Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan was a gem! No wonder it was voted the Goodreads 2022 Best Romance, but this book was more than a romance. Involving family dynamics between 2 sisters who grieve for their dead mother. Nora is a shark like protagonist, hard working in the book business as a hard driving book agent and younger sister, Libby, pregnant with 2 children. Libby urges Nora to take a 3 week vacation with her to a surprise destination & she grudgingly goes because Nora has sensed losing a little bit of Libby. Surprise surprise when she takes Nora to the setting for one of her romance author's books! There is so much good going on in this book, with hunky guys, the outdoors, THEIR LIST, and running into grumpy Charlie, who Nora worked for in NY. And from there it just gets better and better. I enjoyed the plot, the setting and the many characters seen through Nora's shark eyes. And it is so nice to listen to Julia Whelan as the shark becomes embroiled in small town histrionics & Charlie. A must read!!!

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If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, #1) by Julie Murphy

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this new book in a Julie Murphy series, a modern take on the Cinderella story. Cindy is on a plane to visit her stepmother (famous reality queen of modern dating shows), step sisters and triplets. She meets Henry (Prince Charming) on the plane has a great conversation and there it ends --- until Cindy decides to join her stepsisters and enter a dating game show and low & behold the SUITOR is Henry. I loved the story (but I did not like the intense scenes on the dating shows and between the contestants) and root for Cindy and Henry and enjoyed the many plot twists. I really liked so many of the characters (except nasty Allison) and learning about textiles and design. The emphasis on family and friends was nice and authentic. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series!

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The Winners (Beartown, #3) by Fredrick Backman

The Winners by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great 3rd book in the series of Beartown hockey. There were more great characters introduced, the rivalry still between the teams in Hed & Beartown, and there are things afoot, deaths, violence, bullying and family relationships explored and friendships celebrated.

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It Starts With Us (It Ends With Us, #2) by Colleen Hoover

It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved It Ends With Us, so did I love the love story of Atlas and Lily as they told alternating chapters. Being lifelong friends, now adults and bumping into each other, they work to get back together quickly despite her raging jealous husband and life as it throws challenges that they meet because this time it will start with them!!! Highly recommended!

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The Zero Night (Jonathan Stride, #11) by Brian Freeman

The Zero Night by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so glad the Jonathan Stride series is continuing! Despite all that happened with Jonny and Serena, I rooted for their happiness in tough police work. Maggie has been standing in as Jonathan recovers but she calls him back with a wife's abduction and a lawyer who may be hiding a lot. I loved Serena's dog Elton and the adulation she desperately needed from her furry lifesaver. I could not stop turning the pages, the story captivated me and the suspense was thrilling!

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Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this story of a family that was once happy and with a father who loves them and leaves them, a mother who descended into alcoholism, and two brothers and two sisters who love surfing and use it to get through their life. As the book rises to a crescendo we see how each family member deals with their lives and loves. A great book that kept me turning the pages!

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Remarkably Bright Creature by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Marin Ireland & Michael Urie, this was such a good book--humor, mystery, death, friendship and family---all so good. I loved getting to know all the characters and how they will all at some point mean something to each other. Tova working at the aquarium, Marcellus the octopus escaping and becoming Tova's friend, Cameron, Ethan and many minor characters were so intertwined in this compulsively enjoyable debut novel!

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