Blog Break

 

The summer is winding down, so I'll be taking a brief break from the blog to soak up these last days!  Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to talking books again in September!

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Pitcher Perfect

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Pitcher Perfect (Big Shot #4)

Tessa Bailey

Expected publication date: September 9, 2025

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating sports romance about a playboy hockey rookie and the disciplined softball pitcher completely immune to his charms.

Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.

When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?

Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.

But it’s all just pretend…right? - from Goodreads

Michele's Monday Picks #76

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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The Entanglement of Rival Wizards

By Sara Raasch

Expected Publication: September 2, 2025

From Goodreads:

Ali Hazelwood meets Dungeons & Dragons in this enemies-to-lovers fantasy academia romcom where rival grad student wizards are forced to work together without killing―or falling for―each other.

Will they conjure love, or evoke chaos? Two rival wizards are about to find out.

Sebastian Walsh: twenty-four. Grad student at Lesiara University in the Mageus of Evocation program. Human. The first of his family to go to college rather than the military (and it goes over at family get-togethers about as well as you’d think).

Elethior Tourael: also twenty-four. Also a grad student, but in the far more inferior Mageus of Conjuration program. Half-elf. The latest in a long line of Touraels to grace the hallowed halls of Lesiara U (what would the world do if the Touraels ran out of rich douches to lead their magical weapons manufacturing empire?).

―and the other finalist for the Mageus Research Grant.

Sebastian needs that grant to fund the last few months of research for his degree, after which he’ll get a job that actually helps people. He isn’t about to let anyone snatch this from him, least of all a snob who doesn’t even need the money because his family is loaded thanks to war profiteering.

But there’s something worse than having a conceited academic nemesis steal grant money from you: you could be forced to work with him. Thio is secretive, broody, and his stunning biceps take up far too much shared lab space―but even as volatile as their partnership is, Sebastian just might find himself falling for his rival―and it could blow up his whole future.

I have become such a huge fan of Sara Raasch over the last couple years and this sounded so fun! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Blog Tour + Review: Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell

Today I'm partnering with WOW! Women on Writing to celebrate the release of Grandma Yogini, the latest book from children's author and poet Raven Howell!  I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Grandma Yogini

by Raven Howell (illustrated by Alexander Santos)

Published August 5, 2025

Henry and his sister, Meredith can hardly wait for Grandma to arrive for a visit. But what should they expect? Among the children's diverse friends and their grandmothers who bake, create art, and speak Spanish, will Grandma be able to share something unique and fun with the kids?

Henry's fears are alleviated when, not long after arrival, they flutter like butterflies, slither like snakes, and enjoy other challenges of stretching their muscles and calming their minds. This is no run-of-the-mill grandma, and when it’s time for goodbye, the kids know this was the BEST grandma visit ever.

Grandma is coming for a visit, and Henry and Meredith are so excited - what will they do with Grandma?  As the neighborhood children also come over to play, Grandma introduces them all to various yoga poses.  I thought this was a really cute book.  I loved how it looked like a graphic novel and the illustrations help young readers grasp how the yoga poses should look.  The transition from Grandma arriving to almost immediately starting yoga was a bit awkward, but I think young children will enjoy how they can pretend to be animals while also learning yoga (I know my son loves to act like different animals!).  Showcasing a loving relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is also something to be celebrated!

4 stars

Little Free Library Sightings: The DE/PA Edition

It's always fun to see a Little Free Library "out in the wild!"  I love to spot them, browse their selection, leave a book if possible, and then look them up on the official website, because sometimes they have interesting stories to go along with them!  There's also an app you can download to find local Little Free Libraries where you can even "check in" to keep track of the ones you've visited!  We recently took a weekend trip to Delaware and Pennsylvania, and there were SO MANY Little Free Libraries!  

 #92971 - This LFL is located inside the Brandywine Zoo, and Henry was the one to spot it!

#130653 - The Quillen-Strauss library was the first we visited in a neighborhood near our hotel just filled with Little Free Libraries!  I love the flowers painted on the side.

#101973 - The Catfeather Library has such a sweet story: "My 6 children grew up on Catfeather Farm where we gardened, raised sheep and lots of other farm animals. We lived a wonderful life full of exploration, learning and making memories. Time marches on and everyone has left the nest (farm) including myself. For Mother's Day my now adult children gave me a Little Free Library and in memory of our shared past I call it Catfeather Library."

#197910 - The Sharpless Little Free Library was another we visited in the neighborhood!

#74741 - The Little Red Library has a beautiful message: "Come to our little red library at the house with the red door! Take a book or leave a book - or both! We love sharing our love of reading with the neighborhood and hope you will find inspiration, knowledge, and solace in the books found within."

