reecaspieces

Overview

A dynamic, honest, and beautifully written novel about a young mother who returns to her small-town Wisconsin home after living in a cult-like “Mommune,” and what happens with the other women in her family as they each navigate the constraints, complexities, and joys of modern motherhood.

Cass Simon never expected to return to small-town Wisconsin—not after escaping life inside a cult-like “Mommune” and falling under the spell of an online mom-fluencer. But with nowhere left to turn, she finds herself back under her family’s roof, carrying more questions than answers about what it means to be a mother.

Waiting for Cass is her own mother, Remy—hardworking matriarch of the Baumhaus supper club. Remy’s love for her children is fierce but tangled with old grief and the fear of letting go, especially as she prepares to say goodbye to the family business that has anchored them for generations.

Beside them stands Hilary, Cass’s older sister—an artist and devoted mother whose divorce has shaken her belief in herself; and Erin, a Simon by marriage, who is quietly battling heartbreak as she struggles to find gratitude for a pregnancy that both terrifies and redeems her. Each of the Simon women pursues her own vision of motherhood: Cass’s instinct for protection after trauma, Remy’s hope to be a harbor her daughters can always return to, and her sisters’ hard-won wisdom about letting go of perfection. 

Set against the backdrop of a vibrant, sometimes claustrophobic Wisconsin town, this dynamic and beautifully honest novel explores forgiveness, the bonds—and boundaries—of family, and the deeply personal journey of discovering what it truly means to be a “good mother.”

Review

This is a story about bad decisions and the stress of trying to be perfect.

Cass Simon never expected to return to small-town Wisconsin—not after escaping life inside a cult-like “Mommune” and falling under the spell of an online mom-fluencer. But with nowhere left to turn, she finds herself back under her family’s roof, carrying more questions than answers about what it means to be a mother.

Talk about bad decisions….Cass is notorious throughout this tale for making bad decisions. She did it all with good intentions, but still! Usually I get a bit frustrated with characters that constantly do this, but I felt for Cass! She really wants to do what is right.

This whole family is a bit of a mess. But they are good folks! You know it deep in your soul. And let me tell you…they take you on a ride that makes you wonder how all of this is going to work out!

I enjoyed this tag team of narrators, Caitlin Davies, Emma Love, Alexandra Hunter, Nan McNamara. They brought this whole family to life.

Need a family drama in which you will feel a great connection…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Overview

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She’s built her life–and her late grandmother’s tearoom, Tea Thyme–around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He’s looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn’t matter that she’s ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn’s heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled–Wisteria hasn’t seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship–and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

Review

Daphne has a new neighbor. Finn is opening a pub next to her “steeped in tradition” tea shop. These two are at odds right off the bat.

I enjoyed Finn and Daphne. The banter between these two is fabulous, especially the hashtag war. Very cute indeed.

Not only is this cute, but it has some intense moments as well. When the hurricane and the flooding hit, the intensity jumps up a notch.

It is a bit long but the banter and the great characters keep it moving.

These two narrators, Ann Marie Gideon, and Christopher Ashman, nailed their parts

Need a rivalry romance with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

The cast of a smash TV show arrives at a quilter’s retreat for a week of camaraderie and creativity that takes some surprising twists in this heartwarming new installment of Jennifer Chiaverini’s much-beloved Elm Creek Quilts series.

Acclaimed TV actress Julia Merchaud almost can’t believe her good fortune. Her beloved historical drama, A Patchwork Life, revived her career and made stars of several younger actors. But Julia’s happiness turns to dismay when she learns that the hit show will have only one more season. Can she convince everyone to stay just a little longer?

Inspiration comes after a conversation with Summer Sullivan, one of the expert quilters who helped Julia prepare for her role. When Summer confides that Elm Creek Quilt Camp is in financial trouble, Julia concocts a brilliant plan that will help the Elm Creek Quilters and herself.

Julia sets about persuading the cast and crew to join her for what she promises will be a marvelous week at a luxurious nineteenth-century mansion amid the autumnal splendor of central Pennsylvania, a creative and dynamic working vacation they’ll never forget. Secretly, she hopes the bonding experience will convince them to abandon their other plans and sign on for another few seasons. But after several joyful days of quilting and camaraderie, Julia’s scheme takes an unexpected turn. Soon she’ll have to make hard choices about which matters more—career or friendship.

Review

Acclaimed TV actress Julia Merchaud almost can’t believe her good fortune. Her beloved historical drama, A Patchwork Life, revived her career and made stars of several younger actors. But Julia’s happiness turns to dismay when she learns that the hit show will have only one more season. Can she convince everyone to stay just a little longer?

Julia makes some serious mistakes in this tale. But, this just makes her more real and she made the whole book for me. I love how she is determined to make amends. She truly tries to do what is right!

I have read quite a few of this author’s books. And, as with this one, they all have a bit of useless information. This one is full of sewing, stitching and quilting. I mean…look at the title. But, the story is good, it is just a bit too much on the filler.

