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Romance

A Princess in Theory

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A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole
Format: Digital Audiobook, Book
Who it’s for: Adults

This is book one in the Reluctant Royals series, and it features Naledi Smith and Prince Thabiso of Thesolo. Unbeknownst to her, former foster kid Naledi was once betrothed to Prince Thabiso. But, as an orphan with no recollection of her parents or hometown, when she starts receiving emails from Likotsi, assistant to His Royal Highness, she assumes she has been targeted by scammers.

After receiving an unfavorable email response from Naledi, Thabiso intends to confront Naledi and demand an explanation for her parents’ insolence in leaving the kingdom of Thesolo. When Thabiso realizes that Naledi has no idea who he is or who she really is, he decides to shrug off his royal duties in exchange for the opportunity to be a commoner.

What follows is a romantic and passionate courtship that reads like a Disney fairytale, with a touch of humor. Find it in the catalog. 

The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles)

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The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding
Format: Book
Who’s it For: Teens

If you’d like to start your Summer Reading off right with a light hearted summer romance, look no further than The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding. Abby Ives is all set to have a fantastic summer. Thanks to her hard work on her plus size style blog, she’s landed an internship at her favorite retro-inspired fashion boutique, handling their social media for the summer. She’s really excited because the internship usually leads to part time job in the fall! But this year the boutique has hired two interns! Abby will have to compete for that job against the other intern: a mysterious young woman named Jordi Perez. Jordi’s specialty is photography, and her photos are so sophisticated, and Jordi is so mature, Abby is sure that Jordi will get the job. Abby can’t stop thinking about Jordi, and soon it’s not just because of the competition… Abby’s pretty sure she’s falling in love with the artsy and enigmatic Jordi Perez!

In addition to being a fun and heartwarming romance, this book has great messages about body positivity, family relationships, friendships and how they change, not judging people based on first impressions, and I haven’t even mentioned the cheeseburgers! (There are a lot of cheeseburgers in this book!) Find it in our catalog

Book: The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty

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Book: The Traitor’s Kiss
Author: Erin Beaty
Who’s It For: Teens and Adults

Sage Fowler knew she wasn’t marriage material. She was independent and outspoken. And as Madame Rodelle, the Matchmaker, confirmed, her looks, though pleasing, would not dazzle men. Sage didn’t want to disappoint her guardian, Uncle William Broadmoor. Yet, Sage would not be chosen as a Concordian bride. Ironically, Madame Rodelle wanted Sage as her apprentice. “Matchmaking is primarily a task of reading people, collecting information, and piecing it together.” Sage was to ferret out information from the soldiers who escorted the brides to be. Which men would best suit which Concordian brides?

Meanwhile, Captain Alexander Quinn was on a mission too. He and his men needed to safely escort the brides to Cambria, traversing the land that seemed to be infiltrated by the enemy Kimisara. Moreover, he needed to protect the prince, his cousin, Rob. And who was Lady Sage Broadmoor, the inquisitive one who seemed adept at collecting information from his soldiers? Could she help him in his cause? When Sage befriended soldier Ash Carter, promising to teach him to read, Quinn wondered, who is spying on whom?

This book kept me entranced with its blend of history, romantic suspense, and a surprise identity.

Here’s the book!

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

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Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
Format: Audiobook, Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Do you need a good laugh?  Do you sometimes feel like you are the only weird person around you?  Do you struggle with mental illness and want to read about others that do as well?  Then this book is for you.  Jenny Lawson, AKA The Bloggess – www.thebloggess.com, writes about her childhood in rural Texas, growing up with a taxidermist father, and meeting her husband Victor, having her daughter, her struggles with anxiety and depression, and a squirrel hand puppet.  It is often bizarre, hilarious and sad all at the same time.  Sometimes you wonder if this could possibly be a true account and then you see the pictures.  Yes, it did happen.  And yes, it is very weird.  And yes, you are completely fascinated and can’t stop reading about her life so now you are following her blog and Instagram so that you can see that you are not the only one that is tad bit crazy.

If you are easily grossed out or easily offended by profanity, this is not the book for you.

The audio is read by the author.  I listened to the book, but then had to go back and look at the book to see the pictures she includes.

Find it in the catalog.

The Alice Network

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The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

This story has all the elements I love…history, mystery, romance, strong women and spies!  Eve Gardiner was a spy in France during World War I.  After World War II, Charlie St. Clair is searching for her cousin Rose who disappeared in France during the war.  In order to find her cousin, Charlie seeks help from Eve.  Reluctantly, Eve decides to help but it brings back memories of the war and her involvement in the Alice Network, a network of women spies.  The story jumps between Eve’s memories in 1915 and the search for Charlie’s cousin in 1947.  What happened to the Alice Network after World War I?  Was Charlie’s cousin, Rose, a spy and member of the Alice Network during World War II?  And, what exactly happened to Eve that has made her a mean old woman?

Find it in the catalog.