Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
I am combining CWW with Books From the Backlog hosted by Carole at Carole's Random Life in Books. This will allow me to feature some newly "rediscovered" books, which I plan on reading, alongside a new release.
This week I can't wait for
This Disaster Loves You by Richard Roper
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on February 13, 2024
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Goodreads
From the author of Something to Live For, a poignant and funny story about a man whose wife disappeared seven years ago and his journey to find her or find out what happened, interwoven with the story of their relationship, revealing how sometimes the biggest secrets are the ones we keep from ourselves.
Twenty years of love. Seven years of absence. One journey to find out what happened.
Brian’s wife, Lily, disappeared from his life without a trace six years, eleven months, one week, and two days ago, but Brian never lost hope. Since her disappearance their once beloved English pub—and Brian’s livelihood—has been crumbling piece by piece. As the anniversary of her absence approaches, Brian desperately needs a sign. One doom-scroll on his business’s reviews later, he finds an active TripAdvisor account for PinkMoonLily1972 that he knows in his heart is his Lily.
Interspliced with Brian’s journey to find Lily is the story of their love—how it started, and the twists and turns that brought them to this moment. As Brian jumps from one destination to the next to find Lily, and the truth behind their story comes into focus, Brian comes back to life with the help of Tess, a sarcastic, kind, and surprising traveling companion. But in order to move forward he’ll need to decide—stay in the past or take a chance on something unexpected.
I have never read this author, but the title and cover called to me. After reading the synopsis, I immediately wished I could find out what happened to Lily. I know I will have to read the whole story to get that answer, but I also think I will adore the journey. The search and retelling of their love story is something that is sure to please me.
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
Published by Penguin on August 9, 2016
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
Goodreads
A full-hearted novel about a big-city baker who discovers the true meaning of home—and that sometimes the best things are found when you didn’t even know you were looking
When Olivia Rawlings—pastry chef extraordinaire for an exclusive Boston dinner club—sets not just her flambéed dessert but the entire building alight, she escapes to the most comforting place she can think of—the idyllic town of Guthrie, Vermont, home of Bag Balm, the country’s longest-running contra dance, and her best friend Hannah. But the getaway turns into something more lasting when Margaret Hurley, the cantankerous, sweater-set-wearing owner of the Sugar Maple Inn, offers Livvy a job. Broke and knowing that her days at the club are numbered, Livvy accepts.
Livvy moves with her larger-than-life, uberenthusiastic dog, Salty, into a sugarhouse on the inn’s property and begins creating her mouthwatering desserts for the residents of Guthrie. She soon uncovers the real reason she has been hired—to help Margaret reclaim the inn’s blue ribbon status at the annual county fair apple pie contest.
With the joys of a fragrant kitchen, the sound of banjos and fiddles being tuned in a barn, and the crisp scent of the orchard just outside the front door, Livvy soon finds herself immersed in small town life. And when she meets Martin McCracken, the Guthrie native who has returned from Seattle to tend his ailing father, Livvy comes to understand that she may not be as alone in this world as she once thought.
But then another new arrival takes the community by surprise, and Livvy must decide whether to do what she does best and flee—or stay and finally discover what it means to belong. Olivia Rawlings may finally find out that the life you want may not be the one you expected—it could be even better.
I saw this one at the library. I had never seen it before, and I liked the warm-fuzzy vibe I got from the synopsis. You know I am always looking for some warm-fuzzies, and I was just so drawn to this story. The town sounds charming, there are baked goods, and a dog! Dogs always make stories better. With my buzzwords all over that summary, I am sure it will leave me happy and with a warm heart.
Let us know in the comments!
Oh my goodness - the cover on Country Living - how charming! It does sound like it's going to be a great read for you!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good "me" book. Loved the small town, found family, and so much baking.
DeleteI've never heard of Roper but this one sounds intriguing. Like you, I'm already wondering what happened to Lily.
ReplyDeleteHe's new to me as well, but that title really grabbed my attention.
DeleteI feel like that first book is going to be really good and gutting at the reveal. I hope you love these!
ReplyDeleteBut, I anticipate it being done with humor (?) Here's hoping my library gets a copy
DeleteI'm intrigued by the storyline of This Disaster Loves You. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteSame. My library has his other books, so I hope they get this one too.
DeleteOh, I love the sound of The City Baker's Guide to Country Living! Love the cover, the Vermont setting, too! I'm looking forward to your thoughts, Sam! This Disaster Loves You makes me sad for the guy, but hopeful he'll get a HEA.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun and sweet story. I didn't anticipate the found family element which was what I loved most in City Baker
DeleteYou're definitely keeping the winter vibes alive! There are so many new thrillers releasing this month that I fear 1. I won't be able to read them all, and 2. The rest of the year won't be able to stack up against all the anticipated reads in this month. We'll see how many I can make it through!
ReplyDeleteEthan, we will never be able to read them all, but we can try
DeleteThis Disaster Loves You sounds like my kind of book. I had never heard of it before so thanks for putting it on my radar. :)
ReplyDeleteI actually saw that I have the author's last book on my TBR. His books sound funny
DeleteAgain The City Baker's Guide is the one calling to me. It seems that I really need positive and uplifting books at the moment!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun and sweet and touching. Great found family/community element which never fails to make me happy
DeleteThe City Baker's Guide to Country Living sounds so cosy! Also, love a Vermont setting after reading the whole True North series by Sarina Bowen last year. I hope you enjoy and I'm adding this to my book shopping list. Or maybe my library has it. I'm going to find it somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIt ended up being really fun, sweet, and the found family focus warmed my heart. I had a good time with it. Nobody shows their love for VT like Bowen. That first True North book had me wanting to move there.
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