Review: Wish You Were Here by Renée Carlino

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This was a complicated book filled with complicated feelings and complicated story arcs. That’s the only way I can describe it. I didn’t hate it. I fully loved the concept of it and the direction that it could have taken.

Charlotte’s life isn’t perfect. She hates her job waitressing and hasn’t been lucky in the romance department. One night, while her and her best friend are having a night out, she meets this guy name Adam. Adam and Charlotte spend the rest of the night together. The next morning, Adam is acting weird and he disappears. Many months later, Charlotte has a new guy in her life, Seth, however, she can’t seem to stop thinking about Adam and their special night together. She eventually finds out why Adam was behaving so strangely and it hits her hard- emotionally.

I think this Wish You Were Here barely touched the surface. What I mean is the story itself is supposed to be mysterious, heartbreaking, and intriguing all at the same time. Although it was a little predictable, the mystery was solid. It kept me wanting to keep reading. I will admit that I wish that the reasoning for Adam’s disappearance would had been revealed later on in the book. The event that happened after it was solved felt rushed.

The main problem I had with this book is that it was supposed to heartbreaking. The emotion was very tame or nonexistent. It didn’t get as deep as it needed to be. And I think that can be accredited to the lack of connection to the characters. You don’t care about them as much as you should for this story to be told.

Characters

Adam was supposed to be this charming guy, but in the end he felt too pushy at times and his strange behavior was off-putting. The whole story is built around Adam and Charlotte’s one night together, however, the one night felt a little cringe worthy and lacking chemistry. I wasn’t sure what made either characters as special as they keep making each other out to be. It was a tad bit too instalove.

Charlotte was just average, but if you asked Seth or Adam, she was amazing. This was a problem; there was a lot of telling instead of showing. 

Also, she was a little on the judgy side. Especially, when she judges her friend for basically doing the same thing that she had done months prior. Because of the lack of depth and development of Adam, his disappearance felt a little eh. Reader’s don’t know him that well before he leaves, so when he does, there isn’t a strong emotional attachment.

Final Analysis

Wish You Were Here could have and would have been great; however, everything good seems to be outshined by a weak love story and an inauthentic story.

Review: Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest: Discovering New Purpose, Passion, and Your Next Great Adventure by Barbara Rainey, Susan Alexander Yates

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Discover New Passion and Purpose after the Kids Leave Home

Many women approaching their empty-nest years do so with mixed emotions--feeling grief for what is no more but also excitement for what lies ahead. Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates are seasoned empty nesters, and they know firsthand the ups and downs, the uncertainty and challenges that accompany this new stage of life.

Although Mom is a lifelong role, the job description changes significantly when the kids are grown. Questions abound: Who am I now? How do I relate to my kids? How will my marriage be affected? Where am I needed? Every woman in this stage needs to determine her own redefined role as wife, mother, friend, and more. Offering practical advice and biblical guidance, along with inspiring personal stories of women who have discovered how to live a meaningful life during the "second half," Barbara and Susan help you work out how to flourish and thrive in your own empty nests.

Review

Even though I'm no where near the empty nest, I'm glad that I read this book. It really put out there what lies ahead in life and definitely gave some appreciative insight to have when the time comes. For those ladies out there approaching the empty nest or those who are currently experiencing, this was an enlightening book hopefully making the transition a little bit easier knowing that you aren't alone. Grounded in faith, these two lovely gals, Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates have revised their book to adjust for the next generation sharing advice, stories, experience and a wealth of information that will be resourceful for many women out there.

The book definitely has a girlfriend vibe to it. It's a real benefit getting wisdom from people who've been there. You might not have the same experience but the foundation of beginning that new chapter with uncertainty will definitely be eased sitting down with them. If you are out there with mixed emotions not knowing if you are coming or going, this really is an encouraging and supportive book to read for guidance and support. It tackles everything from coping with the emotional journey, your relationship with your spouse, how you deal with your kids leaving and what to do with yourself just to name a few. Each chapter has questions to consider and shares an experience from someone to get a perspective of what they're going through. There is a wonderful appendix and a wonderful guide to engage in a book club or small group setting. I really think this can be a resourceful book for many women experiencing and approaching in the future.

Review: The Eleventh Hour by April Marie Libs

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I was on the fence when I read the summary of the book whether or not I was going to read it to be honest. When I come across certain subjects, it sort of takes on an inner struggle on whether or not it's right for me based on my moral compass. It's hard for me to say what I want to say without giving away a major aspect of the book but if you're like me and would've decided not to read it based on the adultery implication, there is a major plot twist that makes things not what you think. The story that evolves in the book is one that is worth reading and if I say anymore of why, I'll ruin it. I want you to have a chance to form your own opinion because there is so much to talk about after. 

Friends Addison and Jessica head to Vegas for a convention. On the way there, Addison finds herself chatting it up with a guy on the plane who she can't seem to resist until one of his friends interrupt and ruin the moment without having a chance to exchange numbers. This is such a bummer because Addison being so shy, finally finds a guy that she wants to go after but then feels defeated of what could've been. 

The problem is, this is Vegas. Just like her, Dawson was headed to Vegas with a group of his friends. In his case though, it was different. He was headed there for a bachelor party, so you know that can't be good. Determined to find him, lucky for her, they talked about which hotels they were staying in. She has nothing to lose right? She headed over to his hotel and lucky for her, their paths crossed again. They really hit it off well but something was in the way. She couldn't put her finger on it but something wasn't right. He didn't have a ring but didn't want to get too close either. Just having a little fun but not letting it go to far? There's got to be a reason.

By coincidence, they live not to far from each other. The problem is, ever since their experience in Vegas, she can't stop thinking about him. One problem, she hasn't heard from him. Does he have something or someone to hide? Or was what happened in Vegas stays there and she was just in the moment? Well, Addison wasn't going to accept that and decided to track him down and find out why she hadn't heard from him. She just has to know in order to get some sort of peace or closure. I was like, oh man. They haven't known each other that long and she's going to crazy town. Then I was thinking, “love” (I just met you and I think you are the one kind of feeling) can make you do crazy things when you think they're your soul mate but then there are boundaries. When someone lays it out about expectations and you ignore it, who's at fault if the other person gets hurt when they set the stipulations in the beginning. Their story definitely will hit home and sheds light on several perspectives.

Do you really think some guy you met in Vegas is going to be your soul mate? Well, be careful what you ask because once you start digging, you never know what you will find. When she is confronted by the why, does she stay or go?

When she finds out the reason why this becomes a game changer in the book. I'm treading lightly here because I don't want to ruin it because I really think this book has a much bigger takeaway than when you start reading. What I will say is that Addison is faced with a decision to make a choice that has consequences that she will have to live with.

So, overall despite my uncertainty the book was going in the beginning, after the major plot event that changes everything, the story told was good. Beyond this and wrapping up the book, it definitely ended on a tear jerker. Even the there is no HEA here, things did wrap up quite well for what the book was about. Overall, good book and I'd recommend checking it out. 

Review: The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night

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Well, this is one that I'm very excited to talk about. I don't even know where to begin because this book was pure awesomeness! I'll admit, in the past, I've looked at books like this from a far. Not that I wasn't interested in them but I didn't have the confidence to jump right in and think that it would meet what I had hoped it would and be left disappointed. This exceeded what I'd hope it would be and it's definitely one to explore.

The best way that I feel wraps up the book without giving away anything is reading the summary for it. 

“In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret… 

For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic––and her life––is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever. “

There was something special about this book. Before I read the book, there was this note from the author that had an antiquated look that really set the tone for my experience of the book and opened my imagination. I've read a few reviews on the book and read this experience compared to Harry Potter, I have to agree with them. I also have to add that this for me ignited that warm inviting curiosity that Chronicles of Narnia draws in that brings you into their world and just ignites your imagination.

D.E. Night definitely has a gift for the beautiful imagery described with her words. Not just a really good story told but the way she wrote was so captivating to read. She does such a great job creating visually for the reader what we are experiencing on the page. All I kept thinking while I was reading the book was how I wish I could be watching this unfold on the big screen. This would really translate well. 

I really enjoyed the journey that unfolds about Ivy and her gaining the confidence to be more than what she could've dreamed she could. Her preserving thirst for curiosity and following her adventures seeing her uncover a truth that leads to secrets that unfold about her brings everything full circle. The only thing that I'm pleading about is the ending of this book. I'm hoping for some sort of conclusion. I feel like everything was happening sort of quick in the end and I've got so many questions that would be awesome to read about in another book. Let's hope! This was fun, magical and really a breath of fresh air to escape into. I loved everything about it and are really excited to know what others think about. I'm definitely recommending it. 

Review: Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

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There is something captivating about all of Liane Moriarty’s books. You can’t help but be drawn in by the first page and on the edge of your seat until the very last. This book is no different.

Truly Madly Guilty was a very enjoyable read; one that I couldn’t put down. It was entertaining. It was emotional. It was surprising. You didn’t know what was going to happen next.

I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened at this barbecue that caused so many problems. I will admit it took forever to find out and although what actually happened at the barbecue wasn’t what I had expected, it was still a satisfying read and something that I could see myself reading again.

Liane has a very unique writing style. It’s not too complicated or simple. It is third person, but it feels as if the characters are speaking directly to you. It feels relaxed and almost conversational.

This book covers so many subjects- friends, relationships, parenting, lust, and so much more. It didn’t really feel artificial. People talked like real people talk. Not everything was black or white. The characters had conflicting emotions and made mistakes.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but in the book a character is faced with a different decision. She doesn’t immediately say no or yes. Instead, she acts like most humans would. She avoids the topic. She spends weeks thinking about it, and eventually makes a decision based on guilt. Some of her actions might feel selfish to some, but sometimes that is how we act.

Characters

I loved that all of the characters are connected to each other. It might seem that they have no correlation at first, but because of certain actions their stories intertwine.

Throughout the book, all the characters are feeling some type of guilt. And it was interesting to see why they felt that guilt and how it was impacting their lives. No two characters reacted the same.

Like mentioned earlier, this was an emotional read. And I wasn’t expecting to feel strong emotions towards to particular characters. They are supporting roles, but their stories hit me the hardest. For one character, it was because of their guilt. For the other, it’s because of the way the character was perceived and the way that they actually ended up being. And unfortunately, you don’t find out what type of person this character is until the end.

Although, her characters are extremely real, they are not as memorable. Once the book is over it hard to recall their names and remember who belongs with who.

Final Analysis

Truly Madly Guilty is a great book. It is a little slow and features forgettable characters; however, Liane Moriarty is a talented writer and keeps the story intriguing and you on the edge of your seat.