The Kiss Thief
By L.J. Shen
People We Meet on Vacation
I loved this novel SO DANG MUCH!
This one is told from Poppy's perspective and it bounces from present day to flashbacks of each summer vacation she went on with her best friend Alex. Each flashback brings you closer to present day, building the friendship in a slow burn and maddening way. It really took me back to my college best friend and how our relationship turned to love after our four years of friendship. 🥰
Of course I was rooting for this relationship since the very beginning when I knew they were made for each other. I adored Poppy, the main character. She had this fun unapologetic wit that's the perfect balance to Alex, who is very unassuming and restrained. Their candid friendship is truly made of sugary sweet and unique chemistry that will make you crave more of the same. It kind of reminded me of Luke and Lorelai. #iykyk
Have you ever read a book and wished you could unread it? Like go back to the hours before it and forget it all, just so you could read it again? That's how this one makes you feel.
5/5 STARS
Good Neighbors
I struggled to figure out how I felt about this one. Parts of it were interesting, but the whole story felt a bit scattered and the ending was seemed very harsh, in my opinion.
Here's the synopsis.
One neighbor rules the roost. She has something in her past she is terrified of anyone learning about. When she finds herself getting too emotionally vulnerable with the wife of the new family that has moved to the neighborhood, it terrifies her and she turns on the new family as a whole....and since that is not enough to drive a novel, she sets out to turn ALL the neighbors against the new family. What better way to do that than to accuse the father of the family of sexual abuse? That storyline is what really made me the sickest reading it. In an effort to support the accuser, parents start basically talking their own children into accusing the man of abusing them. All this, naturally leads to tensions amongst the neighbors that ultimately lead to violence.
It sounded better than it was, I'd pass on this one.
2 STARS
The Four Winds
I loved this book. Set during the dust bowl, the Great Depression and mid-west migration to California, this is a story about resilience, determination, family and hope! Elsa, a mother of two young kids whose husband left her is now being forced to leave her hometown in Texas, after her youngest suffers from "dust pneumonia". She has no other choice than to move to the fresh air of California, the land of milk and honey; where jobs are plenty. However, life in CA is far from sweet. Elsa trades one terrible circumstance for another.
Kristin Hannah has an excellent way with words. Yes, this story was depressing. Elsa's life was a horrific tragedy, one after the other. But the determination she had of living through REAL times that many Americans lived through with husbands, children and in laws was terrifying. Also seeing the complicated relationship between a mother and a daughter, the friendship between a two women who only have each other, and the courage and bravery of a woman who never thought she has. I enjoyed seeing Elsa's confidence grow with each tragedy she faced. It's hard to rate this one because it's not one I would necessarily recommend for a vacation read... but I'm glad I read it. Does that make sense?Hannah's writing is impeccable, she truly makes you feel like you are living IN the situation with them. Although it was full of depressing situations, I really enjoyed living through it with Elsa.
4 STARS
The Last Thing He Told Me
This one was UNPUTDOWNABLE! It was a slow burn that kept you on the edge of your seat.
Hannah Hall is happily married to Owen. Except for her angsty teenage daughter named Bailey who doesn't really like Hannah. One day Hannah receives a hand written note (from Owen) that simply says, "protect her". She assumes it means protect Bailey, but how and why.... The story slowly unfolds by flipping from past to present by unraveling this mystery that Owen has left for his daughter and wife to keep them safe. Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn't who he said he is. What?!
I really enjoyed this one. Short chapters, a lot of peeling away layers and so much intensity! If you like mysteries and don't want the creepy vibe, this one is a great read for you!
5 STARS
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