I've read every single Sophie Cousens book, and she never disappoints! Maybe it’s just me, but this one had a slightly different vibe than her usual. I've read every single Sophie Cousens book, and she never disappoints! Maybe it’s just me, but this one had a slightly different vibe than her usual. There’s still a strong theme of personal growth, but it also had a 2000s romcom feel, if you know what I mean! I loved it.
Anna Appleby has no interest in dating since her divorce. But when her office rival threatens to take over her column, Anna makes a bold move to save her job by pitching a unique idea: she’ll let her children choose seven dates for her to go on.
It was a little slow at points, but as you can imagine, these dates brought so much entertainment. Some were hilariously bad, others led to unexpected friendships, and a few offered meaningful realizations. I loved seeing Anna own her vulnerability as she put herself out there again, taking charge of what she wants in life.
The romance was so flirty and full of playful banter! Will was an absolute charmer with his dimples, clearly delighting in every quip Anna threw his way. I enjoyed this one so much—yet another reminder why Sophie Cousens in an auto-buy author for me!
I seriously regret not picking this up sooner! It's a marriage-in-crisis romance with a really interesting blend of magical realism, realistic conflicI seriously regret not picking this up sooner! It's a marriage-in-crisis romance with a really interesting blend of magical realism, realistic conflicts, and warmly flawed characters, all brought together in a thought provoking way!
Set in 2013, Georgie McCool consistently puts her career first, and now she’s missing Christmas in Omaha with her husband, Neil, and their two daughters. But through a yellow rotary landline, she magically connects with Neil from 1998—a tumultuous time just before he proposed.
Through the magical phone, there's conversations with Neil, but there's also flashbacks that capture their deeply romantic highs, their lows of jealousy and resentment, and ultimately the immense love they still share. It’s not a failing marriage due to a lack of care but rather Georgie’s much needed reflection on what truly matters in her life.
It's emotional, it's funny, it's everything I love in a story. As for the magical telephone, it tied everything together with such a heartwarming, full-circle ending. I'm honestly confused why the average rating for this one isn't higher!
This was a beautifully layered family drama that draws you right into the complexities of grief. After the passing of her father, Eliza receives a letThis was a beautifully layered family drama that draws you right into the complexities of grief. After the passing of her father, Eliza receives a letter from her late mother holding a major bombshell, shaking the very foundation of her identity.
With her inheritance at risk and her relationship with her brother placed in the middle, I was so eager to see how everything would unfold. I loved seeing her navigate such a complex situation, with her already conflicted feelings of grief further tested. It’s an incredibly unfair position she’s placed in, and with no one to turn to for clear answers, I could truly feel Eliza’s isolation.
But it’s not all heavy—there’s a sweet, slow-burn romance with her brother’s best friend that I adored. He’s her comfort, always there to provide hope in the midst of all the chaos. It was such a heartwarming contrast to the rest of the drama, and it felt super natural and genuine.
This was an engaging story filled with wonderfully crafted characters who felt like real people. I’ve had this author’s first book, Typecast, on my TBR since its release, and I’m so glad I finally gave her writing a try. I'm definitely a fan!
(heat level: one open-door scene, mild details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
You're either going to love or hate this one. No surprise, the chaos was right up my alley! Rachel Weiss is the kind of character I love to read aboutYou're either going to love or hate this one. No surprise, the chaos was right up my alley! Rachel Weiss is the kind of character I love to read about. She's a brazen hot mess on a wildly entertaining and often hilariously bizarre journey toward maturity and independence.
I didn't always agree with the choices made by these characters, but I really enjoyed the messy, realistic dynamic of Rachel’s friend group. This story focuses on the inevitable missteps of navigating adulthood, that phase of life when priorities shift and friendships evolve—leaving Rachel feeling a bit lost in the midst of it all. It doesn't help that her meddling mother is constantly trying to set her up.
Though tech CEO Christopher Butkus was an unexpected delight, who is irresistibly drawn to Rachel’s bold personality and refreshing honesty, I'd say this was definitely more women’s fiction and coming-of-age. The romance was super subtle, but I didn't mind at all. I had a really good time with this one!
(heat level: closed door, language throughout)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
From the very start, this story was a challenge to follow. Even halfway through, I found myself struggling to grasp what was happening. The narrative From the very start, this story was a challenge to follow. Even halfway through, I found myself struggling to grasp what was happening. The narrative structure was super disjointed, with sporadic flashbacks and timeline shifts, making it difficult to initially tell whether a scene was set in the past or present.
At the heart of the story are two grieving characters, Erin and James, who communicate through the margins of classic novels in a community library. Their shared history is heartbreaking, and while I couldn't care less about classic literature, it was touching to see them connect through a mutual interest, unaware that they actually know each other in real life.
I really sympathized with James and the burdens he carries—losing a friend, the complicated history with Erin, his past experiences with bullying, and caring for a parent with bipolar disorder. I wanted to give him a hug. Despite these hard-hitting elements, which are usually things I love in a story, the writing and incredibly slow-moving plot made it difficult to truly feel invested.
(heat level: closed door)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
If you're in the mood for a book that's like a soap opera on steroids, you might have better luck with this one. The story revolves around four best fIf you're in the mood for a book that's like a soap opera on steroids, you might have better luck with this one. The story revolves around four best friends—Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni, and Leslie—who are on the verge of opening their dream bookstore. Sounds cozy, right? Well, prepare yourself for loads of drama.
Each friend faces a massive personal crisis. Fifteen months prior, one was hijacked at gunpoint, leading to a marriage ultimatum. Another wins the lottery and makes a series of disastrous choices. A third uncovers shocking family secrets while managing her daughter’s health issues. And the last is grappling with infertility amid threats from a gang member. It’s a lot to take in.
The bookstore opening, which should be the heart of the story, gets overshadowed by these over-the-top subplots. Honestly, I had trouble keeping track of everything. Each woman’s conflicts could have easily filled its own book, so cramming them all into one felt very overwhelming.
(heat level: open door, mild details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
I'm so glad I picked this up. Though centered around the reunion of a group of friends on Fire Island, the story revolves primarily around estranged fI'm so glad I picked this up. Though centered around the reunion of a group of friends on Fire Island, the story revolves primarily around estranged friends Maggie and Liz. Following three transformative weekends at Serendipity House, I loved the focus on forgiveness, nostalgia, and navigating life in your twenties.
Returning home after a job loss for undisclosed reasons, Maggie is faced with both comfort and confrontation when seeing ex-boyfriend Mac again. And Liz, in the thick of wedding planning, faces her own hardships when forced to address her underlying grief.
It's a really warm, heartfelt story, one that captures that feeling of growing up, trying to hang onto the past in the midst of big changes. In some ways, the ending wasn't what I expected ... but it's exactly what it needed to be. I'm happy with it!
This was an incredibly informative and intimate look into the life of someone living with OCD. You’re placed right inside Eliot’s head, experiencing hThis was an incredibly informative and intimate look into the life of someone living with OCD. You’re placed right inside Eliot’s head, experiencing her intrusive thoughts from childhood through adulthood. And I won’t lie—it’s very intense and dark. But that intensity is exactly what kept me hooked from start to finish.
Eliot returns to Canada after three years to attend her brother’s wedding, and with that reunion comes a flood of emotions and memories. Her large family felt authentically messy—so real, so human. There’s also a theme of grief that had me absolutely sobbing through the final chapters.
Eliot’s relationship with Manuel, the childhood friend she also left behind, was so deeply romantic. Seeing the beginning of their friendship unfold in flashbacks and then achingly shift in the present day was the emotional lightness I needed. Despite Eliot’s heartbreaking tendency to push away the people she loves, Manuel is a constant—always there for her, no matter what.
“I love you when you’re angry, I love you when you’re sad, and I love you when your head is filled with thoughts so terrifying you don’t think you can share them with me. In fact,”—he squeezed my hand—“that’s when I love you most.”
This beautiful story of empathy, love, and understanding is one that will stay with me. An absolute must-read if you’re willing to dive into something heavier!
(heat level: one open-door scene, mild details)...more
I’m not sure why, but I love reading about mountain climbing, and this was an incredibly intense and immersive inside look. It was thrilling, adventurI’m not sure why, but I love reading about mountain climbing, and this was an incredibly intense and immersive inside look. It was thrilling, adventurous, occasionally gruesome, and unflinchingly real in portraying the dangers.
At the center of this story is a complex sisterly relationship. Once inseparable climbing partners, their bond was shattered when Evelyn had an affair with Sophie’s husband. Alternating between past and present, it reveals the events that led to their estrangement and their eventual reunion as they face the greatest climbing challenge of their lives in Nepal.
