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Hey friends. I am back with book monthly book reviews. I set my goal at the beginning of the year to read 150 books. 7 months in and I have only read 70. That would mean for the next 5 months I would have to read 16 books each month. I honestly don't see my goal being reached but I am not going to change it or get discouraged. I read because I enjoy it, not just to check something off a list.
Total physical/kindle books: 4
Total audible: 7
Total books for 2024: 70
Goal: 150 books
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Title: 7 Rules for Breaking Hearts
Author: Kristyn Miller
Genre: Romance
How I Read It: physical book
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Amazon Description: Love breaks all the rules.
Margo Anderson is sworn off commitment. Alongside her best friend Jo, she runs a viral podcast featuring rules for hooking up without catching feelings. So when Jo surprises her by deciding to get married and takes up a sponsor’s offer to host an all-expenses-paid wedding trip on Catalina Island, they have the whole internet to answer to.
In a scramble for content to appease their disappointed listeners, Margo cooks up a social experiment: break all her own dating rules, just to prove that it’s a bad idea. And she’s found the best man for the job in the groom’s best friend and her old high school nemesis, Declan Walsh. He may be easier on the eyes than Margo remembered, but he’s sure to be as smug and annoying as he was before. There is no chance Margo will ever catch feelings for him…until she does.
The more time they spend together through cake tastings and wedding party activities, Margo can’t ignore their obvious spark, and she may actually be enjoying getting to know Declan. But can she let go of the rules to let him in?
My Review: Fun summer read. Enemies to lovers with opposite attracts.
Title: Mother's Day Murder
Author: Tonya Kappes
Genre: Cozy Mystery
How I Read It: Spotify audiobook
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Amazon Description: Sometimes Mama doesn't know best!
It's Mother's Day in Holiday Junction and Violet Rhinehammer is covering all the Mother's Day events in the holiday town and not alone! Her mother, Millie Kay Rhinehammer, drops in for a visit unannounced to see exactly why her daughter decide to stay in the small town instead of coming home to Kentucky to their beloved Daniel Boone National Park.
Millie Kay is easily charmed by Mother's Day Festival, but her sweet southern charm doesn't go over well with everyone. While Violet is running all over Holiday Junction to report for the Junction Journal, Millie Kay is joining in on the festival activities.
Millie Kay and local Sally Westin get into a public fight over a dessert Millie Kay says she won fair and square in the cake walk.
And when Sally Westin is murdered, everyone is pointing the finger to the non-local in town, Millie Kay Rhinehammer.
Everyone but Violet.
My Review: Entertaining cozy mystery that keeps you wondering with twists and turns of who did it. Throw in some humor, drama, and love.
Author: Ruth Reichl
Genre: historical fiction
How I Read It: Libby Audiobook
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Amazon Description: Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean. Oysters, she thought. Where have they been all my life?
When her estranged mother dies, Stella is left with an unusual inheritance: a one-way plane ticket and a note reading “Go to Paris.” Stella is hardly cut out for adventure; a traumatic childhood has kept her confined to the strict routines of her comfort zone. But when her boss encourages her to take time off, Stella resigns herself to honoring her mother’s last wishes.
Alone in a foreign city, Stella falls into old habits, living cautiously and frugally. Then she stumbles across a vintage store, where she tries on a fabulous Dior dress. The shopkeeper insists that this dress was meant for Stella and for the first time in her life Stella does something impulsive. She buys the dress—and embarks on an adventure.
Her first stop: the iconic brasserie Les Deux Magots, where Stella tastes her first oysters and then meets an octogenarian art collector who decides to take her under his wing. As Jules introduces Stella to a veritable who’s who of the Paris literary, art, and culinary worlds, she begins to understand what it might mean to live a larger life.
As weeks—and many decadent meals—go by, Stella ends up living as a “tumbleweed” at famed bookstore Shakespeare & Company, uncovers a hundred-year-old mystery in a Manet painting, and discovers a passion for food that may be connected to her past. A feast for the senses, this novel is a testament to living deliciously, taking chances, and finding your true home.
My Review: I could not get into this book. I wanted to know how it ended but not all the details to get there. The characters didn't pull me in. The descriptions of food did make you feel like you could smell and taste it.
Title: Swan Song
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Fiction, Cozy Mystery
How I Read It: Hoopla audiobook
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Amazon Description: Chief of Police Ed Kapenash is about to retire. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce. But when a 22-million-dollar summer home is purchased by the mysterious Richardsons—how did they make their money, exactly?—Ed, Sharon, and everyone in the community are swept up in high drama. The Richardsons throw lavish parties, flirt with multiple locals, flaunt their wealth with not one but two yachts, and raise impossible hopes of everyone they meet. When their house burns to the ground and their most essential employee goes missing, the entire island is up in arms.
The last of Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling Nantucket novels, Swan Song is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself.
My Review: I haven't read of the other books of the Nantucket series previously. A fun summer read with a cozy mystery. A wealthy family that just rubs you the wrong way from the beginning, a missing girl, and a police chief who is set to retire. Twists made you want to know what happened next.
Title: Falling for Prince Federico
Author: Nicole Burnham
Genre: Romance
How I Read It: Spotify Audiobook
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Amazon Description: Prince Federico diTalora is all too aware of his dreaded nickname: Prince Perfect. He’s spent his life guarding his reputation, cognizant of the duty he owes his country and its citizens. But as a widower with two rambunctious boys, the strain of being an ideal son, father, and prince has pushed him to the breaking point.
Pia Renati is in San Rimini to stay with her best friend, who’s pregnant and on bed rest. Faced with hours of downtime, Pia is tempted when Prince Federico, with his Mediterranean good looks and unimpeachable reputation, invites her to spend time with him and his two boys. As Federico and Pia chase the boys around the palace gardens, they find themselves drawing closer.
Pia didn’t travel to San Rimini for romance—it’s the last thing she wants—though there’s no denying her attraction to Federico. But can she trust Prince Perfect with her heart, when she sees all too clearly the pain he hides from the world?
My Review: A sweet second chance royal romance. Likable characters.
Title: The Nanny and the Nerd
Author: Krista Sandor
Genre: Romance
How I Read It: Kindle
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Amazon Description: If aspiring writer Penny Fennimore was asked to write her story, it would include words like desperate and single—or even desperately single. But she’s not writing anything, thanks to an epic case of writer’s block. No stories = No cash to pay her bills.
Penniless Penny’s way out? A nanny gig caring for the niece of billionaire video gaming mogul Rowen Gale. It’s temporary. Just until she gets on her feet or her mojo returns.
There is one problem. Her boss looks more like a Greek god than a gaming geek. She can’t fall for the guy. He’s the king of hi-tech, and she uses a flip phone from the digital dark ages. They’re complete opposites, but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to jump his joystick.
She’s got to control her libido and maintain professional distance. But the universe doesn’t always play nice.
When she critiques his upcoming video game’s storyline, she gets roped into overhauling it. Forget distance. Now she’s with the guy twenty-four seven.
That’s where it gets complicated. During those late-night work sessions, the man’s muted veneer gives way to unbridled passion. Forget coding and spreadsheets. They’re hitting the bed sheets—hard.
Is this the beginning of their love story, or will it be game over for the nanny and the nerd?
My Review: A hot nerd romance. Billionaire romance that is predictable but gives you laughs, love, and entertaining.
Title: Teasing Destiny
Author: Melanie Shawn
Genre: romance
How I Read It: kindle
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Amazon Description: One fateful night four years ago, Destiny Rose Porter gave in to her desires and ended up with a shattered heart. A heart that, with time, learned to heal and guard itself. But when Jefferson James Briggs returns to their small hometown of Wishing Well, Texas, memories of that unforgettable night come back with him....
JJ Briggs knew he had started something he couldn't finish four years ago. But now, he was back to set it right. The sexy Major League pitcher never forgot about his fiery redhead. The love and passion he felt for his “Pip” never faded.
They say old wounds cut deep...will JJ be able to heal the pain he caused all those years ago? Or will history repeat itself, keeping his Destiny just out of reach?
My Review: Fun second chance romance. The bantering and sarcasm of the characters made it fun to read. A sweet love story.
Title: Back in the Saddle
Author: Peyton Banks
Genre: romance
How I Read It: audiobook on Spotify
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Amazon Description: Not everyone gets a second chance.
Parker Brooks was a legendary bull rider. He had become a household name until he suffered a career-ending knee injury. Now he's back home working his family's ranch alongside his brothers.
A night out for a celebration flipped his world upside down. A certain young woman who had walked away from him without a word, or an explanation, was working the bar.
Maddison King was the only woman he'd been ready to give his heart to. She'd been his everything, and then she'd up and vanished.
He'd thought he'd gotten over her, but one look at her luscious curves and killer smile had him realizing otherwise. She's older, more mature, and too damn sexy for her own good.
There was no denying the attraction between them. It was just like old times.
He deserved to know why she’d packed up and left. She couldn’t run from him forever.
When secrets are revealed, Parker and Maddison's worlds explode. Will they be able to survive the past to build a future?
My Review: Second chance romance that gets you hooked with how is he going to take the news. It is the first book in a series, but doesn't leave you hanging. I enjoyed this book so much I plan on reading more the series.
Title: Promising the Billionaire
Author: S. M. West
Genre: Romance
How I Read It: Chirp audiobook
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Amazon Description: It’s a simple business deal until things get personal.
Zachary Rothwell is one of Toronto’s most eligible bachelors and CEO of Rothwell Enterprises. He wears success like a well-tailored suit and confidence oozes from his every move. And he’s my last hope for dealing with my creepy landlord problem.
It turns out Zach has a problem of his own and sees a golden opportunity for each of us to get what we want.
To access his heavily guarded trust fund, he needs to be in a relationship. His proposition? I pretend to be his love interest and he’ll make my legal problem go away.
It’s a simple win-win situation.
If we promise to keep this strictly business, nothing can go wrong…
At least, that’s what I thought.
But when we’re forced to live together, my mind and body ache for things I’ve no business wanting. Namely, Zach.
And each day it gets harder to not break my promise because I’m no longer pretending.
My Review: I love a billionaire troupe. A sexy entertaining, with chemistry on every angle.
Title: Arise and Shine
Author: Allyson Golden
Genre: Christian
How I Read It: physical book
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Amazon Description: When the darkness of the world feels overwhelming, we wonder, Where can I find light?
And even more, How can I be the light?
Pediatric nurse Allyson Golden faces the hardest realities of life—and death—every day. She longed to be a light for Christ in every patient’s room, but she didn’t know what that looked like when she could hardly find that light herself.
As Allyson immersed herself in Scripture, she began to understand the transformative truth that we have no power to shine on our own, but the Light of the World shines through us—and no darkness can overcome it.
In Arise and Shine, Allyson explores our deepest questions:
• Can Jesus shine through me even when I doubt His presence?
• Does shining God’s light mean being cheerful all the time?
• How can I hold on to God’s light—and is that even a thing?
• Why is it so hard to give my burdens to God?
• Is the darkness ever going to go away?
With practical action steps at the end of every chapter, Arise and Shine helps you renew your mind, recharge your spirit, and take a positive step forward, because nothing can dim the light inside of you.
My Review: I listened to the audiobook earlier this year. In June I joined Allyson's book club, bought the book and really enjoyed reading along each week. It really hit home and understanding when I physically read the book compared to listening to the audiobook which I also loved though. You feel the passion and love in Allyson's words. You feel the connection to the Lord through light. I recommend for anyone of all ages who just needs a little more light in their life.
Title: True Blue
Author: Amy Knupp
Genre: romance
How I Read It: Chirp audiobook
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Amazon Description: Lexie Gallagher is starting to think she’s better off alone. Her family fell apart years ago. Her relationships all end in disaster. Is she the common denominator who causes everyone to leave? Everyone but her best friend, Gabe, who whisks her away from the scene of the latest breakup.
As the human resources VP for North Brothers Sports, Gabe North understands people and how to meet their needs. What Lexie’s always needed is a true-blue friend, doubly so when she’s left at the altar. Of course he’ll be her shoulder to cry on—even though he’s wanted to be more than friends for years.
As Lexie heals from her recent rejection, Gabe is everything she needs…and then he becomes even more. But when life gets tricky, can Lexie believe that true blue is forever, or will she find herself eternally alone?
My Review: Lexie gets left at the alter but her best friend Gabe takes her away from it all. Gabe has always been in love with Lexie but not wanting to admit it in fear of losing their friendship. A great friends to lover story.
Currently Reading
Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
What are you reading this month?
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