Tag: romance

She Left Us by Callista Arden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment

“Thirteen Reasons Why vibes”… in a good way. ~ Sheila

Thirteen years after Grace’s sister disappears from their family home, a car is found in a nearby ravine with what looks to be Zoe’s remains, showing that she died shortly after she left.

As Detectives Calder and Morales connect with the family, they find some disturbing information. While Zoe left the home all those years ago, a police report of a missing person was never filed, and the family never made any attempt to locate her – in fact, by the looks of the family home, they erased her. Her room has been remodeled, her personal items gone.

Zoe’s parents are distraught by the news of their oldest daughter, but describe an unruly child who came and went as she pleased, sneaking out at all hours, drugs and alcohol… in their mind, Zoe had left long before she left.

But Zoe’s younger sister, Grace, remembers a kinder, gentler version of her sister – and when a tape shows us that Zoe has left a message for Grace, Zoe tells the story of what happened and why she left.

Is what Zoe is sharing true? Zoe always had a knack for telling a great story… and was Zoey’s accident just that? Or was it suicide… or…

Was it murder?

My daughter-in-law put this one on my radar, and I tossed it in with the tote of books I brought to Florida. While Florida has been in a bit of a CHILL this week, outdoor time has been minimal, and reading has been a welcome thing.

This book gave me vibes of 13 Reasons Why (have you read this? It’s so good – better than the tv series). Briefly, Thirteen Reasons Why is about a girl who commits suicide but has mailed a set of 13 tapes to her classmate Clay, about why she did it. As the book goes on, you see what led to Hannah’s decision.)

What She Left Us takes from 13 Reasons Why is the tape left behind that tells Zoe’s side of what brought her to the decision to leave, unfolding a tale of neglect, verbal abuse, feelings of unworthiness, but again – is it true? As this is Zoe’s story.

Engaging read. As I dug into the characters, the book mostly focused on Grace’s reactions to what she is hearing and what she can remember of their childhood, and a rewrite of her own history.

While there are a few loose ends that I tend to pick at, overall a good, fast read that you will not want to put down.

Rated: 3 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: I would

Themes: death, sex (minimal and not descriptive), mental abuse

Book Club Worthy – Mmmm hmmm. I can see this as a good and possibly deep discussion on mental abuse, what we thought happened early on, and what actually happened. What could have easily changed the narrative?

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

“I could handle a few more Storms”…. ” ~ Sheila

Alice Storm has spent five years apart from her family and the Storm family’s wealth. Removing herself from a toxic situation was probably the best decision she ever made, making (and paying) her own way.

Yet, when the call comes in from her mother about her billionaire father’s untimely passing, Alice finds herself returning to Storm Island, spending time with the siblings she has spoken to since she left, and finding herself once again entangled in one of her father’s manipulating games in an all-or-nothing family task for the inheritance that she never wanted.

Nothing, when it comes to the name Storm, is easy.

I read this one as we traveled to Florida earlier this week. As usual, I stockpiled a tote of books to bring along – many titles I have had for a while but had not had the opportunity to read.

It’s amazing the reading you can complete when traveling by RV for 3 1/2 days…

This was an enjoyable book. I liked Alice, and I liked her integrity. Toss in a mixed bag of family –

Greta – the oldest sister who has always felt it was her duty to hold everything together (to a fault), her mother’s right hand, and always seeking approval.

Sam – the only son. He should have been the leader and the next in line to take over as the CEO of Storm INC, but Sam is a spoiled rich adult who never put in the time to be his father’s successor and now struggles with secrets of his own and a wife and two kids expecting him to step up.

Emily – the youngest of the Storms, who is free-spirited and lives by her own rules, also does not break away from the family safety net.

And Elizabeth Storm, the mother of the four siblings, is icy and cold, never showing emotions.

Together, this reuniting of a broken, messed-up family forced into an inheritance game left in the father’s will, where they all have tasks to accomplish in one week, and if anyone fails, they all fail…

For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even the sideline romance between Alice and Jack Dean, her father’s second-in-command.


My only gripe- the ending was … weird. I was left with questions that IMO would lead to another book, but a search online says nope… this is a stand-alone.

Still check it out for yourself.

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: I don’t think so
Read Author Again: probably

Themes: Inheritance, Black sheep, romance

Book Club Worthy – Yes. The siblings and their vast differences, and all with a secret of their own makes for good discussion. Even Elizabeth, the icy mom, is worth diagnosing if she becomes under the family’s name, and of course, this controlling, now passed away father that literally holds the purse strings to most of their desires – is it worth losing who you are, who you want to be for a large financial prize?

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment

Just great snarky fun unfolding in a unique, engaging style ~ Sheila

When Poppy and Alex meet during a shared car ride home from college, they have nothing in common. Poppy is a free spirit, adventurous and daring – loving to push the narrative a little farther than perhaps she should… and Alex is most content to stay at home with a book, keeping his circle of influence small and comfortable.

Somehow, this odd match works, and they become the best of friends, taking an annual one-week vacation together where Poppy’s wild child persona pushes Alex to be a little more out of his shell, which they fondly refer to as “Vacation Alex“. This fun tradition continues with the friends for 10 years until a disastrous trip to Croatia creates a rift between the two of them, and they both agree that this will be their last trip together.

Two years later, Poppy is in a rut and can’t stop thinking of her once-best friend. She reaches out to Alex, convincing him to take one last trip together to see if they can bring back the magic they once had together, mixing the intoxicating combination of Poppy’s spirit with Alex’s need for stability.

What could possibly go wrong?

Full disclosure.. I have kind of been stocking people’s first book of the year selections and cherry – picking the ones I would like to give a try. This one looked fun, so in I went.

I love the layout of this read… it’s common in books today to have a present-time narrative as well as a narrative of the past… what’s unique ( and fun!) about People We Meet On Vacation, Is that this back and forth narrative takes us through Poppy and Alex’s past vacations – starting with the ride from college when they met, to their annual tradition sharing with us their bond together, leading up to the fateful trip that reveals to us the readers, what went down… all the while alternating with present time in their current trip.

It works.

I loved Vacation, Alex. The way Poppy draws out this playful alternative person, where they play act with strangers, pretend to be married with a hilarious back story of how they met to get perks at hotels and restaurants, and let go of all the inhibitions that you can when you are in a place that no one knows you, and most likely you will never see them again.

Highly enjoyable read. I didn’t know until I had started this book that it was also going to be a Netflix movie. Double Score!!!! My timing was kind of perfect, as the movie released on January 9th, and I finished the book on this day as well, and treated myself to a follow-up with the movie last night.
The actors playing the roles of Poppy and Alex were perfect. They capture Poppy’s snarky, fun personality and her sense of adventure, as well as Alex’s more laid-back personality.

Highly recommend the book – and the movie.
It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy both.

Rated: 4.5 out of 5
Read Author Before: Yes
Read Author Again: Yes

Themes: friendship, romance, nothing triggering

Book Club Worthy – Yes. Discussion can be centered around friendships, if men and women can just be close friends or best friends, and if anyone has (or had) this kind of relationship with the opposite sex… also, vacation is a fun topic, and if you do act differently when not around people you know – do we let go of inhibitions?
Of course – vacation food pairings… the options are endless!

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (First Book of 2026!)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

What an absolutely beautiful book that will stay with me forever~ Sheila

When a mysterious older gentleman moves to Golden, Georgia, little is known about him other than that he goes by the name Theo.
When in a coffee shop one morning, where 92 framed sketches of various residents are on display, Theo comes up with the idea to purchase each of these portraits and gift them to their “rightful owners” – the person in the frame. And what a wide variety of people! An accountant, a custodian, a landlord, a bookstore owner, a street musician, a one armed mixolist, a young girl, and a homeless woman, just to name a few.
As Theo sets out on his mission, each sketched person is invited to meet. All Theo asks in return is that they sit with him and tell him about themselves… stories are told, long-lasting hurts are shared, treasured memories revealed, and in the process, lives are changed.

This is my planned first book of 2026. Only recently did this book draw my attention – and in an even shorter time, when a friend posted about this book on social media, the deal was sealed. Not only did I need to read this, but the timing, the beginning of a New Year, seemed to be perfect.

Having just finished this book yesterday afternoon, I am fresh from the words and all the feels. As I think about this today, I honestly don’t know if I can name another recent book that I have read that left me feeling this emotional, inspired, and with chills.

What a perfect book to start the year with. Beautifully and thoughtfully written. May we all take each day as a gift and a chance to quietly make a difference in a positive way. May we all long for Heaven the way that Theo does – and may we be the type of people that bring a little bit of Heaven to earth.

Absolutely read this book.

Rated: 5 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: Maybe – this feels so good I kind of don’t want to touch it 🙂

Themes: Faith, Hope, Spiritualness, Selflessness, Kindness

Book Club Worthy – YES, and if I have anything to say about it – it absolutely will be. There is so, so much that would make for great discussion here.

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)5 Comments

Pleasantly surprising! Sheila

Ella Durran had a set plan for her life ever since she was a young girl. Study at Oxford. When she receives her ticket to her dream through a Rhodes Scholarship, she is on her way to England! At the same time, incredibly so, she is offered a chance to work alongside a rising politician with the plan to work remotely until her year is complete at Oxford and then move full-time into her position in DC.
Of course… You know what happens when one makes plans….

A confrontation with a cocky young man upon Ella’s arrival doesn’t start her off in the right direction – nor does it when it is discovered that this same man. Jamie Davenport turns out to be her English Literature Teacher. Yet, as time goes on, Jamie’s cockyness turns to charm, and a romance starts between the two.

But – Jamie has a secret one too big to hide forever, and one that will cause Ella to make hard decisions not only regarding her future plans, but also on what to do about her heart and how much she is willing to give.


If you know me, romance novels are not my thing. What drew me to the book was the fun literary references and an interesting synopsis. Digging in – I found more (pleasantly so) than I had planned, which was enjoyable about this book. Someone had said the essence of Jo Jo Moyes, and I agree – you are getting more than a fluffy romance, you are getting into a book that delivers hard realities with engaging characters.

I listened to this on audio and LOVED the narration. I have been listening to Julia Whelan narrate books for many years – in fact, she is one of my favorite narrators. This being her first book authored, AND she narrated it was double amazing!

I didn’t know going into this that is was also a Netflix movie – I watched the movie last night and it was good, but of course – the book is better – more details, more diving in)

Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: nope- but have listened to her narrate audiobooks way more than I can count!
Read Author Again: Oh yeah!

Where listened to: around the house and while driving
Book Club Worthy: Yes, topics of plans made when we are young and how they change woudl make for a good discussion as well as reviewing the choices that Ella makes, and for that matter, the hard choices that Jaimie makes.



Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

Things I really liked… and a few things I didn’t. ~Sheila

Alicia Cross has dreamed about becoming a writer. When she believes she finds a contact for none other than the unreachable Margaret Ives, tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century, she can not believe her luck. Alicia definitely thinks the stars have aligned when she is not only correct about finding Margaret, but Margaret has invited her to Crescent Island to talk about Alicia writing her biography.

Yet, as Alicia knows all too well, nothing is that easy. While it is true that Alicia has been given access to Margaret, she is not the only one.

Enter Pulitzer-Prize winner Hayden Anderson, who has also been invited to the island – ALSO to be interviewed by Margaret to potentially write her story – and in the words of Margaret, may the best person win the right to do so.

With an iron-clad NDA, Margaret meets with both writers separately to tell her story, but the real story genre – mystery, historical, tragedy, or romance… may depend on the writer…. and if Alicia and Hayden steer clear of the obvious attraction to each other.

Ok – first *sigh*. I am not a fan of romance… well, let’s say fluffy romance. While this at times borders on a little too much eye fluttering and stammering for my taste, I am pleased to say there is more likable parts to this book.

I did like the back story and the camaraderie between Hayden and Alicia as they find themselves in situations that pull them together, even when they are trying to stay in their own lane. This, and Margaret’s telling of her story, was fun ( a reminder of something else I have read in the past few years – cover has a woman in a green dress… that I can not recall the title of) – but not in a bad way.

My biggest peeve, and sorry if this is a spoiler- the sex. Not a prude – but I also do not need to have the full play by play in my fiction (or perhaps it seemed more detailed in audio). Every time.. yeah, there is more than one occurrence… it pulled me out of the story. Obviously, my opinion, but I feel there are ways to get the picture without the full PICTURE.
Overall, mostly enjoyed. Would love others’ thoughts on this one.

Rated: 2.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: yes – Funny Story
Read Author Again: Probably she has some fun titles and Im a little surprized I have not read more of her books
Where Read: Audio – gardening/mowing/commuting

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

Beautifully and painfully written – I loved this book. Sheila

It starts when Beth’s brother-in-law kills a dog and goes after their sheep.
But – did it?
The dog belongs to Gabriel Wolfe, Beth’s one love when she was a teenager, until circumstances broke her heart and separated them for what she felt would be forever. Gabriel has recently returned to the area where he grew up, a now well-known author, recently divorced, and with custody of his young son Leo.
Beth is happily married to Frank and lives on the family farm, but Leo reminds Beth of the son she lost to a terrible accident around the same age as Leo is now. As Beth finds time to spend with Leo, she also finds it soothes her heartache to be near this boy, despite Frank’s warnings that this may not be the best idea for more reasons than one.
As the past colides with the present, Beth has to choose between he woman she was and the woman she has become.



So – first up. I am not a romance reader. So believe me when I tell you that this book does have elements of romance, of course, but it is written in a way that is also a thriller. The combination works, and I flew through this read wanting to know what would happen, wanting to know how it all would end, but also not wanting it to end.

Beautifully and painfully written, a hard subject for me yet written in a way that also held me captive to the accuracies of losing a child, the feelings of isolation that can come with this, and the pain and struggle of trying to live when not wanting to move forward. Absolutely, I cried.
There is so much to this book that I do not want to share because this is one of those reads that as best left to the reader to go in with no guidance and come out the other side with their own full and personal impact.

This is a wonderful read and would make a great discussion with a reading group – there is much to unpack.

Rated: 5 out of 5
Triggers: Child Loss, Immense Grief, Some Sexual Content
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: Absolutely
Where Read: at home, over a weekend

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments


Charlie Reade has not had it easy. He lost his mom when he was seven, and lost his father for a long time as well to the bottle.
Things have been looking better, though. His dad got the help that he needed. And Charlie, at 17, is over 6 feet tall and enjoys sports.
When he has a chance encounter with a crotchety elderly neighbor who winds up in the hospital, Charlie feels like this is his calling from a long-ago promise, and he steps in to help take care of the neighbor’s dog, Radar.
Yet something changes in Charlie as he begins to help this man, even when he returns home. With no other relatives, Charlie becomes the one who checks in and helps with meals and medications… having no idea where this change in his life’s direction will take him… even beyond the world as we know it.

When I first read about the description of this book, I had little flashback memories of 11-22-63 (if you have not read it – I suggest you immediately do so!) While two very separate books, the similarity in finding a sort of porthole into another world was just too tempting to pass up.

Honestly, there was a lot I enjoyed about this book – the first part being about Charlie and his family, as well as the encounter with Howard Bowditch (the neighbor). The storyline leading up to the mysterious thing in the shed (I’m not telling you any more than you will see on the back cover of the book) was definitely intriguing, as well as going into the next world and the why (I loved the why so so much).
The dog… loved the dog.
The movie references… YES!!!! It gave me the essence of Ready Player One – even the narration which was FANTASTIC.

What I did not enjoy was the excessive swearing and vulgarity as the book proceeded. I am no prude by any means and believe me there are times when it is perfectly executed… IE – NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!” ~ Mrs. Weasly/Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

In this case, it was frequent to the point I really picked up on it(taking me out of the moment of what I was reading) and, sadly, not necessary. There are many ways to express that the bad guys are bad without all of that… and yeah, they were BAD.

I recommended this to my book club, and it is what we picked as a group for our April read. I was only at the beginning of the read when I suggested it, and I am hopeful that the book club gives it a chance as it is a good read and a different style of book than I think we have ever read as a group before. I am glad that I read it, and I feel it will make for good discussion; however, if I had been further in the book, I am not sure I would have recommended it to my book club.

Rated: 2.75 out of 5
Read Author Before: oh yeah 🙂
Read Author Again: most likely
Where I read: At home

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment

Set in Chicago, Marilyn and David fell madly in love in the 70’s. Together they raise 4 daughters that turn out to be completely different from each other.

Wendy, widowed, lives on the edge, using her looks and booze to ger what she wants.. or what she thinks she wants.

Violet once an attorney and now a stay at home mom, finds reason for doubt and anxiety at every turn.

Liza a Professor is pregnant with a baby she is not sure she wants with a man she is pretty sure she does not love.

And Grace, the youngest of the four, living a lie that no would ever suspect.

And when 15 year old Jonah Bendt enters the picture – having ties to the family that no one knew…. things get ever more twisted as the family that finds joy in the moments takes a look at what they missed.

“Everyone thinks I know what I’m doing but I actually have no idea what I’m doing and that’s the cruelest trick the universe plays on people who have their shit together, little one; the people who seem like they have it together are the most overlooked, because everyone thinks those people never need anything, but everyone needs things; I need things; thanks for listening.” ~Violet


This is one of those books I wanted to love. Thought I was going to love. I was excited to see the book be picked by Reese Witherspoon, and excited to hear the hype around the book. As one of our 2024 Wine and Words authors it just added to the “Must Read”.
And don’t get me wrong – it is a good book, and it is a family that you will enjoy diving into and learning more about. There are definitely moments in the book I loved.

Overall for myself, too many characters to keep track of – too much going on and that honestly is just my preference. Sometimes books read at certain times are not the best fit. I would honestly call it that a time when life is busy and sinking deep into a book that required a bit of work was not a great fit for the time.

The Bookies Book Club ready this book for May 2024 and turns out – many of them felt the same. The overall book club rating 3.34 out of 5 most stating the too many characters to follow.

Of course – would love to hear others opinions 🙂