What We’re Reading in May 2026
CURRENTLY READING
Our Perfect Storm
by Carley Fortune
George and Frankie’s love story may be my favorite among Carley’s portfolio.
Once again, Carley has inspired me to add another Canadian location to my travel list! And I’m adding Tofino to the very top of the list. Our Perfect Storm transports you to the most magical destination— a small town on Vancouver Island where the rainforest meets the sea, where fog clears to endless sea views and mountain landscapes… where your mind and heart will find peace in its beauty. I dare you to read this book and not feel the need to visit.
Get your copy of Our Perfect Storm (Amazon) and read with us!
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
From the opening scene it is clear how deeply connected these characters are. Frankie’s anxiety bleeds through the pages and had me on the verge of tears on her behalf. Yet the immediate relief she experiences is a testament to their friendship and drew me into the story instantly, eager to uncover their backstory.
There are no words to describe the stranglehold this relationship has on my soul. It may be my Roman Empire. My heart ACHED with every page. This romance unravels so beautifully — current adventures in Tofino supplemented with flashbacks to their youth of garden escapades and secret letters exchanged in a repurposed birdhouse. George and Frankie’s relationship has its own pulse— intimacy that you’ll feel in your bones and chemistry that simmers, edging you to the point of boiling (and trust me, the wait is worth it).
It’s not too steamy, but there’s so much yearning and secret glances that it may as well be. The way Frankie admires George’s physique had me giddy!! Everyone should be this enamored with partner. Sheesh!!
Beyond George and Frankie, this full cast of characters will truly melt your heart. From the intense protectiveness and the endless love of their family and friends to the unabashed support of everyone they meet on vacation, every character contributes something special to this romance. It is so clear they see a love unlike any other between these characters and it makes you want to jump into the pages of this book to cheer loudly alongside them.
I could have read 500 more pages about Frankie and George in their youth or about another week in Tofino. But I’m happy with what we have and I’ll be reading it over and over again with a smile on my face and flutters in my chest.
Set the mood. Listen to Our Perfect Storm playlist (Spotify).
What the Book Club Loved
Come back at the end of the month to see how the Book Club rates Our Perfect Storm!
FIREWORKS & STEAM: X/5
WRITING STYLE: X/5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: X/5
THE LOVE STORY: X/5
“XX”
- READER
If You Loved Our Perfect Storm, You’ll Love These
THEY’RE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS:Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club pick. Friends to Lovers is exactly why I struggle with the combination of friends to lovers and second chance tropes. It just feels like someone has ripped my heart out and keeps squeezing it until it’s about to burst. It’s painful, yet heartwarming. And the promise of an HEA got me through this book because I was so desperate for Joni and Ran to finally get the ending they deserve. Read my Sneak Peek.
VICTORIA’S RATING:4/5
THERE’S A WILDFIRE:Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club pick. If you want a book that captures what it feels like to find your life’s big love and describes in painful accuracy that desire to be together and a love worth risking everything just for a chance to fight for each other, the fire of that want… this is it. All of that comes across crystal clear with Wren and Ellis. Even when they’re not together, they’re connected. They belong. And I think their story also underlines the importance of communicating dreams, fears and desires. Especially when life gets hard. Read my Full Review.
VICTORIA’S RATING:4/5
THERE’S A LETTER:These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean (Amazon)
A different island, a different storm. Is it possible to feel nostalgic over a lifestyle you’ve never experienced? Is it possible to miss summers that weren’t yours? Maybe that’s just how well Sarah described summers on Storm island because I missed them… and I’ve never lived it. Read my Sneak Peek.
VICTORIA’S RATING:4/5
THERE’S A “HONEYMOON”:The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Amazon)
Olive is thrown into a whirlwind 24-hours of hell when her twin sister Ami wins a series of internet contests to cover her wedding celebration. But when food poisoning gets the better of wedding guests, Olive’s luck turns with an all-expenses trip to Hawaii and her vacation turns into an all-out romantic journey of enemies-to-lovers bliss, forced proximity and fake dating.
VICTORIA’S RATING:4/5
BY THE AUTHOR: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club pick! Before there was George, there was Charlie. And Charlie so quickly topped my list of favorite MMCs ever. All of his actions are done with clear intention from his flirty banter to dressing up for a night in with Nan. I dare you not to smile when this man is on the page. I was so freaking giddy reading about him, I would’ve put a school girl to shame. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more charismatic man in my life, it’s a bit disappointing that he’s fictional. Read my Sneak Peek.
VICTORIA’S RATING:4/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
There are no words to describe the stranglehold Frankie & George have on my soul. It may be my Roman Empire. This romance unravels so beautifully in the most magical place.