Have you seen the social media posts going around where you ask 12 of your friends to give you a book recommendation to read this year?? Well…I did it!!
Here’s the recommendations I received…
Have I started any of them yet? No…haha. Prince Harry’s book just came out, you can’t blame me yet!!
I did get Push from the library so it is in my possession!!
Are you doing this challenge? What do you think of the 12 books that were recommended?
Thank you to Netgally and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for my advance copy of Faking It in exchange for my honest review! (This is a LATE review, I have previously read this one and am just catching up on writing reviews…my apologies to the publishers!)
Faking It is the perfect lighthearted, fun read if you’re looking for something not so serious. We meet Hannah Thompson, who is a relatable mother and wife, trying to juggle it all. She is working on publishing her first novel, a work of erotica, while trying to hide that from her kids because…well…she doesn’t want them to know what she’s been (tastefully) writing.
What I loved most about this book was how supportive her husband was. That is ALWAYS appreciated when I read novels, especially with moms. Being a mother myself, if my husband wasn’t supportive between everything I do I would absolutely lose it.
Hannah decides to take on an alter ego and write a little more on the naught side and finds herself about to be the guest speaker at a sex convention. The research she does with her friends was just hilarious. I could see myself in her shoes!
4 stars. If you’re a fan of chick lit, you’ll enjoy this one!
Title: Faking It
Author: Rebecca Smith
Genre(s): Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter
Release Date: August 7, 2020
Find it here on Goodreads
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press & Minotaur Books for my advance copy of The Guilt Trip in exchange for my honest review!
This book started a little rough for me. I find it confusing when a lot of characters are introduced at once. For this one we met 3 couples right away; 1 is getting married and the other 2 couples are great friends. I couldn’t keep who was with who straight until halfway through the book, but I know that’s a me thing!
The couples fly to Portugal for a wedding. No one seems to be a fan of the future wife (the brother of the soon to husband is here and sets off a cheating rumor). Is she crazy? Is she hiding something?
There is a lot of speculation of cheating in this one. Something just seems off in general. Sandie Jones does a FANTASTIC job of creating doubt in the reader’s mind. Just when you think, ah this is what is happening you think, ehhh maybe not?
This becomes unputdownable halfway through. You need answers! Is the wedding going on?! Is the future wife cheating on her soon-to-be husband?! Is a child’s paternity going to be questioned within the circle of friends?! Whaaaaaaat?!?
The ending was fast paced and in your face. That epilogue. That short, little epilogue and your mind is blown. Wow. It tied everything together and then I kicked myself, haha.
4 stars. SOLID read, great thriller. I didn’t anticipate the ending, but it was great and I’m left satisfied with how everything turned out!! You won’t regret reading this one!
Title: The Guilt Trip
Author: Sandie Jones
Genre(s): Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: May 21, 2021
Find it here on Goodreads
*blows dust* WHAT?!?!? A book review?!? You know what…it’s long overdue for myself to get back in the saddle. Why? I’m tired of reading books and then forgetting what they’re about…haha. But, honestly I have a HUGE backlog of books I have read and I MISS blogging about them. So…hopefully I will stick with it a little longer. I don’t plan on posting as often as I used to, but I am definitely aiming for weekly posts!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advance copy of The Night Before in exchange for my honest review! (Oops, I’ve had this book for 3 years…I am so, so sorry it took me THIS long to read it, I wish I picked it up sooner!!!!!)
Wow. The Night Before opens up with a bang. Laura is plagued by a murder from her high school years that she is adamant she didn’t commit (even though not everyone may truly believe her).
Laura moves from New York City after a sudden breakup into her sister’s home, in her hometown. She thought she left everything behind and finds herself back here. Laura decides to jump back into dating and her sister, Rosie, thinks it is a bad idea.
Walker takes us through an alternating timeline, Laura in therapy, Laura on her date, and her sister after her date. There were twists and turns and a shocker I did not see coming. When I stopped and reflected on the book, I smiled. It was just THAT good.
I loved the alternating timelines. We hear from Laura in realtime on her date (which was in the past) and then immediately get thrown into the present with Rosie and what is going on there. This kept me hooked and kept me up past my bedtime!!!
4 stars. SOLID read, great thriller. I never saw one specific part of the book coming…it was a total shock. I love how the book ended and everything came into place. My heart broke a little for Laura, but in the end, I am happy with how things turned out for her!
Title: The Night Before
Author: Wendy Walker
Genre(s): Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Find it here on Goodreads
Thank you to Lia Ferrone and Harper Collins for my advance copy of Summertime Guests in exchange for my honest review!
This is a PERFECT summertime beach read. I don’t even know where to begin with this one!
We follow the story of four different couples, an engaged couple looking to be married soon, a couple that is dating, a couple that has been married for awhile with a newborn child, and a widow who embarks to possibly be with the man she thinks she should have been with.
Each couple has their back story and each couple makes gains through this novel. What is most interesting is it all takes place in Boston at the Seafarer Hotel. That is what they have in common. Their problems? They’re all different. But (most) all manage to see the light and work through them through a little self discovery.
Actually, the most interesting part of this story is it starts off with a death. But you don’t know who died. So we go through a few days of these couples at the hotel and it all unfolds. I was shocked at the end.
4 stars. This was part mystery, part domestic fiction, and part could it be romance all rolled into one. It was truly a breath of fresh air and unlike many of the summer beach reads out there now. If you’re looking for something inbetween light and heavy, this is a great read for you!
Title: Summertime Guests
Author: Wendy Francis
Genre(s): Domestic Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Graydon House
Release Date: April 6, 2021
Find it here on Goodreads
We may be in March, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share with you my book resolution for the year!!
I put myself on a book buying ban. Yes. Truly. I haven’t bought a book yet!
I DID make an exception and that is I will only allow myself to buy the new Elin Hildebrand book this year. So far, I’m going strong!!
My local library has been operating on curbside pickup and actually JUST opened up with limited services inside. They have been my saving grace…also the fact that all late fees are currently waved, haha.
Of course I’ve been adding books to my library (The Project was one I suggested and they added). I’m holding strong with my self-imposed book buying ban and still managing not to read books I actually own 🤦♀️. I promise I will!
Do you have any book related goals for yourself this year? Are you still sticking with them??
Thank you to Netgally and St. Martin’s Press for my advance copy of The Night Before in exchange for my honest review! (Oops, I’ve had this book for 2 years…I am so, so sorry it took me THIS long to read it, I wish I picked it up sooner!!!!!)
Wow. The Night Before opens up with a bang. Laura is plagued by a murder from her high school years that she is adamant she didn’t commit (even though not everyone may truly believe her).
Laura moves from New York City after a sudden breakup into her sister’s home, in her hometown. She thought she left everything behind and finds herself back here. Laura decides to jump back into dating and her sister, Rosie, thinks it is a bad idea.
Walker takes us through an alternating timeline, Laura in therapy, Laura on her date, and her sister after her date. There were twists and turns and a shocker I did not see coming. When I stopped and reflected on the book, I smiled. It was just THAT good.
I loved the alternating timelines. We hear from Laura in realtime on her date (which was in the past) and then immediately get thrown into the present with Rosie and what is going on there. This kept me hooked and kept me up past my bedtime!!!
4 stars. SOLID read, great thriller. I never saw one specific part of the book coming…it was a total shock. I love how the book ended and everything came into place. My heart broke a little for Laura, but in the end, I am happy with how things turned out for her!
Title: The Night Before
Author: Wendy Walker
Genre(s): Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: May 14, 2019
Find it here on Goodreads
I discovered this meme thanks to Jill’s Book Blog. This meme is all about what book you are reading today!! So let’s all talk about what book we currently have in our hands! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.
Currently I have 2 books going…
I Heart My Little A-H❤les is a hilariously true read and One By One ia turning into a gripping, can’t put it down read!
What are you reading today?
HELLO!!!!
It has been a LONG while since I have last posted…so here’s a quick update.
I have been working virtually since March. One would think I would have all this extra time and with the start of the new school year, I have been SWAMPED. Trying to navigate teaching from home all while helping my 2 kids has been exhausting. I think I’m finally in a routine now where all is better.
My family was affected (temporarily) due to COVID. My husband lost his job and thankfully we’ve been able to stay afloat and he’s back to work now. During this time I also decided to take a stab into direct sales (I know, I know) and started to sell Scentsy (I love it, shoot me, haha). It actually took off better than I anticipated and I’ve been putting more energy into that. (Don’t worry, I won’t be bringing any of that over here, I’m a very, eh, if you want it you’ll come to me, low pressure, won’t even message you to see if you need anything hahahaha. Apparently my method is working, so that’s good news.)
I have recently picked up reading again. It took me awhile and I didn’t make my goal last year to read 52 books in a year. Bummer. I set my Goodreads goal for the same 52 books and so far I’ve read 4! I’ve also challenged myself not to buy a book this year (with the exception of Elin Hilderbrand). So far I’m holding strong. I’ve been using the library a lot and hope to get back into Netgalley after I catch up a bit.
We’ve also changed our spending habits and so my non-book buying should help with that. I have plenty of books in the house to go through and always have my library. I can even request 5 books a month if my library doesn’t carry them (oh you bet I use all 5 requests haha). We’re cooking at home more which kills me, because I love to eat out (well…take out at the moment with everything happening around us). So I’ll be looking for more easy and delicious recipes and maybe even share a few here too.
I have a backlog of reviews to do and I will slowly write them and post them. I can’t wait to catch up with all your blogs and get back into writing and more reading!!! Here’s to 2021!
As always First Line Friday comes courtesy of Hoarding Books Blog. I discovered this magic thanks to Crystal at Must Love Reviews.
Here’s the line…
It was Jenny’s death that killed my mother.
Now the book…
Blurb
After the first season of her true crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall is now a household name―and the last hope for thousands of people seeking justice. But she’s used to being recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help.
The small town of Neapolis is being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season Three a success, Rachel throws herself into interviewing and investigating―but the mysterious letters keep showing up in unexpected places. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insists she was murdered―and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody seems to want to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved.
Electrifying and propulsive, The Night Swim asks: What is the price of a reputation? Can a small town ever right the wrongs of its past? And what really happened to Jenny?
Donna's Reading Chair 