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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 ·

July 2025 Book Review


It’s my JULY BOOK REVIEW!

Yay!

I love book day 🙂 .

This month, I read five books, four fiction and one lifestyle.  My thoughts and opinions are all over the place.

Let’s get to it…

Book #1:

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

This was our JULY BOOK CLUB read.  If you have already read it/don’t care about “spoilers”/want to read our thoughts and opinions of it from the book club, click HERE.

Here is my “spoiler-free” review:

You guys, I have read so many Backman books and never really enjoyed them…but I gave this novel 5 STARS!

Needless to say, I was a fan.

This is the story about a young homeless girl who ends up traveling with an older gentleman.  Over the course of their time together, much is revealed about his life, his friends growing up and how he got where he is (and why he’s helping her).

This story is R-I-C-H in substance.  The characters are fragile and broken but also strong and resilient.  This is about old friendships, new friendships, and unlikely friendships all weaved together with a bit of adventure, a little mystery and a lot of heart.

I typically don’t enjoy books by this author because at the end I just feel tired, depleted and unsettled.  At the end of this book, I felt hopeful, optimistic and warm inside.  It’s a heartwarming tale.  I loved it.

Book #2:

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

This novel had so much potential!  I *think* this is my first Ali Hazelwood book to read, and I honestly really thought the plot was adorable.  This story is about a younger (23 year old) sister invited to her older (38 year old) brother’s wedding at an ocean front boutique hotel in Italy and no one in the wedding party is wise to the fact that she and the best man (also older) have been in love for years.

Gorgeous setting + adorable characters + yummy Italian food references + a cute plot about unconventional love + loads of Texas references and loads of UK references + way too much adult content.  Sigh.

You guys know the books that I read. I’m not opposed to a bit of adult content when it’s necessary to the story/relevant/in moderation.  This cute little novel just, in my opinion, had a wee bit much.  The story was so good on its own (very light, easy to read, summery chick lit) that it didn’t need allllll of the extra content.

So yes, I really thought it was cute and perfect for summer, but buyer beware if you’re not interested in purchasing a book with excessive cursing and sexual content.

Book #3:

How To Be Chic in the Summer by Fiona Ferris

I actually read this book last year as well, but for whatever reason, I never added it to my reading list.  You girls already know I love it because…this is now my third time to blog about it this summer.  Clearly, I’m a fan 🙂 .

If you are looking for a lifestyle book to put a pep in your hot and sweaty summer step, here you go.  Fiona Ferris always writes book that motivate and encourage me to live my best life.  She makes every day sound like it has the potential to be the very best day…even those hot, sticky, humid, muggy summer days.  You will not only fly through this book, but you’ll come out on the other side with a better attitude about the heat, a few quick recipe ideas, ways to style your hair and wardrobe to work with the summer weather and not against it, and motivated to make today a great day.

Two big thumbs up!

Book #4:

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Oh man, I don’t know where to begin with this novel.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to read this one as it’s been very very popular for some time now.  I’ve even had it on my Kindle for months, but I just now cracked it open this month.

Let me start by saying, I thought this book was okay.  Did I love it?  No.  Did I hate it?  No.  This is one that if you quit in the middle, I can guarantee you won’t like it.  You have to read until the end to see the hope/optimism/lightness.

This fictional story is about a woman who is STRUGGLING in her own personal life and somehow accidentally ends up being the only non-wedding guest at a resort during a wedding weekend.  She becomes friends with the bride and together, they work out both of their issues.

Reader please, please, please beware because this book deals heavily with the topic of suicide.  It also addresses infertility as a main theme too, so if you are sensitive to either topic, please know that in advance.

This novel was really hard to read at times because of the seriousness of the topics…but then somehow, the author would add a bit of levity to lighten the mood.  It was certainly an unusual read.  It’s not a summery beach book…it’s much deeper than that.  I am very curious if you have read it and what your thoughts are on it.

Book #5:

Everyone is Lying To You by Jo Piazza

Well this book was FUN!  This is a suspenseful novel about a bunch of powerful social media influencers and…there’s a murder.  This is my kind of “thriller” because it wasn’t too gory or graphic, it wasn’t too scary, it moved quickly and kept me entertained and not just terrified.

This is about a writer/mom/wife who lives in the ‘burbs but is called out to attend an influencer conference to interview her former best friend (who is now an influencer with over 11 million followers) and drama ensues.

This one moves fast and is fun, so it was really easy to breeze through.  Now, the end of the book got a little too unrealistic for me…but overall, I really enjoyed this novel.  If you’re looking for a fun little thriller, here you go.

And that’s our JULY BOOK REVIEW!

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.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2023 (all 51 of them), click here.

To see the complete list of books I read in 2024 (all 58 of them), click here.

If you want to stay current on all of the books I’m reading in 2025, THIS PAGE HERE is where I keep the books, authors and reviews each month.

Also, we would love, love to have you join us in August for our BOOK CLUB!

Next month, we are reading…

…The View From Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani.

Okay, please, please share some new book recs with me.  I need some fresh, new suggestions.  My “to read” list is getting thin.  Thank you in advance!

Also, make sure you check out this month’s special edition of SPOTLIGHT: JULY TRAVELS where I’m sharing so many great destinations my Mix and Match Travel Agency’s clients have been on this month alone.  You can see that post HERE.

Have the best Tuesday, friends!  Let’s chat books below. xx

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July Book ReviewJuly 2018 Book Review
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Comments

  2. Val says

    I love Mary Alice Monroe’s books set in the lowcountry! Summer Girls and The Beach House are a good summer reads – both are part of a series. I also recommend Atmosphere, the latest Taylor Jenkins Reed book.

    • Katie Mitchell says

      Don’t know if you’ve read these but…I really liked Songs of Summer by Jane L. Rosen…the last in the Fire Island Series (all fun summer reads!). Two really good books I listened to this month were Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and The Correspondent by Virginia Evens (full cast audio). Just started reading The Names so I’m counting it for August LOL…I think it’s gonna be a tough one!!

    • Amy Heinl says

      Love her too and strongly recommend her newest book, Where the River Runs….it’s one of her best

  4. Lisa says

    I loved The Wedding People! I loved the details in the characters in the evolution of them over the course of the book. I rarely reread a book, but it’s my go to pick up. If I don’t have a current book I’m reading and need to read something before bed I pick up this book. I enjoy your monthly book review, thank you!

  6. Shannon says

    Have you tried The Husbands by
    Holly Gramazio?

    Such a fun book! Very unusual plot but so good.

  7. Lisa D says

    I have not read Everyone Is Lying To You but I read and loved another one of the author’s book The Sicilian Inheritance (Jo Piazza)

    Books I’ve read recently that I highly recommend:
    Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall — so, so good
    The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston — this is a 5-star book, I loved it
    Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister — another terrific, top book from the author
    If you like Biblical fiction, Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar is wonderful

    • sandi says

      Tessa Afshar’s books do not disappoint! I think I have read just about all of her books and they are certainly rich with content and add an extra layer to biblical fiction.

      • Jeanie says

        Have you ever listened to Elin Hilderbrand’s podcast. It’s so interesting with authors and the books they love too. I love Elin and would have a hard time not being a major fan girl. Have you ever run in to her? She always says she hangs out at the bookstore and Cisco quite often.

        • Mix and Match Mama says

          I haven’t and I don’t know why? I always forget. I run into her all the time, but I haven’t spoken with her. This summer, I bet I’ve seen her at least once a week.

  8. Karen says

    I am currently reading Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I love her writing! I would happily read TJR’s shopping list, if she chose to share it with the world 🙂

  9. Kelly M Sites says

    I’m an avid reader and usually have 3 books going at once. But lately I can’t seem to focus. Not sure what that is about. Last year I read so so so many great books, many 5 stars, and this year-blah. It’s been tough to get into anything. I’m still plugging along, though, but just not having a reading moment, I guess.

    • Jennifer says

      That is the same for me too. I too have 3 books going at a time and I’m not connecting to a lot this year. Not sure what it is

  10. Laura Holmes says

    I have My Friends downloaded on my kindle for my vacation this week! My daughter bought me The Wedding People for Mother’s Day. I have read a chapter or two and put it down. Sigh… I like to keep my consumption of books/movies/tv on the more fun and uplifting side. I did not expect this book to center around the topics that it does. My bad for not looking into it more before putting it on a “to read” list. Based on what you said above, I should pick it back up and finish it. That will be an after vacation read!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I don’t know if you should read it. It was okay. I think if you have other books on your list, pick those up first.

      • Darcy says

        I agree wholeheartedly with this comment about letting “The Wedding People” go. It was such a strange read for me and I honestly don’t understand the hype about it. I almost felt like I needed to reread it, as so many people seem to enjoy, but I just didn’t like the storyline the first time and don’t think I would enjoy the 2nd time around either. I think it is the topic of suicide being so flippantly and unrealistically depicted that bothered me.

        • Kelly says

          Exactly how I felt about it as well. I kept thinking why is this book so popular and classified as a light summer beach read. It’s none of those things.

  11. Eliza says

    The Wager by David Grann
    I’m not sure how but I did not realize it was non fiction when I started listening to it. But in the name of it’s good to try new things from time to time I thought I’d give it a go. Also the person who recommended it, liked it. I glad I did; it was interesting! Plus you’ve probably gained some seafaring history being on Nantucket…

  12. Kristin says

    Currently reading One Good Thing, which seems like a Shay book, so I may well have found it here. I just finished The Names, and loved it. I also loved The Impossible Thing. Far and Away was less fluffy than I expected, and I enjoyed it. Oh, Welcome to Murder Week takes place in a small English village, and there’s not a real murder, just a game, and you might like that! I need to get My Friends. Backman is always a slow starter for me, but I loved A Man Called Ove and Anxious People.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I don’t think so??? I don’t know? I don’t think I have. Same author?

      • Jan says

        I loved The Husbands! Read it last year and still think about it. Just listened to the audiobook recently too. It’s funny but very thought provoking. You truly have to suspend belief but it’s worth it. Highly recommend.

        • jennibell says

          Just read a sample and put it on hold – looks good! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂

      • Tricia says

        The Husbands is SO good. I still think about it!! And if you want to give Ali Hazelwood another try I would try “The Love Hypothesis” – it was her first & much less raunchy (one open door scene). Xoxo

    • Nova says

      I think the husband’s is kinda of creepy! Interesting fresh pov, but still, creeper.

  14. Katie Compton says

    Hooray for book review day!! I just finished a great one that I think you’d really like- The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh. It was a fun, quick read that just made me smile the entire time I was reading it. Think Hallmark Channel meets Thelma and Louise… a perfect summer read! Not to be bossy, but you must check it out. 😊

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I don’t mind you being bossy about books! I needed another one! THANK YOU!! xx

    • Julee says

      Thanks for the Rec. Looks good – downloading now. After a couple of read duds – like delete from the Kindle bad – I need a good summer read!

  15. Kaley says

    Shay, you MUST read Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. It is such a wonderful novel that will stick with you for a long time. Don’t let the “boring” cover fool you, it’s so well written, uplifting, and poignant. It would also make a wonderful book club choice.

    I also recently loved Speak to Me of Home (by the author of American Dirt). It was so good!

    • Mary Anne Duke says

      I totally agree with Theo of Golden. My book club read it and it was 💫💫💫💫💫.
      A wonderful book.

    • Tracy says

      I’m reading Theo of Golden right now on the recommendation of a friend and it is SO good!

    • Sharon says

      I agree with you about Theo of Golden. It was so uplifting. It was a book I loved and will never forget.

    • Alyssa J says

      Count me in as another vote for Theo of Golden. I bought it last year but didn’t read it until February of this year. It’s incredible and is having a moment as I’m seeing it everywhere now.

  16. Lynne Cook says

    I felt the same way about Wedding People! I read it but didn’t love it like everyone else seems to.

    • Jill (Steiner) Zeller says

      Same with me!! Just finished it. I almost quit but kept thinking it would get better. It did get some better but still not as great as I thought it would be. Glad to hear I’m not alone 🙂

      • Melanie says

        I felt the same way! Struggled to get through it. The ending was decent but not a book I tell people is a must….. I know it has been very popular so it may be just me…

        • Julee says

          I think the title is half the problem with this book. It is just so different from what you think it will be.

  17. Melissa Day says

    Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is a must read! I’ve been recommending to everyone. I loved it so much!

  18. Jessica Tribbett says

    Have you read Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee? It’s a very good Historical fiction book. It’s about a girl in Nashville TN from a wealthy family, her 16th bday is on the day the stock market crashes and her families world is rocked. Fast forward 6 years, she wants to be a journalist and gets a job with the Federal Writers Project to document the lives of remaining living slaves, she is assigned to 101 yo woman named Frankie and a hard but beautiful story unfolds. It’s a pretty quick read too!

  19. Jessica says

    I think you would LOVE some other Ali Hazelwood books. Not In Love is the first book before Problematic Summer Romance (you don’t have to read it first but it’s about Rue and Eli). Also, The Love Hypothesis is great! Both minimal spice. Don’t give up on her books!

    • Chrys says

      Yes!!! I was coming to the comments to say this. I LOVE Ali Hazlewood and the fact that she writes about women in STEM since she has a PhD in Neuroscience herself. And yes, her books can be a little spicy, but they definitely have depth. Just don’t read Deep End 😂 That one is way too raunchy.

  20. Debbie Alsip says

    I really liked The Wedding People. It was a HARD read at first. I was angry that I unintentionally paid for a book about suicide. But, I thought the writer really capitalized on many people’s assumptions about wedding people and showed that we all have more in common than we realize and we all struggle in areas of our life/ no one’s life is as perfect as we THINK it is.

  21. Susy says

    Louise Penny. Yes, she is a mystery writer. But oh the characters. Read the books in order. The character development deepens with each book. The settings both in Montreal and in a small Canadian village are delightful. My husband reluctantly gave the first one a try—he is now on the eleventh! Best characters ever!!!! And always a surprise.

  22. K.K. says

    Book DAY – wahoo!!! I have The Wedding People on my “to read” list, but I really appreciate your feedback here. I think I might lean towards your feelings, Shay!! Might skip on down the list. 🙂

  24. Laura says

    I liked The Wedding People. I had no idea what it was about and almost quit reading. I’m glad I stuck to it because I thought it was really good. But obviously not for everyone.

  25. Maquelle says

    HI! I read the Wedding People last week. I had high hopes for this book because if the reviews but like you I thought it was just OK. I like that she found herself and got her life going in a new direction at the end. To me, it felt like when the author wrote the book initially, she just made the main character depressed but then went back and wrote in the suicide part as an afterthought. I mean, her character for years would never tell people how she feels but all of a sudden, she does in an elevator and hot tub? I don’t know.

  26. Dawn says

    My favorite book that I’ve read in a while is The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club! The setting is WW2 in Martha’s Vineyard and a bit of present day. It’s a little bit nostalgic, a little romance, friendship, family and a touch of mystery! It was just a really good book!

    • Christine says

      I saw this book and it looks intriguing! After reading your comment, I put it on hold at my local library. 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!

      • Amy says

        Came here to recommend this book as well. I mean, it’s not Nantucket, but I think you would enjoy it.

  27. Sue Jones says

    I’m reading Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donkea. It’ was suggested by another blog that I read. It’s excellent so far. Not gory. It intertwined a 9/11 conspiracy with a cold case murder.

    • Katie Compton says

      I read that a couple years ago and really enjoyed it! Kept me guessing the whole time.

  28. Erin H says

    I loved the Wedding People, but it did take me a bit to get into it.

    I just finished Heartwood and it was one of my favorite books this year.

  29. sandi says

    The comments above are full of some great recommendations! I have read several good ones recently, nothing wowed me but solid 3-4 star books.
    Four Friends by Robyn Carr (trigger: infidelity and abuse)
    Really Very Crunchy by Emily Morrow (fun read by a crunchy influencer)
    Sandwich by Catherine Newman (trigger: abortion)
    The storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
    Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Charles (based on true story of JP Morgan’s youngest daughter and her activism with libraries during WW1)

  30. Krista S. Steenbergen says

    My daughter loved The Wedding People, but I was very neutral about it too. I almost always agree with your book opinions so I’m not surprised by your description at all!

  31. Marae says

    If you haven’t read How To Read A Book, I suggest you add it to your TBR list! Such a wonderful story of friendship and redemption. Don’t let the title fool you. It’s beautifully written fictional story. My favorite book so far this summer.

  33. Elizabeth says

    I just finished The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley and loved it. It’s about a group of young women in a small town in the Florida panhandle who are navigating pregnancy and new motherhood together. The way they survive, show up for one another, forgive, and grow into not just mothers, but into themselves is a beautiful read. I’m also listening to Mean Moms, Emma Rosenblum’s new book, which is really good although jarring (but in an interesting way) to be reading that at the same time as The Girls Who Grew Big.

  34. Karah Stracener says

    I always love book review day! Its my favorite day of the month as well. I am currently reading Blame it on Nantucket by Doreen Burliss. I am only halfway through but am loving it and I think it’s right up your alley. It’s very chick lit with lots of Nantucket references. I actually saw it in The Hub when I was visiting and then found it on Kindle Unlimited. Have your read One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle? I loved it and now I want to go to Positano Italy.

  35. Lauren P. says

    Shay, have you ever done the Book of the Month club?! It is so fun–you get a subscription and they give you 5-6 books a month to choose from. You pick one a month and it is a great way to branch out of your normal genre and read new releases! I love it! A few of my favorites lately– Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, The Names by Florence Knapp, and Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy! I think you’d love all of the above.

  36. Sarah says

    If you’re interested in trying some lighter mystery type books here are a couple to check out:
    – Finlay Donovan is Killing It (single mom and novelist gets mistaken for a contract killer)
    – We Solve Murders (sweet relationship between private security agent daughter in law and her retired police officer father in law who she pulls in to help with a situation)
    – Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (intriguing homage to the classic mystery genre)

  37. Kay says

    I love book review day! On my TBR list is Sally Hepworth’s new one “Ex-Wives Club” and “The Lion Women of Tehran.” I also recently read and liked a lot “Speak to me of Home” (author of “American Dirt”).

    And where is Kristin Hannah? We need a new one right?

    Hope you enjoy the last week of Nantucket!

  38. Angie says

    Totally agree about The Wedding People. The title, cover, and summary make it seem like it’s going to be a fun book or at least a feel-good book in some way, but it’s definitely not. Completely agree, didn’t hate it, but definitely didn’t love it!

  39. Paloma says

    I’ve been struggling to read “The Wedding People” since mid-May. I just can’t put my finger on it. It’s a good book, but it’s very dry. I think that I have maybe 9-10 chapters left, and I just can’t seem to finish it.

  40. Candy Poels says

    Kate Quinn has a new book. The Diamond Eye. Loved The Rose Code and The Briar Club!

  41. Leslie Maxey says

    I also was middle of the road with The Wedding People and didn’t understand why I didn’t love it like the “rest” of the world.

  42. Margaret says

    HI! Love book review day and love reading all of these comments for suggestions! What a great group of readers that follow you Shay! I read a ton – Here are some I enjoyed and think thus whole group would like…

    The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel

    Broken Country by Clare Hall ( many mentioned this above as well)

    The things we leave unfinsihed bt Rebecca Yarros

    The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peteres

    The last of the Moon Girls by Barbara Davis

    The Life List by Lori Spielman

    Ok I could go on forever with my suggesstions – haha
    Enjoy your last summer days on Nantucket and looking forward to follwoing your next school year for the kiddies. Our youngest of 4 is headed to his senior year of college playing D1 lacrosse and hard to beleive our collge year days are coming to an end. Enjoy the high school football, school supply shopping, and all the school fun – I loved those times! Keep soaking it in and enjoying all of our blessings!

  44. Becky Carl says

    Can’t say enough about how good these are:

    Julianne Maclean
    A Storm of Infinite Beauty

    Robert Dugoni
    The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

    Amanda Skenandore
    Medicine Woman of Galveston
    The Second Life of Mirielle West

  45. Dana J says

    Love book day!! I have My Friends on my TBR list! Like you his other books aren’t usually for me but I keep hearing My Friends is a good one!! I finished Broken Country a couple weeks ago and loved it!! I still think about it! I also loved West with Giraffes!! Whenever I recommend it to friends they all say how they loved it!!

  46. Brooke Griffith says

    Late to comment today but three books I’ve read this month and really enjoyed were …
    Broken Country
    The 100 Years of Margot and Lenni
    Speak to Me of Home

    I love book day!!!

  47. Marika Spediacci says

    I totally agree with your review of The Wedding People! I could never fully invest myself in the main character and I could easily put the book down whenever, but at the same time I wanted to know how it ended. Such complex relationships with all the characters but somehow ended on a positive note.

  48. Christine says

    I recently read La La Lovely: The Art of Finding Beauty in the Everyday by Trina McNeilly. (She’s a blogger, but I hadn’t heard of her before I read it.) Such a sweet read about faith and life, and it reminded me of something you’d like, too!

  49. Cathy says

    I have been in a serious reading slump this year. I don’t know why but my son says it’s because I’m on TikTok too much. So I am trying to get out of my slump by rereading some books that I loved in the past. Ive reread 11/22/63 by Stephen King and I loved it just as much as the first time I read it. It is not horror, but historical fiction with a sci fi twist. Also, I’m rereading a bunch of Rosemunde Pilcher books. Coming Home and The Shell Seekers are so so good. Set in England and so full of rich characters and wonderful descriptions.

    • Sarah says

      When I read 11/22/63 I really loved how much I felt immersed in the time period. Love that book! And I’m NOT a Stephen King reader in general.

  50. Audrey says

    I just finished Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza and I really enjoyed it. It was a quick read, and I decided to jump online to look for more books right after finishing it and remembered that it was the time of the month you often post book reviews. So fun that you just posted about it

    My other most recent read that I devoured in 2 days was Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. Before that, I had 4 books in a row that I couldn’t make myself finish, one that I told my coworkers that read similar books to not bother, and another DNF before that one. So two good ones in a row was great!

    The Woman in the Dark by Vanessa Savage was another one this month that I really liked. I can’t wait to read The Woman in Cabin 11 by Ruth Ware as soon as I have time

  52. WhittyWife (Lindsay) says

    Everyone is Lying to You looks so good! I’m reading The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline. I think you’d enjoy it! Coastal Maine, a love story, and an Italian grandmother with many references to cozy Italian dishes (and recipes included!). I’m really enjoying it so far! The author is from Maine (although I believe she lives in NYC now), and I have a friend who knows her family. 😊

  53. Court says

    Totally agree with your assessment of The Wedding People. Ugh! I mean I finished it, but it was a struggle. I heard it was hilarious so I read half the book with my mouth hanging open thinking who thinks this is hilarious?!?!

  54. Laura says

    I’ve read a string of 4 and 5 star books lately!

    Come Fly With Me by Camille de Maio

    The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

    When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon & co.

    The Bright Years (heavy but beautiful)

    and Theo of Golden (still thinking about it)

  55. Liliane Dunham says

    I just read The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs and it was so good. It’s been a while since a book made me chuckle throughout. Great read!

  56. Natalie says

    I agree with The Wedding People – it gets a meh from me. I finished Beyond That, The Sea and it is a wonderful and beautifully written book that I think you would enjoy.

  57. Ashley R says

    Love, love, love book day! I swear our reading taste is synced up, and I just knew you’d love Backman! I’m totally a library girl, so I’m like 9,000th in line (not really, but it feels that way) so I’ll read it eventually.

    I appreciate your well thought out reviews each month. You really have a knack for describing a book without giving things away. And your warning for spice is much appreciated.

    Enjoy your remaining days on Nantucket. Next thing you know, you’ll be Halloweening in McKinney!

  58. Lisa says

    I liked The Wedding People, it was interesting. I am also from Rhode Island so I loved all the Newport references. I am currently reading Jennifer Weiner’s new book The Griffin Sisters and I am loving it. It is my favorite of all of her books.

  59. Christina Spinella says

    Broken Country and The Favorites were two I read in July that were both 5 stars! Highly recommend putting both of these on your list!

  60. Sharon says

    Have you read “The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell”? I had it shelved or a long time and just read it and WOW. It was amazing. So so good. Super easy read, but super poignant. It’s not a downer. I laughed, I cried. But not draining. If that makes sense. One of those books when I finished it – I was like – wow, I really needed that. Best book I’ve read in a super long time. The Last Green Valley is amazing too. A meatier book but still easy to read and wow. SO amazing.

  61. Savannah Chaviers says

    I expected to LOVE The Wedding People. Instead I liked it … I think your review of it is spot on. I liked some aspects of it , didn’t care for some aspects and ended up feeling slightly puzzled about my feelings. I wouldn’t not recommend it but I also wouldn’t consider it a must read.

  62. Stephanie P says

    OK, FINALLY someone has the same opinion of me on The Wedding People. Everyone I know loved it. Me….like you I felt it was like a 3-star book. Not horrible. But it really bothered me that she went from telling complete strangers about her plans, to then suddenly ok in the next chapter. And telling that woman her plans knowing it’s her wedding weekend just made me not like her as a character. I instead wish the storyline was that she had just needed to get away and was depressed, went to this Inn, met the wedding folks, and saw life in a new light. I just couldn’t get past the suicide part. The author is a great writer and the dialogue is sharp, I just wish it had been on a better storyline.

  63. Kristen says

    LOVE book day! Thanks for years and years of amazing reviews, Shay!

    I didn’t even make it half way through The Wedding People. It’s only the second book I’ve ever quit and I could not stand it. Ugh.

    Just finished One Golden Summer and LOVED it!

  64. Arika says

    Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. It’s next up on my list – looks like it will be great!

  65. Shoshanah says

    You need to read Daughters of Nantucket by Julie Gerstenblatt! It’s a historical fiction about the Great Fire on Nantucket and given where it takes place I think you’d really appreciate.

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