Title: Daisy Darker
Author: Alice Feeney
Rating: 0/5
Comments: Do not read.
Title: Here’s to Us
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I really enjoyed this! I’ve been on a Hilderbrand kick. (Although, I am very disappointed with Netflix’s The Perfect Couple adaptation). It’s about a modern family who loses their patriarch, celebrity chef Deacon Thorpe. He leaves his house to his three ex wives which of course, causes some expected issues. Deacon has three children but the one we hear the most from is his daughter Angie. I know three years ago I would have never been able to get through a book about a daughter in her late twenties navigating life after losing her dad but in some way, reading this was healing. The story is so relatable and I really appreciate Hilderbrand’s ability to create real emotion. It is a really powerful story about grief, love, loss, addiction, and how a common experience can bring the most unexpected people together.
Title: The Next Mrs. Parrish
Author: Liv Constantine
Rating: 4/5
Comments: It was so exciting to pick up where we left off with Amber and Daphne. I enjoyed the first one, The Last Mrs. Parrish, more because it was before we really knew the characters. This sequel is a little more predictable only because we know the characters and their personalities. However, I love this continuation of the story and Daphne’s passion for keeping her children protected at all costs is a true love story. Highly recommend both novels!
Title: The Mystery Guest
Author: Nita Prose
Rating: 4.1/5
Comments: It was so nice to hear from Molly again. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Maid, so picking up the sequel was a no-brainer. The story is about the murder of a famous author that takes place in the hotel where Molly works. Another epic “whodunnit” from Prose that kept me hooked the entire time! In the first book, Molly is introduced to Detective Stark and in this book, we see them reconnect and build somewhat of a friendship. I just love Molly and her attention to detail, inability to be anything but honest, and loyalty.
Title: Never Have I Ever
Author: Joshilyn Jackson
Rating: 3. 7/5
Comments: I was really enjoying this until the super disturbing twist. I was totally sat for this book listening to Amy’s past and her secrets and how her new little life developed. Her past gets threatened when Angelica Rue comes to town and Amy is doing everything she can to keep her past a secret. Each development made the storyline more and more interesting but then BAM, something out of left field and 100% disturbing comes up and I just feel like it did not have to go there. Jackson did not have to do that. I still enjoyed the book but major trigger warning for abuse (that’s all I can say without giving the story away).
Title: This Summer Will Be Different
Author: Carley Fortune
Rating: 4.2/5
Comments: LOVED. LOVED LOVED LOVED. I am really enjoying Fortune even though most stories are as predictable as a Lifetime movie. This story is about two best friends (who share one of the strongest bonds I have ever read about) who are by each other’s sides for the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. One summer Lucy is visiting her friend Bridget’s hometown and hooks up with Bridget’s brother Felix (without knowing he’s Lucy’s brother). Summer after summer Lucy is resisting (or not) the temptation of Felix. It’s tangled and complicated and I loved every second of it.
Title: Long Bright River
Author: Liz Moore
Rating: 3.2/5
Comments: Emphasis on LONG. Holy shit this dragged on forever. So many filler words. Jackie Oshry would describe it as “chewy.” The only redeeming factor is that it’s set in Philly and it was fun to hear all of the places I’m familiar with (Camden Aquarium, the Jersey Shore, South Street, etc.). It’s a very compelling story but the narrator, Mickey, is not all that interesting and her decisions don’t make her very likable. The story touches on addiction, abuse, abandonment, corruption, and several other deep issues. I don’t think I really like getting that deep in a book unless it’s about persona; feelings. Not bad, not good, but don’t rush to read it unless you want something deep and dark, but a few redeeming rays of light.
Title: Funny You Should Ask *RRN
Author: Elissa Sussman
Rating: 4.3/5
Comments: I LOVED this! So easy. It includes blog posts, interviews, and articles which is always a fun angle for me. Chani, a journalist, interviews movie star Gabe Parker when he is chosen as the next James Bond. Her article describes the weekend they spent together, leaving the whole world questioning what really happened between them. There is a real lore around them, especially with Parker being so famous. 10 years later, they reunite for Chani to do a follow up piece. It’s deep in the best way. There is so much emotion and love and confusion and fear. I loved it. Add it to your list ASAP.
Title: Husbands & Lovers
Author: Beatriz Williams
Rating: 3.9/5
Comments: There are two storylines happening at once: one is historical fiction about a woman named Hannah in Egypt during a war and the other is present day in New England about a woman named Mallory. I ignored 90% of the historical fiction chapters. I have zero interest in that genre and I had a lot of trouble keeping track of everyone (mostly because I wasn’t interested). However, Mallory’s story is VERY interesting. The storyline is a little far-fetched in the sense that she reunites with her childhood lover who is now a very famous singer-songwriter. Her son is in kidney failure so she is forced to confront the trauma of her past in order to save his life. The present day story is 5/5 and I don’t think the second storyline added anything to enhance the book overall.
Title: The Heiress
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Rating: 3/5
Comments: I listened to this and was so confused. I think if I read it, I would have been able to absorb it differently and follow along better. There are two storylines happening at once: real time from their perspective of married couple Jules and Camden and letters written by Camden’s adoptive mother “Ruby.” I seriously could not follow. There are so many family members and hidden identities. Everyone is holding a secret and not in the interesting way. Normally I am so eager for the secrets to be revealed but I could not even follow along enough to care. If you’re going to pick up a book by Hawkins, definitely go with The Wife Upstairs. The ending (which is actually really good) is the only redeeming aspect of the book which is why I gave it a three and not a zero like Daisy Darker.
Title: The Woman in Me
Author: Britney Spears
Rating: 3/5
Comments: I first started to read this but it’s so poorly written that I switched to the audiobook. Aside from it not being better written, Michelle Williams does an incredible job of tapping into Britney’s feelings as the narrator. Brit’s story is… unfathomable. The way her family has betrayed her is heartbreaking and she deserves to live the rest of her life free and doing whatever makes her happy. Of course the world hopes that includes new music but if not, that’s okay too. I don’t think anyone realized how extreme her conservatorship was or even why she was in one or what one entails. I cannot wrap my head around how she had no control over her life for 13 years. As a fan of hers, I am so glad she is no longer under her dad’s power and is able to make her own decisions. I would love to see a Lindsay Lohan-style comeback because she deserves to find joy in being an artist again.
*Read Right Now!
Sarcastically Callie 
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