Park Avenue Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jia Song has always been destined for greatness. As the daughter of Korean bodega owners, she promised herself that she would have every Fifth Avenue luxury when she grew up, and it is all finally within reach. She has just made junior partner at her prestigious Manhattan law firm, she can count on her two best friends to have her back, and she is about to score the ultraluxe gold-on-gold Birkin bag of her dreams. So, when her boss asks her to sit in on the hush-hush family implosion of a high-level client, she accepts without hesitation―only to find out that it is one of the most famous Korean families in the world.

The Park family’s net worth is estimated at a billion dollars, and their megasuccessful Korean beauty brand has shaped the culture for the past two decades. But the patriarch is filing for divorce while his wife is dying, and their three children can’t stop snapping at one another. With both the family fortune and legacy under threat from the worst kind of scandal, it’s up to Jia to set things right―and she only has a month to do it.

As Jia sorts through the lies and subterfuge, chasing the truth across the globe on private jets, she finds herself falling for this broken, badly-behaving family in ways she can’t quite explain. But it is also becoming clear that the Parks are hiding dark secrets. Can she find the truth in time to protect the Parks’ fortune and secure her success at the firm? And can she hold on to what’s most important, even if it means admitting that what she's always wanted isn’t what she actually needs?


REVIEW
Jia Song worked hard to become a successful lawyer. Her dreams of becoming partner are within her reach especially now that her newest clients are members of one of the richest Korean families in the world. However, she quickly discovers that her newest clients have dark secrets and manipulate those around them for their own means.

I enjoyed this book. The main character was likeable, and I felt like her inner struggles were relatable, balancing between culture expectations and her own, wanting to succeed, and figuring out what success means to her. The story has intrigue and twists and turns. The plot kept the reader interested and I found it to be a page turner and fast read. Overall, it was a fun summer read. Learn more here.

 An advanced copy provided by Flatiron Books. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

A Bachelor's Lessons in Love Book Review

About the Book

Former military officer Edward Halstead never imagined his quiet bachelor existence would be upended by the unexpected guardianship of a spirited young lady. When his late comrade’s daughter, Daphne Price, is placed in his care, Edward is faced with a challenge unlike any battlefield he has ever encountered, especially with her fiercely protective aunt, Felicity Price, staying in his home to ensure he doesn’t fail in his duty.

Felicity has dedicated her life to her beloved niece, and she has no intention of leaving Daphne in the hands of a gruff and emotionally distant bachelor. If Edward Halstead believes he can simply house, feed, and marry off her niece without regard for her well-being, he is sorely mistaken. Felicity will remain at Briarwood House as long as necessary to ensure Daphne’s future and to make certain Edward doesn’t ruin it. After all, she doesn't want her niece to end up a spinster...like Felicity.

With Felicity and Edward at odds over Daphne’s upbringing, propriety, and the girl’s future, tension sparks and tempers flare. Yet, beneath the clashes and differences of opinion, an undeniable attraction grows. As Daphne’s entrance into Society looms and Edward’s past resurfaces in unexpected ways, Felicity and Edward must decide if their partnership is merely one of convenience or if love has been the lesson they’ve both been waiting to learn.

Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn romance, and fiercely independent heroines, A Bachelor's Lessons in Love is a Regency romance filled with heart, humor, and unexpected love. Part of the Bachelors of Blackstone's series, the books may be read and enjoyed in any order.

Review

Edward Halstead is charged with an unexpected guardianship of a young lady. Her fierce aunt, Felicity, arrives with her to ensure she receives the proper care. Edward finds himself at odds with the aunt and overwhelmed with his new duties. As he comes to get to know the aunt, he finds an unexpected romance.

I didn't read the description of the book before diving into it, and I was surprised by the plot as it unfolded. The author does a good job at developing her characters and she doesn't shy away from their mistakes or misunderstandings. It makes the characters come alive and seem realistic. She also uses minor characters to help continue the story forward. It's a fun, easy-to-read, and entertaining read. I was a little disappointed that the series was with other authors. It would have been interesting to see what the author would have done with this as a series. To learn more, click here.

Please note this post contains affiliate links. I received a free ebook copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion.

The Art of Us Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Falling in love is complicated when you’re both keeping secrets.

On the surface, everything seems perfect for high school senior Ireland Raine. She’s intelligent and artistically talented, and her natural beauty and quiet charm are enviable. However, Ireland harbors a secret she’ll guard at any cost—she’s homeless.

When her crush, Kal Ellis, invites her on a date, she seizes the opportunity. Ireland has never had a boyfriend before, and Kal is not just a guitarist for the local band, he’s also an artist. Their connection is instantaneous, and he suggests they collaborate on the school mural. Working and laughing alongside Kal, Ireland can momentarily forget her problems.

However, when someone exposes her secret, Ireland ends up in a foster home alongside her most despised adversary, Mara Washington. To make matters worse, Ireland discovers it was Kal who revealed her secret.

Furious, Ireland must decide if she has the strength to forgive the boy who stole her heart or if she is better off alone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Wright (1972-still breathing) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She's lived in LA, Boston, and the literal middle of nowhere (don't ask). She wrote her first book when she was fifteen. Since then, she's written twenty-three novels and coauthored three. Julie is a two-time winner of the Whitney award for best romance with her books "Cross My Heart" and "Lies Jane Austen Told Me." The America Library Association listed “Glass Slippers, Ever After, and Me” in their 2020 top ten best romances and "A Captain for Caroline Gray" in their 2021 top ten best romances. Her book "Death Thieves" was a Whitney finalist. She has one husband, five kids, two grandbabies, one dog, and a varying amount of houseplants (depending on attrition). She loves writing, reading, traveling, hiking, playing with her kids, and watching her husband make dinner. She used to speak fluent Swedish but now speaks only well enough to cuss out her children in public. She hates mayonnaise.

REVIEW

In The Art of Us, Ireland Raine lives with a secret - she's homeless. As she juggles a new boyfriend and school, her secret is exposed. Ireland has to decide if she can forgive or if she's better off on her own.

I enjoyed the storytelling in this book. The author does a good job at addressing hard teen issues from homelessness to bullying to harassment and shame. The characters are realistic and grow as the story progresses. The author does a good job at developing the story and characters. The story not only addresses problems but different methods to solving them from reaching out to an adult, to being a friend, standing up for yourself and learning when to let go. I thought this book was amazing and the writing was very strong. It felt like a literary fiction for YA audiences. I look forward to reading more YA books from Julie Wright. To learn more, click here.

Please note that I received a free book to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links to help support this blog.