The Tolling of Mercedes Ball: A Novel by Jennifer Dwight

I loved Mercedes.  Her life is anything but easy from an abusive husband and having to restart her life after she is widowed she just keeps rolling with the punches, not that it is always easy for her and even when it seems easy it is an illusion, but I have to hand it to her she knows how to take all those lemons life keeps tossing at her and make lemonade.

Meet Me Here by Bryan Bliss On Sale Date: May 31, 2016,

In the course of a single night Thomas must decide his future and make peace with his past.  His brother Jake came back from the Army damaged and not himself, but like his father before him Thomas is expected to report in the morning and continue the family tradition.  He is terrified of coming home like Jake, who is seen as a local hero, but is nothing like he used to be.  Thomas must make peace with Jake and his future or change it.  The story is told in the course of one night that like all graduation nights is full of the things you expected and even more that surprise you.  A warm witty and touching look at growing up and making adult choices.

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank May 31

Once again we are treated to a beautiful southern story. Olivia must give up her high profile life in New York and make good on a promise she made to her husband NIck long ago, now that he is retired they will return to the south, specifically Isle of Palms. There are a few glitches and gotcha’s in this plan, like the fact that Olivia over spent on the new house and she does not have a client base established in the south yet, not to mention that she is now the only one with a steady income. Olivia must face possible financial and professional ruin and even more devastating could be the impact to her marriage. In contrast to Olivia and NIck we meet Olivia’s well to do client Bob and join Olivia and Nick as they travel among the rich and see the good and the bad in both. I loved the dynamics between the women in this novel and the contrast in each character’s life.

Gridley Girls by Meredith First

I absolutely adored this novel. I wanted to stay up and finish it so I didn’t have to put it down but I was to0 tired.  I loved Meg and her pals and all their wonderful teen age issues.  I also loved adult Meg who didn’t change much and how she still had close friendships.  This book is laugh out loud funny, sweet, tear jerking and fantastic.  Read it in your place of choice and don’t surprised if you ignore the world.  Thank you to Book Sparks for my free copy.

The After Party: A Novel by Anton DiSclafani On Sale Date: May 17, 2016

This novel is the touching story of two women friends since they were girls who grow up and change and yet manage to stay together.  Cece  does not remember her life before Joan.  Cece would tell you they were joined at the hip, but Joan has a life beyond what she shares with Cece and this creates tension for Cece not only in her friendship with Joan but in her life in general until the day her wold changes.  A warm and touching story of an enduring friendship between two very different women.

Will You Won’t You Want Me by Nora Zelevansky

I loved riding shotgun as Marjorie Plum figured out her second act.  She was the it girl in high school, but life out in the real world has been tougher than expected.  Her roommate moves out without much notice, she looses her job, all of which send her on a journey she never expected and as you can imagine it has many bumps along the way some funny some sad and some sweet.  In the end Marjorie finds her footing again but I was glad to take the journey with her I got to laugh, cry and commiserate with her.  Thank you to Book Sparks and St. Martins Griffin for my review copy.

The Season of You & Me by Robin Constantine On Sale Date: May 10,

Cassidy is looking forward to escaping her ex boyfriend for the summer and just getting a break from everything spending the summer with her father and his wife. Being a camp counselor may be more than she bargined for with grumpy co-counselor Tory and  fellow counselor Bryan who has problems of his own.  A warm and witty look at a teenage summer not to be forgotten.

The Bridge Ladies: A Memoir by Betsy Lerner On Sale Date: May 3, 2016,

I loved this story,  not because i know the first thing about Bridge or any card game, but because I loved Betsy’s view of the bridge ladies and how it changed as she grew up and her world view changed.  I loved rebellious young Betsy who shunned Bridge and all the things of her mother’s generation, and I adored older wiser Betsy who knew enough to appreciate her mother’s bridge ladies for who they were and the rich lives they had led.  This novel is a touching homage  to  the dynamics between mother and daughters, they bonds between friends and the life we make out of the choices and chances we are given.  A great read.

And After the Fire: A Novel by Lauren Belfer On Sale Date: May 3,

This story beautifully weaves together the story of a lost choral masterpiece, a woman’s search for her family that creates more questions than answers and is full of strong female characters whatever their time period. The description puts you in famous musical cities from Berlin to New York and beyond. A beautiful lyrical deftly woven masterpiece that steals your heart.

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett Out May 3rd

This cleverly written novel is the story of Eva and the choices she makes, each event is told multiple ways depending on the choices Eva has made before.  Does she marry for Love or Money and which one bring her more happiness?  An intriguing look at the choices we make and the long term impact they have told with whit wisdom and honesty.  A unique way to tell an age old story.