First Comes Love

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin

Two sisters discover that time can't erase the secrets surrounding the tragic death of their "perfect" brother over fifteen years ago.

First grade teacher, Josie, is single, restless, and all too aware of the biological clock ticking inside her brain. She wants a child, and since the traditional way hasn't fit into her plans, she decides to follow her heart and choose a sperm donor. Should it be her best friend, Gabe, or Pete, a blind date with surprisingly admirable qualities?

Younger sister, Meredith, is a hot-shot  attorney, unhappy with her career choice and struggling in her lukewarm marriage to Nolan, her deceased brother's best friend. The shining star in her life is four-year-old daughter, Harper. Feeling the pressure of  Nolan's desire for another child, Meredith must make dire choices that may tear her family apart.

When Meredith learns of an appalling secret her husband and sister have hidden from her for years about what really happened the night her brother died, the fragile sister relationship shatters. A family is forced to examine the grief they never shared, the blame they harbor towards one another, and the realization that no one has the  "perfect" life, even the brother they cherished and loved.

Emily Giffin's command of family drama storytelling is once again evident in this latest novel. At the heart of this one, she examines the need to face overwhelming grief for what it is, a raw emotion that can destroy one's ability to move on and find peace long after a loved one is gone. Lies and deceit have a way of bubbling to the surface, and in the case of these two sisters, it's up to them to decide if love really does come first.

Saving Grace

Saving Grace by Jane Green

Grace and Ted Chapman turn heads wherever they go. They are the perfect couple. He is a wildly successful novelist, she is his chic, stylish, sophisticated wife. But what happens behind closed doors would shock even their most ardent admirers. Perception is not always reality.....

When Grace meets literary giant Ted Chapman,the attraction is instantaneous. Suddenly she is in the spotlight, not only as a talented chef and assistant cookbook editor, but now as the wife of a famous writer, living in a picturesque farmhouse in upstate New York. Only she knows the other side of Ted; his dark, brooding moods that often erupt in waves of dangerous fits of anger and uncontrolled outbursts, much like that of her own mother. It's best if no one knows the details of Grace's childhood in England, the torment of living with a mentally disturbed parent. Grace lives in fear every day that she, too, could suffer from this hideous affliction.

The bright shining light in their lives is daughter, Clemmie, a talented writer in her own right who feels a special connection to her father. And then there's Ellen, Ted's personal assistant. Beloved and indispensable, Grace panics at the thought of Ellen leaving to care for her elderly mother. The thought of replacing her is soon appeased when Beth enters their lives. Plain and unassuming, Beth's superior organizational skills are just what Grace needs to deal with Ted's volatile moods. That is until suspicious events begin to make Grace question Beth's motives. Perfect Beth may want a perfect life of her own.......

Soon Grace enters a world of  precarious uncertainty. She begins to piece together past events and suddenly realizes she must escape for her own safety before it's too late. Her only hope is to return to her homeland and the comforting arms of Lydia, her old college roommate's mother who loves her unconditionally. As the suspense builds, so does her innate fear that the life she once knew is beginning to unravel right before her eyes.

Undoubtedly, British author Jane Green personifies the term "chick lit". This novel is no exception. If you are looking for an engaging book to start the New Year, definitely add this to your list. The manifestation and effects of mental illness and paranoia are masterfully examined. True friendship, unexpected love, and listening to your heart are all topics that should make this an excellent choice for enthusiastic discussion at book clubs. As an added benefit for those of you with culinary talents, some great recipes accompany each chapter.

The list is growing for new and dynamic books being released in 2015. I'm looking forward to sharing many of them with you at The EZ Book Nook. Hope you'll join me!