When I finished reading The Bookstore Sisters, I wished it had been a full length story. I wanted more of the Gibson sisters and was so happy to get aWhen I finished reading The Bookstore Sisters, I wished it had been a full length story. I wanted more of the Gibson sisters and was so happy to get an opportunity to return to their world.
As expected, this story involves a wedding, or more like all the disasters that were keeping Isabel's wedding from happening. The worst of all befalls the family in the lead up to the latest wedding. Bringing back scary and painful memories from their past, this event served as a reminder to value today and prompted some to open their hearts.
It also showcased the wonderful people of Brinkley as they all rallied to support the Gibson sisters. I especially loved the way everyone picked out books to provide comfort to Isabel and Sophie on this journey. Lovely choices and explanations of how they could ease some pain.
Hoffman showed the beauty in the pain and highlighted the power of love. This touching tale warmed my heart, and I really hope we get to revisit the Gibson sisters again.
Seeking a fresh start and the grief that surrounded her, Lark fled Texas for Ireland. One of the first people she meets is Callum, thRating: 4.5 Stars
Seeking a fresh start and the grief that surrounded her, Lark fled Texas for Ireland. One of the first people she meets is Callum, the local mortician who must marry by his birthday or forfeit the family business. Unfortunately, Callum suffers from social anxiety, and struggle with speaking with and connecting with women. Well, until Lark came barreling into his world.
I was drawn to this book because of its rom-com label and setting, but I truly fell in love with the story because of Callum and Lark.
Lark was a young widow who really never came to terms with her husband's death. She had been drowning in her grief for about two years. When she was offered an art director position with an indy animation studio, she jumped at the chance to relocate to Ireland leaving her past behind. But everyone knows you can't outrun your past, and Lark must confront it in order to be able to open her heart and love again.
I adored Lark. She was the personification of bright colors. I swear, sunshine followed her wherever she went. I know this seems quite at odds with her grief, but she did a good job of burying that when necessary. Her cheerfulness was contagious, and I loved that she infected Callum with it. He needed more light in his world.
Callum grew up surrounded by death. As the third generation to run the family funeral home, he dealt with bullying for where he lived as well as endless teasing due to his stutter. Rejected by his parents, he was raised by his grandparents and with his granda's recent passing, he was alone and at risk of losing the only home and the only world he had know.
Being a mortician cannot be easy, but Callum was a positive part of the death industry. He showed respect for the dead and their families as he attempted to ease some of their pain with thoughtful final farewells for their loved ones. I think the universe knew he needed some warmth and levity in his life, and that came in the form of Lark. She did such a magnificent job pulling him out of his shell and encouraging him to be a little more foot-loose and fancy free. Though Lark appeared super vocal, she was a people pleaser who often put her needs last. Callum helped her find a way to voice her needs and advocate for herself.
Callum was such a mush who was all about finding the one and making real connections. I loved him! When he whispered Irish endearments into Lark's ear or waxed poetic about him in his head, he brought the swoon. There were also some great supporting characters who brought something special to this story. I have a feeling Lark's cousin will be featured, and I am very much looking forward to returning to Galway.
Overall, this was a heartwarming tale of healing and love that was filled with fun rom-com moments and quirky characters who won my heart.
After losing her husband, Imogen follows through with their planned move to the country. Things were off to a rough start, but Imogen began to love liAfter losing her husband, Imogen follows through with their planned move to the country. Things were off to a rough start, but Imogen began to love life in the village of Middlemass, but when things go sideways, will she be able to make Middlemass her forever home?
I honestly had no idea I was returning to Middlemass. I fell in love with this quaint little town when I read The Littlest Library, and I could not think of a better place for Imogen to heal and rebuild her life. Alexander assembled an all new cast of lovely characters who delighted me. I loved the way they embraced Imogen and offered their support during this time of great change.
I grew especially fond of her brooding neighbor, Gabriel. He was a bit a grump, but he did the sweetest things for Imogen. Imogen had complicated feelings for Gabriel given her personal situation and their business situation, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Gabriel seemed to always come through when she needed him most, and what he did there towards the end was precious.
Yes, great characters, sweet romance, and a lovely setting gave me all the warm fuzzies. It was fantastic to return to Middlemass and get witness Imogen's personal journey. It was filled with challenges, self discovery, and some great surprises. Once again, Alexander crafted a feel good story that warmed my heart.
Temperance and Duncan's lives have been intertwined for more than half their existence. Though their love had never waned, they contiRating: 4.5 Stars
Temperance and Duncan's lives have been intertwined for more than half their existence. Though their love had never waned, they continued to dance around each other following their breakup over a decade ago. Could the timing be right to resuscitate their big love and pick up right where they left off?
Bend Towards the Sun was such a phenomenal experience for me that I did not hesitate to add this book to the TBR. In fact, I pretty much just looked at the cover, saw Jen Devon wrote it, and called the book one of my most anticipated reads for 2024. Little did I know that this was actually a companion to Bend Towards the Sun. I mean, I was so excited I did a happy dance.
It was such a thrill to be back at the vineyard with the Brady family and their adjacent people. I got to see the progress they made, spend quality time with the family, and most importantly, attend a wedding. I always cry at weddings, so needless to say, there were tears, but there was also a beautiful second chance romance contained within these pages.
Duncan and Temperance had fallen hard for each other in their teens. Devon took us back to those pivotal summers where we got to see them meet, fall in love, and break each others hearts. They may not have been a couple, but due to their siblings being married, they were still in each others orbits. It made me so happy that they were able to rekindle their love. Both had grown so much, and now, I just wanted them to grow together.
The one thing I adore about Devon's books is the family focus. The Bradys were a very special bunch and the love flows freely between them. They were also a bunch of meddlers in this book who were doing everything they could to get Temperance and Duncan together, and I was one hundred percent in support of their meddling.
It was exciting to catch up with old friends while getting to know some of them on a deeper level. I suspect there will be a return to the vineyard given the way Mal and Frankie were incorporated into the story. Obviously, I am excited at the prospect and cannot wait to spend more time with the Bradys.
Samantha (WLABB)
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