Valley of the Moon by Melanie Gideon
(c/o NetGalley)
This is the best time travel book I've ever read. It's a love story, but it's so much more than that. It's a coming of age story. A story about second chances, of feeling stuck and fighting to get out of it. It's slow at first but gets so much better. I loved all the characters. I don't usually tear up while reading, but this book got me. It's truly beautiful.
Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale
(c/o NetGalley)
This was a good book, but it was much different than I expected. It was more a family drama than a thriller. When Aimee's fiance dies, she has to piece her life back together, but she can never get over the feeling that he's still alive. She decides to dig further into his disappearance, hoping the truth will help her heal. I liked Aimee and her will to move past her circumstances. I didn't love a few of the situations towards the end and the way they were resolved, but overall, it was a good read.
The Confectioner’s Tale by Laura Madeleine
(c/o NetGalley)
Petra thought her late grandfather never hid anything from her until she discovered a photo of him in Paris in front of a patisserie with two people she doesn't know and the words "forgive me" on the back. Told in a dual timeline between Gui in 1909 and Petra in 1988, this is an interesting story of a forbidden love affair. It did stall for me a little at times, and I wish there were more descriptions of the patisserie, but overall, it was a good read.
Results May Vary by Bethany Chase
(c/o NetGalley)
I needed some fluff in my life, so I picked up this book. It was a little sadder and more serious than I expected (though I don't really know why since I knew it was a book about a woman finding out about her husband's affair). It was a decent read. It's not super memorable or a book I would go out of my way to recommend, but I'm not disappointed I read it.
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa
(c/o NetGalley)
I love WWII historical fiction, so it's a genre I read often. For that reason, I probably judge WWII historical fiction books a little harsher than others. This one was just so-so for me. Only the first 25 percent was about WWII-most of it was about Hannah's life in Cuba. I think it would have been better if the part of the family on board the SS St. Louis was longer. Overall, (and I hate to say this about a book about WWII) it was just boring. There are so many better books out there.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
(c/o NetGalley)
Anne and Marco went to a dinner party next door and left their baby at home unsupervised, and she gets kidnapped. What happened to her? I really enjoyed this thriller. There were several interesting twists, and it was a fast-paced novel. There were also several technical issues. I didn't love the writing style, and it was quite a bit repetitive in the beginning. Overall, it was a good read.
Note: The next two books are the second and third book in a trilogy. Click here for my review of Alone, the first book in the trilogy.
Alight by Scott Sigler
(c/o NetGalley)
In the first book, Scott Sigler asked us not to give away an spoilers, so I am going to be super generic about this one too. This was my favorite book in the series. Usually the second book in a trilogy can be rough, but I think this one really worked. I really grew to love Em and the other characters in this book.
Alone by Scott Sigler
(c/o NetGalley)
I really liked how the third book started. It was exciting, and I felt like things really came together. The middle lost me for a bit. It felt a little repetitive. I hated some of the decisions made towards the end, but I understand why they had to be done. Overall, it was a satisfying ending to the series.
Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky by Holly Martin
(c/o NetGalley)
I always have the same thing to say about Holly Martin's books-the writing is rough, but I love the story. The writing in this one really bothered me at times. It was awkward, and there was a lot of repetition. I honestly think the book could be 50 pages shorter. Still, it was a sweet Christmas story that kept me interested (I was hoping for a little more conflict toward the end, though. I felt like things got resolved too quickly).
Christmas Under a Starlit Sky by Holly Martin
(c/o NetGalley)
This book was a little over the top for me. I can handle one insta-love story, but three at once? Plus, Oakley and Neve's story just seemed weird to me. I hate what she did and how she tried to justify it. The ending was cute, but overall, this was my least favorite of Holly Martin's books.
The Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
(c/o NetGalley)
I thought the concept of this book was cute: Julia was frustrated with her grumpy neighbor Cain, so she decided to "kill him with kindness" on the 12 days leading up to Christmas. She writes her progress in a blog, which happens to go viral (I'm not really buying that). The blog was a fun idea, and I like Julia & Cain, but I thought the conflict and resolution towards the end of the book was extremely weak. Still, it kept me engaged, and I read it quickly. It works as a feel-good Christmas read.
