Linking up with Steph and Jana. This month I was able to knock off a few Netgalley books and received a few books from the library that I was on the wait list for quite awhile.
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine
This was the book club pick for February. I enjoyed the main plot of this book, and I felt like we got some decent character development….but they were all unlikeable except maybe the daughter, Evie. The main issue for me in this book, was that when the ending revealed itself…I felt like there were some major plot holes. It wasn’t the mind blowing twist you expect in a book like this…it was more confusing and left me scratching my head a little. Also, the middle of this book was so repetitive and weak, a lot of it could have been left out.
Bottom Line: Skip this one and read The Last Mrs. Parish
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
I am trying to decide what I want to say about this book. I neither loved it nor hated it. I was really bored with a good chunk of the book, but then I got into the writing style more and wanted to see how Casey’s life was going to play out. I really loved the last 1/3 of the book. I feel like the writing style is very….dry? I think that is the word I am looking for. It wasn’t my favorite and not what I was expecting, exactly.
Bottom Line: This book gets very high ratings on Goodreads. I thought the overall story was lovely, but it was a struggle for me to get through the first bit. I did love the ending.
Lover Lettering by Kate Clayborn
I was super bored in the first half of this book. I actually considered quitting, but saw several of my book friends say they loved the second half…so I hung in there. And they were right, it definitely picked up in the second half. I wasn’t a huge fan of Reid or Meg at first to be honest, but both grew on me. I also liked the side stories with Sib, Lark and her friends from the shop. I enjoyed watching Meg grow as a person, becoming more confident in herself. The second half of the book definitely redeemed it for me, and I can say that I would recommend it now. I really enjoyed it and appreciated the first half after seeing the whole picture.
Bottom Line: This was a cute read, I would recommend it if you like stories about relationships of both friendship and romantic relations.
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne
ARC Copy – Release date is June 29, 2021 so put it on the TBR/Pre-order
This is not my first Lauren Layne read, I enjoy her work. I was instantly drawn in to the You’ve Got Mail feel of this book. That is one of my all time FAVORITE movies!!! This book was absolutely delightful!!! I loved Gracie, Sebastian, Lady and Sir. I especially loved all the side characters, from May and Keva….to Gracie’s siblings and the drama between her sister and BIL. It all came together so lovely, and they all had their spot in the book. Nothing was forced or out of place. I really loved Gracie as she tried to keep her father’s store alive, but also realizing that she had been living her whole life to please others and their dreams. There was a lot of growth and bravery in her that I very much admired.
Bottom Line: This is such a sweet, fun book. Definitely read it!
**I received a copy of To Sir, With Love from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane
ARC Copy – Release date is May 4, 2021
I have come to absolutely love Mhairi McFarlane! And this book is exactly what I love about her. It grabbed my attention immediately and I couldn’t put it down. I had all the feels, and I just loved Eve. She grew so much as a character throughout the book. And I am going to tell you, I liked Finlay immediately, even when he was being an “arse.” I loved the darker tone, as this book deals with grief. I had no clue that the main grief event was coming and I was like WHAT OMG?!?! I don’t want you that don’t love romance novels to toss this out. This doesn’t have any of the physical steam in the book, it is more about relationships with friends, as complicated as they can be. And family relationships as well. As I said, I felt all the things reading this book and I highly recommend.
Bottom Line: Read it!!!!
**I received a copy of Just Last Night from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith
I immediately liked both Tallie and Emmette. The writing style of the book was great. The book deals with grief and suicide, but it did it in a hopeful, not so depressing way. It also talks about divorce and infertility. I really enjoyed the story, and I am not going to give any spoilers away, but there was an action in the book that I didn’t care for so much and felt like it was out of character for one of the characters. It made it seem less realistic, maybe? But either way, it was a beautiful story, and I am interested to read more from this author. I really liked the bible verse at the end from Thessalonians 4:11-12.
Bottom Line: Read it!
Currently Reading
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
17 Comments
I’ve been in the mood for sweet, fun books lately – just finished Kate Clayborn’s newest one, and it satisfied that for me. Clearly I’m going to have to pick up To Sir, With Love as well. Sounds delightful!
Stopping by from Show Us Your Books 🙂
I think Carly and I talked about the action you’re referring to in This Close to Okay, and I agree completely. That was the only thing I didn’t like about the book. Agree 100% with your review of The Wife Stalker, too! I need to read Just Last Night!
I tried to get into Love Lettering, but couldn’t do it. I wish I would have stuck with it. Have seen a lot of good things about This Close to Okay – adding it to my list. 🙂
I remember reading The Last Mrs. Parrish — really enjoyed that one! I’m curious what you think of Beautiful Bastard. I haven’t picked it up yet because I’ve heard such mixed reviews.
Writers & Lovers is extreme literary fiction and definitely character and not plot driven – so if you don’t love either of those, or if you’re not in the mood for them, I can definitely see being bored AF with it in its entirety.
I am waffling on reading the latest Liv Constantine. I’m not going to rush it based on your review. Maybe I’ll get to it, maybe not.
I’m glad to see we feel the same way about The Wife Stalker!
I can’t wait to read that Lauren Layne and Mhairi McFarlane – so glad you loved them, yay!! I also loved This Close to Okay!! It was so emotional and well done.
Those last three sound great! I haven’t read in ages, I need to get back on the train!
glad you ended up liking love lettering. i’m reading the second and currently a little bored, thinking it might be her style.. slow start, good by the end. yay to sir with love! it’s on my list. hope to get to it soon. and yay Mhairi McFarlane!! can’t wait to get to that one too.
I swear, Christina Lauren and that other one (RC Grey or something like that) are the most prolific authors ever. I feel like every month, you’re reviewing one book by at least one of them.
To Sir With Love and Just Last Night sound like books I’d enjoy! I’ve seen lots of good reviews of Writers & Lovers but I’m on the fence about reading it.
I was going to type what Jana said pretty much word for word. There’s always a new one! I did enjoy Writers & Lovers but yeah, there was a LOT to get through before the tide turned.
Just Last Night sounds like a really good read! This Close to Okay sounded really good from a previous review, but a biblical angle isn’t really my jam. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your month 🙂
Just Last Night and To Sir, With Love both sound really good!! Glad you had some really awesome reads last month.
-Lauren
Ok you convinced me. I will read the Last Mrs. Parish. It keeps coming up in my que and I keep skipping it.
You are the third person I’ve seen review the Wife Stalker and the first one that said skip it and I trust your opinion so I’m skipping it, LOL
I agree, Love Lettering was a cute read!