A Very Crowded House, book two of Kelly Elizabeth Huston’s Found Families Series is filled with twists and turns, uninvited guests, and unraveling family secrets. Like in her debut novel Tex Miller is Dead, Huston’s humor sneaks through the pages as her characters occupy Jocelyn’s family home in the Hamptons that summer. How tough could it be spending a summer in the Hamptons? Well, for Joycelyn endurance is a key word. When the charming best-selling author Asher Cray shows up, Jocelyn has the need to downplay her one hit wonder novel, as well as her infatuation with Asher, knowing the two aren’t equals.

If I’m not reading contemporary women’s fiction, I am all over historical fiction, especially pre-medieval, medieval, European history. I have read each of the award-winning author Anne Easter Smith’s historical fiction novels beginning with A Rose for the Crown about Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York and Cecily Neville, Duchess of York and their twelve children, only seven of them reaching adulthood and two of which were crowned kings.

This beautiful, heartfelt story, written in the author’s third language, adds up to… women empowering women plus empathic friendship equals sisterhood.

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center delivers a story of a young woman’s life after a horrible accident and subsequent recovery. Two impressions to sum up the attitude of this story: things are only as bad as you make them, and you’re never given more than you can handle. Maggie’s family’s interactions with each other added a second layer to this story, and I’m always in for family drama!

I was blessed to receive an advance copy of Tex Miller is Dead, and my cheeks are still sore from snickering my way through this clever, witty story. Kelly Elizabeth Huston’s tongue-in-cheek humor had me reading straight through the night! Humor aside, the storyline itself is unique and intriguing. Callie (so cleverly named if you know your Greek muses) is just trying to move on with her career and let sleeping dogs lie, but the universe has something else in store for her, and I was along for the ride! I am so looking forward to the next novel by Kelly Elizabeth Huston.

In this award-winning debut novel, The Audacity of Sara Grayson, Joani Elliott created a lovable character (you guessed it, Sara Grayson) who is blind-sided by the task of writing the fifth book in a series after her mother, a famous author, passes away. Sara lacks confidence as she attempts to push past imposter syndrome to fulfill her mother’s wishes. With support from a surprising source, Sara gains more than self-assurance. She gains self-acceptance. Along the way, family secrets pop us as she unravels mysteries she didn’t even know existed. The audacity of her!

I love how Lainey Cameron threw me directly into the line of fire when I met the two main characters, Ryn and Carly, in her multi award-winning debut novel The Exit Strategy. These two successful, professional women leave their fighting corners to meet in the middle and support each other. My kind of girls!

Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King is a tale of love and loss and self-acceptance where everyone has their secrets yet finds magic in the everyday. Blythe might seem to have it all in the beginning but figures out soon enough it isn’t what she wants. Thanks to her knowing grandmother, she goes to an unconventional touristy island for a treasure hunt of sorts. On the island, she meets Flynn and his niece Savannah and shares in their loss of loved ones. The smoothly written story pulls at your heartstrings, keeping you turning page after page. I am very much excited to read another story of Ms. King’s.

A NOVEL PAIRING because I love books and wine.

I got a bit of Lorelai and Rory versus The Real Housewives when reading Lisa Roe’s debut novel, and if you know what/who I’m talking about, you will love Welcome to the Neighborhood. When citified Ginny and her daughter Harri move to the elite suburbs, they try to fit in and get to know their neighbors, and unwillingly, Ginny’s new husband Jeff’s ex-wife. But soon, they begin to wonder if they even want to be bothered with any of them. Welcome to the Neighborhood’s characters are well-fleshed out and relatable. Good, bad, likable, or not, you get to know them, and it’s hard not to let empathy get in the way. This story was a joy to read, and I look forward to more from Ms. Roe.

A NOVEL PAIRING because I love books and wine.

In Forks, Knives, and Spoons by Leah DeCesare the story takes place in the eighties, in simpler times, yet very relatable. It brought back many feels from my (early eighties) college days. I challenge it not to do the same for you!

For The Beach Trap by Ali Brady, I wish there was a stronger word for “cute.” Winsome? Delightful? Charming? Yes, to all the above (even with a couple of heated scenes!) This book is all about collaboration, from its fun authors, and synergistic plot, to the lovable characters. Cat and Blake became besties at summer camp when they were twelve. Then a relative disaster takes place. Fast forward fifteen years, and they are forced to reconcile their pasts and their hearts while they (literally) build their future together! This is more than just a beach read (the story is set in Destin, FL); it is a year-round, feel-good, pick-me-up, call-your-sister read.

A NOVEL PAIRING because I love books and wine.

I love the relatability of The Weight of Change. Jennifer Walters delicately handles her main character’s emotional struggles in such a way that you are rooting for Valerie and possibly your own friends going through some of the same issues… and most likely yourself! As Valerie Renyalds loses weight and gains confidence, she fumbles through a promising relationship, gingerly accepts support, and discovers true love! In support of Valerie, I chose a wine to sip in appreciation of Valerie and her endeavors toward a better self.

The Wine Dump

Blowing Bubbles