"An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love" by Lauren Appelbaum

 

What a charming story! An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love by Lauren Appelbaum is a delightful women's fiction novel about family, personal growth, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Written in the present tense, the story follows an introverted woman's life-changing journey from her perspective.

Mallory Rosen works from home in her comfortable Seattle apartment, in a tech job she doesn’t really enjoy. Her parents and sister are all lawyers, so she’s sort of the black sheep of the family—the only one not working in the legal profession. She’s full of insecurities, and as an introvert, working from home suits her just fine. She has her own routine and loves her alone time.

All that changes when she inherits her late grandmother's seaside cottage in Florida. There’s only one condition: that she takes care of her grandfather. Mallory flies to Florida for a few weeks to sort out the property and reconnect with her grandfather, who lives in an independent living community, doing her best to care for him as her grandmother asked. Her stay lengthens more than she predicted, as the cottage needs fixing before it can be let out—according to her extroverted property manager, Daniel. Just as she starts to find her rhythm, real life gets in the way. 

I enjoyed this feel-good book immensely. Please note that this is more women’s fiction than rom-com. Although there is a slow-burn romance, it isn’t the main focus. The pace is steady—some might say slow—but it didn’t feel that way to me. It’s a slice-of-life kind of story, so the pace felt just right. And I absolutely loved the small-town vibes and the portrayal of community life.

The heroine’s awkwardness is relatable, and I found it easy to connect with her. I loved her relationship with Daniel and her growing bond with her grandfather. I adored their interactions—the nightly chats, the gradual development of trust and closeness. It reminded me of my own relationship with my late grandparents, whom I greatly miss.

Yes, Mallory isn’t perfect. She doesn’t always act responsibly (especially job-wise) and can be a bit immature at times—but that’s what makes her so relatable. And she’s a “good egg.” One detail that nagged at me was that, on one hand, she didn’t eat pork because she’s Jewish (I loved having a Jewish heroine), but on the other hand, she ate seafood, which isn’t kosher.

The writing style is natural and flows well, with touches of gentle humor that balance out the heavier emotional themes. There’s a subtle thread of grief and healing, as Mallory’s grandfather learns to adjust to life without his wife—with help from his granddaughter and the supportive community around him. Through their growing bond, Mallory also begins to open up and grow—with others and within herself.

Overall, this is a lovely story with a slow-burn romance that I simply adored. The story arc was engaging, and the emotional undercurrents gave it depth. I recommend this heartwarming novel to readers who enjoy stories about family, self-discovery, community life, and finding love when you least expect it.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.  

* For more info about the book:  "An Introvert's Guide to Life and Love" by Lauren Appelbaum

"Here for a Good Time" by Pyae Moe Thet War

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Here for a Good Time" by Pyae Moe Thet War is a fun rom-com set in Myanmar that follows two best friends as they find their way to love.

Poe Myat Sabe is an up-and-coming author whose first book is being turned into a Netflix film. She suffers from second-book syndrome and is struggling with writer's block. She shares her apartment with her childhood best friend, Zwe. Lately, she has neglected him, and she decides that the solution to both her writer’s block and their strained friendship is a two-week getaway to an exclusive island resort. The plot thickens when the resort is taken over by a group of masked women, forcing them to run for their lives.

I loved the combination of romance and action. The book started slow, but it gained momentum after the heist. I usually prefer the enemies-to-lovers trope, but I do enjoy friends-to-lovers at times, and I love the vacation-gone-wrong trope. I liked the interactions between the couple and how miscommunication contributed to misunderstandings.

I also appreciated that the lead characters were Asian, and that the author refuted the misconception that Asian parents don’t support their children’s dreams. However, it took me a while to realize the story was set in Myanmar and not England. Additionally, Poe tended to go on and on about her writer’s block, her drafts, and how much she cares for Zwe, but he doesn’t seem to share her feelings.

Poe and Zwe are complete opposites. She loves books; he loves numbers. He helps his parents run their bookstore, where she also signs her book. They’ve both dated other people, but nothing ever worked out. He is all about numbers and logic; she is driven by emotions. He has always held a steady job, while she is an artist—more of a dreamer and spontaneous. I guess "opposites attract" is true.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The writing and humor made it an entertaining read. It was a bit predictable, as most rom-coms are, but it still had its twists. I liked the couple and rooted for them. I’d recommend this book to fans of the genre who don’t mind slow-burn romance and enjoy a bit of action in their love stories.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Here for a Good Time" by Pyae Moe Thet War

"Fan Favorite" Adrienne Gunn

 

"Fan Favorite" by Adrienne Gunn is an enjoyable romcom set in the world of reality TV dating. I rarely watch reality shows - aside from the occasional dating episode - but I love reading about them.

Thirty-five-year-old Edie Pepper, a copywriter from Chicago, wants love, marriage, and the whole package. After her boyfriend dumps her and a series of disastrous dates, she faces an existential crisis - especially when her latest date tells her she’s "too old" for marriage. Yet, she hasn’t given up on love. When she sees her high school sweetheart, Charlie Bennett, on America’s biggest reality dating show, The Key, she convinces herself he’s the one. She reaches out to Jessa, one of the show’s producers, who eagerly brings her on board to boost ratings.

Petter, The Key's cynical showrunner, is unimpressed - Edie doesn’t fit the typical contestant mold, nor does he believe in love after his rough divorce. Meanwhile, Charlie isn’t the man she remembers. He’s reinvented himself and has no intention of looking back. When Edie unexpectedly joins the show, he’s less than thrilled. Expecting fireworks and a rekindled romance, Edie instead finds herself entangled in the ruthless world of reality TV. She soon realizes that reality is far from glamorous - and that love often appears where you least expect it.

I enjoyed this book very much. While it has plenty of lighthearted moments, it also explores serious themes - love and the need to be loved, friendship, self-image, and the lengths people will go for fame. Though written in third person, the novel skillfully delves into the perspectives of Edie, Charlie, and Petter, making them feel like real, fleshed-out people. The character interactions felt authentic and added depth to the story.

The novel pokes fun at modern dating, exposing the unrealistic expectations shaped by books and movies, while offering a sharp critique of reality TV’s behind-the-scenes manipulations - not a pretty picture. I especially loved the small touches, like the memos between the producers, the TV interviews, and the raw behind-the-scenes look at how "reality" is crafted.

There was a bit of excessive name-dropping, which felt over the top at times. Edie, as the quintessential all-American girl, struggles with self-esteem, even comparing herself to skinny celebrities at one point (not exactly the best role models). Still, I liked her, and I appreciated how both she and the other characters evolved throughout the story. She learns important lessons and, more importantly, finds herself along the way.

Overall, I loved the book and its refreshing take on social media, dating, and reality TV. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a light read with deeper themes. While the ending was predictable, the journey was anything but. It makes you reflect on the choices we make and serves as a reminder to believe in yourself.

Would I ever participate in a reality show? Absolutely not. And after reading this, I’ll never look at them the same way again.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: Fan Favorite by Adrienne Gunn

"Not Quite by the Book" by Julie Hatcher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Not Quite by the Book" by Julie Hatcher is a sweet romance about a bookstore owner's journey toward happiness and self-fulfillment, filled with insightful moments. Sometimes, you have to do things "not quite by the book" to find your true passion. After a string of thrillers, this feel-good story, with its inspiring messages, was a refreshing change.

Emma Rini is a people-pleaser who takes care of everyone except herself. She runs her parents' bookstore dutifully but is taken for granted by her family. Overworked and constantly putting others first, she never takes time to pause and smell the roses or enjoy life. Everyone around her seems happy - except for her. After a few failed dates, she’s even given up on love. Her pregnant sister is upset with her and barely speaks to her, her parents are busy traveling, and she feels left out and unnoticed - even by her best friend, Cecily. Emma reaches a breaking point when her parents announce their retirement and ask her to take over the store. While she loves books and the business, she’s not certain it’s what she truly wants.

On a whim, she takes a six-week vacation, deciding to emulate the recluse life of her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson. Emma rents a historical manor in Amherst, MA, and tries to channel her inner Emily to find peace and beauty in her life. She creates a to-do list filled with new hobbies like gardening, poetry writing, baking, embroidery, and letter writing. However, she soon discovers that following in Dickinson’s footsteps isn’t as fulfilling as she expected, and it even becomes boring. To complicate matters further, Davis - the grumpy, attractive architect - Grace, the meddling bookstore owner, new friends, and a secret admirer disrupt her plans to forsake love and live a recluse’s life.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, often reading with a smile. I loved Emma's personal growth and journey to self-discovery. Her determination to step out of her comfort zone and change her life was admirable. It takes courage to break free from routine, pursue happiness, and persist despite obstacles and a lack of support. I also appreciated her kindness and how easily she formed new friendships.

Yes, Emma was a bit slow to figure some things out, but I found her relatable and endearing. The book touches on themes like love, self-discovery, dysfunctional family dynamics, and sisterly relationships. Emma initially does things to be loved by others, mistaking it for her own happiness. She eventually realizes that she’s already loved for who she is, not just for what she does for others.

I loved the concept of writing letters instead of texting, and the inclusion of poetry was a nice touch. It brought back fond memories of my own days corresponding with pen pals. Emma’s creative ideas for the bookstore and her attempts at writing poetry were delightful, and the character interactions and dialogs were engaging. While Davis’s mixed signals and conduct were a bit irritating, I loved that he adopted a female dog, giving her a new lease on life.

Overall, I loved this story and would have appreciated an epilogue. It’s part coming-of-age tale, part character study, and part slow-burn romance. The writing is strong, with well-developed characters and thought-provoking moments. I especially enjoyed that the focus was more on Emma’s personal growth than on the romance, though there was enough romance to satisfy the romantic in me. This is the first book I’ve read by Julie Hatcher, but it certainly won’t be the last. If you’re looking for a heartwarming story with a satisfying arc, humor, and a healthy dose of emotional depth and self-reflection, this is the book for you.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own. 

* For more info about the book: "Not Quite by the Book" by Julie Hatcher

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers

 

"The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers is an impressive debut novel following Erin and James, two book lovers stuck in a niche of their own making and connected through notes left in books.

Erin, still grieving the loss of a close friend, accidentally donates her favorite annotated book to the community library. James discovers it and, moved by her annotations, responds within the book itself. Erin is dissatisfied with her job, while James, burdened by caring for his bipolar mother, has abandoned his dream of writing. Unbeknownst to them, they share a history and harbor unresolved issues that prevent them from moving forward. As their correspondence progresses from discussing books to sharing personal revelations, they motivate each other to step outside their comfort zones.

The book is written in the first person and alternates between the two protagonists. It is wrongly marketed as a rom-com, so I expected some light reading. However, it is better classified as romance fiction or literary fiction as it explores heavy-handed themes such as grief, bipolar disorder, depression, bullying, and toxic environments. It also explores fallible human nature, healing, forgiveness, redemption, and pursuing dreams.

The book started slowly for me, but once it gained momentum, I couldn't put it down. I loved the concept of exchanging notes through books, the dynamics between the characters, and the author's thoughtful handling of mental illness. The side plots enrich the story, and I particularly enjoyed the interactions with side characters such as the protagonists' families, Erin's friend Cassy, and James' friend Joel.

Truth be told, Erin irritated me at times with her immaturity, selfishness, and poor behavior toward her friends and mother. James wasn't perfect either, being too judgmental at times, and his behavior in school was inexcusable. I don't want to say too much about it to avoid spoilers, but being bullied isn't reason enough to act as he did, though who are we to judge?? Nonetheless, I appreciated how both characters developed and grew throughout the book, and the ending moved me to tears.

While the novel references classic works like "Great Expectations," "Wuthering Heights," "Mansfield Park," and "To Kill a Mockingbird" (which I also enjoyed), it doesn't delve deeply into them—and rightly so, as it isn't the book's focus. Overall, I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to fans of slow-paced friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, and slow-burn romance stories that aren't afraid to tackle weighty themes. It delves into the complexities of the human psyche, provokes thought, and definitely touched me deeply.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Book Swap" by Tessa Bickers