Review & Giveaway - - The Sweetheart List

The Sweetheart List

by Jill Shalvis

The Sunrise Cove Series - Book 4

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: June 13, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

What makes life sweet?

• Freshly baked bread
• A cool lake on a hot summer day
• The comfort of a cozy bookstore
• Second chances and new beginnings

When Harper Shaw’s life falls apart, she knows it’s time for a change. She removes everything that doesn’t spark joy—from her soul-sucking job to eating kale to making lists—and sets off for the last place she was happy, Lake Tahoe (who wouldn’t feel good there, right?) to fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery.

With her Sugar Pine Bakery in between a tavern, owned by sexy, grumpy Bodie Campbell, and a bookstore, run by her new BFF, she feels a peace she’s never experienced since…well, forever.. Then she meets Ivy, a teenage runaway, who barrels into her heart. She sees a lot of herself in Ivy and takes her under her wing, but the teenager has secrets…

When those secrets explode, it changes Harper’s new world, and she’ll learn, it’s never too late to start over, it’s never too late to figure out your life, and best of all, it’s never too late to let yourself believe in love.

PJ's Thoughts:

Connection. It's a facet of the books in this series that has had a profound impact on me. In The Sweetheart List, those connections come in the form of biological family, friendships formed, romantic relationships, chosen family, and, yes, even pets and humans. In this case, that animal connection comes in the form of Hambone, a huge, goofy, Bernese Mountain Dog with a weakness for treats, belly rubs, and the people to whom he happily gives his heart. I adored him.

I love this author's ability to create a cast of multi-layered, complex characters, bring them together, then slowly, carefully, begin to unravel all the complications that are keeping them apart. There are heart-tugging emotions, life-changing revelations, steamy desire, and hopeful new beginnings on the horizon. If the characters are brave enough to reach for them. There are poignant moments throughout but also plenty of perfectly placed humor. Kudos to those authors who can make me laugh, cry, and sigh with happy satisfaction when I turn the final page. 

I fell hard for the Campbell family, those characters born into it and those invited to be a part of it. Shalvis nailed the dynamic among the brothers as well as the love and respect they all have for their petite but powerful mother. There's absolutely no doubt about who rules this family with a loving hug and an iron resolve. 

Harper, Bodie, and Ivy all captured my heart. I was in each of their corners all the way through to their hard-won happy endings. Harper's kindness reeled me in, just as it did to everyone else she meets in Sunrise Cove. Ivy's tough outer layer that hides a vulnerable center aching for love had me in tears more than once. And Bodie. He's such a good guy. Dealing with issues, still a bit of a grump (but with a heart that is always in the right place), slowly healing and opening himself up to those who love him. I won't be forgetting any of them anytime soon. 

Also, I want to be the next one to live in the apartment above Harper's bakery (without raccoons, please). Just the thought of waking each morning to the aroma of her cinnamon rolls has my taste buds happy dancing, not to mention her chocolate and mint cookies, and her special blend of coffee, and her Red Velvet cake, and...and...and... Yes, well, you get the idea. 

The Sweetheart List is book four in the Sunrise Cove series but is a standalone story as is each book in the series. I enthusiastically recommend adding this warm hug of a book to your summer reading list. 

Have you read any of the books in the Sunrise Cove series?

Between Harper's bakery and Bodie's pub, food is an important part of this book. What breakfast aromas are sure to pull you out of bed? 

Do you have a pet connection? Tell me about him/her.

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 16 will receive a print copy of The Sweetheart List. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Thank you to Avon Books for today's giveaway. 

Review - - The Cafe at Beach End

The Cafe at Beach End

by RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher: Canary Street Press

Release Date: June 13, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

When Meredith Collins was a child, the little beach town of Cape Sanctuary lived up to its name. Spending summers there with her grandmother, Meredith finally felt safe and loved.

