Half Moon Summer by Elaine Vickers REVIEW

Two seventh graders discover it takes more than grit and a good pair of shoes to run 13.1 miles. You’ve got to have a partner who refuses to let you quit.

Drew was never much of a runner. Until his dad’s unexpected diagnosis. Mia has nothing better to do. Until she realizes entering Half Moon Bay’s half-marathon could solve her family’s housing problems.

And just like that they decide to spend their entire summer training to run 13.1 miles. Drew and Mia have very different reasons for running, but these two twelve year olds have one crucial thing in common (besides sharing a birthday): Hope. For the future. For their families. And for each other.

Half Moon Summer by Elaine Vickers is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that beautifully captures the essence of growing up. Set against the backdrop of a small coastal town, the book follows the intertwining lives of two twelve-year-olds, Drew and Mia, during one transformative summer.

Drew and Mia, both dealing with personal challenges, find solace and friendship in each other. 

Vickers' writing is tender and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the setting and the emotional journeys of the characters. Half Moon Summer is book is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about friendship, bravery, and finding oneself.

Summer TBR Wipeout! Here are the books I hope to wipeout!

 

 

 What are you reading this summer??

In no particular order (because who am I kidding?? I have to be in the mooooood):

ACE OF SHADES by Amanda Foody

Welcome to the City of Sin, where casino families reign, gangs infest the streets…
and secrets hide in every shadow.

VEINS OF GOLD by Charlie N. Holmberg

Desperate to save her siblings from poverty, a young woman discovers magic fueled by gold . . . and a love for the man who wields it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE ROMANOV EMPRESS by C.W. Gortner


Even from behind the throne, a woman can rule.

SPELL & SPINDLE by Michelle Schusterman


Doll Bones meets Splendors and Glooms as a boy trades bodies with a wooden marionette.

 GRACE AND FURY by Tracy Banghart


In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.

 LOVING LIEUTENANT LANCASTER by Sarah M. Eden


 For the first time since returning to life on land, Linus Lancaster has something challenging to look forward to: the seemingly impossible task of preventing his infamous brother-in-law from wreaking havoc on a house party he is being forced to attend against his will. But Linus's sisters have something far more dangerous in mind... matchmaking!


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 WARCROSS by Marie Lu

...when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.

WILDCARD by Marie Lu


Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?

AS WIDE AS THE SKY by Jessica Pack

Five a.m.: Amanda Mallorie wakes to the knowledge that her son Robbie is gone. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A TImeless Romance Anthology: California Dreamin' Collection

Amazon #1 Bestselling series in *New Release* for Clean Romance ~ Know why it's #1? Because every single story is awesome. Seriously. I loved every story. 
These novellas come out just in time for summer reading. 

Six brand new contemporary romance novellas with bestselling and award winning authors.

In the sweet novella TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore, Gwen uses her wedding photography business to keep her life simple and focus on something other than her own broken heart. When Jack, a guy too handsome for his own good, helps her clean up after a photoshoot, then asks her out, she doesn’t know if she can handle dating again. But Jack’s charm wins her over, and she agrees to meet him for dinner. The more she gets to know Jack, the more she likes him, but everything about him seems too good to be true. 

GONE FISHING, a charming novella by Kaylee Baldwin, follows Claire as she tries to convince her dad to leave his start-up company as a boat guide and come back home to Colorado. He’s the only one who can defend Claire against her domineering mother. But when she arrives at the San Diego harbor, she’s met with more than one surprise. First, that her dad is truly living his dream and has never been happier, and second, she’s unexpectedly attracted to his business partner, Miguel.

In THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING, an enchanting novella by Annette Lyon, Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.

In Jennifer Moore’s captivating novella A HERO’S SONG, AnneMarie’s career as a romance novelist is skyrocketing and her agent books her on a late night talk show. The host gets her to admit that she was in love once, with a guitar player. Moments after her segment, Lance Holden appears on the same stage, to perform his newest song. Is it a terrible coincidence? AnneMarie hasn’t seen Lance ever since he broke her heart ten years ago, and she has refused to think about him again. Their lives are worlds apart, but as Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance. 

In STAY WITH ME, an endearing novella by Shannon Guymon, Jolie moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position for the summer, since apparently having a degree in art doesn’t translate to getting a job as a graphic designer. When Fitz, the family’s chauffeur, picks her up at the airport, she wonders if every man in LA is model-gorgeous. When Jolie meets her two charges, she finds them adorable and needy. But it’s harder to hold onto her job than she thought with a hostile Mrs. James and her spoiled brother. Fitz becomes both the silver lining of her job and the man who just might convince her to stay in L.A.

In the delightful novella, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, by Sarah M. Eden, Ada is the best realtor around. The best. She prides herself in matching each client with the house that will fit all of their needs. She hasn’t failed yet. So when Craig hires her to find him the perfect condo for him and his son, Ada is up for the challenge. What she may not be prepared for is her unforeseen attraction to Craig, her immediate attachment to his nine-year-old son, and her heart telling her that it’s okay to take another chance.