REVIEW: The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

OUR REVIEW: 

Late last year I saw this novel pop up on several BEST OF lists and added it to my always growing TBR list. Recently I was between novels and looking for something a little more contemplative so I reserved this on my Libby App and was able to begin it almost instantaneously. I didn't know much about it but found myself quickly absorbed by the life of Clover Brooks, a death doula. Her job was so fascinating to me-so honorable and kind-that I had a hard time understanding why she seemed so hesitant about telling people what she did. As she told the story of her life to this point, it became a little more clear as to why she seemed to isolated and alone, which just increased my sadness for her. This novel wasn't all deep nuggets of wisdom, though; there were nosy neighbors, terrible dates, and funny incidents along the way. 

I enjoyed The Collected Regrets of Clover; it was sweet and different and while it didn't give me some earth-shattering life altering pearls of wisdom, it did give me some things to consider and it was definitely a good read. 

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SYNOPSIS:

What’s the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can’t give yourself a beautiful life?

From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit , Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process.

Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a road trip to uncover a forgotten love story—and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she’ll have the courage to go after it.

Probing, clever, and hopeful, The Collected Regrets of Clover is perfect for readers of The Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine as it turns the normally taboo subject of death into a reason to celebrate life.
 

REVIEW: Hot Shot by Staci Hart

 

OUR REVIEW:

We've been fans of Staci Hart since the wayyyy back times--the times of Hardcore and Hearts and Arrows and in every iteration of her work, we've found her to be a consistently good read. Whether we're cracking up at the hilarity of a situation or tearing up at the plight of a character, we can honestly say that we've always enjoyed her work. After a hiatus, she came back strong with a new series, Roseville Ramblers, and Hot Shot continues our fandom of Staci Hart's work and the worlds she builds. In this series we found ourselves in a small town in Tennessee and while there is that small time feel to it, it isn't rife with cliche after cliche; instead it just gives you this feel of comfort and familiarity while navigating the romance of Cass and Wilder. If you read the first book in this series, you'll recognize them both. You'll also recall that Wilder was in an interesting bind--how to tell Cass that they were still married?! Fortunately, you don't have to wait too long to see how he reveals that to her and just as quickly as she knows, a new and challenging conundrum arises. It's how they resolve this and the love that they really can't deny that takes up the vast majority of this novel and we think you're going to find it enormously pleasurable to read. Lots of fun, sexy, heartfelt moments that will have you turning the pages and smiling. And with the promise of our next couple in this series on the horizon, all we can do is hope that Staci Hart's fingers are flying across that keyboard.

Happy Reading!

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SYNOPSIS:

Never thought I’d agree to a marriage of convenience to my hot, firefighter ex boyfriend.
Especially after he casually informs me we’ve been married for ten years.

Ten years ago, Wilder and I were so in love that we got married in Vegas for one night only before leaving for college on different sides of the world. He was supposed to mail the annulment papers.

Problem is, he didn’t.
Worse? He didn’t tell me.
Not even when I came back to town to marry another man.

But now he needs my help, and I can’t say no. All I have to do is have to pretend in front of the whole town like we’re married. Hold hands. Kiss. Not throw myself at him when he looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world.

My body might remember him, but the rest of me isn’t ready. Because I’m just learning how to find myself, and if I get wrapped up in Wilder’s world, I’ll lose more than my heart—I’ll lose everything.
Again.

REVIEW: What If I Never Get Over You? by Paige Toon

OUR REVIEW:

I've just finished this novel--maybe an hour has passed?--and I already know that I'll be searching for all of the Paige Toon novels I can get my hands on. What if I Never Get Over You was so easy to read, so hard to put down, that rather than get ready for the family gathering of 17 I'm hosting in a few days, I lazed about and read. 

