What's in the (e)mail

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

NG = NetGalley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sara:

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

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

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

The Take by Kelly Yang from Berkley (NG)

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to these books on Speechify!

Book Review: Jilted

By Melissa Amster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

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

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

More by Vi Keeland:

Something Borrowed, Something You

The Invitation

Indiscretion

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

💍

💍

💍

💍

💍

💍

💍

💍

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

Margaux Eliot takes the stage

Today we are pleased to welcome Margaux Eliot to CLC. Her latest novel, Honeymoon Stage, takes place in the early 2000s and sounds like an entertaining rom-com! We hope you will enjoy learning more about it and getting to know Margaux, as much as we did.

Margaux Eliot is excited to give early aughts pop culture its due. Writing as Julia Fine, she is also the author of speculative novels The Upstairs House, What Should Be Wild, and Maddalena and the Dark. She lives in Chicago with her family.

Visit Margaux online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:

It’s the night before her wedding, and Cassidy Baum isn’t sure she wants to get married…Or maybe she just doesn’t want to get married on set, surrounded by cameras and crew, with the crushing weight of everyone watching. 

As a production assistant, Cassidy’s used to being behind the camera, not in front of it. But her fiancé is a former child star and musician, and their wedding makes the perfect spin-off for Honeymoon Stage, the groundbreaking celebreality show she once worked on. 

Five years ago, the show fell apart―for dramatic reasons Cassidy is still struggling to understand. Now, Cassidy is forced to reckon with what happened on set to search out the truth once and for all before her wedding is broadcast to the world. 

Rumors, lies, and suspicions come rushing back. And if Cassidy can’t figure out a way to make sense of the past, her own happily ever after may not be so happy after all.

“Delightfully wicked and subversively romantic, Honeymoon Stage deftly cuts through all the grit and glitter of reality television to reveal a whip-smart young woman who finds not only love, but the power of her own voice. A total lollipop of a novel with a hidden tender heart—I’d eat it for dessert if I could.” 

—Amy Jo Burns, author of Mercury

“This smart, skillfully plotted novel has teeth, and it bites back at all the infuriating expectations women face whether we’re on reality TV or just trying to live our real lives.” 

—Layne Fargo, USA Today bestselling author of The Favorites

“I binged this novel faster than the juiciest season of reality TV. Honeymoon Stage feels like watching your favorite show while texting your brilliant, hilarious friend. A love story laced with celebrity secrets and high-stakes intrigue, you won’t be able to stop pressing next episode.”

—Avery Carpenter Forrey, author of Social Engagement

What is a favorite compliment you've received on your writing? 
Whenever an obscure joke that I am particularly tickled by makes somebody laugh.

How is Cassidy similar to or different from you? 
She’s much lower maintenance than I am. Cassidy is pretty good at going with the flow, and she’s happy in the background, which makes her a perfect production assistant. I’m not sure I’d be willing to pay my dues the way that she does. 

If Honeymoon Stage were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? 
Rachel Zegler as Cassidy, Austin Butler as Gabe, Sabrina Carpenter as Maggie, Zac Efron as Jason 

What is the last book you read that you would recommend? 

Meet Me at the Crossroads by Megan Giddings

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

If we were to visit you in Chicago, what are some places you would take us to see? 
The 606, Jackson Park, Montrose Bird Sanctuary, the Art Institute, Lula Café 

Thanks to Margaux for chatting with us and Kaye Publicity for coordinating the interview.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: The California Dreamers

By Melissa Amster

It’s 1980s California, and everyone’s dreaming of the endless summer: sun-drenched beaches, infinite waves, and most of all, beautiful, beautiful freedom. For the Merrick siblings, this idyllic vision is their reality, as they travel up and down the coast with their parents in a van year-round, surfing and swimming their days away. But when a photographer secretly snaps a stunning photo of the family with their boards in the sand, and the image ripples across the country, the only life they’ve ever known is put at risk.

Decades after, the now-distant siblings gather on a gorgeous, wild island to honor their late father. But their reunion is complicated when a journalist, eager for the truth behind the famous photo, discovers their identity and tracks them down. As the siblings reckon with the possibility that more of their lives could be shared, a revelation about their past forces them to confront long-held heartaches. Together, they’ll have to decide whether to let the same tensions rip them apart again—or if telling their story on their own terms might just be the way to recapture the family magic. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have read all of Amy Mason Doan's novels. She's known for presenting idyllic summer memories ranging from the 1970s to the 1990s. In her latest novel, The California Dreamers, she does this as well. Going back and forth between the 1980s and early 2000s, Amy weaves a captivating story about a family living off the grid and surfing whenever possible. 

This novel had a unique premise and I appreciated that. It almost brought me back to when I would read The Boxcar Children when I was growing up. I felt like I was at the beach with Ronan and her unconventional family. The descriptions really brought the story to life and the narrative kept me captivated the entire time. 

I could see why Ronan's reason for leaving was so difficult in terms of how it affected her family and I liked how everything was slowly revealed, like a package being opened a little bit at a time while getting to peek inside every so often. 

I only had a couple concerns. The first was that the timing was inconsistent. Since this was an advanced copy, I can only hope that was fixed for the final publication. Also, I didn't understand the surf terminology. It would have been helpful to have a glossary or images. 

The California Dreamers is definitely worth checking out for an interesting read! Now that summer's over, it's a great way to recapture the feeling. This novel is perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Karma Brown, and Jessica Strawser.

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions (focusing on the 2002 timeline as it is easier to cast adults):
Ronan: Maika Monroe 
Griff: Cole Sprouse
Mag: Dylan Sprouse
Dyl: Charlie Tahan
Mama: Marley Shelton
Pauline: Gillian Jacobs

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

More by Amy Mason Doan:
Lady Sunshine
Summer Hours
The Summer List

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

🏄

🏄

🏄

🏄

🏄

🏄

🏄

🏄

TW: Parental neglect, poverty, physical violence (off page), death of parent

Spotlight and Giveaway: Anne of Avenue A

Today we are excited to celebrate the publication of Anne of Avenue A, the latest rom-com in the For the Love of Austen standalone series by Audrey Belleza and Emily Harding. It sounds like the perfect winter romance and the cover enhances the feel of the synopsis. Thanks to Gallery, we have THREE copies up for grabs!

Eight years ago, Anne Elliot broke Freddie Wentworth’s heart when she refused to give up her five-year plan for the sake of adventure. But despite big dreams, Anne, now thirty, is still living at home with hardly a plan in sight. Anne tries to be optimistic—she knows better than anyone that regret will get you nowhere—but that goes out the window when, thanks to her father’s bad spending habits, her childhood apartment is rented out to the very man still living in her head rent-free.

Freddie Wentworth never thought he would see Anne Elliot again after she dumped him for accepting a job overseas. He spent years trying to forget her, and he’s been mostly successful. So when a job opportunity takes him back to New York, he’s shocked to find out that Anne is not only his new neighbor, but also the former resident of his new Greenwich Village penthouse.

Nearly a decade after Anne and Freddie’s fateful romance, the only thing they still have in common is a desire to leave their relationship firmly in the past. But between a disastrous off-Broadway show and a drunken Thanksgiving dinner, nosey neighbors, and flirtatious friends, Anne and Freddie suddenly find their lives more intertwined than ever before. When old feelings start rising to the surface, they must decide whether to put their hearts on the line or walk away all over again. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"This charming and swoon-worthy second chance romance brings Jane Austen’s Persuasion to modern day New York in a delightfully tender and nostalgic journey which will have Austenites and fans of contemporary romance alike devouring the pages."
—Zoe Allison, author of The Ex-Mas Holiday

"Anne of Avenue A is a cozy holiday Persuasion retelling that every Austenite is sure to love (most ardently). With tender storytelling, wry humor, and the magic of winter in New York, Anne and Freddie’s story is a heartfelt celebration of second chances that will have you rooting for their love from page one."
—Victoria Lavine, internationally bestselling author of Any Trope but You

"Harding and Bellezza deliver yet again with this wonderful, modern-day Persuasion. Using their trademark wit and charm, Anne of Avenue A will have you kicking your feet and giggling from beginning to end."
—Alexa Martin, USA Today bestselling author of How to Sell a Romance

Emily (L) and Audrey (R); credit: Monika Normand

Audrey Bellezza is a two-time Emmy Award–nominated TV producer who has spent over twenty years writing, developing, and executive producing nonfiction television shows for a number of networks and streaming platforms. Audrey lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. Visit Audrey on Instagram.

Emily Harding is one-half of the writing duo behind the For the Love of Austen series, including Emma of 83rd Street and Elizabeth of East Hampton. She is a graduate of Emerson College with degrees in both creative writing and film. After working over fifteen years in television development and production, she found her way back to writing. Emily lives in Dallas with her husband, two children, and an incredibly spoiled Texas heeler. Visit Emily on Instagram.

Visit Audrey and Emily at their website and on their joint Instagram page.

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

Anne of Avenue A (3 print copies)

Giveaway ends November 2nd at midnight EST.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold

By Jami Denison

Late last year, the country was riveted and horrified by the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Just as shocking was the reception his alleged killer received, with many regarding Luigi Mangione a hero. With the price of health insurance soaring along with the number of denials, the murder raised the question of when do the ends justify the means? Indeed, UHC members reported a higher level of acceptances immediately after the killing. 

This is the premise underlying Cate Holahan’s latest thriller, The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold. Alice is the uber privileged college-aged daughter of shipping heiress Catherine and AI billionaire Brian. Her kidnappers aren’t after money—they want the world to know about the danger that AI poses, and they’re releasing riddles to spread the word about Brian’s plans. But does Alice deserve to be the victim? How far is too far?

Kidnapping reads like Gone Girl as if Michael Crichton wrote it. Told from two points-of-view—Catherine’s and Alice’s diary—Holahan naturally weaves in the capabilities and possibilities of Brian’s AI company. Two different camps of thought become clear: Brian’s, who believes in the benefits offered if AI runs everything, and the kidnappers, who worry about jobs ending, economies collapsing, and wars run by drones. Catherine is caught in between: She desperately worries about her daughter, but as she watches how Brian handles the kidnappers’ demands, she begins to worry that her husband doesn’t care about anything but the future of his precious company. 

Catherine may be an heiress and a billionaire’s wife, but she’s a mother first, and a character who is easy to identify with despite her wealth. In her diary, Alice comes across equally well. Raised in privilege, she never saw herself as better than others, and has rented an apartment in a sketchy neighborhood near Berkeley to stand on her own two feet. Although she’s initially frozen in fear when the kidnapper attacks her, eventually she fights back valiantly, describing several episodes in which she attempted to gain her freedom. She also uses her diary to describe her relationship with Brian, a man who ignored her in favor of building his company, and even humiliated her when she objected to his vision of the future of AI. 

As Alice’s kidnappers clue her in on their objections, their heart-felt worries about the future have the reader wondering if Alice will fall victim to Stockholm Syndrome. Then Holahan starts pulling out the twists, and the ride gets even better.

As a writer myself, I’m particularly concerned about how AI might further disrupt publishing, an industry already dominated by a few and extremely difficult to break into. The thought of how AI might leave everyone jobless is absolutely chilling. I began reading The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold afraid for Alice’s future. I ended it afraid for everyone’s. 

Thanks to MB Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review. It is available for FREE for Prime members and $1.99 otherwise through Friday from Amazon First Reads.

More by Cate Holahan:

Lies She Told

One Little Secret

The Widower's Wife

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: Atmosphere

 

By Melissa Amster

Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.

Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.

As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.

Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting listeners to iconic times and places, creating complex protagonists, and telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love—this time among the stars. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

After seeing a lot of good reviews for Atmosphere, I decided to check it out. I have read and enjoyed a bunch of Taylor Jenkins Reid's previous novels, and even though I have no interest in space travel (the movie Space Camp was boring for me), this one grabbed me right away and didn't let go! I'm just waiting for one of my close friends to tease me about reading it. ("You read a book about astronauts?!?" is on the same level as "You watched a movie about football?!?")

The space aspects of this novel were more interesting than I expected them to be, although I wish there were pictures to go along with it. I still don't know what a payload looks like. It was also hard to envision some other parts of the spacecraft. There was definitely a high level of intensity that went along with space travel and I know it's not something I could ever see myself doing. I give kudos to everyone who is courageous enough to give it a try. 

I really loved the social and emotional aspects, as well as the romance between Joan and one of the other astronauts from her group. Joan's relationship with her niece was really special and it made me so angry at her sister at the same time. The dialogue was great and kept the story flowing smoothly throughout. It was easy to visualize people and locations outside of the NASA space station. I also loved that this novel was set in the 1980s, which was a simpler time in some ways, but not in other ways. I even got verklempt at one point.

I really wish there had been an epilogue, as I feel this story would have benefitted from it. Even if it was set further out in time from when the story started, to perhaps see Frances as an adult. 

If you haven't picked this one up yet, don't miss out! You will be surprised and moved and won't be able to put it down or to stop thinking about it. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah.

Movie casting suggestions (I heard it was optioned for film):

Joan: Evan Rachel Wood

Vanessa: Alia Shawkat

Griff: James Lafferty

Lydia: Bryce Dallas Howard

Donna: Jessica Rothe

Hank: Jai Courtney

Barbara: Lily James

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

More by Taylor Jenkins Reid:
Malibu Rising
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
One True Loves

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

🚀

🚀

🚀

🚀

🚀

🚀

🚀

🚀

TW: Death during space travel, homophobia, child neglect, vomiting mentioned a lot

Spotlight and Giveaway: Backslide

Nora Dahlia's latest rom-com, Backslide, is now available and we're excited to feature it here today. The premise sounds really interesting and the cover is adorable. Thanks to Gallery, we have THREE copies to give away!

Nellie Hurwitz doesn’t have a first love. She has a first hate: Noah-who-may-not-be-named. And she has refused to talk about what imploded their relationship since it ended abruptly near the end of high school.

For two decades, Nellie and Noah have managed to avoid seeing each other—but the gig is up when their respective best friends, Ben and Cara, plan an intimate vow renewal at a vineyard compound in Sonoma, California.

Nellie is determined to keep ancient history from ruining the trip Cara has worked so hard to plan—but dangerously close quarters bring up feelings both Nellie and Noah have carefully locked away for years. Even amidst the eye rolls, snipes and awkwardness of their forced proximity, the two can’t shake the heady attraction they’ve always shared.

Written in alternating timelines, teenage Nellie and Noah fall together and apart in 1990s New York, while, in the present day, they grapple with whether—despite the baggage of the past—there is still something real and unfinished brewing between them.

Ultimately, can they find a way to move forward? Or will they backslide and blow things up for good? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Nora Dahlia knows exactly how to create sizzling chemistry, witty banter and a dreamy setting. The result is an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romp that I raced through. Loved it!
—  Jane Costello, author of It's Getting Hot in Here

“The two settings (lush Sonoma vineyards in the present, and 1990s New York City in the past) bring the story to life. Dahlia (Pick-Up) smartly utilizes the dual timelines… A well-executed second-chance enemies-to-lovers story. Recommend to fans of Emily Henry and Elissa Sussman.” 

— Library Journal

"Watching Nellie and Noah fall back in love despite their best efforts is an absolute delight. Don't miss this book!" 

— Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author of These Summer Storms

Credit: Rich Wade

Nora Dahlia is a lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Elle, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, among others. Nora is also a branded content expert, book doctor, ghostwriter, collaborator, and writing coach. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids. She is the author of Backslide and Pick-Up. Visit Nora at her website and on Instagram.

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

Backslide (3 print copies)

Giveaway ends October 28th at midnight EST.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Sara and Melissa Talk About...Favorite Movies from the 21st Century

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 sharing our favorite movies from the 21st century (at least the first quarter of it). We were inspired by this article from The New York Times that was posted earlier this year. 

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:

I read through the NYT article hoping they would feature some of my favorite movies from this century, but I was sadly mistaken. They have an interesting list of movies, but none that are on my favorites list. Even the Pixar movies they included. I enjoy Ratatouille, but not enough to put it on my personal list. Monsters, Inc. is my all-time favorite Pixar film, in case anyone is wondering.

A while back, I had shared a list of favorite movies. Some of them are from this century and I will be including them once again. I don't think they need an explanation this time since I already said why before.

Without further ado, and in no particular order:

1. Where the Heart Is (2000)

2. Legally Blonde (2001)

3. 50 First Dates (2004)

4. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

5. A Man Called Otto (2022): Another incredible book adaptation, to the point where I didn't care that they changed the name from Ove to Otto. Definitely have a box of tissues handy for this one!

6. The Greatest Showman (2017): I know the story is problematic, but I couldn't get enough of it and loved the music. I would listen to it obsessively after seeing the movie. I also cried a few times.

7.  Freaky Friday (2003): There's just something I love about this modernized adaptation of the Mary Rodgers novel. It aged well and I still adore it every time I see it. I cry every time I see it. I saw the sequel this past summer and that was cute too, but still not as fabulous as the first one. 

8. Wicked (2024): The film adaptation of this beloved musical went above and beyond, spoiling me from ever seeing it on stage again. And this was just the first act! I can't wait to see part two soon.

9. Free Guy (2021): Given that I love Wreck-It Ralph, you know I'm going to love what feels like the live action version of that movie. It was creative, funny, adventurous, romantic, and highly entertaining. 

10. Theater Camp (2023): This was a fun movie done in mockumentary style and totally catered to musical theater fans like myself. My son and I still quote it all the time. While it has silly moments, it also has a lot of heart and some great surprises.

I have a lot more picks and it was hard to narrow it down to ten, that's for sure! If I could choose a runner up, it would be Chicago (2002), which was also an incredible adaptation of a musical and much deserving of its best picture Oscar.

I also agree with some of Sara's picks below.

Sara Steven:

Coming up with a top ten list of films from the last twenty-five years was a difficult task! I started out with 20, narrowing it down with the help of my oldest child and my husband, and I’m still not sure if I agree with my final choices. What influenced me the most was the watchability factor. I’m not one to re-watch much of anything, yet all of the movies on my list are ones I’ve happily seen over and over again. In no particular order:

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

“Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.” That’s a quote that is frequently said around my house. I own an “I love lamp” t-shirt, and who hasn’t heard of, “Stay classy”? The epic news team showdown is so amazing and hilarious! 

Kill Bill: Vol I

The siren music that plays leading up to a fight for The Bride is unforgettable. The movie combines impressive fight scenes and a deep need to see The Bride get redemption for everything she’s gone through, even though we know just how flawed she is. 

Sinners

Tragically beautiful. The images. The scenery. The emotions. A deeply beautiful experience.

Bring It On

“You better bring it.” Such a fun film!

Melissa: "Brr! It's cold in here..."

Center Stage

I am obsessed with this movie. I own it, which means I’ve seen it plenty of times. I’m not a dancer, yet I fall in love with the ballet, the contemporary dancing, all leading to that final dance scene that is so memorable; I can still see Jody as she spins into her soul-revealing red getup, letting the world know that she will choose herself, every time. 

The Devil Wears Prada

This is another movie that I have seen several times, and it never gets old. Considering that I feel like I’m currently working with someone who can only wish to be more like Miranda Priestly, the message behind the “mean boss” mentality rings even truer now than it ever has for me.

Mean Girls

There are so many catchphrases and quotes from this film; the one my husband and I will say from time to time is, “Quit trying to make fetch happen,” but instead of using the word “fetch,” it might be an activity or choices made that we both feel like we try to make work but it just won’t work. The movie is fun and relevant, even over two decades later.

Love, Actually

Who knew that this movie would become another holiday-themed film to add to the must-watch holiday list? It’s clever, touching, and proves just how powerful love can be.

Catch Me If You Can

I can appreciate the love/hate relationship that forms between Frank Abagnale Jr., and Carl Hanratty. They are bitter adversaries but in the end, they feel like no one understands as well as they understand each other. 

The Substance

A good friend recommended this movie; we had a mini watch party at home and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the tv screen. It goes beyond addressing unrealistic beauty standards. It digs deeper into just how ugly societal pressures can be, that drives someone to make some pretty horrible decisions in an effort to stay relevant. 

My list should end at 10, but I have to add a runner up–Drop Dead Gorgeous! The movie came out in 1999, so I know it’s not within the 25-year time range for the post, but it is worth mentioning. One of Kirstie Alley’s best performances is in this movie, and it’s so hilariously witty and darkly funny. A must watch!  

What are YOUR favorite movies from the 21st century?

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Book Review: The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah

By Melissa Amster

Evelyn Schwartz has the perfect Hanukkah planned: eight jam-packed days producing the live-action televised musical of A Christmas Carol. Who needs family when you’ve got long hours, impossible deadlines, and your dream job? That is, until an accident on set lands her in the medical bay with one of her chronic migraines, and she’s shocked to find her ex-husband, David Adler, filling in for the usual studio doctor.

It’s been two years since David walked away from Evelyn and their life in Manhattan, and his ex-wife is still the same workaholic who puts her career before everything else—especially her health. But when Evelyn begins hallucinating “ghosts” tied to her past heartbreaks, and every single one leads to David, he finds himself spending much more time with her than he anticipated. And denying the still-smoldering chemistry between them becomes impossible.

As Evelyn revisits her ghosts of Hanukkah past, she and David both begin to wonder if they can have a Hanukkah future. But with a high-stakes production ramping up the pressure on Evelyn, and troublesome spirits forcing them both to confront their most difficult shared memories, it might just take a Hanukkah miracle for these two exes to light the flame on their second-chance at love. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I've been a fan of Jean Meltzer's books ever since I read The Matzah Ball (reviewed here). Not only do her books feature Jewish characters, Jewish holidays, and romance, but they also focus on physical and/or mental health issues that her main characters are facing. In The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah, Evelyn has chronic migraines, and the one person who understands what she's really going through is her ex-husband, who is suddenly back in her life after two years of being apart.

Jean is a great storyteller and I enjoyed getting to know Evelyn and David throughout this novel. They both had different heartbreaks to confront and seeing each other again brought that to the surface. Plus, there were other obstacles at play, such as a very annoying and overprivileged lead actor for the live musical Evelyn is producing. For all the stress Evelyn was under, which included reconnecting with her ex-husband who left her after a very difficult situation, she had a lot of patience to put up with Jared for as long as she did. He made my blood boil with how frustrating he was being. That's all I will say on that topic or I'll just get riled up again!

Another situation Evelyn was dealing with was that these "Ghosts of Hanukkah Past" would visit her every night and make her flash back to certain difficult times in her life. 

Not only did we get Evelyn's point-of-view, but we also got David's perspective and he saw some things differently from how Evelyn saw them, so they were butting heads about why the divorce happened in the first place. However, I was rooting for them to find their way back to each other. 

This story had some sad moments and after hearing about the real experiences they were based on, the sadness factor was kicked up a notch. There's still Jewish joy to balance it out, but you may want to have tissues handy.

Some characters and situations from Jean's previous novels are mentioned, which is fun for anyone who has read those books and light spoilers for those who haven't. My only concern was that it felt like there were some timing inconsistencies, but I hope these were ironed out for the final publication.

Overall, this novel was thoughtful and heartfelt and I encourage you to check it out! It's currently available, so what are you waiting for?!? 

(Trigger warning below.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Evelyn: Romola Garai

David: Michiel Huisman

Jared: Justin Timberlake

Danielle: Lauren Cohan

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

More by Jean Meltzer:

Mr. Perfect on Paper

Kissing Kosher

Magical Meet Cute

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

💔

💔

💔

💔

💔

💔

💔

💔

TW: Termination of pregnancy for medical reasons. 

Spotlight: The Importance of Extracurriculars & Other Assumptions

You know what they say when you assume...

Amelia allows herself two fibs a day. Only two. And only fibs—nothing bigger. It’s not always convenient, but it has worked—earning her a job as Vice-Dean of Admissions at Chastain University, her Southern Ivy alma mater.

But lies—big or small—might still be her downfall.

Raised by her single mom in a working-class Atlanta neighborhood, Amelia—Mimi outside her carefully curated professional life— devoted herself to earning a full scholarship to Chastain University. Since then, she has tried to make good on the opportunities she fought so hard to achieve. Her fib policy started in college, after a small assumption snowballed into a campus-wide humiliation she’s never quite lived down.

These days, Amelia plays everything by the book in her structured, efficient, and safe life—filled with few people, endless nonfiction, and a deep belief in meritocracy.

A chance run-in with Ethan, a nomadic truth-teller of a different sort, sparks attraction. But when Chastain U stands accused of a ripped-from-the-headlines admissions scandal, ethics suspend the love-match, and Amelia becomes complicit in ways she never imagined. Fighting for her place in a world that offers more obstacles than opportunities; good intentions go horribly wrong. Amelia strives to make things right while the hijinks of a cabal of well-meaning geriatrics and the old boys’ club of higher education help and hinder but if Amelia’s already-lonesome ivory tower crumbles, she’ll lose everything—her career, Ethan... and the fragile relationship with her mother she’s only just begun to repair.

A witty, heartfelt romance for anyone who’s ever bent the truth, tried to break the system, or been bowled over by love for someone they absolutely shouldn’t. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Purchase The Importance of Extracurriculars here

This is the fifth book in the Found Families series (standalones)

Praise for Kelly's writing:

"I cannot recommend this book enough! Kelly is a master wordsmith and without a doubt one of my autobuy authors from this day forward. I adored every minute of it and I’m sad it’s over!" 
- Lauren L. (Amazon reviewer) on Tex Miller is Dead

"Love these characters! The twists and turns will keep you in stitches as main characters keep getting oh, so close to that pivotal moment and various family members keep interrupting!" 

- Heidi Skinner (Amazon reviewer) on A Very Crowded House

"Told in dual timelines, Huston effortlessly weaves the threads of the past and present together, resulting in a touching, tear-jerker of an ending that will have readers longing for more." 

- P.K. (Amazon reviewer) on See Sadie Jane Run
 

Kelly Elizabeth Huston writes women-centric, genre-straddling fiction that always includes laughs and a love story. But sometimes there's heartbreak, a smidge of mystery, moments of suspense, and maybe a dead body... or two. Maybe. Above all, she hopes her protagonists are better for it in the end, and she entertains her readers along the way.

She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and two nearly-grown sons, who are, hands down, the best cheer squad a writer could wish for. After spending a few years in the traditional publishing space, Kelly leaped to the indie side without looking back and is eager to dole out her book babies and get them read. She hopes you'll join her in the adventure. (Bio courtesy of Kelly's website.)

Visit Kelly online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: We Were Never Friends

By Melissa Amster

Sisters? Forever. Friends? NEVER. Who knew a reunion weekend could be so deadly?

Meet the sorority sisters of Theta Gamma Mu:

Roxy Callahan Gentry, the ruthless former sorority president and current hostess who has painstakingly choreographed every detail of this weekend—even matching the cocktails to her couture—to prove that she remains their undisputed queen

Amelia Dell, the widow drenched in old money and alcohol, with her big pot-stirring spoon and uninvited boy-toy in tow

Jamie Vale, the double-legacy pledge, straight-A student with no sparkle, now a top cardiologist with a picture-perfect family—and a well-guarded bad habit

Beth Harrison, the scholarship student who never quite fit in and was only admitted because her best friend Sunny insisted that the two were a package deal

Sunny Spencer, the carefree and beloved friend to all, or so it seemed—until she wasn't

They've been summoned to Roxy's luxurious Palm Springs vacation home to celebrate the engagement of her son to Beth's daughter. But the refurbished 1920s estate is eerily reminiscent of the hotel where tragedy struck during Spring Break twenty-five years ago. Long-simmering tensions and shocking secrets begin bubbling to the surface like bodies—because while the weekend was supposed to be about celebrating the future, it's not so easy to bury the past… (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I always enjoy a Kaira Rouda thriller. I know she's going to bring on the drama and I'm there for it. With We Were Never Friends, Kaira introduces us to four former sorority sisters who are reuniting for the first time in 25 years. They each have their own agendas and they're also hiding secrets about the death of one of their other sisters. 

The story unfolded in layers. At first I thought they were laying all their cards out by the middle of the novel, but then more information came out over the course of a highly charged evening. There was definitely a lot of mystery and intrigue, both in the past and in the present. I liked that we got each woman's perspective. I also feel like there could be a sequel as some things were left open-ended. I felt like one character had a weak motive, but they also didn't seem right in the head. 

Overall, this novel moved at a quick pace and kept me turning the pages to find out what really happened in the past and why strange things were happening in the present, as well. I already look forward to Kaira's next thriller, as I know she will deliver.

Movie casting suggestions:
Beth: Kristen Bell
Roxy: January Jones
Jamie: Anna Camp
Amelia: Sarah Drew
Ryan: Justin Hartley
Celeste: Natalie Alyn Lind

Zach: Michael Provost
Brett: Warren Christie

Thanks to Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Kaira Rouda:

The Widow

Jill is Not Happy

Somebody's Home

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!

What's in the (e)mail

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

NG = NetGalley

Melissa:
Last Bite by Amy S. Peele from She Writes Press (NG)
The Insomniacs by Allison Winn Scotch from Berkley (NG)
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn from William Morrow (NG)
The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery from Harlequin (NG)
The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer from Ballantine (NG)

Your Soulmail is Attached by Joan F. Smith from Harlequin (NG)

The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss from Atria (NG)

Mother is a Verb by Kim Hooper from Lake Union (NG)

Sara:
Broken Bones by John Carson from Rachel's Random Resources (NG)
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott from Berkley (NG)

The Meet-Poop by/from Noelle Salazar (NG)

A Lot to Unpack by Portia MacIntosh from Rachel's Random Resources (NG)

Twinkle of Doubt by Patricia Leavy from BookSparks

Jami:
Served Him Right by Lisa Unger from Harlequin (NG)

I Came Back for You by Kate White from MB Communications (NG)

Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu from Berkley (NG)

Melissa S:
Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk from HarperCollins (print)

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to these books on Speechify!

Book Review: By Your Side

By Becky Gulc

Linda and Levi will never meet. But they’re going to change each other’s lives.

In her role at the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit, Linda Standish investigates the lives of those who’ve died alone and tracks down any living relatives. She’s been a friend to the friendless for the past thirty-three years. And now she’s looking forward to an early retirement.

But before she hangs up her lanyard, Linda takes on one last case – that of Levi Norman – a Welshman who made his home on a remote Scottish island for the past five years.

What brought Levi here? And who did he leave behind? Obliged to travel (by hearse) with her arch nemesis Fergus Murray, and helped (and hindered) by local residents, Linda searches for clues to a life now lost. And in the process unexpectedly makes new friends, and discovers things about herself she never knew. (Synopsis courtesy of Penguin UK.)

Ruth Jones is an amazing writer. For those of you who don’t know who she is, Ruth is co-writer of the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey and starred in the programme herself as Nessa. I’m a big fan of the programme (I may have had a little visit to Barry Island when in Wales recently where the programme is largely set). I also adored one of her other shows, Stella. Ruth has written a few novels now and I read Never Greener a couple of years back, a great book. So I was excited to read Ruth’s latest novel, By Your Side. 

Well, I adored this book. I found it charming, moving, and funny. Ruth writes such brilliant characters and evokes such a sense of community and place in her writing, I was very much transported to the remote Scottish island of Storrich with Linda on her quest to find any indication of loner Levi’s next of kin. Storrich has a great mix of characters all adding to the story.

The narrative is largely based on Linda’s story. As mentioned in the synopsis, she is heading into retirement, single, and trying to come to terms with her son and grandson moving away. There is sadness, a history we do not fully understand until much later in the novel, but this doesn’t become overly heavy. Linda is one strong, loyal, caring, and witty woman, I adored her and her adventures over in Storrich and her quest to solve the mystery over Levi.

Levi. Oh Levi. The narrative also switches to the past as Levi’s story is slowly revealed to the reader. His solitary existence in Wales, an unexpected whirlwind seeing him move to Scotland and the happiness and grief he experienced over the years. Levi’s story really pulled on my heartstrings, knowing how things end up for him. That said there’s such warmth to how everything is wrapped up and that felt so fitting for Linda and Levi. 

Another great book by Ruth and I’d love Linda and co to feature in future novels. I got attached! Highly recommended. 

More by Ruth Jones:
Love Untold
Us Three
Never Greener

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.

Listen to this book on Speechify!