Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty-Two

And here we have another Christmas edition! I must have been in the mood for Christmas stories this past December because as I went back over my list there were a whole lot more on there than I'd realized. A good problem to have, though, right? :) Some were good and some a bit forgettable...

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I decided this was the year I'd finally read this little volume and I'm so pleased that I did! I may have thought I knew this story, but it still surprised me in parts. Which is a good thing. :) For being a "ghost story", it has a whole lot of light and hope within it. I can see why so many have loved it for so many years. A particularly good quote: "The Spirit dropped beneath it, so that the extinguisher covered its whole form; but, though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, he could not hide the light, which streamed from under it in an unbroken flood upon the ground." (emphasis mine, obviously)

Now I want to try another Dickens novel... :)

The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens
It started out super fun and then went in a completely unexpected direction. But this shouldn't surprise me coming from Dickens, right? :) I did enjoy the story overall, though, I just wasn't prepared for some harsh realities that hit. Yet there is hope threaded throughout the story, so that helped tremendously. Still, the first several paragraphs are perfectly described and woven that I was invested within the story before I knew it. I loved those bits particularly!

Christmas at the Circus by Joanne Bischof
A sweet and wonderful return to Charlie and Ella Lionheart's world! Entirely too short for my liking (a good problem, yes :), I loved getting a small glimpse into their married life. It reminded me it's been far too long since I last read The Lady and the Lionheart!

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci
Having watched the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie based on this book a couple years ago, I was intrigued to try this. Of course, books and movies always differ, so I had a few disappointments. But overall this was an intriguing story, very Christmasy and enjoyable (mostly). There were parts I particularly liked better than others and I won't say that I will ever pick it up again, but I'm not sad I tried it. (Plus, does it ever make you feel like patting yourself on the back when you try a popular and well-known author even if you didn't love their story? Perhaps I'm the only one... ;)

Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm 
by Jaimie Admans
Ms. Admans certainly has a way of writing addicting stories! Because somehow she got me to finish this one when I felt like the beginning wasn't truly hitting all the right buttons for me yet. As I pushed on farther, though, my interest picked up by about midway through. Having now finished it, I can say that it's cute overall. Perhaps not one that I loved, but still enjoyable. The romance was adorably fluffy. If you're interested in a quick, Christmasy and wintery story, then try it! You may just love it more than I. :)

Christmas Every Day By Beth Moran
I loved Jenny! In spite of her current awful circumstances, she forges a path through all the yuck and discovers life again. Her fabulous personality gets her through just about anything. There were bits about this story that disappointed me, but I stuck around for Jenny. And Mack! Because having a neighbor who does good deeds (while grumbling) makes for hilarious interactions between them. I laughed several times during their conversations. I also love the friendships that spring up around Jenny, through hardly any effort of her own. She is simply just that awesome and easy to love. Bits I loved and bits I didn't made an interesting combination but overall a sweet story.

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale
This had it's cute and sweet moments. Particularly when Nick interacts with Max, Abbey's son. Their scenes always made me smile. And the romance was fun, mostly. There were bits that just didn't work for me, but overall an enjoyable read. Very Christmasy and romantic, which was all I was in the mood for, so it worked!

A Bramble House Christmas by CJ Carmichael
Hallmark movies are terribly addicting and when they are based upon books, I tend to want to try them. Turns out that can mean good things or forgettable things. Unfortunately I would label this story as one of the ones that was just intriguing enough to make me finish it, yet there was much that wasn't flowing so smoothly for me. That's not to say it's a terrible book! Just not for me, sadly.

Christmas Joy by Nancy Naigle
This reads exactly like a Hallmark Christmas movie, which is precisely what I wanted. A little bit cheesy, a little bit predictable, a whole lot Christmasy, and quite an adorable romance. It was the perfect way to while away a sick day spent in bed. It made me smile through the misery! :)

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty-One

Well, here we are again. More reviews! These are focused on stories that particularly filled me with delight when I read them. Each of these books cause me to smile inside and out when I think of them... :)

Miss Buncle's Book by DE Stevenson
Oh my goodness, I LOVED this one! Miss Buncle and her neighbors are a hoot and a half. The pickle she finds herself in and the delightful way she worries and processes through it just warmed my heart with every chapter. I really knew next to nothing about this book when I found my first copy a few years back, but the premise intrigued me so I bought it. Then I found a second copy with a gorgeous cover that made me decide it was time to actually read it and I am ever so happy I did. I smiled throughout pretty much every single chapter and now I want to find copies of the next books in the series... If you haven't tried this one yet, friends, then I highly recommend you do so!! Miss Buncle is worth spending time with, trust me. :)

Parnasus on Wheels by Christopher Morley
An unexpected delight of a story, this went very differently than I'd imagined. But that did not take away from its charms whatsoever! I saw a description of it on goodreads that called it an "unforgettably weird classic" and I'd have to agree. I mean that in the best ways possible! Because I truly enjoyed Helen's adventures. And Roger Mifflin...ah what a character he is as well. These two people are so very different, yet find much in common once their journey gets going. A super fun little story that's definitely getting added to my reread pile!

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 
by Beth Brower
I've been a fan of Ms. Brower's for some time now, but this new series truly solidifies my awe at her skill with a pen. She is incredibly talented at writing in so many different genres. This (not nearly long enough) little book was wonderful from start to finish. I was relieved, however, when I neared the end and realized there was at least one more book waiting because my investment in Emma's life needed many more pages and chapters than would fit in this one single volume. Emma's adventures in St. Crispian's and the intriguing folk who inhabit it were a lot of fun to discover. I don't quite know how to describe the pure delight found within these pages, so I will tell you this one thing: read it for yourself! I find Emma very much worth getting to know, see if you might feel the same. :)

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 
by Beth Brower
Yay for more Emma! So many more escapades and possibilities of romance...maybe, perhaps, we shall see? Whatever the future yet holds for Emma, I am so here for it. Please write more, Ms. Brower! I loved this second little peek into Emma's inner musings and it was as delightful as the first. Emma is awesome, the end. (As are quite a few of her neighbors and townspeople. Their quirkiness adds so much to Emma's own quirks and perspective on life.) Such a wonderful little book! (But seriously. I truly hope more volumes are yet to come!)

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty

And here it is, friends! The first of many afore-mentioned review posts. *sigh* I had really gotten behind on those! This first set of books are all nonfiction and thought-provoking reads, as you will see...

Onward to the gushing! ;)

Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
This wonderful little book had barely been on my radar when I spotted a copy at a used bookshop I frequent occasionally. Perfect timing! I loved the way her thoughts flowed and followed so much of my own pondering and wonderings. Recognizing a lot of my own uncertainties and joys caused me to write down so many awesome little quotes to remember later. A quick read that proved the well-used phrase 'short and sweet'. So much sweetness! Definitely will reread it again. It feels like the type to refresh you every year as time and perspective changes... :)

Sense and Sensuality: Jesus Talks to Oscar Wilde on the Pursuit of Pleasure by Ravi Zacharias
I confess this one wasn't anywhere on my radar until it popped up on a deal of the day email several months ago. As I have enjoyed Mr. Zacharias' writing before, I decided to try it. It is an intriguing little conversation! I didn't remember much about Oscar Wilde's life, but I went and researched what I could find, which helped me understand just what is going on in this "conversation". It provides great food for thought and response when faced with so much of the sensuality in culture around us...

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
I cannot believe I'd never heard of this little gem until fairly recently! This was, quite simply, a delight from start to finish. I laughed at several places, shook my head in others, got a bit teary at the end, and absolutely adored these letters between two people who connected over love of story. For any booklover, this is a must read. (And probably everyone else but me has read it already. But I am finally part of the gushing reviews! :)

"Please write and tell me about London, I live for the day when I step off the boat-train and feel its dirty sidewalks under my feet. I want to walk up Berkeley Square and down Wimpole Street and stand in St. Paul's where John Donne preached and sit on the step Elizabeth sat on when she refused to enter the Tower, and like that. A newspaper man I know, who was stationed in London during the war, says tourists go to England with preconceived notions, so they always find exactly what they go looking for. I told him I'd go looking for the England of English literature, and he said:
"Then it's there."

Surprised By Joy by CS Lewis
So much of Mr. Lewis' writing challenges my brain to work hard to understand what he's saying (this doesn't stop me from trying to understand him though!), so I was surprised by the more accessible flow of thought when I started this one. Lewis' intelligence does make it itself known, of course, but this is a fascinating look at his journey to Christianity. I admit that maybe I skimmed a slight bit when he got a little detailed on some of his school days, but overall this gave me a deeper perspective on him and what joy can be and look like. Definitely recommend it!

