Haiku Reviews

 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Two sisters deal with

heartache in different ways.

Find love in the end.

Classic .... 353 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(My 2025 Jane Austen reread to celebrate her 250th birthday this year; it's not my favorite Austen novel, but I liked it more this time around than I did the first time I read it. Though I still love the Emma Thompson movie version best.)

Fly Girl by Ann Hood

The reality and

adventure of being a 

flight attendant for TWA.

Biography .... 265 pages .... 3.5/5 stars.

(Remember when flying used to be a more glamorous way of traveling? Ann Hood does in this interesting memoir.)

Star-Crossed Crush by Sarah Deeham

Hot rock star. Cute dog.

Best friend's little sister.

Secret crush. True love.

Contemporary Romance .... 335 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Slowburn romance with lots of heart, humor, and only a few steamy scenes...it also has a very cute Corgi name Archie.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

Stuck on a houseboat

adrift at sea, two strangers

learn about each other...and themselves.

Romance .... 369 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Survival, honesty, revealing conversations, tears, smiles and unexpected love.)

The Geographer's Map to Romance by India Holton

A marriage of convenience.

Unleashed thaumaturgic magic.

Wild Adventure. And love.

Historical fantasy .... 327 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(Another magical read from Horton full of humor and romance.)

The Double-A Western Detective Agency by Steven Hockensmith

Gustav's and Otto's

first case puts them on the wrong

side of a range war.

Western/mystery .... 252 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Sixth book in this fun series; I love that they've teamed up with their new partner, Diana Crowe, in this one. She keeps these cowboy sleuths on their toes.)

Season's Schemings by Katie Bailey

Their fake marriage plan:

show up her ex and get him

a green card. Win-win!

Sweet hockey romance .... 253 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(Loved this cute and funny marriage of convenience romance!)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews

 

Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid

Wedding trip plane crash

strands bridesmaid with her old flame;

can love re-ignite?

Contemporary romance .... 293 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Cute forced proximity second chance summer romance.)

The Passengers by John Marrs

Eight self-driving cars

hacked and programmed to collide

as the world watches.

Science fiction .... 337 pages .... 3.5/5 stars.

(Thought-provoking, fast-paced and twisty. And will make you never want to own a self-driving car.)

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

Filming Coast Guard hero Hutch

makes Katie face her fears and

learn to love herself. 

Contemporary romance ... 302 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Favorite quote from this fun romance:  "No one's born fearless. You have to earn it. Every time you have to be brave, you get to be a little braver next time."

Happy Reading!

Haiku reviews...

 

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Xavier falls hard for Sam. 

The next day, she moves away.

What's a guy to do?

Romance .... 353 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Xavier is an "alarmingly handsome veterinarian" who loves animals more than people...but he loves Sam most of all. Their long-distance love story is funny, poignant, and tugs at the heart.)

The Serendipity by Emma St. Clair

There's magic in the

building bringing Willa and 

Archer together.

"A Whimsical Romance" .... 276 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(A sweet and funny grumpy vs. sunshine romance with a cute magical twist. The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh is another whimsical romance in this fun series involving a magical match-making newspaper; it's equally charming.)

The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan

Lost treasure. Buried

secrets. And murder. Three try

to dig up the truth.

Mystery .... 368 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Entertaining fast-paced thriller full of family secrets, lies, hidden gold, betrayal, shocking twists, and new beginnings.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku reviews...

 

A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney

Necromancer and 

Hedge witch. Can their love defeat

a common enemy?

Fantasy .... 311 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(I found the characters, the magic, and the nod to the myth of Persephone enchanting.)

Get Lost With You by Sophie Sullivan

Levi Bright is back.

Jilly has a second chance at love....

if she's brave enough to take it.

Romance .... 293 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(This is a quirky small town, single mom, brother's best friend, low angst, charming romance.)

Scorpio by Marko Kloos

Colonists from Earth

struggle to survive against

the monstrous Lankies.

Science fiction .... 274 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(I've always liked stories of space colonization and survival; and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out in August.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews

 

Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

A Halloween fling.

Her unexpected pregnancy.

Co-parents? Friends? More?

Romance .... 357 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(I adored Win and Bo and their sweet romance!)

To Capture His Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

Bachelor detective &

independent photographer

solve case; find love.

"A Proper Romance" .... 283 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Loved the historical time period, the engaging characters & their honest respect for one another.)

Cold as Hell by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle

Angels yanked James from

hell to kill monsters and demons

in the wild, wild West.

Western + Supernatural .... 323 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(A dead outlaw cowboy battling evil for the angels of the White Throne. How awesome is that? I totally loved it!)

 

Happy Reading!

Christmas-y Haiku Reviews....

 

Snowed In by Catherine Walsh

Megan and Christian

team up to survive Christmas

with their families.

Romantic comedy .... 336 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Fun fake dating holiday romance set in Ireland. Walsh's first book, Holiday Romance, is even cuter.)

The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler

Sienna marries 

a stranger to help him and his sweet,

but very ill, daughter.

Romance .... 291 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(Have Kleenex nearby when you read this one; it totally made me cry.)

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery

A quiet Christmas?

Not with her kids, her boyfriend's

kids, his ex, and a dog.

Contemporary fiction .... 316 pages .... 4/5 stgars.

(Unexpected guests, humorous banter, a secret or two, confessions of love, family, friends and exes all in one cabin at Christmas made this a fun read.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

One Last Play by Annah Conwell

She loves football...and 

his daughter. Can he convince 

her to love him, too?

Sweet romantic comedy .... 252 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(Clean single dad sports romance that I totally loved.)

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

He's into cryptids;

she's not. But when they team up,

their new web show rocks.

Romance .... 334 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Cute and humorous with lots of fun banter.)

Reel Love by Savannah Scott

Online word game brings

famous actress and marine

biologist together.

Romantic comedy .... 372 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Opposites attract in this sweet romance. Loved the island setting.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh

Getting hit by a

car has Kelsey rethinking 

her entire life.

Fiction .... 370 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(A charming novel about friendship, second chances, journeys, hope, romance, and not letting fear keep you from choosing life.)

Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross

Aura witch invites

Grim necromancer to join

romance book club ... love follows.

Paranormal romance .... 382 pages .... 3.5/5 stars.

(Clara and Henry were a very cute couple, but there's lots of language and several steamy sex scenes, so beware if that's not your thing.)

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

A troubled student.

Married tachers. Obsession,

love, hate, sex, and death.

Thriller.... 379 pages .... 3/5 stars.

(Fast-paced, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. But very unlikable characters.)

My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine

Amelia knows taxes, but

vampires? Fake dating Reggie is one

surprise after another.

Romance .... 389 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(So cute & funny! I especially loved Reggie's bullet journal excerpts.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku reviews...

 

Off the Beaten Path by Madison Wright

Flirty, sunny Wren

tangles with her grumpy neighbor,

single dad Holden.

Romantic comedy .... 360 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Loved Holden's relationship with his six-year-old daughter, June, in this sweet romance.)

Metropolis by B.A. Shapiro

Six lives intersect

at Metropolitan Storage; 

each with their own secrets.

Fiction .... 355 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(This character-driven novel is so well-written!)

Beauty and the Beach by Gracie Ruth Mitchell

Her need for money.

His grandma's will. Two reasons

for a fake marriage (that turns out to be real).

Sweet romance .... 306 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(A charming summer romance with clever and humorous banter...and some very funny nicknames between Holland and Phoenix.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Desire or Defense by Leah Brunner

Suspended NHL star

coaches youth league--falls for player's 

cute older sister.

Hockey romance .... 267 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(I loved Mitch's personal journey to work through his anger issues and become a better person, one worthy of Andie's love.)

Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan

City girl, outdoor guy.

One week at the Get Lost Lodge.

True love, or just a fling?

Romance .... 309 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Funny and sweet! Presley's humorous thoughts on hiking and biking made me laugh out loud.)

The Murder of My Aunt by Richard Hull

Again and again

Edward tries to find a way

to do in his aunt.

British Library Crime Classic .... 208 pages .... 3.5/5 stars.

(Darkly funny with a great twist at the end!)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

Em's Irish adventure:

meet favorite author, fall for her 

grumpy bookseller son.

Contemporary romance .... 324 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(This one made me laugh and cry.)

Until The End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming

A deadly outbreak

forces Cass and her five friends

to fight for their lives.

Survival fiction .... 392 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(An apocalpyse, zombies, and a heroine who's a prepper--all things I love to read about.)

On Her Watch by Melinda Leigh

Three bodies and a

missing girl have Bree and Matt

hunting a killer.

Mystery .... 303 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(While the investigation is good, it's these characters I really love.)

Love in Disguise by Dana LeCheminant

She needs a fake fiancé. 

He wants a different life. Can

old friends find new love?

Romance .... 369 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(I loved Kit's and Skyler's second chance romance.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Are We There Yet? by Savannah Scott

Four friends. One road trip. 

Adventure, laughter, and love

on Route 66.

Romantic comedy .... 388 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Gotta love a fun summer road trip book, especially one with such a cute romance.)

The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas

Three girls gone. Digging 

for the truth, Jenna uncovers

past secrets and lies.

Thriller .... 367 pages .... 2/5 stars.

(Didn't find this one very thrilling; and I was completely underwhelmed by the "big reveal" at the end.)

Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor

They're only pretending

to date; then she starts to fall

in love for real.

Romantic comedy .... 343 pages .... 5/5 stars.

(A sweet hockey romance that completely charmed me.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Dumped by her fiance,

Daphne moves in with Miles whose

girlfriend just dumped him.

Romance .... 384 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(Another charming romance from Emily Henry.)

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When her Grand Slam record

is eclipsed, she un-retires

to win it back.

Fiction .... 364 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(As good as everyone said.)

The Chocolate Cobweb by Charlotte Armstrong

Can Mandy save Thone

from his stepmother's plotting? 

Or will she die, too?

Psychological suspense.... 242 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(I thought this classic mystery was a lot of fun.)

Happy Reading!

Haiku Reviews...

 

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

He's an introvert.

She doesn't trust men. Can these

two doctors find love?

Romance ... 387 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(There's so much to love about this one! And kind, quiet Jacob with his social anxiety tops the list.)

The Price You Pay (Peter Ash #8) by Nick Petrie

When Lewis's past

comes back to haunt him he turns

to Peter for help.

Action/Thriller .... 416 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(Action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller with lots of bad guys. But don't worry...the good guys win.)

Lost Girls by Angela Marsons

Two kidnapped girls. One

chance to bring them both home. Can

Kim Stone find them in time?

Mystery .... 431 pates .... 4/5 stars.

(Excellent investigative mystery with D.I. Stone and her team--set in England's Black Country.)

Happy Reading!

 

Haiku reviews...

 

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman

She's his rock star crush--

when they meet it feels like love.

Can it be that easy?

Romance .... 339 pages .... 4.5/5 stars.

(I enjoyed Billy and Margot's second chance love story.)

That Others May Live by Sara Driscoll

Search-and-rescue teams

unite when a 12-story building

collapses in D.C. 

An FBI K-9 Novel .... 337 pages .... 4/5 stars.

(I love Meg and her dog, Hawk, and her firefighter fiance, too.)

The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas

A haunted museum,

dinosaurs, ghosts, and the mystery

of his long-lost sister.

Horror-lite .... 353 pages .... 3.5/5 stars.

(Must love dinosaurs to enjoy this book.)

Happy Reading!