Backhanded Compliments.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

  Thank you to publisher, Atria Books for providing me with E-ARC via  Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

Juliette Ricci dreams of only one being the best women’s tennis player in the world. She’s worked nonstop with her strict father/coach to prepare for her big chance in the Australian Open. Unfortunately, she’ll be playing Lucky Luca Kacic, an aloof player whose unorthodox style and reigning popularity deeply irritate Juliette. 

For months they’ve traded sly insults in their press conferences leading up to their showdown on the court, and their first ever match is the most anticipated of the season. But Juliette refuses to let her nerves—or Luca’s annoyingly perfect abs—get the best of her.
Meanwhile, Luca seemingly has everything Juliette desires but there’s one thing missing from her love. When she shakes hands with Juliette after an agonizing match and sees her rival’s name appear on her wrist, it feels like a cruel joke. Juliette is a spoiled, arrogant brat who wants absolutely nothing to do with Luca or a soulmate. 

But despite their personal and professional clashes, the two grow closer after late-night massages and one too many shots of limoncello. Their chemistry is tangible, but Luca’s anxiety tells her that Juliette is just messing with her head to throw her off her game, and Juliette can’t understand why Luca is so hot and cold. With the pressure of the world scrutinizing their every move, they will have to decide what’s more important—being together or being number one. 

 🌷

 
I had always loved sport romance. In the past year, I got back into sports romance, and there is something about those books that I can’t seem to get enough of. Even though I've only played tennis once, it's my favorite sport after baseball and hockey. My great grandmother used to be a tennis instructor and taught me about the game and rules when she was still alive. I've read a few sports romances in the last year, but there aren't many that focus on tennis, which is one of the things I love about this one: it is different. Chandler's description of the tennis matches was so vivid that I felt as if I were there, rooting for Luca and Juliette. . To be honest, I cheered more for Luca at first because I wasn't sure if I liked Juliette. By the middle of the book, I found myself rooting for both. I hoped one would win. 

I love books with magical realism. I didn't think it was a major focus in this novel, but it worked so beautifully with the plot. I like that it is about soulmates; my friend and I are working on a series on soulmates, but ours is more fantasy-based. So, I couldn't help but love it! I wondered if the two of them would get together, especially given how Juliette acted and treated Luca at the beginning. One of the reasons I had conflicting feelings about Juliette was the way she acted. As I read more of Backhanded Compliments , I began to question if Juliette's behavior was due to her denial of her feelings. It was difficult for me to put the book down since I was curious about what would happen between Juliette and Luca. 

I enjoyed how this book focused on anxiety. I can really connect because I've had anxiety since I was a teenager. I admire books with mental health representations. The title is what drew me to the book first and made me curious about the story. Backhanded Compliments was far more than I expected. There were a few slow parts and several tensions that were resolved far too quickly, but I enjoyed the majority of the story. I couldn't get through the pages fast enough. I liked how you fell in love with not only Juliette and Luca, but also with the minor characters; there weren't many people I disliked Katie Chandler done a wonderful job with character development and making people fall in love with the plot, characters, and even the game. After reading Backhanded Compliments, I found myself pursuing for more tennis books to read. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to read this amazing story. I can't wait to see what Chandler has planned for us next!

Don't Open Your Eyes.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  

 Thank you to publisher, Random House Publishing|Ballantine for providing me with E-ARC via  Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Annabelle has everything she’s ever wanted. A devoted husband, two wonderful daughters, and a career she loves. She couldn’t be happier. So why is she suddenly plagued by disturbing dreams of a future where she hates her husband and her daughters’ lives are at risk? At first, she chalks the dreams up to an overactive imagination. But when details from her dreams, details she couldn’t possibly have predicted, begin to materialize, she realizes these aren’t just dreams but rather premonitions of a terrifying future. They all point to a singular choice, an unknown moment that holds Annabelle’s life in the balance. 

Then Annabelle has a dream that her daughter, Scarlett, is in immediate danger. Someone wants Scarlett dead and Annabelle has no idea who or why. Suddenly, every choice she makes is fraught with peril, with no inkling of which move could bring this terrifying vision to life. As her present life starts to collide with the future in her dreams, she wrestles with how much control she really has over her destiny and whether or not she can change what is meant to be.

 

 🌷

 
What a ride! 

I was unsure what to expect when I picked up this book. I have heard about Liv Constantine for the past couple of years, but I haven’t had a chance to check out the books yet. The title and the cover captured my attention. Once I read the book's synopsis, I was even more intrigued and needed to find out what would happen. I have read a lot of mystery/ thriller books. Don't Open Your Eyes is unlike any thriller I have read. I am still trying to process the story. The plot took so many unexpected turns that I eventually stopped attempting to predict what would happen next. I love the idea behind the story, dreams that end up coming true? I can't even begin to understand Annabelle's feelings of fear, especially since she didn't know when it might occur. I understand why her husband, James, responded the way he did, but he could have handled it better. I sensed something strange about him from the start, but I couldn't figure out what. I just knew I didn't trust him. 

I enjoyed reading the book from several perspectives, primarily because the characters were all different. I did occasionally shake my head at Scarlett's decisions. I had a feeling it would bring her into trouble someday. It was intriguing to read from the perspective of a teenager. Scarlett annoyed me at times, especially when it came to how she handled her mother, but her character grew on me. The descriptions of the characters' emotions, particularly Annabelle, were fantastic; I could sense her anxiety. Overall, all the details were so clear that I could envision everything, like a movie playing in my head. 

The first few pages were slow for me, and there were few character conversations that didn’t feel realistic to me. Once the plot picked up, I couldn’t stop reading, I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I loved Annabelle, even if at times it didn’t seem like it, she was a strong character, and no matter what was happening, she kept on going. I felt like I should seen it coming, but with all the twists and turns in the book, the ending was the most shock of all. Those at the types of books that are my favorites, the ending that you didn’t see coming. I’m so thrilled that I got a chance to read this book! I would recommend this to any thriller/ mystery fans. Be prepared for a exhilarating ride!

The Jackal's Mistress.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

Virginia, 1864—Libby Steadman’s husband has been away for so long that she can barely conjure his voice in her dreams. While she longs for him in the night, fearing him dead in a Union prison camp, her days are spent running a gristmill with her teenage niece, a hired hand, and his wife, all the grain they can produce requisitioned by the Confederate Army. It’s an uneasy life in the Shenandoah Valley, the territory frequently changing hands, control swinging back and forth like a pendulum between North and South, and Libby awakens every morning expecting to see her land a battlefield. 

And then she finds a gravely injured Union officer left for dead in a neighbor’s house, the bones of his hand and leg shattered. Captain Jonathan Weybridge of the Vermont Brigade is her enemy – but he’s also a human being, and Libby must make a terrible decision: Does she leave him to die alone? Or does she risk treason and try to nurse him back to health? And if she succeeds, does she try to secretly bring him across Union lines, where she might negotiate a trade for news of her own husband? 

 

 🌷

 
Gripping. Beautifully written. 

I've been a fan of Chris Bohjalian since I read his thriller, The Flight Attendant in 2021. I loved it so much, I ended up re-reading it. There's something about his writings that makes you fall in love with the characters, even when you know you shouldn't. One of my favorite aspects of his books is the vivid description throughout, which transported me to the Shenandoah Valley in the 1800s. I felt Libby's anxiety and anger. When she found the soldier, she had to make a big decision. Libby knew what would happen if she decided to help him. The friendship between Libby and Captain Jonathan Weybridge is unlike any I've read about before. I loved that it was based on a true story and ended up doing my own research, once I read the author’s note at the end. I was intrigued by the actual story. 

I was captivated by the title of his recently released novel, The Jackal’s Mistress. The title and the cover would intrigue you to pick up the book even if you had never read the author before. It wasn’t long into the book where I understood the idea behind the title. I loved that it took place in Northern Virginia, where I had lived for 15 years. Also, most of the historical fiction books I've read appear to take place during WWII, so I liked this one during the Civil War. I loved his descriptions of the settings and everything that happened during the Civil War. I could see it all clearly. The Jackal's Mistress was a powerful story in so many ways, I still can't get it out of my mind. 

Every page was filled with so much tension, action, keeping me at the edge of my seat. The beginning started slow but within a few pages, I was so captivated by the story, I read late into the night, finding hard to put down. I wanted to see what happens with Libby and Weybridge next. It’s clear how much research was put into this book. Character development, especially for Libby and Weybridge, was phenomenal. A beautiful story about friendship, found family, love, trust, and survival. I can’t wait to see what Chris Bohjalian adventures has for us next.

Summer In The City.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

 

Twenty-seven-year-old screenwriter Elle has the chance of a lifetime to write a big-budget movie set in New York City. The only problem? She’s had writer’s block for months, and her screenplay is due at the end of the summer. 

