The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2025

THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME by Denise Hunter is hands-down the best romance I’ve read in some time. She wrote a believable, sweet romance with deep characters and a plot twist I didn’t see coming. Romance with a touch of mystery in a beachside town–what more could I ask for? Definitely put this book on your 2025 summer reading list!

Book Summary

Ethan, Maggie’s military husband, was killed five years ago, shortly before their daughter Zoey was born. Although Maggie and Zoey live in a different town from Ethan’s family, they’ve stayed close. Ethan’s brother Josh has been great emotional support for Maggie. Ethan’s sister Erin is Maggie’s best friend. The in-laws have offered their house near the beach to Maggie for the summer while they’re on a European vacation. When they return, they will all honor Ethan by scattering his ashes together over the ocean. Maggie thinks this closure may help her open her heart to love again and provide a father-figure for Zoey. Maggie accepts the offer for her and Zoey to spend the summer surrounded by loving family by the beach, where she fell in love with her husband.

While walking around the beachside carnival, Maggie is shocked to see a stranger who looks like her deceased husband, Ethan. She takes a photo on her phone and shows it to Josh. It sets them on a mission to find this man and figure out why he looks so much like Ethan. As they work together to uncover this mystery, Maggie begins to see Josh in a new light. He’s had a crush on her since the first time his sister brought her home as a teenager. However, the idea of them dating is complicated. She struggles with what others would think if she dated her deceased husband’s brother. Faithful, kind Josh doesn’t pressure her. Meanwhile, their investigation of this stranger goes through several twists.

My Thoughts

THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME is truly a feel good, enjoyable read that you’ll want by the beach or poolside this summer. I love how close Maggie is with her family’s husband, and how Zoey gets to spend time with that side of the family. Since Erin and her family and Josh all live in town, they spend family time with Maggie and Zoey, enjoying summer activities–swimming in the pool, backyard picnics, making sand castles, beachside carnivals, etc. The stranger’s identity will keep you guessing each time you realize you’re wrong. I liked how the story was respectful to Ethan’s memory while inspiring happiness after loss. This is a story of family, support, closure with honor, personal connection, second chances, and unexpected joy.

If I had more time, I would love to read this one again because it is so sweet and well written. The story has stuck with me. Unfortunately (or fortunately), there are so many other books out there calling my name! On to the next!

THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME by Denise Hunter is out April 22, 2025. Considering buying it here through Bookshop.org. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC of THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME. The opinions are my own.

About the Author

Denise Hunter isn’t new to the publishing world. She’s the bestselling author of more than 40 novels, and Hallmark has made three of them into movies. Her website states, “Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who struggle with real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.”

If You Like…

If you like THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME by Denise Hunter, check out my past blog review of JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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April 8, 2025

Fun for the Whole Family

Robin’s Reviews 2025

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY by Jennifer E. Smith is a captivating read exploring the childhood and adult lives of four siblings. I was excited to read it since I enjoyed her earlier novel, The Unsinkable Greta James.

Growing up in a dysfunctional family required these four siblings to stay close and support each other as children. As adults, they followed different paths to seek happiness and success, and they’ve lost their connection with each other. They haven’t talked in several years since the big falling out. The sibling who initiates a reunion weekend hopes they will reconnect, but she has secrets that could cause further harm.

The Siblings

Jude, an Academy Award nominated actress, extends a weekend invitation to her siblings to join her in North Dakota. She needs to share three secrets weighing on her.

Gemma, the oldest child who mothered her neglected siblings, now lives in Chicago with her husband and works an average job. With a mix of hope and anxiety, she awaits her pregnancy test results, having gone through IVF and several miscarriages.

Connor, a best-selling author, wrote a fictionalized story about his childhood causing friction in the family. He’s also been through a divorce, and he doesn’t see his two children as often as he’d like. He brings them along on the trip.

Roddy, Jude’s twin, is a star soccer player struggling with physical issues that come with aging, including a knee injury. He hopes to extend his career with a new team, but the contract causes conflict with his fiancé Winston.

Summary

Photo of author Jennifer E. Smith — Jennifer E. Smith, author

All of the siblings are conflicted about attending the weekend and confronting their siblings, yet they realize the importance of reconciling. Soon after arriving at the remote cabin in North Dakota, a snowstorm traps them together. Roads are closed, and electricity and phone services are down. Forced to face old issues is hard enough, but when additional secrets are revealed, they struggle to process the emotional pain.

My Take

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY has plenty of lighter moments and additional characters to balance the tough emotions, keeping the story from being too heavy. It kept my attention by alternating between childhood summer road trips with their flaky mother, attempting to see all 50 states, and the adult North Dakota snowed-in weekend. The complex bond of these four kids and well-developed characterization makes each personality come alive. The story combines family fun, drama, secrets, dreams, and forgiveness with second chances. After growing apart, these adults go through the struggles and pain to find their way back to the bond of family.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. The opinions are my own.

Today, April 8, 2025, is FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY’s publication date, so it’s available for purchase now! Does this sounds like a book you’d like? Although it can be purchased many places, I suggest ordering through Bookshop.org. They help support small, independent bookstores across the county: order hardback or ebook .

If You Like…

If you like FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, check out my past blog review of THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES, also by Jennifer E. Smith.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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February 10, 2025

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

Robin’s Reviews 2025

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry is a beautifully written novel about an impossible choice made by a mother, the emotional scars left in her daughter’s heart, and a book that might heal her pain decades later.

Summary

As a child prodigy, Bronwyn writes a book that becomes famous. As an adult, she writes the long-awaited sequel. The book is written in a coded language Bronwyn created and is yet unpublished. Under mysterious circumstances in 1927, she leaves her husband and her 8-year-old daughter Clara, and takes the dictionary needed to translate the cipher. The family believes Bronwyn is dead, and the pages are gone forever.

Twenty-five years later, Clara receives a phone call from Charlie, a stranger living in London. He claims her mother’s papers have been discovered. Her mother’s abandonment has haunted Clara and driven her need for answers and resolution. Suspicious but hopeful that the papers are real, Clara travels with her daughter Wynnie from South Carolina to London to retrieve them.

They arrive during The Great Smog of 1952. To escape the toxic air in London, they travel with Charlie to his family’s retreat in the Lake district, near where Beatrix Potter lived. While staying at the country estate, Clara must find the courage to uncover her mother’s secrets and the story she left behind.

My Thoughts

It’s fascinating that the real life and disappearance of author Barbara Newhall Follett inspired Patti’s novel. I had never heard of Barbara Newhall Follett, so of course I looked her up. You should, too! I appreciate that books have the power to bring someone unknown or nearly forgotten back into the spotlight.

Photo of author Patti Callahan Henry — Author Patti Callahan Henry

So many times while reading this novel, I marveled at Patti Callahan Henry’s descriptions. Take time while you’re reading to savor the language she uses.

Clara goes through many trials in the story to get answers, but the ending is satisfying. The Story She Left Behind is filled with discovery, connection, understanding, forgiveness, lost family, and unexpected love.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. The opinion are my own.

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND’s pub date is March 18, 2025, but preordering is VERY helpful to authors. I suggest ordering through Bookshop.org since they help support small, independent bookstores across the county: order hardback or ebook here.

If You Like…

If you like THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, check out these past recommendations by Patti Callahan Henry: The Secret Life of Flora Lea and Once Upon a Wardrobe.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

January 27, 2025January 3, 2025

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

Robin’s Reviews 2025

WAITING FOR TOM HANKS by Kerry Winfrey is a 5-star read for me! Is it a literary marvel? No. It’s a 5-star-I-was-thoroughly-entertained romcom. Putting Tom Hanks name in the title was great marketing. After all, that’s what attracted me to check it out. Who doesn’t want a Tom Hanks-type happily ever after?

Kerry Winfrey revives the 90s romcom movie format in this novel, including some of the cheesy, yet lovable elements, cliches that just fit, and a predictable yet charming storyline. If you loved those 90s movies and secretly wanted a Tom Hanks-type romance for yourself, you’ll love this book!

Summary

Annie Cassidy often writes at her friend’s coffee shop in Ohio. Her freelance writing pays the bills, but what Annie really wants it to write screenplays. Obsessed with romantic comedies, Annie compares every man she meets to the leading men in her favorite films. She’s waiting for her own perfect meet-cute, just like in the movies. Annie is confident that moment is just around the corner because admitting life isn’t like the movies would mean giving up her fantasy idea of the perfect man.

When Annie is hired to work on a movie filming in her neighborhood, it has to be a sign, right? Could meeting lead actor Drew Danforth be the meet-cute moment she’s waited for? Unfortunately, Drew is far from the Tom Hanks type. Their flubbed first encounter sets up the enemies-to-lovers romance trope.

My Thoughts

Throughout the story, Annie references some of my favorite movie romcoms – Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and While You Were Sleeping. (Yes, that last one starred Bill Pullman, not Tom Hanks, but I’m good with that.) WAITING FOR TOM HANKS is a fun, quick read with witty banter and quirky characters. Pick this one up for an enjoyable escape that will life your spirit and make you smile.

Consider buying WAITING FOR TOM HANKS through this link to Bookshop.org. You will be supporting small, indy bookstores with your purchase.

Kerry Winfrey, author of romantic comedies, including WAITING FOR TOM HANKS, NOT LIKE THE MOVIES, VERY SINCERELY YOURS, and JUST ANOTHER LOVE SONG, lives in Columbus, Ohio.

If You Like…

If you like WAITING FOR TOM HANKS, check out this past recommendation: One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

January 6, 2025January 3, 2025

The Sea Glass Cottage by RaeAnne Thayne

Robin’s Reviews 2025

THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE by RaeAnne Thayne focuses on three generations of Harper women. This small-town family story is intertwined with a second-chance romance and includes family drama, secrets, misunderstandings, guilt, and forgiveness. RaeAnne smoothly leads us along a family’s path through life with all its messiness, and she lands on a satisfying ending.

Summary

Olivia Harper hasn’t returned home in a long time. Avoidance has helped her push away the pain of losing her father in a fire and her sister from an overdose. However, when her mother falls off a ladder at her greenhouse business and breaks her hip, she needs Olivia’s help. Olivia returns to her childhood home while her mom recuperates. She steps in to help around the house and run the greenhouse at the busiest time of year while balancing her own remote jobs. Olivia is also challenged to build a relationship with her moody teenage niece, Caitlin, who lives with them. Three generations of Harper women in the same house is a struggle, to say the least. While home, Olivia also reconnects with her friend Melody and Melody’s brother/Olivia’s past crush, Cooper.

My Thoughts

RaeAnne Thayne is gifted at writing characters with strained, complicated relationships while still creating a loving, feel-good story. The novel seamlessly flows through each of the Harper girl’s perspectives. The multiple POV helps readers understand their relationships through their innermost thoughts and feelings. Each one hides a secret and needs healing from the past.

You will cheer on the Harpers to successfully overcome old wounds and repair their personal connections. THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE is a warm hug, perfect for any time of year.

(*Note Possible Triggers: This novel deals with the aftermath of the addiction and overdose of a character.)

Although this is my first book review of 2025, I read THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE in late 2024. The story and characters have stayed with me. After reading it, I discovered this is the second book in a series. I didn’t miss anything by hopping in on this one. Each book in the series is a standalone story, the town being the only connection. The Cape Sanctuary series starts with THE CLIFF HOUSE, if you’d rather start there. RaeAnne Thayne’s most recent novel is THE DECEMBER MARKET, a Christmas novel.

Consider buying THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE through this link to Bookshop.org. You will be supporting small, indy bookstores with your purchase.

If You Like…

If you like THE SEA GLASS COTTAGE, check out these past recommendations: The Cafe at Beach End by RaeAnne Thayne and Seabreeze Inn by Jan Moran.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

December 30, 2024December 23, 2024

Seabreeze Inn by Jan Moran

Robin’s Reviews 2024

Looking for a sweet (clean), second-chance romance novel? SEABREEZE INN by Jan Moran is a good pick.

I have high expectations for romances. I need something more than the typical romance tropes in a book. This one gave me that extra in an unexpected subplot, but because I would have liked stronger character development, I give SEABREEZE INN by Jan Moran a 4-star rating.

Summary

Ivy and Shelley are sisters, headed from the east coast to California for a party their parents are throwing. While in the area, Ivy checks out the house her husband purchased using all his retirement funds just before he died. (She didn’t know about their financial trouble or the house purchase until after his death.) She put this California house up for sale, but meanwhile, she also had to sell her own home to get out of the debt he put them in.

When she arrives, she discovers the house isn’t the small cottage she imagined. It’s a mansion, designed by famed architect, Julia Morgan, who also designed Randolph Hearst’s castle in San Simone. Unfortunately, time hasn’t been friendly to the structure. Ivy needs a plan B in case it doesn’t sell or she’ll lose it anyway in a forced sale to cover taxes. Ivy and Shelley decide to make it into a Bed and Breakfast to raise the money needed to pay the taxes and keep the new business afloat. It doesn’t help that the town residents aren’t very welcoming. Ivy’s husband’s plans to tear down the house to build a resort annoyed the locals, so Ivy has to prove herself trustworthy. It gets more complicated when Bennett, her realtor and the town mayor, turns out to be a past crush.

So far it sounds like a typical romance storyline, but I like more substance. Jan Moran meets the challenge. A subplot concerns something found at the house that may have been hidden for protection during the war (no spoilers here). I love the plausible situation. Readers get a touch of history through this discovery which complicates Ivy’s tight timeline to save the house. I love when a romance crosses genres, blending historical tidbits into a contemporary story. Unfortunately, I think I loved this historical part of the story more than the romance. However, Ivy’s sister gets a romance of her own, so it’s a two-for-one in this book.

My Thoughts

I had a hard time believing the romance between Ivy and Bennett. They were on again, off again several times. By the end, they seemed too distant to be in love. And I found it hard to believe he didn’t remember her from their teen years when he supposedly had a crush on her. I mean, how often do you hear the name Ivy? Shelley’s romance with Mitch was more believable to me.

I give Jan Moran credit for adding a good side story. I’m glad I read SEABREEZE INN. I liked it enough that I’ll be checking out more books by this author. SEABREEZE SUNSET and SEABREEZE SUMMER are the next two in the series of ten books. I’m also interested in another series by Jan Moran, the first installment called CORAL COTTAGE.

SEABREEZE INN by Jan Moran is worth the read if you like an easy-read, beachy romance.

If You Like…

If you like SEABREEZE INN, check out this past recommendation: The Cafe at Beach End by RaeAnne Thayne.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

December 23, 2024December 23, 2024

The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

Time to catch up on my book recommendations starting with THE SECRET OF SNOW by Viola Shipman! This contemporary women’s fiction with romantic elements is perfect for the upcoming winter months. Viola Shipman is a master at writing about charming Michigan towns. THE SECRET OF SNOW takes place mainly in Traverse City, Michigan.

Summary

Meteorologist Sonny Dunes, age 50, works for a top ranked Palm Springs TV news channel. After learning she’s being replaced by an AI meteorologist, Sonny responds with a drunk, on-air meltdown. Her tirade goes viral. No other stations want to hire a potentially volatile TV personality, except the station in her hometown of Traverse City. This job would be a demotion. The Michigan station has a much smaller viewership and poor ranking in the local market. Accepting the offer would bring along other challenges as well, but what other choice does she have? Sonny will have to live with her mother and face why she left Michigan in the first place.

Sonny’s new boss and college frenemy hopes to capitalize on Sonny’s infamous meltdown. New viewers may tune in to see if Sonny has another one, especially since she’s assigned to cover all the outdoor quintessential Michigan winter events. Will the viewers welcome her back as one of their own or dismiss her as an outsider from California? Will Sonny be able to deal with the winter assignments, or is she destined to boost rankings through another breakdown?

While reporting, Sonny keeps running into Mason, a widowed Chamber of Commerce Director. The sweet romance adds to the story without overpowering the story of Sonny’s personal growth. She struggles with adjusting to the snow, confronting her memories of her sister who loved it, dealing with a jealous TV reporter, and accepting that her mother only wants to help her get her life back on track.

Wade Rouse writes about his beloved Michigan under his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman.

Sonny left Michigan decades earlier because it was easier than dealing with the memories and guilt associated with her young sister’s death. When you realize what caused the guilt Sonny’s been running from for decades, you will want her to finally come to terms with the past. If that’s not hard enough, someone is trying to sabotage her career. Could it be her boss who wants to boost ratings, the jealous TV reporter, her camera guy, or someone else she hasn’t considered?

THE SECRET OF SNOW by Viola Shipman reminds us of the importance of love, family and true friends. We get a feel-good lesson about forgiving ourselves through a satisfying conclusion.

If You Like…

If you like THE SECRET OF SNOW, you may want to check out these past recommendations: One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery, Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews, and Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

September 27, 2024

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

You may be thinking pumpkin spice, but Christmas isn’t as far off as you’d like to think, and I already have a recommendation for your holiday reading this year! Susan Mallery’s One Big Happy Family comes out October 1, 2024. You can preorder now!

Summary

Julie’s adult children made their own plans for Christmas this year. Heath, Julie’s boyfriend, has young children, but they’re spending the holiday on vacation with his ex and her boyfriend. That means Julie and Heath can have a quiet Christmas together. Until plans change.

Julie’s children, Dana and Nick, drop their plans because they want to do their traditional family Christmas at the cabin. They hope it will help them get through their first Christmas since their dad’s death. Although their parents have been divorced for many years, their father normally spent the holiday with the family at the cabin.

When Heath agrees to join them, Julie needs to figure out how to introduce her kids to her boyfriend, younger than her by 12 years, whom she’s been keeping a secret. Then, just before Heath’s ex takes the kids on the vacation, her boyfriend dumps her. Julie invites Heath’s kids and his ex to join them for the holidays. Isn’t that what most people would do? Oh, and they’re bringing their dog.

Nick’s mother-in-law has recently moved to the area. Even though his wife Blair and her mother have a strained relationship, she needs somewhere to be for the holidays. Why not include her? Meanwhile, Dana is getting over a breakup with her boyfriend Axel, again.

Suddenly Julie has a lot of planning to do to accommodate a house full of people. The “cabin” has plenty of room, but it’s the mixture of personalities, secrets, and past hurts that bring the conflict and tension. And Julie, a woman with a big heart, is forced to deal with her control issues. Does ANY big family gathering turn out exactly how you want it?

My Thoughts

Susan Mallery, author pic — Susan Mallery, author

If you like fun Christmas novels about dysfunctional families, this is a wonderful read. This family’s holiday is a lovely, chaotic mess full of wonderful traditions, fun, love, personal growth, and acceptance. I enjoyed getting to know each of the guests and watching them squirm through situations often out of their control. It’s a fun, easy read for your holiday season!

Pick up Susan Mallery’s new book, One Big Happy Family! Give yourself a gift for the holidays.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review of the book.

If You Like…

If you like One Big Happy Family, you may want to check out this past recommendation: Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

August 12, 2024July 30, 2024

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

Run! Put JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez on your TBR list right away. Then bypass the others and jump right into this one! It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. I wish I could go back and experience it for the first time. JUST FOR THE SUMMER is the first Abby Jimenez book I’ve read, and I will absolutely read more by her. I give this book a 5+ star rating.

Summary

Emma and her best friend Maddy are traveling nurses. They stay in a location for six weeks and then move on. It’s good money, and they see parts of the country they want to visit. Moving around also keeps Emma in her comfort zone. After spending her childhood in constant movement with an unstable mother, Emma has no interest in planting roots anywhere.

Although Maddy’s parents became Emma’s foster parents, Emma kept them emotionally distant. The only person she’s let in is Maddy. Maddy understands Emma and knows how to handle when she retreats into herself from her untreated childhood trauma.

Justin has a problem. Five times in the last three years, the girl he dates leaves him only to find her soulmate with the next guy. Most recently, his girlfriend realized Justin’s best friend is THE ONE. He states his frustration on a Reddit thread for the world to see. When Maddie sees the thread, she shows it to Emma, who is living the same curse. Seven times in the last four years, Emma’s boyfriends have found their soulmates immediately after her.

As Justin and Emma connect, they wonder if dating each other would break the curse. Could they both find their soulmate next? Minnesota isn’t a place the girls wanted to visit, but Emma arranges their next nursing assignment to be there, near Justin, to test their theory. They plan on dating, just for the summer. But what happens when actual feelings develop?

Problems Not of Their Own Making

Because of his mother’s actions, Justin is about to move back into his childhood home and take guardianship of his three younger siblings. He’s angry at his mother for turning his life upside down.

Emma tells him, “In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy.” She explains her thoughts. “You don’t know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal.”

This philosophy is how Emma has coped with her mother for years. Emma’s mother Amber pops in and out of Emma’s life, leaving destruction in her path. Amber is self-centered and self-serving. When Amber see the mansion and yacht that belongs to Emma’s new landlord, she sets her sights on him. To make it worse, he’s Emma’s boss. Fallout from her mother could cause trouble for Emma in every way thinkable.

The book tells us, “The love stories sold us the wrong thing. The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life…. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t all butterflies and stars in your eyes. It’s real. This is the kind of love that forever is made of. Because if it’s this good when life is draining and mundane and hard, think of how wonderful it will be when the love songs are playing and the moon is out.”

My Thoughts

I know I’ve said it before about other titles, but JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez is a must-have for your summer reading. The hook about the curse is creative and drew me in, but it is the complexity of the characters and their situations that kept me reading. The story has depth. It’s realistic and raw. It’s so refreshing for a romance to balance fun, humor and cute rom-com elements with real-life tough situations for each main character.

Justin and Emma’s romance feels believable. Their relationship seems to be one of those ‘right person, wrong time’ scenarios. These characters are imperfect, and their families are flawed. They both are in turmoil not of their own making. They feel like real people living normal, troubled lives. I couldn’t help but get emotionally invested in their story. The book brings up some topics worth thought and discussion.

Author

Abby Jimenez is an award winning, bestselling author. She is also a Food Network winner with her Nadia Cakes business. She is currently (August 2024) on book tour for JUST FOR THE SUMMER. She’ll be in Columbus, Ohio on September 8 (SOLD OUT), and on November 2, she’ll be in Toledo, Ohio for the Romance Con at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. These are the two author events closest to me. Check out all her book tour stops on her website. Also check each location to get your reservation for the event.

If You Like…

If this book appeals to you, check out these books I’ve reviewed and recommend: The Good Part by Sophie Cousens and A Wedding in Lake Como by Jennifer Probst. Happy reading!

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

July 30, 2024July 30, 2024

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

Yes! Another perfect book for your beach bag this summer! A HAPPIER LIFE by Kristy Woodson Harvey, part historical fiction, part mystery, part women’s fiction, part romance, is told in a dual timeline: present day with Keaton Smith, and in 1976 with her grandparents Rebecca “Becks” and Townsend St. James.

Summary

Keaton, a young professional in NYC, has lost her job and her condo. While she figures out her next move, her mother asks her to clear out Keaton’s grandparents’ house in Beaufort so it can be sold. Keaton knew they died in a car accident before she was born, but this is the first she’s heard of the historic house on the North Carolina seaside. Her mother and uncle have held onto the house for nearly fifty years. Keaton agrees and takes her dog Salt along for the trip. (Who doesn’t love a story with a dog? And this dog is based on Kristy’s own dog named Salt!)

Keaton isn’t prepared to walk into a 1970s time-warp. It looks like Becks and Townsend just stepped away, including dishes left on the dining room table from one of Becks’ famous dinner parties. As Keaton is adjusting to the shock, Anderson, a ten-year-old, boy pops in. He lives next door with his divorced, grumpy, hot dad, Bowen.

While Keaton struggles with the enormous cleaning job, she connects more deeply with the locals. Keaton learns that everyone knows everything in a small town, so different from NYC. She becomes friends with the Dockside Dames, a group of older women who get together every morning for coffee and gossip. Their stories of her grandparents help Keaton connect with family she never knew. Keaton sees what life could be like here. She’s faced with comparing her fast-paced, workaholic life in NYC to what small town life on the ocean with Bowen and his son could be like.

The story of her grandparents dying in a car accident begins to have some holes. Although her grandparents’ car was found submerged in the water, their bodies were never recovered. When Keaton discovers her mother and uncle have suspicions that their parents were actually murdered, Keaton better understands why they never returned to the house. But what really happened to Becks and Townsend?

We go back in time for Becks to tell her love story. Becks was disowned by her parents for marrying Townsend, the love of her life. She focuses on making life easier for others and throwing her famous dinner parties while Townsend starts his doctor practice in Beaufort. Although Becks journals all her entertaining tips for her daughter, her granddaughter Keaton is the one to find it nearly fifty years later. It helps her connect with the grandmother she never knew.

Trying to decide what to keep and what to discard from her grandparents’ life and mother’s childhood is more difficult than Keaton expected. Keaton finally convinces her mother and uncle to come look through some things and get closure. Becks and Townsend left multiple clues behind, leading the family to learn the truth of what happened to them.

My Thoughts

There’s a lot here for readers of several genres including romance, women’s fiction, and mystery. It’s a multi-generational story of family relationships and how we deal with damage done in the past. It’s about forgiveness and reconciliation, about valuing the past and the family who came before us, and about romantic love and second chances. It reinforces that we shouldn’t judge the happiness of someone else’s life because people define happiness differently. What’s right for one isn’t for another. Perhaps when you determine you’ve lived a life worth living, you’ve found true happiness.

I loved A HAPPIER LIFE by Kristy Woodson Harvey. May I suggest you purchase A HAPPIER LIFE here at Bookshop.org? This online bookstore supports mom and pop bookstores nationwide!

Kristy Woodson Harvey, author

If you like…

If this book appeals to you, check out these Kristy Woodson Harvey books I’ve previously reviewed and recommend: The Summer of Songbirds, The Wedding Veil, Under the Southern Sky, Feels Like Falling, and the whole Peachtree Bluff series.

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

June 11, 2024May 31, 2024

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young is a unique novel. I’m being careful to not give you too much about this one because it’s best experienced by the reader. If your reading tastes are similar to mine, you’ll love it!

This time travel novel includes the loyal/loving family theme wrapped with mystery and a touch of romance, but it also has a complexity that will keep you on your toes. Your brain will be engaged while reading this book, and it will keep you thinking long after, all in a good way.

Summary

The Farrow women are well-known for two things: their flower farm in Japer, North Carolina, and a mysterious curse. Years ago, after showing signs of mental instability, Susanna Farrow disappeared. She left behind baby June to be raised by the grandmother.

Now an adult, June is very familiar with the town’s rumors and whispers about her family and her mother’s disappearance. When June hears a voice calling her name and wind chimes that don’t exist and sees a ghost horse and a mysterious red door that appear out of nowhere, she questions if she is headed down that same slippery slope of mental illness. That’s why she feels she must sacrifice finding love and having children. The curse will stop with her.

Early in the story, just before June’s grandmother dies, she mails an old photo to June. June questions how the two people in the picture could be together since they didn’t live in the same time period. June investigates more about her mother and the disappearance. Every bit of information leads to another question. After receiving a yellowed envelope with the message “Trust me,” June decides to test her hallucinations. The next time the red door appears, she opens it and walks through. When she does, June must navigate a scenario where the present and the past intertwine, and answers lead to tough decisions.

My Thoughts

In the beginning of THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young, the author tosses the readers tidbits of strange experiences until she hooks you into the story. You suddenly realize you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole, but the Mad Hatter doesn’t seem so mad after all. Here, the impossible becomes reality. As Junes learns about the Farrow women’s ability to time travel, her view of the family curse changes.

Motherhood is a major theme, revealing the family love and loyalty of generations of Farrows. The story explores the choices we make and what we’re willing to sacrifice for those we love. Add a murder mystery and fierce, heartbreaking romance, and you have a winner of a novel.

I’d rate THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW with 4 1/2 stars out of 5. The only reason it isn’t a 5 is that trying to understand the timelines as they relate to the Farrow family makes my head spin. Once I understood the familial relationships between the characters, I was fine. It’s amazing how complex time travel is in this story, but the author handles it smoothly. Readers will let down their walls of believability long enough to accept the impossible is possible, at least in this world.

So I pose a question to you: If a door appeared that wasn’t there a moment before, would you step through it? Leave me a comment below.

If you like…

If this book appeals to you, check out these books I’ve previously reviewed and recommend: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young (same author), Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber. Happy reading!

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

May 21, 2024May 9, 2024

The Cafe at Beach End by RaeAnne Thayne

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

Family reconciliation is a major part of the storyline in THE CAFE AT BEACH END by RaeAnne Thayne, but you also get two love stories for the price of one! Cousins Meredith and Tori both get second chances at love in this clean romance. The small beach town setting will draw you in and the characters will make you want to hang around.

Background

Tori and Meredith were best friends when they were younger, more like sisters than cousins. As adults, their relationship is non-existent.

At age 19, Tori got pregnant and married, keeping her in Cape Sanctuary and helping her grandmother at The Beach End Cafe. But when Tori’s husband died making her a single mom to their six-year-old daughter, Tori’s life wasn’t easy. When her grandmother became ill, Tori balanced being a caregiver, a single mother, and the manager of the cafe.

Meredith, on the other hand, graduated with an art degree, married a wealthy man, and opened her own art gallery in the city. She didn’t help emotionally support Tori when her husband died, and she wasn’t around to help care for Grandma or run the cafe. Tori felt ignored and left behind while Meredith enjoyed a perfect life.

Tori didn’t know what Meredith’s marriage looked like behind closed doors. Bad led to worse when Meredith’s husband was convicted of cheating investors out of millions of dollars. The FBI made her life even more miserable after her husband died in prison. They believe she knew about the scheme and knows where the money is hidden. The FBI finally drop the case against her since they couldn’t prove her involvement. Meredith has a hard time feeling sorry for herself and what she’s lost when so many people lost money to her husband.

Grandma never held a grudge against Meredith, believing she had good reasons for not coming around. When Grandma died , Tori was dismayed that she left Meredith a cottage and 49% ownership of the cafe. Tori has the other 51%. It didn’t matter much until Meredith returned to Cape Sanctuary to start over.

Summary

The book opens with Meredith — shamed, depressed, broke, and without a job. She returns to Cape Sanctuary to hide away, distancing herself from her ex-husband’s scandal. Tori isn’t happy to see her. She’s bitter. And she certainly doesn’t want Meredith to suddenly have a say in “her” cafe after she’s spent so much time and energy running it. Much of the story is the gradual rebuilding of their relationship.

Liam, who is renting out the house next door to Meredith, says he came to the quiet town to write a book, but he’s hiding his real identity and motives. Liam shows interest in Meredith, and she opens up to him. As they develop feelings for one another, his secret could ruin everything.

Tori’s divorced brother-in-law Sam moves back to Cape Sanctuary with his daughter, Cristina. When Tori’s daughter Emilia and her cousin get into trouble at school, Tori and Sam work together to guide the girls onto the right path, hopefully including passing the eighth grade. Tori and Sam are drawn to each other, but Tori holds back. Even though her husband passed years ago, being interested in her husband’s brother doesn’t feel right.

My Thoughts

THE CAFE AT BEACH END by RaeAnne Thayne is a wonderful feel-good book to pick up for your summer reading. It came out in 2023. When I started reading it, I didn’t realize this was book five in the Cape Sanctuary series. I didn’t matter one bit that I hadn’t read the others. Each book in the series is a standalone, following different characters and situations, all in the small fictional California beach town of Cape Sanctuary. I’ll be returning to the Cape Sanctuary series another time. RaeAnne Thayne just may become one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance. This book is well written, and RaeAnne respects her reader’s IQ by not repeating details like some romance authors do.

If you like…

If this book appeals to you, check out these books I’ve reviewed and recommend: Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman, The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith, The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews, and The Beach House and The Beach House series by Mary Alice Monroe. Happy reading!

