Book Review: Making Friends Can Be Murder

By Sara Steven

It feels like kismet when Sarah Jones, newly relocated to Minneapolis after abruptly calling off her engagement, gets invited to join a group of women who share her same very common name. For years Sarah has received all types of correspondence intended for different Sarah Joneses, but now it seems that this mistake has given her the opportunity for an instant community.

What starts as a low-stakes meet-up called “The Sarah Jones Project” soon turns sinister when another local Sarah Jones is found dead, under suspicious circumstances, at the base of the downtown Minneapolis bridge. After fielding numerous calls from concerned loved ones ruling out their Sarah as the victim, the surviving Sarahs decide to take matters into their own hands. Aided by the dead woman’s nanny, a newly commissioned (and very handsome and eligible) FBI agent, and a cloistered nun with a complicated past, the motley crew of unlikely friends are determined to get to the bottom of the murder of one of their own.

Between a budding romance and best friendship, Sarah feels like she’s in the right place at the right time, right up until the facts of the murder case begin stacking up too close to home. Can their team piece together where the deceptions lead before the killer silences someone else? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

From the very start, I loved the unique backdrop to this book! "The Sarah Jones Project" is such a clever idea, one I wish I could be part of–would they take a Sara who doesn’t have an “h” in her name? Sarah Jones, the fitness trainer, feels as though she’s found her special friend group through other women with the same name she has, which is a welcome reprieve given she’s new to town.

What starts out as a friend group turns into so much more–a sleuthing group. A possible murderous group. Sarah felt sure she could trust everyone, one Sarah Jones in particular who has become her newfound bestie, but it’s hard not to question everything with a Sarah Jones dead and another receiving threats to stave off the hunt to discover what really happened at the downtown Minneapolis bridge. 

One minute, I felt sure as to who killed Sarah Jones. But then again, with so many twists and turns, it’s hard to pinpoint what really happened and who is really the biggest suspect. Through it all, I loved reading the chat messages between all of the Sarahs, who identify with one another by their ages, as well as getting an inward view from fitness trainer Sarah, Sarah’s bestie (27) and even more from Sarah’s potential love interest who works for the FBI and even has the last name of Nightingale! Nightingale has a parallel storyline that ties in nicely with what is going on with the Sarahs, and the reader gets to learn more about him through his past and present experiences. Everything went well together, combining a mishmash of unusual characters to find out what really happened and solve the crime! Making Friends Can Be Murder was a definite five-star experience for me.

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

More by Kathleen West:
Are We There Yet?
Minor Dramas and Other Catastrophes
Home or Away

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Book Review: Slow Burn Summer

By Allyson Bales

She’s playing the part of romance author, but has she found her own real life love story?

Talent agent Charlie Francisco has three problems: a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never planned to inherit, and a take-your-breath-away romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with its publication. The book is a surefire hit, if only his agency can find someone to “play” author on its summer book tour.

Enter Kate Elliott, a former soap actress who’s miraculously right for the part at the very moment her life seems to be going all wrong. Kate is still recovering from her own divorce and Charlie’s job offer is a lifeline. She agrees to the pretense for all interviews, signings, and appearances surrounding the novel’s publication. But she can’t know who really wrote the remarkable story—the one so beautiful it’s made her believe in love again.

When Kate and Charlie meet they’re all friction and sparks—the one thing they have in common is they’re determined to play their respective parts. But as the summer heat ups and the lies get bigger and bigger, can they stick to their lines . . . or will they go off-script? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Josie Silver has been a favorite author of mine since her release of One Day in December.  That book continues to live rent free in my head.  If you haven’t read One Day in December yet, read Slow Burn Summer first and then read that one!

Josie has such a heartfelt and warm writing style.  I don’t think she has written a leading lady that I haven’t immediately connected with and really loved. In Slow Burn Summer you get to meet Kate.  She is so vulnerable and real. What you see is what you get; she really wears her heart on her sleeve.  She acted when she was younger and then got married young and is now going through a divorce and needs a job.  She reaches out to an old agent and ends up meeting Charlie instead.  I think you are really going to love Charlie!  

Charlie offers Kate an opportunity to pose as a romance author and what ensues is incredibly entertaining and so much fun!  I do not want to give too much away but you get a T-Rex, a loyal book community, and a sister bond that will make your heart melt.  I also love the mystery aspect of the story and you will know what I am talking about when you start reading!

This is such a fun summer slow burn romance!  Definitely read this one if you love books about books, a leading lady that will make you feel seen, and some pretty funny banter!

Also, thanks to Penguin Random House Audio I was able to do an immersive read of this one and really, really enjoyed Anna Acton’s narration.  She really brought the story to life conveying the emotions of the characters beautifully!

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

More by Josie Silver:

One Day in December

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

A Winter in New York

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Kaira Rouda has a lot to be happy about...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Candice Dartez

We're pleased to have Kaira Rouda back at CLC today. She's been here a bunch of times and we've enjoyed watching her go from contemporary fiction to psychological thrillers. Her latest thriller, Jill is Not Happy, is a wild ride! Melissa recently gave it five stars (see her review). Thanks to MeganBeatie Communications, we have one copy to give away!

Kaira Rouda is a USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author known for her gripping domestic suspense novels, including The Widow, The Next Wife, and Best Day Ever. Her work, translated into more than a dozen languages, has earned multiple accolades, including Amazon Editor’s Picks and a Silver Falchion Award. A passionate advocate for the writing community, she co-hosts the Killer Author Club and is active in several literary organizations. Beyond writing, Kaira is deeply involved in social causes and has received numerous awards for her service, including national recognition for creating the first emergency shelter for homeless families in Central Ohio. She lives in Southern California with her family.

Visit Kaira online:

Website * Instagram * Threads * TikTok

Synopsis:
From the outside, Jill Tingley has it all. She’s married to her college sweetheart Jack and they’re living the dream in Southern California. Wealthy, popular and genetically blessed, theirs seems to be an enviable life, though they’ve grown distant in recent years. Newly empty nesting with their daughter Maggie away at college, Jill suggests a road trip to reconnect. 

But the ugly truth is that Jack would rather do anything else than drive to Utah with his wife. He’s only stayed in this marriage because of a terrible secret from their past that has bound them together all these years. Finally, Jack is finished with the charade of his marriage and plans to file for divorce as soon as they return, no matter the consequences. 

As it turns out, their shared dark history is only the tip of the iceberg Jill has been hiding. And so begins a cat-and-mouse game as a cunning wife—think Ripley in yoga pants—and a reluctant husband match wits and send each other to the edge—literally. All along, Jill tells herself that everything will be fine. She still loves Jack and knows they’re meant to be. She’ll do anything to keep him, just as she always has.

"A clever spin on the glue that keeps marriages together, I devoured this in one sitting."

― Kimberly Belle, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow

"I love everything Kaira Rouda writes and Jill Is Not Happy is no exception. Jill isn’t just not happy, she’s creepy!"

― Robyn Harding, bestselling author of The Haters

"Nobody does twisty revenge like Kaira Rouda―and her trademark dark humor and deviously toxic characters are always deliciously entertaining."

― Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
I couldn’t stop reading or your book kept me up too late! 

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
HERE, HOME, HOPE was my debut – and you guys were one of the first to review it way back when. Thank you! 

So, I’d say, keep going. Believe in yourself. This is the career of my dreams.

If Jill is Not Happy was made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
The title song would be: "It Is What It Is" by Jamie Miller. The rest would be songs about relationships gone wrong. I’m hearing a lot of Paul Strom’s playlist (IYKYK) "Mack the Knife", "Come Away With Me", "Somebody that I Used to Know", "The Story of Us", "You Know I’m No Good", "Every Breath You Take".

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
Just finished The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. So good!

What is the last thing you had a good laugh about?
My puppy Rocky keeps me laughing daily. He’s the best!

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Nicole Kidman, because, well, she’s Nicole Kidman

Thanks to Kaira for visiting with us and to MeganBeatie Communications for sharing her book with our readers.

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

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Giveaway ends June 17th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review: Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous

By Melissa Smoot

Hollywood, 1997. When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. But her determination to become a screenwriter and producer in this glamorous yet cutthroat industry cannot be stifled. Working harder than she ever has before, she impresses the top brass at Canopy Studios and inches herself closer to her dream. But her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account, love gone wrong, a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars, and an FBI investigation that could land her in jail.

Surrounded by fame and money but unsure how to access either one, Charity’s grit and kindness steer her toward devoted friends and hopeful artists. If she can manage to stay out of trouble, maybe she can change bad to good. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

This was a great book. I enjoyed the 1990’s Hollywood setting and the behind-the-scenes peek into the world of film and glamour. The main character, Charity, is so loveable and relatable. I feel her pain in having a horrible boss (who is not actually her boss) and the feeling of being forced into doing what you are told (or else), even when you know it is not in your job description. I spent the entire book rooting for Charity and hoping that her nemesis, Saffron, would get what she deserves. 

In the end, the author did not give us the evil revenge on Saffron that she deserved, but instead lifted Charity up so high above her, that it was revenge enough. The genuine friendships that Charity made were heartwarming and gave the story such a wholesome feel, even if her friends are some of the most famous in Hollywood. I truly enjoyed all the characters and how they fit so perfectly into Charity’s world. This is an adorable and fun story, and I really loved it.

Thanks to BookSparks for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Charity Trickett here.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Winging It with You

We're in the thick of Pride Month 🌈 and are pleased to celebrate the publication of Chip Pons's debut novel, Winging It with You! The story sounds like a lot of fun (especially since it starts off with mozzarella sticks...you can't go wrong there) and we're here for it. Thanks to Putnam, we have TWO copies to give away!

Catching flights . . . and feelings

Asher Bennett thought his relationship was just fine. Until he’s unceremoniously dumped at the Boston airport ahead of the world-wide travel competition reality show, The Epic Trek. Armed with only a ticket and righteous indignation, Asher finds the closest solace he can: a mimosa and mozzarella sticks combo at an airport TGI Fridays. Still, Asher is determined to find a new partner and luckily, right in front of him is a smooth-talking airline pilot ready for takeoff.

Theo Fernandez has been grounded. He’s the only pilot that has never taken a vacation and the edict has been passed down: prove you're prioritizing a work-life balance or say goodbye to your wings. As he struggles to bask in his new downtime, without reconnecting with his family, he stumbles upon the perfect opportunity. The handsome guy who "stole" his mozzarella sticks at his favorite terminal eatery has a sudden opening for a partner . . . on a nationally televised reality show.

Theo and Asher buckle up to fake date for the cameras, but as they do the undercurrents of attraction make them wonder if their on-screen chemistry hints at something bigger. Do they have the courage to leave behind their baggage, and wing it together for another chance at love? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"Winging It with You is all about taking chances on the heart—and seeing them pay off in glorious technicolor. Asher and Theo’s chemistry is off the charts from their first moment on the page, and watching them trek through their unexpected love story was a pure delight." 
—Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author of The Fake Mate

"Chip Pons writes with such heart and honesty—it’s impossible not to fall in love with his characters. His stories pulse with emotion, leaving you thinking about them long after you’ve turned the last page. Chip Pons is the fresh voice in romance we’ve needed!" 
—Sarah Adams, New York Times bestselling author of Beg, Borrow, or Steal

"I was immediately hooked by this fun and fresh take on fake dating. Winging It with You delivers on its super clever premise with a well-crafted story and engaging main characters who face big obstacles, both physical and emotional. If you’re looking for a sexy, entertaining rom-com, this is your next escape." 
—Sidney Karger, author of Best Men and The Bump

Credit: Chip Pons

Chip Pons grew up in a small lake town in Northern Michigan before eventually traveling the world as a photojournalist in the US Air Force, where he met and worked alongside his dream of a husband and better half. He’s spent his entire life swooning over the love stories filling up his shelves until one day, he was brave—or delusional—enough to write his own.

He currently lives in the heart of Washington, DC. and when he is not writing or chasing his pup, Margot, around, he can be found daydreaming of untold happily ever afters or on Bookstagram shouting about the books he loves. And snacking, like, all the time. (Bio courtesy of Chip's website.)

Visit Chip at his website and on Instagram.

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

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Giveaway ends June 16th at midnight EST. 

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Book Review and Giveaway: Far and Away

Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta have agreed to a house swap—and boy, are they going to regret it.

Lucy’s hometown of Dallas has gone from home sweet home to vicious snake pit in the blink of an eye after her son makes a mistake he can’t undo. And Greta’s beloved flat in Berlin is suddenly up for grabs when her husband Otto takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her. In their rush to leave town, Lucy and Greta make a deal, pack their bags, and—thanks to martinis, desperation, and some very rusty German—have absolutely no idea what they’re getting themselves into.

Trading Southern charm and barbecue for European sophistication and schnitzel, the two women get a lot more than a change of scenery as they move into each other’s houses, neighborhoods, and lives. Greta and Lucy’s husbands are no help: Otto is winning over his colleagues, swimming laps in the backyard pool, and rooting for the Rangers, while Lucy’s husband is doing a six-month stretch out west, either in a NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack get tossed into each other’s orbits, where they both discover secrets they can’t ignore.

When Greta’s biggest career achievement—the buzzworthy purchase of a Vermeer at auction—is thrown into question and Lucy’s past with a hot Viking named Bjørn invades her present, the two women need each other in ways they never could have imagined. Through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, and scandals that refuse to be left behind, Lucy and Greta will have to decide if they can ever go home again. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Allyson Bales:

Say hello to what I KNOW is going to be one of your favorite books of the year!  

Thanks to Simon Audio, I got to read this one primarily with my ears and it was such a treat.  I think this will definitely be one of my favorite audio books of the year.  It is primarily narrated by Patti Murin and Lisa Flanagan with smaller parts by Jennifer Jill Araya, Kevin R. Free, and Pete Simonelli.  A multi-cast narration always really brings the story to life for me but what I loved about this one even more were the narrators' Dallas twang and German accents!

Amy Poeppel is becoming a favorite author of mine!  I read The Sweet Spot a few years ago and immediately fell in love with her writing style.  With this story you get to meet Lucy and Greta.  Lucy is dealing with a high school scandal and Greta’s husband Otto is in need of a work change.  Both of them decide very impulsively to swap houses and what actually ensues is so much fun!  This story was a mix of the movies The Holiday and Love, Actually with characters that have so much personality and quirkiness!  I really missed them when I wasn’t reading and couldn’t wait to get back to them as soon as possible!

The story is a lighter read but there are so many storylines intermingling at once, so many laugh out loud and heartfelt moments, and characters that really feel like your best friends, that you are going to be so invested until the very end.  I don’t often re-read stories but I already want to re-listen to this and be back together with the characters! 

I really don’t want to give too much away but know that you get to visit sweltering Dallas and bustling Berlin, Germany.  There’s a spouse that is spending six months in New Mexico but everyone is saying he's on Mars.  There’s a math problem that really went awry and a teenager that drives WAY below the speed limit.  Like so slow it takes him over six hours for a two-hour trip!

I really could go on and on about this one! Please go read it and then reach out to me! I would love to talk about it more!

Melissa Amster:

I have enjoyed Amy Poeppel's novels ever since I checked out Limelight in 2018 (reviewed here). That was a top pick for me at the time. I'm pleased to share that another one of her novels has earned a spot on my top picks list this year: Far and Away. It's like The Holiday, but about parenthood and only slightly more chaotic. 😂 I loved every bit of it, including the quirky characters, armchair adventure, humor, and pets, just to name a few things. Of course, the synopsis had me at "Viking named Bjørn" because of Ghosts.

I felt so bad for Lucy with everything that happened from Jack making an error in judgment. I can't even imagine having to see my child's dreams get taken away because of a misunderstanding that got out of control. Then to add insult to injury, everyone was ostracizing Lucy and her family. And her husband was doing this Mars simulation so he wouldn't even take her calls and he had no idea what was happening. 

Greta seemed to have it slightly easier, but she walked into a messy situation...and house, not knowing what to expect. Her husband was living the dream in Texas and she was just trying to get by. I could understand how awkward she felt at times, and how homesick she truly was. I liked seeing her communication with Lucy and how they started to understand each other's situations after a while.

I loved all the narrative from the variety of characters and seeing them in so many locations throughout the story. I was picturing one of those toy planes going back and forth on a map. I have never been to Berlin, but Amy made it easy to picture everything there. There was so much livelihood throughout the story and I never knew what to expect from one chapter to the next. I wanted to live inside the book even longer!

It would have been nice to have translations for everything that was just written in German. Some context was available here and there, but if I were watching this as a movie and the subtitles were missing, I'd be totally confused.

I'm excited for everyone to read this soon, so I can enjoy it again vicariously through them. (I'm re-enjoying it just by writing this review.) It's such a refreshing and creative novel and I'm glad I got the opportunity to check it out!

(Trigger warning at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Lucy: Rachael Leigh Cook
Greta: Diane Kruger
Jack: Finn Wolfhard
Emmi: Lilly Krug
Irene: Caroline Lagerfelt
Adam: Dan Jeannotte
Otto: Til Schweiger (which is funny when you read the book...)

Thanks to Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy for a lucky reader!

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

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Giveaway ends June 15th at midnight EST. 

More by Amy Poeppel:

The Sweet Spot

Musical Chairs

Small Admissions

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TW: Bullying

Book Review: Just Beachy

By Jami Denison

It’s beach season, and there’s no better beach read than a book that takes place at the beach. There’s something special when that book is set in the town where you’re vacationing; it’s even more special if you’re lucky enough to live in that beach town. Wendy Wax is a St. Petersburg, Florida native; her popular Ten Beach Road series is set on Pass-A-Grille (part of St. Pete Beach). I live in St. Petersburg and was married on Pass-A-Grille. Naturally, when she released her latest beach read, Just Beachy, I scooped it up. Just Beachy isn’t part of the Ten Beach Road series, but some of the series’ characters pop up. 

When actress Sydney Ryan’s police officer character is written off her show in an embarrassing way, she decides to leave Hollywood and join her grandmother on Treasure Island, Florida. Right away, there’s romance in the air for both women—Grand starts dating her neighbor Brian, and Sydney hooks up with police officer Luke, her old crush from grade school. But when someone breaks into Grand’s house, Sydney’s grandmother admits to involvement in an art scandal. Could Brian be involved? Can Sydney use her TV detective skills to find out the truth?

Despite its mystery spine, Just Beachy is written in a breezy, humorous tone that plays down conflict. Constantly stymied by people who think she’s her TV character, Sydney goes on embarrassing auditions and spends a lot of time helping Grand’s friend Myra open a bookstore on Pass-A-Grille. The relationship with Luke happens quickly, so it’s missing a lot of the tension and build-up that romance fans expect, while including several clinically descriptive sex scenes. The climax is unsurprising, and the denouement is almost a fairy tale.

For me, the highlight of Just Beachy was Wax’s frequent name-dropping of popular St. Petersburg spots—the Don Cesar Hotel; Paradise Grille and Hurricane’s on Pass-A-Grille; Larry’s Ice Cream shop on St. Pete Beach; Central Avenue; Gulf Boulevard.  As Wax mentions in her author’s note, the book takes place in an alternate timeline in which two hurricanes did not decimate this area. In the real world, Paradise Grille was closed for several months; thousands of homes along the beaches and in St. Petersburg flooded, and many businesses were destroyed. The Don reopened at the end of March. I was lucky enough that my home didn’t flood, but many of my immediate neighbors did, along with friends and my real estate brokerage.  

I can’t blame Wax for wanting to ignore the disaster, and I hope Just Beachy inspires people to visit the Gulf Beaches. There’s nothing better than spending the afternoon reading a book on St. Pete Beach, watching the sunset at Paradise Grille, eating a cheeseburger, and ringing the sunset bell. 

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

More by Wendy Wax:
The Break-Up Book Club
The House on Mermaid Point
My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding

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