Finding Christmas by Karen Schaler

Title: Finding Christmas

Author: Karen Schaler

Publisher: William Morrow 2019

Genre: Holiday Romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Keyword - Dec.; Literary Escapes - WA

With all the glittering decorations, twinkling lights, snow angels, gingerbread men and mistletoe, Christmas is Emmie’s first love.

This year, she can’t wait to share her favorite Christmas traditions with her boyfriend, Grant. She thinks he’s “the one.” So when Grant’s hectic work schedule has him more “Bah Humbug” than “Ho, Ho, Ho,” Emmie creates a holiday-themed scavenger hunt to help him find his Christmas spirit. At the end of the journey, Grant will arrive at the charming town of Christmas Point where she’s planned a romantic weekend filled with holiday activities.

But Emmie’s plan backfires when a mix-up has the wrong guy following her clues! Sam, a best-selling mystery writer, thinks Emmie’s clever Christmas riddles are from his agent, who is trying to help him get over his epic writer’s block.

Pretty cute holiday romance that often reads like a movie screenplay. Makes sense as the author writes screenplays also. I loved Emmie and Sam and the setting of Christmas Point. I was let excited about some of the extra long descriptions of settings or scenes. I really want to visit the town of Holiday cheer and experience all the fun activities Emmie planned. Cute little story. Definitely felt like I was watching one of those Hallmark movies.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Once Upon a Royal Christmas by Robin Bielman

Title: Once Upon a Royal Christmas (Palotays of Montana #2)

Author: Robin Bielman

Publisher: Tule Publishing 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 244

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Literary Escapes - Wyoming

Rowan Palotay hopes she never runs into the too-handsome Prince Theodore Chenery ever again after she leaves an embarrassing first impression. But fixing her mistake garners even more attention from the prince, and when he requests she be his reporter for a news story, she can’t say no.

Prince Theo is completely enchanted with Rowan and finds her special brand of kindness and honesty impossible to ignore. Back home, his choices are made for him, but here in this small town where his mother grew up, he feels connections he never has before. And the more time he and Rowan spend together, the more he wants her—all of her.

When obligations back home take a turn he didn’t see coming, he’s ready to stake his claim. But when his father and the media get wind of his relationship with Rowan, Theo must decide whether to follow his heart or his royal duty.

Another fun and fluffy romance for this month. I really enjoyed Rowan and Theo’s story. It was nice to be back in Marietta, even if we didn’t spend much time with any of the other characters. And hoo boy! This had some very steamy scenes!

Palotays of Montana

#1 Falling for Her Bachelor
#2 Once Upon a Royal Christmas

Next up on the TBR pile:

Santa's On His Way by Lisa Jackson, Maisey Yates, Stacy Finz, and Nicole Helm

Title: Santa’s On His Way

Author: Lisa Jackson, Maisey Yates, Stacy Finz, Nicole Helm

Publisher: Zebra Books 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 346

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Oregon

A BABY FOR CHRISTMAS * Lisa Jackson
The uneventful Christmas Annie McFarlane expected is suddenly anything but. First, there’s the adorable baby left on the snowy doorstep of her Oregon cabin. Second, there’s the extremely attractive, yet extremely angry man claiming to be the father. Liam O’Shaughnessy may be intimidating, but this is one precious gift Annie isn’t giving up so easily . . .

My least favorite of the anthology. I just couldn’t really buy the romance of Annie and Liam at all. Everything was so incredibly rushed. I would have loved to have spend much more time with them seeing the relationship develop over time.

WHAT THE COWBOY WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS * Maisey Yates
When Meg O’Neill’s longtime boyfriend lets her down, again, on Christmas no less, she braves an Oregon blizzard to get to her best friend Noah’s comforting arms. But this time Noah’s not telling her what she wants to hear—he’s telling her the truth, from his heart . . .

This story was so steamy! Seriously, I wasn’t expected that steamy of a story starting it. But, it was really really good.

