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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

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May Book Review


May Book Review

Happy, happy Tuesday!!

It’s my favorite post of the month…my May Book Review!!

(And all the readers said “amen”!)

If you’re a reader like me, you’re all like this today…

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If you’re not really a reader, you’re all like this…

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…zzzzzzzzzzz.

For those of you who aren’t into books, might I suggest a show to binge?  The fifth season of…

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…House of Cards drops this week and it is one of our faves!! Start from the beginning and go from there.  Kevin Spacey is brilliant!

Okay…on to the books!  I read five winners this month!  One was super intense (and pretty darn frightening!), one was encouraging, one was historical fiction, and two were just good old-fashioned chick lit books that you need on your next beach trip.  Ready, set, go…

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Holy scary book.

So, you guys know that I prefer a happy, sweet, makes me feel good inside book…but on occasion, I’ll read one that’s a little dark.  Well, Behind Closed Doors was just that!  Whoa!  If you like books like The Girl on the Train, The Woman in Cabin 10 and Gone Girl, then you will like this one.  This novel is about a newly married couple living outside of London and well, after they’re married…the hubby shows a different side.  Let’s just say, I read this while Andrew was in Africa and that was a BIG mistake!  Several of my girlfriends were reading this at the same time and I was texting them things like “make it stop”, “I want this to be over” and “eeeeeeeeeeeks” over and over again.  This book is intense, twisty, scary, exciting, and crazy.  If this is your kind of book, read it.  Just maybe not at night 😉 .

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I’m always trading books with friends and family and will just add it to my stack.  So, this one was added to my stack a while back and after reading the scary book above, I thought it was time for a little happy and picked up this one.  Every Little Thing is written by a blogger who uses the book to encourages readers to really not let things stand in the way between doing nothing and living life to the fullest.  This book is written from a Christian perspective, so I found it very uplifting as well.  Sometimes, I just need a little encouragement not to use excuses like “I am too busy raising kids to  ____”.  You know?  It was very much a why put off tomorrow if you can make it happen today kind of book.  For those of you who feel stuck in a rut or like you’re just too busy raising little ones to do something else (even though your heart yearns to do a little something else), this book is for you.

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So, this book was a little more out of the box for me.  Over the last year or so, several of you have recommend America’s First Daughter to me, so I decided to finally read it.  This historical fiction novel is based on the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his oldest daughter (and their own personal relationships with other people).  I thought it was very interesting!  Before reading the book, I could have shared several quick facts about Jefferson, but now that I’ve read the book, I feel like I knew nothing about him before.  This book really educated me on the life of Thomas Jefferson and follows their lives from living at Monticello to living in Paris to back to Monticello to finally the White House.  The lives of both Jefferson and his daughter were very complex, their relationship was very solid, yet it was full of very sad, hard and complicated issues.  This book was longer, and I feel like I could have read two of my normal books in the amount of time it took me to read this one, but I liked it nonetheless.

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So, last month, I shared the book review for One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid and LOVED the book!  I’m already thinking this will be one of my favorite books of the year.  Well, after I gushed about that book, several of you recommended I read some of her other books, so this month, I read Forever, Interrupted and thought it was pretty good too.  I didn’t love it nearly as much as I loved One True Loves, was I was indeed entertained.  This novel is about a woman who after only 10 days of being married, suddenly becomes a widow.  The story unfolds in both present day and looking back to when she was with her husband, and the major plot is how she and her new mother-in-law navigate their relationship now that the husband has passed.  It was easy to read and would make a good beach companion this summer.  If you haven’t read One True Loves, start with that one because I just thought it was better.  After you read that, then read this one.  It’s still a really good little read.

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And I wrapped up May with the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians (which I read last month) called China Rich Girlfriend.  Now, I love, love, loved Crazy Rich Asians (I totally gushed about that book too last month), so I was very anxious to read the sequel (and I’ve already bought the third installment too called Rich People Problems) and it did not disappoint!!  I just love this whole series and was pumped when I heard they were turning it into a movie.  You must start with Crazy Rich Asians and then go from there because it builds on the same characters. These novels are fresh, witty, clever, charming and perfect for those of you who love chick lit and those of you who like heavier literature.  These books are about a very large family in Singapore and the dynamics between each of them, the problems they get themselves into, and the series of events that occur in their lives are comical and highly entertaining.  These are just really GOOD books!

Okay, that wraps up my book review for May!  What did you read this month???  Comment and share!  Next month, I’m traveling quite a bit, so I know I’ll come back with a big list for June.  Let me know if I must add something to my growing stack.

To see a complete list of all of the books I’ve read so far this year plus links to their reviews, click HERE.

Don’t forget, you can catch my 2016 Book Review HERE.  It includes the names and reviews of all 62 books I read last year.

You can also see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them),  here.
And lastly, if you want to view my Goodreads Account, click here.

WhatsUpWedUpdated

Now, two more things: one, if you link up to What’s Up Wednesday every week, our bonus question for tomorrow’s post is: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?

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And…want to know who won my Erin Condren giveaway????

The winners are: RENEE SCALES, EMILY ROUSSEAU, ERIN ZEHR!

CONGRATULATIONS!!  I emailed you this morning, please email me back to claim your prize.

Have a great day friends!  I’m volunteering at the 1st grade Aloha Day all morning…so, I’m sure I’ll need to sit down and read to recover when I’m done 😉 .

See you guys tomorrow!

xo

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Comments

  1. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

    Behind Closed Doors sounds so exciting! I personally love darker books. They really keep me reading. Thanks for the recommendation!
    –
    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

  2. Alexis says

    Easily my favorite post of the month! I LOOOOVE your book reviews!!!
    One True Loves was my favorite Reid book but After I Do was a close second. I just loved the storyline!!
    I will always say to read Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult because it was just THAT good. So thought provoking. I think you’d really like it.
    Not sure if you’ve read 13 Reasons Why but with all the controversy, I wanted to have my own opinion. It was a powerful read and made me think. Hard to say I enjoyed it, simply because of the subject matter, but I had a lot of takeaways from it either way.
    Just finished Crazy Rich Asians (thanks to you!) and really liked it! Sometimes the names got a little confusing (maybe it’s just me), but I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks!!
    And of course, the top book to read this month has to be the new Elin book!! No one else compares, right?! ?

    • Jeanie says

      I loved Crazy Rich Asians and the sequels but I thought the names were confusing too! Couldn’t remember who went with which family and how they all related to one another. ?

  3. Sara Floyd says

    Loved America’s First Daughter. Definitely going to check out Crazy Rich Asians! Sounds like it may be a good book club book.

  4. Sally Hepworth says

    Obviously this is my favourite post for the month. But do you know what … I couldn’t finish Behind Closed Doors. Not because it wasn’t good, it just freaked me out too much. In the end, I had to put it down and walk away. That said, I’m currently reading Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, so I clearly haven’t learned my lesson.

    • Karah Stracener says

      You have to finish it. It’s so good. The ending is the best part!!

  5. Sheaffer Sims says

    Even if I were a reader, there would be NO TIME right now to even think about picking up a book. Any spare second I have I devote to the Bravermans right now.

  6. Eileen says

    I just read Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve and loved it. I loved The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle too!

    • Kelly says

      Oh yes, I just finished The Marriage Lie and it was SO good! Definitely one of those “just one more chapter…ok, one more…well, maybe one more…” books for me!

  7. emily @ a little bit of emily says

    I loved Behind Closed Doors – I so was not expecting it to be that twisted! I would add The Girl Before to your list – it’s the same genre and I loved it even more!

  9. Alexis deZayas says

    Behind Closed Doors is in my stack! I can’t wait to read it 🙂 I’m reading the Good Girl right now, and it’s another scary story! Have you watched The Man in the High Castle? I think you would like it!

  10. Stacy says

    Behind closed doors I just finished this month too and literally had goose bumps at the end!!!! I texted my friends immediately to go pick it up because I have to talk about it!! I’m currently working on reading crazy rich asians !!! Loved this review!!!!

  12. Emily R says

    Thanks again Shay, excited to have won! I loved Behind Closed Doors as well. Try Behind Her Eyes for a similar type of book- very twisted as well.

