Last month I shared six must read books and I’m back again with some more great reads and two I wish I would have steered clear of! These are quickly becoming my favorite posts to put together – mostly because I love finding out what everyone else is reading!!
Recommended Reads
Recommended Reads
The Matchmaker || I can count the number of times a book has actually made me cry – this would be #2! I didn’t just cry, I started sobbing, on the train, on my way home! It was such an emotionally charged book and you could just feel what the main character was going through. Was the entire book that emotional – the answer is no, but if you are a fan of love stories & believe in true love then this is a great read. Elin Hilderbrand has a way with words – that woman knows what she is doing as a writer and I’m hooked on her novels!
Here’s to Us || Reading this right after The Matchmaker probably wasn’t a good move on my part because I kept comparing the story and even some of the characters that were in previous books of Elin’s were mentioned in this book which was kind of cool. This book is about three women, that were all married to the same man – not at the same time – and make their way back to Nantucket to say goodbye to him & the house they all once called home. Deacon Thorpe is a wild, charming & unpredictable celebrity chef & I loved that she included amazing recipes throughout the book. She also weaved each of his relationships in with the present so nicely, but with all that being said – it wasn’t my favorite book of hers. It was still a solid beach read, but not my first pick if you’ve never read one of Elin’s books.
The Couple Next Door || I had waited to read this book for what felt like a year. I was split down the middle, while I didn’t love it, I also didn’t hate it. I don’t think it’s nearly as riveting as other thriller’s – I don’t even know if you can categorize this book as a thriller. A couple goes over to their neighbor’s house and leaves their infant baby alone in their house next door. Both Anne & Marco check on the baby every half hour until they come home, later than anticipated & in shock to find out that their daughter Cora has been kidnapped. I will admit that I was a little shocked with both the outcome & the ending of the book. It wasn’t a terrible read, but not nearly as riveting as others like the woman in cabin 10 or any book by Mary Kubica!
I’ve got your number|| This book has been on my reading list for years and for some reason I just didn’t get the chance to read it until recently!! In true Sophia Kinsella fashion (she also wrote the Shopaholic books) it’s cute and sharp with fun back and forth dialogue between the characters. The premise of the book is that Poppy loses her phone & engagement ring during a night out and happens to find a phone that was thrown away that belongs to Sam’s former PA – so she begs and pleads to use the phone until she can sort things out & promises that she will forward all emails and important things to him. What develops is a witty texting back and forth & of course meet-ups, but what about her fiance?! It’s a cute read if you’re looking for something light and fluffy –> sounds like I’m describing a pancake!
The hating game || Sometimes you read books because they’ll make you smile and forget about other nonsense! This was exactly that type of book, predictable, but cute! Lucy & Joshua are forced to work together after both of their publishing companies merge. Not only do they both loathe one another, but they like to play games with each other to see just how far they can push the person before the threat of “HR” comes out!! Both up for the same promotion, their hating game starts to turn into more of a dating game.
MEH
MEH
Three Wishes|| In a word, this book was “meh” – to expand on that – this book was seriously all over the place. It was so hard to follow and keep all the names straight. The abridged version – three triplets – Cat, Gemma & Lyn are 33 years old and each have their own issues. They fight like crazy & love like crazy & truth be told I found this book to be a little manic. There were two Liane Moriarty books that I liked & two that I haven’t – this is one that I didn’t like. The book starts with the sister’s celebrating their 34th birthday and then backtracks through the year.
Don’t bother
Don’t bother
Sweetbitter || In my honest opinion, this book was pretty terrible. It was a hard read, with too much going on & trying to weave too much restaurant jargon into every single page. The only thing I liked (and that’s being generous) about this book was the relationship between the main character and the “bad boy” and even then it was such an ugly romance that I couldn’t stand reading about it. It’s about a 22 year old girl who moves to NYC for some reason, not necessarily “to make it” but almost because she has no where else to go. She happens to find an opening at a restaurant not even as a server, but as a back waiter & from there the relationships take off. There was weird characterization & too much drug use and honestly it was so hard to follow, I felt myself just reading to finish not really comprehending the words on the page.
Not necessarily my favorite month of reads, but you might remember that I highly recommended It Ends With Us in one of my Friday favorite posts because I couldn’t wait to share it with you all, that was most definitely my favorite read this year so far! What have you been reading lately?
While it took me awhile to get into The Matchmaker is for sure had me crying, too!!! I didn't like Three Wishes, either. Just felt like I couldn't get into it and didn't like the characters. Right now I am reading Scrappy Little Nobody.
I just finished The Nightingale and holy cow it was good! I haven't read The Matchmaker but I love Elin so I need to get on that!
Perfect Reviews! Sophie Kinsella can do no wrong in my book, read all of hers and smile when I do. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
These are some of my favorite posts too!! I afore Sophie Kinsella- I've got your number was an adorable one!! Definitely adding the Matchmaker to my list!
The hating game sounds like a good one. I love picking up a lighthearted read after a serious read. Love your book reviews girl!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I read the first two and loved it as well. I couldn't agree with you more on three wishes! Uggg. And I've put to end with us on my wish List!
I keep a running list of your books for when I travel. You always give the best recommendations!
Matchmaker is on my list for Mexico! I read the couple next door and couldn't get into it… Thanks for sharing love!
Brittany π
kingdomofsequins.com
I always love these posts so I can add books to my list! I've started a few in the last month and just can't really get into them. I will have to try Matchmaker…hopefully that will change this string of back book luck!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Awesome reviews! You've never steered me wrong before, so I need to add Matchmaker to my list <3
Green Fashionista
Several people said the same thing about Sweetbitter. I didn't mind Three Wishes, but it certainly wasn't a favorite of mine from her that is for sure. The Hating Game and Couple Next Door were on my TBR that is forever growing! The Matchmaker sounds good too!
I have heard such awesome things about The Couple Next Door but now I know to set my expectations a little lower haha! I'll definitely be checking out The Matchmaker!!
rosyoutlookblog.com
can i just say that i'm wildly impressed with how much you read in a month? haha. i mean. it takes me a month to read one book if i'm actually trying π anyway, i'm gonna add matchmaker to my list! you sold me on that one!
xoxo cheshire kat
LOVED It Ends With Us! I flew through that book in just a few days. I just started The Magnolia Story and it's adorable!
I just finished It Ends with Us, and it is in my top two favorite reads of 2017 (so far)! My other favorite from this year is Great Small Things by Jodi Picoult. Cheers, Laura
I kind of want to read the first one bc sometimes you just need a good cry…or sob in this case!!
Ugh It Ends With Us was definitely my favorite book I've read recently. SO good! Thanks for the recommendation π Next on my list is The Hating Game. I need something light and fun! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Thank you for sharing such detailed reviews! I have not read something in a long time so I will have to check these out. Enjoy your day today too! π
Oh gosh… I have a love/hate relationship with books that make me cry, much less sob… I want to check it out… but know I need to wait until I need a good heart breaker in my hands.
I love when authors include characters from previous novels, it feels more like a sequel of some sort, even if they're completely different story lines. That said, those first two books sound rather interesting. I mean, 3 women married to the same man at some point, that sounds like a bit of a drama haha! Now this has to be my mother instincts kicking in, in the book The Couple Next door, why on earth would they leave their infant alone?! That truly is asking for something to go wrong, which seems to have been the case, but now you have me curious about what ended up happening, how did it go wrong? I just may need to pick this book up! Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having a great week so far!
Xo,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
I love writing my book reviews too. It's funny to me that I was nervous how people would react to them and they're some of my most favorite posts…I love reading yours and getting suggestions too. The MatchMaker is definitely getting added to my list. I couldn't believe the ending of Couple Next Door…holy cow!
Thank you for the recommendations. I need some books for my travel to Mexico soon!
These sound like some great reads! If I ever find some time maybe I'll pick one of them up. Thanks for the reviews!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
bookmarking some of these!
Love reading your recaps on books! Although I haven't had time to read a good book in awhile (currently reading the Magnolia Story and a series from a naughty book, kind of like 50 shades but not so much) anyway, I'm glad to hear your opinion on Three Wishes, I wanted to read it. But after trying to read The Husband's Secret, I was really iffy. I'll be passing on that one.
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lilyο»Ώ
See I was totally swapped on The Couple Next Door and The Woman in Cabin 10. I preferred the couple, as opposed to the woman. Don't get me wrong – I would recommend both for sure! Something about the cruise ship felt predictable to me. I'm not sure. anyway, I love coming to read "book posts" because I always find new reads to add to my list π
I feel like now I only make time to read when we travel and we have some longer flights coming up so I'll definitely be coming back to this list!
Excited as I literally picked up the Hating Game yesterday at the library. Thanks for the synopsis w/out giving too much away!
Re:SweetBitter – I agree. One of the "genres" I like are cooking books – in the sense that the main characters are chefs or their lives are involved in the food industry. SORELY disappointed w/ this role – especially the ending. Thoughout the book I didn't feel like the main character had high self esteem based on the poor choices she continued to make, yet she had the potential. Still it had been on so many "must read" lists I felt I had to slug it out.
Enjoying these posts by you! BTW: If you're ever up for some NF ideas -seems to be my main reads this year – 4 already – let me know.
K of TAF theappreciationfactor.wordpress.com
Sweetbitter got so much hype, but it's just one that never appealed to me, so I'm kind of glad to hear you didn't like it, not that it's ever good to read a bad book!
I felt the same way about Sweetbitter. So much hype and so meh and hard to read. I wanted to love it. I wish I had a train ride into work so I could read while I commute!
Holy moly you have read a lot of books! I'm still reading the same one that I got for Christmas two months ago. Lol.
Yay more books to add to my ever-growing list! Haha. I'm definitely adding The Matchmaker to my list because clearly I want to go through emotional torture with you π xo
I shared all my recent reads yesterday, too! Such fun posts. I also read Here's to Us – I didn't really love it, but maybe I'll try The Matchmaker since you liked it so much. I read I've Got Your Number a few years ago, and it's so stinkin' cute!
YES – I've been looking for some good reads and this post was just what I needed! Thanks for the suggestions!
Isnβt That Charming.
I've discovered some great reads from reading these posts! Thanks so much for sharing these suggestions and what to skip.
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
This is a great list! I just read The Magnolia Story (because I love Chip and Joanna) and I picked up two others that I'm looking forward to reading! Love your honest reviews of these, too!
Zelle
Southern Style
I'm a huge thriller fan, so I think that I'll still check out The Couple Next Door. And Sophie Kinsella really is the best! I'm reading her newest book right now, My Not So Perfect Life, and I'm loving it! Liane Moriarty is also hit and miss for me too, Three Wishes was definitely not one of my favorites.
I'm always looking for new books to read!! I've heard basically good things about The Couple Next Door, but I haven't heard about the rest! I'll have to check them out!
Great post! Winter is the time to stack up the book, I'm in the middle of The Good Girl and I'm obsessed! Have you read it?
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I've heard so many great things about The Matchmaker! Thanks for sharing this wonderful list of books!!
Tina
justatinabit.com
I really liked The Couple Next Door, but was definitely torn on Sweetbitter. It honestly wasn't until the end and I read the entire story that I actually liked it. Not something I'd re-read though!
I still haven't read Sweetbitter because I keep hearing reviews like that, even though it was blowing up all over blog land a year and a half ago. Doesn't seem worth it!
I keep hearing so many good things about The Hating Game! I definitely want to pick it up next time I'm looking for that kind of read.
I'm currently reading It Ends with Us and I'm enjoying it so far! The Couple Next Door is on my to-read list.
Love your honest reviews. Always impressed at how much you read!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
So many people are saying great things about The Hating Game! Can't wait to check that one out, and some of your other recommendations!
I liked different parties of the Couple Next Door but I do agree with your review and it's more of a suspense read than a thriller (this coming from a novice). It's great reading everyone's book reviews so you know not to waste your time or money on the "Meh" books. Nice round up and now I need to add the Matchmaker to my reading wish list.
Ohh, I will be adding a couple of these to my list! I felt the same way about the Couple Next Door.
The Hating Game sounds so cute! I love more fun books!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
I need to get The Hating Game on my to-read list, stat! Sounds fun!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
good to hear you enjoyed i've got your number and the hating game – i really enjoyed them both as well. i've heard sweetbitter is awful. that sucks about three wishes, i thought it sounded kind of cute, i'm sure i will get to it eventually. it ends with us is also on my list!
I have been SO bad about reading this year! I just got Lauren Grahms book and I hope its worth reading. xo jillian – cornflake dreams
The Matchmaker was my first Hilderbrand novel to read π I thought it was cute. I did just finish Silver Girl and I think is my favorite of her books so far. Have you read it? My 17 year old just picked up Three Wishes and she couldn't get into it so she stopped reading it.
Between you and Carly I feel like I'm set for books for years, haha! I'll have to check out The Matchmaker when I'm in the mood for a good cry, ha!