In a desperate attempt at inspiration, Elle ends up back in the city she swore she would never return to, in an apartment she could never afford (floor-to-ceiling windows, skyline views, and a new coffee shop to haunt included). It’s the perfect place to write her screenplay…until she realizes her new neighbor is tech “Billionaire Bachelor” Parker Warren, her stairwell hookup from two years ago. It’s been a lovers-to-enemies situation ever since. 

When seeing him again turns into a full night of hate-fueled writing, Elle realizes her enemy/twisted muse might just be the key to finishing her screenplay... if she can stand being around her polar opposite. She writes anonymously, and he’s on the cover of every business magazine. He frequents fancy red carpeted events, and she doesn’t like leaving her emotional support five block radius.
One summer. One wall apart. He needs to fake a buzzy relationship during his company’s precarious acquisition. She needs to write a movie around a list of NYC locations. Both need a break from their unrelenting schedules, and a chance to rediscover the skyscraper glimmering, pizza crusted, sunlit charms of the city. 

Summers always end, and so will this agreement. It’s all pretend. Promise. 

Until it isn’t. 

 

 🌷

 
This story was delightful! I haven't read many billionaire romances, and this is my favorite thus far. I hadn't heard of the author, Alex Aster , until a few days before the release of her latest novel, Summer In the City. Once I started reading her book, I wished I had discovered her sooner. Even though she wrote a story that was at times predictable, I fell in love with it. I stayed up past my bedtime to see how it would end. I've been to NYC a few times, but it's been a few years, and Aster's descriptions of the city's landmarks brought it to life for me. It felt as if I had been transformed there. It made me wish I was there! I loved that Elle was the scriptwriter, but I couldn't help but question why she was kept anonymous. It did give an element of mystery to the plot. 

Elle and Parker were my favorite characters, although Elle may be aggravating at times. Elle seemed to complain a little too much. I like Elle and Parker's relationship and chemistry, and there were a couple instances between them that made me laugh. I liked the fact that the two of them didn’t fall in love with each other right away. I did wonder what would happen at the end of the summer. A part of me hoped that the sparks between them would be strong enough to bring them together. It didn't take long to realize Parker fell for her first, based on how he treated her. I was waiting for Elle to see how much he cared for her. Parker and Elle had an amazing dialogue with one another. I think that Elle needed someone like him. The way that Parker treated Elle, is what every girl dreams about. 

I thought the use of humor in the story made it so much more engaging to read. Summer In The City will take you through a range of emotions throughout the novel. You will cry, laugh, be angry, and frustrated. The character growth was incredible, especially for Elle, who had gone a long way since the beginning of the novel. I hope that Alex Aster will write more romance novels; she has talent for it. I can't wait to find out what more she has planned for us next!

The Bachelorette Party.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

 Thank you to publisher, St Martin's Press|Minotaur Books for providing me with ARC via  Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

 RELEASE DATE: JUNE 10,2025.

 

On a remote, craggy island nestled off the coast of Sweden, four friends—Tilly, Anna, Linnea and Evelina—meet every year. Best friends since childhood, the idea is to drink beer, dance by the water, and shake off the weight of life's expectations. The location of the island is a secret to everyone but them. One night of reckless fun and secret-sharing, and then they return to their normal lives. 

Ten years later. Ever since she was a teenager, Tessa Nilsson has been consumed by the story of four friends who disappeared on their annual trip to a remote island together. As her true crime fervor turned into a wildly popular podcast, Tessa urgently covered Sweden’s most gruesome cases, but could never find the answers behind what happened to these women who disappeared, leaving a few maddening clues but no concrete answers. Now Tessa’s podcast has crashed and burned, any chance she had at uncovering the truth vanishing with it. 

Anneliese is Tessa’s best friend, and before she walks down the aisle, she wants to have a bachelorette party. The Baltic Vinyasa, a sleek, sophisticated yoga retreat on a small island off the coast—one with such similar characteristics to the tragedy years ago that it raises the hair on Tessa’s neck. The idea is to drink gallons of cava, do sunrise yoga, and get in their last chance to bond with the bride. Tessa will not pass this up. It’s her last chance to find out what happened to the four women, once and for all.
And it’s someone else’s last chance to get revenge. 

 

 🌷

 
Wow. 

What an adventure! I am trying to think out the best way to express what I just read. The story is still on my mind. I love mystery and thriller novels, especially those that keep you guessing. The Bachelorette Party kept me guessing throughout the novel, and just when I thought I had it figured out, I was proven wrong. The Bachelorette Party was one of those stories where I had to force myself to put the book down, knowing that I would never go to sleep if I didn’t. It was the book that you thought about when you weren't reading it or talking about it with your friends. Every page made me wonder what would happen next with the group. I was curious to see if Tessa would learn what happened to Nacka four all those years ago. 

I was drawn to the book because of the cover, the mysterious illustration is what grabbed my attention. After reading the summary, I knew it was the type of thrillers I would like. I didn’t expect it to be as dark as it was. That was one parts of the book, which made it impossible to put the book down. A part of me was hesitant to finish the book because I was worried about how the book might end. Camila Sten done a fantastic job crafting a suspenseful story that will keep your heart pounding half the time. I was on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last. The author also created such compelling characters that it was nearly impossible to dislike them, even though you knew you should.
I liked that the story was told from present time, and past. The emotions portrayed in this book were so vivid that I could see everything that was happening. I loved the setting of the story. This was my first time reading a novel by Camilla Sten, but it won't be my last! I would recommend this book to any thriller fans.

Just For The Summer (Part Of Your World,#3)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. 

Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. 

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

 

 🌷

 
Outstanding. 

I shouldn't be surprised by now, but Abby Jimenez took me by surprise again. I finished the book a few days ago, and I still can't get the story out of my mind. There is so much I want to say about Justin and Emma's story, but I don't know where to start. Just For The Summer is written with a lot of emotion, a combination of heartfelt and heartbreak. I felt like I was experiencing everything with Emma and Justin. I had never experienced what Emma did with her mother, but as I read her story, I felt as if I had, and my heart broke for Emma on several occasions. At first, I couldn't tell if Emma wasn't seeing her mother for who she was or if she was pretending. Emma appeared to always have an explanation for her mother's actions. I wish she would realize that what her mother was doing was not for love. I wasn't sure how long Emma could put up with it. 

I adored Maddy and was glad Emma had a friend like her. Someone needed to watch out for Emma. I wish Emma had listened to Maddy about her mother, but I could understand why she didn't; she had hope that her mother would change. There was part of me that hoped for Emma’s happy ending; that her mother would change. Based on Amber's behavior, I didn't have high hopes. Amber was one of characters didn't like. I was aware that she had issues, but it was no excuse for how she treated everyone around her, particularly Emma. The emotions in this book were so real that I felt them alongside Emma. From the moment that Justin and Emma agreed to date Justin, to find their soulmate. I wondered if they would be able to go through it, and if not, who would give up first. I had a bad feeling about from the start. I had a feeling someone's heart was about to be broken. 

I adored Justin, but how could you not? He's the type of guy that every girl fantasizes about. I have feeling that it was more than just a task for Justin from the moment he met Emma. I admired how he treated her and how inventive he was with their dates. I admit that I found myself laughing at some of the things he sent Emma, as well as some of their messaging exchanges. The ending was one of my favorite parts. I had loved this entire series, and there is part of me that wishes that there was more. These are the stories that will remain with me and that I will return to in the future.

One Week Of July.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

   Thank you to the author,Melissa Mestro for ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 RELEASE DATE: JULY 1,2025.

One week. One girl. One love story worth writing about. 

Leighton Prescott is enjoying the last summer before college in his picturesque small town. His life is close to perfect—loving family, loyal friends, big opportunities—but despite everything seeming so right, something still feels so… wrong. 

Leighton’s future was decided for him at a young age, and he’s never questioned it for fear of disappointing his parents. With those future plans nearing, though, he can’t stop wondering if he is about to make a huge mistake. 

Then a girl wanders into the little bookstore where he works, and she not only steals his heart but also challenges him to confront what he’s been avoiding. Leighton must make a choice: continue with the narrative that was written for him or become the author of his own story. 

One Week of July is about finding your voice, falling in love, and discovering who you are. Will Leighton get his happy ending or will he learn that happy endings are just a work of fiction? 

 

 🌷

 
A beautiful story of friendship, love, and recovery. 

One Week Of July is the kind of story I love reading. I'm so grateful to my friend Melissa for giving me the opportunity to read this beautiful story. I adored July and Leighton, and the bond that they shared. Every chapter left me wondering what would happen next, if the two of them would stay together. I was curious about the title. It all made much more sense after I got into the book. Naturally, I was curious about what would happen at the end of that week. There was part of me that hoped that July would end up staying. July drew me in from the moment she stepped into Leighton's bookstore. Besides Leighton and Kennedy, she was my favorite character. I can't imagine what she went through. My heart broke for her on several occasions, and I'm glad she met Leighton; the two of them were destined to meet. 

I loved that it took place in a small town. Those stories will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will read any story that take place in a small town. It’s not often that you will come across a story that is told from male’s perspective. Melissa did an excellent job of capturing the story from Leighton's perspective. However, there were a few occasions when I wondered what July was thinking, especially when she wasn't with Leighton. I adored the name of Leighton’s bookstore. I also loved that July’s favorite book was The Outsiders, which is also one of my favorite books. I felt that the tension between Leighton and his mother was resolved a little too quickly. In overall, I couldn't get enough of this novel, and it took me through a variety of emotions. I loved Kennedy and the relationship that she had with her brother. The emotions portrayed in this novel were outstanding and I felt as if I was there with Leighton.

 
I loved how July encouraged Leighton to pursue his dreams. It reminded me of my closest friends and parents. I liked how the book addressed anxiety, something I've struggled with since I was a teenager but has improved with time. If it weren't for school, I'd have finished the book much faster. I already know that Melissa Mastro is the author to watch out for, and I cannot wait to see what she has for us next. I highly recommend this book. This is a story you will never forget.

Yours Truly (Part Of Your World,#2)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. 

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse. 

 

 🌷

 
A heartbreaking story that will leave you feeling a range of emotions. 

This story… It was certainly one of the most emotional books I've read this year. I cried so many times while reading this book that I lost track. However, I did laugh several times and smiled at several of the scenes between Jacob and Briana. After reading Alexis and Daniel's story in Part Of Your World at the beginning of the year, I thought I couldn't adore another couple more; but I was mistaken; I loved Briana and Jacob just as much, if not more. Yours Truly will be one of my favorite romantic books for many years to come. I couldn't stop talking this book. Even though it ripped my heart and put it back together on several occasions, I couldn't get enough of their story. I could tell Briana and Jacob were attracted from the moment they met, even though Briana refused to accept it. After her previous relationship ended, I understood why she was hesitant. Throughout the novel, I hoped Briana would see that Jacob's feelings for her were genuine. 

I decided to listen to Yours Truly. I heard Zachary Webber when I listened to Part Of Your World and liked how he portrayed the feelings of his characters. This was my first time hearing Kyla Garcia, and the two of them worked beautifully together. I found myself listening to it while at gym, after studying because I needed to see what would happen with Jacob and Briana. I believe that the audiobook brought this narrative to life even more. I like that this book addressed anxiety, which is something I battle with on a regular basis. It has improved over the years, but I felt like I could connect with Jacob in so many ways because I understood how he felt. I adored the way that Briana tried to help him with his anxiety; especially when they were doing something that involved a lot of socializing. I knew then that she loved him. 

I enjoy medical books, but they can be heartbreaking to read at times. My heart sank for Benny and all that he had to go through because of his chronic kidney disease. I didn’t blame him for acting the way that he did. I was just glad that at least Briana was there to take care of him. I loved everything about this book, including the side characters, and I think that I fell in love with Jacob’s family myself. Ending, I think that was my favorite part of the book, I found myself smiling and crying at the same time. Of course, I loved the fact that Alexis and Daniel made an appearance in the book. I’m hoping that Briana and Jacob will make an appearance in the next book. This was my third novel by Abby Jimenez , and she had officially become one of my favorite authors. I'm excited to read Justin and Emma's story in Just For Summer. Highly recommended for all romance fans.

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sisters Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were born just a year apart but could not have been more different. Zoe, blessed with charm and beauty, yearned for fame from the moment she could sing into a hairbrush. Cassie was a musical prodigy who never felt at home in her own skin and preferred the safety of the shadows. 

On the brink of adulthood in the early 2000s, destiny intervened, catapulting the sisters into the spotlight as the pop sensation the Griffin Sisters, hitting all the touchstones of early aughts fame—SNL, MTV, Rolling Stone magazine—along the way. 

But after a whirlwind year in the public eye, the band abruptly broke up.
Two decades later, Zoe’s a housewife; Cassie’s off the grid. The sisters aren’t speaking, and the real reason for the Griffin Sisters’ breakup is still a mystery. Zoe’s teenage daughter, Cherry, who’s determined to be a star in spite of Zoe’s warnings, is on a quest to learn the truth about what happened to the band all those years ago. 

As secrets emerge, all three women must face the consequences of their choices: the ones they made and the ones the music industry made for them. Can they forgive each other—and themselves? And will the Griffin Sisters ever make music again?

 

 🌷

 
I've been meaning to read Jennifer Weiner for a long time. I had heard a lot about her newest book, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits, so I decided to check it out when I came across it while at the library. I adore the title and cover, so even if I haven't heard of the book, the title and cover will grab my attention enough to check it out. I love to read books about music, but what I admired most about The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits was that it was about sisters. One of my favorite topics to read about is sibling relationships, particularly between sisters. Zoe and Cassie's relationship was challenging. I got the impression they were jealous of each other. Zoe was jealous of Cassie's talent, and Cassie was jealous of Zoe's beauty. I don't think one of them noticed what the other was feeling. I don't think Cassie for a second assumed her sister was insecure about anything. That’s what I loved about their characters, how real they felt. Anyone at their age would experience these emotions, particularly when they are in the spotlight. 

I despised Zoe, but the choices that she made especially since she knew what she was doing. I did warm up to her towards the last few pages of the book, but in the beginning, I just couldn’t. I did not blame Cassie for wanting to disappear. However, I wondered if the sisters would ever reunite, and if so, what their relationship would be like? I thought the first half of the novel was slow, and it took me some time to get into it. I also wasn't sure how I felt about the book's ending; it seemed unfinished to me. However, the rest of the book was filled with drama, and there was constantly something going on, leaving you wondering what would happen next. I wondered if the sisters would sing together again in the future. I liked how the book was told from the perspectives of both sisters and Zoe's daughter, Cherry, which allowed readers to have a greater grasp of each character. I enjoyed both the past and current timelines, but the past when the sisters were in the band grabbed my interest the most. 

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits includes everything from sister relationships, coming of age, stardom, parenthood, mystery, and second chances. To me, most of this novel felt true; I could imagine parts of it happening in real life. I wonder what happened to the sisters after the last page. I enjoyed the mystery of why the band broke up so abruptly; what had happened, and did the sisters have anything to do with it? I related with most of the characters in the book, except for Zoe, who I couldn't seem to connect with as much as the others. My favorite aspect of the book was reading about the sisters' time in the band. The descriptions made me imagine myself there with Cassie and Zoe. I'm interested to check out the rest of Jennifer Weiner's books and see what adventures she'll take me on!

Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

  Thank you to publisher, Ballantine Books for providing me with ARC via  Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 RELEASE DATE: MAY 27,2025.

 

 

2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She’s come all the way from California with nothing but a name on a piece of paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class with her, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible. 

1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows both in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst. Who in their tight-knit island community can they trust? Could this little book club change the course of the war . . . before it’s too late?

 

 

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  I have been a huge fan of Martha Hall Kelly's books since I read Lilac Girls in 2019. A story that remains one of my favorite books in historical fiction to this day. I’m always excited when I find out that she has a new book coming out. When I found out about Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club, I couldn’t wait for a chance to read it. I adore reading stories set during WWI/II; it's a fascinating subject for me, and Kelly did an outstanding job with it. The vivid descriptions are my favorite features of her books. I could see myself there with Cadence, Briar, and Bess even though I had never visited Martha's Vineyard. I wished I had been there when I turned the last page. I adored that this book featured a book club, especially during the war. I was always curious about what book they would end up reading next. I became so captivated in the story that I didn’t realize the hours I spent reading. 

Most World War II novels I've read are set in Europe, so I like that this one was set in Martha's Vineyard since it provided a unique perspective on the war. I like how the narrative was written from both sisters' perspectives; it allows readers to get to know both sisters and connect with them. I adored both Briar and Cadence. I was always eager to see what happens with them next. Although I like Mari's viewpoint and wanted to know why Mrs. Devereaux told her the story, I found the Briar and Cadence story to be more captivating. Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club had everything from war to mystery and even some romance. All of those are my favorite genres, and I found it impossible to pull myself away from the book. A part of me, however, didn't want the story end because I grew so attached to the characters. 

I loved the mystery aspect in the book, and I found myself wondering. The character development in this book was phenomenal. The book club also made me think of the virtual book club I’m running with my friends now, which warmed my heart in so many ways. I could go on about this book, but I don’t want to give too much away. Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a story that will stay with you, a story that you will talk to your friends and family about. I’m already eager to see what adventure Martha Hall Kelly will take us on next!