Book Review: Any Other Family {Eleanor Brown}

Book Review: Any Other Family {Eleanor Brown}

The library didn’t put the book cover on straight and it bothered me for the entire duration of the time I was reading this book. GRRRRRRRR.

Goodreads Synopsis of Any Other Family {Eleanor Brown}:

They look just like any other family. But they aren’t a family like any other – not quite. Instead, they are three sets of parents who adopted four biological siblings, committing to keeping the children connected after the death of their grandmother.

Tabitha, who adopted the twins, is the planner of the group, responsible for coordinating playdates and birthdays and Sunday night dinners, insistent that everything happens just so. Quiet and steady Ginger, single mother to the eldest daughter, resists the forced togetherness, her own unsettled childhood leaving her wary of trusting too much. And Elizabeth is still reeling from going directly from failed fertility treatments into adopting a newborn, terrified that her unhappiness means she was not meant to be a mother at all.

But when the three women receive a surprising call from their children’s birth mother, announcing she is pregnant again and wants them to help her find an adoptive family for this child too, the delicate bonds they are still struggling to form threaten to collapse. As tensions rise, the women reckon with their own feelings about what it means to be a mother and what they owe each other as a family.

Set across the span of a family vacation, one full of boisterous laughter and emotional upheaval, Any Other Family is a thought-provoking and poignant look at how families shift and evolve and a striking portrait of motherhood in all its forms.

My Review of Any Other Family {Eleanor Brown}:

It’s a beautiful story filled with beautifully complex characters.

That being said…

…I found it boring.

It’s extremely character driven which I’ve learned I just don’t enjoy as much as a plot driven story. I like when THINGS evolve significantly more than I like reading about PEOPLE evolving. Thoughts, feelings, emotions, relationships…eh. Give me a good plot twist over any of these. Does that make sense? This book was SO character driven and I just kept waiting for something (ANYTHING) to happen…but what WAS happening were the thoughts, feelings, emotions, relationships, etc.

Boring.

**One thing that I LOVED and so wish more authors would do was that a family tree was drawn on page 1. With a book filled with so many characters and backstories, THIS WAS SO HELPFUL to keep everyone straight! Why don’t more authors choose to include this?!? As a reader, I found this so incredibly helpful and beneficial to make sure that I knew exactly everyone was and I found myself referring back to it OFTEN. While reading books, I have thought many times of creating my own type of chart/family tree to keep track of characters. Have you done this? There is a poll currently up in my Instastories asking how many of you have…I think at times I may need to start.**

Bottom Line:

A very beautiful but very boring book.

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

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

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Horrific, Disgusting, Awesome, and Amazing…AKA Verity {Colleen Hoover}

Horrific, Disgusting, Awesome, and Amazing…AKA Verity {Colleen Hoover}

A smiling, happy picture of me somehow doesn’t seem appropriate when discussing this book but I did take this selfie a few weeks ago when the sun was setting and lighting was perfection so…

Omg this book. My dear friend, Becca, loaned it to me MONTHS ago and for months I’ve been staring at it (check out Becca’s adorable YouTube channel HERE). Of course I had heard Verity was intense, of course I had heard it was messed up. I didn’t really want to read it but I was incredibly curious to see what all the hype was about…

Goodreads Synopsis of Verity {Colleen Hoover}

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

My Review of Verity {Colleen Hoover}

Holy. Hell.

This book is FUCKED UP. It’s twisted, horrific, disgusting….the list goes on and on.

And yet…

I couldn’t put it down. I read it in 24 hours. I can’t remember the last time I read an entire book in 24 hours!

Writing a spoiler free review is practically impossible with this one so I really can’t say much except…READ THIS. STAT.

I mean…how often to do you see a Facebook page created for people to discuss ONE book?!? If you follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram (which you should because I post on there significantly more often than I post on here…I usually post stories daily), you saw that I had shared this in my stories a few weeks ago. This is one of a few Facebook groups out there created just to discuss Verity…crazy. Colleen Hoover herself even chimes in on discussions at times!

**Pro Tip: Do NOT visit this FB page until you have finished reading the book. The primary discussion on there is all about the ending of the book.**

Best and simultaneously most fucked up Colleen Hoover book I’ve read (and I’ve read a whole bunch). The writing in this book is absolutely brilliantly amazing. It’s so weird to say that I loved this book because it’s just so MESSED UP but…it’s an amazing book.

Bottom Line

It’s haunting, it’s disturbing, it’s insane. It’s awesome. I LOVED it.

