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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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August Book Review


August Book Reivew

It’s September 1st AND my August Book Review!!!

September 1st has always been my VERY favorite day of the year.  I just feel like it’s kind of like New Year’s Day…it’s a start for fresh beginnings along with the season.  So, happy September 1st to YOU!  And bonus, my book reviews are ALWAYS one of my favorite posts each and every month…and this month is no exception.  I read FIVE books and loved them all!  I mean…that hasn’t happened in a long, long time, so I was so excited for today’s post!

Now, don’t forget…if you missed my last post…

…on resources for donating to the Hurricane Harvey relief or places to shop where proceeds go to the effort, click HERE.  Please also read the comment section because so many people have offered alternative options and places where we can give.

 Grab your coffee and log in to your Amazon account to look up each of these books.  Five books…all fiction…all delightfully fun to read (maybe under a cozy blanket by a fire this fall???).

First up…

The Little French Bistro was recommended to me by several of you…and it was fantastic!  Here’s my one and only complaint…I didn’t think the book was titled correctly.  Sure, it’s a cute title, but it really has very little to do with the book.  The book is so rich, the story is intense…it’s a mix of charm, heartbreak, adventure, new beginnings, starting over and forgiveness.  I had no idea what it was going to be about, but I was captivated by the first page and couldn’t put it down.  This is a story of a woman (more mature in age) who, when her suicide attempt fails, decides to abandon her life all together and start over on the coast of France.  There were so many unexpected turns, so many lovely characters…it is just filled with imagery that makes you want to buy a ticket and head to Europe.  Stat.  I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to like the main character (and you know I like to love the main characters of my book), but I did fall in love with her and found her story endearing.  This is just a good read for all ages.  It was one of those books that I continued to think about days after I read the last page. It will just stick with you.

Well, this book was such a fun surprise!  Erika and I were waiting to board our flight to Mexico and she spotted I See London, I See France in the bookstore and told me I needed to buy it.  I read the back of it and knew she was right…it was PERFECT for me.  I loved it so much that I’ve already ordered a second book by the same author.  I just liked her!  It was very Sophie Kinsella-style.  Now, I loved this book because I could relate to a lot of it…but maybe it’s not for everyone.  I would say that the book is rated R for language and some sexual content, so disclaimer if you need it.  This fictional tale is about two college girls who head to Europe for the summer and the adventures they get themselves into.  I did this when I was in college with a girlfriend, so it was a lot of fun reading her spin on things.  I flew through this book.  It was light, it was funny, it was easy to read and it made me laugh out loud.  Two big thumbs up from me!

Well, you know how I’m working my way through all of Nancy Thayer’s books?  I read The Guest Cottage this month.  It’s a sweet little story about a newly divorced mama of two and a widower with one son and how they accidentally end up renting the same guest house on Nantucket for the summer…and well, it plays out a bit like a Hallmark movie, but I’m okay with that!  Sometimes, it’s just nice to read a sweet and happy story.  This is the perfect light read!  You will like both of the main characters and of course, the setting.  I just love reading these books that take place on Nantucket!  You will breeze through this book and be left with all the happy feelings.  I’m a big fan of Nancy Thayer.  A big, big fan!

 

I’ve been on a Kristan Higgins kick lately, so this month, I read The Best Man.  This novel is about a young woman, who after being jilted at the alter three years earlier, returns to her small town again.  I mean…let’s be honest, this one reads a lot like a Hallmark movie too (I’m not knocking those…they just are typically happy, light and a little predictable), but I enjoyed it!  The story also involves her dad and siblings and how they all run a winery there in town.  My favorite part though is the picturesque little town where she lives.  I wanted to move there when the book was finished.  Happy, light, easy to read…that was obviously the theme this month 🙂 .

But my favorite book of the month was Class Mom by Laurie Gelman.  Oh my word!  This book resonated with me and kept me laughing out loud!  I read about this book in a magazine and pre-ordered it, so I was delighted when it showed up at my door just in time for back to school season.  Laurie Gelman is Michael Gelman’s wife…you know, the executive producer of Live with Kelly and Ryan (and all of the other versions before that) and her debut novel is about a kindergarten class mom and the shenanigans she gets herself into.  Maybe it’s because of the season in life I’m in right now…but I could not stop laughing.  This class mom says what’s on her mind in emails to the other parents and they’re downright rude…but hysterical too.  It’s about how she has navigates the world of being a parent at school and the drama that comes with it and the other parents.  I found this book funny, charming, and perfectly timed.  I hope she continues to write because I really liked this one!  I’m not sure if the subject matter is for everyone…but if you’re in the trenches like me right now, I think you’ll really get a kick out of this book.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Okay, that wraps up my August Book Review!  What did you read this month???  I would love some new suggestions to carry me into fall! Comment and share!

