Tips for Tuesday - Books: The Lake Escape & Friends to Lovers; Movie: The Final Round

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: The Lake Escape & Friends to Lovers 

Today, we recommend The Lake Escape by Jamie Day. Izzy lies about her resume to get a summer job as a nanny to entrepreneur David Dunne's children, but it's more than her interest in true crime that draws her to the lake where two women have disappeared thirty years apart. David and his two friends, Julia and Erika, have spent their summers at the lake since they were kids. When another woman disappears, this one David's latest girlfriend, the two women wonder how well they really know their friend.

If you like an exciting thriller with lots of twists and turns and numerous secrets to be revealed, you should enjoy this one. Even if you think you know where the story is going, there will still be plenty of surprises. Plus, all of the twists and turns make sense, and none of it is too out of left field. 

There are also plenty of family vibes in this book. It is full of both family and found family vibes; some are quite touching, others less so. The relationship that develops between Izzy and David's children is especially touching. Their eventual parting is heartbreaking. Overall, however, the ending is satisfying and not sad.

Today, we are talking about Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely. Joni and Ren's families are the closest of friends and share a summer home. Joni and Reni have always been particularly close and were inseparable since childhood until a line was crossed and their friendship was broken. Now, home for her sister's wedding, Joni has to fake a friendship with Ren rather than deal with what happened between them or face her family's questions, but she quickly realizes she misses having Ren in her life. 

Although the relationship is touching and Joni and Ren are both basically good, likable people that you want to root for, this book is not completely satisfying. In fact, it is rather annoying.  Its main premise revolves around the extremely frustrating trope wherein the characters are apart for no good reason other than that one character thinks they are doing what is best for another character without even consulting that character. 

However, despite that, the book is full of great family vibes both within and between the families. The way these people are always there for one another is really touching. If you're in it for that, you can still enjoy this book, or at least aspects of it. 

Movie: The Final Round, Round 16

Courtesy of AMcK PR

Today, we are talking about The Final Round, Round 16. This movie is a documentary about Robert W. Lee, the founder of the International Boxing Federation, who was found guilty of tax evasion and money laundering, allegedly because the feds were unable to get him to testify against Don King. However, the film is too short and rather one-sided. It leaves you wanting to know more. 

And that's our view. The Lake Escape was published today. Friends to Lovers will publish next Tuesday, July 22. The Final Round, Round 16, is available now digitally for purchase or rental.

All images except film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us here, and we will look into the matter