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What a book filled 3 months. I’ve been reallllly into audiobooks (even more than normal) because I’m trying to get more walks in so I listen while I walk, dog and stroller in tow! I read 9 books out of my 50 goal (a little behind on my goal) and I’m proud to say I saved $110.35- I only bought one book, Spare- by using Libby (aka the library) for every single one. Bonus! Saving the planet & not bringing in more clutter into my house.
Why I’m not buying physical books…
READ HERE
Additionally, we’re doing something different with these reviews. I’m not going to include a synopsis to each book and instead include a link to the Goodreads one. Just keeping the reviews for ya…
One Day in December by Josie Silver
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Woah! This is SO much more than a simple rom com. You look at the cover and read the first chapter you think you know what you’re going to get but there is so much more in here! It’s very much a coming of age in your 20s book. In and out of love, twisted and complicated relationships and real life human connections that are more grey than they are black and white. Mad mad mad props to Josie Silver for writing a book I could literally see myself in (in multiple characters!) that’s how real they are. And of course it does end with a perfect rom com situation straight out of Sleepless in Seattle. What an excellent book to start 2023 with!
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves 📖
⭐️⭐️ 2/5
I reallllly wanted to like this book. And I did at first and then it got so stale and the main character of Jonathan was not very likable in the end. **SPOILERS!** Additionally, the big plot points weren’t so big to me. I found this book so predictable. I knew Annika was on the Autism spectrum. As soon as Annika got birth control, I knew that Jonathan and Annika broke up due to a pregnancy. The timeline begins August 2001. You don’t set a book in August 2001 if there’s not going to be a 9/11 moment (and I kinda guessed what it was). On the one hand, it means I didn’t cry my eyes out the way others did- I was pretty prepared and numb to it because I was frustrated I figured it out (am I dead inside?). Some positives… I did really like the neurodiversity of Annika. I enjoyed seeing things from Annika’s perspective and it certainly opens your mind to the struggles that people on the Autism spectrum deal with in everyday life. I was also thankful for a happy ending with this one, especially when so many people did not have a happy ending after 9/11.
Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
I mean what can I say? I love Harry Potter. I’m a Slytherin. And I love behind the scenes. I loved this book. I am always fascinated to hear the behind the lives of famous people especially ones that are young. I thought Felton did a fantastic job navigating from the light hearted high jinx that he played on the set of Harry Potter to dealing with his substance abuse and subsequent rehab. If you are like me and grew up with the wizarding world, I recommend giving this one a read.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5
This book has been a fascinating read. The story starts off feeling very real, raw and complicated (and I was here for it!) and got a little more tedious as it went on. It was sort of a conundrum because there were times I was bored and wanted the story to move along but I also couldn’t stop listening. This book was an amazing study of relationships though. Platonic, romantic, symbiotic, parasitic… all of the above. So while it’s often billed as a romance, I vote nope on that. The writing takes you from various points of view and sometimes into subconscious and the gaming world, but even through all of this I was never confused listening to it- which honestly is pretty spectacular. I think my feelings around this book are very mixed and complicated. I would definitely recommend reading it and then anxiously await to hear what you think of it and thoroughly discuss.
On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
I kinda loved this one. It definitely gives obvious rom com vibes but with an awesome multi-cultural + med school + real freakin people twist. As someone who has had friends who have tried to date through med school I know that it is not for the faint of heart. This book perfectly navigates the stresses of someone in that phase of life. Additionally, I loved how real the characters are. I definitely have friends like Nia, boyfriends like Freddy (oops) and guy friends like Marcus and Ricky. I loved the insight on what I can only assume is the Ghanaian-American experience. If you’re looking for a “real life” rom-com (bridging on fiction), this is it.
Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Let’s get this out of the way, I like the royals. My family is British, came over after WWII. I liked the Queen. I love seeing them. I love the fashion & style. I love the scandals (current and way far back into history). I have watched all the weddings, The Crown, documentaries & of course followed the Meghan & Harry story (pro M&H btw). Phew. Glad to get that off my chest. Ok. This book…This book primarily read like a hate letter to the press/ paparazzi, a love letter to Meghan and a strong mixed review of his family members (spoilers: love the queen and some cousins, complicated dislike dad, bro & sis in law, and basically shit on Camilla). As someone who grew up with and still has many truly British family members I am very familiar with the cultural differences between American & English and this book highlights those. I will say that aside from a few anecdotes, stories of his time in the army and more detail on how Harry feels about his mothers death (all of which take up maybe 1/4 of the book) there wasn’t much in this book that you wouldn’t know from watching the Oprah interview and the M&H special on Netflix. Unless you’re truly interested in the royal family, I might skip this one and recommend watching instead.
The Boy with the Bookstore by Sarah Echavarre Smith
⭐️💫 1.5/5
I really wanted to like this one. The premise is just so cute! Hot guy with tattoos who owns a book store and cutie little bakery owner- sign me up! And the main character, Joelle, has glasses! (Yay! Glasses can be sexy!) But this one fell flat for me. In fact, this is the first book in a verrrry long time I DNF’d (did not finish) a book. My Libby loan expired when I was 73% finished and I didn’t feel motivated to re-borrow. I found the characters unbelievable and unlikeable. Joelle is very immature and extremely self deprecating and Max is a classic “damaged” man who is kind of a jerk but I guess hot and good in bed so it’s ok? Additionally, the sex scenes, while definitely steamy, were a little predictable and repetitive (lots of use of the word “bulge” 🙄). The story didn’t have any sort of arc either. They want each other, they get each other, they’re mad at each other out of no where and then BOOM it’s ok and we still have 50% of the book to go. The good points? I loved Joelle’s family. I grew up in a heavily Filipino populated area and the depiction is spot on to my experience. Plus, I freaking love Ube.
Only When It’s Us by Chloe Liese
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Reading this right after The Boy in the Bookstore might have helped boost it’s rating but I think I would’ve liked it not matter what. Enemies to lovers is just so tension filled it makes you want to keep reading. This book had other flavors that pepper the plot line as well which helps keep the story moving and fresh. Additionally, you know how much I love a slow burn- these fools didn’t even kiss until halfway through the book. And when they do finally get together… 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. My fav. I will definitely be reading the rest of the Bergman brother’s series.
We Were the Lucky Ones 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
This book was amazing. Great writing and great story, which is only more powerful because it’s based on a true story of a family torn apart during The Holocaust. It’s a must read.
The Holocaust happened and we need to do everything in our power to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again. Stop antisemitism. Stop hate. ❤️
My Rating System
⭐️ – I did not like this book and generally would not recommend it.
⭐️⭐️ – This book was oook, but I felt pretty meh about it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – This book was average. Didn’t love some parts but I still liked it overall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I really liked this book and will definitely recommend it to friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I’m shouting this book’s praises from the rooftops! I loved it!
💫 – Half star
📖 One More Page Book Club pick of the month!
