thathappyreader's Reviews (833)


Vacationland is an emotional look at family over the course of one summer. The characters are well-developed and interesting. I really enjoyed it.

A lot is going on in this character-driven book. There are complex relationships amongst family members with themes of infidelity, loss, and redefining yourself to name a few.

The author’s ability to provide depth to such a large cast of characters is quite remarkable. I feel as though I got to know each of them very well. I enjoyed the descriptions of the coastal Maine setting as well.

The book introduces us to two different storylines: Louisa’s family which has owned the Owl’s Head home for many years. Louisa and her children have arrived for the summer with Louisa prepared to write the book with an impending deadline. Her husband Steven is home working. In a separate storyline, Kristie is a young woman who has just lost her mother. All but broke, she left her Pennsylvania home to start a new life in Maine.

The way these two storylines intersect makes for an emotional read. While the story dragged a little at times for me, it was overall an entertaining book. I recommend it to those readers that enjoy family sagas.

I listened to the audiobook version of Vacationland which was performed by Stacey Glemboski. I enjoyed the tone and clarity in her voice which made for an easy to listen to experience. I have no hesitation in recommending the audiobook format.

I read Snowed in for Christmas over the summer and despite the hot weather I was propelled into December. A remote Scottish highland village, lots of snow and plenty of Christmas traditions make this a cozy holiday read.

Lucy Clarke is a young woman who has experienced a lot of loss in her life. Her parents were tragically killed and she was raised by her beloved Grandmother who passed at Christmas two years before. She is a shining star in her professional work, but the company she has worked for has had some bad luck recently and may have to downsize soon. But not if Lucy has anything to say about it. She is determined to get some new company accounts.

The three Miller adult children live in London and are tired of the never-ending questions from their parents about their personal lives. Things are going on in their lives that they can’t even discuss with their siblings. They devise a fictitious plan to satisfy their parents – Ross will tell them that he is dating a girl named Lucy. Little did they know that Lucy Clarke would appear at the Highland home of their parents looking for Ross for business reasons.

The Miller family is welcoming of Lucy who soon becomes unable to leave the home. Planning on spending the holiday alone in London, suddenly she becomes part of a family celebration full of tradition. When Lucy and Ross have a chance to talk, they find out they have more in common than their passion for their work. The characters are all highly likeable and the home is fully decorated – everything that Lucy wants in her life. Ross’s grandmother Nanna Jean is a sweet woman full of spunk and along with Hunter the dog, steals the show.

Snowed in for Christmas is my first holiday book of 2022 but I already know this will be one of my favourites. I’ll be buying this book as a gift to each of the readers in my life to enjoy in December.

I received an early copy of the eARC for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Debbie Macomber never fails to disappoint and she certainly hasn’t with The Best Is Yet To Come. Grief is a theme in this book and is one that isn’t always easy to write about. Each of the protagonists is trying to rebuild their lives after loss. Hope lost her twin while he served in the military. Cade has returned from Afghanistan with both physical and mental health challenges.

Hope is new to Oceanside and trying to fit into the community. When it’s recommended to her to volunteer at an animal shelter she decides to take on the challenge. It is there that she is introduced to Cade, as well as to a particularly difficult dog named Shadow. Hope takes on the task of working with this dog who soon learns to trust Hope and she eventually adopts him. As Hope and Cade build a relationship, Cade feels Hope’s support which propels him forward.

Cade has been in trouble with the law and has a judge who has personal reasons why she provides him with options to keep him out of jail. She can see by his profound limp that his leg has been injured and recognizes the sullen disposition of this former soldier. What this judge does for Cade is a key message in this book and shows the importance of strategic planning in helping those with wartime experience and/or PTSD to assimilate back into society.

There is a secondary story that involves Hope in her role as a high school teacher which helps with the development of her character. There is romance in the book, but I would not classify it as a romance novel. For me this fits into the General Fiction or Women’s Fiction genre and I would recommend it to anyone.

I listened to the audiobook version of The Best Is Yet To Come which was narrated by Therese Plummer. I found her voice to be expressive and easy to listen to at my usual 1.5X speed. Those that enjoy audiobooks may wish to choose this format of the book.

4.5 stars

While this isn’t my usual type of romance read, Witchful Thinking was such a fun read! It’s set in the mystic seaside town of Freya Grove where seeing witches and mermen is not unusual. As we head into the autumn, I think it’s a wonderful world to visit.

Lucinda is a witch who just happens to also teach high school. She lives with her sisters in the home that she has inherited – complete with all the recipes for spells. She also feels like she’s in a rut – nothing exciting ever happens to her. Her sisters are also wishing for things to change in their lives, and her cousin Ursula wishes for her upcoming wedding to be a wonderful event. They decide to perform the wishing spell that should allow them to have their wishes fulfilled.

Alex is Lucinda’s high-school crush who has been travelling the world for the past decade. He’s recently returned to Freya Grove upon the request of his parents who have purchased him a dilapidated, haunted house for his birthday. This gift is not what Alex wants as all he sees is responsibility. After the summer he wants to return to a life of swimming around the world. What he doesn’t count on is falling in love with Lucinda who helps him to decorate the home.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The characters are well-written and likeable and the setting was a fun place to visit. Given that Lucinda has two single sisters, I hope that this book might be the first in a series. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a little magic and fantasy in their romance books.

When you combine a favourite author with a favourite narrator you always have a winner. The fact that the author is also the narrator makes this book all the more enjoyable. If you are at all inclined to read romance or women’s fiction you will absolutely love this book. One other thing – do yourself a favour and choose the audiobook version.

I loved, loved, loved this book. I rarely give a romance novel 5 stars but this one is so deserving. The characters are so well developed, there is plenty of funny banter, and the author writes and performs a highly entertaining and engaging storyline. The romance between Sewanee and Brock is full of twists and turns and I enjoyed every minute of it.

There is plenty of more serious moments in the book. Sewanee experienced a significant blow to her body image after a tragic accident. Her passion for her work faded as a result. Her beloved Grandmother Blah Blah (Sewanee couldn’t pronounce Barbara when she was younger) has dementia and is fading away before her very eyes.

The narrative pacing of the book was exceptional. I felt completely invested in the book all the way through – laughing out loud one minute and experiencing Sewanee’s disappointments the next. Having had the unfortunate experience of losing a loved one to dementia, I also felt her anxiety. Having said that, one of my favourite scenes in the book is when Sewanee and a friend are visiting Blah Blah and her fellow residents in the care home. You have to take the good moments when you can.

I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook version of Thank You for Listening. What I’d like to say back to the author is Thank You for Writing and Performing this book. I am not a re-reader or collector of books, but I am so glad I purchased this book from Audible as I will be listening to it again. How Julia Whelan performs these voices is spectacular in itself. The diversity in gender, age and accents is amazing – all from the one woman’s performance. I simply cannot recommend this book enough.

Let me start my discussion of this book but pointing out that this book will not be for everyone. Bee is an adult film star (and not the soft porn variety) so be warned. Those readers that enjoy lots of steam and stories with characters who self-identify as LGBTQ2S+ will appreciate this book.

Having said this, I found the story to be entertaining. The protagonist is an extremely confident plus-sized woman. The theme of the book is acceptance of all regardless of lifestyle choices. I appreciated this about A Very Little Meet Cute. It is thought-provoking and at times challenged me to examine biases I hadn’t even known I had. What more can you ask for in a book?

This is the first book by this writing duo. I am familiar with Julie Murphy’s work and enjoyed her 2021 book If the Shoe Fits. When I watched an interview of these two authors a few weeks ago, it is evident that Sierra Simone brings up the steam factor in this book. I was not familiar with this author until this book.

The fictitious Hope Channel feels like a nod to the Hallmark Channel although I doubt very much that the latter would hire adult film industry actors and staff. Especially ones that would spend their off hours in the local strip joint.

This doesn’t feel like your regular Christmas novel by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, it is set during that time, but you really wouldn’t know it. If you’re a reader who only reads holiday novels in December, let me assure you that you can read this at any time.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

4.5 stars.

This is my first book by Jean Meltzer and it certainly won’t be my last! The characters are highly likeable, well-developed and interesting. I enjoyed all the references to Jewish culture and learned a little along the way.

Dara comes from a long line of matchmakers. Her dating app, J Mate, is a successful way for Jewish singles to connect. She’s sacrificed a lot for her success, including reaching her mid-thirties without a mate of her own. Her nearly 90-year-old bubbe decides she needs to act to find Dara her own match.

When Dara and her bubbe appear on national TV to share J-Mate’s success, the news anchor Chris gets more than he’s bargained for. Bubbe share Dara’s list of what she’s looking for in a husband. Dara is embarrassed and can only imagine the harm this type of exposure will cause the TV station and her business. Chris is as surprised as Dara to learn of the broadcast’s success. Soon the two are working together to find Dara her perfect match.

As Dara and Chris work together they soon become friends. Dara learns that Chris is a single father after losing his wife two years before. The relationship that Dara develops with both Chris and his daughter is charming.

When Dara is introduced to a man who checks off all the boxes on her Mr Perfect on Paper list, her mind tells her that she’s finally found her perfect mate. But Chris is playing heavy on her heart and she becomes confused.

There are some very funny moments in this book, especially surrounding bubbe. The description of bubbe’s ninetieth birthday gala was memorable.

I listened to the audiobook version of Mr Perfect on Paper which was narrated by Dara Rosenberg. Her performance was enthusiastic, articulate and genuine. I would not hesitate to recommend the audiobook version of this book to those that enjoy this format.

I recommend Mr Perfect on Paper to those readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or Romance.

I enjoy stories of mothers and daughters and The Wise Women was no exception. The book is full of relationship issues: between these women and their spouses, as well as between each other.  Having the perspective of all three women really worked in this book.

As the matriarch, advice columnist Wendy Wise was used to being the expert on relationships. Widowed at a young age, she did her best to raise her two daughters.  Having said that, she was not perfect.  The way that each of her daughters views their relationship with her is much different.

Barb is the older of the two sisters.  She has a strong relationship with her sister, but a somewhat estranged one with her mother.  Barb was given a lot of responsibility growing up and is continuing this with her architecture firm.  Striving to be independent in all ways possible, her workaholic tendencies have impacted her relationships.

Clementine’s story one is the most interesting one.  After learning of her husband Steve’s financial management of the couple’s money, she finds herself and her six-year-old son without a home.  Moreover, Steve has just racked up several thousand dollars on their credit card.  Never feeling like she could meet her mother’s expectations, she’s come to ask her mother’s advice through her advice column using an alias.

The characters are likeable and the story is entertaining.  It was interesting to read how these relationships progressed and how communication lends perspective.  If you enjoy Women’s Fiction or stories of family relationships, I’d recommend The Wise Women.

I listened to the audiobook version of the Wise Women which was narrated by Stacey Glemboski.  I enjoyed her performance and her ability to provide a realistic voice to all three women.  I have no hesitation in recommending the audiobook version of the book to those that enjoy this format.

I enjoy books that show how a relationship progresses over time and this book does it well. What begins as two young adults heading back to their homes in Ireland for Christmas end with a whirlwind adventure as the two make the journey home despite plenty of obstacles.

The book is told in alternating then and now time frames. Molly comes from a family where Christmas isn’t any special but she makes the effort each year to spend time with family. Andrew’s family, on the other hand, celebrates the season in a big way. Molly realizes the importance of getting Andrew home for Christmas Day and goes all out to get him there.

What is normally a single transatlantic flight turns into a wild adventure involving many modes of transportation over several continents and multiple days. It is on this journey that the two realize how their relationship has evolved. But would they risk this friendship in the hopes of something much more?

There are some very romantic moments and plenty of humour as the reader is invited to watch this relationship flourish. I loved how the families knew of their friendship and welcomed them like they’d known them a long time despite never having met them. Both of the protagonists are highly likeable and I couldn’t help but cheer this relationship on. Those of you who love older romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle will particularly enjoy this story.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance, particularly with a holiday setting. 4.5 stars.

I received an early copy of this book but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I appreciate it when an author isn’t afraid to write about difficult topics and Mhairi McFarlane does this well. Yes, this is a romance novel, but it is so much more.

Harriet Hatley is a strong woman – something I’ve come to look for when choosing a book to read. She is a wedding photographer who does not see marriage in her future. She has had a history of an emotionally abusive relationship which has soured her on long-term relationships. She’s been with the same man for quite a while and has been content enough living with him. But when he proposes she can’t help but run.

She finds a room to rent and on paper, it’s everything she needs. But when she sees her landlord she remembers how he escaped a wedding of his own. Without giving too much of the plot away, the two become friends and learn to trust one another.

This is a heartfelt story and full of emotion as we learn about Harriet’s previous relationship in a series of narratives. The story flows naturally and kept me engaged throughout. There is enough humour in the book to offset some of the more difficult discussions.

Without giving anything away, I appreciated Harriet’s sense of courage and determination to fight this abuser who reappears in her life. The decisions she makes for the well-being of others are admirable. The ending was very satisfying.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy Women’s Fiction or Romance with emotional subject matter.

I listened to the audiobook version of Mad About You which was narrated by Heather Long. I enjoyed her performance and found it to be articulate and full of expression. Those readers who enjoy audiobooks may wish to choose this format.