Bubbling up with Helena

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon

• Summary: Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. But Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps. Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.
• Why I Loved It: This is probably my favorite read of the year. We all know how much I love Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books in general, but this is my favorite book by her. Chandler and Finn are two incredibly relatable and charming characters. On top of that, the mental health representation in this book is beautiful. These characters exemplify how to support someone dealing with mental illness. Of course, I love good Jewish representation as well, which this book has in spades.
• Who I Recommend It For: I recommend it for fans of romance novels, but note that this book is spicier than Solomon’s other books, so I would not recommend this for younger readers. And of course, I would recommend to anyone looking for good mental health and Jewish representation

Happy Place by Emily Henry

• Summary: Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. They broke up six months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends. Which is how they find themselves sharing the largest bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best? A couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends in this glittering and wise new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.
• Why I Loved It: I am a big fan of Emily Henry’s books in general. I’ve gotten into second chance romances lately too, and this is a great example of one. Henry is the queen of witty and snappy dialogue, and this is no exception. Harriet and Wyn are likable and well-developed as are the other characters in this story. It is a warm and fuzzy read that feels like a vacation.
• Who I Recommend It For: Fans of second chance romances, anyone looking for a beach read, fans of books featuring chosen family

The Getaway List by Emma Lord

• Summary: The day of her high school graduation, Riley realizes two things: One, that she has spent the last four years trying so hard to be a Good Kid for her mom that she has no idea who she really is anymore, and two, she has no idea what she wants because of it. The solution? Pack her bags and move to New York for the summer, where her childhood best friend Tom and co-creator of The Getaway List ― a list of all the adventures they’ve wanted to do together since he moved away ― will hopefully help her get in touch with her old adventurous self, and pave the road to a new future. Riley isn’t sure what to expect from Tom, who has been distant since his famous mom’s scriptwriting career pulled him away. But when Riley arrives in the city, their reconnection is as effortless as it was when they were young―except with one, unexpected complication that will pull Riley’s feelings in a direction she didn’t know they could take. As she, Tom, and their newfound friends work their way through the delightfully chaotic items on The Getaway List, Riley learns that sometimes the biggest adventure is not one you take, but one you feel in your heart. Inescapably romantic and brimming with Emma Lord’s signature cheer, The Getaway List is an uplifting and romantic read that will settle into your heart and never leave.
• Why I Loved It: I love Emma Lord’s books, and I was thrilled to get an ARC for this one. It has all of Lord’s signature energy and humor. It also is guaranteeed to pull at your heartstrings. I love the way New York City feels like a character in this book as well.
• Who I Recommend It For: Lovers of New York City, people who love a story that will make them laugh and cry

Jane Austen the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly

• Summary: A brilliant, illuminating reassessment of the life and work of Jane Austen that makes clear how Austen has been misread for the past two centuries and that shows us how she intended her books to be read, revealing, as well, how subversive and daring–how truly radical–a writer she was. In this fascinating, revelatory work, Helena Kelly–dazzling Jane Austen authority–looks past the grand houses, the pretty young women, past the demure drawing room dramas and witty commentary on the narrow social worlds of her time that became the hallmark of Austen’s work to bring to light the serious, ambitious, deeply subversive nature of this beloved writer. Kelly illuminates the radical subjects–slavery, poverty, feminism, the Church, evolution, among them–considered treasonous at the time, that Austen deftly explored in the six novels that have come to embody an age. The author reveals just how in the novels we find the real Jane Austen: a clever, clear-sighted woman “of information,” fully aware of what was going on in the world and sure about what she thought of it. We see a writer who understood that the novel–until then seen as mindless “trash”–could be a great art form and who, perhaps more than any other writer up to that time, imbued it with its particular greatness.
• Why I Loved It: I promise, despite my sharing a name and passion for Jane Austen with this author, I did not write this book. This book blew my mind and gave me all kinds of new perspective on Jane Austen’s work. Rereading Jane Austen’s work after reading this book was a totally different experience.
• Who I Recommend It For: Any fan of Jane Austen or anyone interested in the Regency period in general.

The Name Drop by Susan Lee

• Summary: From the author of Seoulmates comes a story of mistaken identities, the summer of a lifetime, and a love to risk everything for. When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer. When Jessica Lee arrives in New York City, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if she’s at the bottom of the corporate ladder. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a gorgeous brownstone all to herself. It doesn’t take long for Elijah and Jessica to discover the source of the they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a relaxing summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs for college recommendations. As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid discovery—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?
• Why I Loved It: Susan Lee’s work radiates pure joy. This book was so fun and made me so happy. The concept of mistaken identity is so compelling. This book has so much going for it – interesting characters and character development, humor, family drama. I cannot wait for Lee’s next book.
• Who I Recommend It For: Fans of YA novels and cases of mistaken identity.