Books – April 2021

Linking up with Steph and Jana. I have read some really good books this month!!! I felt like I flew through a few because I couldn’t put it down, but also couldn’t wait to get to the next as well. So many books to read, so little time!

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

What a ride!!! The whole book is set at Le Sommet, a luxury hotel that was formerly a sanatorium. The creepiness factor was definitely there. This book took a few twists and turns that kept me guessing at what was really going on. I had a pretty good idea who it was going to be in the end, and I was right. I really enjoyed getting to know Elin and what happened in her past while watching her work out what is going on in the present. I could hardly put the book down and flew right through it! You have complicated relationships, family drama and secrets and a limited pool of suspects. My only complaint is that I felt the ending was a bit weak. I wasn’t entirely convinced of the motives for the killer. It still didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

To Have and to Hold by RS Grey

It is no secret around here that RS Grey is one of my absolute favorite reads. Her whit and sass gets me every time. Each of her novels is like settling in with an old friend for me. I know what to expect and that it is going to be a solid read. I absolutely loved the plot for this one. An arranged marriage/slow burn??? Yes, please!!!! I really liked Walt and Elizabeth. Their situation was unique and I loved to watch as it all came together and unfolded. I also really liked Walt’s brother and wish he could get his own book! The only thing I will say, is that other than the epilogue at the end…we don’t really get to hear Walt’s side of things. I wish I could have known him just a little more and what he was thinking in some of the early parts of the book. Either way, this was such a fun read and I blew through it in less than two days. I just couldn’t put it down!

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

**I received a copy of To Have and to Hold from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

I think I discovered Christina Lauren books maybe two or three years ago? I can’t remember now. They had definitely had several out before I started reading them, include the Beautiful series. I am now going back to their early books when I don’t have anything new of theirs to read. I can definitely see why the early fans complain about some of the close door romances they have put out recently, because ummm this book is definitely not closed door. Wowza! This is hot and steamy. I think there are mixed reviews of this one, because Bennett would be cancelled in today’s society for the way he acts and some of the things he says. This book was written in 2013 and I wonder if anything like this will be written again? It is fiction romance, so it didn’t bother me. He definitely has a few cringy moments and things that he does. But I also could not stop reading this book. Their relationship was complicated, intense, and messy. I was hooked and blew through this book so fast.

Bottom Line: I can see some people having a problem with this book. But if you are looking for a hot steamy romance, it will definitely deliver on that. I definitely plan to continue on with the series.

Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton

This one had an interesting premise. A guy and girl meet (but never actually see each other) in a rehab ward at a hospital after life changing traumas. This book was very much more about personal growth than any romantic relationship, so if you don’t like romance but like women’s lit…this might be for you. It did drag just a little at times, and I felt like the ending was rushed. But I really did enjoy the story, one of the nurses, some of the patients, and of course Alice and Alfie’s story.

Bottom Line: It was an enjoyable read. A good book for grief and personal growth if you are looking for a book like that.

**I received a copy of Before I Saw You from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

This was a cute read. It was nice reading more of the male perspective than we get in most books like this. I enjoyed reading about a married couple working out their issues to change up from the meeting for the first time/friends to lovers/enemies to lovers tropes. Plus I loved the whole male book club idea.

Bottom Line: If you like romance or romcoms, this was a fun read.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Can you believe I have never read Pride and Prejudice? It has always been on my list and I never made the time. I decided to mark a “classic” off my to read list this year, and chose the ultimate romance novel. I had tried to read this book a few times in the past and got bored with it after the first chapter or two, finding it sort of silly. But I stuck to it this time, and started to really enjoy it and look forward to picking it up. There is not much to say other than I get the reason this is a classic and beloved by so many. And so many romance novels that have followed over the years have been based on or inspired this very book.

Bottom Line: Loved it. Find time to read it if you never have.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

I don’t always loves books that go back in history, and this one goes all the way back to the late 1700’s! However, I was instantly drawn into this book and loved going between present day with Caroline and the past with Eliza and Nella. I found the history of the apothecary so fascinating, as well as Caroline’s research into it. My only complaint of the book is that Caroline finds herself in a bit of a situation, and I felt like it was resolved too quickly/rushed. Other than that, this book has me wanting to take a mudlarking trip, and completely fascinated with the history of all the untold stories of real people.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Currently Reading

The People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry