Book Review: Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey

Author: Kerry Winfrey
Pages: 334
Date: August 2, 2022
Publisher: Berkley
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Summary:
Once upon a time, Sandy Macintosh thought she would have her happily ever after with her high school sweetheart, Hank Tillman. Sandy wanted to be an artist, Hank was the only boy in town who seemed destined for bigger things, and they both had dreams to escape town together. But when Sandy’s plans fell through, she stayed in their small town in Ohio while Hank went off to Boston to follow his dreams to be a musician, with the promise to stay together. Only that plan fell through, too.
 
Fifteen years later, Sandy runs a successful greenhouse while helping her parents with their bed and breakfast. Everything is perfect…until Hank rolls back into town, now a famous alt-country singer with a son in tow. She’s happy with the life she’s built by herself, but seeing Hank makes her think about what might have been. There aren’t enough cliché love songs in the world to convince Sandy to give Hank another chance, but when the two of them get thrown together to help organize the town’s annual street fair, she wonders if there could be a new beginning for them or if what they had is just a tired old song of the past.

Review:
I picked this book up from the library because I wanted to. I was in the mood for a rom com and I have read Kerry Winfrey’s books in the past and I haven’t had a chance to read this one. I am soooo glad I did. She made me laugh and root for Sandy so much!

The summary of the book is up above. I”m not going to repeat it but it is a second chance romance. Will the love come back?

I will say I do love the connection between Hank and Sandy. I love the fact they were friends before the love started. They both are unique and both love the arts which is very cool thing. So many emotions, so many thoughts and so many ‘what ifs!’ I loved the vibe of the story and everything.

I have to point out two things from the book because one made me think of Spike from Buffy..you’ll see.. and the other made me laugh so hard that I had to include a tiny bit of it. I’ m not telling you the whole scenario!

Spike reminder bit:
“Finally, he opens his mouth. ‘Love’s a bitch,’ he says with a resolute nod.”
“I shake my head. ‘Ain’t it the truth, Scott.’ I say. ‘Ain’t it the truth.'”

Funny bit:
” ‘No one is biting anyone tonight!’ I shout as Hank picks up the phone.”
” ‘Good know he says,’ he says, ‘Thanks for the update.’ “

Let me know if you read this book or any of her books! Plus all her book covers are so pretty!! I look forward to the next one she has coming out.

What fiction do I spy today?

Check these lovely books out…
Which one will you pick up today to read?

Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in Wembley, in West London after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.

Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.

When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list…hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again. 

When Eva de Courtney kidnaps Godric Fleming, her only plan is to stop the irritating earl from persecuting her beloved brother. But once she has the intriguing rogue in the confines of her carriage, she longs to taste the passion she senses simmering beneath his rugged exterior. Her forbidden plan is foiled, however, when Godric turns the tables, taking her hostage instead—and demanding they marry at once…
 
The last thing Godric wants to do is make the fiery, impulsive Eva his wife, despite her delectable mouth and alluring innocence. He knows from experience that nothing is forever, not even love. But honor demands he do right by the lady, no matter how stubbornly Eva tries to hold on to her independence. And while the road to the Scottish border is beset with danger, Godric’s greatest challenge is to keep his hands—and his heart—from his captivating bride-to-be…

Teddy Phillips never thought she would still be spending every day surrounded by toys at almost thirty years old. But working at a vintage toy store is pretty much all she has going on in her life after being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend. The one joy that she has kept is her not-so-guilty pleasure: Everett’s Place, a local children’s show hosted by Everett St. James, a man whom Teddy finds very soothing . . . and, okay, cute.

Teddy finds the courage to write to him, feeling slightly like one of the children who write to him on his show. He always gives sound advice and seems like he has everything figured out—and he pretty much does: Everett has a great support system, wonderful friends, and his dream job. But there is still that persistent feeling in the back of his mind that something is missing.

When a woman named Theodora starts writing to Everett, he is drawn to her honesty and vulnerability. They continue writing to each other, all the while living their lives without meeting. When their worlds collide, however, they must both let go of their fears and figure out what they truly want—and if the future they want includes each other.

Grace Steele and Eliza Jones may be from completely different backgrounds, but when it comes to the army, specifically the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), they are both starting from the same level. Not only will they be among the first class of female officers the army has even seen, they are also the first Black women allowed to serve.

As these courageous women help to form the 6888^th Central Postal Directory Battalion, they are dealing with more than just army bureaucracy—everyone is determined to see this experiment fail. For two northern women, learning to navigate their way through the segregated army may be tougher than boot camp. Grace and Eliza know that there is no room for error; they must be more perfect than everyone else.

When they finally make it overseas, to England and then France, Grace and Eliza will at last be able to do their parts for the country they love, whatever the risk to themselves.

Based on the true story of the 6888^th Postal Battalion (the Six Triple Eight), Sisters in Arms explores the untold story of what life was like for the only all-Black, female U.S. battalion to be deployed overseas during World War II.

Not Like the Movie by Kerry Winfrey

• Publisher : Berkley
• Date : July 7, 2020
• Paperback : 320 pages
• Author: Kerry Winfrey

Summary:
What happens when your life is a rom-com . . . but you don’t even believe in true love?

Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. As the sole caregiver for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, she’s pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend, Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that’s about to premiere in theaters across America . . . and happens to be inspired by Chloe and her cute but no-nonsense boss, Nick Velez.

As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can’t see him as anything but Reason #4: The scruffy-bearded hunk who’s always there when you need him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn’t so sure her own story will end in a happily-ever-after.

My Review:
This was a great story – total rom com! I liked the plot, the chemistry between Chloe and Nick. You can so tell there is a chemistry build up there. Even the extended characters were great such as Chloe’s brother Milo and his partner Fred, Chloe’s dad, Uncle Don, who’s so into ‘Star Wars’ (so awesome), Chloe’s best friend: Annie and even Tracey, who is sassy!. I also liked how Chloe learns that life is messy, you can’t control everything and it is okay to ask for help.

Since this was a romcom story — “While You Were Sleeping,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Proposal” and “Sleepless in Seattle” is mentioned. Chloe’s best friend Annie loves romcoms. All great movies!! Yes I have seen all these movies, haven’t you? I think the romance part was up and down in the story I think Chloe had a hard time figuring it all out along with balancing things in life. She also assumes things. It took her some time her assumptions were wrong. I do like the playful banter between Nick and Chloe. Nick! Oh my gosh he is an awesome character. A man who can cook? That’s awesome.

Pick this book up to read if you are in the mood for a romcom! I did check this book out from the library and the cover is so vibrant!! Love that! This book is fun, flirty and had me laughing. Who wouldn’t want to go to a coffee convention? Who wouldn’t want to eat Chloe’s homemade pies? Who wouldn’t want to have Nick’s Chicken Tortilla Soup? So pick it up today and give a try.

Currently Reading

Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. As the sole caregiver for her father, who has early-onset Alzheimer’s, she’s pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend, Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that’s about to premiere in theaters across America . . . and happens to be inspired by Chloe and her cute but no-nonsense boss, Nick Velez.

As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can’t see him as anything but Reason #4: The scruffy-bearded hunk who’s always there when you need him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn’t so sure her own story will end in a happily-ever-after.