Book Review: Wild Italian Nights

By Sara Steven

Good girl Juno Darlington-Hume has always pursued excellence in every field—now she’s determined to master the art of sexual pleasure. Gorgeous, notorious, and utterly irresistible, Italian playboy Alessandro Ricci has the experience, the charm, and the expertise to give her exactly what she’s craving.

From the magical streets of Florence to the golden hills of the Tuscan countryside, Alessandro leads Juno on a journey of desire, teaching her every delicious lesson with a wicked smile.

But there’s one thing Alessandro refuses to her heart. And as Juno surrenders to temptation, she discovers that passion isn’t the only lesson in store—because some pleasures run deeper than the body, and falling for Alessandro might be the most intoxicating—and dangerous—experience of all. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Having read In Too Deep, another book by this author (reviewed here), I anticipated some steam–but in Wild Italian Nights, the steam factor has been kicked into overdrive, and in the best ways! There were a lot of hot moments between Juno and Sandro, while Sandro attempts to teach Juno everything he knows when it comes to sex. Juno is a willing pupil. They have boundaries and limits that have been set by both characters, not wanting to go too far or delve into anything that might create attachment and feelings. Juno is merely in this for the lessons, and Sandro is in it because his father thinks it’s important for the two young lovebirds to be seen together in public, aiding Sandro’s image. But Juno doesn’t know that. 

Juno has enlisted Sandro’s help so she can catch the eye and attention of someone else, and secretly, it’s killing Sandro. Spending so much time together has unavoidably created more between them than just sexual tension, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to him or anyone else. There is so much more to a person than what can happen between the sheets, and Sandro is slowly falling for Juno and the person she is–her kindness, her generosity, and the fact that she seems to accept Sandro for who he is, not focusing on what she can gain from him. He’s not used to that. 

Juno feels the same way about Sandro. Initially, having him around has been a means to build up her confidence, yet she can see that there is a genuine vulnerability to him–a lot more than meets the eye. The plan was to not catch feelings and to take the skills Sandro has given her so she can utilize them in the future, but plans change and life can change in an instant. Maybe Sandro could see her as more than just his pupil. Given the confidence she’s gained through being with him, it could potentially happen, or so she begins to hope. 

But when Juno discovers that Sandro has some ulterior motives behind assisting her, she isn’t sure what to think or what (or who) to believe. Has Sandro been using her? And ultimately, wasn’t she doing the same thing? Or is there more between them? The spice was nice in Wild Italian Nights, but it was also nice to see some evolvement for both characters, while they try to figure out if there can be more beyond their arrangement, potentially turning into something real.

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Apple

Christy McKellen is a best selling, award-nominated British writer of spicy, pacy, emotionally charged contemporary romances and rom-coms, featuring strong, determined heroines and irresistible alpha heroes. 

Best known for her enemies to lovers, opposites attract, holiday and workplace romances, Christy sets her books in the glamorous worlds of film, media, and the arts, where forced proximity and undeniable chemistry lead to steamy love stories full of passion, tension, and emotional depth.

Formerly a Video and Radio Producer, Christy now spends her time (when she’s not writing) walking for pleasure and researching other people's deepest secrets and desires.

Visit Christy online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok

Visit all the stops on Christy's blog tour:

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Book Review: Beth is Dead

By Sara Steven

When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer.

Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love. But it doesn’t take the surviving sisters much digging to uncover motives each one of the March girls had for doing the unthinkable.

Jo, an aspiring author with a huge following on social media, would do anything to hook readers. Would she kill her sister for the story? Amy dreams of studying art in Europe, but she’ll need money from her aunt—money that’s always been earmarked for Beth. And Meg wouldn’t dream of hurting her sister…but her boyfriend might have, and she’ll protect him at all costs.

Despite the growing suspicion within the family, it’s hard to know for sure if the crime was committed by someone close to home. After all, the March sisters were dragged into the spotlight months ago when their father published a controversial bestseller about his own daughters. Beth could have been killed by anyone.

Beth’s perspective told in flashback unfolds next to Meg, Jo, and Amy’s increasingly fraught investigation as the tragedy threatens to rip the Marches apart. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

What a clever concept! Beth Is Dead takes the concept of Little Women and reimagines it as a modern day mystery thriller, and it worked so well. The characters we know and love from the original have similar backgrounds and characterizations, like Jo is still a tomboy aspiring writer, and Amy is a mischievous artist, but that’s where the similarities end. Beth doesn’t die from scarlet fever. She’s found dead, and no one knows what happened to her.