Now she’s returning in disgrace. Her late ex-husband swindled investors out of millions of dollars and made Meredith a figure of scorn—though she knew nothing about his scheme. But she still has the beach cottage she inherited from her grandmother and half ownership of the local café. It’s a place to work and earn a little money. That’s if her cousin, Tori, will let her through the door. Once, Tori and Meredith were as close as sisters—until Meredith chose her neglectful parents’ expectations over their bond. Now widowed with a teenage daughter, Tori isn’t setting out a welcome mat for the woman who let her down so badly.

While Meredith tries to make a fresh start, she is drawn to a mysterious writer renting the cottage next door. Liam Byrne’s kindness is a balm, though she worries he might not be so friendly if he knew who she was. But Liam has his own secret and a mission that will help Meredith confront her past—and maybe, claim a surprising future…

PJ's Thoughts:

The Cafe at Beach End is another emotional roller coaster from one of my favorite authors and a ride on which I happily jumped. There are so many meaty themes in this book and Thayne skillfully navigates all of them. 

I'm drawn to characters with some life experience in their rear view. Meredith, Tori, Liam, and Sam all have that. It complicates their lives and their relationships, gives texture to their personalities, and a greater emotional depth to their feelings. The animosity Tori holds for Meredith is a living, breathing entity. Same for the anguish, despair, and hopelessness dogging Meredith but also the determination. Both are empathetic characters. When their stories are slowly revealed, the anger, fear, and vulnerability exposed, it makes it hard not to hurt for both of them...and also root for them.

I enjoy fractured families who find their way back together. It's a facet of many of Thayne's books and one she does well. I appreciate the fact that her characters don't quickly leap to "miracle" solutions but, instead, deal with all the messy emotions that would be encountered in real life. The pace of the relationships in this book feels authentic and real. In addition to Meredith and Tori's broken family relationship, the author also explores parent/child relationships, new romantic relationships, and, for one character, the opportunity to get to know herself and set a new direction for her life.

I also like complex stories about overcoming adversity, second chapters, and unexpected romance.  We have all three in this book, as well as forgiveness, acceptance, and the possibility of new beginnings. I was with these characters every step of the way, cheering on happy endings for them all. 

While this book is women's fiction, and primarily about the evolution of the two main characters, Meredith and Tori, it also includes sweet romantic threads with hopeful endings for both women. I enjoyed it and am already looking forward to whatever RaeAnne Thayne has in store for readers next.  

The Loss of a Romance Legend - - Julie Garwood

 

It breaks my heart to share the news of the passing of romance icon, Julie Garwood. She's been a favorite of mine for decades. In fact, her Medieval Scottish romance, Saving Grace is my all-time favorite comfort read. I've worn out at least two paperback copies of it with all the re-reads over the years. 

Several years ago, I wrote a blog post about Johanna, the heroine of Saving Grace. Before beginning, I reached out to Ms. Garwood to see if she would answer a few questions for me. I had never met her and I'm sure she had never heard of me, but she very graciously responded to my email and what followed was a wonderful conversation about her inspiration for the book and, especially, the character of Johanna. It was a monumental fan-girl moment for me and further cemented her position as one of my romance legends. Click here if you would like to read that post. 

Click here to read Ms. Garwood's obituary and leave a comment, if you'd like, for her family.

 

Have you read any Julie Garwood books?

Do you have a favorite?

To honor her, I am giving away a copy of my favorite of her novels, Saving Grace to a randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 13.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly

Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly

by Marie Bostwick

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: May 30, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Esme Cahill thinks she has failed spectacularly: fired from her New York City publishing job, divorced from her husband, and possessing little more than a broken-down car and a pile of unfinished manuscripts, she drives home to Asheville at the request of her late grandmother, Adele, who had begged her, just before she died, to return to the place she grew up.

There she discovers the once-charming lakeside retreat run by her family is sliding toward financial ruin, so with the help of her grandfather, George; estranged mother, Robyn; and a travelling chef Dawes (maker of the world’s best grilled cheese sandwich) they set to work. In the attic, Esme unearths a trove of museum-worthy art quilts, sewn by Adele. Piecing together the inspiration behind them, Esme discovers a forgotten chapter in her family history and her grandmother’s untold story, that of a gifted artist who never received her due.

