Top Ten Tuesday: Settings

 This week's topic is all about settings. I'm picking books that take place in Connecticut.

Adult:

Young Adult:

Middle Grade:

Kids:

Have you read any of these? 

What books are set in the state where you live?

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?

On Your Radar (56): If Anything Happens to Me

Title: If Anything Happens to Me

Author: Luanne Rice

Publisher: Scholastic

Date Published: September 17

Why It Should be On Your Radar:

Creepy!

Sisters

Bird Watching

Friendship

Grief

Quick Timeline: most of the book takes place within 48 hours

Takes place in Connecticut

Greek Mythology

Thriller

Verdict: This book is really creepy! But I didn't want to put it down.

** ARC sent for review

Review: Always the Last to Know

Barb and John have been married fifty years, but it's not working. Barb wants a divorce. But before she can talk to her husband, he's in a bike accident following a stroke. He's in very bad shape. To compile matters, when she's in the hospital with her daughters, she learns that he's been having an affair.

She keeps this secret from her daughters. One of whom is the light of her life. But Juliet has her own struggles with having it all. Her life is perfect but she's spiraling out of control. Sadie's floundering with her life's direction and her big dreams that haven't quite panned out.

How all three women are living in the same town and struggling to come to terms with their new normal.

My Thoughts: I loved this book for the relationships between this family. I felt heartbroken for the ladies in this book and all they dealt with. I loved the small town Connecticut and reading about places familiar to me. Plus I was happy to see some old favorite characters from the previous book. I loved the conversation about perfection, having it all, asking for help, and discovering the love of your life. I love how the family found each other again and how they worked through their differences. Another magnificent story from Kristan Higgins.

Cover Thoughts: I love the covers
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Kristan Higgins is a must have author for your public libraries.

Reasons to Read: History of Jane Doe

While Brugerville's past is sprinkled with interesting moments, Ray's present isn't that interesting. Until Jane Doe comes to town and everything changes. 

Reasons to Read This Book:

If you like weird history (Green Cows)

If you like books with dual timelines

If you like John Green's books

If you like books that give you all the feels

If you feel that you don't belong