As soon as I found out that the MC in the first of November 2022’s Five Star Reads was a primatologist, I was instantly sold because I’m obsessed with all things primate. Columbus Zoo is a really unique setting for a rom-com but be warned, Lucy’s gorilla troop (especially Zuri and adorable baby Keeva) will quickly steal your heart. I loved Lucy’s dedication to her gorillas, her tendency to hilariously blurt out random facts about the animal kingdom when she’s flustered and her relationships with her grandmother and half-sister. Kai was a really great love interest with his own complicated back story and I adored how protective he was of Lucy especially when he was trying to help her overcome her fears of being on camera. I haven’t read the author’s debut novel, ‘The Wedding Ringer‘ yet but it’s at the top of my TBR pile on my Kindle.
Lucy on the Wild Side by Kerry Rea
Lucy Rourke has two great loves in her life: the gorilla troop she cares for as a primatologist and the laundry list of reality TV shows she watches to escape the fact that her actual love life doesn’t exist. And like a reality contestant gunning for the final rose, Lucy’s laser-focused on one thing: getting promoted to head keeper. So when a wildlife docuseries hosted by hotshot TV personality Kai Bridges chooses her zoo as its summer filming location, she sees an opportunity to showcase her beloved gorillas to the world and land a starring role in her department.
When Kai and his film crew arrive, however, it’s obvious to Lucy that Kai cares more about sky-high ratings than the gorillas, and he considers her a camera-averse know-it-all whose wardrobe consists entirely of khaki. But she’s surprised to discover there’s more to him than his rugged good looks and cheesy catchphrases…and that maybe a promotion isn’t the only thing she wants. But when secrets from their pasts threaten to complicate everything, Lucy discovers that happiness and success aren’t the same thing—and that finding joy just might mean getting a little wild.
I’m a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn and so just like with ‘Lucy on the Wild Side’ and primates, as soon as I discovered the second of November’s FSR was inspired by the film, ‘Roman Holiday‘, it was an instant one-click.
If you need a refresher (and who doesn’t need more Audrey in their lives?), here’s the trailer for RH:
In addition to being an Audrey fan, I’m also a sucker for a cozy, small-town romance and ‘When in Rome’ has it all. Amelia is such a sweetheart and even though Noah initially comes across as gruff, underneath it all he’s a softie as evidenced by his love for his grandmother, his tolerance of his well-meaning but interfering neighbours and his closeness with his three sisters (who each deserve their own HEA). I’m so happy that we get to make a return trip to Rome, Kentucky next year when ‘Practice Makes Perfect‘ (featuring Noah’s sister, Annie and Amelia’s bodyguard, Will) is released on 2 May 2023.
When in Rome by Sarah Adams
Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her “princess of pop” image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is.
When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn’t have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He’s too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room–but only until her car is fixed–then she’s on her own.
Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose–she’s Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can’t help but get close to her. Soon she’ll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she’s been missing, and she’ll help him open his heart to more.
Amelia can’t resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually.
My Month in Books (November 2022):
1
2
5
2
New-to-Me Authors (Excluding Non-Fiction): Rebecca Crowley, Kerry Rea, Hannah Reynolds & S.L. Scott.
If you want to check out the full list for November 2022 on Goodreads, click here.
Until next month, Louise x
Louise Hall 
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