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Story Blurb Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends. Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best? My Thoughts/Opinion This is probably my least favorite Emily Henry novel. I liked the complexity of the undercurrents in several of the relationships between this group of friends and how they eventually boiled to the surface. But as far as the romance went, I struggled with the conflict between Harriet and Wyn because it felt so easily overcome-able. Still, great writing. Of course. I enjoyed the story overall and was truly satisfied with the ending. Favorite Quote: “You're like gravity. Everything keeps spinning, but my mind's always got one hand on you.”

Story Blurb One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming... Nora Stephens' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves. My Thoughts/Opinion One of Emily Henry's greatest writing gifts is to create incredible empathy for her characters, especially ones who might be deemed unlovable. Definitely the case for Charlie and especially for Nora. But for anyone who has ever put their lives on hold for the good of someone else, this book will break you in all the best ways. Nora and Charlie are ultimately a fantastic partnership. I loved every page of this story, even the ones that made me tear up. Favorite Quote: “So if you’re the ‘wrong kind of woman,’ then I’m the wrong kind of man.”

Story Blurb Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love. Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since. Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees. Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong? My Thoughts/Opinion The format of this book reminded me loosely of Maisey Yates' Other People's Weddings. You don't really get the details of what happened in the "bad year" until late in the book but it's always out there, the shoe waiting to drop. I loved Alex and Poppy so much. I loved how they both had to get honest to get what they ultimately wanted. I always say I'm not a friends to lovers lover but I keep getting proven wrong. This one has my heart for sure. Favorite Quote: “I wish I could bottle this moment and wear it as a perfume. It would always be with me. Everywhere I went, he’d be there too, and so I’d always feel like myself.”

Story Blurb Aurora is caught between powerful alphas as they fight for the Wolf Throne. But darker forces are rising. . . Aurora may have survived the Wolf King, but his bite marks her skin. In accordance with wolf law, that makes her his property. Now, he wants her back. To beat him and take his throne, Aurora and Callum must form a dangerous alliance with one of the most feared Wolves in the Kingdom, Blake. He is their enemy, but he has entangled his life with Aurora’s—meaning she cannot harm him without forfeiting her own life. As she fights to break their connection, she suspects Blake is keeping secrets about a dark power that rises in the north, and the unsettling nature of the bond between them. It seems there is a bigger game at play than who sits on the Wolf Throne—one that threatens both the Kingdom of Wolves, and the Kingdom of Men. With her wolf awakening, enemies closing in, relationships tested, and secrets revealed—Aurora may be the only one who can stop an ancient evil from rising. If she can figure out who to trust. If she can figure out where she, and her heart, belong. If she can stay alive. My Thoughts/Opinion This second book in the series absolutely lived up to my expectation. The story has way more layering and the character development of Callum, Aurora, and especially Blake made this such a quick read. Darkness is winning and I can't wait for the final book in this trilogy. Favorite Quote: “What?" Almost delicately, he takes a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. The gentleness is at odds with the look in his eye, and what is going on behind me. My breath catches. “It’s just a dream,” he says. “We don’t have to do it my way. I can be gentle, if you like.” My mouth dries. “Blake. . .” He cups my face in both hands. “Let me have you. Just once. Please.”

Story Blurb When a princess is kidnapped by an alpha, war rages between the humans and the wolves. But soon, forbidden attraction starts to grow. . . Princess Aurora longs to escape the castle and the marriage that has been arranged for her. But on the night before her wedding, at a dog fight where captured werewolves are made to fight for sport, she spares the life of a young wolf. It puts her on the radar of the powerful alpha who was going to kill him. And it changes everything. That night, when the alpha escapes, he kidnaps her and takes her to the rugged lands north of the border—where the once warring werewolf clans are beginning to unite. He thinks that she is the key to winning the war against the humans. Only, as they spend time around one another, forbidden attraction starts to grow. And as Aurora learns that not all wolves are bad, the alpha discovers that she is in danger from both his enemies, and those he once considered friends. With monsters on both sides, a bloodthirsty war between humans and wolves raging, and undeniable passion growing between them—will their story end in love? Or tragedy? And will Aurora ever get home? Does she even want to? My Thoughts/Opinion This story had more depth than I expected. I am intrigued by Aurora and Callum's relationship but I have real (possibly irrational) fears that they won't ultimately be together by the end of the series. I don't know if that's true, but there is A LOT going on behind the scenes. I love a good morally gray character, but Blake is ambiguous on so many levels, I'm still not sure where all of this will land. This series is a trilogy and The Wolf King, as book one, definitely had me ready to keep reading. Favorite Quote: “I’ll learn to fight. I’ll make my own stories, rather than be the side character in the stories of kings.”

Story Blurb Book One - Consider Me For a shot at love, he’ll do whatever it takes… Carter Beckett is the NHL’s best player—both on and off the ice. His career is at its peak, his friends are performing better than ever, and there’s no shortage of women to spend the night with. What more could he want? Olivia Parker isn’t new to professional hockey players, thanks to her best friend’s boyfriend, but she has no interest in dating one herself—no matter how hot he is. And anyway, she loves working as a teacher and hanging out with her best friend, drama-free. Why would she want to spend her time stroking the ego of an arrogant athlete? But once Carter meets Olivia, he can’t think of anything else. Too bad for him, Olivia is hellbent on keeping him at arm’s length, with no intention of giving into his charms. Perhaps it’s time for Carter to up his game…after all, nobody said he had to play fair. Sparks will fly as Carter does whatever it takes for Olivia to consider him. Book Two - Play With Me He’s found the perfect person—but she’s the only one he can’t be with… Garrett Andersen knows that playing professional hockey requires absolute dedication to the rules. There’s just one rule he’s finding difficult to follow: stay away from his captain’s younger sister. As a professional dancer, Jennie Beckett knows what it takes to excel. She prides herself on being every bit as confident and bold as her brother, sassy as hell, and the only person in charge of her pleasure. No wonder Garrett can’t stay away from her—even if he forgets how to form sentences whenever she’s around. Jennie would rather avoid her brother’s teammate, especially after several embarrassing run-ins, but suddenly they’re neighbors. And as the connection between them grows, Garrett and Jennie decide to have some fun, no strings attached. Between their busy schedules and her brother’s disapproval, they know keeping things casual and low-key is the smartest play. But what if their feelings get in the way? After all, they’re only supposed to be playing with each other… Book 3 - Unravel Me Can he leave the past behind to forge the future he’s always wanted? When it comes to dating, Adam Lockwood wouldn’t know luck if it hit him in the face. After a failed relationship and a string of dates gone wrong, the thought of being vulnerable with someone is terrifying—most women only see his fame. But when his dog runs into Rosie Wells, a beautiful woman with a blush as pink as her hair, she doesn’t seem to have a clue who he is, and Adam seizes the opportunity as a chance to finally be himself. Rosie has her hands full as a single mother and fourth-year veterinary student, and she certainly wouldn’t know a hockey player if she ran into one. She doesn’t have time to date, and she’s fiercely protective of her little family. But when a chance encounter leads her to Adam, she knows it’s worth risking her heart. The only problem? Adam is used to wearing a mask—he’s a goalie, after all. And as he holds onto a secret that threatens to unravel him and destroy his new family, they’re both at risk of losing more than ever before. Book 4 - Fall With Me It was supposed to be a one-night stand. But what if they can’t leave it in the past? Jaxon Riley is exceptional at three things: starting fights on the ice, picking up women post-game, and going home to fulfill his role as the world’s best cat dad. Relationships, unfortunately, missed the list. Lennon Hayes is supposed to be on her honeymoon. Instead, she’s alone and single, vacationing next door to a surly tattooed man who ran his date off the resort. When a run-in at the bar results in a night of bickering and cocktails, she finds herself tumbling into bed with the enemy next door, then sneaking out before the sun comes up. Lennon’s plan to start over in a new city is going great, until she starts her new job. The job? The Vancouver Vipers’ new photographer. And the defenseman scowling at her from across the room? The one-night stand she wasn’t supposed to see again. Good thing neither of them are looking for anything serious… Right? Jaxon may not be used to falling, but if he’s going to go, he refuses to go alone. If he falls, he wants Lennon to fall with him. My Thoughts/Opinion This series has been super popular on Tiktok which isn't usually where I get my books recs from, but I just kept seeing it (and I thought the covers were pretty) so I grabbed the first 4 books in the series on audio and fell in love with the Vancouver Vipers. The books got better as I went. The first two books of the series felt a little long for me, like they should have and could have resolved sooner. I also didn't feel a super deep connection with the backstories/trauma of the heroines of the first two books. Books three and four were definitely my favorites of the series. What I did enjoy about all of the books was the banter and the absolute alpha male speak, so on point and hilarious. I also love how much the characters all show up in each other's books and lives so I got a chance to really get to know all of them. I'm patiently waiting for the 5th and final book in the series to come up later this year. It's already in my TBR pile. If you're looking for found family, a little bit of hockey with your romance, and some hot scenes, you should put this series in your TBR too! Favorite Quote: “She’s like…waking up on Christmas morning when you’re three years old and you finally understand what it’s all about. She’s the moment the rain stops and the sun comes out, lighting up the sky with color, and everything smells new and fresh. She’s the first skate on a frozen lake, surrounded by snowy mountains and pine trees and the freshest breath of air. She’s rolling over in the middle of the night, pulling that warm body into yours and curling around it, and everything’s just right.”

Story Blurb If Poppy Love could just avoid Ryan Clark, her life would be fine . The brooding photographer hated her on sight when they met at twelve years old, and the feeling is mutual. And yet somehow he's always . . . there: Poppy's first wedding as a cake designer, the second wedding when a bear ate her cake, and then there was the fifth wedding when. . . well, it's probably best not to mention it, actually. Now her best friend is getting married and moving to the other side of the world. And as if that impossible heartbreak wasn't awful enough, Poppy, as Maid of Honor, is about to be stuck with Ryan for the whole wedding trip to New Zealand, because of course he's the Best Man. Perhaps it's time to finally call a truce. Or perhaps it's time Poppy admitted the heat between them isn't truly hate , at all... My Thoughts/Opinion This was my first Maisey Yates book and I LOVED it!! Oh my gosh. I have slept on her for way too long. Poppy and Ryan, their backstory, their chemistry, their banter. Swoon City. It was a perfect poolside listen. Other people's reviews of the written version say that the writing is choppy and fragmented, but as an audiobook I didn't encounter any of those "on the page" issues and had a great experience! Favorite Quote: "Love is scary. It's Shark Week, Ryan. Maybe that's why we're all so fascinated by it. You can't care about something or someone with the whole of your being and not risk something. Because the idea of losing something that means everything to you is scary."

Story Blurb Suddenly unemployed and on the brink of eviction, Cassie Evans is left with two choices: get a new job (and fast) or fire up her long-untouched OnlyFans account. But the job market is terrible, and as for OnlyFans. . . . Well, there are reasons she can’t go back. Just when all hope seems lost, an ad for a live-in nanny position seems like the solution to all her problems. It’s almost too perfect—until she meets her would-be employer. Aiden Reid, executive chef and DILF extraordinaire, is far from the stuffy single dad Cassie was imagining. He shocks her when he tells her she’s the most qualified applicant he’s met in weeks, practically begging her to take the job. With hands that make her hindbrain howl and eyes that scream sex, the idea of living under the same roof as Aiden feels dangerous, but with no other option, she decides to stay with him and his adorably tenacious daughter, Sophie. Cassie soon discovers that Aiden is not a stranger at all, but instead someone who is very familiar with her—or at least, her body. Given that he doesn’t remember her, Cassie is faced with what feels like an impossible situation. As their relationship heats to temperatures hotter than any kitchen Aiden has ever worked in, Cassie struggles with telling Aiden the truth, and the more terrifying possibility—losing the best chance at happiness she’s ever had. My Thoughts/Opinion Once I allowed myself to suspend disbelief of the statistical improbability of the premise, I was able to enjoy the book. The writing, the heat, and the side characters were great. I loved Cassie and Aiden and their chemistry was so good! This was a fun quick read and I will happily pick up another title from this author. Favorite Quote: “I’m angry that you dealt with this alone. I’m angry that you spent all this time worrying that I would push you away without giving me the chance to tell you that there is absolutely no way I’m letting you get away again.”

Story Blurb In a land without magic, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She has no love for the vicious king who rules from his throne of glass, but she has not come to kill him. She has come to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three murderers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she will be released from prison to serve as the King’s Champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien. The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. And a princess from a faraway country will befriend her. But something rotten dwells in the castle, and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying mysteriously, one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival—and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world. My Thoughts/Opinion I really don't even know where to start with this series. It was Epic. Sweeping. Saga. I read all 8 books in this series in about 8 weeks. And these are not tiny novels. But the story stole every available brain cell I had so I had no choice but to power through it. I just HAD to know how it ended. I loved the multiple points of view. I loved not just the love story (stories), but the world, the sacrifice, the snippets of joy where they could be found. How everything came full circle. And that incredible ending. Storytelling heaven. I put off reading this for years because of the hype and my fear that it would underwhelm me or disappoint me when so many others love it so much. Thankfully, the series lived up to every effusive praise I ever heard. If you're on the fence about committing to reading it, I hope this post puts you over the edge. My fave quote is probably the most quoted from the book, but there isn't a better one to encapsulate this entire series. Favorite Quote: “You could rattle the stars," she whispered. "You could do anything, if only you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That’s what scares you most.”

Story Blurb Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Ever since cancer stole away her best friend, she has been completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with her best friend, and the ever-laminated “live again” list of things she’s promised to do to survive her grief. But maybe if she acts like she has it all together, no one will notice she’s falling apart. The only gigs she can handle right now are temporary babysitting jobs, and she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. The only catch: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of. . . a walking version of the grumpy cat meme. Worse – he seems to be able to see right through her. Surprisingly, Miles knows a lot about grief and he offers Lenny a proposition. He’ll help her complete everything on her “live again” list if she’ll help him connect with Ainsley and overcome his complicated relationship with Reese. Lenny doubts anything can fill the void her best friend has left behind, but between late night ferry rides, midnight ramen, and a well-placed shoulder whenever she needs it, Miles just won’t stop showing up for her. Turns out, sometimes your life has to end to find your new beginning. My Thoughts/Opinion Wow. This book. Friends to lovers. Grief. Loss. Finding yourself again. Finding love. This book had it all. It's now my favorite ever friends to lovers book. I loved Lenny and Miles so much. Gosh, the feelings this book evoked. I'm still not over it. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. One warning though. If you are dealing with a great loss in your life this book touches deep deep deep on this subject. Favorite Quote: "So you'll come with me if I ask?" His eyes pierce me in the shadows of the kitchen. "Lenny, I'll do anything you ask me to."

Story Blurb There's no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date, Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is enough to forget what's between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering. My Thoughts/Opinion I sincerely don't think Abby could write a book I didn't love. Say You'll Remember Me is a poignant story about sacrificial love and loss. I loved Sam's humor and Xavier...oh my. Thank you Abby for all the Rysand (ACOTAR) references. Too funny! If I had one tiny complaint(?) about this book, it would be that the ultimate resolution probably could have been determined much sooner. But then again, the book would have been shorter which would have been a crime. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with more words from Abby. I hope she keeps these beautiful stories coming for many years to come. Favorite Quote: “There is nothing more beautiful than being a witness to someone's life. To know them inside and out and be with them through everything, share the same memories. Memories are everything, I want that.”

Story Blurb Jane Start is thirty-three, broke, and recently single. Ten years prior, she had a hit song—written by world-famous superstar Jonesy—but Jane hasn’t had a breakout since. Now she's living out of four garbage bags at her parents’ house. Rock bottom. But when her longtime manager Pippa sends Jane to London to regroup, she’s seated next to an intriguing stranger on the flight—the  other  Tom Hardy, an elegantly handsome Oxford professor of literature. Jane is instantly smitten by Tom, and soon, truly inspired. But it’s not Jane’s past alone that haunts her second chance at stardom, and at love. Is Tom all that he seems? And can Jane emerge from the shadow of Jonesy's earlier hit, and into the light of her own? In turns deeply sexy, riotously funny, and utterly joyful,  This Bird Has Flown  explores love, passion, and the ghosts of our past, and offers a glimpse inside the music business that could only come from beloved songwriter Susanna Hoffs. My Thoughts/Opinion This book was recommended to me by a good friend. She had me intrigued when she said this was written by the lead singer of the Bangles. I read it in a couple of sittings and was definitely curious about where it would go and how it would resolve. I think the thing that still has been trying to decide if I enjoyed it or not was that one of the main characters had such an egregious moral failing (one that I would find hard to accept in real life), I'm not sure if that person really deserves the HEA. I don't know. I'm still conflicted. So as my friend told me, the book was well done because even now I'm still thinking about it. I also recommend reading this one instead of listening to the audio. Though the musical tidbits were nice in the audio, the female narrator sounded like she was 18 and the FMC was early 30s so that also threw me off a bit. Favorite Quote: “I began to relax into it. To love it. To love the caress of the notes, vibrating in my throat, the exhilaration of setting them free, letting them sail into the air. The best kind of flying—no seat belts, no turbulence, only clear blue skies”