“I’m on vacation. Vacations always end. It’s the very fact that it’s finite that makes traveling special. You could move to any one of those destinations you loved in small doses, and it wouldn’t be the spellbinding, life-altering seven days you spend there as a guest, letting a place into your heart fully, letting it change you.” - The People We Meet On Vacation, Emily Henry. Emily Henry is an automatic “add to cart” author for me. But, out of all her fantastic books, this is my favorite. The banter between the main characters is next level. It’s some of the wittiest I’ve read and I was grinning the whole time. For me, their banter is the standout feature of this book. It’s why this was a top three read for me last year. Readers: if you love sharp dialogue and romance with substance, this is your next read. If I could only pick one Emily Henry book to recommend to those new to her catalogue, this would be it. Henry’s books are always adorable stories that I want to read in two days or less - and this one is no different - but “The People We Meet On Vacation” is also a beautiful commentary on friendship, the passing of time, and the impact of place in our lives.

A mysterious cowboy who turns out to be gentlemen (in most respects…IYKYK). Loved by big fluffy dogs and baby calves. An edgy, divorcee interior designer who doesn’t think she’s attractive or a girl’s girl. Loved by said cowboy and new found family. Sage’s second novel, Swift and Saddled, released yesterday and is the perfect follow-up to her debut. She delivers everything the cowboy romance reader is after. And more. Yet, this somehow manages to be a light/fun/easy/quick read AND a romance novel with some substance. Sage’s commitment to representing mental health in a meaningful, accurate way is evident across both novels. But, Swift and Saddled, tackles the specific non-pain that is “doing well and feeling good” - all while knowing depression could return at any moment. She shows depression’s silence in this book—the way it’s unseen in so many people and how it looms over even the happiest of moments. Ada, the FMC, is one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in a long while. I can’t wait to continue the series and get back to Rebel Blue soon. (And this morning, Sage announced we won't have to wait long - Lost and Lassoed is out November 5 and will tell the story we've ALL been waiting for: Gus and Teddy.)