Publisher: Graydon House

#BookReview Relative Strangers by A.H. Kim @KayePublicity @HarlequinBooks #RelativeStrangers #AHKim #GraydonHouseBooks #KayePublicity #contemporaryromance

#BookReview Relative Strangers by A.H. Kim @KayePublicity @HarlequinBooks #RelativeStrangers #AHKim #GraydonHouseBooks #KayePublicity #contemporaryromance Title: Relative Strangers

Author: A.H. Kim

Published by: Graydon House on Apr. 2, 2024

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 352

Format: Paperback

Source: Kaye Publicity

Book Rating: 8/10

A twenty-first-century family drama featuring two sisters, their ex-hippie mother, multiple messy love affairs, and one explosive secret that could ruin everything

Amelia Bae-Wood’s life is falling apart. Unemployed, newly single, and completely broke—for reasons she hasn’t told anyone yet—she hitchhikes across California to deal with the fallout of her mother’s eviction from the family estate. Needing somewhere to live, she moves with her mother and sister Eleanor to Arcadia, the cancer-retreat center where her sister volunteers.

Eleanor has too much on her plate, including being caught up in a court battle with a man who claims to be her half-brother from Seoul. Her late father’s only son, he’s fighting for a piece of everything that belongs to the Bae-Wood women. When Amelia adds herself to Eleanor’s list of problems, Eleanor must figure out what to hold on to—and when to let go—before things unravel.


Review:

Engaging, hopeful, and sweet!

Relative Strangers is a charming, uplifting tale that takes you into the lives of the Bae-Wood sisters, Amelia and Eleanor, as they each navigate old hurts, strained relationships, grief, secrets, revelations, disappointments, letting go of the past and new beginnings.

The writing style is tender and light. The characters are scarred, hardworking, and wary. And the plot is an absorbing tale of life, love, friendship, family, community, tension, self-reflection, starting over, taking chances, awkward moments, following one’s dreams, contentment, and romance.

Overall, Relative Strangers is an enjoyable, entertaining, modern spin on Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility that’s a delightful read by Kim with its endearing characters, heartfelt moments, contemporary storyline, and ending that leaves you with a smile.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

        

 

 

Thank you to Kaye Publicity for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About A.H. Kim

A.H. Kim (Ann) was born in South Korea and immigrated to the U.S. as a young child. Ann was educated at Harvard College and Berkeley Law. Prior to becoming a novelist, Ann practiced corporate law for many years and served as chief of staff to the CEO and as head of investor relations at a Fortune 200 company.Ann is the proud mother of two sons, a longtime cancer survivor, and community volunteer. After many years living in the Bay Area, Ann and her husband now call Ann Arbor home.

#BookReview The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead @ashleywinstead @KayePublicity @HarlequinBooks #TheBoyfriendCandidate #AshleyWinstead #GraydonHouseBooks #KayePublicity

#BookReview The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead @ashleywinstead @KayePublicity @HarlequinBooks #TheBoyfriendCandidate #AshleyWinstead #GraydonHouseBooks #KayePublicity Title: The Boyfriend Candidate

Author: Ashley Winstead

Published by: Graydon House on May 9, 2023

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 384

Format: Paperback

Source: Kaye Publicity

Book Rating: 8.5/10

A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort zone.

As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she’s dumped for being too meek—in bed!—the humiliation is a wake-up call. She decides she needs to change, and what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?

Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Logan is audacious and filterless, making him Alexis’s opposite—and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she’s about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm—and in their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly—and shockingly—flees.

Alexis is bewildered until breaking news hits: pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. It turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot politician challenging the Texas governor’s seat. The salacious images are poised to sink his career—and jeopardize Alexis’s job—until a solution is proposed: to squash the scandal, he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day…in two months. What could possibly go wrong?


Review:

Clever, engaging, and sassy!

The Boyfriend Candidate is a flirty, feel-good tale about the hardworking, timid Alexis Stone who, after deciding to embark on a one-night stand after having her confidence shattered by an ex, finds her world turned upside down when her date turns out to be none other than Logan Arthur, the latest candidate for governor of Texas, and for the benefit of both their reputations and the political campaign agrees to fake date him until the election is over.

The prose is witty and sharp. The characters are focused, amusing, and driven. And the plot is a lighthearted, funny blend of life, love, introspection, friendship, secrets, deception, awkward situations, sweet moments and taking chances.

Overall, The Boyfriend Candidate is another charming, touching, delightful tale by Winstead that I thoroughly enjoyed and which, in my opinion, is the perfect choice for anyone who loves a good romcom that has a whole lot of hope, heart, and humour.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

 

         

 

 

Thank you to Kaye Publicity for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Ashley Winstead

Ashley Winstead holds a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature from Southern Methodist University and a B.A. in English and Art History from Vanderbilt University. She lives in Houston, TX, where she drinks red wine and dreams up novels.

Photo by Luis Noble.

#BookReview The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer @Kelrimmerwrites @HarperCollinsCa @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #BooksofHCC #TheGermanWife #KellyRimmer #GraydonHouse #HTPBooks

#BookReview The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer @Kelrimmerwrites @HarperCollinsCa @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #BooksofHCC #TheGermanWife #KellyRimmer #GraydonHouse #HTPBooks Title: The German Wife

Author: Kelly Rimmer

Published by: Graydon House on Jun. 28, 2022

Genres: Historical Fiction

Pages: 464

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: HarperCollins Canada

Book Rating: 9/10

Berlin, Germany, 1930—When the Nazis rise to power, Sofie von Meyer Rhodes and her academic husband benefit from the military ambitions of Germany’s newly elected chancellor when Jürgen is offered a high-level position in their burgeoning rocket program. Although they fiercely oppose Hitler’s radical views, and joining his ranks is unthinkable, it soon becomes clear that if Jürgen does not accept the job, their income will be taken away. Then their children. And then their lives.

Huntsville, Alabama, 1950—Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of many German scientists pardoned and granted a position in America’s space program. For Sofie, this is a chance to leave the horrors of her past behind. But when rumors about the Rhodes family’s affiliation with the Nazi party spread among her new American neighbors, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results tears apart a family and leaves the community wondering—is it an act of vengeance or justice?


Review:

Moving, thought-provoking, and tragic!

The German Wife is a vivid, tender tale set in Berlin, Germany, as well as Huntsville, Alabama, between 1930 and 1950 that takes you into the lives of the Rhodes family. A family whose individual actions, decisions, choices and secrets made during the war will have long-lasting effects and irrevocably change lives forever.

The writing is emotional and tense. The characters are intelligent, torn, and distrustful. And the plot is an evocative tale of life, loss, heartbreak, prejudices, hope, tragedy, survival, friendship, love, community, and wartime politics.

Overall, The German Wife is an absorbing, heart-wrenching, beautifully written tale by Rimmer inspired by real-life events, Operation Paperclip, that does an exceptional job of highlighting her impressive research into this intelligence program that brought Nazis chemists, physicists and rocket specialists to America after WWII, without being tried for their previous crimes, in order for them to use their acquired knowledge to benefit NASA and other US government agencies.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

            

 

 

 

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Kelly Rimmer

Kelly Rimmer is the worldwide and USA TODAY bestselling author of five novels, including Me Without You and The Secret Daughter. She lives in rural Australia with her husband, two children and fantastically naughty dogs Sully and Basil. Her novels have been translated into more than twenty languages.

#BookReview Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead @ashleywinstead @KayePublicity @HarlequinBooks #FoolMeOnce #AshleyWinstead #GraydonHouseBooks #KayePublicity

#BookReview Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead @ashleywinstead @KayePublicity @HarlequinBooks #FoolMeOnce #AshleyWinstead #GraydonHouseBooks #KayePublicity Title: Fool Me Once

Author: Ashley Winstead

Published by: Graydon House on Apr. 5, 2022

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback

Source: Kaye Publicity

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Lee Stone is a twenty-first-century woman: she kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company (that’s better than Tesla, thank you) and after work she is “Stoner,” drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed…

That’s because Lee’s learned one big lesson: never trust love. After four major heartbreaks set her straight, from her father cheating on her mom all the way to Ben Laderman in grad school—who wasn’t actually cheating, but she could have sworn he was, so she reciprocated in kind.

Then Ben shows up five years later, working as a policy expert for the most liberal governor in Texas history, just as Lee is trying to get a clean energy bill rolling. Things get complicated—and competitive as Lee and Ben are forced to work together. Tension builds just as old sparks reignite, fanning the flames for a romantic dustup the size of Texas.


Review:

Sassy, seductive, and fun!

Fool Me Once is a playful, second-chance romance that features the fiery, intelligent Lee, who is content to be single and completely focused on her career and having a good time, and the competitive, hard-bodied Ben, who has landed the job of his dreams although it, unfortunately, involves working side-by-side with the one woman who shattered his heart fives years ago and who he’s never been quite able to forget.

The writing is witty and smooth. The characters are amusing, charismatic, and endearing. And the plot is a push-pull tale filled with workplace drama, tricky situations, tender moments, flirty banter, blistering chemistry, goals, expectations, family, friendship, and steamy romance.

Overall, Fool Me Once is a sweet, humorous, passionate read by Winstead with characters you can’t help but fall in love with and a happy-ever-after ending that will make you swoon.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

 

            

 

 

Thank you to Kaye Publicity for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Ashley Winstead

Ashley Winstead holds a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature from Southern Methodist University and a B.A. in English and Art History from Vanderbilt University. She lives in Houston, TX, where she drinks red wine and dreams up novels.

Photo by Luis Noble.

#BookReview Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley @HTPBooks @Bookclubbish #HTPBooks #TalkBookishtoMe #KateBromley #Bookclubbish

#BookReview Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley @HTPBooks @Bookclubbish #HTPBooks #TalkBookishtoMe #KateBromley #Bookclubbish Title: Talk Bookish to Me

Author: Kate Bromley

Published by: Graydon House on May 25, 2021

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 320

Format: ARC, Paperback

Source: Harlequin Trade Publishing, Kate Bromley

Book Rating: 8.5/10

Inspiration can come from the most unlikely—and inconvenient—sources.

Kara Sullivan’s life is full of love—albeit fictional. As a bestselling romance novelist and influential bookstagrammer, she’s fine with getting her happily-ever-after fix between the covers of a book.

But right now? Not only is Kara’s best friend getting married next week—which means big wedding stress—but the deadline for her next novel is looming, and she hasn’t written a single word. The last thing she needs is for her infuriating first love, Ryan Thompson, to suddenly appear in the wedding party. But Ryan’s unexpected arrival sparks a creative awakening in Kara that inspires the steamy historical romance she desperately needs to deliver.

With her wedding duties intensifying, her deadline getting closer by the second and her bills not paying themselves, Kara knows there’s only one way for her to finish her book and to give her characters the ever-after they deserve. But can she embrace the unlikely, ruggedly handsome muse—who pushes every one of her buttons—to save the wedding, her career and, just maybe, write her own happy ending?


Review:

Comical, refreshing, and delightfully entertaining!

Talk Bookish to Me is a heartwarming, witty tale that takes you into the life of the hardworking Kara Sullivan as she juggles her best friend’s wedding, a looming deadline, a mother with high expectations, and an unexpected visit from the one man whom she’s never quite forgotten.

The prose is smooth and crisp. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are multilayered, endearing, and amusing. And the plot is a tender, engaging mix of life, love, loss, family, awkward situations, delicious chemistry, romantic drama, tension, introspection, and an adorable bulldog with a penchant for bathrooms, and surprisingly Celine Dion.

Overall, Talk Bookish to Me is a charming, smart, uplifting debut by Bromley that I thoroughly enjoyed and is the perfect choice for anyone who loves their romcoms with a lot of heart, hope, humour and heat.

 

This book is available now. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

              

 

 

Thank you to Kate Bromley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.

 

About Kate Bromley

Kate Bromley lives in New York City with her husband, son, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels. (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?) She was a preschool teacher for seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions -– writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh.

Photo courtesy of Author's Website.

#BookReview Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson @HTPBooks @Bookclubbish #HTPBooks #LadiesoftheHouse #LaurenEdmondson #Bookclubbish

#BookReview Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson @HTPBooks @Bookclubbish #HTPBooks #LadiesoftheHouse #LaurenEdmondson #Bookclubbish Title: Ladies of the House

Author: Lauren Edmondson

Published by: Graydon House on Feb. 9, 2021

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Pages: 384

Format: Paperback, ARC

Source: Harlequin Books

Book Rating: 9/10

No surprise is a good surprise. At least according to thirty-four-year-old Daisy Richardson. So when it’s revealed in dramatic fashion that her esteemed father had been involved in a public scandal before his untimely death, Daisy’s life becomes complicated—and fast.

For one, the Richardsons must now sell the family home in Georgetown they can no longer afford, and Daisy’s mother is holding on with an iron grip. Her younger sister, Wallis, is ready to move on to bigger and better things but falls fast and hard for the most inconvenient person possible. And then there’s Atlas, Daisy’s best friend. She’s always wished they could be more, but now he’s writing an exposé on the one subject she’s been desperate to avoid: her father.

Daisy’s plan is to maintain a low profile as she works to keep her family intact amid social exile, public shaming, and quickly dwindling savings. But the spotlight always seems to find the Richardsons, and when another twist in the scandal comes to light, Daisy must confront the consequences of her continued silence and summon the courage to stand up and accept the power of her own voice.


Review:

Fresh, uplifting, and witty!

Ladies of the House is a charming, engaging tale that takes us to Washington, DC, and into the lives of three, strong, unique women as they each learn in their own way to cope with the death of their patriarch, Senator Gregory Richardson, and the subsequent trail of adultery, deception, controversy, scandal, and corruption he left in his wake.

The writing is clever and sharp. The characters are complex, angry, insecure, and loyal. And the plot unfolds and unravels quickly into a tender tale of family, friendship, trust, reputation, financial ruin, unrequited love, independence, happiness, and finding one’s true self.

Overall, Ladies of the House is an enjoyable, entertaining, modern retelling of Austen’s Sense and Sensibility that’s an outstanding debut by Edmondson with its endearing characters, heartfelt moments, contemporary storyline, and ending that will leave you with a smile.

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

            

 

 

Thank you to HTP Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Lauren Edmondson

Lauren Edmondson has a BA from Williams College and an MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches English at Northern Virginia Community College and lives outside Washington, D.C. with her husband and daughter. Ladies of the House is her first novel.

Photo courtesy of Author's Goodreads Page.

#BookReview The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick @NicolaCornick @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #TheForgottenSister #NicolaCornick #Bookclubbish #HTPBooks

#BookReview The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick @NicolaCornick @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #TheForgottenSister #NicolaCornick #Bookclubbish #HTPBooks Title: The Forgotten Sister

Author: Nicola Cornick

Published by: Graydon House on Nov. 10, 2020

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback, ARC

Source: Harlequin Books

Book Rating: 8.5/10

In the tradition of the spellbinding historical novels of Philippa Gregory and Kate Morton comes a stunning story based on a real-life Tudor mystery, and of a curse that echoes through the centuries and shapes two women’s destinies…

1560: Amy Robsart is trapped in a loveless marriage to Robert Dudley, a member of the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Surrounded by enemies and with nowhere left to turn, Amy hatches a desperate scheme to escape—one with devastating consequences that will echo through the centuries…

Present Day: When Lizzie Kingdom is forced to withdraw from the public eye in a blaze of scandal, it seems her life is over. But she’s about to encounter a young man, Johnny Robsart, whose fate will interlace with hers in the most unexpected of ways. For Johnny is certain that Lizzie is linked to a terrible secret dating back to Tudor times. If Lizzie is brave enough to go in search of the truth, then what she discovers will change the course of their lives forever.


Review:

Engaging, mysterious, and immersive!

The Forgotten Sister is an intriguing time-slip novel set in England during both the sixteenth century as well as present-day and is told from two different perspectives, Amy Robsart, the wife of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester whose untimely death is laced with suspicion and doubt, and Lizzie Kingdom, a young star who after getting mixed up in a scandal where history seems to be repeating itself uses her psychometric abilities to uncover what truly happened.

The writing is eloquent and smooth. The characters are complex, troubled, and endearing. And the plot using a past/present, back-and-forth style captivates and entertains as it sweeps you away into a suspenseful tale of life, loss, love, familial responsibility, duty, honour, betrayal, friendship, passion, mystery, and a silver of the supernatural.

Overall, The Forgotten Sister is another well-paced, creative, entertaining novel by Cornick that does a wonderful job of interweaving a satisfying blend of historical facts, compelling fiction, budding romance, and a touch of magic.

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

            

 

 

Thank you to HTP Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Nicola Cornick

International bestselling author Nicola Cornick writes romantic historical mysteries and witty and passionate Regency romance. She studied History at London and Oxford and was awarded a distinction for her dissertation on historical heroes. It was a tough study but someone had to do it. Nicola has a “double life” as a writer and guide at the stunning 17th century hunting lodge, Ashdown House. Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them on her blog.

#BookReview She’s Faking It by Kristin Rockaway @KristinRockaway @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #ShesFakingIt #KristinRockaway

#BookReview She’s Faking It by Kristin Rockaway @KristinRockaway @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #ShesFakingIt #KristinRockaway Title: She's Faking It

Author: Kristin Rockaway

Published by: Graydon House on Jun. 30, 2020

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 384

Format: Paperback

Source: Harlequin Books

Book Rating: 8/10

You can’t put a filter on reality.

Bree Bozeman isn’t exactly pursuing the life of her dreams. Then again, she isn’t too sure what those dreams are. After dropping out of college, she’s living a pretty chill life in the surf community of Pacific Beach, San Diego…if “chill” means delivering food as a GrubGetter, and if it means “uneventful”.

But when Bree starts a new Instagram account — @breebythesea — one of her posts gets a signal boost from none other than wildly popular self-help guru Demi DiPalma, owner of a lifestyle brand empire. Suddenly, Bree just might be a rising star in the world of Instagram influencing. Is this the direction her life has been lacking? It’s not a career choice she’d ever seriously considered, but maybe it’s a sign from the universe. After all, Demi’s the real deal… right?

Everything is lining up for Bree: life goals, career, and even a blossoming romance with the chiseled guy next door, surf star Trey Cantu. But things are about to go sideways fast, and even the perfect filter’s not gonna fix it. Instagram might be free, but when your life looks flawless on camera, what’s the cost?


Review:

Uplifting, spirited, and sweet!

She’s Faking It is a breezy, humorous rom-com that takes us into the life of Bree Bozeman as she meanders through all sorts of highs and lows, from struggling to make ends meet, losing her job, becoming an Instagram influencer, an unexpected visit from her selfish ex, and a blossoming new romance.

The writing style is light and witty. The characters are aimless, quirky, and endearing. And the plot is a charmingly amusing tale full of life, love, tricky situations, tender moments, humorous mishaps, self-discovery, family, friendship, happiness, and the relationship dynamics between sisters.

Overall, She’s Faking It is a clever, funny, optimistic tale by Rockaway that highlights just how impactful social media is on our everyday lives, and reminds of the importance of taking chances and embracing whatever comes next.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

            

 

 

Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Kristin Rockaway

Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker and recovering corporate software engineer. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she finally traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of code. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, browsing the aisles of her neighborhood bookstores, and planning her next big vacation.

Photograph by Kristin Rockaway.

#PromoPost The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton @KJHAuthor @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #TheLastWife #KarenHamilton

#PromoPost The Last Wife by Karen Hamilton @KJHAuthor @HarlequinBooks @Bookclubbish #TheLastWife #KarenHamilton Title: The Last Wife

Author: Karen Hamilton

Published by: Graydon House on Jul. 7, 2020

Genres: Mystery/Thriller

Pages: 352

Format: Paperback

Source: Harlequin Trade Publishing

From the internationally bestselling author of The Perfect Girlfriend.

Two women. A dying wish. And a web of lies that will bring their world crashing down.

Two women. A dying wish. And a web of lies that will bring their world crashing down.

Nina and Marie were best friends—until Nina was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Before she died, Nina asked Marie to fulfill her final wishes.

But her mistake was in thinking Marie was someone she could trust.

What Nina didn’t know was that Marie always wanted her beautiful life, and that Marie has an agenda of her own. She’ll do anything to get what she wants.

Marie thinks she can keep her promise to her friend’s family on her own terms. But what she doesn’t know is that Nina was hiding explosive secrets of her own…

 

This novel is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

            

 

 

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with a copy.

 

About Karen Hamilton

Karen Hamilton caught the travel bug after an early childhood spent abroad (Angola, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Belgium, and Italy) and having worked as cabin crew for a major airline.
In 2006, she and her husband put down roots in Hampshire UK and four years ago, she later gave up flying to raise their three sons and concentrate on her writing.
In 2009, she decided to 'become a writer.'

The Perfect Girlfriend was her first novel (released March 2018).

#BookReview Husband Material by Emily Belden @emilybelden @HarlequinBooks

#BookReview Husband Material by Emily Belden @emilybelden @HarlequinBooks Title: Husband Material

Author: Emily Belden

Published by: Graydon House on Dec. 30, 2019

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 304

Format: Paperback, ARC

Source: Harlequin Books

Book Rating: 8/10

Sometimes love is unpredictable…

Twenty-nine-year-old Charlotte Rosen has a secret: she’s a widow. Ever since the fateful day that leveled her world, Charlotte has worked hard to move forward. Great job at a hot social media analytics company? Check. Roommate with no knowledge of her past? Check. Adorable dog? Check. All the while, she’s faithfully data-crunched her way through life, calculating the probability of risk—so she can avoid it.

Yet Charlotte’s algorithms could never have predicted that her late husband’s ashes would land squarely on her doorstep five years later. Stunned but determined, Charlotte sets out to find meaning in this sudden twist of fate, even if that includes facing her perfectly coiffed, and perfectly difficult, ex-mother-in-law—and her husband’s best friend, who seems to become a fixture at her side whether she likes it or not.

But soon a shocking secret surfaces, forcing Charlotte to answer questions she never knew to ask and to consider the possibility of forgiveness. And when a chance at new love arises, she’ll have to decide once and for all whether to follow the numbers or trust her heart.


Review:

Sweet, witty, and charming!

Husband Material is a sassy, heartfelt rom-com featuring the logical, grieving Charlotte who after unexpectedly receiving her late husband’s ashes back five-years after his passing realizes that the hurt is still raw and in order to heal and move on bridges should be mended, secrets must be revealed, and people need be forgiven.

The writing style is warm and light. The characters are quirky, reticent, and amusing. And the plot is a delightful blend of life, love, introspection, friendship, attraction, tender moments, awkward situations, forgiveness, misunderstandings, and closure.

Overall, Husband Material is an easy, humourous, uplifting tale by Belden that highlights the importance of letting go of the past, taking chances, embracing what’s next, and loving again.

 

This book is available now.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

                                           

 

 

Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Emily Belden

Emily Belden is a food journalist, social media marketer, and storyteller. She is the author of the novels Hot Mess and Husband Material, and of Eightysixed: A Memoir about Unforgettable Men, Mistakes, and Meals. After she tiled her bedroom floor in over 60,000 pennies – all heads up for good luck – she was a guest on The Today Show and her story was covered by media outlets across the country. A Chicago native, Emily lives with her rescue dog in the West Loop, conveniently close to many of the city’s best restaurants.

Photograph courtesy of Author's Goodreads Page.