Drop me a comment below! What are you reading that you’d recommend? Who are your favorite authors? Ask me a question about books and/or writing. I’d love to hear from you!

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@author.robin.shelley

May 7, 2024May 7, 2024

A Wedding in Lake Como by Jennifer Probst

Robin’s Reviews 2024

A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO by Jennifer Probst, both women’s fiction and a contemporary romance, comes out May 14. It’s the third installment in Probst’s Meet Me in Italy series. Each book in the series is a standalone story. The other two books are OUR ITALIAN SUMMER and THE SECRET LOVE LETTERS OF OLIVIA MORETTI.

Set-Up

Three young women from very different backgrounds become best friends in college. Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea are experiencing self-discovery through the freedom of their college years while dreaming of the endless possibilities ahead of them. It’s a book about female friendships, young love, mistakes made along the way, personal growth, and forgiveness. This novel takes us from college in NYC, to the fashion and acting scene in LA, to an Italian mega villa in Lake Como.

The Characters

Growing up, Maddie’s parents only took care of her basic needs, making it clear to her that she was an unplanned pregnancy. Once she turned eighteen, they washed their hands of her. Now, Maddie is putting herself through college. She finds the confidence she’s been missing through the emotional support of her college friends.

Ava was raised by her wealthy, widowed Italian father. She has charisma that commands attention in any room she enters, but she carries baggage from her mother’s death. It has made her manipulative and controlling, but she conceals it as concern and loving help for her friends.

Maddie is so desperate to be loved and accepted, she doesn’t see how toxic her friendship with Ava is becoming. On the other hand, even though Ava has money and connections, Maddie takes as little as possible from Ava. Maddie wants to make it on her own.

Chelsea rounds out this group of besties. She had the most idyllically “normal” upbringing. Although she’s part of the group, Maddie and Ava are the primary characters.

Summary

Through their college years, the girls come to terms with their families and upbringings, build lasting friendships through supporting each other, plan their careers, and explore the dating scene. Sparks fly for Maddie and Riggs, and they build a deep romantic relationship. Riggs is studying law while Maddie builds her social media following to become a fashion influencer.

Ava takes her college girlfriends on an Italian vacation to her home on Lake Como. Here, the girls make a pact to attend each other’s weddings, no matter where life leads them.

After Chelsea’s wedding reception, Ava makes a huge mistake that destroys the group. Five years later, Ava is getting married to the man of her dreams in her hometown by Lake Como. Even with her past mistake and loss of friendship still haunting her, she sends the invitations to her college friends.

Maddie, still single, is frustrated with her superficial reality and lack of meaningful relationships. She lashes out on social media, causing a public scandal that could ruin her career. Chelsea is married and has children, but she feels the tug between motherhood and unfulfilled professional goals.

Photo of beautiful Lake Como in Italy — Italy’s Beautiful Lake Como

Chelsea will be at the wedding, but Maddie is the X factor. Will Maddie face the pain of the past and hear Ava out? Will seeing another wedding guest from the past be too much? Will Ava’s other secret push Maddie over the edge? Will Maddie hold on to her anger over the wrong done to her, or will she finally find healing?

My Thoughts

There’s a lot to love about this book. The characters and their friendship dynamics kept me interested. I wanted to keep reading to see how the girls would grow through their college years and beyond. Riggs was perfect as Maddie’s love interest. I wanted to see Maddie become successful, but my heart ached for her as their love is tested building their individual careers.

A few things bothered me about the characters, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the story. I had a hard time buying into Maddie’s loveless family dynamics. Could anyone live with a child for eighteen years and ONLY feel responsible to feed and clothe her? How could they be so cold-hearted? Possible, but extreme. As Maddie works toward her dream of being a fashion influencer, deep down she hopes that if she’s successful enough, she will earn her parents’ love. I understand Maddie’s misguided thinking, but the extreme brokenness in her family felt unrealistic.

The story takes readers to beautiful Lake Como in Italy twice. What a privilege Ava has to live in a luxurious Italian villa on the lake! She comes from so much wealth! Her background makes me question why she would choose to go to college in the states when she could have chosen anywhere in the world. It’s a minor point. Maybe I’m just jealous I didn’t have a rich friend in college to invite me on extravagant vacations and pay for it all!

Wrap-up

A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO will attract a younger audience, say women in their 20’s and 30’s. I’m in an older group, ok, much older group, but I still enjoyed this book. The dynamics of three friends and a rocky romance kept my interest. The storyline of a social media influencer keeps the novel relevant today, and yet it brought the good times of my past college years to mind.

I give A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO by Jennifer Probst a strong 4 stars. If it sounds interesting to you, it’s worth a read! If you like the sound of this book, you should check out my review of THE GOOD PART by Sophie Cousens.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book. The opinions are my own. Feel free to leave a comment! I love talking with my readers!

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@author.robin.shelley

April 23, 2024April 3, 2024

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

Thinking about your reading list for this summer? If you’re looking for a good older book you may have missed, try THE ISLAND by Elin Hilderbrand. THE ISLAND came out in 2010, so it should be easy to find at the library and at bookstores.

THE ISLAND is a story of familial and romantic love, recovery from tragedy, sibling rivalry, and family support. The story reveals the individual paths four women have taken for love and the course each path set for their futures.

Summary

Shortly after Chess called off her wedding, her ex-fiancé tragically dies rock climbing. To help her through this dark time, her mother Birdie, her aunt India and her sister Tate take Chess to their family vacation home for a full month. They haven’t been back to the house on Tuckernuck Island near Nantucket in over a decade. They hope the family memories and serenity of the location will be healing.

The homes on Tuckernuck have no electricity, no heat or air conditioning, no hot water, no internet, and no cell service. A vacation home caretaker whom Birdie hired years ago has been checking on the house. When he retired, his son Barrett Lee took over the business. Birdie sent Barrett money to make the place livable for their visit since it had been neglected for so long. Upon their arrival, Barrett supplies their transportation by boat between Nantucket and Tuckernuck. He also brings them mail and groceries. Barrett, who is a widow with a child, focuses on keeping all of his clients happy, but one client, Nantucket socialite Anita Fullin, is jealous. She doesn’t want to share Barrett’s time and attention with the other family. Tate’s focus is also on Barrett, hoping this could be the summer he finally notices her.

The characters each have their own story and baggage. Birdie, the mom, is still recovering from her divorce. Free-spirited, artsy India is rediscovering herself after her husband’s death. Computer geek Tate thinks her sister has always had the advantage, but she still wants to support her. Chess, who is dealing with her grief and guilt, is also hiding a deeper secret.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this novel. The island/beach setting is right up my alley. I love a good book about love and family relationships. Birdie’s journey was a bit too predictable for me, but I did like that each character’s journey and personality was unique and had depth. Elin Hilderbrand has a way of breathing life into complex, distinctive characters.

My favorite character storylines were India and Tate. India is a widow, but her reflections on her marriage with a famous artist husband felt realistic, and her free-spirit was interesting. Tate has a successful career, but love hasn’t been in the picture. She has always felt she was in her sister’s shadow. With memories of Barrett from their summer trips years ago, she wonders if she might have a shot with him. Her same old fear rears its head – Is he more interested in Chess?

If you’re considering your summer reading list, THE ISLAND by Elin Hilderbrand is a great addition. If you like this book, check out my review on The Identicals, another Hilderbrand book here.

Note About My Book Reviews This Year

Although I love reading books close to when they’re published, I have so many older books on my TBR (To Be Read) pile! I want to catch up on some of them. This year I promised myself I’d work on those more than new releases. My blog will reflect that. Sure, you’ll still see some newer books or ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) because I automatically say yes to certain authors’ books, but you’ll see some older outstanding books here as well. Hope you enjoy the mix of older and newer in my reviews this year!

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@author.robin.shelley

April 3, 2024

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

What a treat to read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews!

This book is just fabulous! I love it so much that I did a thing. I wrote to the author directly! Although I write a lot of reviews, I seldom write to the author personally. Even after decades of writing, Mary Kay Andrews just keeps getting better and better! She makes something so difficult (writing a book that hooks the reader) look so easy.

So let’s talk about SUMMERS AT THE SAINT!

Summary

Summertime, beach resort, romance, mystery…and murder.

The St. Cecelia resort, nicknamed “The Saint,” welcomes the rich who vacation there year after year on the Georgia coast. The people who can afford to stay here are called the Saints. Locals are the Ain’ts.

Traci, one of the Ain’ts who worked as a teenage lifeguard at the hotel, ended up marrying one of the owner’s sons. Now widowed, she’s the owner of the hotel. Her ruthless brother-in-law Ric is appalled that his brother’s death left Traci as the owner of the hotel part of the business. He is a constant thorn in her side while she’s trying to bring The Saint back to a 5-star hotel after Covid caused financial troubles and staffing issues.

Those aren’t Traci’s only troubles. An accidental drowning from years ago comes back to haunt her. She and her friend Shannon were the lifeguards on duty when it happened. Now, when another tragic death occurs on the grounds, Traci is barely holding it all together. She’s also beginning to realize so much more is going on behind the scenes at the hotel. However, the possibility of romance adds some relief to the craziness in Traci’s life.

My Thoughts

I expected SUMMERS AT THE SAINT to be a women’s fiction/romance/ beach read. It is, but it’s so much more! Cozy mystery readers will also love this one.

It was a light, easy-read story with twists and turns you won’t see coming. Filled with juicy secrets, family discord, shady deals, murder, past indiscretions, strong females, misplaced trust, new employees with all their “baggage,” and a side dish of romance, you’ll need to set aside time for this one. Once you start it, you’ll put everything else on hold.

Right when I thought I understood everything that was going on at The Saint, MKA threw in a new detail or twist. I kept wondering how deep she would go! Could she possibly come up with another unexpected turn?

At first I was concerned about the large cast of characters and keeping them straight. Silly me. The writing was in the hands of a master. Not only could I keep them straight, they were all necessary to the story. Every time I thought I had the whole picture of how all the characters were intertwined, Mary Kay would throw in another twist. Don’t let the introduction of all the characters discourage you from reading on.

Reserve your spot at The Saint and put SUMMERS AT THE SAINT by Mary Kay Andrews on your 2024 summer reading list. The pub date is coming up — May 7, 2024. Did you know it REALLY helps an author if you pre-order? You can pre-order from any bookstore, but I like to support independent bookstores here through bookshop.org.

Book Tour

If you live in NE Ohio like me, register to meet MKA in person and have her sign your book. She’ll be at the Parma-Powers Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 PM. I’ll be there! Register here. For other tour stops, click here.

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@author.robin.shelley

March 4, 2024

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024 – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

*Note my warning below concerning this book’s content

Let’s start with-YES! FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros was an amazing 5-star read for me. FOURTH WING was considered one of the best books of 2023, but I just got to it this year. The hype around it was crazy. Sometimes that worries me that a novel won’t stand up to the hype, but this one did.

Romance, fantasy, life and death action, magical dragons, friendship and betrayals, cut-throat competition, and training to fight for a kingdom that may be hiding secrets…what more could a reader ask for?

I’m wondering if FOURTH WING became so popular because it has wide appeal. Readers like me, who don’t regularly read fantasy, are picking it up.

Some hard-core fantasy readers giving bad reviews mention that this book stole ideas from other novels like Harry Potter, ACOTAR, Shadow and Bone, Hunger Games, and Divergent. These are books that also broke through those genre boundaries, enticing a wide group of readers. Is similarity to these beloved books really a problem or a magic formula? Besides, no book is fully unique.

Other popular stories may have inspired Yarros’s writing. So what? I don’t think that’s a bad thing. This story differs from those other books. I enjoyed that this female protagonist has everything riding against her, and yet her bravery, perseverance, inner-strength, and intelligence, along with help from some friends, get her through. She has a lot of plot armor, but hey-she’s our main character.

FOURTH WING Summary:

Twenty-year old Violet, a strong female protagonist, is at the age when she must commit to a quadrant. As her deceased father was a scribe, she’s been training for that path her whole life. She has a love of books and knows her people’s history well. However, her mother is General Sorrengail. The general knows a large percentage of dragon rider candidates die, but she still forces her daughter to enlist in the Dragon Rider Quadrant at Basgiath War College.

This quadrant represents the elite, the defenders of the kingdom. The other dragon rider candidates have been training for this opportunity, just as Violet has trained to gain entrance to the Scribe Quadrant. That leaves Violet lacking the training needed for the deadly Dragon Rider entrance exam.

If she somehow passes, it becomes a lethal competition to connect with a dragon since there are fewer dragons willing to bond than there are candidates. Violet is smaller than average and has a rare disease which causes loose ligaments and brittle bones. Even if Violet makes it through the initial physical tests, dragons would rather incinerate the weak rather than bond with them. Even after bonding, only a fraction of those riders live through the four years of training. There are only two ways dragon riding school ends: either graduate or die. And graduates are sent to the war.

In the FOURTH WING world, dragons are the superior species. This isn’t a dragon-taming book. Rather, the dragons put their riders through excruciating exercises to test their mettle. The dragons also have clear personalities, shown through their actions and the thoughts sent telepathically to their riders.

Violet is reunited with her childhood friend Dain, a third-year. Readers will wonder if he will turn into a love interest. His protective actions are good intentioned but keep her from becoming all she can be. Still, he’s there, watching her back.

She faces danger every day of training, but danger also lurks within the ranks, especially for the daughter of the general. Violet’s nemesis in the first half of the book is Xaden Riorson, the son of a rebel leader.

Back when the rebellion ended, Violet’s mother had the rebel leaders executed. The government forced their children to enlist as dragon riders when they reached the proper age. These riders have a vendetta against Violet because of her mother’s actions. Xaden, the most powerful wing leader, is one of these. As much as he wants to hate her, circumstances out of his control force him to reevaluate his relationship with Violet. As Yarros reveals the backstories of some students, readers better understand the characters’ actions and loyalties.

News continues to come in from the far reaches of the kingdom’s borders. Protective wards are failing, and perimeter villages are being attacked. More dragon riders are needed. As Violet continues her training exercises and classwork, she suspects the leaders, including her mother, are keeping secrets concerning the dangers across the border.

*FOURTH WING Final Note (and Content Warning)

Ok, so maybe FOURTH WING is a 4.75 read for me. I’m deducting part of a point due to a couple of SPICY sex scenes I personally could have done without. Since they come late in the book, I was taken off guard. It is consensual sex, but I like a more closed-door, committed relationship approach. It’s my personal preference.

Publishers usually label books with characters of this age as YA, but the sex and violence bump it into the adult category. I hope parents are aware of the sex, the violence, and the F-bombs before deciding on FOURTH WING’s appropriateness for their teens. For adults, if you can get past those issues, I highly recommend this book. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to ponder if I want to read it again before I start the sequel, IRON FLAME.

If you want to learn more about Rebecca Yarros, click here. If your ready to purchase, consider buying FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros here. (The sequel IRON FLAME is also available.) These links will take you to Bookshop.org, a business that supports Mom and Pop bookstores nationwide. I don’t receive anything from Bookshop if you buy from them. I just believe in their mission.

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@author.robin.shelley

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Robin’s Reviews

THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer is an adult novel, but it brought back the magical feelings of reading from my childhood.

I emotionally remembered that feeling of enchantment from reading books for the first time, like Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew/The Hardy Boys, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, to name a few. Certain books touch the heart of a child.

Think back to books you read as a child. Now remember with your heart, not your mind. Were you enchanted by a story you couldn’t put down? Do you remember the joy as a story unfolded? Do you remember feeling proud of yourself for figuring “it” out? Did you want to escape into the world in that book? To become the character in the book? To finish a book under the covers with a flashlight after bedtime? Ever not want to come when called for dinner because you were reading?

THE WISHING GAME will have you reliving all those feelings, but in an adult story. It’s easy reading, could be YA, but it also covers several heavier topics: childhood neglect, the foster system, running away, and childhood illness, to name a few. Meg Shaffer skillfully includes these tough problems in a way that doesn’t darken or weigh down the story. THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer should definitely go on your adult bookshelf!

Summary of THE WISHING GAME

Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is a reclusive, eccentric, and best-selling children’s author. He lives on Clock Island, the setting of his magical, mysterious children’s book series. In each of his books, a child has to make a wish and then find his or her way to the island. They are all brave children who then face their fears through riddles and games to get a chance at their wish coming true.

Five years ago, Jack mysteriously quit writing. Finally, he now announces he has a new book and will be running a competition for four adults. These adults were picked because, as children, they actually found their way to Clock Island after reading his books. Now, as adults, they will compete in a Clock Island game. The winner will get the one and only copy of Jack’s new children’s book to keep or sell. The publisher is already willing to pay six figures for it, but other interested parties may be willing to pay even more. Each contestant has a real need to win.

The protagonist of THE WISHING GAME is Lucy Hart. As a child, Lucy found comfort in reading the Clock Island series. It helped her through a difficult childhood. Now an adult, Lucy desperately wants to adopt seven-year-old Christopher, to give him the love she never had. She has been reading the Clock Island books to Christopher to help him through his own messed-up childhood. Lucy can’t afford to adopt him on her teacher’s aide salary. This contest could be the answer to both of their wishes. If Lucy wins, selling the book would provide all she needs to adopt Christopher and give him a loving, stable home.

My Thoughts

Jack Masterson and Hugo Reese are wonderful secondary characters. Jack, the author, is mysterious, and yet he’s that grandfatherly character. The twinkle in his eye hints at his joy in creating games and riddles. Hugo Reese, the long-time illustrator of the books, lives on the island with Jack. Hugo is ready to move on with his life, but when Jack hit a low and stopped writing, Hugo couldn’t leave him. He needs to know Jack will be okay without him. Hugo and Lucy develop a fondness for each other that grows into a sweet relationship.

THE WISHING GAME was endearing and wholesome. I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical, mysterious book, although I wanted to get to the contest faster. The plot was a bit predictable, but I didn’t mind. It brought me something no other adult book has: I remembered in my soul what it felt like being a kid again, trying to solve the riddles right along with the competitors.

Interested in purchasing? Try here at Bookshop.org. They’re a wonderful website that supports the Mom and Pop bookstores nationwide.

Last Thoughts

Although the Clock Island books don’t actually exist in the real world, I would LOVE to see Meg Shaffer try her hand at children’s literature to create them! What books bring back fond memories of childhood for you? I’d love if you shared below!

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@author.robin.shelley

December 21, 2023December 4, 2023

Beautiful Little Fools by Jill Cantor

Robin’s Reviews

Yes. I admit it. I was one of those people that loved reading THE GREAT GATSBY, so I was excited to hear about BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS by Jill Cantor. Let me tell you, her retelling didn’t disappoint. It gives fans a chance to relive the classic through a new lens. Same plot. Same characters. BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS is told from the women’s point of view, including capturing the limitations of women in the 1920s.

Cantor’s title is perfect! Perhaps you recall Daisy Buchanan’s quote in the classic when her daughter is born: “I hope she’ll be a fool — that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE GREAT GATSBY (NOT FOR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS)

*I’m going to assume you’ve read THE GREAT GATSBY or watched the movie at some point, so fair warning, there are some Gatsby spoilers in this review. It would be hard not to when reviewing a book heavily inspired by the original.

Readers know Jay Gatsby ends up dead in his swimming pool in the original, and readers believe George killed him in a jealous fit. In BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS Cantor turns the story into a murder mystery. She gives readers a reason to re-evaluate who murdered Jay when a hairpin is found in the bushes near the murder scene. A mobster hires Detective Frank Charles to determine the actual murderer.

WOMEN CHARACTERS COME ALIVE

The best fleshed out character in the classic is Daisy Buchanan. Married for financial security, she’s an unhappy socialite, but Cantor fills in more of her backstory. You may remember her best friend Jordan who is involved in a scandal on the golfing circuit. Cantor reveals her to be a lesbian. (It isn’t that big of a stretch from the insinuations in the classic.) Readers also dive deeper into Myrtle Wilson’s character. The wife of a garage mechanic, she’s unhappy with the lack of glitz and excitement in her life and becomes Tom Buchanan’s mistress. Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, was only a background character in one scene in the original. She now becomes a fully fleshed out character as a 1920s suffragette who had a casual relationship with Gatsby.

Cantor’s character development keeps the reader guessing who killed Gatsby. They each have a motive. Although Cantor makes some character choices based on the classic that I wouldn’t have, it was interesting to follow her vision of these women.

Although readers can enjoy BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS as a standalone, it fits best as a companion to THE GREAT GATSBY. Perhaps Fitzgerald wouldn’t have seen his characters exactly as Cantor develops them, yet it’s interesting to see how she develops storylines and backgrounds that fill in gray areas left by the original. And Cantor’s ending gives readers a twist you won’t see coming!

Have you read THE GREAT GATSBY? How long ago? Is it time to revisit this old friend? Or is it time to finally read this classic for the first time? What about watching the movie version on a cold winter evening? If you love the classic, you’ve got to read BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS.

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December 7, 2023October 10, 2023

The Liz Taylor Ring by Brenda Janowitz

Robin’s Reviews

The Liz Taylor Ring by Brenda Janowitz was an enjoyable read. Don’t be confused going in though. It is more about a fictional couple than Liz Taylor.

Photo showing the size of the actual Liz Taylor diamond ring — The actual Liz Taylor ring

This dual timeline story covers the romance of Ritchie and Lizzie in the 1970s, and years later, the family drama of their adult children after the parents have passed. Then add the discovery of a piece of jewelry, an inheritance they all want, to the sibling tension. It’s an issue many families have experienced.

Lizzie and Ritchie’s relationship is compared to that of Lizzie’s movie idols, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor — both passionate and tumultuous. After marriage and two children, Lizzie and Ritchie separate due to his gambling addiction. When he wins a gigantic eleven-carat diamond ring, he uses it to woo Lizzie back. (The ring is similar to the one Burton gave Taylor to win her back after their separation. See the photo above.) Soon after, Lizzie and Ritchie have another child, twelve years younger than her siblings.

At some point in Lizzie and Ritchie’s marriage, the ring is lost. Each child has a different memory of what happened to it — stolen, lost or gambled away. After their parents’ deaths, their children rediscover it in a lock box. The children all believe they deserve it, and each has a different reason for wanting it. Can they survive each other as they decide what to do with it? Will this inheritance tear the family further apart? Is it a treasure or a curse?

Brenda Janowitz, the author, has done extensive research on Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. She adds an interesting section at the end of the book explaining the Easter eggs she’s added throughout the novel that are nods to Burton and Taylor. She also includes scenes from Taylor and Burton movies for readers to Google. If you are a fan of these Hollywood idols and/or love books with family drama and the process of reconciliation, The Liz Taylor Ring is one you’ll want to put on your TBR list.

If this kind of fiction is your thing, Brenda Janowitz has more for you! She also wrote The Audrey Hepburn Estate and The Grace Kelly Dress, along with several other novels. Aren’t all of her book covers gorgeous?

And if you like those books, make sure to check out my five-star review of The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey about the Vanderbilts.

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@author.robin.shelley

November 30, 2023November 6, 2023

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Robin’s Reviews

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng caught my attention because of great reviews, but also because I live near the setting in Shaker Heights (a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio). Ng has also written Our Missing Hearts and Everything I Never Told You.

Book Summary

Mainly a character sketch, Little Fires Everywhere is a slow-burn story. The Richardson family lives in an affluent community. Mr. Richardson is a lawyer. His wife is a journalist for the local paper. She has a clear picture of the order to life: college, marriage, successful careers, children, in that order. Conforming to rules leads to success and happiness. She doesn’t understand that many of the rules she follows are just her ways, not necessarily the only right ways.

The four Richardson teenagers have distinct personalities reminiscent of The Breakfast Club. Lexie is a senior — the popular girl, a good student and the lead in the school play. Tripp is a junior — the good-looking athlete. Moody is a sophomore — quiet, bright, and compassionate. Izzie is a freshman — the misfit in the family. No one understands her and how she thinks. The others expect her to do weird or mischievous behaviors; therefore, Izzie often pushes their buttons on purpose.

The Richardsons lease a house to Mia Warren and her teenage daughter Pearl. Mia lives an artistic, gypsy-style life, not concerned with possessions or status. She and her daughter have moved 40+ times in Pearl’s life, each time to inspire Mia’s artistic photography. This time Mia has promised Pearl they will plant roots here. Pearl is excited to invest in making lasting friendships.

The two mothers are foils for each other, each a threat to the other’s philosophy of how to live life. The story also explores dysfunctional family dynamics, parenting styles, consequences of conforming and of not conforming, class and racial issues, friendship, privilege, accountability, and lies and secrets.

Pearl becomes enamored with the Richardson’s affluent lifestyle. Meanwhile, Izzy sees something special in Mia’s artistic free-spirit. She forms a bond with Mia that she can’t forge with her own mother. Mia also unexpectedly forms a bond with Lexie through a secret she’s keeping from her parents.

Mrs. Richardson is jealous of Mia’s connection with her children. When the two women have opposing opinions on Mrs. Richardson’s friend’s adoption case, she digs into Mia’s past, uncovering information that’s none of her business.

Although the book starts with the Richardson house literally on fire, readers see many “little fires” popping up throughout the book. Each simply needs some extra fuel to set the situation into a full-blown blaze. Just when I started to believe one character is the better person, Ng throws a situation at the person with choices no one would want to make. Readers realize they are all human, all flawed, all have cracks. No one is blameless. Whether or not readers agree with the characters’ decisions, they way they handle them is interesting. I got more invested in how everything would turn out the further I read, but I was hoping for more of a plot twist. However, the characters have stuck with me weeks after reading the book. As I said, Little Fires Everywhere is more of a character sketch.

Little Fires Everywhere brought to TV

Hulu has done a mini-series based on Little Fires Everywhere starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. Unfortunately, I haven’s see it yet, so I can’t do a comparison. I look forward to watching it in the future. Have you read the book and watched the show? What’s your take on the two?

If this book speaks to you, check out my review on Lies and Other Languages by Sonali Dev.

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@author.robin.shelley

November 7, 2023November 6, 2023

The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

Robin’s Rave Reviews

As soon as I finished The Good Part by Sophie Cousens, I wanted to start it all over again! (I don’t often say that.) Since this was such an enjoyable read, I will be reading more by this author. I was lucky to get an ARC of The Good Part, my first novel by Sophie Cousens. You can get a copy, too, because today is Sophie’s pub day! Happy Pub Day, Sophie! (November 7, 2023)

Summary:

Tom Hanks in the movie Big asks Zoltar to grant his wish.

Lucy is disheartened by her life in her twenties – working hard and getting nowhere, going on bad dates, living in a dumpy apartment. Wanting to skip to The Good Part of her life, Lucy makes a wish on an old arcade wishing machine (inspired by the movie Big). Imagine waking up to find sixteen years have passed you by! Suddenly Lucy is married, has two children, and is a successful TV executive. The world has changed, and she has no memory of the missing years. As she adjusts to this life she’s been dropped into, she begins to question if the wishing machine worked or if she simply has amnesia.

Watching Lucy maneuver through her new circumstances included some laugh-out-loud moments, and watching her fall in love with her husband and children was especially heartwarming. So many rich characters in this story!

Toward the end I couldn’t decide if I wanted Lucy to go back in time or stay where she was. I had to see what her decision would be! This novel makes readers consider how experiencing the good and bad makes us who we become, and the necessity of going through it.

*I lean toward “clean” novels. Although this one isn’t exactly clean, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s five-star fun! Just so you know: The author handled the sex scenes with discretion. The characters drop some F bombs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam for an arc of The Good Part. The opinions are my own.

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November 2, 2023September 27, 2023

This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith

Author Leesa Cross-Smith photo — Author Leesa Cross-Smith

Hachette unexpectedly sent me This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith. I assume I won it in a contest, but I didn’t know I had! It sat on my TBR pile for awhile, but I was glad I chose to read it. I wouldn’t normally pick up a book dealing with mental illness, but these are deep, complex characters who normalize that everyone struggles sometimes.

Story Summary

The story starts on a rainy night when Tallie, a licensed therapist, is driving over a bridge and notices a man who look like he’s going to jump. She stops and convinces him to get coffee with her, although she hides that she’s a therapist. At the coffee shop, she realizes he doesn’t have any place to go so she invites him to come home with her. (Okay, I thought that was a bit crazy on her part, but I kept with the story.)

Taking place mainly over a weekend, This Close to Okay is told through alternating chapters from Tallie’s and Emmett’s perspectives. They spend the time helping each other heal — from what brought Emmett to the bridge that night, and for Tallie, from problems she hasn’t addressed surrounding her divorce and problems with infertility. Tallie believes she’s helping Emmett, but his presence is cathartic for her as well. Even therapists need help to work through trauma. Everyone needs someone willing to catch us when we stumble or get overwhelmed.

Be aware that This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith contains potential triggers: mental illness, depression, suicidal thoughts, infidelity, infertility, and grief. Even so, the feeling of the book is positive. Through loneliness and loss, even the unexpected compassion of a stranger can change the trajectory of a life. By offering emotional support, both characters benefit. The only thing I didn’t care for was the ending. The author left the book somewhat open ended, but that’s better than a trite romantic ending that wouldn’t fit this novel.

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October 5, 2023September 26, 2023

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

Robin’s Rave Reviews

Are you one of those armchair archeologists, a wanna-be like me? Get your fix with What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez, a great book with intrigue, twists and turns, Egyptian history, archeological digs, adventure, and danger. Just to sweeten the pot, throw in a strong female protagonist, magic, romance, constant questioning of who can be trusted, and exotic settings including in Cairo, on the Nile River, and at a dig site in the desert. Although What the River Knows is labeled as YA, it’s also perfect for adults.

This is book 1 of a duology. Be prepared as you approach the last pages; not everything will get wrapped up. It ends on a major cliffhanger. Other than that, the book was 5 stars for me!

Summary:

19th century Buenos Aires – Inez’s parents have left her behind six month out of every year for as long as she can remember. Since her parents are actively involved in the archeological digs they fund in Egypt, Inez has grown up living with her aunt and two cousins. Now nineteen-years-old, Inez receives news that her parents are missing and presumed dead. She devises a plan to go to Egypt to get answers from her uncle.

A woman traveling alone in the 1800s is considered inappropriate and dangerous, and yet, Inez, pretending to be a young widow, sails all the way from Buenos Aires to Cairo. Whit, her uncle’s handsome assistant, meets her at the docks. Her uncle’s orders are to immediately send her back. Inez has other plans and slips away.

When she finally finds her uncle, he doesn’t want her to be there. He puts Whit in charge of keeping tabs on her until he can arrange another passage home. Having opposite goals puts Inez and Whit in conflict with each other, yet there is undeniable chemistry between the two.

Inez learns there is much more to her parents’ deaths/disappearances, but Whit continually blocks her attempts to discover the truth. However, when the men realize Inez may be useful to them in their pursuit to find Cleopatra’s burial site, they allow her to join them.

Other parties, also interested in Cleopatra’s final resting spot, add danger to Inez and her uncle’s group. Who are the responsible archeologists and who would simply profit from the black market? What happened to Inez’s parents? Can Inez trust Whit? Can she trust her uncle?

Isabel Ibañez is the author of multiple novels including Woven in Midnight which is listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time. If you love fantasy, check out the list! To learn more about Isabel Ibañez and her books, go to her website here.

What the Rivers Knows comes out October 31, 2023. You can pre-order from your favorite bookstore or click here to order from bookshop.org. (They support Mom and Pop bookstores across the country.) Or, when you visit your local library, ask them to buy a copy!

If you liked this book review, check out my other book reviews here.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of What the River Knows. The opinions are my own.

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@author.robin.shelley

September 25, 2023

Lies and Other Love Languages by Sonali Dev

Robin’s Rave Reviews

Lies and Other Love Languages by Sonali Dev leads readers to ask thought-provoking questions: Is it ever okay to lie or keep a secret? Is withholding information a form of lying? What circumstances would it take to share a long-hidden truth? How far would a person go to make a loved one happy?

Photo of author Sonali Dev — Author Sonali Dev

Lies and Other Love Languages is my first novel by Sonali Dev. It is a story of friendship, romantic love, grief, motherhood, and the expectations, influence and support of family. Told through multiple POVs of an American family of Indian descent, readers will get a peek inside Indian culture, customs, and family values as they deal with universal issues.

The story includes a lovable cast of supporting characters, but it revolves around three women: Vandy Guru, her daughter Mallika, and Vandy’s friend Rani Parekh. Starting in the present, Vandy is panicked because her daughter is missing. Vandy, an advice columnist and public speaker, is struggling with the grief of losing her husband, and now this! Mallika is a young adult trying to make a name for herself through her unique mix of traditional Indian and modern dance styles. Feeling dejected after an audition, she joins a genetic study. She wants to know why she doesn’t fit in with her accomplished family. The DNA results turn her world upside down. Her mother’s friend, Rani Parekh, may be the only one with the answers she seeks. Problem? The two friends haven’t spoken in many years.

The story takes readers from the United States to Mumbai, India and from the 1970s to today. I especially enjoyed learning the backstory of Vandy and Rani. As girls, they meet at age 12 when Rani has just arrived in the U.S. to live with her aunt after her mother’s death. She is eating French fries off the concrete in front of a fast-food restaurant when Vandy and her mother, also of Indian descent, recognize her need. Vandy’s family wrap Rani in love, treating her like family. The two girls become the best of friends, like sisters. Their friendship takes them into adulthood until something came between them 27 years ago.

Although avid readers will guess the conflict early on, the author takes us on an interesting journey through the past to show how the characters get to that point. It’s more about the journey than the secret.

Before reading Lies and Other Love Languages, be aware it has these possible triggers: infertility, pregnancy loss, infidelity, and loss of a spouse.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book. The opinions are my own.

Other Recommendations

Do you enjoy books about friendships that form in childhood and continue into adulthood? Then you may also like The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey. See my book review here.

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@author.robin.shelley

September 7, 2023September 5, 2023

Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews

Robin’s Rave Reviews

It may seem early to talk Christmas, but Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews releases on September 26. Get your gifts bought early. Pre-order from your favorite store now! Yes, pre-ordering does make a difference! You could always go to Bookshop.org, a great place that supports Mom and Pop bookstores. (Hint. Hint.)

I loved Bright Lights, Big Christmas. If you want a feel-good Christmas story filled with making new friends, believing in yourself, finding love, and supporting family, this is it! Bright Lights, Big Christmas is a holiday hug ending with a satisfying sigh. I loved MKA’s last Christmas story, The Santa Suit, but this one is even better. You will not be disappointed!

SUMMARY

When Kerry Tolliver finds herself in-between jobs, she’s lost as to what’s next in life. She returns to her hometown in the North Carolina mountains where her father and brother run the Tolliver Christmas Tree Farm. Due to her father’s health issues, he can’t make the trip to NYC to sell the trees. Kerry steps in to help. She and her grumpy, older brother spend a month selling trees in a NYC neighborhood where their family has sold trees for decades. For a full month, they camp in a vintage (run-down) trailer next to the tree lot. The trailer is fondly called Spammy because of the canned ham shape. : )

Kerry discovers that the neighbors and shop owners already know and love her brother. Her family has developed community support and loyalty over the many years.

The story is about connecting with and caring for people. The community wraps the Tollivers in their love, and Kerry deeply connects with this group of quirky, lovable people. These neighbors care about each other. They check in on each other and help those in need. (I want this version of a NYC neighborhood to exist. I’ve never been there, so I’ll dream that it does.) Kerry especially gets involved in the lives of a divorced man and his son, and a mysterious older gentleman who gives her pointers on her drawings.

Think about your Christmas list. I’m sure you’ll find one copy of Bright Lights, Big Christmas will not be enough for all your loved ones who would love this book. Check out my reviews on these other Mary Kay Andrews’s books: The Santa Suit, The Homewreckers, The Newcomer, and Sunset Beach.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Mary Kay Andrews and NetGalley for the ARC of Bright Lights, Big Christmas. The opinions are my own.

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August 31, 2023

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Robin’s Rave Reviews

Do you want to hang on to summer a little longer? Try The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey. It will take you back to fond childhood memories of going to summer camp. Even if you never went to summer camp, you will enjoy this story of three women who became friends as children and create a bond that lasts into adulthood.

Camp Holly Springs has a special place in the hearts of these three women since they first met there at age six. They continued attending every year, even becoming camp counselors in their teens. Now in their thirties, they learn the camp is floundering after Covid. The girls kick into high gear to help save it. Otherwise, Daphne’s Aunt June will have no choice but to sell out to a developer. While the three friends devise and carry out plans to save the camp, the story is complicated by their personal lives.

Mary Stuart is getting married. The guest list includes her friends Daphne and Lanier, and Lanier’s brother, Huff. Daphne and Huff were “a thing” a long time ago, and Lanier would like it to stay that way. Could seeing each other at the wedding reignite the flame? After the wedding, Mary Stuart has time to put her PR/marketing background to use to help save the camp.

Lanier, a bookstore owner, is engaged, but she isn’t as excited about getting married to Bryce as she should be. She senses he isn’t telling her something. When the girls throw her a bachelorette party at the camp, Lanier runs into Rich, the owner of the neighboring boys’ camp AND her teenage crush. What will come of this temptation?

Before Lanier’s bachelorette party, Daphne, a lawyer, is put into an impossible situation. She knows Bryce has multiple lawsuits against him that will tarnish his professional reputation and financially destroy him. As a loyal friend, she should tell Lanier before she marries him, but telling her would lead to Daphne being disbarred. As a single mother, Daphne has a son to support. To top it off, seeing Lanier’s brother Huff at Mary Stuart’s wedding was . . . interesting. Unfortunately she knows Lanier isn’t the forgetting type when it comes to Daphne’s past struggles.

Harvey uses Lanier’s, Daphne’s, and June’s alternating POV, so it’s important to keep the characters straight. Mary Stuart doesn’t have her own POV chapters, probably because her life is the most stable. She’s an anchor for the others.

♥ What I loved ♥

*Camp Holly Springs reminded me of good times at the summer camp I attended as a child–the activities, the new friendships, and the sense of freedom.

*The entire story isn’t about the camp’s problems. Kristy Woodson Harvey included multiple complications going on in the lives of these women.

*Bryce’s poor decisions put Daphne into one of those situations where she just doesn’t have any good choices. That makes for great conflict.

*The women regularly sent each other emails asking the others to do the “hard things” for them. They each used their strengths to help in areas where their friends struggled.

*Daphne had a great plutonic relationship with her son’s daddy, even though they never married.

*A strong storyline revolved around one character who experienced a challenging childhood. She makes her own mistakes in her twenties but learns to overcome. This past struggle still taints a friend’s perspective of her today. Will this friend truly forgive and put the past in the past? Will she support her friend now?

This isn’t just a summer book. The Summer of Songbirds is a wonderful choice for the fall as well. Kick the leaves on the ground as you take a walk to the campfire. Sit down and relax to the crackling of the fire, watch the firefly embers float off into the night sky, and indulge in a S’more. Lose yourself in watching three friends navigate their personal problems while also trying to do good for the camp, Aunt June ,and the community.

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey hit the New York Times Best Sellers list shortly after its release. It was also a Good Morning America buzz pick. Interested in other books by Kristy Woodson Harvey? Click on the title to go to other KWH book reviews I’ve written: The Wedding Veil, Under the Southern Sky, Feels Like Falling, or if you’re interested in a series, The Peachtree Bluff series.

Also catch Kristy on the Friends and Fiction weekly podcast with co-anchors Mary Kay Andrews, Patti Callahan Henry, and Kristin Harmel. Every Wednesday at 7 PM the group talks about their books and interviews other authors with recent releases. It’s a great way to discover new titles and authors! Join in the fun by joining the Friends and Fiction Facebook group or go to their YouTube channel where you can watch live and catch up on older episodes.

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@author.robin.shelley

July 25, 2023July 13, 2023

Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe

Robin’s Rave Reviews

Looking for a great summer beach read? I LOVED INDIGO ISLE by T. I. Lowe. It was light, fun and interesting while also wrestling with a few tough topics.

Summary

Sonny Bates is a successful Hollywood location scout. When a movie takes her near Charleston, close to her childhood home, she considers stopping in; however, this would mean dealing with the mistakes of her past. Fifteen years ago on graduation day, she left home without warning anyone. Since then, she’s struggled to make something of herself. Sometimes she stretched the truth about her life on social media so her family thinks she’s doing fine.

While on location, Sonny stumbles onto a secluded island off the coast of Charleston, perfect for a scene in the movie. A recluse, known by the locals as The Monster of Indigo Isle, owns the private island. He isn’t happy to find her on his property, and he certainly doesn’t want a film crew interrupting his privacy. Sonny isn’t deterred. It’s her job to get him to sign a release. And it’s what her boss expects from her. The question is, how much is Sonny willing to do to keep her job?

Hudson Renfrow, a lawyer by trade, has exiled himself on Indigo Isle, a family property. He is dealing with guilt from a trauma which somewhat disfigured him (The Monster of Indigo Isle). He spends his time tending his indigo fields and making indigo dye. Over many visits, Hudson begins to soften toward Sonny. When they are forced together during a hurricane, Hudson’s hardened demeanor shows some cracks.

Indigo Isle: What I Liked

-Sonny’s unique career give readers a behind the scenes look at the movie-making experience, both the good and the bad.

-This remote isle has a magical feel.

-Both characters have issues they need to work through. They give each other a much needed, different perspective on their flaws. As the characters work to improve themselves, it realistically takes time.

-Sonny sees through Hudson’s mask and realizes there is something special behind the gruff exterior. (Think Beauty and the Beast.) I thought it was funny that Hudson had her arrested for trespassing, but she kept coming back and wore him down.

-Learning about making dye from indigo plants was unique.

-Fun supporting characters round out the book, like Vee, the make-up artist who should be an actress, and Erlene, who owns the run-down motel where the crew is staying.

-Lowe includes a few Bible verses throughout the story. She makes great Biblical points for the characters without feeling threatening or preachy to non-Christians.

-There is simply something special about the FEEL of this book. It touches on some tough topics while staying light and intriguing.

Conclusion

Thank you, T. I., for helping me forget my troubles while I escaped to Indigo Isle. And readers, you really MUST pick up a copy of INDIGO ISLE by T. I. Lowe ASAP! Don’t let the summer slip away without getting your own copy.

T. I. Lowe is a best-selling Southern author and has written at least 18 novels. Check out the other books by her that I’ve reviewed: UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS (which you’ll like if you liked Delia Owen’s WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING) and the Carolina Coast series.

You probably know I’m a big fan of the Friends and Fiction group. Four best-selling authors – Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry, and Kristy Woodson Harvey – interview several authors each week on their show. T. I. Lowe was on the June 21st episode. Here is a link to that episode on YouTube. If you want to watch the whole show, great! Or fast-forward to Lowe’s interview at 51:30.

You can tune in live to the Friends and Fiction’s podcast on Facebook or YouTube every Wednesday at 7 PM EST. On Facebook, join Friends and Fiction and watch live on their page, or search Friends and Fiction on YouTube and watch it live there. If you like it, subscribe! I tune in almost every week, but when I miss one, I watch the recording on YouTube. If you’re not watching yet, you’ll love becoming part of a supportive, friendly book community of authors and readers.

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@author.robin.shelley

July 12, 2023July 7, 2023

Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

Step into nostalgic comfort in Good Hart, Michigan with FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN by Viola Shipman. Your summer pace will slow as you relax by the shores of Lake Michigan with BFFs Becky and Q. When you tire of the lake, take a drive through the picturesque Tunnel of Trees. Then head to the Very Cherry General Store to send a postcard. Or better yet, pick up a bakery goody or a sandwich . While there, say hello to Mary, the feisty octogenarian owner. And you don’t want to miss the annual Cherry Festival and Cherry Pit Spittin’ Championship. Did I mention Mary won when she was 15, back when women had never entered such an unladylike activity? In these parts she’s known as Cherry Mary, and no one has broken her record since 1958. Up for a try?

Summary

Cherry Mary is the third-generation woman to own the general store, but she doesn’t have a daughter to pass it down to. Her son and grandson aren’t particularly interested, either. But Cherry Mary still holds onto a prediction given to her in childhood – that another woman is destined to join the female line of store owners. Mary repeatedly sees a vision of four women in the distance walking toward her over the lake, reinforcing the prediction. Or is it simply a mirage? Mary was told it will take a lifetime to be fulfilled.

Becky just turned 40, the same day her long-time relationship crashed and burned. She feels unfulfilled in life after always making safe choices. Becky and her friend Q go on a Michigan vacation reminiscent of childhood summers with Becky’s grandparents. Becky sees herself fitting in at this lakeshore community. Just as Cherry Mary takes her under her wing, Mary’s grandson Ollie shows up. He’s changed his mind about the quirky town and old-fashioned general store, and he feels threatened by Becky. He wants to protect his grandmother from this stranger “taking advantage” of her.

FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN is about love, friendship, family (by blood and by choice), destiny, and the choices we make. It’s a story with heart and soul. Be prepared. You’ll want to book a trip to Michigan after you read it!

I only review books I would give a 4 or 5 star rating, for well-written, enjoyable books I would recommend. Just keep in mind, if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea from the description, then move on to my next book review. Perhaps this book is too slow paced for you, but that’s part of its charm. The author does a fabulous job conveying a small lake town struggling to keep life simple in a crazy world. The slow-paced summer days, the quirky people in the community, the general store as the hub of community life, the small-town festival – it’s cherry pie Americana at its best.

Interesting fact

Viola Shipman is a pen-name. The books are written by Wade Rouse, but he writes under his grandmother’s name as a way to honor her. He writes stories that take place in Michigan, his home state. I had the joy of meeting Wade at an author event back in June through the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Beyond the Book Jacket Speaker Series.

Check out review I did a few years back on another Viola Shipman book, The Heirloom Garden.

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@author.robin.shelley

June 27, 2023June 12, 2023

The Peachtree Bluff Series

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

This summer, if you want to get lost in a good series about family, love, and secrets, try the Peachtree Bluff series by Kristy Woodson Harvey. This is a four book series. Did you love Mary Alice Monroe’s The Beach House series? Do you love Elin Hilderbrand books? Nancy Thayer? Then The Peachtree Bluff books may be a good choice for you!

This family, a mother and her daughters (and their families), brings a variety of personalities and baggage, but their bond is unbreakable. Pull up a chair and they’ll bring you some sweet tea. I’ll give you a taste of each book, enough for you to see if they pique your interest, but not enough to spoil any of them.

Slightly South of Simple

The first book, Slightly South of Simple, focuses on the mother Ansley and her daughter, Caroline.

When Ansley’s husband passed away, she was left with nothing. Even her own mother wouldn’t help her. From NYC, Ansley took her girls south to a house she inherited from her grandmother in Peachtree Bluff, Georgia, but it needed a lot of repairs. There she built a design business from the ground up and raised her children.

Her three daughters, now adults, all find themselves returning home for various reasons. For example, Caroline’s husband has been cheating on her in a very public way. With a failing marriage while she’s pregnant, she escapes with her nine-year-old daughter to the safety of Mom’s house in Peachtree Bluff. Then her sisters arrive with their troubles. Meanwhile, with the full house interrupting Ansley’s normally quiet life, Ansley’s first love, Jack, reappears. She tries to keep her distance, but the attraction is still there. The problem? He knows a secret Ansley wants to keep buried.

The Secret to Southern Charm

The second installment, The Secret to Southern Charm, focuses on the middle daughter, Sloane. She returns to Peachtree Bluff with her two children when her military husband is deployed. In this book, she learns her husband is MIA. In the past, she has emotionally dealt with his deployments, but MIA is a whole different ballgame. The story also continues the storylines of the other sisters and the mother.

The Southern Side of Paradise

Emerson, the youngest daughter, gets center stage in The Southern Side of Paradise, appropriate since she’s an actress who is shooting an important role for her career nearby. The role itself becomes a source of contention in the family. While home, she cautiously rekindles a past love interest from her teen years, but should an actress who will be returning to LA get involved with a small town boy with roots?

Christmas in Peachtree Bluff

The last installment in the series, Christmas in Peachtree Bluff, brings a different kind of conflict right before Christmas – a hurricane. When the storm approaches, the family gets split up. Some of them escape to NYC while others stay behind in Peachtree Bluff. With the bridge out, it becomes a rescue mission to get to the trapped family. This story also brings Vivi, the eldest grandchild, into the forefront with mother-daughter tension and teenage angst that puts herself and others into danger.

My Take

I really like how each book focuses on a different character. Although I didn’t always like some of the characters, I appreciated experiencing their growth as people and within the family. This is especially true of Caroline. I didn’t like how she acted so entitled. Yet, it’s through our trials in life we learn to become better. It’s the same with characters.

The Peachtree Bluff series certainly had a lot of drama to dig into, but it was also full of love. Although the books could be read independently, you’ll get the most out of reading them in order so you have the backstory for context. This series of books is a good choice for beach reads this summer.

You can read my reviews of some of Kristy’s other books: The Wedding Veil, Under the Southern Sky, and Feels Like Falling. As you can see, she’s a favorite author of mine! Learn more about Kristy Woodson Harvey and her books at her author website here. You can also preorder her newest book, The Summer of Songbirds, coming out July 11. My copy is on order!

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@author.robin.shelley

June 13, 2023June 12, 2023

Big Fish by Daniel Wallace

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

If you are looking for a quirky, quick read that will make you laugh, check out Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Daniel Wallace. It was different from the kinds of books I usually read, but oh so good. A refreshingly original story, a son tries to get past his father’s larger than life tales to discover who he really is before he dies. The story is told with a voice like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and a tone of satire reminiscent of Mark Twain. It is categorized as magical realism for the Tall Tales the father tells. With Father’s Day just around the corner, this book would make a great gift! (You did remember Father’s Day, didn’t you?) And yet, I recommend this book for women as well because it’s just an interesting book!

SUMMARY

Edward Bloom, always wanting to be a big fish in a big pond, is largely absent in his son’s life. When he’s home, he is full of dad jokes and unbelievable stories, based in fact but embellished into legendary tales. Now an adult, his son William is frustrated. While his father is alive, William wants to understand him: fill in the blanks of his dad’s life and understand his goals and dreams, as well as his failures and successes. Edward never gives a straight answer to William’s questions. Each one is responded to with a fantastical story, some light, some dark. These hard-to-believe tales, used to evade the truth, end up telling William exactly who his father is.

I found myself laughing aloud (not something I often do when reading). Be prepared. You’ll want to share stories from the book with anyone nearby who’ll listen. After reading the book, I enjoyed watching the film adaptation done by Tim Burton in 2003. Although the movie was different in some ways, it was enjoyable and true to the intention of the book; however, the book is better, in my opinion. I’m surprised to say this, but Big Fish by Daniel Wallace is one book I plan on reading again! Check out more about this author on his unique author website at DanielWallace.org.

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@author.robin.shelley

June 9, 2023June 8, 2023

The Secret Book of Flora Lea – Take 2

This is a redo of a post that looks fine on my website but came out all wonky for blog followers who get the email version, so here’s The Secret Book of Flora Lea – Take 2!

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

You may have seen my excitement opening my book mail when The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry arrived. If you missed it, check it out on Facebook or Instagram. Now let me tell you how good this book is! The further I got into the book, the faster the pages flew by, and I was hooked. When I finished, I looked around and realized I’d left my world behind for a time. That’s the sign of a good book! The Secret Book of Flora Lea has already made the NY Times Best Seller List for several weeks.

SUMMARY

During WWII, Operation Pied Piper sent English children out of the cities to the countryside to protect them from falling bombs. The novel revolves around sisters (fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora Lea) who are sent to a small village outside Oxford. Luckier than some, they are billeted by a kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, who live in an enchanting stone cottage along the River Thames. Hazel creates a fairytale about Whisperwood, an enchanted forest, as a comfort mechanism for her sister. When Flora mysteriously vanishes and is believed to have drowned, Hazel blames herself. Twenty years later, Hazel comes across a fairytale book from America called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Could the sister who disappeared so many years ago be alive? Could Flora be the author?

The Secret Book of Flora Lea examines the bond of sisters, the conflict of loving two men at once, the scars of guilt and grief, and perseverance to never give up hope. And to keep you guessing, Patti adds surprising twists to the twenty-year-old mystery. So good! Now let’s hope this post, The Secret Book of Flora Lea – Take 2, translates correctly for my email blog followers as I press the “Publish” button!

Check out my other reviews of Patti Callahan Henry’s work: Once Upon a Wardrobe, Surviving Savannah, and Becoming Mrs. Lewis. To learn more about the author, go to PattiCallahanHenry.com.

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June 6, 2023

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel

The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel is the best book I’ve read so far in 2023. Take the time to read this one!

This is a story about the love of mothers during an incredibly stressful situation. It’s WWII in Nazi occupied Paris. Elise, a sculptor, is an American married to a French painter. When his activism gets him killed, Elise and her daughter are in peril. To keep her daughter safe, she makes the difficult decision to leave her with her friend Juliette. Juliette and her husband, owners of a bookstore, have three children. One mother to another, Juliette promises Elise to love and protect the child until Elise can safely return. Unfortunately war is unpredictable. The story jumps to the 1960s where we see how people cope differently after the trauma of living through war.

My Take:

The Paris Daughter grabbed me right in chapter one and didn’t let go. I loved learning about sculpting and the art world through Elise. I sympathized with both Elise and Juliette’s situations. Don’t worry. I know it’s a war story, but it has a happy ending, although it is bittersweet. The Paris Daughter is one you don’t want to miss!

If you want to help authors the most, pre-order or purchase the first week the book is out. The Paris Daughter came out today, so you can get your copy at most book sellers including at bookshop.org, an on-line store that helps small mom and pop independent bookstores.

If you like The Paris Daughter, check out these Kristin Harmel books I’ve reviewed: The Winemaker’s Wife, The Book of Lost Names, and The Forest of Vanishing Stars.

To learn more about the author, go to KristinHarmel.com.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC of The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel.

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@author.robin.shelley

May 19, 2023

The Secret Book of Flora Lea

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

You may have seen my excitement opening my book mail when The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry arrived. If you missed it, here it is on Facebook and Instagram. Now let me tell you how good this book is! The further I got into the book, the faster the pages flew by, and I was hooked. When I finished, I looked around and realized I’d left my world behind for a time. This book has already been on the NY Times Best Sellers List for two weeks since it came out in early May.

Photo of The Secret Book of Flora Lea next to a fairy garden cottage.

Summary

During WWII, Operation Pied Piper sent English children out of the cities to the countryside to protect them from falling bombs. The novel revolves around sisters (fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora Lea) who are sent to a small village outside Oxford. Luckier than some, they are billeted by a kind Bridie Aberdeen and her teenage son, Harry, in an enchanting stone cottage along the River Thames. Hazel creates a fairytale about Whisperwood, an enchanted forest, as a comfort mechanism for her sister. When Flora mysteriously vanishes, Hazel blames herself. Twenty years later, Hazel comes across a fairytale book from America called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Could the sister who disappeared so many years ago be alive? Could Flora be the author?

Robin Shelley with author Patti Callahan Henry at a book signing

The Secret Book of Flora Lea examines the bond of sisters, the conflict of loving two men at once, the scars of guilt and grief, and a young woman who never gives up hope. And to keep you guessing, Patti adds surprising twists to the 20-year-old mystery. So good!

Check out my other reviews of Patti Callahan Henry’s work: Once Upon a Wardrobe, Surviving Savannah, and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.

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@author.robin.shelley

May 1, 2023April 25, 2023

The Last Secret of the Secret Annex

Anne Frank.

A young Jewish girl who captivated the world through her diary while in hiding during WWII.

If you read the diary and wondered who betrayed the occupants hiding in the annex, The Last Secret of the Secret Annex will interest you.

The world has heard from Otto Frank and several helpers who assisted the people in the annex, but one helper kept her story close to her – Bep Voskuijl. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she usually refused interviews. Now, after her death, her son Joop van Wijk-Voskuijl, inspired by and working with a young researcher Jeroen De Bruyn, brings readers new information in The Last Secret of the Secret Annex coming out May 16, 2023.

Readers will hear another point of view and new stories about the experience of WWII in Amsterdam. Joop tells stories he heard from his mother who, closer in age to Anne Frank than the others, seems to have had a more intimate friendship with her than the other helpers. (Bep, the youngest of the protectors, was 23 when the family went into hiding.) Joop, being Bep’s son, interviewed family and friends that may not have talked to other researchers/reporters.

It is widely known that Anne Frank’s diary was released by her father after he censored certain passages. This new book questions if some of those pages were left out to protect one of the helpers, keeping her family out of the crosshairs. It wasn’t unusual to have both Jewish supporters and Nazi collaborators within the same family. Could Bep have had a personal connection to the betrayer? Joop reveals information that will give readers an interesting theory that someone who has been overlooked was the betrayer.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of The Last Secret of the Secret Annex.

Check out these books!

If this WWII non-fiction book interests you, check out my WWII historical fiction book reviews: The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel, The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris, The Clockmaker’s Wife by Daisy Wood, The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel, and Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs.

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@author.robin.shelley

April 26, 2023April 25, 2023

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

A new romcom, The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren, comes out May 16. This was my first Christina Lauren novel, but since I had heard good things, I had to give The True Love Experiment a try! Read below. Maybe it will be just the book you’ve been looking for.

Synopsis

Felicity “Fizzy” Chen is a popular romance writer who hasn’t found her true love yet. She’s also going through writer’s block. Connor Prince, a documentary filmmaker and divorced father, is told that the company is going in a different direction, and he is expected to create a new dating show. He isn’t thrilled with the idea, but he does want to keep his job and continue to live near his daughter. Connor convinces Fizzy, the queen of romance novels, to star in the show, partially because she has a built-in audience from her books. Reluctant at first, she decides to do the show if the men she dates represent typical romance hero archetypes – the Navy Seal, the vampire, the cinnamon roll (sweet and supportive),the cowboy, the one that got away, etc. The True Love Experiment TV show is right on track to air, except Fizzy may be falling in love with someone who isn’t a contestant. So much chemistry! So much flirting!

My Take

Ok, I’ll admit that my guilty pleasure is watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette shows. If that applies to you, this book is for you! I really loved the characters and plot of this story. I also loved the original slant on the dating show – a romance writer dating romance archetype love interests. However, it’s a spicier romance than I normally read. And watch out for the many F bombs. Still, I love the story so much, I had to recommend the book to those of you who aren’t bothered by the heat level and swearing. I gave it 5 stars because it was so entertaining, kept my attention, and included wonderful characters that stuck with me.

The Author(s)

Authors Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (the Christina Lauren duo) — Christina Hobbs (left) and Lauren Billings (right)

Christina Lauren is actually two writers: Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Together they’ve produced eighteen New York Times bestselling novels, including The Soulmate Equation, In a Holidaze and The Unhoneymooners. Fans have been waiting for The True Love Experiment ever since Fizzy debuted as a character in The Soulmate Equation. (I didn’t know that until after reading The True Love Experiment, but it read fine as a stand alone. I have heard you should read The Soulmate Equation first (if you planned to) because reading The True Love Experiment first will give spoilers.

The True Love Experiment will be out May 16, 2023, but don’t wait! Preorders really help authors. You can order now from most bookstores, but I included this link to my favorite place to order books, bookshop.org. They support independent, mom and pop bookstores. You can even pick which store you want to support!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC of this novel. The opinions are my own.

To get a sneak peek of my other upcoming book reviews, go to my last blog post.

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@author.robin.shelley

April 24, 2023

Sneak Peek of Upcoming Book Reviews

It’s good to be back! And I’ve got some good stuff for you. I’ve returned with a sneak peek of upcoming book reviews! You see, I’ve been reading a lot. What else was a girl to do while recovering from surgery?

Life is full of twists and turns, valleys and mountaintops. Although I prefer the mountaintops, I’ve been traversing my way through the twists, turns and valleys for the last few months, including surgery for my rotator cuff and bicep. Although I had a similar surgery done two years ago on the other arm, this one has been a much harder recovery. So, three months later, I’m still having pain and I don’t have full range of movement, but I’m working through the PT to recover. I just couldn’t wait any longer to reconnect with you!

When I couldn’t hold my arm up to type yet, I read. So – I have some great book reviews coming up! I’ll spread them out so you don’t have to rush out to get them all at once. I found it interesting that I was picking a wider variety of books, some out of the genres I usually read. But that’s great! Maybe my venturing out will give you something new to consider, too. Some books are brand new and others have been out a few years.

A new book review will come out later this week. Make sure you watch your email for it! If you don’t get email notifications when I write a new blog, why not? I promise I won’t stuff your inbox. (I normally only write 2-3 blogs per month.) Don’t put it off. I know how it goes. If you tell yourself you’ll do it later, you probably won’t. You simply need to type in your email address. Sign up on the bottom of any page on my website or go directly to https://robinshelley.com/home/contact-info/. Do it! Do it now!

And now… (drumroll please), here’s a sneak peek at some of the book reviews coming in the next few months ( in no particular order):

The Liz Taylor Ring by Brenda Janowitz, Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor (for The Great Gatsby fans), The Peachtree Bluff series by Kristy Woodson Harvey, This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith , Big Fish by Daniel Wallace, The Last Secret of the Secret Annex by Joop van Wijk-Voskuijl and Jeroen De Bruyn (for those interested in the Anne Frank story), The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren, Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee, The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel, The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey, and The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry.

Just a reminder:

Mother’s Day is just around the bend. Wouldn’t Mom love a good book for her spring/summer reading? If you order at bookshop.org, your purchase supports small, independent bookstores. You can even pick which store you want to support! (I’ve been supporting MacIntosh Books as they recover from the hurricane that hit the Sanibel Island/Fort Myers area in Florida.)

November 4, 2022November 4, 2022

The Ways We Hide

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2022

A five-star read! If you think you’re tired of reading WWII historical fiction, The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris will change your mind.

Photo of author Kristina McMorris with Robin Shelley at author talk. — Author Kristina McMorris with Robin Shelley at an author talk.

The Ways We Hide is one of the top two reads for me this year. McMorris’s novel takes a new approach to WWII historical fiction through the story of an American illusionist, a woman, teaming up with British intelligence. Yes, a woman illusionist in the 1940s! Fenna Vos is recruited by Christopher Hutton to work with MI9 to develop items that will help allied POWs escape their Nazi captors. (Hutton really was part of the British intelligence and inspired the idea for Q in the James Bond series.)

Photo of Kristina McMorris showing a silk map used in WWII to help allied POWs escape their Nazi captors. — McMorris shows a silk map used in WWII.

McMorris uncovered tidbits in her research that may surprise you. For example, when I saw her on her book tour at a Cuyahoga County Public Library, she showed a map made of silk. She explained that it could be smuggled into the camp with a map of the area. It solved the problem of the crinkling sound of a paper map giving away their location. She also talked about board games, like Monopoly, that were altered before they were sent by fake charities to “entertain” the POWs. Currency of that country would be added into the stack of play money. Under the game board’s paper covering, the hardboard would be carved out to hold tools such as a compass or file to aid in escapes. Even playing cards were tools. See the video below to see how a deck of cards created a map of the area surrounding a POW camp.

The book has three main sections:

First, Fenna’s childhood experiences as a part of an immigrant mining family helps us understand who she is and what she values. Years before McMorris got the idea for this book, she came across the story of a 1913 Christmas Eve tragedy in Michigan’s Copper Country. A Christmas party, held on the second floor of the social hall, was organized for the children of striking miners. During the party, someone falsely shouted “fire.” The ensuing panic caused a stampede down the only stairwell out. Seventy-three people died, 59 of them children. The man who caused the panic was suspected to be an anti-union person, possibly in alliance with the mine management. McMorris kept this event tucked in the back of her mind, knowing she had to use it in a book. As she developed this novel, the story made perfect sense as a formative childhood experience for her main character, Fenna.

As a survivor of this tragedy, Fenna obsesses over escape techniques which leads to her career as an illusionist, the second part of the novel. Here we see her transition from entertainer to inventor, working with MI9.

Then, the combination of Fenna’s MI9 work and her connection to the immigrants of her Michigan childhood leads her to going into the field, the third part of the book. This mission, where she hopes to clear the name of a loved one, has her being airdropped behind enemy lines in Holland where her courage will be tested more than ever before.

From Kristina McMorris’s website:

Inspired by stunning true accounts, The Ways We Hide is a gripping story of love and loss, the wars we fight—on the battlefields and within ourselves—and the courage found in unexpected places.

A great place to order The Ways We Hide is Bookshop.org. Part of the proceeds of each purchase goes to support independent bookstores. You can even specify a bookstore to benefit from your purchase. Consider specifying MacIntosh Books on Sanibel Island, as they are recovering from Hurricane Ian. This is the link for The Ways We Hide if you’d like to support MacIntosh Books.

If you like this review, check out these! The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey (my other favorite of 2022!) and these WWII books I’ve reviewed in past years by Kristin Harmel – The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and The Forest of Vanishing Stars.

Check out these clever WWII POW tools in the videos below.

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@author.robin.shelley

October 5, 2022October 5, 2022

Hurricane Ian Devastated Southwest Florida

It’s been a week since Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, and I’m still in shock. As I watch footage of its impact, I can’t believe this is the same area I have loved for years.

Hurricane Ian Devastation — Photo by ABC News

Sanibel Island was my happy place. It was our go-to vacation spot. For many years my husband and I spent our vacations on this island, but we also loved exploring the area: Cayo Costa, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Captiva, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Naples – now all devastated. Even the causeway to Sanibel Island was destroyed, leaving people stranded. I can’t help wondering what’s left? What’s salvageable? My heart breaks for all the people who have lost so much: family members, pets, homes, all their possessions, their livelihoods….

I’ve been writing/editing a novel that is set right where the hurricane did its worst. It was a beautiful area, rich with history, wildlife preserves, conservation land, beaches with the best shelling, quaint restaurants and boutiques – a tourist paradise.

I’ve spent countless hours researching the history and culture of the Calusa people who once lived there. I’ve walked the Calusa Heritage Trail, seen their shell mounds on the land they occupied throughout the area, and visited the Randell Research Center on Pine Island. Now I wonder if any signs of their existence survived.

As an author and reader, I have visited MacIntosh Books and Paper on Sanibel Island. The bookstore took on several feet of water. The moisture will cause mold, most likely making all of their inventory unsalvageable. The walkways around the Village Shops of Sanibel, where the bookstore is located, are unstable. The buildings will likely be ruled structurally unsound. Rebecca, the store owner, will look for an interim location to reopen until they can rebuild. If you’d like to help support them, you can 1. buy gift cards on their website to use at a later date or 2. shop their on-line store at bookshop.org/store/macintosh where orders will be fulfilled by Bookshop, but MacIntosh will get the proceeds. There are so many ways to help the people of Florida. Consider donations to The United Way, The Red Cross , The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, or The Humane Society.

The pictures in this blog are of my past trips to the area. I need to remember what it once was to give me hope that it can be again. Of course it will take years, and it will be different. It was such a special place. I’ve already made a donation, but I feel helpless here in Ohio. There’s so much work to be done. My heart breaks.

Banyan Tree on Edison's Summer Home Property

Entrance to Beach near Sanibel Lighthouse

September 26, 2022September 16, 2022

The White Hare by Jane Johnson

If you’re looking for a novel full of folklore and dark atmosphere, The White Hare by Jane Johnson might fill the order. The author of Sea Gate, The Court of Lions, and The Sultan’s Wife brings us a new novel set in 1954 but filled with that disquieting mood that only comes from a land filled with dark, archaic memories.

The remote, gothic mansion falling into disrepair, the village that seems lost to time and advancements, the superstitions that are very much alive, and a land protected by an ancient, unsettling, and watchful presence all make The White Hare feel like it takes place hundreds of years earlier than its actual 1954 Cornwall setting. The author’s British spelling/vocabulary also adds to the feel of bygone days, at least for this American reader.

This isn’t a scary book, but Johnson maintains a sense of unease throughout the novel. Johnson refers to the Last Stand of the Cornish in the 10^th century when King Athelstan (usually regarded as the first king of England) massacred the rebellious Cornish people, their blood running red through the land to the sea. The land itself seems to hold these memories. The villagers believe the spirit of the land exists in a mystical white hare that protects the valley and those who live in it.

Here, Magda has purchased a mansion, neglected since the end of WWII. The house and tiny village are in a remote area surrounded by ancient, dark forests and sheer granite cliffs that drop to the ocean. With the help of her daughter Mila, Magda plans on bringing the house back to its former glory and make it into a Bed and Breakfast. She wants the glamor of hosting fancy parties for celebrities and the rich here. The dreary mansion’s dark secrets and villagers who aren’t welcoming to outsiders will make this a difficult task.

A selfish, overbearing mother, Madga causes family drama. She doesn’t show any love to her daughter or granddaughter. Mila does whatever her mother asks, trying to not irritate her. She came along to escape a scandal and make a better life for her young daughter Janey. When they first arrive in Cornwall, Magda drives the car off the road to avoid hitting a white hare that ran across their path. There seems to be something mystical about this hare, and after that, Janey’s stuffed rabbit seems to be more than a toy. As Mila forms relationships with some of the townsfolk, she hears their superstitious beliefs that a mystical white hare is connected with nature and the protection of the valley.

Beyond the mysteries of the mansion, Johnson adds tension through two characters: the Vicar (priest of the local parish) and a stranger. Some villagers hold contempt toward the Vicar since the church has tried to erase all traces of their ancient pagan culture. The stranger, who seems to be a transient, shows up at the mansion, and despite the mystery surrounding him, Magda hires him to help transform the house.

The White Hare by Jane Johnson is Mila’s coming-of-age story wrapped up in sorting through family drama and uncovering mysteries of the past. It is available for pre-order now and will hit bookstores on October 4, 2022.

If you’re looking for other books that fit a (light) spooky mood for the fall season, check out these other books I’ve reviewed: Spells for Forgetting, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Gallant, The Lost Apothecary, and The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of The White Hare. The opinions are my honest thoughts.

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@author.robin.shelley

September 21, 2022September 2, 2022

Spells for Forgetting By Adrienne Young

As fall descends upon us, I wonder – do the types of books you choose change with the seasons? Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young is a dark, romantic tale with mysterious atmosphere just right for this time of year! It’s a perfect choice for when you want to curl up with a good book, a blanket and a hot beverage of choice.

YA author Adrienne Young’s first adult novel takes us to the Pacific Northwest to a mystical island off the coast of Washington. Residents of the island’s small village have lived there for generations and are deeply steeped in folklore, superstitions, and traditions. Tourists visiting their apple orchard generate most of the islander’s revenue.

Synopsis

After fourteen years away, August returns to bury his mother’s ashes. His presence re-ignites suspicion and hatred from most of the island’s residents. For Emery, the high school sweetheart he left behind, August’s presence opens old wounds and brings conflicting feelings.

“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting.”

Fourteen years earlier, August and Emery are in love and secretly plan on leaving the island together the day after graduation. That is until the night Emery’s best friend Lily is found dead, and the apple orchard is set on fire. August is the suspect in the murder, but when no proof is produced, he and his mother leave the island.

Through multiple POV’s, we experience what happens between Emery and August now that he’s returned and see glimpses of the past that led up to that fateful night.

My Thoughts

After a few slow opening chapters, I found myself deeply invested in the characters. I wanted to follow this unresolved love story and murder mystery. It kept me guessing what really happened the night of the fire and Lily’s death, and the twists and turns kept me quickly turning the pages.

Magic and folklore is an underlying thread in the story, adding mystery and atmosphere; however, it felt underplayed. I wanted the book of magic spells and the ancient traditions to be a bigger part of the story.

This book is categorized as general fiction because it doesn’t fit neatly into only one genre. It’s part mystery/thriller, part fantasy/magic, and part romance. The publication date is set for Sept. 27, 2022. I rate Spells for Forgetting 4 stars since I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

If Spells for Forgetting sounds like a book you’d like, check out my reviews on these novels: Valley of the Moon , The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Gallant, and a lighter novel, The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

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@author.robin.shelley

September 12, 2022September 2, 2022

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

Robin’s Rave Reviews – 2022

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks gets a strong 4 1/2 stars!

Readers enjoy guessing how two storylines in a novel will cross. Not so easy with this one! Sparks doesn’t reveal it until a long way into the book. I kept guessing, and the anticipation kept me reading. I figured it out, but later than I’d like to admit. ; )

Beverly’s story: She is on the run with her young son. I wanted her to successfully get away from an abusive husband and father, but to make the situation harder, he works for Homeland Security. That means he has access to many tools to try to locate them. I got involved in her story, but I was annoyed that some of the details in Beverly’s story felt like clips from Safe Haven. (That’s the only reason I didn’t give the book a full five stars.)

Colby’s story: Colby gave up his dream of writing music and singing when the aunt who raised him needed his help to save the family farm. After a few years of getting the farm running smoothly, it was time for Colby to take a break. He takes a working vacation as a musician when he lands a short-term gig in Florida. He meets Morgan who is vacationing with friends before her big move to Nashville. She is about to chase her dream of a music career. Colby and Morgan fall in love as they bond over writing songs, but Nashville calls to Morgan while Colby has obligations back at the farm. Is it possible to continue a summer romance as a long-distance relationship?

Readers will be doubting that these two very different stories could possibly match up, but they will. It’s worth the wait. That’s the best part of the book. It’s what makes it stand out.

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks comes out Sept. 20, 2022, but you can pre-order a copy today! If Dreamland sounds like a book you’d like, check out my past reviews on these Nicholas Sparks novels: The Wish , Every Breath (and a feature on the Kindred Spirits mailbox ), and Two By Two .

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of this novel. The opinions are my honest thoughts.

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@author.robin.shelley

September 2, 2022

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

Robin’s Rave Reviews – 2022

Sarah Addison Allen fans have waited patiently for seven years for a new book since she took time away to deal with personal and family needs. Other Birds, her newest novel, was worth the wait. For readers new to SAA, each book she writes has a unique magical realism element or two.

By page two, I already admired Sarah Addison Allen’s skill for painting beautiful word pictures.

“Zoey nodded, distracted now because the small sea island had just appeared on the horizon and she didn’t want to miss a moment of it. It was rising from the marshy coastal water like a lackadaisical sea creature sunning itself, not a care in the world.”

The Setting

Fictional Mallow Island sits off the coast of Charleston. A popular novel set there, written by longtime resident Roscoe Avanger, as well as the island’s history of making marshmallow and candy, draw tourists to this small community. From the sales of his book, Avanger bought an old building, called it The Dellawisp, and renovated it into five condos. They surround a courtyard full of noisy, thieving, dive-bombing birds of the same name as the complex. The quirky characters who live here begin to bond after the death of one of the tenants.

The Cast

LizBeth is a paper hoarder and the old lady busybody, who spoils everyone’s fun. Her sister Lucy is a recluse. Henna artist Charlotte is running from her past, believing she can never settle or it will catch up with her. Executive chef Mac is grieving the loss of the woman who took him in and raised him, who fed cornbread to the island’s poor children, and who taught him that making and sharing food is love. Frasier is the building manager, often found with a Dellawisp named Otis sitting on his head. And Zoey, the most recent tenant, has just graduated from high school. She inherited the condo and hopes to learn more about her mother there. Zoey is the magnet that attracts the other tenants and bonds them together. Now add a touch of magical realism by adding ghosts (not scary ones), cornmeal sprinkled over Mac every night, doors seeming to unlock themselves, and an invisible pigeon to the mix.

These characters have all been broken and are burdened with secrets, but in time, they create a family. They help each other let go of the past to focus on a better future.

Other Lovely Quotes

“The building revealed itself to be like a geode—rocky on the outside but sparkling with unexpected decadence inside.”

“The mist was moving like someone taking a deep breath and blowing it away.”

“The sudden quiet made Charlotte’s bedroom feel as if it had been plunged underwater. Even the small glass ball ornaments she’d hung by fishing wire from the ceiling gave the impression of air bubbles floating to the water’s surface.”

“Some customers didn’t like when books were marked, like it was a crime against literature. But Zoey thought it was a far greater crime to forget passages like this, so beautiful they made you breathless.”

Other Birds was a charming, light read. If you’re looking for something different and haven’t read Sarah Addison Allen, pick up Other Birds. If you read and enjoyed The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy Reichert (see my review from last fall), you’ll like Other Birds.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book. The review above states my honest opinion.

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@author.robin.shelley

July 20, 2022July 5, 2022

The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews

Robin’s Rave Reviews – 2022

What would summer be without another hit by Mary Kay Andrews? The Homewreckers is perfect for you to read at the beach, by a pool or in your own backyard.

When Mary Kay writes a book, it’s a no brainer for me. I’m going to read it. They are always enjoyable and filled with her characteristic wit. Her novels, romance mixed with a mystery, are always light and entertaining.

If, like me, you enjoy watching home renovations shows, you’ll enjoy this novel. The Homewreckers is a fun story with MKA’s take on a home remodeling show facing countless problems, and that’s before a body is found!

Hattie Kavanaugh is flipping houses on Tybee Island. After some professional setbacks, she is putting everything on the line with her next house. When Mo, a television producer, asks her to do a beach house renovation show, Hattie realizes this job could save her and get her back on her feet. Even so, she isn’t thrilled with the idea of being on camera. And, used to making all the decisions herself, working with her co-host designer Trae and his big, on-camera personality will be a challenge.

As if constant problems with the rehab and a tightening timeline from the network aren’t enough, a mystery surfaces that involves the police. The wallet of a woman who has been missing for seventeen years is found in the wall of the house. Now they’re shooting the show on a potential crime scene as well. Leave it to Mary Kay Andrews to make a murder mystery delightful through the ups and downs of home renovations and a love triangle.

Fun side note:

This may be a case of life being stranger than fiction. Mary Kay and her husband have rehabbed several houses on Tybee Island which are now vacation rental properties. Last year, as they were working on their latest house, Coquina Cottage, a woman’s wallet was found in the wall. Somehow, years before, the wallet had been pushed through the razor blade slot, common in old medicine cabinets.

The documents inside the billfold identified its owner as Melba Lanier. The wallet held photos, an American Legion ID card, her commissary card, and other documents. Mary Kay reached out to the public through social media and found Melba’s children. Unfortunately Melba had since passed away. Mary Kay learned that she had lived in Coquina Cottage for a year in 1954 with her husband, Jack, when they were newlyweds. Mary Kay gave the wallet to Melba’s children and has put a tribute to her on a wall in the rental cottage.

The real mystery still is – how and why did Melba Lanier’s wallet get pushed through that slot in the wall? Mary Kay used this mystery to fuel her imagination, and it became part of her storyline in The Homewreckers. She used Melba’s last name, Lanier, as the first name of a woman missing for seventeen years in the story. If the real-life mystery intrigues you, click here to see a video of a TV news story on the found wallet.

I’ve reviewed several books by Mary Kay Andrews in my blog. If Mary Kay is a new author to you, check my reviews on these books as well: The Newcomer, Sunset Beach, and The Santa Suit.

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@author.robin.shelley

July 8, 2022June 30, 2022

Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon

Book Review

Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon was an interesting and unique time-travel novel that reminds me of the play/movie Brigadoon. It’s a love story, and a story about being caught in the middle of knowing what you want and what is best for your child.

Valley of the Moon is a time travel book much like the story of Brigadoon.

Lux Lysander, a single mother, struggles to make ends meet in 1975 San Francisco. When her five-year-old son visits his grandparents, Lux goes on a camping trip in the Sonoma Valley. When she wakes around midnight, she finds a mysterious fog around her. Following a light through the fog, she ends up in a sunny meadow. Here she meets people living in an idyllic farming community called Greengage where time literally moves slower.

Since the 1906 earthquake, the people of Greengage have been cut off from the world. A fog surrounds the community that will kill anyone trying to go through it. Lux is the first successful person. Somehow she is able to come and go. Each time, Lux must be careful to return to her own time while the gate is still open to get back to her son. One time she chooses to stay a bit too long with a sick friend, has to wait for the doorway to reopen, and ends up losing a whole year in her time. That mistake causes problems between her and her son, who felt abandoned.

Valley of the Moon was published in 2016.

The more visits Lux makes to Greengage, the more she feels torn between the two worlds. She loves the beauty of Greengage as well as the sense of community. There is a simplicity in their lives that calls to her. She has a responsibility to her son, a child of the seventies’ world, but she longs for the connections and peace of Greengage. Like the story of Brigadoon, she has to make a choice about which place she wants to live.

Personally, a 1906 farming community isn’t my idea of paradise, but I was fine with that being what Lux wanted. I loved the friendships she built at Greengage, especially Joseph. It was interesting that the doorway to Greengage wasn’t always open. That made it hard on the characters on both sides when years would go by between Lux’s visits.

Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon may be a book for you if you like time travel books like Outlander or The Time Traveler’s Wife, or are a fan of books by Sarah Addison Allen. I enjoyed the book! I give Valley of the Moon a strong four stars.

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@author.robin.shelley

June 28, 2022

The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Robin’s Rave Reviews – 2022

The best book I’ve read so far this year?

The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey! I’m so excited to encourage you to pick this one up!

This dual timeline story has something for almost everyone. The Wedding Veil is women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and historical fiction all in one book. It has wedding stories (wins and fails), family drama, multi-generational stories, younger and older characters, tradition – and breaking tradition. The story travels from the ocean side of North Carolina to the mountains surrounding the grand estate of Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina to the ocean side of St. Thomas. I am truly impressed that Kristy Woodson Harvey wrote two equally strong storylines, an especially difficult task when the fictional modern story has to compete with the story of the Vanderbilt family.

In the present day, the story focuses on Julia Baxter and her grandmother, Babs. Julia plans on wearing a wedding veil that has been passed down in her family. The stranger who gave it to Julia’s great-grandmother told her it has been a symbol of good luck in her family. Women in Julia’s family have worn the veil, a symbol of happy marriages, ever since. The wedding weekend festivities have already begun, but Julia has reason to believe she is making a mistake, and she doesn’t want to be the one to break the good luck of the veil. Panicked, she escapes to the Virgin Islands for a honeymoon for one. The events there change the course of her life. Meanwhile, Babs, who is grieving the loss of her husband, leaves the emptiness of the house they shared and moves to a retirement community. She doesn’t expect a romance story of her own to begin.

The other timeline follows Edith Dresser, the woman who married George Vanderbilt. As a child, Edith often tried on her mother’s magic wedding veil. Her mother told her it would bring a fairy-tale life to all who wore it. Readers experience what life was like for Edith at Biltmore, a majestic home her husband built in the mountains of North Carolina. Edith and her daughter Cornelia had so much and yet hard financial times fell on the Vanderbilts through George’s premature death, war, flooding and the depression. Trying to make the estate self-sustaining to keep George’s legacy alive was no easy task for the Vanderbilt women. On her twenty-fifth birthday, Cornelia became the legal owner and new mistress of Biltmore. Less than a year later, Cornelia wore the family veil for her wedding to John “Jack” Cecil. Cornelia’s husband became a great help to Edith as they modernized processes to save money, but Cornelia struggled with being tied down to the estate, not the life she wanted for herself.

I want to tell you so much more, but I won’t spoil the story for you! Let’s just say Kristy skillfully connects the modern story with Vanderbilt history. Read my reviews of other novels I’ve enjoyed by Kristy: Under the Southern Sky and Feels Like Falling.

Kristy Woodson Harvey, author of The Wedding Veil

I was able to visit Biltmore a few years back. This book brought back wonderful memories and made them richer. Now Biltmore seems like so much more than a beautiful mansion preserving a time in history. The Wedding Veil brought the people who lived and worked there alive for me, making the experience more personal. When Kristy described where the family sat down for breakfast the morning after Cornelia’s birthday parties, I pictured the banquet hall with the immense table and enormous tapestries hanging on the walls. When Kristy described Edith sitting in George’s library, talking to his spirit as she smoked a cigarette, I remembered seeing the walls of books, smelling the leather and old paper, and admiring the ceiling painting worthy of any museum.

While visiting Biltmore, we drove around the grounds, getting a sense of how complex it was to keep the estate running – the mansion, the gardens, the farm, the dairy, and more modern additions – the vineyard and winery. The Vanderbilts needed a small army to run the estate, so they built a town on their property where their workers lived and raised their families. Even though Edith Vanderbilt could have simply enjoyed her great wealth, she had a passion to help lift the community.

The balcony has a panoramic view of the mountains.

If you are interested in the history of Biltmore, you’ll enjoy how Kristy brings it to life. Pick up your copy of The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey! And if you haven’t visited Biltmore, put it on your bucket list! To learn more about Biltmore, go to the Biltmore Estate website here. Also check out this short video of the Biltmore Estate .

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@author.robin.shelley

June 15, 2022May 25, 2022

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2022

Recently I won a copy of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake from the Bloom with Tall Poppy Writers Facebook group. (Thank you, Amy E. Reichert!) Amy’s an author I’ve read and reviewed before, so I was excited to read this one. Check out my October 2021 review of the first book I read and loved by Amy, The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake was different from Kindred Spirits, but still good. If you love the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks 1998 movie You’ve Got Mail, this romance is for you. Substitute a bookstore for a restaurant and add a bad critic review, and you’ve got a fresh take on this well-loved plot. The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is a slow burn romance, a bit too slow burn for me, but I still enjoyed the book.

Al can’t get Lou off his mind after he bumps into her. She’s on her way to her fiancé’s apartment to deliver a coconut cake. Popping in on her fiancé is bad timing (or good timing, depending on your perspective), and her world begins to fall apart.

When Al and Lou meet again, Al, a British transplant in Wisconsin, makes it clear that he isn’t impressed by his new city, viewing this as only a stop along his career path. Lou takes up the challenge to show him the best Milwaukee has to offer – museums, restaurants, ethnic festivals, and so on. On these outings, they agree to leave business behind by not talking about their jobs. When Al finally discovers Lou owns Luella’s restaurant, he may regret a review he wrote as the restaurant critic for the newspaper.

Did you know? You’ve Got Mail was based on Parfumerié, a 1937 Hungarian play by Miklos Laszlo. The story was reimagined, becoming the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner, and then repackaged as You’ve Got Mail in 1998.

Some of my favorite romance movies are You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Fool’s Gold, Letters to Juliet, and Sweet Home Alabama. What are your favorite romance movies?

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@author.robin.shelley

May 25, 2022

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Robin’s Rave Reviews

If you’ve been putting off reading Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, now is the perfect time to pick it up. The surfing scene in Malibu makes for a perfect backdrop for a great summer read. It’s a nostalgic, fictional story of rich and famous people behaving badly.

The Riva children, offspring of a famous father, are introduced as young adults in the novel: Nina, a surf model married to a tennis phenom; Jay, a world-renowned surfer; Hud, a surfer photographer; and Kit, the youngest, just finding her way into adulthood.

It’s 1983, and Nina is preparing to host an annual party in her Malibu home. Each year the party attracts movie stars, producers and directors, sports figures, tv anchors and other famous people. By page two, we already know this notorious party will lead to a fire that engulfs the Malibu coastline.

As we work toward that party in the story, we get glimpses into the current problems and secrets in the lives of the Riva children. We also dip into their past to see their parents’ rocky relationship, including their father’s abandonment of the family and their mother’s alcoholism. These kids had an all-around tough childhood, often leaving Nina, the oldest, to take adult responsibilities for her siblings while still a child herself. Hobnobbing with the rich and famous, having a famous dad, and living in Malibu doesn’t necessarily make for a happy, or easy, life. Readers will want to see these flawed, lovable characters find success and happiness.

Not only was I interested in the characters, but I was caught up in the increasing tension. Since the author dropped hints of all the drama that would find its way to the party, I couldn’t wait to get to that part. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the characters introduced at the party, but they also added to understanding this Hollywood culture. It was fun to see some names dropped of real people showing up for this fictional party.

Just as “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll” is the environment of Reid’s book Daisy Jones and the Six (see my blog review here), it is in full force in this novel as well. Many of the characters are having (mildly described) sex, drinking heavily and doing lines of coke. (Giving you a heads up on that just in case that isn’t something you want to read.)

I really liked Daisy Jones and the Six, but I have to say, I liked Malibu Rising even more. The story flowed easily and naturally, and the characters came alive. I wanted to know how they would deal with the family drama between siblings and with their distant father.

Fun side note: If you’re a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid books, you may have noticed that Mick Riva, the famous father in Malibu Rising, also appears in two of Reid’s other books, Daisy Jones and the Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Happy reading this summer!

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@author.robin.shelley

April 13, 2022April 6, 2022

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Recently I blogged about GALLANT, another book by V.E. Schwab. I really like it, so I decided it was time to dive into another of her books on my TBR shelf, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. There was a lot of buzz around the release of this book. When I first heard the premise, I was interested enough that I bought it. There it sat on my TBR pile which keeps getting higher. So many awesome books. So little time!

Premise of ADDIE LARUE

When Addie makes a deal for her soul, she gets to live as long as she wants. Only when she’s tired of living does she need to hold up her end of the bargain. However, the devil is in the details. She is given a curse, causing everyone she meets to forget her. Then, one day after three hundred years, she meets a man who remembers her.

Just the premise piqued my interest. I had so many questions. Why did she make this deal? How could she survive that way for hundreds of years and still keep her will to live? Who is this guy who remembers her? Why does he remember her? What does that mean for Addie and for the deal she made?

I can’t imagine how difficult day-to-day survival would be if no one remembered me each time I was out of their sight. How would I keep a job? Where would I live? How would I survive without friendship and love?

Recommendation

I would recommend this novel, but with a heads-up. Personally, I had a hard time getting into it. Therefore, this isn’t exactly a “rave review.” The first third didn’t hook me, but the book had so much hype about it, I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Sure enough, I became invested in Addie’s life. By the end, I was glad I stuck with it. Schwab concludes with a satisfying ending.

Keep in mind that Schwab‘s books are all very different. If you liked one, it doesn’t mean you’ll like another. She certainly doesn’t follow any kind of formula. So, if you pick up one of her books, don’t judge it based on another of her works.

When you buy THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V. E. Schwab (or any other books), please consider supporting “mom and pop” independent bookstores through bookshop.org.

Did you know you can get my blog posts/book reviews sent directly to your email? Fill in your email address in the subscribe box. LINK HERE.

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April 6, 2022March 28, 2022

GALLANT by V.E. Schwab

Robin’s Rave Reviews – 2022

GALLANT by V. E. Schwab was a welcomed change of pace for me. Although it wasn’t my typical read, I really enjoyed this one! GALLANT felt like director Tim Burton took The Secret Garden and molded it into a Grimm fairy tale. Now that’s a description, isn’t it?

Maybe you’ll recognize one of the previous titles of V. E. Schwab books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the Shades of Magic series, or Vicious. If you’ve read V. E. Schwab before, keep in mind that she purposely tries to write very different stories that will attract different readers with each of her novels. So, if you’ve read something by her before and either liked or disliked it, that doesn’t mean you’ll feel the same about another Schwab book.

YA readers will especially enjoy Gallant, although adult readers can appreciate it as well. It’s a fast read with a simple (but interesting) plot and clear writing style. Don’t get me wrong – simple here is good, as long as adult readers aren’t looking for more depth or complexity in this gothic fantasy.

SUMMARY

Olivia has grown up in Merilance, an orphanage and school for girls. As a mute who sees ghouls, she doesn’t fit in with the other children. The only thing that consoles her is her mother’s journal, her only connection to family. In the journal, her mother warns her to stay away from Gallant, but it also seems to display her mother’s descent into madness.

Olivia, now a teenager, receives a letter from her uncle who stresses she is wanted and asks her to come to Gallant, the family ancestral home. When she arrives at the gothic mansion, her uncle is dead and her cousin doesn’t want her there. She realizes her cousin is hiding secrets about the family, his sickness, and the house.

When Olivia finds a gate in the ruins of a stone wall on the property, she discovers a dangerous duplicity to our world where she will find herself connected to both sides. She is drawn into danger in hopes of understanding her mother and untangling the mysteries of the journal.

When you buy Gallant by V. E. Schwab (or any other books), please consider supporting “mom and pop” independent bookstores through bookshop.org.

Did you know you can get my blog posts/book reviews sent directly to your email? Fill in your email address in the subscribe box. LINK HERE.

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March 29, 2022March 21, 2022

Immersive Van Gogh Cleveland Exhibit

Immersive Van Gogh Cleveland. What an experience! Have you gone? If not, you should!

Once again I’m behind in posting. I’ve been focused on editing my second novel. Now that it’s done, I’m finally catching up on some of my blog topics. We attended Immersive Van Gogh Cleveland at the end of last year, but it was so amazing, I still wanted to blog about it. And since you can still buy tickets (through May 2022 at this point), it’s worth a rave review.

Since it’s posted at the event that they welcome sharing through social media, you can see I’ve included some photos and video for you to enjoy. When you’re looking at them, keep in mind these pictures are filling all four walls of a very large room. The pictures and video can’t do it justice.

You don’t have to be an art connoisseur to appreciate this experience. It’s a new way to surround yourself with Van Gogh’s art with movement and music. We entered a large room. (If you pick a busy time, be prepared to sit on the floor because there aren’t many benches.) The room is dark except for the masterpieces of art projected on all four walls, moving and merging. The elements of each painting have been separated to give a 2D effect. Music fills the space matching the emotion of the paintings being viewed. I could have easily sat through the show several times since there is so much for the eyes to take in.

Some of the art included in the presentation are The Potato Eaters (1885), Starry Night (1889), Sunflowers (1888), and The Bedroom (1889), and so much more. Check out this website for more information, including other cities the exhibit is or will be in.

Click below for video clips! Go full screen. Enjoy!

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2025

My Thoughts

If You Like…

Robin’s Reviews 2025

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Robin’s Reviews 2025

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Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/robinshelley.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Just-for-the-summer.png?resize=160%2C240&#038;ssl=1" width="160" height="240" data-eio="l" />Summary

Problems Not of Their Own Making

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Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024

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<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-2165" src="https://i0.wp.com/robinshelley.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/RaeAnneThayne.jpg?resize=208%2C234&#038;ssl=1" alt="Photo of author RaeAnne Thayne" width="208" height="234" data-eio="l" />My Thoughts

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My Thoughts

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Summertime, beach resort, romance, mystery…and murder.

Book Tour

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2024 – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

*Note my warning below concerning this book’s content

FOURTH WING Summary:

*FOURTH WING Final Note (and Content Warning)

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Summary of THE WISHING GAME

My Thoughts

Last Thoughts

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SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE GREAT GATSBY (NOT FOR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOLS)

Robin’s Reviews

Robin’s Reviews

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Little Fires Everywhere brought to TV

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Story Summary

Robin’s Rave Reviews

Summary:

Robin’s Rave Reviews

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SUMMARY

Robin’s Rave Reviews

♥ What I loved ♥

Robin’s Rave Reviews

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Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

Summary

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

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Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

This is a redo of a post that looks fine on my website but came out all wonky for blog followers who get the email version, so here’s The Secret Book of Flora Lea – Take 2!

Robin’s Rave Reviews 2023

SUMMARY

My Take:

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