Another visit to Olive Kitteridge’s corner of Maine, but this time she is not the total focus of the story. Instead the reader is introduced to a number of previously untold stories from the town’s past, a murder is exposed, and various characters explore love and the meaning of life.

?Now To Forever (Life on the Ledge Duet #2)? By Ashley Manley After twenty years of running from her past, Scotty, a reclusive crematorium owner, is forced to face the heartbreak she’s tried to bury. When an unexpected inheritance and the sudden return of the man who once shattered her heart upend her quiet life, she must choose between the safety of solitude and the possibility of a second chance at love. True healing, she discovers, might require more than just a change of scenery, it may demand the courage to let someone in. I absolutely loved Forever and Back, the first book in this duet, so I was thrilled to get early access to Scotty’s story! Scotty, June’s quirky, strong-willed, reclusive best friend, was such an intriguing character, and this book dives deep into her complexity. Haunted by a traumatic past she’s never truly faced, Scotty’s journey is raw and emotional. She can be polarizing at times, and I occasionally found her choices frustrating, at times even a bit immature for a 42-year-old, but her character arc is undeniably powerful. The growth she experiences is both moving and hard-earned. While this book may initially read like a romance, it crosses into literary fiction territory, exploring heavy themes and deep emotional layers. Despite her flaws, you can’t help but root for Scotty and hope she finds her way. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love Ashley Manley’s writing style and humor with her characters. She writes such layered characters that are vulnerable, flawed, and real. This can be read as a stand-alone, but it is helpful to have some background knowledge of Scotty that you get in the first book of this Life on the Ledge duet series. I highly recommend reading both of these books! Do check your content warnings. Scotty uses very colorful, explicit language if you are sensitive to that. ?? Thank you to Ashley Manley for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. Now to Forever published 7/1/25. ?? Rating: ????????

Three half Japanese / half English sisters spend their summer in their seaside childhood home, looking back on their pasts, reveling in summer delights, and discerning their futures. They are joined by their fussy old great-grandmother, a beloved five-year-old nephew, and three childhood friends.

I like it because it has a lot of details and it is also funny

A beautiful book- After finishing, I recommended to my best friend who read it and loved it as well. Matt Haig can take something outlandishly fantastical and weave it into a storyline so believable and inspiring that you start look look for glimpses of that similar magic in your everyday life. A true delight!

Really good book. Loved her sense of humor and she’s so cool! Would highly recommend.

When I first heard about this book about bookstores, it seemed right up my alley. Sure enough, this is a great book for book lovers and those who love browsing the shelves of their local brick and mortar. This historical journey through American booksellers goes back to the time of Benjamin Franklin and continues through cultural shifts in the county- from gay rights to racism. The business of books, the evolution of big box retailers and the transition to online sales and digital formats are all discussed. The book was a bit dry at times but did make me excited to visit independent bookstores in other parts of the country. I listened to the audiobook on Libby.

This book is a sequel to Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley.

A Kid has to eat 15 Worms to get money. It's not my favorite book.

This book came onto my radar via NetGalley. I was lucky to receive an ARC for review. Katie Beudert provided excellent southern narration that provided the perfect ambiance for a beauty pageant and murder mystery. I thought this book was a lot of fun. The characters were colorful. This is a good summer read to escape from the real world day-to-day. Read if you’re a fan of Miss Congeniality.