What's in the (e)mail

This is going to be our last "What's in the (e)mail" post. Although we enjoy sharing our bookmail with you, putting together this post has become time-consuming, even with just posting general links at the top. We will be sharing a lot of great books and authors at CLC in 2026 and can't wait for you to see what's in store! We also hope to get more bookmail into your hands, so keep entering all our giveaways. 

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

NG = NetGalley

Melissa:

Girls Our Age by Phoebe Thompson from Lake Union (NG)
The Players Club by Rachel Mills from Atria (NG)
Liberty Island by Virginia Hume from St. Martin's Press (NG)
The Naysayers by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke from Little A (NG)
Soon by You by Dahlia Adler from St. Martin's Press (NG)

Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka from Berkley (print)

The May House by Jillian Cantor from Atria (NG)
She Took My Baby by Steena Holmes from BookSparks (NG)

The Mountains We Call Home: The Book Woman's Legacy by Kim Michele Richardson from Sourcebooks (NG)

Out of Touch by/from Elle Grand (NG)

Rules for Mothers by Julie Swendsen Young from Greenleaf Book Group Press (NG)

Challah-day Fling by/from Amanda Usen (ebook)

Latke'd and Loaded by/from Jessica Topper (ebook)

Over and Over by Becky Hunter from Forever (NG)

Like Wafers in Honey by Leah Eskin from Levine Querido (NG)

Consequences of Normal by Elle Baade from Lake Union (NG)

The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline from Mariner (NG)

Big and Lily by Lisa Roe from Harper Perennial (NG)

The Shippers by Katherine Center from St. Martin's Press (NG)

Everything Has Happened by T. Greenwood from Crooked Lane (NG)

Deadlines, Donuts & Dreidels by Jennifer Wilck from @adina.reads (ebook)

You'll Love It Here by Natalie Sue from William Morrow (NG)

One Week to Win the Chocolate Maker by Timothy Janovsky from Harlequin (NG)

Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye from Atria (NG)

Bump, Set, Sparks by Jennifer Moffatt from St. Martin's Press (NG)

Together On Our Own by/from Eliana Megerman (ebook)

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum from Flatiron (NG)

Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood from Berkley (NG)

The Good Mothers by Caitlin Weaver from Storm Publishing (NG)

Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson from Sourcebooks (NG)

Dead Set on You by Lexi Alexander from Crooked Lane (ebook)

You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees from Putnam (NG)

Missed You the First Time by/from Julia Carpenter (print)

Mare by Emily Haworth-Booth from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (NG)

Sara:

The Hundred Man Plan by/from Misty O'Hara (ebook)

While You Were Seething by Charlotte Stein from St. Martin's Press (NG)

Yours Always by Corinne Sullivan from MB Communications (NG)

A Shore Thing by Portia MacIntosh from Rachel's Random Resources (NG)

The Name Game by Beth O'Leary from Berkley (NG)

Jami:
Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick from Crown (NG)
The Better Mother by Jennifer van der Kleut from BookSparks (NG)

Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward from Angela Melamud (NG)

The Last Woman of Warsaw by Judy Batalion from Dutton (NG)

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Book Review: My Husband's Wife

By Sara Steven

When Angela DiMarco loses her husband in a sudden car accident, her world shatters overnight. In the tight-knit Italian-American neighborhood of Boston’s North End, she had built a life filled with love, tradition, and the comfort of family. But everything she believed to be true is nothing but a lie when she learns her husband, Michael, had a secret he had been hiding. Michael was not alone when he died. With him was his Italian lover and pregnant ‘wife,’ Isabella Russo. 

As Angela struggles to make sense of this betrayal, she faces an impossible choice: walk away or take in the baby who is now without a mother or father. Her decision to care for Nina takes Angela to the sunlit hills and lemon groves of Sorrento, where she meets Isabella’s grieving family. Tension and distrust fill the air, but slowly, Angela and the Russo family find common ground in their shared love for Nina. 

My Husband’s Wife is a powerful novel about loss, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to start over. Tracey Wheeler Noonan has curated a story that reminds us that family can be born out of heartbreak and that hope often waits in the most unlikely places. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

At first, after Angela finds out that her husband died in a car accident and he wasn’t alone in the car when it happened, she is disoriented and shocked, completely caught off guard by the fact that Michael had another woman in his life. But as time progresses and the chapters unravel, the reader is given insight into when Angela can pinpoint subtle division in her marriage. There are even more moments that not only help Angela in coming to terms with such a horrendous event, but it also helped me to see what had really happened, and why Michael made the choices he’d made that would have completely damaged what he and Angela had.

The fact that Angela makes the decision to care for Nina really shows what kind of character she is. I don’t know if many of us could have that kind of conviction, but the story also dives deeper into some of the reasons behind Angela’s choices, too. From her standpoint, Isabella was given opportunities that Michael didn’t want to give to Angela. It’s better understood as to why that was, but it was still hurtful. I had a tough time feeling sorry for Michael, and an even harder time feeling something for Isabella, especially after a shocking revelation that is offered towards the end of the book. 

Having been through my own divorce and at times, concerns about custody, I could completely relate to how Angela feels. I felt torn between feeling like Nina belonged with her Sorrento family, given who her mother was, but Angela set aside her pain in order to do all she can for a guiltless child. Despite everything, Nina’s existence helps to heal Angela, a chance at new beginnings and a new life. When Angela and Nina travel to Sorrento, it was a pivotal moment, and I was on bated breath waiting to see how the exchange would go between two opposing worlds. 

