Author: hadleybooks

Just Us

June 30, 2025
Young Love, Coming of Age, and Past vs. Present are the themes that came to my mind after reading “Just Us,” written by Heather White Driscoll. When a freshman and a very popular senior get together, it doesn’t just change their lives, but it changes the whole high school at the same time.

Harper Whitemoore was a type A type of girl with her whole freshman year planned out before she stepped out of her mother’s car on the first day of freshman year. This including getting good grades, join the varsity soccer team as a freshman, and unlike her best friend Leigh she wanted to wait until her college years to find the right guy to settle down with and get serious with. Well life had different plans starting on the first day, when she ran into the popular senior Scott Peirce. Everything change and nothing was ever the same after that.

“Just Us” follows Harper and Scott has they navigate this young love and all the challenges that go along with it. For one the age gap and the fact that Scott was a senior with a questionable past that at times got in the way of the true love in front of them.

I absolutely loved this young love story from the beginning to the very end. However, there were times when I wanted to yell at both of these teenagers at the different points throughout the story. This story was very necessary to show that even though there was an age gap and challenges that Harper and Scott both face, if there is honesty, loyalty and empathy love should win out above all.

Winners

May 12, 2025

Two towns, two hockey teams, one tragic story. This is my review of “The Winners” by Fredrik Backman. The third and final book in the “Beartown” series.

When a reporter swoops in on Beartown at the same time a storm tears through both Hed and Beartown. It is just a matter of time one town is about to be taken down once and for all. It’s about what shoe is going to drop first.

This book truly really had me going through all the emotions from smiling, laughing, angry and crying, starting from the first page, all the way through to every last page. Fredrik Backman has a way of taking a book about hockey and turning it into a masterpiece of emotions, hidden meanings and heartwarming, and tear-jerking moments. As a reader, who read the other two books “Beartown” and “Us Against You” I have been rooting for these characters from the very beginning.

The Beartown series was not just a hockey series. It is a series of hardships, friendships, and relationships. A series of political wars, wars against towns, and a lesson of resilience above all. 

I would highly recommend this series for anyone who loves taking a journey through a series, appreciates drama, and enjoys good characters.

Onyx Storm

March 17, 2025

War, Dragons, and Relationships are the three words that came to my mind after reading “Onyx Storm” the third book in the Empyrean series written by Rebecca Yarros. Where Violet, Xaden and the crew are back at it defending their land!

To be brutally honest certain parts particularly the war aspects kind of go over my head in fantasy books. I enjoy these books for the character and world building that takes place. In Onyx Storm, the main focus is on Violet’s baby dragon Andarna, nicknamed “The Golden One” due to her golden scales at birth.

I felt a special connection to Andarna, simply due to the fact that she always felt misunderstood and undervalued due to her size and other difficulties. I have often felt like that whether that be because of my size or being the baby of the family.

A famous William Shakespeare “though she be little she is fierce “ and this is a quote that I have lived by ever since I heard it in high school. This is the first thing that came to my mind when Rebecca first mentioned Andarna. And I believe that through the series but particularly this particularly Onyx Storm the Golden One has proven not only herself but everyone around her that she is capable of doing anything and everything she puts her mind too even saving the damn the world.

Just like Andarna’s mission in life is to help and protect the people around her. I hope to start up my own tech company that will help p and own a home one day and just like Andarna I might have some set backs and need some assistance but once I have a goal in mind nothing is going to stop me! Then I’ll get to enjoy it with the rest of my family! ❤️

Haunting Adeline

January 20, 2025
Disturbing, Haunting and captivating are three things that came to my mind after reading “Haunting Adeline” by H.D Carlton. A Haunting tale of a victim falling in love with her hypocrite of a stalker.

 Zade Meadows saves victims of human trafficking. All the while stalking Adeline. Adeline has inherited her Great-Grandmother haunted house. And is on a mission to solve the murder on her great-grandmother that had occurred in that house decades earlier.

This book takes you on a journey of having empathy for victims, hatred for the criminals and confusion towards the love story.

This book comes packed with triggers warnings and I am typically a reader who ignores trigger warning, I would highly recommend you read and investigate the warnings before dividing into this book. Even though this book has important aspects to discuss and a captivating, compelling story. This story isn’t for everyone and the topic and several scene can be hard to read about and take in.

There are just those authors out there that make me wonder what is going through their heads while writing. I am 100% adding H.D Carlton to that list.

The Women

January 3, 2025
War, remembrance and women empowerment are just 3 themes that come to my mind after reading “The Women” written by Kristin Hannah. When Frankie McGrath made the decision to join the war, her mission was to make her father proud and remember her brother. She couldn’t imagine what this decision would actually mean for Frankie’s life.

“The Women” was an eye-opening novel honoring the women of the Vietnam war and their sacrifices that they made during and even after the war. The book featured the story of Frankie McGrath who joined the war to gain respect from her father but at the same time honoring her brother who was killed in the war. She joined the war as a army nurse who took care of the injured soldiers and saved their lives.

Kristin Hannah does an amazing job doing what American failed to do during that time. We all know the stories of the men in the war and the affects that the war had on them. However, the women of the war was forgotten about and even were denied that they were even overseas in the first place.

However, there were thousands of women that were impacted by the war and they deserved just as much respect of the men that fought in the war. The story of struggle, heartbreak suffered and the preservice of these women deserve to be heard and honored and I am so glad that Kristin Hannah did a profound job with starting with this mission. I would highly recommend this story and then find some true stories of women from the war where the women were forgotten about.

Kill for Me, Kill for You

November 21, 2024

When two strangers are united in their grief and creates a plan for revenge anything can happen. “Kill for me, I’ll Kill for You” written by Steve Cavenagh, takes the reader on a wild ride of heartbreak, revenge and betrayal, and roller-coaster of twist and turns.

Ever since Amanda had suffered the tragic deaths of both her daughter and her husband, she had been on the track of revenge on the person who she believe was the person behind her grief. Then during one of her courts appointed counseling secession she meets a woman, Wendy who had the same goal of seeking revenge on the person that caused her pain years back as well. These two women than create a pact to help each other seek revenge.

This story is not only action packed but there is a deeper meaning hidden with the pages of this novel. The journey of grieving and the length in which loved ones would go to get peace and closure. It all takes us on an unexpected journey. However, if we don’t receive support and guidence, you might go down a dark path and wind up making decisions like the characters in this story. Yes, this story was entertaining entertainment comes a message that we should all hear.

We all grieve in our own ways and no one can tell us what is and what isn’t the right way to grief. There are good days and bad days but if you surround yourself with the support of people that love and support you, you can create a new normal.

After Camelot

November 12, 2024

Is the Kennedy family the last great American dynasty? For some Americans it is an easy yes. While some might be willing to debate that. “After Camelot: A Personal History of the Kennedy Family from 1968 to Present” It covers heartache, trials and tribulations of Americans most beloved family.

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I am going to be the first to say that I didn’t know about the majority of things that were talked about in this book. All I knew was what I read and learned about in history class in school. That they were a large and well-respected political family from Massachusetts. However, all the stories from accident at the Chappaquiddick to Palm Spring and everything in between, if any of these men were trying to run for office in 2024 they would surely be so called canceled and forced into hiding. Or maybe not since more than half the nation for the clown Donald Trump.

Even though they may have had their past of horrible things. The family has a whole has spent their entire lives giving back to the community in several different ways. However, their main charities and sources of giving back are through The John F Kennedy Library Foundation. The library foundation provides financial support, staffing and creative resources to for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. While the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation has been a leader in creating and supporting programs to benefit people with intellectual Disabilities. Eunice Kennedy Shiver started the Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and she was also the founder of the Special Olympics.

The Kennedy Family was raised on the foundation of public service and giving back in any way possible. This believe was carried through multiple generation starting with Joseph and Rose Kennedy to the current generation of Kennedys.

Lastly, throughout the entire story they mentioned after the death of each member of the family that it was the death of Camelot. However, I truly believe that the Camelot Generation of Kennedy finally ended with the death of Ethel Kennedy this past October. Ethel was the widow of the former senator Robert F Kennedy. She is the last member of that generation and knowing all that Ethel has gone through from witnessing the death of her husband, quickly becoming a single mother to 11 children to experiencing the death of several of her own children. It is quite remarkable Ethel made it as far as she did.

And for all the things mentioned the good, the bad and ultimately the Unity of such as large family. I can honestly say: I believe The Kennedy Family is The Last Great American Dynasty.

P.S. The only thing I wished they mentioned was the 3 months in the summer when a certain Pop Star came into their lives and wrote a song called “The Last Great American Dynasty” about a family down in Rhode Island.

Duke and I

October 15, 2024

Have you heard of the Bridgerton family? Would you enjoy reading a love story written in the 19th century? Well, I have a story for you! “The Duke and I” is written by Julia Quinn and it follows the forbidden love story of the Duke and the fourth Bridgerton child and first daughter Daphne Bridgerton.

First of all, I know I am late to this party. But it’s better late than never! Right??

Daphne’s mother, Violet, is on the hunt for Daphne’s future husband, and Daphne doesn’t want anything to do with her mother’s plans. All the while, Simon, the Duke of Hastings, has returned to London after some time away, just enough to save Daphne, the most annoying suitor of them all and one who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. This ultimately saves the day. Daphne soon realizes that she could use the help of Simon and convinces the Duke of Hastings to start a fake relationship with her.

However, with all great fake love plots, something always has to go wrong. Daphne’s oldest brother finds out and forces the young Duke to prose marriage to his sister for real. The Duke agrees just with one condition. No Children!

Even though this story was based in the 19th century, and yes, it had a lot of the correct gender roles for that time. I did appreciate the elements of women empowerment and the times when Daphne held her ground and stayed true to herself. Also, the compromising parts were where both Daphne and Simon talked their issues out and came to agreements together. I am also just a sucker for a good love story with drama, and this book had it all!! Drama and love! What could possibly go wrong?

Swan Song

July 12, 2024

Do enjoy reading about a missing person mystery thriller? Would you like to read about a drama on the island of Nantucket? Well, do I have a story for you? “Swan Song” It was the finale to her well know Nantucket Series.

When the Richards landed on the island of Nantucket for the summer, they took the island by storm. They quickly became the “It” couple of the island, befriending the island natives, and being invited to all of the big events on top of throwing major rager of parties, at their multi-million dollar coast-side home and on their boat. One party in particular ended in a house fire and their house-helper disappearing.

Honestly, this has been my least favorite of Elin Hilderbrand books and for a book that has been hyped up so much over the last few weeks, I was less than impressed. I believe this has to do with my expectations of the book and the book not fulfilling those expectations. This book is a duel timeline of an investigation of the house assistant going missing during a party on the Richards boat and the backstory and buildup to the party itself. It was the lack of investigation care for the house assistant and all of the hype that was surrounding the Richards in general that got me. Also, the end was rushed, and it felt as though Elin was just trying to wrap things up as quickly as possible without much meaning behind things.

Overall, this story was fine, it was a good summer read that would put the reader in the summer elements of Cape Cod. But it certainly lacked the shocking elements that some of her other books contained.

Good Girl, Bad Blood

June 26, 2024

Do you enjoy listening to podcasts like Crime Junkie? Do you enjoy books about investigating a missing person case? Well, I have a book for you! In “Good Girl, Bad Blood” written by Holly Jackson, Pip Fitz-Abobe friends brother has gone missing and she makes her return with season 2 of the Good Girls Guide to Murder Podcast and we can only imagine where this investigation will go.

The Good Girls Guide to Murder sequel comes back with vengeance with the investigation with the missing person case of Jamie Reynolds. Once again taking the listener/reader on the wild ride of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seats from start to finish.

This maybe a young adult series but I have always found books investigating true crime or books about podcasting about true crime right up my ally. Some readers might figure out the ending half way through but other readers will be shocked by the ending all the same. I enjoy reading stories about teenager taking things into their own hands and ignoring the adults in their lives proving the adults wrong all along. It just proves that adults should listen to the teenagers in their lives more often.

This book also brings back all of the main character from the first book in the series and introduced us to a few more that had important roles in this book. As same with the first book, I was rooting for the teenagers from start to finish to solve this crime!