#aperfectescape

As soon as I saw the title of this book, I had to read it! Dolly All the Time: A GMA Book Club Pick Contemporary Women's Fiction/Romance/Comedy Setting - Rhode Island Publisher ‏ : ‎ G.P. Putnam's Sons Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 26, 2026 Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages Hardcover ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8217185054 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FQH54TN1 Paperback ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593853970 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593853979 Kindle ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593853986 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNVHX96C Audiobook : ASIN B0FPGMSSQK If they start by pretending, can they end with something real? Dolly Brick has never met a problem she couldn’t solve. Not when her mom left when she was twelve, and not at thirty-nine when she moves with her son back to Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home. So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield—annoyingly handsome scion of the Whitfield family—with a flat tire and at the wrong end of a very public, very humiliating breakup, it’s in her nature to help. But Stewart’s proposed arrangement ends up being more than either of them bargained for, because as public dinners and high-society benefits turn into sunset boat rides and kisses that hit her bloodstream like a ghost pepper, Dolly starts to feel something more than helpful. She’s never relied on anyone besides herself—can she really start now? Dollycas's Thoughts Dolly Brick is a problem solver. She has been handling a lot since mom left their family behind when she was 12-years-old. Now she is thirty-nine, and she needs to return home, Whitfield, Rhode Island, with her thirteen-year-old son, Gus, to help her dad and brother following a house fire. They usually make monthly trips, but this is going to take time to handle. Stewart Whitfield is the powerful heir apparent to the CEO role at Whitfield Industries. He rarely spends time in Whitfield, but when Dolly sees him on the side of the road with a flat tire, she is surprised, and she offers to help. She deals with a classroom of kindergartners; surely, she can handle Stewart Whitfield and his ignorance in changing a tire. He soon tells her about his headline-making breakup with his fiancée. When Stewart and Dolly meet again, he makes a very interesting proposal. It could help her do a lot for her family. It's a complicated arrangement that takes a fun twist. It starts out with Dolly accompanying him to high-society events and public business dinners, but the romantic tension is thick. Soon, it's sunset boat rides and some ultra-hot kissing sessions. Can this be progressing into a true relationship? Or will it crash and burn like all her romantic relationships? _____ I usually read mysteries, but this book was the change of pace I needed last week. Dolly is a strong, down-to-earth, working three jobs. She is a kindergarten teacher in Boston, the call center operator for a small sporting goods company, and when she is home, she steps in where needed in the family business, Brick Fish House. She is a mom to Gus, a sister to Patsy and Christopher. Patsy is busy with her own family and rarely visits. Christopher suffered a head injury when he and our mom were in a car accident when he was eight. He needs many medications to "even out his disposition. " Dolly feels responsible to fix and take care of everything and everyone. Money is always tight, so she needs to be extra resourceful. I enjoyed that she kept her head and stayed true to herself from beginning to end. Gus is a terrific young man. He grew throughout the story. The family dynamic, sans Patsy, is heartwarming and relatable. Stewart Whitfield's life appears to be publicly imploding. He thinks the idea he presents to Dolly will right the ship to help him secure the coveted CEO position he has been working tirelessly toward for a long time. I loved his sister, Busy. His mother had some genuine caring moments, too. Busy is the only member of his family who knows his arrangement with Dolly. I don't want to give too much away. Ms. Monaghan has created characters with depth and put them in believable situations. This story could have come off as cheesy or campy, but the author's treatment of the plot and theme made it so much more than a typical romcom. This Dolly found Dolly All the Time to be fabulous! A Perfect Escape! It would be an outstanding beach read or a smashing rainy weekend read. This is the first book I have read by Annabel Monaghan, but it won't be the last. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author Annabel Monaghan is the New York Times bestselling and Library Reads Hall of Fame author of It’s a Love Story, Summer Romance, Same Time Next Summer, and Nora Goes Off Script, as well as two young adult novels and Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?, a selection of laugh-out-loud columns that appeared in The Huffington Post, The Week, and The Rye Record. After twenty-five years in the suburbs of New York City, she now splits her time between Connecticut and Florida. Her novels have been translated into twenty-three languages. Find out more on her Website. Also Written by Annabel Monaghan Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways. Read the full article

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am happy to share my thoughts today about A Field Guide to Murder: A Novel by Michelle L. Cullen.  A Field Guide to Murder: A Novel Cozy Mystery Setting - Ohio Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 27, 2026 Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages Hardcover ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424622 Paperback ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424639 Kindle ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424646 Audiobook ASIN B0FTBRD14R A cranky widower and his spirited caregiver team up to solve his neighbor’s murder in this charming and original mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Benjamin Stevenson. Once a globe-trotting anthropologist, Harry Lancaster is now certain that all his grand adventures are behind him. Recently widowed and suffering from a fractured hip, Harry spends his days and nights behind a pair of binoculars, nose-deep in his neighbors’ affairs. His millennial caregiver, Emma, is determined to get him out of his armchair and back into the world. Fate intervenes when Harry’s mysterious neighbor, Sue, phones, pleading for help. But instead of rescuing her, Harry and Emma find Sue dead: poisoned, days after a break-in at Sue’s house. Harry resolves to find out what happened, and Emma insists on going along for the ride. Together, they discover motives and suspects abound in Harry’s quaint condominium community—putting them both in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer. Readers of Kristen Perrin and Deanna Raybourn will be charmed by this quirky, cross-generational murder mystery. Dollycas's Thoughts Harry Lancaster is not used to sitting still. His career as an anthropologist has taken him around the world, but he recently lost his wife and is now dealing with a broken hip. He may be sidelined, but that doesn't mean his big adventures are over. For now, he is keeping his eyes on his neighbors and the neighborhood. Emma Stockton is Harry's caregiver. Her job as a critical care nurse had taken its toll, and caregiving is a role she can easily handle. She is young, friendly, and knows how to put Harry through his paces for a successful recovery. When Harry receives a phone call from his neighbor, Sue Daniels, begging for help, Emma rushes to Sue's home, and Harry follows. They find the woman has died, apparently poisoned. Harry is determined to find out who killed her and why. Emma is ready, willing, and able to help. As they work to uncover what has been happening in their community, they realize they both have become targets of the person they want to put behind bars. Will Harry and Emma get to the truth and catch the killer? Or will the killer catch them first? _____ Harry is a cantankerous human being right now because of his current situation. He has lost most of his independence because of his lack of mobility. His mind is not lacking, though; his knowledge about many things sets him up to be a great amateur sleuth. Millennial Emma is on a mission to help Harry get back on his feet while dealing with a variety of things in her personal life. She is a wonderful Watson to Harry's Sherlock. The author impressed me by taking the time to introduce these characters, and gave this reader time to get invested in their lives. Then we witnessed a friendship that bloomed naturally as Harry and Emma came to trust each other and realize their importance to each other overall. Something was happening in Harry's neighborhood. He watched some strange happenings behind a pair of binoculars. Sue's death was thought to be an accident, but Harry did not believe it. Detective Bradford soon learned Harry was not going to back down. There were plenty of suspects to observe and question. After another neighbor was attacked, people started to open up to Harry and Emma while the police were hitting walls. Clues started to come together during a gathering, but the actual killer remained unclear. Harry has an a-ha moment that sets up a tragic showdown in the middle of a powerful thunderstorm. Ms. Cullen's vivid descriptions enable readers to feel they are right on the scene. But wait, that's not the end of the story; Harry is still following clues. A Field Guide to Murder contains a clever, twisted whodunit with engaging protagonists and quirky supporting characters set in an intriguing condominium community. It's an emotional story with a feel-good ending. Harry and Emma's relationship is genuinely heartwarming. The ending hints at a new adventure, which put a huge smile on my face, knowing this is not the end of their story. A Field Guide to Death and Deceit is coming September 15, 2026. I am excited to tag along on Harry and Emma's next adventure. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author Michelle L. Cullen has lived and traveled all over the world: from working as a (decent if powered by enough espresso) bilingual secretary in Paris to backpacking around Europe, Central America, and Southern Africa, to helping rebuild communities after war throughout Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. She earned her master’s degree in anthropology at Melbourne University in Australia and her Ph.D. in sociology at the London School of Economics in England. A fan of adventure, she has a black belt in Taekwondo, has summited 900 feet rock climbing, and has flown a helicopter (once, during a lesson, for five terrifying minutes). She currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland, where she’s either doing yoga, playing outside, or plotting murder. Website      Facebook      Instagram  Thanks to the publisher, I have 1 paperback copy to give away! The contest is open to individuals 18 years of age or older. with a US or Canadian mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter, but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Subscribe to Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book via Email for 3 Bonus Entries. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Follow Crooked Lane Books on Facebook for 3 Bonus Entries  Follow Crooked Lane Books on Instagram for 3 Bonus Entries Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook, etc., you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End on February 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.   Read the full article

I had planned to post this review yesterday, but the day got away from me due to a little chaos on the homefront.  Just Add Happiness: A Novel Contemporary Women's Fiction (Humorous) Setting - Virginia Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 30, 2025 Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages Paperback ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1662523475 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662523472 Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662523489 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F944HWTD From the author of Not Quite by the Book comes a deliciously witty novel about second chances, secret identities, and the art of rising above life’s bitter moments. At forty-six, Sophie Bianco’s life is half baked—trapped in a controlling marriage and estranged from her critical mother. Her only solace? The Invisible Baker, her secret business helping overwhelmed moms create Pinterest-worthy moments. When her mother’s death coincides with the last straw in her marriage, Sophie grabs her chance. Armed with divorce papers and her savings, she reclaims her childhood home. But freedom comes with complications: hoarder-level chaos, plumbing disasters, and an ex-husband plotting revenge. When her daughter announces an engagement that echoes Sophie’s own mistakes, the past threatens to repeat itself. Desperate for income, Sophie takes a position as a pastry chef, finding unexpected sweetness in both the work and the charming restaurant owner. But as family drama and professional opportunities collide, Sophie must finally answer the question she’s been avoiding: Who is she when she’s no longer invisible? Dollycas's Thoughts Sophie Bianco has lived in a bad marriage for far too long. After the jerk's attitude about her mother's illness and death, she knew it was time to make a move, and her secret business is going to help her do it. Being the Invisible Baker, helping overwhelmed moms, has brought her joy and a nest egg. Inheriting her mother's house gave her a place to land. A cluttered and much-needed maintenance place to land, but she was going to make it work. Then her soon-to-be ex started to play dirty. That forced Sophie to find a real job to pay her bills. With no formal training, she impresses the sweet owner of Chez Margot, who hires her as his pastry chef and is willing to teach her all his recipes and more. Also on her plate is a daughter who may be jumping into marriage too soon, making the same mistake she did, along with a mystery about her past that needs to be investigated. Can Sophie handle it all? _____ I love the whole idea of the Invisible Baker! It's anonymous help for moms, and perfect for a baker wishing to fly under the radar like Sophie. She loves to bake and needs an escape from her awful marriage. Sophie has been emotionally abused for over 20 years. No matter how hard she works to please her husband, it is never enough. He is a narcissistic, manipulative jerk, and she deserves to be free of him. Being the Invisible Baker is the key to her first step and beyond. It was really easy to get invested in her life and root for her success. She gets tremendous support from her best friend, Alicia, and her family. She has raised a strong daughter with a good head on her shoulders, even though it takes time for her to realize it. Readers travel with Sophie on her emotional rollercoaster. She second-guesses herself again and again. Her self-confidence has been chipped away, not just from her abusive marriage but from her upbringing. She totally needs to rebuild herself and learn to trust again, both herself and others. She had huge obstacles to tackle. The way her resolve grew was very realistic and powerful. She knew how to bake wonderful things, but it took desperation and courage to walk through that door and apply for the pastry chef position. A job that would bring her so much more than she ever imagined. Just Add Happiness deals with betrayal, divorce, grief, friendship, love, trust, and doing hard things for the right reasons without being heavy. I found it very uplifting to see Sophie emerge from a captive cocoon and soar as a beautiful butterfly full of promise. She went from invisible to a strong, visible woman who served up some just desserts. She committed herself to choosing happiness and to following her dreams. If you need a pick-me-up, pick up this book! If you enjoy women regaining their power, this book will make you happy! Note: There is a bit of explicit language in this book. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author Julie Hatcher is an award-winning author of over sixty novels spanning mystery and romantic suspense. Writing as Julie Anne Lindsey, Hatcher has earned many accolades for her work, including the 2020 National Readers’ Choice Award for Romance Adventure and the 2019 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, among others. When she’s not creating new worlds or fostering the epic love of fictional characters, Julie can be found in Kent, Ohio, enjoying her blessed Midwestern life—and probably plotting murder with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. But one day, she plans to change the world. Website   Facebook     Threads      Instagram  Julie Hatcher also writes as Julie Anne Lindsey, Jacqueline Frost, Bree Baker Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.   Read the full article