Book Review: Body & Soul by Stacey Kade

I love, love, love this series! I cannot believe how much both of the main characters have changed over the course of the three books. I did not like Alona at all in the beginning of the series, but she quickly changed my mind. And Will, to have finally learned how to make the most of his gift/curse, I'm really proud of him. And I love that the two of them are working together to try to help other spirits take care of their unfinished business. What an odd shift with this book that it was actually someone living with unfinished business that kept a spirit from going into the light. 

This is definitely a guilty pleasure and I really hope that maybe the author will be able to come up with a fourth installment.

From the GoodReads website, "The Ghost
I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily...or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.

Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted...by me. Seriously?

I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying...

The Goth
I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.

Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner..."

Book Review: Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne

A little bit mystery, a little bit romance, a lot YA. Pretty good story, albeit a quick story. It pulled me in right from the start with Edie saying she'd decked someone in the face. And then her mother calling to say they had to run. And wondering who "he" is. I would've liked to have seen a little more development with the back story. 

*SPOILER For example, I guess I kind of get that Edie's anger may be inherited from her father, but maybe it wasn't. Was there something more in her past that caused her to almost always have an angry reaction first? It would've been nice to know a little more about the time spend in Vancouver, and then the second time in Toronto. It drove me nuts to not know for sure who "he" was until later in the story. I figured it had to be an ex-husband or ex-boyfriend of Edie's mother, but trying to figure out who he was is a big part of what kept me turning pages. 

All in all, pretty good book.

From the GoodReads website, "Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country. 

Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them. 
Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life."

Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich

This is one of those books that should be on a top 100 chick lit books list. I'm sure it is somewhere, I just haven't seen it. I really liked it, loved the main characters. Amanda and Chase turned out to be not at all what I thought they would be. And Logan, even though he could be a bit of an ass, proved to be very likable too. I'd like to give props to Holly for all that she endured and was still able to come out strong on the other side. Even so, she manage to grow a lot, and lose a lot (of weight) at the same time. I'm really proud of her. 

Definitely one of those books to put on your list as it holds some surprises, and I think it would make a really cute date movie too. 

From the GoodReads website, "Holly didn't expect to be a widow at thirty-two. She also didn't expect to be so big. After her husband's death, food was the one thing she could always count on. Now, those extra pounds make flying coach feel like medieval torture—especially when she's squished next to Logan Montgomery. A personal trainer to famous pro athletes, her seatmate is so hot that he makes Holly sweat in all the right (and so embarrassingly wrong!) places.

Logan finds himself intrigued by Holly's sharp wit and keen insights, so he impulsively offers to get her back in shape. Holly turns out to be a natural in the gym, slimming down into a bona fide looker with killer curves—and a new kind of hunger. Before either of them can stop it, the easy intimacy of their training sessions leads to even more steamy workouts away from the gym. But can a man whose whole life depends on looks commit himself to a woman who doesn't fit his ideal? Now that Holly's turning other men's heads, does she even need Logan anymore? Are they a couple built to last…or destined to fizzle?"

Book Review: License to Spill by Lisi Harrison

When can I get the next book?! 

The ending in this one wasn't as abrupt as the first book, but still left a HUGE cliffhanger as far as how the last bit with Jagger is going to play out. And I have to say, I'm really proud of Sheridan, she wasn't my favorite in the first book, and even though her obsession with being on film is still a little annoying, I like her a whole lot more after this book. 

I love epistolary books and this one is another one to add to the list, especially when it's in a diary or journal format. I feel like you get to know the character(s) on a more intimate level than if they're narrating the story. Maybe because the whole idea of a journal or diary is that it's supposed to be private and the writer doesn't censor their thoughts. 

I'm excited to read the next book and find out how they become nominated as the Phoenix Five. 

From the GoodReads website, "Three girls, two guys, five secret journals.

The five most popular students at Noble High have secrets to hide; secrets they wrote down in their journals. Now one of their own exposes the private entries...

When our parents were growing up they were encouraged to make mistakes. That's how they learned. But us? Our mistakes go viral. There is no delete button on the Internet. What kind of future do we have if we can't escape our embarrassing pasts? I must come off as quite the hypocrite; complaining about our overexposed lives in a book of secret journals I have leaked. But these pages hold proof of how this pressure affects the "best" of us... so until the heat's turned down, keep reading."

