Review of Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg

On March 23, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780593446829

Publisher:Random House Publishing Group

Publication date:03/17/2026

Pages:208

Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble)

As ninety-two-year-old Florence “Flo” Greene nears the end of her life, she writes a letter to Ruthie, the woman who grew up next door to her, describing the items Flo is leaving Ruthie in her will. But as it goes on, telling surprising stories about those “little” things Flo will leave behind (What could possibly be the worth of a rubber band kept in a matchbox tied up in red ribbon?), an unforgettable portrait of the life she has lived emerges.

The letter starts off as an autobiography in things, but it turns out to do much more than that: ultimately, it will transform Flo and those around her. In the time she has left, Flo decides to take herself up on tiny dares. She encourages Ruthie to reconsider her impending divorce by sharing a startling, long-buried secret about her own perfect-seeming marriage. Flo has never had a pedicure before now, and as long as she’s going to a beauty parlor, she arranges to have a blue streak put in her hair, too. And as these adventures lead her to make new friends, Flo helps them, too, find the fulfillment that living a full life has led her to understand.

Full of Elizabeth Berg’s characteristic mix of warmth, humor, and poignancy, Life: A Love Story is a reminder that whatever your circumstances, as long as you’re alive, you can keep on investing in life. The joy will inevitably follow.

My Thoughts

This lovely and relatable story just flowed right from the page into my heart. It is the story of Flo, a nonagenarian who knows she is dying and is dedicated to making the world around her better up to her last breath. It is the story of an ordinary life lived in an extraordinary way, told in first person with Flo relating her actions and reactions. She also writes letters to Ruthie, a younger woman who was a neighbor as a child and whom Flo loves dearly so Flo is explaining to her in the letters what certain things in her house meant to her. I thought at first when I read the synopsis of the book that it would be a maudlin look at dying, but that is not the case at all. The author presents death as another chapter in life, something to embrace as inevitable but also to prepare for in the best way possible. This was a five plus star read for me as I was completely wrapped up in Flo’s story, her tales about her past and a mystery about her husband Terrance that she refers to repeatedly. The story is moderately paced, which I think is perfect for a book that deals with the sensitive topic of dying in such an uplifting and realistic way. Flo’s life was not perfect, with lots of false starts and stops and some errors along the way. The thoughts she leaves behind show us clearly that she enjoyed her life and wants others to find joy for themselves too. The theme seems to be that life passes all too quickly, but it is also one of looking around and finding out who needs your encouragement and then go out and be the one to make a difference.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

**Elizabeth Berg** is the author of eighteen novels and has more than 1.5 million books in print. Her novel, OPEN HOUSE, was an Oprah’s Book Club selection in 2000. Berg lives near Chicago, Illinois. Visit her at www.elizabeth-berg.net

Elizabeth Berg has been on the New York Times Bestseller list multiple times. Durable Goods and Joy School were both selected as one of the American Library Association’s Best Books of the Year. Talk Before Sleep was shortlisted for the Abby (American Bookseller’s Book of the Year). Open House was an Oprah’s Book Club Selection. In 1997, Elizabeth won the New England Booksellers Award for her body of work. Her book The Art of Mending was a choice for South Dakota’s “One Book.”

She was made a “literary light” by the Boston Public Library, has been honored by the Chicago Public Library, and was given the AMC Cancer Research Center’s Illuminator Award for shedding light on breast cancer resulting in increased public awareness and concern. She adapted her novel The Pull of the Moon into a play which has been performed in Chicago and Indianapolis to sold-out audiences.

Her article on a cooking school in Positano, Italy, which appeared in National Geographic Traveler magazine, won a NATJA award (North American Travel Journalists Association) and was nominated for a Lowell Thomas award. She has been published in thirty-two countries. In 2018, she was awarded the State of Illinois Literary Heritage Award for her “extraordinary contributions to our literary culture.”

In 2018, she was awarded the State of Illinois Literary Heritage Award for her “extraordinary contributions to our literary culture.”

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Review of HOLLY AND NICK HATE CHRISTMAS by Betsy St. Amant

On September 16, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book ReviewLeave a comment

About This Book

ISBN-13:9780593602560

Publisher:PRH Christian Publishing

Publication date:09/16/2025

Pages:352

Holly Sinclair has hated Christmas for as long as she can remember. Who names their Christmas baby Holly in the first place? She was teased mercilessly growing up. Holly Berry, Holli-days, Holly Jolly . . . not to mention the fact that her birthday is often totally overlooked amidst the season.

To make matters worse, instead of getting the promotion she was expecting, Holly’s been downsized—which is just fancy holiday talk for fired. Now Holly has to go home single, unemployed, turning thirty, and only a tinsel strand of faith. Bah, humbug.

Holly’s big brother, Ryan, has dragged his best friend, known holiday-hater Nick Kinsley, home with him. But when Holly discovers that Nick’s here to be her pity date, she decides the best revenge is to play along . . . and Christmas like she’s never Christmas’d before. Commence Operation: Naughty List. The fact that she’s attracted to Nick is totally not the point. She’ll teach him a lesson, one ho ho ho at a time.

The holiday grows more complicated when Holly and Ryan find out their parents asked all the siblings to come home for Christmas this year, but refuse to say why. The rest of the Sinclair siblings descend, each with their own sleigh full of secrets. Rumors spread as everyone tries to guess the reason for their parents’ demand—and Nick turns out to have a secret of his own. Will this be a Christmas to forget? Or will Holly and Nick discover there is so much more? (Synopsis from Barnes and Noble)

My Thoughts

Run, don’t walk to get this hilarious romp with the Sinclair family as they celebrate Christmas, or at least try to. Holly Sinclair is a Christmas baby but not a fan of the holiday, especially since it always overshadowed her Christmas birthday. Her brother Ryan has a friend named Nick who is not a fan of Christmas either. Ryan invites Nick to spend Christmas with his family and act as kind of a pseudo-boyfriend for Holly. Once they get together at the farm, the merry antics begin and the non-stop laughs, too. Holly and Nick concoct plans that they call “operations” to fool the rest of the family members. First, Holly pretends to adore the holiday, then she enlists Nick to help her pretend they are really falling in love with each other. Each plan is more outrageous than the previous one and even more entertaining. I loved the way the characters had me cheering for their outlandish plans to work and for everyone to be fooled. I thoroughly enjoyed the brilliant dialogue between Holly and Nick as their warm-hearted and flirty romance was not just entertaining but also an engaging story that made me laugh aloud at their antics. I especially enjoyed the ugly Christmas sweaters they created together and the Frosty hijinks. This book was pure fun from beginning to end, with multiple layers of drama within the family and everyone having a secret that is eventually and humorously revealed. The characters are appealing and relatable, the plot was skillfully woven with charm and a refreshingly light tone to all of the shenanigans going on. I enjoyed meeting the Sinclair family and at the end of the book, I was sad to see the last page turn. This feel-good story is cleverly written and is perfect to read at any time, not to mention a great gift for the Christmas grinch in your life.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Fiction, Rated G and note that I would give more than five stars if I could. This book is hilarious!

About the Author

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over twenty romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two daughters, an impressive stash of coffee mugs, and one furry Schnauzer-toddler. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored to truth. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can be found somewhere in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women. Author’s website for more information about her books: https://betsystamant.com

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With much gratitude to Penguin Random House and the author for providing the ARC for me to read and review. I cannot adequately express how this book lifted my sagging spirits and provided pure and wonderful laugh-aloud moments. So, thank you!

Review of Housebroke by Jaci Burton

On December 19, 2023 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

A millionaire and a woman who thinks he’s a house flipper are stuck living in a house together with a menagerie of rescue dogs as roommates, in this heartfelt romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.

After her ex took all their money and bailed, Hazel Bristow is left broke and homeless. A kind friend whose home is on the market lets Hazel and her foster dogs stay there until it sells. It’s the perfect setup, until her friend forgets to tell Hazel she’s sold the house.

