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

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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

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!*

*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 Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

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

Goodreads Synopsis of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}:

Once you let a book into your life, the most unexpected things can happen…

Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds that Amy’s funeral has just ended. Luckily, the townspeople are happy to look after their bewildered tourist—even if they don’t understand her peculiar need for books. Marooned in a farm town that’s almost beyond repair, Sara starts a bookstore in honor of her friend’s memory.

All she wants is to share the books she loves with the citizens of Broken Wheel and to convince them that reading is one of the great joys of life. But she makes some unconventional choices that could force a lot of secrets into the open and change things for everyone in town. Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this is a warm, witty book about friendship, stories, and love. 

My Review of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}:

Man this review hurts to write.

It’s a book about having a love for books! And all told through a BEAUTIFUL story! What could be better than that?

This book was just somewhat of a mess. Characters and storylines that ALMOST got fully developed paired with confusing timelines…ugh. Even the book’s TITLE is somewhat of a mess…that title is too long! I couldn’t even remember the name of the book while I was reading!

I do feel like somehow this beautiful book somehow got lost in translation. Originally published in Swedish, it has been translated into English (and also sold in 25 other countries). While this story was absolutely beautiful, it just felt like SOMETHING was missing…and I think that something might be the space between the original language and English. This is the third book I’ve read where I have felt this way (you can read about the other 2 books HERE and HERE).

Bottom Line

I so love the IDEA of this book…but not so much the actual book. UGH.

Have you read this book? 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

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: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

I saw this book tag on Carla Loves to Read and thought it was so cute! In reality the only drink on here that I would actually drink would be a Gingerbread Latte but it’s such a festive book tag for this time of year so I’ll just go with it 🙂

Carla recommended all holiday books on hers but I’m going to recommend a little of both on mine! Some holiday, some non holiday!

As I’m typing this, I’m drinking my usual coffee with Splenda and Half and Half. So boring. These drinks sound way more fun 🙂 At least I’m drinking from one of my most favorite mugs:

The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

Hot Chocolate: Marshmallows and chocolate and whipped cream, oh my! Recommend a book that’s sweet through and through.

Definitely the book series that I’m reading now! It’s so wonderful, adorable and SWEET! You can read all about it HERE.

Peppermint Mocha: The flavor of peppermint is strong and distinct. Recommend a book with a lot of strong emotions.

I read this book MANY years ago and I still think about it. Omg. If you can make it through the beginning (it’s painfully boring), the rest of the book is AMAZING. HERE is a link to when I talked about it on my blog years ago!

Apple Cider: It’s so good it can’t be good for you, but it’s made from apples—that means it’s healthy, right? Recommend a book full of characters with questionable morals.

Oh THIS BOOK is perfect for characters with “questionable morals”. Pretty much every character in this book has questionable morals!

Eggnog: It’s creamy and smooth, with a little spice, and some people even add alcohol to it. Recommend a book that’s mostly fun, with just a hint of danger.

So I’m not sure if this books even fits this description that well but I just loved THIS BOOK so much that I want to include it! It’s DEFINITELY fun and I guess could have possible hints of danger? Whatever…just read this book, it’s great (and one of the few books that Reese Witherspoon and I actually agree on, lol)

Gingerbread latte: A drink with a veritable explosion of spices. Recommend a book with a lot of action. 

THIS BOOK. Hands down. It’s AWESOME.

Such a fun book tag! Thanks again to Carla for posting! If you would like to participate, make sure you link back to me so I can read your responses OR put your answers in the comment section below. Have fun and Happy Saturday 🙂

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

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: Must Have Book Accessory #4

BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

Obsessed with my neighbor’s holiday display! There are spotlights on it at night and it is so beautiful!

I love writing these posts! Obviously all you REALLY need to enjoy a good book is…a good book ;). BUT there are definitely some things that will add to your reading experience in the very best possible ways. You can find links to my other “must have book accessories” here:

My #1 Must Have Book Accessory

My #2 Must Have Book Accessory

Another Book Accessory Recommendation!

A Sad Day.

Must Have Book Accessory #4

One word: CANDLES.

I have written about candles on this blog SO many times. I absolutely LOVE candles and I have one buring pretty much any time I am home and ESPECIALLY when I’m reading.

I love seeing the flames flicker out of the corner of my eye while reading. I love inhaling the smell while reading. Just makes the whole reading experience even better!

There is nothing better than a delicious smelling candle and throughout the year, I have SO MANY that I rotate through. I pretty much have at least 1 candle in every room of my house! I have an entire drawer dedicated solely to candles that I rotate in and out throughout the year.

My birthday gift from my daughter this year:

Candle making kit!

My birthday gift from my son this year:

❤️

They know their Mommy well 🙂

I had posted this on Instagram a few years ago:

#

As much as I LOVE candles, there will always and forever be one scent that will completely own my heart. Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple, I will love you for the rest of my life.

