Bottled UP
By Liberty Stowe
3.75⭐ I am a sucker for a small town romance, and this book did not disappoint! Vogal Springs is such a vivid setting that I’m already manifesting a screen adaptation. As a first time reader of this author, I realize I’m late to the party and need to jump back to book #1 immediately. Delilah was a fantastic protagonist. Watching her navigate her struggles and heal from her past was incredibly rewarding. Her dynamic with August was another highlight their playful banter and matching energies made them so fun to root for. The pacing slowed down in a few spots, but it quickly recovered. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable story that I gladly recommend!
All The Truth In My Lies
By Elisabet Benavent
3.75⭐ This story is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions! It is funny, fresh, entertaining, and deeply moving. The plot flows so effortlessly that I couldn’t put it down. I completely fell in love with Coco and the rest of the cast. The character development is outstanding, making it easy to form a genuine connection with everyone. There is so much substance here beyond the gossip, sex, and drama. Even with a few predictable moments, the execution was so brilliant that it kept me hooked until the very last page. What a fantastic book!
Handsome
By Ezra Palmer
4⭐ Listening to this audiobook felt like sitting on a park bench while an older woman shared her life story with me; the narrator made the experience incredibly personal. It is easily one of the absolute best audiobooks I have ever heard. Imagine being forced to relive the worst part of your life every single day with no way to stop it. What I expected to be a simple story about an awful husband turned out to be so much more. The author packed an incredible amount of depth into just six hours. While entirely heartbreaking, this book offers a gut-wrenching, front row seat into the mind of someone living with Alzheimer’s, and it was executed brilliantly.
The Identicals
By Elin Hilderbrand
4.50⭐ Making my way through Elin’s catalog this is my 2nd book, and I loved it just as much as the first! While I’m not a huge fan of third-person narration, the story was such an addictive page-turner that I couldn’t put it down. The character development was wonderful, I felt deeply connected to both sisters and the daughter. I absolutely hated Tabitha at first, so I was incredibly grateful for her redemption arc! Though a cheating trope is never my favorite (especially for a character I love like Harper), watching everyone evolve and come full circle was beautiful. My only minor complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, it was an amazing read!
