My favorite post of the month! It’s BOOK REVIEW DAY!!! Woohoo!

But, first, I think it is my duty to announce that it is actually National Lipstick Day. Yes, that is a thing!

I love a good matte lipstick. Love. Minor obsession. Just below Starbucks and mascara. 😉

But . . . onto the main event for today!

This month, we have been either incredibly busy with sports and projects, or super lazy with mornings in pajamas and afternoons floating in the pool. I somehow managed to read three books, and they were all so, SO different!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Since the first of the year, I have had two separate friends reach out to me and tell me that this book was the best book that they have ever read! That is quite the recommendation there, and after the second comment, I Amazon’d this book immediately.

This story is about Evelyn Hugo, an actress that got famous in the 1950s. After years of success and scandal, she is now a recluse in her NYC apartment and stories of her are legendary.

In an odd move, Evelyn reaches out to a young journalist, and asks her to help write her biography. This journalist, Monique Grant, is both blindsided by this situation and excited to be handed such a lucrative opportunity.

Per the stories in the papers and magazines, Evelyn has lived a scandalous life. She came from Hell’s Kitchen with zero money, and rose as Hollywood royalty. All while marrying seven men along the way. The public knows nothing of the truth within her life, and she feels it is about time for everyone to know the real Evelyn Hugo.

Let me say a few things about this book . . .

First, it spans decades, which I LOVE! I love being able to truly get to know a character, to understand all aspects of their personality, and really feel closure at the end of the book. Big fan of closure over here!

Second, Hollywood is so magical and this story could TOTALLY be a true story. The details given about the entertainment industry seem so realistic to me, which made me even more interested in this story. I kept picturing super stars from the 50s and 60s while I was reading. Fascinating.

And, lastly, this story was not at ALL what I thought it would be. That is all I can really say. It was beautiful. It was heartbreaking. It was raw. It was also rated R . . . please know that going in. Evelyn is not a great person. She is ruthless, and has done anything and everything to get ahead and save herself in an industry that is not always kind to women. Especially in the 50s and 60s. You may not think she is likeable, but to me she was just trying to make her way.

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this book. I did not know what to expect when I started on the first page, and boy, did it surprise me. I liked it, and would really love to hear from you guys on this one. Click here to grab a copy for yourself.

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

After reading about Evelyn Hugo, mama needed a bit of an easy, breezy book to read!

Oh this book. SO precious. I just loved it! The perfect summer read!

Millie, Reid, Ed, Chris, and Alex, are all best friends that are on staff at UCSB. Millie is just one of the guys, and their friendship group is so fun! I laughed so much in this book because I felt like I knew these people. They are all either late twenties or early thirties, all are incredibly likeable, and they are just so funny. Two of the characters made me crack up out loud several times. Reid was very amused with my laughing each night while I was reading this book!

All five of the characters are single, and when a special school event comes up where they need to find a date, they make a pact to all join a dating site and find their “plus one” online.

The four guys get mostly amazing options, while Millie is stuck with the weirdos sending her inappropriate pictures. Their journey throughout this process of finding dates is a mess. Definitely a little “You’ve Got Mail” feel to it, but updated to 2019.

This book is SO SO cute. For my readers that like a rating, this book has a few scenes that are a little on the rated R side. Just so you know.

My main takeaway on this book is that I am so thankful I have Reid because I am neither sassy enough nor creative enough to deal with an online dating profile. MAJOR kudos to you guys that do that or have done it!

This book is adorable. Click here to grab a copy for yourself! You will laugh, smile, and just be happy!

The First Mistake by Sandie Jones

Last month, I read Sandie Jones’ debut book, The Other Woman, and I really enjoyed it! So, when I saw that she had a new book out, I grabbed it immediately! And, I LOVED IT! Wowza!

Nine years ago, Alice lost her husband suddenly, and found herself all alone with her seven-year-old daughter, a business to run, and a case of crippling depression. Today, Alice is remarried, has another daughter with her new husband, and her business is growing and thriving at a record-setting pace.

But, there are issues. Lots of them. Lots of questions as to who the main characters really are. Is the new husband a decent guy? Is the best friend a good person? SO much to unpack here, and I can’t say anything without ruining the story!

There were several times in this book that I gasped out loud due to the shock of a plot twist. This is my kind of book, y’all! Nothing too scary, nothing that will cause nightmares. Just a great psychological thriller that is a quick and enjoyable read!

I highly recommend this book to finish out your summer reading list! Click here to grab a copy for yourself!

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Yeah for BOOK REVIEW DAY! My crew is headed out of town for our big summer vacation in August, so please pass on some of your book recommendations! And, if you have read any of the books above, let me know your thoughts! I always love hearing from you! XO