Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Tell Me It’s Wrong by Katie Wismer

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Tell Me It’s Wrong by Katie Wismer

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Ahimsa Press (04/14/25)

Summary:

Adult single mother Christine lives in the small conservative town of Sweetspire. A series of encounters brings her and local bartender-entrepreneur Fletcher together again and again. As they spend time together, they start to fall for one another. In this conservative small town, a 9-year age gap might be unforgivable, but the more they are together, the harder it is to be apart.

Keywords:

Romance, New Adult, Small Town, Sibling, Best Friends, Age Gap, Conservative Town

My Review:

This is the second book in the Sweetspire series. We do see some of the characters from book one, but this is a standalone novel. This emotionally charged sequel blends a taboo age-gap romance with raw introspection and small-town pressures. This story centers on a single mom trying to find herself again, just as she falls for a man nine years younger. He has more ties to her past than she’s prepared for. This book leans into the messiness of grief, shame, and emotional vulnerability, all wrapped in a simmering romance that feels as impossible as it does inevitable.

The leads are complicated and real, both carrying wounds that shape how they love. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the quiet, intimate beats, including the self-doubt, the yearning, the hard-won forgiveness that give this story its emotional weight. The small-town backdrop adds tension and texture, balancing warmth and suffocation in equal measure.

If you’re in the mood for something a little heavier, with flawed characters, high stakes, and feelings that don’t fit neatly into a happily-ever-after box, this book delivers. I couldn’t put this one down until the end, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series or more from Katie Wismer.

This novel was published by Ahimsa Press 04/14/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Katie Wismer’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Chalk Dust and the Olympic Promise by Laura Shouse

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Chalk Dust and the Olympic Promise by Laura Shouse

A YA Short Book published on (06/11/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“Who is Amanda Scott without a leotard? Is she just a gymnast? What would happen if the dream, this consuming, all-encompassing Olympic dream, didn’t work out? The thought, usually buried under layers of discipline and determination, now surfaced, raw and terrifying. If she wasn’t tumbling, wasn’t vaulting, wasn’t perfecting a routine, then who was she? What did she offer?”

Sixteen-year-old Amanda Scott isn’t just chasing Olympic gold—she’s battling the voice in her head that questions if she’s ever enough. In the quiet before routines and the stillness between each breath, doubt presses harder than any rival. The gym is her sanctuary and her test, where perfection is the expectation and every misstep feels monumental. As the dream of the Olympics glimmers ahead, Amanda must decide if she has the strength not just to perform, but to believe she belongs.

Keywords:

Gymnastics, Olympics Dream, Training, Injury, Competition, Short Book, Teen

My Review:

This book starts with an essay-tyle recap of what will happen in the following chapters as if it’s a summary of a previous book. Chapter 0 outlines what’s to come, referencing later chapters in parentheses, which felt disorienting. Then Chapter 1 begins at the true start of Amanda’s story: she’s 16 and training for her Olympic dream.

While the depiction of elite gymnastics offers a window into the physical and mental demands of the sport, the story lacks the shape of a traditional narrative arc. Instead, there are small emotional ups and downs. The pacing is slow, and I found myself wishing for more tension, more drama, more something.

Amanda, the protagonist, doesn’t feel fully realized. Aside from Anya, her trainer (who also feels underdeveloped), there are few other characters, and Amanda’s world exists almost entirely within the gym. There’s little exploration of who she is outside her athletic identity, although she does question this identity. When I follow a real-life Olympic hopeful, I’m drawn in by the full story behind the talent—what makes this athlete different from the rest. Here, Amanda feels too narrowly defined by her sport to be compelling on the page.

The first real moment of tension appears when Amanda hits a setback beyond her own internal conflict. That’s when the story briefly finds momentum, and I started to care—if only a little—about her journey. But just as it starts to build, the story ends abruptly. The epilogue mirrors the prologue in tone and structure, reading like an essay summary.

The perspective is psychologically rich and emotionally introspective, but sometimes to a fault. Inner monologues stretch on, and the repetitive sentence structure creates a kind of narrative loop—training, doubt, incremental progress—without much sense of movement. While there are moments of emotional insight, they’re buried under layers of reflection that bog down the pacing.

This reads like a literary sports memoir than a fictional narrative. For readers who identify with the nostalgia of elite sports or Olympic dreams, there may be something compelling about reading this story but for anyone digging for plot, they won’t find much here.

This novel was published on 06/11/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

Links for more information:

Laura Shouse’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: The Verdict of My Heart by Laura Shouse

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The Verdict of My Heart by Laura Shouse

A YA Short Book published on (06/07/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“The Northwood Public Library wasn’t just a building to Maria; it was a sanctuary, a lifeline, a second home.”

Teen activist Maria fights to save her town’s library from a greedy developer, clashing with easygoing Sean as they navigate activism, identity, and unexpected connection.

Keywords:

Short Book, Teen, Activism, Romance

My Review:

From the very first page, this book drops readers directly into the heart of the story, opening with a “chapter 0” that lays out the stakes and summarizes the upcoming story. Main character Maria, often dismissed as the “weird activist girl,” is on a mission to save the Northwood Public Library and green space next door from a predictably profit-hungry developer who only cares about the money.

Maria is portrayed as sharp, independent, and fiercely committed to her cause. Her unwavering passion and need for control make her both admirable and, at times, difficult to connect with. Her character is rigid. She struggles to give others the benefit of the doubt and occasionally comes off as self-righteous or robotic. She has a lot of potential for character growth. While she initially comes across as intense, moments of humor and witty turns of phrase help soften the otherwise stiff tone.

Sean is another main character, but not the focus of the story. Maria’s strategic, hyper-focused activism contrasts with Sean’s more emotionally driven, human-centered approach, offering an interesting dynamic between the two approaches (what feels like right-brained vs. left-brained).

The writing itself favors telling over showing and sometimes lacks specificity. For example, they add music to a presentation but only describe it as Indie. Or they see a movie but don’t specify what it is. This reduces the visual impact but heightens the emotional focus for Maria, Sean, and the reader. As a result, the novel reads more like a middle-grade story. Its simplicity and structure feel more like a single episode than a full-length book, though it still stands alone with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Still, the story tackles compelling themes. It blends civic urgency and duty with a slow-burn friendship to newly dating romance (light and age-appropriate without any steamy bits). It also explores the tension between community and capitalism, as well as different types of activism.

In the end, the story’s strength lies in its message more than its execution, and I would recommend it more for younger readers (middle-grade) versus young adult readers.

This novel was published on 06/07/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 2.75

Links for more information:

Laura Shouse’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Mission: Red Scythe: A James Vagus Teen Espionage Thriller by C.W. James

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Mission: Red Scythe: A James Vagus Teen Espionage Thriller by C.W. James

A YA Spy Novel published by Insundry Productions Books on (06/12/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“Just moments ago, he didn’t have an idea about his future. Now, he was being offered the opportunity to become a secret agent — it was all too much to take in.”

In 1965, rookie teen agents James Vagus and Dakota Walker dive into a deadly mission to stop a global conspiracy. From Miami to Madras, they race against time, facing betrayal, espionage, and a threat that could change history.

Keywords:

Short Book, Teen, Spy, Thriller, Espionage, Orphan, Mission, Cold War,

My Review:

The story wastes no time pulling readers into the action with main character James’s first mission: an assignment that immediately goes off the rails. The story may have skipped past the classic training montage, but we immediately get a sense for what James learned and how he reacts under pressure when things don’t go as planned. The stakes are set early and escalate with each chapter, pulling the reader deeper into an adrenaline-filled adventure.

The writing is tight and focused, zeroing in on the action without getting sidetracked. The pacing keeps you right alongside James, allowing you to experience the tension, urgency, and thrill of the moment with him. He might keep his cool, but I was on the edge of my seat. I felt fully immersed in what was happening, with each scene pulling me deeper.

The setting is a fitting backdrop for a young spy, as it takes place in Miami, where there is sun-soaked energy and an undercurrent of youthful mischief. The setting feels alive and layered, and the action remains in Miami long enough to build out the world of the story before expanding internationally.

