Sweet Pea A Novel by Kit de Waal

 Book Excerpt:

"A profoundly compassionate novel of devastating power and emotional complexity.” ―Bernardine Evaristo

A beautiful portrait of a seemingly ordinary woman's life, transformed by extraordinary love.

When Paulette arrived in England as a young girl, she left behind a grandmother in St. Kitts who called her "Sweet Pea," taught her to cook, and admonished her to avoid temptation and embrace love and forgiveness, in that order.

Now, Paulette's twenty-nine and within reach of her dream: a wedding, a baby, and a little house. She's got the man, handsome Denton, and a good job as an assistant nurse. But when tragedy strikes, her baby comes from Denton's friend, a relationship that can't last. Soon it's just Paulette, grieving the life she almost had, and her son, Bird. It seems like enough, until another boy, the same age as Bird, appears. Now, there's someone new to take under her wing and worry about, someone who calls her Sweet Pea and makes her laugh.
Through friendships, motherhood, and connections that emerge in the most unexpected places, Paulette discovers strength in everyday acts of kindness.

A luminous and lyrical novel of the trials of life and the compassion that can follow, Sweet Pea introduces readers to an indelible heroine who never turns away from her capacity to love."

Title:  Sweet Pea

Author: Kit de Waal

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'Sweet Pea' by Kit de Waal

My Review:

'Sweet Pea' was an enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages till the end.  

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. The narrative is beautifully crafted, introducing 'Sea Pea,' or Paulette, as a character with a 'huge heart, excellent cook, many struggles, and above all a person able to forgive.' Her relationship with her son and the boy who enters her life is depicted with great sensitivity. This novel offers a compelling portrayal of a Caribbean immigrant and the challenges she faces. While the story is engaging, readers should be prepared for emotionally intense moments that evoke grief. Without revealing too much, I highly recommend picking up 'Sweet Pea' to experience this moving story.

Big Mad: A romcom (A second chance romance set in NOLA) (The Babineaux Brothers Book 2) by Amarie Avant

 Book Excerpt:

'Judge Bald & Order. His salty ex-wife. And a second-chance romance messier than the bayou after a storm.

MADISON
I did something illegal. Don’t ask. Now it’s prison or agreeing to my ex-husband’s ridiculous “date me” ultimatum. Judge Washington Babineaux is tall. Caramel. Judgy. And that sexy bald head is an entire violation.
But me? I’m BIG MAD.
No, he didn’t cheat. We buried our son … our baby … and somehow Wash kept living. Kept smiling. Kept existing like the world didn’t end. Meanwhile, I’ve been surviving on spite and boxed wine. So, I’ll sip my drink, nurse my anger, and pretend my pulse doesn’t act brand new every time he stares at me like he still owns me.
Spoiler alert: I may not keep my hands to myself.

WASHINGTON
Madison Spencer Babineaux is the love of my life. She’s also the most stubborn woman breathing ever since we lost our boy. That day, she left me and took all her light with her.
Now, she’s in trouble, and I’m her only hope.
So, I made her a deal: three high-profile dates. She thinks it’s blackmail. At least it includes a side of second chance. But Maddy’s still the sexiest storm I’ve ever survived. Sharp tongue. Gorgeous dark skin. And I’ll take every ounce of her anger.
Because underneath it, she still loves me, and I’ll be damned if I let her run again.

This romcom includes the theme: loss of a child.'

Title: Big Mad

Author: Amarie Avant

Publisher: A.A.

Reviewed By Arlena Dean

Rating;  Five 

Review:

'Big Mad' by Amarie Avant

My Review:  

If you read book 1 [The Big Country], I know you will enjoy book 2, 'Big Mad.  Some of the characters in book 2 upset me a little in the way they acted; however, for the most part, the author did a wonderful job bringing it out for the reader, especially for Washington and Madison.  It was a story about how these two characters finally found happiness, especially with those parents and that aunt.  I will stop here and say you must pick up this novel and see how it all ends, especially after everything that happened.  Even after everything, this author gives the reader an unforgettable story.

The Sweetest Return by Aja

 Book Excerpt:

"Eight years apart. One HBCU Homecoming. And a first love their bodies never forgot.

Eight years ago, Imani Bennett chose the future she had worked for and lost the man she thought was forever. Now she's back in Pittsburgh for her HBCU's Crown Weekend, and Andre “Dre” Jones is impossible to avoid: retired football star, successful businessman, and still the only man who can make her body remember before her pride catches up.

One Homecoming weekend brings the heat rushing back. But if these college sweethearts want more than a scorching reunion, they'll have to build a second chance big enough for two ambitious lives—and brave enough to survive being seen."

Title: The Sweetest Return

Author: Aja

Publisher: She Loves Words Publishing 

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'The Sweetest Return' by Aja

My Review:

'The Sweetest Return' is another wonderful, beautiful novel by this author, Aja. This story, featuring the characters Imani and Andre, is beautifully presented and gives the reader a lot to think about throughout the read.  I loved Imani's strength in this story and how much communication was needed, which made for a magnificent read.  I loved this second-chance love story, handled so well that it kept me turning the pages till the end, as you will admire all the love it gives. It has so many ups and downs that, if you know anything about love, you know they can happen too, but if you hang in there...this is where I say you must pick up 'The Sweetest Return' to get the whole story, so well described and presented.  

Thank you to the author; another wonderful read.  Keep on bringing them on to us!

Mr. Blackwood by Cassie Verano

 Book Excerpt:

"Power. Money. Authority. He has everything he wants—and he always gets what he wants.

Real estate and financial investment magnate Jabari Blackwood is enthralled the moment he sees the stunning new tenant in one of his office towers. Bright, ruthless, and unimpressed by his reputation, Camilla Valentine is unlike any woman he's ever met.

As publisher of a successful magazine, her only mission is to land the exclusive story that could launch her publication to the next level. Camilla doesn't know that the elusive tycoon she's been hunting for a story is also the owner of the new building where she's relocated her company.

When Jabari asks her out, Camilla accepts for one reason only: access. If she can step inside his world, her chances of exposing the enigma surrounding the formidable billionaire will be better. But what begins as a strategic move quickly becomes something far more dangerous. Beneath the façade of Jabari’s imposing presence is a seductive, passionate, and captivating man who awakens feelings she has never experienced.

When Camilla’s secret is exposed, Jabari is devastated to learn that her interest in him wasn't sincere. Rather than walk away, Jabari is determined to punish her for what he perceives to be the ultimate betrayal. Camilla is determined to prove that the woman he met has fallen hopelessly in love with the man behind the empire.

While submitting to the desires of Mr. Blackwood may be the only way to prove her love, she just may lose herself and her business playing a game she’s ill-equipped for."

Title: Mr. Blackwood

Author: Cassie Verano

Publisher: C. V.

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Four 

Review:

'Mr. Blackwood' by Cassie Verano

My Review:

Will Jabari Blackwood get Camilla Valentine, since he usually gets 'everything he wants'? It was quite a read to see how these two meet up, with Camilla having only one thing on her mind: finding out what she needed for her story about that particular billionaire. Readers will find this interesting, especially as Jabari questions Camilla's realness toward him. I will stop here and say this is a read that will keep the reader turning the pages to see what comes next. Will things change for Camilla as he learns more about Mr. Blackwood? You must keep reading to see whether Mr. Blackwood can prove his love.  

 

  

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure Novel by Rhys Bowen Adventure

 Book Excerpt:

"Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love by the bestselling author of The Rose Arbor and The Venice Sketchbook.

Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora—each needing escape—impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France.

With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. As for unexpected destinations, Saint Benet's simple paradise is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches.

Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning—and becoming an adventure she never expected.

Title: Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure

Author: Rhys Bowen

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five 

Review:

'Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

My Review:  

'Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure' turned out to be a really enjoyable book. I don’t usually pick up novels like this, but I gave it a try and ended up liking this WWII story. The way France was described and the setting made it hard to put down, and the characters were especially interesting. If you’ve ever wondered what someone might do when their husband of 30 years asks for a divorce, this book shows how Elle Endicott handled it. I enjoyed following her journey and meeting the memorable people along the way.

When We Ride on Our Enemies by Roy Glenn

 Book Excerpt:

"Roy Glenn returns with his bestselling Mike Black saga, which has continued to excite readers for two decades.

When Shayla Clark murders Giovanni Folliero, a made man in The Montanari Family, it forces a sit-down between kingpins Mike Black and Salvatore Marino. At that meeting, Marino tells Black, “There will be no peace until Shayla Clark is dead and you hand over her dead body.” But Black refuses to give Shayla’s name up, instead choosing to lead The Family to war—one in which they are outmanned and outgunned. Is this the one thing they can’t survive?"

Title: When We Ride on Our Enemies

Author: Roy Glenn

Publisher: Urban Books

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'When We Ride on Our Enemies' by Roy Glenn

My Review:  

When Shayla Clark kills Giovanni Folliero, a made man in the Montanari Family, kingpins Mike Black and Salvatore Marino come together. Marino delivers a stark warning: "There will be no peace until Shayla Clark is dead and you hand over her dead body." Black refuses to give up Shayla, choosing loyalty over safety, and marches The Family into a war they are ill-prepared to win. The Family's very existence now teeters on the edge. This was a good read.

When She Was Ours: A Novel by Anna Nordberg

Book Excerpt:

"Thea Erickson, a renowned surgeon, is filled with both joy and grief as her family gathers at their home on a summer night in 1995. Her elder daughter Phoebe is getting married, but even the happiness of the day feels bittersweet, as Thea grapples with a terminal cancer diagnosis. She worries she won’t be around to support her younger daughter Astra, who’s still in college, but even Thea cannot foresee what is to come—a terrible accident the night of the wedding that changes Astra’s life forever.

In a last-ditch effort to protect her family, Thea arranges a secret meeting with an old family friend and extracts a promise that will reverberate long after she’s gone.

Years after her mother’s death, Astra has moved forward with a career and relationship, but she still struggles with her grief. When a man reaches out to her and Phoebe, offering a window into their mother’s past, Astra must make a choice, and her decision forces her to face what it means to love someone after they’re gone, who we decide to forgive, and how families reckon with the past."

Title: When She Was Ours: A Novel 

Author: Anna Nordberg

Publisher:  ‎Lake Union Publishing 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

'When She Was Ours' by Anna Nordberg

My Review:  

I really enjoyed reading When She Was Ours and found it hard to put down. The story is very emotional and explores themes like grief, loss, family, and the bonds between mothers and daughters. It felt like a unique experience.