August 2023 Mini Reviews

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

Published: 8th July 2021 by Penguin

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

I had very high expectations for this book, as I've heard such good things about all of Emily Henry's books - she's one of, if not the most, popular romance authors at the moment, and now I know why! She's become a firm favourite author in this genre and I'm so happy to say this didn't disappoint at all. I'm not normally the biggest fan of a friends-to-lovers romance over some of the other tropes, but I honestly couldn't have rooted for Alex and Poppy more. The love they had for each other was so strong and unwavering throughout all their years of friendship, and I really enjoyed the swapping between present-day and their friendship from the beginning before joining up together as it provided the context needed to prove just how much they were meant to be together. I thought the travel element to their relationship was so fun, and was perfect timing for reading this in the summertime. It's safe to say I'm now a huge fan of Henry and can't wait to go back and read all her other works!

4 stars

Will They or Won't They by Ava Wilder

Published: 27th June 2023 by Headline

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

I have heard really good things about Wilder's debut, How to Fake it in Hollywood, so I was excited to try out her newest work, especially when I found out what the premise was - former lovers turned enemies (and presumably lovers again) acting in a paranormal TV show? Sign me up! I did find this to be quite a slow start, especially as the timeline kept jumping between present-day and then the beginnings of Shane and Lilah's relationship before the build-up to their conflict. However, once I got about a third in, I found myself caring about both of them and wanting them to find their way back to each other. I enjoyed how multi-layered the story was, following them through therapy sessions, personal struggles and work dynamics amongst their romantic reunion, and I think Wilder wrote their relationship very well. I'm definitely interested in checking out her debut now.

3.5 stars

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Published: 10th May 2022 by Piatkus

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

I really enjoyed Meet Me at the Lake by Fortune, her newest novel, so I was excited to finally read her debut that everyone has been raving about! Once again this contains a love story set around a cottage in a small holiday town, and I would honestly read Fortune's books in these settings forever - I think she portrays the small-town tight-knit communities so well, and I've enjoyed the whole back and forth between present-day and the beginning of these lost loves in both of her novels so far, with Percy and Sam's relationship going all the way back to their friendship as teenagers. Fortune creates such a strong sense of these characters and how they have grown and changed since their younger years, and also how family plays a massive role in shaping you as people. I've really enjoyed both of her novels and the similar feelings they evoke, and I can't wait for no. 3!

3.5 stars

Trouble by Lex Croucher

Published: 20th July 2023 by Bonnier Zaffre

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.

I've heard a lot of good things about Croucher's books, so I was excited to dive into Trouble - especially when I saw that it wasn't in the same series as any of her other works, as I do enjoy those interconnected series very much, but have been wanting a bit of a break from these bigger character universes. This was such a nice twist on historical fiction, giving all the characters their own distinctive personalities without it feeling too forced into working for a modern reader, and while it was a bit of a slow start for me, I ended up really enjoying it. I found the dialogue in particular to be so witty, and I loved the banter between all of the staff at Fairmont House, with how informal the household was, and how they accepted Emily into the fold immediately. The slow-burn between Emily and the Captain was great, as was the character development of his children, and I just thoroughly enjoyed it!

3.5 stars