Nothing But Trouble: an ex-quarterback, his assistant and a love neither of them saw coming

Nothing But Trouble is the first book in the Credence, Colorado series by Amy Andrews. For the past five years, Cecilia “CC” Morgan’s life has revolved around the personal assistant to Wade “The Catapult” Carter, a former NFL quarterback. She has decided she has had enough and prepares to quit, but then his father’s health fails and she finds herself in his hometown. CC will stay, for now, but seeing Wade outside the bright lights of Denver has her thinking things she has no business thinking. CC’s plan to quit throws Wade for a loop as he cannot imagine his life with his “left tackle,” his Girl Friday. Now they are under the same roof in his hometown, bantering like an old married couple, Wade starts to see CC as just more than his assistant. Will Wade open his eyes and his heart to the woman he cannot live without? 

Nothing But Trouble is a sweet romance with a bit of spice as well as great banter, sigh worthy moments and humor. I loved CC and Wade from the moment they appeared on the page and their attraction together is apparent to everyone but them. To see them slowly come to that realization were great moments, especially Wade’s. The moment it hit him brought a smile to  my face and I enjoyed his grand gestures. Yes, multiple. He fumbled a few times. Their supporting characters were awesome too. The small town characters were alive and well in Credence. The family banter, the friendly insults and touching moments helped boost their story. I loved this story and I was sad to see it end; however, I look forward to the rest of this series. If you love a sweet spicy romance with great moments, I highly recommend Nothing But Trouble. 

Nothing But Trouble is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Something Like Hate: an enemies to lovers football romance

Something Like Hate is the first book in the Chicago Grizzlies series by Piper Rayne. Miles Cavanaugh is the best safety in the league and when he was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies, Bryce Burns was ecstatic. She couldn’t be happier. They have had a love-hate relationship since college. Finally, she has breathing room. That is until she lands her dream job with a national sport magazine in Chicago. The city is big enough for both of them…right? The best laid plans soon go awry when she temporarily takes over reporting on the Chicago Grizzlies which means traveling with the team, interviewing the players and all with an all-access pass. Miles and Bryce decide to play nice for the sake of both of their jobs. However, they soon realize that the attraction between them is stronger than their mutual hate. 

The Chicago Grizzlies series is a spin off of the Kingsmen Football Stars series and picks up after that series ends. Something Like Hate is a spicy enemies to lovers romance. Bryce is a nonsense reporter so calls it how she sees it, regardless of the players’ ego. Miles takes criticism very seriously and he is still steaming from an article Bryce wrote in college. However, he feels drawn to her as she builds a fire under his feet to be better, to do better. As they spend time together, they both realize there is more to the other than meets the eye. Miles isn’t your typical football player and Bryce is fighting past hurts. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, football romance, I highly recommend Something Like Hate. 

Something Like Hate is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Me and Mr Just Right: a messy public break up, an escape and a forced proximity rom com

Me and Mr Just Right is the first book in the Enchanted Forresters series by Kaylee Baldwin. Singer/songwriter Aurelia “Lia” Halifax needs to flee from the spotlight. After a messy public break up and a betrayal, she seeks an escape at an Alaskan island. It was perfect. Deserted with minimal communication. The island isn’t as deserted as she wanted and she is surprised when three hot brothers arrive. To say they weren’t happy would be an understatement. When a sudden storm hits, they are stranded on the island together. Haydn, the oldest brother, is a photographer, and the kind of person she was hoping to avoid. Soon, she is inspired to write again by Hayden and feelings she never thought she would feel again. However, trust isn’t going to come easy for Lia especially when Hayden has a secret, a secret that could be behind the biggest betrayal of all. 

