Magnolia Mamas : book

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Book Club: October 2022

Cozy season has arrived and we're prepped with all the things. And by that we mean with all the books. It's BOOK CLUB DAY!!

But in full transparency, we were both talking the other day about what we've been reading, and nothing has stood out to us lately as a "WOW!". Like a read that you text all your girlfriends about because you *need* someone to talk to about it.

If you have a suggestion we would love to hear it. We want to close out the year with a five star, tell all your friends, can't wait for the movie/sequel read!

With that said, there have been a lot of good ones, and we can chat about some of those today.

WHAT WE READ...

CARRIE BETH

First up for me this month was Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley. This story is set in a London trail and having just returned from our trip to London, I loved hearing the British accent of the narrator and hearing familiar references.

No one talks on the train. All the commuters having a routine they follow and notice fellow passengers, but none of them talk and almost no one interacts. That is until an almost tragic accident forces commuters to break out of their regular silent train ride and the snowball effect of friendships that follows is enough to make anyone smile! You never know what others are going through and these fellow passengers end up being an important part of each others lives. Its as a heartwarming story and one I really enjoyed!

I had the highest of hopes for It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover. If I write a books release date on my calendar you know it's one I can't wait to read or listen to. I named It Ends With Us as my very favorite book a few years ago and was over the moon when I found out there was going to be a sequel. Unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me. It felt sort of boring and honestly kind of corny to me. Not at all what I'm used to with Colleen Hoover books! I did like having a follow up to the characters and knowing how everything turned out, but I was really disappointed in this and it didn't at all live up to the hype I had built up for it.

The last book I listened to this month was The Bodyguard by Katerhine Center. It was cute, entertaining, and had a really sweet story! In a role reversal, the female in this book is a bodyguard and goes undercover to protect an A-list celebrity posing as his girlfriend. What happens in the time she spends with he and his family is nothing sort of an ideal rom-com movie plot. I feel in love with the characters and didn't want this one to end.

JEN

Holy cow! This one was an intense one.

Things We Do in the Dark follows the story of Paris Peralta. She is married to a celebrity comedian who unfortunately dies a gruesome death in a bathtub. Found next to him is Paris, unconscious, with a knife. She knows she will be charged with his murder, but that isn't even the part that worries her the most. She fights to hide her past and protect her future all while the media is digging into anything and everything about her.

This was a chilling suspense novel right from the first line. Murder, secrets, hidden identities, celebrity level drama…this one had it all.

The tough part comes from stomaching the abuse situations the main character had to endure. This book touches on emotional, physical and sexual abuse - as well as suicide and mental health. The author did a good job of keeping the descriptions less graphic, but it was still tough to read.

Overall a great thriller with lots of twists and reveals.

The Final Gambit was next up for a little bit of a lighter mystery novel. This series is YA, but it's been such a fun read! I am so sad this series is finished! This book was just as good as the first two. The riddles, the games, and the love triangles served us all the things we’ve loved since the first book. This book answered a lot of the “why” and let relationships play out in a way that you felt satisfied that the series wrapped up just the way it was supposed to. If you haven’t done a deep dive into this author’s novels - start now!

Like Carrie Beth, I remember loving It Ends With Us years ago. I was so excited to read the sequel when it was announced that I apparently pre-ordered it. Twice. (oops!)

It Starts With Us was a quick read for me, but I have mixed feelings about it. I love that Hoover felt that the story deserved a sequel with all of its popularity, but after reading the story I felt that I was missing that same angst from the love triangle that drew me in the first time. I did, however, love seeing a different side of the story. I enjoyed seeing how Lily and Atlas handled their relationships beyond their divorce.

The story was more of a sweet nod to the first novel, which I think was the intended goal.

The Paper Palace has been sitting on my TBR for almost a year. I picked it up, not quite remembering what it was about. I've heard a lot of hype about it, so I figured why not go ahead and dig in.

The story opens with Elle awakening after a night that will alter her life forever. Visiting the vacation property that has been a part of her family for generations with her family and close friends, old feelings emerge and secrets reveal themselves in unlikely ways. Now Elle is faced with a choice - staying with the love of her life, or staying with her husband.

The novel is darker than I expected based on the synopsis. It features themes of multi-generational abuse and how it affects choices/relationships. The main character of this story has secrets from her past and present and sometimes her actions or attitude made me dislike her even though I understood that she was often placed in a tough situation. Even as the book ended and she made a choice I felt was a good one, I still found her unlikeable. It was a good book overall, and one that will sit with you for a long time after.

WHAT'S UP NEXT...

CARRIE BETH

Next up for me I have Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens downloaded and ready to go. Check back next month so see what I think of it!

JEN

I feel I need a palette cleanser after this stack of books. Something a little lighter and less "abusive". I'm going to start November reading with The Roughest Draft. It's been sitting on my TBR since the Summer, and I'm looking forward to happy romance.

WHAT DID YOU READ LAST MONTH? ANYTHING YOU LOVED THAT WE SHOULD PUT ON OUR READING LISTS? SHARE WITH US!

BOOK CLUB 2022

BEST BOOKS OF SUMMER 2022

BEST BOOKS OF 2021

Follow along with us on Goodreads!

HAPPY READING!

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Thursday, October 3, 2019

Christmas Novels to Get You in the Holiday Mood

This post was sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Harlequin.

We know, we know...it's only the beginning of October. But really, Halloween and Thanksgiving are delaying the inevitable. The minute our calendars flip to October, we break out our coziest of pjs, light our favorite evergreen scented candles, mentally begin planning for all things Christmas, and soak in all the holiday joy that is socially acceptable two months before the official season begins. Some people prefer to discreetly listen to Christmas music behind the safety of their ear buds, or re-watch their favorite holiday movies while sipping their favorite peppermint tea, but we like to kick off our holiday season with a stack of Christmas novels.

There's nothing better than curling up with a cozy blanket, a good glass of wine, and a heart warming Christmas read to get us in the holiday spirit. Harlequin Books always has the best selection of holiday novels. This year we were given the opportunity to get a sneak peek at two new releases before they hit shelves on September 24th. So, the AC might still be running in our homes, but these holiday reads have us all sorts of in the holiday mood (in more ways than one!).

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Best selling author RaeAnne Thomas is one of those writers who just gets crafting the perfect holiday read. Her ability to weave heartwarming and emotional stories mixed with a little romance and a whole of of Christmas magic make her the Romance book author you need to put at the top of your "must always read" list. Coming Home for Christmas hits all the marks, and will be the one you want to gift to all your girlfriends so you can discuss it over the next girl's night out.

From The Back Cover...

Hearts are lighter and wishes burn a little brighter at Christmas...

Elizabeth Hamilton has been lost. Trapped in a tangle of postpartum depression and grief after the death of her beloved parents, she couldn’t quite see the way back to her husband and their two beautiful kids...until a car accident stole away her memories and changed her life. And when she finally remembered the sound of little Cassie’s laugh, the baby powder smell of Bridger and the feel of her husband’s hand in hers, Elizabeth worried that they’d moved on without her. That she’d missed too much. That perhaps she wasn’t the right mother for her kids or wife for Luke, no matter how much she loved them. But now, seven years later, Luke finds her in a nearby town and brings Elizabeth back home to the family she loves, just in time for Christmas. And being reunited with Luke and her children is better than anything Elizabeth could have imagined. As they all trim the tree and bake cookies, making new holiday memories, Elizabeth and Luke are drawn ever closer. Can the hurt of the past seven years be healed over the course of one Christmas season and bring the Hamiltons the gift of a new beginning?

A WEDDING IN DECEMBER

Romance. A Christmas Wedding. ASPEN! Sarah Morgan just gets us. A Wedding in December features a cast of lovable characters that you can't help but cheer for. We laughed, we cried, we laughed again. If you are looking to sneak in a little time for yourself and get lost in some holiday magic, then this is the book to put at the top of your list!

From The Back Cover...

This funny, charming and heartwarming new Christmas novel is USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan at her festive best!

In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret of their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister, Katie, is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself! If only the irritatingly good- looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans...

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiancé but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived— how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget!

We just adored both of these stories, and already can't wait to sneak these fun holiday romance books into our fellow women's fiction lovers stockings this Christmas! We love gifting books for the holidays, but reading these two great picks has gotten us to thinking... Instead of a cookie exchange party this year, how do we all feel about a holiday book exchange party? Count us in!

Do you have a favorite Harlequin romance book or Christmas novel that gets you in the holiday mood? Share with us!