Book reviews for books read May 3rd - May 10th

 

Happy weekend! 

I read two ARCs this week. They were both very different and both very good. Marika Ray's new book is going to be the perfect summer read. Take it to the lake or the beach and fully enjoy the quirky romance between Maple and Holt. I promise you will adore the meddling seniors along the way. Then I read an arc by a debut author and it knocked  my socks off. When was the last time you got a book hangover from a brand new author? Yeah, it is a rare thing but it happened to me this week. 

Check my reviews and add these to your TBR. You wont be sorry.

Until next time, happy reading.

Anchored by Marika Ray

ARC: Release Date- 05/13/2025

#FakeRelationship #ForcedProximity #SmallTown #SecondChance #ARC

I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book. This standalone is written in first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA.

Maple (32) is having a crisis of confidence due to many factors when she returns to Anchor Lake when her grandma needs her. I adored the relationship between Maple and Gracie. Her grandma has always accepted her as she is and encouraged her to find her happiness in her own way. Holt (34) is a successful businessman and physical therapist at the retirement community where Gracie lives. Readers also learn that Maple and Holt shared a crush and a first kiss when they were young teens of 12 and 14. While Maple rediscovers her confidence and becomes the ray of sunshine she was meant to be, Holt learns that his nerdy awkwardness is loved and adored when he is with the right woman. I loved how much these two encouraged each other and accepted each other -even the faults. They have fun banter and sizzling chemistry too.

Readers are treated to journal entries from young Maple and young Gracie as an older story of lost love and second chances plays out while Holt and Maple figure out that they are meant to be. There are also some seriously swoony lines as promises are made and relationships are sealed. This is the perfect beach read. It makes me want to go to the lake.

Heartstrings by Cathryn Lyons

ARC: Release Date- 05/13/2025

#Debut #SingleMom #ARC

I have been working to write shorter reviews, but this book is one I couldn't say enough about.

"Thou touchest my inmost centre. Thou art tied to me by cords woven of my heartstrings."- Moby Dick, Herman Melville

I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book. As someone facing the potential loss of the love of my life with a recent, scary diagnosis, I hesitated briefly before reading this book when I saw the premise. But I had asked for an advanced copy, so I jumped in with both feet and didn’t look back. If I do have to face the worst in the future, this book gave me hope and courage to face whatever comes.

This debut novel is written in third person from an alternating dual POV, is a standalone, and ends with a HEA. The author begins each chapter with a literary quote that sets the tone for what is to come. I found the concept to be one that inspired me to read or reread some of those classic books and poems that I have not looked at in forever. Most of all, I was thoroughly impressed at how accurately the literary quotes meshed with the content of each chapter. I also loved that those quotes fit so perfectly with Tiercy’s character as a high school English teacher.

"I love words. And I love how different writers can string the same exact words together, in a different way, and create something unique. Words are dynamic and flexible, and glorious."

Tiercy is a 33-year-old single mom at the start of the book. Readers are led through her grieving process after the sudden loss of her husband 5 years prior. Her 4-year-old daughter, Jemma, is a precocious bundle of joy and sass. I adored her and her confident little voice. Tiercy is such a good mom to her. Tiercy also has a phenomenal support system, which I feel would be necessary in this instance. Her parents and her friends Brinder and Ross are exceptional. Her relationship with Brinder is marked with love and understanding.  Her best friend Ross is a stand-out character in the book. Everyone needs a friend like her. I want a friend like Ross. I love it when a book builds my vocabulary and Tiercy and Ross’ SAT word competition was a fun way that expanded my knowledge without feeling over the top.

"But in the land of grief, reason and sense were awkward strangers."

Cole is a 35-year-old CEO of his family-owned construction company. He has always been single and has been a playboy at times. Recently he has been feeling discontented with his life. When he spots Tiercy across the room for the first time, he is completely entranced. Tiercy feels it too, but she struggles to embrace the idea of having a second big love in her life. I adored their immediate and magnetic connection. I loved Cole’s determination to allow her the time to work through her complex emotions while being completely lost in his feelings for her. He is a wonderful guy. They share passion, romance, and intimate emotional moments along the way to their happy ending.

"They'd only met a half hour ago. And yet...he was overtaken with the sensation of...recognition. As if he'd known Tiercy all along in his soul, and now life was finally catching up."

This was a beautifully written debut novel. It captured me from the beginning prologue and wouldn't let me go. The way the author writes about Tiercy's grief was profound and very moving to me. Her courage in the face of tragic loss and Cole’s patience and understanding of her journey was truly special. I didn't want to leave the love between Tiercy and Cole. I found myself slowing my reading process as I didn’t want the book to end. I, too, was besotted with their feelings for each other. There are scenes that are so swoony, and even cinematic in nature. (Oh! This would make a great film!) It’s not every day that a debut author produces a book with such well-developed characters, an emotional and gripping story line, and lyrical writing. I found the dialogue to be funny, smart, and emotional. She even channels a little Jane Austen flare, and it was fabulous.

"We all break things in our relationships---sometimes intentionally, but more often unintentionally with some notion of positive intent behind it. What separates a relationship that can go the distance is that both parties want to do better. And they recognize it and work at it."

Sometimes I feel like I can tell how good a book is by the number of passages I highlight. I don't think I have ever highlighted so many passages in a debut novel before. Honestly, I don't even highlight many authors I regularly read as much as I did this book. Now, I really want to read it again. And that is what I consider the ultimate sign of a 5-star read for me.

If you only read one debut book this year, make it this one.