From Strangers to Sisters: Julie Edelman Embraces the Magic of Unexpected Sisterhood...plus a book giveaway

Today we are pleased to have Julie Edelman here to discuss her new captivating novel, The Accidental Sisterhood. Melissa looks forward to diving into its pages for an engaging exploration of unexpected bonds and relationships. We are giving away a copy to one lucky reader!

Julie Edelman's journey illustrates the power of transforming personal struggles into purpose. After facing domestic chaos, she wrote the bestselling The Accidental Housewife, sharing unconventional housekeeping strategies with humor and optimism. Her success led to appearances on The Today Show and The View, where her relatable voice resonated with millions.

In winter 2023, Julie was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer but faced it with grace and wit, famously keeping her heels on during treatment. This challenge inspired her debut women's suspense novel, The Accidental Sisterhood, described by bestselling New York Times author Jenna Blum as "witty and unexpected."

Now cancer-free, Julie celebrates survival and transformation. Her message of resilience resonated at the Moffitt Cancer Center's 2024 National Board of Directors Meeting, where she shared her survivor story. Living in St. Petersburg, Florida, she finds inspiration in her son Luke, embracing life's accidents with an open heart and the power of sisterhood. Stilettos optional!

Visit Julie online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram * X

Synopsis:

Jules Malone has sworn off love after two failed relationships: one with an abusive fiancé she calls her white knight-mare, and the other with a nice-but-boring ex with whom she co-parents their son, Max. But then one fateful Christmas Eve, Jules meets Sean, a twinkly-eyed charmer with a captivating smile and an unexpected invitation. Despite Jules’s efforts to stay guarded, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him.

As their relationship deepens, so does Sean’s unpredictable behavior. He misses Jules’s calls, changes plans abruptly, and hangs up quickly when she enters the room. One night after returning home from a charity meeting, she finds Sean missing and blood everywhere. Panicked, she’s about to call 911 when she hears a phone ringing on her patio. It is Sean’s. By the time she gets to it, the caller has hung up. Multiple texts follow—as does Jules’s journey of shocking discoveries. The first? That she is one of four women sharing full lives with Sean.

But it is the devastating secret these women uncover together that leads to a resolution none of them could ever have imagined… and to the power of sisterhood. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
From LoveBooks2119 on Goodreads: "This book resonates with anyone who has experienced illness or the joys and struggles of friendships/relationships. It serves as a reminder of the importance of community and support in navigating life's toughest challenges."
 
What would you tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
- Be prepared to wake up at 2:00 a.m. and write or text yourself thoughts you have!

- An empty page or screen can become a book…stay patient and believe in yourself.

- It's a journey, but it's a beautiful ride since it allows you to go places you can't in real life!

- Be authentic, pull from your life experiences —it's great cause you can be and do whatever you wish without guilt or ramifications! I refer to it as "faction"—a blending of fact and fiction, which is what Jules Malone is for me…and there is a little bit of me in each of the other characters! It's cathartic!
 
If The Accidental Sisterhood was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I love this question and dream about it daily—we're waiting for the call! I'd also be happy to see it as a streaming series since I'm working on Book Two as we speak!
 
Jules Malone: Rachel McAdams
Sean Conners: Ryan Gosling. I love his chemistry with Rachael in The Notebook!
Jude Conners: Nicole Kidman
Jessica Wright: Margo Robbie
Jazmine Reynolds: Zendaya
Bagels (the dog): Bagels
 
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I am an avid and eclectic reader, and I highly recommend two of my latest reads.
 
The Personal Librarian is an insightful perspective into the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, who had to conceal her African American identity while creating J.P. Morgan's legendary library collection. In contrast, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating exploration of fame, identity, and forbidden love, told through the complex life of a fictional Hollywood icon.
 
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Having Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, or Nicole Kidman—love her accent—would be sublime!
 
What is something you are thankful for?
Breast cancer: I know it may not be the expected answer, but it has brought me unexpected gifts, including...
- Pursuing A Dream: It gave me the courage and the determination to pursue a dream, which was writing The Accidental Sisterhood.
- Embracing—Celebrating the present: An appreciation of every day -embracing it and staying present, grateful for the people, opportunities, and things in my life in the here and now.
- Embracing a passion: having a platform to connect and help others going through challenging times with hope, positivity, humor and the power of sisterhood.

Thanks to Julie for chatting with us and providing a free copy of the book for one lucky winner! 

 How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends November 26th at midnight EST.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Horrible Bosses

We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are currently in our fifth year!

This month, we are talking about experiences we've had with people who don't deserve to be in the higher managerial position they were given, based on how they treat people. (Key example: Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada.)

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. :) We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them. 

Sara Steven:

Over two decades ago, I fell into property management. I say “fell” because it had never been on my radar, not until a neighbor friend recommended I apply. In those days, property management consisted of paper applications, personal check security deposits, index card-sized guest cards, and an old CRM (customer relationship management) software program known as Rent Roll. 

I left the biz the summer of 2012, in order to pursue other things–namely raising a family. I never intended to get back into property management, but there is something about the real estate realm that has always fascinated me. I practically beg friends to let me go along and look at open houses or homes for sale, and when my mother-in-law had considered moving into an apartment a few years back, I felt like I’d died and gone to heaven. 

Back then, I’d found a family within the apartment communities I’d worked for. I’d gotten lucky– the first manager I worked for was like a mother to me.

I had high hopes when I got back out there in the job market last year, feeling like I’d hit the jackpot when a small company in the east valley took a chance on me. Once a leasing consultant, always a leasing consultant, and while I still had my customer service and sales skills, now I had to learn new CRM programs like Yardi and Knock, with online applications and payments, and computerized background screens and lease documentation. 

Commissions were never an option, not way back when, but commissions are a huge deal now, one of the selling points when I initially spoke with the recruiter. If I toured someone and they applied and moved into the community, I’d receive $100. There was no cap on applicants. Sky’s the limit.

During my time at that community, I went through five managers. FIVE. And to give a little more perspective, I worked in that office for just a little over a year. The first manager moved to a larger community within the company, a promotion for her. We got along just fine, but I found out later that she’d been skimming from my commissions–she was responsible for sending in a list of everyone’s monthly bonuses, but she’d replace our names with hers on that list. At one point she told me that commissions were taxed at a 40% rate, which explained why I’d take in say six applicants, which should have been $600, yet I’d maybe see $350 of that. I found out later that she lied to me about the tax rate, but I had no reason to believe she would ever lie to me, considering how well we got along. 

When she left, a new manager took her place–someone who was already working for the company and was going through a sale. The new manager was super nice, but she moved on just two months later when another property management company had offered her a better job and better pay. I found out she was also skimming off the commissions, but not nearly as much as the first manager did. The third and fourth managers were honest people and never skimmed from any of us–it was the first time I noticed my commissions seemed to actually match up with my bonuses. I enjoyed working with them, but much like with the second manager, the offerings from other property management companies were just too great, so they left and moved on to other communities. 

The fifth manager had also gone through a sale of the community she’d been managing, but she lived on the west side of Phoenix and we were all confused as to why she’d make the near hour drive to our community, especially since she’d been given a pick of a few places to take over. She complained about the clubhouse, the community, the grounds, the staff…nothing was up to snuff for her, yet she’d agreed to manage a property she appeared to despise. I had to navigate various management styles with all of the prior managers I worked for, and they were all different and required different ways of doing things, but this one didn’t like anything I did, or said that the way we ran the office was wrong. I’d just had my year review and the regional manager had nothing but good things to say, so it was a confusing experience to go from getting praised to being criticized.

My second weekend under her management, I noticed that all of my leads, 100+, had been removed from my name and been moved into her name. I figured it out when someone I’d toured with the prior weekend applied, which should have been listed under me, but they weren’t. They were listed under her. Which would mean the commission would go to her. I brought it up to the regional manager, who informed me that there was no way she’d ever do such a thing–and how wrong he was. I found out later that there were others, I wasn’t the only one. And she claimed some sort of glitch in the system, which was also false–the software tracks every step taken, and in each and every lead of mine, it showed where she removed my name from the lead, then applied those leads to her. 

I sent screenshots of proof to the regional, who refused to do anything about it. If I’d known he was having an affair with her, maybe I would have saved myself the time and effort. It made more sense as to why she’d decided to take that community, considering she’d get to work under (pun intended) the man she was involved with. I knew there was no way I could keep working for such an awful person and awful company so I gave my notice. I’d already dealt with a lot of scandalous behaviors from the other managers I’d worked for, but I had to draw a line somewhere. I felt like I’d handled more than enough crap and I was DONE. It was disheartening (and still is) to see just how much the industry has changed and how ugly people can get when it comes to commissions–with the people who you are meant to rely on and have hopes to form great relationships with. 

The first of many texts by her

Melissa Amster:

I've had a variety of "horrible boss" situations over the years, but they definitely pale in comparison to my husband's first boss after we moved to Maryland. He was a horrible tyrant who would yell at someone for bringing cake to a meeting (to share with everyone) and got mad at my husband for calling to check on me when I injured my eye. He made my husband physically ill from stress to the point where he quit without anything else as a backup. He's worked for some other "interesting" people over the years, as well. (Thankfully his current boss is wonderful!) And my son currently hates his manager at his part-time job and has filed several complaints with the owner about them. Not that anyone is doing anything about it. 

So my gripes with past bosses are minor overall. There was one who belittled me and I didn't like working for her at all. I think she was happy when I moved on. Another wasn't even my direct boss, but had an impact on my stress levels and aggravation anyway. My friend (who worked directly for her) and I would call her "Devil Wears Prada." That friend quit on the spot because of how she was treated and this boss treated subsequent assistants the same way. The boss I had at my first job out of college is what Romy would refer to as a "nasty b*tch." She just didn't have it in her to be nice, like ever. I was only at that job for maybe a month. I recently saw something on Instagram that reminded me of her.

A similar situation happened when I was out with a bunch of people for dinner from my first job. The boss in question was there too. I was very picky about the food and ended up ordering a salad and maybe a soda. Everyone else ordered expensive stuff and then sprung it on me at the end that we all had to split the bill evenly. This was a new concept for me (#adulting) and I was not prepared for that at all based on how much money I brought with. The boss ended up spotting me for the rest of what I shouldn't have even had to pay and she was being totally pissy about it. 

The job I got right after leaving the evil boss was decent overall. My boss could be a real piece of work sometimes and was kind and motherly other times. My friend and I used to call the walk to her office "The Green Mile" and we'd imitate her saying "What are WE working on?". 

I have had some male bosses who weren't that great to work with, as some would micromanage or be inflexible about things. Still few and far between though. 

I'm thankful that I like who I work for now and that she makes me feel appreciated. I've learned so much and gained a lot of new experiences, as well. 

Have you had any experiences with horrible bosses?

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Book Review: The Anti-Heroes

By Melissa Amster

Once upon a time, Dr. Emily Nichols—the academic kind, not the physician kind—was an eco-crusader who was shot with water cannons, hunted by poachers, and chased by a bulldozer. Now? Action Emily lives in a bland condo with gray walls and teaches disengaged students at a university alongside a risk-allergic boyfriend, asking herself every day: How did I get here?

Then one afternoon Emily and her best friend, people-pleasing real estate agent Liv Bennett, witness an attempted robbery at their local coffee shop that is foiled by a yoga mom wielding a baby stroller. Their hero attributes her bravery to a mysterious class called Fearless, Inc. Its enigmatic and dizzyingly muscular instructor, Zeus, is now fully committed to helping Emily and Liv overcome their fears, too—one thrilling self-help lesson at a time.

Along with a ragtag group of other wimps, Emily and Liv must embrace the passionately unconventional methods of the leader to harness their powers, gain a bracing new perspective on life, act on their impulses, and be the no-holds-barred anti-heroes of their dreams. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I enjoy reading Jen Lancaster's fiction novels, and The Anti-Heroes stands out as a favorite of the ones she has written. It ranks up there with Here I Go Again and The Best of Enemies for me. It's fun and refreshing with a clever concept and quirky characters. 

I could easily sympathize with both Emily and Liv. They were both in places they didn't want to be. Emily was teaching college students about the environment when all they wanted to do was post TikToks about stuff that wasn't all that important in the grand scheme of things. Her boyfriend was annoying her to no end and making her think of the guy she lost in the past. Liv's family was taking advantage of her availability and willingness to drop all her plans for them and everyone at her work was either acting like children or stealing all her hard earned commissions. I couldn't help but want things to go right for them.

The Fearless training was unconventional but I liked seeing how it impacted their lives. No more "baked potatoes". (You'll have to read the book to see what I mean.) The other characters who were also in the training were fun to follow. B-Money was afraid of insects and just wanted to be a DJ. Michael was meticulous and also had a lot of trouble with technology. Vishnu was more of a pushover. So I wanted to see how Fearless could help them too. As a side note, I also love that the story took place in the Chicago suburbs, as most of Jen's novels do.

Stereotypes seemed larger than life for the characters who were annoying the main characters, but it was also really funny. The more difficult the character, the bigger a caricature they were. Liv's troublesome clients definitely topped the charts of how far one could go to make someone completely unbearable. 

My only concern was that the epilogue felt unnecessary and just made things confusing.

Another side note: The Fearless program made me think of a song from Mean Girls: The Musical, even though I know the title of this book is inspired by Taylor Swift.

I encourage everyone to read this novel, especially if you feel like you are in a rut and need to shake things up. It's invigorating and empowering!

Movie casting suggestions:
Liv: Christa B. Allen
Emily: Melissa Roxburgh

B-Money: Evan Ross
Zeus: John Cena
Michael: Scott Evans
Vishnu: Nikesh Patel
Miles: Nicholas Braun
Taylor: Livvy Dunne

Thanks to Amazon for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Jen Lancaster:

Twisted Sisters

Housemoms

Bitter is the New Black (non-fiction)

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Book Review: Santa Maybe

By Sara Steven

Rosie Gonzalez isn’t having a wonderful Christmas time. Not when she’s at risk of losing her job as assistant manager of the Duchess—Victoria’s oldest boutique hotel. If she and her team can’t bring in more guests by the end of December, she’ll be let go. Adding to her stress is a calendar filled with family gatherings where her mom will inevitably nag her for still being single.

Drew Richardson isn’t faring much better. As if working alongside his ex at Northlife Fitness wasn’t bad enough, now she’s invited him to her December wedding. And since all his coworkers will be there, bailing isn’t an option. To get through it, he’ll need a plus-one for moral support.

So, when Rosie recruits him to play Santa for her hotel’s activities, he also proposes a fake-dating scheme to benefit them both. Just for the holidays—nothing more. But as things between them turn from nice to naughty, they’ll have to decide whether a real relationship could be the best Christmas gift of all. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I love The Duchess Hotel book series!

The plan seems pretty simple in theory: Give others the impression that there is a budding relationship growing between Rosie, the assistant manager at a struggling hotel, and Drew, a successful fitness instructor/personal trainer. The idea doesn’t seem completely farfetched, considering Rosie has known Drew for a while–he had been her personal trainer at one point in time, so it’s not like they don’t know each other. 

But a big reason she stopped going to the gym is due to her attraction for Drew. And Drew feels the same way. Yet neither character wants a serious relationship. Rosie doesn’t know if she has time to commit to anything long-term, and Drew has recently had his heart broken in such a way that really doesn’t allow much in the way of trust. It doesn’t help that he already has a tainted view of relationships due to his familial past. So it makes perfect sense to put on their game faces and pretend for their families and friends that there is a possible happily-ever-after, even if they both know there will be an eventual ending on the horizon. What could go wrong?

The fauxmance between Rosie and Drew was pretty spectacular and provided just the right amount of burn and spice. From the get go, there is an immediate push and pull, with Rosie and Drew fighting against their urges, despite knowing what could happen if they go down “that” road. I also appreciated that both characters have more going on than just the fauxmance. Rosie is doing all she can to try to save her hotel, and Drew has a lot to consider when it comes to his future. It was nice to get both perspectives during my reading experience, to gain better insight into why Drew is so frightened of love, and why Rosie never feels as though she’s worth it.

Santa Maybe was Christmasy sugar, spice, and kind of nice, with a lot of naughty sprinkled into it, too – and it was a lot of fun! It's a well-deserved five-star experience!

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

Purchase Santa Maybe here.

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. Her books have been called “escape reads,” ideal for perusing during a beachside vacation, a long flight, or a relaxing weekend at the lake.  When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, baking, and taking long walks while listening to pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Vancouver Island, she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.

Visit Carla online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

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Book Review: Someone Like You

By Sara Steven

What do you do when you realise you've fallen for your best friend, but he sees you as the sister he never had? And to make things worse, you're stuck in the middle of a matchmaking scheme to find him someone else!

Best friends Gaby and Raff are inseparable and know each other inside out. But with Raff's string of disastrous relationships and his newfound fame as Britain’s Best Baker, it's time to enlist the Ever After Agency to help him find true love.

At first, Gaby is all in – Raff is a catch, after all. But as she secretly helps to find his perfect match, she’s hit with unexpected pangs of jealousy. And before she can act on her feelings, Raff falls for one of his dates.

Can Gaby keep her emotions in check, or will she risk ruining their friendship to find out if Raff feels the same way? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I’ve read a lot of books by this author, but this is my first foray into the Ever After Agency series, and I’m glad I took the plunge! Someone Like You really was the quintessential slow burn romance. Two people who are the best of friends but potentially destined to be more than that, really was a sweet experience. 

The old adage, “the best love stories come from a foundation of friendship,” is the eventual truth for Gaby. But she never expected she’d feel that way. I got the impression that Gaby never really settled for serious relationships, especially after having her heart broken years ago, and it was most likely an easier scenario to put her love and faith into a friendship, than to ever think beyond those limitations. Raff is the first person she thinks of when she needs someone to talk to, and she always makes sure to be there for him if he needs her. The majority of the other characters, like her close friends and family, can see this for what it really is, but the two people involved are the last to know.

Raff has a habit of falling in love easily, and quickly. Gaby knows when Raff comes up with a special nickname for someone, like how he’s monikered her as “Gabs,” it means more than just an affection for that person. It’s someone he considers seriously, and Gaby has seen that occur with a few women. But it isn’t until Raff meets Julie, or “Jules” as he refers to her, that Gaby begins to really take notice. Sometimes it takes something monumental to really hit someone over the head with truth, and that’s what happens for Gaby. So much so, that she begins to question everything. Does Raff potentially feel the same way about her, or are his sights set on Jules? And, if he’s not into Gaby romantically, can their all-important friendship survive?

Having been in a situation like this one, I could understand the pressure and restraint. The fear of ruining something so great for something that can be even greater. I felt the characters really reflected those emotions, particularly Gaby, given the story is primarily told from her perspective. It was also set within the perfect backdrop of Christmas, adding a nice romantic element. Someone Like You really is the perfect, sweet, holiday friends-to-potential lovers experience, and was a joy to read!

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

Purchase Link:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Kobo

Author Bio (in her own words):

I’m a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic, and am currently on a one-year sabbatical with my partner, Ben, living and writing across the world.

As a traveller, I love exploring new places, outdoor adventures, and eating and drinking like a local, and many of my travel adventures have found homes in my novels.

Visit Sandy online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

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Book Review: The Guncle Abroad

By Melissa Amster

(Synopsis may contain spoilers for The Guncle.)

Patrick O'Hara is called back to his guncle duties . . . This time for a big family wedding in Italy.

Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.

When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.

Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up? Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I really enjoyed The Guncle when I read it a few years ago. (Reviewed here.) I am pleased to share that The Guncle Abroad is even better than its predecessor! I laughed out loud so many times and even got misty-eyed. 

It felt like being on a virtual vacation. (Perfectly paired with watching the latest season of Emily in Paris.) And it reminded me of a trip I took to Europe, so I was extra glad that they made a stop in Venice because I love it so much there. (I wish the whole story could have been set in Venice, but it was still great no matter what.)

The story is so much fun, but also has a lot of heart. If you haven't read the first book yet, you should, but this also gives a lot of background if read as a standalone. It does contain some spoilers for the first book but it's not a high stakes issue. (You should still read the first book regardless of the order.) 

I loved the pop culture references, especially the Pretty Woman one, which I always use. (So much that when I was watching Romy and Michele with my daughter, she was saying the iconic line as soon as she saw them watching Pretty Woman.) I found it funny how similar my pop culture background is to Patrick's, minus a love for The Sound of Music on my end, even though it was used in a cute way in this novel. I could also relate about facing down fifty, as I'm getting closer to that point in my life. And now that Maisie is a teenager, I could definitely relate about trying to connect with a girl around that age. 

My only very minor concern is that the story probably could have ended before it actually did. It had a few good stopping points. However, it was still enjoyable and I was surprised by some of what happened.

If you need a lighthearted story, a good laugh, and an armchair adventure, look no further! I hope there will be a third Guncle book. Having one set during the winter holidays would be fun!

Movie casting suggestions (most are from the first book):

Patrick: Sean Maher

Greg: Reid Scott

Clara: Maggie Siff

Maisie: Sophia Reid-Gantzert

Grant: Ryder Allen 

Emory: Sean Paul Lockhart

Cassie: Emily Osment

Livia: Simona Tabasco

Palmina: Julia Fox

Thanks to Putnam for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Steven Rowley:

Lily and the Octopus

The Editor 

The Celebrants

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Hutong Heartthrobs

We're pleased to feature Hutong Heartthrobs today. If you enjoy 90 Day Fiance, you'll appreciate this book too. (Although this book is sure to charm you even if you've never watched that reality series.) Thanks to Tammy Treichel, the author, we have FIVE ebooks to give away!

Tammy is a headstrong American academic and editor and Jackie is a happy-go-lucky  Chinese migrant worker; a security guard-turned-movie actor who stands in for Jackie Chan.  They had both come to Beijing to chase their dreams, driven by a sense of adventure. It  turned out to be the same dream. Unfortunately, their path to true love doesn’t run smoothly.  

Hutong Heartthrobs is a love story that bridges social and cultural divides. These are two  people from completely different backgrounds facing cross-cultural misunderstandings and  embarrassments, but enjoying the tiny triumphs along the way. Their worlds collide and pasts  merge into a life both shared in a snug alleyway in the heart of China’s capital.

"This book has some beautiful themes that are close to my heart, about the thrill and stimulus of living in a foreign country far from home and of falling in love with someone of a different culture. " 

- Andrew Hicks, author of My Thai Girl and I

"A taste of Romeo & Juliet and Titanic as two people from opposite classes and cultures find each other. It's a story for those who are adventurous and romantically inclined, as well as those who are young in mind with a curiosity about new cultures and lifestyles. There are great insights here into life in China, and particularly into the lives of people in the movie industry and the sacrifices they make." 

- Eric Foster,  author of The Snows Friends of China

Tammy Treichel is an American with a passion for two things: China and  writing. After graduating with an award-winning PhD in English on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, she worked as a freelancer for various China-related publications. Born in  Washington, D.C., she found a second lease on life and true love in China, where she has  lived for over a decade and is working as an English editor at a local news agency in Beijing.  

Tammy greatly enjoys exploring all things China with her partner, a former security  guard-turned-actor named Jackie. They live in an old hutong (alleyway) house in a historic  part of Beijing together with three rescue cats and numerous house lizards.  

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends November 19th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Pickleballers

By Allyson Bales

Meg Bloomberg is in a pickle. When Meg’s ex turns out to be a total player, she and her bestie take off for a mood-lifting pickleball excursion to Bainbridge Island. It’s supposed to be an easy lob, a way to heal, not the opening serve to a new courtside romance that’s doomed to spin out.

No matter how Meg tries, she can’t shake her feelings for Ethan Fine. A charismatic environmental consultant and Bainbridge local, Ethan seems like the real dill. But when Meg discovers that Ethan is sabotaging her home court, she decides the match is over.

It’s time for Meg to take control of her own game. And maybe, just maybe…love will bounce back. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I haven’t gotten to play pickleball yet but after reading this story I COMPLETELY understand what all the fuss has been about! 

"Life's like pickleball," he said. "You gotta release the bad patterns and habits that are dragging you down before you can make any progress.”

This is a very sweet, enemies-to-lovers rom-com filled with punny pickleball jokes and facts, and a leading lady that you are really going to adore! 

As an art therapist, I was immediately drawn to Meg. When you meet her she’s getting dumped and smelling these cat collars but has a huge passion for painting that she’s let fall to the wayside. She’s also kind of shy and tagging along on her journey of self-discovery after divorce was really fun.  She gets into some pretty tricky situations that will sometimes make you blush and other times make you LOL. (I laughed out loud when she had a seatbelt malfunction.) The way she uses pickleball as an outlet was an entertaining storyline. You get to meet a sometimes fun, sometimes nurturing and supportive, and sometimes sassy cast of characters that really brings this story to life. 

I also enjoyed the setting of this book so much. Seattle is always a place I love to visit and Bainbridge Island is now on my bucket list. Long really makes you feel like you are there, and I loved that so much. 

The themes of hard things not defining us and taking charge of your own life really made this story for me. I found Pickleballers to be the perfectly lighthearted and thoughtful read I needed! 

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Hayleigh Sol is spicing up our autumn...plus a book giveaway

Today we are excited to introduce Hayleigh Sol! We featured the first book from her Season's Detour series a few months ago and now she is here to talk about the second book, Fall For You. She has two ebooks and a print copy to share with some lucky readers!

Hayleigh Sol’s first and most enduring love is reading. As an only child, books were her favorite form of entertainment and her earliest memories include laughing and crying over Charlotte’s Web.

Originally from Southern California, Hayleigh now lives in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. She is currently a working physician who writes whenever opportunity and inspiration strike. When not treating patients or writing, Hayleigh can be found reading (of course) or running/biking/swimming/strength training with her husband in a friendly rivalry they’ve enjoyed since their second date hike.

She loves strong female protagonists, animals and vanilla chai tea.

Visit Hayleigh online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:

A fall wedding and the maid of honor determined to save the bride from making the biggest mistake of her life.

If the sexy-as-sin best man would quit being such a tempting distraction.

When it comes to marriage, my motto has always been, just say no. And for good reason. Plenty of them, in fact.

So how the hell did I wind up as the bride’s style consultant—and maid of honor, by the way—in Silicon Valley's biggest wedding of the season?

Underneath my Grumpy Gus mask, I’m just a sucker for a friend in need. But it doesn’t mean I’m going soft. I’m definitely not about to fall for the best man’s tousled, beachy hotness...or those ocean-blue eyes that look right past my prickly exterior to my marshmallow center.

With the bride refusing to see the signs of the groom’s all too familiar shady behavior, it’s up to me to save my friend from making the same mistake I nearly did. Even if it takes some of my trademark tough love.

That means a hard pass on sexy times with the best man. Right? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

If you could tell the debut novelist version of yourself one thing, what would it be?
It's advice I've read many times from other authors myself, but: write every day, even if it's just the "nifty 350" (350 words, which only takes 15-20 minutes) because it keeps the story and characters fresh in your mind. Admittedly, I don't always follow this advice, but it is so much harder getting back into the flow when I take several days off. 

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Funny enough, it was a review for this book, Fall For You. When I wrote it, and even now, the grumpy-sunshine trope was/is wildly popular. But it seems that it's always the male lead who's grumpy. And I thought, jeez, we women have plenty of reasons to be cantankerous or untrusting, yet showing that side usually labels us as bitchy man-haters. I relished the challenge of writing a reverse-grump story and giving Bailey legitimate reasons for her view of the world, making her someone readers could identify with and love, despite her prickly bits. Reading this review from a reader who connected with a character (and story) like this was the ultimate compliment:  "I really felt close to Bailey. This book hit so many of my emotions because our lives are similar. I loved how Garrett loved her anyway. Really good book!"

If Fall For You was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
Oof, that's a toughie, since I usually close my eyes and picture every character from scratch, building out their personalities, physical traits, gestures, habits, etc. as I write and revise. If I must, I'm going to say Carey Mulligan for Bailey, especially after seeing her incredibly complex character in Promising Young Woman. I'd go with Chris Evans for Garrett, mostly for what I perceive as his laid-back, "beachy" vibe and easy smile, which may hide his real depth.

What is your favorite season?
Summer! I'm a shorts-and-flip-flops gal from way back. 

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? (Like how John McEnroe narrated Devi's life on Never Have I Ever.)
I loved McEnroe as the narrator for Devi. Who thought that up?? I'd aim high and go for Emma Thompson. So talented, and with that fantastic dry wit, she'd strike the right tone of always being able to laugh at yourself.  

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
Bass Lake, California - the setting for the first book in this series, and a place that speaks to the young and not-so young versions of me. I'd also like to take us to Pitlochry, Scotland, the setting for the last book in the series, Spring Breaking. I haven't actually visited that particular part of Scotland, but feel like it's now in my blood from all the research. Plus, Highland hairy coos! 

Thanks to Hayleigh for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends November 17th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The Wives

 

By Sara Steven

When Natasha meets Daniel, she knows her life is made. Rich, handsome and charming, Daniel will make the perfect husband. Even if she won’t make the perfect wife…

She is thrilled when Daniel suggests an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and their husbands. What better way to show everyone that Natasha has finally made it?

But as the ship sets sail, she learns that far from being the perfect husband, Daniel has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed. And each of the wives has their own reasons for wanting him dead.

This trip might cost more than any of them ever imagined… (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

At first, the assumption is that no one is a big fan of Natasha’s husband, Daniel. And given Daniel’s personality, and the fact that Natasha has seemingly changed a lot of her prior goals and interests, her wants in life in exchange for what Daniel expects from Natasha, it isn’t a surprise that her friends feel that way. But as the chapters unfold and we’re given an inside look into various characters and their perspectives, it goes a lot deeper than Natasha. Much, much deeper.

No one is innocent, and each and every character has their own hidden secret, somehow tied to Daniel. The majority of the secrets were totally unexpected, too. It was interesting to see how everyone handles their own attempts at keeping things at bay or private, despite the growing unease that everyone feels. And no one trusts one another. For Natasha, that is the biggest surprise of all–how the close-knit group of people that she has come to call her closest friends, are the ones she trusts the least. 

Everything boils until it hits a fevered frenzy, and when the plot capsizes and everyone gets what they thought they ultimately wanted, the big question is, did they really? 

The Wives was a really neat suspenseful thriller, because the reader doesn’t really know what’s coming or who to point the finger at, or if there are multiple culprits in the midst. My one tiny, tiny gripe pertains to Daniel–I feel like I wasn’t completely satisfied with his arc and it seemed a little too neat and tidy, but ultimately it was nice to see it all come to fruition for both him and the women. The Wives is a great reminder that you never really know what’s going on behind closed doors, with the facade taking center stage for everyone involved within this story.

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

Purchase Links: 
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Kobo

Valerie Keogh is the best-selling author of The Nurse. She lives in Wiltshire with her husband and a huge black cat, Fatty Arbuckle. She grew up reading Agatha Christie and initially wrote crime novels - she now writes psychological thrillers.

The Little Lies was shortlisted for the Crime Fiction Lovers Award 2021.

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Book Review: The Temporary Roomie

By Melissa Smoot

No one said fair trade needed to be “fair.”

As the owner of Honeysuckle Salon, Jessie Barnes usually has everything managed and on track, but now in her third trimester of an unexpected pregnancy, she feels a bit lost and increasingly desperate after faulty plumbing floods her apartment. Unfortunately, her knight in shining armor is actually Dr. Drew Marshall, her best friend’s brother, and he’s also the man she chewed out not too long ago for being a chauvinistic dirtbag.

Every moment Drew’s had to prove her wrong since then has failed, so Jessie’s opinion of him hasn’t improved. That remains the case when he agrees to let her stay with him during renovations, under one condition: She pretends to be his girlfriend for upcoming work festivities. For the sake of her brother, Jessie is willing to make the tough situation work, and giving Drew a taste of his own medicine sounds . . . intriguing.

But when their rivalry sparks a deeper connection, Jessie’s future becomes even more unclear—and with a baby on the way, she’ll have to make a decision soon. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have read several of Sarah Adams’ books now, and I have loved them all. This one really grabbed me and resounded with me, for some reason. I found myself getting pretty emotional when I was about three quarters of the way through it. I don’t know if it was the storyline or if it was the actual content, but it was fantastic. 

The tension between the two main characters, Jessie and Drew, was written so well and you could feel the frustration emanating off of them both throughout the story. I also love how Adams constantly makes me laugh out loud while reading her books. This one was a little different than the previous books I have read by the author, but not in a bad way at all. 

I was expecting to not relate to it as much, but I was so wrong. This is a fabulous read, and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a good laugh, and maybe even a good cry. It was a sweet story, and the characters really grew and came to life.

Thanks to Random House for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase The Temporary Roomie here.

More by Sarah Adams:
The Off-Limits Rule (reviewed here)
The Cheat Sheet
The Enemy

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Light It Up

Now that Halloween is over, we can focus even more on the upcoming winter holidays. Today we have Evie Blum's Hanukkah romance, Light It Up. It sounds like a great way to warm up the winter months and is already receiving some great reviews. Evie has one copy to share with a lucky reader!

Some old flames just can’t be extinguished.

Gabby Feinman—artist, software engineer, overachiever extraordinaire—has studied hard, worked harder, and played just enough so she’ll have no regrets when she finds and marries her Nice Jewish Boy. The profile? Smart, sexy, and lovable, the standard first set by her brother’s best friend and her teenage crush, Ben Adler.

Ben has always been just out of Gabby’s reach—spinning into her orbit, lighting up her heart, then spinning right back out again. Despite the time and distance, Ben’s long-held attraction to Gabby hasn’t faded over the years. Unfortunately, his chosen path—a PhD in biology and proving himself to his father—means a relationship with Gabby just isn’t meant to be, especially since he doesn’t believe in the staying power of love.

But one steamy New York summer, years of attraction ignite. When Ben is forced to make a life-changing decision, though, they discover that love is a fire that can burn you like no other, and sometimes, you have to lose everything to understand what you just can’t live without. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Evie Blum grew up on the beautiful Florida Gulf Coast, and after finishing her bachelor’s degree, she decided to explore the world and move to Israel, where she lived for almost a decade. While there, she earned a master’s degree in political science, worked in academia, founded her own translation and editing business, and married a pretty awesome guy. 

Their path led them to the San Francisco Bay Area, and Evie found her way into the world of high-tech. She has helped found and grow a hardware startup, been part of a successful software startup exit, and participated in an IPO.

After reading approximately a million romance novels during the COVID-19 pandemic, she tried her hand at writing contemporary romance. She published the first novel of her Startup Love series, Ship It, in 2022 and followed it up with a sequel, Pitch It, in 2023.  

Pivoting a bit with Light It Up, she set out to write a fun and endearing Jewish romance novel that expressed the beauty and meaningfulness of the Jewish experience with the hope that both Jewish and non-Jewish readers could connect to and enjoy it. 

Evie’s a friendly, always-supporting-bookish-endeavors kind of gal, so make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok or visit her website.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends November 12th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Lost and Lassoed

 

By Allyson Bales

Teddy Andersen doesn’t have a plan. She’s never needed one before. She’s always been more of a go-with-the-flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn’t seem to be going her way this time.

Her favorite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it’s starting to change. Teddy is used to being a leader, but now she feels like she’s getting left behind, wondering if life in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore.

Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn’t know what’s harder: taking care of his family’s 8,000 acre ranch, or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he has to admit that he can’t manage everything on his own. He needs help.

His little sister’s best friend, the woman he can’t stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy’s the only option he’s got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he’ll never find what he needs.

Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether they should act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Oh to be back in Rebel Blue again with this wonderful cast of characters!

Lost and Lassoed is the third book in the Blue Ranch Series and if you haven’t read the other two I highly, highly suggest you stop reading this review and go read them IMMEDIATELY!

Lyla was right.  The minute I met Teddy and Gus I wanted to read their story and boy did she deliver!  This is my favorite book of the series so far!

This cowboy romance is filled with an angsty yet tenderhearted enemies to lovers story set in a small town with spiky and funny banter with family dynamics that are going to melt your heart.  Also the spice is perfection!   Gus may be my favorite leading man.  He is a hard working cowboy who carries the weight of the needs of those he loves on his shoulders.  He and Teddy do not get along and I really, really loved her too.  Teddy is also always worrying and taking care of those she loves and is so spunky!  I love all the character development we get with these two and really, really love Teddy’s artist heart.  She has so many crafty ideas that I want to steal!  It was so fun to be along for their journey.  I love what they bring out in one another and the way they care for each other.

I love a good character return and you get to see how so many of the characters from previous books are doing!  I also really loved the exploration of the father daughter dynamic.  Lyla talks about how this transformed in the Author’s Note at the end and I really enjoyed finding that out.

I did not see that ending coming and I hope we get to return to Rebel Blue!  

Also, I did an immersive read with this one and if you can, I highly HIGHLY suggest the audio! The way Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor bring this story to life is something else.   

Thanks to Random House for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Lyla Sage:
Done and Dusted
Swift and Saddled (reviewed here)
Wild and Wrangled

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