Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins
Published by Graydon House on December 26, 2017
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
Goodreads
One step forward. Two steps back. The Tufts scholarship that put Nora Stuart on the path to becoming a Boston medical specialist was a step forward. Being hit by a car and then overhearing her boyfriend hit on another doctor when she thought she was dying? Two major steps back.
Injured in more ways than one, Nora feels her carefully built life cracking at the edges. There's only one place to land: home. But the tiny Maine community she left fifteen years ago doesn't necessarily want her. At every turn, someone holds the prodigal daughter of Scupper Island responsible for small-town drama and big-time disappointments.
With a tough islander mother who's always been distant and a wild-child sister in jail, unable to raise her daughter--a withdrawn teen as eager to ditch the island as Nora once was--Nora has her work cut out for her if she's going to take what might be her last chance to mend the family.
But as some relationships crumble around her, others unexpectedly strengthen. Balancing loss and opportunity, a dark event from her past with hope for the future, Nora will discover that tackling old pain makes room for promise...and the chance to begin again.
I am really enjoying working my way through Higgins' backlist, but let me tell you, it is no easy task being a Kristan Higgins main character. I always talk about the difficult circumstances her character endure before they embark on their something-better, but Nora was really put through the wringer. The amount of trauma this woman experienced! Both in the past and in the present. And it wasn't just your normal stuff (bullying), it was things that brought me to tears.
As if being hit by a van wasn't bad enough, her backstory was packed with so many painful memories. Her island home was a place she ran from, and a place she associated with so much pain. I did think it was a good decision to go "home" to recover, but it also brought all those memories to the forefront. Believe it or not, this trip ended up being a good thing because it allowed Nora to finally deal with those painful parts of her memory so that she could finally move forward and really enjoying her life.
Great characters and a series of interesting events made this one a stellar read for me. Can't wait to dive back into another Higgins book.
Boone by Sawyer Bennett
Published by Big Dog Books, LLC on January 16, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads
Boone Rivers uses his fame and fortune as a professional hockey player to his advantage, but not in the way most people would think. Volunteering as often as his busy schedule will allow, Boone meets one brave young boy who turns his world upside down.
As a first-line right winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, I thrive on the thrill of the game. I live for the smell of the ice, the cheer of the crowd and the way my heart pounds whenever I step into the arena. But once I’m out of my skates, my focus is on giving back to the city of Pittsburgh.
It’s funny how life puts people in your path. I meet Aiden while visiting the children’s hospital and I’m struck by the strength and resilience of this 12-year-old kid fighting for his life. As my visits continue, we bond over video games and hockey until one day Aiden’s older sister walks into his room and I realize there might be a bigger purpose here.
Lilly Hoffman has the weight of the world resting on her slight shoulders. Aiden’s illness isn’t getting better, she’s at risk of losing her job and their father is looking for the answers to his prayers at the bottom of a liquor bottle. I find myself wanting to lessen Lilly’s burden and what starts as a simple act of friendship turns into so much more. As we grow closer, I can’t help but fall for this fiercely protective and independent woman with a tender heart and bruised but not yet broken spirit.
As we face a future of never-ending uncertainty, I vow to be Lilly’s source of strength and comfort. Lilly and Aiden have reaffirmed to me the importance of giving and receiving love unconditionally, even in the darkest of times. And no matter what happens next, no one can take that from us.
Boone contains subject matter that may be sensitive to some readers. If you would like additional details, please visit the book page for Boone on my website.
Kids, this one is not for the faint of heart. I know I was in for a world of pain when I read the author's forward, but one is never really prepared for everything. Yes, I sobbed, but I was also bolstered by and took comfort in the love that all these people shared.
I really loved getting to know Boone. He was a special sort of unicorn man, and it was wonderful how hard he fell for Lily. There was a scene, early on, where he essentially asked her to share her dreams with him. That was the kind of man he was. He wanted to know your dreams and be there with you to see them all come true.
And Lily was not your average 22 years old. Losing her mother at such a young age and assuming so much responsibility for her brother and the store made her wise beyond her years. I was glad she met Boone as she finally had some support in her life, someone to help her recognize and reach for her dreams.
Overall, another wonderful book in the series even if Bennett made me cry a river.
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