Author: Grace Parks
Publisher: Author Collective 20
Genre: Romance
Source: Author Collective 20 ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Willow Lawson is a fun loving social media expert, who helps companies stand out from their competitors. Yet, despite her bubbly personality, her social life is mostly work-related, and her love life is non-existent. That’s when she starts The Pepper Lane Club, a chance to get away once a month from her maddening life and reconnect with her friends. It’s at this very first meeting that she meets Thomas Greer, who owns the café. He’s everything she’s not. He’s serious, unsociable, unfashionable, and dead set against social media. She decides to take him on as a client despite his refusals. She wants the challenge, and she wants to prove to him that he needs her help. He frustrates her, but there’s something about his old fashioned ways that also intrigues her.

Six women. Six stories. Six chances of love. One café.
The Pepper Lane series tells the stories of six women, who agree to meet once a month at their local café. They promise to meet no matter what life throws their way, and, as we soon find out, life throws a lot more than any of them expected. Friendships are forged, and deepened, as the women get to know each other. It’s only once a month, but they soon realize how important this little club has become to each of them. They might be an unlikely group of friends, but it takes all types to form a tribe.

Ope’s Opinion: This is in the romance genre and there was some romance in this book, but the female friendship is really at the center of the story. The females are strong, independent woman with other things in their lives along with the romance. This is the first book of the series.

It was a very good read that engaged me from the beginning and made me want to carve out more time to get back to reading it. I liked being introduced to all six woman and getting to know a little about their personalities. This book focused on Willow. She was a bit all over the place – that is just her personality, I enjoyed her.

I am looking forward to getting to know the other woman. I hope in the next book ( about Riley ) will include some about where Willow is too. I felt like her story wasn’t quite done.

Author: Stefanie London
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Romance
Source: Entangled Publishing, LLC ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: What happens when two people who’ve given up on forever find it in each other…?

Single men are as scarce in Forever Falls as a vegetarian at a barbecue. That is, until Ethan Hammersmith moves in. After his fiancée gave him an ultimatum, he left Australia and never looked back. He isn’t in America to find a new girlfriend, though. He’s searching for the father he never knew. But now it’s like he has a flashing sign above his head that says “available.” Thankfully, the manager of the local diner is willing to give him cover—if only she weren’t so distractingly adorable.

Monroe Roberts, town misanthrope and divorcée, knocked “forever” permanently off her wish list ever since the love of her life skipped town with the cliché yoga instructor. And good riddance. She’s got this struggling diner to keep her busy, trying anything to boost sales…until a hot Australian strolls in and changes everything. Monroe’s restaurant is packed full of women who aren’t there to order food, unless Ethan is on the menu. This could sink her business faster than ever. So—light bulb—what if they pretend to be together?

It sounds like the perfect plan. Until they realize there is some very real chemistry in this fake relationship. But is it enough to heal two hearts that have been so deeply wounded?

Ope’s Opinion: If you like steamy romance with details on the sex scenes – this book is for you. I like the romances that are called closed doors – I don’t care for those details. I am more interested in the story. I also had trouble connecting to the idea of faking a relationship when the main characters are already attracted to each other.

I really liked the setting being in a small town. I like when people have a history and care about each other. It was a quick, easy summer read.

Author: Lauren K. Denton
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Margaret at Harper Collins

Goodreads: Written in Lauren K. Denton’s signature Southern style, The One You’re With tells a story of marriage, choices, and what a good life really looks like.

High-school sweethearts Mac and Edie Swan lead a seemingly picture-perfect life in the sleepy-sweet community of Oak Hill, near Mobile, Alabama. Edie is a respected interior designer, Mac is a beloved pediatrician, and they have two great kids and a historic home on tree-lined Linden Avenue. From the outside, the Swan family is the definition of “the good life.” And life is good—mostly. Until a young woman walks into Mac’s office one day. A young woman whose very existence threatens all Mac and Edie have built and all they think they know about each other.

Nineteen years after a summer apart, with a family and established lives and careers, the past that Mac and Edie thought they left behind has come back to greet them. For the first time, constants in their lives are called into question: their roles as parents, their reputation as upstanding members of the community, and the very foundations of their marriage. As they wade through the upheaval in both their family and professional lives, they must each examine choices they made long ago and chart a new course for their future.

Ope’s Opinion: Now is when I wish I were a writer, not just an avid reader. I am struggling to find the words to express how wonderfully woven this is story is. The past and present perspective of Mac and Edie made it just flow from the beginning to the very imperfectly perfect end.

Without giving too much away, this story is about choosing who you love regardless of what happens. It is an in-depth look at marriage from the inside. This was a difficult time for Mac and Edie, but it was written in such a positive, uplifting way.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys family stories. I am really looking forward to Lauren K. Denton’s next book. I will read whatever she writes.

Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
Genre: Romance
Source: Harlequin ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: A new season leads to a new beginning in New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne’s latest heartwarming romance!

Will the secrets of her past…

Prevent her from having the future she’s always wanted?

Rosa Galvez’s attraction to Officer Wyatt Townsend is as powerful as the moon’s pull on the tides. But with her past, Rosa knows better than to act on her feelings. When Wyatt and his adorable son become Brambleberry House’s newest tenants, Rosa finds her resolve slipping. Her solo life slowly becomes a sun-filled family adventure—until dark secrets threaten to break like a summer storm.

Ope’s Opinion: RaeAnne Thayne did it again – she wrote an amazing story with well developed characters and a twist to keep you on your toes. Although this was a short story, she did not sacrifice depth of characters or story line.

I am looking forward to the next Brambleberry book.

…. On a Bookshelf near you!

In July I hope to read….

Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Goodreads:  A delightful romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Ginny Baird…

Successful Boston matchmaker and television personality Meredith Galanes’s reputation is on the line. During a guest appearance on a morning talk show, she’s broadsided by questions about her own romantic attachments, just as she’s trying to secure a syndication deal. Afraid to admit her love life is a total disaster, Meredith blurts out that she’s seriously involved with a very special man—a boatbuilder in Maine. She never expects that small slip to get spun into a story about her supposed engagement.

Or that the paparazzi will track the guy down…

Derrick Albright is laid-back about many things. Being hounded by the press about some imaginary engagement to a woman he’s only met once—and couldn’t stand—isn’t one of them. Then Meredith actually shows up at his cabin in Blue Hill, Maine, with an apology, a pot roast, and a proposal—play along until she secures her TV deal, and she’ll help him win back his ex.

It’s a simple plan, but if they have any chance of pulling it off, they’ll have to survive each other first…

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

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

Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Romance
Source: Bookouture ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: They say there’s always one summer that changes you.

For Faith the one summer she can’t forget is when she fell in love as a teenager – only for her sister, Casey, to steal her man. Now, at the request of her beloved ninety-year-old Grandmother, Faith has agreed to a family holiday – at their childhood beach house, where it all began.

Faith hasn’t seen her sister in years but is finally ready to forgive and forget, enjoy the sunshine and relive happy memories. What she’s not ready for is meeting Jake Buchanan – the owner of the beach house – or the long-forgotten feelings he ignites in her.

Can Faith overcome the hurt of the past, rekindle the close bond she had with Casey and make this summer THE ONE to remember?

Ope’s Opinion: The Outer Banks is one of my favorite places to be. I go often with family and friends. It is very special to me. So a book set at the Outer Banks and about developing it, is right up my alley. That part of the book was amazing.

The rest of the book gave me whip lash. The sister relationship was close, mad at each other, close – back and forth. Jake’s and Faith’s relationship was the same as her sisters – back and forth. Most of the book was on repeat.

Even though the end was what I usually like and expect from romance, by the time I got there I wasn’t sure I was believing it.

Author: Ciara Knight
Publisher: Author Collective 20
Genre: Romance
Source: Author Collective 20 ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Widow Julie Boone has lived her life and is content, so she thought until her daughter gives her the perfect nightmare of a fiftieth birthday gift-her three childhood besties. The arrival of her wildly successful, buttinski friends, overwhelms Julie when her life goes from peaceful to melodrama, makeovers, and matchmaking. Especially when they make her believe there is still life to be lived with one handsome sailor who’s just moved to town.

Trevor Ashford retreats from big city life to sunny Florida after a failed marriage and damaged reputation. His only wish is to open a small boat charter company in peace, but when Houdini-a mischievous pet ferret-steals an engine part and leads him on a merry chase into the arms of Julie Boone, he has to choose between being a recluse or embracing a new love. 

Ope’s Opinion: This is a perfect book to slip into your beach or pool bag. It has some humor, awesome characters and a fun story line. There are wonderful relationships to follow – mother/daughter, friendships, and romance. It has all I want in a romance – strong women, good men and very little steam.

The ending is exactly what you expect and want. This is my first Ciara Knight book, so I will be adding some to my list to read and looking forward to her next one.

Author: Jacquie May Miller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Romance
Source: The Wild Rose Press, Inc ( Netgalley )

Netgalley: When Jamie Crandall left Seattle for college twenty-five years ago, she was pregnant. Her mother demanded that she abort the child or get the hell out of Seattle and never come back.

Jamie chose the latter, using her scholarship to UC Berkeley to disappear with the son she refused to abort. But now, everything has changed. Her mother has died, and Jamie is coming home to face the father of her son.

Reuniting her son and his father will come at a high price though…Jamie has one more secret left to reveal.

Ope’s Opinion: The book started out a little slow, but moved fast the further I was into it. All the characters had their flaws and their secrets. As the secrets came out, they lead to other secrets. It was sort of a domino effect.

I enjoyed the fact that the relationships started in high school and this was a rekindling of some of those feelings. The story had several twist I enjoyed.

The ending was a little sappy and predictable and I loved it – it was exactly what I wanted.

Hard to believe nine years ago I started this blog, mostly to keep track of my thoughts on books. It has become a community I enjoy being a part of.

This year I have expanded my book reading by buying a kindle and joining Netgalley. Now I have the privilege of reading ebook arcs. It has been nice when I travel to just pack the kindle and having access to my books in one place makes the packing lighter and easier!

I am looking forward to another year of reading and reviewing.

Author: Hannah McKinnon
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Genre: Fiction
Source: Gena at Simon & Schuster

Goodreads: Wendell Combs is as local as they come. Born and raised in the small town of Saybrook, Connecticut, his venture into the larger world was met with heartbreak. Now, middle-aged and a confirmed bachelor, he seeks solitude from his tour of duty as a soldier back in his hometown, working as head caretaker for wealthy Alan Lancaster’s forty-acre estate, White Pines, a place he has come to love for its beauty, peace, and quiet.

Alan’s eldest daughter, fifteen-year-old Julia, also loves White Pines, but for very different reasons. She and her little sister spend their days riding horses, swimming in the lake, and painting landscapes inspired by the property they adore. While her parents prepare to host their annual summer gala fundraiser, Julia’s eyes are set to the simpler joys of summer: she’s fallen in love with the boy-next-door and longs for their next encounter.

But as the last guests leave on that magical summer night, a tragedy no one could have predicted suddenly occurs, shaking the entire town to its core. Wendell and Julianow face an uncertain future. At the height of their grief, two very different women return to Saybrook: Ginny Foster, Wendell’s first love, who cannot stay away any longer, and Candace Lancaster, Julia’s estranged aunt who wants nothing to do with the town or the family estate she escaped decades earlier. Now, the only familiar things Julia has to cling to are Wendell and White Pines, but it looks like she’s about to lose both…

Ope’s Opinion: When I started this book I had very high expectations. I have read Hannah McKinnon before and was swept away, so I was expecting that again. I also have to admit I started reading this when I in a very busy time of my life. So take my thoughts with all that in mind.

I am not sure why this one did not sweep me away. I did enjoy it, but I felt I was watching it all take place from a distance instead of being involved in the story. It took a while to get to know the characters. I think Julia’s perspective was my favorite part of the book. I will definitely read another Hannah McKinnon and I am glad I read this one.