Books

Linking up with Steph and Jana. It is the six year anniversary of SUYB! I have been linking up with them faithfully each month since the beginning. I think I only missed one month right after I had Zoe. I have found so many amazing books through this linkup, and I love that it is still going strong!!! I read a few really good ones this month, so let’s jump in!

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

I want to start out by saying that I absolutely loved the main character, Afi, in this book. She grew so much, and was such a strong character. Reading about the Ghana/Accra culture, the social pressure, how women are treated and what was expected of them as a girlfriend/wife, just everything was very interesting. I feel like even though Afi went into the relationship knowing there was another woman, I can really appreciate how she felt later on and how it all unfolded. I especially liked Evelyn in this book as well. I feel like she helped bring Afi up. I thought about this book often as I was reading it, and it still sits with me now.

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received a copy of His Only Wife from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop by Rebecca Raisin

This is my second Rebecca Raisin book. I like her writing alright, she is very descriptive, which I appreciate. I liked the characters in this book, and the idea of traveling from festival to festival, letting the sun guide you along. The Van Lifers sounded like a fun life! Rosie grew as a character, and I definitely appreciated that. The rest of the book fell a little flat for me. It passed the time just fine, but I wasn’t dying to find out what happens next. I pretty much predicted the whole book immediately. I hate when there is a Jason Momoa character in the book. I didn’t watch that show, and that isn’t my type. Why does everyone default to him? Also, I felt like Rosie could be a little too clueless at time, for as strong of a person as she was. The romance was definitely missing from this book for me. Maybe it wasn’t classified as a romance? It was definitely more chic lit-y.

Bottom Line: It was a sweet read that passed the time just fine.

**I received a copy of Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

This book grabbed me right away, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the story wove between a case going on today and one 25 years ago. You really get invested in the town and it’s people. I feel like this book really shows what it is like to be a rape victim, how they always seem to be the one on trial and not the perp. This book did a really good job going back and forth between the two cases, the views of Hannah and Rachel, and the podcast episodes. I had it pretty much figured out, but there were a few surprises for me. I liked Rachel’s character a lot, and I felt like with the way the book ended….there maybe could be more?

Bottom Line: Read it!

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Iris Morland

This was a fun little romantic comedy that had me smiling. Full disclosure, I did not read the first book in this series. I don’t feel like I needed to to enjoy this one…but now I want to read the next one about Kate! Liam is your typical tall, dark, handsome, brooding Irishman. Mari is a fiery redhead, who thinks she is boring, but was wrong. The beginning of the book starts with the two of them in bed the morning after they drunkingly got married. While this might be a story told a few times, the author found a way to keep this interesting and fresh. I really loved how each of them helped the other grow. My only complaint was that I felt there was an excessive amount of crude words. I like a hot romance…but the amount of times the author used certain words, was a little much for even me.

Bottom Line: If romantic comedies is your thing, and you don’t mind hot scenes and some crude language…read it!

Winter’s Kiss by Sienna Carr

Apparently, it is time to start the Christmas books! For me, anyways. Honestly, I will read them anytime of year. But this year, I want as many Christmas romances as I can get! First of all, our characters names are Merry Nicholls and Dylan Fraser. How cute is that? This was a sweet little love story that took place in a cute little town. It is everything you expect a Christmas love story to be.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a light Christmas Hallmark type movie book, this was sweet.

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Goodness, there are a lot of characters that Elin throws at you in the beginning of this book! Obviously, she has to build up the town and give you all the details so you can figure out what is going on. But still, you definitely have to pay attention. I ripped through this one. I loved the whole story line and all the mystery and secrets behind it. This book ended on a total cliffhanger!!! Thank goodness my library had the second one available.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!!

What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand