Book Review: Carrie Soto is Back

By Becky Gulc

Carrie Soto Is Back is the third novel I’ve read by Taylor Jenkins Reid in recent months. I loved Atmosphere and recently enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six. I listened to all three of these as audio books and loved them all! With Carrie, I downloaded it without even reading the synopsis as I had been so immersed in her other novels, I knew whatever it was about I’d love it too! So, what is it about?

‘Carrie Soto is fierce, and her determination to win at any cost has not made her popular. But by the time she retires from tennis, she is the best player the world has ever seen. She has shattered every record and claimed twenty Slam titles. And if you ask Carrie, she is entitled to every one. She sacrificed nearly everything to become the best, with her father as her coach. Javier—a former champion himself—has trained her since the age of two.

But six years after her retirement, Carrie finds herself sitting in the stands of the 1994 US Open, watching her record be taken from her by a brutal, stunning player named Nicki Chan.

At thirty-seven years old, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last year in an attempt to reclaim her record. Even if the sports media says that they never liked “the Battle Axe” anyway. Even if her body doesn’t move as fast as it did. And even if it means swallowing her pride to train with a man she once almost opened her heart to: Bowe Huntley. Like her, he has something to prove before he gives up the game forever.

In spite of it all: Carrie Soto is back, for one epic final season. In this riveting and unforgettable novel, Taylor Jenkins Reid tells her most vulnerable, emotional story yet.’  (Courtesy of Taylor Jenkins Reid's website.)

So, when I started reading this I was happy. Whilst I don’t play tennis, I love Wimbledon season and try and watch as much as the tournament as I can. I did wonder if it would be too focused on the sport, but it was perfect for me! 

Carrie is such a character, strong-willed, stubborn, determined, cold, and whilst she’s difficult to like ‘on paper’, somehow she’s still someone I very much liked and rooted for! I felt the drive and ambition throughout and it’s hard for me to believe she’s not actually real!

The relationship between Carrie and her father is fundamental in this novel and I loved how this evolved over time. Javier is so lovely and it got emotional at times. 

I can only imagine how tricky it is to make a tennis match suspenseful and exciting in a novel but this is done so well. I was completely invested in every shot and Carrie’s ambition to retain her record!

This is a novel that explores what it means to be a winner; the sacrifices, the drive needed, but also how someone can learn that winning simply isn’t everything. Even if you’re not a tennis fan I’m sure you’d enjoy this, it’s just written so well. Highly recommended!

Check out Melissa's review here.

More by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

Malibu Rising

Maybe in Another Life

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

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A taste of Rachel Linden's sweet life...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Mallory MacDonald

We're pleased to welcome Rachel Linden to CLC today and feature her latest novel, A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity. Chocolate and magical realism? Sign us up! We had fun chatting with Rachel and we hope you enjoy her answers to our questions. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy to share with a lucky reader!

Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in more than fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake, Recipe for a Charmed Life, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, and several other novels. Currently, Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island in the Pacific Northwest, where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, food, travel, and second chances at love – all with a touch of whimsy and a happy, hopeful ending.

Visit Rachel online:
Website * Facebook * Instagram

Synopsis:
Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family's struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime—a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true.

Her vision is more delectable than she could’ve imagined—her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. And when Henry suddenly arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible.

But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly longs for. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making?

"Heartfelt, heartwarming, joyful, and uplifting. You can't go wrong with a Rachel Linden book.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

"Perfect for fans of Hallmark movies. With a couple that fans will root for, along with supporting characters that add depth and charm to the novel, it’s a great read for a cozy afternoon.”

—Library Journal

What is a favorite compliment you received on your writing?
It’s a toss-up between lots of readers saying my novels feel like a warm hug and other readers commenting that while my books are yummy, happy stories, they have surprising emotional depth that often resonates with readers’ own lives. I love both of these compliments because my goal with each story is to give readers a nugget of something true and beautiful that they can put in their pocket and take away into their own lives. And really, who doesn’t like a warm hug? 

How is Emmie similar to or different from you?
I identify a lot with Emmie! Like me, she’s a mom who finds herself in the sandwich generation. She’s caring for her six-year-old son and her aging mother who is facing health challenges, and she’s also running her family’s fudge and candy shop in their charming little harbor town in the Pacific Northwest. Emmie is stretched thin and trying to figure out how to make space for herself in her own life! I, and a lot of other women I know, can identify with Emmie’s struggle to figure out who she is and what she really wants amidst all the responsibilities she carries. But while I’m happily married to my husband of eighteen years, Emmie is still looking for her great love. When she’s given the chance to choose between two wonderful guys, she has to muster the courage to follow her heart! 

If A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I’d cast Carey Mulligan or Reese Witherspoon as Emmie, Sam Claflin as Henry, and Charlie Hunnam as Jakob. 

What is your favorite chocolate treat?
I love really good quality European dark chocolate, particularly if it has caramel or nuts in it! And a real Belgian truffle is hard to beat! 

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
I’d want Nicole Kidman to narrate my life. I feel like everything would be more posh and glowy if Nicole Kidman were narrating it, even washing dishes and gardening in the rain! 

