This book is totally aptly named, because it is The Perfect Rom-Com. I read it within twenty-four hours, laughed myself silly, wanted to be Bryony’s best friend because of her quick wit, fell a bit in love with Jack myself, cried through chapter twenty-five, and lobbed imaginary spit balls at Amelia’s “Choppy yellow hair that […]
Mary Ellen Thompson interviews Bren McClain, author of “One Good Mama Bone”
March 17, 2026 by 3 Comments
I met Bren McClain in 2017 at an author’s luncheon and book signing for her new novel, One Good Mama Bone. At some point, when she was living away, I offered Bren a writing respite at MarshSong Cottage. She never did take me up on it, but we started emailing each other and because we […]
“Fatulous” by Heather Ream
February 15, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Fatulous by Heather Ream is the sequel to her first memoir, Lunch Ladies Bought My Prom Dress. In this book, we are introduced to Heather when she is a freshman in college, and we follow her through her experiences for several years until she finally graduates. If you were a victim of, or want to […]
“Behind the Waterline” by Kionna Walker LeMalle
January 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
In her debut novel, Behind the Waterline (Blair 2025), author Kionna Walker LeMalle tells a dual timeline story in two historically significant periods set apart by about four decades. First and foremost, Behind the Waterline is a coming-of-age story about teenage Eric and a courageous journey that he is seemingly forced to take in a […]
December Read of the Month: “The Miniaturist’s Assistant” by Katherine Scott Crawford
December 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Editor’s note: SLR has two Reads of the Month for December. We think you will love both books. In The Miniaturist’s Assistant, Katherine Scott Crawford would, for a moment, like you to believe that Charleston, South Carolina, is a town like any other town. If you’ve ever been to Charleston, you know that is simply […]
“Kate Landry Has a Plan” by Rebekah Millet
December 1, 2025 by 1 Comment
Kate Landry Has a Plan (Bethany House 2025) by Rebekah Millet is a very wonderful, straightforward, Christian romance novel which had me hooked with the first sentence: “A bride’s bouquet arced through the air, targeting me like a deployed missile.” Kate Landry and her sister opened a cafe, Beignets & Books, in the home they […]