The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
goodreads blurb: Patrick O’Hara is called back to his guncle duties . . . This time for a big family wedding in Italy. Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him. When Patrick’s brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner. Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up? Gracing the work with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher.
My take: 3.75 out of 5, This was adorable. Part 2 of the guncle, a great family drama with beautiful European views. I actually think I liked this book more than the original, which I liked but didn’t love. Maybe it was the European travel setting, maybe it was them singing Sound of Music songs in Salzburg (which of course I would have done) or maybe its that older kids brought new and heartfelt problems but I connected with this book even more. The ending is also wonderful. A great book to read whilst travelling in Europe. Mayor positive points for the fabulous musical references.
The Library of Borrowed Hearts Lucy Gilmore
goodreads blurb: A.J. Fikry meets The Bookish Life of Nina Hill in this charming, hilarious, and moving novel about the way books bring lonely souls together. Two young lovers. Sixty long years. One bookish mystery worth solving. Librarian Chloe Sampson has been struggling: to take care of her three younger siblings, to find herself, to make ends meet. She’s just about at the end of her rope when she stumbles across a rare edition of a book from the 1960s at the local flea market. Deciding it’s a sign of her luck turning, she takes it home with her—only to be shocked when her cranky hermit of a neighbor swoops in and offers to buy it for an exorbitant price. Intrigued, Chloe takes a closer look at the book only to find notes scribbled in the margins between two young lovers back when the book was new…one of whom is almost definitely Jasper Holmes, the curmudgeon next door. When she begins following the clues left behind, she discovers this isn’t the only old book in town filled with romantic marginalia. This kickstarts a literary scavenger hunt that Chloe is determined to see through to the end. What happened to the two tragic lovers who corresponded in the margins of so many different library books? And what does it have to do with the old, sad man next door—who only now has begun to open his home and heart to Chloe and her siblings? In a romantic tale that spans the decades, Chloe discovers that there’s much more to her grouchy old neighbor than meets the eye. And in allowing herself to accept the unexpected friendship he offers, she learns that some love stories begin in the unlikeliest of places.
My take: 3.5 out 5. It was Sweet how things interconnected – and as wrong as it seems leaving love notes in books seems like something quite romantic and totally up my alley. The kids were adorable and super well developed as characters. They had more development and depth than some main characters in books. It was a great mix of genres too, you have the love story aspect, but you also get the family drama and some mystery. In the end I will always appreciate a book about book lovers.
The Castaways Elin Hilderbrand
Goodreads blurb: Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy’s closest friends for what will be revealed. Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.
My take: 2.5 out of 5. I could not really get into this book. It felt like a lot of buildup that ends in a dud. I actually read this book because it was recommended to read before reading swan song, her new book and I’m glad I did as I had so much better backstory when I did, but apart from character backstory, that was kind of where my enjoyment ended. It’s a sad tale. Two orphaned kids yet that is kind of passed by and not developed further into. As for the rest of the Castaways, their intertwingling where not very redeeming. I would say there are much better elin books, but this one is worth a read if you want to read Swan song.
The Wedding Season Katy Birchall
goodreads blurb: Freya Scott is getting married. Her wedding to Matthew, her long-term boyfriend, is the first of eight in her calendar this year, and as someone who prides herself on being meticulously organized, Freya is intent on making it the perfect day to remember. But when Matthew calls things off hours before they walk down the aisle, Freya’s entire life plan goes up in smoke. Humiliated and heartbroken, the last thing she wants is to attend a summer of other peoples’ nuptials on her own. Fortunately, her friends have an idea: together they devise a series of outrageous challenges for Freya to complete at each event, designed to distract her from Matthew and what might have been. From getting stuck in an old church bathroom and needing to be rescued by the vicar to making out with a barman at a French chateau, Freya realizes that despite herself, she might just be having fun. By the time the final wedding arrives, she will discover that the road to a happy ending sometimes has unexpected detours, that “I do” is only the beginning––and that perhaps her own love story isn’t over just yet.
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher
My take: 2.5 out of 5. I have to say I was close to DNF this book, but I’m glad i kept with it, because I enjoyed the ending, it made the ride somewhat worth it. But did I enjoy the ride? not that much. There were some redeeming factors, I enjoyed her friends, and the checklist to get her through Wedding season was a cute addition. However, Freya as a Character I was just not aligning with. I know it is a romance, but when the only motivation in life for a character is her romance, and she basically thinks life is going to end if she’s 30 and single, then the book becomes annoying.
Kill for Me, Kill for You Steve Cavanagh
goodreads blurb: For fans of The Silent Patient and Gone Girl, a razor-sharp and Hitchcock-inspired psychological thriller about two ordinary women who make a dangerous pact to take revenge for each other after being pushed to the brink. One dark evening on New York City’s Upper West Side, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realize they have much in common, especially loneliness and an intense desire for revenge against the men who destroyed their families. As they talk into the night, they come up with the perfect if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you. In another part of the city, Ruth is home alone when the beautiful brownstone she shares with her husband, Scott, is invaded. She’s attacked by a man with piercing blue eyes, who disappears into the night. Will she ever be able to feel safe again while the blue-eyed stranger is out there? Intricate, heart-racing, and from an author who “is the real deal” (Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Kill for Me, Kill for You will keep you breathless until the final page.
My take: 4.5 out of 5. This thriller was amazing. At some point I thought I had everything worked out, but I was so wrong. The twist and turns were very much unforeseen. It took me for a ride, a very quick read ride as I could not put it down. An that ending? wow, I will not spoil it but the ending was too good. Also I think this is one of those books everyone will enjoy, do yourself a favor and add it immediately to your holiday reading list.
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