Picture Book Review: Animals Go Vroom!

What's happening in Bumperville today?

This charming picture book is all about sounds and transportation and gives off Richard Scarry vibes. I love the cut outs and how they work into the story. This is a funny book that's perfect for storytime and guessing what happened.

Highly Recommended for your library's collection!

 

Review: If You Must Know

 

* 1st book in a trilogy *

Amanda and Erin don't have the best relationship. Even though they're sisters, they couldn't be more different. Amanda resented the love their father showered on Erin. Erin never fit in with Amanda or their mother. 

But when push comes to shove, they start to be there for each other. Amanda's perfect life crumbles during the last month of her pregnancy. Both sisters start to take a look at the past to heal the wrongs. Trusting each other doesn't come naturally. Little by little, they start to understand past hurts. Hopefully they can come together to move forward.

My Thoughts: This family didn't function well together, especially after the death of their father. I admired the way they started talking again and looking out for each other. My heart hurt for both of the sisters and all the past pain they put each other through. I loved hearing about the Etsy shop ideas and the small business moments. I felt awful for Amanda and the choices she had to make in regards to her unborn child. She was very brave. I loved the dual narratives, hearing both Amanda and Erin's side of the story. Of course I loved learning more about Mo (Based on the author's dog). 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - makes me curious about the book

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your women's fiction collection - highly recommended

* I'm friends with the author

 

Romance Review: Billionaire series

The Billionaire in her Bed:

Brooke doesn't want her family's money - or the strings that come with it. She's working at a bar at the same time as working on her graphic novel. She's also working to save her apartment building. But when a sexy man comes in to the bar, sparks fly. They have a one night stand...until he shows up again. 

I loved that Brooke is an artist, particularly a graphic novelist. I loved her community within the apartment building and how Eli fit right in. 

Nanny for the Reclusive Billionaire:

Mallory (Brooke's sister) needs to get away form her suffocating parents. She takes a job as a personal chef and nanny on an remote island. With a chef background, she doesn't have much experience with children. But she understands the grief Oliver feels after losing her mother. Oliver and Mallory bond, making it impossible for Rhys to fire her, which he wanted to do at first sight. 

I loved the moments between Oliver and Mallory. I loved the Sound of Music jokes (it actually made me watch the Sound of Music).

Final Thoughts: I tore through both of these books during a weekend where I needed a distraction. These were that perfect distraction; I loved them. I didn't want either of them to end.  They had family drama, finding your own footing, and grand gestures. Lots of humor and sexy times in both of these books. 

* I'm friends with the author

** Source: Purchased from Amazon because that was the only place I could find them. 

Fresh Fiction Review: The Promise of Us

I reviewed Jamie Beck's new book:

"Another heartwarming tale from Jamie Beck!"

You can read my full review here.

Blog Tour: All We Knew

More than anything, Sara wants a child. But with each new failure, she looses a little piece of herself. Her husband, Hunter, seems more concerned about the family business than their personal life. She has no doubt that he loves her, but she's not sure that love is enough.

When her last option for a child of her own fails, Sara imagines the worst. But a new hope comes from an unexpected source. If all the pieces fall into place, she could have the family she's always dreamed of having.

Hunter's trying desperately to keep the family business from selling, but it's a tangled web. His ideas for the company have been turned down so far. He's willing to do the work to prove himself if he could simply have the opportunity. But lately he's fighting two battles - one at work and one at home. Could he lose at both?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book; it was beautifully written and tugged at my heartstrings something fierce. my heart broke for Sara. I felt sad for Hunter in dealing with all the family issues, particular the business, but there were times when I just wanted to smack him. I loved seeing familiar characters from the first book and I'm so looking forward to the next book and seeing how everything plays out. I had a hard time putting this book down. I really liked Sara's volunteer work. I loved her moments with Ty. All We Knew is different from many women's fiction books because the couple is already married, but they're going through a rough match. And it works really well.

Cover Thoughts: Beautiful
Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your public library
Librarians: Jamie Beck is fantastic to host at your library for an author event.