Book I’m Currently Reading (Amazing), Coffee I’m Currently Drinking (Perfection), 1 Thing Currently Making Me HAPPY!
Ahhh I used to do these posts all the time and I haven’t done one in forever!
Book I’m Currently Reading:
The Happy Ever After Playlist {Abby Jimenez}:
I cannot include the synopsis of this book because it’s actually book #2 of a series and the synopsis gives away a MAJOR spoiler from book #1!
Here is book #1 (I’ll have a review posted on here soon buuuuuuut since I’m currently reading book #2 you can safely assume that I LOVED IT):
Synopsis of The Friend Zone {Abby Jimenez}:
Kristen Petersen doesn’t do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don’t get her. She’s also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.
Planning her best friend’s wedding is bittersweet for Kristen—especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He’s funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.
Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:
As part of my Mother’s Day gift, my in laws gave me a very generous Dunkin’ gift card. THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING! It has brought me such joy over these past few weeks….
Currently Making Me Happy:
Charging my Book Light
My amazing book light just got even more amazing! If you missed it, HERE is the post where I talk allll about it and it’s awesome features. I love it so much!
I bought it and I use it ALL THE TIME. In all of this time (I bought it exactly TO THE WEEK one year ago), I’ve never had to charge it even once! Until this week…
I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to charge…just plugged it in like my phone! I’m not sure what I was expecting (I tend to get intimidated with anything that has wires and/or buttons) but this was a total breeze.
I didn’t think it was possible to love this book light even more than I already did but I now do! BUY THIS BOOK LIGHT (there is a link to it in the post above).
Operation Mom Signed Copy Book Giveaway Winner:
Thank you to everyone who entered! Here is a video of me randomly choosing the winner:
What are you currently reading?
What coffee are you currently enjoying?
What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?
Happy Friday, Book Friends 🙂 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
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*
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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.*
The Main Characters in This Book Call Each Other Fartheads.
Gorgeous Mother’s Day flowers from my family 🙂
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know how I felt about the dialogue in this book. Grown ups do NOT call each other fartheads. They just don’t. If you have someone in your life who calls you a farthead, for the love of God find yourself a new partner.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Goodreads Synopsis ofThank You For Listening {Julia Whelan}
For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger.
On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book—with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling—not after her own dreams were tragically cut short—and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her.
As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more.
If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.
My Review ofThank You For Listening {Julia Whelan}:
Not for me. Nope. Nope.
So I loved that it was about audiobook narrators…obviously since I have been so obsessd with audiobooks lately! That part of this book and it’s behind the scenes was super interesting to me.
Something else that I found SUPER interesting about this book was the fact that the author was the narrator! I don’t think I’ve every listened to an audiobook narrated by the author before. I thought she was great (mostly…a few voices I wasn’t a huge fan of but overall she was great).
Every other part of this book? Eh. Not nearly as interesting.
SO. MANY. FEELINGS.
So. Much. Talking.
So. Much. Backstory.
So. Much. Heaviness.
And obviously the dialogue was super cheesy and unrealistic. Grown ups do not talk to each other like this!
I have so many complaints about this book but one of the biggest was the big “twist” that I literally predicted from the very beginning and spent the entire book waiting to be revealed.
If you love audiobooks, you might (most likely will not, lol) enjoy this book. If you don’t listen to audiobooks, this is definitely NOT a book for you.
The main character is named Sewanee. Her grandmother is named Blah Blah. Swanee and Blah Blah. I hate this book.
How on EARTH did Jodi Picoult and Taylor Jenkins Reid blurb the cover?!
It was boring. So boring. Although it did hold my attention enough to keep listening so there’s that.
Moving on…
Book Coffee Happy Epilogue:
The main characters called each other “fartheads”. Enough said.
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
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)*
*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.*
Never Ending Book, Exciting New Book Mail, Ugly Book Giveaway Winners
Newest addition to my laptop courtesy of my 11 year old daughter. She traded gibbetz (IYKYK) to one of her friends just to get this sticker for ME! Love, love, love her 🙂
Never Ending Book
Hiiiii Book Friends!
I am still slowly chipping away at this almost 600 page book but admittingly it’s taking me significantly longer than necessary to finish it!
