Review: Battle of the Bookstores

 

Josie and Ryan each manage a bookstore. Josie manages a literary bookstore and Ryan manages a romance bookstore. In between, the two stores, there's a coffee shop. Ther person who owns the stores sits them both down. He shares that they will be merging the three stores under one manager. 

Josie and Ryan will spend the next few months competing to save their jobs. As they talk, both Josie and Ryan bring out the worst in each other. Each believe the other looks down upon their work. Through series of miscommunication, they become each other's enemies. Each time they talk, they become more irritated and frustrated with each other. Could they just need a little flip?

My Thoughts: This book was so much fun, I didn't want to put it down. There's a lot going on here.

1. I loved the bookstore bits. I love that the genres were swapped here with expectations - I would have assumed the romance bookstore would have been managed by a woman. That was opposite here. I loved the conversations about books. The bater between Josie and Ryan was on point. 
2. I loved the You've Got Mail spin on this story - the messages between the two bookstores were charming. 
3. The story between the sisters was sweet

This was my first Ali Brady book, but it won't be my last.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Why I Read: This was on a list of epistolary novels, which it isn't. But there are lots of tests. But bookstores.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance section

Review: The Bodyguard Affair

 

In her spare time, Andi writes romance novels. Three years ago, she and her boyfriend broke up. Her best friend starts dating him. Andi meets a guy at a bar and they have the best night together. He encourages her with her writing.

Now she's working as an assistant to the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada. She barely has time to write anymore. The Prime Minister and his wife Gretchen are having a rocky time. After a dinner that doesn't happen, pictures come out of Andi and her boss's husband. Rumors swirl that they're having an affair. Even though she writes under a pen name, it isn't long before people connect Andi to her pen name. She insists she didn't write the books.

The only person who knows the truth about Andi and the books just happens to be the Prime Minster's new bodyguard. Andi makes him swear up and down that he won't tell anyone. She's worried that Gretchen will fire her. But after Gretchen catches her talking to Nolan, Gretchen gets the wrong idea. An idea that Andi runs with leading her to fake date Nolan for the summer.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this romance. I enjoy the fake dating trope. I love how Andi started the novel not wanting anyone to know she wrote romance novels because everyone around her thought they were trashy. I love how she became proud of her writing and the romance genre. I felt terrible for Nolan and his family life, but I love how he struck around during the summer to help, to learn, and to grow. I loved his moments with Cody. This is my first Amy Lea book, but it won't be my last. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A fun romance for your public library collection

Review: Every Summer After

 

Percy and Sam have been inseparable since Percy's family moved next door. They haven't talked in years. Charlie, Sam's brother, calls with news of his mother's death. He knows that Sam and Percy haven't talked recently. But Percy loved the boys' mom and they could use her at the funeral. Could this be the right time to heal the rift between Sam and Percy?

My Thoughts: I know I'm late to the party with this book. I've been wanting to read this, but it was nice to finally read it. This was a fun summer read with a dual timeline - as Percy and Sam grew up. I loved that they were best friends from the first moment they met. I wasn't a fan of Percy's best friend from home, but she did grow on me. The twist at the end made me annoyed but I'm curious enough to read Charlie's story. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect for Summer

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended romance book for your public library's collection. 

Review: What Happens in Amsterdam

Dani loses her boyfriend and her job. She decides to take a job in Amsterdam and moves halfway around the world. It doesn't go as planned.

First her apartment is horrid.

Second, her job is worse.

Her apartment floods

The tech company goes bankrupt

She literally runs into someone on her bike.

She discovers she knows him. He broke her heart when she was 17 and he was a foreign exchange student who lived with her family for a year.  Could fate be giving them a second chance?

My Thoughts: This second chance romance turned out to be a marriage of convenience book. I felt so bad for Dani and how she struggled to find her place in Amsterdam. She had some horrible moment, funny but horrible. I like how she reconnected with Wouter. She and Wouter had some very cute moments together. I love how they did touristy things together. I loved Dani's relationship with her sister. I didn't want this book to end. I confess, now I want to visit Amsterdam. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your romance section

Hand this to: arm chair travelers, those who love fish out water stories, and readers of Hallmark movies

Review: Bulletproof Barista

 

* Book 20 in the Coffeehouse Mystery series *

Claire Cosi is excited that her coffeehouse will host a smash TV hit, Only Murders in Gotham. The show will use their coffeehouse on location - and their baristas will have background acting jobs. When a man collapses on the sidewalk, Claire learns it's not the first accident on the set. 

But the star actor doesn't want to talk about it. He sweeps everything under the rug and labels it an accident. Claire isn't so easily swayed. She's got her eyes and ears open. With so much going on, she's not about to let anything happen to her staff. 

My Thoughts: This is one of the longest series I've been reading. I love the foodie bits - all that talk about pastries and coffees make me crave a hot chocolate and goodie. I would love to hang out at this coffeeshop in real life - but maybe not with all the bodies. I loved the TV show scenes in this book. I loved learning more about the production of show. This show sounds a lot of like Only Murders in the Building. I'm already looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A highly recommended series for your public library's collection. 

Romance Review: The Spy and I

 

Dove is mistaken for her sister and her whole world changes instantly. She's an excellent hacker that just happened to quote a movie line back to a man in a restaurant. He has a briefcase with intel. Within minutes, he's killed. Someone pushes Dove out the door. 

Mendez claims to be her sister's partner. Madison works for the CIA but she's been missing. Mendez poses as a reporter to get close to Dove to see if she knows the whereabouts of her sister. Now they're both stuck trying to unravel a mess of a situation. 

Dove's thrown into the deep end, as she looks similar to her sister. She can pose for Madison if the contacts haven't met yet. Nothing seems to go ask planed - including her developing feelings for Mendez.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. It was the perfect blend of spies, action, and romance. There was lots of action and danger and plot twists. I loved the hacking bits - especially the Taylor Swift shout out! I'm very much looking forward to the next book. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute!

Source: Purchased

Library Recommendation: A fantastic romantic thriller for your public library's romance collection

5 Things: Proof of the Pudding

 

Book 17 in the Royal Spyness series!

This is a favorite cozy series of mine. Here are 5 things I loved about this book! 

Review: The First Ladies

 

A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: This was a really interesting read. I learned so much about both women. While it was uncomfortable at times to read, this book covered many important issues - lynching, racism, sexism, adultery, and the power of friendship. I have no doubt this will be a book club book for many libraries.

Source: My Library

Cover Thoughts: Charming - and true to the story. 

Library Recommendation: A must have for your public library's collection

BookTok: Neighbor Favor

Chatting about this fun book:

@yabooknerdlibrarian My new favorite book! So charming and bookish. Just perfect! 😍🤩😍 #booksoftiktok #bookishbooks #Inverted ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Bookstagram (14)

 

Book #13 in the Library Lovers series

Since it's the 13th book, it must happen near Halloween, right? And it must be spooky?

Right on both accounts

This one featured a secret library door - which wasn't so charming...

I love this library series! I'm always eager to read the newest edition.

Jenn McKinlay is one of my must read authors.

Book Spotlight: Take My Hand

 TAKE MY HAND (Berkley Hardcover; April 12, 2022) reckons with the forced sterilization of Black women, inspired by true events in the 1970s American South, for readers of An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.  

Dolen Perkins-Valdez was inspired to write TAKE MY HAND by a 1973 lawsuit on behalf of Minnie Lee and Alice Relf. The Relf sisters were only twelve and fourteen years old when they were surgically sterilized without their knowledge in a federally-funded Montgomery clinic. At age 29, Joseph Levin—co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center—filed a lawsuit on the sisters’ behalf, shining a spotlight on the 150,000 impoverished victims across the county. TAKE MY HAND is a fictionalized account of this significant event.

Montgomery, Alabama, 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend intends to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she hopes to help women shape their destinies, to make their own choices for their lives and bodies.

But when her first week on the job takes her along a dusty country road to a worn-down one-room cabin, Civil is shocked to learn that her new patients, Erica and India, are children—just eleven and thirteen years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits, that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica, and their family into her heart. Until one day she arrives at their door to learn the unthinkable has happened, and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.

Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find her peace, and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten. That must not be forgotten. Because history repeats what we don’t remember.

Bookstagram (1): Weather Girl

 

I've been playing around with Bookstagram posts and mood board for the books. I thought I'd share them on the blog too.

Weather Girl: 

A romance between two co-workers who set out to change their toxic work environment which includes:

Fake Dating

Matchmaking

Single Father

Heroine with depression

Meteorologist 

Sports Reporter 

Review: Royals Next Door

 

Piper's summer is about to get way more interesting. As a school teacher, she has the summer off. She's looking forward to relaxing and spending time with her mother. She's not anticipating her world to be turned upside down with the arrival of royals moving in next door.

The British Prince and his new bride need some time away from the spotlight. Their handsome bodyguard isn't too sure about Piper. But Piper's determined to befriend him. What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts: This book is based on the what if Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan moved next door to you for the summer. What if you became friends with them? What if that moment changed your life forever?

This was a fun premise and a fun read. I love royal books and while this isn't a royal romance (the romance is with the bodyguard) it's royal adjacent. I loved the moments in the school - the baking moments - and the banter between Piper and Harrison. I liked how Piper discovered herself and began to join the world a little bit more. I enjoyed the frank discussion of mental health - for both Piper and her mother. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My library

Library Recommendations: Grab this one for your romance section!

Review: Much Ado About You

 

When someone stands Evie up on a date, it's the last straw. And when she's passed over for a promotion at work, she doesn't need to think twice. She quits on the spot.

Fate throws her a bone when she spots a vacation running a bookshop in England. Without much though, she packs her bags.

She travels to a small English town where she falls in love with the town and the people. It's going to be hard to go back home - especially after she falls in love with the town's most eligible bachelor and his dog.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. Of course it made me want to travel to England. I loved the small town and the townspeople. I love how Evie fit right in as if she's been there forever. I loved the new friendship formed - especially the females ones.  I loved Shadow; he's the biggest sweetheart. Just a really fun read.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your romance section.

Blog Tour: Dial A for Aunties

What happens when you mix 1 (accidental) murder with 2 thousand wedding guests, and then toss in a possible curse on 3 generations of an immigrant Chinese-Indonesian family? 

 You get 4 meddling Asian aunties coming to the rescue! 

About the Book:

When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is inadvertently shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working at an island resort on the California coastline. It's the biggest job yet for the family wedding business—"Don't leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!"—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie's perfect buttercream flowers.

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy's great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?

* Photo Credit Michael Hart

About the Author:

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, and considers all three places her home. She has a Masters from Oxford University, but she has yet to figure out how to say that without sounding obnoxious. Jesse has forty-two first cousins and thirty aunties and uncles, many of whom live just down the road. When she's not writing, she's gaming with her husband (mostly FPS), or making a mess in the kitchen with her two daughters.

Confession:

So I didn't read the description of the book before I started reading. And then I got to the part where the death happens. And I was stunned because I wasn't expecting that. The book turn a huge turn for me...but it wasn't a bad turn. Just VERY unexpected. I really loved the Aunties and Meddy's mother. And the drama (So Much Drama) made me laugh and cringe and laugh again. This book was a lot of fun! And while this was her adult debut, she has a YA book out and a middle grade book upcoming. I can't wait to read more of her books!

Review: The Ex-Talk

 

Shay Golden's spent the last ten years working for public radio and she loves it. She can't imagine her life without radio. It's a deep connection to her father.  

The radio station's struggling to stay relevant. Shay comes up with an idea for a show - all about relationships and feelings. It would be different than most shows.

