Susan's Review of The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains --Somerset Lake# 3

She’s ready to start a new chapter in her life…

For Tess Lane, owning Lakeside Books is a dream come true, but it’s the weekly book club she hosts for the women in town that Tess enjoys the most. The gatherings have been her lifeline over the past three years since her husband’s mysterious death. Tess has tried to move on, but when River Harrison shows up on her doorstep, all her lingering questions come rushing back.…

River, a former marine turned private investigator, was her husband’s best friend, and seeing him again is a reminder of everything Tess lost. At first, she tries to ignore him, but Tess comes to realize that this is her chance, once and for all, to find the answers that have troubled her for years.

With the support of her friends, Tess joins River on a journey of discovery that leads them to the edges of Somerset Lake and on a road trip down the Carolina coast. Although their adventure isn’t always easy, Tess starts to find the joy in life again. But when secrets surrounding her husband’s death are finally revealed, can Tess find it in her heart to forgive the mistakes of the past … and maybe even open herself up to love again?

                            

Annie Rains has written a book with ALL the feels. She crafts an emotional, heartwarming story for Tess Lane and River Harrison. Both River and Tess were deeply affected by Jared Lane’s death. River was not able to make peace with his best friend while Tess has so many unanswered questions—these doubts drove the storyline. Tess needs closure so she asks River to help her find out why Jared was in Morrisville when he died. Tess tried to move forward-she’s read self-help books, she’s taken up journaling and is enjoying hiking. But, the grief and the uncertainty weigh her down. Loved that her book club friends—her support system---encouraged her decision to hire River.

I loved the chemistry between Tess and River, their honest conversations and the friendship that developed between them. At first, I thought River was aloof – a misunderstood hero. River’s visits to his dad’s assisted living center drew a crowd as several of his Dad’s friends joined in on the visits. Loved the conversations between River and His dad and the seniors – lots of great banter and humor infused into these scenes. Annie Rains’ descriptive voice shines in this novel as River and Tess’s journey takes several unexpected detours. River faced a huge dilemma during the investigation and he struggled with it--- I could relate to his situation. Tess struggled, too. Her journey was one of acceptance, self-discovery and healing—her relationship with her late husband and with River were tested several times during the book.

Loved the amazing growth of both characters. River’s protective nature, his values and his love for Tess won me over. Tess amazed me-she needed to know, to understand the details of her husband’s death- and she accepted the facts with grace. I loved this couple and rooted for their happily ever after.

Loved the small town feel, the amazing secondary characters and the feel good romance told from the heart. Annie Rains’ The True Love Bookshop is a MUST READ novel for the summer –add it to your beach bag and enjoy!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the publisher

Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn

Sisterchicks Go Brit!

by Robin Jones Gunn

Part of the Sisterchicks series.

Robin Jones Gunn has written a series of books based

on the friendships women form with other women.

And how the experiences they share can bring about

a stronger inner faith. This is a wonderful series.

Liz has had a thing for Big Ben since she was a

teenager. While her life has been a happy one, filled

with blessings and comfort, she has never made it

to London to meet the subject of her mad crush.

Kellie dreams of her own interior design business.
Its the interior design that sets Kellie and Liz on a

path to London. The trip is nothing like they planned.

Nothing goes as they figured.

As the days roll along, they continue to find that

they are having a much bigger trip than they ever

dreamed. Each unexpected experience brings them

closer to each other. They find more and more

strength and comfort in their faith. The warmth of it

circles them. The friend that arranged this trip is

not done with her surprises. Even after they get home.

This is a wonderful story. Full of easy happiness.

Reminding me to follow more and not always

try to be in control of everything.

Review by Lisa Hutson 



Sisterchicks Do the Hula - by Robin Jones Gunn

Sisterchicks Do The Hula

by Robin Jones Gunn

What a wonderful womens story!!

Hope and Laurie have been great friends their

entire adult lives. Even when they have gone

stretches of time with little or no contact.

They planned a Hawaiian vacation back in their

college days. Ahhh.....the college days. But

one thing and another stopped them from it.

Now, they are long past college and they

are going to do it. They are going to Hawaii.

Hope finds out she is pregnant as the plans

have been made. But that is not stopping

anything. Sweet little Emily Rose will be

going along on this girls trip. Hope and her

husband are thrilled about the baby. But

she surely is a game changer.

Laurie is also at a life changing cross roads.

She and her husband are considering buying

a new house. Their dream home. But Laurie

is not feeling it about this house. And her husband

is all in. How can she tell him how she feels

without taking away his dream?

The friends meet up in Hawaii. And wander in and out,

from one adventure to another. There are surprises along

the way. As the trip unfolds, they both find themselves

feeling the hand of God leading them. Sending messages.

The experiences remind them just how important

their friendship really is. They remember that life

isn't over until its over. Life holds treasures.  

This is a lovely story of friendship, marriage,

trying new things, honesty and just about every

kind of relationship there is. Don't forget how

important love is. It's everything.

I bought my paperback copy of this story.
Review by Lisa Hutson 





Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer - Audio Version

Nantucket Sisters

by Nancy Thayer

Audio version

I just finished listening to this one on my walk this

morning. It has been a fabulous story to listen to

when I am out in the sunshine. I wonderful tale

full of female friendship. Gosh, it's fun to read a story

of strong women that manage to find their way

back to each other no matter how long they

are apart or how far away they are from each other.

Emily Porter is from the wealthy side of Nantucket.

Her mother does try to bring her up in the traditional

Nantucket way. And she does succeed to a degree.

But when Maggie McIntyre and Emily meet as

children, there is a bond formed. And even Emilys

strong willed mother cannot ever completely break it.

I enjoyed the story of their friendship starting as

children. Emily always kind of wishes she could be

one of the 'island people'. Like Maggie is. Their lives

go in opposite directions and then together and

far apart and then together. The ebb and flow of

life, family, love. The constant changes that we all

have are shared between them.

Its a sweet story. While there are a couple parts that

I struggled with. It is what it is. Life. 

Unpredictable. Impossible. Ecstatic. Joyful.

Unbearable. Shocking. Love. Forgiveness.
It's all in this story. 

Kate Rudd does the narration for this story.

She does a fine job. I would certainly listen

to her again.

I bought my copy of this from Audible.com
Review by Lisa Hutson