Until It Fades by K.A. Tucker

Two people whose lives couldn’t be any more different have their worlds collide, in Tucker’s latest romance novel.  After an awful blind date, Cath is driving down a dark and winding road when she comes across a bad accident.  That little red sports car that flew past her earlier now smashed into a tree.  The passenger of the vehicle still looks to be alive and she uses all her strength to get this giant of a man out of the car.  Saving his life.  When NHL player, Brett and his famous family want to show their gratitude, it brings an onslaught of media attention straight to Cath’s door, eventually dredging up a past Cath would much prefer stay in the past.  

Even Tucker states this is a little different than her typical storyline however what doesn’t change is her amazing ability to weave a story that makes readers care about the characters.  We all want Cath and Brett to have a relationship that comes from a terrible accident.  We want Cath’s past to stay put and hope it doesn’t come back to ruin what could happen with their relationship.  This was a fantastic, fast contemporary read and one of my favorite books of 2017.  

All Over the Place by Geraldine DeRuiter

I stumbled upon Geraldine's travel blog, The Everywhereist, over 5 years ago and immediately fell in love with her charm and humor. I know I'm not unique in thinking Geraldine is one of my friends by now; that's what happens when you read so much about one's life on the internet. But, alas, she has no idea who I am. We completely share the same love for sweets and I always check her blog before we travel somewhere new to see if she's already scoped out the best bakeries in town.  

When I found out she was writing a book I was over the moon. Reading All Over the Place is like sitting down with a good friend, laughing (ok, fine, snorting) away and nodding along in agreement as Geraldine regales you with hilarious and crazily honest stories. It's less about actually traveling and more about life, dare I say, growing up, being in love (and the compromise that follows!) and understanding the people and places around you and what that means. I loved every word of it and can see myself re-reading it over and over. It's definitely not to be missed!  

Being a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz

It’s a well-known fact that a dog’s nose is remarkably better than a humans. But just how good is it? Horowitz dives in, or rather crouches down, to really find out. What transpires is a fascinating exploration of the power of not only dogs’ noses but of humans’ as well. In order to better understand a dog’s scent-abilities, Horowitz found many opportunities to view working dogs at their best as well as exercising her own sniffer.  She highlights some incredible dogs including those that can detect cancer, or track endangered animals, can locate contraband materials, to discovering underground highly sought after truffles. A dog can tell when its owner should be coming home, when it’s about to rain, it can even assess the gender, age, health, etc. of another dog. 

Humans’ and dogs’ noses have become weaker over the centuries largely because it’s not as important survival-wise. Dogs depend on their owners and we depend on technology. Plus, noses will continue to become weaker unless we exercise this undervalued sense. Try paying more attention to the smells around you and what they might actually mean. Does that sweet smell in the air mean it's going to rain? Also, if you have a dog try playing the Find It game and allow him or her to sniff longer on your walks instead of pulling them along.  If you love dogs or have an interest in all things smelly, you’ll enjoy this book.  

I found Being a Dog captivating and would often find myself sharing my new knowledge with anyone who would listen. For instance: a human nose can produce up to 2 liters of mucus in a day!! I can’t wait to exercise my smeller more by sniffing everything! 

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

This book, in my mind, will be known as the Sweetness of Coconut Cake for how absolutely adorable it was.  I was thrilled by its comparison to You’ve Got Mail and just had to read it.  Elizabeth (Lou) Johnson owns Luella’s, a French cuisine restaurant in Milwaukee which she has poured her heart and soul into.  Al Waters, a transplant from the U.K. (swoon) is a tough food critic and writes for the local Milwaukee paper.  Coincidentally, these two likable characters meet cute at the Milwaukee Public Market, the same day Lou catches her fiancée with another woman, and Al is scheduled to dine and review Luella’s.   You get an idea of what will enfold but it's still so wonderful to follow along with these two as they blindly fall in love.  Plus, it's a nice bonus, for many people, to see Milwaukee in a fun and new light.

How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz

How to Start a Fire is such a well-crafted, thought-out, novel that it has quickly become my favorite this year.  Nonlinear and at times confusing (but in such a wonderful unfolding of beautiful storytelling) we meet three flawed women in college. Lutz interweaves their stories through flashes of time between the past and present spanning 20 years into middle-age.  We slowly gather details about one traumatic night in their 20s plus the aftereffects on each of them without yet knowing what that night entailed. 

Anna Fury eschews her wealthy background with misadventures and a strong love of drinking.  Orphan, Kate Smirnoff was raised by her grandfather and hasn't planned anything for her future beyond owning her grandfather’s greasy spoon diner come graduation.  George (Georgianna) Leoni, the beauty of the three, keeps falling for the wrong men preferring to morph herself into the ‘perfect wife’ depending on the husband.  This is such a calculated and well-timed story and would make a great book club selection as there is much to discuss regarding how lives are changed with certain events.  I am incredibly impressed with Lutz and she remains one of my favorite authors.  

At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Written with the backdrop of WWII, three Philadelphia socialites set out for Scotland in search of the Loch Ness monster.  Color blind Ellis and flat-footed Hank are unable to serve their country during the war and are seemingly oblivious to that which is raging on around them.  While the men are off to track down the elusive Loch Ness monster each day, they leave behind Maddie, Ellis's wife, who befriends the people living and working in the quaint village of Drumnadrochit.  The nearness of the war and its effects open Maddie’s eyes to a harsh reality and makes her take a closer look at those she thought she loved.  

A lovely story set in a beautiful landscape and troubling time frame.  Sara Gruen is wonderful at creating a setting that becomes a character of its own.  Plus, the WWII history she brings to the story is just another reason why I love her writing.  She perfectly weaves history, setting and a love story to make a great novel.