Tag: book recommendation

Book Review: Every Summer After {Carley Fortune}

Book Review: Every Summer After {Carley Fortune}

So EVERYONE is obsessed with this book right now.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might remember the Instastories of me literally CHASING this book around town at the beginning of summer. It was high on my TBR and I was DETERMINED to find myself a copy. I went to Barnes and Noble and not only were they sold out…but apparently ALL Barnes and Nobles in my area for miles around were sold out! Well if THAT didn’t make me want to read it even more, nothing would.

So I took a quick lunch break and then went straight to to bookstore #2…Barbara’s Bookstore in Vernon Hills…SUCCESS! I happily bought my book and left with a smile on my face. I couldn’t wait to start reading!

In fact, I was SO excited to start reading that I declared this book to be the book I was most excited to read this summer!

Goodreads Synopsis of Every Summer After {Carley Fortune}:

They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart.

Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry’s Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek—the man she never thought she’d have to live without.

For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the water and warm summer nights working in his family’s restaurant and curling up together with books—medical textbooks for him and work-in-progress horror short stories for her—Percy and Sam had been inseparable. Eventually that friendship turned into something breathtakingly more, before it fell spectacularly apart.

When Percy returns to the lake for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection is as undeniable as it had always been. But until Percy can confront the decisions she made and the years she’s spent punishing herself for them, they’ll never know whether their love might be bigger than the biggest mistakes of their past.

Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever.

Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right.

My Review of Every Summer After {Carley Fortune}:

Book + Pedicure = Happiness

I was so excited when I finally DID manage myself a copy of this book! I bought it, I read it, and…Eh.

I really, really liked it. There’s nothing not to like! I smiled, I cried, I felt alllll the emotions while reading. BUT…

It was boring. It took me weeks to finish. I’m not sure what I’m missing here….so many people say they devoured this book in 1 sitting? I felt like nothing really happened within the first 2/3 of this book? It held my interest enough to keep reading but I just kept waiting for something….ANYTHING…to happen? I also just wanted MORE. More storyline, more character development, more reasons to like Percy (I did not), more Sue, more EVERYTHING.

I found the timelines to be confusing. Bouncing around through 12 years while simultaneously talking about the present just didn’t work for me. I found myself going back to the beginning of chapters to remind myself what decade we were in. Eh.

And my biggest issue with this book….IT. WAS. SO. PREDICTABLE. By chapter 2, I figured out the entire ending and I was spot on. And I wasn’t even trying to predict anything! I HATE THAT SO MUCH.

Now I DID enjoy the writing style and I’m very much looking forward to reading another book by Carley Fortune but unfortunately this one just wasn’t my favorite.

And the cover art is weird. Why does Percy have a bald spot?

Bottom Line:

It’s good…definitely not worthy of all the hype.

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

Xo,

Jenny

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Book Review: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before {Jenny Han}

Book Review: To All The Boys I Loved Before {Jenny Han}

I ran a few polls on Instagram and here are the results:

Goodreads Synopsis of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before {Jenny Han}:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed.

But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh.

As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. 

My Review of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before {Jenny Han}:

As soon as I purchased it, I noticed that my very first impressions of the book were SO positive. And when I say book, I mean the actual aesthetic of the book….

As for the words written INSIDE of the beautiful book…

Eh.

I made it 150 pages in before I declared I was done. I had HUGE expectations for this book because I know people who absolutely LOVE it and I just…didn’t?

I’ve mentioned this before but I hate when YA books are too….YA. I love a YA book that’s written to the appeal of any age and this book just felt so, so incredibly juvenile to me. Would a high schooler love this book? Maybe. Does a married mother of 2 love this book? Absolutely not. It was just TOO unrelatable. On every single level.

The passage that officially put me over the edge:

Aaaaaand I’m out.

I was super disappointed because I so badly wanted to love this series. I even ran to the library to get the next 2 books in the trilogy so they would be waiting for me when I finished book #1! Aaaaaaaand now I need to return those 2 books. Stat. They are currently still sitting in the front seat of my car. Never even made it into my house.

As I was taking this picture, a gigantic fly flew into my car and I couldn’t get it to leave. Currently my car is housing a gigantic fly and 2 library books that I will be returning without even opening the covers. Lovely.

Do I think this book may have gotten better had I kept reading? Probably. Did I care enough to find out? Absolutely not.

I know that putting this one down was a good choice because once I stopped reading, I never even thought about these characters again until I sat down to write this blog post.

Bottom Line:

Congratulations to the 47% of my Instagram followers who have not read this book!

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

Xo,

Jenny

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2 New Books and Which One I’m Currently Reading

2 New Books and Which One I’m Currently Reading

Months ago, my best friend Amy and I visited a Half Price Books Outlet (remember when I first went there and bought what turned out to be the BEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ???)

I look tired but happy in this photo, lol. Here’s hoping that Dunkin helped to wake me up! Also, it’s now August and I was wearing a winter coat in this picture.

I bought 2 books that day. 1 had been on my TBR for quite some time and 1 was a new to me book/author that I had never heard of.

The New Book That Had Been On My TBR For Quite Some Time:

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before {Jenny Han}

Goodreads Synopsis of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before {Jenny Han}:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed.

But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh.

As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. 

New To Me Book/Author:

Skinny {Donna Cooner}

Goodreads Synopsis of Skinny {Donna Cooner}:

Find your voice.

Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful. These are the words of Skinny, the vicious voice that lives inside fifteen-year-old Ever Davies’s head. Skinny tells Ever all the dark thoughts her classmates have about her. Ever knows she weighs over three hundred pounds, knows she’ll probably never be loved, and Skinny makes sure she never forgets it.

But there is another voice: Ever’s singing voice, which is beautiful but has been silenced by Skinny. Partly in the hopes of trying out for the school musical—and partly to try and save her own life—Ever decides to undergo a risky surgery that may help her lose weight and start over.

With the support of her best friend, Ever begins the uphill battle toward change. But demons, she finds, are not so easy to shake, not even as she sheds pounds. Because Skinny is still around. And Ever will have to confront that voice before she can truly find her own. 

I Read One Book and Am Reading the Other One Now

I was super excited to find these 2 books! I read Skinny first but am actually saving my review to publish during…BLOGMAS! Yes, I am doing Blogmas again this year, I loved doing it last year even though I didn’t quite complete it (HERE is a link to a video I made allllll about what Blogmas is). Stay tuned for my full review but in the meantime here’s a hint as to how I felt about this book: READ. IT. STAT.

And now, I’m 150ish pages into To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Jury is still out on how I feel about it but my friend Jenna absolutely loves it so I feel like I need to continue to give it a fair chance :). So far, I would say that I’m liking…not loving…it??? Fingers crossed I start loving it soon!

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

Xo,

Jenny


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The Book I Am The Most Excited To Read This Summer

The Book I Am The Most Excited To Read This Summer

Chillin’ at one of my favorite places on the planet…my bestie’s pool! Fun fact: Unbeknownst to me, her landscaper entered the pool area JUST as I was taking this selfie while she was inside of the house. It was awkward for both of us.

Earlier in the week I had quite the adventure literally CHASING a book around town. I wanted to buy a copy of this book so badly and I was on a MISSION. I documented the entire ordeal on Instagram Stories throughout the day but I never revealed the title of the book :).

I had been on the library waitlist for weeks and I had a feeling that my name wasn’t moving up to the top slot anytime soon. And then last Monday, I received the following message from my dear friend and book twin, Jana:

Straw that broke the camel’s back? Check. I LOVED 28 Summers SO MUCH! If you haven’t yet read 28 Summers, you must read it ASAP…it’s so wonderful (except for the tiny fact that the entire beautiful story is centered around horrible infidelity…read my review HERE).

The very next day after receiving this message from my book twin, I set out on a mission. I started at Barnes and Noble where I was told that not only did they not have any copies but NO BARNES AND NOBLE in the AREA had any copies. Everyone is reading this book right now! I left the store feeling a bit discouraged but also even more intrigued to find myself a copy…

Bookstore #2: Barbara’s Bookstore in Hawthorn Mall. They had 3 copies! Barbara’s Bookstore for the WIN!

**So many of you messaged me asking if I tried looking for the book on Amazon or Target. I had not because I really wanted to buy it from a bookstore. I so rarely buy books (I love my library so much) so when I do actually purchase a book, I just love the experience of shopping in bookstores and supporting the book community!**

The Book I Am The Most Excited To Read This Summer:

I’m hoping to start reading either tonight or tomorrow…I’ll share my thoughts as soon as I finish! My expectations are obviously HIGH for this one, fingers crossed I’m not disappointed…

Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below but ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!!

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:

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5 Reasons Why I Hated The Golden Couple {Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen}

5 Reasons Why I Hated The Golden Couple {Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen}

The Golden Couple‘s official release was back in February but the copy I recently read was an advanced reader’s copy. A big thank you to Melissa Amster from Chick Lit Central for sharing!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Golden Couple {Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen}

Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all—until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers.

Avery is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counseling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate.

When they glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

5 Reasons Why I Hated The Golden Couple {Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen}:

Well…obviously I hated this book.

Pretty much as much as I hated The Wife Between Us (you can read my review of that one HERE). Clearly this writing duo just isn’t for me.

It was all a bit of a disaster for me (clusterfuck would be the more appropriate term). A RIDICULOUS amount of characters and a RIDICULOUS about of backstories. Everything was so confusing and even when the pieces of the story starting fitting together, none of it REALLY fit together. The characters were all unlikable and therefore I really didn’t care what happened to any of them which obviously led to a complete disconnect from the whole book.

Some of the “twists” were so predictable and while others were not, absolutely none of them were shocking. A major twist that I had predicted turned out to be pretty far from what actually happened…and I must say…my twist idea would have been WAY better.

This book held my interest long enough to keep reading but I felt so disconnected from all of it that I will probably forget about it within days.

Moving on…

Ha I just reread my 2018 review of The Wife Between Us and my feelings about the 2 books aren’t all that different!

Bottom Line:

Hated it.

Have you read this book? What did you think? 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:

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Book Review: Meant to Be {Emily Giffin}

Book Review: Meant to Be {Emily Giffin}

This book officially published 3 days ago but I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy in the mail months ago. THANK YOU, EMILY GIFFIN! It was a happy, happy day when this arrived in my mailbox 🙂

How absolutely stunning is this cover???

Loved that this beautiful book was sent to me and I was able to devour it before it’s official release!

Goodreads Synopsis of Meant to Be {Emily Giffin}:

A restless golden boy and a girl with a troubled past navigate a love story that may be doomed before it even begins in this irresistible new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed and The Lies That Bind.

The Kingsley family is practically American royalty, beloved for their military heroics, political service, and unmatched elegance. When Joseph S. Kingsley III is born in 1960, he inherits the weight of that legacy. Growing up with all the Kingsley looks and charisma, Joe should have no problem taking up the mantle after his father’s untimely death. But he is also a little bit reckless, and can’t seem to figure out how to channel the expectations of an entire country.

No one ever expected anything of Cate, on the other hand. She, too, grew up in a single-parent household—just her and her mom scraping by in their small apartment. As a teenager, though, Cate is discovered for her looks. Modeling may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. Before too long, her face is everywhere, though she is always aware that she’d be a pariah in her social circles if anyone knew her true story.

When Joe and Cate’s paths cross, their connection is instant. What remains to be seen is whether their relationship will survive the glare of the spotlight that follows Joe everywhere. And just as they find themselves in the make-or-break moment, the tragedy that seems to run in Joe’s family right alongside all that privilege will repeat itself.

In a beautifully written novel that recaptures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells a story of a love that may or may not have the power to transcend circumstances that seem arrayed against it . . . and the difficulty of finding your way to the place you belong. 

My Review of Meant to Be {Emily Giffin}:

Clearly I read this book a while back. I’m wearing fur boots and a sweater in this picture! Today, I’m sweating in a tank top and flip flops.

I absolutely loved it.

It’s such a beautifully written story in every possible way!

This book tells the story of John F Kennedy Jr and his wife, Carolyn Bassette…but at the same time, it DOESN’T tell their story and is a work of fiction. Some parts of this beautiful story are factual, some parts are fiction, but it all comes together to tell an incredible story of love, family, and history.

My Google search history is currently FILLED with Kennedy family information. I couldn’t get enough of learning about this remarkable family as I was reading this book! I have learned so much.

The writing in this book is beautiful, the characters are memorable, the storylines are so detailed and amazing. Hands down my favorite Emily Giffin book I’ve read!

Bottom Line:

Read this. And be ready to develop a sudden fascination with the entire Kennedy Family.

Will you be reading this book? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

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Book Review: When We Let Go {Rochelle B. Weinstein}

Book Review: When We Let Go {Rochelle B. Weinstein}

Years ago in the very beginning of my book blogging days, I had read another blogger’s review for Rochelle Weinstein’s Somebody’s Daughter on a book blog. I immediately was captivated by the synopsis and knew that I had to read it. My local library didn’t have a copy but that didn’t prevent me from checking EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I was there because I was so determined to read it (I have since learned to request books that my library doesn’t have and they can order them…). When my library finally DID get a copy of Somebody’s Daughter, I was ON. IT. Needless to say, I devoured it and it was just as wonderful as I knew it would be. If you haven’t read Somebody’s Daughter, you can read the synopsis and my glowing review HERE.

Fast forward a little over a year and I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of Rochelle’s next book, This is Not How it Ends. I. LOVED. THAT. BOOK. To quote my own words from my own blog review:

“I SOBBED.  In the absolute very best way.  In fact, I messaged Rochelle Weinstein very late one night to share a fun fact that I discovered while reading…eye cream BURNS when it mixes with tears!  Who knew?! Like…for real. It hurt.”

To read the rest of my review as well as the synopsis of This is Not How It Ends, click HERE (pro tip: apply eye cream AFTER reading).

And now here we are in 2022. Back in February, I SO fortunate to receive an advance copy of Rochelle’s newest book, When We Let Go. It publishes NEXT WEEK (5/17) and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on a copy!

Goodreads Synopsis of When We Let Go {Rochelle B. Weinstein):

When Avery Beckett is proposed to by Jude Masters, a widowed father and the man she loves, it should be a time of great joy. Instead, Avery is on edge. She’s wary of the idea of family, doubtful of happy endings, and too afraid to take the leap. It’s the kind of fear that comes from having secrets.

Before Avery commits to a new life, she must reconcile with the one she left behind.

When Avery returns to her childhood farm in the North Carolina mountains, she’s surprised to be saddled with a companion: Jude’s teenage daughter, Elle, who’s grappling with the loss of her mother and the complicated emotions of first love. On a path of mending wounds and breaking down walls, Avery and Elle form an unexpected alliance. It’s giving them the courage to move forward. And for Avery, everything she needs to confront the past.

An emotional tale of mothers and daughters, loss and acceptance, When We Let Go is about the lessons that come from heartbreak and the healing it takes to embrace the joy of a second chance. 

My Review of When We Let Go {Rochelle B. Weinstein}:

I read this book while on a family getaway to Wisconsin!

This story is absolutely beautiful.

As you know, I’m a HUGE quote person and I love discovering beautiful and meaningful quotes within the pages of books. There are SO MANY beautiful lines in this story, so many deep and special quotes that I had to read twice just to absorb. I won’t share any of them as I don’t want to spoil any part of this beautiful story but just know…this entire story is FULL of meaning and beauty.

I laughed, I cried, I loved it. These characters immediately spoke to my heart from page one and still do. Even though I’ve finished reading, I have not finished thinking about these characters, their stories, and their futures.

Rochelle, I adore you as a person and I respect you as an author. I can’t wait to read your next one!

Friends, When We Let Go officially releases on May 17th! You can preorder your copy HERE.

Bottom Line:

Absolutely loved it.

Have you read any of Rochelle’s books? Will you be reading this one? 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:

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

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My 400th Blog Post, Another Delicious Cookie, and a Book That I Hated

My 400th Blog Post, Another Delicious Cookie, and a Book That I Hated

This is officially Book Coffee Happy’s 400th blog post! Thank you for supporting me and my little hobby…I really love writing this blog and I’m so thankful for YOU!

A link to my very first blog post. It’s super impersonal, lol: The Woman in The Window {A.J. Finn}

Crumbl Cookies, You Have My Heart

My most recent Crumbl Cookies indulgence (caramel cake served warm). I wish I could say it was a treat to celebrate my 400 post but alas, just a random dessert, lol. Whyyyyyyy did this bakery have to open up so close to my house??? Ridiculous.

In the passenger seat just eating a monstrosity of a cookie and protecting my clothes with a paper towel while my husband drives. Classy.

I Hated This Book

I really wish this book was as delightful of an experience for me as devouring that delicious cookie. It was not.

The Woman Next Door {Natasha Boydell}

Photo Credit goes to Amazon because I listened to this one as an audiobook

Goodreads Synopsis of The Woman Next Door {Natasha Boydell}:

Two neighbours struggle with envy of each other’s lives—and as their friendship grows, their questions do too . . .

Sophie is a happily married mum of two who considers herself lucky—until her beautiful and highly successful new neighbour Angie moves in along with her charming husband and four talented children. The two women couldn’t be more different, but after a storm brings them together, an unlikely friendship develops. As their children grow closer, so does their bond.

But the alliance between the families is a wake-up call for both women. Angie’s success makes Sophie consider whether she really is as satisfied as she makes out. And Sophie’s uncomplicated marriage forces Angie to look at her own and accept that it’s not as perfect as it seems. Both women vow to change.

But their decisions may not lead where they expect, in this absorbing novel about risks and relationships by the author of The Missing Husband that explores whether the grass is always greener on the other side of the garden fence . . . 

My Review of The Woman Next Door {Natasha Boydell}:

So…I pretty much hated this book.

It was just so boring! I kept waiting for something (annnnything) to happen but it really never did. Eventually there was a “big” plot twist but it fell short because it was so completely predictable. This. Book. Was. So. Boring.

I really disliked so many of the characters and found myself not caring what happened to any of them as the story went on…not a good way to feel while reading (listening to) a book. Ugh.

I listened to this one as an Audiobook and I must say…listening to someone actually FROM the country where the story takes place adds such a wonderful dimension. And that’s pretty much the only nice thing I have to say about this book 🙂

Bottom Line:

I just wanted it to end.

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

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend if filled with love, BOOKS, and Crumbl Cookies!

Xo,

Jenny

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Candle Holder Update and a Book Review: If The Shoe Fits {Julie Murphy}

Candle Holder Update and a Book Review: If The Shoe Fits {Julie Murphy}

Before I dive into a book review, I must take a moment to update you on my favorite candle holder…Broken no more! Big hugs to my wonderful husband for making it look brand new once again after I had dropped it. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers, it was touch and go there for a bit…but look how pretty and sparkly she looks now! #phew

Ok time for a book review (although unfortunately not a very positive one. I love my candle holder WAY more than I love this book).

Photo Credit goes to Goodreads because I listened to this one as an audiobook

Goodreads Synopsis of If The Shoe Fits {Julie Murphy}:

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn’t expect? That she may just find inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own. 

My Review of If The Shoe Fits {Julie Murphy}:

Eh.

So I LOVE reality shows and I’ve always been a member of Bachelor Nation. Turns out I also really enjoy books about this type of reality show! This is the 3rd “Bachelor” type book I’ve read and I must say…it was my least favorite.

So much of it was just so unrealistic (and I’m not even talking about the reality show part…obvi that part is always unrealistic, lol).

I liked this book…I didn’t love this book. I did like it significantly more than Dumplin’ (see my review of that one HERE).

If you want to read a fantastic book that centers around contestants of fictiocious “Bachelor” type reality shows…I HIGHLY recommend THIS ONE and THIS ONE over If the Shoe Fits.

And, according to Goodreads this book is the first in the “Meant to be Series” which is:

“Meant to Be is a series featuring updated and contemporary takes on classic Disney princesses, and also the first Disney intellectual property to be developed as an adult publishing project.”

I mean…I think that’s just stupid.

Bottom Line:

Unfortunately this is not the most dramatic book review ever…see what I did there??? Bachelor fans will 🙂

Have you read this book? What did you think? 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:

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

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2 Books. Same Author. Loved 1. Didn’t Love The Other.

2 Books. Same Author. Loved 1. Didn’t Love The Other.

Didn’t buy. Should have bought.

I have a very love/hate relationship with Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books. One True Loves? Loved it (although for some reason I never reviewed it on here). Malibu Rising? LOVED it (review HERE). The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Hated it (review HERE). So it comes at zero surprise that after listening to 2 of her older books as audiobooks, I loved one and didn’t love the other. Ugh.

**Before I get a million messages asking if I’ve read Daisy Jones and the Six, the answer is no. Nothing about the synopsis of that book appeals to me! I’ve heard it’s wonderful but I have absolutely no desire to read it.**

Book #1 (Loved): After I Do

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis of After I Do {Taylor Jenkins Reid}:

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

My Review of After I Do {Taylor Jenkins Reid}:

Omg I absolutely loved this book. It was so raw and so unfiltered! I definitely hugged my husband tighter after finishing this book. I was ALL IN while listening to this one as an audiobook and found myself listening whenever I had a few extra minutes. Such a perfect book to listen to as an audiobook.

I absolutely loved each character in this book!

That being said, there was one pretty major storyline that I found to be completely unrealistic. Other than that, this book is perfection 🙂

Why did it take me so many years to read this book??? Highly, highly recommend!

Bottom Line:

If you are married, read this book. And then go and hug your spouse.

Book #2 (Did Not Love): Maybe in Another LIfe

Photo Credit: Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis of Maybe in Another Life {Taylor Jenkins Reid}:

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

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

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

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.

My Review of Maybe in Another Life {Taylor Jenkins Reid}:

What a horrible book to listen to as an audiobook. The entire book is comprised of 2 separate stories which alternate back and forth. Both stories have the same settings, characters, etc. IT. GOT. SO. CONFUSING. Maybe in print the distinction between the 2 stories would be more clear but as an audiobook…man, this book just didn’t work as an audiobook.

Because it was telling 2 completely separate stories at the exact same time, nothing really had a proper chance of being developed. Characters, storylines, etc. It all just felt so rushed and so predictable.

And…I hated the ending. Like…I HATED the ending.

Bottom Line:

Maybe this one is better as a book and not as an audiobook? Still wouldn’t change that awful ending, though…

Have you read either of these books? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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

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