4 Books To Add To Your Summer Reading ASAP!

 This post is sponsored by HTP Books. 

If you are like us, Summer isn't really Summer unless it involves sunshine,  the scent of sunscreen mixed with faint hints of bug spray, the sounds of splashing children, and a stack of books lounging next to a sweating drink (preferably one that's frozen with a cute little umbrella in it). Summer reading was ingrained in us as children, and is something we look forward to each and every season. 

We love a good beach read, but really during the Summer anything goes. We like to mix it up with a variety of genres. From nail-biting thrillers, to sexy rom-coms, to time hopping historical fiction and everything in between - the best part of summer reading is  just getting the chance to slow down and enjoy it all. 

If you need a little summer TBR help - we've got you covered! We could share suggestions all day long, but want to put these four GREAT reads from some of the world's best selling authors on your summer reading radar! 

4 Books To Add To Your Summer Reading ASAP!

BEACH HOUSE SUMMER by Sara Morgan
This is the perfect read to toss in your beach bags and read with a side of ocean breeze. If you don't have access to said breeze, Beach House Summer will be sure to transport you one mentally. In the wake of a tragic car accident involving a celebrity chef on the Pacific Coast Highway, two women's lives are thrown together in the midst of the media circus that follows. Joanna, the ex-wife who endured a 20 year marriage filled with infidelities and heartbreak, and Ashley, the 19 year old pregnant passenger of the crash. Making a pact of privacy, they head to Joanna's beach house to lay low amidst the chaos. Drama, secrets, and the California Coast all jam packed into one you "won't want to miss" summer novel. 

THE GERMAN WIFE by Kelly Rimer
If you need a little something more serious for your poolside reading, then The German Wife will be the perfect pick! 

Sophie is devastated to see how her home city of Berlin is falling under Nazi control. Hitler's popular views are swaying those around her, but she and her husband resist as long as they can. Sophie soon learns that she must sacrifice morals for the safety of those she loves the most. 

In the States, Lizzie lives with her family in Texas and is feeling the full effects of The Great Depression. As her brother leaves for war she marries a scientist and settles into her new role as a housewife. 

This historical fiction novel is centered around a fictional version of the real life event of Operation Paperclip; a controversial U.S. intelligence program that rehabilitated Nazis during WWII. An emotional narrative written in dual timelines, you learn how two women from opposite ends of the war collide years later. 

THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE by Lori Foster
What's summer with out a little romance? Lori Foster delivers a little meet-cute heat with The Honeymoon Cottage. Yardley is a popular wedding coordinator who is a pro at creating a happily ever after for everyone but herself. 

In a small town, and at the ripe old age of 31, she is starting to give up on her own romantic dreams. But then Travis enters her life. The handsome older brother of her latest client and Yardley find their relationship has the backing of the quirky town locals. Could this be their own happy ending? 

THE CODEBREAKER'S SECRET by Sara Ackerman
Set along the beaches of Hawaii, The Codebreaker's Secret introduces us to Isabel who has been sent by the U.S. government to decipher the seemingly unbreakable Japanese naval code. While tasked with the impossible in Pearl Harbor, she takes it upon herself to also begin investigating the details of her pilot brother's December 7th death. 

Years later a journalist named Lu is sent to The Big Island to cover a new resort opening when a celebrity guest goes missing. Lu teams up with a veteran photographer to solve the mystery, but stumbles upon other secrets along the way.

Written in dual timelines, this historical fiction novel with a murder mystery twist was unputdownable. Pack extra sunscreen for this sizzling page turner! 

WHAT BOOK FROM THIS PILE WILL YOU READ FOR SUMMER FIRST? 
IF YOU READ, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!

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Book Club: November

Happy post-Halloween! Now that we are in full sugar coma mode, all we want to do is snuggle on the couch in our favorite jammies and read a good book. 

And maybe eat a few more Reece's cups. Just for good measure. We The kids didn't do all that hard work for nothing. 

And speaking of good books, that bring us to one of our favorite posts of the month - BOOK CLUB!

So grab your wine (or coffee if it's early - either way, no judgement), grab your favorite candy from your kids' stash, and join us!

WHAT WE READ...

CARRIE BETH

I was a total slacker this month when it comes to reading!
#BusyLife
#TiredMama

I have a few books sitting on my nightstand I hope to dive into and I need a good vacation to get some reading time in.
#MaybeNextMonth

JEN

As busy as October was, I still was able to squeeze some reading in. I'm hit or miss on what I read this month. Some of these reads were suggested to me and people raved about them. I was kind of more like, "eh".

First up was Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.

I spotted this book on Instagram as part of the RW Book Club. Typically Reese Witherspoon can do no wrong, and I love all of her selections. People raved about this book. It received tons of glowing reviews. I couldn't wait to dig in. The book is about a single mom renting a home in "a perfect town". A fellow mom, whose life is seemingly perfect, and her family become intertwined in many ways with single mom. Then a custody battle takes the town by storm, and the whole town becomes divided. The story has many different aspects of motherhood and various points of view. It moved slow and was extremely detailed. It was well written and thought provoking, but I just couldn't wait to wrap it up. And then when it did I was left wondering about a few details. Some things stuck with me beyond the book, but...

I was ready to move on.

And I did.

Second for the month, I snagged while I was in the airport. My phone was about to die, and I packed my portable charger in my suitcase (good spot for it, right?). I didn't want to read any of the material Mr. Cute had with him (Business books and a hunting magazine. Those who know me know that's a huge NO on both counts). So, I was perusing the terminal options when two nice little old ladies suggested The Rules of Magic to me.

Their excitement about the novel was infectious, so I purchased it, and read it while traveling to and from Chicago. I had no clue what it was about. They had told me it was a prequel to Practical Magic, but I had never read that novel either (or seen the movie). The book follows a family who live in New York. There are three children, and as they grow up they realize they have something special about them. They have magical powers, and learn the hard way throughout their childhood how having magic can be tough. Several family members try to protect them with rules, but each child has their own vision for their future. The novel follows the children all the way until they are older. I was intrigued and it held my attention the whole time. I'm kind of torn about how I felt about it overall, but interested enough to read Practical Magic now. 

Have you read The Practical Magic series? Thoughts?

Last up for the month was a much lighter read. I apparently was feeling all the holiday items you see in the store already, and read Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe for my last choice of the month.

This book was a super fun and light read to wrap up the month. The novel follows Darcy Fitzwilliam - a 29 year old super successful, super beautiful hedge fund manager. She returns home following her mother's illness just before the holidays. She hadn't been home in over seven years due to a falling out with her father, and now all the years away come rushing back to her. Siblings she hadn't spoken with, former friends she lost touch with, an on again/off again boyfriend, and an enemy turned crush all packed into one novel. Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe had it's moments where I laughed out loud, and parts were a little unbelievable, but I enjoyed the message behind it (and yes, there is one) as well as the holiday novelty of it all. If you are looking for a little something lighter to get you in the holiday spirit, I suggest grabbing this quick read. 

WHAT'S UP NEXT...

CARRIE BETH

I'm about to steal Little Mama's copy of Wonder beacuase I can't wait to read it before the movie comes out in just a few weeks. 



Also really hoping to read Class Mom because I know I'll be able to relate and I am sure it will be as funny as everyone says it is!

JEN

I was so excited to hear Melanie Shankle came out with a new book - The Church of the Small Things. 

I loved her first books and can't wait to dive into this one too. I love her humor, and how open she is. Her books just make you feel like you are sitting down and chatting with a girlfriend. I can't wait to kick back with a glass of wine and read along. 

Other than this I'm at a loss. We have some travel planned for this month and I need some help! Anything you've read lately you've absolutely loved? Any fun holiday suggestions? 

Please share! I can't wait to hear your suggestions!

BOOK CLUB 2017

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Book Club: July

A new month a new book club day. :) 

One of our favorite things about summer is that we get to read all those fun summer beach reads. Last month's book club selection was one we had been looking forward to. One of our favorite southern authors, Mary Kay Andrews, came out with her latest novel The Weekenders, and we couldn't wait to pack it in our beach bags. 

Our Review:

As the novel begins we learn of Riley Griggs and her family's ties to Belle Isle, North Carolina and how her return for the summer just might not be the same as previous years. She and her wishy-washy husband are planning to announce their divorce upon their return, but as she is waiting on the docks awaiting his arrival to join her on the ferry to Belle Isle it becomes clear he isn't going to show. 

Thus begins a juicy tale following Riley through her summer filled with foreclosure, murder, money troubles, cranky teenagers, friendship, and long lost love. We love Andrew's sassy southern style writing and The Weekenders had us both laughing and tearing up throughout Riley's journey. 

As secrets became unraveled from some of Belle Isle's most prominent residents, and the continuous mystery of who murdered Griggs' husband, we found we couldn't put this novel down. Without giving too many spoilers we loved how it ended and was so surprised to learn who the actual murderer was (we never saw it coming!)

We definitely recommend The Weekenders if you love a good light beach romance mixed with a little bit of mystery. It was a fast read and we already can't wait for Andrews' next novel. 

Now share with us, what did you think of The Weekenders? 

JULY'S SELECTION

This month we are going to change it up and have a free read. We will come back here and give you a review of all the books we've packed in our pool bags this month. 

Here's a hint as to how we've kicked off our month...

Carrie Beth's First Selection: 

The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes & Jo Piazza

Jen's First Selection: 

 The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank

Stay tuned...

BOOK CLUB 2016

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Happy Reading!

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