Forever Carly: A Second Chance Holiday Romance (Second-chance Series Book 1) by Michele Sims

 Book Excerpt:

"Secrets, deceptions, and lies.

Michele Sims, the multi-award-winning author of the Moore Family Saga is back with a second chance romance novel.

Carly Rivers, a small town girl with big dreams to become a renowned expert on historical African American communities unexpectedly encounters her college sweetheart, Mason Moore, after ten years apart in Charleston, South Carolina.

Mason has transformed his family’s business into an international conglomerate.
Both are rising from the ashes of a failed marriage."

Title:  Forever Carly: A Second Chance Holiday Romance

Author:  Michele Sims

Publisher:   Green Books Publishing, LLC

Series:  Second Chance Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'Forever Carly: A Second Chance Holiday Romance (Second-chance Series Book 1) by Michele Sims

My Review:

'Forever Carly' is a well-crafted second-chance romance featuring Carly Rivers and Mason Moore, who reconnect after ten years apart as former college sweethearts.

Both Carly and Mason married others, but those relationships ended. When they meet again, they discover a renewed connection. Their journey is complicated by challenges posed by their exes, but the story explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and hope. 'Forever Carly' is recommended for readers seeking an uplifting romance.

The Children A Novel by Melissa Albert

Book Excerpt:

"Guinevere Sharpe has two childhoods.

In one, she and her brother, Ennis, live in the wooded shadow of their family's isolated Vermont farmhouse; in the other, the pages of their mother’s world-famous Ninth City books, where their magical adventures have made them household names. In reality, Guinevere's childhood isn't the enchanted idyll her mother’s readers imagine: she and Ennis are growing up near-feral, unwashed and underfed, escaping each day to the wild woods they’ve made their playland. As Edith Sharpe’s books explode into epic popularity, the threats of a rural childhood give way to the escalating perils of fame—until the night it all goes up in flames, leaving Edith’s series unfinished and her children the sole survivors.

Now an adult coasting on her mother's name, Guinevere is mid-promotion for a ghostwritten memoir when her estranged brother, an artist who has until now spurned his family's legacy, announces an upcoming installation titled, simply, Mother. As rumors swirl around a death connected to his last show, unsettling recollections from Guinevere’s childhood begin to surface. Her public facade starts to crack, forcing her to confront the questions she's spent the last twenty years running from: What really happened the night of the fire? And what dark history lies behind their mother’s fantasy world?

The Children is wise to the mythic weight childhood memories gather over time, and the way our most beloved stories grow up with us. It's for anyone who's ever revisited an old favorite and found its pages cast in a darker light, the line separating magic from reality blurring as we discover the books that once comforted us carry shadows of their own."

Title:  The Children

Author:  Melissa Albert

Publisher:  William Morrow

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

'The Children' by Melissa Albert

My Review:

The Children is a captivating exploration of a dysfunctional family. The story follows siblings Guinevere and Ennis as they navigate a life altered by tragedy. After a fire destroys their home and claims the lives of everyone except them, the narrative shifts between the present and the past, keeping readers engaged and intrigued.

The novel skillfully intertwines elements of literary fantasy, family legacy, grief, magical realism, and sibling relationships, providing a rich and diverse reading experience. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the digital review copy.

Murder by the Book by J.L. Campbell

 Book Excerpt:

"A riveting, dark, and layered thriller that cuts through the glamorous façade of the publishing world to expose the true cost of ambition.

Some stories are too dangerous to tell, especially when they're your own.

Addison Comstock is a literary icon, known for her bestselling crime novels, razor-sharp tongue, and relentless rise to the top. But behind her polished brand lies a ruthless past filled with secrets, betrayals, and broken lives—including those of the writers she's employed to ghostwrite her success.

When her longtime editor collapses and dies during a team retreat in Jamaica, what appears to be a medical emergency soon begins to feel like something far more sinister. Tensions rise, loyalties fray, and whispers of sabotage grow louder. Someone in Addison's inner circle has decided enough is enough, and the truth is becoming stranger than fiction.

As the body count climbs and buried truths resurface, Addison is desperate to maintain control of her crumbling empire. But with accusations flying and her dirty past threatening to go public, even Addison begins to question who she can trust . . . and how far she's willing to go to protect her legacy."

Title:  Murder by the Book

Author:  J. L. Campbell

Publisher:  Black Odyssey Media

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Murder by the Book" by J. L. Campbell

My Review:

'Murder by the Book' was a good thriller read that kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. The characters,  [Addison], along with the story's twist and secret, made for a really engaging read, keeping the reader guessing till the end.   

Thank you, Netgalley and Black Odyssey Publishing, for the advance readers' copy to read and review.

What the Island Asks by J Martin

 Book Excerpt:

'When Seraphina Lockwood returns to Hatteras Island after her father’s death, she expects only to settle unfinished business before returning to the life she built elsewhere. Instead, the island offers her something she never resolved: Beckett Crowe, the man she left behind, and the version of herself she abandoned with him.

As old rhythms resurface—wind, tide, wood, and weather—Sera is forced to confront the cost of escape and the quiet persistence of love rooted in place. Her reunion with Beckett is marked by restraint rather than urgency, shaped by years of absence and the shared knowledge of what leaving once destroyed.

What the Island Asks is a slow-burn literary romance about return, emotional inheritance, and the courage required not to run. It is a story of love that does not demand—but waits.'

Title:  What the Island Asks

Author:  J. Martin

Publisher:  J. M.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'What the Island Asks' by J. Martin

My Review:

'What the Island Asks' delivers an evocative blend of emotional depth and romance, delving into the complexities of aging and the exhilaration of rediscovered love.  

Expect suspense that will propel readers forward as Sera and Bennett’s story unfolds.  

By the end, readers experience a moving, satisfying story about rekindled love.  

Library Thing...California Fever Dream: A Memoir (Willow Books Memoir Series) by Judy Juanita

 Book Excerpt:

"Memoir by Judy Juanita, Black Arts Movement icon and winner of the American Book Award. California Fever Dream chronicles Juanita's 60 years of writing and activism. Judy Juanita is an award-winning poet, short story writer, novelist, essayist and playwright. At San Francisco State University in the 1960s, Juanita joined fellow student protesters to revolutionize American higher education and create the nation’s first Black Studies department. Juanita was the editor-in-chief of The Black Panther, the newspaper of the Black Panther Party. Her semi-autobiographical debut novel, Virgin Soul (Viking, 2013), features a young woman in the 1960s who joins the Black Panther Party. Her work is archived at Duke University's John Hope Franklin Research Center, alongside the work of SNCC activists from the 1960s.

Juanita is a winner of the American Book Award (2021) for Manhattan my ass, you're in Oakland, a poetry collection. Juanita’s twenty-odd plays have been produced in the Bay Area, L.A. and NYC. She appeared in Netflix's Last Chance U:Season 5 (2020). Juanita taught at Laney College in Oakland, CA for over three decades. She is a Lecturer in the College Writing Programs at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2024, Juanita received a Reginald Lockett Lifetime Achievement Award from PEN Oakland

Title:  California Fever Dream

Author:  Judy Juanita

Publisher:  Aquarius Press

Series: Book 2 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Willow Books Memoir Series

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean 

Rating:  Five

Review:

'California Fever Dream' by Judy Juanita

My Review:

"California Fever Dream: A Memoir" is an excellent read, seamlessly blending poetry and fiction into a lush, immersive experience. Judy Juanita transports readers to vivid scenes pulsing with the sun-drenched streets and passionate energy of California. Her depiction of life with the Black Panther Party is rendered in bold, evocative brushstrokes, filled with tension, struggle, and hope. Each page is alive with emotion and unflinching honesty. I highly recommend this remarkable book; it's both enjoyable and memorable—a journey readers will want to return to and share.

The Library of Flowers (Deluxe Edition) by L.C. Chu

 Book Excerpt:

"For centuries, the Hua women have held sway over the courts of emperors and billionaires with their magical perfumes able to stir hearts and ensure fortunes. And in every fifth generation, an eldest daughter is born with the rarest gift of all: the ability to summon true love.

As a long-awaited fifth daughter, Lucy was supposed to be the miracle her exacting mother had been waiting for. But when her magic failed, Lucy fled Vancouver, her legacy, and the expectations that had nearly broken her. Now, years later, she runs a tiny perfume shop tucked away in Toronto's Kensington Market—crafting beautiful, perfectly ordinary scents and keeping her extraordinary past firmly behind her. That is, until a death in the family brings her home...and saddles her with an unwelcome inheritance: the centuries-old Hua family register, brimming with secrets, formulas, and forgotten truths.

As Lucy unravels the stories of the women who came before her—including the mother whose complicated heart she never could understand—she must confront the tangled threads of love, power, and identity...and ask herself whether her magic was ever truly gone, or simply waiting for her to decide for herself what it means to be a daughter of the House of Hua."

Title:  The Library of Flowers

Author:  L.C. Chu

Publisher:  Sourcebooks Landmark

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"The Library of Flowers" by L. C. Chu

My Review:  

'The Library of Flowers' was about the women of the Hua family, past and present, which was a very interesting read about their family, which involved their culture, history, emotion, and even some magic that went back several generations. Now, what was this magic family's trade...Perfumers by trade. Be ready for characters like Lucy and Ana, who will be quite interesting in the story. It was nice seeing a family finding themselves.

If you would like a story about strong women, this one is for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Good Joy, Bad Joy, by Mikki Brammer

 Book Excerpt:

"For over eighty years, Joy Bridport has played by the rules: she's been a devoted wife and mother, contributing to the community in her small Hudson Valley town. But her quiet existence is jolted when she learns that her best friend, Hazel, only has months left to live. Hazel has always been the more adventurous one of their duo, and she seems at peace with all that she's squeezed out of her long life. Yet Joy realizes she can't say the same.

Determined to live boldly and make the most of the time that she and Hazel have left together, Joy steps outside of her comfort zone—and into a bit of trouble. But as her foray into rule-breaking escalates into petty crime, Joy must consider what kind of legacy she wants to leave behind and whether there's a way to embrace the liberation that "Bad Joy" offers without losing all she holds dear.

Is it ever too late to become who we're meant to be? With laugh-out-loud hijnks and emotional heft, Good Joy, Bad Joy is a heartwarming and wise celebration of the choices we make, the friendships we cherish, and the lengths we go for love."

Title:  Good Joy, Bad Joy

Author:  Mikki Brammer

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer

My Review:

'Good Joy, Bad Joy' was a beautiful, good read. The reader will fall in love with Joy, who was eighty-nine years old, and I don't want to forget to mention Hazel, Joy's best friend. This will be a story that keeps one turning the pages, thanks to the author's ability to bring it to life for the reader.

This story was about a 'lifelong friendship, sisterhood, love, life, and even regrets'. This is one of those stories that will leave one pondering long after the read, even leaving one in tears.   

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Young King The Making of Martin Luther King Jr. by Lerone Martin

 Book Excerpt:

"From a preeminent King scholar, the origin story of the man, minister, and civil rights hero who would lead the nation and change the world.

We know who Martin Luther King, Jr. became, but who was he at the beginning of his life? How did his youth inform his outlook and activism?

Before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader, a Nobel Laureate, and a global hero, he was an emotional boy, a middling high school student devoted to fashion, dancing, and dating. Lerone A. Martin, Faculty Director of the Martin Luther King Institute at Stanford University, traces these roots to develop a fuller understanding of the influential preacher's emotional life, his youthful confusion about his future and career direction, his teenage missteps, and his inspiration to fight for justice."

Title:  Young King...The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.

Author:  Lerone Martin

Publisher:  Amistad

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Young King...The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.

My Review:

This author, Lerone Martin, did a wonderful job telling a powerful story about Martin Luther King Jr. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. is one person I can truly say was important throughout his life. From his childhood, family discipline, education, to his early encounters with racial things that showed the power of what went on with him in his life.  

This is one of those well-written reads that, once you start reading, you will find it will be hard to put down due to all that is in the remarkable read, as you are pulled into MLK Jr.'s life. Be ready for many interesting details, and you will find out a lot about his personal life.

If you are interested in a good biography that involves American history, you have come to the right place, because this non-fiction read will give you that and so much more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amistad for the early read.

An Unexpected Spark Kindle Edition by Delaney Diamond

 Book Excerpt:

"It's never too late to learn from our mistakes...

Tallulah Washington believes in energy, intuition, and the healing power of sage. Jamison Harris believes in efficiency, logic, and arriving fifteen minutes early. When their kids announce a whirlwind engagement, these two complete opposites are forced together—and it’s a disaster from the start.

But disaster has a funny way of turning into chemistry.

Between cake tastings gone wrong, dance lessons, and one very inconvenient spark, Tallulah and Jamison discover that maybe they don’t hate each other as much as they thought.

The two least likely people might be the ones to prove that love is worth the risk."

Title: An Unexpected Spark
Author: Delaney Diamond
Publisher: Garden Avenue Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
'An Unexpected Spark' by Delaney Diamond

My Review:

'An Unexpected Spark' was a nice romance, with Tallulah and Jamison finding love. Now the story will get even more interesting, as the story centers on an older couple who meet when their children fall in love and plan to marry as the story continues.

The story will keep one's attention from the beginning to the end, showing how it all comes together for both couples. By the end, you are given a good love story.

Before We Were Strangers Kindle Edition by Brenda Novak

 Book Excerpt:

"New York Times–Bestselling Author: "I loved this twisty tale of friends, enemies, lovers, liars, and a family fractured by secrets." —Susan Wiggs

Five-year-old Sloane McBride couldn't sleep that night. Her parents were arguing again, their harsh words heating the cool autumn air. And then there was that other sound—the ominous thump before all went quiet.

In the morning, her mother was gone.

The official story was that she left. Her loving, devoted mother! That hadn't sat any better at the time than it did when Sloane moved out at eighteen, anxious to leave her small Texas hometown in search of anywhere else. But not even a fresh start working as a model in New York could keep the nightmares at bay. Or her fears that the domineering father she grew up with wasn't just difficult—he was deadly.

Now another traumatic loss forces Sloane to realize she owes it to her mother to find out the truth, even if it means returning to a town full of secrets and lies, a jilted ex-boyfriend, and a father and brother who'd rather see her silenced. But as Sloane starts digging into the past, the question isn't whether she can uncover what really happened that night—it's what will remain of her family if she does . . ."

Title:  Before We Were Strangers

Author:  Brenda Novak

Publisher:  Mira

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'Before We Were Strangers' by Brenda Novak

My Review:  

'Before We Were Strangers' was quite an interesting Thriller that kept me turning the pages to see what was coming next, with romance, mystery, family drama, and even a murder. Be ready for lots of twists and turns in this story that will keep you turning, shaking your head, and saying, "I didn't see that coming," along with a lot of guessing. There were many interesting characters with flaws all over the place. By the end, this was a good, interesting story.  

Save the Date A Novel by Mallory Kass

 Book Excerpt:'

"A romantic comedy of manners about a lavish wedding weekend gone very, very wrong with the slow-burn romance of Emily Henry and the fizzy humor of Sophie Kinsella.

The Bride: Beautiful, seemingly carefree Marigold is tired of being treated like a shallow it-girl. That's one of the many reasons she's excited to marry Jonathan—the handsome, kind, respectable doctor of her dreams. So when a shocking secret from her past threatens to ruin her wedding, she'll do anything to make it disappear...even if it means tracking down a man she vowed to avoid forever.

The Maid of Honor: As the bride's best friend, all Natalie wants is for this wedding to go off without a hitch. There's only one problem: Natalie has secretly been in love with the groom since college. When Marigold disappears, Natalie is forced to ask whether she can keep burying her feelings for the sake of friendship...or if she's ready to risk everything to pursue her own happy ending.

The Sister: Olivia has spent her life cleaning up Marigold's messes. So she's determined to keep the wedding on track for the sake of their mother, who's battling cancer and longs for one last perfect weekend. But when Jonathan's best man—a prickly academic with a heart of gold—ropes her into a fake dating scheme, sparks unexpectedly fly. Will Olivia sacrifice her own happiness again, or could this fake relationship turn into the truest choice she's ever made?

Heartwarming, hilarious, and sparklingly romantic, Save the Date will have you cheering for love in all its messy, unexpected glory.

Title:  Save the Date

Author:  Mallory Kass

Publisher:  Atria Books

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Save the Date" by Mallory Kass

My Review:

'Save the Date' was a beautifully told romantic comedy, funny, full of heart, and full of chaos. The three main characters give us much, being about family and friends, and the story gives the reader a sense of realism, plenty of humor, and the messiness that came with it, along with the hurt, chaos, and love.

'Save the Date' was a good novel to pick up and read. The reader will get a lot from all that goes on in this well-written story.

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @atriabooks for this wonderful ARC! 

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @atriabooks for this wonderful ARC! 

Love by the Book A Novel by Jessica George

 Book Excerpt:

"Friendship is the love story you can count on.

Remy is lucky. Her debut novel, based on her three best friends, became an instant bestseller when it was released, and her agent and publisher are clamoring for a follow-up. But just as Remy's creative inspiration seems to leave her, so too do her friends: one moves to New York, one gets pregnant, and one gets back together with her (awful) boyfriend. After an ill-advised one-night stand complicates matters further, Remy is left deeply alone—and unable to find her next book idea.

Simone is successful. A Kindergarten teacher with a passion for kids, and a well-paying side hustle that affords her all the material comforts she desires, she doesn't have time for a robust social life. All Simone needs is her close-knit family—but after the true nature of her work is revealed, they cut her off, and she realizes for the first time just how isolated she is.

When Simone and Remy bump into each other (literally) in a bookstore, it isn't exactly soulmates at first sight. Simone is guarded and prickly, Remy is insecure and heartbroken, and each woman is harboring a secret. And yet they might just be the missing piece the other has been searching for—if only they can let each other in.

Can Simone help Remy make one of the most important decisions of her life—and can Remy help Simone recover all that she's lost? In Jessica George's heartwarming, funny, and soulful second novel, she explores the restorative nature of female friendship and the life-changing power of platonic love."

Title:  Love by the Book

Author:  Jessica George

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Love by the Book" by Jessica George

My Review:

  

"Love by the Book" by Jessica George is a delightful and deeply engaging read that explores the profound nature of female friendship. The characters are wonderfully crafted and well-developed as they navigate themes of secrets, pressure, and loneliness.

The story beautifully captures the strength of their friendship and the love they share.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – The Complete Screenplay Kindle Edition by J.K. Rowling

 Book Excerpt:

"Professor Albus Dumbledore knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magi zoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches, and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

The official screenplay of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is the ultimate companion to the film, and invites readers to explore every scene of the complete original script penned by J.K. Rowling & Steve Kloves. Special features include behind-the-scenes content and commentary from David Yates, David Heyman, Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, Colleen Atwood and more."

Title:  Fantastic Beast: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Author:  J.K. Rowling

Publisher:  Pottermore Publishing

Series:  Book 3 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Fantastic Beasts

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

Fantastic Beasts:  The Secrets of Dumbledore by J.K. Rowling

My Review:  

'Fantastic Beast:  The Secrets of Dumbledore is definitely one of my favorite series being absolutely beautiful and a wonderful along with its sadness too of a read. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will definitely like this last series.    Get ready for a read with a good story line and information of Dumbledore of his early life.  

This author did a wonderful job with giving the ready a good read of the Dumbledore family.  And you will enjoy Newt being a sweetheart, Jacob being one with a warrior's heart. If you have seen the movie then you will love the script.  It is simply amazing in how this author brings of all together in the wonderful screenplay read.  

If you are in the Wizarding World then 'Fantastic Beast:  The Secrets of Dumbledore' is the read for you that you will enjoy, especially if you are into Harry Potters fan.

Fearless Entanglement : The Protector, the Antihero, and a Deadly Love Triangle (MacKenzie Crime Family) Kindle Edition by Amarie Avant

 Book Excerpt:

"To destroy a powerful man—target his heir. His seed. His only daughter. Me.

I’m Natasha Resnova. The miracle child who shouldn’t have survived. I hide behind a camera instead of facing my violent, blood-soaked legacy. The Resnov bratva breathes brutality. I breathe silence.

Until one photo puts me in the path of two powerful men.

One sees me.

One hunts me.

And between them, everything shatters.

LORENZO

She was my mark. Vassili Resnov’s daughter—the doorway to vengeance. I returned from a black-ops mission with one objective: seduce Natasha, break her, and use the pieces to burn her father’s empire to the ground.

But Natasha’s not breakable. She’s gorgeous. A light I never knew existed. I wanted her. Damn, I wanted her.

Then he appears, with a look that says he’d destroy the world to save her.

But Lachlan won’t come between me and Natasha.

This will end in blood. Hers.

LACHLAN

I should’ve put her first.

But I’m Lachlan MacKenzie—Dodger’s golden boy with a baseball bat. I tried to juggle it all: my family’s criminal secrets, sports fame, and cherishing Natasha.

I was wrong. And I lost her.

Natasha needed me. I gave her excuses. She offered me her trust. I dropped it.

Now her “friend” Lorenzo circles her, a wolf ready to taste her fear.

I will do anything to regain her affection. Natasha is not just the miracle child of a Bratva king.

She’s my everything.

And I’m done letting monsters near her.

Fearless Entanglement is a pulse-pounding love triangle, laced with dark obsession, hidden agendas, and a love that cuts deeper than lies.

No cheating—only jaw-dropping twists, betrayal, romantic suspense, and an HEA worth the wages of war in this interracial romance!
Other common themes include: Military soldier, MLB baseball player, Russian Bratva, Scottish Crime family mafia, second chances, friends to lovers, hero, possessive anti-hero, dark past and more, some "we're definitely gonna die" energy LOL, all with a smooth finish!"

Title:  Fearless Entanglement

Author:  Amarie Avant

Publisher:  A. A.

Series: MacKenzie Crime Family

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'Fearless Entanglement' by Amaire Avant

My Review:  

"Fearless Entanglement" is an action-packed, brilliantly written novel that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The characters, Lachlan and Natasha, are well developed, and there are several others that readers will enjoy, along with a few who may not be as appealing. I encourage you to pick up this captivating story to discover the intrigues surrounding the Scots and the Mackenzie's, filled with drama, secrets, lies, and betrayal.

Get ready for a tale rich in action, combined with a love story that the author tells exceptionally well.

When We Were Friends: A Short Story Kindle Edition by Jane Green

Book Excerpt:

"From New York Times bestselling author Jane Green comes a riveting story about a friendship that turns ugly when a woman realizes her new best friend is not what she seems.

By all accounts, Lucy’s handled her divorce well. She’s finally in the cozy, plant-filled house of her dreams. And although she doesn’t fit in with the other divorcées—all busy looking for their next ex—she’s excited to get down to earth and savor the small joys of life.

When Lucy meets Elle, a hip younger woman who shares her same passions, their connection is instant. Taking a chance on kismet, Lucy forges a friendship that fills her days with meaning. She and Elle are inseparable, from sunup to sundown, enjoying the immediate ease and familiarity of each other’s company.

But as Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, a new side of her friend appears. And try as she might, Lucy can’t ignore her misgivings. Who is Elle really? And can their all-consuming friendship survive closer inspection?"

Title:  When We Were Friends

Author:  Jane Green

Publisher:  Amazon Original Stories

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'When We Were Friends' by Jane Green

My Review:

This captivating short story follows Lucy, a recently divorced woman, and Elle, a younger woman. Simon's addition adds depth to this intriguing narrative. To fully appreciate the complexities and surprising twists that unfold, I highly recommend diving into this quick read.

Get ready for a beautifully crafted tale that will leave you with an unexpected conclusion.