This post may contain affiliated links, which means if you purchase an item I will earn commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
It’s time to review some of the books I read this past spring. If there is one recurring theme to these books it is second chances and fate. I am a big believer right now in both. That what is truly meant for you will happen and it will come back to you. Life changes and we must roll with it because these changes bring about our destiny. And we must work through our own issues. To be brave, so we get through to the other side. We may get a second chance at something we wanted or we may be directed to something even better. These books are about different ways life works out for the best with second chances and fate.
Harriet is heading for the traditional yearly get together at her friend’s cottage in Maine. Except this time Harriet is not looking forward to the trip. She hasn’t told her friends that her and Wyn broke up a few months ago. Unfortunately for Harriet and Wyn this means they will have to share a room together to keep up the appearance of being the happy couple their friends have known for over a decade. As they try to navigate this pretend relationship they must also try to process their feelings for each other. This last week in Maine will be one no one will ever forget. Happy Place is about second chances, friends being like family, and the importance of communication.
5/5 stars
Review
Emily Henry has done it again! There is a reason why Happy Place has been dubbed the book of the summer. It really does live up to its hype. This book had me turning pages, wanting to know what happens next. Not only between Wyn and Harriet but with the entire group. I felt every emotion from heartbreak to happiness. In my head I was yelling COMMUNICATE at Harriet and Wyn. You could feel the longing oozing off of the pages. What I also liked about the book was that it was more than just Harriet and Wyn’s relationship. It was about a group of friends growing up and growing apart. We have all been there. We lead different lives from our high school and college friends. It can be so heartbreaking to realize you no longer have anything in common. I know this was something that was very hard for me to accept. Seeing how the group was trying so desperately to keep traditions going but also trying to be independent is something we can all relate to. I loved this book and wish I could read it for the first time again.
Jess is looking for a fresh start and she turns to her half-brother Ben for a place to crash while she figures out her next move. When she arrives at Ben’s apartment in Paris she finds that he is not there to greet her. After a few hours she realizes Ben is missing. As she starts to dig into his disappearance she uncovers secrets of Ben’s life and the other’s who live in the building. The Paris Apartment is about discovering the truth, family loyalty, and second chances.
4.5/5 stars
Review
Lucy Foley is the only mystery write I will read. I have loved all of her past books; The Hunting Party and The Guest List. I will say The Paris Apartment isn’t my favorite out of her books, but I still enjoyed it. It took me a little while to get into the story but once things started rolling I couldn’t put it down. I was so shocked by the ending about everything leading up to it. It is so well written, such a creative storyline. I do recommend this one for all you mystery book lovers out there.
Matt is newly divorced, disliking his dream career, and finds New York to no longer have the grit and charm it once had. That is until he ran into his college girlfriend Grace, 15 years after they broke up. We follow this couple; reading both sides of their story on what happened all those years ago and what secrets were kept. Now it seems destiny is on their side, but can they get over everything that has happened all these years ago to finally be together. Before We Were Strangers is about destiny and a second chance at love and life.
4/5 stars
Review
I really wanted to love this book but there was something almost melancholy about it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it but I thought it was going to be more feel-good than it was. It has a very interesting storyline full of hope, sadness, betrayal, and fate. But most of all it’s about getting a second chance with your life and I think that is something we can all relate to. Who doesn’t want a second chance with the one who got away or with your estrange family? Perhaps a second chance in career or just living life in general. Who isn’t sadden by the loss of time they could have had with someone or something. Life throws curves at us and we can’t always control the path we are on, but I firmly believe that what is meant to be will always find its way.