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
lifestyle
Swiss Chicken Bundles
This recipe was first shared with me about 15 years ago by my dear friend, Dena. Our boys were in playgroup together and when us moms weren't chasing our boys, we were swapping recipes :) An incredibly easy, full of flavor kind of meal. … [Read more...] about Swiss Chicken Bundles
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
One True Loves, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Another emotional rollercoaster kind of read by TJR I just couldn't put down. One True Loves touched all the right places for me and I'm convinced Ms. Reid can do no wrong. Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse, and the newlywed couple move from the east to west coast to start a new life free from the expectations of their families and friends. Life in California is full of adventure and spontaneity for Jesse and Emma until their one year wedding anniversary. Jesse is presumed dead after a tragic helicopter crash over the Pacific. Emma moves back to her hometown to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart and learn … [Read more...] about One True Loves, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This Time Tomorrow, by Emma Straub
If you're ready to travel back in time to 1996, pick up a copy of This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. Such an unexpectedly delightful read! I love a story that incorporates magical realism & when time travel is involved, consider me sold. Alice Stern is about to celebrate her 40th and contemplating life as one does on the precipice of a milestone birthday. Her dad's health is failing and she knows she could lose him at any time & Alice wonders if she could have done anything different in the past to change his current situation. Alice visits her favorite little bar on her birthday, drunkenly stumbles out returning to her … [Read more...] about This Time Tomorrow, by Emma Straub
May 2022 Reading Wrap-Up
May was so good to me. So good in fact that I wanted to devour everything I could! I was able to squeeze in 10 books this month thanks to a couple of audiobooks, a lot of time in my car, and a few really quick and easy reads. So let's just dive right in, shall we?! Here's a quick wrap-up of each book I read in May (click on the links for a more detailed review of each book). The most uncomfortable, truly disturbing book I read this month was Tampa by Alissa Nutting. I don't even know how to classify this one. So incredibly graphic and sexually explicit and while you might not think that sounds awful, when those scenes involve an … [Read more...] about May 2022 Reading Wrap-Up
Jar of Hearts, by Jennifer Hillier
Several of my friends have been telling me to read anything written by Jennifer Hillier and I don't know why I waited so long. Jar of Hearts was just the thrilling ride I needed. I read this one in a day and a half and didn't want it to end! This crime based thriller had me lost in its pages. Geo, Angela, and Kai are best high school friends until one night Angela goes missing and it changes Geo and Kai forever. 14 years later, Angela's remains are found. Geo is sentenced to 5 years in prison for her role in Angela's murder and her high school boyfriend, Calvin James, is found guilty as well. Right before Geo is released from prison, … [Read more...] about Jar of Hearts, by Jennifer Hillier
Every Summer After, by Carley Fortune
If there's a book that needs to make your TBR for the summer, let this one be it. Every Summer After, by Carley Fortune, was simply magical. If you're a fan of the friends to lovers/second chance at love trope(s), you don't want to skip out on this book. Percy Fraser's parents buy a lake cottage on Barry's Bay where she spends her summers & holidays growing up. She befriends her neighbors at the lake, Sam & Charlie Florek, and develops an especially sweet friendship with Sam. They turn 18 and go their separate ways only for a family tragedy to bring them back together 12 years later. The story toggles back and forth between … [Read more...] about Every Summer After, by Carley Fortune
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne
Oh, my heart. To Sir, With Love, by Lauren Layne, was such a lighthearted and charming read! A precious palate cleanser that made my rom com loving heart swell with happiness. As the author noted, this story is a modern day retelling of You've Got Mail, so if you're a fan of that movie (which I adore!), you'll definitely want to read this STAT! Gracie Cooper is a romantic at heart. Perpetually happy and optimistic, she looks for love on a blind dating app and is met with a friendship instead. Witty banter ensues between Gracie and her "sir"....could she really be falling in love with someone she's never met (did I mention he's … [Read more...] about To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne
Tampa, by Alissa Nutting
