Wow, this book starts out with a punch to the gut and keeps on punching. I felt so much of Addie’s pain. It seemed no matter which way she turned her heart kept getting broken. Addie is no shrinking violet to pain involving the heart.

It is finally wedding day for Addie and Simon or is it? A blast from Simon’s past shows up with devastating news. Addie runs to her safe space, her great aunt’s home she was gifted. In her search to stay busy she finds a well kept secret and family mystery to solve.

I was so shocked at how this book started that I couldn’t wait to turn the page. Simon has never been on my good side from the beginning. This book confirms my feelings toward him!

I can’t wait to continue to the next book.

Lauren Elliott was a master at writing cozy mysteries. If you have followed me from the beginning you know the first book in the series was not a favorite but the more I read the series the more I enjoyed it. LE made you want to continue and she was not shy to give you shockers! The cozy mystery world lost a great light when she passed.

Currently this entire series is on Kindle Unlimited.

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The perfect Sunday afternoon reading. I immediately curled up and read for hours. 

Claire finds herself back home with her teenage daughter on Nantucket  after learning her husband wanted a divorce to marry his pregnant lover. Even after Claire told him she was pregnant with their second child. As she works through the divorce she finds she doesn’t need all the expensive things her husband bought her. She opens a luxury second hand shop on Nantucket and finds sometimes simple is better. 

If you have read any of Pamela Kelley’s Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series you will find joyful Easter eggs hidden throughout Nantucket Second Chances. 

Pick up this clean women’s fiction today for great summer read. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher/PR team, with no requirement to leave a review. The above review is in my own words and my own opinion. 

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When They Met Again by Leslie Gould is a story that reminds you to never give up on something or someone. The old saying “ if you set it free and it comes back it was meant to be” is a strong theme throughout.

Joanna finds herself in love with Jacob but Jacob isn’t one to settle down. Adam has loved Joanna from day one but he knows Joanna doesn’t return that feeling. Adam leaves for Pinecraft to try and get past his feelings. Those feelings resurface when Joanna vacations in Pinecraft after a break up with Jacob. Can Joanna convince Jacob they are meant to be or is she really meant to be with Adam?

I’ve not read many Leslie Gould books and I really enjoyed this book. The cover caught my eye. I will say the first few chapters were rough going but then the story found its pace and took off. I will read more by this author when the chance arises.

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A beautiful story to remind us what is on the outside in no way promises what is on the inside.

Clara has led a hard life but she hasn’t let that keep her down. She suffered devastating injuries and pain as a small child from a grease fire. She has stayed at home to be there for her mom after her father’s death. With no encouragement from her mom, she believes she will always be single. She still has dreams of being a wife and mom. Those dreams hold promise when Tim visits his family to help on the farm. Can they work past what is holding them back?

I have loved all SSG’s books but this one has become a favorite. It has knocked her Christmas book, Peace, to second place. Peace has been number one for years.

If you haven’t tried SSG’s books yet my question is WHY???

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Who would you invite to your Five-Star Weekend? What four friends, one from each part of your life, would make the cut?

For me summer reading starts with an Elin Hilderbrand book or Dorothea Benton Frank book. Both authors are getting to slim pickings for me. The Five-Star Weekend was a delightful read. Even the closets of friends have secrets between us.

Hollis is still grieving her husband she lost less than a year ago. She struggles with how their last morning went and how her daughter has pulled away. To help move on she plans a weekend for four friends from her life to relive moments and create new memories. One such friend is a follower in her blog. There is something that draws Hollis to her but she can’t pinpoint what that draw is to her. A weekend of friendship creates new friendships and says goodbye to others.

Spend the weekend with Hollis and crew and you won’t be disappointed.

Currently available on Kindle Unlimited.

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The Last Lady B gave me all the Bridgerton vibes with a strong heroine and a swoony hero.

Lady Genevieve (Evie) marries a 70 something old Lotd to ensure her younger sister has a dowry when she comes of age. For Christmas they are to spend the holiday in the Scottish countryside. Evie packs up her pet pig and sets off for a cold Christmas. Unbeknownst to her, trouble awaits. Ghosts, companions, and love in many forms make for an interesting holiday.

I hesitate to give too much as I want you to be shocked as I was many times throughout. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. This was the May pick for the Brenda Novak book club on FB.

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The Daisy’s Tea Garden series grew on me with each book. I became invested in not only the mysteries but the families. It’s been a few years (2023) since a new one was released so I’m guessing this is the last of the series. If so it was a perfect ending. I do know Jazzi, Daisy’s youngest daughter, has her own series.

In Murder with Chocolate Tea we follow along as she investigates a 20 year old murder and finalizes her wedding.

Each book in the series (10 total) can be read as a standalone but I suggest read in order.

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May Wrap Up 🏇🐎🌹💐🏙️⚾️🏟️

9 books total, 0 DNF

0 books donated/given to others

3 books (kindle/physical) of my own read

Reviews of most books on my blog. www.kentuckybooklover.com

B Borrowed from friend/family

L  Library

KO  Kindle Owned

O  Physical Owned

EL  E-library (Libby/Overdrive/Hoopla)

AB  Audiobook 

KU  Kindle Unlimited 

NG NetGalley

ARC Advanced Reader Copy 

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When my dad passed I wondered what I would next. My dear friend Debbie suggested joining the Homemakers at the Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Office. It has been a blessing. I have made new friends and find myself excited for my club meetings.

I love my club, Cooking Connection. It’s small but filled with a wide arrange of different backgrounds. I’ve learned so much this year alone.

My favorite is a side club, Bookends. Yearly the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association puts out a list and we are required to read at least 6 as a group and discuss. It has made me to continue to branch out of my normal genres. Today our club received awards which was not expected. I am so happy with my new bookish goodies.

I struggled with this Brenda Novak Book Club read for July. It is a debut novel by Emily Ohanjanians. The premise is intriguing but it fell flat for me from the beginning. The book finally hit a note with me at 86% in regarding how Ana’s mom didn’t allow her to grieve her father’s passing.

“You needed space to grieve just as much as she did,” Mar says. “But she sucked all the air out of the house, didn’t let you share the pain. Didn’t let you even feel it—keeping you running all the time.”

I ended up reading this on my kindle while on vacation and finished today. It was not a book that I personally wanted to reach for each day. I would have liked to have read more about the message the book and podcast of Ana’s. For such an important message I didn’t get what it was totally. Also I would have like more Armenian culture to shine through. A culture we don’t see represented very often.

It is a book that has much potential but left me wanting something deeper. The last 15% was my favorite.

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