The Unwilling by John Hart

Gibby French,  an 18 year old young man,  has already lost his oldest brother Robert to the Vietnam War.  Jason,  Robert's twin, comes back from war hardened and drug addicted and after a 3-year prison sentence he is estranged from his family. Gibby's father is a police officer and doesn't approve of Jason's life style and his mother is overprotective of her only remaining 'good' son,  so Gibby is forbidden to have any contact with Jason.  But Gibby refuses to give up on his brother and they meet up for a day of fun together,  along with Jason's girlfriend Tyra and her roommate.  But after Tyra flirts with and taunts a busload of prisoners,  then shortly after is murdered,  the blame falls on Jason.  He is returned to prison to face a very powerful enemy. Meanwhile Gibby is in a mission to prove his brother's innocence. 
I've never read a book by this author before.  I quickly got drawn in to the story and the suspenseful quality of the writing.  I loved seeing Gibby's character develop from an innocent and sheltered boy into a strong and confident young man willing to put himself on the line for what he believes in. And Jason...just wow!! I can't believe how misunderstood and mistreated he was by his family. I plan on adding ALL of this author's books to my must read list! 
Thank you to John Hart and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

  
    
  

Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel

Six years after her 10-year-old son died from cancer, Melissa Henderson is still mourning his loss,  only wanting to be left alone. She lost everything with his death: her marriage, her identity as a mother,  and her career as a popular author. She buys an old Victorian house in rural New England and has thrown herself into its restoration,  becoming a recluse.  But after a wildfire that threatened her life and home was featured on national news,  Melissa gets a phone call from her estranged sister, Hattie. They had become farther apart than ever when Hattie chose to become a nun. After a bad experience being forced to give up her newborn baby in a gloomy Irish convent,  Melissa can't accept Hattie's career choice.  But now Hattie uses her position to try and find the child through the red tape and destroyed files. When she finally discovers what actually happened and finds her niece,  her own life falls apart while Melissa is finally happy with a daughter and grandchildren she never thought she'd have. 

This book touched on two very different topics,  catholic adoptions and the #metoo movement.  After Ashley is found and the family reunited,  the subject flips to sexual harassment/assault in Hollywood.  I got a little whiplash trying to figure out where exactly the author was going with this after an already supposedly happy ending. But by the end of the book I was nodding my head along saying ah...ok,  I see.  I still think the transition between topics could have been a bit smoother,  but I ultimately loved this book.

The Knockout Rule by Kelly Siskind

Isla Slade was raised by her father, a heavyweight boxing champion, after her mother left them. Knowing that every fight could lead to her losing her only parent caused her to have severe panic attacks.  She is determined never to live that fear again so when she starts her own therapy studio, she accepts all athletes except boxers.  But when her dad asks a favor to be a therapist for his boxing client Brick Smash,  she feels she can't refuse.  At first believing his public image of a dumb jock,  she soon learns he's anything but.  He only began boxing to earn enough money to support his mother and sister. As they spend more time together Isla realizes that Brick aka Erik is everything she wants.  But how can they be together when the thought of him getting hurt in the ring causes her panic attacks to return? 

I love Erik's intelligent and sensitive character behind the dumb jock exterior. The chemistry between him and Isla really worked.  

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet by Julie Caplin

After a disastrous breakup with her boyfriend and coworker,  Mina is told to take a holiday.  Her godmother has been begging her to come stay at her Swiss ski chalet and Mina decides now is the perfect time. Almost missing her train,  Mina literally bumps into Luke and,  after an instant attraction,  she's thrilled that he'll be staying in the same Chalet. But as she's trying to get her life back together,  maybe it's not time for a new relationship,  especially with someone so impulsive and fun. But Luke is a lot deeper than he seems and when tragedy strikes he steps up in a big way. 

I loved this book. It's like a little Swiss vacation tour at home. Chocolate,  good food,  skiing,  and a cozy chair in front of the fireplace to curl up with a good book (maybe the other 6 books in this series).

