by Peter Emm ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 15, 2021
A breezy, enjoyable tale of a physician’s escapades, despite a few stumbles.
A San Francisco doctor hunts for a family’s DNA in this novel.
Dr. Pierro Cognetto’s oldest patient, Howard Hugh, fascinates him. Though nearly 103 years old, Howard looks decades younger and is rarely sick. Pierro has seen Howard’s brothers as well—all surprisingly healthy, century-old men. Convinced there’s a secret, which he dubs The Hugh Factor, Pierro investigates. This entails collecting the DNA of the Hugh brothers, who live across the United States, including in Texas and Ohio. Of course, his actions are illegal, since he’s not asking permission, so Pierro occasionally disguises himself as a woman to stay anonymous. In the course of his investigation, he hires escort Cleopatra Wesson. Unexpectedly, the 80-something single virgin finds love and a new sexual appetite while still covertly gathering DNA. Back in San Francisco, Pierro’s concerned neighbor calls the police; the reliable doctor, who’s run an office for more than 50 years, has seemingly vanished. One investigating cop, based on Pierro’s apparently suspicious credit-card activity, is certain the physician is “up to something.” He sends an officer to track Pierro around the country to find any evidence of wrongdoing. Emm’s tale is more diverting than suspenseful. For example, Pierro is a tranquil lawbreaker, and his most complex crime is an amusing “DNA heist.” The police, who lose track of him more than once, surmise that a mole in the department is aiding the doctor. Straightforward prose fosters a smooth narrative despite lingering on mundane tasks, such as ordering food and checking into hotels. Meanwhile, romance between the amiable characters Pierro and Cleopatra is certainly welcome. Unfortunately, Pierro spends too much time ogling Cleopatra’s physical attributes, complete with tacky descriptions, such as equating her breasts with “gigantic mountains.” This all culminates in an ending that, while memorable, lacks resolution.
A breezy, enjoyable tale of a physician’s escapades, despite a few stumbles. (dedication, author bio)Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73410-432-5
Page Count: 184
Publisher: TheBigDog Books
Review Posted Online: March 18, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2022
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
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New York Times Bestseller
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
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SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
by Rebecca Serle ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2024
An entertaining love story with moments of depth.
What would you do if you knew your romantic destiny?
When Daphne Bell receives a card that says the word “Jake” and nothing else, she’s pretty sure she’s about to meet the man she will spend the rest of her life with. In many ways Daphne is your average 30-something, with a middling career as a producer’s assistant in Hollywood and a loving family and friends. But Daphne has received a little extra-special gift (mandate?) from the universe: Near the beginning of romantic relationships, she somehow receives a note bearing the name of a man and the exact amount of time they will date. This began in the fifth grade with a postcard saying, “Seth, eight days.” Since Jake’s card lacks a duration, Daphne jumps to the only logical conclusion: He must be “the one.” When Daphne finally meets Jake Green, he turns out to be sweet and sexy and has the delightful quirk of jotting down in a notebook every time he sees someone wearing Doc Martens, so she decides to put her faith in fate and go all in. But, of course, it can’t be so simple. First, Daphne is hiding significant secrets from Jake. And second, there is Hugo (3 months), Daphne’s ex-boyfriend and current best friend. Although Hugo is always dating some woman or other, when he and Jake meet, the awkward encounter makes it clear that not everyone is okay with Daphne and Hugo’s universe-sanctioned breakup. Ultimately, it’s up to Daphne to decide how much she’s willing to risk to take control of her future. Nothing groundbreaking here, but Serle provides an interesting conceit and a healthy dose of wit that readers will appreciate.
An entertaining love story with moments of depth.Pub Date: March 19, 2024
ISBN: 9781982166823
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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