rukhsandbooks

[rukhsandbooks]

A golden read for sure. I really enjoyed this book and am so glad the @hopelessromanticbooks club picked it as their next read because it bumped it up on my TBR. I liked it so much, I also recommended it to the Bookie Monsters for our next read given we’re currently in our Beach/Summer reading phase.

The characters and setting in this book felt so familiar, making it an easy, breezy read. There wasn’t a lot of conflict or tension, and while a book like this could fall flat, Carley made it work. I grew up in Leaside and even worked at Sunnybrook (the hospital where Nan has her surgery). Like Alice, my sister went to Leaside High School. I’m also a photographer and some of Alice’s musings were extremely relatable. A few of us wondered if a different ending would have made the joureny to the end more impactful, but we all agreed that then it wouldn’t be a happily ever after and Nan’s, “good things happen at the lake” wisdom wouldn’t hold true.

The bookie monsters also loved the slow burn and I have to agree I did too despite the “I’m scared of feelings” trope.

While reading this book, I tried my hand at making a teacup bookmark, inspired by Nan’s sewing skills and Leaside Library’s recent bookmark making event (sadly I missed the actual event, but decided to try making the craft on my own anyways). All of the Bookie Monsters also walked away with a mini RJP print bookmark.

I used to read at least one Elin Hilderbrand novel every summer with my mum, but it looks like we’re replacing those Nantucket dreams with Canadian cottage charm. The Bookie Monsters invited her to book club for our One Golden Summer meet up officially making Carley a special author for us.

The Bookie Monsters will be reading The Summers Between Us by @noreennanjawrites next.

[rukhsandbooks]

You and me, for real

Hayley Elliot

[rukhsandbooks]

“He has a girlfriend. The last thing I want is to look like a fool for assuming there’s anything more between us. The lines need to be clear, for my own heart’s sake. He’s famous. He could be used to dating multiple women for all I know. But I’m not that kind of girl. I refuse to play someone else’s games.”

You and me, for real

Hayley Elliot

[rukhsandbooks]

“You deserve a good man, sugar. Maybe he’ll be the one. You never know unless you try. Gotta be brave.”

You and me, for real

Hayley Elliot

[rukhsandbooks]

A Charming Debut by Hayley Elliott.

Get ready for a heartwarming tale of love, new beginnings, trust, and friendship—with a delightful dose of furry friends! Hayley Elliott's debut novel, You and Me, For Real, is the perfect dreamy summer or weekend read that'll leave you wanting more.

While this story shines in many ways, I couldn't help but notice the heavy marketing emphasis on its closed-door nature, which seemed to imply open-door novels are less than. We all have our preferences, but let's remember that great books come in all forms—be they closed or open-door narratives.

Thank you, Hayley, for sharing an ARC of this lovely read in exchange for an honest opinion. You and Me, For Real hits the shelves August 2025!

[rukhsandbooks]

I started reading this book to see if it might be a good recommendation for the Bookie Monsters. It’s by a Canadian author so I thought it might be nice to throw it into the mix and if we had picked this book, I knew I would have found a way to include Mary’s Brigadeiros on the bookish menu.

The story started off extremely spicy which was really interesting. When I suggested it at book club, I noted that so far I was 10% in and it was really spicy. I was worried that’s all it would be but then Bonam-Young surprised me with her story telling yet again. The Bookie Monsters did not choose this as their group read, but I’m glad I kept reading because it had me feeling all the feels without dragging me down into a dark space. It was the perfect spring read, especially after reading Handle With Care again. It was also easier to follow and less confusing than Great Big Beautiful Life (the last romance I read).

I didn’t love this book but I also didn’t hate it. It wasn’t exceptional, but it wasn’t bad. A sweet read that was the perfect amount of quirky. It had some substance but wasn’t overwhelming.

[rukhsandbooks]

Emily Henry is a consistent hit or miss for me. This one sadly, was a bit of a miss. Great Big Beautiful Life also definitely didn’t have her usual rom-com vibe.

The book wasn't horrible but I also didn't love it. The first 30 percent of the story moved very slowly. The slow burn wasn't realistic enough. There was a grumpy x sunshine thing going on along with a bit of forced proximity but the romance and connection was lacking. I wasn't inclined to pick it up and keep reading. The only things that kept me going and reading is finishing before Hopeless Romantics book club and I was curious about the Ives storyline. The romance (or lack of) between Hayden and Alice was almost a distraction if nothing else. Alice’s snoring comments also felt a bit unnecessarily repetitive. The last 30% was definitely better as Henry tried to tie up loose ends but it was too late at that point to fall in love with the book.

Overall, it had a lot of potential but I think there was something missing from making it a great big beautiful read. Love was missing from the this book. It was a word more than a feeling.

Thank you hopelessromanticbooks for hosting a wonderful book club meet up yesterday. Looking forward to next month!

[rukhsandbooks]

because Rory Keane doesn’t just enter a room—he saunters into it like he owns the place.

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

“Sprinkles?” I repeat, incredulous, because of course he’d be the kind of person who orders sprinkles like he’s eight years old. “You do realise you’re a grown man, right?”

“Sure,” he says breezily, glancing back at me over his shoulder. “But what’s the point of being a grown man if you can’t occasionally act like a child?

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

Besides, dessert isn’t about hunger. It’s about spirit. And my spirit says I need a double scoop of salted caramel with sprinkles.

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

Life’s too short to walk past soft-serve without acknowledging its existence

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

Tight, clever prose that flows so naturally I almost don’t recognise it as mine. For a second, I wonder if I plagiarised it.

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

The shelves are stuffed with books, their spines lined up in uneven rows, some leaning precariously as if they’re exhausted from holding themselves upright all these years. Titles I devoured in hours, worlds I escaped into when this house felt too stifling. It’s overwhelming and comforting all at once, like being wrapped in a blanket that smells faintly of dust and sorrow

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

“Yes,” I lie, because explaining that I spent two hours reading about a fictional duke ravishing a countess would only lead to questions I’m not prepared to answer.

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

“Messy but beautiful,” I repeat softly, more to myself than to him.

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

My favourite escape route when novels felt too big. Poetry always felt… manageable. Like a single scene distilled into its purest form.

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith

[rukhsandbooks]

“Are you asking because you want to steal them?”

“Maybe.”

“This is why no one trusts project managers. Always taking liberties.”

“No. They just taste better when they’re off someone else’s plate. It doesn’t make sense, but it’s undeniably true, and I’ll die on this hill.”

Bookish with benefits - Alia smith