Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

Reviewed by Christy

Ari Abrams is a tv meteorologist who loves her job. Like, loves. She has an endless supply of weather-related jewelry, and rainy days are genuinely her favorite. Her idol growing up was Torrance Hale, Seattle’s legendary weatherwoman. When Ari got a chance to work with Torrance at the local news station, she jumped at the chance, eager to foster a mentor/mentee relationship with her hero. Unfortunately, Torrance is too distracted arguing with her ex-husband, the station’s news director. It’s been five years since the divorce but they still haven’t figured out a way to get along.

            After a disastrous holiday party (and a few rounds of drinks), Ari and sports reporter Russell Barringer plot to bring their bosses back together in order to achieve workplace harmony once again. It worked in The Parent Trap, right? How hard could it be?

            I was utterly delighted by this novel. It could be because I had just finished a slog of a book but Weather Girl felt like a refreshing misty rain. I found the leads adorable (I just loved all of Ari’s weather accessories) and sweet. I also liked that the love interest Russell was heavier set because I don’t think I’ve read that in a romance novel yet. (Although I’m sure there are more out there.) As light and fun as this novel can be, it does deal with serious topics like mental health and family dysfunction. Part of the reason I liked this so much was because the relationship obstacles did not feel contrived for the sake of having obstacles. They felt real.

            The only thing I disliked, and I will even go so far as to say that I hated it, was an event at the end of the book. Without getting into spoilers, I didn’t hate what happened but where it happened. Am I being picky? Maybe. Nevertheless, it took the air out of the moment for me.

            That being said, I loved this story! I can even see myself re-reading it when I need to pick up something fun.

The Big Finish by Brooke Fossey

Reviewed by Laura

          If you have ever read and enjoyed The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg or A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, then you need to read this book. It has the requisite curmudgeon and the same sweet, sad, and heartwarming qualities with a little adventure thrown in.

          Duffy and Carl are roommates in an assisted living facility (do NOT say nursing home!) and have become best friends, confidants, and partners in crime. At least Duffy thought they were confidants until Josie, Carl’s yet–to-be-mentioned granddaughter, bursts through the window one morning as they are preparing to go to breakfast. She’s shoeless and sporting one heck of a shiner. Turns out Carl had an affair and illegitimate child; hence the granddaughter. To say Duffy is blown away would be an understatement. Carl has always been the upstanding, moral one in the friendship and helped keep Duffy somewhat restrained (remember the requisite curmudgeon?)  Imagine trying to keep a young woman hidden in an “assisted living facility” and you have some idea of the hijinks that ensue.

          It doesn’t help matters that the new owner is systematically weeding out all residents who require actual assistance and in the midst of the crisis, through no fault of his own, Duffy ends up on her list to watch. Josie adds to the stress as Duffy recognizes a fellow alcoholic and tries to help her get clean, as he did. He is hoping to redeem his own mistakes and perhaps leave a lasting legacy after all. But when a suspicious man shows up looking for Josie, things go from bad to worse.

          This book may not be quite as good as the aforementioned examples, but it sure comes close. It kept me up reading past my bedtime two nights in a row. I love books with a good main character that I can fall in love with and appreciate as a real human, warts and all. None of us are perfect and I love digging into the gold mine beneath the bluster.  I laughed, I cried, and I found my heart sufficiently warmed while reading this book. I was pleased to find it was a debut novel and will definitely be looking for more books by Ms. Fossey in the future. (Fun fact: the author used to be an aerospace engineer with a secret clearance.) Read the book, you’ll be glad you did.  You’ll cry, but you won’t be sorry.