All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great Colleen Hoover book about a couple who have a very troubled marriage over time. Will they be able to save their marriage? Going between the past and the present, Quinn & Graham's love has changed over time. With introverted visits to their past, will this couple make it or will their marriage be unsaveable? A must read!

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If I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold

I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teens will love this time travel and romance of Evan and Shosh. As teens, they have lost ones they love and while Evan has panic attacks, Shosh is drinking in her grief. The stories captivated me, I could not stop turning the pages as I learned more about Evan & Shosh, even better the many periods and the people falling in love with each other. A must read, another great book by David Arnold

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The Fearless One (Osborn Brothers Book 2) by Lori Foster

The Fearless One by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great mystery in the Osborn Brothers series & Diah, the main female protagonist & Memphis, the main male protagonist have a lot of chemistry going on- Memphis is opening a campground & hiring Diah seems like a a good choice. But both have secrets they are hiding...I could not stop turning the pages. A Must Read!

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Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao

Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Chloe and Drew's fake relationship as she brings him home for the holidays. The reader can understand why this happens; Chloe's parents' expectations are ludicrous! No wonder she can't be herself. The inner conflicts of Chloe and Drew are totally understandable and I rooted for them. Recommended!

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True Colors by Kristin Hannah

True Colors by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Donna Compton for this fantastic read!. The Grey sisters have a special bond growing up; and it is rocked when life gets in the way and sisterly love is tested again and again. The love story
between Vivi Ann and Dallas was my favorite part but I did not like it tore everyone apart. But Hannah's storytelling had me turning those pages, with suspense growing as the years go by. This is a great read and I loved the ending!

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Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown

Thick as Thieves by Sandra Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A real suspenseful novel which owes so much to the awful character of Rusty Dyle, evil, dishonest, and certifiable! Enter Ledge Burnet, one of Rusty's victims and later, Arden Maxwell, who might blow Rusty's life of corruption wide open. But this story begins back in 2000 with the theft of $500,000 and a night where people die and disappear. Then chapters bring the reader back to the present, and it is one suspenseful twist after another. I loved this story but I really hated Rusty and how he spent a blackmailing and stalking people. Highly recommended!

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Tom Lake by Ann Pachett

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the Albright College Zoom BookClub choice for April. I loved this audiobook read awesomely by Meryl Streep about family, friendships, love, life's journey, farming and acting. I loved Lara's "Emily" years as an actress and her romance with leading man, Peter Duke. Even better was Peter's brother Sebastian, tennis player & sideline support for his brother. Even better was her life after acting and Peter Duke with her three daughters, husband and their cherry farm. Highly recommended!

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Instant Karma (Fortuna Beach, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I did not necessarily like Prudence's personality but as the story progresses but as she gets to know Quint and the sea animal rescue center she realizes many things & I could not put this book down! The plot was excellent and the character development was awesome. I am going to be reading her latest book, With a Little Luck---can't wait!

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Master of Chaos (The Unredeemables, #3) by Shannon McKenna

Master of Chaos by Shannon McKenna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd series of The Unredeemables with Shane & Cass trying to topple a real bad guy who happens to be Cass' father & he is the worst so there is so much suspense going on in this romance! A must read!

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Family Family by Laurie Frankel

Family Family by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith for this get well book about seeking your best life, families, adoption, romance and so much more. I loved how Frankel engineered each chapter (past, present denoted as days of the week) and the characters were rich as well. I loved India in all her decisiveness, wanting always to be an actress (who can't sing), her many loves, and her world of plays, TV and movie as an actress.

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The House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3) by Sarah J. Maas

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another winner from Sarah J. Maas! I have so enjoyed the Crescent series and this 3rd book is just awesome! At 900+ pages I finished in 3 days rooting for Bryce Quindlen & Hunt Althazar!
Lidia & Ruhn were kick ass as well. The plot, the settings, the world building, and the characters all made this a book I could not put down. Total suspense with the torture of Hunt & his friends filled me with horror. But what I enjoyed most was Bryce's certainty that she could figure things out. A must read!

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The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this with my Albright College Zoom Book Club. Narrated by Dominic Hoffman, this historical fiction has everything; racism, social class distinctions, family, friendship, sorrow, humor, and hope. But it is the way McBride tells this story of Jews & Blacks living in the Chicken Hill area of Pottstown, PA in the 1920s. I went to Albright College in Reading so I loved reading landmarks, cities, & hospitals in this compulsively readable book. I could not stop listening! The characters Chona, Dodo, Nate & his wife, Bernice, and Monkey Pants were my favorites but all characters were authentic. I rooted for the many subplots & McBride did not disappoint! This is a stellar must read; I highly recommend it!

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Iron Flame (Empyrean, #2) by Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG did I love both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame!!! I became thoroughly invested in Violet and Xaden's story because after all they are the main focus in both books besides all the other tings going on in the plot. Without revealing anything about the ending; I am a reader who really enjoys redemptive endings. Xaden and Violet have had many ups and downs in their relationship (& in their lives)---I beg Rebecca Yarros to really think about the 3rd book in the series and Violet & Xaden's love. Please write a redemptive book that gives hope...Yes, these books were violent, yes there are many evil characters, but write some kind of magic that will give Violet & Xaden a lasting relationship with their dragons that is not about killing but finding the truth.

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Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Donna Gola for her enthusiastic recommendation of this book! I could not stop reading about Violet's world, the dragons, her friends/riders (enemies too) in the Fourth Wing. Yarros did a wonderful world building, descriptions of Basgiath War College and the trials Violet & the other cadets must endure (many die) to stay alive and become riders. Violet is the daughter of the Commander so she already has a strike against her- she has brittle bones & is considered "frail" so why would her mother force her to become a rider rather than a scribe? This book will grab you from page 1, it is a very satisfying must read---and did I almost forgot about ruthless handsome Xaden Riosen, who also hates her? Get comfy and start reading this scintillating fantasy of dragons, lies, love, and friendship!

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Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Michelle Romash for continuing to bring this book up through 2023 as one to read. I still cannot stop thinking about it!!! I was so drawn in by William's upbringing (or not), his friend, Kent and others as he played basketball and of course, the Padavano sisters!!! This family has so much history together (while William has none). Julia targets him in college and from there it is Julia and Walter as a couple becoming a part of the Padavano family. But even more, I loved their father, Charlie so much with his poetic soul, calling his daughter Julia (and all the other sisters, Hello Beautiful). This book deals with so much, I could not put it down! I loved the family issues, the basketball theme, so much going on there, and the tenderness of love within all these characters. This will be a favorite book of mine!

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A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash, #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another totally awesome book in the Blood and Ash series; victorious Poppy, Cas & Kieran make their way to safety but quickly Cas & Kieran realize something is not right---Poppy's skin is freezing then she drops into a deep slumber...there is a very real possibility that if and when Poppy wakes up she will not remember anything & that means her husband and love, Cas and Kieran. It has been suggested that Cas talk to her as Poppy sleeps & talk he does; I could not stop turning the pages as Cas recalls to Poppy and Kieran their history, romance, and linked hearts. Totally awesome read.

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Snow Place Like LA (A Christmas Notch #1.5) by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Snow Place Like LA by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great addition to the Christmas Notch series. I loved Luca and Angel's love story! I love Julie Murphy and Simone Sierra's collaboration, bring more great steamy books!

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One Steamy Night (The West Moreland Legacy #6) by Brenda Johnson

One Steamy Night by Brenda Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 6th book in the Westmoreland Legacy and the story of Nadia & Jaxon, their chemistry, family history, and if they will be together since Nadia is happy to be single and working while Jaxon fell for Nadia and wants to marry her. I loved the plot and could not stop turning the pages & enjoyed all the family relationships. I will continue to read more of Brenda Jackson!

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The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar

The Museum of Failures: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome Thrity Umrigar novel; this audiobook narrated by Vikas Adam was addictive; Remy was such a likable character & as his life implodes on a visit to India to adopt a child & visit an ailing mother. What happens in this novel is so sad with decisions made and lived with; will Remy be able to forgive? A must read!!!

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A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this collaboration between Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone! Both funny & sexy the 2 main characters sizzle with chemistry and as they star in a sexy Hope Channel rom-com and soon Winnie becomes the student as Kallum becomes her teacher and oh do the sparks fly. LOVED this opposites attract plot, setting in the snow, & awesome characters.

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