| I won this book from a goodreads first reads giveaway. This is my first book by this author. I read a lot of books that are this type of genre. I have to say that it was just okay. I feel like she's trying to do what Janet evanovich does with the Stephanie plum books but doesn't come close. The plot was interesting enough because it was about a 13 year old girl who hired attorneys against her parents wishes to reopen the case of her murdered sister. I just didn't care much for the supporting characters. Her father got on my nerves with all the caps. I understand that she was trying to point out that he has trouble hearing but saying it would have been okay. Throughout the whole book, everything he says is in all caps. Her coworkers weren't that involved so it was pretty hard to get a feel for their characters and be able to relate to them. It might be because I haven't read any of the others.This book just really fell flat for me. |
Book Dreams
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Accused- Lisa Scottoline
The Biology of Luck- Jacob M. Appel
3.5 stars -I won this book from a First Reads Goodreads Giveaway. This book was definitely not what I was expecting. The actual book is a novel within a novel. The chapters alternate between Larry's actual story and the story he wrote. The novel he writes is about Starshine's day leading up to their date. He is planning on telling her he loves her and that he wrote a book about her. Sometimes I felt a little confused because I'm pretty sure the author uses every word in the dictionary in this book. Sometimes it felt like it was a little overwhelming. Other then that, the story was pretty good. There is so much detail in the ways he describes the city throughout the book and his characters are really complex. I wouldn't suggest this book to people who like a sweet and simple love story.
Frozen- Melissa de la Cruz & Micheal Johnston
Merry Ex-Mas- Sheila Roberts
| I won this book from a First Reads Goodreads Giveaway. This is the first book I've read by this author. This book was about a group of friends and their "exes." Cass finds out that her daughter is engaged and getting married in the matter of weeks on Christmas. Throughout this whole time, I felt like the daughter was such a brat and completely different than the mother painted her. I'm sorry but if you are responsible, it's not just going to go out the window when you plan a wedding. She was so bratty about things that I was getting annoyed. Another thing that bothered me was that the divorce between El and Jake was all because of her misguided jealousy. Seriously? You get a divorce and don't even ask him his side of the story?? Then after meeting the person, it's all okay and you realize how wrong you were. If it were me, I'd be a little more upset that I wasted so much time being divorced when she could have avoided it all by just asking one question: What happened Jake? Those were the biggest things that I didn't like about this book. I would read more from this author in the future. |
The Perfect Match- Kristan Higgins
Girl You Left Behind- JoJo Moyes
This book settles it. I will be reading everything Jojo Moyes writes. Her books are just so good. The first part of the book is set in 1917 and the second part in 2006. I loved Sophie and Edouard's story. Liv and Paul's (2006)was just okay. I was more intrigued by the first story. The two stories intertwine by a painting. I wasn't sure how Sophie's story was going to end but it was surprising. I LOVE when I'm surprised. I feel like a lot of books are way too easy to predict. I felt so bad for the Kommandant at the end. You get to see how he wasn't really a bad guy. I was starting to wonder there for a while. This is definitely a book worth reading!
The Chaperone- Laura Moriarty
3.5 stars. I really liked this book until the last 100 pages or so. I was so intrigued by Louise and Cora's arrangement that I couldn't help myself wanting to keep reading until 2am. Then things turned a little weird towards the end and I started to get a little lost. The last part of the book was difficult for me to get through and that's sad because it started off so well.
Not by Sight-Kathy Herman
I got this from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I liked this but I didn't love it. The story was interesting but it started to get a little unbelievable towards the end. I don't mind reading Christian fiction but it's hard when the book becomes really preachy. It got a little too much for me. I don't know of it's because it's nothing new to me as a Christian but it didn't flow. It got a bit redundant, which might have to do with the flow problem. This is the first book I've read by this author. Another thing I didn't like was that i had the whole book figured out from the prologue. So knowing exactly who did what from the absolute beginning kind of made the book drag, while they were catching up.
Inn at Rose Harbor- Debbie Macomber
| This book was pretty corny and very predictable! I found myself rolling my eyes A LOT! I was surprised at how much I disliked this book. It had great reviews and I had to wait a long time to get it from the library because I was like number 40-something to request it on hold. This book starts off with the tale of the lady who ends up buying this B&B and her story. She then has two different people stay at the inn at the same time. They come to town with "heavy burdens" because she can tell. (Eye Roll #1) It will alternate chapters between each of the three main characters, telling their stories and what happens to them. There is a girl, Abby, who was in a car accident when she was younger and killed her best friend (accident but she was driving). A guy, Josh, who was kicked out by his step-father a few months before graduation. They both don't want to come back but they girl's brother is getting married and the guy's step-father is dying. The girl runs into an old friend and it was just like old times, with 15 years spreading apart the last time they have seen each other (eye roll #2) To me, this would be at least a little bit awkward. Anyways, there's a lot of things that happen during her story that had me rolling my eyes.. Seriously, it was so cheesy it was lame. The same thing happens in the guys story because he has his next door neighbor helping him and they fall deeply in love after 3 days... (eye roll #163) There's a lot of people talking to them from the dead and so on.. I just was so surprised it was so lame. I was thinking I would like this book... but not the case. I don't know, maybe I'm just tainted by "real life" and how life does not tie up into a happily ever after in 3 days. I don't care who you are, life is not easy. Oh, I think by the end of the book I had about 500+ eye rolls... |
Fin & Lady- Cathleen Schine
| A coming of age story about love and family. The first part of this book was pretty slow. I think I was more than half way before it picked up and the story actually took off. Its not a horrible thing because it was important to catch the details about the characters. I was completely shocked by the ending! I didn't see that coming. I was starting to get a little confused towards the end because the point of view would change in the middle of a paragraph or conversation. The story starts off with Fin telling it from his POV then switches to Lydia's at the end. Overall, I liked the story. |
Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink- Kim Gruenenfelder
| I won this book from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I really liked this book!! I started it and couldn't put it down. The characters were funny and I enjoyed the writing. Mel is trying to figure out why she isn't happy. It starts off with her at her best friends wedding. It then goes back in time to talk about events leading up to the wedding. Her other best friend is already married and 8 months pregnant. She is feeling a little depressed and jealous that her life is no where close to being married and pregnant like her best friends. She starts a fling with her friends brother. It takes her to Paris and she does some traveling before ending up in Maui. She is visiting her best friend from college, who she dated, but is now gay. She then starts to find she is happy and falling in love with her vacation life in Maui. Not only that, she's finding out things about herself and taking charge of her life. It's a story about a girl finding herself and not doing things to please others but herself. I found myself laughing out loud at points. I really enjoyed this read and I'm glad that I won it from a Goodreads Giveaway! |
Fractured- Sarah Fine
The Dragon Sisters- Virginia Fox
I won this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I am giving my honest review. I did not like this book. It was very difficult for me to get through. It was definitely not what I was expecting. The characters drove me nuts! They were very annoying and way too cheesy. The "dragon" was just outright irritating. There were several different times that I found myself rolling my eyes. Kaja, the main character, was the worst. I know that people loves dogs. It's one thing to love your pet but another when you have to drag that pet EVERYWHERE. One of her work conditions was that she had to have her dog with her at work. She took the dog on dates, meetings, everywhere. A lot of the book is just her one-sided conversation with the dog. Oh, and the dog and dragon can talk to each other. I did not like the writing style at all. It might be okay for other people but this just wasn't my kind of reading style
The Fiery Heart- Richelle Mead
| I really don't know why but I like a book with alternating POV's for the two main characters. Not only do you get the feelings and thoughts of one person but of both. It makes it much more interesting to see how one person reacts and feels to certain situations against the other. I really like this series, more than VA now. I really like Sydney's character. See there is nothing wrong with a girl who has a lot of brains. She is definitely a power player. I love Adrian's character. He acts so superficial but in reality there's so much more to him. Plus, his witty banter makes it fun and interesting. I'm surprised at the huge cliff hanger. Usually, I feel like there's a bit of wrap up at the end. This time though, there's a huge cliff hanger. I can't wait to read the next book! |
Afterparty- Ann Redisch Stampler
| 3.5 stars. I won this from a Goodreads First Reada giveaway. This is definitely a good description of what high school peer pressure can be. I caught myself thinking, are you kidding me!?! Then again, I have matured and don't have the "I'm invincible mindset." I thought that the author did really well expressing the thought process of the teens. This was a really hard lesson for the character, which almost cost her life. Overall, I enjoyed this book! |
The Forest Bull- Terry Maggert
The Almond Tree- Michelle Cohen Corasanti
I won this book from a Goodreads, First-Reads, Giveaway. I am giving my honest review.
I started this book this morning and finished it before I had to leave at work at 5pm. I could not put it down. It's a story about Ichmad Hamid and his coming of age during the Arab-Isreal conflict, set in Palestine. It's such a moving and well written story. It shows the love a family has for each other and even through all the horrible things they have to go through, they have such hope. The father is sent to prison for 14 years because of something Ichmad did when he was 12 years old. When his father is taken and named a terrorist, they destroy the family's home. It's then up to Ichmad to take care of the family and deal with his guilt. He drops out of school and starts working hard labor for little money. He is very smart and pretty much a math genius. After struggling for so many years and losing siblings to their misfortunes, he sets off to a math competition, to win a scholarship to college. Of course, he then starts to help his family and making strides in his career path. Although, you think things will start to look up, it doesn't happen. He still has many misfortunes to go through and this book just sucks you in. It's a powerful story and I'm so glad I had the chance to read this book!
I started this book this morning and finished it before I had to leave at work at 5pm. I could not put it down. It's a story about Ichmad Hamid and his coming of age during the Arab-Isreal conflict, set in Palestine. It's such a moving and well written story. It shows the love a family has for each other and even through all the horrible things they have to go through, they have such hope. The father is sent to prison for 14 years because of something Ichmad did when he was 12 years old. When his father is taken and named a terrorist, they destroy the family's home. It's then up to Ichmad to take care of the family and deal with his guilt. He drops out of school and starts working hard labor for little money. He is very smart and pretty much a math genius. After struggling for so many years and losing siblings to their misfortunes, he sets off to a math competition, to win a scholarship to college. Of course, he then starts to help his family and making strides in his career path. Although, you think things will start to look up, it doesn't happen. He still has many misfortunes to go through and this book just sucks you in. It's a powerful story and I'm so glad I had the chance to read this book!
After I'm Gone- Laura Lippman
4.5 stars! I won this book from a goodreads first-reads giveaway. This is my first book by this author and I'm so glad I won it! I really enjoyed this book! I loved the fact that she would alternate chapters with past and present. Not only did she do that, she alternated the story through different characters. By doing this, you get the point of view of several people and how they feel/react to what is going on.
The past chapters alternate between Bambi and her three daughters; Michelle, Linda, and Rachel. The "in the present" chapters are about Sandy and his detective work to figure out the cold case.
I have to say, I was completely in the dark through the whole book on who actually committed the murder. I totally thought it was Rachel. I also, never would have thought Michelle, could do such a horrible thing to her sister!
I really liked this book and look forward to more by this author!
The past chapters alternate between Bambi and her three daughters; Michelle, Linda, and Rachel. The "in the present" chapters are about Sandy and his detective work to figure out the cold case.
I have to say, I was completely in the dark through the whole book on who actually committed the murder. I totally thought it was Rachel. I also, never would have thought Michelle, could do such a horrible thing to her sister!
I really liked this book and look forward to more by this author!
The Good Wife- Jane Porter
| I won this book from a Goodreads First-Reads Giveaway. It took a little while for me to get this book but once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I didn't know it was part of a trilogy but I didn't feel lost at all. I thought it was a stand alone book. This book focuses on the younger sister, Sarah and her trying to deal with the fact that her husband cheated on her 3 years ago. It also sheds light on the other family members and what is going on with them at the same time. The book starts off with the funeral of Sarah's mother, who was battling cancer. Not even a week later, her sister's husband dies in a car crash. All the while, she is dealing with her husband traveling all over because he plays baseball. As much as she loves him, she just can't get over his betrayal and constantly wonders what he is up to. I feel like the first half of the book had a lot of different things going on. There was so much going on with the other family members that it took away from Sarah's story. The second part of the book is where it picks up and mainly focuses on Sarah and Boone. I was starting to get worried about where the author was going with the relationship Boone makes with Lauren, while his wife in kids are in Florida packing up their life to move. The last chapter or two, things get a bit overwhelming with the family again because there are all these different bombshells. The thing that bothered me was that it was just a paragraph about it and that's it. For example, Meg (the widow)finds out that her husband had been cheating on her for over a year and it was just a little.. oh well type reaction. I don't buy that. Then it turns out one of her other sisters has a really serious case of Hep C and then we don't hear anything again about it. Anyways, I enjoyed this book but it would have been better with a few of the characters left out. |
Bridget Jones Diary: The Edge of Reason- Helen Fielding
I won this from a First Reads Goodreads Giveaway. When I won this I was excited because I love Bridget Jones. I was disappointed with it, for sure. I had a hard time getting through this book, I mean I had to stop for breaks a lot. I know that real life is messy and so hard to find a happily ever after but I loved Mr. Darcy! Come on, after all the trouble to be with him and he dies. I felt myself being annoyed by her friends a lot and another reason it was hard for me to be sucked in by the story. Maybe the writing style is why I prefer the movies. In my opinion, she should have stopped at book two!
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