October 2022 Novel Ideas: 19 Quick Lit Reviews

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst

I love a good renovation story plotline, particularly with a side of romance and finding yourself. In this story, Lucy has just agreed to move to, renovate, and open a hotel in the French countryside.

With a cast of permanent guests who help and cause trouble in equal measure, Lucy is able to find herself and her heart again. This book does deal with a few serious topics as well, but nothing that should be too intense if you are looking for a lighter read.

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland

Elyssa Friedland is quickly becoming an auto-order author for me with her quirky characters and unique plots. Fresh off the success of Last Summer at the Golden, The Most Likely Club is another fantastic book club book!

With a 25-year high school reunion as the backdrop to this story about 4 life-long friends, there is so much to discuss in this fast-paced, witty book. When the girls realize that they are not living up to the high school superlatives in their yearbook, they make a pact to supercharge their lives and career goals.

But is it possible for women in this age to have it all? Partly a feminist story, partly an ode to female friendships, you’ll be laughing and contemplating serious matters in the same breath. I adored this book about friendship which is a family drama story and can’t wait to share it with my own girlfriends! It is also a perfect book from best beach reads 2023.

So This is Christmas by Jenny Holiday

The latest in Jenny Holiday’s Christmas romance books set in Eldovia is out! This time we get Matteo’s love story.

Matteo Benz is an equerry for the King of Eldovia and he’s a total type-A, ex-military man with a secret soft spot for helping others. He’s upset that Cara Delaney has been set to restructure the watch factory that’s Eldovia’s main source of income because it means she may have to lay off some employees.

As they clash over the future of the factory and the country, the sparks fly. They go from enemies to friends to lovers in this charming story set in the most magical winter wonderland kingdom.

The Means by Amy Fusselman

This satire had me laughing out loud numerous times. Shelly means is a stay-at-home mom who just wants to build her Hamptons dream house. Even if she can only afford a container home.

But her plans to build her dream home quickly go south, especially when her husband, a voice-over actor, loses his job. Her antics as she tries to compete with the other rich New Yorkers were thoroughly entertaining. This is one quick read that’s worth picking up.

Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

I found myself swept into Maria’s life as a producer in Hollywood during WWII. Having escaped from Italy after her father’s arrest, she is well on her way into carving a new life for herself.

Her new life includes her lover, a Chinese-American actor struggling with being forced to portray the enemy in films, a crazy boss hellbent on competing with the big studios, and a tepid relationship with her mother – who she’s never really understood.

Soon, a photographer from her past enters her life, the studio is in peril, and her life is messy and complicated. I found myself rooting for Maria and her friends, even if ultimately their best lives had them on different paths.

This one is going on our list of books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for sure.

All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox

I can’t with this charming Christmas romance book about musicians by Maggie Knox. It’s like reading a Hallmark Christmas movie but with a lot of steamy bits put in!

Sadie and Max are competing in a Country music reality TV show (think American Idol or The Voice.) Their chemistry is off the charts on stage, so the execs ask them to team up for their performance.

As they learn to get along off-stage as well as they do on it, a passionate romance ignites. Until the machinations of the music industry drive a wedge between them. Can they reconcile before Christmas?

Built to Last by Erin Hahn

Shelby and Cameron are former child pop stars and each other’s first loves. After years apart, they were hired to film a reality show about flipping houses.

Now they are trying to navigate their lingering feelings, clear up their MANY miscommunications, and figure out if they have a chance to rebuild their love.

While I was frustrated by their lack of communication at times, I did find myself enamored by this romance book.

Solito by Javier Zamora

September 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

I was blown away by Javier Zamora’s memoir about his solo journey to America. At just 9-years-old, he traversed 3,000 miles, to reunite with his parents in America.

While his grandpa accompanies him for the beginning of his journey, they soon have to part ways and he is left in the care of the adults traveling with him on his journey.

This book about immigration is one that is seared into my memory. I was so grateful for the mother on the journey that took him in as her own. Frustrated, sorrowful, and ultimately joy were all emotions I felt while reading this book. Its a best book of 2022 pick for me for sure.

Talk Santa to Me by Linda Urban

Francie’s whole family works at the Hollydale Holiday Shop that her grandpa opened, but recently she’s been frustrated by all the changes her Aunt Carole has been making around the store. She’s recently become “Santa’s Intern” and her workload is piling up.

Add to that, the boys are her high school have been teasing her about the rumor that she’s a bad kisser. Soon, she’s plotting to save her family store from Aunt Carole, rehabilitate her reputation with her peers, and try to decipher her feelings for the classmate who works that Christmas tree lot across the street.

The story was sweet and heartwarming – a perfect holiday romance for any teens in your life!

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

This enchanting classic retelling takes a look at Nathaniel Hawthorne and the woman that inspired his most famous work, The Scarlet Letter.

Isobel, a seamstress with a gift of seeing words in colors, narrates the book. She covers her disastrous marriage, her settlement in the new world, and her attraction and eventual love affair with Hawthorne. But like her husband, Hawthorne might not be the man Isobel thinks he is.

It was very interesting to read about the town of Salem, how the community treated those they deemed as outsiders, and how those outsiders looked out for one another. I enjoyed the story, but did feel it dragged at times. I do think it would be lovely adapted to the big screen though.

Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy

Genevieve and Evan have had an on-again, off-again relationship for years, until she left town and Evan behind without any notice about a year ago. When Genevieve comes back for her mom’s funeral, she tries desperately not to fall back into the pattern of her wild ways.

For her, that means staying far away from Evan. I loved seeing both of these characters grow-up and mature over the course of this story. They both had to get their priorities in line and I liked seeing how they did it in different ways.

Ghost 19 by Simone St. James

This is the first short story by Simone St. James and I loved it. Ginette Cox has moved to a suburb of NY from NYC. Her doctors have told her that she needs a break. Slowly, she becomes obsessed with watching the people in her neighborhood all the while feeling that she cannot leave her house.

As time goes by, Ginette cannot figure out of she is suffering from severe anxiety or if it is the house that has a hold on her. This short, supernatural thriller is perfect for Halloween. It is also perfect for isolation books with unreliable narrators- is she agoraphobic or is there something else going on?

A World of Curiosities (Chief Inspector Gamache #18) by Louise Penny

I have to say that I love every single Louise Penny book more than the last. I LOVED this book so much.

This story moves back and forth between the present and the past as the chief inspector confronts his past demons. A young woman and her brother whose mother was murdered find themselves in three pines. This is the case that brought Gamache and Beauvoir together and the memory is haunting for everyone.

I loved seeing the relationship between the two men from its difficult beginning. It made me love Gamache and Beauvoir even more. If you love Louise Penny, this newest mystery will not disappoint

Before I do by Sophie Cousens

Audrey has never quite decided what she wants to do with her life. Josh is down to earth and steady, the exact opposite of Audrey and they fit together perfectly.

The night before their wedding, Josh’s sister comes to the rehearsal dinner with “the one that got away”. As Audrey questions if Josh is really the one, she also starts to question if Fred’s appearance is more than a coincidence.

I loved this sweet and unusual love story. It is a must-read for anyone who loves Sophie Cousens or romances about weddings.

The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch

Frankie and Ezra were inseparable during college and it all ended in an epic breakup a decade ago. Now, they are seeing each other for the first time since at their friends’ New Year’s Eve of Y2K wedding.

When they wake up in bed together with wedding rings on their fingers and NO memory of what happened, they find themselves in search of answers. And all this has to happen before Ezra’s girlfriend shows up at the wedding because Ezra is planning on proposing.

This romance music book is a hilarious glimpse into the past and an adorable romance on this list of New Year’s Eve books as well.

The Wilderwomen: A Novel by Ruth Emmie Lang

I absolutely loved Lang’s first book, Beast of Extraordinary Circumstance. When I saw that her sophomore novel was set to release I jumped at the chance to read it and, it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved this magical realism book. It felt like an adult fairy tale.

Five years ago, Nora wilder disappeared and left her two daughters with no one but each other. Zadie, who can see the future wishes she had seen it coming. Finn can see the echoes of other people’s memories. Now, with Finn in foster care, the one close sisters are estranged. When Finn suddenly sees an echo if her mother’s past, she is convinced she can follow the echoes and find their mother.

This book is truly magical and a wonderful pick from this list of the ultimate beach reads 2023.

Bookish People by Susan Coll

Sophie Bernstein is an Independent bookstore owner as well as a recent widow. She is trying to deal with the loss of her husband, the loss of her favorite store manager, her only child’s lack of motivation in addition to running a store. More and more, she fantasizes about moving into a secret back room in the store.

I liked the book but found some discussions strange rather than funny. There was a lot of debate about vacuum cleaners. This book is perfect for anyone who loves to read books about bookstores.