Joy

 

Allegra had an awful childhood. It’s amazing she turned out to be a decent human being!  Her mother abandoned her as a child to relive her partying life. Her father was career military. She was raised by reluctant grandparents. She falls in love in college with a West Point graduate who begins his military service. As he suffers from the effects of this service, he chooses the military over her. She has no one and relocates to California. There her life begins.  

This is a story of hope and redemption, but her childhood is just so sad. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  

A Novel Summer

 

A trio of friends in a special place for all of them- Provincetown in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  The story centers around a town bookshop.  Colleen  runs the bookshop handed down from her parents.  Her parents want to sell the bookshop and Colleen is taking this summer to try to increase business and keep it open.  Shelby returns to Provincetown for the summer after being fired from her job in New York City.  Her new novel is out, but it is offensive to friends and family back in Ptown, notably her best friend, Hunter.  She returns for a book signing and stays for a while since she is unemployed.  Hunter's family has a fabulous home in Provincetown and completes the trio of best friends.  She is looking for meaning and purpose  in life and ends up working for a local publisher.  All three best friends are tied to the book industry!  The story is their connection, their love interests and what is meaningful in life.

I just love Jamie Brenner's books and this one is no exception.  Her descriptions of the town, the relationship among the friends and the obstacles they overcome are wonderful.  Don't miss this beach read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tangled Up In You

 

Ren grew up in an unusual situation- off the grid with parents who trusted no one.  Why?  She is home schooled, mostly self-taught.  She pleads with her parents to college, even though she is 24 years old, and secures a scholarship.  Fitz is a star student trying to escape his past.  Even though Ren is very focused on her studies, an assignment in her immunology class changes the course of her life.  She and Fitz take a trip to visit significant others in their lives and this trip changes the course of their futures.  Wow!  The secrets that are uncovered!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

The Summer Pact

 

This book is about 4 close friends who come together 10 years later. My how their lives have changed! College was a time that cemented their friendships. But, a tragedy changes the course of their lives. Lainey is from California and has realized her dream of becoming an actress. Tyson is a young black man who is a scholar, an attorney by default. Hannah is getting married, that is, until she discovers the truth about her fiancé' which creates much upheaval.
The weeks they spend together resolves many issues in their lives and creates others. The relationships between the 4 main characters in this book makes this novel. The reader feels like you could just jump into a conversation with them. This is a great summer beach read, or a read for the lazy days of summer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Seaside Sisters

 

Hannah is an author who lives in Brooklyn and writes romantic comedy books.  Her hometown is Chatham on Cape Cod.  She is experiencing writer's block and her next book is due at the end of summer.  Her mother recently died and she recently ended a 2 year romantic relationship. She's not looking for love at this time.  She decides a change of scenery would help her writer's block and will spend the summer in Chatham at the oceanfront home of her aunt.  Her sister, Sara, husband and 4 children also live in Chatham.  Sara was a librarian but is now a full time wife and mother.  She longs for a return to the world of literature and the company of others during the day.  

Hannah has a great summer in Cape Cod.  She makes friends, renews old friendships and begins to write again.  This story follows the lives of not only Hannah, but also her sister and her aunt.  The characters are so well-developed that you wish you were one of the sisters in this family.  I didn't want this story to end!  It is a lovely story filled with family love and connections, the life of an author, the legal profession and what makes life meaningful.  Don't miss this wonderful story!  A perfect summer read.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wait

 

Elise grew up on Nantucket Island, an ideal setting, but in a dysfunctional family. Her father left the family early on and her Brazilian mother struggled to provide for the family. She went away to college and did not return home for 4 years. The night before graduation, her younger sister calls to say their mother disappeared. Where has she gone? Against her will?
Elise and her younger sister work to pay the rent and survive. When they are evicted, they move into the guest house of her college friend, Sheba. Will their friendship survive when there is such disparity between being poor and super rich? Will the girls every find their mother?
This is a story of survival, friendship and struggles in life. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summers at the Saint

 

Summer doesn't begin until we have a new Mary Kay Andrews book and Summer at the Saint is no exception! The Saint Cecelia is a destination resort off of the coast of Georgia. The family who owns the resort is a dysfunctional family with many secrets while trying to keep The Saint resort profitable and open. The main character is Traci, who married that "good brother". He was tragically killed in a plane crash leaving Traci as the hotel President. Her brother-in-law, Ric, is the CEO of Saint Holdings managing the company's real estate. There is always animosity between Traci and Ric. Traci has no children, Ric has a daughter named Parrish. She is the future of The Saint. Traci's best friend growing up is Shannon who has a daughter, Olivia. Olivia comes to work at The Saint. Traci and Shannon have not been close since a young boy died while they were teenage lifeguards at The Saint. Will they repair their relationship?
Something nefarious is going on that is affecting profits. Who will uncover what is really happening? Will it result in their demise?
This is one of those "I just can't put it down" books. You will want to just keep reading so that you can find out what happens next! This book is a great way to begin the summer. Don't miss this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.