Book Review: Going to Maine

By Allyson Bales

From comedian Sally Chaffin Brooks comes a memoir about the thing she can't seem to shut up about— her life changing thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

25-year-old Sally has no reason to upend her comfortable, conventional life to spend 5 months hiking the Appalachian Trail; no reason except that her charismatic best friend, Erin, asked her to come along. A woefully out-of-shape Sally quickly realizes she may not actually be prepared for the realities of thru-hiking— brutal weather, wrong turns, and painful blisters have her wanting to quit almost as soon as she starts. But out of loyalty to Erin, or maybe the sinking realization that her life needed upending, Sally sticks it out. As she and Erin trek from Georgia to Maine, they collect a ragtag band of hikers and together stumble from one hilarious (and sometimes scary) predicament to another. By the time she reaches Maine— accompanied by Erin, their crew, and a guy she's maybe (definitely) falling in love with— readers will cheer for the stronger, more self-assured Sally that has emerged and wish they could start the laugh-out-loud, life-affirming adventure all over again. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

The minute I saw the cover of this memoir, I knew I needed to read it.  

My wife and I plan a three week road trip every summer where we camp in our rooftop tent and fly by the seat of our pants.  We also love Maine.  We are actually headed there this Friday! We make a point at least once a summer to take a trip to Gyp's Tavern in New Jersey.  It's this hole in the wall bar near the Appalachian Trail and there’s always someone there with their hiking pack, having a beer and talking with strangers.  I’m always in awe of them and always considering if I should talk my wife into hiking along with them!

I have heard some compare this memoir to Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, and while it has some of that same vibe and flavor, I found Sally to really have her own voice and be more approachable.  No disrespect at all to Cheryl, but I liked this story more.  It resonated with me, and found a place in my heart.  I think this memoir may be up there as a top favorite. 

I was so inspired by Sally’s words and so many of her references.  I now want to journal again, throw caution to the wind and hike for five months straight with 35 pounds on my back.  I want to get a wild woman tattoo and marvel at the beauty of the mountains and laugh with my best friend. 

There are so many important themes explored in Sally’s story.  I loved her found family.  I want to know Mike and Ben, Pilgrim, Sweets, See Blue, and Turbo.  I love the way she learned how to come into her own, how she closed a door on her old self and made room for who she became.  She made me think so much about how our worlds can get narrow and being aware of that is so helpful.

I love books that paint pictures in your mind and leave imprints on your soul and this book did that for me.  

Thanks to Kaye Publicity for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Going to Maine here.

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Spotlight and Giveaway: The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean

We're excited to feature Ann Rose's debut adult rom-com, The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean, which releases tomorrow! We are loving the cover and what's inside sounds equally enticing. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy to give away!

It’s her wedding day, the happiest day of her life…isn’t it?

Amanda Dean would say she's an okay artist and a loyal friend, but what she’s best at is falling in love. A self-proclaimed bi disaster who has had her heart broken more times than she cares to count, Amanda can’t help opening herself up. As she gets ready on the day she's waited a lifetime for, memories of her past loves run through her mind, with one glaring red sign blinking above them—is this “the one”?

Will it be:
the fit water polo player,
the fashionista,
the dependable hedge fund manager,
or the one where the timing was never quite right.

Now, on the day of her wedding—a day where everything already seems to be going wrong—Mandy must decide if she’s willing to risk it all one last time or if she’ll escape while her whole heart is still intact.

Equal parts heartwarming and bittersweet, The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean expertly weaves the wonder and terror of falling in love into a beautifully crafted story about the joy that can be found when you’re willing to dust yourself off and try again.

"Enjoy Mandy's up and down journey toward happily ever after. You'll love it for real!"

—Kelly Farmer, bestselling author of It's a Fabulous Life

"The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean is a warm hug in book form. You will enjoy going along for the ride as Mandy chooses a happily ever after that is perfect for her."

—Sam Tschida, author of Errands and Espionage

“A beautifully unique and captivating love story! I was on the edge of my seat as I followed Mandy through the many twists and turns that led her to the altar, and I turned the final page with a happy sigh.”

—Rachel Lacey, author of Stars Collide

Photo by Ann Rose

Ann Rose is a typical Taurus—loyal but stubborn, which means being an author is perfect. While asking the private group chat for ideas on what to include in this bio, Ann was reminded that some of her greatest qualities are her awesome best friends from high school—a fact she couldn’t argue with. She loves dark chocolate, sarcasm, her family, tacos, and her cats—obviously not in that order. Ann also writes young adult novels under the pen name A.M. Rose.

Visit Ann online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Tiktok

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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends September 22nd at midnight EST.

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: The Summer Reunion

By Melissa Amster

Six friends on holiday. A secret worth dying for.

In a gorgeous French stone villa, a group of friends reunite for a weekend of reminiscing and laughter. But as glasses of wine are poured, they find they aren’t alone.

Standing at the door is a man the friends thought they’d never see again. With a ferocious storm raging and roads closed, they have no choice but to let him in. Instantly the dream weekend takes a dark turn.

Because someone invited him here.

Because someone has been living a lie.

And someone wants revenge.

But when the truth is revealed, will anyone make it out alive? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I am always eager to read the latest Leah Mercer novel, as her stories keep me riveted and are full of twists and surprises. Her latest novel, The Summer Reunion, has a lot happening the entire time because of some situations that happened in the past that someone is trying to keep hidden. The stakes are really high for all the characters, as the others have secrets that will also be damaging if they get out. And two of them are at risk of dying! 

I can't really say too much about what is happening because that would lead to spoilers. Leah managed to throw in some surprises and game changers that kept me on my toes. Overall, this is a domestic suspense but I wouldn't say it's a thriller. Some intense stuff happens, but some of her previous novels felt more like thrillers than this one did. Still, it's an engaging page-turner that I still thought about after I finished. 

As with all of Leah's novels, I recommend checking this out. And if you haven't read her others yet, you are missing out!

Movie casting suggestions:
Ellie: Joanne Froggatt
Jules: Rose Byrne
Vannie: Clea DuVall
Safet: Nick Mohammed
Harry: Tom Ellis
Frederick: Joel Kinnaman

Thanks to Leah Mercer for the book in exchange for an honest review. It is currently 99 cents on Kindle, or free on KU!

More by Leah Mercer:
The Mother Next Door
The Playgroup
Why She Left

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: A Mother's Betrayal

By Sara Steven

As they sit vigil by their mother’s bedside, the sisters discover that Julia, who has always preached unwavering principles and integrity, has been keeping a terrible secret. A secret that shatters everything they’ve ever believed about their family.

But the twins have each other… or do they? Because Julia is not the only one keeping secrets…

With Julia in a coma and unable to answer their questions, her journals might provide the answers they seek. But Julia’s journals reveal yet another dark secret. One that will make the sisters question every part of the life they’ve lived.

If you can’t trust your mother, who can you trust? And – with their mother’s life in the balance – can the sisters find a way to forgive her, before it’s too late? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

While on a morning walk with my husband, I talked with him about the premise behind A Mother’s Betrayal–how two children (twins) had grown up with their futures practically mapped out for them since birth unbeknownst to them–and he assumed I was talking about a TV show or movie I’d recently seen based on actual real events. He was blown away when I reminded him that it was an actual book I’d just read! 

I also felt blown away while reading about Flo and Ari’s experiences. Both women have a very close-knit relationship with their mother, Julia, despite how distant she can appear at times. There is an element of wanting to do their best for her at all times, and considering she holds herself and them to such high standards, they often feel as though they don’t quite measure up to Julia’s expectations. After Julia is in a coma, secrets that have been held in the family for years slowly unravel, with so many questions and no answers. In order to have that, they have to ask Julia. 

Flo has secrets, too. I think I was as shocked as Ari had been when it all came out, and the feelings both women have after that fallout felt real and true to the experiences they both have. The constant in everything leads back to Julia, who has been pulling strings in everyone’s lives. In the end, I could see everyone’s point of view. Sometimes we think we are doing the best we can for our families, forming tunnel vision in the process. I wondered too if Ari could ever forgive Flo. Or if the twins could ever forgive their mother.

The biggest question lends into what Julia hasn’t been telling her family. Does she really have an alternate life? For most of the book, I wasn’t certain about that at all, which made for a nice, suspenseful experience. I enjoyed the slow build to what ended up becoming a fast-paced, tense-filled reveal, in the end. 

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Barnes and Noble

Louise Guy, bestselling author of six novels, blends family and friendship themes with unique twists and intrigue. Her characters captivate readers, drawing them deeply into their compelling stories and struggles. Previously published by Lake Union, she lives in Australia. Visit Louise at her website and on Facebook.

Visit all the stops on Louise's blog tour:

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Spotlight and Giveaway: How to Hide in Plain Sight

Today we are pleased to feature the latest novel by Emma Noyes, How to Hide in Plain Sight. Allyson loved this novel and said it's one of her favorites this year! Check out her Bookstagram post. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

On the day she arrives in Canada for her older brother's wedding, Eliot Beck hasn't seen her family in three years. Eliot adores her big, wacky, dysfunctional collection of siblings and in-laws, but there's a reason she fled to Manhattan and buried herself in her work—and she’s not ready to share it with anyone. Not when speaking it aloud could send her back into the never-ending cycle of the obsessive-compulsive disorder that consumed her for years. 

Eliot thinks she's prepared to survive the four-day-long wedding extravaganza—until she sees her best friend, Manuel, waiting for her at the marina and looking as handsome as ever. He was the person who, when they met as children, felt like finding the missing half of her soul. The person she tried so hard not to fall in love with… but did anyway. 

Manuel's presence at the wedding threatens to undo the walls Eliot has built around herself. The fortress that keeps her okay. If she isn't careful, by the end of this wedding, the whole castle might come crumbling down.

“How to Hide in Plain Sight is a raw and emotionally profound read. Eliot's strength is inspiring, and the smart and lyrical writing makes this book difficult to put down. Combining themes of family trauma, grief, and self-acceptance, this story is a tear-jerker in the best way possible.”

—Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, USA Today bestselling author

“An honest, unflinching, and at times, heartbreaking exploration of how the walls we build to protect ourselves can block out the love we need to thrive. Noyes’s prose crackles with feeling and fervent, relatable yearning. Readers will revel in the triumph of this beautifully affirming story of self-acceptance, as they race toward the hope-filled happily ever after.”

—Rebekah Faubion, author of The Lovers

Emma Noyes told her mother she wanted to be an author when she was six. She grew up in a suburb outside Chicago and attended Harvard University, where she studied history and literature. She started her career at a beer company but left because she wanted to write about mermaids and witches—eventually publishing her first YA fantasy series, the Sunken City. She now lives in Chicago with her Swedish boyfriend and miniature Pomeranian.

Visit Emma online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * TikTok

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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends September 17th at midnight EST.

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Spotlight and Giveaway: Mademoiselle Eiffel

We're pleased to celebrate the publication of Aimie K. Runyan's latest historical fiction novel, Mademoiselle Eiffel. Whether or not you've visited the iconic Eiffel Tower, this story is sure to be of interest. Thanks to William Morrow, we have TWO copies to give away!

Claire Eiffel, the beautiful, brilliant eldest daughter of the illustrious architect Gustave Eiffel, is doted upon with an education envied by many sons of the upper classes, and entirely out of the reach of most daughters. Claire’s idyllic childhood ends abruptly when, at fourteen, her mother passes away. It’s soon made clear that Gustave expects Claire to fill her mother’s place as caregiver to the younger children and as manager of their home.

As she proves her competence, Claire’s importance to her father grows. She accompanies him on his travels and becomes his confidante and private secretary. She learns her father’s architectural trade and becomes indispensable to his work. But when his bright young protégé, Adolphe Salles, takes up more of Gustave’s time, Claire resents being pushed aside.

Slowly, the animosity between Claire and Adolphe turns to friendship…and then to something more. After their marriage in 1885 preserves the Eiffel legacy, they are privileged by the biggest commission of Eiffel’s career: a great iron tower dominating the 1889 World’s Fair to demonstrate the leading role of Paris in the world of art and architecture. Now hostess to the scientific elite, such as Thomas Edison, Claire is under the watchful eye not only of her family and father’s circle, but also the world.

When Gustave Eiffel’s involvement in a disastrous endeavor to build a canal in Panama ends in his imprisonment, it is up to Claire to secure her father’s freedom but also preserve the hard-won family legacy.

Claire Eiffel’s story of love, devotion, and the frantic pursuit to preserve her family’s legacy is not only an inspired reflection of real personages and historical events, but a hymn to the iconic tower that dominates the City of Lights.

"For anyone who has ever admired the Eiffel Tower, this fascinating tale of a woman ahead of her time will leave a mark on your heart, in much the same way that Claire Eiffel left her mark on the world." 
— Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter
 
“The story of one of the most iconic landmarks in the world is entwined not only with its architects but with the families of those who built it. Its creation is due in large part to the efforts and support of Claire Eiffel, a young woman forced to grow up too soon but who rose to the challenge. MADEMOISELLE EIFFEL shines a glorious light on an unseen woman from history.”
— Erika Robuck, National Bestselling Author of The Last Twelve Miles

 “Atmospheric, immersive, and brimming with fascinating details surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower, Aimie Runyan’s Mademoiselle Eiffel will delight historical fiction lovers. A powerful tribute to the incredible life and legacy of Claire Eiffel!"
— Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author 

Aimie K. Runyan is a multi-published and bestselling author of historical and contemporary fiction. She has been nominated for a Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Writer of the Year Award, a Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice selection, and a four-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards. She is an adjunct instructor for the Drexel University MFA in Creative Writing program and endeavors to be active in the literary community in Colorado and beyond. She lives in the Rocky Mountains with her wonderful husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable cats, and a dragon.

Visit Aimie online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * 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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends September 15th at midnight EST.

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!

Book Review: Once More From the Top

By Jami Denison

Nothing is hotter than the light from the spotlight, and stories of the dangers of fame are perennially popular—there’s a reason A Star is Born has been made three times. With the rise of Tik-Tok, YouTube, Instagram, and reality TV, there are more routes to fame than ever before. But while there are countless stars in the celebrity universe, some of them shine so bright as to blot out the light from the rest. In her stunning, poetic novel, Emily Layden’s Once More From the Top examines the life of a Taylor Swift-inspired pop star, revealing the human frailties at the core of a carefully cultivated and maintained presence. While the fictional star’s dilemmas may be specific to her celebrity, the question of what we owe the people in our lives is universal.

Dylan Read is the top female singer in the world. While her boyfriends are just as well known as her music, no one knows that Dylan’s high school best friend disappeared the year before Dylan moved to Nashville at 16. Now, 15 years later, Kelsey’s body has been found at the bottom of the lake in their hometown. As Dylan strives to mourn the loss and honor her friend, she must also deal with her greatest deep-seated fear: That Kelsey was the true talent in the friendship, and her career was built on Kelsey’s bones. 

Once More From the Top is a beautifully written book, making it easy to believe in the protagonist's talent. Dylan is a poet before she meets Kelsey, who teaches her guitar and pairs her lyrics with Kelsey’s chords. Written in first person, the novel teems with Dylan’s careful metaphors and couplets. Rightfully compared to Daisy Jones and the Six, Once More replaces the throb of longing that underscores Daisy with the question of what happened to Kelsey and what is Dylan’s responsibility toward her.

Covering fifteen years, in many chapters much of the story is told rather than shown, but Layden speaks so directly and deeply to the reader, it doesn’t feel like a summary. Layden begins with the discovery of Kelsey’s body, then moves back to a 16-year-old Dylan meeting with a talent scout. He’s found the MySpace page with Kelsey and Dylan’s music, and even though Kelsey is the singer and guitarist while Dylan sang back-up, he gives Dylan a contract anyway, and she convinces her parents to let her move to Nashville. (She can stay with family friends who work at Vanderbilt.) While 2022 Dylan goes home to attend Kelsey’s funeral, reconnect with her parents and show her current boyfriend around town, past Dylan describes everything that happened to her since she went to Nashville: The albums. The switch from country to pop. The celebrity boyfriends who felt dimmed by the light of her star. The intense female friendships. The move to Los Angeles. Dylan’s life so resembles Taylor Swift that it made me wonder if the book was inspired by one of Taylor’s earliest songs, 15. 

But it’s her relationship with Kelsey that is the core of the book, and through that lens Layden explores many themes. Despite their mutual love of music, Kelsey and Dylan couldn’t be more different. While Dylan is the cossetted only child of professionals, Kelsey lives in a chaotic household with a single mother, an older half-brother, and his toddler daughter. Money is always tight, and Kelsey has little supervision and sexual relationships that Dylan both envies and fears. A straight-A student who always plays by the rules, Dylan instinctively recognizes that Kelsey’s talent may not be enough to break her out of the trap of poverty… while her own hard work and advantages could make up for a gift that isn’t as strong.   

As the book nears its conclusion, Dylan is driven to learn about Kelsey’s actions and relationships during the last days of her life. When those questions are finally answered, I found the ending to be anticlimactic and honestly somewhat disappointing.  There’s a chapter devoted to a description of a visual album that I found unnecessary. But these are minor complaints about a novel that is, on the whole, a thoroughly encompassing experience.

With its Swift-like protagonist and haunting mystery, Once More from the Top should achieve the same kind of attention that Daisy Jones and the Six drew. I’m already looking forward to the streaming mini-series that should result. 

Thanks to MB Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Also by Emily Layden: All Girls

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

Listen to this book on Speechify!