SNOWED IN * Stacy Finz
Rachel Johnson has found the perfect spot for her second Tart Me Up bakery in Glory Junction, California. Except she’s in fierce competition with hunky bar owner Boden Farmer. Worse, while the icy rivals await the city’s decision, they end up catering the same Christmas Eve mountaintop wedding—and getting snowed in . . .

This was my favorite story! I loved Rachel and Boden and their unintended Christmas. I loved the little town of Glory Junction. I loved the fun progression of their story. Really enjoyed this one.

A COWBOY WEDDING FOR CHRISTMAS * Nicole Helm
Big city art teacher Lindsay Tyler isn’t just back home in Colorado for her brother’s wedding at the Barton Christmas Tree Farm and Ranch. She’s back for good. She just hasn’t told anyone yet—including Cal Barton, the ex-boyfriend she left behind . . .

Hmmm… a decent story, but not the bestest story. I was not quite a fan of Cal even understanding his past traumas. Lindsay is a great character and I loved Sarah and Mrs. Tyler. Just wish the romance was a bit better.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Falling for Her Bachelor by Robin Bielman

Title: Falling for Her Bachelor (Palotays of Montana #1)

Author: Robin Bielman

Publisher: Tule Publishing 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 206

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Literary Escapes - Wyoming

When Navy firefighter Nick Palotay returns to Marietta to go on the bachelor auction block for a good cause, he expects it to be risk free. But when he needs someone safe to bid on him and his sister's best friend is coaxed into stepping up, Nick isn’t prepared for the effect Cassidy has on him. She sends his mind to all kinds of dirty places…places his battered heart can’t afford.

Freelance photographer Cassidy Ware is in waaay over her head. She’s always been Nick’s other little sister, but she’s all grown up now and just a glance from him leaves her hot and bothered. Still, she can stay immune to his charms and keep him at an emotional distance because she’s got an agenda, too. She’ll help the too-handsome Nick with his charitable deed, and, in return, he’ll help her keep an unwelcome suitor at bay.

A deal’s a deal, but when their “business transaction” turns into more pleasure than duty, can they walk away from each other without losing what matters most?

A cute little story of an off-limits romance. I really really liked Nick in this story, Cassidy a little less. I would have liked a bit more story in the in-between scenes. This could have been turned into a great full length novel. As it stands, I really did enjoy this story.

Palotays of Montana

#1 Falling for Her Bachelor
#2 Once Upon a Royal Christmas

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

Title: A Hundred Summers

Author: Beatriz Williams

Publisher: Berkley 2013

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 369

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Literary Escapes - Rhode Island

Lily Dane has returned to Seaview, Rhode Island, where her family has summered for generations. It’s an escape not only from New York’s social scene but from a heartbreak that still haunts her. Here, among the seaside community that has embraced her since childhood, she finds comfort in the familiar rituals of summer.

But this summer is different. Budgie and Nick Greenwald—Lily’s former best friend and former fiancé—have arrived, too, and Seaview’s elite are abuzz. Under Budgie’s glamorous influence, Lily is seduced into a complicated web of renewed friendship and dangerous longing.

As a cataclysmic hurricane churns north through the Atlantic, and uneasy secrets slowly reveal themselves, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional storm that will change their worlds forever...

My favorite Beatriz Williams book that I’ve read so far. Like many of her books, this one starts out fairly slowly, setting the scene and the characters. But about 50% of the way through, suddenly the plot starts moving faster and faster until it comes to the big conflict. Loved this story so much. I love the setting on the fictional Seaview, Rhode Island and New York City. I could see the summer community and every single cottage and building. I immediately fell for Lily and was rooting for her throughout the book. She’s definitely too much of a wallflower in the beginning, but eventually she finds her strength. I loved the romance between Lily and Nick. At times, I wanted to slap both of them, but that’s kinda the point. Miscommunication, lies, and omission all created their situation and it’s up to them to untangle the problem. The last 30 pages was a bit rushed (would’ve loved to have spent a bit more time with the aftermath of the hurricane), but overall I really really enjoyed this historical fiction.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Christmas Layover by Robert Tate Miller

Title: The Christmas Layover

Author: Robert Tate Miller

Publisher: Entangled Bliss 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 252

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Literary Escapes - Colorado

The weather forecasters said the snowstorm would miss the eastern seaboard. They were wrong. When Ally Henderson’s flight from Southern California to get married in New York City for Christmas gets diverted to the tiny Midwestern town of Bethlehem, she’s desperate to get back in the air and back to the Big Apple. But with all the airports closed, she’s forced to rely on Midwestern hospitality to wait out the storm. And she soon learns that she has a storm of her own to weather. One that could shatter her life.

Living with a kind stranger is one way to spend a snowed-in Christmas, but when she meets the local diner owner, Jake, sparks fly. Only, Ally’s a big-city girl with big-city dreams, and Jake will always be a Bethlehem boy.

This one was a mixed bag for me. I loved the overall storyline of the diverted flight. I really enjoyed Ally and Jake. I especially loved the interactions between all the characters. Unfortunately the book had major problems. So many times, there were abrupt transitions leaving me confused and lost. I had to reread so many chapter sections to understand exactly what was going on. This story would definitely have benefited from another editing pass.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay

Title: A Christmas Bride (Chapel of Love #1)

Author: Hope Ramsay

Publisher: Grand Central 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 295

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Motif - Seasons; Literary Escapes - Virginia

'Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she's determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory-all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself...

After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it's harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

Such a cute Christmas story. I loved following David and Willow’s story through conflict to love. Light and fluffy is just want I want to read during the holiday season. I loved the side characters, especially Poppy and Walter, but Natalie might have been the best. I loved the town of Shenandoah Falls. I’ll be continuing to read this series soon.

Chapel of Love:

#1 A Christmas Bride
#2 A Small-Town Bride
#3 Here Comes the Bride
#4 The Bride Next Door

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Title: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Author: Kim Michele Richardson

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 308

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Literary Escapes - Kentucky

The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything―everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome's got its very own traveling librarian, Cussy Mary Carter.

Cussy's not only a book woman, however, she's also the last of her kind, her skin a shade of blue unlike most anyone else. Not everyone is keen on Cussy's family or the Library Project, and a Blue is often blamed for any whiff of trouble. If Cussy wants to bring the joy of books to the hill folks, she's going to have to confront prejudice as old as the Appalachias and suspicion as deep as the holler.

Our book club selection for this month and a definite recommendation. I was immediately intrigued by the back story of the Pack Horse Librarians. I always love learning about the hidden stories from history. And this one is such a good one. From there, the reader gets the added storyline of the blue people of Kentucky. Definitely intriguing. Beyond the storyline, I didn’t know how I was going to enjoy Cussy’s narration of this story. After a few chapters, I got used to the style and it didn’t bother me at all. I think this would be a great book on audio. If the narrator was good, the storytelling would be great.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

Title: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe

Author: Heather Webber

Publisher: Forge Books 2019

Genre: Magical Realism

Pages: 333

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Alabama; Dancing with Fantasy and Science Fiction - Maternal Heritage

Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.

As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.

A random library find that caught my eye. I love the cover on this one and the summary definitely intrigued me. I fell right into the story amongst all the great characters. Anna Kate and Natalie are wonderful narrators for our story. I definitely connected with many of their struggles and concerns. I was rooting for them to find peace and love by the end of the novel. The ending was a bit rushed, but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Title: Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Author: J. Ryan Stradal

Publisher: Penguin 2015

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 312

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Minnesota

When Lars Thorvald’s wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine—and a dashing sommelier—he’s left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He’s determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter—starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva’s journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that’s a testament to her spirit and resilience.

Out book club selection for this month. I had wanted to read this one before reading Stradal’s new book, The Lager Queen of Minnesota. But I wasn’t quite sure what this one was really about. I dove in and after three chapters, finally got the hang of this book. The narration jumps around a bit in narrations and constantly jumps forward in time. And yet, Stradal has done so well in the continuity that I wasn’t annoyed like I usually am. Instead, I was fully immersed in the interconnected stories of the various characters created by Stradal. I especially loved the chapters focusing on Braque and Pat. Beyond the characters, the focus on food was amazing. Stradal deftly combines simple food with larger stories of growing up and finding yourself. In fact, I’m still processing this book. I’m so wrapped up in the storyline, I’m savoring the explorations of food. And I really need to make my own desert bars.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

Title: The Broken Girls

Author: Simone St. James

Publisher: Berkley 2018

Genre: Thriller / Horror

Pages: 334

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Vermont

Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears....

Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan's elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during renovations links the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won’t be silenced....

This was the Girly Book Club selection for October and it is absolutely the perfect read for the month! I really really loved this page. St. James blends a murder mystery (well three actually) and a ghost story to create the perfect blend of thriller and horror book. I immediately fell for the 1950 storyline. The atmosphere was perfect for the plot. I felt very claustrophobic, just like the girls stuck at Idlewild. I was terrified of turning my head and seeing Mary Hand standing in my bedroom. Very scary! I loved the suspenseful moments sprinkled throughout. The modern storyline was not as good, at least for the first half of the book. I wasn’t a fan of Fiona, but she started to grow on me once we dove deeper into her emotions and goals. Once she met with Margaret Eden, I was finally onboard with Fiona’s story. From there, the book kicked into high gear and didn’t stop until the last page. Loved it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Hope and Other Punch Lines by Julie Buxbaum

Title: Hope and Other Punch Lines

Author: Julie Buxbaum

Publisher: Delacorte Press 2019

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Pages: 320

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - NJ

Abbi Hope Goldstein is like every other teenager, with a few smallish exceptions: her famous alter ego, Baby Hope, is the subject of internet memes, she has asthma, and sometimes people spontaneously burst into tears when they recognize her. Abbi has lived almost her entire life in the shadow of the terrorist attacks of September 11. On that fateful day, she was captured in what became an iconic photograph: in the picture, Abbi (aka "Baby Hope") wears a birthday crown and grasps a red balloon; just behind her, the South Tower of the World Trade Center is collapsing.

Now, fifteen years later, Abbi is desperate for anonymity and decides to spend the summer before her seventeenth birthday incognito as a counselor at Knights Day Camp two towns away. She's psyched for eight weeks in the company of four-year-olds, none of whom have ever heard of Baby Hope.

Too bad Noah Stern, whose own world was irrevocably shattered on that terrible day, has a similar summer plan. Noah believes his meeting Baby Hope is fate. Abbi is sure it's a disaster. Soon, though, the two team up to ask difficult questions about the history behind the Baby Hope photo. But is either of them ready to hear the answers?

Not sure what I was expecting when I picked this one up. Well, that’s not true. I was thinking this would be a very typical young adult romance. Instead, we get a very powerful story of teens dealing with perceptions, growing up, and identity. I loved following Abbi as she navigates an identity that was thrust upon her in infancy. She attempts to explain to others how this identity feels, but often the other characters put their own ideas and feelings onto her. I love that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book. Sure Abbi and Noah end up together. I don’t think that is really a spoiler. But that storyline feels very third tier in the grand scope of the book. I’ll admit that this book had me tearing up in multiple spots. It was a lot more hard-hitting than I was expecting. This book may not make it onto my Top 10 for the year (seriously, I’ve read way too much this year already), but I may have to put it in my Top 25.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

Title: Waiting for Tom Hanks

Author: Kerry Winfrey

Publisher: Jove 2019

Genre: Romance Comedy

Pages: 274

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Literary Escapes - OH

Annie Cassidy dreams of being the next Nora Ephron. She spends her days writing screenplays, rewatching Sleepless in Seattle, and waiting for her movie-perfect meet-cute. If she could just find her own Tom Hanks—a man who’s sweet, sensitive, and possibly owns a houseboat—her problems would disappear and her life would be perfect. But Tom Hanks is nowhere in sight.

When a movie starts filming in her neighborhood and Annie gets a job on set, it seems like a sign. Then Annie meets the lead actor, Drew Danforth, a cocky prankster who couldn’t be less like Tom Hanks if he tried. Their meet-cute is more of a meet-fail, but soon Annie finds herself sharing some classic rom-com moments with Drew. Her Tom Hanks can’t be an actor who’s leaving town in a matter of days...can he?

Way over-hyped and too cliched for me to enjoy that much. Annie is a very annoying protagonist waiting around for Mr. Right to canter up on his white horse. I just couldn’t with her constant reminders of waiting for “Tom Hanks.” We get it, it’s the title of the book, you don’t have to constantly remind me. Beyond that, Annie acts more like a 15 year old girl than a 27 year old woman. I just couldn’t get over her immature attitude about everything. And the romance wasn’t that great. Possibly could have been better as a YA novel.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Title: Dark Matter

Author: Blake Crouch

Publisher: Crown 2016

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 342

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Lirbary Love; Literary Escapes - Illinois

“Are you happy with your life?”

Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.

Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits.

Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.

I really enjoyed this science fiction thriller. In many ways, it reminded me of The Martian. We meet a man on the verge of encountering a major problem. We then follow him as he navigates a new-to-him world. The reader is hurtled along the adventure attempting to figure out the solution along with our main character. I sped through this book on the edge of my seat. I had to see how it all ended. I had to see if our Jason was able to get home. My one issue was the lack of depth to the character of Angela. She really was just Jason’s therapist on the journey. I wanted more from her. I wanted to hear more about her desires. Even with that gripe, I really enjoyed reading this one. Hoping to get to Recursion soon.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Title: Evvie Drake Starts Over

Author: Linda Holmes

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 293

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Literary Escapes - Maine

In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future.

When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out.

Another Anne Bogel Summer Reading recommendation. I was expecting a very heavy exploration of life after a husband’s death. Instead, we get a much lighter book. But one that I really enjoyed. I’m not really sure why I was confused about the premise, but oh well. I really enjoyed Evvie and loved following her rediscovery of life. She’s a very realistic character full of flaws and quirks. I telegraphed the entire plotline, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. A nice fairly light read for this week.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Title: Fix Her Up

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publisher: Avon 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 400

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Literary Escapes - New York; Romance

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite.

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...

Ooof… This was not good. The more I sit on this book, I angrier I get at the book. I feel duped. I feel angry at the patriarchy that perpetuates dysfunctional relationships. I am confused (but not really) by the fact that this was written by a woman. I am turned off by the sex scenes (and I’ve read and enjoyed a lot of erotica). The more I thought about this book, the more stars I knocked off of my rating.

Amongst all of this crap, there were a few good items. I loved the growth of relationship between sisters Georgie and Bethany and friend Rosie. I loved the creation and growth of the Just Us League. I wanted an entire book focused on those relationships.

But instead, we get a deeply problematic romance. I’m not going to get into all the details, but let me say that I was icked out by the power dynamics, the actual sex, repeated use of “baby girl,” keeping secrets, playing games, overprotective brothers, dismissive family, and the need for a clothing makeover focused on tight and short. Checking out other reviews on GoodReads, I realize that I’m not completely alone in my disappointment and anger. Thinking that this author is going on my “do not read” list.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Taste of Marrow by Sarah Gailey

Title: Taste of Marrow (River of Teeth #2)

Author: Sarah Gailey

Publisher: Tor 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Monthly Motif - Diversify Your Reading; Literary Escapes - Louisiana

A few months ago, Winslow Houndstooth put together the damnedest crew of outlaws, assassins, cons, and saboteurs on either side of the Harriet for a history-changing caper. Together they conspired to blow the dam that choked the Mississippi and funnel the hordes of feral hippos contained within downriver, to finally give America back its greatest waterway.

Songs are sung of their exploits, many with a haunting refrain: "And not a soul escaped alive."

In the aftermath of the Harriet catastrophe, that crew has scattered to the winds. Some hunt the missing lovers they refuse to believe have died. Others band together to protect a precious infant and a peaceful future. All of them struggle with who they've become after a long life of theft, murder, deception, and general disinterest in the strictures of the law.

I finally picked up the continuation of the story started in River of Teeth and I really enjoyed it. I loved Gailey’s reimagining of Louisiana complete with domesticated and feral hippos. I loved reading about the parallel journeys of Houndstooth, Archie, Adelia, and Hero. Thankfully we also get many appearances from their hippo companions and a reappearance of some interesting side characters. Definitely a good little read!

River of Teeth

#1 River of Teeth
#2 Taste of Marrow
#3 ???

Next up on the TBR pile:

If, Then by Kate Hope Day

Title: If, Then

Author: Kate Hope Day

Publisher: Random House 2019

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 272

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Alphabet Soup - D; Literary Escapes - OR

In the quiet haven of Clearing, Oregon, four neighbors find their lives upended when they begin to see themselves in parallel realities. Ginny, a devoted surgeon whose work often takes precedence over her family, has a baffling vision of a beautiful co-worker in Ginny’s own bed and begins to doubt the solidity of her marriage. Ginny’s husband, Mark, a wildlife scientist, sees a vision that suggests impending devastation and grows increasingly paranoid, threatening the safety of his wife and son. Samara, a young woman desperately mourning the recent death of her mother and questioning why her father seems to be coping with such ease, witnesses an apparition of her mother healthy and vibrant and wonders about the secrets her parents may have kept from her. Cass, a brilliant scholar struggling with the demands of new motherhood, catches a glimpse of herself pregnant again, just as she’s on the brink of returning to the project that could define her career.

At first the visions are relatively benign, but they grow increasingly disturbing—and, in some cases, frightening. When a natural disaster threatens Clearing, it becomes obvious that the visions were not what they first seemed and that the town will never be the same.

I grabbed this book because of a description in Book Pages. And unlike some of my previous reads this month, I loved the weird nature of the storyline. I really dove into the world of small town Oregon and the interconnecting lives. It took me a bit to sort through what was actually going on, but once I did, I was thoroughly invested. I loved every single one of the main characters. They aren’t super likable at times, but that’s what makes them human. I was rooting for them to make good choices and survive until the end. I sped through this book almost in one sitting because I could not put it down!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton 2017

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 286

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Key Word: All; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Same Author; Literary Escapes - Indiana

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

I had heard that the main character suffered from generalized anxiety disorder, but wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book. John Green perfectly describes anxiety and specifically thought spirals. I was uncomfortable in my many parts of this book as Aza’s experiences are very similar to mine at times. I really felt for Aza and her daily struggles. I loved hearing her inner thoughts on a variety of topics but specifically her thoughts on the self. I couldn’t put this book down. I was hooked from chapter one. The plot was okay and the mystery of Russell Pickett’s disappearance kept the book moving, but I was here for the characters. I loved the relationship and ultimately the honesty between Aza and Daisy. I really put myself in Aza’s mom’s shoes in many places through the story. I finished the book and am left with a feeling of understanding. There are others that struggle with anxiety just like me. (Logically I know this, but sometimes my depression brain tells me that I’m the only one.) Most definitely an amazing book and one that I really want to put in many specific people’s hands.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

Title: Fight or Flight

Author: Samantha Young

Publisher: Berkley 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Massachusetts; Alphabet Soup - Y; Romance

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn't hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava's ever had. And that's all it was--until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb's orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he's stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart's in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she's made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn't quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her....

The Girly Book Club selection for April and thank goodness it was lighter than the last two months’s picks. I enjoyed most of this book. There’s a very weird tonal shift about 2/3 of the way through the book that I’m not quite sure I liked. Mostly I liked the romance between Caleb and Ava, but they do have their problems. I’m not a huge fan of the alpha mentality. I wanted to see Caleb soften a lot faster than the novel showed. And I do think that this book needs a few trigger warnings (attempted sexual assault; domestic violence; abortion; death during childbirth). I was not expecting some of those items at all. Overall I still did enjoy this book.

Next up on the TBR pile: