Summer Archives - Page 3 of 8

Book Review:: The Unraveling of Julia | Lisa Scottoline

Julia, still grieving the loss of her older adoptive parents, finds out she is the recipient of an old Italian villa from a woman she’s never heard of. At first she is convinced it is a misunderstanding, but once she arrives in Italy it becomes clear that there’s been no mistake, and that perhaps Emilia Rossi knew something Julia didn’t.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline Book Cover

There are many mysteries to uncover in the old Italian villa, about the proprietress and the family that once lived there. Julia begins almost immediately having vivid visions once she arrives that has her convinced there is a tether somewhere there of Julia’s biological family.

Like any good psychological thriller, the lines of reality get a little bit blurry, and almost everything we think we know is constantly in doubt. Who is this woman who left Julia this decrepit property? Did she really have ties to an ancient Italian duchess with a scandalous history? Are either or both of them of any relation to Julia? And why is she feeling so much pressure to sell and leave the past to be buried with the old crone who left it to her?

This book explores something I don’t often encounter in books: a spiritual intuition. Astrology, horoscopes, intuition, and even communicating beyond the veil as a medium. I tend to believe there is a spiritual realm of some sort of which we normally do not have access to. I love the idea that sometimes, under the right circumstances, or with the right people, we can connect over that bridge. If you are fully anti-‘woo-woo’, you will probably not enjoy this book.

While I did really enjoy this story, it didn’t really grab me fully under its spell. Theoretically I really enjoy the idea of this book, but I just wasn’t able to fully sink in the way I like. It might have been a timing issue, or something about trying to juggle so many theories without knowing up from down for so much of the novel. Was it a good book? Absolutely. Will I continue to read every Lisa Scottoline book I can get my hands on? Also yes. If you’re a fan of the ol’ psychological thriller, I think you’ll find a lot to enjoy about The Unraveling of Julia.

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 Unraveling of Julia
Author:: Lisa Scottoline
Genre:: Psychological Thriller
Publisher:: Grand Central Publishing
Length:: 400 pages
Audio Length:: 12h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Published:: July 15th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 3-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Truth About the Devlins | Lisa Scottoline
The Midnight Feast | Lucy Foley
Famous Last Words | Gillian McAllister

Book Review:: The Greatest Possible Good | Ben Brooks

Most people do not live their lives according to their own values. They say they do, they say they support certain things or care about them, but they never actually adjust their behavior. It’s not easy to retain your convictions. To honor your beliefs. It takes courage, and sometimes radical and uncomfortable change. For Arthur Candlewick, it took a traumatic brain injury. A hard reset. And it changed everything.

This novel is an interesting study of relationships, moral philosophy, materialism vs. charity, familial responsibility, and this crazy thing we call life in general.

Each of the characters is complex and in some ways, contradictory, even to themselves. In other ways, they were steady and immovable, usually to their own detriment.

Arthur’s change in personality after his accident broke their family apart. His wife Yara could not reconcile his new self with the man she married and for their two children, teenagers at the time, the fracture was a formative experience.

What is there to say about a novel like this one, except to read it for yourself? It isn’t necessarily an easy read, though it’s not heavy or difficult quite either. The thing it will demand of you is your full attention. It will make you think, and to face your own thinking. Emil (the son) is one of the most thoughtful and considered characters I may have ever read. Sometimes things are black and white, but both the black and the white have larger implications, and it is always useful to explore them.

You will take out of this book what you put into it, and I absolutely love that.

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 Greatest Possible Good
Author:: Ben Brooks
Genre:: General/Literary Fiction
Publisher:: Simon & Schuster
Length:: 336 pages
Published:: July 15th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo
These Summer Storms | Sarah MacLean
Every Moment Since | Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

Book Review:: The Reluctant Flirt | Jennifer Probst

Jennifer Probst fans, we’re back in Outer Banks, a small idyllic beach town perfect for falling in love. Book of the Month is the first title in this series, my review of which can be found here, but you don’t need to read it before enjoying The Reluctant Flirt.

Sierra runs her own boutique in a new town away from her old life and ex-husband. Outer Banks is her fresh start, and she’s determined to succeed, but when the best hookup of her life shows up in town, apparently the best friend of her sister’s fiancee, things get complicated.

This book has all the ingredients of an indulgent weekend romance read. A sexy start, a crisis meet-cute-take-two, and characters both smitten and too stubborn for their own good. I loved the secret and unique history between these two characters, and their story of falling in love is very sexy (with lots of spice!). My favorite moment was probably when the significance of Sierra’s shop’s name was revealed. However, it didn’t blow me away. By the time I neared the end there were some problems I had with the communication between the characters (or lack of) that is one of my pet peeves, and some of the pacing made it hard to stay really locked in at times. By the end I was reading mostly just to finish.

Outer Banks is a cozy and romantic setting to indulge in, and if you’re looking for some ‘candy’ to read, this may be exactly what you’re looking if. It just wasn’t for 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:: The Reluctant Flirt (Outer Banks #2)
Author:: Jennifer Probst
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Blue Box Press
Length:: 246 pages
Published:: July 15th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 2.5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Book of the Month | Jennifer Probst
Once Upon A Boyband | Jenny Proctor

Book Review:: Rose in Chains | Julie Soto

An ancient prophecy, a school for magicians, a brutal war – written by popular author Julie Soto – Rose in Chains is a highly anticipated summer romantasy release. But for me, there wasn’t enough to justify a high rating. Like, literally not enough substance to hold onto. There are some spoilers included in my review, but looks like most of it is included in the promotional materials so do with that warning what you will. Continue at your own risk!

So there is a war between these two factions of people, but only kind of? There is a big battle in which the main character’s brother, who was prophesied to save them, is lost. Then everyone from that kingdom is captured and essentially sold to be sex slaves to boost the magic of the new regime who is this evil lady with vicious mind reading capabilities.

I just…don’t get it. Almost nothing actually happens in the book. There seems to be a lot of angst, and well earned, but it’s also largely just a bunch of orgy parties where some potentially useful information is traded…sometimes? Everything is shrouded in secrecy, which makes sense because of the mind reading…but still. We have almost no context of the war once Briony is in her new placement of what the war is, where it is, or why it is.

Instead we have flashbacks back to days at school where there were some interactions between the two lead characters, but still…seemed largely unnecessary? It was kind of a lot of flailing around by Briony while she tries to figure out why she is being treated differently than the other sex/magic drain slaves and what happened to her friends. The main concerns seem to be retaining Briony’s virginity and ability to sire children in some unknown future while everyone else seems to be ultra-focused on Toven’s de-flowering her and pulling in her magic.

There is heart magic and mind magic and they’re totally separate, but also, pretty much all the characters can dip into each of them? Eh. Interesting, but kind of muddly in the execution.

But seriously, why is every single review of this book 5 stars with exuberant praise? To me everything it tried to do was mediocre at best. Is the idea of this seriously brooding unknown guy being halfway decent and protective that much of a draw that it can make up for having almost no plot to speak of? Really? I thought we could do better than that at this point in the romantasy novel timeline. Guess it’s just me though.

I do like the cover, and the audiobook narrator did a great job, but this one just wasn’t for 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:: Rose in Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1)
Author:: Julie Soto
Genre:: Romantasy
Publisher:: Forever
Length:: 464 pages
Audio Length:: 16h 1m
Audiobook Narrator:: Ella Lynch
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 2.5-Stars (generously)

If you liked this book, check out…

Heartless Hunter | Kristin Ciccarelli
Our Infinite Fates | Laura Steven

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:: The Homemade God | Rachel Joyce

Something I am coming to terms with about myself is that I am absolutely lost over a good family saga. Seriously send me all of your recommendations because I will gorge myself until my dying day. I can’t get enough of them, and The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce was no exception.

The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce Book Cover

Vic Kemp, world-renowned artist, is dead, leaving his four (grown) children orphaned. Their upbringing was quite unusual with no mother and such an eccentric man as their patriarch, but they had one another. His death was unexpected, and his behavior in the weeks leading to the disaster leave the siblings with reasonable doubt as to the truth of what really happened to him. They all set off for the villa at Lake Ora where he drowned to await the autopsy results and to meet his very new, very young, very mysterious, wife for the first time.

Here is a direct quote from my reading journal as I neared the end of the book:: “Wow. What a study of human behavior. A complex web of emotion and the histories we hold about ourselves and those we know or love.”

And that right there sums up my love of the great family sagas I have read. Families are complicated. So many personalities cooped up into one household to be raised in, each reacting differently to events that happen, each revealing a deep knowing of yourself to the others around you (even things you may not want them to know about you), at least, theoretically. There is also a part of us that no one can understand, not even ourselves. And all of it is messy.

Susan, Iris, Netta, and Goose (Gustavo) are each affected differently by the death of their father. As they process what it is to have lost him, and to come to terms with the man he was, it changes them, and even forces them to realize and accept things about themselves that they have denied or repressed for far too long.

I could probably write a dozen essays on the different threads of this novel I find fascinating, but for the purposes of a book review, I hate to spoil a single moment of the discovery of this story. The magic of it is meant to be experienced in the pages. But if it isn’t obvious enough by now, I cannot recommend it highly enough for readers who are equally as fascinated by detailed character studies and families in crisis.

Drama, drama, drama.

I love 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 Homemade God
Author:: Rachel Joyce
Genre:: General Fiction
Publisher:: The Dial Press
Length:: 336 pages
Audio Length:: 8h
Audiobook Narrator:: Rachel Joyce & Sarah Winman
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Malibu Rising | Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Accidental Favorite | Fran Littlewood
The Most Fun We Ever Had | Claire Lombardo

Book Review:: These Summer Storms | Sarah MacLean

Fans of Laura Dave, Claire Lombardo, or anyone in between will love Sarah MacLean’s new book These Summer Storms. It’s a mix of family drama, personal crisis, situational intrigue, and a satisfying dose of steamy romance on the side. There are themes of coming of age, coping with and accepting family, and learning lessons the hard way. Everything this book does, it does well. I didn’t even wait to finish it before I pre-ordered a first edition copy for my home library. It’s so good.

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean Book Cover

The premise is the billionaire patriarch of the Storm family dies, so his family gathers on their private island in New England for the reading of the will, including his daughter Alice, who has been estranged from the family for five years. Turns out the manipulative old man left stipulations for each person – a task that must be completed within a week – before they can inherit. Oh, and if one of them fails, no one gets any money.

I suppose this is a common story. Someone dies, and the wake of that event sends dramatic or mysterious ripples out disrupting everything that surrounds them. I’ve read several books with this specific situation even this year. So what makes These Summer Storms great, a cut above the rest? For me? Writing is first (always), and then the mix of plot and character that just turn this into something intriguing and exciting to read.

Right away I was hooked by a scene between Alice and a dark handsome stranger at the train station, caught in the rain. The depth of character already explored in those early chapters made it impossible to stop reading.

The Storm family is a complicated one, made even more complicated by the enormous amount of money involved. Add the father’s right-hand-man to the mix of this week-long…adventure, and even more tension ratchets up. I was just so impressed by the structure of the book as a whole and so many scenes that were unique and seducing and complex and just plain interesting. I couldn’t put the dang thing down.

I will certainly be reading this book again (maybe starting today *blushes*), and I’ll be sure to recommend it to all of my readerly friends asking about my recent great reads. I have no doubt this will end up being one of my best books of the year in 2025. AND the audiobook is being read by our queen Julia Whelan. Just mark me down as this book’s number one fan already. Release day cannot come soon enough!

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:: These Summer Storms
Author:: Sarah MacLean
Genre:: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher:: Ballantine Books
Length:: 400 pages
Audio Length:: 14h
Audiobook Narrator:: Julia Whelan
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

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:: Where You’re Planted | Melanie Sweeney

Some books just give off warm fuzzy vibes, and Where You’re Planted by Melanie Sweeney is one of those for me.

Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeney Book Cover

Tansy and Jack get off on a bit of a wrong foot (granted, they do meet in quite a stressful situation), but if they want to save their dream careers they will have to work together. She is a librarian and he runs the Houston Botanic Gardens, and after a recent hurricane, they’re temporarily housing the library until they can raise the funds for a new building.

There is so much I could rave about with this one. The two leads are so well suited to one another! They both have huge hearts and neither are afraid of a little hard work. Tansy has an independence complex (like me) that makes it impossible to ask for help, but with Jack, she realizes that it’s okay to accept some every once in awhile, even if you could figure it out on your own eventually.

It’s about family, and support, and passion, and sticking together in a crisis. It’s about trust and figuring it out as you go. It’s also romantic as heck.

Five shining 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:: Where You’re Planted
Author:: Melanie Sweeney
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Length:: 384 pages
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

It’s A Love Story | Annabel Monaghan
Everything’s Coming Up Rosie | Courtney Walsh
Songs of Summer | Jane L. Rosen

Book Review:: Only Between Us | Ellie K. Wilde

Fans of a great sports romance, buckle up – book two in Ellie K. Wilde’s Oakwood Bay series is here! Only Between Us is the steamy love story between pro footballer Brooks Attwood and a sassy Siena Pippen who is much more than she appears.

Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde Book Cover

I feel like Ellie K. Wilde understands what people want out of a sports romance novel. There is lots of personal conflict, coming of age themes, lots and lots of spice, and a protectiveness that comes with someone conditioned to be on a team. Once the girl is on yours, that’s it.

All of those boxes were ticked in this book, and well. Bad boy Brooks is grappling with the wind down of his career. He’s got his eyes set on his old team and will do anything to score a contract with them. What they want is for him to show he’s settled down in his personal life, because the press he’s gotten from prior escapades is a big distraction. When he literally runs into Siena on the practice field and a photo of them goes viral, he proposes a mutual deal: pretend to be in a serious, stable relationship and he gets what he needs, and she gets the attention she needs to keep her business afloat awhile longer.

Siena’s had a hard life. The parents that raised her are not her real parents, and when her dad leaves her his bait shop, she’ll do anything she can to keep it open. But she’s been burned by a football star before, and she is not interested in getting involved with another one.

They both have trust issues, and healing those together is one of my favorite things to find in a sports romance. It just hits in all the feels.

If sports romance is your thing, hey, you’re going to love this. And if you haven’t really delved into any yet…try it! I was so pleasantly surprised. They’re immersive and indulgent and a great little escape. If you like spice, you’re going to love these!

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:: Only Between Us (Oakwood Bay #2)
Author:: Ellie K. Wilde
Genre:: Sports Romance
Publisher:: Atria
Length:: 416 pages
Audio Length:: 14h
Audiobook Narrator:: TBA
Published:: July 8th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars