*** Publication Date 6 August 2024 ***
By Sarah Stewart Taylor
4 stars
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What a great mystery. Told from several points of view, this novel takes us into the minds of the prominent characters to solve the question of what happened to Hugh Weber. I really enjoyed this step back in time to a turbulent period in the history of the US. It is the summer of 1965. 

Sylvie is a French-Canadian woman who married Hugh Weber when she was just a teenager, but he was in his 30s. She was so young, and had a son before the first year of the marriage was over. Originally Hugh promised Sylvie an idyllic life, living off the land of Vermont. After four children, with a fifth on the way, things were not as they started.

Mrs. Bellows was raised in Bethany, Vermont, but also traveled the world with her husband, who worked for the government. After his death, she returned to Bethany to spend her remaining years in the house built by her family. She is a bit of a sleuth herself, trying to solve the mysteries that arise in Bethany. Being one of the original families, she is well connected to the town.

During the summer of 1965, Franklin Warren arrives as a newly installed investigator for the state police. He no sooner sets foot in his new house, that he is called to investigate a suspicious death. Warren has his own demons to conquer, and this new position is going to be a challenge for him. 

Going back in time to 1965 when there was so much dissent due to not only the Cold War but also Vietnam. At this period in history, the ‘hippie’ and ‘back to our roots’ movement was prevalent in bigger cities, but was just reaching the smaller communities in the US. It is a fascinating time and Taylor has captured the dynamics so well. I loved the descriptive qualities of her writing. 

Recommend this step back for summer reading. 

By Holly James
** Publication Date 30 July 2024 **

​4 stars
Cute, smart, flirty romance novel. Holly James grabbed one from the headlines with her reality show driven theme in this novel.
Olivia doesn’t like the spotlight. Raised by her grandmother after her parents died in an auto accident, Olivia knows that being in the spotlight isn’t always good. After all, she is the love child of a former movie star and Hollywood businessman.
Chuck, her on again/off again boyfriend, is an actor. Living way above his means, for now he’s nothing more than a B list actor, recently fired from a film. He won’t talk about it, and for Olivia that’s one more thing that drives her nuts about him. But not in a good way.
After their latest make-up, once again they fight. This time it ends up on the street where all can see, and apparently do. For next thing you know, they are a viral video. Which leads them to a reality TV show worth a lot of money. But there’s a catch. There’s always a catch, and neither of them knows if they can make it through to the end.
This novel was just so much fun. Relevant and wild. But also has its deep moments of introspection. Liv & Chuck are adorable, and clearly mad for each other, and also mad at one another. Since it’s a romance novel, we all know, or at least hope, how it will turn out. There are going to be quite a few obstacles in the way on this one.
Loved it. Whizzed through it. Recommend it for a fun, refreshing read. 

By Jamie Day
** Publication Date 16 July 2024 **
4 stars

This is definitely not one big happy family. No spoilers, but honestly, this family really puts the fun in dysfunctional. And while the story is about a family, it mostly focuses on one person, Charley.

Charley lives and works in an inn on coastal Maine. The structure is quite amazing with its cliff location and unique decor. Charley was whisked away from her job as a waitress to become the hotel’s chambermaid. Living rent free sounded amazing, until she realized her new home was a former broom closet. Nonetheless, she can’t really be choosy, cause she needs every penny to support her grandmother who lives in a nursing home.

When her employer suddenly dies, Charley and Rodrigo, the hotel manager, are left to deal with the offspring of their employer. From what townies tell them, dealing with these three sisters is going to be anything but easy. Add in an acquaintance of Charley’s who suddenly needs a free place to stay, and it’s going to be one crazy weekend in Maine.

Especially when one of the guests turns up dead.
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Funny, heartwarming, and surprising is what makes this novel a good read. Your suspects will change as you turn the pages. Unexpected surprises in every chapter! What a fun novel. I loved Charley and her authentic self. Rodrigo was the best. It’s just a great way to spend a few hours immersed in the nuttiness of Jonesport, Maine.