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Jane Austen Edition {#41}

Oh, look! More reviews! Except this one is all Jane Austen stories. My favorite!! :)

Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Po Tse, and Stacy King
Of course I LOVED this! It's Jane Austen. :) I've actually had this one on my radar for quite a while and was very pleased to discover it at my library! It's just an interesting take on a favorite story. The art was fun and the storyline familiar and delightful. Now I want to read all of Austen's stories in manga form! :)

Emma by Jane Austen
I am finally making my way through all of Austen's works! And I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Emma herself. She was a tad annoying at first, I have to admit that. But she grew on me. Mr. Knightly, however? I loved him from the first! And listening as he and Emma quarreled and made up and just generally kept each other on their toes was a ton of fun. Harriet Smith's selfish nature stood out more prominently than I'd noticed before in any adaptation of the story, but I liked her well enough. And she sets Emma on a course that I, naturally, could appreciate! So she redeemed herself in the end. :) There were a few times that conversations got a little lengthy for my tastes, but overall a worthy read because it's by the always amazing Jane Austen!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
It has actually been a lot of years since I first read this book, so it was great fun to get back into the story again! There are just very few romances as worthy of notice as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy's. But it's not just those two sparking off each other that makes this story what it is! It is all of Austen's subtle, yet hilarious wit that really struck me during this listen. And listening to Austen on a roadtrip? Is the BEST. Trust me, you should try it sometime! :)

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Thirty-Five

Hello, my lovelies! This post is LONG overdue, so that means I have bunches and bunches of reviews to get posted. Hence my plan to do a couple bite-sized review posts! I've been reading a great deal (at least in spurts) this year and, with some plans coming up which will cause me to post even more sporadically than I already do, I feel the need to get these written sooner rather than later. (I'm already late enough! *wails*)

The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano
The beautiful thing about fiction is it can really surprise by finding you in an unexpected moment and breathing hope into the bits of life you were struggling within. Thank you, Ms. Laureano! This story was perfectly timed for me. :) I have learned that I love foodie stories, whether they be movies or books, so I half-expected to enjoy this one. But oh my! I was completely entranced with Rachel's predicament and slightly uncertain, at first, if I'd like her. Yet she proved herself unforgettable! And Alex...oh my heart that man made me swoon! These two characters have such distinct personalities and were such opposites (while simultaneously being alike, if that makes any sense) and the familiarity and warmth that (slowly) grew between them was wonderful. I loved every minute of watching them find commonalities, especially when it came to food, and their chemistry....!!! Oh my indeed. ;) An excellent read that I have gone back to several times since my first read-through! You should definitely check it out.

The Cupcake Dilemma by Jennifer Rodewald
This story is super adorable!! Like the sweetest cupcake with sprinkles of laughter on top. :) I wasn't expecting to giggle so much, but Ms. Rodewald's humor was just a lot of fun. The whole story simply feels like a jolly good time, with several swoony moments to make us romantics happy! I love a romance that begins with friendship, and watching these two come together with laughter, a little embarrassment, and loads of chemistry (that they try and deny for all of two seconds...or was it three? ;) feels natural. I LOVE that Ian is the cook/baker and Kristen the disaster in the kitchen. It made for lots of cute and adorable moments between the two! Have I mentioned that I really loved this one? Multiple rereads should totally prove that, right? Trust me, if you're looking for sweet, swoony, and a quick, easy read, look no further!

A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz
Ms. Frantz consistently keeps herself on my favorite authors list! The details of the time period that she clearly spends a lot of time researching, the depth of the characters' journeys and how she makes me love them every time, the way she never fails to completely immerse me inside her story and hold me captive until the very last page. Definitely a go-to author for historical fiction! Tempe and Sion's respective journeys and the slow way they come together, all while dealing with the very real dangers of the land around them, is beautifully written. So many times I wanted to shake them or hug them or just bash their heads together and make them realize that all their denials were silly! Reading a Laura Frantz novel is an experience. One that will sweep you away to rough, raw, beautiful Kentucke, pull at your heartstrings, and make sure you never forget the adventure.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
This was a reread, but I'd totally forgotten several details because it's been years since I last read it! One thing I was certain of and that had not changed, though? How much I love Anne Shirley! She is one of the most unforgettable characters ever written, in my humble opinion. How anyone can not love her is beyond me. :) Yet I was also impressed, reading this as adult now, with the lush imagery that Ms. Montgomery uses. That may put some readers off, I can imagine, but not me! I loved the vivid descriptions and how clearly I could picture every scene. But my favorite? Is the characters! Not only Anne, herself, but Marilla, and Matthew, and Mrs. Rachel Lynde, and Diana, and Gilbert, and oh, just everyone! I fell in love with all the characters! Just as I figured would. They are enduring and remarkable, and oh so utterly wonderful. Now I can't wait to reread the rest of the series!

With No Reservations by Laurie Tomlinson
I was in need of a sweet romance to read and this was perfect! The only downside is it made me hungry. ;) I love foodie stories though and this one only added to the appeal of them. These two characters require some patience as the slow build up of their friendship, which in turn forces them to be honest about their attraction, feels natural with just the right amount of progression. Both have some pain to work through and the beautiful way they inspired each other to press forward was lovely to watch. I loved that their relationship caused each unexpected growth and by the end, both had learned a great deal and become a better version of their self. Also their chemistry was pretty swoony too! Always a plus. ;) I look forward to reading more by Ms. Tomlinson and sooner rather than later, I hope!

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
First of all, Emma Thompson was perfect at the narrator of this audiobook! Second of all, I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally finish this. I started reading a paperback copy a couple years ago, but somehow got stopped and hadn't picked it back up again. Silly me! This is certainly Jane Austen at her best! (But then, I could say that about all her books, I think. :) I loved Catherine and her naivete. She's simply a really sweet and personable girl and I could easily see why Mr. Tilney became smitten with her. As for Mr. Tilney himself? ALL the heart-eyes! Definitely one of Ms. Austen's swooniest heroes and I am officially a big fan of his. I laughed, I swooned, and just thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Austen's crackling wit. Once I finished, I promptly wanted to turn right around and listen to it again! Have I mentioned how much I love Jane Austen?

My Thoughts on Shakespeare's "Hamlet"

Isn't that an awesome setup?!

{Beware. I have FEELINGS about our lovely playwright...}

So over the weekend, I had the privilege of watching Shakespeare's Hamlet onstage at the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse. And I have to admit that I was uncertain about it beforehand. As you may or may not know, my dear friend, Hamlette, LOVES this play (as if her name doesn't give that away, right? ;) and so, due to her enthusiasm and the fact that I'd be watching it with her, I decided to give it a go. Just to say I'd seen it once, but mainly to spend more time with her! (I totally admit that latter reason was the biggest one of all.) When someone is really passionate about something, it makes me happy to listen to them expound on why they love it so, even if I don't happen to feel the same way. Such was the way Hamlette feels about Hamlet, and also why I agreed to watch it with her. :)

But y'all!

Oh, wow. To say that I was blown away by the acting? Especially the guy who played Hamlet himself, Josh Innerst? Just WOW.

Okay, so I feel I should preface all of this to explain my relationship with Shakespeare thus far in my life. I've never been a huge fan of his, to say the least. I knew he was considered a "classic writer" or whatever term fits. But there's loads of classics out there that I've no interest in reading! So that meant nothing. In high school, we had to read Romeo & Juliet, and can I just be honest with you? (All R&J lovers out there, please don't hate me) Romeo and his Juliet have got to be the stupidest teenagers I've ever read about. I enjoy love stories, okay? Anyone who reads this blog with any regularity is totally going to know that by now. But R&J? Is SO not a love story in my book. It's depressing and horrible and they make really stupid, life-ending decisions all because they were supposedly "in love". That is not love, guys. Nope. (Sorry! But my dislike of R&J is serious.)

So! As you can guess, my first introduction to our main man, Shakespeare, was a total bust! I hated Romeo & Juliet and, thus, was very uninterested in reading anything else of his. Especially when my English teacher droned on and on about how all of his characters' choices had meaning, the only "meaning" I ever got out of those characters was how depressing they seemed!

{By the by, I'm not saying I was right in feeling this way about his plays, I'm just saying that was my impression at the time...}

But! Somewhere along the way, I found out that he'd written a non-depressing play. What is this craziness?! The idea that he'd written a comedy intrigued me (especially when I figured out there was a bit of romance in it.....what can I say? I'm a hopeless fool for romance in a story.) and so when I had the chance to read Much Ado About Nothing, I took it and fell in love. I will admit that I didn't truly fall in love with it until I saw Kenneth Branagh's version onscreen.

{Sidenote, it was mentioned sometime on Saturday that Shakespeare seems to translate better once you see the character onstage or onscreen versus just reading the lines of the play. I completely agree with this!! I understand so much more of the motives of the characters based on their facial expressions and body language! Plus the humorous lines just come through SO much more clearly and hilariously. I laughed at many moments during Hamlet that I'm not certain I would have by just reading the line itself.}

Maybe I should do a post about the versions of
Much Ado I've enjoyed so far? Hmmmm....

Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson became my Benedick and Beatrice. Their banter was perfect, their chemistry was glorious, and I simply loved every minute of the story. (I know, this post is supposed to be about Hamlet, not Much Ado About Nothing! I'm getting there, promise. Hang with me here just a bit longer!)

Thus, I decided that this guy, Shakespeare, maybe wasn't worth writing off completely just yet. But I still was awfully hesitant about his really popular tragedies. I'm a happily-ever-after girl, okay?! I like my endings to at least have hope! No depressing endings for me, thank you!

So when I asked Hamlette, before we watched the play, to tell me what it is that she loves about this story so much, I was really hoping she'd help me to understand it better. I was planning to spend at least two hours with this, I wanted hope that I wouldn't be miserable that entire time! I am happy to say she did her job. :) I sat down with, maybe not an expectation to love it, but anticipation of a storyline I could understand and sympathize with. And oh, I got that. Boy, did I ever get that! :)

First of all, I was happy to have read a little about the play before watching, so I went into it knowing at least the basics of what was supposed to happen. (Shakespeare's lines, people! You have to admit that he can be a bit hard to understand when you've got an actor/actress spitting out these complicated lines lickity-split.) The best thing though? I laughed so, so many times! I was not prepared for that. I absolutely fell in love with how Shakespeare wrote in all these little moments of sarcasm! Especially during really emotional scenes. Hamlet would be all intense and focused and then suddenly throw out this ridiculous line that would catch me by surprise! It was hilarious and perfect and I think probably my favorite thing about the play. :)

image via

Then there was the acting. I already mentioned the guy who played Hamlet. He was AMAZING, y'all. Seriously! He'd go from being all agonizing turmoil, to throwing out this sarcastic little thought, then right back into the intensity, all while never losing his momentum or energy! By the end of the play, I could see the sweat dripping down his face and could totally understand why. Because whoa! The character of Hamlet seriously requires a ton of energy! He might not be in every single scene, but his presence was felt at all times, even when offstage. He definitely had the pressure of carrying most of the heavy weight of this story and man did he ever come through. I was very impressed with his acting. And all the other actors and actresses did a wonderful job as well!

Can I just mention the play itself now though? {Beware spoilers!} Because there was one thing I was stumped on. Having read a bit about the play beforehand, I was wondering what I'd think regarding Hamlet and his "madness". Whatever website I found last week (can't remember now) mentioned about how there are differing opinions on whether Hamlet was putting on a show of being mad or if he truly did become a bit crazy. And I still don't know what I think about that! (So if you know the story, please feel free to enlighten me. I would enjoy some clarification on this.) I began the first half thinking that he was totally putting on a show, but there were moments that I began to feel uncertain. Also, considering that Ophelia then becomes mad near the end, and I do think hers was very real, then that raises the possibility that Shakespeare could have meant that Hamlet did the same. His madness was just much more slighter and he had his revenge to keep him grounded, perhaps. I don't know! All I am certain of is that there are moments when Hamlet is clearly putting on a facade. Yet was he the entire time? I think it was during the scene when he sees his father's ghost up in the ceiling/sky (whichever it was) when he's with his mother that I felt a slight doubt as to him "acting" that bit. But maybe that's just the interpretation of the director of this particular version? Maybe it's purposely vague? I don't know! What do you think?

I do want to mention how fun it was to hear several lines that I recognized but had never actually heard in their context. Like, "To be or not to be, that is the question." And "Alas, poor Yorick...", as well as "Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love." Also, "Brevity is the soul of wit." and "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." Those are the only ones I can remember off the top of my head currently. I've heard or seen those lines quoted lots of times, but I never really understood them. Naturally! Because you need to hear them in context to understand! And I do. Kinda sorta anyway. :)

(Speaking of quotes, I have to mention that I had the privilege of sitting beside Hamlette and watching as she quoted the lines right alongside the actors. Very impressive! :)

Whew! Okay, I think I'd better stop here. Anyone still with me? I hope I haven't driven you all away! But to simplify, in case anyone skips all those paragraphs just to get to this one, it was an excellently done production! I really enjoyed watching it, and it wasn't depressing. I appreciated that there was a slight hopefulness at the end. Very glad I had the chance to watch it! Not so sure I'm going to run out and immediately watch every onscreen version now, but I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Yay!

Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Thirty-Two

And I'm back with more reviews! Yay! I know how excited you are. Yep. I sure do. So! Enough about all that I know, let's get to the reviews, shall we? :)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Much as I love Jane Austen, it's crazy that it took till now for me to read this one, right? And, of course, I loved it! I actually started out listening to the audiobook and got so impatient to read faster that I pulled out my physical copy and finished it up. And then went back and finished the audiobook because it was just that good! :) As always with her books, I am in love with Austen's sense of humor. All the little asides the narrator constantly slips in, just the sheer delight in all the little details! I laughed so much while reading/listening to this, especially at moments that I wasn't expecting to.

I definitely expected to love Elinor and Edward, however, and I did indeed! Elinor isn't perfect and I didn't always understand her, but there's just something about her that I connect with. And Edward makes some awfully foolish decisions himself! (Lucy Steele, anyone? *shudder*) But the two of them together? Ah, my heart!

In all the adaptations I've seen, Marianne tends to frustrate me, so I was curious how I'd like her in original form. She still frustrated me at times, but I definitely liked her a lot better here! And Colonel Brandon? He's certainly a lot more swoony on the page! :)

With Austen's delicious wit and my love of the characters, it's guaranteed that I'd  love this! And I did, naturally. Enough to want to read/listen again and again!

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer
First, can I just say how much I love this cover? So pretty! And it illustrates the feel of the story very well. As for the story itself, I loved it! The theme of grief is such a difficult one to handle, even fictionally, and Ms. Kemmerer did a fantastic job. I was right there with Juliet as she worked through all her emotions, and I loved seeing her reach a better place by the end. It wasn't an easy journey, but grieving never is. It's often a harsh growth, yet there is beauty there. And I totally understood her need to write out her feelings!

And then there's Declan, who found her letters and, subsequently, forms an immediate connection with this letter-writer. I love, love, love it when characters fall for the written words of the other! That is where we humans tend to let our true selves be known, so the idea of falling for someone that way is just what makes this word-loving girl happy! :D

The chemistry between Juliet and Declan is fairly electric, as well! Watching them open up to each other and deal with their attraction is simply delightful. The build up of tension, the will-they won't-they aspect, was exceptionally well done. But I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed in the payout of that tension. The ending was a little too rushed for me. I liked where they ended up, don't get me wrong! But all the redemption and happiness happened way too quickly in comparison with all the build up before. Yet don't let that deter you from reading this one, friends! Because I did really enjoy it, rushed ending and all.

The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo
And why did I wait so long to read this? I loved it! Hit all the right emotions and that chemistry between Cory and Sam? *swoon* Ms. Matayo just knows how to write a bad boy with a soft heart, doesn't she? I loved seeing these two characters deal with the fall out of decisions out of their control and how they helped each other through it. Their guilt and uncertainty felt real. And the way they grew closer, almost unconsciously, in spite of the hurt they caused each other. Like I said, their chemistry is amazing!

Both have had it rough, especially Sam, but they endured. And it's that very strength that endeared both of them to me. Faced with situations that seem to constantly beat them down, both Sam and Cory refuse to stay there. They pick themselves back up and move forward. Oh, it's not easy, but they do it. And as they strive harder, they slowly begin to realize how much better they are together instead of alone. Their character growth is beautiful to behold and I was cheering, by the final chapter, to see them making wiser choices and loving so well! This story is Amy Matayo at her best and I can't wait for more of her books! :)

The Start of Us by Jill Lynn Buteyn
This is super adorable! A quick and fun read that made me grin. I certainly wasn't expecting that little twist, although I probably should have because I could look back and see the hints, but I was happily clueless. It was a very cute storyline though!

If you're in need of a sweet romance, but not much reading time available, may I suggest you give this one a try? I really don't think you'll be disappointed. :)

My Favorite 2017 Reads

Well now, here I am again. With one more list! This particular one is always a bit of a doozy to choose. Because I love stories and choosing just a few top favorites is HARD! (Also, with the way that my reading moods were so persnickety this year, I started and stopped so many books simply because I just couldn't get into them. That's not the books' fault, for the record! Totally me.) So if it made this list, you can bet that I LOVED the story enough to get swept up in the storyline and forget real life for a bit. :)

(Also, these are in the order that I read them, NOT listed as most favorite to least favorite or anything of that nature. It was easier for me to pick them as I went down my list from the beginning of the year until now...)

Life After

by Katie Ganshert

I have gushed SO many times about this story, so I won't bore you with more of the same. Suffice it to say that I LOVED this book. It hit at a moment when I needed the beautiful reminder to hope.

When Death Draws Near

by Carrie Stuart Parks

When a mystery captures my attention this thoroughly, it's worth a notice! Because I'm not a big mystery fan in general. It takes a special story in that genre to keep me reading. So this one? The synopsis sounds exactly like NOT my cup of tea, but somehow Ms. Parks drew me in and my poor heart was on pins and needles until the very end. And I loved it! :)

True to You

by Becky Wade

Because it's by Becky Wade, of course! Do you need any other reason to read this one? No! But if you insist, then just know that Nora is an avid reader herself and her romance with John is just...*swoon* PLUS Nora is a huge fan of period dramas! Seriously, this girl and I are kindred spirits. I just know it! ;)

Then There Was You

by Kara Isaac

Because Kara Isaac is now on my list of favorite authors ever! And this one is super cute and adorable. Enough said. Go read it!

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

I was blown away by the sheer vividness of the descriptions in this story. Ms. Morgenstern clearly has a gift for detailing a world so intricately that the reader can smell the popcorn, venture inside each circus tent, and simply immerse themselves completely! And now just thinking back on my lovely reading experience makes me immediately ready to listen to the audiobook again.

Hometown Girl

by Courtney Walsh

"I especially loved that Drew was this quiet, taciturn type of hero. His inability to express his thoughts would make him seem like not a very romantic sort, but oh let me tell you!! He knows how to make a girl swoon! And poor Beth never even stood a chance. ;) Yet more than just the swooniness of their romance charmed me, it was the way they innately understood each other and how they became such safe places for the other. I absolutely LOVED that all the parts of themselves that they struggled to accept and love were so very easily accepted, loved, and make perfectly imperfect in the other. They complement each other so beautifully! So how could I do anything but love the two of them like crazy in response?" 

(from my review)

The Esther Paradigm

by Sarah Monzon

This one is different than anything else I've ever read. But in the BEST way possible! It needs to be read to be experienced. So go read it!

Speak Easy, Speak Love

by McKelle George

Oh readers friends, this book is SO, SO GOOD AND AMAZING. I haven't yet written an official review of it, but rest assured it's not because I didn't like it. I struggle to find the words to describe the sheer awesomeness of a retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing set in the Roaring 20s! All I can say is this: read it, read it, read it!! Leave everything else and just go read it right now. Immediately!

The Austen Escape

by Katherine Reay

You knew this one was coming, right? Because I will always read a Katherine Reay story! She seems to only get better and better with each new book she writes and this one is almost perfection. Of course, it does help that I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen, so I loved all the nods to her stories naturally! But it's not just the Austen aspect, it's the story as a whole, and especially Mary herself. "One of the most fascinating things about Ms. Reay's writing is her innate understanding of people. I always seem to relate to her characters, even when we have completely different tastes and opinions! .... I can say nothing else but that you should read it immediately! Don't wait, don't hesitate, just read it. I can't imagine you being disappointed." :)

Sense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen

It's a Jane Austen, so it's guaranteed to be on my list of favorites! You shouldn't need any other reason than that one. :D