Tag: #bookstagram

I’m Baaaaaaack and a BOOK GIVEAWAY!

I’m Baaaaaaack and a BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Long time no post! Hiiiiiii!

I must start by saying that although I haven’t been posting on my blog over these past 2 months, I most definately have been posting on Instagram….almost daily! If you don’t already follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram, please do. I’m significantly more active over there than I am on here (especially in my Instastories…I love making them and talking about my reading life in real time)!

I posted my last blog post on February 2nd. 3 days later I was called downtown for jury duty and ended up spending 2 weeks sitting on a jury for a criminal case in a federal trial. I will not discuss the specifics of the case on here (feels weird to do so) but I will say that it was one of the most fascinating and interesting experiences of my life! I LOVED sitting on a jury. I learned a ridiculous amount of information during those 2 weeks and soaked it all in like a sponge…I took 35 pages of notes during the trial! I found the entire process FASCINATING. It also helped that the people who sat on the jury with me were lovely which was great considering we all spent Valentine’s Day together, lol.

**And yes, I have watched the tv series “Jury Duty” and yes I thought it was amazing. If you have ever sat on a jury, this show is a must see! Hilarious!**

I had to leave my house before sunrise every morning. I drank LOTS of coffee.

Valentine’s Day 2024. In front of the entire courtroom of people, the judge commented that she liked my sweater!
I can’t wait to get summoned again!!

What else have I been up to…

My son got to participate in a basketball clinic held in the Chicago Bulls practice facility and he was coached by Will Perdue. Turns out Will is just a smiiiiidge taller than I am.

I got to be an extra in a Mario Lopez Christmas movie! It will be called “My Grown Up Christmas Wish” and will air throughout this holiday season on the Great American Family channel starting around Thanksgiving!

I LOVE MARIO LOPEZ (always have) and you already know how I much I love all things Christmas so this was literally a dream come true. My entire family got to do it! My son filmed over the course of 2 seperate days, my husband filmed for about 5 hours, and my daughter and I filmed together on set for 12 HOURS STRAIGHT with Mario and his wife, Courtney! So, so, so much fun. We were in so many different scenes!

The props lady handed me this fake cup of apple cider to hold while filming some of the scenes. It matched my lipstick! I wanted it to be filled with real coffee, lol.

Ok what else have I been up for over these past 2 months….

I’ve gone to 8 plays (4 of which my kids were both in!!), 3 school concerts, a road trip with my daughter, worked alongside some amazing moms and planned/ran a successful PTO silent auction/event, spent so much time with my family and friends, and lots more. It’s been a busy and wonderful 2 months 🙂

I may not have been blogging but I most definitely have been READING! 8 books in total since I have last written a blog post. I am working on posting reviews for all of them ASAP! Some have been amazing and some….not so much ;). Stay tuned!

From Book Coffee Happy’s Insta:

On Wednesday night, I went to a delightful book event at The Book Stall in Wilmette, IL. My girl Rochelle Weinstein was there discussing her AMAZING book, What You Do To Me. I absolutely loved, loved, LOVED that book! You can read the book synopsis and my (glowing obvi) review of it HERE.

Love you 🙂

Book Giveaway

To celebrate my return to blogging after what might be the longest I have gone in 5.5 years without writing a blog post, I thought it would be fun to host a giveaway! Rochelle Weinstein signed this copy especially for a blog reader…I can’t wait to see who will get it (details below on how to enter)!

I’ve missed you all! Feels so nice to be back.

Happy Passover to all who celebrate! Keeping Israel in my thoughts always…

***GIVEAWAY DETAILS***

If you are local, we can arrange pickup for you to get your book directly from me. If you aren’t local, I will mail it all to you! Open to US residents only for this giveaway, please.

To be entered, just leave a comment below (on this blog post)!  Your comment can be about anything!

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

Giveaway will close on Sunday (4/28/24) at 6:00 pm CDT and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced here on my blog on Monday (4/29/24).

I will post a video here on Monday of me choosing the winner!

Good luck!  Can’t wait to read your comments!

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

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 9 best books I read in 2023

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2023 can be found HERE

Blogmas 2023: Books I’m Taking To DISNEY WORLD!

Blogmas 2023: Books I’m Taking to DISNEY WORLD!

Remember back in 2019 when I wrote this exact post?

And then remember when I came home from my trip and made a super long video where I declared that reading in Disney is virtually impossible and I never even cracked open ANY of the books that I brought??

Fast forward 4 years later and clearly I have learned absolutely nothing…I’m bringing 4 books to Disney, lol! BUUUUT this trip is different because we are spending a relaxing few days in Daytona after we leave Disney World so maybe I’ll have time to read then? Maybe? If not, the plane rides might be the only time I read over the next week and I’ll be lugging these books to and from Florida just to look pretty in my suitcase. Eh…worth it.

So what am I bringing?

Books I’m Taking to DISNEY WORLD!

Ok obviously the next 2 books in my beloved Winter Novels. I can’t WAIT to read these! Not posting the synopsis for either book since they are books #6 and #7 in the series and you all know how I feel about spoilers 😉

This picture I took bothers me because the books are reversed…Winter House is #6 and Winter Road is #7! My type A self is struggling that they aren’t flipped.

If you follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram, you might remember when I found this one sitting in a Little Free Library a few weeks ago….the first book in an adorable sounding new to me holiday series? Ummm YES PLEASE.

Goodreads Synopsis of The Clause in Christmas {Rachel Bloome}:

Sometimes home is where you least expect it…

Cassie Hayward hates Christmas. Especially this year.

No job. Flat broke. And an ex most definitely on the naughty list.

But the unexpected inheritance of a Victorian cottage in the idyllic town of Poppy Creek may be the miracle Cassie needs. Except for one problem: a clause in the will. Cassie must complete a series of festive tasks for each day in December leading up to Christmas. Overseen by the disarmingly handsome, Christmas-loving lawyer, Luke Davis.

Luke is as strong and steady as the bespoke furniture he crafts as a hobby. He has to be. Stepping into his late father’s shoes as the town lawyer comes with a sleigh full of responsibilities. Which means the alluring stranger collecting her inheritance is a distraction he can’t afford.

As the unlikely pair works together to complete the daily tasks, fighting their attraction becomes more futile than putting good ol’ St. Nick on a diet. But when Cassie’s ex reappears with the offer of a lifetime, she’ll have to choose between love and the life she always wanted.

Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and visit a town that feels like home. This endearing, sweet romance will warm your heart and fill you will hope. A “must-read” year after year.

Sounds so good, right? You had me at “town that feels like home”…

Aaaaand then this book which I checked out of the library at the very beginning of this holiday season, have talked about on my blog over and over, and yet STILL haven’t read!

Click HERE for a synopsis of Blame it on the Mistletoe from a previous blog post that I wrote! 

***Fun fact: when I was searching “Blame it on the Mistletoe” to add a link to my Amazon Affiliate account, I discovered that “Blame the Mistletoe” is also an OPI nail color:

Love it! So pretty!

Soooo those are the books coming with me to Disney. Will I read them? Maybe. Will I be prepared with reading entertainment in case my family gets stranded and has to extend our vacay like that one time we were stranded on top of a mountain? Absolutely!

Blogmas 2023 Posts:

12/1 Blogmas 2023: Welcome to Blogmas {VIDEO}!

12/2 Blogmas 2023: Happy Birthday to ME {Sephora Gift Card Giveaway}!

12/3 Blogmas 2023: Book Review: All I Want for Christmas {Maggie Knox}

12/4 Blogmas 2023: Audiobook Review: The Christmas Bet {Meg Easton}

12/5 Blogmas 2023: The Winter Series {Joanne Demaio} Check In

12/6 Blogmas 2023: Non Holiday Audiobook Review: The Coworker {Freida McFadden}

12/7 Blogmas 2023: Random Bookish Things

12/8 Blogmas 2023: The Holiday Sign in the Form of a Post It

12/9 Blogmas 2023: READ THIS BOOK READ THIS BOOK READ THIS BOOK

12/10 Blogmas 2023: Audiobook Review: A Lake House Holiday {Megan Squires}

12/11 Blogmas 2023: Disney World Trumps Blogmas!

12/12 Blogmas 2023: Audiobook Review: The Book Club Hotel {Sarah Morgan}

12/13 Blogmas 2023: Book Coffee Happy’s 13 Most Viewed Posts of 2023

12/14 Blogmas 2023: A {Non Holiday} Middle School Book Series That I LOVE

12/15 Blogmas 2023: I LOVED This Gorgeous Holiday Book…About BOOKS!

