My Book Reviews

Category: Contemporary

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of Contemporary genre.

The Passing Storm by Christine Nolfi

The Passing Storm by Christine Nolfi

Release: November 1st 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

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A gripping, openhearted novel about family, reconciliation, and bringing closure to the secrets of the past.

Early into the tempestuous decade of her thirties, Rae Langdon struggles to work through a grief she never anticipated. With her father, Connor, she tends to their Ohio farm, a forty-acre spread that itself has enjoyed better days. As memories sweep through her, some too precious to bear, Rae gives shelter from a brutal winter to a teenager named Quinn Galecki.

Quinn has been thrown out by his parents, a couple too troubled to help steer the misunderstood boy through his own losses. Now Quinn has found a temporary home with the Langdons—and an unexpected kinship, because Rae, Quinn, and Connor share a past and understand one another’s pain. But its depths—and all its revelations and secrets—have yet to come to light. To finally move forward, Rae must confront them and also fight for Quinn, whose parents have other plans in mind for their son.

With forgiveness, love, and the spring thaw, there might be hope for a new season—a second chance Rae believed in her heart was gone forever.

About the Author:

Award-winning author Christine Nolfi writes heartwarming and inspiring fiction. Her latest release, The Road She Left Behind, has remained on the Amazon bestseller’s list since its release in June 2019. The Passing Storm release is on November 2021,

The Sweet Lake Series has been recognized by the International Book Awards, Royal Palm Literary Awards, Readers’ Favorite Awards, and Best Book Awards. Kirkus Reviews calls Sweet Lake “an uplifting and charming story.” Redbook calls the book “an enchanting story full of lovable characters.” The Liberty Series has been recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards and Put Your Heart In A Book Awards. “Treasure Me is sure to delight and entertain. It’s light and refreshing; your old fashioned feel-good novel.” —USA Today

Prior to writing fiction, Christine owned a small public relations firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Her articles and press releases have appeared regionally in The Plain Dealer, The Akron Beacon Journal, and Cleveland Magazine.

Christine is the proud mother of four adopted children and two stepchildren, all of whom are now grown and in no hurry to give her grandchildren. She resides with her husband Barry and a crazy Wheaten Terrier named Lucy in Charleston, South Carolina.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The Passing Storm Review:

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“The Passing Storm” is a book that grabs your attention because of its complex characters and how their storylines intertwine, and I enjoyed reading it.

To begin with, I felt the author has a beautiful talent for writing drama. The story’s highlight is the characters, and I loved how the author portrayed each of them. I thought the story would be straightforward when I started, as it only revolved around three people, Rae, Quinn, and Conner. However, as you continue reading, the author makes the story complex, where you have Griffin, Sally, Lark, Katherine, to name a few.

I thought Rae was great in the lead as she coped with her loss and tried to move forward. She shares a lovely bond with Connor, and I enjoyed her scenes with Quinn. One of my favorite moments was when Sally confronts Rae about Quinn. Even Quinn grew on me, even though I did not initially like him. Another character who I liked was Griffin. Even though we learn about him later on, he strongly impacts the tale, and I liked how the author unfolded the mystery of how he connects with Rae’s story. The characters all share heartbreak, grief, and loss, but the book also gives you hope and touches you with what happens to them.

The author also did a lovely job with the mystery behind what happened to Lark. As the story progresses, there are some surprising revelations that I did not anticipate, making the story compelling. The main characters all feel like they are hiding something, and the author does a lovely job of revealing them layer by layer.

Overall, if you love emotional dramas with a touch of mystery, then “The Passing Storm” is the perfect book!

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Passing Storm by Christine Nolfi Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours.

Love My Books 2020-Jan. 3rd
Subakka Bookstuff-Jan. 3rd
She Just Loves Books-Jan. 4th
Eli Loves Books 16-Jan. 7th
Biblio Reviews-Jan. 10th
Rozier Reads and Wine-Jan. 11th
ML Book Love-Jan. 12th
We Break For Books-Jan. 14th
Bookishly Becky-Jan. 17th
Bookish Heidi-Jan. 17th
Shooks Books-Jan. 18th
Books and Coffee MX-Jan. 19th
Jennifer Tar Heel Reader –-Jan. 20th
Cassie’s Book Reviews-Jan. 24th
Books Love And Understanding-Jan. 24th
Bookworm Struggles -Jan. 24th
Rajivs Reviews-Jan. 25th

January 26, 2022
Stranger Love by Autumn Miller

Stranger Love by Autumn Miller

Release: November 28th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Miller Publishing
Source: Lovebook Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle __

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Rose

They say you’ll have the time of your life at university, but it was the handsome stranger in a local bar who gave me mine.Our connection was instantaneous, our conversation littered with inappropriate teasing. And his kiss. Blew. My. Mind. Going home with him was never in doubt.

The next day, he promised to call, but I never heard from him again. Trying not to feel rejected, I decided to look at my one night stand as an experience fitting of college life. The unexpected baby wasn’t part of the deal though. I wasn’t down for that particular experience. I’m a final year student and the timing is awful. But despite delivering babies for a living, Callum’s not happy about the pregnancy, making accusations and assumptions every time we meet. He treats me as if I’m his enemy, and if he’s not careful he’ll make me one, pushing me away for good.

Callum

The green-eyed girl from the bar is standing in my hospital, looking at an ultrasound scan in her hands. I hoped to see her again, to relive our incredible night, but not like this. Not with my world exploding, my worst fears realised. I’ve knocked up a stranger. When I confront her about the baby, things go from bad to worse. I’m unable to say a thing right, upsetting Rose every chance I get.

But despite being blindsided by the news, I want to be involved in the pregnancy. After all, I’m an obstetrician, and babies and women’s bodies are my speciality. And even though I’ve never felt possessive about a woman before, it’s not long before strong, protective tendencies build inside me.

I can’t stay away from her. She’s carrying my child. I’m going to be a father. That connection we had months ago, reignites. We get closer. Too close. And I have no idea where we go from here.

About the Author:

Autumn Miller lives in Norfolk, England. She studied French and German at university in London, and ended up in marketing, rarely needing to practise her language skills. As part of her degree she lived in Karlsruhe, Germany for a year, where she travelled extensively.

With family from Europe, and having spent many a summer holiday on the continent, languages and travel are topics that will often come up in her books, especially now she’s forgotten how to speak French and German. With that in mind, she focusses on interesting, diverse characters who take centre stage in her romance stories instead.

Amazon | Goodreads

Stranger Love Review:

“Stranger Love” is a charming romance with strong characters, drama, and steaminess that will treat fans of the genre.

This book was very entertaining and much better than I had hoped. Initially, I was skeptical because I thought the book would contain mostly steamy scenes with a predictable plot. The story feels fresh, and the main characters are also engaging. The author’s strength is in writing the character’s emotions. I loved Rose and Callum and how we got a shifting perspective of the events between chapters. What’s beautiful about the tale is how the author gives equal importance to both characters without making it a book all about Rose.

As much as I loved Rose, Callum was my favorite. The author portrayed their emotions realistically through various phases to adjust to the pregnancy. You see him overcome his feelings and build trust for Rose. Some of my favorite moments of theirs are when Callum saves Rose from a panic attack or when they travel to Paris. Once you start reading the book, you will get glued to the storyline and the cast.

Moreover, the author also spices the story by bringing drama from family and friends. The family members are not easy to deal with, and it was interesting to see how their dynamics changed. I particularly liked the scenes when Callum meets Rose’s friends and feels more protective towards her. Similarly, even characters like John and Helena spice the story with their drama. On a side note, I also adored Evie and Imogen and hoped they were more prominent.

Overall, “Stranger Love” is a lovely romance that the author wrote splendidly and is worth picking up for romance fans.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Stranger Love by Autumn Miller Blog Tour hosted by Lovebook Tours.

