Book Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal

By Melissa Smoot

Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He’s the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.

Jack is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited about—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.

With their chemistry-fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, he agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I have read several books by Sarah Adams and each time I think “THIS is my favorite one”, and then the next one is even better (if that is possible). This story was no exception. I laughed out loud many times while reading this story, but also truly felt the deep emotions of the two main characters, Jack and Emily. 

I feel like I connected so much with this book, and not just for the obvious reasons, but for the things that we keep hidden away, so as not to rock the boat. A few of the relationships between the characters also really resonated with me. I love that I got to read another book that heavily featured the incredible bonds of sisters, and I could not put this one down. I loved every single character, from the town gossips to the woman in the supermarket to the owner of the local honky-tonk. 

Sarah Adams writes relationships, no matter the subjects of them, with so much heart and truth. This was an adorable, emotional, loving, tender, witty story and I would a thousand percent suggest you run out and grab it ASAP!

Thanks to Random House for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Beg, Borrow, or Steal here.

More by Sarah Adams:
The Rule Book
The Match (It Happened in Charleston series)

The Off-Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville series)

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Work in Progress

Today we are pleased to feature Kat Mackenzie's debut rom-com, Work in Progress, which will be available next week. The story sounds delightful; a romantic armchair adventure. Thanks to HarperCollins, we have FIVE copies to give away!

A warm, sexy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman who, desperate for a fresh start, books a literary bus tour across the UK that consists of a lively group of elderly ladies plus one infuriatingly handsome Scottish driver.

UK Bus Trip Goals:

1.       Crawl out of pajamas.

2.       Get over cheating bastard and his stupid ironed jeans. 

3.       Have my first real adventure!

4.       Achieve stability, strength, and growth.

5.       Definitely do NOT kiss any British men.

Alice loves a good list. But careful planning didn’t stop her from losing her job and her fiance in one fell swoop. With her dreaded 30th birthday looming on the horizon, Alice makes the first impulsive decision of her life - booking a flight to the UK for a three-week, all-female, literary bus tour. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out - everything.

Alice arrives to discover that this tour isn’t what she expected. At all. Instead of cool, globe-trotting thirtysomethings with meaningful tattoos, she finds a rickety, antique bus full of fluffy-haired octogenarians. And to make matters infinitely worse, the tour guide makes her blood boil! And that devilish grin of his tells her he’s dead set on making her trip a misery. 

But as they travel from castle ruins to cozy pubs, Alice may just find that she’s got it all wrong. The ladies are vivacious. The book club chat is on fire. And damn if that mischievous smile doesn't threaten to turn her world upside down - and her beloved list right along with it!

"Mackenzie's outstanding, sweet debut will find many fans with its broad appeal... Readers will enjoy the abundant gentle humor, intergenerational friendships, and armchair travel—as well as the slow burn of a tasteful romance." — Booklist (starred review)

"If I could invent my perfect romcom, it would be this: Books, buses and a sexy Scotsman are already a great start. Add to that the pitch-perfect, snarky hero-heroine interactions and the ending which is genuinely heartwarming and satisfying. The lashings of cake and hilariously observed Anglican-American cultural incompatibilities are a bonus. This book is an absolute delight." 

— Poppy Alexander, author of Storybook Ending

"A laugh out loud, delight of a book. Kat Mackenzie made me feel like a tourist in my own country." 

— Elliot Fletcher, author of Whisky Business

Kat Mackenzie is an American who just happened to find herself living abroad for ten years and accidentally traveling to over forty countries in an attempt to taste all the food. She holds degrees from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford but has discovered that they serve her best collecting dust on the shelf while she pens comedy-forward stories about women who travel. Work in Progress is her first novel.

Visit Kat online:
Website * Facebook * 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 January 14th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: The Drowning Game

By Melissa Smoot

Sisters Nadia and Cass Brenner are heirs to Ocean House, a decades-old empire that builds superyachts for the rich and powerful: emirs, oligarchs, and titans of industry throughout America and Europe. They’re a next-generation success with the design of their soon-to-be-commissioned megayacht for a Chinese billionaire. But the sisters’ entrée into the coveted Asian market is tragically cut short when Cass falls from a fortieth-floor hotel balcony.

A Singapore detective rules suicide. Nadia’s been in the yacht business too long not to be suspicious. Especially when she discovers Cass’s involvement in dangerously illicit activities. Pulled into the same web of betrayal, lies, and secrets that trapped her sister, Nadia is on the most perilous mission of her life. Because uncovering the truth behind her sister’s death could tear the Brenner family apart―and it just might get her killed.

From Seattle to Austria to the South China Sea, Nadia must hold on to the one thing that can keep her safe. It’s the Brenner family motto: Trust no one. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

What a fantastic book to end the past year with! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this story. Psychological thrillers and mysteries are some of my favorite genres, but this book had a lot of heart and emotion to it too. I felt like I was learning about China, particularly Singapore, and I love learning new things about faraway places. 

The main character being a yacht designer was also so new to me, I really enjoyed learning some of the ins and outs that go into building those magnificent boats. Between the setting in Singapore (with small bits taking place in Washington State) and the glamorous world of Mega Yachts and luxury goods, this book was hard to put down. I also really liked how the relationship between the two main characters, Sisters Cass and Nadia, was the focal point of most of the plot. 

Having my own sister, whom I am extremely close to, made me able to feel more of the sisters’ fear and pain and how much they wanted to protect one another. This story kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to figure out who to trust and who needed to be kept at a distance. I especially liked that I didn’t know until the very end of the story how it would pan out. This was a great read full of drama, suspense, and a welcome dose of history and geography. 

Thanks to Kaye Publicity for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase The Drowning Game here.

More by Barbara Nickless:
At First Light (Dr. Evan Wilding series)
Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell series)

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Fiona Davis reigns supreme...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Deborah Feingold

We're excited to have Fiona Davis back at CLC today to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, The Stolen Queen! Melissa enjoyed this novel and will be reviewing it soon. In the meantime, you can check out her praise on her Bookstagram. Thanks to Dutton, we have TWO copies to give away!

Fiona Davis is  the New York Times bestselling author of seven historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Spectacular, The Magnolia Palace, The Address, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America book club pick. Her articles have appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and the Oprah magazine. 

She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages and she's based in New York City.

Visit Fiona online:

Website * Facebook * Instagram

**For a chance to join a Zoom chat with Fiona in February, contact robin (at) robinkall (dot) com. You can also check out her interview at Friends and Fiction and her interview at Historical Happy Hour!**

Synopsis:

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. That is until an unbearable tragedy strikes.

New York City, 1978: Nineteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.”

 

Meanwhile, Charlotte is now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art. She’s consumed by her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.

The night of the gala: One of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing, and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening. Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, and a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

"The Stolen Queen is a powerful ode to both the magic of New York City and the resilience of the human spirit, set both in the storied Met and in the rock-cut pharaohs' tombs of Egypt." 

—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter

"Moving, suspenseful, and entirely vivid, The Stolen Queen is Fiona Davis at her absolute best, balancing history and mystery with her consummate artistry." 

—Lisa Grunwald, author of The Evolution of Annabel Craig

"Absolutely spectacular! Davis has done it again in this compulsively readable, unforgettable historical mystery." 

—Jo Piazza, bestselling author of The Sicilian Inheritance

What is one thing you would tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
That the next decade would be one that’s the most fulfilling and fun of my life, and to be sure to enjoy every minute, as well as all the wonderful people I’ll be meeting on the way.

What is the most interesting thing you learned while doing research for The Stolen Queen?
I was surprised to learn that the Met Museum has around 1.5 million objects in its collection, and only six percent are on display at any one time.

If The Stolen Queen were made into a movie, what are some songs that would be on the soundtrack?
A dear friend of mine who’s a singer/songwriter, Jenny Bruce, read the manuscript and wrote the most beautiful, haunting song inspired by the story called “Forgotten Queen.” We even shot a video for it, which you can find online. The song is available on all music platforms, and also plays after the last line of the audiobook. “Forgotten Queen” would open and close the movie for sure!

Do you make any New Year's resolutions? If so, which ones have you stuck with?
I’m heading out on a book tour right after New Year’s, so I hope I can find time to meditate every day while I’m traveling. It’s so good for rebooting your brain, and I know I’ll need all the focus I can get while racing from state to state talking about the book and meeting readers.

If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it? 
I love Emma Stone’s voice, it’s so rich and resonant. I could listen to her talk all day.

If we were to visit you, what are some places you would take us to see?
I would take you to the Campbell Bar, which is hidden away in a corner of Grand Central Terminal, and is like stepping back in time, decorated with a giant fireplace, stained glass windows, gorgeous woodwork. I’d also take you to the Egyptian Art Collection at the Met and show you the broad collar that figures in The Stolen Queen, the statue “Fragment of a Queen’s Face” that’s the inspiration for the artifact that is stolen in the story, as well as the gallery full of Hatshepsut’s enormous statues.

Thanks to Fiona for visiting with us and to Dutton 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 January 12th at midnight EST.

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Spotlight: For One Night Only

After her recurring role in tabloid headlines, Valerie Quinn’s musical TV show is on the network chopping block. Desperate for good press, she hastily reassembles her wildly beloved pop punk band, Glitter Bats. A reunion concert could be the former lead vocalist’s ticket to a media makeover, especially if it renews public speculation around her iconic situationship with bassist Caleb Sloane.

The only problem? They haven’t spoken in six years.

Caleb had the makings of a rock god, but fallout from the messy Glitter Bats breakup left him broke, anxious, and resentful of the industry. But when Valerie shows up at Caleb’s doorstep with that devastating smile and a plea for help, he reluctantly agrees to put on one last show.

So what if the fandom assumes the two of them are back together too? They’ll play along. You know... for the press.

Making music together not only revives the harmony between them, but also the discord that led to the band’s downfall. With their futures—and the Glitter Bats—in the balance, can they survive a romantic reprise?

“Jessica James bursts onto the stage with For One Night Only, a sensational debut about first love, heartbreak, and getting your second chance while the whole world’s watching. Valerie and Caleb’s journey back to their music—and back to each other—had me grinning and kicking my feet ‘til the very last note.”

—Jenna Levine, USA Today bestselling author of My Roommate Is a Vampire

“If you've ever wished for a romcom version of Daisy Jones and the Six, Jessica James's sparkling debut, For One Night Only, is everything you're looking for! Set in the world of punk pop, the book's cool vibes, music industry intrigue, and its captivating look at the trials and tribulations of chasing your rising star will have you hooked from the first page. Valerie and Caleb steal the spotlight on and off the stage, and their swoony second-chance romance will have readers screaming for an encore.”

—Jenny L. Howe, author of On the Plus Side 

Purchase For One Night Only here.

© Andrew James 2024

Jessica James (she/her) is a writer who also loves watching musicals, baking family recipes, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her spouse and two dogs. In addition to writing, Jessica has a passion for singing. She's a mezzo-soprano with a BA in Music and a healthy Broadway obsession.

Visit Jessica online:

Website * Instagram * TikTok

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Book Review: The Perfect Home

By Jami Denison

I love home improvement and real estate reality shows so much that I became a real estate agent. The profession isn’t nearly as glamorous as the shows make it out to be—no one dresses like the women of Selling Sunset—but I still find myself obsessed with the behind-the-scenes gossip. Chrishelle and Jason? Tarek’s cancer and the gun incident? Tarek and Christina splitting up, and his marrying Heather from Selling Sunset? The best drama sometimes happens off camera.

Daniel Kenitz captures these vibes perfectly in his debut thriller, The Perfect Home. Wyatt and Dawn Decker are the Chip and Joanna Gaines of Nashville. He’s the hunky, eager contractor; she’s the voice-of-reason decorator. Their relationship began when she was a producer on his show, The Perfect Home, and she has never hungered for fame the way he has. Shy in her dealings with fans, Dawn also has to deal with looking like a normal woman and having people openly wonder how she snagged a guy like Wyatt. Now Wyatt and Dawn live in their own perfect home, and the only thing missing is children. When Wyatt’s sperm count comes back low, he decides to take an illegal supplement to boost his supply. Although Dawn is worried about the known personality side effects, she reluctantly agrees, and soon becomes pregnant with twins. 

After the babies are born, Wyatt’s personality changes, and he becomes cruel and demanding. But Dawn has no idea of everything he’s hiding from her until she stumbles across Wyatt’s written plan to ensure bigger fame. When she takes the babies and flees, Wyatt uses his camera skills to paint Dawn as suffering from post-partum psychosis, and as a danger to their children. On the run and not knowing whom to trust, Dawn knows she’ll have to beat Wyatt at his own game to ensure her children’s safety.

Written from both characters’ first-person perspectives, The Perfect Home is a nice addition to the domestic suspense genre, providing a quick, fun read. Kenitz doesn’t color inside the lines in his writing—there are some humorous characters and a funny plot twist that drew me out of the tension. I’m a stickler for tone, though, and other readers may appreciate the diversions. Dawn comes across as real and authentic, and with postpartum depression becoming a popular trope in domestic suspense, it was a good twist to have the diagnosis used against her. I found Wyatt to be less believable, though, and the side effects of the supplement didn’t come across in his narrative voice. I also found Dawn’s best friend unbelievable, as well as the denouement between them.

I wonder what the book might have been if Kenitz had opted for more of a slow burn. He hints at toxic masculinity and Instagram culture but doesn’t really explore what it feels like for a man to come up short in a personal way like Wyatt did. Since the audience for domestic thrillers is primarily female, it’s an understandable choice. But women are also victims of toxic masculinity, and an in-depth examination would have been interesting.

Still, The Perfect Home will please fans of the genre, especially if they’re also fans of those home improvement shows, like I am. It’s a fast read with a fun setting. And a good reminder that those folks on reality shows are performing a role, and renovations and real estate are never as easy as they look.  

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

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Book Review: The Last Broken Girl

By Sara Steven

Erin Moore, kidnapped as a teenager and held for months, learns her abductor is up for parole. The police always believed her captor acted alone, and that the female accomplice Erin described years ago was the fabrication of a traumatized mind.

Twenty years later, Erin leads a rigidly structured life with her husband and two young daughters and has a successful psychology practice in the same small midwestern town. When her abductor is paroled early and goes missing, leaving behind a large pool of blood, Erin and her husband become suspects. Erin receives threatening notes she is certain came from the accomplice, but she is unable to convince the police the menace is real.

As Erin watches her life unravel, including her marriage, career and possibly her sanity, she knows the only way out is to bring the accomplice to justice, even if it’s twenty years late. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

The Last Broken Girl was incredibly suspenseful and flat out engaging. Erin’s experiences instantly draw the reader in, with the primary focus highlighting what happens after her former captor is up for parole. Erin has spent the majority of her adulthood doing everything she can to create a safe environment for her children and her husband, with private gated fences and living practically out of civilization, minimizing her social media exposure and making it near impossible for anyone to know where she is and if she even exists.

But someone knows. Every year on her birthday, she receives a postcard. And since the parole, the threats and phantom sightings have increased, and Erin isn’t sure if it’s merely a trick of the mind and the stress of the past coming back to haunt her, or if there really is an impending threat to her safety. When it extends to her family, she knows she has no choice but to do what should have been done a long time ago: seek out her former captor, find the accomplice, and put a stop to it all, once and for all. 

It’s hard to do when no one believes her, or if they do, they think her memory is skewed and she’s reinventing the past. The people she’s always relied on fall away, mostly due to their own skeletons in the closet, and Erin doesn’t know any other way than to go at it alone. It felt justified, considering all that had been done to her. In the latter part of the book, it felt like Erin’s last stand, and I was there for it, all the way. There’s something to be said when it comes to witnessing a vulnerable, broken person pulling themselves up to do what must be done in order to save those she loves and in many ways, save herself from what haunts her, and the author did an excellent job of showcasing that. 

As the story moved along, the pace was pretty perfect, with constant suspense and intrigue. What’s real and what isn’t? And who really is the culprit? The Last Broken Girl is a definite five-star thriller, hands down! 

Thanks to Cynthia Rice for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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