"Made Well" by Jenny Simmons

Made Well, (Baker Books) by Jenny Simmons, is about the journey towards healing and wholeness. We all go through this journey many times in our lives, don't we? I love how vulnerable and open Simmons is about her own experiences. She's so relatable and her words are like poetry. Line after line speaks to my soul. I read this book during a time of crazy turmoil in my life, which is why I'm 100% sure I forgot to post a review, but it was probably also the perfect book for me at the perfect time. I love the way Simmons tells story, and I highlight line after line of her words. Definetely recommend. A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"Things My Son Needs to Know About the World" by Fredrik Backman

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, (Atria Books), by Fredrik Backman is a collection of experiences Backman has had throughout his experience as a father. This book would make an excellent gift for your dad. Backman hits all the points he usually makes with his writing style such as emotion and humor. As you read through his story of fatherhood you'll laugh and cry right along with him. This is a super quick read I think most people would be able to relate to in some way. A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"Wartime with the Cornish Girls" by Betty Walker

I was very excited to read Wartime with the Cornish Girls, (Avon) by Betty Walker, as I have a long history of loving WWII era novels. This novel follows Violet as she flees the city to the country side of Cornwall with her two nieces. There she meets Eva and Hazel. The novel really takes turns telling all three women's' stories and eventually they interlock. They come together to fight the war in their own way. To be really honest I rated this 2 stars. There wasn't anything inherently wrong with it, I just found it quite boring. It appears that this is the first of a series that I won't be continuing. A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"The Spires" by Kate Moretti

Photo credit: Netgalley

The Spires, (Thomas & Mercer) by Kate Moretti, just came out September 21st.  I was super excited to read this one as Moretti is a "Tall Poppy" and I've heard great things about her stories. This is the first I've read, and I started it on the plane during my honeymoon.

Our main character Penelope ("Pip") has a demanding job, two teenagers, and an unemployed husband. She's dealing with all the stress that brings when unexpectedly one of her college room mates, Willa, knocks on the door asking for a place to stay as she escapes a dangerous marriage.  Pip of course says yes, two weeks tops, to the disapproval of her husband.
 

As Willa seems to infiltrate every part of Pip's life, all of the memories of the year after college come rushing back. During this year Pip and Willa lived with 3 other room mates. None of them have seen each other since some sort of tragedy at the end of that year.

As Penelope's family quickly warms up to Willa considering her the perfect guest, Penelope becomes increasingly frustrated. Willa not only crosses the line multiply times but she is heavily gaslighting Pip.  What happened the last year together may shine line on what's going on now so Pip starts to try to figure it out.

This dual timeline is quickly paced and the end is twisty. I typically enjoy dual timelines as they read so quickly.  The chapters weren't super short but they weren't super long either. There were multiple surprises through out the story, which I always love because I usually can figure at least part of it out. I  thoroughly enjoyed this read and would recommend.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"Under the Whispering Door" by TJ Klune

Picture credit: Netgalley

 

TJ Klune's latest novel, Under the Whispering Door (Macmillan-Tor), just came out last week.

This novel is about a man who is picked up at his own funeral by a reaper and taken to a tea shop where he meets a man who will help him "cross over." Our main character has to not only accept his death but go through all the stages of grief, twice actually. 

The story starts with all the hope of the whimsy that Klune gave us in Cerulean Sea, but he just didn't keep it up.  For that reason I just didn't love it, because it wasn't the style of writing I was looking for. And maybe that's unfair as it is a completely different work.

He does nicely work through acceptance and the stages of grief, and the character goes through quite the journey.  The romantic relationship in the book again felt forced to me as it did in Cerulean Sea, but not quite as badly.  This one ended up at least having some ground to stand on.

Should you read it?  Do you want to read book that has a sad undertone the entire time? If so, then go for it. Check trigger warnings first as the book does discuss multiple paths to death.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman

 

Picture credit: Netgalley 

Anxious People, (Atria Books) is Frederik Backman's "newest novel." Truth is it came out in the fall, I had to cancel my wedding for the second time thanks the the pandemic, so I am late to review it. Nevertheless we're here.

This was the book I would read on my lunchbreak the days we both were home. And I would laugh out loud, a lot during the first half. Is the theme of this novel funny, not quite, but Backman pulled off that witty style of his in just the right way to get you to keep turning the page.

This story is about a failed bank robber? A hostage situation, an apartment viewing, and you guessed it..a bunch of Anxious people.  I loved how the novel slowly unwound and brought together everyone's stories. The characters were real if a little neurotic.  And the who done it was a nice twist.  I actually had to flip back as I realized I had made assumptions that the book didn't give.

I know this novel is controversial as in people either seemed to love it or hate it but I'm in the like it department. Backman hasn't don't me wrong yet.

A copy of this book was provided to me for review by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Cover Reveal...Everything We Didn't Say

 COVER REVEAL!

I can’t wait until November for "Everything We Didn’t Say!"

I’m so excited to share the cover reveal for my friend Nicole’s new book! It’s another “race-to-the-finish family drama” (People Magazine)  and let's be real, Nicole's prose are top notch

Head on over to goodreads and add it to your TBR. If you're super cool Pre-order