Morning Glory Girl by Maria Anne Lenihan (June 20, 2025) Forever thankful for when indie bookstores like @thepurplecouchbookshop connect us readers with independent authors and this book is just SO GOOD!
Val Leone has always had once goal – making partner – even if it is at the cost of friends, family, romance, and any free time. That is until she hits an absolute wall and receives a medical leave of absence because of the stress and pressure. In an effort to reclaim herself, she travels from NYC to Martha’s Vineyard to spend the summer with her grandmother and exploring her passion for creative writing. But going from a constant grind to no work doesn’t sit right with her, so she decides to try her hand at being a nanny. Which is how she meets 8yo Luna and her dad Luke. As she begins to rediscover herself, Val begins to question if the career she trained her whole life for is the future she wants.
I really loved Val’s journey in this book – working so hard towards a singular goal, struggling with the implications of potentially trading one dream for another, and the perception of others in making that choice. It felt like a deeply relatable crossroads and was handled with a lot of thoughtfulness. The charming way Val and Luna connect, the tender story of Luke and Luna, and how Lenihan didn’t drop Luke in as the perfect love interest right away. This is definitely a slow-burn story for Luke and Val – and I was there for every minute. Probably one of my favorite single parent romances as I felt like the way they both addressed Luna and the importance of gently navigating a relationship with someone who is a parent.
A love letter to small-town Martha’s Vineyard and finding your passion.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 