Favorite reads in November: Valley of the Moon, The Couple Next Door, and The Generations Trilogy by Scott Sigler.
Felt the same way about Christmas Under a Starlit Sky. I can definitely do cheesy around Christmastime, but this was tooooo much.
ReplyDeleteGlad you loved Valley of the Moon! I tried to get it on Netgalley... but I think it was gone by the time I requested. I'll have to see if my library has it! :) Looking into The Couple Next Door now. Sounds really good! I also read Debbie Macomber's book. I like those silly fluffy xmas reads. Overall though, it was a lot weaker than her others that I have read. I reviewed it today as well. :) Currently trying to finish up more Netgalley books, a few holiday reads, and hopefully The Dry before January! XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I used to always read the Debbie Macomber Christmas books just because they were so light, festive & easy to read - a fun holiday read.
ReplyDeleteGood for you getting in all the books!
I loved Valley of the Moon!! We have a lot of the same NetGalley reads - good taste! :) I just finished a new Jodi Picoult book - Small Beginnings - that was really good. Also The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck - she also wrote The Wedding Dress - another book I loved.
ReplyDeleteI always have trouble buying that blogs go viral almost instantaneously too, and I think that's because we've blogged. I have The Valley Of The Moon from Netgalley and your review makes me want to start reading it immediately! I've heard so many great things about The Couple Next Door, and I hope that I'll get to read that one soon too. That's such a bummer that The German Girl just wasn't up to par, but I think that I'm like you where I tend to judge WWII books a little more harshly because I love them so much. As always you have so many good books on your list!
ReplyDeleteI felt the same about The Confectioner's Tale. It was a little slow at times but good. I want to check out Valley of the Moon.
ReplyDeleteThe Confectioner’s Tale sounds really cute! And so does the 12 Days of Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always funny how I'm either like I read less than I thought or I can't believe I read so many books this month. :D Some really good books here, Olya! Valley of the Moon sounds really good and you've made me curious about Scott Sigler's series - adding them all to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteAwwww...I think it's adorable that you've read all those Christmas books. I will have to remember Valley of the Moon. I don't normally read "time travel", but since it's a category in my book challenge, I will in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the holds list for The Couple Next Door but I don't think I'll get it until March or so...haha. Long list. The Valley of the Moon sounds so good - I might switch my time travel book to that for Erin's challenge! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really loved Valley of the Moon. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe Confectioner's Tale sounds like a fun read and I keep hearing about The Couple Next Door and it definitely sounds intriguing! I thought Twelve Days of Christmas was cute, and liked the whole blogging element, but I wasn't crazy about Julia's character.
ReplyDeletei am so glad you loved the valley of the moon. it really was so good. results may vary is on my list! The Couple Next Door is next on my list.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Holly Martin, but it sounds perfect for this time of year!
ReplyDeleteOo I'll have to check some of these out! You sure did read a lot in November :)!
ReplyDeleteI really liked The Couple Next Door, which is in my book review this month. I read the Twelve Days of Christmas as well but only thought it was okay. I added Valley of the Moon to my to read list.
ReplyDeleteHmm... A lot of these sound like they have such potential. Bummer that they fell a little flat for you. It sounds like I definitely have to check out Valley of the Moon, though!
ReplyDeleteI do love a fun holiday read during this time of the year! I'm really curious about The Couple Next Door!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I've added Valley of the Moon to my to-read-list.. Girl, you've read soo many books, well impressed!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Couple Next Door despite its many, many flaws.
ReplyDeleteThat Scott Sigler trilogy seems like a series I'd enjoy.
I've been trying to decide whether to add the couple next door to my TBR... I think I will!
ReplyDeleteI think I liked Everything We Keep more than I liked The Couple Next Door. Hmmm..
ReplyDeleteI think Aimee was very believable as a character, so that book had that going for it.
I really loved The Couple Next Door!
ReplyDelete-- Dara || www.peoniesandhoneybees.com