I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of friends must navigate the dangers of exposed secrets in the midst of a media storm in author Sherry Brantley’s “Best of Friends Trilogy.”
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The Synopsis
The Fabulous Five , Elizabeth, Kim, Kiona, A.J. and Quineeta, were bound together by secrets they’d all collectively swore to carry to their graves. Not a word to anyone outside of their close-knit, circle of trust. But with the ‘Dastardly Duke Discovery’ exposing the ‘Secret of the Blanket,’ will the Fabulous Five find themselves desperately being consumed in a modern-day media frenzy that is threatening to consume them?
Will the Fabulous Five be able to survive the onslaught of the public revelation of their past deeds? Or will they crumble under the weight of their unexpected circumstances? And upon introspection and personal reflection–will they be able to confront their own conscious with the long-ago, secret vows they agreed to as a group?
With the uncovering of the ‘lost necklace’ and their seemingly apparent connection to it, will this group of close-knit friends continue to stand united? Will they be able to successfully maintain their semi-innocence? Or will the damaging ‘circumstantial evidence’ prove to be a hurdle they did not create; and surely cannot escape?
Travel with the Fabulous Five: Elizabeth, Kim, Kiona, A.J., and Quineeta as once again, they attempt to weather the storms of adversity that threaten to decimate their bond, their friendship, their past! Will the ‘Dastardly Duke Discovery’ prove to be the final nail in their coffin? Or will they vow to continue to ‘deny ’til they die,’ their involvement in the dark mystery they’re shrouded in?
Read the much-anticipated finale` of the ‘Best of Friends’ trilogy, for the explosive conclusion of this series that leaves no stone unturned!!
The Review
This was such a compelling and gripping series. The trilogy does an incredible job of creating these intersecting webs of storylines that take the reader on an emotional and relatable journey. The heart and passion for which the author crafts these narratives and the natural way the author infused elements of spirituality into the story and the character’s lives was heartening as well. The books did a great job of delving into the lives of these friends in an innovative way, first bringing readers the present day storyline in Best of Friends that begins with a tragic loss and evolves into the complicated lives each of the friends lives through, then by going back to the moments these secrets were formed in Before Best of Friends, and finally seeing the aftermath and how these friends lives evolve in the wake of so many secrets being found in Still Best of Friends.
To me, the character dynamics and worldbuilding the book took on was equally matched by the strong themes of the narrative. Elizabeth in particular was a strong protagonist, and a relatable one, as her loss and her protective nature are tested by not only her secrets but her need to constantly keep the peace amongst both her friends and her family, and the weight of that burden finally taking her to her breaking point felt so relatable for so many different readers. The strong themes explored in this narrative, from the power of secrets and lies to the nature of friendship and so much more, not only highlighted the fact that everyone has secrets, no matter how seemingly perfect a person’s life seems, and the emotional depth that shows how friendship such as the Fab Five’s is sometimes all a person needs in order to get through these difficult moments in life. The balance between the friendships and each woman’s particular romantic pursuits and/or failings was well rounded and kept the reader invested throughout the entirety of this narrative.
Imaginative, relatable, and enthralling, author Sherry Brantley’s “Best of Friends” trilogy is a must-read. The book felt like a more mature, adult version of the acclaimed We Were Liars series with a splash more humor and spirituality. The powerful dynamic between the friends, the complicated lives they lead and relationships they have in their own lives, and the memorable imagery in the author’s writing really brought each book together well, and felt like a perfectly meshed and cohesive tale that readers will deep dive into time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Sherry Brantley is an author/speaker and Certified Life Coach specializing in: “From Goal-Setting to Goal-GETTING!’ Her STEPP book is based on a program she developed. S.T.E.P.P.- Start To Exercise Personal Power, which details how one can tap into their Personal Power to effect positive change in their lives on a daily basis, while respecting the Personal Power of others.
Her explosive trilogy, ‘Best of Friends,’ won National Awards for Best Fiction of the Year! Meet the ‘Fabulous Five.’ Elizabeth, Kim, Kiona, A.J., and Quineeta as once again, they attempt to weather the storms of adversity that threaten to decimate their bond, their friendship their past! Will the ‘Dastardly Duke Discovery’ prove to be the final nail in their coffin? Or will they vow to continue to ‘deny ’til they die,’ their involvement in the mystery they’re shrouded in?
An empowering and heartfelt novel about the complexities of family, the power of sisterhood, and the bravery it takes to choose happiness when all seems lost.
“My life is perfectly fine.”
Alex has pretended this for years―despite an emotionally absent father, a best friend drifting away, and a floundering dog-training business. At least Alex has her sister, Meredith, a driven polar opposite. But both their lives are upended when their estranged mother dies of a genetic condition that the sisters have a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting. For Alex, a world without her mother is uncomfortable. But a world without Meredith is unthinkable.
Alex suggests a pact to which Meredith tentatively agrees: In three months they’ll get tested. Until then they go after everything they’ve ever wanted. Alex is finally stepping out of her comfort zone and opening herself up to new relationships. Or maybe reconnecting with an old one. Nathan, a boy who once broke her heart, needs a trainer for his mixed-breed rescue. Alex can’t resist.
As sparks rekindle, and time passes much too quickly, Alex discovers more about herself, her sister, and her mother than she ever imagined. And that everything in life―especially happiness―comes with a risk worth taking.
Caitlin Forbes is a Maine-based author who writes stories that explore the messiness of relationships—from sisterhood to romance to the tricky relationship we have with ourselves. When not writing, you can find her chasing after her toddler (or her dog) and exploring small-town New England life.
Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of What Comes Next by Caitlin Forbes. We interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy of the book.
Stop by B. Lynn Goodwin’s blog for a guest post by author Caitlin Forbes about the question of inheritance – of what we inherit versus what we get to choose.
Stop by Katherine’s blog for her review of What Comes Next by Caitlin Forbes. You’ll also have a chance to read her response to our tour-themed prompt about whether if she had an incurable condition and if she would want to find out.
When the doorbell rings, I’m standing in front of my bathroom sink, the picture of indecision: boxer briefs paired with a black silk tank top, made-up face, and completely untamed hair.
I’m supposed to meet my roommate, Holly, for drinks. But it was a last-minute invite—with people I don’t know, planned days or even weeks earlier—and now I feel uncomfortable. As if I’ve become the kind of obligation that I never wanted to be. We’ve been best friends for nearly a decade, but these days, things are different, and I don’t know that I want to feel the strain of it tonight. I’m more tempted by Netflix and cold pizza. My favorite pair of slippers.
I check the weather app on my phone and am almost relieved that it calls for rain.
I’m conceding defeat, turning off the curler, when the bell rings and I physically jump. Because who rings the doorbell in Somerville, Massachusetts, other than someone who wants to kill me? Or someone who wants to sell something, which is maybe not all that much better. But then I consider my upstairs neighbor, who has lost her keys more than once, and is so young, still new to the Boston area, and I feel guilty, so I pad down the stairs of our apartment and crack open the building door. And I swear, I get a whiff of cinnamon, a smell so familiar it knocks me back before I can remember why.
And he’s standing there. On my doorstep. Tall. Even taller than I remember.
Nathan Browning.
We stare at each other from either side of the doorframe. And I will him to disappear. Or turn into someone else. Or at the very least, to come back when I’m wearing pants.
Nathan. Those first two years of college. Nights spent squeezed onto a twin bed in his dorm room, pretending we weren’t uncomfortable just so we could fall asleep together. The summer I’d spent with his family at Lake Winnipesaukee. Campfires and smoky hair. His lips, pillow soft. Water. An excess of water—one oversize tube, our limbs tangled together. Salty tears.
“Alex?”
It’s my name that gets my attention. My name in his mouth, as if it belongs there. As if we still mean something to each other.
I almost shut the door right then.
“What are you doing here?” I ask. I’m relieved my voice sounds calm. Disengaged, even. Because it doesn’t matter that he is here. Because it doesn’t matter what we once were.
“I need your help,” he says.
I stare at him blankly, but he’s not looking at me. He’s looking over his shoulder. He’s looking at the car parked behind him and, more accurately, at what is sitting in the front seat.
He turns back to me with those gray-blue eyes. The ones that were always focused, always so certain, but now hold the smallest hesitation. An expression that seems wrong in this face I still somehow know.
“I saw your video,” he says. “And I—we need your help.”
The video. The one that changed my life right up until it didn’t.
I was a part-time dog trainer then, still trying to make that dream real. Holly and I made a video, and she stuck it up on YouTube, and then it went viral. It was a fluky kind of thing, like those things always are: the right content at the right time in front of the right people. The algorithm was alerted, and the amplification went from there. I was twenty-four and poor and bored—working a second job and involved in a fling to pass the time—and then suddenly, I was also something else. A dog whisperer, people typed. Cesar Millan but softer, with a woman’s touch. Silly. Casually sexist.
But something just the same.
After the video, it was Holly’s idea to start the training business. DogKind, we called it. I dropped my second job as copywriter to train full-time, and she did everything else—the administration and the management. The promotions. We’d both majored in marketing in college, but Holly was better at it than me. Maybe because she believed in it: the concept of brands that build trust, and colors and fonts that tell a story. It took her only two weeks to launch DogKind’s website and get us live on all the social platforms. We were still twenty-four and poor but suddenly not so bored. I remember the day the site launched—us sitting on the floor in our cramped living room, a five-dollar bottle of red between us. Stained teeth. It was summer in an attic apartment in the city, and we didn’t have air-conditioning. Holly had chopped her hair off, and we were trying to convince ourselves it was edgy.
