Book Review: The Writers Room by Justen Davila

A great poetry collection revolving around change.

Great Collection | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of The Writers Room

Overview: 
A collection of poems and shorts that centers mostly around change. The Writers Room is thought provoking and challenges you to not only think, but grow.

What I loved: I was left inspired! What a lovely surprise this was.

What I didn’t: It didn’t move me as I was hoping.

If you liked milk and honey or contemporary poetry collections: check out The Writers Room! It’s a great debut collection.

For my full review of The Writers Room, click play!

I received a copy from the Author, Justen, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr

“I knew we’d be great together, but I didn’t have enough imagination to know how great.”

A Charming Read | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of The Life She Wants

Overview: 
After Emma’s husband commits suicide she is left to deal with his crimes and the backlash. Alone and lost in New York, she heads back to her hometown in California with nothing more than she left with nine years earlier. With the help of an old high school friend and some hard work she gets back on her feet.

What I loved: Well paced, addictive, and Emma was a great character who showed strength, forgiveness, and perseverance.

The Life She Wants was well paced and addictive! I love how the story all came together however the epilogue, I could have either gone without or extended it just a bit. I felt it was really short for how much was thrown at us. Giving just a few more paragraphs or even a page would have been a terrific way to wrap up the book and leave me with all those feel goods!

What I didn’t: The ending. There was so much thrown all at once… I wish it would have let it soak in a bit and extended it out just a little, and there weren’t any big wow moments.

If you liked The One That Got Away (putting your life back together), The Choices We Make (friendship), So Close (difficult pasts), or anything Nicholas Sparks (romance): don’t miss this darling read!

For my full review of The Life She Wants, click play!

I received a copy from Little Bird Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: A House for Happy Mothers by Amulya Malladi

An interesting read that left me a little disappointed.

Good | 3/5 stars | Buy your copy of A House for Happy Mothers

Overview: 
Priya and Madhu can’t have a baby the traditional way and begin looking into surrogacy. Happy Mothers a surrogate house in India seems to be the perfect fit. Asha comes into their lives to carry their baby and we’re taken on a nine month journey of  sadness, love, and hope.

What I loved: 
Characters were great and the story was interesting.

What I didn’t: 
Was left cheated and disappointed.

If you like books that deal with surrogacy: definitely check this one out as well as The Choices We Make

For my full review of A House for Happy Mothers, click play!

I received a copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.

Wrap Up: August 2016

August was full of great reads!

August was insane! We traveled to Rio to watch my brother compete in the Olympics, we came home and bought a house. Now we’re in the process of boxing up our house in Denver and getting ready for the big move to Nevada. I really thought I would have read more this past month, but I can see why I didn’t… I did manage to read 3 books and 2 comics. What I did read was fantastic! I highly recommend them all and here you’ll get a glimpse into each read, but for full reviews you can click below! This past weekend we boxed up my entire office and it makes me sad to see the empty bookshelf, but I did pull a few out. Stay tuned for my September TBR!

Buy your copies of my August reads on Amazon:

Perfectly Good Crime | FULL REVIEW

It Ends With Us | FULL REVIEW

Southern Solstice | FULL REVIEW

Rat Queens Vol 2

Lumberjanes Vol 4

Book Review: Perfectly Good Crime by Dete Meserve

A modern Robin Hood story with an Ocean’s Eleven flare…

Keeps the pages turning! | 5/5 stars | Buy your copy of Perfectly Good Crime


Overview: 
Kate Bradley, a Los Angeles news reporter, is covering the $20 million string of estate robberies. As it turns out there’s a Robin Hood behind the heists and he’s giving back to those in need. Piece by piece Kate begins to piece together the mystery of the sophisticated robberies to uncover who Robin Hood really is.

What I loved: 
thought provoking, unexpected, enjoyable, steady pace,

What I didn’t: 
Eric’s lapse in judgement.

If you liked The House of Bradbury or A Study in Charlotte: then you’ll enjoy this!

For my full review of Perfectly Good Crime, click play!

I received a copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.

Book Haul: August 2016

A book haul FULL of amazing reads just begging to be read!

