Books

More book reviews coming at you! Read some good ones in here, and one really terrible one! My site was down for a little while, and I got behind…so my apologies.

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

I absolutely loved  Yasmen and Josiah’s story. It was perfect, and messy, and heartbreaking. I really loved that we get an older couple (and by older I mean like my age lol) who had some complicated things happen that lead to a divorce and we get to see them trying to navigate that while still having unresolved feelings. Owning a restaurant together and co-parenting added some complex layers. It was so beautifully written and there was so much character growth throughout the book for more than just our main characters. I loved all of Yasmen and Josiah’s friends, and their children as well. Kennedy Ryan writes grief in such a beautiful, haunting way. She did such a great job covering mental health and how we all deal with feelings differently. I don’t always love a second change romance, but this one was done right.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book is straight forward and offers practical advice on how to start making habits to achieve your goals. I already knew some about habit stacking and other advice he offers in the book, but it was done in a way that was motivating and got me thinking about rearranging a few things I do to be more consistent. He talks about taking small steps and being 1% better each day, which is a great reminder that good habits take time to form and the key is to stay consistent and keep showing up for yourself.

Bottom Line: Read it if you are looking for some motivation.

Mr Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

I love a forced proximity and off limits plotline, and this delivers both! Throw in a wrong number? Yes!! This was such a fun book. I really loved Olivia’s positive outlook on life, even when hers is quite the mess at times. I laughed several times throughout this one and it just flowed well for me.

Bottom Line: Read it!

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

I had fun reading Mr Wrong Number, so I immediately hopped on another Lynn Painter book. This one has a fake dating trope wrapped in it, which I always find fun! Jack and Hallie hook up at Jack’s brother’s wedding, but become fast friends after. They then make a bet with each other to find someone through a dating app. They share stories from their dates with each other and have a lot of fun together. The banter is so good. Then they fake date each other for a weekend, and sparks fly! Another fun read from Lynn Painter and can’t wait to read more.

Bottom Line: Read it.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

Listen, I love a good Rebecca Serle book. I do. But this ain’t it. I made the mistake of listening to the audio copy of this book. Rebecca herself narrates, and that is the first thing wrong for me. She writes so beautifully, but her narration is terrible! She had a such an emotionless, monotone voice throughout the whole book. She honestly sounded bored with herself. She should have had someone else read this for her.

The plot was a good idea, getting to have the “dinner with anyone dead or alive,” but it just didn’t deliver like I wanted it to. Past that, I hated most of the characters of the book. Especially the main character, Sabrina. I didn’t get her obsession with Tobias at all. You never really feel a real connection with them, and you can see all the mistakes and red flags she makes with him coming a mile away. Her best friend Jessica is the only one with a decent head on her shoulders, but even their relationship is rocky. I am not sure why Audrey is at the dinner at all? It felt like a random part of the book.

And here comes a major spoiler alert, so if you haven’t read it and still want to after everything I said, then stop reading here.

Did you stop if you want to read this? Ok here comes the spoiler…..what in the world is the actual point of this book if Tobias is actually dead too?!?!?! Like what???? I was so pissed when I found that out, I literally almost quit reading. But like a train wreck, I had to look on to see where it was all going. It really made this book even more dumb and pointless. I am so glad this wasn’t my first book by this author, because I genuinely like her others. But this is not it and I cannot recommend you read it.

Bottom Line: Pass

The Rom Commers by Katherine Center

I LOVE Katherine Center, she has become a must read for me over the years. This book is everything I wanted it to be! We have the forced proximity trope, which I love. You definitely feel the tension between Emma and Charlie. Emma was so determined to succeed in what was basically a suicide mission from her company. They expect her to fail. She remained strong and positive throughout. I loved the side story with Emma’s little sister and her father. Overall, I laughed and this book was so heartwarming. I love the way Katherine Center writes. Could not put this one down!

Bottom Line: Read

**I received a copy of The Rom Commers from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Crave Me by Cecy Robinson

I didn’t realize this was a series when I picked it up, and I hate I started with book 3 because I loved the O’Brien family and I have to go back and read the others now! With that said, you could totally just read this one, you don’t need their backstory to enjoy it. And enjoy it I did!!! Oh Wren and Evan. Wren is such a strong leading lady. Having lots of brothers, she has to be! What happened in her past is so heart breaking and you can tell how it changed her. And Evan has all kinds of layers. I loved how he takes care of his employees and Wren. He has a past as well.

When things heat up as someone from Wren’s past tries to threaten everything, it gets really interesting. The book is paced so well and makes for a believable relationship. I definitely cannot wait to read more from this series.

Bottom Line: Read