What We Leave Behind: a woman must face her past and answer the question what could have been

What We Leave Behind by Rochelle Weinstein is the story of Jessica Parker as she faces life and emotional growth confronting the past and moving forward in her future. At sixteen, she is dealing with the loss of her father as well as the loss of her first love. After an intense summer romance, Jonas Levy, a twenty two year old medical student, has abruptly walked out of her life and Jessica is left with deep wounds. As she grows up and moves on, she eventually becomes a successful music supervisor in Los Angeles. After she marries Marty Tauber, a film producer, she finally seems to have it all until her marriage begins to unravel. When a secret from her past comes to light, Jessica finds herself in a storm of trauma and memories as she faces the past. Will she be able to find peace in order to salvage her marriage and save everything she loves? 

For a story that describes itself that “our lives are a sum total of the choices we make, which inevitably leaves us to wonder: what if?” To ask the question: would we go back and make a different choice if we could? To live what could have been? However, What We Leave Behind fell short. The story dragged with lots happening but it didn’t really add to the benefit of the story. For me, different reveals felt out of place and were more for shock value than an emotional impact. I didn’t care for the main character, Jessica and the events that she has to experience which made the book very hard to pick up and get into. Overall, I did not enjoy What We Leave Behind. I just wasn’t drawn into a story I expected to be an emotional exploration of what if and what could have been. I do not recommend What We Leave Behind. 

What We Leave Behind is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

When the Rain Ends: a mother and daughter learn to navigate one of life's toughest storms together

When the Rain Ends by Mary Ellen Taylor is a story of a mother and daughter who must learn to navigate one of life’s toughest storms together. After the sudden death of her ex-husband, Dani Peterson learns that she is slowly losing her vision which has left her feeling adrift. Life on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is just a painful reminder. Along with Bella, her grief stricken twelve year old daughter, Dani buys an old farm near the Virginia state line. While Bella is not happy with the drastic change, Dani is more determined to rise to the challenge. Soon the summer brings them new challenges, new friends, and the possibility of a new love. Can they learn that every storm can be weather as long as they do it together? Are sunny skies in their future after so much wind and rain? 

When the Rain Ends held so much promise that I was eager to begin reading. It soon became apparent that the book would not live up to the synopsis. This story had so much potential as the topic of grief is prevalent throughout and yet I found it hard to connect with any of the characters. Dani was okay as a mom who was trying to help her daughter with grief while dealing with grief herself. Bella didn’t act like a twelve year old in her behaviors and attitude. The plot was flat and forming. It didn’t hold my attention. In parts, I found myself zoning out. Some of the subplots were underdeveloped and others didn’t fit in the overarching story. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. It could have been a great story about grief and learning to move forward. I do not recommend When the Rain Ends. 

When the Rain Ends is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Lost Baker of Vienna: family history and a search for answers

The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman is a historical novel inspired by the author’s family in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. In Vienna, 1946, Chana Rosensweig survived the horrors of the war, only to find herself, her mother and her younger brother free and yet struggling to make a living and live in safety. Despite the danger, Chana sneaks into the hotel where she works and makes her late father’s recipes late at night. She soon finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black market dealer who offered security and the apprentice baker who shares her passions. In North Carolina, 2018, Zoe Rosenzweig follows the clues left in her late grandfather’s writings to track down her great aunt in Europe and find out the truth to what happened to her. Soon, Zoe has the sense that someone is following her. Is there someone in the shadows looking for her aunt as well? 

In a story about survival, loss, love and the effects of war, The Lost Baker of Vienna speaks of the unbreakable bonds of family and bringing to light the courageous spirit of survival as the World War II refugees begin to rebuild their lives and overcome the overwhelming hardships left behind in a world torn apart by war. I enjoyed that the author focused on the events and experiences in the aftermath of World War II. Often World War II novels focus on the actual war experiences and ignore the aftermath. I felt more drawn to Zoe’s experiences as she is tracing the steps of her great aunt than Chana’s point of view. Overall, I enjoyed both points of view as the web of secrets unraveled. Some parts were interesting and kept me reading while others were predictable. However, I commend the author for giving a voice to those left behind in war and worked to rebuild. If you enjoy historical novels, I recommend The Lost Baker of Vienna. 

The Lost Baker of Vienna will be available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook 

on August 19, 2025. 

True North: a friends to lovers romance with plenty of emotions

True North is the first book in the North Brothers series by Amy Knupp. Cole North has always felt like the odd man out. With a high IQ, he falters when it comes to personal relationships. Years ago, he left his rightful position in the family business and began a successful career in construction instead. Cole is the foreman for Sierra Lowell, owner of Dunn and Lowell, a remodeling company. She is creative, hardworking and likes to think outside the box. She has one rule: do not mix business with pleasure. When a last minute break up leaves her without a date for her sister’s wedding. Cole surprises her and himself when he offers to be her fake date for the night. When their evening turns into a family emergency, Sierra sees a side of Cole she never knew and the line between boss and foreman becomes blurry. Can Cole go from her right hand man to the right man for her? 

True North is friends to lovers romance with lots of sweet moments, plenty of angst and filled with emotions. I enjoyed Sierra and Cole from the beginning and wondered what in Cole’s past left him determined to be a loner for the rest of his life. There is a moment when Cole comes to terms with a past he can’t change and words he cannot take back, I cried. I wasn’t expecting tears in this romance. It was a beautiful scene with great descriptions. I loved Sierra’s confidence, her ability to stand up for herself and call Cole out on his self-defeating behavior. I also loved the banter between Cole and his brothers. I enjoyed the sisterly bond between Sierra and her sister. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy a friends to lovers romance with lots of emotions, I highly recommend True North. 

True North is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Memory of You: a second chance romance with dark secrets and angsty emotions

The Memory of You is the first book in the Sanctuary Sound series by Jamie Beck. Stefanie “Steffi” Lockwood is a survivor. After a brutal assault, she returns home to Sanctuary Sound, a coastal Connecticut smalltown, in order to rebuild her life. Starting a remodeling business with her childhood friend, Claire, Steffi finds herself hired by her ex-boyfriend’s mother. Ryan Quinn is a public defender who has returned to Sanctuary Sound after his wife leaves him. With his daughter, Emmy, in tow, Ryan did not expect to see Steffi working on his family home especially when she shattered his heart so many years ago. As Steffi and Ryan find themselves interacting more and more, Steffi must confront old regrets and Ryan finds old feelings still there. Steffi never thought she would have a second chance with her first love; however, secrets from the past threaten to tear them apart for good. 

The Memory of You is a second chance romance with dark secrets and angsty emotions. From the opening chapter to the closing epilogue, I could not put this story down. I enjoyed Steffi’s character from the get-go and I liked how she owed her mistakes and apologized for hurting Ryan. Ryan was also a great character who wants to do right by his daughter. Emmy was a great character as a little girl who wants her family back together and yet finds herself in her new town. I loved how the author realistically shows how the words “I’m sorry” doesn’t magically fix the hurt that was caused. Trust is hard to earn back when someone has been hurt. The secret Steffi is hiding is realistically heartbreaking and the author handles it well with compassion. Overall, I enjoyed Steffi and Ryan’s story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Memory of You. 

The Memory of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

As Good as Dead: what an ending to the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder trilogy

As Good as Dead is the third and final book in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy by Holly Jackson. Pip is getting ready to head to college. However, instead of being excited about the next chapter in her life, she is haunted by the aftermath of her previous case. She is used to death threats and angry trolls in her comment section of her true-crime podcast. However, when strange events start happening and an anonymous person begins to taunt her with a simple question: who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears? Pip realizes she is being stalked and there may be a connection between her stalker and the local serial killer caught six years ago. When the police refuse to act, Pip decides to find the suspect herself before she becomes the next victim. 

What can I say about this book; but wow what an end!!!! This story had lots and lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing. Pip is dealing with some PTSD as she is still haunted by the previous case. Even turning to questionable methods to be able to function, to say Pip is struggling is an understatement. Questioning her own sense of reality when certain strange occurrences occur until she finds a connection to a serial killer who was convicted years ago. As she investigates, she is convinced the real killer is after her now the man behind bars is innocent. I loved how Ravi, her boyfriend, her friends and even her former enemies came to her aid. I highly recommend As Good as Dead as well as the rest of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy. 

As Good as Dead is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Taming 7: when the lovable class clown hides a dark and terrible secret

Taming 7 is the fifth book in the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. Claire Biggs and Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson have been best friends since childhood. She is the sunshine who sees the good in everyone, especially Gibsie. She always sees a side of him that no one else doesn’t see. Gibsie is the ultimate and yet lovable class clown. The one to crack a joke when things get too serious. But behind his goofball facade, Gibsie hides a dark secret, a secret he is determined to reveal to no one. As they enter another year of school, storm clouds are rolling in and his secret is getting harder and harder to keep. As their relationship comes to a crossroad, they take a chance for something more, however, Claire is frustrated that Gibsie is still holding back. When the truth is revealed, will their friendship survive? Will it blossom to something stronger or be lost forever? 

The Boys of Tommen series dives into dark subject matters and Taming 7 is no different. From the very first book, Gibsie has been a favorite character of mine. The Ride or Die friend with a heart of gold, yet no one suspects that he is drowning his pain in laughter. I was not expecting the depth of Gibsie’s secret. While I recommend reading Taming 7 and the earlier books of the Boys of Tommen series, I strongly urge readers to read the author’s notes and trigger warnings in the beginning. This story is not for the faint of heart. My heart broke for Gibsie and I cried as he dealt with the revelation of his secret. I am looking forward to more of the Boys of Tommen series. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers, angsty New adult stories, I highly recommend Taming 7 and the rest of the Boys of Tommen series. 

Taming 7 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Fragile Sanctuary: an ultimate grumpy-sunshine love story with suspense and hard hitting emotions

Fragile Sanctuary is the first book in the Sparrow Falls series by Catherine Cowles. The scowl Anson Hunt gave the world should have been all the warning Rhodes Stirling needed. Adding in his sexy smirk and the fact that he is her brother’s best friend, she should have stayed far, far away. Now he is the new contractor restoring her house and she runs into him every day. Despite her painful past, Rhodes is determined to be upbeat and positive. Anson is the ultimate grump. He’s rude and enjoys solitude way too much. The man won’t crack despite any of the kindness she shows him. Until, that is, he sees her sunshine demeanor shatter.  After a series of events that seem to target Rhodes herself, Anson is there to keep her safe and a spark between them becomes engulfing flames. But Anson is a man with secrets, secrets that have followed him to Sparrow Falls and threatens them both. Will they discover who is targeting Rhodes? Will they survive? 

Catherine Cowles knows how to deliver a deeply emotional and highly suspenseful story with a great love story. I am still working through her book catalog but I know her story will be a roller coaster of emotions and action. When I heard she was writing a new series, I couldn’t wait to dive. What a story it was! Fragile Sanctuary was the ultimate grumpy-sunshine love story with a great deal of suspense. I loved that Rhodes was determined to have a positive outlook on life. I knew that there was a painful reason for Anson’s hands-off approach. Their romance was filled with witty banter and slow burn to spicy scenes. The suspense was great and the reveal of who was behind everything was a complete shock! I loved the found family aspect and the protectiveness the siblings have for each other. Overall, I loved this story and I am eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Fragile Sanctuary. 

Fragile Sanctuary is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Enthralled: steamy romance with drama, passionate love and sweet emotional moments

Enthralled is the first book in The Tribute series by J. Akridge. Cole Barker is a rockstar who is used to having any woman he wants. He had made some bad decisions in the past, decisions that caused the deepest pain. Feeling unworthy of real love for past transgressions, Cole is determined to close his heart to all. Why does Mia fill his thoughts like no other? Mia is a florist after inheriting her grandmother’s shop. She thought she was happy. She thought she knew what the rest of her life would be like. Even if she is settling for familiarity, for comfort instead of love. She never imagined how her life would turn upside down when Cole walked into her shop. She never imagined she would discover what she has been missing. Together, they will discover that healing and forgiveness is possible and a passionate love they have only dreamed of. 

From the opening chapter to the closing epilogue, this story takes hold and does not let go. Filled with drama and sweet emotional moments, Enthralled is a fast paced story. I enjoyed Cole and Mia as individuals and as a couple. There are people and circumstances that try to keep them apart but they are destined to be together. There are a few spicy scenes. There are intense moments of danger and there are moments of shock that left my jaw on the floor. I also loved the family and found family aspect with the secondary characters. Even the villains of the story were worthy of the scorn the readers will feel and the comeuppance they receive in the story. I could not put this book down! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Enthralled. 

Enthralled is available in paperback and eBook

Good Girl, Bad Blood: the clock is ticking when a local man goes missing

Good Girl, Bad Blood is the second book in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy by Holly Jackson. With the help of Ravi Singh, Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi released a true crime podcast detailing their investigation into the disappearance of Andie Bell and the death of Sal Singh. As the podcast has gone viral, she makes a promise: no more investigations. However, she is about to break that promise. On the night of the memorial for the sixth year anniversary of the case, Jamie Reynolds disappears. The police won’t take his family’s pleas for an investigation, Connor, Jamie’s brother, turns to Pip. As she starts her investigation, she begins to uncover more of the town’s dark secrets but this time, everyone is listening. Can she find Jamie before it’s too late? 

Good Girl, Bad Blood opens as the trial begins on the Bell-Singh case. From the opening chapter to the closing epilogue, this case was a fast paced race against time as Pip knows every minute counts in a missing person case. I found Good Girl, Bad Blood to be much more engaging than the first book. Pip is my favorite character and loved her vulnerability and dogged determination to see a positive outcome to this case, even though logic and statistics would tell her otherwise. I also enjoyed Ravi, her boyfriend, as the calm to her storm. They are a great team. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am jumping into the third book soon. If you enjoy a young adult detective story, I highly recommend A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. If you enjoyed the first book, I highly recommend Good Girl, Bad Blood. 

Good Girl, Bad Blood is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Between the Shady Groves: sometimes going home is the path to happiness, love and forgiveness

Between the Shady Groves is the tenth book in the Raspberry Ridge Sweet Beach Romance series by Jessie Gussman. Twelve years ago, Lauren left the small town of Raspberry Ridge for the glittering city life and full of ambition. Now, she is married and life isn’t what she imagined. After a series of devastating miscarriages, the death of her mother and her emotionally unaware husband, Lauren returns to her hometown and the family bakery, desperate to find herself again and find the healing she desperately needs. With every familiar sight and scent, stirs memories of heartbreak, anger and abandoned dreams, Lauren takes up her mother’s legacy and opens the bakery once again. As friendships renew and blossom, Lauren finds the sense of belonging she is looking for. What she doesn’t expect is her husband, Cannon, arriving in town with pleads of forgiveness. Lauren must learn that true happiness is not escaping the past but embracing love, family and forgiveness. 

I have not read the earlier books in the Raspberry Ridge series; however, the story sounded promising, so I took a chance. From the very beginning Lauren is a shell of herself and desperate to feel comfort and love from those around her. I empathized with Lauren as someone who has experienced multiple miscarriages as others around me were having babies; however, where I couldn’t sympathize with her is her attitude toward her husband. She expected Cannon to read her mind and know what is wrong, what she wants and needs. Her favorite repeated line was he’s smart, he can figure it out. Men, and people in general, need to be told point blank, "I need this or that.” Overall, I did not like Lauren or Cannon and even though they came to a resolution at the end, I didn’t find myself cheering for them. If you are a fan of the Raspberry Ridge series, I recommend Between the Shady Groves. 

Between the Shady Groves is available in paperback and eBook.