Review - - Lost in the Summer of '69

Lost in the Summer of '69

by Eliza Knight

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Release Date: June 9, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they'll never forget.

Summer, 1969. Eleanor Bell doesn't have anything to lose. According to her doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon, so why not head west now? Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music again in a swan song of her own?

Except Eleanor forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she's going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor. The last thing Nora wants to do before starting as one of Yale's first female undergrads is hit the road. But then Nora hears her grandmother on the radio - singing. Nora and Leanne hop in their Lincoln Continental for a cross-country road trip, always one step behind Eleanor, who has been dubbed the Dame of Rock n' Roll by none other than Johnny Carson.

Full of nostalgia and awash with the warmth of summer, Lost in the Summer of '69 is an epic celebration of savoring the encore-no matter what the next act may bring.

PJ's Thoughts:

Eliza Knight's Lost in the Summer of '69 is one of my favorite books this year. A multi-generation story featuring a grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter, it takes readers from present day back to the summer of 1969 with a life-changing journey of music, books, travel, testing boundaries, chasing dreams, reconnection, and self discovery. 

Knight's compelling storytelling offers up a poignant, immersive, celebratory, heart-tugging journey of female empowerment that hits all the right notes, especially for those of my generation for whom that iconic summer holds precious, sometimes contentious, coming-of-age memories. I laughed, teared up more than once, found myself nodding in agreement with the mother/daughter dynamics, felt the heartbeat of that summer in my soul, and, yes, sang along with the musical artists of my teens as the main characters crisscrossed the country, soaking in the myriad music festivals of that summer while my mind traveled between the book's characters and my own memories. How can it have been 57 years when it feels like only yesterday?

Whether it evokes your own memories or introduces you to that long-ago summer that changed so much, Lost in the Summer of '69 is an uplifting, empowering, emotional, joyful story of relationships, family, personal growth, and chasing your dreams regardless of age or circumstance. It has my enthusiastic recommendation! 

 

Review & Giveaway - - First and Forever

First and Forever

by Lynn Painter

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyote football. So after she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain following an awful encounter with the team’s beloved mascot, she is disgruntled, to put it mildly. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.

When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of a PR nightmare, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, a strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. But he quickly discovers being with Duffy is much easier than he anticipated, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. This secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.

Oozing with chemistry that feels like fireworks and banter that makes you swoon, Lynn Painter delivers her signature blend of heart and humor in this love story that you won’t soon forget.

PJ's Thoughts:

First and Forever is my first book by Lynn Painter. I see all of you out there shaking your heads at me, muttering "first book?" and wondering what rock I've been living under. My only excuse is the tried (but true) too many books, not nearly enough time. I can assure you that after reading this book I will not be using that excuse again. Lynn Painter is now firmly placed on my "must buy, must read" romance list.

I love a book that pulls me in from the get-go and keeps me engaged until the final page, especially if it also gives me well-developed characters who leap from the pages straight into my heart. Characters like Connor and Duffy. I adored them. Their chemistry is top notch, with sparkling banter, plenty of laughs, swoony romance, and emotional underpinnings. There's more than fun and games with these two. I laughed with them, cried with them, and kept eagerly flipping the pages of their story from start to finish.

As a sports obsessed only daughter with multiple brothers and a mischief making father, I especially enjoyed Duffy's family dynamics in this book. I don't know if Painter has brothers but she hits those sibling/parent and sibling/sibling dynamics on the head. It's like she created those characters just for me. 

I loved not only the interactions among the members of Duffy's family but also between Connor and her family. The fan-"boying" over Connor by all of them was an absolute treat. Then there's Connor's own family relationship and Duffy's response to it. It made me want to give them all a big hug. 

If you enjoy contemporary romance bubbling over with humor, heart-tugging emotion, swoony romance, fake dating, and a cheer-worthy happy ending, I recommend picking up a copy of First and Forever by Lynn Painter. It's a keeper. 

Have you read Lynn Painter? 

Do you have a favorite Painter book you recommend? (I'm ready to dive into her back list)

What are you currently reading? 

One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), September 18 will receive a print copy (with sprayed edges) of First and Forever.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - Reasons to be Loved by You

Reasons to be Loved by You

by Hannah Brown

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Perfectionist and former pageant girl Nikki Bennet is looking forward to relaxing at her family’s lake house in Georgia for the Fourth of July. Even though it’s been two years since she was on the reality dating show LovedBy, she still hasn’t recovered from finding out on national TV that her fiancé, Aaron, had been dating another woman all along.

But when she arrives home, her little brother makes a surprise announcement: he’s engaged to his girlfriend, Cara—the “other woman” Aaron had been seeing behind Nikki’s back. And what’s worse? They intend to have the wedding this summer, right here at the lake.

Hoping to stop her brother from making the biggest mistake of his life, Nikki discovers an unlikely ally in Cara’s brother, Nate. While their bond begins as shared shock over their siblings’ rushed nuptials, it quickly deepens into something more. Nikki knows Nate is completely wrong for her—he’s a laidback country boy, she’s a driven LA influencer—and yet he’s a welcome distraction from the mess of her love life… as well as the growing sense that her family's been hiding something from her, something she may not be ready to hear.

But as fireworks light up the water, can Nikki and Nate really stay focused on preventing this wedding? Or will all the reasons they’re wrong for each other lead to an even more unlikely love story—their own?

PJ's Thoughts:

As sweet as a Georgia peach and as tart as a freshly squeezed glass of lemonade on a warm summer's day, Reasons to be Loved by You bubbles with sass, surprising revelations, messy family dynamics, and just plain fun. It's a thoroughly enjoyable journey I didn't want to put down.

All three of Hannah Brown's novels are good reads with relatable characters, intriguing storylines, ride or die friendships, and feel-good romantic endings. I could feel the pulse of the author in all of them but it's this third book that most closely mirrors the author herself, showcasing through her fictitious characters the infectious laughter, joyful grins and genuine southern charm of the woman millions have come to know through her TV appearances. 

From start to finish, I was immersed in the setting, the family, the slow-burn romance, and the messy relationships that shine bright in this book. I could feel the hot summer days, the refreshingly cold lake water on my skin, the star-filled night skies, and the emotional confusion of feeling like the outsider in one's own family. There was snappy dialogue, deep feelings, plenty of humor that made me laugh, but also deep emotions that brought on tears...and more than one surprising twist. I was completely invested. 

If you enjoy a book that's a little bit romcom, a little bit women's fiction, and perfect reading for a lazy summer day - or night - check out Reasons to be Loved by You. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.  

Review - - Bottled Up

Bottled Up

by Liberty Stowe

Vogel Springs Collection - Book 2

Publisher: RubertBossier

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

One canceled pastry chef.

One rising wine maker.

One savory scandal!

Just in time for summer—Steady Now author Liberty Stowe, brings you Bottled Up—an interconnected standalone and book two of the Vogel Springs Collection.

A slow-burn, high-heat, small-town romance where an infamous pastry chef and an international winemaker find themselves bound by one contract and the press they can’t avoid.

It’s been over nine months. I thought they were done with photos of me, at the very least. There’s got to be a more tragic story to print than mine.

I’m not hiding. I’m rebuilding. On my terms.

The headlines scream, World-Renowned Pastry Chef Delilah Mueller Flees Manhattan… but I’ve got one hell of a secret that won’t make it to print.

I’m going back home. To my roots. And they don’t know where home is - until the quiet reset awaiting me in Vogel Springs is interrupted by a swarm of media and everything I’ve been avoiding. Courtesy of world-renowned winemaker, August Montenegro.

What are the odds two planes from different continents would land in the same airport. Seeking the same Texas town. It’s not even on a proper map, and yet they’ve found me… and so has he.

A stranger with crystal pools for eyes that sparkle like the Caribbean under the sun when they meet mine. A man who is standing in the middle of a crowd of press I would do anything to avoid.

If I don’t keep my distance from August Montenegro, I’ll hurt everyone I love… him. I’ll hurt him, too.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've fallen hard for this small Texas town and its residents. With strong elements of community, friendship, complicated family dynamics, snappy banter, and unexpected romance, I was drawn into the lives of August and Delilah, eagerly turning pages from start to finish. 

The mystery of why Delilah returned home unfolds organically throughout the story, as does her relationship with August and her eventual healing. Both lead characters have emotional trauma to deal with which provides depth to their characters as well as the journeys they travel. 

The secondary characters give additional texture to the overall story, helping to move the plot forward while also injecting humor along with business conflict that morphs into solid friendship. I really enjoyed those friendships, both the ones that originated in childhood along with those that formed during the story. I especially liked the way they all came together to support August, Delilah, and Anderson (a key secondary character) working to outsmart the devious obstacles standing in the way of their business success and personal happy endings. 

The details about vineyards and winemaking were especially interesting to me. Stowe did a great job of offering the information naturally through August's actions without making it seem like a lecture or information dump. I felt like I was out there in the vineyard with him, learning the ins and outs right along with the other characters. 

Bottled Up is the second book in Liberty Stowe's Vogel Springs Collection. It stands well on its own but for readers who have already read book one, Steady Now (like me), it's also a fun reunion with several characters who featured in the earlier book and have significant roles in book two. It's always enjoyable to catch up with couples a few years down the road from their own happily ever after.

I'm already looking forward to the next Vogel Springs book. I have my eye on two particular secondary characters and have my fingers crossed that it will be their story. 

 

Review - - Five-Star Summer

Five-Star Summer

by Sarah Morgan

Publisher: MIRA

Release Date: May 5, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Running a five-star Cornish hotel should have been Evie Hamilton’s dream job. But restoring it to its former glory is going to take a miracle. All Evie has is grit, and a hoard of unruly staff who love to speculate about her love life. She needs back-up, and fast.

Enter Abby Jones. Parachuted in by the hotel’s umbrella company for the summer, Abby thinks Evie could be the best friend she never had. But Abby has her own agenda for being in Cornwall. If her real motives are uncovered, their friendship is going to melt away faster than an ice cream in the summer sun.

Yet Abby’s arrival starts a chain reaction. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. But it’s not just the hotel’s five-star reputation that needs rebuilding – Evie and Abby will also have to brave tearing down their lives in order to reshape their futures…

PJ's Thoughts:

I can always count on Sarah Morgan to sweep me away to intriguing places with stories that never fail to touch my heart. With her newest novel, Five-Star Summer, that place is Cornwall and the story is another keeper I found hard to put down.

Much like Abby Jones, I found myself immersed in the rugged beauty of the Cornish coast, the charm of the village locals, and the hotel that stands as their slightly tarnished crown jewel. And, like Evie, I wanted to see that hotel restored to her previous glory. But the story is more than just the hotel. So much more.

Relationships are something Sarah Morgan excels at creating and she's at her best in this book. There's the friendship that grows between Abby and Evie. I love these two, how they bond over the summer as they work together with their shared goal; how they learn from one another, share confidences, encourage one another to live their best lives. But there are also secrets simmering below the surface because, of course. It couldn't be that easy, right?

Then, there are the relationships between Evie and the hotel staff, people who have known her since birth and are having trouble letting go of behaviors honed over 20+ years. The gradual changes that have to happen for Evie to be successful - and happy - are organic and believable.

Romance isn't at the forefront of this story but it absolutely hold a place for both Abby and Evie. I enjoyed both of the men at the heart of their romantic journeys.

And, finally, it wouldn't be a Sarah Morgan book without messy, emotional, life-altering family dynamics. This time, the secrets that unfold hold more than a few unexpected surprises that add depth, growth, and heart-tugging emotion to more than one happy ending. 

Five-Star Summer has my enthusiastic recommendation for your summer reading list. 

Review - - The Last Lady B

The Last Lady B

by Eloisa James

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

In the depths of winter, Lady Genevieve Hughes, her pet piglet, and her septuagenarian husband travel to a haunted abbey in the Scottish Highlands. Evie is excited to meet a ghost (perhaps one of her husband’s three previous wives), but didn’t expect the funny, quirky guests to become the friends she’s never had. And she certainly didn’t imagine meeting Sir Godric Everly, a sardonic, witty solicitor who loathes her husband.

Yet as secrets and lies turn Evie’s world upside down, Sir Godric becomes the one person whom she can trust.

When ghosts, multiple wills, and a shocking marriage certificate bring Lord Burnsby’s past crashing into his present, Burnsby promptly dies, leaving Evie free to remarry…though as a virgin wife, now a virgin widow, she is more unnerved by the marriage bed than a spectral visit.

More importantly, she has to figure out whose identity is false, whose vows are dishonorable, whose truths could destroy her reputation—and where her heart belongs.

PJ's Thoughts:

It's rare for an author I've been reading for 20 years to surprise me but that's exactly what Eloisa James did...and in a very good way. I've read everything this author has published. The Last Lady B, in my opinion, is one of her best. 

The point of view is written in first person, a departure from past James books but very effective in this book. Evie's mind is such a fun place to be! The plot is fast paced, keeping me on my toes from start to finish. While I had no idea how Evie and her true love would ever get their HEA, I was truly hooked and eager to turn each page to discover what awaited around the next corner of this twisty tale and, let me tell you, I did NOT see some of those twists coming! Underpinning the twists are plenty of humor, conflict, witty dialog, social commentary, endearing chemistry, awkward physical intimacy (so well written!), and family of the heart.  

I really enjoyed the characters. They are all (good and bad) expertly developed with organically depicted evolutions that I found believable and relatable. I wanted to be friends with them (well, most of them) but especially Colette and Genevieve (Evie). I love that Colette is so quintessentially French, confident, outspoken, and loyal to those she loves. And, Evie. I really enjoy that she is firmly "of her time" throughout much of the book. It makes her evolution that much more satisfying...and fun. 

Whether you're an Eloisa James fan or new to her books, I enthusiastically recommend picking up a copy of The Last Lady B. I loved my first reading of this engaging Gothic romance. I know it won't be my last.

*ARC received from publisher via Edelweiss+

Fair and unbiased opinions

Review & Giveaway - - The Bridge Back to You

The Bridge Back to You

by Riss M. Neilson

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: March 31, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Olivia owes everything to Celia's Place. It’s where she learned how to be a great chef. It’s also where she first fell in love. But at nineteen, Olivia had a wanderlust she couldn’t deny. And Carmello, whose mother owned the restaurant, couldn’t leave Celia's Place behind any more than he could force Olivia to stay.

Now, ten years later, Olivia is a successful personal chef. Her job allows her to travel the world, and she has never stayed in the same place for too long. When Carmello learns that his mother left shares of her beloved restaurant to both him and Olivia, he plans to buy her portion of the shares back quickly and painlessly.

That is until Olivia shows up at the restaurant, ready to help run it. Carmello sees an opportunity: drive Olivia away from his restaurant so that she will want to sign over her shares. But Olivia sees things a bit differently. She finally has the chance to stay in one place and build a home after years on the move, and perhaps now is the right time to explore whether that home can be with the one who got away.

Soon enough, sparks begin to fly, but can Olivia and Carmello avoid the mistakes of the past?

PJ's Thoughts:

I love a book with layers and this book has them in abundance. The characters are layered, the relationships are layered, and the unexpected second chance that lands in the laps of Carmello and Olivia is most definitely layered. Lots of messy, messy layers. 

The pace of the book isn't fast but that works for me. These characters need the time to rebuild trust, to discover what path they are meant to follow, to forgive, and to choose the future that's right for them. There's a lot of push and pull along the way, as well as self-discovery and character growth, which only makes them - and their second chance - more realistic and relatable. It's a journey filled with emotion, longing, and a hard-won happy ending. I especially enjoyed the periodic flashbacks that allow readers to experience their teenage relationship while also following along with them as reunited adults. 

Neilson surrounds the main couple with a supporting cast that shines. I adore Carmello's young son. His relationships with his father, his mother, the restaurant staff, and Olivia are so endearing and feel authentic to his age and personality. Speaking of his mother, kudos to the author for showing admirable friendship and co-parenting between Carmello and his son's mother, two people who care about one another but not romantically.  

There's also realistic depiction of mental health and chronic health issues, with one character's OCD, another's ADHD and endometriosis, and Carmello and Olivia each grieving the death of Carmello's mother, a woman who was instrumental in both of their lives. The self realization of how each of those conditions impacts past and present decisions plays a significant role in their individual growth as well as the evolution of their second-chance romantic journey. Again, more layers that enhance this story and engage readers on new and different levels. 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the food. Much of the book is set at Celia's Place where Carmello creates mouth watering Dominican and Filipino foods that represent his cultural heritage...and kept me drooling pretty much through the entire book. Be ready to be hungry. :)

  

If you're looking for a slow-burn romance with emotional depth, complex characters, complicated relationships, cultural representation, and second chances (at romance and life), give this one a try. And, if you haven't yet discovered Neilson's adult debut, A Love Like the Sun, check out my review here. 

Have you read Riss M. Neilson yet?

Do you enjoy trying food from other cultures? What are your favorites?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, April 2 will receive a print copy of The Bridge Back to You.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

Review & Giveaway - - A Bride for Marcus

A Bride for Marcus

by Anne Gracie

Devil Riders - Book 6

Publisher: Gracie Enterprises

Release Date: March 25, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

Marcus, the handsome Earl of Alverleigh, is London’s most eligible bachelor—yet he’s vowed never to marry for love. Bitter experience taught him it only brings pain.

Tessa, his lively childhood friend, is now twenty-four and twice widowed, left destitute by her ruthless brother and the laws that prevent women from financial control. Fiercely independent, she refuses to be controlled again—until she’s on the brink of a third forced marriage.

Marcus rescues her with a practical offer: a sensible marriage between old friends. No passion, no risk—just safety and companionship. Tessa hesitates—her freedom is precious—but scandal forces her hand.

On their honeymoon, can the guarded earl and spirited widow rediscover each other? Will laughter, old memories, and long-buried affection bloom? And can what started as practicality and duty become something tender and true?

PJ's Thoughts:

When one has waited 14 years for a certain pivotal side character's story to be told, one approaches that long-awaited book with high expectations and no small amount of trepidation. One then also stays awake reading until 2:00 AM because she can't bear to go to sleep until said character's long overdue and well deserved HEA is secured. Trepidation? Erased. Expectations? Exceeded. Happy ending? You bet! 

Gracie has infused some of my favorite tropes into this heartfelt story. There's childhood friends reunited as adults, friends to lovers, scandal, marriage of convenience (to neutralize said scandal), found family, and meddling, matchmaking relatives. 

All of the tropes are brought to life through the thoughts and actions of beautifully developed characters. That's one of Anne Gracie's strengths. Her characters - both main and side - are multi-layered and realistically portrayed, never failing to elicit emotional reactions in me, whether positive or negative. She does make the villain(s) in this book truly villainous which, of course, renders their eventual downfall especially delicious. Also, I do love an irascible older relative who meddles for all the right reasons, especially if she doesn't show her hand while doing it. And, bonus, not only do we get a Daisy Chance cameo in this book, we also get her hunky Irish husband!

As for Marcus and Tessa, these two had me in their corner from their first encounter as children. I enjoyed their journeys, both individually and as a couple. It was so much fun to watch Marcus's heart soften and open to love and to cheer Tessa on as she finally claims her agency. Together, they balance one another perfectly and fill all those heart holes that had been so empty before. 

Whether you're a long-time Gracie fan or new to her historical world, A Bride for Marcus is written in such a way that you can easily jump in with this book and not miss a beat. 

Have you read Anne Gracie before?

Do you have a favorite book or series written by her?

What secondary character's book are you still waiting for?

Three randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, March 27 will each receive an e-book copy of A Bride for Marcus. 

Review & Giveaway - - The Liar's Treasure

The Liar's Treasure

by Connie Mann

A Speranza Team Novel - Book 2

Publisher: Tyndale Fiction

Release Date: March 10, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

 

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar's Treasure and her family's connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter's back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille's teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.
To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar's Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille's childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it's all connected.
Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille's past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.

PJ's Thoughts:

One thing I've learned about Connie Mann is that she doesn't mess around when it comes to action or suspense. This book didn't take long to plunge me straight into its tightly woven intensity, keeping me on the edge of my seat right up until I turned the final page. I intended to take a few days to read The Liar's Treasure. I finished it the same day I started reading. Each time I tried to put it down, something would happen that kept me turning pages. I had to know what would happen next!

The Liar's Treasure combines greed, faith, ancient legend, mother-daughter relationships, a cache of potential villains, priceless artifacts, and a secret group of women dedicated to coming to the aid of other women in need. It all meshes together in a compelling race across the globe littered with historical clues, surprising twists, life or death encounters, and unexpected romance. 

I'm fascinated by the historical lineage of The Liar's Treasure and how it impacted those who protected it through the centuries as well as those who sought to use its power for ill-gotten gains. Mann expertly weaves the story through history to present day in a realistic, believable way that convinced me I was reading about actual artifacts and not something that came from her imagination. 

So too, are the characters (good and bad) in this book realistic and relatable. That's another facet of Mann's writing that I enjoy. She creates characters with layers, with flaws, strengths, vulnerabilities, morally gray and sometimes completely evil motivations that feel authentic, like people I would actually know or read about in the news. It's the kind of complexity that deepens my investment in the outcome of the story and the various characters' roles in it. 

The Liar's Treasure is book two in Connie Mann's Speranza Team series. It can absolutely be enjoyed on its own but if you prefer to get to know the women of the team from the beginning, you may want to read book one, The Crown Conspiracy, first. (click to read my review)

Have you read any of Connie Mann's books?

Do you enjoy stories that span multiple countries/continents?

The women of Speranza  are each uniquely skilled to be members of the team. If you were a member of a secret society of women dedicated to righting wrongs for other women, what would your special skill be? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, March 12 will receive a signed print copy of The Liar's Treasure. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18