Tag: book review

REVIEW: The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Lindsay Short1 Comment
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen
Duration: 440 pages
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Life is a journey, wouldn’t you rather be the person behind the wheel than the one just being carried along?”

Page 154, The Rest of the Story

Synopsis

Emma Saylor has her summer planned out –
✓Dad getting married
✓ New house being remodeled
✓ Staying at her friends house and crushing on boys while her Dad and Step-Mother go on their honeymoon
The plan gets disrupted when her friend has a family emergency and is unable to let Emma stay over. She has no other options except her grandmother from her mother’s side that she hasn’t seen since she was 3 years old. Since her mother passed when Emma was 10 years old, she hasn’t even thought about this side of the family. When she arrives, North Lake seems like a distant memory to her. During the 3 weeks she gets to spend there, it shows her getting to know this part of her family that becomes near and dear to her heart.

Review

Sarah Dessen has been one of my favorite authors for over 10 years. She has such a unique way of writing relaxing stories that make you immersed in the story and invested in the characters.

Plot – It’s kind of funny that I reread one of Sarah’s old books – Keeping the Moon – just last month. This book was really reminiscent of Keeping the Moon except updated for the current times. Both books deal with the main character going to stay with an aunt during the summer while meeting people they become close with and falling in love. The way that Sarah updated this story to make it more relevant with the circumstances Emma’s mom passed from (opioid abuse) and delving into how Emma deals with her anxiety. Even though the plots had similarities, they had quite different feels based on their settings.

Characters – I enjoyed Emma’s resilience. When she first arrived to North Lake her cousins thought she was the spoiled rich kid who just got to laze around. She proved them wrong by helping them work at her aunts motel and by knowing her struggles with her mother and anxiety, you know she is a strong girl. I loved the feel of the relationships between everyone at North Lake – how you know that they all grew up together and they have that loving friends-like-family type vibe.

Writing – Sarah Dessen has a very simplistic way of writing that feels so laidback and enjoyable. When she described North Lake it made me crave to be by a lake this summer – swimming, barbecuing, lighting sparklers, etc. Even though the writing isn’t incredibly detailed, it is done in such a way that you want to continue reading.

Overall – I was very happy with Sarah Dessen’s new book. I really enjoyed that she made it relevant to current issues while still keeping her simplistic summer relaxation vibe.

“You can make your life, or life can make you. Was it really that simple of a choice?”

Page 181, The Rest of the Story

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you read this book or any of Sarah Dessen’s other books? What did you think about it?

REVIEW: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

Lindsay ShortLeave a comment
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Duration: 384 pages
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

Jules Larson was struggling after losing her job and her boyfriend within the same day. Desperate for a new job while living off of her friends couch, she finds a job that seems too good to be true – an apartment sitter at the most prestigious apartment building in NYC that pays really well. She would be a fool not to take it. The first day she moved in she met another apartment sitter named Ingrid who tells her that she’s starting to feel uneasy and terrified at night. What could possibly going on at the Bartholomew?

Review

I loved this book from start to finish. It drew me in with the grandeur of living at the Bartholomew and how this girl with hardships got an opportunity of a lifetime. Then when things started to get creepy and unsettling – I couldn’t put the book down. Especially near the end when you discover what is actually going on there – I was in absolute shock. I could not have guessed about what was going on. I cannot wait to read Riley’s other books – which I heard are all fantastic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

REVIEW: The Last Mrs. Parrish

Lindsay ShortLeave a comment
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Duration: 560 pages
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Format: ebook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

Amber Patterson moved to Bishops Harbor with one goal in mind – to get close to Daphne Parrish and eventually, her husband.

Review

Plot – This book made me feel like I was in a “The Real Housewives” show but with even more deceit and jaw dropping moments. I liked how the author built up the story with Amber and Daphne’s friendship and showed how Amber worked her way into their family. Then when it switched to Daphne’s POV, I enjoyed learning about the beginning of their relationship and everything that went on behind closed doors.

Writing – The first part of the book is from Ambers perspective of when she meets Daphne. The middle is Daphne’s perspective starting from when she met her husband, Jackson Parrish, throughout to when she met Amber. The last portion of the book goes between POVs. The best aspect of thrillers is thinking the story is going one way, until it goes in the complete opposite direction. By writing the story this way, the reader can appreciate the protagonists perspectives on the situation and the truth behind it.

Characters – I thought that the characters were very well played. Going along with what I said above, being able to see the different POVs really made me understand and appreciate the characters more. When I was reading reviews on this book that had lower ratings, I noticed a lot of people saying Jackson was misogynistic. He definitely was, but I think that is the point the author is trying to convey. The author is trying to paint this portrait as to how a family could look so perfect and put together, but terrible things can be happening behind closed doors. I understand that part can make women uncomfortable, but I think it was really to elaborate on making the story more heart wrenching and to understand Daphne’s motives more.

This has been the year of thrillers for me. I really liked this book – it had me in disbelief while I was listening to it. I couldn’t believe some of what was going on. Nonetheless, I definitely don’t think this book is for everyone. You need to be comfortable with reading about misogyny and with understanding that this isn’t necessarily a happy book. If you like other thrillers like Verity, I think you would enjoy this book as well.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you read this book? What did you think?

REVIEW: Marked by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Lindsay Short1 Comment
Marked (Marked #1) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Format: audiobook
Duration: 306 pages
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

Marked begins with Zoey going to school like any other normal day – except when she arrives, she gets marked with a crescent moon on her forehead by a vampire tracker. She knows what happens if you are marked and don’t go to the house of night – you’ll keep getting sicker and sicker and eventually die. She brings it up to her mother, hoping for some understanding, but since her mother remarried she obeys her new husband instead of sticking up for her daughter. Her husband freaks out and wants to have and intervention call with the church to bless Zoey. Zoey ends up sneaking out and visiting her grandmother who is understanding and helps her get to the house of night.

At the house of night we meet the other students who soon become Zoeys best friends and confidants, as well as an elite club called the Dark Daughters. This book follows Zoey’s journey in the house of night, the changes she endures while becoming a vampire, and figuring out what makes her different from everyone else?

Review

Plot – If you’ve been on my blog for one second you know that I’ve been enjoying the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series, which is about faeries. So, I thought a book about vampires would be similar enough to hook by interest but different enough to be unique in it’s own way. To be honest, I felt like not a lot of exciting events happened in this book. The events felt mundane to me and didn’t pull me in a way where I felt like I had to keep listening. The most interesting parts were when Zoey was trying to come to terms with the changes being a vampire entails.

Characters – Zoey is a strong character and you can appreciate her growth and development throughout the book. She started out as a frightened high school girl and evolved into someone who doesn’t take bullying at all. Her friends all have their own individual personalities that all mix together into a coherent, amusing friend group. It made me wish I was sitting with that group during my school lunches. I loved how they all supported Zoey right from the start and stood by her until the very end.

Overall – I was disappointed since I felt like this book was bland and a weak start to the series. I’ve heard a lot of praise about this series and to be frank, I just don’t see it. It was an easy read but nothing that really drew me in and made me beg for the next book. Part of me is hesitant to continue the series. Friends on goodreads have told me it does get better but I am still on the fence about it. I may try a different vampire series instead!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you read this series? Do you think it’s worth it to continue if I felt like the 1st book was only okay? Are there any other Vampire book series you recommend?

REVIEW: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Lindsay ShortLeave a comment
A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas
Format: ebook
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Duration: 699 pages
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“…what we think to be our greatest weakness can sometimes be our biggest strength. And that the most unlikely person can alter the course of history.”

Page 309, A Court of Wings and Ruin

Synopsis

Feyre is back in the clutches of the Spring court – but she has a plan up her sleeves. Even though it is difficult to be so far from Rhys, she knows what needs to be done. The third installment of this series goes through the difficulties with making alliances with neighboring courts so they can still thrive after the war with Hybern, how Elain and Nesta are handling being made from the cauldron, and the actual war itself.

Review

After all of the heat and excitement I was feeling from A Court of Mist and Fury, I was definitely excited to jump right into this book. I hate to say this but this book did not live up to the first two.

1 – I felt like some parts were kind of slow and dragged on. The book was quite long so it really could have been cut down a considerable amount.

2- A lot of the lines were overused. I can’t even begin to count how many times someone used a “vulgar gesture” or “mate.” It would have been better to just start leaving it out after it was used a couple times or use something else instead.

In the end, the book did have some great parts that still made it earn 4 stars out of 5 from me. I love Rhys and Feyre’s relationship as well as the friendships within the night court, and the humor sprinkled throughout the book. I am currently reading book #3.1 A Court of Frost and Starlight. I plan on starting Sarah J. Maas’s other series – Throne of Glass. This series is definitely well worth reading despite this book not being as strong as the 2nd.

“And I wondered if the road ahead – the road to true peace – would perhaps be the hardest and longest one yet.”

Page 689, A Court of Wings and Ruin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you read this series? How did you feel about the 3rd book compared to the others? Have you read Throne of Glass? Which series did you think was better?

REVIEW: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Lindsay ShortLeave a comment

“Not consort, not wife. Feyre is High Lady of the Night Court.” My equal in every way,”

Page 620, A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Format: ebook
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

The 2nd book in the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series picks up with Feyre reliving her nightmares from Under the Mountain while living in the Spring Court. Tamlin has confined her to the house and property out of being overprotective and she is planning her wedding with the help of Ignathe, a high priestess. When the wedding day finally comes, Feyre is wearing a dress she hates and is hesitating completely going to Tamlin to say their vows. In her head she is screaming for someone to save her – so, right on time Rhysand shows up to take her for a week as condition of their bargain. Feyre is resistant at first while in the Night Court but when she goes back to the Spring Court, she realizes that Tamlin does not try to understand what is going on with her. The last thing she wants is to be locked up for her safety – but Tamlin does not listen to her. The last straw was when Tamlin shielded her into the palace and she was so upset Rhysand set his cousin, Mor, to take her back to the Night Court. He gives her a choice to stay in the Night Court of go back to the Spring Court whenever she wants. Which begins her adventures with the Night Court.

Review

At this point, I am about halfway through with the 3rd book. So far – this has to be my favorite book in the series. I read it constantly and finished it in 5 days. There isn’t a moment of down time. the author beautifully shows Feyre and Rhysand’s relationship blossom and you can immediately tell how different it is between them compared to Feyre and Tamlin. How Rhysand is so patient to wait for her to come around and treats her like an equal. There are also some very steamy scenes 😉.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WWW Wednesday 3

Lindsay ShortLeave a comment

What I am currently reading

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
This book is reminiscent of an adorable 80’s love story that makes jokes that crack me up and makes me smile like I’m crazy. It is just such a cute book so far!
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
You guys already KNOW how OBSESSED with this series I am right now. I finished the 2nd book this weekend and am working through book 3. Such an amazing series. If you have been holding out on it – GO READ IT NOW.

What I recently finished reading

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass & A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

I read 11 birthdays for a challenge I am doing and it was only okay – I think because it’s a bit too young for me.

A Court of Mist and Fury is (so far) my favorite book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series and I can’t wait to write a review on it!

what I am reading next

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
You know I have to finish this series.
Marked by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
This is my next audiobook from the library! I see it has a lot of love around this series so I am excited!

REVIEW: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Lindsay Short1 Comment
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Format: Ebook
Duration: 432 pages
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.”

Synopsis

Feyre originally grew up in a wealthy home with her 2 sisters but when her father could not pay back debtors they were forced to live in poverty. She turned into the sole provider for her family – without her they wouldn’t have the food she hunted or the push to cut firewood to keep warm. One day while hunting desperate after a few days of not eating, she ran into a wolf that was about to steal the deer she was going to kill. So, she ended up killing the deer and the wolf to sell the wolf pelt for money and use the deer for food. The day after a Faerie came to her home terrifying her family – stating that the wolf she killed was a faerie so there was only 2 choices – he could kill her or she could live out the rest of her days in Prythian, land of the faeries. She ended up going with him the Prythian unsure if she made the right choice. This book follows Feyre’s adventure learning about the faeries she’s living with and what is engulfing their land.

Review

This series was recommended to me in a book FB group. The person told me to immediately put all 3 of the books in the series on hold at the library because it’s so good that you’ll want to read the next one right away. So I listened to her wise words and she definitely wasn’t wrong.

This book is such an adventure from start to finish. I was upset because when I was looking at the 2nd book on GR I accidentally read some of the synopsis and it spoiled what happened for me. BUT there was still so much anticipation and lead up to the ending.

This book will not disappoint you if you love fantasy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Pity those who don’t feel anything at all”

July Book Wrap Up + Favorites

Lindsay ShortLeave a comment
photo IMG_5282_zpsg7nj9puh.jpg

Eyes of Prey by John Sandford | Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine | After You by Jojo Moyes | Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm | When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon | The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah | The Bride Test by Helen Hoang | Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen | Lock Every Door by Riley Sager | Miracle Creek by Angie Kim | Verity by Colleen Hoover | Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl | Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston | The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren | Scythe by Neal Shusterman

July was an amazing month in books for me with 15 books read in total! While I was studying for my part 1 boards on July 3 – all I wanted to do was read books. I allowed myself to when I needed a study break of course, but when I finished my boards I just kept reading and reading! Lately, I haven’t been interested in watching shows, dramas, or movies which is strange but I’m not complaining.

