Favorites of 2018

Review: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Published: January 9, 2018

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 3/5

Synopsis

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.

You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.

You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.

You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.

Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage - and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

My Thoughts

I kept hearing a lot of this novel so when I finally finished it I was so on the fence. In The Wife Between Us it was labeled as a thriller and so I went into this looking for that but I never got it. There were parts when I was confused as to who was who and in the beginning, I felt something building up but nothing ever really happened.

We see the tale as old as time about a couple who divorce and now he is about to remarry and his ex seems to become obsessed but is she really? Then we hear parts of her story and her past which does come into play. Is she just an obsessed ex who is crazy or is she a victim of sorts? To be honest, by the end I really didn’t care. I did give it three stars because when the “reveal” finally happened I was a bit taken back and surprised.

All in all, I think this failed the hype in my opinion. There were great parts but other times I was like umm okay, I think if it was dubbed a mystery which is what it was more to me I would’ve maybe liked it more. In the end, it wasn’t bad but it was the greatest either.

Holiday Review: Some Kind of Christmas by Jody Holford

Some Kind of Christmas by Jody Holford

Published: November 6, 2017

Format: free Kindle read

Ratings: 3.5/5

Synopsis

Knowing she has to spend Christmas alone, Ellie Wexly tries to make the most of her holidays. When a kitchen mishap brings her past, literally, barging through her door, her plans change. Cooper Walsh didn't realize what he wanted for Christmas until he answered a routine fire call. Now, he knows exactly what he wants: Ellie. This Christmas and every one after.

My Thoughts

In this short Christmas romance, Ellie thinks her day has started off as bad as it could but by the end, she will have everything she has been wishing for. Ellie accidentally has a kitchen disaster and when a hot firefighter comes to her rescue little does she know that her past has come back to haunt her. Ellie knows this guy he is her brothers best friend growing up and her crush back in the day. They soon spend the day together and as time passes both realize that they have fallen for each other. She’s been hurt and wants to take her time and he simply wants her and just wants to make this Christmas her best yet. I really enjoyed this little gem I found it cute and romantic and I didn’t even mind the insta-love factor that was going on. I found Cooper respectful of Ellie and their past together and the fact that he wanted to make her Christmas special since she was by herself gave him big points in my book. This was definitely a good read.

Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Published: November 13, 2018

Publisher: Crown

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 5/5

Synopsis

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African-American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms.

My Thoughts

This book is utterly amazing! In Becoming we get the life and thoughts of Michelle Obama and she doesn’t hold back. We get the story of her upbringing and her relationship with her parents. We see her grow up and her school life and the friendships that still impact her today. I loved when she talked about her parents and how she didn’t ask for more than she needed because she knew that her parents sacrificed for her and her brother yet they always encourage her and made all things possible when it came to her future. There were times in this memoir that brought tears to my eyes when she discussed her parents and her love and the devotion that they had for one another touched my heart.

When Barack enters the picture she shares her initial thoughts on him and how he simply fitted into her life, they balanced each other out and they always supported one another in all aspects of their lives. I liked that she shared parts of her life, such as her trouble to conceive and her heartbreak of miscarrying a child to her feelings on both election nights and how she felt when Hilary Clinton lost.

All in all, this is a compelling read one that shows us sides of the former First Lady that many might not know. We get her feelings on things that happened during their run in the White House and how she tried to balance marriage and family life in the world spotlight. Its inspirational and you can truly feel her love for her family and for this nation. This is a must read for sure.

Review: The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

Published: October 31, 2017

Publisher: Atria Books

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 4/5

Synopsis

A father and a son are seeing each other for the first time in years. The father has a story to share before it’s too late. He tells his son about a courageous little girl lying in a hospital bed a few miles away. She’s a smart kid—smart enough to know that she won’t beat cancer by drawing with crayons all day, but it seems to make the adults happy, so she keeps doing it.

As he talks about this plucky little girl, the father also reveals more about himself: his triumphs in business, his failures as a parent, his past regrets, his hopes for the future.

Now, on a cold winter’s night, the father has been given an unexpected chance to do something remarkable that could change the destiny of a little girl he hardly knows. But before he can make the deal of a lifetime, he must find out what his own life has actually been worth, and only his son can reveal that answer.

My Thoughts

The Deal of a Lifetime is such a touching story of a father who hasn’t been there for his son finds out he has cancer. He was always busy with work and put that before his family and that caused his family to fall apart, he thought success and wealth were more important than anything else. I like how this novel was teaching and showing us how family should be the most important thing and that material things don’t matter much in the end. This is a very emotional and touching read about sharing your feelings with those around you because you never know what lies ahead.

Review: Goldie Vance Vol. 3 & 4 by Hope Larson

 

Goldie Vance Vol 3&4 by Hope Larson

Published: November 21, 2017 / November 7, 2017

Publisher: BOOM! Box

Format: via Hoopla

Ratings: 4/5 & 5/5

My Thoughts

In Volume 3 we find Goldie back at it when she thinks someone is trying to sabotage a major race coming up. Not only that but she thinks someone is trying to hurt her old childhood friend Sugar but Goldie is determined to find who it is and maybe even find some common ground with Sugar again. I really enjoyed this one especially since we get a little more drama and more of a backstory when it comes to Sugar.

In Volume 4 all havoc breaks loose when a huge music festival comes to Florida but something is off when major power outages could ruin everything. However, something doesn’t add up since it only happens when a certain bands song play. Who is behind all of this and will Goldie and friends be able to solve this and make the festival go off without a hitch? This one by far was my fave! I loved the music aspect and of course, all the mystery but what I love most is that this one balances both perfectly.

Holiday Reviews: One Snowy Night & Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis

  One Snowy Night and Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis

Published: November 8, 2016 / November 7, 2017

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 3.5/5 & 3/5

My Thoughts

One Snowy Night is a cute and cozy read about Rory who is stuck and has to go home for Christmas and her only way to get there is by Max. Max is her old high school crush and let's just say that time has been very good to him. Rory has to get home in time to deliver her mom’s present but a snowstorm has other plans and soon she and Max become close. I loved how finally Rory just lets go and enjoys herself, she really just enjoyed the moment and it was perfect. This was a very cute read one that will definitely have you rooting for Max and Rory.

Holiday Wishes is about Lottie who owns an inn and Sean who comes to celebrate his brother’s upcoming wedding. Soon a snowstorm has everyone stranded there and then Sean recognizes Lottie as someone from his past but when he talks to her she seems to not know who he is. Lottie definitely knows who Sean is but seeing how he took her virginity then never called her after she doesn’t want anything to ever do with him ever again. Since they are trapped in together they soon talk and get to know each other again and the truth comes out about that night from years ago. The chemistry they have is undeniable and soon sparks fly and there is no doubt they are want to see where this can go. This is definitely a more steamy read but nevertheless, it is a good one, if you want something fun and sexy this is the one for you.

Holiday Review: The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

Published: October 25, 2011

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 3/5

Synopsis

Gretchen Daniels has recently moved into a condo with her two children to be closer to her mother, Miriam. As they build a life together in their new community, they notice a mysterious young woman, Melissa McCreary, who lives next door. She has few possessions, little personality, and keeps to herself. One day a local landlord who is looking for Melissa knocks on Gretchen's door for assistance. Melissa's mother has died and in the coming weeks the landlord needs Melissa to empty her mother's apartment. Gretchen reaches out and offers to help Melissa, but the apartment is a gut-wrenching shamble of a home. There is little worth saving except for a few photos and a note that is discovered on the crate beside the bed. It is unfinished, but in the two scribbled lines, Melissa discovers secrets about her family that she never could have imagined. Can two very different women embark on a journey that explores a long-buried need for forgiveness, hope, and redemption?

My Thoughts

The Christmas Note is the tale of Gretchen who has moved to be closer to her mom and whose husband is in the military. She has a neighbor Melissa who is not neighborly, to say the least. While Gretchen and her kids try to be nice and friendly Melissa is used to keeping to herself and she wants to keep it that way. One day when Melissa is gone someone shows up and tells Gretchen that Melissa’s mom has passed away and that she needs to tell her. While Gretchen doesn’t know how to tell her this news once she does she tries to befriend Melissa to help her through this hard time, but what Gretchen doesn’t know is that Melissa and her mom weren’t close at all. Melissa soon discovers that her mom kept a huge secret from her and now she’s on a mission to find out what her mom hid all these years. This secret it turns out is much closer than she ever realized and not only that but she finds out her mother isn’t who she thought she was, she learns she had hardships in life. Though all this Melissa and Gretchen become friends soon they will discover that life has other plans for them. This was a feel-good read that shows us that fate does exist. People are bought into our lives for a reason and Melissa and Gretchen will discover that. Nothing screams Christmas than a miracle and these two will definitely find theirs during the holidays.

Holiday Review: The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere

Published: October 13, 2009

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 3/5

Synopsis

When a struggling young single mother saves the life of an elderly woman, she sets into motion a series of events that will test her strength, loyalty, and determination, all the while setting her on the path to finding true love.

Christine Eisley is the mother of seven-year-old Zach and five-year-old Haley. Her ex-husband provides little, if any, child support and makes life difficult for Christine by using the children as pawns. She works long hours as a waitress to make ends meet, but her job is in jeopardy because she’s often late to work due to the unreliable teenaged sitters she’s forced to use. When Christine saves the life of a woman who works in Wilson’s department store, the owner of Wilson’s wants to find her, to thank her, but Christine has disappeared, losing another job once again. He sets his grandson, Jason, to the task of finding the mysterious “Christy.” Jason, an accountant by trade who has lost his job to downsizing, thinks he is “above” working at Wilson’s. Soon, he discovers that this new task gives him more than he bargains for.

My Thoughts

In The Christmas Secret, we met Christine who is a single mother and who is trying to make ends met when she helps a woman who has a health crisis at a local department store, she leaves and the woman never knows who saved her life. Christine’s ex-husband is threating to take the kids away so Christine tries to find a new job but it seems like nothing she does can get her ahead of things. She soon meets Jason but due to a miscommunication he doesn’t know her true identity and while they hit it off Christine thinks he is sent my her ex to spy on her. Jason’s grandfather is on a mission to find the person who saved his employee's life and little do they know its none other than Christine. I liked this read with Christine’s mission to make a better life for her and her kids however all she needs is a little help and a break to make it happen. Will Christine get a Christmas miracle to change her life or will Christmas be nothing but heartache for her kids? This is one read that was cute and inspirational with a little romance through in for good measure.

Holiday Review: The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere

Published: October 1, 2007

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 4/5

Synopsis

Each Christmas we are given a promise from heaven. And each year on earth we make promises to each other.

This is a story about how a promise from one person to another shows us the true meaning of faith, remembrance, and love. Seven years ago Gloria endured a family tragedy that almost shook her faith entirely. Each Christmas she places a card in an envelope on her tree, restating a promise she made to her husband before he died. Now, having moved from her small town and all the painful memories it held, she is building a life by caring for people in need. Whether it's a young mother who can't pay her electric bill or a family who needs some extra food, Gloria always finds a way. Miriam is a thorn in Gloria's side. Miriam is a constantly critical, disapproving neighbor who looks with suspicion at all the good things Gloria does. When a twist of fate makes them roommates instead of neighbors, it's the ultimate test of patience and faith.

Chaz has a good job as head of security at Wilson's Department Store, but each night he returns home to an empty apartment. He longs for a wife and family of his own but realizes that the life choices he's made have alienated him. He befriends a young boy whose mother has fallen on hard times, giving him a chance to have a life he thought impossible. In The Christmas Promise, the lives of these characters collide and we learn that even as we move ahead, the past is never far behind. And when we are forgiven much, we love much.

My Thoughts

This is the type of book that in my opinion embodies what Christmas is. In The Christmas Promise, we have Gloria and Miriam who are neighbors and who couldn’t be more different. Gloria is very friendly always offering a helping hand to everyone she meets and Miriam well she is more about herself but when Miriam house floods Gloria offers to let her stay in her house until her house is fixed. While there Miriam sees all that Gloria does for everyone and can't believe it, she thinks no one could be that selfless. Gloria loves doing the things she does but she made a promise years ago on Christmas and vows to keep it. Little does anyone know that Gloria has a pain in her heart but prays that one day it will be filled. A mysterious man named Chaz longs for a family but he has had hard times in his life and when he meets a young boy and his mother he soon discovers that faith and love aren’t beyond his reach. This is a touching story that focuses on faith, family, and love and shows us to never give up because second chances can be around the corner. If you want a heartwarming story than definitely check out this one.

Holiday Review: The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere

Published: October 25, 2005

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 5/5

Synopsis

Patricia and Mark Addison have long given up the hope of having a meaningful Christmas. But this year, Patricia's job as a social worker will lead her to a very special five-year-old. Against her better judgment, Patricia bends the rules and takes the little girl to her own home. Through the presence of Emily in their house and her penetrating questions about heaven, the Addisons learn that there is no sorrow so great that faith cannot help you find your way through. And Christmas will once more be a time of joy in their home.

My Thoughts

This is by far my favorite Donna VanLiere read so far. It’s cute, heartwarming and touching all at the same time. Patricia and Mark’s marriage has been going through the motions for a while now but all that changes when Patricia who is a social worker brings home Emily during the holidays. Emily has had a hard life for a little girl so when Patricia decides not to send her to CPS right away during Christmas Patricia starts to remember the real meaning of the holidays through this little girls eyes. Patricia reveals that she lost her son during this time of year and that’s why she hasn’t really enjoyed them since and also why she and Mark aren’t as close. Emily soon makes both of them see what's important and they remember how much they love each other and how Emily has opened up their hearts again to love. This is a sweet and cozy read one that will fill your heart with love and joy only like a magical holiday read can.

Holiday Review: The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere

Published: October 28, 2003

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Ratings: 3/5

Synopsis

In The Christmas Shoes, young Nathan Andrews was a child who lost his mother to cancer. Now his deepest wish is to become a doctor. When a stranger named Robert gave him the money to buy his mother a pair of shoes for her last Christmas, both Robert and Nathan learned the deepest lessons of love and giving. Now a medical student in his third year, Nathan realizes there are still things to be learned about faith, blessings, and sacrifice. Lessons he will learn from Meghan Sullivan-a young woman born with a hole in her heart that has not kept her from becoming a champion runner. And lessons learned from a young boy named Charlie, who teaches how to live a life of true courage. Together, they will help guide Nathan through the darkest period in his life. The Christmas Blessing is inspiring about hope existing in the darkest places, and love is always the greatest gift of all.

My Thoughts

This is an inspirational story of love and faith focusing on a young doctor named Nathan who becomes friends with Meghan and Charlie who will show him the true meaning in life. Nathan has had dark periods in his life but now he is in medical school and through others, he has learned that while he has had struggles in life others have had it worse yet have continued to live and love life. Nathan will soon find the miracles in life and with that comes love…the love of his life and all the happiness that comes with it. I enjoyed this short read as always Donna VanLiere novels are inspiring and have that comforting feel. You want a hopeful and romantic read this is a good one.

TisTheSeasonAThon TBR

Happy Holidays!!

I know it’s a bit early but I’m here to share my TBR for an upcoming readathon. I’ve always wanted to participate in one but I never had the time or just hadn’t found one I really wanted to join, but I finally found the one for me it’s the TISTHESEASONATHON! It runs December 3-9.

Yes, a whole week filled with Christmas reads so, of course, I’m so there! It’s hosted by some wonderful Booktubers and Instagrammers if you don’t know them please go check them out they are awesome!

@bookables

@acourtofcrownsandquills 

@btwnchapters

@chelseadollingreads 

@superspacechick

On Twitter Tistheseasonnn 

So here are the challenges you can do as many or as few as you like and you can also double up if you want. Now on to my list of books and which challenges they go with.

CHALLENGES

1. Book with red or green on the cover

2. Book to read while listening to Christmas music

3.  A warm and fuzzy read

4. A short read [250 pages or less]

5. Holiday-themed book

6. [Bonus] The group read

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5 & 6

There's my list I hope you join us in this fun readathon!

Review: Goldie Vance Vol 1 & 2 by Hope Larson, Illustrated by Brittney Williams

  

Goldie Vance Vol 1 & 2 by Hope Larson, Brittney Williams [Illustrator]

Published: October  5, 2017

Publisher: Boom! Boom! Box

Format: via Hoopla

Ratings: [Vol. 1 – 4/5] [Vol. 2- 3/5]

Synopsis

The newest gal sleuth on the block is Goldie Vance, an exciting, whodunnit? adventure that mixes the fun of Eloise with the charm of Lumberjanes. 16-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place, and dreams to one day become the hotel’s in-house detective. When Walter, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, he agrees to mentor Goldie in exchange for her help solving the mystery utilizing her smarts, random skills, and connections with the hotel staff and various folks in town.

My Thoughts

Volume 1

This year I wanted to challenge myself to new genres so I thought I would take a chance on a graphic novel and I kept hearing great things about Goldie Vance so I figured why not? Well, I'm glad I did cause this is so my kinda graphic novel. I like the fact that she’s a girl detective, I like her no holds barred attitude, the retro vibe and I really love that it's really diverse and has LGBT representation.

I really enjoyed the first volume I liked how we were introduced to everyone and the story was enjoyable. I liked seeing her family and friends and how she is a strong character. Can't wait to see what's in store.

Volume 2

This story was okay for me, but the first one was better. I didn’t really enjoy the astronaut storyline it was all iffy for me. However, I did enjoy the blossoming romance between Goldie and Diane and I liked seeing Goldie’s mom in this one. I liked their relationship and seeing them interact with each other.

All in all, I’m really liking where this is going I can't wait to see what more Goldie and her friends have in store for the upcoming issues. This is definitely my kind of vibe and I’m highly enjoying this so far.

Holiday Review: Four Days of Christmas by Emma St. Clair

Four Days of Christmas by Emma St. Clair

Published: December 7, 2017

Format: free Kindle read

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis

You can't really know someone in four days...can you?

Natalie isn't looking for romance after getting out of a long-term relationship with the guy she thought was The One. But when she takes a job as an elf in the mall's Santa's Workshop Photo Place over college break, sparks fly...with more than one man.

There's Alex, the handsome photographer with a secret, and then Santa himself, the mystery man behind the costume who keeps her laughing. Will she know either guy well enough to choose by their last day of work on Christmas Eve? Or will a shocking discovery about Santa's Workshop make her walk away from both?

My Thoughts

Four Days of Christmas was a middle of the road read for me. The plot was okay nothing special and some of the romance was a little forced for me. There were two guys and I liked her chemistry with one guy more than the other but I felt like they forced one more than the other. While there were some parts I didn’t gel with, overall it was a nice holiday read. The romance was interesting and the banter was fun, it's a short read that doesn't take up too much time.

Review: This Will Only Hurt A Little by Busy Philipps

This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps

Published: October 23, 2018

Publisher: Touchstone

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

A collection of humorous autobiographical essays by the beloved comedic actress known for her roles on Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek, and Cougartown who has become “the breakout star on Instagram stories...imagine I Love Lucy mixed with a modern lifestyle guru” (The New Yorker).

Busy Philipps’s autobiographical book offers the same unfiltered and candid storytelling that her Instagram followers have come to know and love, from growing up in Scottsdale, Arizona and her painful and painfully funny teen years, to her life as a working actress, mother, and famous best friend.

Busy is the rare entertainer whose impressive arsenal of talents as an actress is equally matched by her storytelling ability, sense of humor, and sharp observations about life, love, and motherhood. Her conversational writing reminds us what we love about her on screens large and small. From film to television to Instagram, Busy delightfully showcases her wry humor and her willingness to bare it all.

My Thoughts

In This Will Only Hurt a Little Busy Philipps gives us stories of her life growing up and her struggles in her acting career. While most stories are funny and she gives us the things we like her for, it's her serious stuff that really connects with me. Her revelations of being assaulted at an early age and later her admission of having an abortion are just some of the things that shows us a serious side of her that we rarely see.

I enjoyed her tales of working on her TV series that she is known for and especially her stories of her family. Her candid take on her marriage and how she was ready to give up but decided to give it another chance and her take on motherhood rang so true. I loved how she didn’t shy away from sharing the truth with us she give it to us no holds bar and that was so brave of her to do. While I’ll admit I didn’t know that much about her this book gave me a new perspective on her. I definitely admire her hard work and dedication to everything in her life. This book will make you laugh of course but it’s her personal anecdotes that make this book really shine. This book is no doubt worth a read.

Holiday Review: Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Published: October 3, 2017

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

My Thoughts

Merry is all about taking care of her family so much so that she basically has no life. She works but doesn’t date and her family thinks its time for that to change. So her brother makes an online profile for her and decides Merry needs a man in her life and makes it his mission to find her someone. Her brother has the best intentions and soon Merry meets someone who grabs her attention. They have great conversations and they share things with each other that neither one has shared with no one else. However, despite the flirting and great convos neither one has a profile picture so they don’t know who they are actually talking to.

Merry is a hard worker but her boss is not a very kind man. He doesn’t really appreciate his workers and honestly doesn’t really pay attention to things around him. He’s a smart and rich guy but decides he wants to try online dating and find someone real and soon he finds the perfect person and she is much closer than he realizes. As you can imagine that person is no other than Merry. Now, this isn't a spoiler since you find this out real quick but this book definitely has a You’ve Got Mail kind of vibe going on. He figures out who she is before she does and the things he does for Merry are so cute.

I really enjoyed this story all be it, it was so predictable it was really cute and heartwarming. I love Debbie Macomber’s Christmas reads because they have that element of Christmas magic to them and this one isn’t any different. So if you want something fun and romantic than look no further than this holiday rom-com.

Holiday Review: The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Star by Donna VanLiere

Published: October 16, 2018

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: via publisher

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Thirty-two-year-old Amy Denison volunteers at Glory's Place, an after school program where she meets seven-year-old Maddie, a precocious young girl who has spent her childhood in foster care. Unbeknownst to Amy, Maddie is a mini-matchmaker, with her eye on just the right man for Amy at Grandon Elementary School, where she is a student. Amy is hesitant - she's been hurt before, and isn't sure she's ready to lose her heart again - but an unexpected surprise makes her reconsider her lonely lifestyle. As Christmas nears and the town is blanketed in snow and beautiful decorations, Maddie and the charming staff at Glory's Place help Amy to see that romance can be more than heartache and broken promises.

My Thoughts

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a new Donna VanLiere read. I think her Christmas reads are the sweetest and cutest books around and her newest doesn’t disappoint. In The Christmas Star we meet Maddie who is seven and in foster care. She goes to the after-school program at Glory’s Place and soon meets and strikes up a great friendship with its newest volunteer Amy. They hit it off and soon Maddie decides to find someone for Amy and makes it her mission.

Amy is looking for something more to do with her life. She is single and after being divorced for a while she decides she needs something else in her life so she tries her hand at volunteering at Glory’s Place. She doesn’t think she will become attached to any of the kids but soon she finds herself really caring for Maddie. They become fast friends and soon Maddie as her heart.

Maddie knows exactly the right person for Amy, it’s the nice janitor at her school and every time she plans on having them met something always happens. I love how just when you think they will meet they seem to always miss each other by mere seconds. However when they finally meet sparks fly but for totally different reasons then you think. I really did like this twist in the story I actually didn’t see that happening.

I think this story is cute and charming and I love this community of people that Donna VanLiere has put together in her books. I enjoy the people and how there is always an element of magic and Christmas miracles. These books are a series but all can be read as stand alones. So if you want a great Christmas read look no further than these books.

Review: IT by Stephen King

It by Stephen King

Published: September 1986

Publisher: Scribner

Format: purchased

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

Seven adults who return to their hometown to confront a nightmare they had first stumbled on as teenagers…an evil without a name: It.

Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.

They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them to reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers.

My Thoughts

With October being the month of scary and frightening things I thought I would challenge myself like never before, I wanted to read my first Stephen King book but not just any old book I wanted to read IT. Was the pay off worth it? YES! I really did love this book while some of the language I didn’t agree with overall the storytelling was superb.

We met a group of teens who are known as The Losers and they are brought together when they take on the mission of finding and destroying …IT that is killing kids. Children keep going missing in the town of Derry and while everyone knows something is odd no one is willing to talk about it out loud, and when the teens start to see the clown they know this is what is killing the kids in town.

I liked how this novel has two timelines, we get the story of what happened when they were younger and then we get the story of when they come back together as adults. We see what has made them come back and what has become of them decades later, and if what happened in the past had any effect on their present lives.

This book was SCARY! Stephen King went into massive details and yes the gore and guts of it all are disturbing but it’s the psychological aspects of the book that really got to me. There were numerous times that I wanted and needed to step back and just let this book sit there. Heck, now I know what people mean when they say they needed to put the book in the freezer…I really wanted to! All in all, I’m so glad I made this my first Stephen King experience it was all I had hyped it up to be and boy oh boy what a wild ride this was if you get the chance read it it’s well worth the time.

Review: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Published: June 26, 2018

Publisher: William Morrow

Format: audiobook via Overdrive

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

Seven-year-old Wen and her parents, Eric and Andrew, are vacationing at a remote cabin on a quiet New Hampshire lake. Their closest neighbors are more than two miles in either direction along a rutted dirt road.

One afternoon, as Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a stranger unexpectedly appears in the driveway. Leonard is the largest man Wen has ever seen but he is young, friendly, and he wins her over almost instantly. Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, "None of what’s going to happen is your fault". Three more strangers then arrive at the cabin carrying unidentifiable, menacing objects. As Wen sprints inside to warn her parents, Leonard calls out: "Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world."

Thus begins an unbearably tense, gripping tale of paranoia, sacrifice, apocalypse, and survival that escalates to a shattering conclusion, one in which the fate of a loving family and quite possibly all of humanity are entwined.

My Thoughts

Talk about a wild ride! The Cabin at the End of the World was the most anxiety-filled book I’ve read in some time. The story opens with Wen playing outside in the woods while her dads are inside just enjoying their plugged free vacation. Then a man comes up to her and carries a conversation for awhile then tells her what happens next isn’t her fault and that her dads must do what he says. Next, we see four people trying to get into the cabin saying that the world will end if they don’t sacrifice one of themselves…soon.

They claim as time goes by and they don’t do as they say things will happen worldwide and they have proof when alerts start coming on the news to back up their claims. Is it all a coincidence or are what they saying is true? The next questions are why Wen and her fathers targeted? What is their connection to all of this?  As time goes by the things that happen are gruesome and horrifying but for me, this isn’t what makes this story scary, it’s the fact that this could happen to anyone. For me, it’s the everyday circumstances that can happen to anyone that scares me the most. It’s the real things in life that I find the most horrifying and believable.

As the story moves along it just got sadder and scarier for me. As a reader, I kept flip-flopping as to do I believe these people since some of what they are saying is happening or are they just some crazy people who randomly picked this family to terrify. Paul Tremblay gives us a book with so many questions and lets us be the one to try and figure out what to believe. My one complaint was the ending while I understood where he was going with it I still wanted more. This is one book that days later is still with me and for me, that’s a sign of a great read.