the sunday lit: February 2025

"it’s okay to sing. hell, it’s okay to record and release songs for absolutely no one but yourself. so what if they don’t top charts? you don’t have to feed the machine for the rest of your life."

Wild Eyes is the second book in the Rose Hill series, and another amazing, emotional and beautiful story by Elsie Silver.

Skylar Stone is a famous country singer that has had her whole life written out for her, been betrayed and controlled by the ones who are supposed to protect her, especially her parents, and suffers from anxiety. Her pet parrot Cherry is the only one who has truly been there for her during her lows. I loved all the moments with that sassy, but loving, bird. Then Sky just wanted an escape from her stifling and crazy starlet life. Her desperation and broken trust led her to Rose Hill and to West and his family. Tired of living a fake life as a starlet, she wanted to explore herself as a human and an artist. In pursuit of finding joy in making music just for herself, she journeyed to Rose Hill to record in Ford Grant’s new studio.

Due to her timing, he has to stay with West. He and his children entered her life, and taught her that there are kind people who like her for her and treat her as though she isn't famous but one of them. The moments with West's children Emmy and Oliver were so precious. I was really fond of the moments between her and Ollie. And it was comforting to see her take control of her life and career and finally be the Skylar Stone she wanted and deserved to be. Her character development and healing is two of major plot of Wild Eyes and it was done steadily and exceptionally.

Weston Belmont is a horse trainer, and Rosie’s brother. He is a sweet gentleman who is funny, hot, has tattoos, is known as the town’s flirt, and is a single dad. He is brimming with love and hope and has such an optimistic and wild approach to life. He is raising his kids with so much love, devotion, patience and admiration. I loved every moment of him and Ollie and Emmy together. He is also mature enough to be on good terms with his ex, with whom he co-parents. Though, underneath all that easy-breezy attitude, he hides his insecurities and abandonment issues. It was good to see how he shared his inner worries and vulnerabilities with Skylar because he knew she would understand him without any judgment. West a man who loves hard and wholeheartedly is now one of my favourite man written by Elsie.

These two truly give off those 'meant for each other' vibes. This is the story of two lost souls who find their right person at the right time. Their first meet-cute was hilarious. (P.S. Don’t take selfies with bears.) They shared an undeniable bond that could not be quashed just by anything. The slow-burn was the perfect build up with palpable and burning sexual tension between them. The endearing simplicity of their friendship and small family moments with West’s kids breathed life in their love story. West was there for Skylar in every moment, he soothed her, helped her heal and find comfort in life she was building for herself. He was her companion, her friend, her lover, her home in just one person. Truly what she needed but what she never thought she’d have.

I really liked these stories, and am looking forward to more love storis by Elsie Silver.

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"because as much as i don’t need a knight in shining armor to defend my honor, i’m relieved i have one who feels compelled to do so."

The first book in Elsie’s new Rose Hill series, ‘Wild Love’ takes us on a journey with Rosie and Ford, childhood frenemies who may have been something more all along.

Ford Grant, the world's grumpiest and hottest billionaire (the second one according to Forbes) is actually a nerd. He is ambitious, thoughtful and has held a candle for his best friend's sister for years. He is soft-hearted but hides it all behind the untouchable façade in order to protect himself. He moved to Rose Hill, where he spent summers as a teenager, to get his recording studio off the ground and escape the spotlight. This all comes to a halt when a young girl shows up on his doorstep, claiming that she is his daughter. A test soon confirms that Cora is indeed biologically his, conceived using sperm he donated as a student. While he's trying to balance this new life with the new business and parenting, his best friend’s sister comes barreling back into town. Unable to say no to her, Ford soon has a new assistant when she asks for a job.

Rosalie Belmont has always been a people pleaser and tried to be the good kid with her scholarly and bright personality, in order to contrast her older brother who was nothing but trouble. She never wanted people to feel burdened by her, and thus became what they expected her to be but she lost herself in the process. Rosie went through some rough times in the big city, with her boss undermining and sexually harassing – then promptly firing – her. Realizing it's time to recreate herself with grace and kindness, she leaves her spineless boyfriend and goes back to the town where she grew up. Rosie is an imperfect character and at times she can be annoying with her antics but I found her funny and charming and I loved how she's been driving Ford wild to the point of insanity. The relationship with her and Cora was so sweet as they were very similar in some instances and just bonded so well.

Rosie and Ford have pretended to hate each other for years because being frenemies was easier than giving in to their feelings. Hating and exchanging verbal jabs is their kind of foreplay. Their romance was a result of years of hate-love friendship, animosity, yearning and longing for each other and tantalising sexual tension and desire that was simmering between them. It was a beautiful transition from Ford and Rosie finally realising that they were always more than just frenemies. The diary segments from her teenage years gave an insight into Rosie's feelings for Ford and just how smitten she was with him and his nerdy and introvert personality. The sentimentality of the diary key he’s been keeping as a pendant around his neck just killed me.

The grumpy man and sunshine girl dynamic is always a win, and Rosie and Ford pull it off perfectly. The way she teases him at work, gets him all flustered, and brings out his jealous side is a fun read. Rosie definitely has Ford wrapped around her finger, and his protectiveness over her and his daughter, Cora, made my heart melt.

Ford’s humble and down-to-earth nature added so much depth to his character, but despite all the fun with Cora and his attempts to be a good guardian, I didn’t really feel like his role as a father landed for me. Cora was sweet but felt more like a background character, and I never fully connected with how Ford became a dad—it just didn’t sit right and was unnecessarily convoluted. I actually felt Rosie had a stronger connection with Cora than Ford did (thought their bond through music was very sweet), which left me wanting more from their relationship.

All in all, it was a cute story and, since I never expect too much depth from novels like this, I was overall left satisfied with it and am looking forward to more books from this series.

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"maybe something seems like a disaster. but if you look deeper, maybe it's an opportunity. it's all about how you look at it."

“Sometimes I wish I could just… I don’t know. Be someone else.” These are the words Catherine Moonstone Lipton says off-handedly to an old man in a moment of weakness, and she lives to regret them.

Catherine Lipton feels comforted by order and strict planning. This is a result of being raised in a way that could be seen as chaotic at best. Her single dad is a literal clown who seems more interested in his performing than in paying bills or providing stability for his daughter. He has tried getting a job before, but it never worked out, and Cath had to be the responsible one in the household. She has recently moved out and found an affordable apartment in a building full of elderly residents. The only person her age seems to be the doorman, Luca.

She had a PhD in Mathematics and has just earned her dream job as a Mathematics professor, a tenure-track position, when she discovers that issues with her paperwork may mean that she has to give up the position. When she attempts to attend the HR orientation at her new university, she find out that her government documents aren't valid and she does not in fact exist at all.

Her life takes a wild turn when she figures out that she had mysteriously disappeared from all government databases and the issue stems from her birth certificate being a forgery. Desperate to retrieve her original birth certificate from the mother she’s never met, Catherine steps into a whimsical adventure filled with silly detours that challenge her rule-following nature in the best possible way.

Joining her is Luca Morelli, her infuriatingly handsome and charismatic doorman. He is the embodiment of a ray of sunshine. He is always helping out the elderly residents at the building and taking them shopping, dancing with them – even sleeping on the floor of the lobby in case they need help with the ever breaking elevator. There’s a sweet and heartwarming mystery behind his quirky tendencies, and I loved how he disrupts Catherine’s carefully controlled world.

With Luca’s help, she tracks down the parts of her past that will set everything right again. Through Luca, she also meets her neighbors and becomes more aware of the community around her – some new, but also the people she has had in her life all along. Additionally, Luca’s boisterous Italian family adds warmth and humor, giving the story a grounded, cozy feeling even amid the suspense of Catherine’s lost identity. The elderly residence of DeGreco also showed her a different side of life, by choosing to live out their golden years living and enjoying themselves. There is also a thread of destiny here as well, as the identity of the old man who seems to have started this whole thing is revealed in a realy touching moment at the end.

Catherine's problems and anxieties struck a deep chord with me since they were described so vividly that they were nearly tangible. It was wonderful to see her quest for self-discovery highlighted in this story, and it was uplifting to see her new family's support along the road. But, I have to note, that she also frustrated me for a good chunk of the book. It completely makes sense that she's so intent on being organized and responsible given her father and the instability of her childhood. But, she makes so many completely unexamined assumptions about people: if someone is charming then they must also be totally irresponsible and unreliable – so she should steer clear of them; but if someone appears responsible, then they must be trustworthy and reliable. She holds onto these assumptions even after ample evidence suggests she should reconsider. Yes, I am mostly talking about her mother. I found her naivety regarding this cold woman who left her to be grating, considering she is otherwise so smart. The way she pushed people away for basically no reason, but gave her chance after chance to disappoint her – just because she has a pristine white home and is an ER doctor was infuriating.

Despite my last point, ‘Wish I Were Here’ is overall a delightful blend of whimsy, mystery, and romance, with just the right dash of magic to keep readers hooked. There was something so light and refreshing about Cath and Luca’s relationship. Catherine and Luca’s chemistry is so good, with a charming opposites-attract dynamic that keeps you rooting for them as they navigate everything from smoky bars to underground hospital records.

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"care is reckless because it doesn’t come with the seat belt that selfishness offers. care has so much to lose, and almost always ends in heartbreak."

Amelia ‘Rae’ Rose, is in her mid-twenties and in desperate need of a break before her upcoming concert tour, after endless rehearsals, costume fittings, and public appearances. She misses her estranged mother, who tried to take advantage of her stardom. Her demanding agent controls every aspect of her life, turning her into someone who’s always polite and always smiling—a fake version of herself.

One night, inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, she realizes she feels just like the movie’s princess: in desperate need of a break from her stressful life. Though she can’t escape to the Rome in Italy, she decides to head to Rome, Kentucky, staying in a B&B to lie low and reflect on her life. However, her plan is quickly derailed when her car breaks down on the front lawn of Noah Walker—a grumpy, brooding, yet charming pie-maker.

Enter our hero, a kind-hearted man who’s been keeping to himself since his heart was broken by another city girl years ago. Noah reluctantly allows her to stay in his guest room, but he knows he’s in trouble the moment she walks through his door. She’s famous, beautiful, and has a heart of gold. He can’t let himself fall for her, not again. But her car repairs will take at least two weeks, and Mabel, the town’s B&B owner, insists there’s no vacancy. So, they’re stuck together.

Noah doesn’t use a cellphone or have Wi-Fi in his house and values his privacy. This seems strange to Amelia at the beginning, but soon she is on board with the disconnect from her public life this affords her. Despite their attempts at laying low, the entire town is quickly buzzing about Noah’s love life, excited to have a pop star in their midst. How long can he resist the charm of the adorable woman in his home?

I really loved the small town vibe Adams creates. Rome, Kentucky is the closest I’ve seen to the beloved Stars Hollow in book format and the author really captured that special vibe. The charming townspeople like Mabel, Harriet and the other busybodies snooped, gossiped, and did everything else I imagine is a crucial part of small town living.

I was also charmed by both Noah’s and Amelia’s relationship with his sisters. I’ve already read Annie’s story (“Practice Makes Perfect”) so I know how that turns out and it was kind of nice seeing the seeds planted in this story – for both the characters that appeared later on, but also the connection they have in the following installments.

All in all, it was a very cozy, quick read that did its job of making me forget about real life for a bit by transporting me somewhere nicer, where problems can be quite easily resolved and people are generally kind. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this cast’s stories.

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"roll with the punches, teddy andersen. and punch back if you need to."

This is the third and penultimate book in the 'Rebel Blue Ranch' series, this time covering our beloved enemies - Teddy and her best friend's brother, the grumpy Gus. I knew from the first mention that there must be something more between them and that trading insults was just their way of flirting. And, yes - I was right.

The boutique that Teddy worked at has closed permanently. She needs a job for the summer while she figures out what she wants to do with her life. Insert Gus – her nemesis, who has realized that he can't do everything by himself and is in need of help with his daughter. Teddy is his only option, as his sister Emmy so helpfully points out. He offers her a job to babysit, and due to being unemployed and her father’s medical bills mounting, she's not in the position to turn it down. We’ve seen these two in previous book, we know what tension’s simmering. And we’re in for a ride.

Theodora Teddy Andersen has the fiercest and softest heart. She is a chaotic, headstrong, and fearless person, but here she is revealed to have a softer, creative, more caring, and compassionate side. She’s also perceptive and supportive when the people she loves need her. He loves fashion and creative pursuits. Her care of her ailing father was lovely, though even he noticed that her reluctance to move on with her life – lest he need her – was holding her back, and encouraged her to take chances.

And though Teddy never knew how to take care of herself or be vulnerable with other people, it was reassuring to see her accept that she could simply be herself with Gus and Riley. The way that she felt safe enough to share and show her private thoughts and fears with him was heartwarming. Her friendship with her lifelong best friend, Emmy, shows how changing relationships and seeing other people succeed can bring challenges and sadness, and how it takes time to embrace this part of life. She felt like she was behind, and it was so real, raw, and life like most of us have felt this way. I know that I have. I loved watching her go through the pains of growing in life as an adult, when friendships drift a bit with the changes life brings: getting serious as a couple, married, and other developments that sometimes take priority.

August 'Gus' Ryder, is the embodiment of the grumpy cowboy. I've always known that behind his grumpy and cold-hearted exterior, he hides a tender and caring side for the people he loves. He is the perfect blend of tough exterior and hidden warmth. Gus is an incredible father – he is thoughtful, affectionate, and so patient with Riley. The way he loves his daughter is everything. But as the eldest Ryder brother, and the one in line to inherit the ranch from Amos, he carries a lot of responsibility, and he’s often reluctant to delegate his work or share his stress with family members, believing that he has to be involved in all aspects of their business.

Teddy and Gus love fiercely and deeply when it comes to their people and family, and they both fear not giving or loving enough, or simply not being enough. Both are caretakers, burdened with the weight of being the solid pillar of the family. They’re so similar in their fears and the way they love others, and they bonded over this instantly. No matter how much they bickered – and their banter is hilarious – it soon became obvious to both how similar they are. I loved the dynamics between them, from friends who simply spent time together doing mundane, domestic things – listening to each other talk, taking care of Riley, comforting each other, and making sure the other person was okay – to actually giving into their romantic feelings. I also loved how Teddy helped Gus realise that he can't do it all on his own and that it's okay to open up, let others in, ask for help and share some of his responsibilities and weight that he tries to carry alone. The reason for their animosity is revealed as well, and it is actually believable that something so small could snowball into this big thing because that's exactly who these two are.

I absolutely adored the moments with Gus, Teddy, and Riley together. The things they did as a trio added a nostalgic, cozy, and homey vibe. They make such a beautiful family, and seeing Teddy dote on Riley as if she were her own child was everything, and definitely had a role in Gus’ feeling bubbling to surface. Teddy and Riley are the perfect duo; I loved how chaotic they both are and how deeply they care for each other.

These books are peak escapism. I love the word that Lyla Sage built in Medowlark – it feels small, and secluded, cozy. Getting lost in these characters’ stories is just what I need when life gets a bit too busy and noisy, and I will can’t wait for the last book in this series to come out.

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About Me

I blog from time to time about things that inspire me. Lately, I have been getting back into the habit of reading, and my posts reflect that. I'm also always trying to take pretty photos, with varying degrees of success.

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