Review: Falling Like Leaves

 

Ellis has a lot of expectations for her senior year, but moving from Manhattan to Bramble Falls, Connecticut is not one of them. Yet in the wake of her parents' separation, that's exactly where she and her mother are headed.

Bramble Falls might be charming, but it's also full of distractions. Like local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis's one-time best friend—and first kiss—who has not only majorly glowed up but wants nothing to do with Ellis.

Then there's the Falling Leaves Festival, a month-long tourist attraction run by Ellis's aunt—celebrating everything autumn. The festival seems nice and all, but Ellis doesn't have time to be roped into her aunt's enthusiastic planning. Dragged to each event, she can't stop bumping into Cooper, the one person she's hoping to avoid.

But the longer she stays in Bramble Falls, the harder it is to pretend she's not falling for this town and the people in it. As her return to Manhattan gets pushed further and further out, Ellis is forced to confront exactly what she wants for her future—and what that means for her present. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I adored this book. So many things to love:

Small town Charm

Second Chance Romance

Work/Life Balance

Great BFF (loved the dead body comments)

The cookies - it really made me want to bake

All the Fall Festival Activities

I didn't want this book to end; it's just magical.

Goodreads says it's the first in a series and I REALLY want that to be true.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Why I Read This: First the cover and 2nd- Jessica Burkhart recommended it.

Source: My Library (but I did get an ARC for review the same week)

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your teen romance collection - especially since there aren't that many fall romance books.

Hand This To: Fans of PSL and Gilmore Girls 

I went to a Taylor Swift party at the local bookstore and bedazzled the leaves in the trees:

Cute right?

Review: Every Time You Hear That Song

 

When country music legend Decklee Cassel dies, her televised funeral unveils the much talked about time capsule. It's supposed to have all kinds of pictures, a full album, and so many memories. But when it's opened, the capsule is empty. Instead Decklee sends her fans on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden memories.

Darren Purchase has always loved Decklee Cassel. She and her mom spend hours singing her songs. She's determined to uncover the treasures left behind. Stuck in a small town that she can't wait to leave behind, Darren doesn't have many friends. She does convince a co-worker to drive her the first stop. If they win the prize, she could leave this town in the dust, and he could open a restaurant. 

My Thoughts: This was a great book. I love how it moved back and forth between present day and Decklee making her mark in the country world. She sacrificed so much for stardom. She was terrible, but I felt sorry for her. I loved the idea of the scavenger hunt and having fans search for items. I love how Darren and Kendall became friends during the trip. I liked the idea of escaping a small town - that makes sense to me. But I did also love how it played out. I enjoyed the twist; I did not see that coming.

Cover Thoughts: ok

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your collection