readandwright's reviews
458 reviews

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

3.75

Thank you Berkley for my copy! All thoughts are my own. 

When I first learned about The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava while scrolling threads one day, I was so excited to see it. First of all, one of my gateway romances was a workplace romance. It’s a trope I don’t always lean towards but every time I read it, I’m reminded of how much I love it. The tension! It’s unmatched. Secondly, since I read so much Romance, i’m thrilled to add an Indigenous author and story to my shelves. Love is a universal feeling, so everyone should be represented in the genre. 

Overall, I really liked this book. I think the opening scenes were so great at setting it up. I didn’t vibe with some of the pacing but I think it balances the more difficult moments that are necessary to the story with the swoony rom com moments. I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end. There’s a lot of pressure to the “first” and I’m glad the author was able to tell a story authentic to her. 

Synopsis: 

“Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is).

Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up too: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they're caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything.” —NetGalley

What I Liked: 

1. The Tropes—I love a workplace/office romance and I haven’t read one in so long! I love the tension this trope creates and there was definitely a lot at stake in this story. 
2. The Characters—I really could identify with Ember’s need to present herself as someone she wasn’t. It took me a long time to accept that my journey is my own and my worth isn’t reflected by my accomplishments. I obviously I have privileges discussed in this book, but the core of her struggles made me feel seen. 
3. The Conflict—I thought the conflict was very realistic which is great as a reader but very sad and difficult to read about as a human. But, it all made sense and moved the story along. 

What Didn’t Work for Me:

1. Some Romantic Moments Felt Forced—I just wanted a little more depth, but I think it’s because this started with a little insta-love/insta attraction and sometimes that’s hard for me to buy in to. 

Character Authenticity: 4/5     Spice Rating: 2/5     Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

racism, racial slurs, cultural appropriation, abandonment, classism

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

4.0

Thank you Berkley for my copy! All thoughts are my own. 

I have been a fan of Ashley Poston since her debut, The Dead Romantics. I believe it was recommended to me by Carley Fortune, who I also love, and I’ve loved her work ever since. Since I love to read Contemporary Romance, I don’t often dip into fantasy or magical realism. I love that Poston writes contemporary romance with a magical realism/fantasy spin. It’s enough to get lost in a world that is totally unique from my own without being overwhelmed by world building. Plus, I find her concepts so unique and satisfying! 

I used to love the show Once Upon a Time and I feel like this book vaguely captures that idea. It’s not a town full of trapped storybook characters, but it is the a reader going into the fictional small town they love. I was so charmed by the concept and a little jealous! 

Synopsis: 

“Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what.
But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel…
Because it is.
This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story.
Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending.
Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book.
Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.” —NetGalley

What I Liked: 

1. The Bookish Concept—How many times have we, as readers, wished we could visit a fictional place? Even when I know my favorites get a HEA, there are certain characters I’d love to check in on from time to time and just see what their daily life is like. 
2. The Magical Element—It’s just enough to be exciting and make me suspend my disbelief. 
3. The Characters—I loved all these characters! I especially loved the Book Club and wish we could have even seen a little bit more of them. 

What Didn’t Work: 

1. Pacing—Surprisingly, there were points I struggled to stay with the characters. Minor moments, but for a fav author I was surprised. 
2. Missed a Piece of Connection—Just a little piece of magic was missing for me. But it’s probably because I loved The Seven Year Slip SO deeply. 

Character Authenticity: 3.5/5      Spice Rating: 1/5      Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings: 

grief, death, loss of a spouse

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

Thank you Berkley Romance for my copy! All thoughts are my own. 

I crave a new Carley Fortune book like I need air. Every since I read Every Summer After in 2022, she has become a favorite author of mine. ESA gave me a perfect reading experience. While it’s hard to recreate any reading experience, I save Carley’s books for the first warm day that feels like Summer. I go to the beach, usually bringing a towel to drape over my shoulders cause there’s still a slight chill, and read for as many uninterrupted hours as I can. 

I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t love Meet Me at the Lake. I was a little nervous that maybe Every Summer After would be the only book I could connect with. But i’m so glad I was wrong because this book was pure Summer Romance wonder. I loved it wholeheartedly. I loved Lucy, I loved PEI, I LOVED Felix. I loved the writing and the setting and the pacing and the magic. A triumph of a summer read. 

Synopsis: 

“Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.
It’s easier said than done.
Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.” —NetGalley

What I Liked: 

1. The Setting—I started this book and immediately put “Prince Edward Island” into Google Maps to see how long it would take me to drive there. This book a Nancy Meyers film come to life in book form. 
2. The Writing—Carley writes the way I think. I love how everything is so visual and passionate and flavorful in her books. 
3. The Relationships/Characters—Felix an an absolute dream. Like, very quickly made his way into my top book boyfriends of all time. I loved their passion and connection. The words they said to each other were so easy to feel in my entire body. But, I also loved Bridget and Lucy’s friendship. I don’t think there’s anything better than loving a friend who knows you so well and so deeply. 
4. The Use of the 3rd Act Break Up—I don’t have 3rd break ups, but I hate when they’re not used for the right reasons. We all know what’s coming at the end so going on the journey with characters in a romance is so important. I loved how Lucy needed to really fully know herself without Bridget in order to give the best version of herself to Felix. 

What Didn’t Work for Me:

1. I wanted to read it in one sitting but life got in the way. Make sure you have hours to devote to this book because you won’t want to put it down. 

Character Authenticity: 5/5      Spice Rating: 2/5      Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

grief

One Last Summer by Kate Spencer

3.75

Thank you Forever and Grand Central Publishing for my copy! All thoughts are my own! 

If you know my reading taste at all, you know I saw this cover and had to read this book. I think this will be a very popular Summer reading choice because it’s a quick read with a great summery setting, a little bit of heart, a breezy second chance romance, and a fun, bright friend group. 

I enjoyed reading this book! I loved the setting and the discussion on creative burnout. 

Synopsis: 

“Clara Millen’s life is spiraling out of control: her dream job is a nightmare, she’s resoundingly single, and it’s been years since she’s taken some time off. Thankfully, the last problem she can fix—this year she’ll join her friends on their annual summer vacation to their beloved childhood sleepover camp for a much-needed escape.

But when Clara arrives at Pine Lake Camp, she faces yet another unwelcome change: the owners are retiring and selling the property. The news turns her plans for revelry into a night of reminiscing . . . and prompts a surprise heart-to-heart between Clara and Mack, her old camp nemesis and constant competitor, who's still just as annoying (and annoyingly handsome). 

Soon the campfires aren't all that's throwing off sparks. And when one wildly passionate night turns into two (then too many to count!), Clara begins to wonder if she and Mack could have a future together. But when Clara's boss finally offers her everything she's worked so hard for, Clara will need to decide if the life she's always wanted is the life that makes her feel truly alive. “ —NetGalley

What I Liked: 

1. The Setting—I love a lake setting (i’m a broken record) and the idea of adult Summer camp is so appealing. I feel like we spend our entire adult life trying to return to the joys of adolescence and Summer is one of the most nostalgic times. 
2. The Friend Group/Characters—I found them all so delightful and real. I loved their banter and how they encouraged each other and ragged on each other. 
3. The First Half Pacing—I loved how it just “started.” It’s an appealing aspect of rom coms that make me feel like I’m enjoying a film. 

What Didn’t Work: 

1. The Second Half Pacing—Things fell off for me between 50-70% when our enemies/rivals to lovers became a little murky. 

Character Authenticity: 4/5     Spice Rating: 0/5     Overall Rating: 3.75/5

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

4.75

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, Libro.fm for my ebook and audio copies! All thoughts are my own.

I had no idea what to expect about this book but as the author is the screenwriter behind People We Meet on Vacation and the director of Beach Read, I knew I had read her debut novel. And it did not disappoint! In fact, I feel like it fits into the vibe of what I’ve dubbed ~ literary romance ~ like Emily Henry, Carley Fortune and Kennedy Ryan. It is a heavier book, dealing with complicated feelings of grief, second chances and parental relationships. 

Synopsis: 

“Thirteen years after her younger sister’s death, Helen Zhang is doing alright. Better than alright, if you don’t look too closely. She’s the bestselling author of a young adult series that’s being adapted into a TV show, and she’s scored a coveted spot in the writers' room. Never mind that she’s used to storytelling in solitude and is convinced she’ll be revealed as an imposter any minute. Or that she only jumped at the opportunity to move to LA to avoid her writer’s block. Helen has a few months to figure things out, in a fresh-start city where she knows exactly no one. No one, except…

Grant Shephard hasn’t seen Helen since high school, when their lives were tied together forever by the car wreck that killed her sister. He’s done everything in his power to move on, and while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s universally well liked around town as a screenwriter who can be counted on to deliver both on the page and in a writers room. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but working as the showrunner’s right-hand man will open doors to developing his own projects.

Grant’s presence comes as an unwelcome surprise to Helen, and he’s exactly as she remembers him–charming, funny, popular, and lovable in ways that she has never been. Helen’s exactly as Grant remembers, too—brilliant, closed off, and undeniably beautiful. The more time they spend together, the more undeniable the pull between them becomes. 

But working together is fraught and sometimes messy, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven him, have no idea Grant is in the picture at all.

When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. For these two very different writers, the key to making peace with their past—and themselves—just might lie in holding on to each other in the present.” —NetGalley

What I Liked: 

1. The Pacing—This is one of those books that gives you the “one more chapter” feeling, which is a high I think all readers are chasing. 
2. The Dialogue—More screenwriter’s writing novels! You can tell Kuang has a talent for dialogue, which I assume stems from her background in film and TV. 
3. The Chemistry—OOOOOOH the chemistry. I think what I’ve heard about this book surrounds the chemistry. And it definitely holds up to the hype. Grant has a way with words. 

What Didn’t Work: 

1. It’s not that this didn’t work, but I definitely ended up having some complicated feelings along with the characters. It felt so real

Character Authenticity: 5/5     Spice Rating: 2.5/5      Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Content Warnings:

suicide/suicidal thoughts, grief, death of a sibling, car accident, panic attacks/disorders, child death

Serendipity by Becky Chalsen

2.75

Thank you Dutton Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own. 

I was truly so excited to read Chalsen’s new book. I read her first book in one sitting last year and it brought such Summer comfort in the middle of Winter. Sadly, this book missed the mark for me. While it still took place (mainly) on Fire Island, it lacked the personal charm of Kismet. It had all the ingredients for a book I’d love but I felt like I couldn’t get to know the characters in the way I expected, based on her first book. 

Synopsis: 

“It’s been six years since Maggie followed her screenwriting dreams to Los Angeles and forgot to look back. But things in Hollywood didn’t go quite to plan. Now, twenty-five and suddenly home in New York, Maggie doesn’t know who she’s more anxious to see: her ex-boyfriend, Mac, or her ex–best friend, Liz.

For Liz, Maggie is the girl who abandoned her at the worst possible moment and an unwelcome surprise who could derail her perfect summer. Liz is recently engaged to her high school sweetheart, Cam, but Maggie’s arrival brings old wounds bubbling to the surface, exposing the cracks in Liz’s apparent happily ever after.

When Maggie accepts her former friends' unexpected invitation to join in their summer share house, a rental named Serendipity, she knows it’s the chance she needs to get her life back on track. For three weekends, Maggie, Liz, Cam, Mac, and their closest friends will take the ferry to Ocean Beach, Fire Island, for some sun-kissed bliss, if only they can avoid the drama of their past catching up to the present.

With the nostalgic flavor of a stack of sepia-toned Polaroids, and perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Jennifer Weiner, and Ann Brashares, this big-hearted, page-turning story delves deep into a complicated friend group as they navigate one messy yet magical midtwenties summer.” —NetGalley

What I Liked: 

1. The Setting—I loved the author’s debut novel set on Fire Island and while I liked the idea of this book, I just think it kind of missed for me. There was too much going on. 
2. The Group of Friends—I loved the group of friends and the image of them gathering together for multiple weekends in the Summer at a beach house. The dream!

What Didn’t Work: 

1. The Writing—I felt like there was a very distinct shift from the author’s first novel to the second. I didn’t click with the style in this one!
2. The Switching 3rd POVs—There were so many characters and I felt like I never got to know the ones I wanted to spend time with, as the POVs getting changing. It was also written in 3rd POV making it very impersonal for personal stories. 

Character Authenticity: 3/5      Spice Rating: 0/5        Overall Rating: 2.75/5

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

4.0

Thank you Macmillion Audio for my copy! All thoughts are my own, 

No one is more surprised than me that I loved this book. I really thought this author and I had parted ways after The Bodyguard, but I am back full force and obsessed. This is the kind of book you can read in a day because it’s so easy to fall into step with these characters. I loved getting a peek inside the reality of writing of Hollywood, esepcially as a woman, but also how to find yourself again after years of neglect. Emma spent more of her young adulthood caring for her father and feels like she’s missed her opportunities to further her career. On the flip side, Charlie’s career is the only thing that’s thriving and I sadly think a lot of people will feel seen by his story. 

Synopsis: 

What I Liked: 

1. The Set Up—I love books about writers, from novels to TV and film. I thought this was a really fun set up because it allowed for a great use of the forced proximity/enemies to lovers/don’t meet your heroes tropes while still being swoony, fun, and a bit different. 
2. The Banter—SO good. I didn’t love this author’s last book so I didn’t have high expectations, but I loved this one. The audio is exceptional for the banter. 
3. The Emotional Development—Each of the main characters had a lot they needed to overcome in order to find a happily ever after. I loved their development together and separately. 

What Didn’t Work for Me:

1. Rushed Ending—I just wanted a bit more, especially due to the news Charlie receives. But I loved getting the bonus POV from Charlie! 

Character Authenticity: 4/5             Spice Rating: 0/5             Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

cancer, divorce, brain injury, loss of a parent, ill parent

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

4.0

Thank you Simon and Schuster for my copy! All thoughts are my own. 

I have always loved reading YA and Marissa Kanter has become one of my favorite authors in the subgenres! Her last book, As If On Cue, so perfectly captured what it means to be a theatre kid that it remains a book I think about often! I was so excited for a summery NYC book and oh my gosh, did I love it. If you love New York, this book is a love letter to the city. It’s full of sticky, sweaty subway rides and finding the hidden gems within the bustling streets. It made me miss New York so much! 

Synopsis: 

“Ava “Fitz” Fitzgerald has worked hard to create the picture-perfect life she’s always wanted. She spent her junior year transforming her passion for sustainable fashion and upcycling into a viral online platform, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and spending every free second with her soon-to-graduate girlfriend, Danica. And this summer she plans to take it all to the next level by attending a prestigious summer fashion program in New York City and convincing Dani that they can survive a year of long distance.

But when Dani dumps her before classes even start, accusing Fitz of being more invested in growing her online persona than deepening their relationship, she’s left not only heartbroken, but also creatively blocked.

Fitz will do anything to win Dani back, even if that means taking a break from the platform that she’s worked so hard to build. But just as she decides to go all-in on a hiatus, a chance encounter reunites her with Levi Berkowitz, her childhood best friend that she hasn’t seen since elementary school. Levi is struggling with heartbreak of his own, and this cosmic coincidence sparks a new use for her social media savvy. Fitz offers to help Levi craft a fake relationship online to make his person jealous…if in return he can pretend to be her boyfriend in front of Dani to make her jealous. If all goes according to plan, by the end of the summer they’ll both be reunited with their perfect partners and get to rekindle their friendship in the process.

Sometimes even the most carefully designed plans can come apart at the seams, though. And when real history leads to not-so-fake feelings, Fitz will have to decide if she’s finally willing to let go of what she thought was picture-perfect and choose what might actually be right for her.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

1. The Setting—This book is so New York and I loved it so much. I missing living in NYC every single day so I loved getting to visit through these pages. I know the author used to live in the city too and the love was so evident. 
2. The Banter—One of my favorite parts of Marisa’s writing is the banter between the characters! I loved how sweet and gentle Levi was and Fitz was so fun. 
3. The Sister Relationships—I loved that Fitz had to navigate how it feels to be the youngest sibling and moving away, not wanting to viewed as a child as she grew up, and figuring out how to best communicate. 
4. The Lessons Learned—YA can be tough to read as an adult because we often forget how it feels to be young. But that is exactly why I love reading it! It reminds me how things feel so big when we’re young but it’s because we’re experiencing things for the first time. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

1. Needed More of the Summer Program—I wish we’d spent more time with Fitz at FIT. I feel like the reason she was there got lost in the shuffle, which happened to the character but I wanted to see more of her passion. 

Character Authenticity: 4/5        Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

absent parents, bi-phobia

Funny Story by Emily Henry

5.0

Thank you Berkley for my copy! All thoughts are my own. 

My history with falling in love with Emily Henry is an interesting one. From thinking her books weren’t for me to feeling so seen by her writing, interviewing her twice, and enjoying watching her career grow, I am so glad we have another story of hers that’s just ours for now. 

I really liked this book. I really, really liked it. It was quiet and funny and interesting and swoony. It was full of characters I loved, dialogue that made me laugh, and a setting that made me ready for a trip to the lake. I still think Happy Place is my favorite, but this is a close second. I just love the quiet, relatable world she creates. 

Synopsis: 

“
Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
 
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
 
 Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads —Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?
 
But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?” —NetGalley 

What I Liked: 

1. The Setting—I loved the Michigan setting! Beach Read wasn’t the book for me so i’m so glad the setting got a redemption story for me. I loved the library, the beaches, the winery. All so great. 
2. The Banter—EmHen banter is top notch for me. Miles made me smile every time he was on the page and I loved their chemistry! 
3. The “Quietness”—I saw a comment online that a reviewer claimed the conflict in Emily Henry’s books don’t merit the third act break ups. I very much disagree. Sometimes life is quiet. Sometimes our reactions to things hurt so deeply, even if they seem small from the outside. While books are entertainment, sometimes it’s nice to see yourself or moment reflected in the quietness. 
4. The Tropes—This was such a fun spin on Fake Dating/Forced Proximity. I loved it so much!

What Didn’t Work: 

1. The 3rd Act Break Up/Lack of Miles’ POV—I really just wish we had Miles’ POV for this moment of the book. 

Character Authenticity: 5/5      Spice Rating: 1/5      Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

abandonment, called off wedding, infidelity, parent issues