Thank you to Julie Caplin and HarperCollins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Mr. Right Across the Street by Kathryn Freeman

Mia Abbott moved to Manchester to escape a controlling ex. After many failed relationships she decides she's over men for awhile. The closest she comes is ogling "hot guy across" while he lifts weights every morning. After her family encourages her to get out and meet people, she visits the bar across the street and discovers the bartender is hot guy.  She finds out his reputation as a player and decides to avoid him.  Luke is attracted to the new girl and when he see her in the window across the street,  he starts leaving her messages in the window.  They start to spend more time together but Mia keeps him firmly in the friend zone.  Is there anything he can do to earn her trust?
The setting of this book reminded me so much of the show Cheers. I loved the fun non -dates that Luke took Mia on. I like how the chapters change point of view of each character. This was a sweet rom-com full of laughs. 
Thank you to Kathryn Freeman and HarperCollins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this fun book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

  
    
  

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

Sophie and Aiden were high school sweethearts. He gets an amazing opportunity to partner a new business in another town and expects Sophie to come with him.  But after her mother had fallen ill, Sophie stepped up to care for her and her two siblings.  Now her father had abandoned them all and it was impossible for Sophie to leave. Now seven years later,  Sophie is free to follow her own dream of owning a bookshop after her younger sister is finally married. The only problem: Aiden is a friend of the groom. Now she's just trying to survive the wedding and reception while avoiding her ex. But trouble comes when a hurricane hits, Aiden's flight is cancelled, and he takes shelter in the very beach house Sophie is staying.  Can she hide the feelings she still had for him until the storm passes?

I just can't resist a book about bookshops!  A sweet second chance romance story based around the remodeling of Sophie's new bookshop was just perfect. The only downfall was the spoiled and needy siblings taking advantage,  so I was glad Sophie finally stood up for herself!  I seriously couldn't put this one down. 

What's Worth Keeping by Kaya McLaren

Amy Bergstrom is recovering physically after her cancer treatment,  but the mastectomy and hysterectomy have left her emotionally scarred. Her husband Paul, an Oklahoma City police officer had been distant ever since the bombing in the federal building. In order to block out his emotions from the horrible things people do to each other,  he also blocks out the good. Carly, their teenage daughter, is terrified after finding out her mother's form of cancer is genetic. If she has the same gene, what is the point of going to college or starting a relationship if she's only going to die young? The summer after Carly's graduation, they all spend time apart in ways that bring them healing and hope to come back together as a family. 

This was a beautiful story of hope and healing.  The author did an excellent job of describing the emotional pain of each character. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Kaya McLaren for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

by Mist@ke by Sigal Ehrlich

After mistakenly receiving an email from handsome Dr Liam meant for someone else,  Anna jokingly replies to the email.  This begins an email friendship until they decide to meet face to face.  They both have career commitments that keep them from having a serious relationship,  but when their feelings turn from friendship to romance,  they have to decide whether to make it work or end it. 

This was a unique story with a good character build up. I was getting as frustrated as Anna by Liam's reluctance to take things out of the friend zone! It's a cute and heartwarming story. 

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

After 18 months of searching for her husband who's gone missing and finding fewer clues as time goes on,  Autumn packs up her two teenage children and goes to her mother's house in Sable Point for the summer. The women in this story- Autumn,  her mother Mary,  and daughter Taylor- all have secrets to keep. And when the truth is finally revealed it will change everything. 

This felt more like a family drama than a romance story.  There was a romantic element involved,  but the main story revolved around the secrets each woman was keeping and how they came to light. I love the depth of the characters in this story and how they relate with each other.  I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. 

The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin

This is historical fiction at its finest!  Based on the true events of January 12, 1888 in the Great Plains, where immigrants are encouraged to settle with promises of beautiful countryside,  moderate weather,  and free land. With the difficulty of luring teachers to this harsh country,  young girls were encouraged to get their teaching certificate.  Raina and her sister Gerda were only in their teens when they took over their own schools, boarding with a host family for the school year. Raina is boarding with the Pederson family,  where the relationship between Anna and Gunner is strained. Raina,  at 16 years old,  feels awkward and unsure in the classroom,  being so close in age to most of her students. Gerda landed a better situation with her host family and has even found a new boyfriend.

Then on January 12, after a cold snap,  the weather is unseasonably mild. Children head to school without their heavy layers,  people head to town for supplies,  everyone is enjoying this warmer weather. The terrible blizzard comes so suddenly there's no time to run for safety and the decisions they makethat day will affect the rest of their lives. 

This story was heartbreaking.  Make sure to have your tissues handy! 

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Jane is a dogwalker for a neighborhood of exclusive estates in Alabama. She imagines what it would be like to live in a house like these someday, but never imagines it would actually happen until she meets Eddie Rochester. They begin a whirlwind romance, yet Jane feels like an outsider with the rich ladies of the neighborhood. Eddie had lost his wife Bea and her best friend Blanche in a tragic accident the year before. Bea was the founder of Southern Manors, a sophisticated and cultured lady that everyone strove to be like, while Jane is just the hired help. After Eddie proposes and Jane moves in, rumors begin to fly about the night that the B's disappeared. Jane becomes wary of Eddie, especially when she begins hearing strange thumping noises from upstairs.
I loved this twisty thriller and I didn't guess what was actually happening until the very end. I couldn't put this book down!

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James

This story is set in the UK during the Covid lockdown. Jack, suffering a medical complication that keeps him completely isolated. Slowly going stir crazy with his own company, he strikes up a conversation with the woman in the apartment below when he hears her on her balcony. Soon, their conversations are the highlight of his life. Sophia creates an online group with Jack to help people that are having difficulty with the isolation. From just talking on the phone to grocery shopping and dog walking, everyone needs to feel a sense of connection. As their project grows, so do their feelings for each other. And all this without even seeing each other's faces.
I really loved the feeling of closeness between the members of this apartment complex, pulling together to help each other out, socially distanced of course. And through it all a sense of anticipation and hope for when the lockdown ends.

Maelstrom by Susanna Strom

This is book #2 in the World Fallen series. Kenzie, Ripper, and their motley band of survivors barely escaped Portland before the whole city burned. They are looking for a safe haven at Valhalla ranch with a friend of Kyle. Along the way they run into so many dangers as the world continues to fall into chaos with the flu pandemic. 

I'm loving this series.  When the world falls apart all the crazies come out!  I can't wait to find out what happens next,  especially with Kyle's part of the story. 

Thank you to Susanna Strom and Cougar Creek Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner

Frankie Elkin is a recovering alcoholic who tries to absolve her guilt and regret over an incident ten years ago by solving missing  persons cases after they've gone cold. She had already successfully solved 16 cases and finds her next case in a poor neighborhood in Boston.  Angelique went missing from her school 11 months ago without a trace. Detective Lotham has never forgotten Angelique's case and is suspicious and frustrated with Frankie's unwanted help.  But Frankie has a way of convincing families and witnesses to give her information and doesn't have to follow the restrictive policies of the police.  She soon finds new evidence and the detective starts to use her help.  But when another girl goes missing and Frankie herself finds her life threatened, she becomes even more desperate to solve the case before it's too late.  

I really like the idea of an amateur sleuth solving cold cases.  This could become a really good series. Frankie is such a complex character, fighting her own demons while trying to help others. I really enjoyed this book. 

Thank you to Lisa Gardner and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. 

Gone Too Soon by Dani Atkins

Lisa is an astronomer,  and on her way to give a presentation,  her train derails,  leaving her brain dread. She was on the organ donor list and saved for people's lives.  Months after,  her husband Alex holds a memorial for her and invites these four after exchanging communications. Barbara, a lonely elderly woman,  mother to several cats; Jamie, a young man with wild stories of travel and adventure; Mac, an architect who lost his vision; and Molly, a kindergarten teacher who received Lisa's heart.  Strangely drawn to each other,  the four find ways to continue their connection to each other.  Alex feels drawn to Molly, feeling that as long as Lisa's heart keeps beating in her chest,  there's still a party of Lisa to hold on to.

Have your tissues ready for this emotional ride! It was a beautiful story of grief,  love,  and healing, finally learning to let go. 

Thank you to Dani Atkins and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.