Riley

The Pepper Lane Club #2

by Grace Parks

Riley Lawson is nothing like her twin sister. She’s quiet, reserved, and lives mostly in her own head. As a writer, she spends more time coming up with made up stories then going out and creating some of her own. Every week at the café she goes to write, she sees a handsome man who intrigues her. Instead of going up to talk to him, she decides to write him into her book. Riley plans an entire book based on this man, and soon starts to fall in love with the character she created. She’s so wrapped up in the idea of this perfect man that she’s nervous to meet him. What if he’s nothing like the man she imagined him to be?

Six women. Six stories. Six chances of love. One café.
The Pepper Lane series tells the stories of six women, who agree to meet once a month at their local café. They promise to meet no matter what life throws their way, and, as we soon find out, life throws a lot more than any of them expected. Friendships are forged, and deepened, as the women get to know each other. It’s only once a month, but they soon realize how important this little club has become to each of them. They might be an unlikely group of friends, but it takes all types to form a tribe.

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, easy reading book which every girl who's a reader will identify as a little bit of a Riley. - that's how I felt about this book. I saw a little of myself in Riley and how she is.

It's really lovely to read a little more about each of these ladies in the Pepperlane Club and thus far each story stands alone perfectly but weaves together just as perfectly as well.

Loving this series. Not too serious, light-hearted and a great escape from a busy life.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant book with a nice message. We shouldn't change ourselves for anyone.

[Charlotte Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley is a girl who likes the quiet life. She’s a writer, and finds a new place to write called “The Nook”. She sees a man at the same café, and she begins to write her love story.

To me this book says a lot about expectations, and building people up in your head. I loved how it ended. Can’t wait for Mary’s book!

[Rebecca L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more book reviews like this one, please visit my book blog at BeckieWrites.com

I have found a new favorite book series! Each book focuses on one member of six group of friends as she learns important life lessons and finds love. Curling up with The Pepper Lane Club is like watching an episode of the Gilmore Girls or one of my favorite romantic comedies from the 1990’s.

While technically Riley’s story can stand alone, I was more emotionally invested in her journey because I had just finished reading about her twin sister, Willow. Although Willow and Riley are identical twins, their personalities are polar opposite. Willow is gregarious and outgoing while her sister Riley is quiet and introspective. Riley is the writer of the group and she is often overlooked in favor of her more talkative and outgoing sister.

I could really relate to Riley because I also have a love of books and reading. I could also empathize with her tendency to build entire worlds in her head. Riley’s book could be considered a “feel good romance,” or “romantic comedy,” but it is much more than that. It is a story of friendship and sisterhood. It is a tale of learning about ourselves and finding love in unexpected places. It is also, at its heart, a very sweet book that encourages the reader not to make judgments based on appearances.

I enjoyed Riley’s story so much that I immediately picked up the third book in the series, Mary, and began reading it right away.

[Rona Nimmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Riley by Grace Parks

Listened on audible

Book 2 in the Pepper Lane Club and Riley is the second twin who helped come up with the idea of the monthly women’s dining club. Riley is totally different from her very social outgoing sister Willow. She is an author of romantic novels and lives a quiet rather sedate life of happy with her books. She is trying to write her best ever romance but to do so decides she has to widen her horizons a little. This book takes Riley on a journey she least expects and not all in a good way.
She learns that not everything is as it seems and sometimes you have to look at things just a little closer to find the answer you are really looking for.

I enjoyed this second book of the series and it is quite different from the first and you see different facets of people and you can read each book on its own merit.

A lovely book , good characters and friendship all the women have though when they started the club they were mere acquaintances. Very warm hearted read that makes you smile and generally feel good.

[Hayley Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on holiday recently, I had the privileged of reading Willow, Riley and Mary.

These books are such a delight, they are easy to read and fun. They captivate you and you feel like you are spending a lovely afternoon chatting with your closest friends. I got so lost in these lovely books and the beautiful and charming characters, that I walked into a coffee shop at lunchtime, only to be told by the staff that they were closing a few hours later and that my original cup of coffee was now ice cold.

Grace Parks has a unique way of making you feel like you, the reader, is part of this lovely world. Not only does she have the ability to make me feel like I am friends with her characters, but she also made me feel like there is a little bit of me in each of the women. I laughed with them, cried with them and most certainly celebrated with them.

I cannot wait to attend my next dinner with Grace and the wonderful ladies of the Pepper Lane Dinner Club.

[Claire Self · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have given Riley by Grace Parks four out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There were so many elements to this book that I enjoyed; the writing, the characters (most of them), the predictability and the fact it being the next instalment in The Pepper Lane Club series.

The icky part of this book had me reeling, I cannot tell you how many times I started to rage and roll my eyes at a certain character (at times, two characters). The wool was heavily pulled over Riley’s eyes at one point and I couldn’t wait for her to finally swipe it away! However, I was very happy for the predictable yet exciting ending!

Once again, there seemed to be a problem with the editing error side of things to this book as there were quite a few words missing from different sections which started to take me away from the story as I was trying to fill in the blanks.

Next up is Mary in this series and after reading Riley, I am really excited to pick this book up!

[Elmari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two was just as awesome as the first book - if not better! What was really funny was that it's about a writer, something, that I'm sure, is not so easy to write about as people may think. I am sure a few traits from the author of this book made it into this book. Can't wait to read the rest of this series and see what rest of The Pepper Lane Club girls get up to.

[Christelallison Haddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Read

When life is hectic and you want a simple but well written book that you can get lost in and when you get to the end and want more. This is it,
2 nd book in a series of 5 can’t wait to start the next one.
Happy ending,lovely characters make you laugh smile and cry. Perfect.

[Frieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

I, strangely enough, found Riley annoying. Although she reminded me so much of me. I'm glad she found her way.