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see? 
I’d take you to the adorable Norwegian-inspired town of Poulsbo where I set A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity! We could eat yummy Norwegian pastries from Sluys Bakery, grab a honey hometown latte from Byrdie’s Coffee, then stroll around the darling downtown, and visit all of the real places I put in the book! Then I’d take you kayaking on Puget Sound (one of my very favorite things to do) and if we were very lucky, we might see an orca or two! 

Thanks to Rachel for visiting with us and to Berkley 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 26th at midnight EST.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Life in the 90s

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

This month, we were inspired by those posts where people shared pictures of themselves in the 90s. However, we had done a post similar to that a few years ago, before it was trendy. So instead we are talking about what life was like in the 90s. (And just for fun, we're using our retro pictures in this post.) I'm sure a lot of you can relate to 90s memories, but for those who were toddlers in the late 90s or not born until after 2000, this post is also for you.

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.

Sara Steven:

I had a lot of fun watching the “What were you like in the 90s” trends that hit social media not so long ago. Most of it was focused on celebrities, but it made me think about the 90s in general and what that decade was like for me.

There was a lot of freedom–the expectation was to rely on myself for mostly everything. I had to walk a mile to get to the closest city bus stop to get to school, then walk another half a mile once I’d been dropped off. The cycle repeated itself when school let out. Since I had a city bus pass, I’d often run around and take various bus routes to visit friends or see family, or I’d hang out in the downtown area and walk around the mall. There were no cell phones to check in with anyone. I’d have to scrounge up a quarter and use a pay phone and that was only for extreme emergencies.  

Wow. Look at that old school computer screen.

When I was fifteen, my grandparents (who I lived with off and on during my teen years) started traveling and going on week-long vacations, leaving me alone to keep an eye on things. Family members would check in on me from time to time, but it was up to me to get myself to school, keep the house clean, feed myself, and during summer breaks, they’d leave their dogs with me, too, so I had to ensure that all of us were alive and well when they’d return. It was scary, but it also made me feel highly independent and capable.

My best friend and I loved ordering free samples of things from magazines; you’d have to call the toll-free number on the bottom of an advertisement or write in to request the item. We received free feminine products, perfume samples, skincare, and makeup. The anticipation of waiting for our samples in the mail was part of the fun of it, too. You never knew what you’d find when you opened the mailbox that day. That same concept pertained to receiving anything in the mail. Correspondence would take days, or weeks, depending. But that sweet feeling when you’d find something with your name on it was well worth the wait.

Me and my best friend at Christmastime circa 1995 - we're still extremely close

I wore baggy, boot cut jeans–I’m so glad they’re available and back in fashion now. I borrowed 70s-style clothing from those who still had corduroy skirts and bell bottom pants from that decade, and when I’d wear dresses, I always paired them with my Converse chucks. It’s so funny to me how the 90s style is making a comeback right now, and when I lived the 90s, we were trying to get back to the 60s and 70s.

I remember listening to Madonna’s Erotica album on the radio when it first came out in 1992. The station we listened to on our boomboxes actually released the music–so, we did what any self-respecting 90s teen would do, and recorded the whole thing on a blank cassette tape. I remember making a lot of mix tapes for myself, for friends, for those I was romantically linked with. Nothing said love like a mix tape. Of course, once CDs entered the scene, burning music onto CDs was the new thing. The same excitement applied to VHS tapes. Once, I pulled an all-nighter recording various music videos from MTV–I still have that VHS tape. 

At a work event

I’ll be honest–I sometimes miss the simplicity of my life and how I grew up in the 90s. Of course, I was enthralled when I first heard the sounds of dial-up internet, and my first cell phone (2000) was a huge turning point in my life. But I liked filling my days with less technology and more outdoor exploring. I don’t recall ever feeling bored with my life. There was always something to do, someone to see, or somewhere to be, a sweet nostalgia that I wouldn’t trade for anything.   

Melissa Amster:

I was recently talking to my son about the stuff I brought with me to college and mentioned how I had a lot of videos and cassette tapes. He made a comment about how much has changed since then. (Way to make me feel old...)

In any case, life in the 90s was definitely a lot more simple. While we had the Internet, it was in early phases and there was no social media. If you wanted to communicate with your friends, you could just email a big group of them. I had a website, thanks to the guy I was dating at the time. He helped me set it up. I think it's long gone now! (I even had a V.C. Andrews club website.) Eventually, I joined these chat groups and became friends with some people with whom I am still in contact today. We also accessed the internet through a dial-up modem. We had to share that with the phone line. So yes, there were some drawbacks. 

I liked going to the mall a lot more in the 90s. The stores were more fun, instead of the tacky and pointless ones I see in malls today. The malls even had bookstores! Obviously my favorite reason for going to the mall. 

Courtesy of WKYC.com

The music was really good in the 90s. I prefer to listen to 90s music now instead of whatever is currently on the radio. That is, when I'm not listening to showtunes. Alanis was just starting out and I listened to her Jagged Little Pill cassette constantly. I also listened to Toad the Wet Sprocket a lot. 

I went to the movies all the time because they were actually reasonably priced. The most I usually paid was four dollars for a ticket. There were a lot of second-run dollar theaters around too, so that made it even easier to see movies more than once in the theater. I also didn't mind spending on candy at the theater because it was a lot less expensive. Maybe a dollar for a box of Raisinets. 

