The Ex-Vows by Jessica Joyce
Goodreads Blurb: Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance. Georgia Woodward lives by her lists, none more so than the one about her ex, Eli Mora. It’s full of the ironclad dos and don’ts they’ve been following since she returned to the Bay Area after their cataclysmic breakup five years ago. With the wedding of their mutual best friend, Adam, looming, and them about to step into their roles as best woman and man, Georgia’s never needed it more. She refuses to threaten their tight-knit friend group with her messy—and still very present—feelings. The rules on that list will keep her cool, calm, and compartmentalized. What’s not on her list? Eli arriving from New York with a new rule-breaking attitude or the all-inclusive venue burning to the ground, leaving the bride and groom in dire straits. Nor does she anticipate Adam asking her and Eli to help him make a miracle happen. Together. As Georgia and Eli rush up to Napa Valley to pull off the perfect wedding, their old chemistry comes back in technicolor. Somewhere between cake tastings gone wrong, disastrous DJ auditions, and Eli’s heated attention, Georgia starts recognizing the man she fell in love with before. And if she lets herself break her rules, she might find what they’re building isn’t the something old that ruined them—it’s a chance at something new.
My Take: 4.75 out of 5. I loved this book so much. Her first book You with a View was excellent and this second outing does not disappoint. I kind of loved everything about it, the setting ( i will not complain about Napa and a vineyard) the main characters, the banter, it was all so good. The only thing that is a bit absurd in the story is how absolutely useless Adam and his bride are. Do brides and grooms really ask so much of their best man and maid of honor? is this normal? But it did provide a setting for some good banter so ill take it.
I Edited my review to add that the paper rings storyline was mt favorite in the book, i don’t want to spoil it but as that is one of my top 4 Taylor Swift Songs it had to be said. Also the love for Taylor Swift in this book has to be admired.
Is She Really Going Out with Him? Sophie Cousens
Goodreads Blurb: Columnist Anna Appleby has left her love life behind after a painful divorce. Who needs love when she has two kids, a cat and an ex-husband to think about? Besides, she’d rather be single than subject herself to the hell of online dating. But her office rival is vying for her column, and no column means no stable source of income. So in a desperate attempt to keep her job, Anna finds herself pitching a unique Seven dates, all found offline, chosen by her children. From awkward encounters to unexpected connections, Anna gamely begins to put herself out there, asking out waiters and the mailman, even her celebrity crush. But when a romantic connection appears where she least expected it, will she be brave enough to take a chance on love?
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher. Book comes out Nov 19
My Take: 4.5 out of 5. This books has all the vibes. Sophie Cousens never disappoints and this is just adorable. First of all the concept that online dating is vile – i can relate and so true. and thy way hey tell the stories is hilarious. The fact that her kids were then setting her up on these dates was at the same time cringe and brilliant and such good storytelling. and the obvious romantic connection that evolves is actually beautifully developed and not cliche at all. vibes all around. There is some actually deep family thoughts in this book, I enjoyed the analysis on how old and youngest child expectations and personalities differ.
i also really loved this art quote: ” there are forgeries on people’s walls all over the work. If they like the art, it hurts no one. If they bought it for the value it holds to others, then maybe they’re valuing the wrong things.”
And loretta’s question im still thinking about, what is my most treasured possession? what do I covet the most?
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Goodreads Blurb: From the New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End comes a soaring thriller and an epic love story that spans decades. 1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope.
My Take: 5 out of 5. This books is brilliant. Run to read it. It is too long I will say that off the the bat, the editor could have done a stronger job of chopping off a couple of chapters. But aside from that there are no notes. It ties itself up in the most perfect bow that I would have never thought about. Them twists and turns are expertly crafted and absolutely unexpected. It is at the same time a Family drama, a thriller, literary fiction and a romance. Impeccable! There were some scenes that really just got to me. At the beginning, Saint making Patch a birthday cake was too sweet. It is also a complicated read, because whilst I think we are supposed to root for Patch, and understand his trauma, I wanted to kill him for half the book. I had les empathy and more annoyance, but still that i what makes the book so good, there is so much emotion to filter through. An as a musical theater geek than I am, I got such les mis vibes from the triangles? Am i the only one?
Isabel and the Rogue Liana De la Rosa
Goodreads Blurb: When a Mexican heiress defies Victorian society to protect her country a British war hero makes it his new mission to protect her… Isabel Luna Valdés has long since resigned herself to being the “forgotten” Luna sister. But thanks to familial connections to the Mexican ambassador in London, wallflower Isabel is poised to unearth any British intelligence hidden by the ton that might aid Mexico during the French Occupation. Though she slips easily from crowded ballrooms into libraries and private studies, Isabel’s search is hampered by trysting couples and prowling rogues—including the rakish Captain Sirius Dawson. As a covert agent for the British Home Office, Sirius makes a game of earning the aristocracy’s confidence. He spends his days befriending foolish politicians and seducing well-born ladies in order to learn their secrets. But after he spies a certain sharp-tongued Luna sister lurking in the shadows where no proper debutante should venture, it’s clear Sirius is outmatched, outwitted, and soon to be outmaneuvered by the one woman he can’t resist. Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but when Isabel discovers private correspondence that could turn the tide of political turmoil in Mexico, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her country—even if this means ignoring her heart and courting danger…
My Take: 3 out of 5. I hinted at in my Review of book 1 of this series, Ana Maria and The Fox, that this was probably going to be very predicable and it was. It was clearly signaled in the prior book and the development here was also pretty straightforward. IT is a predictable and nice situation but still. As a period piece its engaging and there are enough historical plot points to make it interesting, but it will not be the best period romance you will read. I have to say I really liked Sirius, and he had quite some depth.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
Goodreads Blurb: Secrets. Lies. Murder. Let the festivities begin… It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen. But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered. THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast.
My Take: 3 out of 5. This was just too convoluted for me. I liked the ending and the multiple narrators, like past lucy Foley books give it a wonderful array of voices and possibilities. In this instance, the multiple voices brought a lot of confusion. I was just a tad underwhelmed by the execution. It feels clumsy how it ended. the whole bird situation was a lot. It was absurd, I did not get it and in the end I still did not get it. It was not needed and was absolutely weird.
Tati's Tidbits 