BandSBookClub's May 2025 Collection on LTK

May 2025

By BandSBookClub

One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @prhaudio and #netgalley for my #gifted copy!

Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Pages: 400
Audiobook Length: 11 hours, 49 minutes

This may be my favorite Fortune book! I loved all the characters: Alice, her grandmother (Nan) and Charlie. The only thing that bothered me was that Charlie kept calling Alice by her full name “Alice Everly”. I do not know why that was such a bother, but it was. Alice, always behind the lens of her camera, took a picture many years ago on the lake that she has always loved. Wanting more, but not sure what, Alice spends the summer figuring out herself. I was surprised by the depth that this story had. The storyline and the characters felt real and I really appreciated that. There was a lot more to it than just a summer romance. With some romance and some self-discovery, this makes for a perfect summer read!

#LTKSeasonal #LTKSummerEdit #LTKOver40

The Ascent by Allison Buccola ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went into this book with zero expectations and it was such a treat. The writing was incredible, I was sucked into the suspense of the story from page one and I was fully engaged until the end. Parts of the book were predictable, but it did not ruin any aspect of the story for me. I found myself struggling to trust any of the characters, making for an “on the edge of the seat” kind of thrilling read. The characters were well developed and the plot was great. Another book taking place in Philadelphia, which is always a win for me. Lee spent the first 12 years of her life living in a cult, until one morning she woke up and everyone was missing. Fast forward 20 years, she is married, a mom to a 7 month old and dealing with some undiagnosed postpartum anxiety. When a woman shows up at her door, claiming to be someone from her past, but also threatening the quiet life she has built. This book takes you on unexpected twists and turns and will keep you up at night turning the pages. If you are looking for a fun thriller, I suggest this one (and I am a tough critic of thrillers!)

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

#LTKSummerEdit #LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50

What Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel Magee ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Pages: 320
Audiobook Length: 9 hours, 56 minutes

This book was an absolute pleasure to read and a breath of fresh air. It was a fun read that I was excited to pick up each time I had to put it down for real life. This was a fun beach read that I could not put down! Savannah and her two sisters rent the beach home they rented as a family years ago to recreate their beach summers. This was a heartwarming combo of my two favorite rom com movies: How to Lose a Guy in 10 days and 10 Things I Hate About You. The characters were fun, the plot line was easy to follow and the romance was cute. Each sister finds herself again in a new light. This was a cozy story that I finished in two days. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic! A perfect summer read!

Thank you #netgalley for my #audiobook #arc

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKSummerEdit

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved the dynamics between the two sisters and the mother daughter relationship. I found the different POV and timelines to flow smoothly and to be very interesting. The story is about two sisters, who despite being complete opposites, find fame in music. They are household names, until after a year of performing they breakup with no explanation. One sister, Cassie, goes off the grid and no one knows where she is. The other sister Zoe, finds herself a suburban mom, with a daughter, Cherry, trying to break into the music industry. When Cherry goes on a mission to find her aunt and figure out what happened to the Griffin Sisters years before. I enjoyed the emotion and explanations in the book - I did find that there were parts of the book that were completely unnecessary. I also struggled to like the characters, but the writing was so engaging that it did not seem to matter too much. Much of the book takes places in the Philadelphia area, which is home to me, so it was fun to be able to picture exactly where the story took place! A story about family, fame and how the consequences that follow choices we make. A well written and engaging book.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKSummerEdit

artha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly

Thank you @prhaudio and #netgalley for my #gifted copy!

Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Pages: 336
Audiobook Length: 10 hours, 35 minutes

Bethany's Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐This was a wonderful historical fiction story set on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII. I loved the dual timelines following Mari in 2016 who is visiting the island and in 1942 following two sisters, Cadance and Briar, who live on the island. All the characters were well developed and relatable. Even though the story was set in WWII, it did not fully feel like every other WWII novel out there. This story focused more on U-Boats and spies in the open waters after a German washes ashore. It was a nice change. I had no idea that military drills happened on Martha’s Vineyard back then and it prompted me to do a bit of research myself. This was an emotional read as there were parts of the story that I laughed and cried alongside the characters. Another beautiful historical fiction by Kelly.

Sara's Review: ⭐⭐⭐💫 I struggled with this one more than I expected. On the one hand, I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. I was unaware that U-boats were present off the coast of Martha's Vineyard and loved learning about something new. I thought that the multiple POV were clear, well written and very easy to follow. I enjoyed the characters, their growth, personalities and interactions. However, I felt that the story line was superficial and not as in depth or realistic as I would have liked. I think that maybe there were too many smaller side stories which distracted me from other parts of the book that I liked more. Overall I am still a big fan of Martha Hall Kelly - the amount of research and time that she puts into a book is awe inspiring. Her writing is descriptive and easy to follow, making it enjoyable to read. For fans of romance and historical fiction, this is a fun one.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKGiftGuide #LTKFindsUnder50

Songs of Summer by @janelrosen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I truly enjoyed this book, and would probably have enjoyed it even more if I had realized it was part of a trilogy. Don’t get me wrong, it can easily be read as a standalone, but I think that I would have enjoyed it even more having read the earlier books. The characters were incredible - I loved all of them. They were dynamic and flawed, real and emotional. Their interactions felt authentic and I truly enjoyed all of their stories. I loved the descriptions of Fire Island and all of the sites and scenes. It was all well developed and flowed seamlessly. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at the pages and I just wanted to give the characters hugs. I felt connected to the story from page 1 through the end. Maggie Mae lives in the midwest, but finds herself spending time on Fire Island to find her birth mother at the wedding of the season. While there, she finds herself in the middle of a family drama and falling for a fake boyfriend. A great book for the summer!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKHome

32 Days in May by Betty Corrello

Pub Date: May 13, 2025
Pages: 320
Audiobook Length: 9 hours, 25 minutes

Bethany's Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐A beautifully written and heartbreaking story about a young woman, Nadia, who is recently diagnosed with Lupus and is slowly learning what this means for her mentally, her body and her future. Nadia falls for this guy; Marco and she tries to keep her diagnosis from him. This was an emotional read as I followed Nadia on her new journey of re-self-discovery. This felt like an authentic story that showcased the isolation that can happen after a diagnosis and how important it is to have friends or family to help pick you up. This was a wonderful story about grieving what once was, friendship and connection.

Sara's Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫Wow, what a beautifully written book. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster with this one. It follows a young woman who is dealing with the emotional and physical toll of a Lupus diagnosis. When she fake dates someone for a month, she not only finds herself in love, but also living again. This story was about your support systems, the trauma of a diagnosis, the journey to find who you are and how to move forward with life. It made me laugh and cry and everything in between. I thought the characters were realistic and incredibly well developed. I loved that it took place at the Jersey Shore and in Philadelphia. A wonderfully written book. I listened and read this and both versions were wonderful.

Thank you #netgalley for my #audiobook #arc

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal #LTKStyleTip

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Make sure you have tissues ready when you read this book! There were a lot of tears. I liked the idea of this book - two sisters who do not meet until after their father passes away. It was very Parent Trap like in idea, but not really in execution.The location of this book in Maine is incredible. The descriptions transported me right onto the pages of the book. Unfortunately, I still struggled to find the interest to pick this up to read. The characters were really difficult to like - I felt like there were too many side stories woven throughout the book too, which felt distracting. This book was told in multiple POV and at times it was difficult to figure out which character was which. It was a very slow beginning, however it did drastically improve towards the end of the book. Overall, this book was fine. I did not feel like it was an incredible read, however I pushed through and found parts that were enjoyable.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Pub Day: May 13, 2025
Pages: 400 Pages
Audio Length: 11 hours 57 minutes

#LTKHome #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKSeasonal

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt ⭐⭐⭐💫

Thank you @macmillan.audio and #netgalley for our #gifted copy

Pub Date: May 20, 2025
Pages: 336
Audiobook Length: 9 hours, 18 minutes

Bethany's Review: I did not enjoy this romance at all. I never connected with any of the characters. I usually can get behind a second chance troupe but this one did not do it for me. The amount of inner dialogue of “I shouldn’t be doing this because the person treated me badly” was too much. The communication skills between Wren and Ellis were awful. They are 4 years post-divorce and go on a vacation to rekindle their marriage. The writing felt amateur and left a lot of opportunity on the table. I listened to the audiobook and found my mind wandering the entire time. I could not stay engaged.

Sara's Review: Unpopular opinion, but this book just felt forced and unrealistic. I found that the main characters, despite being adults, behaved like toddlers throughout the book. I felt like their story was not believable - despite 5 years apart and a son together, they still both had feelings for one another. It took a road trip to take their son to college for them to realize they still were in love. The issues and bumps in the road felt very forced and not natural. To the reader their love was very obvious, but for some reason they continued to find reasons that it was not really there. I loved the setting and never considered making this a DNF, I just found myself frustrated through the majority of the book. Maybe you enjoy the slow pacing and incredibly slow burn romance more than I do and will love this?! I would love to know how you felt about this one (if you read it!)

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKHome

Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub Day: May 13, 2025
Pages: 352
Audiobook Length: 12 hours, 20 minutes

This was a beautifully written story starting with Eliza Rivers in 1908 who grows up on the Mayfield Estate in South Carolina. She befriends the help’s black daughter, Covey, and insists that Covey attends school with her. I loved the dual timeline, Eliza in her late 80’s and when she was a child. There was a lot of information about the plants and wildlife in that area. I felt that I could see the landscape with the descriptions. I loved that a lot of the story focused on the friendship between Eliza and Covey. The love story was woven in nicely. The ending felt a bit abrupt and I wish there was more to it.

Thank you #netgalley for my #audiobook #arc

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKHome

The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was actually hard to believe! My jaw actually dropped during different parts of the story. I am so glad that Pippa told her story, because she was truly amazing. A World War II British Spy, Pippa’s story was kept secret until now. Not only was she one of a small number of women in a position like this, she exceeded all expectations in the amount of information she was able to obtain and share with the Allies until Paris was liberated. It is impossible to review this without giving away too many incredible details and side stories - but if you are a fan of history, strong women and WWII spies, this is a must read. An inspiration to everyone and a story that we should all be so glad that she shared!

The Parisian Chapter by Janet Skeslian Charles ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and writing style of this book. I loved that it took place at the American Library in Paris, any books in Paris and about libraries are a win in my world! I, however, did not love the audio book. I found that it made it kind of difficult to keep track of the different perspectives and times, since the stories were all so closely related and woven together. I enjoyed the characters and liked that this book was about their lives, but I was hoping for a little more history written into it, although it was also nice to have such a small focus in a book. Lily and her friend Mary Louise arrive in Paris from Montana to work. Lily finds herself working for the American Library in Paris, trying to help save it from financial ruin. We meet a lot of characters and drama throughout the pages, learning about their life, love and drama. A quick and engaging read, focusing on the lives of those in the American Library in Paris.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

#LTKHome #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKSeasonal

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodsen Harvey

Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Pages: 368
Audiobook Length: 11 hours, 42 minutes

Bethany's Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐This book is all about found family. Charlotte and her daughter, Iris, move into the mommune after they are kicked out of her home due to an ongoing investigation against her husband Bill. Right away they find a new home, family, and friends. I loved how the women supported each other and helped each other rise up in various ways. Each character was going through something on their own and needed the other three women to work through the problems. The character development was spot on. I enjoyed reading this book, but at some points the story dragged a bit. The Juniper Shores Socialite chapters were fun and reminded me of Gossip Girl. This will be the perfect summer read.

Sara's Review: ⭐⭐⭐💫I liked the idea of this book - the women down on their luck who move into a home together with their kids. They work together to support one another - I loved the strong and supportive women. The families we create vs the families by blood. I thought that the characters were all enjoyable and dynamic and there was a ton of growth between them. I just found that the book moved slowly. I wanted a little more "drama" in the story - not necessarily between the women, but more in their lives and their stories. The stories were all difficult in their own way, but I did not feel like they were the focus of the book, so it seemed like details were not always there. It would have supported the relationship between the women more if there was more feeling in the other parts of the book. Overall a cute read that would be perfect for a summer beach day!

Thank you #netgalley for my #arc

#LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKActive #LTKSeasonal

All The Signs By Jessie Rosen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was the most wonderful surprise - nothing like I expected it to be, but somehow 10 times better. This book made me stop and think about the characters’ lives and my own life. It made me happy, sad, frustrated and I even laughed. Parts of this book were so ridiculous and unbelievable, but other parts were truly thought provoking. I enjoyed the balance of the two and the portrayal of someone else’s life. I enjoyed the character growth and development and found myself invested in what happened next. Dr. Lockhart has taken over father’s obgyn practice in their small town, when she has a health scare. Around the same time, she agrees to an astrology reading, despite being a non-believer. When challenged to disprove the reading, she embarks on a journey to find her “star twins” and along the way discovers things about herself and her family. I loved how this book was about astrology - believers and non-believers, love, personal identity, and how they are all woven together. I thought Rosen did an incredible job of connecting the difficult parts of life with humor and joy. I thought this book would be more about romance than it actually was, but honestly, it was so well done that I did not miss the chemistry/spark through most of the book. It was there, but not front and center. A really wonderful book about the discovery of finding out who you are, not who you are told to be.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Pub Day: May 6, 2025
Pages: 300
Audio Length: 8 hours 17 mins

#LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKGiftGuide #LTKFamily

It’s A Love Story by Annabel Monaghan ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub Date: May 27, 2025
Pages: 368
Audiobook Length: 8 hours, 56 minutes

Bethany's Review: This was a wonderful summer romance! I blew through reading this. Literally could not put it down and stayed up way too late. Jane was very relatable, which I appreciated. I absolutely loved the forced proximity troupe and the banter between Jane and Dan. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two of them. I also loved that Dan’s family was included which made it all that more special. His family just wraps Jane up and immerses her into their life. The only thing I wish I could get rid of is the 3rd act breakup that is always predictable and always seems to occur. I cannot wait to read another Monaghan book!

Sara's Review: This book felt like sitting in a coffee shop with my best friend. Warm, inviting, fun and wonderful. The pacing was incredibly well done, the characters well developed, the romance adorable. I loved that this was a slow burn, forced proximity book - it worked so well. There was plenty of time to get to know the characters and for the characters to build a friendship first. The chemistry was felt before we knew they would have a fling. I truly enjoyed the banter, not just with the main characters but the supporting characters too. I found the descriptions to literally transport me into the pages of the book - it often felt like watching a show or movie, and not like reading a book. It is a great escape, a quick read and perfect book for the beach this summer!

Thank you #netgalley for my #arc

#LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKGiftGuide

Jilted by Vi Keeland ⭐⭐⭐💫

Thank you @macmillan.audio and #netgalley for my #gifted #audiobook #arc

Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Pages: 272
Audiobook Length: 8 hours, 45 minutes

Parts of this story I enjoyed and other parts left me questioning why. Why did the spicy scenes feel so raunchy and not in a good way? The storyline of this book was fun. Sloane and Wilder meet at a wedding where Sloane is writing a Wedding Journalism piece. Sloane is dealing with some of her own stuff as she was left at the alter 6 months prior. This felt very 2000’s romcom (think 27 dresses paired with misogynistic views and sex.) I cringed at a lot of the spicy scene’s word choices. Not my style. The number of weddings Wilder attending and Sloane wrote about was a lot. Some of the banter was fun to read and I enjoyed the dual POV and dual narrators in this audiobook.

#LTKOver40 #LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50

The Roommate Experiment by Camilla Isley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Day: May 27, 2025
Pages: 316
Audio Length: 8 hours 25 minutes

This book was adorable, a quick read and fun. I just wish there was a little more oomph in the middle of the book. It had a strong start and a strong end, but the middle fell a little short for my liking. Not enough drama, banter, and chemistry for my liking. I loved that Hunter hid many years of love for her best friend’s big brother, the brother, Dylan, does not wake up to similar feelings until he moves in with Hunter. The chemistry was there from the start. I loved that we had the perspective from both Dylan and Hunter in this book, both were entertaining and strong. The story flowed seamlessly. The part that bugged me was Dylan being in a relationship that he wasn’t feeling from the start. It just did not seem to support the other parts of his personality and character. It felt very forced instead of natural. I did enjoy the banter between the characters, the awkward moments, the sweet moments. I found myself laughing and smiling throughout the story. A predictable ending, but it did not ruin the fun of the book. Overall, a great easy read for the beach!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

#LTKSeasonal #LTKGiftGuide #LTKFindsUnder50

Happy May! The B and S Book Club Pick for May is What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon! Even though this book isn't officially published until May 6th, we just couldn't wait!

#LTKStyleTip #LTKSeasonal #LTKFindsUnder50

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pub Date: January 14, 2025
Pages: 368
Audiobook Length: 9 hours, 47 minutes

A wonderful story about Maddy, a young woman in college who is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. The writing was beautiful as Genova carried us through Maddy’s life as we watched her manic episodes, times that she was OK and times she was depressed as she learns to live her day-to-day life with this disorder. Genova’s books are always well researched about mental illness which I really appreciate. I loved that Genova showed the daily struggles of bi-polar. The characters were purposeful as was every scene in this story. I highly recommend this story that showcases the roller-coaster of constantly dealing with this specific mental health issue.

Thank you @gallerybooks for my #finishedcopy

#LTKFamily #LTKFindsUnder50 #LTKSeasonal

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @prhaudio and #netgalley for my #gifted copy!

Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Pages: 272
Audiobook Length: 8 hours, 11 minutes

Bethany's Review: The main twist at the end, I did not see coming from a mile away. Is that good? Or does that mean it was pulled out of thin air? I may have to reread to see if there were any clues along the way. Two missing girls, who went missing a week apart 7 years ago. Nic, an alcoholic and younger sister to one of the missing girls, teams up with Jenna, who is sisters with the other missing girl, to find out if there is anything linking the two cases. It has been a while since I have read a mystery / thriller /psychological suspense novel so this was much needed. There were lots of themes explored such as grief, addiction, and families with strained relationships. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was fantastic. This was a fast-paced read with lots of twists and turns to keep you questioning what happened throughout the story.

Sara's Review: This book kept me engaged and on my toes from the start. I enjoyed most of the twists and turns. The focus on what families and loved ones look like years later, after someone that they love goes missing. I enjoyed that the book was about the two surviving sisters teaming up together to look for their sisters 7 years later. They went missing a week apart, but the cases were similar and thought to be connected. I enjoyed the dynamics between these two women, the support and the strength. Seeing how grief, addiction, and difficulty moving on were woven through the day to day life of these women was incredibly well written. I did not see the end coming and although I did not love it, I liked that I was unable to guess it. I thought this was a fast paced, easy read that kept me on my toes from start to finish.

#LTKGiftGuide #LTKFamily #LTKFindsUnder50

Follow us
Podcast: More to Say
@shop.LTK
@LTK.home
@LTK.family
@LTK.europe
@LTK.brasil
@LTK.australia
@LTK.asia

Learn more
LTK
Become a Creator
Brand Platform
Newsroom
Company
Careers

Legal
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Imprint
Do Not Sell
Patents

Support
Help Center
Site Map
Contact Us

© 2025 rewardStyle Inc.

My Carts

Your cart is empty

You can now shop select brands on LTK! Keep an eye out for the Buy Now badge.