April was definitely a hard month to keep up with my reading goals. I’ve cut back to four books from my goal of five books a month, since I’ve been so busy with non-fiction reading and will continue to be for the next several months, so I’m sensing there is going to be a lot of late-night reading, and getting in a few chapters during my lunch break to keep to my goals.
This month I read four very different novels. All of them have romantic elements but the settings span from an apartment building during the beginning of the pandemic, present-day and WWII Italy and Scotland where we learn about long-hidden family secrets, a modern-day love story between two people who have stopped believing in true love, and the perfect summer read that you’ll want to bring with you on your next beach vacation.
Lockdown on London Lane
Beth Reekles
When the apartments on London Lane are suddenly in lockdown for a week, the residents and visitors to London Lane find themselves in a tight spot. Ethan and Charlotte are separated by the lockdown and while she spends the week in her family home that’s currently on the market, Ethan is left on his own to ponder the perfect proposal. Isla, still in the honeymoon phase of her relationship with her boyfriend Danny gets a crash course in what it would be like to take their relationship to the next level. Couple Zach and Serena are forced to ask themselves all of the questions that have gone unanswered between them over the years, marriage, baby, a bigger house, with neither one of them completely sure of what they truly want, or if in fact, they should still be together at all. Meanwhile, maid-of-honor Liv is stuck with the entire bridal party including bridezilla and best friend Kim, Lucy, and the only American in the group, Addison, and Imogen finds herself getting to know Nate, the man who was supposed to be her one-night-stand. Order on Amazon.
Rating: 4 stars
The Good Left Undone
Adriana Trigiani
Set between WWII and the present day, Adriana Trigiani’s latest novel, The Good Left Undone, is one of the must-read books for 2022. From vivid descriptions of Domenica Cabrelli’s life in the coastal town of Viareggio to her daughter Matelda’s revelations about her family’s past in the present day now that she is reaching the end of her life. She shares the secret of her mother’s two great loves, her childhood friend, Silvio, and a dashing sea captain John Lawrie McVicars whom she meets in Marseilles after being unfairly banished. When WWII begins Domenica’s life is forever changed, and with it, her young daughter Matelda loses a father that she never had a chance to know.
This book captures your attention from the very first page. Trigiani expertly weaves the past and present together, we discover that love is possible after loss, and in the end family really is everything.
Rating: 5 stars
Bend Towards the Sun
Jen Devon
Rowan McKinnon, a botanist, doesn’t believe in love, the wounds from her past preventing her from making meaningful connections with the exception of her two best friends. That all starts to change after a chance meeting with obstetrician Harrison Brady.
I’ve always enjoyed books that have an element of romance and Bend Towards the Sun, Jen Devon’s romance debut, is definitely a must-read for anyone who loves getting wrapped up in a blossoming relationship. Jen’s writing style made this book so enjoyable to read, and I really enjoyed getting to know more about Rowan and Harry throughout the course of the book and how they work to overcome the issues from their past. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author! Pre-order on Amazon.
Rating: 5 Stars
Bend Towards the Sun releases on 8/9/2022
Summer Island
Shelley Noble
In the first chapter of Summer Island, Phoebe goes from having a job and fiancé she loves, to losing both of them. The man she thought she knew turns her life upside down, and when she calls her mom to see if she can stay with her until she gets back on her feet, she finds out that her father has left her mother. Overwhelmed with the thought of searching for a new job, and helping her mom navigate through her divorce, she decides they need to go to the only place that has ever felt completely safe, Summer Island where the family matriarch Grandma Alice rules the family from her New England beach house.
I’ve always enjoyed novels that feature mother-daughter relationships since I’ve always been close to my own mom. Since we read many of the same books these days, I’m looking forward to sharing this book with her.
Summer Island is one of those books that just sucks you in and you don’t want to put it down until you know how everything works out in the end. A must-read for summer!
Rating: 5 stars
Releases 5/3/2022

Leave a Reply