An Engagement of Sorts by Alene Wecker
Goodreads blurb: Much to her mother’s dismay, spirited Anne Fletcher spent her youth seeking her father’s approval by hunting and riding. More comfortable in breeches than ball gowns, Anne sees the freedoms she once enjoyed slowly taken from her in the name of fashioning her into an eligible young lady. When her parents try to force her into marriage, Anne makes a desperate attempt to salvage her last vestige of independence. If she is to marry, she will do so on her own terms. Anne strikes a deal: if she cannot secure a man for herself, she will agree to marry the husband her parents approved. She soon finds herself in the last place she would ever choose—that stifling parade of etiquette, the London Season. Anne’s plan is in motion. Now all she needs is a man willing to masquerade as her fiancé. ( This in an ARC book review, thanks to a gift from the publisher. It comes out August 9, 2021)
my take: 3.5 out of 5 I love a regency style romance and this one gets the job done. If you liked Bridgeton you will enjoy this cute romance. The characters are interesting and as far as fake romances tropes go, this one makes sense and is executed quite well (even if you know what is going to happen). It is also a quick read which i enjoyed) and a very PG romance vs the Bridgeton books. My only qualm, she is made to seem so out of sorts and inappropriate for her family’s disapproval a little backstory would be great.
Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson
Goodreads blurb: Meet Nora Hughes―the overworked, underpaid, last bookish assistant standing. At least for now. When Nora landed an editorial assistant position at Parsons Press, it was her first step towards The Dream Job. Because, honestly, is there anything dreamier than making books for a living? But after five years of lunch orders, finicky authors, and per my last emails, Nora has come to one grand conclusion: Dream Jobs do not exist. With her life spiraling and the Parsons staff sinking, Nora gets hit with even worse news. Parsons is cutting her already unlivable salary. Unable to afford her rent and without even the novels she once loved as a comfort, Nora decides to moonlight for a rival publisher to make ends meet…and maybe poach some Parsons authors along the way. But when Andrew Santos, a bestselling Parsons author no one can afford to lose is thrown into the mix, Nora has to decide where her loyalties lie. Her new Dream Job, ever-optimistic Andrew, or…herself and her future. Your next book club read touching on mental health, happiness, and the peaks and perils of being a young woman just trying to figure it all out. Nora Hughes is the perfect heroine for anyone looking to get past their own chapter twenty-something and build their storybook life ( This in an ARC book review, thanks to a gift from the publisher. It comes out Jan 18, 2022)
my take: 2.5 out of 5. I had high expectations for this book, and although its a cute and enjoyable romance, it did not meet the expectations. The pluses: A look into the publishing business, some complex characters, i appreciate true descriptions of the grind, how making ends meet is hard. Also, its a quick read. What i didnt fully love: I found Nora very unlikeable as a character and i think part of it is that i don’t think her mental health issues are as properly described at the beginning so it just comes out of nowhere and you really don’t get a proper feel for them. Additionally she also makes terrible decisions. The romance i feel was a bit too evident and Andrew too perfect. That sounds weird to say but sometimes too perfect makes for unrelatable and not as believable. Also I think the title is a bit misleading, as i feel i would have liked a bit more on her love on books, most of the book is about not loving books and the book industry
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
Goodreads blurb: Sloane, Ardie, Grace, and Rosalita have worked at Truviv, Inc. for years. The sudden death of Truviv’s CEO means their boss, Ames, will likely take over the entire company. Each of the women has a different relationship with Ames, who has always been surrounded by whispers about how he treats women. Those whispers have been ignored, swept under the rug, hidden away by those in charge. But the world has changed, and the women are watching this promotion differently. This time, when they find out Ames is making an inappropriate move on a colleague, they aren’t willing to let it go. This time, they’ve decided enough is enough. Sloane and her colleagues’ decision to take a stand sets in motion a catastrophic shift in the office. Lies will be uncovered. Secrets will be exposed. And not everyone will survive. All of their lives—as women, colleagues, mothers, wives, friends, even adversaries—will change dramatically as a result. “If only you had listened to us,” they tell us on page one of Chandler Baker’s Whisper Network, “none of this would have happened.” ( This in an ARC audiobook review, thanks to a gift from the publisher.)
my take: 3.5 out of 5 I started this book when it first came out but never went past the sample. When Net galley had a audiobook version, i decided to give it a second chance. I had a bit of mixed feelings about this one. I think i would have enjoyed it more if I had read it in 2019. There have been so many stories since on #metoo and workplace harassment that it felt a bit repeated yet I can see how it was very relevant when it first came out.I really enjoyed the narration with the current day interviews interlaced. Also i think the characters had some interesting development and depth to them. My big qualm was the ending, i feel that 1. it wasn’t very clear what actually happened to Ames, i had to rewind the final part a few times and 2. #spoileralert Katherine needed some reckoning. Its a great book for audio, the narration was great.
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