There are very few pop culture phenomenons that I miss out on. I am usually right there in the center with bells on -- I love being part of a community, to be united by a common interest is one of life's greatest joys. Though, there are always exceptions to that rule of mine, and for the past few years, the rule was Fourth Wing.

Aside from Harry Potter and Twilight, I'm not big into fantasy genres. I've read ACTOAR and didn't love it, and have never found myself super interested in anything else that becomes popular. 

I've seen Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros around the block and knew everyone goes feral for it, but it never sparked my interest. I thought reading about a war college with dragons was too complicated and felt I was better off staying in my own lane.

That is, until I had a near nervous breakdown a few weeks ago and needed something to sink my teeth into to distract myself from the hellscape that was unfolding around me. I wanted to lose myself in a book, to really immerse myself in the world, in the characters and become one with the words I was reading. 

With Onyx Storm just being released and everyone very much in Fourth Wing mode, I decided to try my hand at it.

Well, I simply have no words.

I finished both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame within 4 days, and then took my time with Onyx Storm which I finished this past weekend...my life will never be the same.

This won't be my traditional book review, and I already talked about my obsessive personality and how it relates to Fourth Wing on Substack , so we're just going to chat about the entire series. 

For some odd reason I was hesitant to read this book, probably because I wasn't in the mood for a romance. Whenever I do read romance, I'm sucked in and then disappointed because life doesn't end with everything wrapped in a bow... and it's just a reminder that I'm not in a relationship nor do I have the energy to deal with one right now.

So sometimes, romances make me depressed which is why I turn to thrillers. I never claimed to be normal...

However, Sophie Cousens never disappoints me; she writes beautiful stories that yes, at it's core is a romance but it's so much more. There is a hidden message, a life lesson, and a story about something more than romance. 

The Good Part is no different - it's a beautiful book that talks about the importance of living your life, and savoring every moment, the good & the bad, because it makes you who you are, it makes your life. This was a book that makes you think, makes you feel and might make you cry. 

*I received an ARC from NetGalley - The Good Part will be released on November 7th! 

Whenever a book blows up on social media it always makes me want to read it even more. That was the case with Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks. Everyone was raving about it right as it was being published and the green cover was eye catching on my Instagram feed.

It was then I realized I had an ARC of it from NetGalley (I really need to come up with a better system of tracking my ARCs) so I immediately started reading it. I was immediately enthralled with the plot of the novel and where it could go so I could see why everyone was freaking out over it. 

Under the Influence is extremely well written, developed, interesting, capturing and wonderful. It'll definitely be one of my favorite books of the year.

 It's been a little bit since I wrote a blog post but I'm back from my trip to Disney and I can't wait to fill you all in on it. But first, let's get into a book review! I don't like missing these posts since I'm constantly reading and I like to keep up with the reviews.

There was one book this year that I was incredibly excited about and that was Lessons in Chemistry. The plot sounded unlike anything I've ever read before, I loved the cover and it just looked like a really fun book.

I was definitely right but it took a little convincing to get me there.

Lessons in Chemistry was released on April 5th, 2022 and I got mine as a Book of the Month pick. It took me about a month to read because it was a little slow but I ended up liking it a lot and I think it might be one of my top books of the year.

 This book review is coming at a good time since Jessica Goodman's latest novel, "The Counselors" will be out in a few weeks. This was the first novel I've read by Goodman and it did not disappoint. I've been wanting to read "They Wish They Were Us" for a long time and finally got around to it a little over a month ago, and it was everything and more.

It was a really nice mix of YA (I do think it is classified as YA but felt more mature), Gossip Girl and true crime. It felt very reminiscent of "The Good Girl's Guide to Murder" which is similar to another book I recently read and will review soon.

I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately purchased Goodman's 2nd novel, "They'll Never Catch Us"  but I am still holding out hope for a sequel to this novel. 

Let's get into the review...

I read "Local Woman Missing" at the beginning of the year when I was just getting sick with Covid. It kept my mind occupied and busy while I had the worst sore throat of my life and it was one of the best distractions I could've asked for.

This book had been on my radar for quite some time and I'd been meaning to get around to reading it but the stars aligned and it had my full attention for a few days. This was one of those traditional thrillers that grab your attention from the first page and kept me guessing until the last minute.

 

I don't know where I discovered this book but I am so happy I did. There was something about the cover, the Romeo & Juliet type of love affair that came across in the description, that drew me in completely.

"A Pho Love Story" by Loan Le is a beautiful story about love, life, family, and culture... it made me so happy in so many ways. I simply adored the story! 

This is the type of book that you can read to feel something both light and deep at the same time. It's the kind of book that puts a smile on your face for so many reasons. It's just such a great book and it was so well written.

I received this book pre-publication from Netgalley; it was released in August 2020 but I didn't get around to reading it until then. I know I need to get better at reading/reviewing books before or right as they are being released. 

Spoiler alert: "Three Perfect Liars" by Heidi Perks was a really wonderful book and I enjoyed it a lot! 

Publisher's Summary

My Thoughts

Back in 2011, I read the Hunger Games series along with the rest of the teenage/young adult population. I was intrigued at first and looking for something to replace Twilight. I read the first book with ease and Catching Fire was intriguing but Mockingjay, the final book, was so confusing. I was also reading it in the middle of pledging my sorority so my brain was fried. I still don't even really know what happened and when I watch the movies, I'm equally lost. 

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley, prior to its publishing, but only just finished reading a few months ago.

Publisher's Summary

My Thoughts

Let me tell you a story...

Publisher's Summary

My Thoughts

I've waxed poetic about Lauren Layne before, mostly her Central Park Pact series so when I got the chance to read her latest book, "Yours in Scandal" before it hit shelves a few weeks ago, I was ecstatic.

When you look into it, Lauren Layne has written a ton of books. I mean, this year alone she will publish at least 3 novels which is more than other authors from what I can see.

"Yours in Scandal" is the first in Layne's new series "Man of the Year". Her second book in the series is going to come later this year which is super exciting.

Publisher's Summary

My Thoughts

I received "Passion on Park Avenue" courtesy of Net Galley and it'll be released on May 28th. 

"Passion on Park Avenue" captured my attention because it takes place in New York, is a modern love story mixed with a touch of revenge, and the cover is pretty stunning. I read this book in maybe a week or so; it was an incredibly easy read due to the characters, the story and the writing.

While I am an intense reader I really appreciate the beauty of an easy, interesting book. "Passion on Park Avenue" was straight to the point story with a predictable plot, like your favorite romantic comedy and I loved every moment of it.



The novel centers around Naomi and her two new friends who have just discovered they have something very specific in common. It is the catalyst for the entire novel and the story takes off from their first meeting.

Naomi is a New York businesswoman who started her own accessory business but has a hidden secret about her past, one that comes up when she is approved by a co-op board for an apartment on Park Avenue. Naomi meets her delicious looking next door neighbor, Oliver Cunnigham and immediately dislikes him. Why? Well, you'll have to read to find out.

I know a lot of people hate the word 'chick-lit' but I personally love it because it is literally a romantic comedy in book form. I definitely classify "Passion on Park Avenue" as a chick lit book but it does go a little deeper than that. It deals with familial issues, illness, and a lot of other heavy topics but does so in a light way. It's a really great marriage of different genres.

From the Goodreads title, it says "Central Park Pact #1" so I'm assuming we will be getting more books which is very exciting! There is a lot left to this story so I'm excited to see where it goes next.

If you need a light, quick read you should definitely check this out when it is released on May 28th. I think this is going to be my new favorite series!

xoxo
B

There are very few times in my life when I have not finished a book. Like many others, I feel guilty for not finishing a book once I start it. If I spend money on a book, I want to finish it and get my money's worth, even if I didn't like it.

I also feel guilty because I feel like I'm judging the book by not giving it a fair enough chance, even when I know that I'm not into it. I force myself to finish the book and then end up feeling anxious that I'm wasting my time reading something that doesn't excite me.

As I've gotten older, I've learned that it's silly to read something I don't like just because I have the book or because I feel like I should finish it. Since then, I've been keeping a log of the books I never finished and wanted to share them here... and share why. I'm not bashing these books because I know there are some books out there that I love and others don't.

Surprise Me by Sophia Kinsella 

When I started this book I was a little thrown off because I didn't really know where it was going. A couple is going to spice up their marriage by giving each other surprises? What was the point? How was this a story? It seemed downright silly and I stopped only a few chapters in.

What Happened by Hillary Clinton

This isn't a bad book by any means but reading it gives me massive anxiety. It makes me remember the presidential election and how hard it was on so many people, and how it felt like the world was ending when Trump was elected. It makes me wonder how things could've been and I just had to put it away at some point for my sanity. I'll definitely pick it up again because I'm so interested to see what Hillary says.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

I loved Something Borrowed so I was excited to read another Emily Giffin novel. However, this was another book that gave me massive anxiety. A rich teenage boy gets himself into some trouble with a poor teenage girl, there are Snapchats and their parents get involved. I didn't want to finish it or get myself worked up while reading it. It just didn't seem like a story I wanted to read and I made the decision to put it aside.

Our Little Lies by Sue Watson

To be quite honest, I didn't think this was a very well written book. It felt rushed and a little all over the place, and I could've assumed where it was headed but I just couldn't wait around to find out. I couldn't get past the writing and I feel horrible saying that but it's just my opinion.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Refinery29 has had a series for a number of years called "Money Diaries". It follows the spending of women from all over the world over seven days. You are given information like their occupation, salary, rent, and any other monthly/yearly expenses and then you read about their spending habits.

Money Diaries is incredibly addictive and being the nosey person I am, I really love reading them. It's so interesting to see how other people spend their money and follow the lives of real women around the world. I love reading about their daily lives and it gives me a lot of insight into my own finances. If you've never read a Money Diaries, I highly recommend you do so now.

Because the series became such a hit, Refinery29 put together an entire finance bible entitled "Money Diaries." When I heard about this being released, I marked September 2018 on my calendar and patiently waited.

I pre-ordered it and was so happy when it was finally delivered on my doorstep.



If you are having trouble with your finances, need help understanding the world of finance, and really just need to get your bank account into shape, please read this book. It has completely changed my world, my outlook on life, and kind of scared the crap out of me in the best way possible.

The book takes you on a financial journey, teaches you how to save and what to save and how much. It teaches you everything you need to know about credit cards, loans, buying a house and saving for your kids. Money diaries are sprinkled throughout the book and you even get a little interview with the diarist at the end to help you better understand them and their spending.

It is quite the long book and took me a few months to get through it, especially because it gave me little bouts of anxiety. There were some chapters I skipped over like the ones about kids and only skimmed the section about joining together your finances with your signficant other. I will hit those chapters when it's time for me.

I cannot say enough good things about "Money Diaries". It is the financial bible that everyone needs in their collection. It answers any question you have and puts it into terms that you can understand and apply to your life.

Has anyone read "Money Diaries"? What did you think?

xoxo
B

I'm so happy that in 2018, the love of books is still on the uptick. I feel like everyone is obsessed with reading the next great book and the media eats it all up. They say print is dead but that does not apply to books!

I've loved reading since I was a youngster and I'm happy that I've kept up with it well into my twenties. This year, I read a lot but probably not as much as I would like. I think I definitely read more in 2017 and I think that's because 2018 was the year of podcasts.

I canceled my Audible subscription for a few months to focus on my podcast obsession and I sometimes get lazy with my print/ebooks.

However, there were still a few stand out contenders this year, all which have full reviews on the blog.

The Wife Between Us

When thinking about what my favorite book of the year is, I try to use shock and intrigue as a deciding factor. No book shocked me more than The Wife Between Us. It was thrilling, suspenseful, and truly unlike anything I've ever read. It doesn't seem like the domestic thriller genre is going anywhere anytime soon, so while it's still hot, please go read The Wife Between Us. *I could've sworn that I wrote a full review on this but I didn't!

When's Happy Hour

This has quickly become one of my favorite career books of all time so it's no surprise that I would include it in my favorite books of the year. When I found out that Betches was writing a career book, I put the date in my calendar and when I couldn't wait anymore, I emailed the publisher for an advanced copy to review. It was the perfect, light but informative career book and if you read anything I recommend, make it this.

The Breakdown

A story about a woman that thinks she's having a mental breakdown after seeing a woman in a car, who turned up murdered the next morning -- sign me up! This was the first book I read in 2018 and one that has stayed with me the entire year. Read the full review here but this was a wild ride, so wild I kind of want to read/listen to it again.

When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons

What were your favorite books of 2018?
xoxo
B

So if you saw my Book Review Wednesday this week, you would've saw that I reviewed the new Betches book, "When's Happy Hour" which is all about careers! It is one of my favorite career books I've ever read and I'm literally going to reference it for years to come.

I was so happy to receive a pre-release copy from the publisher, Gallery Books, and they were gracious enough to send me an additional two copies to give away to YOU!

Enter below for a chance to win -- the giveaway ends next week, October 27th!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

When I saw that B.A Paris was coming out with a new book, I was so excited. She's written one of my favorite domestic thriller novels, Behind Closed Doors which is so crazy and out of this world, so I knew that this was going to be good.

And it was... boy, was it a good book!

I listened to this book on Audible, the first one I've listened to in a while and I was reminded why I love Audible SO MUCH. I canceled my membership a few months ago, after buying this book, because I was listening to more podcasts and didn't want to pay the monthly expense anymore.

Bring Me Back is a classic domestic thriller of a missing girl, and how her then boyfriend falls in love with her sister. Take it up a knotch and everyone starts thinking the girl might actually NOT be missing afterall... and you have an intense novel.

Here is the publisher's summary:

At first, it was a normal mystery. It started off slow but interesting, I was trying to figure out where the book was going and trying to solve the mystery. At first, you think you have everything figured out but like all good domestic thriller, true crime novels, a twist so big, so unexpected comes in and changes everything you thought was true.

I've read a lot of these types of books before and I'm consistently surprised. I will say, though, that I don't know if any thriller tops this one. The twist was insane, shocking and a little jarring.

It was such an amazing book -- a fast read, easy to understand, good writing and normal character development. I highly recommend!

What have you been reading lately? 
xoxo
B

As much as I love The Devil Wears Prada movie I never attempted to read the book. I guess part of the reason I didn't read it was because I didn't want it to ruin the movie. The Devil Wears Prada is so iconic and nothing can really compare; it's similar to me not reading 'The Notebook' after the movie became such a classic. Nothing can live up the OG... and in these cases, the movie is the OG.

Well, when I saw that Lauren Weisberger was coming out with another DWP book, I got super excited. I don't think I realized that she already had a sequel called "Revenge Wears Prada" but I didn't even bother with that book.

I was super hyped for this third installment that followed our favorite frenemy, Emily, around. The book is titled "When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons" and something about that title just drew me in.



It recently came out just a week or so ago but I read it months back because I got an advanced copy on NetGalley.

This is the publishers summary which does a great job at summarizing what the book is all about:

Welcome to Greenwich, CT, where the lawns and the women are perfectly manicured, the Tito’s and sodas are extra strong, and everyone has something to say about the infamous new neighbor.

Let’s be clear: Emily Charlton, Miranda Priestly’s ex-assistant, does not do the suburbs. She’s working in Hollywood as an image consultant to the stars, but recently, Emily’s lost a few clients. She’s hopeless with social media. The new guard is nipping at her heels. She needs a big opportunity, and she needs it now.

Karolina Hartwell is as A-list as they come. She’s the former face of L’Oreal. A mega-supermodel recognized the world over. And now, the gorgeous wife of the newly elected senator from New York, Graham, who also has his eye on the presidency. It’s all very Kennedy-esque, right down to the public philandering and Karolina’s arrest for a DUI—with a Suburban full of other people’s children.

Miriam is the link between them. Until recently she was a partner at one of Manhattan’s most prestigious law firms. But when Miriam moves to Greenwich and takes time off to spend with her children, she never could have predicted that being stay-at-home mom in an uber-wealthy town could have more pitfalls than a stressful legal career. 

Emily, Karolina, and Miriam make an unlikely trio, but they desperately need each other. Together, they’ll navigate the social landmines of life in America’s favorite suburb on steroids, revealing the truths—and the lies—that simmer just below the glittering surface. With her signature biting style, Lauren Weisberger offers a dazzling look into another sexy, over-the-top world, where nothing is as it appears.

Let me just say, it was an incredible book and I read it pretty quickly. It's 'chick-lit' so nothing too serious or a book you need to be truly invested in but it was still excellent.

The great thing about the book was that you didn't have to read either of the first books to understand it or be invested in it.

It was really well written, well developed and had an interesting story that made me angry, in the best way possible.

Just as the summary and title states, the novel is filled with name drops of brands and has that same Devil Wears Prada vibe of wealth and fanciness. It's one of my favorite parts if I'm being honest.

Another great part about When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons? 

Miranda Priestley and Andy Sachs make an appearance or two and it just ties the stories together perfectly.

This isn't the first Lauren Weisberger novel I read. Two years ago I read "The Singles Game" and both books definitely have a similar style/storyline while still having that luxurious feel to it.

'When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons' is the kind of book I love when I'm not reading something thrilling. It's light-hearted but still has an interesting storyline that keeps you invested. It's not too cheesy or romantic -- it's a perfect read.

All in all, I think When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons was fun, annoying (because you were rooting for something to happen/figure something out), interesting and light. It was definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far so I highly recommend it!

Will you pick up When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons?
xoxo
B

I had been off my audiobook game for a bit because I was too cheap to buy one! My audible credits ran out and I wasn't dying to listen to anything. I always have podcasts or Sirius XM to listen to on my commute so I was ok.

When I finally did have my Audible credits, I chose 'The Woman in the Window.' I feel like I've been putting off buying this book for no reason other than there were other books I wanted to read. However, I thought this was a good time to jump the gun.



This book was only 13 hours long which isn't that long in Audible time but holy crap, it felt like it dragged on and on.

I did not like this book and I think the length was a huge reason.

The Woman in the Window is about a psychologist Anna Fox who is agoraphobic and cannot leave the house. One day, she thinks she witnesses a crime in a neighboring house and kind of freaks out. She believes that she saw Jane Russel through the window, a woman she had just met previously but comes to find out that Jane is not who she thought.

We're taken on the journey of Anna finding out who really is Jane Russel, what the Russel family is really about, and facing her demons head-on. We see Anna face the agoraphobia that is keeping her locked inside, and we learn more about the issues she's experiencing, and why.

It was very interesting at times and I found myself wanting to know what really was going on, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

There are a handful of twists thrown into the story, one being a little obvious but it was intense to see it play out. The ending came out of left field and tied everything up with a neat, little bow and made the book worth the headache.

The twisted ending was something I could've never guessed. I usually always guess the endings of these books but this was one that I didn't so it was definitely cool to see it play out.

On the flip side,  I felt that the plot was a little all over the place and there were too many details we didn't need. Some things went on for too long, some things didn't make sense and I was just a tad bit confused.

I think there are better thrillers out there so if you need something new, go to one of my other book reviews! This is a definite skip and to me, it just wasn't worth the time.

Did you read The Woman in the Window? What did you think?
xoxo
B