When a former pop star enrolls in college, the last thing she expects is A-plus chemistry with her psychology professor in this sexy and tender romance from New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lynn Solomon.
Ramona Wilder has spent her whole life in the spotlight. After a hit kids’ TV show, she transitioned into music, singing in arenas around the world and becoming an icon for millions of teenage girls. Now at age twenty-six, exhausted by the inhumane lack of privacy, she’s done—with all of it. She wants a chance at normal, whatever that might mean for her. And she’s starting with college.
Professor Nick Navarro is recently divorced but determinedly optimistic, allowing himself a very reasonable ten minutes per day to wallow. When his department calls a meeting about a celebrity enrollment, he plans to treat whoever it is like any other student. Except when Ramona blazes into class and causes an uproar, the typically easygoing professor is rattled, maybe for the first time in his career.
Ramona loves the way she flusters him, taking every opportunity to push Nick’s buttons, though what she really wants is to unbutton them completely. When a crisis brings them closer outside of class, they begin a tentative friendship amid an undeniable attraction. But Ramona can’t be so easily finished with her old life, and they’ll both have to confront their pasts if they want a chance at something real. - from Goodreads
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Can't-Wait Wednesday: Extracurricular
Monday, July 6, 2026
Mid-Year Goals Check-In
- Read 75 books. At the time I'm writing this, I've read 56 books, so making great progress!
- Complete the sit-to-standing test. I actually did it! I was able to do it for the first time in January and a few times since, although it's been awhile since I tried!
- Do 100 jumps a day. I was really good about doing this at the beginning of the year, but around May, I fell off it! I'm going to try to get back into it, though!
- Complete 52 puzzles. Ok, this was an unrealistic goal. If you follow me on Instagram, you can see all the puzzles I've done this year. I'm currently at 50 - eek! I need to slow down.
- Complete at least 4 new-to-us baking projects with Henry. So far we have done 3 new baking projects, from scratch! Pumpkin spice muffins (huge hit!), chai-spiced apple muffins (I liked them, Henry was not a big fan), and cookies 'n cream cookies (I thought they were a little dry, but the teachers at Henry school loved them!). We are definitely having lots of fun in the kitchen!
Bookish Goals
Read 200 Books – I just hit the midway point of this goal, so things are looking good!
Read books from a wide variety of genres – Romance and thrillers are up for me so far this year, but I know I have some great historical fiction and Middle Grades on my shelf just waiting for me!
Utilize my library more – my library use percentage is up over last year so far, so doing good there!
Buddy read with my daughter and husband – Luna and I have been continuing our Stuart Gibbs journey, so I’m really excited about that. My husband and I have a few books out later this year that we are both looking forward to.
Nonbookish Goals
Learn needlepoint – haven’t gotten to this yet but my stepmom is hosting a girls’ crafting day next month so maybe I will bring my starter kit to that!
More monthly baking challenges – I have baked a few new items, but not really from the challenges, as I haven’t been a huge fan of a lot of the prompts! We’ll see what the second half of the year brings.
Plant a garden – totally dropped the ball on this. Kinda late to start now, but maybe I can start planning for next year….
Complete 24 puzzles – I’ve only done 6 so far this year, yikes. I do enjoy my puzzles, but they admittedly fall after my books and crocheting.
Continue my fitness journey – doing really well! I was able to keep up my exercise routine during my 60+ hour weeks in tax season and have been consistent all year so far.
How are you doing on your 2026 goals?
Friday, July 3, 2026
Recent Reads
The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage (2025) Lexi is a medical resident in Australia, but very few people also know that she's an estranged member of the British royal family. When her brother and father are killed in a skiing accident, Lexi suddenly finds herself as first in line to the throne. Her grandmother, the queen, gives her a year to decide if she wants to return to the family or continue her life of anonymity. I love a royal story, and this one was a really good one! The story unfolds over Lexi's year back in England as she re-enters royal life for a time, with flashbacks to important moments in her life. The story is rich with family drama and secrets, and I thoroughly enjoyed the peek behind the curtain of what being a princess could be like. While I felt the ending was a bit weak, overall I enjoyed this book! 4 stars
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Month in Review: June 2026
Monday, June 29, 2026
Michele's Monday Picks #98
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Can't-Wait Wednesday: An Infinite Love Story
When an astronaut is lost in space, his wife relives their epic love as she attempts to unravel what truly happened to him, in this sweeping love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes.
When Joe Mitchell launches into space, the world is watching. It’s 1968, and the country waits with anticipation and excitement for another successful mission, another celebration as America sets its sights on the Moon. And then comes the knock at the door.
Joe Mitchell’s spacecraft has lost contact. He and his fellow astronauts onboard are feared to be dead. It’s his wife Vivian’s worst nightmare come to life, her grief suddenly taking center stage as the nation waits and mourns. In her quiet moments, Vivian relives their memorable story, unable to accept that this is the end to a love that felt as though it was written in the stars.
As the investigation surrounding Joe’s lost spacecraft intensifies and the mishap is written off as an operator error, Vivian is determined to clear her husband’s name and uncover the mystery of what happened in space. When someone starts sending Vivian messages—messages she believes only Joe could send—she begins to wonder if their love is stronger than space and time, and she’ll do whatever it takes to bring her husband back to her. - from Goodreads
Monday, June 22, 2026
Michele's Monday Picks #97
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