Christmas Romance Review: Holiday Ever After

A major toy company sends the owner's daughter to clean up a mess created the company copied a local toy. The company stole the design and created their own doll. A local woman called them out on social media, causing the company embarrassment. They sent in a fixer.

The daughter of the owner, Clara, arrives in town to fix things. She's clear about helping the town from the start. She isn't throwing a bunch of money at the town trying to make the problem go away; she genuinely cares about helping.

She's hoping that once she solves the problem, she'll earn the promotion her father's been dangling in front of her. She doesn't count on falling for Jack - the creator of the doll and owner of the local hardware store. He hates the Davenport business. 

My Thoughts: I loved this small-town romance; it reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie. And it's adorable; I didn't want to put this book down!  I loved the cast of characters and the holiday celebrations. I love how everything turned out.  I would love this to be the start of a new series. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your Christmas romance collection for your public library

Re-read: The Recovery Agent

 

I don't usually re-read books, but the second book is coming out in November.

I didn't remember this book, so it was nice to have a reminder.

It's a typical Evanovich book:

Lots of Action and Danger

Fast-Paced Read

Sexual Tension

Bad Guys

Funny Moments

I enjoyed this book, both times I read it. Gabriela is a fun character - a cross between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. 

Review: Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

 

I know that I'm late to the party on this book.

My niece recommended it and I'm very happy that she did.

So here are seven reasons why I loved it:

1. Hollywood - I adore these stories

2. Feminist Icon - this was a fun story with a woman who went after what she wanted

3. The way the story was told

4. the book deal

5. Monique's story

6. The Romances

7. That ending...

Adult Romance Review: The Lodge

 

Alix is ghost-writing a memoir for a famous member of a boy band. 

Sebastian was in one of the biggest boy bands. He was the Golden Boy. But he clashed with another band member - the Bad Boy (Jett). They hated each other. Everything broke down after Jett disappeared. It's the biggest mystery in musical history.

Since Alix's sister moved in with her, she's been having a hard time writing. Sebastian puts her up in a ski resort in Vermont. The book starts writing itself - thanks to all the voice recordings he's given her. As the secrets start coming out, Alix has questions. But it's not easy to get a hold of Sebastian. So, Alix starting having a little fun on her writing retreat - where she meets a ski instructor named Tyler who seems a little too good to be true...

My Thoughts: This was such a fun read; I didn't want to put it down. I loved how the chapters were interspersed with interviews and things about the band. I loved reading about the band's secrets. I loved the description of food and drinks. I loved the folks at the resort - they seemed really nice. I confess this book made me want to drink hot chocolate. I found the ghost-writing moments to be fascinating. The ending was a little rushed. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Learned about: I heard about this book on social media - it sounded fun.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection. 

Christmas Romance Review: Christmas is All Around

Charlotte is not a holiday person. She hates all the hype, the activities, and especially the movies. She was a child star in one film - Christmas, Truly. After that experience, she never wanted to act again. So, when people want to create a sequel, she turns them down flat. Which annoys all the fans, so much so, that she's get death threats on social media and is accosted in the park. Charlotte flees to London to visit her sister for the holidays. 

There, she meets Graham. He has an idea that might help both of them. The more time she spends with him, the more she begins to fall for him. Could a Christmas romance change her feelings on the holiday? Will she be able to flee her past?

My Thoughts: The title is reminiscent of Love, Actually. And the book is set up that way too - there's a weekly countdown to Christmas. I Loved this book. I enjoyed that Charlotte hated all things Christmas because she was snarky about it all. But she did participate in so many Christmas activities. I love Christmas and Hallmark, but the snark was fun. I loved her family - baby Alice was very funny. I loved that Charlotte was an artist and you saw both her sketching and the business side of it. I loved the banter between Charlotte and Graham. The sheep! The carolers! This was such a fun read that I didn't want it to end. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance collection! 

