Happy Monday friends! We had a our first snow this weekend in Boston which made for a cozy & very cold weekend. Perfect weather for finishing a couple books!! Hopefully one of these sparks your interest and gives you some books to add to your list!
This post contains affiliate links. Meaning that any clicks/purchases may result in a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The Royal Wedding || This was the second book in the series and I have to say I didn’t like it as much as I liked The Royal Treatment. While I thought it was predictable, these are the types of books that you read and know what’s going to happen and you’re okay with it. I thought it was pretty timely that I was reading this as Prince Harry and Megan Markle had just announced their engagement so I started to picture them as the characters! It was a feel good read, but the Royal Treatment was far more enjoyable.
The Castaways || This was my least favorite Elin Hildenbrand book I’ve read so far. I disliked all of the characters so much and thought the story line was almost too out there, even if it is fiction! There is a group of friends that dubbed themselves “The Castaways” over the years they have traveled together, raised their kids together & basically been like family to one another. Greg & Tess are killed when their boat capsizes on an anniversary sail & the secrets that come out following their passing is basically what makes up the book –> not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis. It’s not my favorite read, but it was still very well written which I can always appreciate. If you’re a fan of Elin’s then I think you’ll probably like this book as well.
London is the Best City in America|| Pretty excited that this was my final read from Laura Dave. I have enjoyed reading all of her books and ending with her first official novel was just perfect. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why the title of the book is what it is, but at the end the author wraps it up perfectly in a bow! All of Dave’s character’s are struggling in some way – usually it’s just the female but it this book it happened to be Emmy & her brother Josh. As with all of Dave’s books there are turns you don’t expect but the ones you hope will happen. Emmy’s brother Josh is getting married and with 72 hours left until the nuptials he drops a pretty big secret on her that leaves her facing her own questions about why she just up and left her ex-fiance Matt. I think my favorite character in the book was actually Josh & Emmy’s mom – she was such a little spitfire & kind of reminded me of my own mom! I am so looking forward to the next Laura Dave book – she’s quickly become my favorite author of 2017!
Miranda’s Big Mistake || Jill Mansell has a knack for writing really funny women! Miranda is really young and hasn’t had the best luck with men. She’s trustworthy, falls in love quickly & ultimately ends up falling for a married man who has just left his pregnant wife because he never wanted children! It’s predictable, lighthearted and enjoyable. I wasn’t really keen on one aspect of the book and the way the writer just cut this person out (you’ll understand what I mean if you read the book) but other than that, I did like the feel good nature of the book!
Before We Were Strangers || This was written by the same author that wrote Swear on this Life which I absolutely LOVED! This author really has a gift for intertwining stories but you never feel lost or confused with what you’re reading. A novel about a love that faded, but 15 years later, a chance spotting on the train in NYC and a missed connections write-up on craigslist and Grace & Matt retell their love stories for each other in each chapter from their perspectives. Without giving too much away, you’ll either love this book or you’ll hate it.
Who Do You Love || I couldn’t decide whether I liked this book or not. Rachel and Andy meet at just eight years old in a hospital in a state that Andy doesn’t even live in and against all odds and through three decades they have a way of finding each other. Each chapter is a different year, except the prologue that takes place in almost the present. There were times when you feel for Rachel and other times when you’re on Andy’s side. There weren’t many characters to keep track of but there were so many details interwoven in the book that it wasn’t easy to remember what the author was referencing at some points. It’s a solidly written book, but nothing that would make it a book you can’t put down.
Without Merit || I’m normally a huge Colleen Hoover fan, but this book fell a little short for me. I think it may have been too YA (young adult) for my liking. Merit and her family are all sorts of messed up, at least from her perspective. Then she meets Sagan and he forces her to look at things in a different way. It takes about 3/4 of the way through the book to actually find out what this secret she’s been carrying for so long is, but when she finally spills the beans it unearths even more family drama. One thing I do love about Hoover’s books is that there is some sort of additional artistic element to them, in some it’s poems, in other’s it’s song lyrics and in this one it’s actual drawings. Overall it was not my favorite Colleen Hoover book, so unless you’re a fan of YA fiction, I’d pass.
I’m on the hunt for some new great authors and books – so please let me know what you’ve been reading lately!
‘);
I always love your book recs! Definitely adding these to my list. I hope you had a great weekend ❤️❤️
What a great round-up of books! I was instantly drawn to Royal Wedding due to current events, but I'm sorry to hear it wasn't the greatest. I love all that royal wedding stuff so I will have to check out Royal Treatment. Thanks for the recommendation! Hope you enjoyed the snow!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Once again you've sparked my interest in reading ! I'm heading out today to get Before We Were Strangers. Sounds like you really liked it and it would be a great read. Seeing all the snow makes me wish we had some ! Happy Monday 🙂 XOXO
You have been reading so much and I always love your reviews! I’m adding a few of these to my amazon cart 🙂 bummed about that Colleen Hoover though- that one was next on my list!
So many of these look great! I'll miss the holidays but it will be nice once they are over to have more time to sit, read and be cozy!
I will definitely add these to my list! Your weekend snow pics were sooo dreamy! Xo
I have yet to read a Laura Dave book – adding this one to my list!
Oh girl you read alot. I need to start reading more. Injust read Elin's book, Winter Solistic. It was so good. I totaly reccomend her winter street series. It is so good.
The Castaways was my least favorite EH book too. We got so much snow we had to snow blow drives at both houses just to get the U-Haul in and out! Have a great Monday pretty lady!
Ohh perfect! I need some new books for whenever Christmas break starts! Bookmarking this page for later 🙂
Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com
Before We Were Strangers sounds like my kind of book! Along with suspense/thrillers, the predictable ones are my favorite. I read Holiday Wishes this weekend in one sitting (a novella). Although it was very predictable, it still tugged at my heart strings!
I rad Who Do You Love a few years ago and it wasn't bad but I've heard her writing has gone downhill recently so I never picked anything else by her up.
I WISH I would've had the patience to sit and read this weekend. I need a snowstorm to do that!
I have really enjoyed books before from Jennifer Weiner but the rest of these authors I don't think I've read before! I could use a good romance and Before We Were Strangers sounds SO good!! Thanks for sharing love!
Rosy Outlook
I always look for new books to add to the list! especially during holidays I adore so much spending my free time reading reading and again reading! xx
bonjourchiara.com
I read The Castaways too and it also wasn't my favorite – jealous of your snow, we got like 1/2 inch!
Definitely adding We Were Strangers to my list! I'm glad to see your review of Without Merit….it is on my list but I may skip it.
Happy Monday! I love these book reviews, I'm always adding something to my Good Reads from them 🙂 Before we were strangers sounds so good!
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Before We Were Strangers sounds really good!
You've given me some new books for the TBR list…..in January when everything slows down.
This could not have come at a more perfect time! With my extra free time I was on the hunt for some new books so downloading The Royal Treatment today! I felt the same way about Without Merit. it seemed extremely YA for Colleen.
I love seeing what people are reading! I'm curious about Before We Were Strangers – I just need to read more by the author in general.
-Lauren
shootingstarsmag.net
Wow, that photo of Boston in the snow is gorgeous! What a perfect weekend to be cozy. 🙂 You've read a lot recently! I'm hoping to get through a big stack of books by the end of the year to meet my 2017 goal!
Yay for a cozy weekend! I have The Royal Treatment and The Royal Wedding on my Christmas list, and hope to be able to dive into them soon. I'm weird in that I enjoy holding a physical book, and love opening them up from under the tree. Cheers to a fabulous week <3
Green Fashionista
You are on a roll! These all sound good. I am currently reading kid development books, ha.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
So many good reads, girl! I agree about The Royal Wedding – the first book was so much better. I still have to read Swear On This Life, but Before We Were Strangers sounds SO good. Love Laura Dave, too!
That snow looks like a great excuse to get cozy with a book!!! Hope you had a great weekend!!! XOXO, R
That stinks that a few books fell short for you. I loved Before We Were Stangers. That was my first Carlino book. I have a few of these on my TBR and I am adding Miranda's Big Mistake and London is the Best City in America.
I read The Castaways too and didn't love it. Left me feeling a little blah! I'll have to check some if the others out!
Brooke
pumps and push-ups
Oh these all look so good, and are not on my current must read list. I am a big fan of Jennifer Weiner, so I'll give that one a shot first. Although I haven't been in love with her last few, I'm still a big fan!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Happy Monday! We got some snow here too. I am so envious of all the reading you got in. I was trying to entertain two toddlers lol. Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I go through phases of reading nonstop and phases of reading nothing. I'm in a reading phase now, so I'll have to give these a go! – Kristin It's Kristin
London is the Best City in America sounds really good- I'll definitely add it to my list! I haven't read Before We Were Strangers and am torn because I also loooooved Swear on This Life, but I read one of her other books this year and kind of hated it, so that makes me nervous based on your review about loving it or hating it, lol.
Sooo many books. I can't wait to check a few of them out. I hate when a book falls short. Ugh.
I LOVED Who Do You Love!! And you are so right… half the time I was rooting for Rachel and half the time I was rooting for Andy! it was a roller coaster of emotions! haha.
I always love your book posts! Definitely adding these to my list on Goodreads!
That photos is just screaming winter wonderland. I have the castaways on my kindle and Im hoping to read it on the plane this weekend.
I loved Who do you love… Its been,awhile since I read it though. & yeah, I had to have a character chart for the Elin book. That was a switcharoo with couples all around
The Renee Carlino is on my list – my library doesn't have it so I have to buy it!
I have only read Who Do You Love on this list and it frustrated me to no end! I love your reviews and recs!!
Great post, B. I read all of Laura Dave's novels a couple years ago – when 800 Grapes came out. I think she was the first author that after I'd read her latest, I went back and read all of her backlisted publications. I've since done that with a couple of other authors, like Liane Moriarty. If you'd be interested to read my Laura Dave reviews:
wp.me/p4cJzL-22i (800 Grapes and The First Husband)
wp.me/p4cJzL-26b (The Divorce Party)
These are all such cute reads. Thank you for sharing your latest reads Biana. Have a great week and be safe out there. So much snow in Michigan this week.
I always love your reading recs and can't wait to add these to my list!
I've been wanting to read Who Do You Love! Will definitely have to download it on my Kindle.
XO
Molly
trendychickadee.com/2017/11/trendy-travels-roadtrippin-with-cotton-on/
Sounds like you guys got a cold but pretty winter wonderland over the weekend…definitely perfect for snuggling up at home with a good book or movie. I haven't read any of these on your list but thanks for reminding me to finally purchase The Royal Wedding. I've read so many great reviews. Have a wonderful week lady and hope the weather treats you well! Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis
Looks like I'll skip that Elin book! I'm going to put London is the Best City in America on my list now!! I've been slacking in the reading department so I don't have any recommendations this month:-(
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I haven't heard of any of these! I've liked Jennifer Weiner in the past so I will definitely check that one out. I need to get on my reading, I have been slacking!
A few of these are on my TBR list.. thanks for the reviews
That first photo is gorgeous! So many great recommendations! I definitely need to read a good book soon!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
I was so excited about first snow here too, like a little kid, haha. These books sound wonderful, I missed that time when I would read books for hours. Hope, you are having a great start of the week, Biana. xx
Nina's Style Blog
I love your book rec's, babe! This is a great list for me to dig into over the holiday break!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
It looks like you've read some pretty interesting books, girl! I love when you share the books you've been reading, as it gives me more books to add to my list, once I'm able to find the time to read again. London is the Best City in America sounds interesting; I'd love to know why it's titled that. Also, Before We Were Strangers also sounds interesting, too. Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
Nice Post !!
personalised magic mugs
They sound really interesting, especially the Mirand's Big Mistake. Thanks for sharing dear!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com