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My summer reading has been about relationships. From family dynamics to self love to finding the one, each book tells a tale of love. Each book shows you what it means to find your own happiness, and care for others. That it’s ok to be vulnerable, open, and authentically you. Here is everything I read in July.
Alice and Hayden couldn’t be more opposite. She is optimistic, he is cynical. Alice is still dreaming of her big break as a writer, while Hayden is a Pulitzer-prize biographer. They both find themselves on Little Crescent Island to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in decades. The former “tabloid princess”, the heiress to the most scandalous wealthy family, Margaret Ives. Alice and Hayden didn’t know who or what to expect when meeting the woman who claims to be Margaret. And they definitely didn’t expect to be put in a trial month period, competing for the job. As they separately hear Margaret’s tale of her family’s dynasty and tragic life, Alice and Hayden start to realize she is only giving them a piece of the story. Pieces they can’t share together because of an NDA. As they try to figure out Margaret’s story, their own relationship starts blossom… but is it one that will be a tragedy or a love story?
5 Stars
Review
Oh I really enjoyed this one! Not only the budding romance between Alice and Hayden, but also Margaret’s story. The tales of her scandalous family secrets, her own secrets and heartbreak, and much more. I thought the book was clever, intriguing, and swoonworthy. Alice and Hayden had the right amount of will-they-won’t-they energy. The entire book has this mystery to it that you can’t figure out what it is. Everything that unfolds was a complete shock to me. Overall it’s a great book!
*TW: Suicide
Phoebe has been dreaming of staying at the Cornwall Inn in Rhode Island for years. She had visions of eating delicious seafood, sailing at sunset with her husband. Yet she is here without him, and without any luggage. And by the looks of things, she is the only guest at the hotel who isn’t part of the wedding. Wearing a beautiful green dress, Phoebe is mistaken for a wedding guest and gets swept up in the festivities. The bride spends the week stressed out making sure every detail is perfect and nothing goes wrong. A detail she didn’t account for? Phoebe.
4.5 stars
Review
When starting the book I didn’t realize the story was about suicide. It took me a few pages to get into it after realizing it had a darker storyline. Not the fluff and fun wedding story I was thinking it was going to be. However, by the end of the book I really enjoyed it. It is balanced by humor, festivities, and relatability. And in the end, I love the lesson of what it means to truly live your life. To be authentic to who you are, what you want. To choose yourself and your happiness. The characters are relatable; feeling invisible, feeling like they have to move on from grief, feeling as if they need to put up a front. Being pigeonholed into a stereotype. Each character represented a situation we’ve been in or know someone who has. They represent our thoughts and emotions we have about ourselves and how we are presented to the world. And most importantly, it left me wanting to live life fully.
*If you haven’t read the other books in the series skip this one
The last and final book of the Rebel Blue Ranch series, Wild and Wrangled ends with Cameron. Cam, as we know, is type A; organized, doesn’t take risks, a lawyer, and has a life plan. She is about to marry a nice guy to help secure her daughter’s future and get her snobbish, overbearing parents off her back. Expect her plans go up in smoke when the groom doesn’t show up to the wedding. Now her life is turned upside down and she has to start all over again. The problem is that starting over means she has to be in close proximities with her high school ex-boyfriend Dusty. Dusty who is back in town after living all over the world. Can the two become friends again or does old wounds get in the way.
5 stars
Review
So sad to see this book series end! I absolutely loved each and every book! I am glad Lyla Sage included Cameron in this series, showing how she is truly part of the Ryder clan. Cam and Dusty’s second chance romance was swoonworthy. I am glad the author included the flash back sections, helping us get a better understanding of Cam and Dusty’s relationship. I do wish the author included more conflict with classism in the book. While that wasn’t Cameron’s thoughts per say, it did play a big part of why she wasn’t choosing life with Dusty. I think that would have been an interesting conflict, something he could have gotten upset about. Overall I loved how Dusty was always there for Cam, willing to accept his fate and love her from afar.
Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
I listened to Once Upon a Time on audio, as I usually do for memoirs and biographies. I have to admit prior to reading this book I didn’t know much about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s life, Outside from her impeccable style, being married to John Jr., and of course the horrible crash, I didn’t know anything else about her. Although not by any means poor, I always thought she came from wealth. A more prominent upbringing. There were a few things about her upbringing and her relationship with John Jr. that surprised me. With John Jr. I knew how tumultuous their relationship was. We’ve all seen the photos from the infamous Washington Square Park fight. However, I didn’t know that they were so on-again-off-again before getting married. And even in marriage they had troubles. Throughout all of it I enjoyed her relationship with John Jr. and learning about her career in fashion.
I will say the book does have a sense of rose-colored glasses when talking about Carolyn. At one point the author writes that everything Carolyn touched turned to gold. It felt as if she was always putting Carolyn on a pedestal. I wonder if the author would say such a thing if she were alive today. While she seemed very beloved by those who knew her, there are times where she is cunning and the author softens, almost defends Carolyn. While I am not saying Carolyn is what the media tried to portray her as, the author does spin a rosy picture.
While saying all that I did thoroughly enjoy the book! And can now join the bandwagon of girls who are obsessed with CBK. Carolyn was the epitome of class, grace, and minimalistic elegance. Even her kindness to others is something to aspire to. Seeming to always be the first friend to lend a hand. Her style is what we now call “stealth wealth” and something we all try to emulate. She lived a fascinating life, with such a tragic ending.
4.5 Stars