#60346 - This library was a high school project that was finished two years later!

#116878 - Tania's Library is another one with a lovely story: "This library was made possible by New County and a CARES grant. I have dedicated it to my mother's memory as she was a lifetime reader, reading specialist, and teacher. She would be so happy with this Little Library!"

#63052 - You can't tell me that the story behind the Mark A. Kelleher Little Free Library doesn't bring a tear to your eyes: "This library was built by my local high school students with Autism in a STEM Class. I bought the materials and they designed and completed the project. My parents, Marlene and Jim Jacono painted & designed the exterior. My brother Vince and wife Roz, sister Cissy & husband Kevin and their families continue to support our family and the library. It honors Mark A. Kelleher, who was a devoted husband and father. Mark passed very suddenly in 2008. If he wasn’t holding one of our children’s hands, he was holding a book! Thanks to so many wonderful friends members of our Community who help keep his Spirit alive. 💗"

#74311 - This LFL is actually located outside a restaurant, Meghan's Restaurant!  I think that's such a cool idea!

#160194 - This LFL is located in a shopping center - another great idea!  People can browse the shops while others stop by the LFL, grab a book, and sit to read!

#160195 - This LFL is also located in the same shopping center, just across the street.  It had a great selection and I actually took 3 books!

#75108 - This LFL is also located at a cute little shopping center, the Chadds Ford Barn Shops Village!  It was set up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the village.  We actually talked to the woman who was painting the LFL (it's undergoing a little renovation but there were stacks of books nearby!).

Recent Reads

 Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee (2025)

After being abandoned by his family at the airport when he was 11, David was adopted by a loving couple and grew up to be an attorney.  His entire life is turned upside down, however, when one day he sees a photo of himself in a missing child ad - making him question everything.  He is drawn into a web of secrets, medical mysteries, and danger, all while trying to figure out who he truly is.  Lee starts the story off with a bang and doesn't let up from there.  The story is quick-paced as we meet David, his girlfriend Gayle, his adoptive father, and others, and they all find themselves on a hunt for David and the reason why other (seemingly dangerous) people are searching for him.  I was intrigued to find out David's past and was not disappointed by Lee's twists and turns, although I do wish at times that the story would slow down a bit and incorporate more backstory or some more explanation.  Everything was wrapped up pretty quickly but also a bit open-ended, which left me wanting more.  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  4 stars

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver (2025)

A famous author writes a book completely outside their normal genre but doesn't want the world to know - enter Kate Elliott, hired by the publishing company to pretend to be the author and promote the book.  She has to work with Charlie, from her former talent agency, but will the whole thing be a total disaster?  I don't know, guys, I feel like Josie Silver is fading for me as an author.  I loved her first book, but they've unfortunately gone downhill from there for me.  This book, while having a fun premise, just didn't excite me while I was reading it.  It was a slow read, and the real drama of the story came too early, forcing some eye-rolling and ridiculous situations.  3 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Too Old For This

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Too Old For This

Samantha Downing

Expected publication date: August 12, 2025

A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends. 

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her… - from Goodreads

Michele's Monday Picks #75

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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How Far I’ll Go

By Keala Kendall

Expected Publication: September 2, 2025

From Goodreads:

What if Moana broke the heart of Te Fiti?

After a devastating battle with Te Kā, Moana’s worst fears are realized: the heart of Te Fiti is in ruins, Maui is frozen in volcanic rock, and darkness threatens to envelop her beloved home. Desperate to fix things, Moana stumbles upon an island already crumbling under the blight. All life is gone, save one sole survivor—a young woman named Noe.

Moana is relieved to find another wayfarer, even if this stranger is more than a little intimidating. Better still, Noe has an idea how to fix the heart: using the tears of Te Fiti, gems infused with the goddess’s essence. The catch? The tears are said to be scattered throughout the realm of monsters.

Banded together, Moana and Noe set a course for an impossible mission to find the powerful lost tears. Will Moana be able to restore the heart amid secrets and monsters? Or will the blight overtake everything Moana holds dear?

I absolutely love the Disney Twisted Tales series and this cover is gorgeous! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Month in Review: July 2025

 

July was a busy month!  We celebrated the 4th of July at my sister's house, and Henry had a great time in the pool.  We took a quick weekend trip to Delaware and Pennsylvania, stopping at the Brandywine Zoo, Winterthur for an artisan market, and Longwood Gardens.  I went into the office one day to see our new space and attend some meetings.  Tom and a bunch of his coworkers got together for a picnic at a local park.  Lastly, we went to the zoo for a fieldtrip with Henry's daycare.  He got to feed the giraffes!

The Books

Before Dorothy // Once Upon a Royal Summer // After Oz // It Had To Be You

The Wedding People // Have You Seen Him // Atmosphere // Slow Burn Summer

The Tenant // The Simple Wild (reread) // What If... Wanda Maximoff and Peter Parker Were Siblings?

The Posts and Reviews

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Thunder Road Books 

Mid-Year Goals Check-In

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Love to Reread

Recent Reads

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Under the Stars

Recent Reads: The Oz Edition

Michele's Monday Picks #74

Recent Reads

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Huxley & Hiro

How are you doing?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Indie Bookstore Spotlight: Huxley & Hiro

 We recently took a quick weekend trip to Delaware, so of course we had to stop at an indie bookstore in Wilmington!  Huxley & Hiro was founded by two friends (also college professors) after the only other indie bookstore in Wilmington closed in 2018.  They were inspired to bring a bookstore back to the area and finally made that dream a reality in 2023.  The store is named after their pets - her cat and his dog!

The space is tucked into a quiet street in downtown Wilmington.  Although it may not look big from the outside, visitors are in for a surprise once they enter!

As you can see, the inside of the store is very long and it seems to go on forever!  Tall ceilings and interesting lighting make the space feel even bigger.  The exposed brick walls give the space an industrial feel.  There are lots of bookshelves featuring an eclectic mix of offerings - including a section on local interests and history.

Henry made a beeline for the children's section in the back and immediately found the Little Golden Books, so of course we had to get one!

This bookstore had such a cool vibe, and I would highly recommend making a stop if you're passing through Wilmington, Delaware!

Recent Reads

Once Upon a Royal Summer by Teri Wilson (2021)

Lacey plays a princess at a Disney World-like park in Florida, where one day she meets Henry, a single dad who also happens to be a prince.  Despite their differences, could Lacey bring happiness back to Henry and Rose?  I love a royal romance, and this book was a sweet, clean, easy read.  I enjoyed meeting Lacey and finding out her reasons for wanting to be a theme park princess, and I admired Henry's desire to balance the royal and "normal" parts of his life.  Yes, it's instalove; yes, the drama and conflicts are either nonexistent or easily overcome.  But, it was what I expected and I didn't mind being swept away for a little while.  4 stars

It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier (2024)

Eva and Jonathan meet on a European train and, after one steamy night, think they'll never see each other again.  Six months later, though, Eva, a contract killer, is hired to kill Jonathan, who turns out to be another assassin.  Now the two are playing cat-and-mouse across Europe, trying to figure out who they're really working for and wondering if, just maybe, there's a way out together.  This was a really fun and quick read - I just had to know how Eva and Jonathan would find a way out of their wild situation.  I did like Eva better than Jonathan (he was way too intense for me), but it was interesting to see how both became assassins and how they eventually had to work together.  Fans of Mr. and Mrs. Smith will definitely enjoy this one!  4 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Michele's Monday Picks #74

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my little series, Michele’s Monday Picks!  I’m not a blogger or bookstagrammer, but I love getting excited about new releases with the rest of you.  Here I’ll be sharing new books I’m really looking forward to!

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A Killer Getaway

By Sienna Sharpe

Expected Publication: August 12, 2025

From Goodreads:

Falling in love can be murder...

No one in Lily Lennox's life can understand why, for each of the past five summers, she has shut her successful business and chosen instead to be paid minimum wage lifeguarding at the exclusive Riovan Wellness Resort on a sun-soaked Caribbean island. Fortunately for her, they also aren't aware of the mysterious deaths that have occurred on the island every time she's there.

Lily always does her best not to attract attention. She is determined to make toxic people pay for the damage they do - and when your mission is murder, it's best not to draw suspicious eyes. But this year a very attractive journalist, Daniel Black, is asking a few too many inconvenient questions. Is he there to hunt her down? And if so, how will she manage her growing attraction towards him - at the same time as getting away with murder?

I thought this one sounded unique and fun! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Recent Reads: The Oz Edition

Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor (2025)

In Before Dorothy, Hazel Gaynor imagines a new story for Emily Gale (Auntie Em to Dorothy), exploring how she and Henry came to Kansas and ending up raising their niece.  The Wizard of Oz is such a beloved story and movie, so it is a little nerve-wracking to enter that territory in a new way, but Gaynor does a beautiful job making Emily a truly well-rounded character.  We see her strained relationship with her sister, fall in love with Henry, and struggle through difficult years on the farm.  I loved all the nods to the original story, all those little Easter eggs that make this story even more special.  It's nostalgic, it's heartbreaking at times, but watching Emily become Auntie Em is really incredible.  4 stars

After Oz by Gordon McAlpine (2024)

After being missing for four days, Dorothy returns to the Gale farm with a fantastical tale of spending time in Oz, including accidentally killing a witch.  When a local spinster is then found murdered, the townspeople begin to wonder if something more sinister happened.  I thought this was a very interesting take on The Wizard of Oz - what happened after Dorothy returned?  Did people believe her story?  In this case, no, and she is committed to an asylum, but one doctor, after hearing of the case, is determined to prove Dorothy's innocence.  Themes of religion, persecution, and prejudice are woven through the novel, which is a short but satisfying read.  Although the ending went a bit off the rails for me, I enjoyed the journey.  4 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Under the Stars

Can't-Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Under the Stars

Beatriz Williams

Expected publication date: July 29, 2025

When a daughter and her famous mother return to Winthrop Island to confront their complicated past, they discover a secret trove of paintings that connect them to a mysterious woman who vanished on a luxury steamship two centuries earlier.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Husbands & Lovers comes an epic tale of family legacy, love, and truths that echo down generations.

Audrey Fisher has struggled all her life to emerge from the shadow of her famous mother by forging a career as a world-class chef. Meredith Fisher’s glamorous screen persona disguises the trauma of the tragic accident that haunts her dreams. Neither woman wants to return to the New England island they left behind and its complicated emotional ties, but Meredith has one last chance to sober up and salvage her big comeback, and where else but discreet, moneyed Winthrop Island can a famous actress spend the summer without the intrusion of other people? Until Audrey discovers an old wooden chest among the belongings of her estranged bartender father, Mike Kennedy, and the astonishing contents draw the women deep into Winthrop’s past and its many secrets…attracting the interest of their handsome neighbor, Sedge Peabody. How did a trove of paintings from one of America’s greatest artists wind up in the cellar of the Mohegan Inn? And who is the mysterious woman portrayed on every canvas?

On a stormy November night in 1846, Providence Dare flees Boston and boards the luxury steamship Atlantic one step ahead of the law….or so she believes. But when a catastrophic accident leaves the ship at the mercy of a mighty gale, Providence finds herself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the one man who knows her real identity—the detective investigating the suspicious death of her employer, the painter Henry Irving. As the Atlantic fights for her life and the rocky shore of Winthrop Island edges closer, a desperate Providence searches for her chance to escape…before the sea swallows her without a trace.

In Under the Stars, the destinies of three women converge across centuries, as a harrowing true disaster at the dawn of the steamship era evokes a complex legacy of family secrets in modern-day New England. Williams has written a timeless epic of mothers and daughters, of love lost and found, and of the truths that echo down generations. - from Goodreads

Recent Reads

Class Mom by Laurie Gelman (2018)

After having two daughters in her early twenties, 40-something Jen is now married with a son in kindergarten.  While acting as his class mom, Jen navigates classroom politics and issues with other parents, all with a sense of humor.  I thought this was a fun book (and audiobook, narrated by the author herself!).  I relate to being somewhat of an older parent, so it was interesting to see the issues that Jen was facing.  While I found her humor to be a bit over the top or trying too hard at times, I appreciated the light tone of the book; while there were some unbelievable moments, it did feel quite realistic, like Jen really could be just another mom at the pick-up line.  4 stars

Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz (2025)

Mack is navigating a divorce while also trying out for a reality tv show with her design firm, when her college boyfriend moves in next door.  There were a few things that appealed to me about this book - I love a story set in the south and Mack works in renovating historic homes.  But unfortunately, there was too much going on here to really make an impact, too many storylines and characters, so that everything just felt kind of glossed over.  I didn't really get Mack's desire to make the reality show - the opportunity was presented and she didn't even hesitate, but I never got the impression that it was a dream of hers.  Her mother was a total enigma - she comes across as an elegant Southern lady, but she had a baby out of wedlock and despite working on the board of the historical preservation society, seems to have no regard for historic homes.  There was also this overarching theme of parents trying to control their children's lives, in often disastrous ways.  I think there were some good ideas here and it could have been helped by editing and digging deeper into some areas.  3 stars

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Love To Reread

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is all about rereading.  I love to reread and although I got out of it for awhile, this year I have done several rereads.  Here are some of my favorite books that I could read over and over again!

The Night Circus // Something Borrowed // A Hundred Summers

Outlander // A Game of Thrones // The Other Boleyn Girl

The Devil Wears Prada // Dark Matter

The Nightingale // The Distant Hours

Do we share any favorites?

* This post contains affiliate links; I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.