Happy FRIDAY! 

It’s been a little while since I last shared a book review roundup and I realized I have read quite a few in that time. I can’t recommend picking up reading as a hobby enough if you aren’t currently an avid reader. It’s such a stress reliever for me and a great way to reduce social media use/time on your phone, speaking from personal experience 🙂 

I often get questions on how to get into reading if it is not your thing and my biggest piece of advice is just to read what you like! You don’t have to be reading some groundbreaking novel or historical piece. If you like murder mystery or young adult books go for it. Reading is for you and your enjoyment!

I’m going to dive into a few recent books below, summarize what they are about and give my rating. As always, read in whatever way best serves you! I love a physical book and we have lots of built ins so I have endless places to put them when I’m done. I generally order mine from our local bookstore for pick up but sometimes grab them on Amazon or Target if I’m out! 

Invisible Girl

Rating: B+

Summary: Young Saffyre Maddox spent three years under the care of renowned child psychologist Roan Fours. When Dr. Fours decides their sessions should end, Saffyre feels abandoned. She begins looking for ways to connect with him, from waiting outside his office to walking through his neighborhood late at night. She soon learns more than she ever wanted to about Roan and his deceptively perfect family life. On a chilly Valentine’s night, Saffyre will disappear, taking any secrets she has learned with her.

My Thoughts: It was a great thriller and quick read! It kept me guessing and I did not see the twist coming at all which is hard to do. I enjoyed it but it was not my favorite from Lisa Jewell. 

The Midnight Library

Rating: A

Summary: Nora Seed finds herself faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

My Thoughts: I loved this book and it was one of my favorite reads recently. It explores so many emotions and ideas within us and what truly matters. Another quick read and I highly recommend! 

The Last Flight 

Overall: A-

Summary: Claire Cook has a perfect life. Married to the scion of a political dynasty, with a Manhattan townhouse and a staff of ten, her surroundings are elegant, her days flawlessly choreographed, and her future auspicious. But behind closed doors, nothing is quite as it seems. A chance meeting in an airport bar brings her together with a woman whose circumstances seem equally dire. Together they make a last-minute decision to switch tickets―Claire taking Eva’s flight to Oakland, and Eva traveling to Puerto Rico as Claire. They believe the swap will give each of them the head start they need to begin again somewhere far away. 

My Thoughts: A great thriller that will keep you on your toes the whole time. I stayed up very late to finish this because I was dying to know what happened! I loved the way they story twisted and turned and thought the ending was unexpected and so well done.

Destination Wedding

Overall: B

Summary: When Tina Das finds herself at a crossroads both professionally and personally, she wonders if a weeklong trip to Delhi for her cousin’s lavish wedding might be just the right kind of escape. Tina hopes this destination wedding, taking place at Delhi’s poshest country club, Colebrookes, will be the perfect way to reflect and unwind. But with the entire Das family in attendance, a relaxing vacation is decidedly not in the cards. 

My Thoughts: I wanted to like this book so much more and maybe my high expectations going in were why it felt like a bit of a disappointment for me. I still enjoyed the book and think it’s a fun read, it just didn’t blow me away! 

Next up…

The Wife Upstairs

Summary: Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

I will be sure to keep you updated on this when I finish and you can always browse my ‘Book’ highlight on Instagram if you are looking for some inspiration!