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Secrets & Masks

These days it's not an issue of IF a secret gets revealed, but when, how and by whom.  

[a bookstack of 9 books from top to bottom: It All Falls Down, Summer's Echo, Only Lovers in the Building, Alice Chen's Reality Check, Ready to Score, Eliza and the Duke, Broken Harbor, The Story That Wouldn't Die, Framed in Death] 

It All Falls Down (Trust #3) by Daines L. Reed 
contemporary fiction 

Juliene Dune is at a crossroads. Every aspect of her life and nearly all of her relationships are forcing her to make hard choices. How will she decide who to keep and who to cut loose? Compelling narrative momentum and complicated characters in messy entanglements make her journey an irresistible read. 


Summer's Echo by Robbi Renee 
contemporary romance 

What happens when unspoken truths fester for years? Summer and Echo discover difficult answers while working to heal and thrive. First love, heartache, and lessons learned the hard way on the path to reconciliation combine with tenderness and humor in this charming tale. 


Only Lovers in the Building by Nadine Gonzalez 
contemporary romance

For different reasons, Liliane Lyon and Benedicto Romero need to retreat and regroup. Miami Beach offers the perfect spot. This sunshine/grumpy pairing celebrates romance novels and tropes. Joyous. 


Alice Chen's Reality Check by Kara Loo & Jennifer Young 
contemporary New Adult fiction with mystery and romantic elements 

A reality show spoof as social commentary and a who-done-it with adversaries turned allies then lovers makes the battle between Alice Chen and Daniel Cho super engaging and very funny in addition to heartfelt. 


Ready to Score by Jodie Slaughter 
contemporary romance 

Workplace shenanigans, ambition, the patriarchy, and football night lights all conspire to create what seems destined to become a lose-lose situation for professional rivals Jade Dune and Francesca Lim. Their bumpy path to improving their odds of creating a win-win for both of them at work and in love offers fundamental truths about culture and community, along with tenderness and laughs. 


Eliza and the Duke (Doves of NY #2) by Harper St George 
historical romance 

Opposites attract and collide when Eliza Dove asks Simon Cavell for one night of risky explorations. Danger is addictive and she wants more. So does Simon. Mayhem ensues and leads to love. 


Broken Harbor (Sparrow Falls #3) by Catherine Cowles
contemporary romance 

Themes of community, family by choice, and safe places to heal make Sutton and Cope's story appealing. Readers sensitive to details about addiction, interpersonal violence, and stalking may want to skip or skim some passages. 


The Story That Wouldn't Die (Jolene Garcia #2) by Christina Estes 
contemporary mystery 

Power players and shady characters don't like questions or the people who ask them, which creates two strikes for investigative journalist Jolene Garcia. Local politics, community intrigue, and inquisitive individuals uncover scandals and solve puzzles tied to dangerous consequences. It's fun too. 


Framed in Death (In Death #61) by J.D. Robb 
futuristic contemporary mystery 

Another sociopathic narcissist serial killer gets caught by Eve, Roarke and their crew. This series is a comfort read for me with a focus on reading about them as a couple and their circle of family found and chosen.  


No* BAC (Book Acquisition Compulsion) Issues this week!
*Only because there was no time in my schedule to swing by the two different public library branches holding books - physical and digital - for me to claim. 

Always wishing you good health, peace of mind, joy & happy reading! 

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