ARC Review: Wild Goose Chase by Sarah Adler

 

An antique dealer and his inconvenient(ly irresistible) new colleague must contend with an illicit stuffed goose and their sizzling attraction, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler.

Antique store owner Callahan Leitner has an illegal taxidermy goose in his living room.

Why? It’s…complicated.

But it may end his career unless he finds a legitimate way to dispose of the bird ASAP. Unfortunately, there’s an unexpected wrench in his plans—the frustrating, effervescent Annie O’Neill.

Annie is happy to fill in for her uncle at his antique store; it’s the perfect opportunity to gain more experience before opening a shop of her own, and to finally meet his handsome young business partner. Unfortunately, Cal is nothing like the charming man she expected. She’s tempted to take his apparent dislike personally, until she stumbles upon the source of his the contraband waterfowl hiding upstairs.

When the goose goes missing, it puts both of their professional reputations on the line. As Cal and Annie attempt to track down the bird before it can be traced back to the store, their tentative alliance turns into something much deeper. Will the hunt for their felonious fowl lead to true love, or end in ruin?

Title: Wild Goose Chase

Author: Sarah Adler

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Expected Publication Date: July 28, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Who doesn't like a good goose hunt? This was my first Sarah Adler book and it was fun. 

Callahn Leitner spent 15 years with the same woman until one day, it wasn't working. But when she calls him to come help her and her husband with something, he doesn't hesitate. And when that something is a very illegal stuffed goose, he assures her he can set things right. Annie O'Neil is Cal's partner's niece and has come to help him for a month while the partner is off getting married. When Annie accidentally finds out about the goose, she agrees to help Cal figure out the mystery of where it came from and how to handle it. When the goose goes missing and they start chasing it's whereabouts all over Baltimore, an attraction ensues.

I have to say I did like the characters in this book. They were fun and quirky. I did feel like Cal was different on the page in many of the chapters. Sometimes forward, sometimes bashful. But all the time tightly wound. Annie is a free spirit who has always relied on her looks and sexual prowess to keep her moving forward, making herself smaller than who she truly is. But she's tired of it and has decided to just be herself and have that be enough. The character development is mostly there but not totally there. I wish Cal's background was more concrete than what Adler chose to give us. And Annie's background just revolves around all the boyfriends she's had to make herself small for, but we don't see how that initially happened.

The side characters were fun. I wish we could have gotten to know some of them a bit better.

I didn't truly feel the chemistry in this book. It was all tell and now show. I needed more tension. I wanted to feel them falling for each other but it just wasn't totally there for me.

The banter was cute. I giggled a few times. 

The pacing was a bit slower for me. While the goose chase was fun, sometimes the chapters felt stagnant.

I liked the flashbacks to Ora and her involvement in the goose debacle.

Overall this one had a great premise but kind of missed the mark for me. I felt like some of the chapters really didn't push the story forward. And the spicy scenes weren't really vibing for me, probably due to the lack of chemistry I felt between the FMC and MMC. I won't rule out reading more books by this author in the future because I did enjoy the writing. And I seem to be the minority with my rating so give it a try if you find the premise interesting or love the author.

Author:

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, and very mischievous cat. When not working, you can find her attempting to course-correct an ill-advised late afternoon nap with an equally ill-advised late afternoon coffee, as she is incapable of ever learning a lesson.

ARC Review: Extracurricular by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

When a former pop star enrolls in college, the last thing she expects is A-plus chemistry with her psychology professor in this sexy and tender romance from New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lynn Solomon.

Ramona Wilder has spent her whole life in the spotlight. After a hit kids’ TV show, she transitioned into music, singing in arenas around the world and becoming an icon for millions of teenage girls. Now at age twenty-six, exhausted by the inhumane lack of privacy, she’s done—with all of it. She wants a chance at normal, whatever that might mean for her. And she’s starting with college.

Professor Nick Navarro is recently divorced but determinedly optimistic, allowing himself a very reasonable ten minutes per day to wallow. When his department calls a meeting about a celebrity enrollment, he plans to treat whoever it is like any other student. Except when Ramona blazes into class and causes an uproar, the typically easygoing professor is rattled, maybe for the first time in his career.

Ramona loves the way she flusters him, taking every opportunity to push Nick’s buttons, though what she really wants is to unbutton them completely. When a crisis brings them closer outside of class, they begin a tentative friendship amid an undeniable attraction. But Ramona can’t be so easily finished with her old life, and they’ll both have to confront their pasts if they want a chance at something real.

Title: Extracurricular

Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Expected Publication Date: July 14, 2026

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for supplying me with a copy of this title to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I've not read any titles by this author before. I have seen them around but haven't had a chance but the reviews have been good so I wanted to give her a try. And I was not disappointed at all. I enjoy a really well written forbidden love story and Solomon did a really good job with this while also including an age gap!

Romona Wilder has retired from being a pop star after years of abuse from the industry. She's gone back to school at UCLA to see where she wants her to go. Nick Navarro is just off a divorce from his childhood love. He's trying to make a new life for himself but is also having a hard time moving on. What does keep him going is his niece and his job as a psychology professor at UCLA. When Romona chooses his class as one to take, he is skeptical she is in school for the right reasons, But there's an attraction between them that neither seems to be able to ignore. As they grow closer as "friends," Nick finds himself at risk of not only losing his job but also losing his heart.

Romona is a fabulous character. She is extremely well developed. It was easy to relate to her despite having no association in the music industry. So much has been brought to light in the last few years about how pop stars are treated and what they go through and Romona's character embodied so much of that.  I was impressed with how Solomon addressed some very difficult topic in this book: abuse. Romona's character was emotionally and sexually abused by those she trusted. It took pulling herself out of the industry and an accusation of assault against her ex-boyfriend to reveal these things to her. She is slowly learning none of what she went through was ok and trying hard to take her life back. She does not expect her attraction to Nick, nor does she expect the friendship they form and now it supports her.

Nick is such a golden retriever but with a bit of a dominant side hiding beneath. I loved his character. His own trauma, while different from Romona's, was just as powerful in shaping who he is. He's experienced so much pain. I really loved how he and Romona had honest conversations with each other that helped them truly understand one another. And I love his relationship with his niece. It's just so sweet that they are so close and she feels like she can come to him and call on him for things.

I'm not going to lie, the plot for this one is messy. It was hard for me to see a good outcome in the distance while reading this. I just could not see how things would work out. And the actual attraction was little on the fast side for me. It was not insta-love, but I wish there was just a bit more build up to it. Thankfully, Solomon does choose to give us happiness at the end (I'm not good at total heartbreak). And she does it without the third act break up which I was very happy about. Solomon explores self-discovery, growth, and resilience. Both characters work through their traumas and help each other realize it's ok to be a little messy.

What this book did was made me realize I need to read everything Solomon decides to write. Her pacing was on point. Not too quick, not too slow. But just enough to have me finishing this in less than 24 hours. And her plot was so much more than just a romance. It's a story about kindness. It's about accepting yourself despite the traumas in your past. Accepting those are part of who you are and will help you grow into who you can be and feel safe doing it. A story that touches on so many deeper themes beyond chemistry and spice. Definitely one of my top reads this year!

Author:

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Her books have been translated into more than fifteen languages and optioned for film. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she can often be found exploring the city, collecting stationery, and working up the courage to knit her first sweater. Connect with her on Instagram @rlynn_solomon. 

Blog Tour Spotlight: The Final Score by Lana Ferguson

 

A hockey player and a grad student are on thin ice until they meet their match in this sexy romance by USA Today bestselling author Lana Ferguson.

Jack Baker is on top of the world now that he’s back on the rink where he belongs. But the high comes crashing down when he reinjures his arm immediately following his return to the ice, and this time, he might never be able to play again. After a lifetime as the strong, happy hockey guy whose sister needed him, Jack is left questioning everything he knows about himself.

Abigail Thompson feels like she’s hit rock bottom. It’s only been a few months since the massive scandal that finally severed the cord between her and her narcissistic father. And now, in her last weeks of grad school, she’s been kicked out of her building with very short notice. The last thing she wants to do is ask her half-brother for help after what she’s put him through, but it’s looking like his best friend’s spare room might be her only choice.

Jack is flighty, flirty, and a little full of himself—all the things Abby’s learned to avoid in men. However, spending every day together breaks the ice between them, and she starts to realize that Jack might not be who he seems. It’s possible that maybe, just maybe, he might be struggling as much as she is. Soon, confiding in each other leads to falling into bed, and this fling will either play with their hearts—or score them the ultimate goal of love.

Title: TheFinal Score

Author: Lana Ferguson

Publisher: Berkley

Expected Publication Date: July 7, 2026

Author:

Lana Ferguson is a USA Today bestselling author and sex-positive nerd whose works never shy from spice or sass. A faded Fabio cover found its way into her hands at fifteen, and she’s never been the same since. When she isn’t writing, you can find her randomly singing show tunes, arguing over which Batman is superior, and subjecting her friends to the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings. Lana lives mostly in her own head but can sometimes be found chasing her corgi through the coppice of the great American outdoors.

ARC Review: Formula Zero by Meredith Lanzen

Romantic tension between ex-best friends rockets to new heights in this dazzling sports romance debut set in the fast-paced, interplanetary world of Formula Zero racing.

Madeline Clarke didn't think her life would be all fun and trophies after earning her spot in the solar system's most elite zero-gravity racing circuit, but she definitely thought it'd be better than this. Aside from being a female pilot in a male-dominated sport, her boss is a controlling jerk, her estranged father is a beloved figure from her team's past glory days (and an absolute ass), and she's performing so poorly she risks losing her contract. And worst of all, there's Julian Casperi.

Julian was Clarke's childhood best friend and is a rising star in the league. The dance between them has always been complicated, but when Clarke walked away from her feelings years ago and Julian didn’t stop her they became nothing more than competitors—until Clarke gets into a near-fatal accident on the track and Julian comes to her rescue.

Now back in each other’s orbits, the tension between them is at an all-time high. But navigating their relationship might be the least of Clarke’s problems. Things keep going wrong on the track, and she suspects there's something shady at play. If she wants to come out on top, she needs to move fast and make bold choices—about her team, her future, and her heart.

Title: Formula Zero

Author: Meredith Lanzen

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Expected Publication Date: July 7, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Formula One by in SPACE? SIGN. ME. UP. I honestly requested this book because of the cover. I'm in my F1 phase and will read anything written about the sport, especially a romance. I didn't even read the blurb. And I didn't read the blurb before I cracked it open to start. Imagine my surprise when I started reading and they were in SPACE racing! I love me some sports romance, and I love me some sci-fi, but combine them and my mind is blown.

If you're looking for a light fluffy romance, this is not that. Yes, there is romance and tension and chemistry and spice. But it's so much more. The romance takes a back seat to the actual story line and world we are immersed in. Lanzen builds a future world where racing has moved off the actual track and into space. No gravity, racing through all kinds of chicanes and loops, traveling to distant planets, and fighting for a place on the podium flying at super high speeds. But Lanzen still uses F1 type rules and verbage to make it easy to understand the world and how racing works.

On top of the amazing world building, Lanzen gives us characters with depth who are relatable despite their place on Formula Zero (think the current F1 drivers and how untouchable they seem to be but make them down to earth). The author takes Madeline Clarke, a female driver, and shows us her struggles given her being a woman. You would think so far in the future things would be different, but you still see the struggles. Add to that her being the daughter of a famous racer, having to walk in his shoes as she races for the same team he did, and you have the set up for a character who is put into a box. I really felt for Clarke. Her team principle totally took advantage of her naiveté. I was actually angry at her manager for even allowing her to sign a contract that was so limiting for her. But there was a ton of female empowerment in this story. Clarke taking back control of her life and putting herself first was great to watch.

The romance is a slow, slow burn. Julian Casperi is a long time friend of Clarke's but they have been estranged since the death of their friend Connor. Their friendship blends childhood friends who become rivals. Their relationship is really well written. I loved all the time they were "forced" to spend together given the publicity stunt that is woven into the storyline. I will say I would have liked to see a little more background in this area. Clarke pulled away from Julian but we don't get much background as to why. There is an element of them being attracted to each other early on and deciding it was too much to just stay friends. That being in each other's orbit was just too difficult with them deciding they could never take it further. But other than this, I didn't seen any actual reason for the rift. This was an area I would have liked to see explored just a bit more.

The side characters in this book are fantastic. I hope Lanzen deicides to maybe explore some of their stories in the future (I didn't investigate to see if this was set as a series or not). These characters brought depth to the story along with some great banter and humor. Maki, Theirry, and Sara really support Clarke. And the villains are done well. So much morally gray stuff going on throughout the book.

I will say I was not expecting the mystery portion of this story, either. I enjoyed the sleuthing Clarke did and how her friends ultimately helped her. 

I'm very impressed with this debut book by Lanzen. I was hooked from page 1 and tore through it. I really didn't want it to end, though I needed it to so I could see the mystery wrap up. This author is definitely one I would continue to follow and read in the future!

Author:

 

Meredith Lanzen is an adult sci-fi and fantasy romance author. When she's not charting out intergalactic adventures on her kitchen window, she's playing D&D, braving her fear of spiders to spend time outside, and singing show tunes loudly enough to have acquired a neighborhood nickname. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two chaos goblins cleverly disguised as human children, and a 65-pound lapdog.

Blog Tour: ARC Review In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson

 

One woman’s luck changes in an instant when she hits her head and wakes up in Ireland, in this whimsical, whirlwind romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

After yet another disastrous date where Jess is too awkward, too earnest, too whatever, she’s ready to put her romantic daydreams aside. Other than an enchanting Irish accent, her latest date is no prince charming. Then the night goes from bad to worse when she’s mugged in the parking lot and hits her head. Hard.

Hard enough that when Jess wakes up, she’s in Ireland.

The first person she meets is Eamonn, a quiet, gruff mechanic. Since Jess is stranded with no passport, cell phone, or way to get home, Eamonn becomes her reluctant knight in shining armor.

Over the next forty-eight hours, they meander through the cobblestone streets of Dublin and explore the Irish countryside, sharing their deepest fears, quiet hopes, and softest aches. It’s a connection that is as electrifying as it is terrifying, because what if Jess falls asleep and Eamonn vanishes like a dream? But a love like this—touched by magic and a little bit of luck—is never quite as it seems.

Title: In Every Possible Way

Author: Alicia Thompson

Publisher: Berkely

Expected Publication Date: June 23, 2026

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I requested this book because and auto-read author of mine was reading it and I needed to see what it was all about. I have not read this author before and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this. 

I wasn't expecting the speculative/magical realism part of this book. I love these types of books. I loved the unique premise of this one, as well.

There's quite a bit of build up with this book. I loved how it started out, with Jess (the main character) on a date with a guy who absolutely did not deserve an iota of her time. She handled the date with grace but also was a bit of a push over, which pissed me off.

Fast forward to about 25% in and now the story has totally shifted. Jess meets Eamon (through a little dream magic) and we watch their story unfold and shift. Their connection was fairly palpable on the page. I enjoyed watching their chemistry burn, though I did feel like I really could have gotten to know Eamon just a bit more. The entire story is told through Jess's POV and I almost feel like had I had Eamon's  side, I would have understand everything just a little bit more.

I did enjoy their adventures as they made their way through the touristy site seeing spots. But they also had their own experiences which help them get to know one another.

What dropped the rating for this one for me was all the internal monologue from the FMC. At first, it was enjoyable but then as the book went on it got a bit repetitive and annoying for me. I could have done with less of it.

There's a lot of emotion in this book. There are discussions dealing with grief and loss as well and imprisonment. 

There's also an age gap so if that's not your thing, just keep it in mind.

I enjoyed this one a lot and I am looking forward to reading other works from this author.

3.5/5 stars

Author:

Alicia Thompson is a writer, reader, and Paramore superfan. As a teen, she appeared in an episode of 48 Hours in the audience of a local murder trial, where she broke the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.

Annotations:

Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps

Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.

Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/ 

ARC Review: The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston

 

The new head gardener at the enchanting Lilymoor House stumbles upon a secret garden . . . with a mysterious man trapped inside, in the next magical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Sounds Like Love and The Seven Year Slip.

When Sophie Drear plans her escape to coastal Maine for the summer—for a temporary job revitalizing the storied grounds at Lilymoor House—she doesn’t expect to fall in love.

But she does: With the beguiling land, the fragrant flowers, and the towering hedge maze. With the quirky staff and the enigmatic woman who owns the place.

And then, the door appears. Never in the same place twice, it leads her to a secret, and unfinished, garden with a frustrated thundercloud of a man trapped inside.

This mysterious garden is not the only sign that the future of Lilymoor is unstable: the foliage resists Sophie’s careful nurturing, vines threaten to strangle the hedges, and the manor’s owner has wild ideas about who will take over when she retires—including her inconveniently attractive nephew who is also there just for the summer.

Despite herself, Sophie has come to care for the residents of Lilymoor just as much as she cares for its grounds. With the help of one man on the outside of the secret garden, and one man on the inside, she might be the only person who can figure out exactly what Lilymoor needs to bloom once more.

Title: The Someday Garden

Author: Ashley Poston

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Expected Publication Date: June 16, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I'm always up for a little magical realism and Poston knows what buttons to push to infuse that into a story. I really enjoy her writing and I was excited for this title and it's throwback for me: The Secret Garden. That book was a favorite of my childhood. While it's a solid read for me, it wasn't my favorite from her by far. It had a ton of potential but I feel like so many areas that could have been explored were put on the back burner and much of the story line made it a bit hard to connect with the characters.

What I loved:

Magical garden! I love the idea of a place that finds you just when you need it and Poston had that in this book. A moving door and garden that comes to life when the main character enters it. Sophie Drear has a lot of grief to work through. The garden, and the entire world of Lilymoor House, provide that space for her. There she comes to terms with her loss and how she has been processing it. How it has been holding her back. She also learns that grief doesn't have to be stagnant. You can move forward and still carry with you the love and memories you have of the person you lost.

Found Family! While there is actual family in this book, there is also a found family and I love when authors show family does not always mean related by blood. Found family relationships are often if not more so a balm to the main character's soul. Sophie is lifted up and loved by these new friends who cherish who she is and what she can do above all else.

Grief and what it does. I think Poston did a good job with the exploration of this topic. Sophie's great is palpable on the page. I thought the flashbacks with Harriet were done well and showed their bond and the emotional impact of losing her. You also see grief explored with the MMC. Both these explorations showed how grief can hit differently for different people. No two people experience it the same and the timeline for it is not the same for everyone. Grief can also help you grow and learn about the self and the choices one makes in their lives after having experienced it.

Chapter names! I loved that Poston chose to introduce all these new words to us. I will say some of the chapter names are not fully explored in the chapters, or at least not alluded to well enough for me to understand their meaning. But it was a nice touch to have unique and untranslatable words which the FMC explores and tries to explain for the most part.

What I didn't love:

Love triangle? Poston introduces it to us and I cringed. I'm not a fan of a love triangle. I wish I had known it was going to be there from the beginning but the blurb gives no indication of anything like it. And, while I don't love triangles, it can be done well. This one was not done well. And it was kind of a bait and switch. It's introduced and then the author backs off from it. Which is just weird because why introduce it in the first place if it's not going to be a central part to the plot? The book struggled to commit to the full romantic trope that was introduced because of this.

Pacing, pacing, pacing. I had to push through this one. There was nothing that snagged me and kept my attention. Many scenes were introduced that really didn't lend anything to the plot. For example, her night out with Juliette after Juliette gets dumped. What was the point of that? 

Confusing magic! I didn't really understand the ending and how the MMC was both in the garden and at Lilymoor. I kept wondering: are there two of him? Where did the other one go? It was not explained well at all. And the magic itself is never truly explained or fully explored 

Romance needs to build! I didn't feel chemistry between Sophie and the MMC at all. It felt like it all took place off page and I was just shown the highlights. His timeline in the garden moves more slowly than hers, as well. So his falling for her was in such a short time period. I didn't feel like they really got to know each other. They didn't share anything that connected them, apart from what we are told. Plus the spice aspects of their romance felt more forced because of this. My emotional investment in their relationship was lacking.

So much telling, where is the showing? I didn't see enough showing in the book. We are told on the page about so many things but never truly shown.

Repetition equals boredom. Yes, I was bored many times. So many visits to the garden. So many interactions that were just the same over and over again. It made the story flat.

Unexplored characters and topics. While we get development with the FMC for the most part, it's not enough to help me truly connect with her. I didn't find her relatable. As for the side characters, while I did see some of their quirks, I didn't really see who they were. Do we see some of their personality? Sure. Do we feel the connections Sophie makes with them? Somewhat but not enough. I didn't really know them well enough to see their impact on her. Poston also introduces LBGTQ+ topics superficially: a man who had a relationship with another man but now he is flirting with women, a transgender child (possibly? I still don't know because it was that surface level). Why introduce these things if they are not essential to the plot or going to have a bit of exploration? This felt like afterthoughts that were introduced to make the book seem inclusive.

Overall, this is a nice story that is truly focused on grief. I also feel the blurb does not accurately describe the book as the grief part is totally left out of that. This comes across in every single chapter and it needs to be reflected in what the book is actually about. I rated it based on the writing, which is solid, rather than the actual plot and overall story. I will still continue to pick up Poston's book but this one just didn't hit as well as her others have for me.

Author:

Blog Tour: ARC Review Strange Familiars by Keshe Chow

 

Two scholars of magical veterinary science must put aside their lust and loathing to save the world in the first installment of this whimsical, romantic, dark academia duology.

All Gwendolynne Chan needs is to get through final year. As the top student in the magical familiars stream, she is on track to be awarded Dux of the entire school—as long as the pretentious prat Harrisford Briggs doesn’t beat her to it.

Harrisford Briggs’s father, the chief financial officer of Magecorp, a major global distributor of magic, expects him to come top of the class. Harrisford, though, can’t help but notice that his father has been acting odd. And there are strange whisperings, too, of uncontrollable surges of excess magic.

When these magical surges begin to rock London, causing chaos and explosions and familiars going feral, Gwen and Harrisford find themselves reluctantly involved, putting both of their veterinary careers at risk.

Along with Gwen’s snarky cat familiar, Gwen and Harrisford must team up to diagnose the problem. But as the two academic rivals fight their burgeoning feelings, they quickly realize that magic is not the only thing surging.

Title: Strange Familiars

Author: Keshe Chow

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Expected Publication Date: May 19, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved the blurb for this book: Academia, magical animals and the vets who care for them, plus a little romance to go along with it all. I was totally intrigued. And, while I was mostly entertained and it seemed like it would be a great read, overall I was more disappointed than not. 

There are some grave themes in this book: self harm, death, harm in general. So read those prior to diving in.

It was a fun read but nothing spectacular. I actually felt like it could have used a bit more editing. There was a lot of repetition in the book with phrases and things happening. But it was fun to watch the magic and magical animals.

I liked that the author chose to do dual POV. I feel like this helps the reader truly understand each character. I think this would be fun on audio.

The FMC, Gwendolyn, was likeable enough. She comes from a poor background and needs to prove herself and I enjoy a character who has to work for the things they want. But as the story went on, I just became totally annoyed with her and her self-doubt. There was not really much background to show why she was this way. She mentions self harm a few times, but it's never fully addressed to where it even made sense to include it in the story. I liked the idea of her Chinese background. 

Harrisford was nice enough. I hated his name. Maybe because I'm not British, but it was so annoying to keep pronouncing it in my head. I wish he had a nickname. He is a bit of a spoiled rich kid, though I like that he did have some morals. I could see his struggle between being faithful to his family versus his morality. 

Overall, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. There are quite a number of side characters that lend some great humor and information to the story. I'd love to see them built out even more.

I saw the build to the romance but it was not enough to really make me ship these two. It didn't totally make sense to me. I needed more scenes that showed how their connection was growing. They are enemies to lovers but that build was just kind of floating in the background. It was so wishy washy; one moment they are connected the next they are fighting. This would work well enough if it was actually built out this way but it just flip flopped and didn't really build for me. There was so much telling for the romance rather than showing.

The characters really seemed so much younger than their ages, as well. This read more like a YA book rather than adult or maybe even new adult.

The world building was interesting. I liked the idea of the magic and how it was used. How the characters didn't automatically have the magic, it needed to be purchased. I've not read anything like that before. But the actual world building was lacking for me. I needed much more background so I could truly understand it. The pacing was a bit uneven. Some parts I was able to fly through, others I struggled to finish a chapter.

The biggest issue with this book for me was the telling. It just assumed the reader could not possibly understand things unless they were fully explained. 

Overall, I enjoyed this enough but I don't think I'll be continuing on with the series.

Author:

Keshe was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and migrated to Australia when she was two. She currently lives in Naarm (Melbourne) with her partner, two kids, and two cats.

She has won multiple awards for short fiction, as well as the 2022 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript.

Her second YA fantasy novel, FOR NO MORTAL CREATURE is due out in 2025 with Penguin Random House.

ARC Review: Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

 

Best friends have one week in paradise to fix their friendship or fall apart in this heart-stopping, utterly romantic new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After and One Golden Summer.

Frankie and George have been best friends since they were eight years old. Both passionate, impulsive, and headstrong—they’ve always clashed . . . and come back together. Until now. It’s the eve of Frankie’s wedding weekend, and she doesn’t know where they stand or even if George will show up as her best man.

Then, at the start of the festivities, in walks George. For one glorious evening, surrounded by her loved ones, Frankie’s life is finally perfect. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the next morning, leaving only a note as an explanation.

Crushed and confused, Frankie returns to her family’s home to wallow. But George has a different idea and a plan for healing Frankie’s broken heart. He wants her to go on her honeymoon. With him. For one week, to the lush rainforests and misty beaches of Tofino.

Frankie agrees, seeing the trip for what it really is: one last chance to repair their friendship. Even if it means unearthing secrets and long buried feelings neither knows how to handle. Even if it means falling apart for good.

Title: Our Perfect Storm

Author: Carley Fortune

Publisher:

Expected Publication Date: May 5, 2026

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I always know Carley Fortune is going to give me a story that sticks with me. One that makes my heart a bit but also makes it sore. This book was no exception. Going in, I was reminded of Christina Lauren's The Unhoneymooners. The theme was similar. But I knew Fortune was going to give me a different story. And I was right.

Frankie gets dumped the day before her wedding. But the honeymoon is sill booked and her ex-fiancé wants her to take it, on his dime. But she doesn't want to go alone so she employees her best friend, George, to go with her. They have been growing apart for a few years and she thinks this will be the opportunity for them to get their friendship back on track. And George convinces her going will be just the thing to heal her heart. But when secrets start to emerge and feelings get tangled, Frankie and George must figure out if their friendship should take a different turn. One they can never look back from.

This book was a lot of fun. It's amazing how well Fortune portrays the Canadian landscape. I've been to Canada a handful of times, but only in the big cities. Fortune always takes her reader to the most scenic areas of Canada. And Tofino seems to be one that is lush and beautiful. She makes me want to go and explore those areas, and I don't even like the forest/trees. But there's also beach that, while the water seems cold, I could get into hanging out there and watching the surfers crash through the waves. Fortune makes me want to explore the Pacific North West!

Her characters never fail to tug at my heart strings. I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope, but I'm not even sure this truly qualifies at that. It's more like lies by omission. Frankie is blind to so much. She truly cannot see the forest for the trees. But with a broken heart, it's hard for her, I'm sure. And she takes such comfort in having George by her side. He's been someone she can always turn to in the past. For me, George's feelings were obvious from the very start. I was shocked Frankie couldn't see what was right in front of her. I love that he didn't push her. I loved that he let her figure her own stuff out. I hate that he kept himself from being fulfilled. 

Fortune uses flash backs to build the friendship between Frankie and George. Scenes where you watch them get close. And where you watch George fall for his best friend but deny himself telling her how he feels.

I balked a little at the beginning of the book, given that Frankie was about to get married. I had no idea how Fortune would spin that so Frankie would not be cheating. But she did it well. The final reveal of exactly why her fiancé chose to call it off wasn't completely surprising. I knew there would be some kind of connection to George and I kind of figured that out from the start. But I won't spoil that part but it's a pretty big reveal. I will say it makes the romance honest and emotionally satisfying.

While the overall plot was predictable, Fortune still did a great job building the chemistry and tension between her characters. The pacing was spot on and I finished in under 24 hours. The story, the scenery, the romance and chemistry, and the side relationships are all captivating and make for a well rounded fun romance. While this might not be my favorite book by Fortune, I still loved what she gave me and I cannot wait to see what she decides to give us next!

4.5/5 stars rounded to 5

Author:

Carley Fortune is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After, Meet Me at the Lake, This Summer Will Be Different, and One Golden Summer. Her next book, Our Perfect Storm, comes out May 5.

Carley's books have sold more than four-million copies, have been translated into thirty languages, and adapted for television. Every Year After, the series based on Every Summer After, will premiere June 10 on Prime Video. This Summer Will Be Different is currently being adapted as a Netflix series.

Carley lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.