While fires, floods, and high temperatures have battled for headline supremacy this summer, the abundance of great books, new and old, continues to amaze and delight me. As an avid reader, I’m always a sucker for books about books, and THE LOST BOOK OF FIRST LOVES by RaeAnne Thayne grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. Its beginning is intriguing: Alison’s obviously ill-suited for her intern position, but during a performance review, she saves her boss’s life by administering CPR after a cardiac arrest and then insists that her boss, Juniper, accompany her back to her Wyoming home to recuperate. Turns out Alison never cared about that silly internship; a DNA test had revealed that Juniper was actually her half-sister, and Alison is determined to learn how their famous writer father had a child he apparently never knew about. The book explores family ties, secrets, love of books and writing, and—happily for this always greedy romance junkie—it also includes not one, but two peripheral love stories.
Bethany Turner has many titles listed under her name, but she’s hit a home run with WES AND ADDIE HAD THEIR CHANCE. I’ve enjoyed Ms. Turner’s earlier books, but this second chance love story between a traumatized former CIA analyst and her long ago run-away groom was beautifully done. Many of the secondary characters will be familiar to faithful readers, but newcomers will be swept up in this tender love story that touches lightly upon addiction, aging, and economic disparities while immersing the reader in the breathtaking Colorado mountains.
Although it’s garnered mixed reviews, I adored Ali Hazelwood’s PROBLEMATIC SUMMER ROMANCE. Yes, yes, yes, he’s older than she is, but love is love, and in this case, it’s the kind of love that makes you close your eyes and sigh with envy. Maya and Conor have danced around their mutual attraction for three years, but when Maya’s brother gets married, they’re forced to spend time together. As with Ms. Turner’s book, familiarity with the secondary characters from earlier books is a plus but not a necessity. And as the participant in an age-gap romance that’s now far older than some reading this post, I can confidently say that Maya and Conor will be just fine.
Abby Jimenez is another author I habitually read and admire, but SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME is extraordinary. The love story between Minnesota-based veterinarian, Xavier, and tied-to-California, Samantha, is exquisite (as is the love between Samantha’s ailing mother and her devoted family). The plot itself is complex (and timely), allowing Ms. Jimenez to bypass all the de rigueur relationship conflicts so common in contemporary romance. Do Nadia’s Cupcakes make a cameo appearance? Of course they do, but descriptions of Xavier’s devotion to his work and to Samantha are mouth-watering enough that you won’t even miss getting to taste the treats.
I also loved Kathryn Freeman’s BOOKED FOR THE SUMMER. Jade’s hired to run a bookshop in Nantucket for the summer, and big, bad, millionaire Liam plans to close the shop and build condos. Does Jade turn out to have great business savvy as well as a beautiful body? Might there be a heart of gold hidden behind Liam’s breath-taking muscles? Hmmmm. It’s all silly, totally predictable, and absolutely lovely. I listened to the audiobook, and Mary Jane Wells performed perfectly, as always.
We may not be the only ones wanting to escape the heat. Ally Carter’s newest book, THE BLONDE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, sizzles with danger, intrigue, secrets, and hot, sweaty passion. It’s a companion to her THE BLONDE IDENTITY, but again, new readers will have no trouble understanding the story, or at least no more trouble than someone who loved her earlier book, as I did. The plot moves back and forth in time and is, at points, deliciously incomprehensible, but the dénouement is spectacular.
Finally, the movie dropped recently on Netflix, but let me steer you towards the incredibly beautiful novel, MY OXFORD YEAR, by Julia Whelan. I read (and adored) the book when it first came out in in 2017 but decided to reread it before the movie’s release. Every page is beautifully written, and Ms. Whelan so skillfully transports the reader to Oxford and its environs that I was astonished not to see cobblestones and smell fish and chips when I lifted my eyes. You will smile, gasp, and yes, cry, and then, if you’re like me, you’ll want to read it again immediately. (And no, I never bothered to watch the movie!)
I’ll be back next month with reviews for new books by two all-time favorite authors. Until then, consider taking a spin around the dance floor with my SECOND ACT. You’ll be transported to a snowy January in New York, where murder and romance vie for the final curtain call.
Meg's friends during her high school years all expected her romance novels to hit the shelves decades ago, but she foolishly allowed "serious pursuits" to get in her way. Now that her beloved children can feed, clothe, and most importantly, support themselves, she's free to turn her attention to her first passion - putting words to paper that capture your attention and make your heart sing in quiet joy. Her stories tell most frequently of second chances--in life, love, and sometimes even at rediscovering a soul-mate from a previous life.
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