This is an always-emotional, sometimes humorous, very human novel of what it means to be family—the ties that bind us together and the unintentional hurts that can rend us apart. And, along the way, Esme learns that failure can be the first step toward the life you’re meant to find.

PJ's Thoughts:

Family, connections, following your dreams, starting over, and, sometimes, accepting that the path life leads you to, the one that brings you to true happiness, might not be the one you had planned. That's the premise of this new thought provoking, humorous, quintessentially southern, and deeply satisfying novel by Marie Bostwick. Like a tall glass of sweet tea, a front porch swing, and a sultry summer's day, I couldn't get enough. 

It's the characters who drive this book with a cast assembled by Bostwick that is intriguing, complex, relatable, and authentic. I happily immersed myself into their lives, celebrating their triumphs, mourning their losses, cringing, laughing, and shedding tears in more than a few places. Esme's relationship with her grandmother was lovingly portrayed and easily relatable. I was fascinated with Adele's (the grandmother) story as it emerged, the historical tie-in of which I was previously unaware, and the impact Adele's journey had on Esme's own life journey. George is the kind of grandfather I think we'd all enjoy having and the flashbacks to his love story with Adele were both entertaining and endearing. 

I appreciated the care Bostwick used in creating the characters in this book, the ones mentioned above as well as others who all have some type of role in this story. Even the ones that would appear at first glance to be the villains have complex layers, unseen challenges, and growth that reveal unexpected qualities, eventually leading to understanding, forgiveness, and mended relationships. 

The theme of family is strong in this book: biological family, found family, and chosen family. And, in one particularly poignant scene, Bostwick brings everything full circle, with caramel cake, from 10-year-old Esme and her grandmother to 33-year-old Esme and 4-year-old Hannah. It's a full-heart, tear-inducing, hopeful moment - one more layer of goodness on an already wonderful story.

Add in a backdrop of the soul-stirring, atmospheric beauty of Western North Carolina's mountains, streams, and waterfalls, the richly artistic and quirky vibe of Asheville, and the historical grandeur of the Biltmore Estate and I was well and truly hooked. Give this one a try. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.

One note: don't be put off by the title of this book. While Esme does experience failures (many, many failures), this book is about growth, learning from one's experiences, and picking yourself up and starting over when things go wrong. It has good messages and a successful, happy conclusion. 

*********GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*********

Have you read Marie Bostwick yet?

Have you ever visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC?

Do you quilt or engage in other artistic endeavors?

Have you ever had caramel cake? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 14 will receive a print copy of Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

 

 

Review & Giveaway - - Second Chance at the Orchard Inn

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn

by Heather McGovern

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 6, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

A charming second-chance romance about a big city chef whose return home to help run her family's wedding planning business means reuniting with the man who broke her heart.

Chef Aurora Shipley spent years slicing, dicing, and chopping her way up the ladder of L.A.'s competitive restaurant scene, but when her sisters needed her help, she dropped everything to return home to Texas. With her family’s Orchard Inn now on its feet, it's time for Aurora to head back to the big city. At least there, she won’t keep running into ex-boyfriend Jude Jones or her high school bully Erica, who now needs Aurora and her wedding planning business to throw the celebration of her dreams. Will Aurora let the past go long enough to send the bride off without a hitch and ignore her traitorous heart urging her to stay and try again with Jude?

As a teenager, Jude Jones foolishly listened to his father and let Aurora Shipley slip away. In the intervening years, the sweet, shy girl grew into a stunning, capable, confident woman, and her reappearance is messing with Jude's focus, which should be on expanding Jones' Family Herbs. He broke Aurora's heart once, and she broke his, too. This time will Jude be strong enough to fight for her—for them—and a future together?

PJ's Thoughts:

It's been about six years since I've read a book by Heather McGovern. I wasn't sure she was still writing (I checked periodically) but remembering how much I enjoyed her Honeywilde series, I was eager to accept when given the opportunity to review her newest book, Second Chance at the Orchard Inn. It did not disappoint. 

