Tips For Tuesday - Books: Night Songs & My Best French Wedding; Movie: Do Us Part

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.

Today, we recommend Night Songs by Alli Dyer. On her 18th birthday, Rhea discovers that the late famous country singer Lulabelle "Belle" Powers was her real mother, and she just inherited her mother's estate. She goes to Nashville to learn more about her mother, where she eventually learns about the alleged curse wherein all the women in her family are fated to die at 33. Although her mother's best friend, Hess, dismisses the curse as mere superstition, Rhea feels something sinister as she approaches 33, and her life begins to echo her mother's.

This haunting novel is split into two narratives: Rhea's and her mother, Belle's. It is a novel full of strong female characters, starting with the fierce and determined Belle. There is lots of female bonding as well. Most of the male characters are not entirely likable, and some are not really likable at all. The only truly likable male character is Rhea's significant other, Micah, who truly seems to care about her and is not too overbearing or just generally unlikable like the others.

The novel takes some surprising twists and turns. It reminds us that sometimes things that seem very strange, complex, and even otherworldly turn out to have very simple explanations and that we can never truly know what is in another person's heart and mind.  It also reminds us that we need to pay more attention to mental health.

Today, we recommend My Best French Wedding by Amanda Sellet. Fellow journalists, Hildy and Walter were once friends on the verge of turning into something more until an alleged betrayal turned her against him. Now, they are rivals competing for a story about the biggest wedding of the year or at least that's the way Hildy sees it.

Although this book is billed as a gender flipped retelling of the movie His Girl Friday, all the two have in common is that the main characters are journalists, they were formerly close in some way but no longer are, and the names of the characters. Still, you won't necessarily dislike this book just because you are a big fan of the movie or  because you hate it

Hildy's character is a bit abrasive and tough and hard to like at first. However, once you learn that that is just a front she puts up because of the hurts she feels, it becomes easier to like her.  The competition between her and Walter is mostly in her mind. He is much more easygoing, laidback, and clear about his feelings toward her. It is unclear why he says things that upset Hildy in the first place, but perhaps it's because he was young and stupid, or maybe he was just more competitive then.

Although Hildy and Walter make a decent couple, the most engaging couple in the book are the future bride and groom, Fiona and Robbie. They both exhibit a charming mix of naivety and kindheartedness. Plus, they are adorable together, and every time they make an appearance, the story lights up with a touching sweetness.

Movie: Do Us Part

Today, we recommend Do Us Part. On Ryan's wedding day, the best friend he harbored a crush on all through college, arrives to tell him that she is in love with him. Although this film bears some similiarties to previous films including My Best Friend's Wedding, it has enough unique elements to keep it from being just a cheap retread of something that's been done before. It is has a delightful sweetness and charm of its own and is full of likable characters. Even though at times some of their actions may be misguided, they have good hearts.

And that's our view. Night Songs and My Best French Wedding were both published today.  Do Us Part will be available in select theaters and On Demand starting this Friday, August 14, 2026.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

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