Category: What I Read

This was a great reading month! I managed to JUST hit my reading goal for 2020 of 75 books. While I didn’t read any knockouts this month, I really liked most of what I read.

Now that I’ve shared that I’m pregnant, I can share that it’s the reason I was able to hit my goal! When I was pregnant with Emilia, reading was one of the only things I could do to distract myself from the nausea. Same went for this time too. I also have had major pregnancy insomnia, so I’ve read a ton at night. There have been many nights where I’ve been awake from 12-5 or 3-7, so I just read! Almost a blessing in disguise because I don’t know if I would have hit my 2020 reading goal during these busy months.

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow the goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can also join the book club! We have the instagram and secret facebook group here.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

What I Read in December 2020

Christmas At The Island Hotel – 3 stars

I downloaded this on a whim when I was dying for more Christmas books. The story follows a family who is getting their new hotel ready for the holiday season. I LOVED the setting here – on an island between Scotland and Norway. Wish I could be there right now! I did like a lot of the characters at the hotel but ultimately I just couldn’t get into this one. It was a pretty quick read for me but I never felt HOOKED, you know? I wasn’t very invested in this story which was a bummer.

Leave The World Behind – 4 stars

Oh my gosh, I don’t even know how to explain this book. Given my hope to read only holidayish happy things this month, I REALLY wanted to read this one – but perhaps it could have waited until January or February. I think this book is considered a psychological thriller, but it also deals with racism and how people act and respond during a tragedy. The story follows a family who rents a vacation home, but shortly after “something” happens. The frustrating thing is that we are never told WHAT happens – is it some sort of terrorism or chemical warfare or something? Very weird things start happening (honestly it was freaky) and what made me crazy is that we get NO solution at the end! However, the book is still good and the writing is amazing. Def recommend, maybe just not at the holidays, haha.

This Close To Okay – 4.5 stars

Ooooh I loved this one! FYI this is an early release that I got through Book of the Month – it doesn’t come out until February. The story follows two strangers who meet under… interesting (!) and possibly devastating circumstances. There are some truths held back and a twist and this is just such a great story. The book jacket mentions the magic of human connection and I have no other words to describe it – that is the perfect description. Loved the ending of this so much. Definitely grab it when it comes out!

Jingle Wars – 2.5 stars

Oh man I wish I had better things to say about this, I hate giving a not-so-favoroable review. This story was cute – it was just a little too harlequin romance-ish for me. I love a romance novel but lean more towards women’s fiction over true gritty romance. For instance, the word “boning” is used more than once and I just couldn’t get past a lot of the language. Haha that makes me feel so old but I don’t know how else to describe it. I do love a steamy novel (hello, Idea of You!) but I just couldn’t do it with this one, it was a bit too raunchy.

This Time Next Year – 4 stars

Really enjoyed this one!! It was super cute. The story follows two people who were born at the same time and continue to run into each other with many coincidences. I really loved this story AND I loved the characters! It kind of had a bit of One Day In December vibe, but I may have even liked it more than that. I loved the storylines of both main characters and it was such a cute, feel good read that I needed in December.

Faking Under The Mistletoe – 4 stars

See how into Christmas reads I am? This was another super cute one. I have a hard time giving anything 5 stars because I hold Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series in such high regard. But this was adorable! It follows Olivia who is obsessed with Christmas (so naturally I was obsessed with her) and gets entangled with her boss. I loved the story, it was super Christmasy and another light, feel-good read.

WHAT DID YOU READ THIS MONTH?

The post What I Read in December 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

It was a steady reading month for me! I read four books and listened to one audio book. I didn’t have any books that I absolutely 5-star LOVED, but I really liked all of them and that’s what counts! Right now, I have to read six more books in December to hit my yearly goal of 75 books. Eeep! Not sure if I can do it, but I’m going to try…

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow the goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can also join the book club! We have the instagram and secret facebook group here.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

What I Read in November 2020

The Twelve Dates of Christmas – 4 stars

Oh this was just so cute! Have I mentioned how much I adore christmas books?! The story follows a girl who signs up to get set up on 12 blind dates through a matchmaking agency. It’s so cute! Also, there is much talk about food here too. I loved how this was like a hallmark movie in a book and I could just see it made into a movie. I might have slightly liked In a Holidaze more… but they are both so cute for the holidays!

Virgin River – 3.5 stars

Okay so I am so throughly obsessed with the Netflix series, and last year so many of you told me to read the books. So I did read this first one and I have to say, I love the show more! I might feel otherwise had I read the book first. I think I just love the chemistry of Mel and Jack on screen (obsessed with both actors!) and it didn’t translate as well to the books for me. I did LIKE the book, but I just didn’t love it like I do the show, you know?!

The Most Fun We Ever Had – 4.5 stars

I have wanted to read this book for over a YEAR! I’m so glad I finally did – this is one of our book club pics for the months of November and December. The story follows a family with four daughters and lots of drama. The book flashes back between the past and present – it kind of reminded me of Mrs Everything in the way that it’s just the story being told of the family. I did love the idea of the parents’ relationship and just how in love they were – like nothing could compare!

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey – 4.5 stars

Oh my gosh – another celeb memoir that I absolutely loved. Like the others I’ve read this year, I listened to this on audible and it was so good. I mean, Matthew McConaughey’s voice is dreamy alone, right?! It’s so recognizable and a staple of my generation – haha! Anyway – I loved his story and the way he told it. I loved the idea of the red, green and yellow lights here too. It’s so good and I HIGHLY recommend listening to it! Only reason I couldn’t give it a 5 is because Mariah Carey’s set such a high bar back in September!

The Guest List – 3.5 stars

I’ve wanted to read this since the summer – my mom finally read it for her book club a month or so ago and that pushed me over the edge. The story follows the gathering of a wedding (oh my, it made me insane at times because of all the covid thoughts – LOL!) and a murder. It is twisty and suspenseful, but man the beginning was really slow for me. I did like the twist (and was totally wrong with what I thought!)- but I had a hard time getting into it – it may have just been the season we’re in?! But once I did, about halfway through, I enjoyed it.

What did you read this month?

The post What I Read In November 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This was an AMAZING book month!! I ended up going through eight books, mostly because I listened to two on audible which always gives me a lot more reading time. I prefer to listen to biographies or personal development books on audio book over fiction, and the two below were so, so good. I also read three books this month that were such good, fun quick reads.

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow the goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can also join the book club! We have the instagram and secret facebook group here.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

What I Read In October 2020

Anxious People – 4.5 stars

This was our October book club pick and oh boy was it good. I love Fredrik Backman’s books (Beartown is my fave) and his writing is one of a kind. The story follows a group of people held hostage by a bank robber and the entire time, you are trying to figure out who the bank robber is. It’s pretty fascinating and also shocking once you discover! I love the way he tied some of characters stories together too. This is such a good one!

Ties That Tether – 4.5 stars

Another great one!! This story follows a woman who has a one night stand with a guy who is totally “off limits” to her, and it ends up becoming much more. She falls in love with him even though she promised her parents she would marry a Nigerian man and deals with the fallout from her mother. The forbidden love trope is always one of my faves and this did not disappoint. It also touches on cultural differences and women’s issues. I really liked it!

The Meaning of Mariah Carey – 5+ stars

I don’t even know if words can describe how much I LOVED this book. It might be my favorite book the all 2020. I listened to it and hearing Mariah narrate added another element to the story. Being a huge Mariah fan my entire life, I found the early years of her career SO interesting. How the industry (and her husband) tried to make her look and sound white, trying to remove what they called her urban sounds from her music. I remember as a little girl, probably 8 or 9, learning that Mariah’s father was Black and not thinking it was true because she “looked” white. So much of her story is heartbreaking too. Also – I didn’t know that she also writes her own music. She is insanely talented. And now, I love going back and listening to those old school favorite songs and knowing who the lyrics are about!

Roommaid – 4 stars

This was a super cute and quick read! I really enjoyed it. The story follows a girl who was kicked out of her affluent family for her career choices, and in a desperation moment, agrees to live with a guy who is looking for a roommate & housekeeper because he travels often. While this was super cute and I did enjoy it, some of it was so hard to believe – like that this girl didn’t know how to run a dishwasher, etc. Just seemed a little out of touch for 2020, haha! But it was still cute and quick.

In a Holidaze – 4 stars

I was unsure if I would enjoy this, because there is a time travel element that I didn’t know if I’d get into. And honestly, I found it a little ridiculous at first, but I did love this story. It follows a girl who goes to the same cabin with family friends every year at Christmas. She ends up in a time loop and relives the trip a few times. While I loved it and it put me in the holiday spirit, I wish we had a more solid resolution or reasoning for the time travel? Ha, of course. But it is still super cute and I highly recommend for the season! It’s a nice escape.

Troubles in Paradise – 5 stars

AHHH I have been waiting for this book since last year, and it’s bittersweet since this is Elin’s last winter novel. This is the third book in the series following the Steele family who finds themselves on St John trying to resolve a multitude of issues. I LOVED this one. I didn’t want it to end! I don’t want to give much away because it is the finale and you have to read all three books to really enjoy this. I highly suggest reading these or her winter street series (or both!) over the next few months.

Everything Beautiful In Its Time – 5 stars

This is another one I listened to and I just loved it. Hearing the story of the Bush family and also a lot about motherhood gave me chills. I loved listening to Jenna’s stories of her grandparents. She lost three of them in the span of a year. I was lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents for all of my childhood. The stories she tells of how the impacted her life are amazing!

One by One – 3.5 stars

This was a little outside of my normal genre but I still enjoyed it. The story follows a group of people who work for a popular tech company who go to the French Alps to decide is they should sell the business. They do not all survive. I found it a little confusing at first to keep track of people, but ultimately got pretty hooked once I learned who was who. I did figure out who the murderer was early on but I loved the entire setting of this. Regardless of the dark plot, it really made me wish I was snowed in at a cabin in the French Alps right now!

What did you read this month?!

The post What I Read in October 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

I had a great reading month! Not a lot of books, but really GOOD books. Really enjoyed everything on the list this month!

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow the goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can also join the book club! We have the instagram and secret facebook group here.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

What I Read In September 2020

One To Watch – 5 stars

This was our September book club pick and I loved it. The story follows a fashion blogger who ends up on a Bachelor-esque dating show. It’s super cute and no where near as cheesy as it sounds. There is actually some depth to this book even though it is an enjoyable light read. If you’ve ever been in a relationship that you just can’t get away from, you will relate to this. It’s a good one.

Transcendent Kingdom – 5 stars

Just finished this one late last night and also loved it. This is a more serious read than what I usually find myself with, but I ended up enjoying it so much, as heartbreaking as parts are. The story follows a student who is studying behavior in mice, trying to make sense of the addition issues that plague her family. I LOVED this writing. I also loved the struggle between science and faith (and could relate to that too). This book is sad and heartbreaking, but at the same time, so good I couldn’t stop reading.

The Roommate – 3.5 stars

Complete change of pace from the above! The story follows two strangers who are complete opposites (one is sort of awkward, one is um, a… film star.. of sorts! ha!) and end up living together. I love an opposites attract story! This was a light, easy and fun read – and definitely on the steamy side. I really liked it and it was nice to get lost in something sort of mind numbingly easy for a few days!

The Heir Affair – 4 Stars

Oooh I was so excited about this! This is the sequel to The Royal We which I loved so much! It’s considered royal fan-fiction and I mean, who can say no to that? I did enjoy this but ddn’t love it anywhere near as much as The Royal We. I also read that so long ago that I found myself having to go back and kind of re-read parts of it (which was fun!). I think it’s crazy how much as happened in the actual royal family between the first book and the second. If you loved The Royal We, you”ll enjoy this. As a note, you should read The Royal We first!

What did you read this month?

The post What I Read In September 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

What started out as a slow reading month ended up a really great note! I got back into the reading groove this month and even had a few books so good that they were practically all-nighters (anyone else love those?!).

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow the goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can also join the book club! We have the instagram and secret facebook group here.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

What You Wish For – 3.5 stars

This book got me out of my reading rut! Samantha is a teacher and finds out her old crush will be the new principal at her school. He doesn’t seem like the old (wonderful) person and she is determined to figure out why. While I did enjoy this story, some of it just seemed really outlandish. Maybe it’s because I have teachers in my family and know some ins and outs, but some of this seemed too unbelievable and unrealistic. That being said, I did still like it and really liked the characters too, so all in all, it’s a good one.

The Perfect Marriage – 4 stars

This book hooked me! I saw the author promote it on tiktok and it sounded like such a great thriller. Sarah is a lawyer and finds herself defending her husband in a murder that took place in their house. He definitely appears guilty but there are tons of twists and turns here. Sort of saw that ending coming here but it still got me psychologically. This one is pretty crazy and will suck you in instantly.

Luster – 4.5 stars

This one is SO good. This entire story is almost written like a stream of consciousness (but in a better way) and it is difficult to put down. Edie is a Black woman in her 20s who finds herself intwined in an open marriage/family. This has so much depth and it so hard to read at times but also so honest and raw and almost occasionally funny too. I know that sounds crazy! It’s a quick read too – I could not put this one down at all. I had to find out what happened at the end!

The School of Essential Ingredients – 5 stars

This was our August book club pick and I loved it so much. The story is about a woman who owns a restaurant and holds a cooking class – and the book consists of the lives of the students in the class. It is SO good. It’s light and heartwarming. The food descriptions are intense! This is another fairly short read too. It’s a nice read to escape without being too fluffy.

Heart Bones – 5 stars

Colleen Hoover does it again! Her books and writing just get me every time. This story follows a girl who moves to live with her father after her mother’s death. She meets the “rich” neighbor and they are drawn to each other, but of course not everything is as it seems. I absolutely LOVED this book and could not put it down. I sort of saw what was coming with the twist but I also ended up loving the ending.

The Last Flight – 4 stars

So enjoyed this one too! The story follows a woman who is trying to leave her husband. She meets another woman at the airport and they secretly swap lives – but there are multiple twists and turns in this one too. Definitely keeps you on your toes! I liked this one so much and it’s a great quick read. It’s also a fun thriller that doesn’t involve scary/sad/sickness and/or children. Ha. Those thrillers are too tough for me to read.

Live In Love by Lauren Atkins

I love Thomas Rhett and his wife. They seem so down to earth and relatable – and I also think they are really inspiring. So it was fun to read this inside perspective too, but there wasn’t anything huge in here (it’s not juicy or anything like Jessica Simpson or Rob Lowes memoirs, you know?) and if you’re not country music fan, you may not be into it. But I did enjoy the peek behind the scenes.

The post What I Read In August 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This was a huge reading month for me, even though it started out slowly. I’m not surprised, because it’s the time of year when lots of books are released – especially ones by authors I already know and love. The other great thing? I loved everything I read this month. It was a wonderful surprise.

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow the goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can also join the book club! We have the instagram and secret facebook group here.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

What I read in May 2020

Beach Read – 5 Stars

I finished this over the weekend and absolutely LOVED it. Like really loved it, definite five star. The story follows a girl who inherits a home as a result of her father having a secret life. The house is next door to her college writing nemesis and the story goes from there. I heard a few of you say it’s a little hard to follow but I personally loved the banter, and as a lifelong hopeless romantic and wannabe fiction writer, I totally related. It was such a great read and I loved it.

Summer Longing – 5 stars

Our June book club pick! Another 5 stars for me! Also absolutely LOVED this book. It follows a woman who recently sold her own company is looking to start over in a place where she once found great happiness. A baby is left on her doorstep and it highlights how the tight knit community comes together. I absolutely loved the story, especially the ending. I think I read one of Jamie Brenner’s books last summer or the year before, but I can’t even remember! So I want to read all of her others now.

Feels Like Falling – 4 stars

This is the first book I read by Kristy Woodson Harvey and I sooo enjoyed it. I’ve seen a lot of reviews say this and it’s true – definitely feels like a southern Elin Hildebrand! I loved her characters in this and even though they were so different, the story came together well. I loved the ending!! I have her Peachtree Bluff books on tap to read too and I’ve heard they are even better!

The Art of Showing Up – 5 stars

Absolutely adored this book too! This is not fiction, but rather a guide (with a tiny tiny bit of memoir sprinkled in) on how to show up for others as well as showing up for yourself. I not only bought the book but I also downloaded the kindle version because there are some points that really spoke to me, and I wanted to have access to them at all times on my phone. Rachel is one of my favorite writers – her words just speak to me – and this book is so well done and relatable. Highly highly recommend!

The Islanders – 3.5 stars

I enjoy Meg Mitchell Moore’s books and again, found myself wondering if I read this already! Ha! I think I may have started it last summer and not finished? It mainly followers three people who have secrets and end up intertwined in each other’s lives. It dragged in a few spots for me and I had trouble getting into it at first, but that just could have been the time I was reading. Still recommend it as a good read!

After All – 3.5 stars

I really liked this book and of course, it included one of my favorite tropes – a reunited sort of love. This follows the story of a woman who moves back to her hometown to renovate the inn that her ex-boyfriend’s (who has passed away) mother owns. It’s another small town story and how the renovation brings people together. There are a few twists and turns; a little predictable as I saw the big one coming, but still great to read about.

All Adults Here – 5 stars

Another winner for me. This story follows a woman who watched a family acquaintance get hit by bus. That part is not really as graphic as that sounds, if that makes sense, there is even humor sprinkled in. After the accident, the woman questions how she has raised her adult kids. It was so good! I love Emma Straub’s writing so much. This book really hooked me and had me invested in the family.

Big Summer – 4.5 stars

Another great one! I love all things Jennifer Weiner and her latest did not disappoint. The story follows a girl (an influencer, ha!) who agrees to be in her “friend’s” (using that term loosely) wedding and catastrophic events happen. There are lots of twists and turns in this one too and I really liked it.

(This is not sponsored but there are a few affiliate links above! Thank you for reading!)

The post What I Read in May 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This was an odd reading month for me! Quarantine makes things weird and it’s hard to concentrate. I read a book that took me forever to get through (and probably should have just quit it) and then liked two books so much that I had a hard time finding something to read after. I’m reading two books at once right now which is usually a huge NO for me, but I’m rolling with it!

While I’m keeping my reviews here on the blog, remember that you can follow my goodreads account with what I’m reading, so you can see what I read in real time.

You can find my reading lists here and previous What I Read posts here. I’d love to hear below what you read this month!

P.S. if you enjoy reading and like my book posts, come back here tomorrow for a fun announcement! Here’s a hint. xo

What I Read in April 2020

Matchmaking for Beginners  – 3.5 stars

I didn’t know what to read after finishing Oona last month, so I went with this on the recommendation of many of you! I really liked it. It is a cute story of a girl who meets her fiancé’s aunt that is a matchmaker… and she realizes they have a lot in common. It was a little slow for me in spots and I felt like the ending came somewhat abruptly. And I reeeeallly didn’t like the fiancé and what happened in the house with that situation. But overall, I did like the story a lot!

Love and Other Words – 4 stars

I really loved this one. Someone recommenced this to me on an instagram live and I am so glad I read it. I love a good blast-from-the-past romance trope! The story alternates between past and present. It follows a girl who loses her mother (not a spoiler, this is on the jacket summary!) and how she meets her best friend turned first love. It’s a story of reconnection and I just loved it!

All I Ask – 3 stars

I liked this book. Shocker – it’s another romance troupe where old (almost) loves reconnect. Clearly I have a thing for these. The story follows both characters who were high school friends, in other relationships and ended up having daughters around the same time. I didn’t love how the parent/child drama played out in this, especially with some of the bullying. But I did find it to be an easy read and in general, liked it.

You Deserve Each Other – 2.5 stars

I was so sure I would love this book. The story follows a couple who is engaged to be married but they actually sort of… hate each other? It’s odd. The writing is so funny and sarcastic, but it was almost a little too over the top and hard for me to follow. The characters were just SO UNLIKEABLE that I could barely get through it! I almost put this book down multiple times. The last quarter of the book redeemed itself slightly, hence the 2.5 stars, but I just didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would.

The Happy Ever After Playlist – 5 stars

LOVED LOVED LOVED. I loved this book so much. The story follows a girl (actually a character from the Friend Zone, the author’s novel from last summer, but you don’t have to have read that one) who is trying to get over the death of her fiancé. One day, she rescues a dog from the middle of the street and starts texting and calling the dog’s owner and the story goes from there. It is so cute. I actually haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I finished! Loved it so much. I’ve had a hard time finding something else to read that sucks me in since.

(This is not sponsored but there are a few affiliate links above! Thank you for reading!)

The post What I Read in April 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.