Two Books for Fans of Women's Fiction

by Susan Roberts

Soon summer will be here, which means that days spent at the beach, lake, or pool are just around the corner. Women's fiction is one of the most popular genres to pop into your summer bag. If you are planning your summer reading, get a jump on it these these two books.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Roll the Sun Across the Sky by Barbara Linn Probst

May 2025; She Writes Press; 978-1647428990
ebook, print (320 pages); women's fiction

A compelling contemporary novel about a woman’s struggle to face her reckless history, with its trail of damage and deception, and her quest for the redemption that might still be possible.

This is Barbara Linn Probst's fourth book, and it continues her trend of excellent and memorable stories. Each of her books is different, but what they all have in common is beautiful writing and characters who make a lasting impression on her readers.  She has quickly become an author that I follow so that I don't miss any of her books or the insights that she shares on social media about her research and writing process.

Roll the Sun Across the Sky looks at love and loss, guilt and forgiveness - not just forgiveness of others but also forgiving yourself. Arden looks at her life from her trip to Egypt with her boyfriend when she was 20 until present day, when at 60, she is faced with a terrible life event and begins to look back at all of the nuances of her life.  Her life is full of various men, a daughter she loves but doesn't really understand, and now a granddaughter who is in her care and becomes her main focus in life.  She knows that she's made mistakes every step of the way and has to decide if the mistakes were worth it and if she has learned from her past.   

This is a beautiful look at a woman’s struggle to face her history and the damage she has done to herself and others, and to decide whether she can find redemption from her past. 

Buy Roll the Sun Across the Sky at Amazon

  

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey

May 2025; Gallery Books; 978-1668074800
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); women's fiction

If it isn't already in your plans, you need to buy a copy of this book when it publishes and pack it into your beach bag for your summer vacation.  It's a perfect book to read sitting by the lake or ocean...but actually it's a perfect book to read anywhere at all.  I'm a major fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey and have read and loved everything that she's written.

Charlotte and her daughter Iris are locked out of their home when the FBI arrests her husband for a white-collar financial crime.  They can't get back into their home, and all of their bank accounts are frozen.  Charlotte isn't sure what to do, but when she meets Alice at the bank during an emotional breakdown, she accepts Alice's offer to move into her home with several other women with financial or family issues.

They call this home a mommune, which was a totally new word for me, but after I googled it, I found out that it is a real living arrangement.  The women all help each other and share the childcare, homework, cooking, and cleaning.  Despite their personal circumstances, Charlotte and Iris find that they really enjoy the living arrangements and love creating new and vital friendships with Alice and the other women.  

Even though Charlotte's story is the most important, all of the women, especially Alice, had stories that positively contributed to the storyline.  Everyone has decisions to make - Charlotte and Iris have to decide what they will do if her husband goes to jail, Alice has to decide whether she can continue a new relationship after burying several husbands, and one woman has to decide if she will move back in with her mother.  These are sorts of life issues that they face, but their friendships help all of them to make the right decisions.

There's not a real Juniper Shores in North Carolina, but there are a lot of small towns that have the same vibes as it does.  After you read about the people and the small town friendships in this fictional town, you may want to pack a bag and take a trip to the beach (I'm a bit prejudiced, but I think that NC beaches are the best!)

This book celebrates the importance of women friends in our lives.  The women in this book are all different ages and have different reasons for moving into the 'mommune', but they become friends and help each other every step of the way.  My friends have been a very important part of my life, and it's wonderful to read a book about the treasure that women friends can be to each of us.

Buy Beach House Rules at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.   

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.