It’s the best day of the month, friends! It’s BOOK REVIEW DAY! Woohoo!

This was an interesting month of reading. I am reviewing FOUR books today, but this month I actually kind of read two more. I RARELY quit books. If I hate them, I usually finish just so that I can offer a proper and honest review. But, I couldn’t take it with these two y’all! One was a suspense novel that I got about a quarter of the way through and decided it was too painful to read and I didn’t care. And, the other was a popular self-help book that is always recommended to me. It was just too much, too self-indulgent, and my opinion will be WAY unpopular, I am sure. Forced myself to get through half of it, and then decided that I couldn’t waste my time anymore.

SO . . . four books were finished. And, I was all over the place with my feelings with these. Ha! Here we go . . .

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

Last month, I discovered Sophie Kinsella when I read her book, I’ve Got Your Number. You can read that review here! I just loved the book and decided to start off March with another one of her books. It had to be just as great, right?

Wrong. So, so very wrong.

I Owe You One follows Fixie Farr, the youngest of three that is trying to keep her family store afloat while her mother is away on an extended holiday. In the months while her mother is gone, she has to deal with her siblings, an uncle, her childhood love, and a new boyfriend.

I need people to cheer for, and I didn’t find much in this story. I really struggled with some of the characters from the first page, but I pushed through. The siblings, in particular, are polarizing and incredibly unlikeable. It wasn’t until I made it 3/4 of the way through when I decided to skip ahead, read the last chapter, and be done with it. I have never done that before, and it was liberating! The ending also made me happy that I didn’t waste anymore time on this silly book.

Have any of you read this book, or any of her books? Taking a break from this author for awhile…

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

Oh, this book. SO, SO precious! I am so thankful for the sweet Much Ado About You!

After losing her job in Chicago, Evie decides to take a little break from reality and rent a place in a small town on on the coast of England. Her rental is above the town bookstore, which in exchange for staying on property, she will run the store for the four weeks of her stay. As an avid book lover, this is the perfect escape from her life that is currently dealing with zero job, an alcoholic mother, and friends that are moving on with their lives without her.

Roane is the town farmer across the pond, and immediately takes a liking to Evie. This entire story is based upon their unlikely friendship, her finding a place of belonging among the ragamuffins of the town, and her fractured relationship with her mother.

I really enjoyed this book. So very sweet. Classic chick lit that is rated just a bit R in some parts, but you will love the characters, the story, and all of the emotions. This one made me happy, and makes me want to live in a small, English town on the water. Ha!

Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

I have been contemplating not reviewing this book this month. Because. Y’all. Wowza. This one is rated R, my friends. Big time.

I am not sure how I even came into possession of Make It Sweet, but there it was on my desk, and so I grabbed it and brought it with me for Spring Break. The reviews seemed great, so why not?!?!

Let me say two things here:

1. I am fine with a book being rated R. Doesn’t bother me, I just like to let y’all know since I know others are more sensitive to that. However, this book was off the charts with the naughtiness, and it started from chapter one! There were times when I thought it was a bit too much, especially in the beginning. I mean, wow.
2. Despite the NC-17 rating in paragraph six of chapter one (yikes!), I really loved the storyline here. And, as the story developed, the naughtiness got a little less in your face and was easier to handle. The characters were adorable, and I found myself really cheering for them!

The story follows an injured athlete and washed up actress as they help each other realize what is important in life. Both are at a crossroads in their career, and find themselves unlikely allies as they are contemplating their personal futures. Cheesy in parts? Yes. Classic chick lit? Yes. Read it through my fingers because I was slightly embarrassed in parts? Yes!

Again . . . really liked this book. Just proceed with the knowledge that you can’t read it with people around because they will judge you if they are reading over your shoulder! Ha!

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

By far THE BEST book that I read this month. OOOOOOOOOO . . . this was a GOOD one, y’all!

The Wife Upstairs is based in a high-end neighborhood within Birmingham, Alabama. Jane, a former foster child, is desperate to find a a home base that includes money and security. She becomes the neighborhood dog walker to get her foot in the door, and ends up in a whirlwind romance with the local widower, Eddie.

Eddie, after losing his wife six months ago, is finally ready to move on from the tragic accident that has shaped his recent life. Jane makes him happy. Jane makes him realize that he can move on. Jane has no idea the truth!

There are so many wild characters in this book that weave themselves in and out of the story. This book would be an amazing movie because I was hooked from the beginning. Lots of twists and turns in this one, and I was SHOCKED at the ending. Such proof that nothing is ever as it seems, and you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Read this one!!!

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Whew! That’s it for today! Make sure to send me your thoughts and recommendations! I always love hearing from you! XO