by Robin Jones
Georgie, All Along – Kate Clayborn
Georgie Mulcahy’s life is a hot mess in a dumpster fire. Recently having been laid off from her Hollywood assistant job, she returns home to her small town in Virginia, to reevaluate her life.
Georgie is spacey and unfocused according to her high school teachers. Her parents are slight hippies, who prescribe to RV trips and burning man, and her best friend was always the more focused of the two, who’s recently married with a baby on the way.
Georgie needs to figure out what she wants and who she is; and what better way to do that than with an old journal her and her best friend wrote before starting high school?! This Fic, as they call it, is filled with all the things they wanted to do now that they were in high school.
I’m sure it will all go according to plan, right?
Follow this delightful and refreshing novel about having to go back in order to move forward. Get to know this small-town cast of characters, as Georgie makes a bucket list to discover what matters to her the most. Of course, throw in a rescue dog named Hank, an old school crush, family drama, and the hot, grumpy bad boy of yesteryear and you’ve got yourself a good old fashioned romantic dramedy.
The Maid -Nita Prose
Molly, the protagonist, shows how we should all see the world, encompassing her direct and simplistic life lessons. There are so many avenues to explore with this book; philosophy, autism and the wide range of the spectrum, friendships, dealing with pain and loss and a good old fashioned murder mystery.
Molly Gray is a maid at a very posh hotel. She has a puritan work ethic and works very hard to give all guests the five-star service they deserve. Molly, however, is different. She has difficulties understanding the intentions and meanings of others and does not socialize in a way deemed “normal”. Molly navigates life through the simple teachings of her grandmother, who helps supply Molly with small truths to get on in the world.
When Molly’s grandmother dies, Molly is left to interpret others by herself, so when a murder happens in the hotel and Molly is the prime suspect, she has to rely on those life lessons supplied by her grandmother, accept the help of those who genuinely want to help, all the while unintentionally providing wisdom and friendship to those around her.
I laughed out loud, got a lot emotional, was the worst detective, took Molly’s life lessons and added them to my own, and got sad when it was over. If you read one book this summer, introduce yourself to Molly Gray.
Hello Beautiful – Ann Napolitano
I’m not even sure I have words to express what this book has done. I wish I could give it five more stars. I went through every emotion I could think of. From anger to sadness to hurt to happiness and to grief. Along the way, I had to grapple with my own unconscious biases and my own fear about my own family.
There is a bit of every character I see in myself. Even the ones I dislike the most. As a writer, my biggest goal is to have every reader feel each of my characters in their bones and long after they’ve finished the book. Napolitano does this in spades. She writes every character with such dimension and depth. She’s able to tackle so many moving parts and subjects, woven throughout the history of each character.
Love, loss, depression, death, grief, redemption, anger, resentment, and the biggest of all; forgiveness. What a beautiful and intricately detailed story of family.
If I absolutely had to give a “complaint”, I would have loved to read a little more backstory from some of the supporting characters. I understand the arch of the family drama, but it was so well done I just wanted more.
Cheers to Napolitano for creating such an amazing world. She is a true writer, using such glorious detail, almost written like prose to tell this story. It has solidified its place as one of my all-time favorites. What craftsmanship.
Born and raised in Chicago, it’s a beautiful representation of one of our most beloved neighborhoods. Thank you Ann, thank you.
Murder Your Employer – Rupert Holmes
Yes, you read the author’s name correctly. It’s THAT Rupert Holmes. The Piña Colada song mastermind, Rupert Holmes.
“If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain..” Try getting that out of your head now. You’re welcome.
Despite the title, this book isn’t about how to murder your employer, we love onPeak! This story, however, does involve a school for murder. At McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, you can study the only courses offered; the art of homicide and the only requirement for graduation is successfully completing a murder.
In this witty, whodunnit, step by step guide to Murder, the entrance to being accepted to the school is give an ethical reason why you want someone “sleeping with the fishes.” You must show just causes why snuffing someone out greatly impacts the masses for the better. No, offing your neighbor because their dog pooped in your yard, is not just cause.
For those who love a good murder mystery, quick wit, odd ball characters, and all kinds of twists and turns, Holmes delivers in this amazing book. Grab a copy and learn a thing or two.
Adelaide – Genevieve Wheeler
This book masterfully deals with unrequited love and the emotional abuse we subject ourselves to with our partners and ourselves.
Adelaide is young and in love with Rory, who gives her just enough to keep her curiosity afloat. Through this love, she accepts him and whatever he is willing to give.
Genevieve Wheeler gives a wonderful and darkly beautiful insight on what dealing with love not returned looks like and how that can enhance and create mental instability in us.
How do you hold on to a one-sided love? What breaks within us, to believe that one sided love is acceptable? How do we move on and overcome feelings we thought were so strong they might suffocate us?
The beauty of this book is that by the end, you see that Adelaide had to fight for herself. She had to work through her own mental illness, to find her way.
Love and unrequited love are hard on anyone, regardless of mental stability. Love is beautiful and fun and all consuming. It can also be devastating and gut wrenching and soul altering.
Hats off to Genevieve Wheeler for telling a story with honesty, truth, rawness, and hope.