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

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

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The Best Book Light.

The Best Book Light

I use my book light every. single. day. Early morning reading through late night reading with a sound asleep husband next to me. I would literally die without my book light! It’s the very first thing I put on my packing lists for every vacation we take. Hotel room reading with 3 sound asleep family members? Book light to the rescue!

Finding a good book light has been a JOURNEY for me. Let’s all take a moment of silence for my beloved, always in my heart, beautiful pink book light (read about her HERE). And then let’s NOT take a moment of silence for my stupid, hardly held a charge, bulb would flicker in and out blue book light (read about him in the same post as above HERE).

Apparently, many of you are on a similar journey…it’s hard to find a good book light! I can’t even tell you how many of you have messaged me asking for links to good ones. Well friends, I think I may have found the WINNER. I’ll post a link at the bottom of this post!

I now have…a white book light. And although it’s only been about 2 weeks…I’m IN LOVE.

The Best Book Light:

It’s neck is super bendable (unlike my awkward stupid blue one) and it has 3 settings of brightness. The lowest setting is beautiful warm light PERFECTION.

Medium setting (a bit brighter, not as warm as the lowest setting)

(And yes, please note the dog eared page in the above photos. I proudly do this to every book I read! Read why HERE).

And the best part? My new book light has a rechargeable battery! No more needing to switch the batteries before vacations or anytime I fear it will run out of battery life. According to the description, I just plug it in, wait, and…CHARGED! Brilliant.

Disclaimer: I have yet to have to do this. Apparently it will allow me to enjoy up to 60 hours of reading time before the battery will run out. Fingers crossed it’s as easy to charge as it seems! I wonder how long it will take for it to completely charge once I plug it in? This may or may not dramatically change my feelings about my new booklight. I will be sure to update you after I do this for the first time!

Do you use a book light? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order my book light 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:

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

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Happy Summer, What I’m Reading, Delicious Lunch

Happy Summer, What I’m Reading, Delicious Lunch

Happy Summer!

Now that my kids are done with school, it is officially SUMMER over here! Although summer is not my favorite season (I’ll take a freezing cold blizzard over the summer heat any day), I love all of the extra family time summer allows. Bring on pool days, backyard time, picnics, and summer concerts! In fact, I’m enjoying a lovely sunny day in our backyard as I’m typing this blog post. I am sitting at our table typing while my son is next to me drawing a masterpiece 🙂 A lovely summer day, indeed.

What I’m Reading:

Remember when I was debating which book of the 2 that I recently bought to read next (I talked about it in THIS POST)?

I chose to start with Lease on Love by Falon Ballard!

I’m about 200 pages in and I have SO many thoughts (some great, some…not so great). I’ll post my full review when I finish! In the meantime, here’s the synopsis from Goodreads:

After getting passed over for an overdue—and much needed—promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night-stand. When one drink turns into one too many, Sadie mixes up a long-ignored dating app for a roommate-finding app and finds herself on the doorstep of Jack Thomas’s gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone. Too bad she’s more attracted to his impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.

Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.

Delicious Lunch:

And because sometimes I like to post random pictures of my food on my blog, here’s a picture of the GORGEOUS fish poke bowl I ate for lunch a few weeks ago. How absolutely beautiful is this?! Loved it!

I hope you are reading (and eating!) something fabulous today! Happy Summer!

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

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:

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

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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

Click the image below to preorder 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!*

*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)*

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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

2 Author Events, What I’m Reading, Best Coffee News Ever

2 Author Events, What I’m Reading, Best Coffee News Ever

On Tuesday night, I went to see my girl, Lisa Barr, speak about her AMAZING book, Woman on Fire, at my local Barnes and Noble. She was adorable as usual and it was so wonderful to listen to her talk all about her book, her research, and everything that went into creating her amazing finished product.

Shout out to my dear friend, Megan, for joining with me!

Speaking of Lisa Barr, I had mentioned that I went to her release party last month when Woman on Fire was officially released. It was an AWESOME party. Thank you so much for including me, Lisa! I had the best time and I felt so honored to be included. I adore you and I love being able to celebrate your amazing success!

So nice to see Francie Dickman! Francie was one of the very first authors to send me her book back when I had JUST started writing my blog. You can read my review of her lovely book HERE.

Goodreads Synopsis of Woman on Fire {Lisa Barr}:

From the author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables, a gripping tale of a young, ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art art scandal centered around a Nazi-looted masterpiece–forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth. NOW A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Actress Sharon Stone set to produce and star in the film adaptation of WOMAN ON FIRE.

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.

A thrilling tale of secrets, love, and sacrifice that illuminates the destructive cruelty of war and greed and the triumphant power of beauty and love, Woman on Fire tells the story of a remarkable woman and an exquisite work of art that burns bright, moving through hands, hearts, and history.

You can read my full review of Woman on Fire HERE.

You can read my full review of another of Lisa’s amazing books, The Unbreakables, HERE.

What I’m Currently Reading:

He Gets That From Me {Jacqueline Friedland}

I quite literally cannot put this book down. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say that it has made me THINK…and I find myself thinking about it so often throughout the day when I’m not reading. The ethical and moral dilemmas that this book questions are FASCINATING and as of this point (I have exactly 99 pages left) I’m not sure how it will end and I’m also not sure how I WANT it to end. It’s amazing, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I’ll post a full review once I finish reading but in the meantime…READ IT. It’s awesome.

Goodreads Synopsis of He Gets That From Me:

As a young mother with a toddler and a live-in boyfriend, Maggie Fisher’s job at a checkout counter in downtown Phoenix doesn’t afford her much financial flexibility. She dreams of going to college and becoming a teacher, options she squandered when she fled her family home as a teenager. When Maggie stumbles onto an ad offering thousands of dollars to women who are willing to gestate other people’s babies, she at first finds the concept laughable. Before long, however, she’s been seduced by all the ways the extra money could improve her life. Once she decides to go for it, it’s only a matter of months before she’s chosen as a gestational carrier by Chip and Donovan Rigsdale, a married couple from New York.

After delivering twin babies and proudly handing them off to the Rigsdales, Maggie finally gets her life on a positive trajectory: she earns her degree, lands a great job, and builds a family of her own. She can’t fathom why, ten years after the fact, the fertility clinic is calling to ask for a follow-up DNA test.

Best Coffee News Ever:

As for the best coffee news ever (for me at least)…a brand new and sparkling Dunkin’ WITH A DRIVE THRU has opened within a walkable distance from my house. It’s clean, it’s beautiful, it smells amazing (new construction), the employees are so nice, and the owner told me…and I quote…”Make yourself comfortable. This is your home now.”

Dreams really do come true.

My current view as I’m typing this blog post:

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

Xo,

Jenny

Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, 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!*

*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)*

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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

Book Review: Hostage {Clare Mackintosh}

Book Review: Hostage {Clare Mackintosh}

Goodreads Synopsis of Hostage {Clare Macintosh):

You can save hundreds of lives. Or the one that matters most.

A claustrophobic thriller set over twenty hours on one airplane flight, with the heart-stopping tension of The Last Flight and the wrenching emotional intensity of Room, Hostage takes us on board the inaugural nonstop flight from London to Sydney.

Mina is trying to focus on her job as a flight attendant, not the problems of her five-year-old daughter back home, or the fissures in her marriage. But the plane has barely taken off when Mina receives a chilling note from an anonymous passenger, someone intent on ensuring the plane never reaches its destination. Someone who needs Mina’s assistance and who knows exactly how to make her comply.

It’s twenty hours to landing. A lot can happen in twenty hours.

My Review of Hostage {Clare Mackintosh}:

Do you remember when I was deciding which to read of 2 books that had similar sounding stories (you can read that post HERE)? I ended up choosing the other book and absolutely LOVED IT (you can read my review of that amazing book HERE).

The subject of plane hijacking is obviously quite a heavy one and most definitely NOT one that I wanted to read back to back books about. I let a few months pass and then when I saw Hostage on the library shelf, I decided that enough time had passed between reading the 2 and I was ready to dig in!

My thoughts?

I liked the other book more. A lot more.

Hostage is good….very good. The other book is incredible.

Hostage had some interesting storylines and plot twists but none that completely grabbed me in the ways in which the other book did. I couldn’t put the other book down! I could (and did) put this one down. Often.

I WILL say that the actual way in which this story was told from the various perspectives and timelines was VERY interesting.

There was a ridiculous number of characters in this book and it was hard to keep everyone and all of their backstories straight. Shocking storylines weren’t nearly as shocking as they should have been because I didn’t know who anyone was and kept confusing the characters. I found myself flipping back to different parts of the book to refresh my memory of who everyone was. I can only imagine how frustrating listening to this as an audiobook would be.

On a side note…the editing. I must start by saying that I’m absolutely sure that editing a book is a VERY, VERY tough job. That being said, the editing in this book was…how can I say this…I’ll just give an example instead. There was a paragraph that clearly was rewritten to include more description. How do I know this? Because BOTH paragraphs made it into the final printed version of the book one right under the other. In all of my years of reading many, many, MANY books that was indeed a first for me. Yikes.

Bottom Line:

Read the other book. It’s AMAZING.

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

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!*

*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 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

Long Time, No Blog

Warning: This blog post is going to be alllll over the place 😉

Oh MAN have I been busy! My family took a 4 day mini vacation over Spring Break, I have been planning a massive PTO fundraiser, and day to day life has just been insane in all of the very best ways. Busy and happy over here 🙂

In book news, I’m still reading this gem and am loving it!

At the waterpark while on our family’s mini vacation!

I’ll post my full review once I finish but in the meantime, I’ll just say to preorder this one STAT (link to preorder HERE)! It officially releases 5/17 and I know it’s going to be HUGE! I adore Rochelle Weinstein (both as a person and as an author) and I absolutely love her books and writing style (you can read my reviews of 2 of her other books HERE and HERE).

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.

In other book news, I returned these books to the library a few days ago without even cracking open the covers because I wasn’t able to renew them for any longer. I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS. Have you read any of these? I think they all sound great!

I’m currently listening to this audiobook which has been on my TBR for years. I’ll post my review once I finish listening!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Flat Share {Beth O’Leary}:

Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met…

Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time.

But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

In coffee news, a brand new and beaaaaautiful Dunkin’ opened literally walking distance from my house with a drive thru. It’s an actual dream come true! It officially opened 4 days ago and I’ve already gone twice. Welcome to the neighborhood, new friend 😉

And because this blog post isn’t random enough, here is the 750 calorie Crumbl Cookie that I inhaled last night and the STUNNING candle holder that I recently bought from Bath and Body Works.

I’m currently working on a wonderful giveaway coming soon for SUPER interesting book! Stay tuned…

I told you that this was going to be a VERY random blog post! How are you? What are you currently reading? I hope you are having a lovely weekend!

Xo,

Jenny

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

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Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}

Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}

I am either a HUGE Colleen Hoover (or as diehard booklovers all know her: CoHo) fan or…I’m lukewarm 😉

I’m not entirely sure why (maybe because this one is such a recent release?) but for some reason Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is extremely popular right now…everyone is reading it! I read that book many, many years ago and I loved it. I still think about it! If you haven’t yet read that one, make sure you do. It’s so, so wonderful.

That being said, I wasn’t a huge fan of November 9. I read it years ago (possibly once I finished It Ends With Us?) and I was just so underwhelmed. Eh.

I’m dying to read Verity! I’ve heard it’s amazing. I’ve been on my library waitlist for the audiobook for awhile now and I’m not so patiently waiting.

When her newest book was released this past January, I was so cautiously optimistic about it as I had read some GREAT reviews. Hoping that I would love it as much as I loved It Ends With Us, I downloaded the audiobook of Reminders of Him and started listening…

{One of the biggest issues of listneing to books as audiobooks is that I can’t take pretty pictures of them for my blog!}

Goodreads Synopsis of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}:

After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself.

The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them.

The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.

My Review of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}

Ahhhh I loved this book so much! It’s a BEAUTIFULLY written story with deep, meaningful characters and an intricately woven plot. I listened to this one literally whenever I had an extra minute in my day because I couldn’t get enough. I never wanted it to end! Definitely read (or listen to) this book, it’s so amazing. Such a beautiful story.

Once I finished listening to Reminders of Him, I was NOT ready to move on to another author/genre. I wanted MORE! More CoHo, more love story. I downloaded Ugly Love about 20 minutes after I finished listening to Reminders of Him.

Bottom Line:

I never wanted this book to end.

Goodreads Synopsis of Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}:

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

My Review of Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}:

I really, really liked it. I wouldn’t say that I LOVED it but I would say that it was very good. A bit cringy (is that a word?) at times with the way that Tate allowed for herself to be treated.

The story was good, the characters were…unlikable. All of them. Eh.

A few points to note:

The backstory of Miles was way more intriguing than the book’s present day story.

The audiobook’s male narrator was creepy and the way he pronounced the name “Rachel” made it sound like a stalker was describing her. Every. Single. Time.

I had a very strong prediction that turned out to be completely wrong. I must say…I think my ending would have been better.

Also, throughout the entire book I kept forgetting that Tate was a girl and not a boy because of her name. So there’s that.

