Review: This Summer Will Be Different

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This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 5/7/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lucy continually struggles to resist the allure of Felix, her best friend’s younger brother, during her annual escapes to Prince Edward Island, despite their undeniable chemistry. Their complicated relationship intensifies when Lucy visits to support her best friend Bridget through a pre-wedding crisis, challenging her resolve and the safety of her heart.

I liked Every Summer After, but Meet Me at the Lake was a DNF for me so I wasn’t sure about how I’d feel regarding This Summer Will Be Different. To my surprise, I loved This Summer Will Be Different and this is my favorite of Carley Fortune’s books to date. The alternating past and present perspectives of Lucy on Prince Edward Island (PEI) were captivating. The tropes of the best friend’s brother and forbidden romance were perfectly executed. Lucy and Felix’s relationship developed naturally and their connection felt genuine. One of the highlights of the book was PEI itself, which was so vividly described that it felt like a character in its own right, and now I want to visit PEI which is a place I never knew existed. I appreciated the blend of the family you’re born into and the family you choose; it’s portrayed beautifully as a balance, not a choice between the two. If you’re looking for a romance that tugs at your heartstrings, I highly recommend this book.

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Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 4/16/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christa Liddle’s peaceful life studying sea snails is disrupted when her father, thought to be dead, suddenly reappears, leading to widespread media attention and a surprising romantic development with an old friend. As doubts about her father’s story grow, Christa fights to preserve her own identity and continue her research.

I typically love Abbi Waxman’s books, but Christa Comes Out of Her Shell didn’t quite resonate with me. I found the portrayal of ages and the journey through addiction a bit odd, expecting Christa to be in her mid-30s rather than her late 20s. While I enjoyed the evolution of Christa and Nate’s friendship into something more, I struggled to connect with the subplot involving Christa’s estranged father, which felt somewhat disjointed. The pacing was inconsistent, with some moments feeling silly or overly intense in a romantic sense, which seemed out of place within the storyline. Additionally, while some scenes were described in great detail, others were barely touched upon. I wasn’t a fan of Christa’s personality and I ended up skimming towards the end. I ended up rating this book a low 3 stars because the plot sounded interesting, but it isn’t one I could fully recommend.

Review: Funny Story

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Funny Story by Emily Henry
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Pub Date: 4/23/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Funny Story by Emily Henry, Daphne navigates life in Waning Bay, Michigan, after her fiancé Peter falls for his childhood best friend, Petra, leading Daphne to become roommates with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Despite their initial avoidance, Daphne and Miles form a friendship and hatch a plan involving misleading photos, questioning the possibility of love in the tangled aftermath of their broken relationships.

Funny Story was one of my most anticipated spring reads! I was thrilled to hear that Julia Whelan was going to narrate, so I knew I had to listen to this on audio as much as I could. Despite the summary suggesting a typical trope, I found the story to be unexpectedly profound. Narrated entirely from Daphne’s perspective, this approach adds a special depth, allowing readers to intimately experience her journey of self-discovery and resilience following a broken engagement. It was also fascinating seeing the evolution of Miles’s character and the gradual unveiling between him and Daphne The supportive and encouraging characters in the story made it even more endearing. What I loved most were the insightful quotes, true nuggets of wisdom, woven into the narrative thought and care. Funny Story has become my all-time favorite book by Emily Henry and deserves all the stars. I’m glad I accidentally pre-ordered two different editions of this book before reading it, something I have NEVER done before!

Review: Darling Girls

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Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 4/23/2024

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the free copy on NetGalley and Libro.Fm for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth tells the story of three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who grew up under the strict care of their foster mother on a farm, hiding dark secrets beneath a seemingly perfect upbringing. Their past comes back to haunt them when a body is found under their childhood home, turning them from witnesses into potential suspects in a disturbing case.

Sally Hepworth’s books have been hit or miss for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Darling Girls. The intriguing premise initially excited me, however, I didn’t anticipate the heavy subjects being described in such graphic detail. While I expected the thriller to be dark and twisted, the story turned out to be more sad and heartbreaking. It unfolds through three distinct POVs, but the audiobook’s single narrator made it challenging to differentiate between them—I would have preferred multiple narrators for a more immersive experience. The narrative alternates between the present and the characters’ childhoods, with the present timeline being more slow paced and the past providing a faster pace. Unfortunately, I found the ending somewhat predictable. I gave this three stars and I recommend taking a look at the trigger warnings beforehand.

Review: The Next Mrs. Parrish

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The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Publisher: Bantam
Pub Date: 6/18/2024

Thank you to Random House for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Next Mrs. Parrish is about Amber Patterson Parrish, who becomes a well-known socialite even after her husband’s legal troubles. As her husband’s release from prison approaches, she, her husband Jackson, and his ex-wife Daphne face their past mistakes and secrets, leading to unexpected alliances and challenges.

The Next Mrs Parrish is a true sequel so I recommend reading The Last Mrs. Parrish and The First Shot before reading this one. The writing seemed overly simple and the dialogue felt stilted. It leaned more towards a family drama than a thriller. The pacing was uneven, with certain scenes dragging on too long. I wasn’t a fan of the characters and the supposed twists were easily predictable. While I appreciated the various perspectives, I found it odd that Daphne’s perspective was told in the first person whereas Amber and Daisy Ann’s were in the third person which irked me. The ending was predictable, which wasn’t terrible in itself, but the journey there felt lackluster. I ended up giving this book a generous three stars. This sequel felt unnecessary. Overall, I don’t think the author duo is for me. Their style just doesn’t resonate with me, and The Last Mrs. Parrish remains the only book of theirs that I liked.

Review: Just for the Summer

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Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Publisher: Forever
Pub Date: 4/2/2024

Thank you to Forever for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Justin and Emma, both cursed in love, come up with a plan to date and then break up, hoping to end their bad luck and find true love next. Their simple summer romance fling gets complicated as they face with personal challenges and start having feelings for each other, making them wonder if they were meant to be together after all.

Just for the Summer is one of my most anticipated spring releases! I’ve read all of Abby’s book so far and I’m a huge fan of her writing. Her skill in crafting complex characters who evoke empathy, intertwined with beautifully developed slow-burn romances and intimate moments, always leaves me cheering for the protagonists. Just for the Summer has got to be in my top 3 now and deserves all the stars! Slightly different from Abby’s previous books, Just for the Summer excels by intricately weaves the challenges of life with laughter, tears, and bringing the power of hope all into one. I loved seeing Emma and Justin’s personal growth through their own perspectives and how they intertwine in each other’s lives. The supporting characters really made this book shine and loved the support system that Emma and Justin received through their found families. Abby was able to address heavy topics with sensitivity in a way that was thoughtful and also added another layer of depth to her writing. There are so many other things I want to say, but I want to keep this review spoiler free! If you’re an Abby fan or new to her writing, pick this one up on release day!

Review: Heart Bones

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Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Atria
Pub Date: 1/31/2023

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just finished Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover because when Olive and June pick a book, you know it’s worth the re-read, right? Back in 2020, I devoured this book in a day, and guess what? It happened again! Like a fine wine, Colleen Hoover’s words have that magnetic pull this time around like it did the first time around even when the story gets heavy.

Beyah was given such a terrible hand at life that I couldn’t help but root for her. Samson’s flaws couldn’t overshadow the empathy he evoked. It’s a Hoover hallmark—crafting characters that stay with you, long after the final page. Despite a whirlwind and rushed ending, my four stars remains as is.

Review: Good Half Gone

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Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher
Publisher: Graydon House
Pub Date: 3/19/2024

Thank you to Graydon House & Harper Audio for the free copy on NetGalley & LibroFM in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iris, having narrowly avoided the tragic fate of her kidnapped and trafficked twin sister, seeks proof of what happened to her by interning at the creepy Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane. She quickly discovers that the hospital harbors deep, sinister secrets, realizing the danger extends beyond its patients and into the very essence of the institution itself.

Tarryn Fisher’s books can be hit or miss for me, and, unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. The beginning of the book started strong, capturing my interest with its intriguing storyline. However, I guessed the major twist early on which was a disappointment. I hoped the journey towards this twist would keep me engaged, but I found Iris, especially her present-day portrayal, to be boring. The segments showing her as a teenager were more interesting to read. I felt the story lacked the suspense needed to make the predictable twist compelling. I ended up rating this three stars because even though I finished this book in a day, I found the overall story to just be okay.

Review: Happily Never After

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Happily Never After by Lynn Painter
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 3/12/2024

Thank you to Berkley & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Happily Never After by Lynn Painter, Sophie Steinbeck enlists the help of a professional objector, Max, to escape her own doomed wedding, leading them on a series of anti-wedding adventures where they work together to save others from unhappy marriages. As they navigate their unconventional partnership, Sophie and Max confront their own skepticism about love, only to find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other, especially when faced with a job that hits too close to home.

I loved the banter between Sophie and Max; their chemistry was off the charts. The evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers was sweet, yet when they finally came together, it turned spicy. Sophie’s roommates were hilarious, adding even more fun to the story! The only aspect I found less appealing were some of the decisions Sophie and Max made individually, which irked me, but this didn’t deter my overall enjoyment of the book. Overall, this is a fun, lighthearted romance that’s perfect to pick up this spring!

Review: Murder Road

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Murder Road by Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Pub Date: 3/5/2024

Thank you to PRH Audio & Berkley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Newlyweds April and Eddie inadvertently become suspects in a series of unexplained murders after picking up a dying hitchhiker along Atticus Line during their honeymoon. Their efforts to clear their names uncover the town’s dark, sinister secrets, threatening to engulf them in its ominous history.

I’ve always been a fan of Simone St. James’ thrillers so I was excited to hear about her upcoming release. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me and I wish I DNF’d it. While the premise seemed intriguing at first, the story ultimately proved forgettable. The protagonists, April and Eddie, came across as both irritating and dull, with their motivation for investigating the murders in the small town feeling weak and unconvincing. Additionally, many of the plot twists were predictable. I was particularly disappointed by the paranormal elements in this book, which, unlike in St. James’ previous works, failed to add any depth or eerie atmosphere to the story. This isn’t a book I would recommend. If you decide to give it a try, I suggest keeping your expectations low.