Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes
Not my favorite Jojo Moyes novel. I think it was cute and a nice read but I was frequently bored and the ending was almost too “happily ever after” for my taste. I prefer realistic endings that lean towards the romantic side but ending that some together in a pretty package just bug me. They are so unrealistic and not relatable. I didn’t finish the other stories because I was over it but I still counted this as a read because Paris for One was the main portion of the novel.
The Witch Elm by Tana French
This one took me a while to complete. I was listening to this on audible and I think it was around 22 hours so it’s not shocking it took me a while. That being said, I liked this book. It was easy to listen to and the characters were well formed. I think the book was a little longer than it needed to be and contained parts that were probably not that important to the overall theme of the book. However, I love the relationships the characters build and overall the storyline is very interesting. The author does a great job of not making the outcome too obvious but instead makes you really try to figure out how-done-it the whole time. Overall, I’d recommend this for readers who like to try to solve the mystery as they go.
After You by Jojo Moyesd
I loved Before You so I was excited to read this. I was a little put off by Paris for One that I had read previously the same month but I heard great reviews and pulled this off the shelf. However, it took me a long time to get into this. My sister had read this and I checked in with her often to be assured it would pick up. It did, thankfully. By the end I really did like this book a lot. I plan to read Still Me soon but after the slow start to this one I’m a little less likely to pick it up anytime soon.
One Day in December by Josie Silver
This was easily my favorite read of December! I LOVED this book! It is incredibly relatable and I love every character in the novel. The relationships are realistic which I really appreciate. I found myself routing for certain couples over others and I have to say I’m thrilled with the ending. This books is sweet and not in a mushy way. It just an easy and wonderful read. It’s not necessarily a Christmas book, although many of the biggest scenes take place during December. But its just enough of a holiday love story that Christmas is just a fun time to read it. I don’t think you can go wrong with this book if you love love and awesome characters.
The White Christmas Inn by Colleen Wright
Ok this was a Hallmark Christmas movie in a book and I totally loved it. I’m such a sucker for Hallmark holiday films and to be able to read a book that was similar to one was so much fun! The relationships are well formed and adorable. Like the films, love happens more quickly than it typically does in real life but I suppose that’s the magic of the season. I recommend this as a easy book to get you into the Christmas spirit. I don’t think people who dislike Hallmark movies will enjoy it but for those who do it’s a perfect book.
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
I was so excited to read this book. I’ve picked it up numerous times and finally decided to listen to it on Audible. I was SO lost in the beginning because of how the sequence of events is written. Picoult starts at the end of the situation and winds back to the beginning as the book progresses. It’s a unique way to read it because you start to learn why certain things happened, but it does take a little getting used to. I thought the characters were relatable for the most part but there are a few you just want to smack! The subject of the book is very controversial and I think Picoult did a good job of showing the varying opinions and values of her characters. It lagged at times so it wasn’t one of my favorite books but I think she did a great job with a difficult subject matter.
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
Ooo what to say about this book! This book had me all kinds of confused. Not just because of what happens in the story but my emotions were all over the place. A lot of readers on Goodreads love this book. As those readers mention there are a lot of twists and turns and you’re always on your toes. I listened to this book and I wish I’d read it instead. There is one horrific scene that I’m sure is difficult to read let alone listen to someone say it out loud. It’s just awful and makes you cringe. I’m sure many people shuddered at the extreme detail and difficult nature of this scene. The end is surprising but I didn’t dislike it as much as some. Overall, I think this book will be all over the map for different readers and the best option is to just read it and see what you think!