Since my son was born last year, I've found myself increasingly drawn to books about family, especially when a young boy is central to the story. So when I was offered a chance to read Garrett Carr's debut adult novel, The Boy from the Sea, I was immediately hooked. Set in the 1970s and 1980s... Continue Reading →
I have been absolutely loving all the music-themed romances coming out this year, and one of my most anticipated was Kate Golden's If Not for My Baby. It starts with the kind of unexpected opportunity we all dream of: Small-town waitress Clementine's best friend drops out of backup singing duties in a big star's tour... Continue Reading →
I'm a person who's obsessed with time and reality and the butterfly effect of everyday life decisions. This is what drew me to Paige Harbison's adult debut, The Other Side of Now. Over a decade after losing her best friend, Meg Bryan is a successful actress, but she's not happy. Nothing in her life is... Continue Reading →
Two years after releasing her first novel, Emilia Hart is back with her second book, The Sirens. Set mainly in Australia in alternating timelines between 1800, 1999, and 2019, it follows pairs of sisters grappling with what makes them different and the otherworldly rumors surrounding their communities. Why I Chose This Book: Though I haven't... Continue Reading →
A new romance I've been excited for this week is The Irish Goodbye by Amy Ewing. Set in Ireland and highlighting two characters who have gone through some difficult times lately, this is a heartfelt romance with wonderful side characters. The author has previously published YA novels; this is her first foray into adult romance.... Continue Reading →
For many months, I've been looking forward to When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips. Her debut novel, it's set at a private school in Dublin between the late 1980s and today. As a student, Lou became caught up in a scandal known as the "Highfield Affair," and now, 30 years later, that past trauma... Continue Reading →
The last couple of years I've been enjoying Jenn McKinlay's contemporary romances. This week, she released her latest: Love at First Book. It's set in the same world as Summer Reading, and even subtly ties in with Paris Is Always a Good Idea. Here, former librarian Emily Allen decides to leave her home in Massachusetts... Continue Reading →
Last year, I enjoyed V. Castro's novel The Haunting of Alejandra, partially inspired by La Llorona. When I saw that she had a new novel coming out, I was intrigued. Immortal Pleasures offers a new side to the story of the woman known as La Malinche, who interpreted for conquistador Hernรกn Cortรฉs and has a... Continue Reading →
There are two things that initially drew me to Plot Twist by Breea Keenan: Its setting in Ireland and Scotland, and that it's about two writers working on their books. This is the author's debut novel, and while there was sometimes too much going on, there's also a lot I enjoyed about this book. Special... Continue Reading →
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra wasnโt on my radar, but when I was invited to review it, its synopsis captured my heart. Itโs set in Ireland at Trinity College Dublin, where the main character is pursuing a masterโs degree. Well, my sister earned her masterโs from Trinity and is still living... Continue Reading →
Today, one of my favorite recent reads hits shelves: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue. Set in Cork, Ireland between 2009 and 2010, it follows a young woman named Rachel as she finishes college, moves out for the first time, and finds herself in the middle of a messy romantic entanglement. It is a quick... Continue Reading →
In the past few months, I kept hearing about a new book called Orchid Child by Victoria Costello. The setting in Ireland caught my interest, but so did its unique premise of intergenerational trauma, epigenetics, and schizophrenia. I was intrigued to see where these interconnecting themes would go! Special thanks to NetGalley and Between the... Continue Reading →
Tomorrow, Off the Map by Trish Doller hits shelves everywhere, and I was excited to get an early copy of it. This is actually the third installment in her Beck Sisters series, and I admittedly haven't read the first two books yet. I've been reading romance series out of order more and more lately... not... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year, I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of Haven by Emma Donoghue, due out in two weeks. Set in Ireland, it takes readers back in time to about 600 C.E., onto small, isolated rock of an island. It follows a trio of monks as they attempt to make this harsh island... Continue Reading →
My April reading challenge is to read books set in Paris, France. Following The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, the second book I finished was Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay. I'd picked up the audiobook of it last year, so I was eager to listen to it. This charming, romantic, emotional... Continue Reading →
One of my most anticipated books of this spring is out today: The No-Show by Beth O'Leary. This is her fourth novel, though my first time reading her work. Sitting somewhere between mystery, romance, and women's fiction, it's a surprising novel that will work your mind and, in the end, your heart. Review Special thanks... Continue Reading →
It's been more than five years since I read my first Hazel Gaynor book. In summer 2016, I loved The Girl From the Savoy, and I've collected a few of her books since then and added the rest to my "to buy" list. One of her publications since then was The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter. I... Continue Reading →
At the end of last year, I enjoyed reading Lucy Foley's debut thriller, The Hunting Party. I knew I'd need to go back and read her second thriller, The Guest List - which I'd actually bought earlier and just hadn't gotten to yet. This month is all about spooky reads, and although The Guest List... Continue Reading →
Amy Harmon's What the Wind Knows gently fluttered into my awareness last year when I saw it featured in some bookish email newsletters. But while the title and cover caught my eye, the summary catapulted it to the top of my to-buy list. There are three reasons... First: It's set in Ireland, and I have... Continue Reading →
For a few months, I kept eyeing Emma Donoghue's novel The Wonder every time I went to a book store, and I finally bought it a couple weeks ago. I couldn't wait any longer, so I decided to start reading it this week. Luckily, a business trip gave me plenty of time to read during... Continue Reading →
Amanda's Book Corner 