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happyreadings's reviews
87 reviews
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book follows Poppy and Alex, 2 unlikely friends, on their yearly vacations.
This book was not a typical romance book I would read mostly because of it being a friends-to-lovers trope. However, I loved Beach Read so I know I needed to stick this book out because I know it would be worth it. The more I read this book, the more genius I found it. The counting down of the summer trips til the end where we find out where they're relationship took a turn was really brilliant writing I thought.
I really enjoyed watching Poppy and Alex's relationship grow and watching them become so close was really enjoyable. But honestly, the ending is really where it got me. I think because my best friend is my husband, I really related to it. It was just really beautiful how they finally came together. However, I also think if they actually talked about their feelings toward each other in the beginning it could have saved them a lot of trouble in the future. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for Emily Henry's next book.
This book was not a typical romance book I would read mostly because of it being a friends-to-lovers trope. However, I loved Beach Read so I know I needed to stick this book out because I know it would be worth it. The more I read this book, the more genius I found it. The counting down of the summer trips til the end where we find out where they're relationship took a turn was really brilliant writing I thought.
I really enjoyed watching Poppy and Alex's relationship grow and watching them become so close was really enjoyable. But honestly, the ending is really where it got me. I think because my best friend is my husband, I really related to it. It was just really beautiful how they finally came together. However, I also think if they actually talked about their feelings toward each other in the beginning it could have saved them a lot of trouble in the future. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for Emily Henry's next book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know I always say, Get a Life, Chloe Brown is my favorite book in the Brown Sisters trilogy but this book was just as good. I felt it was a little shorter than the other books in the series but I am okay with that because I devoured it in about 2 days.
This book follows the third Brown sister, Eve. Her parents kick her out of the house hoping to teach her how to have more responsibility. Eve finds herself in another county taking a job that she's barely qualified for at a B&B run by a very grumpy man. Thus ensues the enemies to lover trope that I love so much and Talia Hibbert does a great job with the sexual tension and the STEAM. This book is STEAMY! to say the least but if you've read the other two books in the series then you already know what you're getting into.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I really only wish it was about 50-100 pages longer. I also want a 4th book incorporating all the sisters together because I feel that would really put an end to the series.
This book follows the third Brown sister, Eve. Her parents kick her out of the house hoping to teach her how to have more responsibility. Eve finds herself in another county taking a job that she's barely qualified for at a B&B run by a very grumpy man. Thus ensues the enemies to lover trope that I love so much and Talia Hibbert does a great job with the sexual tension and the STEAM. This book is STEAMY! to say the least but if you've read the other two books in the series then you already know what you're getting into.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I really only wish it was about 50-100 pages longer. I also want a 4th book incorporating all the sisters together because I feel that would really put an end to the series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident
Autism, childhood trauma
When We Believed in Mermaids by Barbara O'Neal
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book had high expectations for me and sadly I don't think they lived up to them. I didn't like how it kept going to flashbacks. If this book was written in sections of past vs. present I feel that would have had more of an impact on my reading. Overall, I felt this book was really slow and repetitive.
When We Believed in Mermaids follows two sisters, Kit, and Josie. Kit believes her sister is dead but discovers she is in New Zealand living as a whole other person. Kit finally decides to make the trip and find her. Along the way, we get flashbacks of their childhood. However, these flashbacks felt random and repetitive and never really gave me a clear picture of their childhood.
I think the ending did make up for the rest of the story which I think made the book worth it because honestly, I was about to close the book and not finish it. I am glad I did though.
When We Believed in Mermaids follows two sisters, Kit, and Josie. Kit believes her sister is dead but discovers she is in New Zealand living as a whole other person. Kit finally decides to make the trip and find her. Along the way, we get flashbacks of their childhood. However, these flashbacks felt random and repetitive and never really gave me a clear picture of their childhood.
I think the ending did make up for the rest of the story which I think made the book worth it because honestly, I was about to close the book and not finish it. I am glad I did though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the third book in the Jackaby series and I loved getting back into the world of Jackaby and his strange cases. I really enjoy these books because they are fast paced but they also tie everything up nicely at the end.
This book focused on one character in his house, Jenny Cavannaugh. She is a ghost that inhabits the house and her murder never got solved. She enlists Jackaby to finally find out what happened. However, her old case gets entangled with a new case and it becomes a race to put a stop to the murders.
If you're interested in murder mysteries, a funny group of characters with an undercurrent of romance, definitely check out this book series.
This book focused on one character in his house, Jenny Cavannaugh. She is a ghost that inhabits the house and her murder never got solved. She enlists Jackaby to finally find out what happened. However, her old case gets entangled with a new case and it becomes a race to put a stop to the murders.
