Summer reading is always my favorite… there is just something about sitting outside, in the sun or shade, and getting lost in a book… which is probably why I tend to read the most in the summer months. This summer was no exception. I think I got through 10, and stopped reading 1 in the middle (which I very rarely do). And today I rounded up all the books I read in the 3rd quarter… with my favorites and least favorite included (I also like to note that I read for entertainment, so I’m not a reader who is reading with a super critical eye. If I like it, I like it, if I don’t, I don’t… haha. So my reviews aren’t anything other than based on entertainment.)….
And with that I hope everyone has a great day ahead!
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FAVORITE BOOK
THE HOTEL NANTUCKET: This book was SO cute. Not a psychological thriller, like I typically lean towards, but it had me hooked. I loved the characters, how they developed, the multiple story lines, and how it ended. It was my first book by this author, and I will definitely be reading more. I give it a 10/10.
THE FAMILY REMAINS: I couldn’t limit my favorites to just one because Lisa Jewell released her newest book in August, a stand alone sequel to “The Family Upstairs,” and she never disappoints. I loved how this expounded on the first book, going deeper into each character, and wrapped up some loose ends from the previous book. Highly highly recommend! I give it a 10/10.
LEAST FAVORITE
THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER: This book came highly recommended by lots of people, and the amazon reviews of it were super high, but I just couldn’t get into it. It felt too fake to me, and the romance scenes (or, I hadn’t gotten to those yet… I guess just the “energy” between the two main characters) had me laughing out loud at some parts. The book is over 500 pages, and at page 150, I just didn’t think I could commit to 400 more pages of the same. So while I have no clue how this book ends, it’s not one I would highly recommend. I have to give it a 1/10 (I might be the only one who feels this way though, haha).
ALL THE OTHER BOOKS
EMILY HENRY BOOKS: I lumped these all together because they are similar in genre, lighthearted beach reads (okay, maybe fireside reads now…) with some romance, but still a decent storyline. I had never read her books before, and enjoyed them. I’m not big into spicy romance in my books, and these had some, so if you aren’t into that, pass on these. I’d say my favorite was “Book Lovers,” followed by “People We Meet On Vacation,” and then “Beach Read.” If you were to only read one of them, I’d go with “Book Lovers.”
THE IT GIRL: Ruth Ware is right up there as one of my all time favorite authors, with some of the best psychological thrillers. I was looking forward to this book so much, but it wasn’t my favorite of hers. I did really enjoy it though, and it could have been how much I built it up in my head, haha. I didn’t see the ending coming, which I always like! It takes place at a college in England where one of the girl’s is killed… it flashes back from present to past tense, which I always think gives a pretty good perspective. I give it an 8/10.
SUCH A QUIET PLACE: Another new to be author. My mom read this one, enjoyed it, and then gave it to me to read. So glad she did! I was hooked from the start and it was a real page turner. I will say that the ending was a bit anti-climatic given how to entire book read, but nonetheless I recommend. I give it a 7.5/10.
WISH YOU WERE HERE: I typically LOVE Jodi Piccoult books (I read “Small Great Things” back in 2018 and thought it was amazing), but I wasn’t ready for this one yet. It starts on March 13th, 2020 and had so much early COVID details (with that part from a doctor’s perspective) and it just felt a bit like it was too much too soon… I feel as though we just lived through it, so not ready to read about it in a book for “entertainment” yet. I will say the other part of the story, set in the Galapagos Islands, and the characters there were really good and enjoyable. When I finished the book, I thought to myself, great storyline, without the COVID. So, if that won’t bother you, then I recommend this book. If you’re not really wanting to read about COID yet, I’d say pass. I give it a 6/10.
EVERY SUMMER AFTER: This came highly recommended on instagram. Cute book, lots of spicy scenes, but a nice storyline aside from that. It’s about two friends who meet at a young age, how they help each other navigate life, find romance, drift apart, and then find themselves back in the same small town where they met. It’s an easy read, fun for a cozy night in. I give it a 8/10.
AMERICAN ROYALS: RIVALS: Alright so this is the third book in the trilogy (there is a 4th on it’s way) and while I will read the 4th, I do feel as if it’s a bit drawn out at this point. Nonetheless, it’s cute and easy, basically about what American would be like with a royal family. Maybe it’s only drawn out because I just want to know what happens already, haha. Either way, if you like following along with royals, then this is a good one! I give it a 7/10.