There’s something wonderfully cinematic about the whole setup. The time period, mysterious plot threads, and fast-paced momentum remind me of a young, trained Indiana Jones story, blending classic adventure with covert espionage back in time (the 1960’s).

The world-building is balanced, and the story is strong but not overpowering of the immediate action. The story doesn’t try to be overly expansive because it focuses on what’s right in front of James. This is exactly what gives the world a sense of authenticity. We get just enough backstory on James and eventually Dakota to make us care about them as people and as spies on a mission.

Tension is built masterfully throughout, keeping stakes high without ever feeling forced. If you are a fan of a good action spy thriller, then this is a great and quick read.

This novel was published by Insundry Productions Books on 06/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

C.W. James’ Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Hopeful Romantics by Susan Rufai

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Hopeful Romantics by Susan Rufai

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Susan Rufai (07/11/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“Loneliness can have you bringing people into your life that aren’t good for you, just to fill the emptiness.”

Maya just got out of a relationship with someone at work and she vows not to bring that kind of drama into her life again. She’s a love cynic until she meets Damian, the new hire. He’s a hopeful (not hopeless) romantic. Does she dare date another coworker?

Keywords:

Romance, POC, authors, publishing, senior editor, office romance, micro-aggressions, exes

My Review:

From the first chapter, I was hooked. The voice is strong, and the setup is quite promising from the get-go.

Maya is a people pleaser with a toxic tendency to fall for her coworkers. Her last workplace romance ended so badly that she still has emotional whiplash. It wasn’t just that Maya and Ramon weren’t a good fit, but he was trying to mold her into his life, ignoring the reality of her own. Kudos to Maya for having the personal strength to end it, but the guilt of the breakout keeps her from really moving on. You can feel the weight of her choices and her internal tug-of-war as she navigates office politics, but you might also get just as mad as I was for Maya every time Ramon tries to make her feel bad for ending their relationship.

It’s not all relationship woes for Maya; she’s also navigating her position in a company that promotes diversity but doesn’t always live up to that pledge. Maya sometimes feels like the token diversity hire, but she’s also sometimes treated like one, too. I’m not sure if I was madder at Ramon for how he acted post-break-up or the other dude bros and her sometimes micro-aggressive boss Bruce.

“Moments like this are when I doubt myself, questioning whether I belong in this company. Bruce constantly undermines my choices, giving amazing offers only to the books he can relate to, while paying my author’s dust. It’s a perpetual battle I keep losing.”

This book doesn’t shy away from the very real challenges faced by women of color in professional spaces — Maya must fight for almost every inch of her voice to be heard. You can clearly read the privilege in the room during the scenes at Peelback Publishing, but at least Maya isn’t completely overlooked. That’s where the weight of reality hits. The book feels contemporary and like an authentic and honest story without being overly dramatized.

Maya isn’t the only character with depth and backstory. She’s been shaped by her past just as much as the book’s love interest, Damian.  He is opinionated but truthful, telling it like it is. Watching them circle each other with their emotional baggage was so satisfyingly messy.

The cast of characters feels like it’s just the right size, and they are all impressively well-developed. No one felt like filler, and every subplot added to the main story without feeling too complex. If you love realistic romances with depth, you’ll enjoy this perfectly balanced book.

 

This novel was published by Susan Rufai 07/11/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Susan Rufai’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: USA: The Land with At Least 50 Options: A Hilarious and Eye-Opening Tour of America’s States, One Grocery Aisle at a Time by Robert Okine

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USA: The Land with At Least 50 Options: A Hilarious and Eye-Opening Tour of America’s States, One Grocery Aisle at a Time by
Robert Okine

A Non-Fiction Travel Guide published by Fifty Options Press (05/03/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

“The humble, beautiful, chaotic places where real food meets real life. Where culture, comfort, convenience, and chaos all live under fluorescent lights.”

This book is full of 51 short essays about each of the different grocery personalities in each state of the US (plus DC). This book is part cultural commentary and  part comedic observation of everyday American life.

Keywords:

Travel, Grocery Stores, USA, Ecotourism, Humor, Essay, Shorts

My Review:

This is not a book about grocery stores. It’s a love letter, an ode, or an epic poem to the land of choices and dinner opportunities: The United States of America. The diversity of grocery stores in America reflects the diversity of the people and the experiences one might have in America.

Each short, quippy chapter describes a different state. Each state is represented by its grocery store: not just what’s on the shelves, but the vibe, the culture, and the personality. It’s like a travel guide, TL;DR, giving you a snapshot of who and what each state is and who or what the people are like in that state.

Why California first? The list is neither alphabetical nor in order of most outlandish to most ‘normal.’ It’s as if the author took the country and arranged it by feel, not geography.

Reading this, I felt like I was watching Forrest Gump when Bubba talks about shrimp. There are numerous varieties, much like the types of potatoes in Idaho or the various milk options in California.

Each word is so intentional, so well-placed, and sometimes they are in bold typeface, giving extra emphasis.

Even when the state’s grocery store stereotype leans on the obvious, it never feels lazy because it is so fun and loudly humorous. Like someone who sees America in all its absurd and beautiful forms.

Everyone eats, so everyone shops. This book is for anyone, even if you don’t live anywhere in the US but want a snapshot of what it’s like to live in any one of the different states. We are a melting pot of flavors – inside and outside of our grocery stores.

You’ll start wondering where you’d want to live, not just by climate or cost of living, but by grocery energy. (I think I identify most with Nevada, which tells you a lot about what kind of person I identify as.)

One of the most fun, funny, and sneakily accurate things I’ve read this year.

This novel was published by Fifty Options Press 05/03/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Robert Okine’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

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Rainbows and Lollipops by Mo Fanning

A Comedic Fiction Novel published by Spring Street Books (06/12/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

Multiple POV with three main characters and their stories is told as 6 episodic minis that get entangled between Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. When Jake’s partner suddenly dies, grief is overwhelming. When Vicky takes on new clients someone will threaten her in a new scary way. When Lucy’s perfect wedding isn’t coming to plan, she’ll have to figure out if it’s the fiancee or something else. All three are connected.

Keywords:

Loss, Grief, Friendship, Mystery, Crime, Multiple POV, Gay, Lawyer, Episodic Story

My Review:

At the beginning of the story, the author provides a reader’s guide that describes how the novel merges traditional storytelling with the visual language of a TV screenplay. There are abbreviations that are defined that I had to go back and reference for the first few scenes. I’m not sure the visual language is necessary for the story; however, it’s a clever way to define the environment in a succinct and no-nonsense way.

Time is not linear as the author builds relationships in parts and pieces through the three main characters’ voices: Jake, Vicky, and Lucy. We spend so much time with Jake that it almost feels like being torn away from the story when we move on to Vicky. Soon enough Vicky’s story is just as intriguing as Jake’s. It’s jarring again to jump into Lucy’s story but slowly the connections between the three people are revealed and I highly enjoyed all three points of view.

It’s truly a house of cards in this entanglement of threads between Vicky, Jake, and Lucy. The three stories are connected but distinct just like the three characters are similar but unique in their own ways.

Vicky is a trans, Black, and an exceptional lawyer. “She is overworked, under-loved, hoping to make named partner but knowing the title would likely go to someone far less capable and far more male. And white.” (Page 83).

Jake had a loved one, a stable home, and a future before everything fell apart when his partner Tom suddenly died. Grief will hit him in all the ways. As a reader, we can recognize the stages and know that until Jake has a fresh start with a fresh home he won’t be able to move on. It is especially hard for Jake because he questions the life and love he had. Jake needs to find his voice and himself through his grief.

Lucy Penrose is the annoying friend who you need in your life. She seems to create her own problems in her life. This time it’s the fiancée Colin. Lucy has only known him for a short time but is already committed to marrying the man. While planning her dream wedding she’ll find out Colin has more baggage than she realized and that there’s something up with her future mother-in-law.

The author’s writing has a wonderful flow and there are many, many wisdom nuggets about love, friendship, grief, and bravery in this book. As a reader, I feel like I learned so much about the human condition and how to be wise real, and human. If you love contemporary novels or tragicomedies like After Life, you will enjoy this book.

This novel was published by Spring Street Books 06/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Mo Fanning’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Her Ex’s Secret By Tricia Saxby

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Her Ex’s Secret By Tricia Saxby

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Pete’s Press (11/20/2024)

Summary:

Karen dreams of turning her design hobby into a career but first, she has to get her foot in the door. She plans to start at the bottom. The bottom is as an intern at Vale Designs in New York even though she has much more knowledge and skills than any other intern. Leo is a playboy to the highest extreme living the life of the rich and carefree at his Tuscany estate when he decides to take a short job as a photographer in New York. The same New York as Karen. The same Vale Designs as Karen. The same Karen that he used to date and then ran away without explanation five years ago.

Keywords:

Contemporary, Romance, Fashion Design, New York, Evil Boss, Exes, Winter, Photography

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

“Sometimes women need to hear the words and see the struggle. It means more to us than any fancy gift.” (Page 292).

Leo still feels guilty for leaving Karen without a word, but not enough to try to reconcile until their second chance meet cute. This is a quick read, coming in at a word count lower than a typical romance. The two main characters, Leo and Karen, already have a past as they are exes and don’t need as much middle chunk of the book to slowly fall in love. The spark of attraction is still alive but Leo will have to show Karen that he’s not just going to run away again.

Leo is not an immediately likable character. He will have to redeem himself in Karen’s eyes and the reader’s eyes in order to become the dreamy romantic lead we fall in love with.

Nat is the surface-level villain. The nasty little witch with an ego as big as the city she lives in. Her backstory may be short but it also involves Leo and she is one major Drama Queen. She is clearly the antagonist, a bully, and ready for her comeuppance.

From the POV switching between Karen and Leo, we get a true sense of how they view themselves and each other. Leo points out Karen’s glaring fault and has to see from her perspective even though we’re in his head. Karen downplays herself out of self-preservation and because she’s been ignored and passed over for years. Leo thinks her self-esteem is not what it used to be and wants her to stick up for herself. Karen doesn’t trust Leo after what happened in the past and even though his actions today show him to be a standout swoon-worthy gentleman, can she trust the new Leo?

There are many gems sprinkled throughout this fast-paced novel that made me slow down and appreciate the writing. “He wore his guilty conscience like a cloak, even after all this time. If anything, it weighed more than ever before.” (Page 76). If you want a quick exes-to-lovers romance, then you might enjoy this read.

This novel was published by Pete’s Press on 11/20/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Book Review: Chasing Karma by Susan Murphy

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Chasing Karma by Susan Murphy

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Susan Murphy (10/01/2024)

Summary:

“I mean that I think I’m realising that life is surrounding me with bad karma to force me to change.” (Page 101).

What is karma and how did Ava get so bad at it? Misfortune and disaster are always bringing her down but she’s determined to be grateful and find the good in everything. It can’t all just be bad luck. But if it is bad karma, Ava is convinced she has to change it to bring her life around. She jumps at every chance to do good deeds in her local community but soon realizes that she has to make her own opportunities to make a bigger difference.

Keywords:

Self-Discovery, Friend Group, Karma, Romance, Mistakes, Volunteering, Kindness, Small Town, Community

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

It’s all bad luck for Ava. She’s rear-ended someone (didn’t even try to brake), chipped a tooth, choked on a piece of donut, tripped, fell, stubbed her toe, and dropped a vat of soup. That’s just in the last few days. Every little incident looms big in her mind as bad luck, disaster, and misfortune. Ava is determined not to be a victim of her bad luck and to drown in any bad attitude. She can’t live her life in misery but she’s tried changing her attitude and it’s time to change her karma instead. Karma is the idea that a person’s actions and their consequences are connected in a cycle of cause and effect. Ava thinks she has the power to change her karma by doing good for others. At first, she intentionally tries to help others for the sake of a point-based karma system as if it were a game. Even her friends are skeptical that doing good deeds is going to magically bring good things her way. Yet, Ava perseveres in her quest for karma because she has hope that everything will eventually balance out in her favor.

Ava has an enviably supportive group of friends and a telepathic twin-like relationship with her sister which makes me jealous. Ava just so happens to be helped by a very attractive man and finds herself surrounded by welcoming people. She doesn’t just have meet-cutes she has meet-disasters. Her life is chaotic and I want to know everything that’s going to happen next. She is the car crash you can’t look away from but at the same time, I am rooting for her.

Ava needs to have her aha moment before anything will change. Much like Yes Man or Eat Pray Love, Ava must continue her quest of self-discovery to unleash her power to make a change in her life before anything changes. I love how powerfully this concept is presented. Ava doesn’t even realize that she’s stuck in a rut. It will take a new perspective and a drive for change both mentally in the way she looks at the world and in her physical situation. I love how feel-good this book is. Ava is not a glass-half-empty person wallowing in her self-pity. She is still so positive, so hopeful, even amidst her rampant bad luck. I want to have the same strength of character as Ava. She is a force. She carries the book. She could be the star of a movie. I would love to see this book as a romcom. It would work so well. The elements of self-discovery, humor, and romance are boldly present.

Even when things go wrong Ava is likeable and I love that about her. She is humble to the point of self-deprecation but it’s not over the top or grating. It’s still on the humble scale. When she realizes that she has to be the change, it doesn’t scare her. I want to be more like Ava in my own life. She realizes that doing something meaningful is important. In other words, if it’s not heck yes, then it’s heck no! Do what you love. Do what makes you happy. What a wonderfully uplifting message from this book. Reading this book was not just entertaining but made me happy.

This novel was published by Susan Murphy on 10/01/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Susan Murphy’s Website

Book Review: Kat Girl (Love Chronicles) Kindle Edition by Sarah Lahey

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Kat Girl (Love Chronicles) Kindle Edition by Sarah Lahey

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Cross Over Press (07/12/2024)

Summary:

“She had forgotten what it was like to be loved by a man, someone who wasn’t a friend or a family member. It was a different kind of love – it was fulfilling and reassuring and life-affirming.” Page 288

Kat works in the male-dominated construction space. After being made redundant at her company, she feels lost but quickly discovers an opportunity to work as a heritage consultant. Liam needs his construction project to work. When he meets Kat on the work site, he knows she is someone he wants to pursue. Kat is determined never to marry again but that is Liam’s single-minded focus, at least initially.

Keywords:

Romance, Contemporary, Second-Chance, Construction, Australia, Male-Dominated Industry, Friendship, Romance

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

I love second-chance romance books and this one is a solid read. It has the perfect level of sizzle in the romantic department. The sex scenes were well-written and hot, yet still concise enough not to feel overpowering.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on what was up with Kat but I get the vibe that she might be neuro-divergent in the way that Christopher from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time appears neuro-divergent but no specific diagnosis is presented. Sometimes Kat reads social situations in a way that I think is neuro-divergent. She is also very levelheaded emotionally, emotionally, and physically capable of being independent and alone, and thinks through situations in a way that is often detailed and literal. Her perspective is fascinating. She is also working in a male-dominated industry but never appears to be intimated by her surroundings or peers. She is not overly confident or overly anxious. She is analytical and precise with specific opinions and preferences. I adore her and the way her tea must only be brewed for 20 seconds. She feels like a real person full of a complete personality and childhood.

Liam is also a character I love. I appreciated the gender role reversal with Liam and Kat and that both these romantic leads were fully fleshed characters with their hopes, dreams, and past baggage. Liam was equally as interesting as Kat, equally as real, and full of personality. I wanted both of them to be successful but also to stop being so stubborn! Because they are unique persons, they don’t always see eye-to-eye with each other and that’s where tension blooms. There is some miscommunication but it feels organic.

The level of detail for construction, business, buildings, and history was oftentimes over my level of knowledge but I appreciated the depth it added to the world-building of this book. I wouldn’t know any better but it felt genuine and like the author and characters knew what they were talking about.

I don’t always read books set in Australia and have never been to Australia, but I didn’t feel like this was a different place than any town in my own country where you can have a meet-cute in a bar, lose your job to the boy’s club takeover, or take a weekend to get away to the country.

This novel was published by Cross Over Press on 07/12/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Sarah Lahey’s website