Books – March 2023

Some more book reviews coming your way! I had a lot of really great reads this month. Let’s jump in!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

I wont lie, this book got a rough start for me and I wondered if I was going going to continue. I powered through and I am so glad I did!!! I was irritated with the fact that all the men seemed to be horrible in the beginning, because not every single man is awful and I am tired of the “toxic masculinity” phrase that is thrown around a lot. But it got better.

As someone who works in a male dominated profession, I know full and well that the “boys club” still exists and it took me years to find a company that treated me equally. So I have lots of empathy for Elizabeth.

The characters in this book were so dimensional. I loved Walter Pine, Dr Mason, Mad, Harriet and my absolute favorite was Six Thirty. What a clever and incredible name for a dog! I smiled, laughed, shed a few tears, got angry–basically all the feels in the book. It’s supposed to be a series on Apple TV, so I definitely want to check that out. The second half of the book is a long stronger than the first so if you find yourself struggling, hang in there!

Bottom Line: Read it!

Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover

This is a short novella following Someday Maybe that I didn’t know existed. There is also a third one after this! I plan to read the third still, but this novella was just ok for me. We get to know Warren and Bridgette that live with Ridge. It is written in Warren’s POV which is cool. While there were fun parts to the book and I liked getting to revisit these characters, there was just a lot of sex and immaturity that I didn’t love. We learn why Bridgette is the way that she is, but I feel like just because you had a rough life….it doesn’t give you an excuse to be a bitch to everyone. And I am trying to remind myself that these characters are both a lot younger than me, and I remember how I was in my 20’s…but they are just immature. Like all the pranking and they way they speak and act with each other. Just not a big fan. But I loved Someday Maybe so much that I want to continue on and read the next one.

Bottom Line: If you enjoyed Someday Maybe and want to continue on with the series, read it.

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

This book had a lot of bad reviews on Goodreads. I feel like sometimes when a book gets picked up on Instagram or TikTok, it can get hate for simply being popular. I get it, as often times when a book is overhyped, I don’t get all the love for it. However, if you loved It Ends With Us, I feel you have to read this one.

I just loved Lily and Atlas. I know that not all victims have a great guy thta comes after the abuser, or an amazing support system, but each person’s story is different. And this shows that there can be hope and a good life. I feel like CoHo really showed how well an abuser can gaslight. It is realistic that abusers never really change.

While this book isn’t as riveting as the first, it was enjoyable and I am glad that I had the chance to read it and visit the characters again. I still feel like the relationship between Lily and Ryle’s sister and best friend is a little weird. But what relationship is perfect…you know?

Bottom Line: Read it

Gospel Centered Motherhood by Stephanie Boyles

I enjoyed this short devotional for moms. It was full of solid truths, and I liked the layout of a short devotional read, followed by some scripture to read, and then a place you can write out and reflect on each day. I especially liked the chapters on discipline and emotions. I needed to reminders of watching our tones and body language, and how we engage our emotions.

Bottom Line: Read it

Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson

I am glad that Pamela finally told her story. She was everywhere when I was growing up. I loved her on Home Improvement, and my parents were super into Motley Crue so I do remember her Tommy years. Pamela is such an intelligent woman who really appreciates the good things in life like art, books, and she has so much passion for the things she speaks out about. I feel like the media was really unfair to her throughout her career. I enjoyed the book, but I do felt like it was a little watered down. But it is up to Pamela on how much she wants to share, so I can’t be mad about that.

Bottom Line: Read it.

Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake

This was such a great read. Highly recommend if you are a mom. I wish I would have read this when my daughter was younger, I realized I have made some mistakes in my parenting…we aren’t perfect. But this book would have helped me so much when we hit the toddler years. It is never too late to correct, and there are so many nuggets I have taken away from this book to apply to the future. I love that there is a part that focuses on the kids, and then yourself. Because many triggers are things we need to work on from within. I highly recommend this for parents, especially those of littles.

Bottom Line: Read it!

French Holiday by Sarah Ready

This releases April 26, 2023

I am a huge fan of forced proximity, especially when it is enemies to lovers. It just works for me. When Merry needs to get away after her sisters wedding, her godmother asks her to stay at her French chateau. Sounds perfect, right? Well, when she gets there….the last person she expects to bump into is Noah. The best man and her worst nightmare!

This book was full of charm, with two likable main characters. I really felt like we got to know them both and it was such a fun ride to the end. We also get a two for one story with Camille and Pierre mixed in. Even though I knew immediately how the mystery Noah was trying to solve was going to play out, it was fun how it all came together. Overall a delightful read!

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received a copy of French Holiday from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Widow’s Guide for Second Chances by Valerie Pepper

This releases April 11, 2023

I didn’t realize until I dove into this book that it takes place in Alabama! Like what?!?! So that was fun. But besides that, I really enjoyed this book! This is a new to me author, and it wont be my last from her…that is for sure. I really loved Devon and Aaron. I could relate to both of them, and they grew throughout the book. I loved how the town was rooting for them. I laughed out loud, and nearly had tears…basically all the feels while reading this book. Aaron’s brothers were great, and so was Devon’s. I felt like their relationship grew organically, as well as the friendships and family dynamics that were at play.

It was cute, emotional, steamy (whoa!) and had two amazing dogs. What more can you ask for in a book? This is the first book in the Guided to Love small town romantic comedy series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!!! I read this at the beach in less than 24 hours. Simply could not put it down.

Bottom Line: Read it!

**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

Check Mate by Leah Brunner

I didn’t realize this was the third in a series until I got to the end and there was a little blurb about Brooks story! I am definitely going to go back and read the first two, and then the forth one for sure! I loved Isabella and David’s story! I really liked everyone in both of their families too. This is definitely a book that could be a stand alone read, but it is one I want to read the whole series of. David and Isa are so different, but they soon learn that they have many similarities. This is another enemy to lovers book, and it had me in stitches laughing over the prank shenanigans in the beginning. There is definitely some depth to the story as well though, as they navigate family drama/dynamics. Another book I finished in less than 24 hours at the beach!

Bottom Line: Read it!

Currently Reading

Just My Type by Falon Ballard