title: In the Case of Heartbreak author: Courtney Kae publisher: Kensington publication date: July 25, 2023 pages: 320 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: childhood trauma talked about a lot, drug use summary: narrator Ben runs a bakery that is competing, using a cinnamon roll recipe that mom adapted from absent/neglectful father’s recipe, on a baking…
“Why”…Wednesdays
222. Why Enter
If you’ve never read anything by Jennifer Weiner, you’re missing out. In fact, I’m a little embarrassed that with all the posts I’ve written about the magnificence of romance novels, I haven’t mentioned her until now. Her 2002 novel, Good in Bed, was one of the first rom-coms I read that convinced me I’d found my…
Book Review of While We Were Dating
title: While We Were Dating author: Jasmine Guillory publisher: Berkley publication date: July 13, 2021 pages: 384 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: discussions of and on-page anxiety summary: Ben Stephens has to give the campaign pitch for his ad agency because the higher-level executives are stuck at LAX. Everyone in the room is surprised when…
NetGalley Review of The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen
title: The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen author: KJ Charles publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca publication date: March 7, 2023 pages: 352 peppers: 3 (on this scale) warnings: violence, death summary: When Gareth’s mother died, years before the opening of the novel, his father sends him away from their Baroncy in Kent to live with an unkind uncle…
NetGalley Review of The Matchmaker
title: The Matchmaker author: Catherine Walsh publisher: Bookouture/Kindle publication date: April 18, 2023 pages: 281 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: parents die in a car crash years before the book takes place summary: Katie loves her tiny town in Ireland and her job as a bartender at the only pub in town, so she’s…
221. Why You’re Not Who You Think You Are
[I found the photo above on Nystrom and Associates’ Facebook page.] In my new job as a class dean, I’ve met with many students who’ve done things they’re not proud of. Some of them lie to me, saying they didn’t do whatever it is I’m asking them about. Some seem to believe that “I wish…
Book Review of Two Wrongs Make a Right
title: Two Wrongs Make a Right author: Chloe Liese publisher: Berkley Romance (of Penguin Random House LLC) publication date: November 22, 2022 pages:320 peppers: 2 (on this scale) warnings: abusive relationship summary: Bea and Jamie meet at a party where everything goes wrong for them. Still, her twin sister and his roommate, who are newly…
Review of Georgie All Along
title: Georgie All Along author: Kate Clayborn publisher: Kensington publication date: January 24, 2023 pages: 335 peppers: 2 warnings: vomit, birth summary: Georgie heads home to her small town after losing her job as a personal assistant to a Hollywood powerhouse. She has no idea what to do with her life except that she wants to…
NetGalley Review of Tilly in Technicolor
title: Tilly in Technicolor author: Mazey Eddings publisher: Wednesday Books publication date: August 15, 2023 pages: 320 peppers: 2 warnings: puke summary: After her high school graduation, Tilly’s parents send her on a European trip as intern to her successful sister, who’s starting an environmentally friendly nail polish line. While her parents want Tilly to…
NetGalley Review of Plot Twist
title: Plot Twist author: Erin La Rosa publisher: Canary Street Press publication date: November 14, 2023 pages: 336 peppers: 3 on this scale warnings: alcoholism, vomit summary: Sophie is a romance author who hasn’t ever been in love and is stuck trying to figure out a happy ending for her second novel. Her landlord and…