I hope you all are staying healthy and finding joy even in this scary and uncertain time. There’s a lot of unknowns, and for me that equals a lot of anxiety, but I’m trying to stay calm and appreciate this extra time at home. It feels like all anyone is talking about is how many people are sick and how quickly it’s spreading, and this is all important information to be aware of, but if you’re anything like me, you need a break from the information overload. And something that feels normal. So, despite the craziness that is happening right now, I hope you can find a little bit of normal here!
Between spring break, my commitment to reading each night before bed, and this social distancing business, I have made my way through a lot of books recently. What better way to escape for a little bit? Some books I’ve read recently were really good and one was not so good. Keeping reading for my thoughts on my recent reads and what I’m planning to pick up next!
Recent Reads
American Royals by Katharine McGee
This was one of the best books I’ve read in a while! It is set in modern day, but reimagines history – what if America had chosen to have a monarchy? It follows the American royal family – their relationships with one another and their romantic relationships. My favorite story line, and what seemed to be the main one, is Princess Beatrice’s struggle to follow her heart or stay true to what her family and the country expect of her. I loved every page and cannot wait until September when the sequel is released! And I have my fingers crossed it will be a movie one day.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Sticking with the royal theme here! This was another good book. It follows the First Son of America and the Prince of England through their love-hate (but mostly love) relationship. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended, and I thought it was a really sweet love story. My only complaint here was some of the emails the two exchange got a little cheesy and little too historical for my taste. Either way it was a fun read! (Oh and quick warning, this one is definitely not PG or even PG-13!)
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
This book had me hooked! The characters were so well-written. It follows a wealthy family in the Ohio suburbs and the new tenants of their rental property (a mother and daughter duo who move around quite a bit). The book starts with the family’s home on fire, and them wondering who did it. There are a lot of secrets and mysteries, but the end left me wanting a little bit more. The TV show (starring and produced by Reese Witherspoon) comes out today on Hulu and I am so ready!!!
The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Oh y’all. I ordered this in the height of my royal book obsession, so ready for another well-written, easy love story about the royals. This one serves as sort of a ‘fan-fiction’ of Kate and Will’s relationship starting with their time at university. I was so disappointed in this one. Not only did the characters lack personality, but the novel just dragged on and on. Unlike the real-life Will and Kate, I was not at all invested in this love story. I ended up not finishing this book, which is rare for me.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
I’m sure you guys have seen this movie starring Kate Hudson, and if not I would definitely recommend watching while you’re social distancing! The book was just as good, and I appreciated the insight into the situation that wasn’t able to be communicated in the movie. Rachel and Darcy have been best friends their entire lives – Rachel is always the peacekeeper and Darcy always calls the shots. On Rachel’s 30th birthday she hooks up with Darcy’s fiance (just a few months before their wedding) and drama ensues! A perfect easy beach read. (Spoiler alert: the film does not end the same way as the book, which is why the book has a sequel and the film does not!)
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
This is the sequel to Something Borrowed, and honestly I enjoyed it okay but found the storyline a little odd. And the ending wasn’t super satisfying for me personally. I would tell you more, but it would ruin the first book! Either way, it was still a fun read and redeemed Darcy’s character for me a bit.
The Jettsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward
This book follows an estranged, dysfunctional family on their first vacation together in a long time. They take a cruise together, and each of them is hiding the truth about their lives from each other. The characters were well-written and the book was sad, funny, thoughtful, and entertaining all at the same time! I’d say more but I feel like I’d ruin it!
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Shoutout to my friend Sydney because this was another GREAT read. As you know I love a good mystery, and this one was far more suspenseful than the other books I’ve read recently. A wealthy couple go next door for dinner, leaving their baby at home. When they get back, their daughter is gone. There were so many twists and turns, and I truly didn’t see the ending coming! I read it so quickly – it’s the definition of a page-turner. I’m excited to read some more stuff by Lapena and I really hope this book gets made into a show or movie.
Up Next…
A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Lean In (for Graduates) by Sheryl Sandberg
Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman
(or whatever looks good at Target!)
xx, c
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