The Red String by Lauren Kung Jessen

Red String Theory by Lauren Kung Jessen asks does life lean towards fate or choice? Rooney Gao believes in fate and the Chinese legend of the Red String that says an invisible red thread connects us to the people we are destined to meet and be connected with. Jack Liu is a skeptic who truly believes in choices. What if they are both right?

Rooney was very loveable and I enjoyed getting to know her and walk with her on her self-discovery and art journey. Jack was interesting as he was trying to please his parents, figure out how to get ahead at work, and decide if he could actually fall in love. I enjoyed the slow burn of this story and how it was so relational. Getting a glimpse into the world of NASA and the art world was highly interesting.

The Chinese legend of the red string is one of my favorites that I first learned of when we adopted our daughter from China. It was a delight to see the connection in the story. I loved Red String Theory by Laruen Kung Jessen and I highly recommend.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.     

Lauren Kung Jessen is a mixed-race Chinese-American writer with a fondness for witty, flirtatious dialogue and making meals with too many steps but lots of flavor. She is fascinated by myths and superstitions and how ideas, beliefs, traditions, and stories evolve over time.

From attending culinary school to working in the world of Big Tech to writing love stories, Lauren cares about creating experiences that make people feel something. When she’s not writing novels, she works as a content strategist and user experience writer.

She also has a food and film blog, A Dash of Cinema, where she makes food inspired by movies and TV shows. She lives in Nashville with her husband (who she met thanks to fate—read: the algorithms of online dating), two cats, and dog.

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

 

The Getaway List by Emma Lord is a fun-loving young adult story. Riley has had it with her overprogrammed life, being the only one in her high school with all college rejections, and she is missing her best friend, Tom. Tom lives in New York City and seems so different from when Riley last saw him before high school. They have not been able to connect over the last few years.

This is such a great story from the perspective of what it is like to be a young adult right after high school. Tom and Riley are old friends from grade school who have changed, but still are able to connect years later. This story sparkled for me and I enjoyed my journey with Tom and Riley! The author made me feel like I was hanging out with their friends and exploring New York City!

The Getaway List allows you to relive that part of life right after high school when you are still freer from commitments and trying to figure out life! The characters are endearing, the setting of NYC fantastic, and you will leave the book with many new friends! I recommend The Getaway List by Emma Lord.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

CW:  Language   

Emma Lord (she/her) is a digital media editor and writer living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn't writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, a whole lot of love, and copious amounts of grilled cheese. Her books include Tweet Cute, You Have a Match, and When You Get the Chance.

South of Somewhere: Recipes and Stories from My Life in South Africa, South Korea & the American South (A Cookbook) by Dale Gray

 

How do you feel about having breakfast for dinner? Or What do you love to cook? We are regulars on the breakfast for dinner train, and it a weekly event here.

I was so thrilled to get a copy of South of Somewhere: Recipes and Stories from My Life in South Africa, South Korea & the American South by Dale Gray.. Look at the amazing dish my husband made from South of Somewhere called "All About the Feta Frittata." It was wonderfully tasty and we have made it twice.

South of Somewhere has beautiful pictures of the finished dishes, easy to understand instructions, and a wonderful variety of dishes. The author shares her love of food, delightful stories from her life, and the cultures she is passionate about. This is a book you will want on your shelves to pull out for the stories, great food, and the joy of reading.


I highly recommend South of Somewhere : Recipes and Stories from My Life in South Africa, South Korea & the American South (A Cookbook) by Dale Gray.

  Dale Gray was born in South Africa. After graduating from Stellenbosch University, she moved to South Korea to teach English and spent six years there. In her last year in South Korea, she met a soldier from Mississippi, and they fell in love. They moved back to the United States, and that’s when Dale began to experiment with both Korean and South African flavors, along with the Southern dishes she was introduced to. She began to share her recipes on TheDaleyPlate.com and on social media platforms such as Instagram, and she now has hundreds of thousands of followers. Her work was featured in Martha Stewart, Saveur, Food 52, Cooking Light, Food & Wine, TheKitchn, Bake from Scratch, and more. She lives in Mississippi with her husband.

The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes

The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes is her wonderful debut novel.  Alice and her partner Joe move to the village of Penton to get away from London weeks before their first baby is due.  When a dead body is found during their pre-natal class the idyllic town starts to seem not the same. 

The Expectant Detectives was an interesting who-done it.  I enjoyed unraveling all the different possibilities and back-stories of the characters.  The fact that many of the characters were expecting a baby made for some funny, relatable, and memorable moments in the story.  I loved the setting of the  town of Penton, its  residents, and the British humor in the story.   

The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes is a great mystery filled with interesting characters  with a satisfying conclusion.  I am looking forward to the second book in the series!  I recommend. 

I was given a complimentary copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

KAT AILES works in publishing as an editor and freelanced for several years to allow her to take a couple of belated gap years, including hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. She now lives in the Cotswolds with her husband, their young son and her beautiful but foolish dog. The Expectant Detectives was her debut novel, the first draft of which was written largely (and frantically) in three weeks after she submitted the first few chapters to the Comedy Women in Print Prize and was unexpectedly shortlisted.

Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Thank you for @prhaudio for the complimentary audio book.

Last Call at the Local Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a delightful book set in Ireland. It is the third in her Love, Lists, & Fancy Ships series. Raine Hart a traveling busker who finds herself stuck in Cork, sitting at a pub, missing some of her stuff. Jack works at the pub and finds her. This sets both of them off on an adventure.

There is just something magical about a book set in Ireland and this one had that magic. I enjoyed Raine and Jack with their great banter, romance, and understanding friendship. The story shares what it is like to have ADHD and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I learned so much through the characters. The author does an incredible job sharing their thoughts and allowing you to walk in their shoes.

I found myself very invested and enjoyed listening to both narrators Gary Furlong and Karissa Vacker. I found myself finding chores to do to listen just a little bit longer.

I highly recommend Last Call at the Local by Sarah Grunder Ruiz. I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.  

This is an open door romance.

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a writer, educator, and karaoke enthusiast. Originally from South Florida, she now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She holds an MFA in creative writing from North Carolina State University, where she now teaches First-Year Writing. She is the author of three novels: Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships, and Luck and Last Resorts, and Last Call at the Local.

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain

 

The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain is a sweet Regency romance. Diane Boyle is incensed that her name has appeared in a book of wealthy marriageable women. She is so mad she goes into town to confront Mr. Dean the writer of the book. Then a plan begins to form.

I adored this book from the beginning to the end. Diane is a beautiful soul who finds her voice and keeps her kindness in this story. Mr. Dean is a truly great hero who has a genuine heart and is so loveable. The supporting characters were funny, interesting, and added charm to the story while receiving the happily ever after they have longed for. The story was so lovely and the beautiful detailed Regency setting made my day. I enjoyed the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and not judging someone before you know their past.

This delightful story had me laughing out loud, sighing, and enjoy the Regency time period. The author’s attention to detail, the depth of the characters, and beautiful writing made The Ladies Rewrite the Rules a wonderful read. I highly recommend.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

PRAISE FOR THE LADIES REWRITE THE RULES

“Innovative…The novel’s true strength lies in the friendship between the bold heroines”— Publisher’s Weekly

 
“A fun, light-hearted Regency romp about changing society from the inside.”— Kirkus Reviews

 
“Joyful, warm and witty, this is a delight of a book.”— All About Romance

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB |    GOODREADS

I was born in India and sent to boarding school in England, but my father lost his fortune . . . Oh, wait, that’s the plot of "The Little Princess". I actually grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, a world away from romantic locales like India or Edwardian England. But I could escape to those places in the pages of a book, and I frequently did. When I wasn’t reading, I was inventing witty repartee for my Barbie and Ken dolls while smashing their faces together and making smooching noises.

I also loved period movies and musicals. I memorized the lyrics to every song from MY FAIR LADY and would sneak into my parents’ room at night and sing: “Just you wait, ’enry ’iggins, just you wait!” They would toss pillows at me, but I knew they were totally into it. My writing is influenced by those classic, romantic films as well as the novels of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. My goal is to make readers of my books smile and, even better, laugh.

The feature film MR. MALCOLM'S LIST, based on my novel of the same name, was released in 2022 and stars Freida Pinto, Theo James, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Zawe Ashton and Oliver Jackson-Cohen. It is available to stream on any video-on-demand site. 

WEBSITE | X (Formerly Twitter) | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee is her Debut Novel.  Ruth, Naomi, Martha and Mary Gardin are related by family and the hardships they have shared. The live in Edin, Georgia on the Gardin estate and are part of Gardin Enterprises.  This delightful novel shares their lives, loves and challenges.

I was so taken in by the Gardin family.  This beautiful redemptive story was from the perspective of all four women and flowed seamlessly between each one.  The characters were strong, independent, interesting women who had such depth and were very relatable. Each character grew and changed in the story and I was rooting for each one. The author drew me in and I felt myself making four new friends by the end of the book.  The setting of Edin, GA was lovely and I found myself tempted to plan a visit. 

The Gardins of Edin was a redemptive story that will stay with me.  The characters, setting, and life lessons learned makes for a fabulous read.  I highly recommend The Gardins of Edin. 

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Rosey Lee writes hopeful stories about complicated families and complex friendships. As a native of the West Bank of New Orleans, Louisiana who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, Rosey’s writing is inspired by the people, traditions, and food that anchor her to the South. She enjoys cooking, listening to live music, and occasional bursts of fanatical bargain shopping.

As a child, Rosey dreamed of a career in writing, fashion design, and acting. She uses the pen name Rosey Lee as she pursues her passion for writing. Her alter ego is a physician who has dedicated her career to individual and community-based approaches to health equity.

Rosey loves public speaking at conferences, book festivals, churches, libraries, book clubs, academic institutions, you name it.  https://www.roseyleebooks.com/