REVIEW: She Wouldn't Change a Thing by Sarah Adlakha

Title: She Wouldn’t Change a Thing
Author: Sarah Adlakha
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: August 2021
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Sliding Doors meets Life After Life in Sarah Adlakha's story about a wife and mother who is given the chance to start over at the risk of losing everything she loves.

A second chance is the last thing she wants.

When thirty-nine-year-old Maria Forssmann wakes up in her seventeen-year-old body, she doesn’t know how she got there. All she does know is she has to get to her home in Bienville, Mississippi, to her job as a successful psychiatrist and, most importantly, to her husband, daughters, and unborn son.

But she also knows that, in only a few weeks, a devastating tragedy will strike her husband, a tragedy that will lead to their meeting each other.

Can she change time and still keep what it’s given her?

Exploring the responsibilities love lays on us, the complicated burdens of motherhood, and the rippling impact of our choices, She Wouldn't Change a Thing is a dazzling debut from a bright new voice.

My Thoughts: Holy Bookworm, Batman, what did I just read here? This story gives the reader a front-row seat to the opportunity to start one’s life over, so to speak. What would you do if you were given such a chance? When Maria suddenly finds herself in this situation, her primary objective is to get back to her husband, daughters, unborn son and her psychiatry practice. Learning her trip back to her seventeen-year-old self comes with a life-or-death purpose, what will she choose? Fulfill her purpose or go back to her family? She can only choose one. I did not envy Maria one little bit. The stress and anxiety she feels was so brilliantly written and narrated, I felt loads of empathy for her and her situation.

This story got me thinking about so many topics such as reincarnation, past life regression and death, just to name a few. I couldn’t imagine myself in Maria’s shoes, because she is carrying a heavy burden, especially when she wakes up no longer pregnant and back in her parent’s home and seventeen again. Not only does it freak her out and she thinks she’s dreaming, but the people around her think she’s lost her mind, demanding to know where her husband and children are.

This story has so much going on, not just with Maria, but with the numerous supporting characters as well. It’s a lot to unpack and it took me a few stops and starts with the audio to get plugged in, but once I did, I was riveted. The writing and the story are exceptional. The characters are very complex and well developed. Their behaviors, thoughts and dialogue are appropriate for the situations they find themselves in. The audio narration performed by Cassandra Campbell was superb. She conveys not just the emotions of the characters in her reading, but also their personalities. I got an excellent sense of knowing these characters, which is vital for the reader to have any empathy for them.

My Final Verdict: Sarah Adlakha has created an amazing story around the concept of time travel and I absolutely loved it. Readers who enjoy the same concept will enjoy this tale as well as fans of women’s fiction and readers who love strong familial relationships in their stories. This book was highly focused on family and the connections we have with the people we meet throughout our journey of life.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of She Wouldn’t Change a Thing from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Rome is Where the Heart Is by Tilly Tennant

Title: Rome is Where the Heart Is (From Italy with Love #1)
Author: Tilly Tennant
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: March 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Can a holiday romance ever have a happy ending? Escape with Kate to the sun-drenched city of Rome where a love affair is just about to begin…

When Kate’s husband Matt dumps her on Friday 13th she decides enough is enough – it’s time for her to have some fun and so she hops on a plane to Rome. A week of grappa and gelato in pavement cafes under azure blue skies will be just what the doctor ordered.

What she doesn’t count on is meeting and falling for sexy policeman Alessandro. But the course of true love doesn’t run smoothly – Alessandro has five meddling sisters, a fearsome mama and a beautiful ex Orazia. They’re all certain that Kate is not the girl for him.

Can Kate and Alessandro’s love last the distance? Or will she return home with the one souvenir she doesn’t want – a broken heart …

Fall in love with the colorful cafes and the cobbled piazzas of Rome and follow Kate’s dreams and her heart in this enchanting escapist read. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson and Carol Matthews.

My Thoughts: With Rome is Where the Heart Is, Tilly Tennant once again brings to life a story so rich in locale detail that I don’t know why I am sitting here writing this review when I should be on a plane bound for Rome! In addition to all of the food and drink delights that await one visiting Rome, the city has amazing history and architecture that really should be reason enough to put a visit on your bucket list. Instead, I was able to tag along with Kate on her holiday to Rome.

I really liked Kate and admired her courage to not only travel to another country by herself, but her determination to not let fear or apprehension keep her from enjoying all the city of Rome has to offer. I really enjoy stories that shake the characters out of the rut they are in and do something exciting and unexpected. Deciding to move to Italy and start a new life is definitely something very unexpected and not something I recommend but it definitely worked for Kate. I thought Kate’s sister advising that Kate take more time before jumping into this plan also made sense, and I understand she was only trying to look out for her. Kate’s frustration and sense of guilt for doing something for herself for a change was keenly felt and understood too. I very much enjoyed Kate’s family meeting Alessandro and seeing them connect with him made the impossible seem possible.

I also enjoyed the side story of Kate’s new friendship with American businessman Jamie and thought he filled the role of big brother, tour guide and new best friend perfectly. This is the first book in the series and ended with Kate returning to Rome to start her new life. I am looking forward to the next book to see how she fares and hopefully get to reconnect with these characters again.

My Final Verdict: Overall, if you can ignore the voice of reason in your head pointing out why moving to another country, a country whose primary language is not one you speak or understand is a bad idea, then you will enjoy seeing Rome through Kate’s eyes and will likely fall in love with it as she did. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy romances and the excitement of visiting exotic destinations. Readers who enjoy seeing the characters take chances, not worrying about the future and living in the moment will also enjoy this story.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Rome is Where the Heart Is from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Bookworm by Robin Yeatman

Title: Bookworm
Author: Robin Yeatman
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Publisher: Harper Perennial and Paperbacks
Publication Date: February 2023
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: A wickedly funny debut novel—a black comedy with a generous heart that explores the power of imagination and reading—about a woman who tries to use fiction to find her way to happiness.

Victoria is unhappily married to an ambitious and controlling lawyer consumed with his career. Burdened with overbearing in-laws, a boring dead-end job she can’t seem to leave, and a best friend who doesn’t seem to understand her, Victoria finds solace from the daily grind in her beloved books and the stories she makes up in her head. One day, in a favorite café, she notices an attractive man reading the same talked-about bestselling novel that she is reading. A woman yearning for her own happy ending, Victoria is sure it’s fate. The handsome book lover must be her soul mate.

There’s only one small problem. Victoria is already married. Frustrated, and desperate to change her life, Victoria retreats to the dark places in her mind and thinks back to all the stories she’s ever read in hopes of finding a solution. She begins to fantasize about nocturnal trysts with café man, and imaginative ways (poisoned pickles were an inspired choice in Jane Smiley’s A Thousand Acres) of getting rid of the dread husband.

It’s all just harmless fantasy born of Victoria’s fevered imagination and her books—until, one night, fiction and reality blur and suddenly it seems Victoria is about to get everything she’s wished for . . . .

My Thoughts: With Bookworm written by new to me Robin Yeatman, we are introduced to Victoria, an avid bookworm stuck in a dead-end job and a dead-end marriage to Eric, a lawyer who sneers at her book reading. She lives a very dreary existence. I wouldn’t even go so far as to characterize what she is living as a life. There is no joy in Victoria’s world, except between the pages of the book is reading and the imaginary stories she makes up in her mind about the people around her.

One day while sitting in her favorite coffee shop, reading a book she absolutely detests, she notices a man who is reading the same book she is! It has to be fate, right? This man is her soul mate and she can’t stop thinking about him. That is, when she isn’t thinking about ways her husband should suddenly and tragically meet his doom. She even goes so far as to tamper with his vehicle. There isn’t a whole lot about Victoria that I found likeable and she is seriously several sandwiches short of a picnic. However, I also felt a lot of pity for her. Her parents adore her husband. He’s the model example of the child they wish they had, instead of Victoria. They even maneuvered the two of them together, so I guess you could say theirs is an arranged marriage. A very solid pre-nup agreement would leave Victoria with nothing more than the clothes on her back if she should ever leave, so here she is drifting through life, making chicken dinners of various varieties and imagining her husband dead, in quite creative ways.

I don’t want to say too much without giving away the plot, but I will say I was dreading just how far Victoria would go with her fantasy life, not just with her husband, but also with her café crush, Luke. None of these characters are likeable or relatable, but I couldn’t look away. What is Victoria going to do? For most of the book, I wanted to shake her and slap some sense into her.

I enjoyed this book and I was highly anticipating what would happen. There were some unexpected surprises, some laugh out loud moments and some great twists. Bookworm is Robin Yeatman’s debut book and I will be on the lookout for her next book.

My Final Verdict: This book does not end with the happily ever after Victoria was yearning for, but that’s life, isn’t it? The takeaway for me after reading this book is we have a choice every day to be happy or to be unhappy and we have the power to change or fix what’s lacking. I don’t think Victoria would know how to choose happiness even if it showed up with a gold embossed invitation. I recommend this book to readers who like to be surprised and entertained and don’t mind if the characters have no moral compass.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Bookworm from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Young Wives Club by Julie Pennell

Title: The Young Wives Club
Author: Julie Pennell
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: February 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Teen / Young Adult / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: In Toulouse, Louisiana finding your one true love happens sometime around high school. If you’re lucky, he might be the man you thought he was. But as four friends are about to find out, not every girl has luck on her side in this charming debut novel perfect for fans of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Desperate Housewives.

Laura Landry’s quarterback husband was her ticket out of Toulouse. But when a devastating football injury sidelines him, they’re forced to move back to the small town she was so desperate to leave. As Brian starts drinking instead of rehabbing his knee, Laura must reevaluate what her future looks like…and if it includes her husband.

For years, Madison Blanchette has been waiting for bad-boy musician Cash Romero to commit to her. When wealthy George Dubois asks her out, she figures she may as well wait in style. Life with George means weekend trips to New Orleans, gourmet meals, and expensive gifts. At first she loves how George’s affection sparks Cash’s jealousy, but when George proposes to Madison, she finds herself torn between two men…

All Claire Thibodeaux wants is to be the perfect wife and mother. If she can do everything right she won’t end up like her mom, a divorced, single parent trying to make ends meet. But when Claire’s husband Gavin, a well-respected local pastor, starts spending late nights at work and less time in their bed, she can’t help but fear that history is about to repeat itself…

Gabrielle Vaughn never thought she’d end up with someone like her fiancé. The son of a prominent congressman, Tony Ford is completely out of her league—which is why she lied to him about everything from having a college degree to the dark truth about her family. She knows she has to come clean, but how do you tell the love of your life that your entire relationship is a lie?

As these young wives come together to help each other through life, love, and heartbreak, they discover that there are no easy answers when it comes to matters of the heart.

My Thoughts: First of all, OMG, ya’ll, where has this author been hiding? Secondly, I am kicking myself for taking so long to read this book! Honestly, I adored this book and everything about it. From the small-town community feel that gave me major Steel Magnolia vibes to the individual characters and their story lines that were so expertly fleshed out and unique. Before I started this book, I thought it was going to be a real pill trying to keep four, yes, FOUR main characters and their plots straight. I thought that it would be a real cluster and it would have been better if this were actually four separate books, but new to me author Julie Pennell totally nailed it!

Besides the characters, I also loved that the author rotates each character’s point of view for each chapter but doesn’t give the story a choppy isolated feel. By that, I mean that even though each chapter focuses on a different character, the other characters are still present and play supporting roles in each other’s story, like best friends do.

The character development and the plot pace were perfect. It was so easy to get to know these women, their history, their situations and it felt like I could be friends with all of them. I had enormous amounts of empathy for each of them and the struggles they were facing. I especially loved that the author takes the time to bring it all full circle, some with unexpected results, but it worked brilliantly! Books like this that bring so many warm fuzzies to my bookworm heart is the reason I love to read and share with others.

My Final Verdict: For the love of God, get this book! Now. Do you have it yet? I will definitely read anything this author writes, even her grocery list and you should too.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Young Wives Club from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord

Title: When You Get the Chance
Author: Emma Lord
Narrator: Jesse Vilinsky
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: January 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Teen
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Nothing will get in the way of Millie Price’s dream to become a Broadway star. Not her lovable but super-introverted dad, who after raising Millie alone, doesn’t want to watch her leave home to pursue her dream. Not her pesky and ongoing drama club rival, Oliver, who is the very definition of Simmering Romantic Tension. And not the “Millie Moods,” the feelings of intense emotion that threaten to overwhelm, always at maddeningly inconvenient times. Millie needs an ally. And when a left-open browser brings Millie to her dad’s embarrassingly moody LiveJournal from 2003, Millie knows just what to do. She’s going to find her mom.

There’s Steph, a still-aspiring stage actress and receptionist at a talent agency. There’s Farrah, an ethereal dance teacher who clearly doesn’t have the two left feet Millie has. And Beth, the chipper and sweet stage enthusiast with an equally exuberant fifteen-year-old daughter (A possible sister?! This is getting out of hand). But how can you find a new part of your life and expect it to fit into your old one, without leaving any marks? And why is it that when you go looking for the past, it somehow keeps bringing you back to what you’ve had all along?

My Thoughts: Stories in the teen and young adult genres are usually a lot of fun for me and, when done well as this one is, are hard to put down. New to me author Emma Lord creates a world starring Millie Price and her family and friends. Millie is a typical teenager with big dreams of making it on Broadway. In order to accomplish that, she is convinced she needs to attend a “pre-college” course in musical theater for her senior year to better prepare her.

Raised by her single parent dad and never having known her mother, Millie tends to be an overachiever, which completely made sense to me even though it seems to create more issues for Millie. After her dad tells her she can’t go to California to attend the pre-college course, she decides she is going to find her mother, get her on her side about the school and somehow, together, they will present a united front to convince her dad.

Along the way, she ends up competing for an internship at a talent agency with her annoying arch nemesis, Oliver, that made me feel like their job was nothing more than a giant scavenger hunt, so that was quite entertaining to tag along on.

I adored the chemistry between Millie and Oliver and though it’s obvious to everyone but them that they belong together, it was adorable to watch it happen. I also liked all of the prospective “Mom” candidates that Millie has identified. I thought any of these women would have been great to be the one revealed. I had my suspicions early on who she was and I was correct, but the getting there came as a surprise.

I also enjoyed all of the Mama Mia references and now, because of Millie, I want to see some Broadway shows. This is one of those stories that the reader roots for all of the characters to come out on top. There are no mean girls to fight or evil to vanquish. Just a girl living her life, trying to fulfill her dreams in the best conceivable way.

I went with the audio format and loved the performance by Jesse Vilinsky. Her narration brought out each character’s personality vibrantly and some of the one-liners she delivered had me laughing so hard. For example, a scene between Oliver and Millie when he realizes Millie got to work before him. Oliver sweeps from the elevator a beat later and immediately narrows his eyes at me. “How do you keep beating me here?” “Because I drink coffee like a real New Yorker and you drink tea like the American Revolution never happened.”

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to fans of the romance, teen and young adult genres as well as readers who like stories about people with big dreams, drive and determination. This book will make you laugh and you may shed a tear or two, but you won’t mind because this book will leave a smile on your face when you finish it.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of When You Get the Chance from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Justice Is Coming by Cenk Uygur

Title: Justice Is Coming
Author: Cenk Uygur
Narrator: Cenk Uygur
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: September 2023
Genre: Non-Fiction / Politics
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: A manifesto that outlines the progressive vision, recent history and worldview ― by the founder of The Young Turks and co-founder of Justice Democrats.

The media can't stop talking about the gridlock in Washington, as if a handful of stubborn Republicans are the only thing standing between us and a fully functional democracy. The reality is that our government was taken over by big business and their allies in both political parties. The getaway driver in this heist was corporate media. The good news is that the American people are very progressive. And soon progressives will take over Washington as well! And when they do, the great majority of Americans will love it.

In Justice Is Coming, The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur presents two ideas that counter everything we hear from pundits and politicians on a daily one, progressives are correct on all issues, and two, America is actually a very progressive country. Millions of us know that we are a part of something larger, a movement that is already transforming Washington.

This compulsively readable manifesto seeks to apply the momentum we have already built to a concrete progressive agenda that activists, voters, and citizens can all rally around. It looks beyond Trump to the larger historical forces that have given us this unique political moment, and explains why we should fight, how we should fight, and how we will win.

Sharp-witted, persuasive, and inspiring, calling out toxic Republicans, politely ineffectual Democrats, and mealy-mouthed media mavens in equal measure, Justice is Coming will give heart to Democrats and progressives who seek to change our politics and society for the better.

My Thoughts: If you’re already a regular viewer of Cenk Uygur’s news and political show The Young Turks, this book won’t add much to what he already has to say about the state of our democracy and the way this country has been taken over by corporations buying off politicians. Narrated by the author, this book gives an open and honest perspective with a little tongue-in-cheek humor that the author is quite good at. In all honesty, he is much more animated on his show with his emotions laid bare.

Nothing is off limits and Cenk Uygur is fearless about exposing the corrupt and the ridiculous that we have elected to office. Now that he has announced his intention to run for President in 2024, I can wholeheartedly say this will be one interesting, if not entertaining, election.

My Final Verdict: Americans should be concerned at the very least at what our government and elected officials are doing right under our noses. I am nowhere close enough to being a political pundit, but Cenk Uygur offers an enlightening perspective to which we should listen. Give the book a go, form your own conclusions and then cast your vote.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Justice Is Coming from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Fairest of All by Serena Valentino

Title: Fairest of All (Villains #1)
Author: Serena Valentino
Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Publication Date: October 2016
Genre: General Fiction / Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: The tale of the young princess and her evil stepmother, the Wicked Queen, is widely known. Despite a few variations from telling to telling, the story remains the same—the Queen was jealous of the girl’s beauty, and this jealousy culminated in the Queen’s attempt on the sweet, naive girl’s life.

Another tale far less often spoken of is the one that explains what caused the Queen to become so contemptuously vile. Still, some have attempted to guess the reason. Perhaps the Queen’s true nature was that of a wicked hag and her beautiful, regal appearance a disguise used to fool the King. Others claim that the Queen might have hated the girl for her resemblance to the King’s first wife. Mostly, the Queen is painted as a morally abhorrent woman who never loved another being during the course of her miserable life.

In fact, the theories about exactly what caused the Queen’s obsessive vanity and jealous rage are too numerous to catalog. This book recounts a version of the story that has remained untold until now. It is a tragic tale of love and loss, and it contains a bit of magic. It is a tale of the Wicked Queen…

My Thoughts: We all know the tale of Snow White, some of us have it memorized. Growing up, this was one of my favorite Disney stories but I always wondered why the Queen was so vile and hateful. This woman gave stepmothers the world over a bad name and I honestly was very happy when she went over the cliff at the end. This interesting story gives us a whole new perspective and different spin on the how and the why the Queen becomes evil and wicked.

The Queen garnered a lot of sympathy from me. She wasn’t always evil and wicked and Snow White wasn’t her ultimate target. Instead, the reader is given a front row seat into the life of the woman before she became the Queen, her love for Snow White. Yes, you heard me correctly. She absolutely adored Snow White. Her love for the King. She was, in a nutshell, one of the most liked and even respected members of the Court. She grew up in a horrible situation, her mother dying in childbirth and her father hating her all her life. She meets the King and falls in love with him and upon marrying him claims Snow White as her daughter. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and the Queen never regains her spirit, resolve or peace of mind that she once had. Her childhood fears and self-loathing returns and she becomes obsessed by an enchanted mirror and being the fairest one of all. She will do anything to achieve that goal.

Knowing how it all would end did not diminish my enjoyment of the story and getting there. The Queen struggles with her obsession and the rage and hatred that consumes her and though her love for Snow is absolute, the evil wins out in the end. I can’t help but wonder, though, if in the end, she chose to take the path that led to her ultimate demise in order to save Snow from further attempts that she would most likely make.

I went with the audiobook option and the performance of Lucy Rayner kept me engaged. This is the first book in the series and I have the next two and am hopeful they will be just as enjoyable.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I found this story interesting and recommend it to fans of the classic fairy tales. Though I still love the original story and the Queen is a character we have all loved to hate, I have a little more empathy for this tragic character.

REVIEW: Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott

Title: Steeped in Secrets (A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery #1)
Author: Lauren Elliott
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication Date: November 2022
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Flat broke and divorced, intuitive gemologist Shay Myers has changed since leaving her artsy hometown of coastal Bray Harbor sixteen years ago. But when she moves back under strange circumstances, old instincts may be the only key to spilling the tea on a deadly mystery.

Even with her life in ruins in New Mexico, Shay feels uneasy about settling into the small seaside town where she grew up on California’s Monterey Peninsula and taking over an estate bequeathed to her by Bridget Early, a woman she had barely known. Her heightened senses—an empathic gift she’s had since childhood—go into overdrive upon touring Crystals & CuriosiTEAS, Bridget’s eclectic tea and psychic shop brimming with Irish lore and Celtic symbols. They reach a boiling point when Shay looks up to discover a stranger’s body sprawled across the shop’s greenhouse roof . . .

With her new business a crime scene and questions brewing over Bridget’s so-called accidental death, Shay fears she’s also inherited the attention of a killer. The terrifying realization sets her on an impractical investigation for answers aided by her sister, an elusive pure-white German Shepherd, a strikingly handsome pub owner who speaks in a gentle brogue, and a misunderstood young woman with perceptive talents of her own. As Shay struggles to figure out her true purpose in Bray Harbor and the powerful connection she has with the tea shop, she must trust her judgment above all else to identify a ruthless murderer and save herself from becoming victim number three.

My Thoughts: Just an OK read for me that die-hard fans of cozy mysteries with paranormal elements will likely enjoy. The book’s pacing was just too slow for me and there seemed to be too many extraneous details thrown in to fill up time that could have been handled better.

This book is the first in the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS series that introduces us to Shay Myers, who after a brutal divorce that not only cost her every penny to her name but her professional reputation as a gemologist is back in her hometown to accept an inheritance of a teashop and cottage from Bridget Early. The why wasn’t too hard to figure out, but the story took forever to get there. While touring the shop with the realtor, they discover a stranger’s body on the greenhouse roof. Again, the story dances around who the deceased is, why he is in Bray Harbor and what his connection is to Shay. By the time the story got around to solving the murder, I was a little surprised. ”Oh yeah, there’s a dead guy from the beginning of the story. Wonder whatever came of the murder investigation…”

I liked Shay and the addition of Liam, the pub owner with the slight Irish brogue who assists Shay in discovering the truth and Spirit, the solid white German Shepherd dog who adopts Shay and seems to be her guardian angel. The audio narration by Stephanie Richardson was just OK too. Her performance of Shay was done well, but the Irish brogue of Liam sounded forced.

My Final Verdict: A story that doesn’t deliver a lot of surprises and takes too long to get there isn’t one I can wholeheartedly recommend. The series may improve as it goes but I don’t need my tea leaves read to know that I will probably take a pass.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Steeped in Secrets from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: If I'm Dead by Marcia Clark

Title: If I’m Dead (Rachel Knight #1.6)
Author: Marcia Clark
Narrator: January LaVoy
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date: April 2012
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: It started with a haunting image: a Ford Explorer, iridescent in the moonlight and alone on a desolate stretch of beach. Its owner, Melissa Gibbons, has gone missing. Her husband says she flew the coop. But Los Angeles Deputy DA Rachel Knight is convinced otherwise: Melissa Gibbons has been murdered.