Book Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

I think I'm going to love this series just as much as I loved the Paranormalcy series. While there isn't as much humor in this one as there was Paranormalcy, it's just pretty awesome. It's also like Paranormalcy in the paranormal sense with Seers, Readers and Feelers. All these girls stuck in this supposed school where they end up being used for bad things, theft, espionage, etc. Then you have Fia who isn't like the others, but is paranormal in her own sense - she cannot make a wrong decision. Or, well, she can, but she has an uncanny sense of what is right in any given situation. It seems like those kind of instincts would be better than any of the others - seeing the future, reading minds or knowing how those around you feel. That just makes her super awesome, and I have a hard time remembering that she's only 17 years old. The poor girl has been through so many bad experiences, some of her own making. Such a great story though, and the last 10% of the book....I have to say, I didn't see it coming. I can't wait to read the next installment.

Definitely a movie worthy book.

From the GoodReads website, "Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost."

Book Review: Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

Another great book by Emily Giffin. 

*SPOILER* I'm not at all happy about how close Ellen came to fully cheating on Andy, but thankful that all it ended up being was a kiss.

I don't condone Ellen's actions, but I do understand them. I've been there before - the super intense relationship, the break up, the depression that comes with it. In my case, we ended up getting back together only to have the same things happen all over again. And when I jumped right back in that sinking boat, I ended the beginning of something that could have possibly been my own Ellen and Andy story.

So when he came around a third time, and I knew I had the beginnings of something really good, I didn't go for it. Much like Ellen, it messed with my head pretty good, and also like Ellen, I did talk to him. Unlike Ellen, I never saw him, and I finally found whatever it was that I needed to tell him goodbye and not to contact me again.

Her story is a little different from mine though in that when Leo did come back, she didn't know because Margot didn't tell her. And I can see how that would push her to continue talking to him, fly to New York to work with him, and eventually, kiss him, once she found out. Thankfully, Ellen's sister was able to help her avoid doing something that would've ruined her marriage. 

This is another one of those books that if you haven't read it yet, you should. And, it's totally movie worthy.

From the GoodReads website, "The New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed,Something Blue, and Baby Proof delivers another captivating novel about women and the choices that define them. This is the story for anyone who has ever wondered: How can I truly love the one I'm with when I can't forget the one who got away?

Ellen and Andy's first year of marriage doesn't just seem perfect, it is perfect. There is no question how deep their devotion is, and how naturally they bring out the best in each other. But one fateful afternoon, Ellen runs into Leo for the first time in eight years. Leo, the one who brought out the worst in her. Leo, the one who left her heartbroken with no explanation. Leo, the one she could never quite forget. When his reappearance ignites long-dormant emotions, Ellen begins to question whether the life she's living is the one she's meant to live. 

Love the One You're With is a powerful story about one woman at the crossroads of true love and real life."

Book Review: Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Emily Giffin is awesome. Plain and simple, she's just awesome. 

This is the first book that I've read that delved into the world of adoption from both sides of the story - the parent and the child. Marion and Kirby are excellent characters - both going through some personal growth throughout the story. 

Kirby, in the beginning, seems like she's just not very sure of herself, and a big part of that is because she's adopted and doesn't know where she gets a lot of her personality traits from. She feels like an outsider in her adoptive family. 

Marion keeps the pregnancy adoption a secret from everyone except her mother until Kirby shows up on her doorstep. Marion also seemed to feel like she was slightly out of place, but she didn't know it until later on in the story. I feel like she grew up a little from when Kirby found her to the end of the story. By the end, I felt like she was a much more mature woman who knew what she wanted.

The story didn't end all neat and tied with a bow - there was still one loose end, but I liked it. I liked coming up with my own assumptions as to what happened after the last page. The only thing that really bothered me was Marion's mother's reactions near the end. But, that's life. 

This has been out for a couple of years, if you haven't read it yet, you should read it now.

  

From the GoodReads website, "The author of five blockbuster novels, Emily Giffin, delivers an unforgettable story of two women, the families that make them who they are, and the longing, loyalty and love that binds them together.

Marian Caldwell is a thirty-six year old television producer, living her dream in New York City. With a fulfilling career and satisfying relationship, she has convinced everyone, including herself, that her life is just as she wants it to be. But one night, Marian answers a knock on the door . . . only to find Kirby Rose, an eighteen-year-old girl with a key to a past that Marian thought she had sealed off forever. From the moment Kirby appears on her doorstep, Marian's perfectly constructed world—and her very identity—will be shaken to its core, resurrecting ghosts and memories of a passionate young love affair that threaten everything that has come to define her.

For the precocious and determined Kirby, the encounter will spur a process of discovery that ushers her across the threshold of adulthood, forcing her to re-evaluate her family and future in a wise and bittersweet light. As the two women embark on a journey to find the one thing missing in their lives, each will come to recognize that where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves—a place that we may have willed ourselves to forget, but that the heart remembers forever."

Book Review: YOLO by Lauren Myracle

I was so excited to see a fourth installment to this series. I read it a few years ago and loved it, I was sad to see it end after three books. I think the author did a fantastic job with this book as well and would LOVE to see her continue the series. It's so much fun to read books written epistolary form. For me, it makes me feel like I'm right there in the characters' lives more so than when a book is written as a narrative - even when it's the main character narrating. 

I honestly think this is an excellent book for girls to read while still in high school as it takes on some of the more serious aspects of college life - depression, date rape, horrible professors, hazing, etc. Facing things like that can be a real wake up call for some kids and reading this would hopefully help them to realize it may not be all partying and fun all the time. 

It's a quick read, an excellent read, and honestly, could be read on its own, but I highly recommend reading the whole series.

From the GoodReads website, "Through texts and messages, the mega-bestselling, beloved Internet Girls series followed the ups and downs of school for three very different, very close friends. Now it’s freshman year of college for the winsome threesome, and *everything* is different. For one, the best friends are facing their first semester apart. Way, way apart. Maddie’s in California, Zoe’s in Ohio, and Angela’s back in Georgia. And it’s not just the girls who are separated. Zoe’s worried that Doug wants to break up now that they’re at different schools, and Maddie’s boyfriend, Ian, is on the other side of the country.In the face of change and diverging paths, Maddie’s got a plan to keep the friends close, and it involves embracing the present, making memories, and . . . roller derby! Using of-the-moment technology, Lauren Myracle brings her groundbreaking series into the brave new virtual world of texting and tweets."

Book Review: The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

Definitely not what I expected from Cecelia Ahern. Since the main character is a man, I don't know that this qualifies as chick lit, does it? This was another one of those books that I read, er, listened to, without reading the synopsis to find out what it was about beforehand. I was confused by the male MC, so to make sure I didn't get the wrong book, I had to go back and read it. LOL

Either way, it was a pretty good book. Sort of reminiscent of A Christmas Carol with the guy who has it all and neglects those closest to him. Then, he meets a mysterious being and is shown how great life could be if he would change his ways. 

*SPOILER*   Only, for Lew, it ends up being too late in the end. I have to admit, my eyes watered when he realized he was going to die. Especially when he cloned (for lack of a better word) and went home and talked to his daughter, making sure she knew that he'd always love her and be there for her no matter what. 

So yeah, add it to your list. 

From the GoodReads website, "Extremely successful executive, Lou Suffern is always overstretched, immune to the holiday spirit that delights everyone around him. The classic workaholic who never has a moment to spare, he is always multitasking while shortchanging his devoted wife and their adorable children.
One frigid morning in an uncharacteristic burst of generosity, he buys a cup of coffee for Gabe, a homeless man huddled outside his office building. Inspired by his own unexpected act of kindness, Lou decides to prolong his charitable streak and contrives to get Gabe a job in his company's mailroom. But when Gabe begins to meddle in Lou's life, the helping hand appears to be a serious mistake. Gabe seems to know more about Lou than Lou does about himself, and, perhaps more disturbingly, Gabe always seems to be in two places at once. 
With Lou's personal and professional fates at important crossroads and Christmas looming, Gabe resorts to some unorthodox methods to show his stubborn patron what truly matters and how precious the gift of time is. But can he help him fix what's broken before it's too late?"

Book Review: Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Ah, just what I needed after a book that dealt with more serious life issues. Not that this one didn't have serious life issues, but the issues presented in this book only happen to "small town" people thrust in the limelight of Hollywood. Guilty pleasure indeed. And what's better than having someone else read it to you while you do other things? Double guilty pleasure. 

I'm guessing that some of the material for this series stemmed from the author's own experiences in Hollywood, which is probably one of the reasons why I love it. Behind the scenes Hollywood, as many of my friends know, is one of my favorite topics for books. I hardly ever read magazines anymore so I never know the real gossip...nor do I really care, to be honest. The fake stuff suits me just fine. And as they always say, reality is stranger than fiction. 

Looking forward to reading (or listening to) the last book in the series, and then starting on her next series. :)

From the GoodReads website, "Jane Roberts was the average girl next door until she and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, landed their own reality show, L.A. Candy. Now the girls have an all-access pass to Hollywood's hottest everything. But there's more to life on camera than just parties and shopping. . . .

When racy photos of Jane are leaked to the press, she finds herself at the center of a tabloid scandal. She turns to her co-star Madison Parker for help, unaware that Madison is scheming behind the scenes. She might be Jane's shoulder to cry on, but does Madison really have Jane's back?

Scarlett's working on a scandal of her own. She's fallen for someone who's strictly off-limits—which means Scarlett has a big secret to keep . . . from the L.A. Candy cameras, the paparazzi staking out her apartment, even from her best friend.

Of course, nothing stays secret for long for the stars of the newest hit TV series, and all this drama couldn't be better for ratings. But can Jane survive another season in the spotlight?

In television star Lauren Conrad's dishy, entertaining novel about young Hollywood, the lies are only as sweet as the people telling them."

Book Reiview: The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

I finished this last night, and let me say, if you read it, you'll need some Kleenex. I have to say, the ending was not what I expected it to be, and I don't want to elaborate or else I'll give it away. 

It's an awesome story about different kinds of women of all different ages, that as you read it, you come to feel like you know them personally. Georgia is such a strong character, and like many of the other characters in the book, I admire her. Dakota is such a sweetheart, and I love that she's so into baking. Peri is the budding fashion entrepreneur that I would've liked to have been (and hey, you never know, still could be some day). Darwin is the biggest feminist and a little abrasive in the beginning, but I loved her in the end as much as I loved the rest of the characters. I think I can say that Anita was my favorite, so full of wisdom and good taste, I could definitely use my own Anita. K.C. is good for a few laughs and a good example of how you can make a complete career change later in life. That's just a few of the characters (my favorites), and I look forward to the next book in the series. 

I feel like this book tackled so many issues - modern feminism, high risk pregnancy, the big C, old past times that have become popular again, career changes later in life, dating even later in life, women entrepreneurism, knowing your roots, interracial relationships, etc., etc. 

This is one of those books that has been on my to read list for a while, and I'm glad that I finally got around to reading it. And, to be honest, I'm glad I didn't read it sooner because I don't think I would've been able to appreciate the issues tackled in the book had I read it when it first came out in 2007. 

I also like that it has bonuses at the end - a pattern for Darwin's scarf, and a recipe for Dakota's muffins. 

From the GoodReads website, "Juggling the demands of her yarn shop and single-handedly raising a teenage daughter has made Georgia Walker grateful for her Friday Night Knitting Club. Her friends are happy to escape their lives too, even for just a few hours. But when Georgia's ex suddenly reappears, demanding a role in their daughter's life, her whole world is shattered. 

Luckily, Georgia's friends are there, sharing their own tales of intimacy, heartbreak, and miracle making. And when the unthinkable happens, these women will discover that what they've created isn't just a knitting club: it's a sisterhood."

Book Review: All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Cute story. Since I'm a fan of all things cake, I was persuaded by the cover and the title to read this book without even knowing what it was about. Being a fan of baking shows, I was even more delighted to see that the bulk of the story is about the main character participating in a cupcake contest on Food Network. It was really cool to learn about the behind the scenes aspect of that. 

On the flip side, I'm not into religion, at all. And this does have a good smattering of faith and God in it, which for me, got really annoying. But I did my best to skip past those parts. I just don't like feeling like someone else's beliefs are being shoved in my face. And while this wasn't - I wasn't forced to read it - it was in a way, but by my own fault for not finding out more about the book before reading it.

From the GoodReads website, "She's written a recipe for her future, but does it include love?

Katherine 'Kat' Varland is a small town girl, born and raised---and every day, her dreams of owning her own bakery get further away. She has no money, and the cupcake shop she bakes for, Sweetie Pies, seems to get smaller and smaller. Kat might be the sweetheart of Bayou Bend, Louisiana, but she longs to make a name for herself where she can flourish as Kat---not as the girl baking someone else's recipes.
As head coach for the Bayou Bend championship high school football team, Lucas Brannen is used to winning---everything except his best friend's heart. He finally gathers the courage to make a gesture and show Kat his feelings by signing her up for the popular reality TV show Cupcake Combat. But his plan backfires after he realizes the cash prize for the winner also includes a one-year baking contract at one of New York City's most famous pastry houses.
The situation grows sticky when Kat enlists Lucas's help as her baking assistant for the show. Lucas is torn between helping Kat live her dream and selfishly wanting to keep her in town. His plan has always been a dozen acres of land and a farmhouse in Bayou Bend---but Kat is blinded by the stars in her eyes.
Will Lucas and Kat risk their chance at love in order to achieve their individual dreams? Or will they find that sometimes the most delicious happily-ever-afters begin and end in the same place?"

Book Review: My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

I ended the book with a smile on my face. :) I loved this one as much as the first one, actually, I think I liked this one even better. I'm a sucker for fairy tales and this story did not disappoint. Tansy learns some hard lessons about life, and her family is right beside her the whole time. I almost would like to see a follow-up to this one, just to see how she is as an adult with a baby. I don't want to say too much and give away parts of the story.

Since it is part of a series, I always recommend reading in order, but with this series, it's not necessary. 

It's best to leave it as read it if you're looking for something a little bit different that's a quick read. 

From the GoodReads website, "After her parents' divorce Tansy never really felt like her life got back to normal. And now that her too-busy parents and their respective new spouses don't seem to have time for her, Tansy has been sent to live with her semi-neurotic grandmother. After one incident involving a bad date, a can of spray paint, and the police, Tansy fears she is doomed for life. Enter Chrissy Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining er... high heels. With three wishes to help set her life right, Tansy is taken along for a ride that includes Robin Hood and his Merry Men, who turn out to be trouble when they steal from the rich in her town. When the police chief's son, Hudson, sees Tansy hanging out with these fairy tale criminals, she'll have some serious explaining to do. That's if Tansy can find a way to stop spinning gold and undo the "help" that Chrissy has bestowed."

Book Review: The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

Second book attempted by this author, first one finished. I tried years ago to read Thirtynothing and just could not get into it, which made me nervous to try any of her other books. But this was really good! It took on some heavy issues - hoarding, suicide, cancer, adultery - that you wouldn't normally see all wrapped up in one story. It made me think the Bird family should have gone on the Jerry Springer show. :) The characters are substantial....some of them....well, my feelings towards some of the characters would change throughout the story. Not something that usually happens for me. I think the only one I really liked all the way through the story was Megan. 

It was, as you can tell, quite the serious read. Not what I would really call a beach read, but more of a staycation type of book. A definite go to when you want to break away from the light and fluffy chick lit.

From the GoodReads website, "Meet the Bird family. They live in a honey-colored house in a picture-perfect Cotswolds village, with rambling, unkempt gardens stretching beyond. Pragmatic Meg, dreamy Beth, and tow-headed twins Rory and Rhys all attend the village school and eat home-cooked meals together every night. Their father is a sweet gangly man named Colin, who still looks like a teenager with floppy hair and owlish, round-framed glasses. Their mother is a beautiful hippy named Lorelei, who exists entirely in the moment. And she makes every moment sparkle in her children's lives.

Then one Easter weekend, tragedy comes to call. The event is so devastating that, almost imperceptibly, it begins to tear the family apart. Years pass as the children become adults, find new relationships, and develop their own separate lives. Soon it seems as though they've never been a family at all. But then something happens that calls them back to the house they grew up in -- and to what really happened that Easter weekend so many years ago.

Told in gorgeous, insightful prose that delves deeply into the hearts and minds of its characters, The House We Grew Up In is the captivating story of one family's desire to restore long-forgotten peace and to unearth the many secrets hidden within the nooks and crannies of home."

Book Review: Amy, My Daughter by Mitch Winehouse

I really can't remember any of Amy Winehouse's songs, other than, 'Rehab.' I remember hearing about her death and thinking how sad it was because she was so young and seemed to be pretty talented. I, probably just like a ton of other people, chalked it up to bad decisions and overdosing on drugs. I'm glad I read this book because it gave me a new perspective of her. And, more insight to just how difficult battling an addiction really is. Her dad was very brave to write this book and air all of the problems that she went through, but in a way, I believe it also set the record straight on a few things that were said/printed about her. As we all know, the press will put their spin on things to sell a story. This must have been very difficult for him to write, but I suspect, it was also a healing tool. 



From the GoodReads website, "Candid, compelling, and heartbreaking--a father's story of a talent taken too soon and a legacy that will live on for generations

On July 23, 2011, Amy Winehouse's family, friends, and fans around the world mourned the tragedy that this remarkable, talented, and extraordinarily generous young woman was now gone. A legion of dedicated fans had lost their idol; a devastated family had lost their Amy. With this difficult news came an outpouring of love and grief from her fans, along with troubling questions about Amy's very public struggles with drugs and alcohol, as people tried to understand how such a soulful singer had been silenced so young.

Now, in this intimate and tender account, her father and confidant, Mitch, offers an inside view of Amy's life as she lived it, putting to rest once and for all the controversies that have long surrounded her. Sifting fact from fiction, he pre-sents a portrait of Amy unlike any other, detailing the events and the people that shaped her youth--from her mischievous childhood to her grandmother's Jazz Age stories, to her father singing Frank Sinatra around the house. Shedding light on Amy's musical coming-of-age, Mitch explores how she honed her distinctive sound, created her unforgettable look, and channeled her own life into hits such as "You Know I'm No Good," "Rehab," and "Back to Black"--some of the most memorable and personal pop music in years.

While her beehive hair, larger-than-life voice, and outrageous personality made her famous, her life offstage made her infamous. Here Mitch holds nothing back about Amy's addiction to drugs and alcohol, mixing the painful with the poignant as he describes the realities of her dependencies and the toll they took on the family and friends who refused to give up on her. Revealing the truth about Amy's substance abuse and dispelling many of the tabloid-fueled rumors about her tumultuous marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil, Mitch exposes the years of behind-the-scenes drama that consumed his life and explains how, for those who knew Amy in her last months, the greatest tragedy of all was that she finally appeared to be conquering her demons.

Filled with insights into Amy Winehouse's music, photographs from her life, and stories of the real woman behind the headlines, "Amy, My Daughter" is an emotional journey into music, addiction, and the unbreakable bond between a daughter and her father."

Book Review: Driving with the Top Down by Beth Harbison

Redeemed! After not caring for Beth's book last year, but loving every other book she has written, I was excited for this one to come out, but a little cautious as well. Totally redeemed! This story has it all, hurt, love, assholishness (lol), loneliness, sadness, happiness, fun, and even a little steaminess. I love the strong female characters in this story, it's hard to pick a favorite. They may not have been strong at the beginning of the story, but they found strength throughout. And yes, the ending is all wrapped up in a nice, neat bow, but I wouldn't have loved it any other way. Also, how can you not LOVE that cover?!

From the GoodReads website, "Three women, two weeks, one convertible: sometimes life doesn't take you in the direction you expect...

Colleen Bradley is married with a teenage son, a modest business repurposing and reselling antiques, and longtime fear that she was not her husband’s first choice. When she decides to take a road trip down the east coast to check out antique auctions for her business, she also has a secret ulterior motive. Her one-woman mission for peace of mind is thrown slightly off course when sixteen year old Tamara becomes her co-pilot. The daughter of Colleen’s brother-in-law, Tamara is aware that when people see her as a screw-up, but she knows in her heart that she’s so much more. She just wishes her father could see it, too. 

The already bumpy trip takes another unexpected turn when they stop at the diner that served as Colleen’s college hangout and run into her old friend, Bitty Nolan Camalier. Clearly distressed, Bitty gives them a story full of holes: angry with her husband, she took off on her own, only to have her car stolen. Both Colleen and Tamara sense that there’s more that Bitty isn’t sharing, but Colleen offers to give Bitty a ride to Florida.

So one becomes two becomes three as Colleen, Tamara, and Bitty make their way together down the coast. It’s a road trip fraught with tension as Tamara’s poor choices come back to haunt her and Bitty’s secrets reach a boiling point. With no one to turn to but each other, these three women might just discover that you can get lost in life but somehow, true friends provide a roadmap to finding what you’re really looking for."

Book Reivew: Zac & Mia by A.J. Betts

Quick read, really quick read. But a really good one. The seriousness of the topic was pretty heavy at times, but there's a message of hope, even in the face of some of the hopelessness that the characters were going through, throughout the book. Zac is an easily likable character, and Mia, wow, I really kind of didn't like her in the beginning....and most of the way through the story. I felt bad for her, for what was happening to her, but her anger over it all was really frustrating. It was only when I was probably 60% of the way through the book that I actually started to like her. 

For someone that has never dealt personally with cancer on the level that the characters in this book did, it's truly an eye opening experience. And a great illustration of how similarily different things affect different people. 

Put this on your list, but don't expect it to be all sunshine and rainbows.

From the GoodReads website, "The last person Zac expects in the room next door is a girl like Mia, angry and feisty with questionable taste in music. In the real world, he wouldn’t—couldn’t—be friends with her. In hospital different rules apply, and what begins as a knock on the wall leads to a note—then a friendship neither of them sees coming.

You need courage to be in hospital; different courage to be back in the real world. In one of these worlds Zac needs Mia. And in the other Mia needs Zac. Or maybe they both need each other, always."

Book Review: A Minor Indiscretion by Carole Matthews

Ok, so while I do not condone cheating in any way, I get how it all started. Ali was feeling invisible because she and Ed's relationship had gotten to a comfort point where neither one of them really made an effort to show any passion anymore. And when she was shown attention, and made to feel beautiful by someone that was very attractive and younger than her, it was hard to resist. Ed was miserable in his job and missing his younger days when he worked with Harrsion Ford, and that was taking a toll on his entire life. Then he's presented with the possibility of being able to live up to his dreams and he resents Ali for not wanting to move to the States. He slightly overreacts to Ali and Christian's "friendship" (I have it in quotations because by then, they had kissed) and throws Ali out of the house before he takes the time to think it through. Had they just discussed it, none of the rest of the mess would've happened. But then, there wouldn't have been a book either. :)

I liked this book, and wish again for the possibility of half stars, because I would've given it three and a half. I deducted one star because some of the things that Ali and Ed did were just stupid. For one - Ali believed something that Elliot, their four year old son, said, and overreacted (overreaction seems to be a theme throughout the book), which is ridiculous. Everyone knows, especially someone that already had two older children, that kids can and will embellish the smallest of things at times. She should have discussed what Elliot said with Ed. And Ed should've been a little stronger and taken the time to sort out his feelings rather than dragging other people into the mess, no matter how willing they were. 

Other than that, I liked that there were things that surprised me. I thought I had the whole picture figured out and how the end was going to play out for all the characters. Turns out, I was wrong. Interesting wrap up of the story. 

From the GoodReads website, "Carole Matthews' bestselling romantic comedy is reissued with a stunning new cover design. Happily married with three children, Ali Kingston can't believe that a quick cappuccino in a Covent Garden café will turn her life upside down. But then it isn't every day that a gorgeous street artist, fifteen years her junior, falls at her feet. When Ali's husband, Ed, finds out that she's spent time with another man, he's sure there's more to it than meets the eye. And what started as a minor indiscretion soon turns into something major..."

Book Review: Out to Lunch by Stacey Ballis

Ok, first of all, let me say how much I LOVE the fact that Stacey brought back Alana and RJ from Off the Menu! Call it weird, but I felt privileged to have known who those characters are from her previous book. It's the little things. :)

Secondly, GREAT book. Seriously, this book definitely earned all five stars. It had me tearing up, laughing, and learning something new throughout the whole book. Not to mention, it gave me the best idea for a birthday present for my tech and sci-fi loving geek boyfriend. :) If Jenna can open up her mind and go a little geek, I can too. 

All of the characters in the book felt real, like real people that I could know and hang out with. I'm not much into cooking, but I now have the urge to be. 

It's seriously an excellent book that tackles momentous loss, figuring out how to move on, and life changes. 

Another one to move to the top of your to read list!

From the GoodReads website, "A touching and hilarious novel from the fabulous Stacey Ballis about best friends, true love, and the joy of food—for fans of Jen Lancaster, Jennifer Weiner, and Emily Giffin... 

Jenna has lost her best friend.
With Aimee gone so tragically young, Jenna barely knows where to turn. Aimee was the one who always knew what to do—not to mention what to wear. The two built a catering company together and had so much in common—well, except their taste in men. Jenna never understood what the successful, sophisticated Aimee saw in Wayne, with his Star Wars obsession and harebrained business schemes.

And gained her best friend’s husband…
But Aimee has left a shocking last request: Jenna now has financial custody of the not-so-merry widower. True, Wayne needs someone sensible around to keep him under control, but what was her dear departed friend thinking?

The thing is, as she gets to know Wayne better, his latest moneymaking idea actually starts to intrigue her. Her attractive new lawyer boyfriend doesn’t approve of it—but then, Wayne doesn’t approve of her attractive new lawyer boyfriend. Now Jenna has to figure out what direction her life is going to take next. And she can’t help asking herself: What would Aimee do?"

Book Review: Best Supporting Role - Sue Margolis

As per usual when it comes to a Sue Margolis book - I loved it! 

Sarah had some seriously difficult situations to deal with - first, she finds out that her husband has a gambling addiction and they're about to lose their house. Then, he is killed in a most bizarre accident and she's left to sort all the debt on her own. Next, her aunt dies and leaves her a slowly dying lingerie business to take over. Then add romance issues on top of that!

Definitely a good read, Sarah handled everything exactly as I hope that I would if I were in that situation. And being a former fashion designer wannabe, I love that she did that before having kids. Between that and the bra competition, those old wants to do that myself have been woken up. Maybe I'll get my sewing machine out and try to make something soon. 

And Hugh? Hugh is one of those fictional guys that you wish were real. With that said, there are a lot of the really great things about Hugh that remind me of my boyfriend, so it's true, those guys really are out there. They're just hard to come by. 

But the book, yes, put it on your to read list - somewhere near the top. Especially if you're looking for a feel good story that will provide some laughs too. 

One of my favorite characters is Sarah's Aunt Shirley, even though she had a small role in the book, I adored her wit and personality. :)

From the GoodReads website, "Sue Margolis’s “sexy British romp[s]” (USA Today) have captivated readers who enjoy an “irreverent, sharp-witted look at love and dating” (Houston Chronicle). Now she returns with a novel about a suddenly single mom whose life needs a lift.

When her gambling addict husband died, Sarah Green was left penniless—and with two children to raise. Since then, she’s been desperate to keep her professional and personal lives on firm financial footing. And what could be safer than dating an accountant and working at a non-emergency crime help line?

But then Sarah’s aunt dies, leaving Sarah her once famous—now flailing—lingerie shop. With her fashion background, Sarah reluctantly decides to make a go of it, even if that means breaking up with her too-prudent boyfriend over the risk.

Suddenly Sarah finds herself falling for Hugh, the handsome struggling actor she hired to renovate her new boutique, and entering a prestigious lingerie competition. Taking chances has never been her forte, but the built-in support of family and friends could give her the boost she’s been looking for...."

Book Review: Paradigm by Ceri A. Lowe

Another new author, and another author to add to my list. Pretty much any post-apocalyptic book is a guaranteed read for me. This one is a little different though as it goes back and forth between Carter's story, set in the early 3000's, and Alice's story set 80+ years earlier. Both stories started off on their own path and I wondered how they would eventually intersect given the time difference. That, and the depth of each character's story is what kept me intrigued and turning the pages, reluctant to put it down. I had my suspicions about how they would intersect closer to the end of the book, and in the last 10% of it, I found what I was looking for. 

But, of course, it wasn't enough, and now the book has ended and I need to get my hands on the next book! I cannot wait to find out where Carter goes from here, and how the rest of Alice's story plays out. 

I think I'd have to say that this is a little bit different from most post-apocalyptic stories that I've read. 

Definitely recommended!

From the GoodReads website, "What if the end of the world was just the beginning?

Alice Davenport awakens from a fever to find her mother gone and the city she lives in ravaged by storms – with few survivors.

When Alice is finally rescued, she is taken to a huge underground bunker owned by the mysterious Paradigm Industries. As the storms worsen, the hatches close.

87 years later, amidst the ruins of London, the survivors of the Storms have reinvented society. The Model maintains a perfect balance – with inhabitants routinely frozen until they are needed by the Industry.

Fifteen-year-old Carter Warren knows his time has come. Awoken from the catacombs as a contender for the role of Controller General, it is his destiny to succeed – where his parents failed.

But Carter soon discovers that the world has changed, in ways that make him begin to question everything that he believes in. As Carter is forced to fight for those he loves and even for his life, it seems that the key to the future lies in the secrets of the past..."

Book Review: The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

First book by Jennifer Smith and I loved it. Just loved it. Lucy and Owen are great characters and their story sort of makes me think of a younger version of Sleepless in Seattle in some ways. Even though I think it's close to impossible to meet the person you're going to spend the rest of your live with in high school. Even so, I still loved the story. It was fun, but still had some depth to it. 

Definitely a great summer/beach read!!

From the GoodReads website, "Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father.

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met.

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too."