Tag: what to read next

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

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

Happy Hanukkah from my husband and I!

I LOVE looking back at my blog’s analytics at the end of each year to see what posts were read the most. As usual, some of these are expected and some are…NOT?? 

*An interesting thing to note is that the post I wrote back in 2021 that went viral very quickly was NOT one of Book Coffee Happy’s top viewed posts in 2023! You can read about that post and it’s fun viral journey HERE :)*

I know there are still over 2 weeks left of 2023 but I’m calling it…close enough to 12/31. As of today, here are Book Coffee Happy’s most viewed posts of 2023 (in order starting with the 13th most viewed post down to the #1 most viewed post!

Book Coffee Happy’s 13 Most Viewed Posts of 2023

13. Book Review (Unpopular Opinion): In My Dreams I Hold A Knife {Ashley Winstead} Maybe because my opinion on this book was so vastly different from everyone else’s?

12. Blogmas 2022: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2022 Obviously this was a super popular post! I’m currently in the process of working on my 2023 post with the best books I’ve read THIS year! Stay tuned…

11. One of the Best Books I’ve Ever Read With a title like that, I’m not surprised that this post continues to be a popular one. READ THIS BOOK.

10. Book Review: The Loyal Wife {Natalie Barelli} Like…I barely remember this book…WHY is this post so popular? Random.

9. 5 Reasons Why I Hated The Golden Couple {Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen} Again, maybe because my opinion on this book is so different than everyone else’s?

8. Book Review: Before We Were Yours {Lisa Wingate} Another one where I’m not entirely sure why this post is so popular? Random.

7. Book Review (Unpopular Opinion): Then She Was Gone {Lisa Jewell} Oh dear another unpopular opinion. When I disagree with the masses my blog rankings seem to soar, lol.

6. Book Reviews: Winter Series (Winter Street, Winter Stroll, Winter Storms, Winter Solstice) {Elin Hilderbrand} When Elin Hilderbrand posts an Instastory and tags you, it’s not a surprise that people wanted to then visit this post where I wrote about some of her books!

5. Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover} Clearly just including the words “Colleen” and “Hoover” in a blog post title will automatically make people want to read it.

4. Book Review: Things We Never Got Over {Lucy Score} This post is a popular one because I talked about this book (and it’s stupid sequel) so many times over the past year!

3. **DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK** Book Review: Tampa {Alissa Nutting} Oh lord this post. People continue to be so NASTY and MEAN in the comments. Just last night someone posted 3 mean comments on this 4 year old post. For the record, I absolutely stand by every word that I wrote.

2. Why I Stopped Reading The House in the Cerulean Sea {TJ Klune}…But You Shouldn’t! Eh people love this book…I did not.

AAAAAND for the 4th year in a row…Book Coffee Happy’s #1 most viewed post:

1. Why I Stopped Reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo {Taylor Jenkins Reid}…But You Shouldn’t! This post has now been viewed over 61,000 times (whaaaat???) and continues to be the highest ranked post I’ve ever written…???

I hope you have loved reading these posts! I have loved writing them and I can’t wait to write so many more! As always, thank you so much for your support of Book Coffee Happy 🙂

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}

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)

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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

Blogmas 2023: Disney World Trumps Blogmas!

Blogmas 2023: Disney World Trumps Blogmas!

Disney World!!

In what will forever go down as my very best birthday present of all time, my husband surprised me and our kids with a trip to DISNEY WORLD over Christmas! The kids and I have been DYING to get back to Disney World since the day we left back in 2019 and this could not be more exciting for us (to say Jon isn’t a Disney fan is putting it lightly…which makes this gift even more special). We will be spending a few days in Disney and then a few days in Daytona Beach to relax after the hustle and bustle of Disney during the holidays!

New Blogmas Plans

We are leaving bright and early on 12/22 which means Blogmas will now officially end on 12/21! Only a few days short of when it was supposed to end.

Easiest decision: Disney World trumps Blogmas all day every day.

While I won’t be blogging while we are on our trip, I WILL be posting Instastories so make sure you are following Book Coffee Happy on Insta!

Dole Whip!!

New Reading Plans

Other than Blogmas ending a few days early, this trip has also made me switch around my reading plans for December! I finished reading Christmas by the Book a few days ago (review coming asap) and was all set to go straight back to Addison (aka one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE winter/holiday book series)…but once I learned that I’d be on an airplane in just a few short weeks, I could not think of a more perfect way to spend a flight! So I started reading The Twelve Dates of Christmas (you can read how I made that decision to read that particular book HERE) and I’ll be saving my 2 special winter novels to bring with me to Disney. I highly doubt that I will have the time to finish The Twelve Dates of Christmas before we leave (researching and planning a Disney trip is legit a full time job even WITH the amazing help from a Disney travel agent). I’m assuming that book will also be thrown in my carry on bag 🙂 I’ll also pack a few other books as well…titles to be determined!

The last time I went to Disney I brought SO MANY BOOKS with me and literally never opened any of them except for the flights so we shall see how this goes, lol. However, we ARE going to Daytona Beach after Disney this time so I’m thinking I will definitely have some reading time there (especially on the day when my husband takes the kids on a fishing excursion and I want nothing to do with that).

Remember when I came home from Disney in 2019 and made an hour long video with all of the tips and tricks I learned when I was there?? I need to rewatch that video asap!

We will be at Epcot on Christmas Day this year!!

Do you have any tips or tricks of your own for Disney World?? Please leave them in the comments below!!

Countdown to Disney is officially on: 11 DAYS!!!

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}

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)*

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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

Blogmas 2023: Random Bookish Things

Blogmas 2023: Random Bookish Things

3 things that I should have bought on Black Friday at Barnes and Noble but didn’t:

Love.
Zoom in: It’s Barnes and Noble!!!
Drink coasters shaped like books!

The 2 library holiday books that I still have not read (although I’m hopefully starting one of them tonight after I finish reading the last 20 pages of Christmas by the Book…my Blogmas post tomorrow will tell you which one I’m starting and the special reason why I chose it…or should I say…it chose me…)

Gorgeous tote bag at Paper Source (not book related but so gorgeous):

My son asked me for a pencil while in my car last week. After I searched my entire glove compartment (no pencil), I DID find a ridiculous amount of pens, a ridiculous amount of tampons, a ridiculous amount of Splenda packets, and…a working book light. I totally forgot that I had put this in here months ago for when I want to read in my car and it’s too dark outside! I’ve been bringing my book light that I keep in my nightstand with me in these situations…no more!

Happy 1st Night of Hanukkah to all who celebrate!!!

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}

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!*

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Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

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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!*

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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

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)

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*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

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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

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…

*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)*

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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

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…

*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.*

*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

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)*

*Follow me on Twitter*

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BOOK GIVEAWAY (Open to International Readers): Typecast {Andrea J. Stein}

Book Giveaway (Open to International Readers): Typecast {Andrea J. Stein}

Ahhhh I’m SO excited to be able to share this gem with you today! I absolutely loved this book and I so highly recommend it…

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.

My Thoughts on Typecast {Andrea J. Stein} :

Absolutely loved it.

These characters and their relationships with each other were so detailed and wonderfully written. To see those relationships (and their perspectives) change over time was so interesting to read! I loved the dual timelines as they were able to come together to eventually tell the whole story. I had some pretty strong predictions very early on as to where this story was going to go and I am happy to report that I was WRONG! I absolutely love when that happens….when a book can go in a completely different direction than the reader was thinking that it would.

The writing in this book was great and so easy to follow…I often read more in one sitting that I was intending to because I was so into the storylines! A sign of a wonderful book! What a fantastic debut novel she has written.

The character development was GREAT. I felt like I really “knew” these people! It was hard to “say good-bye” to them when I finished reading this book. I would so love for there to be a sequel…??

A Conversation With Andrea J. Stein, in Her Own Words:

What inspired you to write Typecast?

The story was inspired when I heard about a guy who made a short film about his college girlfriend, ten years after graduation.  It got me wondering how that girlfriend would feel if she knew she was the subject of a film so many years later.  From there, I started thinking about who that woman would be – would she be single or married?  Why did the college relationship end?  That was how Typecast was born.

What was the most fun part of writing Typecast?

That’s a tough question!  I had fun getting to know my characters, and I definitely enjoyed spooling out the romance part of the story.  I also had fun writing the children in the book – some of whose remarks just may have come from my own kids! 

Without giving away spoilers, what are some takeaway messages that you hope readers will gain from reading Typecast?

One big message is about forgiveness – and especially self-forgiveness.  It’s so important to recognize, and truly internalize, that the choices you made in the past were probably the best ones you could make at the time – with the information you had, and who you were as a person.   

Where can your book be purchased? 

Like they say, anywhere books are sold.  It’s available at all online booksellers, and any brick-and-mortar bookstore can order it for you if they don’t already have it on their shelves.

Any additional information that you would like to provide about you or your book:

Bringing my debut novel into the world was an amazing experience, and I have so much gratitude for all my readers.  Stay tuned for my next novel!

Book Giveaway (Signed Copy):

***GIVEAWAY DETAILS***

Open to US followers as well as International followers

Would you like to win a signed copy of Typecast? I have a signed copy to give away!  If you are a US resident, your signed book will be mailed directly to you. If you are an international follower, an ebook will be emailed to you.

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 Wednesday (10/4/23) at 6:00 pm CDT and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced here on my blog on Friday (10/6/23).

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

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

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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Book Review: The Soulmate {Sally Hepworth}

Book Review: The Soulmate {Sally Hepworth}

Goodreads Synopsis of The Soulmate {Sally Hepworth}:

There’s a cottage on a cliff. Gabe and Pippa’s dream home in a sleepy coastal town. But their perfect house hides something sinister. The tall cliffs have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Night after night Gabe comes to their rescue, literally talking them off the ledge. Until he doesn’t.

When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral…Did the victim jump? Was she pushed?

And would Gabe, the love of Pippa’s life, her soulmate…lie? As the perfect facade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel.

My Review of The Soulmate {Sally Hepworth}:

Eh.

I couldn’t connect to ANY of the characters at ANY time of this book which made it hard to care what happened to any of them.

While I found the bits about their marriages interesting, I absolutely hated the bits about the businesses, investors, etc. Unfortunately, this was a major part of the book!

AND there was one pretty big storyline that was never really explained…I waited the entire book to find out more about it! I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t go into detail but I can’t imagine I’m the only reader who wanted more storyline about this…

There WAS a twist that I did NOT see coming which is always fun but overall? Eh.

The best part of this book were the insanely short chapters…some were 1 or 2 pages long! I love that so much, I flew through this book. I really do wish every book could be written in short chapters such as this.

2 Sally Hepworth books that are worth reading over The Soulmate: THIS ONE and THIS ONE.

Book Coffee Happy Epilogue:

She’s written better books.

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)*

*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.*

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Click HERE for the 13 best books I read in 2022

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