Favorite audiobook

Verity by Colleen Hoover

I started listening to audiobooks back in June when I finally got connected to my library and saw how many they had. I was going on long walks so audiobooks were the perfect thing to listen to. I couldn’t find Verity anywhere so I ended up getting a free month on audible and it was the first book I downloaded.

This book seriously had me thinking about it for a week afterwards trying to figure out what was right. I’ve been loving psychological thrillers this year and if you do too – I highly recommend this book to you.

Least Favorite Audiobook

Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm

I listened to this book for a challenge where I had to read a book with ice cream on the cover. It was only okay for me – the romance was frustrating. You can read my full review here.

Favorite New Series

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

My 2nd audible pick since I saw @nerdoutwithmybookout recommend it on instagram! I loved the urgency this book portrayed and the creepiness from the husband. The adrenaline from not being able to trust anyone was what kept me going. I can’t wait to continue this series!

Favorite New Author

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

There has been a lot of hype about Lock Every Door so I knew I had to read it. I heard other readers saying that they liked it but enjoyed his other books more. I loved this book so I really look forward to reading his others as well!

Book I was really looking forward to

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

After reading The Kiss Quotient in January I was waiting and waiting for this book. Helen Hoang definitely delivered! I wasn’t sure how she’d go about writing a 2nd book but I liked that it was kind of related to the first but very much it’s own book. She is so amazing at showing the hardships of loving and trusting someone.

Unpopular Opinions

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

I thought this book sounded like it had a really interesting premise but once I read it, I realized it was really slow. I can deal with slow paced books if it works up to something incredible at the end but even though it had a “twist,” it wasn’t super surprising.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I kept seeing this book EVERYWHERE within in the last couple of months. Though I think it’s important for representation, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Books I look forward to in August

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I finished the first book on August 1st and now I am working my way through the 2nd. This series is so incredible so far. I didn’t anticipate loving a book about faeries so much but someone recommended it to me and now I can’t put it down.

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen has been my favorite author since I was in middle school/early high school. I re-read Keeping the Moon last month and it made me remember how I love the simple pace her books take. I can’t wait to read her newest book!

Other Faves

Wonderwink Scrubs

Since I started my hospital rotations I have been living in scrubs. My fiance’s mom bought me some wonderwink scrubs and they have been my favorite brand thus far. They are soft and comfortable and they look sleek and flattering on your body.

Hoka One One Shoes

If you’re going to be standing and running around all day, you NEED good quality supportive shoes. Being in podiatry I am shocked at the amount of my colleagues who wear terrible shoes for their feet yet they recommend patients to wear these hoka types of shoes. I can feel the support these shoes give me since I have a collapsable arch and they allow me to stand for a long time comfortably. Also amazing for walking and running.

Overnight oats

I have finally found my favorite recipe for overnight oats and I have been eating them quite often.

  • 1/3 cup oats
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 scoop protein powder (pescience peanut butter cookie)
  • 1/2 banana
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter

Mix 1st 4 ingredients together and put in the fridge overnight. Add the banana and peanut butter in the morning and enjoy.

REVIEW: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Lindsay Short1 Comment
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Format: Audiobook
Duration: 342 pages
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

Jason Dessen lives a simple life as a physics professor at a community college with the woman he loves and their son. When he is invited to celebrate his college roommate’s nomination for his work in physics, he thinks about how he could’ve won a prize in physics if he chose his career over his home life 15 years ago. After the celebration he is kidnapped by someone who claims to have been watching him his whole life and he is forced to drive to a bunker in the middle of nowhere. His captor shoots him up with an unknown substance and he knocks out and wakes up in a completely different place with people greeting him and asking about where he’s been. He immediately understands things are not as they should be and escapes to find answers.

Review

When I first started reading this book I was in utter disbelief about everything that was happening is Jason’s life. It left me on the edge of my seat curiously waiting to see how Jason decided to emerge from this mess. I loved learning about the new worlds he was visiting and imagining how crazy that would be to have the ability to do that.

In the end, this book made me really think about how everything happens for a reason and all the choices I have made up until this point have been the right ones. It’s really easy to look back and be curious about the path not taken, but it is beneficial to realize that it is all for the best. One of my most difficult decisions within the past few years was deciding where to go to podiatry school. After a few months in NYC I was questioning if I made the right choice – school was tough, NYC was not everything I thought it would be, and I missed having a network of support with my friends. Now, I know there were definitely good reasons to come here and I absolutely do not regret it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Did you read this book? What did you think about it? Did you learn any life lessons from it?