Recent Reads
I started the year in a reading funk. I am not too picky a reader. I have a few genres I try to avoid but I try to keep an open mind. I'll overlook a few inconsistencies if it's a fun and thrilling experience. As we do with other forms of entertainment like movies and tv.
Synopsis - Twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam.
Iris is called to Thailand to help her sister sail the family yacht to the Seychelles. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. When she makes it to land, Iris allows herself to be swept up by Adam, who assumes that she is Summer.
Iris recklessly goes along with his mistake. Not only does she finally have the golden life she’s always envied, with her sister gone, she’s one step closer to the hundred-million-dollar inheritance left by her manipulative father. All Iris has to do is be the first of his seven children to produce an heir.
Iris’s “new” life lurches between glamorous dream and paranoid nightmare. On the edge of being exposed, how far will she go to ensure no one discovers the truth?
And just what did happen to Summer on the yacht? Only Iris knows . . .
The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle
Synopsis - Twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of Summer’s seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband Adam.
Iris is called to Thailand to help her sister sail the family yacht to the Seychelles. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes. When she makes it to land, Iris allows herself to be swept up by Adam, who assumes that she is Summer.
Iris recklessly goes along with his mistake. Not only does she finally have the golden life she’s always envied, with her sister gone, she’s one step closer to the hundred-million-dollar inheritance left by her manipulative father. All Iris has to do is be the first of his seven children to produce an heir.
Iris’s “new” life lurches between glamorous dream and paranoid nightmare. On the edge of being exposed, how far will she go to ensure no one discovers the truth?
And just what did happen to Summer on the yacht? Only Iris knows . . .
Thoughts - This was a fun thriller to get me out of my reading funk. It was almost like one of those Lifetime movies with crazy twists and turns. So while I won't say it's recommended reading it did what I needed it to do... get me reading again.
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Synopsis - Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.
Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.
Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right?
Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.
Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right?
Thoughts - This is my second Christina Lauren book and it was positively adorable. Even had a few laugh out loud moments. It does have a few R moments for those not interested.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kremmerer
Synopsis - Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone—even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.
As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.
As two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreaker series.
Thoughts - This was the third and last book in the Cursebreaker series. I reviewed the first two books here. I started out as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but then the world the author created grew and the story turned into much more. I read this in a day and a half.. I would have read it faster if I didn't have small humans to feed and entertain. After the mixed feelings the second book left me with I was prepared to be disappointed with the conclusion and while I was not a hundred percent in love with the way it ended it was still pretty good.
ps. we did go back to ski last weekend and with all of your words of encouragement and H's advice to not think so much I was able to put my skis on and get back on that mountain. Half way through I broke down into more sobs and officially gave up. Sat out the next run and then M gave me an incredible corny 'I believe in you' kind of pep talk.. and miraculously I skied two days straight.. with some hesitancy but no tears and crippling fear. Wohoo!
Yay! Congrats on your skiing! Well done! The Christina Lauren book sounds wonderful!
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Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com
Josh and Hazel's Guide sounds good!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Curated By Jennifer
I always enjoy your book reviews, Hena. I don't know if any of these are "my" book, but the Josh and Hazel sounded especially cute.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your skiing, Hena! Love your indomitable spirit!
ReplyDeleteI think the first book appeals to me the most... just as pure escapism.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you ultimately made headway with the skiing!
I loved Josh and Hazel.
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteThank you for your book reviews, Hazel. This is something I'm not particularly good at. I have been reading more lately, so I'm definitely out of most of last year's reading funk. I'm glad that M's pep talk got you to find your skiing mojo again! xxx
ReplyDeleteWay to go with your skiing! Some of these books look interesting!
ReplyDeleteI want to read the Girl in the Mirror!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you got out of your reading funk. I tend to go to 'old favourites' when I am in that space. And congratulations on the skiing front. I went once. I could see how good it could be - for other people.
ReplyDeleteOh Hena! Congrats on your skiing accomplishment! So happy for you:) You should be proud for not giving up. And thanks for the heads up on these reads. The first one is right up my alley:D
ReplyDeleteOh these sound like fun reads. Right now I am reading a book about the impressionists in 19th century Paris and after that I want to read a book from a YouTuber I watch named Jay Swanson.
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
I am curious about The Girl in the Mirror.The ski trip sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these books and I'm so glad you got to skiing again after a tough beginning.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I'm not a picky reader either...it's nice to read all kinds of books. And I'm almost done with my bookclub book ,so I'll have to add these to my list.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hena,
XOOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yay on being able to ski for two days. Sounds like that corny pep talk was just what you needed. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso yay on enjoying Josh and Hazel. That's one of my favorite Christina Lauren reads. It's just so cute and fun.
I'm so glad you got out there again and skied for two days! Josh and Hazels Guide to Not Dating sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
Oo I might need to pick up The Girl In The Mirror!
ReplyDeletewww.rdsobsessions.com
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating sounds like a fun and light read. My last book was kind of heavy so I'm all into light reads now.
ReplyDeletegreat reviews...i am sure your reader friends appreciate them. i wish i was a reader!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got out there again and were able to log some good skiing!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Well done on your skiing! these sound like a nice varied mix of books too, although not all of them are the kind I'd usually read!
ReplyDeleteHope that your week is going well :)
Away From Blue
the first book sounds intriguing and YAY for you with the skiing achievement!!!
ReplyDeleteYay for getting back up on the horse and kickin that mountain's butt.
ReplyDeleteCongrats with your skiing! These sound like great books to read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review! So happy you were able to ski again.
ReplyDeleteOMG I was forgotten of A Vow So Bold I enjoyed so much the previous books
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