In December I read some real gems. For starters I read something that’s non fiction. That never happens! I had never heard of Gifts From the Sea until my mom got it for me for Chanukah. Now I can’t stop thinking about it and recommending it to everyone. I also couldn’t resist reading the new Christina Lauren book which comes out in May.
FYI: Kiss Her Once For Me is in the above photo (I technically read it in December) but I reviewed it last month which you can find here.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
CW: Still birth and suicide ideation.
One sentence plot: A beautiful and achingly painful romance between a divorced couple who has gone through and awful loss together.
One sentence review: Romances can be hit miss for me these days but this one is such a hit with it’s complex characters and BIG feels
Read this book if: You love emotional romances like Colleen Hoover and Renee Carlino and want something that’s a bit different.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Just By Looking at Him by Ryan O’Connell
One sentence plot: The story of a successful TV writer who can’t stop cheating on his boyfriend and dealing with this cerebral palsy which has him feeling like “gay Shrek” (his words, not mine).
One sentence review: Wasn’t plot heavy enough for me and almost read like non-fiction vignettes but I like where it went in the end.
Read this book if: You want a messy, hilarious, roller coaster ride of a book.
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
Comes out 5/16/23
One sentence plot: Romance writer Fizzy (the BFF from The Soulmate Equation) gets cast on a bachelorette-type show but ends to falling for the dreamy producer.
One sentence review: I loved this cute and fun romance that also pokes fun at romance tropes seeing as it’s about a romance writer.
Read this book if: You’re a sucker for romance tropes (of course there are going to be great tropes — the book is about a romance author!) and love a classic rom-com with a great lead.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Gifts from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
One sentence summary: A book of essays and reflection on life and a trip to the beach written in 1955.
One sentence review: My mom gave me this book as a Chanukah gift and I had never heard of it but I totally fell in love with the writing and brilliant insights that are just as important now as they must have in 1955.
Read this book if: Honestly? Everyone can get something out of this book. It’s just so chock full of nuggets of wisdom no matter what stage in life you are at.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
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