There are two things I absolutely cannot resist: a smart Jane Austen retelling and a Food Network cooking competition. Never did I think these two worlds would collide, but thanks to Sonali Dev’s latest novel, they have. I fell in love with Dev’s writing last year through Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors, and she’s just … More Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev: A Delightfully Delicious Dish
Sometimes you pick up a book and it instantly becomes a forever favorite. Everything about it, from the characters, to the setting, to the emotional punch on every page, invokes that magical feeling that captures everything you love about reading. Without fail, Kristy Woodson Harvey’s novels always have that quality for me, and her latest, … More Get Ready to Fall for Kristy Woodson Harvey’s “Feels Like Falling”
I’m going to be honest with you, bookish friends. I’ve had a hard time focusing on reading lately. With everything going on in the world, it seems like all I can do is obsessively watch the news, read the news, then worry, worry, worry. I’ve found myself wondering when I’ll ever feel the joy of … More Amy Sue Nathan’s The Last Bathing Beauty–The Summer Escape We All Need
When I pick up a Camille Pagán novel, I know two things for certain. I know that I’m going to meet some quirky and complex characters I won’t dare forget, and I know that every emotional note is going to hit that perfect sweet spot between humor and heartache. Other than that, I never know … More This Won’t End Well by Camille Pagán: A Treasure from Beginning to End
I’ll never forget the first time I met Grace Kelly. I was in the fourth grade and had to read about a historical figure for school. My mother brought me to our local public library—my favorite place—and steered me towards the biography aisle of the children’s section. (The fact that this shelf existed was eye-opening; … More Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb: A Royally Marvelous Read
That’s fine. It’s fine. I’m fine. How many times a day do you say it? And how many times is “fine” code for #NOTATALLOKAY? That’s the crux of Camille Pagan’s wonderful new novel, I’m Fine and Neither Are You. I’m Fine and Neither Are You introduces us to Penelope Ruiz-Kar, a wife, mother, and breadwinner … More I’m Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagan: So Much More Than Fine
You know when you just fall head over heels for a town? The people are quirky and unforgettable, the weather is perfect, there are cute little indie businesses EVERYWHERE, and there’s always some hot gossip you can’t help but want to be privy to. I fell in love with Peachtree Bluff, Georgia the minute I … More The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey Gives Us a Summer to Remember
Beautiful. Heart-wrenching. Eye-opening. Timely. Unforgettable. I’ve used all of these words when describing Susan Meissner’s forthcoming novel, The Last Year of the War, but there are two I can’t stress enough: read it. The Last Year of the War is the story of Elise Sontag, a typical American teenager who has spent her entire life … More The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner: Read It and Get Ready to Love It
I have a soft spot for books that make me weep openly in public, and that’s exactly what Susan Gloss’s beautiful new novel, The Curiosities, did. Set in Madison, WI, The Curiosities introduces us to a cast of memorable characters, each at a breaking point in his or her own way. At the center of … More The Curiosities by Susan Gloss: Curious Beauty on Every Page
Quick—someone get me a tissue, a hug, and a big ol’ glass of sweet tea. The Murphy women of Kristy Woodson Harvey’s Peachtree Bluff series are back, and they are bringing along all of the feelings. Following last summer’s stunning Slightly South of Simple, The Secret to Southern Charm transports us back to the quaint … More Kristy Woodson Harvey’s The Secret to Southern Charm: Too Good to be Kept a Secret
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