I enjoy a good second-chance reunion romance and this one kept me smiling pretty much from beginning to end. It's about relationships among siblings, with parents, and with that high school sweetheart who broke your heart (it went both ways). It's about finding your path in life and opening yourself to opportunities you never considered. It's about growth, acceptance, forgiveness, and realizing that sometimes it's necessary to spread our wings in faraway places in order to discover what fills our souls is waiting in our own backyard. 

McGovern has filled this book with relatable characters I'd love to spend time with, a romantic arc that made me laugh, sigh, and cheer, and enough delicious food to have me reaching for a box of tissues. The farm-to-table goodness in this book hit all my happy spots and left me wishing that Lavender was an actual restaurant because if it was? Well, you better believe I'd be booking a ticket to Fredericksburg, TX tout de suite. 

Second Chance at the Orchard Inn rolled across my mind like the favorite Hallmark movie it should be. If you're looking for a summer read with authentic, relatable characters, humor, charm, second chances, romance, and families you'd love to spend more time with, pick up a copy of this second book in Heather McGovern's Orchard Inn series. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

If you prefer to read a series in order, book one, Something Blue is currently a Kindle e-book deal at $2.99. I don't know how long that price will last so I'd recommend jumping on it now. I started with book two and didn't experience any confusion but immediately downloaded the first book once I had finished the second. These sisters have me hooked. 

Have you read any of Heather McGovern's books?

Do you enjoy farm-to-table dining? How adventurous are you with food?

What's the last book you read that you'd like to see turned into a movie?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 11 will receive a print copy of Second Chance at the Orchard Inn (which also includes the novella, Only Home With You by Jeannie Chin - from another series I thoroughly enjoyed). 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Tour Review - - A Little Ray of Sunshine

A Little Ray of Sunshine

by Kristan Higgins

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 6, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

A kid walks into your bookstore and… Guess what? He’s your son. The one you put up for adoption eighteen years ago. The one you never told anyone about. Surprise!
 
And a huge surprise it is.
 
It’s a huge surprise to his adoptive mother, Monica, who thought she had a close relationship with Matthew, her nearly adult son. But apparently, he felt the need to secretly arrange a vacation to Cape Cod for the summer so he could meet his birth mother…without a word to either her or his dad.
 
It’s also a surprise— to say the least—to Harlow, the woman who secretly placed her baby for adoption so many years ago. She’s spent the years since then building a quiet life. She runs a bookstore with her grandfather, hangs out with her four younger siblings and is more or less happily single, though she can’t help gravitating toward Grady Byrne, her old friend from high school. He’s moved back to town, three-year-old daughter in tow, no wife in the picture. But she’s always figured her life had to be child-free, so that complicates things.
 
When Matthew walks into Harlow’s store, she faints. Monica panics. And all their assumptions—about what being a parent really means—explode. This summer will be full of more surprises as both their families are redefined…and as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love.

PJ's Thoughts:

By the 8% mark of this book, I was already crying. By 30%, I had snort laughed more than once. By the last page I would have done both many more times as well as reading numerous passages out loud to my family. I'm pretty sure we had reached the point where one more "OMG, you have to hear this one!" would have seen me kicked to the curb. But that's the risk - and the fun - of a Kristan Higgins novel. 

Higgins has the gift of creating fully-dimensional, multi-layered, frequently flawed characters to whom we readers can relate, whether we've walked in their shoes or not. In this novel, there are many from whom to choose: a biological mother, an adoptive mother, assorted family members (both male and female), teens, friends, children, and a potential love interest. Many have essential roles in the journeys of the main characters, all experience some type of growth or evolution, and all of them elicited an emotional response, positive or negative, or in some cases, both. 

The storytelling in this book is spellbinding, drawing me in from the first pages and then immersing me into the lives of these characters. The chapters are told in alternating points of view, giving insight into the joys, fears, anguish, and perspective from the views of both Harlow and Monica, as well as other characters. It deepened the emotional investment that grew exponentially within me with each completed chapter. My heart ached for both Harlow and Monica, especially after reading the flashback chapters that showed the bond of love not only between each of them and Matthew, the child Harlow birthed and Monica adopted, but between the two women as well and how that bond was tested with Matthew's actions in the weeks leading up to his eighteenth birthday and beyond. 

