Review: My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp

My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

My rating: ★★★

This book was okay. Just okay. I randomly picked it up while out and about one day, and when I picked it out to read it recently I wasn't feeling too interested in the story. It took me a little bit to get into the story and the characters- especially because it's told from Lulu to Mason the whole time. I'm not interested in the whole moonshine situation, which is one of the main themes in this book.

I never felt like I connected with any of the characters at all. The relationships of Bucky and Roni and even Lulu and Mason didn't really do much for me. I DID like the setting of this story- summertime in rural Virginia and teens being teens (except for the moonshine part, ha!). Other than that though, it wasn't my favorite read. 

Review: Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publication Date: July 9, 2013

My rating: ★★★ (if I did half points, this would be 3.5)

I liked this book but didn't LOVE it. In this story we meet Elsie Porter and her new husband Ben Ross (we're talking they've been married for 9 days). Ben runs out to grab cereal for Elsie and is hit by a truck and killed on impact. This alone sets the tone for the book and just made me sad from the get go. Soon after Ben is killed, Elsie meets her new mother-in-law who never knew Elsie existed. This story is told in alternating points in time, showing the love story of Ben and Elsie leading up to their elopement, and the healing process for Elsie and her mother-in-law Susan after Ben has passed.

While the whole premise of this story is sad, it is a nice story that dives into the healing and grieving process. Anyone who has lost someone close in their lives knows that the healing process is hard, uncomfortable, and awkward. But it can also be freeing once enough time has finally passed. I enjoyed the alternating storylines so we could really get a feel for Ben and Elsie's fun relationship, though it made the storyline from after Ben's passing to be even sadder.

All in all I liked this book. There were a couple of things that didn't sit right with me that I can't really give away without spoilers, but altogether it was a great story! 

Review: The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty

Publication Date: October 1, 2011

My rating: ★★★

Sigh. This was not my favorite Liane Moriarty book. The concept was super interesting but it just fell flat for me. We find out who Patrick's stalker is super quick and I think I would have preferred to be guessing for a while! I found Patrick and Ellen to be pretty boring...the only thing they seem to really have in common is their stalker. 😜 My friend mentioned she thought this book could have been way shorter (shout out Sarah! 🤗) and I have to agree. So while I like the concept of the book, it just wasn't a very exciting read for me.