Bottom Line

Very good. Not CoHo’s best but very good.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you enjoy Colleen Hoover books? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, 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!*

*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)*

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

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4 Books I Recently Started but Didn’t Finish

4 Books I Recently Started but Didn’t Finish

Hiiiii!

How are you? I hope that you are having a lovely weekend.

A Crumbl Cookies has opened up way too close to my house. I’ve already gone twice. This cannot be a good thing. Omg.

Last night. 2nd time here in 12 days. Fuck.

DELICIOUS. Holy hell.

4 Books I Recently Started but Didn’t Finish

You know the emoji of the orange face with the swear word symbols written over it’s mouth? Insert 4 of those emojis right here.

Each of these books sounded so promising! So wonderful! So engaging! But alas….nope.

One Year Gone {Avery Bishop}:

I stand by that this book has so much potential to be amazing. Unfortunately the beginning just didn’t hook me in and I was bored. I made it to about page 50 and called it quits.

Goodreads Synopsis of One Year Gone {Avery Bishop}:

“Sometimes teenagers run away… Give her a few days. She’ll be back.”

That’s what the police tell Jessica Moore when her seventeen-year-old daughter, Wyn, vanishes. All signs point to this being true. But days become weeks. Weeks become months. And Jessica begins to fear the terrible truth—that she may never see her daughter again.

Then, one year later, when all hope seems lost, Jessica gets a flurry of text messages from Wyn that freezes her blood: mom. please help. i think he’s going to kill me. But Wyn’s terrified plea comes with a warning not to call the police. Her kidnapper wears a badge.

As Jessica’s fears are raised again, so are the stakes. Delving into the months leading up to Wyn’s disappearance, Jessica stumbles upon information that could put her own life in danger. With each revelation, the nightmare deepens. Now she must decide just how far she’ll go to bring her daughter home.

A Good Neighborhood {Therese Anne Fowler}:

I listened to this one as an audiobook and to be honest, I think it was just too heavy for an audiobook. While I am listening to a book, I am doing a million other things: cooking, laundry, makeup, etc. This book was just too….MUCH…to fully appreciate while doing all of those other things. I made it about 40 percent though before calling it quits. I did Google the ending and very honestly, I’m so glad I stopped listening when I did. Also, this cover is WAY TOO SIMILAR to the cover of one of my all time favorite books so that angers me because THAT book is amazing but THIS book is not.

Goodreads Synopsis of A Good Neighborhood {Therese Anne Fowler}:

One Night on The Island {Josie Silver}:

The biggest disappointment of all of these books. I had been waiting for MONTHS for this one to be released and was so excited to start reading. I made it to about page 70 before I accepted the truth….man was it boring. In hindsight, I’m not entirely sure why I was so excited about reading this book considering that I wasn’t a huge fan of One Day in December (you can read my review HERE). I’m thinking that this author and her writing style just aren’t for me.

Goodreads Synopsis of One Night on the Island {Josie Silver}:

Spending her thirtieth birthday alone is the last thing that dating columnist Cleo wanted, but she is going on a self-coupling quasi-sabbatical–at the insistence of her boss–in the name of re-energizing herself and adding a new perspective to her column. The remote Irish island she’s booked is a far cry from London, but at least it’s a chance to hunker down in a luxury cabin and indulge in some quiet, solitary self-care while she figures out her next steps in her love life and her career.

Mac is also looking forward to some time to himself. With his life in Boston deteriorating in ways he can’t bring himself to acknowledge, his soul searching has brought him to the same Irish island in search of his roots and some clarity. Unfortunately, a mix-up with the bookings means both solitude seekers have reserved the same one-bedroom hideaway on exactly the same dates.

Instantly at odds with each other, Cleo and Mac don’t know how they’re going to manage until the next weekly ferry arrives. But as the days go by, they no longer seem to mind each other’s company quite as much as they thought they would…

Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous {Suzanne Park}:

Remember above when I said that The Good Neighborhood was just too deep for an audiobook? Well this book is the polar opposite….it wasn’t deep ENOUGH and it felt so juvenile. Yes it’s YA but…ugh. If you follow me on Instagram, I had mentioned last week about the audiobook I was listening to which used the phrase, “Look, I don’t got no beef with you”. It made me roll my eyes….who talks like that??? Well, apparently the characters in this book do. 35 percent in and I was officially over it.

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

Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

Have you tried Crumbl???

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

I obviously don’t love any of these books…but you just might! Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, 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!*

*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