I haven't written mini reviews in quite a while, so today I'm focusing on a few very summery title that I've started summer with. I've loved them all and can't wait for others to enjoy them, too.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry- I enjoyed Henry's Beach Read last year, but feel like this one is even better. Despite having nothing in common, Poppy and Alex become friends in college and eventually vacation together for a week every year. Except for one year after something happened while on one of their trips together. Now Poppy has reached out to Alex and they are vacationing together again. This story moves back and forth in time, giving readers bits and pieces of their previous trips and some background about their lives. This is a fun rom-com and I passed this one on to my daughter in college who has already burned through it as well.
Two Truths And a Lie by Meg Mitchell Moore - Sherri and her daughter Katie have moved to Newburyport, MA, trying to start over after a rough divorce. By some stroke of luck Sherri is included in a group of moms which helps her find a few friends. Rebecca, one of the moms is especially friendly, and her daughter Alexa babysits for Katie from time to time. But Alexa has some secrets of her own - and she's sure Sherri does, too. There's a little romance, suspense, and a beautiful setting for this novel, and like Moore's other books, I couldn't put it down. If you like Mary Kay Adams' books, this is an author you'll want to check out.
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau- I just finished this book yesterday and loved it. Set in the 1970s, this is a throwback to my childhood and I felt such nostalgia about the setting Blau created. Mary Jane is hired to be the summer nanny for the five year old daughter of a couple in the neighborhood. Mary Jane's mom thinks working for a doctor's family means that the family is conservative and organized like she is, but Mary Jane quickly realizes that if her mom knew how the Cones lived she wouldn't let her daughter go back there. The Cones don't seem to care about keeping the house clean, no one knows how to cook, and even more exciting- Dr. Cone is letting a famous musician and his famous actress move in while he treats the musician for drug addiction. Mary Jane's perspective on life changes dramatically and I found this whole story to be entertaining.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave- I was sucked in after the first page. Owen Michaels disappears without a trace, leaving his wife a note with two words: Protect Her. Convinced that Owen is being framed for a crime he didn't commit and certain of his innocence, his wife Hannah and sixteen year old daughter Baily decide to try and find him on their own. And what they discover is a twisted tangle of lies about the past. I found this one impossible to put down and loved the narrator's voice. This is a page turner, so be ready to want to forget about reality and just read for a good long while.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley- Gay Uncle Patrick is asked to watch his niece and nephew after their mother Sarah (a college friend of Patrick's) dies and their father (Patrick's brother) goes to rehab. Patrick has spent the past four years as a recluse after the death of his boyfriend, and hasn't acted in anything. He's not too keen on caring for children, but after his sister acts like he's not up to the task, Patrick decides he will take on this challenge. There are some tender moments in this one and some heartbreak, but although the premise isn't entirely happy, this novel is actually a lot of fun.
These five aren't the only ones I've read lately, but these are the ones that seem to scream "SUMMER!" "BEACH READ!" to me. What beach reads do I need to add to my list?
4 comments:
These all look good. I own a couple of them, but they are unread as yet. The one from '70's sounds like it would be an interesting look back at the decade where I graduated high school and had my college years. Think I'll see if the library has it. Thanks!!
I have Mary Jane and can't wait to fit it into my reading schedule.
I am nearly done with The Last Thing He Told Me, I thought I was done which was weird but I've been out of it lately. Still have a few pages left. People We Meet was enjoyable but a little slow for me.
The Last Thing He Told Me was wonderful! Just the perfect blend of family drama and domestic suspense. I've seen Mary Jane popping up on a lot of blogs lately. I was a child of the 70s too, so I'm curious about it. The Guncle looks fun!
I have 3 of these in my TBR pile. Two Truths and a Lie looks good too.
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