Books I read in May & June (and whether or not you should read them)

April was super light on the book front, so I committed to making sure May wasn't like that. What I didn't realize is just how quickly I was going to breeze through books in May & June. Like, to the tune of, I finished several of these in a day. I thought about cutting my May books out from this post, but I figured I'm always looking for a new read, maybe you are too. Maybe you'd like to know you're getting into something worth reading...

So, here goes. Books I read in May & June & whether or not you should read them & linking up in the process to share.

Rescue - Anita Shreve : 2 stars

I have a hard time giving this book the same # of stars as Exposure to a Billionaire. But, I was disappointed. The synopsis promised intrigue & a little mystery & I didn't feel like I got any of that. It was all very predictable. I couldn't quite picture any of the characters. I tore through this book in 2 days thinking it was just on the cusp of getting exciting. Only to never get to the exciting part. Meh.

Exposure to a Billionaire - Anne Menke : 2 stars

You can read my review here. This is a fluffy read. I wouldn't bother buying it. The characters are not well developed & the travel aspect that I was excited about is very down played.

I can't talk about this book anymore - or my head will explode.
| END REVIEW |

 The Wish List - Jane Costello : 3 stars

I picked this up from Half Price Books to read on my plane ride to Europe. I didn't realize it was set in the UK, which always means some difference in words & writing style.

"Emma and her friends are about to turn thirty, and for Emma it's a defining moment. Defined, that is, by her having achieved none of the things she'd imagined she would.
Her career is all wrong, her love life is a desert and that penthouse apartment she pictured herself in simply never materialised. Moreover, she's never jumped out of a plane, hasn't met the man she's going to marry, has never slept under the stars, or snogged anyone famous - just some of the aspirations on a list she and her friends compiled fifteen years ago."

This was pretty predictable. A light beach read, but not a lot happened. 

 

Necessary Lies - Diane Chamberlain : 5 stars

5 stars is quite a promise, and I know that. I wavered on giving this book 4 stars, but thought it was much better than some of the other 4 star books, so I went rogue & gave it 5.

This book comes full circle. You get a little piece of information right at the beginning of the book, but you don't know how it's relevant until the end.

It's set in rural North Carolina in a time when women didn't work, sterilization was state mandated & racial tensions were high.

Family Pictures - Jane Green : 3 stars 

2 women's lives intersect when a shocking secret is revealed.

I enjoyed this book, but wish the author had been able to surprise me. I figured out the 'shocking secret' a chapter or two before it was revealed. And the ending seemed a little too tidy. Not a bad read, I breezed through it fairly quickly.

Maybe in Another Life - Taylor Jenkins Reid : 4 stars

I saw this book on a post Amanda did & knew I wanted to read it. Maybe in another life follows Hannah through 2 different story lines. Ever wonder what life would be like if you had made different choices? This follows 2 parallel story lines exploring what happens to Hannah when her road splits after she makes a choice. It was an easy read & it's something I've always pondered. It's still fairly light. But I would definitely recommend.

The Silent Sister - Diane Chamberlain : 4 stars

This is another one I read after I saw it on Amanda's blog. It follows Riley MacPherson who thought all along her sister committed suicide, only to find out years later that may not be the truth.

I found the ending a bit predictable for the story line that was created, but the how's & why's were not details I saw coming.

Definitely worth a read. It's a good mystery, but one that won't prevent you from sleeping at night.

In a Dark Dark Wood - Ruth Ware : 3.5 stars
At the risk of beating a dead horse (or something like that) I think I saw this on Amanda's blog. The story is told in bits & pieces as you flash back & forth between the present & the past.

I thought the book tied everything together a bit too neatly. And I spent the whole book waiting to find out a secret, that when I did find out, I thought was a bit underwhelming.

That being said, I was up until 1240AM finishing this one night.

Vinegar Girl - Anne Tyler : 2 stars*

I wanted to like this book, I really did. Kate's father cooks up a crazy plan to keep his research assistant in the country. I deduced it would be to marry Kate (& I was right)...but for such a crazy plan, the book seemed to reach the conclusion pretty quickly.

I didn't connect with any of the characters & I thought the book skimmed over a lot of issues where there was room for explanation.

Unfortunately this fell super flat for me & I was glad to finish. Even if it was my only in-flight entertainment since I left my iPod at home on accident.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Put a Ring on It - Beth Kendrick : 4 stars

First off, keep in mind, I gave this 4 stars as a light, fun, beach read. NOT a literary value, add it to your book club list, book.

Also, no shame in my game...I snagged this one from the library because I liked the cover...yes I pick my books like I pick my wine. #Whaddup

I enjoyed this, I breezed through it in 2 hours or so, it was light, it was fun. There's a good looking main character & a happy ending. What's not to love?




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