The Kiss Contract by Angela Taylor is flirty, fun read. I enjoyed how Chase helped push Jessa to realize their potential together. The intimate scenes were steamy. Chase's dirty talk is top-notch. All the side characters were interesting and Grand was especially hilarious. This was a great summer rom-com and beginning to the Kiss Club series!

Off The Grid by Kay Marie was a fun and emotional ending to the To Catch A Thief series. I enjoyed McKenzie and Leo’s banter and how they both help each other grow. The way they support each other about their past traumas’ was great. I couldn’t get enough of Leo, he was so swoony! I liked that while this book was not as connected to the Russian Mob case as the other two, it was still connected and in a manner that I hadn’t seen coming.

The People We Keep by Allison Larkin took me a bit to get into, but then had me hooked to see what would happen to April. This story is a truly emotional journey that has you contemplating the people in your life and their impact on you. I was a teary mess by the end of this book, which for me means the author did an amazing job of getting me invested in the characters.

Riley Thorn And The Corpse In The Closet was filled with hilarious shenanigans and plenty of intrigue. The cast of characters is just amazing. Mrs. Penny has some great moments. Riley's grandma was amazing! The way that Lucy Score weaves together they mystery is genius. I loved how Riley began to realize she needed to know how to use her gifts better if she wants help people. You can feel the tension between Nick and Riley as their intimate moments don't always go as planned. This book continues delivering on the fantastic suspense and mystery while keeping the steam factor to a low boil.

I really enjoyed the way that Sue Monk Kidd writes. I was pulled in by her elegant style and the story around Ana. The way that Ana and Jesus come together made sense with who one would think Jesus would be like as a younger man. It was interesting to see how Jesus could have reacted as a husband. It gave him human qualities that are often overlooked. Ana’s journey is plagued with all the ways that women were treated back in that time and how she works to rise above those expectations. I found this story to be an interesting read

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead explores the adversity of slaves during the abolitionist era in the United States (U.S.). The little glimpses into different characters was enlightening to the era and helps readers see the different kinds of racism that can be present. It was eye opening to some of the beliefs at the time that are not common subject matter when this era is taught in U.S. schools. I felt like the magical realism of the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad did not take away from the real-life system. While I was frustrated by the ending, it fit with Cora’s story and her journey towards freedom.

The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn was deliciously cute and full of fun! I really loved the crafting elements and how Luna helps Alec so that he can repair the relationship with is brother. This story resonated with me on so many levels, and Alec I totally understood. The way that Alec and Luna meet was funtastic and the diner was such a great setting. I enjoyed the reality TV wedding crafting challenges. The Wedding Game was a wonderful heartfelt read!

So, I’m just going to come right out and say When We Believed In Mermaids wrecked me. I was a ball of tears by the end of the book. They were those sad, happy tears that made my husband ask me on multiple occasions if I was okay. Barbara O’Neal wove a touching narrative about two sisters, their difficult childhood, forgiveness, loyalty, love, and self-discovery.

The romance between Kit and Javier was so swoony. I fell for Javier way before Kit did. I loved his calm passion and encouraging support all the while giving Kit her independence. When We Believed In Mermaids explores some very deep and emotionally sensitive issues. If you are triggered by physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, alcohol addiction or neglect this may not be the book for you. As children Kit and Josie lived with their restaurant owning parents. Their parents were more interested in becoming well known then taking care of their children. Josie takes the brunt of the trauma, protecting her younger sister. While, I know this all sounds intense, and it was, you won’t be disappointed in how the book concludes.