Contemporary – Page 2 – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Divided Heart

Title: Divided Heart
Author: K.M. Daughters
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassidy Finnegan, a widow, returns to her hometown Redbird, Illinois after inheriting a book store from her mother. Ty Martin, a celebrated gallery artist and a member of the fantastical Sisters of the Legend Binder family, has moved to a home a straight shot from Cassidy’s across Redbird Lake.
Cass meets Ty at his book signing at her store the same day that she is visited by the ghost of her dead husband, Sawyer, whom she met at Cozy Nook Books, too. It was love at first sight with Sawyer…and maybe with Ty.
When Sawyer visits Cassidy, their perfect love is rekindled. When she is with Ty, all she wants is the new love blossoming between them.
Ty learns he is the unwitting third in Cassidy’s spectral love-triangle. He has no problem competing with flesh and blood men. But the heaven-perfected spirit of her loving husband? Nothing in Ty’s realm of experience prepares him for that contest.
Cassie is forced to choose in order to mend her divided heart.

Review:

This is a cute cozy romance! I love books about bookstores. A lot of this book took place in Cassidy’s bookstore, where she met Ty. This book is part of a series but it can be read as a stand-alone. There was a supernatural twist at the end of the story which I wasn’t expecting, but it tied everything together.

Divided Heart is a short and sweet cozy romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this for a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: death of spouse, death of parent, cancer

Have you read Divided Heart? What did you think of it?

Review: Eat Dessert First

Title: Eat Dessert First
Author: Michelle Paris
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Apprentice House
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Can a plus-sized, big-hearted baker discover the recipe for happiness? Abbey Reilly has heard “you have such a pretty face” enough times to know that it’s code for “if only you’d lose weight.” Giving up her architectural career to care for her ailing mom and working in a bakery to make ends meet, she is convinced no one will ever find her attractive. So she’s stunned when a handsome regular customer not only shows interest but asks her on a date.Devastated when she learns her would-be beau is married, Abbey resigns herself to a lonely future. But the insecure woman can hardly believe her luck when she draws the attention of a dreamy guy at a bachelorette party… until his horrible ex plots revenge. Will Abbey claim the confidence she deserves and find a keeper who recognizes her true beauty?With light humor and loving insight, Michelle Paris weaves a delightful tale of learning to believe in yourself. Juggling elder parent care, tight finances, and hating the image in the mirror, Abbey Reilly will charm any reader fond of rooting for an underdog.Eat Dessert First is a heartwarming work of women’s fiction. If you like relatable heroines, chasing a dream, and finding hope and happiness, then you’ll adore Michelle Paris’ sweet story of fulfillment.

Review:

This is a great romance with a plus-size heroine! I could relate to Abbey’s struggles with her weight and finding a partner who liked her for herself. Abbey was the primary caregiver her mother who had dementia. I helped look after my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s for 9 years, so I could relate to that part of her life too. Abbey was a great baker, so I recommend having some yummy baked goods on hand while reading this book!

Eat Dessert First is a yummy romance!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: bullying, dementia, death of parent, hospital scenes, broken bone

Have you read Eat Dessert First? What did you think of it?

Review: The Woman in Cabin 10 (Lo Blacklock #1)

Title: The Woman in Cabin 10 (Lo Blacklock #1)
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Gallery
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: July 19, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

Review:

This is a suspenseful thriller! I finally read this one since the sequel just came out and a movie adaptation is coming out this fall. It definitely lived up to the hype. It is suspenseful and fast paced, especially the final chapters. I’m excited to read the sequel!

The Woman in Cabin 10 is a great thriller!

Content warnings: death, cancer, sexual assault, vomiting, kidnapping, gaslighting, drowning

Other books in the series:

The Woman in Suite 11

Have you read The Woman in Cabin 10? What did you think of it?

Review: A Table Rock Mystery

Title: A Table Rock Mystery
Author: Tom Wood
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary
Publisher: Willow Days Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Paperback
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Rating: ★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A young couple decides to trade city lights for the twinkling stars of Branson, Missouri to fulfill their lifelong dream of owning a small-town tavern. But their idyllic country life filled with music and laughter takes a dark turn when a simple evening walk along the Ozark shoreline spirals into a whirlwind of chaos.

A forged loan application ignites a chain reaction of events leading to a shocking kidnapping and a string of murders that has the local sheriff’s office scrambling to uncover the truth.

What started out as a dream quickly transforms into a nightmare as innocent people find themselves caught in a web of crime, betrayal, and one multi-million-dollar secret. With each twist more unexpected then the last, the real question who will make it out alive?

Review:

This story was a complicated mystery with many characters. There were many suspects, investigators, and subplots happening in this mystery. It got a little confusing at times. The chapters would alternate through different perspectives. Most of the characters had at least one chapter from their perspective. There was a lot going on, so I think it could have been turned into a series of multiple books, to give the story more space to be told.

A Table Rock Mystery is a complex mystery.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, drug use, drug overdose, gun violence, car accident, suicide

Have you read A Table Rock Mystery? What did you think of it?

Pub Day Review: Difficult Girls

Title: Difficult Girls
Author: Veronica Bane
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen girl’s attempt at social reinvention takes a deadly turn when a co-worker disappears—and she learns she may have been the last person to see the missing girl—in this razor-sharp, murderously funny thriller debut.

After the incident last year, Greta Riley Green is looking for reinvention—a fresh start—and a job at Hyper Kid Magic Land, the local amusement park, seems like the perfect way to forge a new path . . . no matter what it takes.

So when fate pulls Greta into Mercy Goodwin’s orbit, it feels like things are looking up. Beautiful and confident, Mercy dazzles audiences daily. And at the first party of the summer, she picks Greta to confide in. Mercy has a secret to share, if Greta will just meet her the next day. It’s a sign that Greta’s truly fitting in.

Only, when the time comes, Mercy is a no-show—as she is everyday after that—and Greta knows something’s wrong. She can’t help thinking back to the night of the party. Did Mercy seem upset? Terrified, even? Could she be in trouble? It wouldn’t be the first time a talented young performer came to a sinister end at Hyper Kid. . . .

Of course, Greta has her own issues with the past, and the more she uncovers Hyper Kid’s secrets, the more her own threaten to surface. This job was meant to be a reboot, a summer without trouble. But trouble, it seems, finds Greta, and her past—and the bloody past of Hyper Kid—is about to catch up with her.

Review:

This was a creepy summer thriller. It had a great summer setting in a theme park. I liked that there was some suspense about what happened in Greta’s past. I couldn’t figure out the mystery of what happened to Mercy. There were some key clues that were held back until the end, but it was a satisfying ending!

Difficult Girls is a great summer thriller!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: divorce, bullying, murder, suicide, knife violence

Have you read Difficult Girls? What did you think of it?

Review: We Are Villains

Title: We Are Villains
Author: Kacen Callender
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Henry N. Abrams
Source: Manda Group
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callendar comes a thrilling, dark academia YA about murder, blackmail, and the one person determined to discover the truth, no matter the cost

What happened to Arianna Reynolds?

Ari’s death was ruled an accident, but for her best friend Milo, it’s shrouded in mystery. Why was she in the woods on the night of the fire? Had she been alone? Figuring out what happened the night Ari died is the only reason Milo returns to Yates Academy, even knowing he’ll be in constant danger. . .

Liam is the King of Yates, a role he keeps hold of through his family’s old money—and the threat of violence. So when he begins receiving ominous letters from another student accusing him of murdering Ari, the suspect list is long. Desperate to prove his innocence before the accusation ruins his reign, Liam enlists Milo’s help to find the blackmailer. But the more Milo helps Liam, the more he becomes certain that Liam has something to hide.

As Milo comes closer to the truth, he uncovers secrets that everyone wants to keep buried . . . Featuring a cast of queer characters of color, We Are Villains is an electrifying mystery that will keep readers guessing.

Review:

This is a thrilling boarding school story. It followed multiple perspectives of different characters at school. I liked that Ari’s perspective was written in the second person, speaking directly to an unknown person who was important to her. The answer to what happened to Ari was revealed kind of early in the story, but it had a good ending!

We Are Villains is a great boarding school thriller!

Thank you Manda Group for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: sexual assault (off page), murder, fire (off page), bullying

Have you read We Are Villains? What did you think of it?

Review: The Things They Didn’t See

Title: The Things They Didn’t See
Author: Angela Shaeffer
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Wander Lane Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Raised on sunny days at Lake Koda, Jill piloted a speedboat long before driving a car. Her husband and three boys share her love for boating—until a surprise storm and tragic accident change everything.

As grief settles in, Jill and her family are drifting apart. Her relationship with teenage Jake grows strained when everything she says or does seems to be wrong. Her husband, Matt, takes Jake’s side, and even her sweet youngest child doesn’t trust her judgment.

Jake is trying to be a good kid but doesn’t know where to turn when his head and heart are constantly racing, and Matt just wants peace between his wife and son. Tensions build as they bump and bang into one another. There’s too much extra space for a family of four living in a home built for five.

Emotional and ultimately hopeful, The Things They Didn’t See is the story of a family’s love for each other clouded by misunderstandings, guilt and blame as they struggle to overcome unprecedented loss and find connection again.

Review:

This was a tragic story with an uplifting ending. After losing one of their sons in a boating accident, everyone in the family had to figure out how to grieve together. For most of the book I didn’t think the family would ever recover. The story also dealt with teenage rebellion and self harm. It was a heavy read, but it had a positive ending.

The Things They Didn’t See is a tragic family story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign.

Content warnings: death of child, boating accident, self-harm, attempted suicide

Have you read The Things They Didn’t See? What did you think of it?

Review: Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree

Title: Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree
Author: Daniel E. Chambrello
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: The boy. The dragon. & the cherry tree swing. A Publishing Company.
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 20, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the deepest dark, there is only light.

With each new generation, precious souls are called upon to serve a higher purpose. But each calling is forged in challenge and fear, and every journey hinges upon the choices made.

In present-day North Carolina, Gabriel is devoted to his wife, Jennifer, and their five rambunctious kids… until the day tragedy strikes the Connor household, setting in motion a chai of events that will transform humanity.

In ancient Rome, young Gabrielus leaves his humble village to become a protector of the emperor. He dreams of bringing glory and wealth to his family and returning a hero to his love, Jennamine. But the path ahead is steeped in grief and vengeance, and Gabrielus will be forced to make a choice that echoes through the ages.

One soul. Infinite journeys. A universe of possibilities.

In Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree, Daniel E. Chambrello crafts a guidebook for the human condition via a profound story of enduring love. Compelling perspectives of time, purpose, and mysticism reveal unique and life-changing truths for every reader

Review:

This was an emotional read about fate. It followed two timelines, one in present day North Carolina, and the other in Ancient Rome. The same members of a family were reincarnated throughout time. In the present day they had to deal with the deal with the tragic deaths of three family members. Each member of the family dealt with their grief in a different way, which shows how different people can be, even within a family. The family was deeply religious, and found comfort in their religion during that tough time.

Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree is an emotional and religious story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: car accident, death, child death (off page), death of parent, kidnapping

Have you read Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree? What did you think of it?

Review: Cadence (Lyrical Interludes #3)

Title: Cadence (Lyrical Interludes #3)
Author: Claire Davon
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 28, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From a young age, aspiring musician Jessica Baker has made it a point to never rely on anyone other than herself. After all, in her experience, people, along with success, are both fleeting. However, when Kai Halara joins her tour, all of her preconceived notions are demolished.

Kai is a failure in the eyes of his industry. Intending to use Jessica’s tour as a distraction while he determines his next move, he’s soon at war with himself. His mind tells him to stay away, but his heart—and body—demand the opposite.

Can their happiness survive when misunderstandings collide with electric attraction, and past drama resurges to threaten to destroy all they have created?

Review:

This was a steamy, fast-paced romance! It’s part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and I didn’t have any problems. It’s a short book so it didn’t take me long to read. I felt like the ending was kind of rushed though. The way the romance ended didn’t feel realistic to me.

Cadence is a great music-themed romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: alcoholism

Other books in the series:

Reprise (Lyrical Interludes #1)
Overture (Lyrical Interludes #2)

Have you read Cadence? What did you think of it?

Review: Haunted Gem

Title: Haunted Gem
Author: Gabriella Lucas
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

She talks to ghosts. He talks to God.

Gemma Martelli knows where all the bodies are buried—and she talks to their spirits to help detectives solve cases. All she needs is a piece of jewelry from the deceased to make contact. When a detective asks for her help on a cold case, the unsolved murder of Judith Walsh, she’s eager to get involved … until she finds out who the young woman was engaged to—Reverend Luke Bailey, the man Gemma is crazy about.

Luke wants to move on from the tragic loss of his fiancé, and he’s falling for Gemma. But how will he feel when he discovers that it’s Judith’s spirit she’s talking to?

Review:

I’ve always loved stories about people who can talk to ghosts. I liked the premise in this story, that Gem could communicate with ghosts through their jewelry from when they were alive. It was the perfect technique for a jeweler. The mystery she had to help the police solve was intriguing and fast paced. I really enjoyed reading this mystery!

Haunted Gems is a great mystery!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, stabbing, gun violence, parental abandonment

Have you read Haunted Gem? What did you think of it?