Book reviews coming in late! I got so behind on reviews both here and on Instagram. I hate that. I am going to try to catch up so I can keep current. So many good books were read over the last few months that I must share!
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
I first want to disclose that I did not read the other books from this series, I think you can read this alone like I did and enjoy it. I enjoyed Wes and Liz’z reconnected story. They were in college so I had to keep reminding myself of that as I read….because both their characters were quite immature. Especially Liz. I was entertained and engaged the whole time, but it wasn’t my favorite from the Author. I feel like I probably should have read the other ones in this series first to be more invested in the characters. But overall. it is more YA behavior than I like to read as a 40+ audience. Still, the writing was good.
Bottom Line: Read it.
** I received a copy of Nothing Like the Movies from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
I have read all of Alex Finlay’s books and enjoy them a lot! This one hooked me from the beginning. It has a unique plot and a great pace as you try to figure out what happened the night Ali disappeared. There were twists and turns and it kept me engaged the entire time.
Bottom Line: Read it!
Sweeter than Chocolate by Lizzie Shane
I don’t think I have read anything by this author before. This one was so sweet, it melted my heart like chocolate. I wish I had saved it for Valentine’s Day…but Christmas is just as fun. I really loved Lucy’s family chocolate shop that she wanted to keep alive. You can tell her heart and soul was into it. And I enjoyed the banter between her and Dean as they got to know each other through his news segments. You know exactly where this book is going to go, but it is still fun getting there!
I consumed this one via audiobook and I very much enjoyed both the male and female narrators. They really added extra to the fun and sweetness of this book. Highly recommend this version if audio is your thing!
Bottom Line: Read it!
**I received an audiobook copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.**
Good Energy by Casey Means
I have been a big fan of Casey and Calley Means the last few years, following their Instagram accounts and listening to the many interviews they have done. I appreciate what they are trying to do, calling out the medical and pharma communities on everything that they do wrong and sharing lifestyle changes to live a healthier, longer life. There is so much information to unpack in this book. I find it all very interesting and helpful. However, I do think some of the suggestions offered are out of touch for the average person. Spending thousands of dollars on lab testing that isn’t covered by insurance, expensive devices to track your health, and tracking every single morsel and product that touches or enters your body is a bit extreme for most. Sometimes we need to meet people where they are and have gradual changes. I think that knowledge is power, but you can also just be completely consumed by all this data and not know where to start and feel completely overwhelmed.
Bottom Line: At the end of the day, I find a lot of the information in the book a must read if you are trying to get on the right health path. I just don’t think it is realistic or sustainable for most people to follow every solution offered.
Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren
This is the first I have read from this author, and I quite enjoyed it! Definitely want to check out her other stuff. Hollyn has Tourette’s and wants to stay anonymous behind her writer’s name Miz Poppy. But her boss wants her to start making videos to keep her job. She works with Jasper, an improv star who needs attention on his group to land a deal. They help each other out and have a sort of fake dating/friends with benefits arrangement. Only we all know that someone always catches feelings, right? Add in two exes and Jasper’s past….and we have a deeper layer here. This was such a heartwarming read, with two quirky characters, lots of humor and heat. Wow the heat. Just overall a wonderful read!
I consumed this via audio book and very much enjoyed the narration. She did such a great job and it really added to the overall enjoyment of the book.
Bottom Line: Read it!
**I received an audio copy of this book via Netgalley. I am reviewing this voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**
The Match by Sarah Adams
Evie works for Southern Paws, a company that matches service dogs. She herself has a service dog for her epilepsy. She meets Jacob at a coffee shop, thinking that she is matching a dog with his daughter who has seizures. The first meeting doesn’t go great, and yet they re-meet and become an integral part of each other’s lives for a few weeks as Evie gets his daughter comfortable with her new service dog. Jacob has trust issues with his ex and Evie isn’t sure that she wants to be a part of a family…and yet they are both giving each other what the other needs. I enjoyed reading their story, and I especially loved how good of a dad Jacob is and his daughter Sam was amazing.
Bottom Line: Read it
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
This was a fun, seasonal read about a cafe owner that is starting a new career and life for herself. There wasn’t a lot of depth here. It was rather predictable, but I still enjoyed reading it and seeing Jeanie’s and Logan’s relationship blossom…even though there was a bit more misunderstandings than needed.
Bottom Line: Read it.
The Noel Bridge by Jenny Hale
Alicia Silver lost her finance and is having a hard time. She decides to visit her hometown in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee to try her luck with the bridge that is supposed to make wishes come true. She has tried to wish on the bridge in the past, and it didn’t work out for her. But she is determined to try again. When she gets there, she meets Leo, a man who has his own wish….to find his missing father. It was a joy to watch their friendship start up as they work together to find answers as to where Leo’s father went. I also enjoyed watching Alicia reconnect with her childhood best friend. Time heals all.
I consumed this via audiobook and enjoyed the narration.
Bottom Line: This was a heartwarming novel, set in an adorable town and not overly cheesy Christmas. Read it.
**I received an audio copy from Netgalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Soledad’s story was a ride! There are so many layers to this book with her cheating, jailed husband, the forbidden relationship, her kids dealing with it all and Soledad trying to figure out how to pay the bills and pivot her new life. This was much more than just another romance novel. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Bottom Line: Read it!
Karma’s Kiss by RS Grey
I absolutely loved Madison and Sawyer’s story. This reminds me very much of older books from RS Grey. Her perfect concoction of a good plot, steam, whit and banter are spot on as usual. I do love a good revenge plot, if done right, and this one does not disappoint. Perhaps Madison wasn’t cut out to be mean. But it sure was a fun ride watching her try. I flew right through this one.
Bottom Line: Read it
1984 by George Orwell
I remember reading this book in either high school or college and thinking that it was a little far fetched and I couldn’t believe a society where the government hates us and gaslighting wasn’t even in my vocabulary. And here we are in 2024….living in a 1984 world. The news stations are a joke these days full of propaganda and constant lies or stretches of the truth to fit their narratives….all stations. Past is rewritten. People are being cancelled for questioning or thinking different than others. They want us to own nothing and be happy. It is all too real.
Bottom Line: Everyone should read this.
The New Menopause by Mary Claire Haver
Can’t believe I am reading books on menopause, but I am definitely in perimenopause and I guess this is my new life. This book has some information that is a must read for any woman. Mary Claire goes over so much about perimenopause and menopause that I have never heard before stumbling on her instagram account a few years ago. I definitely feel like this is a topic that gynos really need more training in. Most barely have any training at all in menopause and certainly aren’t qualified to treat patients for it. Which is why most woman are just told it is part of life and to accept all the symptoms side effects, or are treated like they are crazy. This book was definitely insightful. But I will say, I do feel like she goes on and on about HRT and I appreciate hearing about it as an option…but she comes back to it a lot and I don’t fully know if I believe in it or want to try it for myself. But even with the heavy mentioning of that….I still find this book very helpful and a must read.
Bottom Line: Read it
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
Violet and Xavier were high school sweet hearts with a bad breakup. Violet wanted to be a stylist and he wanted to be a professional basketball player. Violet was living her dream job, but Xavier ended up teaching high school english and being an assistant coach. They found each other one night in Vegas and end up getting married. This was a horrible idea! Or was it? They realize if they continue to remain married they can both benefit. Cue the fake relationship trope. Only maybe their feelings haven’t gone away. They have both grown and changed so much….but can still appreciate each other like they once did. This was a cute little romcom that kept me entertained the whole way through.
Bottom Line: Read it.
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