reecaspieces

Overview

Revisit this heartfelt second chance romance book from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery. Previously published as A Dad for Billie.

Banker Adam Barrington’s quiet life is disrupted when a baseball smashes his window. Intrigued by the eight-year-old culprit who recently moved next door, Adam is shocked to discover that her mother is Jane Southwick, his ex-fiancée, who left him at the altar years ago.
When Jane decided to return to her hometown and move in to her parent’s old house, she knew that facing her next-door neighbor was inevitable, but when her daughter finds a window to his house—and his heart—Jane is delighted with the bond growing between Adam and the little girl. Now she must confess the secret she has been carrying in her heart for years and risk everything for a second chance at love and family.

Review

I enjoy this author’s books, but this one fell a bit short.

Banker Adam Barrington’s quiet life is disrupted when a baseball smashes his window. Intrigued by the eight-year-old culprit who recently moved next door, Adam is shocked to discover that her mother is Jane Southwick, his ex-fiancée, who left him at the altar years ago.

This is a second chance romance. And yall, I am not sure I would have had that much forgiveness to give this couple a second chance. She left him at the altar, then she had his baby and didn’t tell him for 8 years. That is a lot to forgive. And I will be honest, it has some eye roll moments in some of the dialogue.

What saved this book for me was the little girl Billie. She has some really cute antics.

The narrator, Tanya Eby, did a pretty good job. I think the story was just a bit unbelievable and it just lacked the kick needed.

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

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Overview

Life has a way of changing your path–and Claire Karadec certainly didn’t plan on a fork in the road in her forties. From New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh comes a witty, warm, and uplifting novel about second chances, found family, and the courage it takes to become yourself–perfect for fans of Annabel Monaghan and Sarah Adams.

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.

Review

Oh! I loved these characters!

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.

Claire is determined to overcome her public divorce. I loved her tenacity and her humor. And trust me there are some hilarious interactions between Claire and her landlord, Miles.

This is a story about life changing decisions and overcoming past hurts. This book made me smile and took me on a wonderful ride around Chicago with Claire and Miles

The narrator is one I recognized immediately, Patti Murin. She is one of my favorites from Katherine Center books.

Need a story with great characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

The ultimate summer suspense novel is perfect for beach read lovers everywhere! 

Some people lose themselves in a novel. Others lose everything.

Holly Sinclair, a struggling author, is dead broke. After being evicted from her New York apartment, she returns to her family’s dilapidated beach house in coastal New England with one urgent goal: write a book that sells. Fast. 

Reinventing herself won’t be easy, but the old seaside town offers a few unexpected allies. Gail, a driven local Realtor, introduces her to a charming handyman who can help her get back on her feet. Serena, the town psychic, offers encouragement and an unsettling warning about danger ahead. And Jade, a teen runaway, is hiding out in Holly’s attic and desperately needs a safe place to land. 

Holly takes Jade in, and soon the girl finds work with the powerful Carmichael family. Their dynasty has faded, but their connection to Holly’s past is darker than she wants to remember. Their secrets could put both women at risk. 

Not everyone is glad to see Holly return. Someone in town is watching her every move. The Watcher knows something Holly doesn’t. The past may be a foggy echo, but it’s close enough to come rushing in with the tide.

Review

I am not gonna lie. I was very hesitant to read this book. Because I was not a big fan of The Block Party. I would have missed a good one if I had listened to myself 😂.

Holly Sinclair, a struggling author, is dead broke. After being evicted from her New York apartment, she returns to her family’s dilapidated beach house in coastal New England. This house and this town has a lot of bad memories. Holly’s sister died here and she is determined to discover exactly what happened.

There is quite a bit going on in this novel. You have a mystery, an old house, a psychic, a young squatter, and a town that wants Holly to go away. Oh, and a rich family that is hiding quite a bit!

This is a story that is full of questions with several twists and turns to keep you guessing. Now, could it have been about 30-50 pages shorter….YES. But that did not take away from the questions of the past…and trust me! I had quite a few questions.

There are also a good many characters and POVs. So, a good tag team of narrators is warranted. This is narrated by Emily Shaffer, Jane Oppenheimer, Jennifer Pickens, and Megan Tusing. They really did a great job.

Need a good family mystery for your beach trip…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

Three generations of women, an unforgettable summer of music, and the epic cross-country road trip they’ll never forget.
Summer, 1969: Eleanor Bell doesn’t have anything to lose. According to the doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon, so why not head west now? Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music again, in a swan song of her own? 
Except she forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she’s going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor. The last thing Nora wants to do before starting as one of Yale’s first female undergrads is hit the road. But then Nora hears something strange on the radio—her grandmother’s voice, singing. Nora and Leanne hop in their Chevy for a cross-country road trip, always one step behind Eleanor, who has been dubbed the Dame of Rock n’ Roll by none other than Johnny Carson. 
Full of nostalgia and awash with the warmth of summer, Lost in the Summer of ’69 is an epic celebration of savoring the encore-no matter what the next act may bring.

Review

Summer, 1969: Eleanor Bell doesn’t have anything to lose. According to the doctors, she might not remember how to sing or play guitar soon. Why not join the music festivals sweeping the country and lose herself in the music. Except she forgets, maybe on purpose, to tell anyone where she’s going. When her daughter, Leanne, discovers her mother missing, she enlists the help of her own daughter, Nora, to help her find Eleanor.

When I get Eleanor’s age, I sure hope I am as brave as she is. She went after something she thought she lost. Then there is Eleanor’s daughter, Leanne. She discovers a lot about herself on this road trip. And I was here for it!

This is a story about lost dreams and it just might take you back to your past. I so enjoyed the nostalgia! And I was way too young to remember 1969 but dang this sounded so cool.

There are places in this story where some of the phrases are repeated. But there are also some great quotes. For instance, talking about books… “She read them to live inside the pages.” Don’t we all!

Helen Laser, is the narrator. She was excellent, especially as Eleanor.

Need a story to take you away…THIS IS IT. Grab your copy today.

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

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Overview

“A love letter to motherhood, mending fences, and, of course, the bookstores that save us when it all feels like too much.” –Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Summer State of Mind

Life is full of plot twists…

Sandwiched between caring for her mother and rebuilding the relationship with her estranged daughter, Emma, Rosie Lucas’s life is full. In the best way. With Emma and her 3-year old daughter, Olive, back home, Rosie has a partner for The Rainy Day Bookshop, the family business, and a chance to fix the past. What she doesn’t have time for is a romantic relationship. And even if she did, Andrew Morgan is the last person she’d choose. Not only is he an arrogant and reclusive writer, but he’s a single dad with two young kids. She’s already been there, done that. Still as an irresistible flirtation builds between them, he becomes her unexpected confidante on the distance Rosie can’t seem to overcome with Emma, a secret she can’t quite unravel… 

Emma isn’t proud of her past. But she’s pulled herself up by the bootstraps, caring for her own daughter, and protecting her mom at all costs. Just as she always has. She never told Rosie what she saw all those years ago and she never will. But some secrets refuse to stay buried, and sometimes the truth is more shocking than fiction. Rosie and Emma will have to navigate an unimaginable path forward. Together. 

Review

Emma isn’t proud of her past. But she’s pulled herself up by the bootstraps, caring for her own daughter, and protecting her mom at all costs. Just as she always has. She never told Rosie what she saw all those years ago and she never will. But some secrets refuse to stay buried.

Emma’s life was diverted with drugs and bad decisions after an accident that killed her father. But she is back with her young daughter and she determined to make things right.

Sometimes you just need a sweet tale with family secrets and forgiveness to get you through your week. This is a story of loss, regrets and overcoming all of it!

Carly Robins narrates this book. I enjoyed her voice. She also did a great job with the child’s voice. I did not cringe…this is huge plus!

Need a sweet tale about family and little bit of a love story or two thrown in…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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Overview

What if you had the chance to revisit every choice that mattered?

Sabrina Sorensen is 37, single, and just lost a fabulous job as manager of a posh Parisian restaurant. She heads home to California for her younger sister’s engagement party, and it’s an open door for her mother and siblings to chide Sabrina for her inability to commit to any of her previous jobs and relationships. What they don’t know is that Sabrina, for fifteen long years, has been building her résumé in hopes of becoming an inspector for the famed MICHELIN guides—a path that has required keeping her ambitions hidden, even from her family. And, with the job loss, all she’s worked for is in jeopardy. After her mother’s final clumsy attempt to fix her up with the charming “boy next door,” Sabrina leaves the party and retreats to the Burbank Airport.

The problem? She has nowhere to go. 

She arrives at the airport, resolved to put the family conflict behind her and focus on her work, but now her mother’s critical voice fills her with doubts. Has she been wasting her life? Faced with the enormity of her next decision, Sabrina breaks down at the ticket counter. The ticket agent pulls her aside and offers her the life-altering opportunity to revisit some of her key life choices, both personal and professional. Sabrina suddenly is given the rare chance to answer the burning question: has she been foolish to sacrifice so much for her dream of becoming a Michelin inspector? And will a spark with an aspiring Danish chef change her priorities altogether?

Review

Sabrina Sorensen is 37, single, and just lost a fabulous job as manager of a posh Parisian restaurant. For fifteen long years, has been building her résumé in hopes of becoming an inspector for the famed MICHELIN guides. Has she been wasting her life? Faced with the enormity of her next decision, Sabrina breaks down at the airport ticket counter. The ticket agent pulls her aside and offers her the life-altering opportunity to revisit some of her key life choices, both personal and professional.

Sabrina gets a chance of a lifetime. She gets a chance to go back and fix her past mistakes. And trust me, she does not waste it. I love how the author makes her character grow with knowledge, grace and wisdom.

And just a little sidenote, don’t read this hungry. Trust me the food in here is going to make your mouth water. Plus, it has recipes!!

I have loved this author since I have read The School for German Brides. So make sure you read that one too!

The narrator, Caroline Hewitt, did a great job. There are quite a few male voices and she nailed them.

Need a book about second chances…THIS IS IT. Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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