Review: The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall

The Subway Girls

by Susie Orman Schnall

Publisher: St Martin's

Pages: 320

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  In 1949, dutiful and ambitious Charlotte's dream of a career in advertising is shattered when her father demands she help out with the family business. Meanwhile, Charlotte is swept into the glamorous world of the Miss Subways beauty contest, which promises irresistible opportunities with its Park Avenue luster and local fame status. But when her new friend—the intriguing and gorgeous fellow-participant Rose—does something unforgivable, Charlotte must make a heart-wrenching decision that will change the lives of those around her forever.

Nearly 70 years later, outspoken advertising executive Olivia is pitching the NYC subways account in a last ditch effort to save her job at an advertising agency. When the charismatic boss she’s secretly in love with pits her against her misogynistic nemesis, Olivia’s urgent search for the winning strategy leads her to the historic Miss Subways campaign. As the pitch date closes in on her, Olivia finds herself dealing with a broken heart, an unlikely new love interest, and an unexpected personal connection to Miss Subways that could save her job—and her future.

Kritters Thoughts:  One of those books that has two storylines, one in the present and one in the past.  I have to admit these are my favorite types of books, I get the historical fiction aspect, but also get to see something current and now.  Also, usually there is a little mystery as to how these two stories are connected, it is all of the genres I love rolled into one!

To focus on this book.  In 1949 there is Charlotte and she has huge dreams for a woman of this time to work in advertising and be an independent career woman before she settles down and does the wife and kid thing.  The current storyline revolves around Olivia and she works in advertising and is still feeling the effects of working in a "man's world."  

There was less of a mystery about how the stories were connected, it was just more obvious than most, but I didn't mind that at all.  Instead it was interesting to see the similarities between women in the workforce then and now and a few differences, wish that wasn't the case!

I loved this book even more when I found out that the Subway girls was based on fact and that this was a real campaign.  I love when an author chooses something that could be obscure and unknown from history and can create a whole world and story from this one little bit.  It makes me look things up and see the truth and I feel more engaged when there is fact behind the fiction.

I have read all of Susie Orman Schnall's books and I will continue she writes fantastic female stories with substance and depth.  After three books with two four star ratings and one three, I can give myself the fan status!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 57 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from St Martin's Press.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: I See Life Through Rose Colored Glasses

I See Life Through Rose Colored Glasses

by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Pages: 352

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella’s delightful essays are sure to strike a chord with every woman. Their nine book series is among the best reviewed humor books published today, and has been compared to the late greats Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron. 


Kritters Thoughts:  Another essay/column collection from the mother daughter duo - Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella.  This mother daughter duo does a column in the Philadelphia newspaper and after reading most of the books, it makes me want to subscribe just to read them live as they are coming out.  

These stories are about everything from motherhood, to being single in NYC to loss and these stories have made me cry and completely laugh out loud.  It would be hard to find a woman who can't relate to a story or two in the book and even the ones that I don't relate to make me laugh because I can picture my mom, sister or a friend who the story reminds me of!  

There isn't much to say about this specific collection over the ones I have read; they are perfect to throw into a beach bag for the summer.  The stories are 3-5 pages, so you can easily read this and put it down, its just a great summer time book of stories.  


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 44 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Left by Mary Hogan

Left

by Mary Hogan

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 256

Format: book

Buy the Book: HarperCollins

Goodreads:  When life falls apart, a little fantasy goes a long way… 

It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding—but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.

Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay’s worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband—her rock, her love, her everything—is succumbing to the ravages of dementia. 

As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay’s invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can’t accept. 

Kritters Thoughts:  An epic love story about a couple later in life.  Fay and Paul Agarra are on their dream vacation and a few things go a little array.  This sends this couple down a path that they are not prepared for and will change them forever.  

I loved this short and sweet little book.  With just over 250 pages and some big font in the copy I was reading, this was a perfect read for a day at the pool.  It was easy to get into this story and learn about this couple, how they met, how they fell in love and how their lives were changing in their later years.  I love when stories make me think about where I am at in life and remind me to count each day as a blessing and life it to the fullest because you don't know what tomorrow holds.  

I don't want to say too much about this book, because it is so little and would be easy to spoil.  But I liked how the author told the top moments of their love story, it all seemed fluid and right.  We were reading stories of their past in the midst of the present and it just worked so well.  

I loved this story and am excited to pass it onto others as a great example of a sweet and simple story about love.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen

The Ever After

by Sarah Pekkanen

Publisher: Atria Books

Pages: 272

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Josie and Frank Moore are happy… at least Josie thinks they are. As parents of two young girls in the Chicago suburbs, their days can be both busy and monotonous, and sometimes Josie wonders how she became a harried fortysomething mother rather than the driven career woman she once was. But Frank is a phenomenal father, he’s handsome and charismatic, and he still looks at his wife like she’s the beautiful woman he married more than a decade ago. Josie isn’t just happy—she’s lucky.

Until one Saturday morning when Josie borrows her husband’s phone to make a quick call—and sees nine words that shatter her world.

Now Josie feels as if she is standing at the edge of a sharp precipice. As she looks back at pivotal moments in the relationship she believed would last forever, she is also plunging ahead, surprising everyone (especially herself) with how far she will go to uncover the extent of her husband’s devastating secret.

Kritters Thoughts:  There are two big things I want to say in my review.  One I love Sarah Pekkanen and after this book I will still continue to read everything she has written.  The second thing is I knew before going in and continue to believe that I just don't like cheating story books.  It is a subgenre or something that I just will keep avoiding in my reading life.

I know most will ask and I understand, if you don't read cheating books then why the heck did you even pick this one up, well because it was Sarah Pekkanen.  I have read 90% of her books and have loved them all.  I knew I wouldn't love the subject, but I wanted to see what she would do with it.  I thought she may be able to find a way to do the story in a way that I would possibly like.  She gives her characters such depth and humanity and the stories are layered and interesting that I thought I would give it a try.

I am sad to report that not only did I not like the subject matter, but I didn't love what she did with it.  I thought the characters were very plain and uninteresting and I didn't even care to see how they would end up after the implosion of their marriage.  I thought it was awkward and rushed and I just couldn't.  

I say all this and want to repeat, I will read every other Sarah Pekkanen book - and probably love them!  I would just warn any fans that this one will be at the bottom of my list of her books. 


Rating: not such a good read

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Atria Books.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Happy 4th of July!

source

Our first 4th of July as boat owners, 

going to see a different view of the fireworks in DC this year!  

Review: Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Honeysuckle Dreams

by Denise Hunter

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 320

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  After Brady Collins’ ex-wife dies, he receives devastating news—his nine-month-old son Sam isn’t his son at all. And Sam’s wealthy maternal grandparents want custody of the child. Brady knows he’s in for the fight of his life. But regardless of what any blood test says, Sam is his son, and Brady will go to any lengths to keep him.

Brady’s attorney tips him off that one major life change would virtually assure him of winning guardianship of baby Sam at the final hearing: an impending marriage. And his friend Hope is willing to step in as the loving and devoted fiance.

Local radio celebrity Hope Daniels has been driven by a solitary goal her entire life, and after a happy accident she’s finally offered her dream job. But if the truth comes out about her arrangement with Brady, she may miss the chance of a lifetime and stand in the way of a dear friend’s dreams.

As Brady and Hope make sacrifices to help each other in their times of need, they risk uncovering a truth neither of them expects to find.

Kritters Thoughts:  The second in a series but is one of those series where you can skip around because each book focuses on a different character, but all of the stories take place in the same location.  I give this preface, but I also say the control freak in me likes to always start at book one, so I did in this case and my review for that book went up yesterday.

This story revolves around the brother of the main character of book one, Brady Collins.  His ex wife has died and he finds out that the son that he thought he fathered with her is not biologically his and he must fight to remain the father of this young boy who has captured his heart.  Through some funny circumstances, his life long friend Hope Daniels is caught up in his fight and has some drama of her own.

I will not spoil the drama that Hope has as it is somewhat spoilerie but I will say that I wish the author had done a little more with it earlier in the book.  I felt as though we were two thirds the way through the book and she threw some stuff in to create some drama and it didn't feel real to me.  

BUT I did like this book more than book one.  I liked their story and I liked them.  Overall their story was interesting with a court case and their courtship/relationship was definitely different than what you normally see in a women's fiction/romance book.  

I like Denise Hunter books because they are the best bits of romance without all the in your face sexy times.  Because she is in the Christian fiction realm she keeps that out, but it has the plot that you love from a women's fiction or even most romance books.  I am excited for book three to come out in November. 

