Let’s just say it- I killed it this month. I read 9 books. A total of 3,538 pages. An average of 118 pages per day. Yep, that’s some good reading. Admittedly, I got stuck in some types (Colleen Hoover, romcoms, sequels). So I’m going to try to spice it up next month with some diversity. But I really liked almost every book I read this month.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (373 pages). Lily Bloom loves her life in Boston- she has opened her dream business (a flower shop) and found a wonderful man who loves her (neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid). Everything seems perfect. But looks can be deceiving. And when Atlas Corrigan, her first love, reappears in her life, she realizes that she doesn’t have to repeat patterns in her life. Even though I’d heard of this book, I didn’t know what it was about. I found myself very affected. More so than I would’ve thought. As I was poolside, I finished in 1 day.
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover (320 pages). This is Atlas and Lily’s continuation story. Lily and Ryle are officially divorced and attempting to coparent their daughter Emerson. The last person Ryle would want in their life is Atlas, the man HE blames for the divorce. But Lily and Atlas know better. And a love story that began in high school finally has a chance to grow into forever. This was very sweet. I didn’t like it as much as the first book. I finished in 3 days.
The Rebel King by Gina L. Maxwell (316 pages). The second in the Deviant King series. This one focuses on second brother Tiernan Verran. Tiernan has just been named King of the Dark Fae after his brother’s abdication (hey, you’ve got to do whatever it takes to save your life and your mate’s life). As king, there are certain expectations. One of them is not being involved with Fiona Jewel, one of the fae housekeepers of Midnight Manor. But when Dark Fae begin to be murdered (something hard to do), Tiernan realizes he’s got to save his people. All before he officially takes the throne. Fiona learns some truths about herself as well when she and her mother are attacked. But along the way, Tiernan realizes that no king is complete without his queen. Another round of faerie 50 shades! I finished in 4 days.
Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score (642 pages). The third and final book in the Knockemout series. Now that we’ve got the Morgan brothers settled down, it’s time to focus on their bad boy best friend, Lucian Rollins, and his long time love/hate relationship with town librarian Sloane Walton. This book was the perfect ending to the series. It might have been my favorite one actually! Lucian and Sloane started out as best friends in high school. But one mistake led to a seemingly deep seated hatred for decades. Until Lucian decides that the easiest way to get Sloane out of his mind is to get her into his bed. After all, he gets bored with women once he beds them. But Sloane isn’t just any woman. And they aren’t just any couple. As crime lords continue to pester the town and inhabitants of Knockemout, Sloane and Lucian need to decide how they truly feel about each other. I finished in 4 days.
Too Late by Colleen Hoover (388 pages). Sloan thought she’d met the perfect guy when she met Asa Jackson in college. But her fairytale quickly turned into a nightmare when she learns that Asa is a drug trafficker at the college. Unfortunately, he’s managed to make her so dependent on him that she can’t leave, even though she’s miserable. When Carter, an undercover agent, infiltrates Asa’s inner circle, he decides that after he takes down Asa, he’s going to rescue Sloan. But Asa doesn’t ever hear no from anyone. Especially the woman he obsessively loves. Can Sloan and Carter make it out alive? And can they find a happy ending? I finished in 3 days.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (329 pages). Millie feels like she’s hit the jackpot. Despite her criminal past, she manages to land a job as a live-in maid/part-time nanny for the very wealthy Winchester family. Husband Andrew is a dreamboat. Daughter Cecelia is a bit of a brat. Wife Nina, on the other hand, is a nut job. She’s demanding, slovenly and a nightmare. But Millie accepts her attic bedroom and difficult job, fanaticizing about Andrew all the while. Turns out, Nina needs more than just a maid. Because life in the Winchester house isn’t what it appears. And Millie is just the girl for the job. Y’all- this book! It really reminded me of The Wife Between Us that I read about 2 years ago. But possibly even better? I finished in 3 days.
The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden (310 pages). A sequel? Heck yes! Millie is back in New York City, going to school and working where she can. She’d managed to make a bit of a name for herself as a “maid.” So when she gets a call from the Garricks to be their new housekeeper, she quickly learns that Douglas is abusive. So when Wendy begs for help, Millie knows what she must do. But Wendy isn’t Millie’s typical client. Another fun twist and just as good as the first book! I finished in 4 days.
A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn (401 pages). Lottie needs a job (her toxic bff/boss just fired her), a new place to live (as much as she loves her mom and stepdad, 28 is too old to be living at home) and a date to her high school reunion (thanks to the aforementioned bff/boss being involved). Huxley needs a pregnant fiancée to seal a real estate deal (he let himself lie just a teensy bit). So when they accidentally meet on the sidewalk of Huxley’s neighborhood, a deal is struck and a contract signed. Yall know I love a rom com! And one that acknowledges CT as the greatest MTV Challenger of all time? Yes yes and yes! It was super cute (if slightly predictable). I finished in 4 days.
So Not Meant to Be by Meghan Quinn (459 pages). A sequel featuring Lottie’s sister, Kelsey and one of Huxley’s brothers, JP. From the moment they met, Kelsey found JP to be annoying. But when they are forced to go to San Francisco for 2 weeks for work, she begins to realize that there is more to him than she ever imagined. Another cute romcom, complete with misunderstandings and makeups. I finished in 5 days.
This month’s favorite is…….The Housemaid.
