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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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March 2018 Book Review


March Book Review
The bad news, it’s Monday.
The good news, it’s my MARCH BOOK REVIEW!!!
And then everyone did this….
…YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friends…wait for it!
I read a book this month that if I were picking today, it would be my VERY FAVORITE OF THE YEAR!
Yes!
Needless to say, we should jump right in!  One month, five books…three of them non-fiction/memoir books, one that you girls highly recommended and one scary little fictional tale to finish us off.
Ready, set, go…
My brother told me that this was his favorite book to date and that I must read it.  So, I did.  And it was bone chilling.  And true.
The Red Notice is about Bill Browder’s experience working in finance in Russia.  Browder, an American who currently lives in England, worked in Russia until basically, the Russian government came after him and he had to flee.  This book if fascinating!  Browder backs up and explains how he went from college to working in England and then Russia and then he carries the story through to present day.  This reads like fiction.  This reads like something John Grisham would write.  But this story is TRUE.  I loved this one!  Now, it’s lengthy, but don’t let that discourage you from diving in.  I couldn’t wait to see how it was going to end (and really, it’s not over).  This would be a good pick for the men in your life too!!  Grab a copy and both of you read it!!  Thanks, Sean!
I don’t know who you are Rachel Hollis, but I want to be your friend.
If I had to name my favorite book of 2018 today, I would pick Girl, Wash Your Face.  Hands down.
I had two friends tell me to read this book two days in a row, so I bought it for my Kindle and read it on our vacation…and loved EVERY FREAKING PAGE.  Hollis, a mom, blogger, entrepreneur, Christian, tell it like it is funny gal from California, just spoke right to my heart in this memoir on life, loss, love and finding yourself.  I’m sure Erika was super tired of me reading passages out loud to her as we sat by the pool, but I COULD NOT STOP.  I found Hollis refreshing, honest, funny, emotional, raw, energizing and FANTASTIC!  Seriously, have I gushed enough?  Girl, read this book! 😉
 I had several people tell me to read blogger Lincee Ray’s Why I Hate Green Beans this month too…and I was really surprised!  Ray, who is known for her very funny blog, opened up in this book in a really honest and vulnerable way about her life.  She covers everything from dieting (that’s why she hates green beans), to her husband cheating on her, divorce, changing jobs, living the single girl life and much more.  I wanted to be her friend after I read this one too.  (I really just want to give her a big hug and then sit on the couch and binge-watch something good on TV with her.) I would say that all of you ladies would get something special out of this little read…but if you’re single out there and kind of feel like you’re “waiting” for life to start, then you should definitely pick this one up.  I flew through this book.  Easy to read, easy to love.
You know the stages of grief?  Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.  I felt like I went through all of them while reading this book. I mean…ladies, so many of you told me to read this gut-wrenching novel and so I did…and then I was all over the place with my emotions!  This fictional book is based on a true situation that was happening in the 1930s when kids were basically kidnapped and sold to other wealthier families.  Oh my gosh.  My mama heart was a wreck!  This story goes back and forth between the late 1930s and present day.  I was talking to my friend Natasha, also an adoptive mama, about it and she and I agreed…it started really good, it was very heavy/hard/emotional/sad in the middle and then won us over again at the end.  It was in this book that the author penned the words, “I learned that you need not be born into a family to be loved by one.”.  Oh my heart!  If you are looking for just a good piece of literature to read this month, not light/chick lit stuff, but a really hard but beautiful novel, then here you go.  Read it with tissues.
 My friend Kaitlynn gave me a stack of suspenseful books that I should read, so I finished up my month by grabbing The Perfect Nanny.  It’s as creepy as the name implies 😉 .  This book is short, and I flew through it in two days.  It starts off with a gruesome crime scene and then unfolds from there.  It’s exactly what you think it would be based on the title (very The Hand That Rocks the Cradle-ish)…twisted, crazy and suspenseful!  This novel sets place in Paris and is about a family of four and the new nanny that’s hired.  I mean…the first page describes a murder…you will be sucked right on in.  Overall, I have mixed feelings about this one.  It was super simple to read through and held my attention, but I didn’t love the ending.  (And you know how much I love a good ending of sorts…)  If you love books like this, you might want to try it.  You will have it read by the end of the day.
Okay, that’s my March Book Review!
Now tell me, what did you read this month?  I need some new chick lit recommendations!  I have pre-ordered like five that come out this summer, but I need some good ones to read NOW!  Comment and share, please!
And don’t forget…
To see a running list of the books I’m reading this year, click HERE.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
If you want to view my Goodreads Account, click here.
This Wednesday is…
If you’re blogging along with us, our bonus question for the month is: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE EASTER TRADITION?
There you go!
Have the best Monday, friends!  I can’t wait to read your book review suggestions!!!! xo
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July Book ReviewJuly 2018 Book Review
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Comments

  1. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

    I really admire how you manage to finish so many books despite being so busy raising such a big family, Shay! 🙂 All of the reviews sound good, but I think The Perfect Nanny seems the most “my thing”. 😀
    –
    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

  3. Heather Bramlett says

    I LOVED Girl, Wash your Face. Too! I read a chapter each morning during my quiet time and then reflected on the “lie” each day. How I can change, How I could do things differently, etc. It was very eye-opening. I’m with you…I just want to be her bestie now! HA

  4. Erika Slaughter says

    I cannot wait to read Girl, Wash Your Face! I mean I’m pretty sure poolside you read the majority our lt loud to me BUT I’m still looking forward to it. 😉

  5. Laura E Fredlund says

    I’ve been dying for the chance to recommend “Hands Free Mamma* to you. It’s a wonderful book about one obsessively busy mamma, who talks all about ways she found ways to let go of distractions to make more time for meaningful connection with her lived ones, leading to a more fulfilling life. I am in love! I’d love to hear your review on this.

  6. Kelly Brown says

    Definitely need to read Hissy Fit, Little bitty lies, and Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews if you haven’t already!

  7. Rebecca G says

    I just finished Girl, Wash Your Face and I have gushed about it non stop! I also have told everyone that its my favorite book of the year and it’s only March. All of you ladies NEED to run (don’t walk!) and get a copy right now.

  9. Denise says

    Have you read The Glass Castle? I read it while on vacation last week. It was a book that made me angry and sad at the same time. It is a true story. If you haven’t read it yet, you should.

  11. Sheaffer Sims says

    So, you’re not going to believe this. You actually made me want to read two of the books on your list today. Did you hear me? I want to READ A BOOK. #welldone

  12. Narci Dreffs says

    Girl, wash your face is so good!!! Can’t wait to read some of your other books! You always have the best book recommendations!

  13. Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says

    Yayyy, I needed new book recommendations for my vaca next week! I just finished Sisters First by Jenna and Barbara Bush and it was an interesting, sweet, quick read. I loved reading about their bond as sisters and all their little stories from having unique views as first grandchildren and then first daughters. Highly recommend it to anyone!
    xo
    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

    • Jenna says

      I just checked Sisters First out from the library and am planning to read it on vacation! I’m happy to hear that it’s a good one!

  15. Laura says

    I have previously recommended this author and I will continue to because she is amazing! Her name is Rachel Hauck and she has a whole heap of Christian Romance books! I just finished her latest one called ‘The Writing Desk’ and I was hooked the whole way through! She goes back and forth between two couples in different centuries and tells their stories and it all intertwines! She is truly an amazing author! I recommend her books to EVERYONE!! So good!

  16. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    My book club’s book for April is Before We Were Yours, so I’m really excited to read it! I just finished The Alice Network and you MUST read it!! It’s based on a true story of female spies during WWI and it was so, so interesting! I couldn’t put it down at all this past week.
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  17. Katie Ericson says

    Have you ever read Love by Francine Rivers? If not, go get it today! Best book of my life. After you read that you need to read her Mark of the Lion series. Amazing books!!!! I love your reviews every month. Downloading Girl Wash your Face now. Thanks!!!

  18. Ilena Varner says

    I am reading Girl Wash Your Face and I can’t stop thinking about it. It is such a refreshing and honest memoir. I’m glad you like it too!

  19. Robin says

    Jamie Ivey’s “if You Only Knew” is such an important book. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it! The chapter on Sin Shock is my favorite after having gone through some really hard things with friends over the years.

  22. Leslie S says

    Great reviews! Adding these to my giant “to read” pile. I just finished “Sugar” by Kimberly Stuart. Adorable chick lit: besties, romance, big city and baking. A fun read!

  24. Erin Port says

    I have heard so many wonderful things about Girl Wash Your Face it’s on my never ending list 🙂 can’t wait!

  25. Alexis deZayas says

    I’ve been dying to read Girl Wash Your Face!! I need some chick lit books in my life too! I’m reading The Dry right now 🙂

  26. Katie says

    I need to r Girl, Wash your Face! But the single girl in me may have to pick up Why I Hate Green Beans first!! Thanks for the recommendation! This year I really lovedThe Wife Between Us and Something like Happy best.

  27. Lisa D says

    Just finished Before We Were Yours and I can not stop thinking about it! Definitely not an easy book to read because of the subject, but read it anyway!! Now my Book Club is reading it too.

  28. Rayne says

    The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah, Franscine Rivers newest-The Masterpiece, and As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner

    • Patty says

      LOVED “The Masterpiece!” Francine Rivers never fails to hold my attention & make me think

    • Melissa D. says

      Rayne, those are literally the last three books I’ve read! I had to double check to make sure I didn’t already reply and had forgotten I did! Lol! All good choices, I agree!

  29. Carolyn Cox says

    Admire you and your book reading. I want to get me some self tanning wipes like you mentioned but forgot what kind you use. Can you please let me know what product you use.

  30. Amy says

    Thank you for your awesome reviews!! You should look up Rachel Hollis! She was a regular on Hallmark Home and Family! She adopted a baby girl last year around the same time we adopted ours. Happy Monday!!

  31. Andrea K says

    GWYF is AMAZING!!! You should read Rachel’s three Fiction books! They’re really fun. Plus, did you hear, Rachel is moving to Texas ?

  32. Bria says

    Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid was fantastic! I remember you loved One True Loves, and in my opinion, this one was on that level. Also, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a young adult novel that was a fun read, and the movie adaption is coming out this year, so it’s a perfect time to read it!

    • Lyssa says

      Yes those Rachel Hollis books are awesome, and really easy to read, and they’re all such cute love chick lit stories 😉 I read all three of them in a week [but I also read super fast so…]

  34. Suzy says

    The Secret Life of Violet Grant – about a mysterious suitcase that shows up and love stories with twists.

  35. Kim says

    There are so many of your books that I want to read, but I can’t buy them all so I get them from my local library. Is there a website or some way to make a list and keep track of the books I want to read and have read? I’m always coming back to your blog (not a bad thing!) to try to find your reviews and see which book I want to read next. Thanks!

    • Carly says

      Have you tried Goodreads.com. You can track want to read, currently reading, and read on that site. And you can follow Shay (and others!) over there and see all the books she’s read too. It’s awesome!

    • Chardawneh says

      On my library website there is an option to place books on hold, then release the hold when you want to read it. There may even be a place there to list books you have read, I prefer to write down what I have read and then I also rate them.

    • Ashely says

      Kim, look into Goodreads. It’s a way to track all the books to want to read and have read 🙂 it’s also an app!

    • Chelsea Story says

      Goodreads website or app helps me organize my list of books to read and ones I already have!

    • Jocie says

      Hey Kim! You should check out the Goodreads App! Shay is on the Goodreads app and you can “follow” her. There is also a function that lets you make lists, “want to read,” “Am reading,” and “Read.” The app makes keeping track of books you have read as well as discovering more books to read so easy! Its also free 🙂

    • Mel says

      Go to Goodreads. You can look up books and mark them “to read” and then “read” once you finish. You can follow her there too and see her list of read books

    • Kristi says

      I keep track of my books on the Goodreads website. You can categorize them as “Read”, “Currently reading” and “Want to read”. 🙂

    • Shalimar says

      Yes, create an account on Goodreads. There’s an app! It’s where I track what I’ve read (and what I rated them) and what I want to read. You can also follow friends who are on Goodreads (like Shay) so you can read their recommendations and see what others have been reading.

  36. Katie says

    I recently read The Last Mrs. Parrish because it was one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club selections and it was SOOOO good! I also just started Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and it’s great so far!

  38. Lizzie says

    I’ve read Before We Were Yours and really enjoyed. I actually thought you had already reviewed it! I just finished Panchinko, and it was soooo good. More historical fiction than chick lit, but I could not put it down. It’s based in Korea and Japan, an area I didn’t know much about the history of. It follows a family for generations and shows the impact of systemic racism against Koreans in Japan.

  39. Abigail says

    Love these! Do you follow Reese Witherspoon’s book club? Two recent ones- Do Not Become Alarmed (about 2 families/friends on a cruise with their kids…reminded me of you & Erika!) and I also have heard Erotic Stories of Punjabi Widows is good! It is about an english course taught in college by widows (fiction). I always look forward to your book reviews! I just finished The Outliers…can’t wait for the
    movie!

    • Meg says

      I just finished Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows and I agree — it’s a good one! I must have missed that the classes were taught in college by Widows. The class was offered to the widows through the community center. But nonetheless, definitely a good read!

  40. Lauren Bledsoe says

    Have you read I Am Malala? Not chick lit, but I just started it yesterday and I cannot stop reading!

  41. Taylor says

    You should definitely add Beartown to your list! It is not chick lit but it was one book that definitely sucked me in and took me by surprise. You experience all of the emotions while reading that book. As for a chick lit read, one of my favorites is Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews. Last summer I randomly picked it off the shelf of the library and it turned out to be one of my very favorite chick lit books! I think you would love it.

  42. Melissa says

    Girl Wash Your Face is on my list for next month and I can’t wait! Your book recaps are almost my favorite…second only to the adoption posts ; )

  43. Kelly Sites says

    I’m on a huge reading roll lately- and I’ve read some GREAT books this month, too. I highly suggest:
    The Wife Between Us (oh my word, so good)
    Lies She Told (so good)
    The Widower’s Wife (awesome) (see a theme here? I was into wife plots this month)
    The Stolen Marriage (again with the plot, but this one was also so so good)
    Lie to Me

    Finally- I absolutely loved Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan.

  44. Ashlie Murchison says

    Daughters of Bad Men by Laura Oles is a page turner I just finished! Couldn’t put it down! Need to read Girl wash your face next! Thanks for the recommendations!

  45. Lindsay e says

    Francine rivers new book the masterpiece is what I’m reading right now. Love your book reviews!!!

  46. Hannah R. says

    I read the Outliers and What She Knew that you recommended a few months ago and LOVED them. Currently reading The Last Mrs. Parrish. Thanks for your great reviews and recommendations!

  47. Maria says

    Fitness Junkie by Jo Piazza and Lucy Sykes. I just started it and can’t put it down. It’s hysterical!

  49. Julie says

    Kim-try Goodreads! You can track which books you’ve read, which you want to read, etc.

  50. Ashley Hatfield says

    Bill Browder is fascinating. I didn’t read his book, but I work for a legal association and we had him as our special speaker via Skype (because he couldn’t just be where we were, you know?!?). He is super engaging and really committed to his cause. SUPER interesting!

    I am currently working on Crazy Rich Asians per your recommendation, so I am no help to you!

  51. Kelly says

    When I saw the sneak peek on your Insta story of you reading Before We Were Yours, I was so happy! I was one of the people who suggested it to you multiple times:). I thought you would really like it. It’s one of those books that just stays with you. Reading If you Only Knew and The Family Next Door right now. Both good reads in entirely different ways. Red Notice looks like a great read for my son in law and I’ve seen Girl, Wash Your Face all over the place so I think that one may be up next. Happy Reading!

  52. Celina says

    Can’t wait to read Girl Wash Your Face! If you love Rachel Hollis, like I do, you have to read her Party Girl series! Easy, fun chick lit based on her life as a party planner in LA! You will fall in love with the characters. Party Girl, Sweet Girl, Smart Girl! Loved them!

  53. Mary says

    This is my favorite post of each month, also, thank you so much! I always get at least a couple of your books in and I always love them! Thank you, thank you!

  54. Heather says

    The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. I wasn’t sure if enough time had passed after reading The Nightingale to dive into another one of her novels (was I emotionally ready?! Lol) but I’m glad I did. Set in Alaska in the 1970-1980’s. I was mesmerized by Hannah’s incredible description of Alaska. It makes you fall in love. The main character is nothing short of heroic too. Awesome read!

  55. Constance says

    Have you read Mozart in the jungle? Def not light chick lit and its…rated R but such a good book!!!

  56. Ryan says

    Ooo what are the summer books you pre-ordered? New summer books coming out make me so happy!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      An Emily Giffin one, a Kristen Higgins and I believe even an Elin Hilderbrand. There are like three or four coming out that I’m going to want to read!

      • Alexis says

        Eekkk!! Those are the three I’m most excited to read, too! Those authors are amazing!

  58. Michelle Nies says

    Have you listened to Jen Hatmaker’s podcast For the Love? She has an episode with Rachel Hollis. You would love it! I need to pick up her book.

    A book I just heard about yesterday is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. My husband and I love Korean and East Asian culture so I’m looking forward to this one too!

  59. Amanda Lessley says

    Love The Red Notice book and as an adoptive mom of two girls from Russia (in 2012 right before Russian adoptions were stopped), this book hits home for me. Putin’s move was retaliation for a very specific series of punitive measures the United States passed earlier that year after a young Russian lawyer named Sergei Magnitsky died under mysterious circumstances in a Russian prison….that is all explained in the book.

  60. Sarah says

    I just finished Forever is the Worst Long Time. It is a must read. You will need tissues for this one too, but I think you would love it!

  61. Kate says

    My favorite book I’ve read in 2018 and probably top 3 favorite books EVER is Kelly Corrigan’s Tell Me More. If you have never read a Kelly Corrigan book, I highly recommend that you do. They read like she’s just sitting with you having coffee telling you stories about her life. This book in particular is so profound because it details the loss of her father and friend in a way I’ve never heard grief described. It’s one of those books I want to mail everyone I know!

  62. Natalie says

    Have you read PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern? It’s older but so good! They made a movie of it but the book was better!

  63. Mel says

    Rachel Hollis recently announced she and her family are moving to Texas. They just spent their spring break visiting their new house and plan to move by June – Austin area. She also has a series of chick lit books based on her experiences in first moving to LA and working in the party planning world. Party Girl is the title of the first one.

    Lilac Girls has been out for awhile now but it was a really good one. And The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah was really good and takes place in Alaska.

  64. Angela Ellingson says

    Hi Shay! I already had Girl, Wash Your Face on my list, but now I might need to move it to the top! 🙂 Love your reviews.

  65. Jennifer Kolb says

    Read Big Girl Panties!!! It’s been on the best seller list and is such a GREAT chick lit book, but with some depth that will draw you in!!

  67. bella says

    I finished The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle. It’s a mystery-suspense and once started tough to put down. Excellent!

  68. Kristen Cheney says

    I always love your book reviews! Rachel Hollis has a series of fictional books as well that you might enjoy.

  69. Kathryn says

    I read Before We Were Yours this month as well and thought it was beautiful and heartbreaking. One of those books that I couldn’t/can’t stop thinking about. I read Orphan Train right before that and highly recommend it as well. You’ll definitely need tissues for that one too!

  70. Shelbie Fitch says

    Jamie Ivey’s “If You Only Knew” needs to be on your list!! I also got the latest book out by Christine Caine on my list this week, too!

  71. Brooke Entrekin says

    Ok, just ordered Girl, wash your face! I too, read Before we were yours this month, such a great read. Now PLEASE tell me if you have read Castle of Water or not so I can stop bugging you every month to read it! ?
    Happy Spring!

  72. Tracy says

    Which of these would you suggest for a book club to do together? I’m trying to pick books for summer. Small group of women ages 35-50. Thoughts?

  73. Brice Davis says

    Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker!! Absolutely hilarious but also very thought provoking! Mom’s especially will love this book. Jen has a podcast as well!

  75. Hayley says

    Love your book reviews! I have read so many good books this year thanks to you 🙂 I just finished The Arrangement but Sarah Dunn. If you haven’t already, I think you should read it!

  76. Sarah says

    Every month you do your book review, and every month I ask myself why I don’t set that time aside to read as much as I used to! Let me tell you my bookshelf and Amazon cart is full of great books thanks to these posts, I just need to be better at setting that “me” time aside to read them! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  78. Keisha Dawson says

    I absolutely adore Rachel Hollis and all of her books! I pre-ordered this book, and it’s in line to read in my memoir section of books. I can’t wait to get to it! I also saw on your Instagram stories that you’re reading Jamie Ivey’s book. Another incredible lady! I have that one too. I’ve got to pick up my reading speed!

  79. Kristine G. says

    I just finished Andi Dorfmann’s new book, Single State of Mind. It was really good and a quick, easy read. Highly recommend! If you’re looking for something deeper, I also recently read Being Mortal. It is a must read for anyone who thinks they may die someday or cares for someone who may die. 😉 Not the easiest subject matter but if you’re up for it, it’s very good and informative. Wish I would have read it before my mom died.

  80. Sally Hepworth says

    The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjailian is out now and I PROMISE you will love it. I will eat my hat if you don’t. Read it and let me know x

  81. Christen Redd says

    There is a series by Diane Alberts that is so cute! It’s a family of 3 boys and 1 girl and each book focuses on one of the siblings paths to find love. I read each book in a day. Cute easy books to read! Loved them all!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I didn’t know when I started reading this that Bill Browder was the man responsible. That so surprised me!

  85. Kayla Bruce says

    Have you read Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker?? I LOVED it. I also liked For the Love, but I think this one is better. Also, I’d love to read your review of The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (actually J.K. Rowling). I haven’t read the series yet, but I’ve hear they’re great.

  87. Lindsay says

    Book review! ? On an unrelated topic can we talk hair highlights? I love how yours still looks so blonde even when pulled back. Mine looks dark except for maybe the first few days after a fresh highlight. How do you do it?

  88. Alexis says

    Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey is one of the cutest chick-lit books I’ve read this year! Reminds me of Elin Hilderbrand (and she recommends the book…blurb on the cover from her actually!) but it’s set in the South. Read it ASAP! Super cute and fun read.

  89. Kelly says

    I am currently reading Francine River’s Mark of the Lion series. I highly recommend … if you’ve never read them. Love your book review!!! ?

  90. Kathy says

    I love you book reviews! I too read The Perfect Nanny, and did not like the ending either! As mentioned above, you really do need to read The Great Alone! So good!

  91. Denise says

    My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari is so good!! I read it in about 2 days and couldn’t put it down. I

  92. Katie T. says

    You should follow Rachel Hollis on Instagram if you don’t already! They are moving to Texas this summer too (Austin area)! Always love your book reviews and have added all of these to my list!

  93. Kelley says

    You MUST read The Alice Network. I read it based on the comments that your readers left in past book review months and it did not disappoint. So so good from beginning to end. I selected it for my book club month and everyone loved it!!!

  95. Lyssa says

    The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah was amazing. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng was another 5 star book on my list. Rachel Hollis’ three books [Party Girl, Sweet Girl, Smart Girl] are really fun Chick lit reads and really quick reads.

  98. Kristen says

    Have you read any by Sarah Addison Allen? She has some really cute chick lit books. My favs are The Sugar Queen and Garden Spells. They all take place in the south and have some magical realism aspects.

  100. Stacey says

    I look forward to this post every month! You have to read The Wife Between Us if you haven’t already. I also love everything by Liane Moriarty- both The Husband’s Secret & What Alice Forgot would be good ones to start with. Lastly I’m impatiently waiting for Taylor Jenkins Reid to come out with a new book!

  101. Raegan Allen says

    Love your book reviews so much! Have read SO many of your recommendations. I agree with multiple comments above- so it was hard to find ya some good chic lit/beachy reads, ha! Still Me by JoJo Myers; Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella; Small Great Things by Jodi Piccoult; That Month in Tuscany by Inglath Cooper

  102. Amy Range says

    You would love The Girl With Seven Names. It’s a true story of a girls escape from North Korea. A great read!

  103. Julie says

    This book is not chick lit but The Alice Network is a great book. My book club read it in January. It is not a book that I would ever pick but I am so glad it was selected. It is nice to get pushed outside my normal reading habits.

  104. Tracy Allen says

    A friend sent me your blog because I was requesting a good book…so glad she’d did! Sooo many great recommends to choose from now 🙂
    One I suggest to you(my fave of 2018 so far) is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Just a captivating read and extremely thought provoking

  105. Barri Chandler says

    I just finished Girl, Wash Your Face after I saw your review and absolutely loved it!! I love to read, but I bought this one as an iBook so I could listen on the treadmill. I listened while I was on the treadmill, putting on my make-up, on my way to and from work. It was so real and funny and sad and encouraging and spot on! Each chapter stands alone, and if one doesn’t pertain to you, the next one probably will! I have begged, pleaded and nagged my daughter, daughter-in-law, and soon to be daughter-in-law to read it!

  106. JL says

    The Alice Network was an amazing book! It’s not one I would normally gravitate towards but I could not put it down!!

  107. Keri says

    Hi Shay – I love your book reviews!! I also love Rachel Hollis, Jen Hatmaker and Shauna Niequist. Have you ever read any books by Brene Brown? I read “The Gifts of Imperfection” and it really spoke to me and my struggles as a woman. Her new book, just released this year, is “Braving the Wilderness” and I have it on my to read list!

  108. Haley Sulka says

    You must read the Tea Girl of Hummingbird. It will touch your heart as a mom who’s adopted children, and it touched mine as a young woman without kids yet. Seriously, it’s a page turner and a beautiful story about culture and love.

  109. Julia says

    Hi Shay, I just wanted to give some feedback. First off, I love your blog and your book reviews are my absolute favorite! I truly can’t begin to tell you how many books I’ve read based on your, and your comments sections, suggestions. But this is the second time I have now purchased a very Christian book (Girl Wash Your Face) and you made no mention of that in your review. I praise your choice to be a Christian, as I praise everyone’s choice to follow a religion or belief they seek comfort in. And while you mention the author is a Christian, you simply say the book is about “life, loss, love and finding yourself.” When you reviewed “Uninvited” sometime in the past year or two, I thought it was great you called it a “faith based book”. eBooks can’t be returned.. super disappointing. You’re great about bringing harsh language or adult themes to light in your reviews, it would really be appreciated if this could also be worth mentioning. 🙂

  110. Jenny Ng says

    Im reading the Yellow Envelope now and now adding more places to my travel list 🙂

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