Book Review: Slow Burn Summer

By Allyson Bales

She’s playing the part of romance author, but has she found her own real life love story?

Talent agent Charlie Francisco has three problems: a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never planned to inherit, and a take-your-breath-away romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with its publication. The book is a surefire hit, if only his agency can find someone to “play” author on its summer book tour.

Enter Kate Elliott, a former soap actress who’s miraculously right for the part at the very moment her life seems to be going all wrong. Kate is still recovering from her own divorce and Charlie’s job offer is a lifeline. She agrees to the pretense for all interviews, signings, and appearances surrounding the novel’s publication. But she can’t know who really wrote the remarkable story—the one so beautiful it’s made her believe in love again.

When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks—the one thing they have in common is they’re determined to play their respective parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines . . . or will they go off-script? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Josie Silver has been a favorite author of mine since her release of One Day in December.  That book continues to live rent free in my head.  If you haven’t read One Day in December yet, read Slow Burn Summer first and then read that one!

Josie has such a heartfelt and warm writing style.  I don’t think she has written a leading lady that I haven’t immediately connected with and really loved. In Slow Burn Summer you get to meet Kate.  She is so vulnerable and real. What you see is what you get; she really wears her heart on her sleeve.  She acted when she was younger and then got married young and is now going through a divorce and needs a job.  She reaches out to an old agent and ends up meeting Charlie instead.  I think you are really going to love Charlie!  

Charlie offers Kate an opportunity to pose as a romance author and what ensues is incredibly entertaining and so much fun!  I do not want to give too much away but you get a T-Rex, a loyal book community, and a sister bond that will make your heart melt.  I also love the mystery aspect of the story and you will know what I am talking about when you start reading!

This is such a fun summer slow burn romance!  Definitely read this one if you love books about books, a leading lady that will make you feel seen, and some pretty funny banter!

Also, thanks to Penguin Random House Audio I was able to do an immersive read of this one and really, really enjoyed Anna Acton’s narration.  She really brought the story to life conveying the emotions of the characters beautifully!

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

More by Josie Silver:

One Day in December

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

A Winter in New York

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Kaira Rouda has a lot to be happy about...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Candice Dartez

We're pleased to have Kaira Rouda back at CLC today. She's been here a bunch of times and we've enjoyed watching her go from contemporary fiction to psychological thrillers. Her latest thriller, Jill is Not Happy, is a wild ride! Melissa recently gave it five stars (see her review). Thanks to MeganBeatie Communications, we have one copy to give away!

Kaira Rouda is a USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author known for her gripping domestic suspense novels, including The Widow, The Next Wife, and Best Day Ever. Her work, translated into more than a dozen languages, has earned multiple accolades, including Amazon Editor’s Picks and a Silver Falchion Award. A passionate advocate for the writing community, she co-hosts the Killer Author Club and is active in several literary organizations. Beyond writing, Kaira is deeply involved in social causes and has received numerous awards for her service, including national recognition for creating the first emergency shelter for homeless families in Central Ohio. She lives in Southern California with her family.

Visit Kaira online:

Website * Instagram * Threads * TikTok

Synopsis:
From the outside, Jill Tingley has it all. She’s married to her college sweetheart Jack and they’re living the dream in Southern California. Wealthy, popular and genetically blessed, theirs seems to be an enviable life, though they’ve grown distant in recent years. Newly empty nesting with their daughter Maggie away at college, Jill suggests a road trip to reconnect. 

But the ugly truth is that Jack would rather do anything else than drive to Utah with his wife. He’s only stayed in this marriage because of a terrible secret from their past that has bound them together all these years. Finally, Jack is finished with the charade of his marriage and plans to file for divorce as soon as they return, no matter the consequences. 

As it turns out, their shared dark history is only the tip of the iceberg Jill has been hiding. And so begins a cat-and-mouse game as a cunning wife—think Ripley in yoga pants—and a reluctant husband match wits and send each other to the edge—literally. All along, Jill tells herself that everything will be fine. She still loves Jack and knows they’re meant to be. She’ll do anything to keep him, just as she always has.

"A clever spin on the glue that keeps marriages together, I devoured this in one sitting."

― Kimberly Belle, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow

"I love everything Kaira Rouda writes and Jill Is Not Happy is no exception. Jill isn’t just not happy, she’s creepy!"

― Robyn Harding, bestselling author of The Haters

"Nobody does twisty revenge like Kaira Rouda―and her trademark dark humor and deviously toxic characters are always deliciously entertaining."

― Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
I couldn’t stop reading or your book kept me up too late! 

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
HERE, HOME, HOPE was my debut – and you guys were one of the first to review it way back when. Thank you! 

So, I’d say, keep going. Believe in yourself. This is the career of my dreams.

If Jill is Not Happy was made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
The title song would be: "It Is What It Is" by Jamie Miller. The rest would be songs about relationships gone wrong. I’m hearing a lot of Paul Strom’s playlist (IYKYK) "Mack the Knife", "Come Away With Me", "Somebody that I Used to Know", "The Story of Us", "You Know I’m No Good", "Every Breath You Take".

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Just finished The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. So good!

What is the last thing you had a good laugh about?
My puppy Rocky keeps me laughing daily. He’s the best!

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Nicole Kidman, because, well, she’s Nicole Kidman

Thanks to Kaira for visiting with us and to MeganBeatie Communications for sharing her book with our readers.

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

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Giveaway ends June 17th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review: Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous

By Melissa Smoot

Hollywood, 1997. When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. But her determination to become a screenwriter and producer in this glamorous yet cutthroat industry cannot be stifled. Working harder than she ever has before, she impresses the top brass at Canopy Studios and inches herself closer to her dream. But her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account, love gone wrong, a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars, and an FBI investigation that could land her in jail.

Surrounded by fame and money but unsure how to access either one, Charity’s grit and kindness steer her toward devoted friends and hopeful artists. If she can manage to stay out of trouble, maybe she can change bad to good. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

This was a great book. I enjoyed the 1990’s Hollywood setting and the behind-the-scenes peek into the world of film and glamour. The main character, Charity, is so loveable and relatable. I feel her pain in having a horrible boss (who is not actually her boss) and the feeling of being forced into doing what you are told (or else), even when you know it is not in your job description. I spent the entire book rooting for Charity and hoping that her nemesis, Saffron, would get what she deserves. 

In the end, the author did not give us the evil revenge on Saffron that she deserved, but instead lifted Charity up so high above her, that it was revenge enough. The genuine friendships that Charity made were heartwarming and gave the story such a wholesome feel, even if her friends are some of the most famous in Hollywood. I truly enjoyed all the characters and how they fit so perfectly into Charity’s world. This is an adorable and fun story, and I really loved it.

Thanks to BookSparks for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Charity Trickett here.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Winging It with You

We're in the thick of Pride Month 🌈 and are pleased to celebrate the publication of Chip Pons's debut novel, Winging It with You! The story sounds like a lot of fun (especially since it starts off with mozzarella sticks...you can't go wrong there) and we're here for it. Thanks to Putnam, we have TWO copies to give away!

Catching flights . . . and feelings

Asher Bennett thought his relationship was just fine. Until he’s unceremoniously dumped at the Boston airport ahead of the world-wide travel competition reality show, The Epic Trek. Armed with only a ticket and righteous indignation, Asher finds the closest solace he can: a mimosa and mozzarella sticks combo at an airport TGI Fridays. Still, Asher is determined to find a new partner and luckily, right in front of him is a smooth-talking airline pilot ready for takeoff.

Theo Fernandez has been grounded. He’s the only pilot that has never taken a vacation and the edict has been passed down: prove you're prioritizing a work-life balance or say goodbye to your wings. As he struggles to bask in his new downtime, without reconnecting with his family, he stumbles upon the perfect opportunity. The handsome guy who "stole" his mozzarella sticks at his favorite terminal eatery has a sudden opening for a partner . . . on a nationally televised reality show.

Theo and Asher buckle up to fake date for the cameras, but as they do the undercurrents of attraction make them wonder if their on-screen chemistry hints at something bigger. Do they have the courage to leave behind their baggage, and wing it together for another chance at love? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"Winging It with You is all about taking chances on the heart—and seeing them pay off in glorious technicolor. Asher and Theo’s chemistry is off the charts from their first moment on the page, and watching them trek through their unexpected love story was a pure delight." 
—Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author of The Fake Mate

"Chip Pons writes with such heart and honesty—it’s impossible not to fall in love with his characters. His stories pulse with emotion, leaving you thinking about them long after you’ve turned the last page. Chip Pons is the fresh voice in romance we’ve needed!" 
—Sarah Adams, New York Times bestselling author of Beg, Borrow, or Steal

"I was immediately hooked by this fun and fresh take on fake dating. Winging It with You delivers on its super clever premise with a well-crafted story and engaging main characters who face big obstacles, both physical and emotional. If you’re looking for a sexy, entertaining rom-com, this is your next escape." 
—Sidney Karger, author of Best Men and The Bump

Credit: Chip Pons

Chip Pons grew up in a small lake town in Northern Michigan before eventually traveling the world as a photojournalist in the US Air Force, where he met and worked alongside his dream of a husband and better half. He’s spent his entire life swooning over the love stories filling up his shelves until one day, he was brave—or delusional—enough to write his own.

He currently lives in the heart of Washington, DC. and when he is not writing or chasing his pup, Margot, around, he can be found daydreaming of untold happily ever afters or on Bookstagram shouting about the books he loves. And snacking, like, all the time. (Bio courtesy of Chip's website.)

Visit Chip at his website and on Instagram.

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

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Giveaway ends June 16th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review and Giveaway: Far and Away

Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta have agreed to a house swap—and boy, are they going to regret it.

Lucy’s hometown of Dallas has gone from home sweet home to vicious snake pit in the blink of an eye after her son makes a mistake he can’t undo. And Greta’s beloved flat in Berlin is suddenly up for grabs when her husband Otto takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her. In their rush to leave town, Lucy and Greta make a deal, pack their bags, and—thanks to martinis, desperation, and some very rusty German—have absolutely no idea what they’re getting themselves into.

Trading Southern charm and barbecue for European sophistication and schnitzel, the two women get a lot more than a change of scenery as they move into each other’s houses, neighborhoods, and lives. Greta and Lucy’s husbands are no help: Otto is winning over his colleagues, swimming laps in the backyard pool, and rooting for the Rangers, while Lucy’s husband is doing a six-month stretch out west, either in a NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack get tossed into each other’s orbits, where they both discover secrets they can’t ignore.

When Greta’s biggest career achievement—the buzzworthy purchase of a Vermeer at auction—is thrown into question and Lucy’s past with a hot Viking named Bjørn invades her present, the two women need each other in ways they never could have imagined. Through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, and scandals that refuse to be left behind, Lucy and Greta will have to decide if they can ever go home again. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Allyson Bales:

Say hello to what I KNOW is going to be one of your favorite books of the year!  

Thanks to Simon Audio, I got to read this one primarily with my ears and it was such a treat.  I think this will definitely be one of my favorite audio books of the year.  It is primarily narrated by Patti Murin and Lisa Flanagan with smaller parts by Jennifer Jill Araya, Kevin R. Free, and Pete Simonelli.  A multi-cast narration always really brings the story to life for me but what I loved about this one even more were the narrators' Dallas twang and German accents!

Amy Poeppel is becoming a favorite author of mine!  I read The Sweet Spot a few years ago and immediately fell in love with her writing style.  With this story you get to meet Lucy and Greta.  Lucy is dealing with a high school scandal and Greta’s husband Otto is in need of a work change.  Both of them decide very impulsively to swap houses and what actually ensues is so much fun!  This story was a mix of the movies The Holiday and Love, Actually with characters that have so much personality and quirkiness!  I really missed them when I wasn’t reading and couldn’t wait to get back to them as soon as possible!

The story is a lighter read but there are so many storylines intermingling at once, so many laugh out loud and heartfelt moments, and characters that really feel like your best friends, that you are going to be so invested until the very end.  I don’t often re-read stories but I already want to re-listen to this and be back together with the characters! 

I really don’t want to give too much away but know that you get to visit sweltering Dallas and bustling Berlin, Germany.  There’s a spouse that is spending six months in New Mexico but everyone is saying he's on Mars.  There’s a math problem that really went awry and a teenager that drives WAY below the speed limit.  Like so slow it takes him over six hours for a two-hour trip!

I really could go on and on about this one! Please go read it and then reach out to me! I would love to talk about it more!

Melissa Amster:

I have enjoyed Amy Poeppel's novels ever since I checked out Limelight in 2018 (reviewed here). That was a top pick for me at the time. I'm pleased to share that another one of her novels has earned a spot on my top picks list this year: Far and Away. It's like The Holiday, but about parenthood and only slightly more chaotic. 😂 I loved every bit of it, including the quirky characters, armchair adventure, humor, and pets, just to name a few things. Of course, the synopsis had me at "Viking named Bjørn" because of Ghosts.

I felt so bad for Lucy with everything that happened from Jack making an error in judgment. I can't even imagine having to see my child's dreams get taken away because of a misunderstanding that got out of control. Then to add insult to injury, everyone was ostracizing Lucy and her family. And her husband was doing this Mars simulation so he wouldn't even take her calls and he had no idea what was happening. 

Greta seemed to have it slightly easier, but she walked into a messy situation...and house, not knowing what to expect. Her husband was living the dream in Texas and she was just trying to get by. I could understand how awkward she felt at times, and how homesick she truly was. I liked seeing her communication with Lucy and how they started to understand each other's situations after a while.

I loved all the narrative from the variety of characters and seeing them in so many locations throughout the story. I was picturing one of those toy planes going back and forth on a map. I have never been to Berlin, but Amy made it easy to picture everything there. There was so much livelihood throughout the story and I never knew what to expect from one chapter to the next. I wanted to live inside the book even longer!

