Book Review: Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

 Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book after Matthew Perry had passed.
It's a heart breaking ready especially in light of the news of his passing and the cause of death. I can only say that I hope he has found peace now. I enjoyed the book - Matthew tries to say at the end that he has been like Chandler looking to fill the uncomfortable voids with laughs. The book is just that he pokes fun and makes jokes in uncomfortable moments; however, throughout the book I can just feel the soul of a man who is broken, being barely held together trying to find a way to have hope. I would want to say to him today it's ok - you don't need to make us laugh - your enough just as you are.

I know there has been criticism of his book for the jokes he makes but if you understand it is coming from a man who was deeply hurt and uncomfortable you'll understand he isn't trying to make fun of the situation its like he doesn't know how else to process or make the uncomfortable thing "ok".

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Book Review: Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I stand by the fact that Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favourite authors.
This is the third and I believe final novel in a trilogy. Funnily enough it was the first in the series I took out of the library and thanks to a very thoughtful note to the reading I quickly learned I had to start with a different book. NOTE: if your writing a series having a note at the outside directing a reader to start with a different book is one the best thing ever! this is not the first time where I've started a series in the middle or end.
The book gave a nice conclusion to the story but it felt a bit ... rushed or forced with certain things - it was like the author knew that there wasn't enough for another book or just was ready to leave this story and characters. Certain things in the book didn't need to be there for the story or the plot but I can over look that because in the end it was a good conclusion to the story and these characters.

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Book Review: The Christmas Postcards by Karen Swan

 The Christmas Postcards by Karen Swan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The characters of the book were definitely well done - they were developed, had internal conflict that isn't there just of the sake of the otter, there is love, learning and reflection. The book is set at Christmas which is often a time when I reflect on the year, life and family and I felt at home with the characters. Let me say it's not like a cheesy Hallmark Christmas Movie that basically all have the same basic plot line - meaning the book wasn't forced or contrived.
Now the twists I knew were coming which is one thing but I wasn't prepared for them and how they unfold - but again they weren't forced or for the sake of it - they made sense.

It is a must read and it will make you long for Christmas to come soon even in the middle of summer

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Book Review: A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery

A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a random clearance book I picked up and had been putting off to read in favour of "more interesting books" and I don't know why.
Honestly, I'm happy I waited to read it at the lake because it provided the perfect backdrop for much of the novel to have a fully immersive feeling. I love the book, the story was good and while you thought it was predictable it turns out I was wrong. The story unfolded in a beautiful and natural way with some surprise twist but none that felt forced or for the sake of it. The twists made other parts of the story just make more sense, there is nothing I hate more than forced plot twists included just for the sake of having a twist.
Highly recommend!

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Book Review: What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

 What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Paradise series and let me tell you I'm glad I didn't start when the books first came out because the suspense after the first book would have killed me. (Funny story this was the book I started with and quickly realized that it was not the first in the series so I stopped and went to read book 1 first).

The story is a good mix between love, loss, mourning, mystery and redefining your life. It's a good read, easy read but solid story. I'm literally waiting for the library to open so I can dive into the next book!

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Book Review: Here's to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

Here's to Us by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't know anything about this book other than I tend to enjoy Elin Hilderbrand books.

This one could have not been more perfect for me - combining my love of cooking, a celebrity chef, death, the ocean, family drama and love stories beyond the typical that encompassed family. The book ended too early in some why's but I love the way it wrapped because it didn't leave me wondering or hanging and gave me the closure I needed for the characters.
Highly recommended summer reading - my only disappointment is that I forgot to copy the recipe to try from the book.

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Book review: Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

 Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say? I love Elin Hilderbrand books!

The book was good, detailed enough you felt like you could picture it all but it wasn't overwhelming in its detail. All of the characters were relatable - especially given the events of the past year. The story moved at a good pace and didn't drag at all. The worst part is the ending and I will be highly critical of it - it will leave you extremely disappointed - but because you want to know what happens next and you may have to wait to get the next book in the series.

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Book Review: The Stolen Hours by Karen Sawn - 6 out of 5 stars!

 The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been waiting a year for this book - it is second in the series to come out. I will say that this one has also left the with no satisfaction and only burning questions about what happens next. The frustration and disappointment is real to know I will have to wait at least a year for more of the story to come is agonizing (but in the best way possible).
So if you want to be gripped on your seat, imagining life in a different time and place with an amazing love story - this is the book for you.
The literal only disappointment is knowing that it is going to be some time before there is another book. I finished this book in just over two days. It's a must read and honestly I would give this book a 6 star out of 5 rating.

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Book Review: Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear by Singer Duggar Vuolo

 Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear by Jinger Duggar Vuolo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So I wasn't sure what to expect - I heard briefly of the book and thought it was going to be a Duggar Family tell all - which it definitely wasn't. It was a mix of part tell-some Duggar and IBLP (Institute of Basic Life Principles) and part preaching. As someone who was raised in the Catholic church I was ready to throw the book down fairy early on as I didn't want to be preached to - especially as it relates to very conservative views. That being said having read this and then watching "Shiny Happy People" was .. eye opening in may ways.
Would I recommend it? Maybe. It was a quick and easy read, and once I took to heart that the MANY bible sections quoted were there to show how flawed some of the teachings within the IBLP had been vs. an attempt to preach to me it made it much easier to read.

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Book review: Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

 

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book after watching a Man Called Otto - which was written by the same author. So .. the things you need to know if you didn't already is that this is the second book in the Beartown Series - which I did not know or understand when I started the book. As such, let me tell you the first 100ish pages was a real slug to read as there is a lot of details and I had trouble keeping the characters and their storylines straight; which I anticipate may hav been a problem even if I had read the first book.
(you know when you read the first in a series but then you take time between the novels and then come back to the book it's like you need time to nestle back into the community - well this one was slammed into the town and a lot of people)

However, once I committed to finish reading the book and put my mind to it and sorting out the characters it was totally worth it. It was just an amazing book with an amazing story. It touched my soul in many ways and has such important lessons. I loved the book and would LOVE to see this as a movie.
If you're looking for a summer (or winter) read that's a little more than fluff - that is deep and meaning this is the book. 10/10 recommend.

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Book Review: The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

 The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the continuation of the Sullivan's Crossing Series and boy does it land super well.
Unlike the last book (The best of us) which was difficult to navigate at some points if you don't remember the complicated tree that is Sullivans Crossing. This one makes it super easy to fall back into the town like no time has passed and you are nestled in with your favourite characters.
It is emotional, raw and has great points. While there is a good build up at the beginning I again feel like the end came way to swiftly - in other words there could have been more drawn out drama without making it feel unnecessary.
this is a 10/10 Recommended Reading!

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Book Review: The Best of Us by Robyn Carr

 The Best of Us by Robyn Carr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 4th book in the Sullivan's Crossing Series. For me it lacked the heart pull that the other books had and changed the focus of the characters. It was almost like they weren't the same people inside anymore. My biggest problem is remembering the twisted connections between the characters from previous books. Of course Sully was the heart and a definite highlight in this book. To follow all the books in the story I almost needed a flow chart or family tree to remember and keep the connections straight.

That being said - the books reminded me that plans don't always turn out - but you ended up where you were meant to be. I do recommend the book - it's a good light and heart warming read. You may just have to review the previous book for a minute to keep things straight.

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Book Review: Spare by Prince Harry

Spare by Prince Harry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I don't know how to best write a review of this book. I started this almost right after it came out and it took me months to finish reading it. It was a struggle to get through the first half of the book - not because it was emotional or sad - it was poorly written. The latter stuff (late teens until he met MM) was good and interesting. But then the MM stuff - I love her, I loved the Netflix series, but the chapters with her seemed rushed, cramped and just trying to prove a point. Not sure what that point was but yeah.

The first half of his life the stories and chapters were short some merely lasting part of a page and often there was no explanation or rhyme or reason as to why different portions were included in the book. I seemed like someone had written down a bunch of memories on varying size post it notes and threw it together as the first half of the novel. I think that Prince Harry has such an interesting story and life that he could have shared - this just was not the best way of doing it. A lot of the controversy surrounding the book is misleading - I mean the part where he talks about loosing his virginity really isn't that exciting or scandalous. Further, where he talks about his number (something a military member should not do) does make sense and lend a light to his time serving in the military (although the specific number could have been left out).

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Book Review: The Identicals by Elon Hilderbrand

 The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I must confess first that I LOVE Elon Hilderbrand books!

The book is hard to start off with. I know the writer loves Nantucket and the Vineyard and almost all of her books seemed to be based there. However, the first chapter or two is very difficult to get through and seems like someone is showing off their knowledge of the area rather than it actually being integral to the story. Once past that point though the book gets good.

The book is set so that that there are opposing views and told from two view points which is sometimes difficult to follow and manage as your switching and jumping between two characters. This technique is used well in other books but in this one feels very forced.
Some of the emotions and feelings that are being described by the characters on the topic of loss don't seem to fit. That being said it overall was a good read and hard to put down.

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Book Review: Sparring Partners - by John Grisham

Sparring Partners by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to say I was genuinely disappointed a third of the way through the book. It turns out that this is not a normal John Grisham novel but rather three mini novelettes - basically three short stories.

Respectfully the middle store made sense as a short story but the first and last ones felt like the could have been more fleshed out and not so rushed. They felt like someone was paraphrasing a longer work to make it a short story - so plot developed, character information was just not there.

The book was still enjoyable and still had good plots it was just lacking.

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