June 3, 2024 – My Sanctuary

To break out of a 24-hour time loop, all Jack needs is for Gemma to fall in love with him in a single day. All Gemma needs is to remember him first . . .

Gemma Peters is doing fine. She’s making a name for herself in the L.A. music biz as a radio producer. She’s got a ride-or-die best friend in Lila, and she gets to come home to Rex, her loving Labrador, every night. But ever since her rock star ex-boyfriend used her to get a record deal from her rock legend dad, she’s made a “no musicians” rule when it comes to dating that’s becoming more like a “no dating” rule, period.

So, when Gemma crashes (literally) into Jack one Thursday morning, at first she feels like fate might finally be doing her a favor. After all this guy is cute and, wait, is she imagining it, or is he staring a little too deeply into her eyes? And how does he know her name? Even harder to explain is the funny feeling of déjà vu she gets every time she looks at him. It’s not at all like Gemma to kiss a man and forget him completely, so then how can she explain the dreamlike memory of his lips on hers?

The truth is this is no ordinary Thursday. Not for them. In fact, they’ve lived this day over and over for months. And while Gemma has been totally oblivious to the time loop, Jack has been agonizingly aware of every single iteration. Luckily, Jack has a theory to bring his own personal Groundhog Day to an end. And it’s simple. Before the day is over, he just has to get Gemma to fall in love with him.

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Gemma Peters, leading a quiet life distanced from her famous father and fame-seeking ex, encounters a mysterious stranger, Jack, at a coffee shop who surprisingly knows a lot about her. Despite initial unease, Gemma experiences a deja vu connection with Jack. As Jack tries to convince Gemma of the truth, he must test a theory to prevent history from repeating itself – can Gemma fall in love with a stranger in just one day? The book, reminiscent of Groundhog Day and modern romance, captivates with its original concept. Beyond the love story, it explores friendship, family, risk-taking, and personal growth, showcasing Gemma’s transformation from stubborn to open-hearted. Jack’s persistence makes him her perfect match, and the book caters to those who prefer ‘closed-door’ romances without explicit content.

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Annaliese—Annie—Gilberti is a divorced South Philadelphia mother of two with a nine-to-five job when a shocking discovery turns another average day upside down: her late grandmother was the exiled ruler of a small European country, and Annie is next in line to wear the crown and restore the monarchy. The would-be grand duchess of the Grand Duchy of Saint Gilbert has vacation time coming, enough to take a quick trip to check it out.

It’s easy to fall in love with Saint Gilbert’s villagers; its mysteries (why does everyone look decades younger than they claim to be?); her family’s ancestral home, Castle Blanc (so many hidden rooms and passages!); and maybe—just a little—with the dashing Maximilien Belleme, the captain of the castle guard. Never one to walk away from a challenge, Annie steps up, determined to be worthy of the crown that’s been offered. As she, her sisters, and her children work to bring Saint Gilbert into the modern age, Annie discovers a legacy of courageous women and that no threat is too great to deny the grand duchess’s right to the throne.

About The Author

My Review

A South Philly single mom of two finds out she is heir to a small country called St. Gilbert. Annie travels to St. Gilbert, falls in love with the country, and moves there with her teenagers, followed by her sisters and best friend. She becomes the Grand Duchess and is tasked with modernizing the country, which lacks tourism infrastructure and has an ineffective council. Despite some eye-rolling moments and unrealistic aspects, such as the smooth transition for Annie’s family and the council’s acceptance of the new Duchess, the novel offers a cute and quick read reminiscent of a mix between Princess Diaries and Hallmark movies. The story includes a twist three-quarters of the way through and a romantic subplot with a hunky captain. Overall, it’s a fun and light read, perfect for a vacation or weekend escape.

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