"Do you know the Suli have no words to say 'I'm sorry'?"

...

"But when someone does wrong, when we make mistakes, we don't say we're sorry. We promise to make amends."

"'What you want and what the world needs are not always in accord, Kaz. Praying and wishing are not the same thing.'"

"She did not tell herself she wasn't afraid. Long ago, after a bad fall, her father had explained that only fools were fearless."

25? ✅ Single? ✅ Terribly awkward which leads to a lifetime of forever alone? ✅

This could be the book for you!

Josh Sundquist, Paralympic athlete and motivational speaker finds himself 25 and forever alone, so he decides to explore it, scientifically.

He writes with humor (& graphs for math minded individuals) as he explores all of his former flames to figure out what went wrong.

Caution: book contains cringeworthy awkwardness

Explore Alaska. Check. End the series on an intense story with more FBI agents, terrorists, and secrets. Check.

I enjoyed this story as well. It reminded me of a few other of her novels, but in a good way. I liked the survival addition and that of course some of her SAR team checks in.

Well written, exciting, intense.

A nice addition to the series, I liked these characters and their development as friends and independent beings much more than in the first book. They also are running from serious problems with terrorists, but those problems are unknown by Dannette the majority of the time, making her point of view just about rescue and not hiding, which I enjoyed.

Northern MN+woods+dogs=pleasant read

I enjoyed the CIA/military life on the run aspect of this story as well as the flashbacks. I felt the emotion in the characters and understood their decisions. It was also nice to see the start of characters I had met in Warren's later works. With that being said, the faith aspect is pretty heavy and almost slaps you in the face unlike her more recent works.

The level of community, character building, and action packed suspense is on par.

The ghost begins to rampage in an intense fashion as the trilogy nears the end. The characters must learn how to dodge the deadly ghost as they try and solve the mystery to put her to rest. Along with that Harper & Hayley must finally come to turns with their feelings, with quite a few bumps along the way. This series wasn't as exciting as I was expecting but it was pleasant. This tale didn't pull me in, but it was nice to wrap up.

What do you like to read? Why?
What don't you relate to?

A coworker mentioned her inability to relate to Outlander and other books because they were "written for bored rich white women". Do you agree?

Here were the thoughts that went through my head. I'd love to hear yours!

#amreading #booktalk

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A wrap up to the Montana Fire novels, it was hard to put this one down as the two main characters have been ones Warren has made us love over the first two books. Once again, pieces of her previous works seep seamlessly together building on the already strong and wonderful communities she has created. The skill of meshing all of her characters unique stories together is incredible. Also, a kind and emotional man is featured! Yeay man emotions!

I enjoyed this story more than the first. The characters were more believable but that could also be because I knew them from the last book (and other series). I died when Deep Haven and Montana collided. I love how seamlessly Warren pushes together the lives of her characters, even though they are from different series. So well done, highly recommend Warren to anyone with a spirit for adventure as well as some Jesus loving/trust and romance.

With an offset of fire related adventures, Warren paints a picture of the dangers of fighting fire and the reality of panic. Watching characters trapped in fires and unable to save themselves or others turned me inside out. I'll always love that about Warren's writing, the way she connects emotions. Kate was beautifully flawed and stuck true to her personality making her more enjoyable. Overall very enjoyable, yet not my personal favorite.

An older couple finds romance in the second book of the In the Garden Series. I enjoyed Roz's personality and strength in the first book and I find her even more admirable in this one. I found it interesting how adults with grown children being written as the main characters of a romance differed from previous ones. It was more straightforward and the drama did not come from misunderstandings between Roz and Mitch.

A neat mystical magical world where I was thoroughly confused and swept away, in a good way. The main characters were complex and contradictory, trying to find lost parts of themselves or to discover who they are. There was minimal diversity, but it at least contained a few diverse characters. There was something holding me back from fully entering into the head of the main character, but it was a fun story to sit back and watch unravel.

I can't breathe. I. Can't.

Just read it.

Diversity. Teenage love with not too much angst. Did I say diversity? Like almost all the bases covered. Amazing.

Yoon is amazing. Must read for everyone.everywhere. Everything is questioned. Everything. Everything.

Speechless.

"I was happy before I met him. But I'm alive now, and those are not the same thing."

"I tell her that he thinks I'm funny and smart and beautiful in that order, and that the order matters."

An interesting twist on post-apocalyptic America. I liked the true feminist perspective as well as the story told with two societies that have no gender equality. The writing seemed fairly simple and although telling a unique tale and creating empathy and love for one character in particular, I didn't feel as connected to this community or plot.

After having read the second book in the series "Taking Chances" in exchange for a review, I fell in love with the town of Windsor Falls and wanted to see how the story and town developed in the first book!

I was not disappointed! The characters came alive in a new and introductory way and I was able to enjoy meeting Katie and Flynn (from book 2) for the first time, as well as getting a better understanding of everyone's history and relationships

It reminded me of The Hunger Games, in the best way! A fearless and kind heroine goes from having luxury but no love to a place where people want her dead. People begin to take interest in her, will it be for her benefit?

A well written, descriptive, suspense filled and action packed journey begins! I was turning pages just to keep up until it was 6am and I was all of a sudden 94% done. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I can't wait for the next!

An overall good conclusion to the series that I wish I had read right after I finished the previous. I wish a couple characters had wrapped up differently, but I understand why they didn't and how that played in their development. Not as raunchy in certain scenes and a little less excitement and destruction than the other novels, but overall a good conclusion.

The world could use a little more love right now and we have the power to at least give each other some of that through the way we perceive and interact.

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#beautystandards #strongwomen #strongmen #stronghumans #Love_yourself #begood #bekind #behealthy #beYOUtiful

It was well written and tugged at the heart strings but I didn't feel the connection to the plot or the characters. I loved all of the yard work and now want to plant entire gardens, but I didn't find the storyline all that enticing. The romance also seemed to be more behind the scenes and no one seemed to run into each other all that often making them seem to be moving too fast (which perhaps was the point).

I LOVE a good Nora Roberts book. Especially when it fades from erotic scenes and takes on the role of a well built community trapped in a nightmare where serial killers roam. The main character is strong but not whiny when the males in her life begin to hover. Her development is slow, reasonable, and complete. The suspense takes the forefront, the mystery, the crime solving. Any romance or development happens naturally alongside it.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction tale of mountain adventures, national parks, faith, love, and a realistic independent woman (with flaws). The plot was complex and the characters seemed to develop at a natural pace as well as they lived up to their annoying weaknesses. I could have gone for some longer scenes and stronger secondary characters though.

*I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for a review.*

A nice ending to the remnant chronicles, well told tale of betrayal and over coming obstacles. I appreciated the reality that the three main characters faced in terms of love. I was a little turned off by the ending and I felt it wrapped everything up fairly neatly and I was hoping for more of a mess, but I'm sure I would have been upset if it was a mess too. A well written, fun, fantasy series about girl power and choice!

Wow. Raw and real. Glennon Doyle Melton holds back no punches. She isn't trying to sell herself in a kind light or make herself a victim. She also isn't trying to sell knowledge of a fix it solution. She isn't trying to sell anything and that is so refreshing. Her honest journey alongside her reflections are laid out for the world to bear witness and her message of beauty and love is important for all to hear.

A decent read, maybe less interesting than I had hoped (although that could be due to the fact that I read it over many days due to travels and illness). I found it hard to get into in the beginning because of the strange character/setting names. Characters were well developed through the two points of view used in the book. The idea of fate and justice as well as mercy is an interesting part of the plot.

A creative world, new ideas, and some likable characters, I enjoyed the book as it read fluidly and smoothly. I didn't connect with the main female character Lucy, but I enjoyed Fax and his friends. I felt some of the relationships' developments moved at a nice pace, but some parts felt cheesy. It made a nice commentary on Academic/High Class "Educated" and "uneducated" rural/"hick" society. I'd recommend this to YA who enjoy a fast read fantasy!

Between traveling, conferences & classes starting, this book took me a little longer than the rest. It also seemed to move a little slower in some respects with only little hiccups that were easily fixed...until the stones came into play again. I enjoyed the addition of the story of Bree and Roger. It was great to get to know them, although the misunderstandings (although plausible) were beyond frustrating! I couldn't put down the second half!

This book follows the first in very strong female and male characters, yet creating vulnerability. I enjoyed how it explored PTSD as the main issue instead of trouble loving someone. Both characters were mature and patient, as well as good at not letting their emotions rule their lives. I found that it was a little more of the same from the first book and that made it move a little more slowly, but a good read nonetheless.

There is something special about relatable, realistic, badass female characters!

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Here I go again, waiting like crazy on the next installment! A thrilling and adventurous tale, Warren does not disappoint. Her usual storytelling genius shines through in what is perhaps the best installment yet; one of heartbreak, adrenaline, and learning to trust. The romance is well done, believable. The side characters are so important that I don't want to say goodbye, I need their stories to finish now too. Another great Warren novel!

A great addition to the series! Warren's style allows for the transition of POV flawlessly and does a great job of developing multiple characters and their relationships with each other at one time (including their faith journey). This story line was intriguing and kept me up all night wanting things to sort themselves out. (Most of them do, but some are left for the next book.) Set near Glacier National Park, I can't wait to go back already!

Another great piece by Warren! Not only does she make you fall in love with the main characters, but she makes you fall in love with the whole community that surrounds them. I feel connected to the town as if I just moved there as well. I enjoyed the development of the secondary characters as well, in their romance, their professions, and their relationships. She also makes it full of faith without being pushy or preachy.

A quick fun read. Women who kick butt and fight crime. Suspenseful and although one part was predictable, I didn't suspect all of the right people which was exciting. A slow paced development where I lacked a little connection to the characters but I enjoyed the strong female roles and the way gender didn't dictate jobs or strengths in this book. Mix in a little faith and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

This book was like a guilty pleasure hallmark/Netflix Christmas movie. The writing style wasn't for me and a lot of parts were underdeveloped and too cliche, but I couldn't put it down. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but I don't regret reading it. It has a lot of twilight vibes and I didn't love twilight, but some characters are more enjoyable and a nice comic relief. The dialogue wasn't for me, but a fun read.

In the first 25% I thought I wouldn't finish. It was slow and nothing interesting seemed to happen, but then I got to know the characters and the plot moved, never with huge twists, but telling a realistic story of an Italian village in the 1950s & 60s. By the end, I knew I'd need to follow these characters into book two. A great commentary on education and trying to live in two parts of society at once. Good commentary on women and friendship!

Character identity crisis versus my own attempts to be anyone who I wasn't. Sometimes we can't escape the person we were meant to be.

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A thrilling sequel. Without the mystery of the first half of the first book, it seemed a little less gripping. However, I needed to keep reading to figure out what kind of deceptions would work and what would cause pandemonium. The love triangle continues but also gets wrinkled further by unexpected developments. This series is a fun read that will let you travel away for a little!

The author's style was a simple, fast moving narrative, with a mysterious edge that made you want to read the whole book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. The way she weaved other character's point of view and was vague enough to leave you wanting was thrilling. The storyline itself was interesting and he characters were lovable.

Inspired by ODWABDANOTWM.

Thoughts on moving away, growing up, and memories.

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Poverty & happiness. Money & poor in spirit. How far do we let people take us before we break? How much abuse can be considered love? Who is God & do we have the right to judge in His name? Abuse, family, crushes on priests, crumbling government, dreams, & death. Adichie explores all of these through the detailed accounts of the memories and perceptions of a 16 year old who's finally free & learning about the world in its beauty & injustice.

Caraval was a beautiful story about deception that was successful in deceiving the reader as well as the main characters. There were things I never could have guessed at and often my perceptions were proven false. A wonderful, and entertaining quick read!

Ever wonder why women go to the bathroom in groups? "The Female of the Species" gives a fairly good reason.

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#FemaleAuthorProject

1- Great title & great cover! 2- What an insightful, quirky, hilariously reflective collection of essays! I couldn't help giggling and then being moved by similar feelings! This is a great read (especially for young women from immigrant families--or anyone!) Koul is a fabulous writer and her voice is strong and entertaining!!!

#FemaleAuthorProject

I love mail! I love when mail comes with books included!!! Thank you so much @Caroline2 !!! These are perfect! I haven't read them (nor do I own them!!) and I've been really into reading books written by kick-ass women, and both of these women fit the bill!! This is perfect!!! ((ALSO THE BOOKMARKS AND HARRY POTTER PENCILS!!)) YOU ROCK! THANK YOU SO MUCH! #summersolsticebookexchange #femaleauthorproject @BookishMarginalia

😂😂😂😂

"People like us in situations like this become hashtags, but they rarely get justice. I think we all wait for that one time thought, that one time when it ends right." #blacklivesmatter #PhilandoCastille

A nice read about a man's journey in finding God in the wilderness of the mountains, plains, deserts, and rivers of the Western U.S. (&Baja California). It made me crave the peace of the outdoors, but other than that I didn't connect in a deeper way. The stories seemed disconnected from each other and it was hard to get into.
#bloggingforbooks
Full review: https://lifeshouldbelit.wordpress.com/2017/06/20/review-we-stood-upon-stars