Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

 

The plot:  Her mom died two years ago. Her husband asked for a separation one year ago, and now he wants to finalize their divorce. Professional organizer Ali Morris's life is a mess. She's juggling grief and her three kids. Who needs love? But then her dog pees on Ethan Hogan's foot at the dog park and instead of getting mad, he smiles at her like she's the best thing he's ever seen. And Ali's summer suddenly starts to look a lot brighter. 

My thoughts:  Summer Romance is deliciously sweet and delightfully humorous. I loved it! I could relate to Ali and her very real struggles to deal with everything in her life from her messy kitchen to mediation with her soon-to-be ex-husband. And Ethan was awesome...so kind and admiring of Ali, and such a great listener. I enjoyed their interactions, especially when he takes her skateboarding and dresses up in a crazy suit to go with her to her mediation meetings. He's hilarious. I'd love to meet a guy like him. From start to last, this was such a fun book. It's a perfect summer read. Annabel Monaghan has become one of my favorite authors. I love the way she writes and crafts her characters and their happy endings.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Happy Reading!

August's Bookish Art...

Alexander Averin -- Saying Good-bye to the Day

"Books are a uniquely portable magic."

--Stephen King


Happy Reading!

A fun summer read...

Things to know:

• The Mermaid Collector takes place in Cradle Harbor, Maine, where there's a famous lighthouse, a coveted lighthouse keeper's house, and an annual summer Mermaid Festival.
• Part of the story takes place in the past, back in 1887 when the Mermaid legend first begins.
• It's a story about relationships:  those between a mother and daughter (Ruby and Tess), between two brothers (Tom and Dean Grace), between a lighthouse keeper and his young wife (Linus and Lydia), between Tom Grace and the man who accidentally caused the death of his parents years ago, between Tess and her stepfather, Buzz, and between Tom and Tess, who meet for the first time at the beginning of this novel and unexpectedly fall in love.
• With lighthouses and mermaids (though not as much about the mermaids as I was expecting or hoping for), past regrets, second chances, a few secrets, a bit of mystery, family, friendship, and romance, The Mermaid Collector is an enjoyable summer read, but without a lot of depth. Don't get me wrong... I liked this one; I just don't know that I'll remember it a few months from now.
• It's written by Erika Marks and is just 366 pages long.

Happy Summer Reading!

Having a strawberry summer...

There's a small strawberry patch in my backyard that has been busy producing strawberries like there's no tomorrow. In the past three weeks I've picked enough berries to make two batches of strawberry jam, a lovely rhubarb-strawberry crisp, a pint of strawberry syrup that's scrumptious on pancakes and waffles, some strawberry muffins, and the world's yummiest strawberry cheesecake pie. Plus, there's been enough strawberries left over to share with family and friends. So far it's been a very strawberry summer and I feel blessed by the bounties of my small strawberry patch. What's next for my little strawberry patch that could? I'm thinking strawberry shortcake for sure, and maybe a strawberry smoothie, or two. What about you? Got any good strawberry recipes you plan on trying out this summer?