The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

A special thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumours of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.

Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.

As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.

Lea's latest contemporary romance opens with a hilarious meet-cute—Andi, thanks to a jumpsuit, has an awkward encounter in the bar bathroom the same night that she finds out that her best friend is dating her ex. Fast forward three years and she is now the personal assistant to the prime minister's wife (and secret romance writer). Andi is introduced to the PM's newest bodyguard, only to discover that she already knows Nolan from the disastrous one night stand from three years ago.  

This fake-dating rom-com checks all the boxes: well-developed characters with fully fleshed out backstories, incredible chemistry, a glimpse into the publishing industry, slow-burn with plenty of spice.

The Bodyguard Affair is full of humour, heart, and heart. 

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AMY LEA is the international bestselling author of romantic comedies for adults and teens, including Set on You, Exes and O’s, and Mindy Kaling’s Book Studio selection Woke Up Like This. Her acclaimed works have been featured in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Elle Magazine and has been long listed as a CBC Canada Reads finalist. They have also been optioned for film and sold to over a dozen foreign territories.

Lea resides in Ottawa with her husband and two goldendoodles. 

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Q & A with Amy Lea*

GWR: Is there a particular author/work that inspired you to become a writer or the way you write?  

AL: There are so many authors and works that inspired me to become a writer along the way. One of the very first was Meg Cabot and her Princess Diaries series. I adored her humor and wanted to bottle her hilarious voice and sprinkle it into my own works. In my adult years, Christina Lauren’s books were the authors that made me stop and think, “This is what I want to do!” Their hooky premises, accessible style, and cackling banter inspired me to open my lap top and write immediately.

GWR: What does your writing process look like? Are you a pantser/gardener or a plotter/architect?

AL: My writing process differs in every book! My first published book, Set on You, was written by the seat of my pants with no plan. Since then, I’ve attempted to be a responsible adult who outlines (and sometimes it works)! Other times, my color-coded, detailed outline gets launched out the window and I chase whatever shiny idea my brain is hyper focusing on. 

GWR: Does any of Andi’s publishing journey mirror your own? 

AL: Andi’s shame and fear about being discovered as a secret romance writer mirrors my journey and inspired this book. Like Andi, I worked a very serious government job by day while writing romcoms at night. For the longest time, I kept my writing life hidden. I’d always wonder, What if someone finds out? Would I get fired? Would they read Chapter 17 and never make eye contact with me again? That fear and the absurdity of it sparked this entire book.

GWR: What was the inspiration for The Bodyguard Affair?

AL: In addition to my job in government by day and romance writer by night, I was also inspired by watching the movie Love, Actually. One of the side plots is Hugh Grant’s character as this young, hot PM with an assistant, which I thought was such a cute, forbidden dynamic. I wasn’t sure I wanted to tackle a Prime Minister hero, so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to try out the bodyguard trope.

GWR: Why was it important for you to set your book in Canada and touch on Canadian politics? 

AL: I love reading books set in Canada! We have towering mountains, flat prairies, deep forests, beaches, and all four seasons. It’s the perfect playground for romance. And since I’ve lived in Ottawa for 13 years, the political backdrop felt natural. Ottawa is known for beautiful government buildings, political drama, and amazing shawarma.

GWR: What were the most important characteristics and dynamic that you wanted Andi and Nolan’s relationship to have? 

AL: Both Andi and Nolan genuinely like who the other person is, professionally and personally. They care about each other’s ambitions. They want each other to win. The romance grows out of that foundation of two people who see one another clearly and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. 

GWR: The Bodyguard Affair features some of the best romance tropes—fake dating, friends-to-lovers, office romance, forced proximity—what is your favourite trope to write and what is your favourite to read? 

AL: My favourite trope to write is enemies or rivals to lovers because of the fun banter and tension! Fake dating is also one of my favourites to write because of the awkwardness, forced closeness, and accidental feelings. But I also LOVE reading friends to lovers because I find it so tender and emotional, usually because the characters have such a sweet bond that turns romantic. The end payoff is unmatched.

GWR: How do you balance complex subject matter—ailing parent, abandonment—with the lighter elements of a romance novel? Why do you think a rom-com has the ability to bring up more difficult things? 

AL: Real life can be messy, stressful and scary. But it also has joy and humour peeking through the cracks. I try to reflect that balance. When I write heavier moments, I aim to weave in softness, levity, and hope to remind readers that joy still exists alongside it. Rom-coms let us tackle tough subjects while still promising a satisfying, emotionally safe landing. 

GWR: What made you decide to write the book from a dual point of view? Was it easier or more challenging to explore the parallel storyline?

AL: Every book I’d written before this was single POV, so naturally I thought, Why don’t I make things harder? Lol, just kidding. Kind of. The truth us, Nolan’s perspective felt essential. His caregiving responsibilities and emotional history needed space, nuance, and interiority. His storyline wouldn’t hit the same if we only saw it from the outside. That said, balancing two voices, two arcs, and two emotional journeys is tough, but rewarding. 

GWR: If your book was a beverage, what would it be? 

AL: The Bodyguard Affair would be a Tim Hortons caramel iced cap with a shot of espresso. It’s very Canadian, sweet, yet strong, and guaranteed to make your heart race.

GWR: What are you working on now?

AL: I am currently working on my Adult 2026 romcom with Berkley, as well as my next Young Adult romcom with Amazon. I am beyond excited for both of them!

*A version of this post was published on STYLE Canada.

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

A special thank you to Edelweiss, NetGalley, Berkley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rose Gold Watts has believed all her life that she was seriously ill—she was allergic to everything, needed the use of a wheelchair, and was a permanent fixture at the hospital. But no matter how many doctors and tests, nobody can figure out what is wrong with Rose Gold.

What's actually wrong? Her mother is a really convincing liar.

Patty is being released from prison after serving five years. She's lost all her friends and has been shunned by the very same neighbours that supported them and held fundraisers. When her daughter agrees to take her in, the entire community is shocked—it was Rose Rose Gold that turned her in and testified against her.

Wanting to reconcile, Patty has forgiven her daughter. But unfortunately for her, the feelings are not mutual. Rose Gold is not her little darling anymore, and she's waited a long time for her mother to come home.

As far as debuts go, this is a stellar effort. A solid 3.75 stars.

Mothers and daughters can be complex, but this is on a whole other level. Wrobel pens one of the most layered and convoluted mother-daughter relationships I have ever read with two very complicated and twisted characters.

Alternating between Patty and Rose's perspective, we are trying to figure out exactly who is manipulating who. Both women are unreliable, vile, and insidious. Readers will go back-and-forth as to who to believe and will be questioning their loyalties to both.

My only criticisms are that I wanted more of a character study and that the pacing was off. Given that Patty has a psychological disorder, the manipulation and control should have been fully fleshed out. And the timelines didn't quite come together as they should, and the ending seemed rushed.

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STEPHANIE WROBEL has an MFA from Emerson College. She has had short fiction published in Bellevue Literary Review, and was nominated for the 2018 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. Before turning to fiction, she worked as a creative copywriter at various advertising agencies.

Wrobel grew up in Chicago but has been living in the UK for the last three years with her husband and dog.

Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin

A special thank you to the author for a copy of the book.

Zadie Anson, a pediatric cardiologies, and Emma Colley, a trauma surgeon, have been best friends for almost twenty. Having met in medical school, they have maintained their relationship through all life has thrown at them—their demanding careers, marriages, and children.

When a buried secret (related to a torrid affair with a chief resident) threatens their relationship, both women examine the difficult choices they made at the beginning of their careers. When it becomes evident that Emma knew more that she ever let on about the circumstances that nearly derailed both of their lives, Zadie starts to question if she really knows her friend at all.

I was thrilled to have won a signed copy from Kimmery. She is so lovely and included a hand-written note with the book.

Martin's debut is a medical drama that is a study in the complexities of relationships. The novel is narrated by both women, however, we also hear from Zadie in the past. Because of this, it becomes apparent that Emma is the one with something to hide. Someone died, and it is she who suffers immeasurable guilt. The basis of the novel is the unraveling of not only the secret, but the effect that it will have on their bond.

Zadie's story seems to centre more around her chaotic home life—she's the mother of four young children—whereas by contrast, Emma's chapters are consumed with the guilt she is harboring and the fear that she will be exposed. It is her story that gives the novel its contemporary feel.

There was enough medical jargon to make it authentic. Martin doesn't dumb anything down, instead she elevates her reader, but not enough so that readers are left confused, or worse, disinterested. There are some pretty vivid and graphic descriptions, but if you can stomach medical dramas on TV, you won't be phased.

Martin explores the sometimes delicate and obligatory aspect of a long-term relationship, especially those that are forged by women. Sometimes these relationships are tolerated, not unlike marriages, not only because of the time put in, but because of the shared secrets.

A solid debut. If you are a fan of Grey's Anatomy, I highly encourage you to pick up this book.

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KIMMERY MARTIN is still a practicing physician in addition to being an author. She is a lifelong literary nerd who enjoys reviewing books and interviewing authors. Her next book, The Antidote for Everything, will be published in February of 2020.

Martin resides in Charlotte, North Caroline with her husband and three children.

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Penguin/Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vivian's daughter, Maddie, has been given the opportunity of a lifetime when she is asked to style a member of the royal family and she's asked her mother to accompany her. Vivian is excited to take in the sights and spend Christmas in England, but what she never expected was to meet a dashing man who holds a very prominent position.

Malcolm Hudson is charming, formal, and has the loveliest English accent. He is also the longtime private secretary of Her Majesty—he doesn't usually share this part of his life, but he is utterly enchanted by Vivian and takes her on a private tour. Soon the two are exchanging flirty letters and kisses under the mistletoe.

They have mutually agreed that their romance must end on New Year's Day. With their time together winding down, Vivian and Malcolm maintain they are fine ending things...or are they?

This is the fourth instalment from Guillory's Wedding Date series and it is filled with festive touches, charming dialogue, and a budding romance. You do not need to read Guillory's other books (The Wedding Date, The Proposal, The Wedding Party) before reading this one—there are subtle references to other characters/storylines from her previous books, but there is nothing that would prevent the reader from not following what is going on in this story.

Royal Holiday is a little bit of a detour in this genre because it features characters that are more mature with age. The couple are navigating some unchartered territory—both have been single for years. This was refreshing and I think important to have this demographic represented. And can we just talk about the cameo from the Queen? Amazing!

What I love about Guillory is that she pens character that are interesting and engaging, yet are relatable. Her stories flow effortlessly and ooze charm. Jasmine's writing is charming, flirty, and clever. Like her other books, the premise is lighthearted, but smart and spirited.

Twinkling lights, festive food, a holiday romance, and the royals—what more could you ask for in a book? It was simply delightful!

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JASMINE GUILLORY is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Date, The Proposal, and The Wedding Party. Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Oprah Magazine.com, and Shondaland.com.

She lives in Oakland, California.

The Exes' Revenge by Jo Jakeman

A special thank you to the author, Jo Jakeman, for providing me with a copy of the book.

Three women are connected by their romantic involvement with the same man. At first they have only this in common, but come to realize that they actually have another thing in common...they all want revenge against him.

Phillip Rochester is controlling, abusive, and narcissistic. Imogen, Phillip's second ex-wife, is dealing with the messy fallout from their divorce. He is becoming incredibly difficult, even going as far as demanding that she move out of their house by the end of the month or he will sue for sole custody of their son.

In an act of desperation and madness, Imogen does something so unthinkable and completely out of character, yet it gives her all the power in the relationship for the first time. What she could never anticipate is that both Phillip's other ex-wife and his new girlfriend would get caught up in her plan. These vastly different women become the most unlikely allies to take revenge on the same man that wronged them all.

In this psychological thriller, Jakeman opens with Phillip's funeral. Her twisty plot plays out between the past and present to reveal how Phillip died. This is an efficacious way to quell the reader's desire for revenge on such an abusive individual.

Imogen's character descent is fascinating. At first, she's a typical unreliable narrator—her perception is her reality so the reader naturally sides with her where the exes are concerned. But the more the story plays out, and the further across the line she goes, the more we learn about the other women.

This dark debut was originally titled Sticks and Stones, though I much prefer the current title, The Exes' Revenge. Jakeman's novel is not only hypnotic, but incredibly satisfying from start to finish. The pace is spot on, as is the revenge and there is also some dark humour sprinkled throughout which is incredibly clever. I literally could not stop reading and stayed up way too late. Thank you, Jo Jakeman, for taking me on this ride!

JO JAKEMAN won the Friday Night Live competition at the York Festival of Writing in 2016.

Born in Cyprus, she worked for many years in London before moving to the countryside with her husband and twin boys.

The Exes' Revenge is her debut thriller.   

The Suspect by Fiona Barton

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley Penguin Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two eighteen-year-old girls that went backpacking in Thailand go missing. Their families are understandably bereft and worried, where could Alex and Rosie be? What were they doing before they disappeared?

Detective Inspector Bob Sparkes is on the case, as is Kate Waters. She has a way with people, they trust her. Kate is a sharp-as-a-tack journalist that does everything in her power to ensure she is the one with the scoop, at any cost, even to the detriment of her own family.  Although this case feels all too familiar—her own son left home to travel abroad two years ago and contact with him has been sporadic at best.

As the case unfolds, it becomes apparent that danger is actually closer to home than what they all think.

In Barton's third novel, we once again check in with journalist Kate Waters. The beauty of this book is that you do not need to have read The Widow or The Child, it can function as a standalone novel. Her writing is clever, succinct, and well-sculpted. She uses her personal experience as a journalist for the dominant voice in the narrative. Through this lens Barton provides the multi-faceted sides to the story and subsequently the ripple effect of the case—it impacts not only the victims and those of interest, but their families as well.

Told through multiple points of view (The Reporter, The Mother, The Detective, and from Bangkok), Barton effortlessly weaves the stories together.  First hand we witness the hope and despair of the families that are waiting for news about their missing daughters, the ruthless reporters and the lengths they will go to, and see just how quickly things can spiral out of control.

Another theme that is explored is perception—just how well do we really know anyone, even our own children?

This book had me, it was my favourite to date, that is until the end. Without giving anything away, I was left confused. Did she purposely finish it this way because there are no more books in this series? I feel that she might have painted herself into a corner.  That being said, if this is indeed the last novel featuring this character, than I loved it! If not, I'm sure she will redeem herself with book four and I would absolutely read it!

FIONA BARTON is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author.  Her debut, The Widow, was a bestseller and has been published in thirty-five countries and optioned for television. Her second novel, The Child, was a Sunday Times bestseller.

Previously, she was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards. While working as a journalist, Fiona reported on many high-profile criminal cases and she developed a fascination with watching those involved, their body language and verbal tics. Fiona interviewed people at the heart of these crimes, from the guilty to their families, as well as those on the periphery, and found it was those just outside the spotlight who interested her most . . .

Born in Cambridge, Fiona currently lives in south-west France. 

The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman

A special thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Parisian flat that has been untouched for over 70 years is the inspiration for this story.  The owner left Paris for the south of France before the outbreak of WWII, never to return again.  The apartment, miraculously in tact, unscathed from the war and thieves, quietly lay in waiting and gathering almost a century's worth of dust.

There is a further twist, there was a painting of a lady in pink, and love letters tied with coloured ribbons amongst the items inventoried.  The painting is believed to be Ms. de Florian's grandmother, Marthe, a beautiful French actress and socialite.  It is thought that she is the artist Giovanni Boldini's muse.    

Richman's fictitious tale of the events of the apartment's occupants is told by Marthe de Florian, and her granddaughter, Solange in alternating points of view.  Their relationship develops through the novel as we shift in time from the past, starting in 1888, and what is present day, 1938.

A must read!  This book would be an excellent choice for a book club.

ALYSON RICHMAN is the international bestselling author of The Garden of Letters, The Lost Wife, The Last Van Gogh, The Rhythm of Memory, The Mask Carver’s Son, and Grand Central.

She lives in Long Island, New York, with her husband and two children.

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

A murder...A tragic accident...Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place. 

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the little lies that can turn lethal.

What can I say? I absolutely loved this book! Moriarty keeps the reader engrossed with her effortless prose and gossipy passages that introduce the reader to more characters and provide just enough foreshadowing to keep them intrigued. And it is so believable! She then takes the reader back in time to sort out all of the incidents which lead up to the big event—the murder. The witnesses’ descriptions of what exactly happened on the Trivia Night are amazingly comedic and distorted. There are three sides to every story; mine, yours, and the truth.

The characters are so varied and layered—Moriarty encompasses all types of mums and personalities. Many of these characters exhibit the type of schoolyard behaviours other characters' children are accused of (cruelty and bullying). Each character is also hiding something be it a personality trait, or a deeper, darker secret.

I highly recommend this book—a really fun read!