My favorite theater chain in the 90s
(Photo courtesy of YouTube)

There were a lot less options for TV, even with cable. We didn't have all the streaming channels, so it was basically whatever was on any given TV channel on any given day of the week. I had my shows that I watched regularly and sometimes had to record them on the VCR if I was going to be away. I think my first real binge-watch was Party of Five, when Lifetime started showing episodes every night in the late 90s.

Rent was huge for me in the 90s. I still love Rent and it will always be my top favorite musical, but there's something about how it felt to see it in the 90s that just added something extra. (Also, "What You Own" is different when we're 26 years after the end of the millenium. Still one of the best songs though!) My sister, a friend, and I spent all day waiting outside in the cold for $20 front row seats when it came to Chicago. I'm currently listening to Anthony Rapp's memoir, Without You, and it's bringing back all the feels from the early days of Rent.

At the end of an amazing day (March 10, 1998)

If you took photos, you did not receive them automatically. You had to go to a store and have the film developed, which took a few days. Then you'd get a packet with your photos printed out. There were also disposable cameras that you could bring to the store to have developed, but the camera was done after that.

A roll of film. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

We didn't have cell phones and usually had to use a pay phone to call our parents if we needed a ride home from school. Before cell phones came about, we had phones that connected to the car in order to activate. I had one and of course got in trouble the one day I forgot to call my parents when I got to school. I'm receiving my karma now though! 

With my first car.

Things felt safer back in the 90s. I could just go all over the place on bike rides or drive into the city late at night without feeling like there would be any problems. Nowadays, there have been acts of violence all over the place (just recently a bunch of teens were causing a huge ruckus inside a DC Chipotle and then I heard about a kid being stabbed at a local carnival) and it makes me just want to stay home all the time and constantly worry about my kids, who like to go out a lot. 

I wouldn't mind time traveling back to the 90s, to enjoy when life was easier in some ways, even with the lack of today's technology. I will leave you with this post that I wrote at my personal blog back in 2015, but it still epitomizes how I feel about the 90s.

What were the 90s like for you?

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Book Review: Safari Murder Party

By Sara Steven

Fletcher Spence is dying for a promotion. And her colleagues are more than happy to oblige.

After three years working seventy-hour weeks as assistant to the most terrifying CEO in the magazine world, Fletcher finally finagled a spot on Cartwright Media’s annual corporate retreat—a famously luxurious week on the Cartwrights’ private island, where promotions are handed out like party favors. And her plan to snag her dream job as a travel magazine photographer was going great...until her boss’s dramatic death reveals his last will and testament: Whoever survives the week will inherit the company.

So now she’s stuck on her billionaire boss’s safari park island, surrounded by wild animals and on the run from coworkers who’ve swapped coffee cups for machetes and briefcases for hunting rifles.

To Fletcher’s dismay, her only ally might be her boss’s insufferably gorgeous son, Waylon Cartwright. Despite their hostile history, Fletcher is at least 80 percent sure he won’t try to kill her this week. Plus, his experience on the island might come in handy while they fend off lions and tigers and...marketing executives? Oh my.

While Fletcher battles her own ambitions and her unexpected attraction to Waylon, her power-hungry, bloodthirsty colleagues will do anything to stop them from escaping with their lives. Everyone knows the media industry is cutthroat, but in this safari party, it’s never been more true. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

I didn’t read the synopsis before reading Safari Murder Party, so I had no clue as to what might be in store for Fletcher. One minute, she’s fighting for her job and a much-needed promotion. The next, she was fighting for her life in some of the craziest ways imaginable. 

Initially, Fletcher wasn’t meant to be part of the annual corporate retreat. She’s seen as Cartwright’s beck and call girl, not someone who would ever be considered for a job that doesn’t include doing anything and everything for one the meanest bosses to ever exist on the page–right up there with Miranda Priestley. She knows how everyone views her, her boss included, so she makes a last-minute decision to force her way into the retreat.

It could end up being the very choice that could get her killed, and that’s no exaggeration. The private island becomes a free for all, potential death around every corner. All Fletcher has is her wits and her astounding ability to know the tiny minutiae details about her coworkers, with plenty of scenes lending into close calls and self-preservation. It was action packed and exciting! I had no idea what would happen for her, or for her coworkers. Much like Fletcher’s internal dialogue, I often wondered if the chaos was really happening. Did her boss seriously orchestrate a Hunger Games-like death match until the one last standing gets the reward? 

Despite the fiction, it felt real. Fletcher encounters her coworkers gone wild, and the actual wild, with monkeys and tigers and everything in between. Waylon, the one man she loathes but secretly lusts for, becomes her go-to, which only further proves just how insane her world has become. Does he really mean it when he says he wants to see her survive, or is he only bringing her along until the end is near? And, maybe Fletcher has some tricks up her own sleeves, too. Safari Murder Party was the most insanely wild reading experience and I was there for it, every step of the way! A true five-star experience!

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

Also by Rachel Moore:
The Library of Shadows
Us in Ruins

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Spotlight: The Burning Side

When April and Leo’s house burns in the middle of the night, they escape with their two young children and the quiet knowledge that the fire is not the only thing threatening their family. They retreat to April’s childhood home in Dallas, where her spirited parents and siblings provide both comfort and complication.

