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I was a little busy reading bee throughout the month of March. From memoirs to mysteries to romances to fantasy, there wasn’t a genre I didn’t touch. Each book below tells a tale of self-discovery. The importance of being you, and figuring out who you truly are. Here is everything I read in March.
Sloane is a liar. She has been lying since she was a little kid; telling little fibs, exaggerating the truth. This has trickled into her adult life, for better or for worse. One afternoon when Sloane is on her lunch break reading at the park, she hears a little girl crying to her very handsome dad. When she walks over to help with the bee sting, Sloane lies and says she is a nurse. With this lie Sloane becomes the nanny of a wealthy Brooklyn family. Only she soon finds out she isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Count My Lies is about being true to yourself.
5 stars
Review
Oh I loved this one from the start! I was completely hooked within the first few page. I needed to know what was going to happen next. There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t expect. I liked how the book was sectioned into the 3-parts, 3 point of views. For each section gave new life into the story. I think if we kept with Sloane’s point of view throughout the whole book it would have gotten a little stale. Seeing how Violet and Jay describe certain situations makes it more lively. Overall this was my favorite book I read in March.
Justin’s life is unfolding. His roommate ducks out of their lease agreement early, his family dynamics are about to completely change, and his love life is curse. Everyone who he dates ends up finding “the one” right after him. This has been going on for years. He decides to write a Reddit post about his current predicament. Emma is a traveling nurse, going from state to state with her best friend. When they stumble upon Justin’s Reddit post, Emma slides into his DM’s; she too has the exact same curse on her love life. Emma never thought she would end up in Minnesota, but after a few back and forth interactions with Justin she decides a summer fling may be exactly what she needs. Just for the Summer is about opening yourself up to love and possibilities.
4.5 stars
Review
This was the perfect book to read while being poolside on vacation. I love a good romcom book and this one didn’t disappoint. I liked how it was much more than a predictable romance; it was about personal struggles, family dynamics, and what it means to truly be vulnerable with someone you love. It’s a feel good story while also dealing with some heavy stuff; abandonment, insecurities, and more. I really enjoyed both Justin’s and Emma’s point of view in the story. I do wish we spent a little bit more time on Emma connecting with her family, but that is a subplot. Overall I really enjoyed this book!
A Court of Frost and Starlight
*If you haven’t read the first 3 ACOTAR books- skip this
The war is over and Prythian is rebuilding the damages done. As Winter Solstice approaches, the Night Court prepares for the festivities. Meanwhile, Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends are trying to help repair Velaris as well as their own mind and soul. Not everyone is doing well with the aftermath of the war, they all have deep wounded scars to heal. A Court of Frost and Starlight is about taking one step into the light after years of darkness.
4 stars
Review
To me this felt more like a touch base. Nothing really happens, yet everything is being set up for the conflict(s) to come. It was nice to have an update on our beloved characters after the war. To see how they are coping, repairing, and trying to move on. It’s the calm before the storm. And I can’t wait to read the next book to find out!
Peter and Ivan just lost their father. The only true connection they have to each other. Being 10 years apart, they have little to nothing in common. Ivan is a 20 something competitive chess player. He is socially awkward and unsure of himself. When he meets an older woman at a chess competition, Ivan starts to understand life a little better. Peter is a successful lawyer. Juggling between an old love and a 20-something college girl, Peter is trying to keep his life from imploding. Separately Peter and Ivan try to navigate the grief and regrets they have with their father and their lives. Together they clash between old wounds and a strenuous sibling relationship. Intermezzo is about the complexities of family dynamics and loss.
2.5 stars
Review
I hated this book. While I do think Sally Rooney is a smart writer, and this book is very well written, I didn’t like the story. I thought majority of the book was boring. I always have a hard time getting into stories where I dislike all the main characters. I never felt connected to either Peter or Ivan. I will say that the 3rd part of the book was the most intriguing. Mostly because it held the majority of the conflict and resolution. I do think Sally Rooney does a good job writing complex characters. For some reason, if I had to choose, I was more interested in Ivan’s storyline. I don’t know if that is because he felt more complex and interesting or if it’s because I just chucked Peter to be pathetic 40 year old dating a 20 something. Or two things can be true at once. I do think the ending is lovely, and the overall story does a good job on showing how grief isn’t linear. How losing someone tilt’s you off your axis. I have seen people write reviews where they love the book and some that feel the same as me.
TW: This book is about sexual assault and domestic abuse
Amanda Nguyen was a senior at Harvard when she was raped. Harvard was her safe place from a turbulent childhood. After finding out that her rape kit would be destroyed after 6 months, Amanda takes on the legal system to change the laws. We follow along as she navigates her life and career after the assault, as well as her continuous fight for justice not only for herself, but for survivors everywhere. Saving Five is about hope for a better future, the fight for change and for justice.
4.5 stars
Review
I went to an event to listen to Amanda speak about her book, before actually reading it. The book was gifted to us at the event. I’ve never read a memoir about a person I didn’t know anything about. Usually I only read memoirs of celebrities that I love. However, I am so glad I read Saving Five. Whether you are a survivor, know a friend that is one, or none of the above, this book is still a must read. It’s shows what survivors go through afterwards. How to talk to friends who have been sexual assaulted. And you learn so much about what survivors have to endure with our legal system. I didn’t know how expensive it all was for survivors. From rape kits to medical fees to therapy to legal fees and more, it can cost survivors up to $200K– and there is only a 1% chance for justice. While I found the book to be interesting and informative, I also really liked how she incorporated fictional sections. Showing a journey with her past selves navigating through stages of emotions. I thought it really moved the story along, made it interesting. Sometimes memoirs can be stale, repetitive. The fictional components helped complete the story and kept you interested. My only complaint is that I wished she has epilogue to conclude what happened with her rape kit and if she got justice.