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter

Blue Ridge Sunrise

by Denise Hunter

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 323

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

Kritters Thoughts:  Zoe Collins left her small hometown of Georgia and didn't imagine returning.  She has a daughter and a boyfriend and when her grandmother passes away she takes them back to this small town to say goodbye, little does she know that this trip home will change her life completely.

I recently wrote on this blog that I love a story where the character has to go back home and in doing so her life makes a huge change.  This one was among the top with the others I have read recently.  There are great secrets that will come out and worlds will be turned upside down, I love when a secret a character keeps comes out and affects more than just them.  

Just to give a little warning, this is a Christian fiction novel and there are some definite moments when religion takes center stage in this book.  It isn't too heavy handed, but I always like to put a warning out there in case that could concern you.  

I am excited to review the next book in this series tomorrow and that it will center around Zoe's brother.  I hope that in that book, the reader still gets to see Zoe's story move forward.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 56 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

June - lots of rain not much sun!

source

With the addition of a boat to our lives, we watch the weather a little more closely! Unfortunately this month had quite a few rainy days and weekends, so we only ventured out on the boat a few times, BUT some reading happened!


1. Me, My Hair and I by Elizabeth Benedict
2. A Sin Such As This by Ellen Hopkins
3. California Summer by Anita Hughes
4. The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer
5. Go Ask Fannie by Elisabeth Hyde
6. The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash
7. Heaven Adjacent by Catherine Ryan Hyde
8. The Widow's Watcher by Eliza Maxwell
9. Missing Pieces by Laura Pearson
10. In a Jam by Cindy Dorminy
11. The Cottages on Silver Beach by RaeAnne Thayne
12. Dreams of Falling by Karen White 13. The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan
14. Left by Mary Hogan
15. Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter
16. The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall
17. The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson
18. Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter


Total pages read, clicked and flipped:  5,870

Where having I been Reading?:
Colorado
Monticeito, CA
Dover, DE
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Adirondacks
Minnesota
Southampton England
Georgia (2)
Idaho
South Carolina
New York City, NY (2)
Tahoe, CA
Montana

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

With some quiet nights at home and a weekend on the boat and by the pool, I got a ton of reading done!

A meme hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 

Finished this past week:

The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan

Left by Mary Hogan
Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter
The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall
The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson
Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter
The Ever After by Sarah Pekkanen

Currently Reading:

Safe Houses by Dan Fesperman

Next on the TBR pile:

The Summer Sail by Wendy Francis

Review: The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan

The Summer List

by Amy Mason Doan

Publisher: Graydon House

Pages: 384

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Laura and Casey were once inseparable: as they floated on their backs in the sunlit lake, as they dreamed about the future under starry skies, and as they teamed up for the wild scavenger hunts in their small California lakeside town. Until one summer night, when a shocking betrayal sent Laura running through the pines, down the dock, and into a new life, leaving Casey and a first love in her wake.

But the past is impossible to escape, and now, after seventeen years away, Laura is pulled home and into a reunion with Casey she can’t resist—one last scavenger hunt. With a twist: this time, the list of clues leads to the settings of their most cherished summer memories. From glistening Jade Cove to the vintage skating rink, each step they take becomes a bittersweet reminder of the friendship they once shared. But just as the game brings Laura and Casey back together, the clues unravel a stunning secret that threatens to tear them apart… 

Kritters Thoughts:  Two friends had an epic friendship in their younger high school days and on the cusp of college something happened that broke them apart and years later one of their mothers will scheme to get them back together to heal and learn some truths.

Overall the book for me was fine but not amazing.  I think most of what I didn't enjoy about the book was the pacing at a few of the parts.  There were just a few moments that felt repetitive and felt like they dragged the book down a bit.  Not to spoil too much, but there are these little vignettes throughout the book and they are confusing and odd until the very end when you have the AHH moment.  I thought these interrupted the flow and I get at the end why they were there and what they meant, but I could have enjoyed the book without them.

I loved the concept.  I loved the idea of the scavenger hunt and how it changed the girls in their high school days and it was what brought them back together.  I am a scavenger hunt fan, so I loved the inclusion of the poem clues and although the reader can't completely solve them before the girls do, its fun to reread the clue after it has been solved.  

The characters were also so good in the book.  These two girls who had polar opposite childhoods but could come together and create such a sweet and beautiful relationship was so fun to read.  I love a book that focuses on friendship and not as much as the love stuff!   

I liked her writing, so I would read another book by her, but would have to make sure that I was in love with the synopsis and concept of the story.  


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Cottages on Silver Beach by RaeAnne Thayne

The Cottages on Silver Beach

by RaeAnne Thayne

Publisher: HQN Books

Pages: 384

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Years after betraying her, he’s back in Haven Point…and determined to uncover the truth

For the sake of her brother’s children, innkeeper Megan Hamilton has put her entire life on hold to become their guardian. The last person she wants to ever see again is Elliott Bailey, who she feels is responsible for her brother’s current predicament. But the heat between them is undeniable, and she agrees to help Elliott investigate the cold case that tore their family apart…as long as they keep their attraction under control.

Back home was the last place “temporarily” retired FBI agent and crime writer Elliott Bailey thought he’d end up. But until the Bureau calls him back, he’s got no place else to go, and nothing but time on his hands to write the true-crime book calling his name. Time to really find out what happened to Megan’s sister-in-law, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving Megan’s brother—Elliott’s former best friend—under a cloud of suspicion. Time to prove to Megan once and for all that they belong together, but first they’ll have to survive the secrets that someone wants to keep buried…

Kritters Thoughts:  RaeAnne Thayne and the Haven Point series is a series to start at the beginning, but as with all romance series you can hope in and out of this one.  There have been books in this series that I completely joined and ones that were just so so.  I loved this one!  

Megan Hamilton owns a small inn in town that has recently overcome a fire and is back up and running.  Elliott Bailey who is from a prominent family in town has returned and Megan is not quite excited for him to return, but of course if you are a romance reader you know that this will only fuel the flame!

I can't completely pinpoint what exactly it is about this book that I completely adored, but I just did.  I think it could have been the characters.  Megan was just a joy to read about and it was easy to root for her and hope for her journey to end on a positive note.  I also liked reading about Elliott Bailey.  I am married a detective, former police officer and I always like reading a book with a LEO at the center and watching their brains work on the job and off the job!

Again, this is a series that you can dip in and out of, but the control freak in me likes to start at the beginning and read it in order!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 55 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: In a Jam by Cindy Dorminy

In a Jam

by Cindy Dorminy

Publisher: Red Adept Publishing

Pages: 296

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Andie Carson has to do three things to inherit her grandmother’s lottery winnings—sober up, spend a month running her grandmother’s Georgia coffee shop, and enter homemade jam in the county fair. If she can’t meet those terms, the money goes to the church, and Andie gets nothing. She figures her tasks will be easy enough, and once she completes them, Andie plans to sell the shop, take the money, and run back to Boston.

After a rough breakup from his crazy ex-fiancée, Officer Gunnar Wills decides to take a hiatus from women. All he wants is to help make his small town thrive the way it did when he was a kid. But when wild and beautiful Andie shows up, Gunnar’s hesitant heart begins to flutter.

Gunnar knows that Andie plans to leave, but he’s hoping to change her mind, fearful that if her coffee shop closes, Main Street will fold to the big-box corporations and forever change the landscape of his quaint community. But convincing her to stay means getting close enough to risk his heart in the process. Even though Gunnar makes small-town life seem a little sweeter, Andie has to decide if she’s ready to turn her world upside down and give up big-city life. One thing’s for sure—it’s a very sticky situation.

Kritters Thoughts:  This book was a great cross between romance and women's fiction.  It definitely had a great plot like I like from my women's fiction reads, but it definitely had excessive flirty and sexy innuendos!  

Andie Carson finds herself on the wrong side of the law and they know her by name, this isn't her first interaction with them, but this time may be the last as she is presented with an offer.  Her grandmother has passed away and left her a business and a trust, but she has to clean up her act in order to receive it.  So Andie must go home and get her S*&* together and inherit it all!  Of course with the romance genre involved, there will be a hunky guy who could be a distraction!

This was just one of those good ones to curl up with during a summer weekend.  I can't seem to remember if the romance made me blush at all, so forgive me, I can't say if you tend to avoid books with a lot of sexy times, I can't remember anything being over the top.  

I may have to go check out Cindy Dorminy's two previous books and try another from her.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 54 out of 100


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.