Welcome to our favourite reads for January. Each month some of ARRA’s members will tell you a little bit about one of the books they’ve recently read and loved.
These are not full reviews of the books, just honest opinions on why they enjoyed the book so much. Hopefully one of these will strike a chord with you.
So, we asked our members to tell us about some of their favourite reads for January …
The Garden of Hopes and Dreams by Barbara Hannay (women’s fiction)
The idea of a rooftop garden uniting tenants in a block of city flats with a common interest—and so growing their relationships together—is such a special one. This rooftop garden with its quiet solace at night under the moon and stars, its bees, flowers and herbs, even the worm farm, is so lovely the way it helps the different residents come together. Each of them have their own story. And somehow or other the garden helps them all extend friendship, support and kindness to each other. Everyone needs that. And love blossoms, just like the flowers. A rather beautiful story. [Malvina, NSW]
The Bookstore at River’s End by Phillipa Nefri Clark (romance)
What can I say—Phillipa Clark writes fabulous stories, she pulls at your heart strings as she weaves stories with mystery, romance and awesome characters in such lovely settings and I have been looking forward to this book since I read book one and was not disappointed. Come along and meet Harriett and her daughter, Olive, as they start fresh in River’s End. Local and chef Brock Salisbury makes them feel very welcome and romance is in the air. I loved him—what a hero. I do highly recommend this one, it is sure to leave you smiling. [Helen, NSW]
Mine to Keep by Natasha Madison (Southern Weddings #6) (contemporary romance)
I listened to the audiobook of this age-gap romance. Grace leaves home to work in a different city. She has accepted a job that enables her to continue her CPA studies. What she didn’t count on was her boss being a complete jerk. Little did she know that the jerk had another side. I loved this emotional read. I loved Caine’s little girl, Meadow, and I’ll never view animal crackers and juice boxes the same way again! [Linda, WA]
The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter (romantic suspense/rom com)
Zoe wakes up lying in the snow in Paris with no memory. Sawyer is right there to save her from some shady guys trying to kill her. Turns out he’s a spy, and so is Zoe’s twin sister, who she’s been mistaken for. Sunshine-y Zoe and grumpy Sawyer romp across Europe, figuring it out as they go, with Zoe being surprising resourceful (there’s a good reason for that) and manage to fall in love along the way. This book was just so much fun! [Debbie, ACT]
Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert (Crimson Sails #1) (romantasy)
A pirate captain with morals who learns that everything he thought was true and right is wrong. A pickpocket heroine escaping her vampire lover who jumps through a portal to Threshold—the world between worlds. Sign me up! The fireworks between the heroine who just wants to get back home and the captain she is reluctantly shackled to are intense. Full of snarky dialogue and adventure, this book is great for those looking to fill the void after Iron Flame and a great addition to the romantasy genre. [Cora, ACT]
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