Me and Mr Just Right is a cute sweet rom-com with great banter and humorous moments. They were great characters but with not a lot of depth. The story wasn’t filled with a lot of romance but Lia and Haydn together were sweet. The interactions between the brothers were fun and filled with sibling squabbles. There wasn’t much to the plot and the story behind the betrayal and breakup was obvious and I thought, even in the beginning, that there was more to the situation that Lia knew. The ending was a bit cheesy for me even for a rom com. Overall, the story was fine. However, I was not pulled into the story enough to care about the other characters and I will not be continuing the series. If you like sweet, cute rom com that would be a cozy weekend read, I recommend Me and Mr Just Right. 

Me and Mr Just Right is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Finding Jack: a reverse Rapunzel romance

Finding Jack is the first book in the Fairy Tale Flip series by Melanie Jacobson. Emily Riker is smart and practical. She just landed her dream promotion and is in a steady relationship with her boyfriend, Paul. When she finds herself engaged with an internet prankster, hired by her best friend, her world turns upside down. While at first Emily is annoyed and yet she finds herself drawn to the mystery man on the internet. Jack Dobson has a great sense of humor with a generous spirit and yet he hides a great deal of pain and secrets. As she travels to meet her new friend, their time together is marred with his biggest secret. A secret that might break apart their unique relationship. Can their online flirtation turn into something real? Can one secret break it all apart? 

I opened this book looking for a fun romance with a little bit of heart. It did not live up to expectations. Right off the bat, I did not like Emily. I did not find her relatable. I know I was supposed to hate her boyfriend, Paul, but Emily seemed happy and content with him. I did not like her friend, Ranee, as she started the pranks and did not stop when she was told to. I did not find any humor or fun in this story. Jack’s secret was very poignant and a very emotional moving moment in the story. However, the story around it fell apart. Overall, I did not enjoy this story and I will not be continuing this series. I do not recommend Finding Jack. 

Finding Jack is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Agony: a football, best friends and secret love

Agony is the first book in the Entangled Hearts Duet by Kaylee Ryan. Cooper Reeves and Reese Latham have been best friends since childhood. They were inseparable until college. Tired of being in the friend zone, she made a move and it didn’t play out the way she had hoped. After college, Cooper plays professional football and leaves Reese behind with a broken heart. What she doesn’t know is that Cooper is in love with her. Refusing to ruin their great friendship, he didn’t act on his feelings. Even when he knew she felt the same, he pushed her away to preserve their friendship. The longer they are apart, the more he realizes that Reese is more than just his best friend but the love of her life. Now she is engaged and the thought of living without her is agony. 

I love football with a friends to lovers romance and Agony was filled with funny friendship banter, romance scenes and plenty of drama. The story quickly moves through Cooper and Reese’s college years. My favorite character was Cooper and while there were moments when I wanted to reach through the book and tell Cooper to just tell Reese the truth, like many of the other characters urged him to do, I understood his fear. I loved their supporting characters who added humor and a dose of reality when needed, even when it is not heeded. I could not put the book down and eagerly read through the day. It does end on a cliffhanger and I am so eager to read the second book for the continuation of Cooper and Reese’s story. I recommend Agony. 

Agony is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Mixtape: a story of grief, healing and strength

The Mixtape by Brittany C Cherry is a story of grief, love and the harsh limelight. Being a part of powerhouse duo, Alex & Oliver was a mixed bag for Oliver. When his twin brother died in a tragic accident, Oliver is caught between pleasing their fans and finding himself. Emery is raising her daughter while struggling to hold down her job as a bartender and keep their apartment. Until Oliver walks into her bar. He is determined to drink his problems away but the fans and the paparazzi won’t let him. Emery helps Oliver lose the mob and when they find themselves alone, they learn they are both walking a path of pain and loss. As they find comfort together and find a hope for their future. Can they survive the harsh criticism of the public? Can their newfound love win over any battle in their personal lives? 

The Mixtape was brought to my attention in an “You May Like” recommendation email. I was intrigued by the premise and eagerly read this story. The opening of the book hooked me and I was ready for a great story. This book has everything, grief, angst and drama except romance. I expected a great and sweet romance between Oliver and Emery. They were great characters and a great couple; however, their romance seemed to be lacking something. There was a lot of drama between Oliver and his ex-girlfriend that his romance with Emery was in the backseat. Overall, while The Mixtape did not have the romance I was expecting, however, I still enjoyed the story of Oliver’s healing from grief and finding himself without his twin brother. I also enjoyed Emery’s strength to fight for her daughter, Reese. If you enjoy a story of grief, healing and strength, I recommend The Mixtape. 

The Mixtape is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Is anxiety a sin?

I came across a TikTok that made the claim that anxiety is a sin. As someone who has anxious moments from time to time and has experience dealing with anxiety in others, I was concerned as well as curious. Is anxiety really a sin? There are numerous verses in Scripture that tell us not to worry. Jesus talks about not worrying many times throughout the gospels. But is worry the same as anxiety? I have always thought worry and anxiety were somewhat different. Worry is defined as feeling troubled about actual or potential problems. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is defined as “an emotion characterized by apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune.”  Is anxiety a sin? In what context can anxiety be sinful? What do we do with anxiety when we experience it? 

According to John Piper (2014), yes it is as Paul says Philippians 4:11-13 that we must learn contentment in our circumstances and trust in God. He cites Matthew 6:25 in which Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount not to worry about our lives, our food, drink or our body. Jesus concludes this lesson on worry with “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). According to Mr. Piper, “the physical brain and the spiritual soul are interdependent in ways that we cannot fully see” and since the spiritual and the physical are connected, as we grow in faith, the less anxiety we can experience” (2014). Anxious thoughts can trigger the fight or flight stress response in our bodies. And if we are in constant fight or flight mode, the stress can wear down our bodies and can mimic serious conditions like heart attacks and digestive issues. This has been true for me in many aspects; however, I think anxiety goes a bit deeper than that. 

According to Joe Carter (2019) of The Gospel Coalition, if anxiety is a sin depends on the context. Fear and anxiety can have four types. First, it could be a God-given emotional response for our benefit. Anxiety is an emotional response to a real or perceived future threat. A warning system of impending danger for survival. This could not be perceived as a sin. Second, it could be clinical anxiety. Clinical anxiety is a disordered physiological response. A malfunction that can be debilitating and interferes with daily functions such as eating, sleeping and social interactions. This could not be perceived as a sin. Third, anxiety could be the result or natural consequence of sinful behavior. For example, some long term recreational drug use can lead to the development of anxiety disorders. Another example is someone with a gambling addiction and then worries about paying their bills. Lastly, anxiety could be a sinful response to God’s providential care. This anxiety results because an individual has a lack of trust in God. This is what Jesus is referring to in Luke 12:22-30 and Matthew 6:25-34 when he teaches about worry. 

So which type are we dealing with? When we encounter anxiety in other people, we need to be careful how we approach it because we do not know which type someone is dealing with. Proverbs 12:25 says that “an anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” If you come across a person who is dealing with anxiety, speak softly with comforting words. Do not assume someone’s anxiety is due to sin when it could easily not be due to sin. However, when we are dealing with anxiety ourselves, we can have a clearer picture of our circumstances. We should search our hearts and examine our emotions to determine whether our anxiety is stemming from something we cannot control or it is connected to sinful behavior. If the anxiety is due to a psychological stressor, we can learn the various breathing techniques to help relieve the physiological response such as the Box Breathing technique. Box Breathing is inhaling for 4 counts, holding the breath for 4 counts, exhaling for 4 counts and holding again for 4 counts.

In conclusion, a blanket comment that anxiety is a sin can be damaging and simply wrong. Can anxiety be the result of sin? Yes. Is all anxiety sinful? No. It is important to remember to never assume someone’s anxiety is due to sin. So, what can we do? In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us to “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Simply, turn your anxiety into prayers. Take your concerns to God and open your heart to him about your worries and concerns. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Let God shine a light on where our anxiety can be the result of sin and let him take it away if it is not. 

References

American Psychological Association. Anxiety. https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety. Retrieved January 18, 2026.

Carter, Joe (March 26m 2019). Ask TGC: Is Anxiety a Sin? The Gospel Coalition.  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/ask-tgc-anxiety-sin/. Retrieved January 7, 2026.

Piper, John (February 19, 2014) Anxiety: Sin, Disorder or Both. Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/anxiety-sin-disorder-or-both. Retrieved January 7, 2026. 

The Musician: can love overcome racial prejudice? Or will societal norms keep them apart?

The Musician is the sixth book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. Fiona Barnes has a secret. A secret she fears would ruin everything she cares about. Her heart longs for the one she feels her family would never accept; but she can’t help but love him. Li Wu has fought prejudice his entire life even in the close knit community of Emerson Pass. But he feels safe and protected as an adopted member of the Barnes family. His heart longs for Fiona as they found a connection through the beauty of music; however, he fears that her life would be ruined by marrying him. Fiona has a chance to mentor with a musical master in Paris, they hope the distance will give them clarity. When a new man enters Fiona’s life, Li must decide if he is willing to risk everything to express his feelings for Fiona. Or will societal pressures keep them apart? 

The Musician takes a different feel than the previous books of this series. Most of it takes place in Paris and deals with the heavy prejudice against Chinese Americans in America during the early 1900s. While my heart hurt for Li and I was angry on his behalf, it greatly saddened me as it was reality for the Chinese in America. I understood the reservations that the Barnes family and even Li had about their possible romantic relationship. I loved that Fiona saw him for the beautiful, kindhearted human that he was and just didn’t care about what others thought. I wanted them to say forget everyone else and love each other, the societal concerns were very real and dangerous. I could not put this story down. I needed to see Fiona and Li confess their love and have their happily ever after. Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to the rest of this series. I highly recommend The Musician. 

The Musician is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

To Love a Beast: a Beauty and the Beast retelling set in 1800s Texas

To Love a Beast is the first book in the Once Upon a Time in Texas by Karen Witemeyer. Everett Griffin once enjoyed life among New York’s elite. He was left scared in both body and spirit, he now lives as a recluse in his Texas mansion with only three trusted servants. Everett uses this reputation as a shield as the beast who lives in the gloomy manor and sends his monster dog to attack anyone who dares approach the property.. It wouldn’t be until a young beautiful woman breaks the walls down. After an injury to her father, Callista Rosenfield is determined to fulfill a major contract in order to save the family’s book binding business and nothing will deter her. After finding unlikely allies in Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista gets to work restoring volumes in his library. As Everett watches Callista work, he sets aside his ill-tempered growls for admiration. As affection grows between Everett and Callista, the evil schemes of someone out for revenge threatens to tear everything apart. 

Disney’s 1990 Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies and I enjoyed books retelling fairy tales. I was excited to read this Beauty & the Beast retelling set in 1800's Texas. I was hooked from the opening chapter. The story is filled with humorous banter between Griffin and his staff as well as Griffin and Callista. There are great moments that will bring smiles to your face as well as romantic moments that will make the heart beat a bit faster. The swoon worthy ending is sigh worthy. I loved the little homage moments to the Disney movie and yet had its own drama with twists and turns. I also enjoyed the faith of the characters throughout the story. It wasn’t overwhelming and fit great into the story. One of my favorite quotes is “Hope sees possibilities, where fear only sees barriers.” I devoured this book in one day. I could not put it down and I eagerly await more books in this series. I highly, highly, highly recommend To Love a Beast. 

 

To Love a Beast is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tactics: a practical guide to have those difficult conversations with grace and confidence

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl is a practical guide to help Christian engage in conversations with grace and confidence. In a world that is increasingly indifferent to the Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who are misinformed or do not fully understand. Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to get in the “driver’s seat: of the conversation and keep it moving with thoughtful and artful diplomacy to maneuver comfortably and graciously through the common challenges to help people think truthfully about Jesus. Drawing from his experience defending Christianity in public forums, Koukl shows readers how to initiate conversations, present facts clearly, cleverly and persuasively with grace and to remain calm and collected when under attack. Tactics is a game plan for every Christian to communicate the truth while being calm, cool and collected. 

