Tag: romance

Spells for Forgetting (book review)

Description

Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings. But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.

August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery. But the town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.

I received an advance reader copy of Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young and wow! I LOVED this book! Definitely 5 stars.

The writing is evocative and eloquent, the characters are interesting, and the setting, Saiorse Island, is mysterious and intriguing. I found myself completely engrossed in August and Emery’s stories, both current and past. They overlapped gracefully and seamlessly, smoothly describing the tragedy of Saiorse.

I loved, loved, loved this and am so grateful for NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this before the publication date of September 27, 2022. Special thanks to Adrienne Young for writing such a fabulous book.

Posted on by vkfamily 0

Built to Last (book review)

I received an advance reader copy of Built to Last by Erin Hahn…and really enjoyed it!

The Description:

Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like she does the rough spots on the vintage furniture finds she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs — the one who got away.

Anytime Shelby has called, Cameron has come running… And then he runs right off again to chase stories around the world by making documentaries, too scared to admit what he really wants. But when Lyle stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, Cameron can’t help but come on board.

There’s something in it for everyone — almost. Cameron wants to come home and set down some roots. Shelby wants to prove to the world she’s not the messy party girl anymore. And Lyle wants to twist the screws on his two childhood friends who had more chemistry than he could dream of with anyone. Sparks and sawdust fly as Shelby and Cameron film the pilot for “Homemade” and battle Lyle’s shenanigans at every turn.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this! It’s a fun, easy read. I love how both of the former child stars have moved on and found new careers. They’ve matured, but both still care for each other. When they reconnect through an HGTV-like renovation show, the sparks are still there, but they focus on their friendship first.

The main characters were very likable, engaging and believable, as were most of the supporting characters (with the exception of the sleazy Lyle). It’s well written, without grammatical errors or typos with an intriguing story.

Sometimes you just need a light, pleasant read and Built to Last fits the bill perfectly. Built to Last will be published October 18, 2022.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

5 stars.

Posted on by vkfamily 0

Star Bright by Susannah Nix (book review)

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Description

She’s an A-list Hollywood starlet. He’s a gossip reporter. Sleeping with the enemy has never been sweeter…

Kimberleigh Cress didn’t get to be one of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood without learning how to protect herself. Rule number one? Don’t show weakness. Ever. Especially not in front of the press.

So when a sleazy tabloid reporter comes upon her during a vulnerable moment, the last thing she expects is kindness.

Sexy, charming, and surprisingly thoughtful, Spencer Devlin isn’t at all who Kimberleigh thought he was. After their fateful encounter, she can’t seem to stay away from him—even though she knows she should.

Spencer never expected to share an unlikely connection with the spoiled starlet who hates his guts. With the face of a goddess and an attitude to match, Kimberleigh Cress is one ice queen he’d love to melt.

Now that she’s gotten under his skin, he’ll do anything to keep her in his life. Or will he?

This book was…just okay. The premise is great and after initial bad impressions of the main characters, they do redeem themselves somewhat. I just found it very difficult to get into the story. The romance felt rushed and not realistic at all. Kimberleigh and Spencer went from hating each other to suddenly jumping into bed and then having a secret relationship. And it simply didn’t work for me.

I really wanted to like this. I realize that it’s supposed to be a novella, but perhaps if the author had tried to fill in some of the many gaps and flesh out the characters and plot line a bit more it would have made more sense. As is, it has potential…but it left me feeling empty.

3 stars.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Haver Street Press for the ARC. Star Bright will be published April 19, 2022.

Posted on by vkfamily 0

The Homewreckers (book review)

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews

I love Mary Kay Andrews and I thoroughly enjoyed her latest, The Homewreckers.

Hattie Kavanaugh is a young widow who restores (and flips) historical homes in Savannah, GA along with her best friend and her father-in-law. Hattie is offered an opportunity to participate in a house renovation show called “The Homewreckers” with famous designer Trae. As the house renovations proceed, a mystery is exposed.

This was a really fun book that had it all – mystery, romance, intrigue, and humor. If you’re looking for a summer read, The Homewreckers could be the book you’re looking for.

The Homewreckers will be released May 3!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Posted on by vkfamily 0

Book Review: Steeped to Death

I was given an advance reader copy of Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue. It was a fun, easy read. When Phoebe Winchester’s aunt Eudora passes away and leaves everything to her niece—her Victorian mansion, her bookshop/tea store, The Earl’s Study, and one very chubby orange cat named Bob—Phoebe gets more than she bargained for. When a dead man is found on the shop’s back step, apparently killed while trying to break in, Phoebe investigates. 

I really enjoyed the story (mystery, romance, and even a bit of magic!) and found it quite engrossing. Phoebe is a very likable character and I found myself rooting for her. The book made me crave a good cup of tea (perhaps sitting by a cozy fire with an orange cat sitting in my lap) and the recipes at the end were a fun surprise. 

My only complaint, and the reason I only give the book 4 stars rather than 5, is the editorial errors peppered throughout; typos, and a few grammatical errors. Not many, but enough to distract from the story. 

Overall, I recommend Steeped to Death (publication date 9/6/22). Ms. Rue has created an engaging character in Phoebe and a delightful ambiance in the tea shop and bookstore.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Posted on by vkfamily 0