Happy Tuesday! Let’s talk about what I read in April. The selection of books wasn’t nearly as wonderful as the ones that I discussed during my spring book chat, but some there were still a couple gems.
Couldn’t Put Them Down …
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover – 4 stars
Not my favorite by Hoover but still good nonetheless. I enjoyed the backstory of Miles that lead up to present day, but I found his relationship/arrangement/whatever you want to call it with Tate repetitive and a bit boring at times. And, what is the deal with Tate’s older brother? Why is he so overbearing and protective of her? That part was missing for me. I did enjoy the story’s take on love lost after tragedy and trying to find it again.
Country Heaven by Ava Miles – 4 stars (BookBub freebie)
This was a super cute, quick and easy read. Of course, it had major flaws and story gaps, but it was the kind of book I was in the mood for. For chick lit/romance, the characters were pretty developed. Even though it all cleaned up too nicely, Rye’s family dynamic was interesting to follow. I loved all of Tory’s family recipes – I actually may even try a couple for real! I could’ve done without Rye’s cheesy song lyrics.
The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin – 4 stars
I’ve been anxious to read a Daisy Goodwin novel ever since watching Victoria on Masterpiece – I also have this book waiting for me! – and it didn’t disappoint. Her writing is beautifully detailed, and I loved the intricacy of all the story lines going on in this story. It was a little hard to follow at times, and I occasionally forgot who was who but I eventually figured it out and got back on track. You’ll enjoy this if you’re into English literature/royalty/regency-type stuff.
Enjoyable Enough …
When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz – 3 stars
Another slightly boring, repetitive read. I didn’t even find this to be remotely suspenseful or thrilling. Charlotte is kind of annoying and naive. Max has a bucket-load of issues that only are discussed sporadically. The stepsister is basically an idiot. Yet, the whole mystery part of the story gets wrapped up in five pages and everything is hunky dory. Actually, after writing this review, I probably should move it to the Skip category but whatever. If you’re interested in Krentz, I recommend Secret Sisters instead.
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler – 4 stars
This was a take on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. While it definitely wasn’t 10 Things I Hate About You (one of my all-time favorites, no embarrassment here), it was a cute story. I enjoyed the epilogue most to learn what happened with Kate and Pyotr. There were a few gaps that I wanted answered, though like what happened to the preschool job? Or the guy that Kate had a crush on that worked with her? Why did Bunny have to be SO annoying? 😉 Thanks for the recommendation, Ashley!
Skip …
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – 3 stars
In all honesty, with the exception of the first chapter I’m not entirely sure what happened the rest of the book. I kept falling asleep and found the story/characters really boring. Maybe I couldn’t relate or just wasn’t in the mindset to read this type of novel. I’m obviously in the minority with this opinion since this book gets rave reviews on Goodreads, but it just wasn’t for me.
Currently reading: The Girls by Emma Cline (yep, still reading this! I had trouble getting into it, so I took a break to get through some library books) and 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
Final recommendations: Ugly Love if you’re a Colleen Hoover fan and The American Heiress if you’re into that sort of thing. Vinegar Girl also is a cute and easy read.
Ugly Love wasn’t my favorite Colleen Hoover book, either. I liked Maybe Someday, though. I thought Vinegar Girl was a quick, fun read, too. Agree Commonwealth was totally overrated! I will have to check out American Heiress. I loved The Fortune Hunter, but didn’t like Victoria as much. Happy reading!
I haven’t heard of The Fortune Hunter, I’ll have to check it out!
Ooh I’m placing library holds for my honeymoon now. Great suggestions!
How exciting! Enjoy!
I agree that Commonwealth starts slow and is hard to get into at first – I felt the same way. However, the story really is beautifully crafted once you get into it! I found myself very interested in the family and understanding their quirks and relationships… but I did have to force myself to keep going at first. If you’re usually into something with a bit more action, I can understand where youre coming from. I tend to favor family drama. 🙂 I’m eager to try out Hoover – I see her on so many blogs! I just have been trying to track down one of the ones Ive seen recommended at my library… Ill have to check for yours!
I’m glad that you enjoyed Commonwealth! I did think the writing was great and beautifully crafted, it just wasn’t a story I was into. That’s the great thing about books – everyone reacts to them differently. 🙂 Hope you’re able to read a Colleen Hoover book soon! I recommend trying It Ends With Us, Maybe Someday or Confess first.
I’m doing so much traveling this month + can take all the book rec’s I can get!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
How fun, lady!
You are so good at finding good books! Adding these to my list!!
Lol, I do my best! Hope you’re able to get some reading in soon!
That picture with Finn’s paws – so cute!! I’m always jealous of how much reading you get in each month!
That wasn’t staged whatsoever either! I was trying to take a picture of my Kindle, and then he just decided to stick his little paws in on his own. 🙂
I actually haven’t read Ugly Love yet so I’m waiting to get that from the library!! Good to know about commonwealth I had that on my list, but I’ll just go ahead and skip it!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
It’s possible that you might like it – obviously others did – but it just wasn’t for me! Ugly Love is pretty good, can’t wait to see what you think!
