Life By Nadine Lynn - Page 96 of 338

Books

To prove that January was the longest month ever, somehow I have a TON of books to review. At the bottom I left a list of must reads and ones to skip. I still provided you with my thoughts and bottom line like I do every month. I have some really good ones in here!!! Linking up with Steph and Jana.

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown

Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a pediatrician and marathon runner, disappears on a mountain road in North Carolina. While police suspect Jeff of “instant divorce,” Emory, suffering from an unexplained head injury, regains consciousness and finds herself the captive of a man whose violent past is so dark that he won’t even tell her his name.

I love a good Sandra Brown thriller romance! This one did not disappoint!!! It captivated me immediately and had a few twists that I didn’t see coming. I really got wrapped into these characters and the side plots and how it all came together.

Bottom Line: Read it! So good!

Fitness Junkie by Lucky Sykes

When Janey Sweet, CEO of a couture wedding dress company, is photographed in the front row of a fashion show eating a bruffin…her best friend and business partner, Beau, gives her an ultimatum: Lose thirty pounds or lose your job.

I thought that January was the perfect time to read Fitness Junkie, as I am trying to hop back on the bandwagon. While there is a lot of fitness and health talk in the book, there is so much more. I found it to be a book about self love and discovery. The characters and situations really cracked me up at times. I think this is a perfect tribute to our weight obsessed culture to be honest.

Bottom Line: This was a great read. If you have ever been on a diet or workout plan, you could definitely relate to Janey.

**I received a copy of Fitness Junkie from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson

Shandi and William’s lives collide in destiny one afternoon in a gas station hold up. Shandi is juggling finishing college, raising her three-year-old genius son Natty and doesn’t know that her blond god Thor who stepped between her son and a gun, has his own complications. When he looked down the barrel of that gun he believed it was destiny: It’s been one year to the day since a tragic act of physics shattered his universe.

I picked this up from the library after Kelly told me that most of this author’s books take place in Alabama. Funny enough, this book is actually in Lumpkin County Georgia and Atlanta. Driving around all the areas I used to frequent daily. I loved that part of it. But more than that, this book was so good!!! It really captivated and I had to know what was going to happen. I loved all the characters in the book.

Bottom Line: Read it!!

Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple

Eleanor knows she’s a mess, but today will be different. But before she can put her modest plan into action-life happens.

I enjoyed Where’d You Go, Bernadette a lot so I was excited to dive in to this one. I really liked that this book takes place all in one day. But other than that, the character in this book was too similar to Bernadette. Her kid even goes to the same school as Bernadette’s kid. And she has the same issues with the other moms. The same quirky personality. I just got really bored with this book and thinking that it was a lessor version of Berndette. So I quit. Perhaps if I would have read this one first, I would have liked it more.

Bottom Line: Meh. It wasn’t horrible, but I didn’t love it either. If you have already read Bernadette…you might be disappointed.

Pok Pok: The Drinking Food of Thailand by Andy Ricker and J.J. Goode

When I got this book, I thought it was going to just be another cookbook to add to my collection. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was a lot of literature on Thai food and culture as well. There are some wonderful photographs throughout the book and a lot of different recipes that I have never seen anywhere else. While I feel like some of the recipes require more than I am willing to do (live shrimp), I can tailor them to fit my needs just fine. I will say that some of the ingredients would be hard to find in my area, and some of the recipes sound complicated/labor intensive. So I wouldn’t recommend picking up this book just for the recipes. There aren’t as many recipes in the book as I thought there would be.

Bottom Line: If you like travel books or Thai cuisine, this would be a great addition to your collection.

** I received a copy of Pok Pok: The Drinking Food of Thailand from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Gods In Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

For 10 years Arlene has kept her promises, and God has kept His end of the bargain. Until now. When an old schoolmate from Possett turns up at Arlene’s door in Chicago asking questions about Jim Beverly, former quarterback and god of Possett High, Arlene’s break with her former hometown is forced to an end.

This book takes place in a small backwoods town in Alabama. You get the Southern Baptist ridiculousness, the racists against a mixed race couple and small town drama. This book went in a direction I never saw coming. I had mixed feelings about Arlene and for awhile I was just trying to figure out where it was all going. I liked how the book bounces back and forth between what is currently going on and memories that she had. They all lead you to what happened and why.

Bottom Line: I enjoyed this one. I liked Someone Else’s Love Story better, but I plan to continue to binge some more from this author.

The Beau and the Belle by R.S. Grey

Beau Fortier moves into Lauren’s parents guest house when she is just a teenager in high school. She had a major crush on him. Now she is back in New Orleans ten years later and Beau seems interested. But things have changed. Lauren is older and more confident.

I was so so so excited to receive an ARC of this book!!! I was hooked right from the beginning, and really loved the past and present view points of the book. Grey had me back in school listening to Wonderwall and excited to get on AIM!

This book was hilarious and the characters are totally relate-able. I especially loved the setting in New Orleans with a splash of the culture and food scene. I haven’t been in a really long time and the book had me yearning for a trip. There were so many quotable, hilarious lines that had me laughing out loud.

I really love a good slow burn of the romance and the hot hot hot chemistry! The inner dialogue was perfect. This was my first R.S Grey book and I can promise you, it won’t be my last. I am on a quest to binge and read them all now. I read this book in two sittings, which is saying A LOT considering my current phase in life.

Bottom Line: The perfect RomCom!!! I highly suggest this book!

**ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box are items and a story along with why they broke up.

Min came off as a bitter ex and I got tired of hearing her say GD a million times. I also got tired of her referring to herself as arty and different. Yeah yeah yeah, we get it. Let’s move on!!!! The chapters ended with “and that’s why we broke up,” right after talking about something nice Ed did that had absolutely nothing to do with why they broke up. And I didn’t finish the book, but it seems like Min fell in love with this ass of a jock after just two weeks of knowing him? Sort of ridiculous if you ask me.

Bottom Line: I broke up with this book, it just wasn’t for me.

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly

Laura witnesses a brutal attack. She and her boyfriend Kit call the police, and in that moment, it is not only the victim’s life that is changed forever.

So, it wasn’t that this book was bad by any means. It’s just that it moved really slow, and didn’t really keep my attention. It took me forever to read it, and I often ditched it and went to something else. The last little bit of the book picks up and was more attention grabbing. I think if you don’t mind waiting til the very end of the book for a twist or thrill, then this would be good for you. I didn’t mind the alternating POV’s, but I wasn’t real big into metaphor of the solar eclipse and bright and dark people.

Bottom Line: If you like a slow developing thriller, then this might be for you.

**I received a copy of He Said/She Said from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris

I waited forever to get this book from the library! When it came in, I dropped everything else I was reading. This book grabbed me from the start. There were so many times I just wanted to scream or was just do disturbed. It really makes you think what you would do if you were in Grace’s situation.

Bottom Line: YES!!!! SO GOOD!

The Anti-Inflammation Zone by Barry Sears

I think that the Zone diet in general brings valid points, but is hard to keep up with 100% of the time. Everything in moderation is a better approach for long term maintenance. I felt like the author uses scare tactics and I don’t like that approach. I can summarize the book for you by saying take fish oil, follow the Zone diet, exercise and reduce your stress. There is nothing mind blowing in this book. He emphasizes fish oil over and over again. I cant stand the taste of most fish and the thought of taking an oil that may either make me smell like it or taste it repulses me.

Bottom Line: I already summed it up for you! No need to read.

The Billionaires Unexpected Baby by Kira Archer

One minute, pregnant Leah Andrews is throwing up over the side of a yacht and the next, she’s married to party boy Brooks. It’s an arrangement born of sheer desperation to save her job, but now the tabloids are all over them, their friends are running a pool betting on whether they’ll actually stay married until Baby Day, and worst of all, she and her new husband might just be falling for one another.

I really loved the first book in this series, 69 Million Reasons I Hate You, so I was really excited to read this book. You get little snippets of Cole and Kiersten from the first book, and get to know Leah and Brooks more in this book. This was a super cute story and I enjoyed it. Not as much as the first, but still good in its own ways.

Bottom Line: Cute read! If you are looking for a fun love story series, try this one out!

**I received a copy of The Billionaire’s Unexpected Baby from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Currently Reading:

When We Were Worthy by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

In Conclusion

Must Reads: Behind Closed Doors, Someone Else’s Love Story, The Beau and The Belle, Mean Streak Fitness Junkie

Skip: The Anti Inflammation Zone, Why We Broke Up, He Said/She Said and Today Will Be Different

February 13, 2018 by Nadine

weekend shenanigans

Weekend Shenanigans

I am not quite sure how we got to Monday morning already, but here we are. It has been super rainy and gross here the last few days, and it doesn’t look like it is going to change anytime soon. I love rainy weather when I can stay home and cuddle under blankets and watch mindless TV all day. Not quite the same sentiment when you have to drive to work, and figure out how to balance an umbrella, a 20 pound kid and all their stuff that goes back and forth to daycare.

This weekend we spent a lot of time with Chris’s family. On Saturday, we went over to his parent’s house for Chris to help his dad with some things. Sunday morning, Zoe and I met up with my sister and nephew for some grocery shopping at Target. My oldest nephew turned 13 yesterday!!! So crazy! I didn’t get to see him, but I sent his present home with my sister. After we got back and Zoe napped, we headed over to Chris’s sister’s house for his grandmother’s 90th birthday party. Zoe got to meet some family she hasn’t seen before and spent lots of time playing with her cousin too.

We also attempted selfies this weekend, with little success. No make up for me, an a blurry Zoe who can’t sit still.

We did eat some delicious things this weekend! Chris ordered us Fox’s Pizza on Saturday night when we were on our way home from his parent’s house. We always order one pineapple and ham pizza and one pepperoni. Yum!

I also made homemade lasagna last night for dinner for our Valentine’s Day tradition. We are celebrating our 8th one this year!

I finished reading another book on Saturday, and Kathy was kind enough to send me two products to try out. Spoiler alert, I am loving both so far!

Have you heard of The Ordinary? Surely you have. They have a SUPER affordable skin care line that you can order straight from their site, and Sephora now carries it as well. Because it is so effective and affordable, it is sold out often, so keep checking back on the items you want! Kathy suggested that I email them and write out all my concerns and allow them to suggest my regimen. It took them a few days, but they emailed me back an AM and PM routine. The HA that Kathy sent was part of it. If you want to start with just one, I would get The Buffet. It has many ingredients in it that address a wide range of concerns. They suggested I use it AM and PM. I’ll check back in a few weeks and let you know my thoughts after using them more. So far the HA stuff is great. Between that and my exfoliate that I shared last week, my skin has been so soft and smooth! Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, 4.2 Ounce

Linking up with Biana. I hope you all have a great week!

February 12, 2018 by Nadine

favorites, friday favorites

Friday Favorites

Is it just me, or did this week last a year??? I don’t think we really have any plans for the weekend. Probably avoiding people with the flu again. You guys, there are three separate school districts that are shut down right now because so many students there have it. GROSS!!! If you are sick, don’t freaking expose yourself to the public!!! What is wrong with people???

Favorite Moments: Laura and I finally tried Bird’s. They opened down the street from my office awhile back and we kept saying we needed to check it out and never did. The pizza was SOOOOO delicious! I can’t wait to go back and try another kind.

Cue all the tears. Zoe moved up to her big girl car seat this week. She basically looks and acts like a toddler now. I literally had watery eyes as I put her in it for the first time Tuesday morning. We decided on the Graco 4Ever after reading a million reviews and talking about it to about 100 different people. I am so used to Britax that I am still on a learning curve with this thing, but it feels strong and sturdy and I LOVE the way it looks. I mean come on, it’s stripes you guys!!!

Favorite Purchase: Kathy has only been telling me for about three years now to order the Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant. Have you seen Kathy’s skin? She looks like she is 12. When she tells you to order something YOU DO IT! You guys!! This stuff is seriously so amazing. My skin has never felt softer. Literally felt like a baby. Or as Kathy said, a dolphin! Just do yourself a favor and do it.

Favorite Recipe: How amazing does this pumpkin humus look??

Favorite Funnies:

Linking up with Amanda, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

February 9, 2018 by Nadine

about me

Things I Am Not Good At

I think that one of the most important things you can do for yourself is realize your flaws. You should always work at bettering yourself, but there are just simply some things others exceed at that you can’t quite figure out. That’s totally ok, because there are things that you are the best at!

Hair – I can’t do my hair. I have super fine hair that gets stringy when it is too long, but looks ridiculous too short too. I have watched about a million YouTube videos on curling and other various styles to try, and have had my stylist show me EXACTLY how she gets me to look amazing at my appointments. I have purchased all the right products and yet….I just cant. I look a damn mess if I do anything. Don’t even get me started on kid’s hair when Zoe’s starts growing out. Please send help.

Confrontation – I am the WORST at confrontation. I hate it. I will stew and hold shit in forever. I will agree with people even though I know I am right. (Unless it is important or makes an impact, then I force myself to say something.) I have never been able to ask for a raise. When I have given notice at previous jobs, I would make myself physically ill because I hate disappointing or upsetting people. Even if said job was horrible and the person I was giving the notice to a monster.

Hiding Facial Expressions – I have the worst poker face ever! Even if I hate confrontation, you can probably tell from the look on my face that I think you are an idiot and I am just agreeing to shut you up.

Crafting/DIY – I want to be creative. I pin the shit out of DIY projects and crafts on Pinterest. I can spend hours walking through Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. I even have some crafting supplies at home. For whatever reason, even following instructions closely, 9 out of 10 projects I attempt end up in the trash. I am hoping craft weekends with Laura will force me to get better at this. Our trays turned out great! That is a good sign, right?

Gardening – I do not have a green thumb. Not even a little. I basically trashed the whole tomato/pepper garden I had growing two years ago. I try to blame it on the fact that I was pregnant and lazy so I didn’t give it proper care. But let’s be honest, I have never been able to keep a plant alive. Good thing they don’t ask you to care for a plant before you have a dog or kid.

Planners – I have tried and tried to keep a physical planner up to date. I always start out strong for about two to four weeks and then abandon it for the rest of the year. It is a miracle I make it to any appointments or remember any link ups.

Alright, I think that is enough of my secrets. What is something you just aren’t good at?

February 8, 2018 by Nadine

about me, currently

Currently

Finishing:Right now I am finishing my second cup of coffee. Ha! I am also trying to finish up The Billionaire’s Unexpected Baby before the book link up next week. This is the follow up book to 69 Million Things I Hate About You which was hilarious and a must read! I am listening to Behind Closed Doors on audiobook on my commutes and OMG!!!! I knew I was going to like this one, I was like the millionth in line to get it from the library. If you are on Netgalley, B. A. Paris’s new book is available for request!!! I got it the other day and I cant wait to dive into it!

Subscribing:You guys, the amount of magazines I have piled up to read has gotten out of hand!!! Anytime I get a few extra minutes of downtime, I either reach for an actual book…or I am trying to clean the house or take a few minutes to do something for myself. Like cut my nails, put lotion on my legs, sleep. I earned all of my subscriptions from surveys I used to do and have been letting them cancel as they come due. I plan to keep a few of my favorites though, which are Martha Stewart, Real Simple and Southern Living. I may keep Women’s Health or Shape too. And that is it. The rest are gone.

Watching:Did anyone watch the most recent episode of Grey’s??? I thought it was going a certain way, if you watched it you know what I mean. I ended up crying at the end of the episode and Chris looked over at me and was like”are you seriously crying right now???” YES! I cry over everything. Why don’t you know this yet? I am also catching new episodes of Grace and Frankie.

We need some new stuff to binge on. What are you loving?

Wishlisting: I really need some better dress pants. Why are all the ones I have so ill fitting and run down looking?? I suppose I haven’t shopped for any in a really long time. I always default to leggings or my pointe style pants. I want some really good quality ones, so I think I will hit up Ann Taylor next time they do 50% off. The Loft dress pants leave a little to be desired for me, I would rather pay a little more for Ann Taylor. The Kate fit are so perfect for me.