Book Review: Intersections

By Sara Steven

Style-guru Charlotte Oakes sells beautiful lifestyles, but her mentally ill daughter is an addict, her long marriage is dead, and she is pregnant with her ex-lover’s baby. Stunned after witnessing a hit-and-run in Chicago that leaves a child dead, Charlotte thinks she sees her Prius fleeing the scene. Her troubled daughter, Libby, is the only one who could have been driving.

His partner and best friend killed in a drug bust, police officer Ed Kelly learns that forensics has found that the fatal bullet came from Ed’s gun. Under internal investigation, Ed copes by filming cars at the site of the recent hit-and-run, hoping to catch the child’s killer. There, he notices Charlotte’s pilgrimages to the makeshift memorial, and over the weeks, the two become unlikely friends sharing intimate stories. But Charlotte won’t trust him with her most vulnerable secret of her suspicions about her daughter’s involvement in the accident.

When Ed finally learns the truth about, he struggles with his beliefs and duties. If he keeps quiet, he has breached his commitment to the law. But if he does the right thing as an officer, he may send Libby to jail—and lose Charlotte. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Intersections is told in an honest way. I love the direct, open dialogue that happens between characters, particularly Charlotte and Ed. They form a unique friendship that isn’t conventional and not accepted by their inner circle, but despite what others think, they still pursue the friendship because they need to rely and depend on one another. Charlotte feels as though she has no one else in her corner, and Ed feels misunderstood. 

The dynamic between Charlotte and her daughter Libby is heartbreaking to read. Charlotte tries incessantly to do all she can to help Libby, but given Libby’s mental health struggles, the help feels far outside the realm of truth and reality for her. It doesn’t help that Charlotte’s ex– Libby’s father–isn’t much of a presence or support. Often, Charlotte takes on everything, but at a huge detriment to herself. 

The hit-and-run site, despite its dark beginnings, becomes a type of sanctuary and meeting ground for Charlotte and Ed. There, they both work towards a common goal of solving the hit-and-run, even with Charlotte already suspecting that her daughter might have been the culprit. There are deep conversations that take root there, too, allowing Charlotte a means of dealing with her grief over her broken home and the impending birth of a child she carries who has no real safe paternal lineage, while trying to work through the tough relationship she has with Libby.

For Ed, the talks he has with Charlotte remind him that there is life beyond the police force, even while dealing with the loss of his partner. There is a lot of change and transition happening in his world, too, and he feels lost and desperate at times. There were a lot of interesting scenarios that I don’t often get to read about, like parental surrogacy, and it was told from a very real perspective. In the end, I hoped for the best for everyone involved, even Libby, who could be difficult to understand and relate to. I love reading about unconventional friendships and really, familial structures that don’t meet the one-size-fits-all standard, and I felt Intersections really gave insight into both subjects and it was written well. It was a definite five-star experience!    

Thanks to Books Forward for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Spotlight: Anywhere You Go

Tatum Ward and Eleanor Chapman lead totally opposite lives. Tatum’s never left her Midwestern hometown. She resides in a quaint guest cottage on her parents’ property while working part-time as a waitress, where she spends most shifts ignoring her feelings for a beautiful regular named June. Eleanor dedicates every waking hour to her high-profile press career, sacrificing personal relationships for professional success, save for the occasional hookup to fight off her loneliness. When both women’s lives unexpectedly blow up at the exact same time, they each need an escape, and fast.

In Tatum’s hometown, Eleanor expects a quiet hideaway where she can recharge. Instead she gets wrapped up in the family drama that Tatum left town to avoid, pulled in by Tatum’s charismatic older sibling, Carson, who charms Eleanor at every turn. Tatum ends up in Eleanor’s New York high-rise apartment with June. One week together in the big city might make it impossible for Tatum to avoid not just her true feelings for June, but her real dreams for her life.

Amid a friendship with a reclusive Hollywood actress and a complicated family reunion, Tatum and Eleanor each discover much more than they bargained for away from home. Their house swap won’t last forever, but it might be just long enough for both women to surrender their defenses and finally fight for the life—and love—they deserve.

"I love the way Bridget Morrissey writes romance—sweet and curious and filled with those small, human moments that make up a relationship. In Anywhere You Go, she blesses us with two swoony stories, and I found myself dying to know how each would end and living when they started to interconnect. This book was jam-packed from start to finish—sparkling banter, hilarious side characters, two cats I would foster in a heartbeat, and some truly hot moments including a single paragraph that set me on fire. I would go anywhere with Bridget Morrissey!"
—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of The Art of Catching Feelings

"Anywhere You Go is a warm hug of a book! Bridget Morrissey masterfully weaves two heartwarming love stories, one that delivers the cozy, close-knit vibes of a small town, while the other is infused with the excitement and curiosity of exploring romance in the city. This book is perfect for readers who adore found families and watching as two friends fall deeply in love. Get ready to swoon!"
—Lauren Connolly, author of PS: I Hate You

**Purchase Anywhere You Go here**

Credit: Provvidenza Catalano

Bridget Morrissey lives in Los Angeles, California, but hails from Oak Forest, Illinois. When she’s not writing, she can be found coaching gymnastics or headlining concerts in her living room. Visit Bridget at her website and on Instagram.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Favorite TV Shows of the 21st Century

We've been running a column series to get more personal with our readers. We are now into our sixth year!

