When's the Wedding? Dreaming of Saying I Do by Olivia Spring

A special thank you to the author, Olivia Spring, for inviting me to participate in the blog tour and for generously providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now that she’s found the perfect man, will she get her perfect proposal?

Alex, a marketing manager for a dog hotel, has always dreamed of having a fairy-tale proposal—one with a glorious sunset, iconic backdrop, and rose petals. She's found her Mr. Right. Life with her boyfriend Miles, a sexy paediatrician, couldn't be more perfect! Except...he's no closer to putting a ring on it despite saying that he's ready for marriage.  

After a romantic getaway to Paris ends in more disappointment, and Alex receives news that sends her world into a spin, she decides that the proposal of her dreams won't just fall into her lap. So she takes matters into her own hands and hatches a plan that will lead to a proposal—a little bit of hinting can't hurt.

Will Alex get her happily-ever-after, or is there a reason why Miles is dragging his feet?

Readers of my blog will know how much I adore British authors. I love their humour and their phrasing, and I've been gobbling up their books in all different genres. And Spring is no exception. She pens modern and fun characters and layers her stories with humour without being campy. Olivia brings something fresh with her contemporary approach to relationships.

After falling in love with Alex from Only When It's Love, I couldn't wait to see what she's been up to. Doesn't working at a dog hotel sound like the perfect job? Alex maintains her status as the perfect leading lady by being relatable and someone you'd like to have as a friend. She's tenacious with just the right amount of cheekiness. And we can't forget the heat! Spring fans the flames between Alex and Miles (warning: some may be offended at some of the language).

The cast of supporting characters are just as developed and well-written as the leads. Readers of Spring's  are in for a treat with cameos by characters from her other books.   

Although this is a sequel to Only When It's Love, it can be read as a standalone novel. 

OLIVIA SPRING is a PR professional from London. She loves cake and has always wanted to be a writer. Because she still works in public relations, she adopted a pen name to spare the embarrassment of any clients that may read anything racy.

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner

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

Daisy Shoemaker loves to cook and has made a thriving business out of it. She volunteers in her spare time and lives in a beautiful home in the suburbs with her family. At first glance she seems to have it all. But her teenage daughter is sullen, her husband doesn't seem to notice her, and while she has lots of acquaintances, she doesn't have any real connections. Still, compared to most, Daisy knows she’s got it good. So why is she up all night and can't sleep?

For the last little while, Daisy has been receiving emails that are meant for a woman named Diana Starling—her email address is just one punctuation mark away from her own. While Daisy’s driving carpools, Diana is chairing meetings. While Daisy’s making dinner, Diana’s making plans to reorganize corporations. Diana’s glamorous, sophisticated, single-lady life is miles away from Daisy’s simpler existence. And well...isn't the grass always greener on the other side? 

When an apology leads to an invitation, the two women meet and become fast friends. But, as they get closer, we learn that their connection was not completely accidental. Who IS this other woman, and what exactly does she want with Daisy?

Do not let the cover fool you. That Summer is not a breezy light beach read, this book has teeth. The #MeToo movement plays a paramount role in this thought-provoking story that is penned with Weiner's acerbic wit and strong characterization. Set in a manicured subdivision in Philadelphia, bustling New York City, and gorgeous Cape Cod, That Summer is more of a contemporary character-driven novel versus chick lit. 

My only criticism it that it was a bit bulky and could've been tightened up. All-in-all, a good read and compelling story that is both gutting and powerful. That Summer is not just a twisty tale full of secrets and lies, but a story about the power of female relationships.

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JENNIFER WEINER is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, and her memoir, Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing.

She is a graduate of Princeton University and a contributor to the New York Times Opinion section.

Weiner lives with her family in Philadelphia.