Review: In a New York Minute

Estelle, publicist extraordinaire at Forever, has been gushing about Kate Spencer’s In a New York Minute for months. MONTHS. She has excellent taste so I had high hopes when I went into this new novel. And those hopes? Surpassed! I had so much fun reading this rom com and can’t recommend it enough.

Here’s the book’s description:

Franny Doyle is having the worst day. She’s been laid off from her (admittedly mediocre) job, the subway doors ripped her favorite silk dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the not-so-plus side, he can’t get away from her fast enough.
Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her knight-in-couture, Hayes Montgomery III, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping #SubwayQTs.
Only Franny and Hayes couldn’t be a more disastrous match. She’s fanciful, talkative, and creative. He’s serious, shy, and all about numbers. Luckily, in a city of eight million people, they never have to meet again. Yet somehow, Hayes and Franny keep running into each other—and much to their surprise, they enjoy each other’s company. A lot. But when Franny’s whole world is turned upside down (again!), can she find the courage to trust in herself and finally have the life—and love—she’s always wanted.

You have to love rom coms to really enjoy this book. It’s silly and outlandish but so, so well done. I liked that it kind of poked fun at rom coms and their tropes as Franny and her friends, as well as Hayes to an extent, fight against the HEA story people had written for Franny and Hayes after their initial meeting was captured on social media for all to comment on. Real life is not a movie and why are all these people pressuring Franny and Hayes to fall head over heels in love and live happily ever after? Of course, this is a rom com novel and that is what the reader is hoping for. A bit meta but it was great.

Even though Hayes rescues Franny on the subway, she’s not super enamoured with him and things only get worse when they’re thrown together again on a morning show. She bitches about him to her friends but she does eventually realize that her immediate impression couldn’t have been more wrong. I was kind of annoyed when one of her friends threw her words back at her and questioned why she was attracted to him when she had said she didn’t like him. She didn’t know the guy – and was very aware of that, which I did appreciate – and I didn’t like her friend’s implications. A small thing to not sit right with me but there we have it. But, like I said, she does get a better sense of Hayes the more she gets to know him and, being the kind, empathetic person she is, she “gets” him. She dismisses her earlier assumptions and that allows them to start over and begin to build an actual friendship (which of course you’re hoping turns into a romantic relationship!).

There’s a side story about Franny and her biological family that was interesting but didn’t always mesh with the rest of the story. I can totally understand family drama, trust me, and it added a deeper level to Franny and her story. But I don’t know if it always fit? It did allow for Franny to finally address some issues she’s had over the years about feeling like she didn’t fit in with her family (her mom and her step-dad) so to see her growth was really lovely. Family shit can hold you back and I was really glad she was able to make peace with those issues she had. And it was great to see Hayes immediately understand what she needed, even if he didn’t know how he understood and even though Franny didn’t know what she needed.

The secondary characters were wonderful without overtaking the story. Franny’s best friends, Cleo and Lola, were her ride or dies and their friendship was enviable. I adored reading their interactions with each other. And Hayes had Eleanor, his “work wife” and partner in business, and Perrine, his cousin, in his corner. And now that I’m writing this out I’m realizing there were not a whole lot of men in this story. Interesting.

This novel was also a love letter to New York City. I’ve only visited once, and very briefly, so I don’t really know the city. But that’s ok. Spencer does and the love she has for NYC shines through and I loved it.

All in all, In a New York Minute was too much fun. Rom com lovers simply must pick up Kate Spencer’s debut novel. I’m going to be recommending it to a lot of people for a long while to come! I can’t wait for her next book.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Honeybee Emeralds

I have to give a huge shoutout to my friend Heather from The Maritime Reader for putting The Honeybee Emeralds on my radar. I had been struggling with picking a new audiobook and she let me know that an advanced listening copy of Amy Tector’s novel was available to request on NetGalley. I am so, so, so glad she did because I loved this book. It had everything I like all rolled into one amazing package. Gah, so good!

Here’s the book’s description:

Alice Ahmadi has never been certain of where she belongs. When she discovers a famed emerald necklace while interning at a struggling Parisian magazine, she is plunged into a glittering world of diamonds and emeralds, courtesans and spies, and the long-buried secrets surrounding the necklace and its glamorous former owners.
When Alice realizes the mysterious Honeybee Emeralds could be her chance to save the magazine, she recruits her friends Lily and Daphne to form the “Fellowship of the Necklace.” Together, they set out to uncover the romantic history of the gems. Through diaries, letters, and investigations through the winding streets and iconic historic landmarks of Paris, the trio begins to unravel more than just the secrets of the necklace’s obsolete past. Along the way, Lily and Daphne’s relationships are challenged, tempered, and changed. Lily faces her long-standing attraction to a friend, who has achieved the writing success that eluded her. Daphne confronts her failing relationship with her husband, while also facing simmering problems in her friendship with Lily. And, at last, Alice finds her place in the world—although one mystery still remains: how did the Honeybee Emeralds go from the neck of American singer Josephine Baker during the Roaring Twenties to the basement of a Parisian magazine?

I mentioned at the top that this story had everything I like. There was a mystery, a historical element, and a hint of romance. And the fact that the mystery surrounded a piece of artwork (because, yes, the craftsmanship of the necklace made it a work of art)? Oh, yes. I was into it. And even with all of that going on, the story worked! I felt that Tector handled each thread masterfully and I never felt like there was too much stuffed into one story.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, which I loved. Alice, Lily, and Daphne all have chapters of their own. There are a few historical sections as well that help explain the necklace’s background without giving too much away too soon. And sometimes the reader gets in the head of the magazine’s long time office manager, too. (I can’t, for the life of me, remember her name and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to spell it properly anyway. *face palm*) Each woman is so very different but they manage to connect with each other and learn from one another.

The narrator, Lameece Issaq, was great. I was a bit put off by some of her accents but eventually I got over it (and it’s possible that some of the issues were because I was listening to this audiobook at 2x speed which can distort things a little). There was the odd time I felt like she hadn’t quite come out of one accent before going into another when characters were speaking to each other. But there were a lot of accents to master – Alice was from Yorkshire, Daphne, Lily, and Jacob were American (thankfully without strong accents), Luc and the office manager were French, and Alexander was Icelandic. But Issaq’s voice while reading the rest of the story, dialogue aside, was a delight and I probably could have listened to her all day.

Both Heather and I love reading Canadian authors so that’s part of what drew us to this book. The story may not be set in our fine country but I’m here for supporting Canadian authors, especially ones I may not have heard of before. And now that I have read Tector’s work? I cannot wait for her next book.

I wouldn’t really know where to begin if asked to describe The Honeybee Emeralds. But I would say that I highly recommend Amy Tector’s novel. I enjoyed every second of it and it is, so far, on my list of top three favourite books of 2022!

*An advanced audio listening copy was provided by the publisher, Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* 

Review: Kamila Knows Best

I only finally read my first Farah Heron book in 2021, even though I'd had a copy of The Chai Factor on my shelf since it had been published in 2019. Kamila Knows Best is Heron’s latest novel and the rom com based on Jane Austen’s Emma was such a delight to read.

Here’s the book’s description:

Kamila Hussain’s life might not be perfect, but, whew, it’s close. She lives a life of comfort, filled with her elaborate Bollywood movie parties, a dog with more Instagram followers than most reality stars, a job she loves, and an endless array of friends who clearly need her help finding love. In fact, Kamila is so busy with her friends’ love lives, she’s hardly given any thought to her own . . .
Fortunately, Kamila has Rohan Nasser. A longtime friend of the family, he’s hugely successful, with the deliciously lean, firm body of a rock climber. Only lately, Kamila’s “harmless flirting” with Rohan is making her insides do a little bhangra dance.
But between planning the local shelter’s puppy prom, throwing a huge work event, and proving to everyone that she’s got it all figured out, Kamila isn’t letting herself get distracted—until her secret nemesis returns to town with an eye for Rohan. Suddenly, it seems like the more Kamila tries to plan, the more things are starting to unravel—and her perfectly ordered life is about to be turned upside down.

You don’t have to have read Emma to enjoy this novel but I think Austen fans will appreciate it that much more. I was having serious Clueless vibes throughout which made sense when I read Heron’s note at the end where she says that’s her favourite adaptation. This is, clearly, not a faithful adaptation (can you imagine Austen watching Bollywood films? How amazing would that be?) but Heron captured the essence of Emma and put her own refreshing twist on the classic novel. I am glad I reread Emma back in 2020 as I enjoyed it a lot more than the last time I read it and, if I hadn’t, I don’t think I could have enjoyed Kamila Knows Best as I did.

I don’t know if it was just my mood but it took me until about halfway through the book before I was really feeling the story. It could have been partially because Kamila, like Emma, is pretty self-centred and it took awhile for me to really see Kamila’s big heart. There’s a scene in Emma where Emma is incredibly rude to one of the spinster women in her social circle and it’s always hard to read because it’s just so mean. Heron reimagines the scene with a different character and, honestly, I felt that Kamila was justified in her response. Jana was just as rude, if not more so, and I couldn’t blame Kamila for lashing out. Was it a bit immature? Maybe. But she was hurt. I always appreciated her self-confidence and realized I was totally Team Kamila as other characters kept constantly slamming her for enjoying fashion and couldn’t understand that she was an incredibly smart and competent woman. I was not having it and I was so proud of Kamila for standing up for herself.   

As always, I loved that Heron set this book in Toronto. Any time I find a romance set in Canada, I’m a happy camper (and I adore Forever for publishing so many of them and understanding that everyone enjoys Canadian set books). I also loved experiencing Kamila’s Indian lifestyle and her weekly Bollywood parties. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a Bollywood movie myself but Heron wrote Kamila’s parties so well that I was experiencing major FOMO while reading the book. And even though I don’t enjoy most Indian spices (I love spicy but not certain spices), I was so hungry as I was reading. 

Kamila Knows Best is another great rom com from Farah Heron. I had a lot of fun reading it and think other rom com lovers – especially Jane Austen fans – will enjoy it too.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Suite Spot

Trish Doller’s Float Plan was a one of my favourite books of 2021 (I had to triple check when I read it because what is time anymore?) so I was SO excited to read The Suite Spot this year, which features the sister of the main character from Float Plan. Rachel’s story has a different feel than Anna’s but was just as amazing. I read The Suite Spot in one sitting because I was so completely invested – but I didn’t want it to end!

Here’s the book’s description:

Rachel Beck has hit a brick wall. She’s a single mom, still living at home and trying to keep a dying relationship alive. Aside from her daughter, the one bright light in Rachel’s life is her job as the night reservations manager at a luxury hotel in Miami Beach—until the night she is fired for something she didn’t do.
On impulse, Rachel inquires about a management position at a brewery hotel on an island in Lake Erie called Kelleys Island. When she’s offered the job, Rachel packs up her daughter and makes the cross country move.
What she finds on Kelleys Island is Mason, a handsome, moody man who knows everything about brewing beer and nothing about running a hotel. Especially one that’s barely more than foundation and studs. It’s not the job Rachel was looking for, but Mason offers her a chance to help build a hotel—and rebuild her own life—from the ground up.

Rachel is a fantastic heroine. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after reading Anna’s story and was a little wary that Rachel is a mom (I can’t always click with stories about moms – I know I don’t need to “relate to” everything and everyone but this can be a tough one) but I ended up absolutely loving her. She’s pretty accepting of her full bodied figure but struggles with her appearance a little bit, just like most people. It was yet another great reminder that beauty comes in every shape and size and I loved it. I always know I love a character when I wish I could be friends with them and I most definitely wanted to be friends with Rachel!

Mason is a total grump when we meet him but as we learn more about him – and as Rachel and her daughter slowly chip away at his defenses just by being their wonderful selves – the reader learns about his past and his grumpiness all makes sense. He’s not miraculously “cured” by Rachel and their feelings for each other but she helps him open up and gives him the time he needs to work through the issues he has. It was a really refreshing relationship and I was rooting for the pair of them the whole way through the novel.

I found myself really wishing this brewery hotel existed. I don’t live too far from where the book is set so if it was a real place, I could get there pretty easily. Alas, as far as I can tell, Kelleys Island does not boast a brewery hotel as created by Mason and Rachel. Visiting such a place has definitely moved up my travel bucket list and I thoroughly enjoyed the armchair travel part of this book – I appreciated that it was a totally different kind of wanderlust than inspired by Float Plan!

Reading Trish Doller’s The Suite Spot was like getting a warm hug from a book and was exactly what I needed at the time. The novel is well written and full of characters who will feel like friends. I highly recommend reading it!

My review of Float Plan

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* 

Review: Jameela Green Ruins Everything

Zarqa Nawaz’s debut novel was described to me as being a dark comedy. Between that and the cover, I thought, hey this could be a good read. And it was. Jameela Green Ruins Everything is completely bonkers in the best way but underneath the excellent writing and entertaining story, the novel also takes a look at the issues between the US and the Middle East. It’s heavy and light all at the same time and it’s a great read.

Here’s the book’s description:

Jameela Green only has one wish.
To see her memoir on the New York Times bestseller list. When her dream doesn’t come true, she seeks spiritual guidance at her local mosque. New imam and recent immigrant Ibrahim Sultan is appalled by Jameela’s shallowness, but agrees to assist her on one condition: that she perform a good deed.
Jameela reluctantly accepts his terms, kicking off a chain of absurd and unfortunate events. When the person the two do-gooders try to help is recruited by a terrorist group called D.I.C.K.—Dominion of the Islamic Caliphate and Kingdoms—the federal authorities become suspicious of Ibrahim, and soon after, the imam mysteriously disappears. 
Certain that the CIA have captured Ibrahim for interrogation via torture, Jameela decides to set off on a one-woman operation to rescue him. Her quixotic quest soon finds her entangled in an international plan targeting the egomaniacal leader of the terrorist organization—a scheme that puts Jameela, and countless others, including her hapless husband and clever but disapproving daughter, at risk.

I honestly wasn’t expecting to laugh as much as I did when I started reading this book. It is funny and so well written. The circumstances aren’t funny – Jameela’s imam is being forced to infiltrate a terrorist group. But that group goes by D.I.C.K. Like, come on. How can you not snicker?

Nawaz’s characters will stick in your mind for a long while. Not just Jameela and Ibrahim but the terrorists they encounter as well. You won’t feel sympathetic for those men, not exactly, but by meeting a large number of the residents in the community, you’ll be reminded that human nature is complicated and not as black and white as we like to think.

Jameela isn’t a particularly likeable character as she’s pretty self-centred and comes across as a bit abrasive. But, over the course of the novel, the reader learns why Jameela is the way she is and, again, is reminded that there are layers to people and reasons for their actions that we may never know about. Jameela dealt with a hugely traumatic event when she was a teen and hadn’t appropriately dealt with it, though she thought she had. It was really lovely to see her work through some issues and have some closure by the end of the book.

I was honestly on the edge of my seat as I was reading this book. I had no idea how Jameela was going to save herself and Ibrahim from D.I.C.K. And then her daughter shows up and my stress levels skyrocketed. Her daughter is a force to be reckoned with though – she was so fun to read. I truly couldn’t have predicted the ending (though I knew what I was hoping for, the details were fuzzy) and I really appreciated that.

As serious as some of the topics in Zarqa Nawaz’s novel are, Jameela Green Ruins Everything still manages to be lighthearted and you’ll find yourself laughing at some of the circumstances Jameela and friends get into. It’s worth a read!

*An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The School of Mirrors

The School of Mirrors was the first book I’ve read by Eva Stachniak. She was born in Poland but moved to Canada in the 1980s so we’ve kind of claimed her as our own. She’s been writing for years so when I was intrigued by her latest release, I thought it was time to give her books a try. Um. It did not go well. I finished the book but…probably shouldn’t have. The history – Versailles! – wasn’t enough and the characters and the way the story was written really didn’t work for me.

Here’s the book’s description:

During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries.
Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors.
This is also the story of the King’s daughter by Veronique—Marie-Louise. Well-provided for in a comfortable home, Marie-Louise has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. But eventually Veronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise’s birth. But the new King—Louis XVI—is teetering on his throne and it’s a volatile time in France…and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully.

I had read and loved a series about the mistresses of King Louis XV a few years ago (they’re by Sally Christie and I HIGHLY recommend them) so my hopes were high that I would enjoy the historical part of this story. I did feel like I was in France during that tumultuous time but it wasn’t enough to hold my interest. Especially because there was such a huge amount of time covered in this book. It starts with the opulence of Versailles when the King was still in his prime and ends with the French Revolution and his grandson (and many, many others) being beheaded by the guillotine. Yeah, there was a lot going on.

The way this story was written was really strange. Veronique’s sections (there are no real chapters in this book – I didn’t mind but I know others found it really irritating) were in the first person. But there were third person sections from a few other characters, such as Madame de Pompadour. And then there’s another part and all of a sudden Veronique is gone and we’re following Marie-Louise around, also in third person. It was odd.

The strongest part of the story for me was the history about midwifery that Stachniak includes. There’s a scene when Angélique du Coudray arrives at Versailles to teach Louis XV and his fans about birthing with the help of The Machine she had invented (look her up – it’s fascinating and amazing what she did throughout her lifetime). Then, Marie-Louise is raised by a midwife and eventually learns the trade herself. The reader gets to learn about the process of apprenticing and testing which I quite enjoyed.

I can’t say I’d recommend The School of Mirrors by Eva Stachniak. I didn’t enjoy my time reading the book – even with the interest I had in the time period and the surprising tidbits about midwifery – but maybe I’m an anomaly. It’s a shame, though, as this cover is absolutely stunning!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Doubleday Canada (Penguin Random House of Canada), via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist

Well, we’re about to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day so may as well review a Christmas novel, right? I was swamped with full time work and full time school last semester so many books and reviews got shoved aside as I tried to not fail my classes or my new job. Sorry, books! Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall was a fun book to read during all that madness. I read it a few days after Christmas and it kept me entertained throughout.

Here’s the book’s description:

Nick Winter is just out of the military, and his Christmas homecoming is not going as planned. What was supposed to be a memorable holiday with his long-time girlfriend goes sour when he learns she cheated on him while he was stationed overseas. At least Nick can rely on his usual shift at the family Christmas tree farm with his best friend, Noel Carter, and her endless supply of Christmas tunes to lift his spirits. A night of fun together is just what he needs to forget about his ex.
But then they kiss. And it feels...so right.
If Noel can turn Nick’s Blue Christmas merry and bright, this might be the last Christmas Nick spends with a broken heart. This year, they’ll be Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree as a couple―as long as Nick’s ex doesn’t go standing under any mistletoe.

I’m a sucker for friends to lovers romances (yes, they’re better than enemies to lovers and I will never waver on that fact) so I was immediately interested in this romance because of that trope. Nick and Noel have had an interesting friendship since they grew up together but they both joined the military, with Nick staying in longer, so they’ve been long distance BFFs for a long time. Once Nick is home for good, they have to relearn how to be friends but, hoo boy there are some serious sexy sparks between them that they really can’t resist.

I didn’t love the way the storyline went with Nick’s ex or the guy Noel had been sort of not really dating. They were both really harmful relationships (for different reasons) and Noel was constantly being verbally and mentally attacked and Nick didn’t seem to get it. Even after all this time since I’ve read it, I’m still left with a not great feeling with how those things went down in the book.

The Christmas spirit was alive and well in this book. Nick’s parents own a Christmas tree farm, which is probably my favourite setting for a holiday novel. Family AND Christmas trees? Perfection. Even with all of the holiday hullabaloo, you could read this at any time of year if you wanted. Maybe a Christmas in July pick?

Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist was a really fun rom com that I enjoyed reading. I’ll have to make sure to check out Codi Hall’s other novels to see if they’re equally as entertaining.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Looking for Jane

There aren’t many things that feel better to an avid reader than being absolutely surprised and delighted by a book. I expected to enjoy Looking for Jane, Heather Marshall’s debut novel, of course. I didn’t, however, expect it to be my first five star read of the year. I loved every single thing about this book and will be recommending it to all historical fiction fans for the rest of the year. Probably longer.

Here’s the book’s description:

Tell them you’re looking for Jane.
2017
When Angela Creighton discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession in a stack of forgotten mail, she is determined to find the intended recipient. Her search takes her back to the 1970s when a group of daring women operated an illegal underground abortion network in Toronto known only by its whispered code name: Jane...
1971
As a teenager, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was sent to a home for “fallen” women where she was forced to give up her baby for adoption—a trauma she has never recovered from. Despite harrowing police raids and the constant threat of arrest, she joins the Jane Network as an abortion provider, determined to give other women the choice she never had.
1980
After discovering a shocking secret about her family history, twenty-year-old Nancy Mitchell begins to question everything she has ever known. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she feels like she has no one to turn to for help. Grappling with her decision, she locates “Jane” and finds a place of her own alongside Dr. Taylor within the network’s ranks, but she can never escape the lies that haunt her.

Historical fiction is not created equally and Marshall has proven already that she is a strong addition to the genre. I never felt like I was reading a textbook but I definitely felt like I was completely immersed in the time(s) she was writing about. I hadn't thought too much about what the underground abortion network would have looked like in Canada. Or the US. Marshall states in her author’s note (does any other historical fiction fans love reading those notes just as much as the story?) that the Jane Network didn’t technically exist in Canada and she kind of combined networks and stories she learned while researching. There aren’t as many recorded stories as you may expect because so many records were destroyed after the abortion, if they were ever written down in the first place. And oral histories aren’t abundant either because some women don’t want to discuss their abortions, either because of trauma or shame. Even with those potential gaps in research, Marshall was still able to put together a smart, well researched novel.

Marshall had three different characters she was writing about and they were all so strong. Angela didn’t seem to be in the novel quite as much as Evelyn and Nancy but she plays an important part and her sections are impactful. I often find with multiple perspectives that I enjoy one character over the other(s). I didn’t have that feeling with this book. It could be that there was eventual overlap so I didn’t really feel like I was “missing” the other characters. But I think it has a lot to do with the way Marshall wrote the women and their stories. I cared about all of them and the story flowed really well.

If you know my reading tastes, you might be surprised that I loved a book with such strong themes of motherhood. I have absolutely no desire to be a mother and tend to shy away from books with those themes because I usually can't identify with them. I think what worked for me was that this was historical fiction and feminist. And, you know, I don’t hate mothers. I also felt like this was still really relevant in today's world. Canada legalized abortions well after the US but if you've paid attention to the news, even a little bit, you know there are still laws (and new ones being created) that limit a pregnant person's options. And these laws are being created, for the most part, by men. It's infuriating. 

I don’t often like to compare authors or books to others in a similar genre because there are so many nuances. That said, anyone who enjoys bestselling authors Genevieve Graham or Jennifer Robson will definitely enjoy Heather Marshall’s novel. She writes a quieter type of historical fiction and gives a story with heart and characters that will stick with you. I absolutely cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Looking for Jane was everything I wanted and more. I loved Heather Marshall’s debut (!?!) novel and cannot recommend it enough. It has a lot of tough storylines, so be kind to yourself, but it is most definitely worth a read.

Content warnings: abortion, adoption, infertility, death of a child, rape (off page)

*An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* 

Review: Bad Luck Bridesmaid

I read Bad Luck Bridesmaid well over a month ago now and I’m still sorting through what I thought of Alison Rose Greenberg’s debut novel. I enjoyed it. But did I actually like it? That, my friends, is the Big Question. Let’s prepare for a (likely rambling) analysis.

Here’s the book’s description:

It’s official: Zoey Marks is the cursed bridesmaid that no engagement can survive. Ten years, three empire waist dresses, and ZERO brides have walked down the aisle.
After strike three, Zoey is left wondering if her own ambivalence towards marriage has rubbed off on those she loves. And when her building distrust of matrimony culminates in turning down a proposal from her perfect All-American boyfriend, Rylan Harper III, she and Rylan are both left heartbroken, leaving Zoey to wonder: what is it exactly about tying the knot that makes her want to run in the opposite direction?
Enter Hannah Green: Zoey’s best friend, who announces that she’s marrying a guy she just met (cue eye roll). At a castle. In gorgeous, romantic Ireland, where Rylan will be in attendance, and Zoey will be a bridesmaid. It’ll be fine.
Okay, the woman definition of fine (NOT FINE).
Determined to turn her luck around, Zoey accepts her role and vows to get Hannah down the aisle—all the while praying her best friend’s wedded bliss will allow her to embrace marriage and get Rylan back.
But as the weekend goes on, Zoey is plagued with more questions than answers. Can you be a free spirit, yet still want a certain future? Can you have love and be loved on your terms? And how DO you wrangle a bossy falcon into doing your bidding?

Everyone is, obviously, entitled to their own feelings. I just couldn’t help but think Zoey was an idiot. She honestly believed that she was bad luck and she was the reason that her friends weren’t getting married. And that somehow meant that marriage was evil and there was no way that she could ever take part in the institution. I’m not married and my boyfriend and I have no plans to get married so I can respect the choice to not go through all the pomp and circumstance and paperwork that is a wedding and marriage. But Zoey’s reasoning was just so…bizarre. I absolutely could not get inside her head enough to empathize with her. Is that a huge problem? No. Not really. But I expect at least a little bit of that with certain genres and contemporary fiction (especially those with a romance storyline) is one of them.

Rylan was also an idiot. He expected to be able to change Zoey’s mind about marriage just by being his wonderful self instead of, you know, talking to her. The problem was that they both thought they were right and instead of discussing it like rational adults, they just assumed the other would change their mind. Guess what. They didn’t. And it was painful for all involved.

I did like Zoey. I think that helped me like the book a little more than I would have otherwise. She seemed like someone I could be friends with, which is always nice feeling to have while reading a novel.

It was nice to have a bit of armchair travel with this novel as Zoey heads off to Ireland for Hannah’s wedding. They got to stay in a castle and wander around and experience the grounds. I would definitely be up for that right about now.

I’m still not really sure what I think about Bad Luck Bridesmaid but I do know others have adored Alison Rose Greenberg’s debut novel. I would definitely be interested in what she writes next so that’s saying something. Keep in mind this isn’t actually a romance (the Happily Ever After is…kind of absent) but give it a read if it intrigues you. And then let me know what you think!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, SMP Romance (St. Martin’s Press), via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Alaska Dreams

Jennifer Snow’s Wild River series has been so lovely to read. The romances are all enjoyable and the backdrop of Alaska helps sweep me away when I’m reading. Alaska Dreams is the latest in the series and I was really looking forward to reading Selena’s romance. I liked the book but I’m not sure I liked the hero for Selena so that kind of let me down. It’s still worth a read if you’re a romance lover but I find myself hoping the next book will be better.

Here’s the book’s description:

Following a near-death experience, Selena Hudson is finally going after the career she wants. And since casting directors won’t see her as anything but a rom-com queen, Selena signs on to produce and star in her own movie—an edgy psychological thriller. But just as the cast and crew arrive on location in Wild River, Alaska, the leading man drops out of the production.
Reporter Gus Orosco is not hiding out in Wild River—he’s waiting for the dust to settle after his on-camera “overreaction” triggered by watching his ex-fiancee get engaged to a superstar hockey player. Gus doesn’t want to be anywhere near the film crew shooting at his family’s campgrounds, but Selena makes him an offer he can’t refuse: she’ll snag Gus an interview with Sports Beat if he’ll be her leading man. All Gus has to do is learn his lines, hit his marks and somehow ignore the sparks flying between them…even though they’re hot enough to melt the Alaskan snow.

I love Selena. She’s a big name rom com actress who’s trying to break out of the stereotype and prove she can do more than just rom coms (with no disrespect meant for the genre). She’s smart and she has a huge heart. This is why I think Snow let her down with Gus. There’s nothing really wrong with the guy. But here’s a dude who blew up on national TV when he had to report on a story of his ex-fiancée getting engaged to someone else. And then he’s a complete ass when Selena and the film crew show up at the camp. He did lose his job, yes, and his sister did forget to tell him they were coming and he expected solitude but it’s his own damn fault he lost his job because his poor little man feelings were hurt and he couldn’t keep them under wraps while the camera was rolling. And then, near the end, he tries to fix things without discussing them with Selena and then just makes it all worse. I wasn’t here for it. So it’s kind of a real bummer that I didn’t love the romance as much as I wanted to.

For those who like the steamier romances, this one had open door scenes – more, I think, than any of the other Wild River books. I’m kind of curious as to why Snow made that choice but, hey, it made for some good reading!

Part of why I love this series is the small town feel and how everyone knows everyone. I liked getting glimpses into what other characters were up to. I missed them and it was nice to get caught up.

I’m going to keep reading the Wild River series because Jennifer Snow’s romances do always leave me with warm and fuzzy feelings (which is a nice break from, you know, *waves arms at world*). Alaska Dreams was a fun read and I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Harlequin, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Never Fall for Your Fiancée

I never thought much about historical romance in the past. I’m sure I’ve said that before but I still feel…well, I suppose I feel new to the subgenre and want to state that up front. The latest historical romance I read was Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath, the first book in the Merriwell Sisters series. I’m still not sure if I’d really call it a rom com but there is a lot of amusing banter and hijinks that take place over the course of this romance novel that’s set in the 1800s. It was a really fun book to read over a weekend and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Here’s the book’s description:

The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever wants is a wife. Unfortunately for him, his mother is determined to find him one, even from across the other side of the ocean. So, Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother’s matchmaking ways at bay. But when Hugh learns his interfering mother is on a ship bound for England, he realizes his complicated, convoluted but convenient ruse is about to implode. Until he collides with a beautiful woman, who might just be the miracle he needs.
Minerva Merriwell has had to struggle to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since their feckless father abandoned them. Work as a woodcut engraver is few and far between, and the Merriwell sisters are nearly penniless. So, when Hugh asks Minerva to pose as his fiancée while his mother is visiting, she knows that while the scheme sounds ludicrous, the offer is too good to pass up.
Once Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh's estate, of course, nothing goes according to his meticulous plan. As hilarity and miscommunication ensue, while everyone tries to keep their tangled stories straight, Hugh and Minerva’s fake engagement starts to turn into a real romance. But can they trust each other, when their relationship started with a lie?

The actual premise of this novel is absolutely bonkers. You have to know that going in and you have to accept it. Otherwise, you’ll get super frustrated with the elaborate lies Hugh is making up just to fool his mother into thinking he’s changed and has finally found a woman to settle down with. They hire an actress to play the girls’ mother for crying out loud. *rolls eyes* Hugh’s a smart man who’s acting like a total idiot. Luckily, he does wise up and realize that he needs to think about other people, not just himself, otherwise he’s going to hurt everyone around him, including himself.

Sidebar: I know times were different and men were allowed to be frolicking about, sleeping with whomever they chose while women were held to very different standards. But I’m kind of sick of the “reformed rake” trope. I can believe that people can change, that’s not the main issue, it just seems so overdone and uninspiring.

The book is really funny. I enjoyed the banter between Hugh and Minerva and between the side characters as well. Which bodes well for a series! I think the next book will be about Hugh’s best friend, Giles, and Minerva’s younger sister, Diana, which should be good fun.

Minerva made this book for me. Hugh was fine. But she was smart and strong and was trying desperately to raise her sisters and provide for them after their father took off on them. She was out of options when she met Hugh and even though she does have her pride, she knew the offer from him would help the three of them get back on their feet. I can admire her for going through all of the madness to help her family.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath was a fun escape that kept me entertained throughout, even when I wanted to shout at the characters for being so silly! The next book in the Merriwell Sisters series should be just as entertaining and I look forward to it being published.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, SMP Romance (St. Martin’s Press), via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire

I didn’t love Manda Collins’ first Lady’s Guide novel, A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (review here) but I enjoyed it enough to want to read book two, An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire. I was rewarded with a second book that I definitely liked more than the first and has me much more excited for the third – whenever it comes!

Here’s the book’s description:

England, 1867 : As half of the writing duo behind England's most infamous crime column, Miss Caroline Hardcastle has quite the scandalous reputation. It may have cost her a fiancé, but she would much rather bring attention to crimes against those ignored by society than worry about what the ton thinks of her.
After Caro's dear friend is kidnapped, however, she has no choice but to work with Lord Valentine Thorn, the same man who broke her heart. Worse, when her actions put her father's business at risk, a marriage of convenience may be her only solution . . . but can she trust Val to stand by her? Or will their past repeat itself?
Val--the new Viscount Wrackham--is in an untenable position: His father is demanding he find a respectable bride to secure the succession. Yet the only woman he's ever loved, Miss Caroline Hardcastle, is notorious for behaving improperly. And she's never forgiven him for his youthful transgressions, missteps made in the name of familial duty, but ones he still regrets to this day.
As they grow closer to unmasking the culprit, Val sees an opportunity to show Caro he's a changed man. But can he convince her to give their love a second chance--before death does them part?

I hadn’t read much historical romance before 2020. I read lots of romance, of course, and tons of historical fiction. But I think I actually had a few misconceptions or biases towards the subgenre, which is ridiculous since I am a reader and proud supporter of all things romance. I’m glad I gave a few of them a try and am really enjoying the trend of historical rom coms that seem to be everywhere. I like when history and romance can combine into one story. I will say, though, that this one was heavier on the mystery and the romance than the history. You knew it was set in the past (1867, to be precise) as Collins kind of hits you over the head with the fact that women in this time didn’t have many rights and most men thought women were only good for their looks, for sex, and for keeping house. I’m all for feminism but some of the lines from the characters were a bit heavy handed, in my opinion.

I liked that Caro and Val had a history and were working their way back to each other – even though both of them were loath to admit they still had feelings for the other. I didn’t blame them. They were both hurt when their brief engagement had ended years before. They’re older and wiser now and Caro wasn’t about to take any BS from Val and he had realized where he had erred in the past. I was totally rooting for the two of them to get back together. And they did – with gusto! Nothing like a surprise fake engagement to spice up the party.

The mystery in this one was, I think, supposed to play a larger part but I have to say it was ultimately forgettable. I only read this book a month ago and I’m scratching my head wondering what actually happened and who did what. As more comes back to me, I’m reminded that I enjoyed that the mystery introduced some more small historical facts, particularly about classism and illegitimate children.

All in all, An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire was a fun way to spend a few hours. I’ll be looking forward to the next book in Manda Collins’ series and hopefully it will be just as entertaining as this one.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Count Your Lucky Stars

I was equal parts thrilled and sad to read Count Your Lucky Stars. It was the final book in a trilogy by Alexandria Bellefleur that I’ve been LOVING and even though I desperately wanted to read Margot’s story, I really didn’t want to say goodbye to these characters. Being a reader can be tough!

Here’s the book’s description:

Margot Cooper doesn’t do relationships. She tried and it blew up in her face, so she’ll stick with casual hookups, thank you very much. But now her entire crew has found "the one" and she’s beginning to feel like a fifth wheel. And then fate (the heartless bitch) intervenes. While touring a wedding venue with her engaged friends, Margot comes face-to-face with Olivia Grant—her childhood friend, her first love, her first… well, everything. It’s been ten years, but the moment they lock eyes, Margot’s cold, dead heart thumps in her chest.
Olivia must be hallucinating. In the decade since she last saw Margot, her life hasn’t gone exactly as planned. At almost thirty, she’s been married... and divorced. However, a wedding planner job in Seattle means a fresh start and a chance to follow her dreams. Never in a million years did she expect her important new client’s Best Woman would be the one that got away.
When a series of unfortunate events leaves Olivia without a place to stay, Margot offers up her spare room because she’s a Very Good Person. Obviously. It has nothing to do with the fact that Olivia is as beautiful as ever and the sparks between them still make Margot tingle. As they spend time in close quarters, Margot starts to question her no-strings stance. Olivia is everything she’s ever wanted, but Margot let her in once and it ended in disaster. Will history repeat itself or should she count her lucky stars that she gets a second chance with her first love?

I’ve mentioned before and I’ll keep on mentioning it (sorry not sorry): second chance romances used to be my all-time favourite trope but recent books have kind of turned me off them. I think because they’re so often about high school sweethearts who had THE MOST INTENSE CONNECTION EVER and were ruined for all other romantic relationships for the next decade plus. I get it. High school is emotional. I’m still dating someone I started dating right at graduation. You can maybe wonder “what if” but you’re an adult now and if you haven’t figured out that teenage relationships are Very Different, well, I don't know what to tell you. But not to fear, friends. Bellefleur did not disappoint me with her second chance trope, even though Margot and Olivia hooked up in high school. Phew! They still had some romantic hang-ups that may or may not have stemmed from their sexytime adventures but they were both really aware that they weren’t kids anymore.

This book is pretty steamy so get those fans ready. Margot especially is pretty unapologetic for her need for sex – either solo or with a partner – and there’s a really humorous scene with a vibrator and a cat that had me laughing out loud. Before getting flushed cheeks because of the way Margot and Olivia were feeling around each other. Whew!

There was some miscommunication issues that I didn’t love, nor did I appreciate how jealous Margot got when they were all at the hotel for Brendon and Annie’s bachelor-ette party. It was not a good look on her. And Olivia was SO dumb for taking off on Margot after their fight because she was so worried about her dad. I get it – family is important and a history of health issues would had her spooked. But she was using it as an escape and she endangered her career, something she had been working so hard for. It just didn’t really work for me.

Even though there were a few little things that maybe I didn’t totally love in this book, overall, I absolutely loved Count Your Lucky Stars. I appreciated the epilogue Alexandria Bellefleur gave readers so we could see how all the characters were getting on and what was next for them. Would I want more of their stories? Absolutely. But the series was ended beautifully and I highly recommend reading all three of these books. They’re SO good.

Read my review of Written in the Stars
Read my review of Hang the Moon

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Canada, via Edelweiss in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*