What did I just read? Tampa, by Alissa Nutting, made me want to bathe myself in sanitizer. I'm just going to share my honest thoughts here because I can't rate it. I don't even know where to begin. Proceed with caution. Celeste is a 26-year-old eighth grade teacher whose secret desire is to have a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy. She's a beautiful, seemingly happily married woman to everyone on the outside, but we quickly (and graphically) learn that she's the worst kind of predator. She's a closet pedophile who romanticizes and justifies her sick and twisted obsession with minor boys. The story follows Celeste … [Read more...] about Tampa, by Alissa Nutting
Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus
I kept seeing recommendations for Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, everywhere I looked. Admittedly this didn't sound like the type of book I'd usually reach for, but I figured I'd at least make an attempt...and oh my word. What a pleasant, captivating surprise! It's the early 1960's in California where our main character, Elizabeth Zott, works as a chemist on an all male team. Due to the era in which she lived, there weren't many opportunities for Elizabeth to flourish in her field and she finds herself reluctantly starring as the TV host of a cooking show geared toward housewives. Elizabeth is a single mom determined to prove … [Read more...] about Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus
No Exit, by Taylor Adams
I'm a huge fan of all things suspense. Stories like No Exit, by Taylor Adams, are typically the kind of books I gravitate toward. And when I read the blurb for this one, I knew I couldn't pass it up. Darby Thorne is driving through Colorado on her way to Utah when she gets caught in a blizzard. She's forced off the road and into a rest stop where she stays to wait out the storm with four other strangers. While outside of the rest stop building, she happens upon a van in which she sees a little girl's hand reaching out of a locked cage. Darby is forced to start questioning the strangers at the rest stop....to whom does the van belong? … [Read more...] about No Exit, by Taylor Adams
The Night She Went Missing, by Kristen Bird
If you're looking for a domestic suspense novel, this might be right up your alley. The Night She Went Missing, by Kristen Bird, really intrigued me. And while parts of this novel were a little hit & miss, overall it was an enjoyable read. If you're a fan of Big Little Lies, this one was written in a similar style. The story starts of pretty strong when Emily, a senior in high school at a prestigious private school, goes missing. She's out at a party with her friends one night and is nowhere to be found the next morning nor weeks after. The story is told from multiple POVs where we learn character secrets and lies....lots of … [Read more...] about The Night She Went Missing, by Kristen Bird
In Five Years, by Rebecca Serle
" I saw what was coming, but I did not see what it would mean". - In Five Years Okay, Rebecca Serle. You have my attention. In Five Years might be one of my favorite books yet. Simply beautiful in every way I never expected. While I'm sure I'm probably the last one to pick up a copy of this book, I'd be remiss not to tell you how much I loved it...because I did. My eyes are still red and the pages of the last chapter or two, tear-stained. Dannie is a corporate lawyer who plans out every detail of her life and has her future all mapped out. Everything she knows is upended one night when she falls asleep and seemingly wakes up five … [Read more...] about In Five Years, by Rebecca Serle
Forever Interrupted, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Oh, Taylor Jenkins Reid. She's gone and done it again. Well, actually, she went and did it as Forever Interrupted is her debut novel. And what a debut it is! Heartbreakingly beautiful, this one got me all in my feels. Elsie and Ben were only married for a short time before he was tragically killed in an accident. Elsie meets Ben's mother, Susan, for the first time in the days that follow his death. Ben never told Susan about Elsie and their post death encounter is contentious to say the least. In the chapters that follow their meeting, the novel alternates between past and present giving us a glimpse into Elsie and Ben's … [Read more...] about Forever Interrupted, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Maidens, by Alex Michaelides
I started the month with The Maidens, by Alex Michaelides because the premise sounded intriguing. I love a well written psychological thriller and fully anticipated that this one would check all the boxes for me. Hmmmm...where do I start?! Mariana is a group therapist who is called to Cambridge by her niece, Zoe, when her friend is found murdered on campus. Mariana originally goes back to her alma mater to provide a source of support for niece, but becomes involved with the murder investigation and the drama surrounding her prime suspect, professor Edward Fosca. Determined to prove he's the murderer, Mariana is relentless in her … [Read more...] about The Maidens, by Alex Michaelides
