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Another season has come and gone. Another series of books to share. Apparently I did not read as much as I thought I did this past summer. Usually the summertime is when I devour book after book. What was I doing instead? Only God knows. The theme of the summer is about relationships; ones we have with partners, family, friends and ourselves. And about second chances. Here are the books that I read this past summer season.
The Last Letter From Your Lover
Now a film on Netflix, The Last Letter From Your Lover is set in 1960 London. Jennifer Sterling wakes up in the hospital, unsure of how she got there, unsure of who she is. As she starts to put the pieces back together from her life before the car accident, she stumbles upon a letter that is signed by B. The letter asking her to leave her husband and run away with him. Who is B? Jennifer tries to figure out. Fast forward to 2003 when a journalist, Ellie, discovers the letter in the archives of the newspaper she works for. Ellie starts her own journey of finding who this letter belongs to and who B is. It’s about love, fate, and propriety.
Review
As mentioned this is now a Netflix movie staring Shailene Woodley and Joe Alwyn. I enjoyed the movie, but please read the book first. The book is so much better! Although the movie does have great fashion in it. The book, however, gives a much more in-depth detailing into Jennifer’s decisions; her relationship with her husband and her relationship with B. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! I had to know how it was going to end. I thought of so many different scenarios for the ending– both good and bad. It’s a story that will make you believe in fate and love.
Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn run a successful Brooklyn-based wedding business called In Love for over 20 years. Suddenly Eliot dies and leaves part of the business to his younger girlfriend Savannah. Liv now has to face not only her husband’s death and betrayal, but of keeping the business alive with the other woman. It Had To Be You is much more than the two women trying to find meaning in this unexpected turn of events, it follows the love stories of those that are closes to them. How these people are connected together find love in unpredictable ways. It’s about moving forward, second chances, friendships, and love. Most importantly it is about what you truly want in life and being ok with who you truly are.
Review
I enjoyed this book! I thought I would be a little annoyed flipping through different storylines, following different people, but it was actually enjoyable. I equally liked each person’s storyline and how they are all tied together. I loved that the moral of this story is about fate and second chances. I think this is something we all struggle with in one way or another. Do we get second chances at love? At careers? At life? How one decision, one incident can spiral a turn of events. That things really do happen for a reason and everything does work out in the end.
Each summer since she was a little girl, Elle and her family have vacationed in their summer home they call The Paper Palace. This summer, however, something has changed. Old lies and stories surface. Elle, a mother of 3, has to face what she did last night with her oldest friend Jonas. All while her kids, adoring husband, and mother were in the cabin. She has to decided what kind of life she wants; the life she has or the life that could have been. Maybe should have been. The Paper Palace takes us on a journey from Elle’s life growing up in NYC, her summers in Cape Cod, the horrors that she has seen and experienced, and the lies told by family and friends. All while we go through the 24 hours after her affair. It’s about life decisions; accepting them and making the best out of the choices we make. About relationships with family, the good and the bad. About the secrets we keep.
Review
I was so excited to read this book after it was recommended by Reese Witherspoon’s book club Hello Sunshine. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book at all. I had the hardest time getting through it. The only reason I kept reading was because I wanted to know how it was going to end; what Elle’s decision would be. There is a lot of things that happen in the book that can be triggering to some– so fair warning. I just thought the story was icky. I did enjoy reading about her friendship with Jonas and the bond they had as kids. I also enjoyed her sister and thought her brash behavior was sometimes comical. There is also a suspense of who knows, will they find out, etc. But overall I was not a fan of this book. However, I can see it being a great bookclub decision.
Before the summer of 1922 a young artist, a young female artist, Bertie Preston accepts the commission of a lifetime. The Earl of Wakeford has kindly invited her to stay at his estate Castle Braemore this summer. Bertie is to paint the Lord’s estate that will surely be hung in the great halls, admired by all of his prestigious and noble peers. What Bertie does not expect is Lord Braemore to be in full isolation since his return from the Great War. While Braemore’s younger siblings welcome Bertie to their home, the Earl is a mystery behind closed doors and battle scars. Bertie soon learns of family secrets as it unravels throughout the summer and finds an unexpected friendship with the Earl. It’s about love, hope, and family. At Summer’s End is about scars we keep hidden or visible that we lock away. How war impacts everyone, not just the soldiers on the front lines. It’s about finding light and love in unexpected places.
Review
I loved loved loved this book! I didn’t want it to end. I was so wrapped up in Bertie’s and Braemore’s relationship, in the secrets of the past, and the unexpected twist and turns of the story. I am a sucker for historical fiction and romance novels, so this was right up my alley. Not only did I enjoy reading of this developing love story, but of the entire Braemore family; Cece and Roland and their lives on the estate. Even Gwen’s, the eldest sister, life as a mother. I enjoyed every aspect of this book; the past and the present. Once again proving that things happen for a reason. That nothing can stop what is meant to be and life does give you second chances.
