What Lies Buried is the dynamic sequel to Secrets in the Mirror. I enjoyed the first book and was excited to see what this book had to offer, and it met my expectations. This book continues with Gavin still trying to fight his demons whilst trying to live a fulfilling life. Only his PTSD demons maybe too much for his wife who is trying to support him but has wants and needs of her own. I understand PTSD all too much as it is a demon that I try to fight daily. It’s a monster that is highly unpredictable and sometimes you wonder whether or not it is worth it and that makes me understand this character deeply. What was once in the past is now rearing its ugly head once again. It is one twisted ride. To find out what happens in this complex psychological tale that is raw, dark and full of suspense and intense moments you will have to read it for yourself.
4 stars Wow! If this is Leslie’s award-winning debut novel, then I look forward to seeing more of her work. Secrets in the Mirror is a gripping psychological suspense tale that dives into the lives of one dysfunctional family. Toxic relationships, narcissistic behaviour, abuse, mental health, crime, the Mob and much more is what Leslie gives us. The characters are well written, and they may be identical twins, but they could not be more different. It’s good versus evil but who will win out? Gavin has never been good enough, but he is expected to step in. He wants nothing more to do with the family ties that bind him to them. He was to be free to make his own choices to live a life away from the dark underbelly of his father and the dangers of his brother. I did feel there were some issues within the story, but I think as Leslie grows as an author and writes more these sorts of things will sort themselves. I am off to read What Lies Buried. Enjoy!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2024-05-17 18:36:162024-06-11 10:37:37Secrets in the Mirror by Leslie Kain – Review by Jenni Bishop
This is the first book by this author that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed it. I usually don’t read books that aren’t strictly romance or mystery but I think I will after this one. Can’t wait to read more by this author as well. Once you start reading the story just draws you in and keeps you wondering what will happen next.
Lydia and Kate have been friends for a long time. Both are at a rough time in their life. Lydia’s husband died and her daughter left home to take a trip. Kate and her husband got a divorce and then she finds out he has gotten the other woman pregnant. She had started a business from scratch and was doing quite well with it until she decided to take it Public. Then the Board of Directors voted her out of the Company and made her a billionaire.
When Kate attempted suicide and decided to give up on life, Lydia was by her side every step of the way trying to get her friend to feel better. They decided they both needed to get away and take a trip. They picked five places they went before when they were younger to revisit and decide what they were going to do with their lives from this point on.
Check out this book. I think you will be glad that you did
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Phylis Carpenterhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngPhylis Carpenter2024-05-17 17:28:222024-06-11 10:37:29Five Tries To Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson Reviewed by Phylis Carpenter May2024
I was really looking forward to getting back into this story and the characters after reading the first book only recently. This story was everything I expected it to be and it took no time at all to be swept up in the events going on again. The story was just as gripping as the first book and I loved watching how it developed as the story went on. This book deals with some delicate topics but it does so with absolute ease. It draws you in from start to finish and is even better than the first one. I loved reading this book and I am looking forward to the next one I will read from this author.
