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I didn’t have much time to read last month. Busy with work and social gatherings, my precious hour reading time that I set for myself everyday seemed to have taken a backseat. I was surprised to find I still ended up reading 3 books, plus listened to an audiobook. Anyway, last month’s books were vastly different. From enemies to lovers, mysteries to be solved, sister relationships to be healed, and inspiration to be had, everything I read in June was filled with page turning stories.
As a successful screen-writer, Elle has an amazing opportunity to write a big-budget movie set in New York. The problem? She hates the city and has writer’s block. But this is an opportunity she can’t pass up, so she housesits in a luxury apartment for the summer. The perfect, quiet place to write. That is until she finds out that her neighbor is tech-billionaire, notorious bachelor, Parker Warren. The guy who two years prior she hooked up with in the stairwell at a club. The guy she despises. After their first encounter in years, Elle finds she can write again. Her hate for Parker fuels her inspiration. Parker, on the other hand, doesn’t remember Elle. However, he needs to find a fake relationship for the summer to keep the press from focusing on his company’s acquisition. As the summer continues they find that even though the fake-dating pact is helping each other out, they are not so sure if they are still pretending.
5 stars
Review
This is definitely a must read for the summer! I loved following along the will-they-won’t-they romantic story. It gives you all the feels of swoon worthy moments and salacious encounters. I loved how everything unfolded between Elle and Parker; their enemies to lovers trope. What makes this book great is that it’s more than just a love story. It’s about insecurities that one has with work, family, money, and friends. It’s about caring for someone so deeply you would do anything for them. And it is all set in NYC!!
The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits
Cassie and Zoe may be sisters but they are complete opposites. Cassie is a musical prodigy; insecure and wants to be invisible to the world. Zoe is confident, pretty, and wants to be in the spotlight. When the two are thrust into stardom in the early aughts with their band The Griffin Sisters, we see the beginning of the end. 20 years later after their abrupt, turbulent breakup, Zoe’s daughter Cherry sets her sights on the music industry. Zoe, who is now a suburban mom, tries to steer her away from the industry that chewed her up and spit her out. While Cassie has completely disappeared, never to be heard from by anyone in two decades. Cherry is determined to reunite the two sisters, the band, and unfold the mystery of their breakup.
4 stars
Review
I really wanted to love this book but there was just something missing. I enjoyed the story but it wasn’t a page turner for me. I don’t know why. It had the recipe for a great book; music, betrayal, mystery. Once the book really got into the thick of things (with the incident) it became more interesting. Prior to that I was having a hard time getting into it. I also didn’t like how Cassie and Zoe were written. Constantly reminding us that Cassie is overweight and Zoe is the pretty one. It was repetitive and mundane. I did, however, like how we got two sides of the same stories throughout the book. The rise and falls of fame, as well as the nostalgia of the music industry of the early 2000’s was great. I didn’t care at all about Cherry and her journey. In fact I hated that she thought her journey to stardom was more important than her mother’s relationship with her sister. Overall it was a fine read.
After the passing of her husband, Biddy returns to her hometown of Pooka, Indiana. Expecting a rundown city and awkward reunions, she is instead met with a thriving community and a rumor about her estranged sister Eileen. A multi-billion dollar pottery business that her sister was cheated out of before her death. A rumor that caused the town to turn their backs on Eileen and her daughter Maude. Biddy takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it all. She gathers a motley crew of women to create the first ever Pooka Women’s Club to solve the mystery. However, the women uncover more than just petty old grudges, they get themselves tangled in much more dangerous waters.
5 stars
Review
Oh I really enjoyed this cute mystery! I hope it becomes a series. I would love to read more stories of the Pooka Women’s Club solving crimes. I thought the story was clever and kept you interested. The diversity of the women really makes the story more charming. And while charming, it also has a lot of thrills and spills. I like that we get the point of view from a few characters, and not just follow Biddy around. It kept it interesting and we get clues from each person that only we can put together before it comes to life. This is a fun read!
Be Ready When The Luck Happens: A Memoir
Ina Garten takes us through her life; from childhood to one of the most beloved, and well known, professional cooks. I knew little about her life, besides her current successes, so it was lovely to get to know Ina Garten the person. She is funny, smart, daring, and innovative. And she really does have all the luck; always in the right place at the right time. From the way she met Jeffery her husband, to owning her dream apartment in Paris, to expanding Barefoot Contessa- luck seemed to always be on Ina’s side. I was inspired by her creativity and ambition. Knowing what works well and doesn’t, and not being afraid to try new things. I loved how she saw an opportunity and took it, even when others doubted her. What I loved most about her memoir is that she will tell you she learned the craft along the way. She didn’t start out knowing how to cook when she took over Barefoot Contessa. She took a gamble, stumbled upon something she loved to do, and mastered her craft. I listened to this memoir on audio and was absolutely delighted in hearing her recount her history.
5 stars