Jen's Blog

Although I liked certain parts of this book, there were other parts I didn't like at all.  I loved the setting and the setting description a lot.  I also liked the premise of the book.  It was a fairly quick read, but I did have trouble with the flow of the story.  The writing seemed jilted at times, and it didn't flow as smoothly as I would have liked. The main part of the book dealt with young Olivia and her relationship with her recently returned father.  He had been largely absent during her youth.  I found him to be very unlikable.  I also wasn't super fond of Olivia's finance, he just didn't seem all that supportive.  I really liked Olivia and her mother and step-father though.  So an average book for me. 3/5 stars on GoodReads.

The Good Daughter was a reading departure for me, but it proved to me that sometimes it’s a great idea to read something different than you normally do!  Alexandra Burt had me turning pages as fast as I could from the beginning.  I couldn’t wait to find out what was going on with Dahlia and her mother and to know the truth!  Dahlia remembers moving from one place to the next all her life, and finds that she continues to do so as an adult.  Why doesn’t she have a birth certificate?  Not it seems like her mother is having a breakdown as well and Dahlia doesn’t know why.  She does know that it’s probably related to her unorthodox upbringing.  Usually I don’t like stories that go back and forth in character and time, but this time it works.  I almost found that Dahlia’s mothers story was more intriguing and I couldn’t wait until the story switched back to her!  Recommended…4/5 on GoodReads Thanks to Net Galley for the Advanced R...

Who doesn't love Sophie Kinsella?  Well, I am sure some people are not a fan, but I know she is loved far and wide.  Sophie writes a fun, fast paced story that catches your interest right away and keeps you reading!  Her style of writing is so engaging I often find myself looking up at the clock and wondering how time has gone so fast! My (not so) Perfect Life wasn't any different.  It was light, fun, easy to read, entertaining and hilarious.  There was a little bit of romance as well...it hit all the right notes for me. Katie is the main character, she has always wanted to live in London and have a fabulous life and job.  The reality is that London is expensive and her job isn't that great, but she is optimistic and portrays her life the way she sees it ending up to everyone around her, and her Instagram followers. When Katie is fired from her dream job she is forced to move home and reevaluate her life a little.  She is not about to give up h...

Holding on Tighter is another book I read in February and just now am reviewing! Any fan of Erotic Romance knows the name Shayla Black.  This is the 12th book in her Wicked Lovers series, and it's a good solid addition. The main characters include Jolie Quinn, who is a woman in charge.  She has big goals and knows what she needs to do to get them accomplished.  Heath Powell is recovering from personal tragedy and wants to stay clear of any attachment.  However Jolie and her company become a target and she suddenly needs to rely on someone else to help protect the things she loves. The sparks between the two characters are evident, but they both are fighting not only their desires but also their true feelings. Watching them sort that out is a lot of sexy fun!  One of the best parts was catching up with past characters of the other books, seeing the big extended family these people have created was truly special. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced readers ...

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of this one.  I read it in January but am a little behind on my blogging. I love a good cowboy story, but this one was just OK.   Wild Horse Springs is the fifth in the Ransom Canyon series...but it certainly isn't my favorite of the bunch. This story features sheriff Dan Brigman and Brandi Malone.  Brandi is a singer who is running from a loss...she travels from town to town preforming on the stage and trying to forget her past.  When danger strikes Brandi ends up running to Dan instead of running away like she usually does. The story also features Lauren Brigman, Dan's daughter, who has come home after her job in Dallas doesn't pan out.  Lauren has to decide if home is where her heart is or if she is going to travel back out into the world and try and forge a new life.  There are some really solid parts to this story, but it did fall a little flat for me.  It look me a long time to get into it...

Thanks NetGalley for the Advanced Reading Copy of this one!  I read it back in January, but am a little behind on my blogging. Spring has been busy this year! This book made me feel all the feels!  It features two sisters Ainsley and Kate, and although it's a romance it could also be called women's fiction because it heavily features the relationship between the two sisters who have never been close.  However, some pretty big life events bring the two sisters together, closer than ever. Kate, who found her husband later in life, tragically loses him at the beginning of the book.  Readers follow her story of getting over the loss of her whirlwind romance and marriage, and then navigate a surprise that she never saw coming.  Watching Kate rebuild her life was addicting, and I had trouble putting the book down. Ainsley's romance is completely the opposite of whirlwind.  She has been waiting for 11 years for her boyfriend to propose.  Instead of pr...

Thanks to NetGalley and the editors for the advanced readers copy of this book! This is a great book for working people who want to eat healthy at work and don't want to spend a lot of money.  The pictures were great and I am excited to try more of the recipes.  So far I have done a breakfast smoothie and one of the salads.  I am excited to try the morning cookies, some of the dips and the soups! Some positives about the book include the great pictures, the variety of recipes and the key that lets you know if it's going to be a fast recipe, one that could be made ahead or freeze well.  The ingredients are fresh, real and good for you.  I love that there are several that will be perfect for garden season when I am over run with zucchini and green beans. I was disappointed that the nutritional information wasn't included with the recipe.  I am diabetic and that makes it so much easier for me to know right away if the recipe will work or not.  Som...

Thanks NetGalley for the Advanced Readers copy! I wasn't too sure about this one the entire time I was reading it, and honestly I am still a little on the fence.  However, I will say it was fresh and new and unlike many other books.  This is how people communicate now...email and text so that was real. After the first few sections I got used to the dialog between the twins and I got more into their story.  In the end I was connecting to the characters and getting to know them, so maybe it just took me awhile to get into the story.  It's been about a week since I finished the story and when I think about it now I feel happy.  The story line was somewhat predictable but again a lot of fun. Overall, give it a try.  It was pretty good and the characters were a lot of fun.  3/5 stars on GoodReads.

As a frequent yoga class attendee and busy, working mom to three teenage boys the idea of this book spoke to me as soon as I saw the title.  I have been taking a yoga nidra class once a week (yoga sleep and guided meditation) and it's been making a world of difference in my mood and my days.  I just finished reading Breathe Mama Breathe and am so excited to add more mindfulness to my day when  I can't be in a yoga class!   I was a little worried about a book for busy moms, so many of them are focused on moms of just one age group, but this one is great for moms with any age kids!  There are so many places I can add a little calm in my day that I never had thought about before!   These quick breaks in the day are actually practical and I can see myself doing them on a regular basis!   I am especially looking forward to adding these mediation breaks to my day: Coffee Your Teen Driver STOP the Teen 'Tude Prepping to Launch Wonder W...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this new book, Lists to Love by: for Busy Wives by Mark and Susan Merrill.  I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't quite what I expected.  It was filled with great reminders on marriage, and had some really good points in it.  It was a great reminder on how to love, how to honor your husband, how to live in a faith based marriage and how to remember why you married him in the first place.  It's well written and easy to read, and I liked the personal antidotes in the book. The downside was it wasn't really new.  I have read many similar books in the past, and the same advice seems to be in all of them. So it was good, but not groundbreaking.  3/5 stars on Goodreads.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of this one.   Wild Wicked Scot by Julia London was a great read, and one that I gobbled down in just one day!  There are some books that you just can't put down or read fast enough and this is one of them!  I am beyond excited that this is the first in a new series and I can't wait for book two! Book one features Margot Armstrong, a young and inexperienced English lady and Arran McKenzie, Scottish Clan leader.  The two had an arranged marriage and couldn't be more different in personality. Despite the natural passion that ran between them Margot runs away and returns to England. Three years later she is sent back to Scotland by her father to spy on her husband.  Although, deep down she is convinced that the Arran she was married too couldn't be a traitor she has to find out for sure. In her quest for the truth Margo finds out a lot about Arran, including some things she didn't see as a new bride.  She ...

I liked this one, but it wasn't my favorite.  I gave it a 3/5 stars on Goodreads.  Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy. The Trouble with Duke s is the first in a series, and like I mentioned I did like it.  I love series so I will defiantly read the second one.  This book features lovely Megan Windham and the gruff Hamish MacHugh, a brand new Duke. Megan has found herself in a courtship with a vile man and she doesn't know how to get out of it.  Instead of confiding in one of the many protective Windham men she turns to Hamish.  Despite his desire to distance himself from Megan he finds himself drawn to her sunny personality and a love match is born.  Together they find a way out of trouble and end up together. All of my favorite components of a good romance story are present in the book, and I did like the characters.  It's hard for me to put my finger on why I didn't like this book as much as some others, but I think it has a...

I had to give this one a few starts before I was able to finish it.  I didn't love this one...and I was disappointed because Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors.  To me the writing and the voice of the characters was stiff and formal.  I didn't feel like the characters were speaking, I felt like a narrator was speaking.  All of the characters had the same "voice" and I found myself not investing in the characters. The story line wasn't all that original, which doesn't usually matter to me if the characters have a personality.  I just wasn't feeling it for this one.  The main character Anna was orphaned at birth but it turns out she is actually a lady.  She has to adjust to her new life, with the help of the Duke of Netherby and they fall in love in the process.  There is a lot of potential here and I will give the second in the series a read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.  3/5 stars on Goodreads.

Duke of Pleasure is the newest addition to the Maiden Lane Series...and it didn't disappoint.  The new Ghost of St. Giles happens to be the favorite street urchin Alf.  Alf is a woman who dresses as a boy to hide her identity in a dangerous part of London.  While protecting the streets one evening she comes across the Duke of Kyle, who realizes right away that the ghost is a woman.  The Duke has been attacked and calls upon the services of Alf to find out who his enemy is. Alf stays in the Duke's house, and starts to become part of the family.  Hugh's two young sons are still recovering from the loss of their mother and Hugh's absence from the house.  They take to Alf right away, and it turns out that Hugh does as well.  There is a happily ever after in this story, as there always is. Hugh and Alf's story seems a little far-fetched (usually the heroine isn't so different from the hero) but it feels right almost from the first page.  It's a st...

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!  Miracle on 5 th Avenue by Sarah Morgan is a delightful conclusion of the From Manhattan with Love series.  The third installment of the series features Eva, who is recovering from the loss of her grandmother.  Her new client in this book is sexy crime writer Lucas Blade.  She is sent to decorate his empty apartment for Christmas by his grandmother.  Lucas hates the holidays, having lost his wife in an accident a few years ago.  He is also going through major writers block.  He is surprised by Eva’s appearance in his life and doesn’t want her in his life or his apartment.  Forced to spend a few days with her due to a snowstorm he quickly realizes that he cannot write without her!  The chemistry between Lucas and Eva is very strong, and their witty banter is entertaining.  Sarah Morgan tells a good story and I was sucked in on the first page.  Watching Eva try to convince ...

I wasn't going to review this one on my blog because, frankly, I didn't like it.  But then I decided that my blog shouldn't just be about books I like, it should be honest reviews about all books good and bad. The premise of the book was promising, the main character Sukie is rebuilding her life after her husband leaves her for another women.  A common theme with women's fiction books.  Sukie learns to rely on her friends, and makes new friends while she discovers who she is when she is alone.  I love this type of story line and it was probably the best part of the book, but it was hard to read, rushed and all over the place. The characters, to me, just didn't seem real and I had trouble connecting to them.  To me this is the cornerstone of a women't fiction novel and without it I just couldn't get into the book.  This one had a lot of promise but didn't deliver. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for this honest review...

Lauren Layne is a new author for me and I loved this third installment in the series.  I am currently going back to read the first two books.   This installment focuses on the Wedding Belles owner Alexis.  Alexis has always thought her business was the most important part of her life and enough to make her happy.  However, after eight years her business partner Logan starts to make her wonder of that's true.  Although she loves the Wedding Belles it turns out it might be more than her business that she loves.   I loved watching this story unfold and can't wait to go back and read the other stories. This one was light and funny and very moving. So much fun and I recommend it!   5/5 stars on Goodreads  Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy!  

John Sandford is a personal favorite, but also one I recommend to a large number of library patrons. His stories are entertaining, fun to read and don't drag. Escape Clause is a great addition to the Virgil Flower's Series and will keep readers on their toes during the quick and entertaining read!  I love that Sandford is always coming up with new locations for his books, and the zoo was a great addition.  The storyline in this one kept me guessing and I love that.   The relationship between Frankie and Virgil in this one also kept the reader interested in what was to come!   If you haven't read Sandford yet start today.  The first one in this series is Dark of the Moon . 5/5 on Goodreads, thanks to NetGalley and Goodreads for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

I have enjoyed Tara Sue Me's Submissive Series for the most part, and The Exposure was a solid addition. This one features Megan and Luke who after a brief and intense meeting in the past have parted ways.  When they team up for a new project sparks between them fly.  However, Megan is hiding a big secret and Luke feels betrayed when he finds out.  The couple needs to decide if they can get over the past and work towards a future. Although they ultimately solve their problems and have their happily ever after their story feels forced and a little rushed.  So many stories have this same plot, a big secret and betrayal and then forgiveness.  Tara Sue Me's specialty is her spicy love scenes and this one is no exception.  I personally like having a little bit more of a story to go along with the sex.  I did get to catch up with other characters in the series and that was good.  Overall, a solid read and I look forward to the next book.   Th...

The Promise Kitchen by Peggy Lampman wasn't my favorite book this month.  It was a solid story, and I enjoyed the colorful characters Shelby and Mallory.  I always enjoy books that feature food and chefs, so I was excited for this one.  To me the book got off to such a slow start it was hard to stick in there and get to the meat of the story. Ultimately this is a story about friendship, the friendship that Shelby and Mallory develop during the story.  The two are very different but they quickly find common group and a friendship forms. I have never read a story by Peggy Lampman before, but even though this wasn't my favorite I will give her another try.  I think fans of Dorthea Benton Frank will enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy. 2/5 on Goodreads for me.