My 2019 Year In Books.

A few of my favorites (in no particular order):
-Where the Crawdads Sing
-What the Wind Knows
-The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
-A Breath of Snow & Ashes (Outlander 6)
-The Things We Cannot Say
-A Discovery of Witches
-Love & Other Words
-Necessary Lies
-Regretting You
-Winter Garden

#YearInBooks #2019YearInBooks #2019Stats #2019Review

My December Reads. I‘ve been slacking with reviews, but I‘m over here still reading. #DecemberStats #DecemberReads

My November Reads

I‘m a little behind in reviews on here, but my month started out strong and I got in a rut due to life being busy. My favorites were The Midwife‘s Confession. Evvie Drake Starts Over, and The Perfect Child. #NovemberReads #NovemberRoundUp #NovemberStats

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

A beautiful yet heartbreaking story with mediocre writing (sorry, I must be in minority here...I know a lot of people rave about this one). This could have been so much more, but it was great for a quick read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

This has been my least favorite Diane Chamberlain book so far. I really enjoyed this (and was glued to the book), but there was too much going on in this one book for me. Still, Diane has a way with keeping you hooked by ending each chapter wanting to read more.

I‘m really good at figuring things out and this was no exception, however, it did keep me second guessing at times.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

I really loved this. So cute and put a smile on my face all throughout. It felt over about halfway in, and then it dragged a teeny bit through the middle, but not necessarily in a bad way (I enjoyed every bit of it). So many books try to rush a relationship, and this one takes the time to explore. This was the perfect book about two people who are figuring out their new lives and what comes next. Oh, and love. ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

Not their usual writing style (and I definitely wouldn‘t pick it as your first Christina Lauren book). I found it fell short in some areas, but it was still enjoyable. I would have liked to seen more of what happened with the ending.

⭐️⭐️💫 2.5 Stars

Eh. This was just okay. I couldn‘t really connect with Lucy, and found all of them to be selfish. Because of this I didn‘t feel invested, and in turn did not find it emotional (and I love a good tearjerker).

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

I wanted to love this more but it never fully grabbed me until about 1/2 way in (hard time finding it believable). The story opens with the mom singing involuntarily and the father has been missing for 11 years after a car accident.

I thought the second half of book was wonderful and had me unable to put the book down.

#Emotional

October Wrap-Up 📚

Pretty good month for quality. Most were 4-5 stars. Favorite was Winter Garden. Least favorites were The Last Letter from Your Lover and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Not too many books total, but I‘m bouncing back from finals and a slump. My yearly total so far is 74, which is outstanding for me.

#OctoberReads #OctoberWrapUp #OctoberStats

I started this one a while backed based off the recommendation of author, Kelly Rimmer (and upon reading reviews I‘ve heard it is a #tearjerker, which I love). I‘m easily distracted by Kindle books, so that‘s why I haven‘t finished, but I‘m determined to do it this week.

For those interested: It isn‘t sold in the US (I think it is a UK book), but I found it on Amazon in paperback form. Took a few weeks to arrive.

What are your favorite #KristinHannah books?

So far I‘ve read: The Nightingale, The Great Alone, Firefly Lane, Winter Garden, and Distant Shores (that was the only one I didn‘t care for). I‘m thinking Night Road should be next?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

When I first started this I thought for sure this story wasn‘t for me. I wasn‘t getting into it and was bored it wasn‘t picking up. But then it developed into something really special with history coming into play, and that ending was perfection. 😭❤️ #KristinHannah

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 Stars

What happened to Riley‘s sister, Lisa, all those years ago? Did she kill herself? And why?

This one kept me up all last night until I finished, and I‘m not one to do that. I didn‘t want to stop. I personally found it predictable (I guessed what happened pretty much from the start), but that didn‘t spoil the book for me in the least bit.

#DianeChamberlain #Mystery

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

So I believe the writing fell a bit flat, especially considering the topic. It really lacked describing the camps for what they were and how difficult it was for everyone. However, it kept my full attention and I needed to know what happened to these characters (based on real people). It is horrific what they went through.

If you want a “lighter” read on the Auschwitz concentration camps then this might be for you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5-3 Stars

The main story was interesting (taken place mostly in the 1960‘s), but it was drawn out with these other little things that weren‘t essential. Then near the end of the book we meet Ellie in present day (2003). I see her as being valuable, but her own storyline was not. I could have easily skipped over her story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

Wow. This is a heartbreaking story that throws some surprises at you. It is a tough story to read, but one that should be read. Especially if you are dealing with domestic abuse. One POV is from Olivia, David‘s wife. The other is from Ivy, David‘s mom. You see why David is the way he was & of Olivia picking up her life after a tragedy.

Bring tissues. 💔

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

This one takes place during 40‘s & present day of two different artists. This one isn‘t a favorite of mine (of Diane‘s), but I still really enjoyed it and recommend. My favorite thing about her books are piecing the stories together and how she wraps everything up. They‘re always filled with rich history too.

Thank you to NetGalley & @StMartinsPress for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

A book about a 39 year old mom who meets a 20 year old pop star. Not a book I‘d normally choose. Sounded cheesy....And it kind of was at times. BUT it was actually pretty good. That ending though....

An epilogue into the future would have been nice. I‘m over here a bit peeved about that lol.

Anyways, I recommend to romance fans. It has a little bit of every emotion.

Loving this book so far. The only thing that would make my son‘s swim practice more tolerable would be a comfortable seat instead of these bleachers. 🏊‍♂️ 📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

This was part 2 (and the finale) of this book series. It was written as one long story broken in half. As I said yesterday, Emma really has a way of words. Beautiful writing. And to top it off, she took a serious subject (#military) and brought another layer to this story.

It is sometimes difficult for me to relate to stories with younger adults (college), but I found them enjoyable & intriguing.

#KindleUnlimited #Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

This is a two part series, and it definitely left me wanting to read book 2. A love story of two friends who have feelings for the same girl. The two combined would make the perfect guy, but which one does Autumn love more?

This is my first from this author. As the story developed I really saw how amazing Emma Scott is with words (much like the character Weston).

#KindleUnlimited #Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

This book was sooo slow the first half. I almost gave up on it because it wasn‘t moving at all, and there‘s so much that was unnecessary. A little over halfway it began to pick-up and I started to enjoy it. Not an amazing book by any means, but I liked it.

My #AugustWrapUp

8 books (1 YA). I hoped to read more but life got in the way. 😂😩

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars - The Book of Life
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars - After the End
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars - The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars - The Turn of the Key
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars - Behind Closed Doors
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars - Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars - Are you there God? It‘s Me, Margaret.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars - Things You Save in a Fire

#AugustReads

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

This is my second book I‘ve read of Katherine‘s (other being #HowToWalkAway), and I‘ve got to say this is my favorite of the two. Cassie was a character I really enjoyed. Strong in many ways, independent, funny, and someone who needed to heal. The way the writer brought everything together was nearly perfect. The last quarter of the book had many emotions, which is what I look for in a book. My only thing with her books is...

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

Hard to rate a kids books, but I‘m rating it 3 stars as an adult reading it. If I were 12 years old I‘d rate it higher. I‘m not a prude, but I had to question if I‘d want my young child reading a book that mentions Playboy on more than one occasion. This is definitely a book for mature kids going through puberty.

I don‘t normally read this genre, but it‘s a title I‘ve heard many times over the years, so I thought Id check it out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

I thought this book was okay. Some parts were very interesting to me - I liked hearing inside a therapist‘s head and what she was thinking of her patients and how it pertained to not only their lives but herself. However, it felt dragged out and scrambled. It took me a while to finish, which is unusual for a book this size. I think it would‘ve written better as a fiction novel tbh, as much as I like that most is true.

My #BookOfTheMonth picks for September. ❤️

I still haven‘t been reading much since my surgery (I‘m so tired), and now I‘m back to school and feeling overwhelmed with that. BUT I‘ve heard such great things about all three titles. I may not get to them anytime soon, but I couldn‘t resist.

#BOTM #SeptemberPicks #SeptemberBOTM

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

I went into this hearing it was one of the scariest books people have ever read, so I think the hype had set me up to be a bit disappointed. I didn‘t find anything scary (does that say something about me? Lol).

I did enjoy it, but it could‘ve been so much better.

Recovering from surgery I had on Monday night. I had some complications and setbacks but I‘m doing pretty good now. Now to take it easy for 6 weeks. I‘m not allowed to do anything. 😩

Yesterday was the first day I had enough energy to read and I still didn‘t get much done. Going to try to fit in a little more today.

So far this book is really good. I think it is going to be pretty emotional. These ladies have already been through so much. ❤️

Happy #BookLoversDay!📚

1.) What was your favorite book as a child?
2.) What is your current favorite book?
3.) What are you reading today?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

I don‘t read too many #suspense books (they make me nervous lol), so I don‘t know what really makes one excellent in comparison. But this was really, really good. It had me intrigued from the beginning and on the edge of my seat many times throughout. I really felt for the main character. I kept trying to piece things together. I had guessed part of it (I‘m good for that), but it was so much more. Highly recommend.

Starting on this one. Exciting!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫4.5 Stars

Yet another amazing read from #DianeChamberlain. This one sucked me in immediately and was quite the page turner. I could hardly put it down. What was CeeCee Wilkes hiding?

The only reason I did not give a full 5 stars because I did not find the ending to be realistic, but I liked how it was wrapped up at the same time. #Mystery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

This was tough to read. Not only because it deals with a child dying, but because you really felt for both of the parents. I love how Clare wrote this book (and as heartbreaking as it was, it was equally as beautiful and thought provoking). I was saddened to hear this was a book she shared personal experience with as a mother.

“When you stand at a crossroad you cannot see each destination, only the beginnings of the paths that will lead you there. All you can do is choose one, and walk, and hope that someone will walk with you.”

- After the End

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

The final installment in the #AllSoulsTrilogy. I loved how the trilogy all wrapped up, but took me almost halfway through to really get interested in it. It was at this point that I couldn‘t put it down.

I‘m going to miss their story continuing, but I think anything more would be too much. This was perfect.

Can‘t wait to see book 2 and 3 adapted for the tv show. 📺

#ADiscoveryOfWitches

Not feeling so good today, so I‘ve been trying to read this little by little. Problem is I can‘t seem to concentrate and I‘m tired, so I haven‘t gotten very far.

Isn‘t it ironic? You think “oh, I finally get a day to rest and read” and then you can‘t even enjoy it. 😩

On a side note, I have no idea what to expect from this book, but I‘ve heard it is amazing (and emotional). So far it seems pretty good!

Another 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book from #DianeChamberlain.

She writes like no one else. Brings history into her writing to make these stories real (all while educating), adds just enough mystery to keep you thinking & turning the pages, has you loving all the characters. And it flows seamlessly.

This particular story took place in the 1960‘s. Told from two point of views (one being a social worker), & covered the Eugenics Sterilization program.

My July Wrap-Up. 10 books total. So many good reads.

1. Firefly Lane 5/5
2. Bright Side 4.5/5
3. Written in my Own Heart‘s Blood (Outlander 8 ) 3/5
4. How to Walk Away 4/5
5. The Stolen Marriage 5/5
6. One Day In December 3.5/5
7. Love and Other Words 5/5
8. The Law Of Moses 3/5
9. Ask Me to Stay 3.5/5
10. Necessary Lies 5/5

#JulyReads #JulyWrapUp #JulyStats

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

This was an extremely quick read. A love story within another story. Enjoyed it very much, but I did find the writing to be a little mediocre at times. There are mysterious elements to the story, however, I found it all to be a bit predictable - which didn‘t bother me for the kind of story it is...a light romance. #KindleUnlimited

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

I really enjoyed this, but wasn‘t fully engaged or invested. I went into this blindly, but I had read one of Amy‘s books before (#WhatTheWindKnows). I was really excited since that is one of my all-time favorites. Because of that I think I set myself up with high expectations. Still very good, but not amazing in comparison, imo. It will throw some curveballs at you though! #Paranormal #Romance #KindleUnlimited

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

I‘ve read a few #ChristinaLauren books recently and fell in love with the humor and the fact that they‘re light reads. This one reminds me more of a #ColleenHoover book. I felt many emotions including happiness, sadness, anger. The whole second half of the book I was on the edge of my seat torn between wanting to know the ending and not wanting their story to be over. Loved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars

Not quite a 4 star read, but definitely not a 3 star. This left me wanting more on all accounts. It was nearly perfect in many ways, but was lacking at the same time - especially with not having more with the moments between Jack and Laurie. I felt it dragged just a bit and in turn had me putting the book down more than usual. I wasn‘t invested until halfway. I could see this being perfect as a movie. 🎥

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars.

Loved this. This was my second book from Diane Chamberlain, who is now one of my new favorite authors.

She is a great storyteller who incorporates history with an element of mystery to her stories to make you guess what‘s really going on.

Had the perfect afternoon with the pool all to myself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

I did it! I‘m up-to-date with the whole series!

I didn‘t love the first half of this one (again, way too much John Grey and William), but the second half was great.

I‘m glad the book ended where it did so it can be the #Outlander I loved a couple books back.

Now when is Book 9 being released? 🙂

‘When you don‘t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else.‘ - How to Walk Away

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this light read, but felt it lacked just a teeny tiny bit to give it a full 4 stars. Not enough character development, I think. That being said, it had me smiling and laughing while also feeling the pain and sadness she was experiencing too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.5 Stars. I loved the characters in this emotional book. Reminds me of a John Green book. Bring tissues.

Also, if you have read this book and loved it, I encourage you to check out #KellyRimmer‘s #MeWithoutYou

#KindleUnlimited