The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

It seems these days I'm only reading historical fiction; as if I'm trying to make up for all the years I refused to pick up a book not set in modern day.  But how could I resist a story about a library, the dewey decimal system, it's patrons and set in Paris.

The Paris Library begins in 1939 with Odile; a young woman excited by books and the possibility of love.  Odile's father, a police office, brings home an officer from work every Sunday for dinner in attempt to have his daughter married.  Odile and her twin brother Remy laugh and joke about each potential suitor.  

Against her father's wishes, Odile follows her dream of working in a library.  Things begin to change when Odile finds one of the Sunday suitors quickens her heart and takes her breath away.  Remy is also finding love with one of Odile's co-workers at the library.

The can only ignore the looming war for so long though and soon Remy is prepared to be a soldier and headed off to fight for his country.  Odile remains in Paris and is slow to realize there is a war happening in Paris as well.

Told in alternate chapters is the story of young Lily, growing up in 1980's Montana with lot of challenges thrown her way.  One day she decides to write a school project on France and who better to help then her neighbour Odile.  A unlikely friendship is born between the two but Lily wants to know what is the real story about her neighbour and why is living in Montana and not Paris?

At first I found The Paris Library hard to keep keep track of all the characters but like all good novels by then end I knew them all well.  This story is perfectly suited for those that love their libraries and a good book.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Daphne had it rough as a kid.  She was always the bigger girl.  She went to a fancy school but only because her dad was a teacher there and she got in for free.  Her parents were the type to cover the entire lawn with blow up characters at Christmas.  Which Daphne thought the Christmas decorations were amazing until it wasn't cool.  It was tough making friends.  Good friends especially.  

Drue was the cool girl.  She was the girl everyone wanted to be with.  She was the rich girl and her family owned the school.  She got away with everything - including bullying everyone who crossed her path.

Daphne kept up her friendship with Drue after school ended.  Sure, she knew she was being used.  But with Drue as a friend, life was an adventure.  Something was always about to happen.  One night the girls come back from their separate colleges and everyone meets up to go to the club.  Everything is great until she finds out that Drue just feels sorry for her because she's the poor, fat girl.

This moment changes everything for Daphne.  She starts learning to love herself - at least trying.  She starts a plus size blog and becomes Instagram famous.  Life becomes good without Drue in her life.

Years later Drue is getting married.  She has no friends.  She's been mean and bullied everyone until there was no one left.  But she's turning life around.  She'd do anything for Daphne to be her bridesmaid.  Daphne is stronger - what could it hurt?  A weekend in Cape Cod.  A fancy wedding - maybe celebrities.  It might help her social profile.

Big Summer sounds like a story about friendship and forgiveness right?  Well it is, but there's so much more!  There's murder!  There's mystery!  There's sexy love scenes!  I've been a fan of Jennifer Weiner for a long time.  She's a talented writer.  Some of my other favourite books from her are Then Came You and Mrs. Everything.

Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin

Claire was part of an upcoming band but when she decides to take a night she finds herself quickly replaced by someone prettier and maybe, if she's honest with herself, a better singer.  Now the band is skyrocketing and she's plummeting.  In a desperate attempt to save herself from heading back to her mega church town and living in her parents basement she takes a a job doing musical entertainment for some wealthy mommy group.

These women seem to have it all figured out.  They've got beautiful babies with gorgeous husbands.  They're wealthy and privileged.  These new mom's don't seem to be tired, they've all got their figures back.  These women also have the friendship of each other.  What's their secret?

Claire struggles to figure out how she fits in.  She's a paid employee but she seems to be becoming a friend and she's enjoying the feeling of belonging with the group.

Until one night when Claire is babysitting for one of the group moms and she's pretending to be one of the wealthy, put together moms.  Claire accidentally uncovers the secret that keeps these women going and it changes the way she sees them.

Now she's not certain she can continue her friendship and performing for the group knowing what she knows.  As more secrets unravel the group seems doomed.  Well it was fun while it lasted.

Happy and You Know It would be great for any new mother, thinking about becoming a mother or even well past that baby stage.  I think often mothers compare themselves and this book is for those that need to know that they aren't alone and often there's a secret behind those that look like they've got it all figured out.  Although not a new mother myself, I still really enjoyed the story.

In Canada, Happy and You Know It comes out May 19th which seems unfortunate as it would make a great Mother's Day gift.  Maybe pre-order it for an extra surprise or I recommend buying it for yourself.

Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster

Life has never been easy for Heddy.  She's never met her dad and her mom has struggled to make ends meet while working two jobs.  But Heddy is a bookworm and her studying pays off with a scholarship to Wellesley.  Until an unfortunate night with a boy threatens to end her scholarship and her days at school.

Thanks to Heddy's roommate she's secured a great job babysitting on Martha's Vineyard.  The summer is full of promise and excitement as she meets the islands rich and famous.  Heddy hopes the answers to her problems can be found on the island in the form of love or money to finish her senior year.

Heddy soon realizes money and fame don't bring happiness.  Behind the smiles and parties the island folk aren't all that they appear.  She's got two potential island guys but which one will be the answer to her problems.

At times Summer Darlings seemed predictable and then quickly it wasn't.  There were lots of exciting twists and an ending that I never saw coming.  I really enjoyed reading Summer Darlings.  I read it March during week 1 of self-isolation and it provided a great escape to the beaches of Martha's Vineyard.