Musings of a Literary Wanderer

Monday, May 15, 2023

Michele's Monday Picks #15

Angela is so generous to let me pop in with a new 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 Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife

By Kendall Kulper

Expected Publication Date: May 23, 2023

From Goodreads:

A budding starlet and her handsome-but-moody co-star go from bitter enemies to reluctant partners when they get tangled up in the disappearance of a beautiful young actress in 1930s Hollywood.

Eighteen-year-old Henrietta arrives in Los Angeles in 1934 with dreams of trading her boring life for stardom.

She’s determined to make it as an actress, despite her family’s doubts and rumors of would-be starlets gone missing. And by the skin of her teeth, she pulls it off! A serendipitous job offer arrives and Henrietta finds herself on a whirlwind publicity tour for a major film role—with a vexingly unpleasant actor tapped by the studio to be her fake boyfriend.

But fierce Henrietta has more in common with brooding Declan than she realizes. They both have gifts that they are hiding, for fear of being labeled strange: he is immune to injury and she can speak to ghosts. Together, they might be the only people in Hollywood who can do something about these poor missing girls. And in doing so . . . they might just fall in love for real.

This whip smart, seductive caper by the author of Murder for the Modern Girl has the perfect combination of romance, vengeance, and a hint of the supernatural, set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Hand to fans of These Violent Delights and My Lady Jane.

This sounds so unique and look at that cover - do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Review: Smart Move

Smart Move

Amanda Pennington

Expected publication date: May 18, 2023 (Kindle Unlimited)

Ivy Lunden is Team Keep Things Casual...

I am Toby Azumah's opposite in every way. I'm a pessimist; he's an optimist. I'm into art; he's into sports. Still, I'm highly entertained by our flirtationship.

When he finally talks me into a date, everything goes wrong. Chaos descends on my orderly life when my mother falls and needs nearly round-the-clock care. Add in my nosy neighbor, and my peace of mind has been turned inside out.

When Toby, Mr. Best-Case Scenario himself, offers to help, I'm skeptical. A relationship with him would only make things more chaotic, right? Or maybe Toby is the real deal, and giving him a chance is a smart move after all.

Toby Azumah is Team Happily Ever After...

I've wanted to take the mysterious, beautiful Ivy Lunden to dinner ever since we met, and I'm confident she just needs a little time to warm up to the idea of us. But nothing goes according to my daydreams.

Despite a no-show date, some flirty texts, and the fierce ways she protects herself and her mom, I see through the chaos and smoke to the real Ivy. The Ivy she rarely shows to the world.

How can I convince her I'm making the smart move and playing for keeps?

'Smart Move' is a full-length contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #7 in the Work For It series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe. - from Bookshop.org

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review - thank you to the author!

Having been hurt in the past (and having her elderly mother to care for), Ivy isn't looking for a relationship, but Toby is convinced the two of them are perfect for each other. Despite the chaos that life throws at them, Toby continues to show up for her, and against all odds, Ivy finds herself slowly opening up to Toby - will she finally be able to take a chance on love?

In her second novel, Amanda Pennington has again crafted a sweet, contemporary rom-com. Although a bit heavier than her last book, there are still moments of levity and humor (I especially love the text messages that start each chapter!). There's just something about her writing style that is so cozy and enveloping, combined with the realistic and relatable plot and well-rounded characters.

Ivy is a burned-out artist, working a not-so-dream day job. She is also neurodivergent, adding layers to her personality. She is the grumpy to Toby's sunshine, a fun take on the trope. Toby is someone you are definitely going to fall in love with - he's the eternal optimist, kind, funny, handsome... you name it. He sees so much potential for him and Ivy - it was refreshing to see a man not shy away from his feelings and be open about what he wants, while still being respectful of Ivy's feelings. When Ivy's mother gets injured and has to move in with her daughter, Toby doesn't see it as a roadblock to their budding relationship, but rather an opportunity to show Ivy who he is.

In addition to the romance (which is totally clean, by the way, no spicy scenes), there are also wonderful friendships, a meddling neighbor, and an intimate look at the loving but complicated relationship between Ivy and her mother.

4 stars

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

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: My Most Recommended Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is books we recommend to others the most. I thought this was an interesting topic because no matter how many books I read or how old they get, I often fall back on the same recommendations. Here are a few of my go-to recommendations:

Nonfiction

Science Fiction

Fantasy

Romance/Women's Fiction

Historical Fiction

Mystery/Thriller

What are some of your most recommended books?

Monday, May 8, 2023

Michele's Monday Picks #14

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The True Love Experiment

By Christina Lauren

Expected Publication Date: May 16, 2023

From Goodreads:

Sparks fly when a romance novelist and a documentary filmmaker join forces to craft the perfect Hollywood love story and take both of their careers to the next level—but only if they can keep the chemistry between them from taking the whole thing off script—from the New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners.

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is lost. Sure, she’s got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she’s asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn’t been practicing what she’s preached.

Fizzy hasn’t ever really been in love. Lust? Definitely. But that swoon-worthy, can’t-stop-thinking-about-him, all-encompassing feeling? Nope. Nothing. What happens when the optimism she’s spent her career encouraging in readers starts to feel like a lie?

Connor Prince, documentary filmmaker and single father, loves his work in large part because it allows him to live near his daughter. But when his profit-minded boss orders him to create a reality TV show, putting his job on the line, Connor is out of his element. Desperate to find his romantic lead, a chance run-in with an exasperated Fizzy offers Connor the perfect solution. What if he could show the queen of romance herself falling head-over-heels for all the world to see? Fizzy gives him a hard pass—unless he agrees to her list of demands. When he says yes, and production on The True Love Experiment begins, Connor wonders if that perfect match will ever be in the cue cards for him, too.

The True Love Experiment is the book fans have been waiting for ever since Fizzy’s debut in the New York Times bestselling The Soulmate Equation. But when the lights come on and all eyes are on her, it turns out the happily ever after Fizzy had all but given up on might lie just behind the camera.

Christina Lauren is one of my all time favorite author duos - do you think you’ll be picking this one up?

Friday, May 5, 2023

Quick Reviews

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver (2022)

Vaughn is trying to save his family's ranch after his grandfather's passing and a scandal about fixing horse races. He hires Billie to train the ranch's horses. The two can't stay away from each other, but will Vaughn decide that the ranch or Billie is more important to him? I liked Billie at first - she's feisty and sassy and not afraid to say what's on her mind, however inappropriate. I was a little disappointed that at times she was relegated to stereotypical female character roles - cooking for Vaughn and spending the second half of the story always in tears, despite how strong she seemed earlier. I liked the ranch setting and learning more about horse racing/horse training. I'm not really an animal person, but DD the horse really captured my heart! So, what does it say about the romance when I'm talking more about a horse than the relationship? It was ok, with some spice, but nothing really new or super interesting to me. 3 stars

Anne of Manhattan by Brina Starler (2021)

A modern adaption of Anne of Green Gables, set in New York City as Anne finishes up her master's degree and comes back into contact with Gil Blythe after five years (and a disastrous kiss) apart. I wanted to love this so much - I read the original just a couple years ago, for the first time, and fell thoroughly in love with Anne, plus I love a good retelling. But I don't know, something was missing for me. Maybe it's because she's older, but I didn't feel the same charm from Anne. She seemed bland, almost a side character in her own life. The slow-burn (but not really) romance between her and Gil felt natural; of course you want these two to end up together. However, the third-act events that break them apart for a time had me rolling my eyes a bit. I did enjoy seeing how the author incorporated all the original characters, though. 3 stars

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

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Royally in Trouble

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

Royally in Trouble (Royal #2)

Meghan Quinn

Expected publication date: June 6, 2023

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes the much anticipated sequel to the bestselling royal romance, ROYALLY NOT READY. Full of sweltering heat, suspense, and mystery, Quinn surprises you with some twists and turns while also delivering a perfect happily ever after.

I have two responsibilities as the new heir to the throne:

1. Get married.
2. Have babies.

Sure, becoming queen one day is part of those new responsibilities, but as long as King Theo is in charge, I don't have to add a coronation to my list.

That's why I find myself in the throes of wedding planning, pre-wedding classes with my broody, over-protective fiancé, and counting down the days until we can finally say I do.

But with every day we grow closer to our wedding, we seem to grow apart.

Our commonalities are tested.
Our faith in each other is questioned.
And our safety is threatened.
The only thing working? The command he has over me in the bedroom.

I keep telling myself, it’ll all work out. We just need to make it to the wedding day. Except, when the day finally comes, everything falls apart.

We might have made it through the last few months together, but now I'm not sure we're going to make it out of this alive. - from author's website

Monday, May 1, 2023

Month in Review: April 2023

April was a very busy month! My birthday was at the beginning of April, and it was just a quiet day for me. My mom came for a week-long visit from Oklahoma, which was great because we hadn't seen her in person since early December. She was here for Easter and stayed at my sister's house, mostly to watch my niece who was on spring break from school while my sister finished up tax season. Tom, Henry, and I took a day off to go to the zoo with her, and I spent another day with her, doing some shopping and just hanging out. We had a couple days of crazy hot weather which I really did not enjoy. Tax season finally ended, so work should be picking up again soon. My in-laws came over for a belated Easter. Also, this little blog turned 7 years old and I almost totally missed it!

The Books