The Book: The Chick Magnet
The Drink: Hard Iced Tea (made by throwing a few tea bags in some booze - the way you should have been doing it all this time) 
Favorite Line: "When this tension broke, when the storm came, if it came, it was going to curl her toes, her hair. It might level the house. Level the two of them."

I've been a fan of Emma Barry's work since her politics-set romances that have always scratched my Josh and Donna from The West Wing itch. She can be counted upon for excellent characters,  convincing sexual attraction and world-building that does not shy away from darker subjects.  Chick Magnet - with it's candy-colored cover - brings all the Emma Barry goodness in spades. 

Nic is a social media star who makes a living talking about her beloved chickens. Will is a vet whose business is struggling in a post-covid world.  These two have chemistry and sparks and real problems.  I think that's what I love about Emma's books - the fantasy of romance set in a very real world.  

If this is your first Emma Barry book - you're in for a treat. If you - like me - have been a fan for a while  - it's so nice to have her back. 

The book: The Vibrant Years
The drink: I honestly, can not even remember...
Favorite line: “Some accidents were actually beautiful.”


Oh my gosh! Sonali and I sat down BEFORE the holidays and then life completely got in the way.   If you haven't picked up Sonali's fabulous multi-generational story DO IT NOW!   Sonali is one of the most enthusiastic, wise and effervescent people I know. Spending time with her just feels good. And The Vibrant Years is a reflection of that.

We talk about the books that challenge us and lead us in new directions. What it was like for her book to be selected as the launch book for Mindy Kaling's Book Club and what Drew Barrymore smells like.

Living on their own terms means being there for one another.

When sixty-five-year-old Bindu Desai inherits a million dollars, she’s astounded―and horrified. The windfall threatens to expose a shameful mistake from her youth. On an impulse, Bindu quickly spends it on something unexpected: a condo in a posh retirement community in Florida.

The impulsive decision blindsides Bindu’s daughter-in-law, Aly. At forty-seven, Aly still shares a home with Bindu even after her divorce from Bindu’s son. But maybe this change is just the push Aly needs to fight for her own dreams.

As Bindu and Aly navigate their new dynamic, Aly’s daughter, Cullie, is faced with losing the business that made her a tech-world star. The only way to save it is to deliver a new idea to her investors―and they want the dating app she pitched them in a panic. Problem is, Cullie has never been on a real date. Naturally, enlisting her single mother and grandmother to help her with the research is the answer.

From USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev comes a heartfelt novel about three generations of hilarious, unconventional, ambitious women who embark on a shared journey of self-discovery. Join the Desai women as they come together to embrace the hijinks and heartbreak of facing their greatest fears to finally live their most vibrant lives. 

The Book: Once Upon A December
The drink: Mulled wine but really a third cup of coffee
Favorite Line: Christmas wasn't a place or a season or a time. Christmas was a state of mind. 

Amy writes what I call modern, midwestern folk lore.  The combination of her Milwaukee setting, earnest and good people, delicious food and magic is absolute catnip!  This is a fabulous, timeless Holiday Romance.  She's also one of those people who - you might have never met - but it feels like you've known her a long time.



A one-of-a-kind Christmas market offers holiday magic in this new romance from the author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club.

With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty—it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.
 
For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.
 
After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.