Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Spotlight of Love By The Book by Jessica George

PHOTO SOURCE:

TYPORAMA
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LOVE BY THE BOOK

JESSICA GEORGE
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE, AUTHOR'S WEBPAGE, NETGALLEY, AND AMAZON.

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Friendship is the love story you can count on.

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April 7, 2026
St. Martin's Press
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PRAISE FOR LOVE BY THE BOOK:

"George has crafted a story here in which friendship is just as important, if not more so, than romantic or sexual partnership...[and] writes with an uncommon degree of care and nuance about complicated topics. In a sea of romances, this novel stands out for asserting that friendship can be a love story, too. A beautiful and all-too-rare look at the importance of platonic love." Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"A fresh perspective on female friendship." —Publishers Weekly

"A captivating and emotionally rich novel exploring sisterhood, friendship, love and betrayal. I was gripped from the outset." —Fiona Williams, author of The House of Broken Bricks

"As ever, Jessica George’s astute eye and wry wit make for a refreshing read that’s equally as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Love by the Book goes deeper than just celebrating friendship—it delves into the challenge of navigating its inevitable shifts as we grow older. An endearing story that's bound to resonate." —Mikki Brammer, USA Today bestselling author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

"Smart, funny, and refreshing...a testament to the power of female friendship and what it means to live a life worth living." —Sarai Johnson, author of Grown Women

"Love by the Book reads like a rom com for platonic friendship. After Maame, Jessica George brings us another fresh look at young women’s lives. Love by the Book offers a charming and nuanced take on contemporary friendships, putting the spotlight on the value of different kinds of love in people’s lives. A celebration of women’s friendships and families, in various configurations." Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

"Friendships are often the central relationships of our lives; why are they usually treated as storyline B in novels? Not in this transporting new novel by Jessica George. As enveloping, soul-filling and moreish as an evening with a friend, Love by the Book challenges us to take a closer look at adult friendship and platonic love. As is true with the best friend-dates, I couldn’t wait for evening to come so I could hang out with Remy and Simone (and especially with Remy’s mom). This novel might just inspire you to put yourself out there and ask a new friend out to dinner." ―Emma Knight, bestselling author of The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus

"A sparkling triumph, Love by the Book is the love story I didn’t know I needed. Once again, Jessica George delights readers with her charming and unique knack for unfolding a story. As witnesses to the evolution of long-held friendships and the blossoming of new ones, we’re left rooting for her funny, fabulous characters while falling in love with them ourselves. George infuses whimsy and heart into her incredible tale despite touches on weighty topics and pressures placed on the book’s leading ladies." —Diane Marie Brown, author of Black Candle Women

**PRAISE TAKEN FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEBPAGE**

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ABOUT LOVE BY THE BOOK:

Remy is lucky. Her debut novel, based on her three best friends, became an instant bestseller when it was released, and her agent and publisher are clamoring for a follow-up. But just as Remy’s creative inspiration seems to leave her, so too do her friends: one moves to New York, one gets pregnant, and one gets back together with her (awful) boyfriend. After an ill-advised one-night stand complicates matters further, Remy is left deeply alone—and unable to find her next book idea.

Simone is successful. A Kindergarten teacher with a passion for kids, and a well-paying side hustle that affords her all the material comforts she desires, she doesn't have time for a robust social life. All Simone needs is her close-knit family—but after the true nature of her work is revealed, they cut her off, and she realizes for the first time just how isolated she is.

When Simone and Remy bump into each other (literally) in a bookstore, it isn’t exactly soulmates at first sight. Simone is guarded and prickly, Remy is insecure and heartbroken, and each woman is harboring a secret. And yet they might just be the missing piece the other has been searching for—if only they can let each other in.

Can Simone help Remy make one of the most important decisions of her life—and can Remy help Simone recover all that she’s lost? In Jessica George’s heartwarming, funny, and soulful second novel, she explores the restorative nature of female friendship and the life-changing power of platonic love.

**SUMMARY TAKEN FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE**

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessica George is the New York Times bestselling author of Maame.

She was born and raised in London to Ghanaian parents and studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield.

**AUTHOR BIO TAKEN FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEBPAGE**

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FIND THE AUTHOR:

Instagram

Goodreads

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Monday, April 6, 2026

The Barn Identity by Diane Kelly

A barn used for The Underground Railroad was discovered by Whitney. 

Whitney contacted the owner and asked if she and her cousin could preserve it and flip it.

Whitney and her cousin have flipped many properties.

The owner approved, and when Whitney was resting in the barn loft, a commotion happened on the lower level.

The commotion happened to be the murder of a journalist who was doing a story about the barn.

Why would someone kill a journalist, and why did Whitney get a threatening note telling her to stop digging into the murder?

Find out in this cozy mystery that has wonderful descriptions and fun information about flipping properties.

This is my first book by this author, and it was an enjoyable read.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.



It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 4/6/2026

                                         http://bookdate.blogspot.com/

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I hope you had a great reading week.
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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
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Books Completed:

A LITTLE BIT BAD by Cassandra Neyenesch - spotlight will be on May 7, 2026.

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SUMMER STATE OF MIND by Kristy Woodson Harvey - review will be on May 5, 2026.

Heartwarming with characters you will love.

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THE ISLAND CLUB by Nicola Harrison - review will be on April 30, 2026.

Set in the 1950's.  Rich wives depending on their husbands.   I enjoyed the women and how they grew.

