Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

*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 postive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.

Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

My thoughts-

Nothing pulls on my heartstrings more than a lost love from the past coming back into the picture in the future. I love stories like these. Tate left Sam in a bad way when they were younger so I knew it was going to be intense when they met back up as adults in a situation where they have to work together! There was lots of juicy content in this book. Seeing the full story unravel helped redeem Tate's decision. Yes, some of it was predictable as most contemporary romances are, but I thought it was a fresh story with a great feel to it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading romantic stories. 

The Little Women Cookbook by Wini Moranville; Louisa May Alcott

*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-

Here at last is the first cookbook to celebrate the scrumptious and comforting foods that play a prominent role in Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women. If your family includes a Little Women fan, or if you yourself are one, with this book you can keep the magic and wonder of the beloved tale alive for years to come. Do you wonder what makes the characters so excited to make—and eat!—sweets and desserts like the exotically named Blancmange or the mysterious Bonbons with Mottoes, along with favorites like Apple Turnovers, Plum Pudding, and Gingerbread Cake? Find out for yourself with over 50 easy-to-make recipes for these delectable treats and more, all updated for the modern kitchen.

My thoughts-

Little Women is one of my favorite books of all time. I have loved it since I was a kid. I also love the movie version from the 90's and I am super excited about the upcoming movie adaptation that is coming out for Christmas this year. I love this beautiful cookbook. The gorgeous cover caught my eye first with all of the pretty colors and fun cartoon portraits of the sisters. I thought the recipes were wonderful and that the passages from the book to go along with each picture really added to the overall nostalgic feel of the book. I also love the fun illustrations in the cookbook. I have intentions of talking my book club into reading Little Women (and then going to see the new movie together) for our December meeting and having this excellent cookbook would be a great addition to a fun Little Women themed December. I can't wait!

What They Meant for Evil by Rebecca Deng

*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 thoughts are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Many stories have been told about the famous Lost Boys, but now for the first time, a Lost Girl shares her hauntingly beautiful and inspiring story. 
One of the first unaccompanied refugee children to enter the United States in 2000, after South Sudan's second civil war took the lives of most of her family, Rebecca's story begins in the late 1980s when, at the age of four, her village was attacked and she had to escape. WHAT THEY MEANT FOR EVIL is the account of that unimaginable journey. With the candor and purity of a child, Rebecca recalls how she endured fleeing from gunfire, suffering through hunger and strength-sapping illnesses, dodging life-threatening predators-lions, snakes, crocodiles, and soldiers alike-that dogged her footsteps, and grappling with a war that stole her childhood. 
Her story is a lyrical, captivating portrait of a child hurled into wartime, and how through divine intervention, she came to America and found a new life full of joy, hope, and redemption.

My thoughts-

I will never understand the wars that happen in countries between different tribes. I will never understand why we can not all just get along and celebrate each other's differences. I know it is mostly fear but it is still heartbreaking. Rebecca Deng should not have ever had to experience any of the things she did but I am thankful that she shared her journey, both through the war, through her thoughts as she joined a family in the United States, and through her faith. This book isn't for the faint of heart, and I don't think we can ever understand what Rebecca Deng went through, but reading her story is one way to help learn about different cultures. It is a way for us to celebrate our differences. It is a way for us to see one person turn her suffering into her life's work to help others. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading memoirs about real people. 

Americans Royals by Katharine McGee

*Disclsoure 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-

When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exactly what is expected of them. But these aren't just any royals. They're American.

As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.

The duty. The intrigue. The Crown. New York Times bestselling author Katharine McGee imagines an alternate version of the modern world, one where the glittering age of monarchies has not yet faded--and where love is still powerful enough to change the course of history.

My thoughts-

This was a fun fictional take on history. What if America was a monarchy ruled by the Washingtons instead of the democracy it has always been? What would our royal family be like? Since I am a big fan of the royal family, particularly princes Wlliam and Harry, it was fun to step into this imaginary world with princesses Beatrice and Samantha and prince Jefferson. Each of them have a different role to fill to do their duty to their country, but they are all young and love abounds. There are so many romantic stories going on here, it is a romantic's dream book, so I definitely enjoyed it. I thought the ending was a little abrupt and the characters stories weren't tied up neatly the way I would have like so I am crossing my fingers for a sequel! Since I have been interested the royal family (both current and historical) for much of my life, I did see a lot of parallels in this story vs. the English royal family, but it  was interesting to see it kind of expounded upon and how the players of the story felt since we can never actually get into the brains of the actual royal family. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys following the royal family, romantic story lines, or young adult ficiton. 

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

*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 are 100% my own. 

About the book-

’Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze’s stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness . . . which actually means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains.

But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents host, carols play on repeat, her mother pretends she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors come ’round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch—unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados—and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?

Her sister demands a vegan turkey, her husband  insists that he just wants aftershave—again, and little Minnie demands a very specific picnic hamper: Surely Becky can manage all this, as well as the surprise appearance of an old-boyfriend-turned-rock-star and his pushy new girlfriend, whose motives are far from clear. But as the countdown to Christmas begins and her big-hearted plans take an unexpected turn toward disaster, Becky starts to wonder if chaos will ensue, or if she’ll manage to bring comfort and joy to Christmas after all.

My thoughts-

You know how some retail stores start putting out Christmas decorations the second the 4th of July is over, even though we still have Thanksgiving and Halloween to get through? That's me with books set during Christmas time, I am itching to read them mid-July every year and I am always excited to read the first one to kick things off. Christmas Shopaholic was a great novel to kick off my Christmas reading because it's a familiar character so I can easily dive into Becky's world. This book was hilarious. The whole book was laugh out loud funny and although I am not one to re-read books usually (there are just too many good ones out there that I will never get around to if I do that) this is definitely one I could see myself re-reading in the future. I love all of the shenanigans that Becky gets into in this book, and I am hoping that we get more of her adventures from Sophie Kinsella in the future!

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publiser 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- 

No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.

In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.

Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.

With sharp prose and gritty realism, The Grace Year examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in-between.

My thoughts-

I went through a period where all I wanted to read were dystopian novels, but they became so popular that they started coming out in droves and the qualilty of work was not as high as some of my favorite dystopian novels, so I stopped reading them all together afer a few disappointing series. The Grace Year

 sounded like it wasn't going to be the exact same book as so many other dystopian books over the last decade have been so I reluctantly picked it up. I am so glad I did. This was a breath of fresh air in the dystopian world. I absolutely couldn't put it down. It reminded me of a cross between The Giver and The Hunger Games. There were some interesting twists that I enjoyed being revealed and I thought the cliff hanger was excellent although now I can't wait for whatever is next in what will hopefully be a series! I absolutely recommend The Grace Year to anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction. 

The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook by Anna Hunley

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from 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-

Popular keto blogger Anna Hunley, of Keto In Pearls, presents scrumptious, family-friendly keto recipes for your Instant Pot.

The ketogenic diet is taking the world of healthy eating by storm, but cooking for a ketogenic diet can be cumbersome. You can’t rely on processed or quick-cooking high-carb options, like pasta or rice, for a fast meal, and you don’t always have the time to labor over a hot stove.

The Family-Friendly Keto Instant Pot Cookbook helps you feed your family enjoyable low-carb meals quickly and effortlessly. With the Instant Pot’s ability to cook food in a fraction of the time, you’ll have your family sitting down at the table to eat in no time. (And with only one pot to clean too!)

My thoughts-

I am always on the look out for healthy recipes for my family and if they fit in with a low carb life style even better! I do not limit my kids to low carb foods only but it is nice to have meals throughout the week that can be eaten by everyone and that everyone loves. There are so many excellent recipes in this book. Everything from a new spin on crack chicken (a keto fan favorite) to all kinds of soups and main dishes and desserts. I am pretty sure my kids would eat nearly all of the many recipes in this book. I love that they are meals the whole family can love and not kid-centric staples like chicken nuggets and hambugers. While those things have their place, it is nice to have more options that we can all enjoy together. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys low carb cooking or who want some new healthy recipes for their families.