Recent Reads

 Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid (2025)

In a dystopian future, Inesa's mother has sacrificed her to the Lamb's Gauntlet in order to get rid of her debt.  In this livestreamed assassination, Melinoe, a trained assassin, will hunt down Inesa; however, neither of them expects that they'll have to work together to survive the wasteland and that feelings might develop in the most unexpected of circumstances.  I really liked the premise of this - a bit Hunger Games, a bit Running Man - but the execution really fell short for me.  It felt really dated, like I was reading something from 20 years ago that was trying to depict the future.  The constant references to tablets and Melinoe's physical upgrades (like her robot eye) didn't feel fresh.  And the plot holes and just overall inconsistencies - for instance, the author indicates that Melinoe's upgrades make her body temp colder, yet Inesa says something about her "warm body" later, and Melinoe explains that the rulers in charge can't do Gauntlets all the time, because it would diminish their effect, yet Inesa's Gauntlet is literally just a couple days after another one ends.  Also, we come across at least two parents that willingly sacrifice their CHILDREN to the Gauntlet to alleviate their OWN debt - so gross, sacrifice yourself!  However, I liked Inesa's brother and the tension he brought to the story, and while a lot of readers will have a problem with the ending, I appreciated that it was more open-ended and not your typical happy ever after.  3 stars

The Divorce by Freida McFadden (2026)

Seemingly out of nowhere, Naomi's husband Jeremy asks her for a divorce and kicks her out of their house.  Naomi is predictably upset, but even more so when she finds out that Jeremy has a new girlfriend, Veronica, and she becomes obsessed with saving her son Teddy from the secrets she uncovers.  I'll be honest, I've read so many Freida McFadden books because she has a huge backlist and there always seems to be one available when I need an audiobook.  I have been loving thrillers this year, so her books usually scratch that itch.  That being said - do I love her books?  Not usually.  Are they entertaining?  Yes, but also wildly implausible and totally bonkers, and not generally in a good way.  That brings us to The Divorce, my latest McFadden book.  For the first half or so, I was on board.  I really felt for Naomi and the cruel way Jeremy treated her, basically tricking her into moving out and then filing for divorce out of nowhere.  The way it seemed like he was gaslighting her was truly infuriating.  But then we get to the second half of the book and things started to go off the rails.  As is typical with McFadden books, no one is who they appear to be at first, so when we get a second POV (Veronica), the entire story changed.  Naomi went from having my full sympathy to being unlikable.  I did, however, enjoy the theme of mothers doing whatever it takes for their children.  3 stars

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

Michele's Monday Picks #100

Before we jump into today's post, can we all give Michele a round of applause?  This is her 100th MMP!  Her little series has turned into a staple on the blog!

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my 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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Wings of Reverie

Anna Bright

Expected Publication: August 4, 2026

From Goodreads:

Centuries after the events of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wings of Starlight, two fairies must battle a dangerous magic—and their growing feelings for each other—in order to save their home in the Winter Woods of Pixie Hollow.

When frost fairy Periwinkle travels too close to the forbidden border where Spring meets the Winter Woods, she unknowingly discovers a thread of a lost magic. And, for the first time, she begins to dream. While Periwinkle’s dreams start sweet, they slowly morph into more disastrous visions of the Pixie Dust Tree—the life source for all of Pixie Hollow—destroyed. Soon Periwinkle is confronted by a sparrow man who knows two things: one, that Peri has been dreaming, and two, that the Winter Woods is in terrible danger. 

The infuriatingly handsome stranger introduces himself as Weaver, claiming to be a dream-talent, the last of his kind. There's a chance he can spin Periwinkle's dreams into dream thread which could protect the Pixie Dust Tree. But to do so, they will have to embark on a quest to find a magic spindle and scissors in the legendary lost fairy workshops of dream-talents past.

Peri begins a reluctant journey with Weaver through the uncharted heart of the Winter Woods. But dreaming is dangerous, and as Peri’s dreams begin to unravel, she will start to question everything she thought she knew. For in Winter even beautiful things can hurt you… and Weaver is no exception.

Return to Pixie Hollow with this exciting new story set in the world of Wings of Starlight several hundred years in the future.

I really loved the first book in this series! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Review: Gardens & Grudges

Gardens & Grudges

Amanda Pennington

Expected publication date: July 28, 2026

He stole her cat. Now she might steal his heart—if he doesn’t leave town first.

Sylvie Fogg is living her best quiet life in Southern Indiana. She has a steady job, a peaceful neighborhood, a flower garden in her backyard, and a semi-adopted cat.

Then Jack Murray moves in next door. He’s a famous chef looking for his own quiet life, far from the chaos of high-end restaurants and publicity. But he doesn’t expect a Type A neighbor who declares war the moment he starts spoiling her cat.

Their playful neighborhood rivalry turns into something neither of them planned: slow-burn chemistry, flirty banter, and a connection that feels dangerously real.

But when Jack is offered a high-profile cooking show that would put him back in the spotlight, he must choose between their blossoming romance and the fast-paced lifestyle of the rich and famous. And Sylvie would get her cat back, but she’d miss out on the man who knows his way around the kitchen—and the way to her heart.

Gardens & Grudges is a closed-door romantic comedy featuring enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn chemistry, and quirky neighborhood drama. Perfect for fans of clean rom-coms, cozy Midwest settings, and feel-good fiction with plenty of heart. - from Goodreads

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sylvie has created a cozy, drama-free life for herself, including starting a garden and sort-of adopting her neighbor's cat.  Then Jack, a famous chef, moves in next door, and starts feeding Sylvie's cat, inadvertently starting a rivalry between the two and upending Sylvie's quiet life.  But as she gets to know Jack, Sylvie wonders if it's time to open her heart.  

I've been a fan of Amanda Pennington's closed-door romances since her first book came out in 2022.  Gardens & Grudges continues her tradition of clean romances with relatable characters and settings.  Sylvie and Jack are new neighbors in a small Indiana town.  Sylvie has lived there for awhile, while Jack, fresh from big city life, is looking for a change.  They are drawn together when they both start feeding the same cat, and then further during the neighborhood association meeting, where they are tasked with working together on an adopt-a-pet event.  Although Sylvie is put off by Jack at first, she starts to see a different side to him.

I enjoyed getting to know Sylvie and Jack.  Pennington does a good job creating the backstories for each (a difficult family life for her, a chaotic career for him) that have ultimately led them to this place.  I liked the tension that Sylvie feels, trying to ignore her feelings for Jack because she's apprehensive about change in her life.  And I especially liked that Jack kind of falls first and is the one pushing for something more.  

But beyond crafting characters and fun storylines, Pennington's writing is the real star.  It's cozy, it's relatable, it flows well, and it feels like you're having a conversation with a good friend.  There's nothing outlandish here; it all feels so natural, and that's what makes reading her books such a treat.

4 stars

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Residency

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

The Residency

C.D. Major

Expected publication date: August 4, 2026

Don't linger in the gallery. Don't look too closely at the artwork. Don't ask questions.

Artist and single mom Ginny is offered a place on a three-month artist retreat on a remote Scottish island. She leaps at the chance. Even better, her host is happy for her to bring her daughter Isla.

But the island is not what it seems. The inhabitants greet Ginny and Isla with stares and avoid contact wherever possible. And the house they're staying in is old and strange. Eerie whispers follow Ginny through the corridors. Artworks once covered become uncovered. And unexplained smells clings to the walls lavender, cigar smoke and vomit.

With no WiFi on the island, no help from the locals and no regular transport back to the mainland, Ginny is stranded and all alone. She must unravel the dark secrets of the house before they claim her and her beloved daughter.

An unsettling gothic horror novel set on an isolated Scottish island. Perfect for fans of Sarah Pinborough, Rebecca Netley and Laura Purcell. - from Goodreads

Recent Reads

 The Storm by Rachel Hawkins (2026)

In 1984, a wealthy man was found dead after a hurricane in a small Alabama town, and everyone assumed his mistress killed him.  Now, a writer and that same mistress have descended upon St. Medard's Bay, staying at the local Rosalie Inn, to research the crime.  Geneva, the owner of the inn, is drawn into the scheme.  But with another powerful hurricane baring down on the town, will they all make it out alive?  I liked the multiple POVs; although Geneva is the main character, we do get to hear Lo's (the mistress) story in her own words, and she is such a firecracker.  I did think the story moved kind of slowly, and the final reveal of the "murderer" was pretty predictable.  There was another reveal about the characters that was kind of eye-rolling, though.  3 stars

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (2026)

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick thought she had successfully buried her difficult past, but now, decades later, someone has discovered her secret - she used to be known as Mad Mabel and was once convicted of murder.  With a dead neighbor and a precocious little girl now obsessed with her, 81-year-old Elsie is finally ready to tell her story.  I really enjoyed this book!  I don't know that I would necessarily consider this a mystery/thriller - it's really more a character study into who Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick was and is today.  While today Elsie is a self-sufficient, private, and stoic woman, Mabel was a lonely girl who had a difficult family life.  I guess the mystery would be, is Mabel really "mad" and did she really kill someone?  Through flashbacks, we discover the truth, along with several other shocking reveals, and I think by the end, most readers will have a soft spot in their heart for Elsie.  4 stars

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

Michele's Monday Picks #99

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my 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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Rootbound: A Tangled Novel

Margaret Owen

Expected Publication: July 28, 2026

From Goodreads:

Revisit Rapunzel and Eugene from Disney's Tangled as they race to protect their kingdom, in this thrilling new fantasy adventure penned by New York Times bestselling author Margaret Owen.

Rapunzel knows nothing about her neighboring kingdom, Astera – and not just because she only left her tower a month ago. The famously reclusive island has limited its contact with outsiders for decades. So when a suspicious invitation arrives welcoming Rapunzel to the Asteran princess’s coming of age ceremony, and offering her a chance to be useful for the first time since she lost her healing powers, Rapunzel accepts – and unwittingly plunges herself and her companion, Eugene, into a tangled knot of political intrigue and magical secrets.

Eugene is just happy to get one last adventure with Rapunzel before his criminal background catches up with him and prevents their happy ending. Yet as they’re drawn further into the country’s problems, they uncover truths about Eugene’s parentage that point to deeper unrest in Astera, and suddenly the fate of their own kingdom, not just their personal dreams, is at stake.

Thrust into a power struggle between Astera’s beloved princess, Verette, its domineering king, Enver, and a mysterious secret society, Rapunzel and Eugene race to protect their home from an unsettlingly familiar threat and discover that the past can either hold them back, or help them blossom.

A cunning king. A devious princess. Best. Week. Ever.

I am a sucker for anything Disney related! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Recent Reads

Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen (2025)

Rowan can't help keeping track of her ex-boyfriend on a phone app, until the night she discovers his dead body in front of the historic mansion she's helping renovate.  Rowan becomes the prime suspect, and with her daughter's father unexpectedly coming back into town at the same time, she's got a lot to worry about.  This was an interesting little mystery.  I think Bowen did a great job mixing the mystery aspect with romance, with Rowan having to deal with her ex-boyfriend's death and growing closer again with her daughter's father, without it feeling too contrived.  The story had multiple POVs, one of which really ended up surprising me, and I enjoyed how the story unfolded.  As a former historian, I especially liked how the historic mansion played such a big role in the story.  4 stars

Tristan 4 America by Bruce Overby (2026)

As a result of the pandemic, Tristan Heller is laid off from his job in tech sales.  He begins to take stock of the current political and social climate and decides to run for President.  Although he never seriously expects to win, Tristan uses the opportunity to say the kind of things that no one else will.  But, his campaign starts getting attention from extremist militia groups, and suddenly, everyone around him is at risk.  This is such an intriguing premise - I think it's absolutely plausible that someone devastated by the pandemic could enter politics, and I think Overby does a good job capturing those feelings of frustration.  However, the execution lacked for me.  I was expecting more of a thriller, but there was a lot of exposition - at times it felt more like Overby wanted to give his opinions on certain political and social topics, rather than keep the plot moving.  The attempts to build suspense never felt like enough for me.  This is also just a personal thing, but there was way too much cursing in this book - now, cursing does not really offend me in everyday life, I am certainly not immune from using bad words, but when the main character is supposed to be giving interviews, meeting with constituents, debating various topics in public forums, and every other word is an f-bomb, it just felt very unprofessional and unnecessary.  I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  3 stars

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

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Extracurricular

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

Extracurricular

Rachel Lynn Solomon 

Expected publication date: July 14, 2026

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

Mid-Year Goals Check-In

We are officially halfway through 2026 (what?!?), so it's time to look back at the goals we set at the beginning of the year!

1. Read 75 books.  At the time I'm writing this, I've read 56 books, so making great progress!
2. 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!
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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!

And here's a check-in of Michele's goals:

 

Bookish Goals 

1. Read 200 Books – I just hit the midway point of this goal, so things are looking good!

2. 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!

3. Utilize my library more – my library use percentage is up over last year so far, so doing good there!

4. 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 

1. 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!

2. 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.

3. Plant a garden – totally dropped the ball on this. Kinda late to start now, but maybe I can start planning for next year….

4. 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.

5. 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?
   

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

Overruled by Lana Ferguson (2025)

Danica and Ezra are rival divorce lawyers who occasionally sleep together.  When they end up on opposite sides of the table for the biggest case of Danica's career, her vow to keep things casual is in serious jeopardy, as she gets to know Ezra better.  Lana Ferguson is an author I want to love, and while I always go into her books with an open mind, I find myself somewhat disappointed.  That was not the case here - I absolutely fell in love with Ezra and Dani and couldn't get enough of their story!  They were each such complicated characters, especially with their family dynamics, and I particularly loved how Ezra was the one pushing for something more.  Dani was sometimes a little too prickly - I just wanted to shake her and tell her to finally admit her feelings!  But, I could also see how their careers could make it difficult.  4.5 stars

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

Month in Review: June 2026

 

June was a pretty quiet month for us!  Henry finished up tball with a couple more games, and he even got his first trophy at the end-of-season celebration!  We went to a pool party for his cousins' birthdays and then I went to a big puzzle swap, where I snagged several new puzzles!  We had my in-laws over for a BBQ and celebrated Tom for Father's Day.  Other than that, we've been enjoying walks around the neighborhood and trips to the playground.

The Books

Sunk in Love // Mother Tongue: A Memoir of Taiwan // Heiress Among Thieves // Every Summer After

Two Can Play // Catch Her If You Can // The Heir Apparent // Overruled

Daughter of Egypt // Dying To Meet You

The Posts and Reviews

Recent Reads

Michele's Monday Picks #96

Can't-Wait Wednesday: When You Loved Me

Recent Reads

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Love You More

Recent Reads

Michele's Monday Picks #97

Can't-Wait Wednesday: An Infinite Love Story

Michele's Monday Picks #98

How are you doing?

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

Michele's Monday Picks #98

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my 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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Habits of the Sea

Shea Ernshaw

Expected Publication: July 7, 2026

From Goodreads:

The second adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw, in which a woman rediscovers the mythical island she stumbled upon as a child—and the man she once met who apparently hasn’t aged—and must choose between the life she’s built and a love that defies the laws of time and nature. 

The night Clay Lockhart’s wife dies, a violent storm tears their home—and the eight hectares of land beneath it—away from the Scottish coast, sending it adrift into the Atlantic. Thirty years later, twelve-year-old Ellie Mills discovers the fabled floating island off the coast of Nova Scotia and finds Clay still living in the weatherworn farmhouse perched on its highest hill.

When the island vanishes overnight, Ellie is left questioning whether it ever existed at all. But decades later, now in her thirties, the island resurfaces—and Ellie returns, determined to uncover the truth. What she finds is even Clay hasn’t aged a single day.

Faced with the impossible, Ellie learns that some mysteries aren’t meant to be solved—and that a life shaped by wonder may hold more promise than one bound by certainty.

Spanning centuries and coastlines, Habits of the Sea is a haunting, romantic journey through time, memory, and the invisible tides that pull us home.

I thought this sounded very beautiful! Do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Can't-Wait Wednesday: An Infinite Love Story

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

An Infinite Love Story

Chanel Cleeton    

Expected publication date: July 7, 2026

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

Michele's Monday Picks #97

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my 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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13 Little Love Stories
Anthology
Expected Publication: June 30, 2026

From Goodreads:

From bestselling YA authors comes thirteen dazzling contemporary romances inspired by the songs of Taylor Swift!

If you could live inside one Taylor Swift song for a day, which would you pick? In this shimmering anthology, thirteen best-selling and acclaimed authors do just that, reimagining some of Taylor’s most iconic songs as love stories. 

Whether you’re in an era of fairy lights and folktales or diss tracks and dance floors, here’s a playlist that features all the the soaring high note of first love. The minor key of heartbreak. And the steady rhythm of true friendship and self-discovery.

As clever and unforgettable as the songs that inspired them, these stories are sure to play on repeat in your head and your heart. 

Stories 

Elise Bryant

Jennifer Dugan

J. Elle

Jessica Goodman

Sloan Harlow

Crystal Maldonado

Krystal Marquis

Katharine McGee

Julie Murphy

Lynn Painter

Laura Sebastian

Sara Shepard

Jesse Q. Sutanto

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

Recent Reads

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (2022)

Percy and Sam fall in love as teenagers over the course of her summer visits to the lake, but one mistake causes Percy to stay away for a decade.  When Sam's mother passes away, Percy returns to Barry's Bay and is forced to confront her feelings for Sam.  Carley Fortune's books are so hyped that I've avoided reading them for years, but when I saw this book in a Little Free Library, I took the opportunity to finally read one of her stories!  For the most part, I enjoyed this book.  I liked the back and forth between present and past, seeing Percy and Sam grow up and realize their feelings for each other.  The ending really threw me, though - it was so abrupt and I honestly can't believe that Sam could get over the "mistake" that Percy made when they were younger.  The reveal of the mistake took so long and it seemed so monumental to me, yet it was resolved fairly quickly and painlessly.  4 stars

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood (2024)

Viola and Jesse are video game designers at rival firms, but they have a chance to work together on Viola's dream job.  Their firms participate in a snowy retreat, where Viola finally confronts Jesse over his apathy towards her over the years, and Jesse shocks her with his response.  This was a fun (and spicy) little novella!  I think Hazelwood did a great job succinctly creating a believable and well-rounded backstory for Viola and Jesse, and also for Viola's love for the book series-turned-video game.  The other co-workers on the retreat added some flavor, but in such a short story, it really was all about Viola and Jesse.  I appreciated that they were able to talk through their issues, but I did feel like they got serious so fast, and it always seems a little weird to me that people who have barely talked to each other hold such a torch for each other - is it just me?  3.5 stars

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

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Love You More

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

Love You More

Emily Giffin

Expected publication date: July 7, 2026

A woman is newly engaged to a man she adores when she receives a call from her first love—with news that shatters her carefully ordered world—in this emotional, powerful novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Pact.

Billie has built the perfect life. Her practice as a doctor in New York City is thriving, and she’s finally found the right partner in Dean after years spent trying to move on from her high-school sweetheart, Mick. Their young love had been intense and true, but distance and ambition pulled them apart when she left Wisconsin for medical school.

Then one morning, just after accepting Dean’s romantic marriage proposal, Billie’s phone rings. It’s Mick—calling for the first time in nearly a decade. His news is urgent, and in a moment, everything changes.

As Billie boards a plane back to Wisconsin, the past comes rushing in—her friendships from home, the love she shared with Mick, and the choices that shaped them. What awaits her is a reckoning with what she’s lost, what she’s built, and what she still wants.

Gripping and deeply moving, Love You More is a story about the plot twists life throws at us—and how love, in all its forms, has the power to change everything. - from Goodreads

Recent Reads

Welcome Home, Caroline Kline by Courtney Preiss (2024)

After a bad breakup, Caroline has no job and no apartment in the city, so she's kind of forced to return home to New Jersey when her father asks for her help.  She is to take his place on the local men's softball team, but coming home is more difficult than she imagined it to be.  First off, I loved the NJ setting of this book - it's not one I see often and it was fun to know a lot of the local references.  I liked Caroline's sarcasm and the growth in her relationship with her father; although always pretty close, she gets to see a different side of him and help him as she never could before.  If you're looking for romance, I'd look elsewhere - although Caroline is reunited with her first crush, there are other elements at play that force a love match to the backburner.  The pacing was extremely slow and there's a lot of plot points to keep track of.  Caroline has to deal with some heavy topics, but because there's so much going on, there wasn't as much impact as I'd hoped for.  3 stars

Sunk in Love by Heather McBreen (2026)

A divorcing couple hide their secret from her family while they attend a vacation with them, but the close proximity stirs up old feelings and makes them question if they're doing the right thing.  I just loved this book!  I read a lot of romance, but not a lot about married couples, so that was a nice change and felt more relatable to me.  Mostly we get romances about couples just starting their journey together, but Roslyn and Liam have been together for 9 years, married for 5.  We get to see where they started from, but also the obstacles that can creep in over the years.  Happily ever afters aren't guaranteed; Roslyn's mother's death put a serious strain on their marriage, and issues that they may have overlooked before, now became magnified.  I loved watching them find their way back to each other, but also witness Roslyn's growth in regard to her family and never quite feeling like she fit in.  4.5 stars

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

Can't-Wait Wednesday: When You Loved Me

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

When You Loved Me

Beatriz Williams

Expected publication date: June 23, 2026

A young widow returns to her late father’s New England estate, only to be drawn into the hunt for the rumored pirate treasure that consumed his life, in this thrilling and moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Husbands & Lovers.

Local history insists that a legendary pirate buried his treasure somewhere beneath Windward, the decayed Cooper estate on Winthrop Island, but Lucy Cooper never trusted the fable that broke her family apart. When a widowed Lucy returns with her young daughter to grieve her estranged father, she discovers the property’s buried under a mountain of debt, and Ben Ressler has just turned up on her doorstep.

Thirteen summers ago, a teenaged Lucy never meant to fall in love with Ben, a Dartmouth football star vacationing next door at the Peabody estate, and the object of an all-consuming crush by Laura Peabody, Lucy’s best friend. Those two weeks with Ben were the best and worst of Lucy’s life, dooming her friendship with Laura. Now Ben’s returned to live quietly in the Peabodys’ caretaker lodge, after a fatal accident ended his dazzling NFL career. He’s also the last person who saw Lucy’s father alive.

As Lucy reconstructs her father’s troubling final days, she uncovers his research on the frozen winter of 1717, when a desperately wounded pirate sought refuge on Winthrop Island with an enigmatic healer. To Lucy, this history points the way to a different kind of how to forgive yourself for the mistakes of the past and earn a second chance at love. But just as Lucy’s long-buried emotions sear to the surface, a shocking turn of events reveals that someone else on the island will do whatever it takes to claim the fabled plunder.

A timeless story of love and atonement, When You Loved Me maps both a centuries-old treasure hunt and the intimate territory of the human heart, weaving together past and present as only Beatriz Williams can. - from Goodreads

Michele's Monday Picks #96

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with my 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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Scandal of the Summer

By Alexandra Vasti

Expected Publication: June 23, 2026

From Goodreads:

A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti.

Eccentric heiress Lady Ruby Ballimore has had enough of the Marriage Mart. After offending yet another Very Important Marquess―and imperiling her father’s diplomatic career―Ruby flees London for the holiday house of a glamorous (and better yet, absent) princess. Armed with a forged invitation and accompanied by her like-minded friends, Ruby arrives at the Cornwall estate expecting a summer of blissful freedom.

Instead, she discovers a derelict mansion and the most suspiciously charming man she’s ever met.

Former privateer and current con artist Captain Malcolm Archer has dragged his ramshackle crew into a new life. Posing as staff at a princess’s abandoned estate provides the perfect cover for Archer’s smuggling scheme (not to mention free rent). Everything’s going according to plan―until an unorthodox London heiress crashes the party.

But when Archer and his crew attempt to frighten off their uninvited guests, Ruby’s unfazed by insect invasions and sham sea monsters. Harder to ignore? The scorching heat between the rakish pirate and the debutante who can see right through him. As sparks fly, deceptions run wild―because in this Great Cornish Fake Off, the only thing riskier than telling the truth is falling in love.

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

Recent Reads

 The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda (2023)

A decade ago, a group of students survived a horrific crash when many others perished.  Now, the survivors meet yearly, as the only ones who really know what happened that night.  This year, though, feels different.  As their group gets smaller, Cass, one of the survivors who is trying to distance herself from the group, begins to wonder if something else is going on.  I feel like the premise of this book definitely didn't match the execution.  I liked the dual timeline, with one focusing on the survivor group at their yearly get-together in the present day and the other on the night of the accident.  The past timeline is told in a reverse chronological way, which definitely made for a shocking (yet also wholly unbelievable) reveal but also made me feel confused as to what was happening.  I think this book was trying to be more of a thriller than it actually was.  The reveals didn't necessarily make sense and the whole book felt kind of convoluted.  3 stars

The Write Off by Kara McDowell (2026)

Mars and West met in college, became best friends, and briefly dated, which ended badly.  Now, a decade later, they are both back on campus, attending a book festival as published authors, and they are forced to confront their complicated past.  I loved the college setting of this book, both seeing Mars and West in the past as undergrads and now being back as older adults.  I think McDowell captured that unique setting and feeling very well.  I also enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the life of a successful author who is also trying to make a comeback.  I felt the connection between Mars and West, but at times there was a bit too much drama for me.  I get the dynamics between them, but more than once, it felt like things were finally getting on track, just for one of them to abruptly pull the plug.  They both felt a bit immature (and since McDowell mostly writes YA, I get it) and it seemed like there was too much miscommunication and impulsivity.  4 stars

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Month in Review: May 2026

 

May was another busy month!  Henry continued tball - I was very nervous when he refused to play any of the second game, but after that, he was excited to go to practice and his games, and he's doing great!  My sister and I attended a book event with author Sally Hepworth (linked below if you missed the original post!).  We took our annual trip to Cape May with my in-laws.  We had really nice weather and spent a lot of time walking around Cape May, visiting lighthouses, walking the boardwalk, and shopping downtown.  Memorial Day weekend was almost a total washout, so it ended up being a very relaxing weekend for us.  We ended the month with a Somerset Patriots game (our local minor league baseball team).  Henry and Tom got to walk the field with our tball league and Henry saw fireworks in person for the first time - he was so excited, he couldn't stop yelling!

The Books

Too Old For This // Manor for Sale, Baron Included // The Only Survivors // Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

The Honeymoon Cottage // Into Thin Air // The Write Off // Kuleana: A Story of Family, Land, and Legacy in Old Hawai'i

Welcome Home, Caroline Kline

The Posts and Reviews

Michele's Monday Picks #95

Author Tea with Sally Hepworth

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Chateau on Sunset

Recent Reads

Little Free Library Sightings: The Jersey Shore Edition, Part 5

Fiction/Nonfiction Quick Reviews: The Hawaii Edition

How are you doing?

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