4-Star Archives - The Litertarian

Book Review:: Songs of Summer | Jane L. Rosen

Maggie Mae Wheeler inherited a vintage record shop from her adoptive parents and has started a fling with her lifelong best friend that feels natural but not earth shattering. When he proposes off-the-cuff, she can’t think of any reason to say no, except that she wants to find her birth mother first.

Songs of Summer by Jane L. Rosen Book Cover

Her search leads her to a little place called Fire Island and a quirky bunch of people she learns are her blood-related family. There’s a wedding on-island, and a chance meeting with one of the insiders gives her a way to observe them without divulging her relation to them. The festivities are full of the kind of drama only close-knit passionate families can produce, and despite the chaos and sheer volume of crisis that occur while she’s there, Maggie finds herself drawn in by this family she’s never had the opportunity to know.

This book was like a breath of fresh air. It’s not so much about Maggie’s romantic relationships, but about all of the relationships she cultivates, both old and new. It’s about friendship and family and chosen family and the messy webs of relationships we find ourselves caught up in. Humans are messy and complicated and passionate, and that leads us to do sometimes strange things and make mistakes. But with love in our hearts, things eventually turn out right again. Usually.

Songs of Summer is filled with a quirky cast of characters you won’t soon forget and a playlist of songs you’ll find yourself bopping to without meaning to. I really connected to Maggie’s story, and I can’t wait to see what else is to come in this trilogy by Jane L. Rosen!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Songs of Summer (The Fire Island Trilogy #1)
Author:: Jane L. Rosen
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Berkley
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 11h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Published:: May 20th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

How to Hide in Plain Sight | Emma Noyes
Summertime Punchline | Betty Corrello

Book Review:: Awake in A Floating City | Susanna Kwan

Awake in the Floating City is a story of a woman torn between two choices: to stay in the city slowly being engulfed by water, where her mother disappeared during a storm, or move abroad with what remains of her family to try to find a more successful life.

Awake in a Floating City by Susanna Kwan Book Cover

The story is based in a reality not far off from our own but stretched by science fiction. The biggest difference is the human longevity. It seems to be quite normal for a person to live well into the mid-hundred ages in the world of the floating city. 130, 160, not unheard of.

This novel is quite brilliant. There are many almost abstract ideas layered into a very straightforward story.

Bo is a caregiver for the very young or very old. She finds a new client just as she’s about to leave the city for good, looking for any excuse to stay in case her mother miraculously returns. She is also an artist, but stopped her art long ago. Through this client, Mia, she is confronted with humanity in a way she’s almost forgotten. In a way, her broken spirit begins a renewal process. She finds a level of acceptance for herself, and the world around her.

Through Bo’s experiences in this story, you will find yourself pondering the deeper ideas of family bonds, tradition, culture, aging, immigration, relationships with others, adapting to climate changes, art, and the meaning of life itself. It’s not that the story has its own ideas on these topics, it somehow skillfully evokes the hard thinking from the reader, seemingly without effort.

I’m quite impressed with Susanna Kwan, and will be looking forward to her next novel.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Awake in the Floating City
Author:: Susanna Kwan
Genre:: Speculative Fiction
Publisher:: Pantheon
Length:: 320 pages
Audio Length:: 9h
Audiobook Narrator:: Catherine Ho
Published:: May 13th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The City in Glass | Nghi Vo
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife | Anna Johnston
All the Water in the World | Eiren Caffal

Book Review:: Not Safe For Work | Nisha J. Tuli

I judged this book by the title. That was enough to spark my interest. Alright, I also judged it by the cover, which is also hot. Basically I couldn’t wait to read Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli (a new author to me)!

Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli Book Cover

Tris is a brilliant engineer in a male-dominated field. She’s experienced some effed-up-shiz over the years (including a total douche of an ex who violated her trust and privacy bad enough to scar), and she is thisclose to being completely fed up and leaving. She’s been passed over for promotions she was clearly the best candidate for and glossed over time and time again. So when her name was called to go to a professional development retreat in Hawai’i, she almost couldn’t believe it. When it became clear she was just a diversity pick, she decided to make a few extra demands of the company’s money. What she couldn’t wiggle out of is who else is going on the three-week retreat: Rafe Gallagher, the boss’ son and her personal nemesis.

Let’s start with the good stuff. I found Tris to be such a refreshing character. She is smart and spunky in a sassier way than what I typically find. I was proud of her multiple times in this story for speaking up for herself and not taking less when she deserves more. Rafe is such a sweetheart. He always had his heart in the right place and was so easy to root for. Such a cinnamon roll! Also all the tropey stuff you expect in a book like this was done well and I was locked into the story all the way through. Plenty of swoony moments!

Then there were a few things that got under my skin: I put Tris’ sass under the good category, but she really took it too far on multiple occasions. Even as she was saying something she’d be thinking ‘why did I say that, why am I ruining this moment?’. Maybe if it only happened once that would be okay, but it was multiple times, which brings me to the next flaw in this story…there is way too much repetition! Work retreats can obviously be a lot of the same stuff, but man I couldn’t have picked out one night among the others with all the same people there, the same arc of chemistry then sass then a ruined moment capped by having to go back to the same suite (*raises eyebrows suggestively*). It was too repetitive to ignore how repetitive it was, if you get what I mean. Aaand, if I’m going to list those things, I might as well throw in the fact that I didn’t feel Rafe’s feelings for Tris were quite justified enough for the depth of them once they’re discovered. Professional admiration only takes you so far, as does general hotness. I was left wanting more on that front.

Obviously with a rating from me of 4 stars the bad was nowhere near outweighing the good, and I absolutely recommend this book for romance lovers. This would be an awesome read poolside or on a beach somewhere. It just didn’t quite reach my stratospheric 5 star criteria.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Not Safe for Work
Author:: Nisha J. Tuli
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Forever
Length:: 352 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 30m
Audiobook Narrator:: Soneela Nankani
Published:: May 20th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Paradise Problem | Christina Lauren
Not in My Book | Katie Holt
Sunshine and Spice | Aurora Palit

Book Review:: Anji Kills A King | Evan Leikam

I have followed Evan’s IG profile @BookReviewsKill for a long time, appreciating his considered thoughts on not just modern popular books, but the full breadth of sci-fi and fantasy literature. His massive collection of tattered paperbacks and well-worn trade editions from the background of his older videos evoked an instant feeling of comradery with a fellow book lover. I was thrilled when he announced he had a book deal with Tor and would be coming out with his very own fantasy series, and so pleased when I saw a copy of the audiobook in my inbox for early review.

Long story short, I’m impressed.

Anji Kills A King by Evan Leikam Book Cover

The premise is self-described in the title. Anji, a servant in the king’s castle, kills him in the prologue. It becomes clear shortly after that she was not quite anticipating the wider implications of his death either for herself, or the greater realm. What follows is a reluctant journey she can’t escape.

I really loved Moira Quirk’s narration of this novel. Anji has a strong voice and it felt all the more powerful with the right narrator to do her justice.

The novel is relatively fast paced. I found it got a little meandering around the two thirds mark where I was craving something new, but I can’t disparage it much on pacing, as it gets going right away and the integrity of the writing itself maintains itself all the way through. The world building is far from overwhelming, giving only bits and spurts in a way that kept it interesting and intriguing.

Overall, this is a very strong debut, and after that ending, I am so interested to find out what happens next for Anji. Way to go Evan, this really lived up to the hype I was expecting.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Anji Kills A King
Author:: Evan Leikam
Genre:: Fantasy
Publisher:: Tor
Length:: 368 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 36m
Audiobook Narrator:: Moira Quirk
Published:: May 13th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The City in Glass | Nghi Vo
Divine Rivals | Rebecca Ross
Our Infinite Fates | Laura Steven

Book Review:: An Italian Wedding Adventure | Leonie Mack

Things don’t always go as we expect them to. Sometimes the wrong question at the wrong time can lead to heartbreak and humiliation. And sometimes, you get to face the past that has haunted you for years, even if you don’t want to.

An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack Book Cover

That is the case when Sophie’s new client wants to have a destination wedding at the top of a mountain. She knows who to ask for the expertise she needs, but hopes that the man who broke her heart no longer works there. After he rejected her impromptu marriage proposal years ago, she never fully recovered, and though she’s a professional and will do whatever it takes to serve her clients, she’s not sure she’ll have the strength to face Andreas again.

I really enjoyed this European vacation romance. The characters were fun and unique and I learned quite a bit about mountain climbing actually, which is always refreshing. I thought the conflict between the characters was authentic to their personalities and the romance and plot felt very natural. It’s quite an escape, traveling with the characters to the tops of mountains, relearning one another and making the most of the time they know they’ll have to spend together, even if it’s the last thing they want to do.

If you’re looking for a fun and flirty adventurous romance to pack on a summer trip this year, I think An Italian Wedding Adventure is a great option. It’s got heart, humor, and grand gestures that will melt your heart like a popsicle in the sun.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: An Italian Wedding Adventure
Author:: Leonie Mack
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Boldwood Books
Audio Length:: 9h
Audiobook Narrator:: Karen Cass
Published:: May 9th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The DNA Duology | Christina Lauren
Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake | Mazey Eddings
Catch & Keep | Erin Hahn

Book Review:: Birding with Benefits | Sarah T. Dubb

Is there anything better than having a hunky guy teach you a new hobby? Turns out hanging out in nature for hours at a time with a single, patient, and knowledgeable man can be highly erotic, which is not a good thing when the last thing you want to do is jump into a new relationship.

Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb Book Cover

Celeste was only trying to help a friend in a pinch when she accidentally signed herself up for a six-week bird-watching competition. She thought it was a one-night-fake-date-for-revenge-on-an-ex type of situation, when really John just needed a partner to sign up for the contest he’s hoping will help launch his new bird guiding business. Although it wasn’t what she had originally expected, Celeste still agrees to help him, so long as he doesn’t think her inexperience will hinder his chances.

This is not really a slow burn romance, but there are some scenes between Celeste and John that get the longing and the littlest intimacies so right. I swear you can feel the steam wafting off the pages. And when the spice finally arrives, honey, it is an Indian food buffet: strong, yummy, and a depth of flavor you just can’t get enough of!

These two have both been burned in past relationships and aren’t ready to pursue new romance. However, it becomes impossible to deny the chemistry that is pulling them together. They set rules for their arrangement, but they quickly get blurry as the attraction gets further and further out of hand.

Celeste has an adorably bubbly personality that others often tell her is ‘too much’, and John is quiet and often criticized for not pushing himself hard enough. This story pushes both characters to face these perceptions of themselves and I appreciated the character growth each undergoes.

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was a great representation of the (young?) middle-age demographic with characters who have been through real, complex relationship issues. The bird-watching aspect was really unique and makes me want to slow down and listen to the natural music birdsong in my own backyard more often.

Details

Title:: Birding with Benefits
Author:: Sarah T. Dubb
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Gallery Books
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 9h 57m
Audiobook Narrator:: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw & Evan Sibley
Audiobook Publisher:: Simon & Schuster Audio
Published:: June 4th, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars
Spice Rating:: 4

If you liked this book, check out…

The Rom-Commers | Katherine Center
The Paradise Problem | Christina Lauren
Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake | Mazey Eddings

Book Review:: Slipstream | Madge Maril

You may not know my husband is actually a race car driver (open wheel), so when I see any race car romance, I have to read it (in my experience they’re not that common). F1 is on a different stratosphere from our weekend racing, so I have almost no more context for Slipstream than any other Jane Schmane out there, but man, I sure liked it!

Lilah just packed up everything and moved to be a part of a new F1 documentary with her long-time boyfriend slash business partner, Max, only for him to dump her and reveal that he never put her name on the business paperwork. So in a nutshell, she’s screwed. But their subject, world famous Arthur Bianco, strikes up a deal with her that will benefit them both. It is Lilah’s chance to have full creative control and stick it to Max, and will help Arthur on his mission of redemption.

For me, the gimmick bringing the two leads together was a little wobbly and I never fully understood what it was or how the mechanics of it worked exactly, but it wasn’t unforgiveable. In every scene it was clear what needed to happen, and what the consequences might be if it didn’t.

But the romance! Oh, the romance makes it all worth it.

Arthur is the strong, silent, restrained type who is constantly in control of himself. He has to be, it’s his job. But it’s to the point where he doesn’t let himself indulge in thoughts of what else he might want in his life except in his most indulgent moments. He wants to win. He wants to be the best. He wants to redeem himself. That’s it. There’s no room for more.

Juxtaposed with Lilah, who has ADHD and is an anxiety-ridden, more spontaneous personality. She realizes once she’s on her own that she’s let others in her life control her far too much, and she’s ready to take the reins back and prove herself. She’s also learning that it’s okay to be herself, that nothing is wrong with needing what she needs, a lesson I think far too many women can relate to.

Together, I think their instincts played well against one another. I loved how patient and understanding he was with things she thought (and had always been told) were too much, and how she saw the slivers of vulnerability in him others never noticed. They felt like a good match, and more importantly, they had a common respect for one another and their professions.

I’m so happy to see motorsports represented in a major summer release this year, and I think that though this book doesn’t get much into the nitty gritty of the sport of F1, it will hopefully create enough intrigue for readers to tune in and learn more about it. Four stars from me!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: Slipstream
Author:: Madge Maril
Genre:: Sports Romance
Publisher:: Simon & Schuster
Length:: 352 pages
Audio Length:: 10h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Published:: May 20th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Play Along | Liz Tomforde
Catch and Keep | Erin Hahn
Perfect Fit | Clare Gilmore

Book Review:: A Summer Affair | Elin Hilderbrand

I used to avoid books like A Summer Affair. Books marketed distinctly as ‘beach reads’. I thought they would be quick, light, shallow romance tales of people falling in love over the summer. (Ironically, I consume those exact stories like candy now anyway, but I digress. Yes, I used to be a self-proclaimed Book Snob.) Little did I know, Elin Hilderbrand, the queen of the ‘beach read’, is a weaver of complex, realistic stories that are almost the exact opposite of light and shallow. They are substantive. Really the only ‘beachy’ thing about it is the cover. Who knew?

A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand Book Cover

A Summer Affair follows Claire, a mostly-happy suburban type living on Nantucket. Rumored to have had a past relationship with Max West, one of the biggest music stars in the world, she is asked to co-chair a benefit gala for Nantucket’s Children, assuming she would be able to secure the ungettable-get that would set their event apart from other charities (yeah, yeah, these rich people are out of control). Claire is not the sort who would normally be asked to do something like this. She is a glass-blowing artist who is on a break from work after the premature birth of her last baby. She is the quintessential soccer mom with Catholic Guilt issues. She’s not filthy stinking rich. But, sitting there across from Lockhart Dixon, the man who’s wife Claire failed to keep from drunk driving years before (resulting in an accident that nearly killed her and instead changed her entire personality), she finds she cannot say no. More than that, she finds his compliments and general demeanor attractive in a way she never expected.

It’s a complex story woven through several points-of-view surrounding the gala everyone hopes to pull off without a hitch. But life is still happening. Old loves, new ones, addictions, chance-encounters, and white-collar crimes are all facets of this tale of character, happenstance, and the struggle for purpose and meaning.

I’ve found Elin Hilderbrand to be quite a reliable author. Her stories are always quite engrossing and more than anything, interesting. Her characters are tangled in complicated webs and don’t always make the best decisions. Her books are fascinating. I’m hooked. And I have several more on my reading list this year.

If you’re a Hilderbrand fan, share your favorite of hers in the comments. I’d love to know what I should read next!

Details

Title:: A Summer Affair (Nantucket #1)
Author:: Elin Hilderbrand
Genre:: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:: Little Brown/Hachette
Length:: 416 pages
Audio Length:: 14h 41m
Audiobook Narrator:: Isabel Keating
Audiobook Publisher:: Hachette Audio
Published:: July 1st, 2008
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
Maybe Next Time | Cesca Major

Book Review:: 10 Marchfield Square | Nicola Whyte

If you are a fan of the Hulu Original show Only Murders in the Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, you’re going to love this novel. Set in a housing development called 10 Marchfield Square in London, mysterious murders have the tenants looking to find out the truth of the deaths.

10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte Book Cover

The proprietress discreetly hires two of the tenants to investigate the murder of the seedy gentleman who turns up dead. One is a cleaner, the other a washed-up crime novelist. Together, they track down leads and question everything until the truth comes to light.

What an enjoyable debut from Nicola Whyte! This book absolutely reminded me of Only Murders in the Building with ‘normie’, if eccentric, amateur sleuths investigating real grisly crimes. There is a lot to uncover, and strategic processes to follow, and the two lead characters really added some color to the story. In a whodunnit anything is possible, and it’s so fun to read a book where you must question everything you think you know.

I think this would be a great introductory book for those who are new to the cozy mystery genre, and the ol’ pros too. The web of suspects weaves and tangles in a way that satisfies and the ending is of course exactly as it should be.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: 10 Marchfield Square
Author:: Nicola Whyte
Genre:: Cozy Mystery
Publisher:: Union Square & Co.
Length:: 400 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 27m
Audiobook Narrator:: Nneka Okoye
Published:: April 1st, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Christmas Jigsaw Murders | Alexandra Benedict
Murder at Gull’s Nest | Jess Kidd
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Guide to Murderers | Jesse Q. Sutanto

Book Review:: The Proposal Project | Donna Marchetti

I don’t know how I stumbled across Donna Marchetti’s first book, Hate Mail, but it was one of the most memorable romances I read last year. When I saw she had a new book coming out this year, I jumped at the chance to read it.

The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti Book Cover

The premise is two people with a mutual friend-couple who got off on the wrong foot team up to make said friend-couple’s proposal something to remember. That’s right, both the man and woman want to propose to each other, unbeknownst to the other, but certainly beknownst (ha) by our two lead characters, Pricilla and Oliver. Planning the perfect proposal is about more than just making her best friend’s day special for Priscilla, this is the moment she hopes will launch her new event planning business. Having to work with and trust Oliver was not on her bingo card, and neither was having to fake date him in order not to spoil their schemes.

Romantic comedies can be hit and miss for me. Often they veer over the line from cute and playful into cliche and annoying, but Marchetti, in both books I’ve read so far, seems to know exactly where the line is and bends it to her will. Cheesy? A little. Unbelievable? No. And the deeper character moments fill the gaps between mishaps with heart and tenderness that wins me over every time.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: The Proposal Project
Author:: Donna Marchetti
Genre:: Romantic Comedy
Publisher:: Harper Collins | One More Chapter
Length:: 384 pages
Published:: June 27th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars