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The month of March was filled with leisure, escape, and lots of reading. I finished two books within a week during my vacation in Marco Island; reading poolside and in the early lazy mornings. It was wonderful! The books I read were filled with mystery, secrets, and vulnerability. Here is part 1 of everything I read in March.
Este lives a life of leisure in Florida. Having moved there 5 years prior with her husband Beau, Este is enjoying this new life she crafted for them. Leaving the past behind, all of secrets she kept in California. However, when a mysterious death rattles the community, Este realizes the past has caught up with her. She can no longer outrun it. Trying to figure out for herself what happened, Este unravels lies and deception from those in her past and present… and can she trust her husband.
5 stars
Review
I devoured this book! I really enjoyed the mystery of who-done-it; unraveling the secrets not only of Este but of Beau, Nora, and others. I had many theories on what could have happened, but there were twist and turns that lead me in different directions. It was a fun, easy read.
Hollis Shaw’s life seems perfect on the outside. She is a famous food blog, where women all of the US try her recipes. Like a Martha Stewart. Hollis’ husband and daughter, however, are feeling like a second fiddle. After an argument with her husband one morning, Matthew is killed in a terrible car accident. Trying to grieve and trying to maintain composure for her daughter, who is has a strenuous relationships with, Hollis feels completely alone. When someone suggests doing a “Five-Star Weekend”, she decides to do it. She picks one best friend from each walk of life for a weekend at her home in Nantucket. However, the picture-perfect weekend Hollis imagines doesn’t turn out that way. Instead secrets are reveled, old grudges are exposed, and an old flame enters the picture.
4 stars
Review
I enjoyed this book, but it was not my favorite out of the ones I have read of Elin Hilderbrand. I love the idea of getting your lifelong friends together to help you get through a dark time. Reconnecting with olds friends and strengthening other relationships. I think as we get older we tend to drift apart from people in our past, so this was lovely to follow along. I also liked how each woman had a voice, a point of view. It made the weekend more well-rounded, and got us to understand each character a little bit more. I was waiting for a more dramatic ending; a disruptive conflict. Also more of the women sharing amongst themselves. Even though they bonded at the end, I wanted something deeper. Overall I enjoyed it and can’t wait to watch the mini-series!
Strangers: a memoir of marriage
Belle Burden is New York society. Her grandmother is Babe Paley. Her father is a Vanderbilt. On the outside it looked like she had it all. At the beginning of covid Belle and her family head up to their house in Martha’s Vineyard to get away from the city. Belle has a lovely life; two wonderful kids, a loving, devoted husband. When out of nowhere, and with no past warnings, her husband ups and leaves her. Ending their 20 year marriage. Now Belle has to pick up the pieces of what he left behind, deal with her broken heart while navigating society and protecting her children, and learns that her husband wasn’t the man she thought he was. We go through a journey of divorce and self-discovery in a riveting tell-all.
5 stars
Review
This is the talk of the town! When I went to Barnes and Noble the other day, majority of women were carrying it around. Friends dm’d me to suggest it. I devoured it within a week! It was one of the most compelling, riveting, memoirs I have read. Truly my jaw was on the floor the entire time. Belle Burden’s book, full vulnerability, was refreshing to read. I felt her pain and championed her growth. I learned a lot of lessons about marriage and how to protect yourself incase things end. This is worth the read for anyone; married, single, divorced, etc.