Checked out (in the best way) with Janet Skeslien Charles...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Janet Skeslien Charles back at CLC to talk about her experience working at the American Library in Paris, which inspired her latest novel, The Parisian Chapter, which will be available next week. Melissa had a lot of good things to say about this novel, which you can read about in her review. Janet has one print copy and one audiobook to give away!

Janet Skeslien Charles is the New York Times, USA Today, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Library, Moonlight in Odessa, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade (called The Librarians of Rue de Picardie in the UK and Commonwealth). Her essays and short stories have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Sydney Morning Herald, and the anthology Montana Noir. Her work has been translated into 40 languages. 

Janet was born and raised in Montana. After graduating from the University of Montana, she got a job teaching English in Ukraine. She later went to France intending to teach for a year, and has been there ever since. Place is at the heart of every story she has ever written. She loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and researching stories of forgotten people and places.  (Bio courtesy of Janet's website.)

Visit Janet online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:

Paris, 1995: It’s been five years since Lily Jacobsen and her best friend Mary Louise arrived in Paris from their small town of Froid, Montana. Determined to establish themselves as artists, they shared a tiny walkup and survived on brie and baguettes. But when Mary Louise abruptly moves out, Lily feels alone in the city of light for the first time and needs a new way to support herself. She lands a job as a programs manager at the American Library in Paris, following in the footsteps of Odile, her beloved French neighbor in Montana who told her stories of heroic World War II librarians when Lily was growing up.

At work, Lily meets an extraordinary cast of characters—including her favorite writer, struggling students, haughty trustees, and devoted volunteers—each with their own stories...and agendas. In the library’s attic, Lily discovers a box of archives that may be a link to Odile’s own Parisian chapter.

This “stirring and rich with detail” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author) story is a love letter to the power of literature, the life of the artist, the importance of friendship, and leaving home only to find it again. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"In The Parisian Chapter, Janet Skeslien Charles blends humor, heartbreak, and the magic of books into a beautifully layered narrative centered around the American Library in Paris."
 - @bookscoffeebrews

"I enjoyed every minute of Lily’s coming of age, which is a story of friendship, growing up, and the importance of forgiveness." 
- M DeFord (Amazon)

Hello, I’m thrilled to be back at Chick Lit Central with my fourth book, The Parisian Chapter. Many thanks to Melissa for her support over these last fifteen years! I love her description of my novel, “The Devil Wears Prada set in a library.”

I started writing the book in 2010, when I worked as the programs manager at the American Library in Paris. It was a dream job – working with books and authors, scheduling and planning evening events, sharing my love of the written words with longtime patrons and people just passing through. Still, there were difficult moment. One evening, after an event, audience members said goodbye and went home. As usual, I was the last person to leave. Or so I thought. Instead, I found myself alone in a darkened three-story building with a belligerent patron twice my size. When asked, then told to leave, he refused. It was a scary moment.

In my life, I’ve worked many jobs, from hotel maid to waiting tables to cooking in the University of Montana cafeteria. And yet I’ve never been talked down to as I was at the library. Patrons and staff were far from family in the States. Some booklovers were homesick and short-tempered, others were lost and didn’t know where to turn. My level-headed coworker kept a box of tissues on her desk because people sometimes burst into tears. In one case, Kate, an American volunteer, was thrilled because her French boyfriend had proposed. Over Sunday lunch, when the newly engaged couple shared the news with his parents, maman and papa convinced their son that marriage to a foreigner was a terrible idea. Kate dried her tears, ditched her fiancé, and continued her studies. I’m glad that she had the library, a place she could share her pain and confusion. 

In my novel, I wanted to show people like Kate, and what the library meant to each one. I hoped to capture happy memories as well as challenging moments that forced growth. Told from different points of view, the novel underlines the relationship each character has with the library. For David, a volunteer, the library is home; for Tolstoy, a soldier with PTSD, it is a second chance; for Lily, the library is a trampoline that jumpstarts her career. And because novels need friction, there are a few disgruntled characters. The head librarian has started to loath people - to him the library is a battlefield. To the director, the job is constant stress, ranging from problem patrons to busted water pipes. Depending on the POV, the library is a source of frustration, dread, hope, or joy.

It is here that you see my Montana roots. The form of The Parisian Chapter is a wagon wheel. The main character Lily Jacobsen is the hub. The other narrators are radiating spokes that connect to the tire. The wheel is endangered when several spokes break. Like a wagon wheel, the library is reinforced by the patrons and staff. And of course, these spokes speak to our experiences.

One of my favorite spokes is the character Felicity, a trailing spouse. She visits the library to check out books for her teen daughter, Ellen. At the scent of the stacks, she is hit by nostalgia, not only when she used to take Ellen to story hour, but to when her own mother used to take her to the library as a child. I love these beautiful echoes in life. 

The Parisian Chapter is an ode to libraries and to life. I hope that you will check it out!

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

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends May 5th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The Last Sunday in May

By Jami Denison

Every February, my city of St. Petersburg hosts a Grand Prix race in the middle of downtown. Streets are closed, traffic diverted, tourists swarm. For the entire weekend, the noise from the cars dominates the outdoors, and even in the house it sounds like a giant swarm of bees about to attack. Needless to say, I’m not a fan of racing.

But I am a fan of trailblazing women, so Kate Clark Stone’s debut novel about a woman trying to make the Indy 500 sounded appealing. And it is. Even if your idea of racing is passing Grandma in the righthand lane on I-95, The Last Sunday in May has much more to offer than just fast cars. 

Ten years ago, MacKenzie “Mack” Williams, daughter of racing legend Wes Williams, had a ticket to qualify for the Indy 500. But instead, the 20-year-old passed another kind of test—a pregnancy test. Soon after Mack gave birth to her daughter Shaw, her father suffered a traumatic brain injury in a racing accident. Ever since, her life has been about raising Shaw, taking care of her recovering father, and running their small racetrack in rural Indiana. Then one night, racing legend Janet Joyner shows up on Mack’s doorstep. She wants Mack to join her team and race for her at the Indy 500. All she needs to do is line up a million dollars in sponsorships and race fast enough to qualify—even though Mack hasn’t raced in 10 years. Piece of cake, right?

It’s a dream come true… but who is going to watch Shaw? Run the racetrack? Take care of Dad? Surprisingly, her father’s girlfriend Billie steps up—even though Mack had her pegged as flighty and flirty. And Mack’s distant older half-sister Laurie, who lives in Indianapolis but left Mack in the lurch when she had a colicky infant and a sick father, offers a place to stay and a cheering squad. Even star driver Leo Raisman believes Mack can make the cut, despite their attraction that could complicate everything. In fact, it seems the only person who doesn’t believe in Mack is Mack herself.

Stone’s love for and knowledge of racing is evident on every page. The reader is immersed in the sights, sounds, and smell of the track, and even in the driver’s seat with Mack. She filters everything through Mack’s point-of-view, so the narrative never feels like a lecture.

The Last Sunday in May is about much more than a race. Mack might be only thirty, but she asks herself a question that people of all ages routinely ask: Am I too old to chase my dreams? And for women, especially: Is it fair to chase my dreams when people at home are depending on me? Mack not only has to re-learn how to drive a race car. She also needs to learn to trust other people: the engineers building her car. Billie, who’s changing her father’s lifestyle. Leo and her other teammates, who root for her even though she could take one of their spots. It’s a hard ask for a woman who’s used to doing everything on her own. Sometimes Stone gets a little heavy handed with the subtext, as Mack is in her head a lot.

I had a few quibbles with the plot. I wished Mack had done something on the page to earn Janet’s attention; instead, the woman swoops in like a fairy godmother. Leo seemed too good to be true to me, and I didn’t need a romance on top of everything else. And Shaw’s father, a bad boy motorcycle racer, was a one-note villain. 

However, this book delivers because it’s so optimistic. It tells readers to go after their dreams. It tells them to trust that the people in their life will be there to help them out. It says to go ahead and make mistakes, because the universe offers second chances. 

Stone ends the book before the story is over, which preserves its fairy-tale feeling. I would have appreciated an epilogue, but perhaps she’s planning a sequel. 

I’m still not a racing fan, but I’m definitely a fan of Kate Clark Stone. I look forward to her next project.   

Thanks to Kaye Publicity for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Swing into summer with Nicola Harrison...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Yoshie Villarie

We're excited to have Nicola Harrison back at CLC to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, The Island Club! Melissa recently read and enjoyed it and will be reviewing soon. You can check out her Bookstagram post in the meantime. We had fun chatting with Nicola and hope you will check out our interview below. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have THREE copies to share with some lucky readers!

Nicola Harrison is the author of Montauk, The Show Girl, Hotel Laguna and The Island Club. Born and raised in England, she moved with her family to Southern California when she was 14. She is a graduate of UCLA and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Stony Brook University. Prior to writing novels she worked as a fashion journalist in New York City, where she lived for 17 years. Now she resides in Manhattan Beach, California, with her husband, two sons and a high maintenance chihuahua named Lily.

Visit Nicola online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:

1956: On idyllic Balboa Island, just off the California coast, life seems peaceful and welcoming. But when the lives of three women begin to unravel in shockingly different ways, an unlikely friendship—and the game of tennis—may be the only thing that can save them.

Milly Kinkaid's plan to fix her crumbling marriage seems to be falling apart before it even begins. She believed that moving her young family from Hollywood to Balboa Island might entice her increasingly distant husband to come home earlier after work. Instead, he's barely coming home at all.

Society matriarch Sylvia Johnson and her husband have been pillars of their community for decades, and have just recently begun a new business venture: The Island Club, a place for members to swim, play tennis and dine in style. But when she learns that he has been risking their financial security and putting their family's future in grave danger, she's not only poised to lose the club, but the entire community she holds dear.

Meanwhile, standoffish loner Adele Lambert's entire world is on the brink of being destroyed if the dark secrets of her past and her hidden identity is revealed. Twenty years ago, she ran from a shameful scandal and left behind the only thing she ever loved. Now, terrified that the anonymity she's spent decades guarding will be exposed, but desperate to stay afloat, she risks everything to return to the game that brought her to her knees all those years before.

Set against the sun-drenched beaches of Balboa Island, with its prim and proper 1950s facade, The Island Club is a story of love, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves—and what can be gained when the truth is finally revealed. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"The Island Club is a Carrie Soto is Back meets Big Little Lies delight that will exceed all reader expectations!" 

―Lynda Cohen Loigman, USA Today bestselling author

"A story of the power of friendship, the defiance of societal expectations, and the finding of one's true self."

― Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author

"A beautifully written nuanced story that explores the power of female friendship."

 ―Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author

"The perfect summer read . . . for anyone who loves a smart, juicy escape!" 

―Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author

What is one thing you'd tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
I would say: Trust your instincts. You’ll spend a lot of time second guessing yourself, but that original spark of an idea, that reason you starting this story, is usually right. There’s a subconscious reason or need for you to delve into this story at this time in your life. Writing is how you figure out the world around you. 

Which of the three women in The Island Club did you identify with the most?
Oh, I think there’s a little of all three women in me for different reasons but I identify most with Milly the young hassled mother to two. Her story is set in the 1950s a time when the idealized image of the selfless, smiling housewife was at its height. Women were expected to raise perfectly well-behaved children, maintain immaculate homes, and keep up appearances, all while suppressing their own dreams. And while we have certainly come a long way since then, women still carry the weight of the world of their shoulders, maintaining households, raising children – there so much unseen labor that goes into being a woman and mother these days. I wanted to explore the pressure women feel to be everything to everyone. 

If The Island Club were made into a movie, what are some songs that would be on the soundtrack?

If The Island Club were a movie, I’d lean heavily into that dreamy, nostalgic 1950s beach-town energy.  In the novel – and in real life during the forties and fifties - college students flocked to Balboa Island for Spring Break spending their nights at the iconic Rendezvous Ballroom where big bands played and everyone danced until the wee hours. I’d definitely include "Earth Angel" by the Penguins, "Little Darlin'" by The Diamonds, "Fever" by Peggy Lee, and "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley – all songs that capture the mix of romance, rebellion and late night magic on the dance floor. 

What is something you are looking forward to this summer?
I’m really excited about my book tour (my mom is coming along to keep me company which makes it even more special). We’ll be visiting thirteen different cities in fifteen days, so it’s going to be a whirlwind but a fun one. After that I’m very much looking forward to a slower pace, a relaxing, hopefully beachy family vacation where no one needs anything from me, I don’t have to nag my kids about homework, and I can sit in the sun and read books all day someplace warm.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
If my life were a TV series, I’d choose Julia Whelan to narrate it. She’s technically an audiobook narrator, but in my eyes she’s absolutely a celebrity. Her voice just brings stories to life in such a compelling, emotional way. I feel like she’d add the perfect mix of warmth and wit to all the highs and lows. 

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I would definitely take you to Balboa Island, the setting of my novel, a tiny, walkable island in Newport Beach, California, just forty-five minutes from where I live. First we’d cross over on the historic ferry, which has been running since 1919, just eight-hundred feet across the harbor and I’d show you the charming cottages from the 1920s and 1930s on the streets are named after gemstones. We’d walk to the main street and try the famous Balboa Frozen Banana dipped in chocolate and nuts, then we’d rent a little Duffy boat to cruise around the island and check out the million-dollar yachts while sipping Rose. How does that sound? 

Thanks to Nicola for chatting with us and to St. Martin's Press for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends May 3rd at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Lies Lies Lies

By Becky Gulc

Back in the noughties Adele Parks was one of my go-to authors, I loved her books such as Playing Away, Still Thinking of You, and The Other Woman’s Shoes. For no reason other than life, it's been a while, but I recently went along to an event for Adele Parks’ latest book release (Our Beautiful Mess). As part of the event, we were given an audiobook code for a previous novel, Lies, Lies, Lies. I knew Adele’s writing has shifted somewhat over recent years to her books becoming more suspenseful psychological dramas (perfectly suiting my changing taste too!) so it was about time I became reacquainted with her books. 

‘Daisy and Simon’s marriage is great, isn’t it?

After years together, the arrival of longed-for daughter Millie sealed everything in place. A happy little family of three.

And so what if Simon drinks a bit too much sometimes – Daisy's used to it, she knows he’s letting off steam. Until one night at a party things spiral horribly out of control. And that happy little family of three will never be the same again.’ (Courtesy of Adele's website.)

On the face of it Daisy and Simon have a pretty much perfect life, a happy marriage, a  happy daughter and a lovely home. Yet we quickly learn that things are far from perfect here. Simon drinks way too much, Daisy is hiding a major secret, and their lack of communication culminates in an event that changes both their lives forever

I was really torn when reading this. On the one hand I really felt for Daisy, I felt exhausted for her, the emotional weight she carried was immense. On the other hand I found her incredibly frustrating at times and questioned her decisions. Simon was complex too, I didn’t warm to him for a long time; I don’t think I was meant to! However, he slowly grew on me as elements of the story came to light (great twists!) and by the end I was completely rooting for both of these characters, they’d been through so much!

What was great about this book for me was that the characters felt real. They’re flawed and make mistakes like we all do but when it comes down to it, they have good hearts. The book really delivered for me when the twists were revealed, none of which I saw coming and they all made me reconsider how I viewed the characters and their actions in a good way. 

This book manages to remain relatively light although it delivers emotion, frustration and covers some difficult subjects and it was a good balance for me. If you enjoy domestic dramas and enjoy books that explore the messier and sometimes darker side of relationships, this is definitely worth a read! This was a great book and I can’t wait to begin Our Beautiful Mess. 

More by Adele Parks:
Woman Last Seen
I Invited Her In
Just My Luck

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Book Review: All Afternoon

By Melissa Amster

River Ridge, New Jersey, 1978: As feminism takes root in this tight-knit Modern Orthodox community, women are starting businesses, rethinking their marriages, and challenging their synagogue's long-standing rules.

Not Marilyn Weisfeld.

Once a promising writer, Marilyn gave up her literary dreams twenty years ago when she married Jerry, a self-important professor of economics. Now, she's too busy raising children, braiding challahs, and entertaining her husband's insufferable colleagues to think about what else her life might have held... until the night an old friend comes to dinner.

When bestselling author Henry Goldfarb asks for Marilyn's feedback on his new novel, something long buried inside her stirs back to life. And when he encourages her to write again, she starts sneaking into Manhattan every week to see him. In long afternoons of shared stories, easy laughter, and soul-baring conversations, Marilyn catches glimpses of a more fulfilling life she could be living - if only she can find the courage to reach for it.

