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The Benedettos are not your average tv reality show family in L.A. - well, maybe they are but they are about to get a reality check that they are having a hard time accepting. Mom and Dad's restaurant empire is not doing so well and that means the estate that is home to all of them and all the perks could soon be gone and the chicks will be booted out of the nest. When a famous actor and his less famous friend move in next door mom sees it as a way for the family to get back into the press and some of the Benedetto sisters are interested. First impressions are not always good and hilarious entanglements ensue. Sharp wit, a crazy tight Italian American family (that might feel very familiar), an enemy to lover vibe and lots of sister love. Lots of fun even as your head is spinning trying to keep up. For anyone who wishes to be a little bit famous or are captivated by what the L.A. famous are doing- this is for you. 3 1/2 stars of fun 
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A DNA testing service brings together a miracle for one Puerto Rican woman but could uncover a life of lies for an American woman. Isabella has been searching for her baby sister who went missing years ago without any success until a DNA test shows someone who could be a perfect match. The only problem is that Gabby, an aspiring journalist, doesn't want to believe that she is Isabella's sister and just wants to write an article about the mistake. Bad people trying to do good and good people caught in a bad situation sums up this genealogical mystery. The beauty of Puerto Rico stands out in sharp contrast to the poverty and desperation behind the non-tourist side of the wall and once again we see that every family has it share of secrets. 4 stars  Happy book birthday to FLORES AND MISS PAULA by Melissa Rivero Flores is a thirty something living with her mom and they are still fresh with grief over losing Flores dad Martin three years prior. He was the bridge between Flores and Paula and their relationship has suffered without him. Both of them are good at hiding their feelings and throwing themselves into work. Changes are coming for both of them and it will be a chance to mend their relationship or leave it broken forever. Even though the story is about a Peruvian family the themes of grief and mother/daughter relationship are universal. 3 1/2 stars  De'Andrea and family are moving from long time friends and community in Atlanta to a very white neighborhood in Virginia. It is a huge change in every way but she is determined to make the best of it for their daughter who is starting kindergarten at the posh private school. Rebecca considers herself well educated and aware and can't wait to welcome De'Andrea and her daughter to the school and neighborhood. Good intentions can lead to miscommunication and missteps and both of them will learn to adapt and accept each other. With every difference we see a great deal of similarities as true friendship takes hold. A dramatic fight over a confederate statue being taken down will draw battle lines throughout the community and will bring some together and test all of them. A side story is of memory care facilities and the emotional toll the disease takes on the families involved. All of this is handled between the two authors with grace, care and humor. There is much to discuss here making this a prime candidate for book clubs. 3 1/2 stars  Happy book birthday to UNDERBURN by Bill Gaythwaite An elderly film star now realtor takes in her son and his young boyfriend after their home is destroyed by a wildfire. Iris is used to being on her own but she makes adjustments. When she gets a summons from the sister she hasn't spoken to in decades, Iris packs up the trio and they travel to Maine for her mother's funeral. With Frank and Logan in tow they descend into Iris's childhood where all of the buried resentments, misunderstandings and emotions surface. It takes some time to understand the family dynamic and mend fences and not without a lot of sadness along the way. Happy go lucky Logan is a wise and uplifting diversion. 3 stars  A family struggles with stagnant relationships of all sorts as well as broken communication and lost dreams. Dan and Isabel depend on Robbie as a sounding board, caring uncle to their two kids and buddy. He has lived with them and it is time to move out and move on but when Robbie heads on a solo trip to Iceland and is trapped there by the pandemic everyone's world will be tossed into the wind. A deep dive into what we look for in a life partner and how relationships change over time as well as the fears of not mattering. While this story does cover the pandemic and feelings of isolation and too much togetherness that we can all relate to it is much more than just a pandemic story. DAY covers a variety of ages and viewpoints in beautifully written prose that explore every angle of human frailty. This book will resonate with readers of Ann Patchett and quiet family dramas. 4 stars  Samira is surrounded by marriage - at the bridal magazine where she works, at home dodging suitors who come with family for a "door knock appeal" and with her difficult cousin's engagement and demands that Samira will be a bridesmaid. The problem is that Samira would rather be in her pjs watching classic movies, reading books or texting her friends until she meets Menem. He is smart, he is handsome and he is muslim but she is not sure where the relationship is going or if she is interpreting the signals correctly. This is a sweet romance that highlights beautiful Arab customs and features a bright and ambitious young woman who needs a nudge to follow the path that is right for her as well as the ins and outs of dealing with embarrassing questions about her religion and decision to wear a headscarf. The anxiety of finding your soulmate, dealing with an overprotective but well meaning family and not always knowing the right career path are universal themes that we can relate to. 4 stars  It is 2019 and the country finds itself in the middle of lies and liars. One day one the biggest whopper tellers of all decides to rob a bank and take the teller as a hostage (sort of). Boyd and Angie set out on the getaway trail which turns into a revenge roadtrip for Boyd and a husband shopping/soul saving crusade for Angie. Staying one step behind those they seek and one step ahead of those who are after them equals a Thelma and Louise style roadtrip with Carl Hiaasen off beat characters plus the colorful commentary of Tim O'Brien. He pokes fun at government, politics, COVID conspiracy theories, dark and sinister mega millionaires and journalism. Moving at the speed of light it is easy to get lost in all the characters and their connections but it is an off the rails speeding train fun read. 3 1/2 stars  It has been a tough year for Eva after losing her beloved grandmother and working 24/7 to open the shop of her dreams. She barely has gone home to change clothes, sleep for a few hours and maybe wave at her husband. When he lays down the law that she has to go to their friend's house party for a couple of days at Christmas, Eva goes but drags her overworked assistant with her. Of course they get snowed in. Eva's grandmother appears as a ghost to tell her that she will wake in someone else's body and replay Christmas Day until she can fix the situation. Will Eva finally understand why everyone is on her case or is she destined to repeat Christmas on repeat forever? A contemporary version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL with lessons for all of us to slow down and smell the gingerbread latte. A sweet romcom with some heavy themes that are handled with grace and care. 3 1/2 stars  Jasmine flees China desperate to find the daughter who was taken from her at birth. Working as a nanny for the adopted parents Jasmine must keep her identity a secret as well as her other job in a shady bar and stay far away from the man she ran from. This is a complicated tug of war that pulls on the heartstrings as well as raises your heart rate trying to fit all the pieces together. Proving that there are no good guys or bad guys when it comes to the welfare of a child this is an interesting look at multicultural adoptions, birth parents vs. adoptive parents rights and the shady behind the scenes foreign adoption practices. The author does a great job of putting the reader in the middle of it without casting judgement and it is obvious that both women love this little girl. Readers of LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE will find much to love. 4 stars  |
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