I just need a day with zero distractions where I can hunker down and READ! Who’s with me??? Add in coffee, delicious food, and a beach. Soooo a vacation. Turns out what I need is a vacation…
Exciting New Book Mail
Look at this beauty that I received in the mail last week! I can’t wait to read it, it sounds so amazing.
Goodreads Synopsis of Typecast {Andrea J. Stein}:
Callie Dressler thought she had put her past where it belonged—behind her. But when she learns her ex-boyfriend is bringing their breakup to the big screen, she must face the fact that their history has been looming over her all along.
At thirty-two, Callie Dressler is finally comfortable in her own skin. She loves her job as a preschool teacher, and although living in her vacant childhood home isn’t necessarily what dreams are made of, the space is something she never could have afforded if she’d stayed in New York City. She knows her well-ordered life will be upended when her type A, pregnant sister, Nina; adorable four-year-old niece; and workaholic brother-in-law move in, but how could she say no when they needed a place to crash during their remodel? As Nina pointed out, it is still their parents’ house, even though their mom and dad have relocated.
As if adjusting to this new living situation isn’t enough, the universe sends Callie another wrinkle: her college boyfriend, Ethan—who Callie dumped ten years earlier for reasons known only to her—has a film coming out, and the screenplay is based on their real-life breakup. While the movie consumes her thoughts, Callie can’t help wondering if Nina and her friends are right that she hasn’t moved on. When a complication with Nina’s pregnancy brings Callie in close contact with Nina’s smart and funny architect, Callie realizes she had better figure out whether she wants to open the door to the past—or she’ll risk missing out on her future.
Sounds so good, right?? I will post my full review (and host a giveaway!!) once I finish reading….stay tuned 🙂
Ugly Book Giveaway Winners Video
Thank you to everyone who entered to win a signed copy of Kelly Vincent’s gorgeous book, Ugly (book synopsis and my full review HERE) ! I know you will love it as much as I did. Here is a video of me choosing the winners:
Happy Friday! 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
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)*
*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.*
Fantastic Author Event, What I’m Reading, Upcoming Book Giveaway!
Fantastic Author Event
Hiiiii!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I went to an amazing author event on Thursday night at the Deerfield Public Library to support my girl, Lisa Barr. She was awesome as usual and told absolutely fascinating stories! If you get the chance to go and see her speak, I would highly recommend doing so. She’s adorable, such a wonderful speaker, and I LOVE her books.
Here are some links to past blog posts of mine if you aren’t already familiar with Lisa or her work:
Is it even a trip to the hair salon without a book and coffee??? I think not.
Things We Hide From the Light is taking me FOREVER to read. It’s great, I’ve just been so focused on listening to audiobooks lately! Usually listening to audiobooks compliments my reading of physical books but in this case, it’s actually taking AWAY from the time I usually would be spending physical books. Since I have started reading ThingsWe Hide From the Light, I have listened to 4.5 audiobooks!
Things We Hide From the Light is book #2 in the Knockemout series. HERE is a link that will tell you all you need to know about book #1…definitely read book #1 before book #2. Highly recommend!
Upcoming Book Giveaway
Ahhh I’m so excited for an amazing book giveaway that will go live on Wednesday! Be sure to check my blog then for a chance to win a signed copy of one of the best books that I’ve read so far in 2023. I’ll have 3 signed copies to give away!
I hope you are having a lovely weekend 🙂 It’s GORGEOUS here in Chicago. I’m happily sitting outside and writing this blog post.
Happy.
I hope that you are enjoying a beautiful day wherever you are today!
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)*
*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.*
A nice change from the plethora of audiobook reviews I’ve been posting recently, right?? I recently returned 7 library books before I had a chance to read them (well, I did read a bit of 1 of them…I’ll get to that in a minute).
I think all 7 of these books sound GREAT and I can’t wait to read them eventually!
**Please make sure to take note of the beautiful, artful, and professional photography throughout this blog post. I decided to write this post as I was looking at the pile of these books sitting next to me on the passenger seat of my car as I was filming an Instastory. All of these photos have the lovely background of my dirty car = crumbs and all. And some even include my chipped nail polish. So pretty. Enjoy!**
Book #1 I’m NOT Reading: The Bookshop on the Corner {Jenny Colgan}
Goodreads Synopsis of The Bookshop on the Corner {Jenny Colgan}:
Nina Redmond is a literary matchmaker. Pairing a reader with that perfect book is her passion… and also her job. Or at least it was. Until yesterday, she was a librarian in the hectic city. But now the job she loved is no more.
Determined to make a new life for herself, Nina moves to a sleepy village many miles away. There she buys a van and transforms it into a bookmobile—a mobile bookshop that she drives from neighborhood to neighborhood, changing one life after another with the power of storytelling.
From helping her grumpy landlord deliver a lamb, to sharing picnics with a charming train conductor who serenades her with poetry, Nina discovers there’s plenty of adventure, magic, and soul in a place that’s beginning to feel like home… a place where she just might be able to write her own happy ending.
Book #2 I’m NOT Reading: Mika in Real Life {Emiko Jean}
Goodreads Synopsis of Mika in Real Life {Emiko Jean}:
One phone call changes everything.
At thirty-five, Mika Suzuki’s life is a mess. Her last relationship ended in flames. Her roommate-slash-best friend might be a hoarder. She’s a perpetual disappointment to her traditional Japanese parents. And, most recently, she’s been fired from her latest dead-end job.
Mika is at her lowest point when she receives a phone call from Penny—the daughter she placed for adoption sixteen years ago. Penny is determined to forge a relationship with her birth mother, and in turn, Mika longs to be someone Penny is proud of. Faced with her own inadequacies, Mika embellishes a fact about her life. What starts as a tiny white lie slowly snowballs into a fully-fledged fake life, one where Mika is mature, put-together, successful in love and her career.
The details of Mika’s life might be an illusion, but everything she shares with curious, headstrong Penny is real: her hopes, dreams, flaws, and Japanese heritage. The harder-won heart belongs to Thomas Calvin, Penny’s adoptive widower father. What starts as a rocky, contentious relationship slowly blossoms into a friendship and, over time, something more. But can Mika really have it all—love, her daughter, the life she’s always wanted? Or will Mika’s deceptions ultimately catch up to her? In the end, Mika must face the truth—about herself, her family, and her past—and answer the question, just who is Mika in real life?
Book #3 I’m NOT Reading: The Babysitter {Sheryl Browne}
I actually DID start reading this book and read to page 83 before I called it quits. It was ok…and if I hadn’t bought THIS BOOK that I was so excited to start, I probably would have continued reading The Babysitter…
Goodreads Synopsis of The Babysitter {Sheryl Browne}:
You trust her with your family. Would you trust her with your life?
Mark and Melissa Cain are thrilled to have found Jade, a babysitter who is brilliant with their young children. Having seen her own house burn to the ground, Jade needs them as much as they need her. Moving Jade into the family home can only be a good thing, can’t it?
As Mark works long hours as a police officer and Melissa struggles with running a business, the family become ever more reliant on their babysitter, who is only too happy to help. And as Melissa begins to slip into depression, it’s Jade who is left picking up the pieces.
But Mark soon notices things aren’t quite as they seem. Things at home feel wrong, and as Mark begins to investigate their seemingly perfect sitter, what he discovers shocks him to his core. He’s met Jade before. And now he suspects he might know what she wants …
Mark is in a race against time to protect his family. But what will he find as he goes back to his family home?
Book #4 I’m NOT Reading: The Second Wife {Sheryl Browne}
Goodreads Synopsis of The Second Wife {Sheryl Browne}:
She made her bed. You’ll lie in it.
Rebecca and Nicole swore to be best friends forever. But three years after they last met up, Rebecca receives a phone call from Nicole’s devoted husband, Richard. Nicole is dead, a tragic suicide. Drowned in a river close to her family home, Richard was the one who pulled her body from the water. Now he can’t even speak about what happened.
While Rebecca reels from the news, she reads her friend’s last letters to her and begins to wonder if she knew Nicole at all. What secrets was she keeping from all the people who knew and loved her?
As Rebecca gets closer and closer to Richard, things go too far and she begins to slip into Nicole’s old life – staying in her home, sleeping in her bed… But if she’s going to become the wife Nicole never was, can she keep herself safe?
