book review

It’s book day!!!! I love talking books and linking up with Steph and Jana! As always, the link to Goodreads is in the title.

After You by Jojo Moyes

After reading Me Before You, I had all the feels and couldn’t wait to get going on After You. I read some reviews that people were disappointed in After You, but I wasn’t. I went in with zero expectations because I knew it couldn’t be just like the first book. There were a few twists and I loved all the new characters that were introduced. Plus, I loved that you knew what you were getting with Trina and Lou’s parents.

Bottom Line: If you enjoyed Me Before You, I would certainly give this a go. You get some closure. I really suggest just going in not expecting anything so that you can just enjoy where the story leads. Don’t compare it to Me Before You.

Rating: 4/5

Natural Green Cleaning by Ben Night

This was a really quick read, but informative if you are interested in safer cleaning products for your home. Not only does this book provide tips and recipes for products that you can make at home, it gave you tips on how to keep your house clean in general. There were some great tips on working room by room, what to clean, what to use, how to manage  your time, etc. There were some organization tips, purging tips, a little mix of everything.

Bottom Line: Great quick read if you are looking for natural cleaning basics. All the recipes are non-toxic alternatives and look simple to make.

Rating: 3.5/5

Risking it All (Naked Men #1) by Chrisit Barth

The Naked Men is actually a blog written by a group of guys that covers all sorts of topics in a guys life. The group started it as a way to communicate openly with each other through letters/email and it morphed in to the blog for all guys around the world to relate to. So obviously I was instantly drawn to that aspect of the book since I am a blogger! I enjoyed reading about the tragic incidents in both Griffin and Chloe’s lives. I wish that the author wrote the whole book the way that she described those events. I felt like the book really fell flat for me in the characters. There was too much writing about what was going on in their heads (the same things over and over) and not enough development of things that actually mattered. There was too much focus on Chloe’s virginity at 27. Who cares about that? I want something more in depth!

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a fluffy romance novel with decent love story and a HEA, then this is worth the read. It wasn’t mind blowing or amazing, but it passed the time just fine.

Rating: 3/5

*I was provided a copy of Risking it All by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

No One Knows by JT Ellison

So, I finished this book in two days. That is really fast for me! I literally spent most of Saturday reading it. I had to know what was going to happen! Aubrey’s husband disappears one  evening and Aubrey is now the number one suspect. Five years later, after a trial and lots of struggle for Aubrey, her husband is declared dead by the state of Tennessee by the request of her mother-in-law who never liked her. Aubrey is trying to get her life together and meets a man that reminds her very much of her husband. She is not the only one who thinks this! But Aubrey still wants answers to what happened to Josh.

While reading this book, I had a few suspicions of what was going to happen but I was wrong. So very wrong!!! So I really appreciated the twists that kept me trying to guess what was going on. Aubrey is a complex, dark character. I found her interesting. When I got to the last chapter I was like ummmm what????? I am not sure I like how the book ended 100% but I can appreciate that it wasn’t wrapped in a perfect bow.

Bottom Line: If you like reading about mysteries, dark characters or plot twists…then this book is for you! I enjoyed it, even though I wasn’t 100% sold on the ending.

Rating:4/5

*I was provided a copy of Risking it All by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Other books I read this month:

The Power of Broke by Daymond John

I haven’t started a book since No One Knows, but I plan to hopefully do that tomorrow. Not sure what that will be. Have you read any good books lately?

Books, books, books!!! So this month, I didn’t read as many books as usual. I had a busy work month and  having to stay late and work a little on weekends…..we had lots going on most weekends….and it took me forever to get through The Forgotten Room. Still, I had some winners this month so let’s take a look!

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

I found this book very fascinating. Sure, it is a bit morbid thinking about what happens to the body after death but this book really opened my eyes up to the idea of donating my body to science. I never really thought about the fact that even after you pass you can help the world by possibly curing a disease or making safety features in cars more successful in crash tests, helping authorities determine the time and reason of death, etc. I did this via audiobook, I tend to only enjoy nonfiction by listening over reading.

Bottom Line: If you are in to non-fiction, this is a great read!

Rating: 4/5

The Forgotten Room by Karen White

I am going to be very honest and say that this book was very slow going for me. You have to keep up with three women in three different time periods. The chapters rotate between the three women and their time periods. There are a lot of similar last names and it can be a little confusing at first. It took me quite awhile to get through this book, much longer than usual. However, I was interested in the stories from each of the women and I wasn’t going to quit it. I figured out early on how the three women were connected and had ideas of how the men in their lives were connected but I wasn’t 100% right. I liked that the book was different, I have never read a book about a room in three different time periods.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for something different and a time jump sort of book, then this is for you! If you have a hard time keeping up with characters and enjoy fluffy reads, this would not be your cup of tea. I was glad I read it, but it won’t be making my list of top books of 2016. Not all books can, you know? It had a really good idea, and I wish it was executed better.

Rating: 3/5

*I was provided a copy of The Forgotten Room by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I know a lot of you have already read this one and are like…about damn time!!! But you guys!!!! If ever a book were to break  you, this would be it! I loved the characters and the way the story was written. It was beautiful and it really made me think about what I am doing with my life and what kind of person I am. When a book makes you think deep, it rates high on my list!

Bottom Line: Yes yes yes!!! You must read this book if you haven’t already. I absolutely adored this book. I can’t wait to dive in to After You. This is my first Moyes book and I can promise you it wont be my last.

Rating: 5/5

Zeke by Kelly Gendron (Breaking the Declan Brothers)

This is book three in the series. I didn’t realize that when I started but you don’t have to read the first two books to enjoy this one. So this book is basically your guarded bad boy MMA fighter who is really a sweet guy deep down but damaged…and the good girl that tries to break down all his walls. Zeke has 4 rules:

Rule #1 Don’t call him. He’ll call you.
Rule #2 He doesn’t date.
Rule #3 No sleepovers.
Rule #4 Absolutely, no virgins.

I wasn’t a fan of how many ridiculous names are in this book. Lurlene, Rayna, Emmie, Rusty (a girl), Nix, Jax, Slate, Token, Zeke. Meh. You can’t tell me that many weird names are in this little pocket of people, that isn’t realistic. What I was a fan of, is how Lurlene sticks to who she is the entire time. And I was not able to guess what happened to Zeke until the very end so it wasn’t as predictable as some books can be.

Bottom Line: This was a light, quick and easy read. I needed a break from the other books I had read this month. This wasn’t mind blowing, but I read it in 4 days so obviously it kept my interest. This book wouldn’t be for the prude. I mean, look at the cover. It passed the time just fine.

Rating: 3/5

*I was provided a copy of Zeke by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Home Made Simple

My mom got me this book a year or two ago for my birthday and I can’t tell you how many times I have referenced to it for something. There are recipes, how to chapters on meal planning, streamlining your house, how to pick house plants and grow an herb garden outside, there is a how to on making your own front door mat, how to set a table for a party, so much information!!! I like looking through the decorating tip section also.

Bottom line: This makes a great coffee table book that you will actually use time and again!

Rating: 4/5

I haven’t started a new book yet, but I need to!!! What have you read lately?

Linking up with Steph and Jana.

It is book day once again!!! One of my favorite days of the month 🙂 I think I read more books this month than any other month ever!!! Let’s jump in, shall we? I am going to go ahead and give you a spoiler now…I loved all the books I read this month!

Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty

My love for Moriarty only grows deeper with each novel that I read. This book follows along a set of triplets in their 33rd year of life. There are ups and downs and laughs along the way. You really get to see what life is like as a multiple and see how different their personalities can be.

Bottom Line: Read it!!! I did this through audible. People complained about this narrator and while she is no Caroline Lee or Tamara Lovatt-Smith….once you get used to her it is completely fine and enjoyable.

Life’s a Beach (Hawaii Heat #1) by Jamie K Schmidt

Amelia uses her savings to plan a surprise Hawaii vacation for her and her boyfriend. At the last minute, her boss tells her she cant go and she gets fired. When she comes home to surprise him, she finds her boyfriend in bed with her favorite barista! She decides to take her fortune-telling aunt to Hawaii instead and instantly clicks with Dude. A stoner  snorkel instructor, or so he portrays to her. Little does Amelia know that Dude is actually the super rich owner of the resort she is staying at. Will she still feel the same way once she realizes who Dude really is?

The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that I felt like the ending is a little rushed.

Bottom Line: Read it! If you are looking for a quick and hot love story with a focus on the hospitality business and Hawaii thrown in, this is for you!

*I was provided a copy of Life’s a Beach by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth

I was instantly drawn to this book when I read the synopsis. It is about Anna, who is 38 with Alzheimer’s and moves into an assisted living facility where almost exclusively, seniors live. She meets Luke, a 41 year old with a similar condition as her. Then there is Eve, the single mom who “wastes” her culinary skills to take a job at Rosalind House so that she can keep her daughter Clementine in the same school district. And poor Clementine. She is being bullied at school.

This book actually tells the story in first person from all three female characters: Anna, Eve and Clementine. It will tell you at the start of the chapter the view which you are reading from.

I actually deal with senior living facilities on a daily basis in my line of work, so that is what first inspired me to read this book. Alzheimer’s is one scary disease, if you have ever known anyone to have this…you know how hard it will inevitably be.

Favorite quote: “You don’t waste time with regrets. In the end, you just remember the moments of joy. When all is said and done, those are the things we keep.”

Bottom Line: Read it!! This book will pull a little at your heart strings and is a great reminder to enjoy the little moments.

*I was provided a copy of The Things We Keep by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling

I really loved listening to Mindy’s first book because it was like one long episode of the Mindy Project. Or like Mindy was riding along in my car telling me stories. This book was no different. I related to her when she talked about spending most of her life getting people to like her. I laughed through her beauty routine. And well, the way she described sorority’s and who she would cast in a movie about them was pretty spot on. Or at least for my school it was. I liked the stories she shared about a guy that she dated. And I related to her about some struggles of body image and eating.

I absolutely hated the fake emails of her being a teacher back in 2005. It was all made up, I didn’t understand the point and it went on a bit too long for my liking.

Bottom Line: If you liked the first book or The Mindy Project, then you would probably enjoy this book. I liked the first one better, but this one was still enjoyable to listen to.

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

Hot pocket! Even if you don’t know anything about Jim Gaffigan, you have had to have heard his hot pocket skit. If you haven’t, go you tube it and come back. I will wait…

Ok, now that you are laughing, you understand this book better!

In the first part of the book, Gaffigan talks about food around difference regions of the country. I had to relate to him on his feelings about things like oysters. I am not a fan. And his spill on grits? I died laughing. Grits = gross! He also talks about how we as a country have an unhealthy relationship with food. How we are constantly eating and how food is a social activity. Isn’t that the truth?

I listened to this book while doing Whole 30 and I gotta say, there were a few sections when I would have killed to have a burger, donut, cheesecake or just anything unhealthy. I was thinking…why???? Why did I listen to this when I can’t eat any of it? It was probably for the best! I laughed out loud more times than I could count.

Bottom Line: I find Jim Gaffigan’s comedic approach on food to be refreshing and enjoyable to listen to. We spend so much time on reading articles and watching documentaries on what not to do, it is nice to laugh about some of these problems.

The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty

I basically want to move to Scribbly Gum Island! Sophie Honeywell inherits a beautiful house from her ex almost fiance Thomas’s Aunt Connie when she passes away. Then there is the whole Monroe Baby mystery. What ever did happen to Alice and Jack?? When Sophie moves to the island, she gets closer with the whole family and realizes that she can create her own fairy tale ending.

I loved listening to this book. I love how much depth Moriarty gives her characters and this book goes deep.

Bottom Line: Loved this one, I would suggest reading it if you are a Moriarty fan!!

Taste by Tracy Ewens

I absolutely adored this book! You meet Kara, a US Senator’s daughter who is constantly in the spotlight of the media…and her critical mother’s eye. She has kept her true self so hidden from the world that she almost feels she has lost who she is. Somehow she became a food critic for an LA paper.

Then you have Logan Rye who grew up on a farm and has opened a trendy farm to table restaurant in LA.

Kara and Logan met in Paris back when they were in college. Logan knew Kara as Winnie Parker then and they had the perfect relationship blooming. That was until Kara’s parents sent someone to come bring her back home. Kara left Logan in Paris and broke both of their hearts.

Kara is now given the task of doing a three part write up on Logan’s new restaurant. Will their love be given a second chance?

This book was considered Women’s Fiction/Romance. This isn’t some fast pace romance book where the characters are constantly in bed. This is much more about the struggles these two have to overcome and in their relationship as well as with their own selves. This is a love story that builds and builds over time. So much so that I felt there was a spot or two where the book dragged a little, but it was more to build depth to these characters.

Bottom Line: If you love a book about second chances, then check this one out! I loved it!

*I was provided a copy of Taste: A Love Story by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Other books I read this month

Happy Cooking by Giada De Laurentiis

Currently Reading:

Stiff by Mary Roach via Audiobook

The Forgotten Room by Karen White, Beatriz William and Lauren Willig

I do have a question for those of you who are reading my book post today. What is your favorite format to read book reviews like this? Do you want a synopsis of what the book was about and my opinion…just my opinion. A few short lines about each? Just curious. For the books I review for Netgalley and Blogging for Books I need to go a  little more in depth but for the books I read on my own I wasn’t sure what everyone prefers.

Read anything good lately?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!