Category: Books

Everything Beautiful in It’s Time

November 18, 2020

Love, loss and healing are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Everything Beautiful in its Time” by Jenna Bush Hager. A lovely love letter written by a granddaughter to her beloved and greatly missed grandparents.

Former First Daughter and Today Cohost Jenna Bush Hager, takes the reader on a personal journey of growing up with her grandparents on both her mom and dad side. As well as giving a glimpse into her husband Henry’s family as well. She shares special moments such as introducing her own children to her grandparents to her last conversations with each grandparent. She doesn’t hold back with sharing letters written between her and her love ones and even sharing some embarrassing moments as well.

Jenna does a wonderful job writing such a raw and emotional biography on such a difficult topic. You can feel the love and appreciation from the lessons learned from her grandparents. You can tell that she is truly is herself in front on the camera by the way this story is written. You will shed tears and as well as laughter along with Jenna. It is a must read for anyone who is missing their loves ones that gone on before them.

Trouble in Paradise

November 18, 2020

Author: Elin Hildebrand                                             Publishing date: October 6 2020

Family, trust, and forgiveness are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Trouble in Paradise” by Elin Hildebrand. A lovely ending to a trilogy full of ups and downs that never a had a dull moment.

In the third and final book in the Paradise Series by Elin Hildebrand, Irene Steel and her boys Cash and Baker, alongside his son Floyd return to the island on St. John to start their new lives with their new extended family. An extended family that now includes Huck, Ayers and Baker and Cashes half sister Mia. Upon their return Baker gets a surprise of a lifetime when he finds out that he will be extending his family with a new bundle of joy with Ayers Wilson. Now the family has to figure out this whole new family dynamic that is far from anything that the beautiful island of St. John can offer. All the while trying to conclude what actually what happened that resulted in the death of their beloved ones.

Elin Hildebrand does a beautiful job with the conclusion of her Paradise series. She does not make it all rainbows and butterflies in paradise. There is some conflict, trust issues that arise and heartbreaking revelations. However, she does make this about how through all the hardships, these are people that come out on the other side with more love and respect for one another and that is all that paradise could ask for after everything, everyone has been through since the new year.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves books on family drama and the islands. This book will not disappoint!

Anxious People

November 6, 2020

Author: Fredrik Backman Publishing date:

Life, Mistakes and second changes are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Anxious People” by Fredrick Backman. A story about an ordinary day turning into one of the most unforgettable life changing day for the most ordinary and extraordinary group of people. A tale that will leaving you with a whole new outlook on your life.

Have you ever had a day that was all planned out and the plan never working out? Have you ever thought what you would do if you were held hostage by a bank robber? Well that is exactly what occurred in this book. A group of complete strangers simply went to this apartment open house when a bank robber stormed in and held them hostage all by mistake. Now these complete stranger have to figure out what to do next in order to get everyone out alive!

Fredrik Backman dives right into the struggles that these group of characters are facing. Both currently with the hostage situation and in their personal lives. He has an unbelievable ability to create characters that are relatable to the reader with the many flaws that they carry. The struggles that Backman’s characters face are anything from: financial struggles, fears of becoming a new parent and getting old. All the way to even depression. Backman highlights this groups struggles and then proceed to show the reader the best way for them to get through their own struggles. I learned that if you are in a situation such as these characters are in, you are more likely to open to strangers about your struggles and listen to their own. By doing this you are able to find things in common and offer support to one another rather than criticism. Fredrick has the ability of creating a story with such an important message, all the while having the reader in tears of laughter!!

This book I believe is for anyone that is struggling during this time. To show that you are not alone in your worries whether they are big or small! This book is full of compassion, love, empathy, and lighthearted moments as well. It surely had me having a different outlook on life.

The Night Swim

October 24, 2020

Author: Megan Goldin Publishing date: Aug 14 2020

Crime, courage and jury are the three words that come to my mind after reading “The Night Swim” written by Megan Goldin. A harrowing tale of a town divided by the upcoming heartbreaking trial. A trial that is being podcast for the world to make their verdict. A trial that is full of deep emotion and a deep, dark connection to the past.

Rachel is a host of a popular crime podcast series. A series that covers the investigation and trial of well known cases as it is happening. This is a rape trial in a small town on the coast of North Carolina. However, when Rachel arrives at the start of the trial, things take an unexpected turn, when she finds a note on her windshield from her biggest fan Hannah. In the note Hannah is asking for help to solve what happened to her sister Jenny in the summer of 92’. It was ruled a accidental drowning back then but Hannah believes it was murder!

This book does not shy away from the hard topics. Starting with the gruesome details from the current rape case to the gruesome case that took place in the summer of 1992. The crimes that take place in this books are unthinkable and heartbreaking.

The courage that was shown by the victim in this trial is outstanding. The strength that it her to relive that nightmare is inspiring all in the name of justice in this case. It has me thinking about the courage that it took Christine Blasey Ford to sit before The United States Senate and retell her own nightmare back in college. Never mind retelling that horror for just a courtroom. She had to do it for the whole world to watch. I am inspired by all women who are able to retell their story and become stronger for it.

This story got me thinking about the criminal justice and jury system. How we has Americans have the privilege to be on a jury be the deciding factor in these cases. To think that ordinary people have the power to change someone’s life in some cases for the rest of their lives is a huge responsibility and pressure but on the upside it is impactful and so important.

Overall this book scored a 4 star on my scale. It was a captivating story. I was able to read it in 4 days. I fell in love and was rooting for these characters. There was times when I was confused in what time period I was reading because it is dealing with two different generations. There was times when I had to take a breather from reading because it was so detailed and gruesome. However, I felt that it was a story that needed to be written to bring these situations light. It was beautifully written as well. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves crimes and thrillers.

Red White and Royal Blue

October 17, 2020

Author: Casey McQuiston Publishing Date: May, 2019

Romance, politics and hope are just 3 of the many words that come to my mind after reading “Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston. The ultimate American, British love story for the ages. It will keep you smiling and entertained from beginning to end.

When Alex, The First Son of The United States and Henry, The Prince of Wales get into an altercation at the Royal Wedding, the two of them are forced to befriend one another to avoid a dilemma for both The Royal Family and Alex’s mothers Re-election Campaign. The archenemies quickly form a real romance that needs to remain secret from the families to avoid it getting into the tabloids. This book is a whirlwind romance, revelations, and political schemes that will have your heart swelling with emotions!

First and foremost this book is literally my utopia! From Royal weddings, romance, a women president, and a few political schemes along the way. It is the book that I have been dreaming about. It is the opposite of what this world has been like since the 2016 election and it is a breath of fresh air. Red, White and Royal Blue is heartwarming, loving, caring and compassionate! You will shed a few tears of laughter as well! Some people might think it is a book for Democrats and liberals, but it is a must read for everyone especially during this time! We might learn a thing or two about being just a down right human being again!

The Bright Lands

September 28, 2020

Acceptance, Secrets and Family are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “The Bright Lands” by John Fram. A horror thriller about the secrets with deathly consequences that are being held by beloved members of a small town.

Dylan Whitley is the star quarterback and beloved member of the small town of Bentley, Texas. After leading his team to the state championships, Dylan goes missing the week before the big game. Now Joel Whitley a disgrace member of the town and Dylan’s older brother must return to his hometown after running away 10 years prior to help find his younger brother. Leading Joel to relive aspects of his past to bring about the truth of× the present.

Between the secrets, horror, and thriller aspects of this story, it keeps the reader captivated from beginning to end just wanting to see what happens next. With an ending that will have you speechless! At the same time begging for more!

In his debut novel John Fram does an amazing job by inserting real life aspects into this horror/thriller/ mystery novel. It gets the reader having deeper thoughts about the atmosphere that small towns can leave on such young minds. The expectations that smalls town create on their members and at time the corrupt nature and lasting effects they can leave as well.

I would recommend “The Bright Lands” to anyone who enjoys Thrillers with horror aspects, that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Chicks Man

September 7, 2020

Love, law and family are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Chicks Man” by J.D Hollyfield. A romance a lifetime in the making that will could have deathly consequences.

Levi Dent the small town high school football star come lawyer and Hannah Matthews the ambitions girl with big dreams of following in her daddies footsteps at the family law firm but with one small problem she will always be seen has the little sister of Kipley Matthews (especially in she crush Levi Dent’s eyes). However, that is all about to change after chance encounter at Kipley’s wedding, they become inseparable and keep their hands off each other.

Now will the new secret romance brewing, they are forced to work together at the family’s law firm and on the firm’s biggest case to date. All the whiling trying to keep their romance hidden from Hannah’s family. When an unexpected guest shows up at the law firm and threatens everything Hannah and Levi have worked towards both on a personal and professional level. It will even cost someone their lives!

 

I went into this book not expecting much but a predictable office romcom. Besides a twist that will have you captivated in certain parts and a tight nit family dynamic. It was just as I predicted. I felt that there was lack of character development in certain parts. A romance that based of the physical need and lust more than anything else. A young woman finally fulfilling her child dream crush of dating her brothers’ best friend. With the occasional serial killer vibes mixed it. Overall the story was sweet, and the twist was suspenseful and emotional! However, due to the lack of connection I felt for these main characters I could not quite 5 star rate this one. I hope to attempt another book by the same author in the future.

 

Children of Virtue and Vengeance

August 31, 2020

Magic, war and betrayal are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Children of Virtue and Vengeance” written by Tomi Adeyemi. A whirlwind sequel to the magical novel “Children of Blood and Bone”. A jaw-dropping and at times heartbreaking magical journey that will leave you on a cliff-hanger and wanting more!

THE MAGIC IS BACK IN THE LAND OF ORISHA!! However, it does not go as well as Zelie had pictured it. The ritual went array and the magic got into the hands of the Monarchy and left them as powerful as ever!! Now it is up to Zelie, Tzain, Amari to battle the monarchy of the Queen and Inan himself to take back the throne and bring the land of Orisha back to the home they fell in love with! However, it is not as simple as one might think. When differences in opinion get in the way and fights within each tribe ensue promises are broken, lives are loss, truths are revealed, and things may never be the same again!!
Tomi Adeyemi has done it again!! She has brought her readers back to the wonderful land of Orisha for another action packed, magical fantasy!! By the fantastic descriptions and the well-written beloved characters the reader gets transported right into the novel! You will be scared, you will scream, cry, and feel every emotion throughout this novel. Also with Tomi Adeyemi’s ability to leave the book on a cliff hanger, you will be begging for more!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoy being sucked into a land of fantasy and with battles that keep you at the edge of your seat up to the very end!!

28 Summers

August 20, 2020

Author: Elin Hildebrand                                         Publishing date: June 2020

Love, relationships and fate are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading 28 Summers by Elin Hildebrand. Have you ever wanted a “Same Time Next Year”?  A person that you only get together with once a year with no strings attached! Well this Elin Hildebrand novel is just that! A fantasy love story of 28 years all wrapped in just little over 400 pages!28 Summers Pic

This story follows Mallory Blessing as she inherits a cottage on Nantucket from her late Aunt Greta. On her first Labor Day on the island Mallory reluctantly hosts her brothers Bachelor party. A party that although goes downhill the second it starts brings the most unlikely of a person into Mallory’s life. By the name of Jake McCloud. From that every first weekend, they become inseparable. They make a plan for Jake to visit Nantucket every year without anyone else knowing. This continues through relationships, marriages, children and when Jake’s wife goes into politics through elections as well. You might ask yourself, what is holding them back from making it official and public? Do they get caught?

Elin Hildebrand takes the reader on a journey of forbidden love, heartbreaks, life’s highs and lows and does not hold back. She makes you fall in love with these characters. You begin to root for them, all the while yelling at them for the decisions that are being made. It is just that type of book! It is a fantastic novel that will leave you wanting more for sure! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good love story and quick beach read.

 

Dreams From My Father

August 13, 2020

Race, family and wisdom are the 3 words that come to my mind after reading “Dreams From My Father” By Former President Barack Obama. A journey through the former president past and how he got to become the man he is today.

 The Former President takes the reader through his journey of finding out about his father’s past and how he became the man he was. Everything from his first and only visit with his father in Hawaii to visiting his father’s family in Kenya after his father’s death. He talks in great lengths about his father’s ambitions and his own ambitions being quite similar. However, the way his father went about achieving those goals verses his own path towards achieving his goals were anything but the same.

He talks about his struggles growing up in a single parent/biracial family. And how that led to him becoming an organizer in Chicago fighting the racial divide. How that eventually led him to other goals such as law school.

The book is full of wisdom on race and family and to never take anything for granted. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been a fan of the Former President and has found him inspiring as much as I have!