So begins the confounding case that Rachel must present before a disbelieving jury. A dissatisfied heiress and her philandering husband-- what really happened? The husband has a fiendishly convincing case that Melissa faked her own death and fled. But with the support of her trusty sidekick, Detective Bailey Keller, Rachel pieces together a much more sinister truth.

In this short, standalone Rachel Knight thriller, readers follow our savvy and riotously entertaining heroine through the surprising world of LA crime.

My Thoughts: You know that old saying be careful what you wish for? Well, it certainly applies here as I have been hoping that I haven’t seen the last of Rachel Knight when I finished The Competition. Marcia Clark fulfilled my wish…in a sense. However, instead of another full-length book, she has given her readers several filler novels that are part of the series, but as I learned If I’m Dead is a standalone.

Taking place between the events of Guilt by Association and Guilt by Degrees, this story involves a case of a missing woman who is likely dead and the resulting murder trial with the woman’s husband as the defendant. Pretty standard Rachel Knight without any surprises or twists that grabbed me the way the other books did.

My Final Verdict: I recommend this book to fans of the Rachel Knight series, which, for me, really showcases Marcia Clark’s talent as an author. Rachel’s success in the courtroom clearly shows to me that Ms. Clark certainly knows her stuff and can hold her own. I’m still holding out hope for another full-length story, but until then there are two more filler stories.

REVIEW: The Broken Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James

Title: The Broken Hearts Book Club (Luna Bay #1)
Author: Lynsey James
Publisher: Carina
Publication Date: September 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance / New Adult / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Secrets never stay buried for long...

Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...

Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!

Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also The Broken Hearts Book Club, Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.

One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long-or spend the rest of her life on the run...

My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book on so many levels! This book is expertly character and relationship driven and I found myself finding it difficult to not like anyone. Even the odious Maggie and Rachel garnered some sympathy from me. This book touches on so many topics that pulled on my heartstrings so hard. Obviously, there’s grief, as the title alludes to and our protagonist Lucy knows a lot about that, having just lost her Nana as well as the horrible thing that happened to her best friend, Vicky, eight years ago.

There’s also forgiveness. Forgiving others is part of moving on, but often we forget to forgive ourselves and that is crucial to healing. There is an immense amount of forgiveness needing to happen in Luna Bay.

Letting go and opening ourselves up to another kind of life with another kind of happiness does not always mean forgetting the past, especially when you’re grieving the death of a loved one and I loved that Lucy wants the members of the book club to do that and even though her intentions aren’t all met with a spirit of acceptance or succeed as planned, Lucy doesn’t give up. Her flaw is that she gives up all too easily on herself, doesn’t open herself up to risks or chances when it deals with matters of the heart and is likely to sacrifice her happiness and run away. With the book club inheritance from her Nana, Lucy learns that she can open herself to second chances and new beginnings.

I loved all the characters, OK most of the characters. The ones I didn’t love, I had compassion and empathy for. The members of the book club were all so diverse and their grief journeys got me right in the feels.

The relationships in this book were fantastic to watch unfold. Lucy’s relationship with her parents, her best friend Elle, her roommate George and the members of the book club were lovely. I really loved Lucy and Jake both individually and as a couple and the fact that he’s a single dad added a great twist that was handled beautifully.

Lastly, I loved the book club’s reading selections and I wouldn’t be a true bookworm if I didn’t admit to wanting to be a part of this book club. Instead, I had to live vicariously through Lucy and join them in spirit, however my to be read pile is taller now, thanks to the books they chose to read. I want to read them too. I also want to read the other books in this series.

Lynsey James is an author you should add to your must-read authors list. This was my second book by her and I have one other on the list with the rest of her backlist on my wish list. Honestly, it’s authors like Lynsey James who are the reason why I will never get all of my books read, and that’s a good thing.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers who love stories that touch your heart, make you laugh, make you cry and make you want more.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Broken Hearts Book Club from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Violent Season by Sara Walters

Title: The Violent Season
Author: Sara Walters
Narrator: Jorjeana Marie
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: October 2021
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Teen
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: An unputdownable debut about a town marred by violence, a girl ruined by grief, and the harsh reality about what makes people decide to hurt each other. The Violent Season is a searing, unforgettable, and thrilling novel that belongs on shelf with Sadie and Girl in Pieces.

Every November, the people in Wolf Ridge are overwhelmed with a hunger for violence--at least that's the town rumor. Last fall Wyatt Green's mother was brutally murdered, convincing Wyatt that this yearning isn't morbid urban legend. but rather a palpable force infecting her neighbors.

This year, Wyatt fears the call of violence has spread to her best friend Cash--who also happens to be the guy she can't stop wanting no matter how much he hurts her. At the same time, she's drawn to Cash's nemesis Porter now that they're partners on an ambitious project for lit class. When Wyatt pulls away from Cash, and spends more time with Porter, she learns secrets about both of them she can't forget.

And as the truth about her mother's death begins to emerge from the shadows, Wyatt is faced with a series of hard realities about the people she trusts the most, rethinking everything she believes about what makes people decide to hurt each other.

My Thoughts: The Violent Season by new to me author Sara Walters is dark and disturbing, but predictable in that I figured out early on who was behind the death of Wyatt’s mother but surprised at some of the twists near the end I never expected. For some reason, I kept expecting the entire town to sprout fur and fangs and go on a murderous werewolf rampage or something with the way Wyatt kept bringing up the sickness that infects Wolf Ridge every November. No werewolves were found in this story, but plenty of secrets and death.

I liked Wyatt. She is a typical teenager dealing with the angst of teenage life and being in love with Cash. She’s smoking, doing drugs, having sex and dealing with the brutal murder of her mother the year before. I did not like Cash and if anyone could have been a werewolf, it’s him. He’s moody and his brooding personality grated on my nerves. I felt like his relationship with Wyatt was one sided with Cash on the receiving end of everything. I honestly was at a loss at what she saw in him, other than his mother also died. I liked Porter, Cash’s arch nemesis and when he and Wyatt are partnered for a project in their literature class, they have to spend a lot of time together and begin to get to know each other.

I did not like the way Cash treats Wyatt and every time she brought up her mother’s death and the sickness that seems to infect Wolf Ridge, Cash is quick to stifle her. It seemed to me that he’s not a supportive boyfriend and a little bit of a narcissist. Porter actively listens to Wyatt and her concerns and their banter was light and fun, which was a much-needed change from all the dark and evil lurking around the place.

I enjoyed the story and though I correctly guessed who killed Wyatt’s mother, the why came as a surprise as well as the details behind other deaths. The story moves at a good pace and kept me engaged. Several secondary characters are introduced, possibly to give the reader a plethora of suspects to choose from, but without confusing the reader as to who is who. I listened to the audiobook format and enjoyed the performance of Jorjeana Marie. I will be looking for more books by Sara Walters and audiobook performances by Jorjeana Marie.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this is an enjoyable story that I recommend to readers of thrillers and mysteries, as well as readers who enjoy stories that feature characters who are still in high school.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Violent Season from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger

Title: Confessions on the 7:45
Author: Lisa Unger
Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Publication Date: October 2020
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: From master of suspense Lisa Unger comes a riveting thriller about a chance encounter that unravels a stunning web of lies.

Selena Murphy is commuting home on the train when she strikes up a conversation with a beautiful stranger in the next seat. The woman introduces herself as Martha and soon confesses that she’s been stuck in an affair with her boss. Selena, in turn, confesses that she suspects her husband is sleeping with the nanny. When the train arrives at Selena’s station, the two women part ways, presumably never to meet again.

Then the nanny disappears.

As Selena is pulled into the mystery of what happened, and as the fractures in her marriage grow deeper, she begins to wonder, who was Martha really ? But she is hardly prepared for what she’ll discover…

My Thoughts: I don’t know where new to me author Lisa Unger has been hiding all these years and how I have never read anything by her before, but she is definitely on my list of authors that I really enjoy. Confessions on the 7:45 was a very good choice to begin with and, trust me, take this one to heart and don’t talk to strangers! I think if I had one gripe about the main character, Selena Murphy, it would be that she bares her soul and pours her heart to a stranger on the train. Why? You don’t know this person and maybe there is some comfort in sharing your pain, grief and problems with a stranger that you will probably never see again but get into a support group and share that! Especially when your husband is sleeping with the nanny! In fairness to Selena, the stranger, Martha, started it by confessing that she is sleeping with her boss, but that doesn’t mean we have to start playing true confessions here. Then when Martha alludes to how nice it would be if all your problems could just go away…major creeper vibes here. Who is this woman?

Then after confronting your loser bum of a husband and being faced with having to fire the best nanny you’ve ever had, and that sucks because your kids love her and she really is great overall if you look past the sleeping with your husband bit, your amazing nanny goes missing. She doesn’t show up the next day (to be fired) and has disappeared off the face of the earth. Of course, right away, Selena wonders if her husband had something to do with it and as the police begin investigating, it starts to feel like they do too. Or maybe Selena got rid of her. Or maybe the nanny knew her employment was about to come to an end and couldn’t face the looming confrontation she was likely to have with Selena and just ran away. There is so much more here than just a cheating husband and a missing nanny.

I enjoyed so many things about this story. Firstly, the author does an amazing job of weaving this story around and around all the characters, including Martha, the mysterious woman from the train. I kept trying to figure it all out but it’s just too complex and mind-blowing that I realized to just let that go and immerse myself into the story. Secondly, I really enjoyed how the chapters change points of view between Selena and Martha, which is a wonderful way to get to know the characters better, their personalities, their motivations, their triggers, their past, all of it. I highly applaud an author that can do this effectively and Lisa Unger is such an author. Thirdly, this author does a fantastic job of giving the reader just enough detail to keep them engaged without giving it all away. The surprise I felt as I learned how these two women are connected as well as the lives they both lead was jaw-dropping.

Lastly, I must give major kudos to the audio narration performer Vivienne Leheny. She does an amazing job of breathing life into these characters adding the perfect amount of emotion and tension. It really gives the reader a sense of being in the room with the characters.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy mysteries and thrillers. I also recommend you add Lisa Unger books to your stack and if audiobooks are your jam, then you are sure to enjoy books narrated by Vivienne Leheny. This is a terrific book for any commute, it will entertain you and then you don’t have to spill all your deep dark secrets to strangers.

REVIEW: Zen and Sex by Dermot Davis

Title: Zen and Sex
Author: Dermot Davis
Publisher: Expression Unleashed Publishing
Publication Date: April 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Humor
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Martin is a 24-year-old guy who falls in love with a 38-year-old woman. He has to grow so fast emotionally that he feels like he just got hit by a speeding bus. Not only is Frances fourteen years Martin's senior, but she's all about putting Zen into relationship, which involves every guy's worst nightmare: talking about your feelings, being conscious of your thoughts and above all, unabashed, honest communication at all times. Martin has no idea what he is getting himself into and the sharp learning curve that's required of him especially when he's thinking sex but she's thinking Zen.

WARNING: This book contains irony, tongue-in-cheek sarcasm and heavy doses of wit. Not suitable for readers expecting a traditional rom-com where the male character is a billionaire or some other fantasy variation of an alpha male. In fact, when it comes to love, the main character, Martin, has been described as a bumbling idiot... so please be warned.

My Thoughts: Zen and Sex by new to me author Dermot Davis has been languishing on my Kindle since 2013. Thanks to an alphabet challenge, I needed a “Z” title so after digging deep, I found this little gem. Better late, than never, but I wish I had read this one sooner as it was enjoyable.

I also love it when male authors write romance novels, whether it’s contemporary or romantic comedy or straight up chick-lit. I often find their perception and voice refreshing and entertaining and Dermot Davis is no exception.

Martin is a very typical young adult who seems to be drifting through life trying to find his place in the world professionally and personally. As a photographer, he is often struggling to find gigs that pay well enough to live and survive in California, but often give him the free time to explore his craft. He hasn’t been successful in the relationship department and when he gets a wedding invitation from his ex, he decides to attend, but needs a knock-out on his arm as his plus-one. We all know this routine of showing up and getting a little dig in on the ex to prove that you have moved on in your life just fine without them. The only problem is Martin is currently unattached and his prospects don’t look good.

After signing up for online dating and taking several bad first dates to his favorite restaurant, he notices a beautiful, but older, woman there every time he is and after receiving all the right signals, he and Frances begin a relationship with all the highs and lows, excitement and insecurities that it brings.

Frances is fourteen years older than Martin, married and divorced twice with a daughter who is closer to Martin’s age than she is. She is also vibrant, fun and exciting and it doesn’t take long for Martin to fall for her.

I really liked Martin and Frances individually, but the jury is still out whether I think they belong together as a couple. They really seem to be on different planes of existence mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Having said that, I honestly didn’t see him compatible with anyone else, so there may be hope for these two.

Several supporting characters round out the story, including Martin’s roommate, Mike and his girlfriend, Gloria. Frances’s ex-husband and her daughter also brought an interesting twist, as well.

My Final Verdict: Don’t expect any closure with this book because relationships are a work in progress and anything can happen. There is a companion book written in Frances’s point of view but I haven’t read that one so I can’t be sure there will be closure with that one either. I recommend this to readers who don’t mind open endings and enjoy their relationships sprinkled with humor along with the angst, Zen and sex.

REVIEW: The Road Trip by Susanne O'Leary

Title: The Road Trip (Maddy and Leanne #1)
Author: Susanne O’Leary
Narrator: Melanie MacHugh
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: June 2018
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Have you ever wanted to press the escape button?

Maddy and Leanne are in need of a miracle.

Maddy can't bear to wash another pair of her husband's Y-fronts and if he continues to drone on about golf she might just scream.

Leanne can't stand living with her overbearing mother for a second longer and she's one disapproving eye roll away from a nervous breakdown.

But their luck changes when they win the lottery.

Setting off from Dublin, Maddy and Leanne lease a red convertible, winding through Europe and heading for the sun-drenched French Riviera.

But the pair have their own reasons for their adventure. Maddy has never forgotten her summer romance of twenty years ago with a gorgeous Frenchman and Leanne plans to track down the father who abandoned her as a child.

Amongst glorious sunsets and buckets of bubbly, Leanne and Maddy are searching for answers after years of wondering 'what if?'. But there might just be some surprises in store along the way…

A hilarious and heartwarming story about friendship, living life to the full and making the most of every moment. Fans of Fiona Gibson, Carole Matthews and Lucy Diamond will adore this uplifting, fun-filled read.

My Thoughts: When we first meet Maddy and Leanne, we learn they are part of a group of schoolteachers who have hit the lottery and have each won GBP200,000, so how awesome is that? This windfall couldn’t have come at a better time in their lives. Leanne’s life is under control by her mother and Maddy’s life consists of children who no longer need mothering and a husband who values his bloody golf clubs over his wife. Both of these women need a fresh start in the worst way. They keep the win to themselves and decide to go on a holiday. Leanne is on the search for the father who left when she was a child and Maddy is searching for the man she fell in love with when she was a student in France over twenty years ago.

Along the way from Dublin to the French Riviera, they meet many interesting characters, secrets are revealed, truths are told, tears are shed and life is lived with many humorous moments.

I liked Maddy and Leanne and their decision to take off on a massive holiday adventure was very exciting. Blogging it as they go also holds great appeal to me. We’ve all entertained the question of ”What is the first thing you would do if you hit it big in the lottery?” and for these two ladies, the answer is simple and I really liked that.

I went with the audiobook format of this story and I absolutely loved the narration performance of Melanie MacHugh. The story starts in Dublin and Maddy and Leanne are Irish, so obviously, listening to this book, one would expect Irish accents and this one didn’t disappoint. Ms. MacHugh’s narration was excellent. The voices of each character were distinct and brought them to life, giving me a better understanding of their personality, which enabled me to connect with them.

This was the first book for me by this author and I have the second book in this series, A Holiday to Remember which sees Maddy and Leanne’s adventure continuing. I am looking forward to reading that one as there are several loose threads in this story and I am curious to see how it all comes out.

My Final Verdict: I recommend this story to readers of women’s fiction, chick-lit and stories that feature exciting locale settings.

REVIEW: The Queen's Man by Terri Brisbin

Title: The Queen’s Man
Author: Terri Brisbin
Publisher: Jove Time Passages
Publication Date: September 2000
Genre: Time-Travel Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: A man born an heir, but raised a bastard. . .
A woman with the proof to put him on the throne. . .
A love endangered by the intrigue of Elizabeth’s court. . .

Richard Granville, an illegitimate son of Henry VIII, has always wanted to be king of England, but a bastard cannot inherit that position. So, he contents himself by serving his half-sister Queen Elizabeth. When her enemies approach with claims of his rights to the throne and with a plot to put him there, he is tempted. . . oh so tempted. Sharon Reynolds, a museum curator on holiday in present-day England, discovers proof of a legitimate male heir to Henry VIII and is shocked to be thrown back through time with that proof. Believing she was sent back to right the wrongs done to Henry VIII’s rightful heir, she searches for the man who should be king. Unfortunately, by the time she uncovers his identity she has fallen in love with him. Giving Richard the evidence may bring his death if he fails. Giving him the proof will mean losing his love if he becomes king for a commoner is no fit wife for him then. Danger, intrigue, and deception surround them as they struggle to find the path that fate means for them. . . and their love.

Can their love help them survive in Elizabethan England or will Richard forever remain the queen’s man?

My Thoughts: If you are a fan of time travel romance like I am, you accept the certainty that you will have to suspend disbelief that the concept of traveling through time is real as well as the care the traveler must take to ensure their presence in the past doesn’t alter the future to the point of wiping out their own existence. Pretty big responsibility that I doubt I would be able to manage, but the idea in itself is thrilling…once you get over the complete shock and terror you feel at discovering your surroundings.

Sharon Reynolds is a typical twenty-first century woman, lives in Chicago and picking up the pieces of her life after a professional catastrophe calls not just her reputation but her entire career into question. She accompanies her friend, Mo, to England to an archaeological site where she can be of assistance with different fabrics and textiles. Upon entering a previously undiscovered room, she finds a trunk filled with fabrics and dresses from the Elizabethan period and upon closer inspection of one dress, a stack of parchment disclosing that the previously thought dead son of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn lived, making him the rightful heir to the throne of England and not Elizabeth I. After her initial shock and amazement dissipates, Sharon leaves the room, only to discover that everyone around her is dressed in Elizabethan era costume and she is assumed to be a lady of the court assigned to the Queen’s wardrobe. Like Sharon, I also would think that I had somehow wandered into a Renaissance Fair cosplay and marvel at how authentic and real everyone’s performances are. Luckily for Sharon, she realizes quickly that the impossible has happened and she has to figure out why she came over four hundred years into the past and how she will get back home.

Richard Granville is the master of the Queen’s stables and has quite a reputation for being a seducer of women. Growing up knowing he is the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, he has had to prove himself worthy, though he has always dreamed that he would sit on the throne and rule England. He is drawn into a plot to take the throne and he is the rightful heir in the eyes of the Church in Rome. He loves his half-sister, Elizabeth, and would not want to see her come to harm. When he meets Sharon, he begins to dream of a future away from court where he can live out his life breeding prized stallions on his own stable farm.

Can you just imagine the type of deceptions and intrigues that occur at the royal court? One whisper of a rumor about a plot to overthrow the current monarch could find you imprisoned in the Tower of London waiting to have your head removed. One whisper of a rumor that you are from the future could have you labeled as a witch and burned at the stake. Honestly, how anyone made it to a ripe old age in this time period is beyond amazing.

I thought this story was well researched and described with the perfect amount of detail, which gave me a better view of Sharon’s new surroundings. I also enjoyed the small details regarding the furnishings, clothing and the meals. It certainly made me appreciate the luxuries of indoor plumbing, central heat and air, motorized vehicles and electricity.

I liked Sharon and Richard quite a lot individually and as a couple. I felt enormous empathy for the situation they find themselves in and grave concern for their safety. I was on pins and needles at what would happen as well as when Richard learns the truth about his birthright and that the woman he has come to love is from the future. I felt that actual historical characters like Queen Elizabeth I and William Cecil were depicted as I expected, but with a few unexpected surprises that were wonderful.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story to fans of time travel romance as well as readers who enjoy historical settings and time periods and aren’t bothered if there are a few liberties taken. My biggest regret about this book is that it took me so long to finally read it, but I’m not interested in going back in time to remedy that.

REVIEW: The Bloom Girls by Amy Pine

Title: The Bloom Girls
Author: Amy Pine
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik / Caitlin Davies / Fred Berman
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication Date: August 2021
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: Gilmore Girls meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding in this humorous, multi-generational story about a mother and daughter who discover that life happens when you least expect it.

Gabi Bloom doesn't believe in signs. She believes in photographic evidence, the view through her camera lens, and the snap of the shutter. It's why she traveled to Europe—to satisfy her wanderlust and to kick off her photography career. But in Ireland, all of that changed when Gabi gazed into the impossibly blue eyes of an American bartender. She wasn’t prepared for their intense and immediate attraction, or the fact that she’d be bringing Ethan home with her . . . as her fiancé.

Gabi's upcoming marriage is the cherry on top of her mother's current predicament. Stumbling toward forty, Alissa is a pastry chef who raised her daughter single-handedly while Gabi’s father traveled the globe. Now her baby girl is getting married after a whirlwind romance and Alissa—well, Alissa is pregnant. Again. And not only is her ex the father, he wants her back. For good. Until she can figure out that part of the puzzle, Alissa is hiding her big little secret even as she helps Gabi plan a happily-ever-after wedding. But somewhere between disaster and hope, life might just bloom in a way that is breathtakingly unexpected . . .

My Thoughts: I really liked this story and will start by saying it was much better than I was expecting. Honestly, a story about a woman who after raising her daughter primarily on her own for 22 years finds herself pregnant again by her ex-husband seemed a little cliché to me and I was expecting it to be overwrought with emotions, tears and drama. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised that this story centers on family, friendship, forgiveness, second chances and missed opportunities that had a little bit of weepy emotion but weighed much more heavily on humor and heartwarming moments.

This story is told from the two perspectives of Gabi Bloom and her mother, Alissa Adler. I really liked this because it gave me more a sense of each character’s personality and nature and I empathized with them both. Gabi is fresh out of college and goes on a trip to Ireland when she meets fellow American, Ethan Harris. After a whirlwind romance, they return to Chicago engaged to be married, with neither family knowing anything about it.

After a very brief marriage to Gabi’s father, Matthew Bloom, Alissa has been single and on her own for most of her life. She owns a bakery and her world is completely centered on her daughter, the light of her life. Gabi’s father has been a world traveler working in the conservation field and comes and goes. After Gabi’s college graduation, Alissa and Matthew spend a night together and surprise, surprise, she discovers she’s pregnant.

I enjoyed watching how each woman faces their lives and the situations they find themselves in, while figuring out what they are going to do. Is Gabi rushing into marriage before she’s ever had a chance to see the world and figure out what wants? Is Alissa ready to take on the challenges of starting over with another baby at this stage in her life? Will Matthew stick around for good?

The only issue I had with this story was the abrupt cliffhanger ending that came out of the blue. I have never been a fan of this and I didn’t feel it was needed in this story either. I really enjoyed this author and look forward to reading more of her work. The audio format for this story was fantastic too. The narration performed by Barrie Kreinik, Caitlin Davies and Fred Berman was wonderful and gave me more insight into the characters, their thoughts, feelings and personalities.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story to readers who enjoy women’s fiction but also stories that are rich in character and relationship driven. I think, like me, you will find yourself rooting for these characters to find their happily ever after.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Bloom Girls from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.