Recent Reads Part 11

December 28, 2022

Recent Reads Part 11 | 2022

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠

The sequel to the book that tore my heart out but then pieced it back together. While I agree with others that I liked the way 'It Ends With Us' wrapped up and would've been fine without this sequel - I did enjoy it nonetheless. With Lily Bloom being a favorite character of mine it was easy to pick this one up. In this continuation, it picks up right where we left off. We see Lily's life continue to play out but also get all the details we missed in the first about Atlas. This book helped me fall for Atlas because the first had me liking him but not in love with the idea of him in the picture. I only wish this sequel would've given Ryle a second chance (as in getting his life on track and healing- not being with Lily) but I feel like his character was just dogged the whole time. It was still an enjoyable read and I loved reading more about Lily's life.

Reminders Of Him by Colleen Hoover

☠ ☠ ☠ ☠

Another endearing read from Colleen Hoover that has a lot of conflicting feelings. It follows a character being released from prison after serving time due to the consequences of poor past choices. We get a glimpse of what life after prison is like for her and her struggles of finding a job, a place to live, and reconnecting with her past. You can't help but feel for this character as she navigates getting to her daughter through the people she hurt the most. It's a story of mistakes, the consequences, and forgiveness. I did enjoy this read and I feel like it's another one from Colleen that sheds light on a topic such as people getting their do-overs and how hard that can be after prison. My heart hurt for both sides of the story and although it was pretty predictable I still enjoyed it.

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon

☠ ☠ ☠

This YA read didn't do it for me, but I feel like it's a preference. I wanted some Christmas reads and this book cover was too beautiful to pass up. I found out again why YA romance is not for me. We follow a bunch of teenagers in this story that are rekindling love, finding love, and helping others in the process. A huge snowstorm in Atlanta, GA has hit causing a whiteout in this city that isn't prepared for this type of weather. While that storyline seems like a great starting point I found the rest to be average. I did enjoy the switch of authors within each chapter and the character changes, which kept me going. But what I had a hard time with was the fact that this is surrounded by a potentially dangerous weather story but the characters would rather send and risk their friends and loved ones to help them pull off a grand gesture to make things up to a girlfriend when that said girlfriend would be fine with her just showing up and apologizing. It made things a little frustrating but from a YA standpoint, you can see what the authors were trying to get across. The diversity, inclusivity, and unique relationships made this relatable to anyone who picks up the book and I really appreciate that aspect.

The Christmas Wedding Guest by Susan Mallery

☠ ☠

I don't have a great track record with Christmas books but I gave it a shot. I say this because although this isn't for me you may still enjoy it if you like Christmas reads. I had a hard time liking these characters. I actually enjoyed the main character's sister more than her so I was happy when the book started spitting in between the two. Her story was more appealing but not by much. You have the past lovers trope with one sister and the other enjoys being independent but just might be falling for a complete stranger that comes to stay at their cute little whimsical Christmas town. We follow the two love stories that are predictable and just like a Christmas Hallmark. I just found that Hallmark vibe books don't do it for me.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

☠ ☠

This was almost my last book of the year and I couldn't let that happen. I don't understand the hype. While I have to say I did enjoy a chunk of this book (once the trip starts through the first few days of the trip) the rest was enough for me to rate it low. I didn't enjoy the characters, there were plot holes, and unrealistic storylines that were frustrating. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers trope but any conflict that came into play ruined it for me.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

☠ ☠ ☠ ☠

My last book of the year that I started on Christmas while being snowed in and secluded made the atmosphere of this read so good! This mystery thriller kept me on edge and guessing most of the book. I do feel like there was a lot going on with the storyline between reading two plots the whole book until it all wrapped up in the end. But I sort of also loved the drama of it all too. I think it's fair to say it wasn't what I was expecting from this book but enjoyable while being a page-turner.