Some of you may know, my husband and I are making a big life change… we’re boxing up our home in Denver and heading to Reno to be closer to our families. So over the past week I’ve had the task of boxing up some things. The first to go were my books. My husband brought a box up into my office and said hey start packing. I was like yeah okay it should be easy right well it set off an anxiety attack… I couldn’t stand the thought of an empty bookshelf for the month. Turns out though, the TBR stack sitting on the floor… it fills up my almost empty shelf ha! And I thought I’d only need a few boxes. I’m already at two and I have a good feeling I’m going to need a LOT more!

Anyways, over the month of August I’ve been able to add more great reads to the TBR shelf! I’m so excited for these reads. Have you read any of them?

Order your copies of the August reads from Amazon:

The Muse by Jessie Burton

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Good As Gone by Amy Gentry

Keep Her by Leora Krygier

After You by Jojo Moyes

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

The Writers Room by Justen Davila

Book Review: It End With Us by Colleen Hoover

“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”

Powerful Read | 5/5 stars | Buy your copy of It Ends With Us

Overview: Lily had a troubling childhood. Years later she finds herself in Boston following her dreams of opening her own business. On a quite rooftop she meets a guy named Ryle. There’s an instant connection. Lily knows that she could be swept up in a romance with this man, but can’t help to think back on her first true love, Atlas. When he reappears it threatens everything that Lily and Ryle have built.

What I loved: Major plot twists, incredible characters, all the feels and emotions, and a powerful story line.

What I didn’t: A few moments where it felt too predictable.

If you liked Confess, The Lovely Bones, If I Stay, or The Fault in our Stars: Pick this up ASAP!

For my full review of It Ends With Us, click play!

Book Review: Southern Solstice by Sarah Sadler

“God, you’re amazing, Larken. And now you’re my amazing.”

Definitely read! | 5/5 stars | Buy your copy of Southern Solstice

Overview: Larken is heartbroken when her fiancé, David, calls off the wedding and walks out of her life leaving her shaken and confused. She moves back to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina and finds herself accepting a position at a doctors office where she not only finds the job rewarding and enjoyable, but it opens her eyes to a world she never knew existed.

What I loved: Immediately hooked me, the writing and descriptions, the CHARACTERS!!, an extremely well done love triangle, and that ending!

What I didn’t: A little slow in parts, wished for more of Larken’s sister and the dynamics of her in the family.

If you like Nicolas Sparks then: what are you waiting for?! Order your copy and be charmed away by this gem! Jewels on your crown 😉

For my full review of Southern Solstice, click play!

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: So Close by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

“I’d be so unbelievably lucky,” he whispered. “If you forgave me.”

Perfect read to end Summer or start Fall with | 4/5 stars | Buy your copy of So Close


Overview: 
Amanda grew up in a trailer park where she was left to not only care for herself, but her younger siblings. With the weight of the family on her shoulders and the urge to get out, she joins Tom’s Presidential campaign. Along the way she meets Pax and Lindsay. Lindsay becomes a friend and mother figure while Pax becomes a love interest. On the campaign trail though, secrets get revealed and everything begins to crumble.

What I loved: 
The writing, all of the unexpected plot twists, and the hopeful ending!

What I didn’t: 
Amanda’s mom (ugh) and the transitions from past to present were sometimes unclear.

If you liked First Comes Love, The Assistants, The Devil Wears Prada: I think you’ll enjoy this!

For my full review of So Close, click play!

I received a copy from BookSparks in exchange for an honest review.

Wrap Up: July 2016

My reads during the month of July… boy did it fly!

I swear I blinked and July was over! I can’t believe it’s officially August… anyone else feeling like this?! July was busy, but I still managed to read 5 books and 4 comics. The books I read were fantastic as always (huge thank you to BookSparks and Atria Books), but my favorite read would have to be Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino. Oh goodness it was AMAZING and I devoured it in two days. The reads this last month were all a little heavier and emotional so just a little heads up for those who want to read these! I highly recommend them all though and would love to hear what you think so if you do pick one up. Let me know!

Buy your copy of my July reads on Amazon:

You Will Know Me | FULL REVIEW

The Choices We Make | FULL REVIEW

Swear on This Life | FULL REVIEW

So Close | FULL REVIEW

The Regulars | FULL REVIEW

Ms. Marvel Vol 2

Paper Girls Vol 1

Sweet Tooth Vol 6

I Hate Fairyland Vol 1