July New Release: A Stranger on the Beach

A Stranger on the Beach

By Michele Campbell

4⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller.  It will keep you guessing until the very end. It is a perfect beach read!

***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions are my own.


My Netgalley Review: 

Caroline is a rich wife who has been married to her husband for 20 years. Aiden is the local bad boy who is a bartender in the local bar. He has served time and is on probation. 

The story goes between Caroline's version of events and Aiden's version of events. They are very different. Who is telling the truth to the reader? Who is lying to the reader?  

Honestly I couldn't stop reading. I was able to figure it out but not until late in the book.  I enjoyed this and would definitely read something else from author.

July New Release: You've Been Volunteered

You've Been Volunteered 

By Laurie Gelman

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. 

I loved this book. It is laugh out loud funny...especially the emails from Jen to the parents. 

I came across the first book, Class Mom, because it was on sale on Amazon a while ago. When I saw the sequel was coming out I was so excited.  I am nothing like Jen but I love her no nonsense approach to life.

This was a very early review for me on Netgalley but I am still going to include the review.  Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co. For the opportunity to read and review this book. 

My Netgalley Review:

Great book!  This is the sequel to Class Mom.  

Jen is still hilarious. Max is now in 3rd grade. Jen has her hands full as class mom again and now she has been volunteered to organize the 5th grade safety patrol program. She has a busy life with her adult daughters, her parents, and a husband who wants to expand his business. The class emails will have you laughing out loud.

I look forward to more from Laurie Gelman.

July New Release: Window on the Bay

Window on the Bay

By Debbie Macomber 

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Romance, Women's Fiction 

Release Date: July 16, 2019

***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. 

I have loved every Debbie Macomber I have read.  This one is probably one of my favorites.  The main character is having to adjust to life as an empty nester. I think it made even more difficult because she is a single mom. There is a great relationship with her best friend as she moves forward in her life. 

This is a perfect summer read. 

My Netgalley Review:

Debbie Macaomber does it again. Window on the Bay is the very sweet and endearing story of two best friends. 

Jenna and Maureen have been best friends since college. They both had marriages that failed very early. They have been each other's support system for over 20 years. Their children are now grown and they are officially empty nesters.  Is it possible to find love again?  Do they each want to find love again?

The story alternates between Jenna, Maureen, and Allie (Jenna's daughter).  

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A Bookish Day Trip to Hannibal, Missouri

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

And

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Mark Twain

We visited Hannibal, Missouri yesterday. First, we went on a tour of the the Mark Twain Cave.  There are a lot of Tom and Huck stories on the tour.  Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and take a light jacket. The tour is about an hour and it is a little chilly. 

Next we visited the historic downtown and toured the places where Samuel Clemons grew up.  This is his boyhood home and next door is Aunt Polly's house.

This is Becky Thatcher's house. Tom's childhood sweetheart. In real life it was the home of Laura Hawkins, Samuel Clemon's childhood sweetheart.

Statue of Tom and Huck

I collect postcards when we travel. Here are a few that I found yesterday and my new bookmark. 

If you are ever near Hannibal I highly recommend a visit. There were so many things we didnt see including a lighthouse ( I couldn't climb the stairs), a famous mansion, another cave, and the childhood home of Margaret Brown (you may remember her from the Titanic).  I have visited Margaret Brown's home in Denver and hope to eventually visit her home in Hannibal.

Hannibal is about 2 hours northwest of St. Louis, Missouri.

July New Release: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

By Abbi Waxman

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. 

This book has one of my favorite book tropes....it takes place mostly in a bookstore.  In addition to books and movies Nina also knows a lot of trivia facts. This book was a fun read.  I wanted to be friends with Nina. 

The anxiety side of Nina's personality was easily relatable.  Anxiety doesn't take over her life.  She has a fun and quirky personality.

My Netgalley Review:

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman is an enjoyable read. 

Nina is quirky and fun. She thinks and talks in terms of movie and book references. Nina likes to read and spend time alone then one day she discovers that she has a family she never knew about. The family is huge and quirky also. Nina doesn't do well with change. The new family and new boyfriend send her into an anxiety downward spiral. 

This was a fun read with interesting characters. I enjoy books about bookstores and this one did not disappoint. 

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

Humor
Women's Fiction
Release Date: July 9, 2019