From the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go.

For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.

This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.

It’s one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

A hard book to read from a Christian worldview, but an interesting read. Literary and split timeline aren’t my favorite, but Newman captured my attention right away (maybe because I’m a similar age and life experience as the FMC), so I stuck with it.

From a Christian worldview, there were a lot of sad parts of this book as the general worldview of feminism, homosexuality, and abortion are always accepted and often celebrated. That makes for a very different perspective from the biblical worldview in Christian fiction. I found much of the content to be sad instead of celebratory, but I love reading books from both markets to see how life is perceived and experienced by a variety of authors and characters.

As I mentioned above, though the content values didn’t align with mine, the writing was captivating and the author pulled me right into her story and her characters’ lives. Unlike a lot of split timeline novels, I was able to connect with a feels the FMC’s emotions instead of simply reading about them (which is the experiences I’m always looking for).

Rated R for language and adult themes.

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For more literary fiction, check out:

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

For more women’s fiction, check out:

Tin Camp Road by Ellen Airgood

Get your copy here!

Adventure. What is it?

Is it reserved for the daring few who boldly jump into death-defying feats while the rest of us watch in awe from the sidelines?

Or is it an incredible adventure waiting for us, including the shy, the fearful, and the hesitant? How can wannabee adventurers overcome obstacles and live each day with purpose and anticipation of what lies ahead?

Ask Nancy; she’s an unlikely adventurer herself.

In her second award-winning book, Nancy’s true stories will inspire and guide you to that “something more” you have been missing. In the process, her thought-provoking questions will draw you closer to the Great Adventurer Himself, Jesus.

With each chapter, you’ll be encouraged to step out of the ordinary and into the life God designed uniquely for you. Inside you’ll stories that inspire courageReflective prompts that draw you into deeper conversation with GodGentle guidance to help you overcome fear and take meaningful steps forwardA fresh sense of joy, exploration, and purpose—no passport requiredPractical life coaching guidelines and travel tips

Don’t wait another day to discover your great adventure!

My first book by Nancy Beverly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m not a HUGE fan of devotionals, but I like to try them from time to time, as I occasionally find one I connect with.

This is one that I connect with.

Beverly’s voice and writing style are easy to read, and her questions at the end of each chapter are personally challenging without being theologically too complex. The end-of-chapter verses tie in well with the devotion themes and questions, which gave me something to meditate on at the end of each chapter.

The theme–adventure–might not be what thrill seekers are looking for (with high energy and high risk), but it speaks more to the adventure adverse who think they could never live an adventurous life. Beverly shows that anyone really can embrace adventure when you’re willing to let God define it and guide you.

An easy-to-read, thought-provoking devotional.

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For more devotionals, check out:

More Than a Manger by Sue Fairchild
A Life of Obedience by Andrew Murray

Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt:
She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery.
He’s Mr. Big-Time Thriller Guy.

She hates his guts.

He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.)

But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself.

That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone.

She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust?

As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.

Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

My first Ally Carter book, and I loved it. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it more than met my unspecific expectations.

One of my fears about new authors is always stumbling upon scenes/chapters that are more descriptive than I prefer. And because I don’t read back cover copy, that happens a lot. Cozy mystery is usually pretty safe, though, so I decided to try this one.

It had much more of a rom-com feel to me than a cozy mystery, which I’m not complaining about! It sucked me in right away, and I couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook. It was the perfect blend of romance and mystery without any explicit scenes. Lots of fun characters, the perfect setting, and I didn’t even mind the flashback scenes.

I’ll definitely be reading more Ally Carter books in the future.

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For more cozy mysteries, check out:

Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
Punch, Pastries, and Poison by Harper Lin

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

My first Ali Brady novel, I picked this one up because I liked the cover (yes, I’m one of those). It didn’t take long after I started the book to realize it was going to be steamier than I preferred, and I was right. If it wasn’t for the steam and overall casual approach to sex, this would have been a five-star read for me.

I didn’t realize going into it that it’s a new spin on “You’ve Got Mail,” with the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, but that explains why I enjoyed it so much–I’m a huge fan of YGM! I loved Ryan and Josie as much as I love Joe and Kathleen, and the new approach the story kept me reading and anticipating.

A fun, easy read that makes me want to buy a bookstore.

Rated R for swearing and sex.

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For similar contemporary romance, check out:

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Viv’s career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned.

Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk—so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it.

What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a beleaguered bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted, but it may be both exactly what she needs and the seed of changes she couldn’t possibly imagine.

Still, adventure isn’t all that far away. A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

I randomly borrowed this book from the library having no idea what to expect–I did not expect to laugh so much or enjoy the story so thoroughly!

My only real exposure to orcs is what I know from Lord of the Rings, so this type of orc was a new experience for me. It was interesting to see how all the species acted (and interacted), and I loved the twist on the cozy mystery genre with it being in a fantasy world (though it does include a bookstore, and it looks like the rest of the series includes a coffee shop).

The characters and their interactions were entertaining. I loved seeing the character growth (which doesn’t always happen in a cozy series). I laughed out loud several times. Overall, a really enjoyable read!

Rated R for lots of swearing. While there are not explicit scenes, this story does include same-sex couples.

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For more magical/fantasy mysteries, check out:

Murder on Millionaires’ Row by Erin Lindsey
Flea Market Magic by Bella Falls