Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}

Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goodreads Synopsis of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}:

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

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

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

My Review of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}

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

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

Bottom Line:

I never wanted this book to end.

Goodreads Synopsis of Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}:

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

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

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

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

My Review of Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}:

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

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

A few points to note:

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

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

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

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

Bottom Line

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

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

Xo,

Jenny

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The First Book I Put Down Without Finishing in 2022

The First Book I Put Down Without Finishing in 2022

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I’ve been on such a GREAT reading streak…since…NOVEMBER! I’ve read some amaaaaazing books over the past few months!

A few weeks ago I asked which of these books should be my next read:

I even created an Instagram poll asking for your thoughts which yielded a completely inconclusive result….so…I was forced to make the decision on my own.

Aaaaaaaand I made the wrong choice.

The First Book I Put Down Without Finishing in 2022:

Goodreads Synopsis of Tweet Cute {Emma Lord}:

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

This book is…fine. Eh. Felt like a YA novel. Yes, it IS a YA novel but the best YA novels don’t FEEL like Ya novels. Does that make sense? This book is written for teenagers. As all YA novels are! However, I think a good YA novel can and should appeal to adults as well. This one did not.

It wasn’t bad, it was just…boring. So boring. And unrealistic. So unrealistic.

130 pages in and…I’m over it. Moving on.

Good bye wonderful reading streak. I have loved you so! The CUTEST holiday book series, Nanny Needed, The Last Chance Library, My Darling Husband, and a few more wonderful books with blog reviews coming soon!

So what am I reading next?

Obvi.

Goodreads Synopsis of Instamom {Chantel Guertin}:

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?

Fingers crossed I love it!

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

Have you read either of these books? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below (absolutely no spoilers please)!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

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

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My 2nd Audiobook…Which Book Did I Select?

My 2nd Audiobook…Which Book Did I Select?

FAVORITE SEASON! FAVORITE WEATHER!
Snow Happy ❄️

I have been on the library waitlist for this one for WEEKS and my name doesn’t appear to be moving up anytime soon. My new hobby is proving yet again that audiobooks can be SO much easier to get a hold of (although you really aren’t holding anything? I digress.). As soon as I finished listening to my last audiobook, I immediately started the search for my next audiobook. I typed in the title of this one and…IT. WAS. THERE. Just waiting for me to download. It took 5 seconds. Audible FOR THE WIN.

My 2nd Audiobook:

Goodreads Synopsis of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}:

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

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

I will post my thoughts as soon as I finish listening! Have you read this one? I’d love to hear your thoughts but ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS PLEASE!

Mia and Nattie: One Great Team Giveaway Winners Video:

Thank you so much to everyone who entered! I hope you are having a wonderful day and are reading (or listening) to a wonderful book!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

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

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Book Review: My Darling Husband {Kimberly Belle}

Book Review: My Darling Husband {Kimberly Belle}

When I was choosing my first audiobook (more about that HERE), so many from my TBR came to mind. However, when I saw that I could listen to My Darling Husband over a MONTH before it’s book release date…DONE.

Goodreads Synopsis of My Darling Husband {Kimberly Belle}:

Jade and Cam Lasky are by all accounts a happily married couple with two adorable kids, a spacious home and a rapidly growing restaurant business. But their world is tipped upside down when Jade is confronted by a masked home invader. As Cam scrambles to gather the ransom money, Jade starts to wonder if they’re as financially secure as their lifestyle suggests, and what other secrets her husband is keeping from her.

Cam may be a good father, a celebrity chef and a darling husband, but there’s another side he’s kept hidden from Jade that has put their family in danger. Unbeknownst to Cam and Jade, the home invader has been watching them and is about to turn their family secrets into a public scandal.

My Review of My Darling Husband {Kimberly Belle}:

I. LOVED. IT.

I was allllll in and couldn’t get enough of this awesome plot.

So I only have 2 things that I DIDN’T like about this book (audiobook):

1. I figured out almost all of the major plot twists very early on and I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS. I kept thinking that I had to be wrong because so many of them seemed so obvious….but nope. Right on the money. UGH.

2. The son’s actions and way of speaking made him seem significantly younger than he was. This bothered me throughout the entire book.

Aside from these 2 imperfections, this book (audiobook) was GREAT! It takes place over the course of 1 day so this made it a PERFECT first audiobook listen for me. It was so easy to pick up again after leaving off knowing it was still the same day. I would have to assume listening to an audiobook that takes place over a larger span of time wouldn’t be as easy to follow…am I wrong?

I really loved this one and listened whenever I got the chance. One of the most surprising places I found myself listening was very late in bed one night! I knew I only had about 20 minutes left in the audiobook so I put in my earbuds, closed my eyes, and let someone read me a bedtime story! It was great…but…the ending of this book was so intense that I couldn’t fall asleep for HOURS after I finished listening. Not so much a peaceful bedtime story. Oops.

Clearly I don’t have anything to compare it to but I really loved the voices on the audiobook, especially Jade’s. Her voice was perfect 🙂

If you have never listened to an audiobook, I highly suggest starting with this one for the pure fact that the entire book takes place over the course of 1 single day. So easy to follow while listening.

Bottom Line:

Absolutely LOVED it.

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

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

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

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It’s a Beautiful Weekend to Read a Good Book

It’s a Beautiful Weekend to Read a Good Book

Unbeknownst to me, there was a car waiting for me to finish taking this selfie because I was standing in the very middle of the road. Oops. I hope the man was entertained watching me do this although I’m pretty sure he was not. Also, I took this picture a few days ago and it makes me happy that my local Dunkin’ is still using holiday cups.

Hello!

I’m currently reading an advance reader’s copy of this gem:

It’s official publishing date is set for March but I was luckily enough to have been sent an early copy! I’ve been reading this book nonstop for the past few days. I’ll post my full review once I finish reading but for now I’ll just say this: PREORDER YOURSELF A COPY TODAY (preorder link at the bottom of this post).

How is the weather where you are? Here in Chicago it is COLD, snowy, and beautiful :). A perfect weekend to curl up with a good book while enjoying the freezing temperatures from INSIDE. This candle has been burning strong all weekend over here and my house smells so amazing:

It’s DELICIOUS. Highly recommend! I posted this on Instagram yesterday:

I spy Woman on Fire AND the Strawberry Pound Cake candle, lol!

After I finish reading Woman on Fire, I’ll be starting one of these 2 books. I can’t decide which! If you have read either of these books (or even if you haven’t!), please let me know which you think I should read next (NO SPOILERS)!

Book #1: Tweet Cute {Emma Lord}:

Goodreads Synopsis of Tweet Cute {Emma Lord}:

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

Book #2: Instamom {Chantel Guertin}:

Goodreads Synopsis of Instamom {Chantel Guertin}:

In this #funny, #wise, #emotionally compelling look at modern love and finding your true path, a proudly kid-free influencer meets the ultimate #dealbreaker . . .

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?

Don’t both of these books sound so cute? Which one should I read next????? Hellllllllp!

What are you currently reading? What do you think you will read next?

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend filled with love and BOOKS!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order these books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

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

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. SO. MUCH.

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. SO. MUCH.

My daughter bought the most delicious smelling candle and it’s burning as I type up this post! It smells amaaaazing in here!

When I checked this book out of the library, I had never heard of it. I’m SO GLAD I randomly stumbled upon this gem on a shelf! I love this book so, SO very much and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. You’ll love it, too 🙂

Goodreads Synopsis of The Last Chance Library {Freya Sampson}:

June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.

Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer’s feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won’t believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she’s determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.

My Review of The Last Chance Library {Freya Sampson}:

As you are well aware, I am a HUGE fan of libraries. A book all about saving a library? Ummm yes please!

I loved every single word of this book. What a BEAUTIFULLY written story! If you are a book lover (which if you are reading this blog one would assume that you are) this book is a MUST READ.

The characters were delightful….the whole book was delightful! I smiled, I laughed, I cried. I absolutely loved it. Such a beautiful story. I finished reading yesterday and I have not stopped thinking about this book since. I simply cannot recommend this one highly enough. It’s perfect.

Bottom Line:

If you love libraries, you will LOVE this special book.

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

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

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

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE

Book I’m Currently Reading (Amazing), Book I Recently Read (Perfection), Book I’m Reading Next (SO EXCITED)

Book I’m Currently Reading (Amazing), Book I Recently Read (Perfection), Book I’m Reading Next (SO EXCITED)

This was on the cover of a recent issue of *Jewish Chicago (JUF Magazine)*. How gorgeous is this?!

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?

Thanks so much to Sam from Taking on a World of Words for hosting this fun weekly post!

What Are You Currently Reading?

I’ll post my review once I finish reading!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Last Chance Library {Freya Sampson}:

What Did You Recently Finish Reading?

