7 books we’re loving now

Family saga

The Wonder of Lost Causes by Nick Trout “This past Sunday, I stayed home all day to nurse a summer cold,” shares Melissa Sorrells, FIRST senior editor. “So I hunkered down with my beloved dog and this book. Within the first few pages, I was hooked—I even forgot about my sniffles!” Kate is a veterinarian at an animal shelter and a single mom to Jasper, an 11-year-old boy with a rare disease. With her job, a sick child to care for and a “no dogs allowed” policy in her apartment, Kate finds herself in a bind when a stray dog named Whistler comes into the shelter and bonds with Jasper. “I have a close connection with my rescue pup, so I really related to the story,” says Melissa. “Plus, it warmed my heart and reminded me of the strong, unbreakable ties we share with the ones we love.” (William Morrow, 2019; Hardcover $27,

Kindle $12, Nook $12)

Romance

Barefoot Beach by Debbie Mason “My to-do list has been so full that it leaves me feeling flustered by the end of the week,” says Lauren Gatcombe, FIRST senior editor. “To relax, I reached for this lighthearted beach read, and it was such a fun escape!” Wedding fever has taken over the small town of Harmony Harbor, and the local group of self-proclaimed “matchmakers” want to set up Theia Lawson, the newbie in town. Theia already has her eyes set on firefighter Marco DiRossi, who wants to beat the persistent matchmakers at their own game—so the two devise a secret plan to pretend that they’ve already fallen for each other. Will their scheme fizzle out or turn into happily ever after? “I became so enthralled with the chemistry between Marco and Theia that I forgot all about my to-do’s,” raves Lauren. “And by the last page, I felt so calm and joyful.” (Forever, 2019; Paperback $8, Kindle $6, Nook $6)

Memoir

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land “As a working mother, I’m always fascinated at how other moms manage the balance because sometimes I feel like a failure,” admits Danielle Saliman, FIRST beauty director. “But when I found this memoir, it gave me a different perspective on the struggle.” After leaving a bad relationship, Stephanie Land finds herself poverty-stricken as a single mom with no place to live. From her time at a homeless shelter (where her daughter, Mia, takes her first steps) to her years of cleaning wealthy people’s homes while she and Mia live in a dingy apartment, she learns what it takes to survive when everything seems to be working against you. “Stephanie’s story is honest and at times heartbreaking,” says Danielle. “But I found inspiration in the strength and perseverance that guided her to a better place in life for herself and her daughter.” (Hachette, 2019; Hardcover $27, Kindle $14, Nook $14)

Humor

The Plus One by Sarah Archer “As a single woman trying to navigate the dating scene, I knew this quirky story about finding ‘Mr. Right’ would be just what I needed for a good laugh,” says Shay Trotter, FIRST associate editor. With her sister’s wedding approaching, robotics engineer Kelly realizes her shy social tendencies are never going to land her a date. So she takes Ethan, the lifelike robot she’s been building at work, and finds herself falling for this ideal “man.” Says Shay, “Watching Kelly’s confidence grow so much that she entered the real-life dating scene again reminded me that courage goes a long way!” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2019; Paperback $16, Kindle $12, Nook $12)

Thriller

The Other

Woman by Sandie Jones

“Canceled plans had me feeling grumpy last week,” admits

Leann Garofolo,

FIRST assistant editor. “I needed a riveting read to get my mind off my mood—and this delivered!” Emily Havistock thinks she’s found the man of her dreams when she meets Adam Banks…until she meets his nightmare of a mother, Pammie, who has a plan to derail Emily’s vision of the future. “I couldn’t put this book down,” raves Leann. “And getting lost in the drama made my own annoyance seem like nothing!” (St. Martin’s, 2019; Paperback $17, Kindle $14, Nook $14)

Historical fiction

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert “It was so hot last weekend that all I wanted to do was sit in the A/C and get lost in a good book,” says Patty Bontekoe, FIRST executive editor. “This one was great!” In 1940, after being kicked out of Vassar College, Vivian Morris is sent to live with her Aunt Peg, who owns a gritty theater in Manhattan, where Vivian gets an entirely different kind of education. Now 95, Vivian looks back on how this shaped her life. Says Patty, “Filled with drama and decadence, this tale swept me away!” (Riverhead, 2019; Hardcover $28, Kindle $15, Nook $15)

Mystery

Living Lies by Natalie Walters “Constant computer use puts me in a fog,” shares Rebecca Haynes, FIRST senior editor. “In search of a tech ‘detox,’ I opened this adrenaline-charged read.” Newly widowed Lane Kent returns to her hometown of Walton, Georgia, with her 5-year-old son. And when she discovers a girl’s body in the woods, she’s drawn into the investigation. As she helps the town’s deputy, Charlie, she’s forced to decide whether solving the crime is worth revealing her own secret. Says Rebecca, “This page-turner left me mentally refreshed!” (Revell, 2019; Paperback $15, Kindle $10, Nook $11)