I’m so jealous of all the books you read. These looks like some great titles!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Thanks, lady!
I love when you share these because it makes me feel like I need to get my booty in gear and work on reading more! Good to know about Commonwealth, I was thinking about buying it for an upcoming trip! xx
Ugh, definitely skip it girl! Obviously everyone has different opinions on books, but I do think that is one to skip!
Good to know about Commonwealth! I almost picked it up but am so glad I didn’t get it now!
It’s possible you might like it, but it just wasn’t for me! Maybe read other books first. 😉
I’m currently in the middle of the American Heiress, and hope to finish it up while traveling <3
Green Fashionista
Yes! I hope you love it as much as I did. xx
I love honest book reviews! Don’t you hate when you read a book and literally thing, “What in the world did I just read…?” Going to have to put your other reads on my summer reading list!
Zelle
Southern Style
Yes! That is the absolute worst, and that’s how I felt during Commonwealth. I literally can’t tell you anything that happened after the first chapter.
The American Heiress is going to be my next reading!! Great reviews!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: FEELIN’ THE SUN AT MALIBU BEACH, CA
Enjoy, it’s such a great read!
I need to read Ugly Love! It’s been on my list forever.
It was a good one! Not one of my favorites from Hoover, but still her usual formula and a decent story line.
I’ve never read a Colleen Hoover but I think I need to get on that bandwagon next month!
Yeah, girl! I’ve been loving her books lately.
i LOVED ugly love. after i thought about it some more i was like wait a minute.. but the actual during reading, i loved it. also, i can NEVER relate to protective older brothers. mine was.. not. Ha! what a bummer about when all the girls have gone! i really enjoyed it. i guess we can’t be friends anymore? jk! nothing can beat 10 things i hate about you so i will skip vinegar girl.
Haha, I felt the same way about Ugly Love! I was so into it while reading it, but after giving it some thought I was like ehhh. Don’t worry – my brother was the same way, but he’s made up for it as we’ve gotten older. 🙂 I sure as heck our friendship wouldn’t be ruined over a book! Ha! I really tried to like when all the girls, but I just couldn’t get into it.
i do not know why commonwealth was on so many must read lists, and i’m glad you felt that way about the girls. it did nothing for me, and again, was on a lot of lists. i just got back from a trip, where reading things like david sedaris on a plane/train make the rides go so much faster. i did a lot of laughing out loud, though, which was mildly embarrassing!
b
I still have to finish The Girls, so my mind isn’t totally made up about it yet. But, I did have a lot of trouble getting into it initially!
Ok so I read one Colleen Hoover book like a month ago and now I’ve read 3 and this is one I haven’t read. Definitely on my must-read list though just because I love her. Definitely need to read Vinegar Girl too, I love 10 Things as well!
I was the same way with Colleen Hoover! Can’t get enough of her books these days.
I’ve only read one Colleen Hoover book but I have a bunch on my TBR.
Yeah, girl! They are such easy, quick reads – I’m sure you’ll fly through them when you get to it.
10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorite movies too! I just can’t get over how cute of a movie it was, plus I love Heath Ledger! I’m so glad that you liked Vinegar Girl and I’ve been meaning to read American Heiress, I just haven’t had the time. You might end up liking The Girls! I have a friend that read it that loved it, so I’m glad that you’re still giving it a try!
Yes, I’m going to pick it back up once I get through my last library book! I would love to know one person our age that doesn’t love 10 Things – it’s like a classic of our generation!
I chose to skip Commonwealth, I’m glad I did based on your rec!
I certainly wasn’t impressed by it!
I could not get into Commonwealth, but I’m excited to read Ugly Girls!
Glad it wasn’t just me, I thought it was so boring.
I’ve been meaning to pick up a Colleen Hoover book as they get a lot of rave reviews. I felt like The Girls ran out of steam by the ending. It was so hyped but it did not live up to the hype for me.
I’m with you! It just got too repetitive, and then everything wrapped up way too easily.
I loved 13 Reasons Why when I first read it years ago; I hope you are liking it too!
I still need to read something by Colleen Hoover.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I just finished the Netflix series, so I’m glad that it’s fresh in my mind. I’m enjoying the book so far because it seems like there’s plenty different from the show.
Always so impressed with your reading list! Looks good!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks, lady!
Looks like The American Heiress is a must read! It’s interesting that sometimes the books that receive the most hype are the ones we enjoy the least, like Commonwealth – a favorite book doesn’t always have to be on the bestseller list. Hopefully I can catch up on more reading over the summer!
I think you would love The American Heiress – it made me much more excited to read Victoria!
The American Heiress sounds really good, and I think I have Victoria on my iPad already. I haven’t watched it yet, but want to get around to reading it hopefully sometime soon!
You and me both! I absolutely LOVED the PBS series, so I can’t wait to read the book.
The American Heiress sounds right up my alley- I crave regency books like that every once in a while! I also typically love retakes on classic lit, so Vinegar Girl sounds intriguing.
I think you would enjoy both books!
LOVED The American Heiress!!
SO good, right?! Loved it!