My reading world has been pretty chill lately. I’ve had a streak of mediocre books, so I’m hoping I can break that spell soon and get back into things. That said, May’s reads and reviews includes some of the better books as of late. You know the drill – here we go!
THE PRINTED LETTER BOOKSHOP by Katherine Reay
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Out May 14.
My rating & recommendation: 3 stars, it’s okay. This took me a LONG time to get into/through. Once I did, it passed the time just fine. I loved the setting and the complexities of each character. Janet surprised me the most, and I related most to both Madeline and Claire. I think a lot of women will find characteristics in each that they can relate to. However, beware that character background and development is pretty disjointed/under-developed. Loved all the book references and the general home base of the bookshop.
99 PERCENT MINE by Sally Thorne
My rating & recommendation: 4 stars, yes! It did take me a little bit to get into this, but once I got my shit together I was all in. Darcy and Tom … holy chemistry! It was jumping off the pages within the first few chapters. I loved their relationship, but I adored their friendship more. Loved the double epilogues, especially for The Hating Game. THG still wins over this one.
THE UNHONEYMOONERS by Christina Lauren
*ARC received from NetGalley. Out May 14.
My rating & recommendation: 5 stars, HELL YES! This officially is my new favorite from them. IT WAS SO STINKING ADORABLE. Olive, sweet Olive. I loved her and all her pessimistic imperfections. She was relatable, and I always found myself rooting for her. And, Ethan … gosh, what a literary dreamboat. This was a great mix of light with reality. Nothing overly dramatic, but enough relatable content to keep the story grounded.
WATCHING YOU by Lisa Jewell
My rating & recommendation: 4 stars, yes! I had the plot of this book figured out pretty early on, but it still kept me hooked and intrigued throughout. The dynamics between characters were beyond interesting. And then, the author had to go and throw a total curve ball on the last page of the book and MY WHOLE MIND WAS BLOWN. I’m still thinking about it a couple weeks later.
Bottom line …
The Unhoneymooners and Watching You were my favorite reads of the month. Highly recommend!
Currently reading: Grace After Henry by Eithne Shortall
What’s on your reading list for the month?
Keep up with all my reading in the archives, on Instagram Highlights and on Goodreads.
I love Christina Lauren! This was probably my second favorite after Josh and Hazel. They somehow showed up at a library near where I live recently and it was SO MUCH FUN to hear them talk and they were the sweetest most down to earth ladies ever. I loved them both! I want to read 99% mine soon! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I also enjoyed Watching You. I need to get the Unhoneymooners! Thanks for the recommendations. Tanya – The Other Side of the Road
Enjoy Unhoneymooners!
Watching You was good but definitely not my favorite Lisa Jewell. Have you checked out some o her others?
I’ve also read And Then She Was Gone and LOVED it. Any others of hers that you recommend?
I am struggling through that Katherine Reay book right now. I am not sure why I requested it. lol. I haven’t had wonderful success with her in the past but that cover!!! omg!!!
I loved 99 Percent Mine as you know but still loved THG a tad more too. I really enjoyed The Unhoneymooners too. I like second chance so I can’t wait for their next one in October. I hope you get out of your book slump a bit more this month too! The Bride Test should help with that!!
I’ve never read anything else by Katherin Reay, but oh goodness that one was a struggle. I requested it solely based on the cover, lol. You weren’t kidding about The Bride Test – I devoured it in a day and just loved it. I think it brought me out of my book slump for sure!
Oh this was fun since I’ve read some of these! I also really enjoyed Watching You! I didn’t love the first (and only) Christina Lauren book I read but I’d be willing to give them another chance so I will have to pick up the Unhoneymooners when it comes out!
Oh…it’s already out today! Ha, good timing!
Thanks for stopping by today! I always love your book reviews since we have similar reading tastes. What CL book did you read? Definitely try giving them another shot – some are way better than others!
Hmmmm … it says something really good about a book when you’re still thinking about it weeks later. I’ve Watching You here and there but never put on my TBR until now. I love it when a book surprises me (in a good way, of course).
Definitely check it out, it was so good!
I read Josh and Hazel by Christina Lauren last year and I didn’t hate it. I think I might try another one of her books when I get through my NetGalley queue and the ever-expanding pile on my bookshelves.
Haha, always the struggle right?! I know you’re not a fan of romances, but not all CL books are super whatever. Josh and Hazel was a good one of theirs for sure.
I really need to get to the unhoneymooners. I love CL and havent read a book of theirs I didnt like
This one won’t disappoint you then!
I loved the Lisa Jewell! I’ve read a few of hers this year.
That was my second Lisa Jewell book, and I just love her writing/stories. So good!
I’m still on the wait list for Unhoneymooners- ugh! I have Watching You on my Kindle though- I’ll have to move it up!
Yes, definitely do! And hopefully you get Unhoneymooners soon!
I cannot wait to read the Unhoneymooners. It looks good!
It’s the perfect summer/beach read! Enjoy!
3 of those are on my TBR list!
Yay! Enjoy!
i love the idea of katherine reay’s books but have never actually liked the books, so i gave up on her. definitely adding watching you to my list, though i think it may already be there. moving it up if so lol
This was my first Katherine Reay book, and I can understand why you and Heather basically said the same thing lol. I love the cover of the book, though.
I still need to read Watching You, but hopefully soon! It sounds great, and I love a good mystery. Plus, it would make a great pool read. 🙂
-Lauren
Yes, absolutely! It’s the perfect story for that.
So many good options this month! I just found you on Goodreads too!
Awe, yay! Thanks for connecting, and happy reading. 🙂
Looks like unhoneymooners it is!! Thanks for sharing all the reads!
Happy reading, friend! xx
These all sound interesting! I’ll be anxious to read your review of Melinda Gate’s book!
It’s on my list once I’m finished with my current read!
So many great sounding books! Thanks for sharing!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Hope you’re able to enjoy them! Happy reading!