May Wrap Up & Book Haul

It's the end of a month which means a quick recap on my reading goal and book haul. All of my new books are new releases except one, Reign of the Fallen. I met my small goal - which was 5 books - but didn't reach my stretch goal - which was 8 books. How about you?

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth

Beach Read by Emily Henry

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley

Meet Me on Love Lane by Nina Bocci

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

The Honey Don't List by Christina Lauren

How did you do with your monthly reading goal? Did you hit or fall short? What about your May book haul? Did you get anything really awesome?

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Review: The Honey-Don't List

 

The Honey-Don't List
by Christina Lauren

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Publication Date: March 24 2020
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 308
ISBN: 9781982123918
Genre: Romance | Contemporary | Adult Fiction
Source: ARC

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Synopsis: Carey has worked for Melissa and Rusty Tripp since she was 16 years old. She started out in their store and then found herself in the role of Melissa's assistant, now that Melissa & Rusty are home remodeling and design gurus. Carey has been behind the scenes, helping them to build their empire.

James, an MIT graduate, found himself hired as a structural engineer for the Tripp's. This is a fantastic opportunity for him since his last job ended in a shocking whistle-blowing scandal. However, James finds himself filling the role of Rusty's personal assistant and babysitter - a position he didn't sign up for.

With their new book about relationships about to drop, and their new designing TV show set to launch, Melissa and Rusty are off on a book tour. There's only one problem, Melissa and Rusty can't stand each other, and Rusty has been up to some questionable behavior. Forced to keep them in line, Carey and James have to travel with them on their tour, a job neither of them wants to do.

Review: I love Christina Lauren books, anytime I see a new one being released it automatically goes onto my to-read list. The reviews for this book were pretty low compared to others so I was apprehensive about reading it, thinking that perhaps I wouldn't like it nearly as much. Thankfully I decided to give it a shot because I ended up really enjoying it. It's very unlike their other books though, it doesn't have a really funny storyline or a really touching story, which is typically the directions they take.

I found the characters hard to relate to. Carey was one of the only characters that I found a tenderness for. Melissa came across as this awful human being with no decency at all. Rusty's character came across as a fratboy who was only interested in drinking and sports. It was hard to picture that they were ever happily married when they both seemed to loathe each other so much. James' character was kind of bland. That being said, the relationship that was starting to develop between James and Carey was really sweet.

“I want to make her life better by being the best thing in it.”
― Christina Lauren, The Honey-Don't List

Overall I would say that the story had a lot of potential but there were also quite a lot of missed opportunities. Melissa's behavior is never really dealt with, and that's a shame. Carey was the genius behind the entire company and looked at Melissa and Rusty like parental figures. Yet, Melissa treated Carey awfully, and took advantage of her the entire time, without any repercussions.

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Review: Maybe He Just Likes You

 

Maybe He Just Likes You
by Barbara Dee

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Publication Date: October 1 2019
Publisher: Aladdin
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9781534432376
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: Library

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Synopsis: Maybe He Just Likes You is a middle-grade fictional story that centers around the #MeToo movement. For 7th grader Mila Brennan, it all starts with a hug at lunch on the blacktop. Then the next day, it's another hug. Then the comments start, smirks, the whispering, and laughing behind her back. Despite Mila's protests, it keeps happening, in the halls, on the bus, in the band room, on the blacktop. Her friend Zara tells her that she is overreacting, and doesn't know what flirting is. But this doesn't feel like flirting -- so what is it? Other kids see it happening but don't say anything.

Mila is not comfortable talking to the male guidance counselor, and there is Mila is not comfortable talking to the male guidance counselor, and there is no way she can tell the principal because he's the boys' basketball coach and will take their side. Her friends don't seem to understand and are blaming her for it. But then Mila is pushed too far. She confides to an unlikely source, and together they label it as sexual harassment and find a way for it to stop.

Review: I've been anxiously awaiting this book for several months now and it did not disappoint. It's such a powerful read. It should be mandatory reading for all middle schoolers, faculty members, and parents. It tackles sexual harassment in an age-appropriate manner, but more importantly - in a realistic manner. The author did a fantastic job with the complexity of Mila's emotions and her confusion as to whether the boys were really doing anything.

“I opened my mouth to answer. But I didn't have any words. Because all the words I could think of -- bullying, teasing, flirting -- seemed too simple, too small, to hold all the hurt I was feeling.”
― Barbara Dee, Maybe He Just Likes You

It's a difficult topic but one that needs to be discussed. I felt like this book was hard to read at times because my heart broke for Mila, and as a mom of a daughter of a similar age, I could picture my daughter in her place. It's an emotional read, and gripping. I hope others who read this will feel empowered to get help, and that parents have these conversations with their kids. It's not just about telling your kid to keep their hands to themselves or to speak up when something is wrong. It's so much more than that, and Barbara Dee does a fantastic job of conveying that message.

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Review: Meet Me on Love Lane

 

Meet Me on Love Lane
(Hopeless Romantics, #2)
by Nina Bocci

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Publication Date: December 10 2019
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9781982102043
Genre: Romance | Contemporary | Adult Fiction
Source: Library

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Synopsis: Meet Me on Love Lane is the second book in Nina Bocci's Hopeless Romantics series, but don't let that stop you from reading it as a standalone. Forced to leave Hope Lake with her mother, 10-year-old Charlotte heads for New York City with her mother, blocking off Hope Lake forever.

Now a grown woman, Charlotte finds herself fired and broke, blacklisted by her former boss, and in need of a plan. Out of options, Charlotte heads back to Hope Lake to stay with her father while she saves up enough money to move back to New York. Her visit is only supposed to be temporary, but then Charlotte is given the opportunity of a lifetime, her dream job with no strings attached. She also finds herself to be the center of attention between two handsome men, the charming small-town doctor and the handsome high school English teacher.

What's Charlotte supposed to do when she finds herself torn between two cities and two men?

Review: I absolutely adored this book. It's so delightful and sweet. It's straight out of a Hallmark movie and gives you all the feels. I loved the small-town vibe that Hope Lake provided, it was like a tiny version of Stars Hollow, with its charming stores, magical town square, and friendly neighbors. Meet Me on Love Lane is such a feel-good story centered around childhood friendships and second chances.

“My tears plopped onto his shoulder, and I felt a wall, brick by brick, form around my heart. Protecting it from the hurt that I was feeling. This wasn't a pain I ever wanted to feel again. I wouldn't allow it.”
― Nina Bocci, Meet Me on Love Lane

Nina has such a thoughtful and whimsical writing style. I loved the atmospheric tone and her strong development of characters. If you're looking for a feel-good novel, look no further.

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Review: You Were There Too

 

You Were There Too
by Colleen Oakley

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Publication Date: January 7 2020
Publisher:Berkley
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781984806468
Genre: Romance | Contemporary | Adult Fiction
Source: Library

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Synopsis: Mia and her husband Harrison leave Philadelphia and move to small-town Hope Springs on a spur of the moment decision to escape their personal and professional blunders. As Harrison settles into being the surgeon at the local hospital, Mia, an artist, struggles to find work and a way to occupy her time. Pregnant for the third time, after experiencing two heartbreaking back to back miscarriages, Mia has a hard time trusting that her pregnancy will make it full term and also struggles to find inspiration for painting.

For years, Mia has been plagued by dreams of a handsome stranger. These dreams began when she was a teenager and though she recognizes him in her dream world, he is a stranger to her in real life. The dreams are often intense, some sexual, and the others very intense. Then one day, while she is out and about in Hope Springs, she unexpectedly comes face to face with him. As they begin talking Mia is shocked to find out that he has been dreaming of her also.

Mia begins a quest to find out what her dreams mean and why they are happening. Putting her marriage to the test, Mia must make some hard decisions and do some soul searching on what she wants her future to be like.

Review: Wow! Where do I even begin with this story? This book certainly gave me all the feels, and I wasn't expecting it. Colleen Oakley draws readers in with her well-developed characters, that are both likable and relatable. You Were There Too is an emotional rollercoaster, centering on marriage, fate, and grief, with a strong character-driven storyline. The tone is moving and romantic, and her writing style is engaging. Just when you are expecting a happy ending, WHAM! Colleen Oakley sucker punches you in the gut and rips your heart out.

“Maybe all that matters is that love is a circle. Infinite. Eternal. Present, even when the person you want to be there most is absent.”
― Colleen Oakley, You Were There Too

Overall, You Were There Too is a captivating and worthwhile read. It's earnest, thought-provoking, and poignant.

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Review: Love Lettering

Love Lettering
by Kate Clayborn
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Publication Date: December 31 2019
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Pages: 325
ISBN: 9781496725172
Genre: Romance | Contemporary | Adult Fiction
Source: Library

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Available for Purchase:
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Synopsis: Meg is famously known as the Planner of Park Slope. She designs custom journals with her beautiful hand-lettering skills. When Meg is commissioned to design a wedding program for a locally famous socialite and her handsome fiancee, Reid. One look at them and Meg knows their marriage will fail, so she sneaks in a secretive word onto their wedding program, knowing that no one will ever notice it. Fast forward to a year later when Meg is working at the shop and in walks Reid. He demands to know how Meg knew his marriage would fail. Meg never counted on Reid noticing the word, let alone him having so many questions.

Plagued with design block, a looming deadline, and a failing friendship, Meg has no time for Reid’s questions and she certainly has no time for a relationship. As Meg calls on Reid for help with her lack of inspiration, they both start to gradually open up to each other, while both denying that there is no connection between them.

Review: When I started reading Love Lettering I was unsure if I wanted to quit and add it to my DNF shelf, or keep reading in the hopes that it would get better. Thankfully I chose to wait it out and see if it progressed, and it most certainly did. Kate Clayborn is a fantastic writer, and her knowledge of lettering is either incredibly well researched, or she’s a secret lettering junkie. In fact, the lettering lingo is what kind of held me back in the beginning. I’m familiar with design and font, but this was a whole different level than my current knowledge base and it seemed tedious to get through and almost at times distracting. The first few chapters are full of references to lettering and font. As the novel continues, the references are much more subtle.

I think the thing I enjoyed most about this story is that it’s relatable and that the characters seem authentic with realistic personalities. Meg has such a strong voice and her character development was spot on, I couldn’t help but want to be her best friend and go on one of her New York adventures looking for signs. Meg and Reid’s relationship is adorable and makes readers believe that love is worth it, even when it may be initially unconventional — falling for a client who “ruined” your wedding, yikes! At first, I had a hard time being interested in Reid’s character. His personality was so bland and boring, it wasn’t until I got further into the story that I realized how much of a soft spot I had developed for him, and a fondness I had for his quirks.

Another thing that I loved about this story is that it wasn’t a typical romance. This novel wasn’t full of lust, it wasn’t rushed, there was no sense of urgency between the characters. It was a simple story of two imperfect people, coming together, under the most unlikely circumstances, and building a relationship as best they could while still being true to themselves and their shortcomings. That’s what makes Love Lettering so perfect.

“…Sometimes fighting isn’t about leaving, it’s about staying. It takes practice to get it right, and it’s painful, but if you want to stay with people, you do it.”
― Kate Clayborn, Love Lettering

Love Lettering features an engaging, witty, and richly detailed writing style. The tone is heartwarming and whimsical. The characters are realistic and relatable. I can’t wait to read future novels by Kate.

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