The Newcomer - Mary Kay Andrews

Here's a question for you - how do you know when summer is just around the corner? And the answer is.....when Mary Kay Andrews releases a new book! The Newcomer releases today - and it's such a great read!

We meet our lead character Letty as she pulls into the Murmuring Surf Motel (don't you love the kitschy name?), in the Florida town of Treasure Island. She's driven non stop from New York with her four year old niece. Why? The unthinkable has happened - Letty's sister and Maya's mother Tanya is dead. Tanya always said "If anything bad happens to me - it’s Evan. (her ex) Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”

In the last few books MK has added a mystery alongside the romance and feel good nature of her books. It really works for me, adding another layer to her books.

I loved each and every character in the book - from Letty and the extremely cute Maya, to the warm and welcoming motel owner Ava, her daughter Isabelle, the crotchety, but lovable senior residents, Ava's handsome son Joe - and more. They're all so well drawn and likeable. All except that Evan - MK did just as good a job drawing such a loathsome antagonist.

I loved the setting! It reminded me so much of my holidays when I was younger and I would happily stay there today as well. It has such a welcoming feel - kinda like a 'Cheers' vibe.

And yes, romance is another facet that makes Andrews books such great summer reading. It's not overt, sappy or in your face. The attraction is well done and fits seamlessly into the plot.

Now, take these wonderful characters, the fantastic setting and weave in the mystery of who killed Tanya. What have you got? A book you don't want to put down. And I didn't. Five stars for another engaging, heartwarming, eminently readable, take me away from it all, beach worthy read.  See for yourself - here's an excerpt of The Newcomer.

Feels Like Falling - Kristy Woodson Harvey

The weather's not cooperating with my desire to sit in the sun and read summer fiction. But closing my eyes and listening to a book in a sunny window is the next best thing.

My latest beach bag listen is Kristy Woodson Harvey's new book - Feels Like Falling.

"It’s summertime on the North Carolina coast and the livin’ is easy." But not for everyone. Gray Howard's life is in turmoil - her mother has passed, her husband has left her for his secretary and she doesn't know what to do next. Either does Diana Harrington. She's broken up with her latest boyfriend and he's spent her nest egg. With nowhere else to go, she's living in her car. Until.....Gray and Diana's lives cross. And things might just be looking up...

Oh, all the right elements are there for a great beach bag read! Interesting, well drawn characters that you want to know more about. Feels Like Falling is told in alternating chapters from Gray and Diana. Now, I must admit, I was more drawn to Diana. I just really like her down to earth outlook. Gray surprised me though - she ended up being more thoughtful and kind than I first thought she would be. I quite enjoyed the interplay between the two as their relationship turns into friendship.

And of course there must be obstacles to overcome. And there are! Setting is important too and Harvey hits all the right notes here as well. (Wish I was there!) But what's the most important element of a great summer read? Uh huh - you got it - romance! Love lost and all the angst that comes with it. And the winding road to love found. And all the missteps, miscommunications and missed cues along the way.

Harvey's writing is easy and engaging and I found myself quickly caught up in the tale.

As I mentioned, I chose to listen to this book. Two narrators were used - Kelsey Navarro and Amanda Ronconi. Navarro had the perfect voice for the mental image I created for Gray - cultured and sophisticated. It was very 'smooth' if that makes sense. Easy to listen to and well modulated. She also captured the emotions of the character with her voice. Ronconi's voice was ideal for the character of Diana. Rough around the edges, a nice twangy accent and well, just a down home, heart of gold manner of speaking. Easy to listen to as well. And I really appreciate having two different readers. In addition to be easier to know who's speaking, it feels more like actual conversations. Makes the listening more immersive. Both did an excellent job. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Feels Like Falling.

This was the first book I'd read/listened to from Kristy Woodson Harvey - and I would happily pick up another! Who else enjoyed Feels Like Falling?  "Buckle up, buttercups, because Feels Like Falling feels like your next summer sizzler!" - Mary Kay Andrews.