Book Review: Winter In Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

 

5 Stars for Elin Hilderbrand's Winter In Paradise! I went into this one knowing it was a trilogy. Holy moly, I practically inhaled this book.  It had all of the ingredients I was looking for in my next read- secrets, paradise, wealth, and island life! The plot kept me turning pages in a dreamy setting. If you're looking for a great, addictive read, grab your coconut rum and buckle up. 

But, we have to pace ourselves. The third book in the trilogy isn't out until October so...sip and read this one in monderation. I loved this one, @elinhilderbrand!

#perfectsummerread #islandlife #quickread #loveawriter #5stars #bookreviews #sendmebooks #sendmetotheisland #coconut #sandyfeet #justaddrum 

Book Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager

4 Stars for Final Girls by @RileySager! You know what I love the most about Riley Sager? There's no building up, no waiting for something to happen. There's none of this introduce all the characters and THEN set the hook. Nope. Not Riley Sager's books. You're saying, "no," to all kinds of commitments and suggesting cereal for dinner on PAGE 1. 

So far, this is my least favorite of Riley's books. It had so much gore, more than I typically like in a mystery/thriller. But, I stayed with it because um, it's a Riley Sager book. And, I'm so glad I did. I didn't see the ending coming. It's great if you're looking for a book to snuggle up with as the seasons start to change. 

This leaves me 1 more Riley Sager book to read and review. But, I think I'm going to head off to spend the Winter in Paradise, first ;)

#suspense #bookreviews #shockingend #bookblogger #sendmebooks #sagerfan #thriller #mystery #bookwithatwist #booknerd #justwant2read #freeyourmind #readgoodbooks #4stars

Book Review: Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler


2 Stars for Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler. This book was about an ordinary man seemingly content to go through the motions of his ordinary life. He lived a life where everything was predictable and just so. He liked everything in control, in it's place, and lived a life full of order. 

That being said, I felt it was an, "ordinary," book. This was my first Anne Tyler novel so I was pretty disappointed there wasn't a rich plot and equally disappointed when the turning point only came on the very last page. I kept holding out hope for something exciting, something that never occurred. 

After being on such a roll with 5 star books, my last two reads have me holding my breath for what I crack open next. 

#bookreviews #2stars #bookblog #booklover #sendmebooks #booknerd #loveabook #keepreading #lifeisshortreadgoodbooks #trustedreviews #nextbookplease

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid


 4 Stars for The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid! 4 Stars since I was able to guess the twist before reading it. 

This book had me rooting for the underdog(s) from page 1. Overlooked, underestimated...I can relate to Monique Grant. So, I was grabbed almost instantly. I was counting on her getting her big break in the book. I had no idea the journey I was in for. 

Having anticipated the twist before reading it, I still loved the book and felt that @Tjenkinsreid did an an incredible job of pulling things together so nicely at the end. This was another quick read for me, and so very different from books I've read and/or reviewed in the past. If you're looking for a quick read that's different from all the others, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will be an interesting one for you, no doubt.

#4stars #evelynhugo #bookreview #bookblogger #readgoodbooks #sendmebooks #lovetoread #bookworm #bookstagram #booknerd #lifeisshortreadmore #loveiscomplicated #underdogs #quickread #bibliophile 

Book Review: RUN to the FINISH by Amanda Brooks

A thankful and hearty 5 stars for RUN to the the FINISH by Amanda Brooks or @runtothefinish. As a "newbie," to running, I had been looking for a resource, guide, and sisterly advice on running to answer questions I had and help me with questions I didn't have yet. RUN to the FINISH is the perfect running buddy for the introverted, busy people in the world who don't know what to ask or have anyone close to them they can ask. 

Amanda offers tips and pointers on everything from electrolyte replacement and chafing (THANK YOU!). She talks about running in the winter. In the rain. And, the options of water-resistant rain gear vs. waterPROOF rain gear. Spoiler alert: Pick the water-resistant for running :)

There are tips on stretching, endurance training, race day, and recovery information for post-runs. Regardless of if you're a daily, neighborhood runner like myself or if you're training for a big race, she lays out details in a "take what fits," way that is enduring, honest, and so, so needed. 

There are resources at the back, including links for her blog and extra communities of support and an index for quick help and reference when needed. I highly recommend this book for newbie runners or seasoned runners. I think you'll find her tone, enthusiasm, and tried and true advice refreshing. I've been looking for this book for quite some time and I'm happy to call Amanda Brooks an instafriend and an inspiration. 

#happyrunning #amandabrooks @runtothefinish #runningadvice #runningresources #bookreview #5starreview #lovetorun #lovetoread #readandrun #busymom #booklover #sendmebooks #bookstagram #bibliophile #runthis #newbierunner #runningtips 


Book Review: The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman

3



 3 Stars for the Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman. I was in love with the way Robert Hillman strings his descriptions of words together. The depths of his descriptions don't stop with the setting or the characters. Instead, he describes matters and emotions of the heart. I would say this layer of depth is very rare in the books that I read. 

The emphasis on the love and respect of books was enduring. I found myself dreaming about the old cash register, the cedar shelves, and the gleam from the beeswax polish. I wanted to hide away in a corner of the old barn and get lost, just as the many lucky visitors to Hannah's Bookstore were able to do. 

I landed on 3 stars because I felt it dragged quite a bit in the middle. I got lost a bit in some of the history but appreciated the read and adventure, nonetheless. 

#brokenhearted #3stars # bookreviews #booklover #bookstagram #readerlife #bibliophile #bookstorebooks #bookish #sendmebooks #readtolive #booknerd #authorswithoutinstas #lovewriters #readingthroughthepandemic

Book Review: 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

 

Well, another 5 star review for you. Maybe you should just be thankful I'm finding all of the good ones for you, okay? 28 Summers by @ElinHilderbrand was my first Elin novel. YES, REALLY. I like to interrupt my thriller streaks from time to time and the beautiful cover and description sucked me right in at Target last weekend. I read this book in 2 days. And it's a whopper. 

28 Summers isn't a "love story," okay? It isn't all rose petals and picnics on the beach.  This book shines a light on how easy it is for the characters to lead a life they are "supposed to," lead versus the life that they want. Years pass by and before any of the main characters know it, they've all grown up and settled down, had children, and accepted their lives for what they are. I found this book very thought-provoking and beautifully written. 

Thank you to @ElinHilderbrand for providing the perfect getaway book to Nantucket when we're all forced to stay here right here. 

I've already scored a few of her other books and you can bet that as soon as the frost is on the pumpkin, I'm going to be diving into her winter series and praying for a snowstorm. 

#covidreading #elinhilderbrand #readmorebooks #lovetoread #sendmebooks #bookreviews #5stars #mustread #28summers #notaromancenovel  #nantucketlove #takemeaway #fastread #stayupandreadlate #needmorecoffee #readmorepages #survivepandemicbyreading

Book Review: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

 I'm on a roll with 5 star ratings right now. I know it, okay. I could chalk it up to luck, to a whizbang bookstagram community, or to just reader's luck. 

Lock Every Door was my second Riley Sager book. After reading Home Before Dark, I was craving more of Riley's writing. Lock Every Door didn't disappoint and may have been my favorite of the two. 

Set in New York, the Bartholomew is a dream setting for this thriller. The description of the building itself is so remarkable, I felt like I was there with Jules in her apartment. I was fascinated with the life, times, and secrets within the walls of the Bartholomew. 

Something mysterious and dark is going on within the walls of the Bartholomew, and Riley kept my heart racing from page one. With about 50 pages left, I had to retreat to my bedroom closet to finish this one without interruptions. I never saw the ending coming and didn't know who to trust in the book!

Riley Sager is my new Ruth Ware. I'll be waiting in line when his next release comes out. I still have Final Girls of his to read but may space it out a bit to savor....

#5stars #bookreview #bookblog #readersofinsta #booklover #sendmebooks @rileysager #newyork #concretejungle #mystery #thriller #cozyread #lightacandle #snuggleup #covidreads #pandemicread #booklover #bibliophile #nerdalert


Book Review: A Million Junes by Emily Henry


5 Stars for A Million Junes by Emily Henry! Yes, 5 STARS! After reading Beach Read, Emily's most recent book, I craved more of her writing. A Million Junes was WAY different and hooked me in the way I haven't been hooked by a book in quite a while.

A Million Junes is magical in that Twilight way at the beginning. Look, I mean that in the very best way. It's magical, mythical, and full of symbolism. Light meets the dark, Earth meets the Heavens, and star-crossed lovers meet the fate they have been destined for. You will become entangled in the roots of a Million Junes. 

I was holding my breath with the turn of every page while I had to just sit and read about the main characters do all of the things their families have been forbidden from doing for generations. 

A Million Junes is a push and a pull. It's an ebb and flow. It's so real you could touch it, and make believe. It's made up of Memories and loss, of finding love and coming home. It's equal parts desperation and devastation. And, it's completely lovely. 

I read this book in 2 days. Meaning, I STARTED it yesterday. You are overdue for A Million Junes. You can thank me later! 

@emilyhenrywrites #mythical #magical #millionjunes #June #Junior #starcrossed #starryeyed #personification #imagery #powerful #readnext #booknerd #bookblogger #sendmebooks #bookreviews #5stars #lovebooks #lovewriters #supportwriters #supportreaders #readtoescape #readgoodbooks #kimrecommends