Hello!
Happy Summer (or winter)! Here, the temperatures have risen quickly. Heaters are quiet, air conditioners are humming and shorts replace sweatpants. I enjoy leisurely lake swims and nights under the stars. It’s also the perfect time to lounge in the shade and read a good book.
You have seen my reviews before for these books, but they were SO good I thought they deserved a bit more attention. When you read a good book that changes you in big or small ways, you aren’t the same after reading it.
So here are my top summer reading recommendations with their blurbs in no particular order.
Beautifully Written, Heartbreaking Portrayal of Innocence Lost and the Love of Family
Telling Sonny is a coming-of-age novel set in the 1920s, when much of vaudeville had devolved into the Small Time. Not so for Faby Gauthier, a naïve girl from the small village of Enosburg Falls, Vermont. For Faby, the annual vaudeville show that comes to the village is worthy of the Great White Way itself.
Pretty and vivacious, Faby catches the eye of Slim White, America’s self-proclaimed Favorite Hoofer. She spends time with him during the week of the show’s run in hopes of learning first-hand how it feels to perform on the vaudeville stage.
On Slim White’s last night in the village, seduction would appear inevitable, and Faby succumbs. Her desire to forget her lapse in judgment is not to be, however. In a misguided to attempt to do the right thing, Slim White marries Faby on a whim and takes her with him on the vaudeville circuit. Little does she know that in a few short months, she will learn the true meaning of Small Time, setting her life on a path she never imagined.
Amazon ReviewerIzzyMy life is not like I dreamed it would be. I had the foolish fantasy of finishing high school, going to college, making something of myself- maybe even becoming famous.
Instead, I’m the infamous kid of the father who killed himself in the family’s backyard.
How’s that for a legacy?Renée
I came home for my mother’s funeral, but I’m staying to mend bridges with my sister. We have another chance, and whatever it takes, we need to come together as a family or live the rest of our lives knowing we let our brother down.
They say pride goes before a fall, but it doesn’t tell us how to avoid the scrapes along the way.
Finding Me is a new adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.
Sarah Jameson, a nurse at County Central Hospital, survives an accident that kills her two young children. While comatose, she travels into the heavenly realm where she visits with her precious little ones. She is given a choice – return to her husband, Jack, or remain with her children in their celestial home.
Jack was not in the fated automobile. Though he heard the crash and ran to help, there was nothing he could do. He suffers the loss of his children, fears the potential demise of his wife, and wonders about his own sanity. His struggle with PTSD from his military years has returned and at times, he cannot distinguish between the present and the past.
An accident tragically changed the lives of this young family, but out of sorrow emerges unexpected blessings.
All superb books by talented authors. I’ve read three of them so far and agree with your reviews.
Thanks Darlene ♥
Thank you, Darlene 🙂 Can’t go wrong with any of these books this summer! Xo
Thank you, Darlene. 🦋
Thank you so much for recommending Telling Sonny, Denise!!
Happy to, Liz:) A fantastic read! Xo
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I know you had a blast with these reads, Denise, such talented authors!
That is the perfect way to describe it, Priscilla! It was a blast. Xo
These all look really good, Denise. It’s nice that they impressed you so deeply
Thanks, Timothy 🙂 Yes, always a bonus when a story leaves a lingering impression.
Excellent books and reviews, Denise. Congratulations to Liz, Gwen, Jacquie, and Sally.
Thanks very much John…hugsx
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Thank you, John 🙂 Can’t go wrong with reading any of them!
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Thanks so much, John. 🌞
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Thank you so much denise for including Variety in your selection and I am very honoured to be mentioned along with these particular writers. It means a great deal. ♥
It definitely deserves the extra recognition, Sally! I hope it gets many new summer readers. Xo
I’ve read all of these except for Telling Sonny and it’s sitting on my Kindle. Great books all the way around. I love your reviews, Denise! Congrats to Jacquie, Liz, Sally and Gwen!
Thank you, Jan 🙂 You definitely have a good read ahead! All deserve an extra look, especially for summer reading. Xo
I’ve read books written by all these excellent authors. It’s impossible to choose a favorite. I noticed Liz has changed her cover since I read Telling Sonny.
It is always hard to choose, Pete 🙂 But can’t go wrong with any of these authors or books! I thought the cover was different. It fits the story.
What a great collection. All of those are on my TBR list (well, Jacquie Biggar’s is already finished–what a read).
Thank you, Jacqui. Always a tough pick. You have some fantastic reading ahead. Xo
I love all these authors! Thanks for sharing your reviews. Hugs, C
All good authors for sure, Cheryl! They always entertain 🙂 xo
Those seem like great suggestions. I have one of the books and will soon get started reading it after I have finished the book I am reading now. I also have another of them on by TBR list. Maybe I should expand my TBR list.
Thank you, Thomas 🙂 Whichever book it is you have some good reading ahead. My TRB list has exploded, I may never taught up but will have fun trying.
I’ve seen wonderful reviews for all of these, Denise – congrats to all the authors!
All good ones, Teri 🙂
Thanks Teri… xx
You read some great books, Denise. I enjoyed all of these and agree wholeheartedly with your reviews. Congrats to Liz, Jacquie, Gwen, and Sally. All wonderful writers and storytellers. 🙂
Thanks very much for the support Diana… a lovely post and honoured to be here.. ♥
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We do seem to.have similar reading taste, Diana 🙂 Yes, all fantastic books and authors! Xo
Thank you, Diana, for your wonderful support. 🌞
Hi Denise, thank you for this lovely reviews. I have read and loved Liz’s, Sally’s and Gwen’s. I need to write my review for Gwen’s. I am still three reviews behind. I have Jacquie’s coming up on my TBR. Alexa is helping me read so much quicker. I love her.
thanks very much Robbie for the boost and have a lovely weekend.. ♥
You have a great read coming up, Robbie. I just caught up on my reviews, yesterday. It can be hard to keep up, glad you found a way to help you read quicker. Xo
Thank you, Robbie, for your wonderful support. 🌞
My pleasure, Gwen. I’m behind with my reviews because my aunt is in ICU in hospital. I’m all she has here in SA so I’ve been spending a lot of time at the hospital.
Fab books and reviews Denise. Happy to say I’ve read two and two others await me. Congrats to all! <3 🙂
Thank you, Debby 🙂 You have some good reading ahead! hugs xo
Always my friend. 🙂 xx
Thanks Debby ♥
Got some great recommended reading here! xo
Yes, all good ones, Sandra xo
I really enjoyed Liz and Sally’s books. You’ve got to love these summer days and nights.
Thanks very much Mark..x
Great stories, weren’t they? Can’t go wrong with any of them. Yes, nothing like summer days or nights to get some extra reading done.
Thank you, Denise, for including The Soul Whisperer’s Decision in your summer feature. I’m honored to share space with Liz, Jacquie, and Sally. What a blessing! ❤️
It definitely deserved to be here, Gwen. It is a beautiful story that has stayed with me. xo