Book Review: A Love Like the Sun

By Allyson Bales

Laniah Thompson is a homebody who craves privacy. Issac Jordan is internet famous and spends his days followed by paparazzi. She runs a small business with her mom in her hometown. He runs an international brand.

And they’ve been best friends since childhood.

When Issac comes home to Providence for the first time in months and discovers Laniah’s dream is slipping out of reach as she and her mom struggle to pay the bills at Wildly Green, their natural hair store, she refuses to take a dime from him. And so, he does what any self-respecting best friend would do: tells the world they’re dating.

Suddenly business is booming, and Laniah agrees to his ridiculous plan to pretend to be lovers for the course of the summer. Just long enough to catch the eye of an investor and get her dream back on track, like she helped him do so many years ago, he reminds her.

Too soon, though, Laniah knows she’s playing with fire, because for as long as they’ve been friends there’s an undeniable pull they’ve never given in to. And as the lines between art and life—real and pretend—blur, it becomes harder and harder to see where friendship ends and something else begins....

Told over the course of three sizzling summer months, A Love Like the Sun is about shared history, those who make us our bravest selves, and love in its many forms. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

This is a situation where you should definitely judge the book by its cover, as this story is just as vibrant and beautiful!

This story opens with probably one of my favorite dedications of all time.

“For anyone who has ever felt hard to love, to the lovers with wide-open hearts and the ones who like to keep theirs close, to anyone who has ever been afraid to ask for what they need, and for myself.  It’s not easy being brave, but I believe in us.”

Wow, that really resonated with me!  I love finding new authors that feel like they could be my closest friend based on the stories they write and the characters they introduce me to.  Riss M. Neilson is officially an auto-buy author for me and I am honestly shocked this was an adult debut!  The story was intriguing, I fell in love with the characters, and loved Neilson’s writing style a lot.

You get to meet Laniah and Issac and while you probably know by now that I am not going to give too much away, know that they have been best friends for years and now they are fake dating.  Laniah needs a little help with her hair care products shop and Issac is a beloved influencer that can bring her some attention.  If you love this trope you are going to be smiling from ear to ear!  I loved their comfortability with one another, their banter, and being a part of their friendship journey.  I love the flashbacks to their childhood and thought that really added layers to their characters.

I loved the world that Neilson created and so many of the secondary characters too.  There is love support, and some harder topics like grief and chronic illness explored in an approachable way.  There is balance in the light and darkness of relationships.  The characters struggle with growth, taking chances, and following their dreams and being along on the journey really had me invested.  This was another book I binged and one that is the perfect beach read. 

If you are a fan of fake dating, flawed but loveable characters, and the perfect balance of tenderness and realness, definitely check this one out!

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase A Love Like the Sun here.

More by Riss M. Neilson:
Deep in Providence (YA, fantasy)
I'm Not Supposed to Be in the Dark (YA, paranormal)

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Book Review: All the Summers In Between

By Melissa Smoot

When wealthy, impulsive summer girl Margot meets hardworking and steady local girl Thea in the summer of 1967, the unlikely pair become fast friends, working alongside one another in a record store and spending every spare moment together. But after an unspeakable incident on one devastating August night, they don’t see one another for ten years…until Margot suddenly reappears in Thea’s life, begging for help and harboring more than one dangerous secret. Thea can’t bring herself to refuse her beloved friend—but she also knows she can’t fully trust her either.

Unfulfilled as a housewife, Thea enjoys the dazzling sense of adventure Margot brings to her life, but will the truth of what happened to them that fateful summer ruin everything? Testing the boundaries of how far she’ll go for a friend, Thea is forced to reckon with her uncertain future while trying to decide if some friends are meant to remain in the past.

Set in the dual timelines of 1967 and 1977, All the Summers In Between is at once a mesmerizing portrait of a complex friendship, a delicious glimpse into a bygone Hamptons, and a powerful coming-of-age for two young women during a transformative era. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

This is a great summer read. I loved that it was set in East Hampton, NY, and mentioned the beach or the ocean in almost every chapter. The evolution of longtime friendships and relationships is always intriguing to me. As we get older the lengths we are willing to go for others changes and we start to ask more questions and set boundaries. This story really encompassed the internal conflicts many women face within their friendships and marriages. It was interesting to see the main character, Thea, reach that point as a young mother and wife. 

When Thea’s estranged best friend, Margot, unexpectedly returns to East Hampton after almost 10 years, Thea must make the decision whether to help Margot in a time of need. Should Thea put aside past hurts to have a chance at getting her friend back? Or is Thea just being taken for granted again? Foster keeps us guessing until the very end and adds in many twists and conflicts that the characters must overcome before we get to the conclusion. If you are looking for something with depth that will make you think far beyond beach days and clambakes, this is sure to be a hit.

Thanks to Gallery for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase All the Summers In Between here.

More by Brooke Lea Foster:

Summer Darlings

On Gin Lane

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A sweet summer escape with Jane L. Rosen...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Captain W.

We're pleased to have Jane L. Rosen back at CLC today to celebrate the recent release of her latest novel, Seven Summer Weekends. Isn't the cover absolutely gorgeous? And the story inside sounds like the perfect summer read. Thanks to Berkley, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

Jane L. Rosen is an author and screenwriter whose critically acclaimed first novel, Nine Women, One Dress, has been translated into ten languages. She lives in New York City and on Fire Island with her husband and three daughters.

Visit Jane online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
When a Zoom disaster upends Addison Irwin’s decade-long career at a posh Manhattan advertising agency, things look bleak for the thirty-something mid-western transplant. But an unexpected inheritance from an aunt she barely remembers—a property on Fire Island, complete with guest house and artist’s studio—changes everything.

While debating whether to stay or sell, Addison learns that she’s also inherited her aunt’s list of eclectic guests, tying her to the island for seven summer weekends. Eager to convince Addison to keep the house rather than let a new buyer build a monstrosity in its place, the neighbors welcome her to their laid-back community. Well, all except the moody guy next door, who seems intent on glowering his way through life.

Steadfast in her path since college, Addison is determined not to let this detour on Fire Island throw her off track. But soon, between the revolving door of weekend visitors and the up and down relationship with her neighbor (and his adorable dog), she finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Should she try to pick up where she left off—or embrace entirely new possibilities?

“A charming, feel-good story about the power of love, the saving grace of friendship, and the revelatory nature of time spent by the sea, Jane L. Rosen’s latest is the must-read book of the summer! An ode to fresh starts—and meddling relatives—this novel is the perfect reminder that it doesn’t take long for life to change in the best possible ways. Sometimes, in fact, it only takes Seven Summer Weekends. Five huge stars!
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds

"When Jane L. Rosen invites you to Fire Island, you go. Especially when she promises a compulsively readable, totally satisfying five-alarm heart tugging romance. Come for the fun of it and then let Seven Summer Weekends be your roadmap for a happy life."
—Annabel Monaghan, author of Same Time Next Summer

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

You will never be a naïve debut novelist again—enjoy the ride!
 
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Seven Summer Weekends?
The biggest reward is discovering that after five books there are readers anticipating my novels, just as I do when one of my favorite authors come out with a new book.  For this particular book it was challenging to link it to my previous title, On Fire Island, while still creating a stand-alone read. 
 
If Seven Summer Weekends was made into a movie, what songs would you include on the soundtrack?
"Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd, "Wheel of Fortune" by my daughter, Raechel Rosen, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding, and "Bright Side of the Road" by Van Morrison.
 
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey
 
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I would take you to the beach on Fire Island, for ice cream in town at Scoops, and on a water taxi to Cherry Grove to dance the night away. 
 
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
Fran Drescher! I love a good New Yawk accent!

Thanks to Jane for chatting with us and to Berkley 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 10th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Find Me in California

By Melissa Amster

Raised by her fiercely passionate and free-spirited grandmother, Julia Hope has never gone without love. But as she tends to her only living relative during her final days, Julia struggles to overcome her fear of being alone.

A thousand miles away, Matt Gatlin has managed to avoid the coldhearted grandmother with whom he once lived. But after twelve years of her being blessedly out of sight, she needs him. His resentments still raw, Matt packs up his car and reluctantly heads to California to confront a bitter past he thought was long gone.

Over the next six days, Julia’s and Matt’s fates intersect. An old diary exposes the tragedy of a long-lost love. A history of secrets in two families comes to light. And on a lonely back road, Matt picks up an unusual yet captivating hitchhiker with a secret of her own.

For Julia and Matt, something heartbreaking and heartwarming, mysterious and beautiful, will touch their lives—with neither of them realizing that maybe they’re destined for each other. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have been a fan of Kerry Lonsdale's writing, ever since I picked up Everything We Keep in 2016. Her latest novel, Find Me in California, has a different feel from her previous novels, but it is incredibly engaging and hard to put down. 

The story goes back and forth between the past and the present. The past is told via a diary that Julia learns about for the first time. It explains the animosity between Julia and Matt's grandmothers, but is dished out in a way that makes you wait for a big reveal. They were friends in the beginning! I was in suspense and just had to know what really happened with Matt and Julia's grandmothers! Matt and Julia were lost souls and my heart went out to both of them. 

In the present, we learn a lot about Matt and Julia and what shaped them from adolescence into adulthood. They both had hard lives that were connected to their mothers in some way. Little did they initially know about their grandmothers having a connection in the past. Their conversations were really interesting and revealing, and my heart ached for both of them. 

I don't want to say too much more as to not spoil things. While I was able to guess at something, there were still many surprises in store. I felt like I was expecting more to come from Matt's connection with the hitchhiker, but it was still a satisfying story no matter what. 

Pick this one up on June 11th for a thoughtful and immersive summer read!

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of the post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Julia: Haley Lu Richardson
Matt: Nick Robinson
Magnolia (past): Kerri Medders
Liza (past): Alexia Fast
Matty (past): Chase Stokes

Thanks to Kerry Lonsdale for the book in exchange for an honest review. Enter to win an ebook from Goodreads! (US only. Ends 6/10.)

More by Kerry Lonsdale:

No More Words

Side Trip

Last Summer

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TW: Death of parent/relative, emotional abuse, miscarriage (mentioned from the past), drug usage, suicide (shown in a flashback), Alzheimer's

Spotlight and Giveaway: We Could Be Heroes

It's June, which means it's Pride month once again! 🌈 And kicking it off is Philip Ellis's sophomore novel, We Could Be Heroes, which releases today! Is it just us, or is the "We Could Be Heroes" part of the "Elephant Love Medley" from Moulin Rouge in your head too? Anyway, this book is in Melissa's TBR and thanks to Putnam, it could be in your TBR too. They have one copy for a lucky reader!

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear high heels and a wig.

Patrick's acting career is on the rise, and the superhero movie he's filming might put him on the map . . . if the endless reshoots ever stop. Meanwhile, Will, a secondhand bookseller and part-time drag queen, is just trying to live his best life. After a chance encounter on a particularly chaotic night, a curious friendship sparks between the two men.

At least, that’s what they tell each other. Sure, Patrick finds Will captivatingly hilarious, and Will can’t help but keep thinking about who is really behind the perfect mask Patrick shows the rest of the world, but nothing could ever really happen, right? Superheroes don’t date drag queens, after all.

When reality crashes into the fantasy world they’ve built together, Will has to make a choice between the man of his dreams and being true to himself. Can Patrick be the hero Will’s been waiting for, or will Will be the one to save Patrick after all? Uproarious and touching, We Could Be Heroes is an ode to queer joy and a romance that just might save the world. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a fiercely electric romance that I couldn’t put down. You’ll be turning the pages of We Could Be Heroes with supersonic speed and wishing you could erase your own memory to experience all the feels again for the first time." 
—Timothy Janovsky, author of The (Fake) Dating Game

"What an adventure! We Could Be Heroes is a triumphant gay love story that’s wise, witty, and chock full of engaging characters who have the most important superpowers of all—integrity, heart, and, of course, a great wig or two." 
—Byron Lane, author of A Star is Bored

"Like all the best superheroes — and drag queens — We Could Be Heroes is an outrageously fun time with a beautifully human heart beating behind the costume. With swoon-worthy chemistry, pitch-perfect humor, and a poignant dash of history woven seamlessly into the ultra-modern narrative, Philip Ellis has delivered a dazzling and unique rom-com." 
—Nicolas DiDomizio, author of Nearlywed

Credit: Tam Bernard

Philip Ellis is the author of Love & Other Scams and We Could Be Heroes and a contributing editor for Men’s Health. His short fiction has been long-listed for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. He lives in Birmingham, UK.

Visit Philip online:
Website * 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 June 9th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Just Some Stupid Love Story

By Melissa Smoot

Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living—which is how she knows “romance” is a racket. The one and only time she was naive enough to fall in love was with her high school boyfriend, Seth—who she ghosted on the eve of graduation and hasn’t seen in fifteen years.

Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the grand, fated kind, despite his job as, well…one of Chicago’s most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he’s sought “the one” in countless bad dates and rushed relationships. He knows his soulmate is out there. But so far, no one can compare to Molly Marks, the first girl who broke his heart.

When Molly’s friends drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, it is poetic justice that she’s forced to sit with Seth. Too many martinis and a drunken hookup later, they decide to make a bet: whoever can predict the fate of five couples before the next reunion must declare that the other is right about true love. The catch? The fifth couple is the two of them.

Molly assures Seth they are a tale of timeless heartbreak. Seth promises she’ll end up hopelessly in love with him. She thinks he’s delusional. He has five years to prove her wrong.

Wickedly funny, sexy, and brimming with laughs and heart like the best romantic comedies, Just Some Stupid Love Story is for everyone who believes in soulmates—even if they would never admit it. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

This was such a fun and fast-paced story, I really enjoyed it. I liked how Doyle spanned the story over multiple years. The two main characters, Molly and Seth, alternated chapters in their own POV, which made for a well-rounded story. Reading how each one was seeing the same situation in a different light gave the plot a lot of substance. 

The fact that Seth and Molly have known one another since high school added to desire for a “happy ending”. The two have the typical issues with bad timing and missed opportunities, but they add to the allure of the story and hook you in even more.

When I first started reading, I was sure I could predict everything that would happen, it is a rom-rom after all. I was so wrong, and I am glad that I was. Even though Doyle throws in the typical cheesy rom-com characteristics, it worked for this story. I felt like I related to both Seth and Molly at the same time, even though they were coming from hugely differing perspectives. This is one you should add to your summer reading or beach read list. You will laugh, cry, cringe, and smile throughout the entire story.

Thanks to Flatiron for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Just Some Stupid Love Story here.

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Book Review: Look on the Bright Side

By Melissa Smoot

Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.

Things aren’t going so well.

For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up.

Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister’s wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice.

As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother.

Meanwhile, Lark’s mom has moved in with Lark’s colorful landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what’s next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren’t planned at all. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I was not sure what to expect from this book. I knew I would enjoy it because I have always loved anything that takes place in New England, especially Cape Cod and the Islands (Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard). I also like books about second chances or the opportunity to start over. This story was no exception. Higgins gives us a vivid picture of Cape Cod as well as Boston, where I lived for a few years, so I can attest to the accuracy of the street names and landmarks. I loved the feeling of nostalgia I got while reading.

While I was expecting some teary moments, I was ill prepared for the level of emotion that this story packed in. Higgins left nothing out and gives the reader a clear background of her main characters, especially Lark Smith, Ellie Smith (Lark’s mother), and Joy, Lark’s fun-loving and unconventional landlady. While I did feel some parts were a bit slow moving in the beginning, it picked up pace by the middle of the book. I really liked every character, even the grouchy and downright mean (most times), Lorenzo, but I adored Joy. She had a light about her that made me want her to be my friend and landlady and I appreciated how her story evolved.

If you are looking for something that will give you all the feels and stay up late into the night waiting to see how it unfolds, this is the book for you. Just make sure you have plenty of tissues nearby because you will be crying happy AND sad tears!

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Look on the Bright Side here.

More by Kristan Higgins:

Pack Up the Moon

Good Luck with That

Life and Other Inconveniences

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