Linc Kennedy is shocked to find Hazel and her pups squatting in the house he just bought, but after some negotiating—she offers to cook amazing meals for him in return for a paycheck—he agrees to let her remain while he’s renovating the place. Linc tells Hazel he’s an investor who renovates homes for fun—he just leaves out the part about being wealthy.

Hazel’s intrigued by Linc. He’s funny, sweet, ridiculously hot, and loves dogs almost as much as she does. But her track record with men? Not great. She worries her trust meter isn’t in working order.

Linc’s never met anyone like the quirky beauty who puts everyone’s needs—human and canine—before her own. He didn’t tell her about his wealth because he’s been burned by women who only wanted him for his money. But with Hazel, he’s never felt more like himself. Now he has to figure out how to tell her the truth without losing her. Because Linc realizes what he feels for her isn’t puppy love—it’s true love.

My Thoughts

An escape into a fun-to-read rom-com is just what I needed during the busy holiday season to take me away to a world of laughter, love and entertainment. Hazel fosters dogs and is basically homeless, living in the home of a friend while she tries to get money together to pay for her own place. Enter Linc, a swoonworthy hero, who has purchased the house she is living in and agrees to let her continue to stay there while he remodels it as long as she will cook for him. What a setup for some humorous scenes since Hazel is a quirky character who has no idea that Linc is a millionaire. I loved the dogs who each have their own personality and become characters in their own right. I also enjoyed the interactions between Hazel and Linc, neither of whom knew enough about the other but both were willing to learn. This is a story filled with heart and humor that is perfect for fans of rom-coms with dogs and a lot of original twists to a clever plot. The pace is just fast enough to keep me engaged and the characters are relatable and lovable.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

About the Author

*New York Times* and *USA Today* Bestselling Author **Jaci Burton** is happy to be living her dream of writing passionate contemporary romance. She has written over seventy-five novels to date. Jaci has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business that she is delighted not to be using in her previous life of corporate management. She grew up in Missouri, migrated to California, but has been happily making her home in Oklahoma for the past fifteen years with her husband and dogs. She enjoys being outdoors in the summer and she and her husband are avid Harley riders.
Jaci was honored with the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award as well as their Reviewers Choice Award. She has been a finalist in the Bookseller’s Best and National Reader’s Choice Awards, and has won The Romance Studio’s CAPA Award four times.
Jaci is a member of Romance Writers of America.
You can find Jaci on the web at the following locations:
Website: jaciburton.com
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton
Twitter: twitter.com/jaciburton
Instagram: instagram.com/jaciburton
Contact: jaci@jaciburton.com

Available Now! Purchase Links:

Kindle

Amazon Print

Barnes and Noble (Nook)

Apple Books

Barnes and Noble Print

Books-a-Million

Google Play

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Many thanks to Berkeley Publishing House, an imprint of Penguin Random House and to Netgalley for the ARC to read and review!

Review of THE PERFECT GUESTS by Emma Rous

On January 12, 2021 By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

*Because of content, subject matter and the themes*, *I would rate this book a hard PG-13.*

Okay, so what genre to assign to this book? Mystery plus domestic drama, maybe? Whatever genre it is, it was entertaining, particularly because of how different the style is. The story is told by two narrators and two time periods, Beth in 1988 and Sadie in 2019. The story twists all around until at last the two come together, in what I thought was very contrived, but it did work. I thought that the plot was well-developed with a lot of revelations in the middle and then it was kind of downhill all the way to the end. The conclusion was a surprise that I was not able to guess, but I also thought that it defied belief. The book reminded me a lot of the game “Clue” and the book by Agatha Christie with a similar plot of house guests being picked off one by one. The connections are the real meat of this story and the author did a fantastic job of laying false trails of clues, interspersed with the real ones, so that kept me interested. Fans of mystery will enjoy this book, but I was looking for more suspense that was never really there.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”