Santa Overboard

Thank you to the author for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Katie Young has had quite the year.  After discovering her new husband’s infidelities and losing her mother during the COVID-19 lockdown, she moved home to the Potomac shores and her childhood home in Occoquan.  The past few months have been full of memorable moments with her daughter and their friends, and even meeting a new beau.  But when her new relationship turns rocky and a new friend has her own relationship drama, Katie’s new life starts to unravel.  Will all be made right, or will she have to start over again?

Carolyn McBride is back with a follow up to her debut novel The Cicada Spring with a fun trip to Occoquan during the holiday season in Santa Overboard.  True to what made The Cicada Spring a reader favorite, McBride delivers a charming book full of realistic relationships with a little humor and mystery woven in.  Peppered with facts about the region and beautiful imagery of the town, Santa Overboard will leave you wanting to plan your own visit to Occoquan this holiday season!

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I give Santa Overboard 5 out of 5 stars.  I love the imperfect tale of Katie and Deke’s romance that is both passionate, and not overly direct in descriptions of their bedroom activities.  Quite possibly my favorite part of both this book and it’s predecessor is the collection of strong female characters and their bonds.  Whether it is Katie and her daughter, or the Beach Bonfire Babe, the author displays the power of genuine connection between women – their ability to help correct one another and also celebrate each other’s successes along the way.   

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I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a light holiday themed read.  With some references to stalking, I would caution readers who may be triggered by this storyline.  This would make a great choice for a holiday girlfriend getaway.  McBride includes recipes for many of the foods discussed throughout the novel in the appendix which would be a perfect accompaniment for a book club discussion!

I was excited when the author reached out to me with the opportunity to read an early copy of this book before it’s mass release.  I am a huge fan of Carolyn McBride and her work, and can’t wait to see what comes next for both her and the Potomac Shores series. 

Santa Overboard will release in September 24th, but you can preorder your copy today at your favorite bookstore!

 

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: The Lost Summers of Newport, Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White
• Current audio book: The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
• Book I’m most looking forward to: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry