Hip, hip hooray! It’s BOOK DAY!!!
Awwwwww! Is there anything better than a summer beach read? I think not. Right now, thanks to all of your suggestions, I have my Kindle loaded with books to read this summer.
This month, I read four books: a memoir, a thriller and two chick lits. It was the perfect beach read lineup!
Here’s hopin’ you find a book rec today to kick off your June!
Happy Book Day!!
I kicked May off with Live in Love a memoir by Lauren Atkins.
So many of you have suggested this one to me over the last few months, but honestly, I’m not interested in country music, so I didn’t know who her husband was much less her…and I dragged my feet for a long time. Finally, one of you commented that Lauren has an adopted daughter and well, that piqued my interest. I really like this author. She seems really sweet and down to earth. I loved how she described her childhood and family. She very much seemed like a girl after my own heart. Was it my favorite memoir? No. It was really sweet but super long. I loved the part about adoption, but honestly, my heart resonated the most with her childhood stories in Tennessee. I think I would have appreciated this book so much more had I been interested in country music, so for all of you who are, this is a good read. Sweet, wholesome, encouraging…lovely. A little long but lovely.
The second book I read this month was Under The Southern Sky.
I love Kristy Woodson Harvey books.
They never let me down!
This one here is a great beach book for summer! It’s the fictional tale of two friends who reconnect in adulthood…one recently a widower and one, recently divorced and searching for a new life outside of the one she had with her family. The setting is charming (a Carolina beach town), the food references are very Southern (lots of sweet tea and peaches are mentioned), the friends are quirky and adorable…plus, there are twists and turns that I didn’t expect. There was a plot point that really took me by surprise and just when I thought I had it all figured out, I didn’t. If you want a great book to escape into, here you go. It’s just a story about friendship, loss, love, moving on and second chances. It was a lot of happiness for me!
So many of you told me to read The Guest List this month…so I did…and it was SO GOOD!!! You know how I don’t naturally gravitate towards thriller fiction, but this one here came highly recommended by so many that I dug in. Friends, I haven’t enjoyed a thriller this much in a long time! This is a fictitious story about a wedding that takes place on a remote island off of Ireland. Each chapter is from the point of view of someone in the wedding party or a guest. There’s a murder. There’s suspense. There is so much “edge of your seat” writing that I had to basically read it through my fingers. Ha! Once I got into this story, I COULD NOT put it down! As someone who doesn’t really love suspenseful books, I loved this one because it wasn’t gory or too graphic to read. It was just a really interesting story filled with complex characters and a lot of “who done it”. I feel like lately, so many of these books are pretty much the same, but this one was different. It was unique. I appreciated the whole story and especially how the ending was all tied up and didn’t leave me with any questions. Loved.
Speaking of loved…
…my fourth and final book this month was The Newcomer and I LOVED it!
I mean, we’re not surprised though, right? Mary Kay Andrews rarely lets me down. This is the quintessential beach book. It’s the story of a woman on the run with her four year old niece (you’re already intrigued, right?) who finds herself living in an adorable surf side motel in Florida. There’s a bit of suspense, a lot of romcom, great coastal references and lots of cuteness. This novel was just easy to read and perfect poolside. If you always love Mary Kay Andrews, I think you’ll really love this one. It was a bit “meatier” than her other books and totally satisfying to read!
Well, that wraps up my MAY BOOK REVIEW!
Okay, even though my Kindle already feels full, if you have other beach book/summer read suggestions, please share them! I’m so excited to dig into another book!!
One last thing, I am going to enjoy a nice four day weekend with my family, so I’m taking off tomorrow and Monday and will be back here with you on Tuesday for something extra special!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!
I’ll see you Tuesday morning!
Also, don’t forget, I keep a running list of every book I’ve read in 2021 right 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.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
Happy Book Day!!!
Taylor says
Lauren Akins is doing a podcast with Annie Downs about the book and adoption didn’t now! It’s a great listen.
Alison says
I’m just starting The Newcomer and can’t wait to really have time to sit down and read. We have 1 more day of school!!! I also love Kristy Woodson Harvey books, so I’ll be adding that one to my list to read. 😉
Kristy Woodson Harvey says
Thank you so much for reading Under the Southern Sky, Alison! xoxo
Mal says
I also looooved The Guest List!
Life’s Too Short and People We Meet on Vacation are 2 new perfect beach/pool reads!
Kimberly says
I loved Life’s too short and People we Meet on Vacation. I would add Just Last Night, Soulmate Equation and The Last Thing He Told me.
Mal says
Ha, I’m on the waitlist for all 3 at the library! Love some good summer chick lit reads!
Erika Slaughter says
I just got my kindle all charged up for the weekend! I’m in the middle of The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley-I’ll keep you posted on if you should read that one!
Elspeth says
Yay! I love book review day and can’t wait to read some of these! Have a great long weekend!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Thanks for the reviews, Shay! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Amy H says
I just finished The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak. Sooo good and highly recommend!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s on my Kindle!!!!
Brooke says
The Last Thing He Told Me….SO good!!! You’d love it!
Holly says
Happy Thursday!
Lucy Foley is one of my favorites – I loved The Guest List, and I think you would enjoy The Hunting Party too!
This month I read –
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. Mandel – five stars, follows the path of several related characters through family life, financial scandal, and relationships. Really good read.
Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer. Toggles back and forth between present day and the past as related to a mother / daughter’s struggles with postpartum depressions. Really well written and explores a topic that I feel needs to brought into conversation more often.
Live in Love by Lauren Akins. So many people recommended this book and I really enjoyed it and felt like the author was very open and relayeable.
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth. I think you have reviewed this one here? Perfect quick read about two sisters with just the right level of suspense.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday weekend and start to the summer!!
Sally Hepworth says
Check out Kelly Rimmer’s new book The Warsaw Orphan. It. Is. Amazing.
Mix and Match Mama says
You always give the BEST suggestions!!! (It probably doesn’t hurt that you’re an extraordinary author yourself 😉 ).
Susan says
Based on recs from you and your readers, I just finished reading the Family Next Door. Loved it! Look forward to reading her other books.
Carole George says
I also loved The Guest List, and reading The Newcomer now and loving it! My favorite so far this year was Finlay Donovan is Killing It. I think you would enjoy it!
Amy says
Your Book Review Day is one of my favorite days of the month! I just finished The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave – so good! It’s also a thriller that’s not gory! Another good thriller was Northern Spy by Flynn Berry. And for a lighter summer read I loved The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren. Excited to read the latest Mary Kay Andrews book on my trip to Disney in a week!
Susanne says
I loved The Last Thing He Told Me! So intriguing!
Marie D. says
My recent 5-star favorite was The Extraordinary Life of Same Hell by Robert Dugoni. Loved this one SOOOO much!
Lindsay Larger says
Th Push by Ashley Audrain! It is like no other book I have read. So so good. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.
Lindsay says
Completely agree! Like no book I’d ever read. So intriguing. Really enjoyed it.
Julie says
I’m so glad you liked ‘The Guest List,” I thought it was great too! I’m reading “The Wives” and it is another great suspense novel! As you mentioned, not too gory or scary, just REALLY suspenseful. About a woman married to a man with three wives! and lots and lots of really good twists and turns. Thanks as always for the book recommendations and hope you enjoy the long weekend with your family! We are headed to the Cape but supposedly there’s rain involved…. 🙁
Mix and Match Mama says
I read that one too!! So good!!
Heidi says
I’m soooooooooooooo jealous of everyone who is already out of school!! 🙁 Sorry for the unrelated question, but when do you all usually START school to be able to get out so early? I would absolutely LOVE to be out before Memorial Day every year, but my kids’ last day is June 8. #boo 🙁
Mix and Match Mama says
We start mid-August. I think we started August 14th this last year!
Brittany Swain says
I just finished “Verity” by Colleen Hoover and could not put it down!
Abbey says
Shay, you have to read Laundry Love, by Patric Richardson!! It’s a single subject book that’s filled with witty quips and mind-blowing methods! I can’t wait to attend one of his laundry camps!
~Stain removal; it’s my fireworks.
????
Laura says
The new Christina Lauren the Soulmate equation was so good!! Highly recommend. Also waiting for the new Elin Hildebrand but I know you love her too!
Enjoy your long weekend. We had our long weekend in Canada last weekend and the weather here was glorious!!
Jen says
Oh gosh, we are totally opposite with reviews for this month! Hah! I LOVED Lauren Akin’s memoir (and was one of the ones that was recommending it to you!) and while I love a good thriller (and absolutely adored the author’s previous thriller), I was pretty so-so about The Guest List! So funny how every book reaches people differently! I am just about finished with Under the Southern Sky and am so appreciating how happy this book is making me. Did you see that Kristy Woodson Harvey is coming out with another Peachtree series book for Christmas? Yay!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I didn’t see that?! I love that series so much!!!!!
Kristy Woodson Harvey says
Thank you for reading Under the Southern Sky, Jen!! 🙂
Courtney Ventresco says
I’m not a big fan of psych thriller fiction either but I read The Other Woman recently by Sandi Jones. Read it in 24 hours. SO good.
Mix and Match Mama says
Okay, I really think you’ll like this one then!!
Sarah says
I can’t wait to read The Newcomer and Under the Southern Sky. I put together a list of Summer Beach Reads that I can’t wait to read. https://sunshineandbooksblog.com/2021/05/03/summer-beach-reads-2021/
Have you ever read Wendy Wax? Her books are light and fun, especially the 10 Beach Road series. Happy reading!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t heard of that author! Looking her up right now!
Ashley Palmer says
Ten Beach Road is one of my favorite series! I was so sad when there were no more LOL
Janet says
I really enjoy Wendy Wax books. I too was sorry when I read the last one. The type of book you want to finish to see what happens, but, don’t want to finish because you don’t want to be done with the book or series.
I think you will enjoy it!
Carolyn says
I just read John Grisham’s newest book “Sooley”. I loved it. It’s about a young boy from Sudan who was recruited to come to the US to play basketball. You might need to love basketball to enjoy it as much as I did, but it’s also about his family’s tragic life in Sudan and their life in a refugee camp in Uganda. Not Grisham’s usual legal thriller but soooo good.
Ashley says
I’ve been curious about this book. I’m glad to hear good reviews.
Shara Gardner says
I didn’t know he has a new book, thank you!
TIFFANY says
my FAV day!!
PLEEEEASE do a book list 101!
do you only load to your kindle?
are you on good reads?
how do you keep/manage the recommendation list?
do you rent the ebook? which site? what is easiest?
buy the book?
I NEED all the help!
Mix and Match Mama says
Totally! Here you go:
1. Yes! I only read books on my Kindle!!
2. I am but haven’t put anything on there in like two years.
3. I keep a wish list on Amazon with all of the books that I think I might want to read (almost all based on your recs!). I flip through that when I’m looking for a new book and delete them if I’ve read them or have decided I’m not interested.
4. I buy all of the Kindle versions of my books
Brenna Johnson says
You should also check and see if your library offers e-books or audio books. For my library – i downloaded the app Overdrive and can download the books and put books on hold all from my phone. I don’t have to go to the library at all. Super quick and easy and the app sends me an email when my hold is ready and i just download.
I have already read (and loved) The Newcomer from my phone.
I put off doing it because i thought it would be tedious or they would only have old stuff. Check it out fir sure.
I am still buying too, but it’s nice to have that option too!
Patty Anderson says
#3…I do the same, and I pull up my book wish list twice daily. I’m amazed at how often a book on my list goes on sale for less than 5 dollars…often as low as $1.99. Only takes a few seconds to scan the list each time…well worth it.
Lorie says
Have you read Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah? I just looked back through all your book reviews to get your take on it and I didn’t see it listed. I’ve heard it’s much better the series on Netflix. Also wondering if the sequel, Fly Away, is as good as the first book. Always love book review day!
Heather says
Leaving tomorrow morning for a kid-free getaway to South Carolina. Perfect timing. I just downloaded Under the Summer Sky to my Kindle! Thank you!
Kristy Woodson Harvey says
Thank you so much!! xoxo
Jen says
I just finished The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren and really enjoyed it! Currently reading John Green’s new non-fiction book, The Anthropocene Reviewed, and anxiously awaiting the release of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid!
Sarah B. says
I just finished the Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett. I highly recommend it! A very heartwarming read with some depth to it too! It’s one I’ll think about for a long time to come.
Martina says
Hi! Love reading your book reviews, and everything else ?. Will you do Book Club this summer like last year?
Mix and Match Mama says
No, not this year! I personally didn’t love the pressure of having to read certain books. Sometimes, I change out what I’m going to read on a whim.
Brenda Carper says
I lied the Wendy Wax books as someone previously mentioned. Read her Beach Road books in order and they are so much better. /definitely beach reading,.
Janet says
On Amazon today for FREE – Beach Reads Box Set Eleven full length novels by authors such as Lucy Score; Adrienne Locke; Pippa Grant; Claire Kingsley and more
All fun reads
Amy Azza says
Janet thank you so much for sharing this! I am going to go to Amazon right now and get the Beach Reads 🙂
Brenna Johnson says
How do i find this?!?! ? i searched and failed.
AngieN says
It’s under “Beach Reads Box Set: Perfect Vacation Reads Kindle Edition” It’s yellow on the top and blue on the bottom of the cover. 🙂
Brenna Johnson says
How do i search for this? I couldn’t find!
Keisha Dawson says
I started The Guest List on November 25, 2020, and I just picked it up again last night. You have given me hope that it is going to be great, and I need to keep plugging away at it. I hope you knock it out this weekend. We are reading The Last Thing He Told You for our book club this month, and so far it is getting good reception.
Dana says
I was also reading it in the Fall and put it away and now may have to pick it back up to finish it! It was dragging for me and I had trouble getting into it and I love a good thriller! I rarely stop reading a book so this was unusual for me! ??♀️
Tamara H says
I recommend “Sparks Like Stars” by Nadia Hashimi, and “The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn. I learned so much reading both! For something lighter, and because you love cooking/food, “The Cookbook Club: A Novel of Food and Friend” was a fun read!
Aparna says
I loved The Guest list too! Also read some really good books this month
Life and other inconveniences by Kristan Higgins…I always enjoy her books…funny light reads
The flight attendant was quite engrossing
The other Emily by Dean Koontz….suspense thriller…was my first dean koontz, will be reading more by this author.
Eliza starts a rumour…really enjoyed this one
Regretting you by Colleen Hoover…also a good one
The lies we told by Diane chamberlain…my second book by this author…like her style of writing.
Hayley says
I think you would like the Agatha Christie’s classic And Then There Were None if you liked the Guest List!
Kelsee says
I felt the same way about Live in Love. It was wholesome, sweet but long. I also LOVED the Guest List. I read 4 books this month and enjoyed all of them but recommend The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones (similar Guest List vibes), The Last Thing He Told Me, and Sinful Lives of Trophy Wives the most.
Also make sure you check out People We Meet On Vacation and The Push this summer.
Kathy says
The Push is fantastic! I could
not put it down!
SM says
I LOVED The Push too! It was definitely suspenseful and couldn’t put it down. I’d also recommend Big Lies in a Small Town. Totally different from The Push — it’s a historical fiction about a mural artist and a modern day art restorer. It has a little bit of suspense/thriller, romance, and bonds between families and friends.
Shelby says
Have you read any of Whitney Dineen books? I am reading The Creek Water Series. There are 4 books…so far they are all good ?
Ruby Rutledge Huling says
Have you read any of the book series by Catherine Bybee? I have loved every book I’ve read!!!
Kelly Franks says
Help! Which Sally Hepworth book should I read first???
Mix and Match Mama says
Start with her newest book The Good Sister!
Carol says
Oooo yes!
Joanne says
I LOVED the Newcomber! Such a fun read.
Mary says
If you haven’t red Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez yet, you must!
KD says
Have you ever read the memoir Sisters First? It’s written by the Bush twins, but it isn’t political – it’s about their family, growing up with a famous grandpa and then dad, infertility, family traditions, and Texas. I enjoyed it more than I expected to! The audiobook is great too.
Stephanie says
I just finished listening to KIND is the new classy: the power of living graciously. It is only five hours long but it is packed with so many of Candace Cameron Bure stories and reflections of kindness at its best and worst. It is such an inspiring book about living a godly life based on kindness. Candace breaks it down so well with in each chapters. I will probably listen to it a second time to take notes.Also note: she writes some children’s books.
Heather says
I LOVED Lauren Akins book! But I’m also a huge country music fan! So I could see where someone who isn’t into country music probably wouldn’t care much about her autobiography! ? But reading about their adoption and how she KNEW Willa was meant to be hers is so heartwarming! ?
Paige Sullivan says
Shay! You must read, “Other People’s Children” by RJ Hoffmann!! It is a page turner, adoption focused and leaves you thinking. A perfect book club book too- as there are so many, “what would you do?” moments.
Kate says
Hi! I loved The Guest List too!
Only read two last month!
Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty – Lauren Weisberger. I love this author! This one I felt like was more serious than some of hers, based on the college admissions scandal. I loved it! I really loved watching the characters grow throughout the process and while I liked the end I wish it was just a bit longer, a little bit of a jolt!
The Last Thing He Told Me (Dave) – great suspense novel! The main character handles a crisis in a way so far outside how I would that it was fun to see what she’d do next. Lots of twists I didn’t see coming!
Is it normal I want to do all summer reading on the beach?!?
Shelby E says
I love your monthly book reviews!! So helpful to figure out what to read. Do you ever listen to the books, like on Audible? I can’t seem to sit still very long! Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t ever listened to an audible book, but I hear so many people rave about them!
Carol says
You MUST read PLOT.
Its about a writer and his best selling novel…it’s a thriller,a mystery but it also, ln another level it brings up the question of WHOSE STORY IS IT? WHO CAN TELL IT?
Yvonne Mc says
Shay thank you so much for all your book reviews! I read Running for my life, and LOVED it so much!!! Couldn’t stop talking about it, so my husband is going to read it! All I can say is WOW it is so impactful and inspiring! I will never forget it!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay!!!! I loved it too!!!
Katie says
I think you would love “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. When I finished it, I went on your blog to see what you thought of it as I was sure you had read it! But, I don’t think you have?!?
Mix and Match Mama says
I have read it! I read that one in 2019…and didn’t love it. Agh! I love Taylor Jenkins Reid though!!
Erin Lloyd says
Have you read Life’s Too Short by Abby Jiminez? Or her other one is The Happily Ever Playlist. Both very good! I think I like Life’s Too Short a little better tho!
Kristen says
Love all your recommendations, thanks!
Please read Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain! Push was great too!
Kristy Woodson Harvey says
Thank you so much for reading Under the Southern Sky!! xoxo
Mix and Match Mama says
I loved it!!! xx
Rebecca says
I loved the guest list! I read her other book, The Hunting Party soon after and also really liked it! If you ever do audio books, they were both really well done. I’m pretty sure Lady Edith was one of the characters (from Downton Abbey).
Jaime Lyons says
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline is wonderful. It’s a WW2 story set in Italy but it’s also a love triangle romance as well. The Amazon reviews of it were fabulous, so I downloaded it and could not put it down!
Abigail says
I always love these posts! You have to read The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner! Oh my- I ignored my family & responsibilities for an entire day- could not put it down! I don’t want to give anything away- just fabulous! I now want to book the next flight to London also after reading it!
Leticia Sangalang says
I have enjoyed Barbara O’Neal this year – When We Believed in Mermaids and The Lost Girls of Devon. Interesting plots with subtle twists, likable characters, good writing – things to make me think, to make me smile. I recommend O’Neal and look forward to reading more of her books!
Erika says
This Time Next Year! Cute romcom and loved the way the author added hooking parts for the reader to make connections.
Andrea Leafblad says
Just finished The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan and absolutely recommend it!
Denise says
I think Kristy Woodson Harvey is my all time favorite author. So fun! Waiting on 2 to come into my library now and I’ll have read them all I think! Can’t wait for more!