Along with the setting, which, let's face it, is a character in itself, Higgins also brought these characters to life on the pages of her book, giving them unique qualities that helped move the story forward. No character - primary or secondary - is left behind in a Higgins book. Even if their contribution is minimal, they still receive care and thought in their creation. Grandpop was a particular favorite. I fell hard for Grady. Rosie is the kind of friend we all deserve. Matthew carried all the complex emotions of a teenage boy, amplified by his adoption situation (it's clear Higgins has personal experience with the teen male species). Even nasty cousin Cynthia had a few unexpected surprises in store. By the end of the book, they were all real to me - no longer fictional characters on paper. I knew them. I wanted the best for them. All of them. I wanted to offer hugs when needed, applaud Harlow for the decisions she made, join her trivia team, hang out with Grandpop, visit her bookstore, and celebrate how far she'd come. How far they'd all come. With a smile and a tear, I closed this book secure in the knowledge that Harlow had forged the emotional fires of her life and emerged stronger; that, finally, she had put her past behind her and was ready to move forward to a new chapter filled with happiness and sunshine. 

A Little Ray of Sunshine is an emotional experience like only Kristan Higgins can create...and I wouldn't have it any other way. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review - - Beauty and the Bruiser

Beauty and the Bruiser

by Josie Blake

Philadelphia Tyrant Hockey - Book 1

Publisher: MJB Publications, LLC

Release Date: June 1, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Nanny for a professional hockey player? Please. More like beauty for the beast.

The job is straightforward. Single dad Duke York needs a caretaker for his seven-year-old daughter during the hockey season, bonus if that person can help her with her school work. His team is rebuilding, and he plans to retire at the end of the year. This is his last chance to make a run at the cup. Right now, I have the time and the education to do this work.

Except there should be a disclaimer in the job description about Duke. He’s hot as sin, and the grizzled hockey veteran takes brooding to the next level. I need the cash, though, and the job offers housing as part of its compensation. Since I have nowhere to live—again—it’s the perfect situation. But I didn’t expect to find such a fascinating man under Duke’s gruff exterior, and the more I get to know the father and daughter duo, the more I risk losing my heart to them both.

My real life has never included any fairy-tale endings. But maybe this temporary job could be the beginning of all of our happily ever afters…

BEAUTY AND THE BRUISER is a full-length, sexy hockey romance with a happily ever after. If you like Beauty and the Beast vibes, a grumpy cinnamon roll single dad hero, and slow burn chemistry, you should try this first book in the Philadelphia Tyrant Hockey series!

The Philadelphia Tyrant books contain mild adult language and open-door sexual scenes/situations. Every story can be read as a standalone.

PJ's Thoughts:

What a sweet, heart-tugging, and deliciously steamy story. I love a grumpy-sunshine romance and that's definitely what we get with Duke and June. It's a slow burn with all the reasons why these two shouldn't get together front and center but the undercurrent of building desire that just won't go away. It was fun to watch them slowly become a team working together for Duke's daughter, then gradually add in friendship, and finally succumb to the deeper feelings growing between them.

Duke is such a good father, always putting Tabby's needs first. I loved the bond between them. I also enjoyed the bond that develops between June and Tabby. June is such a kind, hardworking, genuine person who wants only the best for those in her care and those she carries in her heart. Like a little girl who is struggling in school and a foster mother who gave June a home when she needed it and for whom June would give anything in return. 

Blake has filled this book with plenty of endearing moments, humor, emotional conflict, and sizzle. The chapters alternate between June and Duke, giving readers each person's inner thoughts and perspective. I especially enjoyed that personal view into each character. I felt as if I knew each of them equally, including their fears, desires, goals, joys, and sorrows. 

Beauty and the Bruiser launches Blake's Philadelphia Tyrant Hockey series. It's a fun, emotionally satisfying read that has me already looking forward to book two. 

Review - - It Had to Be You

It Had to Be You

by Tracy Solheim

Chances Inlet - Book 4

Publisher: Sun Home Productions

Release Date: June 2, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

 

When Paige Hollister discovers her “Mr. Right” already has a “Mrs. Right,” she swears off men forever. Even more humiliating, she suddenly finds herself labeled the other woman and out of the teaching job she loves. So Paige does what every unemployed single woman staring thirty in the face does: She hightails it to the beach. Bad luck like hers is hard to outrun, however. Her getaway is stalled when her car breaks down in a small-town chock full of meddling, nosy residents. The worst of them being the local sheriff—none other than her estranged father.

Finally on top of the golf world, Tanner Gillette is poised to show everyone he’s not just an entitled playboy coasting through tournaments on his pedigree. That is until his life is turned upside down by a little girl who shows up on his doorstep with a birth certificate inexplicably bearing his name. Complicating matters more, the kid isn’t talking. When the stress of caring for a child whose mother is AWOL gives Tanner a bad case of the yips, he’s forced to enlist help from the one person in town who can’t wait to leave.

Sticking around Chances Inlet and her father’s shiny new, über-successful family isn’t on Paige’s to-do list. Especially when she’d prefer to keep her embarrassing incident under wraps. Yet she can’t walk away from the troubled little girl. Or the sexy Australian golfer who just might make her want to take a chance on trusting her heart again.

PJ's Thoughts:

Tracy Solheim's Chances Inlet, North Carolina is one of my favorite places to visit. You have the beach, friendly citizens, a bookstore, ice cream shop, town green, and festivals aplenty. You have second chances for people who grew up there and others who fate brought to town. You have smiles, laughter (the kids are a hoot), heart-tugging emotion, and plenty of romantic chemistry. I mean, what's not to love, right? But, if that wasn't enough, you also have the large, supportive, fiercely-competitive, and loving McAlister clan, of which Paige's estranged father is a new member. Most of the McAlisters have already navigated their second chances to a happily ever after and now stand, ready and waiting, to welcome a clearly reluctant Paige into their lives, along with one very sexy pro golfer, complete with Australian accent, and an adorable little girl who may - or may not - be his daughter (no spoilers). 

I loved the evolution of Paige and Tanner. Both dealing with personal issues of their own, neither is ready for any kind of relationship when they first meet, even though the mutual chemistry between them is undeniable. But both have something the other needs. Solheim guides them through a slow-burn relationship build, that includes one traumatized little girl, that changes all of them in profound ways. Their journey includes deeply emotional issues, giving them their due without adding too much heavy weight to the overall story. There's also plenty of humor, sweetness, sizzle, and meddling, well-meaning family to balance the angst. 

While Paige and Tanner remain the primary focus of the romance in this book, it is very definitely an ensemble of characters who play significant roles. Family and friends are at the heart of this series and delightfully front and center in all of the books. I enjoyed Paige and Tanner's romance but also Paige's journey to reconciliation with her father as well as Tanner's path to peace after the tragic death of his brother. And, of course, I always enjoy the sports angle of Solheim's stories. It's fun to read a book featuring sports I enjoy when it's written by an author who clearly knows the topic. 

I do think a reader new to Chances Inlet would be able to enjoy this book as a standalone. However, as someone who has read all the books (including Double Dog Dare, book two of Solheim's Milwaukee Growlers series in which Paige, best friend of heroine Summer Pearson, is introduced), it's a special treat to catch up with couples from earlier books as well as characters still waiting to find their HEA. I enthusiastically recommend all of the Chances Inlet stories, as well as Double Dog Dare (which can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone). The earlier Chances Inlet books are: Back to Before, All They Ever Wanted, and Second Chance Christmas. 

If you're looking for a summer read that touches your heart, tickles your funny bone, and leaves you sighing with satisfaction, pick up a copy of Tracy Solheim's It Had to Be You. Oh, what the heck, pick up the whole series and get to know the whole McAlister clan. 

 

Second Chance Winner - - Best Men

 

Annette N has already bought a copy of 

Best Men (hope you love it!) so I have 

randomly chosen a second-chance winner.

Congratulations to

flchen1

Please send your full name and mailing address to 

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

to claim your print copy of 

Best Men by Sidney Karger.

Winner - - Best Men

 

The randomly chosen winner of

a print copy of

Best Men by Sidney Karger is:

Annette N

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winners - - June Coming Attractions

 

The randomly chosen winners of

a package of books are:

Diane Sallans

Glory

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - Marrying Off Morgan McBride

 

The randomly chosen winner of 

a print copy of

Marrying Off Morgan McBride is:

Nikki

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish  (at) gmail (dot) com

Second Chance Winner - - Summer Reading

 

The second chance winner of 

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay is:

Susan C

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Tour Review & Giveaway - - Best Men

Best Men

by Sidney Karger

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Max Moody thought he had everything figured out. He’s trying to live his best life in New York City and has the best friend a gay guy could ask for: Paige. She and Max grew up next door to each other in the suburbs of Chicago. She can light up any party. She finishes his sentences. She’s always a reliable splunch (they don’t like to use the word brunch) partner. But then Max’s whole world is turned upside down when Paige suddenly announces some huge news: she’s engaged and wants Max to be her man of honor. Max was always the romantic one who imagined he would get married before the unpredictable Paige and is shocked to hear she’s ready to settle down. But it turns out there’s not just one new man in Paige’s life—there are two.

There's the groom, Austin, who’s a perfectly nice guy. Then there's his charming, fun and ridiculously handsome gay younger brother, Chasten, who is Austin's best man. As Paige’s wedding draws closer, Max, the introverted Midwesterner, and Chasten, the social butterfly East Coaster, realize they’re like oil and water. Yet they still have to figure out how to coexist in Paige’s life while not making her wedding festivities all about them. But can the tiny romantic spark between these two very different guys transform their best man supporting roles into the leading best men in each other’s lives?

PJ's Thoughts:

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book and its debut author, Sidney Karger. What I discovered was a fun, breezy story with laugh-out-loud humor and a surprising amount of depth. While the book is a rom-com, it's not all romance and comedy. Primarily, it's a story of fractured relationships, enduring friendships, personal growth, and endearing romance. It made me smile. It made me feel like these characters were my friends. It made me feel like I had an active investment in their happiness. 

While the three main characters - Paige, Max, and Chasten - are all well drawn, with layers, and varying degrees of growth throughout the book, it's Max whose evolution takes center stage. This introverted, soft-hearted, romantic, slightly awkward thirty-something who hasn't quite found his path in life yet, either professionally or romantically, wormed his way into my heart and had me in his corner, cheering him on pretty much the whole way. His frequently awkward and rocky road to self-discovery hit me right in the feels. All the feels.

Karger does a good job of showcasing the thirty-year friendship between Max and Paige, imbuing it with realistic ease, inside jokes, shared memories, and the knowledge that enduring relationships of that length still have the ability to shift and grow.

I wasn't sure about Chasten at first. In fact, I was initially not a fan. However, once the author began slowly peeling back his layers to show us - and Max - the man underneath the social butterfly persona, my affection for him began to deepen. Enough that by the end of the book I was actively rooting for good things to happen for these two.

The book has a slow start and a few too many wordy descriptions that I found myself skimming. However, once it hit its stride a few chapters in, I was happily flipping pages all the way to the end...though I still skimmed some of the more lengthy descriptions. I enjoyed the witty banter, laughter, and sarcasm that had these relatable characters leaping off the page. I liked the realism of the friendship between Max and Paige. I chuckled, even as I cringed, during Max's awkward moments. I drooled over Chasten's cooking, baking, and chocolate making. And, by the time I reached the sweetly endearing conclusion, I couldn't stop either the happy tears or the ear-to-ear grin.  

It was interesting to read my first male-centered rom-com written by a man. It definitely gave this book a different vibe and perspective, one that I enjoyed. I'll be watching to see what Sidney Karger brings to readers next. 

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Have you ever been a bridal attendant? Was it nerve wracking or easy peasy?

I'm not kidding when I say I spent a lot of time drooling over the food in this book. What's your go-to breakfast specialty (to make or eat) when guests come to call?  

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 4 will receive a print copy of Best Men.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18