Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh

Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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After a painfully public discovery shatters her marriage, along with her picture-perfect, country club life, Claire finds herself suddenly single and faced with a blank page for a future. On that page she writes a simple list that reads like equal parts dare and daydream--Move to a new city. Make a real friend. Get a job I love--and she vows to accomplish every single one.

Before she can talk herself out of it, she takes a step of faith, puts her old life in the rearview mirror, and leases an apartment in Chicago, the city that has always had her heart. This one step sends Claire on a journey of self-discovery, giving her the courage to conquer her fears, one checklist item at a time, and showing her that life can be a whole lot brighter than she imagined.

She rediscovers a love for baking, stumbles into new friendships, and even allows her daughter, Minnie, to create a dating profile and choose her dates for her. Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, is Miles, the charming, off-limits neighbor whose kindness makes it hard to remember why he's off-limits at all.

Between late-night journaling, disastrous first dates, great big lessons and priceless small victories, Claire learns to quiet the voice telling her she wasn't enough and listens to the one that asks the harder question . . .

What do I really want?

As old expectations loosen their grip, Claire discovers that belonging isn't a place you're invited to--it's a life you build one brave choice at a time. And the sweetest things often show up when you finally get out of your own way.
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When I read The Summer of Yes two years ago, it was one of the best surprises I have ever had in a book. I loved every page. Therefore, when I heard that Courtney Walsh was releasing another novel, I could not wait to get my hands on it. And when I read that it was about a woman reinventing herself after a divorce, I was even more excited because, well, been there, done that. I did not make the radical changes that Claire made, but I still loved going along with her as she took the reins of her life and went on an amazing journey to discover what it was she really wanted.

I am a big fan of closed door romance, and Walsh writes it well. She also really captures the magic of found family in the pages of her latest work, and if I had to pick a favorite trope in modern novels, it would be that one. As she gathered her village around herself and rebuilt her life from the ground up, it was impossible not to root for this new version of Claire, who is brave and bold, as she headed into her bright new future. I could not give anything less than five stars to this one. I loved it!

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Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Maeve and Therese Dunigan haven’t spoken in years. Raised under the same roof in Savannah, the two sisters could not be more opposite—Maeve the rule follower, Therese the unapologetic rebel. But when their mother’s death pulls them back together, they inherit more than just grief: a mysterious painting that may be worth millions…if it’s real.

Determined to uncover the truth—and desperately in need of the money—the sisters set out on a journey to Ireland, tracing their family’s roots and the origins of the portrait. What begins as a search for answers soon becomes something deeper—a reckoning with the past, as they uncover secrets that span generations and reshape everything they thought they knew about their family.

With tensions simmering, the two hit the road and find themselves on twisty lanes, in colorful villages, at local pubs, and with handsome men whose gift of the gab is surpassed only by their charm.

Can Maeve and Therese actually survive the journey without killing each other? Join Mary Kay Andrews on a road trip that will entertain you for miles.
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I have long been a fan of Mary Key Andrews, and while I usually gravitate toward her more beachy reads, there were some very delightful aspects of her newest book. As someone who has a sister myself, I tend to really enjoy books that explore the bond and relationship between sisters, so I really loved the exploration of Maeve's and Therese's. I also really had fun meeting the colorful characters that they crossed paths with as they went on their journey to Ireland to try to get to the bottom of the mysterious secrets of their family's past. It did take a bit of time for me to really feel invested in the dual timeline story, but once I got there, I was hooked. And there was a nice slow burn to the romance, which I always enjoy. This is definitely a good choice to add to your summer reading list!

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Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore

Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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It’s the week after Fourth of July, and the Shipman sisters are returning to their picturesque summer home on the New Hampshire coast for what they believe is a family reunion, the first without their late mother. However, their tranquil setting quickly becomes a stage for drama when their father, Calvin, drops the bombshell news that he plans to sell the cherished beach house.

Mae, the youngest daughter, who has a newfound penchant for attracting trouble, is distraught, already dealing with her own emotional scars and a problematic rescue dog. Natalie, the middle sister and social media darling known for her seemingly idyllic life as a tradwife, is equally anxious, especially since her flawless public image is on the verge of imploding. Meanwhile, Jordan, the eldest, a high-powered crisis communications expert, is ready to be rid of the house so she can tend to her own professional disaster.

As old memories are stirred up and the sisters navigate both the packing of the house and their personal crises, the arrival of Calvin’s new wife pushes Jordan, Natalie, and Mae to decide how far they’re willing to go to preserve the Shipman bond.

A delicious summer read that explores the enduring power of family and sister connections, Down with the Shipmans is a humorous, heartfelt reminder that home is not a place, but the people who love you, no matter how imperfectly.
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When summer comes along, I want nothing more than to head to the beach...and if I can't be on a beach, I want at least to be able to visit one in the pages of whatever book I happen to be reading. For the past two years, Meg Mitchell Moore has given me that opportunity, and I am happy to say that I enjoyed her latest novel just as much as I did last year's Mansion Beach, although they were very different kinds of stories. In this book, we are introduced to three very different sisters, living three very different lives, who are brought back together at the behest of their father to spend what turns out to be their last summer in their late mother's beloved beach house. This turns into a exploration of their grief over the loss of their mother and this important tie to her, as they learn new things about each other and repair cracks in their relationships with one another that have been forming for a long time. Along the way, they also find out that some assumptions they have made in the past might not be true, and they all grow, both together and separately, in profound ways. While this presents as a beach read, there is complexity to the writing that had me wanting to sit with the Shipman sisters and dive deep into their individual stories...until I reached the point of the book where I could not put it down, and then I raced through to the finish and stayed up way too late until I had read every last word. And that, in my opinion, is the best kind of book. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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The Final Target by Nora Roberts

The Final Target by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.

Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…

An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.

Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?
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No one does romantic suspense like Nora Roberts, and over the last several years, these standalone books she releases each year have become one of the highlights of my early summer reading list. Books like Mind Games and Identity still live rent-free in my head several years after I have read them. Well, they are going to have to make room for The Final Target because this is another memorable thriller from an author who continues write hits year after year.

Arden is the strong female protagonist that we can always expect in Roberts's books, and she finds herself up against a "fan" who initially appears unassuming but quickly becomes terrifying. She rebuilds her life and finds happiness, but is her foe waiting in the wings, just waiting for another chance with his favorite author?

The level of suspense in this book was perfect. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and the twists and turns had me reading straight through the day until I made it to the last page. The romance story that was interwoven throughout had a nice slow burn that did not fall into the trap of a hero rescuing a lady in distress (even though there were times that Arden was definitely in distress). I was left completely satisfied, which is exactly what I have come to expect from Nora Roberts's standalone novels and what keeps me coming back to read them year after year. This was an easy 5-star rating for me.

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Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela Kelley

Nantucket Second Chances by Pamela M. Kelley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Claire Shipman never imagined she'd be the single mom of a teenager, going through a contentious divorce, and unexpectedly pregnant. On the bright side, at least she's on Nantucket, where she grew up, and where her mother and grandmother welcome her home with open arms.

For years, Claire lived an enviable Manhattan lifestyle. Until her ex had a marriage-ending affair and also lost his job and all their money. Claire's high school friends invite her to their book club and an off-hand joke that she could sell one of her Hermes bags sparks a business idea.

Her friend's brother, Cody, is a furniture builder with a spare storefront. He's initially skeptical about the prospects of a "used handbag shop".

But Claire is determined. With the support of Lily, her mother, grandmother, old friends and new, she begins to build a true second chance at a new life.
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I have long been a fan of Pamela Kelley's books set on the island of Nantucket, and this latest offering gave me a welcome opportunity to escape once again to the summer destination of my dreams. As a divorced woman myself, I felt some empathy for Claire's need to start over after her ex-husband's affair ended their marriage, and I was all too ready to see him as a really bad guy (You will have to read the book to see if I was right!). And I was happy to root for Claire as she picked herself, moved back home to her mother's house in Nantucket, and came up with a plan to support herself, her teenage daughter, and her surprise new addition on-the-way all on her own.

Luckily for Claire, she found waiting for her on her return home the welcoming arms of some old friends, an unexpected business opportunity, and maybe even a new chance for love in her life someday. This is a real story of a Phoenix rising from the ashes of her former life, and I really enjoyed being a spectator as Claire took her victory lap. This is a perfect beach read, even if you don't make it to the beach this summer, because Nantucket is the perfect place to visit in your imagination through the pages of this very enjoyable book.

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Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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For over eighty years, Joy Bridport has played by the rules: she's been a devoted wife and mother, contributing to the community in her small Hudson Valley town. But her quiet existence is jolted when she learns that her best friend, Hazel, only has months left to live. Hazel has always been the more adventurous one of their duo, and she seems at peace with all that she’s squeezed out of her long life. Yet Joy realizes she can’t say the same.

Determined to live boldly and make the most of the time that she and Hazel have left together, Joy steps outside of her comfort zone—and into a bit of trouble. But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates into committing petty crime, Joy must consider what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind, and whether there's a way for her to embrace the liberation that "Bad Joy" offers without losing all that she holds dear.

Is it ever too late to become who we're meant to be? With laugh-out-loud hijnks and emotional heft, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a heartwarming and wise celebration of the choices we make, the friendships we cherish, and the lengths we go for love.
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I have come to really enjoy reading stories that pay tribute to the enduring power of women's friendships, and Brammer's latest offering fit right into that category for me. Her lifelong friendship with Hazel served as a central theme in this book, and the way she grew as a person as their friendship experienced a kind of role reversal was explored very well. I think it will resonate with many women as it often becomes a reality for as we age and enter later stages of our lives. However, I don't think this book is only for the mature reader, as these themes of friendship are universal and can be enjoyed by all ages.

I also enjoyed Joy's transformation from "Good Joy" to "Bad Joy," as she realized that she had led a bit of a buttoned-up life and perhaps had done herself a disservice in doing so. Some of her Bad Joy moments, I have to admit, made me uncomfortable (It appears I may be a good girl at heart.), but they were key to her growth. Much like Brammer's debut novel, The Collected Regrets of Clover, this book left me with some things to think about regarding my own life and how I am living it, and in my opinion, that is a hallmark of a great read.

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The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Bantam via NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Aria Stokes is finally feeling settled—she lives in a tiny New York apartment, works as a bookseller at a local shop, and has even taken a leap of faith in love by indulging her attraction to bookstore regular Jasper. And he seems to already know her so well.

As a Valentine’s Day surprise, Jasper gets the two of them tickets to an exclusive, after-dark tour of the Daedalus Library—the grandiose establishment famed for its immersive genre-based reading rooms and, more notoriously, its rumored hauntings. While Aria normally loves all things ghastly, this place holds more dark secrets than she’d prefer Jasper to know. Like that the last time she was here, she left a body behind.

But when the automatic-door entry malfunctions and Aria, Jasper, and the five other people in their tour group become trapped in the library, they are forced to venture through the storied rooms and hidden passageways of the Daedalus in search of escape . . . and Aria quite literally has nowhere to hide from the shadows of her past. Then the group learns there’s a murderer in their midst.

Now, as she tries to break out of the library’s intricate reading rooms, Aria has to decide who she can trust—and what secrets are best kept buried—if she wants to make it out alive.
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Wow.

This book was a WILD ride.

I read Pliego's debut novel last year, and I really enjoyed it, so when I was offered the opportunity to read this one ahead of publication, I jumped at the chance. I love a good thriller, and like many readers, I love books about books, so I assumed I would like this book. Well, I didn't just like this book. I LOVED this book.

Apparently, I am a big fan of locked room thrillers. I mentioned in my review of her first novel that I wanted to read it because it reminded me of the movies Clue and Murder by Death, both cult classics, and in some ways this book had that same kind of feel to it. You stick a whole bunch of people into a building (in this case a library) that they can't escape from with a killer on the loose, and you have a book that I want to read. However, not everyone can execute a locked room thriller as skillfully as Pliego has managed to do in this book, and I spent two long reading sessions today engrossed in the pages of The Library After Dark. I had to take a break in the middle in the same way that you sometimes have to turn off a scary movie because it is getting to be too much...it's not a bad thing; it just shows that the movie is That Good. However, after a break for lunch, I got right back to it and did not set my Kindle aside until the end. There were some excellent twists that I did not see coming, and some twists that I thought I saw coming never materialized, which is the mark of a great thriller, IMO. I can't wait to read Pliego's next book!

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