Happy Friday friends! I made a pretty big dent in my November to-do’s over this last week and I’m feeling quite accomplished! It’s checking these little things off the list that make me super happy! I thought I was going to read a lot on our flights to and from Iceland, but with them being so short, I barely had time to make a dent in a magazine, let alone a book! A few of the books that I had requested finally came through from the library at the same time so I felt like I was under a time crunch to get them all read! Three of the books are by the same author and I’ve officially read all the books she’s written, but the last review of her book is coming in my next recently read post next month! Starting off the books in the order of enjoyment, from least to greatest!
- Startup: A Novel || I think the startup culture is so interesting! You have these brainy, tech-y people that have developed this idea (in the case of this book an app) and then you have everyone else that they’ve hired to help run the company. There were a few key characters in the book and I can’t say I really liked any of them. Each had their own moral dilemmas and it felt like they were just doing what was going to help them, rather than what should be done for the greater good. This was written by a Buzzfeed writer and if you’ve ever read anything from the site then you know it’s going to be laced with humor and also a little bit of vulgarity. From a technical side of things, I think the write was spot on with how startup seed money & the world of venture capitalists work and even her idea for the Mindfulness App that the main character develops is something that I can see being downloaded. I wasn’t a fan at all of how the book ended, it was abrupt and I didn’t have any closure to anything so for that reason I wasn’t happy finishing the book. It was a quick read (done within a day or so) and enjoyable enough, but if you’re someone who likes a book wrapped up in a nice bow once you’re done reading – this isn’t it.
- The Divorce Party || There are two main character’s point of views in this book, that of newly-engaged Maggie & the other her soon to be mother-in-law Gwyn. Obviously in two very different points in their relationships – one starting out her life with her soon to be husband and one getting ready to end her marriage with a divorce party!! The divorce party is the first time that Maggie is meeting her fiance’s family & finding out a couple of secrets about his life that he has yet to share. Both women are faced with questions – should you fight to save a relationship and can you truly ever get over betrayal. This was an enjoyable enough book to read and while the ending did have it come full circle in a way, you are still left with more questions than answers and that always frustrates me as a reader. Nothing against the author’s writing because I do truly enjoy that!
- Hello, Sunshine|| Sunshine is a YouTube chef sensation and seemingly has it all, that is until she is “outed” as being a fake not even able to properly cook anything and loses her career, husband & life she’s built on a lie in one fell swoop! The author really made it known that you were not supposed to like Sunshine, in fact it’s told from the first person of Sunshine and she even says that she’s not entirely sure she even likes herself. She returns to her hometown in the Hampton’s and tries to establish a relationship with her estranged sister and the life she worked so hard to forget. It was a light read in the sense that it was just over 200 pages so it went by super fast, but Laura Dave hit on some very interesting points, we’re all lying in some ways to put the best version of ourselves out into the world of social media. It was a solid read & one that I think a lot of you would enjoy! I would have liked an epilogue, but then again I want one with every book I read!
- The Royal Treatment|| Thanks toKarlyI picked up the Royal Treatment which was honestly just delight to read! For anyone that loves the royal family or any type of Hallmark Channel movie – you’ll like this. The author makes it very “now” and isn’t afraid to use vulgar language – very unbecoming of royalty, but gives them a sort of “everyday person” vibe! Although the city, family & history is fake, you can’t help buy think it takes place in England & I have to say there were even a few nods to Princess Diaries – Genovia anyone!? Both Prince Arthur and the Royal Watch Dog Tessa are easy to relate to & even at times laugh out loud funny! It was cute and I immediately downloadedThe Royal Wedding– part 2 of the series, but haven’t ready it yet!
- Never Let You Go || Holy thriller! I was instantly drawn into this book and it was my first from the author Chevy Stevens, who I just realized is actually a woman! The entire time I was reading the book I thought it was from a male author, which is why I thought they couldn’t quite get the female’s perspective or what I thought should have been the female’s perspective right. In any case, the book was REALLY good! If you’ve ever seen the movie Enough with Jennifer Lopez you can’t help but draw the similarities between the movie and the book, but it is a different story. Lindsey Nash escaped her abusive husband with her young daughter and started a new life. Eleven years later their teenage daughter is almost 18 & really wants to know her father who is just being released from prison. I thought I had the twist figured out in the middle of the book but I was seriously so wrong & even more was so shocked that I audibly gasped while on the elliptical! I can’t recommend this book enough – it was such a thrilling read. Some of the writing was a little choppy, but overall I really enjoyed it!
- The First Husband|| Such a great read! I liked this book even more than 800 grapes and it was a page turner in the best way possible! Annie is torn between her husband and the man she thought she’d marry. Anytime Annie watches the movie Roman Holiday something bad happens – nothing earth shattering per se, but enough to turn her life upside down. Within three months of meeting Griffin, Annie decides to say yes to his proposal and moves to Western Massachusetts. There’s love, loss & then just when you think you know how the author is going to end the novel, she keeps it going! This reminds me of a great Emily Griffin book! Definite must read!
Now it’s your turn to share! What have you been reading lately? Any thrillers I should add to my list!? Hope you have a great weekend!
Such an awesome list to read!!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: DENIM LOOK IN BEVERLY HILLS
This is the 3rd rave review for the First Husband, going in my Amazon cart!! Have the BEST weekend sweet friend!!
Never Let You Go has been on my list for awhile, but I haven't gotten around to it! Sounds like I need to make a better effort lol. I'm definitely putting First Husband on my list! Have a great weekend girl 🙂
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I'm in super excited to add not one but three books to my list! I want to read Royal Treatment, Never Let You Go and The First Husband! I just finished The Soldiers Wife and have Crazy Rich Asians up next. Happy Weekend!
I have been so busy with life that reading is on the back burner. With the cooler temps though I'll be indoors more and so most always bring out the books once winter hits us here in Nebraska. Thanks for sharing your recent reads 🙂 Happy Friday lady.
Had no idea that Chevy Stevens was a woman! I thought it was male author, too! Whoops! Definitely going to check out The Royal Treatment!
You know i am always looking for my next great read… some of these sound awesome! First Husband will definitely be added to my list 🙂 Have a great weekend!
The Royal Treatment sounds soooo good, totally adding that to my list! And Never Let You Go I'm going to have to check out. Have a great weekend!!
I have really slacked off on reading this fall! Thanks for the recommendations, need to add some new ones to my list!
Okay we have such similar tastes in books. I am going to borrow a couple of these from my library!!
Thanks for sharing these, I am always looking for new books to read and these seem like winners! I'm a big Laura Dave fan, too!
I️ love your book reviews and always add books to my running list!
I'm always looking for new books and you have the best roundups!
Always looking for a new, good read! Thanks for the recs! Xo
I really liked Hello Sunshine too- it was just a nice fun read, that really did touch on some good points. I liked Dave's writing so I'm going to make sure The First Husband is on my list to read! I haven't read anything by Chevy Stevens but I always hear about how good the books are!
The First Husband is one of my favorites!!! And I'm going to get The Royal Treatment because I'm a sucker for any book centered on a royal family haha!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Thank you for the recommendations! I’m always on the lookout for new books to read that people have read and loved!
Thank you for sharing these!! Now that we spend more time at home with the baby and it's cold I want to do more reading!
oh i think i'd like startup – especially as i work for one! and the royal treatment looks like a winner to me! have a wonderful weekend friend!
xoxo cheshire kat
Oooh thank you for giving me a few more books to add to my To Be Read list!!
I'll have to check these books out. They sound pretty good.
sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing girl! I will definitely check these out. 🙂 Have a fab weekend!!!
Definitely need to add The Royal Treatment to my list, thank you so much for sharing! Happy Friday sweet friend <3
Green Fashionista
I liked Hello, Sunshine. I am totally adding The First Husband to my list! It sounds good! Hope you have a great weekend!
I am always so amazed at how much reading you get in. I used to love reading on the train when I commuted and now I feel like any free time I'm just trying not to drown in house work lol. I hope you have a great weekend! Sierra ~ Beautifully Candid
3-6 are going on my list, all sound great! I had a feeling you would be coming with a book review soon with that long trip to Iceland! Have a great weekend!
I'm always so jealous of just how much you read!! I definitely need to look into Never Let You Go and The First Husband.
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
Awesome!! All of these books are new to me and I just bought some more credits for audible to add more books to my account. Never Let You Go and The First Husband sound like great reads! Have a fabulous weekend!
I have a few of these in my kindle. Kinda bummed divorce party wasnt good (or left you with more questions) since I was looking forward to reading it. Still will and will let ya know how it goes!
Start Up sounds like an interesting concept for a book and I enjoy that it's written by a BuzzFeed writer. I'm in the same boat with 2 books becoming available at the same time at the library-it's tough, haha! Never Let You Go is getting added to my list right now!
The Startup sounds like a relevant read to me. It sounds like one I think we can all understand and relate to in the world of social apps and technology. Especially as bloggers, I'm sure it made for an interesting read. I can't wait until I'm able to read books again, I don't remember the last time I was able to pick one up, haha. Thanks for all of these suggestions, I'll definitely be keeping them in mind. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead, beauty!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
I haven't read any of these, but I love an entertaining read!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
The Royal Treatment – sounds like something I'd love. I love anything "ROYAL" related
I read Never Let You Go and could not put it down! It was so INSANE!! Brought me back to the days first reading Gone Girl.
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
I loved Never Let You Go! Couldn't put it down.
I've been wanting a new book to read! Thanks so much for the suggestions! I love the sound of Never Let You Go! x
TOUCHOFGS
So glad that you enjoyed The Royal Treatment! It is just the cutest book. The second one definitely isn't as good, but it's still enjoyable. The First Husband is going on my reading list right this minute!
Never heard of these, but I feel like I'd like The Divorce Party and The Royal Treatment!
myclusterofthoughts.com/
great reads…definitely checking them out!
kisses from the sandpit ❤︎
mahryska.com
Adding The First Husband to my reading list! I haven’t been reading lately but am looking forward to slowing down over the holidays and enjoying a few books.
girl i am SO with you with hello sunshine and no epilogue! like what was that?! totally left us hanging. i will have to check out the first husband. i haven't read any of Chevy Stevens books but they are on my list. the royal treatment is on my kindle too, sounds so freaking cute i can't wait.