When I started reading this book I expected an intriguing thriller, which we definitely get, but I wasn’t expecting such an emotional and complex story. Everything is centered around the two brothers, who are completely different from each other but have a strong link between them. I was caught up in everything going on with them and loved watching how the story unfolded. The book was full of twists and turn and the author really knew how to move the story forward while keeping you hooked. I was never quite sure which way things would play out and I was happy to be taken on the journey. This is a great book that really will keep your interest.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2024-05-17 14:31:202024-06-11 10:35:50Secrets in the Mirror by Leslie Kain – Review by Kerry Baker
This story made me get lost in the past. It is such a gentle but not gentle reminder of what it was like during WW2. It has love, anger, hurt, fight or flight response, and tragedy. It is well written and very descriptive so you can picture everything that is going on in the book in your head like watching a movie. I was completely caught up in what was going to happen next that I kept turning the pages. It is a gripping retelling of young love that happens at the worst time. Then they keep in touch, it is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Their love is so pure and you feel that as you continue through the book. I had tears and I had hope. This book is just amazing and I can’t wait to read the second book in this series. I feel like we are only scratching the surface as to what is to come with the main characters. It is a journey I didn’t know I needed but I am not invested in. Reviewed by: @bbohls
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Barbara Bohlshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBarbara Bohls2024-05-17 11:23:352024-05-17 12:53:39Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Barbara Bohls
This is the second book in the series and it follows along with the first one quite well. That being said, it is full of all the information that you could possibly want to be able to read them in any order. I don’t feel as if anything is missed should you read this book before the other. It would just be like looking backwards. This books carries everything in it, romance, laughter, and anger. This book gives you a look into what it must have felt like to move to another country in the 1950’s. It gives a love story that spans more than just your typical love story. It shows the struggle of what stress can do to love. It shows the battle of what it is like to move to an area where you don’t know anyone. It really makes the reader feel what the main female character feels. It was making me turn pages as quickly as I could. As soon as the leading female started to set down roots and grow in the area that she went to in order to follow love, something happens. It then causes turmoil that I didn’t see coming but made complete sense once it happened. I will be rereading this book numerous times. I am normally not a fan oh historical romance but this one had much more to it than the normal book in this genre. Reviewed by: @bbohls
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Barbara Bohlshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBarbara Bohls2024-05-17 11:09:002024-05-17 12:54:00Italian American (Jack & Mariella Book 2) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Barbara Bohls
What a beautiful piece of women’s fiction. This story brought out all the feels. Dealing with a life crisis brought these two back together. In dealing with the aftermath, they decide to take a trip like they did in their 20’s. The ensuing discussions and talks have them working through their life and the issues they each have. The writing is so descriptive. You feel it as you read it. I could empathize with some of the issues. The characters were each unique. That ending was a surprise. This is a story that I highly recommend if you love women’s fiction. It’s a must read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2024-05-17 10:17:582024-05-17 12:54:10Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson – Review by Shelly Kittell
Scarred by a lifetime of emotional abuse and traumatic violence, Gavin battles the triggers of Complex PTSD. His wife Katie is determined to support him despite the strain of his unpredictable reactions on their marriage.
But returning to Boston to settle his father’s estate reactivates Gavin’s childhood scars, and more triggers. Then when he uncovers his family’s mob history, his volatile reactions put him in the crosshairs of dangerous people. Worried for his safety, Katie packs up their toddler and joins him. While there, she begins sorting through her late parents’ keepsakes, finding evidence of the artistic talent she abandoned after her father died, when she became child caregiver to her disabled mother. Eager to revive her unfulfilled past, Katie copes with Gavin’s increasingly unstable behavior through her painting and new friendships that encourage her journey to self-discovery.
As Gavin resists treatment and goes off the rails, secrets of his family’s past threaten them all. The generational dysfunction in Kain’s award-winning Secrets In The Mirror continues, as Katie faces her own emotional wounds and must choose between saving her marriage or saving their child…and herself.
Leslie Kain writes “Psychological Fiction With Heart”, about flawed people whose greatest barriers to happiness lie within them.
Leslie was always writing something as a kid — fantasies, poems, secret plans, culminating in running away cross-country at fifteen, never looking back. Her careers in psychology, Government Intelligence and nonprofits limited her writing to professional and research pieces, but life has so many stories! So when she returned to fiction during spare moments, her short stories found their way into literary journals and anthologies. She developed personal relationships with her characters, who relentlessly nagged her into longer stories. After her Sept.2022 debut novel ‘Secrets In The Mirror’ (which has won numerous Gold and Finalist awards), the main character told her what the sequel must be! ‘What Lies Buried’ — already receiving early praise —launches May 14 2024. Kain leverages her education, training and experience in psychology to write stories about complex dysfunctional people and families. She earned degrees from Wellesley College and Boston University. Originally from “all over” the U.S. (although a piece of her heart remains in Boston), she now resides in Mexico with her husband and 17-year-old cat Sheba.
GOODREADS – Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
BOOKBUB – Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
When her best friend hits rock bottom, a lonely widow convinces her to join a worldwide voyage retracing their wild youth in a last-ditch effort to heal heartache and reclaim meaning.��Lydia is a small town teacher who can’t imagine life alone after her husband’s death. Kate built a successful career, but now faces emptiness after divorce and professional failure.��The longtime friends travel to the exotic locales of their youth, trying to find meaning amidst heartache and loss. In Spain, Amsterdam, the Caribbean, Australia, and finally Costa Rica, they reignite passions for life and love that time had extinguished. But Kate still plans to end it all, until a surfer from the past offers Lydia another chance, forcing her to choose between saving her friend or herself.
Kathryn Dodson grew up writing and riding horses in far West Texas. She graduated from SMU in English/Creative Writing and went on to get an MBA from Thunderbird and a PhD from Clemson. Now she spends her days writing about women who become their own heroes.
She has worked on both sides of the US/Mexico border and has held jobs with governments, chambers of commerce, and other businesses. Kathryn loves to travel and has visited 30 countries and 44 states. This inspires her novels about interesting women in fascinating places.
Originally from Texas, Kathryn had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several U.S. states, and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. She loves travel, fiery food, hanging out with the neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/five-tries.jpg1200801itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-05-17 00:01:352024-05-30 07:59:39Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
Wow! So much more than I expected!! An engaging romance that also tackles social justice, not really something you expect from a ‘romance’ book. The characters are compelling and believable. It is impossible not to root for Barbara. This is the 3rd book in Stout’s bold journey series. This is my first read by this author, I will definitely be keeping her on my radar. Beware you may not be able to put this book down.
I have read a few books from this author and her stories always blow my mind. This is the third book from the very addictive series of bold journeys. You can read this as a standalone because it is the story of a different couple. You can’t help falling in love with these characters right from the start. I love that the book is written from both characters’ points of view. It makes me feel more connected to them. I could not put this book down until the very end. It only took me a few hours to devour this epic love story.
Barbara is a very successful African American lawyer and she loves her job. She is so excited with her life until her engagement falls apart. Barbara makes up her mind and heads to the island that she was supposed to get married on. She meets a very handsome lawyer named Sebastian. Barbara can’t help herself and she gets swept away by this handsome stranger. When Barbara decides to fight for the right thing will he be in her corner or will they become enemies?
This agonizing slow-burn romance was enough to keep me hooked and turning the pages. I really enjoyed the themes the author addressed in a very open way so you could really think about what she was addressing. Overall a highly recommended read.
Barbara is a force of nature in her work, and as a lawyer she has to work twice as hard for her skin color demands for it. And when a blessing in disguise let her break up an engagement with her cheating fiance, life will show her a new side of her psyche.
Sebastian is an underdog that proves to himself and his world that he could do better, after a lacking past, his present is all he could ever dream. Oh but when you think you have all the answers, destiny comes and changes all the questions.
This strangers to lovers to co workers romance is full of life, challenges and soul seeking things.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Paloma Fierrohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngPaloma Fierro2024-05-14 19:38:562024-05-16 07:45:01What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Paloma Fierro 5/14/24
Scarred by a lifetime of emotional abuse and traumatic violence, Gavin battles the triggers of Complex PTSD. His wife Katie is determined to support him despite the strain of his unpredictable reactions on their marriage.
But returning to Boston to settle his father’s estate reactivates Gavin’s childhood scars, and more triggers. Then when he uncovers his family’s mob history, his volatile reactions put him in the crosshairs of dangerous people. Worried for his safety, Katie packs up their toddler and joins him. While there, she begins sorting through her late parents’ keepsakes, finding evidence of the artistic talent she abandoned after her father died, when she became child caregiver to her disabled mother. Eager to revive her unfulfilled past, Katie copes with Gavin’s increasingly unstable behavior through her painting and new friendships that encourage her journey to self-discovery.
As Gavin resists treatment and goes off the rails, secrets of his family’s past threaten them all. The generational dysfunction in Kain’s award-winning Secrets In The Mirror continues, as Katie faces her own emotional wounds and must choose between saving her marriage or saving their child…and herself.
Leslie Kain writes “Psychological Fiction With Heart”, about flawed people whose greatest barriers to happiness lie within them.
Leslie was always writing something as a kid — fantasies, poems, secret plans, culminating in running away cross-country at fifteen, never looking back. Her careers in psychology, Government Intelligence and nonprofits limited her writing to professional and research pieces, but life has so many stories! So when she returned to fiction during spare moments, her short stories found their way into literary journals and anthologies. She developed personal relationships with her characters, who relentlessly nagged her into longer stories. After her Sept.2022 debut novel ‘Secrets In The Mirror’ (which has won numerous Gold and Finalist awards), the main character told her what the sequel must be! ‘What Lies Buried’ — already receiving early praise —launches May 14 2024. Kain leverages her education, training and experience in psychology to write stories about complex dysfunctional people and families. She earned degrees from Wellesley College and Boston University. Originally from “all over” the U.S. (although a piece of her heart remains in Boston), she now resides in Mexico with her husband and 17-year-old cat Sheba.
I don’t normally read any type of romance novels. Through the first chapter the characters and back story had me hooked on the story. The way the author took the time to research on how the characters would interact, shows in her writing. I enjoyed the novel and would definitely read more from this author.
OMG… this book does not disappoint. I was hooked from the very beginning to the very end. The author does a great job with bringing out issues people don’t like to discuss, and having a good outcome. Highly recommend this series!
I have read the previous two books from this series and the stories are so realistic and grab your attention from the get-go. This story has the same effect! This story focuses on Barbara, with a successful career as a lawyer and a family legacy to live up to. I absolutely enjoy reading stories on strong women of color making a name for themselves! Gives me a boost of confidence as I read along. Unfortunately, things don’t always pan out as they seem and she experiences her own instability and heartache. After flying to a non-refundable destination wedding, she has a chance meeting with Sebastian, an attorney as well with a mysterious background. Even though they have been brought up on opposite ends of the spectrum, something just clicks for them both. Their passion for one another grows as well as fighting for what they truly believe in. Another great read by Stout and cannot wait to read the next one!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Ramoshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Ramos2024-05-13 17:32:592024-05-16 07:37:08What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Jennifer Ramos
What Eyes Can’t See is the Third Book in the Bold Journeys Series. It is a contemporary romance with drama, slow burn romance, angst, racism, discrimination, interracial romance, and self-discovery. Th story centers around the main character of an attorney named Barbara whose life has just blown up when she discovers her fiancé has been cheating on her. When she meets Sebastian, who is also an attorney, the two feel an instant connection. Barbara and Sebastian are complete opposites and that becomes abundantly clear when he gets the promotion that she was expecting to receive even though he is a newcomer to the firm that she is employed with. When she is fired from the firm for no reason Barbara must fight for justice and equality in a world full of white privilege and discrimination. Barbara and Sebastian must also fight to be together in a world that seems determined to keep them apart.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2024-05-13 16:56:452024-05-16 07:33:34What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
When writing a review I find myself often saying if characters draw me into their stories and lives because for me if while I am reading I can be made to truly see what’s going on in the characters lives in my minds eye and can feel what they are going through then to me that’s a damn amazing book and an extremely talented author. This book and author had me doing that and more right from the very start. I was connected with and cared about both Barbara and Sebastian right away. They’ve had such very different lives but their inner core of striving for Justice is very much the same. There is so much emotion, pain, drama, steamy moments and even laughter that will have you turning page after page as that need to know what’s going to happen takes you over. Get reading now you won’t be disappointed!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juleshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJules2024-05-13 16:07:152024-05-16 07:32:58What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Jules Herbert
What Eyes Can’t See was a beautifully written romance book. The author pulls you in from the very first page. I never lost interest while reading this book. The world building and character building was well thought of. The story was very engaging.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I’m glad I took a chance on it. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and ability to draw me into the story. I became invested in the outcome of the characters as I read this book. This book covers a sensitive subject and the author brought it to life in a very thought provoking way. Barbara is a strong, independent, lawyer whose life changes dramatically. It all starts when she catches her fiancé cheating. She gifts her destination wedding to her best friend, this is where she meets sebastian. Sebastian is a fellow lawyer and the chemistry between these two is off the charts. They are both looking forward to their new jobs, hers is a promotion and his is a new company. When they get back to New York they find out that he got the job she thought she was getting. It makes things very difficult for them. The story gets better from this point. I don’t want to give anything else away so I’m going to say grab this book and start reading to find out what happens. This was a good read.
This is the 3rd book in the Bold Journeys series. I have loved all the books in the series so far and this one was just as good. Even though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone and fully enjoyed. This author does an amazing job of researching her characters and story before actually creating the book this makes her story and characters realistic, authentic and explores the struggles that people face in their lives no matter their age, gender or race. As a reader it gives you a deep insight and a better understanding of other people’s lives. This story contains lots of emotion, drama, betrayal and angst as well as a romance which in some people’s eyes should exist. But you can’t help who you fall for. In this story we follow Barbara. She is a strong black woman who has always fought hard for her position in life. As a successful lawyer she believes the promotion in the company is hers. Her life seems perfect until she catches her partner cheating on her. Fast forward and she finds herself at the her wedding but it’s not her getting married. She gifted the wedding to her best friend. As Barbara deals with all the emotions around this situation she meets Sebastian the connection between them is instant and they can’t deny the chemistry so they plan to reconnect when they return home. Could Sebastian be the man for Barbara all along?
Sebastian’s life hasn’t been easy either. Growing up in a rough part of town he has had his fair share of trouble and struggles, however as a successful lawyer his life seems to be changed for the better and when he meets Barbara he can’t believe his luck When he returns he has a promotion to look forward to and a re connecting with Barbara however things don’t go to plan.
When the promotion that Barbara was certain was hers was given to someone else, it was a punch in the gut but what makes it worse is the person who it was given to was Sebastian and shortly after Barbara is fired.
Can the couple work through this? Will Barbara see it as a betrayal if Sebastian takes the promotion? Why was Sebastian given the promotion over all the work Barbara has done, could it be due to the colour of her skin? As Barbara tries to fight for social justice against a world and a system that is trying to keep her down will Sebastian stand and fight beside her?
This is a real eye opening story about how there are still times when the colour of someone’s skin has an effect on their life and the way people view them. It shows the struggle people go through just to be seen as equals. It is a beautiful written and thought provoking read.
This was a phenomenal book! I loved it from the very first few pages. From the hard times Barbara faced to set the stage for the story, to the heavy layers of injustice at the workplace, and then add in the romance…just wow! The roles that Barbara and Sebastian played in the book and how they each faced various struggles, sometimes having those struggles overlap was fantastic. I just couldn’t put this book down. I really enjoyed it. So many components came together to really make this a wonderful reading experience for me. Well done Paulette Stout!
What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout. This is a great contemporary women’s fiction book with some romance and political justice. Barbara is a young black woman who has already had great successes being an attorney. She has had to work twice as hard because not only is it a man’s world its a mainly white man’s world. Barbara grew up very well off due to her dad having his own successful law firm. When she finds her fiance in bed with another woman right before their wedding she is heartbroken. It was a non refundable destination wedding so she gives it to one of her friend and becomes a bridesmaid at what should have been her wedding. While there she meets Sebastian who is the exact opposite of Barbara, white,poor, single mom, and a general hard life but they are attracted instantly. He’s become a successful lawyer and when they get back home and Sebastian gets the promotion she has been working so hard for. Will they be able to work thru this horrible situation? Barbara isn’t going to back down but to what end will that be? Read this great contemporary romance to find out!
When her best friend hits rock bottom, a lonely widow convinces her to join a worldwide voyage retracing their wild youth in a last-ditch effort to heal heartache and reclaim meaning.��Lydia is a small town teacher who can’t imagine life alone after her husband’s death. Kate built a successful career, but now faces emptiness after divorce and professional failure.��The longtime friends travel to the exotic locales of their youth, trying to find meaning amidst heartache and loss. In Spain, Amsterdam, the Caribbean, Australia, and finally Costa Rica, they reignite passions for life and love that time had extinguished. But Kate still plans to end it all, until a surfer from the past offers Lydia another chance, forcing her to choose between saving her friend or herself.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/KATHRYN-DODSON-FIVE-TRIES-PREORDER.png750750itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-05-09 00:02:122024-10-09 19:07:42〰️ 🌿 💕 〰️ PREORDER 〰️ 💕 🌿 〰️ Five Tries to Get It Right by Kathryn Dodson
Barbara thought she was in the begging of the next stage of her life only to have it fail fully in heartbreak. At thirty-one she envisioned a different path and she is beginning to question the carefully fabricated life she has lead with her father’s push towards excellence in everything she does. Meeting Sebastian is a breath of fresh air, he is completely different than any man she has met. Barbara begins to open her eyes as a successful black woman she thought she had gained everything on merit, but she couldn’t be more wrong. Everything changes for Barbara and she starts to forge the life she wants for herself which includes Sebastian.
One of the terrific things about this book is the growth in Barbara, reading her transformation was inspiring and thought provoking. The chemistry between Barbara and Sebastian was wonderful. I loved Sebastian’s story as well but Barbara was the stand out for me. Fantastic story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Emily Heislerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngEmily Heisler2024-05-07 10:52:072024-05-16 06:59:02What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Emily H
Barbara devastated by finding her fiance cheating has given her wedding venue to one of her best friends. While at the destination wedding she meets Sebastian, former bad boy turned lawyer. Barbara’s parents always told her she had to work harder than her white counterparts to get places in life. Sebastian is a white man, not Barbara’s usual interest.
This isnt the usual genre I read but I figured I would give it a shot. I like Romance but typically read romantacy. This book was more real. It had real scenarios, real feelings, real loss, hurt and pain but also growth, love, and potential happiness. It’s a nice read if you are looking for a romance that is believable, and relatable.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rose McCaskeyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRose McCaskey2024-05-07 09:02:272024-05-16 06:57:23What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Rose McCaskey
Goodreads – Italian American (Jack & Mariella Book 2) by Luigina Vecchione
Bookbub – Italian American (Jack & Mariella Book 2) by Luigina Vecchione
The cobblestones felt familiar beneath Mariella’s feet as she made her way through the streets of Rome one final time despite her heart aching with each step she took. Emigrating to America means saying goodbye to a family she fiercely loves, a city still bearing the scars of war and ghosts of the past. But the promise of a lifetime by Jack’s side is all she needs. Or is it?
Mariella’s dreams quickly fracture when she arrives in Asbury Park. She struggles for a sense of belonging while navigating gossiping housewives and a disapproving mother-in-law. And with Jack working late nights at the restaurant, she often longs for his company.
Yet, once they move into their charming house in Wanamassa Gardens, Mariella finds her footing. Friendships flourish, and their family grows, giving her hope for a future in their idyllic corner of suburbia. Just as her dreams become reality, a heartbreaking call forces her to return to Italy and confront the decisions that led her across the Atlantic.
With so much at stake, Mariella must choose between the place she’s always known and the life she’s always yearned for. Can she find the strength to say farewell to her family once again? What will it cost her if she can’t?
Luigina Vecchione is an actress and writer. She has lived, worked and raised a family on both coasts and in Europe. Now, she and her husband Dennis are empty nesting in New York City.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ebook-Italian-American-12.jpeg1200750itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-05-07 00:00:022024-05-21 08:31:03Italian American (Jack & Mariella Book 2) by Luigina Vecchione
An enjoyable and engaging read which kept me happily turning the pages. Barbara, a confident Black lawyer balances her career within the NYC corporate world with family expectations. Sadly whilst her career is going well her engagement ends leaving her heartbroken. Barbara decides to go alone to the island paradise where the wedding was going to be, as the destination wedding is non-refundable. Here she meets Sebastian, also a lawyer and they have an instant connection. Although they come from different worlds, Barbara from a moneyed background and Sebastian from a poor family the couple see past their differences. Sebastian is then given the job meant for Barbara and she suspects it’s due to racial discrimination. When Barbara challenges her boss in court the couple find themselves on opposite sides of the battle. However, although Sebastian is supportive of Barbara their love is tested as they decide what they will risk for justice. I was hooked throughout by this fast paced contemporary romance, which along with a spicy love story also deals with social justice. I love that Barbara is a strong, independent heroine who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. The chemistry between her and Sebastian really came across in the narrative, and I liked how their relationship developed throughout the story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2024-05-06 17:34:222024-05-16 07:02:17What Eyes Can’t See (Bold Journeys Series) by Paulette Stout – Review by Jennifer Gordon
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