Four Star Summer Reads

If you are looking for a lighter, engaging summer read, I have some recommendations for you. I found the following books entertaining and rated them all 4 to 4.5 stars.

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry is a "friends to lovers" contemporary romance. Poppy and Alex have been best friends for 12 years. Even though they are total opposites, their cherished friendship has endured. Poppy is a travel writer and each summer has taken Alex with her on a vacation sponsored by the magazine she works for. Except that two years ago the two friends had a falling out and haven't spoken since. Poppy misses Alex dreadfully and finagles to convince him into going on one more vacation with her. The book chapters go from the present-day vacation (which is a disaster) to flashbacks to previous vacations taken in happier times. This book has a "When Harry Met Sally" vibe and was adorable.

I loved The Guncle by Steven Rowley. Our main character is Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) as his family refers to him. When his sister-in-law dies of cancer, and his brother puts himself into re-hab for pill addiction, Patrick is asked to take over the care of his young niece and nephew, aged 6 and 9. Patrick is a former television star who has taken early retirement to live in Palm Springs and enjoy his wealth and a lavish lifestyle. To say that Patrick is not equipped to take on the care of two recently bereaved kids is an understatement. But he is a good guy and steps up to assume the role of "Guncle" and do his best for the children. Great secondary characters, hysterically funny dialog. and if you don't find yourself loving Patrick by the end of this book, there is something wrong with you. Patrick is the "Auntie Mame" you always wanted.

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary is another opposites attract contemporary romance. Suddenly needing a place to live after a bad breakup, Tiffy answers an ad to "flatshare" a London apartment with Leon. The problem is, there is only one bed. No problem, Leon works the nightshift as a hospice nurse, and Tiffy works days as a DIY book editor. They will share the bed, but never at the same time. In fact, they will never even be in the flat at the same time. They start getting acquainted by leaving notes for each other throughout the flat, and through their notes, they come to know each other and become friends without ever meeting in person. This is a romance, so you know they will meet up at some point, and when they do the story takes off. Amusing dialog and well-drawn secondary characters. You will want to be in Tiffy and Leon's circle of friends. Charming, funny, and endearing. 

How Lucky by Will Leitch was a very different sort of book. Our main character, Daniel, is unlike any you will have met before. I got strong "Rear Window" vibes from this book. Daniel is confined to a wheelchair due to a condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which in some ways is similar to Lou Gehrig's Disease.  Daniel has a work-from-home computer job for a small airline company where he fields text and email complaints from irate passengers. Despite his serious disability (he is unable to speak and only has the use of his left hand), he has a life complete with friends and interests. One morning before his daytime caretaker arrives, Daniel is on his front porch and witnesses the abduction of a young woman in his neighborhood. As the search for the missing woman ramps up, Daniel is able to communicate what he saw to his best friend and also to his caregiver Marjan. The police don't take him seriously, which causes Daniel to take things into his own hands with his computer. The book is a thriller, but ultimately extremely heartwarming and inspirational. You will be glad to get to know Daniel, and I promise you won't soon forget him. 

Are We There Yet? by Kathleen West is a very timely book. Our main character, Alice Sullivan, feels pretty smug about the perfection of her own two children. She has a circle of mom friends whose parenting skills she has judged and found lacking. That is, until her own children come under fire. Her second-grade daughter is struggling with reading and her middle school son is accused of bullying another boy through social media. In addition, suddenly things start going sour for Alice at work, and her mother drops a bombshell of a family secret. The issues that Alice has to face seemed very realistic in today's world, and watching her come to grips with her problems and attempt to navigate them seemed honest and compelling. If you have ever had a parenting problem, you will definitely relate to this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed each of these 4 Star rated books and hope you might as well! Let me know if you have read them, or if they sound good to you.