Reivew: Miss Morgan's Book Brigade

 

Jessie Carson takes a break from her micromanaging boss who is overly critical and NYPL. She's hired as a librarian for the American Committee for Devastated France. WWI is still going on; Jessie thinks she can help. Her eyes are opened when she sees the French countryside. 

The library needs to be rebuilt, but Jessie isn't about to let that stop her. She knows the power of books and stories. Right away she bonds with the other CARDS - even though most of them are donating their time. Jessie isn't a debutant, but she fits right in.

People need shelter, food, and most importantly hope. The CARDS drop by for social visits and to distribute food. Jessie tags along and showcases books. Soon she starts storytime out in the community. Her story is lost to history until one library worker finds her name in the archives at NYPL. Wendy Peterson researches the CARDS and Jessie. She wants to share the story of these amazing and brave women. 

My Thoughts: This book hooked me from the beginning. I enjoyed the dual perspectives from Jessie and Wendy. I love how Wendy found Jessie's story and was determined to share it. I'm so impressed by these women - they helped so many people. I love how they persisted with the different villagers. Those poor people went through so much - the war, the loss, the grief, and trying to pick the pieces back up. I loved the relationships in this book. I loved the moments of research and time inside the library. This was such an inspiring read! 

Cover Thoughts: Well done

Library Recommendation: This book is sure to be a book discussion book. A must have book for library collections. 

Review: The Bounty

 

Fox and O'Hare are on loan to Interpol to catch a thief in Vatican City. The thief's identity surprises them both. As does the fact that Nick's Dad bypasses the ring on display for a piece of paper. 

The paper is the beginning of a treasure map left behind by the Brotherhood. The rumor is that the treasure map leads to gold bars worth a massive fortune today.

But one clue leads to the next and that's when everything goes wrong. Fox teams up with his father and leaves Kate out in the cold. But just like always, Kate isn't giving up. She tracks the father and son team down. Plus she calls her own father in for back-up.

Now they're on the run from both the Brotherhood and Interpol. But they are determined to stop the Brotherhood from finding the treasure first. And they can't trust anyone because there is a mole.

This is the biggest case of O'Hare's career and she's not going to let anything or anyone stop her.

My Thoughts: This is the 7th book in the Fox and O'Hare series and I think it's the best one yet. Yes, I'm a sucker for treasure hunts and that might have something to do with it. Also I love seeing the Nazis lose.  I did miss the members of the old team. And some of the crazier A-Team type stunts. These books read like a movie - lots of action, danger, and sexual tension. Once you start one of these books, it's very hard to put it down without finishing it. So looking forward to the next one. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - Love the Eiffel Tower in the background

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your thriller section and where this series is already popular. 

Review: Big Summer

Daphne hasn't heard from her former best friend in years, but Drue is desperately trying to get in touch with her. Daphne's not interested, not after the fight they had all those years ago. It was her most humiliating moment and the moment that changed her life. But that doesn't mean she wants to be friends again.

Drue has a way of getting to people and when she finally comes face to face with Daphne, she does the one thing that Daphne can't believe - she apologizes. And asks her to be in her wedding party.

Daphne's not ready to forget and forgive, but she never could say no to Drue. Daphne's grown up since she last hung out with Drue; she's become stronger and more confident. Sure, she still feels insecure now and then, but she's not about to let Drue devastate her again.  Except...things happen in a way she could never imagine.

My Thoughts: I confess I haven't read a Jennifer Weiner book in years and I'm not sure why. I love her books. And I really enjoyed this one too. I loved the peek into an influencer's life. I loved how Daphne attempted to be both her best self and her true self on Instagram. I love how she found clothes that worked for her and not the skinny model type girls (And with pockets!). I want clothes just like that. I loved the family moments, the talk about friendships, and being brave. My heart broke for several characters in this book. I enjoyed the moments I didn't see coming and how everything turned out.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Jennifer Weiner's book are a must have for your library's collection.