Review: Yours Truly

 

Briana's life is hard - with her brother desperately needing a transplant and still reeling from the betrayal of her husband. Work seems to be the only solace in her life. But even that changes when the promotion up for grabs seems slightly out of reach. A new doctor is hired, and her boss decides to hold off on retiring until the new doctor has time to acclimate to the job and decide if he wants the promotion.

Briana can't believe that the new doctor is taking her job. She's a little salty to him as a result. Jacob doesn't know anything about the promotion and he's not interested. Due to his social anxiety, it seems every time he opens his mouth, he says the wrong thing. Frustrated, he writes Briana a letter explaining the whole situation. And from that moment on everything changes.

My Thoughts: I really loved the second book in this trilogy. I enjoyed the fake dating plot. I loved how Briana and Jacob wrote letters back and forth. To be honest, I would have read the whole book that way. I love how Briana understood Jacob's feelings and social anxiety - and how she respected them.  I love Jacob's nosy sisters and how he had such a big loving family. I loved seeing the characters from the previous book and I'm eager to see where the next book will lead. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: If you don't have this trilogy in your romance section, order it.

Review: Scandal

 

Kaleigh and Harry put the past behind them - the investigation, the rumors, and their guilt. Now five years later, Emma who everyone thought was dead - emerges from a prison. Kaleigh and Harry married, had a baby, and have another on the way. They've both kept secrets about what really happened that night.

As Emma starts recovering, she starts talking. All the rumors come back. Kaleigh and Harry are both under investigation. Their "perfect" lives are disappearing. 

What really happened that night?

Why I read this book: I love books about celebrities caught up in a crime thriller

My Thoughts: This book was bonkers - in the very best way. So many plot twists, secrets, and betrayals happened. You were never sure who to trust. I loved how the book alternated perspectives. The short chapters and the plot kept me turning the pages. I had to know what was going to happen next. And that ending! 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - the yellow tape in front of an estate is perfect

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your adult thriller collection - perfect for fans of Freida McFadden's books. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Plenty of Pancakes

Spring is arriving and Topsy knows that her bear friend LouAnn will be waking up soon. LouAnn will be hungry! Topsy's making pancakes. But every time she turns around, someone's eaten all the pancakes. Will there be enough for LouAnn?

A sweet story about friendship and sharing. I loved the twist! Don't miss this story!

Top Ten Tuesday: Covers

 This week's topic is a cover freebie - so I'm picking books that make me want to start decorating for Christmas already.

Don't these covers make you want to curl up with a cozy sweater with a mug of hot chocolate in front of a lighted tree and a fire? That's my cozy moment. 

What other books should I add to the list? 

Middle Grade Monday: Wilderness Hacks

 

Sadie and Silas have had a tough year. They lost their father to cancer. Silas became gluten free and Sadie changed diets too. She wants to help cheer him up, which is why she agrees to create a video to enter a contest to win an experience with a survival influencer.

She never imagines that she'll win. She can bring a guest, but Silas is too young to participate. She brings him along anyways to meet Radley. First impressions on both sides aren't great. They film a little bit - fishing, creating a fire, and cooking the fish. 

Then they go white water rafting. That's when everything changes. What starts out as a fun trip turns into a nightmare after disaster strikes the region. Sadie and Radley must find a way to work together in order to survive. 

Why I Read It: I Love Survival Books

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Sadie and Radley didn't like each other at first. Their first impressions were not great, but I also liked how they talked it through. I liked Radley's impressions of being an influencer and how life changed for him once he became more famous. I loved Sadie's relationship with her brother and how she wanted to make happy memories for him. I loved the survival moments (although there is a bad scene with some chipmunks and another with a mountain lion). I did love the ending. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

Board Books: Family

Just a few sweet board books about family and love

This is one of those board books with puns - all about love between parent and child. Each page has a touch and feel illustration. Simply adorable. 

Sophie Beer books are a favorite of mine and at my library. This one is not all rainbows and sunshine - sometimes there are hard moments too. But through it all, there is lots of love. The bright illustrations are perfect and the characters throughout the book are diverse. 

Another Sophie Beer book - this one celebrates differences between people. What a fantastic message! More brightly colored illustrations with diverse characters. 

This one is about loving nature. The colors from the die cuts appear in different pages that are unique. Love the message here. 

Picture Book Review: Beatrix and her Friends

 

A picture book biography about Beatrix Potter - the author of Peter Rabbit. Peter was influenced by her childhood pets and summer holidays. She didn't enjoy the city of London and lives for summers in Scotland where she would be free in nature. 

A delightful, charming read that makes me want to learn more about this author/illustrator. I loved the illustrations in this book - they show how Beatrix's imagination created stories about her favorite characters.