The Christmas Gathering by Shelley Shepard Gray and Lenora Worth

 A CHRISTMAS REUNION by Shelley Shepard Gray

Tricia Troyer is thrilled when Brandt Massey, her cousin’s English friend, joins the Troyers’ holiday gathering for the second year in a row. The sparks between them are clear to everyone. When Brandt asks Tricia to be his girlfriend, they both know she’ll have important choices to make about her future. But the two aren’t as different as some believe—and with open hearts and understanding, their very own Christmas miracle just might be
possible . . .

WE GATHER TOGETHER by Lenora Worth
When Lucas Myer meets Kayla Hollinger on the shores of Lake Erie, he’s smitten. Their families are even staying at the same inn, for different gatherings. The two plan to meet again—but soon enough they discover a problem: their relatives are locked in a longtime feud and forbid them to socialize. Fortunately, Lucas and Kayla are old enough to make their own decisions—and they decide to create a Christmas miracle of forgiveness and love . . .

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES by Rachel J. Good

Years ago, Andrew was banished by his Amish family when he chose a career in music. It still hurts, especially during the holidays. And now, just before Christmas, he and his band find themselves stranded after their manager absconds with their money. Desperate, Andrew is offered a job teaching piano—but that’s just the first miracle. His work will not only bless others in need, but a longtime fan might just capture his heart—and even lead him home . . .

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The Christmas Gathering: Gray, Shelley Shepard, Good, Rachel J., Worth, Lenora: 9781496750297: Amazon.com: Books

Shelley Shepard Gray is the two-time Holt Medallion Award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over eighty novels. Her novels have been translated into multiple languages and highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, NPR and USA Today. An active member of her church and the mother of two young adults, Shelley lives with her husband in Colorado and writes full time. Please visit her online at ShelleyShepardGray.com.

enora Worth is an ACFW Honor Roll member. She writes inspirational fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired and sweet romance for Tule Publishing. She also writes for Kensington Books. She helped launch the Rodeo Knights Western Romance imprint. Her LIS Body of Evidence made the NY Times Bestseller list and she is also a USA Today and Publishers Weekly Bestselling author. In 2016, she received a Romantic Times Pioneers of Fiction Award. Three of her books have been nominated for the ACFW Carol Award and she is an RWA RITA finalist. Lenora has written 80+ books and has an estimated 3 million books in print. She loves cheesecake, shoe shopping, walking on the beach and reading.

My Thoughts...

First let me be honest, after reading this I am in the mood for winter and Christmas this book really set the mood.

I devoured We Gather Together by Worth and was in awe the family drama and the forgiveness and love, this story brought out. I was so sad this was a novella not a full-length book. But it was great to be left wanting more. Then I read A Christmas Reunion by Shelley Gray, and it was just as good. I love and believe in Christmas Miracles, so this was right up my alley. Again, I didn't want the novella to end so fast.

This is a book to put on your reading list for this Christmas. You will devour it just as fast as I did, I'm sure.

Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Obsessed by James Patterson

 In this startling psychological thriller, a killer is targeting young women in New York City and is obsessed with Michael Bennett's daughter.

 
A killer is obsessed...
with Detective Michael Bennett’s oldest daughter. 
 
Michael Bennett is obsessed... 
with keeping his family safe. 
 
New York City is obsessed...
with cracking the killer’s code. 
 
You will be obsessed...
with this startling psychological thriller.
 

Obsessed. 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Obsessed: A Psychological Thriller (A Michael Bennett Thriller, 15): 9780316499576: Patterson, James, Born, James O.: Books

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster “Eruption.” He has told the story of his own life in “James Patterson by James Patterson” and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

My thoughts...

I am OBSESSED with Patterson. So, this series has been so good. This is book 15 out of 17 so take your time and read them all. It makes the adventure so much more exciting as you read them in order.

Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Coal Black Lies by Cindy Sproles

 Believing the bitter lies you tell yourself leaves little room for the sweetness of truth

Coal miner Joshua Morgan managed to do the impossible--he broke away from the stranglehold of the iron-fisted Barton family and the Company Store, to whom all the miners in the Appalachian Mountains are indebted. But it cost him the life of his young daughter, who was run down by a posse led by Thomas Barton while coming to collect Joshua's payment to the store.
Five years later, a sweet but slow-witted young girl lands on his doorstep, and Joshua’s desire to protect her from the clutches of the Bartons increases his thirst for vengeance. Joshua sets out to discover where the girl came from in order to take down the Barton family once and for all.
His journey leads him to the truth about the day his daughter died, a reality he finds hard to accept. But when confronted by Thomas Barton himself, Joshua is forced to rethink the dark lies brewing in his heart. If he broke away, could Thomas have also? Despite his misgivings, can Joshua join forces with a man he once despised to free the miners from the tyrannical Barton family and forge a future of peace for both the young girl and himself?

Pick up your copy here...

Coal Black Lies: An Appalachian Novel: Sproles, Cindy: 9780825448232: Amazon.com: Books

Cindy K. Sproles is an author and speaker. Raised and living in the mountains of East Tennessee, she spins tales of life in the deep crevices of the Appalachian mountains. Cindy is proud of her mountain heritage and her desire is to see this culture live on in history. "Children aren't taught in school about the innovation and determination of the mountain people or about the heritage that is richly embedded in them. These are the people who helped forge America and these are the people who have the brawn and guts to stand by their families, heritage, and beliefs." Cindy's desire is to continue to weave the stories, despite their hardships, that show the resilience of the Appalachian culture. Being raised in these mountains and having family who practiced the old ways, Cindy writes from a deep love and experience of the mountains of East Tennessee. Who better to pen the stories of the people, than someone who knows it first hand.?

Aside from her writing, Cindy co-founded ChristianDevotions.us and served as managing editor for SonRise Books and Straight Street Books, imprints of Iron Stream Media. She teaches at Christian Writers Conferences and ladies retreats and ladies conferences across the country. Her devotions are heartfelt and honest. Edgy and inviting. Cindy serves as the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us, a writing mentor, and life coach. She shares mentoring with Lori Marett at Writing Right Author Mentoring Service. Author of four non-fiction books, Cindy's fiction debut novel, Mercy's Rain(Kregel Publishing), won book of the year and her second novel, Liar's Winter has won numerous awards. Cindy's 3rd Appalachian Novel, Revell Publishing, What Momma Left Behind, also received a gold medal in the national Illumination Awards and was named Christian Market Novel of the Year. She has contributed to CBN.com and InspireaFire.com and serves as the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit her at www.cindysproles.com or contact her at cindyksproles@gmail.com

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

 The New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center's next laugh out loud, feel good rom-com about writing your own story.

She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?

Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies―good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates―The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!―it’s a break too big to pass up.

Emma’s younger sister steps in for caretaking duties, and Emma moves to L.A. for six weeks for the writing gig of a lifetime. But what is it they say? Don’t meet your heroes? Charlie Yates doesn’t want to write with anyone―much less “a failed, nobody screenwriter.” Worse, the romantic comedy he’s written is so terrible it might actually bring on the apocalypse. Plus! He doesn’t even care about the script―it’s just a means to get a different one green-lit. Oh, and he thinks love is an emotional Ponzi scheme.

But Emma’s not going down without a fight. She will stand up for herself, and for rom-coms, and for love itself. She will convince him that love stories matter―even if she has to kiss him senseless to do it. But . . . what if that kiss is accidentally amazing? What if real life turns out to be so much . . . more real than fiction? What if the love story they’re writing breaks all Emma’s rules―and comes true?

Pick up your copy here...

The Rom-Commers: A Novel: Center, Katherine: 9781250283801: Amazon.com: Books

BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, The Bodyguard, and her newest, Hello Stranger. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” The movie adaptation of her novel The Lost Husband (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and the movie of her novel Happiness for Beginners, starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes, opens July 27 on Netflix. Katherine’s summer 2022 book, The Bodyguard, was an instant New York Times bestseller, a People Best New Books pick, and nominated for Book of the Year by Book of the Month Club. Bestselling author Emily Henry calls The Bodyguard “a shot of pure joy,” and bestselling author Helen Hoang calls it “a perfect feel-good rom-com.” Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.

My Thoughts...

I really enjoyed these characters. I have never read a Center book that I didn't really enjoy. this is a fast, fun summer read I couldn't put down. The sprayed edges ate gorgeous.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Wisdom of the Path by Yasmine Cheyenne

 We’re each walking our own journey, and sometimes it's a hard one: a divorce, a career change, grief, or a major life transition. These chapters of our lives can leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed thinking, “How did I end up here?” Most often, the answers we tell ourselves make us feel either stuck on the path or stuck in shame. We are uncomfortable with the discomfort that life inevitably presents.

But another possibility is that we allow this question to spark curiosity that inspires and invites us to keep going, step by step, until we arrive on the other side of our journey.

Wisdom of the Path helps you:

• Have more patience with yourself during struggles
• Gather the lessons and wisdom of your past to courageously face new untraveled roads ahead
• Stand in your power and create the future you desire
• Embrace that each journey—good and bad—has informed our core wisdom.

Wisdom of the Path weaves stories of grief, heartbreak, joy, and overcoming that invite you to gather the wisdom you’ve collected throughout your life and use it for your path ahead. Anchored in four guideposts: base camp, intent, walk the talk, and lessons learned, this soulful and warm storytelling guide encourages us to embrace the bumpy roads of our lives with knowledge and knowing that we’re moving forward.

Pick up your copy here...

Wisdom of the Path: The Beautiful and Bumpy Ride to Healing and Trusting Our Inner Guide: Cheyenne, Yasmine: 9780063315006: Amazon.com: Books

Yasmine Cheyenne is a self-healing educator, mental wellness advocate, author, and motivational speaker who helps

people cultivate daily practices to build healthy, joyful lives. Yasmine’s app, The Sugar Jar Community®, provides

meditations and healing workshops to support our mental wellness. She’s been featured on the Today show, InStyle,

Forbes, and more. An Air Force Veteran and native New Yorker, she now lives in Washington, DC with her family.

The Library of Second Chances by Savannah Carlisle

 

Daily walks along the sparkling shoreline and chats with her best friend are part of bookstore owner Lucy Sullivan's slow-paced life. And that’s just how she likes to spend her time in the close-knit community of her picturesque village.

Lucy also adores maintaining the town’s Little Free Library. Those who leave a book there include notes to the next reader. And Lucy, herself, has gotten a few that have her smitten. Life couldn't be better in her quaint beach village with the sway of sea grass in the soft coastal breeze.

When she hears Logan Lancaster is brought in to solve the town’s budget deficit, Lucy isn’t at all excited about his vision for growth along the waterfront. To make matters worse, it's Lucy who's appointed to oppose Logan in a series of public forums for the planned expansion. The quaint life she's built for herself will never be the same.

They couldn’t be more opposite. Except for one tiny thing: unbeknownst to both of them, they’ve been swapping anonymous notes in the Little Free Library...

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The Library of Second Chances: A Heartwarming Summer Romance: Carlisle, Savannah: 9798988774419: Amazon.com: Books

Savannah Carlisle writes heartwarming romance novels with idyllic beach settings. Her stories transport readers to fun and quirky small towns where friends feel like family. So, if you’re ready for a mental vacation, you’ve come to the right place!⁠

Savannah jokes that she's living her own Hallmark movie because she's a former big city corporate attorney who now lives in the small beach town of Fernandina Beach writing romance novels.

When she isn't busy at her laptop writing her next book, Savannah enjoys putting her feet in the sand with a good book in hand. She lives on Amelia Island in Florida with her husband, German Shepherd, and three cats.

My Thoughts...

What a fantastic debut. Lucy and Logan were so much fun to read about and the romance, letters left at the Free Library that was so clever. I read it in one sitting and I must say, Carlisle is on my top three authors I must read. I cannot wait until her next book.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Happy Harbor by Rachel Hanna

 Josie Campbell has spent her entire adult life distancing herself from her childhood in the small Southern town of Happy Harbor. Growing up with an alcoholic mother who was either absent or scandalizing the town with her antics, all Josie ever wanted was to escape to somewhere no one knew her as Diane's daughter. Now, she finally has it all--a great job, a condo in one of Atlanta's most desirable areas, a successful fiancé, and her teenage daughter, Kendra, enrolled at a top-rated school.

But when that life falls apart, and her beloved nana dies, Josie is forced to return to the one place she never wanted to visit again. Soon, she finds herself stepping into Nana's shoes in Happy Harbor: running her quaint restaurant, living in their family's historic home, and bumping into Walker Jackson--the disturbingly handsome man who lives in the guest house--on a near daily basis. All of which sounds idyllic, if it weren't for the painful memories lurking around every corner. Still, the place seems to be good for Kendra, who begs to stay, and Josie is inclined to at least make an attempt at a new life in this old town.

That is, until her mother turns up. Diane insists she's truly sober now and wants just one more chance. Nana's last wish was for the two of them to reconcile, and she's even arranged things to help make that happen. But with a lifetime of painful experiences that have taught her not to trust this woman, can Josie truly bring herself to forgive Diane?

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Happy Harbor: 9798212171588: Rachel Hanna: Books

Rachel Hanna is an 11-time USA Today and 2-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author who has sold over 2 million books. She crafts women's fiction that takes readers on emotional journeys through the scenic landscapes of the South—whether it's the sun-kissed beaches or the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends facing life-altering changes, always accompanied by a generous dose of romance.

Though she penned her first story at the tender age of 8, Rachel didn't publish her debut novel until she was 40, turning her lifelong passion for storytelling into a career that has touched the hearts of millions.

Married for 26 years and a mother to three grown children, Rachel calls a charming, Hallmark-esque town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia her home. She also shares her life with two adorable rescue dogs who complete her family. The South isn't just a setting in her novels; it's a character in its own right. Through her vivid storytelling, she brings to life the region's warm community spirit, its rich history, and the romantic locales that make it so endearing.

The Last Time She Saw Him by Kate White

 As Kiki Reed heads out to a party at a friend’s house in the Connecticut countryside, she’s more than a little nervous. Her ex-fiancé Jamie, a great guy who just wasn’t “the one,” will be attending, and she hasn’t seen him since she broke his heart a few months earlier. But when they come face to face, their exchange is brief and pleasant, which is a huge relief.

Then, as the party is winding down, a noise pierces the night. The last few guests run outside to find Jamie inside his car, dead from a gunshot wound.

Shocked and grieving, Kiki learns that the police believe Jamie took his own life, but she knows he was moving on from the breakup and just doesn’t believe it. Determined to find the truth, she searches for any evidence that will get the police to take her seriously. But as she peels away the layers, she uncovers something far more sinister than she’d imagined—and it may be her life on the line next. . .

Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                     Amazon.com: The Last Time She Saw Him: A Novel: 9780063247390: White, Kate: Books

Kate White is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of ten psychological thrillers, including BETWEEN TWO STRANGERS, THE SECOND HUSBAND, and the upcoming THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM (May 14).

In addition to writing stand-alone psychological thrillers, Kate is the author of eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. The most recent, SUCH A PERFECT WIFE, was nominated for an International Thriller Writers Award.

Kate is also the editor of the MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK.

You can get updates on Kate by following her here on Amazon, signing up for the newsletter offered on her website, and by following her on Facebook and Instagram. If you need to contact her for a talk or book club visit (in person or virtually), or just to ask a question, simply go to "Contact" or "Speaking/Book Clubs" on her website.

She is a frequent speaker at libraries and conferences and loves to share her journey from magazine editor-in-chief to suspense novelist or offer her seven best tips for writing a page-turning thriller or mystery.

The former editor-in-chief of five major magazines, including Cosmopolitan for 14 years, Kate is also the author of several popular career books, including THE GUTSY GIRL HANDBOOK: YOUR MANIFESTO FOR SUCCESS; I SHOULDN'T BE TELLING YOU THIS: HOW TO ASK FOR THE MONEY, SNAG THE PROMOTION, AND CREATE THE CAREER YOU DESERVE and the groundbreaking Wall Street Journal bestseller WHY GOOD GIRLS DON'T GET AHEAD BUT GUTSY GIRLS DO.

My Thoughts...

I stayed on the edge of my seat and could not turn the pages fast enough. This one is NOT to be missed by thriller fans.
Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan

 

It’s never too late to start dancing again...

For fifty years, Venetia Hargreaves’s world revolved around her husband. She built their life around his big career, with dinner on the table at six, a lovely home, and a dutiful son just as business-minded as his father. Now Venetia’s a wealthy widow left with a beautiful but empty home, an enviable bank balance, and a distinct feeling that she missed the boat. Once upon a time, she was a dance instructor who dreamed of opening her own ballroom school with a fellow teacher who won her heart. Instead, Venetia chose the safer path.

So, at seventy-four years of age, Venetia declares her independence, first with a makeover, and then by adopting a new dog. But something is still missing...until on one of her dog walks by the river she passes by a building she remembers all too well. In her youth it was the spectacular Phoenix Ballroom, where she used to teach waltzes and tangos. These days it’s a community center and spiritualist church, funded by a mysterious benefactor who only pays for the upkeep.

Eager to revive at least one meaningful thing from her past, Venetia buys the Phoenix Ballroom, and finds a supportive and loving community of lost souls who become a delightful multigenerational family-by-choice.

As the ballroom regains its former glory, the community and Venetia’s humdrum life are revived as well...proving wonderful things can come from the darkest of places.

Pick up your copy here...                                                                                                                                     The Phoenix Ballroom: A Novel: Hogan, Ruth: 9780063348745: Amazon.com: Books

MY NEW NOVEL - THE PHOENIX BALLROOM - WILL BE PUBLISHED ON 27TH JUNE 2024.

MADAME BUROVA, THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS, THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES and QUEENIE MALONE'S PARADISE HOTEL - are out now in all formats.

I was brought up in a house full of books, and grew up with an unsurprising passion for reading and writing. I also loved (and still do) dogs and ponies, seaside piers (particularly the Palace Pier in Brighton) snow globes and cemeteries. And potatoes. So of course, I was going to be a vet, show jumper, or gravedigger. Or potato farmer.

Or maybe a writer...

I studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College, University of London where I hennaed my hair, wore dungarees, had aspirations to be the fourth member of Bananarama and generally had an amazing time. And then I got a proper job. For ten years I had a successful if uninspiring career in local government before a car accident left me unable to work full-time and was the kick up the butt I needed to start writing seriously.

It was all going well, but then in 2012 I got cancer, which was very inconvenient but precipitated an exciting hair journey from bald to a peroxide blonde Annie Lennox crop. When chemo kept me up all night I passed the time writing and the eventual result was THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS, my bestselling debut novel, which was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Since then I have had two further novels published, THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES and QUEENIE MALONE'S PARADISE HOTEL and for my fourth, MADAME BUROVA, I learnt to read Tarot cards and developed a hankering for a traditional vardo and pony.

I live in a chaotic Victorian house with an assortment of rescue dogs and my long-suffering husband. I am a magpie; always collecting treasures (or 'junk' depending on your point of view), a huge John Betjeman fan and I would very much like a full-size galloping horses carousel in my back garden.

As a full-time author I am living the dream, and I'm so grateful to all my readers for making that possible. I love hearing from you, so please feel free to drop me a line on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Air Fryer Cookbook by Ella Sanders

 Whip up fun, flavorful restaurant recipes in your own kitchen!

Devour amazing restaurant-style eats whenever you want them with the ease of an air fryer! From appetizers and main events to desserts, The Better, Faster, Crispier-Than-Takeout Air Fryer Cookbook features more than 75 quick and tasty recipes inspired by menu favorites. You’ll benefit from less fat and fewer calories without sacrificing a bit of flavor. So fire up your air fryer and treat yourself to fast-casual classics and new fried favorites!

- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Parmesan Truffle Fries
- Southwestern Egg Rolls
- Nashville Hot Chicken
- Fresh Fish Tacos
- Korean Chicken Wings
- Cinnamon-Sugar Churros

- Air-Fried Oreos

Pick up your copy here...

The Better, Faster, Crispier-than-Takeout Air Fryer Cookbook: Over 75 Quick and Easy Restaurant Recipes - Kindle edition by Sanders, Ella. Cookbooks, Food & Wine Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

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Ella Sanders is a comfort food enthusiast who loves spending time at the table with friends and family. She shares her enthusiasm for cooking with anyone who's interested and specializes in making traditional meals with unexpected flavor and flair. Ella lives with her husband and two boys in Portland, Maine. Her cookbooks include The Ultimate Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook, The Ultimate Ketogenic Cookbook, and Copper Magic.

My Thoughts...

If you are not watching what you eat this is a great cookbook. We are on Keto so we can't eat any of it but it all looks so good. And so easy.

Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Return to Lovelock Inn by Katie Prescott

 

Their father’s ambition made them strangers. Now his final challenge will bring the Lovelock sisters together as they discover the meaning of family on Valentine Key.

As the only child of wealthy businessman Horatio Beauregard Lovelock’s beloved first wife, Victoria Lovelock was robbed of the love of both parents at a young age — her mother dying in a fruitless attempt to give Horatio the son he wanted, her father through indifference and neglect.

Victoria’s childhood was a vagabond existence of moving from one boarding school after another across Europe and the United States. She came to rely on herself, and the affection of Lily Lovelock during her too-short summer visits to her aunt’s Lovelock Inn on Valentine Key.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Return to the Lovelock Inn (Valentine Key Book 1) eBook : Prescott, Katie : Kindle Store

Katie Prescott loves hanging out on the beach. Once there she can typically be found with a book in one hand and a delicious fruity drink in the other. She is convinced that sitting in the sand and watching the waves come in is the best way to spend her time off.

My Thoughts...

What a great start to a new series. This is truly women's fiction at its best. The family drama and the fast-paced page tunning read does leave a cliffhanger at the end. So, I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

Modern Friendship by Anna Goldfarb

 

Modern friendships can be painfully ambiguous. But they don’t have to be. Journalist Anna Goldfarb has your back. “It’s understandable if your friendships are floundering. You’re up against historically new forces that we, as a culture, have no precedent for navigating,” she says. With Modern Friendship, Anna shares a manual for understanding what is pushing our friendships to the brink and provides actionable advice for forming authentic, enduring connections today.

It’s never been easier to shed friendships, which is precisely why we need a new approach to keeping them strong. Anna argues that we need to update our approach to friendships in a way that accounts for the hyper-fluid society we live in. The key to forming a lasting bond is what Anna calls “Wholehearted Friendship”―proven strategies to enhance enthusiastic connection.

Blending keen insights, cutting-edge social research, and intuitive practical tools, she invites you to explore:

• Why modern friendships are so ambiguous―and how to get clarity
• How desire influences friend selection, why friendships fail, and how to hone your friendship intuition
• Mattering to others―establishing boundaries, being flexible, having fun, and setting up your friendships for success
• Tools for the tough times―exercises, prompts, scripts, and advice on keeping friendships active even when life gets hectic
• Practicing Wholehearted Friendship―how to be caring, curious, appreciative, and supportive to a friend in any situation
• Trying a 14-day Friendship Cleanse―two weeks of actionable advice to clarify your wishes in friendship and strengthen your connections, both old and new

Grasping the mechanics of friendships will liberate you from the prison of self-doubt. “Your friendships are precious. They’re vital. They matter. So let’s understand, cultivate, and harness their incredible power,” says Anna. With Modern Friendship, you’ll discover how to be a more self-assured and empowered friend to the most meaningful people in your life. Let Anna show you how.

Pick up your copy here...

Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections: Goldfarb, Anna: 9781649632081: Amazon.com: Books

Author and journalist Anna Goldfarb has covered friendships extensively for the New York Times' Smarter Living section. Her reporting on friendship has also appeared in the Atlantic, TIME Magazine, Vox, Vice, The Cut and more. Her forthcoming book, MODERN FRIENDSHIP, will be out in June 2024. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and tripawd cat, Eleanor.

The Coast Road by Alan Murrin

 

A poignant debut novel about the lives of women in a claustrophobic coast town and the search for independence in a society that seeks to limit it.

Set in 1994, The Coast Road tells the story of two women—Izzy Keaveney, a housewife, and Colette Crowley, a poet. Colette has left her husband and sons for a married man in Dublin. When she returns to her home in County Donegal to try to pick up the pieces of her old life, her husband, Shaun, a successful businessman, denies her access to her children.

The only way she can see them is with the help of neighbour Izzy, acting as a go-between. Izzy also feels caught in a troubled marriage. The friendship that develops between them will ultimately lead to tragedy for one, and freedom for the other.

Addictive as Big Little Lies with a depth and compassion that rivals the works of Claire Keegan, Elizabeth Strout, and Colm Tóibín, The Coast Road is a story about the limits placed on women’s lives in Ireland only a generation ago, and the consequences women have suffered trying to gain independence. Award-winning Irish author Alan Murrin reminds us of the price we are forced to pay to find freedom.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The Coast Road: A Novel: 9780063336520: Murrin, Alan: Books

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Alan Murrin is an Irish writer based in Berlin. His short story, “The Wake,” won the 2021 Bournemouth Writing Prize and was shortlisted for short story of the year at the Irish Book Awards. The Coast Road was shortlisted for the PFD Queer Fiction prize. Murrin is also the recipient of an Irish Arts Council Agility Award and an Arts Council Literature Bursary. He is a graduate of the prose fiction masters at the University of East Anglia, and writes for the Irish Times and the Times Literary Supplement, as well as Art Review and e-flux.