Happy Tuesday Book Release Day!! Before we get to the books, this is the last day of my sister’s and my birthday week. For one week each year we are the same age and today is the last day. So, I’ll ask her one more time, “How old are you Annie?” If you are with either one of us today, you’ll here the same answer – 39. ❤️

Let’s get to the books. I have two books to share today. I know there are going to be a lot of people that are excited about the first book. I’m just not one of them. I’ve only read one book by the first author and while it was so well written, it completely gutted me. As a reader, I usually choose to read books that bring me joy and usually have some version of a happy ending. I’m bracing for the “are you kidding me” and “you are out of your mind” comments. Here we go…

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, her beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, where she helps ease the transition between life and death for her clients .
But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a job she once studied for, but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.
After the crash landing, the airline ensures the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation wherever they want to go. The obvious option for Dawn is to continue down the path she is on and go home to her family. The other is to return to the archaeological site she left years before, reconnect with Wyatt and their unresolved history, and maybe even complete her research on The Book of Two Ways–the first known map of the afterlife.
As the story unfolds, Dawn’s two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried beside them. Dawn must confront the questions she’s never truly asked: What does a life well-lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices…or do our choices make us? And who would you be, if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?

My Sister’s Keeper is the one and only Jodi Picoult book that I’ve read and it was too much for me. Ironically, I started this post talking about my sister and how close we are because our relationship is part of why this book hit so hard. Annie and I are very close, even though we live far apart, and the whole concept was just too much for me.

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

Hair, makeup, clothing, decor… everything in Bethany Castle’s world is organized, planned, and styled to perfection. Which is why the homes she designs for her family’s real estate business are the most coveted in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She’s on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve theirdreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. Except her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.
When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother’s construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany’s skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.
As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters, trading barbs and biting banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. It’s a labor of love, hate, and everything in between, and soon sparks are flying. But Bethany’s perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flippingdisaster.

** As always, the summaries come from the author’s or the publisher’s website because they know it best. **

If you are looking for more recent releases, check these out:
Tuesday Book Release Day, September 15, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, September 8, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, September 1, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, August 25, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, August 18, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, August 11, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, August 4, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, July 28, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, July 21, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, July 14, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, July 7, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, June 30, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, June 23, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, June 16, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, June 9, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, June 2, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, May 26, 2020
Tuesday Book Release Day, May 19, 2020

Have a great Tuesday full of sunshine and NEW books!