Pictures of You by Emma Grey

Pictures of You by Emma Grey is one of the most interesting books I have read this year! Evie Hudson wakes up from a car accident and thinks she is 16 years old and has no idea that she was married and much older. She begins to put the pieces of her life back together.

This was an absolutely fascinating, thoughtful and well written book. I was drawn in and read it so quickly. It is told from two different points of view and it goes back and forth through time seamlessly. The characters were very engaging, believable, and so so interesting. I held my breath as I read through the story trying to unravel Evie’s past and understand her present.

This is a wonderful story that will draw you in and keep you wondering right up until the end. I think it is masterfully written. I highly recommend Pictures of You by Emma Grey and this will be a highlight of 2024 for me.

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


It is better to not know too much in my opinion before reading. The book is so interesting!

ABOUT EMMA

Emma is a novelist, feature writer, photographer, professional speaker and accountability coach.​

She has been writing fiction since she first fell for Anne of Green Gables at fourteen and is the author of the YA novels Unrequited: Boy band meets girl, Tilly Maguire and the Royal Wedding Mess, the non-fiction title, I Don’t Have Time (co-authored with Audrey Thomas), and the parenting memoir Wits’ End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum. ​

Along with her schoolfriend, dual ARIA-winning composer, Sally Whitwell, Emma co-wrote two musicals, Deadpan Anti-Fan and Fairytale Derail, based on her teen novels.

She wrote her first adult novel, The Last Love Note, in the wake of her husband’s death. It’s a fictional tribute to their love, an attempt to articulate the magnitude of her loss and a life-affirming commitment to hope.

Emma lives just outside Canberra, where her world centers on her two adult daughters, young son, loved step-children and step-grandchildren, writing, photography and endlessly chasing the Aurora Australis.  

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith read by Alex Finke

 

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith and read by Alex Finke is an adventure rom-com filled with action, funny moments, and romance in a closed door setting. Andee Paxton is a fireworks designer who does not know who who her biological father is until the CIA comes to tell her. Her biological father, Holt, is an international arms dealer who has escaped prison and is looking for her! Officer Adam Chan is talking to her until they are captured and their adventure begins.

This was a very fun book. It was filled with adventure that kept me on my toes. The story is told from Andee’s point of view and hearing her side of the story kept me laughing. I enjoyed the romance, chemistry and the banter between Andee and Chan. The story was a great listen and kept me on my toes right up until the end. Listening enhanced my experience and I kept trying to find errand to run to listen to the rest of the story.

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith is a fantastic story filled with romance, humor and great adventure. I highly recommend!

I was given an advanced listening copy and not required to write a positive review.

Tiana Smith is a web designer turned novelist who grew up in the Rocky Mountains. She graduated from Westminster University with double degrees in Honors and English with a focus in creative writing. In her spare time she’s learning sign language with her hard of hearing husband and she volunteers with special needs individuals attending the biweekly activities for Utah County’s SNAP program. She is the author of MATCH ME IF YOU CAN and HOW TO SPEAK BOY, both from Macmillan. Her latest books, THE SPY AND I and MR. NICE SPY are out now from Berkley / Penguin Random House.

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle

Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle is a heartwarming romance.  Sheila is invited by her friend Natalie to visit Chestnut Ridge and her help to create a Christmas tree for the Christmas Tree Stroll.  Sheila is a big city girl, but cares about her friend Natalie.  Tucker is the town’s fire captain and an all around great guy.  Sheila and Tucker realize how much they enjoy helping others and becoming better friends. 

This was such a sweet story that drew me and made we want to move to Chestnut Ridge.  The characters were so engaging and I loved watching them grow, find peace, and find love.  The story had a special charm that was like a warm hug.  The themes of friendship, family, and serving others resonated with me. 

This was a delightful story filled with sweet romance, a wonderful small town in the mountains, and shared the beauty of giving.  I highly recommend Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle. 

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

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of whose many contemporary romance novels include The Shell Collector now streaming on FOX Nation, and the Adams Grove, Boot Creek, and Christmas in Evergreen series. Several of her novels have been adapted to the television screen, airing on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, including the popular Christmas Joy and The Secret Ingredient. Nancy makes her home in Virginia

Ice Ice Maybe by Rich Amoii

Ice Ice Maybe by Rich Amooi is a closed door rom-com. Nolan proudly runs the Zamboni for the Sea Lions hockey team. His life is pretty smooth sailing until his boss, Mr. Dalton, tells him he wants him to fake date his daughter, Zena, to save the team. What?

This was a fun story with lots of heart and very engaging characters. It was a pleasure to watch the characters transform and figure out what is important in life. I laughed out loud throughout the story and enjoyed watching this one play out. There was great banter, chemistry and great behind the scenes hockey action. This was a win.

Ice Ice Maybe by Rich Amooi is a great rom-com that will bring you joy. I greatly recommend!

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

This book is also available on Kindle Unlimited  

Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the bestselling author of 24 romantic comedies. A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a Spanish Princess. He believes in silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber read by Andi Arndt

Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber and read by Andi Arndt is a delightful Christmas story. Hailye Morgen loves music, but has had a writing block over the last few years. She is thrilled to visit her friends remote cabin over Christmas to work on songs. While ridding her home of pests she meets Jay who also happens to be a musician and they become fast friends.

I love getting lost in a Debbie Macomber Christmas novel. The only thing that makes it better is when it is beautifully read by Andi Arndt! I was so engaged as I listened to the story driving my daughter to and from fall break. I found myself drawn into the world of Podunk, Oregon and wanting to find a remote cabin to visit. This is a sweet love story and I enjoyed watching the characters transform and become better versions of themselves. It was a great listen!

A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber and read by Andi Arndt has characters that are engaging, humor sprinkled throughout the story, and a wonderful small town setting at Christmas. It is the perfect listen for any season! I highly recommend this highlight of 2024.

I was given an ALC and not required to write a positive review.  

Debbie Macomber, the author of It’s Better This Way, A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is, as well, the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
 

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley read by Stephanie Németh-Parker

 

My thanks to MacMillan Audio for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley read by Stephanie Németh-Parker is a delightful Christmas story and I loved listening to the story narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker . The story shares about three women who are going through big changes around Christmas time who get a second chances at true love.

Reilly comes come to help her mom run her Inn when she breaks her foot They draw closer together and enjoy the guests which include Riley’s old boyfriend from school. The story has a wonderful cadence and inspired me to embrace the Christmas season. I was very invested in this character driven story. Just adored!

The Christmas Inn is heartwarming with beautiful dialogue, interesting characters, and a wonderful setting at the Inn. It will help you to embrace Christmas and remember what is truly important! I highly recommend.

I was given an ALC and not required to write a positive review.

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn

 

Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful women’s fiction travel novel and is part of a new series The Suitcase Sisters. The beautiful cover had me wondering about what sort of adventures Lily Garden and Fern Espinoza were going to have as they traveled through Africa. Lily and Fern were friends who met at summer camp many years ago, and now they had an opportunity to fulfill their dream of traveling to Africa.

This was a sweet and well written story told from Fern’s point of view. I was very engaged with Fern and Lily and enjoyed watching them both transform as they traveled through Africa. The descriptions of their time in Africa were mesmerizing and I enjoyed making new friends with the Suitcase Sisters during their adventure. The author knows the heart of women and that comes through in the characters.

This is a delightful story where you will make new friends, travel through Africa, and learn a little more about yourself. I was so drawn in and look forward to more time with the Suitcase Sisters. I highly recommend Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunnn.

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

Robin is the bestselling author of more than 100 books with combined sales of 6 million worldwide. She is best known for the timeless Christy Miller series for teen girls and her Glenbrooke and Sisterchicks novels. In addition, she has written 10 nonfiction works, including her memoir, Victim of Grace. Robin’s books have appeared multiple times on the ECPA bestseller list and have been finalists for and a winner of the Christy Award. She has also received two Reader’s Choice Awards from Faith, Hope, and Love, a former branch of Romance Writers of America. Four of her novels were adapted as Hallmark Christmas movies, with two of the movies breaking the Hallmark Network records for most watched and highest rated movies for 2016 and 2017.

After living on Maui for a decade, Robin and her husband recently moved to California to be closer to their two grown children and four grandchildren.