Summer at Pine Lake by Alyssa Delle Palme

Published by Evernight Teen on September 25, 2023

210 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

After the death of her beloved grandmother, Sarah Williams, an 18-year-old aspiring writer and recent high school graduate, goes to her grandma’s cottage on Pine Lake. Sarah spent many happy childhood years in their cozy cabin nestled in the ancient pine trees, but she is plagued by her lifelong crush on Scott Roberts, her summer neighbour. They have a long history of summers together. Tired of her unrequited love, Sarah bravely pursues the gorgeous Swiss exchange student who is staying with the Roberts family for the summer.

Sarah’s summer begins to unravel when her family is rocked by a scandalous secret. Before the dust begins to settle, an unexpected tragedy sends Sarah into a tailspin. In her despair, she pushes everyone she loves away, even Scott. In order to find the path to healing and love, Sarah must rely on her grandmother’s lessons from the past.

My review

If you are looking for a good romance to give at your teenager, I recommend this one. It’s considered Young Adult, but I think older people like me will also like it. I admit I’m already sold to that genre, but there is something in Sarah that made me want to keep reading the book.

If you ever have difficulties to concentrate or you are tired, the book is short, so it’s easy to read it until the end no matter what. I wouldn’t wait too long because lot of things are happening. The author even surprises me with a even around the end of the book. The only thing I can tell you is I never see it coming. Trust me, it’s worth to read it.

I thought the story was about a love triangle, but it’s so much more that than. Sarah is a complicated and interesting eighteen years old woman who cares a lot about her family. I loved the link she had with her grandma. I know I wouldn’t be in the bookish world. I wasn’t a fan of Sarah’s mom at the beginning, but it’s the character that surprises me the most. I think the event at the end of the book changed her in a way, no one saw it coming.

I liked and disliked Scott in the same time. I’m watching The Summer I turned Pretty and he make me think of Conrad, a young guy who doesn’t know what he really wants and I find it a little annoying, but it’s the beauty of the romance.

Excerpts

Grandma’s old green cottage sweatshirt, a souvenir from a trip to Prince Edward Island to see Anne of Green Gables: The musical, hung all alone on a hook on her bedroom wall. (p.19)

The sunshine splashed across the water and made it sparkle like Canada Dry ginger ale. (p.23)

Sarah turned up the volume on the radio when she heard Britney Spears’ new song, "Sometimes." (p.77)

"I care about you, Sarah, more than you know. I just want you to be careful," he said in a resigned voice. (p.85)

"You may look more like you father, but I like to think you inherited your passion and creativity from me," Mom would often remind her. (p.101)

A burst of loneliness washed over Sarah like the big waves that suddenly submerged her feet that dangled off the dock. (p.109)

Interview with Edith Lalonde

 

Biography

Edith Lalonde is a romantic suspense and contemporary romance author who writes emotionally charged stories for readers who love over-protective heroes and the kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.

Her romances feature found families, sizzling heat, and swoon worthy happily-ever-afters you won’t want to miss!

When she’s not writing or traveling, she spends her days listening to the voices in her head, planning the next book in one of her series, or chasing her chocolate lab Sweet Emmyline while shouting, “Bad dog! Very bad dog!”

She’s married to a real live-action hero, has two live-action hero children, and her addiction to Diet Coke rivals her love of wine.

Credit :  About - Edith Lalonde

Questions

Why did you decide to write romance?

I write romance because love is the one plot twist that never loses its impact. It’s where vulnerability meets courage, where ordinary people do extraordinary things, and where hope refuses to surrender—even when the world is burning.

What do you like the most about writing?

What I love most about writing is the creative pursuit—the thrill of building worlds, shaping characters, and chasing the spark of an idea until it catches fire.

What struggles did you meet when you wrote your first book?

When I wrote my first book, I battled (a lot of) imposter syndrome and the isolation of working alone. It’s hard to believe your words matter when no one else sees them yet—but pushing through taught me resilience and to trust in my own voice.

What advices will you give to a new author?

Write the book. You can’t edit what isn’t on the page, and the first draft doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to exist. Give yourself permission to write badly, to experiment, and to make a mess. Perfection comes later, in revision. Right now, your only job is to get the story out of your head and on to the page.

Which one of your books will you recommend to a new reader?

If you love fast-paced romantic suspense with a big cast of supporting characters, start with Chasing Grace.

Do you write with music? If yes, do you have a special song?

I love music. I WISH I had the talent to write music. LOL.

What are your future projects?

 Book 5 in the Joint Task Team Series—Protecting Jessica.

Better – Collision de Carrie Leighton

 

Publié chez Saint Jean Éditeur le 3 juin 2025

496 pages

Lu en format papier

4^e de couverture

« Toi, tu veux des roses et des cœurs. Mais lui, il n’a que des épines et des zones d’ombre à t’offrir. ». Collégienne, Vanessa a un amour viscéral pour les livres, la pluie et les pistaches. Marquée par le divorce difficile de ses parents, elle a trouvé du réconfort auprès de Travis, qui semble être le petit ami parfait, celui dont toutes les mères, y compris la sienne, rêvent pour leur fille. Avec lui, elle espère construire le bonheur qui lui manque depuis trop longtemps. Toutefois, après deux ans, même cet amour semble s’être fissuré et il ne reste que des décombres dans le cœur de Vanessa.

Elle croise alors pour la première fois des yeux verts dans lesquels il est trop facile de se perdre. Thomas est un mélange explosif de charme et d’arrogance, victime et bourreau au passé tourmenté. Si Vanessa rêve d’un amour vrai, romantique et total, Thomas, lui, fuit tout lien. Pourtant, si se comprendre est difficile, se séparer semble impossible…. Poignant, torride, romantique, une autre série phénomène à dévorer !

Mon avis             

J’avoue que j’avais des craintes que l’histoire ressemble à After après avoir parcouru le résumé, mais j’avais envie de lui donner une chance. Je ne m’attendais pas que cela soit une brique, mais je l’ai lu en trois jours seulement. Vous allez noter quelques points en commun avec After comme une jeune fille studieuse qui a déjà un petit ami, mais qui craque pour le mauvais garçon, mais j’ai préféré de loin ce roman-ci.

Je n’ai pas connecté avec Vanessa dans les premiers chapitres, même si nous partageons un côté studieux et qui adore la romance et les livres. Je trouvais qu’elle se laissait marcher sur les pieds par Travis. Toutefois, avec son évolution et le fait qu’elle tient tête à sa mère, j’ai une tout autre vision d’elle et j’ai commencé à l’apprécier vers le milieu du livre.

Quant à Thomas, c’est le genre d’homme dont je me tiendrais très loin dans la vie réelle, mais que j’aime bien rencontrer dans les romans. Il ne faut pas oublier que c’est une Dark Romance et que le mauvais garçon est souvent le protagoniste dans ce genre littéraire. Il m’énervait autant qu’il énervait Vanessa, mais on voit qu’il souhaite à garder le lien qui se créer entre la protagoniste et lui. Je vous laisse découvrir comment cela va se terminer.

Je ne connaissais pas l’auteure avant de lire cette œuvre. Ce fut un défi au commencement, mais je le recommande, si vous aimez la Dark Romance.

Extraits

La plupart du temps, j’avais l’impression que la vie défilait sous mes yeux ; j’étais trop occupée à l’observer pour la vivre. Je me réfugiais dans des pages noircies d’encre en rêvant d’amour. (p.7)

Je mange devant un épisode de Vampire Diaries, le meilleur remède à tous mes problèmes depuis toujours. (p.57)

Je comprends. Après tout, qui pourrait bien s’intéresser à une fille aussi ennuyeuse qui passe des journées entières à lire et à étudier, sans aucune vie sociale ?! (p.85)

Tu te crois meilleure que moi, pas vrai ? commence-t-il d’une voix grave et intimidante. Tu as raison, moi je n’ai pas peur de ce que je suis. Je profite de la vie, je baise qui je veux et je me fous de ce que pensent les moralisateurs hypocrites. Mais toi..Avec ta façade de fille parfaite, tu caches qui tu es à tout le monde, y compris à toi-même, parce que tu es incapable de t’accepter. (p.218)

Parce qu’on ne contrôle pas nos émotions. Elles nous tombent dessus. Elles nous bouleversent. Parfois, elles nous vident de notre sang. Elles nous désarment. Tout ce qu’on peut faire, c’est se laisser transporter par leur puissance en espérant qu’elle ne nous anéantira pas. (p.378)

Battles of the bookstores by Ali Brady

 

Published by Berkley on June 3^rd, 2025

432 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

Rivalry and romance spark when two bookstore managers who are opposites in every way find themselves competing for the same promotion.

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

My review

I read it for the Indigo Rideau bookclub and I am glad I did. It’s the first time, I read a book from that author and I didn’t know that I will laugh so much. The story was predictable like a hallmark movie, but it’s what I needed to read at this moment.

I give my start to Ryan who is the funniest character in the book. I get attached to him way before Josie. I wish I could meet a bookish guy who likes romance like him in real life. He’s not perfect, but just enough to get me hooked until the end of the book.

Josie is the opposite of Ryan and that’s make the beauty of the story. For once, it’s not the woman who is into romance. Just like her, I like different kinds of books even though, romance is my favorite, especially now you can easily find different genre in romance. I found her cold sometime, but I have to admit just like her I want to be independent and she have a weird relation with her family, so the more I was reading the novel, the more I was able to connect with her.

If you ever saw the movie : You got mail, you might find some point in common with the book, but I like the fact that the story is more actual and make the reader realize that you never know who you are talking online. Bonus point: there is a lot of bookish vibes in the book and not only because of the bookstores.

Before the current events, Boston was one of my favorite cities in the states. It still has a soft spot in my heart and it was cool to read that some part of the book was happening there.

I recommend if you like the trop enemies to lovers, The novel content a few spices, but nothing to make your mom blushes. It’s a two voices story, so the reader can also know Ryan ‘side which make it more special to me.

Excerpts

Managing a bookstore has forced me out of my shell, helping me grow from a shy bookworm into someone who can confidently navigate conversations and recommendations-at lease, in the safety of these shelves. Out in the world, I may be quiet and reserved, but here, I’ve found my voice. (p.26)

About books, I touch my shelf.

It takes me a moment to get it. When I do, the song by the Divinyls starts playing in my head, sparking a memory of my mom, dancing around the kitchen, deep in the throes of another love affair with another man she swore was the One. (p.34)

In real life. People don’t change, not enough to make a difference. (p.69)

Personally, I think the whole thing is random. Publishing companies throw books at the wall like spaghetti to see what sticks. BSG seems to have more faith in the system, believing that publishers look to tastemakers and other literary elite to help predict what readers will like. (p.86)

I will tell her- I just need to figure out the best way to do it, a way that doesn’t make her feel ambushed or cornered. She just started not-hating me; I need to find a way to bridge the gap between the man she thought was her enemy and the guy she knows behind the screen. (p.211)

Interview with Clover Callahan

 

Biography

She is a Canadian romance writer and author of The Fate Date, opposites attract, fake dating romcom.

When not crafting spicy romcoms, you can find her consulting the stars, reading tarot cards, sewing book inspired garments or debating if grumpy heroes are, in fact, just misunderstood.

Credit : About - The Clover Patch 🍀

Questions

What do you like the most about romance?

When a romance is really well written, I love seeing through the character’s eyes why they are specifically in love with another character. Not when it’s vague, when they notice the little, quirky things that make someone unique and think to themselves: “damn, this person is cool.” There’s a special magic is witnessing and falling for someone for who they truly are.

Why did you choose to write about tarot cards?

I developed an interest in tarot during COVID. I’d read lots of books with magic and witchcraft in them, but I had never read one that featured someone who read tarot cards – at least without it being gimmicky, or as an eccentric side character. It was fun to weave in my own tarot knowledge and reflective approach to tarot into a book—I’d never seen that before.

What advice would you give to a new author?

Hmmm. Couple of things:

-          Don’t underestimate the power of connection

Writing is so often a solitary endeavour. Finding a community (local writing group, online critique partner, discord chat, etc) can help motivate you, they have connections and they can offer feedback to improve your craft. Nerd out!

-          Writing is a creative, iterative process

The steps are the same for everyone: outlining, drafting, revising, editing & publishing (then you go back to outlining – it’s cyclical, not linear) The HOW though, YOUR process, what works for you, is deeply personal. Just because your favourite author does something one way, doesn’t mean it will work for you. Your process will change with every book and every season of life. That’s the journey. That’s the learning. That’s the fun.

What struggles did you meet when you wrote your first book?

I absolutely hate the advice: “Embrace the Messy First Draft”

I get it—some people get caught up in perfectionism, overthinking, or finding time to write. But I see this advice everywhere and I need to warn you: at the end of writing the messy first draft, you will be left with a MESSY FIRST DRAFT. And for me, at least, this is more daunting than a blank page. Unless you have the skills (either personal talent or knowledge of craft) to revise, re-write and chisel out the story from that messy first draft, it can feel overwhelming and disheartening. My very first book had a great concept, was so much fun to write, and was definitely healing for me in so many ways. But it won’t see the light of day, not without a full re-write that I only NOW have the skills to attempt.

I am a hit the pavement running with a new idea kind of person, so for me, the opposite advice is what I give myself. Crack open the craft book (I love Story Genius by Lisa Cron), find an outline that you love (I have one called “Romancing the Cat” that is a mashup of Jessica Brody and Gwen Hayes), and read up on expectations when it comes to prose and mechanics (The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman was a gamechanger for me).

Do you listen to music when you are writing? If yes, do you have a special song?

Not for this book but I do for my current WIP. I like to make playlists for my projects during/after writing them. Usually, the lyrics or vibe might jog a memory for me. For The Fate Date, I loved the songs:

The Rush – JJ Wilde

11:11—Arkells

Stargazing – Myles Smith

Would That I - Hozier

Black Magic – Little Mix

Hazel Eyes – Sabrina Jordan

Love Gets Me Every Time – Shania Twain

Rose-Coloured Glasses – Blue Rodeo

Re-write the Stars – James Arthur, Anne-Marie

Willow - Taylor Swift

Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) – Train

Mystical Magical – Benson Boone

What are your next projects?

These are the hard-hitting questions I don’t want to answer haha!

Right now, I’m on a bit of a side quest. I’ve been writing (and re-writing and revising) a novel for about two years now so that I can query it for traditional publishing. I think I’m close to the end of my fifth draft now, but who’s counting? (me. I am. I am very ready to set it aside.) No matter how this book is published though, I’m so deeply proud of it.

I’ve written about 20% of the next novel in the Glengarry Curse series. I’m excited to dig into that one next and get back to drafting!

I also have a Canadian historical romance draft tucked away for a rainy day. Think: The Bourne Identity meets Murdoch Mysteries meets Tessa Dare.

C’est la faute de Jules de Valérie Dionne

 

Publié chez Pratico Edition le 28 avril 2025

318 pages

Lu en format papier

4^e de couverture

Lorsqu’Ethan se fait quitter par Brigitte pour cause d’égocentrisme, la surprise est totale. Il croyait pourtant avoir une vie parfaite: une superbe copine, un travail bien payé pour l’entreprise de son père, une gigantesque maison sur l’île d’Orléans… Blessé, mais bien décidé à la reconquérir, il tente par tous les moyens de lui montrer qu’elle a tort.

Il lui faudra Jules le lapin, des poules et une collègue écologiste pétillante pour se questionner sur son plan de base. Est-ce vraiment là ce qu’il désire?

Mon avis

J’adore lire des romans d’un point de vue masculin, je pense que je n’en trouve pas suffisamment. Bien qu’il est écrit par une femme, on entre facilement dans la tête du protagoniste. J’avais besoin de découvrir une histoire dont le personnage rêve d’une vie plus simple, c’est ce que je souhaite le plus et cela m’a remonté le moral.

Je donne mon étoile du match à Ethan, mais il la partage presque avec Julie et Magalie. J’ai adoré son évolution, j’avoue que je croyais qu’il était égocentrique au commencement et que Brigitte avait de bonnes raisons de s'être séparée de lui. Toutefois, au contact de Jules, Pauline et les poules, on lui découvre un côté dont on ne suspectait pas. Cela donne envie de poursuivre sa lecture.

Magalie est la seconde femme dans la vie du protagoniste. Je vous laisse le suspense si elle gagne son cœur ou seulement celui de Jules. Elle est une femme simple comme je souhaiterais être et elle possède des valeurs environnementales. On est plusieurs qui pourraient en apprendre à son contact.

Jules a une place spéciale dans mon cœur avec Pauline. Je serai toujours une amatrice des chats, mais je trouve les lapins très mignons. En plus, il a aidé Ethan de choisir la direction qu’il devrait prendre avec sa présence à ses côtés. Juste pour cela, il partage la deuxième position avec Magalie.

Je vais éviter de divulgâcher, mais celle que je n’ai pas du tout aimée est Brigitte et pas seulement parce qu’elle a brisé le cœur d’Ethan , mais elle est froide et je crois qu’elle est la plus égoïste d’entre les deux. Elle m’a fait grincer des dents à plusieurs fois.

C’est le deuxième roman que je lis de cette auteure et j’ai bien aimé son sens de l’humour. J’ai passé un bon moment avec Ethan et les animaux. Je le suggère comme lecture estivale, si vous souhaitez rire et vous détendre.

Extraits

J’avoue que j’ignore ce qui me pousse à vouloir à tout pris lui venir en aide-peut-être grâce à ma mère-, mais, je me sens incapable de l’abandonner. J’ai envie de prendre soin de lui, de lui montrer que tous les humains ne sont pas cruels. (p.33)

J’ai toujours aimé me rendre au travail. L’ambiance à la fois sérieuse et décontractée m’apaise. Depuis la semaine précédente, cependant, cette impression de confort m’a abandonné. Le corridor conduisant à mon bureau, puis à celui de Brigitte et de mon père, me semble tout à coup étroit. Les grandes baies vitrées qui d’ordinaire donnent une impression d’espace, semblent aujourd’hui opaques et étouffantes. (p.49)

Mon cœur fond : Julie et Pauline dorment sur le couvre-lit, tombé du matelas. Ma boisson en sécurité, je me glisse aux côtés des lapins. Leur douce fourrure chatouille mon cou et l’un de mes bras. L’esprit légèrement embrumé par l’alcool et l’odeur du foin, je me surprends à sourire. (p.157)

En fait, j’ai l’impression que j’avais oublié ce qui me représentait. Non pas que le Ethan d’il y a quelques semaines ait été un faux, mais disons qu’il était incomplet. (p.241)

A lady would know better by Emma Theriault

 

Published by Entangled Publishing on January 28^th, 2025

405 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

Get ready to swoon for this dreamy, forget-me-not romance that’s filled with the delightful tartness of Jane Austen and the sweeping, unputdownable drama of Bridgerton.

There are many things an English lord might encounter on the grounds of his wintry estate. Trees. Birds. Perhaps a wandering gamekeeper. Instead, the Earl of Belhaven finds a woman in the snow, unconscious and nearly frozen to death. Then her luminous gray eyes open just long enough for her to plead, “Don’t let them get me.”

Now Jasper Maycott has his hands full with a woman who has absolutely no memory of who she is or where she came from—to say nothing of her name! Just a gold ring, some fine clothes, and a penchant for pert conversation. But while “Jane” dresses and speaks quite like a lady, Jasper can’t make any assumptions. After all, she could be a crafty fortune hunter...albeit a charming and unutterably beautiful one.

Only there’s no room for romantic love in the Earl of Belhaven’s world. There is just grim duty, a lingering sense of loss, and the knowledge that love—in any form—can only bring heartbreak in its wake.

But while a lady should know better, the heart heeds no rules...even if its every beat portends the danger she was running from.

My review

It’s the first book I read from this author. Since I love historical romance and I meet the author at a book event, I thought I should give it a chance. Normally, I dislike the amnesia trope, but in this case, I thought it was cute.

I like the fact the Jane is not acting like a clueless woman even though she doesn’t remember anything. The more she spends time with Jasper and his family, the more she remembers what she was able to do before. I will let you discover if she remembers all her life and who she is, but it’s not really a surprise. I was trying to guess her real name the whole novel and one clue: it’s nothing to do with Jane Austen. Another point that I like is that the author put some bookish information in the novel and it’s helped me to read it until the end.

I have to admit that there were missing some romantic element in it. I felt that Jasper was hiding his feelings for Jane even though it was obvious that he cares about her. I never knew if Jane really like him or not, but in the same time she was trying to find who she was. The book was a little long and some of Jasper’s internal dialogue was repetitive. Outside of that, I thought it was well-written and this author worth giving it a chance.

Jasper is a cute character who is trying to grief his late fiancé and I thought he was different who other men I see in another novel, but I thought he could be more interesting.

Excerpts 

She had never seen a man’s jaw so finely carved, nor shoulders so artfully broad. She wanted to touch him. No, she wanted him to touch her. (p.30)

The idea of welcoming his old friends inro his home as though he were a person whole and not simply a shell of a man was intolerable. Jasper was no longer equipped to handle the nuances of etiquette or the niceties of social interaction. It seemed a lifetime ago that he’s been anything other than empty. (p.59)

As Lady Adelaide played, Jane allowed herself to simply listen and enjoy it. She didn’t think about her missing memories, her accident, the guilt or her shame or her fears. She thought of nothing save for how the music managed to transport her, giving her a feeling of lightness she hadn’t known since before she’d awoken in Mulgrave Hall. (p.72)

"I seek only to ascertain how many titled buffoons I must vanquish in order to win her." (p.155)

He admired Jane for her convictions, and so the relief he felt when he became achingly aware of his own should not surprise him. (p.279)