwoven with care and finesse, leading to an organic evolution of a realistic and relatable journey. 

Another facet of Thayne's writing that I enjoy is her ability to set a vividly depicted scene. She brought Wyoming to life through her descriptions, immersing me in it's majestic mountains and beautiful valleys. I felt as if I was right there with June as she discovered the healing medicine of nature and the first tendrils of belonging. 

If you're looking for a heart-tugging story of healing, hope, family, and endearing romance, add The Lost Book of First Loves to your summer reading list.   

 

Review & Giveaway - - It Takes a Psychic

It Takes a Psychic

by Jayne Ann Krentz

A Harmony Novel

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

PJ's Thoughts:

I first discovered this author while reading her Amanda Quick historical romances. I then fell in love with the romantic suspense books written by Jayne Ann Krentz, having no idea at the time that the two authors were one and the same. Some time later, I stumbled upon Jayne Castle's Harmony books, set a few hundred years in the future on the planet of Harmony. Again, another pen name of this talented wordsmith. Different eras. Different planets. All the same superb writing. Whether I'm in Victorian England, 1930's California, present-day, or across the galaxy in the distant future, I know when I pick up one of her books I'm guaranteed an immersive, relatable story I won't be able to put down.

Leona and Oliver hooked me from the opening pages of this book. They - and the reader - are thrown head first into danger and intrigue almost immediately. Strangers to one another, they discover a common goal (each for their own reasons) which has them teaming up and heading out of town to track down answers. All of this seems completely acceptable to them and especially to Leona because as her moms (who did a quick investigation into Oliver) have told her, he's "probably not a serial killer."

The pace never lags as they face down a weird little town (think Twilight Zone), a cult, mind-altering psi weapons, Underworld hazards (a series of psi-rich tunnels and caves, not Satan's playground), an eccentric hoarder who may hold answers to Leona's childhood, and a cunning, clearly unstable villain who wants at least one - and maybe both - Oliver and Leona dead. It's a wild ride and one that kept me engaged and eagerly flipping pages from start to finish. Castle/Krentz has a way of crafting these stories, and characters, that has me jumping right in with both feet and total acceptance. Nothing seems too "out there" to be believable. 

While the action/suspense element of this book takes the lead, romance is not lost. I loved the chemistry between Oliver and Leona and the way their relationship evolved over the course of the book. Their unique "talents" have caused previous relationships to crash and burn, leading both of them to think they are most likely destined to be alone. It was fun to watch that belief turned on its head. 

Last, but never least, a Jayne Castle Harmony novel would not be complete without a dust bunny. In this book, the star of the show is Roxy, a sparkly-blue-fascinator-wearing, pizza-eating, adventure-seeking, adrenaline junkie who is not about to be left behind when Oliver and Leona set off to solve the mysteries before them. I adored her and I have to be honest, she pretty much steals the whole book. 

If you're in the mood for laughter, suspense, witty dialog, tightly-crafted mystery, quirky characters, romance, danger, and happy endings, pick up a copy of It Takes a Psychic. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

PSA: When you get to Chapter Fifty-Two, make sure you're not eating or drinking anything. I laughed out loud the first time I read it and have continued to do so each of the two...five...fifteen times since. 

Note: If you read last year's People in Glass Houses (click title to read my review), you will recognize Leona as Molly's sister, the one lost in the Underworld who Molly is trying to rescue. If you're new to Harmony, it isn't necessary to read the two books in order to fully enjoy them. I do, however, highly recommend both. 

Have you read Jayne Ann Krentz or any of her other pen names?

Have you read any of the Harmony books?

Do you enjoy reading books with psychic elements? Have you ever had any psychic experiences?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 5 will receive a hardback copy of It Takes a Psychic.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Coming Attractions & Giveaway - - June

 

Memorial Day is in our rearview and summer is just around the corner. It's time for warm summer days and those beach/pool/backyard books we can't put down. Here are the titles on our June schedule that I hope make you laugh, smile, and stay up reading way past your bedtime. 

We're launching this month's schedule on Tuesday, June 3 with a review and giveaway of It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle. Krentz takes us back to the future for another Harmony page turner bubbling over with adventure, humor, romance, and irrepressible dust bunnies.

Wednesday, June 4 brings a review of The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne, a heart-tugging women's fiction novel about family, second chances, and lasting love.

Don't miss my review of Brenda Novak's The Summer That Changed Everything on Thursday, June 5. This compelling novel simmers with suspense, complex family dynamics, and second chance romance. 

Tuesday, June 10 brings a review and (signed) two-book giveaway of Debbie Mason's The Sweet Life.  This feel-good women's fiction novel concludes Mason's Sunshine Bay trilogy and the humorous and heart-tugging stories of the multi-generation Rosetti women. 

Join me on Thursday, June 12 for a tour review of Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft. We're back on the Isle of Skye for the final book in Moorcroft's The Skye Sisters Trilogy, a story of family, adoption, starting over, and unexpected romance. 

We return to the Formula 1 race circuit on Tuesday, June 17 with a review of Josie Juniper's Coming in Hot, a high-stakes romance between a sports journalist and a team owner. This is book two in Juniper's Frontrunners series.

Friday, June 20 brings a review of Small Town Hero, a western romance duet by Linda Lael Miller and Maisey Yates. One book. Two heart-tugging stories. 

Stop by on Friday, July 21 for a review of The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown. I enjoyed the humor, heart, and sparkling banter of Brown's debut and am looking forward to diving into her second rom-com. 

On Monday, June 23 I'll be sharing my thoughts about Eliza and the Duke by Harper St. George. This is book two in St. George's The Doves of New York series about illegitimate American heiresses who must marry an English title in order to claim their inheritance. Things don't always go to plan. I can't wait to dive in. 

Santa will be here on Tuesday, June 24 with a review of Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath. This is book two of Heath's humorous Miss Prentice's Protegees historical rom-com series. 

What has Rosie Montague (or, for that matter, her parents, Romeo and Juliet) been up to since last year's A Daughter of Fair Verona? Don't miss my review of the newest installment in Christina Dodd's hilarious Daughter of Montague series, Thus With A Kiss I Die on Wednesday, June 25.

Join me on Thursday, June 25 for a review of The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis. This heartwarming tale of family, forgiveness, healing, and romance is a great summer read. 

Maisey Yates always takes me on an emotional journey, especially in her women's fiction novels. Stop by on Friday, June 27 for a review of Cruel Summer. The tag line of "A Contemporary Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity Romance of a Life-Changing Road Trip" has me ready to pack my bags and hit the road with these characters.

We're rounding out the month on Monday, June 30 with a review of Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong. Armstrong's Finding Mr. Write was one of my favorite books last year and this author's second rom-com is shaping up to be just as enjoyable. 

What are you looking forward to this month? Any trips on the horizon? Upcoming books to recommend? 

Do your reading tastes change in the summer? 

Two people who post a comment before 11:00 PM (ET), June 4 will receive a book from me.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Reviews - - May 2025

 

May was a busy month here at The Romance Dish. We reviewed 19 books, including several 4-5 star titles and three that earned our highest Top Dish rating, landing on my Best of 2025 watchlist.

Top Dish: Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

Top Dish: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Top Dish: Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria

What were your favorite May reads?