  13. Sonia Limon says

    I found a set of Christian Fiction Books that I absolutely loved on Amazon last month. It is a 7 book series with several spin off books that are written to show the reader that through every situation in our lives and every heartache God can use it for good…eventually! The characters are easily relate-able, and the situations are very real and heartfelt. I highly recommend them. Chop Chop Series by L.N. Cronk.

    • Carly says

      I LOVE the Chop, Chop series! I don’t find many people who have read them. They are so light and easy, but have a good story too!

  14. Narci Dreffs says

    I love this post–you always have the best recommendations! Adding some of these my Amazon cart right now!

  15. Stephanie says

    A great motivation book and super quick read is “Make Your Bed” by Admiral William McCraven. I had the opportunity to hear him speak, then read his book and then watch his commencement speech from 2014 UT graduation. I bought 4 to pass around my office to my employees. Easy quick read and very impactful!

  16. Erin says

    I love your book reviews, but I don’t usually comment. However, I really think you should read A Man Called Ove. It is written by a Swedish author and I’m seeing his books everywhere. This one has great character development and is very heartwarming!

      • Emily says

        People have been highly recommending Beartown by that author. I just downloaded it and it’s on my to read list.

  17. Katie says

    My favorite Taylor Jenkins Reed book is Maybe in Another Life. You should read that one!

    • Kristine says

      I’m going to read that one next! I’ve read One True Loves, Forever Interrupted, and After I Do. Loved them all!

      • Katie says

        It’s by far my favorite of hers, and I’ve read them all except the new one coming out!

    • Kristine says

      Have you read Love Warrior? If not, I would highly recommend it! I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

  18. Andrea says

    I recently have enjoyed two of Susan Meissner’s books that you might want to add to your “to read” pile – Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Fall Of Marigolds.

    • Susanne Nieman says

      Just had to agree…those are two of the best books I’ve read lately!

    • Kelly says

      Yes to both of those! They are my favorites of Meissner’s books, and I love most of hers. Secrets of a Charmed Life is my favorite.

  19. Cori Baird says

    I just finished The Kind Worth Killing…I think you would enjoy! It was definitely along the lines of Behind Closed Doors..I’ll try that as soon as I unwind my brain with a little chic lit!

    • Kelly says

      I keep commenting on these comments, because so many of my faves are mentioned! 🙂 The Kind Worth Killing was the first book I read this year, and so far, is still my very favorite of the year. SO good, and so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming! It would make an awesome movie, too.

  20. Sharon says

    This month I finished ” The hate U give” It is YA but oh so good and I highly recommend . I am also currently reading Sheryl Sandbaerg’s Plan B and it is also very insightful

  21. Sara B. says

    Great list! 2 books I read this month (which could not be more different!) are The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende, and Caught by Harlan Coben. I loved them both!

  22. Kelly Sites says

    I LOVED One True Loves (based on your suggestion) and read it in 24 hours. Really good book!!!!! I’m on a reading marathon right now- I can’t stop.

  23. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    You must read Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Reid Jenkins! I loved it! And I have basically begged everyone around me to read The Underground Railroad by (Colson, I think?) Whitehead. It’s so so good and I could not put it down!
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  24. Brittany Hensley says

    I loved The Lucky Few, and I’m now reading Little Big Lies. So far, so good. I love these posts because it gives me so many options when perusing the book stores!! Thanks, mama!

  26. Emily says

    I just finished the new Paula Hawkins book Into the Water. Took me a little to get into it but liked it. I also read the Finishing School and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and enjoyed both. Next up for me is the new Nancy Thayer book!!

  27. Lisa says

    Two great books I’ve read recently The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes and Between Shades of Gray by Ruth Sepetys (similar to The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See)

  28. Molly Christy says

    I’ve read all of the Taylor Jenkins Reid books. After I Do was my absolutel favorite! Then One True Loves! Read After I Do if you get the chance.

  29. Carly says

    Oh my gosh- I HATED Behind Closed Doors. And while I’m a scaredy cat, I’ve liked all the others in this genre that you listed. I just couidn’t with this book. It was too dark.

  31. Courtney says

    Hi Shay! Thank you so much for these reviews, sounds like you had a great month of reading! I ended up reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and you were right, it was motivating to say the least!

    One book recommendation for you I have is more of a book for young readers, it’s called Wonder. Here’s the link:
    https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496146478&sr=8-1&keywords=wonder+book

    I think this would be a wonderful book to read alongside your oldest kiddos. A few years back when I taught 6th grade, my students absolutely loved this book!
    XO
    Courtney
    http://www.greywoodmama.com

  32. Cortney McCurry says

    I live in Singapore and I read Crazy Rich Asians before moving here and read China Rich Girlfriend while living here (picked up Rich People Problems a few weeks ago too)…. I thought the books were hysterical and so on point with the culture here….I use the phrase “only in Singapore” while shaking my head at least once a week to describe the craziness that happens here. Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for all the other recommendations too!

  33. Jenny says

    I just posted my book review yesterday, and my favorites for the month were Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette and Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist. Both were really good!

  34. Chelsea Barnhart says

    Loved One True Loves! It was such a good vacay read. Funny, I just finished Behind Closed Doors. I don’t think I’m cut out for dark books, but I couldn’t stop!! So for my real question. I just finished I Let You Go. I had to wait a while to get it because I was on a waitlist at the library. I’m really curious to know what you thought happened at the end. The last line in the book was used before in the book so I’m not sure if it has a double meaning or if the end was just simple. You don’t have to answer because *spoilers* but it’s kind of eating me alive when I think about it! ??

  36. Elizabeth S says

    My sister-in-law shared a book with recently – Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist. It is a love letter to life around the table and she has special recipes in there. It is a great book talking about some of the best memories are those shared with others over food. It was an easy read and reminds you to slow down. I really enjoy your book review and have never been disappointed by your book recommendations. You have inspired me to read more books than ever!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I named that book THE BEST BOOK OF 2015!!! Yes, yes and YES to Bread and Wine!!

  37. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says

    Oh the Thomas Jefferson book sounds up my alley, I’ll have to add that one to my list. I can’t wait to start the new season of House of Cards!!

    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

  38. Holly says

    If you have a Kindle, are you aware of the Kindle First program on Amazon? You pick one free pre-released book a month! I picked Dead Certain by Adam Mitzner and it is INCREDIBLE! Great mystery read! And for that “let’s look on the positive side” book I recommend Bright Side by Kim Holden. Another great read that had me laughing and bawling my eyes out! Love Book Post Day!!!!

  39. Melissa says

    I read Small Great Things after seeing it in Narci’s Carpool Book Club. I totally recommend it!

  40. Leslie Z. says

    Have you read The Couple Next Door?? It’s part of my book review tomorrow, and so,so good!

  41. Erin says

    Since you mentioned the show Call the Midwife, which I’ve been enjoying now because of your recommendation, I think you would enjoy The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth. I read some of her others based on your recommendations and really enjoyed those, but this one was probably my favorite!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Sally Hepworth is one of my VERY FAVORITE authors! Look through today’s comments, she commented!! She’s amazing! Yes, that book is FANTASTIC!

  43. Kimberly Waller says

    I love your book reviews! Have you ever read Karen Kingsbury? I have read Even Now and am now reading the sequel Ever After…both are really good! Easy reading! If you haven’t read Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler, I think you would love it! It was a great book!

  44. Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says

    You should read Into the Water for sure! I thought it was so much better than Girl on the Train. More characters, more twists. And your text after you finished Behind Closed Doors pretty much summed it up! 😉 I think what is so twisted about it is that it is all psychological. There’s not really any actual violence in the whole book. It’s all just the mind games and the fear of what’s coming next. Creepy book for sure!! I’ve got One True Loves on my list for this month and The Couple Next Door for my next thriller. Yay for book review posts! Love them!

    That Inspired Chick

  45. Lauren P says

    I just finished The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E Reichert and loved it. It’s a perfect summer chick-lit book.

  47. Kim says

    Anything written by Tamera Alexander is absolutely wonderful. She writes historical fiction from a Christian perspective. I can’t put any of her books down once I start them. She has written several series of 3 books each. All are amazing!

  48. Shannon says

    At Home in the World is a wonderful memoir about a woman who packs up her husband and three young kids and travels around the globe for 9 months. Her descriptions of places and cultures were outstanding. I really enjoyed it! (I find memoirs hard to read all at once sometimes, because of less dialog. This one you could easily read a country at a time while also reading a novel. Less than 300 pages).

  49. Lidya says

    I’m reading Crazy Rich Asian now.. yess I love it!! Cant wait to read the next one. ?

  50. Angela Ellingson says

    Love these posts! I think I already mentioned this, but Dad is Fat is hilarious. I read Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst and it is really good!

  51. Heather L says

    I loved “Behind Closed Doors!” So creepy and I couldn’t put it down. I love suspense novels/thriller, so it was right up my alley!

  52. Diana says

    Yay! Book review day is my favorite! My friends and I just picked Crazy Rich Asians for our next book-club – you should join us! We typically meet at the Starbucks at the Adriatica. 🙂

  53. Taylor says

    I am currently on a “thriller” kick and am reading Behind Her Eyes. So far so good! It’s definitely not as twisted as Behind Closed Doors but it’s still keeping me interested.

  54. Karah Stracener says

    Once again your book review doesn’t disappoint. I’m finishing up reading One True Loves and I absolutely love it and don’t want it to end. The kind worth killing by Peter Swanson is a good dark read but not as good as Behind Closed Doors. That was probabaly my favorite dark read. I also recommend The Forever Summer by Jamie Brenner. It was a great easy chick lit book, reminded me of a Elin Hilderbrand book.

  55. Leslie Maxey says

    You MUST read The LIght We Lost by Jill Santopolo. You won’t be disappointed. One of the best books I have read in ages, and I bet it becomes a contender for book of the year!

  56. Kelly Chen says

    I’m currently reading Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand. Forever, Interrupted is next on my list. Behind Closed Doors sounds so good!

  57. Jenn says

    I’m missing your updates on Goodreads. Mainly because I’m too lazy to go back and forth between the post and adding them to my to-read pile ;). Please say your not done with goodreads!!

  58. Marilyn K Martin says

    Thanks so much for your book reviews! I love to read and they are a highlight of my month! 🙂

  59. Jenny says

    Thanks for the suggestions. I love to read! I read all year, but am really able to burn through them in the summer. I have put your suggestions on my list to download. Have you read The Couple Next Door? I put that in my post on recent reading. It’s a great one too.

  60. Nikki Lehman says

    Shay, I love your book reviews! Have you read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers? It’s my favorite book of all time! I think you’d love it!

  61. Erin says

    Hi Shay–I know this in unrelated to the books, but how are you/the kids liking their Garmin VivoFits? I am thinking of getting one for my soon to be 6 year old. Are they durable and truly waterproof? Thanks!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      They love, love, love them!!! When they do chores, we can give them “coins” on there and so, they collect those throughout the day too (to see who has the most). They never take them off. They’re in love!

  62. Jodi says

    After reading It Ends with Us I checked out a handful of Colleen Hoover’s other books. So far Ugly love and Confess are my favorites but Maybe Someday was really good too!

  63. Jenny Null says

    I checked out Crazy Rich Asians at the library last week after reading your book review last month. I read it this weekend and loved it! I was so excited to get to the end of the book and see that there was a sequel. I went online this morning and reserved China Rich Girlfriend from the library and will have it by the weekend and I can’t wait to start it.

  65. Kellie says

    First of all I love this day because I read 2-3 books a week. I read Behind Closed Doors a couple months ago and geez it was CREEPY! It freaked me out to think there are people like that in the world. Yikes!

    I just finished Crazy Rich Asians so I will have to check that one out. I just finished the sequel to The Friday Night Knitting Club. It is a quick easy read and it’s a trilogy which is fun.

  66. Katie W. says

    I also just finished reading Forever, Interrupted and felt that it wasn’t nearly as developed as One True Loves. But, “If You Only Knew” by Kristan Higgins was surprisingly great! Loved the characters! Finally, are you SO excited for the new Hilderbrand book “The Identicals!” Two Weeks!

  68. kathy says

    I can’t recall if you’ve read The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (who wrote Anne of Green Gables). It was written in 1926, but it is a beautiful story.
    Speaking of Anne of Green Gables, that would be a great thing to watch as a family. It has an adoption theme. Maybe you’ve already watched it. The best version, in my opinion, is the one made in the 80’s starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst. It is several hours long, but we used to break it up over several nights and watch as a family:)

  69. Jocie says

    Okay love these book recommendations and cannot wait to read Behind Closed Doors! I must recommend Into the Water! It is equally as thrilling as Girl on the Train and written by the same author! Also, Kevin Kwan released the sequel to China Rich Girlfriend… Rich People Problems! I am about 200 pages in and so far it has not lost momentum for being the third book in the series! For those of you who said you get a little lost don’t worry! I did too! There is a helpful family diagram in this one and my advice would be just don’t get hung up on the names!

  71. Abigail Carter says

    Can’t wait to check those out! I just finished The Couple Next Door- so good and a fast read! Also The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty…whose sister is Liane Moriarty (The Husband’s Secret). It was good and so funny that two sisters can be awesome authors!

  72. Amber says

    HI Shay! Are you still planning to do a review of Unstuffed? I thought you had mentioned you were going to. Looking forward to it if so! 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I did in April!! Click under “books” on the sidebar and it will take you there!

  73. Claire says

    I like mysteries (not so much suspense though) – The Lake House (Kate Morton) and The Forgotten Room (Karen White and others) were two that I loved so much I got them for my mother-in-law who also loved them. Also, I’m currently reading Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly.

  75. Rebekah Lewis says

    Love your book review posts! I open your post in one window and my Goodreads account in another!

  76. Valerie Patton says

    I read a wonderful little book called Delicious by Ruth Reichl. I LOVED it! It has a little bit of everything. It’s about a sister-sister relationship, food and cooking, an unknown past tragedy, and a little mystery. The characters are well-drawn and it’s a delightful story. I was so sad when it ended – the true sign of a great story.

  77. Corinne Wright says

    I love the book reviews. I have two toddlers and work full time, so I dont get to read very much, but I am keeping a LOOOOONG list! I did just start “Wonder.” Have you heard of it? It’s becoming a movie so I wanted to read the book. It’s about a little boy with facial deformities and he is starting school for the first time… in middle school, heaven help him! I have a feeling I’m going to need tissues soon.

  79. Carrie Sandersfeld says

    This is by far my favorite blog post each month and I count down the days until you post a new one! Yay!!!

  80. Megan Butler says

    Yay!! Adding to my list now. Austin and I are both reading chip and Joanna’s book magnolia. Did you read it?? We are loving it.

  81. Elissa says

    I hear SOOOOO many people talking about Elin Hilderbrand. You didn’t this month but I know you have in the past. What book of hers would you start with?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh goodness! There are so many you could start with. Blue Bistro is so good, Silver Girl is good and Barefoot too! I just love her :).

  82. Michelle N. says

    Well per your recommendation I read not 1 but all 4 of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books. Forever, Interrupted was by far my favorite, followed by After I Do.
    I tried to read Crazy Rich Asians but couldn’t get into it. All the little footnotes explaining things made me crazy. I thought it interrupted the flow of the book.

  83. Shelly says

    Behind Closed Doors was so….so…captivating!! May was a slow month for me and I only finished one read, The Hypnotist Love Story, and I loved it. I wasn’t too keen on Truly Madly Guilty in March so I was happy to read another Moriarty book I felt was a winner. Thanks for always sharing your reviews!

  84. Holly says

    I read Behind Closed Doors this last month too and just could not put it down!! I totally agree that it is intense and should not be read at night!!!

  85. amanda says

    I just finished The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo and it was excellent! I did read Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, but I wasn’t a big fan of it. I liked Girl on the Train much better. I am reading Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank and it’s really good!

    • Alexis says

      Yes yes yes to The Light We Lost!!! Just read it in less than a day and LOVED it!!!

  86. CATHY TRACY says

    I just read a book called “Behind Closed Doors” and thought it was a bit tedious. Glad I checked my Kindle – the author was Kathryn Croft. Really enjoyed her 2 previous books however. Both in the Girl on the Train genre. I will try your BHD Shay. Also loved The Kind Worth Killing.

  87. Bethany says

    I am so excited to read these books for summer! Behind Closed Doors and Crazy Asians sound like a must! I am always intrigued by Every Little Thing

  88. Lizzie @ This Happy Life says

    I need to add some of these to my summer reads! And my Mom is always raving about House of Cards but I’ve never watched, maybe that can be our next series we binge!

  89. Christina says

    You may have already read it, but I highly recommend The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. Quick read that will make you laugh and cry! Review: At thirty-six, Kelly Corrigan had a marriage that worked, two kids and a weekly newspaper column. Yet Kelly still saw herself as the daughter of garrulous charmer George Corrigan. She was living in the Middle Place – comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents’ care. But Kelly is shoved into coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast – and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. When George, too, learns he has late-stage cancer, it’s Kelly’s turn to look after the man who’d always taken care of her – and to finally take the leap and grow up.

  90. Rachel Warren says

    Hi Shay! Thanks for including some light and happy books in your review too. I am a domestic abuse survivor, and a lot of popular suspenseful books (Behind Closed Doors, It Ends With Us, I Let You Go, etc.) hit WAY too close to home. I don’t want to relive that extremely painful part of my life, so I prefer to stick with the lighter books. Love your blog! 

  91. Pam Schmidt says

    I enjoy your book reviews; helps me find new books to read. I would like to recommend 2 fabulous books.
    The beautiful sorrows of Ava Lavender. As a baker and a resident of the PNW this book is fantasy or is it?
    LOVE LOVE it.
    Also, The baker’s daughter. Yes, another baking book, but also historical, WW II. The story line goes back in forth between the war and current times in TX. It has tough parts, but the author ties it all together in a perfect bow.
    Great reads

  92. Allie J says

    Thank you for your book reviews! I use them all the time to figure out what to read.
    I don’t know if you’ve ever read the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, but they are so good!! And I can’t remember if you’ve traveled to Rome or not, but if you have, you’ll especially love them. They are Christian historical fiction and I just love them.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I haven’t read all of them, but yes, I’ve read the first couple. Francine Rivers books never disappoint!!

  93. Kelly says

    I love your Book Review posts; thank you. I second the recommendation of the book Wonder; I want to read it to my kids when they get a little older. I read Tell Me Three Things and What She Knew recently. Both were good. I’m reading Good as Gone now and so far I like it. Happy Summer!

  94. Kristina says

    Just finished reading the dressmakers dowry, its a first by the author but its a good one!!

  95. Kristen Wood says

    I recently read The Mailbox. Such an easy beach read!! You should put it on your list:)

  96. Jordan McCaskey says

    Have you ever thought of doing a link-up with everyone’s monthly book reviews? I do one every month and would love to be able to see what everyone is reading and loving 🙂 I always get great ideas from your posts!

  98. Alexis says

    So based on some recommendations above, I just read The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo. WOW. I cannot tell you how amazing this book was. Read it in less than a day and I can see why it got the reviews it did. It’s like One Day meets Me Before You and those are two of my all time favorite books!! Read this one ASAP! You will not be disappointed!

  99. Jami Lee says

    Have you read any Jodi Picoult books? They are quick reads but can get deep. Her latest book, Small Great Things, had me in a full on ugly cry at the end. Her books tend to touch on current issues in our society. I started with The Pact, this was years ago before she was on the front stand of every book store in America.

  100. Mirsa says

    Loved Behind Closed Doors- great read… I just finished All the Missing Girls. It’s told in reverse– finished it in 2 days.

  102. Megan Patti says

    You need to read Into the Water…by the same author as Girl on the Train. I couldn’t put it down!!

  103. Lauren Hufford says

    Just finished a book called The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo….it was the BEST book I have read in a long time! If you loved It Ends With Us and One True Loves (which I loved both of those!), then you will love this one!

  104. Crystal says

    Have you ever read Adriana Trigiani? If not, I’m really going to need you to. She is one of my favorites. Big Stone Gap is one of my favorite books ever (however the movie was terrible) and Lucia, Lucia is another fave!

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