“Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginnings End” from the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic.
“New Year’s Eve. Or in Scotland-Hogmanay- the las“Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginnings End” from the song “Closing Time” by Semisonic.
“New Year’s Eve. Or in Scotland-Hogmanay- the last day of the year, and one of enthusiastic celebrations and long held traditions-as one year ends and the new one begins.”
But, this could be the last year that Hogmanay will be celebrated at Gino’s Trattoria, a family business that never quite recovered after Covid. Dario has until midnight to secure new funds or sell to an Investment group in America.
Ailish’s 30 year marriage ended at Gino’s two years ago, when she caught her husband in a compromising position with his secretary out back. Will she finally have the courage to return or will she continue to hide and allow him to ruin one of her favorite traditions?
Ailish’s daughter, Emmy suspects that her boyfriend, Cormac might not be any more loyal to her than her Dad was to her mom.
And, Emmy’s grandmother, Minnie Ryan will be bringing a gift to Gino’s that she has waited all year to deliver.
A LOT will change in 24 hours-and the story unfolds in two hour increments starting with 8 a.m-10 a.m, until we reach midnight where we will begin the countdown to the New Year…
⚠️ Warning-reading this book may cause you to binge read her entire backlist!
This was my first book by Sophie Cousens and obviously-I LOVED it! ❤️
I la⚠️ Warning-reading this book may cause you to binge read her entire backlist!
This was my first book by Sophie Cousens and obviously-I LOVED it! ❤️
I laughed and I cried-it delivered ALL THE FEELS!
Columnist Anna Appleby has survived a painful divorce, but can she survive being made redundant at work? Her column-“ According to Anna” isn’t attracting the younger demographic that the new boss is looking for.
She has learned that she DOESN’T need a man, and that she quite likes the life she has made with her two kids, her cat, and uncontested control of the TV remote?
Yet, somehow she finds herself pitching a new “dating column” because she DOES need this job!
Online dating feels too much like a job interview, so she agrees to go on seven dates-NOT found online. And, these dates will be with people chosen by her children.
I won’t spoil the fun of these dates for you! ...more
The Wedding People by Alison Espach Narrated by Helen Laser Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2024
Smart, Honest and Hopeful
Forty-ish Phoebe Stone arriThe Wedding People by Alison Espach Narrated by Helen Laser Expected Publication Date: July 30, 2024
Smart, Honest and Hopeful
Forty-ish Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn and checks into the most expensive room for one night. She is wearing her green dress and gold heels, so she looks the part of a wedding guest-but she isn’t there to celebrate the start of a new life-she is there to END hers.
Infertility, Infidelity, Depression, Divorce and now the death of her beloved cat.
That is what has led to this tragic decision.
Meanwhile, the 28 year old bride, Lila has planned the PERFECT six day wedding, booking the entire Cornwall Inn for her “once in a lifetime” event. So it “just won’t do” that there has been a mix-up which allowed one random guest to check-in-even if it was just for the first night.
And, it’s definitely UNACCEPTABLE when she meets Phoebe and learns of her intent. NOBODY will ruin her wedding!
A chance encounter, an unlikely alliance, an unexpected friendship.
Sometimes vulnerable people make the WRONG decisions. But, if you are lucky-you can still end up with the RIGHT outcome.
This is the kind of book that you will still be thinking about long after you finish-Especially if you are a woman of a certain age-or a certain stage of your life. And, even, if like me, you hate “sex themed” bachelorette activities, and don’t really even enjoy weddings!
Of course, there are some of these things to endure in this book, and my personal preference is to read about this “well intentioned” pre-wedding fun without resorting to the unnecessary use of the more vulgar sexual terms to drive your point home-the three “C” words. They didn’t seem to fit with the more reflective conversations that characterized the rest of this story. (- .5)
The ending wasn’t completely unexpected, though it is one that I hoped for, and the wisdom of the parting words shared between Phoebe and Lila, brought a tear to my eye, and is the reason I rounded up instead of down. I will remember the story.
I’m glad there wasn’t an epilogue and that the reader can envision what they think happens next…
4.5 stars ⭐️
I listened to the Audiobook, provided by MacMillan Audio through NetGalley, which was expertly narrated by Helen Laser who delivered a wide range of voices and accents to the diverse cast of characters! This has been optioned for film and I look forward to watching too.
Ben and Harper Foster have that “Hallmark” kind TW: CANCER
Prologue: “I’m a Wife!!”
Chapter 1: “I’m Going to be a Widow”
OH what a difference a year makes!
Ben and Harper Foster have that “Hallmark” kind of romance-SAPPY sweet. “Name three things” one might say to the other at any random time-and while staring deeply into their partner’s eyes. The other will respond with three things they are grateful for at the moment-even while facing terminal CANCER.
So, it’s no surprise when Ben decides that he wants Harper to find new love BEFORE he passes away-so he will know that she will be alright. He is that selfless. Also, no surprise-Harper balking at the idea! But, Ben keeps pushing and even arranges for a journalist to write a story about it.
IS IT KISMET?
The NY Times reporter who shows up to interview the couple is none other than Liam Hale-the only other guy that Harper has ever fallen for. It was. “Insta Love” ten years ago, when Harper went to Brooklyn, hoping to pursue her Art-long before she met Ben. But, they only spent one week together before she went home to Chicago.
The story alternates between chapters titled “What Is” and “What Was”.
The book takes a turn towards “ MAGICAL REALISM” when a struggling Harper is guided by a close friend who reads her Tarot Cards and encourages her to soul search and think about what it is that Harper REALLY wants most. If she is honest, can she really manifest what she desires by repeating her wishes three times during the FULL MOON?
Reminding me of Dorothy, in the “Wizard of Oz”, when she had to click together her Ruby slippers and chant “There’s no place like home” Harper is desperate enough to give it a try. She carefully words her wish and….No Spoilers here!
The first half of the book was a bit too SAPPY for my taste. I thought that Harper’s relationship with Liam, felt more authentic than her marriage to Ben. But, I enjoyed the second half despite its FAIRY TALE vibes.
This was a buddy read with DeAnn which offered much for discussion! I think BOOK CLUBS would also find it entertaining and fun to talk about as well.
3.75 ⭐️
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to Harper Muse for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!...more
Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge Written by Kjerski Herland Johnsen Translated by Olivia Lasky
3.5 ⭐️
This is being marketed as a feel-good mystery set in Christmas at Glitter Peak Lodge Written by Kjerski Herland Johnsen Translated by Olivia Lasky
3.5 ⭐️
This is being marketed as a feel-good mystery set in the snowy mountains of Norway, at a cozy, historic family inn-structured as an advent calendar, 24 chapters, one read each day, beginning with Dec. 1 and ending with Dec. 24.
So, let’s discuss the story and the concept.
The Story:
After a traumatic climbing accident, well-known Alpinist Ingrid Berg has returned home with HOPE of a fresh start. She will be taking over the management of the Glitter Peak Lodge from her aging grandmother.
The Inn has been in her family for 130 years, despite many attempts at takeovers from larger hotel chains, and Ingrid is hoping to keep the family legacy alive, while finding new purpose in her own life.
But soon after Ingrid’s return, complications arise-everything from leaky pipes, to the early arrival of some guests, and the very last-minute cancellations from others.
A long-buried mystery also resurfaces, and Ingrid discovers that the challenges may be too great to bear alone-she may need the help of the whole village-and a bit of Christmas magic!
As her Nana Borghild always says: “Joy Shared is Joy Doubled, and Sorrow Shared is Sorrow Halved”.
The story itself wasn’t particularly riveting, instead it mostly paints a picture of the days leading up to Christmas beginning with “Kakelinne” (a term used to describe mild weather in December that in earlier times was blamed on all of the holiday baking.)
It mostly described the foods eaten, and the traditions enjoyed, and these things could have been revealed one chapter at a time, to more closely follow an Advent calendar but I didn’t really feel like that happened with the Kindle copy. It does look like the physical copy presents more that way because illustrations are included.
But, it was helpful to be reading this on a Kindle, as I was unfamiliar with MANY words, but a quick highlight would explain many of the words for me. Thankfully, the printed book does provide a glossary of terms, and food descriptions. Even some recipes are included.
An Advent Calendar counts the days of Advent beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, which varies from Nov 27 through December 3, but many reusable calendars made of paper or wood, begin on Dec. 1. Advent refers to a 4 week season of remembering and celebrating the arrival of Jesus on Earth. Advent calendars have become popular in recent years as calendars with flaps that open, a day at a time to reveal a picture appropriate for the season, or a small treat and many commercial Advent calendars are now themed.
While I was attracted to the CONCEPT of reading a chapter per day, I DON’T think the execution of this story succeeded in FEELING like an Advent Calendar. Vignettes that were connected or that built upon each other, might have worked better for this format. Or, if each chapter had ended with a cliffhanger.
My advice-if this book interests you-I wouldn’t worry about only reading only one chapter per day.
Where the story DID succeed is it provided ARMCHAIR TRAVEL for readers interested in Norway, who may never get the opportunity to visit in person, wrapped up in a “Hallmark like” Christmas story.
AVAILABLE NOW.
Thank You to HarperVia for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!...more
Had it not been for an invitation from the Publisher, I probably would’ve have scrolled right by this ROM COM with the cartoon cover-it didn’t appeal Had it not been for an invitation from the Publisher, I probably would’ve have scrolled right by this ROM COM with the cartoon cover-it didn’t appeal to me-but now I understand it and although it fits with Lark’s career- it’s a bit misleading! DON’T let it fool you-this is one SPICY ...more
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