Well, YEAH! it’s summer, and that means summer reading. It is funny how many (kids) would think of that as an oxymoron. Or an anathema. Or just plain torture. Not me. No sirree, Bob.
Summer reading is a treasure. I plan for it. And to that end, I have a list and a book order that has arrived. So, here we go!
True Confessions
I could not wait for summer. I sneaked one in at the end of May. It was worth the sneak.
Beatriz Williams is a favorite author of mine. You will see her again in a minute. She writes really good historical fiction and teams it with a modern day story line. This one has a funny, funny opening scene and some terrifying twists and turns in the past. This book reminded me why I love to read – entertainment, knowledge of new things, another place, another time. And, just look at that cover…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And since I was back in the saddle – mixed metaphorically speaking – I dove into some Mary Kay Andrews I had been saving for such a time as this. If it is summer, there must be MKA.
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Summer Rental disappoints. The opener is disgusting, the plot is predictable, the characters seem too familiar – as in weren’t these guys in another book? – and nothing comes along to redeem it. The bad guy was in both Fixer Upper and The Newcomer. The love interest is a loser. And her BFFs were boring. I will say this…



These three books looked really cute stacked on my bedside table.
The Real Deal
Now that it is really summer, here is my list. Having only read two so far, I will book-review later. If you have read any of them, let me know which you loved and which I should skip.
1.
One Italian Summer
In my TBR pile, this one is set in Italy where our main character heads after the death of her mother. They were besties and she is heartbroken. And while she is there, apparently, she runs into her thirty-something deceased mother. So we have to suspend reality in this one. I’ve heard it is good…I will let you know!
Update: I read it and I liked most of it. If I go into details, I will spoil the plot, so I will keep my thoughts to myself. If you have just lost your mom, skip this for awhile as it might be just a bit too much. It does make a great beach read or something for the plane/airport/car trip. Just be forewarned. You are probably going to get the itch to see Italy. 🇮🇹 ⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(As in somewhere between three and four stars.)
2.
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
More Italy! All I know is that The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany gets rave reviews. I’m kind of saving it as my summer book highlight. I don’t think it will disappoint us. To be determined…
Update: I loved this one. There are layers to this book that make it a keeper. The modern day and backstory are equally well-developed, and the characters are engaging. I loved Poppy to death! Again, I just know you will want to travel to the Amalfi Coast after spending some time with these ”second sisters”.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3.
The Home-Wreckers
I wanted to love this book, really I did. I mean the cover and the title are both so cute. And its Mary Kay Andrews, for heaven’s sake. The premise is a reality television show about flipping old houses. But the network people were just yucky and unlikeable. The news people were, well, news people. Are they high on anyone’s list except perhaps their own? So that only left a couple of sort of worn-out stereotypes. The main character did not one thing unpredictable. Can I say this? I’m tired of the speed with which these young people are jumping into s-e-x. Come on – get to know each other first. And of course she had an African-American sidekick. Maybe she should have been the main character. At least her mother had not been the maid who raised the white heroine, right? All that being said, there is a mystery or two that will keep you going. But I swear to you that the ending is just about identical to the one in Summer Rental.
So, here is my advice. If you haven’t read all of MKA’s books, read this one. If you have read and loved most of her stuff, I’m afraid you may feel let down. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.
The Lost Summers of Newport
And then I picked up this one for my second new summer read. And wouldn’t you know they were doing a reality television show about old houses? But this one has three separate-but-connected story lines. One from the late 1800s, one from the 1950s, and the reality show. If you decide to read this one, plan to take notes to keep track of the family lines. As I finished the book, I built a family tree to help me understand the plot lines. It helped a lot. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5.
Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook
I chose this book because I once attended Miss Graham’s Country Day School, so it seemed charming. Then there’s that word…cookbook. And I know neither is a good reason to buy a book. But I had read and LOVED Jennifer Ryan’s The Kitchen Front, and they sounded similar. Hmm? Well, there are spies and intrigue in post-WWII Germany. I am still betting on this one. I think it will be my summer sleeper.
6.
The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle
This book is a brand-new release. It just came out so recently that I had to pre-order it. Readers who got ARCs are raving about it. Jennifer Ryan writes wonderful books set in World War II that are always from the most interesting angles: The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Kitchen Front. I suspect this one is going to be cherished.
So now I have read two of them…I will let you know about the other four. Happy summer! And happy reading!
*Look for the orange updates as I finish them! I promise not to keep you in suspense.💙