Where it All Lands by Jennie Wexler

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

A Sliding Doors-esque novel that reveals how our choices define us and how no matter the road, love can find its way.

Stevie Rosenstein has never made a true friend. Never fallen in love. Moved from city to city by her father’s unrelenting job, it’s too hard to care for someone. Trust in anything. The pain of leaving always hurts too much. But she’ll soon learn to trust, to love.

Twice.

Drew and Shane have been best friends through everything. The painful death of Shane's dad. The bitter separation of Drew's parents. Through sleepaway camps and family heartache, basketball games and immeasurable loss, they've always been there for each other.

When Stevie meets Drew and Shane, life should go on as normal.

But a simple coin toss alters the course of their year in profound and unexpected ways.

Told in dual timelines, debut author Jennie Wexler's Where It All Lands delivers a heartbreaking and hopeful novel about missed opportunities, second chances, and all the paths that lead us to where we are.

My thoughts-

I love when I come across a book like this one. I always find it interesting to have a book with dual time lines to see how things could have turned out based on how time unfolded. I like the way it began with a tease of the ending and we had no idea how we were going to get there. I also liked that it kind of showed that things were going to go how they were going to go in either time line and it didn't necessarily matter the choice that was made, sometimes things change but sometimes they don't. Sometimes there is a different route to get to the ending, but maybe it is always your destiny. I know this review is cryptic but I don't want to ruin the plot line of either time line.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA. It was a quick and interesting read.

Tables & Spreads by Shelly Westerhausen with Wyatt Worcel

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Tables & Spreads is a must-have cookbook and resourceful styling guide from bestselling author Shelly Westerhausen, author of the bestselling Platters & Boards

More than 60 easy-to-prepare recipes plus behind-the-scenes insight into creating a beautiful, inviting table for every occasion. Including tips on choosing a theme, styling your food in creative ways, and achieving that "wow factor" with linens, flowers, music, and more.

There are 20 visually striking spreads that range from Ladies Night Lettuce Wraps to a Christmas Morning Dutch Baby Party, Dips for Dinner, and a Boozy Bloody Mary Bar.

Rich with gorgeous and instructive photography, Tables & Spreads is inspiring yet totally accessible, perfect for home cooks who like to host gatherings of all sizes, and those who loved Shelly's first book, Platters & Boards.

My thoughts-

I really love to enterain people at my house when I am able to and I have recently got into making charcuterie boards as well. I like making them for dates nights for my husband and me as well, but I am not incredibly creative on my own and the boards I have made are getting a little boring. This book isn't solely about making boards, but food (and drink) spreads in general and there are some incredible recipes and ideas in here that I can't wait to try. There are menus broken down by event and I find that to be a big help. I also liked the beginning section and found it to be informative about the different utensils and things you may be using like the different kinds of cheese knives. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys entertaining or who just enjoys making fun things in the kitchen. 

Love in Lockdown by Chloe James

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

What if you met the right person at the wrong time?

Sophia is afraid lockdown will put her life on pause – just as she was she was going to put herself out there and meet someone. When the first clap for the keyworkers rings out around her courtyard, she’s moved to tears for all kinds of reasons.
 
Jack is used to living life to the fullest, and is going stir-crazy after just days isolating. Until that night he hears a woman crying from the balcony beneath his. He strikes up a conversation with the stranger and puts a smile back on her face.
 
Soon their balcony meetings are the highlight of Jack and Sophia’s days. But even as they grow closer together, they’re always kept apart.
 
Can they fall in love during a lockdown?

My Thoughts-

I know a lot of people are not ready for book set during the pandemic because reading fiction is an escape for most people and I completely get that so this book may not be for everyone. I thought the premise sounded adorable and I don't mind current events finding their way into my fiction, especially if there is a nice component of romance to go with it, and this had romance in droves. I also found the characters in this book to be likeable and relateable and I absolutely loved the great humor spread throughout the novel. There were places here and there where the book lost its momentum and I found myself a little bored or skipping over parts, but overall it was a cute story set in this crazy time we are living in. I can only hope there are some people who have actually had these meet cute scenarios happen to them this last year and that they will have a great story to tell from this not so great time in history we are living through. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light hearted romance. 

 

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

My Thoughts-

I LOVED Emma Lord's debut novel Tweet Cute, so I was incredibly excited to see she had another novel out. I really think she may be becoming one of my favorite YA authors. You Have a Math is completely different than her first, but just as engaging. I loved the geneology aspect of it, since I am intrigued by ancestry and the whole secret sister thing added a fun element of suspense as you move through the book and wonder exactly what happened. This book was equal parts funny and pull at your heartstrings emotional. If you haven't discovered Emma Lord yet, and you like the YA genre, immediately go out and get both of these books to devour!

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Texas, 1934. Millions are out of work and a drought has broken the Great Plains. Farmers are fighting to keep their land and their livelihoods as the crops are failing, the water is drying up, and dust threatens to bury them all. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance.

In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinelli—like so many of her neighbors—must make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.

My thoughts-

I love historical fiction, but I tend to stick to my favorite go-to time period which is the WWII. Sometimes I may veer out of this era to something interesting that grabs my attention but I will admit the last time I remember reading a book set durng the Dust Bowl/Great Depression era was in high school for my senior research paper when I very begrudgingly read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I haaaaaated it. I don't think I even finished it and because it was such a long project it turned me off of books set in that same era. I figured if anyone could write a book about it that would hold my attention it was Kristin Hannah and I was right. I couldn't put it down. The book was interesting from start to finish. It was set in Texas (which may have been more interesting to me than Steinbeck's novel set in Oklahoma, because I am a Texan) and California and deals with not only a family's particular struggles but also protests about unfair wages and living conditions. I found it to be such a great book that all these many years later it made me feel like maybe I should give The Grapes of Wrath another chance.  Kristin Hannah's historical fiction is always excellent. I recommend it to anyone who loves history. 

Beginning French Lessons from a Stone Farmhouse by Les Américains

 *Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

The trouble started when their dream came true.

First they took French. Then they took leave of their senses. They bought a 400-year-old cottage in rural France from an ad on the Internet. Their “completely restored” farmhouse certainly looked charming, but the pool leaked, the walls cracked, and the electricity fizzled whenever they switched on the kettle.

This is the wry and witty memoir of les Américains, Eileen and Marty, joined by their chef-daughter Sara. Their dream of being French leads them into uncharted territory where "oh la la" takes on a whole different meaning.

Before they can even move in, a freak accident destroys the interior of the house. An ancient wisteria threatens to uproot the kitchen floor. The wildlife continually tries to take up residence, and the pool becomes a watery hole that swallows up euros. And then there’s Jacqueline.

The only way les Américains can salvage their sanity is by adopting a simple, time-tested mantra: “Have a setback, have a drink.” Soon they’re buying rosé by the case.

Whether you’re a traveler, foodie, Francophile, or home-improvement veteran, Beginning French will enchant you with its vivid portrayal of part-time life in southwest France. Home chefs will enjoy the 12 Dordogne-inspired recipes, and English speakers will appreciate the interactive glossary of French terms.

My thoughts-

Traveler? Check. Foodie? Check. Francophile? Huge Check! This was definitely a book tailor made for my tastes. I enjoyed living vicariously through Eileen and Marty and their daughter as they welcomed us into their vacation home in a remote part of France through this memoir. They shared the good, the bad, and the ugly because owning a second home across the ocean isn't all butterflied and rainbows (those home improvements though! I can certainly relate as we have had to do a major remodel at our home this year...I can not imagine having to deal with that in another country at a second home!) but in the end I think Mary and Eileen wouldn't have it any other way. If I were ever to have a second home elsewhere France would probably be the place. I love that their neighbors welcomed them with open arms and that even when there is a language barrier, communication is still able to happen somehow or another. I truly loved this memoir. Definitely read this one is you're missing traveling this year, particularly like me if you were supposed to be in France this year. It's not the same thing, but it's a nice hold over until I can be in the city of love once again. 

Craving London by Jessica Stone

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Still single five years after a broken engagement, 29-year-old food lover Jessica Stone decides to leave New York City for a fresh start in London, hoping the change in scenery would finally usher in a new relationship. In this all-consuming memoir, she indulges in one culinary adventure after another while undergoing the trials and tribulations of trying to date in a different country. Would she finally find the winning recipe for lasting love?

Craving London is an intimate journey of the heart and palate. Those engaged in a life-long love affair with food and travel—as well as a hunger for self-improvement and a curiosity for foreign culture—will find many ingredients to sink their teeth into here.

My thoughts-

England can get kind of a bad wrap food wise and I love that this book breaks down those barriers and gives us some great recipes to boot. This is not a cookbook though, it's a memoir of sorts, and I enjoyed getting to know Jessica Stone and learn about her journey. There are some funny stories that will make you laught out loud and relatable stories of being single and dating no matter where you live. The setting of her living in London really rounded out the book as a whole for me because I am a romantic dreamer who loves the idea of living in another country and experiencing the cutural differences, but I will never get that chance so living vicariously through Ms. Stone will have to do. I recommend this book if you enjoy memoirs or are a foodie. 

A Timeless Christmas by Alexis Stanton

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

They’re from two different centuries, but they’re perfect for each other.

Megan Turner is in love with the past. As a tour guide at a beautiful historic mansion, she tells visitors about its original owner, Charles Whitley. An inventor and businessman in the early 1900s, he rose from poverty to wealth…only to disappear without a trace. Charles was always intrigued by the future. He just never expected to go there. But when he repairs a mysterious clock he bought on his travels, he’s transported to the twenty-first century, with his home decorated for Christmas and overrun by strangers. Charles is determined to find a way back to his own era, especially when he learns about what happened after he left. But as Megan introduces him to the wonders of smartphones, pizza, and modern holiday traditions, they both feel a once-in-a-lifetime connection. Could it be that, somewhere in time, they belong together? This magical holiday romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Stuffed Crust Italian Pizza.

My thoughts- 

This was such a cute book! If you love Hallmark movies this is the book for you...and it has also been adapted into an actual Hallmark movie so I am super excited about that! I listened to this as an audio book and absolutely loved it. I loved the time travel element and the comedy that ensued because of it. And since I like these kind of things, I also loved the romantic storyline. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet romantic novel or movie. You can check out the Hallmark adaptation Sunday November 15th.

Intermittent Fasting Diet Guide + Cookbook by Dr. Becky Gillaspy

 *Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

You already fast every night when you're sleeping. Why not try extending that fast by a few hours? It's a simple strategy, and it's effective. Some might even call it enjoyable as pounds slip away, sleep improves, and brain fog lifts--and all you've done is skip breakfast!

You don't need to obsess over calorie tracking or endure constant hunger to lose weight--fasting is a more effective and more sustainable diet, and it won't leave you feeling hungry. By shortening the window of time during which you eat food, for example only eating two meals per day within an 8-hour time period, you are well on your way to a more healthy, adaptable body.

Intermittent fasting aids weight loss, and is a key therapeutic tool for a variety of hormone- and health-related concerns. Decrease insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, improve cardiovascular health, protect the brain from disease, and more.

Dr. Becky Gillaspy is your fasting coach. With thorough up-to-date research, accessible language, plenty of anecdotal evidence, and action-ready plans, Intermittent Fasting Diet Guide and Cookbook offers everything you need to unlock the door to better health.

My thoughts- 

This is an excellent guide on intermittent fasting. I like the breakdowns of the different types of fasting. Fasting isn't just a one size fits all option and there are many different routes to fit into your lifestyle.I also liked that the meal plan included various diets (low carb, keto, dairy free, vegetarian) making it easy for most people to get started without feeling overwhelmed. Most of the recipes sounded like meals I would eat so I think the author did a great job at varying the options available and making healthy food sound appealing. Intermittent Fasting Diet Guide + Cookbook is a great place to start on your intermittent fasting journey. 

Bad Medicine by Charlotte Bismuth

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

In 2010, a brave whistleblower alerted the police to Dr. Stan Li’s corrupt pain management clinic in Queens, New York. Li spent years supplying more than seventy patients a day with oxycodone and Xanax, trading prescriptions for cash. Emergency room doctors, psychiatrists, and desperate family members warned him that his patients were at risk of death but he would not stop.

In Bad Medicine, former prosecutor Charlotte Bismuth meticulously recounts the jaw dropping details of this criminal case that would span four years, culminating in a landmark trial. As a new assistant district attorney and single mother, Bismuth worked tirelessly with her team to bring Dr. Li to justice. Bad Medicine is a chilling story of corruption and greed and an important look at the role individual doctors play in America’s opioid epidemic.

My thoughts- 

This book was really intense. I am always interested in true life stories and this one is comprised of so many people's lives. Sadly, these aren't good stories or good memories. This was an intense read about the trial of Doctor Stan Li. Charlotte Bismuth takes you through the trial and most of what is shared will infuriate you. It angers me, especially because my husband is a physician, that anyone took the oath to "do no harm" and then proceeds to willingly and knowingly abuse his power to write prescriptions to people who were  most vunerable and took advantage of them. This book isn't for the faint of heart, but if you like books about medicine or true life courtroom dramas, then this is definitely the book for you. 

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbooks by Ashley Craft

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Stroll right down the middle of Main Street USA, journey from Adventureland to Infinity and Beyond at Pixar Pier, and explore every avenue in between to taste the flavors of the Disney Parks…all without leaving your kitchen.

With The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook you can bring the magic of Disneyland and Walt Disney World snacks and treats right to your home. Recreate favorites like the classic Dole Whip and Mickey Pretzels to new favorites like blue milk from Star Wars land and Jack Jack’s Cookie Num Nums from Pixar Pier.

My thoughts-

There are so many people who are just itching to go travel right now, but some people are still not feeling comfortable doing so or some places are still closed down or they lost jobs during the pandemic and it just isn't possible. Disney parks are open but for those who can not make the trip but who want to bring a little magic home, The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbokok is a great way to do so. The ever popular, and my favorite Disney treat, the Dole Whip makes an appearance here, but there are also so many different treats, drinks, and foods to try at your home. If you are ever planning a Disney themed party, this could be the sole resource for food. It is also a great go to for fun treats for your kids (or the Disney kid in your) especially during this tough time we are all going through right now with the pandemic. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a little magic and light or of course to Disney lovers. 

Liar Liar by Laurie Katz

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Like any student about to start university, Laurie Katz was excited to see what the year would bring. Little did she know that just three weeks into her first term, her life would come crashing down around her. What had started as a fun night out with friends ended with Laurie, alone with a terrible secret: she had been raped. Traumatized and confused, she set out to get justice against her attacker. But when the authorities at her university dismissed her case, and warned her that she could be expelled, she was left unsure where to turn. It seemed as though things couldn't get worse, then her attacker filed his own case. Laurie's story is a brave and honest reminder of the injustice still felt in society around sexual abuse. Laurie offers readers her advice, and provides them with the hope that they too can overcome a similar trauma.

My thoughts-

First of all, props to Lauri Katz for being candid and vunerable. This could not have been an easy book to write. She shared pretty much everything, including the parts that some might perceive as making her look bad. I was enraged during the good majority of this book about the way the university handled this case, but sadly I wasn't shocked. We have seen it time and again in the news, even still in 2020, where the victims of these assaults at colleges all over the country get blamed and the actual assaultors get off either scott free or with maybe a slap on the wrist. Laurie's school took it to a new extreme, opening a case against her and finding her guilty of making it all up. It is evident that the school was attempting to bury that this happened to save face and not make the school look bad and some of the things the adults in charge at the university said to her were absolutely atrotious. This account of Ms. Katz's case really resonates with me because she was in college at the same time as my little sister and this could have easily been her story. Or any college woman's story. And it is definitely time to change that. The victim blaming has got to stop. The holding the guilty party accountable needs to be the new normal- which it always should have been.

If you have a similar story and need to talk to someone, there is help. Please reach out to National Sexual Assault Hotline or call them at 1-800-656-4673

The 30-Minute Cooking from Frozen Cookbook

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

If you’re not someone who plans out their weekly menu days in advance, then this cookbook is for you. Thanks to your freezer, you can create more than 100 different recipes for fresh, delicious meals that you can devour in less than 30 minutes. No need to wait hours for the ingredients to thaw and defrost, simply grab your ingredients and start cooking.

Filled with simple solutions to your dinner dilemmas, The 30-Minute Cooking from Frozen Cookbook allows you to spend less time shopping, prepping, and planning your meals and spend more time doing the things you actually enjoy! Save money and eliminate food waste by storing the ingredients you buy in the freezer, keeping them fresher for longer. Cooking from frozen ingredients is a quick, cost-effective way to feed your family and with this cookbook to guide you, it is now easier—and tastier—than ever.

My thoughts-

I recently started working again after not working for over a decade of dedicating my life solely to taking care of my 3 kids. The last time I was working full time I was pregnant with my twin boys who just turned 11 a few weeks ago. I am finding it difficult to balance mom and wife life with work life, even though I am working from home. We are also renovating our house, which throws an extra challenge into me fitting in all that needs to be fit in to a 24 hour day. The 30-Minute Cooking from Frozen Cookbook makes meal planning even easier than regular meal planning cookbooks by including many recipes that are cooked from frozen foods which takes an extra step or two out of cooking and condensing time for people like me who really don't have any to spare. This will be a go to cookbook for the modern day busy person. 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

My thoughts-

I love books that have elements of time hopping/time travel/any kind of time distortion type things. In a Holidaze takes a page from Groundhog Day and the same day is repeated several different times. I am also obessesed with books set during Christmas and this one is the week of Christmas on repeat (hello movie adaptation, PLEASE happen!). I enjoyed the unraveling of Maelyn's crush on her childhood best friend's brother. There is tons of great juicy tension and tons of wonderful romantic comedy holiday vibes. If you enjoy cute romantic comedies you will love In a Holidaze! 

Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson

 

*Disclosure of material connection- I received the book in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

She never dreamed her holiday would include her hometown, a dog, or a firefighter. But a mysterious charm bracelet predicted it all…

Ashley’s supposed to be having the Christmas of her dreams. After four years of working at an upscale jewelry store in Manhattan, she’s finally going to get a little velvet box of her own—from her boyfriend Jeremy, who’s taking her on a romantic trip to Paris. What could go wrong?

Well, everything.

Ashley heads home to Owl Lake instead, falling asleep on the train ride there…and waking up with a beautiful antique charm bracelet on her wrist. Soon, she realizes that each silver charm predicts an event that happens in real life. What does this mean for her and Jeremy…or her and Aidan, her former high school boyfriend, who’s now a local firefighter? Is there still a chance that she could have the perfect Christmas?

My thoughts-

If you love Hallmark movies and you are already aching for the holiday tradition of watching them, Christmas Charms is definitely a great book to read to get yourself into the holiday spirit. I am going to have to read it again when it comes out in October, and maybe again in December. It was such a charming novel! It was full of Christmas magic and romance. I absolutely could see this story in my mind as a live action Hallmark movie so I hope they do turn it into one! I loved the small town charm and the rekindling first love story, and well anything involving firemen is up my alley! This was a sweet and pure romance great for people who love sweet love stories. I will definitely be re-reading it again soon! 

Christmas on Reindeer Road by Debbie Mason

 *Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Mallory Maitland knows all too well what it's like to feel abandoned, which is why she's sworn never to give up on her two stepsons - her late husband's children. But when the teens land in hot water, she's got a whole new problem: how to resist the caring and incredibly hot Chief of Police Gabriel Buchanan. All Mallory wants is to give the boys a magical holiday. She doesn't need the distraction of wondering what it would be like to kiss Gabriel under the mistletoe.

After his wife died, Gabriel left his job as an adrenaline-chasing New York City homicide detective to focus on raising his three sons. But back in Highland Falls, he doesn't have to go looking for trouble. It finds him - in the form of a beautiful neighbor and her troublemaking stepchildren. With Gabriel's mother-in-law looking for any excuse to gain custody of his sons, Gabriel can't risk getting involved with Mallory, even though she's the only woman capable of making this Christmas - and all the rest to come - his best ever.

My thoughts-

This was pretty much the cutest romance novel I have read in a long time! I absolutely loved the first book in the Highland Falls series (Summer on Honeysuckle Ridge) and I was so excited to get to see a focus on Mallory and Gabe. Christmas on Reindeer Road was equal parts endearing, heartwarming, and hiliarous. I particulary enjoyed the always adorable and incredibly precocious Teddy, who I think stole the show a lot of the times and added a new level of heart to the story. This is the perfect book to usher in the fall holidays and get in the Christms spirit early. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center (Audio Version)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living.
But she wasn’t always that way.

Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations, guided by the knowledge that bad things can happen.
But he wasn’t always that way.

And Sam knows it. Because she knew him before—at another school, in a different life. Back then, she loved him—but she was invisible. To him. To everyone. Even to herself. She escaped to a new school, a new job, a new chance at living. But when Duncan, of all people, gets hired as the new principal there, it feels like the best thing that could possibly happen to the school—and the worst thing that could possibly happen to Sam. Until the opposite turns out to be true. The lovable Duncan she’d known is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he’s willing to destroy it.

As the school community spirals into chaos, and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love—which is the riskiest move of all.

With Katherine Center’s sparkling dialogue, unforgettable characters, heart, hope, and humanity, What You Wish For is the author at her most compelling best.

My thoughts-

What You Wish For was engaging right out of the gate. Sometimes I have difficulty getting into audio books when they are fiction because they can be very long and I am usually a fast reader and get inpatient. However, when there is an excellent narrator and the story is fast paced I can get behind them and this narrarator was great at keeping me interested! I also liked that it was set in Galveston, TX where I was born. There are not a lot of books I have come across set in Galveston, and it's a cool place so it's nice to see it featured in a book. I absolutely loved the story. It was funny, emotional, and an overall great contemporary book. 

Keto Celebrations by Mary Alexander

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or are simply craving classic comfort foods, you can have your cake and eat a ketogenic diet, too. Keto Celebrations is filled with 100 special-occasion recipes you know and love, but with a keto twist—from cocktails and appetizers to entrees, side dishes, and desserts.

Try sweet and savory recipes like Toast-less Blueberry French Toast, Pizza Pull-Apart Bread, Slow Cooker Brisket, and Apple Pie Bites that use easy, affordable ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Get cooking tips, prep pointers, and substitution suggestions for creating crowd-pleasing dishes that make the most out of each celebration.

My thoughts-

This is the best Ketogenic cookbook I have seen in a while. I already have a similar cookbook on my shelf, but it doesn't even tough this book in terms of the absolutely delicious recipes included. I just restarted my Keto journey because I have had a bad couple of years where I got of track and kind of went off the deep end and find myself at the heaviest I have ever been. I have not been happy, I don't feel comfortable and I am fed up with feeling that way so I am back on track and I wanted to to get a leg up on the holidays which is when I tend to spiral back into bad habits. There are so many delicious recipes here that I can bring to the family Thanksgiving and Christmas get togethers I won't have to feel like I am missing out on all of the good stuff! There are other celebrations covered as well, and some of these I would eat at any time during the year, celebration or not! I absolutely recommend this book to anyone on a Ketogenic or low carb diet.

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sisters are living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.

Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone—like taking a chance on love with a handsome new customer.  

Sean O’Malley is as charming as he is intriguing—a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa’s falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk.  

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything.

My thoughts-

A Walk Along the Beach was definitely a tug at the heartstrings. I was immediately pulled in to this little town, Willa's little coffee shop, her family life, and her love life. Sean O'Malley is an interesting character who I want to know even more about, but I enjoyed his persistance with Willa and the cuteness of the things he does to get her attention. The book got heavy towards the end so if you don't like a good cry, this one isn't for you, but if you like books that make you feel something you will want to pick this one up. 

200 Under 20g Net Carbs by Linsday Boyers

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Let’s face it, staying on track with the keto diet can be a challenge. But now your search for the perfect keto-friendly recipes to help you keep track of your daily macros and carbohydrate goals is over!

With 200 under 20g Net Carbs there is no guess work, no endless research, and no confusion. It includes all the delicious recipes you need to meet your goals—simply use the daily meal plans or mix-and-match your favorite recipes to keep track of your daily net carbs. These 200 tasty, keto-friendly recipes are all under 20 grams of net carbs so you know you’re never going above your daily limit again!

If you’re trying to stay strictly at 20 grams of net carbs, you can pick one of the daily meal plans to give you some guidance. If you need more variety, swap in your favorite recipes to create the perfect meal plan that works for you. And if you’re just looking for some low-carb recipes but aren’t limiting your diet to 20 grams of net carbs, this is a great place to start! With detailed nutrition stats, you’ll have all the information you need to make the keto diet work for you. Choose a recipe (or two) and get cooking!

My thoughts-

This may be one of the best Keto cookbooks I have come across, and I have seen (and owned) plenty of them. 200 under 20g takes the hard work of searching for recipes to keep your net carb count in check and provides you with all you need in one book to get on the right track with keto or give you the jump start you need (like me) to get back into it after having struggles fitting it into your busy life. Not only is the book a great way to make your Keto journey a little easier as far as carb counting, but pretty much all of the recipes sound appetizing so there are plenty of recipes to keep things from getting boring. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone trying to lose weight or follow a keto lifestyle.

Sunshine on Silver Lake by Annie Rains

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

With summer just around the corner, Emma St. James is eagerly planning a 5K run at Sweetwater Springs National Park. But first she needs the help of one charming, rugged, and handsome park ranger. Her brief high school romance with Jack Hershey may have ended in heartbreak, but Emma can't deny that he still gives her butterflies. So when Jack responds to her request with an all-too-tempting plea to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, how can she say no?

Jack would do anything for his sister -- even pretend to give up his bachelor life to care for his nephew. Passing his days with his high school sweetheart guarantees one long, hot summer -- but only because every moment together leaves him wanting a real relationship. He can't imagine spending another season without Emma by his side. Can he convince her to give their love a second chance before the summer draws to a close?

My thoughts-

I aboslutely love all of the Sweetwater Springs novels. I don't think I will ever get enough of this little town and it's inhabitants. I always breeze through these books in a day or two! This book was focused on Emma St. James, the owner of the local coffee shop and her lifelong best friend Jack Hershey. Emma and Jack both have a lot going on and both have had feelings for each other for pretty much their entire lives but something that happened ages ago halted romance before it was able to begin. I loved watching this story unfold. I also liked the story of Jack's nephew coming to stay with him for the summer, and I am hoping that we get to know him and Jack's sister Amanda more in future books. If you love sweet small town romance I recommend this series to you. They can stand alone, but I have loved them all so I definitely recommend reading the entire series!

The Paris Library by Jane Skeslien Charles

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

My thoughts-

I read a lot of historical fiction set during this war torn era. I like when there is a story in a different time period to help us better understand the character and to maybe add a little mystery. I loved the way this story was set up, introducing us to Lily and her lonely neighbor Odile in 1980's Montana. We see Odile as an adult and wonder what has brought her into this isolation and away from all of her family. The part of the story set in Paris in the late 1930's and early 1940's is heartbreaking as all WWII stories are, but I love that the theme of this story is Odile working at the American library and sharing these books even when she isn't supposed to. I also got quite a kick out of all of the fantastic books that were name dropped in this one. It would be a fun challenge to read all of the books mentioned in a year. At the end of the novel, the author talks about how some of these characters are based on real people, which makes the story even more compelling. I recmomend this book if you enjoy historical fiction, are a lover of classic books, or are a Francophile.