Liz and Lisa are friends forever...plus a book giveaway

L to R: Liz and Lisa

We are so happy to have Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke back at CLC! It's been a while since we've seen a book from them. While the books they've written in the past have either been surreal or thrillers (or a combo of both), their latest rom-com, Forever Hold Your Peace (now available!!!), falls in neither category. But a change can be good, especially with these women in charge. Melissa really enjoyed it and you can find her review here. Liz and Lisa have one signed copy to share with a lucky reader!

For those of you who are new here, Liz and Lisa were a huge inspiration for Chick Lit Central, as Melissa used to follow their former blog, Chick Lit is Not Dead, back in the day. She's also read every book they've written! 

Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been best friends for over thirty years and survived high school and college together. They’ve co-authored eight novels, including the Amazon Charts bestseller, The Good Widow. 

In addition to writing books, they created a podcast, We Fight So You Don’t Have to: Lessons from a thirty-year friendship. They also appear monthly on a San Diego news station to share their favorite book club picks.  

They both reside in San Diego, California with their families and several rescue dogs. (Bio adapted from their website.)

Visit Liz and Lisa online:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:

When their newly engaged kids ask all four divorced parents to meet each other over brunch, everyone RSVPs yes--secretly hoping someone at the table will get to the bottom of the bottomless mimosas fast enough to say what they’re all thinking: that this engagement, coming after a whirlwind romance between two people barely out of college, is too much too soon.

But at that brunch it’s not the impulsive couple's decisions that end up under the microscope, as it turns out June, mother of the bride, and Amy, mother of the groom, certainly do know each other--they're ex-best-friends who haven't spoken since their explosive falling out more than twenty-five years ago. Reeling from their unwanted reunion and eager to shift the spotlight off their past as decades-old secrets and rivalries come to light, the two moms battle it out for the prize of Most Enthusiastic About This Wedding.

But when their history—and their present-day shenanigans—threaten to crack the foundations of the happy couple’s future, June and Amy find themselves becoming unexpected allies in an all-hands-on-deck effort to get their kids (and themselves) a happily-ever-after two generations in the making. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

“With pitch-perfect writing, complicated friendships, and characters you can’t help but root for, you’ll want to shout I DO! to this layered and hilarious walk down the aisle.”

—Allison Winn Scotch, New York Times bestselling author of The Rewind

“Brimming with sparkling wit and a lively cast of characters, Forever Hold Your Peace is at its heart a romance about a second-chance friendship and a once-in-a-lifetime love twenty-five years in the making. Fix yourself a mimosa and sit down somewhere comfy—you’re going to want to enjoy this!” 

—Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
That people cannot tell that there are two of us writing our books—that that is a huge compliment for any co-author team!

Which of the two moms do you each relate to the most in Forever Hold Your Peace?
Liz relates a little more to June—she’s funny and insecure but yet confident at the same time. 

Lisa relates a little more to Amy—she appears tough on the outside but soft and kind on the inside.

If Forever Hold Your Peace were made into a movie, what are some songs that you would include on the soundtrack?
Here are some songs from Lisa’s playlist that she listened to while she wrote her parts of this book. They are about love and loss, heartbreak, connection, and friendship. And each would be a contender for the soundtrack of FHYP!

"Selfish" by Madison Beer, "Closure" by Hayd, "Heart vs. Brain" by Arlissa, "Dandelions" by Ruth B, "Chasing After You" by Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris, "You Should Probably Leave" by Chris Stapleton, "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, "Love Me Anyway" by Pink, and "Leave Me Again" by Kelsea Ballerini.

Share a funny or embarrassing wedding memory.
A fun/heartwarming wedding memory from Lisa’s wedding is she didn’t eat a thing during the entire event. Mike Fenton went and got her In-N-Out Burger at the end of the night. It was the ultimate wedding present! This was before DoorDash! He took a cab to the closest In-N-Out and waited in line and then took another cab back! 

If your life were a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Kristen Bell, of course! Who could resist THE Gossip girl?

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
We both just finished The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer and loved every single page. 

Thanks to Liz and Lisa for visiting with us and for sharing their 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 July 16th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Where the Grass Grows Blue

By Sara Steven

Penny Crenshaw’s swift divorce and her husband’s new marriage to a much younger woman have been hot topics around Atlanta’s social circles. After a year of enduring the cruel gossip, Penny leaps from the frying pan into the fire by heading back to Kentucky to settle her grandmother’s estate.

Reluctantly, Penny travels to her hometown of Camden, knowing she will be stirring up all the ghosts from her turbulent childhood. But not all her problems stem from a dysfunctional family. One of Penny’s greatest sources of pain lives just down the street: Bradley Hitchens, her childhood best friend, the keeper of her darkest secrets, and the boy who shattered her heart.

As Penny struggles with sorting through her grandmother’s house and her own memories, a colorful group of friends drifts back into her life, reminding her of the unique warmth, fellowship, and romance that only the Bluegrass state can provide. Now that fate has forced Penny back, she must either let go of the scars of her past or risk losing a second chance at love. Can she learn to live an unbridled life? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

What a beautiful story. Really and truly. It’s rare to read something that flows so effortlessly, yet that’s how I felt about Where the Grass Grows Blue, from start to finish. The relationships between Penny and the other characters within this novel felt incredibly realistic. No one delineated from who they are and how they were flushed out as characters, which made the dialogue and the scenery really stand out. The progression from Penny’s divorce, the trip to Kentucky, and then the fallout afterwards had been perfectly timed and spaced out, so nothing felt rushed or out of place. Perfection, from page one to the last. 

There are so many ways in which I could relate with Penny. She’s had a very rough childhood and the experiences she’s had has helped to shape who she is in the present–for better and for worse. She often questioned her strength, and given the poor relationship she had with her father, it seems life continually places similar personalities in her way, as a means in trying to get her to overcome the fears. She doesn’t see how strong she is, despite that. Not many people could survive what she went through. 

I loved the dynamic between Penny and Bradley! We get flashbacks to the past, later discovering how he had come to be her greatest love, and her greatest mistake. When the reasoning behind that was revealed, I was shocked. I didn’t see that coming at all. So, that was a nice little interesting twist thrown in for good measure. I could also better understand why it was so hard for her to forgive Bradley, because up until that moment, it seemed he really was the perfect character.

The tone to Where the Grass Grows Blue reminded me of the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The small-town feel, the close-knit groups of friends of family, the kind who would never dream of leaving the towns they’d grown up in, not for anything in the world. And of course, the proverbial prodigal “daughter” who returns home, but in this case, there was a deeper level, considering the seriousness of the subject matter involved. Adding that element really elevated everything, making this perfect story an obvious five-star read for me.

Thanks to Author Marketing Experts for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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What's in the (e)mail

Melissa:
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester from Forever (NetGalley)
What You Do To Me by Rochelle B. Weinstein from Lake Union (NetGalley)
A Different Kind of Gone by Catherine Ryan Hyde from Lake Union (NetGalley)
Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering from St. Martin's Press (NetGalley)

Reinventing Emily Brown by Jodi Gibson from Verb Publishing (NetGalley)

The Still Point by Tammy Greenwood from Kensington (NetGalley)

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins from St. Martin's Press (NetGalley)

Take Two, Birdie Maxwell by Allison Winn Scotch from Berkley (NetGalley)

Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk from Harper360

Anything for a Friend by Kathleen M. Willett from Lake Union (NetGalley)

Sara:
The Family Next Door by Caroline Finnerty from Rachel's Random Resources (NetGalley)
The Love Proposal by Camilla Isley from Rachel's Random Resources (NetGalley)
The Nurse by Valerie Keogh from Rachel's Random Resources (NetGalley)
Us Two by Janet Hoggarth from Rachel's Random Resources (NetGalley)
Murder in Siena by T.A. Williams from Rachel's Random Resources (NetGalley)
Christmas at Corgi Cove by Annie England Noblin from William Morrow (NetGalley)

Get a Room by Casey Dembowski from Red Adept (ebook)

Jami:
This Spells Love by Kate Robb from Random House (NetGalley)

With Regrets by Lee Kelly from Booksparks (NetGalley)

Ally: 

Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden from Berkley (NetGalley)

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Book Review: Long Time No Sea

By Sara Steven

There’s trouble in paradise...

Moving home in her 30s was not the life plan Jas had in mind. So when her best friend gets in touch to say she's arranging a long overdue reunion with their high school friends, Jas is very much up for the escape. Oh, and it's all expenses paid to Italy - so that's a bonus!

But while being whisked away to the beautiful Italian coast may seem idyllic, Jas has to come face to face with not only her ex-boyfriend, but the one that got away too!

It's a week of sun, sea and unravelling secrets, and as the love triangle from the past starts to develop once again, this trip is not panning out exactly as Jas imagines...

Should the past be left where it is, or could there be a second chance at love on the horizon..? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I love reunion stories, and Long Time No Sea did that genre justice! I could literally feel the emotions Jas experiences after she’s reintroduced to her childhood friend group after fifteen years of not seeing them in person. There is the feeling of wanting to measure up, especially after she finds out that most of them have turned into successful adults, while also dealing with some suppressed feelings that she’s had for one friend in particular, the one who she feels potentially “got away.”

Who wouldn’t want the chance to travel to an Italian coast? At the moment, Jas has nothing else that has been mapped out as of yet, so the reunion feels as though it’s happening at just the right time in her life. The descriptions of the coastline, not to mention the fancy hotel and later, another “unconventional” locale that is completely unexpected for all characters involved had been described perfectly. It was enough that I wanted nothing more than to be a stowaway or another friend within this friend group–even if it meant spending time at the unconventional location. In fact, that entire situation was super funny and really added a whole other element to the story! 

We get to see the present experiences that Jas is going through, with flashbacks to the past, so the reader can better understand the dynamics between characters. I really appreciated that. That clarity helps when Jas finds herself in a love triangle, very reminiscent of the same one she’d had so many years ago. 

Long Time No Sea was one of those reading experiences where I wanted to keep reading, from start to finish. I wanted to know what would happen for Jas, if her true feelings that have been buried for so long would surface, and better yet, if there would be some reciprocation with that, and whether she could stand up for how she feels this time, with no repercussions. The characters were a lot of fun, with a few reminding me of my own childhood friends from back in the day. It was a definite five-star page turner!

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

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK * Apple * Barnes & Noble

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 20 romantic comedy novels. From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.

Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.

Visit Portia online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Hello Stranger

Today we are pleased to feature Katherine Center's latest rom com, Hello Stranger. Melissa has already added it to her 2023 Top Picks. Check out her review. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy to give away!

Later this month, Katherine's novel Happiness for Beginners will be on Netflix. Check out the trailer.

Love isn’t blind, it’s just a little blurry.

Sadie Montgomery never saw what was coming . . . Literally! One minute she’s celebrating the biggest achievement of her life―placing as a finalist in the North American Portrait Society competition―the next, she’s lying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a “probably temporary” condition known as face blindness. She can see, but every face she looks at is now a jumbled puzzle of disconnected features. Imagine trying to read a book upside down and in another language. This is Sadie’s new reality with every face she sees.

But, as she struggles to cope, hang on to her artistic dream, work through major family issues, and take care of her beloved dog, Peanut, she falls into―love? Lust? A temporary obsession to distract from the real problems in her life?―with not one man but two very different ones. The timing couldn’t be worse.

If only her life were a little more in focus, Sadie might be able to find her way. But perceiving anything clearly right now seems impossible. Even though there are things we can only find when we aren’t looking. And there are people who show up when we least expect them. And there are always, always other ways of seeing. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Photo by Skylar Reeves

BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, and The Bodyguard. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Her books have made countless Best-Of lists, including Real Simple’s Best Books of 2020, Amazon’s Top 100 Books of 2019, Goodreads’ Best Books of the Year. The movie adaptation of Katherine’s novel The Lost Husband (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and her novel Happiness for Beginners will release this summer as a Netflix original starring Ellie Kemper. Katherine’s summer 2022 book, The Bodyguard, was an instant New York Times bestseller, a People Best New Books pick, and was nominated for Book of the Year by Book of the Month Club. Bestselling author Emily Henry calls The Bodyguard “a shot of pure joy,” and bestselling author Helen Hoang calls it “a perfect feel-good rom-com.” Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.

Visit Katherine 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. 

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Giveaway ends July 11th at midnight EST.

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Spotlight: Business or Pleasure

Chandler Cohen realizes there is nothing glamorous about being a ghostwriter when the author she wrote a book for fails to recognize her. Nothing screams success like being ignored. But her evening improves when she meets an attractive, charming stranger at a bar. The sparks are instant and the chemistry is undeniable. But the sexy stranger is really bad in bed. Like, the worst non-orgasm she’s ever experienced bad. 

Clearly, it’s very awkward several days later when she finds herself sitting across the table from said stranger, with a large paycheck hanging in the balance.

Once known as the lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show, Finn Walsh’s career has looked better. Now a C-list actor, his full-time job involves appearing at fan conventions across the country. What better way to kick start his career than with a memoir? All is needs is a great ghostwriter.

Chandler can’t pass up this opportunity and resolves to remain as professional as possible. How hard can it be? As Chandler and Finn spend time together traveling from one convention to the next while working on his memoir, they start to become friends. When Chandler reveals that their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as Finn thinks it was, she doesn’t think it will be a big deal. But Finn is shocked and distraught.

The two strike a deal: when they are not working on the memoir, Chandler will teach Finn how to satisfy a woman. As they grow closer, both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—and is there a way for them to have both?

Purchase Business or Pleasure

“I can always count on Rachel Lynn Solomon to deliver rapid-fire dialogue, intense chemistry, and lived-in yet fresh characters that feel like your oldest friends. Business or Pleasure is delightfully addictive and downright red-hot spicy!”

—Amy Lea, international bestselling author of Exes and O's

"Rachel Lynn Solomon has a gift for looking directly into my soul and somehow giving me exactly the book I needed. Business or Pleasure is a perfect encapsulation of everything I love about Solomon’s writing: depth, vulnerability, and thoughtfulness, topped off with laugh-out-loud banter and smoking hot (and in this case, hard-won) chemistry."

—Ava Wilder, author of How to Fake it in Hollywood

“Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Business or Pleasure is a total delight. It’s sexy, smart, and so freaking fun—I couldn’t stop smiling! As always, Rachel’s characters are rendered with tremendous love and care. You will fall hard for Chandler and Finn.”

—Carley Fortune, New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After

Photo by Sabreen Lakhani

Rachel Lynn Solomon writes about imperfect people falling in love. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk, Weather Girl, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Her books have been optioned for film and translated into more than 15 languages.

In high school, Rachel sang and played keyboard in an all-girl band, and she was once part of a group of people who broke a Guinness World Record for the most natural redheads in one place. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in journalism, she worked for Northwest media outlets such as The Seattle Times and KUOW Public Radio.

Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam. (Bio courtesy of Rachel's website.)

Visit Rachel online:

Website * Instagram

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Book Review: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

By Melissa Amster

YOU WILL CRY WHEN YOU READ THIS!

The funniest, happiest, saddest, happiest romantic comedy you will ever read. With a small twist!

What’s the 'small' twist? You’ll have to read it to find out. But let’s just say, you’ve never read anything like this before.

WARNING: Be prepared for many happy tears. And a lot of laughter.

READ THE REVIEWS to see why readers love this book.

For fans of:

Jojo Moyes, Cecelia Ahern, Sophie Kinsella and Nick Spalding

FROM THE 1 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR 

This story is not what I was expecting, but given the synopsis is vague, everyone is bound to be surprised. I did not cry, but I rarely ever cry for books. And when I do, it's usually just some misty-eye stuff. Having said that, this was still a great book and I keep thinking about it at random times. 

Callum and Angel Rain are such lovable characters! I don't want to say too much about them as to not spoil the story, but I originally thought Callum was a different age than he actually is, based on how he talks. His relationship with Angel Rain is everything! I also love how he has an impact on how Michael sees the world. The descriptions of people and places make everyone and everything really easy to visualize. However, I'm not going to provide casting as to not spoil things. I did picture Jamie Demetriou as Michael though. (That's not spoiling anything, I promise!)

My main concern is something I take issue with whenever there's a diary or journal in a novel: There should not be dialogue in the entries! While Callum is doing a verbal diary of sorts, he seems to recall every single conversation he's had. It just doesn't work for me. I had to get over that to enjoy the story as everything else about it was really good. 

Overall, it's a sweet and heartwarming story that will stick with you long after you have finished. I recommend picking this up for something different. It's not your usual run-of-the-mill rom com.

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

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

Suzy K Quinn writes edgy romantic comedy and has sold over 1 million books worldwide. She is a bestseller in the UK, US and Germany and has plans for total world domination with literary love bombs in the near future. So watch this space. Then go read one of her books.

Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband Demi and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author.

Suzy loves her readers and is ALWAYS happy to chat on social media. You can find her @suzykquinn on most social media channels. Throw her an emoji ball, she is friendly. xx

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

Visit all the stops on Suzy's blog tour:

More by Suzy K Quinn:

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