Sleepover/ Serena Bell/ 242 pgs

Sleepover is a short little romance that packs an emotional punch. Sawyer and his son Jonah move in next door to Elle and her son Mason. Sawyer's wife died two years ago and Elle's husband left her for his high school sweetheart. Things aren't great for either of them, but their kids hit it off and soon enough Sawyer and Elle do too. I liked that both characters made mature decisions and weren't afraid to let their emotions show.

The Story of Arthur Truluv/Elizabeth Berg/218 pages

This is the story of lonely people who find friendship and "family" with unexpected individuals.  Arthur Moses is an elderly widower grieving his dead wife.  He has lunch every day at the cemetery sitting in a chair at his wife's grave and talking to her.  Maddy Harris is a high school student who is a misfit at her school.  Her mother died when she was a baby and her father is distant and unloving towards her.  Maddy is a very sad girl who has never fit in with other children at school.  Lucille is Arthur's neighbor.  She is overweight, a wonderful cook, and never been married.  Each character's story is heart wrenching and their journey of coming together is heart warming.  An interesting note is that the book does not have chapters.  A space indicates the change to a different character.