The story of Ellie and Ash starts in Lisbon where these two have been traveling, post college. She's hitting all of the spots her friend Stella listed as places to see and he appears to be taking a break from life as he knows it. They spend three fun, lust filled days with each other, with the promise of meeting up a week later in Madrid. Things happen and that meet up doesn't happen, and because they didn't exchange crucial personal information (or enough of it), they were forced to move on with their lives without the other in it. Ellie hardened herself into a shell of herself. She was convinced that his not showing up was purposeful and it hurt her so much that spent years just going through the motions of living. Meanwhile, Ash was equally heartbroken and frustrated that he couldn't get a hold of her and felt forced to go through the motions of a life that didn't feel like his own. Jump ahead many years and they find each other and fall head over heels in love, again. And again, they are deeply hurt and fall apart. Years go by again and by happenstance, Ellie learns of some things that change everything, and off she goes to try again. Third times a charm, right? 

All aspects of this romance worked for me: the student travelers, the landscape that feels like a secondary character, the fact that I know absolutely nothing about where this novel is set, and yet could envision it the entire time, the emotionality of it...all of it. I enjoyed it all. And I suspect that as I read through her backlist, I'll enjoy those too. 

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SYNOPSIS:

Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget.

Ellie didn’t expect to fall in love while interrailing through Europe. But she also didn’t expect to meet a man like Ash. Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection—a bond deep enough for them to scrap their itineraries and plan to meet again in Spain. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.

Six years later, Ellie has landed her dream job working as a gardener for a viscount and viscountess on their sprawling five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales. She finds peace amongst the towering topiary hedges and colorful gardens, but her idyll is shattered when Ash crashes back into her life. And when it becomes clear why he didn’t show in Madrid, her heart breaks anew—for what the truth means for her, and for his fate.

But they have never been able to resist each another, and when the sparks of their attraction fly, Ellie’s life will catch flame. She will have to make a choice.

REVIEW: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

 

OUR REVIEW: 

I'd been seeing this novel on a ton of 'best of' lists at the end of last year, so when I saw it go on major sale, I purchased it. Because it was so lauded, I think my expectations may have been a smidge too high. I don't know what I thought this would be, but what it was, was not what I was expecting. That's not necessarily a bad thing...just a thing.

There are quite a few things I liked about All the Colors of the Dark: I liked that it covered decades of the lives of Patch and Saint. I liked that we got both of their points of view. I liked that there was a feeling of finality and resolution by the end, even if it wasn't quite what I was hoping for. 

The things that weren't my favorites? It seemed a bit slow and draggy in places and I wanted more for these characters than what they endured. I know that last one isn't really a fair critique, especially because it speaks to how well developed the characters were that I cared that much, but it's how I felt, soooooo *shrugs*

I could definitely see this being a limited series on a streaming service; it has all of the depth and breadth that many viewers would like. So ultimately, while it wasn't the thriller, page turner I was anticipating, it was definitely a good read. 

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SYNOPSIS:

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Mohammed Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy with one eye, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession, and the blinding light of hope.

REVIEW: The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills

 OUR REVIEW:

Ilsa Madden-Mills typically gives me a good read with good laughs and while The Kiss Lottery definitely has its moments, I think it wasn't a higher rated read for me because the novella length made it feel a little underdeveloped. Even with the slightly rushed feel of it all, I still enjoyed the story of how Everly and Beckett find love, all these years later. Cute, short, sweet read.

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SYNOPSIS:

Roses are red, violets are blue—someone in Rose has feelings for you…

Yeah, bad ones. Everly Davis didn’t leave her tight-knit hometown on the best terms. It’s been ten years, but you don’t forget heartbreak like that. Then again, the anonymous invite to the annual Kiss Lottery in Rose, Tennessee, gives Everly content for her podcast. And she has a bone to pick with that old heartbreak anyway.

Beckett Whitfield has never left Rose—and he’s never forgotten Everly. He even named the villain in his latest bestseller after her. Turns out she’s not happy about that. Nothing about their reunion is particularly happy, and after the way they left things, what did he expect?

When the Kiss Lottery pairs them together, Everly and Beckett will have to confront old feelings that never went away and the secrets they never shared. But finally telling each other everything might be exactly what they’ve needed all along.