Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for the ARC!

3.5 - 4 ⭐️ (still thinking about it!)

Josie is one of my very very favorite authors, and since I live in New York, I was over-the-moon excited to read this book!

After losing her mom and leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, Iris ends up in NYC with her suitcase and her gelato maker. Iris’s story is one of found friendship, new romance later in life, honoring her mother’s memory, and learning how to trust again.

It did take me a little longer than usual to get into this story because it was very heavy on gelato-recipe talk at the beginning and I was getting frustrated at Iris for hiding secrets for so long, but the second half really made up for it. EAT GLASS, ADAM.

Read if you;
- like gelato or foodie stories
- have a big Italian family
- love stories set in NYC
- like self-discovery storylines with your romance

3.5 ⭐️

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this book.

Don’t get hung up on the space / astrophysics part of this book - it’s more just the MC’s educational background and some of her musings to establish her as a PhD and scientist.

I enjoyed the psychic readings connected to solving cold cases and the paranormal elements of this book. Some of the romantic elements were a little cringey.

Pick it up if you like more slow burn mysteries that have a couple twists and don’t mind romantic relationships being brought in consistently throughout the story.

3.5 stars

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

This was a fun time on the cul-de-sac on Alton Road. There is *DRAMA GALORE* and I love that Jamie Day chose to tell this story from both an adult and YA perspective - it made it so much more intriguing! There's lots of engaging action on in this book, making the perfect bingeable summer read.

Thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the copy of this book!

Rose Zadeh is living in her Iranian immigrant father's memory, centered around hard work and family. When she's forced to use three weeks of PTO at her job, she decides to finally do something for herself: go to Paris.

I loved this heartfelt story of self-discovery. Rose feels the burdens of her family's expectations and her father's legacy, but finally opens up to what's best for her and how she wants to live her life. Her time in Paris is full of fun, learning, mistakes, and love. She meets some wonderful (okay… and sketchy) people who help her along her journey and it was fun to hop around France with Rose. This is a really enjoyable fiction read for the summer and think it'd be a great addition to your beach bag!

Read if you:
- like Emily in Paris
- enjoy reading about an overbearing but loving family
- love self-discovery storylines

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and BookSparks for the copy of this book!

"Forgiveness, I've learned, is like a door. You can open yourself up to it or close yourself off from it at any time. We can't rewrite history or change the outcome. Life is a series of choices. And we live in and with those choices we make."

This is a phenomenal narrative on forgiveness and how one decision can make a huge impact. Eight years ago, Sara was raped by Daniel Wyler. She fled town, secretly pregnant from the rape, but now must return to Savannah with her daughter Alana, as her father is nearing the end of his life. Soon after her return, she meets Jacob, Daniel's twin brother, who is nothing like his brother... but comes from a family that has only caused pain for Sara. This is a story of impossible choices, hard conversations, love and forgiveness, and it is really wonderful. I've never read anything like One Summer in Savannah, and highly recommend this debut for a thoughtful and emotional read.

Thanks to Katie Bailey for the ARC!

Omg, SWOON. While I absolutely love Katie’s books for making me laugh and smile as a romance blooms, this book also majorly pulled on my heartstrings and made me FEEL. The single mom pressure and anxiety and feelings of unworthiness from Lana were written so perfectly, and Carter was obviously everything she could ever need. His anticipation of Lana’s needs and interactions with Legs just made me melt. It was great to watch them finally come together as everyone else in their lives was rooting for them, too. This book is perfection: celebrity romance, laughter and heart squeezes, Gilmore Girls references, an amazing family dynamic, personal growth, and swoony romance. You can definitely read this without having read So That Happened, but it’s also incredible so you might as well read that one, too.

Read if you:
- shipped Rory and Jess in Gilmore Girls
- enjoy closed door romance
- have a favorite famous Chris
- like celebrity romance, he falls first, and friends to lovers tropes

Thanks to Uplit Reads for the copy of this book!

What a fun, breezy contemporary romance! I read this in one afternoon - it was such a great little trip to Rome. Let me tell you I am NOT a fashion person, but I still really enjoyed this book and loved the storyline of American fashion students interning in Italy. I’m always a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers read with good banter, especially when there’s some forced proximity

Thanks to Atria for the copy of this book!

This is a great debut centered around a Vietnamese-Canadian family that owns a nail salon in Toronto. The Tran family is full of drama, and it was fun to experience from multiple points of view. I was pleasantly surprised by the actions of this family and loved following their stories. This sheds light on the immigrant experience while also being funny and lighter. It’s also great on audio if you’re into audiobooks!

Thanks to Atria Books for the copy of this book!

The true story of Maggie Lena Walker, who became secretary-treasurer of the Independent Order of St. Luke and founded a newspaper, a bank, and a department store where Black customers were treated with respect. I was totally unfamiliar with Maggie’s story and I learned so much! This woman is AMAZING and really persevered and made a difference despite a lot of opposition and loss in her life. Pick this up if you need a dose of inspiration!