Susan's Review of Sheryl Lister's A Table for Two

One woman must learn to love again with the help of her supper club friends and the man next door in this delightful enemies-to-lovers small-town romance.

The best meals. The perfect company. And just enough sparks to make it complicated . . .

Serenity Wheeler’s Supper Club is all about getting together with great friends, incredible food, and a whole lot of dishing—not for hooking up. Still, Serenity knows inviting her friend’s brother to one of her dinners is just good manners, but the ultra-fine, hazel-eyed Gabriel Cunningham has a gift for saying the wrong thing at the really wrong time. Especially when it comes to her cooking.

Gabriel isn’t quite sure how they got off on the wrong foot, but something about Serenity makes him nervous. Maybe it’s because he’s new to the small-town vibe. Maybe it’s because the woman is so gorgeous that he can’t think straight. Or maybe it’s because there’s an attraction between them he can’t seem to shake.

Though refreshments and camaraderie may be the supper club’s mantra, Serenity and Gabriel know there’s more between them than just sharing delicious meals. But she can’t let herself fall for Gabriel. Because while cooking with love is one thing, trusting it is quite another...

                            

Sheryl Lister’s A Table for Two is an entertaining small town romance. Loved the sparks between Serenity Wheeler and Gabriel Cunningham - he insulted her twice and she retaliated by tossing a container of brownies at him! Of course, I had to keep reading!

Loved the fun, flirty banter between Serenity and Gabriel. Serenity is a strong, compassionate woman who left San Diego to start over again in Firefly Lake. Cooking dinners and baking for her friends brings her joy. Serenity adds all the perfect touches: music, candles and delicious food to create the perfect ambiance for entertaining evening. Serenity’s kitchen is the gathering place for her supper club group; Natasha, Dana and Teri. Loved the friendship between these woman and I related to their honest girl chat, love of good food and wine.

Gabriel is a definitely a swoony hero. He has moved to Firefly Lake to watch over his Nana – how sweet! His job as a computer programmer allows him to work remotely but, he’s wondering if he can adjust to small town life. The move comes at a good time as his friends Glenn, Darius and Brent have advised him to slow down—his 14 hour workdays are not good for him. Loved these friends so much—their video calls, texts and concerns added a lot of humor in the story and they supported Gabriel’s decision.

Sheryl Lister crafts a wonderful story for this couple. Love how she wove in Gabriel and Serenity’s love of food, family and friends into their romance. The couple’s chemistry, flirty banter and the ensemble cast kept me reading—and I loved Gabriel’s Nana!

Loved the delicious dinners served—the combination of flavors wowed me and gave me a few ideas to step up my menu for Sunday Supper. This is the first book of Sheryl Lister’s that I have read—and I am hoping she will add to the Firefly Lake series—these characters have stories to tell!

Pick up a copy of A Table for Two—pair it with a glass of wine and enjoy!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by publisher

Best Is Yet To Come by Debbie Macomber - Audio version

 Best Is Yet To Come

by Debbie Macomber

Audio Version

Best is Yet to Come is one of those stories that we all 

can connect to. They say that every person makes their

way into your life for one of two reasons. They either are

here to teach you something or to learn something 

from you. It seemed like this whole story was full of 

situations proving this. 

Hope and Cade each are trying to find a way through

their personal struggles. Then along comes Shadow.

A dog also living with struggles.

It's not just the three of them learning the hardest of

life lessons. But the other people in Oceanside, 

Washington. Everyone is connected. 

If you have ever read Debbie Macomber, you know how 

much heart and love and life you will find in her stories.

If you choose the audio version of Best is Yet to Come,

you will get to hear Therese Plummer. One of the best

narrators ever. So you really do not want to miss the

chance to get in on this story. 

I bought my copy from Audible.com.

Review by Lisa Hutson 

Susan's Review of Samantha Chase's Kiss The Girl--Magnolia Sound --#11

Savannah James is no stranger to heartache and loss. It wasn’t enough to lose two sets of parents, now she’s losing the only person she has left. Escorting Cash Coleman back to Magnolia Sound so he can say goodbye to his family is a no brainer if it means she gets to spend whatever time he has left with him. Once he’s gone, it’s back to her lonely life in Seattle. At least, that’s what she thought would happen before she met Cash’s family—and his youngest son.

When it comes to his father, Jackson Coleman isn’t short on anger. So when the old man comes back to Magnolia Sound to say goodbye, he’s determined not to care. But with Cash comes Savannah, and Jackson starts to question everything he’s ever thought about his father—like why was he able to be a parent to a friend’s daughter when he couldn’t even be there for his own sons? As much as Savannah represents everything he resents about Cash, he also can’t deny the intense attraction he feels for her.

After a lifetime of being left behind, Savannah finally found the one person she wants to stay. But in order to have a chance at a happily ever after with Jackson, she’ll have to fight every instinct she has to not get attached.

                            

Samantha Chase’s Kiss the Girl is an unforgettable, emotional journey with all the feels. It’s filled with appealing characters, down to earth family drama and heartfelt romance. The relationship triangle between Cash Coleman, Savannah James and Jackson Coleman drew me into the story.

Cash Coleman’s return to Magnolia Sound drives the storyline and sets off a series of events that impacts the entire Coleman clan. Samantha Chase’s voice is perfect for this type of novel as she writes from the heart. Loved the conversations between Cash’s sons and family members. The dialogue is honest, direct and no one holds back as they ask themselves why has Cash reappeared? Why now?

Jackson and Savannah meet at Donovan’s Pub—neither is aware of each other’s relationship with Cash. Loved that Jackson was at a total loss for words when he first approached Savannah at Donovan’s. The attraction between the couple unnerved Jackson so much that he forgot to get her phone number.

The characters is Kiss the Girl are complex, compelling, and they face real life challenges. Savannah has overcome illness, loss and betrayal; her story tugged at my heart. Her journey made her a strong person but, she can’t get over the fear of being left behind. Jackson grew up without his father and although he has a large, supportive family he suffers from trust and abandonments issues. I felt for Jackson and his brothers Austin and Garret. Even though they were part of the large Coleman clan, they were not afforded the same opportunities as their cousins.

I was moved to tears throughout the novel as Savannah’s relationship with Jackson strengthens as Cash’s condition worsens. Samantha Chase did not redeem Cash instead, she chose to provide insight into a troubled man’s life and his choices. Cash didn’t ask for forgiveness. He wanted understanding and a chance to reconnect with his family. The conversations that Cash had with Savannah, his sons and Grace were poignant and gave me goosebumps. Cash and his family were given a rare gift. They were able to say good bye, clear the air and share memories of happy times with Cash. These pages were poignant and written with so much heart and understanding.

Samantha Chase’s Kiss the Girl focuses on Savannah and the Coleman family’s journey. The compelling story emphasizes Savannah’s ability to overcome the many obstacles in her life and enables her to trust herself to love again. Jackson learns to trust, to forgive and to move forward. Loved the subtle character nuances, the relationships between the Coleman brothers and the strength of Grace Coleman who held her family together through good and bad times. The powerful story with its dynamic characters, passionate romance and family drama is a must read for 2022!

Reviewed By Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author