Category: Five Star Adult

REVIEW: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

REVIEW: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Libby and Hannah inherited a PR firm from their beloved grandmother, but they are struggling to keep it afloat. Then Lou, a self-help guru, walks in.

Lou is vetting PR firms for the launch of a new product line. In order to compete, Hannah and Libby have to follow Lou’s system to break out of comfort zones so they can work from that experience if they get the job. Hannah is challenged to go on 12 first dates, and Libby has to do a fitness challenge.

While both women work on their programs – with significant help from one another – the process leads them to revelations, and love, they weren’t expecting.

Review

This was excellent! I usually enjoy dual point-of-view books, and this does an excellent job with the voices and insights of both sisters. And the set up with the 12 week challenges was fantastically done.

I liked both Hannah and Libby and was completely engrossed in their surface stories – the lost love/reconciliation, the physical challenges, the business challenges. But when both women get to the deeper parts of their individual journeys, I was riveted. I didn’t want to put the book down.

This was a delight from start to finish. I loved every bit of it. This was the perfect book to kick off my summer reading season – I recommend you give it a try. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

REVIEW: Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Samantha says she is on Martha’s Vineyard for the summer to watch her teenaged half-brother, Tyler, while his parents are on an extended vacation. But in reality, she quit her job as a chef in Boston when she was passed over for a job. She needs a soft place to land and re-group.

Sam did not count on meeting a handsome stranger on the ferry. She knew Ben was bookish because she accidentally knocked his book into the ocean. But he’s also a librarian. She’s not sure what to make of all of that bookishness. Sam’s dyslexia means that reading is a tremendous challenge. There are just too many other things she’d rather do instead. Things that don’t fill her with shame.

But the chemistry between them is undeniable. And Ben doesn’t seem to think Sam has anything to be ashamed of. But Sam has lost boyfriends and jobs over her dyslexia in the past, so she’s not sure she can trust him long term. But a summer fling might be all right, if she can keep herself from falling head over heels for him.

Review

That summary really doesn’t do this book justice, but if I try to explain all of the magic of this story, I will end up spoiling it. And this is too perfect to risk spoiling it.

I. Loved. Everything.

All of the characters are fantastic. And the set up – the family things, the reading things, the romance, the setting – is all perfect. There are funny moments and swooning moments and heart-tugging moments and angsty moments. And I adored them all. This was definitely a book I wanted to hug when I was done.

The author’s note about dyslexia and the choices she and the publisher made in the production of this novel were icing on the cake. I loved how that aspect of the story was handled. I can’t wait to see this book in person to see the dyslexia-friendly font they chose and other accommodations.

Finally, there’s a teaser for a companion novel focusing on another character – and I need it in my hands immediately!

Jenn McKinlay has never failed me before, and she certainly hasn’t here. Fans of her other romances – and fans of her mysteries if you  also like books with some spice – should absolutely pick this up. She really hits this one out of the park. Highly recommend! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Damsel by Evelyn Skye

REVIEW: Damsel by Evelyn Skye

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lady Elodie Bayford, eldest daughter of the Duke of Inophe, loves her home. Yes, the country is poor and barren. Their people must rely on trade with one another and the generosity of the duke to get by. But Elodie is devoted to the people and the land. She would do a lot for her people. But the arranged marriage still took her by surprise.

Elodie would be marrying Prince Henry of Aurea, and her marriage in turn would save her country. But while excited about the match – and her future on the gorgeous and lush Isle of Aurea with the handsome and charming Henry – she is puzzled by what the prosperous country is getting in return for this arrangement.

And then she finds out about the dragon.

Review

This is a novel based on a screenplay which will be a Netflix movie this fall (October 13, 2023). And it is AMAZING!

I loved Elodie from the beginning. I was rivetted from the first few pages as I was watching for Elodie to discover the dragon and role she is to play in Aurea in exchange for resources to save her people. And once she knew the whole arrangement, I couldn’t put the book down until the end. This is going to make an amazing movie!

When I first picked this up and realized I had read this author before (Circle of Shadows was fantastic!), I was even more excited to read this. And Evelyn Skye did not disappoint. I was concerned that because Elodie was going to be alone, trying to survive the dragon, for a large portion of the book, that there would be a lot of long, dry sections of description. The sorts of things I usually skip over to get to the dialogue. But that wasn’t the case at all. This is super engaging, and I felt like I couldn’t skip past anything because I had to know it all. This is simply excellent.

Fantasy fans, there’s so much here to love – dragons, royalty, secrets, family, betrayal. I think this works for both adult readers and YA readers. And the bonus material at the end was FASCINATING – do not skip that part! I can’t recommend this highly enough – don’t miss this one! (Some language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta

REVIEW: Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and IVP Academic in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

Dr. Gupta explores the women named in the New Testament as leaders of the early Church, but first he goes back to the Old Testament to review the Biblical record of Deborah and the creation story. As he moves forward in time to examine roles of women in the Roman world, he explores evidence of a full range of responsibilities from wife and mother to business owner to cult priestess. Then he looks at the women in Jesus’ life before moving on to the women who help launch the Church.

I had a teaser of some of this material a couple years ago when I heard the author speak. I was fascinated by what he shared and eager to hear more. The writing here is super engaging. There are plenty of reference notes for those approaching this topic and material as scholars. But there’s tons here to enjoy if you just picked this up to augment your own Bible study. I did a lot of underlining as I read, and came across references to other resources I might want to look at on my own.

Reading this made me want to pull a group of women together with this book and an unmarked Bible to dig into the passages with fresh eyes. I think it would be a moving, memorable study experience. I highly recommend this whether you are looking for a text book or reference for academic work or if you are looking for something for personal study.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath

REVIEW: Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Giles has been keeping the secret surrounding his birth for years because he knows the consequences of the truth getting out are too dire. Possible jail for him and the Duke. And a different heir who would destroy the legacy and everyone who counts on it.

But something has spooked the Duke into shoring up his lineage. Before he can take any action, though, he’s dead and Giles is left holding both the estate and the secret. He needs help.

Diana is thriving in the independence granted her by her sister’s marriage. And she’s certain there’s only bickering and one-upmanship between herself and Lord Bellingham. But he’s in a place where he could use a friend – especially one as adept at investigation as Diana is. So they team up, each resistant to the pull between them, determined to free Giles from his trouble and then return to their constant bickering.

Review

What a fantastic sequel to the delightful Never Fall for Your Fiancée! This is all I hoped for after I finished the first book. I enjoyed the shift to Diana’s story and the bickering and banter with Giles. The mystery they team up to solve is also supremely satisfying. I was completely captivated by it to the point of being oblivious to everything going on around me until I finished. Logically, Vee’s story will be next, and I am here for it, first because this series has been exceptionally good, but also because of the hints at a possible direction for that story. I can’t wait!

Historical romance fans, and fans of the first book should not miss this one! I think newcomers can start here. You’ll be missing some of the family context, but the central story can stand alone. But you will definitely want to read both books in this great series! (sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

REVIEW: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Hannah’s work is her life which gets problematic when her mother dies and her boss forces her to take bereavement leave. And that’s complicated even more by her complicated feelings about her mother. And the fact that her boyfriend dumped her the day after the funeral.

But instead of getting a distracting new protection assignment far, far away from her ex and her grief, Hannah’s next client is two-time Sexiest Man Alive, Jack Stapleton.

Jack’s in town to help his mom go through cancer treatment. And he’s fiercely protective of her. Nothing can stress her out – like a bodyguard or talk of stalkers. So he wants Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend while she’s on duty. Whatever. How hard could that be?

Review

I have had this book on my wishlist since I first read the synopsis months ago. First, it has a fake relationship at the center – a trope that is like catnip to me. Then, the protective agent is the woman – awesome! And the plot is right up my alley as a reader.

I had high hopes for this – and it met every one. The characters are endearing (well, not Robby). The romance is sweet and cozy. And an unexpected bonus? This is HILARIOUS! I could not have asked for a more delightful reading experience.

Romance fans, fake dating fans – don’t miss this one! The minute I finished I was ready to flip back to the first page and start all over again. Another favorite for 2022.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++*

♥♥♥♥♥+++ = Best of the best!

REVIEW: The Wedding Plot by Paula Munier

REVIEW: The Wedding Plot by Paula Munier

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Mercy Carr and her Malinois, Elvis, should be consumed with wedding festivities instead of reporting a dead body. But when the spa director at her grandmother’s destination wedding goes missing, Mercy says she’ll check things out. She gets more than she bargained for.

Pretty soon, it’s a toss up over which situation is more troublesome – the pre-wedding antics of the wedding party or the trail of violence that is centered around the resort. But Mercy and Elvis – and Troy and Sugar Bear – are on the case!

Review

This was outstanding!! Mercy and Troy are in a good relationship place in this one, and it sets a lovely tone for the whole book. The dogs are in excellent form here, as always. And the mystery is truly top notch. I even started taking notes, trying to put all the pieces together for myself. (Ended up about 50/50 on my guessing.)

I have enjoyed the Mercy and Elvis mysteries since book one, A Borrowing of Bones. For me, this is the best of the series (so far). In fact, I can say for certain that this will be one of my favorite books of 2022 when the year is done. This book has everything I love – great characters, brilliant plotting, and a quest that propels the characters and the reader forward. I read this start to finish in one day and enjoyed it all. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++*

♥♥♥♥♥+++* = Best of the best

REVIEW: Holy Chow by David Rosenfelt

REVIEW: Holy Chow by David Rosenfelt

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Andy Carpenter knew Rachel Morehouse because she adopted a chow chow named Lion from his foundation/rescue. In fact, she had called him to talk about arrangements for Lion in case something ever happened to her. She was hoping her step-son would agree to take the dog, but Andy was her back up.

When Rachel died, it took a few days for the authorities to discover it was murder. By then, Andy had met her step-son, Tony, and he felt a connection to the case. When Tony is arrested, Andy agrees to represent him.

The prosecution’s case is solid, but circumstantial. And when Andy starts looking for other threads to pull, he’s drawn into a dizzying case. The question is if the things he discovers will be enough to convince a jury of Tony’s innocence.

Review

I have been an Andy Carpenter fan for years, but this new story hits a new high for me. I loved this! It drew me in right from the start. And it was a wild ride.  There were no slow spots – the pacing was perfect. I flew through this story, captivated by all of the twists and turns.

The wrap up was a little abrupt, but it felt like it was just a natural progression after the pace of the whole story. I was thrilled with the whole thing.

Series fans should not miss this new book. Readers who have enjoyed Rosenfelt’s K-Team series will see the team help in this story, too, so they should pick this up as well. I think newcomers could start here – I read my first Andy Carpenter by picking up something mid-series and had no issues following it. This would be an excellent starting place for this great series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ – Outstanding!

REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

REVIEW: Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Thriller writer Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertie are staying in a rustic cabin Tess inherited. It’s what Tess needs to get away and get some writing done. It’s what both of them need to recover from Tess’s recent divorce. But before they ever get inside the cabin, explosions shake the property. And dead fish – and human body parts – rain down.

Tess is fascinated by the local sheriff who is so much like the main character in her books. So she tries to keep an eye on the investigation. But the case starts to get more dangerous – and then Tess’s ex shows up and insists it’s too dangerous for Gertie to stay with her mother.

But before long the case leaves Tess wondering if she can trust any of her new friends in this town. Someone here is up to no good.

Review

This was outstanding! I loved all of it – the thriller writer bits, the parallels between the sheriff and the book character, the relationship between Tess and Gertie, the quirky townspeople, and the twisty mystery. This was a perfect read for me. A start- to-finish-in-the-wee-hours-of-the-night read. I can’t wait for book 2, On Spine of Death, to release in November. It’s a must-read for me. You can see some of my reviews for the author’s other books published under the name Lucy Gilmore here.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Joy of Reading by Donalyn Miller and Teri S. Lesesne

REVIEW: The Joy of Reading by Donalyn Miller and Teri S. Lesesne

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Heinemann in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Normally I would be reviewing a book for kids or teens today, but the one I had scheduled wasn’t a good fit for me, so I am subbing this in. ]

Summary

This book highlights 7 joys of reading identified by the authors including familiarity and surprise. It contains exercises that instructors can do with students as well as some teachers might choose to do as they think about their own reading lives. Includes information, instructions, or discussion of things like:

  • completing a reading autobiography
  • reading conferences
  • reader response activities
  • studies related to reading
  • tips for building a classroom library
  • book access and book diversity
  • what to do with reading levels
  • tips for busy professionals to increase their own book knowledge
  • reader’s notebooks
  • tips for book talking
  • a classroom activity called book pass
  • tips for dealing with reading slumps
  • delightful classroom anecdotes
  • illustrations of book stacks with real titles in subject-centered categories

Review

This resource from “The Book Whisperer,” Donalyn Miller, and the late “Professor Nana,” Teri Lesesne is a gold standard for teachers. I heard Donalyn speak many times while I was teaching, and her talks were always a highlight of the event – informative and inspiring! Her previous books – The Book Whisperer (♥♥♥♥♥) and Reading in the Wild (♥♥♥♥♥) – were the foundation I used to develop my philosophy as a teacher/librarian, and I shared her earlier books with any teacher who gave me an opening.

This contains the same general philosophy I have read and heard before from Miller, Lesesne, and other Nerdy Book Club members and teaching professionals – let kids read! But the focus here is on finding, building, and maintaining the joy of reading for students and readers in general.

The content here flows from inspiring class examples and anecdotes to practical advice for professionals. The writing is engaging and conversational. There’s something here for veteran teachers, newbies, and everyone in between. Do not miss this if you are or know and love a teacher. This would be a stupendous gift for a graduate going into the classroom for the first time, and a marvelous addition to instructional programs preparing future teachers.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!