Book Review: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

 

Goodreads Overview:

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

Review:

Emily Henry is an automatic read for me now. I am "a little" behind on my reviews, so this is only the second of her books that I am reviewing on the blog, but my next review will also be an Emily Henry novel. Needless to say, they have all been fantastic. In fact, I gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads. In addition, it was the Goodreads Choice Award winner for best romance in 2022 and definitely deserved this honor. 

Nora Stephens is the literary agent for a writer whose claim to fame is a book set in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. Nora and her sister Libby grew up living above a bookstore in New York City and books are their life. Libby is expecting another child and needs a break, so she invites Nora to spend some quality time with her in Sunshine Falls. She has visions of the town being exactly like the book, which they quickly discover is not the case. 

Nora has a successful career, but she has struck out multiple times in the relationship department. Her sister is determined to help her find prince charming just like in some of the novels they grew up reading. She is convinced Nora will meet some small-town farmer, rancher, etc. who will sweep her off her feet. Unfortunately, the one man she keeps running into is her archnemesis, Charlie Lastra. He is an editor that she worked with in the past, but they got off on the wrong foot. Seeing this NYC hotshot editor in Sunshine Falls is a bit of a shock to say the least.

Nora isn't sure why Libby REALLY brought her to Sunshine Falls and thinks Libby is having marital troubles. She does everything she can to appease her sister, but she still has to work. In fact, her number one client has a new novel in the works and her editor just went out on maternity leave. This leaves her with none other than Charlie Lastra as the editor for this book. With the two of them both in Sunshine Falls for the summer, they begin co-editing the novel and the relationship takes off from there. 

This was such a fun story that I most likely will read again. I am not typically one to reread books, but it was that good. I absolutely loved these characters and hope to see them again in some of Emily's future novels. As I have been reading her books, I have enjoyed how she has woven little cameo appearances of her previous couples into the novel, so readers can see how they are doing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a self-proclaimed book nerd.

Book Review: To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

 

Goodreads Overview:

Stephanie Plum may not be the best bounty hunter in beautiful downtown Trenton, but she's pretty darn good at turning bad situations her way . . . and she always gets her man. In To the Nines, her cousin Vinnie (who's also her boss) has posted bail on Samuel Singh, an illegal immigrant. When the elusive Mr. Singh goes missing, Stephanie is on the case. But what she uncovers is far more sinister than anyone imagines and leads to a group of killers who give new meaning to the word hunter.

In a race against time that takes her from the Jersey Turnpike to the Vegas Strip, Stephanie Plum is on the chase of her life. The unforgettable characters, nonstop action, high-stakes suspense, and sheer entertainment of To the Nines define Janet Evanovich as unique among today's writers.

Review:

This is the nineth book in the Stephanie Plum series and is probably one of my favorites so far. They are all action packed as Stephanie tries to solve the crimes, but she is almost all luck and no skill. She can't even manage to keep her professional security detail from being injured and hauled off. Ranger and Morelli do everything they can to try to keep her safe, but she always manages to find herself in sticky situations. In this installment, she is now the target of some game and is receiving the same bouquets of flowers as one of her victims. 

I personally wouldn't like my chances with Lula and Connie as my backup, but this crazy bunch always seems land on their feet. Connie is the office manager in the bond office and Lula is an overweight African American woman who still dresses like the "hooker" she used to be. She now works as a filing clerk at the bond agency and is usually Stephanie's sidekick. Add in the hilarious dialogue with her parents, sister, and grandmother and you can't help but laugh out loud. 

For the better part of this book, Stephanie had a feeling she knew who was behind the murders. I was a little quicker on the uptake than she was this time around. I knew one of the characters was a little off and would have gone with that instinct instead of going with the more obvious suspect, but then we wouldn't have had all the danger and drama that seems to follow Stephanie like a shadow. 

Nothing much was new in the Stephanie, Ranger, Morelli love triangle, so I will have to keep reading to see how that eventually plays out.

Book Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

 

Goodreads Overview:

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

Review:

This is the final book in the Bloodlines series and finally gives Adrian the happily ever after I'm sure everyone has been rooting for. There was a lot of action, magic and drama to get to that point, which should keep readers engaged to the very end.

Jill is missing, so Adrian and Sydney take it upon themselves to find her. There is a lot of magic used, which is a source of tension for Sydney. She doesn't want Adrian using spirit, but she doesn't think twice about using her own form of magic. Granted, hers doesn't lead to potential mental health issues, but it does seem a bit hypocritical. They both want to do everything they can to find Jill, so why not let Adrian do what he can to help?

There are some very interesting revelations when it comes to the secondary characters. Olive leaves for some unknown reason and will not communicate with her sister, even in spirit dreams. Adrian decides to help because Nina is using too much spirit and causing herself physical harm. Once Adrian does connect with her in a dream, he discovers something that is believed to be impossible. 

Rose and Dimitri have a larger role in this book, which fans of the Vampire Academy series will appreciate. We find out there is a connection between Adrian and Dimitri, which I never would have guessed.  In addition, we discover that the Warriors and Alchemists are working together. Who is behind their alliance? You will have to read to find out.

Overall, I really enjoyed the series. It did seem a little too perfect, with everything tied up with a shiny bow in the end, but I will certainly take that over what that happened at the end of the Divergent series. Or the series that leaves you hanging to formulate your own perfect conclusion. 

Book Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 

Goodreads Overview:

Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets? A novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived.

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

Review:

When Preston decided to read, I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak for his senior English class, the other option the teacher gave was The Midnight Library. I had both books on my TBR list, so I didn't really care which one he chose, but I decided to read both. I think he made the better choice based upon his reading tastes, but I really enjoyed both books. In fact, I gave both 5 stars on Goodreads, so you really can't go wrong with either of them.

The Midnight Library had a very unique way of showing that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. People often think, what if I made another decision or had taken another path in life? If only I had made a certain choice, I would be more popular, have more money, be happier, etc. This book shows readers that life really is all about your perspective and making the most out of what you have. Money, fame, success, etc., isn't what brings happiness.

Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library with her high school librarian to help guide her through this life altering experience. She runs into someone else who is in an in-between state and discovers that not everyone sees it as a library. It seems to be a place that is significant to the individual. The other person who is caught between life and death sees it as a video store that is managed by a beloved uncle. 

As she selects different books from the Midnight Library, she jumps from one alternate life to another. When she gets there, she becomes the Nora of that life without that Nora's knowledge or experiences. She only knows what she did in her original life. She must try to piece together who people are and what her life is like by looking at social media, looking around for clues, or asking "silly questions" she should already know the answer to. She does eventually settle into some of the lives, but is that someplace she wants to live forever? Is that life really better than her root life? That is what she must determine for herself. If that life is not for her, she can always return to the library to select another book.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to just about any reader. It was the Goodreads Choice award winner for best fiction of 2020. After reading it, I can see why Preston's teacher selected it as one of the options for their class reading. It is a very entertaining read that holds the reader's attention while presenting a message every young adult can benefit from.