At times, the pacing was a bit slow, but that's understandable given the depth and details about mountain climbing. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. The final 10-15%—holy moly! I sobbed. It was pure adrenaline and unexpectedly destroyed me. I'm still recovering. What a great debut!
(heat level: closed door)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
This had much of what I’ve come to expect from Emily Stone, but it lacked a certain spark, I guess? I always love her signature exploration of grief aThis had much of what I’ve come to expect from Emily Stone, but it lacked a certain spark, I guess? I always love her signature exploration of grief and family conflicts (she does this so well), but beyond that, something felt missing for me.
Lexie and Theo had a really interesting, complex start. With the story centered around the passing of Lexie’s father, I really empathized with both of their perspectives. For Lexi, he was the man who abandoned her for another family, while for Theo, he was a beloved mentor and boss. Now, due to a stipulation in his will, Lexie and Theo must work together to run his travel company for a year before deciding its future.
The romance didn’t quite give me butterflies, and the business storyline wasn’t particularly interesting for me, but I loved seeing Lexie’s relationship with her half-sister evolve throughout the story. Seeing them reconcile and reflect on their different upbringings was really touching—a reminder that things aren’t always black and white. And the ending was truly heartwarming!
This one will pull on your heartstrings! Three months after the loss of her mother, an Alaskan cruise forces indie singer-songwriter Greta James to adThis one will pull on your heartstrings! Three months after the loss of her mother, an Alaskan cruise forces indie singer-songwriter Greta James to address the fragile relationship with her father.
Filled with beautiful excursions and glimpses of wildlife, the backdrop of Alaska (and the ship) was amazing. It's not a pleasant trip for Greta, though, and I loved the interesting combination of her restless emotions intertwined with such a peaceful setting.
I tend to dislike reading about famous characters, mostly because of the totally unrelatable drama that comes with it. But the stardom surrounding Greta was more subtle. Her humbleness was so endearing! I loved reading about her career and ultimately how her mother's death had impacted her performance.
And if you're like me and love a dose of romance in your read, there's an absolutely adorable one here with a nerdy historian dealing with his own misfortunes.
I wanted just a tad more from the ending—one more chapter, please and thank you—but overall this was a winner!
Oh my goodness. This was everything I love about magical realism. I'm thankful for this cover redesign—it was the push I needed to pick this one up. IOh my goodness. This was everything I love about magical realism. I'm thankful for this cover redesign—it was the push I needed to pick this one up. I wish I did sooner!
With her priorities terribly skewed, Emma has unintentionally let life pass her by. It all comes to a halt when tragedy arises and she finds herself stuck in a mysterious time loop reliving the day her husband dies. No matter what she does, the outcome remains the same.
Throughout are anniversary letters written by Dan reflecting on their years together. I absolutely adored his playful humour, honesty, and palpable love for Emma. It's a heartbreaking, poignant story about the importance of savouring precious moments, carving out time for those that matter most. I won't comment on the ending, but I will say ... I sobbed through the final letter on chapter 58.
This was so tough to read at times. But also so validating. I've never read such a compelling, candid look at postpartum depression. I cried through nThis was so tough to read at times. But also so validating. I've never read such a compelling, candid look at postpartum depression. I cried through nearly every chapter.
This story is centrally about Brynn and her struggles as a new mom, but it's very much about Joy too, the elderly neighbour who becomes an unexpected confidant in her life. With alternating chapters between these two lonely women, I absolutely loved seeing the experience of motherhood through a different generational lens.
Joy was an angel. Compared to Brynn, her backstory was more of a slow reveal, which I have to admit was a bit of a snoozefest at times—but yes, I'm still giving this five stars. The ending, the way it all came together, destroyed my heart and pieced it back together. An intense but hopeful story that will stick with me!
This had a little bit of backwards storytelling, so it took me a minute to get situated with the use of flashbacks to reveal pieces of information, buThis had a little bit of backwards storytelling, so it took me a minute to get situated with the use of flashbacks to reveal pieces of information, but I quickly became invested in the endearing mess that was Daisy Peterson!
After losing her job of thirteen years, her boyfriend dumping her, and her relationship with her sister crumbling, Daisy is determined to climb her way out of rock bottom. I loved in this hilariously desperate attempt to win back her old life, Daisy slowly discovers the importance of embracing her true self.
Lots of uplifting messages in this one, especially involving social comparison and finding people that accept you and not just the curated version of what you think will please them. I’m a sucker for women’s fiction with humour and life lessons. And without giving too much away, the romance was beyond precious!
"I have been so, incredibly lonely, and in this vast pit of loneliness that is life, I find myself a lot less lonely with you."
(heat level: closed door + one very minor, very mild scene in prologue)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
There was a lot going on in this one, but in a way that made the story feel multilayered rather than convoluted. I loved seeing a traditionally lighthearted plot device spun into something deeper and more emotional.
After a plethora of failed dates, Phronsie Linnelle agrees to give up on romance and marry her childhood best friend—his idea! I really ached for Phronsie and her underlying desperation for someone to simply love her. Gah!
And it's all explored with flashbacks showing the rocky relationship Phronsie shares with her flighty, woo-woo centric, yet well-intentioned mother. Heavy on the complexities of family throughout, I really liked the way this helped lead Phronsie to discover her own true love.
That said, I wouldn't necessarily pick this up for the romance on its own. It's pretty minor! But if you're looking for a comforting story with a feel-good ending, I definitely recommend this one!
It's fun to imagine how drastically different our lives could be depending on our past choices. After a freak accident leads to her death, Frankie is It's fun to imagine how drastically different our lives could be depending on our past choices. After a freak accident leads to her death, Frankie is granted the opportunity to relive five different versions of her life for 24 hours—her what if moments. I loved this concept, but the story itself was missing something for me.
The alternate lives Frankie visits were entertaining but very dramatic contrasts of each other. I definitely preferred some storylines over others. I sometimes struggled to imagine how Frankie would land herself in certain situations. It felt a little farfetched at times just for the sake of proving the message of the story.
But I think my main issue is that time spent in each timeline was really brief. It was hard to feel any sort of attachment towards the characters. I did think the romance was absolutely precious, though! I wish it had somehow made more of an appearance throughout.
This book was right up my alley! Though a tragic accident leaves Scarlett dead, she is somehow still present. Given a chance to see the impact of her This book was right up my alley! Though a tragic accident leaves Scarlett dead, she is somehow still present. Given a chance to see the impact of her death on those around her, it's a beautiful story of friendship (and romance) that transcends time.
Left behind is Evie, Scarlett's best friend, who is struggling with a semi-recent MS diagnosis. And also Nate, the stranger who Scarlett blames for her death. I loved the way this played into the ripple effect of a single moment. It's an incredibly sad situation, yes, but it wasn't overpowering. There's a hopeful tone throughout, a collection of happy connections created by this one tragedy.
And what a clever concept to have Scarlett, now a ghost, experience her own journey of self-discovery. I loved the added flashbacks, seeing her acknowledge her mistakes, and ultimately ending in a very heartfelt yet bittersweet conclusion. Happy tears!
(heat level: closed door)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
I needed a little break from romance, and this did the trick! Three divorced mothers devise an app—The Wife app—to capitalize on their previously undeI needed a little break from romance, and this did the trick! Three divorced mothers devise an app—The Wife app—to capitalize on their previously undervalued roles as wives. The paperwork you need done? The appointments you need booked? Hire a "wife" from The Wife app to get it done!
But it's much deeper than that, I assure you! All coming from a different situation, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, Lauren, Madeline, and Sophie each brought a unique voice through their individual POVs. Some characters I connected with more, as I expected, but I was wholeheartedly invested in all their happy endings.
This book focuses a lot on the mental load and overwhelming pressure of motherhood. It captured the unique experience in a way that was very relatable. I loved the emphasis that no one has it all together, despite what social media may show you—something I think we all know but easily forget.
Funny, heartwarming, and thought provoking! I enjoyed this one a lot.
(heat level: a few very brief open-door scenes, heavy language — primarily Madeline's POV)...more
This cover has been continually catching my eye at the bookstore, so I finally decided to give it a try. It was so witty and charming!
Set in AustraliaThis cover has been continually catching my eye at the bookstore, so I finally decided to give it a try. It was so witty and charming!
Set in Australia, it follows Samira Abdel-Aziz in the midst of her failures with traditional Muslim courtship. Opening with a bad match, I really loved Samira. She was very self-aware and funny! The constant comparisons of her life to a Jane Austen novel made me giggle.
Filled with heartwarming friendships that also explore a spectrum of Muslim women, I really enjoyed the peek into lives unlike my own.
And though Samira finds herself at a crossroad between two very admirable but different men, it serves more as a journey of self-reflection as she reevaluates what she wants for her future. Ending with a final choice that surprised me, in the best way!
Sarah Louise
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