This book series is always way more fun to read than it should be. The Sisterhood is made up of a group of women who have been let down by the justiceThis book series is always way more fun to read than it should be. The Sisterhood is made up of a group of women who have been let down by the justice system and decided to take the matter into their own hands. This time it's leader Myra's turn for revenge and the women have to figure out how to get the prominent son of a Chinese diplomat back to the United States and make him pay for his crimes. The plot is entertaining, even if it's highly unfeasible, and the book itself was a great way to unwind after a long few weeks. ...more
Dolly is a newlywed in 1950, her husband moves her to Pine Rapids, where she instantly falls in love with a large house on tOh how I loved this book!
Dolly is a newlywed in 1950, her husband moves her to Pine Rapids, where she instantly falls in love with a large house on the hill. In her attempts to fit in she joins a sewing circle, conveniently located across the street from "her" house. The women in the sewing circle discuss the state of the house which was seemingly abandoned a few years earlier by the Mickelson family, and Dolly is enraptured by the tales of the family and the supposed curse on the house. Eventually as boredom and curiosity both set in she talks herself into going into the Mickelson house under the guise of cleaning it and checking in on it. When young JJ Mickelson returns to the house, Dolly gets caught up in her deceit and becomes more entangled with the Mickelson family story and more specifically JJ.
I did not want to put this book down. It was so enthralling. ...more
I loved the first "On The Island" book so it was nice to see TJ and Anna resurface in this one, however briefly. That being said it seems like the solI loved the first "On The Island" book so it was nice to see TJ and Anna resurface in this one, however briefly. That being said it seems like the sole purpose of this book was to clear up some of the plot gaps in that book (which didn't bother me when I read it). While that was fun, Owen just isn't as entertaining of a character as TJ and Anna were in the long run, which would possibly explain why this novel was so short. Overall a good fun book that you can finish in an hour or two. ...more
I loved the Jamie McGuire Maddox Brothers series, and had very high hopes for this one as well. While I still enjoyed it overall there were some definI loved the Jamie McGuire Maddox Brothers series, and had very high hopes for this one as well. While I still enjoyed it overall there were some definite problems, and had it been my first book by Ms. McGuire I probably would not have read more.
Darby leaves her abusive fiancee at the alter minutes after discovering she's pregnant with his baby (not sure why she choose that day to do the test but whatever). She makes her way to Colorado Springs, Colorado where she finds a job, lodging, and meets Trex, her instant love the very first day she arrives. If miracles like that annoy you, this is definitely not the book for you. There are also WAY too many characters mentioned that even reading the Maddox Brothers, and Beautiful Disaster series, I could not remember. And the timeline gets wonky from time to time.
All those negative things and I still liked the book (just not as much as previous McGuire outings). I could tell Jamie McGuire was challenging herself a bit as an author, which was nice. I do wish her editor had taken the same risks because it would have eliminated so many of the problems that I did have with the book, and kept the great parts intact and polished. ...more
This is a cute little book, that was perfect for summer reading, and romance lovers. Midwesterner Greta has recently graduated college, and is lookingThis is a cute little book, that was perfect for summer reading, and romance lovers. Midwesterner Greta has recently graduated college, and is looking for an internship to make her more desirable in the job market. Enter her famous 2nd cousin, CeCe, a celebrity socialite (ala Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton) who Greta has been following for years on social media, but has never met. A quick email and a few days later Greta has the internship she was looking for, and her own brush with fame, as she is now responsible for keeping CeCe on her strict schedule and making sure she doesn't tarnish her image.
Dalton comes from a well to do family, but has never quite achieved the satisfaction he wants from life. He goes undercover as a homeless man in New York City, trying to discover what needs the homeless population doesn't currently have been met. A few days into his experiment he runs into CeCe and Greta, and is invited to the "Forgotten Man Ball" that the two of them are required to attend. Sparks fly between Greta and Dalton but if either one finds out the truth about each other will their romance be doomed?
This was a very cute, fun read, thank you to the Goodreads giveaway program for the chance to read and review. ...more
Esther Doyle has never had what anyone would call an easy life. Her family lives hand to mouth in Ireland. When her mother gives birth to her youngestEsther Doyle has never had what anyone would call an easy life. Her family lives hand to mouth in Ireland. When her mother gives birth to her youngest sister, and her father dies shortly afterwards, Esther is often left in charge of running the household and carrying for her little sister with disabilities.
As she enters her late teens she falls in love with a man named Conor and gives in to the temptation of romance. She finds herself pregnant, around the same time as Conor ends their relationship. Her family is ashamed of her situation and she is sent off to a Magdalen house for the rest of her pregnancy. The author does a good job of describing the different women in the Magdalen house, and not only how they came to live there but their different reactions to their situation. Some fight, some become placid with acceptance and many, like Esther ache for what they've lost, yet try to just make it through the days. ...more
Six year old Ben is brought to the ER after surviving a tragedy that leaves everyone else in the home dead. Due to the trauma he doesn't remember anytSix year old Ben is brought to the ER after surviving a tragedy that leaves everyone else in the home dead. Due to the trauma he doesn't remember anything about what happened, or even who he is. Emergency room physician Lucy feels an instant connection to Ben and the two of them bond throughout the story. Across town nursing home resident Clare is about to turn 100 years old. How her story intersects with Lucy and Ben's is a little odd, and honestly one of my least favorite parts of the story. I would have rather the two stories have been told in separate novels. However the writing is beautiful, and the author does manage to keep both story lines going and the reader hooked. ...more
Laura and Casey were inseparable as children. Raised across the lake from each other, the two spent every moment they could together. Casey's mother ALaura and Casey were inseparable as children. Raised across the lake from each other, the two spent every moment they could together. Casey's mother Alex tries her hardest to make the girls popular and give them the childhood she herself never had and institutes weekly scavenger hunts all summer long. After terrible misunderstanding, that doesn't become clear until near the end of the book, the two girls haven't talked for 15 years. Alex tricks them into meeting up with one last scavenger hunt and trying to rekindle their friendship.
The book is at turns heartwarming and heartbreaking. I absolutely couldn't put it down, and so far it's one of my favorite goodreads wins of the year. ...more
This novel was fast paced, and easy to read. I really enjoyed the story, and my biggest complaint is that it could have been longer, and in some areasThis novel was fast paced, and easy to read. I really enjoyed the story, and my biggest complaint is that it could have been longer, and in some areas more detailed.
Lizzie is a fifteen year old virgin, when she sneaks off to a party with her best friend and is raped by three men. To make the situation even more horrific she becomes pregnant as a result of the rape. Since young, unmarried women weren't allowed to raise children alone she ran away from home rather than let child services step in and take her child away. With a combination of gumption and luck Lizzie makes it through the next few years and is able to watch those that tried to destroy her get their due. ...more
Vale and Crawford are in a car accident on the night of their graduation. They've been together since they were seven years old, and as Crawford languVale and Crawford are in a car accident on the night of their graduation. They've been together since they were seven years old, and as Crawford languishes in a coma, Vale parks herself outside of his hospital room waiting for him to wake up. While camped out in the waiting room she meets Slate, her brother's fraternity brother, who is there visiting the dying uncle who raised him. The two of them bond, maybe more than Vale would like, as she struggles to try and move forward while waiting for Crawford to wake up and continue the life they had planned together.
Then there is a twist... and it kind of sucks. Enough to take a five star book to a four star one, because it made it feel as though the author didn't appreciate her reader enough to finish the story line she started.
All in all it was a fun read from goodreads giveaways, but I was ticked at the twist and felt that from that point on the story was rushed. ...more
Lou Hansen has just graduated with honors from Columbia University and moved back in with her parents. She has a list of goals that she believes will Lou Hansen has just graduated with honors from Columbia University and moved back in with her parents. She has a list of goals that she believes will get her future off to a great start, if she can only shake her overbearing mother and get them accomplished.
The book is told in various sections of emails, text messages, lists, and regular novel format. It starts off funny and quirky but after awhile it started to grate on my nerves. There seemed to be little growth from Lou, and the novel seemed more like a book version of Groundhog day than anything else.
Thank you goodreads giveaways for the opportunity to read this book. ...more
This book starts slow because it tries to be too many things. Around 100 pages in it evens out and the plot becomes more centralized and intriguing. TThis book starts slow because it tries to be too many things. Around 100 pages in it evens out and the plot becomes more centralized and intriguing. Trixie Stone is a lively, popular fourteen year old and the light of her father's life. When an act of violence is committed against her by someone she once loved, her father Daniel, is forced to try and protect his daughter from the aftermath of the attack, without losing the life he has so carefully built. Daniel's struggle and Trixie's pain are truly the heart of this story. There is some weird stuff at the end about a dog race that makes the book veer once again into confusion but overall it's a good read. ...more
The story starts off sort of slowly, as more and more minor characters come into the story it does start to pick up and get more enjoyable. Zoe and MaThe story starts off sort of slowly, as more and more minor characters come into the story it does start to pick up and get more enjoyable. Zoe and Martin tell the story in alternating perspectives, as they each traverse the Camino, and their stories are truly the heart of the novel. The story remained hopeful and inspiring as they each come to terms with the issues that inspired them to walk in the first place.
Thank you goodreads for the opportunity to read this book. ...more
This is a hard book for me to rate. Honestly I thought the author did a fabulous job of writing. I like her style, and the story moved quickly. UnfortThis is a hard book for me to rate. Honestly I thought the author did a fabulous job of writing. I like her style, and the story moved quickly. Unfortunately for me (and this is entirely a personal choice) I absolutely LOATHED the main character Andrea, so much so that it kept me from enjoying a lot of the book because I wanted bad things to happen to her. Andrea was an artist, a friend, and eventually a mother. She was passionate and strong, and had so many good qualities, yet... from the way the story was told the only thing that mattered to her was that she was a lesbian, and it made me crazy. I can tell you that my sexuality is one of my least important traits, so to have a character be so focused on just that drove me batty.
There were many great supporting characters (Lucia, Alex, Flynn, etc) that were all vividly written, and the city of Portland is so beautifully described that it almost becomes another character. Those parts of the story are wonderful and engaging. There are a few paragraphs in the book that discuss the Teena Brandon murder, and how it resonates with Andrea as a lesbian from Nebraska. Those few paragraphs are hands down some of the best writing I have read and I don't personally have the skills to describe how hard that hit my soul.
Thank you to goodreads for the chance to read this ARC. ...more
I never read the first Kate Reddy book, so I started this off feeling a bit lost. Unfortunately the feeling of not getting the joke continued on and eI never read the first Kate Reddy book, so I started this off feeling a bit lost. Unfortunately the feeling of not getting the joke continued on and ended up with me just simply not liking the book. I felt no connection with Kate as a character, and all the little jokes got repetitive and annoying. ...more
This is a nice little fluff novel that falls somewhere in the chick-lit genre. It is the literary equivalent of a Kate Hudson movie. Some people love This is a nice little fluff novel that falls somewhere in the chick-lit genre. It is the literary equivalent of a Kate Hudson movie. Some people love them, some people hate them, and I fall somewhere in between.
Casey is a spoiled marketing exec. She is tasked with a new project where authors start shilling consumer goods via social media apps. It goes well for her at first, and then it absolutely doesn't. The fall from grace and the obligatory happy ending all happen in the last 30 pages or so, so there isn't a lot of build up or reward, and you never really feel like Casey learns her lesson as much as she just lucks out.
Thank you goodreads giveaways for the chance to read this book. ...more
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway. Shoutout to author Elizabeth Myles for packaging the book in the absolutely most adorable way so that I received this book from a goodreads giveaway. Shoutout to author Elizabeth Myles for packaging the book in the absolutely most adorable way so that it seemed like the gift it was. :)
"The Real You" focuses on the relationship between Rourke and Dallas, one time step-siblings, and long term best friends who have spent the last ten years apart, but thanks to Rourke's mother's alcoholism are back living in the same town. While both of them have feelings that extend beyond friendship, neither wants to admit because they don't think the other is interested.
I know the romance is supposed to be the best thing about this book, but honestly I loved how real the characters, particularly the supporting characters, were. From their language, and manner of speech, to the sometimes over reactions to what adults would find to be a non-event, these just remind me of the kids you'd find walking the halls of any high school and that is what made me truly love this book. ...more
The publishing company was nice enough to send me a copy of this book to review.
Each of the neighbors on quiet pleasant court is hiding something, noThe publishing company was nice enough to send me a copy of this book to review.
Each of the neighbors on quiet pleasant court is hiding something, not only from each other, but often from themselves as well, as they work extra hard to make their lives look perfect. Essie suffers from post-partum depression and once left her oldest daughter alone in a park. Her husband and mother watch her with her second daughter to make sure that nothing like that ever happens again. Ange is a real estate agent with a handsome husband. Are his good manners and friendly overtures to other women something more? And Fran runs countless miles trying to put distance between her and the brief affair she'd had. When Isabelle moves into the neighborhood all of their perfect lives are turned upside down and the secrets they have tried so hard to keep coming rolling out and potentially solve a decades old mystery that only one of them ever knew existed. ...more
Linda takes her only daughter Molly across the country to deliver her to college. Along the way, they have "heartfelt" conversations as Linda encouragLinda takes her only daughter Molly across the country to deliver her to college. Along the way, they have "heartfelt" conversations as Linda encourages Molly to follow her dreams and Molly encourages her mother to do the same. As they make the journey Linda is working on a quilt for Molly's dorm that is pieced together from important clothes in Molly's childhood (Easter dress, first day of school outfit, etc). I was thoroughly bored and didn't understand how you could make it eighteen years without really talking to your kid the way that Molly and Linda seemed to have. It was a fairly short novel but it just dragged on and on because I disliked it. ...more
This novel made me want to find a small town like Minnow Bay and escape. When Lily's life falls apart she discovers two things, those that she counts This novel made me want to find a small town like Minnow Bay and escape. When Lily's life falls apart she discovers two things, those that she counts on to be there for her aren't, and she never got around to finishing the annulment paperwork from her Vegas wedding to stranger 10 years earlier. Rather than face the more serious problem Lily loads her belongings in her old car and heads to Minnow Bay to find her wayward (and unwitting) husband so that she can finally turn in that pesky annulment paperwork.
In Winnow Bay she meets a variety of smalltown characters who change the way she thinks about herself, and of course reconnects with her "husband" and starts to fall in love. It's not groundbreaking stuff, but it's cute and fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to read it through the goodreads program. ...more
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