I managed to read a lot of books this month!!! A few of them were rather short, so I suppose that helped. Let just jump right on in! Linking up with Steph and Jana.

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams

A small town girl returns home after her husband cheats on her. You get a little love, an old rivalry, a pie shop and a small town murder with big drama.

So, looking at the title and cover of this book I was expecting a little cheese. And it had it’s cheesy moments, but honestly? I really just loved the story. This is a cozy mystery, which I find myself a huge sucker for. Look at the Stephanie Plum series and the Java Jive series that I read. This one had a real southern feel to it being based in a small Georgia town. I think that parts of the  book were overwritten as far as the imagery goes…but overall it was cute. There is also a little magic, which I actually liked.

Bottom Line: If you love cozy mysteries or southern stories, grab it! It is a series and I feel like I might be in it for the long haul.

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

When Lane discovers her family’s secrets, she runs far away. She returns several years later when her cousin goes missing, forcing her to face those secrets again. 

What a messed up family!!! I sort of had an idea from the beginning what the secrets were and who was behind Allegra going missing. That didn’t take away from the story though. These are some damaged, imperfect characters and sometimes, I just want that in a book. you know? You get some depth that way and an interesting story.

Bottom Line: If you like dysfunctional families and difficult situations, then this would be right up your alley. It could be a trigger for others, so make sure you read the full synopsis before diving in. I would recommend the book.

**I received a copy of The Roanoke Girls from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Expats by Chris Pavone

Kate has a secret, her husband is offered a job in Luxembourg and she decides this would be the great fresh start that she needs. Or is it? Another American Couple arrives and her secret is now threatened.

I picked this up after Laura raved about it last month. I did this one via audiobook and I will say, it was a little hard to follow that way with all the time jumping. Could have been a non-issue in book format. You find out bits of Kate’s secret early on, and more and more of it comes together as the book goes on. I was a little shocked at some of the twists and how much lying and deception there is throughout the entire book. It makes you question everything in your own life and what you think you know about people.

Bottom Line: This book kept me interested the entire time and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it if you are looking for something good to read.

You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day

I didn’t know who Felicia Day was before I listened to this book. It sounded interesting and I was looking for something carefree to “read.” (I did this on audiobook, the only way I can really read nonfiction and not get bored.) It was sort of like Felicia was there with me just telling me stories throughout her life.  She is hilarious and a little nerdy, which kind of reminds me of, well, me. And she lived in Alabama for awhile which is pretty cool.

Bottom Line: I got a little bored a few times and sort of tuned out, but overall it was a pleasant read.

69 Million Things I Hate About You by Kira Archer

Girls has insufferable boss. Girl wins 69 million dollars in the lottery. Girl decides to not quit and see what it takes for her boss to fire her.

This book was so cute and I am so glad that I requested it!!! I think we have all had that boss that we wish we could just pay back a little karma to, no? I literally laughed out loud at some of the things that Kiersten does to Cole throughout the book. This is a romance book, but it isn’t overly racy. You get a nice, slow build and this author is known for her playfulness and happily ever after.

Bottom Line: If you have ever had an insufferable boss, or you just want a laugh. This is for you! So cute! When I was half way through it, I texted Kristen and told her to go request it immediately.

**I received a copy of 69 Million Things I Hate About You from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure

I knew when I looked at the title of this book, there would be a lot of Christian references in it. To be honest, I am just looking for a way to get motivated to work out and get back on the healthy train again and I never really thought about looking at it from a spirituality point of view. I went back and forth from liking this book and feeling like she was getting a little preachy. I think some of the things that she said that I already know, really hit home  hearing her say it. Like, setting goals and sticking to them. She said, if you lost one pound a week, next year at this time you would be 50 pounds lighter. I just sat there and thought…wow…..she’s right.

I appreciated the stories from her childhood, Full House, and her struggles. But don’t read this book thinking it is more of a memoir, because it isn’t. Also, the recipes in this book are ridiculous. I think we all know how to make tacos, no?

Bottom Line: I would be hesitant to recommend this book to just anybody. I think if you are Christian and wanting to lose weight, you would appreciate it more than someone who isn’t as spiritual. For me, I didn’t take much from the book and I honestly skipped over some parts.

Yes, My Accent is Real by Kunal Nayyar

Big Bang Theory is one of my absolute favorite shows, so I knew I wanted to listen to this on audiobook. Kunnal himself narrates and he is just as hilarious as you want him to be. He shared stories from his childhood, college years, dating, a little bit about Big Bang and ended with how he met his wife and their wedding.

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of Big Bang Theory and want to learn more about Kunal’s life, this is a fun read. Highly recommend the audiobook version.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean keeps the love letters that she has written to all of her crushes in a box her mother gave her. Somehow the letters get sent, and her personal life is forever changed.

This was such a cute YA read. While it was light and fluffy, I felt like the characters are a little more complex than your typical YA book. I won’t give anything away if you haven’t read it, but there was a character that I was rooting for the whole time and was happy at the end of the book. There are two more books in this series, and I hope to read those soon!

Bottom Line: Read it if you are looking for a cute YA or need a break from darker subject matter.

Seriously…I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres

I think Ellen is hilarious and I enjoyed listening to her read this on audiobook. I really liked what she said about being proud of how old you are and that you made it another year. And also about just being yourself. I felt like I wanted a little more from this book? It was kind of short and some of the chapters were very sparse.

Bottom Line:  If you are an Ellen fan, go ahead! This is a really short audiobook, just over three hours. I borrowed it from my library…probably wouldn’t pay for it.

Always by Sarah Jio

Kailey is engaged to the perfect man, but runs into her now homeless first love. Now she must chose who her heart really belongs to.

Bottom Line: I am going to be very honest and say that I did not finish this book. The writing was really choppy for me, and I don’t like being spoon fed while I am reading. I feel like the premise was good, but the writing fell short. I didn’t really feel anything from the characters and life is too short to finish a book you are not enjoying.

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

Currently Reading

Sting by Sandra Brown

Well, book day sure did come around quick this month! Linking up with Steph and Jana for Show Us Your Books!

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

This was such a cute story, sort of a finding yourself book. Would be great for a twenty something who is making their way in the world. Or you know, a thirty something who still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up and can relate to the shitty commute and politics game at work. I found myself LOL’ing a few times and I could really relate to Katie. I just loved how the theme in the book seemed to be that life isn’t always as it seems or is portrayed on Instagram. The characters were just wonderful and I really enjoyed it!

Bottom Line: Cute read! Just do it!

Rating: 5/5

Turbo Twenty Three by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum Series)

You all know my love for Stephanie Plum! It seems like nothing changes in Plum land. She is still juggling Morelli and Ranger, Lula is still hilarious and these idiot criminals keep doing ridiculous things. Sometimes I wonder how many more of these there could really be. Yet, I never tire of reading them! I do wish that she would finally start to chose between Joe and Ranger though, you know? At least have a direction somewhere.

Bottom Line: If you are a fan of the series, this gives you a good dose of Stephanie, Lula, Ranger and Morelli!

Rating: 4/5

Falling by Jane Green

I do love a good Jane Green novel! You know you can count on her for a solid beach read, and this one is even set in a cute little beach town. You have Emma, a former Banker from the big city, move to a quiet little town and get close with her landlord/neighbor Dominic. I liked the whole aspect of Emma trying to figure out who she is outside the banking/corporate world and turning a new leaf. She starts her own interior design company and I really liked that aspect of the book. Having Dominic’s son and his on and off feelings with Emma kept the book interesting, but there is just something that fell a little flat for me.

Bottom Line: While falling just a little flat, overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you are looking for a beach read or are a Jane Green fan. It wasn’t my favorite of hers, but it is still worth the read.

Rating: 3/5

The Digital Handshake by Paul Chaney

I always find consumer behavior interesting and like to keep up with the latest in marketing, advertising and just general consumer behavior. Of course, these days a lot of that revolves around the internet and social media. This book was written several years ago, but the main points still hold true today. I liked the author’s passion and thought the book was well written. I liked how he sort of describes social media has a cocktail party where meeting and conversation takes place.

Bottom Line: This is a great book for understanding consumer behavior and how to spread word of your business in a digital age with social media. I think some aspects even apply to blogging. While the book is a few years old, the main message is still very applicable today.

Rating: 4/5

Currently Reading

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

I started this book last month and I am only 60 pages in…still. It isn’t that it is a bad book, it is just that it is a physical book and I just cant seem to find the time to read right now. All the other books that I “read” this month were audiobooks in the car on my way to and from work, after I drop Zoe off. Zoe likes to listen to music in the car. I hope to finally finish it this month. And jump on the twenty Netgalley books I have sitting around. I wish Netgalley did audiobooks lol. It would make my life so much easier!

Another month of books have come and gone! Linking up with Jana and Steph.

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews

I devoured this book much quicker than I thought I would! I picked it up every chance I got. This is much longer than your normal beach read, but it didn’t lag in the least bit and I loved all the details and plot development. The beach town setting was perfect and I loved that it wasn’t always perfect through the story.

Bototm Line: This is the perfect beach read!! You get a little love, a scandal, some mystery and a storm.

Rating: 4/5

Brew or Die A Java Jive Mystery by Caroline Fardig

I best describe this series and the leading lady as a more competent Stephanie Plum. This is the forth book and I have to say, I am still enjoying the series! I love all the characters and the shenanigans. Jules is officially a licensed PI and takes it on as a second job. This one kept me reeled in because Jules teams up with someone you would least expect to work work on a case!! The love tangle between Jules, Stafford, Pete and Ryder had me hooked the whole time but then I ended up getting pissed at the very end of the book and slapping my head. I am hoping there is another installment and Juliet finally moves on in one direction or another. I am team Ryder all the way though. As for the mystery part, I sort of had suspicions early on in both investigation she worked on, but there were a few surprises and twists thrown in.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a cute, cozy mystery or you like the Plum series and Janet Evanovich, then give this a try!

Rating:4/5

**I received a copy of Brew or Die from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

The Royal We by Heather Cocks

When I first started seeing reviews for this book, I rolled my eyes. I could care less about the royal family. I mean, I wish I had Kate’s closet and I think she is gorgeous….but that is about where my thoughts about them end. I was sure I wouldn’t care to read this book….but then all of you…people who normally don’t even read this type of book…gave it a great review. Ok fine, I will read it!!!

Anyways, I LOVED this book!!! It is a long one, and I managed to have it finished in a week which is a pretty big deal for me right now. There is so much character development and little details in this book and I loved all the little side stories leading up to the current time. This was just a super fun read that kept me interested the whole time.

Bottom Line: Read it!! This is probably one of my favorite books so far this year. I really just enjoyed it so much.

Rating:5/5

A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman

At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. I sort of got lost a little in some of the details of the story at the beginning. I will be vague to not give any spoilers, I then realized what was really going on with Ove and what he was tying to do. That kept me interested and then I really started to enjoy the story. I liked how the book bounced back and forth between current day, and stories from his past that shed light to lead him to who he is. I like how Ove is strict with his routines, principals and views on life. I have a feeling we are all going to be a little cranky like Ove when we are older.

Bottom Line: This was a sweet book and I really enjoyed it.

Rating:4/5

Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

I seriously don’t follow the holidays or seasons when it comes to reading. I needed a little snow in my very hot July! This was a cute love story and I enjoyed the holiday aspect of it. To be completely honest though, I never really connected with any of the characters and the story felt a little cheesy to me and very predictable.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a light holiday read, this might fit the bill. It wasn’t my favorite though.

Rating: 2.5/5

Currently Reading:

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

I am only about 60 pages in to this one so far, but I can already tell it is messed up, but I am intrigued and enjoying it.

Linking up with Steph and Jana for another month of books! So I am going to pose a question. Do you read the reviews of all the books if a person shares what they rated it? I have considered dropping my rating system on these posts because I catch myself skipping over books that people didn’t give a high rating for and the thing is, it might not  have been a  book for them but could have totally been a book you would have enjoyed. You know? Let me know what you think.

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

I am weird about YA books, I can either take or leave most of them. I have to say, this may have been one of the best YA books I have read in a long time. You get a little teenage angst, friends that are changing and drifting, new love, inner struggles, confidence issues, everything you remember from high school. I really related to the characters in this book and I loved the story line. It wasn’t always perfect, which made me love the book even more.

Bottom Line: Just read it!

Rating: 5/5

Love, Alabama by Susan Sands

I may have picked this book simply because Alabama was in the title. This was a love story set in small town Alabama. It kept me intrigued the whole time because you don’t find out exactly what happened to Emma in her past until near the end of the story and what happened could shake things up between her and the guy she has fallen for. I liked the small town drama and the book was cute. Of course, a book that takes place in Alabama wouldn’t feel complete without the Alabama vs Auburn touch. I felt like maybe the ending was a little rushed and wrapped up in a bow too quickly.

Bottom Line: This was a quick and cute love story if you are looking for something light and fluffy, but still intriguing.

Rating:3/5

**I received a copy of Love, Alabama from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

It took me a little bit to get in to this book, but once I did I was hooked. This book does a good job talking about mental health and anxiety in an informal and lighthearted way. I feel like it brings attention to something that a lot of people deal with, but it isn’t a sad or dark book for such a heavy and serious topic. If that makes sense? You get to grow along with the main character and learn some about how crippling anxiety can be. It is heartwarming and there were a few LOL moments, which I always appreciate.

Bottom Line:If you are looking for something a little different, but good…read it!

Rating: 3/5

Meet Me Halfway by Kim Carmody

I was a little irritated with the immaturity in the male character of this book, but I think that was the point since he is a few years younger than our leading female. I liked the football and reporting aspect of this story. It was a cute love story, and I even laughed out a loud a little. I also got a little frustrated with the characters and their reactions to certain events. Mainly with Olivia. But I suppose that is what kept me engaged in the story to see where it was all going.

Bottom Line: If you like the football or media scene, and want to read a good love story….I thought this was a cute read.

Rating:3/5

**I received a copy of Meet Me Halfway from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

You guys. I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. Reading sad dog books. Art of Racing In the Rain is still embedded in my mind and heart, and now this book. I coincidentally started this book on the anniversary of Gracie’s passing and didn’t even realize it. Maybe she was trying to tell me hi. This book gave me all the emotions and I had a complete breakdown, missing Gracie so much in the middle of this book. This book gives me hope that maybe one day Gracie will come back to me in the body of another dog.

Bottom Line:If you are a dog person, this is a great read. Just be ready with a box of tissues.

Rating:4/5

Currently Reading

Brew or Die a Java Jive Mystery by Caroline Fardig

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews

What are you reading?