For me a beach trip is not complete without a trip to the book store.
Some people bring how seashells.
I bring home books!
We had a rainy day and these were my purchases.

Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Fiction
Source: Kristy Woodson Harvey and Gallery Books

Goodreads: Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” ( E! Online ), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.

Ope’s Opinion: I am not a writer, so I do not understand how KWH develops the best characters and writes the best stories and this definitely one of the best. But I am an avid reader, so I do appreciate her wonderful ability to draw me right into the world she created.

If you only have room for one book this summer in your beach bag, this one should be it. I took this on my beach vacation this year and did not put it down. You will be able to relate to all these characters, probably find yourself in one of them, and are friends with the others.

I am not one to reread a book, but this one will sit on my shelf in the hope that there will be a time when I will read it again and pass it on to my granddaughters so they will become KWH fans.

Author: Catherine Bybee
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: Romance / Fiction
Source: Montlake ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the story of two wine enthusiasts who ride the ups and downs of love in the vineyards of Tuscany.

Tasting wine is not enough: sommelier Giovanni D’Angelo wants to create it. To put his family first, he’s always deferred his dreams—a vineyard to run, a woman to marry. But a three-week vineyard tour in Italy could set him back on track.

For Emma Rutledge, wine is in her blood. Intent to run the family wine business one day, she finds that the men in her family are only intent to push her out of it. But that’s fine—she’s got a plan.

When Gio and Emma meet on a wine tour in Tuscany, their shared aspirations fuel an undeniable chemistry. Returning home to California, they work toward setting up Emma’s vineyard and a label of their own. But when Emma receives a life-altering diagnosis, she worries it’s all been for nothing.

As Emma works to cement her family legacy while dealing with this unexpected challenge, Gio tries to convince her that their future isn’t just wine.

It’s each other.

Ope’s Opinion: I was struggling between 3.5 and 4.0, so I rounded up because I really like this author, and the story line was good and original. I especially liked that even though this was a romance, there was so much else going on.

There were some steamy parts and a bit of foul language that I don’t care for – that is why it didn’t end up being a 5.

The family drama and a twist in the story that I did not see coming made this an original story – not like all the other ones I am used to reading. The main character was a strong female, which always makes me like the story more.

I will look for Catherine Bybee’s next book.

Author: Kelle Z. Riley
Publisher: Kelle Z. Riley
Genre: Fiction
Source: A JKS Communications Company

Goodreads: When she traded her tiara for a few days of freedom, she didn’t expect to find herself – or to lose her heart to the one man guaranteed to break it . . . When Lady Sophia de Lyons, former fiancé to a king and protected daughter of the aristocracy, masqueraded as an American commoner, she didn’t expect to fall in love. She gets more than she bargained for when the man of her dreams turns out to be the tabloid reporter of her nightmares. Can she ever learn to trust him after he betrays her? Or will they both lose everything in a desperate gamble for love? Scroll up and grab a copy today.

Ope’s Opinion: I am usually into books about royals – real or fictional, but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. This was book four in the Riches & Royals series. I did not feel like I walked into the middle of a story. It could be read alone.

Some times I got lost in the descriptions and forgot where the story was going. Those parts moved a little slow for me, but overall the book was okay.

…. On a Bookshelf near you!

In July I hope to read….

Publication Date: July 11, 2023
Publisher: Gallery Books

Goodreads: Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

What is coming soon …. to a bookshelf near you?

Let me know – I am always looking for a good read!

The perfect place to read.
The perfect book to read.
One of my favorite authors to read.
What more could you want from vacation!?

Author: Alison Rose Greenberg
Publisher: St. Martin Griffin
Genre: Romance
Source: St. Martin Griffin ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: It’s official: Zoey Marks is the cursed bridesmaid that no engagement can survive. Ten years, three empire waist dresses, and ZERO brides have walked down the aisle.

After strike three, Zoey is left wondering if her own ambivalence towards marriage has rubbed off on those she loves. And when her building distrust of matrimony culminates in turning down a proposal from her perfect All-American boyfriend, Rylan Harper III, she and Rylan are both left heartbroken, leaving Zoey to wonder: what is it exactly about tying the knot that makes her want to run in the opposite direction?

Enter Hannah Green: Zoey’s best friend, who announces that she’s marrying a guy she just met (cue eye roll). At a castle. In gorgeous, romantic Ireland, where Rylan will be in attendance, and Zoey will be a bridesmaid. It’ll be fine.

Okay, the woman definition of fine (NOT FINE).

Determined to turn her luck around, Zoey accepts her role and vows to get Hannah down the aisle—all the while praying her best friend’s wedded bliss will allow her to embrace marriage and get Rylan back.

But as the weekend goes on, Zoey is plagued with more questions than answers. Can you be a free spirit, yet still want a certain future? Can you have love and be loved on your terms? And how DO you wrangle a bossy falcon into doing your bidding?

Ope’s Opinion: The synopsis looked like this could be a really cute read. I guess it could have been, but there was so much foul language. I wish the author had been more creative and used other words instead of the “f” word constantly – it lost it’s impact and meaning ( if there was any meaning ).

Zoey is the main character and it is all about her – she is the most self centered main character I think I have ever read. She even talks about herself. Zoey even wants to make sure her best friend ends up married just so Zoey feels better about marriage – not so her friend will be happy.

This was way too steamy for me and cheating is not sexy or enjoyable to read.

The ending was my favorite part, although I felt like there was no progress made by the main character – she was exactly where she was in the beginning. No spoilers – it just was not traditional.

Goodreads: Her past is restless. Her future is vulnerable. The longest summer of her life has begun.

Miranda Blair is a self-proclaimed hypocrite. Employed by her town’s historical society, she preserves brick-and-mortar landmarks from yesterday but has spent two decades running from her past. Having never been able to afford life’s indulgent toppings, she’s settled for vanilla.

Miranda is coaxed from her childhood home when she’s named the sole heir to her estranged grandmother’s estate. Gertrude Blair has outlined a hundred-day stay at her New England cottage as a prerequisite for the inheritance. Begrudgingly, Miranda accepts this unorthodox final request from the woman who never deserved the title “grandma.”

In idyllic Cobblers Hill, shingled homes boast charming front porches and roses entwine white picket fences. But Gertrude’s abandoned property needs a makeover as desperately as Miranda does. And while remnants from Miranda’s history dwell within the dark paneled cottage walls, no strings attached prevails as her motto—until, that is, she meets the emerald-eyed guy next door.

Thank you Corrine from Books Forward for passing this book on to me.

This year my reading has changed from mostly physical books to mostly ebooks on my Kindle. Although there are a lot of positive things with the Kindle, I do miss the physical books.

I also really miss BEA. It was a trip my daughter ( Kristi of Kritters Ramblings ) and I used to take each year. Meeting the authors, publishers and finding new books to read gave me incentive to read more ( not that I needed much incentive! ).

It is hard to believe another year of blogging has gone by. I am still really enjoying reading, talking about books and sharing those books with everyone.

This is my favorite place to read a book!

Author: Adele Griffin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Fiction
Source: Sourcebook Landmark ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: From National Book Award finalist Adele Griffin, an insightful and warmhearted story of two very different women who make an unexpected connection when one decides to carry a baby for the other.

At I’ll Have Seconds, a high-end fairytale vintage dress shop in Manhattan, Nora Hammond loves nothing better than pairing a rare find with the perfect client.

At home, Nora grapples with the bleaker reality of enormous debt, a tiny apartment, and ever-dwindling hope that she and her husband Jacob will have a family of their own.

When socialite Evelyn Elliot charges into Nora’s life, the women spark an immediate connection, and Nora is jettisoned into the heady whirl of New York’s moneyed elite. As Evelyn’s stylist and confidante, Nora needs to learn all new rules of engagement for the uber-wealthy. But it isn’t until Evelyn decides her next cause is to carry a baby for Nora, that these rules― and this unlikely friendship―are tested.

A contemporary story that celebrates alternative routes to family, The Favor is an incisive examination of what it means to long for a child and what relationships cost us―and what they’re worth.

Ope’s Opinion: I had heard so much about this book, I really thought I was going to fall in love with it from page one. Well, it is such a unique story I wanted to see where it went, but I wasn’t captivated by it.

I thought it was strange how Evelyn came into the store where Nora was working and just stripped down and tried on all the clothes. It seemed an odd way to start a friendship – if that is what you want to call Evelyn and Nora’s relationship.

I am a huge fan of stories about how people who deal with infertility, but this one was really different and hard to relate to. I could not relate to the dead poet and the perfume line – not sure how that fit in to the rest of the story for me.