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Happy Friday friends! We are on the heels of a long weekend & I couldn’t be more excited! Today marks one year of our move into our current house & I can’t tell you how happy I am to not be moving for the foreseeable future! September 1 moves in the city are the worst! It’s only been a few weeks since my last book review post, but these were all light reads, with one thriller and I wanted to share my thoughts on the off chance you might need some light reading this weekend!
Rumor Has It I can’t remember my first Jill Mansell book, but I know that I really like her style of writing! After a breakup, Tilly decides to move to a rather small English town where everyone knows everyone & same goes for the town gossip. Of course she’s trying hard not to fall for ladies man, Jack, but is hard pressed to find anyone that can keep her interest like he can. As we all know, not everything that is said about us is the truth and that’s just what Tilly finds out! This was a cute, fun and light read! Perfect for the beach or on your way to vacation.
An Offer You Can’t Refuse || After finishing Rumor Has It, I was still in the mood for something light and fun so I decided to try another Jill Mansell book. I actually liked this one even more than the first. Lola has never told Doug why she left when they were crazy about one another. He also has no idea that his mother paid Lola off to leave her son alone & doesn’t know why Lola accepted the money – and it’s one secret that she’s held onto refusing to tell anyone. Now 10 years later, Lola is back in London & seems to be running into Doug at every corner. There are a few more characters that round the book out & really make this an enjoyable read. There actually wasn’t one character in this book that I didn’t like (aside from Doug’s mom) and I had a smile permanently fixed on my face while reading. Totally enjoyable & cute!
Secrets in Summer|| I feel like the jury is still out on whether I really enjoyed this book – while I really liked the premise & the story – the writing was a bit too stuffy for me. A little too prim & proper & not at all how I would imagine a 30 year old woman speaking. However, if it’s a book about New England, specifically Boston & the islands – I’ll give it a few more bonus points. I appreciated the author’s ability to weave parts of the city into the book, but didn’t really love the main character. I also couldn’t get a good picture in my head what she looked like, which didn’t help. Overall, it was a solid beach read, but not my first choice for light and fun reads!
Paris for One|| If I read anything by JoJo Moyes then I instantly compare it to Me Before You, which ultimately just leads to disappointment. I didn’t realize this book was actually just a few short stories, but the main “book” was Paris for One. Nell books a romantic vacation to enjoy with her boyfriend – since she’s never been to Paris before she couldn’t imagine a more romantic and impulsive trip to take with her bonus from work. Unfortunately Nell’s boyfriend fails to show up leaving her with a choice of “just going with it” or packing up and going home. I really wish this was a longer story – it felt rushed. It was a sweet & plausible story, but I did feel myself picturing Louisa as the main character because they were very similar in their naivete. The story was so easy to read, I finished it on my flight to Philadelphia!
The Perfect Stranger || What a solid thriller to get engrossed with! Same author as All The Missing Girls, but I enjoyed this book way more! If you liked The Woman In Cabin 10 or Girl on the Train (both of which I loved reading) then I think this will be something you’ll like to read as well. It took about 1/4 of the way of reading the book to really understand what happened to Leah and why she felt like she needed to start over and disappear. There was a point in the book where I thought I had figured it out, but the author threw another twist I didn’t see coming – that is the best when you’re watching a movie or reading! This is the kind of book you don’t want to give anything away with, so I’ll just say that I really enjoyed reading The Perfect Stranger & was a little sad when I finished it!
Happy reading & happy long weekend friends!
Happy Friday!! I cannot believe you have been in your new home a year!! I have not read any Jill Mansell but you have em intrigued and The Perfect Stranger just went in my Amazon cart! Enjoy this long weekend gorgeous friend!
Adding that thriller to my list!! I am so excited to curl up and read a little this weekend 🙂
Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com
Ha! We are totally on the same wave-length today 🙂 Adding The Perfect Stranger to my Amazon cart now! I read a Jill Mansell book a looong time ago and loved it, I don't know why I never read any more. Thanks for reminding me of her!
These all sound great! I definitely need to pick one up for this weekend. I will probably try a Jill Mansell because they sounded so light and fun. Have a great weekend!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
I feel like you and I have such similar taste in books so I love checking out your fVorite reads! I'm finishing "It Ends With Us" this weekend- so good! Enjoy your Labor Day!!
Rumor Has It sounds cute! I've never read anything by Jill Mansell, but it sounds like I would like her writing style as well. I can't believe it's already been a year since your move! Enjoy the long weekend, Biana!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I'm going to have to check out the Jill Mansell books! Enjoy this long weekend!
Zelle | Southern Style
So glad you did this post today because I'm in a major book funk! I started "The River at Night" and just can't get into it so I need a new one! TOTALLY picking up the Perfect Stranger–sounds SO good!
Rosy Outlook
I need to read these all! I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of reading very soon, so perfect timing! Happy home-iversary!!
Just added a few more books to my list. 🙂 The first two sound really good – sometimes you just need something light hearted like that!
yay for not moving! seriously how amazing is that. moving is the worst thing ever. great book recs girly! have a wonderful weekend 🙂
xoxo cheshire kat
The Perfect Stranger sounds like something I'd be interested in — adding it to my Goodreads list now!
Adding The Perfect Stranger to my list for sure! I think I have read something by Jill Mansell because she sounds familiar but I cant put my finger on what it was?
Totally adding The Perfect Stranger to my reading list, I think I would really like it. Have a wonderful weekend.
I love reading your book lists!! Definitely adding these to my lists!
I've been looking for a need book. I'm going to order one of the Jill Mansell ones!
By Lauren M
I'm not sure if you've read The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes already, but that one has a prequel, Honeymoon in Paris that kind of sounds similar to those short stories (or maybe it's just the titles because I haven't read Paris For One yet, haha)– but I really liked both of those. I really want to read a Jill Mansell book– is it the same as the movie Rumor Has It?
I've never actually read a Jill Mansel book before, but they just sound so light and fluffy, and that's exactly what I need right now! I've had Perfect Stranger on my list for a while, and I hope to get started on it soon! I'm glad that you really enjoyed it and that it kept you guessing!
Ah! I'm going to have to pick up The Perfect Stranger because I love the books you compared it to! 😉
Wow this year has flown! I am definitely going to grab the Perfect Stranger, sounds great! Have a fabulous weekend!+
Adding The Perfect Stranger to my Kindle list, sounds like something I would really love!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
haha i always compare everything jo jo moyes writes to me before you too!! i thought the first story in Paris for One was pretty cute! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
ALL of these sound like they need added to my list. I want to go to Paris badly so I'm jumping on that one first 🙂
I finished All the Missing Girls after you recommended it and now I want to read the Perfect Stranger. Thank you!
So many amazing reads! I love Megan Miranda and her books. Will definitely be adding some of these to my TBR! xo
Talina @ Sassy & Dangerous
Perfect timing since I just finished reading the Breakdown by B.A Paris and was about to go on the hunt again for new books. The Perfect Stranger sounds right up my alley since I've been mainly reading thrillers. Happy Friday and enjoy the long weekend! xo
These all sound like great reads, especially The Perfect Stranger. I'm heading to the library after work today – thanks for the recommendations!
Jill
Doused in Pink
Glad you liked The Perfect Stranger. I liked it way more than All the Missing Girls too. Jill Mansell is so great for a light read!
Love Jill Mansell books – they are so cute and easy to read. The Perfect Stranger was WAY better than All the Missing Girls! I thought I had it figured out a few times, too but was glad that it kept me guessing. Such a good suspenseful read!
I really need to try one by Jojo Moyes. I have seen several recommendations from her.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Good to know about the Nancy Thayer book! I read The Guest Cottage earlier this month and liked it. Have a great weekend, xoxo!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
The Perfect Stranger sounds like my kind of read! I have never read Jill Mansell, but since I don't often read light reads I think it'd be a great start! Have a wonderful weekend and happy reading! xx
Sending light & love your way,
My Lovelier Days
What a great list! I've never read anything by Jill Mansell so I am going to have to check her books out!
I've heard of Rumor Has It before, but have never read it, it sounds like a cute and relatable read; I love books that I can actually relate to the character. It makes for a better read. We made a year in our place, too, this past August. It's crazy how fast time goes by, isn't it?! I hope you're having a wonderful holiday weekend, gorgeous!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
I need to check these! I've heard Jojo Moyes was an amazing writer!
Have an awesome day!
xx Kris
dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
Some of my favorite posts are book recs! I will definitely be reading some of these ASAP!
Ooohh The Perfect Stranger looks like a good one! I'm getting ready to start reading Friend Request by Laura Marshall. But I'll be adding this one to my TBR list!
XO- Beth
behindmyheels.blogspot.com
I've been wanting to read The Perfect Stranger!! But all of these look so good too 🙂 Thanks for these recs! Saving this for my next library run.
xo, Allie
champagne-tuesdays.com
I liked that Megan Miranda book way more too!
i haven't read either of megan miranda's books but they are on my list. i love jill mansell but i haven't read An Offer You Can't Refuse yet – glad you liked it! adding it to my list 🙂