Her boss loves the idea - but spins it. It will be hosted by exes who are now friends. Shay and her co-worker will host the program. One problem - they've never dated. And they hate each other...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the banter between Shay and Dominic. I enjoyed their moments on air. I liked learning about radio and the behind the scenes moments. I really liked their idea for the show. I wasn't crazy about their big lie (and neither were the characters). Steve was really cute! I wanted more scenes with him in it. A fun enemies to lovers story.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your romance collection

On Your Radar: Pack Up the Moon (49)

 

Title: Pack Up the Moon

Author: Kristan Higgins

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 8, 2021

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Family

* Sisters

* Found Family

* Josh and Lauren's love story

* Dual timelines and perspectives 

* Hopeful

* Moving on and dealing with grief

** read for Fresh Fiction (I'll share the review when it goes up)

*** Read this with a box of tissues

**** This is a tearjerker, but it's so so good. I didn't want to stop reading.

Review: Always the Last to Know

Barb and John have been married fifty years, but it's not working. Barb wants a divorce. But before she can talk to her husband, he's in a bike accident following a stroke. He's in very bad shape. To compile matters, when she's in the hospital with her daughters, she learns that he's been having an affair.

She keeps this secret from her daughters. One of whom is the light of her life. But Juliet has her own struggles with having it all. Her life is perfect but she's spiraling out of control. Sadie's floundering with her life's direction and her big dreams that haven't quite panned out.

How all three women are living in the same town and struggling to come to terms with their new normal.

My Thoughts: I loved this book for the relationships between this family. I felt heartbroken for the ladies in this book and all they dealt with. I loved the small town Connecticut and reading about places familiar to me. Plus I was happy to see some old favorite characters from the previous book. I loved the conversation about perfection, having it all, asking for help, and discovering the love of your life. I love how the family found each other again and how they worked through their differences. Another magnificent story from Kristan Higgins.

Cover Thoughts: I love the covers
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Kristan Higgins is a must have author for your public libraries.

Romance Review: Undercover Bromance

* Book 2 in the Bromance Book Club * 

One night at work goes terribly wrong for Liv when a very expensive cupcake is ordered and is dropped. The customer is her brother-in-law's friend. Her boss is not pleased. He's even less pleased when she discovers he's been sexually assaulting other women who work there.

Of course she's fired. She's on a mission to take him down and expose him for the creep that he is. But in order to that, she's going to need some help. Luckily for her, she knows just where to turn Braden might be a jerk, but he's partly responsible for her bad night.

She doesn't need much to convince him. He's more than happy to help - and also happy to spend a little more time with her.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this revenge book - taking down the bad guy was satisfying. No woman should ever have to deal with that kind of behavior. I loved the Bromance Club descending on the bookstore. I love their book talks. I love how they are there for each other. I loved the moments on the farm  - the people and the animals (that rooster). I loved seeing favorite characters from the previous books. I loved the banter between Liv and Braden. They had great chemistry. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My library
Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse
Library Recommendation: Get this series for your adult romance collection!

Review: Death in the Stacks

* Book 8 in the Library Lovers series *

Lindsey and her staff are getting ready for their annual fundraiser - a night of dinner and dancing in the library. It's supposed to be a magical night - and it would be in her board president wasn't trying to insult everyone.

Olive Boyle just took over as the library board president. She has a talent for making everyone's life miserable. She's threated the library, Lindsey's job, and spoke ill of Paula. After the dinner, her body's discovered in the stacks with Paula leaning over it.

Lindsey knows that Paula didn't kill Olive, even if she does have a secret past. While Lindsey vowed not to investigate, she's reluctantly pulled back in; she must figure out who murdered Olive before things for the library turn really bad.

My Thoughts: I love this series and I loved this book even more because of the crossover with characters from other books series by the same author. It was charming to see everyone in the small Connecticut town. I loved seeing old friends. I really enjoyed the mystery here - with Olive's terrible personality there were many suspects. The personal lives of the sleuths are also great - I love seeing where Lindsey lands. I also really like Emma and Robbie together. Another fantastic chapter in the series! Can't wait for the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Charming, as usual
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: This cozy series about libraries is a must have for public libraries.