Happy Place by Emily Henry

What a cute love story! But yet, it was so much more. There was family drama and past experiences, couple drama, big events, friendships laced with unforeseen conflict and unexpected surprises. Emily did a great job with this book and I loved it, even though I could get a sense of predictability quite often.

I loved her description of places and characters. She picked out the most unique or smallest of details, but it ended up being things that helped me picture the characters better. And it certainly left a lot for the readers’ imagination to decipher in their own way, something I really enjoyed, particularly with Wyn.

It was also heartwarming that most of the book takes place in the friends’ final week at their favorite cottage and how in the midst of the conflicts and drama, they could pull from their wide array of memories and familiar places.

Also, ok…loved the ending! And I would love a sequel! 4 ⭐️s! And I will be reading more books from Emily.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

First of all, what messed up people! Every character in this book had a secret or something in their past that could cause someone else to have issues. But boy oh boy did it make for an interesting read.

I should note right off the bat that the topic of suicide and mental health is very strong in this story and the entirety of the book surrounds it in one way or another. It did make the reading heavy at times.

Normally I would say I can pick out one character I like most or that is one I can resonate with. In this book, I had a hard time doing that. I think it was maybe due to the amount of things going on in the storyline. I also had a harder time following the story on occasion, particularly because the “then,” “now,” and “after” viewpoints were constantly rotating. Not only that, but those viewpoints also rotated among characters too.

I will definitely read more of Sally’s books, as I enjoyed her writing style and it was easy to read! 3.5 ⭐️!

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

This one had all the drama! When Hollis Shaw plans a weekend to cope with the loss of her husband, Elon takes her readers on a journey of twists and turns.

In the journey, we meet Hollis’ three best friends - Brooke, Tatum and Dru-Ann - and each of them have their own baggage and issues. We also meet Gigi, Hollis’ internet friend, who has a secret she’s not willing to share.

Through the course of the weekend and getting to know each other, old drama resurfaces, particularly in the form of an old acquaintance looking to stir up trouble. By the end of the weekend, friendships are restored and created anew and Hollis walks away with all of the information entrusted to her as the confidant for each of her four friends.

Hollis is probably my favorite character, and in some other life, she’d be my rich alter-ego. I loved her personality and the way she bonds with her friends. Her home in Nantucket seems like one out of a dream, including an in-home library. She also does a great job of displaying all sorts of emotions - everything from jealousy, anger, embarrassment and more.

I’m pretty sure this was my first book from Elin Hilderbrand, but I’ll be reading more in the future. She has such an easy writing style! A solid 4 ⭐️s!

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

I love the way Jodi Picoult writes. It has been a while since I’ve read a book from her, and this one was on my list for quite a while.

I was kinda disappointed in this one. I had a lot great expectations for this book, and it just didn’t live up to it. I recognize the topic of COVID-19 and the pandemic is a tough one to touch on, and I think Jodi did it with grace, but maybe my issues are because of the topic in general and the stigma around it.

I appreciated Diana’s growth throughout the book and her realization of what she wanted out of life through her bout of COVID-19 and her alternate reality. I also loved the complexity and finality of her relationship with her mother.

This one ended up being an average 3 ⭐️. Hoping for better things out of my next Jodi Picoult novel.

One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris

This one addresses some pretty heavy topics of rape and seeking justice for the crime. The book started out a bit on the dark side because of this, but I quickly grew to love Sara due to what she went through. Immediately, Sara is shown for her bravery and her protective nature over her daughter, Alana.

One day, Sara gets called back home to Savannah after living in Maine for 8 years. This is where the story began its twists and turns, but through that, Sara finds herself. Hosea, Sara’s dad, is sick and he needs his family close by. With much more time with Sara and Alana, Hosea is happier than he’s been in a long time despite his health issues.

Then comes Jacob, the twin brother of Sara’s rapist. Sara soon realizes how different Jacob is from his brother and it takes Sara down an unexpected road.

Through all sorts of family drama, perseverance and a little bit of tough love, One Summer in Savannah is a great indulgence read that flows nicely and is a fairly quick read. 3.5 ⭐️!

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

What. A. Cliffhanger! As if I wasn’t eagerly awaiting the third book already, now I’m just impatient.

I loved the constant theme of teamwork and sacrifice in the second installment of this series. When I started this book, I anticipated some conflict and war, but this book went so much deeper and darker than I thought.

I loved the layers added to Xaden’s and Violet’s relationship as well. Their love was already complex (and what I thought as volatile on occasion) but war, trust issues and the influence of others around them just added so much. Knowing how the book ended, I am eager to see what will happen next. I have so many questions about Xaden now too, and what happened to get him to where he is.

Another theme I really enjoyed, which goes hand-in-hand with sacrifice, is the deepening and reinstated friendships. Violet finally decides to trust her friends with some of the deepest and most meaningful secrets she holds. While Xaden was initially unhappy about Violet sharing them, it resulted in bonds of friendship that would ultimately mean so much more by the end of the book.

With so much sacrifice in this book, I’m also curious as to what else Rebecca is going to pack in to the rest of the series, which at this point I’ve heard will be 5 books total. I hope we get the third installment sooner rather than later, and then quickly followed by the other two. I’ll be eagerly awaiting! This was a 5 ⭐️ read for sure!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

ADDICTED!

Over the past couple months, I have found myself enjoying more books in the fantasy genre. Hearing all the hype on this one through BookTok and other places, I was eager to pick it up. It does not disappoint!

First of all, let’s talk about Violet! What. A. Goddess! When she first is introduced, she is living under the shadow of her mother and is seen as the weakling. So many people were out to get her because of her mother and the position of power she’s held, as well as what she has done in that position of power. But oh does Violet prove them all wrong, and does something that has never been done before in the process.

I was completely absorbed in this world of academia, dragons and adolescence. As I’ve reintroduced fantasy back into my reading lineup, the stories with dragons and heroines tend to be my favorite. I love the action that comes with these types of stories too, so I was kept eagerly waiting and anticipating the action on the next page.

As this book has gone viral, there’s a lot of stipulation and discussion around the romance that develops. I’m here to tell you that I did not come here or pick up this book because of that. Fourth Wing is first and foremost a fantasy story, but the romance is a nice element that does soften the edges of the action a bit.

This one was a 5 ⭐️ read! And I’m already flipping through the first pages of Iron Flame, its sequel! What a powerful storyline and a great, addictive writing style.

Lessons of Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This was such a heart-warming story. Taking place in the 1960s, Elizabeth Zott is a standout and is all about advocating for fair rights for women. Part way through the book, she is given the ideal platform to do as such, as well as promote her love of chemistry and science. With this platform, she goes against the ideals of all her male counterparts and becomes a viral sensation.

I enjoyed the small snippet we got of the romance in this book, but I felt like I wanted to see more of Calvin. Unfortunately, it came to an abrupt halt and I was left just wanting more. However, Bonnie twisted Calvin’s character and he was still frequently mentioned and details were added about him through the other characters. I especially loved how he was depicted through Mad and her learning of him.

After reading this, I can understand why this book is so popular and how it has earned so much recognition along with the awards. A solid 4 ⭐️ book!

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

I always love diving into a good historical fiction read, especially when it surrounds European World War II time. This book is one I have heard a lot of good things about, so when I got my hands on it, I got excited. And it really did live up to the hype.

The book places the reader in Paris as the war is ramping up, and there we meet Eva. Throughout the story, she tests her Jewish beliefs in the face of saving others, experiences profound love and loss and truly finds her bravery and courage over and over again. I loved the depth Kristin put into her character and into her interactions with others. The further the story goes, the more Eva is willing to put her own life on the line for others. I also loved the occasional parts of the story where we fast-forward to 2005 Eva and we get a glimpse into how her life changed after the war. There is also another storyline involved with that time period, and the intersection with the WWII story comes together beautifully.

I knew this story was not a romance, but I LOVE that Kristin intertwined a good love story in here too. The romance component of the story actually started out a little bit complex, as Eva thought she loved this man, but had been encouraged not to due to religious differences, but common interest throughout the war. Once she realized her feelings, it was too late. Was she given a second chance in war-stricken times when the enemy pulled them apart? I’ll let you read the book to find out the answer to that one.

This is definitely a 5-star read for me. I recommend to anyone who wants a good historical fiction book in their hands!

The Martian by Andy Weir

I stumbled upon this one as I was looking for a book, and this one had all the sci-fi vibes. The whole book takes place on Mars and is a quest for survival and rescue. While I am a pretty fast reader most of the time, I did occasionally struggle with some of the scientific lingo throughout the book.

However, that was quickly offset by Mark and his character and personality shining through. The way Andy wrote Mark’s character was the perfect balance of witty, realist and outright comical. I found myself chuckling when Mark would start one of his logs with “well, I fucked up.” I definitely found myself celebrating his wins and holding my breath when his next obstacle hit him straight in the face and knocked him head over teakettle.

The most intense part of the book for me was the ending. Andy did a really good job of building up the suspense and intensity. The trip across the planet toward what Mark hopes is his rescue was full of watching him problem-solve. There were a couple times I really did think he was done for, but then his tenacity and perseverance pushed him through.

I also loved the display of teamwork and not leaving one behind. Once his flight crew realized he was alive and they were presented with an alternative rescue mission, they didn’t hesitate and immediately turned their ship around to go back for an attempted rescue. Not one of Mark’s crewmates second-guessed the decision to turn around.

This one caught me by surprise and I really enjoyed it. I will certainly be dipping my bookworm nose into more sci-fi novels in the future thanks to this one.

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber has long been one of my favorite authors, and I love the way she writes. It has been quite some time (about 6 months) since I have read a book by her, so I took some time. It also helped I was gifted this book for Christmas. Debbie is never one to disappoint.

The characters and the growth in this book are stellar! Maggie is one of the characters I resonate with most. She is trying to overcome so much and obtain her own goals, but stumbles as her father encounters major medical issues due to alcoholism and then Maggie feels she needs to do more to support him. Through this process, she begins to lose some of the things that matter most to her, but they find a way of coming back to her. The ways in which the readers can see her work through the process of this and become stronger on the other side is great!

Joan is the first character we meet in this story, and she is overcome with grief and using the COVID-19 pandemic as her crutch to keep to herself. Until one day, she decides to make a change completely out of character for herself. Her two sons, conflicted with how to best help, end up pushing Joan towards change as well. Throughout the story, Joan’s transformation is truly remarkable and she is a completely different character by the end.

While Debbie provided a couple pages worth of an epilogue, this is definitely one I want a sequel for. I want to know more about Nick and Maggie, Joan and Phil…and what comes next for Steve and Zoe. Steve is a character that bopped in and out of this story, but I would love to see more of him if Debbie does write a sequel.

As always with Debbie Macomber books, I definitely recommend this one.

Dear Jacob by Patty Wetterling

Took a complete turn in what I’ve been reading to pick up this memoir and I don’t regret it.

For me, this one had some personal interest. Growing up in central Minnesota and spending most of my life in the region, this story was always a bit more personal and definitely close to home. I knew some of the details surrounding Jacob’s kidnapping, but I learned so much more by reading Patty’s memoir. The strength of this family, the continuous hope and all of the advocacy over the years was truly amazing to read about. It also gave a deeper understanding and feeling into Jacob’s story.

I appreciated the shorter chapters, as it helped to break up all the information, particularly towards the end. It also was a good stopping point if I needed a minute to cry before continuing.

This was a great read! I whole heartedly recommend picking up this book.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I didn’t mind this one. It ended up being an average read for me, despite the slow beginning. Markus has a writing style that was a little slower for me, so even though it was a shorter book, it did take me a little time to get through.

When I picked this one up, it took me a bit to feel like I was interested enough in it to want to keep reading. The story bounced back and forth between two characters and I stumbled with it until they intersected and came together. That’s when I felt the story got better. Even then, much of the story was written in almost a third person/narrator style, which I don’t like as much. When I read, I prefer to get into the character’s mind and feel like I’m living with them.

I did really enjoy Liesel! She was a great, well-put-together character. Of course, I live vicariously in her as I’m always craving books and stories!

11/22/63 by Stephen King

Ok…wow! This was my first ever Stephen King book and I. Am. Hooked! This was definitely a 5-star read for me, and I don’t hand those out very often. I can already tell that this book will stick with me for a long, long time and it will likely be a book I will be rereading in the future.

I was constantly wanting to flip pages and keep going. For a good portion of this book, I couldn’t wait until my next available free time to keep reading. I was reading on lunch breaks, often not giving myself enough time to eat, as well as reading way late into the night and sacrificing my sleep. There are some books that I can somewhat predict or foresee what is going to happen next, but King kept me guessing. And then tied it all up at the end with a scene I was not really expecting.

I really loved the character development I saw in Jake/George as the story progressed, and how much his character changed. I also loved King’s attention to detail throughout every scene and situation. His language was very descriptive and it made it easy to visualize.

I also enjoyed the elements of history throughout all of this. I studied history, specifically American history, in college. I knew the JFK assassination piece of this story would be part of the reason for getting hooked on this story, but there were so many layers and elements to King’s story that made me imagine how history could truly be changed if someone were to go back in time and change anything, from a major event down to buying something like a loaf of bread.

Also me, sitting over here…waiting for a sequel. What happens next with Jake in the Land of Now?! Come on, King! Write some more!

5 ⭐️ review! 10/10 recommend! Run (not walk) as fast as you can to go pick up this gem!

The In-Between by Hadley Vlahos

I’ve followed Hadley on social media platforms for quite some time, and when she said she was writing a book about her hospice experiences, I was curious. Of course, she did a great job teasing her book through skits and reels.

I was able to work my way through her book and I loved it. Hadley did a great job of putting her readers in the moment in some of her experiences with patient deaths, and it allowed the readers a glimpse into what can happen in hospice. She also mixes some about her journey to hospice and her family life into the story, which I thought was a sweet touch.

If you’re looking for something different that’s easy and quick to read, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s a 4 star book in my opinion!

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Meh…

Through most of the book, I felt I’d rate the book 2 1/2 stars. The storyline was there, and I thought it had potential, but it just didn’t catch my attention the way I thought. This book had a lot of hype, but I don’t feel it lived up to it in my opinion. I wasn’t left constantly wanting to turn pages and keep reading. There were a couple times I debated on even adding it to my “did not finish” stack of books.

Towards the middle of the book, I felt like things were more rushed. The author spent a lot of time focusing on different “lives” of Nora, but then sped through a whole bunch of lives in a very brief summary and the list was so mundane I almost lost complete interest. The last chunk of the book did regain my attention to a point and I felt there were enough life lessons and other things embedded in the final chapters that it bumped up to a 3 star read overall. Not anything too exciting, nor anything too boring. But if one is looking at which books on their “to be read” pile to read next, I would almost say this one might be worth skipping over.

A family affair by Robyn Carr

This book was a very easy, lighthearted read, despite some of the tougher content topics. This book holds a bit of a spot in my bookworm soul though, with one of the main characters sharing my name! Anna is a beautifully written character during this story, where she struggles in her marriage, the death of Chad and then discovers the secrets he held from many years ago.

The book also includes a good balance of the lives of Anna’s three kids - Jessie, Michael and Bess - with each of their personalities bringing something different to the story. Out of the three, I felt the most change out of Jessie, but Michael reminds me of someone who is genuinely kind and gentle. “An old soul” if you will.

The biggest themes I noticed over and over again were growth and understanding. Each of the characters had to work through a lot of big, important issues, both within themselves and their family. Through that, they had to grow into an understanding of situations and how each other worked through those situations. Then they had tremendous growth!

I liked this book and give it a solid 3.5-4 stars. It kept me reading and wanting to know more (followed by an epilogue that really provided the best closure to all aspects of the story), but it wasn’t anything tremendous in my eyes where it warrants 5 stars or will stick with me long term.

The Benevolence series by Lucy Score

Books in order:

1. Pretend You’re Mine

2. Finally Mine

3. Protecting What’s Mine

These books have been floating on the viral status of my social media scrolling for quite some time. I finally had the chance to check them out and I was not disappointed. In fact, they were pretty outstanding.

Lucy’s writing style was very easy to navigate through and I pranced and bounced my way through this trilogy in rapid succession. I loved that the characters intertwined through each of the three books, but yet each of the books had a different perspective and a different storyline. Each of the books could be read on their own, which is something I liked too.

After taking excessive time to read my way through the nine books of the Outlander series, I swore off reading any series for at least the remainder of the year (2023). Yet, here I was taking the plunge. Lucy did not disappoint.

One thing I wanted to be sure to point out was that occasionally throughout these books, tougher topics tend to come up - domestic abuse, war scenes, etc. and in a couple cases, they became a fairly large part of the storyline. However, I think Lucy did a good job of touching on these topics and then turning the story around into a positive. Another aspect I wanted to point out is there is a significant amount of explicit sexual/romance content throughout the stories as well. Despite the amount of this content, I really enjoyed the way Lucy wrote those scenes and I never felt like it was too much or that there was nothing else to the story. She played the balancing act well.

Usually I tend to gravitate toward one or two favorite characters in a book, but with so many characters, and each of the books having a different perspective, I can say that I can’t narrow it down this time. Lucy did a great job of character development and description that I felt some sort of connection to even the minor characters.

Overall, well done!! I would recommend this series and it definitely lived up to the hype I saw on social media. I will be reading more of Lucy’s stories in the future.

The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This story is adorable! I’ve dipped into the fantasy genre off and on over the years, and this was a good reintroduction.

I love the descriptiveness of Kelly’s writing! It was beautiful but left me guessing. One instance I can think of is with Fyrian. I thought of him one way and then when I was reading, she threw in a completely different description of him and it completely threw me for a loop. I fell in love with each and every one of the characters over and over again. And with the way Kelly writes, I was able to feel all sorts of emotions along with the characters as I progressed through the story.

Overall, I fell in love with the entire story. I have so many things to say about this book, and the writing style…and so much more. But I also don’t want to spoil this story for anyone. So I’m just going to leave it with this - 10/10 recommend! This may just end up being a reread for me someday.

Hey Harry, Hey Matilda by Rachel Hulin

Let me just start by saying I did not like the format of this story. The whole book is letters/emails back and forth between Harry and Matilda, two siblings. And the format made it really hard for me to stick with the book. The first 50 pages were really slow for me and I did almost give up. BUT I did connect enough with the story 50 pages in to keep going.

I felt like this story lacked a lot of character development and setting, largely because of the format. The storyline ended up being pretty good and I was able to see some of the development in the later parts of the book. For me, that just came a little too late and then I was left wanting more. The book ended in quite a cliffhanger, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Rachel writes a sequel.

I am also unsure of where to classify this book. It has notes of romance but there are a lot of other things too. Largely, I think this book is about self-discovery and finding freedom in that. Even though I didn’t enjoy this book too much, I would not be at a place to tell someone else to read it…or not to read it. It was an average novel for me.

I’d comfortably rate this 3/5 stars. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t any great stand-out novel for me either.