If you're interested in murder mysteries, a funny group of characters with an undercurrent of romance, definitely check out this book series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Murder
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story follows the Vignes twins, born in a town where it's more acceptable to be light-skin than dark skin. The two sisters, Stella and Desiree, eventually realize they want more from their life and leave town leaving their mom to fend for herself. 20 years later, Desiree returns to her home town with her black child, which stirs up some controversy. But where is Stella? And what happened to her after the sisters left their small town of Mallard?
I found this story really interesting because it brought up something that doesn't get talked about to often, "passing as white." When the twins left to New Orleans to start their lives over, Stella realized she could pass as white and in the 60s, it's better to be white than black. But what happens when everyone around you believes that your white? You can't go back to your family, your history becomes erased because that would destroy your illusion, this whiteness, that you've created. When Stella passed as white, she became racist because she was terrified of every black person finding her out her secret.
However, what I really enjoyed about this book was how the two nieces found each other and their stories intertwined. Desiree's black child, Jude, moved to Los Angeles to go to school and somehow met Kennedy Sanders, Stella's white child. I loved these 2 characters stories. Jude falls in love with Reese who is a "she" but in the process of changing over. I loved how nonchalant Reese's character was, there was no drama with him changing, there was no "thinking-it-over" between the two. Jude fell in love with Reese just the way he is and I thought that relationship was so pure. Kennedy is a rich and spoiled brat who only finds solace when on stage. Her parents want her to focus on school but Kennedy finds it easier when she can pretend to be someone else, just like her mother.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it had some great lessons with some great characters. In the end, I do wish Stella became more open about her past and really own it but she chose her bed and now she has to sleep in it. I am happy that she was able to open up to her daughter more though. I am not surprised that this book has won a couple awards because it truly does bring up really great topics and lessons that everyone can relate to.
I found this story really interesting because it brought up something that doesn't get talked about to often, "passing as white." When the twins left to New Orleans to start their lives over, Stella realized she could pass as white and in the 60s, it's better to be white than black. But what happens when everyone around you believes that your white? You can't go back to your family, your history becomes erased because that would destroy your illusion, this whiteness, that you've created. When Stella passed as white, she became racist because she was terrified of every black person finding her out her secret.
However, what I really enjoyed about this book was how the two nieces found each other and their stories intertwined. Desiree's black child, Jude, moved to Los Angeles to go to school and somehow met Kennedy Sanders, Stella's white child. I loved these 2 characters stories. Jude falls in love with Reese who is a "she" but in the process of changing over. I loved how nonchalant Reese's character was, there was no drama with him changing, there was no "thinking-it-over" between the two. Jude fell in love with Reese just the way he is and I thought that relationship was so pure. Kennedy is a rich and spoiled brat who only finds solace when on stage. Her parents want her to focus on school but Kennedy finds it easier when she can pretend to be someone else, just like her mother.
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it had some great lessons with some great characters. In the end, I do wish Stella became more open about her past and really own it but she chose her bed and now she has to sleep in it. I am happy that she was able to open up to her daughter more though. I am not surprised that this book has won a couple awards because it truly does bring up really great topics and lessons that everyone can relate to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Racial slurs
Minor: Hate crime
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
Don't let this book fool you. It may be short (about 190 pages) but it packs a lot into it. The story follows Mauro and Elena in Colombia as they fall in love. They decide to make a better life for themselves by immigrating to the US. However, after Mauro gets deported, Elena has to make a very important decision in regards to her youngest daughter. Send her back to Colombia to live with her father so she can support her family in the US or keep all her children in the US with her. The decision is heartbreaking for everyone. But they remain hopeful that they all can be together again, including Mauro.
This story should be taught in schools to shine some light on the "illegal" immigrant problem we have here and why we have it. It was definitely an eye-opening book. I really enjoyed it and it made me realize that sometimes there are no "right" decisions.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
And maybe there is no nation or citizenry; they're just territories mapped in place of family, in place of love, the infinite country.
Don't let this book fool you. It may be short (about 190 pages) but it packs a lot into it. The story follows Mauro and Elena in Colombia as they fall in love. They decide to make a better life for themselves by immigrating to the US. However, after Mauro gets deported, Elena has to make a very important decision in regards to her youngest daughter. Send her back to Colombia to live with her father so she can support her family in the US or keep all her children in the US with her. The decision is heartbreaking for everyone. But they remain hopeful that they all can be together again, including Mauro.
This story should be taught in schools to shine some light on the "illegal" immigrant problem we have here and why we have it. It was definitely an eye-opening book. I really enjoyed it and it made me realize that sometimes there are no "right" decisions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was the perfect book to read while holed up at home in the middle of a snow storm. This story mainly takes place in the year of 2020 but flash backs to past New Years Eve's and Days. It follows Minnie Cooper and Quinn Hamilton. Both born the same day January 1st 1990, but Quinn was the first baby born of that year and got all the luck. Minnie was the second baby and was supposed to be named Quinn before Mrs. Hamilton took that name. For years, Minnie thought that there was jinx on her where every New Year's Eve and Day were bad luck for her. Until New Year's Day 2020, she finally meets the man who stole her name, Quinn Hamilton.
This was definitely a slow burn , closed-door romance with so many laughs but also some serious moments that really made you contemplate life. I really enjoyed this book and reading it while there's a snow storm just put me in the New Years mood.
So I really just have to ask, where do you want to be this time next year?
This was definitely a slow burn , closed-door romance with so many laughs but also some serious moments that really made you contemplate life. I really enjoyed this book and reading it while there's a snow storm just put me in the New Years mood.
So I really just have to ask, where do you want to be this time next year?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Miscarriage
Her Last Flight by Beatriz Williams
I love anything that Beatriz Williams writes, so I may be a little biased when I say this but I loved this book. So much heartbreak, survival, recklessness and perseverance. Those 4 words beautifully sum up this book.
This book has a dual timeline. It starts with "Janey Everitt", a photojournalist, who wants to write a biography on the missing pilot Sam Mallory. This leads her to Hawaii where she meets Irene Lindquist, who might actually be Irene Foster, Mallory's flying partner.
Everitt gently leads Lindquist to reveal her story and all the twists and turns that came with it. Slowly, these 2 women realize they have more in common. Why is Janey Everitt really at this small island in Hawaii?
This story almost acts like a fictionalized theory of Amelia Earhart's disappearance but Beatriz Williams makeit clear that this story is more like a conglomerate of a bunch of pilots and their discoveries and losses with flying and added in with the mystery of a missing pilot. I genuinely thought this book was beautifully written. It brought me back in time and then spat me back onto my couch with the truth of what happened to Sam Mallory.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am Heartbreak. I am Survival. I am Recklessness and Perseverance. You can't win.
I love anything that Beatriz Williams writes, so I may be a little biased when I say this but I loved this book. So much heartbreak, survival, recklessness and perseverance. Those 4 words beautifully sum up this book.
This book has a dual timeline. It starts with "Janey Everitt", a photojournalist, who wants to write a biography on the missing pilot Sam Mallory. This leads her to Hawaii where she meets Irene Lindquist, who might actually be Irene Foster, Mallory's flying partner.
Everitt gently leads Lindquist to reveal her story and all the twists and turns that came with it. Slowly, these 2 women realize they have more in common. Why is Janey Everitt really at this small island in Hawaii?
This story almost acts like a fictionalized theory of Amelia Earhart's disappearance but Beatriz Williams makeit clear that this story is more like a conglomerate of a bunch of pilots and their discoveries and losses with flying and added in with the mystery of a missing pilot. I genuinely thought this book was beautifully written. It brought me back in time and then spat me back onto my couch with the truth of what happened to Sam Mallory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, and Panic attacks/disorders
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Being honest, I was a bit skeptical about this book. Eleanor seemed like a very strange character and I wasn't sure where the plot would take me. A grown woman having an overexaggerated crush on a musician who doesn't even know she's alive?? It just didn't seem realistic. However, watching her and Raymond's friendship blossom and grow, warmed my heart. Watching Eleanor plummet into depression and having Raymond help her, just made me so hopeful for her future.
This is a book that you should read if you feel like you don't matter and no one cares for you. Honestly, just a totally beautiful read.
This is a book that you should read if you feel like you don't matter and no one cares for you. Honestly, just a totally beautiful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Grief
My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the story of Lady Jane Grey who was the queen of England for 9 days.
King Edward ruled over England but had fallen ill. In haste, he changed his will to make his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, the heir to his throne. First though, she is to marry Gifford Dudley.
After much confusion, Jane realizes her husband changes into a horse during the day and spends his nights as a man. This very much concerns her but it concerns her more when she finds out that the John Dudley, Gifford's father, is planning to poison King Edward so his family to reclaim the throne.
Many people change into animals in this story, history gets made, and mostly everyone gets a happy ending.
I really enjoyed this story. I love a good historical fiction novel but adding in the fantasy part of it really made it less boring. I can't wait to read more of this series of The Lady Janies.
King Edward ruled over England but had fallen ill. In haste, he changed his will to make his cousin, Lady Jane Grey, the heir to his throne. First though, she is to marry Gifford Dudley.
After much confusion, Jane realizes her husband changes into a horse during the day and spends his nights as a man. This very much concerns her but it concerns her more when she finds out that the John Dudley, Gifford's father, is planning to poison King Edward so his family to reclaim the throne.
Many people change into animals in this story, history gets made, and mostly everyone gets a happy ending.
I really enjoyed this story. I love a good historical fiction novel but adding in the fantasy part of it really made it less boring. I can't wait to read more of this series of The Lady Janies.