This month, we are talking about our top 10 favorite TV series of the 21st century. We'd love to know what yours are, so please don't hesitate to share in the comments!

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:

Putting together this list was like choosing a favorite child. I've enjoyed so many shows over the past 25 years. I'm going to share some runners-up (and that list was hard to narrow down too), but explain why they didn't make the list. I'm also commenting on some of Sara's picks, and I noticed that neither of us chose Six Feet Under, even though we talk about it a lot. Sara is commenting on mine, as well.

Sara: I actually had Six Feet Under on my list at first and considered keeping it, but I felt the other shows on my list were more impactful to me. Of course, the last episode of the series will forever remain one of the most heartbreaking and memorable. Sia's "Breathe Me" took on a whole new meaning.

Here's my top 10, in no particular order (except for the first two). 

1. Ghosts: If it's possible to love a show more than Schitt's Creek, then Ghosts won that honor. (I'm talking about the US version.) It's so funny and heartwarming and it's definitely saving my sanity these days. I got my husband into it, so now I'm re-bingeing it while also caught up on the fourth season (and I can't wait for him to experience that soon). I highly, highly recommend it for some high quality entertainment.

Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes

2. Schitt's Creek: So great, I watched it thrice! Iconic characters, funny dialogue, and lots of sweet (and sometimes bittersweet) moments. 

Sara: I really love this show, too. I'm glad you recommended it to me. Whenever you use the word "bebe" when we chat online, I can hear Moira saying it. 

3. Orphan Black: Sara got me into this show and I'm sooo glad! It was brilliant and really well done throughout. Tatiana Maslany is incredible at playing multiple characters. She was especially awesome as Helena. I also loved the supporting characters, especially Felix. My husband watched OB too and after each episode, we'd say "such a great show!" There was one time we were watching and someone raised a gun to shoot someone. At that very moment, there was a huge thunderclap outside and the power went out. Wild timing!

Sara: I forgot that I recommended Orphan Black to you! You usually suggest such great shows to me, that I forget which ones I've suggested to you.Tatiana was excellent in all of her roles on the show. 

Courtesy of Adventures in Vertigo

4. Desperate Housewives: This was my version of a soap opera. I was totally there for it and loved the characters and storylines. I can relate to all the women in some way or another. Sara watched it years later and I got to relive it vicariously through her. 

Sara: "Yes..." (Said in my very best Mary Alice inflection.) You know a show is great when your kids like it, too. My eldest watched the episodes with me, after getting hooked on Orson (Kyle MacLachlan) and Dave (Neal McDonough). It's a soap opera with a mystery punch to it, and I couldn't wait to see what might happen next on Wisteria Lane.

5. Somebody Somewhere: Such a wonderful series in so many ways. I just love how everyone is so flawed and genuine. I can't get enough of Sam and Joel's friendship. And Fred Rococo is one of the best supporting characters. I wish there were going to be more seasons because I'd definitely watch! 

Sara: It's not often I get overly emotional when I watch a show, but when Brad sang a special song to Joel with Sam's help, I think I may have actually cried a little. I felt like we got to see a side to Bridget Everett we've never seen before. 

6. A Million Little Things: This show came out around the same time as This is Us, but I ended up liking it more. It's about a group of adult male friends who bond after being stuck in an elevator and become even closer after one of them commits suicide. The extension of friendship includes the wives and girlfriends in their lives, and even some kids. The storylines cover a variety of topics. I love the friendships between all the characters. And it was definitely emotional at times. 

7. Cobra Kai: Great series from beginning to end. I loved all the Karate Kid nostalgia. It was an adrenaline rush to watch the competitions. And I loved seeing them try to take down the villains (especially Silver). The bromance/frenemy relationship between Daniel and Johnny was definitely interesting. I also loved that Chozen became a part of the series. Another favorite supporting character for me!

Sara: My whole family loves Cobra Kai. After watching all three movies in the 80s franchise when I was a kid, I never thought I'd like Johnny, but he was my favorite character on the show. I love his wit and gruff demeanor.

8. The Bold Type: If you want a fabulous "girl power" show, this is the one to watch! Not only are the three main characters amazing, their boss Jacqueline (played by Melora Hardin) is the boss that anyone would want at their own job. The series handles some current issues with tact and sensitivity, but also doesn't hold back. 

Sara: Melissa recommended The Bold Type, and I liked it, too! I loved the various storylines and felt I could live vicariously through all of the characters, even when I didn't always agree with their choices--Sutton made a decision that I felt wasn't the right one, but it's what helped to make her and the others feel more well-rounded and fleshed out as characters. No one was perfect and I appreciated that.

9. Ugly Betty: While my husband thought it was basically The Devil Wears Prada, America Ferrera won my heart in her role as Betty. I loved the campiness of it and how it played out as a telenovela in some ways. I also loved the supporting characters and it was a great introduction to Michael Urie (whom I now love on Shrinking). Betty's nephew was also adorable. (The actor is on Hacks now.) I was sad when it finished for good. 

Courtesy of Ugly Betty Wiki

10. Stranger Things: I'm not much for horror, but this series does it so well. I love that it's set in the 1980s and all the nostalgia. There's also a lot of heart to the characters and I genuinely care about what they are going through from one season to the next. A lot has happened in the past few seasons, and while some of it is scary for sure, it also keeps my attention and leaves me wanting more. There's a lot of humor too. I can't wait for it to come back! 

Sara: Talk about a title sequence that will never leave your psyche. Within the first few seconds, I know what show is playing, even if I can't visually see what's on my TV screen. Stranger Things is so cleverly written, combining everything we love about the 80s with suspense and thrill. When the seasons are on, I can't help but binge-watch them all. 

Top Five Runners-up:

Four Weddings and a Funeral: It only got one season, which was disappointing, since it was really well done. A love letter to rom-coms. 

Sara: I agree, it was a really cute show. I wish it had more screen time than just one season. 

Ted Lasso: Lots to love about the show and I'm glad it's coming back for a fourth season, but season three felt weak to me.

Riverdale: I was obsessed with this show for a while, but it also got really dark and made me anxious. Still, it had musical theater episodes!

Sara: On a somewhat related note: I think the Coral character from this season's The Masked Singer is Camila Mendes, who played Veronica on Riverdale. But that's just my guess. 

Virgin River: It's a comfort show for me, even though there's some intense stuff happening from time to time. It just gets really sappy sometimes.

Sara: It's a comfort for me, too. I joke about how it's this simplistic, calming presence, but at times interrupted by storylines that involve things like murder, destructive relationship experiences, bad guys, and drug plots. It gives the appearance of sweetness but there is a nice dramatic side to the show, too.

Only Murders in the Building: Funny, witty, great actors and cameos, and an immersive NYC feel. I wanted to include this in the top 10, but there were times when it could get slow for me. 

Sara: Yes, so much fun! I love the cameos and it's never easy for me to figure out "whodunnit."

With my older son in front of the Murders building

Sara Steven:

I love television. I think the majority of us who were children in the 80s can probably express that same sentiment. It started with Saturday morning cartoons. Then the teen dramas of the late 90s, like Dawson’s Creek. That parlayed into fun late 90s dramedies like Ally McBeal, or the then scandalous Sex and the City. There are great shows everywhere it seems, and although the list I’m sharing consists of shows from the 21st century, quite a few of them I never watched when they originally aired. Usually, I’d get a recommendation from someone, which would spur me on to look into the show. 

It’s great that we have the option to watch whatever we want, given all of the various apps and viewing platforms available. It was really hard to narrow this list down to just 10, but I did it! Here is my top 10 list of what I feel are the best shows from 2001-The Present:

Breaking Bad (2008)

My eldest recommended we watch “Breaking Bad,” which turned out to be one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long while. If one of us has an epiphany of sorts, we’ll usually break out Jesse Pinkman’s line of, “Ahhh….wire….” (you most likely have to see the show to get that reference.) But it’s pretty hilarious. 

House (2004)

My eldest was really into this show, too, when they were just entering teenhood. I found that fascinating; that they’d take interest in a show that seemed like it might go over a young teen’s head, but the plan now is to re-watch the show after we’re done rewatching “The Office” and its extended uncut episodes. Something we learned from this show: It’s never lupus. Until it is.

The Office (2005)

Some of my favorite moments from the show: When Dwight breaks out into classic Hannibal Lector and says, “Hello, Clarice,” while wearing a first aid CPR dummy’s plastic skin. Or when Michael performs The Lazy Scranton Rap, but the best is from the last season, when Michael shows up to be there for Angela’s wedding. 

Melissa: I enjoyed The Office until Michael left. Then I lost interest. My favorite episode is "Diversity Day" in season one. "Wanna go to the beach?" 

Arrested Development (2003)

Marry me. Please! What a fun show. This is a show that I never watched when it first aired, not until it was available on Netflix. Just the other day, something had happened and one of my family members screeched, “He did it again!” Just like Lucille (Jessica Walter) would do whenever Gene Parmesan (Martin Mull) surprised her. And who doesn’t love the chicken dance?

Melissa: I always say "pass the GENE Parmesan" whenever we're having pasta for dinner. I loved AD too, but felt it jumped the shark in season three (which is ironic because they had an episode about jumping the shark at one point). Also, "has anyone ever SEEN a chicken?" 

Battlestar Galactica (2004)

At first, I didn’t think I’d like this show. My husband is a sci fi kind of guy and recommended it to me, so I decided I’d put in the effort and watch a few episodes. Seasons later, back when Blockbuster was still a thing, I’d go to my local video store and desperately search for the latest seasons and episodes, because back in those days, other than Netflix on DVD, that’s all we could do. I became obsessed!

Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001)

Back in the 80s, I watched the original “Degrassi”, and I liked the show. But I had no idea it had continued on or was a thing, not until Melissa shared it with me. It was a frequent show in my household. So much so, there is a video of my youngest singing the theme song! Who isn’t still reeling from what happened to J.T.?

Melissa: I was highly considering adding this to my list, but the characters got annoying in later seasons and the storylines kept repeating themselves. Still, it was a great distraction during the pandemic. 

Courtesy of SheKnows

Handmaid’s Tale (2017)

I read this book years ago, which is what encouraged me to watch the show. The show has really become a focal point and at times a reference given the climate of our society over the last several years, a dystopian viewpoint that some fear is a cautionary tale. No matter the background or what has happened, June never gives up, which encourages us to feel that we can’t give up, too. 

90 Day Fiancé (2014)

As I’m working on this post, I’ve got the latest episode of 90 Day Fiancé on in the background! I can get as in depth into an episode as I want, or days like day, it’s background noise for me. But either way, I enjoy the show and the sometimes wild individuals who are doing their best to find love in unexpected ways and places. This is another show that Melissa recommended to me, and while she doesn’t watch it anymore, I can carry the torch for the both of us. 

Melissa: I'm cracking up at this since I didn't know Sara was going to keep at it. We still have our inside jokes from when we both watched. We even wrote a post about it!

Westworld (2016)

This is another show my husband recommended to me, and once again he knew it was something I’d appreciate! The first two seasons were the ultimate, with the last couple of seasons dragging on, but I still stuck it out and watched it through to the very end. Nothing excited me more when I discovered who Bernard really was. “It doesn’t look like anything to me.” 

Severance (2022)

I recently finished watching this show, and I can’t wait until we get to see more of it! It’s mind bending and unconventional, leaving viewers on several cliffhangers. Is it a good idea to sever yourself from yourself? That’s the ultimate question. My favorite character is Milchick. How Tramell Tillman does it, I’ll never know. 

Courtesy of Decider

Tell us your favorite TV shows from the 21st century!

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Book Review: Message Deleted

By Becky Gulc

‘THE MESSAGE HAS DISAPPEARED.

SO HAS YOUR BEST FRIEND…

You receive a text from your best friend:

Can’t speak… don’t text or call… pls just come

But as you race to her house,

the message is deleted.

She answers the door, insists everything’s fine.

She says she never sent a message.

Something’s not right, but what can you do?

Six hours later, the police call.

There’s blood all over your friend’s house.

She’s missing.

And you were the last person to see her alive . . .’ (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)

K.L. Slater has written over 20 psychological thrillers, yet Message Deleted was the first one I’ve read. I saw some great reviews online for this one and the synopsis definitely piqued my interest so I quickly got myself a copy.

This is a novel I was immediately gripped by. The story begins strong with Saffy waiting for a job interview when she receives a concerning text message from her best friend Leona asking her to come over. Of course Saffy goes to her, but when the text message disappears and Leona herself denies all knowledge of sending this it’s clear something strange is going on. When Leona and her family subsequently go missing, it seems Saffy is the last person to have seen them and subsequently all eyes are on her. So where is Leona and her family and who is responsible?

The suspense of what happened to Leona and her family was sustained well throughout the novel and there were several twists and turns particularly in the closing chapters. I didn’t predict the outcome or who was involved and that’s always a sign of clever writing. In particular I think it helped that Saffy’s character is written in a way which certainly made me feel she could be an unreliable narrator at times – as readers we are given hints to trauma she and her family have experienced, but without going into much detail until key moments of the story, and this certainly helped the narrative in my opinion.

I wouldn’t particularly say I warmed to the characters as such, I don’t think I was meant to, and this kept me guessing as to who was involved and why. The fact that I didn’t have any strong feelings for any character, I didn’t feel particularly emotionally attached, yet I was still gripped by the story is again testament to the writing, I simply had to find out what had happened! 

Yes I had some frustrations with elements of the story, the fixation of the investigation on Saffy when it didn’t seem apparent why; the convenience of some of the encounters between characters, and the choices some of the characters made, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this novel. 

I read this book within a couple of days, the chapters are short and punchy and it was always tempting to read just one more, and then just one more. This worked for me and I am definitely keen to read further novels by K.L. Slater!

More by K.L. Slater:

Husband and Wife

The Girlfriend

The Silent Ones

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Sarah Damoff looks on the bright side...plus a book giveaway

Credit:  Kaylynn Krieg

We're pleased to welcome Sarah Damoff to CLC and help her celebrate the publication of her debut novel, The Bright Years. Allyson says "you're in for a real treat". Check out her review on her Bookstagram. Thanks to Simon & Schuster, we have one copy to give away!

Sarah Damoff lives in Texas with her husband and children, where she is a social worker. Her work has appeared in Porter House Review, Ruminate Magazine, and Open Global Rights, among other publications. The Bright Years is her debut novel. Visit Sarah at her website and on Instagram. 

Synopsis:
Ryan and Lillian Bright are deeply in love, recently married, and now parents to a baby girl, Georgette. But Lillian has a son she hasn’t told Ryan about, and Ryan has an alcohol addiction he hasn’t told Lillian about, so Georgette comes of age watching their marriage rise and fall.

When a shocking blow scatters their fragile trio, Georgette tries to distance herself from reminders of her parents. Years later, Lillian’s son comes searching for his birth family, so Georgette must return to her roots, unearth her family’s history, and decide whether she can open up to love for them—or herself—while there’s still time.

Told from three intimate points of view, The Bright Years is a tender, true-to-life novel that explores the impact of each generation in a family torn apart by tragedy but, over time, restored by the power of grace and love. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

“This novel sparkles in its sentences, its texture, its big heart—THE BRIGHT YEARS is a vivid, forthright, and gorgeously written story of love in its many iterations.” 

