Summer Kind of Love by Charlène Boutin

Welcome to the Love Books Tour for Summer Kind of Love by Charlène Boutin.

Book Blurb:

Avery spends most of her time hunched over a laptop, writing the kind of words that end up on website homepages and glossy brochures. But ever since "The One" turned out to be the
one who smashed her heart to bits, the page has been relentlessly blank. And blank pages mean an empty bank account.

When an up-market retreat center offers Avery a major project, she jumps at the chance to pay next month's bills. But taking the job means committing to a change of scenery to
jumpstart her failing creative spark. A cottage by the sea won't be lonely...right?

Actually, it's anything but. Because Logan, once the only person in the world Avery could rely on, is working the front desk. And just like that, Avery's past catches up to her. It's too
much and too wonderful all at once. Too...everything.

Review:

I do love a good Canadian love story (I’ve enjoyed several books by Kim Mills and Damhnait Monaghan, for starters). And don’t judge this book by its adorable cover.

I don’t always know how to take an author’s warnings at the beginning of a novel, but I always appreciate their thoughtfulness toward their readers. In this novel’s case, one of the warnings about anxiety made me wonder what was going on with (what I thought was) this romantic comedy.

 

WELL. This book was much, much more than a romantic comedy.

Summer Kind of Love begins with our main character Avery in a sad and tough place, making an uncharacteristically bold choice: pay for a month’s rent on a vacation cabin several hours from her apartment, so she could have a workcation and get some writing done. As a copywriter, she must complete the project, and she knows she cannot stay in her apartment, the one she shared with her now-ex, because she is completely blocked.

Lo and behold, she runs into her former best-friend-crush Logan while at the cabin. The book synopsis puts it this way: “Logan, once the only person in the world Avery could rely on, is working the front desk. And just like that, Avery’s past catches up to her. It’s too much and too wonderful all at once. Too...everything.”

Reconnecting with Logan, Avery must come to terms with a few unpleasant aspects of herself that are exacerbated by her anxiety, and that is the part about the story that really caught me by surprise. Anxiety is not something I knew much about until recent years, because I always thought of it as just feeling stressed. Panic attacks can be overwhelming and debilitating to people, and Avery has a couple of them during the course of the novel. Like many of us, we have to come to terms with the unpleasant aspects of ourselves, and Avery has some tough choices to make. Thankfully she doesn’t have to do it alone – and with that I will stop because no spoilers.

What I will say is this: While I respect the heads-up, I also am glad that some of this book caught me off guard, because sometimes thinking about books helps me deal with things in my own life. This book did that, and I am very glad (even though it has not been exactly easy).

Another spoiler-free shocker was the hint at the series of books to come. What this means is that I will definitely be looking for the next in the series!

Four stars for a bit of confusion in some parts and for a bit more cursing than I felt was necessary overall.

Thanks to Love Books Tours as well as the author and her publisher, for a review copy of this novel. All thoughts about the book are my own.

You'll really like this one: Leeza McAuliffe Has Loads More to Say

Leeza McAuliffe Has Loads More To Say by Nicky Bond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb: 

Leeza McAuliffe is used to change. The previous year saw a house move, a family wedding, and the surprise arrival of baby Harvest. The next twelve months should be calmer. Except...

A new girl at school is causing Leeza headaches. What is her problem, anyway? Best mate Jake can cheer her up but their friendship has begun to spark gossip. And the arrival of a letter brings change that none of the McAuliffes saw coming.

Join Leeza as she charts another rollercoaster year. Whether it's misunderstandings about her love life, getting to grips with the brand new world of periods, or having her very first kiss, she's determined to record the highs and lows, no matter what.

About the Author:

Nicky Bond was born in Liverpool, UK, in 1978. The eldest of seven children, she found books were a perfect way to drown out the lively household around her, and meant her hands were never free to change a nappy. 

She studied Psychology and English Literature at University College Northampton before embarking upon a career in Education. Twelve years later, she stopped procrastinating and got writing.

Her first novel, 'Carry the Beautiful' was published in 2017. Her second, for pre-teens and those that care for them - 'Leeza McAuliffe Has Something To Say' - came out in 2019. 'Assembling the Wingpeople' - the sequel to her first novel - will be published in Autumn 2021.

Nicky is a regular supporter of Liverpool Women Football Club, relaxes by cooking, and spends a lot of time drinking tea.

Pattie's Review:

I found this to be a cute book. At first it was a bit difficult to get into. As an American reader and teacher, even with my fairly recent slang education at the high school level I was a bit lost. I had to get used to the teen slang from the other side of the pond. However, once I got into the story, I found it to be cute and relatable. (I also loved the family Friday Fooday.)

As a former diarist in my early years, I completely respected the journal take on storytelling. I liked how honest Leeza was in her journal, and her humor was great. Leeza was a likeable character, and her best friend Jake was adorable. Their support of each other made for a great friendship.

I didn’t realize until after looking on Goodreads that this is actually the second book in Leeza’s story. But don’t feel like you have to track down the first one. The author through Leeza’s voice gives us plenty of backstory to go on as we move forward in her school year in her new town.

Defo enjoyed. Cheers.

It's magic.

 

Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Magical Meet Cute is the latest from Jean Meltzer, one of my favorite novelists in recent years. You can learn more about Jean on her website and social media accounts. Magical Meet Cute is so much more that its cute title and cover make it seem, and that is all because of Jean's magic (pun fully intended).

As is the case with every single one of Jean's books, what starts out as a romance or rom-com, dives deeply into relevant and difficult issues fairly early on. So many layers and nuances make this a difficult book to put down; each page reveals just a smidgen more about the characters, the community, Jewish culture (and folklore, as is the case with this story), and of course, the romance.

I don't want to spoil anything, but I do need to mention some things. (1) While there is mention of certain parts of human anatomy, there is not any overtly open-door love scene within this novel (but yes, this is a "kissing book"). (2) There is a lot to unpack about anti-Semitism in this book, and Jean holds back nothing. It's not easy reading, but it's important. (3) There is a dog! I love dogs. (Also I'm so sorry that Jean's Shadow recently passed over the rainbow bridge.) (4) A lesson learned from the book: We should trust our guts with people who seem sus.

Highly recommended!

This book will be published on August 27, 2024, and please take my advice and preorder, ask your library to order, and spread the Jewish romance joy far and wide.
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Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jean herself, for a preview copy for review. All thoughts are my own.

The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal is the last in a great series

 

The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Maggie Hope mysteries since 2016, according to my Goodreads account. I can't even begin tell you how many people I've recommended this series to, online and in person, to reading friends, historical fiction fans, and of course during my short but illustrious career as a library aide. I love these books.

Maggie Hope. Her name sounds cute, but she is so much more than a cute secretary-turned-spy. She is amazing. She handles everything--her job, her friends, her life, her ability to survive anything Churchill and WWII throw her way--she does it all, and always with a thread of hope.

In this last book, we watch Maggie receive a really tough assignment. We see her reunite with Coco Chanel, her former friend/nemesis, and we watch a really complex situation unfold there (don't forget to read the author's extensive notes, which are really just so very good). We meet a bullfighter, who is delightful surprise. We get to see another facet of the war: the race to the atomic bomb. And there are a lot of undercurrents that keep the reader turning pages in this novel.

If we have to leave Maggie Hope, we have left her in good hands and with a really awesome final book in the series. Thank you, Susan Elia MacNeal. Thank you for Maggie and for Hope.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the author and her publisher for a review copy of the novel. All opinions, including my gushing over this series, are absolutely my own.

Milspouse Matters by Jen McDonald

When I first signed up to review this book, I figured it would be a good book to review, but I didn’t think much more than that. I have, after all, been a milspouse for over two decades, and I was familiar with the author from her blog back when blogs were new and shiny and popular. I figured it would be a nice little review of military spouse life, probably with some advice thrown in for good measure.

Fast forward to today’s panic moment when I got a message requesting the link to my review. I looked at my planner, where I had written “post review” on my to-do list. I turned my head and saw the two humongous black suitcases on the floor with the OCP-patterned extra-large backpack with its travel neck pillow hanging off the side. Oops, I thought. I forgot to finish and post it. My bad.

Basically, I had written part of my book review, and I was about halfway through the book—and I got distracted by the deployment timeline moving forward. Those suitcases and bags in the living room were absolutely a distraction, and not the welcome kind. Welcome to military spouse life, where plans change often enough to make your head spin and your eyes well up with tears sometimes. Nevertheless, I’m giving you the true story of why this is late, as well as an honest account of the book (and yes, I still need to finish, but I did skim through the rest so I can speak with truth!). My favorite line by far is “The certainty of uncertainty” (42). Change is inevitable, and plans have to be fluid.

Jen McDonald’s book Milspouse Matters is a lovely collection of stories—stories of love, of adventure, difficult times, friendships, and retirement. Some of the stories sound so familiar because they ARE familiar. The names of the locations and wars might change, but the feelings of the spouses at home are the same. The universality of these stories among the military community is evident on each page.

When McDonald’s book begins with the often-heard and seldom-liked statement “You knew what you signed up for,” I will be honest: I bristled. My story is like many: I married a man who was in one job, and he decided to transition to military life later on. Many others knew they were marrying into the service, and even they could not possibly have known what it’s like being married to a military member. It’s different for everyone, and yet as I stated before, there is a sense of community and universality of story.

This book is much different than I expected it to be, and I am so grateful. I will be recommending it to everyone I know who is married to a military servicemember: active duty, reserve, Guard, or even retired. It’s important for us to listen to (or read) each other’s stories, support each other, and of course, love each other.

Jen McDonald, thank you for sharing this book with all of us. Thank you for including me on your launch team. Thanks for understanding why this is late. And thank you to your husband and to you for your service. PS: We loved our time in Grand Forks—it was our first active duty station!

How does one walk into--or out of--a room with grace and wisdom?

 

Like many who follow EPF, I’ve been looking forward to her latest book, How to Walk Into a Room. When I began reading the book, I realized it was a keeper, a book to reference again and again, a book to study and ponder and parse out its wisdom.

For those of us who wonder if it’s time to go, or if we should stay, and how in the world can we ever decide which to do—this book is for us.

I’ve been a fan of Emily P. Freeman’s thoughtful, intellectual, spiritually grounded writing since I first discovered her books ten years ago. This one is different, certainly, but I think with its metaphor of rooms it is much more useful for different interpretations and uses in our lives.

If you know me, you know I’ve spent my whole life moving around—first within my own family of origin due to my dad’s job, then with my husband in his job as a pastor, later within the military. I joke that my teaching career is more widespread and shallow, ranging from one to five years in any given school. I am learning to embrace rather than fight this reality, as much as I am able. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with work, and ministry, and other opportunities that may or may not come my way. Knowing where and within which opportunities to invest time, energy, and resources is a challenge that often feels more like a struggle—even when those opportunities are good and right.

I found myself nodding and agreeing with so many different things within the pages of this book. Some answers I recognize as something I’ve tried, and others I feel like I should have tried or known already but didn’t think of it in that way before. Emily’s book reframes some of the situations we may know into the metaphor of rooms and hallways, with some personal stories and anecdotes that give us an idea of how she has skin in this game, and reinforcing our belief that her wisdom is well-earned.

I just finished the book with tears in my eyes, and I can tell you now that I will start again at the beginning and read it again, slowly, pen in hand and journal at the ready. Yes, it’s that good, and true, and helpful, and exactly “for such a time as this” for me.

 

If you have any questions about if it’s time to stay or go or wait, this book is for you.

 

Snow White? Not exactly.

 

Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman

While I really wanted to like this novel, and I *did* enjoy several scenes (especially the one with the older ladies who shared similar characteristics with several particular characters in the Disney version of Snow White), I had a much more difficult time with this book.

For starters, some of the characters that appear in "Marry Me by Midnight" come back to this story, which is fun; however, a few of them seem to have undergone either personality shifts or transplants. Another thing that was distracting were all the scenes of conniving. It got to be too much for me to want to keep up with: who is trying to scan whom, for what purpose, for how much money, etc. Finally, the bedroom scenes are much more steamy than I wanted to read--especially given the stated fact that one character was bad for another character, and their involvement would be awful. Did that stop them? Nope. It got to be a bit repetitive on that score.

I did, however, want to mention that (a) Hannah finally feels supported by the Jewish community in their synagogue, and I loved that so much; and (b) Sol doesn't convert for business, shows his sincerity in his faith, and always wears his yarmulke. Always (ahem, see steamy remark above).

The historical notes in the back of the novel are *chef's kiss* amazing. I'd love it if Felicia Grossman also wrote more on the Jewish experience in this time period with the whole scope of history and society. Fascinating.

I received a eARC copy of this novel on NetGalley, which had not gone through final copy edits and within which I found multiple errors that were distracting to me. I am confident they'll be fixed before final publication.