Someone to Hold

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What it is About:  She’s the one woman I can’t let myself want.

Molly McAllister is my best friend’s widow, a single mom trying to keep her flower farm alive, and the last person in this small town who should look twice at me.

I ride bulls for a living. My body’s a battered mess with my heart in even worse shape. I’m carrying enough scars—inside and out—to know I don’t deserve someone like her.

But when she ends up laid up with a broken ankle, I’m the one who shows up to help. I’m supposed to be the guy she hates. Hell, I’ve given her plenty of reasons. Instead, I’m the one carrying her up the damn stairs and flipping pancakes for her twins like I belong in her kitchen. In her life. Her bed.

She thinks I’ve come to take her land. The truth? Every time I look at her, I’m in danger of handing her my heart.

She’s sunshine and second chances. I’m storm clouds and bad decisions.

We’re supposed to be enemies. But the longer I’m in her world, the harder I fall. Fast, deep, and way past the point of no return. If I’m not careful, I could lose more than my heart…I might lose her, too.

If you love enemies-to-lovers, second chances, he falls first cowboy heroes and so much found family goodness, this is your next read. Book 4 of The Skylark Series can be read as a standalone and has a guaranteed HEA.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Another amazing book in The Skylark Series.  We are introduced to Molly and Chase in Someone to Hold.  This is a true enemies to friend romance and includes the wonderful friends from the book club I want to be part of! 

Molly hates Chase due to the comments he made about her in the past.  He made it very clear on her wedding day that he disliked her to her late husband (Chase's best friend), Teddy. Molly injures her ankle and Teddy's mother is going on a long trip "hires" Chase to look after Molly and her twins. Molly is in need of help with the twins and her business (flower farmer).  It is also her turn at the bucket list challenge.  

Her challenge.....say no to moving with her mother-in-law to New Mexico and purchase the family farm.  She wants to stay in Skylark, raise her kids and make her flower business a success.  The challenge did not include falling head over heels for Chase.  

Chase is running from his past as well.  Coming from a family with an abusive father he joined the bull riding circuit and hasn't been home much.  After a career ending injury he is back and wants to settle down in Skylark and run a bull ranch.  One way to get that ranch is to purchase his best friend's family farm. He never had plans on falling for his last best friend's widow and twins.  

Love how Molly and Chase work through their past to come together as one.  

Another must read from Michelle Major!!

See my review for Someone to Have,  Someone to Love and Someone to Tempt

USA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.

Connect with her at her website or come say hi on Instagram (@michellemajorauthor) and Facebook (@MichelleMajorBooks).

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Uncharmed

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What's it About:  Andromeda "Annie" Wildwood is the perfect witch: she’s sugar, spice, and everything nice. Each element of her life is curated and polished—with some assistance from a carefully created magic potion, of course. She spends her days serving up delicious pastries in her charming bakery, and her best friends are the most popular witches in London.

 

Naturally, Annie’s coven believes she’s the perfect choice to mentor a young teenage witch named Maeve, who has been orphaned and cannot get a handle on her blossoming powers.

 

Maeve is headstrong and stubborn, and she’s different from Annie in every way. When the pair are confined to a crumbling, secluded cabin in the woods—a place where Annie can safely teach Maeve to harness her magic—they form a fast friendship. And when the owner of the cabin shows up unexpectedly—a brooding, handsome warlock—the trio becomes inseparable.

 

Annie may have just found her perfectly imperfect family in her new home-away-from-home. But what happens when the coven declares Maeve ready to be an adult witch, and Annie must return to her real life?

UNCHARMED is a sweet and charming escapist novel that will delight readers of T.J. Klune’s The House on the Cerulean Sea and Sangu Mandanna’s The Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Filled with some fan-favorite romance tropes (grumpy-meets-sunshine, forced proximity, there’s-only-one-bed), and themes of self-acceptance and found family, Wood’s latest

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Cute story (especially in the fall) that transported to a world where witches and magic spells.  However, their world is very much like every other world.  Self-doubt, unnecessary family shame, both true and fake friendships, and selfish and unselfish individuals.  Uncharmed takes us on Annie's journey of self discovery.  Along the way she realizes how good of person she is and there is nothing wrong with her individually. She has so much love to give and truly cares about people in her life.  Proving to others who she is and what she is capable of is part of the journey.  Of course falling in love along the way helps too!  

I enjoyed seeing Maeve, the orphan Annie has been put in charge of evolve into a lovely person and develops her true magic along the way.  Let's not forget to mention Hal, the cowboy who prefers to be alone, that is until he meets Annie.  Loved all his magical animals too! 

I have not read Lucy's first book Rewitched, but have added to my read list.  Perfect book for fall or any time of year.

Lucy Jane Wood is a widely loved online content creator who has over 200K YouTube subscribers and 85K Instagram followers. Her delightful videos cover topics from fashion and lifestyle to home renovation, cooking, and of course, books.

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If It Makes You Happy

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What It's About:  IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY can be described as Gilmore Girls meets thePumpkin Spice Café – but a lot steamier! Set in small-town Copper Run, Vermont, in autumn 1997, Olivia’s first traditionally published novel offers readers a love story that feels like the first sip of a warm, delicious latte on a cold day. It’s a grumpy-meets-sunshine, fish-out-of-water tale of two small-town business owners and next-door neighbors who fall head-over-heels for each other, set in a simpler time before smart phones and internet dating.

Copper Run, Vermont, 1997: The leaves are changing colors. School is back in session. The locals are decorating for Halloween. The most inviting scents are wafting from the bakery. And a taxicab delivers an out-of-towner and her dog to the local inn.

 

When big-city advertising executive and recent divorcee’ Michelle arrives at the bed-and-breakfast that was her mother’s retirement project, she can hardly appreciate the glories of a New England fall. Michelle is grieving her failed marriage and the unexpected loss of her mom. With her life crumbling around her, Michelle suffers one more blow when she agrees to take a leave of absence from her job at the ad agency in Seattle to handle things at her mother’s small-town inn in Vermont. 

 

Michelle doesn’t know the first thing about running an inn. So, when her very helpful, very attractive, single dad of a next-door neighbor offers to give her some hospitality lessons, Michelle agrees. It’s not long before this stubborn city-dweller finds herself falling for small-town living… and for her hot neighbor.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  I would love life in Copper Run. I don't think I could run an inn, but everything else about the town and the people in If It Makes You Happy, made it a town I would love to be part of. I really liked Michelle and her journey. How hard is it to go from married life in Seattle as well as a successful executive in advertising to losing your mother and moving across country to temporarily run her inn while your sister finishes school. 

There is also Cliff, the single dad neighbor who is also owns the local bakery. His two daughters, Emily and Brittney, draw you in as well.  They are at such different stages in their lives and Cliff does an amazing job with both of them.  Of course Michelle fits right in too.  

I also loved that it was set back in 1997. I don't tend to read a lot books set in the 90's (not sure if it is not a popular timeframe or I just don't stumble upon them) and really enjoyed it.  I was a young adult and coming into my career during that time frame and could relate to Michelle. 

Very enjoyable book and I will be on the look for more books written by Julie Olivia!

Julie Olivia writes cozy love stories filled with humor, spice, and close friend groups that feel like a warm hug. She is a roller coaster fan, avid romance reader, and rainy day enthusiast.

Julie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their very opinionated pets.

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The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club

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What the Book is About:  NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women in this spectacular novel inspired by true events, from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls.

“A dreamy beach book that also sizzles with tension . . . another winner by one of the best historical fiction writers around.”—Fiona Davis, author of The Stolen Queen

2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She’s come all the way from California with nothing but a name on a piece of paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class with her, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.

1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows both in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst. Who in their tight-knit island community can they trust? Could this little book club change the course of the war . . . before it’s too late?

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  What an amazing story.  I loved absolutely everything about it. I was transported by to 1942 on Martha's Vineyard and pulled in the story from page one.  The back story of the troops on the beach, the mysterious man who washes up on the beach, the women in publishing from New York really brought the story of Cadence and Briar come full circle. 

Visiting Martha's Vineyard is a bucket list summer vacation of mine.  Reading The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club, makes me want to book a trip today.  Someday, I will make it there!

I can't wait to read Lilac Girls and I am not sure how I missed it when it was published.  Martha has 3 other books that I have added to my "to read list"; Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters and The Golden Doves.  

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a must read book! 

Martha's debut novel LILAC GIRLS, about socialite Caroline Ferriday and her fight to help a group of concentration camp survivors, became an Instant NY Times bestseller in 2016 and went on to sell over two million copies. Once the paperback stayed on the NYT list for fifty-four weeks, and became published in fifty countries she wrote two more novels: LOST ROSES about Caroline's mother, and SUNFLOWER SISTERS about her great grandmother, which also became Instant NY Times best sellers. Her latest novel, THE GOLDEN DOVES, which returns to WWII, arrives in bookstores April 18th, 2023. 

Martha grew up in Massachusetts and now splits her time between Connecticut and New York City. 

You'll find more info about the incredible, true stories behind all of her books at her website: http://www.marthahallkelly.com, on Instagram: @marthahallkelly, Facebook.com/marthahallkelly, Twitter: @marthahallkelly and on her ever-changing Pinterest page.

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The Glass Eel

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What the Book is About:  In this gripping debut thriller, struggling divorcée Jeanette King becomes embroiled in a criminal ring when she discovers her ex-husband’s cache of baby eels.

Caterpillar Island is off the central coast of Maine―beloved vacationland of lobster bakes and quaint fried clam shacks, kayaking and country houses. At night, though, by the light of a headlamp, the island is alive with cash, guns, and poachers. Oxy addicts, struggling retirees, and unemployable deadbeats dip their nets in the creeks to catch elvers―two-inch-long baby eels that fetch $2000 a pound on the international black market.

Into this dark and dangerous world falls Jeanette King, who has, up to this moment, been earning her meager living mainly by picking and packaging peekytoe crab meat for shipment to New York and Boston. As Jeanette gets drawn into a fast-moving story of risk and violent consequences, she enlists the aid of a local policeman and an Indigenous activist. Together they try to set things right for the people and the planet. But the deeper they dig, the more dangerous things get. An ensuing procession of colorful locals, corrupt state politicians, and treacherous outsiders weaves a tale that reveals the underbelly of a deadly business.

Advance Praise for THE GLASS EEL: 

"The Glass Eel meets all my standards for fiction: an engrossing and highly imaginative plot; vivid characters; the revelation of a world completely unknown to me; and a narrative style that pulled me right along. Two bonuses: stunning nature writing and hilarious lines that lighten the plot at absolutely critical moments."

― Daniel Okrent, prize-winning author of The Guarded Gate

"Now here’s a world I knew nothing about, but thanks to this wonderful novel I’m completely engrossed in the lives of the characters who inhabit the fisheries of Maine. The Viertels bring them brilliantly to life―I can still taste the saltwater. What a triumph!"

― Lawrence Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Plague Year

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Glass Eel peeked my interest given the setting was the coast of Maine.  Having gotten my MBA at the University of Maine (Orono), I really enjoy stories set in Maine (especially the coast). 

The Glass Eel was a crazy story with so many twists, it ended up being a "can't put it down and I just need to read one more chapter" kind of book.  Loved the characters Jeanette, Jesse and Toland.  They got themselves right in the middle of an illegal glass eel ring and were trying to figure out who the really bad guys behind it were.  Turned out there were several.  Jeanette's ex-husband was a pawn in the scheme, which is how she stumbled into it all. 

The book had so pretty gruesome details, but not over the top and nothing that kept me awake at night. There were a lot of back stories, characters and twists in the book.  There were easy to keep track of and follow along as it was really well written. 

I also really liked the chapters sprinkled in about the crab and the eel.  They weave themselves through the story and it was a perfect fit. 

I can't believe this is J.J. Viertel's (father and son) book but they need to write a lot of more them. 

J.J. Viertel is the pseudonym used by the father-son writing team of Jack and Josh Viertel who live in Maine and New York. Prior to writing this novel, Jack Viertel has been instrumental in bringing many Tony winning new plays, musicals and revivals to theaters, including ANGELS IN AMERICA, Jerry Zaks’s legendary production of GUYS AND DOLLS, GRAND HOTEL, CITY OF ANGELS, JELLY'S LAST JAM, the Brian Dennehy production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, PROOF, DOUBT, THE PRODUCERS, BOOK OF MORMON, LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! And TAKE ME OUT. He produced the revival of GYPSY and the critically acclaimed revival of FINIAN’S RAINBOW. He was a co-producer and conceiver of the longest running musical revue in Broadway history, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, the conceiver of the critically acclaimed AFTER MIDNIGHT, and served as the dramaturg for HAIRSPRAY, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, A CHRISTMAS STORY and THE OUTSIDERS. The musical and movie THE PROM were developed from his original concept. Josh Viertel is listed as one of the seven most powerful voices in the food movement by Forbes and Michael Pollan, has been named a Hunt Prime Mover, selected as a Rockwood Leadership Fellow, named President of Slow Food USA, and is co-founder and director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project.

When they aren’t writing crime thrillers together, they each have their own careers: Jack creates Broadway plays and musicals, and Josh creates organic farms. Josh is a fly fisherman and bow hunter and Jack is a scuba diver and barbecue chef. In addition to writing, they play the blues together.

Connect with Jack Viertel: 

Jack’s Website: jackviertel.com

Jack’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jack.viertel/

Jack’s Bluesky: @jackviertel.bsky.social

Connect with Josh Viertel: 

Josh’s Instagram: @joshviertel

Josh’s X/Twitter: @JoshViertel

Josh’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshviertel/

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Head Witch In Charge

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What the Book is About:  It’s the curse of every family’s heir to be the responsible one. My family being the most powerful family in all of Witchingdom doesn’t eliminate that fact, it only makes it worse—and that’s why I, Leona Amber Sherwood, never do the unexpected. Except for that one time I did.

Believe me, I have rued the day that I got married in a midnight ceremony under a full moon to Erik Svensen, the heir to my family’s deepest, bitterest enemies, and now, he won’t agree to a divorce unless we return an ancient spell book to his family’s secured facility.

But on our road trip to return the book, I learn more about Erik as we encounter trolls, nymphs, satyrs, and more. The longer we work together, the more I’m convinced that he might not be the evil trickster I assumed he was. Any more time together will leave me even more enchanted with my husband and that’s the last thing I want. And if I keep telling myself that, maybe I'll start to believe it.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Like all the other Avery Flynn books I have read.....Loved it!  I really got a kick out of Leona and Erik. They were both funny and yet serious. They both had some family issues that they were trying to solve. Leona on who she would marry that would be acceptable to her parents and that she could spend the rest of her life with and Erik who was trying to get out from underneath his evil father's plans and save his siblings at the same time. 

Laugh out load scene are followed by some steamy ones, which makes this a perfect RomCom. 

Little did I know that I was reading book 2 of the Witchdom series.  It was a perfect standalone book, however, I can't wait to go back and read book 1 (Witcha Gonna Do?)

Super quick read, great and funny characters, magical world (witchdom/wizards/trolls/pixies that make it really fun), happy ending and some steamy scenes.

A witchy story is perfect this time of year!

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband, and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip. She lives outside of Washington, D.C., with her family, Dwight the cat, and a pack of five dogs all named after food. If she’s not reading romance or binging reality TV, she’s most definitely plotting to take over the world so she can banish Crocs from existence.

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Checking Mr. Wrong

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About:  I’m sarcasm with a messy bun. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were one thing—those fireworks, though? Yeah…no one warned me about those.

Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)

When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.

Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.

But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  LOVED IT!  Checking Mr. Wrong is part of the Love in Maple Falls series.  I would say it is part 2 of the Love on Thin Ice series.  Seven different authors (most of my favorites) each write a different book in the both series.  It is so much fun. Of course given that the main themes romcom, hockey, cute town, wonderful people and fall.....what more could one ask for?

Mabel is a great character that comes back home to Maple Falls to an overachiever for a mother. She is working through some pretty big issues that were aired on national television. I really love how she is able to sort through everything, including her relationship with her mother.  I really do love strong female characters and Mabel is one for sure.

Asher is not what I would call your typically hockey player.  He is also suffering from OCD, which was triggered by an accident when he was a child.  I really appreciated learning more about OCD and how it affects a person.  Throughout the book Asher has different things he does to help with it and I love the team has a support group and other players notice little hints and do not judge him.  Well done, Anne! 

Of course (since it is a romcom), Mabel and Asher are able to get through it all and fall in love.  Great story and perfect for this fall (or anytime)!  I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  Checking Mr. Wrong is a 5 stars, must read kind of book!

PS - you don't have to read the books in order, but you can!!!

August 13: Fake-Off with Fate - Whitney Dineen

August 20: Offside and Off-Limits - Kate O'Keeffe

August 27: Checking Mr. Wrong - Anne Kemp

September 3: Skating and Fake Dating - Ellie Hall

September 10: Goalie and the Girl Next Door - Elsie Woods

September 17: Soulmates and Slapshots- Melissa Baldwin

September 24: The Icing on the Cake - Grace Worthington

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she does it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp

On TikTok: @annekempauthor

Fake-Off with Fate-Whitney: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBWRN4M

Offside and Off-limits - Kate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHMQ1KJS

Soulmates and Slapshots- Melissa: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHRFXJQB

Skating & Fake Dating - Ellie: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHNFW617

Goalie and the Girl Next Door - Elsie: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHQV2VC9

Checking Mr. Wrong - Anne: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHTGDWHZ

The Icing on the Cake - Grace: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR7L3F4R

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