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.
I hope you all have the BEST September 1st and a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  I’m off to put pumpkins out in my house…because in my world, it’s officially fall 🙂 .
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Comments

  1. Leslie Ann says

    I cannot wait to read Class Mom! I don’t have kids, but I can definitely relate to the teacher in this one. It sounds like Big Little Lies and I LOVED that one! I’m behind and haven’t posted my August reads yet, but I did just post all 12 books that I read in July! You have to read The Marriage Lie! It is soooooo good. You will not be able to put it down. I finished it in a day! La La Life Blog July Reads 

    • kim k. says

      Gone Girl and Girl on the Train were both overhyped for me. I hope that’s not the case for you! I actually enjoyed both movies better than the books and that rarely happens.

    • Lauren Newsom says

      I agree with the review below. I was SO disappointed when I finished Gone Girl. Ugh. Not worth it

  3. Beth Dunham Swindig says

    My favorite post of the month. I just ordered some of the books that you have recently listed. I just finished The Weekender by Mary Kay Andrews. Cute book that was an easy read with a bit of mystery in it. I have to ask what did you decide about e-reader versus regular books. Have a great weekend!

  4. Amy D. says

    Class Mom is on my TBR list!

    I read 7 books this month and my favorites were Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris & Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Another good book I read: All The Summer Girls by Meg Donohue.

    I always love and look forward to reading your book posts.

    Amy @ http://befilledwithj0y.blogspot.com/

  5. Gina says

    I am reading All in All for my quiet time in the mornings and love it!! The Identicals by Erin Hildebrand is good too. Thank you for keeping me reading. ❤️

  8. Eileen says

    Have you read Everything Everything? I think it’s a YA book, but I loved it. Also, you must read Wonder and then read it with your kids. It’s amazing. I read it with my class every year and it’s better and better each time I read it. Kensington might like Sara Mlynowski’s Whatever After series. My daughter LOVED them!

  11. Sharon says

    One of my recent favourites is ” The 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo” It was a great read. I also just finished ” Bear Town” which was a different selection for me but so good as well.

  12. Sarah says

    Ooo Class Mom sounds good!!! I love Gelman haha; and my oldest daughter started kindergarten this year so it’s perfect!

    I just finished The Couple Next Door – definitely recommend it! I read it in less than 24 hours haha. Next on my list is A Stranger in the House by the same author!

    So question – do you buy all of your books?? I usually do, however, I’ve noticed my collection is getting quite large and I really don’t like clutter. I’m thinking I might switch to renting from the library…but it seems like there’s always a huge wait for whatever book I want to read. Gah!

    Thanks!!

    -Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I buy or share/swap with friends and family. At our first day of school breakfast on Monday, I brought 30 books to swap. It’s the best way to do it! 🙂

  13. Gentry says

    I took your advice and am reading, “It Ends With Us” and so far it is so good! It’s a total page turner! Your book reviews are always so good!

  14. Anne Perez says

    I was just thinking that you would probably love Tamra Baumann’s “It Had To Be” series. Interesting family, kinda Hallmark, some drama, and I want to move there! So cute!!

  16. Nicole Martin says

    I just read before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and it may be one of my favorite books I have ever read. It is based on true events, Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Societt, but the characters are fictional. I just loved it! It is a book that makes you think and sticks with you. It is a compelling story about the power and love of siblings and the horror and pain that Georgia Tann caused. It pulls your heart in all the directions! I love learning some about events that happened in our United States History that aren’t taught is schools or talked as much about. I learned a lot by reading this book!

  17. Lora LaRosa says

    I just read “The Coupke Next Door” by Shari Lapena. It is one of those books you can’t put down because you want to see what happens next.

  18. Heather Forcey says

    I LOVED Class Mom! I’m a teacher and a mom and I was laughing out loud the whole time! Sometimes I have wanted to say the things that character said!
    Some of my favorites books lately: Shug by Jenny Han, Between Shades of Grey by Ruth Sepetys (it’s set during WWII and is gripping), Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven, and Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. I seem to love all of Colleen Hoover’s books. Loved November 9 as well!

  20. Emily says

    You definitely need to read a few books by Renee Carlino. Before We Were Strangers and Swear On This Life were fantastic! She has a new one that just came out that I can’t wait to read.

