#AmReading

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The Year of Second Chances by Lara Avery
Published by William Morrow on August 22, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Goodreads

Robin Lindstrom spent her first year as a young widow cocooned in the safe haven of the Minnesota farmhouse she’d once shared with Gabe, the love of her life—the man she thought she’d be with ’til the end. But her world is turned upside down when she receives an email informing her that her late husband has enrolled in something called “Fluttr”—a dating service? "The app subscription lasts 12 months; use it!," Gabe’s message-from-the-grave reads . "I don’t like the thought of you being alone. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it as a favor to me . Please."

After twelve months of pulling herself together, Robin’s fragile equilibrium is knocked sideways. How could Gabe , of all people, be asking her to venture out into the murky waters of 21st century online dating? As her underemployed brother, Theo, points out, it’s “only” a year, and it’s what Gabe wanted; he set this all up to go into effect a year after his death, which means it was basically his last request. And so Robin tentatively takes steps to put herself out into the world once more, even if it means awkward outings at bowling alleys, club-hopping with DJs she meets online, and stammering conversations at dinner. Along the way, she’s surprised to find herself meeting new people, trying new things…and even getting to know a new version of herself. Because everyone deserves a second chance at love—and loving life.

Avery had destroyed me several years ago with The Memory Book, so I was excited when I heard she would be writing adult fiction. Once again, she hit me in the feels with a story about a young widow trying to continue living after losing her husband, and subsequently, her identity.

I have to say, in the beginning of this book, I was drowning in Robin's sorrow. Her grief was palpable, and I was shedding tears myself. But as the story moved forward and Robin started working on her year of second chances, her grief ebbed. It never fully faded, but she managed it.

I am sure you are wondering what prompted Robin to embark her on this year of second chances. It was an email from her dead husband. No, really, as he lay dying, her husband drafted an email, encouraging her to attempt to find the next love of her life via an online dating service he signed her up for. He even recruited his best friends to provide support and encouragement to Robin as she attempted this task. As expected, there was lots of amusing and awkward encounters. 

Robin's online dating foray may not have been totally successful, but she made some very meaningful connections. These people helped her reflect on her life, who she was without her husband, and who she wanted to be. The experienced forced her to say "yes" which didn't always turn out great, but one yes revived long dormant passion and got the wheels turning for her new journey.

The ending was extremely hopeful, however, part of me would have liked an epilogue. There were a few balls in the air, and I cannot help wondering where they landed. Despite that, I very much enjoyed this book. It was a different sort of look at grief which was emotional and felt very authentic while focusing on an aspect regarding those who are left behind.

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My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
Published by Berkley on August 29, 2923
Age/Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Goodreads

True love is at stake in this charming, debut romantic comedy.

Cassie Greenberg loves being an artist, but it’s a tough way to make a living. On the brink of eviction, she’s desperate when she finds a too-good-to-be-true apartment in a beautiful Chicago neighborhood. Cassie knows there has to be a catch—only someone with a secret to hide would rent out a room for that price.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel. He also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, cares about her art, and asks about her day. And he doesn’t look half bad shirtless, on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake. But when Cassie finds bags of blood in the fridge that definitely weren’t there earlier, Frederick has to come clean...

Cassie’s sexy new roommate is a vampire. And he has a proposition for her.

Cassie needed to find somewhere to live and quick. When she saw a listing on Craig's List for an apartment in Lincoln Park for only $200 a month, it seemed too good to be true and maybe it was. Though she was initially wary, the owner, Frederick, grew on her with his very formal and old fashioned ways, and she decided to stay. Little did she know that this arrangement would result in a friendship and a whole lot more.

I didn't quite know what to expect when I picked up this novel, but I could not resist a title like that. And, you know what? I had a rather delightful time getting to know Cassie and Frederick.

The premise was a fun one. Frederick had been a coma for many, many, MANY years, and now that he had awakened, he needed guidance navigating the modern world. That's where his roommate fit in. He would observe them, and they would be his guide on how to fit into this new world. Obviously, this resulted in some amusing situations, but what I really adored was the growing friendship and attraction between Cassie and Frederick. One moment that really stood out for me was when they were watching episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer together. The resulting discourse tickled me, and it was also fun remembering a show I loved so much.

Though this story was told primarily from Cassie's point of view, Levine allowed me into Frederick's head via notes, texts, and diary entries. I was grateful for that because I always yearn for both parties' thoughts when reading a romance. It may even be really important for me to fully buy into the relationship.

There was one plot point which I felt was resolved too quickly (easily?), but it was a small blip in a story I had a great time reading. Overall, I found this to be a solid debut. I even felt like a door was left open for a sequel or companion novel, and I know I would happily return to this world.

*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER

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