I’ve never tried limoncello before, but after reading My Husband’s Wife, it’s definitely something I want to add to my to-do list. That wasn’t something I’d expect as a takeaway from the story, but given the deeply rich descriptions and mouthwatering illustrations, it was a nice byproduct to the drama. Angela’s story of perseverance in the face of pain was a very motivating and inspiring story!

Thanks to Wicked Good Entertainment for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Voice I Just Heard

Today we are pleased to feature The Voice I Just Heard by Susan Dormady Eisenberg. This is her debut novel, but she recently had it revised and is re-releasing it a couple years after her sophomore novel, One More Seat at the Round Table. Melissa enjoyed this novel and featured it on her Bookstagram this past autumn. She will be reviewing it soon. Thanks to Get Red PR, we have THREE copies to give away!

What's the price of chasing a dream?

It’s 1970 and Nora Costello is a gifted young soprano who longs to sing on Broadway despite her parents’ disapproval and chronic stage fright. When her brother Liam dies in Vietnam, she spirals into grief, wondering how she'll embrace her goals without her north star.

At a summer theater near Cohoes, New York, Nora meets her soulmate, Bart Wheeler, a washed-up Broadway baritone with problems of his own—and great advice about singing. Nora also reunites with her best friend Liz, a troubled nun with secrets about Liam.

As Nora struggles with family, romantic, and vocal issues, she wonders if she’ll ever feel whole again. But when she finds a unique way to honor Liam’s love for their hometown waterfall, she finally starts to heal.

Both a coming-of-age-story and a tale of enduring love, The Voice I Just Heard offers characters to root for. It explores the most compelling voice of all: the whisper inside each of us that tells us to follow our hearts. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"An utterly engrossing story of family, death, theater, music and the choices we make that determine the story of our lives. You will fall in love with these people." 
- Stephanie Cowell, author of The Boy in the Rain

"The author’s keen sense of time and place and her knowledge of and passion for the theater make Nora’s life and the novel itself come fully alive."  

- Monica Maxon (Amazon reviewer)

"A fast, engaging read that’s perfect for travel or for curling up at home with a cup of tea." 

- Ellabella (Amazon reviewer)

Susan Dormady Eisenberg is also the author of One More Seat at the Round Table. She has published arts profiles in newspapers, Classical Singer, Opera News, and Huffington Post. She’s drafting her third novel about American icon Annie Oakley, and has also written for companies and organizations throughout Greater Washington, D.C. In her first career, Ms. Eisenberg was director of marketing for The Joffrey Ballet/NYC and publicist for Syracuse Stage and Goodspeed Opera House. She makes her home in Maryland with her husband, a senior care executive, and is a proud member of the Authors Guild. (Bio adapted from Amazon.)

Visit Susan online:

Website * Instagram

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

Giveaway ends December 23rd at midnight EST.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Kindness

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

This month, we are talking about kindness. It feels especially important to talk about this topic during the holidays. 

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. 😊 We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them.

Melissa Amster:

There are so many directions to go with the subject of kindness. I've recently been thinking of something because of an influencer I follow: @yourbestiemisha (or Dontcrossagayman on Facebook). Misha is always talking about the nice things he does for strangers. It's inspiring and heartwarming to hear about everything he does to make someone else's life a bit brighter. However, I know he's received pushback from people who think he's bragging about his acts of kindness. 

That's what I want to talk about today: Should we share about our acts of kindness with others? 

I personally like spreading kindness and doing nice things for people whenever I can. I just don't like to talk about it on social media. To me, it feels like robbing someone of their dignity. Especially if it's a charitable act of some kind. So I'm private about doing acts of kindness. What's important to me is that the recipient benefitted and that it made their life just a bit easier. 

On the other hand, hearing Misha talk about the things he does for people is inspiring others to do acts of kindness and spread more joy whenever possible. It brightens my day to hear about something good he did for someone else. With all the cruelty in the world these days, it's refreshing to hear about someone just paying for another person's groceries or comforting them when they are crying in public. I do feel that Misha only talks about his acts of kindness in order to inspire other people to do them too. He seems to be all about love and light. Still, that doesn't mean that I feel comfortable going public with every single act of kindness I've ever done. To each their own, right?

This holiday season, I task you with doing one act of kindness. I don't want to know what you did or who you did it for. I just want you to brighten someone else's day. And if you need some ideas for what to do, go visit Misha on social media!

Sara Steven:

I had a tougher time with the topic choice for this month, mainly due to the current climate of everything going on around us. There have been a lot of tragedies lately, intertwined with a lot of dispassionate people who wouldn’t seem to know an act of kindness if it was staring them in the face. 

And then I saw this news clip about a skunk who’d gotten stuck in a dumpster, and the first thing that had come to mind for me was: how metaphoric.

The last animal most of us would ever consider assisting would be a skunk. The risk of helping–I mean, that alone might make most of us take pause. I’ve never been sprayed by a skunk, but from what I’ve heard, it’s pretty awful. Yet the local fire department reached out to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation, all in an effort to try to do everything they could to save the skunk, despite getting sprayed multiple times for over an hour.  

Maybe they were merely doing their job. For me, though, it was an ultimate act of kindness.

Life can be like that when we dole out our own acts of kindness. Sometimes the interactions we have or the situations we face when we try to help or be kind are a lot like dealing with a skunk; caustic. Troublesome. Smelly. But we still dive in, because being kind isn’t about reaping the rewards. It’s about doing something for someone else, often without that reward. Sometimes it seems that the person who is the recipient of the act of kindness could care less. They don’t seem grateful. Instead of being grateful, they might lash out because they are going through something we don’t understand. Much like the skunk, it could be fear that drives their reaction. And all we can do is say that we tried.

It can get to a point where we might feel like it’s not worth it. We keep trying to be kind, but at what cost? Getting sprayed over and over, multiple times, doesn’t sound like a lot of fun to me. Being kind can change people, though. It can make a difference, even if we don’t see it. Even if the recipient doesn’t recognize it–they might later on, when they are facing their own situations, make a choice in doing something for someone else. Paying it forward.  

Watching the video reminded me that it isn’t always easy to be kind, but given the choice between being kind and being dispassionate, I choose kindness, every time. Even if it sometimes means having to take a long-awaited metaphorical bath in a tub of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap to get the smell off.   

What are your thoughts on kindness?

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Book Review: Strange Sally Diamond

By Becky Gulc

‘Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died. Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and police detectives, but also a sinister voice from a past she cannot remember.

As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends and big decisions, and learning that people don't always mean what they say.

But who is the man observing Sally from the other side of the world? And why does her neighbour seem to be obsessed with her? Sally's trust issues are about to be severely challenged.’ (Synopsis courtesy of Waterstones.) 

Gosh. This book just blew me away. I am not going to be able to write enough good things about this novel to feel I’ve done it justice. I just know this one of those rare books that will stay with me forever. 

Sally Diamond is a reclusive, socially awkward woman in her forties who still lives at home. Sally takes things literally, so when she puts her father’s body out with the rubbish - because he mentioned it once - she doesn’t see anything wrong with that. The media coverage that comes with the incident sets a path in motion that will see Sally have contact with a past she doesn’t remember, a past that she wouldn’t want to remember.  Will learning more about her past help or hinder Sally as she tentatively tries to make her way in the world?

The narrative was compelling. I mistakenly thought we’d stay solely with Sally throughout (it doesn’t sit with the ‘body out with the rubbish’ incident for long) but through her father’s letters and a mysterious person’s account of their own past brings Sally’s childhood to the forefront – this is compelling, dark and heart-wrenching, not just for Sally but for other characters who we get to know too. The present day story, however, also managed to be hopeful; funny at times, but also sad. 

I was on the edge of my seat for most of the ‘back story’ chapters and I was willing things to go a certain way - I felt my heart break as certain choices were made. The book handles trauma well, there was a realism to it; it can’t just be fixed. The endings all around seemed fair to the characters and what they’d been through (and still go through), even if they weren’t what I had unrealistically hoped for. 

I’m so glad I read this book and if you don’t mind a bit of a darker read you may well enjoy it too. I think this is the best book I’ve read this year!

Purchase Strange Sally Diamond here.

More by Liz Nugent:

Unraveling Oliver

Lying in Wait

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Jessica and Amanda light up our lives...plus a book giveaway

L to R: Amanda and Jessica

Introduction by Melissa Amster

We are so happy to have Amanda Usen and Jessica Topper visiting us today to talk about their delightful Hanukkah rom-com series, The Matzo Ballers. The fifth and sixth books in the series are now available and we're excited to share those with you. If you missed the first four books, you can get them in one ebook set for only 99 cents! I binged all four last year (and loved each one) and am currently reading Challah-day Fling and enjoying it so far. I invited them here today to talk about the series and celebrating Hanukkah. They have TWO ebook sets of the latest books in the series to give away. More on these books below. All can be read as standalones, although the newer books do reference past events and couplings.

Longtime friends and creative partners Jessica Topper and Amanda Usen first met in 2011 while waiting to pick up their kids from Hebrew school—bonding over coffee, kids, and conversation.

What started as playdates for their children turned into a lasting friendship and, eventually, a shared dream of writing Hanukkah romances that celebrate love, laughter, and light.

Together, they created The Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance series, born from Sunday brainstorming sessions in Amanda's kitchen over carrot muffins and Nespresso, and fueled by their mission to bring more joy and Jewish representation into the world.

Jessica, a former New York City librarian and touring rock band bookkeeper, broke the rock-romance mold with her acclaimed debut Louder Than Love and followed it up with Dictatorship of the Dress, named one of Publishers Weekly's “Best Books of 2015.” 

Amanda, a chef turned romance author, writes deliciously emotional love stories filled with humor and heat, including Scrumptious, hailed by Booklist as "smart, sexy, simply irresistible contemporary romance."

They're thrilled to welcome readers aboard the Matzo Baller—because every cruise (and every Hanukkah) deserves a happily ever after.

Visit Amanda online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

Visit Jessica online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram 

Meet the OG Matzo Ballers: eight friends who became found family, living and loving their best lives on a yearly Hanukkah harbor cruise around Manhattan...

Latke'd and Loaded

She’s not her famous sister. He’s not her bodyguard. But their feelings? Genuine.

Smile, wave, fake it.

Tzipora Solokoff was once half of America’s favorite sitcom twins. But while her sister became known as Hollywood star Kara Koff, Tzipi chose a quieter life off-camera. Now Kara’s secret elopement leaves Tzipi posing as her twin on the annual Matzo Baller Hanukkah cruise—smile, wave, fake it for one night. Easy enough…until she meets the man she thinks is her bodyguard.

Until secrets start to unravel.

Jonah Klein has always been the dependable sidekick: loyal friend, fixer, joker. But as his friends chase careers, marriages, and milestones, Jonah can’t shake the feeling he’s been left behind. Determined to turn things around, he boards this year’s cruise to finally thank Kara for helping him after his very public drunken faceplant last Hanukkah. Instead, he finds himself drawn into her orbit again—only something doesn’t quite add up.

Eight hours. Two mistaken identities. One very real connection.

With holiday hijinks, hidden truths, and sparks flying on deck, Tzipi and Jonah must team up to keep her sister’s reputation afloat…without sinking their own hearts in the process.

Challah-day Fling

It was only a fling.

Pastry chef Libby Sugarman planned to spend her Palm Beach getaway making Hanukkah donuts—not getting swept into a whirlwind weekend with the mysterious, devastatingly handsome artist who painted her like one of his muses and kissed her like he already knew her soul. Two nights, no strings. Easy, right?

Until their worlds collided…

Rabbi Micah Wasserman thought he could keep his worlds separate: rabbi in New York, secret artist in Palm Beach. But one unforgettable weekend with Libby shatters his resolve. When their paths collide again on the Matzo Baller cruise, Micah is desperate to hold on to the woman who makes him feel both holy and undone—if his carefully guarded secret doesn’t sink them first.

She thinks she’s too much. He thinks he’s not enough. But eight nights of Hanukkah have a way of working miracles…

(Both synopses are courtesy of Amazon.)

Without giving spoilers, which of your eight characters do you relate to the most, and why?
Jessica: I think I relate most to Sylvie, the photographer and ex-girlfriend of Avi, the rock star. She’s quietly creative, very empathetic and a bit misunderstood. I haven’t finished writing her full story yet (it’s coming next year, in Four Chuppahs and a Shiva) but I am looking forward to Sylvie getting her day in the spotlight and her HEA (happily ever after) moment.  

Amanda: Talia, a.k.a. the Jewish Grandma caterer. She was the first character to come to me when we started spit-balling about the series. Since I’ve worked in kitchens for most of my career, it’s a world I know and love. Talia is also a problem solver and a straight shooter–two of my strengths (and sometimes flaws…ask Jessica lol).

Which of the six (so far) books has been the easiest to write and which has been the most challenging?
Amanda: The Dreidel Do-Over was easiest because we were building the world and had zero constraints. It was so much fun to create the Matzo Baller cruise! Jessica would text me, “By the way, there’s a champagne tower now…with an aerialist suspended above it, filling the glasses!”  And I’d write back, “Awesome! What do you think about strip dreidel?” Most challenging to write? Challah-day Fling. Oy vey, I was schvitzing about writing a rabbi, especially because the premise of the book involves an ENORMOUS lie of omission. Fingers crossed readers love Micah!

Jessica: This latest book, Latke’d and Loaded, was by far the most challenging due to it having a double mistaken identity plot that had to be handled very carefully, pacing out the reveals and keeping track of who knew what at which time. 

The easiest was my first, The Hanukkah Hook-Up, for the same reasons Amanda shared. Now that we are six books in, some things have been established about personalities and situations, so you are a bit more bound to honor them.

If this series were made into a TV series, what are some songs you'd include?
Jessica: I always weave songs into my stories and the Matzo Baller books are no exception! Everything from Matisyahu (“One Day”) to Beastie Boys, who have had a nod in each of my three books so far. I’d love to pay tribute to the late Sharon Jones (of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings) with “8 Days (of Hanukkah)” playing during the opening or closing credits. Clearly I have daydreamed about this way too much!

Amanda: I would (wisely) let Jessica choose all the music, and she would let me style the food. Oh! Except for one song. “Summer Nights” from Grease would have to play in the background at some point because the rabbi’s lie of omission comes back to bite him in the tuches.

What is your favorite Hanukkah tradition?
Amanda: Latkes! I think I grated fifteen pounds of potatoes last year, and we had a latke bar with tons of toppings, including Bison chip dip, which is popular in Western New York.

Jessica: We have been collecting menorahs over the years, and it’s always fun to let my daughter (now in her early 20s) choose which one to light each year.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in relation to Hanukkah?
Jessica: I think it’s about to happen on December 19! My local PBS station is airing a program about holiday traditions and I’ll be discussing Hanukkah – on live television. I’m equal parts elated and nervous but I think it has the potential to be fun AND funny, hopefully in a good way and not the stuff TV bloopers are made of…

Amanda: One year, I put the potato peelings from the latkes down the garbage disposal, and clogged a pipe in the basement. My then-husband got a faceful of nasty potato water when he cleared the drain. But that’s not the funny part. I did it the next year, too! (But never again.) There was also the time I lit the wooden menorah the kids made at Hebrew school, and nearly set my sister’s table on fire. Tragedy was averted, thank goodness.

Do you prefer applesauce or sour cream with your latkes? 
Amanda: If I am forced to choose one or the other…sour cream. With sriracha. But I can really get behind a latke slider with a fried egg in the middle. And latkes with sweet chili sauce are really good, too. Now that I’m thinking about it, peanut sauce and sliced avocado are going to hit the latke bar this year!

Jessica: Team sour cream if I have to pick one…but I, like my character Jonah, would choose ketchup over all other choices. Please don’t judge!

Thanks to Jessica and Amanda for chatting with us and for sharing their books with our readers.

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

Giveaway ends December 21st at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Ghosted at Christmas

By Melissa Amster

Mia’s been ghosted. Nursing the heartache of her breakup, her festive spirit is running on empty. The last thing she needs is a Christmas reminder of how unlucky in love she is… which is exactly what she gets when she discovers her ex, Sam, is spending the holidays with her family. Now she’s snowed in for a week with the man who broke her heart and no chance of escape.

John’s a ghost. After 30 years in limbo without a soul to talk to, he’s bored to death. So when Mia actually sees him, he figures that helping her to find closure - and maybe a second chance with the man she still loves - could be his key to reaching the afterlife.

As the snow keeps falling and old feelings begin to thaw, Mia finds herself struggling resist Sam, with his crooked smile and bookish charm. Maybe she's ready to give love another chance - but is that her heart talking, or just her ghostly wingman? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I had been wanting to read this novel, mainly because of my Ghosts obsession, but it also sounded really cute. It was a sweet, romantic, and heartwarming read, perfect for ringing in the holiday season!

The story starts off on a stressful day for Mia as she is trying to get to her parents' house for their annual Christmas party, but everything goes wrong and she ends up arriving really late. When she gets there, she runs into Sam, a guy who humiliated her in college and whom she hasn't spoken to since. Worse yet, Sam is spending the holiday with her and her family! What's a girl to do but hide out in the cottage near the house? Except for the fact that the cottage is already being lived in...by a ghost. A friendly ghost who died in the nineties and is trying to move on but can't figure out how. Perhaps helping Mia find love might be the answer?

There were a lot of entertaining and funny moments in this novel. John has way more ghost powers than any of the ghosts on the TV series. Not only can he touch something, but he can also pick it up and move it around. He can also be heard when he's singing. He can even eat, although he unfortunately can't taste. John first uses his powers to mess with Sam, ensuing hilarity. Then he uses them to try to get Sam and Mia back together. Meanwhile, Mia can't decide if she should stay mad at Sam or not, especially when he's being so charming...

Overall, I really enjoyed this delightful and cozy holiday romance. Ghosted at Christmas definitely warms up these cold winter days!

Movie casting suggestions:

Mia: Daisy Edgar-Jones

Sam: Nicholas Galitzine

John: Jonathan Bailey

Charlie: Ben Hardy

Penny: Emma Thompson

Aunt Gertie: Phyllida Law

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

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Book Review: Definitely Maybe Not a Detective

By Sara Steven

Emersyn Gray is definitely not a detective.

Really, she’s an unemployed twenty-eight-year-old raising her beloved niece in the only place she can afford after her ex-boyfriend ran off with her life a run-down, seniors-only apartment complex that was desperate for tenants. But never fear—her wild best friend has the perfect plan to get Emersyn back on her feet and stick it to her thieving scare him into returning her money by hiring a private investigator to prove he stole it. Only, there won’t be an actual detective, just a fabricated business card from Wyatt Investigations. . .and a ridiculously hot stranger who steps in to play the part—a stranger whose name is, coincidentally, Wyatt.

Emersyn can’t help but notice the real-life Wyatt is capital H-O-T hot, even though she’s wary of his intentions. But her ex does seem flustered, and if she can get her money back and regain control of her life, maybe it’ll finally prove to her parents that she can be a responsible caregiver to her niece.

But the day after they set their plan in motion, the superintendent of Emersyn’s apartment building winds up dead, and her neighbors turn to her fake detective for help after finding one of the phony business cards. With so many eyes on them—or maybe just their eyes on each other—Emersyn and Wyatt agree to take on the case. Now the question Can they solve the murder without getting tangled up in their own fictions—or each other? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Definitely Maybe Not a Detective was reminiscent of Only Murders in the Building, but with a little more spunk and sass. I really appreciated how open and honest Emersyn is, a real “call it like she sees it” kind of character. She can’t seem to hold a steady job. She’s been plagued by unsavory love interests, the latest an ex who ran off with a large chunk of her money and has no intentions of giving it back. The only constant in her life is her niece, bequeathed to her by her late brother, and it’s that constant that drives Emersyn to do better and be better, no matter the cost.

Only, after losing yet another job, she has to think on her feet–and fast. She comes up with a scheme to scare her ex into giving the money back, but in the process, she runs into Wyatt, a man who just so happens to share the same name as the fabricated company Emersyn invented. She could have left it there, but when the super in her building is found dead and there are no obvious suspects, everyone turns to Emersyn–the girl with a detective business. 

Wyatt is involved in the investigation, too. Little by little, Emersyn discovers who Wyatt is and how instrumental he can be in solving murders–even when it’s through a fake business. Running concurrent with the murder mystery storyline is the risk that Emersyn might lose her niece, despite all of the efforts she’d made. And on top of that, she somehow becomes one of the suspects accused of murdering the super. 

It’s all one big crazy ride, but figuring it all out becomes a really fun journey into mystery, intrigue, and hidden secret passageways that deliver answers, in all the best ways. I loved the sidekicks for Emersyn–neighbors (and Wyatt) who want to help solve the crime, too. My favorite character was Theo, a teenager who lives in Emersyn’s building and practically bulldozes Emersyn into continuing on with the investigation. She has a strong, authoritative personality, much needed given how laid back Emersyn can be. She needs some structure and direction, even if it’s being doled out by a high schooler. Definitely Maybe Not a Detective was suspenseful and fun, particularly if you’re a fan of cozy comical murder mysteries.

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

More by Sarah Fox:

True Confections Mysteries

Pancake House Mysteries

Literary Pub Mysteries

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The World At Home

Today we are pleased to feature Ginny Kubitz Moyer's latest novel, The World at Home. The premise sounds really interesting and the cover fits the mood of the time period. Thanks to Caitlin Hamilton Marketing, we have TWO copies to give away!

San Francisco in 1944 is a bustling place, a revolving door of soldiers and sailors passing through on their way to the war in the Pacific. Twenty-year-old Irene Cleary, however, is not going anywhere. Although she’d love to travel, the seamstress shop she inherited from her mentor keeps her firmly rooted in the only city she’s ever known. She pours her energy into dressmaking and volunteers for the war effort by dancing with servicemen at the USO.

But Irene’s life is transformed when she designs a gown for Cynthia Burke, the socialite whose new marriage to Max, a handsome Chicago businessman, is the talk of the Nob Hill elite. As Irene is drawn into the Burkes’ glamorous, troubled orbit, and as she becomes absorbed in making costumes for the first American performance of a ballet called The Nutcracker, she finds herself on the threshold of exhilarating, perilous new worlds . . . and the most surprising discoveries of all will be the ones about herself.

Set in a vibrant city during a turbulent time, The World at Home is a coming-of-age story about creativity, loss, and the many lessons we learn from love. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

“Moyer has written a richly detailed love letter to the city—its fog, its views, and its potential for romance and loss—with beautifully drawn characters that grabbed my heart. The world seen through Irene Cleary’s eyes is one I won’t soon forget.”
—Kirsten Mickelwait, author of The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty

“One of those perfect books that you long to return to…a beautiful story of love and loss and belonging. I never wanted it to end.”
—Michelle Cox, author of The Fallen Woman's Daughter

Ginny Kubitz Moyer is a California native with a love of local history. A graduate of Pomona College and Stanford University, she’s the author of the novel THE SEEING GARDEN, which won Silver in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in Historical Fiction; the novel A GOLDEN LIFE, a Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Book of 2024; and several works of spiritual nonfiction. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two sons, and one rescue dog. 

Visit Ginny online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

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

Giveaway ends December 16th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Class Action

By Sara Steven

Third year law student Lennon Gallagher’s life turns from complicated to overwhelming when she receives a message meant for someone else. The text offers an advance copy of a final exam—a guaranteed “A”—but accepting it will violate the honors code she refuses to break. When Lennon declines, the collaborators behind the cheating scheme demand her silence or they will ensure she takes the fall if necessary.

Fighting for her future while balancing an internship, exams, studying for the bar, a boyfriend who no longer seems to understand her, and a mother who needs help rebuilding her life after prison, Lennon tries to handle everything alone. But when she discovers the lead plaintiff in her firm’s class action lawsuit might be the father she’s never known, it’s the final straw. She needs help.

With the support of her friend and mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn, Lennon must navigate betrayal, legal intrigue, and personal discovery. As one relationship unravels, another blossoms in this gripping story of resilience, secrets, and second chances. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Having read Gail Ward Olmsted’s Miranda Fights (reviewed here), I was eager to check out Lennon’s story and her perspective in Class Action. Even though she’s a character and not a real-life individual, I still felt pride in seeing just how far she’s come, with holding down her internship, employment, and studying for the bar–all while coming from a past that was riddled with chaos. 

The two varying storylines, with Lennon’s need to research into who her biological father might be, as well as getting set up to take the fall for a cheating scandal at college, really was riveting and meshed well together, despite how polar opposite the storylines might be. With both scenarios, the need to determine who she can trust becomes a necessity, considering how often she’s been let down in the past. The only person who is her constant is Miranda. I love the relationship between the two women. It is obvious that Miranda is her chosen family, and someone she can frequently call upon for help or assistance when she needs a second opinion. 

The situation surrounding the cheating scandal becomes downright scary. It gets to be next level when there are verbal threats and even physical ones, all in an effort to keep Lennon quiet. She’s caught in a tough situation, due to her status at the school and the offender’s background–their family is college legacy, while Lennon’s family (her mother) has been prison bound. Her background is used against her as a means of ensuring she goes along with the scandal, and Lennon has to find a way to fight against the obstacles thrown at her so she can come out of the situation as unscathed as possible.

Could the lead plaintiff be her father? And, is there any way she can survive the cheating charges that have been brought against her? Just like in Miranda Fights, Lennon shows a lot of grit and determination in order to get ahead without having to do the wrong thing to get there. Having come from a background where my life might have been entirely different had I chosen the same path as the majority of my maternal family members had, I could completely relate to Lennon’s struggle to remain bonded to a mother even though her mother is no good for her. Class Action was an exciting, inspiring experience, a definite five-star read! 

Thanks to Gail Ward Olmsted for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Gail Ward Olmsted:
Miranda Writes
Miranda Nights
Jeep Tour

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Stephanie Burns is on our A-list...plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Melissa Amster

I'm so excited to help Stephanie Burns celebrate the publication of her debut novel, Far from the A-List (reviewed here)! I've known Stephanie for a while through the book blogosphere and she is always so nice and friendly. She has the cutest beagle and I love seeing the pictures she posts of him. I couldn't be happier for Stephanie as she embarks on this new journey in her life and hope she'll be writing more novels soon. She's here to talk about her novel today and she has one copy for a lucky reader!

Stephanie Burns holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a BA in Theater Studies, both from Emerson College. When she’s not dreaming up stories of her own, she is championing women authors as the COO of the award-winning Tall Poppy Writers. She lives on the south shore of Massachusetts where she plots by the ocean with her almost-famous beagle, Ollie Twist. 

Visit Stephanie online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:

Former child star Michaela Turner is ready for her next big role—she just doesn’t know what it is yet. As someone whose days were once filled with bright lights, never-ending rehearsals, and adoring fans from around the world, Michaela now struggles to define herself beyond the glitz and glamour of her past.

She tries hard to stay out of the tabloids, but fading into the background isn’t quite as easy as it sounds. Not when her manipulative momager, Caroline, is dead set on launching her daughter’s big comeback, no matter how many old wounds it tears open. And especially not when Michaela’s attempts at “normal” relationships fail spectacularly at every turn, from the toxic ex she can’t seem to escape to the nice guy she wishes she could see a future with.

As her mother’s demands grow more draining and her love life takes hit after hit, she learns a few hard truths about the significance of self-worth and the beauty of letting go. Now, with her ex-boyfriend-turned-best-friend Josh as her only support, Michaela is ready to rebuild herself, one misstep at a time. And maybe, if she’s lucky, after all these years of pretending, she’ll finally have the chance to discover who she really is. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

“This is a soul-satisfying, all-the-feels debut from a standout new voice!”
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds

“This book has everything I love: brilliantly drawn characters, great dialogue, wit, humor, and heartbreak--and twists and turns that kept me reading far into the night. Now that I've finished it, I want to read it again.”
—Maddie Dawson, Washington Post bestselling author of Let's Pretend This Will Work

“Get ready for a fresh new voice in fiction! This is a must read if you’ve ever asked the question: Are there second chances for everyone or only the people who don’t make mistakes?”
—Ann Garvin, USA TODAY bestselling author of There's No Coming Back From This

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?
Long, challenging, exciting, and totally worth it.

How is Michaela similar to or different from you?
Michaela has been famous since she was seven, is constant tabloid fodder, and gets paid to party at the hottest clubs in New York. I’m a homebody who wears matching pajamas with my dog, and we're usually in those pajamas by six p.m., so on the surface? We’re starkly different. Still, I can definitely relate to many aspects of her emotional journey. Haven’t we all had times where we’ve felt a little lost or stuck without a clear idea of how to move forward? Fortunately, I have a much better support system and zero public scrutiny. I would love to raid Michaela’s wardrobe, though, and I think she’d let me. We’ve grown very close. 

If Far from the A-List was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
These characters have been in my brain for so long, it’s hard to answer! I do think Kaia Gerber or Camila Morrone would be a great Michaela. 

Tell us a funny winter holiday memory.
I put on a very elaborate production of A Christmas Carol in the kitchen with my cousins when I was about four years old. I kept running “off stage” (ie, into the living room) so my cousin could feed me my lines. I was bit by the acting bug, though.

What is your favorite winter holiday song?
"Last Christmas" by Wham! I am a huge George Michael fan. I saw him in concert for his 25 Live tour and it’s still one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Mindy Kaling. I feel like she’d get me. 

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

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

Giveaway ends December 14th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Seeing Other People

Morgan is being ghosted by her ex. No, really. It’s sad Zach died and became a ghost. But Morgan and Zach only ever went on the one date, and now she’s being haunted by him. Zach has no desire to spend eternity with Morgan, but he can’t recall his past and doesn’t know how to move on.

At a support group for humans and their haunters, Morgan and Zach run into Sawyer, whose fiancée-turned-ghost has started to fade. Unlike Morgan, Sawyer isn’t ready to part ways with his ghost. Although they face opposite issues, Morgan and Sawyer decide to work together to solve their problems.

As Morgan and Sawyer try to solve their paranormal conundrums together, they find something even more surprising—a tender, growing affection between them that threatens any unfinished business they’re seeking to close. The ghosts of their past might be there in spirit, but the connection between Morgan and Sawyer is as alive as anything they’ve ever felt. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Allyson Bales:

I really enjoyed this ghostly rom com and can safely say it’ll definitely be one of my favorite romances of the year. 

I had a baby in August and have been struggling to focus on reading due to the newborn sleepless bubble but once I picked up this book I knew right away it was going to be SO good. 

I love the way this story begins. You get to meet Morgan, a main character that I loved from the very start, saying her house is haunted. Cue Zach, another character I loved, that Morgan went on one date with that is now unable to move on due to some unfinished business.  Only Morgan can see him and I really loved their dynamic. He “haunts” Morgan in some really hilarious and interesting ways. Together they meet Sawyer who has Kennedy. I’m not going to give any of that away but just know you’ll love them too. 

What I also really loved about this story is the exploration of so many important themes especially grief. All of the characters in this story are struggling with loss in some way and the way they navigate it and support one another really gave the story so much heart. 

I loved the dual POV and really recommend the audio of this one. Brittany Pressley and Dan Bittner narrate and the way they brought the story to life was so enjoyable. I love when an audiobook makes laundry enjoyable and Brittany and Dan did that with this one for sure!

I highly recommend this one! Get your hands on it as soon as you can! 

Melissa Amster:

This is my first experience reading one of Emily and Austin's novels, and I would read more by them for sure! I was drawn to this one because of my obsession with Ghosts (in fact, I just started a holiday book involving a ghost) and because of the retro looking cover that I totally can't stop looking at. 

Seeing Other People was an interesting story that kept me turning the pages. It started off with Zach making all sorts of trouble, as a ghost, for Morgan to deal with while getting ready for a date. He scared her roommate off and then made her extra late for her date, which caused the new guy to cancel. Then we're taken to see Sawyer's life and how secluded he is with just the ghost of his fiancée for company. She pushes him to go to a support group for people who are haunted, which is where he meets Morgan. Then things take off from there. 

There were a bunch of things I enjoyed about this story. The budding (Morgan is a gardener, so I just had to go there) chemistry between Morgan and Sawyer is enjoyable to see. I also really liked Zach and had fun learning more about him while Morgan and Sawyer were trying to help him find closure. Zach needs his own book, like a prequel to this one. And while I'm not a fan of gardening, Morgan made it sound enjoyable. The descriptions of settings and people made everything really easy to visualize. There were some sweet and heartwarming moments throughout, as well as some funny ones, all which I appreciated.

The pacing felt slow at times, but then would pick up. I had to wonder where the story was going and I appreciated the mystery element of trying to figure out what the ghosts really wanted. I wish Kennedy had been more involved in the story the way Zach was. I also was confused at one point when they said Zach couldn't touch things, even though it seemed like he was always manipulating physical objects. Was he a telekinetic ghost? Finally, Morgan's biggest personal issue didn't feel compelling enough for me, especially since it seemed like her parents were supporting her inability to commit to things and people.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read. If you're into supernatural and paranormal stories, be sure to check it out!

Movie casting suggestions:
Morgan: Rachel Sennott
Sawyer: Joshua Orpin
Zach: Luke Benward
Kennedy: Lauren LaVera

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

More by Emily and Austin:

Do I Know You?

The Roughest Draft

Book Boyfriend

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Book Review: The Great Forgotten

By Sara Steven

July 4, 1918, Nashville, Tennessee. Even as the war in Germany drones on, patriotism swells at home. There are celebrations, music, and dancing. But for five men—one train engineer, one porter, one salesman, one farmer, and one thief—the world will soon take a terrible and tragic turn. 

Summer, 1988. Ginny Campbell is a young woman unsure of her marriage and her future. Moving into a new house, she finds an old, abandoned trunk filled with carefully wrapped memorabilia, photos, and a woman’s name. Intrigued, she sets out to uncover the mystery of the steamer trunk, leading her on a sweeping journey of love and loss that stretches back to 1918.

Inspired by a true event. The great train wreck near Nashville on July 9, 1918, when two passenger trains collided due to human error, was a horrific disaster that killed over 100 people and injured hundreds more. The Great Forgotten is a gripping tale of five men whose lives were intertwined that fateful day and the ripple effect of this little-known American tragedy on the woman who knew them all. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I didn’t know about the great train wreck near Nashville, not until my experience with reading The Great Forgotten. I thought the use of history behind this event and creating a story around it was really clever and unique, and it showed in the two timelines that are portrayed for Anna Mae and Ginny. The story begins with an abandoned trunk that is found in Ginny’s home, giving her the opportunity to trace it to Anna Mae. From there, the two women forge a bond through memories and time, with Anna Mae recalling everything she can remember from 1918, and Ginny hanging on for every recollection.

The reader is right there with her. I love how invested Ginny is, and it was easy for me to feel that way, too, given all that happens for and to Anna Mae. 1918 was a tumultuous time given World War I, only amplified by the countdown of what’s to come, the inevitable tragedy. The story is told in various perspectives from characters who are based on people who were part of the great train wreck, feeling like a paid homage to the individuals who really went through it. 

While Ginny is learning more about Anna Mae and the significance of the items within the trunk, she’s also dealing with some pretty life altering situations in her personal world. She isn’t sure of who she is, who she’ll be, or who she will be with, gaining a lot more insight while listening to the choices Anna Mae had made, even amidst dark times. Towards the end of the book, some of the questions Ginny had are finally answered, the reveals pretty shocking and some it had come as a complete surprise to me. But it all made sense and fit in well with the slow build up to the end.

Something I’ve always appreciated about a good story is how it doesn’t always have to end up as a happily-ever-after scenario; the best stories aren’t always buttoned up that way. Sometimes, it’s in not getting exactly what a character wanted that they end up discovering what they really needed, and I could see that a lot for Ginny. Anna Mae was proof of that, too. The Great Forgotten is a great re-telling of an event that many of us know little about, but after reading about it through the eyes of the main characters, we’ll all want to know more. It was a great five-star experience!

Thanks to K.L. Murphy for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by K.L. Murphy:
Her Sister's Death
Detective Callie Forde Mysteries
Detective Cancini Mysteries

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