Book #5 I’m NOT Reading: The Book Haters Book Club {Gretchen Anthony}
Goodreads Synopsis of The Book Haters’ Book Club {Gretchen Anthony}:
All it takes is the right book to turn a Book Hater into a Book Lover…
That was Elliott’s belief and the reason why he started The Book Haters’ Book Club—a newsletter of reading recommendations for the self-proclaimed “nonreader.” As the beloved co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookstore, Elliott’s passion and gift was recommending books to customers. Now, after his sudden death, his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell Over the Rainbow to a developer who will turn the cozy bookstore into high-rise condos.
But others won’t give up the bookstore without a fight. When Irma breaks the news to her daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliott’s romantic partner, Thom, they are aghast. Over the Rainbow has been Bree and Laney’s sanctuary since childhood, and Thom would do anything to preserve Elliott’s legacy. Together, Thom, Bree and Laney conspire to save the bookstore, even if it takes some snooping, gossip and minor sabotage.
Filled with humor, family hijinks and actual reading recommendations, The Book Haters’ Book Club is the ideal feel-good read. It’s a celebration of found family and a love letter to the everyday heroes who run bookstores.
Book #6 I’m NOT Reading: Eden’s Children {V.C. Andrews}
Goodreads Synopsis of Eden’s Children {V.C. Andrews}:
Mother doesn’t always know best in this atmospheric and twisty novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Flowers in the Attic series and Landry series—now popular Lifetime movies.
When former teacher Paula Eden adopts Faith and Trevor, she is astounded by their natural intelligence and decides to homeschool them to nurture their brilliance. But as the years go on, Faith and Trevor itch for more independence.
When Faith sets her sights on a handsome young man visiting from out of town, Paula grows increasingly desperate to preserve her small family and her plans for the children to carry on her legacy. Luckily, she has a cohort in loyal Trevor, who will do anything to please his mother, even at the risk of hurting his sister and potentially changing their lives forever.
Book #7 I’m NOT Reading: Faking Reality {Sara Fujimura}
Goodreads Synopsis of Faking Reality {Sara Fujimura}:
Dakota McDonald swore after “The Great Homecoming Disaster” that she’d never allow her romantic life to be a plot line in her parents’ HGTV show again. But when the restaurant run by the family of her best friend (and secret crush), Leo, is on the line, Dakota might end up eating her own words.
Leo Matsuda dreams of escaping his small town Arizona life and the suffocating demands of working in his family’s restaurant, but the closer he gets to his goal—thanks to the help of his best friend (and secret crush) Dakota—the more reasons there are for him to stay.
Have you read any of these books? Which look interesting to you? 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
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)*
*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.*
2 Books I Recently Stopped Reading Without Finishing…
My favorite holiday scent is still going strong over here!
Ugh so I’ve started reading 2 seperate books over the past 2 weeks….aaaaand I’ve put both down without finishing. I HATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS!
To quote myself (I say this alll the time): “life is too short to read books you’re just not enjoying”. I just wasn’t ENJOYING these. They were both…fine! Just not enough to make me excited to pick them up each day (which is always the sign for me that it’s time to move on). Sometimes books like this are ok to read and push through in hopes that they will turn around but sometimes…you just need for books to grab you right from the start. Neither of these were “grabby” enough for me (well THAT certainly sounds dirty…Happy Valentine’s Day, lol).
Book I Stopped Reading Without Finishing #1:
The Bookshop of Second Chances {Jackie Fraser}
Goodreads Synopsis of The Bookshop of Second Chances {Jackie Fraser}:
Thea Mottram is having a bad month. Her husband of nearly twenty years has just left her for one of her friends, and she is let go from her office job–on Valentine’s Day, of all days. Bewildered and completely lost, Thea doesn’t know what to do. But when she learns that a distant great uncle in Scotland has passed away, leaving her his home and a hefty antique book collection, she decides to leave Sussex for a few weeks. Escaping to a small coastal town where no one knows her seems to be exactly what she needs.
Almost instantly, Thea becomes enamored with the quaint cottage, comforted by its cozy rooms and shaggy, tulip-covered lawn. The locals in nearby Baldochrie are just as warm, quirky, and inviting. The only person she can’t seem to win over is bookshop owner Edward Maltravers, to whom she hopes to sell her uncle’s antique novel collection. His gruff attitude–fueled by an infamous, long-standing feud with his brother, a local lord–tests Thea’s patience. But bickering with Edward proves oddly refreshing and exciting, leading Thea to develop feelings she hasn’t felt in a long time. As she follows a thrilling yet terrifying impulse to stay in Scotland indefinitely, Thea realizes that her new life may quickly become just as complicated as the one she was running from.
Book I Stopped Reading Without Finishing #2:
Nora Goes Off Script {Annabel Monaghan}
Goodreads Synopsis of Nora Goes Off Script {Annabel Monaghan}:
Nora Hamilton knows the formula for love better than anyone. As a romance channel screenwriter, it’s her job. But when her too-good-to work husband leaves her and their two kids, Nora turns her marriage’s collapse into cash and writes the best script of her life. No one is more surprised than her when it’s picked up for the big screen and set to film on location at her 100-year-old-home. When former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, is cast as her ne’er do well husband Nora’s life will never be the same.
The morning after shooting wraps and the crew leaves, Nora finds Leo on her porch with a half-empty bottle of tequila and a proposition. He’ll pay a thousand dollars a day to stay for a week. The extra seven grand would give Nora breathing room, but it’s the need in his eyes that makes her say yes. Seven days: it’s the blink of an eye or an eternity depending on how you look at it. Enough time to fall in love. Enough time to break your heart.
Filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, Nora Goes Off Script is the best kind of love story–the real kind where love is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. For Nora and Leo, this kind of love is bigger than the big screen.
Soooo there you go. Although it does hurt my heart to put down books I’m not enjoying, I always do it! Moving on! I am well aware that there are people who feel that they must finish all books they start…I am quite CLEARLY not one of those people 😉
Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!
Have you read either of these books? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
Obvi these books weren’t doing it for me…but you might love them! Click the images below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo
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)*
*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.*
Audiobook Review: The Surrogate Mother {Freida McFadden}
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope your day was spent with those you love!
Selfie on the way to a delicious Valentine’s dinner with my husband last night 🙂
A librarian I follow on Instagram recently read this book and the synopsis had me instantly intrigued. Sounded so good! A few weeks ago when I decided that it was time for me to choose a new audiobook to listen to, this was the first title that came to mind.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Goodreads Synopsis of The Surrogate Mother {Freida McFadden}:
Abby wants a baby more than anything.
But after years of failed infertility treatments and adoptions that have fallen through, it seems like motherhood is not in her future. That is, until her personal assistant Monica makes a generous offer that will make all of Abby’s dreams come true.
Or all of her nightmares.
Because it turns out Monica isn’t who she says she is. The woman now carrying Abby’s child has dark, twisted secrets.
And she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
My Audiobook Review of The Surrogate Mother {Freida McFadden}:
Awesome audiobook choice! Lots of twists. Totally held my interest from the very beginning and I really enjoyed seeing how everything came together in the end.
I had lots of predictions…all wrong. I love when that happens!
I would definitely recommend this one and I can’t wait to read (or listen to) more by Freida McFadden as this was my first! I really loved her writing style, had me instantly hooked from the very beginning.
Book Coffee Happy Epilogue:
It was great!
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
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)*
*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.*
Long Time No Blog and a Book Review: The Maid {Nita Prose}
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I took a break from blogging, posting, etc. to be with my family following the death of my husband’s wonderful grandmother. It’s been a horrible time and for the first time ever, I found myself using a book at night to completely escape from what was going on in my life. I’ve never done that before! I’m very fortunate that I live a life that I never want or need an escape from but these past few weeks have weighed so heavily on my heart.
I turned to this book each night over the past 2 weeks for a little bit of peace. I allowed myself to completely get lost in the story after some really long and heartbreaking days in my real life. This book has received some pretty major HYPE and I was curious to find out if it’s worthy…
I had asked on Instagram back at the beginning of the month if you have read this one and if so, what you thought.
Goodreads Synopsis of The Maid {Nita Prose}:
Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.
Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.
But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?
A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.
My Review of The Maid {Nita Prose}:
Eh.
So the parts of this book that I like the most had absolutely nothing to do with the mystery. I loved learning about the different characters and the relationships that they formed with each other. In fact, the parts of this book that I liked the LEAST were the parts about the mystery!
I don’t think straight up mysteries are for me. I LOVE psychological thrillers but “who done it” mysteries? Eh. At times I was bored. Obviously psychological thrillers have an element of mystery to them, but it’s the THRILLER element that keeps me intrigued. Without that thriller component, this one just didn’t keep me as entertained. I could easily put this one down in between reading sessions. A good psychological thriller literally CANNOT be put down!
Would I recommend this book? Oh absolutely…if mysteries are your thing.
Loved the characters and loved the relationships between them…but I didn’t love the mystery.
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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I love when Book Coffee Happy can participate in WWW! The Three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?
I was so fortunate to receive a copy of Kelly Vincent’s Ugly a few months ago and I’ve been so looking forward to reading it! Be on the lookout for a blog giveaway of this gem coming soon…
Goodreads Synopsis of Ugly {Kelly Vincent}:
Sophomore Nic Summers tries to ignore the taunts of “ugly lesbian.”
Because she’s not sure they’re entirely wrong. But she also has bigger concerns for now, including prepping for the school’s art contest. And while she isn’t certain of her sexuality, she does know her life is on the verge of falling apart when her best and only friend, Sam, drops the bomb that her family’s moving to Scotland. Together, to soften the blow and distract themselves from the inevitable, they start Operation Social Interaction for Nic—or OSIN for short—to try to find her some new friends.
But it’s an uphill battle for the introverted teen artist.
As Sam’s last day nears, Nic’s self-confidence wavers even more, and she starts questioning everything. If lesbian doesn’t feel quite right, maybe she’s transgender? It isn’t until she stumbles across the label “gender nonconforming” that things start to make a little more sense, and fall into place. But finding the right label doesn’t really tell her what to do next, and before she knows it, Sam is gone.
Mustering all her resources, Nic realizes she needs to find her own path and live her own truth.
What Did You Recently Finish Reading?
All I Want for Christmas {Maggie Knox}
On 12/26 I put a poll on Instagram asking if my next read should be a holiday read or if it was time to move on. 61% of you told me that it was time to move on! After lots of consideration, I decided that I just wasn’t ready to move on juuuuuust yet and decided to squeeze in 1 more holiday book before calling it quits!
I will post my full review during Blogmas 2023 (!!) but here’s a quick, 3 word summary for now: It was adorable 🙂
Goodreads Synopsis of All I Want for Christmas {Maggie Knox}:
When Sadie and Max are selected as contestants on the famed reality singing show Starmaker, each thinks they’ve finally gotten their big Nashville break. But then they’re paired up for duet week and stun the world with their romantic onstage chemistry. With fans going wild for #Saxie the network demands that they remain a duo on and offstage, or exit the competition. Faking a relationship until their final performance in the Starmaker holiday special shouldn’t be too hard, except for one small problem–Sadie and Max can’t stand each other.
But with their dreams just within reach, they agree to the ruse. Will their fake relationship be exposed before they can win? Or will an unexpected trip to Banff spark real feelings by the Christmas finale?
What Do You Think You’ll Read Next?
The Maid {Nita Prose}
Time to find out what all the hype is about.
Goodreads Synopsis of The Maid {Nita Prose}:
Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.
Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.
But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?
A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.
Have you read any of these 3 books? What did you think (no spoilers)? What are you currently reading? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!
Xo,
Jenny
Click on the images below to order through my Amazon links. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo
Thank you so much for reading Book Coffee Happy! Spend some time searching through old blog posts, I have been blogging since 2018 and I’ve read a LOT of books 🙂
Book Coffee Happy’s 13 most viewed posts of 2022 can be found HERE
My Favorite Posts that I wrote in 2022 can be found HERE
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It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads.
Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?
My Review of Instamom {Chantel Guertin}:
It was…good. Not great but good!
As someone who LOVES Instagram and follows tons of influencers, I loved the premise of this story and a behind the scenes look at how these people live their lives. Definately my favorite parts of the book were the parts where Kit would discuss her influencer status and all that it entails to be successful.
That being said, I didn’t enjoy the relationship between Kit and Will. In fact, it was so forgettable that I just had to pick up the book to even remember Will’s name, lol. I found their relationship completely unbelievable and I never felt whatever spark they claimed that they had. Eh.
The overall message of the book was a good one although I disliked so many of the characters that the delivery just wasn’t there for me. I found myself struggling to finish the book and never wanting to pick it up although it was an easy read!
Eh…if you’re looking for a light, easy book this one is ok although honestly, I’d probably just skip it.
Bottom Line:
Eh.
Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Clearly this wasn’t my favorite book but you might love it! Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo
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Book Coffee Happy 