Magnolia Mamas : Book Club: September 2021

Happy October friends! While we are Summer girls at heart, there is just something magical and fun about the month of October. It's still very much warm here, but there is something about those crisp Fall nights we occasionally get, and the hints of leaves changing, and the start of the holiday season. Because let's be honest, when you have kids Halloween is the real start to the holiday season.

Speaking of Halloween, and all things spooky, last week released our "Best Books of Fall" list. If you are looking for a good thriller or mystery - we got you!

If you like your spooky with a little side of steamy - we've got you too! ;)

But before we get into all the novels that will be sure to keep us up late at night, let's chat about what we read last month!

It's Book Club day!

We read a little of everything last month, and have one book we are majorly on the fence about. Grab your coffee/wine/candy corn, and come chat books with us!

WHAT WE READ...

CARRIE BETH

First up for me last month was Write My Name Across The Sky by Barbara O'Neal. This one was a slow start for me, but once the characters were more developed I felt more invested to see how/if their issues would be resolved. It follows three female characters, two sisters who couldn't be more different, and their aunt who has raised them for most of their lives. They live a pretty well-off life in a swanky NYC apartment, but they each have quite a lot of personal issues they are working through. It was interesting to read about the different lifestyles of each of them (one a musician, one a video game developer, and one a retired flight attendant) and to see the connection of family bonds that ultimately ensures they would do anything for one another.

Next up for me was The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This is a sequel to The Inheritance Games that Jen and I both read and enjoyed last year. In The Inheritance Games, a multi-billionaire has left his fortunes to an unknown teenager, much to the annoyance of his family. His grandsons and the heir find a series of games/clues to help them figure out just why she was chosen. This follow up novel answers a few more questions and helps them get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago to connect the two families.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid was my last book for this month and I LOVED it. Some of you may remember that I named Daisy Jones and the Six by the same author one of my favorite books of 2020 so she had big shoes to fill and in my opinion did it brilliantly with this one. This story follows four siblings who, despite having a famous father, grew up broke and basically taking care of themselves. They all ended up being super successful on their own thanks to the eldest sister. You get to flip back and forth between the past and present and learn how everything building in the past leads to one epic party that will change all of their lives forever. I thought it was really good and definitley recommend it!

JEN

First up for the month was Sally Thorne's Second First Impressions. The first word that comes to mind when I look back at this book is "sweet". This was a sweet, slow build-up to romance between the two main characters. Ruthie and Teddy have a chance meeting at a local gas station and first impressions leave hurt feelings. Fast forward to their second meeting and it just happens to be for Ruthie's place of work - the Providence retirement community.

To me the setting and the quirky secondary characters make this book. I loved the witty commentary between them all, and you can't help but want to be Renata when you grow up (the grouchy rich older lady who holds nothing back from her tongue and hires young male assistants to "break" as a hobby.).

But the slow build-up the entire novel lead to a really fast paced last chapter. It felt like within ten minutes all the problems the characters experienced throughout 95% of the book were summed up/resolved in the just a few sentences.

I brought The Royals Next Door on our Fall Break trip and it was the perfect book to read on the beach. The cover alone looked fun. And it lived up to that fun image. I loved the slow burn romance between Piper and Harrison. It was also fun to think how life would be if Royals moved in right next to you and life was turned completely upside down.

This was a lighter book, but the author touches on a few heavier topics and mental illnesses. It was a touching addition to the overall story and gave the characters a chance to show growth.

It was a super fun story and I can’t wait to read more by this author! 💙

There are a few authors who never do me wrong when it comes to a great read, and Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of them. My favorite novels of hers are still her earlier ones, but Malibu Rising does not disappoint. This one mixes hollywood glamour with coastal cool. The Riva Family drama continuously pulls at your heart strings, but gives you all the feels at the same time. There are characters that I loved, characters that I wanted to hate and couldn't, and characters that I hope have their own spin off stories because I want to know more!

I know there are some mixed reviews about Malibu Rising vs. Daisy Jones and the Six, but I love that Reid throws us a fresh new story with each and every book. I fell in love with this surfer gone hollywood drama, and think it might be one of my top reads this year.

Last review for the month, really isn't a review. Or at least not a full one. I started listening to the audio book of Apples Never Fall by Leanne Moriarty. Her novels are hit or miss with me, but this one sounded really good. I'm about half way through and I keep abandoning it for long periods of time. There's just something about it that isn't capturing my attention. I don't know what it is. Have you read it? Should I stick with it? Abandon it completely? I'm torn...

WHAT'S UP NEXT...

CARRIE BETH

I loved You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley so much (it might make my top three of the year) so I decided to pick another one of hers. I'm going to read/listen to Close Enough To Touch for my next one!

JEN

I think to get into the spirit of the month, I'm going to kick off October with a little something from our "Best Books of Fall" list. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling looks like the perfect way to kick off spooky season (in the most romantic comedy sorts of ways!).