Library Loans

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Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh
Published by Thomas Nelson on June 10, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 
Goodreads

Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . .

Rosie Waterman has one dream: to become a working actor. But lately, that hasn't been working out. When she loses her apartment and her job on the same day, she does what she always does--puts herself out there, ready to find the next big thing. But a trip home makes her realize that while she's been struggling to make this dream come true, all her friends have become real adults with careers and weddings and babies on the way. Rosie's been at this for years, and she has nothing to show for it. But how does she simply let go of her dream?

When she's offered a job as the director of a regional theatre's production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance—even though she's only directed in college and the job is in Door County, Wisconsin, and not in New York. She has no other offers, and at least she'll be getting paid to do something theatrical. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes that the "regional theatre" is actually in a retirement community, and the "actors" are actually senior citizens with no acting experience whatsoever.

Working on the show presents new challenges, forcing Rosie to learn how to step up and be the leader this fledgling theatre troupe needs. The more time she spends with her new cast, the more she begins to rethink what it means to dream big, especially when that big dream hasn't turned out to be at all what she thought it would be. It's not at all what she expected, but could it be exactly what she needs?

Rosie dreamed of being an actress, but her professional life in New York wasn't quite living up to her expectations. Rosie felt like a failure, like she was letting all her loved ones down, and this forced her to put on a mask and keep her distance. When an opportunity to direct a regional production of Cinderella came her way, Rosie accepted because a paying job was better than no job. Little did she know that these actors were all residents of a retirement community. At first, she was ready to flea, but then Rosie screwed up her courage and took a chance on these players, this community, and herself.

Absolutely loved this! This book had all the elements that made me adore Isadora Bentley. I enjoyed the family, friendship, and community focus. I loved that this story was about taking chances and adjusting your sails. You all know I enjoy a good story with senior characters, and this one had some great and colorful seniors. This tale was funny and sweet and heartwarming, too. Rosie's personal journey was a good one, and I had a fantastic time with Rosie, Booker, and all the players.

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The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on September 16, 2025
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction, Romance
Rating: 
Goodreads

Two feuding co-stars in a Jane Austen film adaptation accidentally travel back in time to the Regency Era in this delightfully clever and riotously funny debut

Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It's not just the role of a lifetime, but it’s also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from her last TV gig) and more importantly, it’s her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever. But one thing is standing in Tess’s way—well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour.

A serious British method actor, Hugh wants nothing to do with Tess (whose Teen Choice Awards somehow don’t quite compare to his BAFTA nominations). Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry—and Tess’s career depends on it.

Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way. But if a certain someone looks particularly dashing in those 19th century breeches…well, Tess won’t be complaining.

A wickedly funny, delightfully charming story, The Austen Affair is a tribute to Jane Austen, second chances, and love across the space-time continuum.

I am NOT an Austen fan. I have never read one of her books, but I have read a ton of books inspired by Austen's work. Though this was not a retelling, there were many nods to Austen's books as the main characters had been filming an adaptation of Northanger Abbey when they were sent back in time to Regency England.

This was a fun hate-to-love story which I really enjoyed. My heart ached for Tess. She lost her mother who was her best friend, and she was still struggling with her grief. Who knew that being trapped 200 years in the past with her so-called nemesis would be the thing that would help her process her loss. Hugh was a very misunderstood hero. He really had a heart of gold, and it was a pleasure getting to know him.

The dynamic between Tess and Hugh was one I loved as well. Their verbal sparring was a thing of beauty, and I cheered them on as their attraction and affection grew. Hugh ancestors were a delight, and I couldn't help wondering what it would be like to have that sort of experience.

The humor, romance, and emotion all fed my enjoyment, and I reveled in the ending. Simply wonderful!

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