But change always comes at a cost. And as Marilyn's feelings for Henry begin to blur boundaries and test loyalties, the tidy existence she has woven so carefully in River Ridge begins to unravel. Caught between the comfort of old rhythms and the thrill of new possibilities, she will have to decide exactly what price she's willing to pay to live bravely, authentically, and without regret. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I am so thankful that I got a chance to read All Afternoon. I enjoyed so much about it and found a lot of things relatable (except for the absolute prick of a husband). I felt emotionally connected and picked it up every chance I got. It was nice to read about a character a bit closer in age who is also Modern Orthodox. There were lots of Jewish references and scenes set during Shabbat and holidays. 

There's an aspect of this novel that reminds me of the movie Waitress. When you read it, I think you'll know what I'm talking about. 

What I liked a lot was that things weren't perfect for Marilyn. The story went in a different direction than I expected, but it also felt realistic to go in that direction. I also like that this story takes place in the late seventies, which was a simpler time and didn't push the characters into being on social media. They had to communicate by actually picking up a phone to call someone. Or by sending a letter in the mail. 

Jerry was so awful that I kept sending messages to Susan to tell her how much I couldn't stand him. And he was the husband! That's the sign of a well-written villain. I even told my husband how I was annoyed that this man sang "Eshet Chayil" but then disrespected his wife so often.

Overall, an impressive debut with great dialogue and lots of humor. I especially loved the song parodies. It's perfect for fans of Sara Goodman Confino. I even feel inspired to write short stories again and I am now participating in a writing challenge as a result. (Here is my first short story.)

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Marilyn: Yael Stone
Jerry: Jason Schwartzman
Henry: John Magaro (Funny enough, I think he and Yael were paired up in Orange is the New Black)
Bernice: Jane Levy

Thanks to Susan Kleinman for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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TW: Death of parents, death of sibling, emotional abuse, emotional infidelity

Spotlight and Giveaway: Love Overboard

Introduction by Melissa Amster

As soon as I saw the title of Kandi Steiner's latest romance, I immediately thought of a certain eighties song. Weirdly, this song came out the same year as the movie Overboard and I was surprised that it wasn't on the soundtrack. 😅 In any case, Love Overboard sounds like a fun and romantic story and we're excited to share it here today. Thanks to Terrace PR, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

Ember Reed is finally living her dream: chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her.

Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not.

Even on a superyacht, there's nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiralling into disaster.

They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"Love Overboard is Below Deck meets your favorite second-chance rom-com: messy, addictive, and impossible to put down. This book is pure escapist fun!"
— Elle Kennedy, New York Times bestselling author

"Love Overboard is anything but smooth sailing and I loved every minute. The perfect storm of drama and desire."
— #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Colleen Hoover

"Kandi Steiner is the queen of writing romances that demand to be devoured, and she is truly a master at her craft. Love Overboard brings all the angst, yearning, and heat to rival hot summer days on a yacht. I couldn't put it down for a single second. True perfection."
— Julie Olivia, USA Today Bestselling Author

Courtesy of author

Kandi Steiner is a USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author best known for writing emotional, relatable love stories. Her works range from angsty and heart-wrenching to uplifting and sweet, offering a story for every kind of romantic. With over 35 novels to her name, Kandi has earned a devoted following of readers who affectionately dub her the "Queen of Angst".

Born in Oklahoma, a 20 year resident of Florida, and now settling down in Tennessee, Kandi draws inspiration from her surroundings, often weaving themes of family, love, and self-discovery into her narratives. When she’s not crafting compelling stories or getting lost in the words of another author, you can find her hiking in the mountains, indulging in cozy moments with her family, or practicing pole dancing and yoga. Her books, including the viral hit A Love Letter to Whiskey, have been translated into multiple languages, resonating with readers worldwide.

Visit Kandi online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends April 28th at midnight EST.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Trigger Warnings

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

This month, we are talking about trigger warnings, especially as they pertain to books, but this is also relevant for movies and TV shows. 

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:

A while ago, when I was recommending books to a friend, she told me to avoid recommending books that had certain situations in them, such as a character's husband dying. I was mindful of this and was careful to recommend books that wouldn't upset her. Over time, I've seen letters in the beginning of books that share trigger warnings. While I personally avoid them so as to not become anxious over what will happen, I know that they are helpful to people who need them. I have another friend who gave me a list of triggers and I'm always keeping them in mind when recommending books to her. It's no skin off my back to be sensitive about them. I just hate that some books contain these triggers because I know she'd love them otherwise! 

You may have noticed that I include trigger warnings in my Bookstagram posts and book reviews, as needed. I always put them at the very end, almost like spoilers, so that people have the option to check for them if they want or to avoid them if they don't want to see what they are. I don't see any harm in taking this extra step if it will make someone's life easier. No one should have to read a book that's going to cause them distress or anxiety. While I get more anxious knowing something bad is going to happen, I understand the need for some people to know in advance and prepare themselves. 

I recently asked about trigger warnings in a fan group for one of my favorite TV shows. Even though it is a sitcom, there was an episode that talked about a triggering topic. I basically just asked if the episode should have had a warning at the beginning or not and some people got triggered by the concept of trigger warnings. Like they were just all angry about other people needing this small advisory for self-protection. It actually astounded me to see such responses. Some people were like "I don't need them, so why should anyone else?"  Other people appreciated me putting the question out there, as they prefer trigger warnings and have had experiences with the topic presented in the episode. 

The reason I don't want them for myself is because of a TV show I watched a while back, where they announced at the beginning that someone was going to die in the episode. I was so anxious the entire episode because I had no idea what was going to actually happen, or when. Even though the death was awful and happened to a character I really liked, I would have preferred to be surprised instead of anticipating it in each scene. There are times I wouldn't mind a quick trigger warning in order to avoid watching an episode altogether (I may have stuck with a show if I knew I could avoid a certain episode), but I know I can't have it both ways. 

Sometimes I end up seeing the trigger warning in a book, but that doesn't stop me from reading it if it's not something that will trigger me personally. And other times, I'm reading a book and get blindsided by something and it's emotional for me, but I also appreciate that the book made me feel something and I use that information as trigger warnings for people to check if they feel they need to. I recently read a book that was really good but I knew it would be triggering for a friend who recently had a baby. She appreciated the warning so she could prepare herself, as she really wanted to read the book.

In any case, I think trigger warnings are necessary for books, as long as they are in a place where people have the option to check for them vs. right in our face. 

Sara Steven:

For most of my childhood and younger adult life, there were no trigger warnings in the books I read. From what I’ve seen online, it looks as though it had become more mainstream to include warnings in publications since the late 2000s, way past my Stephen King-era days and my V.C. Andrews childhood. 

I know this isn’t a book, but our topic for this month made me think of the movie Sixteen Candles. Melissa and I have commiserated on the fact of forgetting just how crude that movie could be. Sixteen Candles had originally received a PG rating, because back in the eighties, a lot more was considered acceptable by society’s standards. I didn’t remember the nudity that is fifteen minutes or so into the movie. I wanted to share the movie with my oldest child, who was a tween at the time, thinking we could have a laugh over some “old” film I watched when I was young. When the shower scene presented itself on my husband’s extremely large rear-projection television screen, I jumped off the couch and attempted to cover the nudity with my body and arms, but it was no use. To this day, it’s an added cringe-worthy moment that has been added to our family’s cringe-worthy awkward funny memories roster.

I bring this up because it only further solidifies just how wild the eighties, nineties and early 2000s could be. It was a different time, and now we’re given the upfront knowledge of knowing whether a book (or movie/television show) might contain sensitive topics that could potentially cause stress to the reader, or viewer. I can’t recall a book I’ve read that has elicited that sort of reaction for me, but I can appreciate the need for that kind of heads up in general. 

I’ve read that some people would prefer the trigger warning be placed in the back of the book vs. the front, for those who don’t want to have some of the content spoiled, but for me, if I see a trigger warning issued at the front of the book, I read it, then move on. While working on my post, I asked my fifteen-year-old what his thoughts are regarding trigger warnings in books, and he said that while they don’t affect him much, he thinks it’s important we have them. He said that some of his friends have benefited from having those kinds of warnings, too.

Having read other opinions online, one person said it’s “polite” to have trigger warnings, and I like that description. It’s a polite thing to do for readers, who can then choose to see the warning and continue reading the book, or continue with caution, or maybe not read it at all, based on their comfort level. It gives the reader a choice, and I think that’s a good thing. 

What are your thoughts on trigger warnings?

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Book Review: Boring Asian Female

By Jami Denison

Authors like Edgar Allen Poe and Patricia Highsmith know a scary truth about humans—if given the opportunity, sometimes we’ll resort to nefarious tactics to get what we want. Readers enjoy characters like Highsmith’s Tom Ripley because they allow us to experience what might happen if we gave into our worst impulses. 

In her amazing debut Boring Asian Female, author Canwen Xu lets us deep inside the head of this kind of protagonist. Columbia senior Elizabeth Zhang thinks she’s something special. The smartest kid—and only Asian—in her North Dakota high school, she went to Columbia because all of her classmates were obsessed with a TV show that took place on the Upper East Side. Next on her list is Harvard Law, which will fulfill her dream of becoming a rich corporate lawyer, so she can return to NYC and live out her materialistic fantasies.

Sadly, Harvard Law has other plans. Despite Elizabeth’s stellar grades and nearly perfect LSAT score, Elle Woods’s alma mater turns down Elizabeth, while it offers a spot to her classmate Laura Kim. Elizabeth is dumbstruck—she knows she’s smarter than Laura. WTF? When she meets with the law school counselor, he tells her that Harvard has a limited number of slots, and there are too many smart Asian females for them all to be accepted. In other words, Laura took her slot. She must be more interesting than Elizabeth.

But what’s so great about Laura? Elizabeth starts to stalk Laura—whom she’s disliked since freshman year, when she told Elizabeth’s best friend she wasn’t Korean enough to understand her—to figure out why Harvard chose her instead. At the same time, Elizabeth plots to become more interesting in order to write an addendum to her Harvard application. Eventually, though, she realizes it’s not enough. For her to be accepted, Laura needs to be rejected. And Elizabeth needs to make that happen. 

Boring Asian Female may be the closest first-person point of view I’ve ever read. Xu gives us pages and pages of Elizabeth’s thoughts, delivering a detailed map of exactly where, when, and how Elizabeth goes off the deep end. Isolated in North Dakota, feeling rejected by a father who returned to China and had another family, Elizabeth’s drive and ambition are understandable. It’s also understandable how she sees Laura Kim as the living embodiment of her rejection. Who hasn’t had a nemesis? Or wondered why the boy you liked chose another girl, or the editor with your manuscript decided to publish another writer? Who hasn’t felt not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough? Who hasn’t used social media to stalk and sock puppet? 

The novel follows a predictable, albeit enjoyable trajectory as Elizabeth’s stalking of Laura heats up. Subplots include Elizabeth’s friendships with her violinist best friend, drama in her friend group, and her hook-ups with a Tinder date. Interestingly, Xu didn’t include anything about the Gaza protests for which Columbia is well known—a strange oversight since Laura and Elizabeth are in a middle east history class together. But Elizabeth is so self-centered, maybe she didn’t notice the library being taken over. 

I had one small quibble with the book: There are two important plot points that happen without Elizabeth taking action, which runs counter to having such an active protagonist. But overall, Boring Asian Female is an engrossing book, an up-close look at a person following their worst instincts. It’s anything but boring. 

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

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We're mad about Sally Hepworth...plus a book giveaway

We're thrilled to have Sally Hepworth at CLC today to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Mad Mabel! Melissa said that this is one of Sally's best and she is excited for you to read it soon. We enjoyed reading her answers to our questions (she's so funny) and we hope you will too. Check out her review. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy to give away!

Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone. They are available worldwide in English and have been translated into twenty languages. Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family and one adorable dog.

Visit Sally online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:

Meet Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick: eighty-one years old, gloriously grumpy, fiercely independent, and never without a hot cup of tea—or a cutting remark. She minds her own business in her quiet Melbourne suburb, until a neighbor turns up dead and the whispers start flying.

Because Elsie hasn’t always been Elsie. Once upon a headline, she was Mad Mabel Waller—Australia’s youngest convicted murderer. But was she really mad, or just misunderstood? Either way, she’s kept her secret buried for decades.

Enter seven-year-old Persephone, a relentless little chatterbox who has just moved in across the road (armed with stickers, questions, and no sense of personal boundaries); Joan, who appears to have it in for Elsie; and a healthy dose of public interest—the cops are sniffing around, and the media is circling like seagulls at a picnic.

So Mabel does what she’s always done best—she takes matters into her own hands.

Is she a cantankerous old lady with a shady past? A cold-blooded killer with arthritis? Or just someone who’s finally ready to tell her side of the story?

Sharp, surprising, and wickedly funny, this is the unforgettable story of a woman who’s spent a lifetime being underestimated—and is about to prove everyone wrong. Again. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?

Like most tortured writers, I tend to remember my one-star reviews more than any compliments! There’s one that lives rent-free in my brain and is so hilarious I have to share. It said, ‘So cheesy. And not the good kind like Camembert. The processed, cheap stuff.’ That kept me laughing for days . 

But not to be too self-flagellating, I always love when people say they connect with my characters and find comfort in my books (even though they’re usually about murder).

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?

Dear Sally, don’t be disheartened by the two audience members at this library event (one who only came for the scones). It’s hard to imagine right now, but one day you’ll fill a room with hundreds of people in multiple cities who love your writing. Tickets will sell so fast that you’ll feel like Taylor Swift. Keep going.

If Mad Mabel were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?

"Mad World" by Gary Jules, "Still Mad" by Florence and the Machine, and I’ve always had this vision of Dolly Parton’s "9 to 5" playing in a murder scene! I think it would be hilarious.

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?

I’m much more of a TV series gal and I am currently loving How to Get to Heaven From Belfast on Netflix. It’s like Derry Girls meets Bad Sisters and the perfect mix of funny and dark. 

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

I just adore Tina Fey and think she’d be fabulous at narrating my life. 

Thanks to Sally for chatting with us and to St. Martin's Press for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends April 26th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Into the Blue

By Allyson Bales

“The truth is there’s no such thing as a normal life. There’s just the time you get and how you spend it.”

In the summer of 2000, AJ Graves dreams of writing for Saturday Night Live; instead, she’s stuck working in a video rental store, with slim odds of escaping her small Massachusetts town. Then in walks Noah Drew, the enigmatic and intense scion of the Drew acting dynasty, and her life changes forever. Despite wildly different upbringings, the two forge a deep, cosmic bond, first as friends, then as acting partners—until one day, Noah disappears without a word.

Seven years later, in New York City, AJ is shocked to find herself cast in the same intergalactic TV production as Noah, by then a well-known Hollywood heartthrob. As their on-screen characters grow closer every day, the lines between reality and acting begin to blur. Unable to stay away from each other, AJ and Noah are forced to confront the truth of what happened years ago—and the devastating secret that will send their lives careening apart, even as fate continues to draw them together.

Blending unforgettable characters, explosive chemistry and yearning, and profound emotion, Into the Blue is a journey unlike any other—one that asks: What does it mean to diverge from the script to forge your own story? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I don’t even know where to start with this review…

This story is probably one of the more unique love stories I have read but I don’t want to tell you too much because I went into this one blind and I really, really recommend you do the same!

I started this book while I was nursing my daughter on a Friday night.  Being seven months postpartum, I usually nurse her and as soon as she falls asleep I try to get some sleep too but not this Friday night.  I was completely enamored with AJ and Noah from the very beginning and needed to know what happened to them.  These are characters I will definitely remember and as soon as you meet them, you will too.

If that’s not enough to convince you to read this book, here's a few more things I don’t think will ruin the reading experience for you. 

Slow burn.

Comedy shows and SNL skits.

A really, really cute doggy named Bud

Some side characters you are going to love and others that are going to infuriate you

Julian Whelan narrates the audio and I LOVED it! 

That’s it, that’s all you get and I hope you’ll reach out to me once you read it so that we can yap about it together.

I really loved this one, will be a favorite of the year for sure, and look forward to you loving it too!

Thanks to Random House for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase your copy here.

Also by Emma Brodie: Songs in Ursa Major

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Book Review: The Take

By Jami Denison

“Take” has many meanings. It’s the opposite of “give.” It’s a person’s share of a business or money left over after expenses. It’s an opportunity. It’s an interpretation of an event. In Hollywood-speak, it’s a different way to approach a known story. That there are so many definitions to the term is the first clue that Kelly Yang’s adult debut novel The Take is a multilayered, meaningful story that goes way beyond its propulsive plot. It’s a look at ambition, aging, sacrifice, feminism, parenting, marriage, friendship, and more. Through the points-of-view of two very different women, Yang captures the contentious dynamic between Gen X and Gen Z.

Feminist producer Ingrid Parker is tired of needing men to greenlight her projects. She’s 53 and she’s made 17 movies, for pete’s sake. But when her doctor tells her she has pre-cancerous cells, Ingrid would do anything to stay healthy. Her husband Kyle offers to use the $3 million settlement he got after getting fired for hiring hookers on the company dime to fund an experimental procedure: Ten blood transfusions from a young donor that would de-age Ingrid by ten years, while taking ten years from the giver. But even with all that money, who would be desperate enough to take that deal?

Former MFA student Maggie Wang is just that desperate. She quit her program when she found out her boyfriend slept with the famous author who told her she needed more life experience before she could write. When Ingrid tells her about the procedure, Maggie jumps. It’s not just for the money, which she’ll use to help her mother get dental surgery and her actress roommate to stop making cams. It’s for the chance to learn from all of Ingrid’s years of Hollywood experience. Maybe Ingrid can even help her get an agent! 

But as Ingrid literally sucks the blood out of Maggie, she also takes her ideas and her words. Ingrid sees it as mentoring, as Maggie “paying her dues” and doing the work in an industry notorious for demanding free labor and not giving second chances. Maggie thinks Ingrid is using her. And worst of all—those ten years that Maggie sold Ingrid? They might have been an underestimation. 

The Take is told from both women’s third-person points-of-view, and they both come across as sympathetic. Despite her reputation, Ingrid has no real power in Hollywood. An early scene shows her marching across a men’s-only golf club course to talk to her studio head, amid shouts of “I didn’t know your husband belonged here.” Her primary goal for the transfusions is to keep Kyle out of younger women’s beds. Her nearly adult children don’t value her. Maggie won’t listen to her advice about how Hollywood works and the best way to get ahead. Ingrid’s faults, however, keep her from being completely sympathetic. Rather than confess to her powerlessness, she lies to and manipulates the younger (often of color) women in her orbit who look to her as a mentor. She lies to Maggie about the real reason she wants the transfusions. And she continues to punish Kyle for his transgressions. 

Maggie starts the book being betrayed by an older woman, but she doesn’t hold that against Ingrid. The child of immigrant parents who worked day and night to keep her fed and clothed, Maggie has trauma from growing up that Ingrid teaches her to channel into her writing. She’s genuinely excited to help Ingrid look younger and to learn from her. But Maggie isn’t willing to wait her turn and play the Hollywood game. She wants money and recognition now. She gets bad advice from friends her age who tell her to use Ingrid’s name to get ahead. When she offers a fresh and exciting take on one of Ingrid’s projects, she thinks she deserves to be the screenwriter, even though she’s never written a screenplay. 

The interplay between the women is fascinating, as both their perspectives seem valid. Ingrid takes Maggie’s idea without giving her credit; isn’t this wrong? Ingrid knows that ideas are a dime a dozen and execution is all that matters. All Maggie has written is a single novella. Can she even write? The transfusions, the spine of the story, are the physical symbol of the relationship between them, but the question of how many years you would give up for how much money is something that extends beyond these two characters. Gen Z sees Gen X as people who wasted years in cold workplaces, sacrificing time with family and friends, only to lose their jobs in middle age. Gen X sees Gen Z as kids who aren’t committed to their careers, aren’t willing to come into the office like adults do, or answer their texts after 6pm. 

The Take resonated with me in an extremely personal way. I’ve been a writer since I was Maggie’s age. I’ve written novels, screenplays, short films. I’ve taken classes, won awards, gotten rejected by some of the biggest names in Hollywood and publishing. Now I’m older than Ingrid. If I had three million, would I spend it to go back ten years? Maybe. No matter your age, the industry always makes you feel like you’re running out of time. There’s always someone with a better take, with more connections, with the idea you’ve been working on for years. You have to finish your project and get it into the right hands before someone beats you to it. Yang’s exploration of these pressures proves that “write what you know” is more than just a pithy saying.  

I saw both women as protagonists, and I was hoping for a happy ending for both of them. But Yang may have intended them to be viewed differently, as she only gives one a bright resolution. Still, as everyone in the industry knows, you’re only as successful as your latest project.

The Take proves the adage: The more specific the characters, the more universal their plights will feel. Ingrid and Maggie resonate with readers of all ages, whether or not they’re also writers. The blood transfusion that will restore or sell youth may not exist, but the question of what we will give up for money is a trade-off that all generations end up grappling with. 

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

More by Kelly Yang (YA titles):
Parachutes
Private Label

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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Book Witch

The Book Witch is Meg Shaffer's latest novel and it is now available for everyone to read. We're excited to feature it here today! Melissa really liked it and will be reviewing soon. You can check out her Bookstagram post in the meantime. Readers who enjoyed The Astral Library (by Kate Quinn) will also appreciate this novel. Thanks to Random House, we have THREE copies to give away!

She can hop into any novel, but she just can’t stay there.

Rainy March is a proud, third-generation Book Witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps in and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes like a modern-day magical Nancy Drew.

Book Witches live by a strict code: Real people belong in the real world; fictional characters belong in works of fiction. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

Which is why Rainy has been forbidden from seeing the Duke of Chicago, the dashing British detective who stars in her favorite mystery series. If she’s ever caught with him again, she’ll be expelled from her book coven—and forced to give up the magical gifts that are as much a part of her as her own name.

But when her beloved grandfather disappears and a priceless book is stolen, there’s only one person she trusts to help her solve the case: the Duke. Their quest takes them through the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, and other classics that will reveal hidden enemies and long-buried family secrets.

“Meg Shaffer continues to surprise and delight me with each book she writes.”
—Laurie Gilmore, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Pumpkin Spice Café

“Meg Shaffer brought my childhood dreams to life in a gem of a book that is inventive, cozy, and important all at the same time.”
—Samantha Sotto Yambao, author of Water Moon

“A clever and heartfelt adventure . . . This novel captures the giddy, perilous magic of losing yourself in a good story, just like Rainy does. It’s a luminous, wildly imaginative delight that every book lover will cherish.”
—Hayley Gelfuso, author of The Book of Lost Hours

© Chanel Nicole Co.

Meg Shaffer is the USA Today bestselling author of The Lost Story and The Wishing Game, which was a Book of the Month finalist for Book of the Year as well as a Reader’s Digest and Washington Post Best Book of the Year, and has been translated into twenty-three languages. Shaffer holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting from Stephens College. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and two cats. The cats are not writers.

Visit Meg online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

How to win: Use KingSumo to enter the giveaway. If you have trouble using KingSumo on our blog, enter the giveaway here. If you are still having issues, please contact us.

Giveaway ends April 21st at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The Insomniacs

In the city that never sleeps, it’s not always easy to share what’s on your mind with the people who know you best. Huddled in an all-night diner over coffee and pancakes, a lonely middle-aged mom, an injured baseball pro, an elusive retiree, and a young waitress examine the thoughts that plague them in the middle of the night.

Empty-nester Sybil does what she does best: rolls up her sleeves and spearheads the efforts to turn this group of strangers into friends. Aimless after an injury threatens to ruin his career, Zeke finds genuine connection among the unlikely group. Tight-lipped Julian, who’s seemingly adrift in retirement and attempting to rebuild a relationship with his daughter, expands their circle when he takes their cagey diner waitress, Betty, under his wing. Betty, cautious about strangers and uncertain about strokes of good luck, entertains the trio in an attempt to resolve her own problems, which she keeps close to the vest.

Within a few restless months, the group of strangers have become a fragile family. And when one of them goes missing in the dead of night, they’re thrust into a propulsive mystery pulled straight from the true-crime podcasts Sybil obsesses over. Though ill-prepared and unequipped for the job, they begin to piece together the clues left behind. In chasing down answers, they uncover a reason for their friend’s disappearance, and are forced to wrestle with the question of how well you can really know anyone—and once you do, how much are you willing to risk to save them? And in doing so, save yourself? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Allyson Bales:

I am a HUGE Allison Winn Scotch fan.  I first fell in love with her writing when I read Time of My Life in 2008 and can still remember where I was and what was going on in my life when I read it.  

I highly suggest you read her whole backlog after you read The Insomniacs.

This story was different from Allison’s typical flavor but I really, really enjoyed it and mark my words, it's going to be a beach read of summer!

The Insomniacs follows a foursome of not-so-sleepy New Yorkers that met on an internet forum and later at an all night diner.  The story is part mystery, part women's fiction, part romance-ish and is so bingy!  I kid you not, I could not turn the pages fast enough to see what happens to these characters!  

I love a character driven story and you really are going to fall in love with them all.  I don’t want to tell you too much about them because well…just go meet them!  BUT, I found myself the most enamored with Sybil and I will be curious who you liked.

This story is perfect for fans of heartfelt characters and easy flowing stories.  I love that you get alternating chapters of all of their points of view that are short and really keep the story engaging!  I really would love to see this one turned into a movie!

Grab this one, you’re in for a real treat!

I also recommend the audio if you can. January LaVoy narrates and I could not stop listening!

Melissa Amster:

Each novel Allison Winn Scotch writes is so different from the next, so I didn't know what to expect from The Insomniacs. I was pleasantly surprised though and had a very hard time putting this novel down. 

I liked the concept of this novel a lot. People bound by their inability to sleep, coming together at an all-night diner and befriending a waitress working the graveyard shift. There's more to the story though and as their friendship moves into other spaces outside of the diner, things get more complex. I don't want to say too much as to not spoil the premise. I was definitely surprised by what happened toward the middle of the story and where things went after that. There was a mystery involved, as well. 

All of the characters were really interesting and I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing them interact. Everyone was just so genuine (even the ones with something to hide) and the dialogue stayed fresh the entire time. I just really wanted to know how things would turn out for them and couldn't stop turning the pages until I got answers...and those were not what I was expecting either. 

Overall, this was just a great story and it has become my favorite of Allison's novels! I can't stop recommending it either.

Side note: I found some small coincidences with Jodi Picoult's upcoming novel, Hollow Bones: The name Eloise is used in both and they have characters who were raised in a similar way. 

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post. May include spoilers.)

Movie casting suggestions:

Sybil: Zibby Allen (I had her in mind right away.)
Zeke: Anthony De La Torre
Betty: Maisy Stella
Julian: Jesse L. Martin

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

More by Allison Winn Scotch:

Time of My Life

Between Me and You

The Rewind

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TW: Religious cult. Death of a main character. Infidelity. Household accident involving a lot of blood. Divorce. Being stalked.