A Secret Wish

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while… I’ve been planning (and recovering from) a very special little boy's 4^th birthday party!  His Dino-Mite dinosaur party was a huge success; and now this mommy has time to blog again. J

I just finished A Secret Wish by Barbara Freethy.  It was a little on the short side and made for a perfect weekend read!  I loved that this was really three separate stories that belong to three different women; all varying in age, but sharing a birthday.  They don’t know each other, but are connected through their birthday wishes. 

Let’s break it down…

Liz
Liz is celebrating turning thirty all alone on the rooftop of the hospital where she works.  All she wants is someone to share her life with… when a mysterious man shows up on the rooftop, could her wish be coming true?

Angela
Angela never imagined she’d be childless at thirty-five; when reality hits and she realizes she may never feel the flutter of a child in the womb, it’s too much and she leaves the surprise party she never wanted.  Could this be the year her wish is finally granted? 

Carole
On the outside, Carole seems to have it all.  She’s married to a wealthy man and has two children.  She’s celebrating her fortieth birthday surrounded by people at a fancy hotel.  She’s so busy being a corporate wife, she has no time to be a mother to her children.  Is this the life she really wanted?  Or will she wish for something more?

RATINGS

Writing Style      8/10
Characters          8/10
Storyline              8/10

OVERALL              8/10

I’m a fan of Barbara Freethy and once again, she didn't let me down!  A Secret Wish is the first book in her Wish Series.  If you enjoy it, be sure to check out book two, Just a Wish Away!

Get your copy here!

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Gone Girl

I have read a lot of books since I started staying home again.  Some of them were good.  Some of them were terrible.  A few of them I couldn't even finish.  Gone Girl… THIS is the book I’ve been waiting for!  It is so cleverly written and keeps you guessing page after page.  Every time I thought I had it figured out… BAM!  I had to start all over. 

Nick and Amy had a seemingly perfect romance.  Two writers, living in New York with Amy’s trust fund to fall back on.  When they both lose their jobs and Amy’s parents are forced to borrow money, things begin to really go sour.  They move to Missouri to help care for Nick’s parents and things only get worse.  On the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy disappears.  There are signs of a struggle and Nick’s alibi is suspicious, at best.  His in-laws and even his own sister begin to wonder, is Nick a murderer?

Let’s break it down…

Nick Dunne
The saying “those who can’t do, teach” becomes Nick’s reality when he begins instructing a college course after losing his job as a writer.  Nick has made mistakes and told many lies over the last year, even lying to the police during the investigation; but is he really a murderer?

Amy Dunne
The star of her parents’ hit children’s book series, Amazing Amy, Amy Dunne is a very smart, likable nearly-middle-aged woman.  She seems to have it all:  brains, beauty, trust fund… and she’s oh-so-clever.

Rand & Marybeth Elliot
Parents of Amy and creators of Amazing Amy, Rand and Marybeth are used to having money and live accordingly.  When book sales became nonexistent, they were forced to borrow a large sum of money from Amy while they “decided what to do with the rest of their lives.”  They never imagined they would be spending their time searching for their only daughter. 

Margo “Go” Dunne
Nick and Go aren’t just twins.  They are the kind of twins that have that special connection.  They love each other, look out for each other, and trust each other, no matter what… until one of them is accused of murder.  Go just wants her brother’s name cleared, but he’s certainly not making it easy. 

RATINGS

Writing Style    8/10
Characters       8.5/10
Storyline           9/10

OVERALL   8.5/10

Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is a must read!  I couldn't put it down!  However, I do want to mention that it has a lot of language, mature themes, etc. and should be read by adults only.

Get your copy here!

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Pretty Little Liars

First of all, let me say that you should not read these books just because you like the show!  I am a fan of the show (don’t judge me ;) and I enjoy the books; but they are VERY different. 

Pretty Little Liars tells the story of five best friends who share a horrible secret.  After one of the girls, Alison, goes missing and is later found dead, the remaining four begin receiving messages from “A.”  A knows their secrets and the girls can’t help but wonder, is Ali still alive?

Let’s break it down…

Aria
Artsy with a very unique style, Aria has returned to Rosewood after being in Iceland for her father’s job.  She often fantasizes about her English teacher and has been keeping a secret about her parents for far too long.

Spencer
Spencer strives for two things:  to be perfect and to beat her older sister, Melissa… at everything.  She has a history of stealing boyfriends and just may know a little more about Ali’s death than the other girls.   

Emily
After being confused about her feelings for Ali for so long, it all becomes clear when Emily begins having the same feelings for the new girl at school.  Ashamed and afraid of what everyone will think, Emily’s worst fears come true when “A” decides to out her… to everyone at her swim meet.

Hanna
Once shy and overweight, Hanna is now one of the most popular and beautiful girls in school.  Like the other girls, Hanna has plenty of secrets and she’d do just about anything to keep them from being exposed. 

RATINGS

Writing Style    5/10
Characters        6/10
Storyline           7/10

OVERALL   6/10

Pretty Little Liars will keep you guessing chapter after chapter.  Trying to solve the mystery of Ali and “A” makes this a fun read that will keep you turnin’ those pages!

*Pretty Little Liars should be read by adults and mature teenagers only.*

Get your copy here!

I've expanded my blog!  Please take a moment to check out the new tab,  Very, Very Pinteresting... Experiments in Food.  Thanks! :)

Very, Very Pinteresting... Experiments in Food!

I'm expanding my blog!  Please take a moment to check out the new tab,  Very, Very Pinteresting... Experiments in Food.  Thanks! :)

Porch Lights

I have a little confession to make…  Porch Lights was my first read by Dorothea Benton Frank.  I know, I know; I’m a little behind.  My mom recommended this one, so I thought I’d give it a try!

Porch Lights follows a mother and son back to her hometown of Sullivans Island.  After losing her husband, Jackie hopes that the heartbreak that she and her son, Charlie, share can be cured by family and the salty air. 

Let’s break it down…

Jackie
Jackie is an Army nurse, daughter, and grieving widow; but above all else, she is a mother.  She fears that her son won’t recover from the loss of his father and takes him on an extended vacation in South Carolina.  Is the Lowcountry the cure for her heartache, as well?

Charlie
At ten years old, the loss of a parent can completely consume you.  After spending so much time in a state of depression, can Charlie become the happy-go-lucky kid he once was?

Annie
Annie is determined to see her daughter and grandson happy again.  She welcomes them into her home and does everything she can to talk them into staying… even if it means bringing her estranged husband into it.  How will she juggle her feelings for her husband and her need to feel loved and appreciated?

Buster
Jackie’s father and the aforementioned estranged husband, Buster means well, but has a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.  Will he be able to return to the life he didn’t know he’d miss?

Steven
Steven, a physician, is Annie’s neighbor and secret (much younger) crush.  When he and Charlie become fast friends, can Annie and Jackie control their conflicting feelings for him?

RATINGS

Writing Style    7/10

Characters        8/10

Storyline           6/10

OVERALL   7/10

Fans of the Lowcountry will definitely want to give this one a try!  While it is a bit predictable, it does have a lot of fun information and the characters are well developed and likable.  

Get your copy here!

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Why Aren't You Sweet Like Me

I know I’ve been gone for quite some time, but now that I’m a stay-at-home mommy again, I hope to be able to devote more time to reviewing.  I’ve read a LOT of good books over the last year and I can’t wait to share them with you!

 I’m going to kick off this new phase of blogging with a GREAT read!  Why Aren’t You Sweet Like Me is based on a true story and will have you hooked on the first page.  Carrie Nyman tells her grandmother’s WWII love story with so much emotion that you’ll feel like Honey herself as you flip through the pages.  You’ll laugh and cry along with her, feel her anger and, occasionally, feel anger towards her.  This story is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s a ride you’ll never forget.

Let’s break it down…

Honey

Living in a time when women were only expected to get married and have children, Honey was a strong young woman that knew what she wanted.  She took the opportunities that were set before her and made the most of them; but like most young women, she still longed to be truly loved.  Can Honey put aside some of her wants to be with bullheaded Don?  Is she strong enough to be with a military man?

Don

Sweet and hateful.  Loving and unkind.  Don was a walking oxymoron!  His mood swings could give a girl whiplash; but I truly believe he loved Honey.  Can Don prove to Honey that his love is true?  Is love enough to hold them together through the war?

RATINGS

Writing Style    9/10

Characters        9/10

Storyline           9/10

OVERALL   9/10

After you’ve finished the book, be sure to check out Carrie Nyman’s blog!  She posts lots of neat info about Honey and Don, as well as excerpts from the real letters!  

You can get your copy here!

Don't forget to like The Book Brieview Facebook page! :)

Beautiful Disaster

When I picked up this book, I didn’t expect it to be anything special.  When I turned the last page and flipped off my Kindle at 2 a.m., I realized how wrong I was! This book was definitely not what I expected!  The overused adage, “never judge a book by its cover” holds true once again.  (This cover completely threw me off!)   Jamie McGuire shares a tale of college fight nights, gambling, the Mob, tattoos, drinking, love, and a girl whose only wish is to not turn out like her parents.

Let’s break it down…

Abby

After moving to escape her past and attend Eastern University, Abby tries to be the good girl and turn her life around.  When she meets the campus bad boy, can she stay on the right track?  

Travis

Possessive, gorgeous, tattooed, and practically worshipped, Travis “Mad Dog” Maddox is the bad boy every girl dreams about.  Known for his underground fighting and one-night stands, everyone is surprised when Travis begins showing real interest in Abby.  

Parker

A rich fraternity boy, Parker is determined to win Abby over.  Only time will tell if Parker will give Abby the life she thought she wanted.  

America

As Abby’s best friend, America felt it was her duty to follow Abby and make sure she stayed true to who she wanted to be.  When the unexpected transpires, she tries to help Abby understand that sometimes, it’s better to follow you heart instead of your plan.

Shepley

America’s boyfriend and Travis’ cousin, Shep is always stuck in the middle.  This time, Travis may inadvertently ruin his one true chance at love.

RATINGS

Writing Style    8/10

Characters        9/10

Storyline           8.5/10

OVERALL     8.5/10

I highly recommend this title to those who enjoy a young adult read!  This is a fabulously, albeit overly dramatic, written romance with surprises at every corner!

*This book is for mature readers*

*Kindle users:  Get it here*