Contemporary Romance – Books-n-Kisses

January 15, 2020January 12, 2020

Spotlight feature: Dakota Cassidy’s You Dropped a Blonde Me

TITLE: You Dropped a Blonde on Me
SERIES #: Ex-Trophy Wives Club #1
CHARACTERS: Maxine Cambridge & Campbell Barker
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: January 31, 2020
PREORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dear readers, PLEASE NOTE, this book and the subsequent series was previously published in 2010 by Berkley Publishing. The series has new covers with some some minimal changes and revisions. Essentially, there have been no significant changes. Please take care before mistakenly purchasing twice.

From pampered to pauper…

Maxine Cambridge, former high school beauty queen turned trophy wife, has officially been traded in for a newer, younger model. From a mini-mansion to her mother’s eight hundred square foot retirement village, Maxine and her teenage son Connor are left with nothing and life is looking pretty bleak for this one-time rich girl.

Maxine hasn’t worked in twenty years at being anything more than her very rich, very-soon-to-be-ex-husband’s eye candy and a stay-at-home-mom. She doesn’t know the first thing about making a livable income, but she’s going to find out as she scoops poop and hosts bingo night at her mother’s village.

In the midst of fighting her mad insecurities, getting her footing while wearing her mother’s hand me downs, and desperately looking for a way to support herself and her son, in walks Campbell Barker–former high school classmate–a one-time geek turned total smoke show.

Campbell gives her glimpses of who she used to be before she became someone’s dress up doll. Before she lived in a world that revolved around someone else’s opinion of her and he refuses to believe she’s no longer the vivacious, smart girl he once had a major crush on.

But the harder she fights the notion that the old Max is gone, the more she finds herself again and now she’s ready to take back what was once hers and fight for her new life!

Watch for our features of Burning Down the Spouse (bk2) and Waltz this Way (bk3) in the Ex-Trophy Wives series.

About Dakota:

Dakota Cassidy lives for a good laugh in life and in her writing. In fact, she almost loves a good giggle as much as she loves hair products and that’s saying something.

Her goals in life are simple, (like really simple): banish the color yellow forever, create world peace via hot rollers and Aqua Net; and finally, nab every tiara in the land by competing in the Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss World pageants, then sweeping them in a stunning trifecta of much duct tape and Vaseline usage, all in just under one week. Oh, and write really fun books!

Dakota lives in Oregon with her dogs and has a husband who puts the heroes in her books to shame.

Learn more about Dakota and her books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

June 12, 2019June 9, 2019

Kimberly reviews Sister’s Of Summer’s End by Lori Foster

TITLE: Sister’s Of Summer’s End
SERIES #: Summer Resort #2
CHARACTERS: Joy & Maris
AUTHOR: Lori Foster
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/11/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As the summer ends, friendship begins…When single mom Joy Lee abandoned her old life to take a job at a lakeside resort, she found something that her family’s wealth and influence could never buy: peace of mind. Not easy to come by for the once-burned divorce who keeps everyone at a distance. But when her new friend, Maris, dares her to take a chance with the drive-in’s charismatic new owner, everything changes for Joy and her young son.
A difficult childhood has left Maris Kennedy with definite priorities. Her job running Summer’s End, the camp store and cafe, comes first. Always. Nothing could ever make her risk that hard-won security–especially not her free-spirited colleague. But the more she encourages Joy to open herself up to new experiences, the more Maris begins to wonder what she, too, might be missing. Learning how to trust will bring Joy and Maris together.
And soon they form a friendship that leaves them as close as sisters–and open to love where they least expect it…in Summer’s End.

REVIEW:
Perfect beach read. While this is the second in the series it can be read as a stand alone. But be sure to take it along to wherever you go this summer because it is a perfect book to take on vacation.

The characters are light hearted and sweet, there are so many emotions scenes in this book but I don’t always mean sad or heavy. A lot of fun, kindness, love and enjoyment are in this book.

And for any woman who has a unbiological sister this story will go straight to the heart… like it did mine.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

April 24, 2019April 23, 2019

Kelly reviews A Few Pecans Short Of A Pie by Molly Harper

TITLE: A Few Pecans Short of a Pie
SERIES #: Southern Eclectic #2.5
CHARACTERS: Kyle Archer & Margot Cary
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
PUBLICATION DATE: February 10, 2019
RUN TIME: 2 Hours & 49 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sexy school principal Kyle faces the biggest challenge of his career: getting his (pregnant) event planner girlfriend Margot down the aisle before the baby arrives!
Readers first fell in love with big city event planner Margot in the first Southern Eclectic novel, Sweet Tea and Sympathy, as she discovered a long-lost branch of her family—the McCreadys, of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home. To Margot’s surprise, she’s taken a liking to life in small-town Georgia…helped along by a romance with the hot elementary school principal.
The two of them have been taking it slow—or they were until Margot gets pregnant! Kyle wants to make an honest woman of her, but Margot’s still trying to proceed with caution. After all, she was the best event planner in Chicago before she ever came to Lake Sackett—her wedding has to be perfect, and perfect includes not having the baby halfway down the aisle.
With her trademark witty prose and warm hearted storytelling, Molly Harper’s newest glimpse of the McCready family will be perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Amy E. Reichert.

REVIEW:
I love when we get to go back and revisit characters and see how they are doing. A Few Pecans Short of a Pie gives us a update on how Kyle, Margot (bk 1 Sweet Tea and Sympathy) and the girls are all doing.
How Margot is dealing with small town politics about small town weddings, being pregnant, a step mom to two little girls. Of course Kyle is there with her ever step of the way being the amazingly sweet soon to be husband and dad.
I really enjoyed this novella of Kyle and Margot. And super excited for the next installment of the McCready clan. Bring on Duffy!!!

Disclaimer: I purchased this his review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

February 26, 2019February 24, 2019

Kimberly reviews California Girls by Susan Mallery

TITLE: California Girls
CHARACTERS: Finola, Zennie & Ali
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The California sunshine’s not quite so bright for three sisters who get dumped in the same week…

Finola, a popular LA morning show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal.

Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined.

Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has.

But side by side by side, these sisters will start over and rebuild their lives with all the affection, charm and laugh-out-loud humor that is classic Susan Mallery.

REVIEW:
Mallery is my favorite author. She is the first name that comes to mind when someone asks me to recommend an author… “Have you ever read Susan Mallery?” and most times the answer is “Yes! I love her.” From that point on I know where to go with the conversation.

First I always bring up her Fool’s Gold series, move on to the Happily Inc series and then talk about her stand alone stories. And still so many to talk about.

In this story we meet Finola, Zennie and Ali. This story takes you through every emotion a book can do. You feel the sadness and the joy that the characters feel.

Another story that can not be missed by Susan Mallery.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

February 15, 2019February 12, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Cottage On Rose Lane by Hope Ramsey

TITLE: The Cottage On Rose Lane
SERIES #: Moonlight Bay #1
CHARACTERS: Jenna & Jude
AUTHOR: Hope Ramsey
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/04/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jenna Fossey’s life is about to change. An unexpected inheritance and the chance to meet relatives she never knew existed has her heading to the charming little town of Magnolia Harbor. But as soon as she arrives, long-buried family secrets lead to even more questions, and the only person who can help her find the answers is her sexy-as-sin sailing instructor.

Nothing makes Jude St. Pierre feel more alive than racing on the open sea – at least, not until Jenna comes strolling down his dock asking for sailing lessons. But it feels wrong to be attracted to her – especially when he learns why she came to town. Jude knows she deserves the truth but can he help her discover it without losing her and the family he’s come to think of as his own?

Includes the bonus story “A Wedding on Lavender Hill” by Annie Rains!
When an event planner is asked to create the perfect wedding in just three days, she must turn to the last person she wants to ask for help – the infuriating owner of the house on the hilltop.

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Sweet story of love, family and sailing. When Jenna learns she has a received a huge inheritance from the grandfather she never knew her life changes. But with money comes drama of a past she is unaware of.

There are secrets around every corner and a bit of mystery with every page.

I found this story really well written and a bit of a surprise. It was a good read that was enjoyable and the romance was very sweet.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

February 12, 2019February 11, 2019

Kimberly reviews The Best Of Us by Robyn Carr

TITLE: The Best Of Us
SERIES #: Sullivan’s Crossing #4
CHARACTERS: Leigh & Rob, Helen & Sullivan
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/08/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Sullivan’s Crossing, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr has created a place where good people, powerful emotions, great humor and a healthy dose of common sense are the key ingredients to a happy life. Sullivan’s Crossing brings out the best in people. It’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Dr. Leigh Culver loves practicing medicine in Timberlake, Colorado. It is a much-needed change of pace from her stressful life in Chicago. The only drawback is she misses her aunt Helen, the woman who raised her. But it’s time that Leigh has her independence, and she hopes the beauty of the Colorado wilderness will entice her aunt to visit often.

Helen Culver is an independent woman who lovingly raised her sister’s orphaned child. Now, with Leigh grown, it’s time for her to live life for herself. The retired teacher has become a successful mystery writer who loves to travel and intends to never experience winter again.

When Helen visits Leigh, she is surprised to find her niece still needs her, especially when it comes to sorting out her love life. But the biggest surprise comes when Leigh takes Helen out to Sullivan’s Crossing and Helen finds herself falling for the place and one special person. Helen and Leigh will each have to decide if they can open themselves up to love neither expected to find and seize the opportunity to live their best lives.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I am not sure if it is but it sure seems like this was the end of a great series. If not I am thrilled but if it is then it ended on a high note.

We got the story of Helen and Leigh (aunt and niece) who both find love. But what we also got was a story that shows us love doesn’t have an age limit. We got to meet Sullivan (name sound familiar???) and watch him get what Sullivan Crossing has for everyone else… Love.

Another great story by Carr. Not one to be missed.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 30, 2019January 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Suddenly Mine by Samantha Chase

TITLE: Suddenly Mine
SERIES #: The Montgomery Brothers #8
CHARACTERS: Christian & Sophie
AUTHOR: Samantha Chase
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New beginnings are irresistible…

Christian Montgomery is burnt out. The family business is his entire world, and Christian has never stopped trying to atone for a mistake made years ago. His only break from grueling work is sitting on his beachfront deck, watching the California surfers, and wishing he could be that carefree.

Sophie Bennington was happy living in her small Kansas hometown…until she learned her entire life was a lie. So she hightailed it to the West coast, where she loves to surf, even though she’s no good at it, and she’s hoping to start a new career.

A chance encounter shows Christian and Sophie that no matter what happened in the past, the future is bright and new…but only if you have the courage to open your heart…

REVIEW:
3.25 Hearts I will be honest and say I never really connected with the characters in this book. I am not really sure why but I just didn’t.

The story was fine and the writing was fine but for some reason I didn’t enjoy the story.Maybe I wasn’t in the mind set or something.

That being said I will not say you shouldn’t read it. I might have just been off.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 29, 2019January 27, 2019

Kimberly reviews Lavender Blue by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Lavender Blue
SERIES #: Blue Hollow Falls #3
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Wilson
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/29/19
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains lies a small town with a big heart–and a chance to begin again . . .

When Hannah Montgomery buys a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls with three friends, she’s creating a life she never imagined–one she hopes will honor the memory of the sweet young son she tragically lost years ago. Standing on the porch of the sprawling farmhouse, looking out on row upon row of those lush purple plumes, Hannah is ready to embrace this fresh, new start . . .

Then she meets Wilson McCall. The stonemason hired to fix their crumbling chimneys and leaky roof is quieter than most folks in the Falls. Hannah’s not surprised to learn the widower struggles with his own grief. Who could blame her if she finds joy in making Will laugh again, or if she feels a poignant kinship when she sees him with his teenaged son? But her deepening friendship with Will reminds Hannah that there’s a part of her that still needs to heal–awakening a tender yearning to have a life that isn’t just good enough, but lived fully–even if that means taking risks once more . . .

REVIEW:
How could I not enjoy this story when it is set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mtns, where I live, and also has my newly married last name. It was written for me.

Ok maybe not but it was written beautifully. Kauffman is one of the best for contemporary romance. She brings in real life places and true to life people.

Hannah is a great female lead. I can imagine becoming friends with her in real life. And Wilson is just a quiet sweet teddy bear. I found myself just wanting to see them hug because they both seemed to need it.

This is a great story that pulls you in from chapter one into a sweet romance. Great curl up, read and enjoy kind of book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

December 10, 2018December 6, 2018

Cover Reveal for Lara Adrian’s Run to You!!!!

Check out the gorgeous cover for RUN TO YOU, a contemporary romance standalone novel set in Lara Adrian’s bestselling 100 Series! Releasing January 29, 2019 in eBook & Print. Pre-order now! Learn more at www.LaraAdrian.com.

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian’s sizzling, suspenseful 100 Series continues with RUN TO YOU, a scorching new standalone contemporary bodyguard romance featuring friends of billionaire Dominic Baine and his artist fiancee Avery Ross.

Once a celebrated model, Evelyn Beckham dominated the fashion runways of New York, Paris, and Milan. But life under the lights nearly destroyed her, and at the height of her career she walked away from it all. Now, five years later, Eve’s built a new life at the helm of Manhattan’s premier high-end lingerie boutique, L’opale. Chosen to design the bridal ensemble for billionaire Dominic Baine’s fiancée, Avery Ross, it seems Eve’s stars have finally realigned—until her return to the spotlight thrusts her into the crosshairs of a danger that’s been watching from the shadows, waiting for the chance to strike.

Gabriel Noble didn’t go to war to become a hero, but when he returned from the battlefield in Afghanistan it was with a chest full of medals and a broken body filled with shrapnel. Losing his leg derailed more than Gabe’s career, and when no one else was willing to take a chance on him, Baine International put him on their security team. Now, Gabe would do anything for Dominic Baine—including keeping a covert, protective eye on beautiful Evelyn Beckham as a personal favor to his boss and friend. But keeping Eve safe means keeping her close, and soon the lines between duty and desire begin to blur into a consuming passion too powerful to be denied. With Eve’s life in escalating peril and her faith in him certain to shatter, Gabe will have to risk everything to protect her while facing the most intense fight of his life . . . the battle for Eve’s heart.

EBOOK LINKS
Kindle: http://bit.ly/2E1bWgF (no pre-order; live alert signup)
Nook: http://bit.ly/2G2UvPu
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Qd99rY
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2zM0l1X
Google Play: available on release day

PRINT LINKS
Available on release day

AUDIOBOOK LINKS
Release day TBA

Add it to your Goodreads shelf: http://bit.ly/RunToYouGR

Excited about RUN TO YOU? Vote for it on Goodreads –> http://bit.ly/2BT9NSx

January 30, 2018January 29, 2018

Release Day Blitz: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

TITLE: The Wedding Date
CHARACTERS: Drew Nichols & Alexa Monroe
AUTHOR: Jasmine Guillory
PUBLICATION DATE: January 30, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn’t normally do. But there’s something about Drew Nichols that’s too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex’s wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend…

After Alexa and Drew have more fun than they ever thought possible, Drew has to fly back to Los Angeles and his job as a pediatric surgeon, and Alexa heads home to Berkeley, where she’s the mayor’s chief of staff. Too bad they can’t stop thinking about the other…

They’re just two high-powered professionals on a collision course toward the long distance dating disaster of the century–or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they truly want.

My review

Excerpt

Alexa danced with Lauren, letting the movement and the laughter shake away her annoying thoughts. When she felt a hand on her waist, she turned to see Drew behind her and laughed again, at how ridiculous the evening had been and how much fun she was suddenly having. He took ahold of one of her hands and swung her around to face him and laughed back down at her. Other members of the wedding party joined their group and danced with and around them, but song after song came on, and he never moved from her side.

“Water?” he said in her ear after they’d been on the dance floor for a long time.

“Yes, please.” She walked with him over to the bar.

She glanced up at the ornate clock over the bar, surprised at how late it had gotten. And how much she didn’t want this night to end. Damn it, it had been fun to be Drew’s fake girlfriend, but she knew that once the clock struck midnight, so to speak, the fairy tale would be all over.

He leaned against the bar, his jacket off, his bow tie untied, a little sweaty and disheveled from dancing. Good Lord, this guy was hot.

He rolled up his sleeves, exposing his tan forearms. She wanted to run her fingers up and down them and feel how warm and strong they were.

She needed to stop letting her imagination run away with her.

“Um,” she said. “It’s getting late, and if I want to make the last BART train back to the East Bay, I should probably leave pretty soon.”

Why had she said that? Why, when she was standing next to a hot guy, basically panting over him? If she was Maddie, hell, if she was Amy, she would have grabbed one of those hot forearms and wrapped it around her body, letting him know what she wanted without having to say anything. Sadly, she was Alexa, so she would flee instead.

He put his water bottle down and looked at her.

“Okay.”

“Okay,” she said. Olivia and Maddie would get mad at her for not throwing herself at him, but they didn’t understand that she just didn’t know how. Plus, rejection from this guy was the last thing her self-esteem needed. Talk about the opposite of getting back on the horse; that would make her avoid horses, and stables, and all farm animals for another few years. So to speak.

He stepped closer to her and put his hand on her waist. Her hand landed on his arm, and, without even meaning to, she ran her fingers up and down. Oh God, touching him like this was as good as she’d thought it would be.

“Or”—he looked straight down into her eyes—“you could stay.”

A question was in his eyes, and a smile hovered over his lips. His thumb drew slow circles on her hip and then moved up her side to her ribs. His other hand moved up to her face and traced the outline of her lips with his fingers.

She shivered.

He waited.

“Or,” she said, “I could stay.”

ABOUT Jasmine Guillory is a graduate of Wellesley College and Stanford Law School. She is a Bay Area native who has towering stacks of books in her living room, a cake recipe for every occasion, and upwards of 50 lipsticks.

As well as writing books, Jasmine sometimes writes about books, pop-culture, and food, some of her favorite things. Here are some of her recent pieces:

– Words With Friends
– The 33 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time
– If Michelle Obama Were Your Girlfriend
– If Nigella Lawson Were Your Girlfriend
– What to Do When ICE Raids Your Restaurant
– If Lupita Nyong’o Were Your Girlfriend
– If Barack Obama Were Your Dad

January 29, 2018January 28, 2018

Kelly reviews The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

TITLE: The Wedding Date
CHARACTERS: Drew Nichols & Alexa Monroe
AUTHOR: Jasmine Guillory
PUBLICATION DATE: January 30, 2018
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn’t normally do. But there’s something about Drew Nichols that’s too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex’s wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend…

REVIEW:
Alexa Monroe never would have thought that visiting her sister to celebrate would lead to being stuck in an elevator with an amazingly hot and funny man. A man that asks her to be his savior for the weekend by attending a wedding with him. Alexa takes a chance and steps out of her comfort zone and says yes.
Drew Nichols does not want to be here for the weekend. But he is the best man at the wedding and it would look really bad if he didn’t show up. Fate is on his side but getting him stuck in an elevator with one of the most beautiful women he has ever seen. Then a plan forms into his brain, he will ask this amazing women! And surprisingly she says Yes!!!
I am grateful that Berkley Publishing sent this super sweet book to review. I am not sure I would have picked this book up otherwise, it was not on my 2018 list to read. But I am very grateful because I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more books from Ms. Guillory.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 23, 2018January 21, 2018

Kimberly reviews Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Sisters Like Us
SERIES #: Mischief Bay #4
CHARACTERS: Harper & Stacey
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/23/18
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The grass is always greener on your sister’s side of the fence…
Divorce left Harper Szymanski with a name no one can spell, a house she can’t afford and a teenage daughter who’s pulling away. With her fledgeling virtual-assistant business, she’s scrambling to maintain her overbearing mother’s ridiculous Susie Homemaker standards and still pay the bills, thanks to clients like Lucas, the annoying playboy cop who claims he hangs around for Harper’s fresh-baked cookies.
Spending half her life in school hasn’t prepared Dr. Stacey Bloom for her most daunting challenge—motherhood. She didn’t inherit the nurturing gene like Harper and is in deep denial that a baby is coming. Worse, her mother will be horrified to learn that Stacey’s husband plans to be a stay-at-home dad…assuming Stacey can first find the courage to tell Mom she’s already six months pregnant.
Separately they may be a mess, but together Harper and Stacey can survive anything—their indomitable mother, overwhelming maternity stores and ex’s weddings. Sisters Like Us is a delightful look at sisters, mothers and daughters in today’s fast-paced world, told with Susan Mallery’s trademark warmth and humor.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts To me Susan Mallery is contemporary romance’s Mary Poppins. She is practically perfect in every way. What is not to love about her stories? Nothing!
This is a book about family and the dynamics that we all face when family is involved. I also thought that it helped me to remember everyone is going through something even if others do not know it,
The characters are funny, light hearted and complex. They deal with every emotion possible and still manage to stay together as a family in the end.
Mallery is one of the best but I would suggest reading the full series before this book. She has moved beyond just the 3 she planned on but it is helpful to have the back story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.