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The Sunday Post #263 | October 17, 2021

Sunday, October 17, 2021

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,

and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

It was such a busy week at the office. By Wednesday I was over it. And by Friday I was ready to drop. It's been a while since I've felt so mentally drained by a work week. My plan for the weekend: as little as possible. :)

I only blog when I feel like it, hence the scarcity of posts over the last week or two. Forcing myself to post when I'm not in the mood sucks every bit of joy out of it for me. I didn't feel like doing a Sunday Post last week, I wasn't feeling the TTT prompt (and next week isn't looking so great, either)... but I did manage a review post on Thursday, so go me. :)

Hockey is back! The 2021-2022 NHL season started this week and I've been so happy to have it back. My Lightning have won one and lost one so not a bad start. (I'm writing this before their game on Saturday night so by the time you read this hopefully they have another one in the Win column.)

Friday night I was having family over for a super casual dinner. They're all fully vaccinated now (woo hoo) and these small gatherings are now possible. But then my mom called and said she couldn't come because she was coming down with a cold. Then my younger sister called and they couldn't come. The dinner was dwindling fast so I just postponed it. The Husband and I went from expecting a gathering of eight, to the two of us grabbing subs from the Publix deli (a grocery store) for dinner. LOL

This week's 80's music fix is... not actually from the 80's. I could have sworn Kiss Them for Me (Siouxsie and the Banshees) came out in 1989 but Google is telling me it's 1991. But it's a great song so I'm going with it. Enjoy!

Thursday, October 14

Short Take Reviews:

Hang the Moon and The Last Goodbye

It was a mixed bag this week: one disappointment, one good, and one fantastic.

I read Down Too Deep by J. Daniels earlier this year and absolutely loved it. So I decided to pick up Four Letter Word and... I couldn't believe it was written by the same author. Man, did I struggle with this one. I started another Kennedy Fox series this week and the first book, Taming Him, was a good one. Loved the lack of unnecessary drama. And then there was The Night She Disappeared. I'm working on my review but I will say that I consider it Jewell's best book to date and it will definitely be among my top picks of the year!

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell - ★★★★★

Taming Him (Bishop Brothers #1) by Kennedy Fox - ★★★★

Four Letter Word (Dirty Deeds #1) by J. Daniels - ★★★

Heard it in a Love Song is one of my most highly anticipated books of the year. (I almost hesitate to say that because it sets up such incredibly high expectations, but it's still true.) I adore Tracey Garvis Graves and this synopsis really grabbed me. I've had the arc for at least four months but I've been holding off, enjoying the anticipation. But the time has come and I'm so happy to be diving in. Page three - what do I see? A character named Tonya. Different spelling, but I'm totally taking it as a good omen. :)

Reading:

Heard it in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves

Listening:

Needing Him (Bishop Brothers #2) by Kennedy Fox

PHYSICAL BOOKS:

No Tomorrow by Carian Cole

KINDLE BOOKS:

Fearless Like Us by Krista & Becca Ritchie

AUDIOBOOKS:

When You Come Back to Me by Emma Scott

eARC FOR REVIEW:

One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

Short Take Reviews | Hang the Moon and The Last Goodbye

Thursday, October 14, 2021

HANG THE MOON

Alexandria Bellefleur

Published: May 25, 2021

3.5 stars

Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or... has he? When his sister's best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie... wants him? Oh yes.

Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies... as long as you think your partner hung the moon.

*****

There was plenty to enjoy in Hang the Moon. A hopeless romantic + a woman who has given up on love and dating… I mean, that’s rom-com gold. Sexy/nerdy Brendon was determined to prove to Annie that romance wasn’t dead. And while he was busy pulling out all the stops to prove his theory, he and Annie were forming a connection. For Brendon it was a childhood crush realized; and Annie was seeing Brendon with new eyes. Annie’s dissatisfaction with her career, ambivalence over her upcoming move out of the country, and her growing feeling for Brendon made for some realistic low-drama conflict.

Brendon was an absolute cinnamon roll and he was the real highlight for me. The found family aspect was done so well and I really enjoyed the friend group. While I was never particularly invested in the romance, I enjoyed the ode to romantic comedy movies and there were plenty of laugh out loud moments (hello ferris wheel mishap). Definitely a worthy read.

THE LAST GOODBYE
Fiona Lucas

Published: June 8, 2021

3.5 stars

How can you move on if you can’t let go?

Spencer was the love of Anna’s life: her husband, her best friend, her rock. She thought their love would last forever.

But three years ago, Spencer was tragically killed in an accident and Anna’s world was shattered. How can she ever move on, when she’s lost her soulmate?

On New Year’s Eve Anna calls Spencer’s phone number, just to hear his old voicemail greeting. But to her shock, someone answers…

Brody has inherited Spencer’s old number and is the first person who truly understands what Anna’s going through. As her and Brody’s phone calls become lengthier and more frequent, they begin opening up to each other—and slowly rediscover how to smile, how to laugh, even how to hope.

But Brody hasn’t been entirely honest with Anna. Will his secret threaten everything, just as it seems she might find the courage to love again?

*****

Anna has been stuck in a cycle of nearly overwhelming grief since the sudden death of her husband, Spencer. After almost three years, she feels unable to move past it and figure out what comes next. When she calls Spencer’s old cell number, just to hear his voice in the voicemail message, she’s shocked when a man answers. Brody now has Spencer’s old number and is dealing with his own trauma and grief that he cannot let go and cannot get past. And so begins a friendship of sorts, with Anna and Brody calling one another, offering solace and understanding in a way that others can’t.

Anna’s grief felt heart-wrenchingly authentic and maybe that’s why I found the first half of the story to be a bit of a downer. My heart hurt for Anna but it was also difficult to be in her head and experience her loss for so long. Perhaps that’s also why the pacing of the first half felt a bit slow to me. (Lighthearted reads seem to fly by in a flash – heavier tones definitely feel slower.) The second half picked up and I was completely invested in Brody’s journey and in the oh-so-satisfying resolution for he and Anna.

HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS?

Discussion + Short Take Reviews: Ever After Always & With You Forever by Chloe Liese

Friday, October 8, 2021

So here's the thing: I've read all four books in Chloe Liese's Bergman Brothers series, with varying degrees of success. And after four books I'm still on the fence if I actually enjoy her writing. Her books fall into the good-not-great range for me and there are some elements of her writing style that just don't work for me.

My main issue are the lengthy monologues (both internal and spoken) that Liese gives her characters. This is the most emo group of people I have ever read about and they all talk, ad nauseum, about their every feeling and emotion and want and need in a way that just doesn't ring true. I find most of the characters likable, but every time one of them starts spilling their guts with another long-winded speech I feeling like rolling my eyes and checking out. I love romance, but this oh-so-introspective kind of dialogue (can dialogue be introspective?) does not work for me. People do not engage like that (at least no one I know!) and reading it is consistently jarring and pulls me out of the story. (The #1 culprit is Viggo and, while he is seemingly good-intentioned, if/when he gets his book I know I'll have to skip it. I can't take a whole book of him.)

Then there are all the ISSUES. Every single character seems to have An Issue to be addressed. I mean, everyone. (Well, maybe not Ren. He seemed to be getting along okay.) It's like, no one in the family (including their partners) are just chugging along, doing life, and generally okay. Yes, I get that there needs to be conflict to have a story, but conflict can be created in many ways. It doesn't always have to be with physical and/or mental health. But I feel with Liese it has become a check-the-box laundry list of physical/mental health issues throughout the series. Anxiety, hearing impairment, arthritis, autism (at least three characters that I can think of), IBS... it's a lot. I do believe that representation is important, but each book feels riddled with representation in a way that feels forced with the sheer amount of it. I feel like I'm going to get some push-back on this and that's okay, please do share your thoughts.

I know this sounds like a lot of hating on Liese's writing, but there are plenty of aspects I enjoy. I mean, I've stuck with the series through four books so obviously there's more positive than negative, right? But I am left with this dilemma: Do I continue to invest time in a series/author that usually falls in the "okay" range, or do I move on and devote my reading time to other books/authors than are better suited to my particular taste? (Spoiler: if I have to ask I probably already know the answer.)

Have you ever come across characters that felt "too emo?"

Have you ever quit an author/series due to an issue with the writing style?

Let me know in the comments! And now on to the reviews...

EVER AFTER ALWAYS
Chloe Liese

Series: Bergman Brothers #3

Aiden

I’ve spent twelve years loving Freya Bergman and twelve lifetimes won’t be enough to give her everything she deserves. She’s my passionate, tender-hearted wife, my best friend, and all I want is to make her happy. But the one thing that will make her happiest is the one thing I’m not sure I can give her: a baby.

With the pressure of providing and planning for a family, my anxiety’s at an all-time high, and I find myself pulling away, terrified to tell my wife how I’m struggling. But when Freya kicks me out, I realize that pulling back has turned into pushing too far. Now it’s the fight of a lifetime to save our marriage.

Freya

I love my cautious, hard-working husband. He’s my partner and best friend, the person I know I can count on most. Until one day I realize the man I married is nowhere to be found. Now Aiden is quiet and withdrawn, and as the months wear on, the pain of our growing distance becomes too much.

As if weathering marriage counseling wasn’t enough, we’re thrown together for an island getaway to celebrate my parents’ many years of perfect marriage while ours is on the brink of collapse. Despite my meddling siblings and a week in each other’s constant company, this trip somehow gets us working through the trouble in paradise. I just can’t help worrying, when we leave paradise and return to the real world, will trouble find us again?

*****

What I Liked:

· The Bergman clan en masse is great. The parents are wonderful and I enjoy the family dynamics. The love and respect they all have for each other is remarkable.

· Aiden was likable and the descriptions of his anxiety felt realistic and made him empathetic.

· I enjoy a marriage in crisis story since it delves into what happens after the happily ever after. Also since it typically means the characters are a bit older.

· Slow burn. It seems odd to consider a story about a married couple as a slow burn, but circumstances ensured it was just that. And it was done so well.

· More Ziggy. I really love this girl and feel a kinship with her.

· The Axel-Rooney teaser!

But Not So Much:

· Both Aiden and Freya were suuuper introspective and it was a lot of being in the heads of two people who were unhappy.

· The reconciliation felt very one-sided. Freya seemed to hold none of the responsibility for their issues and Aiden was the one who had to make all the effort.

· The final conflict concerning Aiden’s father was so unnecessary. And it’s not as if the foreshadowing was subtle. (I mean, who didn’t see that coming a mile away?)

· All the intense, heartfelt/emo talks between Aiden and the brothers did not ring true. They didn’t feel plausible or realistic to me.

· The oh-so-meta aspect of Viggo pushing the romance novels. *cringe*

· All the pranks. *more cringe*

Rating: 3.5

WITH YOU FOREVER

Chloe Liese

Series: Bergman Brothers #4

Axel

Rooney Sullivan is sunshine incarnate. Warm, bright, always smiling, she’s everything I’m not and the last person I have any business desiring. Desperate to hide a hopeless attraction, I’ve done everything possible to keep my distance...until a charades game gone wrong brought that to a grinding halt.

Since then, steering clear of Rooney has been impossible. In a matter of months, she’s kissed me speechless, commandeered my art career, and infiltrated not only my dreams but my home. The woman who was once avoidable has become the last thing I needed: temptingly within reach.

Rooney

Axel Bergman is a gorgeous grump who doesn’t have the time of day for me. Thankfully, I’ve kept my crush under wraps...well, until I kissed him. Charades got away from me, okay? It was an accident! I haven’t seen him since, which is for the best. My life is a mess, and the last thing I need is to embarrass myself further with the man who avoids me like that’s his job rather than painting modern masterpieces.

It seems the universe, however, has a different plan. When Axel and I unexpectedly find our paths—and problems—converging, a marriage of convenience proves the perfect solution. At least, until I’m facing my most serious problem yet: a once-loveless marriage of convenience that’s inconveniently become a love match, after all.

*****

What I Liked:

· Grumpy-sunshine romance

· Mutual pining ♥

· Character-driven story. Not a lot happened – it’s basically Axel and Rooney together in the woods – but I was totally okay with that. I always choose characters over plot.

· Axel and Rooney were so likable and easy to pull for. Axel, in particular really stood out for me. He loved his family but showed it in quiet ways he was comfortable with. And seeing that extend to Rooney warmed my heart.

· This was such a tender-hearted romance and it gave me all the feels.

· Loved the fall vibes, the PNW setting, the cozy cabin in the woods, the holidays.

But Not So Much:

· There was a marriage-of-convenience, which is usually fun, but nothing came of it. They never had to pretend to be married, none of the family ever found out, so there were no stakes. It made the marriage-of-convenience feel like nothing more than a handy plot device.

· It was just a little too perfect – the oh-so-open and healthy discussions about sexual consent and boundaries, the adorable animals that brought them closer together – it made the story feel very aware of itself.

· The uncle’s letter at the end was not necessary. It was too coincidental how his story mirrored Axel’s.

Rating: 4

HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS?

Release Blitz & Review: A Moment for Us by Corinne Michaels

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

A Moment for Us by Corinne Michaels is now live!

New York Times Bestselling author Corinne Michaels returns to Willow Creek Valley in this stunning surprise baby/unrequited love romance.

I was totally over Joshua Parkerson.

Sure, I had a teenage crush on him way back when--and everyone knew it--but he never saw me as anything but his little brother's friend, the girl who got tongue-tied any time he walked into a room.

I had long ago accepted the fact that his strong arms would never hold me, his lush lips would never claim mine, and his blue eyes would never see me as anything more than who I used to be.

But now he's back in Willow Creek Valley, and there's a brand-new spark between us--even he can't fight it. Our chemistry is explosive, and every time we're together, I swear I can feel the earth shake.

It doesn't mean anything... how could it? I'm over him.

Until I see that little pink plus sign, and the earth stops turning completely.

Now I want it all again, a life with him. But Joshua built walls around his heart for a reason, and his secrets haunt him.

How can I show him that the ghosts of his past don't have to define our new family's future?

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://geni.us/AMFUAmazon

Apple Books: https://geni.us/AMFU_AppleBooks

Nook: https://geni.us/AMFUNook

Kobo: https://geni.us/AMFUKobo

Google Play: https://geni.us/AMFU_GP

Audible: https://geni.us/AMFU_Audible

Narrated by Andi Arndt and Connor Crais

Add to Goodreads: https://geni.us/AMFUGR

One of the reasons I return to Corinne Michaels again and again is that she so consistently delivers contemporary romances that pack an emotional punch. A Moment for Us is no exception. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down. I had to know how Josh and Delia’s story would unfold, even as it was breaking my heart.

Delia had been in love with Joshua Parkerson for as long as she could remember. Being friends with his brother Alex meant she saw Josh often, but he always kept his distance. Except for that one shared kiss on graduation night. But nothing changed, and beyond a few mixed signals from Josh, it seemed that her feelings were truly unrequited. When Josh returned to Willow Creek Valley after several years away… that’s when things got interesting.

Nothing in life is guaranteed anyway, so I might as well take what's offered. Maybe I can love him enough for the both of us.

Josh and Delia had a push and pull to their relationship that was equal parts delicious and maddening. I was constantly surprised at how forthright Delia was when it came to letting Josh know how she felt. She was never coy, never played games; she straight up told him how she felt and what she wanted. She also let him know that she was under no illusion that he felt the same. But the thing is, saying you expect nothing and hoping for more are two different things. The heart wants what it wants and how do you keep yourself from truly hoping? And that’s the position Delia found herself in over and over. Josh, despite his better judgement, and his conviction that love equated to loss, couldn’t stay away. He carried a heavy mantle of guilt from his past and it weighed him down in a way that was heartbreaking. So many times, I wanted to give Joshua a hug, tell him it was okay to put down the burden he carried, and allow himself to love and be loved.

Delia is my biggest hope and my greatest fear.

Josh and Delia’s journey was a rocky one and the obstacles they faced weren’t just bumps in the road but life-altering events. Michaels didn’t just pierce my heart, she twisted the knife and made sure I was reading through tears on more than one occasion. But that’s the beauty of Michaels storytelling, because yes, her characters do suffer, but they come through it stronger, unbreakable, and their happy ending is all the more fulfilling.

A Moment for Us can be read as a standalone, but why deprive yourself of the goodness of the previous books in the series? Do yourself a favor, read Return to Us, then Could Have Been Us, and enjoy all that the Willow Creek Valley series has to offer. A Moment for Us is a story of family and love and healing – and is not to be missed.

Meet Corinne:

Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed--reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.

Connect with Corinne

Website: http://corinnemichaels.com

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2N1H2Gb

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NVZmhv

Facebook: https://bit.ly/1iwLh6y

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/corinnemichaelsbooks/

Instagram: https://bit.ly/2L1Vzo6

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jcp29z

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@corinnemichaelsauthor

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/2yc6rss

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2m7MkEL

Book+Main: https://bit.ly/2EibEEn

CMBOOKS TO 77948

The Sunday Post #262 | October 3, 2021

Sunday, October 3, 2021

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,

and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

My Fall Weather Watch continues. And is still producing no results. It stayed in the mid/upper 80's all week - with more to come. Woe is me.

Thursday night I heard a loud boom just after I went to bed. So loud it felt like it shook the house. The next morning I learned that it was actually the SpaceX Dragon Capsule returning to earth and breaking the sound barrier. Apparently it could be seen and heard in parts of Florida and even into south Georgia. Pretty cool!

Did not see it but for sure heard it, I know most of you in NE Florida heard it as well. Was a sonic boom from the Dragon Capsule returning. https://t.co/VxaYynln3f
— Robert Speta (@RobertSpetaWX) October 1, 2021

Thursday was my younger nephew's birthday. Um, how is it possible he is now 23? Ack! He is such a great guy. He'll graduate from college in December, he's already working a full-time internship in his field (while balancing his classes), is president of his university surf team, has a great girlfriend, and has always been so independent and such a go-getter.

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday (mom to Jackson) and would have been my dad's birthday. I always thought it was so great that they shared a birthday. October 4th was always a big deal in my family as we celebrated them both together. Tammy (my sister) told me she plans to bake our dad's favorite cake tomorrow. I know her birthday is now kind of bittersweet for her since it's no longer a shared celebration.

My company is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness this month and I am LOVING the nod to Mean Girls. 😁 Now to make sure I have some pink in my closet. #WednesdaysWeWearPink

This week's 80's music fix is Perfect Way (1985) by Scritti Politti. I remember my younger sister and I blasting this one loudly anytime our parents weren't home. :) Enjoy!