Year 5, week 38: Like a Sister

This week's book:
Like a Sister
By Kellye Garrett

This book was the selection of my local online book group. We pick a Book Of the Month book every month, and this was the pick for May. 

I will be honest, I'm like 100% over mysteries, so this review might be a little biased. 

This book is the story of a social media darling's death, and her estranged older sister trying to find out the truth. This novel is the author's debut, and you can definitely tell. The same sayings and descriptions are used over and over again. The book is told from point of view of a rich black woman who lives off her famous father's money, even though she isn't close to him. 

I originally voted for this book when we were picking what to read for May. But I was disappointed in it.  This book has such potential, and had so many chances to be a well written book with all the struggles a woman of color would face surrounded by wealthy white people, and it just fell flat. 

I just didn't love this one. 

Year 5, week 37: Run, Rose, Run

This week's book:
Run, Rose, Run: A Novel
By Dolly Parton and James Patterson

I have loved Dolly Parton as long as I can remember. A short sassy lady with a large chest who wants everyone to read, sound like anyone you know? When I heard that she wrote a book with James Patterson, I knew I was going to read the novel. It seems like James Patterson has been partnering with different people, which I sometimes think seems like a cash grab. I haven't read the other cowritten books, but I just knew I wanted to read this book with Dolly Parton being a co-author too. 

Originally I thought I would buy it, but I ended up listening via audiobook instead. I'm so glad I listened to the audiobook because Dolly Parton read part of the book and it was much better than reading the novel. The book reminded me a bit of Nashville, that TV show that use to be on ABC. I used to love that show originally, even had some of the soundtracks. 

The story is of a girl with a troubled past who comes to Nashville to become a singer. She makes friends with a legendary former country singer, who has given up singing. This major country singer has a heart of gold and takes the young budding star under her wing. When the girl's past catches up with her, she runs. 

I'm going to be honest I enjoyed the book alright, but Patterson isn't normally my jam. This is only my second of Patterson's books I've ever read. I don't think I would have read this book if Dolly Parton wasn't involved with it; I probably wouldn't have picked it up. That being said, I would recommend it, especially if you are a fan of Parton, or Patterson, or country music.

Year 5, week 36: A Kind of Spark

This week's book:
A Kind of Spark
by Elle McNicoll

I originally picked this book as a reading prompt for one of my online book groups. The prompt was "a book that title's starts with the letter K". The funny thing was that this novel actually would have worked for three prompts, starts with K, has a set of twins and has a character that is neurodivergent. 

This novel is about a girl who lives in Scotland with her twin sisters and parents. Our main character is autistic and it follows the struggles she has at school with her teacher. Our heroine learns that in the town's past, they had burn some women that had been accused of being witches. This moment in history really strikes our main character as major tragedy. These women in history had been different and misunderstood, just like she is. She feels like if she had been around at the time of the witch burning, that she herself would have been killed as well. The girl decides that she will raise the funds for some sort of memorial for the women who were killed. 

The book is a Young Adult novel, but it really pulls you into the story. The author did a amazing job of really bringing you into the main character's mind and struggles. I would highly recommend this book.

Year 5, week 35: It Happened One Summer / Hook, Line, and Sinker

Two Tessa Bailey books this week.

It Happened One Summer
By Tessa Bailey

I actually listened to this book in January and never got around to write my review. The book is pitched as "if you love Schitt's Creek you'll love this as well". I didn't really see the connection with Schitt's Creek, but I did enjoy the book. 

A young ditzy socialite from Beverly Hills and her music obsessed little sister get relocated to a fishing town in New England, when they learn their father left them a bar. Our leading lady runs across a very grouchy sea captain that doesn't like change. 

I listened to this book very quickly. It doesn't happen a lot, but once in a blue moon I listen to a book and then am annoyed at myself for not having a physical copy of the book; this is one of those times. The two main character's chemistry was so well written, and hot. 

Of course the book is just a silly romance with some dirty bits, but I really liked this book. 

Hook, Line and Sinker
By Tessa Bailey

When I found out that there was going to be sequel to It Happened One Summer I was super excited and bought it at full price (gasp). This installment of the series is about the younger sister of the main heroine and one of the fisher boat's player crew members. 

Do you ever notice all the slanderous name for someone that likes to sleep around are only for women? A bit annoying if you ask me, but I'm getting side tracked. It was fun to return to the same seaside town and revisit these characters, but holy smokes what a let down from the first one. The two main characters have so many flaws and they are best friends, that JUST DON'T communicate! There is all this steamy lead up to... meh. I was very disappointed!