It would have been nice to have translations for everything that was just written in German. Some context was available here and there, but if I were watching this as a movie and the subtitles were missing, I'd be totally confused.

I'm excited for everyone to read this soon, so I can enjoy it again vicariously through them. (I'm re-enjoying it just by writing this review.) It's such a refreshing and creative novel and I'm glad I got the opportunity to check it out!

(Trigger warning at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Lucy: Rachael Leigh Cook
Greta: Diane Kruger
Jack: Finn Wolfhard
Emmi: Lilly Krug
Irene: Caroline Lagerfelt
Adam: Dan Jeannotte
Otto: Til Schweiger (which is funny when you read the book...)

Thanks to Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy for a lucky reader!

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

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Giveaway ends June 15th at midnight EST. 

More by Amy Poeppel:

The Sweet Spot

Musical Chairs

Small Admissions

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TW: Bullying

Book Review: Just Beachy

By Jami Denison

It’s beach season, and there’s no better beach read than a book that takes place at the beach. There’s something special when that book is set in the town where you’re vacationing; it’s even more special if you’re lucky enough to live in that beach town. Wendy Wax is a St. Petersburg, Florida native; her popular Ten Beach Road series is set on Pass-A-Grille (part of St. Pete Beach). I live in St. Petersburg and was married on Pass-A-Grille. Naturally, when she released her latest beach read, Just Beachy, I scooped it up. Just Beachy isn’t part of the Ten Beach Road series, but some of the series’ characters pop up. 

When actress Sydney Ryan’s police officer character is written off her show in an embarrassing way, she decides to leave Hollywood and join her grandmother on Treasure Island, Florida. Right away, there’s romance in the air for both women—Grand starts dating her neighbor Brian, and Sydney hooks up with police officer Luke, her old crush from grade school. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house, Sydney’s grandmother admits to involvement in an art scandal. Could Brian be involved? Can Sydney use her TV detective skills to find out the truth?

Despite its mystery spine, Just Beachy is written in a breezy, humorous tone that plays down conflict. Constantly stymied by people who think she’s her TV character, Sydney goes on embarrassing auditions and spends a lot of time helping Grand’s friend Myra open a bookstore on Pass-A-Grille. The relationship with Luke happens quickly, so it’s missing a lot of the tension and build-up that romance fans expect, while including several clinically descriptive sex scenes. The climax is unsurprising, and the denouement is almost a fairy tale.

For me, the highlight of Just Beachy was Wax’s frequent name-dropping of popular St. Petersburg spots—the Don Cesar Hotel; Paradise Grille and Hurricane’s on Pass-A-Grille; Larry’s Ice Cream shop on St. Pete Beach; Central Avenue; Gulf Boulevard.  As Wax mentions in her author’s note, the book takes place in an alternate timeline in which two hurricanes did not decimate this area. In the real world, Paradise Grille was closed for several months; thousands of homes along the beaches and in St. Petersburg flooded, and many businesses were destroyed. The Don reopened at the end of March. I was lucky enough that my home didn’t flood, but many of my immediate neighbors did, along with friends and my real estate brokerage.  

I can’t blame Wax for wanting to ignore the disaster, and I hope Just Beachy inspires people to visit the Gulf Beaches. There’s nothing better than spending the afternoon reading a book on St. Pete Beach, watching the sunset at Paradise Grille, eating a cheeseburger, and ringing the sunset bell. 

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

More by Wendy Wax:
The Break-Up Book Club
The House on Mermaid Point
My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding

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Book Review: Roommating

By Melissa Amster

Sabrina is too busy with grad school and her job as a library page to think about dating. Until her elderly roommate Marcia invites her estranged grandson Adam to move into their two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan temporarily to “find himself.” Sabrina doesn’t mind sharing the small space with Adam if it helps Marcia repair her relationship with her grandson. But she’s not expecting to fall for him herself. Adam is not only gorgeous, he’s kind, funny, shares her love of reading, and clearly adores Marcia. After one too many accidental midnight rendezvous in the bathroom (him shirtless), the tension between them is hotter than ever. But they’re not the only ones feeling the heat. After Marcia has a health scare, her doctors advise that one of her younger roommates must go.

In a comical and sexy battle to prove who deserves to stay, the two pull out all the stops. All's fair in love and real estate, but in the end victory is not so sweet when winning the apartment could mean losing each other.  (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I always enjoy Meredith Schorr's novels and her latest, Roommating, is a real treat from beginning to end! It has everything I love in a rom-com, all bundled into a perfect package. Full of humor, Jewish joy,  a swoonworthy love interest, romance, steam, book references, pop culture, an adorable dog, etc. The NYC setting adds even more charm. 

I liked the unique concept of this story. I've never read a novel where a young woman shares an apartment with an older woman, and then the older woman's grandson suddenly reappears in her life and it makes things complicated for the young woman. Meredith made everything seem like a lot of fun! There was a lot of great banter between the characters and the story never slowed down. 

I found some aspects of the story relatable. I could understand and appreciate Sabrina's stress about money. I know she was trying hard to be independent and make ends meet, but that it got to a breaking point for her. I felt bad for her regarding her guilt over how she acted toward her grandma prior to her grandma's death. My heart also hurt for Marcia with being rejected by her son and having her grandson alienated from her. 

My only concern is that I wish the competition had gone on longer. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn't a big deal that it was cut short. The story still had a lot going for it even without the competition.

Fun side note: My mom's name is Marcia and she spells it the same way as the one in this book. (People used to call us asking for Mar-see-a, even though Marcia Brady spelled it the same way too.)

This one is a winner for me and it will be for you too! Be sure to add it to your summer TBR for a relaxing and entertaining escape read.

Movie casting suggestions:

Sabrina: Iris Apatow
Adam: Jonah Hauer-King
Marcia: Judith Light
Audrina: Maude Apatow

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of the post.)

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

More by Meredith Schorr:
As Seen on TV
Someone Just Like You
Blogger Girl

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TW: Homophobia (off page), death of parent (off page)

Judith Natelli McLaughlin has a “novel” approach to summer reads...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Judith Natelli McLaughlin back at CLC today to talk about her latest novel, Top Five, which was just published this week! She's here to share a Top Five list of her own, that is sure to put you into a summer reading mood. Judith has one copy of her novel, along with some swag, for a lucky reader!

Judith Natelli McLaughlin has been writing since childhood, starting with The Bunny and The Eggs, a handmade Easter Bunny story she proudly bound with masking tape. A Tenafly, New Jersey native, she graduated from Tenafly High School in 1983 and went on to Villanova University, where she discovered her academic and creative strengths.

A firm believer that success comes from doing what you love, Judith has built a meaningful career as a writer. She lives at the Jersey Shore with her husband, Brian, and their Westie, Duke. They have three grown daughters who inspire her every day.

Life is busy, full, and good—and for Judith, always worth writing about.

Visit Judith at her website and on Instagram.

Synopsis:

Belle Creek, New York—where small-town charm comes with big secrets.

Quinn Sheridan, lifestyle blogger and reluctant internet star, retreats to her aunts’ river house to escape the pressure of writing her first book. She expects peace and quiet—not Witt Spencer.

Witt has returned to Belle Creek to care for the estranged father he’s spent years avoiding. He’s not looking for redemption, and Quinn’s not looking for love. But as summer unfolds, so do old wounds, unexpected sparks, and a chance at something neither of them saw coming.

Top Five is a heartfelt story about healing, connection, and the messy, beautiful ways we find our way back to ourselves—and each other.

Top Five Anticipated Books for Summer 2025

When asked to be a guest blogger for Chick Lit Central, in anticipation of my summer 2025 release, Top Five, it, surprisingly, took me a while to figure out my topic. I say surprisingly because in Top Five, main character Quinn is a writer of the successful blog, Top Five. So why did it take me so long to come up with the idea to write my own Top Five Blog?  I have no idea, but when I finally landed on this nugget of a concept, I gave myself a big, fat duh!

Reading is my great escape. I learn about myself, others and the world through the books I read, often reading paragraphs that move me, over and over again, and sharing my favorite quotes on social media.  And I truly believe, book quotes are best when shared.

Summer reading is particularly special to me, as there is nothing better than my butt in a beach chair with a book in my hands and my toes in the sand. With no further ado, below are my Top Five Anticipated Books for Summer 2025:

TOP FIVE – Judith Natelli McLaughlin

Naturally, I have to include my own. My advance readers are offering the best feedback. So, if messy characters, small town charm, enemies to lovers, love, loss, redemption and secrets are your thing—all with the promise of a happily ever after—read Top Five!

IT’S A LOVE STORY - Annabel Monaghan

I discovered Annabel with her first novel Nora Goes Off Script. I smiled the entire time while reading, the voice was that good and that unique. And honestly, I wished I had written it. Now, I would read anything by Annabel, including her grocery list (I bet it’s funny!). But thankfully we’ve got other books to choose from and I am highly anticipating It’s a Love Story as I am certain it will hold space for her unique voice and humor.

ATMOSPHERE – Taylor Jenkins Reid 

This title releases on June 3rd, just like Top Five. I am in amazing company, and I pay homage to the great TJR. If you’ve read Daisy Jones or Evelyn Hugo, you know, with Taylor, you don’t just get a story, you get immersed in a lifestyle. She is the master, and I cannot wait to be transported to the eighties, space and love.

THE ART OF VANISHING – Morgan Pager

This title interests me on many levels. I am intrigued not only because it’s a magical love story about a museum employee and the man in a masterpiece hanging on the walls, but also because I have been following its bookstagrammer/ author @nycbookgirl for a long time now, and to see this dream come true for her is as inspiring as it is beautiful.

MY FRIENDS - Fredrick Backman

Frederick’s back list is enormous. Like nine novels! I have read nearly all of them starting with A Man Called Ove.  Quirky, real, sad, funny, poignant, memorable are all beautiful words to describe Backman books. I am certain My Friends will be one of The Winners. (See what I did there? He wrote The Winners).

What books are on your Top Five list for the summer?

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

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

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Giveaway ends June 10th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review: The Busybody Book Club

By Melissa Smoot

They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play.

While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline was fun, and the cast of characters were all so lovable. The way the author was able to weave together a perfect cast, an idyllic setting, and add precisely the right amount of mystery was fantastic. I thought it was brilliant how each character had such a main role in this story and not just our leading lady, Nova. It made me want to join the book club and go on adventures with them all.

There were the right amounts of both humor and emotion, and it didn’t take long to realize I was completely invested in finding out it would end. I felt myself getting stressed out when I thought one of the book club members was in danger, and I felt empathetic when one of them was sad or hurt. I will definitely be picking up another book by Sampson in the future. The writing kept me engaged for the entire book and I don’t feel that anything was left out of the story at all. If you are looking for a good mystery with a great cast of misfit characters, you won’t want to miss this one.

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase The Busybody Book Club here.

More by Freya Sampson:
The Lost Ticket
The Last Chance Library
Nosy Neighbors

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Ali Brady has us turning the pages...plus a book giveaway

L to R: Bradeigh and Alison

Today we have Ali Brady here to celebrate the publication of their latest novel, Battle of the Bookstores! Melissa is excited to read this soon, as she loved Until Next Summer (her intro to Ali's writing; reviewed here). Ali Brady is actually two wonderful writers: Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. However, they're answering our Q&A as their combined alter ego (except for one question, since they don't live in the same place). They have one signed copy of Battle of the Bookstores, along with a custom character print, for a lucky reader!

Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. They are the USA TODAY Bestselling authors of romantic, heartwarming, funny novels including The Beach Trap, The Comeback Summer, Until Next Summer, and Battle of the Bookstores. Their books have been “best of summer” picks by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Parade, and Katie Couric Media. Alison lives in Chicago and works as an advertising creative director. She’s also the Founder and Co-President of The Artists Against Antisemitism, and the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives in Utah with her husband, four children, and two dogs. She works as a doctor and is the author of psychological thrillers Imposter and The Followers. (Bio courtesy of Amazon.)

Visit Ali at their website and on Facebook and Instagram. 

Synopsis:
Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer. 

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.  

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"Ali Brady has written the new comfort read for bookworms. Battle of the Bookstores somehow manages to be both delightfully funny and self-aware while also being deeply, unapologetically, an ode to romance. If you’re thinking of picking this one up I’d quote Joe Fox in You’ve Got Mail and say “oh how I wish you would.” 

--Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Recipe for Second Chances

"A heartfelt ode to bookstores and book lovers... this goes down as one my favorite reads of 2025. I absolutely loved it!"

--Jean Meltzer, International Bestselling Author

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
The best compliment is when a reader says it made them feel so caught up in the story, they couldn’t put it down! All we want is to bring joy to our readers, so this truly feels so special.  

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself? 
To get comfortable with the ups and downs of publishing, because it is a rollercoaster—but having someone to ride with makes it so much more fun.

If Battle of the Bookstores was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
JOSIE: Hailee Steinfeld. (Beautiful, half-Jewish, and could definitely rock a pencil skirt, stilettos, and hair in a tight bun)

RYAN: John Reynolds (Ryan is 6’7.5” so it’s tough to find an actor that tall, but John Reynolds is 6’5” so he’s close! Plus he could totally pull off Ryan’s Nerdy-Hot vibe.)

What is your favorite independent bookstore?
Bradeigh: The King’s English and Lovebound Library in Salt Lake City

Alison: Volumes Books in Chicago, Park Books in Maryland

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Julia Whelan, because we would listen to her narrate anything!

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
We’re heading out on a book tour together, so we would love to take you along to all the cities we’ve visiting, to meet readers and see the cutest independent bookstores.

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

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

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Giveaway ends June 8th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review: Love, Accidentally

By Sara Steven

As an accident and emergency room nurse, there’s not much that can catch Tilly off guard (not even those kinds of accidents). But when her bachelor flatmate gets a girlfriend and her sister announces she wants another baby, Tilly is surprised to find herself questioning her happily single existence.

Thankfully, the arrival of a new face on the ward offers a welcome distraction. With his lustrous hair, and charming personality, Dr Luke sets hearts racing all across the hospital. But as Tilly and Luke get to know each other better, she starts to wonder if he’s really her McDreamy after all...

Is Tilly being blinded by her determination to find someone? And while she’s looking in Luke's direction, will Tilly miss what’s right in front of her? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I thought it was interesting that the synopsis for Love, Accidentally references McDreamy, a character from the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve been catching up on the seasons, having not watched it the first go around, and I could totally see Luke as a McDreamy-type. For Tilly, he appears to be the total package, not only in the looks department, but she’s drawn to his more aloof personality. It felt like she took on his aloofness as a bit of a challenge, to see if she could break through and see a more vulnerable side that others don’t see in Luke.

And for a while, that works for Tilly. But she begins to see some red flags that aren’t really definable, and when she questions Luke, he has a reasonable answer for her. She wonders if maybe she is judging him too harshly, or not giving him the benefit of the doubt. But as the reader, I questioned Luke’s motives, too. When Tilly’s sister also questions Luke’s motives and if he’s really as honest as he claims to be, I couldn’t get how upset Tilly got over that observation. She feels like her sister is trying to derail her happiness, but I felt her sister wanted to protect her.

A side plot to the relationship between Tilly and Luke, is an unlikely friendship Tilly forms with a patient of hers. She often tells herself that she realizes maybe she’s crossing some boundaries in wanting to check in with the patient far too often, but I thought it was sweet and added a nice level of dimension to Tilly’s characterization. In forming the friendship, she gets a little bit more than she bargained for, feeling out what’s true and what’s not, and what matters to her the most. 

Ultimately, Tilly is trying to decipher what’s best for her life. She is witness to a lot of change happening within her friendship circle, her roommate circle, and family circles, too, which makes her more susceptible to evaluating her own relationships and finding ways to welcome something more meaningful when it comes to romance and love. I thought Love, Accidentally was a cute, sweet experience, with McDreamys–and maybe even a McSteamy–for good measure. 

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

Purchase Links:

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Kobo

Phoebe MacLeod is the author of several popular romantic comedies including the top ten bestseller, The Fixer Upper. She lives in Kent with her partner, grown up children and disobedient dog.

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Book Review: The Roommate Experiment

By Sara Steven

Hunter has secretly been in love with her best friend’s brother Dylan for years, despite barely registering as a blip on his radar. She’s not even in the friend zone—more like friend zone adjacent. But her luck is about to Dylan is taking over her spare room, and she's being promoted to roommate. Could this be the moment Dylan finally notices her?

Not so fast. When Dylan moves in, he carries more than just boxes—he brings complications. Suddenly, the dream of living under the same roof turns into a daily struggle. Dylan is off-limits, for reasons Hunter couldn’t have anticipated, and the closer they get, the harder it becomes to ignore her feelings.

But Hunter’s determined to keep her heart in check—no matter how difficult the task. She just has to avoid ogling him in a towel. Definitely don’t imagine what’s under the towel. And try not to swoon when he bakes cookies.

But after he saves her from a terrible date and they’re forced to share a sofa bed at his parents’ house, her emotions reach a breaking point. She’ll have to either move on or move out. Will she tell him the truth—or lose him forever? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I love the Funny Feelings book series! I’ve read the other two books that are in this book series, eagerly anticipating Hunter’s story. There were foreshadowing moments in If The Rings Fits (reviewed here), highlighting the fact that Hunter and Dylan would become roommates born from convenience, but for Hunter, the situation is a dream come true. She’s had a crush on Dylan for years, yet he’s been none the wiser. 

Despite the years she’s pined for Dylan, Hunter has never felt like she’s in Dylan’s league. She sees herself as a self-professed nerd, more on the shy and reserved side, while he’s outgoing and vocal on mostly everything, well-liked by everyone. It makes him an easy catch, something she ends up witnessing with the new woman in his life–a woman who appears to be more than perfect for him. Hunter could never compete, but she can’t continue pining for someone who never really sees her. 

It’s what propels Hunter into trying out online dating, which ends up becoming a lot more than she ever bargained for. And meanwhile, on the Dylan front, he underestimated the situation he’s in with his girlfriend. Maybe what looks great on paper (and even in person) isn’t always the right fit. And maybe the more time he spends with Hunter, the more he sees who she really is, which only confuses him even more. And neither Hunter nor Dylan wants to do anything that could potentially damage their long-term friendship. 

There are a lot of moments presented to both characters that test their limits. Dylan is a decent man and always wants to do the right thing, even if it comes with a price, and Hunter focuses on Dylan’s happiness but soon learns that her happiness is important, too. It was nice to learn more about both characters but it was also sweet to revisit the other characters from the other books in this series. The writing was fun and quirky and I felt invested in how things would turn out for the unlikely roommate duo. It was a five-star experience for me!

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

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Kobo

Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy.

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Website * Facebook * Instagram 

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Jen Michalski speaks her truth...plus a book giveaway

We are pleased to welcome Jen Michalski to CLC today, to talk about her latest novel, All This Can Be True. The story sounds intriguing and we're excited to share it with you today. We really enjoyed Jen's answers to our questions and we hope you will too. Jen has TWO copies to give away!

Jen Michalski is the author of four novels, three short story collections, and two novellas. Her last novel, You'll Be Fine, was a 2021 Buzzfeed "Best Small Press Book," a 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist, and was selected as one of the "Best Books We Read This Year" by the Independent Press Review. Her latest collection of fiction, The Company of Strangers, was a "Best of Baltimore" winner in 2023 and also a top indie press pick at Electric Literature. She's the editor of the weekly online literary weekly jmww and currently lives in Southern California, although she will always be a Baltimore girl by heart.

Visit Jen on Instagram and BlueSky.

Synopsis:
When Lacie Johnson’s husband, Derek, suffers a stroke at forty-seven and falls into a coma, her plans come to a screeching halt—asking Derek for a divorce, going back to school to get her master’s, and starting over as a single woman now that their children have grown up. But what begins as a disaster brings an unexpected blessing in the form of Quinn, a kind stranger whom Lacie meets in the halls of the hospital.

This is just a stop-over for Quinn, who is traveling up to the British Columbia coast to live in a co-op of grief survivors on a remote island after the loss of her young daughter. She's also the former singer of a post-riot grrrl band who fled the group and the public eye more than fifteen years ago for reasons unknown. Lacie thinks she's discovered in Quinn the life and the person she’s always wanted. But Quinn harbors a secret that connects her to Derek. And if Derek wakes up, Quinn must come clean and risk destroying her growing relationship with Lacie.

Told in alternating points of view, All This Can Be True follows Lacie and Quinn as they make the journey to each other—and then grapple with the fallout. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
Only one thing? (Just kidding.) How about one word? Expectations. Authors have wildly different ideas of how successful our first book will be, but we’ve also prepared ourselves, to some extent, that it might not be successful and how to deal with that disappointment. What I don’t think we prepare for as writers is that sometimes we can do everything right after (and before) but the book isn’t successful anyway. It’s hard to square that a lot of a book’s success (or failure) hinges not on the book itself but other factors—what the market is selling at the time, or whose hands it falls into, if a publisher closes its doors or some other disruption to the supply chain, or any other number of factors over which we cannot control. All we can control is writing the best book we can and being proud of that, regardless of what happens after it’s published. I would tell my debut self that writing is never about the journey of the book after it’s written—it’s the journey of the book that you take when you write it that’s the most important.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing All This Can Be True?
One of the biggest challenges was finding the point of view. In early drafts, it was Lacie’s story, but Quinn felt a richer character in some respects, even if her journey is a little flatter, ie, a lot of her life is told in denouement, after the death of her daughter. Committing to two perspectives felt risky, although the biggest reward is that I feel it worked. Another challenge was exploring characters who make bad choices. There’s the cheating. There’s addiction, there’s impulsive behavior. But since we’re all essentially flawed characters in real life, I always want my characters to be complex—mildly infuriating at times but surprisingly sympathetic and insightful at others. 
 
If All This Can Be True were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I am such a huge Julianne Moore fan—I’ve followed her career since the nineties! I think she could pull off a great Quinn. Ryan Gosling for Derek (or maybe Tony Hawk if he got the acting bug). Lacie has always been a little harder for me. I think I would cast a relatively unknown actress and let her fully embody Lacie based on her reading of her.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Probably The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. Hard to believe it’s a debut novel! Here’s what’s on my bookshelf: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano and The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel.

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

Ha, this is a fun question! I’ve had a huge improbable crush on Steve Perry since I was nine or ten, and I think I’d love for him to narrate my life in song.

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
From the cliff at Swami’s Beach in Encinitas, we would watch the sun set on the Pacific and dozens of surfers surf the point break. From there we could head across the way to the Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Hermitage and Meditation Gardens and be mindful along the gardens. It’s a really cool place, and “Swami’s” Beach was named after the founder of center, the Indian yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. It’s the distillation of Southern Californian living for me—the natural beauty and the state of mind. 

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

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

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Giveaway ends June 4th at midnight EST. 

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