Hey, hey Tuesday!
You guys, it’s my AUGUST BOOK REVIEW!
We have zero time to waste today, friends. This month, I read FIVE books, and I have a lot to say about each and every one of them.
Grab your coffee and settle in…it’s our favorite blog post of the month!
Let’s start with…
BOOK #1
The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine
If you’re looking for a thriller, here you go!
I am personally rarely ever looking for a thriller, but when SO MANY of you guys recommend the same book over and over again, I know it’s one I need to pick up and read. This fictitious story right here came highly suggested by many of you, so it was an easy one to dig into to kick off my month. Let me just say this, because I certainly do not want to give anything away, I take notes on my phone as I read these books. My notes were going in one direction due to some very specific things I thought were too far-fetched/ridiculous/unrealistic and then all of a sudden, there was a moment that shocked me when I had to go back into my notes and type in all caps: NEVER MIND, LOVE THIS BOOK!
You will be sucked in immediately as this story starts “with a bang”, and then trust me when I say, it keeps you on the rollercoaster the rest of the way through. I liked this book for many reasons including it’s not gory/graphic/scary…just suspenseful.
It’s a novel about a US Senator and his wife…and well, you won’t see it coming. That’s all I’m going to say. I certainly didn’t see coming that I would really like it.
If you love thrillers, read it. If you’re like me and don’t love thrillers, read it 😉 .
BOOK #2
The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
I love me some Kelly Rimmer! You guys, her novel The Things We Cannot Say was my #1 FAVORITE BOOK OF 2019 (out of 54 books). In fact, if I were to go back and rank my #1 book out of my #1 books over the past 9 years, The Things We Cannot Say would probably be my #1 number one book.
Needless to say, I get excited every time I pick up one of Rimmer’s historical fiction novels…and I don’t even like historical fiction.
Her latest book is The Paris Agent, and I didn’t like it…I LOVED IT! You guys, this is such a great book loosely based on real women and real events from World War II and their heroic actions that saved countless lives (if not countries). I ate up every single bit of this story.
This book shares the journeys of several different British secret agents in France during the height of WWII and how their stories are woven together. This is gritty, this is a little hard to read, this made me cheer out loud and stay up late, and when it was over, this book took me straight to Google so that I could learn even more about these brave women (and men!). There were twists, turns, adventure, I was filled with compassion and also rage…my emotions were everywhere as I read.
If you love stories about WWII or books about friendship or women that kick butt or history or suspense or relational books or love, then this is the book for you. Basically, everyone should read this book. I’m giving it two HUGE thumbs up!
When I was finished reading, I typed BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR in my notes in my phone. Here’s the problem though. I immediately picked up…
BOOK #3
…Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner and typed BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR next to it too!
You guys!
Two books in a row!
Erika was reading this book when they visited us on Nantucket, and she kept telling me each morning how the night before, she would stay up late because she could not put this book down. By the end of her trip, I was fully convinced this was going to be an amazing novel just based on Erika’s glowing reviews each day. I was super excited to add this one to my Kindle and dig in.
Y’all…this book, which toggles back and forth between WWII Austria and the 1950s post-war California, made me want to hold my babies and sob. It’s hard. It’s so hard. It’s real though. Even if this is historical fiction, it’s based on real events and real trauma and real lives and you guys, it’s important to read these hard things sometimes. This book covers not just wartime events, but adoption, physical and mental differences, love, grace…it covers it all. I could not put this story down, but I also desperately wanted it to be over because I was in in thick with my emotions. Read this one. The beginning starts off…well, odd, but trust me, it has significant meaning and is all heading in one direction.
Another great one. Another really great one.
After two such amazing reads, how could I top them?
Well…
BOOK #4
…Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum doesn’t at all, so it was easy to be like “agh, this book stinks” and move on.
I mean, it just did.
This book is supposed to be a fun, quirky, chick lit novel with a hint of suspense and all the “feels” of a summer town you know like The Hamptons or The Vineyard or…Nantucket, but honestly, it was just a book about a bunch of terrible marriages where everyone was sleeping with everyone and at the end when you found out “who was killed and who did it”, I was hoping the answer was “everyone was killed because zero of the characters were likeable”.
Skip this book.
I’ve read a handful of great chick lit books this summer, don’t waste your time on this one.
Finally…
BOOK #5
The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey
I love this author and always look forward to her summer stories. Each novel is a bit different but yet, the same. They mostly take place on the water, boast of charming towns and adorable characters, and this one was one in the same…except maybe a bit too predictable. I liked it but didn’t love it. It’s cute, it’s light, it’s easy to read. This is the story of three besties who met at summer camp but are now in their 30s. They must go back and “save” camp bringing of course with them their adult drama and issues. Cute, easy and a great way to end our summer beach books!
And that, my friends, wraps up our AUGUST BOOK REVIEW!
Now, it’s time to dive into fall books! I’m ready to read your recs on what you think I should add to my Kindle next. Please comment and share!
Also, don’t forget…
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.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2022 (all 60 of them), click here.
That wraps up Book Day! I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday! I’ll see you all back here tomorrow! xx
Bernadine says
Bummer, I came for the Tuesday Tour but glad to have some new book recs.
Mix and Match Mama says
On IG today! xx
Erika Slaughter says
Yayyyy!!! So glad you loved it. I had all the emotions as I read. Sounds like I need to read the Kellie Rimmer book next!
Elspeth says
Book review days always gives me good suggestions! I can’t wait for some fall reads! Happy Tuesday!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Julie says
Summer of songbirds is up next for me. Just finished Debbie Macomber’s “Must Love Flowers”. I recommend it!
Rachel Morgan says
Fourth Wing!
Sarina says
AGREED AGREED AGREED. Already have read it twice. Been on such a fantasy bender!
Currently doing the Sarah J Maas journey. I did ACOTAR and now I’m doing TOG then I’ll do CC!
I also just finished the Crowns of Nyaxia series. It was good!
Kierstyn says
Agree! Wasn’t sure if anyone here was interested in fantasy or has ever suggested it. I’m usually not but Sarah J. Maas has me in a choke hold recently. Fourth Wing is on my list!
Lori Linsmeyer says
Yes, amazing book! I can’t wait for the sequel in November.
Jen says
I’m in the middle of this right now and I am LOVING it! I was wondering if anyone would suggest it.
Jeanie says
I just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver which is a riff on David Copperfield. Her way of writing is so good. Her Poisonwood Bible remains in my top ten and while this new novel didn’t reach that status, it also didn’t disappoint.
My library has The Senators Wife on order and I’m 25th on the list so I may be waiting a while. 🥴
Kaley says
I LOVED Demon Copperhead. It’s definitely one that sticks with you! I want to join a book club specifically to talk about this one!
Laura Holmes says
Demon Copperhead was amazing!! Tough to read sometimes, but worth it.
Lynelle says
The Poisonwood Bible is one of my all-time favorite books!
Debbie Dehrer says
Came here to make this recommendation. Barbara Kingsolver is a fantastic writer. Demon Copperhead is one of the best books I have read this year. It’s gritty, and deep and makes you think a lot about some hard subjects, but definitely worth the read.
Kelly Marie Sites says
Only the Beautiful is our book club book this month (my 3 friends). Can’t wait. I love a Kelly Rimmer book and I really love a WW2 Historical Fiction, so I can’t wait.
I suggest The Yellow Wife. Loved it so much.
Tera says
Same! Love historical fiction, especially those based around WWII. The Things We Cannot Say is one of my faves too.
Erin Rivers says
I wasn’t expecting Book Day today so, YAY, Happy Surprise Tuesday to me!! LOL I’m with you…I started Bad Summer People earlier in the month annnnnd quickly put it down. Ugh. NOT good. Your other 4 are either in my TBR pile or on my hold list at the library….now I’m REALLY excited to read them!!
August was not a great reading month for me 🙁 but if you’re looking if you’re looking for something light and quick…
Emma of 83rd Street
The Sweetest Revenge
The Roommate Pact.
I also read Shari Lapena’s new one, Everyone Here is Lying…..it was great until the VERY abrupt ending. I’ve never read a book that ended so abruptly and for no real reason. It really kinda made me mad. LOL Would not recommend (even despite the good reviews).
Sarah DeWald says
I couldn’t put the Senator’s Wife down and I am there with you on the twist. Like whaaaattttt did I just read?!?!?
Mix and Match Mama says
LIKE WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!
Aparna says
Yay! Book day! 4 of these books are in my TBR pile….look8ng forward to reading them…
Aug was an awesome month for me books wise, even though I read only 3, loved them all!
Identity by Nora roberts….one of my fav authors of 30+ years didn’t disappoint…loved her new book…besides the good plot, the heroine is a bartender and lives with her mom and grand mom…just loved reading about their dynamics.
Zero Days by Ruth ware was another good thriller
And lastly The five star weekend was so cute! Loved the plot and the characters!
Going to start Senators wife…it’s been on my TBR since it released…ciao
Jessica says
Identity was so so good!
Nichole says
If you liked Only the Beautiful, you also need to read some of her other books too. I cannot recommend As Bright As Heaven and Secrets of a Charmed Life enough.
Kelly Brannan says
YES, I second the Secrets of a Charmed Life! It’s one of my favorites. I also loved A Fall of Marigolds. Both are so good!
Kelley says
I loved both of these so much too!! I read them a long time ago but they have stuck with me.
Amy says
I came here to suggest A Fall of Marigolds too. So good!!
Susanne says
Susan Meissner is one of the best. I don’t even know if I could pick a favorite book of hers!
KD says
Yes!! She’s such a great author! Loved As Bright As Heaven and Fall of Marigolds
Shannon says
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Emilee says
I just finished The Nightingale last night and said to myself “my next book needs to be one I don’t stay up late for.” I just downloaded Only the Beautiful…who needs quality sleep anyways?!
Mix and Match Mama says
You will not be able to put this one down!
Joanne says
I liked Bad Summer People enough that I finished it and thought it was just okay plot wise; totally agree with you that none of the characters were likable though and I thought the big reveal was kind of anti-climatic. I’ll have to pick up that book by Kelly Rimmer; I usually love her books too. Kristin Harmel usually writes really good historical fiction too and I just loved the one I picked up by her recently– The Paris Daughter; it did start out a bit slow weaving the friendships together but once the war arrived the storyline moved quite quickly.
Jessica says
I listened to that one this month on audio and it was very good!
Jennifer Maynard says
I didn’t realize Kelly Rimmer had a new book out. Just added it to my library holds!
Lisa says
The TBR stack is getting high! Can’t wait to read these! Just finished Katherine Center’s latest book “Hello Stranger” and loved! So many good reads lately!
Charlotte Place says
Love Book Review Day! And…I think you like historical fiction more than you think you do! There’s some really great HF out there, for sure!
Have you read The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot? Sooo good!
Erin Rivers says
I LOVED Lenni and Margot!!! It’s actually been several years since I’ve read it but I STILL think about it.
Theresa says
Hi Shay,
I wanted to recommend you a book – it’s called “The room on Rue Amélie” by Kristin Harmel. The book takes place during WW2. It’s about an American woman who helps hiding Allied soldiers in Paris. It’s a wonderful story, I’m sure you would love it!
I always look forward to your book reviews! 🙂
Jennifer says
I loved that book.! First one I read by that author and plan to read all of her books.
Lorelei Boyett says
I love all of her books! I need to read this one!!
Allison Ferrell says
Read Rainwater by Sandra Brown. It’s a shirt and easy read but still get depth from the characters and ids a surprise twist at the end. Trust me. !! It’s good!
Lisa Klein says
Highly recommend The Wishing Game & Mrs. Nash’s Ashes!!
Amy Heinl says
I am addicted to the Summer I turned Pretty so after completing season 2, I had to read all 3 books in the series so I did this month and they were great but now I want to rewatch season 1 and 2 to compare differences. I am team Conrad so I can only hope for season 3.
I also read The Bodyguard by Katherine Center….another excellent book by her. Her stories and characters are always so rich and flawed and relatable. I just love everything she has ever written and this is no exception
Ashley Gregory says
Go as a River was an excellent book. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Set on a peach orchard in Colorado in 1948. It spans 3 decades to the 70s. One of my top books this year.
Keryn Dias says
Loved this. It was beautiful
Dana says
Love Book review day!! My TBR list always gets longer but I love it!! Have you read Local Woman Missing? It’s a good thriller…a page turner for me!! I just started West with Giraffes that came highly recommended to me!!
Jessamyn Peace says
I liked West with Giraffes! I thought it was really unique.
Jen says
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center was the highlight of my month!
Kaysey says
I loved Only the Beautiful and suspect it will be a top 3 for me! One of my reads this month was Would You Rather by Allison Ashley and it was super cute!
Jessica says
Loved the Senator’s Wife this month also. I have to second Identity by Nora Roberts. I don’t read her often, but my bf insisted I read Identity and it was so good. It kept me on my toes and was wonderful!
Kelsey says
Have you read The Hiding Place? Other than the bible it is my fav book
Mix and Match Mama says
I have not!
Liz says
You should totally read the Hiding Place. It is SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! And there is a movie out and it is SO GOOD too! The movie may be hard to find – it was in theaters for like 2 days. I took my teens (we had all read the book) and we all seriously loved the movie too. Really impactful! It’s the story of Corrie Ten Boon, who was a Christian during WWII – her family helped something like 800 Jews to escape. And as the reader you get to see the Lord’s hand in it all – SUPER IMPACTFUL!
Wanda Draus says
This book had a profound impact on my life.
Sarah Grant says
Same!
Christine says
I agree! Hiding Place is one of my all-time favorites!!!
Pam Zercher says
Shay, I like to read but that’s just not my favorite thing to do in my free time. What I REALLY like though, when you review your books, is when you give them a maturing rating. I won’t waste my time reading, for instance, a R rated book. A G, PG? YES! It would just help me decide to go or no go. 😀 Is that possible?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I ALWAYS note if a book is rated R. In this batch, there were no rated R books. Bad Summer People was the most mature (PG-13), but I’m not recommending it, so don’t read it. The other books were not R. The WWII content is heavy but not disturbing/too mature.
Anne says
I really appreciate the ratings as well.
K.K. says
Every month, I am giddy when I see what post it is!! Thanks, Shay!!!
Rayne Osborn says
The Secret Book of Flora Lee was great if you haven’t read yet!
Wanda says
Agree!
Elizabeth says
I just finished Tom Lake (Ann Patchett’s new novel) on Audio – Meryl Streep is incredible! A good end of the summer/into Fall book Also, I picked up Pieces of Blue based on a recommendation in the July Book Comments – so good – highly recommend!!! Loved The Senator’s Wife!
Katie Compton says
I recommended that book! Well, possibly someone else may have too. But I’m so glad someone read it, ha! I loved it as well. One of my favorite summer reads! I’m going to check out Tom Lake right now, thank you!
Patti Stanford says
I agree, Tom Lake was very good! The characters were easy to get to know. The ending was much better than I thought it would be and a little bit unexpected.
Laura Berry says
Have you read The Kitchen House, yet? If not, do it!
Kelly Brannan says
The Kitchen House was so good! I read it years ago and still remember it.
Julie Harris says
I loved The Kitchen House too! Just yesterday, I started the sequel Glory Over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House….so far, it’s great.
Kristen Smith says
The Thursday Murder club series is great. Mystery and comedy (not gory) and set in England! I just finished two of Jenny Colgan’s latest books and they were wonderful. I want to visit Scotland now!
Brenda Thompson says
I added several of these to my “want to read” list! Thanks for the rec’s! I read The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner last year and it was defiantly in my top 5 of the year. It is technically historical fiction but reads a bit like a thriller with twists and turns (but not scary!) Defiantly going to read Only the Beautiful. So far my 2 favorite books of this year are: The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, a beautifully written tale about a boy born with a condition that makes him different (or as his mom would say, made him extraordinary) and his lifelong struggles with the life he was given. And Wrong Place Wrong Time. This was such a different spin on a plot where a woman goes back in time to change the outcome of something that happened in the present. I normally would scoff at a time travel plot but believe me, this one will have you guessing and reading to find out more!
Kelly Brannan says
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell was excellent!
Mary Kruft says
Sam Hell is an incredible book & leads to great book club chats!
Dianna cline says
I totally agree about Bad Summer People. I was disappointed. And I too loved Only the beautiful. Thanks for the new recs!
Lorelei Boyett says
Oh my goodness I love book review day and you hit it out of the park this month, well except number 4, but all of the others are totally the kind of books I love! Especially WWII books, give me all the historical fiction!! Thanks Shay🥰
Cassie D says
I read The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker this month and thought it was great! An Alaskan setting always fascinates me.
Mix and Match Mama says
I loved this entire series!!! Book Four was my fave!!
Sarah says
Definitely check out Hello Stranger by Katherine Center (her new book). You have to suspend disbelief a bit, but still an enjoyable read!
For a major throwback recommendation, the only Stephen King book I have ever read in my life (I am NOT a horror reader) was 11/22/63. Alas, it does fall into another category you don’t love (historical fiction) but it’s truly a ride. I’ve recommended it to so many people over the years and I think most people have been grateful 🙂. But it’s a throwback like I said because it came out quite a while ago (2012).
Amanda says
Looking forward to The Senstor’s Wife
My book club is reading “To Die Beautiful” by Buzzy Jackson. Such an amazing book about the occupation of the Netherlands during WWII and how/what resistance fighters did to help their countrymen from/avoid the Nazi. Highly recommend
Kate Andersen says
I recently read A Woman in No Man by Etaf Rum – I highly recommend as one that will stick with me for a long time and so well written.
Sheaffer says
We all know I’m not reading it, so just text me and tell me what happened in The Senator’s Wife. mmmm’kay?
Patty says
99 Days With You by Catherine Miller
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
Shannon says
Beyond That, the Sea was great.
Kristin says
Haaaaated Bad Summer People 😂I truly disliked the characters. I had to “hate read” through it to get it done and was so happy to be done with it lol.
Currently reading The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer and it’s SO good!!
Kathy says
Your term “hate read” perfectly describes what I do when I choose to finish a book I’m really not enjoying. 99% of the time, the book should have been a DNF.
Leslie Maune says
Have you read Remarkably Bright Creatures? I just finished it and I loved it so much. Author is Shelby Van Pelt. Must read!
Mix and Match Mama says
It was MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2022! You can read my full review here: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2022/12/2022-books-in-review/
Sarah Madsen says
I just finished “Just the Nicest Couple” but Mary Kubica and it was really good. Kept me on my toes, and really liked it. But then I read “The Pefect Marriage” by Jeneva Rose and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. This book has 2 perspectives – husband & wife and it is a thriller, mystery, not scary or creepy and it sucked me in. The last 1/4 of the book was intense and my jaw was on the floor the whole time.
OMG.
Maria says
None of this is true by Lisa Jewel. OMG! I’m still thinking about it days later. Not a scary thriller just makes you think.
Sorry I recommended Bad summer people. It was publicized here in NYC for over a year with the drama surrounding the author. It was like a real housewives trip for me. I agree with the Amazon reviews with people saying it’s the opposite of a Elin Hilderbrand novel.
Deena says
Sounds like some books to check out! I just got done reading Wish you were Here by Jodi Picoult for my book club and I was surprised at how caught up I got in it given that it was at the beginning of the pandemic. I’m looking forward to the discussion.
Taylor Reynolds says
I look forward to your book reviews every month!! I think it’s time for you to admit that you like historical fiction 😂❤️ All of my favorite books that came from your reviews are historical fiction!
Mix and Match Mama says
Why am I so adamant that I don’t love it?! I clearly do!! Agh!
Jessamyn Peace says
You have recommended several books over the years that I have LOVED (The Girl with Seven Names and The Boys in the Boat were two!) but I don’t think I’ve ever commented recs so I have two authors for you! Kerry Winfrey – Waiting for Tom Hanks and Not Like the Movies were so cute and are stand alone but share characters. Hallmark-y but not too predictable. They’re cozy fall reads. Also for winter – both of Mark Sullivan’s books – The Last Green Valley and Beneath a Scarlet Sky are epic, inspiring, suspenseful, often in the snow, little-known WWII true stories but fictionalized. I have read both of these with my dad and brother and we’ve all loved them. Hope you enjoy them if you read!
Erin G says
Shay you e got to read The Measure by Nikki Erlick. When I finished it I actually came to your blog and did a search to see if you had reviewed it and nope! It’s a beautiful book. Just read it.
Dawn says
Busy week so I didn’t check earlier this week and I’m glad I remembered to circle back. I have to check out a few of these.
Shanda Nation says
I think one month you should read the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses Series. I’ve never read a fantasy series and wasn’t sure I would now add this genre to my beloved book collection but it is absolutely fabulous in every way. Every book is five stars.
Also the Fourth Wing is what got my very interested in this genre and wanting more!
Jodi says
I just finished Only the Beautiful. I was delightfully surprised when I opened it to see that it was set in my home county in the very city I live in. By the end of the book I was wrecked to have learned what happened right in my city in the 40s. The closeness to home made it all the more real. So beautiful and so hard to read all at the same time.
Kelly says
I have really enjoyed The Housemaid and the Housemaids Secret.
Amy says
LOL Clearly you do like historical fiction! I feel like you can never go wrong with anything by Kristin Harmel for that genre (I love WWII historical fiction with a focus on women’s roles as spies, couriers, forgers, etc.) I also loved Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Or Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Most of my other favorites this year you have already read 🙂
Monika says
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney