June 2025
- Katie Peterson
- Jun 1, 2025
- 7 min read
Something old, something new, something steamy, something true-ish
(Hint: If you click on the image of a book below, it will take you directly to the section about that book!)
Something old: Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
Something new: Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino
Something steamy: A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner
Something true-ish: These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner
Book club pick: The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
[Bonus post: The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose]
The Ratings:
Like plain, black coffee. Strong dislike.
A little cream, a little sugar. Not bad. Not great.
Add some flavor or syrup, it's getting good.
I liked this a latte!
Love! Refill please!
The Steam:
No peppers: Love/romance not a major part of this story
One pepper: Mild! Some love scenes; nothing risque on the page; fade to black
Two peppers: Moderate! Slightly descriptive romantic scenes may occur on page; some implied innuendos
Three peppers: Hot! Blushing while reading may occur; lots of spice
Only the Beautiful
Susan Meissner
Rosanne's life is simple, yet happy. Born and raised at the vineyard where her parents are employed, she spends many happy days tending the vines with her family. But everything changes the moment her father's car is hit by a train, killing everyone inside. Rosanne is left in the care of the vineyard owners, Truman and Celine. In a moment of loneliness, she shares a secret her parents had sworn she must never reveal: any sound she hears is accompanied by color. Although she enjoys the beautiful pictures in her mind, she knows that this makes her different than others...and in 1938, different isn't safe. Making matters worse, a mistake-filled evening has resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. When Celine finds out the terrible truth about the baby's father, she banishes Rosie from the safety of the only home she's ever known...into the care of a medical facility determined to 'fix' her through any means necessary.
Meanwhile, Truman's sister, Helen is serving as a nanny overseas. Paired with a family who has a child with a disability has brought fulfillment and meaning to Helen's life. However, the Nazi regime is gaining power, and they're stopping at nothing to 'rid the population' of anyone who doesn't meet their idealistic traits. Can Helen keep her charge safe? And what will happen when she finds out the horrors that her brother and his wife have subjected Rosie to?
Rosie's in a race to save herself, and her child.
Helen's in a race to save humanity.
Unfortunately, there are no winners here.
My rating:
This was well written, it was just so sad.
Don't Forget to Write
Sara Goodman Confino
Off from college for the summer living with her parents, Marilyn finds herself bored and longing for some adventure. Deciding to rendezvous with the rabbi's son during service for a make-out session seems like a great way to add a little spice to her life. Unfortunately, they're seen by the entire congregation when they come crashing through a stained glass window. When her dad threatens that she must spend the summer working for her great-aunt Ada in Philadelphia or not be able to return to college in the fall, Marilyn tearfully prepares for a summer of gloom.
What she was not expecting was a platinum blond haired, fashion forward aunt who is somewhat of a local celebrity. Running a successful matchmaking business for over 40 years, Ada is well known around both Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore, where she spends most of the summer. Although strict with high expectations, Ada is also witty, and kind, and Marilyn finds herself learning far more than she ever did in a classroom. Ada has built a life that is purely her own...and now Marilyn is questioning everything. Does she even want to return to college in the fall? What does her future look like if she takes away all of the expectations piled on her from others? And most importantly, will Ada be a part of it?
Marilyn definitely had her bratty moments throughout this book and wasn't always the easiest to root for...but her relationship with Ada, and in turn, herself, was a character arc worth sticking around for. This book was a 4 cup read for me until the final chapters when it snuck into a 5.
My rating:
A Love Letter to Whiskey
Kandi Steiner
From the moment B sets her eyes on Jamie Shaw she's reminded of whiskey. From the color of his eyes, to the ebb and flow of his voice. His smooth, charismatic personality is reminiscent of a slow sip of the amber liquid ...and the hollowness left in his wake when he leaves is like a burning gulp, leaving B gasping for air. Jamie and B are nothing really...and yet everything at the same time.
Jamie and B's relationship is more intense than friendship, but less defined than love. Almost an obsession...a vice...an addiction. But, as they say, timing is everything...and timing is not in their favor. In high school, B is the third wheel as Jamie falls for her best friend. In college, the roles are flipped and B is now dating Jamie's roommate. They are never quite available at the same time, and yet can't stop themselves from sabotaging the relationship the other is in. Finally, a passionate night on the beach allows them a taste of what it might be like to finally be with each other. However, just when the path forward seems clear, tragedy strikes, pushing them away from each other.
A chance encounter years later brings up the same urgent desires of the past...but words left unsaid and missed chances plague Jamie and B once again...as they find themselves preparing for a wedding, of which only one of them is walking down the aisle.
This one is angsty, and dramatic, and full of heartbreak. But it's also steamy, and intimate, and full of devotion. If you like slow burn, friends to lovers romances, you'll be hooked from the 'first sip'.
My rating:
Steam rating:
These is my Words
Nancy E. Turner
This historical fiction is written as a diary, with entries dating from 1881 to 1901, from the point of view of Sarah Agnes Prine, a young woman settling in the brash and wild Arizona Territories with her family. Snakebites, sickness, and Indian attacks plague the travelers on their route. On the final leg of their journey, they are joined by Army soldiers, tasked to protect them until they arrive in Tucson. The Army Captain, Jack Elliott, ruffles Miss Prine's feathers like no other. He's ornery and mischievous, but also brave and respected by those under his orders.
Even after their arrival in Tucson, life isn't easy for the settlers. Building homes, making livelihoods, and starting families in the wild west is dangerous and unpredictable. Although Sarah settles into married life and becomes a mother, Captain Elliott is never far away. He continues to torment her and she knows that no one could ever infuriate her the way he does. However, Sarah and Jack both have something in common...they're protectors. Both will stop at nothing to keep their loved ones safe, even if it means putting themselves in danger's path. The Arizona Territories are risky, hazardous, and sometimes savage. But with a partner you can trust to guard your back, Sarah and Jack find that they are also a fine place to call home.
My rating:
The Perfect Marriage
Jeneva Rose
Sarah Morgan is one of the best defense attorneys in the greater DC area. Which is good, because the biggest case of her career just landed on her desk: representing her husband, Adam, accused of killing his mistress in cold blood. What started as a typical work day for Sarah becomes her worst nightmare as she not only finds out that her husband was cheating on her in her own lake home, but that the other woman, Kelly Summers, was found in Sarah & Adam's bed, stabbed to death. An ominous note left at the scene by Adam doesn't help his case. But even though he admits to sleeping with her that night, he insists that when he left the lake to drive back to DC, Kelly was alive.
The investigation is flawed at best, with key evidence being tampered with and clues missed. Sarah is determined to press for a speedy trial...with so many unknowns undiscovered, she's hoping the jury may find reasonable doubt to Adam's guiltiness. Throughout the trial, Adam is allowed to remain on house arrest, and from the 'scene of the crime', he tries his best to prove his own innocence. But the deeper he digs, the more questions are left unanswered. Kelly Summers was not who she said she was...and her past is murkier than the lake water outside. Is Adam the perfect scapegoat for someone getting years old revenge? His fate is left in the hands of his wife...and he's not exactly on her good side right now. Sarah's a mastermind in the courtroom...but will she be able to pull off the impossible and free her husband? And better question yet, does she really want to?
My rating:
***Spoiler Alert If you have not read The Perfect Marriage, this next review may contain some spoilers. If you want to read about the divorce...you need to read about the marriage first!***
The Perfect Divorce
Jeneva Rose
Sarah Morgan is a scorned woman once more. Her second husband, Bob, cheated on her. Things sounding familiar? Well just wait-there's more. The woman he cheated with is stabbed to death. No-just kidding. That'd be like the same book. This time, the woman goes missing and the blood found in her car leads the police to believe foul play is involved. Their prime suspect? The last person she text...Bob.
The investigation, although done by the same police force, is much more thorough, bringing to light new evidence, both in this case as well as Adam's murder conviction from years ago. Adam was executed following his sentencing...but was he actually guilty? The public is adamant that the police are protecting their own and vigilante justice can be deadly.
While Bob is fighting to clear his name, he's also duking it out in the courtroom with Sarah over their divorce. And he knows from experience that she doesn't always fight fair. Can he convince the powers at be that she's the one orchestrating all the chaos? Or will Bob just sign his own death warrant playing that game?
My rating:
I had a couple issues with the timeline in this one...and it just seemed a bit too convenient that Sarah wasn't more of a person of interest this time around...with so many similarities to the first time her husband's mistress died...but it was still thoroughly enjoyable and a really quick read.
Read along with me in July
Something old | Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy |
Something new | The Block Party by Jamie Day |
Something steamy | Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn |
Something true-ish | In a League of Her Own by Kaia Alderson |
Book club pick | God of the Woods by Liz Moore |
As always, send any book recommendations to me at sosnssst@gmail.com.
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