Everyone is considered a suspect–even family. The story is told from various perspectives and timelines, which helps to better solidify what really happened to Beth, and why. Making their father a published author who makes the March family a well-known notorious name only adds to the mystery and mayhem, because everyone wants a piece. It makes the list of suspects even longer. 

The writing style really kept me on my toes and I wanted to know what would happen next. Between the girls and their need to discover the truth, and the wild rush that had happened towards the end of the book, I was definitely hooked. My best friend and I absolutely loved the 90s Little Women movie adaptation when we were teens, quickly choosing who we identified with the most. For her, it was Beth. For me, Jo. This story only elevated everything for me and brought me back to a time when life was so much simpler, yet this go around, so modern and fresh. Beth Is Dead was a unique experience that was definitely a five-star read! 

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: A Fortune of Sand

We're pleased to feature Ruta Sepetys's latest historical fiction novel, A Fortune of Sand. It's being described as The Great Gatsby meets The Royal Tenenbaums. And it addresses the role of women 100 years ago. This is Ruta's first foray into adult fiction, after writing several popular young adult historical fiction novels. Thanks to Ballantine, we have TWO copies to give away!

Detroit, 1927. A city of smoke and ambition, where glittering wealth conceals a graveyard of secrets.

Marjorie Lennox is the youngest daughter of a powerful automotive dynasty, a family known for money, not manners. Artistic, impulsive, and always slightly out of step, Marjorie has long been dismissed by her controlling father and self-absorbed siblings. But when she secretly applies to an exclusive arts program funded by an elusive benefactor, she sees a chance to redefine herself on her own terms.

The building is grand. The participants are gifted. But something…is off.

The program is uncomfortably restrictive. Doors lock at odd hours. Strange sounds echo through the halls amid whispers that women are disappearing. And the handsome benefactor’s presence—mostly absent, yet somehow everywhere—begins to unnerve her. As Marjorie’s sense of self begins to slip, so does her grip on the truth. What happens to women who don’t fit neatly into a gilded frame?

Set against the crumbling grandeur of 1920s Detroit and inspired by actual, long-buried historical events, A Fortune of Sand is a haunting mosaic of glamour and grift—a novel about those who vanish, and those who demand to be seen.

"Enthralling...while history is often molded by those in power, there are always those who can wrest control and write a new story of their own. A Fortune of Sand should be required reading." 
—Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies

"A heady exploration of women’s agency, as well as a killer romance and a beguiling mystery. Wildly entertaining." 

—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

"For readers seeking the glamour of The Great Gatsby with the mystery of an Agatha Christie novel, A Fortune of Sand is for you.” 
—Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely?

Photo by Laura Smith

Ruta Sepetys is an internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Winner of the Carnegie Medal and honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Ruta is passionate about giving voice to underrepresented history and those who experienced it. She has been invited to present at NATO, European Parliament, the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and embassies worldwide.  Ruta alternates her time between the hills of Tennessee and the flats of Florida.

Visit Ruta online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends June 2nd at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The Quitters Club

 

By Melissa Amster

When four ride-or-die friends reunite for a getaway, they’re desperate for a break, a chance to reconnect. But each is hiding a deeper reason why. Marie feels like an impostor teaching “How to Say No” seminars while her marriage has evolved into something she never said yes to. Brooke’s most heartfelt goal―motherhood―is proving out of reach. Lucy’s dream career has broken her spirit, possibly for good. And Collins feels trapped in grief by her late husband’s legacy.

All their lives, they’ve encouraged each other not to give up―but they can’t do this anymore. Now, at a breaking point, they make a pact: Quit. And help each other through the fallout.

At first, it’s positively liberating. A husband gets a much-needed wake-up call. A singles retreat is a widow’s perfect escape. A very public career exit becomes a never-too-late return to college. And a childless life becomes a bold new plan to travel the world. But letting go will be more complicated than they imagined. Confronting hard truths about love, loss, and starting over, these four women must discover what’s worth fighting for―and what’s truly best left behind. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have been an avid reader of Jessica Strawser's novels for quite some time, so I am thankful for the early peek at The Quitters Club, which will be available next week. While this is different from her more suspenseful stories, it's still really well told and even empowering.

Each of the women had an interesting and compelling reason for wanting to quit something in their lives. Marie's husband takes her for granted and refuses to make compromises. Brooke is tired of her failed attempts at pregnancy forcing her to put her life on hold. Lucy has no motivation to write anymore. And Collins just wants to move past her grief. Quitting is their way of forging new paths for themselves and they support each other in the process. Little do they know how quickly things will go awry. 

The story kept me turning the pages, wondering what would happen next for each of the women. They all felt relatable, even if I had nothing in common with them. While I would have liked getting more of Collins' perspective from her own narrative, I still got to see what she was going through and she made her voice heard.

I felt like the characters got too introspective at times and it made my head spin. They made this committment to themselves and then they kept questioning it even though it was bringing other good things into their lives that they might not have experienced if they hadn't quit.

Overall, it was a thoughtful and engaging read. I think you will enjoy this new side of Jessica's writing! 

(Trigger warnings below. May contain some spoilers.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Marie: Margo Harshman

Lucy: Abby Elliott

Brooke: Alexandra Daddario

Collins: Sara Canning

Thanks to Jessica Strawser for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Jessica Strawser:

Catch You Later

The Next Thing You Know

Not That I Could Tell

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TW: Death of spouse, cancer, suicidal ideation, divorce, infertility, life-threatening injuries.

Double Feature Spotlight and Giveaway: Two Jewish Rom-Coms!

It's still Jewish Heritage Month and we have two exciting new Jewish rom-coms to share with you today: Soon by You by Dahlia Adler and Summer Husband by Amy Lorowitz! Melissa loved Soon by You (reviewed here) and will be adding Summer Husband to her five-book pile very soon. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and BookSparks, we have one set of books to share with a lucky reader!

Arielle Becker is one hora away from a meltdown. After one too many bridesmaid gigs—complete with Spanx, heels, and hideous dresses—she’s officially over love and its overpriced trappings. Especially when they keep coming with the same smug, judgmental wedding singer.

Judah Klein is New York’s go-to Modern Orthodox wedding singer and most eligible bachelor. Years of failed setups have left him jaded, until repeated clashes with a fiery bridesmaid wake him right up. But when snarks turn to sparks, and fights turn to feelings, things get complicated.

Arielle is not a girl who settles down. And Judah is not a guy who hooks up. So why does walking away feel impossible? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"Real, honest, hilarious, and steamy, this book has it all!" 
—Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write

"An unputdownable love story that left me kicking my feet with glee." 
—Lindsay Hameroff, author of Never Planned on You

“Dahlia Adler delivers a romance that celebrates complexity, defies stereotypes, and ends in a swoon-worthy, heartwarming finale.” 
—Jean Meltzer, internationally bestselling author of The Matzah Ball

Credit: Maggie Hall

Dahlia Adler is an editor by day, a freelance writer by night, and an author and anthologist at every spare moment in between. She's the founder of LGBTQReads; her novels include the Kids' Indie Next picks Cool for the Summer, Home Field Advantage, and Going Bicoastal, a Sydney Taylor Honor book; and she is the editor of the anthologies His Hideous Heart, That Way Madness Lies, At Midnight, and, with Jennifer Iacopelli, Out of Our League. Dahlia lives in New York with her family and a wall of overflowing bookcases.

Visit Dahlia online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok

Is thirty-nine too old to get your first sleepaway camp kiss?

Lori Kramer, a stay-at-home mom, would go to any length to give her two daughters the summer experience of their lives—even getting a job at their camp and tagging along with them.

At Camp Woodlands, Lori finds herself overseeing the chaos of four bunks filled with rambunctious kids and their counselors, not to mention having to outwit her boss and outrun a bear—and that’s just during the first half of the summer! But those escapades are child’s play compared to her growing friendship and attraction to Teddy, the camp’s British soccer coach. Their clandestine meetings late at night behind the laundry shack, breaking the no-smoking rule, soon turn hot and steamy like a lazy August afternoon.

Camp may be for kids, but Lori’s the one having the most fun. She never imagined that stepping outside of her conventional, underappreciated, New York City existence would turn her world upside down and change her life forever. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"Summer Husband is a warm, hopeful story of friendship, love and rediscovery. "
—Nicola Harrison, author of The Island Club

“Bunk in with Summer Husband, an engaging first novel about an engrossing second chance.”
—Marilyn Simon Rothstein, author of Who Loves You Best

"Feminist, flirty, and fun! Summer Husband is a coming-of-middle age delight." 
—Meredith Schorr, author of RoomMating

Amy Lorowitz is a lifelong New Yorker. She grew up in Brooklyn, attended University at SUNY Binghamton, and ultimately made her home in Manhattan with her husband and two daughters, only leaving New York for a three-year stint living in Tokyo, Japan. Summer Husband is her debut novel.

Visit Amy online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends May 31st at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Carrie Soto is Back

By Becky Gulc

Carrie Soto Is Back is the third novel I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid in recent months. I loved Atmosphere and recently enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six. I listened to all three of these as audio books and loved them all! With Carrie, I downloaded it without even reading the synopsis as I had been so immersed in her other novels, I knew whatever it was about I’d love it too! So, what is it about?

‘Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father as her coach. Javier—a former champion himself—has trained her since the age of two.

But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan.

At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked “the Battle Axe” anyway. Even if her body doesn’t move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.

In spite of it all: Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells her most vulnerable, emotional story yet.’  (Courtesy of Taylor Jenkins Reid's website.)

So, when I started reading this I was happy. Whilst I don’t play tennis, I love Wimbledon season and try and watch as much as the tournament as I can. I did wonder if it would be too focused on the sport, but it was perfect for me! 

Carrie is such a character, strong-willed, stubborn, determined, cold, and whilst she’s difficult to like ‘on paper’, somehow she’s still someone I very much liked and rooted for! I felt the drive and ambition throughout and it’s hard for me to believe she’s not actually real!

The relationship between Carrie and her father is fundamental in this novel and I loved how this evolved over time. Javier is so lovely and it got emotional at times. 

I can only imagine how tricky it is to make a tennis match suspenseful and exciting in a novel but this is done so well. I was completely invested in every shot and Carrie’s ambition to retain her record!

This is a novel that explores what it means to be a winner; the sacrifices, the drive needed, but also how someone can learn that winning simply isn’t everything. Even if you’re not a tennis fan I’m sure you’d enjoy this, it’s just written so well. Highly recommended!

Check out Melissa's review here.

More by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

Malibu Rising

Maybe in Another Life

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

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A taste of Rachel Linden's sweet life...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Mallory MacDonald

We're pleased to welcome Rachel Linden to CLC today and feature her latest novel, A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity. Chocolate and magical realism? Sign us up! We had fun chatting with Rachel and we hope you enjoy her answers to our questions. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy to share with a lucky reader!

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in more than fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake, Recipe for a Charmed Life, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, and several other novels. Currently, Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, food, travel, and second chances at love – all with a touch of whimsy and a happy, hopeful ending.

Visit Rachel online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:
Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family's struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime—a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true.

Her vision is more delectable than she could’ve imagined—her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. And when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible.

But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly longs for. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making?

"Heartfelt, heartwarming, joyful, and uplifting. You can't go wrong with a Rachel Linden book.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

"Perfect for fans of Hallmark movies. With a couple that fans will root for, along with supporting characters that add depth and charm to the novel, it’s a great read for a cozy afternoon.”

—Library Journal

What is a favorite compliment you received on your writing?
It’s a toss-up between lots of readers saying my novels feel like a warm hug and other readers commenting that while my books are yummy, happy stories, they have surprising emotional depth that often resonates with readers’ own lives. I love both of these compliments because my goal with each story is to give readers a nugget of something true and beautiful that they can put in their pocket and take away into their own lives. And really, who doesn’t like a warm hug? 

How is Emmie similar to or different from you?
I identify a lot with Emmie! Like me, she’s a mom who finds herself in the sandwich generation. She’s caring for her six-year-old son and her aging mother who is facing health challenges, and she’s also running her family’s fudge and candy shop in their charming little harbor town in the Pacific Northwest. Emmie is stretched thin and trying to figure out how to make space for herself in her own life! I, and a lot of other women I know, can identify with Emmie’s struggle to figure out who she is and what she really wants amidst all the responsibilities she carries. But while I’m happily married to my husband of eighteen years, Emmie is still looking for her great love. When she’s given the chance to choose between two wonderful guys, she has to muster the courage to follow her heart! 

If A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I’d cast Carey Mulligan or Reese Witherspoon as Emmie, Sam Claflin as Henry, and Charlie Hunnam as Jakob. 

What is your favorite chocolate treat?
I love really good quality European dark chocolate, particularly if it has caramel or nuts in it! And a real Belgian truffle is hard to beat! 

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
I’d want Nicole Kidman to narrate my life. I feel like everything would be more posh and glowy if Nicole Kidman were narrating it, even washing dishes and gardening in the rain! 

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see? 
I’d take you to the adorable Norwegian-inspired town of Poulsbo where I set A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity! We could eat yummy Norwegian pastries from Sluys Bakery, grab a honey hometown latte from Byrdie’s Coffee, then stroll around the darling downtown, and visit all of the real places I put in the book! Then I’d take you kayaking on Puget Sound (one of my very favorite things to do) and if we were very lucky, we might see an orca or two! 

Thanks to Rachel for visiting with us and to Berkley for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends May 26th at midnight EST.

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