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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

Books ·

August 2021 Book Review


Happy BOOK DAY!!!!

What makes a Monday better?  Chatting about BOOKS!!

Last month, I asked/begged/pleaded for more recommendations of books that weren’t super light/predictable/beachy/easy to read.  I wanted meatier, heavier, and more substantial.  You gave me recs and this month, I read them!  Today, I’m sharing the FOUR books I read this month along with my reviews.

Friends…this was my favorite month of reading so far in 2021!  Settle in…I have some books here today that YOU need to read!

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel is hands down one of my favorite reads this year.  This novel gave me everything I needed.  It was cute, it had a charming setting, it involved food, family, love, and music.  This story has an amazing cast of characters…every one I loved!  It’s a fictional story about a musical trio in their mid-50s made up of a pianist, cellist and…they’re looking for a new violinist.  This story unfolds during the summer at one of their homes outside of New York City.  Even though the plot gets a bit complex, it still keeps it’s lightness.  It’s a story of their friendship dynamics, their family dynamics (how friends can be family), it’s sweet, it’s surprising…it’s feel good.  There is an occasional naughty word, but really and truly, it’s not rated R at all.  It’s just a great story about flawed people who love each other, their craft and their family.  It will make you want to listen to classical music, gather your family for a delicious supper and get outside and enjoy the last days of summer.  Read it!

Next up, I read…

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller.

So, I had two friends tell me that I was going to hate this book.  Ha!  In hindsight, I’m SO HAPPY THEY DID because even though this is on every top book list right now, it really lowered the bar for me…and I loved it!  Again, I would say this was one of the BEST books I’ve read this year!  I actually thought this story was very reminiscent of Malibu Rising (which I read last month and didn’t love), and now, in hindsight, maybe I would have loved that book more if someone would have lowered the bar for me going in.  I had high expectations for that one, and it fell flat…whereas, I had low expectations for this one, and it was a homerun!

This novel is really complex, is most definitely rated R for content and subject matter, and if I had to sum it up in one word, I would say it was…haunting.  I don’t know?  That’s the word that keeps coming to me.  It’s reminded of Where the Crawdad’s Sing.  You know…fictional yet deep…very reminiscent and thought provoking.  This is the story of one woman who visits her family’s summer home each year carrying a burden with her.  The book opens with a mistake she makes and then works backwards from there…and then, works forward.  I was putting myself in her position.  I was sad for her.  I was mad at her.  I was hopeful for her.  I had all the emotions and COULD NOT PUT THIS ONE DOWN.  If you want a really meaty book that will make you think, ponder and stew about life, choices we make, burdens we carry…this book is for you.  Loved it.

The third book I read this month was…

Yoga Pant Nation by Laurie Gelman which is the third book in her Class Mom series.  Every single mother should be required to read these books at the beginning of each school year. I LOVE THEM!!  Each and every book is fantastic!  They’re funny, they’re witty, they’re so dang relatable!  As a class mom myself (8 years and running!), I laugh and laugh as I read this series because geez, it’s so true.  Even though this is a work of fiction, you will feel like you know this mom.  That you are this mom.  That you read her emails, wear her yoga pants, drive her minivan, and see her at school.  If you want a back to school novel to warm your heart and make you giggle, grab this one.  Please make sure you do start with the first book in the series though as they do go in order.  I was thrilled to see that she has one more coming out next year too.  I always look forward to these books each year.  LOVE. THEM!!

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave was the fourth an final book I read this month.  Hmmmm…I have all the thoughts.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I didn’t want to put it down, couldn’t wait to pick it back up and was totally sucked in.  Now, this fictional story has many unrealistic moments/events (in my opinion), but the pace of this suspenseful novel moves so well that I didn’t mind one bit.  The main character’s husband…well, he disappears and leaves her with a step-daughter, a note and a whole lot of questions.  As the two of them unravel the situation, there are many twists, turns and surprises along the way.  Did it end the way I wanted it to end?  Not really.  Was it super realistic?  No.  Did I love every page?  Yes.  If you like thrillers/suspenseful books, this is your novel.  If you’re like me and don’t particularly love that stuff, this is probably your novel too.  It wasn’t too scary…it was just the right amount of suspense and intrigue.  You’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Okay, that wraps up my August Book Review!  If you read any of these books this month, I’d love to hear your thoughts!!  I would also love new recs for fall too please!!  If you have any really FALL-ISH books, make sure you share those!!

