Book Blitz: I Used to Be Fun by Melanie Summers

I Used to Be Fun by Melanie Summers
Publication date: April 14, 2023
Genres: Adult, Women’s Fiction

“Insightful, entertaining, and satisfying. A deliciously dishy look at a typical American family behind closed doors.” ~ USA Today Bestseller Whitney Dineen

“A life-affirming emotional rollercoaster. Perfect for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette!” ~ USA Today Bestseller Kate O’Keeffe

A richly satisfying family dramedy for any woman who has asked, “Whose life is this?”

Jessica Holloway is miserable. As mom to two ungrateful, almost-grown children and wife to one appreciative-but-needy husband, she has all-but-abandoned the extraordinary—and extraordinarily fun—woman she used to be.

She may be smiling while she volunteers at the school’s dog wash fundraiser, but inside, she’s seething. Having traded her future as a high-powered attorney for motherhood nearly two decades ago, she’s now desperate to reconnect with the woman she once was.

Pushed to her breaking point, Jessica is secretly terrified at what she might do.

Go on strike permanently?

Take the dog and run away to Mexico?

Tell her mother-in-law what she really thinks of her?

Whatever it is, it’s going to be a disaster. Because this time, Jessica will stop at nothing to get her power back – no matter the cost.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

She was bored. No, not bored. How can someone so busy be bored? It was more like disconnected—slightly separated from everything and everyone around her. She didn’t see the point of any of it, which seemed ridiculous because on paper, Jess had it all. A healthy, mostly-happy family, a part-time job she didn’t mind going to, financial security, good friends. It was enough that she felt guilty wanting anything more. But that didn’t change the fact that she did want more. She wanted to live. Some other life. One that amazed her or, more accurately, one in which she was amazing. Before she was Jessica Halloway, she was Jessica Saunders. And Jessica Saunders was supposed to be extraordinary. She was going to do something important in this world, like run a Fortune 500 company or be a high-powered attorney. She’d be out in the world making her mark and people would say, ‘There goes Jessica Saunders. Look at her. So determined and talented, not to mention dressed to kill.’ Jessica Saunders had actually settled on going to law school, and had even scored in the top five percent in the country on her LSAT. But then she got married and she and Mike decided he should focus on his career first, since he already had his degree and only needed to sit for the exams to get his Chartered Professional Accountant designation. But then Winnie came along, followed by Noah, and pretty soon, she’d forgotten all about picking up her studies where she’d left off.

That had happened so long ago, she completely forgot that she used to be thrilled by it all. Jess Saunders was one of those enthusiastic, take-life-by-the-horns sort of girls. The life of the party. She’d dance all night, she’d laugh all day. She was witty. Smart. Great at banter. People were drawn to her. She loved everything. Impromptu trip to Mexico? I’ll grab my passport. Sex? Yes, please. Plenty of it. Mountain mud pie with caramel sauce for dessert? Hand me a fork.

Jess missed her. She really, really frigging missed her. She knew that impressive young woman was buried somewhere inside her. She must be there, right? So, where was she?

Author Bio:

Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.

Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.

In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally - then she'll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for 'K' Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn't require makeup and/or nylons).

Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she's not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken 'from above'. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something--more like just staying until they turn the lights off.

She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Release Blitz: Every Last Drop by Sarah Robinson

Today we have the release day blitz for Sarah Robinson’s EVERY LAST DROP! 

Check out the release day festivities and be sure to get your copy of this gorgeous new women’s fiction!

Every Last Drop by Sarah Robinson

Genre: Women’s Fiction

About Every Last Drop

Marry the love of my life. Become a mother. Write a book. Number one was complete. I was well on my way to checking off goals two and three, before a cancer diagnosis derailed my plans. A story meant to chronicle the journey of impending motherhood with wit, became a brutally honest memoir of living life to the fullest. Make every breath count. When finally confronted with the knowledge the cancer is terminal, I search for a way to accomplish all the things I wanted to do within my lifetime… when I don’t have a lifetime left. Every Last Drop is the heartfelt, unflinching, and original story of how when faced with the hardest truth, we finally learn how far we will go to discover who we are before it’s too late.

Grab Your Copy Today!

Exclusive Excerpt

A field of water betrays the spirit that is in the air. It is continually receiving new life and motion from above. It is intermediate between land and sky. – Walden by Henry David Thoreau When I was about nine or ten, my father caught me reading an erotic novel. Once he got over the fear that his daughter might be a pervert—spoiler alert: I’m not…I think—he sat me down and told me every story is not meant for every audience. I assured him I’d never read anything like that again, and, out of respect for my promise, waited a full five minutes before I went right back to reading the rest. I’m practically a saint. The thing was, it had nothing to do with the sweaty scenes where things fit together that I was wholly confused about at my age, but the fact that these had been my mother’s books. I’d found them in a box of her things long after she’d died, and every page I read, I read with her. My heart broke and was mended right alongside the characters, and I cried over the same tear-stained pages my mother had. I laughed at romantic quips and imagined her beside me, sharing the joke. Books captured my soul, and completely changed the way I saw the world. The shared experience of knowing those who read these words were aching with me, giggling with me, loving with me was captivating. Being able to write like that, to bring people together, soon eclipsed my childhood dreams of being an actress, a truck driver, or the bearded lady at the circus. Yes, there was once a time I’d wanted to be the bearded lady. As I grew into an adult, and that beard never did grow in (small miracles), my goals evolved. I started adding to the things I wanted out of life, but writing a book was always there. Now I’m twenty-eight years old, and with all the wisdom and knowledge from my extensive time on this planet—note the heavy sarcasm—I’ve come up with three goals for my life. To write a book. Here we go. To become a mother. Soon. To marry the love of my life. Check. When I started writing this journal, I hadn’t really intended it to become the book, but you know what they say—we make plans and God laughs. I had already married an amazing man years earlier and was working toward the second goal on my list. I meant for these pages to tell the story of my journey into motherhood, and the ensuing ups and downs. It was going to be about new life and lost life, about how I raised my little sister after our mother died, and how I’d known even then, that motherhood was my greatest aspiration. I had never planned to show this to anyone outside of my family, but still, it would be written. I would have written a book. And I was so damn excited to tell the story I’d been writing my whole life, finally on paper this time. Was. Because I thought I knew the story already. I thought I knew how it would end. I had no clue this story was meant for everyone, and every audience. If I had known, maybe I would’ve started writing it sooner. Maybe I’d have changed the ending. The problem is, I won’t live long enough to do that. And when you read this book, you’re going to want me to. At least, I hope you will. I hope you’ll wish for a miracle, for the words on the page to transform into an epic tale of almost, so close, our prayers were answered, Hallelujah! But after that moment of hope, you’ll need to remind yourself a miracle isn’t coming. This story isn’t a cautionary tale. It’s just life, and life ends. I wish I could write a happily-ever-after like my mother’s novels, where the greatest of romances can conquer death. But that isn’t going to happen, and I’m really sorry it won’t. I wish I would live long enough to write you those stories, but I am dying. And my story dies with me.

About Sarah Robinson:

Aside from being a Top 10 Barnes & Noble and Amazon Bestseller, Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC area and has both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in criminal psychology. She works as a counselor by day and romance novelist by night. She owns a small zoo of furry pets and is actively involved in volunteering in her community.   Subscribe to her newsletter at www.subscribepage.com/sarahrobinsonnewsletter  

Connect with Sarah

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram

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Book Blitz: All That Matters by Tracy Krimmer

This is my stop during the book blitz for All That Matters by Tracy Krimmer. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 23 till 24 October. 

See the tour schedule here.

All That Matters by Tracy Krimmer

(All That #3)

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction

Age category: Adult

Release Date: October 22, 2018

Blurb
Dory Walker finally has both feet on the ground and looks forward to one thing only--becoming Mrs. Harris Malone. Her wedding is coming up, and she's put her music career behind her for good so she can focus on what's important in her life. Family comes first.

Harris Malone is getting used to his young daughter living over an hour away but now faces a new challenge--unemployment. With a wedding in a few months, he's in need of money, and he’s not sure how he’s going to find it.

But as Dory and Harris plan their happy future together, a trail of lies follows them. From secrets to hidden truths, every aspect of their relationship will be tested. Will they say "I do," or will a web of deceit force them into saying "I don’t?”

You can find All That Matters on Goodreads

You can buy All That Matters here

- Amazon

- B&N

- Kobo

- iTunes

- All vendors link

Excerpt
“How are you doing?” I rubbed Harris’s arm, knowing the day had to be bittersweet for him. He didn’t desire to take over the store as his dad had originally planned so it almost came as a blessing when Randy was forced to sell due to his debts. Still, Harris had spent the better part of almost a year mentally preparing for the takeover that now wouldn’t happen.
“Okay. I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring, though. I came here to work almost every day for more than a decade. What am I supposed to do with myself?”
As much as I wanted to, I didn’t have an answer to his question. I had a better idea than anyone what it meant to feel lost, and only over the past month and a half had I finally found myself. I thought I ached for a music career again but as I spent more time on stage, backstage, and on the tour bus I realized my life belonged in Sycamore Bay. My cosmetology degree was being put to good use at Lila’s salon, and now with another stylist, Zoe, added to the payroll, business boomed. I made decent money in hourly and tips and my health didn’t suffer because of it. In fact, I couldn’t even recall the last time my endometriosis flared up.
“Give it time, Harris. You’ll figure all of that out.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He touched his hand to my chin and tipped my face so I stared into his chestnut eyes. Wiping a stray brown hair away from my face and tucking it behind my ear, he added, “but we have a wedding to plan. I don’t want to cut corners anywhere. You deserve your dream wedding.”
How did I get so lucky as to be with a man like Harris? “I’m marrying you. That is my dream.” It had been for years. I crushed on him through all of high school and once we shared a kiss I thought that was it. It wasn’t though, and we went our separate ways. We’d found each other again, and I planned never to let him go.
He pressed his lips to mine and for a moment I forgot we were at the store. My knees weakened and my heart rate increased. He did that to me every single time.
“I see you two are still together.”
We turned our heads and my throat dropped into my stomach when Mandy Glab stood in front of us, a half of a smile on her face. After six months in prison, I hadn’t expected her beauty to overwhelm me. Before being sent away on vandalism charges—of Malone Hardware nonetheless—I’d never seen her without makeup, always looking perfect with every outline of her lipstick and stroke of her eyeshadow. Today wasn’t any different. Her hair was longer now, and her skin was its natural tone, not the slightly bronzed look she borrowed from a bottle.
“What are you doing here?” Harris pulled me to him as if not doing so would cause me harm. “Part of your release is that you not step foot in this store—and it’s still Malone Hardware for another few hours—and you aren’t within five hundred yards of my father. Do I need to contact your parole officer?”
Barely out from behind bars and already she violated her parole. Mandy did whatever she wanted. That was a fact the entire community of Sycamore Bay knew.

All That Series Book Trailer
You can watch the book trailer for the All That series here on Youtube:

First book in this series

“A has-been country music star. A divorced dad from a small town. Almost a decade of bottled up passion...”

Links All That Glitters:
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- B&N
- Kobo
- iTunes
- All vendors link


“Can the bond between Dory and Harris survive these turbulent times?”

Links All That Doesn’t
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- B&N
- Kobo
- iTunes
- All vendors

About the Author

Tracy Krimmer loves coffee, popcorn, Drew Barrymore, and the movie Saving Silverman. She enjoys reading great books (of course) and writing realistic characters for you to enjoy. When she listens to music she prefers the 80s and 90s music she grew up on. In a typical day, you’ll find her writing at one of her favorite spots--on the couch, at the kitchen table, or at her favorite hometown coffee shop.

You can find and contact Tracy here

- Website

- Twitter

- Facebook

- Reader Group

- Goodreads

- Amazon

- Bookbub

- Instagram

- Pinterest

- Newsletter

Giveaway

There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of All That Matters. 

One winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below

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Review: Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand   

Expected Publication: October 9, 2018

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Format: via NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Irene Steele’s idyllic life-house, husband, family-is shattered when she is woken up by a late-night phone call. Her beloved husband has been found dead, but before Irene can process this tragic news, she must confront the perplexing details of her husband’s death. He was found on St. John island, a tropical paradise far removed from their suburban life. Leaving the cold winter behind, Irene flies down to the beautiful Caribbean beaches of St. John only to make another shocking discovery: her husband had a secret second family. As Irene investigates the mysterious circumstances of her husband’s death, she is plunged into a web of intrigue and deceit belied by the pristine white sand beaches of St. John’s. This exciting first book in the Paradise series will transport readers to a new beach locale-another world that Elin knows as well as her beloved Nantucket-and have them longing for winter.

My Thoughts

In Elin Hilderbrand’s new novel Winter in Paradise, we leave her usual setting of her beloved Nantucket and she brings us to the tropical setting of St. John in her newest Winter series. We meet Irene who loves her life and has everything she has wanted except more time with her husband who works so much for all they have. She also has two grown sons who are going through tough times of their own but everyone’s lives are about to change when Irene gets a phone call that her husband has died.

Irene is stunned when she learns that her husband has lead a double life and she begins to wonder who exactly was she married to? She learns that he lead this totally different life in St. John and that he didn’t die alone that he did, in fact, have a mistress and possibly a secret child. So what is Irene to do but go down there and try to find out who her husband really was and decides to bring her two sons along for the ride. One son is trying to find his way in life. He is so different from his father, he is carefree and just wants to enjoy life while his brother is exactly like their dad he is a go-getter and is all about business but he has pushed that away to take care of his son full time while his wife a doctor focuses on her career. However, he is shocked when moments before he finds out about his fathers' death his wife tells him she is leaving him for another woman.

In St. John we meet a cast of other characters who play major parts in this story. We find out more about the mistress and her best friend whom both of Irene sons fall for. We also met the mistresses stepfather who has a spark of sorts with Irene which I’m totally on board with. There are a lot of characters on this small island but you never get confused and they just bring lots of depth to the story.

I really enjoyed this first book in her new series, I think the set up for the next novels is definitely there and the storyline is really good. I like how she has added elements of mystery with this one and how there is so much to explore in regards to Irene’s husbands’ death. What exactly happened? Was it really an accident or was it something more sinister? And what exactly was his job and who did he work for? I can't wait to discover all these things in the future and hopefully, my questions will be answered. This was definitely a good first book and I can't wait to learn more about these really interesting characters.

Book Blitz: All That Doesn't by Tracy Krimmer

This is my stop during the book blitz for All That Doesn’t by Tracy Krimmer. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 20 till 21 August. See the tour schedule here.

All That Doesn’t (All That #2) by Tracy Krimmer
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction
Age category: Adult
Release Date: August 20, 2018

Blurb
After a devastating end to her marriage, Dory Walker has rebuilt her life in her hometown of Sycamore Bay. She’s left her music career behind and is only looking forward to her future with her rekindled love, Harris Malone.

Single dad Harris is doing his best to guide his young daughter and take the reins of his soon to be retired dad’s hardware store. With Dory by his side, he can do anything.

But just when Dory thought she had it all, a surprise visitor turns her world upside down with a revelation that threatens to tear her family apart. She turns to Harris for help, but he’s caught up trying to save his relationship with his daughter. Can the bond between Dory and Harris survive these turbulent times?

You can find All That Doesn’t on Goodreads

Don’t miss the special release day price of $2.99!

You can buy All That Doesn’t here:

- Amazon

- B&N

- Kobo

- iTunes

- All vendors

First book in this series

“A has-been country music star. A divorced dad from a small town. Almost a decade of bottled up passion...”

Links:
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- B&N
- Kobo
- iTunes
- All vendors link

Excerpt

“Chandra’s in the car.”

“She’s what?” 

“She’s in the car. She can’t go back to the hotel.”

Still threading her hook through the yarn, she added, “You better not tell me she’s staying here.”

“Fine. I won’t tell you since you just said it.”

She shook her head back and forth as her lips tightened. Her rock became more fierce, and I feared she’d come flying off the chair.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“What can I say, Dory? You blatantly ignored my request—no, my demand—to keep this child out of my life.”

“She’s not a child, Grandma. She’s a grown woman. Don’t you think you can find a little empathy in your heart to give this woman a family?”

“What did you say to me? Dory—“

The doorbell rang interrupting her thought. I told Chandra to wait in the car. Maybe this was better. Now it forced Grandma to face the truth. That’s not the way I wanted to do it, but I couldn’t very well throw Chandra out on her butt or send her back to … wherever she came from. I needed to find out where that was.

Grandma threw her crocheting items onto the floor. “I am not happy with you, young lady. Go get the door. I’ll start a pot of coffee because Lord knows I’m going to need it.”

About the Author
Tracy Krimmer loves coffee, popcorn, Drew Barrymore, and the movie Saving Silverman. She enjoys reading great books (of course) and writing realistic characters for you to enjoy. When she listens to music she prefers the 80s and 90s music she grew up on. In a typical day you’ll find her writing at one of her favorite spots--on the couch, at the kitchen table, or at her favorite hometown coffee shop.

You can find and contact Tracy here:
- Website
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Reader Group
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Bookbub
- Instagram
- Newsletter

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of All That Doesn’t. One winner will win a Bath & Body Works gift set. US Only.

The set contains:
- 1 Hello beautiful Shea & vitamin e shower gel
- 1 Hello beautiful fragrance mist
- 1 Hello beautiful Shea butter & coconut body lotion
See picture below


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Blog Tour: All That Glitters by Tracy Krimmer

This is my stop during the book blitz for All That Glitters by Tracy Krimmer. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 19 till 25 June. See the tour schedule here.

All That Glitters (All That #1)

By Tracy Krimmer

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction

Age category: Adult

Release Date: summer 2017

Blurb:
Country-music star, Dory Walker, never wanted to come back to the small town of Sycamore Bay. But after her fairy-tale life is flipped upside down, and her marriage becomes a casualty, she has no choice. Harris Malone is a man with few commitments. He keeps a low profile most days while he cares for his young daughter and helps run his dad’s hardware store. But when he and Dory run into each other at the local gas station, all either can think about is the searing kiss they shared many years ago. Can a woman who only wants to rekindle her career and a man who enjoys a no-strings attached lifestyle find everlasting love?

You can find All That Glitters on Goodreads

You can buy All That Glitters here.



        About the Author:

Tracy's love of writing began at nine years old. She wrote stories about aliens at school, machines that did homework for you, and penguins. Now she pens books and short stories about romance. She loves to read a great book, whether it be romance or science fiction, or any genre in between, or pop popcorn and catch up on her favorite TV shows or movies. She's been known to crush a candy or two as well. Her loves include fitness, reading, coffee, dogs, and naps (not in that order), and her dislikes are blue cheese, cold weather, and burpees.

You can find and contact Tracy here:

- Website

- Twitter

- Facebook

- Goodreads

- Amazon

- Bookbub

- Instagram

- Newsletter

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of All That Glitters. One winner will win a $10 Amazon gift card!

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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Release Day: Broken Pieces by Kathleen Long

Broken Pieces by Kathleen Long
Release Day: July 19
Genre: Women's Fiction

About the Book
Destiny Jones is doing just fine on her own, thanks. From her thriving one-woman carpentry business to the loving support of her small-town community, Destiny has constructed a life as sturdy and polished as her best cabinets. Twenty years ago, Destiny’s world collapsed when her mother died and her father, Albert, abandoned his daughter to pursue acting in New York. His devastating exit taught Destiny a lesson in self-reliance that has kept her safe—and alone—ever since.

Now Albert Jones is back, begging for a second chance. Destiny suspects he’s simply staging another performance, starring himself as the prodigal father. Should she act on her misgivings? Or listen to her inner child, who still yearns for a family? When Albert divulges a shocking secret, Destiny’s life will again be turned upside down.

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Kathleen Long’s warm, wise novel reveals the armor that has protected us in the past is often the very thing we must shed to fully live and love.

Participating Blogs

Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Book Lover in Florida

The Write Review

Adventures Thru Wonderland

Shannon's Bookish Life

The Book Bag

Coffeeholic Bookworm

Granny Loves to Read

Books and Java

A Southern Girls Bookshelf

Chick Lit Goddess

SNS Promotions

The Book Fetish Blog

Chick Lit Plus

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Author Bio

Kathleen Long is a USA TODAY bestselling author of sixteen novels in the genres of Women’s Fiction, Suspense, and Contemporary Romance. She divides her time between suburban Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. When she’s not on deadline or teaching creative writing, Kathleen spends her time bribing her tween to pick up her room and begging her dog to heel. Please look for BROKEN PIECES, available July 19th from Lake Union Publishing.

Links
Amazon / Website / Twitter / FB / Goodreads

Review: Here's to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

Published: June 14, 2016

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Format: via publisher

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

Laurel Thorpe, Belinda Rowe, and Scarlett Oliver share only two things; a love for the man they all married, Deacon Thorpe--a celebrity chef with an insatiable appetite for life--and a passionate dislike of one another. All three are remarkable, spirited women, but they couldn't be more different. Laurel: Deacon's high school sweetheart and an effortlessly beautiful social worker; Belinda: a high-maintenance Hollywood diva; and Scarlett: a sexy southern belle floating by on her family money and her fabulous looks. They've established a delicate understanding over the years--they avoid each other at all costs.

But their fragile detente threatens to come crashing down after Deacon's tragic death on his favorite place on earth: a ramshackle Nantucket summer cottage. Deacon's final wish was for his makeshift family to assemble on his beloved Nantucket to say good-bye. Begrudgingly, Laurel, Belinda, and Scarlett gather on the island as once again, as in each of their marriages, they're left to pick up Deacon's mess. Now they're trapped in the crowded cottage where they all made their own memories--a house that they now share in more ways than one--along with the children they raised with Deacon, and his best friend. Laurel, Belinda, and Scarlett each had an unbreakable bond with Deacon--and they all have secrets to hide.

Before the weekend is over, there are enough accusations, lies, tears, and drama to turn even the best of friends--let alone three women who married the same man--into adversaries. As his unlikely family says good-bye to the man who brought them together--for better or worse--will they be able to put aside their differences long enough to raise a glass in Deacon's honor?

My Thoughts

Summer wouldn’t be complete in my eyes without an amazing Elin Hilderbrand novel. In Here’s to Us we meet the eclectic family that famous chef Deacon Thorpe leaves after his death. After a life of women, drugs and drinking there are a few things that Deacon has done right in life but everyone will agree he was a great father. He loved all his children to the fullest, mainly because he felt what it was like to not have that after his father up and left the family when he was young. Although he was famous he lived like there was no tomorrow and ultimately died in debt. He did have one prized procession that was his Nantucket house that despite all the women in his life, that was the one thing that was his and was not to be touched or changed.

In this novel, we get the back story of each of Deacon’s wives: Laurel his high school love and some say true love and wife of his only son. Belinda: the famous movie star who stole him away from Laurel and mom to their adopted daughter Angie who of all his kids he was closest to and shared his love for cooking. Scarlett: former nanny to Angie and his current wife and mother to his youngest daughter who has always pined for her ex-Bo. We see while all women are different from one another all loved him dearly even until the end. So when it is revealed that the beloved Nantucket house is to be foreclosed on soon, they must work together to get over their issues and become a family to spread his ashes and hopefully save the house.

I loved his book so much while it is a lengthy tale over 400 pages it is a read that I couldn’t stop reading. It was funny but touching at the same time, once again Elin Hilderbrand paints a picture of Nantucket that is so idyllic you can’t help but feel the sand under your toes and the cool breeze in the air. She delivers a family tale while dysfunctional one that in the end works for them. We are shown that no matter what issues we might have as families in the end, we are simply that…family. We will always have each other’s back because as corny as it might sound family and love truly conquers all.

Review: People Who Knew Me by Kim Hooper

People Who Knew Me by Kim Hooper

Expected Publication: May 24, 2016

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: via NetGalley

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Everything was fine fourteen years after she left New York.

Until suddenly, one day, it wasn’t.

Emily Morris got her happily-ever-after earlier than most. Married at a young age to a man she loved passionately, she was building the life she always wanted. But when enormous stress threatened her marriage, Emily made some rash decisions. That’s when she fell in love with someone else. That’s when she got pregnant.

Resolved to tell her husband of the affair and to leave him for the father of her child, Emily’s plans are thwarted when the world is suddenly split open on 9/11. It’s amid terrible tragedy that she finds her freedom, as she leaves New York City to start a new life. It’s not easy, but Emily---now Connie Prynne—forges a new happily-ever-after in California. But when a life-threatening diagnosis upends her life, she is forced to rethink her life for the good of her thirteen-year-old daughter.

My Thoughts

People Who Knew Me is the emotional story of Emily who is happily in love with her husband but with the stress of her husband quitting his job to take care of his sick mother she soon discovers that love can’t always conquer all. She struggles with having to put her life on hold while her husband makes his mother his top priority. In the process of it all and with her husband moving back home and her staying put she becomes lonely and takes comfort in an old acquaintance.

Emily never imagined that she could cheat on her husband when she becomes pressured to leave her husband then finds out she is pregnant she doesn’t know what to do. So what is one to do in this situation? She finds herself on Sept 11 held up in her lovers' apartment and finds out that her building has been struck by one of the planes. Her lover/coworker is in the building and never comes out. Her family and friends all try to find her but she takes this as a sign to start over and get a new identity. She feels that she can’t go back home and face the fact that she cheated and is having another man’s child. She starts her life over in California until the day she must confront her past in order face her present.

People Who Knew Me is a story that makes you think this can’t be possible. Something so out of this world that makes you wonder how bad things must be that you use 9/11 as an excuse to cover your cheating? I won’t lie I was kind of applaud by the notion of this but once you read it and discover all that happens your opinion of Emily kind of changes. You see her as a mother and the love and protection she has for her is breathtaking. I know this doesn’t make excuses for her behavior but some things aren’t just cut and dry. This is one read that is intriguing and definitely worth the time.

Waiting On [161]: Flight Patterns by Karen White

Waiting on Wednesday [Wow] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Flight Patterns by Karen White

Expected Publication: May 31, 2016

Publisher: NAL

Synopsis

Georgia Chambers has spent her life sifting through other people’s pasts while trying to forget her own. But then her work as an expert of fine china—especially of Limoges—requires her to return to the one place she swore she’d never revisit...

It’s been thirteen years since Georgia left her family home on the coast of Florida, and nothing much has changed, except that there are fewer oysters and more tourists. She finds solace seeing her grandfather still toiling away in the apiary where she spent much of her childhood but encountering her estranged mother and sister leaves her rattled.

Seeing them after all this time makes Georgia realize that something has been missing—and unless she finds a way to heal these rifts, she will forever be living vicariously through other people’s remnants. To embrace her own life—mistakes and all—she will have to find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past and the secrets she was forced to keep.

Why I Can’t Wait

I love reading stories about family and the dynamics that are within them. So this one sounds like something that I could really like. Plus Karen White is an amazing writer so I know I won’t be disappointed.