Review of All Together Now by Matthew Norman

 

Read for: Enjoyed other books by the author/ Requested Review/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "A dying man brings his oldest friends together for one last beach blowout in this witty, heartfelt novel from the author of Last Couple Standing.

At just thirty-five, reclusive billionaire Robbie Malcolm is a renowned financial prognosticator, a celebrated philanthropist, and a mathematical genius. Also, he’s dying, which is a fact he’s carefully concealing from the world.

As he takes stock, Robbie realizes that his wealth means nothing if he can’t help the people who matter most. So he invites his oldest friends—Blair, Cat, and Wade—to their beloved Fenwick Island on the coast of Delaware to share his secret and to reveal plans for each of them that he believes will change their lives forever.

However, Robbie isn’t the only one with secrets. The bonds the friends formed as teenagers still exist, but adulthood has brought a whole new set of complications, like unrequited loves, marriages on the brink, and so much unfulfilled potential. Robbie’s plans may look good on paper, but are they any match for the utter disaster that is real life?

As everything comes to light over a wild weekend full of surprises, Robbie learns there are still some things money can’t buy, and a group of friends who thought their best years were behind them realize just how much they have to look forward to."

My Review:  I first read a book by Matthew Norman last year and really enjoyed it and appreciated how relatable it was at this point in my life, so when I saw a new book coming out I was excited to try it. I have to say this one was a much more emotional journey but still had those great comic relief moments. Once again the characters were so relatable, real life issues and situations (well for the most part). I loved that this story brought it all back to friendships and those we have let slip a bit in the craziness of life. I laughed and cried throughout this book and I really enjoyed every minute of it, now I need to go call a few friends I haven't seen in the past year and a half.

My Rating: I am definitely going to be tracking down more of Norman's books, I so enjoyed this one.  It is also a great summer read, setting on a small island town, on the beach at the end of summer. It definitely is a great book as people are reconnecting after the past year in lock down.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Matthew Norman and his books on his Goodreads Page or Website.

All Together Now was just released on June 15th, 2021 so you can pick up your own copy now in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or request it from your favorite bookstore or library.

Review of Paws and Prejudice by Alanna Martin

 

Read for: Requested Review & Adore the previous book

Previous Books in Series: 

Hearts on a Leash

Synopsis: "It's up to a trio of adorable rescue huskies to make two lonely hearts in a coastal Alaskan town realize that true love is worth too much to turn tail and run.

Glaciers have nothing on Kelsey Porter when she decides to freeze someone out. After getting burned once, she's not about to let it happen again. And right now all that icy contempt is focused on one annoyingly attractive and entitled interloper: Ian Roth. Not only is he looking to take advantage of her quaint, coastal community, tainting the small-town charm of Helen, Alaska, but he has committed the one crime she can never forgive—he doesn't like her dogs.

Unlike what Kelsey believes, Ian loves Helen's charms as much as she does. That's partly why he's determined to open a brewery there, and he's not about to let anything or anyone stop his dream from coming true. But he didn't count on the beautiful, prickly woman getting under his skin. Or having to be within hand-biting proximity of her three huge huskies.

When Kelsey's family conscripts her into helping Ian get his brewery off the ground, she finds herself caught between a rock and a hard . . . muscular . . . man who has a fear of dogs. But the longer they work together, the more she can feel herself begin to thaw. Now she'll have to choose: let sleeping dogs lie to protect her heart, or mush head-on toward love."

My Review: I just started this series earlier this year and fell in love with all the dogs and the setting. I also really enjoyed the play with classic novel influences. I was really looking forward to this book and following Kelsey's story, she really intrigued me as a strong, independent woman who might have a stubborn streak a mile wide but will do anything for those she loves. This book certainly didn't disappoint, I might have loved it even more than the first book! I loved how we not only got the enemies to lovers element but also that small town mentality of us versus the outsiders, and both those elements really came into play in this book. I also enjoyed the internal growth not only did Kelsey have but so did Ian with all of his emotional baggage. All in all these are characters you really want to get behind and cheer on all the way to the end. I can't wait for more books in this series!

My Rating: This is such a cute series and this book did not give me second slump vibes at all, I loved it even more than the first book. It is also a great book to read towards the tail end of summer, when things start to cool down and the tourists start to leave town and you are thinking about cool fall evenings.  Anyway I enjoyed the story and give it a rating of Four Paws, I can't wait for the next book and luckily don't have long to wait!

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

To find out more about Alanna Martin and the Hearts of Alaska Series check out her Goodreads Page and Website.

Both Hearts on a Leash and Paws and Prejudice are available now and you can get them in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or request them at your local library or bookstore.  You can catch up on the series now and be ready for the third book,  Love and Let Bark, out on November 30th of this year!