TESSA TALKS BOOKS

Thank you @berkleypub for the free book! #berkleypartner

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🌷Funny Story by Emily Henry🌷

• One-word review: Relatable
• Emojis: 🥹😶‍🌫️😥
• Rating: 5🌟s

My thoughts:

Funny Story by Emily Henry is not just a funny story – it’s a tale many of us can relate to. It’s about how Daphne and Miles, two seemingly different people, find their way into each other’s lives. This sad, funny, and completely relatable journey includes elements like fake dating, opposites attracting, and small-town life. There’s so much to love about this story, but what I loved the most was how much I could see myself in it.

I loved the setting, both the bookish aspect and the watery beauty of the lakeside town. The library and the beach are two spots that make me happy. The story made Waning Bay, Michigan, so appealing and invested me not only in the story but also in the setting. The small-town charm, the close-knit community, and the picturesque lakeside views all contributed to the story’s appeal. I found it funny that though I hated growing up in a small town, a story set in a small town warms my heart.

The romance in Funny Story is a breath of fresh air in the genre. It doesn’t rush, but unfolds gradually, just like a real relationship. The dynamic between Miles and Daphne is a perfect blend of challenge and growth, creating a unique and compelling love story that I couldn’t help but be invested in.

Lastly, I was deeply moved by the authentic portrayal of the challenges of making friends as an adult. It was a theme that was not only well-developed and represented, but also completely warmed my heart, endearing me to many of the side characters.

Funny Story is more than just a funny story. It’s poignant, relatable, heartwarming, and the perfect read for a spring day.

Thank you @stmartinspress for the free book! #stmartinspresspartner

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Summers at the Saint  by Mary Kay Andrews

• One-word review: Satisfying
• Emojis: 🥺😬🤫
• Rating: 5 🌟s

My thoughts:

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews is everything I love about a story and much more. The Saint (Saint Cecelia) is a family-owned and operated resort on an island off the coast of Georgia. Traci Eddings, who grew up a local (an ‘ain’t’), grew up and married Hoke Eddings, heir apparent. After he died in a tragic plane crash, it was up to Traci to take over running The Saint. With a post-covid economy, staffing requires thinking outside the box, and Traci is up to the challenge. But once the summer begins, missing inventory, a death, and other mysteries expose a long-running scheme. 

Mary Kay Andrews never fails to deliver a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Summers at the Saint is a thrilling mystery that had me guessing until the end. While I did manage to piece together some of the puzzle, the suspense was in waiting for Traci to figure it out before it was too late. This plot thread was a chef’s kiss of suspense that held me riveted.

The setting is glorious. The author’s vivid descriptions of the beach, the resort, and the island’s natural beauty made me feel like I was there. I quickly wondered if I could find a job at a beach resort. I wonder if they ever employ resort Counselors because I would be very interested in that job!

The characters are wonderfully developed, relatable, and thoroughly authentic. The messy family dynamics, such as the power struggles and hidden secrets, kept me entertained when the suspense calmed. For example, Traci’s relationship with her in-laws becomes more complicated as the story unfolds. Sometimes, the story felt a bit like a reality show about people who work at a summer resort and the wealthy family who owns it, but then, as the characters grew, made themselves known, and had to confront a tragic loss, it became so much more and just grabbed my heart and broke it.

Summers at the Saint is the kind of summer read you hope to find but often don’t – it’s pure reading perfection!

Thank you  @jesslourey for the free book! #partner

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🌷 May Day by Jess Lourey 🌷

• One-word review: Funny
• Emojis: 💓😂🧐
• Rating: 4 🌟s

My thoughts:

May Day by Jess Lourey is a unique blend of humor, action, and mystery. As Mira navigates her way through a jobless phase and a house-sitting gig in rural Battle Lake, Michigan, the story unfolds with small-town humor, a charming bookish setting, and a murder mystery that will keep you on your toes.

The small-town humor in May Day resonated with me. The little details, so true of small towns and their inhabitants, had me in stitches. Mira’s quick transition from jobless to a library and newspaper position, all because of her English degree, is a delightful reflection of small-town life. It’s fun and relatable.

The mystery in May Day was a delightful puzzle. I kept guessing the murderer until the very end, only figuring out the culprit when it was revealed. The unexpected twists and turns added to the intrigue, making this a fast and enjoyable read. 

May Day is the perfect companion for a rainy afternoon. Its light-hearted humor and engaging mystery make for a relaxing and enjoyable read, allowing you to escape into the world of Battle Lake, Michigan, effortlessly.