Book Review // Dear Edward

*thank you to BOTM for this gifted copy! 

#bookbassador #bookofthemonth

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

"One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them are a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured veteran returning from Afghanistan, a business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. Halfway across the country, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.

Edward’s story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a part of himself has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery—one that will lead him to the answers of some of life’s most profound questions: When you’ve lost everything, how do you find the strength to put one foot in front of the other? How do you learn to feel safe again? How do you find meaning in your life?" Amazon.com

Review:

I’ve been sitting on this book for a couple of weeks now trying to find the right words to convey how much I loved this story. It felt very unique to me in the fact that this story had the accident and tragedy at the forefront of the story, but yet took until the end to piece it all together. 

Edward (age 12) is the sole survivor of a plane crash that took the life of his parents and brother (and over a hundred other people). He is then sent to live with his child-less aunt and uncle who he isn’t close with. Edward is trying to come to terms with his new reality and suffers from a myriad of issues, including survivors guilt. 

At times, it felt a bit detached because of the POV changing between adults and Edward , but only because he was a child trying to process these big feelings and life changing consequences.

It feels weird to say I loved this book because it is so so tragic. People die in such a terrible way. My anxiety was slowly building until those last few chapters before the plane crash. 

Ann Napolitano writes so beautifully that I think that’s what I loved about it. How she could paint these characters so clearly for us. That we were so invested in the well-being of Edward. We were rooting for him, and at the same time rooting for there to be more survivors, even though we know he was the only one in the end. 

*if you were a fan of Miracle Creek, I think you would like this one too. 

Book Review // Regretting You

*thank you BookSparks for this gifted copy!

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

"Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together." Amazon.com

Review:

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Regretting You might have inched its way into my Top 10 Books of 2019. I knew nothing about this book going in except EmeryReads and Lauralovestoread gave it 5 stars so I had some hope that I would probably like it. 

I LOVED IT. This book touched on so many different and complex themes that it really came full circle for me. Heartbreaking betrayal, discovering love again, a brilliant mother-daughter relationship, new beginnings, lessons of devotion, and a splash of YA teen romance. The pace of the chapters was perfect, the alternating POV kept it interesting, and the pulling-at-the-heartstrings made you just want the best for everyone!

I don’t want to say too much about the plot because going in blind might be the best option. All I know is that my heart was feeling it when reading the story of Morgan and Clara (mother-daughter). I EVEN TEARED UP AT THE END. I cannot remember the last time I actually cried while reading a book. Which is so funny because I’m a highly sensitive person and typically cry when the emotions are running high (excited, joyful, sad, overwhelmed, scared, or full of rage). (Like at a haunted house=cry. My sister surprising me by flying in for Christmas to be together=cry. A heated argument with anyone who crosses me=cry). 

But I digress. Please add this to your list for 2020 and report back. I hate hyping up a book, but this worth the risk! 

Book Review // Murder on the Orient Express

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

“The murderer is with us—on the train now . . .”

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.

Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again." Amazon.com

Review:

Throwback Thursday if there ever was one, am I right? Murder on the Orient Express was published in 1934!! The Queen of murder mystery is still killing it (pun intended 🔪) all these years later. 

It took a minute to get into the story and figure out all the different characters, but once I got going, I could not put this one down! I even brought it with me to the gym and read it on my cool down walk on the treadmill. 

I just can’t say enough good things about AC. She was incredibly talented. Her character descriptions are my favorite because they’re straight to the point and you can visualize them instantly. 

My favorite AC novel is still And Then There Were None, but I was very entertained throughout Murder on the Orient Express! The ending was 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Book Review // The Girl He Used to Know

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

"Annika Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people's behavior confusing, she'd rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.

Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game—and his heart—to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone. 

Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She's living the life she wanted as a librarian. He's a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins." Amazon.com

Review:

I’ll be honest with you, this feel right in the middle for me. And I’ve been seeing it reviewed and loved by everyone in the bookstagram world. So maybe it’s just me?? 

What I liked:

-Annika had a similar personality and vibe to Eleanor Oliphant (not sure if I liked that or hated that).

-Jonathan was forgiving of what happened in college.

-Annika became self aware of her challenges and turned her life into one of production and fulfillment.

-The love story was similar to The Notebook in the fact that it was sweet and innocent (*includes a sex scene)

-The story kept my attention. I couldn’t put this one down.

What I didn’t like:

-Jonathan and Annika totally lacked chemistry. Even reading Jonathan’s chapters and getting his perspective, it still just didn’t resonate with me that he was deeply in love with Annika. He was kind of a dud. 

-The ending. That came out of left field and to be honest with you, it came of disingenuous to include a mega terror attack in a fluffy romance novel. It felt out of place and didn’t make sense with the rest of the book. (Of COURSE Jonathan was in NYC inside the WTC). 

Loved parts and didn’t love other parts. Didn’t feel any real connection with either main characters.

Book Review // Things You Save in a Fire

**Thank you St. Martin's Press for this gifted copy!

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

"Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she's seen her fair share of them, and she's a total pro at other people's tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own.

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie's old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren't exactly thrilled to have a "lady" on the crew―even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the infatuation-inspiring rookie, who doesn't seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can't think about that. Because love is girly, and it’s not her thing. And don’t forget the advice her old captain gave her: Never date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping...and it means risking it all―the only job she’s ever loved, and the hero she’s worked like hell to become." Amazon.com

Review:

Things You Save in a Fire is absolutely one to add to your list of KC must reads! I will say, you need to first read How To Walk Away. Then you’ll be able to catch the few novel overlap hints in Things You Save in a Fire.

Katherine Center is a master at composing books that have depth of character, heartbreaking tragedy, triumphant endings, and leaving you wanting more and more. I devoured Things You Save in a Fire. Katherine Center knows exactly what she’s doing because her chapter lengths are so good and quick. I said, “okay, only one more chapter,” about 100 times. I hate long chapters. HATE THEM. Gimme 3-7 page chapters and I’m going to love you forever. 

Another highlight was meeting Katherine Center at her book signing! She is a bubbly ball of enthusiasm and light. While we were sitting in the bookstore hearing her talk about Things You Save in a Fire, her publisher called to tell her that her new book made it to the NYT Best Seller list! It was a fantastic night. 

Book Review // Maybe In Another Life

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

"At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him." Amazon.com

Review:

This was only my second TJR book (Evelyn Hugo was my first) and I was completely caught up in the story of Hannah Martin. It was a Sliding Doors-How To Walk Away hybrid, so if you’re familiar with both, you’ll probably guess the story outline. 

If you’ve read it, which story did you like more? I was obsessed with Henry and Hannah ❤️ Not a surprise since I loved How To Walk Away! 

I breezed eight through this one and loved every single page. It was clean! Only a few spots of language, but no sex scenes. It was light and romantic and beautiful. 

Book Review // The Giver of Stars

*thank you BookSparks for this gifted copy!

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

"Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve hoping to escape her stifling life in England.  But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.

The leader, and soon Alice's greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who's never asked a man's permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky. 

What happens to them--and to the men they love--becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives." Amazon.com

Review:

I wish I could give this book 100 ⭐️ because it absolutely deserves it! What a beautiful story! Based off the packhorse librarians in Kentucky in the 1930’s, The Giver of Stars is an incredible story of perseverance, assertiveness, love and loss, and the challenges of a struggling town. 

Moyes created a phenomenal cast of powerhouse females. Alice, the English-native who moves to America with her new husband only to find herself more lonely than ever before. Margery, the town outcast who is a total badass but also extremely compassionate towards the people she cares about. But don’t forget about the supporting female cast of Izzy, Beth, Sophia, and KathIeen. I was so intrigued by this piece of history. A traveling library! All run by women! 

What really rounded out this story, which I find lacks in other books with strong female characters, is the supportive cast of men. Sven and Fred were supportive, affectionate, and attentive. Strong women can absolutely have a strong man along side her and I appreciated these side romance storylines so much! 

It had feelings of several stories, (go with me on this), strong women like in The Great Alone, family dynamics and mining hardships found in the show When Calls The Heart, and a determined woman who was repeatedly told that she didn’t fit into the town, like Dr Michaela Quinn. 

Structurally, this novel was perfectly done: 10 page chapters which made the writing quick and witty. 

This would be a fantastic book club book. Lots to discuss. 

So many feelings after finishing The Giver of Stars! 

Book Review // The Woman in the Window

Review: DNF (did not finish)

Synopsis:

"Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, mother, their teenaged son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble and its shocking secrets are laid bare.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems." Amazon.com

Review:

I knew almost immediately that The Woman in the Window was going to be a struuuuuggle. And after 50 pages, I called it quits. The writing style was not my thing and the constant references to old movies got old really fast. 

One of you asked me if I needed a summary in order to get closure and guess what I learned? I guessed more than half the plot. So I’m 100% happy I put it down. Onward and upward. 

If you’re a movie buff and can handle a lot crazy, then this is the book for you! 

Book Review // Something in the Water

Rating: 2/5

Synopsis:

"If you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you?
 Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .
 Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nightmares?
 Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .
 Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?
 Wonder no longer. Catherine Steadman’s enthralling voice shines throughout this spellbinding debut novel. With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we’re tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves." Amazon.com

Review:

After the fantastic first chapter, I was hooked! It sets you up with Erin, the main character digging a grave for her husband who she has only been married to for 3 months. Awesome start, right?? Why is she digging a grave?? And what was in the water??? 🌊 

👉🏻But you guys, this book was a complete disappointment. I’ll give you some reasons why I kind of sort of hated this book:

▫️The main character Erin was so unlikable. She was the ultimate unreliable narrator, but never seemed to turn it around and get us on her side. Her whiny voice. And repetitive narrations were difficult to get past (like reading 2-3 pages about her Glock. It just about killed me). 

▫️Her husband Mark was a total dumb-dumb, which made the ending of this book difficult for me because he flopped 180 and I was scratching my head how we got here (even though I did guess it half way through!).

▫️The first half of the plot was easy, quick reading with getting us to the scene where they found “something in the water.” But the second half was full of unbelievable plot lines that just seemed so far fetched. Erin and her husband turned into vigilantes, but her husband was a limp noodle-arm man (WEAK) and made Erin do all of the work trying to erase all the evidence.

▫️You never find out what exactly was in the water. YOU NEVER FIND OUT. Her husband stayed down to investigate, and never bothered to tell Erin the truth about what he saw. Which means, we never find out! I can’t even, you guys.

The only pro that I see is that the writing was so choppy that it read quick and was nice to get through it quickly. But choppy writing is so sloppy to me and I struggled big time not wanting to throw this book across the room.

Book Review // The Joy of Missing Out

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis:

"Overwhelmed. Too many women are swamped and exhausted by all they strive to do, ending most days feeling unsatisfied and unsuccessful. Tonya Dalton, productivity expert and CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co., offers these women a liberating shift in perspective: feeling overwhelmed isn't the result of having too much to do it's from not knowing where to start.

In her highly anticipated first book, Dalton inspires women to reject the pressure to do more, be more, and achieve more. She shows them how to focus on what's important to them and then helps them develop their own unique productivity systems. Through her proven liveWELL Method, Dalton provides actionable strategies with relevant exercises that help women to discover their purpose, clarify their priorities, simplifytheir lives, and finally achieve harmony by embracing the "unbalance" that is inherent in their lives. As a result, women discover they can finally live guilt free, abundant lives because living a life centered around their priorities results in more satisfaction and success, both at work and at home." Amazon.com

Review:

This is much more than your average self help book. There were so many times while reading this book that were ‘ah ha’ moments.

▫️”We falsely believe that if we are not busy, we are failing.”

▫️”Being kind and being assertive are not mutually exclusive.” 

▫️”Choices may feel difficult, because when we eliminate options and “miss out” on purpose, we feel that we are limiting ourselves, but in reality, that’s what allows us the freedom to live the life we really want.” 

Sounds like a pretty good book, huh??

Book Review // The Moment of Lift

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

"For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down.

In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world. As she writes in the introduction, “That is why I had to write this book―to share the stories of people who have given focus and urgency to my life. I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live.”

Melinda’s unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attention―from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the world―and ourselves.

Writing with emotion, candor, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another.

When we lift others up, they lift us up, too." Amazon.com 

Review:

The first 100 or so pages of The Moment of Lift had me glued! I knew the Gates Foundation did a lot for women and children around the world, but the statistics Melinda talked about in the book were shocking. Cutting several of them in half in just under 10 years. And we’re talking in the millions. 

Her entire platform is centered around the goal of giving women more opportunities to be able to lift everyone around them. The studies show that when women are educated, the rates of everything go down: poverty, child marriage, disease, infant mortality, women dying in childbirth, which then leads to the next generation of children being brought up in a more stable household. Just supplying contraception for these developing countries allows them to be able to wait longer in between having more children. Some women were having children back to back to back for a decade. Leading to more poverty, sicker (or dying) children, and dire situations where they don’t feel empowered, loved, or able to see a way out. 

The stories Melinda shared were tragic and heartbreaking. Forget about the gender equality fight we constant have going on in the USA, these women just want to be recognized by men as having some type of power to control their own lives. Like not being married by 12. Or getting raped because she’s on her period and has to miss school. Or burying your newborn baby because the culture in that community is against skin to skin contact right after birth. It really put things in perspective when you compare what we are blessed with just by being born in a privileged country. 

Unfortunately, I did feel like Melinda’s writing was a bit repetitive and at times all over the place. What I couldn’t really hang with was when she was telling these terrible stories of women in Africa, and then would tell a personal story about herself struggling in the workplace. Sorry Melinda, you’re a billionaire and you’re privileged. As much as you wanted to be able to relate to these women, you came off out of touch at times. Just let the women’s stories do the talking. No need to insert yourself of the prejudices you’ve felt while working outside of the home. 

Book Review // The Two Lila Bennetts

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:

"Lila Bennett’s bad choices have finally caught up with her. And one of those decisions has split her life in two. Literally.

In one life, she’s taken hostage by someone who appears to be a stranger but knows too much. As she’s trapped in a concrete cell, her kidnapper forces her to face what she’s done or be killed. In an alternate life, she eludes her captor but is hunted by someone who is dismantling her happiness, exposing one secret at a time.

Lila’s decorated career as a criminal defense attorney, her marriage, and her life are on the line. She must make a list of those she’s wronged—both in and out of the courtroom—to determine who is out to get her before it’s too late. But even if she can pinpoint her assailant, will she survive? And if she does, which parts of her life are worth saving, and which parts must die? Because one thing’s for certain—life as Lila Bennett knew it is over." Amazon.com

Review:

I FLEW through The Two Lila Bennetts. Fleeeeeew through it. My heart was pounding. The pages were turning quickly. And I could not get to the end fast enough. This was another Sliding Doors type with two parallel realities side by side. Lila, the power hungry defense attorney, is dealing with her past of representing clients who she felt were guilty but did everything in her power to get them cleared of their sentencing. The story splits off when Lila is faced with the choice to have dinner at home with her husband, or having dinner with her coworker (who she is also sleeping with!). One of the storylines ultimately leads to her being captured. 

I don’t want to give anything else away, so I won’t say anything more! 

This was a face paced, brilliantly written, suspenseful thriller with lots of twists and turns. I’ve read books in the past with 2 authors, and you can tell. There is often times some disconnect within chapters. NOT HERE. Liz and Lisa write with a finesse that is so fluid. They have one voice. I applaud their talent!  

What are you waiting for??

Book Review // Before We Were Yours

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

"Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.

Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption." Amazon.com

Review:

This book! My mama heart just hurts reading Before We Were Yours. And I'm appalled at myself for knowing zero about the Tennessee Children's Home Society and Georgia Tann before reading this book.

For those of you who don't know about the TCHS, it was an adoption agency that often times took (stole, abducted, etc) children out of loving homes and put them up for adoption. And mostly into socially powerful and political families who paid big bucks for the children. Often times, the families of the poor were used as leverage, or they were just snatched up on the side of the road never to be seen or heard of again.

Before We Were Yours is told as a fictional story but wove actual facts and stories into the lives of the 5 Foss children. I really appreciated how careful Lisa Wingate was about writing certain details, especially about the abuse that took place in the home. I don't think I could have handled anymore details. It was heartbreaking.

Learning about history can be painful. And the main take away from this story is that we can all do more and be better to make sure our future is full of love and respect for others. I can't believe this was a reality for so many during this time. Georgia Tann has now passed away, but many have come forward to talk about their experience. Lisa Wingate has included these stories in her new book Before and After. I hope to read it soon.