The narrator is Christina Moore and she is a true pro!

Need a wholesome novel for a quick summer read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Purchase Here

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Overview

The third in the witty and captivating series following bestselling author Eleanor Dash, who once again has to swap her sun hat for her detective hat, when a body is found at a murder mystery writing conference in the Bahamas.

Eleanor Dash can never catch a break. Not only has she had to solve two real-life murder plots in the past year, but both times it was when she was meant to be on vacation. Now she’s finally got a ticket to a relaxing weekend—an all-inclusive resort at the Bahamas where she’s speaking at a conference for murder mystery writers—but she arrives to find a body on the floor of her hotel room. Because of course she does.

With plenty of familiar faces at the resort, any one of them could have been the intended target or the culprit behind it all. Was it Oliver Forrest, Eleanor’s dashing boyfriend who’s in danger of getting dropped by his publisher because his sales are dwindling? Or Connor Smith, Eleanor’s infuriating ex-lover-turned-bestselling-rom-com-author with a sordid past of his own? Or her sister Harper, whose own stilted writing career has been a sore point for years as Eleanor’s has soared? Perhaps it’s one of the other writers also in attendance, as friends, frenemies and foes from Eleanor’s past all seem to be invited to the island.

Surrounded by mystery writers who know all too well the many ways to craft the perfect crime, Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and do whatever it takes to get out of this weekend alive.

Review

Eleanor has finally got a ticket to a relaxing weekend—an all-inclusive resort at the Bahamas where she’s speaking at a conference for murder mystery writers—but she arrives to find a body on the floor of her hotel room. Because of course she does.

I like Eleanor. She is a bit of a ham! She definitely keeps this story moving along with her deductions and antics.

I struggled with this rating. I love Catherine Mack (Catherine McKenzie). I have been a fan of her work since I won a copy of her first book Spin. But, I am not a fan of this series. I have read book one in this series and I skipped book two. So, I thought I would try book three. Even though it is cute, it is more of a cozy mystery. This has a lot of characters and is a bit slow in spots.

The narrator, Elizabeth Evans, is a very good Eleanor. She handles all these characters very well!

Need a quick mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

What if everyone in the world found out who their soulmates are at the same time?

Olivia Adler’s life is picture-perfect: a behind-the-scenes job she loves in a bustling Manhattan newsroom, an engagement to golden-boy Wells, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create the documentary she’s always wanted to make.

Then one sleepless night, everything unravels.

One message on Wells’s phone shatters her engagement.

A second message—an anonymous global email quickly dubbed Soulmail—shakes the world.

Delivered to every individual on earth, Soulmail reveals the name and birthdate of their soulmates. Suddenly, love as the world knows it is rewritten overnight, and Olivia accidentally becomes the face of the phenomenon when she reports on the story live and goes viral.

With millions watching her every move, Olivia resolutely refuses to open her Soulmail. She’s not ready for fate to make her choices—especially not now. But when she crosses paths with her childhood best friend—the boy she loved and lost—everything she thought she knew about destiny, timing, and love comes into question.

Review

Wow! A soulmail! Interesting concept.

Delivered to every individual on earth, Soulmail reveals the name and birthdate of their soulmates. Suddenly, love as the world knows it is rewritten overnight, and Olivia accidentally becomes the face of the phenomenon when she reports on the story live and goes viral.

Well I have to say…this is a unique romance. Kudos to the author for coming up with this plot. This does not mean that it has some predictable parts but I love this idea.

And I love Olivia. She is someone who refuses to open her soulmail. And I love this for her. She stands her ground. But it might have saved her some heartache later…you need to read this to find out!

This is narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. She definitely brought these characters to life!

Need a unique romance to start your week…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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OVERVIEW

Those lucky enough to live in the elite lakefront community of Cloverhill Lakes are drawn to it for its safety and top-notch school district. The moms meet for coffee at the park while their kids play, they’re heavily involved in the PTA, and the summers are filled with chardonnay, brunch, sundresses, and backyard bonfires.

But everything changes when Regan Hoffman’s car explodes at the annual Labor Day party. The wrong person is killed, but it was meant for her. As the carefully crafted walls of her community begin to crumble, Regan tries to keep it together—something made infinitely harder when she sees her dead husband…alive.

When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.

Review

When a Cloverhill Lakes resident suddenly goes missing, dark secrets begin to surface from underneath the idyllic veneer of their beautiful community—and the truth threatens to destroy them all as Regan finds herself in a fight for her life.

Y’all know I love a book with secrets, and this book is full of it! Not only that…this book has twists and turns that you do not see coming!

At first I was a bit lost…this has quite a few characters. But as I got to know the characters and their situations, I was hooked. I am very thankful I listened to it. The narrators, Brittany Pressley, Rebecca Lowman and Karissa Vacker, did a great job keeping the voices different for me. And I will listen to anything Karissa Vacker narrates.

Need a domestic thriller to get you through the weekend…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Purchase Here

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