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Book Review:: Wes and Addie Had Their Chance | Bethany Turner

Another second chance love story out of Adelaide Springs. That place did their youth so bad the universe has conspired against it to bring all the little soulmates back together. Wes and Addie are just the latest to be struck (again) by cupid’s arrow. Of the two books I’ve read in this currently three book series, it is by far my favorite. The stakes are high, the histories are complicated, and they choose each other anyway.

Wes and Addie Had Their Chance by Bethany Turner Book Cover

He’s running for president, and she’s running from her problems. Wes once left his dream girl Addie at the alter and skipped town. It broke her. For years. Until she decided to let go of all that hurt and move on. Now hovering around 40, she’s widowed, unemployed (kind of), and recovering from an alcohol addiction, living back with her aging father in good ol’ Adelaide Springs. She’s seen Wes on TV. Who hasn’t? He’s the country’s most hopeful candidate for president in a long time, following in his once undisclosed father’s prestigious footsteps. He recently lost his perfect candidate’s wife to cancer and flies back to Adelaide Springs without telling anyone on his campaign team. Once more Wes and Addie are at the same place at the same time, and the profound love of their childhood has a long memory.

Okay, so I wasn’t expecting this book to be quite this good. I read Brynn and Sebastian awhile back and Brynn’s attitude and entire kerfuffle from the first book of the series kind of turned me off. However, this is a very grown up story of two people with many faults finding their way to forgiveness and love. How can you not love that?

My main complaints would be in how many elements seemed to mirror in this book and the first in the series, and how convenient certain things are set up in order for all of this to make sense, but hey, it’s a rom-com. It’s for fun.

I have to say I really liked the male narrator on the audio version of this novel, Patrick Zeller. He has a very deep and calm voice and I certainly believed he could be running for president. He did a great job with Wes’ character! Talon David was also great, but Patrick really stuck out to me, and I listen to a lot of audiobooks.

Also, the covers for this series are amazing. Seriously, look at them!

Ultimately, this book really gives me hope for future Bethany Turner books. I many even search out the Cole & Laila love story. The blurb actually sounds amazing. Okay Okay Turner, I hear you, I see you, I’ll read you again!

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:: Wes and Addie Had Their Chance (Adelaide Springs Love Stories #3)
Author:: Bethany Turner
Genre:: Small Town Romance
Publisher:: Thomas Nelson
Length:: 320 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 48m
Audiobook Narrator:: Talon David, Patrick Zeller, and Bethany Turner
Published:: July 15th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Brave & The Reckless | Dilan Dyer
Game Point | Meg Jones
Writing Mr. Wrong | Kelley Armstrong

Book Review:: The Hounding | Xenobe Purvis

The Hounding is a new novel by Xenobe Purvis full of mysticism, skepticism, and general uproar over rumor and gossip that will have consequences for an entire village.

The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis Book Cover

There’s something strange about the five Mansfield sisters. The village has been plagued by a strange pack of dogs that never seem to be around at the same time as the sisters. When someone claims one afternoon to have seen them transform from girls into dogs, it sets off a chain of events that shrouds the whole village in low key hysteria.

The message this novel shares with The Crucible is an important one, even in our ‘modern’ times. Spreading lies and half truths or things you don’t know for sure has consequences and will have outcomes you won’t see coming.

I loved the telling of this tale. The writing itself was beautiful to read. It was an atmospheric almost fairy tale style read that I found immersive and interesting. It is technically historical fiction being based sometime in the 18th century, but it reads so smoothly I’m convinced readers of all genres will enjoy it.

It’s a lingering sort of tale – the type of story that will live in your mind far longer than the time it takes to read. The kind that makes me think I’ll get something new out of it no matter how many times I read it. Brilliant.

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 Hounding
Author:: Xenobe Purvis
Genre:: Historical Fiction
Publisher:: Henry Holt & Co.
Length:: 240 pages
Audio Length:: 6h 24m
Audiobook Narrator:: Olivia Vinall
Published:: August 5th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Haunting of Maddy Clare | Simone St. James
The Familiar | Leigh Bardugo

Book Review:: Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes | Sandra Jackson-Opoku

Readers, we have a new amateur sleuth to enjoy! Sapphire (Savvy) Summers is a small town cafe owner thrown into a murder mystery when a man drops dead in her establishment. Along with a small group of other characters interested in digging into the truth, Savvy is determined to get to the bottom of what happened after the dead man ate of her famous sweet potato pie.

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku Book Cover

I really appreciate Savvy as a lead character. Her storied past lent a lot towards my interest in this story. She’s been married twice, and death seems to be a phenomenon that haunts her. It’s the little details of character that really make them robust, and I really felt that with Savvy.

This book just impressed me more than many other cozy mysteries I’ve picked up. Maybe this isn’t even technically a cozy mystery? Maybe this is more of a contemporary mystery? I’m no expert, but this book had just enough whimsy and soul to balance the technical details of the mystery to make this quite an enjoyable read.

It looks like this is the first of a series of books, and I am certainly interested in continuing to read what Savvy gets up to next!

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:: Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (Savvy Summers #1)
Author:: Sandra Jackson-Opoku
Genre:: Cozy Mystery
Publisher:: Minotaur Books
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 8h 36m
Audiobook Narrator:: Karen Chilton
Published:: July 29th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame | Olivia Ford
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It | Elle Cosimano
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders | Jesse Q. Sutanto

Book Review:: Not Quite Dead Yet | Holly Jackson

What do you do with the time you have left after you find out a traumatic brain injury will kill you within days? For Jet, it is catching the one who did this to her. Solving her own murder.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson Book Cover

After a vicious attack that left her for dead, Jet is determined, despite objections from her family, to refuse surgery that will almost certainly kill her, to unravel the mystery of her attack. With the help of her oldest friend, Billy, they track down every lead and analyze every lie until they get to the truth. Jet’s injury informs the urgency of their search. Finding her killer is her dying wish and last request, and Billy would do anything for her.

Wow – what a ride. A seemingly normal cuburb family is surprisingly dark and twisted, and history is never erased, only buried, ready to be uncovered again someday.

This story is exciting and tragic, and I couldn’t stop turning pages. Jet’s fate is sealed, but that doesn’t make her story any less interesting. In fact, it maybe makes it more interesting. If it weren’t for her insistence and knowledge of those around her, who knows if the case would ever be solved? No one cares more about a crime than the victim herself, right?

Readers of crime mysteries will love this unique take on a murder investigation. Slam dunk, Jackson.

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 Quite Dead Yet
Author:: Holly Jackson
Genre:: Mystery Thriller
Publisher:: Bantam
Length:: 400 pages
Audio Length:: 13h
Audiobook Narrator:: Alex McKenna
Published:: July 22nd, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Ghostwriter | Julie Clark
Closer Than You Know | Debra Webb
Famous Last Words | Gillian McAllister
A Sea of Unspoken Things | Adrienne Young

Book Review:: Greenwich | Kate Broad

Greenwich is a bit of an odd book that isn’t easy to slot into conventional genre conventions. As a millennial, it’s hard for me to call this historical fiction, as it takes place in 1999, but take that as you will. There is a heavy dose of suspense, as we know the summer ends in tragedy from the beginning with no idea of what it might be. But more than anything, this is a coming-of-age story.

It’s a difficult time for Rachel, and for the summer her parents ship her off to live with her aunt, uncle, and 3-year-old cousin in Greenwich. She’s not a babysitter, but she’s also not not a babysitter (even though they technically have one of those, too). Their posh lifestyle is a bit of a shock to Rachel’s system, and she’s left feeling like she doesn’t exactly fit anywhere, an echo of her problems back home. She’s also exposed to new things there that pique her curiosity.

I felt a little unsettled reading this book. The focus was unsure, the pacing was quite slow and exploratory, and it didn’t end when I expected it to. It stretched on quite a bit longer than I’d have guessed, in fact. I’m not sure how Kate Broad evoked that same feeling that lived inside Rachel that summer as a reader in this story, but actually it’s quite brilliant in retrospect.

A lot of this story is very dark. It’s not something to read to feel good or when you need a pick-me-up. There are drugs, pornography, allusions to illegal practices…it’s also a reminder that young folk (it feels strange calling an 18 year old a kid) notice everything, and are constantly forming their opinions about things they’re exposed to.

The feeling of suspense was quite high as I read. Knowing that something big was coming, something that would change everything, was always in the back of my mind, and not knowing what it might be had my mind on over-drive through everything.

My instincts tell me to rate this at three stars because that suspenseful feeling wasn’t very comfy and that’s not exactly my taste, but I recognize the brilliance of this novel, and kudos where kudos are due.

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:: Greenwich
Author:: Kate Broad
Genre:: Historical(ish) Suspense
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Press
Length:: 304 pages
Published:: July 22nd, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Greatest Possible Good | Ben Brooks
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo

Book Review:: Bitter Sweet | Hattie Williams

Bitter Sweet is the story of a damaged young girl during a year of bad choices that includes an illicit affair that will change her life forever. It is somber and bleak and hard to look away from, but ultimately a story many might see themselves in in some way or another. It is a very human story about growing up and showing up.

Charlie’s mother died unexpectedly when Charlie was a teenager, leaving her primary guardian her step-father, a man she’s not even related to. This trauma informs a lot of the way Charlie thinks of herself, leaving her with low-self-esteem and a deep sense of not belonging. During the hard years she found refuge in the novels of Richard Aveling, and when she meets him as part of her job in publishing, they share a special moment. A moment turns to an evening, then into a clandestine affair that swallows her whole.

Charlie’s story teaches us about friendship and obsession and the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our actions. It’s about betrayal and depression and being chased by a nameless darkness. It’s about all the hard parts of growing up and realizing we’re responsible for the choices we make. It’s a sad story, but an important one.

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:: Bitter Sweet
Author:: Hattie Williams
Genre:: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:: Ballantine Books
Length:: 304 pages
Audio Length:: 12h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Thank You for Listening | Julia Whelan
Amazing Grace Adams | Fran Littlewood
Malibu Rising | Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Review:: Sounds Like Trouble | Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith

Sounds Like Trouble is the second book in a fun contemporary mystery series co-written by Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith. Jackson and Mackenzie are back at it, this time officially partners in a joint PI firm, and there is just as much drama this time around.

Their last case caught the attention of some very intimidating crime lords, who “ask” Jackson and Mackenzie for some help with a little problem they have. There’s a package they need tracked down – discreetly.

This pair is electric. They’re sassy, capable, and oh-so-compatible. The level of action and danger is just as high as it was in book one. It’s a breakneck pace that will keep you flying through the pages!

I hope this is just the latest in a looong list of installments in this series, because it is such a breath of fresh air. If you’re looking for a fun and refreshing read this summer, please don’t sleep on this series!

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:: Sounds Like Trouble (Sounds Like A Plan #2)
Author:: Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Genre:: Contemporary Mystery/Thriller
Publisher:: Atria Books
Length:: 256 pages
Audio Length:: 6h
Audiobook Narrator:: Jaime Lincoln Smith & Angel Pean
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Sounds Like A Plan | Pamela Samuels Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It | Elle Cosimano
All the Missing Pieces | Catherine Cowles

Book Review:: The Spirit of Love | Lauren Kate

A vacation fling, a workplace rival, two very different love connections. The Spirit of Love is a new novel by Lauren Kate that will have you leaning forward in your seat as the tale unfolds.

The Spirit of Love by Lauren Kate Book Cover

After a whirlwind weekend fling before beginning work as director for the first time on the show she loves, Fenny is blindsided when she returns to real life. Turns out the director gig was given to a stranger with a flawless reputation at the last minute instead. As much as she tries to dislike him, they start to connect on a deeper level, but she can’t forget about the man she met in the forest.

This is a perfect example of why I do not read book summaries before I begin. With this one? The entire plot would have been ruined if I had, so if you haven’t done that yet, save yourself the great feeling of discovering a story for yourself and don’t read it. Whyyy do publishers do that?

Beyond that gripe, I really enjoyed the story. I had fun piecing things together for myself, though I had another theory bumping around in my brain for a big chunk of it so (if you didn’t read the back) I wouldn’t say the ending isn’t very predictable.

The romance between Fenny and Sam at the beginning of the book was interesting and refreshing and just enough swoony without being too much. The development of the new relationship with Jude (not dating, but you get what I mean) felt genuine and not forced, which is important for the integrity of a story like this with two love interests.

Magical Realism tends to usually stretch a thread too far for me, and that was honestly the case with this story. It all makes sense and was set up incredibly well, but I wasn’t filled with a feeling of 100% satisfaction by the time it was all said and done. Honestly I think that’s just a me thing though. If you’re a fan of magical realism in general, this is probably an ideal romance for you!

As always I am honored when I am able to read a book early, and The Spirit of Love was a really nice escape with an interesting story.

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 Spirit of Love
Author:: Lauren Kate
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Length:: 336 pages
Published:: July 1st, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Perfect Rom-Com | Melissa Ferguson
Slow Burn Summer | Josie Silver
The Love Haters | Katherine Center

Book Review:: The Summer You Were Mine | Jill Francis

Second chances, autism representation, sports-y, and the idyllic backdrop of an Italian summer? Count me in. Jill Francis’ The Summer You Were Mine just might be the escape you need this summer.

The Summer You Were Mine by Jill Francis Book Cover

Ellie and Cris grew up together over summers with their families in Italy. Now returning for a wedding will be their first time seeing one another in years, and they didn’t part on the best terms. And both of them are in a bind. Ellie is in deep water at work on a sports talk show, and Cris is accused of doping just as he’s wrapping up his career as a water polo Olympian. Maybe if they can set aside the awkwardness, they can help each other.

The setting really shines in this novel. You can almost feel the sea breeze and sunshine through the pages as you read. For that reason alone you should pick this up – especially if you’re having a staycation instead of an international getaway. You’ll get the secondhand atmosphere!

I really enjoyed Ellie and Cris’ story. Their families have been close for generations and they have a lot of history. They both also have very successful careers. It didn’t take much for them to get past the hurdle of their past, this book is more about each of them realizing they have deeper feelings and what that might mean in the ‘real world’ once the Italian getaway ends.

I appreciated the representation of autism in this novel. Ellie was only diagnosed recently with a high-functioning form, and though it doesn’t change anything for her day to day life, it does help her come to terms with the differences she’s always had in social situations. Sharing that piece of herself with Cris was a big deal for her, and his reaction is absolutely perfect.

I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a great choice for a beach read. None of the conflicts are too deep and I never felt stressed reading it. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read it!

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 Summer You Were Mine
Author:: Jill Francis
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Griffin
Length:: 352 pages
Published:: July 1st, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Guest Cottage | Lori Foster
Counting Miracles | Nicholas Sparks
Slow Burn Summer | Josie Silver
The Love Haters | Katherine Center

Book Review:: Sunburned | Katherine Wood

Actions have consequences, and the law doesn’t care about good intentions. Sunburned is a brand-new novel that will have you glued to the pages as a high-stakes mystery is solved.

Audrey is a discovery agent. She helps dig up facts for court. But she wasn’t always. Once she was just a girl in love with one of the brothers of the family she grew up with, with a mother who had a recent devastating cancer diagnosis, and extraordinary coding skills. What would you do, if you had the means and opportunity to have a chance at saving her?

Now years later, her mother is gone and she is estranged from the two brothers, when her ex-lover calls. Now a billionaire, he wants her to track down who is blackmailing him. It’s not just his own morally brackish decisions coming back to haunt him, the dirt they have on him will bring back to light the events of that summer long ago that has the potential to implicate them all.

What a nail-biter! The narrative jumped back and forth between Audrey’s blackmail investigation in the present and the shared past of the characters long ago. The tone is quite dark, but it never made me so uncomfortable I thought I wouldn’t be able to continue (I’m a pretty sensitive thriller reader). I thought it was very compelling, and I never did quite land on guessing how the whole thing would end.

This is absolutely a great beach read for those who love thrillers. Maybe if you’re going to be scuba diving anytime soon though…pick something else! That scene was absolutely the most intense of the entire thing. I loved this book, and I’m excited to find more from Katherine Wood!

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:: Sunburned
Author:: Katherine Wood
Genre:: Mystery/Thirller
Publisher:: Bantam
Length:: 352 pages
Audio Length:: 12h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Published:: July 1st, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars