Book ~ "The Best Life Book Club" (2024) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ It started as a book club. It became a way to build a better life together.

Karissa Newcomb is ready for a new start in a new neighborhood, as far away as she can get from Seattle, where her husband cheated on her with the neighbor who was supposed to be her best friend. She and her nine-year-old daughter are moving on to the city of Gig Harbor on the bay in Puget Sound. She even has a new job as an assistant at a small publishing company right in Gig Harbor. Her new boss seems like a bit of a curmudgeon, but a job is a job, she loves to read, and the idea of possibly meeting writers sounds fabulous.

Soon she finds she’s not the only one in need of a refresh. Her new neighbors, Alice and Margot, are dealing with their own crises. Alice is still grieving her late husband and hasn’t been able to get behind the wheel of a car since a close call after his death. Margot is floundering after getting divorced and laid off in quick succession. They could all use a distraction and a book club seems like just the ticket. Together, the three women, along with Alice’s grumpy older sister, Josie, embark on a literary journey that just might be the kick start they need to begin building their best lives yet.

Karissa's marriage fell apart when her husband and her best friend got together. So she is starting her life over with her young daughter in a new town and with a new job. Once she settles in, she befriends three women ... Margot, who was recently been downsized from her management job, and Alice and Josie, older sisters who are both widows. Because they all like to read, they decided to form a book club with each of them taking turns picking the books which brings them closer as they all have issues in their lives they have to deal with.

I've read many books by this author and thought this one was okay, though bland. It is written in third person perspective with the focus shifting between the four friends. It was more religious than I would have liked. When I started reading it, I assumed by their manners that Alice and Josie were well into their seventies and eighties ... I was surprised to find they are only in their late fifties/early sixties (so my age). Josie was too extreme ... she was very rude and cranky and I don't know why anyone would want to bother with her (she and her daughter were estranged) yet the other three put up with her. I found the Karissa - Edward relationship unrealistic. Karissa is still hurting over the break-up of her marriage and Edward is her boss who barely acknowledges her but suddenly she was in love with him?

Book ~ "A Little Christmas Spirit" (2021) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Single mom Lexie Bell hopes to make this first Christmas in their new home special for her six-year-old son, Brock. Festive lights and homemade fudge, check. Friendly neighbors? Uh, no. The reclusive widower next door is more grinchy than nice. But maybe he just needs a reminder of what matters most. At least sharing some holiday cheer with him will distract her from her own lack of romance.

Stanley Mann lost his Christmas spirit when he lost his wife and he sees no point in looking for it. Until she shows up in his dreams and informs him it’s time to ditch his scroogey attitude. Stanley digs in his heels but she’s determined to haunt him until he wakes up and rediscovers the joys of the season. He can start by being a little more neighborly to the single mom next door. In spite of his protests, he’s soon making snowmen and decorating Christmas trees. How will it all end?

Merrily, of course. A certain Christmas ghost is going to make sure of that! 

Lexie is a single mother of six-year-old.  She has recently moved to a small town in Washington because of a teaching job and has bought a house.  She had to leave her family behind in California but looking forward to starting a new life there.  

Stanley is a senior widower and Lexie's neighbour.  When Carol, his beloved wife, passed away in an car accident three years ago, he shut himself off from life.  When Lexie and Brock move in next door, he wants no part of them.  He and Carol never had children and he's never wanted any.  But Brock adopts him as his grandpa and when Stanley tries to resist, Carol starts haunting him in his dreams, pushing him to open up and have a life again.  That starts with being neighbourly and helping Lexie and Brock since they don't know anyone yet.  As reluctant as he initially is, he has to admit he eventually enjoys being part of someone's family.

I've read many books by this author and liked this one.  It is written in third person perspective with the focus shifting between Lexie and Stanley.  The story jumps back and forth in time starting in present time with Lexie, Brock and Stanley and going back to when Stanley and Carole met and telling about their life together.  Because it is a Christmas story, there is a happy ending so a nice "feel good" book just in time for the holidays.

Book ~ "One Charmed Christmas" (2020) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Catherine Pine is hoping her Christmas is a bit more jolly than last year’s. That one was her first without her husband and with her kids and their families absent this year, she’s worried. But things change when her good friend invites her on a Christmas cruise to lift her spirits. Suddenly every day is an adventure and she’s making a bunch of new friends, including the lovable Sophie Miles.

It’s like a gift from Santa when Sophie and Catherine meet the charming Dr. Rudy Nichols, a perfect match for hypochondriac Sophie. But he comes with a two-legged lump of coal, his guard-dog daughter. And then there’s chocolatier Trevor March, who’s also interested in the scrumptious Sophie. Can he convince her that chocolate is the perfect cure for what ails her? Who knows what Santa has in store for these holiday travelers? Anything could happen this charmed Christmas! 

Christmas is coming up and it's the first one since 60ish Catherine's husband passed away.  She's going to be alone because her two adult children have made plans with their families and neither bothered to include their mother.  Plus Catherine recently learned that she has cancer and will be starting chemo in the new year.  When her friend, Denise, asks her to go on a week long boat cruise in Germany because another friend had cancelled at the last minute, she goes for it.

Sierra had bought the cruise as a surprise for her husband, Mark, but he's not able to get away from work so she takes her sister, Sophie, instead.  Sophie is a hypochondriac but agrees to go.

Rudy is an older doctor whose first wife passed away and his second younger wife, who had only married him for his money, left him for someone with more money.  He and his divorced daughter, Athena, will also be on the cruise.

Finally there's Kurt who is taking his German class of older teenagers on the cruise to help them improve their German.  He convinces his brother, Trevor, who owns a chocolate making company, to go along.

Right away Sophie has her eye on Rudy ... she figured marrying a doctor would be a good fit for her since she is a hypochondriac.  But Rudy has taken a shining to Catherine, who is more mature and his age, and she likes him back but doesn't want to start anything because she feels her upcoming year is uncertain because of her chemo.  Athena will do anything to drive both women away from her father because she assumes that all they want it his money.  Trevor likes Sophie right away and pursues her.  Sierra doesn't get responses from Mark and assumes they are over so that dampens her mood and her trip.  Denise is there for a good time and ends up having two men vying for her attention.

I've read many books by this author and this one was okay.  It is written in third person perspective, with the focus shifting among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  Despite all the turmoil, there are lots of happy endings so it's great if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.

I wasn't crazy about the characters, though, and found them unrealistic.  Though Catherine was nice, she seemed to be a bit of doormat.  She acknowledged that her kids had been spoiled and now she is paying the price for that since they don't have time for her ... but she doesn't confront them about it.  Sierra is afraid Mark is going to leave her.  Instead of enjoying her cruise and sister-time and saying "Screw you, Mark!", she lets how she's feeling about the Mark situation ruin it for her.  Sophie was just too over the top in pursuing Rudy just because he was a doctor, even when he made it clear that he was interested in Catherine.  Rudy seemed to be blind to Athena's rudeness to Catherine and Sophie and she was very unlikable.  I can't imagine there being anyone like Trevor and his devotion to Sophie even when she made it obvious she was chasing after Rudy.  I thought the most likeable character was Denise ... she was an older gal who just wanted to have fun and had a great attitude.

Book ~ "Christmas in Icicle Falls" (2017) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ When Muriel Sterling released her new book, "A Guide to Happy Holidays", she felt like the queen of Christmas. She's thrilled when the new tree she ordered online arrives and is eager to show it off - until she gets it out of the box and realizes it's a mangy dud. But rather than give up on the ugly tree, Muriel decides to make a project out of it. As she pretties up her tree, she realizes there's a lesson to be learned: everything and everyone has potential. Maybe even her old friend Arnie, who's loved her for years. Except, she's not the only one seeing Arnie's potential.

Meanwhile, Muriel's ugly-tree project has also inspired her friends. Sienna Moreno is trying to bring out the best in the grouchy man next door, who hates noise, hates kids and hates his new neighbors. And while Olivia Claussen would love to send her obnoxious new daughter-in-law packing, she's adjusting her attitude and trying to discover what her son sees in the girl. 

If these women can learn to see the beauty in the "ugly trees" in their lives, perhaps this might turn out to be the happiest holiday yet. 

It's the holiday season ... Thanksgiving to New Years.  Muriel is an author and twice widowed.  Her friend, Arnie, has made it clear that he's always loved her since they were teenagers but she has always seen him as a friend.  When he invites her on a European cruise, she declines and he takes their friend, Dot, instead.  Right away Muriel is sorry she said no and is jealous of the relationship that is now developing between Arnie and Dot.

Sienna has recently moved to town and feels it's the right place to raise her son, Leo.  She loves the town, her house and her job ... the only thing wrong is that she lives next door to a cranky man who yells at her for everything.  Sienna must learn patience.

Olivia and James own an inn.  When her son, Brandon, brings home his new bride, Meadow, Olivia can't see what he sees in her trashy new daughter-in-law.  She too must learn patience.

I've read many books by this author and like them.  It is the eleventh and last in the Icicle Falls series and I've read them all.  Though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone as each book in the series focuses on a specific character or characters and you get enough information about the others to know the background.

It is written in third person perspective, with the focus shifting among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  These books always end with happy endings so it's great if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.  I like the writing style.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

As a bonus, there are some recipes at the end.

Book ~ "Starting Over on Blackberry Lane" (2017) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Time for a change - or three!

Stefanie Stahl has a husband with renovation ADD. He can't seem to finish anything he starts and her house is littered with his "projects." If he doesn't smarten up, she swears she's going to murder him and bury him under the pile of scrounged lumber in the backyard.

Her friend, Griffin James, is suddenly single and thinking maybe she needs to sell her fixer-upper and follow her career bliss up the ladder of success, even if that scary ladder is clear across the country. Getting her place ready to sell proves harder than she originally thought. She needs help.

She's not the only one. Cass Wilkes, their neighbor, has an empty nest - with a leaking roof. When her ceiling crashes in, she knows it's time to do something. 

When Grant Masters offers his handyman services at a fund-raiser auction, the three women go in together to outbid the competition and win their man (Cass's friends think she should win Grant in a different way, too!). Now it's time to make some improvements ... in their houses and their lives.

Grant had retired to Mexico to fish and drink beer.  This got old really quickly so he moved back to Icicle Falls with the intent of starting a part-time handyman business.  He's been a widower for a couple of years and is considering getting back into the dating scene but isn't sure how to do it.

Stephanie and Brad have a house that needs repairs.  Brad starts the repairs, gets in over his head and then abandons that job to start on something else.  So that's why Stephanie's tub is just sitting in the bathroom but not hooked up while Brad moves on to remove a wall downstairs and then gives up on that.  Eventually this pushes Stephanie over the edge and she hires Grant to finish the things that Brad has attempted to "fix".  This puts a strain on their marriage as Brad assumes that Stephanie has no confidence in him.

Griffin has just broke up with her fiancé weeks before their wedding.  She wants to get her house fixed up so she can sell it and move to New York to build her career as a photographer so she hires Grant.

Cass is the best baker in town.  She's divorced and her grown children have lives of their own.  When her roof caves in, she hires Grant to fix it.  Her interest in Grant is more than professional and though there is a mutual attraction, Grant doesn't want to pursue it because he feels there is too much of an age difference (Grant is in his early 60s and Cass is in her mid-40s).

I've read many books by this author and like them.  It is the tenth in the Icicle Falls series and I've read them all.  Though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone as each book in the series focuses on a specific character or characters and you get enough information about the others to know the background.

It is written in third person perspective, with the focus shifting among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  These books always end with happy endings so it's great if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.

As a bonus, there are some recipes at the end.

Book ~ "Three Christmas Wishes" (2016) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Riley Erickson, her pregnant sister, Jo, and their friend Noel are all wishing for the same thing: the perfect man. Or at least men who are perfect for them. Riley's hasn't turned out to be too impressive, dumping her for her bridesmaid three weeks before the wedding. Jo's husband is being perfectly stubborn. And Noel has given up completely.

When the three women visit a shopping-mall Santa on a lark, the guy is full of predictions. Riley's going to meet her perfect man in a memorable way. Noel is going to get a good man to go with that house she's trying desperately to buy. And Jo, well, a new man is about to come into her life. What on earth does that mean? She already has her hands full with the one she's got. As for Riley and Noel, they have some holiday challenges to meet.

But Christmas wishes can come true, as these three women are about to discover. Because in spite of romantic setbacks and derailed dreams, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

This is the story of Riley, Jo and Noel, who are friends (Riley and Jo are also sisters).  Riley was planning a Christmas wedding but is unexpectedly dumped by her fiancé for someone else.  Jo is married to Mike, who is in the navy.  She is pregnant with their first child and wishing that Mike was around more ... she's thinking about giving him an ultimatum.  Noel is a writer who has been renting a house and hoping the owner will eventually sell it to her when she gets enough money saved.  She is shocked and saddened when the owner sells it to someone else who plans on renovating and reselling it, at a price that will be out of her range.  Noel's goal is to convince the new owner to not make any changes and sell her the house.

When they go to the mall, they visit with Santa Claus who predicts that Riley's going to meet her perfect man in a memorable way, Noel is going to get a good many to go with her house and Jo is about to have a new man enter her life.

This is the twelth book I've read by this author.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked Riley, Jo and Noel.  I found it a bit unbelievable, though, that Riley would bounce back as fast as she did after Sean, supposedly the love of her life, broke up with her.  But it is a romance novel.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.

Book ~ "Home on Apple Blossom Road" (2016) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Colin Wright and Mia Blair grew up in Icicle Falls but they left years ago - and not on good terms. Now Colin's grandmother, Justine, has died and they've come home to honor this woman they both loved. That's when they get some unexpected news. They're about to inherit something. Jointly. They just have no idea what. It turns out that Justine's designed a treasure hunt for them, like the ones they enjoyed when they were kids and best friends.

But they're not kids anymore and they sure aren't best friends. As for that young love they once shared? Well … it's complicated. 

On the trail of Justine's treasure, they follow a series of clues that take them down memory lane - ending up at the orchard on Apple Blossom Road. What will they find there? And what did Justine know that they didn't? 

Justine had two children, Beth and Dylan.  When Mia was young, her mother died and her father took off.  Beth took her in and raised her as her own.  Mia considered Justine her grandmother.  Dylan has a son named Colin and his mother took off when he was young.  Mia and Colin grew up together and were best of friends.  When they got older, that shifted and they fell in love and had plans to get married once they finished university.  Because of a misunderstanding, they split up before they finished school and didn't have anything to do with each other and they moved away from Icicle Falls.

It's about ten years later, Justine has just died and Colin and Mia come home for the funeral.  When the will is read, Justine has left them something but she sends them on a treasure hunt to find it, which is reminiscent from their childhood.

This is the eleventh book I've read by this author (and the ninth in the Icicle Falls series ... it works as a standalone).  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  The story jumps back and forth from today to the past, as Mia and Colin remember their memories but also through letters Justine had written to her mother and sister.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.  At the end, there are some recipes.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.

Book ~ "A Wedding on Primrose Street" (2015) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ There's nothing like a wedding! 

The joy, the fun, the memories - the stress. As a wedding planner, Anne Richardson has seen mothers of the bride turn into Momzillas, and she's determined not to do that when it's her daughter's turn to get married. But once Laney gets engaged, all bets are off. Anne becomes obsessed with giving Laney the perfect wedding she herself never had. And that wedding needs to be held in Icicle Falls at Primrose Haus, the perfect setting. 

Roberta Gilbert, owner of Primrose Haus, has been hosting events at her charming Victorian for thirty years. She's an expert on weddings but not on mother-daughter relations. When her daughter, Daphne, comes home and decides to help with the business, the receptions become truly memorable - and not in a good way. Then there's the added complication of Roberta's gardener, who seems more interested in Daphne than he is in planting primroses.

Tying the knot is a business that has everyone tied up in knots!

Anne is a wedding planner and has had her share of Momzillas.  When her daughter, Laney, gets engaged, Anne takes charge to ensure that Laney gets the best wedding ever ... except what she plans is what she had wanted when she got married 25 years ago but didn't have.  Laney and Drake want to elope to Las Vegas but go along with Anne's plans.  Anne wants to have Laney's wedding in Icicle Falls, which is a cute German-themed town.  There she meets with Roberta, who rents out her Victoria house for weddings.

Roberta is in her seventies and her 50ish daughter, Daphne, has just moved home from Seattle following her third divorce.  She is hoping to stay with her mom and help her with her wedding arrangement business until she figures out what she wants to do with her life.

This is the tenth I've read by this author (and the seventh in the Icicle Falls series ... it works as a standalone).  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.  At the end, there are some recipes.

I didn't like Anne or Roberta.  They were both very critical of their daughters.  With Anne, she was embarrassed by Laney and Drake's tattoos, crazy hair colour and piercings.  In fact, when they went shopping for a wedding dress, Laney found the one she wanted but Anne wanted one that had sleeves and a high neck to cover her tattoos (even though everyone knew she had them!).  Everything that Laney wanted for her wedding, Anne shot down.  Laney sounded like a cool person and I wished she'd stood up to her mother.  Yes, Daphne had made some mistakes but Roberta was always making snippy remarks to her and had no trust in her.  I found the behavior of the mothers too overbearing and tiring.

It wasn't my favourite in the series (I found it too negative and not as light as the others) but I look forward to reading future ones.

Book ~ "Christmas on Candy Cane Lane" (2015) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Everyone's getting ready for Christmas in Icicle Falls, especially on Candy Cane Lane, where holiday decorating is taken very seriously. 

Tilda Morrison, town cop, is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in her first house … until she discovers that she's expected to "keep up" with the neighbors, including Maddy Donaldson, the inspiration behind the whole extravaganza. But this year, someone's destroying Maddie's precious candy canes! Thank goodness for the cop in their neighborhood. 

Tilda already has her hands full trying to sort out her love life and fix up her fixer-upper. Oh, and won't it be fun to have the family over for Christmas dinner? Not really.

Then there's her neighbor, Ivy Bohn. As a newly single mom, Ivy can sum up the holiday in two words ... bah, humbug. But she's determined to give her kids a perfect Christmas.

Despite family disasters, irritating ex-husbands and kitchen catastrophes, these three women are going to find out that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year! 

Tilda is a police officer in Icicle Falls.  She sold her condo and has bought a house that needs a lot of work on Candy Cane Lane.  What would complete her life is to find "the one".  But the only one who is interested in her is bad boy, Devon Black, and she won't give him the time of day.

Maddy is one of Tildy's neighbours.  It's important to her that the street live up to its name during the Christmas season and ensures that everyone decorates and that someone plays Mrs. Santa and gives out candy canes when people drive up and the down the street to see the decorations.

Ivy is another neighbour and is newly divorced.  Her ex-husband, Rob, wanted his freedom last year and left her ... which left her very bitter.  He is a good dad but Ivy is left with the majority of raising their two young children while trying to run the family business.

