In a Nutshell Review - Library Loans

In a Nutshell Reviews are my version of mini-reviews, because sometimes, you just want the highlights.

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The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Published by Gallery Books on July 11, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction

Goodreads

Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” ( E! Online ), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.

Camp Holly Springs was a magical place. It was where lifelong friendships were born, as well as a safe place where one was free to discover and tap into their strengths. But following the pandemic, Camp Holly Springs was in trouble, and these four women were determined to save the camp that held a special place in their hearts.

What a wonderful story! I was happily swept into this world and was instantly invested in saving the camp. Lots to love here, and I want to share the five top reasons this book was a hit for me.

1. Strong female friendships - I adore friendship stories, and this one featured a lifelong friendship. Lanier, Daphne, and Mary Stuart instantly bonded during their first summer as Songbirds at Camp Holly Springs, and over 20 years later, they still nurture that bond to keep the friendship strong. I love how they do "hard things" for each other and have shared such important moments in each others lives. Definite friendship goals here.
2. Found family - Though the trio was very tight-knit, the relationship between Lanier and Daphne was on a different level for several reasons. One was that they lived near each other. Another was that Lanier and her family provided stability for Daphne when she could not get that from her mother or father. They were very close, and as such, their relationship was complicated at times, as most sisterly relationships can be. 
3. Second chances - If I have said it once, I have said it a million times, I love stories that involve second chances. In this instance, it's second chance romance, but I think there was a bigger theme of having a second chance at the life you want as well. Regardless of how it was used, I was delighted by every way the theme was incorporated into this story.
4. Camp setting - For some reason I love camp settings, and Camp Holly Spring sounded like someplace really special. I enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of children as well as through the eyes of those grown up girls. I reveled in all the fun to be had and the memories they made.
5. Love - Though there were bumps in the road for everyone involved, there was so much love in this story, and it was the unconditional kind for the most part. A mother's love, a sister's love, a friend's love, romantic love -- it was everywhere, and I was here for it all.

This was such a beautiful story of friendship, forgiveness, and the people who shape our lives. It was incredible getting to meet all these amazing women and cheer them on as they fought to save things that were important to them, be it a person, place, or relationship. It was a special story that had me fully engrossed from page one and left me walking on sunshine by the end.

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The Shop on Royal Street by Karen White
Published by Berkley on March 29, 2022
Age/Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Mystery

Goodreads

The first in a new spinoff series of Karen White's New York Times bestselling Tradd Street novels.

After a difficult hiccup on her road to adulthood, Nola Trenholm is looking to begin anew in New Orleans, and what better way to start her future than with her first house? But the historic fixer-upper she buys comes with even more work than she anticipated when the house's previous occupants don't seem to be ready to depart. Although she can't communicate with ghosts like her stepmother, luckily Nola knows someone in New Orleans who can--even if he's the last person on earth she wants anything to do with, ever again. Because Beau Ryan comes with his own dark past, a past that involves the disappearance of his sister and parents during Hurricane Katrina, and the unsolved murder of a woman who once lived in the old Creole Cottage Nola is determined to make her own whether or not the resident restless spirits agree...

This is my first Karen White book, and I know it won't be my last.

It's interesting that Nola would choose to return to the city for a fresh start when it was where she sort of fell apart, but that's exactly what she did. The city seemed to be a magnet for her, and it also brought some important people from her past back into her life. First, she reunited with Beau who she seemed to have a complicated relationship with. (I am rooting for a romance between these two, by the way.) Shortly thereafter, her old college roommate came in like the powerhouse she was. Jolene was my favorite character in this book. She was a warm and wonderful delight who brought sunshine and hilarious southern sayings to each scene she stole. I could not get enough of her.

I think I clearly loved the characters in this story, but I also enjoyed the setting. I have never had the opportunity to visit New Orleans (yet), but White did an amazing job transporting me there. There was a big focus on the history, lore, and homes that filled the city, and I enjoyed the tour.

Then there was the mystery. It unfolded slowly, and the paranormal elements were well utilized. There were some good, spooky moments, but also a lot about the people with gifts that allow them to interact with the dead. It was all very interesting. 

White guaranteed I would be reading more from her with the way this book ended. One part of the mystery was fully solved, while there were still some HUGE unanswered questions. That ending has me chomping at the bit for the next book, and I know I will be returning to this world in no time. 

Have you ever been to New Orleans?
Let us know in the comments!