Book Review: Such Good People

By Melissa Amster

It’s 10 p.m. on a Thursday in the spring of her freshman year of college, and April is standing at the back of a crowded Manhattan bar waiting for her friend, Rudy, to arrive. Their eyes lock the moment he enters the room, and in an instant, lives and legacies are altered forever.

Within hours, Rudy is arrested. Within days, April is expelled. Within weeks, he’s incarcerated. And within months, she meets Peter, a prodigious young attorney who makes her world recognizable again.

Nearly fifteen years later, April is happily living in Chicago married to Peter, a mother of three with a fulfilling career and standing yoga date with her girlfriends. On the eve of Peter’s election for local office, Rudy is up for parole. Headlines explode about April’s past, jeopardizing Peter’s campaign and everything they hold dear.

 Suddenly, April is faced with an impossible choice: protecting the life she created, or the person who sacrificed everything to make that life a possibility. Such Good People is a captivating portrait of blurred lines, divided loyalties, and what it means to love purely, steadfastly, and interminably. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have been binge watching Drop Dead Diva for the past few months and it has me interested in what happens in a courtroom and how the law can work for or against someone. All I know is that Rudy DeFranco would have never seen the inside of a prison if he had Jane/Deb or any of the other lawyers from Harrison and Parker defending him.

In Amy Blumenfeld's sophomore novel, Such Good People, Rudy is given a raw deal in life, locked away for a homicide that was the result of an accident during a bar fight. The situation has a huge impact on his best friend April and a ripple effect on her life when he is released thirteen years later. Told from the perspectives of Rudy, April, April's husband, and a former college classmate, Such Good People looks at where people draw the line between right and wrong or innocent and guilty.

I loved this novel and can't stop thinking about it! It is just so captivating and well-written. It shows how easily people make judgements when they aren't given all the facts and how that can negatively impact people's lives. So many things made me angry on behalf of April and Rudy. I don't want to say too much as to not spoil anything. I just hated that Rudy didn't get a fair trial to begin with. There's a Cold Case feel to this story, as well. I liked the different perspectives and how the went back and forth in time. 

My only minor issue was grammatical in nature. While everyone's perspective was written in third person, there were times the characters would slip into first person. I don't know if this was by accident and was fixed for final publication. It didn't ruin how great this novel was, but it took me by surprise. It's about as jarring as when someone changes between past and present tense or the narrative switches without any section or chapter break.

I highly recommend checking this one out as soon as possible! It's such an important and worthwhile read. There's a lot of emotional impact, as well.

Amy's debut novel, The Cast (reviewed here), came out seven years ago. I hope she doesn't wait that long to release another novel!

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions (for the present timeline):

April: Elizabeth Lail

Rudy: Lorenzo James Henrie

Peter: Corey Sevier

Jillian: Erin Yvette

Tommy: David Henrie (I like the idea of brothers playing brothers)

Isla: Laura Marano

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

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TW: Incarceration. PTSD. Paparazzi. Bullying. Aging parents. Death of young adult.

R.L. Maizes completes us...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Steve Olshansky

Today we welcome R.L. Maizes to CLC to talk about her latest novel, A Complete Fiction. This novel sounds unique and fun and we're excited to talk with her about it. Thanks to Blankenship PR, we have TWO copies to give away!

R.L. Maizes is the author of Other People’s Pets, which won the 2021 Colorado Book Award for Fiction, and the story collection We Love Anderson Cooper. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, O Magazine, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and Electric Literature, and has aired on NPR. A Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellow, she’s currently supported by a 2024–2025 Fellowship Grant from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture. 

Maizes lives in Boulder County, Colorado, with her husband, their dog Rosie—who still can’t believe how nice the weather is—and the ghost of their cat, Arie. Visit her at her website and on Instagram.

Synopsis:

With little evidence, would-be author P.J. Larkin serves a "nibble" on the trendy new social-media app Crave, accusing editor George Dunn of stealing the novel she submitted to him for publication.

The nibble shoots to the top of the site's Popular Menu Items and before you can say "unpaid literary labor," George is embroiled in a scandal, his job and book deal in jeopardy. P.J.’s novel is snapped up amid the publicity, but has she revealed her sister Mia’s secrets in the book? Some diners on Crave think so, and now it’s P.J.’s turn to feel the public’s scorn.

Told in the humorous vein of Where'd You Go Bernadette?, A Complete Fiction examines the very serious questions of who has a right to tell a story, and has cancel culture gone too far in our social media-drenched world? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"R.L. Maizes has written a smart, compelling novel about publishing and its perils, families and friendships and their limitations, and storytelling itself, in all its wondrous messy glory."

—Laurie Frankel, author of This Is How It Always Is

"We follow P.J. as she longs to publish a first novel and George, an editor, who turned her down for writing a book that he may or may not have plagiarized from her. Rooting for both with laugh out loud moments, I raced to the conclusion to find out how it would end." 

—Bethany Ball, author of What to do About the Solomons

"A Complete Fiction checks all of the boxes for an incredible read that sits at the intersection of cancel culture and #metoo. It's packed full of contemporary anxiety, it's hilarious in moments, and it's a page-turner where readers will get a true joy out of being a fly on the wall to the conversations between characters." 

—Wendy J. Fox, author of If the Ice Had Held

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
A national book club organizer told me they dreamed about my novel A Complete Fiction. It’s an honor to enter someone’s psyche that deeply. A writer recently said they thought of me while stirring Medjool dates into oatmeal. In Other People’s Pets, my debut novel, a man makes that precise oatmeal for his sick partner. It’s the greatest compliment to me when someone is thinking about my book years later and taking a compassionate action that mirrors one in the book. Of course, it’s not all compliments. At the second author talk I gave for the new novel, a reader wondered who came up with the “terrible” title A Complete Fiction. As it happens, I did. 

If you could tell the debut novelist version of yourself one thing, what would it be? 
Savor each success. You don’t need a review in The New York Times to feel fulfilled as a writer. You don’t need your book to be a number-one bestseller, though that would be nice. What matters is that the book reaches the people it’s supposed to reach, that it speaks to those readers and sticks with them. Take time to appreciate each of those wins. 

If A Complete Fiction were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? 
🤞🤞🤞 In the movie version, which is definitely going to be made, at least in my highly fertile imagination, Kiera Knightley plays P.J. and Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays George.

How would you describe your relationship with social media? 
I’m horribly addicted. I’m checking-during-commercial-breaks-while-on-the-throne addicted. I had tempered my use of social media while writing A Complete Fiction, but now I’m promoting the novel and social media is a good way to reach readers. Unfortunately, it has completely sucked me back in. Which is ironic since the book satirizes social media. I hope after this period of intense book promotion to cut back again, or at least to keep it out of the bathroom. It’s best not to be around cameras when in compromising positions.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Any ET broadcaster. That way people would be fooled into thinking I’m way more famous than I am. 

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see? 
I’d show you some great Colorado hiking trails. Fall is a beautiful time to take a walk in the woods here. We’d also visit the pedestrian mall in Boulder to see the buskers: fire eaters, jugglers, musicians, and writers who will pen a poem for you. When we got sufficiently tired, we’d find a café and people-watch while drinking craft beer and eating truffle fries.

Thanks to R.L. Maizes for visiting with us and to Blankenship for sharing her book with our readers.

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

A Complete Fiction (2 print copies)

Giveaway ends November 11th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Royally Off-Limits

By Sara Steven

I called him Ledonia’s most eligible man-child in a headline. Now I'm living at his palace.

After my no-holds-barred exposé on Prince Maximilien goes viral, the royal family doesn’t banish me—they hire me. Apparently, the King and Queen think damage control looks like me filming an exclusive behind-the-scenes series on their charming, cocky, scandal-prone son.

Prince Max isn’t thrilled. In fact, he downright despises me. Which is fine. Because the feeling? Entirely mutual.

But the thing is, I didn’t expect him to be smarter, deeper, and somehow even hotter in royal pajamas. And I definitely didn’t expect to start falling for a man I’ve built a career out of publicly roasting.
There’s just one problem: He has no idea who I really am. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

In all of the Royally Kissed books within this series, Fabiana Fontaine is the end all be all voice on all matters that involve the royal family. In fact, the majority of the chapters begin with quick snippets of her skilled insight, with no one knowing how she has figured out the ins and outs, and what goes on behind the scenes. She’s the most unlikely character to highlight on, particularly because she’s mostly been seen as a background personality, but bringing her more into focus and getting to know more about her and why she’s so vocal about the royal family really worked well! 

We learn that there is so much more behind Fabiana’s reasons for becoming a royal correspondent. When she’s tasked with working with Max, the royal’s youngest son, she figures it will be easy to keep her deepest secrets to herself in the process. She’ll go in, do the documentary, then leave. No harm done. But she discovers that there is also more to Max than she’d ever imagined, and maybe he’s not as much of a man-child as she once perceived him to be. The more he gives her a different side to him, the more she fears losing control of the carefully constructed persona she’s made for herself. One wrong move could mean the end of her career–or worse.

Reading about Fabiana really gave me a different perspective of her. Sometimes while reading this series, I’d wonder who she was and would at times think, “Who does she think she is?” I could understand the tension and annoyance that the royal family would feel towards Fabiana, feeling as though she’d often highlight the negative aspects, or as Fabiana calls it, “warts and all.” Yet, knowing her background, it makes perfect sense, not to mention how dedicated she is to her work. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything, preferring to give the truth, no matter how it looks.

Max appreciates Fabiana, but will he appreciate who she is once he learns who she really is? It gives Fabiana the chance to finally be who she is, warts and all, at risk of allowing someone to love her without the secrets. Royally Off-Limits is really the best addition to the series, an opposites-attract redemption experience–a definite five-star read! 

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

More by Kate O'Keeffe (Royally Kissed series):

The Backup Princess

Royally Matched

The Royal Runaway

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Jamie Brenner crafts a new tale...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Kevin Peragine

We're pleased to have Jamie Brenner back at CLC today to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, The Weekend Crashers! Melissa recently read and enjoyed this novel and will be reviewing soon. Check out her Bookstagram post in the meantime. We had fun chatting with Jamie and wish her loads of success with this sweet and cozy novel. Thanks to Harlequin, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

Jamie Brenner is the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Forever Summer, The Wedding Sisters, Gilt, and more. Jamie grew up reading the scandalous heroines of Jackie Collins, the gothic horror of Anne Rice, and the family drama of Anne Rivers Siddons. Her dream novel combines all three. 

After raising two daughters in New York City, Jamie now lives in Bucks County, PA -- the inspiration for THE WEEKEND CRASHERS. (Bio adapted from Jamie's website.)

Visit Jamie at her website and on Instagram.

Synopsis:

Maggie Hodges and her daughter Piper are looking forward to a restful knitting retreat in the picturesque village of New Hope, Pennsylvania. But instead, they are surprised to find themselves sharing their charming riverside inn with a rowdy bushcraft bachelor party. Undaunted by the clash of interests and personalities, Maggie suggests a lighthearted competition—a battle of crafts—that sparks a rivalry between the two groups, and perhaps something more. But as the weekend unfolds, old mistakes and buried resentments begin to surface, threatening to destroy Maggie and Piper’s cherished connection.

In knitting, one can easily fix mistakes by picking apart each stitch and starting anew. But life’s tangles aren’t so easily mended. With tensions rising and the retreat coming to a close, Maggie must act quickly before she loses everything she holds dear. Can she repair what’s been broken before everything unravels? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"The Weekend Crashers is a delightful and heartwarming story of a mother-daughter trip that veers wildly off course. Maggie and Piper's knitting retreat at the charming New Hope Inn comes with an unexpected bachelor party, hot toddies galore, and a whole lot of yarn, leaving both women with a mess to untangle. A truly wonderful fall read!"

—Amy Poeppel, author of Far and Away

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
I would tell her how much the industry is going to change over the decade, how the entire paradigm for marketing and promotion would shift.

Which of your main characters do you relate to more, Maggie or Piper?
I relate more to Maggie because she’s experiencing the life transition of a grown child leaving the nest and I went through the same thing with my daughters.

If The Weekend Crashers was made into a movie, which songs would be on the soundtrack?
Choosing today I’d have to say Sombr’s album “I Hardly Know Her.”

Have you ever knit something and if so, what was it? If not, has anyone ever knit something for you?
I knit every day. Two years ago a reader send me a hand-crochet book sleeve and I loved it so much I bought more to give away with pre-orders of The Weekend Crashers!

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I just finished Workhorse by Caroline Palmer and I’m obsessed.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
I’d want Dame Maggie Smith but sadly that’s not going to happen.

Thanks to Jamie for visiting with us and to Harlequin for sharing her book with our readers.

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

The Weekend Crashers (1 print copy)

Giveaway ends November 9th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Isabella's Not Dead

By Sara Steven

Isabella’s NOT dead.

That’s what Gwen tells anyone who asks about the best friend who ghosted them all fifteen years ago. But if Isabella’s not dead, then where is she? And why did she leave, just when Gwen needed her most?

Freshly fifty-three, out of a job and with children who no longer need her, Gwen decides to find out. Setting out to solve the mystery, Gwen embarks on an adventure across the country then across Europe that will test her friendships and her marriage, putting her on a collision course with reluctant acquaintances, a mother-in-law best described as eccentric, and a rabbit hole full of clues.

But Isabella’s not the only one who’s lost.

A tale of deep, frayed friendship, fractured memories, and skewed perspective, Isabella’s Not Dead is the story of one woman’s quest to reclaim her best friend, and herself. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Isabella’s Not Dead took a strange twisty turn about midway through the book that I didn’t see coming. And it was a fantastic way to incorporate a little mystery and suspense into the story. When Gwen’s friends from school gather together for a girls’ reunion trip, notably absent is Isabella, someone Gwen used to consider as her ride or die. There are a lot of guilty feelings on Gwen’s part, because she admittedly dropped the ball in trying to reconnect with her best friend over the years, citing just how quickly life got in the way for her. On the one hand, it appears as though Isabella doesn’t want to be found. But from another perspective, Gwen has dropped the ball in a lot of areas of her life, prompting her to find her missing friend.

I thought it was interesting how the journey Gwen takes in finding Isabella ends up being the way that Gwen ultimately finds herself again. Usually, Gwen puts herself in the backseat, preferring to make everyone else a priority. But despite the questions and lack of support she gets from mostly everyone when she tells them she’s trying to find her missing friend, she stays the course, bringing back the old Gwen, the one she remembers flourished when in her friendship with Isabella. 

Of course, my ultimate need stemmed from knowing whether Isabella really was to be found. That’s when things got really exciting. In order to know the answer to that, Gwen has to reconnect with some people that she remembers from the past, but hasn’t seen in years. I thought the way everything played out was very witty and smartly done. I also appreciated when certain answers became revealed–there were psychological thriller vibes involved and I was there for it! 

Overall, the friendship aspect was the best, particularly in moments when Gwen needs all the help she can get, not knowing just how much her friends will be there for her, from start to finish. It was a great five-star experience!

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

More by Beth Morrey:

The Love Story of Missy Carmichael

Clover Hendry's Day Off

Delphine Jones Takes a Chance

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What's in the (e)mail

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

NG = NetGalley

Melissa:
Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg from Random House (NG)
George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett from William Morrow (NG)
Chasing the Clouds Away by Debbie Macomber from Ballantine (NG)
Paradise by Julie Cohen from Orion (NG)
The Messy Years by Alexandra Slater from Hudson House Press (NG)

Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West from St. Martin's Press (NG)

Never Over by Clare Gilmore from St. Martin's Press (NG)

Whispers of Ink and Starlight by Garrett Curbow from Lake Union (NG)

Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler from Random House (NG)

That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse from Harlequin (NG)

Twenty Something Else by Stephanie Mack from Tyndale House (NG)

Sara:

In Bloom by Liz Allan from Simon & Schuster (NG)

Royally Off-Limits by/from Kate O'Keeffe (ebook)

Jami:
Pinky Swear by Danielle Girard from Atria (NG)
Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel from Henry Holt (NG)

The Take by Kelly Yang from Berkley (NG)

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Book Review: Jilted

By Melissa Amster

After getting ditched at the altar, every “I do” makes me want to scream.

Which is a problem, considering I’m an associate editor at Bride magazine.

Just when I thought my job couldn’t get any worse, I got roped into being a last-minute bridesmaid... and paired with Wilder Hayes.

Gorgeous, smug, and maddening. Cue the bickering, the sparks, and one very unexpected coat closet moment.

Not my finest hour… or was it? Because that kiss? Easily the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced.
At least I’ll never have to see him again.

Until Monday rolls around, and—surprise!—he’s my boss’s son and my new work shadow for the season.

It's a match made in heaven...or hell. Only time will tell. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Jilted is my first Vi Keeland experience and I really enjoyed it! Sloane and Wilder were interesting characters and I loved their chemistry. The story had a Pretty Woman feel at times. There was even an armchair adventure involved. Plus, lots of open door heat! 🔥🔥🔥

I am glad we had both Sloane and Wilder's perspectives and I enjoyed getting to know both of them throughout the novel. I liked that Sloane had diabetes as the story brought more awareness to what is involved when someone has it. 

I felt like things came too easy with Wilder being so rich. Like he could just throw money at any problem and everything would be fine. This was my only concern and it didn't take away from my enjoyment. 

Overall, it was a romantic and entertaining page-turner and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys rom-coms. 

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Wilder: Fabien Frankel
Sloane: Jocelyn Hudon
Elijah: Bowen Yang
Will: Joe Keery
Harry: Timothy Hutton

Thanks to Tor Publishing Group for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Vi Keeland:

Something Borrowed, Something You

The Invitation

Indiscretion

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TW: Medical incident from diabetes, infidelity, death of mother (off page), Parkinsons