Happy Book Review Day. Yes, it is August 5th. I am running a bit behind on this.

A couple of things before we start the actual book review:

First . . . My crew of 4 was SUPER blessed to be out of town for three weeks in July. We spent time in California and Colorado, and had the best time. You would have thought that I would have read about 20 books during this time, but we have somehow become a super active vacation family. I used to be a lounge on the beach kind of girl while I watched my children bury themselves in sand. But, now that they are older, we are those annoying people that are either hiking, playing pickleball, surfing, or jogging on the beach. What has happened to me? Ha! I love it! It just doesn’t leave crazy amount of time to veg out and read. Although I did find some decent time to do just that! And, sorry to my sweet family, but this may have been me a time or two when I set myself up on the patio with a book and drink . . . Ha!

Second . . . So, I read one book this month that I am NOT going to review today. Earlier in the summer, I discovered that a favorite author of mine had written a four book series. I knew nothing about the series, but I just ordered the first book on Amazon and was super excited to start. Y’all know that I love a good series. Well, I should have known that I was in trouble the moment it arrived and I had to hide the book. The version I was shipped had the cover of a naughty harlequin novel. Think Fabio with dark hair and shirtless. You can imagine the laughter when my husband discovered the book on my desk. Oh dear! Well, I read it while we were in Colorado . . . hiding it in a drawer each time I took a break. The story is interesting and the characters are well developed, but it is ONE to TWO steps above Fifty Shades of Grey in the way of it being rated R. I am not sure what caused this author to take a hard left turn and start writing this style, but I am VERY up in the air as to if I should even review this. I’m thinking on this, and will see how I feel on the subject come the August Book Review. Let me just say that it takes A LOT to embarrass me or to make me blush. This book did both. Wowza. So, stay tuned on this one . . .

SO . . . back to business on the belated July Book Review! Always my favorite post of the month! I truly loved all three books that I am reviewing today. The perfect books for vacation, for carpool, for lounging in bed at night . . . for all the times you want to read! Even at 2am when you can’t sleep on vacation and you are way too into what may happen to the characters in your book. Wait, is that just me?

Here we go . . .

The Stranger In The Mirror by Liv Constantine

OH. MY . GOODNESS! This book kept my family entertained the entire time we were in California. I would give them updates every few chapters, and they were IN TO IT! Let me say that I need this book made into a movie. It was that good.

I am a big fan of Liv Constantine! I named their debut novel, The Last Mrs. Parrish, as the “Best Suspenseful Book of 2018”, and I said that their book, The Last Time I Saw You, was one of the Best of 2019! Huge Fan!

The Stranger In The Mirror is the newest book from this writing duo, and it does NOT disappoint! I don’t want to give too much away as it has so many twists and turns, but here are the basics. A woman in Philadelphia is trying to recreate a life for herself after getting amnesia two years ago from a traumatic event. While she is surrounded by new friends, a fiance, and the amazing couple that rescued her, she is still haunted about her lack of memory, who she is, and where she is from. Meanwhile, a doctor in Boston is searching for the love of his life and mother of his young child. Two years ago she disappeared without a trace, and he has been searching for her ever since. Sounds like an easy story, right? Wrong, friends. This is a GREAT one!

Please read this, and then let me know your thoughts. I need to talk to someone about this since my family is getting tired of hearing about it! Ha!

Float Plan by Trish Doller

Years ago, Reid and I went to the Caribbean with some friends and sailed around to some remote islands. It was a magical time, and truly fueled my love of traveling and adventure. Sadly, Reid started passing a kidney stone during this trip so it wasn’t all pina coladas and lazy days on the beach. Think more Vicodin and ice packs between stops. Ahh, memories. Poor Reid.

Float Plan is a precious chick lit book that I just loved! Anna has taken her late boyfriend’s sailboat to finish through on the sailing trip that he had planned out over a year ago. She has troubles with the long passages at sea, and ends up having to hire Keene to help her along the way. This book is all about healing from loss, walking through grief, and rediscovering a new normal in your life as you move forward. The characters, the landscape, the humor . . . just all of it gave me the feels.

This book has a few scenes that are rated R, FYI. And, a warning that Anna’s boyfriend died by suicide and this is discussed quite a bit. Just want you to know if that is a trigger for anyone out there.

This is the first book I have read from Trish Doller, and I will definitely be going back for more! Super, super sweet. Perfect vacation read!

People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

In May, I reviewed Emily Henry’s Beach Read. Such a cute book, and you can read my review here.

Her newest book, People We Meet On Vacation, was just as cute. Yeah!

Poppy and Alex met on their first day of freshman orientation at University of Chicago when they discovered that they were from opposite sides of Linfield, OH. After spending freshman year discovering themselves separately, their friendship blossomed when they ended up carpooling back to Linfield for the summer. Both had never traveled, but both were desperate to do so. At that moment a yearly summer trip was born, and they spent years traveling all over the world.

Poppy became a social media travel influencer and worked at a well-known travel magazine in New York City. Alex went on to get his Masters, and then went back to Linfield to teach high school English. They spent years traveling and growing together through heartbreaks, job changes, and life’s hardships.

Such a sweet, sweet book about growing up, loving the special people in your life, and realizing what is truly important. Super cute. Also . . . one or two rated R scenes.

*******

That’s it for the Book Review day! Love these monthly posts! As always, let me know your recommendations and your thoughts on the books above! We are starting back to school mid-August, so mama is going to need some carpool books on standby! Y’all have a great weekend! XO