Books – August 2022

I made a goal on Goodreads at the beginning of the year to read 52 books, one for each week. I ended up hitting that goal in July, I am currently sitting at 60 for the year! Wow! It definitely helps that I often listen to audiobooks while I work during the day, and sitting in carline waiting for Zoe. I had some great reads this month, so lets jump in!!

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

What is up with Elin and writing about ghosts and other super natural things? I usually don’t enjoy books with those elements, but I have to admit….I have enjoyed Elin’s versions. This was a delightful summer read. I love all the characters, and man are there a lot of them between the hotel staff and some of the guests we really get to know. I loved all the descriptions of the hotel, the foods, and hearing some names of other people and places we have come to love on the island through previous books. This just makes me want to pack a bag and check into The Hotel Nantucket.

Bottom Line: Read it!

Built to Last by Erin Hahn

Releases October 18, 2022

Former child stars with a history are thrown back together for a reality home renovation show. Dig in for some entertainment! I really enjoyed getting to know Cameron and Shelby, both from their past and current lives. We have some great side characters in their best friends, and Shelby’s dad. There are so many fun and sweet moments throughout this book, some personal growth in our characters, and who doesn’t love a home renovation?! I have read a previous Erin Hahn book that was YA, and quite enjoyed it even though that isn’t my favorite genre. This is her debut into romcom and I hope she continues on this path! The banter and chemistry were fantastic.

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received a copy of Built to Last from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

With Love from Wish & Co by Minnie Darke

This was so cute, and a delight to read! It takes place in Australia, where a professional gift buyer makes a huge mistake with one of her best clients. Then starts to fall for said client’s son! You get the perspective of every character in the book, which at times I had to think about whose head we were in, as there is no indication when it switches besides a little present box picture. I liked getting every POV though. I felt like there could definitely have been more character development, the book is rather light and predictable.

Bottom Line: Read it! Would make a great palette cleanser.

**I received a copy of With Love from Wish & Co from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

I devoured this Christina Lauren book, as I do all their books. I definitely feel like the book focused more on the treasure hunt than the relationship between Lily and Leo. That sort of makes me sad, because it made it not as good as most CL books. It was definitely still enjoyable though; good banter, chemistry, and well paced. The whole treasure hunt theme was fun, and it definitely kept me engaged. I just felt like we didn’t get to really connect with our main characters as we have in their past books.

Bottom Line: Read it!

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley

I am not sure how I feel about this one after reading it? I finished it rather quickly, it is quite readable. However, I am not sure that I really connected with either of the main characters. They are rather unlikeable. I lost all respect for Kat when she agreed to write the novel as an ultimatum from her fiancé. Like seriously?? Also, there is so much emotional cheating in this book, which I am not a fan of. We spend the first half of the book not really knowing exactly what happened between Nathan and Kat, and when we find out, I am not sure how I felt about it. I went in thinking this was going to be a romcom, but it was more a book about love than a romance. And it was all while the two authors were writing a book about divorce, but also writing about their own feelings in the book…about divorce?

Bottom Line: Based on my review, you are probably thinking pass. And I couldn’t blame you. And yet…it still had my attention and I read it rather quickly.

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this one, and it kept me guessing the entire time. This isn’t a suspenseful thriller, but you aren’t sure what to think about our main character Emma and what has happened in her past and why she lied. I spent most of the book coming up with theories, and I was wrong on all of them. I found all the side characters fascinating, and this book was easy to read quickly because I just wanted to know more.

Bottom Line: Read it

Moments with God for Women by Our Daily Bread

Each devotion gives you a passage to read from the bible, then it connects the passage with a story or message. It then gives moments for reflection, then a moment for renewal/prayer. I really liked the layout of this. It is perfect for any woman who is busy, and only has a few moments to dedicate each morning to quiet time. This devotional was very grounding. Would make a great gift!

Bottom Line: Read it

**I received a copy of Moments with God for Women from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Lifegiving Home by Sarah Clarkston

There were so many good nuggets that I took away from this book about being intentional and pouring life and love into your family. Thank you Tanya for recommending it to me! I enjoyed that each chapter was set for a certain month and gave you all the seasonal/cozy feels. It was written by a mother and daughter and was beautifully done. I have a few other books of Sally’s on my TBR and can’t wait to get to them. I sat with a notebook while reading to write some of the things I wanted to remember since I got this from the library.

Bottom Line: Read it.

The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum

Call me the cookie monster. I can pass on cake and some other treats. But cookies? We all have room for a cookie, right? There are so many recipes in this book! There are classics like chocolate chip and oatmeal, and some that I can’t wait to try like Pecan Freezer Squares and Brownie Doughnuts. Some of the recipes require some pre-planning and are a little fancier than dump in a bowl and bake. I am sure that anyone who reads this will find their new favorite cookie in these pages. The pictures have me drooling and planning my next baking day!

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

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

I couldn’t get into this one, so I quit pretty early on. I may try again one day.