Apparently April is the month for love. Or at least literary love!

 April was a pretty good month. And my books (while rom-com heavy), we’re very much all over the place!  But I read 9 books. A total of 2,735 pages. An average of 91 pages per day. Not too shabby. So let’s get into it!

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende (307 pages). The queen of magical realism. Eva Luna is born to a professor’s maid and a gardener. She is orphaned at a young age. But Eva was born with the gift of storytelling. And with that gift, meets amazing people and creates a wonderful life. Along the way, she finds an adopted abuela who is obsessed with her own coffin, a transgendered woman who becomes a famous actress, a Turkish shop owner who is her first lover, a young street urchin who becomes a guerrilla warfare leader, and a refuge who becomes a newsman and her life partner. The stories are amazing in how they intertwine. I finished in 5 days. 

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan (257 pages). Nora Hamilton is a romance channel screenwriter and has that formula down pat. But she finally writes a script unlike any other when her husband (who loved her money, liked their kids and hated work) left her and she turned her life into a movie. The role of her ex-husband goes to perpetual bachelor and former Sexiest Man Alive Leo Vance. But after a few days of filming at their house, Leo shows back up, begging to stay for the week. At $1000 a day. Nora can’t turn down that offer. And suddenly, her life is every rom-com she’s ever written. But no rom-com is smooth sailing. And for a normal woman dating a super celebrity, the path to love is always rocky. This was a super cute rom-com!  As we discussed in my book club, it was a typical rom com with some atypical tropes. I finished in 2 days. 

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (292 pages). Before Peter Pan lost his heart to Wendy Darling, Tiger Lily lost her heart to him. Narrated by everyone’s favorite faerie, Tinkerbell, this is the story of a young girl who fell in love with a boy. And lost him to another girl. This Neverland was a little less magic, but still 100% magical. Tiger Lily is a bit of an outcast in her village. And betrothed to a brute of a man. Then she meets Peter and his Lost Boys. She slowly loses her heart to him. But then, as her world in her village is falling apart thanks to the arrival of Englanders, she loses Peter to Wendy. Forever. I loved this version of the Pan story. I finished in 3 days. 

Her Sister’s Death by KL Murphy (314 pages). This was my January Once Upon a Book Club box. Yes, I’ve been hoarding them. The gifts were great (and on social, like usual). In 1921, the Franklin Hotel is THE hotel in Baltimore. And Bridget Wallace is set to spend her wedding night there. But the man she married isn’t the man she thought he was. And she quickly learns that darkness exists in people and places. In present day, crime reporter Val Ritter is hot on a story. But this one is personal. Her sister allegedly committed suicide at the Franklin. Val doesn’t believe it and, with the help of retired detective Terry Martin, Val looks into the dark history of the Franklin. I finished in 3 days. 

You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M McManus (323 pages). Overachiever Ivy, outsider Cal and heartthrob Mateo became friends when the skipped out on a school field trip in sixth grade and had the Greatest Day Ever. But by eighth grade, their friendship had run its course. And by senior year, they are merely classmates. Until they run into each other on the way into class and decide to skip. They each have a good reason. But when they see another classmate in Boston, they follow him to the scene of his murder. And from there, have to figure out who killed him and why. Before one of them is the next victim. I finished in 3 days. 

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn (331 pages). This was my February Once Upon a Book Club box. Georgie Mulcahy has always been a fly by the seat of your pants, thrives in chaos gal. So being a successful personal assistant in LA was the perfect job for her. Until she suddenly finds herself jobless and back in her hometown, a blank slate of life ahead of her. When she digs up her old “friend fic” diary that she and her best friend wrote, she decides that there’s no time like the present to finish all her dreams. And right by her side is the town hermit, Levi Fanning, a man she never knew until she found him living in her parents’ house!  Slowly, they each begin to realize that the blank futures that scared them might just be tied up in each other. I love a good chick lit. And this one was delightful!  I finished in 3 days. 

Within these Wicked Walls by (324 pages). Andromeda is a debtera, an exorcist for the church in Ethiopia. She is hired by Magnus Rochester to rid his house of the Evil Eye. Magnus needs these manifestations gone and Andi needs this job. Andi was trained by one of the greatest debteras, but none of her training prepared her for the truth of the Evil Eye that has cursed this family. It was a little bit Jane Eyre, a little bit Exorcist, and a little bit magical realism, all rolled into one. I won’t say I loved it, but I was definitely intrigued by it. I finished in 5 days. 

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (270 pages). Okay, full disclosure.  This is one of my favorite Anne Hathaway movies. And the book was even better. A little bit different. Ella of Frell is giving the blessing (or curse) of obedience at birth by the fairy Lucinda. But Ella is rebellious by nature (or maybe because of the curse). So she tries her best to not obey. At least not immediately. But can love of self or love of another give Ella enough strength to finally break the curse and live happily ever after?  I finished in 2 days. 

Talk Bookish to me by Kate Bromley (317 pages). Kara Sullivan is a best selling romance novelist who hasn’t found herself too lucky in love since her first love, Ryan Thompson. But with a book deadline looming and her best friend’s wedding happening, Kara has no time for romance. When Ryan shows up as one of the groomsmen, Kara is floored. Everything she ever felt for him comes flooding back. And it doesn’t seem like she’s alone in her feelings. But the path to true love is never easy. And sometimes the second time isn’t the charm. Or is it?  This book was super cute chick lit!  I finished in 5 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Nora Goes Off Script. In this month’s apparent battle of the rom-coms, this one edged out the rest by a hair. 

Marching right into spring reading

 This was a pretty good month for reading. I read 7 books. A total of 2,575 pages. An average of 83 pages a day. I read some really great books. And some not so great books. So let’s get to it!

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano (360 pages). This was my December Once Upon a Book Club book, so gifties on social (per usual). In 1886, concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant awakens to find herself in a bed at Hurstwell Asylum, being called by the name Cora Fletcher. She learns that when her father died, he left her with the care of a patient there. A patient that the asylum has no record of. So Vivienne decides to go work at the asylum and see what she can uncover. The longer she is there, the more she seems to belong. And quickly finds herself a patient. She finally uncovers the secret of the missing patient and learns the power of music therapy. Honestly, it wasn’t my favorite book. I found it a little hard to follow at times. I finished in 3 days. 

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (330 pages). In January 1906, 26 year old Belle da Costa Greene begins a new job. As the librarian for the newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Hired personally by JP Morgan, her job is to curate the world’s most amazing collection of rare manuscripts, books and artwork. But Belle hides a secret. Her mother is a member of the Fleet family of Washington DC. And her father was the first black student to graduate from Harvard (he also graduated from USC Law and was the first black professor there). So Belle spends her life passing as a white woman, thanks to her light complexion. Her life was astonishing. She never married but did have lovers (JP Morgan himself rumored to be among them). And when Mr Morgan passed away, he left Belle $50,000 in his will and a job for life with his library. She convinced his son to turn the library into a public institution, world famous for its rare manuscripts. I absolutely loved this book!  I finished in 6 days. 

Lucy’s Coming for You…by Ashley Beegan (242 pages). Summer is an advocate at a mental hospital. And one patient in particular seems to have a hold on her- Lucy. But when Lucy disappears from the ward, Summer is told by everyone that there has never been a Lucy at the hospital. But Summer knows she’s not crazy. And it turns out that Lucy is now looking for Summer. And Lucy might not be the only one. This story had a lot of promise but the book just wasn’t great. I finished in 2 days. 

The Story of Raine by Glenda J Brown (422 pages).  My mom taught with Glenda in Charlottesville back in the early 1970’s. Glenda was inspired by the floods that struck Charlottesville in 1969 during Hurricane Camille. In the 1930’s, Lana meets Sloan. And immediately marries him and moves back to his home outside of Charlottesville. They have a beautiful daughter named Raine. Raine eventually marries Anthony and they have a daughter named Angel. Through it all is the family’s connection to their estate, Shaddeau, and their connection to each other. There is drama, there is love, there is tragedy. I’m super proud to know Glenda! I finished in 4 days. 

Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore (367 pages). The del Cisne sisters could not be more different. Older sister Blanca is golden and obedient while younger sister Roja is dusky and rebellious. But both sisters know that their family is cursed and one of them will eventually be turned into a swan. When young men Page and Barclay meet the sisters, they are drawn into the waiting game of which sister will remain and which will become a swan. And can falling in love actually save either sister?  This was a retelling/reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red. And I did not like it. At all. I finished in 4 days. 

Cake Eater by Allyson Dahlin (452 pages). This was a random YA Once Upon a Book Club box from August 2022. It’s May of 3070 and Duchess Maria Antonia is on her way from Austro land to Franc to marry Dauphin Louis-Auguste. She is famous on social media and he is a reserved and private young man.  Once they are married, they become a powerhouse young royal couple. But troubles in Paree lead to revolution. And as Marie Antoinette tries to help her husband navigate their people turning against them, they soon realize that there is no hope for the crown. Marie learns that there was another Marie Antoinette in the past. But all history vanished with the cataclysmic Event that almost destroyed the world. Honestly, the book ended up making me think a lot more than I thought a YA book would. Yes, if Marie Antoinette had been born in the future, she probably would have been a social media influencer.  But it’s also an interesting observation that when we lose or forget our history, we are doomed to repeat it. I finished in 7 days. 

Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan (402 pages). In 1838, the steamship Pulaski, the Titanic of the South, sank off the coast of North Carolina. Among the survivors was Savannah native Augusta Longstreet. And among the lost was her niece Lilly Forsyth. Everly Winthrop grew up with stories of the Pulaski. And when the wreck is finally found in 2018, she is the perfect person to be chosen to curate a special exhibit at the museum. Her research skills and old Savannah connections help her learn the truth about the one victim she was always fascinated by- Lilly.  Through learning the truth about the Pulaski, Everly also learns to come to grips with her own personal loss. I finished in 6 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..The Personal Librarian. 

Shorter month, not so shorter reading list

 For a short month, I did a great job getting some reading done. 8 books. 2,652 pages. An average of 95 pages per day. So let’s get to it!

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice(349 pages). I’ve seen the movie so many times, but I’d never read the book. I really, really liked the movie. And the book was even better!  Louis, Lestat, Claudia- these vampires were so memorable. For those who don’t know, the book opens in modern day New Orleans, where Louis is giving an interview. Louis became a vampire in the 1790’s. Lestat was his maker. And Claudia was their (literal) child- a young girl who Lestat turned in order to make Louis stay with him as a family. As Louis gives his interview, sharing his life and adventures (both good and evil), he is dismayed to learn that the young interviewer finds his life fascinating and wants to become a vampire as well. I finished in 6 days. 

Alice by Christina Henry (291 pages). Young Alice allowed herself to be led into Old City, a terrifying world of decrepit buildings and under lord bosses named the Walrus, Cheshire, and Mr. Carpenter. When she escaped, no one believed her and she was thrown into an asylum. 10 years later, Alice and her next door neighbor Hatcher escape when the asylum burns down. Both are set on revenge. Alice wants to find the Rabbit, the man who took her innocence (but she took his eye). Hatcher is intent on finding the Jabberwocky, the dark creature who haunts his dreams.  In a world where magic is real, Alice and Hatcher find themselves learning so much about the pasts that they thought were hidden. This was one of the coolest retellings of a fairy tale I’ve read. I loved it!  Apparently it’s the first of a series. So there’s more to come for me, I’m sure!  I finished in 3 days. 

Layla by Colleen Hoover (290 pages). If you don’t know that Colleen Hoover has taken over the literary world, you’ve been living under a rock. I’d heard that this one was a little different than her others. And boy, was it!  Leeds met Layla at her sister’s wedding. And he knew in one moment that she was the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. But when a crazy ex-girlfriend attacks them, their whole world changes. And Layla just doesn’t seem to be Layla anymore. So Leeds takes them back to the now vacant and up for sale bed and breakfast where they met. Some alone time in the place where it all began should bring her back to him. But it turns out they aren’t alone. There’s someone else there. And as Leeds finds his connection to Willow growing, he decides he must help her. In helping her, can he actually help himself and Layla? I finished in 5 days. 

Laughing at Funerals by Katherine Bryant (101 pages). I cannot tell you the thrill I got typing MY FRIEND’S NAME as the author!  I’ve known Kat for at least 15 years. She’s a fellow reader (who takes it a step further by being an actual English teacher). And a way better writer than me. She started a blog a few years ago and was able to turn her blog into a devotional!  She’s like the Christian Carrie Bradshaw, y’all!  The devotionals are funny, poignant, applicable and just delightful! I finished in 1 day.  

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins (378 pages). When a young man is found brutally murdered on a houseboat in London, three women begin to emerge. Laura, the troubled young woman who was the last to see Daniel alive after their one night stand. Laura has problems, but could she have killed someone?  Miriam, the most next door neighbor who found the body and has a connection to the victim’s family. Miriam has bitterness, but could she have killed someone?  Carla, the grieving aunt who also just recently lost her sister (Daniel’s mother), among other losses. Carla has grief, but could she have killed someone?  Who actually killed Daniel?  This was not my favorite Paula Hawkins. It was slow going and not the reveal I wanted. I finished in 5 days. 

Murder Past Due by Miranda James (294 pages). Charlie Harris returned to his small hometown of Athena, Mississippi, after he lost his wife. He spends his days working at the local college library and walking his Maine Coon, Diesel, on a leash. He also finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation when former classmate/best selling novelist Godfrey Priest comes back to town and winds up dead. There is definitely more than one person in this small town who has motive. And Charlie finds himself helping out the sheriff’s department in their search. I was misdirected as to the murderer (which was a nice change). It was a pretty good book. But honestly, Diesel was legit my favorite character in the book (I love a smart cat!). I finished in 2 days. 

Things We Hide from the Light by Lucy Score (589 pages). Book 2 in the Knockemout series. This one focuses on Knox’s brother, Nash.  Nash Morgan is the chief of police and an all-around great guy. But he hasn’t been himself since he nearly died after being shot by small time criminal Hugo Duncan. Little does Nash know that Knox’s ex, Lina Solavita, might be just the thing to bring him back to life. But Lina is so used to keeping her life private that when Nash learns some of her secrets, they go from friends to almost enemies. But that’s a short jump to lovers in the smalls town of Knockemout. And the rest of the town, including Knox, his fiancée Naomi, her friend Sloane, and the Morgan boys childhood friend Lucian, slowly help Lina realized that life is amazing when you share it with people you love. I finished in 4 days.

Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter (360 pages). High school senior Liz is a rom com expert. It was what she and her mom loved the most. But when she lost her mother, she clung to the ideas in those movies. And now that Michael, the boy she had a crush on as a child, is back, she knows her happy ever after is about to happen. But she needs a little help from her next door neighbor (and sworn enemy) Wes. As she and Wes work together to woo Michael, Liz begins to realize that maybe she likes the wrong boy after all!  I finished in 3 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Alice (for the fiction). But Laughing at Funerals was a home run!

No dry January in regards to books

 I’m starting 2023 off strong. 10 books. 3,329 pages. An average of 107 pages a day. If I can keep up this pace, I’ll get soooo many books read this year!  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. 

Never Name the Dead by D.M. Rowell (325 pages). This was my November Once Upon a Book Club box. When Mae receives a message from her beloved grandfather that asks her to come home, she leaves her company in California and rushes home to Oklahoma. Home, where her name is Mud and her Kiowa brethren are losing their land and their heritage- their land to frackers and their heritage to a greedy art dealer. Mud and her cousin Denny team up to help their missing grandfather, solve a murder, and return artifacts to their people. I liked the gifts; I didn’t love the books. I finished in 4 days. 

Bloodleaf by Crystal Smith (373 pages). Princess Aurelia of Renalt lives in a country where magic is illegal. Unfortunately, the princess possesses magic. And when a failed assassination attempt forces her to use her magic, she must flee to neighboring Achleva.  She is befriended by Zan, a lord of the city. And joins forces with him to stop the black magic that is threatening them all. I finished in 5 days. 

To Sir Phillip With Love by Julia Quinn (390 pages). Book 5 of the Bridgerton series and part of a special edition box from Once Upon a Book Club. So hoorah for gifts AND fun books! This book focused on Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth of the eight siblings. Eloise was the boldest of the Bridgertons-she spoke her mind and had no problem turning down a perfectly acceptable marriage proposal. But when her cousin Marina dies, Eloise finds herself in a year long correspondence with Marina’s widower, Sir Phillip Crane. And when Sir Phillip suggests a visit that could culminate in marriage, Eloise decides to sneak away from London. She finds herself quickly enthralled with Sir Phillip and his twins, Amanda and Oliver. Their whirlwind courtship leads to marriage (this is a Bridgerton novel after all). There were times that I found myself disappointed in Eloise for choosing a man who was distant and unavailable (and a bit of a misogynist). But I do think that she managed to wrangle a decent husband and father out of him eventually. I finished in 4 days. 

Chasing Vines by Beth Moore (285 pages). Beth Moore is a dynamic Bible study teacher. I’ve done 3 of her studies and loved them. This was a different approach for me, as it wasn’t a weekly study. This one focused on us as the vines and God as the vine dresser. Beth studied viticulture voraciously after traveling to Italy with her daughters. And she shared that knowledge in this book. I enjoyed learning about vines and truly showing how God is the ultimate vine dresser for our own good. I just think I prefer watching Beth in action rather than reading her words. She’s so dynamic in person and that just doesn’t translate to the page (at least for me). I finished in 5 days. 

 

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (421 pages). Book 6 in the series and another of the special edition box. This book focused on Francesca Bridgerton, sixth of the eight siblings. After nearly two years of blissful marriage, Francesca finds herself widowed at age 22. Her husband’s cousin and best friend Michael becomes the new Earl of Kilmartin. But his love for Francesca causes him to flee to India for 4 years. Upon his return, he learns that Francesca is finally ready to marry again. Only this time, she will not marry for love. It will be to have children. But little does she know that she can have both. This one might have been one of my favorites of the Bridgerton novels!  I finished in 3 days. 

It’s in His Kiss by Julia Quinn (406 pages). Book 7 in the series. This book focused on Hyacinth Bridgerton, the youngest of the eight siblings. Hyacinth is Lady Danbury (the Duke of book 1’s godmother) reincarnated. Witty, charming and sure of herself, she finally meets her match in Gareth St Clair, Lady Danbury’s grandson. While their families wish to see them wed, these two perfectly compatible people must first team up to solve the mystery of Gareth’s St Clair grandmother’s hidden jewels. Along the way, they fall madly in love (as Bridgertons do). But this couple has a rather lengthy engagement period (2 whole months!) before their happy ever after, unlike most of Hyacinth’s siblings. I loved this one too!  I finished in 2 days. 

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn (469 pages). Book 8, the final book in the series.  This book focused on Gregory Bridgerton, seventh of the eight siblings. Gregory, unlike most young men of his acquaintance, believes in true love. He’s seen it in 7 marriages (8 if you count his parents, even though he was 2 when his father died). So he is not going to marry for anything less than the perfect love. And that love seems to be Hermione Watson.  At least that what love at first sight is telling him. Hermione’ s best friend Lucy is convinced that Gregory would make an excellent match. But first, Hermione has to be convinced that love at first sight does NOT exist (she fancies herself in love with another man). Along the way, Gregory realizes that Lucy is the one he loves. But Lucy is engaged to another man, with a wedding planned. Arguably the most dramatic of the books (blackmail, betrayal, a broken engagement), I found Gregory and Lucy to be delightful. I finished in 4 days. 

After by Anna Todd (164 pages). I do not typically read graphic novels, but I’m doing the Once Upon a Book Club 40 book challenge. And graphic novel was on the list. This one was basically a YA rom com. Prudish Tessa goes to college, leaving behind her equally prudish high school sweetheart. But her wild roomie introduces her to Hardin, the bad boy who she just can’t stop thinking about. I finished in about an hour. 

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (137 pages). For some reason, I had never read this classic novel. Griffin is a former medical student/physics obsessed albino who has learned how to make things, including himself, invisible. The only problem?  He can’t make them visible again. So he travels to a small inn in a small town to continue his research. Upon realizing that he is invisible (he goes around covered in bandages and masks), the town erupts. And he flees, happening upon a former classmate, to whom he tells the whole tale. He has resorted to theft and even murder to continue on. By losing his visibility, he has begun to lose his humanity. I finished in 1 day.

Before I Do by Sophie Cousens (359 pages). Audrey is very head in the stars. Josh is very rooted. Despite their polar opposite natures, they seem a perfect fit. But at their rehearsal dinner, Josh’s sister shows up with an unexpected plus one. A plus one who is Audrey’s what-if guy. They spent one beautiful, amazing day together 6 years ago. And his appearance sets everything off at the wedding. As disaster after disaster occurs, Audrey begins to wonder if fate is telling her something. But what?  Is your what-if better than you what-is?  Such a super cute chick lit- I wish I’d been poolside reading it!  I finished in 3 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..the darn Bridgerton books!

December is over. 2022 is over. And what a year of reading it has been!

 This month was a pretty average month for me. 8 books. A total of 2,572 pages. An average of 86 pages a day. But most importantly, this is also the end of 2022. So it’s time for the yearly breakdown. A total of 100 books read. A total of 33,835 pages. An average of 93 per day. And the favorite book of the favorite books is……The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (October’s book). But let’s get into this month’s readings, shall we?

 Circe by Madeline Miller (385 pages). I have always LOVED mythology. But the character of Circe had a small role in it. Until this book. I’d call it mythological fiction. Circe was the daughter of a Titan, the god Helios, and a nymph. Sadly, she had none of her father’s power nor her mother’s allure. What she did have was a fascination for mortals and a flair for witchcraft. After turning a mortal into a minor deity and a fellow nymph into a monster, Zeus banishes her to the island of Aiaia. There, she hones her craft and crosses paths with the greatest figures in Greek mythology- Hermes, Athena, the Minotaur, Medea, Daedalus and Icarus, and Odysseus (with whom she has a son). Despite many centuries alone, Circe never changes in her devotion to her witchcraft and to her humanity. I loved, loved, LOVED this book. From start to finish, it was practically perfect!  I finished in 5 days. 

The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis (290 pages). The Bronte sisters as detectives?  I’m in!  When all 3 Bronte sisters find themselves living at home with their father and brother, they spend a great deal of time writing together. However, learning of a young wife and mother who has disappeared in a gruesome scene of apparent murder, the sisters immediately decide to become unofficial detectors (a newfangled idea at the time). As more clues turn up, the sisters find themselves caught up in a mystery of epic proportions. The conclusion to the mystery was perfect!  I finished in 5 days. 

The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy (292 pages). One of our dearest family friends from Cape Cod is Peter Walter. We met Peter through his brother Lamar (a former colleague of my father’s) and he is part of our Falmouth vacation every year. Peter is truly one of the most extraordinary men I’ve met. And Peter spent a day teaching with Pat Conroy on Yamacraw (aka Daufuskie) Island. Conroy took the job in 1969. Yamacraw had electricity but not much else. The school was one small building. And Conroy’s was one of the few white faces on the island and the only white face in the school.  The 18 5th through 8th grade students were depressingly undereducated. I mean, depressingly. They did not even know that they lived in America. Or that the Atlantic Ocean lapped at the shores of their home. The school system had failed them. But Conroy didn’t teach by the book- he wanted to open the world off the island up to them. Music, a Halloween spent off the island, a trip to DC, and countless daily lessons made him beloved on the island. But hated by the school board. Shocker. After one year, he was let go. His memories of the island never left him. And one of those children went on to become a bestselling cookbook author. And most of them got of the island. It was a great story. And then, of course, I watched the movie. Not nearly as good as the book. But what movie ever is?  I finished in 4 days. 

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (432 pages). This was my October Once Upon a Book Club book (I’ve been hoarding them for the end of the year). So gifties on social, per usual. 12 years ago, Olivia McAfee took her young son Asher and escaped her abusive marriage by returning home. Home to a small New Hampshire town where she took over her father’s beekeeping. Asher’s senior year of high school brings Lily Campanello, the new girl, into his life. They fall passionately in love, as only teenagers can.  But one day in December changes everything. Lily is dead and Asher is accused of killing her. With her defense attorney brother Jordan at her side, Olivia does everything in her power to prove his innocence. But does Asher have a darker side than she knew?  And was Lily actually hiding things herself?  Jodi Picoult had gotten a little predictable for a while. This book was not what I expected at all. I finished in 3 days. 

The Christmas Witch by Dalea Faulkner (166 pages). This was a special edition Christmas Once Upon a Book Club box. So gifties on social. 13 year old Brigid Baelfyre and her mother Cerri relocated from Scotland to Amberlight Valley after the death of her father. Amberlight Valley is a town tingling with magick. But it’s magick is off balance and Brigid and her frenemy Morgan must find the mythical Amberlight Stone to restore their town. As both of them come into their witchcraft, they begin to learn some of the other secrets of their town. And whether or not they can trust each other. The book was not that great- lots of grammatical errors and one dimensional characters. I finished in 1 day.

Verity by Colleen Hoover (314 pages). Best selling author Verity Crawford was in a horrific car accident, an accident that left her unable to complete her successful series. Her husband Jeremy hires Lowen Ashleigh to complete the series. Lowen heads to the Crawford home in Vermont to look through Verity’s outlines. And finds an autobiography that she assumes Verity never wanted the world to read. Because what Lowen uncovers shows Verity to be a monster. But as Lowen finds herself falling for Jeremy (and Jeremy reciprocating those feelings), she becomes more and more unnerved by the woman she is there to write for. The ending was <chef’s kiss>.  So unlike the other Colleen Hoover books I have read. I finished in 3 days. 

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid (364 pages).  When Carrie Soto retired from the world of tennis at 31, she was the greatest female tennis player of all time, with a record 20 Grand Slam titles. But 6 years later, she finds herself in the stands of the US Open, watching her record being matched. And Carrie is a winner who will not stand for that. With the help of her coach (who is also her father) and her hitting partner (who is also an ex fling), Carrie stages a comeback to reclaim her record.  She has 4 shots to take back her title- the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. But for a woman who has only ever wanted to be a champion, will it ever be enough?  And is there life beyond tennis?  Loved it!  I finished in 5 days. 

Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King (329 pages).  This was my New Years book box from Once Upon a Book Club. On Spokane native Blythe’s 30th birthday, she gets a job she doesn’t want, a proposal she doesn’t want, and a present from her long decreased grandmother. The present?  Blythe must take Nomi’s ashes to an island they had made up (but one that turns out to be in the San Juan Islands, clear across Washington State), dig up a treasure and bury the ashes. To everyone’s amazement, Blythe heads off on her treasure hunt.  She rents out Improbable House and makes friends with islander/treasure hunter Flynn and his niece Savannah. Turns out, Blythe has more of a connection to Improbable House (and the island) than she could have ever imagined. It was a super sweet story about family and being yourself. I finished in 3 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Circe. But Verity and Carrie Soto were tied for a very close second. 

No-kidding that No-vember was a good month!

 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!

Falling into some good books this month

I did pretty good this month. 8 books. A total of 2,680 pages. An average of 86.5 pages per day. So let’s get to it!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (385 pages). Evelyn Hugo was THE movie star. And she has finally decided to tell the truth about her life. To little known magazine reporter Monique Grant. As Evelyn shares her life from her start in Hollywood in the 1950’s to her retirement in the 1980’s, Monique learns there is so much more to Evelyn than her seven husbands and her one great love. And even the reason why Evelyn chose her to tell this story. The novel was separated into 7 sections, devoted to Evelyn’s life during the years with each husband. I’ve read several books by this author. And liked them all. But this one was my favorite. I finished in 2 days. 

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig (360 pages). Ginny is an autistic 14 year old girl who’s been in foster care for years. She’s now, hopefully, found her forever home. But there are still lingering issues stemming from her birth mother that cause Ginny to lie, steal and get herself kidnapped in order to find out what happened. Honestly, I didn’t really enjoy this one. Unlike Eleanor Oliphant, I didn’t really find Ginny to be an enjoyable character. I certainly felt sorry for her (there is a really good reason why Ginny has been in foster care). But I didn’t like her. I finished in 5 days. 

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford (362 pages). This was my August Once Upon a Book Club book (I’m a little behind). So as usual, gifties on social. This was a really interesting novel about how past generational traumas can effect many generations. The story opens with Dorothy Moy and her five year old daughter Annabel. Dorothy is a tortured poet in 2045 Seattle who doesn’t want to pass her traumas on to her daughter. So she seeks an experimental treatment to help confront these inherited traits. And as she goes back in time, she learns what must be fixed. First, with her mother Greta- a techie genius in 2014 who creates and losses a revolutionary dating app.  Then her grandmother Zoe- a schoolgirl at a famous school in England with no rules in 1927.  Her great grandmother Faye- a nurse serving with the Flying Tigers in 1942. Her great great grandmother Lai King- a young girl who loses everything in the San Francisco plague of 1892. And finally her great great great great grandmother, the woman who began her line- Afong, the first Chinese woman to come in America in 1836.  Throughout each of these lifetimes, Dorothy learns and overcomes traumas. And also learns that there is someone who is there in each life, someone who loves her. And she will do anything to break the cycle and help her daughter find love and happiness. It was very interesting. I finished in 4 days. 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (316 pages). This was my Sweet Once Upon a Book Club Halloween box. The gifties are on social, per usual. Nowadays, witches can’t spend time together because it means their powers might mingle and draw attention to their existence. But Mika Moon loves people, other witches and magic. When given the opportunity to tutor 3 orphaned witches at the remote and bewitched Nowhere House, Mika tentatively agrees. And while it goes against everything she’s been taught, Mika finds herself falling in love with the 3 young girls and their 4 caretakers, including prickly (and handsome) librarian Jamie. But when danger threatens her new family, Mika must risk everything to save them and her new life with them. It was so super cute and such an easy read. I finished in 2 days. 

Remembering Columbia South Carolina by Dr. Miles S. Richard’s (124 pages). This was a collection of stories about crimes and deaths and celebrities that I’d never heard about my hometown. It was a fun and easy read. I finished in 1 day. 

The Night Singer by Johanna Mo (434 pages). Police detective Hanna Duncker finds herself in a place she never expected- her hometown of Oland. After years in Stockholm, she felt the pull to return home. But Oland is a place that doesn’t forget. And after Hanna’s father was convicted of murder, Hanna fled. Now that she has returned and is immediately assigned a case of a murdered 15 year old, she has to work to solve the case and confront the demons of her past. I finished in 6 days. 

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey (342 pages). My special edition Spooky Once Upon a Book Club Halloween box, which means more gifties on social. Vera Crowder has returned home for the first time in a long time to help her dying mother.  But returning to the house where her beloved father committed gruesome murders is harder than she imagined. Especially when she keeps finding notes from him in unexpected places.  This book was not at all what I expected. And not in a good way. The ending was super weird and actually kind of left me disliking the book. I finished in 5 days. 

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover (357 pages). Morgan finds herself pregnant at 17.  Pregnant and rather unhappy with her life. 17 years later, she is contentedly married to Chris, her high school sweetheart and the father of her nearly 17 year old daughter Clara. But Morgan and Clara’s worlds are turned upside down when Chris and Morgan’s sister Jenny are killed in a car accident. As Morgan and Clara struggle to come to terms with this loss, truths about their lives begin to emerge. I finished in 5 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Although honestly, four of them kind of tied for favorite.