Here we are at the end of July! I thought since I was majorly behind ,( surprise surprise- ha) I will just do a quick review of what I’ve been reading. Hope you are enjoying your summer soaking up the sun with a good book.
Book 32 in 2023. “Now I am Known, by Peter Mutabazi.
I follow Peter Mutabazi on Instagram. I can’t even remember why I started following him. This is his amazing story. Such an inspiring read. Overall afterthought, so good.
Book 33 in 2023. “Cassandra in Reverse” by, Holly Small.
Time travel. Love story. Kinda science fiction. Kinda funny. Kinda sad. Overall afterthought, good read.
Book 34 in 2023. “Eight Hundred Grapes” by, Laura Dave.
I picked this up before and didn’t finish. A lot of family drama going on. I’m glad I picked it up again, because it really was just a great story about a family and their vineyards. Overall afterthought, I liked it.
Book 35 in 2023. “A Holly Jolly Diwali” by Sonya Lalli.
Awe I needed something quick and cute. I have read other books of Sanya Lalli’s and liked them. It was a little cheesy, but sometimes you need a lighthearted love story. Overall afterthought, cute.
Book 36 in 2023. “The Lost Paris Girls” by, Pam Jenoff.
I recently read a different Pam Jenoff story and really liked it. WWII genre stories are pretty much my go to books. This was a difficult read, I had a hard time getting in to it. Overall afterthought, not my favorite.
Book 37 in 2023. “Things You Save in a Fire” by, Katherine Center.
I really liked this book. It was a sad read though. It had some hard mother/daughter relationship stuff in it. Some hard life things to walk through. There was also a little “I am woman, hear me roar” tone to it. Which is ok, but was sometimes too much. Despite me sounding negative, it kept me reading and invested. Overall afterthought, loved it.
Book 38 in 2023. “The Cheat Sheet” by Sarah Adams.
Two heavy books in a row called for something fluffy! I am becoming a Sarah Adams fan. The characters really were adults despite the young looking cover. Cute story about a ballerina and an NFL quarterback. Overall afterthought, awe.
Book 39 in 2023. “The Light We Left Behind” by, Tessa Harris.
I really wanted to like this. I kept seeing it on must read lists. It was interesting part of WWII I have not really read about before. Sometimes when books are based on true events they can lack in story. There is too much to fill in from what actually went down. Overall afterthought, just ok.
Book 40 in 2023. “The Flight Attendant “ by Chris Bohjalian.
This is my third Chris Bohjalian book I have read. I loved them all. What a great story teller. Murder mysteries at their finest. The way the stories come together are so wild. I will definitely pick up another. Overall afterthought, good stuff.
Every time I think that I have read almost all of Mary Kay Andrews books, I find one I haven’t . When I started reading it , I thought I had read it before, but before long I realized I must of picked it up and then put it down. I can’t remember why though.
Drue Campbell’s life is not going as planned. After the death of her mother, she feels lost and not sure how to find her way. Then her father, who she has not spoken to in years, shows up at her mothers funeral and offers her a job. Without any other prospects she decides to go for a change.
Oh Mary Kay Andrews. Family drama. A little love story. Some type of murder mystery. Wrapped up with a happy ending. I do enjoy her books. Overall afterthought, I am glad I picked this back up.
I have an unofficial goal every year of reading one hundred books. I have yet to make it. I am not super upset about it, but I will set it again this coming 2022. I also listened to more books this year than I ever have. This also doesn’t bother me. It’s a great way to have something to listen to while I drive, do laundry, cook, or whatever mundane task I am completing at the moment. I know in the very near future, my children will be grown, and I will have all the time to sit and read books.
This book was a little bit deceiving by the title. I honestly thought it would be more about actual people met on vacation. It was more a twelve year journey of two best friends, Alex and Poppy. They love to travel together once a summer, and have always kept their relationship platonic. As they get older they feel they are missing something in their lives. Could it be more than just friendship with each other?
This was cute. A little angsty though. The characters are in their twenties most of the story. Which is fine. I feel the older I get, the more I am glad to be far removed from the drama of not being settled. Spoiler alert: I am a sucker for a happy ending. So I was glad to end 2021 on a happy note. Overall afterthought, happy endings make me happy.
Well I guess by the title of the book I should of known this would be a little bit too, “I am woman hear me roar, I am man I respect woman after she beats me down”. Not that there is anything wrong with strong women characters. Those are some of my favorite books. However this was a little bit too much for me.
Back Cover
New York Times-bestselling author Meg Cabot returns with a charming romance between a children’s librarian and the town sheriff in the second book in the Little Bridge Island series.
So when I read this I did not know it was book two. Which in my brain is a huge NO NO. Must read a series in order…. I was not lost though, you could follow along. I am not sure what I was looking for. I guess I like to see librarians as main characters. The story itself was just a bit much for me. Overall afterthought, eh, not my favorite.
I am usually down for some Nicholas Sparks. Most of his books are extremely predictable. Which I like. I want a happy ending. If I want sad I will watch the news. Give me all the happy endings please. Not all of his books however will deliver. Ahem “Nights in Rodanthe” for example, grr. I wasn’t sure if this one would. I think I had not read it read it yet, because I thought it was too supernatural as weird story about ghosts, which I stay away from. I gave it a try and was glad I did.
It is about a small town in North Carolina who claims to have ghosts in their graveyard. Jeremy a science journalist comes to town to prove the mysterious lights have an obvious logical explanation, and in no way are ghosts. He meets Lexie the town librarian who is just as mysterious to him as the ghosts are to the community.
Now of course, they have to fall in love right? After a couple days of knowing each other true love blooms. Ha! Normally I find this ridiculous, but I actually enjoyed heartbroken Lexie, and wandering Jeremy’s story. I needed them to have a happy ending! I am definitely going to read the next book “At First Sight” which is supposed to continue their story. Overall afterthought, ok Nicholas Sparks you got me hooked.
Sometimes you just need a good ole Nicholas Sparks book. You know when you pick it up kinda how it will go. You know when you pick it up kinda how it will end. Yet, you pick it up anyway.
Trevor Benson is a wounded veteran who has come back home to claim his grandfathers home after he has passed away. He is full of regret for not visiting sooner and wondering if he could relocate to carry on the simple life his grandfather led. While back in town he meets two very different ladies who become a huge part of his life. His trauma from his war experience has kept him out of relationships of any kind, for far too long. Will either of these ladies let him in? Are they even able to?
Oh Nicholas Sparks. Another slightly twisty, slightly predictable North Carolina love story. I guess you keep writing them and I will keep reading them. Overall afterthought, ok.
We were at the beach for spring break a few weeks ago. I love the ocean. The colors, the wind, the waves, the awesomeness of it all. I read this on the beach. I almost forgot I was at my happy place because I could not put this down.
Finlay is an author who writes murder mysteries. She is a single mom having a hard time making her bills. Her ex-husband is threatening to take custody of the children. On top of all that she is having some writers block and meets with her agent at a Panera. Someone overheard their conversation and offered Finlay a job. She was slipped a piece of paper with a phone number and a dollar amount. Curious she called the number, the job offered: contract killer to eliminate a bothersome husband. She could use the money….
This book was written so well. I was chuckling throughout the entire thing. I had to know what was going to happen next. It was a weird murder mystery, small love story, comedy. Overall afterthought, loved it.
Whew. I have been reading some heavy stuff lately. Plus, the world is stinking crazy right now. Drama. Everywhere. I needed a nice, cute, chick lit story. This was exactly what I was looking for.
After Poppy lost her priceless engagement ring at a hotel event, her cellphone was stolen right out of her hand in the parking lot. Walking away she found one laying on the top of a trash can. How convenient! She started using it and discovered it was from a Personal Assistant of a man named Sam. She gave the hotel management her new number in case her ring was found. She was reluctant to give the phone back to Sam when he called and found out his PA had quit. She needed to hotel to contact her. So began their strange, work/business/friendship/shared phone relationship.
Sort of a silly idea. But really cute. I even laughed out loud a couple times. There was a bit of language, but other than that very clean. Overall afterthought, I love a good love story.
This is the first book of Abbi Waxman’s that I have read. I loved it. It was such a heart warming story. I will definitely be checking out some more of her books.
Nina Hill was an only child raised by a nanny. Her life was always surrounded by books. She was living a comfortable life working at a bookstore, participating in multiple book clubs and winning with her trivia team. One day a lawyer unexpectedly shows up while Nina’s at work and lets her know her father has passed away and left her in the will. Nina was shocked because she had never met her father or known his name. Insert instant family into her small bookish life.
Loved the characters. Loved the books. Loved the story. Loved the love. Overall afterthought, really cute.
This book was pretty cute, and fairly clean. I will definitely check out more of Christina Lauren’s other books. It was a great mixture of fluffy, love and drama.
Olive’s twin sister Ami’s dream wedding did not go as planned. The entire wedding party and all of the guests came down violently ill due to a type of food poisoning. Olive, and the best man, the groom’s bother Ethan, did need eat from the buffet. Ami encourages Olive to take her honeymoon to Maui, since there is no way she can go and it is non refundable. Olive is so excited until she finds out Ethan’s brother has offered him the same thing. The only problem is, they can not stand each other. The are the furthest thing from honeymooners.
I thought this was cute. Of course I thought I could predict exactly what was going to happen, and was happy to read along. But, there were some twists and turns thrown in along the way. Overall afterthought, great chick lit.
Reader Afterthoughts 