Category: Adult Fiction

Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, Tear Jerkers

Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro

Michelle

Ages 18+

Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro is a dual timeline novel which is a heavily fictionalized story of her life. It is told in the 1970s and 80s by Teresa and Frank Antinori, and in 2015 by Lena, their adult daughter, a lawyer who dedicates her career to fighting discrimination.

When she is thirteen, Lena discovers that her father is gay, and that her mother knew. Now, Frank is set to marry his partner Oliver, and wants Lena to plan the wedding.

Ms. Montanaro’s gorgeous writing made my heart ache both for Teresa and Frank in their own ways. The novel is incredibly moving, heartbreaking, and beautiful.

I had the privilege of meeting the author. You can read the post I wrote about the event here. I highly recommend the historic and timely novel Everything We Thought Was True by Lisa Montanaro. Oh, and a word of advice? Bring tissues!

Adult Fiction, Latinx, LGBTQ+, Netgalley Reviews, Romance, Sports

Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa

Michelle

Ages 18+

Gabriel Piña (or – Gabi, Gabo, or Pineapple, as he’s sometimes called) is coming to terms with his bisexuality as a Mexican-American goalie on his futbol (soccer) team in college, and his first real relationship with a boy. Not only that, he’s navigating everything in life that comes with it. This heartfelt, passionate and raunchy new-adult romance is very swoon-worthy, and I couldn’t put it down!

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews, Romance

Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory

Michelle

Ages 18+

I absolutely loved this sapphic romance by Jasmine Guillory!

This novel follows Taylor and Avery, two women who meet at a wine event and become friends when one offers to give the other flirting lessons. Each secretly like the other, and as the friendship grows, so does the intensity of feelings for each other.  

I can always count on Guillory to bring the heat and romance in her books, and this one didn’t disappoint! It was also giving me vibes of The Brown Sisters series by Talia Hibbert (as far as spiciness scale & having BIPOC characters).

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner

Michelle

Ages 18+

This novel follows sisters Cassie and Zoe Grossberg, who were born a year apart, but who couldn’t be more different. They became famous and changed their name to Griffin. The story follows them and their bandmates in the early 2000s as well as a character named Cherry whose timeline takes place in 2024.

I thought the book dragged until I got about 60% into it, and then I flew through it, because that’s when it got interesting. Weiner’s books are hit or miss for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews, Romance

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Michelle

Ages 18+

In Say You’ll Remember Me, Samantha meets veterinarian Xavier in Minnesota and they go on one date right before she moves back to California to be with her family. The two are smitten with each other from the start, however, and try to make it work. 

This novel was so much more than a rom-com in that it dealt with some harder topics, but then that’s typical of Jimenez’s works, which I love. This one gave me all the feels!

I just loved this story! It’s quite possibly my favorite of all Abby Jimenez’s novels. This is an absolute can’t miss!

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews, Romance

If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley

Michelle

Ages 18+

This novel follows Elliot, a woman who meets Jamie at a bar one night and gives him a fake name, never expecting to see him again. She’s in down for a cancer treatment and doesn’t want to get too involved with anyone for several reasons. 

A year later though, their paths cross again, but things are more complicated than you’d think. 

If I’m being honest, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I was wary and knew it was “sick lit” going into it, but it wasn’t too sad. I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews, Romance, Series, Tear Jerkers

The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo

Michelle

Ages 18+

When I found out that Jill Santopolo was publishing a sequel to The Light We Lost, I literally gasped with excitement. That novel is one of my all-time favorite, five-star books, and The Love We Found didn’t disappoint!

The story takes place ten years after the death of Lucy’s love Gabriel, and everything that came after. If you loved the first one, and no doubt you will if you love books that tug at your heartstrings, you will definitely adore The Love We Found!

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews, Romance

And They Had A Great Fall by Shelby Saville

Michelle

Ages 18+

Jake Laurent is a famous actor, Kat is his friend and ex-lover with whom he has a history. Now they’re back in each other’s lives and they’re trying to keep whatever this relationship is under wraps from the media as they galavant in Copenhagen. Kat has her daughter to worry about and Jake has his reputation. Can they keep their privacy and still make it work? This was an easy, romantic read.

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Humor, Mystery, Netgalley Reviews, Series

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

Michelle

Ages 18+

In this latest installment of the Finlay Donovan series, Fin is at it again. She and her sidekick/friend Vero begrudgingly help Mrs. Haggerty, her elderly, nosey-body neighbor who unfortunately has been caught with a dead body in her backyard. What have they gotten themselves into this time? This series reminds me so much of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I feel like Finlay and Steph could be besties!

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.

Adult Fiction, Netgalley Reviews, Thriller

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

Michelle

Ages 18+

Theodora Scott is on her way to her fiancé Connor Dalton’s wealthy family’s retreat in the woods, Idlewood. It was a whirlwind romance, and the two were engaged within six months of dating.

The thing is, Theo has been getting threatening texts on her phone from an unknown number, warning her to stay away from Connor Dalton. But why? She chooses to ignore them. What she can’t ignore? The snowy footprints she sees outside the cabin window, or the strange sense of familiarity she has that she’s been to Idlewood before. The clincher? She finds a photo of herself as a child, taken right here, at Idlewood.

Theo has almost no memories of herself as a small child, but after seeing the photo, she begins to remember, and piece things together. Things she’s sure she’d rather forget.

Marshall takes readers on a chilling, wild ride, as family secrets unfold in a way they’ll never imagine possible.

Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.