Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West

Hi my fellow bookworms,

(c) Kasie West & St. Martin's Publishing Group, 2026

Today I am happy to share with you my review of Kasie West's Stranger Things Have Happened. Thank you to St. Martin's Press Group for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy ("ARC")!

I have long awaited this contemporary romance novel, as I have been a fan of Ms. West's Young Adult ("YA") fiction. I am very much a fan of her YA novels, such as The Fill-In Boyfriend, Love Life & the List, and Lucky in Love, to name a few. While Stranger Things Have Happened is technically her second adult novel, following We Met Like This, it is a standalone novel that will make you melt, laugh, and just feel good! 

The story starts with Sutton, a woman back in her hometown taking care of her mom, who just had a serious accident. Acting as her mom's caretaker, Sutton is away from her work -- running a new restaurant and struggling to keep it afloat. Unfortunately, just as she arrives in her old hometown, her boyfriend breaks up with her over the phone, her restaurant partner says the business is experiencing problems, and her mom says the other caretakers are better at taking care of her than she is. What a predicament! Lost in a stupor, Sutton bumps into her best friend from high school, Tara, Tara's fiancé, Michael, and Michael's brother, Elijah. Upon reuniting with her once-best friend, Sutton finds out that Tara wants to attend couples therapy with Michael before tying the knot. Michael, however, is against therapy. Tara enlists the help of Sutton, making a bet to attend for Sutton to attend couples therapy with Elijah. If the therapist realizes they are not a couple, Michael will attend therapy with Tara. If the therapist does not realize it, Sutton must sing karaoke live in front of a crowd (her worst nightmare). 

And so begins a fun rom-com full of spicy hi-jinks, real-life worries like parent-child expectations, and a brief mention of how therapy can actually help you navigate life. While the book used therapy as a premise for Sutton and Elijah to date, it was not discussed at length to distract from the plot. I actually wish that there was more of a mention (perhaps an afterword?) of how therapy can and does help both individuals and couples navigate life in a healthy way. But personal opinions of mental health aside, if you are in the mood for a fun romance (especially if you are at the beach this summer), I highly recommend Kasie West's Stranger Things Have Happened! Given the spicy content, I recommend this title for new adults and older. 

I also recommend her YA titles, but those are written more for a younger crowd. So, if you are looking for more a clean, contemporary romance with happy vibes and cute romance tropes? Look no further! Kasie West is your author!

About the Author: Kasie West

(c) Kasie West, 2026

Kasie West is the author of many YA novels, including Sunkissed, The Fill-In Boyfriend, P.S. I Like You, Better Than Revenge, and Pivot Point. Her books have been named ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, Junior Library Guild Selections, and ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults. We Met Like This is her debut adult novel. When she's not writing, she's binge-watching television, devouring books, or is on the Central Coast, burying her toes in the sand. Kasie lives in Fresno, California, with her family. 

From the author's website: How It All Started

Back in 2011, when I could still eat gluten and dairy, I sent a query letter to Michelle Wolfson for the fourth (or fifth, I can’t remember exactly) book I wrote, Pivot Point (we will never again refer to the three or four books I wrote previously, except to say, they were practice books and will stay in the depths of an old laptop that is now in a drawer somewhere in my house). Michelle offered me representation and not long after that, HarperTeen bought my book! Through a combination of lots of writing and lots of work and lots of luck, I’ve been able to publish many books since then. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. And forever grateful to the readers who continue to read and share my books. Thank you!

Curlilocks and the Three Hares, written by Andrew Hacket, illustrated by Jan Dolby

Hello my fellow bookworms,

(c) The Little Press, 2024

Today, I have another children's book review for you! The second book in A Modern Fairy-Tale Series, today's book is titled Curlilocks and the Three Hares, written by Andrew Hacket and illustrated by Jan Dolby. It is scheduled for release tomorrow, May 1st! 

A cute twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Curlilocks is a young girl who does not like her hair. She wishes her hair could be like others girls her age, maybe with color, accessories, or even a whole new hairdo! She takes matters into her own hands by visiting a hair salon where everything does not quite fit her style... A cute ending befitting the heroine, the story's morale is that sometimes you are beautiful just as you are.

In terms of the writing, the text is large and easy to understand for those children starting to read chapter books or are already reading them, perfect for younger readers between the ages of 6-8. The illustrations are colorful and imaginative. Although the book is 56 pages long, your little one will pass the time quickly reading through this fun story! 

The book contains bonus content, including a how-to draw Curlilocks, as well as discussion questions if you were to read this book out loud to a class. The author, Mr. Hacket, is a teacher, so the questions are curated to bring the best thinking out of a class discussion! If you visit his website, he has some awesome Educator Resources to encourage sustainability, engineering, and science.

Can't wait to read Curlilocks and the Three Hares? I really enjoyed this modern take on a classic fairy tale, and think you will, too! You can find your copy through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local library (where you can request the book if they do not have it yet!). You should also check out the first book in the series, titled Willa the Werewolf. Keep an eye out for the third book, Digital Red, coming soon, too!

A big THANK YOU to The Little Press for providing me with an ARC!

Until next time - Happy Reading! :)

 

(c) Andrew Hacket, 2024

About the Author: Andrew Hacket

Teacher by day, parent by night, and writer in the nooks and crannies of life. When it comes to his books, Andrew Hacket aims to create stories that tickle the funny bone and hug the hearts of readings both young and old. He lives in Massachusetts with his many curly-haired family members.

 

About the Illustrator: Jan Dolby

(c) Jan Dolby, 2024

Jan Dolby is a freelance children’s illustrator and graphic designer based in Aurora, Ontario Canada. Jan is internationally published and has a vast amount of technical and graphic design experience. She has illustrated over 35 books for children and is incredibly grateful for her creative life and is delighted to be illustrating for the children’s industry. Seeing her work in bookstores and online is a dream come true.

Her first Canadian picture book, ‘Gabby’ written by Joyce Grant won the Rainforest of Reading Festival Award – Montserrat in 2015. Since then she has illustrated Gabby: Drama Queen, Gabby: Wonder Girl, Lucky Me, The Cold Little Voice and But Why? A Virus Story About Feelings. She has illustrated children’s books with authors Joyce Grant, Alison Hughes and Jackie Azua Kramer to name a few.

 

Buddy the Bucket Filler by Maria Dismondy & Carol McCloud, Illustrated by Julia Seal

(c) Cardinal Rule Press, 2023

Hello my fellow bookworms!

Fall is just right around the corner and many have already gone back to school! I wanted to share a new children's book that has been recently released that is beautifully illustrated, with a great message to share called Buddy the Bucket Filler, written by Maria Dismondy and Carol McCloud, illustrated by Julia Seal. 

Buddy, a little boy, goes to visit his great uncle for a week during the summer. Uncle Frank acts like a grandfather to Buddy and has him help around the farm, feeding the animals and picking cherries. Uncle Frank later talks to Buddy about helping other using the "filling buckets" concept. They go around doing good deeds and Buddy has a great time and a good story to tell his father when he goes back home.

The "filling buckets" concept is one introduced through a previously released non-fiction book, also by Carol McCloud, titled Have You Filled a Bucket Today? The basic concept is that everyone has a bucket, and sometimes that bucket is full and sometimes it is empty. Anyone can act as a "bucket filler" to treat others with kindness and respect, thus filling the other person's bucket. Negative behaviors, such as bullying count as "dipping the bucket," which shows as an image of a bucket pouring all the happiness out of it. This method is a cute and imaginative way for children to learn about being kind and being generous.

The book is recommend for children between the ages of 4 and 10, and while the younger ones may not quite grasp the "filling buckets" concept, they will definitely enjoy looking at the beautiful artwork and understand the underlying message of being kind. A perfect read if you are looking to read a story about kindness and sharing. You can find the book at your local bookstore, or online as an e-book. If you check out the book directly from the publisher's website, Cardinal Rule Press, you can also download a free Reader's Guide for children, as well as coloring pages!

See the book trailer below:

 

Thank you to Cardinal Rule Press for providing me with a free copy of the book, as well as Ms. McCloud's first book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? I enjoyed the read and will enjoy passing along the message to those I know. I also love the cherry theme, as it makes a great end-of-the-summer read and ties in the message completely!

 

Until next time - Happy Reading!

(c) Maria Dismondy, 2023

About the Author: Maria Dismondy

Maria Dismondy is the founder of Cardinal Rule Press. Before devoting her work to the publishing industry and children's mental health, Maria was a teacher. She finds inspiration for her work in her daily life and strives to make a difference in the lives of children in her work around social emotional learning. Maria can be found walking her dogs and on adventures with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan.

About the Author: Carol McCloud

(c) Carol McCloud, 2023

Carol McCloud began the series of Bucket Books with the ever-popular Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids in 2006. Her books have sold over three million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. A champion for bucket filling, Carol strives to help people of all ages lead happier lives by growing in kindness, self-management, resilience, and compassion. She lives in Venice, Florida, with her husband, Jack.

                                About the Illustrator: Julia Seal

(c) Julia Seal, 2023

Julia Seal knew from the age of five what she wanted to do for a living - draw pictures! After graduating with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration and then working in the greeting card industry (and getting covered in glitter every day!) she finally moved onto her dream job - illustrating children's books. She lives in a small village in England with her husband and two children - who provide plenty of inspiration.