Blurb

Albert Entwistle is a private man with a quiet, simple life. He lives alone with his cat Gracie. And he’s a postman. At least he was a postman until, three months before his sixty-fifth birthday, he receives a letter from the Royal Mail thanking him for decades of service and stating he is being forced into retirement.

At once, Albert’s sole connection with his world unravels. Every day as a mail carrier, he would make his way through the streets of his small English town, delivering letters and parcels and returning greetings with a quick wave and a “how do?” Without the work that fills his days, what will be the point? He has no friends, family, or hobbies—just a past he never speaks of, and a lost love that fills him with regret.

And so, rather than continue his lonely existence, Albert forms a brave plan to start truly living. It’s finally time to be honest about who he is. To seek the happiness he’s always denied himself. And to find the courage to look for George, the man that, many years ago, he loved and lost—but has never forgotten. As he does, something extraordinary happens. Albert finds unlikely allies, new friends, and proves it’s never too late to live, to hope, and to love

Review

This delightful and heartwarming story follows Albert, a lonely 64-year-old postman who makes some startling discoveries about himself. Though this is in part a story about a man coming out of the closet after over forty years and searching for his lost love, it’s also about coming out of your shell — about taking the brave step in opening yourself up to your neighbors and coworkers. This was a very relatable book for me as I am close in age to Albert and know only too well the hate and homophobia gay boys had to face in the 60s & 70s. It was also quite accurate from my recollection.

I enjoyed how the story was told via flashbacks to Albert’s youth, and we see the events that led him to his current situation: his hateful homophobic father, his apathetic mother, the oppressive laws of the time, and, of course, George — the first and only boy Albert fell in love with. The story unfolds in bits and pieces, allowing us to slowly understand where Albert is coming from as all is finally revealed.

I loved how Albert began to shine once he attempted to get the know the people in his life and start to embrace his life in the process. I especially enjoyed his friendship with Nicole, a single mom going through some tough times. The author did an excellent job of juxtaposing Albert’s newfound happiness with the darkness and sadness of his past. It was s delight to see Albert bloom once he ceases feeling ashamed of who he is and embraces and accepts himself instead. His transformation warmed my heart as well as sent a tear or two to my eyes.

All in all, I love this impactful story. It was heartfelt, amusing at times, traumatic at others, but always compelling and touching. Albert’s character development and character arc were phenomenal. And though the story does tackle some tough themes, it ultimately will bring a smile to your face. At least it did mine.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.

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Blurb

An unflinchingly honest, wickedly funny, and heartfelt debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life’s possibilities

Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping the small-town life of his parents’ fish-and-chip shop, moving to London, and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in the city, his career isn’t exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn’t exactly unfulfilling. Certainly his limited-edition Dolly Parton vinyls and many (maybe too many) house plants are hitting the spot. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the “heteronormative paradigm” of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny’s flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It’s all going quite well.

Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he’s known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in an East London “commune.” What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work, and lots of therapy–all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he’s spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all?

Review

At first, I thought this story was going to be a quirky book full of wild and zany characters. While there certainly was that aspect to it, it also ended up being a fascinating journey of self-discovery and healing for a young man named Danny Scudd. This book could have been easily titled “The unraveling of Danny Scudd” because that’s what has to happen before our main character can pull himself together: he must totally fall apart.

Through his unraveling, Danny has to deal with internalized homophobia and learn how to live his life without hiding in the background. Up until now, he seemed to prefer being “invisible” and wasn’t one to engage in any confrontation, letting others trample all over him in the process. So in this way, parts of the story were a tad cringey. But though Danny’s journey is undoubtedly bumpy and a bit dark in places, the author portrays it in a heartfelt and humorous way that makes Danny ultimately likable and relatable. Danny’s story is layered with complexities of identity, loss, mental illness, rage, and toxic relationships that were expertly articulated in the voice of our narrator.

Throughout the pages of the book, I enjoyed seeing Danny confront his issues and slowly come to accept his identity and accept his true self. Though he does have a tough time of it — and even transforms into a major jerk at one point — his friends stand by him and guide him back to himself. Speaking of friends, the secondary characters were phenomenal, with my favorite being the larger-than-life Jacob. The clever, witty banter between the characters caused me to cackle out loud on more than one occasion, and they all added an essential element to the narrative.

All in all, I loved this complete whirlwind of a novel. It was a strange, wonderfully weird, immersive book that explores some dark themes but in a unique and fun way. Thus, it’s messy and dark but without ever falling over the edge. First Time for Everything is a poignant portrait of a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance that really resonated with me, and I’m glad this story caught my attention.

This book is scheduled to be released on May 10, 2022 but is available now for Preorder.

Blurb:

We can’t choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?

In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child, challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage, and themselves.

Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

Review

Eleanor Bennet has died, and her two estranged children, Benny and Byron, come together to the office of Eleanor’s attorney. Eleanor has left an audio recording for her children to listen to in the presence of the attorney. She also instructs that after her children have heard the recording, they are to share the Black Cake (a Caribbean specialty served for special occasions) stored in the freezer but only at the right moment, when the time is right.

In the recording, Eleanor tells the story of her life, and in so doing, reveals her hidden past. She begins in the 1960s with her life on an unnamed Caribbean island until she is forced to flee to Great Britain and finally flee once again to settle in America. As we progress through the recording and their mother’s shocking and oftentimes heartbreaking secrets are revealed, Benny and Byron, in shock, realize that they didn’t know their mother at all. They didn’t even know her real name.

I loved how this multigenerational story was revealed in two timelines: Eleanor’s tragic story in the past and the intrigue in the present revolving around Eleanor’s children — and their relationship to each other and to their mother. I was utterly fascinated (and, at times, horrified) by Eleanor’s gripping history. Once Eleanor’s revelations (and misfortunes) began to unfold, I had difficulty putting down the book.

I enjoyed how the various side characters who were introduced ended playing a much more significant role than we’d initially thought, and they were cleverly integrated into both of the timelines. Each character’s story is essential to the overall plot and they were weaved together seamlessly. The author does an exquisite job of bringing the characters to rich life, adding additional depth and feeling to the novel. These are vivid characters who touch us deeply.

Also intriguing was the intricate look at Byron and Benny’s relationship to their mysterious mother as well as to each other. What we end up with, then, is an intense, multi-layered, and complex emotional journey. It also contains a gripping mystery to solve as we move through a plethora of family secrets and betrayals. This is a highly crafted saga written by someone who clearly understands broad, sweeping stories. Each character touched my soul in ways that I simply couldn’t have fathomed when I first picked up this book.

With themes of identity, family history, misogyny, racial prejudice, culture, tradition, loyalty, sexual orientation, and longing, Black Cake is one of the most original and beautiful stories I’ve read, and the perfectly resolved ending was the cherry on top. This is a sweeping epic that enchanted me from beginning to end. Breathtakingly creative, Black Cake is an evocative and unforgettable book, and I am so glad it crossed my path.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book. Expected publication is February 1, 2022.

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Blurb:

When newly-divorced Ivy Perkins buys an old farmhouse sight unseen, she is definitely looking for a change in her life. The Four Roses, as the farmhouse is called, is a labor of love–but Ivy didn’t bargain on just how much labor. The previous family left so much furniture and so much junk, that it’s a full-time job sorting through all of it.

At the top of a closet, Ivy finds an old Santa suit–beautifully made and decades old. In the pocket of a suit she finds a note written in a childish hand: it’s from a little girl who has one Christmas wish, and that is for her father to return home from the war. This discovery sets Ivy off on a mission. Who wrote the note? Did the man ever come home? What mysteries did the Rose family hold?

Ivy’s quest brings her into the community, at a time when all she wanted to do was be left alone and nurse her wounds. But the magic of Christmas makes miracles happen, and Ivy just might find more than she ever thought possible: a welcoming town, a family reunited, a mystery solved, and a second chance at love.

Review:

Some might considered it weird to read a Christmas story in August, but I was in the mood for something light and heart-warming, and this one fit the bill perfectly. I love stories about leaving everything behind and starting over — especially in a small town — and The Santa Suit did not disappoint. Though this is a short story, it’s also a magical one, with a touch of romance and even an intriguing mystery to solve.

I really adored the small-town vibe of this story, and the quirky secondary characters were a delight. The author also does a fantastic job of capturing the magic of the season in this heartwarming tale, and the ending definitely brought a tear or two of joy to my eyes — and the surprise ending was the cherry on top.

The Santa Suit is about love, friendship, community, and chocolates! And in the couple of hours it took me to read it, it led me through a myriad of emotions: I laughed out loud, had tears streaming down my face, and felt a sense of joy and satisfaction when it all came to an end. This is the kind of whimsical story that drips with tenderness and makes you believe in the goodness of people again.

All in all, The Santa Suit is a lovely feel-good holiday novel with a huge heart that would be perfect to read while curling up before a fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book.  This title will be released on September 28, 2021

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This story follows a young boy named Ollie Buckmeyer who lives on a cattle ranch with his parents, Bob and Cathy, and his older brother Cody. His life is perfect until the day that he suffers an accident on the ball field, resulting in a severe brain injury. Afterward, he is no longer the same. His bubbly personality is gone. His family and his girlfriend no longer recognize him as the person he was prior to the accident.

But though the accident did take away his personality, it left something remarkable in its place: an incredible new ability. Once his family discovers Ollie’s unique talent, they work with him to help him rebuild his life into something different….something new. There is, however, someone who does not have Ollie’s best interests at heart resulting in a devastating betrayal to the family.

In addition to the main plotline following Ollie and his recovery, there are also several tantalizing subplots:

• his brother’s professional baseball journey
• the mysterious buried treasure that was supposedly hidden somewhere on the farm by notorious robber Jubal Wainwright back in 1887
• the appearance of Ralph Durbin, Bob’s friend from Vietnam who has just been released from prison
• the possibility of losing the ranch
• the appearance of long lost family members

I loved how the hidden secrets unfold as the story progresses.

I thought this was such a beautiful and moving family journey that explores jealousy, redemption, heartbreak, loss, tragedy, love, and betrayal. Though there are several serious topics (including murder), the story ends up being tender, optimistic, and poignant.

The plot is so beautifully written that even the most difficult parts to read kept the spark of hope and light, which made the whole story so emotional and enjoyable. This was a sweet, comforting story with just the right amount of angst and a whole lot of love that examines: what it means to live a life and what it means to love.

Alongside this engaging and unconventional story, the author also gives us an incredible cast of characters, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them. The author creates characters who are complex, compelling, and three-dimensional and made me care about every single one of them.

All in all, Ollie Come Free is a lovely, moving story brimming with personality that really packs a punch.

Ollie Come Free will be released on June 7th but is available now for preorder.

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