book review, books

Books

Linking up with Steph and Jana for another month of books! So I am going to pose a question. Do you read the reviews of all the books if a person shares what they rated it? I have considered dropping my rating system on these posts because I catch myself skipping over books that people didn’t give a high rating for and the thing is, it might not  have been a  book for them but could have totally been a book you would have enjoyed. You know? Let me know what you think.

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

Dumplin' (Dumplin', #1)

I am weird about YA books, I can either take or leave most of them. I have to say, this may have been one of the best YA books I have read in a long time. You get a little teenage angst, friends that are changing and drifting, new love, inner struggles, confidence issues, everything you remember from high school. I really related to the characters in this book and I loved the story line. It wasn’t always perfect, which made me love the book even more.

Bottom Line: Just read it!

Rating: 5/5

Love, Alabama by Susan Sands

Love, Alabama (Alabama, #2)

I may have picked this book simply because Alabama was in the title. This was a love story set in small town Alabama. It kept me intrigued the whole time because you don’t find out exactly what happened to Emma in her past until near the end of the story and what happened could shake things up between her and the guy she has fallen for. I liked the small town drama and the book was cute. Of course, a book that takes place in Alabama wouldn’t feel complete without the Alabama vs Auburn touch. I felt like maybe the ending was a little rushed and wrapped up in a bow too quickly.

Bottom Line: This was a quick and cute love story if you are looking for something light and fluffy, but still intriguing.

Rating:3/5

**I received a copy of Love, Alabama from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Finding Audrey

It took me a little bit to get in to this book, but once I did I was hooked. This book does a good job talking about mental health and anxiety in an informal and lighthearted way. I feel like it brings attention to something that a lot of people deal with, but it isn’t a sad or dark book for such a heavy and serious topic. If that makes sense? You get to grow along with the main character and learn some about how crippling anxiety can be. It is heartwarming and there were a few LOL moments, which I always appreciate.

Bottom Line:If you are looking for something a little different, but good…read it!

Rating: 3/5

Meet Me Halfway by Kim Carmody

Meet Me Halfway

I was a little irritated with the immaturity in the male character of this book, but I think that was the point since he is a few years younger than our leading female. I liked the football and reporting aspect of this story. It was a cute love story, and I even laughed out a loud a little. I also got a little frustrated with the characters and their reactions to certain events. Mainly with Olivia. But I suppose that is what kept me engaged in the story to see where it was all going.

Bottom Line: If you like the football or media scene, and want to read a good love story….I thought this was a cute read.

Rating:3/5

**I received a copy of Meet Me Halfway from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

A Dog's Purpose (A Dog's Purpose, #1)

You guys. I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. Reading sad dog books. Art of Racing In the Rain is still embedded in my mind and heart, and now this book. I coincidentally started this book on the anniversary of Gracie’s passing and didn’t even realize it. Maybe she was trying to tell me hi. This book gave me all the emotions and I had a complete breakdown, missing Gracie so much in the middle of this book. This book gives me hope that maybe one day Gracie will come back to me in the body of another dog.

Bottom Line:If you are a dog person, this is a great read. Just be ready with a box of tissues.

Rating:4/5

Currently Reading

Brew or Die a Java Jive Mystery by Caroline Fardig

Brew or Die: A Java Jive Mystery

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews

The Weekenders

What are you reading?

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31 Comments

  • Reply kathy @ more coffee, less talky July 11, 2017 at 8:10 am

    i LOVED Dumplin! such a great book; it’s one of the books I want to save for Kayla.

  • Reply Andrea @ Living On Cloud Nine July 11, 2017 at 8:24 am

    If you can, see the movie, A Dog’s Purpose, loved it as much as the book! Finding Audrey wasn’t my favorite SK book but as an anxiety sufferer I could relate a bit! Bring on The Weekenders! I’m excited to read it! Have a great day, hoping it’s better than Monday back yesterday!

  • Reply Rebecca Jo July 11, 2017 at 8:30 am

    I loved Finding Audrey…
    & I’m currently reading Dumplin’ & AM LOVING IT. I dont want to stop reading it to work. I’m keeping it pulled up on my computer so I can read a chapter when I can sneak one in 🙂

  • Reply Brittany Pines July 11, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Hmm haven’t read Kinsella in years, but that one is kind of sparking my interest. Pretty sure the dog book would make me cry!

  • Reply SMD July 11, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I loved loved loved Dumplin’.

  • Reply Ericka @ A Quiet Girl's Musings... July 11, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Oh, Dumplin’! I loved that book! Absolutely loved it and Dumplin’ is one of my favorite characters.

    I’m right there with you with the sad animal books. I had similar feelings when I read A Dog’s Purpose and I looked at my dog a little differently after that.

  • Reply Heather July 11, 2017 at 10:31 am

    Loved Dumplin!! I’m reading Finding Audrey for Erin’s challenge – glad to hear it was good! Have also heard a lot of good things about that Mary Kay Andrews book!

  • Reply Laura July 11, 2017 at 10:37 am

    Okay, FINE, I will read Dumplin. 🙂 I’m glad you finally read A Dog’s Purpose. It’s so so good! I love a Mary Kay Andrews — such a good summer read!

  • Reply Tanya @ A Mindful Migration July 11, 2017 at 11:53 am

    I feel like I’m the last person in the world to read Dumpin. I will get to it, eventually! A Dog’s Purpose is a no-go for me. I cried when I saw the trailer at the movie theater. I don’t think there are enough tissues in the world to handle the amount of tears that would gush out of me. 😀

  • Reply Dani July 11, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    Hahaha, I can’t with sad dog books (or movies for that matter)! Dumplin’ has been on my list for awhile now- I need to move it up! I’ve never read anything by Sophie Kinsella. I do enjoy YA and this one sounds a bit different, but I just realized it’s also already on my list!

    As for your opening question- whether I skip a review with a low rating or not depends mostly on the blogger. Like, I already know who in the linkup has similar tastes/reviews as me, so if they’re giving it a 2 or lower, I’ll probably skip reading the review. It also depends on the length of the review. I always read the “bottom line/read if you like” one liners though!

  • Reply Carly July 11, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    So glad you enjoyed Finding Audrey- it’s one of my faves! Meet Me Halfway sounds like it would be cute, and Dumplin is being made into a movie. I usually don’t mention the ratings of my books anymore, but I always like when other people do.

  • Reply Audrey July 11, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    I like the rating system, even if they’re bad. I’m nosy and I want to know why someone hated it, hahaha. And usually it doesn’t completely turn me off of books. I read The Art of Racing in the Rain this time around and it KILLED ME. I never read dog books. And I started The Art… just after we got word that my parents’ dog died of old age while we were on vacation. Ugh. My whole entire heart and soul was shattered that week!

  • Reply Jana @ Jana Says July 11, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    OMG. Dumplin. That book. I love it so much I want to give it a huge hug.

  • Reply ShootingStarsMag July 11, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I’ve heard great things about Dumplin’. I WANT to say it’s becoming a movie, or it was optioned at least.

    I don’t rate books that often on my blog because ratings are so subjective. I’d rather read what did or didn’t work in the review – but they can be nice sometimes!

  • Reply Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! July 11, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    Just added Dumplin to my TBR list!

  • Reply StephTheBookworm July 11, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    You’ve been reading lots of good ones! Dumplin’ has been on my to-read list FOREVER!

  • Reply Olya @ The Siberian American July 11, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    I’ve heard so many good things about Dumplin’! Definitely need to read it soon.

  • Reply Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders July 11, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    I know without a doubt that I will not be able to handle A Dog’s Purpose. Reading Marley & Me back in the day basically destroyed me, so I’ve just decided that I can’t do dog books. It’s just too much! Dumplin’ on the other hand is totally a book that I need to read! I’ve had it on my list for forever, but haven’t had the chance to pick it up yet. The Weekenders is a great beachy summer read! I hope that you end up liking it!

  • Reply Lauren July 11, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    Dumplin is great and the other book by that author isn’t bad, but don’t go expect a Dumplin. I like the ratings. I think it depends on the person. Like I say Jana is my book twin so if she gives something 5 stars, I will 99% for sure add it to my TBR. If someone describes a book and I’m iffy about it but they gave it 4-5 stars, I’m more likely to add it but 2-3, I probably won’t. So what I’m saying is I like the ratings, though I don’t do them in my own post. I meant to last night but I forgot…

  • Reply Rach @ This Italian Family July 11, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    Oh man, I don’t think I could read A Dog’s Purpose. You are braver than I am, haha!

  • Reply Laura July 11, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    Dumplin’ sounds really good, I just added it to my list!

  • Reply texerinsydney July 12, 2017 at 4:53 am

    What you said about Dumplin’ and not being perfect but made you almost enjoy it even more because of that…I love it when I experience that feeling about a book!

  • Reply Pam July 12, 2017 at 9:45 am

    Thanks for your reviews! I listened to Dumplin and enjoyed it! Loved the southern accents. I have Finding Audrey on my TBR.

  • Reply Marie July 12, 2017 at 10:56 am

    I so want to read Finding Audrey. It’s on my reading list. I’m currently reading The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.

  • Reply kristen July 12, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    i totally know what you mean and have considered dropping the stars for the same reason, though i do split my books up by ‘couldn’t put it down’, ‘enjoyable enough’ and ‘not worth your time’ which i feel like people would skip anyway. honestly, i’ve added books to my list even if other people didn’t like them, i clicked on them based on the title/picture, liked the synopsis, added it. i guess it depends why people didn’t like it. just read a review from someone who hated a fantasy book but didn’t realise it was fantasy. well i love fantasy, so… haha. it also depends who it is. if you hate a book, chances are i will too 😉
    i’m glad you liked dumplin 🙂 such a good book.
    i’m not even going to try and read a dog’s purpose. it will kill me.

  • Reply Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis July 13, 2017 at 8:12 am

    Love finding new books with great reviews from my blogger ladies. Adding Dumplin’ to my list! Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis

  • Reply Kay July 13, 2017 at 11:21 am

    I watched the movie a dogs purpose this weekend and I just picked the book up – cant wait to read it!

  • Reply Kate @ Green Fashionista July 13, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I’m usually all about YA books, so I definitely need to check out Dumplin’ <3

  • Reply Danielle July 13, 2017 at 5:30 pm

    I want to read dumplin. I love a good YA book. I also want to read A Dog’s Purpose. Sounds so cute.

  • Reply Jess July 13, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    I still read the reviews of books people don’t rate highly, but I’m not likely to add it to my ‘to read’ list. But some I will if I’ve heard it’s good elsewhere.. it depends. I’ve got Finding Audrey on my list – I’d really like to read it. I kinda want to read A Dog’s Purpose even though it will probably make me cry. We have cats but I’d like to have a dog one day, when Ellie’s bigger and we have our own place. My mom has a dog but he drives me up the wall lol. Maybe this will make me less aggravated with him and remember why dogs are cool.

  • Reply Katy July 16, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    I’m backkkk. But start my Master’s on 8/7 so hopefully I can stick around through that lol! Its online and I’m only taking one class at a time but… I’m scared.

    Anyways. Jack and I watched a Dog’s Purpose and holyyyyy – we were not ready for that… Steel’s anniversary of passing is 8/13 and yea – it might have been too soon. Even Jack was crying (which is rare for my manly man).

    I loved Dumplin too and am excited to read The Weekenders!!

    Catching up on your blog so you’ll probably get a bunch of comments haha sorry.

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