This is the ninth I've read by this author (and the eighth in the Icicle Falls series) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I liked Tilda, though I found her to be very biased.  She doesn't even know Devon yet she makes assumptions about him.  She's gotten more than she bargained for by moving to Candy Cane Lane.  Her neighbours think it's great having a cop on the street, even when she's off duty.  Ivy would give anything to have her family back together but is constantly wishing ill on Rob.  She definitely is having a hard time moving on.  Maddy was my least favourite.  She was obsessed with making sure Candy Cane Lane was decorated for the holidays and that someone was always out giving away candy canes ... even to the point of putting it above her obligations to her family.  Her 13-year-old daughter, Jordan, was an annoying brat but no wonder ... she felt that Maddy put Candy Cane Lane ahead of her and she's wasn't wrong.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.

Book ~ "Merry Ex-Mas" (2013) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Cass Wilkes, owner of the Gingerbread Haus bakery, was looking forward to her daughter Danielle's wedding - until Dani announced that she wants her father, Cass's ex, to walk her down the aisle. Seriously? Even worse, it appears that he, his trophy wife and their yappy little dog will be staying with Cass.

Her friend Charlene Albach arrives at their weekly chick-flick night in shock. She's just seen the ghost of Christmas past: her ex-husband, Richard, who left a year ago when he ran off with the hostess from her restaurant, Zelda's. Now the hostess is history and he wants to kiss and make up. Hide the mistletoe!

And bring out the hot buttered rum, because the holidays aren't easy for Ella O'Brien, either. Ella, newly divorced, is still sharing the house with her ex while they wait for the place to sell. The love is gone. Isn't it?

But watch as Christmas brings all kinds of surprises.

Merry Ex-mas, ladies!

'Tis the Christmas season and Cass, Charley and Ella are having issues with their exes.  Cass's daughter, Dani, is announces her engagement and their plans to get married right away.  That means Cass has to help pull the wedding together within weeks.  Icicle Falls is a small town and there's just so many places to stay ... so Cass begrudgingly will have to find room for Dani's father (Cass' ex-husband), Mason, his new young wife, Babette and their yappy dog at her house.

Charley owned a restaurant with her now ex-husband, Richard.  Richard and the restaurant's hostess ran off together and Charley was forced to buy him out.  Now he's back, acknowledging he made a mistake and is begging Charley to take him back.  He's wining and dining her and she's having a hard time resisting.

Ella and Jake hadn't been married long.  Jake is a musician and she suspected that he was cheating on her so divorced him.  Ella's mother, Lily, never liked Jake and did all she could to break them up.  He had maintained his innocence but Ella didn't believe him.  They are both living in their house while they try to sell it.  Jake has one last chance to win Ella back.

This is the eighth I've read by this author (and the sixth in the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I liked most of the characters and their interactions with each other.  The women showed they were true friends and showed up when they were needed.  I found Dani to be ungrateful.  She's an adult and working (as is her fiancé) and sprung this wedding on everyone yet would become a brat when she didn't get her own way ... like she wanted cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, she didn't see a problem with having her father, his wife and their dog staying at her mother's house, etc.  She knew her mother couldn't afford a lot of what she wanted yet she forced her mother to give in.  But Cass let her get away with it.  One of the few times Cass stood up to her, Dani left in a huff and Cass felt obliged to apologize.   Plus Cass was bitching to herself that she couldn't afford this or that yet she never called Mason to demand he contribute to the costs and she got mad when he did.  That didn't seem realistic to me.

I found the brief side story with Cecily between torn between good guy, Luke, and bad boy, Todd, strange.  I know the author was setting these characters up for The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane but I found it awkwardly placed in this story.

As a bonus, Cass shares some of her recipes at the end (she owns a bakery).

Book ~ "The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane" (2014) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ After a fake food poisoning incident in L.A., Bailey Sterling's dreams of becoming a caterer to the stars collapse faster than a soufflé. Now Bailey's face is in all the gossip rags and her business is in ruins. But the Sterling women close ranks and bring her back to Icicle Falls, where she'll stay with her sister Cecily. 

All goes well between the sisters until Bailey comes up with a new business idea - a tea shop on a charming street called Lavender Lane. She's going into partnership with Todd Black, who - it turns out - is the man Cecily's started dating. It looks to Cecily as if there's more than tea brewing in that cute little shop. And she's not pleased. 

Wait! Isn't Cecily seeing Luke Goodman? He's a widower with an adorable little girl, and yes, Cecily does care about him. But Todd's the one who sends her zing-o-meter off the charts. So now what? Should you have to choose between your sister and the man you love (or think you love)?

Cecily works for her family's chocolate company.  All her friends are getting married and/or pregnant and that's what she wants.  She has two men who are interested in her.  Luke is a widower with a young daughter and is a nice guy.  Todd owns the tavern in town and isn't looking to settle down.  The obvious choice would be to be with Luke but she feels more of a zing with Todd and that's who she chooses.

Her younger sister, Bailey, moves back to Icicle Falls after a scandal in Los Angeles.  She eventually teams up with Todd to become partners to open a tea shop.  There are sparks between them but now Bailey has to decide what is more important ... pursuing the man you could love but lose your sister n the process.

This is the seventh book I've read by this author (and the fifth in the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I didn't find Cecily likeable and I don't know why Todd and Luke were interested in her since she didn't treat them well at times and made no secret to them that she was seeing both of them.  Todd had less of an emotional stake as he acknowledged to himself that he wasn't ready to settle down with her.  Luke kept offering her everything she wanted and she kept kicking him to the side.  Bailey's confidence had been shaken and it took a while for her to get it back.  I didn't think it was right that she'd consider a relationship with someone her sister was dating ... being sisters is more important that a guy.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.  As a bonus, Bailey shares some of her recipes with you along with a lesson on the proper make to make tea at the end of the book.

Book ~ "Summer in a Small Town: Welcome to Icicle Falls/Treasure Beach" (2012) Sheila Roberts and Emilie Richards

From Goodreads ~ Two unforgettable towns, two touching stories ...

Welcome to Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts

It's the 1960s and Muriel loves the beautiful town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Life is good, except that her father expects her to run Sweet Dreams, the family chocolate company, when he retires. But she has sweet dreams of her own, dreams about a handsome stranger who comes to town.

Decades later, Cass Wilkes lands in Icicle Falls as a single mom with little money. But this small town has a way of giving people second chances they don't expect!

Treasure Beach by Emilie Richards

Life on Happiness Key is lonely for eleven-year-old Olivia Symington, so when she finds a message in a bottle on Treasure Beach, her interest is piqued. Someone needs help and she knows what that's like. Maybe by helping she can even find a friend.

The women of Happiness Key are worried about Olivia and her fascination with the message. But they know how isolated she feels, so they set out to help her find the mystery correspondent - and maybe a little happiness of her own along the way.

There are two short stories in this book.   

Welcome to Icicle Falls is an introduction to Roberts' Icicle Falls series.  It is the sixth book I've read by this author (and the fifth the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  It is written in an interesting style ... Muriel and Dot are narrators and at times they are talking to you AND to each other.  Muriel tells of when she was a teenager growing up in Icicle Falls.  She had to work in her dad's chocolate company while her friends had a fun summer off.  A stranger arrives in town on a motorcycle and catches her eye.  Dot tells the story of Cass, a single mom of three, who lands in town when her car breaks down, never leaves and makes a new life there.

Treasure Beach tells the story of eleven-year-old Olivia whose best friend has just moved from their small town.  Plus her mother is dead and her father is in prison and she's living with her grandmother.  She finds a bottle one day at the beach with a message from someone who is looking for help and she sets out to find out who it is. This is part of the Happiness Key series, which I haven't read.

It's a quick read with feel-good stories.

Book ~ "The Lodge on Holly Road" (2014) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ James Claussen has played Santa for years but now that he's a widower, he's lost interest - in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She's arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet … Brooke wants Dad to be happy but she's not ready to see someone else's mommy kissing Santa Claus. 

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can't provide either one. What she'd like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman.  But John's girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls and he's going to propose. 

Of course, not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don't expect!

It's Christmas time and there's no better place to spend it than at Icicle Creek Lodge.  James is still recovering from the death of his wife last year so Dylan and Brooke, his son and daughter, surprise him and take him to the lodge for the holidays.  Missy is a hair stylist and single mother of two young kids.  She's been saving all year to give her kids a fun Christmas.  John has a special surprise for his girlfriend, Holland.  He's going to propose to her at the inn ... if she ever shows up.  And taking care of everyone is Olivia, the owner of the inn, and her son, Eric.

This is the fifth book I've read by this author (and the fourth in the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I liked the characters.  Olivia has been widowed for many years and would like to find someone.  Eric too is ready to settle down but there's not a lot of options given they live in a small town.  James is still grieving the loss of his wife but he and Olivia discover there is a spark between them.  Brooke is a teacher and she too is looking for love.  I found her reaction to James and Olivia's attraction a bit extreme and she wasn't likeable until towards the end.  Missy and John are attracted to each other but he has plans to propose to super-bitch Holland (everyone but him realizes that she's not a nice person).  Needless to say, everything works out in the end.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.  As a bonus, Olivia shares some of her recipes with you at the end of the book.

Book ~ "The Cottage on Juniper Ridge" (2014) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Can a book change your life? Yes, when it's Simplicity, Muriel Sterling's guide to plain living. In fact, it inspires Jen Heath to leave her stressful, overcommitted life in Seattle and move to Icicle Falls, where she rents a lovely little cottage on Juniper Ridge. And where she can enjoy simple pleasures—like joining the local book club—and complicated ones, like falling in love with her sexy landlord, Garrett Armstrong. 

Her sister Toni is ready for a change, too. She's got a teenage daughter who's constantly texting her friends, a husband who's more involved with his computer than he is with her, and a son who's consumed by video games. Toni wants her family to grow closer—to return to a simpler way of life. 

Other women in town, like Stacy Thomas, are also inspired to unload their excess stuff and some of the extra responsibilities they've taken on. 

But as they all discover, sometimes life simply happens. It doesn't always happen simply!

Jen hates her life in Seattle.  Recently divorced, she's working two jobs to pay her bills.

She reads a book about simplifying her life and takes the words to heart.  She quits her jobs, rents out her condo and moves to the small town of Icicle Falls, where the author of the book is from.  She rents a small cottage from Garrett.  They are attracted to each other.  But Garrett is dating Tilda, a cop, and Jen doesn't want to "poach" another woman's man.  Garrett is still reeling from a bitter divorce and sees Jen as an irresponsible flake like his ex-wife.

As Jen settles in, she becomes friends with some women in town who are part of a bookclub and who have just read that same book on simplifying their lives.  We see the changes they make as a result of this book.

Toni is Jen's sister.  She thinks Jen is crazy when she gives up her life in Seattle (she also lives there) but as she visits and gets to know Icicle Falls, she sees what the attraction is.  Toni's kids are getting older and don't need her anymore and her husband spends more time on his laptop than with her.  Something has to change.

This is the fourth book I've read by this author (and the third in the four Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, I liked the writing style and found that it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I liked the characters and storylines.  It sounds like a nice town with some great people who look out for each other.  I applauded Jen in making the changes in her life ... not just giving up everything in Seattle to move to Icicle Falls (and not knowing anyone) but she embraced her new life and tried to learn how to make bread, pies, candles, etc. to not-so-stellar results (some recipes are included as part of Jen's blog).  Toni could feel her family life slipping away and was determined to do whatever she could to hang onto it.  Jen's new friends in town all had things going on it their lives.  Garrett is conflicted ... should he stay with solid dependable Tilda or go with his heart with Jen and perhaps repeat the past?

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.

Books "Small Change" (2010) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Rachel, Jessica and Tiffany have money problems - major money problems. Tiffany’s whipped out the plastic one too many times, and now a mountain of debt is about to come crashing down on her. Jessica’s husband lost his job - thrusting this longtime stay-at-home mom out into the cold, cruel workforce. And Rachel’s divorce has transformed her from an upper-middle-class mom to a strapped-for-cash divorcee. What are three best friends to do?

Get financially fit, that’s what! Together, Rachel, Jessica and Tiffany start a financial support group called The Small Change Club - challenging each other to bring balance back to their checkbooks, and their lives. Even though frugality is a lot harder than they ever imagined, these women are about to learn some very important lessons: that small changes can make a big difference … and that some things in life, like good friends, are truly priceless.

This is the story of three friends/neighbours who are having financial difficulties (their ages range from mid-20s to mid-40s).

Tiffany and Brian have been trying to have a baby but have had no luck.  To console herself, she shops ... and shops and shops and shops.  She has even maxed out a couple credits cards that Brian doesn't even know about.  To make things worse, Brian may be losing his job and they need to cut back.

Rachel is a divorced teacher who was filling in on a maternity leave.  Unfortunately, the teacher is coming back to work and Rachel is now out of work.  Her ex-husband is a dentist who showers their two kids with gifts.  Rachel feels guilty and tries to keep up even though she financially can't and shouldn't.

Jess is a stay-at-home mom and wife of a bank executive, Michael.  When Michael loses his job and with their adult son, Mikey, unemployed and living at home, Jess has to figure out what skills she has so she can enter the job market.

They start meeting once a week so they can work on how to live more frugally and doing what they have to do ... picking berries to make jams for gifts, shopping at secondhand stores for clothes, etc.  Rachel starts a blog to share their experiences and recipes to readers on the Internet (but also to us who are reading the book).

I've read a few books by this author.  I liked the writing style of this one and thought it flowed well.  It's a nice story of a friendship between three women ... I liked how they were always there for each other emotionally and financially.  Except for a couple instances of "sh$t", the language isn't offensive to readers and there is no "adult activity".

I had a hard time relating to Tiffany.  Even though Tiffany knows the dire financial situation she and Brian are in, she continues to shop and even gets mad at Brian for getting mad at her.  She's been bailed out in the past by her husband and parents yet continues with this behaviour.  I didn't have a lot of sympathy for her and felt bad for Brian.  I thought her fear of bears was silly.

At first, I wasn't a fan of Jess.  She had had a nice life as a pampered wife.  I started liking her more as she got more resourceful and got more grounded to her situation.

I found Rachel the most realistic ... until towards the end.  I thought her assumptions about Chad, her struggling new neighbour, strange ... I figured out right away what his deal was so wasn't surprised when the truth came out.  Their relationship seemed really rushed and I found it hard to believe that she was expecting a ring so quickly.

I'd recommend this book, especially if you are looking a story about friendship.

Book ~ "What She Wants" (2013) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ What do women want?

Jonathan Templar and his poker buddies can't figure it out. Take Jonathan, for instance. He's been in love with Lissa Castle since they were kids but, geek that he is, she's never seen him as her Mr. Perfect. He has one last shot—their high school reunion. Kyle Long is equally discouraged. The pretty receptionist at his office keeps passing him over for other guys who may be taller but are definitely not superior. And Adam Edwards might be the most successful of Jonathan's friends but he isn't having any success on the home front. His wife's kicked him out.

When Jonathan stumbles on a romance novel at the Icicle Falls library sale, he knows he's found the love expert he's been seeking—Vanessa Valentine, top-selling romance author. At first his buddies laugh at him for reading romance novels, but soon they, too, realize that these stories are the world's best textbooks on love. Poker night becomes book club night…and when all is read and done, they're going to be the kind of men women want!

Jonathan is a computer geek ... he has his own business fixing computers and that keeps him busy.  He has had a crush on his friend, Lissa, since they were children but she's never see him as anything more than her pal.

Kyle has a crush on Jillian, the receptionist where he works, but she only goes out with tall, good looking well-to-do men.  Kyle is on the short side and has a bit of complex about it.  He does all he can to attract Jillian but she doesn't even look his way.

When Adam returns from a business trip in Alaska (he stayed a couple extra days to fish), he discovers that his wife, Chelsea, has changed the locks and is MAD.  Why?  Because he has forgotten their anniversary yet again and she's tired of being taken for granted. Adam has to figure out how to get her back.

The three friends get together every Friday night to play poker along with their other friends, Vance and Bernardo, and lament about women.  What is it women want?!

Jonathan decides to do some research ... by reading romance novels.  The hero in them always seems to know the right thing to do and say to get the girl so maybe he can learn something.  At first he hides what he is doing from his friends because he knows they'll tease him about it ... and they do.  But he shares his list of what he's discovered with Kyle and Adam and soon they are exchanging romance novels.

With Jonathan and Kyle's 15 year high school reunion coming up, Jonathan starts working out, taking dance lessons and getting a new wardrobe in hopes that Lissa (who has since moved away) will see past their friendship and want something more.

I enjoyed the writing style and it kept me reading more.  It's lad-lit ... the guys are the focal characters which is fun for a change.  It was funny to read the conversations they have while playing poker discussing the romance books and what they discovered in them.  Definitely not your usual manly man talk.

I liked the characters.  I was cheering for the guys and hoped they figure things out (it's was funny to follow their progress).

This is the fourth in the Life in Icicle Falls series ... I'd read the second one, Better than Chocolate, in the fall and enjoyed it.  I liked this one even more.

Book ~ "Better Than Chocolate" (2012) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they're about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They'll have a chocolate festival! Time's running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town's behind them, so everything's bound to go smoothly….

Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother's attempts to help aren't helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It's enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake's also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there's something even better than chocolate.

Chocolate ... yum!

Samantha's step-dad, Waldo, was running the family-owned business and running it badly.  When the book begins, Waldo has just died.  Samantha has taken over running the family business and sees just how dire things are.  The bank is going to foreclose on the loan, Waldo hadn't paid his insurance premiums and Samantha's mother, Muriel, is going to lose her house. To try and save the company and bring tourists to the town, they quickly organize a chocolate festival.

I enjoyed the writing style.  I liked the characters for the most part, though I had some issues.

The new bank manager, Blake, is someone Samantha went to high school with.  He is just doing his job in turning her down for an extension.  She takes it personally, gets a hate on for him and is rude to him every time she seems him.  In my opinion, that's a bad move.  Instead she should have been sucking up to him rather than trying to antagonize him.  She's lucky he remains nice and supportive.  If they had just sat down and had a conversation, there wouldn't have been any misunderstandings or assumptions on Samantha's part.  But we needed conflict, right?

Samantha doesn't sound like she'd be much fun to be around.  She takes on everything and everyone lets her ... so when does she have time for fun?

I found Muriel a bit wimpy.  She was very dependent upon her two late husbands and let them handle the finances so she was clueless.  When Waldo dies, she goes into a fog of grieving and leaves Waldo's mess to Samantha to deal with.  Eventually with time and the help of her support group, she finds herself.

It's a cute story ... the ending wraps up quickly with a happy ending.  There are some recipes at the end.  This is part of a series dealing with the residents of Icicle Falls.