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Now that all of the holiday hoopla has ended, it’s time to get back to my daily hobbies like reading. In my 2024 resolutions and intentions that I posted yesterday, I shared that I read 30 books last year. I have now set the goal of reading 35 for this coming year, but secretly hoping I can make it to 40. If you are also creating a new goal for x amount of books to read, here are a few suggestions. Below is part 1 of what books I read this past fall season.
*As always some of the reviews have spoilers in it, so only read the synopsis if you haven’t read the book.
Ari and Josh couldn’t be more different. Ari, the free-spirited noncommittal type. Josh, the ambitious chef looking for the one. When Ari and Josh first meet their differences were very clear; they will not get along. Expecting to never see each other again, the two of them cross paths again in an unlikely situation and during unlikely circumstances. Through heart-break, bruised egos, and more, the two form a friendship. But can one just be friends with their nemesis. You, Again is a story of second-chances, not judging people on first impressions, and opening yourself up to possibilities.
4.5/5 stars
Review
Even though it was pretty obvious from the start what was going to happen, I still enjoyed this book. I loved each encounter. How fate kept putting them into each other’s path. It reminds me of the invisible string theory. Anyway, this was a page turner as I wanted to know what will happen next. How they will meet again. I loved that they started out as friends, helping each other get through heartbreak. How they pushed each other out of their comfort zones and their wallowing. A slow burn. In the beginning I didn’t like Ari. I thought she was pretty self-centered. And Josh not wanting to cook because of one bad review reminded me of Rory Gilmore and Yale. So you can imagine there were some parts that annoyed me. Overall I enjoyed the book; makes for a great quick read.
* If you have’t read the first two books (here, here)– skip this one.
The final installment of the trilogy, Things We Left Behind follows Lucian and Sloane. Lucian is the devil in a suit and tie, while Sloane is the angel librarian. The two grew up together, neighbors. Bonded by a dark secret and their hatred for one another. The vein of each other’s existence. After years of bickering, can they sustain the willpower to avoid the spark that burns between them. For Lucian, if he can’t have Sloane at least he can keep her safe from the danger that is lurking.
5/5 stars
Review
Since starting the series I couldn’t WAIT for Lucian and Sloane’s story. Author Lucy Score teased a little of their story here and there in the first two books. So we knew there was history between the two and that something happened. I couldn’t wait to find out. This book, like the other two, did not disappoint! Lucian only having eyes for Sloane. His need to protect her no matter the cost was swoon worthy. It’s the moody guy and the sunshine girl trope. Except Sloane was only sunshine to other people and sassy towards Lucian. I thought their bickering was comical and a nice touch– that they both were being stubborn. What I loved most about the series was the multifaceted storylines; Anthony Hugo and his mob, the romances of the couples, the backstory of each character. It was all so interesting and thrilling!
What can I say about The Woman In Me that hasn’t already been said. Every section of this book has been deciphered and discussed for months on end. As a big Britney fan, and a millennial woman who was a teenager during the height of the pop-star’s popularity, this book was everything to me. Although I grew up with Britney in the spotlight, there were still so many things I didn’t know. For example, her family history of abuse and alcohol. I am so happy that she was finally able to tell her side of the story on so many things like Justin, the conservatorship, and how the media treated her. We as a society owe her a huge apology. Living through the time she rebelled by shaving her head and looking back on it now, I have a completely different prospective of it all. What the media was feeding up was that she was crazy. Knowing she did what she did to rebel against her father and management for forcing her to do things, it breaks your heart to know we didn’t stick up for her. Until now of course. I am glad she is getting the support of fans, Hollywood, and the media (sorta). But besides the horrible things that happened during her conservatorship, it was so fun to revisited her time being on the Mickey Mouse Club, her touring, being a care-free 20 something, and more. The book is amazing and I loved every second of it. I listened to it on audio and having Michelle Williams mimic Justin Timberlake saying “fo shiz fo shiz” is something I will never forget.
5/5 stars