Reviews at Amazon--September/October 2024

We're posting some reviews at our Amazon (or Goodreads) accounts, as either they've been sitting in our queue for a while and deserve their time in the sun, fall under our featuring policy, or they're new reads that we couldn't wait to post at the blog. You can check them out at the links below. Hope we can help you find your next favorite book!

Sara Steven:

Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin

Melissa Amster:
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

Let's Pretend This Will Work by Maddie Dawson

A House Like an Accordion by Audrey Burges

Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner

One More Seat at the Round Table by Susan Dormady Eisenberg

Humor Me by Cat Shook

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

We Could Be Heroes by Philip Ellis
What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda

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Marilyn Simon Rothstein's Halloween treat...plus a book giveaway

Happy Halloween! 🎃 We are thrilled to have Marilyn Simon Rothstein at CLC today to celebrate with us. (No tricks, only treats!) Her latest novel, Who Loves You Best, released earlier this month and is receiving a lot of great buzz. Thanks to Marilyn, we have a couple of ebooks and a print copy to share with some lucky readers!

Marilyn Simon Rothstein is the author of four novels, WHO LOVES YOU BEST, CRAZY TO LEAVE YOU, HUSBANDS AND OTHER SHARP OBJETS,  LIFT AND SEPARATE. She grew up in New York City, earned a degree in journalism from NYU, began her writing career at Seventeen magazine, married a man she met in an elevator and owned an award-winning advertising agency for more than twenty-five years. Marilyn is an engaging speaker who has addressed thousands of avid readers--from Dallas to Atlanta to Miami to Memphis. Invite her to entertain at your literary event. (Bio courtesy of Marilyn's website.)

Visit Marilyn online:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:

For Jodi Wexler, a Florida doctor with a flourishing practice, only one thing’s missing: the chance to spend more time getting to know her eight-year-old granddaughter, Macallan.

When Jodi’s restauranteur daughter asks her to watch Macallan in the Berkshires while she takes care of some business out of town, Jodi can’t say yes fast enough. Neither Jodi’s podiatric patients nor her just-fired, suddenly retired husband can keep her away. But when Jodi arrives, she discovers she’s not the only grandma at Lisa’s house. Lisa’s mother-in-law, Di—a hard-nosed real estate agent—has moved into the house. What’s more, there’s Grannie Annie, the twenty-seven-year-old girlfriend of Lisa’s oddball father-in-law. They’re not the only surprises. Lisa’s marriage is faltering even as her new restaurant is taking off.

As the competition for Macallan’s attention among the three “grandmas” increases, Lisa drops a bomb about her life that changes everything. Under pressure, and determined to help her daughter, Jodi must choose her next step. Her decision surprises everyone—Jodi, most of all. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

“Nobody conveys the heart, the dysfunction, and the humor of family life like Marilyn Simon Rothstein. Who Loves You Best is a smart, hilarious novel with a charming New England setting, a narrator you’ll never forget, and an ending so pitch-perfect, it will have you cheering along.” 

—Amy Poeppel, bestselling author of The Sweet Spot

“Marilyn Simon Rothstein is back with her trademark wit and humor in Who Loves You Best, a fun, fast read about family dynamics, marriage, and ‘grandma-hood.’ I found the story a true delight. Laughter guaranteed!” 

—Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Find Me in California

“If you don’t laugh while reading Marilyn Simon Rothstein, you’re dead inside.” 

—Kristan Higgins, author of Look on the Bright Side

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
My favorite compliment is when a reader tells me she was laughing while reading Who Loves You Best in bed and her husband became so annoyed with the chuckling he left to sleep in a quiet room. I’m married 48 years. I must try that.

What would you tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
You did it! Now think of all the time you will save because you no longer need to worry about never being published.

If Who Loves You Best was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
Although there is no role for an 89-year-old man in any of my books, I would cast Robert Redford, my favorite actor ever.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?
My favorite Halloween candy is Milky Way, but I hand out full-size bags of something sweet ‘n sour to kids. I love to assure myself I won’t eat all of the candy before the trick or treaters arrive at my door.

Share a funny Halloween memory.

My new book, Who Loves You Best, takes place in the fall in the Berkshires. There’s a funny Halloween scene: Grandma Jodi and Grannie Annie take eight-year-old Macallan trick or treating and the third grandma stays home to dispense candy but she is too disinterested to open the door.  It’s not a memory. I made it up! 

What is your favorite Halloween costume that you've worn?
Back in the stone age, my husband and I went to a Halloween party. I was a devil in red and he was Miss Jones in an evening gown. I had worn the baby blue gown in a bridal party, and it had a lot of feathers. Who says you can never reuse a bridesmaid dress?

Thanks to Marilyn for visiting 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 5th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Considering Us

By Sara Steven

After an affair with a client's husband leads to scandal, private chef Devon Paige is left with only one client in Boston -a reclusive professional basketball player with a craving for cookies. With no other choice, Devon lands on the doorstep of Rockwood, a boarding school on the New Hampshire seacoast, taking a job leading their dining services. She is shocked to soon discover Kyle Holling on staff, who she hasn't seen in over fifteen years since a memorable night just before departing for college in different cities. Devon and Kyle must determine what their relationship looks like years later, all while dodging the cameras of an underground newspaper, dealing with the installation of a controversial campus sculpture, and grappling with the arrival of Devon's former lover's daughter as a newly-enrolled student.

When Devon meets a handsome paramedic named Heath, she ditches the possibility of romance with Kyle in favor of what appears to be a more straightforward relationship. But a trip to Los Angeles to keep her client well-fed ahead of his basketball game threatens to upend everything, forcing Devon to finally answer the one question she has been avoiding: Is fifteen years too late to rekindle a one-night stand? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

This is my first reading experience with this author, and it won’t be my last! I love books with characters who are belovedly flawed, and that is Devon all over. There is the understanding that while Devon doesn’t support a lifestyle of scandal and affairs, she has found herself amidst that very thing with her client’s husband, and the reader knows from the get go that while Devon is successful and enjoys what she does for a living, there is something missing from her life that has led her down a path she wouldn’t ordinarily take. 

Armed with only one loyal client, she lands a job as the head cook in a boarding school kitchen, an occupation she’s never done and never really saw herself doing. It was fun to see her switch gears and go for something completely outside of herself, because that type of experience lends into character growth, and I saw a lot of that within Considering Us. Digging deeper into her past and how she was raised, by getting to meet her parents–one who has been very supportive, but the other has never let Devon feel good enough, not ever–along with Kyle, a former flame of hers who has felt like a lost opportunity, I felt like I learned so much about Devon and why she is the way she is, and how important her new job is to her. She has an opportunity to shape young minds while trying to figure out where she stands with Kyle, and how he could potentially fit into her life. 

I loved the dialogue between everyone, particularly when Devon talks with Kyle. There is witty back-and-forth banter that made the experience fun, and I could feel the connection between them, and the camaraderie of their shared history. Heath reminded me of Chris Klein’s Dusty Dinkleman, from the movie Just Friends. It’s one of my favorite rom-coms, and I could totally see this overly sweet, seemingly perfect person–and they even share the same profession! And while Heath isn’t as much of a jerk as Dusty turns out to be, it seems everyone, including Devon’s friends and relatives, feels some type of way about Heath. He could be the safe choice–but who wants to play it safe?

I really enjoyed Considering Us. It was fun, and it was sweet. And I loved the connections–Devon and Kyle, Devon and her one loyal client (an epic scene between the two of them brought me to tears), and the friendship connections Devon makes along the way with some unexpected characters. It really was a joy to read, making it a five-star experience for me!

Thanks to Jenn Bouchard for the book in exchange for an honest review. Considering Us will be available in February.

Also by Jenn Bouchard: First Course

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Emily Bleeker is lighting the scene...plus a book giveaway

We are pleased to have Emily Bleeker back at CLC today to feature her latest novel, When We Chased the Light, which was published last week. This is a follow-up to When We Were Enemies (featured here), but can be read on its own. However, there may be spoilers for the first book. Thanks to Kaye Publicity, we have a set of both books to give away!

Emily Bleeker is the bestselling author of seven novels. Combined, her books have reached more than two million readers. She is a two-time Whitney Award finalist as well as being on the Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. 

Emily lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband, their kids, and her kitten-muse, Hazel. Along with writing and being a mom, she performs with a local improv troupe, sings karaoke like no one is watching, and embraces her newfound addiction to running. 

Visit Emily online:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:

A Hollywood legend. A legacy of secrets. An epic and emotional novel about forgiveness, fame, family, and truly unconditional love by the bestselling author of When We Were Enemies.

Christie’s auction house, Beverly Hills. The effects of Hollywood icon Vivian Snow are up for bid. In the collection is a set of hand-drawn postcards spanning six decades. The sender is Antonio Trombello, a soldier, POW, priest, and Vivian’s confidant. Each one sheds new light on a deeply private woman the public only thinks it knows.

It’s World War II. Vivian is a USO showgirl traveling the world when her husband goes AWOL, disappears, and is presumed dead. Facing increasing suspicion, she leans on her dear friend Father Trombello for support. He’s her confessor, her savior, the elusive love of her life, and when it comes to her husband’s death, the keeper of Vivian’s secrets.

As Vivian rises from canteen dream girl to starlet to bona fide legend, she navigates the highs and lows of Hollywood, new romances, and tumultuous family relationships—all in the shadow of her past and the guilt, unmet longing, and buried truths that can still upend the lives of everyone she loves.

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
A mom reached out to me after her daughter had passed away from a long cancer battle and she told me that my books were a much needed escape for the many hours she spent in the hospital leading up to her passing. I was touched to know my characters could play such an important part in a stranger’s story and confirmed one of my favorite Stephen King quotes from On Writing: “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”  

If you could tell the debut novelist version of yourself one thing, what would it be?
Learn what your inner voice sounds like then listen to it. I know you’re not used to trusting yourself, but this will help you in so many aspects of your life and career. Some of the biggest and hardest things in your life are still ahead of you. You got this, kid. 

If When We Chased the Light were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?

1. "We’ll Meet Again", Vera Lynn
2. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Judy Garland
3. "Old Hollywood Vibes", Tana Harper Rose
4. "Bad Romance", Lady Gaga
5. "Just Like a Pill", P!nk
6. "I Say a Little Prayer", Aretha Franklin
7. "Wildest Dreams", Taylor Swift
8. "The Lonely", Christina Perri
9. "Lucky", Britney Spears
10. "Paranoid", Black Sabbath
11. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Simon and Garfunkel
12. "Circle Game", Joni Mitchell
13. "Take a Bow", Madonna

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Dearest by Jacquie Walters – a horror novel about motherhood that had me locked in from page one!

What is your most memorable Halloween costume?
My mom made me and my siblings perfect replicas of the Star Trek uniforms (one red, one yellow and one blue) even ordering metal ComBadge pins so realistic that I was horribly disappointed they didn’t actually work. Yeah. I was THAT cool. 

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Ewan McGregor (but only if he sings at least half of it a la Moulin Rouge).

Thanks to Emily for chatting with us and to Kaye Publicity for sharing her books 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 3rd at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Love Story

By Melissa Smoot

She’s a small-town schoolteacher.

He’s a hotshot marketing director.

Together, it’s hate at first sight.

Sophie Taylor has a secret and Joe Walsh thinks he knows it (all). He’s devilishly handsome, incredibly hot – and far too sure of himself.

Unfortunately, Sophie desperately needs his help. She has lost her laptop – and her sequel to the sensational, spicy romance that everybody’s talking about.

Because Sophie is not just hiding something small. She is Este Cox, the mysterious romance author the entire world is desperate to unmask.

When a trip to Sophie’s hometown leads to the disgruntled pair sharing a one-bed cottage, it’s a short step to sharing a whole lot more besides… Can Sophie trust Joe with the truth – and be herself? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have said this before, and I will say it again…I love all of Lindsey’s books. I have read every single one and I am never disappointed. Has a way of always making the main character smart, funny, silly, and totally relatable. 

This story was particularly fun because she wrote about an author who wants to stay hidden from the fame that her incredible debut novel has amassed. Not only is her editor, Mel, her Godfather, but he is also keeping Sophie’s secret for her. 

When Sophie is introduced to a colleague of her Godfather’s named Joe, who he bitterly dislikes, things take a very interesting turn. Should Sophie heed the warnings she has gotten from Mel about Joe? 

I was not expecting to go on such an adventure, but I loved it. I always marvel at how hilariously laugh-out-loud Kelk’s books are and this one is no exception.

Thanks to HarperCollins for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Love Story here.

More by Lindsey Kelk:

The Christmas Wish

On a Night Like This

One in a Million

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Book Review: A Pirate's Life for Tea

By Allyson Bales

"You asked for this, Rain. Let's go capture a pirate."

While searching for stolen dragon eggs, newly engaged couple Kianthe and Reyna find themselves smack-dab in the middle of a swashbuckling love story.

On one side is Serina, a failed farmer turned river pirate. Her booty? Wheat, grains, and the occasional jar of imported tea leaves. It's quite the embarrassment to Diarn Arlon, the powerful lord of the Nacean River, and he'll conscript anyone to bring her to justice. Especially Kianthe, the elemental mage who just crashed his party, and her somewhat-scary fiancée.

Begrudgingly, the couple joins forces with Bobbie, one of Arlon's constables--who happens to be Serina's childhood friend. Bobbie is determined to capture the pirate before anyone else, but it would be a lot easier if Serina didn't absolutely loathe her now.

As Kianthe and Reyna watch this relation-shipwreck from afar, it quickly becomes apparent that these disaster lesbians need all the help they can get. Luckily, matchmaking is Reyna's favorite past time. The dragon eggs may have to wait. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"To the people who gave me one-star reviews because the first book 'had lesbians.' I doubled the lesbians in this one. Just for you."

I mean is there not a more perfect dedication? 😂 I think not!

If you have not seen this book in person, you are really missing out.  It has the most beautiful orange sprayed edges and opening artwork that is to die for.  I will treasure my copy of this book forever and it will be on my favorites shelf for life not just because of how beautiful the book is but also the story.

I really, really enjoyed Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and couldn’t wait to be back together with Reyna amd Kianthe.  If you haven’t read book one in the series yet, I highly recommend you do and then come back and finish reading this review!

I think this is one that you are really going to want to go into blind.  Just look at the cover and then the beautiful art and know that you are heading to sea with a dynamic duo you will love that are going to set the scene of the perfect cozy, lovey pirate mystery! Like the first book, the story is very character driven (which is my favorite) with low stakes and swoony moments.  

“Your opinion of yourself is the only one that matters.”

I am so excited for you to meet some new characters, Bobbie being my favorite, well, also Ponder.  You will understand when you meet Ponder too!

This adventure was so fun to be a part of and I CAN’T wait to read the next book in the series! 

Thanks to Tor for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase A Pirate's Life for Tea here.

Also by Rebecca Thorne:
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea
Tea You at the Altar
The Day Death Stopped

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Perfect Fit

We are pleased to feature Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore, which will be available next week. This is Clare's sophomore novel and it sounds really entertaining! We are loving the cover too. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy to give away!

A hilarious and heartfelt rom-com about having it all, slowing down to see the big picture, and finding out that the person you least expect could be your perfect fit.

Josephine Davis has spent her entire twenties building Revenant: a fashion brand headquartered in downtown Austin. When her biggest investor orders Josie to hire a consultant, the last person she expects to be working with is Will Grant – the twin brother of Josie’s ex best friend.

Sure, Will and Josie may have shared one mistake of a kiss during senior spring break nine years ago, but they’ve never been friends. She remembers him as moody; he always thought of her as shallow. Romance isn’t on the table for either of them until they blink, and realize there’s a reason they can’t stay away from each other.

But there’s Will’s sister to consider – whom Josie hasn’t spoken with since their falling out – not to mention, Will and Josie live seventeen hundred miles apart. And it’s not like she has time for a boyfriend anyway when she’s an overworked CEO. As Josie’s burnout looms while she falls deeper and harder for Will, she contends with the fact that eventually, she’ll have to make a choice: stay alone to be productive, or slow down to be in love.

"Gilmore explores the complexities of finding love while simultaneously finding yourself. As her protagonist battles the corporate grind and strives to discover who she is outside of what she does, she falls headfirst into an unexpected romance that’s supportive, sexy, and deeply authentic. Most importantly, she reminds us that true love means showing up for the people who matter."
––Lindsay Hameroff, author of Till There Was You

"Perfect Fit is a sweetly effervescent book about love and friendship, the challenges of finding your place in the world, and the joy of staying true to yourself. Will and Josie had me charmed from page one!"
–– Jenna Levine, author of My Roommate Is a Vampire

Credit: Kelsey Shea Photography

A Nashville native, Clare Gilmore studied Supply Chain Management and English Literature (a perfect combination) at the University of Tennessee. She is currently a resident of Tennessee daylighting as a corporate analyst. She is also the author of Love Interest. Visit Clare at her website, Instagram, and TikTok.

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 October 29th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Party Favors

By Melissa Amster

For as long as she can remember, Everly Aprile has been obsessed with the Monterran royals, especially Queen Kat: elegant, self-possessed, and living a fairy-tale romance. As for Everly, her career as an event planner has stalled—and so has her love life. Then a wealthy new client wants a sweet-sixteen party that’s fit for an American princess. Practicing her “What Would Kat Do” mantra, Everly offers to bring it to life by immersing herself in everything Monterra.

Call it intervento divino when she meets dizzyingly handsome and charismatic Max Colby, who’s relocated stateside from the Monterran kingdom of her dreams. If Everly promises to be his New York City guide, he’ll teach her the customs and culture of Monterra so her party gets a boost of authenticity. Deal. As their friendship grows, Everly starts falling—but for what? Another unattainable obsession? Max is such a dreamboat that surely he sees her as just a friend.

Her royal to-do list is in order. She’s revamping her life and learning to believe in herself. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for fate to bring Everly her happily ever after after all. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have to admit that as much as I enjoy Sariah Wilson's novels, the premise of this one had me hesitating at first. I am not into royalty stuff or following the Royal Family or anything along those lines and I was worried that this novel was going to primarily focus on that. However, the cover is adorable and Sariah knows how to write a great romance, so I figured I'd try it out after all. I'm so glad I was wrong about what I was getting from the synopsis, because I really enjoyed this novel!

I loved the premise and characters. Max is my new book boyfriend. Soooo swoonworthy! Everly's best friend Vella reminded me of Meghan from Felicity. (I also thought of Heather from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend because the actress's name is Vella.) I actually found myself gasping out loud at times and then I ended up telling my teenage daughter what was going on because some things were so surprising (and sometimes wild) or I would get angry about something a character did. I didn't even mind the royalty references and ended up looking up the books Sariah wrote about these characters afterward. 

I had a hard time putting this book down and read the majority of it in one day. Definitely a winner!

Movie casting suggestions:
Everly: Madison Lintz
Vella: Liza Soberano
Max: Jonah Hauer-King
Adrian: Ronen Rubinstein

Thanks to Sariah Wilson for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Party Favors here.

More by Sariah Wilson:

The Seat Filler

Cinder-Nanny

The Hollywood Jinx

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Spotlight and Giveaway: A Winter Wish

Today we are excited to feature A Winter Wish by Emily Stone! It just released last week and it's perfect for getting into a winter holiday mood. Allyson is excited to read this one soon. Thanks to Random House, we have one copy to give away!

When an unexpected inheritance forces two total opposites to work together, Lexie must decide if Theo is going to push her out—or pull her in for the kiss of a lifetime—in this heartwarming holiday novel from the author of Always, in December and One Last Gift.

When Lexie learns of her father’s death, she doesn’t know how to feel; they’ve barely spoken in the last ten years. And she’s even more confused when she discovers he’s left her half of his holiday travel company, a successful niche business specializing in trips that explore the holiday traditions of cultures all over the world.

Meanwhile, the other half of the company has been left to her father’s handsome but bad-tempered young executive, Theo. And the will stipulates that the two of them must find a way to run the company together for a year before they decide its fate.

Lexie intends to leave once the year is over, even though, as a wanderer herself, she finds the company’s mission more compelling than she first thought. And a work trip to sizzling Spain reveals a chemistry between Lexie and Theo that is impossible to deny.

There may have been some snap judgments made about each other. But mixing business and pleasure isn’t always a good idea.

Emily Stone is the author of Always, in December, One Last Gift, and Love, Holly. She lives and works in the UK and wrote her first novel in an old Victorian manor house with an impressive literary heritage. Visit Emily on Twitter and Instagram.

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 October 27th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Fang Fiction

By Allyson Bales

She’s out for adventure. He’s out for blood.

Tess Rosenbloom is no stranger to the dark. An assault survivor and grad school dropout, Tess spends her nights managing a chic Brooklyn hotel and her days reading her favorite vampire novels, Blood Feud. She even dabbles in online conspiracies claiming Blood Feud is real—it’s fun to hunt for clues! But deep down, Tess doesn’t believe vampires actually exist . . . until one walks through her door. 

It turns out the sexy villain of Blood Feud is trapped, and only Tess can rescue him. Eager to escape her life, Tess agrees to help, and soon she’s on a secret island where the sun never shines, surrounded by deadly vampires—and most terrifying of all, she's falling in love with one of them. (Meanwhile, back in New York, Tess’s estranged best friend is having a sapphic paranormal affair of her own.)

Visiting the world of your favorite story is any fan’s dream, but can Tess outrun the demons of her past (and vampires of her present) before it becomes a nightmare? In this darkly glamorous rom-com, Tess will find out if it’s worth risking her neck—and her heart—for a chance to reclaim her future. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

So I was a HUGE Twilight fan. I read the first one and was immediately enamored with the Cullens. I remember standing in line to get Breaking Dawn on publication day and have watched the movie at least twenty times. I love the scene where Bella Swan and Edward lock eyes in the parking lot on an overcast rainy day. I can close my eyes and picture the whole scene, that’s how much I’ve watched it. I think if I could live in the world of those books for a day I would probably squeal with excitement. For it to be confirmed that vampires are real and hang out with Alice and Rosalie?! Sign. Me. Up.

The premise of Fang Fiction is just that. Tess gets to enter the world of the book Blood Feud and it really is everything you can imagine. This book was highly entertaining and the perfect one to read during Halloween season. 

Kate Stayman-London is so much fun. I read her first book One to Watch and this story has some of that same flavor with a strong female lead, really really fun supporting characters and a storyline that keeps you guessing, swooning, and very charmed and amused. 

"But if you want something in this life, you have to sack up and be vulnerable and fucking go for it. So quit whining and do it already, okay?"

One thing that really makes a story for me is the tenacity of the main character and Tess is definitely on my favorites list now. She’s gone through some hardship.  You’ll know right away what that is and I love that Stayman-London gives you that heads up in her thoughtful Author’s Note. Before reading I highly suggest you read it. 

Tess is stubbornly determined and fierce but also vulnerable and searching for and needing things we all search and need at times. 

I really loved that you get to read her point of view, and also some of the other characters.  

Her bravery and watching her step into her own was so inspiring and fun! I also really loved Tess’ friendship with Joni and you are going to love what happens with Tess and Callum! 

I don’t want to give too much away but this story has magic, a really cool bar I wish I could visit, some mystery and intrigue, and a great ending! 

This is a book I wish I could step into and I think you’ll want to, as well! 

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

Also by Kate Stayman-London: One to Watch

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Book Review: The Cottage by the Sea

By Sara Steven

Two years ago, my whole world was ripped apart when my husband and best friend were killed in a car accident in Norfolk. Since then, I've struggled to come to terms with my overwhelming grief and to understand why they were together in Charlie’s car that fateful day.

I know I can’t carry on with my reclusive lifestyle, hiding away, alone in this big house. I have to find a way to start living again.

Following a friend’s advice, I sign up to a reputable dating site, IntoYou. She tells me it’s the perfect way to meet someone, and when I quickly get a match, I believe she is right. I am surprised how easy this is.

But it seems I have a lot to learn. Anyone can hide behind a computer screen, using the sinister mask of anonymity. It seems by exposing myself I've attracted the wrong kind of attention.

Strange things start to happen in my life and shocking secrets come to light. Evil is watching me and it is connected to my past.

Will I see the danger before it’s too late? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

It’s another thrilling read by Keri Beevis!

With a title like The Cottage by the Sea, one might get the impression that the story is sweet and docile, but it’s anything but. Still reeling from her husband’s death, Harper decides to take baby steps towards finding love again by creating an online dating profile, opening a door to a past that even she is unaware of. The home she’s lived in that had once been a much-needed sanctuary for her while grieving, turns into a nightmare when random strange events occur; loud noises in the night. Items that have been moved or are missing. Knocking at her front door that ends up being some sort of masked individual that is caught on camera, with no concrete way of knowing who the perpetrator might be. 

She has her suspicions who might be stirring up trouble for her, based on some pretty bad dates that have ended poorly, but even I wasn’t fully prepared for the truth behind it all. For Harper, it really has her questioning some of the closest ties she has in her life, ultimately unsure of who can be trusted and who will go to great lengths to do her harm at all cost. 

The writing style is so suspenseful! The descriptions offered up from Harper while she is alone inside of her isolated home are some of the most chilling, particularly when she has to open a door to the outside world and the reader wonders what might happen to her. It reminded me of the old scary stories or movies where internally, or sometimes out loud, we say to ourselves, “Don’t go out there!” Or “Don’t go in there,” even though the protagonist always does, and there will always be some sort of gruesome fallout. It gets to where the characters who I felt could be safe zones for Harper might not be so safe after all, and the people I was most suspicious of could be the ones who are there for all the right reasons. 

The Cottage by the Sea provided me with a nail-biting sleepless night, because there was no way I could put the book down and return to it, not without knowing the outcome for Harper. That’s when you know you have the best kind of psychological thriller on your hands, making this a must-read five-star experience!

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

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Kobo

Keri Beevis is the internationally bestselling author of several psychological thrillers and romantic suspense mysteries, including the very successful Dying to Tell. She sets many of her books in the county of Norfolk, where she was born and still lives and which provides much of her inspiration.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Catch and Keep

We are pleased to feature Erin Hahn's latest rom-com, Catch and Keep, which is now available. We are loving the autumn aesthetic on the cover, and what's inside sounds really good too. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have THREE copies to give away!

In Erin Hahn's latest cozy, swoony romance, Maren Laughlin has been fishing her whole life, but she’s finally ready to be caught.

At thirty-three, Maren Laughlin's just turned down her boyfriend’s proposal, walked away from her decade-long position as a park ranger, and returned to her childhood playground in Northern Wisconsin to accept her inheritance: a decrepit waterfront bait shop. After a lifetime of letting things happen to her, she’s ready to start making her own moves, even if everyone else thinks she’s making the wrong ones. Well, not everyone—at least the local heartstopper and resort owner is on her side.

Josiah Cole has made some missteps in his life, but he’s proud of what he has: two awesome kids and the keys to the kind of getaway spot that has families coming back every summer– their up north home away from home. After his marriage dissolved, leaving him a single dad, he feels he’s the last person to judge Maren for her recent transformation (even if his best friend, her brother, wants him to feel otherwise). Besides, he genuinely likes having her around. She’s a breath of fresh air, his kids adore her (not to mention her dog, Rogers), and it doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful.

Things between Maren and Joe are easy. So easy, they’re fully immersed in the middle before they even decide to begin. It’s not a question of should they, but rather can they make it last? Are things too easy, or is this just how real love works? In Erin Hahn’s heartwarmingly sexy Catch and Keep, Maren and Joe have to be brave enough to find out.

"In Catch and Keep, Erin Hahn has crafted a friends-to-lovers romance that's magically both hot and wholesome. The Northwoods setting is so vividly atmospheric, you can almost smell the woodsmoke and hear the lake skimming the shoreline, and the supporting cast utterly charms. It's about showing up, paying attention, and holding on tight when the right one catches you. Cozy, sexy, and so very satisfying...this one's a keeper." 
-- Jen Devon, author of Right Where We Left Us

Erin Hahn is the author of the young adult novels You'd Be Mine, More Than Maybe, and Never Saw You Coming, as well as the adult romances Built to Last and Friends Don't Fall in Love. Romance is her vibe, grunge is her soundtrack and fall is her signature color. She fell for her flannel-clad college sweetheart the very first day of school and together, they have two hilarious kids who keep her humble. She lives outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn't.

Visit Erin at her website and on Instagram.

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 October 22nd at midnight EST.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Some of Their Favorite Books

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 sharing our top 10 books from the last 30 years. We were inspired by a blog post Jennifer Weiner wrote a while ago, but decided to extend the amount of time.

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. 

Melissa Amster:

It is so difficult in general to narrow down all the books I love into a top 10 list. It doesn't mean I don't love all the books I've highly rated over the years. These are just some that really stand out for me and I still think about often. I just have to go into this without deliberating too much. I decided to extend to thirty years to encompass books that may not have fit into the past twenty-four. So....here goes!

1. I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb: While She's Come Undone is one of my all-time favorites, it is outside of the 30 years. I loved IKTMIT just as much and read all 900 pages in a week, during finals at college. It was just so hard to put down. I loved the stories within the story, as well. 

2. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden: I loved everything about this novel. It was so fascinating and captivating the entire time. Arthur Golden gets into a woman's head the same way Wally Lamb did for She's Come Undone.

3. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding: My first real foray into "chick lit". I was reading this one while waiting for a class to start and got looks from people for laughing out loud. I couldn't help it though! 

4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: My review says it all!

5. 11/22/63 by Stephen King: I wrote a lengthy review about how much I loved this one.

6. The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain: Such a heartfelt and haunting story. Different from Diane's usual fare but so compelling. Reviewed here.

7. Invisible Ellen by Shari Shattuck: I gave this book a hug ten years ago and it was more than warranted. Reviewed here. (A picture of the hug is in the review.)

8. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus: A more recent read that I still think about often. The TV series was almost as good. Reviewed here.

9. The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel: I love surreal stories and this one is top of my list. I also appreciate that hearing loss was included. It's one of those books where I'm jealous of anyone who gets to read it for the first time. Reviewed here.

10. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: See my review to find out why this middle grade novel is included in my top 10.

Sara Steven:

Narrowing down my favorite books to ten was a difficult task for me. I have roughly 47 pages to my Goodreads account, the majority of them filled with the many books I’ve read for CLC, along with the books I’ve read on my own, or that I’ve picked up along the way since childhood. I’m sure there are plenty of books that are missing from the list. 

Thirty years ago, I’d discovered Stephen King and made it my mission to read everything he’d ever written–I took a brief break when The Dark Tower series came out, and in recent years it’s been even more sporadic, but he’s still my go-to author. The one who opened a world for me that led to other genres, like fantasy, and science fiction, which is why The Stand is number one on my list.   

1. Stephen King: The Stand 

The book is over 1000 pages in length, yet despite that, I could not put it down once I opened my borrowed library copy and dug in. I holed up in my bedroom and only escaped for bathroom pit stops, and even that was few and far between. Stu Redman; Mother Abigail; Nadine Cross; Randall Flagg, otherwise known as the Man in Black or the Walking Dude. Every single character captured me. The roving cornfields of Nebraska and the bright lights of Las Vegas, the pristine backdrop of Colorado are still scenes from the novel that I remember today, because they are places visited within the pages of the story and since then, in my own adulthood.

2. V.C. Andrews: Flowers in the Attic

The Dollanganger series is one I go back to every once in a while, even as an adult. It never fails; if I end up in a library, I look for Flowers in the Attic. Along with my King obsession, V.C. Andrews provided me with a way to read something that went far beyond my own experiences. 

3. Ray Bradbury: The Veldt 

The Veldt was assigned reading in high school, but it’s a story that has stuck with me, particularly now with the modern age we live in. I know there are more popular stories by Bradbury, like Fahrenheit 451, but The Veldt was the one that chilled me the most.

 

4. Kim Harrison: Dead Witch Walking

Harrison introduced me to a world of mythical creatures who are more than real, spanning out the Hollows series with its central character, Rachel Morgan, a witch who has a major attitude and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Not a demon. A vampire. A werewolf. Or pixie.

5. M.R. Carey: The Girl with All the Gifts

This is a book my husband recommended, and I’m really glad he did. It’s a bit of a horror story that really isn’t horror at all–we learn that amidst the evil there is beauty in being different. And the girl who is to be feared ends up not being the one who is the most fearful. A movie was based off the book in 2016, but I can tell you, the book is way better than the movie.

6. Kresley Cole: Poison Princess  

The Arcana Chronicles is another series I really enjoyed. The books are based on Major Arcana, and the characters discover after an apocalyptic event that they themselves are actually the Arcana, left behind to save the world. 

7. Tia Williams: Seven Days in June

Seven days? More like one day. That’s how long it took for me to read the book, because I couldn’t put it down. I was riveted by Eva and Shane, and there are plenty of hot and heated moments that really draw a reader to the characters. Reviewed here.

8. Catherine Adel West: The Two Lives of Sara

I didn’t pick this just for name alone–I picked it because the writing style is raw, and edgy. Sara is true to view and tells it like she sees it, a trait I wish this Sara (me, personally) could pick up on sometimes, in my own life. Reviewed here.

9. Talia Carner: The Boy with the Star Tattoo 

The way all of the characters are woven together so intricately to perfection is a true testament to the writing behind this story. Plus, it was an emotional experience based on real-life events. Reviewed here.

10. Audrey Lee: The Mechanics of Memory

Mechanics combines the best of everything I love most in a good book: Science fiction. Fantasy. Romance. All bottled up inside a psychological mind bender that really hit close to home for me and is the best book I’ve read so far this year. Reviewed here.

What are your top picks from the last 30 years?

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Book Review: The Making of Us

By Sara Steven

Two people are about to take off on a journey that could change their whole lives… As the plane surges up into the clouds, Stevie finds herself clutching the hand of the stranger sitting in the seat next to her.

It is a moment that will change everything. But Ned is heading to see his dying mother, and Stevie is returning to France to escape a terrible loss in her past. Neither of them can think about that tiny flame that just flickered between them.

But then their paths keep crossing, leading them both to the same beautiful community garden in a small French village; run by a mysterious old man named Zeke – a man with many of his own secrets.

As it becomes clear that fate is going to keep bringing them together – the two of them have to ask – are they ready for a happy-ever-after? Do they even know how to find it?

As the seeds grow into plants and flowers all around them, Stevie begins to wonder if Zeke – and his garden – might just have the answers… (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

If there is one word that I could use to describe The Making of Us, it’s life. There is a lot of focus on the importance of life; appreciating the tiny little nuances that we often take for granted. At times struggling to accept the choices and decisions we’ve made that often change the course of our lives. For every character within this story, they are at a crossroads within their own lives, trying to figure it out and navigate what’s in front of them, the best they can.

At the center is Stevie and Ned, two people who meet by chance, even though neither of them believe in anything that is serendipitous. As their story unfolds, we discover that Stevie has been where Ned is going to be, becoming a much-needed support. Ned has a difficult time with showing any emotion or expressing how he really feels, while Stevie is unsure of whether she has the allowance to feel the way she does. It made for an interesting connection. 

Another chance encounter brings Zeke into Stevie’s life, or is it the other way around? Zeke provides a simplistic viewpoint that helps to temper Stevie, and when out-of-towner Fay is looking for respite from the uncertainties of her life, Zeke becomes a grounded realist, helping Fay in making some really important decisions that could potentially change the path for her going forward. 

Sometimes the primary characters become part of each other’s worlds, all connected in ways that none of them can see or even understand, and it was done so beautifully. The reflective moments that they all have at one time or another really helped to buoy me, especially because I’m feeling a little bit wayward with some situations I have going on–it was nice to gain some perspective on things. I could see a little bit of myself within everyone! The love, the loss, feeling stuck, feeling hopeful. Wanting to try to find ways to live life to the fullest, and reminding myself that it’s not so bad to take it all a day at a time, in order to fully appreciate what I have, even when it can be tough to reflect on that. The Making of Us was an inspirational, touching experience; a definite five-star read!

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

Purchase Links:

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Apple * Barnes & Noble

Debbie Howells is a Sunday Times bestseller, who is now fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction with Boldwood. She has previously worked as cabin crew, a flying instructor, and a wedding florist! Now living in the countryside with her partner and Bean the rescued cat, Debbie spends her time writing.

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