Do you remember when I bought this book from the most adorable little independent bookstore in Door County, WI? I recently finished reading this GEM and I can’t wait to share all of my thoughts with you! I’ll be guest blogging on Chick Lit Central at the end of the month where Melissa Amster and I will be sharing our thoughts on this one AND we will also be hosting a giveaway for it as well! Stay tuned for details…

Goodreads Synopsis of The Charm Offensive {Alison Cochrun}:

Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.

Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.

As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

What Will You Read Next?

Ahhhh I’ve had my advanced reader’s copy of Lisa Barr’s newest book for MONTHS! I’ve been saving it to read and review closer to it’s publication date and seeing as that date is 3/1…the time for me to read this one is NOW! I’m so excited, I absolutely loved The Unbreakables (you can read my review of that amazing book HERE). I can’t wait to dig into her newest ASAP!

Goodreads Synopsis of Woman on Fire {Lisa Barr}:

From the author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables, a gripping tale of a young, ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art art scandal centered around a Nazi-looted masterpiece–forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth.

After talking her way into a job with Dan Mansfield, the leading investigative reporter in Chicago, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual–and very secret–assignment. Dan needs her to locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier: legendary Expressionist artist Ernst Engel’s most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a beautiful, mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, and has enlisted Dan’s help to find it. But Jules doesn’t have much time; the famous designer is dying.

Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family’s millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet the passionate and determined Jules has unexpected resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson. A recovering addict and brilliant artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux’s clutches. He knows how ruthless she is, and he’ll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux gets to it first.

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

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!

Xo,

Jenny

Click on the images below to order through my Amazon link (including the preorder link for Woman on Fire). When you order through these links, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

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

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

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE

3 Books I’m NOT Reading

3 Books I’m NOT Reading

I bought this little guy from a grocery store in Tennessee a little over a year ago. He makes me happy!

As you are very well aware by now, I hardly actually buy books. I am a minimalist at heart! While the thought of a gorgeous bookshelf filled with books does appeal to me, the clutter of those books that I probably will read one time and never again does not. However, I DO end up buying (or somehow acquiring) books sometimes and often I find them mounting and mounting without actually being read. I’m starting a new series called “Books I’m Not Reading” and this is the first installment! From time to time, I will select books from my shelf and show you the books I’m NOT reading, as opposed to my usual routine of showing you the books that I am 😉

These are 3 of books on my shelf that currently haunt me. They stare at me day after day and ESPECIALLY when I bring home new books. Ugh.

Here are just a few of the books from my shelf that I’m NOT reading.

Book I’m NOT Reading #1:

The Last Mrs. Parrish {Liv Constantine}

I’m honestly not sure why I’m not reading this one. Everyone loves it! I’ve heard it’s great! So…why aren’t I reading it??? Eh.

Goodreads Synopsis of The Last Mrs. Parrish {Liv Constantine}:

Amber Patterson is fed up. She’s tired of being a nobody: a plain, invisible woman who blends into the background. She deserves more—a life of money and power like the one blond-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish takes for granted.

To everyone in the exclusive town of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut, Daphne—a socialite and philanthropist—and her real-estate mogul husband, Jackson, are a couple straight out of a fairy tale.

Amber’s envy could eat her alive . . . if she didn’t have a plan. Amber uses Daphne’s compassion and caring to insinuate herself into the family’s life—the first step in a meticulous scheme to undermine her. Before long, Amber is Daphne’s closest confidante, traveling to Europe with the Parrishes and their lovely young daughters, and growing closer to Jackson. But a skeleton from her past may undermine everything that Amber has worked towards, and if it is discovered, her well-laid plan may fall to pieces.

With shocking turns and dark secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Last Mrs. Parrish is a fresh, juicy, and utterly addictive thriller from a diabolically imaginative talent.

Book I’m NOT Reading #2:

Lost and Found {Carolyn Parkhurst}

Ok I’ll be honest. I started reading this one about a year ago and after the first chapter, I just wasn’t hooked. However, I felt like I didn’t want to give up entirely so I put it right back from where I took it…my own shelf! I keep saying I’ll try again but then I never do. Have any of you read it? Should I?

Goodreads Synopsis of Lost and Found {Carolyn Parkhurst}:

A gentle satire on reality TV, as a mother and daughter face numerous challenges both on and off the show. As the game escalates, tensions mount, temptations beckon, and the bonds between teammates begin to fray. The question is not only who will capture the final prize, but at what cost?

What do a suburban mom and her troubled daughter, two recently divorced brothers, a pair of former child stars, born-again Christian newlyweds, and a couple of young millionaires have in common? They have all been selected to compete on Lost and Found, a daring new reality TV show. In teams of two, they will race across the globe – from Egypt to Japan, from Sweden to England – to battle for a million-dollar prize. They must decipher encrypted clues, recover mysterious artifacts, and outwit their opponents to stay in play.

What starts as a lark turns deadly serious as the number of players is whittled down, temptations beckon, and the bonds between partners strain and unravel. Before long the question is not only who will capture the final prize, but at what cost.

Book I’m NOT Reading #3:

Arranged Marriage {Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni}

I bought this book at the Printer’s Row Lit Fest before the world shut down waaaaaay back in 2019 (you can read all about that magical day HERE). I had SO MUCH FUN that day and promised myself to make it an annual tradition. Well, enter Covid….aaaaaaaaand I haven’t been back since. It was canceled in 2020 and although it did happen in 2021, I wasn’t quite ready for a crowded festival. FINGERS CROSSED I CAN GET BACK THERE IN 2022!!! For more information on the Printer’s Row Lit Fest, you can visit their website HERE. It’s an awesome event!

Goodreads Synopsis of Arranged Marriage {Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni}:

Although Chitra Divakaruni’s poetry has won praise and awards for many years, it is her prose that is quickly making her one of the brightest rising stars in the changing face of American literature. Arranged Marriage, her first collection of stories, spent five weeks on the San Francisco Chronicle bestseller list and garnered critical acclaim that would have been extraordinary for even a more established author.For the young girls and women brought to life in these stories, the possibility of change, of starting anew, is both as terrifying and filled with promise as the ocean that separates them from their homes in India. From the story of a young bride whose fairy-tale vision of California is shattered when her husband is murdered and she must face the future on her own, to a proud middle-aged divorced woman determined to succeed in San Francisco, Divakaruni’s award-winning poetry fuses here with prose for the first time to create eleven devastating portraits of women on the verge of an unforgettable transformation.

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

What books are currently on your bookshelf that you aren’t reading?

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

Xo,

Jenny

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Best First Line of a Book Ever!

How beautiful is this bookmark that one of my preschool students gave to me for the holidays? The little flower in the crystal ball is my favorite part. 🌸

I started reading a new book last night and to say that I absolutely LOVE the first line would be a serious understatement.

How incredibly TRUE is that?!?

That beauty of a first line belongs to this book:

Synopsis of The Last Chance Library {Freya Sampson}:

I’ll post my review once I finish reading!

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

What is the first line of the book you are currently reading? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

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

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

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Book Review: Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}

Book Review: Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}

Goodreads Synopsis of Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}:

Nanny needed. Discretion is of the utmost importance. Special conditions apply.

When Sarah Larsen finds the notice, posted on creamy card stock in her building’s lobby, one glance at the exclusive address tells her she’s found her ticket out of a dead-end job–and life.

At the interview, the job seems like a dream come true: a glamorous penthouse apartment on the Upper West Side of NYC; a salary that adds several zeroes to her current income; the beautiful, worldly mother of her charge, who feels more like a friend than a potential boss. She’s overjoyed when they offer her the position and signs the NDA without a second thought.

In retrospect, the notice in her lobby was less an engraved invitation than a waving red flag. For there is something very strange about the Bird family. Why does the beautiful Mrs. Bird never leave the apartment alone? And what happened to the nanny before her? It soon becomes clear that the Birds’ odd behaviors are more than the eccentricities of the wealthy.

But by then it’s too late for Sarah to seek help. After all, discretion is of the utmost importance.

My Review of Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}:

I loved it.

The chapters were short, the writing was great, the story was CREEPY. It held my interest from page 1 and I had absolutely no idea how it was all going to end. This is most definitely the type of book that you could read all in 1 sitting.

I finished reading this one this afternoon and I know that I will be thinking about it for days to come (most likely longer)! These characters! This crazy story!

Some twists I predicted, some I did not, and few loose ends weren’t explained BUT overall, I would recommend this book.

The psychological thriller genre has been one of my very favorites for years and it has been WAY too long since I’ve read one. Basically for all of November and December I read holiday books and then kicked off January by reading Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive (review AND GIVEAWAY coming ASAP! I’ll actually be guest blogging over on Chick Lit Central for this…stay tuned). I was MORE than ready to read a good psychological thriller and Nanny Needed did not disappoint! I love this genre so much!

Bottom Line:

A quick, easy to read CREEPY thriller.

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

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

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

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

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

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

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

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE