Month: September 2024

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

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What on earth do you do when your college English professor gets you pregnant at the young age of twenty, then leaves you high and dry because of course he is married and has children, and you can in no way afford the cost of a baby as you can’t afford the cost of yourself? You can’t ask your dysfunctional divorced parents for help, that’s for sure. In this absolutely hysterical, heartwarming, very unconventional story, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, creativity becomes the key! To everything!

Margo decides to have the baby and now she has very serious money issues. The father will have nothing to do with her, and she gets fired from her job at Hooters because she needs to breastfeed and take the newborn, Bodhi with her to work because she cannot afford childcare. But…it’s a Hooters!

Where are her parents you may ask? Well, her mother has found a boyfriend who is very religious, and she hopes to make him her husband, so she’s out, as well as the fact that her mother really didn’t mother her anyway. Her father is a former famous wrestler who has just gotten out of rehab for the hundredth time, and she is not close to anyway seems like a very unlikely choice, and when two of her three roommates move out, she is just plain out of luck.

That’s when her dad, Jinx, comes knocking at her door because he needs a place to stay and promises he will stay clean for room and board and babysitting. Well, that sounds great to Margo. With one problem solved, she now needs to figure out how to make some money and fast.

When someone mentions a new platform called Only Fans where you create a profile (fake) and they pay to see and hear what you want to put out there, Margo hesitates, for about a minute and decides this would be a good way to be able to stay with her baby and make money at the same time. And make money she does! Of course, she tells no one, especially her parents about her new venture.

She suddenly realizes she’s good at this gig. She even comes up with another idea and teams up with a couple of influencers and that takes off as well! Although not really accepted practice she even begins to crush on one of her “clients”, but the good thing about hiding behind a fake persona is you can fake it till you make it, and they have no idea!

She’s managing it all, taking care of Bohdi, working, making money and spending time with her dad until it all comes crashing down around her. Suddenly the State wants to take her baby away because of her job. But this job is not only making her money but helping her support her son in more ways than she ever thought she would be able.

If she leaves her job, they won’t take her son, but then she won’t be able to afford what he needs. How can they do this? Why are they doing this? She needs a new plan. And boy does she get even more creative!

Margo’s Got Money Troubles is a laugh out loud story about a young naive woman, who took on the system, not knowing much, but knowing no one, absolutely no one was going to take her baby away from her. But the story is much more than just about a determined woman. It’s about heartbreak, feeling you are worth nothing, disappointment in yourself as well as others, but realizing if you find the right community, anything and everything is possible.

And even better news Apple+ is going to do a series and Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer will star! Can’t wait!

Thank you #Goodreads #WillamMorrow #RufiThorpe #Margo’sGodMoneyTroubles for the advanced copy.

What’s in a Kiss? by Lauren Kate

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What’s in a Kiss? is a captivating, funny enchanting story about a woman whose future was extremely promising, until it suddenly took a horrible turn. As she prepares to marry off her best friend since childhood and see the handsome crush she almost but did not kiss back in high school, who is now famous, she begins to feel she has nothing to show for her life since her promising high school years. For her, she’s never been able to get past the “what-if’s” and that kiss that never happened.

Liv is a Lyft driver who lives in the same place she grew up. She lives with the love of her life…her dog, Graham Parsons. Her best friend Masha is still the best friend she had when she was in kindergarten, and her mother is the love of her life. She feels content, well sort of.

The reality is during high school she had a promising future as an actress. She had been accepted to Julliard and was looking forward to the move to New York. Unfortunately, something devastating happened and that ended her dreams and she chose to stay with her mother and her best friend.

So although she is excited that her best friend is getting married and she is the maid of honor, she begins to relive her past as well as the crush she had on one Jake who is the best man in the same wedding, who is a famous podcaster and of course, dating a model. She’s not jealous! She always regrets that she had that one chance at prom to kiss him, but for some reason it never happened. But she still carries this with her even in the present.

So, when she picks up a fare and it’s Jake, their meeting does not go very well. She’s embarrassed and he’s just plain obnoxious. How she’s going to be able to put up with him in the next few days is beyond her.

But, something happens during the wedding ceremony which changes her life…literally…as Masha and her fiancé are about to say I Do, Liv catches Jake’s eye and her head begins to spin, and she thinks she’s going to faint. She comes out of this trance in a very different reality!

In this new reality, Liv is a popular actress, living in a mansion, Masha refuses to talk to her, her mother is not in her life and acts as if she hates her and oh, she married to Jake! As for Jake, he adores her and is the opposite of what he was in high school. He is so supportive, handsome and puts her career first. Clearly in this reality that prom kiss did happen…but what happened after that??

Although Liv enjoys being with Jake, she needs to go back. She wants Masha to be her best friend again and of course she wants her mother to love her again. But going back will mean she loses Jake.

What should she do?

What’s in a Kiss? is a hilarious, heartwarming and romantic story. Wouldn’t we all want a do-over about something from our past if we could?

Thank you #NetGalley #G.P.Putnam’sSons #LaurenKate #What’sinaKiss? for the advanced copy.

The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne

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I picked this memoir up not because I knew anything about Griffin Dunne, but because I was obsessed with his father, Dominick Dunne’s books as well as fascinated by the shocking murder of his sister, Dominique who rose to fame in the movie Poltergeist. The title itself is an homage to her as she had such a club of friends who met every Friday afternoon for drinks and talk.

But what I discovered is that The Friday Afternoon Club is so much more than a memoir. It starts with Dunne’s parents Dominick and Lenny (Ellen) and takes the reader not only their journey through being rich to Dominick’s fall from grace to Lenny’s battle with MS to the lead up to the death of Dominique as well as the heartbreaking trial which left the family angry and stunned.

But the most amazing part of this book is the stories…every page is filled with incredible tales which include many, many 1960’s and 1970’s movie stars. Also included are stories about the family, his brother Alex’s breakdowns, his father’s drinking and his wife divorcing him. His sisters short-lived life and how everybody loved her wit and charm, but nobody knew what was happening to her at the end of her life.

Griffin Dunne’s life journey is filled with so many stories, such as how Sean Connery saved his life from drowning in their pool, to story after story about his best friend Carrie Fischer who he loved, adored and spoke to the day she got on the plane in which she died.

He tells stories of his Uncle John an acclaimed writer and his father becoming estranged until one day when they met at their cardiologist’s office neither knowing they went there. John, who was married to the profound writer, Joan Didion would play an important part in Dunne’s upbringing, and Didion and his uncle would be in his life until their deaths, with Dunne actually doing a documentary on Didion.

The book goes into the dark place of death with Dominique’s murder and actually opens with the scene of a police officer coming to Lenny’s house to tell her of her daughter’s injuries and being transported to the hospital. In great detail, Dunne goes into what they believe happened to her and the abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. As Dunne points out when you wanted to tell someone a secret, Dominique was the one to go to, but in the end, she died with no one knowing what she had been going through.

As for the trial, the boyfriend was made to look like a saint, and the outcome shockingly horrifying for the family. And this was actually the impetus which broke Dominick and John’s relationship.

With all this said, there are many, many funny stories as well as interesting tidbits of Griffin’s life and trying to succeed as an actor and producer and his innocence and how his life was changed in so many ways by being the son/nephew/brother of a prominent, but dysfunctional family.

The Friday Afternoon Club is a fascinating read, one of the best memoirs I believe I have ever read. You can actually feel the pain, the sorrow, the joy and the crazy in his magnificent writing.

Published by Penguin Press

Peg And Rose Play The Ponies by Laurien Berenson

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Peg And Rose Play The Ponies is the third book in this adorable senior sleuth mystery series. Peg and Rose venture out of their comfy, cozy town and head together with Peg’s poodle Hope to Kentucky to sell Peg’s mare. Who knew Peg owned a horse? Along for the drive, Rose will try continuing to bury the strained relationship she has with her sister-in-law Peg, as well as learn way too much about horse breeding and then of course, there’s a murder…

When the women finally arrive at Six Oaks Farm after a harrowing, joyless drive being together for one too many days, they both settle into the hotel then go to visit Peg’s mare. But unfortunately, their first interaction with the yearling manager, Jim Gable leaves them both less enthusiastic due to his being not very nice, and downright rude behavior at the meeting!

But they certainly don’t find enough time to even discuss Jim’s anger issues when they discover that night on the news that he has died. At first deemed an accident, the women are approached by one of the workers named Lucia who discovers she is the prime suspect of his now declared murder. Although Six Oaks is trying its best to keep that bit of information under wraps. Yes, she had a difficult relationship with the man, but she in no way had anything to do with killing him.

Of course, the women agree to help her and begin their instinctive snooping and asking questions. Being their age sometimes it’s very easy to discover clues while just sitting on a bench, as the elders seem for some reason to go unnoticed. But in doing so, they soon discover that Six Oaks is not entirely the greatest place to work. Not only that but between shenanigans and missing equipment, the list of suspects soon seems to grow.

As always Peg and Rose will use their charm and wit to discover whose “horsing around” and what could possibly have led to the murder. Peg And Rose Play The Ponies is another captivatingly sweet cozy mystery!

Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurienBenson #PegAndRosePlayThePonies for the advanced copy.

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams

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Husbands & Lovers is an intriguing book which tells the stories of two women from different periods of time, both ironically dealing with similar issues. The book’s appeal is as the two stories begin to intertwine, the reader starts to understand the connections these two women have as well as the pain and suffering they have both been through which wonderfully creates two sadly beautiful stories in one.

Mallory Dunne is a single parent. Her son’s name is Sam. She has never, ever revealed who is his father. The year is 2022 and Mallory and Sam experience every parent’s nightmare. Something happens to Sam. It’s very bad.

Meanwhile, Hannah Ainsworth is in Cairo. The year 1955. Married to a wealthy man she dislikes, but having been born in Hungary and fled there, has no choice but to continue in the marriage. She meets and falls in love with the worker of the hotel they are staying, named Lucien. He’s very secretive but impossibly charming. He changes her life forever.

Mallory, who is barely making ends meet, decides to go on vacation with her sister Paige where they had spent many happy years. Never having told anybody who the father of Sam was, is shocked that he is actually there as well. He is a superstar musician now, and is there planning his wedding.

Hannah wants nothing more than to have a child, something she tells her lover Lucien. Before she fled Hungary, she had the perfect life and lost it all. When she gets pregnant, she tells her husband it is his. He doesn’t believe her and banishes her just as the city of Cairo is being burned down. Somehow Hannah must find her way out.

Mallory sees instantly that Monk knows he is Sam’s father and now must begin to make very difficult choices. Does he let him into Sam’s life? Does she answer his questions as to why she left so suddenly when they were so in love?

But the most wonderful mystery which is encompassed by both stories is a bracelet which was passed down from who? and left for Mallory’s mother and after she died was given to Mallory. But why Mallory? Her mother was closer to her sister. What does this bracelet have to do with their family?

As all the moving parts come together in Husbands & Lovers it will tell the wondrous story of hidden love, loss and privilege and so many secrets. Some of them lurk in the dark corners hoping to never be revealed while some look innocent but are more than one person care bear. The stories in the book are both spellbinding, and you will be amazed at the connections which these women and the men they have chosen to fall in love with.

Thank you #NetGalley #BallentineBooks #BeatrizWilliams #Husbands&Lovers for the advanced copy.

Love Letters To A Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell

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Have you ever wondered what would prompt someone, particularly a woman to fall madly in love with a person who has murdered multiple people, especially multiple women? Well, let me tell you, in this psychological murder thriller, although fictional, tries to explain/answer just that question.

Love Letters To A Serial Killer is a fascinating demonstration of a woman, Hannah, who is in her 30’s who was dumped by her boyfriend, which she naively saw no signs of happening, who lives a very lonely life, working a job she is good at but dislikes, whose friends all seem to be marrying or in relationships who decides to begin writing letters to a man named William, a lawyer who is incarcerated for allegedly murdering women. A serial killer.

At first the letters from Hannah to William are about how disgusted she is at what he did. But, to her shock and excitement, when he answers her letter, she sends another and another until they become “friends”? Hannah knows deep down he will never get out of jail for the horrendous acts he committed, but that doesn’t stop her from communicating with him. Even begin to have feelings for him.

She soon becomes obsessed with everything William, so much so that her work is affected and she gets fired. It is then that she decides to travel to Georgia, even though she can’t really afford it and sit in the courtroom of the trial and “support”? this murderer. Thus begins the portion of the story of one woman’s obsession and just how far someone is willing to go to get what they crave.

As Hannah watches from the courtroom, along with two other “fans of William”, she becomes fascinated with his wealthy family who go to court every day. She begins to follow them. And that is when her life goes from bizarre to dangerous.

Love Letters To A Serial Killer is an engrossing story in which we watch Hannah grow in so many ways, one being she will never truly get what she thinks she wants which is for William to make her one of his victims. But why does she want this? Is she just as broken as he? This is a can’t look away, can’t put it down book with so many levels to it…desperation, sadness, killing, but in the end, a woman changed.

Thank you #NetGalley #Berkley #TashaCoryell #LoveLettersToASerialKiller for the advanced copy.

The Murder After The Night Before by Katy Brent

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Katy Brent, author of How to Kill Men and Get Away With It has written another fabulously inventive, funny murder mystery thriller, in The Murder After The Night Before. Brent has a unique sense of humor but is able to balance that with wonderful elements of other ingredients which make the story filled with fun sleuthing, compromising situations…you’ll see…and of course the chase of a killer.

When Molly Monroe wakes up in her apartment from a very heavy night of drinking and discovers a man sleeping next to her, she’s not sure how to react. Did they? Who is he? Where did she go? And she knows she’s going to be sick!

All she remembers is having a bit of a tiff with her roommate and best friend Posey and something about meeting up later for a drink after Molly attended her annual work holiday party.

But what awaits Molly as she tries to remember what happened, is something she could never, ever have imagined. Quite frankly, she doesn’t have to remember as it seems to have been documented and is all over the internet! And to make matters worse, it’s so bad she may be out of a job!

As Molly tries to find out about the night before, her roommate Posey seems to be MIA. Not answering texts, not at work. This is not Posey’s MO. But the day gets only gets worse when she discovers her best friend is dead!

Although the police think Posey’s death was a tragic accident, something inside Molly feels as if they are wrong. They won’t listen to her. She thinks her death had something to do with a story she was covering. So, Molly takes it upon herself to begin looking into the who, what, how and why of Posey’s last investigation. Big mistake?

As it turns out, there is way more to Posey than Molly ever imagined and now she has gotten herself mixed up in something she is sure is going to get her killed.

The book is a sharply plotted, funny, and the ending staggeringly astounding as we begin the journey of The Murder After The Night Before.

Thank you #NetGalley #HarperCollinsPublishers #KatyBrent #TheMurderAfterTheNightBefore for the advanced copy.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

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Katherine Center has certainly found her voice, and it is seriously very funny, relatable and romantic. The Rom-Commers is a poignant love story about two emotionally damaged writers who have different opinions about what a love story should consist of as well as a love-hate relationship with the opposite sex. But, by reluctantly working together not only do they learn so much more about themselves, but each other and well, life.

Emma Wheeler is a writer. Unfortunately, not many people know this. You see, Emma is the primary caregiver of her father who was seriously injured years ago. Although she has a younger sister, she has chosen to take care of him so her sister can pursue her dreams. When Emma suddenly gets the opportunity of a lifetime to help a writer she has always admired work on a screenplay, a romcom no less, she says…no.

She feels like she can’t leave her father in her sister’s hands. She just knows something will happen. Her fear overpowers her ambition. But, when the two of them gang up on her she has no other choice but to go. How bad good it possibly be?

Charlie Yates is an every award winning writer. He has written many screenplays before, but never a romance. He thought he had done a great job, until he was told he hadn’t. He decides he doesn’t need any help and he will figure this out by himself. Until this woman named Emma knocks on his door.

Meanwhile, Emma realizes she has been bamboozled. The great Charlie Yates not only did not know she was coming but had never read anything by her! Initially, she decides to go home, but after some thought, Charlie realizes he probably could use “a little” help and convinces Emma to stay for one week only. Fine by her!

As Emma begins to realize Charlie knows nothing about writing a romance story or about love or even about happiness, she realizes he’s not exactly the man she had put on that pedastal. But why does he seem so damaged?

Emma decides she is going to stay as long as it takes to write the best romcom ever written. But convincing Charlie of what that looks like is not going so well. As they butt heads, they also each begin to see what they thought were flaws in each other, were really past traumas which were never resolved.

Will love conquer killing each other? We will see in this absolutely adorably smart, charmingly romantic novel, The Rom-Commers. You will want to stay and visit in Emma and Charlie’s wonderfully awkward delightful world.

Thank you #NetGalley #St.MartinsPress #KatherineCenter #TheRom-Commers for the advanced copy.