When I Was You

Identity theft or paranoia? 

I recently read 'When I Was You' by Minka Kent. It was a good read! It seemed fast paced and kept me guessing about two thirds of the way through. 

The story starts with the main character, Brienne Dougray, going through some of her personal history. She tells how she was brutally attacked and the lasting effects it has had on her life. Before her attack, she lived alone in a house that she grew up in and that she inherited from her grandparents. She decided to take on a roommate after her attack, to help her feel less alone and a little more safe. She finds a roommate in Dr. Niall Emberlin and they become friends. Brienne feels like she can trust him and they fall into an easy routine.  Brienne starts to try and work through her fears and anxiety and makes good strides towards a somewhat normal life...until she receives some mail that makes her question everything she has built. 

Brienne receives a key in the mail, along with a letter that states that her rent has been paid in advance and she can move in whenever she wants to. She goes back and forth about what this is and if it was a mistake. She eventually does some research (and a little spying) and finds someone who is pretending to be her. What happens next is for you to find out. 

I have read one other book by Minka Kent (The Thinnest Air) and I would recommend either book if you are looking for some suspense and twists and turns. They are fast reads and will keep you guessing. Happy reading!

The Unhoneymooners

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Stella and The Timekeepers

This past week I had the privilege of reading a book by a brand new author, M. Shawn Petersen. He is my friend Elaine's brother and she loaned me his book. The book is Stella and The Timekepers and it was a really fun book. This book is clearly for a younger reader than myself, but I enjoyed it.

The book starts out with the main character, Stella Merriss, and her parents in a boat in some rough waters. After some struggles, she loses both of her parents overboard. Her rescuer not only knew her parents, but has been waiting for her to arrive. She quickly learns why she has led a life of moving, running, and never settling in one place. Stella is shocked to learn that she is half mermaid, half angel. She learns that there are many special things about her and she is sent to train as an angel apprentice. Throughout the story Stella grows into who she was destined to be, all the while battling the forces of evil in the form of Lord Sylvain who wants to destroy the world she is now part of. The battle of good vs evil!

You know I don't like spoilers, so you won't find them here. I would recommend this book for readers ages 8(ish) and up. I think the younger audience would love the world and the characters that M. Shawn Petersen has created.

Thank you for loaning me your book, Elaine! Happy reading, you guys!

The Poison Garden

Do you like psychological thrillers, suspense, and plenty of twists and turns? If yes, then my next read is for you! I recently read 'The Poison Garden' by A.J. Banner and it did not disappoint. I have read and loved every book that A.J. Banner has written. She is amazing at keeping you guessing until the very last page. It's wonderful!

'The Poison Garden' is a story about a woman named Elise who is struggling to figure out if she really ever knew her husband, after discovering some secrets about his life before their marriage. She catches him in some lies and acts of betrayal and those start her down the path of discovering who he is and what he has been hiding. Elise is a sleepwalker and that plays into the plot as well. What is she doing in the middle of the night and who else knows?  Her ex husband, her neighbor, and a few other minor characters all help to unravel this puzzle...but not too soon. I was so shocked by the ending! I should know better, though, A.J.'s books always leave me at a loss at the very end. 

I not only recommend this book by A.J. Banner, but also her other books- 'The Good Neighbor', 'The Twilight Wife', and 'After Nightfall'. You will not be disappointed! If you read any of these books, please let me know what you think! I was sent this advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. This book is currently available for pre-order and will be released on October 22, 2019. 

Happy reading, friends!

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!!

Deborah Harkness Series Review

I love book series. I especially love book series that keep me wanting more! In February I started the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness and immediately fell in love. I have waited this long to review any of the books because I also read a stand alone by her, with a lot of the same characters in it. Reviewing these books all together felt like the right thing to do since the transition from book to book was so seamless.  I read somewhere that these books were like Twilight and Harry Potter mixed and that is exactly what I felt like they were! I loved them!

The first book in the series is called 'A Discovery of Witches'. It follows Diana Bishop, a historian and professor, in her quest to find a missing book that happens to be magical. She also discovers her powers as a witch and learns more about herself and her family history throughout the series. She meets Matthew Clairmont who happens to be a vampire. They set off together to find Ashmole 782, a historical text that all magical creatures are searching for, thinking that it holds the secret to life. Matthew and Diana race around the globe and encounter many creatures, both friends and enemies. By the end of the book they are inching closer to finding out the secrets of Ashmole 782 but there is a lot that stands in their way. Not surprising, they fall in love through the course of this book. I love a little romance mixed with historical aspects. Add a dash of magic and I'm happy! 

The second book in the series is 'Shadow of Night'. It starts out with Matthew and Diana time traveling back to Elizabethan London (my favorite!) in search of witches who can help her learn and harness her powers. They realize the success of finding Ashmole 782 lies in Diana's abilities. Her parents had spellbound her as a young child, before they were killed, so Diana never knew the extent of her powers. I loved all of the historical characters and places that were featured in this book. I have a deep love for historical fiction so this book really grabbed hold of me. I loved how Diana learned more about her powers and her family. I adored the love story between her and Matthew. Not only did they learn about each other's pasts and Diana's magical abilities, but they also learned how to create a life they love and can carry into present day. They have become two of my very favorite fictional characters. This book was so hard to put down- I spent an entire day reading it from cover to cover. (My family is super awesome for giving me a day to nerd out!)

In the third book, 'The Book of Life', Diana and Matthew are back in present day, armed with knowledge and power to find Ashmole 782. They go up against some of Matthew's family and Diana's past to forge through every kind of struggle you can imagine. Finding Ashmole 782 and learning its secrets are vitally important not only to Diana and Matthew, but to other creatures as well. Creatures with evil intentions. I won't spoil anything, of course, so I will stop there. Just know that the suspense is real in this book! I could hardly put it down at times as real life got in the way of reading. Deborah Harkness is a wonderful storyteller who knows how to create such an amazing magical connection to our own reality. 

Lastly, the stand alone book 'Time's Convert'. This book has a lot of the same characters that are in the trilogy but also introduces some new ones as well. This book focuses on Marcus MacNeil, one of Matthew's "sons" from the previous books. It is his story of his life before he met Matthew and how he became a vampire. Again, the story has a lot of historical fiction, as it takes place during both the American Revolution and present day, where Marcus and his love, Phoebe Taylor go through the process of making her a vampire as well. Phoebe chooses life as a vampire and goes through the process to become one. Meanwhile, Marcus must stay away for 90 days until Phoebe is no longer in her newborn phase. There are a lot of rules and traditions that take place and in the midst of them all, we learn all about Marcus and his personal history. I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the trilogy. I think it boils down to the American Revolution. It does not hold my interest as much as other time periods and historical events. I did love learning about Marcus and I loved reading more about the Clairmont family. 

I'm not even sure if this review does any of these books justice. If anything, I hope I have caught your attention to at least try it out. I hope that if you do,  you will tell me what you think. For me, this series will be one that I read again and again. I just love when you find books that become favorites!

Happy reading!

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Last week I read 'The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton. It has taken me a few days to get around to reviewing it because life happens and also I'm not entirely sure how to put into words what I read. Ha! The book was really good and I gave it a 5 star review on Goodreads but it confused me so much at times!

So, let's see if I can do it any justice at all. The story is about a man, Aiden, who is caught in a time loop to try to figure out who killed Evelyn Hardcastle on the night of a party at Blackheath. The catch is that Aiden wakes up in the body of a different party guest each day. Then he has to figure out who he is that day and how they might be able to help figure out who the killer is. He is given eight days and eight hosts to try and solve the crime.

Not long after he wakes up on the first day, Aiden is met by a person dressed as an old plague doctor, mask and all. He gives him clues of what to do and how to navigate this task he has been given. If Aiden can tell the "plague doctor" who the killer is by the eighth day, he is free to go back to his life. The only problem is he doesn't remember his life or how he got to Blackheath. As he goes along, Aiden realizes this may not be possible but he doesn't give up. All of his hosts know something that the previous one didn't. Aiden figures out a way to start keep tabs on hosts that can help him later and also how to give himself clues on what is coming next or progress that he made. This was the most confusing part for me. I lost track of what was going on so many times, I often had to reread to know what was happening in the story. That's not a bad thing, it's just not what I am used to. I told my husband that I hated not knowing who the killer was and being able to figure it out early on, as I am able to do most of the time. That was a great challenge for me!

As always, I don't like spoilers or even clues that can help you figure out what happens in the end. I will say this- if you love books with suspense and mystery, this is definitely for you. It is also great if you enjoy a good murder mystery or anything that involves time travel. This book basically covers a ton of likes and genres. Ha! For a debut novel, that is pretty good!

Look this book up if you are in the mood for something just a little bit different. If you do read it, let me know what you thought!

Happy reading!

The Library of Lost and Found

I recently finished 'The Library of Lost and Found' by Phaedra Patrick and really loved it. The story is about a librarian named Martha Storm and a mysterious gift she receives. When a book of stories that she had written with her deceased grandmother surfaces, Martha sets off to figure out who left it, who wrote it, and why the dedication to her, from her grandmother, is dated after she was already dead.

Martha Storm spends her life trying to help others, while her own life falls to shambles around her. Yet, she keeps going. At times, I cringed at how hard she tries to please the people in her life. I suppose we all have those moments, whether we care to admit them or not. As the story goes along, Martha discovers who she really is and what she should be doing with her life. She does this all while finding the missing pieces of her past that she sometimes didn't even know were there. The cast of characters in this book is so fun. Eccentric co-workers, domineering sister, care free grandmother, and an overly confident bookseller to name a few. I feel like a lot of people can relate to at least one of the characters in this book. They are all quirky in their own ways and it was the perfect mix of personalities. The story is funny, heartwarming, and a bit sad. There are a few pretty emotional topics that Phaedra touches on, but they are an absolute must in order to know Martha's full story.


The story goes back and forth between Martha's childhood and present day and I felt like the transitions were really easy. Sometimes, flash back stories feel disconnected but it wasn't in this case. 

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I can safely say I will recommend this book to my friends. I will also be looking for other books by Phaedra Patrick to read since I enjoyed this one so much. If you are in the mood for something light and fun to read, I highly suggest you try this one out! This book is available for purchase on March 26, 2019.

 Happy reading!

A Lily in the Light

Over the past weekend, I finished my seventeenth book of this year. I got 'A Lily in the Light' by Kristin Fields from Amazon as my March Kindle First Read choice. If you aren't familiar with Kindle First Reads, it's really a cool opportunity. Each month, Amazon chooses a handful of books that are set to come out the following month and offers them free or for $1.99 (depending on your Prime account) to read and be able to review before they are released. You can choose one book a month at the discounted price but are free to buy the others at their regular list price. I have loved choosing a book each month and one of my good friends and I often compare notes an discuss them together.

I really enjoyed this book, even though the story was really heavy at times. The story revolves around a family and how their lives change when the youngest child goes missing. I initially chose it because it sounded like a good mystery but I was pretty surprised by how it was more about what happens in the wake of a horrific family event and the grief that follows the characters around, years afterwards. It was very moving to read about the day to day struggles that the characters had as a result of this incident and I truly cannot imagine going through that myself. The way that Kristin writes is very forward and tangible. The emotions were raw and also incredibly vibrant at the same time.

I don't like spoilers for books (or movies) so that is all I want to say about the book. But, if you can get yourself a copy of it, I would highly recommend it.

A Few of My Favorites

Favorite books. Let's discuss. I have a small-ish list of the books that I absolutely love. A lot of these are books that I will almost always recommend to someone when asked what they should read.

I have so many books I would call my favorite but one book stands out from all others. My absolute favorite book of all time is 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis. I can read that book any time and it still holds the same magic for me as it did the very first time I read it as a child. I love the story, the characters, the battle of good versus evil, and the message of hope and love. I read this book once a year usually, just to enjoy it again. If you have never read The Chronicles of Narnia, do it! You will not be disappointed!

Have you ever read a book that felt like it had a life of its own and it sucked you in, body and soul? I have read two in the past couple of years that were that way for me. The first is 'A Man Called Ove' by Fredrik Backman. I had read great reviews about this book but I was not prepared for all the emotions it brought with it. I won't go into a full fledged review on this book but it is about an older gentleman and the grief that has consumed his life. New neighbors move in and his whole world is turned upside down. I am not one for spoilers so I won't say anything else, but look into it! I think everyone who has read it has enjoyed it on some level.

The second book that totally threw me for a loop emotionally was 'The Great Alone' by Kristin Hannah. I must have replayed the story in my head about a million times in the last year. This book sticks with you in a way that not every book will. Kristin Hannah has a way of drawing out such real and vivid images and emotions, you can't help but be invested in the characters and their stories as if it was your own life. Again, not a full fledged review but the book is about a teenage girl being uprooted from her suburban life and thrown into a new life in wild Alaska in the 1970's and 1980's, Everything in the story is big and heavy but also beautiful in a somewhat harsh way. Again, Kristin Hannah is an author that writes with a ton of emotion and weight. This is not a light read but it will grab you from the first chapter and won't let go. Make sure you have time to invest in this because you will not want to put it down.

These next two books will forever be classified together in my head. I read them around the same time and their plots are similar enough to group together. 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins and 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth. Both are set in the maybe not so distant future of America. Both are books about the need for the survival of the human race but also for the upheaval of the corrupt ways that have led their societies to ruin. Strong female lead characters and plenty of action in both. I enjoy young adult reads when they are done well, as these two are. Of course, they were both made into movies but only The Hunger Games came out remotely close to the book. I always say "The book was better". 99.9% of the cases of this are true.

Any Disney fans out there? I love the princess stories and the magic. One of my favorite authors to read is Rachel Hauck. I got hooked on her books when I read 'Once Upon A Prince' years ago. All the magic of a Disney princess movie but for real life! I suppose you might be interested in this book if you are a fan of the British Royals also. This book is a story of a small town girl from Georgia who meets a real prince and all that ensues. It's a light read that is sure to make you smile. It's not quite Hallmark movie sweet but pretty darn close! Actually, it was made into a Hallmark movie. (I haven't watched it.) Rachel Hauck has written several other series and stand alone books that are very different than this and I would recommend any of her books.

My next book had a lot of hype and negative reviews that surrounded it because of the content. No, not 50 Shades. 'Me Before You' by JoJo Moyes was incredible. Oh, the emotions! If you haven't heard of this book (or movie), here goes. It's a story about a young woman who takes a job as a care giver for a man who is paralyzed from the neck down. The story of how their friendship grows and changes and how the characters themselves grow and change is amazing. No spoilers here, but the end wrecked me. Completely wrecked me. I'm a total crier when I read and this takes the cake. Truly, make sure you have plenty of tissues.

'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer. Either you love it or you hate it. More people hate it and love to make fun of it. I love it and I have never cared what anyone else thinks! I just think it's so fun and I love it all!

And lastly, 'Dorthy Must Die' by Danielle Paige. Real fact- I love The Wizard of Oz the movie and do not like the book version. Crazy, right? I collect anything and everything that has to do with the movie and I even had a Dorothy dress made for myself when I was in high school. Obsessed? A tad. Anyway, I picked this book up a few years after I read the Wicked series by Gregory Maguire. I had to see what the other side of Oz was like and I loved it. Absolutely loved it! The series that Danielle Paige wrote is so twisted and fun. It definitely makes you think twice about how happy of a place that Oz really was. If it can make a Wizard of Oz nut really dislike Dorothy, you know it's got to be good!

The books I have mentioned today are just a small handful of books that I love and would recommend. I really do love suggesting books and read many other genres that I did not even touch on here. If you are looking for something good to read you can pop over to my Goodreads page or shoot me a comment or email! I would love to hear what some of your favorites are, so leave me a comment and tell me what you love and would recommend!

Happy reading, friends!

Readers Gonna Read

After some gentle nudging by friends who believe I have something to say, I took a leap and created this blog. Adventures await! If you are reading this, you have probably figured out that I like to read. That's almost an understatement. But, for the sake of starting things off right, let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I am an avid user of Goodreads and you can find my Reading Challenge on the right hand side of this page. If you haven't ventured into Goodreads yet, I highly recommend that you give it a try. Not only is it a great place to keep track of what you read, but you can also get so many great book suggestions.

I have a handful of favorite authors and you will likely see a theme at some point. I do read a variety of genres and try to branch out from my usual. One thing I am adamant about is this- if you are reading a book and you don't like it, can't get onto it, it isn't your thing....just quit! Do not waste your time on books that don't excite you. Marie Kondo your books- if it doesn't spark joy then just toss it! There are too many good books and not enough time to read them all.

Outside of reading, I have a pretty full life. My husband, Mike, and I have been married for almost 5 years. We have 5 kids between us, although only two live with us full time. They keep us on our toes on a daily basis. I also work full time as a para-educator at a local school and I volunteer for the PTO. We are active with our church and friends.

So, how do I find time to read? Any chance I get. I love my Kindle Paperwhite because I can take my books anywhere. Like the title says, Readers Gonna Read.

I have some ideas for some posts later in the week. I'm not really sure how often I will be posting, but I would like to post all my book reviews here. I hope you will find something good here and I am excited to see where this goes!