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This is not a sizzling spicy love story full of hot romance but instead more like a shared cup of cocoa by a fire kind of love story with an undercurrent of redemption and second chances. Charlie and Vivian were briefly married a long time ago and broke up quickly due to immaturity and a hot head. They were young and had the world at their feet and now Charlie deeply regrets screwing it up and letting it go. After forty years he wants a second chance. Vivian is moved but unwilling to just go back to their relationship the way it was. What begins is a new courtship that involves forgiveness, understanding and an acceptance that true change is hard. It is said that hearts forgive faster than minds but it is never too late for love. Sweet story and one that represents the challenges of alcoholism really well. Readers of Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout will enjoy. 4 stars 
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Out of a job and a relationship Drew scurries home to New Jersey with her tail between her legs. With no new job in sight she takes an offer from a childhood friend. You know what they say about things "that look to good to be true". Pitching expensive skincare products to anyone and everyone as well as signing them up to become a super saleswoman is not Drew's style and neither are the girl boss pep talks she gets. When someone close to them ends up dead the pyramid scheme begins to crumble. Layer upon layer of secrets and lies no amount of wrinkle cream can erase force Drew to face reality before it is too late. Scary how close this could be to a true story! A clever tale of warning that shines the light on the dark truth of instant success businesses. 4 stars  Happy book birthday to THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo You remember the news stories, the rumors, the scandals, the brutal competition to bring home the gold and be crowned the best. Olympic athletes are in a class by themselves and we see them as machines devoid of emotion especially when on camera. THE FAVORITES takes us behind the scenes of ice dancing from childhood dream to hopefully an Olympic podium focusing on a pair of skaters who have been at each other's side and back since they first laced skates. Katerina and Heath quickly learn that they must overcome a rocky start become one fluid person without emotion other than the obsessive drive to be the best. Emotions run high in this glittery world that praises you one minute and runs a skate across your throat the next. This story has all the adrenaline, passion, bright lights and backstabbing that will have readers flipping pages faster than you can lace up your skates. It does for Olympic ice skating what DAISY JONES AND THE SIX did for rock bands or what THE BALLERINAS by Rachel Kapelke-Dale did for professional dance. An emotional roller coaster love/hate story that will leave you reeling. 4 1/2 made for tv stars  In a tiny Tuscan town great change is coming - a woman ran for mayor narrowly beating her opponent a beloved donkey, and a truffle hunter and his dog find a super truffle goldmine which will have the town rejoice in its good fortune (or not). A charming and poignant tale of good people making somewhat bad decisions for all the right reasons. This truffle can solve the dying town's troubles with an infusion of cash to fill the city's empty bank account but is it worth all the trouble? The relationships are what make this book stand out. The characters are proud of their village and each other even when they shout otherwise, standing up to each other and for each other. Readers of Frances Mayes books about adventures in Italy and France will find much happiness here. 4 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 1/28/25  When you take a woman determined to rid her town of the mining company that is poisoning and killing off miners in her Appalachian town with a natural witch newly dislodged from a curse that kept her captive in the mountain for 150 years you get a modern day David & Goliath tale of anger, queer love and age old retribution. Motheater walks the mountains listening to the moth's voices of departed souls using her magic to help the mountain folk but now she has awoken in another time confused and needing to find another "neighbor" (witch) to regain her memory and power. Bennie wants answers about what killed her best friend and other miners. Together they will literally move mountains to find the answers Motheater needs to help Bennie stop the mining company. The chapters flip from present day to Esther's (Motheater) past. The story covers the beauty of the mountains, the perseverance of the mountain people and culture including evangelical religion and natural magic in addition to the plight of small towns that balance preserving their way of life under pressure of progress. Fans of WEYWARD and books by Adrienne Young will enjoy this. 4 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 1/21/25  It all feels like too much pressure so Mona flees her NYC apartment with the dog leaving her son, husband and in-laws behind. She intends to just be gone for a bit but her wandering pulls her to her stage mentor who she hopes will have answers. Along the way she contemplates her life, her marriage and her Shakespearean stage career that will most likely end with the role of a lifetime - Cleopatra. Her mentor Milton has been disgraced and Mona must ponder on his influence in her life. This is a quiet walk down memory lane searching inward for answers and a look at those people who shaped us as well as those we love in all its messy forms. New York theatre people will relate much better to this book as will readers of a certain age. 3 1/2 stars THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 1/21/25  A sweet story of a long marriage and what happens when age catches up with them as they prepare for life apart. Abe and Ruth are an odd couple who love each other and have weathered the many ups and downs of a long marriage and full life. They now face the biggest challenge when a cancer diagnosis and their well meaning adult children try to force a change to their routine. Ruth has always been the main caregiver but now Abe must learn how best to care for her. We follow their relationship and marriage through the years and present day events. It is a love story, a guidebook to aging in place with dignity and a reminder to have a plan. This qentle love story will appeal to readers of Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout. 4 stars  James thinks she is missing a limb without her twin brother Johnny but she left him behind years ago to pursue art in San Francisco. His death brought her back to their small town and she isn't so sure that it was an accident in the woods as everyone is claiming. Her naturalist brother was working on an important project that James reluctantly agrees to help wrap up but she finds more questions than answers. Friendships, insecurities and unfinished relationships find her again as she struggles to say goodbye. A deep connection to the natural world and coming home to find yourself are always present in Adrienne Young's books. The past never stays in the past and secrets rarely stay buried. Her fans will be thrilled as will readers of coming home again stories. 4 stars  Eddie is 90 and never been kissed let alone married or had a longterm relationship. That all changes the day Bella comes into the charity shop where he works to drop off her dead boyfriend's things. The two hit is off and Bella needs a distraction so she works on getting Eddie's lips on someone else's. Eddie did have one love from college but never acted on it since Birdie married before he got the chance and now it is too late. Will Eddie find his happily ever after? Marianne Cronin understands the special and unique friendships between young and old in a way I have not seen from any other author. Humor and compassion go a long way to remind us that love doesn't have a date stamp, expiration date or age limit. A sweet story that will have fans of her previous book, ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT applauding. 4 stars  Today's genre faves for 2024 is romance. FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry is funny, charming and a winner in every way. A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE by Tia Williams is a romance blended in two time periods set in Harlem. OUT ON A LIMB by Hannah Bonham-Young challenges us to think beyond disabilities. |
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