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

Goodreads: This heartwarming novel set in the idyllic small-town of Firefly Lake explores the sisterly friendship between a group of women and a second chance at love—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Jenny Hale.

Natasha Baldwin loves her life. As top realtor in her hometown of Firefly Lake, she has a good job and even better friends. Really, Tasha has only two never pursuing her dream career…and how things ended with Antonio Hayes years ago. So when an opportunity arises to show off her passion for interior design, Tasha’s excited—and a little nervous. But with the support of her girlfriends at their biweekly supper club, she’s eager to dive in…until she discovers that Antonio is her new project partner.

Teaming up with her ex is less than ideal, but with all eyes in town on her new project, Tasha knows now is not the time to let her messy past with Antonio impact her future. Yet working with Antonio immediately sparks bittersweet memories…and the same undeniable, irresistible chemistry even after all their years apart. Then, just as Natasha realizes that the life and love she’s waited for are within reach, her big break comes around, and she must decide what she truly wants…

Ope’s Opinion: The only thing that kept this book from being a five chair for me, were the details of the steamy scenes – I know for some that is why they read romance. So if you like great characters, small town setting and a really good story you should read this one.

There were a couple of things that I really liked about the book – the two main characters had a miscommunication to begin with, but after that they talked everything through. The other thing I enjoyed was they didn’t break up – get back together – break up – once they worked things out – they kept talking and working on their relationship.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Thomas Nelson ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: She inherits the bookshop of her dreams . . . But she has to run it with the ex she vowed never to speak with again.

Shelby Thatcher adores working in the charming small-town bookshop her grandmother opened years ago. Since high school she’s helped Gram turn the shop into a community hub for book lovers in the lakeside town of Granville, NC. When her beloved grandma passes away, Shelby inherits the bookstore. But to her shock, Gram leaves half ownership to Gray Briggs, the man who broke Shelby’s heart years ago.

Granville residents have been vilifying Gray as long as he can remember. After graduating high school he couldn’t skip town fast enough, even though it meant leaving the girl he’d fallen deeply in love with and alienating her family once and for all. Now he’s back, the beneficiary of his elderly friend’s will. Facing the town’s animosity is difficult, but seeing Shelby again is sheer torture. No one could ever stir his heart the way she did.

As the adversaries are forced to work together, Gram’s beyond-the-grave scheme is working–Shelby’s old feelings for Gray begin to resurface. But the problems that destroyed their relationship before still remain, and a new one surfaces–one that threatens Gram’s beloved bookshop. Is their love doomed to fail again, or will they find a way to make it work this time around?

Ope’s Opinion: I really do like Christian Fiction. It is clean romance, the relationships are realistic, and is so nice to read with no foul language. Denise Hunter writes the best Christian Fiction. I will read whatever she writes next.

I do enjoy a story that takes place in a bookshop, so this one started off in one of my favorite places! The second story part of the title had multiple meanings to it.

The two time periods – past and present gave you the understanding of how Gray and Shelby got where they are. It was fun to see them as teens and as adults.

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

Goodreads: After years of putting her family first, Genevieve Prentice is making a fresh start—but it’s never easy to leave the past behind.

Widowed young, Genevieve Prentice dedicated her life to raising her four children. Now, though, they’re all grown and scattered to the wind, and Genevieve is ready for a change. In a flash of inspiration, she puts her home on the market and heads to Lake in the Clouds, Colorado, to renovate a rustic waterfront lodge with her sister. But just as they begin, Genevieve gets the shock of a lifetime: the arrival of her son.

Jake Prentice built a career out of being dependable, one that left him perennially stressed and overworked. Finally heeding his mother’s words of wisdom, he’s quit his job and is ready to find out what truly makes him happy. And now, as he stands surrounded by open sky and fresh, pine-scented air, he’s got no regrets . . . until former colleague Tess Crenshaw appears at the lake, forcing him to reassess what—and who—he really wants.

As they work together to renovate the lodge, Genevieve and Jake embark on a heartfelt and inspiring journey to learn about themselves, each other, and the true meaning of family.

Ope’s Opinion: Emily March writes a very good story, with well developed, likable characters. I just lost track of the story once in a while in all the details. I found my mind wandering, then a part of the story got very interesting and I kept reading.

This is the beginning of a series. I am assuming each book will concentrate on a different sibling. I may look into the second book, just to see where it goes.

Publisher: Headline
Genre: Memoir
Source: Headline ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: The long-awaited memoir by Priscilla Presley chronicling her difficult, inspiring journey beyond the walls of Graceland and behind the elegant image the world sees.

Priscilla Presley’s divorce from Elvis left his fans incredulous. How could she leave the man every woman wanted? From the outside, life in Elvis’s mansion looked glamorous and enviable, and in many respects, it was. But inside the mansion, her husband was constantly surrounded by a male entourage while at the gates, lines of beautiful women waited hopefully for an audience with the King. From the time she was seventeen years old, that life was all Priscilla had known. During her ten years with Elvis, it became painfully apparent that she had no idea who she was outside Elvis’s world. The only way to find herself was to leave that world and seek a new life of her own, because leaving was the only way to survive, for herself and for her daughter.

Softly, As I Leave You, is the deeply personal story of what Priscilla lost and what she found when she walked away from the man she loved. Despite the legal separation, their love for one another transformed into a touching and tender dynamic that endured until Elvis’s untimely death four years later. Shattered by Elvis’s passing, she had to reinvent herself a second time as the single mother of a talented, often headstrong daughter who never really recovered from her father’s death. Priscilla’s dedication to motherhood was enriched by the birth of her second child, and she gradually found her footing as a businesswoman, actress, designer, and legislative advocate. She transformed Graceland into an international destination and helped guide the development of Elvis Presley Enterprises. But the unexpected, shattering loss of three immediate family members years later brought Priscilla to her knees. She shares her journey with a quiet dignity that will comfort and reassure anyone who has suffered – and survived – seemingly unbearable loss.

A passionate, compassionate, and inspiring story of finding your place in the world, Softly, As I Leave You, is a sweet Southern melody that will take the reader with Priscilla on her long road home.

Ope’s Opinion: Priscilla Presley read her book. Her voice is soft, but expressive. She is very easy to listen to. I could listen to her read just about anything.

Her story felt very honest and open. She did say it was hard to know what to include and what to leave out. There were a lot of eye opening revelations for me. I am sure people who really followed Priscilla and Elvis were not surprised by much. I had no idea of the people who were in her life after she left Elvis.

There is a lot of sad moments in the book and I felt like Priscilla was honest about how she felt during those times.

Publisher: Harpeth Road Press
Genre: Romance
Source: Harpeth Road Press ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Lose yourself in the stunning coastal town of Big Dune Island with this incredibly heartwarming read, perfect for fans of Denise Hunter, Debbie Macomber, and RaeAnne Thayne. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

Gigi Franklin is planning her best friend’s wedding, and long-time friend Austin Beckett is trying to help her keep the private event top secret. As Gigi and Austin work together, sparks begin to fly, but Gigi’s too busy building her law practice to make time for dating.

If the wedding wasn’t enough to manage, she’s also tasked with finding the rightful heir to the local Salty Breeze B&B. Then, newcomer Simon Ridley arrives in town, throwing a wrench in the process.

As Gigi races against time to uncover the truth about the B&B’s ownership and pull off the perfect wedding, an old journal surfaces that might change everything she thought she knew about love.

A moving beach read that will have you yearning to take walks along the coast and craving the beachy splendor of island living. Look no further if you’re searching for a feel-good, small-town coastal romance!

Ope’s Opinion: This was the second book in the series. It could be read alone, but having the background from the first book made the story more enjoyable. The setting was amazing. The characters were fun. The story was great.

There is a little mystery of who will inherit the inn. It was a nice side story to go along with the romance and the family relationships that grew through this book.

Savannah Carlise is fast becoming a go-to author for me. She has a great writing style that makes her stories enjoyable.

Publisher: Clarion Books
Genre: YA Romance
Source: Clarion Books ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: A deeply emotional and highly romantic tale of two teens who fall in love while grieving the one person who makes their love impossible; in the vein of You’ve Reached Sam and The Sky Is Everywhere. 

Sarah feels unmoored following her boyfriend’s sudden and tragic death. Their love story was cut short after just two sweet months together, and now all Sarah can think about are the moments she and Alex should be sharing. Sarah distracts herself by consoling Ash—her best friend and Alex’s sister—and by rehearsing for the school play and working at her aunt’s cafe. But none of that is as comforting as her nightly talks with Jake.

Jake is not ready to move on. Unable to sleep at night and “mopey”—according to his girlfriend, who doesn’t understand why he isn’t ready to jump back into partying—Jake is wracked with guilt as a witness to Alex’s death. His one source of joy is talking to Sarah. But between their growing closeness and his taking over as captain of the basketball team, Jake worries he is co-opting Alex’s life.

Both can’t help but wonder if they’re betraying Alex—and Ash—by acting on the feelings they can no longer deny. Given all that stands in the way, is their relationship worth fighting for?

Ope’s Opinion: Oh, this was such a good story. I enjoyed all the characters ( even the ones you weren’t suppose to like). They were realistic, not over the top, and reacted the way you would expect.

I felt like the topic of grief for teens was handled so well. It is so well written, you may read this one fast, but it will stay with you after it is done.

I definitely want to see what else Robin Constatine wrote. I will be looking for what she writes next.

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

Goodreads: A sweet and sizzling summer romance about a woman who takes a job at a bookstore in Nantucket and gets involved with the man who turns out to be her a billionaire bent on knocking the store down.

When book lover Jade Taylor applies to manage the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island over the summer, the last thing she needs is the distraction of billionaire resort owner, Liam Haven.

But things take an unexpected turn when Liam becomes Jade’s boss—a man who only reads contracts for pleasure…

In a bid to save the bookshop from being absorbed into the Haven resort, Jade is determined to teach Liam that there’s more to life than acquiring real estate. And if she can make him realize happily ever afters do exist, might she be able to save the island’s bookshop in the process?

Ope’s Opinion: Oh, this book had all the potential to be one of the best summers, but fell completely flat. The cover was great and the synopsis read like a perfect summer story. Unfortunately, from the first look the two main characters wanted each other physically and did not care about each other in any other way.

I wanted the MC’s to care about each other, have something in common, spend time together doing something other lusting for each other. The language and lack of story made me want to quit reading.

I have not read anything else by Kathryn Freeman. I wonder if all her books this way?

Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Thriller
Source: Boldwood Books ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: She’s on trial for murder… Now it’s her turn to tell her story…

The truth is that I loved James with my whole heart. We were soulmates: meant to be together forever. On the morning of our wedding, I had just found out I was carrying his child.

But it’s time to tell my side of the story. It’s time everyone knew what happened on that wedding day, on our honeymoon, and on that fateful last drive together. It’s time everyone found out about the secrets and about the threat that loomed over our marriage. It’s time everyone found out who really killed James.

And I need everyone to believe me. To believe I’m not a killer. Because if they don’t, then my baby won’t just have no father… she’ll have no mother.

A totally gripping psychological thriller full of jaw-dropping twists, that will keep you reading late into the night. If you loved Gone Girl, The Mother-in-Law and The Housemaid, you’ll be hooked on The Bride.

Ope’s Opinion: This book was just not for me. I do not like an unreliable narrator. This narrator was the only perspective in the whole book. The details slowed the story down. I started skimming so I could see where it ended.

I don’t really care for weak female characters or characters who make obvious bad decisions and Daisy did both of those.

The ending was frustrating. I don’t feel like any questions were answered, which was the whole reason I kept reading.

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

Goodreads: In this perfect beach read, a recent divorcee and a woman independent to a fault form a spectacular bond as they move forward and help each other through love, loss, and big life changes—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery.

Dr. Becca Weiland had the perfect life—or so she thought, until she learned her husband cheated on her after a decade of marriage. With divorce papers signed, Becca throws her trademark caution to the wind and agrees to an impromptu monthlong vacation at a beach house with Sadie, a woman she’s known all her life but really doesn’t know at all.

Free-spirit Sadie Bloom is Becca’s opposite in every way, living in the moment and wasting zero energy on what comes next. But the pastry chef’s nothing-bothers-me exterior hides a fear she’s not ready to face—one that may jeopardize a future she never realized she wanted.

At first, Sadie’s go-big-or-go-home style bumps up against Becca’s perfectionism, but soon they’re bonding over too much Schnapps, a leaky roof, a bikini wax gone awry, and awkward meet-cutes with two of the hottest men in town. Best of all, in getting to know each other, they’ve gotten to know themselves, and together they find the courage to discover what it really means to live.

Ope’s Opinion: I really do enjoy female friendships, especially among strong women. These were unlikely friends, so that was interesting to watch them realize they had more in common, then they thought.

If you took out the foul language ( way too much of it ) and the sexual content ( thoughts about sex, lust, etc. ) you would have had an interesting book on friendship. I got so tired of both the language and the sex scenes.

There was a lot of repetition of information.

The ending was exactly what you would expect. No surprises here.

Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Genre: Thriller
Source: Hyperion Avenue ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: In a quiet Chicago suburb, a star wrestler goes missing weeks before his high school graduation, shattering his mother’s carefully curated image of domestic bliss.

Meg Hart has taken great pains to create her perfect All-American family. It looks effortless, but that’s because she’s been smart about it.

However, on a brisk spring morning weeks before his graduation, her son McClane goes missing. And as the investigation deepens, the police zero in on her as their perfect suspect. Tragedy has struck this family before, and all signs suggest that she is the source. Add in her elusive husband’s strange behavior and inconsistencies in her story, it becomes clear that she has plenty to hide.

Before he disappears, it turns out McClane has secrets of his own: a pregnant girlfriend, a shocking truth about his wrestling career, and a chilling discovery—the person he trusts most has betrayed him in the worst way.

Alternating between Meg’s perspective in the initial days of the investigation and McClane’s in the hours leading up to his disappearance, Upstanding Young Man is packed with relentless tension and short, fast-paced chapters that will keep readers up all night.

Ope’s Opinion: This story is told in two points of view, which actually was confusing for me. The language was awful, consistent, and doesn’t add to the story. I had a hard reading this book. I almost did not finish it.

The ending was too quick and everything ending seemed to perfect.