All Booked Up

Author: Melody Carlson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 272
Release Date: March 17, 2026
Publisher: Revell

When preserving precious memories means welcoming unexpected changes, Riva finds that her heart has room for so much more than she imagined.

Widowed empty nester Riva Owen lives in the Victorian house that's been in her family for three generations, but finances have become a challenge she can no longer ignore. Her daughter is pushing her to move, and after considering all her options, Riva knows selling would be the smartest course. But she just can't bring herself to leave decades of memories--and her cherished library filled with hundreds of books.

When she pursues an alternative--opening her home to women like her who need a room to rent--Riva is unprepared for the mix of personalities and peculiarities of her new housemates. She is even more unprepared for Marcus, the handsome and handy older brother of one of her new tenants. The possibility of finding love again feels overwhelming, even as her tenants seem to have romantic schemes of their own.

Warm your heart with a story of found family, book lovers, and a second chance at love.

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Reviewer: Trixi Oberembt

Family is where you find it. 

Riva has many memories in the old Victorian house her family has had for years. With the passing of her husband over a year ago, she finds herself at a crossroads. Due to finances, she can’t keep the house, yet at the same time she can’t bring herself to sell it…so when an opportunity to rent out the rooms to female boarders arises , she embarks on a new and somewhat scary adventure.

We’ll be like the Golden Girls of the new Millennium.

I love how the author weaves these five women together even though they all have different backgrounds & life experiences. It’s hard at first, but they all have one thing in common—grief—which bonds them in the end. Of course, you can expect a few bumps along the way as they navigate living under the same roof. There were a few incidences that were portrayed in a juvenile manner, so it took a bit of the enjoyment out the story for me. There were many emotions felt by me as I learned of the past hurts or difficulties of the characters, and that helped connect me to them in a tangible way. In the end, it was a truly enjoyable read about a group of people navigating life together & overcoming grief. My favorite part was when Riva reminded them that God’s love is unconditional and never gives up. He’s relentless in pursuing us in spite of all our human flaws. I love those reminders myself!

I received a complimentary copy from Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

I absolutely loved this book as I usually love Melody Carlson's books. She has an amazing talent to take a heavy subject and some how make a light and airy story that will have you up half the night because you can't put it down. 

Riva is a widow of eighteen months. She is adjusting and grieving in her family home that has been passed down a few generations through her family. She is coming to the realization that her giant home is to big for just her and to expensive on her own.

Windy is a hippie women who lives life on her own terms. She also is a widow and suggests that Riva rent the rooms in her house out. Laurie is a long term friend of Riva and is divorced. Fiona is an Irish waitress at an Irish pub. Kitty is an eccentric beautician. 

This book is a modern day golden girls. These women come together through loss and looking for hope. As they learn to live together they also are learning to get to know themselves in a new life. Each women is experiencing grief through the death of her husband or divorce. I highly recommend reading this! 

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Lori Parrish

I loved every minute of this one! So much so that I was sad when it ended. I love Carlson’s books!

I just finished this wonderful novel. Wow!

Grief can hit anytime, anywhere. This amazing book shows that. Poor Riva! Caught between the middle of friends and life, oh my.

Kitty is the one character that I didn’t like. I didn’t like from the get go. But yet at the same time I felt sorry for her. If that makes sense.

I thought it was a bad idea to begin with, but then we wouldn’t have a story. I don’t think the house liked it either. Houses do have stories to tell too.

This story did end up in some funny places, but yet at the same time wanted to shake some of these characters because they acted like children. I already named one earlier, but that’s all I’ll do.

I really did enjoy this story.

Riva was a delight to get to know. As this story shows, there are some very hard decisions to make, but I feel like the characters come out better for them.

I truly loved all these characters, from their personalities to their amazing friendships. Yes, people won’t always get along, but that’s what makes this story such a cute and delightful one.

Carlson did a wonderful job with this story. I’m looking forward to more from her. Her stories will make your day believe me.

5 stars for keeping me interested all the way through.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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