Imagine going on an all expense paid vacation....with the one person you loathe. Now you are set for The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren.
I have to start by saying that this book was such a fun and fast read. The concept of this story is so hilarious- I would have never thought of it. The book starts on the wedding day of Ami and Dane. Ami has an identical twin sister, Olive, and the two could not be more different. Olive is a self proclaimed unlucky person and Ami wins everything. Thanks to various contests and drawings she has entered, her entire wedding, reception, and honeymoon have been paid for. At the reception, everyone except for Olive and the groom's brother, Ethan, enjoy a buffet complete with shellfish/seafood. Consequently, everyone except Olive and Ethan end up with extreme food poisoning. In the mix of it all, Ami and Dane insist that their siblings take their ids and go on their honeymoon for them...much to their dislike.
As they embark on the trip, they start to learn more about each other, whether they want to or not. Once in Hawaii, they have to pretend to be newlyweds and it comes with many hilarious instances of them pretending to be madly in love and physically affectionate. They have ten days together and anything is possible. I loved how this story unfolded and how the dynamic changes between Olive and Ethan.
No spoilers for what happens, but this was so hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. And the characters, main and minor, are all so relatable and entertaining. I highly recommend picking this up for your next read! I need to check out Christina Lauren's other books. Other reviews I have read mentioned that this book did not disappoint compared to her previous books. I love finding new authors that I enjoy!
I hope this new year finds you happy and healthy. If you are still here following this blog, I appreciate you hanging in there! I want to make reviewing here a priority for 2020! Until next time, happy reading!
Showing posts with label FVRL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FVRL. Show all posts
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
The Bookshop On The Shore
I was recently able to get a copy of Jenny Colgan's newest book, 'The Bookshop On The Shore' and I loved it! I have read quite a few books by Jenny Colgan and I enjoy her writing style. My personal favorite book of hers (so far) is 'The Bookshop On The Corner'. This new one is the second in the Scottish Bookshop series, with 'The Bookshop On The Corner' being the first. While it is part of a series, it has it's own characters and story line. A few of the characters from the first book make appearances and I loved "catching up" with them.
This story is about Zoe, a single mother living in London. She desperately needs a change for her and her son, Hari. Hari's dad is not a reliable guy and does nothing to help them out and she lives in a small studio type residence in a run down building, in a less than desirable area of town. She feels like she is hitting rock bottom when a job opportunity and new place to live opens up for her and Hari. She moves to the Scottish Highlands and becomes a live in nanny and part time book bus driver/seller.
From the moment she arrives, she has a difficult time with the three children she is looking after, as well as the housekeeper. The father is a single parent and never home, due to work. Zoe works her way into their hearts slowly but surely, but not without many trials and a lot of learning along the way. I loved how Zoe's story was woven in with Nina, Lennox, and Surinder's stories (first book characters), but also very much a new story to love. And I really loved how Hari changed and grew throughout the whole story. Being with the kids in Zoe's care was what he needed to know what a family is about, and living on the loch provided him with an amazing place to grow and play. It was all so well written!
Jenny Colgan always has just the right amount of humor in her books to keep you reading, as well as a desire to know how it all ends. I'm always sad when the book is over because I get so caught up in the lives I am reading.
I would highly suggest 'The Bookshop On The Corner' as well as 'The Bookshop On The Shore'. If you read these, let me know how you liked them! Happy reading, friends!
This story is about Zoe, a single mother living in London. She desperately needs a change for her and her son, Hari. Hari's dad is not a reliable guy and does nothing to help them out and she lives in a small studio type residence in a run down building, in a less than desirable area of town. She feels like she is hitting rock bottom when a job opportunity and new place to live opens up for her and Hari. She moves to the Scottish Highlands and becomes a live in nanny and part time book bus driver/seller.
From the moment she arrives, she has a difficult time with the three children she is looking after, as well as the housekeeper. The father is a single parent and never home, due to work. Zoe works her way into their hearts slowly but surely, but not without many trials and a lot of learning along the way. I loved how Zoe's story was woven in with Nina, Lennox, and Surinder's stories (first book characters), but also very much a new story to love. And I really loved how Hari changed and grew throughout the whole story. Being with the kids in Zoe's care was what he needed to know what a family is about, and living on the loch provided him with an amazing place to grow and play. It was all so well written!
Jenny Colgan always has just the right amount of humor in her books to keep you reading, as well as a desire to know how it all ends. I'm always sad when the book is over because I get so caught up in the lives I am reading.
I would highly suggest 'The Bookshop On The Corner' as well as 'The Bookshop On The Shore'. If you read these, let me know how you liked them! Happy reading, friends!
Friday, July 19, 2019
The Dreamers
I just finished 'The Dreamers' by Karen Thompson Walker last night. It was a great read! I actually was totally freaked out at midnight last night when I finished up and I ended up having some bizarre dreams.
The story is about a mystery sleeping sickness that spreads through a college town, source unknown. Nobody knows how it started, how it spreads, and there seems to be no cure. The story bounces around between several different characters and locations in the town, so it can be a little tricky to keep up with. At first, I wasn't sure how I liked that the story is told in third person, but in the end I decided that it helped with the creepiness factor. For me, there was a nagging feeling of needing to know what the heck was going on. I kept reading and reading, trying to figure out what was causing this- aliens, chemical or biological warfare, the apocalypse, or something completely new and unknown?! No spoilers- so no worries!
I really liked the book, but I am still wondering what the point of it was. It ended and I felt like I was missing the point. I am sure that is how the author intended it to be, but I like endings to be neatly tied up, with a bow. ha!
If you like suspense with just a hint of sci-fi, I suggest you give this book a try! Happy reading, friends!
The story is about a mystery sleeping sickness that spreads through a college town, source unknown. Nobody knows how it started, how it spreads, and there seems to be no cure. The story bounces around between several different characters and locations in the town, so it can be a little tricky to keep up with. At first, I wasn't sure how I liked that the story is told in third person, but in the end I decided that it helped with the creepiness factor. For me, there was a nagging feeling of needing to know what the heck was going on. I kept reading and reading, trying to figure out what was causing this- aliens, chemical or biological warfare, the apocalypse, or something completely new and unknown?! No spoilers- so no worries!
I really liked the book, but I am still wondering what the point of it was. It ended and I felt like I was missing the point. I am sure that is how the author intended it to be, but I like endings to be neatly tied up, with a bow. ha!
If you like suspense with just a hint of sci-fi, I suggest you give this book a try! Happy reading, friends!
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Review Time Again
I think I jinxed myself when I said I would have more time to blog once school was out. Yet, here I am, catching up on reviews again.
I have been able to read a ton lately, I guess that is where all my spare time goes. Well, that, kids appointments, Stranger Things Season 3, and hanging out with friends and family. All good things!
So, here we go!
The first in today's reviews is 'Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll' by Ann and Nancy Wilson. I absolutely loved this book! I love their music group and this was such a fun insight into how they got their start, all the trials along the way, and also their personal lives in the time periods they wrote about. I felt like I was sitting in a room with them, listening to them tell their tale. It was a slower read for me and I cannot put my finger on why. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to any Heart fans out there!
The next book I read was 'Tommysaurus Rex' by Doug TenNapel. This was a graphic novel that my friend Alex loaned me. I had never read a graphic novel before now and I doubt I will read one again. It just wasn't for me. Although, I did enjoy the story of it. It was a cute tale about a boy who loses his best friend, his dog. Shortly afterward, he befriends a real live T-Rex. The chaos and fun that ensues made for a quick read.
My next read was another book I really enjoyed. If we have ever had a conversation about books, you know I love suspenseful books that have some twists and turns. This book did not disappoint in either of those aspects. 'The Wife' by Alafair Burke was a roller coaster of emotions and surprises. The story focuses on Angela and Jason Powell, a couple who have a seemingly perfect life in their upscale neighborhood with their son. Allegations about Jason come up that make Angela question everything she thought she knew about her husband. She also is forced to relive her own tumultuous past and come to grips with decisions she didn't think she would have to make. I'm telling you, this book ended and I was completely floored! Such a great read if you are looking for something to keep you guessing!
As you all know, I am a huge fan of Amazon First Reads and this month they gave us two free books! I eagerly snatched up one I have been looking forward to reading and a second one that sounded amazing. The first was 'A Fire Sparkling' by Julianne MacLean. This was a part present day/part historical fiction work. It starts out in present day with Gillian Gibbons, who is smack dab in the middle of a major life change. She goes to her family home to seek comfort and advice from her father and his mother. When she is there, her and her dad start to uncover some of the grandmother's hidden past that they knew nothing about. That is where the story goes into historical fiction mode-back to England in 1939, and the threat of Nazi Invasion is looming. I have only read one other book of Julianne's but I love her writing style. She has such a smooth way of telling stories, they go so fast! I loved the plot and how the story went, even a few twists and turns! If you are a historical fiction fan, this is a must read!
My other Amazon First Reads book was 'What You Did' by Claire McGowan. This book was crazy, in a good way! It centers around six friends from university, meeting for a weekend of fun and reliving memories. A horrible crime is committed and everyone is forced to question how well they know each other. It gets ugly. Really, really ugly. I spent the entire book trying to figure out who did it and I was wrong until the very last chapter. This book really kept me guessing! It was a great read if you want something fast paced and super suspenseful.
I have really been trying to read some books outside of my usual genres and so far I have enjoyed the ones I have read. 'A Job You Mostly Won't Know How to Do' by Pete Fromm was really emotionally charged and very raw feeling. The story opens with Taz and Marnie slowly working on gutting and remodeling their seemingly very rundown house. Marnie is expecting a baby and actually does not make it through childbirth. The rest of the book is about Tax navigating through life in his new role as a father to this baby that he has no idea how to care for, all while grieving his wife. It was incredibly sad for a lot of the book but there were also a lot of really funny points. even though it was highly emotional, it was a pretty easy and low key read.
And, lastly, I read a few Debbie Macomber novellas. 'The Way To A Man's Heart', 'Wanted: Perfect Partner' and 'The Apartment' all thoroughly entertained me, as only Debbie Macomber can do. I love reading her books because they are familiar story lines and just feel comfy, if that makes sense. She is a wonderful writer and I love her books! They are my go to for a fun and quick read.
I hope you read some of these and let me know what you think, too! Happy reading, friends!
I have been able to read a ton lately, I guess that is where all my spare time goes. Well, that, kids appointments, Stranger Things Season 3, and hanging out with friends and family. All good things!
So, here we go!
The first in today's reviews is 'Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll' by Ann and Nancy Wilson. I absolutely loved this book! I love their music group and this was such a fun insight into how they got their start, all the trials along the way, and also their personal lives in the time periods they wrote about. I felt like I was sitting in a room with them, listening to them tell their tale. It was a slower read for me and I cannot put my finger on why. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to any Heart fans out there!
The next book I read was 'Tommysaurus Rex' by Doug TenNapel. This was a graphic novel that my friend Alex loaned me. I had never read a graphic novel before now and I doubt I will read one again. It just wasn't for me. Although, I did enjoy the story of it. It was a cute tale about a boy who loses his best friend, his dog. Shortly afterward, he befriends a real live T-Rex. The chaos and fun that ensues made for a quick read.
My next read was another book I really enjoyed. If we have ever had a conversation about books, you know I love suspenseful books that have some twists and turns. This book did not disappoint in either of those aspects. 'The Wife' by Alafair Burke was a roller coaster of emotions and surprises. The story focuses on Angela and Jason Powell, a couple who have a seemingly perfect life in their upscale neighborhood with their son. Allegations about Jason come up that make Angela question everything she thought she knew about her husband. She also is forced to relive her own tumultuous past and come to grips with decisions she didn't think she would have to make. I'm telling you, this book ended and I was completely floored! Such a great read if you are looking for something to keep you guessing!
As you all know, I am a huge fan of Amazon First Reads and this month they gave us two free books! I eagerly snatched up one I have been looking forward to reading and a second one that sounded amazing. The first was 'A Fire Sparkling' by Julianne MacLean. This was a part present day/part historical fiction work. It starts out in present day with Gillian Gibbons, who is smack dab in the middle of a major life change. She goes to her family home to seek comfort and advice from her father and his mother. When she is there, her and her dad start to uncover some of the grandmother's hidden past that they knew nothing about. That is where the story goes into historical fiction mode-back to England in 1939, and the threat of Nazi Invasion is looming. I have only read one other book of Julianne's but I love her writing style. She has such a smooth way of telling stories, they go so fast! I loved the plot and how the story went, even a few twists and turns! If you are a historical fiction fan, this is a must read!
My other Amazon First Reads book was 'What You Did' by Claire McGowan. This book was crazy, in a good way! It centers around six friends from university, meeting for a weekend of fun and reliving memories. A horrible crime is committed and everyone is forced to question how well they know each other. It gets ugly. Really, really ugly. I spent the entire book trying to figure out who did it and I was wrong until the very last chapter. This book really kept me guessing! It was a great read if you want something fast paced and super suspenseful.
I have really been trying to read some books outside of my usual genres and so far I have enjoyed the ones I have read. 'A Job You Mostly Won't Know How to Do' by Pete Fromm was really emotionally charged and very raw feeling. The story opens with Taz and Marnie slowly working on gutting and remodeling their seemingly very rundown house. Marnie is expecting a baby and actually does not make it through childbirth. The rest of the book is about Tax navigating through life in his new role as a father to this baby that he has no idea how to care for, all while grieving his wife. It was incredibly sad for a lot of the book but there were also a lot of really funny points. even though it was highly emotional, it was a pretty easy and low key read.
And, lastly, I read a few Debbie Macomber novellas. 'The Way To A Man's Heart', 'Wanted: Perfect Partner' and 'The Apartment' all thoroughly entertained me, as only Debbie Macomber can do. I love reading her books because they are familiar story lines and just feel comfy, if that makes sense. She is a wonderful writer and I love her books! They are my go to for a fun and quick read.
I hope you read some of these and let me know what you think, too! Happy reading, friends!
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Review Blitz
Once again, I am behind on book reviews. In my defense, the last week of school was a little crazy! Now we are on summer break and enjoying a much more relaxed pace. I love it!
If you have read any of my previous posts or know me personally, you know that I am a fan of Debbie Macomber books. I have devoured series of hers and am slowing working my way through her other books. Last week I read 'The Man You'll Marry' and it did not disappoint. It ended up being two novellas in one book together and I loved them both! The first story started out with the main character Shelly receiving a package from her great aunt- her wedding dress, which she has always said has magical powers to find your true love. According to her great aunt, once you receive the dress, the first man you meet after is the man you will marry. Shelly is dead set against getting married and is horrified to meet a man right after she receives the dress. How the story unfolds is hilarious and really sweet. The second story in the book was centered around Shelly's best friend who receives the wedding dress as a gift from Shelly. Again, the story of meeting her future husband starts off a chain of events that is entertaining. Both ladies end up discovering more about themselves and their lives, through the dress and the circumstances that happen throughout the story. I love Debbie's books because she is so wonderful at making characters and their emotions so real. If you haven't read anything by Debbie Macomber, shoot me a text or message for some recommendations, in addition to anything I have posted in my blog.
My next book was 'The Lost Husband' by Catherine Center. I enjoyed Catherine's book 'How To Walk Away' so much that I looked up other books by her and found this one. I loved it just as much, if not more. The story is about a woman named Libby and her two kids moving to Texas to start a new life at her Aunt Jean's farm. Libby lost her husband a couple of years back and has been floating along in a daze, trying her best to take care of the kids and to please her mother, who they live with. Moving to Aunt Jean's farm ends up being exactly what they need- a new life, a new outlook, and a family that they never had. If you are a fan of redemption type stories, you will love this one. Libby goes from feeling like she is weighted down and gasping for breath, to feeling like she is worthy of living a good life with family and friends who love and support her. Finally finding your place in the world is the best feeling!
Each month Amazon selects a handful of books that are due to publish the following month and offers them for free with a Prime account, or $1.99 without. I got this next book as an Amazon First Reads book and I really enjoyed it. I like a bit of suspense and mystery. I think I like it more when I can figure it out half way through, if I am being honest. 'False Step' by Victoria Helen Stone is about a little boy who got was lost and then found on a hiking trail by Johnny Bradley, who was seemingly in the right place at the right time. His wife, Veronica, isn't sure about it, though. We quickly learn that they are not the happy family that they seem to be. As the story unfolds we learn all kinds of secrets that both Johnny and Veronica have. I really enjoyed the suspense and the second guessing I did of the characters. There were quite a few graphic descriptions of personal relationships that I could have easily done without, though. All in all, it was a good read.
The last book for my review round up today is 'Finding Ever After: Four Fairytale-ish Novellas' by Pepper Basham, Rachel McMillian, Ashley Clark, and Betsy St. Amant. I love novellas! There is something so satisfying about whizzing through a novella and realizing you have time for more! The novellas were so fun, if you are a fan of fairy tales. They each were set in different time periods and were representing different fairy tale story lines. In each story the characters all come into possession or the book Finding Ever After. It is a book of fairy tale stories that is created in the first novella and is passed through each story and time period. I thought it was genius! It is also super awesome to me that in each novella, one or both of the main characters are book lovers.
The first was Stairs and Stardust, set in Asheville, NC in 1913. It represented a Cinderella story and I think it was my favorite. A talented illustrator meets a charming but down to earth gentleman and their friendship grows. They are both surprised when they realize they are both more than they let on to be. It was a really sweet story and I will likely read it again.
The next story was Entanglements and it represented Rapunzel. A teacher and piano tuner is hired to practice with a woman who would like to perform a concert before she is married off into a word she hates and to a man she doesn't love. The attraction is instantaneous and mutual but they both fight it because of their circumstances. Eventually, that gives way to freeing the woman and a happy ending, as per usual for a fairy tale. It was a fun story.
Twice Upon A Time was a great story also, and my second favorite in the book. It represented Beauty and The Beast. A woman comes home to prepare her family home and land for sale and meet with a buyer. Turns out the buyer is her ex fiance who has a plan to reconcile with her. It was comical and sweet and I enjoyed the story very much.
The last novella was Once Bitten and it represented Snow White. A handsome woodsman, seven geeky friends, a stepmother and stepsister, and one eligible bachelorette round out this story. The main character is a book store owner that hires the handy man to accompany her to a family get away in an attempt to impress her stepmother and stepsister. It was a very entertaining story and a great nod to Snow White.
All in all, I thought all of the novellas were a great representation of the fairy tales that we all know and love. A somewhat modern day twist on them was a great change of pace without butchering them. I would highly recommend this collection of novellas if you are in the mood for some light and fun reading this summer.
I am still plugging away at my Goodreads reading challenge. I am closing in on 40 books read and that feels good! In addition to the challenge, the Summer Reading Program has started at our library. The kids and I have been waiting for it to begin and we are so happy to be taking part in it again! We are still working our way through the Harry Potter series together and they have books of their own they are reading or listening to. I am currently reading 'Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll' by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson. I love Heart and this was a fun find on Amazon Prime Reading. Does your library have a summer reading program? If so, are you participating? Drop my a line or a comment and let me know what you are reading!
Happy reading, friends!
If you have read any of my previous posts or know me personally, you know that I am a fan of Debbie Macomber books. I have devoured series of hers and am slowing working my way through her other books. Last week I read 'The Man You'll Marry' and it did not disappoint. It ended up being two novellas in one book together and I loved them both! The first story started out with the main character Shelly receiving a package from her great aunt- her wedding dress, which she has always said has magical powers to find your true love. According to her great aunt, once you receive the dress, the first man you meet after is the man you will marry. Shelly is dead set against getting married and is horrified to meet a man right after she receives the dress. How the story unfolds is hilarious and really sweet. The second story in the book was centered around Shelly's best friend who receives the wedding dress as a gift from Shelly. Again, the story of meeting her future husband starts off a chain of events that is entertaining. Both ladies end up discovering more about themselves and their lives, through the dress and the circumstances that happen throughout the story. I love Debbie's books because she is so wonderful at making characters and their emotions so real. If you haven't read anything by Debbie Macomber, shoot me a text or message for some recommendations, in addition to anything I have posted in my blog.
My next book was 'The Lost Husband' by Catherine Center. I enjoyed Catherine's book 'How To Walk Away' so much that I looked up other books by her and found this one. I loved it just as much, if not more. The story is about a woman named Libby and her two kids moving to Texas to start a new life at her Aunt Jean's farm. Libby lost her husband a couple of years back and has been floating along in a daze, trying her best to take care of the kids and to please her mother, who they live with. Moving to Aunt Jean's farm ends up being exactly what they need- a new life, a new outlook, and a family that they never had. If you are a fan of redemption type stories, you will love this one. Libby goes from feeling like she is weighted down and gasping for breath, to feeling like she is worthy of living a good life with family and friends who love and support her. Finally finding your place in the world is the best feeling!
Each month Amazon selects a handful of books that are due to publish the following month and offers them for free with a Prime account, or $1.99 without. I got this next book as an Amazon First Reads book and I really enjoyed it. I like a bit of suspense and mystery. I think I like it more when I can figure it out half way through, if I am being honest. 'False Step' by Victoria Helen Stone is about a little boy who got was lost and then found on a hiking trail by Johnny Bradley, who was seemingly in the right place at the right time. His wife, Veronica, isn't sure about it, though. We quickly learn that they are not the happy family that they seem to be. As the story unfolds we learn all kinds of secrets that both Johnny and Veronica have. I really enjoyed the suspense and the second guessing I did of the characters. There were quite a few graphic descriptions of personal relationships that I could have easily done without, though. All in all, it was a good read.
The last book for my review round up today is 'Finding Ever After: Four Fairytale-ish Novellas' by Pepper Basham, Rachel McMillian, Ashley Clark, and Betsy St. Amant. I love novellas! There is something so satisfying about whizzing through a novella and realizing you have time for more! The novellas were so fun, if you are a fan of fairy tales. They each were set in different time periods and were representing different fairy tale story lines. In each story the characters all come into possession or the book Finding Ever After. It is a book of fairy tale stories that is created in the first novella and is passed through each story and time period. I thought it was genius! It is also super awesome to me that in each novella, one or both of the main characters are book lovers.
The first was Stairs and Stardust, set in Asheville, NC in 1913. It represented a Cinderella story and I think it was my favorite. A talented illustrator meets a charming but down to earth gentleman and their friendship grows. They are both surprised when they realize they are both more than they let on to be. It was a really sweet story and I will likely read it again.
The next story was Entanglements and it represented Rapunzel. A teacher and piano tuner is hired to practice with a woman who would like to perform a concert before she is married off into a word she hates and to a man she doesn't love. The attraction is instantaneous and mutual but they both fight it because of their circumstances. Eventually, that gives way to freeing the woman and a happy ending, as per usual for a fairy tale. It was a fun story.
Twice Upon A Time was a great story also, and my second favorite in the book. It represented Beauty and The Beast. A woman comes home to prepare her family home and land for sale and meet with a buyer. Turns out the buyer is her ex fiance who has a plan to reconcile with her. It was comical and sweet and I enjoyed the story very much.
The last novella was Once Bitten and it represented Snow White. A handsome woodsman, seven geeky friends, a stepmother and stepsister, and one eligible bachelorette round out this story. The main character is a book store owner that hires the handy man to accompany her to a family get away in an attempt to impress her stepmother and stepsister. It was a very entertaining story and a great nod to Snow White.
All in all, I thought all of the novellas were a great representation of the fairy tales that we all know and love. A somewhat modern day twist on them was a great change of pace without butchering them. I would highly recommend this collection of novellas if you are in the mood for some light and fun reading this summer.
I am still plugging away at my Goodreads reading challenge. I am closing in on 40 books read and that feels good! In addition to the challenge, the Summer Reading Program has started at our library. The kids and I have been waiting for it to begin and we are so happy to be taking part in it again! We are still working our way through the Harry Potter series together and they have books of their own they are reading or listening to. I am currently reading 'Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll' by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson. I love Heart and this was a fun find on Amazon Prime Reading. Does your library have a summer reading program? If so, are you participating? Drop my a line or a comment and let me know what you are reading!
Happy reading, friends!
Monday, May 27, 2019
One Day In December
You guys, I am on a roll! Two blog posts in two days AND I have finished 4 books this week! This is so fun!
My latest book is 'One Day In December' by Josie Silver. I absolutely loved this book! It was funny and at times, cringe worthy. The story is about a woman named Laurie who sees a man from a bus window and is convinced that she has just experienced love at first sight. She feels very strongly that the man also felt the same connection, without ever speaking. She tells her best friend and roommate, Sarah, about him and they go on a year long search for "bus boy". He never turns up and she starts to try and move past the image of him and what could have been. Then Sarah brings home her new boyfriend the following Christmas....guess who?! Bus boy, AKA Jack, meets Laurie and instantly knows that is the women he saw on the bus a year ago. Neither of them say anything to Sarah and they both move forward trying to forget it. This book spans years in their lives and they all grow and change, as do their relationships. All the things that happen to the characters feel so real. The author did an outstanding job of making this realistic and plausible.
The vibe of this book was at times like Bridget Jones and at times, Notting Hill with a dash of My Best Friend's Wedding. It was just such a fun read. I whizzed right though it and was left wanting more.
I hope you get the chance to read this! Let me know what you think, if you do! This would be the perfect beach read!
Happy reading, friends!
My latest book is 'One Day In December' by Josie Silver. I absolutely loved this book! It was funny and at times, cringe worthy. The story is about a woman named Laurie who sees a man from a bus window and is convinced that she has just experienced love at first sight. She feels very strongly that the man also felt the same connection, without ever speaking. She tells her best friend and roommate, Sarah, about him and they go on a year long search for "bus boy". He never turns up and she starts to try and move past the image of him and what could have been. Then Sarah brings home her new boyfriend the following Christmas....guess who?! Bus boy, AKA Jack, meets Laurie and instantly knows that is the women he saw on the bus a year ago. Neither of them say anything to Sarah and they both move forward trying to forget it. This book spans years in their lives and they all grow and change, as do their relationships. All the things that happen to the characters feel so real. The author did an outstanding job of making this realistic and plausible.
The vibe of this book was at times like Bridget Jones and at times, Notting Hill with a dash of My Best Friend's Wedding. It was just such a fun read. I whizzed right though it and was left wanting more.
I hope you get the chance to read this! Let me know what you think, if you do! This would be the perfect beach read!
Happy reading, friends!
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Slacker Book Review Round Up
Holy moly! I have not blogged for awhile. Life. It happens. This post will be a little long as I attempt to review (probably briefly) 6 books. I don't feel like I have been that busy reading but I guess these all caught up to me. I do feel like I have found my way back to my reading mojo this past week or so. I am encouraged! That being said, here we go!
First up is, 'They Call Me the Cat Lady' by Amy Miller. I chose this book on a whim because of the fun title and description. I'm glad I did. It's a story about a quirky lady named Nancy Jones and her quiet and secluded life. She has a lot of cats, both inside her house and out, that she cares for. She doesn't let people get close to her for fear of letting down the walls she has built around her heart. Eventually, she meets people who help her see her life for what it is and what it could be. Huge changes and leaps of faith create a new reality for Nancy. No spoilers but I love how it ended. I know that I loved this book because of the ways that it reminded me of 'A Man Called Ove' and 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'.
My next book, 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper' by Phaedra Patrick actually reminds me a lot of 'A Man Called Ove'. Arthur Pepper is a widow who has survived the first year after his beloved wife's death. He decides to finally take the step to clean out some of her belongings in the closet and donate them. As he is cleaning them out, he finds a charm bracelet that he has never seen before. He wonders what the charms meant to his wife and where she got them. So, he goes on an adventure to discover where they came from and why. The journey is not all fun and happiness, though. He learns a lot about his wife and the person she was before they met. As always, no spoilers. But if you are looking for a good read full of emotions and also humor, I suggest this!
'How To Walk Away' by Katherine Center was my next book. I had never read anything by this author either (new trend for me?) so I decided to give it a try. I absolutely loved this book! The main character, Margaret, was so funny! I laughed out loud in quite a few places as I read. The characters were all so relatable. The story opens with Margaret and her boyfriend heading out on a date that ends in a plane crash. She has a fear of flying, so naturally this doesn't end well. She ends up paralyzed and he walks away fine. The story revolves around her recovery and the new life she takes on. I really did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I would have loved for it to become a series or even a two parter. But, we don't always have that luxury, do we? Anyway, I won't spoil anything for you but if you have a chance to read it, I suggest it! Also, if you read this, please tell me how much you loved Ian!
My next book was a new genre for me. I was browsing through the available books on my Libby app and this one caught my eye. It was 'All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir' by Nicole Chung. This book is about Nichole's life and the story of her adoption. When she is pregnant with her first child, she decides to finally take the initiative and find out about her birth family. An idea she has thought about doing for some time, but never wanted to actually do, for fear of hurting her adoptive parents or finding out something that may not be what she was looking for. I have no ties to adoption at all but this book intrigued me. I really enjoyed the way that Nichole told her story and how easy it was to follow the time lines of her life. I don't give away how books end, but this one ended on a happy note, which made me glad. Because this was a memoir and not fiction, I felt like there was more of a connection to the people in the story. That was a new thing for me! I recommend this if you are looking for something just a little different than your normal read.
Is there anyone else out there that completely loved 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes? I fell hard for that book. Louisa and Will are two of my favorite characters. I struggled with the second book in the series, 'After You'. I think it was because I was missing Will and also it seemed to go much slower for me. So, I have been dragging my feet for over a year about reading 'Still Me'. I am so, so glad I did. I felt like Louisa was more herself in this book. Which I guess is fitting since it's the story of her finding her own way, figuring out who she is, and what she really wants out of life. This book left me wanting more from this series. I want to know what she does next! In this book, Louisa moves to New York City to become a personal assistant to a very wealthy lady. She is dragged through the ringer trying to do her job. Reading about how the ultra rich live is always fun and also sad to me. Louisa's spunk and humor are the best. She is just such a fun character to read. I loved the friends she made in this book but I also loved that some of my favorites from the previous books made appearances also. Ultimately, the story ended in a really great way and I can't imagine it being done any other way. If you haven't read the series, I highly suggest it. Grab the tissues before you start reading tough. the emotions are real!
My last review for today is on 'The Upside of Falling Down' by Rebekah Crane. I wasn't sure what book to read next so I started looking around my Amazon Prime for free books that may spark my interest. This book was so funny! I'm glad I decided to take a chance on it. The story starts off with the main character, Clementine, waking up in the hospital, the sole survivor of a plane crash over Ireland. She has no memory of what happened or who she is. She assumes the name Jane and escapes the hospital with a man named Kieran. She hides away trying to avoid her dad, the press, and her fear of what her future will be like if she never regains her memory. How the story unfolds is really quite funny. I truly enjoyed this book! It's also a very quick read, just shy of 250 pages. If you are in the mood for something quick and light, try this one out!
So, lesson learned- do not wait so long to blog about books. Ha! I am super happy I got this post done today though. I have been thinking about it a lot the past week but I just never found the time to sit and type out my thoughts. School is winding down for the year which means I am almost done with work. Which also means I will have more time to read and also to review. That makes me happy!
I really appreciate each of you who reads this blog. This is such a fun outlet for me to talk about the things that I love! Thanks for hanging in there while I was away for so long- I am hoping to not have that long of an absence again!
As always, get in touch with me if you want to discuss these books (or others!) . I would love to hear your thoughts on these after you have read them. Happy reading, friends!!
First up is, 'They Call Me the Cat Lady' by Amy Miller. I chose this book on a whim because of the fun title and description. I'm glad I did. It's a story about a quirky lady named Nancy Jones and her quiet and secluded life. She has a lot of cats, both inside her house and out, that she cares for. She doesn't let people get close to her for fear of letting down the walls she has built around her heart. Eventually, she meets people who help her see her life for what it is and what it could be. Huge changes and leaps of faith create a new reality for Nancy. No spoilers but I love how it ended. I know that I loved this book because of the ways that it reminded me of 'A Man Called Ove' and 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'.
My next book, 'The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper' by Phaedra Patrick actually reminds me a lot of 'A Man Called Ove'. Arthur Pepper is a widow who has survived the first year after his beloved wife's death. He decides to finally take the step to clean out some of her belongings in the closet and donate them. As he is cleaning them out, he finds a charm bracelet that he has never seen before. He wonders what the charms meant to his wife and where she got them. So, he goes on an adventure to discover where they came from and why. The journey is not all fun and happiness, though. He learns a lot about his wife and the person she was before they met. As always, no spoilers. But if you are looking for a good read full of emotions and also humor, I suggest this!
'How To Walk Away' by Katherine Center was my next book. I had never read anything by this author either (new trend for me?) so I decided to give it a try. I absolutely loved this book! The main character, Margaret, was so funny! I laughed out loud in quite a few places as I read. The characters were all so relatable. The story opens with Margaret and her boyfriend heading out on a date that ends in a plane crash. She has a fear of flying, so naturally this doesn't end well. She ends up paralyzed and he walks away fine. The story revolves around her recovery and the new life she takes on. I really did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I would have loved for it to become a series or even a two parter. But, we don't always have that luxury, do we? Anyway, I won't spoil anything for you but if you have a chance to read it, I suggest it! Also, if you read this, please tell me how much you loved Ian!
My next book was a new genre for me. I was browsing through the available books on my Libby app and this one caught my eye. It was 'All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir' by Nicole Chung. This book is about Nichole's life and the story of her adoption. When she is pregnant with her first child, she decides to finally take the initiative and find out about her birth family. An idea she has thought about doing for some time, but never wanted to actually do, for fear of hurting her adoptive parents or finding out something that may not be what she was looking for. I have no ties to adoption at all but this book intrigued me. I really enjoyed the way that Nichole told her story and how easy it was to follow the time lines of her life. I don't give away how books end, but this one ended on a happy note, which made me glad. Because this was a memoir and not fiction, I felt like there was more of a connection to the people in the story. That was a new thing for me! I recommend this if you are looking for something just a little different than your normal read.
Is there anyone else out there that completely loved 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes? I fell hard for that book. Louisa and Will are two of my favorite characters. I struggled with the second book in the series, 'After You'. I think it was because I was missing Will and also it seemed to go much slower for me. So, I have been dragging my feet for over a year about reading 'Still Me'. I am so, so glad I did. I felt like Louisa was more herself in this book. Which I guess is fitting since it's the story of her finding her own way, figuring out who she is, and what she really wants out of life. This book left me wanting more from this series. I want to know what she does next! In this book, Louisa moves to New York City to become a personal assistant to a very wealthy lady. She is dragged through the ringer trying to do her job. Reading about how the ultra rich live is always fun and also sad to me. Louisa's spunk and humor are the best. She is just such a fun character to read. I loved the friends she made in this book but I also loved that some of my favorites from the previous books made appearances also. Ultimately, the story ended in a really great way and I can't imagine it being done any other way. If you haven't read the series, I highly suggest it. Grab the tissues before you start reading tough. the emotions are real!
My last review for today is on 'The Upside of Falling Down' by Rebekah Crane. I wasn't sure what book to read next so I started looking around my Amazon Prime for free books that may spark my interest. This book was so funny! I'm glad I decided to take a chance on it. The story starts off with the main character, Clementine, waking up in the hospital, the sole survivor of a plane crash over Ireland. She has no memory of what happened or who she is. She assumes the name Jane and escapes the hospital with a man named Kieran. She hides away trying to avoid her dad, the press, and her fear of what her future will be like if she never regains her memory. How the story unfolds is really quite funny. I truly enjoyed this book! It's also a very quick read, just shy of 250 pages. If you are in the mood for something quick and light, try this one out!
So, lesson learned- do not wait so long to blog about books. Ha! I am super happy I got this post done today though. I have been thinking about it a lot the past week but I just never found the time to sit and type out my thoughts. School is winding down for the year which means I am almost done with work. Which also means I will have more time to read and also to review. That makes me happy!
I really appreciate each of you who reads this blog. This is such a fun outlet for me to talk about the things that I love! Thanks for hanging in there while I was away for so long- I am hoping to not have that long of an absence again!
As always, get in touch with me if you want to discuss these books (or others!) . I would love to hear your thoughts on these after you have read them. Happy reading, friends!!
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