Ordinary Love
By Marie Rutkowski
Emily and her husband Jack have a beautiful brownstone on the upper east side of Manhattan. With two adorable children, they appear to be the picture-perfect little family. Emily married young, right after college. Now, she finds herself trapped in a home where her husband gaslights, punishes and manipulates her on a daily basis. Convinced that Jack truly loves her and their family unit, Emily ignores all the signs of abuse and makes excuses for Jack’s behavior. Slowly, her friends and family are banished from their lives. Previously a determined literary student at Harvard, Emily never dreamed she would find herself so adrift and painfully lonely. One evening, she attends a fundraiser and runs into her old friend Gen Hall. In their hometown of Washford, Ohio, Emily had helped Gen reach for her stars and escape their geographical limitations. Gen became a college track star and has now earned Olympic gold. She is famous, beautiful and Emily realizes that she never stopped loving her. This magnificent novel is about friendship, family, motherhood and romance. Superbly written, it’s a story about two people who learn to love themselves – and against all odds, allow themselves to be loved.
A Novel Love Story
By Ashley Poston
Elsy finds herself on a road trip to Hudson Valley, New York. The drive has been depressing as she anticipates the long week ahead. After a wrong turn in the pouring rain, Elsy’s green jalopy decides it has had enough. She finds herself stranded, without a mechanic or hotel in sight. Elsy is saved by a grumpy shop owner who has a spare loft above the bookshop, and as an English professor, she cannot resist. The smell of old books and wind chimes calms her nerves as she realizes her savior is quite handsome and this little town could not be more charming. It actually feels strangely familiar. Elsy has landed in Eloraton, which would be fine if it actually existed. As she explores, Elsy realizes the reason she knows her way around is that Eloraton is the fictional town in her favorite romance series. These books carried her through grief the last few years after Liam left her at the altar, bringing her comfort and a guaranteed happy ending. It turns out Elsy’s wrong turn might be exactly what she needs. Sometimes a little bit of magic is the sweetest Valentine’s treat.
The Austen Affair
By Madeline Bell
When Tess Bright is booted off her successful teen series, she finds her Hollywood career in a tailspin. After losing her mother, she just cannot get her life back on track. Jane Austen was her mother’s favorite, and these books and movies played on a continuous loop in the background of her childhood. Finally catching a break, Tess is cast as the star of “Northanger Abbey,” and knows she can handle anything Austen. Her co-star Hugh, a stuffy Englishman, doesn’t think Tess is good enough for the part. One day while on set in Hampshire, England, a terrible thunderstorm ensues. The two quarreling stars are struck by lightning (sounds ridiculous, but carry on …) They awaken in a field — in costume — and realize they have traveled to 1815. Carefully tiptoeing to not rewrite history, the couple must make peace with each other to find a way back to the present. Austen, time travel and romance — what’s not to love? I’m a sucker for all three. Adorable, light and genuinely funny, this easy read is a much-needed respite from the world.
#WorthWatching: “Eternity.” A superb romantic comedy set in the afterlife where souls have one week to choose where they will spend eternity. Joan must decide between her husband and her first love, who has been waiting decades for her to arrive. Can be seen starting Feb. 13 on Apple TV.
