I guess I was in the mood for dark and twisted this month because the bulk of my books were psychological thrillers. I'm not too sad about it though because they were all pretty entertaining, some more than others. The few that didn't fall into that genre were fantastic so overall August was a great month for reading! Click on the links below for the standalone reviews of each title. My favorite book this month was written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Maybe in Another Life was so beautiful. Of course, when it comes to TJR I'm very biased. I absolutely love the way she writes her characters and tells their stories and this one was no … [Read more...] about August 2022 Wrap-Up
Book Reviews
The Last Housewife, by Ashley Winstead
I've had The Last Housewife, by Ashley Winstead on my radar for months now anticipating it's recent release. It's no surprise that I grabbed my copy as soon as it hit the shelves and couldn't wait to see what all the fuss was about. After finding out that her college best friend, Laurel, died while listening to her favorite true crime podcast, Shay Evans returns to upstate New York from her suburban bubble in Texas in search of the truth. She recruits the help of Jamie, the podcast host (and her childhood best friend), to find out what really happened to Laurel and face the demons of her past. I guess I didn't really know what to … [Read more...] about The Last Housewife, by Ashley Winstead
When She Returned, by Lucinda Berry
I wasn't quite ready to switch to another genre after reading When I Was You, so I decided to finally pick up my copy of When She Returned, by Lucinda Berry. Back in June, I read Saving Noah (also by Lucinda Berry) and loved the way the author wrote the story so I figured this one had to be good, too. Kate Bennett goes missing from a Target parking lot one day leaving behind her husband and young daughter. Years after a futile search to find Kate, her husband, Scott, remarries and does his best to raise their daughter, Abbi, in her absence. 11 years after her disappearance, Kate returns home and here's where the story really … [Read more...] about When She Returned, by Lucinda Berry
When I Was You, by Amber Garza
After seeing this one pop up on my "suggested for you" page over and over again, I had to pick up a copy of When I Was You, by Amber Garza to see what the hype was all about. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed at all! This suggestion was spot on! When I Was You follows a middle aged woman named Kelly Medina who becomes a little obsessed with a much younger woman by the exact same name. It's the name that draws Kelly to this younger woman and eventually they become unlikely friends. The younger Kelly has a baby boy named Sullivan and the older Kelly takes them both under her wing. And I'm stopping right here because I really don't want … [Read more...] about When I Was You, by Amber Garza
Thank You For Listening, by Julia Whelan
If you're a fan of audiobooks like me, do yourself a favor and download Thank You For Listening, by Julia Whelan. The audiobook is narrated by the author who also happens to be my most favorite audiobook narrator of all time. If she's reading it, I'm listening :) Thank You For Listening is about a once hopeful actress, Sewanee Chester, who is sidelined by an injury as the result of a freak accident and now narrates audiobooks. Sewanee, or Swan as she's affectionately referred, has made quite a name for herself in the world of audiobook narration under a pseudonym. Romance novels are Swan's specialty although she no longer narrates … [Read more...] about Thank You For Listening, by Julia Whelan
The People We Keep, by Allison Larkin
If you enjoy the "found family" trope, I personally think you'll love The People We Keep, by Allison Larkin. Be sure to hold on tight to you're heartstrings though because this is a read that's certain to tug at them. April is a 16-year-old girl who's mother passed away and her father is absent most of the time only to drop by on occasion. Left to fend for herself, April drops out of high school and works at a local diner. April eventually leaves her small town after a fight with her dad with no intention of ever returning. The People We Keep finds us following April along her journey of self-discovery and the search to find a place … [Read more...] about The People We Keep, by Allison Larkin
Maybe in Another Life, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I'm at the point right now where I feel like TJR can't write a bad story. Maybe in Another Life was INCREDIBLE. Maybe I'm biased because I just adore her writing so much, but I thought this one one excellent. Maybe in Another Life is a story about the choices we make and how they impact our fate. Hannah Martin is almost thirty, jobless, no place to call home, and fresh out of a relationship with a married man. After moving back to her hometown of L.A., Hannah heads out to a bar with her best friend, Gabby. While at the bar, Hannah meets Ethan, her high school boyfriend. He asks Hannah to come home with him at the end of the night, … [Read more...] about Maybe in Another Life, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Greenwich Park, by Katherine Faulkner
I was so excited to finally sit down and devour Greenwich Park, by Katherine Faulkner. I've had this one on my TBR for several months and after reading, I'm wondering why I waited so long to start! Such a great story! This debut novel is told from three different female POV's. Such a great flow to the story...compulsively addicting. In Greenwich Park, we meet Helen & Daniel, Serena & Rory, and Katie & Charlie. Siblings, significant others, and friends...some hiding big secrets. Those secrets are threatened to be exposed when Helen meets Rachel at her prenatal class. But who IS Rachel? And what does she want? … [Read more...] about Greenwich Park, by Katherine Faulkner
Never Coming Home, by Kate M. Williams
Never Coming Home, by Kate M. Williams, has been on my TBR for a minute so I was excited to start the month with this one. A pretty easy, compulsive read, this is just what I thought it would be. Wildy unbelievable, but SO good! Never Coming Home is all about a group of ten young influencers who travel to the invite-only resort Unknown Island for a weekend. No one over 21 is allowed and an angel investor is funding the trip so it's completely free to those invited to visit. But if it's too good to be true, well, then it definitely is. Unknown Island isn't quite the destination social media portrays it to be (hello, Fyre Fest!!!) and … [Read more...] about Never Coming Home, by Kate M. Williams
July 2022 Reading Wrap-Up
Between traveling with my boys and spending lots of time outdoors with family & friends, I only ended up reading five books this month. That said, they all packed a punch in one way or another and I couldn't have been happier with what I was able to fit in! I don't have a "least favorite" book this month either...I genuinely loved each of them, all for different reasons. Here's a wrap-up of what I read (click on the links for detailed reviews of each). Book Lovers, by Emily Henry was the first book I read in July and ohmiword...what an INCREDIBLE start to the month! There was nothing I didn't love about this one. This is the … [Read more...] about July 2022 Reading Wrap-Up
Last Summer on State Street, by Toya Wolfe
A book that wasn't on my radar, but I immediately bought after watching my favorite BookTok'er rave about it....Last Summer on State Street, by Toya Wolfe was the perfect read to finish July. And I'm absolutely blown away that this book is the author's debut novel...BEAUTIFULLY written! Last Summer on State Street reads more like a memoir than YA and recounts the summer of 1999 in the Robert Taylor Homes housing projects in Chicago. The story is told from the perspective of Felicia (FeFe), both as a 12-year-old child and in hindsight as an adult. FeFe and her friends spend their summer days playing Double Dutch, but increasing gang … [Read more...] about Last Summer on State Street, by Toya Wolfe
Cover Story, by Susan Rigetti
If you've been intrigued by the story of Anna Delvey, or if you've watched the Netflix series, Inventing Anna, pick up a copy of Cover Story, by Susan Rigetti. While the author doesn't specifically state that this book is based on Anna's incredible con, I think it was definitely inspired by the scam! Cover Story follows the diary of Lora Ricci who is hired by Elle magazine for a summer internship. While at Elle, Lora meets Cat Wolff...magazine editor and heiress to a family fortune. Lora and Cat form an unexpected friendship and Cat hires Lora as her ghostwriter. Lora gets caught up in Cat's glamorous lifestyle and eventually the … [Read more...] about Cover Story, by Susan Rigetti
Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan
If Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan isn't the perfect "beach read", I don't know what is! Okay, so I didn't read this on a beach, but I did read it in the mountains. On a balcony. In the rain. In ONE sitting. I could NOT put this down! Compulsively delicious...I only wish it were 500 pages longer! I couldn't get enough! Nora is a screenwriter who's latest screenplay (based on her recent marriage/divorce/narcissistic ex-husband) gets picked up for the big screen. Shoot location?! Her house. The actor set to play her ex-husband is Leo, former Sexiest Man Alive. After filming wraps, Leo offers Nora $7,000 if she'll let him … [Read more...] about Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan
Back in the Burbs, by Avery Flinn & Tracy Wolff
If you're looking for a palate cleanser after reading something dark or heavy, I'd love to suggest Back in the Burbs, by Avery Flynn & Tracy Wolff. Mallory is a 35-year-old divorcee who caught her ex-husband cheating and lost her job (her ex was her employer). Jobless and living with her parents, Mallory agrees to take ownership of the house she unexpectedly inherited from her late Aunt Maggie...a move that was HIGHLY discouraged by her family. Aunt Maggie's house is in disrepair and Mallory has quite a project on her hands in addition to her unsupportive parents, verbally abusive ex-husband, and a (very handsome) rule following … [Read more...] about Back in the Burbs, by Avery Flinn & Tracy Wolff
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
I'm not sure why I waited to so long to dive into Book Lovers, by Emily Henry. This one has been on my TBR forever and the only regret I have about this one is not reaching for it sooner. I LOVED IT!!!! Nora, a literary agent, and her sister, Libby, head to Sunshine Falls, NC for the month of August on a sister trip. While in the small town of Sunshine Falls, Nora bumps into Charlie, her professional rival. This one is an enemies to lovers trope, so you can probably guess how it all ends, but it's what's in between the first and last page that absolutely had me smitten. Right off the bat, let me tell you that I'm a HUGE Gilmore … [Read more...] about Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
June 2022 Wrap Up
The theme for my reading picks this month can best be summed up as unexpected. I've mentioned before that I'm a mood reader through and through and this month found me in the mood to be sad, suspenseful, and nostalgic. Not exactly what I had planned when I started the month, but love where it took me! I was able to squeeze in 10 books with a couple of those being audiobooks. Several of these weren't on my TBR, but I'm certainly glad they found their way into my hands :). Here’s a quick wrap-up of this month’s reads (click the links for a more detailed review). My least favorite book of the month was Meet Me in the Margins by … [Read more...] about June 2022 Wrap Up
My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix
If you grew up in the 80's like me, My Best Friend's Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix needs to be on your TBR list! The nostalgia was strong with this one and the story was surprisingly good as well. This one was recommended to me by a friend who recently finished her copy and while I was really reluctant to read it at first, I'm so glad I did! In short, this story is about two girls, Abby & Gretchen, and the demonic possession that almost ended their friendship. If you're anything like me, you're probably thinking, "no thanks!!!" which is exactly how I felt, too! But man, it was a compulsive read! Maybe it's because I loved all the … [Read more...] about My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix
Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell
Psychological thrillers will always be one of my favorite genres and Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell was such a good one! This missing child/grieving mother trope has been written a million different times, but Ms. Jewell really did it justice in this one. 15-year-old Ellie Mack is the youngest of three children & the family golden child. She leaves for the library one morning and never comes home. Her family is devastated by her disappearance and finally gets closure 10 years after she goes missing. During those years of uncertainty, Laurel and Paul (Ellie's parents), split and start to rebuild their lives in her absence. … [Read more...] about Then She Was Gone, by Lisa Jewell
The One Hundred Years of Lenni & Margot, by Marianne Cronin
"An extraordinary friendship, a lifetime of stories" - this part of the blurb definitely sums up the heart of The One Hundred Years of Lenni & Margot by Marianne Cronin. A heartwarming read about life, loss, and friendship. I listened to the audiobook (narrated by Sheila Reid & Rebecca Benson) and highly recommend this format! I felt like the narrators added another layer to the story and personally adored the Scottish accents. Beautifully narrated! Lenni is a 17-year-old patient living at the Glasgow Royal Princess Hospital due to her terminal illness. She befriends 83-year-old Margot (a patient waiting for heart surgery) and … [Read more...] about The One Hundred Years of Lenni & Margot, by Marianne Cronin
Verity, by Colleen Hoover
So I know I'm the last person on Earth to dive into this book, but it was finally time to see what all the hype was about. Verity, by Colleen Hoover is the single most recommended book I've ever been told to read. I've got a few thoughts about this one, so here I am. Truth. I went into this one blind. I didn't read the blurb, I didn't know what it was about. I just knew that everyone kept telling me to read it. I had no idea Verity was a person, lol. If you're like me and haven't read it either, I'd suggest going in blind as well. I honestly don't think I'd want to know anything about this one going into it...kind of adds to the … [Read more...] about Verity, by Colleen Hoover
Meet Me in the Margins, by Melissa Ferguson
If charming book-ish reads are your jam, then Meet Me in the Margins, by Melissa Ferguson might just be what you've been looking for. Savannah Cade is a low-level editor at a high brow publishing company. Pennington Publishing specializes in prestigious nonfiction literature where commercial fiction is a big NO! But Savannah has a secret. She's writing her very own romance novel (the horror!) under a pen name. She mistakenly leaves her manuscript in the publishing house's book nook where a mystery editor leaves her notes in the margins of her story. At first taken aback by the audacity of her undercover reviser, Savannah starts to … [Read more...] about Meet Me in the Margins, by Melissa Ferguson
Saving Noah, by Lucinda Berry
What would you do if your child committed a crime? That's the question explored in Saving Noah, by Lucinda Berry. A short book that reads as though it was ripped from the headlines. Noah Coates is a picture perfect 16-year-old. Straight A student, all star swimmer, bright future...until he shares a secret with his mom that destroys his faultless facade. Noah shamefully admits he's molested two 6-year-old girls and life for the Coates family is never the same again. Noah is convicted and sentenced to an 18-month stay at a juvenile therapeutic rehab facility (can sex offenders really be rehabilitated?) while his family falls apart in … [Read more...] about Saving Noah, by Lucinda Berry
Hidden Pictures, by Jason Rekulak
What a WILD ride this was! Hidden Pictures, by Jason Rekulak is one of those out there kind of mystery stories, but such a fun read nonetheless. Mallory is a recovering drug addict who's hired as a nanny for an affluent family, the Maxwells, in a New Jersey suburb. She develops a great relationship with Teddy, the 5-year-old boy she cares for. While she loves everything about her gig as a nanny, Mallory becomes increasingly worried about Teddy and the disturbing pictures he draws. His artwork depicts unnerving imagery inspired by his relationship with "Anya", his imaginary friend. Mallory believes that Teddy's drawings are related to … [Read more...] about Hidden Pictures, by Jason Rekulak
Pack Up the Moon, by Kristan Higgins
Consider me a hopeless romantic. I didn't really think I was, but this book proved me wrong. Pack up the Moon, by Kristan Higgins is the kind of story you want to read when you really want to FEEL all the feels. If you need a good cry, look no further than the pages in this book. Lauren and Josh are married & madly in love. They dream of living a long life together until they receive devastating news that will cut those dreams short. Lauren has IPF...a terminal disease. Her prognosis leaves her with 3-5 years left to live. Lauren spends every day after her diagnosis living what's left of her life to the fullest until IPF calls … [Read more...] about Pack Up the Moon, by Kristan Higgins
