Today is a HUGE day for two reasons! First, it is APRIL BOOK REVIEW DAY! And, second, I feel like we FINALLY have a light at the end of this Coronavirus/Shelter-in-Place situation. I mean, school is cancelled through the rest of the school year and we all have to be extremely careful, BUT what a blessing to see a light at the end of this crazy tunnel.

I love this quote. And, because April has been approximately five years long, I have read SIX BOOKS! SIX, y’all! And, I loved EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.OF.THEM!

Here are two things that I learned about myself this month:

1. During crazy and uncertain times, I fall into the need for a classic chick-lit book. I like books that give me all the feels, but mostly the happy feels. Nothing too serious, just lots of sweetness, smiles, and great endings. I tried to start a suspenseful book three times during the month, and I could never force myself to do it. If I’m going to be stuck at home, I want a happy escape! So, ALL of today’s books are HAPPY! And, I loved every single one of them! YEAH!!
2. While homeschooling my boys, I have discovered my need to hide sometimes. They always seem to find me. BUT, I have read so much in my hiding spots . . . bathroom, closet, laundry room. I am reading machine. Especially around 2pm, when mommy disappears for a break for a bit. Other homeschool moms get it, right?

I am SOOOOO excited about today’s book review! I loved all of these sweet books. There were a few that had a bit more depth, and others that were just easy, breezy silliness. Perfect for quarantine. Perfect for the summer.

So, today’s post will be a little long. Grab a coffee or some wine, depending on what time it is, and buckle up.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

I have found that I really like Christina Lauren. She writes books that read like Hallmark movies, with a touch of a harder rating. Her books are easy to read, always make you smile, and provide a great escape!

Olive has always been known as the unlucky twin. From crazy injuries to recently being laid off, she just can’t catch a break. Her twin sister, Ami, lives a charmed life opposite of Olive’s. Up until Ami’s wedding! Due to an unfortunate fish situation, everyone at Ami’s wedding gets horribly ill. Everyone except for Olive and the best man, Ethan. Due to the situation, Ami and her groom send Olive and Ethan on their honeymoon so that it doesn’t go to waste!

Sounds like a blast, except for Olive and Ethan HATE each other. HATE. No love lost. They agree to a truce and head off to Maui for ten days of fun in the sun. Will their ten days be relaxing, or will they be miserable together?

The Unhoneymooners is such a cute story! Easy read. Rated R. Sweet story with great characters!

The Simple Wild
and
Wild at Heart
by K. A. Tucker

Oh my goodness! I was not aware that this was a two-book series until I was half-way through with The Simple Wild. LOOOOOVED having these characters to enjoy for two entire books!

Calla Fletcher was born in Alaska, but she and her mom left for Toronto when she was only two. Calla went twenty-four years without seeing her father again. She tried desperately to have a relationship with him over the phone, but that lasted until she was fourteen and he broke her heart. Calla never looked back, and has been enjoying her life in Toronto.

Early one summer, Calla is called by a family friend to let her know that her father has cancer and she should fly to see him back in Alaska. After much soul-searching, she decides to meet her dad and figure out where she came from.

And, her life completely changes. For the better? For the worse?

UUUGGGGHHHHH . . . I LOVED these two books.

Super quick . . . if you have lost your father or father figure, let me say that A Simple Wild may trigger you. I just want to throw that out there.

Every single character in these books are SO lovable. Even before they realize that they are lovable. After reading both of these books (and due to the fact that I have been stuck in lock down going on two months), I am convinced that I want to move to Alaska. Please know that will never happen. A lack of Starbucks is only one reason. But it is written in such a sweet way that you will fall in love with all of it.

Happy, happy books that give you all of the feels!

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I am on such a Taylor Jenkins Reid kick right now. I have read a few of her books now, and I don’t think that many books can beat Daisy Jones & The Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! In my opinion, Taylor’s books are heavier than the average chick-lit book, but not as heavy a Kristin Hannah book. Lots of emotions, but still a great and easy read!

One True Loves tells the story Emma Blair. Emma married her high school sweetheart, Jesse, after they had been together many years. They moved from the Northeast out to Southern California, and lived a life of travel and adventure. The day before their first anniversary, Jesse goes on a business trip and never returns. A helicopter crash claims the lives of everyone on board. And, although a body is never found, he is pronounced dead and she is forced to move on.

Years later, while sitting with her new fiance at her dad’s birthday dinner, Jesse calls to tell her that he has been found and is finally coming home to her.

Y’all the chills! Can you even imagine?

This story takes Emma through her story with Jesse. Her story with Sam, her new fiance. And, then how she chooses to move on with her life now that they are both in the picture.

I just LOVED this book. It takes such a beautiful look at grief, healing, love and hope. I have chills just writing this review right now.

This book will make you laugh, make you smile, and get you feeling all the emotions. Please read it. And, then let me know so we can talk about it!!!

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Helen Hoang is such an interesting woman. In 2016, when she was in her early thirties, she was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, similar to Asperger’s Syndrome. As an author, she chose to add her personality into her characters. In both The Kiss Quotient (I read and reviewed here last summer) and The Bride Test, her main characters are on the spectrum. It gives her book another dynamic to the love story that can make things both more complicated, and then even more rewarding.

Khai, a business owner in his late twenties, has no emotions. He knows that he has been diagnosed as autistic, but he just prefers to be alone, have things done a certain way, and not veer off his schedule. Kind of a hard situation when he is the member of a huge, loving, Vietnamese family.

In hopes of finding a wife for her son, Khai’s mother travels to Vietnam and basically picks Esme out of a hotel bathroom and offers her the experience of a lifetime. Spend the summer in America trying to get Khai to fall in love with her. If it works, she gets married. If not, she goes home.

LOTS of humor in this book with the large family, cultural differences, hilarious characters, and tons of sweetness. I really loved how the story took you down two paths: (1) Khai trying to figure himself out and understand what truly makes him tick, and (2) Esme discovering who she is and what she wants out of life.

For those who care, this is DEFINITELY rated R. But, a VERY easy read. I enjoyed this one a ton!

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Last month, I read The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez. I really enjoyed it, and you can read my review here. Her new book, The Happily Ever After Playlist was just released this month, and it is the follow up book to The Friend Zone. YEAH!!!

This book follows Kristen’s best friend, Sloan and her journey to find her way in life. If you haven’t read The Friend Zone, I don’t want to give too much away here.

All I will say is that while I really enjoyed The Friend Zone, I LOOOOOOOVVVVED The Happily Ever After Playlist.

Such a story about redemption from grief, choosing happiness, and following your heart. This book is also filled with precious friends, a cute dog, and scenes that will make you laugh out loud. I seriously think that I had a silly smile on my face for about 95% of the time I was reading this book. Just adorable. AND . . . you get to follow along with Josh & Kristen’s story from The Friend Zone and see how their relationship has grown.

Such a great book. There is one scene that is rated R, but mostly the book is just a precious PG-13. SUPER easy read. I highly recommend!

*******

Wowza! That was a long book review today. There is OFFICIALLY light at the end of this shelter-in-place uncertainty, so maybe next month I will venture off of my current lane of chick-lit goodness. As always, send me your recommendations! I always love to hear from you. XO