Tuesday, June 21, 2022

BOOK REVIEW DAY! | MAY '22

Happy Tuesday, friends! It is Book Review day over here! I'm calling it my May Book Review because I read most of these last month but a few were just good ones I've read so far this year that I haven't talked about yet. So I added them in. But does it really matter when I read them? Y'all know you don't care about that! 😂 I just gotta name this graphic something!


And in case you are new here or need a refresher (because it's been a while since my last review), when I say "read" I really mean "listened to". I LOVE to read. I could sit down with a good book for hours if I had the time. But as I get older I just realize multitasking is more my speed. So I'm an Audible girl. I've had a membership with them for 13 years and I think it's well worth it. I think last time I checked, I'd downloaded around 420 books since January 18, 2009. That is crazy to even think about. I re-listen to a lot of them too. One of my favorites that I've blogged about before is Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner. I've listened to that one at least 7 or 8 times over the years. It was back when I was all about those babies and right smack in the middle of my own motherhood journey so reading about other new moms was exactly what I wanted that one did not disappoint.

But let's get to this month's books!

Starting with...


Ok, friends! This was a book I've been curious about for at least a year. People seemed to either love or be a little traumatized by it. Opinions were big on this one.


Here's an overview.

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

Since I'd been hearing about it for so long, I had high expectations. And when I say that I mean I needed it to live up to the hype of either being "So amazing, you HAVE to read it!" or "Don't read, it will MESS. YOU. UP." Clearly, I needed to see for myself. I was having major FOMO.

So I listened. And the narration was great. No problems there.

And I really liked this book, y'all. Yes, for sure it is a little (a lot) messed up in the way most good psychological thrillers are. But I was actually surprised it wasn't even worse considering the things I'd heard for so long. I love a good twist at the end and this one checked that off the list for sure! Just when you think you've got it all figured out...#notsofast.

I don't want to give too many details because I'll ruin it but if you are ok with being horrified by other people's actions in your thrillers then take a chance on this one! 


The Golden Couple was one I got simply because The Wife Between Us was my favorite thriller ever and I'll be loyal to the authors forever now.


Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all—until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers.

Avery is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counseling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate.

When they glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger. 

This was another good one, y'all! It reminded me of a Dateline or 20/20 episode. It had love, friendship, marriage, an affair, and a murder mystery among all the other things. Not everything is as it seems in this one either! I really liked it.


I've read several of Sally Hepworth's books and have liked them all so when her new one came out AND she made a little appearance in Mckinney's Downtown for a book signing event, I figured I had to read it.


THE HUSBAND
A heart surgeon at the top of his field, Stephen Aston is getting married again. But first he must divorce his current wife, even though she can no longer speak for herself.

THE DAUGHTERS
Tully and Rachel Aston look upon their father’s fiancée, Heather, as nothing but an interloper. Heather is younger than both of them. Clearly, she’s after their father’s money.

THE FORMER WIFE
With their mother in a precarious position, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the truth about their family’s secrets, the new wife closing in, and who their father really is.

THE YOUNGER WIFE
Heather has secrets of her own. Will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses in all of them? 

I really liked this one. Didn't LOVE LOVE LOVE it or anything but it was good and definitely worth the read! The ending of it felt a little...unorganized? Chaotic? I just had some questions about a few things. It's definitely an example of "Their life/marriage just seems so perfect..." And behind closed doors...maybe not so much. If you've ever felt annoyed/jealous/bitter etc like that, maybe read this one to catch a different perspective! Things aren't always as they appear!


The Single Wife is one that just popped up in an Audible ad on Facebook one day and the cover pulled me in. It just seemed like a good beginning of summer read and seemed like it might have a little suspense.


You think you know someone ... but you can never really know anyone - can you?
A group of college friends on the verge of summer graduation wonder about what the future holds - marriage and motherhood, world domination, or a better life elsewhere?
One thing they do know is that they'll always be friends, but before life takes them in different directions, they make a pact to reunite in five years to see how their predictions turned out.

But over time, it's pretty clear that life hasn't gone according to plan.
And all too soon the women find themselves forced into a very different kind of reunion. Realizing that sometimes, it's better not to tempt fate ...

I read this one back in April I think. And when I came here to review it, I honestly can't even remember what it's about! And the summary above doesn't even really help me. I just remember thinking the book was fine. Not a waste of time but definitely not a must-read.


Ohhhh I love Emily Henry!! If you didn't read "People We Meet On Vacation" you should. It was one of my favorites. And Beach Read was really good too. But I never understood why it was called that. 🤷‍♀️ This one did not disappoint! It might be my favorite but then again, I LOVED PWMOV so I don't know! Read them both and decide for yourself!


Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

Oh y'all. This one gave me all the feels. I just love a good, sweet, romance. You'll love it if you love a good feel-good, precious, ummmm too-good-to-be-true (🥴) love story. Chick lit at it's finest. Loved it!


But speaking of chick-lit at its finest. This one is your MUST-READ this summer. I adore Abby Jimenez. Pretty much all my favorite chick-lit novels are from her. Life's Too Short and The Friend Zone--quite possibly 2 of my favorite books ever! This one was just as perfect! I loved it!


After a wild bet, gourmet grilled cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

I mean! You will love their sweet little love story and their friends and his town and...just read it. Or listen to it. Whatever! And if you haven't read those other 2 I mentioned from her too, DO IT!

(Sorry, did that sound super bossy?! I can get very dramatic when it comes to things I love. haha)

For all my past book reviews, check HERE. Lots of great ones you should totally add to your lists!

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Back soon!!

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3 comments

  1. So many great reads...and then one terrible one ;) . You know how I feel about Verity!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 😂😂😂😂 Honestly, I was so intrigued by how much you told me you hated it that I had to see why!!! I can see why you did though!! Definitely disturbing!! 😘

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  2. Anonymous9:32 PM

    Love all your book posts!

    ReplyDelete

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