November was a good month for reading. A lot of chick lit and psychological thrillers (I guess that’s the best word for it). I read 7 books. A total of 2,628 pages. An average of 87.5 pages per day. So let’s get into it!
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine (395 pages). Amber Peterson has a plan. A plan to become the next Mrs. Jackson Parrish. But to do that, she must first ingratiate herself to his current wife Daphne before pulling the rug out from under her. Because Daphne has it all- gorgeous husband, 2 amazing daughters, and all the wealth she could ever want. So Amber sets about with her plan. Little does Amber know that Daphne has a plan of her own. So which woman will ultimately win? I loved this book. It was not at all what I expected! I finished in 4 days.
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score (556 pages). Naomi Witt arrives in Knockemout, Virginia, with two things on her mind- fleeing her wedding and helping out her no-account twin sister Tina. But little did she know that Tina had left a disaster waiting her. A town where people didn’t trust Tina (and therefore Naomi by extension) and an 11 year old niece Waylay. So Naomi finds herself jobless, homeless, carless (after Tina stole hers) and no linger childless. What she didn’t expect was a town that embraced her. And a new neighbor/boss in the form of Knox Morgan. A man who doesn’t form attachments. Until Naomi and Waylay make him realize what he has been missing this whole time. It was a cute rom com. I finished in 5 days.
The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson (337 pages). This was my September Once Upon a Book Club box (yes, I’m not up to date. Sue me). So gifts on social, as usual. Libby Nicholls arrives in London with her life a shambles- her boyfriend of 8 years has dumped her, leaving her homeless and jobless. Fortunately her sister offers her a place to live and a temporary job babysitting her nephew. Libby meets Frank on the 88 bus. Frank, who has been riding this bus for 60+ years, looking for his lost girl. A girl he met once but who changed his life forever. Libby joins forces with Frank’s carer to search for the girl. But time is ticking, as Frank’s dementia is advancing. This book was so super sweet. I finished in 3 days.
When She Returned by Lucinda Berry (289 pages). Eleven years ago, Kate disappeared, leaving behind grieving husband Scott and 5 year old Abbi. In the ensuing years, Scott finally had her declared dead and eventually remarried Meredith. But one day, a call from Montana lets them know that Kate is alive. The family brings her and her 7 week old daughter Shiloh back home to California. But Kate is hesitant to tell where she has been. Because 11 years ago, she became enthralled with a local cult, Love International. And that’s when all of the family’s troubles began. Can someone ever really fully deprogram from complete cult immersion, even when they see problems with the cult and its leader? That’s the struggle that this family now faces. This book was soooo good! I finished in 4 days.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (373 pages). Every romance novel has its tropes- the handsome stranger, the small town love affair, the cold hearted workaholic girlfriend who gets left. Nora Stephens, a book editor in New York, knows her role in life. Work first, her beloved baby sister Libby second. So when Libby asks Nora to take a month away, Nora says yes. With trepidation. Because Libby wants to go to Sunshine Falls, NC, the town that’s the star of the best selling book by one of Nora’s clients. And Libby has a plan. Little do either of them know that a difficult book editor from the city, Charlie Lastra, is also in Sunshine Falls. And his appearance puts a bit of a kink in Libby’s plans. Or does it? Super cute rom com book. I wish I’d been sitting poolside for it! I finished in 6 days.
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee (369 pages). Felicity Morrow has returned to Dalloway School to repeat her senior year. The year before, her girlfriend Alex died in an accident and Felicity took a year away to get help. Upon returning, she moves back into her old room in Godwin House. And quickly finds herself inthralled with the new girl, prodigy author Ellis Haley. But the ghosts of Alex and the Dalloway Five (five of Dalloway’s earlier students who were accused of witchcraft and all died mysteriously). Dalloway is steeped in witchcraft and darkness. And Felicity finds herself drawn back into it. This was one of those books that I both liked and didn’t like. The writing was excellent. But I found myself not really connecting to the characters. I finished in 4 days.
Beauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Miles (309 pages). Former NFL quarterback Ronan Smith’s life is not going well. After a horrific car crash claimed the life of his fiancée and his NFL career, he’s in a downward spiral. Until a one night stand with Princess Leia shakes him out of it. Two years later, Nova Morgan finds herself returning home to Blue Belle, Texas. Her new next door neighbor? The head football coach- retired quarterback and former one night stand from hell, Ronan. As they become closer, Ronan has to face a choice- his dream job or a new forever love. Another total chick lit, pool perfect read. I finished in 3 days.
This month’s favorite was…..a tie between The Lost Ticket and When She Returned. They are totally different genres, so I feel like I can choose both!