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 Monday, friends!!!  I can’t wait to read your recs!! xx

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Comments

    • M says

      Not related to books but podcasts. Have you and Erika considered interviewing friends and family members about adoption?
      I also have to recommend my favorite podcasts: Live in Love with Lauren Akins (only 8 interviews), and The Messy Table with Jenn Jewell (episode 79 and 103 are amazing)

  3. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    I really need to read the Class Mom series–sounds so cute! I just finished the Pamela Kelly Nantucket Inn series and LOVED IT!! I felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie the whole time!
    MeetTheShaneyfelts

  6. Stephanie Parisotto says

    Our book club read the last thing he told me and we all thought it was good but not great! I’m having a hard time getting through the paper palace, not sure what it is. I love where the crawdads sing and agree this book is very similar, I’m just not loving the paper palace!

  7. Danya Bell says

    I love your book reviews! I am currently reading “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams. I like it far! Reviewers call it “Heartwarming”. I am only 1/3 in so I haven’t decided yet! I am also reading “The Secret Keeper of Jaipur” by Alka Joshi which is the sequel to “The Henna artist” which I loved! My favorites that I am not sure you read yet are “Kitchens of the great Midwest” by J. Ryan Stradal and “Nine women One Dress” by Jane L Rosen. For an entertaining and socially challenging read “The Rosie Project “ by Graeme Simsion.

    • Lori L. says

      I picked The Reading List for my book club. I loved it so much! My bestie did too. I hope the other ladies loved it, we don’t meet for another week!

  8. Ani Martinez says

    The Paper Palace was so good (and sad, and enraging, and thought provoking). The Night Swim and The One are very good, keep you guessing, books.

    • Elise Schoeff says

      I read “The Last Thing He Told Me” this month too. I really liked it. Have you read “Oona Out of Order”? I’m reading that now and can’t put it down! I love a good time travel book. If you liked “The Time Travelers Wife” you will like this one too!

  10. Derricca Krutsinger says

    Have you ever done a “day in the life of reading”? I think it would be a cool idea anyway.? I’m just curious if you’re just reading in the evenings and are a super fast reader? Or do you take books with you everywhere you go and read when your waiting on kids? I feel like I may just be a slower reader ?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Ohhhh! That’s a fun idea! I read mostly at night and then ALWAYS when I’m waiting on my kids. My Kindle goes everywhere with me. Today, K has tumbling, I’ll read in the car while she’s there (you can’t go inside yet). I’m always squeezing in minutes.

      • Kim says

        Oooooo I would love to read that post Shay! Always wondering how/where you did in your reading.

  13. Mary says

    I read The Last Thing He Told Me last month and I loved it too- even though opinions were mixed on that one. I am recommending you read Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain. It was my fav book ❤️ of 2020!! It was suspenseful and had me trying to figure out all the twists and turns right up until the end!! And if you haven’t read any books by Diane Chamberlain, I also think you would like The Silent Sister and The Dream Daughter- again, lots of twists and turns throughout and just when you think you have figured it out… LOVE your book review day!!

    • Susanne says

      We’re reading The Dream Daughter for our book club this month. I read it a couple years ago and it was so good I selected it for book club! And I read Big Lies in a Small Town last year as well and thought it was fantastic too. I love Diane Chamberlain!

  15. Jaren says

    Love book review days!!! Have you read The Caretakers or The Forgotten Seamstress? I loved them both!

  16. Erin Smith says

    Adding ALL of these to my TBR pile! I did read The Last Thing He Told Me already- loved it! One of my favs of the year!

  17. Kalen says

    I’ve added these ALL to my list! Currently wrapping up The Sixth Wedding, and next on the list is Kelly Rimmer’s The Warsaw Orphan. Hoping it’s a good one!

  18. Britt says

    I’m almost finished with November 9 by Colleen Hoover and I’ve loved it!! It’s not fall-ish, despite the title, but it’s GOOD!!

  19. Amy K says

    If you liked The Last Thing He Told Me, then you would probably like Northern Spy by Flynn Berry – intrigue, suspense, drama. One of my favorite parts was that it was set in Ireland!

  20. Jenny Brady says

    I’m so glad you did a review on The Paper Palace, it’s been on my list but I’ve been hesitant to read for the same reasons! I couldn’t put The Last Thing He Told Me down, and your review was spot on. A suggestion for you, if you haven’t read it, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. I can’t explain it but I think it’s a book I’ll always remember.

    • Tammy says

      Absolutely loved The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and The Last Thing He Told Me. Both were books that I read with my book club. Really loved them for different reasons. Sam Hell is definitely a book that sticks with you and I highly recommend!

  21. Taylor says

    I love your book reviews each month!! I’m on my 31st book for the year and I just finished my second Luanne Rice book. The first one of hers I read was called Last Day and I just finished The Shadow Box and they are both SO good!!! Semi suspenseful but not gritty and just an occasional cuss word thrown in, so I would say rated PG-13ish. If you read them, read Last Day first, because some of the characters carry over to The Shadow Box and they are just so, so good. She does an excellent job telling a story. And also, Irene Hannon is a great author. I’ve read her Private Justice 3 book series and it was so good. She’s a christian suspense writer and also tells a great story! It’s kind of like Hallmark meets John Grisham. Ha!

  22. Kelly says

    Two of the four are already in my library que and the other two are being added asap! Thanks, Shay:)

  25. Maria says

    I loved Yoga Pant Nation! She’s hysterical and relatable!

    Have you read The Siren? I’m half way through it. Starts off slow but it’s finally getting really good. It’s about a group of actors and crew filming a movie at a beach resort and everyone has a backstory.

    TV related have you heard about the new series Murder in the Building with Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez? It looks hysterical! Coming out tomorrow on Hulu. I could use a murder mystery/comedy right now!

  26. Morie Smith says

    I’m so glad to see you read Yoga Pant Nation because I read Class Mom earlier this month based off your recommendation and hoped you knew there were two sequels!! My oldest is about to start preschool and I feel like they were the perfect warm up to the crazy about to start, haha! I loved The Last Thing He Told Me, too! I’m starting to hear a lot about The Paper Palace so it’s on my list now!

  27. MelanieL says

    I love the Class Mom series so I can’t wait to read Yoga Pant Nation! I just finished The One by John Marrs (recommened by Andrea!) and I loved it even though it’s not typically what I read (hello, dystopian fiction?!?). Reading Surfside Sisters by Nancy Thayer now. 🙂

  30. Alison says

    My fall TBR books are The Thirteenth Tale, We Are the Brennans, The People We Keep, and Once There Were Wolves. I’m excited to read these soon and think they might interest you! 🙂

  31. Becky says

    I also read The Last Thing He Told Me. Yes to suspenseful…..However, I found it very unrealistic and disappointed.

  32. Stephanie Clark says

    If you are looking for a suspense with some plot twists, I recommend The Girl in the Mirror, Open House, The Stranger in the Mirror or The Wife Who Knew Too Much. All good reads, all rated R for language and content. But, they will keep you on the edge of your seat and they are not predictable, which is what I want. I do NOT want to guess they end. If you only pick one, my favorite was The Girl in the Mirror.

    In my opinion you can never go wrong with a Beth O’Leary book. I have loved them all. Her latest, The Road Trip is very good too.

    Lastly, if you just want to escape and have a good “get-away” book, then Float Plan by Trish Doller or The Layover by Lacie Waldon were good reads too.

    I am 100 pages into The Last Thing He Told Me and so excited to hear it is a good one. I read Musical Chairs last month and loved it too. I have to say I have really liked all her books. I think you read/reviewed Small Admissions years ago and it was so good.

  33. Theresa Childs says

    I’m heading to Massachusetts next month. Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and then on up to Maine. Your trip reviews have been very helpful. What book should I read on my trip. I loved 28 Summers. Thanks for your help ?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Awwwww! I’m so excited to hear this! Read Blue Bistro and FOR SURE read The Identicals!!

  34. Erin Lloyd says

    I’m reading a fantastic memoir called Between Two Kingdoms. Also up next us I structions for Dancing which I heard is fantastic and Tokyo Ever After!!

  35. Patty Anderson says

    Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgans…finished it last night and while it was an emotionally tough read, I thought it was well written and gave me much to think about. It’s a story which will stay with me for a long time, I think.

  36. Katie Compton says

    I’m a teacher and a mom and I recommend The Class Mom series to literally every woman I know. Ha! I loved them all. I also loved Musical Chairs! I just stared Nine Perfect Strangers b/c I’m intrigued by the Hulu series getting ready to come out and of course I have to read the book first. 🙂 Happy Monday!

  37. KH says

    I love how you just love reading but are mad when it’s not realistic. I read to escape reality!! Too funny.
    I can’t wait to read the Paper Palace. I’m 91 of like 700 holds at the library. Maybe I’ll get to read it this year.

  38. Lindsay says

    Have you read The Push by Audrey Audrain? So far it’s one of my top 2021 books read! So so good.

  39. Aparna says

    Hi Shay Looking forward to reading The last thing he told me in September. I read a couple of good books in aug…verity by Colleen Hoover and Not a Happy family by shari Lapena. Both I enjoyed…Shari lapena is becoming my fav suspense author, reminds me of Mary Higgins Clark, who I used to love!

  40. Stephanie says

    The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff is a must read. I cried in the first chapter. And basically ugly cried at the end. It did leave me with a few unanswered questions, like the author needed to hurry up and end the book but I still loved it.
    The Push is popular right now but I personally didn’t love it. But it’s different and shocking and disturbing and normally I would like that but this one just wasn’t a home run for me.

  41. Michelle says

    I am so excited to be reading for enjoyment again. I bought myself a kindle and have been reading 2-3 books a week! Look forward to these reviews.

  42. Priscilla says

    I’m reading Yoga Pant Nation right now. It’s adorable. Finished Malibu Rising, and didn’t see the point of it?? I started The Paper Palace, and quit after the first chapter. It was disgusting to me. I’m in a book slump.

  43. Courtney Taylor says

    Shay, you MUST read Erin Frenches memoir/auto-biography Finding Freedom: A Cooks Story Remaking a Life From Scratch. And if you haven’t seen it yet, you also must watch her new show on Discovery + Magnolia Network called the Lost Kitchen. Both are AMAZING!

  46. Kelsey says

    I felt the same way about The Last Thing He Told Me. It took a couple chapters to get hooked but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Recommend 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard if you liked this one

  48. Andrea says

    I’m currently reading “ the last summer at the golden hotel”… so far I’m loving it.

  50. Bethany says

    I’m reading The Book of Lost Names- based on WW2. Also, I am adding Class Mom to my library list!

  53. Erin says

    Adding all these books to my list! Just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea and it was sweetest fantasy novel. I think it is aimed for a youngish audience but I adored it. Filled me up like a warm cup of tea.

  54. Donna Cheatham says

    Do you have Beth Moore’s Personal Reflection Series? a separate book of each Jesus, John, Paul, David. I’m reading the series again, very good ?

  55. Dawn says

    This is the first time I’ve been able to check out a digital copy from the library immediately after reading your reviews! Normally I’m in a long hold queue that lasts for six months. Very excited to read Musical Chairs. Have you read The Daughters of Erietown? I really enjoyed that one.

  56. Michelle says

    Pachinko
    The Kite Runner
    A Thousand Splendid Suns
    Book of Negroes

    -ALL heavy but the BEST books.

  58. Janique says

    This month I read:
    The Guncle -loved
    Our woman in Moscow- really good
    Running for My Life ~ loved
    Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell- loved
    Truths I Never Told You- loved
    As always, I look forward to your book recommendations each month

  60. Carlye Marshall says

    Ever read verse novels??? I read my first one today and loved it. I’m a middle school teacher and am often looking for something for my school kiddos to read. I think this would be one for the boys mostly, but I truly enjoyed it! I read it in about 2 hours and it is so meaty and makes you think. It is nowhere near anything like where I live (white girl in the country) but it was really good! Boy grows up in the projects and lives by “the rules” and has to make a hard decision. Does he follow the generational rules set before him, or does he break the rules? It has 305 pages, but again, it’s written in verse, so it is real quick.
    Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

    • Janique Smythe says

      I read this book after seeing your recommendation and LOVED it. I laughed and cried. What a beautiful story of friendship. Thank you.

  62. Holly says

    I love book review day!!

    This month I read –
    Float Plan by Trish Dollar – loved it
    Beach Read by Emily Henry – liked it
    The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez – loved it
    No Hiding in Boise by Kim Hooper – highly recommend / super well written
    The Sanatorium- creepy

  63. Hayley Chandler says

    I always love your book reviews. I’m guessing you have already read this, but one of my fav books I’ve read this year was The Giver of the Stars by JoJo Moyes. Also, my dear friend released a new novel on the platform Kindle Vella. Kindle Vella just started in July. It’s serialized writing. You should look into my friend, Krissi Dallas. Her novel on Kindle Vella is Icarus Flight School. It’s a sweet romance mixed with spy thriller. There are so many twists and turns. It will keep you guessing. She is releasing the final episode/chapter today, so you could read the whole thing without having to wait for the next week’s chapters to release.

  64. Michelle says

    “We Begin at the End” by Chris Whitaker and “May the Road Rise Up To Meet You” by Peter Troy are two outstanding books

  65. Kristin S says

    Even if you aren’t a mom, Laurie’s books are a great-read. Don’t be turned away if you aren’t a mom.

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