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MS. MEBEL GOES BACK TO THE CHOPPING BLOCK by Jesse Q. Sutanto - review will be on April 29, 2026.

Oh my...such a fun read.  You will LOVE Mebel.

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THE HOTEL GUEST by Rosemary Hennigan - spotlight will be on April 28, 2026.

Not my cup of tea - couldn't get interested.

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THE MOUNTAINS WE CALL HOME by Kim Michele Richardson - review will be on April 23, 2026.

This is good - it is the author of THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK series.

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LIAR'S CREEK by Matt Goldman - spotlight will be on April 22, 2025.

This was not catching my interest.  I enjoyed other books by this author, though.

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MAD MABEL by Sally Hepworth - review will be on April 21, 2026.

Ohhhhh....this is SO GOOD!!

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EXTRA SAUCE by Zahra Tangorra - spotlight will be on April 15, 2026.

It is a memoir, and I don't read memoirs.  Good recipes inside, though.

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TOO CLOSE TO HOME by Seraphina Nova Glass - review will be on April 14, 2026.

Disappointed - confusing and a bit too long.  I normally enjoy her books.

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MEET ME IN ITALY by Brenda Novak - review will be on April 13, 2026.

Oh yes...we are on the Almafi Coast!!  :)  LOVED this book.

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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO EDDY CRANE by Kate Crane - review will be on April 8, 2026. 

This is a memoir and nonfiction - I normally do not read these genres, but this held my interest.

I had never heard of Eddy Crane.
 
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LOVE BY THE BOOK by Jessica George - spotlight will be on April 7, 2026.

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THE BARN IDENTITY by Diane Kelly - review will be on April 6, 2026.

First-time reader - an enjoyable read!!

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KILLING ME SOFTLY by Sandie Jones - spotlight will be on April 1, 2026.

Wasn't interesting me.

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THE HIRED MAN by Sandra Dallas - review is in the book's title.

Another GEM by Sandra Dallas!!
 
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HARRIET HATES LEMONADE by Kim McCollum - review is in the book's title.

LOVED IT and LOVED Harriet.  :)

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THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN LETTERS by Izzy Boom - review is in the book's title.

Loved it - great setting and great characters.  You will be booking your next flight to Greece.

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YOU DID NOTHING WRONG by CG Drews - spotlight is in the book's title.

I didn't realize it was horror.

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WITHOUT A CLUE by Melissa Ferguson - review is in the book's title.

A little slow, but a fun read.

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Book Currently Reading:

THE PARISIAN CHAPTER by Janet Skeslien Charles - review will be on May 9, 2026.

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Books Up Next:

THE MAY HOUSE by Jillian Cantor - review will be on May 12, 2026.

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THE ANNIVERSARY by Alex Finlay - review will be on May 14, 2026.

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THE HOPE KEEPER by Heather Webb - review will be on May 19, 2026.

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GOOD JOY, BAD JOY by Mikki Brammer - review will be on May 20, 2026.

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A SPRINKLE OF SWEET SEREDIPITY - review will be on May 21, 2026.

LOVE her books.  Adorable cover.

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THE WINDSOR AFFAIR by Melanie Benjamin - review will be on June 2, 2025.

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MARION by Leah Rowan - review will be on June 3, 2025.

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THE LAST TIME WE DROWNED by Saratoga Schaefer - review will be on June 8, 2026.

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BEACH THRILLER by Jamie Day - review will be on June 9, 2026.
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THE RAINY DAY BOOKSHOP by RaeAnne Thayne - review will be on June 6, 2026.

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LOST IN THE SUMMER OF '69 by Eliza Knight - review will be on June 11, 2026.

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THE BURNING SIDE by Sarah Damoff - review will be on June 16, 2026.

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SUMMER'S NEVER OVER by Darby Bozeman - review will be on June 18, 2026.

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DEATH WAS NOT ON THE GUEST LIST by Jenni L. Walsh - review will be on June 20, 2026.

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IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER by Lisa Jewell - review will be on June 23, 2026.

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WHISPER CREEK by Allison Brennan - review will be on June 24, 2026.

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THE NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING by Aggie Blum Thompson - review will be on June 30, 2026.

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MOST ARDENTLY YOURS by Freya Sampson - review will be on July 7, 2026.

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PRETTY DEAD THINGS by Kelsey Cox - review will be on July 8, 2026.

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THE HALF LIFE by Rachel Beanland - review will be on July 14, 2026.

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THE SINS OF SUMMER DAUGHTERS by Lo Patrick - review will be on July 15, 2026.

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THE STORY KEEPER by Kelly Rimmer - review will be on July 21, 2026.

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MEET IN PARIS by Kristin Harmel - review will be on July 28, 2028.

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BUYER BEWARE by Catherine Ryan Howard - review will be on July 29, 2026.

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THE MORTAL ENEMY MURDER CLUB by Gloria Chao - review will be on July 30, 2026.

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THE WOMEN IN WHITE by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 4, 2026.

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WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE by Anna Johnston - review will be on August 5, 2026.

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HOW TO FIND ROMANCE IN A BOOKSHOP by Poppy Alexander - review will be on August 18, 2026.

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A FINE LAYER OF DUST by Barbara Conrey - review will be on September 1, 2026.

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PEREGRINE HILL by Nina De Gramont - review will be on November 11, 2026.

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THE BUREAU OF UNKNOWN FATES by Gaëlle Nohant - review will be on December 8, 2026.

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MURDER UNABRIDGED by P. J. Nelson - review will be on December 1, 2026.

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