As the family reckons with the aftermath—grief, guilt, logistics, and memories scorched and intact—the fire exposes the cracks already forming in April and Leo’s marriage. The novel unfolds in alternating perspectives: from April, who feels the crushing weight of motherhood, marriage, and self-blame; from Leo, a high school history teacher shaped by a lonely, fractured childhood; from Deb, April’s generous and no-nonsense mother who has to contend with her husband’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis; and from flashbacks that trace April and Leo’s relationship from its earliest days of connection to the devastating decisions that led them here.

A family saga suffused with humor, longing, and heartbreak, The Burning Side is about what we inherit and what we choose, about forgiveness and the ache of being known. It is, above all, about the meaning of home and the costs of long love.

Purchase The Burning Side

"Following the breakout success of her debut, The Bright Years, Damoff continues to explore the interplay of the many relationships that make up a family with rare sensitivity."
—Oprah Daily

“Sarah Damoff has a rare gift for creating endearing characters who are recognizable human beings, flawed people striving to do their best for those they love.”
—Dallas Morning News

Photo by Kaylynn Krieg

Sarah Damoff is the best-selling author of The Bright Years. Her writing has appeared in Oprah Daily, Porter House Review, Ruminate Magazine, and Open Global Rights, among other publications. She lives with her husband and children in Texas, where she has been a social worker. Visit Sarah at her website and on Instagram. 

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Book Review and Giveaway: The Shippers

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest ), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sister’s a little busy being a bride at the moment—so JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wingman. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if she’s honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJo’s life. It’s bliss for her to see him again, and it’s agony, too—and the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she can’t bring herself to ask.

Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance—as JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Allyson Bales:

I am a BIG Katherine Center fan. 

I read Happiness For Beginners in 2015 and immediately fell in love with her writing and her imperfect and lovable characters. Ever since then her books always end up on my favorites list of the year. 

The Shippers is no exception and dare I say in my top three favorites of Center's. 

I ship this book and all its characters so hard! I knew immediately that I was going to love JoJo. She’s quirky,  teaches math and is just that heroine you root for. I found myself laughing out loud at so much that she did in this story. She has such awkward moments but Center writes them in such a relatable way that I found myself thinking of myself or my best friend in so many of the story's hilarious moments. I also really really loved so many of her family members.  Her sister stole my heart pretty early on but so does another family member as the story progresses. You’ll know exactly who I’m talking about. 

You also get to meet Cooper, JoJo’s childhood bestie and he really steals the show. 

I loved the cruise ship setting, the way Center explores deeper, more vulnerable topics, and the heartfelt messages so many of characters represent along the way. 

I was lucky enough thanks to Macmillan Audio to get to listen to this one as well and if you can, I really REALLY recommend the audio. Patti Murin narrates and she does an amazing job of bringing JoJo and the whole amazing story to life! 

This will definitely be one of THE rom-coms of the summer! 

Melissa Amster:

I adore Katherine Center's novels. They are fun and uplifting and her main characters have conversations with us, like they are inviting us into their world. Her latest rom-com, The Shippers, is so entertaining and enjoyable. You will want Cooper as a book boyfriend by the time you get to the middle of the story. 😍 

This story is basically a virtual vacation on a cruise. I felt like I was on the ship with JoJo and her family the entire time. Such a fun adventure! 

I loved the banter between JoJo and Cooper. You could tell there was chemistry between them but it was such a "will they, won't they" type of situation. Especially since Cooper was supposed to be JoJo's wingman to help her get together with Finn, who barely acknowledged her presence.

Cleithrophobia is mentioned in this novel. I had never heard this word before but it is definitely a phobia of mine. It's also the reason I gave up on a show I was watching for a long time. Look it up. I'll wait...

One part of the story felt a bit far-fetched for me (it has to do with the trigger warning), but it wasn't a huge issue in the grand scheme of things and it didn't take away from my enjoyment one bit. 

This delightful novel will be available tomorrow and it's perfect for kicking off your summer reading. Katherine loves love, and it truly shows in her writing!

Movie casting suggestions:
JoJo: Lisa Gilroy
Cooper: Tyler Courtad
Finn: Hunter Parrish 
Ashley: Julianne Hough
Harmony: Taylor Ortega

(Trigger warning below.)

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away!

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 25th at midnight EST.

More by Katherine Center:

The Bodyguard

Things You Save in a Fire

Hello Stranger

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TW: Someone gets trapped someplace while trying to escape a dangerous situation.

Book Review: The One Day You Were My Husband

By Sara Steven

2010. Carrie and Johan, madly in love, marry on the beach in Thailand, five months into their whirlwind romance. Carrie, a British surgical intern, knows she’s being uncharacteristically impulsive but is too happy to care. But as the wedding festivities stretch into the night, armed men swarm the beach and arrest Johan for crimes unknown. In police custody, Johan refuses to see or speak to Carrie. She never sees him again.

2022. Carrie is settled in the English countryside with her husband, Robin, and their six-year-old twins. After a difficult entry into motherhood, Carrie has given up her career as a physician and has convinced herself that life as a mother and wife is enough. Until she stumbles across an online post that makes her realize Johan is out of prison—has been out for years. As the memories of their intense, passionate relationship return to her, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth about what happened on that beach all those years ago—even if that means putting her marriage and family in jeopardy.