We were young in that way you actually notice. When you’re afraid of what will happen when you blink.
Four years ago. The length of high school, or of college, but without the predetermined milestones. The signposts that tell you how and why everything is about to change.
Holly quit the business less than two years later, and I followed her lead not long after. Partly because I wasn’t making enough money to cover rent, and partly because of what happened with Cliff, one of the dogs I tried to save. But mainly because I hated being called a “dog whisperer.” I hated that people thought I could perform miracles, that they insisted on believing I was more than I was.
I work at Kensington Media now. It covers the rent, and it could one day become a real career. And I don’t have regrets. Except, there are these moments—when I see a short haircut on a blonde, when Instagram flashes up a memory of a pup—and it’s like my whole body freezes over. A little voice in my head, whispering, You can go back if you just stay still.
“How did you find me? I took down my website ages ago.”
“An old testimonial from a woman named Lois, I think?” Nathan says. “Her address is publicly listed. So I called her. She pointed me in your direction.”
Lois. She was my neighbor as a kid. She moved closer to the city after my mom left, but she always kept a close eye on me and Mere. A bespectacled not-quite grandmother—that careful mix of kind and overbearing. She’s a lifelong dog rescuer and was DogKind’s first client.
Lois never wanted me to quit.
I sneak a peek at him while he’s checking the car, again. He’s still handsome. Those eyes, and dark-brown hair with the slightest hint of red—the red was the part that I liked most, that almost made us match. Behind him, I can see a flash of auburn fur. Two half-bent glossy ears pointed forward. A white-tipped tail.
I swallow. “I don’t train anymore,” I say.
He lifts a shoulder. The gesture looks comfortable on him. Like he’s used to half explaining himself, half caring if anyone understands. And I remember that part, too: the easy confidence. The kind I imagine he still takes for granted.
“She thought you might still help.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Lois is one of those people who likes to imagine me as bigger and braver than I am.
“Listen, I don’t know what you saw in that video, but it’s not—she’s not me.”
“She sure looked like you.”
And right then, our eyes meet. And we get stuck there. Three breaths. Blue-gray eyes, like he still knows me. Like we still know each other. And something electric—something more than anger—passes between us. Right here, on my dirty Somerville stoop, wearing the bottom half of my pajamas, everything else recedes. For three breaths, it’s just us.
A car drives by with the windows open, the radio blaring through the street. I take a step back.
“I’ll give you a referral,” I say. “I know a lot better trainers than me out there.”
“Alex.” I hate the way he says my name. “I know that you and I . . . that our history makes this tough . . .” His voice trails off as my eyes snap to him. He takes in my expression, then lifts his chin. That confidence. Whatever hesitation I saw earlier is long gone.
“I’m sorry,” he says firmly. “You know that I am sorry.”
I shake my head. I don’t want an apology. I’m embarrassed—mortified, really—that I still care. That he knows that I still care. That he’s still talking, and I’m falling backward into sand and blue water and the particular ache of a wound that is old but was also first.
I pull my shoulders back. I make my voice flat. “This isn’t about us. I’m not a trainer anymore. I haven’t worked with a dog in almost two years.”
“Her name is Remy,” he says. “She only has three months.”
I pause, already half turned away, my hand pressed against the battered wooden doorframe. The day we moved in, I hit my shoulder against it and ended up with a splinter. I’d been laughing about something with Holly, and then sharp wood pressed deep under my skin.
“Remy bit someone,” he says. I can feel his eyes studying my half-turned face. “She’s a rescue, and she has a history of bites. I had to go to court, and they mandated that she see a vet behaviorist and trainer. I did the first part, and they have her on anxiety meds, which will maybe help. But I need to do the training. And if we can’t document improvement . . .”
His voice trails off, but I don’t need him to finish. I already know how this goes. I’ve seen it before.
Ninety days. He has ninety days to prove that she can be trusted. Or euthanasia. That’s what the court told him.
Of course, they have it all wrong. It’s not about us trusting her. It’s whether she’ll choose to trust us again after whatever made her stop.
I glance back over his shoulder. Those ears, cocked forward above the dashboard, they break my heart. She’s waiting for him. The Nathan I remember was too busy for dogs. Too focused on everything he planned to achieve. But here he is, with a rescue who has decided he’s worth waiting for.
I bite my lower lip. “Your vet must have given you referrals,” I say.
“They were booked out for a month. And the other ones I called wouldn’t take her. They say she’s hopeless.” His jaw clenches. “But, Alex . . . I’ve seen what you can do.”
“You saw an edited video. If they’re telling you she’s a lost cause—”
“We used to say that lost causes were an excuse.”
Our first real conversation. The one that once it started, it felt like it would never stop.
My breath stutters on the memory.
It seems possible, in this moment, that he remembers just as much as I do.
“I know I shouldn’t be here, okay,” he says. “I know that. But Remy is a wonderful dog. And no one else will help her. Whatever you think of me, and honestly, whatever you think of you . . . none of that matters. You need to try. You can do this.”
It’s all classic Nathan: unapologetic and determined. Nathan’s not used to people saying no, especially when it comes to “doing the right thing.” He can be an ass—too cocky, with expectations that are too high—but he’s a genuinely good guy. And he’s never had much patience for people who don’t step up.
It was one of the first things I loved about him.
It was also one of the things that I hated.
“Nathan—”
“Please,” he cuts in. His voice hitches, and I see it now: the dark circles under his eyes, the tightness of his expression. I used to know him once. There was a time when he let me further in than anyone, and I can tell that he is scared. He’s scared for her.
Remorse crowds my stomach because, back then, I could have helped him. But I am not the girl he remembers, and I’m not whoever he thinks he saw online. “I can’t,” I say. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
He looks like he’s about to argue. I expect him to argue. But then, it’s as if he deflates in front of me. His whole chest sinks inward. It’s not a look I’ve ever seen on him. Or one that I like.
“Yeah, no, I get it,” he says.
“I’m not what she needs,” I mumble.
“Sure, okay. I’m sorry for showing up like this.” It’s awkward now. His voice is clipped, and he’s running his hands through his hair like he does in those rare moments when he’s uncomfortable. I don’t have to check to know the back pieces will stick up.
“Listen, leave your number,” I say. “I know a lot of trainers. I’ll find her someone, okay?”
He nods. “Yeah, okay, sure. Thank you.” I can tell he wants to leave. I can tell I am a disappointment. And maybe it’s my imagination, but I get the feeling that it hurts him. Being here. Seeing me.
I think it hurts him, too.
I left my phone upstairs, so he pulls a pen from his suit pocket and a piece of paper from his bag and jots down his number. The promised rain starts as he turns to go, water brushing against my cheeks, and I duck inside the entryway, the paper clenched tightly in my fist. As I watch him jog back to his car, I wonder about the suit. I wonder what he does for work, what kind of man he turned into. I find myself hoping that he got the life he’d planned.
He drives away, and I unstick my feet. I drift back upstairs, past the bright-yellow welcome doormat Holly bought, and collapse on our coach. My mind is strangely quiet, and I let my eyes wander our small place. Everything about it is bright and fun and filled with Holly’s energy: colorful, mismatched place mats; a half a dozen of those cheesy quote signs scattered across the walls; and an array of weird glass owl figurines that Holly collects. They catch the light, making everything twinkle.
I pull out my phone, scrolling past a missed call from my sister to a text message from Lois.
A lovely sounding boy called about his dog. He seemed a bit desperate but was so polite. Be nice!!
I shake my head. Lois is not the first person to be easily charmed by Nathan.
I am going to connect him to a good trainer. No more referrals, please!
I see the response bubbles pop up from her immediately. And then disappear. She starts again, then deletes whatever she wrote. The gentle thud of rain starts to pound outside the window.
My phone buzzes.
I just want you to be happy, honey.
I stare at the screen lit up against my hand. I ignore the sudden tightness of my jaw. I read the words again.
I just want you to be happy.
It’s such a seemingly innocuous statement. A level of genericness that begs an equally generic response. And I want to type back something funny, something simple, but I’m blinking back water that has nothing to do with the rain.
I should be happy. My life is perfectly fine. And wanting more than fine feels like an obnoxious privilege. Too embarrassing to say out loud. Especially when there’s stuff that I could do to improve my life. Books I could read. Skills I could learn. I know there’s stuff I’m supposed to be doing. Just like I know there’s a person I’m supposed to be becoming.
Except, when I think about that person, she’s just as alien as she was when I graduated from college. And I’m not sure how to change that. I’m not sure how to explain that between work and all the daily stuff in my life that is really not that hard, that I don’t know how to become. How the being takes up all the energy that should go toward the becoming.
I didn’t think I would end up this way. I used to want to be different. I used to want to be more like the girl Nathan remembers. I look down at my hands—at the piece of paper still threaded between my fingers, with a number and a name—and a splash of longing bubbles up delicately in my chest. I turn on Netflix, and I find an old sitcom filled with people in their thirties. And as the rain picks up speed outside, I take a careful breath around the bubble. I tell myself I still have time.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’m a 55-year-old with a 35-year career in sales, life coaching, and building and leading teams. Writing has been a passion of mine since childhood, and only now have I found the courage to publish my first book.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
I was inspired to write my book by my friend’s and my own life experiences and the challenges I’ve overcome along the way. Writing has always been a way for me to process emotions and share stories, and I wanted to turn that into something that could resonate with and hopefully empower others.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The main message is that no matter how difficult life gets, there is always a chance to start over and find your way to well-being.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I was drawn to this genre because the subject of physical and emotional abuse in relationships remains relevant year after year and many people are stuck in unhappy life.
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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I would ask her how she managed to rise up again and again after everything she went through, because that strength truly inspires me.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
TikTok
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Be brave and trust your story and yourself!
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m currently waiting for the audiobook version of Not Here Anymore to be released, and there will definitely be a sequel to this first book — with more books to come in the future.
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About the Author
Welcome – I’m Sienna Ross, author of bold stories that follow people through love, loss, escape, and reinvention.
My writing blends raw truth with atmospheric storytelling — from violent pasts to distant cities, from painful goodbyes to unexpected strength.
I come from very humble beginnings, yet I started working at 17 and built my path through success in sales, team building, and leadership. As a licensed life coach, I have supported many people in overcoming obstacles and stepping into their true potential. My book carries the same mission: to remind readers that no matter the hardships, we all have the power to rise and create a life of strength and purpose
If you believe that stories can heal, challenge, and empower — you’re in the right place.
Through my work, I help individuals overcome challenges, build resilience, and find the courage to move forward even when life feels unbearable. With a rare combination of business insight and human empathy, I bring authenticity, depth, and inspiration to my writing.
My book reflects this mission—it is more than just a story; it is a powerful reminder that no matter how dark the past, it is always possible to rebuild, heal, and create a meaningful future.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two women discover a shocking secret about their mothers in author Susan Mallery’s “Otherwise Engaged.”
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The Synopsis
A twisty, tender and wise look at how secrets can transform the powerful—and sometimes problematic—bond between mothers and daughters, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.
When Shannon gets engaged, her beloved mom, Cindy, is the first person she wants to tell—and the last. Cindy’s engaged, too, and has already hinted at a double wedding. The image of a synchronized bouquet toss with her mom fills Shannon with horror. She’ll keep her engagement a secret until Cindy’s I-dos are done.
Victoria has never been proper enough for her mother, Ava, so she stopped trying. She lives on her own terms and amuses herself by pushing Ava’s buttons. Ava loves but doesn’t understand her stuntwoman daughter. When a movie-set mishap brings Victoria home, Ava longs to finally connect.
Chance brings the four women together at a wedding venue, where a shocking secret comes tumbling out. Twenty-four years ago, desperate teenager Cindy chose wealthy Ava to adopt her baby—then changed her mind at the very last second. The loss rocked Ava’s world, leaving her unable to open her heart to the daughter she did adopt, Victoria. As Shannon and Victoria deal with the fallout from the decisions their mothers made, they wrestle with whether who they are is different than who they might have become.
The Review
This was such a compelling and engaging women’s fiction read. The author does an incredible job of crafting a rich and dynamic plot that steers away from the usual upbeat and quirky reads for which the author may be known, and instead delves into the complicated relationships between mothers and their daughters. The imagery in this book was stunning, bringing the locations, primarily the venue that brought them all together to begin with, into vivid and clear detail while also building tension in the air between the four women as events unfold.
The heart of this narrative was the character dynamics that the author explores in this book. The tension, especially between Ava and Victoria, drove this story forward, exploring the complexity of adoption and its impact on the familial bond, while also highlighting the moments in life when a person looks back on the path not taken and wonders what could have been. The story also explored the complexities of parenthood and how often parents strive to help or put their child on a particular path of clarity, while also missing the path their child wants for themselves. These characters perfectly articulated that struggle.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and entertaining, author Susan Mallery’s “Otherwise Engaged” is a must-read in women’s fiction. The way the author incorporates romance into the story in a natural way through character progression rather than pertinent story arcs, and the way the story elevates powerful themes and heartfelt emotional storytelling, will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that shape women’s lives―family, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agree―40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. She’s passionate about animal welfare, which shows in the many quirky animal characters she has created. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband and adorable poodle. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.
Victoria Rogers pressed her good arm to her very bruised, almost broken ribs. “Dad, don’t,” she said, trying to stay as still as possible. “You can’t be funny. It already hurts to breathe. It wasn’t a horse.”
Her father frowned. “I was told you were thrown off a horse.” “I was thrown out of a truck.”
“Then how’d you get the black eyes?”
“The ground was a little bit pissy when I hit it and punched me back.”
There wasn’t a part of her that didn’t hurt. The good news was that now that the medical staff had determined she didn’t have a head injury, they were going to give her drugs to help with the pain. She’d already said she didn’t want any of that weak-ass pill stuff. She wanted a nurse to give her a shot of something that would work instantly and let her rest. Because in addition to the bruised ribs, requisite scrapes and contusions, she had a broken left leg and a sprained wrist. Her previously dislocated shoulder also throbbed, but that was kind of the least of it.
As she lay in her hospital bed, feeling like death on a tortilla, she had the thought that maybe stunt work wasn’t for her. Injuries came with the job, but this was the third time in five years she’d landed in the hospital. The first time she’d messed up, so that was on her, but the other two had just been plain bad luck. The incident with the truck had come about because one of the tires had blown, causing the however many ton vehicle to jump the curb—an action that had sent her flying up and over the side. Gravity, being the bitch it was, had flung her onto the sidewalk. Hence the injuries.
Her father studied her, his brows drawn together in concern. “None of this makes me happy,” he told her.
The incongruous statement nearly made her laugh. She remembered—just in time—that her ribs wouldn’t appreciate the subsequent movement and they would punish her big-time.
“Today isn’t my favorite day either,” she admitted, trying not to groan. “I didn’t wake up with the thought that I should try to get thrown out of the back of a pickup.” Although technically getting thrown out of the truck had been the stunt. Just not when it had happened and without warning or a plan.
“I’m worried,” her father told her.
“I’ll be fine.”
“This time.”
She winced, and not from pain. “Now you sound like Mom.”
Her father, a handsome man only a few months from his sixtieth birthday, brightened. “Thank you, Victoria. That’s such a nice thing to say.”
Given her weakened condition, she let that comment slide. Honestly she didn’t have the strength to deal with it right now, even though she knew her father understood exactly what she’d been saying. He was only pretending to not get it.
“If you’re going to act like that, you should go,” she said, then amended what could be construed as a catty comment into something more kind. Mostly because she only had the emotional energy not to get along with one of her parents, and her mother had already claimed that prize. “Besides, they’ll be bringing my drugs any second. I plan to surrender to sleep, so I’m not going to be very conversational.”
As if to prove her point, one of the nurses walked in with a syringe. “Ready to feel better?” he asked cheerfully.
“Yes, and let me say, you’re my favorite person ever.”
He winked. “I get that all the time.”
He slowly injected whatever the medication was into her IV. Victoria drew in a shallow breath as she waited to feel that first blurring of the edges of the pain. Modern medicine was a miracle she intended to embrace.
The nurse left. Milton took her good hand in his.
“I’ll let you rest,” he told her. “But I’ll be back later tonight.” He squeezed her fingers. “Tomorrow, when you’re released, I’m taking you home.”
Ugh. Victoria knew that her father wasn’t talking about the pretty condo he’d bought her when she’d turned twenty-one. Instead he meant the house where she’d grown up. The one where her mother still resided.
“I don’t need to move back,” she protested, feeling the first telltale easing of the pain. “I have a few bumps and bruises.”
“Along with a broken leg. And what about your ribs? You can barely move without wincing.”
“I have zero pain tolerance. I’m a total wimp.”
He frowned. “You’re tough and stoic. If you’re showing signs of pain, it’s bad. You’ll stay with your mother and me until you’re well enough to be on your own.” He pointed at her. “I mean it, Victoria. You don’t get a vote.”
Her father was rarely stern with her, so his sharp tone warned her he wasn’t kidding. And she knew from twenty-four years of experience that arguing with the man would get her nowhere. Milton didn’t take a stand very often, but when he did, he was the immovable object.
“I wish you loved me less,” she murmured, feeling a little floaty and stumbling over her words. “Okay, I feel drugs. Let me enjoy the experience of breathing without, you know, wanting to die.”
Oh, baby girl. You’ve always been difficult.”
“I know. It’s one of my best qualities.” Her eyes drifted closed. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you more.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Three women in a family must overcome secrets and heartbreak to heal old wounds and come together in author RaeAnne Thayne’s “The Sea Glass Cottage”, the second book in the Cape Sanctuary Series.
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The Synopsis
The life Olivia Harper always dreamed of isn’t so dreamy these days. The 16-hour work days are unfulfilling and so are things with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when she hears that her estranged mother, Juliet, has been seriously injured, Liv has no choice but to pack up her life and head home to beautiful Cape Sanctuary on the Northern California coast.
It’s just for a few months—that’s what Liv keeps telling herself. But the closer she gets to Cape Sanctuary, the painful memories start flooding back: Natalie, her vibrant, passionate older sister who downward-spiraled into addiction. The fights with her mother who enabled her sister at every turn. The overdose that took Natalie, leaving her now-teenaged daughter, Caitlin, an orphan.
As Liv tries to balance her own needs with those of her injured mother and an obstinate, resentful fifteen-year-old, it becomes clear that all three Harper women have been keeping heartbreaking secrets from one another. And as those secrets are revealed, Liv, Juliet, and Caitlin will see that it’s never too late—or too early—to heal family wounds and find forgiveness.
The Review
This was such a powerful and moving contemporary women’s fiction meets romance novel. The raw emotional draw of this narrative as the book explores the shared trauma that connects the cast of characters in this narrative, especially the three generations of women in this family, kept the reader invested in the development of this narrative, and the rich setting of Cape Sanctuary was well represented in the imagery of the author’s writing and became a character in their own right.
The rich character development was really what brought the whole narrative together. The trauma that each of these women were struggling with, from losses in their lives to both tragedy and addiction, to medical diagnosis and discovering shocking revelations regarding their parentage, these women embodied both strong yet vulnerable women who faced their hardships head on and learned to find a way to make room for others in their lives in the process.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author RaeAnne Thayne’s “The Sea Glass Cottage” is a must-read contemporary romance meets women’s fiction. The twists and turns in the story, the emotional connection of the characters, and the inspiring final chapters made this a remarkable story to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
#1 Publishers Weekly, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including seven RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews magazine. RaeAnne loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.raeannethayne.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman hurt by the man she loved seeks to reinvent herself through casual acquaintances, but finds a man who wants more from her than she is willing to give as she struggles to find within herself the strength to open her heart up again in author Ruth F. Stevens’s “My Year of Casual Acquaintances”, the first book in The South Bay Series.
The Synopsis
When Mar Meyer’s husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it’s not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures – as long as she can keep things casual.
With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant, a kindly older gentleman . . . and Charlie, a handsome best-selling novelist who wants more from Mar than she’s able to give. She learns something new from each encounter. But can she change enough to open herself up to happiness and true connection?
Surrounded by an ensemble of quirky, endearing characters, Mar follows a tortuous and unpredictable path as she navigates the first year of her reinvented life. My Year of Casual Acquaintances is packed with laugh-out-loud moments mingled with scenes of loneliness and self-doubt that will put a lump in your throat.
The Review
What a compelling and engaging read. The author expertly weaves together a story that is equal parts women’s fiction and character-driven narrative. The rich dialogue and atmosphere the author gave this story gave the reader a sense of familiarity and relatability to the narrative and the characters. The tension and tone the author establishes for the protagonist are great motivators for the character’s arc overall, something readers will instantly connect with.
The heart of this narrative rests with the heartfelt themes and the strong character dynamics at play here. The heartbreak of losing a relationship, especially in the way that Mar has, plays well into the character’s sense of reinvention and the themes of friendship, love, and identity, playing off one another often in life. The balance that the author finds in Mar rediscovering who she is and the ability for her to open her heart to new possibilities in the face of betrayal makes this such a tremendous read.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable author Ruth F. Stevens’s “My Year of Casual Acquaintances” is a must-read novel. The character-driven and character-focused story helps elevate the overall narrative, and the slight inclusion of romance allows the reader to relate and root for this protagonist as her journey progresses slowly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Ruth F. Stevens likes to create stories that will make readers laugh and cry. A former public relations executive in New York and Los Angeles, she is a produced playwright and author of a previous novel, Stage Seven, which was a featured selection of national online book club and Alzheimer’s awareness organizations. Ruth is a proud member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Dramatists Guild of America and serves as a volunteer and acquisitions editor for AlzAuthors.
Ruth lives in Torrance, California with her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, hiking, hip-hop and fitness classes, yoga, Broadway musicals, wine tasting, leading a book club, and visiting her grandsons in NYC. Visit Ruth at https://ruthfstevens.com and consider signing up for her monthly newsletter to receive publishing updates, book reviews, and special offers.
Join us at The Muffin when we celebrate the launch of Ruth F. Stevens’ book My Year of Casual Acquaintances. We’ll be interviewing the author and giving away a copy of her book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A former college crush turned billionaire single dad hires a young woman to help take care of his son, and as sparks fly in spite of a complicated past, she must find a way to keep him and his son in her life when trouble comes looking for him in author Krichele Monroe’s “The Billionaire’s Nanny Next Door”.
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The Synopsis
Hottie Billionaire, single Dad alert! And he needs a Nanny. Yes please… My college crush just popped into my new bookstore with his little boy. He’s as gorgeous, if not more so now than when we hooked up way back. I can’t stand this guy though. He had made a bad investment for my brother way back and lost all his savings. The rich jerk could’ve at least paid him back. Now he needs a nanny, and I’m the only one he trusts with Oliver. I’m in over my head, and get warm in all the right places every time he’s in close proximity. Can’t be sure yet if I have the physical and emotional energy to get involved with these two. Just when I lose my heart to both of them, trouble comes looking for Liam, and they’re gone. Was this a temporary goodbye, or will my little Prince and his dad rescue me again?
The Review
This was yet another heated and captivating women’s fiction and romance novel. The tension and history between the protagonists give the reader a depth of understanding surrounding these individuals, and the pain each experienced drives the narrative forward considerably. The small-town coastal setting gives a more direct sense of community to the narrative than the author’s previous novel and balances out the cozy nature of the story with the more heated moments between the characters.
The connection that forms between both Liam and Charlie is incredible, giving readers a grounded and passionate romance that is steeped in a shared history and a shared trauma that has defined the rift that formed between them for so long. The real-world issues both have not only with one another but with themselves will resonate with readers as they are forced to fight their way back to one another internally.
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The Verdict
Heartfelt, passionate, and engaging, author Krichele Monroe’s “The Billionaire’s Nanny Next Door” is a must-read romance and women’s fiction novel. The twists and turns in the couple’s story and the gripping narrative that forms around their individual and shared journeys allow the reader to get lost in these characters’ lives easier, providing a lot of entertainment for fans of the genre. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman falls head over heels for a wealthy man when she goes to his resort to review his business, and soon finds herself struggling with her growing feelings, his chaotic ex-wife, and the growing secret between them in author Krichele Monroe’s “My Island Billionaire’s Surprise Baby”.
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The Synopsis
I was robbed on my way to the billionaire’s resort I have to review. He better make this right or he’ll get a nasty report. As it turns out, he’s a silver fox… my skin heats and I blush when he says hello. Apologies and efforts to “wow” me, we spend time together, and now I’m craving him. I’m here to do my job, not fall in love with this guy. But my heart and body have other ideas… The beach, the moon, and the warm Hawaiian breeze are intoxicating, and I’m all his. The feel of his strong, tanned arms around me heat me to my core. He’s twice my age, and he’s not worried about the difference, but I don’t feel the same.. Between his toxic ex-wife and his mom calling me a gold digger, it’s best for all if I leave here.. And now the baby in my belly and I are on our way back home to Paris…
The Review
This was a heated and passionate read. The author immediately taps into the rich chemistry that immediately presents itself between the two characters, allowing their relationship to blossom and grow quickly. Tapping into themes of romances with age gaps, those with wealth versus those without, and the impact that society has on a relationship, the author was able to layer the story with dynamic settings and complex suspense and drama that kept the reader invested in the story.
However, the heart of this narrative rested in the romance and heat that bubbled between the protagonists. The obstacles they faced along the way, from scheming exes and doubtful parental figures to their own painful experiences with love and the way the world would view their relationship, not only felt real and relatable but elevated the tension that the author was able to infuse with the imagery in the author’s writing.
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The Verdict
Memorable, exhilarating, and thrilling, author Krichele Monroe’s “My Island Billionaire’s Baby” is a must-read contemporary romance and women’s fiction novel. The adult and heated scenes between the protagonists and the captive drama that unfolds as their relationship develops will keep readers enthralled as they hang onto the author’s every word, eager to see where this couple ends up. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four people defined by their past and reluctant to accept love find themselves drawn together and must discover if they can truly have a happily ever after in author Magdalena Stanhoff’s “The Flaws in Our Prayers: A Novel”.
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The Synopsis
Someone needs to save the savior. And someone has to protect the protector.
Years ago, Hana left her homeland with her little daughter, and she has steered clear of romance ever since. Sebastian graduated from a hard school of life, and he firmly believes love is a weakness. Neither plans to change their single status—but fate has a different idea.
One winter morning Hana saves a stranger’s life, setting off a chain of events that will thoroughly entangle their families. Sebastian won’t stop until he finds his elusive rescuer, and in his search, he unknowingly sends a young relative on a collision course with Hana’s darling girl…
Sori comes off as the epitome of composure and grace, but her childhood memories left her with zero tolerance for unkindness or cruelty. And Filip is like a shard of glass: beautiful, hard, jagged, and brittle. But oddly enough, the sun’s always shining when they get together, and every trouble can be reduced to a joke.
And thus, two parallel love stories unfold. But new feelings quickly awaken old demons, and soon it turns out conventions are against them as well. Neither Sebastian nor Filip will accept defeat, but can they both find—or fight—their way to a happily ever after?
The Review
This was a captivating and thrilling read. The balance of romance and character development the author found was greatly appreciated, as it felt like the world the author built in this story was realistic and heartfelt in its delivery. The setting taking place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was unique as well, as it didn’t really focus on this aspect of the narrative too much like many books in recent years have, but instead used it as a springboard for the situations that arise to bring these four people together in their own unique way.
The individuality and creative development of these characters made the story for me. Without it, the romance and relationships they built together would have felt forced, but instead, they appear to readers as a natural and relatable story. Each character feels unique to themselves and is very multi-dimensional. Rather than being stuck in a one-dimensional story where two people fall head over heels for one another instantly with little to no stakes, the author gives us flawed, emotional, and self-assured characters who own their pasts and strive to rise above them, even when it becomes too difficult to handle at times. The way these unique backstories bring these very different characters together made this a compelling romance and contemporary women’s fiction novel.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Magdalena Stanhoff’s “The Flaws in Our Prayers: A Novel” is a must-read women’s fiction and romance novel. The heart and passion that the author touches upon while still remaining realistic and attainable in the world-building made this an enthralling read, and one that readers won’t want to put down until they turn that last page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Magdalena Stanhoff writes contemporary novels about third-culture people. She loves traveling and is vividly interested in how diverse cultures coexist, clash, and mix, and how it influences people’s life. Her novels explore romantic love, family bonds, and friendship in their various forms and shades, and since the author is an incurable dreamer, they always end with the HEA.