January 22, 2022
She Wouldn’t Change A Thing by Sarah Adlakha

She Wouldn’t Change A Thing by Sarah Adlakha

Release: August 10th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Forge Books
Source: Suzyapproved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N

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A second chance is the last thing she wants.

When thirty-nine year old Maria Forssmann wakes up in her seventeen-year-old body, she doesn’t know how she got there. All she does know is she has to get back: to her home in Bienville, Mississippi, to her job as a successful psychiatrist and, most importantly, to her husband, daughters, and unborn son.

But she also knows that, in only a few weeks, a devastating tragedy will strike her husband, a tragedy that will lead to their meeting each other.

Can she change time and still keep what it’s given her?

Exploring the responsibilities love lays on us, the complicated burdens of motherhood, and the rippling impact of our choices, She Wouldn’t Change a Thing is a dazzling debut from a bright new voice.

About the Author:

Sarah is a native of Chicago who now resides on the gulf coast of Mississippi with her husband and three daughters. Writing is her second career but her first dream job.

She retired from her psychiatry practice shortly before relocating with her husband and daughters to Mississippi, where she finally put pen to paper and began telling her stories.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

She Wouldn’t Change A Thing Review:

As soon as I started reading the story, the plot immediately drew my attention because it felt unique. When you read the book’s blurb, you think it is some time travel story. While, in some ways, it is, this book is so much more. The author keeps you on your toes as she introduces new characters with different storylines, and you wonder how they will connect in the end. Initially, I was glued to Maria’s storyline as she deals with Sylvia, John, and Shelby. However, the author also introduces us to Jenny and Hank, who seem to have their storyline, and you wonder how it all connects to what Maria experiences.

Moreover, the author also progresses the story nicely into various parts. I loved the second part of the book and was hanging on to Maria’s story. While it may not be intentional, I enjoyed some humorous features, such as when Maria initially finds herself talking to her mother and wondering about AP classes. Maria is great in the lead as she goes on this second chances, trust, and forgiveness journey. Before she witnessed the incident, I liked how the author portrayed her thoughts about her patients, like Sylvia. I honestly did not know how the story would turn out, especially during the scenes with Maria and Henry.

Perhaps the only minor criticism of the story is how it got a little convoluted towards the end. There is so much happening so fast that I had to read each page carefully to avoid missing something important. However, I enjoyed how the story wrapped up and was one of those books that I kept thinking of post-reading.

Overall, “She Wouldn’t Change a Thing” would blow your mind for its unique concept, and I enjoyed it a lot!

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the She Wouldn’t Change A Thing by Sarah Adlakha Blog Tour hosted by Suzyapproved Book Tours.

Books and Coffee MX-Jan. 17th
Shooks Books-Jan. 20th
Rajivs Reviews-Jan. 20th
Laura’s Next Chapter-Jan. 21st
We Break For Books-Jan. 28th
Bookphile Belle-Jan. 28th

January 20, 2022
Salaam with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg

Salaam with Love by Sara Sharaf Beg

Release: January 4th 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Underlined
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N

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This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love.

Squeezing herself into a house in Queens with her cousins is not how Dua envisions her trip to New York City. But here she is, spending the holy month of Ramadan with extended family she hasn’t seen in years.

Dua struggles to find her place in the conservative household. And finds difficult to connect with her aloof, engaged-to-be-married cousin, Mahnoor. And fasting the whole day was itself tiring enough. She must also battle her hormones whenever she sees Hassan, the cute drummer in a Muslim band. Besides , he has a habit of showing up at her most awkward moments.

After just a month, Dua surprises herself to find that she’s learning a lot more than she bargained for about her faith, relationships, her place in the world and cute drummers. . . .

About the Author:

Sara Sharaf Beg got inspiration from her own experiences as a Pakistani American Muslim while writing Salaam, with Love, her debut novel. A graduate of the University of Central Florida and Northwestern University, Sara was a freelance writer before becoming a mental health counselor.

She lives in Texas with her husband, where she likes to cook , binge Bollywood movies. And plays video games when she’s not writing or reading.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Salaam with Love Review:

“Salaam, with Love” is an adorable young adult, contemporary romance that also touches on the Muslim culture during the time of Ramadan and is a fun read.

The highlight of the story was the main character, Dua. I enjoyed how she grows in the story. From her decision in the MSA (Muslim Student Association) to her bond with Mahnoor and feelings for Hassan, Dua goes through a lot, and I enjoyed her journey. The author portrayed Dua nicely and progressed her feelings well. Similarly, Mahnoor is also adorable, and I liked how she bonds with Dua.

The author beautifully touches on how important family and faith are, as Dua experiences the meaning of Ramadan. Similarly, the author also adds a touch of humor when Dua’s father talks to her about Hassan. It was also interesting to see how the author touched on Islamophobia and people’s perception of being Muslim. As I am not a Muslim, I also liked learning about the various terms, like surahs and the Arabic text, along with assorted pop culture references like Sami Yusuf. The timeline spans during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and it was nice to see the various traditions the family followed to prepare for Eid.

Moreover, I liked the budding romance between Dua and Hassan. Their scenes together have a touch of innocence and were so sweet to read. I enjoyed Hassan’s fondness for music, and it emanated in the storyline. Similarly, the author also adds family drama to the tale, making you feel part of your family.

Overall, “Salaam, with Love” stands out because of its theme, yet it has all the correct elements of adorable young adult romance.

January 13, 2022
Hope and Sanctuary by Neet Neilson

Hope and Sanctuary by Neet Neilson

Release:15th November 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Dark Edge Press
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK, Amazon US

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Hope rescues intensive farming animals from slaughter among many others in her growing animal sanctuary, but finds herself struggling to make ends meet. Then, compounded by frequent flooding, a constant drain on her resources, as well as the risk it poses to her animals, Hope puts out a desperate plea on national television for help.

Grant Marshall comes to her rescue, but there’s a catch. He’s a farmer – and Hope loathes farmers.

Grant offers Hope everything she could ever desire for her sanctuary, leaving her with a dilemma – does she go against her morals and beliefs to accept his charity or will she accept his challenge that he can convince her that he is a compassionate man – in more ways than one?

About the Author:

Neet has been a big fan of romance novels since she was a teen, borrowing books from her mother’s bookcase. Her love of reading laid the foundation for an interest in writing short stories, poems, songs, screenplays, stage plays and novels. Moreover, her background in nursing, lecturing and research has been invaluable when establishing a sound knowledge base for her writing, while her emotions are the driving force behind her work. And her love for animals is her greatest passion.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Hope and Sanctuary Review:

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“Hope and Sanctuary” is a lovely contemporary romance of two people who deal with their feelings for lust, love, and compassion.

The highlight of the story is the two characters. I enjoyed reading about Hope and Grant as individuals. Grant, in particular, was memorable because it was interesting to see how he self reflects his feelings for Hope between love and lust. Some notable moments in the tale were when the two of them first meet and Hope’s history with Fraser. Also, the author makes the story steamy with some explicit romance steams that would heat the pages.

Interestingly, the tale is how the author adds topics like intensive farming and veganism into the storyline, which gives it depth. I loved the details of the animal sanctuary and Hope’s love for the animals.

Moreover, I loved how complex the author makes the storyline as we get more characters. Hope wonders what is going on between Grant and Taylor, whereas Grant wonders how Pete fits into Hope’s. I thought these characters spiced up the story and added more drama.

Perhaps the only minor criticism I have of the tale is how short it was. The book is less than 200 pages, and much happens in each chapter. I loved the drama between the characters but thought the author could have spent more time detailing the characters. Moreover, it took a while for me to believe in the romance between the two because initially, Grant only looked at Hope with lust.

Apart from that, “Hope and Sanctuary” is an entertaining romance novel with drama, adventure, and steamy romance with two strong leads.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Hope and Sanctuary by Neet Neilson Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

December 17, 2021
Royal Wedding in Vegas by Paul Mathews

Royal Wedding in Vegas by Paul Mathews

Release: November 25th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Independently published
Source: LoveBooks Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

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After a whirlwind romance that went straight from attraction to engagement without all that messy dating business in between, Princess Araminta and her fiancé Lennon are defying protocol and getting hitched in Vegas. Schoolteacher, goldfish lover and reformed accidental kidnapper George is also along for the royal-wedding ride. That’s because he’s the best man – the first time anyone has ever called him that in his life.

But the secret wedding plans soon start to go awry, as news of the big event leaks to the media, things and people start disappearing, and an unexpected visitor turns up to add to the marital mayhem.

Will the happy couple make it to the chapel on time? Will George buckle under the best-man pressure? Can what happens in Vegas, stay in Vegas … or will the paparazzi spoil the party? Find out, in the latest hilarious instalment of Paul Mathews’ Royally Funny books series!

About the Author:

Paul Mathews is a quite funny British guy whose sharp, satirical – often surreal – sense of humour has been honed during nearly half a century of not taking life too seriously. He gains inspiration from his love of good food, Earl Grey tea, four-legged animals & the quirks and quibbles of British life. You can visit his website at www.quitefunnyguy.com, laugh at him on Twitter @QuiteFunnyGuy or just follow him in the street if you ever see him. He won’t mind..

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads

Royal Wedding in Vegas Review:

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I have not read any of the previous books in the “Royally Funny” series, but “Royal Wedding in Vegas” was hilarious, and I found myself laughing a lot. You can easily enjoy this book as a standalone, but I wish I had read the previous books as well after reading it.

To begin with, I must mention that it’s so refreshing to read a book of this genre from a male perspective that doesn’t market itself as a romantic comedy. The story is just pure comedy where the characters find themself in far-fetched scenarios, and it still turned out to be a feel-good story.

I loved George and thought he was the highlight of the book! George is hilarious in the lead as he finds himself in crazy situations and deals with Minty’s engagement to Lennon. While the story started a bit slow, I thought it went full swing once they entered Vegas. The pacing also speeds up as the story progresses, and you cannot put it down. Some memorable moments in the tale were when George gets dragged from the auditorium, searches for the disappearing groom, and steps into superhero costume to pursue the joker. As the story progresses, you also meet the other characters like the Duke and Portia, who I felt were memorable.

The author also brings Las Vegas to life, from gamblings in casinos to the eruption of fake volcanos. I have never been to Vegas, but the author details the background so humorously that I feel like I want to go there and experience it myself.

Overall, “Royal Wedding in Vegas” is a delightfully funny tale. It encouraged me to pick up the previous two books and read more of their adventures.

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Royal Wedding in Vegas by Paul Mathews Blog Tour hosted by LoveBooks Tours.

December 6, 2021
One Book Away by Debbie Ioanna

One Book Away by Debbie Ioanna

Release: December 3rd 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Debbie Ioanna
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon US, Amazon UK

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She’s just a girl, standing in front of a bookcase, looking for her happily every after…

Charlotte’s love of romantic literature and ‘happily ever after’ is a far cry from reality. Putting her own ambitions to one side and settling with her university sweetheart, it has not been a decade of bliss. Changes need to be made, and quick.

At a book signing for her favourite author, she meets the handsome and chivalrous Ross. He immediately charms her and wants to see her again. Could this be the romantic, happy ending she was looking for?

Debbie brings us her latest romantic comedy where dating and new romances warm our hearts… and give us a little bit of dating fear.

About the Author:

Debbie is a Yorkshire born indie author who dabbles in all genres.

She lives with her family and loves nothing more than hunting through antique bookshops for some literary treasures to add to her collection.

Debbie has just graduated from the Open University after spending six years studying History and Creative Writing, her two biggest passions, and is looking forward to her next venture and publishing more books for her readers to enjoy.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

One Book Away Review:

“One Book Away” is the perfect book to pick up if you want a short and sweet romantic comedy that makes you feel optimistic.

I enjoyed Charlotte in the lead, and I thought the author portrayed her nicely. It’s never easy coming out of a relationship, and we slowly start to see how Charlotte’s relationship with Sam went wrong. What’s lovely about Charlotte is how we see her mentally feel good about herself. After she meets Ross, she starts to change her lifestyle choices in terms of what she eats. It was beautiful to see how self-confident she became under Ross’s influence.

Similarly, I also enjoyed how the author told the tale. The author also toggles between the past and the present as Charlotte contemplates her relationship between Sam and Ross. I loved how quick and easy this book was to read. Even those reluctant to read would enjoy reading this one. The author paces the story nicely to see how Charlotte changes her lifestyle and looks for a better future. Moreover, I liked the ‘inside’ stories we read about, like Charles and Eliza. The author has a charming way of making you smile and feeling optimistic about the future.

Perhaps the only criticism I have towards the tale is how it felt too sweet at times. The story feels too good to be true sometimes, and while I didn’t find anything wrong with it, I would have liked more spice in the tale to make it compelling.

Apart from that, “One Book Away” is a lovely romantic feel-good story worth checking out!

Book Tour Schedule

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the One Book Away by Debbie Ioanna Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

November 30, 2021
The Jennifer Files by Isla Moore

The Jennifer Files by Isla Moore

Release: October 26th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: EDC Books LLC
Source: Suzy approved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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Isla Moore debuts a delicious small-town series about taking risks, second chances, and trusting your heart to lead the way.

The rule was they couldn’t fall in love.

But rules are made to be broken.

Empty-nester Alison English is ready to sell her too-large house and start the second part of her life. The only way that’s possible is to dust off her past author skills and accept the offer– and the unseemly amount of money –to ghost write a sizzling scorcher of a romance book. One problem: widowed for ten years, forty-something Alison isn’t sure she even remembers how to flirt, much less sizzle or scorch… Everything still goes in the same places though, right? All she needs is practice. And she knows just who to ask for help.

Will Fournier is thirty-one going on fifty. Single parenting a special-needs six-year-old and running a construction business doesn’t leave much time for socializing. Dating is out. He won’t risk someone breaking his daughter’s heart when the relationship inevitably falls apart. What he needs is an arrangement with a woman isn’t looking to get married or even go out on the town. A woman who will settle for convenient, no strings attached sex. In a perfect world, this fantasy woman would look like Alison, whose kitchen he’s been tearing apart. But someone as sexy and classy as her wouldn’t be interested in friends with benefits.

Even with strict rules set in place, spending everyday together brings Will and Alison much closer than in just the bedroom. And when emotions get involved, who will be the first to fall?

About the Author:

Isla Moore lives on a mini-farm in the swampy South where she wrangles dogs, kids, a spouse, and the occasional herd of deer or swarm of mosquitoes.

She writes small-town Southern romances – a little sweet, a lot sexy, and always spiked with a bit of humor, just like her favorite bourbon sweet tea. .

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The Jennifer Files Review:

If you want to read a romance with heartwarming characters that also stands out in the genre, “The Jennifer Files” is your book!

Firstly, let me say that I loved the way the author wrote the characters. It is so refreshing to see a steamy romance novel with middle-aged leads who are single parents. That in itself makes the story feel realistic and makes you root for the characters. Both Alison find themselves unable to have romance in their lives because of their age and family obligations. I loved how the two of them came together and their agreement to have a purely physical relationship without romance in the cards.

Secondly, I also the concept of the story, where Alison writes a book and needs inspiration, and we get a life imitates art situation. The author writes Alison nicely, where you get a sense that her characters are sometimes taking over her life because of how mundane her days are at times.

Moreover, the author also made me laugh so much in some scenes. For instance, I chucked when Will takes Alison on a house tour or when Sam hears about Alison and Will. The book heats up with steamy romance, makes you leave, and makes you fall in love with the characters at the same time! On a side note, I also appreciate how the author made the family members prominent, and you feel like the children play an equally important role in the tale. I adored Sam’s conversations with Alison.

Overall, “The Jennifer Files” is an excellent start to “The Jennifer Files,” and I look forward to seeing these characters again!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Jennifer Files by Isla Moore Blog Tour hosted by Suzy approved Book Tours.

Book Tour Schedule

Dani Reads-Nov. 1st
Well Read Traveler-Nov. 1st
Noor The Bookworm-Nov. 2nd
She Just Loves Books-Nov. 2nd
Laura’s Next Chapter-Nov. 3rd
Subakka Bookstuff-Nov. 4th
Really Into This-Nov. 6th
Biblio Reviews-Nov. 8th
Books and Coffee MX-Nov. 12th
Miss W Book Reviews-Nov. 13th
Geaux Get Lit-Nov. 15th
Carol Doscher-Nov. 16th
Rozier Reads and Wine-Nov. 18th
Rajivs Reviews-Nov. 20th
Novels and Latte Book Club -Nov. 20th
Bookworm Struggles -Nov. 23rd
We Break For Books-Nov. 24th
Bookish Heidi-Nov. 25th

November 22, 2021
Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper

Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper

Release: November 9, 2021
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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Melody faces her fears to follow her passion in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novel Out of My Mind.

Melody, the huge-hearted heroine of Out of My Mind, is a year older, and a year braver. And now with her Medi-talker, she feels nothing’s out of her reach, not even summer camp. There have to be camps for differently-abled kids like her, and she’s going to sleuth one out. A place where she can trek through a forest, fly on a zip line, and even ride on a horse! A place where maybe she really can finally make a real friend, make her own decisions, and even do things on her own—the dream!

By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody’s about to discover how brave and strong she really is.

About the Author:

Sharon M. Draper is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. She has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both Copper Sun and Forged by Fire, and was awarded the Charlotte Huck Award for Stella by Starlight. Her novel Out of My Mind has won multiple awards and was a New York Times bestseller for over three years, and Blended has also been a New York Times bestseller. She taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Out of My Heart Review:

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While you can read this as a standalone, I highly encourage you to read “Out of my mind” first to read Melody’s history.

I was excited about this book because I thought the author took it to another level, where it felt different than the first. In the previous book, Melody had the support of her family to overcome her challenges. However, here we see her in a completely new environment where she has to face the difficulties by herself.

Even the supporting characters like Noah, Jeremiah, Devin, Santiago, and Malik were memorable. It was fun to see how Melody gets a crush on Noah. You can see her mature as a person as she overcomes her fears and learns to make friends. I loved how the author added many adventurous activities for Melody to experience, like horseback riding and zip-lining. One of my other favorite characters was camp counselor Trinity, as she encouraged her to participate in new activities. Once you finish reading this book, you feel like the people of Camp Green Glades are your close friends, and you miss them. The tale highlights were when Karyn gets stuck in the mud or when the teams play the Balloon game.

So the bottom line is, is this book as good as the first? In my opinion, probably not. If the author had released the sequel a few years back, I would have thought so. But, in recent years, there have been so many more powerful books about disabilities and fighting challenges. Nevertheless, I do feel that Melody and the series in itself are a must-read.

Overall, I thought “Out of My Heart ” was a lovely addition to the series, and I would encourage readers to read the previous book before this one.

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will win a finished copy of OUT OF MY HEART, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

Week One:
Kait Plus Books-Excerpt-11-8/-2021
Rajiv’s Reviews-Review-11-8-2021
bookblogarama -Excerpt-11-9-2021
Little Red Reads-Review-11-9-2021
Locks, Hooks and Books-Review-11-10-2021
Lifestyle of Me-Review-11-10-2021
Bri’s Book Nook -Review-11-11-2021
Sparetimereader -Review-11-11-2021
More Books Please blog-Review-11-12-2021
OneMoreExclamation-Review-11-12-2021

Week Two:
Wilted pages-Review-11-15-2021
Don’t Judge, Read-Excerpt-11-15-2021
For the Love of KidLit-Excerpt-11-16-2021
BookHounds YA -Review-11-16-2021
Eli to the nth-Review-11-17-2021
Two Points of Interest-Review-11-17-2021
Not In Jersey-Review-11-18-2021
@bookshelfmomma -Review-11-18-2021
Once Upon a Twilight -Review-11-19-2021
The Momma Spot -Review-11-19-2021

November 13, 2021
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie by Erin Soderberg Downing

Release: April 6th 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Pixel+Ink
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

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Mix together a used food truck, a road trip that doesn’t exactly go as planned, and a lot of pie, and you have the recipe for this sweet middle grade series starter brimming with humor, heart, and a family you’ll fall in love with. Perfect for readers who gobbled down The Penderwicks and The Vanderbeeks of 141st Street.

Sweet summer has taken a rotten turn . . .

After a tough year, Lucy, Freddy, and Herb Peach are ready for vacation. Lucy wants to read all of the books on the summer reading list. Freddy wants to work on his art projects (when he isn’t stuck in summer school). Herb wants to swim every day.

Then their dad makes a big announcement: one of the inventions their mom came up with before she passed away has sold, and now they’re millionaires!

But Dad has bigger plans than blowing the cash on fun stuff or investing it. He’s bought a used food truck. The Peaches are going to spend the summer traveling the country selling pies. It will be the Great Peach Experiment—a summer of bonding while living out one of Mom’s dreams. Summer plans, sunk. And there’s one more issue Dad’s neglected: none of them knows how to bake. . . .

A perfect blend of humor, heart, and family antics, When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie is a delectable treat to be gobbled down or savored slowly. (Slice of pie on the side, optional, but highly recommended.)

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

About the Author:

Erin Soderberg Downing has written more than seventy-five books for kids, tweens, and teens (many as Erin Soderberg; others as Erin Downing). Some of her most popular titles include the middle-grade novel Moon Shadow, as well as four fun books in the QUIRKS series, ten PUPPY PIRATES adventures (a chapter book series that stars her dog, Wally!), and Disney’s DARING DREAMERS CLUB series.

Her new series – THE GREAT PEACH EXPERIMENT – was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and rolls into stores in April 2021. Erin loves writing about the silliness of family, the magic of friendship, and has fun finding humor in everyday things. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, three fun kids, and two very fluffy dogs.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie Review:

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If you want to read a book that encourages you to make the best of a bad situation and live your life to the fullest, this is the book to read!

“When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie” is an adorable middle-grade novel that will sure to capture the young reader’s attention for its superb execution. The author adds fun, quirky illustrations like Lucy’s did if she became a millionaire or her postcards to Great Aunt Lucinda. Some moments had me laughing out loud, like when she describes Chicago’s various types of people.

Moreover, I loved how the author took us on a road trip as the Peaches stopped by various places on their way to the Food Truck Festival. From Minneapolis and Midwest’s Premier Blues Music Festival to Chicago, Michigan, and North Carolina, I felt like I was with the family as they went on their adventure with Peach Power! The author spices up the story with the various glitches the family encounter that affects their inventory of items to cook or problems with the air conditioner.

I also adored how the author told the story. Even the tiny moments had me smiling. For instance, when we read the beautiful selection of Lucy’s reading list (some of which I want to add to my own), or how to go about things with a scientific approach, from research and hypothesis to experimenting and data analysis.

Lucy is excellent in the lead! Frankly, I loved all the characters, including Freddy and Herb, and found it hard to dislike anyone. The story has such a feel-good, humorous factor that you would not notice the time fly by once you start reading. Overall, I enjoyed reading “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie” and found it uplifting.

November 13, 2021