  22. Natalie Alvarado says

    I just finished Castle of Water by Dane Huckelbridge. I couldn’t put it down and it seems like the type of book you would love.

  24. Laura Fredlund says

    I love Nancy Thayer!:) Summer Breeze was my favorite of the few I read. I highly recommend you read something by Sarah Jio. Goodnight June, and The Bungalow are really really good. Right now I’m reading Always by Sarah Jio and am loving it as well.

    • Susanne Nieman says

      Those are my two favorite by Sarah Jio too! I also love her new one–Always. It was SO good!

    • Kelly says

      I second the recommendation for Sarah Jio’s books! I loved Goodnight June, and also Morning Glory and Blackberry Winter.

  25. Beth Miller says

    I love Sarah Mlynowski! I read her earliest books LONG ago! She writes great kids books too. I bet Kensington would love the Whatever After series. My 8yo has read several of them. I’m going to have to check out her books again!

  27. Taylor says

    Oh my..I’ve been in such a rut lately with books. The past three that I’ve read have been disappointing. Right now I am finishing up The Girls of Mischief Bay series, which I’ve enjoyed, and then I plan on revamping my selection.

  29. Kelly Sites says

    The best book I read this month (and one of the tops of the year) is Castle of Water. You MUST read it. I devoured it in 24 hours. And missed it when it was over. It’s that type of book.

  30. Amy says

    Book Review Day! My favorite day of the month! This month I loved Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah! Happy September!

  31. Jenn says

    The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty – so many layers and levels, I couldn’t put it down! Follows four friends since junior high that meet up on a girls trip and decide to write anonymous secrets down! Light and easy, but very entertaining.

  33. Vicki Leuck says

    I just love your book reviews because I love books. THE SAFEST LIES was my recent read. An unusual but very good romantic thriller!!! The MAP THAT LEADS TO YOU, I pick for you….. Europe, romance- very good!!! THE CHILD and THE WIDOW by Fiona Barton also Very Good!!! I can’t wait to read I SEE LONDON…!!!!!!
    Thanks for sharing your reads!!!
    Now let’s have another tour of your house! ( I also love to decorate) ?

  36. Lindsay says

    Just added I See London, I See France to my amazon cart! I love me a good European traveling novel 😉
    I recommend Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. It’s a unique WW2 novel that is quite captivating.

  37. Kristine says

    I just finished “No One Knows”. It was good, but I’m not sure about the ending. Would love to get your take on it. Also I read “It Happens All the Time”. There was some heavy subject matter, but it definitely had me thinking. BTW, I saw that “Luckiest Girl Alive” was in your to be read shelf. I thought it was just ok.

  38. Meg says

    Hi! I read The Magdalen Girls by V.S. Alexander at the beginning of the summer. It’s historical fiction. It’s one of those books that stays with you. I just finished The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain. It’s very suspenseful. I could not put it down. One of my very favorite books was The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. I read it a few years ago and still think about it! 🙂 Enjoy!

  39. Barbara Parnell says

    Looking forward to reading some of these. I just finished Unbroken,the Louis Zamperini story. If you are at all interested in US history,especially WWII, this is a must read.A story of how a person can overcome so much adversity and survive the unthinkable. Also a great look into the POW camps in Japan, which many people tend to overlook. Starts a bit slow, but it is a great story,from going to war,crashing in the Pacific,surviving relentless shark attacks,surviving brutality as a POW and the after battling alcohol upon his return home,finding faith in God ..he led an incredible life. Happy reading !

  40. Gardner Story says

    Hi Shay!! Have you ever read Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber? You MUST read it and I promise you won’t regret it. It is a long book, but I read it on a beach vacation and could not put it down. (P.S. I emailed you a little less than a year ago telling you about my miscarriage, and I now have a 5 week old baby girl named Ruth(ie). 🙂 Just thought I would share!)

  41. Stacey Lagrone says

    I LOVED The Guest Cottage! Makes me want to visit Nantucket! Can’t wait to check out your other recommendations!

  42. Karah Stracener says

    I have Nancy Thayers book on my night stand next to read. I think I will start it today. I’m also a first time kindergarten mom who signed up to be homeroom mom so I’m putting Class Mom in my amazon cart. I only read 1 book this month, total fail. I cannot believe it’s already Sept 1st and I’m drinking my pumpkin coffee. In east Texas it feels like fall this morning and I love it! Happy Fall to you!!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I think I’ve decided not to get one at this time. The reviews people had were so mixed!

  44. Ginger says

    Love this post. I always pull up my library’s catalog at the same time and request as I read your post. Requested 3 of these that they had in stock. I loved Winter Garden and the Light We Lost last month. I might not have read either of them except for your recommendation, and they both were excellent!! Just got Same Beach, Next Year from the library as well.

  45. Alicia Lindenmayer says

    I’ve read most of the Taylor Jenkins Reid books and have loved them and think you may too! Happy Fall time 🙂

  47. Carolyn H says

    I just had to let you know that while stuck inside with the hurricane I finally watched all three Bridget Jones movies for the first time and I am obsessed! I am embarrassed it took me this long after knowing they’re your favorite and you never steer us wrong! Now I desperately need more Bridget in my life!

  48. Stacey Fugate says

    Shay….I highly recommend Everything We Keep and its sequel Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale. Two of the best books I’ve read this year. Everything We Keep gets 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 11,000 reviews!

  49. Kimberly Waller says

    Hi Shay. I love reading your book reviews each month! I have read The Dry by Jane Harper and Night Road by Kristin Hannah and I loved both of them. Also…have you read Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler? That is one of my favorite books I have ever read.

  51. Amanda Wilson says

    I probably recommended this before but I really want you to read it!!! North of Normal is such an awesome book it’s one of thos books you will think about forever after!!! I hope you add it to your list!! As we are starting in the “waiting” phase for adoption what were your favourite attachment books and or books to help with the wait!!!!

  53. Milana Manfredo says

    I creeped on some of your older book review posts to find a book to read and found the Royal We. I studied abroad in Europe this summer and visited many of the places in the book, so that made it even better. One of the most suspenseful reads I’ve had in a long time. Love your book reviews!!

  56. sara says

    September 1st has always been my favourite day also, but it happens to be my birthday lol. I think I’ll order Class Mom as a gift to myself! As always, thanks for your review!

  57. Whittney Caldwell says

    I look forward to your book reviews each month! I always get so many good ideas. I read your post a few weeks ago about whether or not you should get an e-reader and I am curious to know what you decided. I am on the fence with getting one as well! Enjoy your long weekend!

  58. Debbie K. says

    Ran to the local library to grab a book on hold for my classroom and The Little French Bistro was sitting there just waiting for me. LOL. I saw it and thought,”Shay just told me to read this book!” It was meant to be, so I checked it out. I’ll read it this weekend.

  59. Rachel says

    If you’ve never read Kisses from Katie I think you would like it. It’s the real life account of a young girl who goes on a mission trip to Uganda and feels God call her to stay there and ultimately adopt 14 daughters!! It’s amazing and really makes us think about if we’re truly open to God’s will for our life. It would be a great fall read or even perfect for your quiet time.

  60. Keisha M Dawson says

    Always my favorite post of the month, and I totally thought of you as I was putting out all of my fall stuff around the house this morning! I’m so thankful it’s September 1st!

  62. Victoria says

    You might like The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel. I’ve just finished it. It includes a bakery, actual recipes, Cape Cod, Paris and a bit of back story from WWII!

    I’ve been enjoying Elin Hilderbrand since you’ve recommended her, but our library doesn’t have that many.

  64. Caroline Burke says

    I adored The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo! I read that and the Diplomats Wife. I can’t wait to read class mom. I’ve read so much more this year since I started reading everyone’s monthly comments!!

  65. Jennifer says

    I am in love with Jenny Colgan books right now. I feel like you’d love then. They are chick lit and always have food involved in them ?

  66. Amanda says

    I’m going to have to pick up all of those books! They all sound delightful. I love Sophie Kinsella-type books especially.
    I already had my first Pumpkin Spice latte of the season, so I’m right behind you with September 1st = Fall!

  67. Amy says

    I look forward to the book review every month! I LOVED Class Mom! Also, I prefer reading actual books so have not bought a Kindle but if you have an iPad, there is a kindle app, which I believe is free. I occasionally download books to that. I usually do it when I need a book and do not want to wait.

  68. Kristin says

    I have been on a big Renée Carlino kick lately and love love loved Swear on this Life and her new one, Wish You Were Here. I didn’t love the main character in this one at first, but loved her as it went along and things unfolded. She is a great storyteller and I look forward to checking out more of her books. I also stumbled on The Life List (by Lori Nelson Spielman) completely by accident and loved it, too!

  69. Cathy says

    Nancy Thayer’s earlier books are so much better than her recent stuff. I don’t know what changed with her, but it is a marked change. I loved Three Women at the Water’s Edge, Morning , and Nell so much. Her way of describing people and events is wonderful! I read them first when I was in my 20’s and then read them again this year when I saw they were out on Kindle. Try them and let us know what you think!

  70. Angie says

    Yay! I put some of those on my to-read list, thank you!! I love almost every single one of Jill Mansell’s books (she is seriously one of my favorite authors), and I really loved her newer one called Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay!

  71. Sarah Parsons says

    I am so excited to see the Sarah Mylnowski book on here. She is coming to my school (I am an elementary media specialist) to share her Whatever After series and I cannot wait. Kensington may love that series! I’m looking forward to reading I See London too! I love Nancy Thayer too!! And, Class Mom looks fabulous!

    Great month of books!!

  72. Cassidy says

    Highly recommend ‘Not a Sound’ by Heather Gudenkauf. I finished it in a day because I had to know how it ended!

  73. amanda says

    They Lying Game was so good! I follow Reese Witherspoon’s bookclub on Instagram and she had that picked out. If you haven’t read The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapna definitely read that. Right now I’m in the middle of her newest book- A Stranger in the House which is pretty good so far. Miss You by Kate Eberien was probably my favorite book I read this summer. If you read any YA books my favorite series is the one by Jenny Han-To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.

  74. Katie T says

    I’m so glad I’m not the only one who celebrates September 1st like it’s New Years!! 🙂 Love your book review posts and can’t wait to add some of these to my list!!

  75. Janique Smythe says

    Hi from Canada. Although I have been reading your blog for a few years now, this is my first post. I wanted to thank you for inspiring me read again. I choose a few books off of your list each month and have enjoyed each and every one of them! Thank you!!!

  76. Stacey says

    I am so glad you reviewed Class Mom! I read this as soon as it came out. I happened to see Laurie Gelman interviewed on Live with Kelly and Ryan, so I wanted to read it. I loved it, it’s so funny! Having been a class mom myself 4 times, I can totally relate. I am recommending it to all my mama friends, so I am glad that you did too! Happy fall!

  77. Danielle | The Pineapple Porch says

    This is a great list! I am headed to the beach in a few weeks and plan to take a few of these. Thank you for the recommendations. I love your monthly book reviews! I recently finished up The Magnolia Story (Chip & Jo), The Undoing of St Silvanus (Beth Moore), & The Turquoise Table (Kritin Schell) and I loved them all!

    Happy September!

  79. Aparna says

    Hi, love reading your book reviews…I read The lying Game by Ruth ware (a bit slow but doesn’t disappoint) Bait and Ultimatum by Karen Robards….I love her! And Come sundown by Nora roberts…good one.

  80. Erinn says

    You have to read Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker!!! It’s so so good in every way…inspiring, hilarious, meaningful. You will love it.

  81. Katherine says

    This is my favorite post.

    I’m reading a perfect end of summer read: The House at The Edge of Night — takes place on an Italian island:)

    I put Little French Bistro on my to read list.

    I must be the only one in the world that started The Nightingale and really did not like it. I found it sappy and not very well written — maybe I need to continue on?

  82. Drew says

    You must read Love & Gelato! Light, predictable, teen lip love set in Florence! Read it in 2 days, but it was just so endearing! Loved it!

  84. Shannon Foltz says

    Just finished The Hating Game and The Marriage Lie…loved both of them. I couldn’t put The Marriage Lie down and read it in 2 days!!

  85. Laura says

    I read Winter Garden and loved it, thanks for the recommendation! I read a bunch of duds this month but I also read a great book by Anita Shreve called “The Stars Are Fire”. It was a great little historical fiction and it reminded me what a great writer Anita Shreve is. Now I’m reading another one of her books “Stella Bain” and its great too.

  86. Alexis says

    So if I had your address, I would mail you this book, that’s how much I want you to read it. It’s called “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate, and it is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s fictional but based on true events…and involves adoption. It’s one of those books that stays with you after you read it. Order it…I promise you won’t be disappointed. 🙂

  87. Melissa H says

    Thank you so much for mentioning the books that lean toward an R rating. That is very helpful for me and much appreciated. I love your book reviews!

  88. Katie W. says

    Just finished On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins…it’s sort of a follow up to If You Only Knew, Leo and Jenny make a few appearances. It was sooooo good…but also sad, raw, and real. Much more complex than just a feel good book.

  89. Andrea says

    You have to read Castle of Water. Adventure, love, loss, survival, danger, art, the French, a bit of everything!!

  90. Melisa says

    Hey! I’ve seen a photo before where you had a handy litLe booklight? I couldn’t find it linked (however I am sure it is), could please tell me which brand yours is? I love to read in bed, and want to purchase one!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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