Hello Monday - BOOKS!

Hello Monday...I'm sharing what I read in January. 

Why not start 2020 with a good mystery? The Turn of the Key was the perfect way to start the new year. A book about a live-in nanny, a creepy old house, strange kids and LOTS of twists and turns I didn't see coming. It was a really good book!

I read lots of good reviews for The MIL and they did not disappoint! This was a really good thriller and it kept me guessing about what really happened. 

Another mystery/suspense/thriller? Yes, please! The Better Sister had me trying to figure out who did what the entire time. I mean it's strange for a woman to marry her sister's ex husband and that's probably not the craziest part. This book kept me on my toes. It was a good one! 

My library didn't have this book so I had to request it from another branch. The older lady snickered at the title and said it was a strange name. It was too funny. Okay. This book was good but not great. A group professors (only 1 girl and 4 or so guys) hanging out trying to find dates for a certain event. They all decide to use an online dating site. It matches the girl to one of the guys. That sums it up in a nutshell.

I downloaded finding Perfect on my Kindle because it was free. I didn't realize is was a novella. Apparently I didn't look to close since it's written at the top. Duh! Well it was a sweet little story wrap up Finding Cinderella. 

My sister in law gave me this devotion book for Christmas and it's been really good! 

Several bloggers shared this as well last year. Well, I fell off the wagon and didn't catch up with my reading. I'm including this in my book review to hold myself accountable! I've read each day for January. Woo Hoo! Now I'll conquer February. 

Friday Favorites and July's Reads

NINE!!!

I still can't believe I read 9 books this past month. I guess that's what happens when you are sitting in the hospital and you go on vacation! My mom had back surgery so I was with her at the hospital and I stayed with her when she went home. That means LOTS of reading while she was sleeping. 

The Honeymooners

Christina Lauren

I LOVED the first book I read by Christina Lauren (Love and other Words) and this one was almost as good.  The Honeymooners was a fun book to read.

One More Moment

Samantha Chase

Honestly I had to go back to GoodReads to see what this book was about. It was a cute book and I liked it but it just didn't stand out in my mind.

Big Little Lies

Liane Moriarty

This is the second time attempt at reading this and I liked it this time! It took a few chapters but I finally got into in and enjoyed it. It had me wanting to know what happened and who did what!  

Fix Her Up

Tessa Bailey

I've always heard don't judge a book by its cover and it was very true for this book! I thought it would be a sweet story and it really was with some raunchiness added in. Overall it was a good read!

Summer Nights

Susan Mallery

Summer Nights was another feel good book. All of Susan's books are good! I've never read one that I didn't like. I want to visit every town in her books. Haha!! 

Her Secret Son

Hannah Mary McKinnon

I've read ALL the hype about this book and it didn't disappoint! I was shocked at the end and it was very interesting! Like one of my favorites so far this year! I can't wait to read her other book, The Neighbors!

Meet Cute

Helena Hunting

Meet Cute was very similar to The Hating Game and I LOVED The Hating Game. I liked everything about this book. It's probably one of my top books so far this year as well!!

One Day in December

Josie Silver

I was super excited to finally get this book. BUT... I just didn't like it. I wanted to hurry up and finish it. The characters needed a fire lit under their tushes to get things going! 

How to Walk Away

Katherine Center

I got this book from the library in hopes of liking it. I didn't get my hopes up. After reading a few chapters I was hooked. I enjoyed every bit of it! 

Friday Favorites with June's Reads

My June books were some of the best ones I've read so far this year. I'm super excited because I read 5 good books and attempted to read one more that wasn't so good. 

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

This was a cute book. It was comical at times and had me shaking my head thinking 'really?' Cal will win you over in no time! It was a sweet read. I'll be reading more of Jennifer Crusie! 

Here's a little bit about the book from GoodReads...

"Minerva Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Even if he is gorgeous and successful Calvin Morrisey. Cal knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. Even is she does wear great shoes and keeps him on his toes. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again..."

the light we lost by Jill Santopolo

Where do I start? This book isn't one that I would have just picked up from the library or bookstore. Leslie Ann over at Lala Life recommended this one. It was good! The story started on September 11 as Lucy and Gabe watched the aftermath World Trade Centers falling. 

Here's the excerpt from GoodReads.

"Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story - their story- at the very beginning. 

Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter..."

The Mister by EL James

I was a sucker and thought The Mister would be another fun EL James book. This book was just okay to me. I read it just to see what happened. It seems a little far fetched that a guy would fall for his cleaning lady. I guess stranger things have happened. 

Here's what GoodReads had to say about the book.

"London, 2019. Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he's never had to work and he's rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family's noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It's a role he's not prepared for and one that he struggles to face."

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

This was the PERFECT book to start reading while at the beach. It kept me thinking about what happened the entire book. I couldn't wait to see how things unfolded. This is probably one of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand's books! 

GoodReads says...

"It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is a s common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the grooms wealthy parents have spared no expense to hos a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes:"

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

EEEKKKK!!!! Love and Other Words will probably be one of my favorite books ever! It was fantastic. I loved everything about it. Macy and Elliot's story was interesting and kept my attention the entire book. 

Here's the GoodReads summary:

"Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away. But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos - the first and only love of her life- the careful bubble she's constructed begins to dissolve."

Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd

Okay. I went from the best book ever to one I didn't want to think about. I was lost within the first 3 chapters and didn't want to go back to reread it to get the characters straight in my mind. 

GoodReads says:

"Girl running...from a year she can't remember, from a husband she prays is dead, from a homelessness and fear. Though, capable Kellen Adams takes a job as assistant manager of a remote vacation resort on the North Pacific Coast."

April's Book Shelf

AND

I only was able read 3 books in April. Life has been SUPER busy with spring break, soccer, church, and Easter. I'm crossing my fingers I get to read more in May!

Here we go...

Susan Mallery

When We Found Home

"Life is meant to be savored, but that's not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you'd rather not talk about. Still, Callie Smith doesn't know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister..." GoodReads

This is a sweet book about a grandfather who finds his two granddaughters and brings them to live with him and his grandson. When We Found Home was another one of Susan Mallery's feel good books and I really enjoyed it.

Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone

THEN  "She was fifteen, her mother's golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone. 

NOW  "It's been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up hope of finding her daughter." - GoodReads

This was my first book by Lisa Jewell and it was GOOD! There were some twists and a turn or two but it was easy to follow. 

Jill Shalvis

hot winter nights

"Most people wouldn't think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn't most people, and she could really use a distraction..." GoodReads

Hot Winter Nights is book 6 of the Heartbreaker Bay Series. I've read and loved all of them. This book is about Molly (the office manager) starting to help with investigations and her older brother (and boss) trying to protect her. I wonder if there will be a book 7... 

March's Book Review

The family next door was my first Sally Hepworth book and I was NOT disappointed! I enjoyed everything about the book and will be reading more of her books. 

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory was recommended on several blogs. It was a really good book. It was a quick read with not much to think about but it was good. 

I usually like Elin Hilderbrand but The Castaways just didn't do it for me. I read the first few chapters and decided I didn't want to finish it. 

I have loved every book I've read by Robyn Carr. She's my feel good author. The Best of Us was just as good as the rest of her books. 

What I'm Reading

Happy Wednesday!!

 I'm still catching up so here's what I read in January and February!

January

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

wasn't really THAT good. I mean it was interesting but I was ready to finish reading it.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

really kept my attention. It was comical at times with Stella's dating experiences. 

The Family Gathering by Robyn Carr

makes me want to go to Sullivan's Crossing. I can honestly say I have liked all of the books I've read by Robyn. There are my feel good books!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

 was unexpectedly good. I heard all the rave about it and I decided to try it. I was amazed. I'm so thankful I listened to everyone and read it. 

Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery

 is another feel good book. (I'll always grab a Robyn Carr or Susan Mallery book when I want a feel good read.) This is book #3 in the Happily, Inc series and I can say all of them are good!

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman

was completely different that other books I've read. Like parts gave me the willies and then I had to wonder what was going on. It was just okay for me.

February

all we ever wanted by Emily Giffin

was my first book by Emily. It was really good and I'll be checking out other books by her! 

Nine Perfect Stranger by Liane Moriarty

was just a big NO. I kept reading in hopes it would get better but it just didn't do it for me. 

Kissing Jenna by Kristen Proby 

was a super book! I'm ready to head out to Montana after reading this series (Big Sky).

Love with Me by Kristen Proby

was another perfect book. This is book 11 in the With Me series and I love ALL of them.

Verity by Colleen Hoover 

wasn't one of my favorite books and I usually LOVE her books. 

Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline 

was another good read! I'm not sure if some one recommended her books or if it's just one I found at the library. BUT I'm so glad I found her books. It's completely different from the light hearted romance books. 

Waiting for Willa by Kristen Proby

was another awesome book. I loved it! 

So there's my books for January and February. I'll get March posted soon and I'll be back on schedule! YEAH ME!!