12/16 The 9 Best Books I Read in 2023

12/17 Blogmas 2023: 2 Non Holiday Audiobooks {Same Author} I Started Listening To and Hated!

12/18 Blogmas 2023: Screw It…Moving On, My Beautiful Present, and a Holiday Book Review

12/19 Blogmas 2023: Non Holiday Audiobook Review: The Missing Husband {Natasha Boydell}

Xo,

Jenny

Click HERE to order book #1 in the Winter Novels

Click HERE to order The Clause in Christmas

Click HERE to order Blame it on the Mistletoe

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE

Book Coffee Happy’s 500th post!

Book Coffee Happy’s 500th Post!

Ahhhh OMG! This is officially my 500th post on this little blog that I love so much. Mind officially BLOWN.

My bestie Amy bought me this shirt for no reason other than she knew that I would love it…and she was correct! It’s PERFECT!

When I started blogging 5 years ago, I was looking for a creative way to share my passion for reading with others. I had NO IDEA how much fun this was going to be, the opportunities it was going to give me, and the wonderful people I was going to meet. The money that I make from writing this blog is purely a bonus…this has been so much fun and such a wonderfully fulfilling creative outlet for me 🙂

THANK YOU to all of you for sticking around, inviting friends to read my blog, for following me on social media, for your kind comments, and for everything else. I wouldn’t even have a blog if wasn’t for YOU—my blog followers! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. Xo.

Book Coffee Happy’s 500th Post

500 posts…well that’s just crazy. I’ve shared SO many books! Some wonderful, some not so wonderful. And obviously bits of my personal life get sprinkled in here from time to time which I love. I wish I could share more!

A huge shoutout to the authors and the publishers who have allowed me the opportunity to read and review your books. Even if my opinions of you book are negative, you will ALWAYS have my respect for the amount of work and heart you have put into creating your work of art. Thank you for sharing your visions, your stories, and your characters with us.

I love this little blog so much and I’m always thinking of ways to improve it and new things to write about. I’m so looking forward to participating in Blogmas again this year…my FAVORITE time of year to be a blogger. It starts THIS FRIDAY and I’m so excited!

Cheers to 500, Book Coffee Happy! I can’t wait to see where the next 500 will take us 🙂

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE

Things I’m Thankful For: Blog Edition

Things I’m Thankful For: Blog Edition

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! I had a glorious holiday filled with family, delicious food, friends, and lots and lots of shopping 🙂

I received these turkeys when I was student teaching during my senior year of college. I hung them in my own classroom for YEARS after I graduated and then started hanging them in my house after I left teaching. This is my 24th year celebrating the holiday season with them 🙂

I love this time of year so much. Although we should be looking around all year long to reflect on our blessings and things to be thankful for, November is a great reminder to really stop and look around.

While I do this year round in my personal life, lately I’ve been thinking of all of the blessings that I’m thankful for when it comes to my blogging life! In no particular order, here are some things I’m grateful as they relate to Book Coffee Happy.

Things I’m Thankful For: Blog Edition

Instagram

Truth be told, Book Coffee Happy is MUCH more active on Instagram than any other platform. While I do post on this site, Facebook, and Twitter (X???), Instagram is my favorite. It’s so much easier, faster, and more fun to post a quick Instastory than to type up an entire blog post. I try to add to my stories on Instagram daily. If you don’t already follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram, please do! HERE is the link.

Authors

Without authors there would be no readers and without being a reader there would be no Book Coffee Happy. Thank you to all of the authors out there who give me topics to entertain myself and to blog about!

Fellow Book Bloggers/Bookstagrammers

Ahhh the blogging/Bookstagramming community is so amazing and I have made some wonderful new friends all through our mutual love of BOOKS. We inspire each other, tag each other, and support each other and I’m so thankful. I’m even a member of a local group of book bloggers/bookstagrammers who meet up from time to time (I have yet to actually make it to a meet up but it’s something I’m so looking forward to SOON)!

WordPress

Writing this little blog is my favorite hobby and I couldn’t do it without the support of WordPress. Thank you for making it so easy for someone like me to create and run a website! WordPress has been amazing to work with and the customer support has been incredible. Between chats and emails, I have asked mannnnnnnny questions and the support I have received has been amazing. WordPress is the only server Book Coffee Happy has ever been on and I have absolutely zero plans to ever switch.

Libraries/Book Stores

Forever thankful for the places which allow me access to books (and so much more)! Thankful that the library is my happy place where I can quietly walk the stacks, work on my blog, or just peruse the shelves.

YOU

Without readers, I would have no blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting my little corner of the Internet today and everyday. I love writing this blog and I’m extrodinarily thankful for the people and the experiences which it has provided.

Happiest of Thanksgivings to all who celebrated! Stay tuned…my next blog post (will be posted mid week) will be a very special one 🙂 And the post after THAT will kick off BLOGMAS on 12/1!

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE

The Book I Chose and a Kindle Update

The Book I Chose and a Kindle Update

Holiday coffee cups make me so, so happy 🙂

In my last post, I had asked for help picking my next book because I just couldn’t decide. All 3 sound so good! In case you missed my last post, you can read about all 3 contenders HERE.

The Book I Chose

So, which did I pick? After close consideration…a book about a bookstore will always trump the others 😉

AAAAND this book has been on my to read list since 2021 (although to be fair, one of the other condenders is also on this list)! I first talked about them HERE!

Goodreads Synopsis of Christmas by the Book {Anne Marie Ryan}:

Nora and her husband, Simon, have run the beautiful oak-beamed book shop in their small British village for thirty years. But times are tough and the shop is under threat of closure–this Christmas season will really decide their fate. When an elderly man visits the store and buys the one book they’ve never been able to sell, saying it’s the perfect gift for his sick grandson, it gives Nora an idea. She and Simon will send out books to those feeling down this Christmas. Maybe they can’t save their bookstore, but at least they’ll have one final chance to lift people’s spirits through the power of reading.

After gathering nominations online, Nora and Simon quietly deliver books to six residents of the village in need of some festive cheer, including a single dad of twins who is working hard to make ends meet, a teenage boy grieving for his big sister, a local Member of Parliament who is battling depression, and a teacher who’s newly retired and living on her own. As the town prepares for a white Christmas, the books begin to give the recipients hope, one by one. But with the future of the bookshop still up in the air, Nora and Simon will need a Christmas miracle–or perhaps a little help from the people whose lives they’ve touched–to find a happy ending of their own….

Sounds so good, right?? I’ll have my full review of this one posted during Blogmas!

Kindle Update

I love it! It’s amazing! The only way to read a book!

JUUUUUST KIDDING. I never even took it out of the box and officially gave it to my husband last week when he mentioned that he was curious to try one, lol.

Prime Day convinced me that I needed it but in reality…I just love the feel of a physical book in my hand and I’m not ready to trade that in just to stare at another screen. Ugh.

Maybe one day I’ll actually try it??? Maybe???

Have you read Christmas by the Book? What did you think (NO SPOILERS please)? Do you love your Kindle? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE

Help Me Choose My Next Book!

Which book should I read next?

I’ve got 3 library books here all waiting for me to crack them open…which should I start with??

Hi!

Book Contender #1:

Goodreads Synopsis of The Twelve Dates of Christmas {Jenny Bayliss}:

When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say “Bah, humbug.” The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn’t exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate’s found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt’s neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right?

Yet with each new date more disastrous than the one before–and the whole town keeping tabs on her misadventures–Kate must remind herself that sometimes love, like mistletoe, shows up where it’s least expected. And maybe, just maybe, it’s been right under her nose all along. . . .

Book Contender #2:

Goodreads Synopsis of Christmas by the Book {Anne Marie Ryan}:

Nora and her husband, Simon, have run the beautiful oak-beamed book shop in their small British village for thirty years. But times are tough and the shop is under threat of closure–this Christmas season will really decide their fate. When an elderly man visits the store and buys the one book they’ve never been able to sell, saying it’s the perfect gift for his sick grandson, it gives Nora an idea. She and Simon will send out books to those feeling down this Christmas. Maybe they can’t save their bookstore, but at least they’ll have one final chance to lift people’s spirits through the power of reading.

After gathering nominations online, Nora and Simon quietly deliver books to six residents of the village in need of some festive cheer, including a single dad of twins who is working hard to make ends meet, a teenage boy grieving for his big sister, a local Member of Parliament who is battling depression, and a teacher who’s newly retired and living on her own. As the town prepares for a white Christmas, the books begin to give the recipients hope, one by one. But with the future of the bookshop still up in the air, Nora and Simon will need a Christmas miracle–or perhaps a little help from the people whose lives they’ve touched–to find a happy ending of their own….

Book Contender #3:

Goodreads Synopsis of Blame it on the Mistletoe {Beth Garrod}:

Elle is a social medial star with the #DreamLife…or so it seems. Determined to shake up her content and gain new followers, she’s on a mission: can she find a British fan to swap with for Christmas?

Holly loves everything about Christmas. But after a mortifying mistletoe disaster with her ex, her perfect plans unravel like a bad Christmas sweater. Can Holly save the holidays when she switches places with favorite social media influencer?

Elle gets more than she bargained for when she meets the cute boy from across the street. And Holly wasn’t expecting Elle to have a handsome twin brother. This holiday is full of surprises.

Which book should I read next???

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? If not, which one sounds the best to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below (NO SPOILERS PLEEEEEASE)!

Xo,

Jenny

The Twelve Dates of Christmas:

https://amzn.to/3sxiNtS

Christmas By The Book:

https://amzn.to/3QtFvLe

Blame it on the Mistletoe:

https://amzn.to/3MFb2Jc

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE

Book I’m Currently Reading (Loving), Coffee I’m Currently Drinking (Eh), 1 Thing Currently Making Me HAPPY!

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!

Book I’m Currently Reading:

I’m still reading (savouring) Once Upon a December and I’m really loving it so far 🙂 I have many thoughts which I will share with you during BLOGMAS (If you aren’t familiar with Blogmas, HERE is a link to Book Coffee Happy’s welcome video from last year)!!!

Goodreads Synopsis of Once Upon a December {Amy E. Reichert}:

With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty–it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.

For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.

After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.

Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:

Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte

Eh. I was working on my blog at Barnes and Noble a few days ago and wanted coffee. Barnes and Noble, PLEASE replace all of the stupid Starbucks with Dunkin’!

I got the Sugar Cookie Latte and it was…fine. Kind of blah. Clearly one shouldn’t order this nonfat as I did, I think this might have been user error.

And they wrote my name as Jackie when I clearly said Jenny. I hate Starbucks.

Currently Making Me Happy:

I. BOUGHT. A. CHRISTMAS. TREE.

She’s so, so pretty.

If you follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram, you already know the whole story of how I came across the most perfect Christmas tree while I was shopping last week and immediately (so happily) bought it.

I have wanted one my entire life and now I own one! She’s perfect. 4 Feet tall, snow capped, warm prelit lights. My family thinks I’ve gone insane (we’re Jewish and most definitely do not celebrate Christmas) but I don’t care. This tree brings me such joy and makes our family room look so beautiful. No need for ornaments, no need for a tree skirt. She’s perfection all on her own. She miiiiight get a topper if I can find one that I love but I’m thinking that’s about it as far as decorating her! Simplistic perfection all on her own. Shalom!

What are you currently reading?

What coffee are you currently enjoying?

What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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 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*

Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE

Book Review: The Writing Retreat {Julia Bartz}

Book Review: The Writing Retreat {Julia Bartz}

I was looking for a super creepy book to read around Halloween and this one had been on my list to read forever! The perfect time of year to read a book like this…

Goodreads Synopsis of The Writing Retreat {Julia Bartz}:

A book deal to die for.

Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled.

Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach.

But then the women begin to die.

Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.

My Review of The Writing Retreat {Julia Bartz}:

200 pages in aaaaaand…

Closed the book. Didn’t finish. Moved on.

So it was GOOD but there was a very weird haunted ghostlike vibe going on and I just couldn’t do it. I HATE books about ghosts (I’m looking at you, Sun Down Motel) and that part of the book just threw me so much that I couldn’t do it.

Now let me be very clear…there was no actual ghost storyline that I had encountered buuuuuut I just had a feeling about that being the direction that the book was going in and that was enough for me to call it quits. I HATED, HATED, HATED the dual storyline of the past occupants of the house and all of the weird things that lead to their deaths. I also hated Roza’s character and how much power these people all seemed more than ok giving to her.

What did I like about this book? The details of the writing process! This book is about people writing books and that part of this was interesting to me. And I loved the creepy setting. Buuuuuut that’s pretty much it. This one just wasn’t for me although I did enjoy the writing style??

Eh moving on.

Book Coffee Happy Epilogue:

I don’t do ghosts. Or books that make me think that are they going to eventually be about ghosts.

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

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

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Hello Holiday Season and What I’m Reading

Hello Holiday Season and What I’m Reading

Trick or Treating was freezing! Also, while everyone else eats candy, I eat apples lol

Hellooooooo!

I’m listening to the Glee Christmas album as I type up this post and I’m just so happy 🙂

Happy Fall/Thanksgiving/Holiday season aka my most favorite time of the whole year! My house is currently a weird combination of pumpkins and snowflakes and I couldn’t be happier that this lovely time of the year is finally upon us. It snowed here on Halloween and while everyone around me was complaining, I felt like it was a magical gift to have snow this early in the season. Trick or Treating was absolutely freezing (I wore 2 pairs of pants!) and while maybe THAT part wasn’t necessarily the greatest, the beauty of the snow more than made up for it. BRING IT, Mother Nature…I’m so ready 🙂

From Book Coffee Happy’s Insta:

My all time favorite candle scent is baaaaaaaaaaack!!!

What I’m Reading

The week of Halloween was also officially the time that I decided it was time to start reading/listening to holiday books! The BEST. So far this season, I’ve listened to 2 holiday audiobooks (reviews coming during Blogmas) and I started reading this beauty 2 days ago. While I currently have 4 holiday books checked out of the library, I obviously had to start with this one because it was the 2022 holiday book that I was most excited to read THIS holiday season! You can read all about why in THIS POST.

Goodreads Synopsis of Once Upon A December {Amy E. Reichert}:

With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn’t just a seasonal specialty–it’s a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra’s yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She’s ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery.

For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes, magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he’s been missing outside of the festive red brick alley.

After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.

Thanks for visiting my little blog today! Next up will be my thoughts on The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz….

Have you started reading holiday books yet?

Have you read Once Upon a December? What did you think (NO SPOILERS PLEASE)? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

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Audiobook Review: The Wrong Family {Ellery Kane}

Audiobook Review: The Wrong Family {Ellery Kane}

From Book Coffee Happy’s Insta:

We saw Hamilton for the 2nd time! Although I liked the cast from the first time we saw it much more than this one, it was still amazing obvi!

Hiiiii! Happy Fall! I have an audiobook review for you today from a book I’ve been listening to while recently taking some gorgeous fall walks around my neighborhood. I only wish I loved the book as much as I loved the walks 🙂

***Note: This book is not to be confused with The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher. My review of THAT mess of a book can be found HERE.***

Photo Credit: Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis of The Wrong Family {Ellery Kane}:

He tells you he’s your father. He welcomes you into his family. And now you’re trapped…

I’ve never met my father. It was always just me and Mom, so when she died, I was completely alone. But today, years since I first mailed my DNA to Family Ties, I finally have a match. They’ve found my biological father.

When I meet Robert , he’s warm, dependable, sturdy. I’m desperate for him to like me. I want to be part of his perfect, high-flying family more than anything.

Except, I’m not so sure they are perfect. Every day, strange things go wrong in the Thompsons’ grand Lake Tahoe house. A family photo is found burning. Robert’s car is tampered with. My mother’s necklace goes missing.

Though that’s nothing compared to the horror of finding the huge family portrait violently slashed in its ornate gold frame… But someone is trying to blame me for everything—all eyes are on me. I can’t run now.

And then I receive an email from Family Ties that makes my blood run cold.

Robert Thompson is not my father.

Now I’m trapped in a house full of strangers, with no idea who I can trust. And I’m terrified my life is in grave danger…

My Review of The Wrong Family {Ellery Kane}:

WHY. DO. AUTHORS. SPOIL. THEIR. BOOKS. BY. GIVING. AWAY. TOO. MUCH. IN. THE. SYNOPSIS?!?

I can’t even. The biggest twist in this whole book is literally given right in the synopsis. How dumb is that?! I freaking hate spoilers.

This book was just eh from the very beginning. A few things I didn’t see coming but none as shocking as the most UNshocking twist that wasn’t even a twist because I read it before I even listened to the book.

Everything about this book just kind of fell flat for me. Annoying characters, stupid storylines. The kind of book that you forget about the minute it’s over without ever giving it another thought.

Book Coffee Happy Epilogue:

Nope. Skip it.

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

Xo,

Jenny

Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! I would be so thankful if you could do the following to support my favorite hobby…

*Follow me on Instagram* (I am VERY active on Instagram and usually update my Instastories daily)

*Please share this site 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)*

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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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Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE