Book Review | Book Chatter

Vesper
By Evan Marks
Kinderspiel Press, May 26, 2026, 360pp.

The Short of It:

Sophisticated singles in the city.

The Rest of It:

“Vesper Elsegood is in love. With being single.” ~ from the publisher

Vesper is being touted as an “anti-romance” novel, which intrigued me because I am not a huge fan of romance. I often find the genre sappy or unrealistic, but Vesper is a different beast. Vesper is not looking for love. She enjoys the dating scene, chooses her dates carefully, and frankly appreciates the variety.

Her friends do not understand this. Why not settle down and start a family? It is a question young women everywhere hear all the time, yet it is not what Vesper wants. She would rather be successful, happy, and unattached.

Then in walks Caspian. Vesper was not expecting to be smitten by a gorgeous, successful man, but that is exactly what happens, and she is not sure what to make of it. Can you be in a relationship and still maintain your independence? Is that even possible?

As Vesper navigates this new possibility, insecurities about work and life begin to take their toll. I found the story to be a refreshing take on what it means to be single. Less yearning, more internal reflection. It could just be me, but I feel that Marks left the story open for a sequel. Perhaps a series is in the works.

If you are a fan of Sex and the City, you will enjoy this one. Comes out May 26th.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

Enormous Wings
By Laurie Frankel
Henry Holt & Co., May 2026, 304pp.

The Short of It

Funny, sharp, and unexpectedly moving, this novel tackles a deeply divisive issue with both humor and emotional weight.

The Rest of It

At seventy-seven, Pepper Mills is preparing for a new chapter at Vista View, a retirement community in Austin. She still has her health, a devoted family, and plenty of spirit, but even she has started to wonder if it is finally time for a safer, more supportive place to live.

What Pepper never expects is love.

When she meets Timothy, affectionately known as Moth, she finds herself swept into a romance that feels as surprising as it is genuine. After spending decades building a life centered around everyone else, Pepper suddenly has the chance to focus on her own happiness. Her adult children support her. Even her ex-husband, who also lives at Vista View, seems encouraging.

For once, life feels wide open.

Then everything changes.

A sudden curveball forces Pepper into a decision she is absolutely certain about, but one that is illegal in the state of Texas. What follows is both deeply personal and politically charged, especially given the risks her age already places on her. Still, Pepper is not the type to back down quietly. She is bold, funny, stubborn, and more than willing to fight for what she believes is right.

The novel shines in its quieter moments at Vista View, where Pepper’s friendships and late-in-life romance add warmth and humor. But Frankel does not let the story remain light for long. What begins as a charming and witty tale quickly transforms into something far more urgent as themes of women’s rights and bodily autonomy take center stage.

Pepper is an unforgettable protagonist: empathetic, outspoken, vulnerable, and fiercely determined. Frankel balances the sweetness of the romance with the seriousness of the larger issue, creating a story that feels both entertaining and important.

While I wish the ending had taken a slightly different direction, this is still a book I would strongly recommend. Its message is timely, thought-provoking, and impossible to ignore.

Source: Review copy sent to me by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Bookshop.org affiliate links.

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