Dandelion Cottage

Author: Carroll Watson Rankin
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing, 2016
Pages: 162
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: The little square cottage was unoccupied. It had stood for many years on the parish property, having indeed been built long before the parish bought the land for church purposes. It was easy to see how Dandelion Cottage came by its name at first, for growing all about it were great, fluffy, golden dandelions; but afterwards there was another good reason why the name was appropriate, as you will discover shortly.

Review: Taking into consideration time and place, this was a cute read. It reminded me of The Bobbsey Twins or the original Boxcar Children books. I chose this because I wanted to read a book set on Michigan's Upper Peninsula because we visited it in June (for the first time).

This book was first published in 1904, and one I would have eaten up back in my middle school days.

Fun fact, "Dandelion Cottage" is a national historic site and still stands today in Marquette, Michigan.

Malibu Rising

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, 2021

Pages: 384
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Malibu: August 1983: It's the day of Nina Riva's annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over - especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who also has just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud - becasue it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he'd been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can't stop thinking about promised she'll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own - including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family's generations will all come rising to the surface.

Review: This was a fun, summer beach-type read. It was like Elin Hilderbrand, bumped up a notch. This was just a fun book. TJR, as my book club and I have begun to refer to Taylor Jenkins Reid, is a versatile author.

Other Taylor Jenkins Reid Novels:
Daisy Jones and The Six
Maybe in Another Life
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

The Venice Sketchbook

Author: Rhys Bown
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Amazon Publishing, 2021
Pages: 412
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper. . .Venice.

It's 1938 when art teacher Juliet Browning arrives in romantic Venice. For her students, it's a wealth of history, art, and beauty. For Juliet, it's poignant memories and a chance to reconnect with Leonardo Da Rossi, the man she loves whose future is already determined by his noble family. However star-crossed, nothing can come between them. Until the threat of war closes in on Venice and they're forced to fight, survive, and protect a secret that will bind them forever.

Key by key, Lettie's life of impossible love, loss, and courage unfolds. It's one that Caroline can now make right again as her own journey of self-discovery begins.

Review: Rhys Bowen is one of my fave authors. She chooses intriguing subject matter, and her storytelling sucks you right in. She convincingly transported me to Venice. However, this isn't my favorite Bowen novel. The story took too long to get moving, and the parallels between Caroline's circumstances and her geat-aunt's were flimsy. That said, I still recommend it. Bowen brings Venice to life, and the characters are memorable.

Above the Bay of Angels

Author: Rhys Bowen
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Amazon Publishing, 2020
Pages: 348
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella's hand. It's an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Pace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger's stead, Bella can spread her wings.

Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself. Best of all, she's been chosen to accompany the queen to Nice. What fortune! Until the threat of blackmail shadows Bella to the Riviera, and a member of the queen's retinue falls ill and dies.

Having prepared the royal guest's last meal, Bella is suspected of the poisonous crime. An investigation is sure to follow. Her charade will be over. And her new life will come crashing down - if it doesn't send her to the gallows.

Review: Light on historical fact, but what a story. I never cared to go to the French Riviera before, but please, sign me up. I love Bowen's choice of settings. She truly brings each one to life.

I was expecting something along the lines of Downton Abbey, and life below stairs. Bowen delivered.

The Blue Bistro

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group, 2010
Pages: 336
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: Adrienne Dealey has spent the past six years working for hotels in exotic resort towns. This summer she has decided to make Nantucket home. Left flat broke by her ex-boyfriend, she is desperate to earn some fast money. When the desirable Thatcher Smith, ownder of Nantucket's hottest restaurant, is the only one to offer her a job, she wonders if she can get by with no restaurant experience. Thatcher gives Adrienne a crash course in the business. . .and they share an instant attraction. But there is a mystery about their situation: what is it about Fiona, the Blue Bistro's chef, that captures Thatcher's attention again and again? And why does such a successful restaurant seem to be in its final season before closing its doors for good? Despite her uncertainty, Adrienne must decide whether to open her heart for the first time, or move on, as she always does.

Review: For beach reads, Elin Hilderbrand is one of the best. I've read quite a few of her books, but I kept hearing that The Blue Bistro was her best.

There are three things that make me sad about this book:

1. I can never read this book again for the very first page. I was drawn in from the first page, and it was off to the races to the ending.
2. The ending. It's weak and there were loose ends. A jump ahead prologue would have been a better solution even. That said, still worth reading.
3. This book is ripe for a sequel, but Hilderbrand signed a three-book deal with her publisher and is then retiring. It's unlikely she will revisit Adrienne and Thatcher et al at this point.
   

Other Elin Hilderbrand Novels:
The Five-Star Weekend
Summer of '69
Golden Girl
The Hotel Nantucket
The Island
The Castaways

The Winter Street Series
Winter Street
Winter Stroll
Winter Storms
Winter Solstice

The Winter in Paradise Trilogy
Winter in Paradise
What Happens in Paradise
Troubles in Paradise

A Walk Along the Beach

Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, 2021
Pages: 416
Rating: Highly Recommend

Synopsis: The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sister sare living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.

Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plans to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone - like taking a chance on love with a handome new customer.

Sean O'Malley is as charming as he is intriguing - a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa's falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk.

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything.

Review: It's books like these that make me remember what I love so much about reading. You get sucked into the story, totally and completely, and then it rips your heart out, stomps on it, and then puts it all back together by the end :-) I love Macomber's books, and A Walk Along the Beach may be favorite.