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In the month of June I spent more time socializing than I did reading. With starting a new job, spending time with friends, and going to the ballet, unfortunately my usually allocated hour of daily reading had to take a backseat. However, I was able to read a few books and listen to one on audio. Every book I read in June had to do with relationships; with loved ones, and with ourselves.
It’s the early 1900s and Anna Beasly is a recent college graduate who is determined to make a name for herself, despite women not being afforded such luxuries in their careers. Anna wants to remain unmarried, working towards finishing her novel, and keeping what freedom she has as a woman. When she spends her summers at her sister’s beach house in the newly developed Haven Point, Maine, she is asked to supervise her niece and her friends. Each afternoon they take a little boat out to a deserted island where the girls are allowed to run free. Spending time with the girls, seeing their independence, it sparks an idea for a book. A book in which Anna will have to use a pen name for. With the books popularity, and being thrown into close quarters with a former crush, Anna starts to rethink all her beliefs.
In 1928 Julia, Anna’s niece, is all grown up and just as independent and determined to hold onto her freedom as her aunt. While new ideologies start to formulate amongst the modernistic young, Julia is trying to figure out her place between the intellectuals, women’s rights movement, and her family’s traditional beliefs. Trying to break free of societal and familial expectations, she finds herself in a romantic entanglement with a progressive former crush. When she is called back to Haven Point, she must decide what truly makes her happy.
5 Stars
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a fan of historical fiction, I relish in stories of the past; learning new things, getting a sense of what life was like back then. This book gave us a glimpse into the lives of women in the late 1800s to the early 1920s. Anna had to endure the gossip to remain true to her self and her career goals. Julia, while having more privilege than her aunt, still tried to push the boundaries and championed for women’s rights. Each story was enjoyable, but I did like Julia’s a little bit more. It had slightly more lure with her adventures, love interests, and navigating family dynamics. Anna, on the other hand, knew her place. While she tested the boundaries of her career, she didn’t necessarily try to progress societal norms, the furtherance of the women’s movement. Besides the historical tale, I enjoyed following along the freedom of which Julia and her friends had on the island; their imaginations, kindness, and ability to fully be themselves. How that time at the island shaped them each in one way or another.
George and Frankie have been best friends since they were 8 years old. Since the day he moved in with his grandmother, who happened to be Frankie’s neighbor. For most of their lives they have been inseparable; living together, matching tattoos, knowing each other better than anyone else. On the eve of Frankie’s wedding, she doesn’t know where she stands with George. Especially after their big fight a few months ago. Things haven’t been the same between them and all she wants is her best friend to stand beside her at the alter. However, everything comes crashing down when her fiancé dumps her the morning of her wedding. Now Frankie is living at her parent’s house, having to start all over again, and wallowing in her grief. When George comes up with a plan to help Frankie heal, they find themselves on what would have been Frankie’s honeymoon. Frankie agrees to go to repair their friendship, but secrets come out that may ruin everything.
4.5 stars
Review
This was an enjoyable read! While I do wish we could have gotten George’s point of view, I understand why it wasn’t formatted that way. It would have taken away from the buildup, the surprises, and the storyline. This was about Frankie and her life. George was written to support, care, and love her like a best friend; which is true to his nature. Throughout the book I loved the will-they-won’t-they aspect. It keeps you turning the page, wanting more. As well as the flipping between past and present, giving us a more in-depth insight into their friendship. We know how incredibly close they are, how they have drifted, and what is at stake if they reveal their true feelings. Overall I thought this was an enjoyable book; lovable characters, great chemistry, and a fun storyline.
Daphne Parrish seems to have it all; the handsome and rich husband Jackson, all the designer clothing and expensive jewelry money can buy, and children who have everything they could ever ask for. Yet Daphne doesn’t seem to appreciate what she has. At least to Amber she doesn’t. Amber is young girl in her 20s who doesn’t have a lot of money and is plain looking. She is fed up being invisible. When Amber schemes her way into becoming Daphne’s friend, and insinuates herself into the Parrishes lives, it’s more than just to taste the lifestyle of the rich. She has her sights on Jackson. But soon Amber will find out that she isn’t the only one with skeletons in her closet.
4.5 stars
Review
I listened to this on audio and really didn’t get into it until half way through Amber’s story. And for me, it really picked up once we got Daphne’s point of view. I loved that the author gave us both. It refreshed the story, offered a new perspective that can only happen if we hear both sides. What I love the most about the book is the lesson that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. No one has it all, no one is without troubles. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next. My jaw was on the floor for a lot of it. Oh, and the ending? Bravo! I didn’t see it coming! I am excited to watch the movie starring JLo, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Isabel May once it is released on Netflix end of this year or early next year. This is another Netflix movie that I did background work for- which is what prompt me to read the book. I wanted to understand the scene in which I was in!