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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I put off reading Remarkably Bright Creatures because I couldn’t imagine enjoying a book about an octopus 🐙. I am usually not a fan of movie covers on books but I am a huge Sally Field fan. I love the cover. I think knowing she plays Tova helped my enjoyment of this book. I loved it and can’t wait to watch the movie.

Not quite 5 stars but close.

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Meet Me In Italy by @authorbrendanovak was the April pick for the Brenda Novak Book Club on FB. Yes, I’m behind but that’s life lately. May has not been my best reading month either. This only my 5th book I have finished so far but that’s ok. 

This was so good. A little heavier than I expected but good. Charlotte’s marriage to an NBA player has pretty much ended and she is trying to write her second book. She received a letter that changes the direction of her life. She had a younger half sister in Italy that needs her but wait…how? 

Grab your copy today and see what transpires along the beautiful Amalfi Coast. 

I listened to the audiobook and read the book as well. Both are fantastic options. 

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It has been a bit since a cozy mystery blindsided me on the whodunnit. I missed every red herring provided.

In book nine of the Daisy’s Tea Shop series, Daisy is happily engaged to Jonas but a little sad. Her oldest daughter, son-in-law, and grandson are moving from the garage apartment to a bigger home. Jazzi, her youngest daughter, is graduating high school and preparing for college. Daisy is experiencing the beginnings of empty nest syndrome. She has joined her friend Lydia for morning walks. Walks they both enjoy until one morning Lydia isn’t there waiting for her. What transpires after sets Daisy on a new path of investigation.

I will miss my visits with Daisy. As I’m not sure if there will be anymore after I read book ten but I do know Jazzi has a series all her own. This series is perfect for a quiet visit with a cup of tea in your hand.

Recipes are included.

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Bailey and Aiden are finally getting married! It’s been a long road but the day has finally come. The whole town is coming to see the nuptials and eat some delicious food while celebrating the town’s favorite couple. Unfortunately, a wedding isn’t even safe from the demise of a wicked winery owner. Bailey finds herself married, no honeymoon, saving the Summer Soirée, and investigating a death. Bailey along with our favorite bacon bundle, Jethro, find themselves in every situation possible.

This series keeps getting better and it was perfect to start with. You have the best blend of Amish and English. It’s a clean read with no language or detailed relations. By the last sentence you are smiling ear to ear.

I am really excited for book eleven. I’m assuming there is a book eleven. If the destination is where it appears it will be a fun one!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to leave a positive review. The above review is in my owns words based on my reading of the book.

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