Hello! Happy Monday. 🙂 Whew, I had such a busy weekend and I am definitely on the struggle bus this morning. Give me all the coffee! There was a reading date, a pool party, a pottery event, a writing date, and axe throwing. Typically, I like 1-2 weekend events so I’m feeling very introverted-out right now. I’m longing for a weekend with zero plans on the agenda. Maybe someday!
Last week, I only finished one book since I didn’t have a ton of reading time over the week. Too many plans! Here’s my review:
Elliott Redeemed by Scarlett Cole (★★★☆☆)
This was a sweet romance, but everything felt just a little too “perfect” and even the dark moment wasn’t as intense as I expected it to be. It follows the story of Kendalee, whose 14-year-old son is in the hospital dealing with serious burns on his legs after he burned down their home. On top of dealing with all that, Kendalee is separated from her husband after she found out he was cheating on her. And then Elliott, guitarist for a rock band, stops by the hospital to cheer up the kids and meets Kendalee’s son. Elliott and Daniel form an instant bond – and then so do Elliott and Kendalee when they meet for the first time and sparks fly. As the novel progresses, Elliott and Kendalee become intertwined in each other’s lives and Elliott does whatever he can to make her life easier: giving her a room in his large home to stay in (she was essentially homeless after the fire), giving her money so she could quit her minimum wage job at a grocery store, etc. It just all felt a little too perfect for me and I was left wanting more.
What I’m reading this week…
> White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. I’m reading one chapter a day in this book, and it’s been incredibly enlightening and thought-provoking. I have highlighted the hell out of it and have dozens of Post-It notes sticking out of the pages.
> A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas, on audio. I thought I would fly through this audiobook this week because it’s just over 10 hours, but since I listen to it while I’m driving, sometimes my mind wanders. And you can’t really let your mind wander while reading a mystery! I have to constantly rewind the audiobook, so I’m thinking mysteries might not be the best for me on audio. TMYK, right?
> Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery. I’m about halfway through the third book in the Anne of Green Gables series and like all the books, it’s been such a breath of fresh air to read.
> The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Enemies-to-lovers might be my favorite romance trope (which is why The Hating Game is my all-time favorite romance), so I’m just delighted by this novel. Plus, it takes place in Hawaii!
What are you reading?
I just heard on a podcast that the author “Christina Lauren” is actually 2 women that write novels together. I had no idea! I haven’t read anything by them but I want to check out some of their books!
I finished “Ayesha at Last” and now I’m reading “Searching for Sylvie Lee.” Both are from the MMD Summer reading guide. It’s been fun to read some of the buzzier books from that list. Miracle Creek should become available any day now so I am looking forward to reading that, especially after hearing how much you loved it!’
Sounds like you need a “shouldless day” or even a “shouldless weekend”!!
I was wondering that about audiobooks – my mind would wander! That happens to me with podcasts sometimes and I have to rewind!
LOL, Elliot Redeemed sounds like a perfect set up for a Hallmark movie.
I think I am going to start Ask Again, Yes tonight 🙂