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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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June Book Review


June Book Review

It’s July and it’s my June Book Review!

Whoa!

Okay, my brain always goes two different ways in July.  I get a little panicky that summer is going by too quickly…and at the same time, I start looking at the pumpkins at Hobby Lobby.  Ha!  Clearly, I’m torn during this middle summer month 😉 .

Book review days are always one of my favorite posts of the month.  If you recall, it was June 2014 when I decided to stop making excuses and start reading again.  I always loved reading (I was that kid who listed reading as a hobby growing up instead of anything outdoorsy or athletic 😉 ), but I had let the habit drop as I became a mom.  Instead of reading, I was watching more TV and just looking at social media.  Three years ago though, I made a goal to read two books a month and it was one of the BEST things I’ve done for myself in a long, long time.  Now, I read at least 4 to 6 books a month and I love it!  You guys have encouraged me to read, you have introduced me to my new favorite authors (hello, Elin Hilderbrand!), and you have gotten me to explore books I never would have picked up five years ago.  So, anyway, THANK YOU!  These book posts have been such an encouragement to ME!

This month, I read five books, and I must be honest…I only really loved two.  (Insert that monkey emoji covering his eyes).  Urg.  I just couldn’t get excited about some of the books…until the end.  Nevertheless, here they are.  This month, they’re all five fiction…

50

I kicked off my month with Secrets in Summer.  Now, this was my second favorite book of the month and honestly, a great beach read.  I love Nancy Thayer books!  The only thing that keeps me from love, love, loving Thayer books though is…Elin Hilderbrand books 😉 .  Thayer’s books are almost always fictional stories set in either Nantucket or Cape Cod.  They’re light, they’re easy to read, they’re perfect for flights, beaches and other vacations.  They’re just happy stories.  This one was no exception.  It’s about a woman who lives on Nantucket and one summer, her ex-husband and his new family rent the house behind hers.  I liked the main character, I liked the setting, I liked the unexpected plot twists…I really liked it all.  Add it to your Amazon cart if you’re looking for just an easy little read this summer.

51

Has anyone else read What Happens in the Hamptons???  Based on all of the Hilderbrand/Thayer books I buy, Amazon kept recommending this book to me, so I ordered it.  And I did not like it.  At all.  Urg.  I took this book on our cruise and honestly, felt like it was a big fat waste of time.  The book went nowhere until more than halfway through and by then, I didn’t really like any of the characters and wasn’t invested in the story.  Andrew asked me what it was about…and I had a hard time explaining it to him because it wasn’t really about one thing.  I don’t know?  I really did not enjoy this book.

52

Okay, friends…what am I doing wrong here?  Please help.

I read A Hundred Summers in November and LOVED it!  I loved that book so much that I named it the third best book I read in 2016 (out of 62!).  I was obsessed with that book, so I immediately read another book by Williams the following month (A Certain Age) but was so disappointed.  This month, I thought I’d try another Williams book, so I read The Wicked City, but I didn’t like it either.  HELP ME!  I know you know what Beatriz Williams’ books I will love, so tell me.  I want to read more of her books, but I keep getting the wrong ones.  The Wicked City was just okay.  It goes back and forth between two characters (one present day and one from the past), but I didn’t love either of them.  I don’t know…I thought the plot surrounding the present day girl was okay but because she was only half of the book, I didn’t feel like I got enough of her and her story.  When this book was over, I was relieved.  That’s not a good feeling to have at the end of a book.

What Williams book should I read next?  PLEASE HELP!

53

I’m laughing to myself right now.  As I’m writing this post, I’m getting annoyed. Ha!  I’m just mad because I hate reviewing books that I didn’t love.  WHAT A DOWNER!  Okay, the second best book that I read in 2016 was It Ends with Us.  You can read my review of it HERE.  I found it thought provoking, hard to navigate with my emotions (but in the best possible way!), and it stuck with me for months after.  Well, since I loved that book so much, I tried another one by the same author…Slammed.  Urg.  It was fine.  Let’s put it this way, I read it in no time flat because I was into the story enough that I wanted to see how it would play out, I was very surprised by the big twist in the plot, but at the end when I realized that it had a sequel, I didn’t even consider reading it.  I liked the book okay, but I have no desire to read the sequel…so, I’m pretty sure that sums it up.  Read It Ends with Us instead.

54

When we got home from Alaska, I had Elin Hilderbrand’s newest book waiting for me in my mail…and it was WONDERFUL!  The Identicals made up for all of the so-so books I read this month.  I am not ashamed to admit that she’s my favorite author (thanks to YOU all for recommending her to me!).  I had been looking forward to this book for months and it DID NOT disappoint!  This is THE PERFECT summer read!  I almost always love me a Hilderbrand book, but this one was extra fun because it was set in both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.  (Her books are always set in Nantucket…so the MV twist was fun!)  I loved both main characters…they are identical twin sisters who each live on one of the islands but then switch and start living on the other island…all very Parent Trap a la Hayley Mills but as adults.  I also loved the supporting cast too (their mother, significant others and daughter/niece).  This book would be perfect by the pool, on a plane or at the beach.  Read it!  And yes, please also sign me up for the Hilderbrand fan club.  I should probably be president 😉 .

That wraps up my June Book Review.  Now seriously, help a girl out!  What did you read this month???  Comment and share!  I need new ideas!!!!!!!  I cannot read a streak of not great ones again this month!

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.
In lieu of Meal Planning Monday today, I kept up this post…
Red, White & Blue Recipes
…if you’re looking for some Red, White & Blue click HERE.  I have 22 easy and delicious recipes for your holiday tomorrow!
See you on Wednesday, friends!!  Happy reading!
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Comments

  1. Leslie Ann Rowland says

    I love this post! I started a book club on my Instagram and June was our first month. The winning book was It Happens in the Hamptons and so many people didn’t like it, myself included! We just picked The Marriage Lie as our July book. Have you read that? I’d heard so many great things about it! I’d love if you’d join! (@msleslieann01). I also just posted my June book review if you want to check it out!

    LaLa Life Blog

  2. Lynn says

    Shay Thank you so much for your book reviews, its always so lovely to pass on a book to a friend!! A book I just know you would love is Kisses for Kate such an amazing woman and its written so honestly and beautifully. Lots of beautiful pictures included through her story in the book. Another that I couldn’t put down is Room by Emma Donoghue, fantastic book a real page turner x

  3. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

    I love your book review days too, since I’ve started going through books at the speed of light. You always give me new read inspiration!
    –
    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

  4. Ashley W says

    Try Beatriz Williams ‘Along the Infinite Sea’ or ‘Tiny Little Thing’ 🙂 Her best one is ‘A Hundred Summers’ but I enjoyed the 3 books about the 3 sisters (the 2 I mentioned plus The Secret Life of Voilet Grant)

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I read Along the Infinite Sea last month, which one do I read next? Tiny or Secret Life? Ordering both!

      • Lindsey Wasinger says

        I love, love, love your book reviews and following your sweet family!!

        The order of the Schuyler sisters series is:
        The Secret Life of Violet Grant
        Tiny Little Thing
        Along the Infinite Sea

        I read Along the Infinite Sea first too…I don’t think the order matters that much. You will LOVE this series!!

      • Alexis says

        I think the order is: A Hundred Summers, The Secret Life of Violet Grant, Along the Infinite Sea. I asked Ashley Spivey awhile ago and she said that was the best order (because of how they were published) but that you could read them out of order and it wouldn’t matter! 🙂

      • Katie Leman says

        Secret Life of Vivian Grant is the best of the Schuyler sister trilogy followed by Tiny and Infinite Sea!

      • Amy Brockway says

        I really loved A Hundred Summers and The Secret Life of Violet Grant and have high hopes for Along The Infinite Sea and Tiny Little Thing. I wonder if the reason you didn’t like the other 2 has to do with the time period and setting? I haven’t read those but they seem quite different . That said, have you read Overseas by her? It’s quite different in its own right but it’s the first of hers I read and I LOVED it so much. I’ll warn you that it has a time travel element to it.

        Sorry you read a bunch of bummers! I had a month like that and it’s so discouraging! Not sure if you have read any of these but my recent favorites are Molokai and Honolulu by Alan Brennert and The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.

      • Erin says

        I have read all the Schuler Sister books is a Hundred Summers. I totally agree that A Hundred Summers is the best, but try Along the Infinite Sea next. Then the Secret Life of Violet Grant, then, Tiny Little Thing. Not sure if that’s the order they were written, but all the characters keep popping up in each other’s stories

      • Kelly Franks says

        They go in order. I can’t remember which way though. They were really good. I’m reading overseas now and it’s okay.

      • Tina Shepherd says

        Currently reading Tiny. It’s the second one in the sister series. So far so good!

    • Melissa Frazier says

      I totally agree with above. Along the Infinite Sea was one of my fave reads. I thought about characters a lot. It was great!

    • Laura says

      I really enjoyed ‘Along the Infinite Sea’ as well! Her latest novel came out last week and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

    • Jennibell says

      But make sure you read Tiny Little Thing first!! I read Along the Infinate Sea first and was so bummed when reading Tiny Little Thing to realize THAT was where the main character was first introduced. Shay, as soon as you post your reviews I start reserving books immediately and you have really given me lots of good new reads. November 9 (Colleen Hoover) was one of my favorites!

  5. emily @ a little bit of emily says

    I just read The Obsession by Nora Roberts and really enjoy it! It had suspense and romance – super good!

  6. Amy Heinl says

    I just finished Beach house for Rent by Nary Alice Monroe. She is one of my most favorite authors and is on a dozen or more best summer reads list for this year. I also just finished Family Tree by Susan Sighs. Another favorite author of mine. I would place then both above El un Hildebrand who I adore. Once I start their books I can’t put them down. Going to try the Thayer book you recommended.

  9. Samantha says

    A hundred summers is one of my favorites too! I feel the same way about some of Beatrix William’s books but I did love both “tiny little things” and “along the infinite sea”.

  11. Stacy says

    Rich people problems –book three of the Crazy Asians series — I just finished was the best of all three !!! From Williams I liked the secret life of violet grant — it is good – I liked it better than Tiny but I also liked Tiny — you definetlybneed to read The Obsession bunnies Roberts — it was sooo good! Identicles is next on my list

  12. Rebecca Rooney says

    My absolute favorite book is The Bronze Horseman, it is incredible! Set in Russia during the beginning of WWII, it is an incredibly romantic love story. I’m loving your book review posts, I’ve read quite a few that you’ve recommended and loved them too. Especially It Ends With Us!!! About to start A Hundred Summers.

    • Marta says

      I second The Bronze Horseman recommendation, it’s hands down my favourite book and have reread it multiple times. Tully and Red Leaves by the same author, Paullina Simons, are great too.

  13. Beth Dunham Swindig says

    I have never read any of Elin Hilderbrand or Nancy Thayer’s books. Which should I start with? Need some ideas for an upcoming trip!

      • Jami Lee says

        I thought the author said The Identicals is a follow up or has the same characters as The Rumor?

    • Melissa says

      I just read Nancy Thayer’s The Guest cottage and The Island House. They were both fun, beach reads.

    • Jennibell says

      Start with Elin Hildebrand….in the FB group I contribute to I call her Godiva to Thayer’s Hershey. Both chocolate is good, but one is better 🙂

  14. Sarah says

    I also just read Nantucket sisters by Thayer, if you haven’t read that one-it was really good!!

  15. Karen says

    I’m reading The Dry by Jane Harper (her debut novel) at the moment! It’s a real page turner. Highly recommend it.

  18. Eileen says

    I just finished Secrets in Summer and am reading The Identicals now. Love Nancy Thayer books, but I agree – Elin Hilderbrand is my fave! I really liked The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle and The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve. Have you read any books by Jodi Picoult? I really liked Small Great Things, but my two favorites are My Sister’s Keeper and Nineteen Minutes.

  20. Sharon says

    Just finished The Two -Family House by LyndaCohen Loigman – so good! Add it to your list!

  21. Erika Slaughter says

    i have The Identicals on my nightstand and it sounds like I need to clear my calendar today!!

  22. Genevieve Perryman says

    Oh my gosh… I am with you on Wicked City! I am 200 pages in and I still am not into it. I am bummed because I loved Tiny Little Thing, Along the Infinite Sea, and The Secret Life of Violet Grant. Tiny Little Thing was my favorite! I just picked up Summer House from Thayer and that’s next on my list!
    Have a fun Fourth!
    Genevieve

  23. Jenn says

    Well darn! I joined a book club on IG and June’s book was The Hampton’s one. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but I hate you found it disappointing. Loved reading your reviews!

  24. Beth Miller says

    LOVED The Identicals! Read Along the Infinite Sea by Beatritz Williams and November 9 by Colleen Hoover. I loved them both!

  25. Sally Hepworth says

    Ah. My favourite post of the month. I definitely recommend The Dry by my friend Jane Harper. I also just finished Heather Gudenkauf’s new book Not a Sound and it was great. P.S. my new book will have advance copies ready soon and I will get one out to you (this one is set in Australia)
    Happy Fourth from Down Under xo

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Added it to my cart, Sally!! And I cannot wait to get my hands on your next book!

    • Jessica says

      Just read The Mother’s Promise and could not put it down…just like your previous books! You have become one of my favorite authors, Sally Hepworth!

  26. Ursula says

    If you haven’t read ‘The Hating Game’ add it to your list! Such a fun and quick read! I’ve read the last 40 pages of the book about 10 times.

  27. Alaleh Sadri says

    The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo was a recommendation from Ashley Spivey on instagram…just read it and it was so good!!

  28. Jessica says

    I also suggest The Dry by Jane Harper! I finished two other books in June I think you’d really enjoy: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (love love loved this one, and it’s a top pick in Reese Witherspoons book club) and The Secret Wife by Gill Paul (a fictional story, with historical accuracy, about the Russian Grand Duchess Tatiana).

  29. Sarah Parsons says

    I’ve been flying through summer reads this month. I really recommend The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable. It’s also set on Nantucket and I loved it. I am a big Dorothea Benton Frank fan, too. My favorite is The Hurricane Sisters but her new book, Same Beach, Next Year, was good!

    I just met Elin for the second time when she came to my small town bookstore on tour for The Identicals. I loved that book too!! If you haven’t read The Blue Bistro, I highly recommend it and Elin said that’s her favorite of her books.

    I can’t wait for your August review!!

    • Sonja Jaggers says

      I just finished The Hurricane Sisters, too! Dorothea Benton Frank and Mary Alice Monroe are awesome! 🙂

      • Ramona says

        Yes. Loved The Hurricane Sisters. Any book by DBF is a winner in my book. 😉 They are set in South Carolina and her use of descriptive words make me almost taste and smell the low country. I am currently reading Same Beach Next Year and I can hardly put it down.

        • Shelley Holden says

          Love Dorethea Benton Frank…..Same Beach, Next Year is great. Just finished it.

      • Sarah Parsons says

        I just finished Beach House for Rent by Mary Alice Monroe. Wow did I love it! Happy Reading!

  30. Narci Dreffs says

    I have the Identicals in my list for this month–it sounds so good! Love your book reviews, friend! Xo

  31. Amy Johnson says

    Have you read The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White? You will LOVE it!

  32. Katrina Goodman says

    I love Beatriz Williams, but didn’t read A Certain Age or Wicked City until I had read the others. You MUST read Along the Infinite Sea. I stayed up all night reading (/crying). Immediately upon waking up I relayed the whole story to my husband like it was a true story. Also, The Secret Life of Viola Grant is really good.

    • Jennibell says

      I *know*, right?!? As a reader sometimes we get so invested in the stories….my husband is a good guy and usually takes the time to listen 🙂
      BTW, I also do this with bloggers, like they are friends I meet for coffee and interact with IRL ?

  33. Sonia Limon says

    I accidently purchase the Chop Chop series by L N Cronk and it has turned out to be ones of my favorite book series ever! It is Christian Fiction, and it is fantastic! Amazon runs a regular sale of it for 99 cents on download!

    • Carly says

      Oh my gosh- I loved the Chop, Chop series! I don’t know many people who have read them! So fun and easy and sweet!

  35. Nicole J says

    I just read :I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi and really enjoyed it! It’s her first book and I’m looking forward to more from her

  36. Sonja Jaggers says

    Dorothea Benton Frank and Mary Alice Monroe write about Lowcountry Tales. They are similar to the above authors that you enjoy! I just finished The Hurricane Sisters! I love Elin Hildebrand, too! You will love the top two that I mentioned! I am a teacher and look forward to reading their new books each summer! 🙂 I enjoy your blog! 🙂

  38. cheryl says

    Just finishing Everlasting by Nancy Thayer. Love her books. You got me hooked on Elin H. Looking forward to Identicals.

  39. Sydney says

    I recommend Rare Objects or The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro. They are Historical fiction & very interesting stories!

  41. Megan Smith says

    Three of my most favorite lately are Big, Little Lies, One True Loves, and All the Missing Girls. All of them are so, so good! I’m picking up The Identicals today! Thanks so much for sharing.

  42. Shannon says

    You gotta read Emily Giffin’s, The One & Only. It’s kind of a beach read but also about football and is set in Texas. It has a little bit of everything. So good!

  43. Susan says

    I always look forward to your book reviews. I am always on the look out for new authors and new books. My friend recommended “The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street” by Susan Jane Gilman. I am about a quarter way in. Slow start but good so far.

  44. Tammy Calhoun says

    Definitely put Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman on your list!!!

  45. Rebekah says

    Every week I tell myself I’m going to read more. I love your book reviews and need to add some of them to my list. I would love some book suggestions for my husband! If anyone has books that their husband read and loved, please share!

  46. Abby says

    I’ve read everything Beatriz Williams except A Certain Age. Wicked City was definitely one of my least favorites. Along the Infinite Sea, Tiny Little Thing, and the Secret Life of Violet grant were all wonderful. And they’re all about the Schuyler sisters (except you should probably read them in the exact opposite order I typed them lol).

    She also collaborated on a book called The Forgotten Room, which I really enjoyed— and one of the collaborators is Lauren Willig, who is also FANTASTIC. If you enjoy historical chick lit fiction, her Pink Carnation series is a really fun read. The Ashford Affair, That Summer, and The Other Daughter—–i devoured all of them. She is an author that I anxiously wait for her new books.

  47. Meagan Ruse says

    Your book reviews are more favorite!! Oh how I love Elin Hilderbrand books! I can’t wait to read The Identicals!

  48. Betsy Collins says

    You MUST reach ‘Small Great Things’ by Jodi Picoult. It’s soooooo well written. A gripping story with amazingly well developed characters and intriguing plot. It was fascinating and eye-opening at the same time.
    Plus it’s supposed to be coming out as a movie with Julia Roberts and Viola Davis! ?

  49. Holly D says

    The Dry by Jane Harper, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena and Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine. Those were some of my June books that were great reads!!! A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is my next in line! LOVE your book review days!!!

  50. Alexis says

    Without a doubt you need to read The Light We Lost. Read it in less than a day and absolutely loved it. One of my favorite books of the summer. After I read it, I saw people start posting a lot about it…and they’re so right! It’s a beautiful book.

    Small Great Things was my top book of last year. Powerful and one that everyone should read.

    I have heard nothing but phenomenal things from countless people about The Hate U Give. It’s supposed to be one of the top books of the year. I’m about to get it from the hold list at my library and it’s the one I’m most excited to read. Look it up, I think you’d enjoy it.

    But first…order The Light We Lost!! 🙂

  51. Joella says

    I met Elin Hilderbrand at a book signing last week in Rehobeth, DE. So fun meeting a real celebrity!! My copy is now signed 🙂

  52. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    Have you ever read anything by Mary Kay Andrews? She’s a southern author and a lot of her stories are set in Savannah. They are really humorous chick lit–the first one I ever read was Hissy Fit and it’s the one I always recommend to people to start with!
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  53. Deanna Zehr says

    Hi, Shay! I also loved Secrets in Summer and The Identicals is on my list for this month. You need to read either Tiny Little Thing (very Jackie Kennedy-esque) or Along the Infinite Sea for your next Beatriz Williams book. If you are looking for a new author, read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid! I also do a monthly book review and we have very similar tastes in books. Enjoy your week! xo
    http://www.fromheretozehr.blogspot.com

  54. Kelley says

    The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo and It’s Always the Husband by Michele Campbell are my two favorite books read so far this summer. I especially think you will love the first one!

  55. Elizabeth Stiles says

    You need to read along the infinite sea by Beatriz Williams! And then the secret life of violet grant. Along the infinite sea was right up there with a hundred summers for me!

  56. Callie says

    I am currently reading The Bookshop on the Corner (by the author that wrote Little Beach Street Bakery), The Light We Lost, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I’m a teacher and usually read multiple books at a time during the summer. 🙂

  57. Carey says

    Love your book reviews! I just read “Everything We Keep” by Kerry Lonsdale and really liked it.

  58. Ashley says

    Have you ever read The Purpose Driven Life? It is a book where you read a chapter a day for 40 days, and states why God created you for this world. Truly think you would love!

  59. Kimberly Waller says

    I love your book reviews! I have read so many different authors because of your book reviews. Thank you! I loved “Calling Me Home” by Julie Kibler. It was a great read. One of my favorite books! I am reading “Maybe Someday” by Colleen Hoover right now but just started it.

  60. Shannon Dobbs says

    I recently read Cocoa Beach by Beatriz Williams. It was really good to me but that may be because I grew up near Cocoa Beach and was there all the time. The new Jane Green book called Sunshine Sisters is really good. I can’t remember if you’ve ready the Little Beach Street Bakery. It was also really good. I hope this month is better for you book wise!

  61. Julie says

    Hi Shay!
    Beatriz Williams has a new book out, “Cocoa Beach” and it’s getting really good reviews. I haven’t read it myself yet but maybe you would enjoy it? It’s on my list for this summer.

    I love your book reviews and sorry you didn’t have a lot of winners this month!

  62. Krystal says

    Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. One of the most incredible, thought provoking, and important books I’ve ever read. They’re making it into a movie with Julia Roberts and Viola Davis. Highly recommend this one!

  63. Aideen says

    Hi Shay! I think you’d enjoy The Paris Architect. It’s not chic lit (I’m a sucker for Elin Hildebrand too!), but this book had me hooked.

  64. Maria says

    I was waiting for this post today before I submitted my amazon order… I am so glad The Identicals was good! ( I wanted to hear from you first before I ordered!) You were the one who introduced me to Elin , and I’ve read every book right along with you! Nantucket is my favorite place, and I often find myself trying to visit the places mentioned in her books while I am up there. A suggestion for you, The One and Only by Emily Griffin. It’s set in a college football town in Texas and you will love it! Happy reading!

    • Jenn says

      The One and Only was great! I also just finished Giffin’s “First Comes Love” and it was just ok.

  65. Julie says

    The Summer Sisters by Mary Ann Monroe. It’s a trilogy, but there are 5 books now. Super easy beach read, liked the main characters.

  67. Erica Shaffer says

    10 Beach Road by Wendy Wax. One Less Problem Without You by Beth Harrison or When in Doubt Add Buttercream. I also like Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan. Jane Green is also a great author. She has a new one out but I haven’t read it yet. Stacey Ballis is another good author. The Wedding Girl was really good.

  68. Jaime W says

    Agree with all who said The Secret Life of Violet Grant is a great Beatriz Williams book! Also, November 9 was an awesome Colleen Hoover books if you need a pick me up from her too! I also just finished Beartown (same author as A Man Called Ove) and it was so so good. Add it to your list!

  69. Jillian says

    I read The Letter by Kathryn Hughes and it was so good. It had kind of a Hundred Summers feel to it. It was really good. And I will agree, I loved It Ends With Us, but I’ve tried 3 more Colleen Hoover books and I’ve either hated them or found them just kind of boring…

  71. Lindsay says

    I second someone above who mentioned Mary Kay Andrews. I just finished Save the Date last month, and it was very cute!

    • Samantha B. says

      I just finished that one, too, and loved it! I recommend it for sure. I love her settings on the southern coasts. Elin Hilderbrand is my absolute favorite. I can’t wait to,get my hands on The Identicals.

  72. Vicki says

    I LOVED A Hundred Summers and the only other one of her books that I loved as much was Overseas. Time travel and old fashioned men, plus a little action and suspense, what more could you want?

  73. Shelby says

    I just decided to get back into reading and, with your influence, decided to explore Elin Hilderbrand. I chose The Beach Club and can’t put it down! I almost got The Identicals, since you loved it so much I’ll definitely grab it next time! She might just be my new favorite (all the heart eye emojis!)

  74. Lindsey Wynn says

    I’m a long time blog reader! I love your book review posts. Try Ugly Love and Confessions by Colleen Hoover. I really liked them both. Ugly Love is pretty R rated though but I still loved the story line. Also try Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. I loved it almost as much if not more than the Nightingale.

    • Susanne Nieman says

      Winter Garden is just about my favorite book of all time! I love it so much I’ve bought multiple copies and give them to friends to read. Not Kristin Hannah’s typical style of writing. I also liked it much more than The Nightingale!

  75. Jessica says

    Hi Shay! If you like Colleen Hoover read Confess or Hopeless next. I didn’t love Slammed but I loved it ends with us. Also, another recommendation is Something In the Way by Jessica Hawkins. It’s 1/3 books – the second is also out and called Somebody’s Else’s Sky. The 3rd is out this fall.

  76. Sandra says

    I love your book reviews as much as the Schuyler Sisters!!! Just finished the trio and my favourite was Tiny Little Thing (would make an amazing screenplay!). Highly recommend Commonwealth by Ann Patchett …. so good. Happy Reading!!!

  78. Andrea says

    I have been loving Beth Kendrick’s Black Dog Bay series. So far, I have read the first two books and loved them both. I like Kendrick’s writing style.

  79. Alyssa says

    I love Colleen Hoover as well! She has a new book coming out in the fall, but until then I recommend Ugly Love, it is one of my favorites by her!

  80. Amy S says

    Beneath a scarlet sky. I could not put this down! The girl with all the gifts is up next!

  81. Bailey says

    I just finished ‘Swear on this Life,’ and I really, really enjoyed it! It reminded me of It Ends With Us because it uses a book within the book to tell part of the story; like Lily’s Ellen diaries did.

    http://www.myboymom.blogspot.com

  82. Hannah says

    If you’re looking for a Beatriz Williams book definitely read ‘the secret life of violet grant’, it is SO good! There’s twists until the very last page! I love all of your book reviews, I just read ‘one true loves’ and was obsessed. I tell anyone who will listen to me that they have to read it ha!

  83. Wendi says

    Based on all of your recommendations, i am going to go and order an Elin Hilderbrand book now! Which one was your absolute favorite that I should start with??

  85. Kristin says

    If you love Beatriz you must read the books she cowrites with Lauren Willig and Karen White. The Forgotten Room is SO SO GOOD. And for her other books, Tiny Little Thing was great! I would definitely read that one next. To be honest I didn’t love the Secret Life of Violet Grant. I just couldn’t get into it and never even finished it. Another book you’d probably enjoy is Ella Olsen’s Root, Petal, Thorn. It’s about different women who lived in the same house over a hundred years, I loved it!

  86. Sharon S says

    Love your book reviews and you got me onto Elin Hilderbrand and I love them. Having said that, since I love your other recommendations a few other authors I love that go off in a different direction but maybe we have the same taste is (in order) Lisa Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and Lisa Jackson. A lot of Lisa Gardner books are set in Boston (thought that might tweak your interest 🙂 ). Suspense romance I guess these authors would fall under.
    Happy Summer.

  87. Coreline says

    I thought of you when I read “Pancakes in Paris” last month, I know you love France and books set in France, this was a memoir of the American who opened American breakfast diners in Paris. I think you would enjoy it. Have you ever heard of the podcast, “What Should I Read Next?” It is so good, Anne Bogel interviews the most interesting people and asks them to tell her their three favorite books, one book they didn’t like and what they are reading now. She then recommends what three books they should read next. You can pretty much tell from the person interview whether they would be books that you would like but I have gotten lots of book ideas from this podcast!

  88. Emily tice says

    I just finished reading ” one true loves” on the beach at Hilton Head. Thank you for such a great recommendation! Thoughts on how it ended?!
    Also read ” the secret life of violet grant” as your next Williams book! I have read it, tiny little things, hundred summers, and the wicked city. Wicked city was my least favorite. But don’t give up
    On her yet!!!!

  89. Valerie Patton says

    “Delicious” by Ruth Reichl is AMAZING! I love the characters; I didn’t want it to end. It is one of those books that has a little of everything. It’s about cooking (takes place at a food magazine), there is a tragedy, a love story, a poignant plot line from World War II…I loved it so much I plan to read it again next year. I think you would love it!

    • Laura Sotelo says

      I read this too and loved it!! I got the recommendation from the comments of your last book review post 🙂

  90. Leslee says

    You can read 13 Reasons Why in a couple of hours. Or Netflix it. Or maybe you already read it.

  91. Kayla B says

    I second Kisses from Katie– lovely heart and an adoptive mama!
    I also second Nora Ephron. Love, love Heartburn.
    Have you read any of Joanne Harris’ books?? Chocolat is one of my all time faves.

  92. Amy Keller says

    I’m reading the Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer and think you would love then! 7 books in the series (I’m on #2) and it’s set in London and NYC (two of my favorite places and I know yours too!) The chapters change by character and tell the story from each of their points of view!

  93. Jaren says

    So my first Elin Hilderbrand book, Barefeet, came in the other day! Can’t wait to read! I read One True Loves and absolutely loved it! My friends keep telling me to read A Table by the Window, a fictional story mixed with recipes which I think I’d love and you might as well.

  94. Marilyn K Martin says

    You MUST read the Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff…….I saw the book advertised like this……”if The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen got married and had a baby book…..this is the book they would produce!”

    I loved every page and was SO sad that my experience was over when the book ended!

  95. Heather MacHugh Cooper says

    I always love your reviews! I recently joined Modern Mrs Darcy’s online bookclub to push myself with reading! I have read six books so far this summer (I am a teacher). Feeling so inspired! The Dry by Jane Harper was amazing! I read Behind Closed Doors and it was scary. Hahaha just as you said. If you haven’t read The Couple Next Door you should. I really enjoyed it! Lots of twists! Bear Town by the author who wrote Ove was amazing too! It’s like Friday Night Lights but Hockey!! Right now I am ready All is Not Forgotten. So far it has sucked me in. After this one I need to move on to some summer reads I have the identical sand Sunshine Sistes by Jane Green waiting!!

  96. Laura Fredlund says

    Right now I am almost finished up with “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats” and have really enjoyed it! Next on my list is “A Man Called Ove” which I have heard is amazing. I’ve read some Nancy Thayer books this summer.. Summer Breeze, and Beachcombers were my favorite! I recommend those. I hope you read them!!

  97. Stephanie says

    Just finished “The Stars are Fire” by Anita Shreve. It was very good and a thriller. Also not too long, only about 241 pages. I agree you need to read “Small Great Things” by Jodi Piccoult. It really makes you think!! Love your reviews and everyone’s suggestions!!! Happy 4th of July!

  98. Carly M says

    Shay, thanks for sharing. This month, I read all for Bride Quartet books which I loved. Not sure if you read them but you could get through them in like two weeks. Someone keeps recommending to me the “Always the Baker” series? Do you have a review of these? I just started Slightly South of Simple.

  99. Lindsay says

    I love Elin Hilderbrand books. You should read Summer Sisters by Judy Blume which (most of the book) is set in Martha’s Vinyard!

  100. Annagrace says

    Love Lives Here by Maria Goff is such an uplifting read. I LOVED Love Does by her husband, Bob Goff. This one was such a quick easy read and very uplifting and encouraging.

  101. Shelley Holden says

    Shay, Elin Hilderbrand is my favorite….I had starting reading them about the same time you did and have read all of them. And I tend to agree with you on most of the books you review. I am an avid reader and I think we have a lot of the same books. With all that being said, have you read any Mary Kay Andrews? Every time I read one, I think of you. They are perfect beach reads and I think you will love them. A lot like Elin but not quite as good. I just finished Beach Town and the Weekenders. Try them….they are fun and cute!

  102. RockHound says

    Here’s the thing. If you really don’t like a book at all, and you think there is no hope of you liking it by the end, stop reading it. You don’t have to finish reading a book. You don’t get a reward for the number of books you finish reading. Just move on to another book that you may like better!

  103. Taylor Shill says

    I read several very different books the past month and LOVED some of them. If you like memoirs, read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, the creator of Nike. It’s wonderfully written and by the end I had the chills! For a thriller, I read All The Missing Girls and loved that as well! Most recently I read a love story, The Light We Lost, and it’s one of my favorites that I’ve read all year. Highly recommend all three!!

  104. Taylor says

    I read two really good books this month. One was a thriller called “I found you” by Lisa Jewell. The second book I read, “Secrets of a Charmed Life”, was probably my favorite book that I’ve read this year. It was beautifully written and I couldn’t put it down.

    • Susanne Nieman says

      I loved Secrets of a Charmed Life! Apparently Susan Meissner writes two different types of books…a Christian series and then just regular fiction like Secrets. I didn’t know this at first and wondered why the next book I got was so completely different than the first. A Fall of Marigolds was so good too!

      • Kelly says

        LOVED Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Fall of Marigolds! I love most of Meissner’s books (one of hers I couldn’t get into), but those two are my favorites.

  105. Elspeth Mizner says

    Love these books! I personally love to read memoirs or autobiographies but I definitely want to try and read more fiction. My goal this summer is to read 5 books. I finished one and I’m in the middle of my second. You encouraged me to read more! Have a happy 4 of July!!

  106. Diana Chandler Taylor says

    “Before We Were Yours” by Texas author Lisa Wingate was my latest read and I loved it! Her first book, “Tending Roses” made an impact on my life and so has “The Prayer Box”. Another book that touched my heart was “While We’re Far Apart” by Lynn Austin. And finally, a book I think everyone from sixth grade to adults should read is “My Mother’s Secret” by J.L. Witterick. The world needs this book right now.

    • Deana Lewis says

      Lisa Wingate is one of my favorite authors! Tending Roses is part of a group of books — can be read together or stand alone. Still great reading 🙂 If you like Lisa Wingate, I think you’ll like Rachel Hauck. Start with The Wedding Dress! dl

  107. Natalie says

    One, I love your book reviews. Two, A Hundred Summers was one of my favorite books too. The only other Beatriz Williams book I enjoyed was Overseas. I found the rest of her books boring and hard to get into. I’m hoping she comes out with another book I love.

  108. Jane says

    I love, love, love your book review posts each month. You bring hope to all the busy moms out there that reading is possible ?. I read and would recommend “A Fall of Marigolds” by Susan Meissner and “The Life We Bury” by Allen Eskens. Happy 4th and Happy Reading!!!!

  109. Sarah W says

    If you haven’t read any of Dorothea Benton Frank’s books, read them all now! I also really love Mary Alice Monroe’s The Beach House series…I read the first 3 in June.

  110. Amanda says

    Beatriz Williams just came out with a new one called Cocoa Beach. That’s next for me! I loved Dorothea Frank Benton- Same Beach, Next Year. It’s an easy read and fun for summer. My Mrs. Brown is extremely good by William Norwich. The sweetest and best book. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo is good too.

  111. Cindy says

    Did Slammed turn you in to the Avett Brothers??? They are my favorite band & the only reason I read the book (which was just ok in my opinion).

  112. Jeanne says

    Have read anything by Kate Morton? I have loved all her books. Start with The Forgotten Garden (but they are all worth reading). I am currently reading The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane (by the author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) and it is great. I truly believe we find time for the things we love so I admire your dedication to reading and exercise with small children (mine are teenagers now and it can still be difficult to carve out time). Now if I can just learn to love the gym as much as I love books….

    • Susanne Nieman says

      I love Kate Morton! I’ve read all of her books. The Secret Keeper was my absolute favorite. I kept rereading the end to make sure I really got it!

      • Kelly says

        Agreed – I love all of Kate Morton’s books, but my two favorites are The Secret Keeper followed closely by The Forgotten Garden. So good!

      • Lindsey Starr says

        I second The Secret Keeper! This might be my favorite book. Loved it!!!

    • June says

      The Forgotten Garden is one of my favorite books !I also loved The Tea girl on Hummingbird lane !The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve is awesome

  113. Melissa MacGregor says

    I can’t remember if you have read the Susan Meissner books but they are really good. I also really like Amor Towles. I just finished Good as Gone and could not put it down. Read it in 2 days (on the beach). The Midwife of Hope River is probably my favorite book I have read this year so far. News of the World is also a really great book (and set in Texas!).

  114. Emily says

    Hey Shay!! If you’re looking for something a little different you should try A Gentleman in Moscow. I just finished reading it and am recommending it to everyone I know! It’s about a man, essentially put on house arrest in Moscow, except he lives in this lavish hotel. The story is about the people he meets while living there and all his adventures within the hotel and is just the sweetest book ever!! Best of all, it has an amazing ending…which in my opinion can make or break a book 🙂 Happy summer reading and thanks, as always, for your book recommendations!

  115. Megan P says

    In A Dark, Dark Wood was really good, same author as Woman in Cabin 10. I actually thought this one was better than Woman in Cabin 10! The Girl Before is also really good – by JP Delaney. We have similar likes in books so I think you will like both!

  116. Susie says

    “The Lucky Few” by Heather Avis….
    It’s the true story of how this Christian family came to adopt 3 children, two of which have Downs Syndrome. It’s so honest and beautiful and I KNOW you will love it.
    Also, I just finished Summer’s Child by a Diane Chamberlain. It kept me reading and I enjoyed it!

  117. Lauren says

    You would LOVE the boom The Light We Lost! It’s such a captivating story and the end is just unforgettable! (I did bawl my eyes out though!) It’s one of those books you become addicted to!

  118. Amanda says

    I didn’t think I could love Ein Hilderbrand more but then I heard her speak on release day for the Identicals and now it’s my life goal to be her bff. She was amazing!! Did you know she hosts a Nantucket weekend in January? You ferry in, stay at a hotel and the island opens up just for us. Shopping, eating and getting to know Elin!

  120. Amanda says

    Also, have you read Jenny Colgan? Very Hilderbrand-esque and her books are amazing!

  121. Julie says

    Have you read What Was Mine by Helen Ross Klein? It’s about a woman who takes a baby girl from a shopping cart and raises her as her own for over two decades. Told from different points of view, it’s a powerful story that “challenges our understanding of the very meaning of motherhood.” As a mom, I just found this book so interesting; I think you would too. Thanks for all the great recommendations! I’m reading Cancel the Wedding right now, and loving it!!

    • Kelly says

      I’m reading Cancel the Wedding right now, too! And I read What Was Mine last year and enjoyed it.

  122. Amanda Wilson says

    You have to read North of Normal and Nearly Normal by Cea Sunrise Person!! They are up there in my fave books of ALL time!!

    Also have you read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon?

  124. Staci says

    I really loved The Lake House by Kate Morton. I definitely think you should try that one. I also liked Summer House by Nancy Thayer. It was one of my favorites by her. I just ordered The Identicals and then I will have read every single Elin Hilderbrand book (I need an emoji to describe this feeling)!

  125. Heather says

    I saw that you read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah…consider reading some of her other books! They are fantastic! I’d start with Firefly Lane – about two friends that grow up together but couldn’t be any more different. It is a book that will stay with you! Also, I read a random book called Sea Creatures last year. Amazon recommended it to me and it was haunting. Never read a book like it before. The main character is married to someone that sleep walks and has sleeping problems…the setting is so unique…very very interesting and edge of your seat.

    • Andrea says

      I agree with Firefly Lane! My book club just read it and it was a crowd favorite. There is a sequel to Firefly Lane called Fly Away, I haven’t read it yet, but it dives into Tully and Clouds relationship after Firefly Lane. Our current book is “The Kitchen House” by Kathleen Grissom…..SO GOOD!!!!

    • Susanne Nieman says

      If you liked The Nightingale, read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. My favorite book ever!

    • Alisha says

      I love Kristin Hannah!! Firefly Lane is one of my favorite of ALL time!! I also recommend Winter Garden and Night Road… all of her books are so good!!

  126. Natalyn says

    I started with A Hundred Summers and loved it! Then I realized it was the prequel to the Schuyler sisters series. The Secret Life of Violet Grant was so good, I could not put it down and even though I liked A hundred summers the best, it’s a close second. it’s fun to see the previous characters pop up in the books even though than can all stand on their own.

  127. Kelsey says

    You MUST read “The Kind Worth Killing” by Peter Swanson!! My favourite book I’ve read this year. If you liked The Girl on the Train, the Woman in Cabin 10 or Gone Girl, you’ll love this one. Warning, it’s highly addictive!

    • Kelly says

      Yes! The Kind Worth Killing is the first book I read this year, and is still my top book of the year! I could not put it down and had my jaw drop a few different times. I heard they are making it into a movie!

  128. Jessica says

    Wow! I love reading your book reviews! I was a reader as a child and just recently started making it a goal to read again. I’m a teacher and the school year is hard but so far this Summer I’ve read 5 books! My very favorite author over to past few years is Mary Alice Monroe!!! Very similar to Elin Hildabrand. But I love, love, love alll Mary Alice books I’ve read!!!!! I started with The Beach House. There are several that go along with it (Swimming Lessons, Beach House Memories, and Beach House for Rent) all SO good! And her Lowcountry girls series is so great too! Definitely recommend her! 🙂 Thanks for always sharing! I love your blog!!

  129. Jenn says

    The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty is a great one! Just finished. It’s about four friends in junior high who grow up and then they each write an anonymous letter to another with their deepest secret. So good!

  130. Kelly says

    Love your honest reviews! I read Behind Closed Doors (think you suggested that) and I loved it. Reading The Woman in Cabin 10 now…it just started getting good. The best books I’ve read in the past 3 years were This Is My Words and The Kitchen House. Have you read those?

  132. Kristine says

    I just finished “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. So good! I also recently read “Rare Bird”. It’s a memoir about a woman whose 12 yo son dies. It’s an emotional read and probably not for everyone, but I would highly recommend it.

  133. Meredith says

    Hi Shay! I enjoy your book reviews every month! I read The Identicals and Secrets in Summer too this month and loved them both! I have a recommendation for you. You HAVE to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She is my favorite author! It was such a juicy read. You also need to read all of her other books! Also, if you want to read something suspenseful, The River at Night by Erika Ferencik. Thank you!!

  134. Amy says

    I have been reading many books by Francine Rivers. They are longer books but I love how she incorporates Jesus into all her books. Debbie Macomber is also my favorite author. Short and feel good books.

  136. Amanda says

    Have you read anything by Beth Harbison? Her books are sweet easy beach reads that are really just enjoyable! My favourite is “when in doubt, add butter”.
    Do you read on a kindle/e-reader or do you buy the actual books?

  137. Lynne Thomas says

    Hi Shay: You must put in your reading rotation A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother told me to tell you she was sorry, Britt Marie and Bear Town all by Frederik Backman. Leaves you really thinking about the story and wanting more. Love Love This writer!!!!

  138. Lisa says

    If you haven’t read Sophie Kinsella books, they are great!
    Laugh out loud funny…start with Shopoholic, it’s a great series!

  139. Kim says

    Hi Shay, if you want a break from fiction I just finished Linda Thompson’s memoir A Little Thing Called Life. It was fantastic and I couldn’t put it down! I love to read about strong women who have lived or live interesting lives. She is also a songwriter so the book is beautifully written. Hope you’ll check it out! Happy 4th!!

  140. Emily says

    I love A Hundred Summers and Along the Infinite Sea too but those are the only Williams books I’ve read! I have the other sister books (Tiny Little Thing and The Secret Life of Violet Grant) on my list too and The Forgotten Room just came up as a suggestion. The Bungalow by Sarah Jio is pretty good. Some of her other books are a little corny but The Bungalow has the right amount of intrigue, twist, good characters, and a beautiful setting!

  141. Erin McGuire says

    I just finished One Thousand White Women: The Journals of Matt Dodd. Omg, amazing!!! My fav book of tbe hear so far! It’s fiction but so darn interesting and thought provoking and just GOOD!!!! Please please read this book!!!

  142. Alexis deZayas says

    I’m dying to read The Identicals! I finished The Good Girl this month and loved it because it was super creepy but kept me on my toes!

  143. Jodi says

    The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson ……The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See……..Night Road by Kristin Hannah

  144. Lindsey says

    I wish I could recommend something but I finished Hating Game yesterday and I’m reading A Hundred Summers now. Clearly I take plenty of suggestions from you! Thanks for these posts and Happy 4th!

  145. Laurie says

    I just finished reading the book Lilac Girls. It takes place during WW II and I couldn’t put it down. It is based on real events and goes back and forth between different characters. I would highly recommend it!

  146. Rebecca says

    Like many previous comments, I am going to suggest Overseas & the sisters trilogy by Beatriz Williams! A couple of years ago, A hundred summers was my first & still fav by her, & I’ve read every book of hers. I think you’ll really enjoy Overseas. ? I just finished the Crazy Rich Asians series (I’m sad it’s over!) which I know you’ve read & I love love loved them! Also just finished Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley & liked it a lot. What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman was another I really liked. It was similar to Beatriz Williams’ style. Hope you find some suggestions you love. I enjoy your book reviews & the comments to help my reading along! ?

  147. Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says

    Loved The Identicals! I read Jane Green’s The Sunshine Sisters and then Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell (love her for easy, fun, light chick-lit). And then I just finished a random pick yesterday from an author I’ve never tried before. It was called Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey and all 4 books were about sisters! All 4 were great books for some fun, easy reading although the Sunshine Sisters wasn’t as light as the others. I need to do a book review this week too! 😉

    That Inspired Chick

  148. Lan says

    Overseas was really good by Beatriz Williams, different but I really liked the characters

  149. Shawna says

    Hi! Love your book reviews! As a mom of a toddler I have started to read more and more this year and I love it! Such a stress reliever for me as I navigate a life as a business owner mom and wife!
    I agree with you about It ends with us, amazing book! Have you read Colleen Hoovers, “Hopeless”? It’s really good! I agree with you about Maybe Someday, it was ok, but give Hopeless a try this month, it feels more like It end with us in terms of the twists and thought provoking characters.
    Also have you read, Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinbourgh? Amazing book kinda like Gone Girl and Girl on the train, don’t let anyone give away the twist at the end!!!

  150. Beth says

    I read Slammed and also liked it okay and then I read the sequel and hated it. It was awful! The main characters were so much more immature and annoying in the second book.

  151. Ashley says

    Hi Shay,

    Thank you for doing these posts! I used to read and this has inspired me to start up again. I have read a lot of the books you’ve recommended and then some at this point. The two books that have stuck with me are “Cancel the Wedding” (which I am constantly tempted to re-read) and “It Ends With Us.” Since then I’ve tried other books by Colleen Hoover and I have been delighted and disappointed. I haven’t read the one you just finished but I have read others and I definitely recommend “Confess” and “Ugly Love.” That being said Liane Moriarity has really stolen all of my heart and time and I’ve read ALL of her books within the past month and while some are better than others I would actually recommend them all. “Big Little Lies” is popular with the show out but I think a great starter one is “What Alice Forgot.” It’s slated to be a movie with Jennifer Aniston as the main character. It’s about a Mom who wakes up after an injury forgetting the past ten years of her life, including her kids, and finding her regrouping and figuring out who she is again. I’m not going to list all of her books here but I would give them al a chance. Once you start with one you don’t want to put it down. Liane has a way where you get bits and pieces of past and present day all woven together and it makes you wanting to know what happens or the resolution of the conflict.

    This is my first comment so I’m sorry for it being so long! I’ve been reading your blog every morning for years and it’s honestly a perfect way to start the day. Thank you for being so kind to share your life with us!

  152. Rayne says

    Try At Home in the World and The Alice Network, my favorites of the summer so far (well and of course the Identicals!)

  153. Dana says

    I’m currently reading Dispatches from Pluto. It is so funny so far and I’m already recommending it to everyone even before I finish it!!!

  154. Cheryl says

    I recommend the author Lorna Lanvik – specifically ” Patty Jane’s House of Curls”, “Welcome to the Great Mysterious”, and “Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons”. I also recommend the author Joy Fielding -specifically ” See Jane Run and “The First Time”. These are all books written many years ago, but they definitely have stood the test of time.

  155. Melissa says

    Anything by Catherine Ryan Hyde (author of Pay it Forward). My favorite is “Don’t Let Me Go.” Every book is about strangers whose lives intersect in beautiful and profound ways.

  156. Jennifer Gauthier says

    I agree with all the above about Along th Infinite Sea. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover is also good, not as good as It Ends with Us, but good.

  157. Amy Josse says

    I love your reviews!!! I gobble up these books too and look forward to this time of year when all my favorite authors put out new books! Have you read any of Heather Gudenkaufs books? They are amazing!!! Suspense but a good story, The weight of silence is so good but all of them really…even her new one. Happy reading!

  158. Danielle Kirchner says

    Have you read books by Jane Green? I find her writing similar to Emily Griffin. The last one I read was Family Pictures and I liked it a lot. I’ve read most of her books. They’re just easy beach reads. I just finished Nightingale. Holy cow, emotions. I almost didn’t finish it because I didn’t think my heart could take anymore. I think you’ve read that one though. I’m reading anything chick lit after that one to lift my mood!

  159. Kari says

    I read “This Is How It Always Is” by Laurie Frankel this year and it is now on my favs of all time list (and I read 60+ books a year). A definite must read! Another favorite author that I’m not sure anyone mentioned is Sarah Jio – love her books! And listen to the ‘What Should I Read Next’ podcast with Anne Bogel – you would love it. She has great book recommendations and a very interesting way to recommend them.

    • Susanne Nieman says

      Sarah Jio is amazing! Love her books! My favorites were Morning Glory and The Bungalow (I had forgotten about her until just now! Ow I’m going to have to read them all again!) Also Goodnight June–so good!

      • Kelly says

        Yes, Sarah Jio is usually wonderful! I don’t love all of her books (a couple of hers I just could not get into or felt were corny), but I loved Morning Glory, The Bungalow, Good Night, June and Blackberry Winter. So good!

    • Miriam says

      I just finished “This is How It Always Is” two days ago and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Such an amazing book!

  160. Mariah says

    Jane Green writes books that would be up your alley. Her more recent ones are my favorites; little Brit humor in there sometimes as well.

  162. Angelique says

    We just read A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan for our neighborhood book club, and it was thought-provoking for everyone. As a working mom, I think you might enjoy it too!

  163. Jenna says

    I’m a North Carolina girl, and just discovered ‘slightly south of simple’ by Kristy Woodson Harvey, who is a NC girl too! I’m not even 1/3 of the way in and I’m hooked! It is very ‘Elin Hilderbrand-ish’ but set in the south..highly recommend!

    • Kelly says

      I can’t wait to read that one! Last summer, I read her book Dear Carolina and loved it. Highly recommend!

    • Kelly says

      Yes, I just discovered kristy woodson harvey and she’s great! I have read Dear Carolina and Lies and Other Acts of Love. We are reading Slightly South of Simple for our July Book Club and it’s good, too! Love your Book Reviews and reading the comments.

  164. Cori says

    I also agree with Kate Morton books. I love them ALL!!!! I think she might have another book coming out soon, or maybe she is still writing it. In any case, I can’t wait. The Forgotten garden was amazing!

    • Susanne Nieman says

      Have you read The Secret Keeper yet? It’s my favorite of hers with a fabulous twist at the end.

  165. michelle says

    I think you’ll like Beatriz William’s “Along the Infinite Sea.” I didn’t love “The Wicked City” either. Have you read “The Hate U Give?” or “The Sun is also a star” both are YA novels but way different than the ones I remember reading as a young adult. Highly recommend.

  166. Lindy says

    Running in Heels by Anna Maxted! Read in a magazine years ago that it was Sarah Michelle Gellar’s favorite beach read and it didn’t disappoint! By the way, love the blog!

  167. Mallory says

    Read The Light We Lost … I just finished it and I think I like it better than It Ends With Us

  168. Amy says

    I just want to say thank you for these book posts. I look forward to them every month! I also love reading all of the comments! Then I go to Amazon and look at the books that spark my interest. I always end up ordering at least one.

    I am so sorry about your last month of reading! I feel your pain! I hope July is better.

    My favorite recent reads have been Edenbrooke, The Kitchen House, and Small Great Things.

    Happy 4th of July to you and your sweet family.

  169. Kelli says

    So glad to know I’m not the only one looking at pumpkins! I totally spent some time this morning looking at new Fall decor online! I lol’d when I read that opening segment.

  170. Sarah says

    Lost count of how many people recommended The Dry, but I agree with all of them. Not sure how far you’re into Kevin Kwan’s series, but if you haven’t read it yet, Rich People Problems is really well done.

    I think you would also love Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books. She has such a fun, romantic comedy type style.

  171. Christie H says

    One of my favorite authors is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Start with “Ain’t She Sweet” and I love, love her “Chicago Stars” series (make certain to read it in order – I’ve read them all twice).

    • Christie H says

      I loved Robyn Carr’s “Virgin River” series. I need to start “Thunder Point”.

  174. Mandee says

    Please oh please get yourself a Charles Martin book to read! When Crickets Cry, Where the River Ends, the Mountain Between Us, Chasing Fireflies…all SO GOOD!

    • Deana Lewis says

      YES! To all the Charles Martin books — so excited to see a new one due out in October. Read The Mountain Between Us soon since the movie will be released soon!!! Water From my Heart and Long Way Gone — my faves 🙂

  175. Kayla says

    Can’t believe you didn’t read Kwan’s Rich People Problems to finish up the series. You got me hooked with Crazy Rich Asians and I read all three books in a month. I loved them all and was thrilled with the finale!

  176. Chantelle says

    Shay – I’ve never posted before, but saw someone recommend Kisses from Katie and I absolutely had to agree. It is such a beautiful inspirational story… I think you’d love it, since God’s given you a heart for adoption.
    It looks like she is also set to release another book soon, which I am so excited to read 🙂

  177. Lyssa says

    Have you ever read Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah? I think you might like that one too. She’s another one of my favorite authors alongside Elin Hilderbrand. I also loved the Identicals.

  178. Amy Rae DeVito says

    I love reading too! Growing up, I was bullied a lot and didn’t have friends, books became my friends. Throughout middle and high school, I would go to the library during lunch instead of eating in the cafeteria. Books were such a comfort to me then (because it took me out of my head and got my mind off being bullied and it opened up new worlds to me) and now!

    I love your book posts! 🙂 This month, I read a lot of Young Adult novels (I love a variety of books… Fiction, some non-fiction, sports novels and non-fiction sports books, YA, mystery/thrillers, autobiographies). My three favorites this month were Invisible Ellen by Shari Shattuck (I really recommend this book, it’s adult fiction), and two novels by Sarah Dessen (who writes mostly YA but has written adult books as well). The first book is called Once & For All and the second book is called The Moon & More. Sarah Dessen has been one of my favorite authors since I started reading her books in middle school! Her books are great reads and the book The Moon & More took place in a Summer cape/beach town. I also read 5 other books, which were all YA novels.

    The book I’m currently reading (only have about 50 pages left) is The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn.

    http://befilledwithj0y.blogspot.com/

  179. Courtney says

    Hi Shay! Have you read Chosen? It’s a high suspense fiction about adoption. Might be worth a read for you!
    XO
    Courtney

  180. Maureen Stokowski says

    I love your book reviews! I highly recommend Calling Me Home by Julie Kiebler and Dinner Www th Edward by Isabel Vincent. I also enjoyed recently the Woman Next Door by Omotoso and The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. Happy Reading to all!!!

  181. Pam says

    I have several of Beatriz William’s books to trade if you are interested? I can send pictures of what I have.

  182. Kim M. says

    I’m late to comment so sorry if this has already been recommended, but I loved November 9 by Colleen Hoover. It has such an interesting story line and I couldn’t put it down.

  183. Jessica Collins says

    Come Away with Me
    By Karma Brown

    I PROMISE you won’t be dissapointed!! It’s one of those books that gets mentioned in a room, and if you’ve read it, you jump into the conversation because you just want to be discussing it. All. The. Time.

  184. Jessica Collins says

    Come Away with Me
    By Karma Brown
    I PROMISE you won’t be dissapointed!! It’s one of those books that gets mentioned in a room, and if you’ve read it, you jump into the conversation because you just want to be discussing it. All. The. Time.

    • Kelly says

      YES! That book left me sobbing (I’m not exaggerating) and I never cry from a book! So so good. That said, if you decide to read it, Shay, don’t read many reviews. You don’t want to spoil any of it at all or it will take away from the experience of reading it.

  185. Christine says

    Hi Shay! I love reading your book reviews and I, too, LOVED A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams. RIght after I finished it, I went out and bought “The Secret Life of Violet Grant”. I loved it even more than A Hundred Summers it is that good and it’s very cute because Lily makes a guest appearance in the book! Read it and you will NOT be disappointed!!

  186. Meaghan says

    Hi Shay! I l look forward to your book review posts every month and getting new recommendations! I also listed reading as a hobby when I was younger and always had a book with me. I would be reading even if we were in the car for only 5 minutes on our way to the grocery store! Anyway, I recently finished It Ends With Us, based on your recommendation, and it was so so good!! So thank you for that! I would recommend She’s Not There by Joy Fielding and The Good Girl by Mary Kubica. Both fast and easy reads with a little bit of suspense and plot twists!

  187. Ginger says

    I read 42 Faith by Ed Henry and it was not only my favorite book of the year so far but one of my new all time favorites! Given that you love God and baseball, I don’t think it is possible for you to not love this book. It solidified for me that God is definitely a baseball fan 🙂

  188. Amy says

    I just finished the book “The Stars Are Fire” by Anita Shreve and highly recommend it!

  190. Lindsey Wolfe says

    I really love your book review posts! I’m trying hard to get back into reading regularly and have your blog up and another tab for our library where I can request some of the books you recommend! PERFECT! Our tastes are similar so it works perfect for me!

  191. Shelly says

    I LOVED It Ends With Us as well…read November 9 by Colleen in June and you should give it a go…couldn’t put it down.

  192. Jennifer Vitali says

    Not sure if you’ve ever read Garden Spells by Sarah Allen but it was such a sweet and lovely book! I was hesitant because of the title but I absolutely loved it! She has a follow up book called First Frost which is good, too, but Garden Spells is just lovely!

  193. Anne says

    If you enjoy reading memoirs, I found “The End of Normal” by Stephanie (Madoff) Mack very interesting. Couldn’t put it down. She married Bernie and Ruth Madoff’s son Mark a few years before his Ponzi scheme was uncovered.

  194. Jessica says

    You have to read The Little Paris Bookshop and The Little French Bistro by Nina George. I loved the Little Paris Bookshop and I just started The Little French Bistro and it is just as good as her first one.

  195. Sherron says

    A Gentleman in Moscow. One of my favorites ever.
    I’ve read about 40 this year and this one is at the top of the list

  196. Lynn says

    Hi Shay! Thanks to you and your book review I’ve started reading ? again!
    I love Elin Hildebrand books and I now want to go to Nantucket?we were born on the exact same day so I feel a connection to her too! Happy summer!

  197. Lynn says

    I am blown away (every month) by the number of comments you get on this post! I only read about half of them because I just get so overwhelmed. So this is my personal “THANK YOU!” for sorting through all of these great suggestions and then reading and reviewing the books so I can put (or not) it on my own reading list. Also thanks to you, I’ve decided to challenge myself to 50 books this year. With a 2.5 yr. old and a 14 month old I’m a bit behind, but I think I am going to pull through! 😉 Happy reading, Shay!

  198. Arielle Cinalli says

    Im reading “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman right now and its very interesting. Not like anything I have read before and while I was on the fence in the beginning I find myself not able to put it down now! Give it a try I would love to know what you think!

    Thanks for the book reviews I love them and always use them to find my next books!

  199. Elizabeth says

    Have you read “Love Warrior”? It changed my life! I admire you so, and would be so eager to hear your thoughts as a Christian, mother, wife, and woman. ❤️

  200. Katrina says

    Love these monthly posts as well and got inspired to regularly read again for leisure because of you. 6 books in the last 2 months!!! I know a few were already mentioned, but does anyone have a suspense/mystery book to recommend? Along the lines of gone girl, girl on the train, etc. thanks!

  201. Sarah says

    Shay, have you read any of Anita Shreve’s books? I have read several and they are all fantastic, but the first one I ever read was The Pilot’s Wife and it’s my favorite of hers! I also loved When They Last Met and A Change In Altitude.

  202. Sarah says

    Oh oh oh! I also forgot to mention The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman AND what might be my all time favorite book I read this year, All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It takes place in Europe, in both Germany and France prior to and during WWII, and is one of the greatest reads on my list of great books!

  203. Rebecca says

    Per Beatriz Williams — all three of the Schuyler Sister Novels (along the infinite sea, tiny little thing, and the secret life of violent grant) were super good. Also liked overseas and the forgotten room a lot!

    You should also try Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Maybe In Another Life

    Per Colleen Hoover — The hopeless series is really good, so is Ugly Love

  204. Deana Lewis says

    For a memoir, I recommend Julie Andrews’ HOME. Also, HEART MENDER by Andy Andrews (WWII based on a true story) and ANYTHING by Charles Martin (someone else mentioned him above !). His book THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US is going to be in movie theaters in the near future, so read it sooner than later!

  205. Katy says

    Hi Shay – I just finished Beatriz Williams’ Cocoa Beach, and it was a little different from her usual stories, and I didn’t love it.
    Some of my recent favorites have been The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay and I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi.
    And if you’ve never read Susanna Kearsley, you should! My favorites are The Winter Sea and Mariana.

  206. Erin says

    LOVE your book reviews! One of my favorite posts to read. I’m curious if you read each book in print or on a tablet of some sor

  207. Sharon S says

    Looking forward to reading some of the recommendations here. Yay. I have been reading a lot and have been bummed to not like most of them… The Handmaid Tale – really a beating to read. Do not get the hype. Small Great Things? It was “okay”… too preachy for me – not subtle at all – i kinda hate being hit one the head with the “morality ” message of a book and prefer it to be a bit more nuanced, but I don’t like Jodi Picoult. Really enjoyed Lilac Girls even though I have read a ton of WWII historical fiction this year – but they are all really good – including this one :-). Right now in the middle of The Woman in Cabin 10 and it has me excited to turn the page and had me engrossed from the beginning. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins – was okay… But it was a quick enjoyable read :-). I started Crazy Rich Asians, but it hasn’t pulled me in yet… I’m only a chapter or two in… when their relative buys the hotel. Does it get better? I hope so :-). It has great reviews so I assume it is good….

  208. Julie says

    Hi Shay-I just devoured “Do Not Become Alarmed” over one weekend. It’s SO good and I think you’d enjoy because it takes place on a cruise ship! It’s a bit darker, but it’s such a page-turner and it is hard to put down. Definitely give it a try!

  209. Cecily Burk says

    I’m listening to The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.

    It’s a GREAT true story (same time & similar to Unbroken) It is LONG and moves a little slow at times but worth the read. My sister read the abridged (young readers) version and loved it. I can see how lots of the details could be removed and still have a wonderful story.

  210. Lauren says

    I just wanted to thank you for recommending the Crazy Rich Asians series! I devoured it and kind of wanted to be Rachel. I highly recommend an author from my hometown of Decatur, Georgia, Joshilyn Jackson. She has a new book out this week, The Almost Sisters, that I haven’t started but her last one, Someone Else’s Love Story, was fabulous, as were the rest of her novels that usually encompass romance, southern food, family drama and a mystery. I prefer listening to them, as she reads them in her southern twang that makes them extra special. And if you are looking for a thriller (prepare to hate everyone until a big old twist about 100 pages in) The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson is kind of amazing. It did things with narrators I didn’t think were legal.

  211. Ashley says

    The Faces of Courage by George W. Bush. Audio version is read by him and his paintings that he writes about in the book are on display at the Prssidnetial Library in Dallas until October!

  212. Casey says

    Shay – you are my book spirit animal! I enjoy pretty much every book you have liked and I LOVEEEE Elin Hildebrand! I count down the days until a new book is released! Shay for president – maybe me for Vice Prez ?? Lol!

  213. Kelli says

    I’m sure that this has been suggested to you before, but just in case it hasn’t…I’m finishing up “Choosing to See” by Mary Beth Chapman (Steven Curtis Chapman’s wife) who adopted from China. If you haven’t read it, you should add it to your list. 🙂

  215. Susan says

    I just finished the book , The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. It is her newest release. You will find it fascinating..all about tea and adoption. Fascinating. The author also recommends the book Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother as a must read for families with children adopted from China. Thank you for writing your recommendations…it is like Christmas morning when the show up in my feed each month. Have a great day, thank for all you do.
    Susan

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Eeeks! So hard! Right now, I would say The Identicals, The Blue Bistro and The Beach Club!

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