How was your long weekend? I may or may not share what I was up to this weekend later in the week but it was mostly boring just doing chores around the house that I have been putting off the last 3 weeks. Today is Show us your Books linkup which is much more exciting so let’s get to it, and hopefully you find some new books to read.
My rating system:
Five Stars: Blew me away, made me want to stay up till 3am to finish, would read again and again or I didn’t find anything I would want to change.
Four Stars: Really good book, fast paced or thought provoking, but may have dragged a bit or left something unresolved
Three Stars: Okay, didn’t thrill me but didn’t disappoint me either.
Two Stars: I almost didn’t finish, it may have irritated or offended me in some way.
** – Item was received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I pull no punches though, so you get all my opinions good or bad.
NOTE: I may not care for a book or I may love a book and my reactions are based on my experiences and tastes. Please don’t let my opinions deter you if a book really intrigues you, and know all opinions are my own.
The Last Letter From Your Lover – Jennifer awakes from a coma and doesn’t remember much but her rich husband takes her home and all her things don’t make her feel home. She stumbles upon some love letters and while she can’t remember who wrote the letters they make her feel alive again. A little over 40 years later Ellie a newspaper write stumbles on the letters. She is moved by the letters, as she is going through a similar relationship and makes it her mission to find the writer of the letter and the women they belong too. A love story that both breaks your heart while still giving you hope. It pulled every emotion out of me.
**Chasing River – Amber decided to take a cross country trip after her ex said she was too inexperienced to date seriously. While in Dublin she runs through a park only to be tackled by a stranger when a bomb explodes, part of an IRA retaliation. River Delaney is that stranger, and he becomes her hero. He has a troubled past but is now trying to keep his families pub running smoothly. When Amber tracks him down, he pushes her away while still wanting her close.
I loved the background of Dublin and the trials it has faced. River is always trying to save his brother and his loyalty to his family was endearing. The love story was really sweet and a good happy ending.
Dark Places – One one gruesome night Libby Day ran for her life, her mother and two sisters were not as lucky. She became the star witness against her brother for their murders, hearing his voice that night. Or did she? Now almost 30 years later she is almost out of money and her greed and survival leads her to answer a request from the Kill Club. A group who believe in her brother’s innocence. They want to pay her to investigate the case. Will it open old wounds or lead her to the truth of that night. Either way the truth will come out, whether she is ready or not. There is a satanic element to this that really turned me off but it was still interesting overall.
Bossy Pants – This book was all over the place but it covered so many fun topics. From her time writing for Saturday Night Live, and her time with 30 Rock, and even some stories from her childhood and college. It was so cool to hear how she wasn’t a very “cool” kid and she had some really embarrassing moments that she shared. It made her even more real and just a very down to earth person. I totally recommend the audiobook since it is read by her.
** Just A Little Kiss – I did a book review with a giveaway on this which is still open and an excerpt so you can click here for that too.
Felicity wants to get out of her small town, she is a waitress and wants more but not sure exactly what she wants to do. In the meantime she will only date Summer boys so she doesn’t get stuck staying. Mason is in town for the summer to help his Uncle with the fishing season. He is not a fan of boats or getting up early so this just might be a challenge. Felicity appears to be his new neighbor and helps him with his seasickness using a family remedy, making Mason think that it just might be worthy sticking around for the rest of the summer.
The two hit it off and have quick and fun banter. Mason pushes Felicity to dream of the future and make her dreams a reality. Felicity helps Mason get over the girl he once thought he was in love with, and seeing a possible future together. I really liked how these two complimented each other, went through real life struggles of finding oneself and moving towards a dream.
The Leisure Seeker – John and Ella decide to take one last road trip in their old Leisure Seeker RV, with John suffering from Alzheimer’s and Ella deciding not to get treated for her Cancer they want to recreate some of their memories and take their time enjoying the journey. Reliving the trips they took with their now grown kids with the slides projected onto the side of their RV. They see a lot and experience a lot of adventure on the old Route 66, while enjoying each others company.
I struggled to connect with this book at times and while I thought their relationship was endearing it just lost me at times.
When You Reach Me – I had no idea where this book was going half the time. It was on the younger side of YA and there was a time travelling plot that I just couldn’t get behind. Miranda and Sam were the best of friends until one fateful day. The crazy guy on the corner is shouting out phrases that don’t make much sense. Letters arrive talking about the future and clues to what will happen. The ending was a surprise but the time travelling plot I just couldn’t get behind. Fast and quick read.
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner.
Best Laid Plans – I have read this whole series and Lucy is a character who has been through so much and you just root for her to get through it. She has a strong family and a tough spirit and I read this one in just a day. Looking forward to the next book.
What books have you read this month?
Will you add any of these books to your list?
Linking up with Steph and Jana for this months reads.
The jojo meyers book sounds amazing – I’m not sure I could handle too much heartbreak, but it sounds like a movie I loved so I’d like to read it!!! xo, Biana
It wasn’t too bad but it did make me feel a lot but it was so good.
I got about half way through Chasing River and it expired from the Library so I have to wait to finish it but your review makes me that much more excited! Definitely checking out Just A Little Kiss and I’ve always thought Tina Fey would be a good one for me to read aka listen to, lol.
Oh I hate when that happens!! You’ve read the others in the series right for Just A Little Kiss? Such a cute series. Yes listen is better for that one. 😉
I haven’t read Dark Places or Bossypants yet, but they’re both on my list. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them!
Both were good in their own way. Totally think the audio book for Bossypants is the best. Dark Places was really dark but good.
Chasing River Sounds interesting, as does Leisure Seeker. I actually have a dream to travel around the US in an RV, so I may have to check that one out!
Chasing River was a really sweet story. Leisure Seeker was a little more sad but it sounds like you might enjoy it for the travel part of it.
loved bossypants–i wish i had listened to it in audiobook! speaking of 30 rock, i met pete from the show over the weekend. my list of to-read books is crazy long. keep the reviews coming!
Yes, hearing it was more of a storyteller vibe to it. I love Pete, that’s awesome! I know, mine is almost to 600 by now! Oy.
I don’t think I’ve read that Moyes book. I’ll have to check it out!
I am glad I gave it a chance, it wasn’t what I expected.
I enjoyed Bossypants and The Leisure Seeker. Dark Places was so messed up, even more than Gone Girl, so of course I loved it 🙂 And I’ve been working my way through Jojo Moyes so I need to put this one on the list.
It was a little darker than Gone Girl, I am not sure what I was expecting. It wasn’t one I knew of by JoJo but I am glad I read it.
Dark Places was weird for me too… yet I couldn’t put it down! I just love her writing style and her ability to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Bossy Pants has been on my to read list forever! I think I need to do the audiobook like you mentioned.
It was a fast read it was just a little off. She certainly does keep you on the edge of your seat for sure.
Yes the audiobook was much more intimate like talking with a friend.
I agree with your five star read. I wish people still wrote real love letters!
I have Chasing River on my Kindle from Netgalley so need to get on that.
It is such a lost art but they are so nice when they are good. I think you’d like Chasing River. I have so many on my kindle it is ridiculous!
I LOVED Chasing River… I forgot all about that book
Yep… going to Amazon right now to order that JoJo book!
I loved the Dublin backdrop, and he was an unlikely hero. Hope you like the JoJo book.
The Last Letter From Your Lover sounds like a really interesting read and I am going to add it to my list!! I liked Bossypants but you are right, it was all over the place!
I hope you like it, such a sweet love story. It was so it was hard to follow but it was much better as an audiobook it felt like more of a conversation.
i am definitely adding that jojo moyes book to my list!
parts of dark places turned me off as well. adding the lucy kincaid series to my list!
It was such a sweet love story. The Lucy Kincaid series is one of my favorites, hope you like it.
I really liked Bossypants. It was short, to the point, a lot of humor in her writing. Amy Poehler’s book felt more all over the place and dragged on a bit for me :/
I don’t know if I can read that first book lol I like to stick to more humorous, autobiographies
It was very funny and seemed like how she would be in real life. Oh, it isn’t a real biography it was more of a love story.
I loved Dark Places, though it was a little too convenient of an ending for me. Flynn loves to write her some effed up lady characters, though. I need to reread Bossypants bc it has been a while and I know I liked it but I remember next to nothing about it!
It was a little too buttoned up and the satanic part was just weird. I can only imagine the thoughts that go through her head. I totally recommend the audiobook instead of reading Bossypants.
Dark Places was so creepy! I want to see the movie. It’s in limited release right now.
I think you’d enjoy Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica. I forget how to spell her last name. But it was good!
Me too. It was supposedly on Netflix or Hulu so I’ll have to try and find it. I did like her other one so I’ll be adding that to my list.
I tried to read BossyPants but I am just not much of a Tina Fey fan I suppose. I couldn’t finish!
I loved Dark Places but then again I am into the creepy dark kind of books!
I think listening to it felt so much better, like friends having a conversation. It was creepy dark, very good.
I never finished Dark Places. It seems creepy enough for me to like it. #soweird
You didn’t like it? Bummer. It was really dark and the satanic part did weird me out.
I’m adding Chasing River to my list! I wish I would have listened to Tina’s book rather than read it. I may have to give it another go! Dark Places is my least favorite of Flynn’s books, but man, they are all so dark!
I think listening to it was so much easier because it felt like you were having coffee together. Yes, it was much darker than I expected.
I looked up Allison Brennan on my goodreads because I felt like I’d heard of her or read her before. I have 3 of her books marked “to read”. Guess I need to get to readin’!
The Jojo Moyes book sounds a little bit like the movie The Vow. A little bit. Not totally. Just a little.
Haha! Clearly you need to get started on them! 😉 It is in a way similar to The Vow but the husband is not the hero in this one.
Definitely checking out The Last Letter From Your Lover, sounds excellent!
The letters really made me wish it wasn’t a lost art.
BossyPants is one of my fave books! I read it a few years ago, but now want to re-read it
She is so funny and it read really well in that you felt she was just sharing her life.
The Last Letter from Your Lover sounds so good!
It was really sweet and I was surprised how much I liked it.
I totally haven’t been reading as much as I should. I do want to read Bossypants, love Tina Fay.
It was really funny when she talked about growing up. She was very much like Katy in Mean Girls.
I’ve been wanting to read Bossy Pants since I love Tina Fey! Need to add to my list 🙂
It was so good since she read it and you got to feel like she was just a friend telling a story.