Book Review: You Can Stay Home with Your Kids! by Erin Odom- 4 Stars

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I’m already a stay at home mom but was curious to read this and see if I could implement anything new I wasn’t aware of. While I did not learn anything new, it was still a well thought out book chock full of tips and resources. The only issue I have with it is the author makes her living blogging and uses that as one way a stay at home parent can make an income but I don’t find that to be realistic for the majority of parents. It could be possible, but it would be a stretch to have that become the sole source of income in a family.

What I liked most was the fact that even though this is a short book but packed with information, that while I did not find groundbreaking, for someone just starting out deciding to quit their job to stay home it would prove very helpful. The DIY household products and recipe chapters were great! The author approaches each tip in a friendly, caring way and I enjoyed reading it.

I received a copy of this book via Harper Collins BookLook Bloggers program in exchange for my honest review!

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Book Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins- 5 Stars

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I don’t know why it took me so long to read this but I’m glad I finally did! I was completely shocked at the ending!

Rachel takes the 8:04 train into London every day. It passes by a row of houses, one of which she used to live in, where her now ex husband lives with the woman he left Rachel for. Another house is occupied by whom Rachel refers to as Jason and Jess. She is obsessed with their seemingly happy, head over heels in love life, and has created their perfect life in her head.

Rachel though, isn’t happy. She’s an alcoholic, divorced, and unemployed. She drinks so much she blacks out at times and can’t remember things. I love a good suspense with an unreliable narrator. They keep me guessing and keep the book interesting!

When something happens, Rachel inserts herself directly into a police investigation. But can she be trusted when she can’t even trust her own memories? This was a very fast paced story and I did not want to put it down until I had some answers! If you haven’t read this yet and enjoy psychological suspense, definitely give it a go!

Book Review: Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table by Bri McKoy-4 Stars

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Come and Eat is about Christian hospitality, to invite others to dine at your table literally, coming together over delicious meals, as well enriching and encouraging each other with spiritual food. Inviting others to your table can strengthen your friendships, and your relationship with God.

What I loved most about this was how heartfelt it seemed. It was like the author was speaking to readers as a friend meeting for coffee. I also really enjoyed all the recipes throughout!

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: My Lady’s Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris- 5 Stars

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I’m writing this review after doing only one “choosing.” I plan to go back through and select different choices to see the other outcomes!

I loved reading the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books as a kid so I was excited for this adult version! It’s hilarious and saucy. The first adventure I embarked on I chose the rugged Scot, Mac. It’s set in the Regency time period but with a funny, almost satirical twist. The romance at times was steamy but comical and left me crying with laughter! I can’t wait to choose different paths and see where I end up.

Book Review: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover-4 Stars

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CoHo is one of my favorite authors when it comes to raw, gritty, dramatic romance. I always say her novels are like Lifetime movies in book form! In typical CoHo fashion this book deals with heavy subject matter, (i.e. suicide, abuse, mental illness, etc) so proceed with caution.

Without Merit tells the story of the Voss family. They are screwed up, messed up, harboring hurt, pain, and secrets.

Merit lives in an old church building that her father turned into a house. Her sick mother lives in the basement, and upstairs, her father lives with his new wife, their son, Merit’s twin Honor, and their brother Utah. Something horrible has happened to Merit and she feels disconnected from the family. She hates keeping their secrets, dealing with their drama, and feeling alone. When a hot stranger passionately kisses her one day, she can’t stop thinking about him, even after realizing he thought she was Merit, and he moves in with them.

Throughout the book Merit struggles with the secrets and resentment she’s been holding on to. While there is romance in this book it’s not as heavily focused on like other books by this author. Mostly, it’s about Merit coming to terms with her life and situations involving her dysfunctional family. Merit is about to literally and figuratively collapse from the weight of secrets she is responsible for.

It was tough to read at times but there’s also that dry wit and humor I love in a CoHo book as well!

Book Review: Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch-4 Stars

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This was such a sweet and charming novel! It’s a happy coming of age tale that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy!

After Lina’s mother passes away she fulfills her dying wish that she go to Italy and get to know her father, Howard. The father Lina never heard about for sixteen years, and now she’s expected to LIVE with him in a country she’s never been before?!

When Lina begins reading her mother’s journal, her new friend Ren makes it his mission to help her tour the places her mom mentions. Lina begins to unravel the mystery of her father and her mother’s true love while exploring the city her mother adored.

Love and Gelato was such a cute story about what it means to fall in love, and what it means to be a family. The descriptions of the Italian countryside and all the sightseeing Lina does was magical and I felt like I was right there with her! All in all it was a charming little story and I definitely recommend!

 

Book Review: Good as Gone by Amy Gentry-4 Stars

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This was a great suspense! I was completely taken by surprise at every twist and turn!

When Julie is thirteen she is taken from her home while her younger sister Jane saw everything while hiding in a closet. Now, eight years later, a young woman shows up who is apparently Julie…

But is it truly her? How could so many years pass and they find no trace of her? But if it’s not her, why does she know things about the family? Her story seems sketchy and unreliable. These are all questions Julie’s mom Anna must face, but truly, she seems in denial. Her baby has come home and she doesn’t care how strange it seems.

This expertly crafted suspenseful novel will leave you wide eyed and shocked. There were so many layers to Julie’s story and it was so fast paced that you will not want to stop reading.

 

Book Review: Onyx (Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout-4 Stars

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*Spoilers if you haven’t read Obsidian!*

 

FINALLY KATY AND DAEMON

Katy is still slightly annoying, Daemon is still very annoying, but the chemistry between them is explosive! It’s such a ridiculous, juvenile series but good grief I can’t help but be addicted!

After fighting the Arum, Katy is linked to Daemon and she has certain powers. The DOD is sniffing around town, and a new guy shows up that befriends Katy. There are a lot of shocking events and twists, as well as lots of romance! It’s fast paced and there is so much action happening which makes for a quick, easy read.

 

Book Review: A Royal Shade of Blue (Modern Royals #1) by Aven Ellis-5 Stars

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I love the royals and I am obsessed with everything Aven Ellis writes so I was ecstatic when this landed in my inbox! Life has been crazy but I’m finally getting around to reviewing! It’s out now so make sure to get your copy!

Clementine Jones loves antiques and their history. When a mysterious British guy named CP sends her an Instagram DM Clementine doesn’t expect to be able to talk to him so easily, especially not knowing what he looks like. She’s able to reveal her biggest secret and turn to him for encouragement during a frightening time in her life, and she begins falling for him. But when CP finally shows her what he looks like, she can’t believe she’s been catfished by someone pretending to be a prince!

Clem and Prince Christian, or CP, dive headfirst into a relationship but of course they each have their baggage. Christian detests the traditional monarchy and the way his mother acts, as if being royal is everything. Her status means more to her than her family and Christian desperately wants to stay out of that rigidity. Clem’s family is very protective and overbearing due to a childhood incident and because of that, she feels trapped a lot of times and just wants to live her life on her terms.

I loved all of Christian’s family, except of course, his mother. Jillian, Clem’s flatmate, was also a favorite and I would LOVE for her to get her own story!

I absolutely adored this story. Aven has a way with words in all of her novels, but I could truly feel myself there with Christian and Clementine while traipsing around Oxford or lounging about with their dogs. Aven really does her research and I loved all the historical elements sprinkled about, including just the day to day life of a royal!

This was such a fresh, modern take on a royal love story! You will laugh, you will cry, and you will probably have an urge to watch Shrek after reading it! 😉 It’s light-hearted, warm, and funny and the romance is oh-so-sweet and sexy! I highly recommend!

 

*Book provided by the author in exchange for a review, THANK YOU!*