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August didn’t just slip away into a moment in time, I also slipped away into books. It was a month of romance, ambition, inspiration, drama, and vulnerability. Each book brought a much needed escape to the hot summer days. Here is everything I read in August.
Jane grew up as a childhood sitcom star. She spent her adolescences as Janey Jakes: the girl with braces, who always screwed up, the punch line of every joke. Now Jane is trying to be taken seriously as a Hollywood studio executive. While trying to get her first movie green-lit, and after being riled up from the arrogant cinematographer Dan, Jane may have gone a little too far. After claiming (lying) she can get pop star Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie, Jane finds herself in Dan’s hometown. Spending a week with her one-time crush to chase after her first kiss, all while trying to cover up a lie. “Poor Janey Jakes” strikes again.
4.5 stars
Review
I really enjoyed this summer romance! I was kicking my legs while Dan and Jane got closer throughout the book. It’s part funny, swoon-worthy, and emotional. I liked how both Dan and Jane have underline, identity issues. Trying to step into who they are, not who they were or what people want them to be. Both trying to figure it all out while being there for each other. Being a safe space to open up. My biggest complaint was that Jane was a little too on the neurotic side. Some of her behavior was a little much. Overall I really enjoyed it!
Alice only spent one summer at the lake with her grandmother Nan when she was a teenager. But that one summer had imprinted on her in more ways than one. It was where she shot the picture of the 3 teens sailing on the lake. The photograph that changed her life. Now as a professional photographer, Alice is feeling a little uninspired. Not to mention heartbroken as well. When Nan takes a fall, Alice suggests the two of them go back to Barry’s Bay to spend another summer together. A summer of peace and healing, in more ways than one. What Alice didn’t account for was Charlie Florek. Their neighbor at the lake, as well as the guy who is their cabin’s handyman. As she and Charlie spend more lazy summer days together, Alice starts to worry for her heart.
5 stars
Review
I really enjoyed this one! It was the perfect summer read; the lake, the blooming romance, the funny warmhearted moments! I loved reading along while Charlie and Alice became closer. From friends to lovers… or maybe more like enemies to lovers. They brought out the best in each other and it was lovely to follow along. Plus Nan was the cutest! Loved her quick wit.
Alice Storm hasn’t spoken to her family in 5 years, nor has she stepped foot on the family’s private island off of Rhode Island. Cast away, Alice built a life for herself outside of her family’s name, billions, and influence. After the sudden death of her father, Alice finds herself back on the island facing her family and the people she walked away from. What she didn’t account for was another one of her father’s manipulated games. One last challenge for the family to endure. If they do not complete the task at hand then no one gets the inheritance. A whole week on Storm Island is hard enough for Alice; reliving the past, trying to make amends and deal with her family. It’s a week of chaos, secrets, and manipulation. All while under the watch of Jack Dean, her father’s second in command. The handsome, yet mystery guy Alice is trying to avoid. These Summer Storms deals with family drama, grief, love, and classism.
5 stars
Review
Part romance, part family drama, part mystery. I wasn’t expecting to love this book so much, but it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved how the story was about Alice, but we got a mixture of how the rest of the Storms dealt with their grief, their secrets, and more. Jack was making me swoon over his calm demeanor, and protectiveness over Alice. I would love to see this turned into a Netflix mini-series!
Is there anyone more synonymous with fashion than Anna Wintour. As the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue for almost 40 years, like her or not, Anna has spearheaded the fashion world. Anna: The Biography is a detailed glimpse into her life- from childhood to The Devil Wears Prada and beyond. While I knew quite a lot about Anna’s life from past articles and so on, this biography goes into more intimate detailing. When Anna got emotional over personal matters or how she stood her ground on business decisions. I find her entire life to be fascinating, and of course, inspiring. I loved how top designers and CEO’s wanted her approval on everything. How she completely changed fashion magazines, the Met Gala, and more. It explains why she did certain things like allowing Kim Kardashian to grace the cover of Vogue after being blacklisted for the Met. She has her downfalls; she isn’t perfect, not very nice, nor has she always been politically correct. But I find Anna to be the most fascinating, inspiring person. This is worth the read!
5 stars