You know that wonderful feeling you get when you taste something delicious that you haven’t had in a while, and you think to yourself, “Why in the world have I let so much time pass?” That’s how I felt reading Suzanne Enoch’s new book, BETTER THAN A DUKE. We historical romance addicts know that a duke (especially an historically inaccurate young, fit, handsome, and kind one!) is always the sought-after catch. In Ms. Enoch’s story, however, the duke is everything history remembers old, fat, many-times widowed, and as nasty as one would expect from a life-long diet of privilege. But Iris has been left penniless by her now dead gambling husband, and she has to provide for her 10-year-old son. Too bad her next-door neighbor, a mere marquis, has complications of his own, including his nine-year-old daughter and his mother’s machinations. (And yes, the many similarities to “The Parent Trap” mentioned positively in other reviews are merited!) Ms. Enoch tells her tale with lots of humor, a great cast of secondary characters, and of course, a tear-worthy happy ending.
THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE, a debut novel by Tiffany Crum, will probably not save your life, but it will likely cost you valuable sleep time. Be warned: once you start this book, you won’t want to stop. The two main characters, best friends Joy and Benny, host a hilarious podcast, eponymously named (see above!) which features ridiculous life-endangering scenarios from which the hosts and guests must devise an escape. When Joy disappears and her rotten husband is found dead, it’s up to Benny to figure out what happened, and hopefully, find Joy (who suffers from narcolepsy), before things go from bad to super bad. I loved the crazy antics, the terrific banter, the interesting details concerning narcolepsy, and the deeply touching love story. I was fortunate to receive an early copy of the audio version (thank you, Net Galley!), and the phenomenal narration by Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins, combined with all the podcast sound effects, made for an incredible listening experience. That said, the moment I finished the audiobook, I ordered a print copy for my keeper shelf.
I love quick and easy reads, but my past month’s reading also included several heavier themes. I get recommendations everywhere, and this next book was one my son insisted I read. A top-rated title from 2022, THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick, makes us ponder how we would live our lives if we knew exactly how much time we had left. The premise is simple: on an otherwise uneventful spring day, everyone in the world receives a box with their name on it with a string inside. The length of the string tells the recipient how much time is left. Chaos and hysteria ensue, but they’re quickly followed by a tale as old as time: societal division between the haves and the have-nots, only now, the commodity is time. The book follows eight individuals, and I fell in love with each one of them as the author skillfully makes their unique stories universally understood and sympathetic. The book is filled with suspense, surprise, heartbreak, and joy, and once more, the moment I finished the beautifully narrated audiobook (thank you again, Julia Whelan!) I ordered a print copy to treasure and reread.
Translated from Swedish and named one of the best releases of 2025, WHEN THE CRANES FLY SOUTH, by Lisa Ridzén, is a title I picked up because I’m always eager to familiarize myself with popular choices. When I learned my mother’s book club was reading it, I had to check it out. It is most definitely NOT a romance, but like all great books, it is a story about love. A man named Bo is old and close to death. His beloved wife lives in a care home for dementia patients, and his constant companion and dearest friend is his dog, Sixten. Bo’s son, Hans, wants to take Sixten away and give him to a family better able to care for him. Though they’re not close, Hans watches over his father and sees how increasing frailty and pain are preventing Bo from giving Sixten the care he needs. These details sound horribly depressing, and indeed, there are moments that truly make it hard to keep reading, but the book is heartbreakingly beautiful. Don’t pick it up if you’re in the mood for mindless distraction, but if you’re willing to pause, to think about your own family relationships, and to shed a tear or two, I heartily recommend it.
I’ll finish with light. Susan Mallery recently released another richly textured contemporary to her legions of fans with THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES. Jax runs a book shop where, for complicated reasons, diaries written by most of the town’s inhabitants reside. The diaries play a secondary role, however, to the stories of Jax, her sister, Ryleigh, and the men they interact with and come to love, even when it seems happily-ever-afters are not in the cards. But Ms. Mallery’s readers know that the sun always comes out after a storm, and in her books, even contractors show up in a timely manner when they’re needed.
For another quick reminder that light always returns, read my story “Second Sunrise” in the romance anthology LOVE AT DAWN. It will make you cry, smile, and feel satisfied, knowing that the authors continue to give proceeds from every book sold to World Central Kitchen.
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.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2026