I burn various throughout the year but from November through January, this is strictly the ONLY scent that I will burn. Just the scent of it brings me such holiday joy! When I lit it for the first time this season, my husband came downstairs and said “It smells like Hanukkah” and I replied, “IT’S WORKING!”

I spy Winter Candle Apple currently all over my house:

Next to me as I’m writing this blog post at my desk:

Our Dining Room table:

My Bedroom:

Winter Candy Apple has made MANY appearances on my Instagram page over the years:

And I may or may not have 2 more unburned Winter Candy Apples waiting in my candle drawer. THE. ABSOLUTE. BEST.

Basically, I’m never far away from books, coffee, and CANDLES! Especially during this time of year. Try lighting a candle next to you the next time you read! It will add such a peaceful element to your reading experience. I promise you’ll thank me!

Speaking of candles, HAPPY HANUKKAH to those who celebrate! Here are our beautiful menorahs, made by my beautiful children:

What’s your favorite candle scent?

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

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*

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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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BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

Love my wooden floor snowman! He even has twinkle lights!

Starting around mid November and lasting through mid January, the only books I want to read are holiday books. Everything else on my To Read List gets pushed aside and I welcome alllllll the holiday books!

I’m Jewish but you wouldn’t know it by my love of ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS. Christmas music, Christmas movies, Christmas EVERYTHING! I just love this time of year so, so much. And the books I read reflect that love! Give me a feel good Christmas book and I’m allllll in. Bonus if it includes a small town romance! Interestingly enough, this is the only time of year that I seek out books in the romance genre.

This year is a bit different because rather than reading a bunch of holiday books from different authors, I have found 1 holiday book series that I am LOVING and want to read them all now! So from mid November to mid January, I will be spending all of my time in the beautiful fictional town of Addison, Connecticut reading THESE BOOKS. I’m currently on Book #3 and I’m ABSOLUTELY LOVING THIS BOOK SERIES!

Now that being said, there are a bunch of other holiday books currently out that I would love to read…and I already have them on Holiday 2022 Reading List!

Here are 8 holiday books that I have on my To Read list for next year’s holiday season (but if you want to read them now, they are all currently available). Click the photos below to take you directly to Amazon where you can read the book synopsis and buy your copy through my affiliate link! When you purchase through this link, the cost is the exact same to you but I receive a tiny percentage of the sale. Thank you for your support of Book Coffee Happy!

8 Holiday Books I Want to Read:

Have you read any of these books? Which holiday books are your favorites? Any others that I should add to my list? I know I’ve mentioned it so many times before but I absolutely love THIS SERIES!

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!

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!*

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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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BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

#mamabear

Do you remember from THIS POST when I said that I hadn’t bought myself a birthday present yet this year? Well, I now have and I think it’s a lovely present indeed. 5 new books!

I discussed this story before but I’ll quickly summarize the backstory in fragments: Last spring, Little Free Library, found book, took book, researched book, discovered it was #2 in a series, emailed author, was told although it’s a series each book can be read as a standalone novel, waited until holiday season to start reading, read book.

Ok now that you are all caught up, let’s move on.

So I read Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer, absolutely LOVED it (review coming soon), and immediately decided I needed book #1. My library didn’t have it so I made a quick Amazon order and my new book arrived within 48 hours.

Halfway through reading Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes (book #1), I decided that I definitely wanted to read the rest of this series! I’m just loving it so much! At this point I was also in search of a birthday present for myself and suddenly I knew just what to do.

A few clicks later and the other 5 books had been ordered. I’m loving this adorable town in this series so much and I’m just not ready to leave the wonderful little town of Addison, Connecticut!

If you are looking for a super light, small town, Christmas, feel good, heartwarming, Hallmark movie type book series….this series is GREAT so far. I’m currently reading book #3 (Cardinal Cabin). I am absolutely loving this small town and it’s adorably lovable residents so much. This series is WONDERFUL and makes my heart so happy.

Side Note: These are some of the most beautiful book covers I’ve ever seen. How absolutely gorgeous are these books???

Thank you SO MUCH to whoever put Snow Deer and Cocoa Cheer in that Little Free Library last spring! Because of you, I’ve had the most lovely few weeks getting to know the residents of this adorable little town. Absolutely perfect books to read this time of year to fill my heart with holiday spirit!

It’s definitely taken a few years but I have FINALLY found another worthy holiday series to read during the holiday season after reading THIS SERIES (which I LOVED) years ago.

***NOTE***

While I agree that each of these books can be read as stand alone novels, I do recommend reading them in order. Some characters/storylines make appearances in each book and reading them in the proper order just adds to the overall storyline development.

Here is the order of the books in this series (The title of this series is The Winter Novels):

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

I can’t wait to share my thoughts on each of these individual books with you soon!

Have any of you read any of these books? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I had never heard of them until I found book #2 in that Little Free Library! Hands down my most favorite Little Free Library find EVER.

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}

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*

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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.*

*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: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

Blogmas: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

Today I have a NON holiday book review to share with you! I read Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann} a few months ago…here are my thoughts!

Goodreads Synopsis of Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}:

Gail and Jon Durbin moved to the Chicago suburbs to set up house as soon as Gail got pregnant. But then she miscarried—once, twice, three times. Determined to expand their family, the Durbins turn to adoption. When several adoptions fall through, Gail’s desire for a child overwhelms her.

Carli is a pregnant teenager from a blue-collar town nearby, with dreams of going to college and getting out of her mother’s home. When she makes the gut-wrenching decision to give her baby up for adoption, she chooses the Durbins. But Carli’s mother, Marla, has other plans for her grandbaby.

In Other People’s Children, three mothers make excruciating choices to protect their families and their dreams—choices that put them at decided odds against one another. You will root for each one of them and wonder just how far you’d go in the same situation. This riveting debut is a thoughtful exploration of love and family, and a heart-pounding page-turner you’ll find impossible to put down.

My Review of Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}:

This wasn’t a lighthearted read by any means. It was dark, heavy, and thought provoking.

As I was reading, I kept wavering on how I wanted it to end and I found myself coming up short as I really didn’t like any of the characters. I think in which some of the storylines were wrapped up was perfect but others I didn’t agree with.

Overall, I just wanted MORE. More feeling, more connection, more everything! More connection was the biggest one. I just felt that all of the characters were so disconnected from each other and even disconnected from their own feelings if that makes sense. Like I said…I REALLY didn’t like ANY of the characters and by the end I found myself thinking that NONE of them should have custody of this child (although the cover promised that I would “root for each one of them”). The disconnection that I found between the pages mimicked my own disconnect from all of the characters and story lines. Ugh.

I DID love that it was set in Illinois and I LOVED all of the local references. My hometown even got a shoutout!

This book was good…and made me think. Did I love it? I did not. Would I recommend it? Eh maybe? It was an easy read and I LOVED the short chapters (just a few pages each…THE BEST).

***Something to note***

On the Amazon link below, the book is by “Jeff Hoffman” yet on the copy that I read, it was authored by “R.J. Hoffman“…???

Bottom Line:

I just really wanted to like at least ONE character in this book…NOPE.

Have you read this book? 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}

Xo,

Jenny

This book wasn’t my favorite…but you might love it!  Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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*

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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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BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

BLOGMAS Book Review: Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

I read this book last December while our family was on vacation in Tennessee. You might remember how I was stuck on a mountain during a blizzard with no power and low food supply? If not, you can read that crazy story HERE 🙂 While on that mountain, I read a very long, dramatic, and HEAVY book (review of that wonderful book HERE) and when I finished, I knew that my next read needed to be something much lighter. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson (and Richard DiLallo!) was a perfect selection to read starting on the last day of our trip and review once I came back home!

The only issue was that I literally finished reading this book on December 31, 2020 and by December 31st…who wants to read a Christmas book?! I figured that I would wait and review this one during the appropriate holiday season, even if my review had to wait a year before I published it!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}:

The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill’s wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby’s four children have drifted apart, each consumed by the turbulence of their own lives. They haven’t celebrated Christmas together since their father’s death, but when Gaby announces that she’s getting married–and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day–she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays.

But the wedding isn’t Gaby’s only surprise–she has one more gift for her children, and it could change all their lives forever. With deeply affecting characters and the emotional twists of a James Patterson thriller, The Christmas Wedding is a fresh look at family and the magic of the season.

My Review of The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}:

This book is EXACTLY what I was hoping it would be. Light, quick, easy to read, nothing too deep. After just finishing my previous book, I NEEDED something LIGHT. This book was perfect.

My only complaint…how is this not a book series??? This book follows the lives of a big family and each has chapters dedicated to their stories. It reminded me SO MUCH of Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter series (if you haven’t read those books, READ. THOSE. BOOKS. You can check out my review of them HERE). The Christmas Wedding feels so little like a standalone novel…this family really should be a series.

I read this book over a few days but honestly could have easily read it in one sitting. It’s only 266 pages long (short like Winter Street) and composed of 64 teeny tiny chapters…my favorite!

And it has a cheat sheet with all of the characters! WHY DON’T ALL BOOKS DO THIS?!?!? First 3 pages of the book. I probably looked back at this “cheat sheet” 20 times while reading the rest of the book. There were a lot of characters in this book but this basic summary made it so easy to keep everyone straight. LOVE. I so wish every single book had something like this. You can read more about why I hate when books have too many characters HERE.

Bottom Line:

If you are looking for an easy holiday read, this book is great! I actually enjoyed it way more than I was expecting to.

Have you read this book? 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

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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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