As a believer, I was always afraid of not being able to communicate properly to those who would aggressively debate with me. An apologist I follow on social media gave a list of books to read on apologetics and Tactics was his number one suggestion. From the very beginning, Mr. Koukl offers easy to follow methods to engage with different groups of nonbelievers including the misinformed and the aggressive atheist. He encourages all Christians to be ambassadors for Christ with basic knowledge, wisdom and good character. One does not need to be a theologian or a great debater to engage in these conversations. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his tactics and I used the study guide in order to practice what I learned. If you have ever wondered how to have an engaging conversation with confidence, I highly recommend Tactics and its study guide. 

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions 

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tactics study guide is available in paperback and eBook

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days: can one woman make over a man from Not to Hot?

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days is the first book in the Chick Flick Club by Lila Monroe. Gemma Jones is in a competition for a promotion of a lifetime. As a stylist, she has to take a fashioned-backward guy and turn him into Mr GQ. Her problem? The man chosen for her is her hairy next-door neighbor she nicknamed Bigfoot. Zach Morrison has no interest in being Gemma’s dress doll. However, he does enjoy seeing Gemma get flustered; but after cashing out his tech start-up and going through a nasty break up, he just wants to wear sweatpants and lounge around. With a little push in the right direction, Gemma gets to work and finds a few surprises as Bigfoot transforms into Mr Hottie. As the walls come down, the sparks start to fly. Will Zach embrace a fresh start? Will Gemma win the promotion? 

One of my favorite rom-coms is How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. So when I came across a book which seemed to pay homage to this hilarious and romantic story, I was in. From the very beginning, this story had heart, great humor, sweet emotional moments and great steamy romantic scenes. I loved Gemma and Zach from the very beginning. I loved their chemistry and their banter. I enjoyed their supporting characters. Even their villains were great and added drama and conflict. Overall, I loved this story. It had its base in the rom-com movie; however, it had its own twists, turns and grand gestures. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. If you enjoy rom-com stories with heart and great humor, I highly recommend How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days. 

How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days is available in paperback and eBook

Detour to Harmony: a sweet clean romance in a small town

Detour to Harmony is the first book in the Harmony Ridge series by Megan Squires. Miles Callahan has decided that his country music days are over. The constant traveling, life on a tour bus isn’t a life for his four year old son. He decides to set down roots. His first stop is the small town of Harmony Ridge. It was supposed to be a quick bite to eat and then back on the road; however, the diner’s beautiful owner’s welcoming spirit had Miles dragging his feet to leave. Scarlett Harmony has taken over her father’s diner after his passing and wants to maintain his legacy of generosity through food and friendship. However, when the diner begins to falter and she worries she has a very difficult choice to make. Can she keep her restaurant from closing while also opening up her heart to the chance for a romance? Or will Miles be on his way as planned? 

Detour to Harmony is a sweet, clean romance with humor and emotional touching moments. I immediately liked Miles as a man who is willing to put aside a growing career for his son. I loved the immediate connection with Scarlett as she knew how to interact and engage with an active four year old. I loved the small town atmosphere of Harmony Ridge. The townspeople were relatable with a welcoming and friendly attitude. The drama was mild but grounded in real issues and concerns. I loved Miles and Scarlett’s romance. There were sweet moments, grand gestures and moments that will make you smile, especially with Miles’s son. The author definitely got a four year old’s antics and imagination to translate on the page. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the other books in this series. If you enjoy sweet, clear romance, I highly recommend Detour to Harmony. 

Detour to Harmony is available in paperback and eBook

We Are Made Of Stars: a season of change is in the air as guests gather at an inn

We Are Made Of Stars by Rochelle B. Weinstein is a story of secrets, lies and second chances at an inn nestled in picturesque mountains. At the Via Ta Vie, owners Jean-Paul and Renee De La Rue are going through a season of change and for their guests as well. Hollywood celebrity couple, Leo and Penny, are celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary while on the cusp of divorce. Lucy, a practical minded therapist, and her husband, Henry, an astronomer with his head in the stars, are also struggling with their marriage and divorce seems to be in the future. Their friends, Adam, a charismatic sports agent, and his former lawyer and current stay at home mom wife, Sienna, are desperate to find the cracks in their perfect facade. Adding to the group is Cassidy, a self-absorbed single mother and Rosalie, her sullen fifteen year old daughter. As the week progresses, betrayals, regrets and shocking truths are revealed where a heart can be broken or healed. 

I was so excited for this book as the title is absolutely beautiful and the opening chapter started off well. However, the story drags as each chapter changes point of views to one of the many characters. The only character I cared for was Rosalie. She is tired of being the responsible adult to her immature mother, and takes matters in her own hands to find the truth her mother has been hiding. I wish I could have reached through the pages and knocked some sense in the adults. The drama was a bit lackluster and the twist/secret reveal was a bit obvious and wasn’t as much of a surprise to me. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. This story was my second book by Ms Weinstein and the second one I didn’t care for, so it is obvious to me that her books aren’t for me. However, if you enjoy Ms Weinstein’s previous books, you may enjoy We Are Made Of Stars. 

We Are Made Of Stars is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

For the Chances We Take: an accidental pregnancy, suspense romance

For the Chances We Take is the first book in the Bryants and Walker Protection series by Ellie P Golden. Benjamin Walker and his team are working to shut down the drug cartel that terrorized a small town when he meets a beautiful baker, Izzie Turner.  Ben was her sexy protector, the man who made her feel complete and the aftermath of one event brings them together. He is a man who doesn’t have a problem taking risks or chances. He gambles often with life and usually comes out unscathed. However, one positive pregnancy test is a gamble he lost and has Ben fighting his feelings for Izzie and their baby. He doesn’t believe he is the man that Izzie and the baby need. He has too many demons. He has a mission and he cannot rest until it's done. Can Izzie’s love and acceptance help Ben fight his demons and be the man he needs to be? The man Izzie and their baby truly deserves? 

I was excited for this story. The opening prologue was promising; however, the promise quickly faltered as the first chapter was confusing and contained a glaring mistake that should have been caught in editing. Ben and his team are staking out a group who are talking about “horses.” Ben asks “heroine?” and the person he is with answers yes. I think the author meant heroin. While spell check would not have caught the error but an editor should have. There were so many characters introduced up front with relationships and connections between them not explained, leading to confusion. At one point, there is a text message exchange between Izzie and an Unknown number (who we learn is Ben), the exchange changed from Izzie and Unknown to Izzie and SexyBee without any indication that Izzie changed it. There are so much more and it is no surprise that I did not enjoy this story and will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend For The Chances We Take. 

For The Chances We Take is available in paperback and eBook

The Bookbinder's Secret: one book's secret and one woman's journey to discover it

The Bookbinder’s Secret by A.D. Bell is a story of how one book tells a secret and one woman’s journey to discover it. Lillian “Lily” Delaney is an apprentice to a master bookbinder in Oxford in 1901 and feels trapped. Trapped by her father’s failing bookshop. Trapped by still being an apprentice. When she is given a burned book by a book collector, where she finds something hidden binding, a letter speaking of love, fortune, and murder. Lilly is pulled into a mystery of young lovers, forbidden love, and discovers there are more books with more hidden secrets. She quickly becomes obsessed with the story and that obsession becomes dangerous. She discovers someone is looking for the same books and is ready to kill for them. As she searches, sinister forces are closing in and her life begins to fall apart, she must decide if the truth is worth her life. 

The Bookbinder’s Secret is a slow moving train at first as Lilly discovers the hidden letter. As she innocently searches for the truth, she doesn’t realize she is being watched until it is too late. The train speeds up and I was hooked as Lilly is determined to find the truth, find the individuals in the letter, solve the mystery and restore her life as best she can. I loved the look into bookbinding and the cutthroat business of book collecting. The pieces to the mystery were intriguing as well. There is a cast of unsavory characters whom Lilly must trust despite the danger she is in and the reveal of who is behind it all was a shocker! Overall, I enjoyed this story and when I closed the book I sat in awe at the twists and turns. If you enjoy historical fiction with a mystery, I highly recommend The Bookbinder’s Secret. 

The Bookbinder’s Secret is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes: a love story filled with tragedy but has a smidge of hope for a happily aver after

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne MacLean is a story of a love that couldn’t find the right time to bloom. In 1946, World War II is over and Emma Clarkson dreamed of leaving her island home and attending university. Sable Island is the only home she has ever known and yet she dreams of life beyond the sand dunes and the herds of wild horses. When a shipwreck occurs off shore, the handsome British sea captain has Emma rethinking her dreams. She falls deeply in love with Oliver Harris; however it is a love that cannot be. Oliver returns to the sea and Emma vows to forget him and finds love again when a handsome veterinarian arrives on the island. In 1995, Joanna Griffin is mourning the death of her beloved grandmother and is shocked to learn that her grandfather once loved a young woman named Emma and she is determined to solve the mystery of her grandfather’s past and the events that have separated them. 

Julianne MacLean is a master at tragic stories with twists and turns, adding a smidge of hope for a happily over after. All Our Beautiful Goodbyes is such a tale. Set in the remote beauty of Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia and known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, readers will be sucked into the love story of Emma as falls in love and feels the pain of loss and the sting of betrayal. I didn’t know about Sable Island and its role as a rescue station, watching for shipwrecks and its current role as a sanctuary for the wild horses that call it home. Ms. MacLean’s description of the island really brought it to life, I could sense the coldness and isolation of the island. The story starts out a bit slow but it picks up as Emma starts her rollercoaster journey to chase her dreams. I kept turning pages, in the hopes she would get her happily ever after. Overall, I enjoyed this story. I recommend All Our Beautiful Goodbyes. 

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Why We Read: one reader's exploration of the power of books in our lives

Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries and Just One More Page before Lights Out by Shannon Reed. It has been asked of every bookworm: Why do you read so much? What is so great about ink and pages? Why are you crying so hard at a fictional story, for functional people? Shannon Reed, a longtime teacher, lifelong reader and a New Yorker contributor, writes to make the case as to why readers read in a collection of stories about reading for escape, reading to learn, to find love, and encounter new worlds are among the many, many reasons. She shares stories from her life as a reader, as a teacher, a student and later a professor. From the varied novels she cherished and the ones she didn’t, trips to libraries and introducing classic novels to a new generation, Ms Reed writes to take readers on a tour through the world of literature and celebrates the beloved books which bring comfort, tears and transformation. 

I was excited to read a book on books and bookworms, expecting a hilarious exploration of the joys of reading and the books that changed our lives in a “whip-smart, laugh-out-loud funny collection.” Unfortunately, that is not what I got. It wasn’t a deep dive into the transformative power of reading. Ms. Reed came across as condescending and smug as she writes. I feel that as an Academic overshadows her personal connection to books and her fellow bookworms. She had an “I know better” attitude. At one point, she talks about not writing to authors as they are busy writing and they don’t want to  interact with readers. I found this weird and untrue. Granted some authors may agree with this statement. However, many authors I have interacted with, online and in emails, love hearing from readers. Her humor fell flat for me. I didn’t laugh, I rolled my eyes, cringed at certain statements. I could see where she was trying to be funny but it wasn’t working for me. I do not recommend Why We Read. It should be titled Why I Read. 

Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries and Just One More Page before Lights Out

Is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook