Bend Toward the Sun – Jen Devon

Thank you, Netgalley, for an ARC! // I really enjoyed this one! I liked the main characters, Rowan and Harry, as individuals, and together. I liked the slow burn, and the pining from Harry. I liked that they were flawed, but hopeful. (And yes, probably individually could use therapy to talk out their pasts, but don’t we all.) The flourishy, descriptive writing was a little wordy for me at times, but in other instances was exactly right. Rowan and Harry had some steamy scenes, a lot of sweetness and caring, and some heartbreaking moments.

This book has lots of nature, a magical greenhouse, a new winery, a big, cozy family, supportive friends, and even a farm donkey. Definitely recommend.

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Holding Her Breath – Eimear Ryan

Beth is a college student trying to heal from a mental health breakdown caused by the pressure of being an Olympic hopeful for swimming. She is hesitant to make friends, but her roommate is adamant about introducing her to more people. Because of Beth’s lineage – the granddaughter of a famous Irish poet – the literary students (and professors) want to be her friends. She doesn’t actually know much about her grandfather, but all their interest has her more curious. So she sets out on a quest to learn more about him, while also learning more about herself and her family in the process.

This was a slow read for me, but it felt good. It felt important. There were lots of inner thoughts from the MC, and it was one of those “you have to read every line or you’ll miss a lot” type of book. (Is there a word for that?) No skimming allowed on this one haha! I’d recommend it! Includes Irish poetry, family legacy and secrets, and finding yourself after a mental health crisis.

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The Guncle – Steven Rowley

Cute, poignant, hilarious. Patrick, Maisie and Grant are the cutest family.

Patrick is an actor who has garnered a name for himself in Hollywood. He is taking a hiatus from jobs when his best friend from college, turned sister-in-law after she married his brother, dies from cancer. His brother is in no shape to take care of his kids (grief + drug use) and checks himself into a rehab center, after asking Patrick to take care of the kids.

So Patrick does it. And as heavy and troubled as that premise sounds, this book was actually pretty funny. The way that sarcastic, cultured Patrick converses with his young niblings (Grant is 6, Maisie is 9) is hilarious. He teaches them about pop culture while learning how to care for their needs, from basic sun-screening, to dealing with big feelings and grief. And Patrick has his own history with losing a loved one, so he is an empathetic teacher.

Overall, a really great book.

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The Summer of Broken Rules – K.L. Walther

This was such a fun, sweet, easy read, I flew through it in like 2 days. It was summer on the Vineyard, nostalgia, fun big family antics, sweet crushes, midnight hangouts, and a little sadness all mixed together.

Meredith visits her family’s vacation property on Martha’s Vineyard for the first time since her sister passed away. It’s her cousin’s wedding week and there are lots of new people to meet and hang out with. She is reluctant to be social, still feeling some grief of being there without her sister. But she meets the groom’s stepbrother, Wit, under funny circumstances, and they form a bond almost immediately. And boy, were Meredith and Wit sweeeeeeeet sweet sweet together.

Despite the grief involved, this book managed to feel like a breath of fresh air and nostalgia for those summer days of crushes and unfiltered family fun.

What have you read lately that you liked a lot?!