Mid Year Faves

Blog Tour + Review: The Friends We Keep by Jane Green

The Friends We Keep by Jane Green

Publisher: Berkley Books

Published: June 4, 2019

Format: via publisher

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis

Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known each other since university. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and none of them ever found the lives they wanted – the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible.

Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man. Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with at university, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause.

Topher became a successful actor but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy. By their thirtieth reunion, these old friends have lost touch with each other and with the people they dreamed of becoming. Together again, they have a second chance at happiness… until a dark secret is revealed that changes everything.

My Thoughts

Oh, how I loved Jane Green’s newest book! We meet three teens as they start university and become fast friends. Evvie and Maggie who become roommates after they hated theirs and Topher who they meet soon after. We go through the years with these three as they experience life and love and how they vowed they will remain friends no matter what life throws at them.

Evvie and Maggie are the closest of friends, they were always together and helped each other through hardships and heartbreaks but as time went on they lost touch but knew if they needed each other they would be there. Evvie went on to be a supermodel while Maggie married her longtime love, Ben. We see them as time passes and Evvie who has always had body issues doesn't think highly of herself and gets into relationships that aren't healthy. Though she does meet one guy who takes her by surprise but to only reject him because although she loves him and he loves her they union would only hurt someone she loves. So when something happens she decides to keep the one thing that made her life complete a secret, hoping that no one finds out. Maggie and Ben seem to have the perfect marriage but behind closed doors, things aren't so. Maggie can't have the one thing she longs for and Ben has issues he just can't overcome.

Topher was the fun-loving guy who had Evvie and Maggie on their toes. He was fun and a great friend his dream was to become an actor so he moves to NYC and becomes famous as a soap star. Never really dating he soon falls in love with a man but tragedy strikes and he loses the love of his life. We see him raise as a soap star but always has his best friends in his heart.

As their university reunion comes along they all decide to come together and go. While they haven't seen each other in years as soon as they are together it's like no time has passed. Maggie is recovering from a huge loss, Evvie is getting over a horrible marriage and Topher is enjoying his life right now. They all decide they need each other and want to live together and as soon as this happens the past catches up with them and this could break up their friendships forever. The one thing that brought joy to one could possibly bring heartache to another.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the storyline and the characters and I was completed satisfied with the book overall. However, while I loved all the characters my favorites were Evvie and Maggie. Their storylines were the backbone of this novel and I couldn't get enough of it. I loved how we saw these characters evolved over time and how they grew and the mistakes they made. This is now my favorite Jane Green book hands down! This is an epic story of friendship, love and deep kept secrets that will test just how strong forgiveness is. This is one read that makes for the perfect Summer book it has everything you could want with characters that will stay with you long after the last page.

May TBR

Review: The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green

The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green

Published: June 6, 2017

Publisher: Berkley

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

Ronni Sunshine left London for Hollywood to become a beautiful, charismatic star of the silver screen. But at home, she was a narcissistic, disinterested mother who alienated her three daughters.

As soon as possible, tomboy Nell fled her mother's overbearing presence to work on a farm and find her own way in the world as a single mother. The target of her mother's criticism, Meredith never felt good enough, thin enough, pretty enough. Her life took her to London and into the arms of a man whom she may not even love. And Lizzy, the youngest, more like Ronni than any of them, seemed to have it easy, using her drive and ambition to build a culinary career to rival her mother's fame, while her marriage crumbled around her.

But now the Sunshine Girls are together again, called home by Ronni, who has learned that she has a serious disease and needs her daughters to fulfill her final wishes. And though Nell, Meredith, and Lizzy are all going through crises of their own, their mother's illness draws them together to confront old jealousies and secret fears and they discover that blood might be thicker than water after all.

My Thoughts

Hands down this is my favorite Jane Green book! This story of Ronni Sunshine and her three daughters was touching, funny and thoroughly enjoyable. We meet Ronni who is an actress as she tries her hardest to make it in the industry. From the very start, she chooses her career over her family including her three daughters whom each have their issues with her.

We get to know the Sunshine Sisters through the years but the storyline comes to life when they are summoned back home by their mother who has some bad news for them. Ronni is terminally ill and wants them there so she can take her life on her terms and most importantly she wants her daughters to reconnect after years of estrangement. Nell, Meredith, and Lizzie hadn’t ever been close not even growing up so when they all come back home it’s a little awkward, to say the least. All have problems in their lives but as soon as they are together they slowly reconnect like never before.

What I loved most is that this story is all about family. The relationship with their mother was a hard one, one that definitely shaped their future, especially on how they viewed themselves. It's really hard to have the self-love and confidence in yourself if the one person who should’ve given you that from day one never did. While I felt for Ronni, her illness and death did bring her daughters together in a way I don’t think they would’ve otherwise. Each one's story comes full circle and each finally finds the peace and love they deserved their entire lives. I found myself laughing and crying, which to me is the sign of a truly amazing book!

Blog Tour: Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends by Jane Green

Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends by Jane Green

Published: October 4, 2016

Publisher: NAL

Format: via publisher

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis
A lush and gorgeous guide to all things food and entertaining from New York Times bestselling author Jane Green.
 
Jane Green’s life has always revolved around her kitchen...
 
... from inviting over friends for an impromptu brunch; to wowing guests with delicious new recipes; to making sure her ever-on-the-move family makes time to sit down together. For Jane, food is enjoyable because of the people surrounding it and the pleasures of hosting and nourishing those she cares about, body and soul.
 
Now, Jane opens wide the doors of her stunning home to share tips on entertaining, ideas for making any gathering a cozy yet classy affair, and some of her favorite dishes, ranging from tempting hors d’oeuvres like Sweet Corn and Chili Soup to mouth-watering one-pot mains like Slow-Braised Onion Chicken, to sinfully satisfying desserts like Warm Chocolate and Banana Cake.
 
This book is Jane’s perfect recipe for making a wonderful life complete with friends, loving family, and moments filled with good food, good times, and, of course, Good Taste.

My Thoughts
I don't usually review cookbooks on the blog but when I heard Jane Green was releasing one I have to make the exception! This is one beautiful cookbook people! I loved everything about this one, the recipes look so delicious and what I found most appealing was that they seem simple enough for me to try.
I have tried one recipe that was the pesto sauce, everyone loved it and I will make this one again. I love that she gives you a whole menu from start to finish, everything from apps to desserts I will definitely be trying some of those desserts during the upcoming holiday season. All in all this cookbook is wonderful for beginners to expert cooks this is one that I highly recommed!

Blog Tour: Falling by Jane Green

Falling by Jane Green

Expected Publication: July 19, 2016

Publisher: Berkley

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis

When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn’t the life she wanted either.

On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son.

Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.

But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself, or risk losing it all.

In a novel of changing seasons, shifting lives, and selfless love, a story unfolds—of one woman’s far-reaching journey to discover who she is truly meant to be.

My Thoughts

I honestly loved just about everything in Falling, it has many layers in the story but nothing felt overwhelming nor did it feel confusing and that’s what I love about Jane Green novels. We meet Emma who has recently quit her fast paced and high paying job and is now hoping to follow her dreams and become an interior designer. She meets Dom who will soon be her landlord and at first, things are strictly innocent but over time sparks fly and the chemistry is undeniable.

Emma and Dom are true opposites but like they say opposites attract and that’s exactly what happens. Dom is a single dad who is trying to do the best he can ever since his ex walked out as soon as their son was born. She was a party girl who loved it more than her son and Dom. Emma has never been around kids but there is something about Dom’s son that you can’t help but love. Everything is fine until Dom and Emma decide to give it a try as a couple. While his son liked Emma before, it’s a different story when he sees her as a fixture in his home. There are a few bumps in the road in their relationship but both Dom and Emma are determine to fight for their love and not let anything or anyone break them apart.

Everything is going great until one day their lives are changed forever. I won’t spoil it for anyone because this is a story that you have to read. When I came to this point in the story I was left with my mouth open. I couldn’t believe it, I mean I went into reading this story thinking it was about one thing but then I realize this story had a whole other meaning. Falling is the perfect title for this read because it can mean so many things. I understood it as love but love itself has many definitions. It can mean passion and understanding but it can also mean something else so innocent also. Sometimes in life people are brought into our lives for a purpose and reason and I believe Dom as brought into Emma’s not only to love her but to give her something she never expected and those surprises are the best gifts anyone can receive.

       About Jane

Jane Green is the author of seventeen novels, including sixteen New York Times Bestsellers, including her latest,  Summer Secrets. Previous novels have included The Beach House, Second Chance,Jemima J, and Tempting Fate. Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas, and features for The Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self. She lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. 

Connect with Jane

Website / Twitter / FB / Instagram

Waiting On [163]: Falling by Jane Green

Waiting on Wednesday [Wow] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Falling by Jane Green

Expected Publication: July 19, 2016

Publisher: Berkley

Synopsis

When Emma Montague left the strict confines of upper-crust British life for New York, she felt sure it would make her happy. Away from her parents and expectations, she felt liberated, throwing herself into Manhattan life replete with a high-paying job, a gorgeous apartment, and a string of successful boyfriends. But the cutthroat world of finance and relentless pursuit of more began to take its toll. This wasn’t the life she wanted either.

On the move again, Emma settles in the picturesque waterfront town of Westport, Connecticut, a world apart from both England and Manhattan. It is here that she begins to confront what it is she really wants from her life. With no job, and knowing only one person in town, she channels her passion for creating beautiful spaces into remaking the dilapidated cottage she rents from Dominic, a local handyman who lives next door with his six-year-old son.

Unlike any man Emma has ever known, Dominic is confident, grounded, and committed to being present for his son whose mother fled shortly after he was born. They become friends, and slowly much more, as Emma finds herself feeling at home in a way she never has before.

But just as they start to imagine a life together as a family, fate intervenes in the most shocking of ways. For the first time, Emma has to stay and fight for what she loves, for the truth she has discovered about herself or risk losing it all.

In a novel of changing seasons, shifting lives, and selfless love, a story unfolds—of one woman’s far-reaching journey to discover who she is truly meant to be.

Why I Can’t Wait

First off I love Jane Green and secondly I find these books on starting over so amazing. To be able to rediscover yourself and maybe even find love again is so great that it gives us hope that we can all be able to do that.

Review: Summer Secrets by Jane Green

Summer Secrets by Jane Green

Published: June 23, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: via BookSparks

Challenges: SRC 2015

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

June, 1998: At twenty seven, Catherine Coombs, also known as Cat, is struggling. She lives in London, works as a journalist, and parties hard. Her lunchtimes consist of several glasses of wine at the bar downstairs in the office, her evenings much the same, swigging the free booze and eating the free food at a different launch or party every night. When she discovers the identity of the father she never knew she had, it sends her into a spiral. She makes mistakes that cost her the budding friendship of the only women who have ever welcomed her. And nothing is ever the same after that.

June, 2014: Cat has finally come to the end of herself. She no longer drinks. She wants to make amends to those she has hurt. Her quest takes her to Nantucket, to the gorgeous summer community where the women she once called family still live. Despite her sins, will they welcome her again? What Cat doesn’t realize is that these women, her real father’s daughters, have secrets of their own. As the past collides with the present, Cat must confront the darkest things in her own life and uncover the depths of someone’s need for revenge.

My Thoughts

This book is amazing! This book focuses on addiction and how it not only affects your life but those all around you. Summer Secrets has a couple of storylines going on but nothing that’s too much or too confusing.

We meet Cat when she is young and partying and drinking way too much. She meets a nice guy one night and wakes up hungover at his place not knowing what happened and discovers he is a recovering alcoholic. He encourages her to go to meetings and she does but she doesn’t do it for herself but for him. One cannot truly get help unless they want it you can’t make someone do something they don’t want to do especially when they don’t think there is a problem.

We see how Cat’s childhood was growing up with a mom who was depressed and a father who wasn’t really a father. One day a few months after her father’s death her mom confesses he wasn’t her dad but that her father was an American she spent a romantic summer with back home. She thinks this is her chance to truly have a family and sets off to reunite with them in hopes of building a real family. She learns that her father also has a drinking problem and maybe it might be in her genes. She instantly connects to one sister and one night her drinking might have caused the one thing she wants so much to be lost forever. Not until years later while Cat is losing her husband and daughter does she decide she can’t live like this forever. She decides to become sober for herself and while in the process she must make amends with those she hurt the most. She must go back to America and reconnect with her sisters and ask for forgiveness for the hurtful things she did. While she thinks everything is forgiven she soon learns not everything is as is seems. Will she get what she came for or is revenge the ultimate payback?

This story was just so good! I felt so many emotions while reading; I hated then felt compassion for Cat. She was a true addict who loved her drinking more than anything else. But like they say you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves. This is a story of love, forgiveness and surviving. It gives you hope that anyone who has gone through so much in life can change, if you really want to and put all your soul and heart into it.  

Mini Review: Cat and Jemima J by Jane Green

Cat and Jemima J by Jane Green

Published: May 5, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: via free Kindle read

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Jane Green comes an original short story featuring Jemima, the main character from Green's beloved novel Jemima J, and Cat, the main character from her upcoming novel Summer Secrets.

My Thoughts

This is a very short story featuring Jemima J and introducing Cat a character in Jane Green’s newest novel Summer Secrets. I love that we see a glimpse of Cat’s life before all the changes in her life and how she met Jemima J. I like how we see how they met but doesn’t give too much away when it comes to Cat’s character in Summer Secrets.

WoW [111]

Waiting on Wednesday [WoW] is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Summer Secrets by Jane Green

Expected Publication: June 23, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Synopsis

June, 1998: At twenty seven, Catherine Coombs, also known as Cat, is struggling. She lives in London, works as a journalist, and parties hard. Her lunchtimes consist of several glasses of wine at the bar downstairs in the office, her evenings much the same, swigging the free booze and eating the free food at a different launch or party every night. When she discovers the identity of the father she never knew she had, it sends her into a spiral. She makes mistakes that cost her the budding friendship of the only women who have ever welcomed her. And nothing is ever the same after that.

June, 2014: Cat has finally come to the end of herself. She no longer drinks. She wants to make amends to those she has hurt. Her quest takes her to Nantucket, to the gorgeous summer community where the women she once called family still live. Despite her sins, will they welcome her again? What Cat doesn’t realize is that these women, her real father’s daughters, have secrets of their own. As the past collides with the present, Cat must confront the darkest things in her own life and uncover the depths of someone’s need for revenge.

Why I Can’t Wait

I’m a HUGE Jane Green fan so is there any doubt that this one is beyond awesome?

Feel free to link me to yours.