Twelve Months and a Day by Louisa Young

 

This is an incredible novel that tells the story of a widow and widower who have recently lost their spouses and of the deceased spouses working to create a new life for the living. 

Roisin and Nico were one day planning to marry but had not gotten around to it when he suddenly died of a heart attack. Rasmus has spent his days caring for Jay who has a terminal illness. Neither Jay nor Nico know why they are still in the world of the living but not alive. They realize they can work together to chart a course for Rasmus and Roisin to meet.

Filled with dialog between Nico and Jay and emails between Rasmus and Roisin, the story unfolds and tenderly relates the grief, guilt, and longings of all of them. It is a wonderfully told story.

A Midlife Baby by Cary J Hansson

 

Cora, Helen, and Kay are struggling with real life since their Cypress vacation. Friends since college and now in their 50s, they cannot seem to get a break from troubles. They band together. Then, they are far apart. Their friendship endures through it all.

Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas

 

A beautiful and sad telling of the early days in the desolate plains of Wyoming. Life was hard, resources were few but the friendship of neighbors broke the loneliness of the women living on the plains many miles from each other.

This is the story of Ellen and Charlie and the life they grew to love. They had many struggles, some of them horrific, and their love carried them through it all.

The Second You're Single by Cara Tanamachi

 

I just loved this romantic comedy with all its funny/serious characters: the boss whose every statement is a question, the downstairs mean girl, the bridezilla sister, the downstairs frat boys, the too good to be true love interest, and the Go Solo February writer (Sora). The story is so engaging and sometimes just so funny. If Sora was a real person, I would love to meet her.

Not That Kind of Ever After by Luci Adams

 

I found this novel to be a fun albeit serious one. Fun because of the almost neurotic urgency of the main character, Bell, to achieve her goals. Serious because her relationship with her best friend forever becomes jeopardized by Bella’s actions. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Decker

 

Poor Eli. Dumped by his girlfriend when she leaves for Rome and turns down his proposal. Into the sulky depths he falls and his friends have had enough of it. If he intends to win her back, he needs a serious makeover. Poor Leah is dragged into the makeover situation by chance and gains a loyal group of friends. Along the way and still sniveling about the lost love, Eli discovers something in Leah and she in him. But the ex is hovering over everything.

It is a cute and fun novel with lots of pushing and shoving Eli and pulling at Leah.

Grinch Girl by Michelle Dayton

 

The entire Tech-nically Love series is terrific. There are four books; each one is individual as they come and all are steeped in love and romance.

Grinch Girl takes place in a small lake town where Jane has found herself stuck, her dreams altered too much. A chance to make her town thrive over Christmas brings fun and love when Jane suggests a reality dating show using single townspeople and the town as the backdrop. The hope is that people will make the show viral and bring tourists to the town. The pairings are fun and Jane finds herself as one with Bella’s work adviser, Nate. Plus, her once very dear friend, Bella, is back and maybe, against all odds, they can get back their friendship.

Once Upon a Christmas by Jane Porter

 

A sweet. lovely, and wonderful story of unexpected love set in the countryside of England. When Cara receives the opportunity to visit England over Christmas, she is more than ready for a vacation. Complications with her lodging at Langley Park estate leave her without a place to stay. Out of character, Alec Sherbourne, Lord of the manor, invites her to stay the night in the mansion until her cottage is available. She is delightful and charms the staid Lord. Love may be in the air but so are the gusty winds of memories.

The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams

 

A friend who insinuates herself into a marriage. A husband who wants her gone. A wife caught in the middle. Three separate views of the situation are told by each in their own section. The sections do not flow very well and it is difficult to understand what the premise of the story really is. The synopsis sounded really good. Unfortunately, the story was not.

The Reunion by Kayla Olson

 

A sweet second chance romance under the glare of Hollywood lights. The Reunion brings back Liv and Ransom to a reunion of their teen show, Girl on the Verge. They had a budding romance but lost it and lost track of each other. The chemistry is still bubbling and now may be the time for them at long last.

The One that Got Away by Charlotte Rixon

 

Honestly, I am trying to decide what to say about this novel besides it is one of the most depressing books I have ever read. The main characters, Clara and Benjamin, have too many problems to enumerate. This young love is fraught with persona; problems and there just does not seem to be any depth to it. The best part of the book is the ending.

Christmas at Reindeer Ranch by Megan Squires

 

Great story about reindeer, a kitten, and dreams of love all bringing the magic of Christmas to the pages.

Hudson is filling in for his friend, Nathan, at the Alpine Valley Veterinary Clinic. A fender bender introduces him to Daphne, a lovely and filled with Christmas magic Daphne. A delivery of eight reindeer to Daphne’s ranch brings Hudson to help care for them. You will love their encounters as love begins to fall like snowflakes.

The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook

 

Hannah and Davey meet when he misdials her phone. A continent apart, they begin a fun and flirty relationship. He is moving to her country and they plan to meet when he lands at the airport.

He is a no show and his reason throws everything and Hannah into a spin. It is an emotional up and down story that proceeds through a year and a half of their lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and hoped that Hannah and Davey would one day meet, even if they were old and gray when it happened.

A Bayou Christmas by Susan Sands

 

A heartwarming story of family and of love filled with new memories to make and old memories to put to rest. It is Allison’s time to get to know both her biological families. Southern life proves very different from that of Chicago-nosy, meddling, and gossipy. Meeting Nick brings her a friend who could be more if she decides to stay longer than a year.

Maybe This Christmas by Ieshia Wiedlin

 

So much is riding on Angela’s shoulders-a huge fundraising gala, doing Christmas decorations in tribute to her deceased husband, and dealing with a twelve year old son who is backing away. It feels like all her plates are crashing when Dr. Shawn enters the picture bringing help and so much more.
A battle of wills with love hovering around makes for a wonderful story perfect for a Christmas read.

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham

 

If you love courtroom dramas this is the novel to get. The tension in the courtrooms is thick and the liars, cheats, and beyond compare lawyers rule the pages. The entire story of the shady crime bosses in Biloxi from the early days on is fraught with crime and murders.  

two boys once baseball friends end up on opposing sides of the law with fathers in the same position. It is a thoroughly engaging story from page one.

The Fireman's Christmas Wish by Nan Rhinehart

 

Can a Christmas loving woman turn a heart of stone into a Christmas lover? Harley is all in to turning Beck around and maybe just win his heart, too. He has been turned off to holidays since his divorce and reluctantly agrees to pal up with her for all or some of the 

Christmas doings in Rivers Edge. Time will tell if change happens.

An engaging Christmas for sure.

A Sweet Low Country Proposal by Preslaysa Williams

 

Jaslene and Marcus had their wedding cut short when her beloved sister died in a car crash. After a two year separation, they are reunited and find the love is still there but hidden behind walls in their hearts.

A beautifully woven tale of African American history with enduring love.

The Corey Effect by Casey Dembrowski

 

A novel full of wonderful characters and excellently written. The relationship of Andi and Corey is related in a then and now thread that explains the love they felt as teens and the deep connection as reunited adults. A myriad of problems arose that stymied a happy ever after as teens and arise as adults. Until a true reconciliation can happen, the problems will continue to haunt them. I adored the novel.

So Long Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde

 

I am so glad I was able to get an ARC of So Long Chester Wheeler. It is an absolutely wonderful novel relating the development and enduring relationship between Lewis and Chester. The trip they take is long and arduous. During it, Lewis learns so much about himself and his life. Truly well written and engrossing.

A Cowboy's Secret by Anne McAllister

 

Torn inside and out from the promise of owning his family ranch ripped out of his hands, JD is feeling an angry loss. The buyer, Lydia, is a lawyer not a rancher. When he tears apart the sorrel and ends up on her ranch rebuilding the corral, the chemistry between could cause explosions. But, he has a deep secret that keeps him from Lydia and the love she offers.

A very alluring story of internal struggles and the call of love.