Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Romance
Source: Atria Books ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: From the author of Playing with Matches, a sweeping love story in the vein of Rebecca Serle and Chloe Benjamin about a woman who knows the date she’ll meet her true love—only he isn’t quite as perfect as she always imagined.

What if you knew exactly when you’d meet the love of your life? Edie Meyer knows. When her Grandma Gloria was a young woman, she had a vision of the exact day she would meet her soul mate—and then Grandpa Ray showed up.

Since then, Gloria has accurately predicted the day every single member of the family has met their match. Edie’s day arrives on June 24, 2022, when she’s twenty-nine years old. She has been waiting for it half her life. That morning, she boards an airplane to her twin sister’s surprise engagement, and when a handsome musician sits beside her, she knows it’s meant to be.

But fate comes with more complications than Edie expected and she can’t fight the nagging suspicion that her perfect guy doesn’t have perfect timing. After a tragedy and a shocking revelation rock Edie’s carefully constructed world, she’s forced to consider whether love chooses us, as simple as destiny, or if we choose it ourselves.

Ope’s Opinion: This book is so cute! The story is very original. It has a few twist and turns along the way that make it even more interesting. The characters are likable – you root for their happiness from the beginning. I enjoyed how connected the twins were to their family.

This would be a good beach bag read. It is easy to get into and fun to read.

I read one other book by Hannah Orenstein and enjoyed it. I want to read her next book.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Romance
Source: Thomas Nelson ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Ten Things I Hate About You meets How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days in this fun story about the special bond between sisters and the often bumpy road of falling in love.

Savannah is determined to reconnect with her two sisters. Her plan? To recreate their epic childhood summers at the beach. She has rented the same beach house, convinced her sisters to clear their calendars for a whole month, and made a bucket list of beach activities they need to relive. A little bit of nostalgia and summer fun will be the perfect antidote to the divide that has been plaguing the Prestley sisters for years. Did the secret she’s hiding have anything to do with her planning the trip? Maybe, but that’s beside the point. The fact is, everyone could use a little vitamin sea in their life. It’s going to be great! What could go wrong?

Bianca has a surprise. She’s getting married! Of course her sisters aren’t as thrilled at the announcement as they should be, which she probably should’ve expected. Her entire life, she’s been trying to prove that just because she’s the youngest doesn’t mean she’s a baby. So maybe she had some trouble getting her act together in the past, but that’s different now. She’s determined to show her sisters just how together her life is. And if the only way to do that is to find a soulmate for her closed-off-sister to prove that the dating site she used to meet her future husband is legit, then Cora better get ready. She’s about to be swept off her feet. Bianca’s going to make sure of it. Who’s the one lacking follow-through now?

Cora knew there was a good reason she does her own thing. It’s because people in general–her sisters specifically–are ridiculous. Bianca needs to give up her delusion that this new relationship will work out perfectly. It won’t. And Savannah needs to let go of her hopes of Cora getting married. It’s not going to happen. She likes being alone. Life is better when she’s alone. Safer. But she’ll go on this date if it will show her sisters just how ludicrous they’re being. And since they set her up with the town playboy who has never been on a second date in his life, proving her point has never been easier. She’s got this all under control.

At least she thinks she has it under control.

Not under control at all.

Ope’s Opinion: If you can only pick up one book to read on the beach this summer, this one should be in your bag, on your kindle or listening device. I thoroughly enjoyed all three of the sisters. The clean romance was fun and a little funny. The setting ( the beach ) is always a hit with me.

The multiple points of view keeps each of their stories moving along at a perfect pace. It is a predictable story, but the journey is worth every flip of each page ( or in my case each hour of listening ).

I am now interested in what Rachel Magee is going to write next and I want to go back and catch up her other books.

Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Romance
Source: MIRA ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: One for the keeper shelf! Enjoy this classic romance by everyone’s favorite storyteller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Rich Manning and Jamie Warren have always been friends–and nothing but friends. However, that changes when she asks him to father the child she so desperately wants. Rich agrees, with one they have to get married. Suddenly, Rich discovers side of Jamie he’s never seen before, and they’re surprised by the sweetness and passion they feel. But can Rich prove to the headstrong Mrs. Manning that it’s time to let the world in on their secret that their love is truly here to stay?

Originally published in 1992

Ope’s Opinion: This story frustrated me so much. The whole book was about miscommunication. If the two main characters talked to each other instead of other people, their relationship might have worked out sooner.

I usually like characters that start out as friends then move into more, but the angry sex scenes and the lack of conversations they could have had actually was aggravating to me.

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Source: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: A sexy, dark romantic thriller—with a shocking twist—by the author of Everything We Never Said.

River Santos is stuck—in her job at the diner, in her dead-end town, in her grief. Her father died in a house fire just a few months ago, her mother has been MIA for nearly a year, and the only people she can count on are the aunt she lives with and her best friend Tawny. 

Things feel like they’re turning around when Logan—the hot guy at the diner who’s always ignored her—seems interested. It’s complicated by her ex-boyfriend Noah, who she really needs closure with, and the fact that Tawny doesn’t think either of them is good enough for River… but the tension between River and Logan can’t be denied.

But love takes a backseat when new information surfaces about the fire. After all these months trying to move forward, River is forced to rethink everything… including the idea that maybe it wasn’t an accident after all. But who would commit this deadly act? And why?

River isn’t sure who to trust or who to turn to, but she needs to figure it out, fast. Because someone has more than love on their mind. They want revenge.

Ope’s Opinion: This story reminds me of the saying ” What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” I think almost everyone except the main character, River, was deceptive. It was an enjoyable read to unweave all the lies and half truths.

This would have bee a five chair for me, but I am not a big fan of detailed sex scenes. There weren’t too many, but enough to knock a chair off of my opinion of this one.

I read Sloan Harlow’s book Everything We Never Said and thought it was really good. I was excited to read this one and was happy to find it just as good. I will be looking for her next book.

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Romance
Source: Ballantine Books ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Two sisters reconnect and pursue their dreams on the beautiful island of Nantucket, overcoming life’s challenges and finding new love, in this heartwarming and hopeful novel by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer.

Eddie Grant is happy with her life and her work as a personal assistant to Dinah Lavender, one of the most famous and renowned romance authors in the business. But being a spectator to notoriety and glamour isn’t as fulfilling as she once thought. Thankfully, Eddie has the perfect excuse for a Her hardworking younger sister, Barrett, is opening her gift shop on Memorial Day weekend, and could use all the help she can get. 

But going home to the beautiful island of Nantucket means facing the family’s difficult past. Shortly after the death of Eddie and Barrett’s brother, their mother left them and their father made the spontaneous decision to buy a small farm. Eddie stayed there for only a year before her family’s grief threatened to consume her as well, and had been living in Manhattan ever since. Now that she is back, Eddie must face all she left her father’s increased eccentricities, which has led to a house bursting at the seams with books; her sister’s resentment over Eddie’s escape; and a past love connection, one that is still undeniable and complicated, all these years later. But the Grant sisters are nothing if not resilient and capable, opening a used bookstore in their father’s abandoned barn to manage his hoarding, and navigating the discovery of a long-buried family secret that will change all of them forever. 

In The Summer We Started Over, beloved storyteller Nancy Thayer transports readers with a moving story about family, courage, and the resiliency of young women.

Ope’s Opinion: This story took me over 20% of it to get interested in what might happen to the characters. I am a fan of sister stories and in the long run that part of the book was good. All of them had romances going on.

The character of Dinah was irritating, weird and whiney. I did not like her from the very beginning.

I loved the Nantucket setting – that is always a good place to start a story for me. The cover of the book is beautiful. I wish the story had been as captivating.

Publisher: Harpeth Road Press
Genre: Romance
Source: Harpeth Road Press

Goodreads: Lose yourself in the idyllic coastal town of Big Dune Island with this charming summer read, perfect for fans of Denise Hunter, Debbie Macomber, and RaeAnne Thayne.

When Callie Jackson left her island hometown years ago with big dreams, she knew precisely the star she wanted to be, and she achieved it. At least for a little while.

Jesse Thomas had always planned to move to Nashville with Callie, but he was supposed to get there before her, knocking out his first year at Vanderbilt while she finished high school.

Neither of them imagined she’d get discovered so early or that family turmoil would put Jesse’s family on the brink of financial collapse. He needed to be on Big Dune Island, and she needed to leave. So, Callie did the only thing she could think of that would make him she cut all ties.

Then, all her dreams came crashing down. As she sorts through the wreckage of her career, her Uncle Lonnie forces her to return to Big Dune Island to clean out the family home he’s recently sold. And she knows she’ll have to face Jesse.

A touching beach read getaway that will have you wishing for long strolls along the waterfront town of Big Dune Island. If you’re searching for a beachy, feel-good, small-town romance, look no further!

Ope’s Opinion: This was a very cute, fun read. I enjoyed the characters, they seemed realistic and I was rooting for them. The small town setting felt cozy.

I really liked the second chance romance. There are other romances going on along side of the main characters. All of them are sweet, clean and heartwarming.

This would be perfect to sit on the beach and let your mind ride the waves of this story.

Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Romance
Source: Entangled: Amara ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: New mom May Peterson can’t believe she’s back in her hometown. She has eight weeks to fix up, and sell, her childhood home. Just enough to say hello to her best friend and goodbye to her painful past. But in the warm, tightly-knit community of Maple Hill, it’s impossible to avoid anyone—especially the cute “boy next door.” And while May is definitely over the idea of love, his irresistible smile still makes her toes curl…

When they were kids, Austin Merrick only ever saw May as his sister’s best friend. Over time, they’d become friends, sharing late-night chats over cheddar popcorn. Now May Peterson has returned with an adorable baby that quickly wraps him around her little finger. But after seeing the damage a broken heart can do, Austin and his brother made an agreement: to never, ever fall in love. No marriage. No kids. Ever.

Now they’re working together to fix up her old home, and sparks of attraction are making it almost impossible to keep to their no-romance rules. But when it comes to love, hearts never play by the rules…especially when it comes to finding “the one.”

Ope’s Opinion: This was a sweet romance, mostly clean and very predictable. The journey was worth the read. The characters were likable. It was part of a series, but it didn’t feel like it. I had not read the first one and I could tell that the oldest brothers story was in the first book, but that didn’t effect this book. My only small complaint was the repeating of information.

I would read Victoria James again.

Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Avon ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: What happens when his secret wife is the only one who can save your child?

Elle has the perfect life. A hard-working husband, a clever little boy, and a gorgeous home in a quaint neighbourhood.

Jen also has the perfect life. A passionate relationship with a doting husband, a creative little girl, and an exciting career.

When a strange coincidence throws them together, they become close friends. But then they uncover a shocking truth: they share the same husband.

As they both grapple with this devastating revelation, Elle receives worrying news about her son’s health. When things go from bad to worse and Elle has no one else to turn to, can Jen bring herself to help the woman who shattered her world? And can Elle trust her husband’s other wife with her child’s life?

Ope’s Opinion: The very beginning of the book ( the preface ) caught my attention. The next few chapters were introducing who was who – it was a little slow moving, but okay. Then it drug on until you were almost done reading, where it picked up a little again. The ending was just okay.

The ADHD information was good, but was repeated incase you didn’t get it the first time. Then the epilogue felt like a term paper of more information about selective mutism. I do like to learn while I read, but this felt like lecture notes.

Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Entangled: Amara ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Opposites attract―and go head-to-head―in this cheerfully irresistible small-town romance.

With just ten days left till her folks’ loan comes due, ever-pragmatic Charlotte Delaney is officially throwing in the towel on the bet that she made with her sisters. It looks like it’s up to her to save their parents’ café and beloved home with a marriage of convenience to her family’s rival. It’s time to get the in-name-only nuptials over with. Of course, Charlotte’s never been one to easily admit defeat…

Aidan Strong has exactly zero intentions of marrying one of the Delaney sisters―even Charlotte, his first crush. He’s come to Majestic, Maine, to make things right…only Charlotte has other plans.

She’s challenging Aidan to a new wager. And the prize? His billion-dollar coffee empire. Now the tiny seaside town of Majestic is about to witness the ultimate game of hearts…and winner takes all.

Ope’s Opinion: This was my least favorite book in this series. The main characters were very antagonistic toward each other. They frustrated me after a while. I did get tired of information being repeated.

Charlotte and Aidan’s bet wasn’t very intense – she was going to get at least half the company even if she lost, so there was no pressure. It seemed to drag the story out.

I do like that these books are all clean romances with no foul language. It had a good epilogue that wrapped up where everyone is now.

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Bethany House Publishers ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she’d planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend’s brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers’ mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val’s community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord.

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he’s also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects–not the least of which is pursuing Val–without stopping to consider the future.

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they’ll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

Ope’s Opinion: This was a very God centered Christian Fiction. It is the second in the series, but can be read alone. The first one All That Really Matters drew me in and took my breath away. This one All That It Takes did not do that for me.

This story had a very slow pace. Facts were retold often. Thoughts were pondered again and again.

I like Nicole Deese and will read her again.