Spotlight on LOVE YOU, MEAN IT by Jilly Gagnon

A playful romantic comedy featuring dueling delis, fake dating, a shockingly awesome ex, and just the right amount of amnesia.

Ellie Greco wishes she weren’t stuck in Milborough. For a few brief, shining years, she escaped her hometown to pursue her dream career—designing beautiful, elaborate costumes for theater—until her father's death five years ago called her home to run the family's decades-old deli. Yes, she loves the place, but she’d always thought she was meant for more exciting things than stocking the right tinned fish. But when Ellie hears that a local landlord is planning to rent to Mangia, the glitzy gourmet food department store, Greco's Deli's very existence is suddenly in jeopardy. 

She tries to plead her case to Theo Taylor, scion of the property management firm about to put her out of business, but their meeting goes from bad (it’s not her fault he’s infuriating) to worse (no one expects the ceiling to literally fall in).

With Theo out cold, Ellie panics and claims to be his fiancée… and almost passes out herself when amnesia means Theo seems to actually believe her. Soon, the effects of the head injury wear off, but Theo proposes that their “engagement” stick around. If they manage to convince enough people they might both get what they want: an end to the Mangia deal. Ellie doesn’t trust him (after all, if Theo Taylor wants it, how can it be good for her?) but seeing no other option, reluctantly agrees. 

And miraculously, the fake engagement seems to be working—even Ted, Theo’s shrewd, cold father seems convinced—that is until Sam, Theo’s ex-fiance, reappears on the scene. Not only does she see through their ruse, she proposes an arrangement of her own, forcing Ellie to decide between blossoming friendship, her family legacy, and the burgeoning romance she frankly never asked for.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Translator by Harriet Crawley

This book started slow but gradually grabbed me.  The translator, not an interpreter is a British national, he is sent to substitute for the regular translator who had suffered an accident.   Experienced but  semi-retired, he has dragged back into the fray.   The British Government is going to Moscow to scold the Russians for their recent behavior. 

The plot becomes more complex when Clive, the translator, discovers an old flame is the translator for the Russian Premier.   Emotions run high and Russian paranoia runs deep.   There is a great deal of cynicism over the oligarchs reaping obscene profits.   Struck me as amusing as they are so similar to the robber barons of old and the tech giants today.  

There was a lot of tension and paranoia, fear, anger and a touch of action.   This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book rather than an action adventure.

I enjoyed it. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

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Killer Story by Matt Witten

This is a good mystery with an abhorrent main protagonist.  Petra is a camp counselor for Livvy, an ebullient fourteen-year-old who dreams of becoming a journalist.  After losing touch over the years, Petra discovers Livvy is an alt-right podcaster.   Mystified by her change Petra finds once more she will lose her job due to downsizing in the journalism world.  Even online newspapers are cutting, and she seems to be last in, first out endlessly.  Her fears and frustration lead her to abandon her compassion, common sense, and empathy in chasing “the” story that will ensure her future employment.

I struggled with this book, not due to the writing but to my disgust with Petra, the main character.   She epitomized the fears I have about honesty in the media and the incessant peddling of “fake” news.  One troll can ruin someone’s life if the trash they are pushing goes viral.  This book forces you to look at a declining industry and wonder what lengths the depicted journalists will go to maintain employment.

Witten did a good job, the book is personally revolting but certainly worth reading. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned