Adult Review: Sleepless in Manhattan

 * First in a new trilogy * 

Paige hasn't had an easy life but just when pieces seem to be falling into place, her world comes crashing down. She goes into work one day expecting a raise but leaves without a job. Before Paige can wrap her head around this new chance, her brother's best friend (and her major crush) dares her to start her own events company.

Armed with her two best friends and knowledge, Paige decides to give it a go. Only once she starts, she finds it hard to drum up any clients - until Jake steps in again and offers her a huge job. Can she work with him without allowing her feelings to get in the way?

My Thoughts: I loved the first book in this new trilogy! I adored the friendship between the three girls. I loved the easy way they conversed with Paige's brother and Jake. I love how they had each other's backs. I loved how Paige grew during the book - how she took chances and how she distanced herself from her past. I liked learning more about the events planning business. I loved her determination and her strength. Can't wait to read the next two stories! 

Cover Thoughts: Cute!
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for the romance collection

Final Thoughts: A fun start to a new trilogy in the city that never sleeps (And neither will you if you start this book at night - at least not until you finish it)

Adult Review: Nobody but You

 * Book 3 in the Cedar Ridge series *

After losing his best friend, Jacob comes home to Cedar Ridge to heal. He knows it's not going to be easy with the way he left, but that doesn't stop him from trying. Unfortunately, he takes his time telling his brother that he's back. When they run into each other, anger gets in the way of a happy reunion.

Sophie needs to pick up the pieces of her life after a messy divorce. She meets Jacob in a case of mistaken identity, but even that doesn't stop her from being attracted to him.

Can both of them stop running long enough to realize they belong together?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - for the family banter, the brothers finding their way back to each other, Sophie and Jacob, and discovering where you belong. After reading the first two books, I couldn't wait to learn more about Jacob. I loved reading about his time in the armed forces and how it changed him. I liked seeing the fight from his perspective and how he handled things. I love that this small place can come to mean so much to people. I loved the way the family took care of each other and the banter between them all. I'm sad that this is the end of the trilogy, but it was a great trilogy.

Cover Thoughts: Love the background
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all libraries

Final Thoughts: Fantastic book rounding out a trilogy of brothers, if you're a romance reader, don't miss these books. 

Finding Audrey Summer Reading Blog Tour Giveaway

NOW IN PAPERBACK!

FINDING AUDREY

INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR SOPHIE KINSELLA’S

DEBUT YA NOVEL

Praise for FINDING AUDREY

A New York Times Bestseller

“The Shopaholic scribe accurately weaves teenage insecurities with humor

in her heartwarming YA debut.”—US Weekly

“Your kids will love it.” —Redbook

Now available in paperback is the New York Times bestselling debut YA novel FINDING AUDREY (Ember / on sale May 3, 2016 /$9.99) from internationally bestselling author Sophie Kinsella. Kinsella, the author of such favorites as the Shopaholic series, Can You Keep a Secret?, Wedding Night, and Remember Me?, introduced readers to 14-year-old Audrey Turner, a teen in the throes of a severe social anxiety disorder after a bullying incident at school, and following her journey to rediscovering herself and her happiness. Receiving much critical acclaim from reviewers and fans, the book was hailed as “heartfelt,” “engaging,” and “relatable.” The paperback retails for $9.99 and is sure to garner a wider group of fans with this new, accessible edition.

Audrey spends most of her days hiding behind her dark sunglasses and in the safety of her own home, surrounded by her lovable but chaotic family. Interaction with non–family members has been almost impossible to master since the incident at school. But then one day Linus arrives at her house. A friend of her brother’s, Linus makes an instant connection with Audrey and starts to chip away at her exterior, exposing the girl underneath—the girl Audrey herself has been searching for. What results is a tender love story that begins as a friendship and continues in the local Starbucks, where Audrey begins to heal the wounds that have threatened to hold her captive.

Filled with poignancy and laugh-out-loud moments, FINDING AUDREY gives readers a character they can relate to and a family to embrace. Kinsella’s story tackles serious topics with humor and heart and creates the next YA couple to root for in Audrey and Linus.

I'm a huge Sophie Kinsella fan, so I was SO happy to learn about her venture in to YA books. You can read my review and what I loved about this book here.  

But I'll leave you with my final thoughts: Sophie Kinsella knocks it out of the park with her YA debut, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. 

Sophie Kinsella is the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series and the novels Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, and Wedding Night. Confessions of a Shopaholic was turned into a Hollywood movie. She lives in England.

Reviewers praise Finding Audrey

A Publishers Weekly Summer 2015 Best YA Book

One of USA Today’s “25 Hottest Books of Summer”

One of Los Angeles Times’s “30 Summer Books That Kids Will Gobble Up”
One of Seventeen’s “New Books We ©”

A Kirkus Reviews 2015 Best Teen Book

Check out other spots:

 June 26: My So-Called Book Reviews

June 27: The Compulsive Reader

June 29: Musings of a Book Nerd

June 30: A Dream Within A Dream

July 1: Live to Read

July 2: Dana Square 

WIN A Copy!
One lucky winner will win a paperback copy of the book 

(US only please)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Reading Check In

Now that summer is in full swing - how is everyone doing?

For me, I'm at a new library this summer, so I'm mostly watching and seeing how things go. The kids are having fun and that makes me thrilled.

I am thinking of ways to make things smoother and change up ideas for the older kids. I'm excited about next year's theme and have already started a Pinterest board with lots of ideas.  I think I'm most excited for the idea of weekly building challenges. 

Review: 11 Things I Promised

Frances isn't adventurous at all, but she promised her BFF that she's participate in the bike tour. She starts training late, not fully committed to the idea. But everything changes when Stella's in an accident.

Now Stella's stuck in the hospital and can't participate. She's angry and hurt and terrified of the future. Frances decides that she's going to ride in Stella's honor.

When she finds a list of ideas Stella created to make the bike ride unforgettable, Frances vows to cross off the items herself - even the ones that scare the bejesus out of her. She might need a little help to make everything happen.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book -  I liked the slow information coming about Stella and what really happened during her accident and how it changed her. I liked how she tackled the list, how she made friends with her teammates, how she stuck with us even through the really bad moments. I liked how Frances and Stella finally talked about everything. Both characters found strength in the events that happened, they grew while apart from each other, but managed to find their way together. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source; My Library
Library Recommendation: Purchase this one for the summer reading program and/or Stella's permanent injuries

Summer Time Book Review: Best of My Love

Each summer, I love reading books that make me happy, especially a friends to lovers story.

* Book 20 in the Fool's Gold series *

Shelby wants to learn how to trust men - especially after her childhood. She thinks that if she can become friends with a man, than she could learn how to have a relationship. She think she's picked the perfect candidate in Aidan.

Aidan dates tourists - lots of tourists. He doesn't want any strings attached but when one returns and he doesn't remember her, she makes a scene. So he swears off dating for six months. When Shelby approaches him with her idea, he's not sold on it, but he realizes that something has to change. So he agrees to give it a go.

No one in town believes that they are just friends - but they are, until they're not. Could romance blossom out of friendship?

My Thoughts: I adore this series and this book was really sweet. I loved how their friendship started rocky but grew as they alternated choosing activities - alternating with boy activities and girl ones. It showcased their banter, which was fantastic. I like how they helped each other come to terms with relationships in their lives - family and friends. I loved seeing more about Shelby and the bakery and all her big plans.  And that puppy was really sweet.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: YES to this whole series, it's perfect for your romance readers

Final Thoughts: Another winner in this series - sweet, funny, and perfect to read by the beach this summer.

Books I'm Dying to Read: August Edition

Summer is here and I'm looking forward to reading books about summer, sisters, the beach, road trips, ice cream, and of course happily ever afters. 

 
Gilded Cage: What can you do about all the rules when you suspect your brother's been murdered?
Nevernight: An assassin with a thirst for revenge

Sweet Tomorrows: I'm sad this is the end of the series - but always look forward to more from Debbie Macomber
Curious Minds: The start of a new series from Janet Evanovich? Sign me up!
Crowned and Dangerous: Trouble with Darcy's family!
Scot in the Dark: Love Sarah MacLean! So looking forward to the second book in this series of scandalous sisters.
Grilling the Subject: I'm a bit behind in this series, but it's super fun and I need to catch up!

Three Truths and a Lie: a weekend of fun turns into a nightmare

Enter Title Here: how far would you go for perfection or to secure your future?
Last Descendants: Curious about this book based on a video game
A Torch Against the Night: Excited for the second book in this series
Poisoned Blade: The first book ended in such a way that I'm dying for the next one to see how it turns out - also perfect for the summer reading theme


Lost in Hollywood: Love these books, can't wait to see how this turns out as it sounds super cute!
Pyramid Hunters: Sam expects his summer to be boring, but he's off to save his uncle and their reputation. 

Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 Favorites

This week's topic is favorite books of 2016 so far: this is going to hard as I've read lots of great books this year so far. I broke them out into categories to make it a bit easier.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Graphic Novels:

Kids:

MG:

YA:

Adult: