Rocky and family are headed back to the cape for their annual summer vacation. A week of sun, fun, all the clams you can eat and reminiscing about their past beach time sounds perfect except Rocky is going through "the change" and their family is going through some changes as well. This slim novel is a beautiful mix of Ann Patchett soul searching mixed with Helen Ellis saucy humor regarding women and the world. Rocky is a hot mess and we love her anyway and her life is not that bad as her incredibly patient husband and kids would say. I really enjoyed the spot on witty banter between family members. A one sitting wonder of belly laughs, cleansing cries and tender family times that will have you digging out old photo albums. One of the best this year and I would listen to the audiobook (adult language and all) happily. 5 stars
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Two high schoolers fall in love and vow to be together always after Elijah becomes a successful writer. When their reunion fails to happen Nakita stays on the reservation and gets on with her life. Years pass and Elijah returns his spirit crushed. Nakita has moved on, his novel didn't do well and he becomes a recluse. As Elijah tries to give up the love of his life he finds himself the only suspect in a murder. With a nod to stories of deep rooted connections between unlikely characters and great attention paid to beautiful natural surrounding. It is a coming of age story of longing, community and misplaced anger. This quiet but deadly mystery debut will appeal to readers of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING. SPELLS FOR FORGETTING and stories by Chris Whittaker. 4 stars 20- year old Margo finds herself having to leave school minus the degree, unemployed, with a newborn and rent due. A "mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do" so she starts an OnlyFans site, welcomes her pro wrestler dad back into her life and gets on with life. Sex work doesn't agree with Margo's mom and soon to be stepdad nor her old college professor/ baby daddy and he is suing for full custody. While the work is somewhat fulfilling and there is a potential relationship with a client, Margo needs to figure out how to keep her son first. Clever and funny it makes you look at sex workers in a different light and just how tough it is to be a single parent at a young age. Margo is an original who deserves her chance at family and happiness. 4 stars BECOMING TED is a sweet story of overcoming obstacles and daring to be who you were meant to be even if it means you might get hurt. Ted is a gentle soul who is managing his parent's ice cream shop, managing to keep his husband happy and managing to keep all his dreams and desires hidden. When he is dumped out of the blue Ted along with his supportive best friend think it might be time to find out who Ted really should be. A new start is scary but this is 50 flavors of positivity along with an extra scoop of the struggles that the gay community have faced and still face in some places today. It proves that love, supportive friends, an understanding family and a gentle kick in the pants conquers all. While this story features a gay man the universal themes of love, acceptance, personal growth and community are some that everyone can relate to and learn from. 4 stars
Happy book birthday to OUT ON A LIMB by Hannah Bonam-Young
Winnifred (Win) meets handsome one night stand Bo at their friend's Halloween party. This one evening together yields a big surprise which Bo is more than happy to participate and support. Now Win and Bo must navigate the murky waters of friendship, being roommates as strangers and partners in every way. I loved that both Win and Bo have physical disabilities as well as emotional challenges and it doesn't change the story in any way. If anything, this delightful romcom is a reminder to the rest of the world that these challenges make people stronger not "handicapped". Heartwarming and a fun beach read. It does deal with some pregnancy issues that may spike anxiety in soon to be parents. Definitely a "when life gives you lemons you make lemonade" kind of story. 4 stars Happy book birthday to THE COAST ROAD by Alan Murrin
What a glorious and heartbreaking story of troubled marriages in 1990's Ireland. The women of Ardglas are good at taking it, tamping down life's disappointments, little cruelties and dismissal from the men in their lives. They live in a world where divorce is not an option - it is illegal in the eyes of the law as well as the Catholic church. The only choice they have is to live apart. The little town is shaken to the core at the arrival of a "separated" woman who moves into a cottage. Colette befriends some but is also a thorn to others and all of their lives will be altered by her. Poetic language by a male author who really understands Irish women as well as injustice in any form. For readers of Elizabeth Stout, Ann Patchett and Maeve Binchy 4 1/2 stoic stars Long walks solve everything or so Michael believes as he begins walking to forget. He plans a multi day hike across England and is matched up with Marnie. They could not be more different and yet over the course of good days and frustrating days they will come together. The beauty of this story is that it follows a real hiking path and somehow it is a comfort to know that both of them will get up and do it all again the next day. Funny, heart warming and totally David Nichols this will appeal to many readers of stories of second chances where hope is featured in all caps. 4 stars
In the continuing spirit of CRAZY RICH ASIANS this is a full on romp around the world with controlling parents one of whom is desperately match making to save the family estate. A fix-up at a wedding goes awry for more than the bridal party when a volcano erupts at the Hawaiian resort. Arabella Leung is doing everything she can to match her very eligible son Rufus to a very wealthy titled woman. He, like most of his friends, could care less about their parent's financial situation and just wanna have fun. There is so much name dropping and trips by private jets and yachts to incredible places that you get whiplash trying to keep up (and if you are like me you will drain your phone battery looking up everything!). It is a wild ride and his fans will love it as will those readers who are looking for high entertainment and bad behavior of the haves and the have even more. 3 1/2 stars
Jolene is hiding from her parents, her coworkers and life in general. She lashes out in sarcastic responses to office emails that no one sees and when one gets out Jolene is put on probation and her computer is monitored. Due to a tech blip she starts seeing everyone's emails and DM's including all the "mean girl" activity and private lives of her coworkers. When a potential layoff looms ever closer and she starts to fall for the new HR guy Jolene sees the real issues behind her coworkers behavior and is moved to help. Everyone's worst work nightmare opens the door for a bit more understanding and forgiveness. Funny, enlightening and endearing in a DEVIL WEARS PRADA, THE OFFICE and ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLEATLY FINE style. 4 stars A multigenerational saga centered around one family and their vacation home in the Vermont woods.
It begins in the 1950's where the country is feeling hopeful of new beginnings and progress. Nick is busy brokering oil deals with the Shah of Iran when he and his wife Bet build a home, along with other oil families, to escape the city. The next generation sees a more challenging world where racial tension, feminism and protests over privilege and the Vietnam War take center stage. The last generation brings us back to the beginning with the end of "The Age of Oil" and all that that will bring. Quiet in its approach in highlighting a variety of issues, including prejudice and climate change but determined to call them out as a warning. An interesting and largely overlooked period and a deeply felt family story that will appeal to fans of ON GOLDEN POND, books by Fiona Davis and WE ARE THE BRENNANS. 4 stars |
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