And just when Carrie thinks she knows what she must do, a shocking twist confirms the truth found in every Rosie Walsh novel: Everyone has something to hide. The One Day You Were My Husband asks listeners what—and whom—they would give up to return to a first love, and to the people they once were. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

One of the aspects I loved most about The One Day You Were My Husband is how caught up the reader gets in Carrie’s perplexities. I felt just as blindsided by Johan’s arrest, and felt just in the dark as to why it even happened. Carrie can’t believe the stories and knows deep in her core that he is truly innocent, but when Johan cuts off all ties with her, she’s forced to move past the man who is her first love and continue on in life.

When Carrie discovers Johan is free and has also moved on with his own life, I trusted in her pain and introspection. It changes everything. There is a lot of struggle in trying to decide what is best for herself, and what is best for her family. Over chapters we get to see what really happened with Johan, why he made the choices he did, and the ultimate truth behind a time in Carrie’s life when she thought she knew where she stood. I fully supported her decisions and could understand why she had to gain more clarity on the most difficult time in her life. I think it would have driven her mad otherwise.

There is a major twist that I did not see coming! The points of view from Carrie, with the past bleeding into the present, really set the tone and set up the twist so effortlessly, my mouth literally dropped open. The biggest question becomes: Where does Carrie go from there? And really, I had no clue what she would do. It is such a difficult situation and there is no easy answer for her going forward. The twist created such a fast-paced thrilling moment into obscurity. 

Ultimately, I really liked what she decided to do in the aftermath. Some of it was expected, but I can’t see it ending any other way than how it did, and it felt right. The One Day You Were My Husband could be a miniseries or made-for-TV movie, and if that ever really happens I am there for it. It was a five-star experience!   

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

More by Rosie Walsh:
Ghosted
The Love of My Life

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Love at first chapter with Katie Holt...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Leah Holt

We're excited to have Katie Holt visiting us today to talk about her latest novel, The Last Page. This indie bookstore romance is sure to have readers swooning. We loved chatting with Katie and her answers to our questions are so much fun to read. Thanks to Alcove Press, we have TWO copies to give away!

Katie Holt is a New York City resident but a Tennessee native. She studied English with a concentration in creative writing at NYU and fought with every professor to prove that romance novels were worthy of their time. She’s a Nora Ephron fanatic, Swiftie, and warm chocolate chip cookie enthusiast. Katie is also the author of her highly-acclaimed debut Not in My Book.

Visit Katie online:
Website * Instagram * TikTok

Synopsis:
Ella has grown up at The Last Page, a charming local bookstore in New York City where she now works. Her first kiss was in the women’s health section. A boyfriend dumped her in comedy. The owner is like a second father to her and has begun training her to take over the store. So when he unexpectedly dies and his estranged grandson is left everything in the will, Ella is devastated.

Henry doesn’t know the first thing about running a bookstore. With his aging mom back in Tennessee, he plans to stay in New York just long enough to ensure things are running smoothly and then head back home. What he never could have counted on was the beautiful, funny bookseller who loves The Last Page more than any place in the world—and who sees him as the villain who’s come to ruin her life.

But when it becomes evident that the store is in deep financial trouble and Henry and Ella are both at risk of losing everything, they have no choice but to put their differences aside and team up—despite the inconvenient chemistry blossoming between them. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

“Holt expertly injects their romance with humor while crafting a love letter to book lovers and New York City. This is a charmer.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Holt’s novel has so much to savor: a large cast of lively characters, laugh-out-loud banter, a whimsical bookshop setting, an excellently executed slow-burn enemies-to-lovers storyline, and a bustling backdrop. Recommended for fans of emotional, steamy, bookish romances with strong Latine leads.”
—Library Journal, starred review

“A cute literary-themed romance.”
—Kirkus 

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
This is honestly hard to narrow down! I love when people tell me they've laughed out loud in certain scenes or cried. Or that New York City felt like a character. But, I had one reader send me a DM on Instagram gushing over Not in My Book. She told me she'd always felt too much and that the kind of love she wanted didn't seem to exist, but Rosie and Aiden changed her mind. That's exactly what I wanted to get across with Not in My Book--that your romantic standards aren't too high, you're just not meeting the right partners yet, and that you are never too much for the right person. That one lingered for days. 

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing The Last Page?
This one was definitely challenging to write in a lot of ways!! I felt a lot of pressure after Not in My Book and hoping I could somewhat live up to my debut. But, this is a larger cast of characters and a wayyyy slower burn. It was honestly challenging to write a relationship where friendship really needed to be the base. The biggest reward has been readers' responses so far, though! I try my best not to look at reviews...but somehow I always get too curious and poke around online. This is a romance, obviously, but there's a lot of discussion on grief here! To see that resonated with people and again, that people saw themselves in Ella. 

If The Last Page were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
This question is always so hard!! I try not to imagine actors/actresses when I write (though this is based off of Leslie Knope x Ben Wyatt) and I feel like I never know any celebrities when I'm asked this question. A lot of people fancast Isabela Merced as Rosie (for Not in My Book), but she's wayyy more Ella to me! I think she nails that sickly sweet and deadpan line really well. For Henry, I imagined a young Adam Scott (if he was a football player), but Leo Woodall comes to mind!!

What is your go-to independent bookstore?
My girl The Strand!!! So much of this book was based on my time as a bookseller there. I absolutely loved working there and often return to wander around. It's a reader's paradise. But, when I'm home, I love going to Good Girl Books in Knoxville, TN. I would've done anything to have a romance only bookstore when I was growing up and I love that romance readers have a space to connect!

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
HA I love this question!! Tina Fey came to mind immediately! She has such a sharp mind and I think she'd give me the kind of brutal honesty that John McEnroe gave Devi in Never Have I Ever. 

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
There's so much to do in New York! I feel like I'd have to take you to get some Peruvian food. Pio Pio and Don Ceviche are wonderful choices. I've been obsessed with this game bar in the West Village, Cellar Dog, recently. There's live jazz and ping pong tables, shuffle boards, pool tables, and game boards. And Little Island! I love walking along the West Side Highway and meandering around there. And, naturally, a trip to the Strand!

Thanks to Katie for chatting with us and to Alcove 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 19th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The May House

By Melissa Amster

No matter what’s going on in the May sisters’ lives, the one thing they can rely upon is seeing each other for one week in May at their grandmother’s beachside home in gorgeous Coronado. As adults, Julia, Emily, and Nora aren’t particularly close, their homes spread out across the country and the sisters busy with careers, relationships, and the minutiae of life, but their promise to return each year keeps them anchored together.

Until one May when Julia, the oldest and most dependable sister, doesn’t show. Suddenly Nora and Emily start to question how much they truly know about their sister’s life. Told in alternating points of view, spanning from their time together with Grandma Vera as kids into their adult lives, The May House explores how a decades-long family secret has unknowingly shaped each sister and, ultimately, how it brings them closer together.

Funny, poignant, and brimming with heart, The May House is an irresistible story about the special bond between sisters who are figuring out what matters most in life, in all its ups and downs. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have read and enjoyed many of Jillian Cantor's historical and contemporary novels. Her latest, The May House, is different from her previous writing, but still wonderful in so many ways. 

I loved getting to know Julia, Emily, and Nora over the many years this story takes place. The annual setting in Coronado was cozy and beautiful. I also liked seeing what was happening for them outside of their yearly gathering. During an author chat on Facebook last week, I had asked Jillian what influenced her to pivot from her darker novels to one of a lighter nature. She said that The May House has some darkness too. I see where she's coming from in terms of certain aspects (see the trigger warnings), but her previous novels went from historical to suspense. This one is more of a cozy read following the lives of three women, but they do face their share of sadness. 

This was an enjoyable story overall and I like this new direction Jillian has ventured into with her writing. I was engaged the entire time, wondering what would happen for the sisters. All three have interesting lives that include problems to resolve. There's even a small mystery to figure out, when Julia doesn't show up for the annual week at the house.

The May House is now available and it's perfect for your summer reading list! (Be sure to have all the fixings for s'mores available, as you'll be craving them.) Fans of 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand will especially enjoy this novel.

Movie casting suggestions (the book spans many years, so I just focused on the present):

Julia: Sarah Chalke

Emily: Clea DuVall

Nora: Autumn Reeser

Nate: Scott Foley

(Trigger warnings below. May contain spoilers.)

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

More by Jillian Cantor:
Beautiful Little Fools
In Another Time
The Fiction Writer

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TW: Death of parent, death at childbirth, death of grandparent, cancer, divorce, parental abandonment, infidelity, miscarriage

Spotlight and Giveaway: The Cupid Dilemma

We're excited to celebrate the publication of April Asher's latest rom-com, The Cupid Dilemma. It sounds like a fun fake dating story and we're loving the cover too. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy to give away!

A lover of love and a champion for happily ever after. Those are two of many things people expect from Aphrodite’s daughter. To Adalyn Whitlock, ‘love’ pays the bills, and currently, not well. Business is dropping at Happily Ever Forever, with her latest wedding planning catastrophe ending in a negative social media storm and her sister Maxi’s matchmaking ability on the fritz. To top it off, there’s an ex-boyfriend calling her ‘the Anti-Aphrodite’ and paparazzi pics linking Addie to her new client’s older brother.

Phoenix "Nix" Cross―songwriter and drummer for the hot new band, The Stone Talons―is no saint, but he's far from the womanizer the band’s image rep bestowed on him. If anything, Nix is a romantic, hopeful he'll find a love like the one his parents share. With the band’s star quickly rising and the record label pressuring him to deliver their next hit, Nix’s writer’s block couldn’t have come at a worse time. But when he opens his door to his irate new next-door neighbor, Nix feels the brief flash of inspiration for the first time in ages. And it just so happens that his new Muse is none other than his little sister’s new wedding planner.

With Addie needing an end to her public-relations nightmare and the record label breathing down Nix’s neck, the pair agree to a fauxmance. But what happens when the emotions turned on for the cameras don't turn off? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"A feel-good romance with good friends, loving family, an adorable three-heads-in-one dog, sparkles, and even a plushy unicorn!" 
- Booklist

"Plenty of banter... [and] delightful cozy chaos... Hand to readers who love the fake­-dating trope and rock-star romances." 
- Library Journal

Credit: Amie Otto

USA Today Bestselling Author April Asher was hooked on romantic stories from the time she first snuck a bodice-ripper from her mom's bedside table. By day, April dons dark blue nursing scrubs and drinks way too much caffeine. By night, she still consumes too much caffeine, but she does it with a laptop in hand. She pens rom-coms with a paranormal twist, but also writes high-octane romantic suspense as April Hunt. She lives out her own happily-ever-after in Virginia with her college-sweetheart husband and their two children.

Visit April 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 May 17th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Dangerously Ours

By Sara Steven

**Synopsis may contain spoilers for the previous books in the series**

Conning the rich and fleeing to new cities is all ex-grifter Phoebe Graves has ever known—until she started building real relationships in a small yet wealthy Connecticut town. But she’s worried these new bonds won’t hold fast as more than one big bad wolf threatens to blow down those she loves most.

And now more than ever, she has a reason to stay in one place. Among them is Brayden “Rocky” Tinrock, her best friend’s older brother, who’s been a partner to Phoebe during every daring and exhilarating con. And then of course there’s Hailey Tinrock, her best friend, whose precious secret they’ll do anything to protect. . . .

As Phoebe and her family team up with the Tinrocks to fight for a chance at a home, they confront the demons of their pasts and must do the impossible . . . deceive the most cunning con artist they’ve ever known. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I’ve read all three books in the Webs We Weave series, and I can honestly say this was my favorite installment, hands down! I’ve come to appreciate all of the primary characters in this series, which makes the last book bittersweet. The friendship between Phoebe and Hailey is strong and apparent, particularly when Hailey finds herself in a predicament she could have never predicted, and there is a moment when Hailey puts herself in harm's way to protect her best friend. The primary theme that runs within this tight-knit group is friendship and love, despite the odds. They were raised to con, but one thing they refuse to do is con each other.

There are new, unique relationships that form this go around, too. I found it refreshing and true to life. Hailey, Jake, and Oliver are forging their own path and I never questioned the honesty in it. It felt right. The Phoebe/Rocky relationship was sweet, too. If anything, the romantic relationships that form in this book series are never conventional, and the bond between Phoebe and Rocky fits in that vein. The best things in life are worth waiting for, and I could really feel that with those two.

The most cunning con artist who is mentioned in the synopsis is a villain that is unexpected. Emotions are split in two while the group decides the best course of action, and there are no easy answers. Overall, I could sense just how much everyone wants to get out of the con business, settling down in Connecticut and going legit. But there are obstacles in their way, whether it’s villains or in some cases, monsters, threatening their sense of security at every turn. 

What made this my favorite installment was how open and honest the writing felt with all of the characters involved. Love them or hate them, or falling somewhere in between, each character was their authentic self and I couldn’t help but feel entangled within their triumphs and fears. Out of all of the characters, I loved the Hailey angle. She genuinely loves fiercely and refuses to choose just one road to travel on, and why should she have to? It’s been a windy road for this group of changed con artists, and I only hope the best for all of them. Dangerously Ours was a dangerously addictive five-star read!  

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

More by Krista and Becca Ritchie:
Addicted to You (Addicted series)
Whatever It Takes (Bad Reputation Duet)
The Failed Audition (Circus is Family series)

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Book Review: Lies to Forever

By Sara Steven

April Manning’s generous nature has always been a gift, and her greatest weakness. After being scammed out of her life savings by a trusted friend, April is left with an eviction notice and one last hope: reclaiming her position as an interior designer at her old architectural firm, even if it means a showdown with head architect Hunter Ellis, her cheating ex.

But that’s not the only hitch. When the owner of the firm turns up dead, the last thing April expects to find is the bloody murder weapon on her doorstep.

Now the killer sets a plan for April and suspicion flares at every turn…from the mysterious new handyman, to an estranged family member she’s tried to forget. Chased from her dream home and cornered like prey, April is hemmed by the wintry forests of Tennessee with few options. As chilling memories of childhood abandonment haunt her, it seems everyone has a hidden agenda to take April down.

Only one thing is certain. A monster is stalking Smoky Creek, and April must unmask them before they land the fatal blow. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon)

The stakes continually rose higher and higher for April. All at once, she discovers that her life savings is gone, she’s homeless, and there is no source of income to rely on, due to decisions made in an effort to support an ailing friend. Just when I thought that there might be an opportunity for some peace, she’d get hit again with a life-altering blow that firmly dictated her absolute need for job security. 

It makes sense that April would choose to go back to her old job. When she attempts to meet up with the former boss to see if it would even be an option for her, she discovers his body, and that’s where the instigating moment begins and all hell breaks loose. There is no safe space for her at every turn; not her home, or out in public. Not even far out within the Tennessee woods. Someone keeps finding her, putting her life, and anyone she associates with, in jeopardy. 

Lies to Forever was the best kind of suspenseful thriller. For most of the journey, I wanted to know why April has been targeted, and who the culprit(s) might be. The police begin to question her authenticity, whether everything that is happening to her is really someone else’s handiwork, or if it’s self-inflicted, and it even got me questioning her motives! The people April trusts become potential culprits. Family isn’t off limits, either. Can someone really be so unlucky? Or is there more going on beneath the surface? 

When the end unravels and the truth is revealed, everything is turned on its head. The experience is wild and risky, with April’s life hanging in the balance. I appreciated the mystery and intrigue, never really knowing what would come next for April or for any of the other characters that are there to support her–or are they? Everybody is questionable, and that’s what made Lies to Forever so much fun. 

Thanks to Marlene M. Bell for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Marlene M. Bell:
A Hush at Midnight
Stolen Obsession
Scattered Legacy

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Turning the page with Andrew Forrester...plus a book giveaway

Credit:  Kate Stafford Weaver

Today we are excited to welcome Andrew Forrester to CLC. His debut novel, How the Story Goes, released earlier this week and it sounds really intriguing. We had fun chatting with Andrew and hope you will enjoy his answers to our questions as much as we did. Thanks to HarperCollins, we have TWO copies to give away!

Andrew Forrester is a writer and former English teacher whose work has appeared in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and Parents magazine. He holds a PhD in nineteenth-century British literature and lives in Austin, Texas with his family. Visit Andrew at his website and on Instagram.

Synopsis:

In this heartwarming, bookish debut, a young widower of a famous children’s fantasy author teams up with a down-on-her-luck MFA dropout to write the final book in his late wife’s series...and find their own perfect ending along the way.

Whit Longacre has a monumental task and a looming deadline. After his wife, Helen, died of cancer, she left him with their grieving eight-year-old daughter and a surprise in her will: the small task of writing the final book in her mega-popular children’s fantasy series for her legions of waiting fans.

Whit is the author of moderately successful (but well-received!) literary mysteries. He doesn’t have the first idea of how to complete Helen’s beloved series, and his enigmatic wife seems to have left no clues behind on how the story is supposed to end. Writer’s block is one thing, but to fail in fulfilling his wife’s last wish? Whit is guilt-ridden and dodging calls in the school pick-up line from Helen’s publisher and agent as the deadline fast approaches.

Then Whit meets Merritt Pryor, who works at the local bookstore in their small New England town. Merritt has moved back home after a disastrous affair led to her dropping out of her prestigious MFA program. When Whit realizes that Merritt is a superfan of the Greenwood Castle series, they come up with a plan to tackle the book together. For the first time in years, Merritt finds herself falling back in love with writing…and perhaps with the coauthor offering her the opportunity of a lifetime.

But when Whit uncovers a buried secret about Helen’s final wishes, he questions everything about what he and Merritt have created together, endangering the tender, electrifying partnership that has transformed their lives.

Can Whit and Merritt come up with an ending that feels right…for both a beloved series and for their battered hearts? 

"With exquisite worldbuilding, finely-drawn characters, and the perfect helping of escapism, Andrew Forrester has created an enchanting story that reads like the best of classic romance and cozy fantasy combined, as if Nora Ephron had penned a version of the Chronicles of Narnia for adults. How the Story Goes is a gift for book lovers." 
- Ashley Winstead, USA Today bestselling author of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife

"Brimming with charm, heart, and humor! Reading How the Story Goes is like stepping into your favorite Nora Ephron film. It is a salve for the world-weary soul.” 
- Alex Kiester, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of The Missing Half

“Set in a dreamily charming New England town, How the Story Goes is about smart, empathetic humans wondering how you carry on when your life story has gone awry. I loved losing myself in the novel's world of bookstores and libraries, lingering over tea by roaring fires, rediscovering alongside Forrester's rich characters the pleasure of creating art and the solace of love.” 
- Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?
The road to publishing was long and slow, but it was also filled with helpful people, lucky coincidences, and real joys!

How is Whit similar to or different from you?
Whit and I share some of the same neuroses and an occasional internal curmudgeonliness that we mask with politeness. We're also both dads of third graders! But I would say that Whit is a little more weighed down by the burdens that come with authorship than I am: I actually love the process of drafting, and while I do get stuck, I don't think I've ever despaired that I might never write again. Also his house is nicer than mine.

If How the Story Goes was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
Friends have asked me this enough that I have now gone and done research: Hailee Steinfeld (whom I love) is the perfect age for Merritt. The sort of harried but determined air she gives off in Edge of Seventeen would work wonders here! And then I think Penn Badgley can pull off the bedraggled and grumpy but loveable and handsome thing that Whit needs. Netflix, call me.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I just finished Portia Elan's Homeland, another debut novel that was also published on May 5th. It's beautiful, impressive, and a really great read for anyone who enjoyed Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Cloud Cuckoo Land, or The Sea of Tranquility. I loved it.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
I would love for David Tennant to narrate my life like he does in the excellent BBC series, Twenty Twelve, W1A, and the new (as of yet unwatched for me) Twenty Twenty Six. Either that or the Muses from Disney's 1997 classic, Hercules.

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I live in Austin, and I'd love to show you Barton Springs, the Blanton Museum of Art, Radio (my favorite coffee shop), the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, and probably, for dinner, Loro. But if you're reading this anytime after early May, I might suggest holding off until, like November. The heat is brutal, and you have been warned!
 

Thanks to Andrew for chatting with us and to HarperCollins for sharing his 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 12th at midnight EST.

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