This was a great month of reading! I read a lot of Rom-coms and enjoyed most of them, but my favorite book of the month and quite possibly the year was “Theo of Golden.” It is a must read! If you want my list of absolute favorites, click here.
“The True Love Experiment” by Christina Lauren
Christina Lauren writes fun Rom-coms! If you haven’t read any, you’ll love them all! This book is about a Rom-com author who is asked to be on a dating show. She selects a very specific list of heroes/dating candidates in hopes that the show won’t happen. When all the dots line up she is forced to appear as the Bachelorette on this dating show. You can only guess what happens in the mean time and will love the happy ending. I gave this one 4 stars.
“Au Pair Affair” by Tessa Bailey
If you’ve read any hockey books you know they are a little risky. This one is a little spicy, so if you want a book you could read in the presence of your mom or grandma, skip it. Tallulah, a broke marine biology student, takes a job as a live in nanny for a single dad hockey veteran. When Tallulah realizes that there is major chemistry with the hockey dad, she almost backs out but realizes just how much the daddy/daughter duo need her. It is an instant connection, a hopeful romance and a happy ending. I gave this one 3 stars.
“Love Haters” Katherine Center
Another great Rom-com writer, is Katherine Center. This book is about a video producer who gets the interview of a lifetime. Katie Vaughn, lies about being able to swim to get the profiling interview with a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. The plot follows her as she gets entangled in lies, takes swim lessons, and navigates a romance, and confronting her own fears and past. This book covers themes of self-acceptance, body image, and bravery against a backdrop of Key West and a hurricane. It is funny, sweet and will leave you hoping for that happy ending. I gave it 4 stars.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt
This was a re-read for me! It was my favorite read a couple of years ago and with a moving coming out in May on Netflix, I decided to revisit some of my favorite characters. I love this book because many characters are connected through the ocean. It is a heartwarmingly funny story about an unlikely friendship between a recently widowed 70 year old woman, Tova, and a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus at the Sowell Bay Aquarium where she works. Told from multiple perspectives, including the octopus. The book explores themes of love, loss, aging, and connection. It will make you laugh, cry and love the divine placement of people in our paths. I gave this book 5 stars!
“Wish you Weren’t Here” by Portia Macintosh
This is the typical, find a fake date for a wedding story line. Lana has had enough. Her perfect sister is getting married in Australia on her 30th birthday and no one has even noticed. To make things worse, she is given a list of rules she must follow so she doesn’t upstage the bride. So Lana turns to online dating to find the perfect date. Unfortunately they are all disasters except for her gorgeous ex Ethan who suddenly reappears in her life. Can they really pull it off? Will they remain friends or make it more than friends? You’ll have to read to find out. I gave this one 3 stars.
“When in Rome” by Sarah Adams
Opposites certainly attract for the stranded pop star and small-town baker. Rae Rose is totally burned out from years of maintaining her “Princess of Pop” image. Inspired from her favorite Audrey Hepburn movie “Roman Holiday,” she drives off in the middle of the night for a little bread in Rome, Rome Kentucky. Where Noah Walker finds her stranded in his front yard. Eventually he lets her stay the night with him. As time passes she starts to feel much more at home in the little Roman time. It is a cute small town romance and will leave you rooting for love. I gave this one 4 stars.
“The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans
This was another re-read and one of my favorite reads from last year. It had been about a year since I last read it and loved the story and character development. I think one of the reasons I love this book is that Sybil Van Antwerp, the main character, reminds me of my Grandma. She is a classy woman who spent her life communicating through letters. You will love the things that she is able to say through the writing that she can’t say through talking. Her love and concern with others becomes endearing and you will find a friend in Sybil. I gave this one 5 stars.
“Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi
This is my favorite read of the year! I’ve read it three times already and recommend it to everyone I see. Theo is 86 and moves to the small town of Golden. Upon visiting a coffee shop he sees several framed pencil portraits on display. Inspired, he sets out on a mission of purchasing all of the portraits one at a time and quietly delivering them to their rightful owners. I love how through listening to their stories, friendships are born, and lives are changed. Theo thoughtfully tells each portrait recipient what he sees in their face and remarkably each person eventually becomes just as he describes. It will make you long for connection, look for opportunities to build others up and create a community of friendship. You will finish it and immediately begin again. I gave this one 5 stars.
