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April 30, 2024

In this newsletter, you will find books releasing the weeks of April 29th and May 6th that we think will be of interest to Bookreporter.com readers, along with Bonus News, where we call out a contest, feature or review that we want to let you know about so you have it on your radar.

This week, we are calling attention to our Summer Reading Contests and Feature, a series of 24-hour giveaways that are taking place on select days through early August. Enter for your chance to win titles that we think will be great summer book picks. The first contest will be up TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 1st at noon ET.

Special Preview: Bookreporter.com's Summer Reading 2024

This Bookreporter.com SPECIAL PREVIEW Newsletter brings you a sneak peek at the titles that are included in our Summer Reading feature

Each title below will be featured in a contest where you will have a 24-hour window of opportunity to enter for your chance to win a copy of the book being featured that day. You will need to act quickly! Learn more about the feature here.

We encourage you to scroll down and click on each image to read more about that book on our site.

If you know anyone who you think may be interested in these 24-hour contests, please forward this newsletter to them so they can sign up for it. 

Our first contest kicks off THIS Wednesday, May 1st at noon ET. Best of luck to you, and Happy Summer Reading!

Kate Morton Book Group Event

Holly Gramazio, author of The Husbands

When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There’s only one problem --- she’s not married. She’s never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they’ve been together for years. As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can’t remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a light bulb and abruptly disappears. In his place, a new man emerges, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a light bulb, how do you know you’ve taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?

Sally Hepworth, author of Darling Girls

For as long as they can remember, Jessica, Norah and Alicia have been told how lucky they are. As young girls they were rescued from family tragedies and raised by a loving foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on an idyllic farming estate and given an elusive second chance at a happy family life. But their childhood wasn’t the fairy tale everyone thinks it was. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild and thought they were free. Even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When a body is discovered under the home they grew up in, the foster sisters find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses. Or are they prime suspects?

Ruth Reichl, author of The Paris Novel

When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” When her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes. Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella, and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress --- and embarks on an adventure. As weeks --- and many decadent meals --- go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at the famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past.

Editorial Content for Just for the Summer

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Norah Piehl

Abby Jimenez opens her latest novel, JUST FOR THE SUMMER, with a Reddit "AITA" post in which the author (Justin) reveals, among other things, that his relationship history is cursed. Every woman he has gotten halfway serious with has gone on to break up with him and immediately find her soulmate. Reading the post halfway across the country, Emma has a gasp of recognition as the exact same thing has happened with the guys she has dated. Read More

Teaser

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected --- including catching real feelings for each other.

Promo

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected --- including catching real feelings for each other.

About the Book

A sharp and scintillating summer novel that will make readers laugh out loud and cry happy tears from the New York Times bestselling author of YOURS TRULY.

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea…and it just might work. 

Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected --- including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

Audiobook available, read by Christine Lakin and Zachary Webber

Editorial Content for The Backyard Bird Chronicles

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Roberta O'Hara

Birds are people, too.

Okay, they're not. But in the loving and talented hands of Amy Tan, they display individualities and personalities that equal some of her best characters in her award-winning novels, without falling into anthropomorphizing. THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES is a fun tale of the unending exploration that can be found in one’s own backyard. Read More

Teaser

In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater --- an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.

Promo

In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater --- an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.

About the Book

A gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight, written and illustrated by the bestselling author of THE JOY LUCK CLUB.

Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world.

In 2016, Amy Tan grew overwhelmed by the state of the world: Hatred and misinformation became a daily presence on social media, and the country felt more divisive than ever. In search of peace, Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater --- an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.

Audiobook available, read by Evan Sibley

Editorial Content for The Murder Inn

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Ray Palen

There are times when those without a family of their own build one from close friends or co-workers. In the case of former Boston police detective Bill Robinson, it’s the colorful collection of characters who live at, work at or simply frequent his business, The Inn by the Sea, located along the waterfront of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Read More

Teaser

When ex-cop Bill Robinson takes over The Inn by the Sea, all he wants is a quiet escape from the city. But when a crime boss moves into town and begins terrorizing Bill's friends, he can't just sit back and watch. It's not long before local criminals are turning up dead and The Inn comes under attack. With the help of The Inn's fearless residents, Bill must do everything he can to defend his town, his chosen family and his home.

Promo

When ex-cop Bill Robinson takes over The Inn by the Sea, all he wants is a quiet escape from the city. But when a crime boss moves into town and begins terrorizing Bill's friends, he can't just sit back and watch. It's not long before local criminals are turning up dead and The Inn comes under attack. With the help of The Inn's fearless residents, Bill must do everything he can to defend his town, his chosen family and his home.

About the Book

It's the perfect getaway. But the past will always find you...

When ex-cop Bill Robinson takes over The Inn by the Sea, all he wants is a quiet escape from the city.

But when a crime boss moves into town and begins terrorizing Bill's friends, he can't just sit back and watch.

It's not long before local criminals are turning up dead and The Inn comes under attack.

With the help of The Inn's fearless residents, Bill must do everything he can to defend his town, his chosen family and his home.

Audiobook available, read by Corey Carthew

Editorial Content for How to End a Love Story

Contributors

Reviewer (text)

Norah Piehl

By all accounts, Helen Zhang's life has been a success story. She's the bestselling author of one of the most popular young adult fantasy series in recent years that is now under development as a television show, for which she has been included on the writing team. But almost no one knows that Helen is lonely in New York or that she’s looking forward to a brief respite from writing --- not because of the chance to rub elbows with stars but because she's been unable to produce a new novel. Read More

Teaser

Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the 13 years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever. Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels. Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well-liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects. But when secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. Yet the key to making peace with their past --- and themselves --- just might lie in holding on to each other in the present.

Promo

Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the 13 years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever. Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels. Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well-liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects. But when secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. Yet the key to making peace with their past --- and themselves --- just might lie in holding on to each other in the present.

About the Book

A sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romance guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings and give you a book hangover from brilliant new voice Yulin Kuang.

Helen Zhang hasn’t seen Grant Shepard once in the 13 years since the tragic accident that bound their lives together forever.

Now a bestselling author, Helen pours everything into her career. She’s even scored a coveted spot in the writers’ room of the TV adaptation of her popular young adult novels, and if she can hide her imposter syndrome and overcome her writer’s block, surely the rest of her life will fall into place too. LA is the fresh start she needs. After all, no one knows her there. Except...

Grant has done everything in his power to move on from the past, including building a life across the country. And while the panic attacks have never quite gone away, he’s well liked around town as a screenwriter. He knows he shouldn’t have taken the job on Helen’s show, but it will open doors to developing his own projects that he just can’t pass up.

Grant’s exactly as Helen remembers him --- charming, funny, popular and lovable in ways that she’s never been. And Helen is exactly as Grant remembers too --- brilliant, beautiful, closed off. But working together is messy, and electrifying, and Helen’s parents, who have never forgiven Grant, have no idea he’s in the picture at all.

When secrets come to light, they must reckon with the fact that theirs was never meant to be any kind of love story. Yet the key to making peace with their past --- and themselves --- might just lie in holding on to each other in the present.

Audiobook available, read by Katharine Chin and Andrew Eiden