Review: A Lot Like Love by Jennifer Snow

There is so much to love about this small town romance novel. A Lot Like Love by Jennifer Snow is the first in the A Blue Moon Bay series. It has all the charm and sweet that you could ask for in a romance leaving you anticipating what's to come.

In this book, we are introduced to Sarah and Wes. They haven't seen each other in a really long time. To quote the last line in the book and to sum up the experience of these two, “the best things in life really did happen when you least expected them.” Fate had another plan bringing Sarah back to Blue Moon Bay when she inherited her Grandmother's inn. Feeling torn by the thought of investors demolishing the inn, she decides to preserve the connecting piece of not only her grandmother but the nostalgia and love it once brought to this small coastal town. There's only one person who is qualified for this job, Sarah's high school crush Wes.

After going through the motions of life after the passing of his wife, Wes has found himself without both feet on the ground. Trying to raise his daughter, Wes has found the struggle is real balancing being a father and working. When the opportunity comes around for his construction company to restore the inn, he sees it as an opportunity to get some stability for his company and to preserve one of the town's most cherished landmarks.

As time goes on with the project, there seems to be an unspoken rekindling of a spark that almost was. One thing Wes wasn't expecting no matter how much he tried convincing himself not to, was the idea of someone coming into his life again. The problem is, the more time he spends with Sarah, the more it becomes undeniable of the possibility of being a part of his life.

As they say, if it was meant to be, it shall be. A Lot Like Love brings for the hopeless romantic, two people destined at a second chance.

Overall, I think this was a wonderful introduction to the series. I'm definitely looking to continue on reading what's next for Blue Moon Bay. The tone was charming and sweet and had a comfortable inviting story that draws you in through the end. My favorite character besides these two, was Wes's daughter who just will melt your heart. A little sophisticated for her age but shined so bright within the storylines. The supporting characters were fun and complemented them as well. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. I'd recommend diving into this series.

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Review: XOXO (The Calvettis of New York Book 3) by Deborah Bladon

Arietta works for Dominick (The Dick) Calvetti as his secretary. And he isn’t the most pleasant person to work for hence his nickname. Unfortunately, for Arietta there is an email mix up, and Dominick finds out how she truly feels about him.

I’ve recently discovered that I find workplace romance to be entertaining and it’s quickly being one of my favorite type of romance. For starters, there doesn’t have to be any overly dramatic coincidences for the love interests to be in the same place. Secondly, they already have a common denominator. To say, I was excited for this book is an understatement.

This one started off strong for me. It had the whole sunshine grumpy thing going on. and I was excited to watch the relationship between Dominick and Arietta bloom. Unfortunately, as the book went on, I encountered some issues. After the email was sent, their relationship was switched into hyperdrive.

I would have wanted more of an emotional connection to because there was so much potential with both of the characters. Instead we have two characters who have such a physical attraction that they can’t keep their hands off each other and it started feeling extremely insta-love when they are talking about being each other’s forever. All of sudden, Dominick changed into a completely different person because he was “in love”.

I think a lot of the issues with the book would have been resolved if the story was longer. I think the characters were interesting enough that if solid groundwork was laid down and paced correctly, it would have work much better.

One thing that I will say that I did enjoy was the familial relationship. Dominick had an amazing relationship with his family. And Arietta had a great relationship with his family as well. I loved all the interactions with the Calvetti family.

Final Analysis

XOXO started off strong; however, as it went it went overboard. It got too fast pace. The “reveals” were too much. 

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Review: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.
 
Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since.
 
Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.
 
Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong? -

I heard so many good things about this book, and I wanted nothing more than to enjoy it like everyone else. Unfortunately, I didn’t. And I think it might be a me thing. This book has an array of amazing tropes present. Best friends – to – loves? Check! Second chance romance? Check! Summer romance? Check! Slight grumpy sunshine? Check!

Both Poppy and Alex had this rich interesting complicated history between them and for some reason I couldn’t find myself connected to it or find the will to continue. I read half of this book in September, and then finished the rest in October. It felt like there was not enough going on, and the romance wasn’t enough to bring the excitement or entertainment. Sure, the banter was great, but I needed more.

The book is told through flashbacks and present times through the sole POV of Poppy. She was an interesting character. I liked her, and care more about her personal work struggles than I did with her romance with Alex.

And again, I think it’s a me problem- but there was no spark for me. I wanted so badly to devour this one, but that didn’t happen for me.

Final Analysis

People We Meet on Vacation has the material to be a great summer read. 

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Review: Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be by Nichole Perkins

Pop culture is the Pandora’s Box of our lives. Racism, wealth, poverty, beauty, inclusion, exclusion, and hope -- all of these intractable and unavoidable features course through the media we consume. Examining pop culture’s impact on her life, Nichole Perkins takes readers on a rollicking trip through the last twenty years of music, media and the internet from the perspective of one southern Black woman. She explores her experience with mental illness and how the TV series Frasier served as a crutch, how her role as mistress led her to certain internet message boards that prepared her for current day social media, and what it means to figure out desire and sexuality and Prince in a world where marriage is the only acceptable goal for women. 
 
Combining her sharp wit, stellar pop culture sensibility, and trademark spirited storytelling, Nichole boldly tackles the damage done to women, especially Black women, by society’s failure to confront the myths and misogyny at its heart, and her efforts to stop the various cycles that limit confidence within herself. By using her own life and loves as a unique vantage point, Nichole humorously and powerfully illuminates how to take the best pop culture has to offer and discard the harmful bits, offering a mirror into our own lives. -

Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could Be was entertaining and witty. It was a powerful collection of essays that were thought provoking as well. Nichole has lived a full life and her stories sometimes sad and dark life. This collection focuses on sexist, racist, ableist, wealth, and poverty in a considerate fashion. She writes about her family. There are so many topics explored here. It gets deep and relatable.

She doesn’t try to sugar coat anything. She is fully aware that she is imperfect, and she doesn’t try to sell you anything. It felt personal, and although that I couldn’t stop reading. There was something so honest and sincere about her writing. It feels like a conversation with friends or a big sister.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes I Trip On How Happy We Could is a powerful and honest, unforgettable collection of essays. 

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Review: In the Aftermath by Jane Ward

Honestly, I haven't had such a strong reaction to a book in a long time. Throughout the book, I felt robbed. I felt invested early on and was really looking forward to the book unfolding until I felt like everything came to a halt. There was a break in such an important piece of the book that I thought at the time shouldn't have been there. It left me desperate for answers and also left me hanging. However, I wasn't expecting that ending which brought everything full circle with complete redemption. When you read the book, you will understand and completely appreciate that moment.

No one knows the pain and anguish one goes through when you reach the ultimate emotional break of despair leaving you feeling hopeless. David Heron was a man who came to the fork in the road of despair and hopelessness. When he became overwhelmed by his family's financial situation and decided the weigh of the burden was too much to carry, he made a drastic decision that not only affect his life but those around him.

Trying to pick up the pieces, his wife Jules and their daughter Rennie, downsized their life in order to keep going. It wasn't until after his death did she learned about all the betrayal and lies he kept which hardened her heart leaving her feeling conflicted and angry. To prevent her from losing everything, she was given a helping hand which allowed her to keep from losing everything but it came with strings that left her feeling like a prisoner of her own life. At the same time, feeling responsible for what happened to her father, Rennie found it hard to cope with her life. She struggled in school, with those around her and felt resentful to her mom for the life they were currently living in.

Not only were they affected but the former officer that was part of David's case, has found this is the one that she really couldn't shake. Living with a burden of guilt from seeing how it has affected their family, she decided she would find a way to make it up to them and at the same time hopefully get peace for herself. As she retraces the past, she uncovers secrets that hold the answers that lead her down a path ties up lose ends that lead to hope, love, forgiveness and healing.

Even though one terrible experience brought some many lives together, it was a novel that taught us about the depth of love and how the power of forgiveness can heal the soul. It's not easy losing a loved one in such a way as was presented in the book. I think the author presented both sides with a beautiful, sensitive touch. Seeing the affects of loss and their emotional journey of finding their way showed how it is possible to overcome and rebuild life after such a tragic loss.

This was a beautiful novel that is worth taking your time to read. I don't know if the ending was intentional or not but I really appreciate what happened. It really left a lasting impression that left my heart full. I'd recommend adding to your reading list.

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Review: The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer

Winsome Lane, a street that any small town would love to have. Representing a community that embodies all the charm and love that you'd hope for in a town, is the beautiful setting for this lovely book, The Gathering Table.

We are introduced to a lovely town Winsome, WI. This is the type of place that you'd hope all small towns would be like. The people look out for each other. Everyone knows one another but most important, everyone supports and loves each other. This is something Jessica Keaton was not used to at all.

Jessica Keaton, just left what seemed to be the dream of a lifetime. She was working for someone who she thought was what she aspired to be. In her eyes, working for this dream client presented a life that she thought was the greatest thing that could've happened. Sadly when an unfortunate situation presented itself involving someone close to her boss, she found herself unemployed, shamed and uncertain of her future. In an attempt to pick up the pieces and put the past behind her, Jessica was presented with a job opportunity that unbeknownst to her would change her life in more ways than she would know.

Winsome Lake was just the place for Jessica to escape to. No one knew her or her former boss, so staying under the radar was just what she was looking for. However, in town like this, it's hard to hide. With her new boss, Elaine Haviland, to be currently in rehab for an accident, she is left alone to find her way around and get settled in. Little did she know she wouldn't be alone for too long. The scrappy ladies as they are known to be called, make sure to bring the sunshine and the welcome wagon. Just trying to make her feel welcome and support their friend Elaine, Jessica is smothered with love and support leaving her feeling unlike she'd ever felt before.

Then comes the unexpected, her neighbor Nick. Helping out with Elaine's garden, he is everything that you'd expect from a nice guy in a small town such as this. He's handsome, community oriented and loved by everyone. The problem is, Jessica is not having anything of this. She is here to do a job and as times goes on she finds herself getting interested in more than cooking. Will Nick's small town charm be the secret ingredient missing in Jessica's recipe?

Elaine Haviland, knows all to well the feelings of be shamed and an the uncertainty of her future. When Elaine set to advertise for someone to cook and help out around the house, little did she know that it would change her life as well. Upon having a medical setback, Elaine found herself temporarily in rehab. Not knowing what she would experience when she returned, while turning to her faith and the strength of friends, she knew she had nothing to worry about. As she doesn't believe in coincidences, Elaine's intuition upon meeting Jessica gave her the confirmation that people are brought into each other's lives for a reason and through their experiences they find an invaluable friendship that changes both their lives and those around them forever.

With the fall approaching, this is the perfect read to get snuggled up on the couch. One of the best parts of the book that I loved was the friendships and support of community. I love the generational gap friendships because there is such value and depth to what they bring into each other's lives that make you more invested in them. These were the type of characters that invite you in and the more you read the book you want to love them more. This journey through their lives leaves such a sweet, fulfilled experience. With beautiful characters that you will fall in love with blended with friendship, love, hope and second chances, The Gathering Table is one place where everyone would want to pull up a seat. I'd recommend adding this one to the reading list.

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