Review: All You had to do was Stay

 

Two broken hearts. Four years apart. One chance to choose again.

Hannah has built her dream career, planning other people's happy ever afters - with no hope of her own. Not since that day four years ago; the one she never talks about.

Jude is getting on a plane for the first time in four years. He's not happy about it, but at least he'll be back in Sydney before too long - safe from the things he'd prefer to forget.

But when Hannah's twin and Jude's brother make a shock announcement, and appoint a certain wedding planner, the summer stretching ahead of them suddenly looks a whole lot different...

As they're thrown back together, is it possible that first love could get a second chance? - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this second chance romance book. I loved how the brother tried to throw Hannah and Jude in each other's paths. The brothers were super cute. I really loved their scenes. I loved the wedding planning. I hated Marc - but his character did add tension to the story. I enjoyed seeing the past relationship between Hannah and Jude unfold - how they got together and why they broke up. 

Source: Netgalley

Library Recommendation: A great second chance romance for your adult collection. 

5 Things (5): The Backup Plan

 

I adore Jill Shalvis's books. I read this one on my day off and it was fantastic.

Just a few reasons why it made me happy:

Review: Shelterlings

 

A group of magical misfits have come to terms with the fact that their magic, while unique, isn't going to make their lives better. They're not going to bond with wizards and go on quests together. They're stuck together in a cozy little home. 

Until Charlie returns with news. He's uncovered a spell that will make everything better. The spell will fix the Moon Mirror and they can live the lives they were meant to live. However, they need to gather ingredients - which won't be easy.

Almost everyone's thrilled with the idea. They volunteer for a quest. Holly and her best friend Gus need to find a flower. But their quest takes a turn when they meet a cat, a wizard, and a dragon who needs their help. Holly never though her magic would amount to much - or that she would go on a quest. But she's having the time of her life. Does she really want everything to change?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I felt badly for Holly and her friends as they agonized over their limited magical abilities. lots of action and adventure in this book. Also soul-searching. I loved the friendships in this book - the best friends and the making of friends. I loved the message about being different. There are a few lovely quotes in this book - here's one "You're only a failure if you quit. Until then you're just someone who hasn't succeeded yet." Another winner for Sarah Beth Durst.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: eARC from Netgalley

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries!

Christmas Book Review: The Christmas Escape

 

Christy planned the perfect Christmas vacation for her family and her best friend - but this time, things don't go according to plan. Christy's life is made up of schedules and organized moments. But when Christy notices something is off with her husband, she's determined to fix it.

She asks her best friend to take her daughter on the vacation. Christy and her husband will join Alix as soon as they can.

Alix isn't sure she's the best person for the job. She doesn't know how to parent a child, especially this close to Christmas. Plus she wants to heal the rift between her and Christy. Alix let her own fears about relationships bubble to the surface right before her best friend's wedding. There are some words you can't take back.

Can this Christmas vacation heal both a friendship and a marriage?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story - it made me want to travel to Lapland. Lots of winter moments, hot chocolate drinking, and sleigh rides. Lots of feelings in this one as friendships and relationships are examined. I love the idea of chosen family and how friends do make the best families. I enjoyed Christy learning to let go of schedules and Alix learn to let people in. This would make a great Hallmark Channel movie (or Nexflix - I'm not picky)

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: Netgalley Review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library Christmas collection.

On Your Radar: 53 (Built to Last)

 

Title: Built to Last

Author: Erin Hahn

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: October 22, 2022

I love this cover! It's stinking cute.

Why It Should be On Your Radar:

* Second Chance Romance

*Friendships

* Hollywood Secrets

* DIY

* Home Renovation Show

* Banter

* Family

* Proving Yourself

I didn't want this book to end and I'm so happy there are companion novels on the way.!!!!

Mood Board:

* Read through Netgalley

Christmas Book Review: Royal Christmas Fairy Tale

Kaylie's not a huge fan of Christmas. Her family celebrates after the holidays and they don't make a big to-do over it. Her sister can't usually get time off and she's happy to volunteer to work so her co-workers with children can spend the day at home.  But changes are coming to the news station where Kaylie works. She's been hoping for her own investigative news program, but instead, she hears the network is under new ownership and her job's been eliminated. 

Stunned, she takes on a freelance assignment her previous boss volunteered her for - without knowing all the details of the story. She's sent to a small county in Europe for Christmas. When she arrives, Kaylie learns she's being hired to write a Christmas Fairy Tale for the princess who's mother died and needs to regain her Christmas spirit.

Kaylie isn't sure she's the best person for the job. She's an investigative journalist not a storyteller. To make matters worse, the princess's father isn't thrilled she's there. The family has a long terrible history with the press. But the Queen stands firm. She knows her son and her granddaughter need to be reminded of the joys of Christmas. She overrules her son, forcing him to show Kaylie their traditions. Soon, they both rediscover some joy in celebrating Christmas - and spending time with each other. 

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the moments between Kaylie and Princess Anna. I also loved the banter between the Prince and Kaylie - when they teased each other, when they made a mess in the kitchen, and when they are with the Princess. I loved the Princess's dog Blitzen - he was adorable. I did enjoy the moments between Princess Anna and her father. They were sweet. Of course, Christmas is hard for both of them missing their wife/mother (especially since she loved Christmas.)  I loved the painting moment between Princess Anna and Kaylie - and how that worked out. I really did enjoy the Queen and how she made everything happen for her family. She wanted a modern world and a traditional one - I think she made it work really nicely. 

A few things I didn't love because they were brought up too many times:

1. too many journalist/Prince moments. 

2. Kaylie's belief that she wasn't the right person for the Fairy Tale job.

I felt cheated that readers didn't get to read the Fairy Tale that Kaylie wrote.

But overall, I really enjoyed this story. It read like a Hallmark movie - which made me really happy. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: NetGalley 

Fun Fact: This book is written by the author of the Netflix movie The Christmas Prince

Library Recommendation: A fun Christmas romance - perfect for your collection. Hand this out to those who love Hallmark Christmas movies.