1 Book I AM Reading and 2 Books I’m NOT Reading

1 Book I AM Reading and 2 Books I’m NOT Reading

I mean…I’m not sure how much of me you can actually see but it’s still a lovely sign, lol 🤪

Happy New Year! I hope your year is filled with love and BOOKS!

1 Book I AM Reading:

My first official book read of 2022:

I bought this book from the most beautiful little bookstore in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin this past fall (you can read about my lovely visit to that bookstore HERE).

Goodreads Synopsis of The Charm Offensive {Alison Cochrun}:

Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.

Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.

As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

I’m almost finished reading and can’t wait to share my thoughts with you! I’ll actually be doing a joint review of this one with Melissa Amster from Chick Lit Central at the end of the month…stay tuned!

2 Books I’m NOT Reading:

I think both of these books sound GREAT but alas, the library needed them back before I even was able to crack either cover. This is what happens when the only books I will read in November and December are holiday books 😉

Oh perfect, this was such a random last minute photo thought that I didn’t even have time to take away my bottle of water from the nice shot taken in my front seat, lol.
Another wonderful photo. I especially enjoy the reflection of my yellow iphone and my face. And oh look! My bottle of water is still there!

Goodreads Synopsis of Five Strangers {E.V. Adamson}:

With its grassy hills and breathtaking city views, London’s Hampstead Heath is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends and loved ones—and on an unseasonably warm Valentine’s Day, the lawns are especially full. So when an aggressive lovers’ quarrel breaks out, there’s an audience of park goers nearby to hear the shouts traded back and forth, and to watch as the violence escalates suddenly to murder, then suicide. 

For the five strangers who observed the gruesome act, the memory of the gore is unshakable. But one of them—disgraced journalist Jen Hunter—is compelled to question the truth of what she thought she saw. Are the facts of the case plain as day, or were they obscured, in the moment, by the glaring sunlight?

As she mounts an obsessive investigation for a seemingly-impossible alternative, the lives of the other witnesses begin to unravel, each in its own particular way. Soon one thing becomes clear: the crime they witnessed was more terrible, more twisted, and more far-reaching than they ever could have imagined.

iphone, face, water bottle. My photography skills are ON POINT in this post today.

Goodreads Synopsis of Cul De Sac {Joy Fielding}:

A shooting lays bare the secrets harbored by five families in a sleepy suburban cul-de-sac in this riveting psychological thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of All the Wrong Places.

Someone on this quiet, unassuming cul-de-sac will be shot dead in the middle of a sultry July night.

Will it be Maggie, the perfectionist wife, or Craig, the husband who can’t quite live up to her expectations? They’ve packed up their two children and fled their life in California, hoping for a fresh start in Florida, only to find the demons of the past hovering on their doorstep.

Maybe it will be Nick, a highly respected oncologist, or his wife, Dani, a successful dentist, both with well-kept secrets of their own.

Or Julia, an elderly widow, whose troubled grandson has recently moved in with her, introducing unsavory habits and even more unsavory acquaintances into her formerly quiet existence.

Then there’s Olivia and her husband, Sean. Having lost his job at a prestigious advertising agency, Sean is depressed, resentful of his working wife, and drinking heavily. He is also prone to increasingly violent fantasies.

And what of the newlyweds, Aiden and Heidi, whose marriage is already on the rocks, due to Aiden’s reluctance to stand up to his intrusive mother? Matters aren’t helped when Heidi befriends Julia’s grandson, setting the stage for a major blowup.

A diverse group of neighbors, to be sure. Yet all harbor secrets. All bear scars. And all have access to guns.

Not all will survive the night.

Have you read any of these 3 books? What book are you currently reading? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny



This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE

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Book Coffee Happy’s 12 Most Viewed Posts of 2021

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 Most Viewed Posts of 2021

Oh man, Blogmas. I tried!!! The official Blogmas goal is to post every single day in December from December 1st until Christmas. I made it to the 21st before life and a magical staycation in downtown Chicago got in the way of completing the goal. I’m super proud that I was able to post as much as I did and I’m already planning next year’s Blogmas schedule! Such a fun thing for bloggers to do. I actually really loved doing it which is quite surprising considering my reservations about it (you can watch the video of me sharing my thoughts on that HERE). So until next year, Blogmas…it’s been fun!

So today is 12/29 and although I was thinking I would take this time off from blogging, I thought I would share a little recap of Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts from the past year! Seems weird to post something like this in January, lol.

I love writing my little hobby so much and it warms my heart that so many of you love reading it! Thank you for all of your kind words and support throughout the years. Book Coffee Happy is just getting started…I’ve got some big plans for this little blog in 2022!

I always find my analytics so interesting and I love to see which posts are the most viewed by you. Most of the highly viewed posts on my blog make perfect sense to me but some….do NOT, lol.

Here in order from the 12th most viewed post of 2021 to the #1 most viewed post of 2021

#12

Sex. Hot, Steamy Sex. And so Much More…This Book is AWESOME.

I’m so glad that so many of you have read this post because I LOVE THAT BOOK SO MUCH! Aaaaaaand now I’m wondering if starting blog posts that start with the word “Sex” might just be a wonderful attention grabber, lol…???

#11

I was Wrong. So Very Wrong. This Book is AMAZING.

I wrote this post in 2020 and I’m so glad that so many of you are still reading it in 2021. This book is beautiful! I spent waaaaaaay too long resisting it and I’m so glad I finally read it. Highly, highly recommend this gorgeous book.

#10

My Top Book Recommendations

The fact that this is one of my most visited posts of 2021 comes as zero surprise. It’s a book blog…obviously people want to know my top book recommendations! I actually wrote that post back in 2019! I’m thinking an updated post should be on the 2022 agenda…

#9

One of the Best Books I’ve Ever Read

Oh I love this book so much. I’m so glad so many of you have read this post and have read this book as a result.

#8

The Best Book I Have Ever Read.

I mean….with a title like that, I’m not surprised that this post is so popular. I’m so glad it is…READ THAT BOOK.

#7

Book Review: The Housekeeper {Natalie Barelli}

I honestly have NO IDEA why this post is so highly visited. I can barely even remember the book let alone the post? For some reason, this post continuously gets so much traffic and it blows my mind.

#6

Book Review (Unpopular Opinion): Then She Was Gone {Lisa Jewell}

I’m honestly not sure why people love this book OR this blog post, lol???

#5

**DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK** Book Review: Tampa {Alissa Nutting}

Oh god I hate that I’m even including this VILE book on here because the very last thing I want to do is to draw attention to it. This book is DISGUSTING. I’ve never, ever said this about a book before but please don’t buy it.

#4

The 12 Best Books I Read in 2020

YES. I still stand by every single one!

#3

Why I Stopped Reading The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}…But You Shouldn’t!

Eh this book. I just couldn’t do it.

#2

Why I Stopped Reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo {Taylor Jenkins Reid}…But You Shouldn’t!

So this blog post has an insane amount of traffic to it EVERY SINGLE DAY from alllll around the globe. I honestly don’t know why but it literally has had so many thousands of page views and that kind of blows my mind.

#1

I Was Stuck On A Mountain in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Well this comes at NO SURPRISE considering this post went viral last winter when Google put it on their homepage! It was super exciting and thanks to Google, thousands and thousands and THOUSANDS of new readers have since found my little blog. You can read the insane and awesome story of when it was on Google’s homepage HERE! This week is the 1 year anniversary of being stuck on that mountain….what a craaaaaazy vacation that was!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

12/17: BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

12/18: BLOGMAS: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

12/19: BLOGMAS: Books To Give As Gifts

12/20: BLOGMAS Book Series Review: The Winter Novels 1-3 {Joanne Demaio}

12/21: BLOGMAS: {Video} Favorite Reading Accessories #5 and #6

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: {Video} Favorite Reading Accessories #5 and #6

BLOGMAS: Favorite Reading Accessories #5 and #6

Hiiiii!

How are you? I hope you are having a wonderful week filled with love and joy. My kids are home for winter break and I couldn’t be happier…I absolutely LOVE having them home! Today we made beaded jewelry and played with magnetic dinosaurs. I hope that whatever you are doing this week brings you happiness whether you celebrate Christmas or not 🙂

I have 2 more WONDERFUL reading accessories for you today! You can read about my past reading accessory recommendations here:

My #1 Must Have Book Accessory

My #2 Must Have Book Accessory

Another Book Accessory Recommendation!

A Sad Day.

BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

Favorite Reading Accessory #5: Electric Fireplace

So we have a real fireplace and I hate it. Give me an electric fireplace any day over the real deal! No smelly ash, nothing to clean, no logs to worry about. A simple switch to “ON” and that’s all? YES PLEASE!

My first experience with an electric fireplace was when we stayed at an Airbnb in Michigan last fall (different trip but you can read about where we stay HERE…we have rented the same Airbnb 4 times now)! From the second I turned that electric fireplace on…I. WAS. HOOKED. Omg it was positively DREAMY! Beautiful “flames” and warmth? PERFECTION.

Michigan October 2020 ❤️

As soon as we got home, I texted the owner of the Airbnb to tell her how obsessed I was with her electric fireplace and how I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

And then on my birthday last year, I opened the BEST GIFT from my husband:

It’s beautiful. I love that it’s bronze, I love that it’s small, I love everything about it.

For those first few days, I LOVED every single thing about this new addition to our home. It was small, it was beautiful, and it was WARM.

And then…it wasn’t warm. Still small, still beautiful, but…not warm. Hmmm.

Did I care? I really didn’t! By this point I was so in love with it that a little thing like heat didn’t really matter to me. That wasn’t the point anyway! I just wanted something pretty to look at while I was reading and this most definitely fit the bill.

Favorite Reading Accessory #6: Fire Crackler!!!

Immediately after I opened my birthday fireplace, my son handed me his wrapped gift. I opened it and was instantly IN LOVE!

A FIRE CRACKLER! It makes all of the sounds of a real fireplace with the push of a button. Omg it’s AWESOME.

I made this video so that you can hear it for yourself:

Fun Fact: I NEVER call it a “crackler”…I ALWAYS call it my “cackler”. I’ve even got my kids only calling it “Mommy’s Cackler”, lol. So there you have it…my perfect reading scenario. Beautiful “flames”, beautiful sounds, NO SMELLY FIREPLACE ASH.

Do you have an electric fireplace? Do you prefer real or electric? GIVE ME ELECTRIC ANYDAY! Add in a “cackler” and it’s reading perfection for me!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

12/17: BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

12/18: BLOGMAS: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

12/19: BLOGMAS: Books To Give As Gifts

12/20: BLOGMAS Book Series Review: The Winter Novels 1-3 {Joanne Demaio}

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS Book Series Review: The Winter Novels 1-3 {Joanne Demaio}

BLOGMAS Book Series Review: The Winter Novels 1-3 {Joanne Demaio}

Books 1-3 in the Winter Novels Series

As I mentioned in THIS POST, I took Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer (Book #2) from a Free Little Library last spring. It’s been sitting on my shelf for exactly 8 months just waiting for this holiday season so I could finally read it!

When I reached out to Joanne Demaio, she told me that each of these books are stand alone novels and they don’t need to be read in order. While I agree that you don’t NEED to read them in order, you really SHOULD read them all in order! I absolutely loved how characters would appear from book to book and I loved learning more about their stories as the books progressed. Start with book #1 and read these books in the order in which they were written! You’ll be so happy that you did. I started with Book #2 and although it was ok to then read book #1, I would HIGHLY recommend reading them in order. Just adds to the overall character and story development.

How STUNNING are these book covers??? Each one is more beautiful than the next!

Winter Novels Book Order:

Book #1 Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes

Book #2 Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer

Book #3 Cardinal Cabin

Book #4 First Flurries

Book #5 Eighteen Winters

Book #6 Winter House

So I started with Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer (Book #2) and absolutely loved it. It didn’t take long for me to order the rest of the series on Amazon! HERE is the post where I discuss how I came to purchase the rest of the series.

And here’s a super weird thing. My copy of book #2 (the one that I got at the Free Little Library) smells AWESOME. I don’t know who owned this book before me or what she did to make it smell so beautiful but it’s wonderful and totally added to my enjoyment while reading. Perfume? Body spray? Air freshener? Whatever it is, it smells heavenly…8 months after I brought it home! Thank you random stranger who donated to a Little Free Library! Xo!

This book series is EXACTLY what I needed for them to be. Light, fun, and so perfectly “Christmasy” (is that a word)? It’s like Hallmark movies in book form. Adorable town, adorable residents, adorable EVERYTHING.

During the calendar year I love to read all kinds of books…some light, some heavy, some dramatic, thrillers, mysteries, YA, psychological thrillers, etc. During the holiday season, I ONLY want to read light, adorable, holiday books! This series is PERFECTION.

I am 100 percent, completely in love with the fictional town of Addison, Connecticut. Omg what a DARLING town! I want to live there!

As much as I HATE that I stopped reading after Book #3, I made the decision to do so and to save the other 3 books to read during NEXT year’s holiday season! HERE is the post where I explain why.

Stay tuned: Book Coffee Happy Blogmas 2022 already has 3 books waiting to be reviewed…and I can tell you that I love them already without even cracking open the covers.

Will keep these 3 beautiful books safely in my “To Read Stack” until the 2022 holiday season!

Can’t read to return to Addison next Christmas!

Bottom Line:

Absolutely loving this series. Perfect books to read during the holiday season!

Have you read these books? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

12/17: BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

12/18: BLOGMAS: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

12/19: BLOGMAS: Books To Give As Gifts

Xo,

Jenny

Book #1:

Book #2:

Book #3:

Book #4:

Book #5:

Book #6:

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

Blogmas: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

It was raining and we were driving BUT…how beautiful is this light display???

If you follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram, you got an insider view in my stories yesterday that this post was coming up today 😉

Oh I really love writing these posts! It’s such a fun time for me to look back and reflect on the books that I read over this past year.

Here are links to the best books that I read in 2019 and 2020:

The 12 Best Books I Read in 2019

The 12 Best Books I Read in 2020

2021 was an especially special year for me in terms of reading because this is the year that I read the very BEST book I’ve EVER read (see below)!

If you are a regular blog reader, you know that I always include my “bottom line” on the bottom of my reviews which is a quick way for me to recap my feelings. Just like I did last year, I thought it would be fun to list these books only by the bottom line that I gave to them in my reviews. Click these bottom lines to take you directly to my review of each book (including the synopsis for each book).

In no particular order, I present to you my absolute favorite books that I’ve read in 2021 (and I have read A LOT of books this year):

The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021:

Book #1’s Bottom Line:

Absolutely loved it.

Book #2’s Bottom Line:

Absolutely loved every second of reading this lovely book. Highly recommend!

Book #3’s Bottom Line:

If you can make it past the first 100ish pages…this story is truly incredible.

Book #4’s Bottom Line:

This wonderful book and it’s important message gave me SO MUCH to think about…

Book #5’s Bottom Line:

Such a special book.

Book #6’s Bottom Line:

READ. THIS. BOOK.

Book #7’s Bottom Line:

This is the best book I have ever read. And I have read A LOT of books.

Book #8’s Bottom Line:

Read this. And if you have children of any age middle school and up…please encourage them to read this as well.

Book #9’s Bottom Line:

READ THIS. READ THIS. READ THIS.

Book #10’s Bottom Line:

Buying this book was such a SMART decision, so happy that I did!

Book #11’s Bottom Line:

One of my favorite reads of 2021 thus far!

Book #12’s Bottom Line:

Read this. But on land only.

Book #13’s Bottom Line:

So I haven’t finished reading this book series yet but I can already tell you that I am LOVING each of these books so much. I’m currently exactly halfway through the series and they are LOVELY! They MUST be included on this list, even if I haven’t written my “bottom line” for them quite yet. HERE is a link where I discuss this delightful book series in more detail. Highly recommend (so far)!

What were the best books you read in 2021? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

12/17: BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway and for all of your kind comments on THIS POST. I shared a bit of my heart in that post and I loved reading all of your responses. Thank you so much! Here is a video of my daughter choosing a winner:

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

Do you remember a few weeks ago when I showed you my neighbor’s gorgeous holiday display? It’s even more beautiful at night! They have lights shining on it to make it twinkle and I’m absolutely obsessed.

I have been spending all of this holiday season in the ADORABLE town of Addison, Connecticut. Well, in reality I have been spending all of this holiday season in the nice (I wouldn’t say adorable but definitely nice) suburb of Chicago where I live, lol. The book series that I am currently reading takes place in the most adorable little town and I want to move there! Or at least visit. Indefinitely.

I have been LOVING this book series (link to the books is above). The characters are adorable, the town is adorable, and it’s the most PERFECT series to read during the holiday season. A wonderful choice, indeed.

I am currently on book #3 (out of 6 total):

A Change In My December Reading Plans

My plans were to finish reading this series during this holiday season….and then….I checked my mail 2 days ago. If you didn’t read yesterday’s post, HERE is a link to it so you can see the amazing package that arrived in my mailbox)!

The Christmas Bookshop!!!

The 1 book I have been wanting to read all season! Amazon was sold out (although I just checked…it’s finally back in stock! I will include the link below), Barnes and Noble was sold out, and I have been on the library waitlist FOREVER.

And now I own it 🙂

Hell yeah!!!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Christmas Bookshop {Jenny Colgan}:

When the department store she works in closes for good, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. She doesn’t want to move in with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered Edinburgh life.

Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want Carmen there either. Her sister has always been sarcastic and difficult. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs a retail assistant for his ailing bookshop, so welcoming Carmen might still have some benefits for everyone.

At Sofia’s behest, Carmen is thrown into the daily workings of old Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the streets of the old dark city. Can she use her design skills to revamp the store and bring it back to popularity in time to benefit from Christmas shopping traffic? Can she choose between bad boy literary rock star Blair and quiet Quaker student Oke? And will she heal the rift with the most important people of all: her family? 

What to do? What to do? I originally planned on reading this book but when I couldn’t get my hands on a copy, I pivoted and found the adorable Winter Novels! And I’m loving them! But now I have The Christmas Bookshop. AND 3 more Winter Novels books. Decisions, decisions…

I should be done with Cardinal Cabin in the next day or so and then I HAVE to read The Christmas Bookshop! I’ve been DYING to read it! So as much as I will hate to leave Addison, I must say good-bye. For now.

If I must stop reading them, It actually seems like a good stopping point for the Winter Novels. Halfway. And now I have 3 brand new wonderful books to read NEXT holiday season (because I’m WAY too Type A to read holiday books at any other time of year other than the holiday season). Blogmas 2022: I’m apparently starting to plan for you!

Until next winter, Addison. I’ll keep you 3 beauties tucked away on my bookshelf until then! Xo!

If I finish The Christmas Bookshop in a timely matter, I do have this book that I checked out of the library before the holiday season even started. I’ve heard it’s wonderful!

Goodreads Synopsis of Christmas in Winter Hill {Melody Carlson}:

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages.

As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn’t always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, “Where’s the snow?” Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista’s Christmas spirit before the big day?

So that’s my plan. Cardinal Cabin, The Christmas Bookshop, Christmas in Winter Hill. And then comes January and I have a whole SLEW of non books on my list to read!

I’ll miss you, Addison! I can’t wait to return next year :). I’ll have my review of the first 3 books in the Winter Novel Series posted on here ASAP although I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you that it will be a very positive review 😉

What are you currently reading? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!

Have you entered the Amazon Gift Card Giveaway? There’s still time! All entries must be received by 6:00 CDT tonight! See THIS POST for details!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

💗

Oh I’m so blown away.

Blog readers have sent me gifts in the past. Books, candles, bookmarks, and more! Every single time it happens, I’m completely blown away. How wonderful are people? More specifically, how wonderful are my blog readers???

I received this message last week and it touched my heart.

And then today…OMG. Look what arrived in my mailbox!

THE CHRISTMAS BOOKSHOP! I had written about how much I wanted it in THIS POST but was unable to find myself a copy. And the most beautiful magnetic page markers! I cannot believe the kindness of this blog reader whom I have never even met!

I can’t even put into words how much this means to me.

Writing this blog and introducing people to their new favorite books is my passion. I love my little hobby so much! I’ve learned an incredible amount (I have created and have successfully maintained a website all on my own…if you know me in real life, this is a very big deal, lol), I’ve met some WONDERFUL people, and I have been able to share my most favorite hobby with the world. I’ve had people tell me that I’ve turned them into READERS. How amazingly special is that?!?

The fact that I make money off of my blog is purely icing on the cake for me. It’s a great perk…but obviously not why I write this blog. I write this blog because it’s FUN! The minute it stops being fun is the minute I stop writing. Simple as that 🙂

People on the Internet can be MEAN. It’s easy to hide behind a screen and be judgmental, catty, and awful. There are entire websites devoted to the sole purpose of breaking down bloggers, gossiping about bloggers, and speculating about bloggers. Admittingly this is the reason it took me YEARS to start writing a blog although it was something I had wanted to do for so long. I didn’t want people being mean to me over something that is my fun hobby! I wanted the type of blog where people can visit just for fun. No drama. I will say…3 years into blogging and my blog readers have been nothing but kind, LOVELY, supportive, and wonderful. The comments I receive on blog posts and social media have ALWAYS been so kind! Even when people disagree with my thoughts on a book, etc….their comments are ALWAYS respectful which is exactly what I would hope they would be. I don’t WANT people to always agree with my opinions…how boring would that be?!? I absolutely love when we can have an honest and open discussion whether we are on the same side of an opinion or not. THAT is what a great blog is….the kind that can start a wonderful discussion with different opinions. For Book Coffee Happy, I find this type of discussion happens most often on Facebook. I love it! Especially when I post on the weekends asking what everyone is reading. So many people give such great suggestions all the time and I love seeing all of you interact with each other.

In 3 years of blogging, I have only had 1 negative experience and I will say….MAN did those people RIP ME TO SHREADS. But it was ok because I stood my ground, held my own, and felt strongly that I didn’t do anything wrong. It was years ago…I had written a blog post titled “One of the Worst Books I Have Ever Read.” I am a member of a Facebook group for bloggers and authors and I had shared my blog post on there. HOLY HELL did people come at me! They did NOT like that I had publicly written a negative review of a book! Many, many, many bloggers only publish positive reviews on their blog and if that works for them….awesome. I knew from the very beginning that I would not be doing that. I want my blog to be HONEST. Always. If I love a book, I have no problem sharing my opinion but if I hate a book, I also have no problem sharing my opinion. I know a lot of people don’t agree with this, but I really have strong feelings about it. I will never tell you that I love a book if I don’t. Over the years you have come to know me and to know my opinions on books. Many of you trust me and my opinions and I take that trust seriously! I will always and forever share my feelings and opinions both positive AND negative. If you want to read a blog where every single review is a positive one, this is most definitely NOT the blog for you ;). Those people in that Facebook group were RUTHLESS and the one and only thing I can say is that those were random strangers on Facebook….NOT my blog readers! My readers would never be that mean to me! Luckily, I’m pretty tough and in the end I took it as a COMPLIMENT that people were angry because I’m HONEST. (You can read that original blog post that sparked all of that HERE. And for what it’s worth, that book was quite literally and still IS quite literally one of the very worst books I’ve ever read. So there’s that).

I have some amazing ideas for the future of my blog and I can’t wait to share them with you! Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your love, your support, and your kindness. Please keep interacting, commenting, and sharing. I’m really proud of this little book community that I have created! Thank you so much for being a part of it. You are very important and very special to me 🙂

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

I want to pay this kindness forward during this holiday season. Receiving this gift made my heart so happy and I want to do that for someone else! Leave a comment below and I’ll randomly choose someone to receive a $10.00 Amazon gift card.

You can use it to buy yourself coffee, a new book, or anything else on Amazon that makes you happy :). I’ll send it directly from Amazon straight to your email address.

All of you have to do to enter is leave a comment right here on this blog post. Your comment can be about anything…make me smile!

**You must comment below to be eligible for the giveaway and you must comment here on this blog post (not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)**

Giveaway will close tomorrow (12/17/22) at 6:00 pm CDT and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced here on my blog on Saturday (12/18/21).

Make sure you check the blog on Saturday to see if you’ve won (you will have 48 hours from the time I post the winner to email me the email address where you would like your Amazon gift card to be sent.  If I don’t hear from you within 48 hours, I will pick a new winner).

Good luck!  I can’t wait to read your comments!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

In case you missed my last post (because I posted it at 11:00 pm last night), HERE is a link. Blogmas is still going strong…I’ve posted 15 days in a row so far! 10 more days to go…I got this 😉

There are some AWESOME books being published in 2022 that I can’t wait to get my hands on! Here is a list of some of the books I’m most excited to read being published in 2022. Let the countdowns begin!

I listed these 6 books in order of their expected publication dates. Click the picture of each book cover to preorder your copy through my Amazon affiliate links! When you purchase through these links, the cost is the same to you but I do receive a tiny commission. Thank you so much for your support of Book Coffee Happy!

**6 Books I Want to Read in 2022**

The Perfect Escape {Leah Konen}

Expected Publication Date: 1/4/22

Goodreads Synopsis of The Perfect Escape {Leah Konen}:

A girls’ weekend to die for.

New friends Sam, Margaret and Diana are thrilled to be getting out of the city for a girls’ weekend—they’ve bonded over their messy divorces, and every mile on the odometer feels like another step towards putting their exes in the past. But when car trouble halfway into their trip strands them in the most unlikely of mountain towns, they come face-to-face with the hurts and betrayals they were so desperate to leave behind.

When Diana doesn’t return home after a night out, Sam and Margaret’s search for her reveals just how little they know about their friend. As eerie coincidences and secrets begin to pile up, and an ex-boyfriend arrives in the tiny town, the women realize that their detour may not have been a mistake…and that someone wants to guarantee that they never make it out. 

The Paris Apartment {Lucy Foley}

Expected Publication Date: 2/22/22

I absolutely loved THIS BOOK by Lucy Foley so I can’t wait to read The Paris Apartment!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Paris Apartment {Lucy Foley}:

Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.

The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question.

The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge

Everyone’s a neighbor. Everyone’s a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.

Woman on Fire {Lisa Barr}

Expected Publication Date: 3/1/22

**I already own an advance readers copy of this beautiful book sent to me by the beautiful Lisa Barr! I will read and share my thoughts with you closer to it’s publication date…stay tuned! I absolutely loved THIS BOOK by Lisa so I can’t wait to read her newest!**

Goodreads Synopsis of Woman on Fire {Lisa Barr}:

After talking her way into a job with Dan Mansfield, the leading investigative reporter in Chicago, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual–and very secret–assignment. Dan needs her to locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier: legendary Expressionist artist Ernst Engel’s most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a beautiful, mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, and has enlisted Dan’s help to find it. But Jules doesn’t have much time; the famous designer is dying.

Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family’s millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet the passionate and determined Jules has unexpected resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson. A recovering addict and brilliant artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux’s clutches. He knows how ruthless she is, and he’ll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux gets to it first.

The Impossible Us {Sarah Lotz}

Expected Publication Date: 3/30/22

Goodreads Synopsis of The Impossible Us {Sarah Lotz}

Bee thinks she has everything: a successful business repurposing wedding dresses, and friends who love and support her. She’s given up on finding love, but that’s fine. There’s always Tinder. Nick thinks he has nothing: his writing career has stalled after early promise and his marriage is on the rocks, but that’s fine. There’s always gin. So when one of Nick’s emails, a viciously funny screed intended for a non-paying client, accidentally pings into Bee’s inbox, they decide to keep the conversation going. After all, they never have to meet.

But the more they get to know each other, the more Bee and Nick realize they want to. They both notice strange pop culture or political references that crop up in their correspondence, but nothing odd enough to stop Bee and Nick for falling hard for each other. But when their efforts to meet in real life fail spectacularly, Bee and Nick discover that they’re actually living in near-identical but parallel worlds. With a universe between them, Bee and Nick will discover how far they’ll go to beat impossible odds.

Greenwich Park {Katherine Faulkner}

Expected Publication Date: 4/1/22

Goodreads Synopsis of Greenwich Park {Katherine Faulkner}:

Helen’s idyllic life—handsome architect husband, gorgeous Victorian house, and cherished baby on the way (after years of trying)—begins to change the day she attends her first prenatal class and meets Rachel, an unpredictable single mother-to-be. Rachel doesn’t seem very maternal: she smokes, drinks, and professes little interest in parenthood. Still, Helen is drawn to her. Maybe Rachel just needs a friend. And to be honest, Helen’s a bit lonely herself. At least Rachel is fun to be with. She makes Helen laugh, invites her confidences, and distracts her from her fears.

But her increasingly erratic behavior is unsettling. And Helen’s not the only one who’s noticed. Her friends and family begin to suspect that her strange new friend may be linked to their shared history in unexpected ways. When Rachel threatens to expose a past crime that could destroy all of their lives, it becomes clear that there are more than a few secrets laying beneath the broad-leaved trees and warm lamplight of Greenwich Park. 

A Tidy Ending {Joanna Cannon}

Expected Publication Date: 8/2/22

Goodreads Synopsis of A Tidy Ending {Joanna Cannon}:

Linda has lived in a quiet neighborhood since fleeing the dark events of her childhood in Wales. Now she sits in her kitchen, wondering if this is all there is: pushing the vacuum around and cooking fish sticks for dinner, a far cry from the glamorous lifestyle she sees in the glossy magazines coming through the mail slot addressed to the previous occupant, Rebecca.

Linda’s husband Terry isn’t perfect—he picks his teeth, tracks dirt through the house, and spends most of his time in front of the TV. But that seems fairly standard—until he starts keeping odd hours at work, at around the same time young women in the town start to go missing.

If only Linda could track down and befriend Rebecca, maybe some of that enviable lifestyle would rub off on her and she wouldn’t have to worry about what Terry is up to. But the grass isn’t always greener and you can’t change who you really are. And some secrets can’t stay buried forever… 

Which books are you most looking forward to reading in 2022?

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_5573-1.jpg

BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

Ha in my video where I explained all about what Blogmas is, did I NOT say that there might be a day when I end up posting at 11:00 pm if the day is a crazy busy one? Well my friends, today is that day ;). 11:00 pm is better than no post at all and I’ve done a Blogmas post EVERY SINGLE DAY in December…I refuse to quit now! Here is a review of a book I read a few months ago. The way I feel about this book is the way I feel about posting a blog post at 11:00 pm….not so great 😉

I clearly didn’t even love this book enough to take the 2 seconds to snap a quick photo of it before I returned it to the library! Photo Credit: Amazon, lol

Goodreads Synopsis of The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}:

WHEN PERFECT IMAGES

As a photographer, Delta Dawn observes the seemingly perfect lives of New York City’s elite: snapping photos of their children’s birthday parties, transforming images of stiff hugs and tearstained faces into visions of pure joy, and creating moments these parents long for.

ARE MADE OF BEAUTIFUL LIES

But when Delta is hired for Natalie Straub’s eleventh birthday, she finds herself wishing she wasn’t behind the lens but a part of the scene―in the Straub family’s gorgeous home and elegant life.

THE TRUTH WILL BE EXPOSED

That’s when Delta puts her plan in place, by babysitting for Natalie; befriending her mother, Amelia; finding chances to listen to her father, Fritz. Soon she’s bathing in the master bathtub, drinking their expensive wine, and eyeing the beautifully finished garden apartment in their townhouse. It seems she can never get close enough, until she discovers that photos aren’t all she can manipulate. 

My Review of The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}:

Eh.

It was good, not great. Super predictable. It held my interest but never once felt unputdownable (not a real word…my word).

It just lacked so much of EVERYTHING. Description, character development, story line development, etc. It also had a pretty major and obvious hole in the entire plot.

I think the story could really have been interesting had the author gone more in depth with EVERYTHING. This book felt like a draft to me. I wish someone would have advised her to take the story and just develop everything about it on a deeper scale.

It wasn’t a bad book by any means…a quick, easy read! I wouldn’t NOT recommend it, I just would recommend a bunch of other books before recommending this one. Unfortunately this is the kind of book where I will forget all about it in a few days. Eh.

One pro: I LOVED the main character’s name! Delta Dawn!

Bottom Line:

When the most positive thing I can say about a book is that I liked the main character’s name, that’s not good 😉

Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

I hope you are having a good night! I’ll be back tomorrow (hopefully during daylight hours, lol) with another new Blogmas 2021 blog post!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

BLOGMAS: Book Coffee Happy’s newest series where I share the book I’m currently reading, the coffee I’m currently drinking, and 1 thing that is currently making me HAPPY!

The annual drive thru holiday light show! Every single year my kids’ favorite part is seeing “Santa’s Butt”.

Book I’m Currently Reading:

I wrote all about the wonderful book series that I’m currently reading in THIS POST. It’s such a perfect book series to read this time of year! Totally light, easy to read, and filled with the spirit of the season. I’m really loving these books! I’m currently halfway through book #3, Cardinal Cabin. I want to live in this adorable town!

Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:

Look what my husband bought for me! Absolutely LOVE! He ordered it straight from Yeti’s website and it’s so beautiful and amazing.

Hello new bestie!

Currently Making Me Happy:

I recently came across these from when my kids were little babies and my heart melted! Books are clearly important in this house and always have been 🙂 My daughter’s on the left is from one of MY all time favorite books and my son’s on the right is from one of my HUSBAND’S all time favorite books!

Can any of you guess which the 2 books these are from???

What are you currently reading?

What coffee are you currently drinking?

What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

Xo,

Jenny

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*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links.  The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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