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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