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Now that are into the cozy, stay-at-home season, it’s time to chat about what books I read this past fall. Most of the books I read ranged from mysteries to love stories. All about friendships, relationships, and secrets. Some where lighthearted and some much more serious. Here is part one of my fall reading list recap.
Sophie, her husband, and their young son leave their busy lives in Chicago for a more quiet, idyllic town in Texas. When Sophie meets the town’s socialite Margot Banks and becomes obsessed with being her friend. Margot happily includes Sophie in her small group of housewives that like to blow off steam with target practice and wild club nights. Sophie gets sucked deeper and deeper into the secrets and scandals of these women, making terrible decisions along the way. When a body is discovered in the location where the women meet, Sophie finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, and her life crumbling down. The Hunting Wives is about the consequences of your actions, knowing that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and being grateful for what you do have.
Review
I have mixed feelings about this book. I couldn’t stop reading it, enjoyed the investigation, yet I disliked every character. It’s hard to read books when there isn’t a single person you are rooting for. Ok, maybe I was rooting for Sophie, the main character, to make smarter decisions. However, overall I didn’t feel bad for her and thought she deserved some of the things that happened to her. No one forced her to do anything, yet she continues to make terrible decisions. Besides having mixed feelings on the characters, I HAD to know what happened next. What information would come out. Who was the murderer. Over all I liked the book and enjoyed how the story unfolded. I’ve heard people compare it to Desperate Housewives and I would agree on that. So if you are a fan of the beloved show, this book is for you!
Graves Glen isn’t like any other small town in Georgia. No, it’s filled with magic. But only those who practice magic know this. Vivienne, her aunt, and cousin are one of the many witches in town who knows the deep rooted magical history. A history that involves the descendant of the towns founder, Rhys Penhallow. Vivienne’s ex from nine years ago. The biggest heartbreak of her life, so much so that Vivienne and her cousin jokingly cast a hex on Rhys. Vivienne never gave thought to the curse actually working, until Rhys is back in Graves Glen to charge the town’s ley lines. Everything starts to go haywire, causing the non-witch townies to notice something isn’t right. Rhys and Vivienne are forced to work together to lift the hex and save the town. The Ex Hex is a hilarious, lovable, and fun read.
Review
This was such a cute book! I read it around Halloween and it was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Witches, magic, and a love story- count me in! I loved the steamy chemistry between Vivienne and Rhys. As well as the journey they take to lift the hex, coming across unfortunate situations. This book reminded me of Practical Magic in so many ways; curses, non-magical towns folks mixed with witches, and a family of witches who run a small shop. It’s an all around lighthearted, feel good book to read that will leave you believing in magic and second chances.
It’s the wedding weekend of up and coming tv star Will, and magazine publisher Jules at a remote island off the coast of Ireland. The wedding every tabloid is talking about and everyone wants to get invited to. As the weekend unfolds, secrets come out, old wounds reopen, and jealous spirals amongst the bridal party. People are drinking too much, secrets are coming out, the chaos of the island itself and the crashing of the waves cause the perfect wedding to unravel. Then someone turns up dead. The Guest List is a mystery of who is dead, who did it or what happened. It’s about old friendships. What binds us still together or makes us drift apart. The secrets we keep that haunt us at night.
Review
I really enjoyed this book! I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. Prior to The Guest List, I had read Lucy Foley’s other book The Hunting Party, which I really liked. I loved the way Lucy leaves little bread crumbs of information to keep you wanting more. I do have to say as much as I really liked The Hunting Party, I thought The Guest List was better. Maybe because I didn’t guess who was found dead and who or what happened. I was genuinely shocked at the end. The way the story is set up, it could be any of the characters. I highly recommend this book, even if you are not into thrillers and mystery genres.
