Category: Uncategorized

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.

img_5290-2-1

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?

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! 

June 18th Book Releases

June 18, 2024

1.) The Midnight Feast

Author: Lucy Foley

From the author of The Guest List comes another locked-room mystery where not everyone will make it out alive. At the opening weekend of The Manor, a luxury resort in an ancient forest, the guests each have their own agenda. On the guest list: the founder, the lover, the mystery guest, the kitchen help, and the detective.

2.) Middle of the Night

Author: Riley Sager

When he was ten years old, Ethan camped out in his backyard with his best friend Billy only to awaken in the morning to find their tent slashed open and Billy gone. Thirty years later, Ethan returns to his childhood home. Odd happenings force Ethan to reexamine what happened and lead him to the nearby forest where a clandestine group is studying a crumbling mansion.

3.) The Next Mrs. Parrish

Author: Liv Constantine

In The Last Mrs. Parrish, Amber was able to claw her way to become Jackson Parrish’s wife. While Jackson has been serving time for tax evasion, Amber has enjoyed being the queen bee of Bishops Harbor. With Jackson’s release from prison imminent, Amber’s time and money is running out. Meanwhile, Daphne has never looked back after divorcing Jackson. But when her daughter runs away desperate to see Jackson, Daphne must return to Bishops Harbor and reenter a vicious cat-and-mous game.

4.) Same As It Ever Was

Author: Claire Lobardo

At fifty-seven, Julia Ames has left behind the drama and self-sabotage that plagued her younger years and settled into a happy marriage in the suburbs. Then, a chance meeting with an old acquaintance who almost resulted in the end of her marriage sends Julia for a loop. Compounded by her upcoming empty nest, her son’s shock announcement, and her estranged mother’s reappearance, Julia finds herself falling into old patterns and questioning her current happiness. 

5.) Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books

Author: Kirsten Miller

In little Troy, Georgia, Beverly Underwood and Lula Dean have always been enemies but their rivalry reaches new levels when Beverly serves on the local school board. In a crusade to ban anything questionable from the school library, even if she hasn’t read it, Lula Dean creates a lending library outside her house full of wholesome books. Except someone has replaced Lula’s books with “banned” books which end up changing the lives of the townspeople who read them.

Happy Place

March 15, 2024

Do you have a happy place? Do you believe in 2nd chance love stories? Well do I have a story for you! “Happy Place” by Emily Henry when a group of college friends get together one last time anything could happen.

Harriet and Wyn met in college, fell in love and got engaged. Life got in the way, they grew apart and broke up. However, they have to reunite for the last annual friends week away up in Maine and the thing is no one knows they broke up! So they have to out on happy faces in their happy place!

I related two things in this story. 1.) the fact that Maine was their Happy Place. I also consider Maine one of my happy places. My family and I love to have day trips up to Maine, to have a nice seafood dinner, a little shopping and then a nice walk on the beach. In fact, Maine was the location that we chose to have our last large family vacation right before my dad past away. For that reason alone Maine will always hold a special place in my heart!

And 2.) I related to the fact that Harriet believed that she was going to disappoint her parents when she tells them she doesn’t want to be a Doctor anymore. I am currently working in the financial industry and it is something that my parents have been incredibly proud of. And disappointing them will always be my biggest fear. However, it has left me with anxiety, stress and a severe case of the Sunday scaries. I just feel as though I will never be enough for the institution because I simply don’t have the passion for it.

I have always dreamed of doing something in Journalism, writing a book, talking about books and that is the reason why I started this blog in the first place. As a place to start working on my passion.

I would highly recommend “Happy Place” by Emily Henry if you want a feel good, story that will have you crying, smiling and laughing all the way through! ❤️

Ninth House

January 25, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Society Life, Mystery and Magic are just a few of many words that have come to my mind after reading “Ninth House” written by Leigh Bardugo. When Alex Stern gets adopted into a Magic based society at Yale University anything could happen.

Alex Stern was not just your average college drop out living in California. She was hiding a traumatic pass and a hidden power. After another traumatic accident she finds herself in the hospital bed facing a second chance. The second chance is to go to Yale University on a free ride and with a mission to monitor the secret societies on campus. This take Alex on a wild ride of magic rituals and solving murders

One thing I enjoyed from this book is storytelling of the society and what was happening right in front of everyone, and what was also happening behind closed doors. I also appreciated the murder mystery aspect of this story as well.

However, I did find myself having difficulty following along with story. For example, I had a hard time figuring out how some of the characters were connected. Also trying to figure out what the true mission the characters were trying to accomplish.

Fourth Wing

November 29, 2023

War, Enemies, and of course Dragons are just 3 of many things that came to my mind after reading “Fourth Wing” written by Rebecca Yarros. When Violet is forced into the rider quadrant by her mother, when she has other things in mind. It becomes a matter of life and death for Violet in more ways than one.

The students at Basgiath War College are forced to break into different quadrants to help their home of Navarre in the war to defend their land. All of Violet Sorrengail’s life she wanted to be in the Scribe Quadrant where she got to be the first with the knowledge of what was happening in the war without being in the danger of fighting the war. Which was held for the members of the Riders Quadrant. However, her mother is the General and whatever she says goes. Therefore, her mother wanted her in the Rider’s Quadrant so she was placed in the Rider’s Quadrant.  This is one of the many lessons she learns along the way: Being able to find trust in your lifelong enemy is tough but if they are your only line of defense, you will soon realize you have a lot more in common than you once thought.  

Fourth Wing was a fantasy masterpiece!! This book had something for everyone, from worldbuilding, war, fighting with dragons, and even managing to mix in a bit of romance in between the pages of action. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I will most definenly picking up the next one called “Iron Gate”.

Rebecca has done a fantastic job making such a long book such a page turnover and such a captivating read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and romance. And even if you don’t go give this book a try! It will not disappoint!

Twisted Lies

November 21, 2023

Fake Relationships, Lies, and Intense Passion are just three things of many that have come to my mind after reading “Twisted Lies” by Ana Huang. When this landlord and tenant find themselves in a fake relationship, it could only end in disastrous means when the The Twisted Lies come out.

When Stella’s best friend Jules moves out of their joint apartment, it leaves Stella in a tough spot. So she makes a deal with the landlord Christian to help him with his plants and he promises to lower the rent. They soon realize that they could both benefit from being in a fake relationship with each other for their own personal and professional gain.

However, just like every other great fake relationship trope they begin to actually fall for each other. This is until the secret that Christian has been holding onto since the day they met threatens to destroy them both.

Just like all the others in the Twisted Series, Ana Huang did not disappoint with Twisted Lies ,in the steamy, passion and deep relationships and captivated characters and storylines. This entire series was wrapped up perfectly this with a book with following up with the friends and previous couples, from the other books and their storylines. This is certainly a great finish to a great series!!

Hotel Nantucket

July 5, 2023

Hospitality, ghosts and relationships are the 3 things that came to my mind after reading “The Hotel Nantucket” written by Elin Hilderbrand. What happens when a group of complete strangers come together to work at this renovated but yet a haunted Hotel Nantucket.

Xavier is an investor who bought the abandon hotel with quite a haunted reputation, with the mission of having it become the first hotel that the famous hotel reviewer gives five keys to.

Along with Lizabeth who he hires as the new hotels General Manager, she hires a whole cast of characters to run the hotel alongside her.

But when the hotel has had a history of being haunted it takes a while for people to book rooms.

A common compliant is when there are too many characters to follow. I would say that if it is done right, it can turnout fantastic. However, I believe this book might have had one too many characters. I understand the point was to show how many people it takes to run a hotel, but when you also try to give everyone a backstory as well, it just becomes a little overwhelming and hard to follow.

One character’s story I could have probably live without was Lizabeth herself. Yes, she is the main character and the General Manager of the hotel, and she is trying to rebuild her live after a rough breakup. But I just felt that as though she had no personality, no charisma.

On the other hand, Grace was a character that I loved. She was a part of the original history of the hotel, and she now gets to see it renovated and brought back to life. I love how she also sends little signals to the guests as well.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but I thought it could be dry at times and just not that impactful. It lacks things but gave too much at the same time.

P.S. It does make me want to go to Nantucket and stay at the hotel this story was based on. So, I guess it did its intended job.