—Claire Lombardo, New York Times bestselling author of Same as it Ever Was

"THE BRIGHT YEARS is a moving portrait of inheritance and loss. A heart-breaker and heart-mender at once, this is a story that forces us to confront our vulnerabilities and secrets in order to find our strength and truth. A stunning debut!"

—Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing The Bright Years?
One reward was simply the thrill of discovering the story as I drafted it. The experience was like reading, but better. Every evening I would sit down at the computer not knowing what would happen next, and the process of uncovering the story felt magical. Another reward is when readers share their own stories as they relate to these characters, or tell me that the book helped or comforted them in some way.

The structure of the story was a challenge. It was originally a novel in letters, and it took several revisions to get to its final format. Another challenge was in handling heavier topics. I interviewed people who had personal experiences with alcoholism, and I felt the weight of their trust as I attempted to write in a way that would honestly yet delicately portray the human experience of this particular (but very common) struggle.

Which of your main characters do you identify with the most?
Georgette, though there are parts of me in all three of the main characters.

If The Bright Years was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? 

The ages might be tricky, but I can see a young Mae Whitman as Georgette. Adam Driver as Ryan. And maybe Rachel McAdams as Lillian.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy - On the surface, it’s about a woman befriending a mouse. Beneath the surface, it’s about found family and the experience of aging. A very tender and insightful book.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Kate Winslet

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I would take you to the Arts District, and then I’d take you an hour down the road to Fort Worth, where we would visit some of the places mentioned in The Bright Years. We would see a musical at Bass Hall, go square dancing at Billy Bob’s, and eat enchiladas at Joe T. Garcia’s.

Thanks to Sarah for chatting with us and to Simon & Schuster 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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends April 27th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review: The Greatest Lie of All

By Melissa Amster

Fledgling actress Amelia Grant is at rock bottom when offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to star in a biopic about the world-renowned romance author Gloria Diamond, who used her own tragic love story as inspiration for her bestselling books. To prepare for the role, she’ll spend a week with Gloria at her secluded Washington estate. It’s a chance to get out of LA, away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, and to make her recently deceased mother proud.

Amelia’s excitement is short-lived, however, once she actually meets Gloria, who is cold, verging on rude and mostly unavailable. If not for Gloria’s frustratingly handsome son, Will, the visit might be a complete waste of her time. But when Amelia stumbles upon a secret from Gloria’s past, she realizes Gloria’s life story is more fiction than fact. And as the movie’s filming date draws nearer, Amelia must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to uncover the truth. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I always enjoy when Jillian Cantor has a new novel available. The Greatest Lie of All is different from the historical fiction novels she has written, as the historical part takes place in the 1980s and isn't centered around any specific events from that era. However, it's a really interesting story told from two perspectives in the past and present. I liked seeing how the story would unfold and some aspects weren't what I was expecting at all! I was definitely guessing what would happen, but wasn't sure if I'd be right.

I definitely felt frustrated for Amelia, with Gloria not giving her much to work with. Especially since she needed that information for the role she was going to play. I also felt bad for Mare, as she was stuck in a difficult situation altogether and it eventually led to tragedy. I don't want to say too much more as this is a story that you really just need to experience for yourself. 

The only big concern for me was time, since I didn't know what year it took place in the present. I was guessing the current year, but then the math from the past wasn't adding up. Also a character sounded way older than they were when they were a little kid during flashbacks. These weren't deterrents to my enjoyment and since it was an advanced copy, I'm hoping the timing got ironed out for final publication.

If you're looking for something unputdownable to read, look no further! This novel is addictive, for sure.

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Amelia: Emma Roberts
Gloria: Diane Lane
Will: James Wolk
Mare: Sarah Catherine Hook
Bess: Saoirse Ronan
George: Jarred Harper
Max: Nicholas Galitzine

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

More by Jillian Cantor:

Beautiful Little Fools

Half Life

The Fiction Writer

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TW: Domestic violence, infidelity, death of parent, house fire

Book Review: Unlikely Story

By Melissa Amster

As a relationship therapist, Nora helps patients explore their feelings honestly. But she’s hiding an embarrassing relationship secret of her own: she’s in love with someone she’s never even met.

J edits the advice column Nora’s been writing anonymously for the last seven years. He’s in London, she’s in New York, and they communicate solely through shared files. When he confides that his girlfriend’s out of the picture, and her boss asks her to come to London, Nora takes both as a sign.

But that’s not the only thing on her mind. A client’s ex-boyfriend just moved into her co-op, directly beneath her. Eli blames Nora for his breakup and seems determined to make her life miserable, gleefully planning a noisy renovation.

Yet despite all his bluster, Nora eventually starts to see the softness behind Eli’s brusque, charming exterior…and after a slipup reveals a startling secret, Nora wonders whether someone can be two things at once. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Unlikely Story is the Jewish Joy Book Club April read and I am so glad about that! I really enjoyed this story. It's heartwarming, humorous, romantic, and an armchair adventure to boot. Add in an enemies-to-lovers trope, some forced proximity, and a swoon-worthy British guy to fuel the flames, and this novel has it made! 

This was a sweet story. I loved the banter between the characters, especially Nora and Eli. I also loved the neighbors in the co-op and George the dog (who sounded really cute). The virtual visits to NYC and London were a lot of fun. There was plenty of humor and lightheartedness. It was entertaining and kept me turning the pages. 

What was interesting to me was Nora's situation with her parents. They were more like children and she was absorbing their neediness and impulsive behavior, especially from her mother. I felt bad for Nora being put in that situation, especially since her brother was able to extricate himself from it so easily.

I had a few small concerns, but nothing that kept me from enjoying this novel. First, I wish that Nora's Judaism had been more prevalent. I only knew she was Jewish because she mentioned Shabbat dinner one time. Next, I would have liked for there to be more of a surprise factor, but I still enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded. Especially since it gave off the feel of a certain nineties rom-com movie. There's an irony here with Nora always wanting to know the end of a book before she started it, as it was a comfort to her. While I like being surprised, I can't say I blame her for wanting to know where a story is going sometimes. Finally, I felt that more conflict was needed and was hoping things would be a bit more challenging before reaching the rewarding point. 

Overall, this was a great novel and a nice distraction from everything going on in real life. (Another reason it's appealing for Nora to want to know what happens at the end of a book.) I hope to read more of Ali's novels in the future (and get to her earlier novels). 

(Trigger warning below.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Nora: Victoria Pedretti
Eli: Sean Teale

Ari: Kelly Bishop
Dane: Jeanine Mason

Tina (Nora's mom): Camryn Manheim

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

More by Ali Rosen:

Recipe for Second Chances

Alternate Endings

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TW: Getting locked out of a building while on the roof. (Not sure about you, but that makes me so anxious.)

Book Review: The Royal Runaway

By Sara Steven

Being a princess means living by 1200+ rules—I've counted them all in my leather-bound journal—including Rule #124: "No climbing trees" and Rule #592: "A princess must never leave the palace without security detail." So when I swap my tiara for a goth disguise and escape the palace for a grand adventure as "Amy," I'm breaking every royal protocol imaginable.

Hiding from paparazzi in a costume shop, I meet a gorgeous American stranger who's also on the run. Suddenly I'm making disastrous coffee at a pink café, sharing a lakeside mansion with "Maverick"—aka Hollywood star Ethan Roberts in disguise—and developing feelings that make my heart perform gymnastics. Which was definitely not covered in my princess rule book.

Ethan's gotten into the habit of rescuing me—from online con artists, espresso machine explosions, and even breaking Rule #124 when I climbed a tree right to the top, … and promptly got stuck. But as our friendship blooms into something wonderfully more, our carefully constructed facades begin to crack, and our new relationship hangs in the balance.

Can a runaway princess and an actor hiding from fame find their happily-ever-after, or will duty force us back to our separate spotlight lives? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I’ve read all of the books in the Royally Kissed series, and this is my favorite addition so far! I loved Amelia’s personality and her need to push against the rules and guidelines that have been set for her for her entire life. She’s unpredictable and has a giant sense of adventure, which leads her outside of the palace gates and into a world entirely without guards and protection. It was fun to see just how outside her element she becomes, particularly when she interacts with Ethan.

Ethan is a celebrity in need of an escape, too. I thought it was great how both Amelia’s and Ethan’s needs match one another, because they’re both well-known figures trying desperately to break free from the lives they feel owned by, in an effort to gain freedom. When Amelia attempts to wash strawberries with soap (oh my word), I inwardly cringed at the thought of that! But it was the perfect reflection of someone who has no clue how to live beyond the life she’s been used to, and when Ethan does all he can to hide out from giggling fans inside the costume shop, even going so far as to dress in a manner so no one will recognize him, I could feel his desperation with that. I imagine being a celebrity isn’t easy when it comes to privacy.

Neither has let the other in on who they really are. But over time, and with opportunities that draw them together, they begin to learn more and more about each other, making it difficult for Amelia not to let down her guard even more and let Ethan know her secret. The two characters come from completely different worlds, and even though they both have similar hurdles and obstacles to overcome, can any interest survive past running away from reality?

The Royal Runaway was such a fun, engaging experience, from start to finish, making it a definite five-star read!  

Thanks to Kate O'Keeffe for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Check out Sara's reviews of the first two books in this series (standalones):

The Backup Princess

Royally Matched

More by Kate O'Keeffe:

The Rebound Play (Love on Thin Ice series)

One Last First Date (Flirting With Forever series)

Dating Mr Darcy (Love Manor Romantic Comedy series)

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Ellen Meister takes us on an unforgettable ride...plus a book giveaway

 

We're pleased to have Ellen Meister at CLC today. Her latest novel, Joyride, sounds like a fun and interesting story and we're definitely interested in checking it out. Thanks to Ellen, we have THREE signed copies up for grabs!

Ellen Meister is a novelist, book coach, screenwriter, and creative writing instructor who started her career writing advertising copy. Her novels include Divorce Towers, Take My Husband, The Rooftop Party, Love Sold Separately, Dorothy Parker Drank Here, and Farewell, Dorothy Parker, among others. Meister’s essays have been published by the New York Times, Newsday, the Wall Street Journal blog, the Huffington Post (now HuffPost), the Daily Beast, Long Island Woman, Writer’s Digest, and Publishers Weekly. Career highlights include interviews on NPR, being selected for the prestigious Indie Next List by the American Booksellers Association, having her work translated into foreign languages, and receiving a TV series option from HBO.

Meister lives in New York and publicly speaks about her books, fiction writing, and America’s most celebrated literary wit, Dorothy Parker. 

Visit Ellen online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:
In this poignantly quirky ride through Brooklyn, an idealistic young woman shares her earnest joy with her Uber clients, her cranky father, and the Wall Street hotshot who started it all.

Joybird Martin―an Uber driver with cheerfulness to spare―desperately wants to be a life coach.

She’s so sunny about her chances that even her snarky father―a has-been TV writer with a failed third marriage―can’t dim her light. So when he shows up broke on her doorstep, Joybird takes him in with no questions asked, trying to find a balance between her bright optimism and his sarcastic pessimism.

It works, and she continues sharing her earnest wisdom with her Uber riders. After she helps handsome Wall Street exec Devon Cato, he convinces her to become a life coach from the front seat of her Honda.

As Joybird’s dreams take the wheel, she finds direction for her clients…and herself. She’s not sure what to do about her attraction to Devon, but she soon learns exactly what she can do for her father. And a journey into his past might just pave the way for her own bright future. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Any combination of "funny" and "poignant" makes my heart sing. It's always what I'm going for.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Joyride?
I'll start with the challenges, which sometimes seemed insurmountable. First, there was the issue of POV. I always knew it was Joybird's story, but I didn't think I could trust her to tell it. I had convinced myself a narrator needs a sarcastic edge, and Joybird is so earnest and optimistic I worried that she wouldn't be entertaining enough to carry a whole book. So I wrote the entire novel from her father's point of view. Unfortunately, his sarcastic edge was so sharp it seemed to leave my beta readers bloody. So I tried telling the story through the eyes of a minor character, which is unusual, but has been done effectively by a few writers I admire. I soon discovered it simply didn't work for this novel. Finally, I rose to the challenge of letting Joybird narrate her own story—interspersed with chapters from her crusty father—and finally the book found its voice.

The other big challenge was striking the right balance in the character of Joybird's irascible father. In early drafts, he was simply too mean-spirited for readers to accept. I had to find a way to make his dyspepsia a little easier to digest, and that took a number of drafts.

The rewarding part came after I finally wrangled the manuscript into shape. It got an offer from a publisher faster than any book I had ever written. And the team was so enthusiastic it was rushed into production with breathtaking speed. I'd never seen anything like it!

If Joyride was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
Bryan Cranston would be great as Sid Marcus, the bitter comedy writer who has fallen from grace. (But of course, Bryan Cranston could play anything.)

Joybird is a little trickier. In terms of appearance, she looks a bit like a young Zooey Deschanel. (At least she does in my head. Readers may see her differently.) But I think Kristen Schaal is the actress who could best embody her spirit.

For Devon Cato, I'm going with the smoking hot and very talented Regé-Jean Page. (And yes, he can do an American accent.)

I think Jamie Lee Curtis would be a gas as the aging hippie, Betty Simon.

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I'm a few years late to the party, but I recently saw Lion starring Dev Patel, and it knocked me out.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
What an interesting question! I'd have to go with Natasha Lyonne. I think she'd put a quirky spin on my pretty mundane life.

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I'm on Long Island, so I'd load you into the car and drive straight to Jones Beach, which has the world's most glorious light. There, we'd stroll to the end of the boardwalk and back, breathing the clean, crisp, briny air. (Wear comfortable shoes!)

After that, we'd be hungry, so I'd take you out for pizza or bagels. (Both are sublime on Long Island.) I'll let you choose!

Thanks to Ellen 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 April 22nd at midnight EST. 

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Spotlight: The Seven O'Clock Club

Four strangers are brought together to participate in an experimental treatment designed to heal broken hearts in this surprising and heartfelt debut novel from author Amelia Ireland.

Freya, Callum, Mischa, and Victoria have nothing in common--well, except for one thing: they’ve each experienced a deep personal loss that has led them to an unconventional group meeting, every Tuesday night at seven.  A meeting they’ve been particularly selected for that will help them finally move on. At least, that's the claim.

As they warily eye one another and their unnervingly observant group leader, one question hangs over them: why were they chosen? To get the answer, they are going to have to share a whole lot of themselves first. Getting Freya, Callum, Mischa, and Victoria to trust each other is vital--because the real reason they’re connected will shift the ground beneath their feet.

Riveting and wise, The Seven O’Clock Club shows us the courage needed to face your past and the joy that can be found in stepping into your future.

Visit Allyson's Bookstagram to see a review!

“The divine Amelia Ireland has written a surprising and glorious debut novel. Ireland has created a world where broken hearts are mended and grief can only be released in mutual understanding. When Freya, Mischa, Callum and Victoria meet Genevieve Dempsey, they are lost and broken. As the novel unspools, they find their way to back to truth and ultimately—love.”
—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

“Finished in one sitting. Had no idea where it was going but knew there was something lurking. Incredible twist. Ends with a final lap of the ride when you think it is all over. Different. Clever. Genuine. Sad. Reminded me in parts of the Outlaws show. I will be recommending this to friends.”
—Ericka Waller, author of Goodbye Birdie Greenwing

Amelia Ireland lives in London but travels extensively to far flung places. She likes to rock climb, kite surf, and ride horses. She is also a mother to two very dramatic children. 

Visit Amelia on Instagram.

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What's in the (e)mail

All (or most) of these books can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Apple, Kobo, etc.

NG = NetGalley

Melissa:

Everything About You by Robby Weber from HarperCollins (NG)

Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino from Lake Union (NG)

Jilted by Vi Keeland from Tor Publishing (NG)

Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen from St. Martin's Press (NG)

A Twist of Fate by Se-Ah Jang from Ballantine (NG)

Always You and Me by Dani Atkins from Lake Union (NG)

The Second Chance Bus Stop by Ally Zetterberg from Harlequin (NG)

I Become Her by Joe Hart from Thomas & Mercer (NG)

Such Good People by Amy Blumenfeld from BookSparks (NG)

The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck from Sourcebooks (NG)

Tiny Vices by Linda Dahl from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing (NG)

Home by Leanne Treese from Moxie Publishing (NG)

The Girl in the Green Dress by Mariah Fredericks from St. Martin's Press (NG)

The Fault Between Us by Stephanie Landsem from Tyndale House (NG)

Love Sick by Deidra Duncan from The Future of Agency (print)

Gracie Harris Is Under Construction by Kate Hash from Dutton (NG)

Passion Project by London Sperry from Viking (NG)

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer from Harlequin (NG)

Like Family by Erin O. White from Random House (NG)

What's Mine is Yours by Leah Mercer from Bookouture (NG)

Sara:

Love, Accidentally by Phoebe MacLeod from Rachel's Random Resources (NG)

Not Moving Out by Jon Rance from Rachel's Random Resources (ebook)

The Roommate Experiment by Camilla Isley from Rachel's Random Resources (NG)

The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor from Gallery (NG)

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia from Berkley (NG)

The House Sitter by Keri Beevis from Rachel's Random Resources (NG)

Jami:

Bless Your Heart by Leigh Dunlap from MB Communications (NG)

Please Don't Lie by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt from MB Communications (NG)

Melissa S:

He Falls First by Jill Shalvis from Sourcebooks (print)

Last Seen by J.T. Ellison from Over the River PR (print)

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Book Review and Giveaway: The Page Turner

By Melissa Amster

Emma Page grew up the black sheep in a bookish household, raised to believe that fine literature is the only worthy type of fiction. Her parents, self-proclaimed “serious” authors who run their own vanity press, The Mighty Pages, mingle in highbrow social circles that look down on anything too popular or mainstream, while her sister, Jess, is a powerful social media influencer whose stylish reviews can make or break a novel.

Hiding her own romance manuscript from her disapproving parents, Emma finds inspiration at the family cottage among the “fluff” they despise: the juicy summer romances that belonged to her late grandmother. But a chance discovery unearthed from her Gigi’s belongings reveals a secret that has the power to ruin her parents’ business and destroy their reputation in the industry—a secret that has already fallen into the hands of an unscrupulous publishing insider with a grudge to settle. Now Emma must decide—as much as she’s dreamed of the day when her parents are forced to confront their own egos, can she really just sit back and watch The Mighty Pages be exposed and their legacy destroyed?

From the wealthy enclaves of the Hamptons to the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan, The Page Turner is a delectable glimpse inside the world of publishing, and Viola Shipman’s most glittering achievement yet! (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I always enjoy Viola Shipman's novels. They are cozy and provide a gorgeous armchair adventure in various parts of Michigan. The Page Turner takes us to a cottage in South Haven, right by the beach, and immerses us in a world of books and writing. 

Emma is a sympathetic and compelling character. Just out of college, she's expected to join her family's publishing business even though she doesn't like the kinds of books they work with. They (the books) are snobby and elitist, compared to the stories she grew up reading with her beloved GiGi. Her parents also have connected with an author Emma completely hates. And she has a good reason to! He reminds me of a certain person who took over a social media outlet and changed its name to a single letter, if you get my drift. I don't want to say anything else as to not spoil what happens next or anything beyond that, but just know that you will be rooting for Emma the entire time!

I could relate to Emma over being different from others in my family. I usually feel like an outlier, but for different reasons. At least I share similar book interests with my mom and sister. I love that this novel had a villain, as it added a whole new layer to the story. I don't remember many of Viola's novels having villains, although I think there was one in The Secret of Snow. I also loved that this wasn't a typical romance, but was instead about family and following one's passion. There's even a mystery aspect that kept me turning the pages, so to speak!

Overall, another treat from Viola Shipman and I already can't wait for whatever she writes next.

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Emma: Jane Widdop
Jess: Olivia Holt
Phillip: Justin Theroux
Piper: Jessalyn Gilsig
Marcus: Christian Bale

Thanks to HarperCollins for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have TWO copies for some lucky 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 April 16th at midnight EST. 

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TW: Death of grandparent, emotional abuse, sexual harassment