Review: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

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This felt like a much-needed hug. That’s the best way to describe it. The Comfort Book is exactly what it says it is a comfort book.

It’s a book filled with encouragements, annotates, music, movies, and recipes. It’s motivational and thought-provoking. There’s a lot going on here. And surprisingly, I found myself being overcome with emotion. It’s a book that I needed, but I didn’t know I needed it. I learned so much, and I found myself being uplifted so many times. It was such a welcome distraction from life.

This is one of those books that doesn’t have to be read in order. Someone can start from the end, middle, or beginning and this book would have the same impact on them.  

There so many quotes and phrases that I highlighted throughout this book. Below are a few of my favorites:

·      Walking one foot in front of the other, in the same direction, will always get you further than running around in circles.

·      Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island for boats to save; they stand there shinning.

·      You are here. And that is enough.

·      Forgiving other people is great practice for forgiving yourself when the time comes.

Final Thoughts

The Comfort Book is one of those books that I’ll grab when I need encouragement or feeling down. 

Review: To Whom it May Concern by J.S. Cooper

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Savannah Carter is drowning in college debt and needs a job fast. She stumbles across an ad in the newspaper that seems a little sketchy. The ad placer, The Wade Hart, is needing someone who is willing to live with him, wear a uniform, and an MBA grad. Although, hesitant at first, Savannah takes him up on that offer, and she becomes his assistant.

To Whom it May Concern was frustrating and very uncomfortable. Red flags started only a couple of pages in, with how stiff the dialogue between characters felt and how many clichés were starting to be introduced. It was definitely a hard book to finish since there was really no real development.

In addition, both Savannah and Wade were both childish and immature characters. But Wade’s characterization is the worst out of the two. From the moment, Savannah contacted him for the position, he kept making rude, sexual, and inappropriate comments. In the real word, those comments would be grounds for firing and could warrant a sexual harassment lawsuit. I’m aware that this is a fictional character; however, there is a line and it was crossed.

Due to his disgusting behavior, lack of chemistry between the two and stiff dialogue, it was hard to root for these two people to be together. I would much prefer if they didn’t end up together. It doesn’t feel like it would be a healthy and satisfying relationship.  

Final Thoughts

To Whom it May Concern is a book that lacks a quality story line, good characters and romance. 

Review: Pretending by Holly Bourne

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As I reflect upon Pretending, in the back of my mind, the tagline of the book kind of stands out in regards to the protagonist in the book in regards to her journey. Why be yourself when you can be perfect? This led to a love/hate relationship with her for me throughout the book. Let me be clear. This is by no means a reflection of the quality of the book, it’s just the complexity of her character and experiences but also her disadvantage that I wish she could see her worth despite of. Perfection is interpretation to the beholder.

April is a great gal that just hasn’t been lucky when it comes to dating. Like so many other women, she can’t get past that point in dating where she can trust a guy and feel some sort of security. They always seem to reveal themselves to be jerks who leave her insecure about herself and frustrated as to what is wrong with her to keep getting into these situations. On a side note, something did happen to her but that only compounds her issues. Until her latest candidate Joshua, the answer becomes clear, what men want is Gretel. 

Gretel is what April feels guys want. Well, her perceived perfection is everything that April isn’t. Taking on that persona gives her the chance to finally feel liberated from the binds of her insecurities and obstacles, she is having fun and can be everything that she’s not. One problem. She can’t pretend forever. When real life collides with who she’s pretending to be, will this backfire?

Pretending brought a relatable narrative that had a female heroine that defined the modern woman and her empowering choices when it comes to men. There were sensitive moments and choices that will resonate with many of you who’ve gone through something similar. To a degree of empowerment, claiming her life while trying to establish a trusting, healthy relationship led her to redefining herself. 

As much as I don’t agree with the pretending aspect of her relationship with Joshua because as dishonest men have been to her, he wasn’t the one who hurt her and as a result suffered the consequences. The takeaway I appreciate is the emotional self growth that she gained as a bonus enabled her to face her struggles and deal with them in a way that was molded to her present circumstances. Her voice gives the reader a perspective that might be reflective for some and for others might be a trigger from reading about what her characters have gone through past and present.

To be honest, I expected going into the book for this to be a dark comedy but wasn’t expecting some of the themes that were present. My own experiences left me a little torn at moments but I found overall the experience of what the book was intended to accomplish came together for me when I finished. 

Review: Love the One You're With (Sex, Love & Stiletto #2) by Lauren Layne

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Buy on Amazon | Audible

Buy on Amazon | Audible

I’m only on the second book in the series, and it’s becoming very clear that Lauren Layne rarely misses.

Love the One You're With is the second book in the Sex, Love & Stiletto series. The first book (After the Kiss) saw Stiletto reporter, Julie Greene, fall in love with Mitchell Forbes. And now this book focuses on her friend and also a reporter, Grace Brighton. Grace is a pro at writing articles about warning readers about cheating partners.  She just never suspected her fiancé would be one of them. She reinvents herself as Grace 2.0 and swears off relationships to heal her wounded heart and soul. Well, that was the plan until her boss informed her that for her next assignment she had to go on a couple of dates with a reporter at the male counterpart of Stiletto – Oxford. Enter Jake Malone. He isn’t thrilled about his new assignment but agrees to the assignment as a way to get in on writing for the new travel section at Oxford.

This was a blast. Lauren Layne knows how to write a captivating relationship and a book that leaves you wanting more. The story is sort of like a “rivals to lovers” / “opposite to lovers” type of deal. And the connection between the characters is off the chart. They bounced off each other nicely. And it’s an overall fun journey.

I was afraid that I wouldn’t love Grace and Jake as much as Mitchell and Julie. And although Mitchell and Julie are still my current favorites in this series, Grace and Jake are very close up there. Grace had dated her fiancé for several years and it was clear in After the Kiss, that he was a terrible guy. So, it wasn’t a shock when the book begins, and they have broken up. And she has this great idea in theory, but it obviously doesn’t work. Because her and Jake are meant to be together. While Grace is refined and sophisticated, Jake is smart and cocky.

Individually and while together, both Grace and Jake are likable. They have such a lovable charm about them.

Final Thoughts

Love the One You're With is a great second book in the Sex, Love & Stiletto. Like the first book, this one manages to be funny, smart, romantic, and sweet and never dull.

Review: After the Kiss (Sex, Love & Stiletto #1) by Lauren Layne

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In the past, I have heard excellent things about this book series, but I never go around to reading. It’s safe to say, I regret that majorly now.

After the Kiss centers on Julia Greene and Mitchell Forbes. Julia works as a writer at a major women’s magazine. Her specialty is writing stories that involve flings, first dates, and first kisses. Not what happens after. Well, that was until her boss assigned her a story that requires her to give a first-person account of what happens next.

Mitchell Forbes is a workaholic who has a habit of staying in relationships far too long. Which would be good for Julia, but unbeknownst to her, Mitchell makes a bet with a friend to find a woman and end it before getting too close.

After the Kiss was a delightful, superb read. Perfect for the big screen. It’s sort of like How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days. It’s funny, smart, and romantic. And the characters have off-chart chemistry. It was such a shame that the book was so short. It’s an overall great time, with great characters (including supporting) and an overall great story.

I loved both Julia and Mitchell. There was such great banter and wit with them. The miscommunication was not annoying or overplayed. It’s truly a swoon-worthy relationship with them. And I loved watching them realize that their relationship was much more to them than a story or a bet.

I’m looking forward to continuing their story as I continue with the story. I can’t get enough of them. I also loved the friendship between Julia, Grace, and Riley. And it’s so exciting that the next books in the series are toward within their POVs.

Final Analysis

After the Kiss is an entertaining and great start to the Sex, Love & Stiletto series. 

Review: Don't Lose Your Head: Life Lessons from the Six Ex-Wives of Henry VIII by Harriet Marsden

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Summary

Survive alongside Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and the rest of King Henry VIII’s ill-fated wives with this witty book of essential life advice, history, and trivia—the perfect handbook for fans of the hit musical Six.

Get the inside scoop from some of the toughest women in English history, as ex-wives, mothers, and daughters of King Henry VIII dish out all their survival secrets in this humorous guide to life. With a bit of sarcasm and friendly charm, each of these legendary ladies explains how their 16th-century hard-earned lessons (from living with unstable men to stifling Tudor traditions) apply to 21st-century dating, marriage, and feminism.

Written from the perspectives of each of the different women around Henry VIII, you’ll get the facts from the Queen Mother and the less-remembered but no less important Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and more.

With must-know historical trivia alongside wise life advice, Don’t Lose Your Head is the perfect survival guide for fans obsessed with Broadway’s latest historical pop musical Six, as well as anyone fascinated by British royalty and culture.

Review

If you are a fan of the musical, Six or just fascinated with the wives of King Henry VIII, this is a must read. As someone who is obsessed with this time period and of Henry VIII and his wives, I couldn't put this book down. Told from a modern perspective, interpreting what these women might have said, we are presented with their side if history had their voice been heard.

The author makes a good point. Why do we remember these women only as Henry's wives? There was more to them including their roles in history. Each given dedication and a perspective, since their stories were kicked to the curb. This is what they would say if they could be here. Filled with sarcasm that will have you laughing out loud, each wife brings something unique with their life lessons, advice and commentary of their experience with Henry. We also get his mother and daughters thrown into the mix. My favorite parts of the book were the conversations between the women. I found that one of the best parts of the book.

Also to note, the tidbits of information and the profiles of each women in every chapter give you some details that help you learn about them. The author did a great job researching and incorporating a huge chuck of historical detail personalize the book. You can tell her love of Tudor history is evident throughout their perspectives and giving them a story to tell. Despite their lives blending with one another, she was able to isolate them and give us a glimpse into their lives. There was a lot to cover and she made it look effortless. Keep in mind, this is not dwelling on the historically literal but rather inspired from what she researched and read through the lens of modern interpretation.

Overall, this was so much fun to read. I can't wait to read what she has in the future. If you are a big fan like me of this part of history, make sure you add it to your tbr list.You won't be disappointed.