The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

Is it even summer without an Elin Hilderbrand novel?  

I had The Island in my to read pile for a long time.  I bought it on discount at Barnes and Noble.  Remember the days when we could wander the aisles of bookstores stopping coffee or ice tea?  Those were the days.

The book, like all of Hildebrand's books, did not disappoint.  The novel is about a mother and her two daughters.  Birdie is recently divorced and is dating a new man.  Suddenly, her daughter Chess calls her.  She broke off her engagement, giving no reason other than that she did not love her fiancé.  Then suddenly, Chess' ex-fiance dies in a rock climbing accident with his brother. Chess becomes heartbroken and full of grief.  

So Birdie decides to take Chess along with her other daughter, Tess, and her sister, India, to their home on Tuckernuck Island.  Together they'll learn to mend their broken hearts and understand each other.

But seriously, this book was the perfect kick off to summer reading! It's beachy.  It's confessional.  It's about love! You can't go wrong. 

I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 Coffee Beans.  Until the next read! 

~Jessica 

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams - Reshelved Books

We're just going to talk about how adorable and amazing The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. 

As we know, I haven't been exactly shy when it comes to saying that I've read less than stellar books lately.  

This book is the welcome change!!

I had posted a booksagram of this book over the weekend and a fellow book reader had commented on it saying that she was about 40% through the audiobook and totally loving it!  She also said how much she was loving Gavin's character.  

Within the first 25 pages of this book, I was smiling to myself while reading.  I *loved* the interactions between Gavin, Del and Mack.  I thought that they were too funny.  It was so easy to fall in love with Gavin.  From the moment I read about his story with Thea, I was rooting for them.  

I liked the idea behind the story. It was different!  I thought it was cute that this group of guys (who I'm assuming are in their late 20s, early 30s) are looking to romance novels as ways to win back their significant others!  I would have to say that if that happened to me, I would be cracking up. 

I think I've done this before where I've associated a song to a book here.  
Guess what?  
I'm gonna do it again here in this post!

There's this song... It's a country song.  It's super catchy and it's TOTALLY appropriate to this book! 

It's called "Drop" and it's by Dallas Smith.  (If you're interested in hearing the song, you can check it out here!)

Smith starts off the song by singing about everything needs to drop and to come together.  They're in a fight and they need to come together.  But to come together on this raw level, to be with each other and to find each other again. 

I feel like I could see this song playing for Gavin and Thea when they were in the hotel in my head. 

Back to the book - I can't stress to you how much I liked this book. 

But with the likes of the book is met with some dislikes. 

For one thing, I could NOT stand Liv!  She was the antagonist to Gavin's protagonist.  She a lot to say and none of it was really great.  She was so negative.  Some support system she was for Thea... One thing that was interesting, that I wish was elaborated on but was not... was what Liv meant when she said that at least she (Thea) was her mother's daughter.  Maybe that'll come to light in the second book? 

Anyone who's in the market for a new book should totally pick up a copy!

The Bromance Book Club is an 5 coffee beans out of 5. 

- Jillian

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros - Reshelved Books

Hi guys.

Let me apologize for not posting at ALL in August.  I went away on vacation at the beginning of the month and I have been away on vacation ever since.  Alas, it's September and the reviews need to start up again...

It's not that I haven't been reading.  I have!  I have been reading A LOT.  I just haven't been posting.  I have a lot of started reviews sitting in the queue.  (And we all know how much Jessica loves when this happens)
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros is why this post exists today.

Cover is courtesy of Amazon.com!

This book, you guys. Soooo incredibly amazing. I cannot. 

It also made you fall in love with Beckett Gentry, call sign Chaos.  Honestly, if I could have a literary boyfriend, I would have pass up Mr. Darcy for Mr. Gentry. (It’s said by fellow characters in The Last Letter, that Beckett looks like Chris Pratt. Who doesn’t love Chris Pratt? I must say that Chris Pratt circa Parks and Rec is my favorite Chris Pratt.)

Beckett Gentry, or Chaos as he’s known in his unit; is serving a tour with Ella’s brother, Ryan.  Early on in the beginning of the book, the reader sees that Ryan or Mac, is persuading Beckett into writing letters to Ella.  Ella has a lot going on, not only is she a single mom who's running her own business while raising twins but one her children is diagnosed with a neuroblastoma. Even though he understands this, Beckett is reluctant to do so- he doesn't want the attachment, he doesn't want the what ifs or the what could bes.  But something happens, as Chaos writes Ella, he starts to fall for Ella.  Ella starts to feel the same way about Chaos.  When Mac becomes a prisoner of war and then loses his life, Chaos just stops writing to Ella.  Which breaks Ella. 

The title "The Last Letter" comes from the last letter that Mac wrote in the event that he died.  It was addressed to Chaos- inside it was asking Chaos to go to Telluride, CO; and take care of Ella and her kids.  

Chaos does just that.  He goes to Telluride and rents a cabin for 7 months at Solitude.  
Only Chaos is now Beckett.  
Chaos doesn't exist- he died with Mac.

The start of each chapter starts with a letter either from Ella to Chaos, or from Chaos to Ella.  Each chapter is told from their respected prescriptive only. 

I cried. I literally had tears streaming down my face. To the point where I couldn’t read the words that were in front of me and I needed to stop and get myself together. 


This book had everything. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made you feel love, it made you feel heartbreak. And lastly, it made you feel hope. 

I give this book 5 coffee beans out of 5!  If you're in the market for a new book- I would strongly recommend this one.

~ Jillian

Under the Lights (The Field Party #2) by Abbi Glines - Reshelved Books

Hi Guys!

Did you happen to see my quick review about this book on IG?! You should check it out if you haven't all ready.

I wanted to review the 2nd book in The Field Party series- Under the Lights.  I think that I liked the 2nd book more so than I liked the first one. (If you'd like to read that review, click here)

Just like the first book, MB took a stab about what the book was about.  His prediction: "Our lovers from the previous book are continuing their strong bond. This next chapter introduces a few new characters that are through some hardships as well. The new male character, is an underclass man that some issues at home with an alcoholic father. Another character new to the story is a girl that has an issue with PTSD from watching her friends die in a car accident. The four characters have mixed love affair which ends in all four characters alone at the end of this book; hopeful for the next school year."

MB was not wrong with some of these guesses, some of them were not correct either.  If we read between the lines with what he said we can make a solid argument.

In 3, 2, 1...
Unlike the first book, that focused on the two main characters, Under the Lights focuses on THREE main characters and flips between them.  In the first book, we were introduced to Brady and briefly introduced to Gunner.  There was mention of West and Maggie from the first book, but there was little to no interaction; they were just mentioned in passing basically. 

Willa was affected by tragedy but I wouldn't say that it was something that caused PTSD.  I feel that she had more of a guilt that she couldn't stop what had happened and she was terribly upset that it caused the ending that it did.  While, Gunner isn't an underclass man and his father isn't an alcoholic, there was a a lot of resentment that he had toward his father. 

There wasn't a love affair between West, Maggie, Willa, Brady and Gunner BUT there was a small love triangle between Willa, Gunner and Brady.  (Spoiler alert: Willa does kiss both boys)

Based on the cover art and the titles, these two books aren't what they seem.  They're more than that.  They're intense but at the same time, they're easy to read.  I didn't get that book hangover feeling with these.  It's the opposite, I can't wait to read the next 2!  I also am developing a soft spot for Brady (sorry MB: I think I'm quarterback kinda girl).  I'm super excited to read the next book, which will focus on Brady.

Like the first book, there is a reason for the title: Gunner and Willa used to say that one day, Gunner would be under the lights (meaning under the stadium lights, playing football)

Also like in the first book, we met the characters of the next book.  Under the Lights does a better job of introducing Riley and setting the stage for what the audience will be introduced to in the next book.

I can confidently say that this book deserves 5 coffee beans out of 5. 

- Jillian

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey-Reshelved Books

Who's ready for a little romance? 
Raise your hands, if you are. 

This book is *not* a YA book! If you're looking for a YA book - YA is not this book.  I wouldn't even read this review because this is not the book for that genre. (Though, I do have some YA book reviews coming up. Stay tuned for them!) 

The copy of the book cover is from Harper Collins.
There was a small mishap with my copy....

While I found this book to have been the best rom-com type book that I've read, I would like to say that it becomes VERY uh, NSFW.  Don't be fooled by the cover art, this book does quite hot and heavy.

That being said.  Here goes my review!

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey is the first book is her "Hot and Hammered Series" (Did I know this before reading this book? Nope.  I only learned of it when I was searching Amazon for the book to link).  Fun Fact: Her second book Love Her or Lose Her (as per Amazon, this book will follow Dominic and Rosie) for the same series, will be coming out next year. 

Georgie is a 23 year old woman, who also happens to be a clown.  Yes, you read that correctly: she is a clown but a professional clown.  Like any businesswoman, Georgie has aspirations to grow her business and become successful.  Travis Ford, Georgie's longtime childhood crush, is back in town after his retirement from his career in professional baseball.  The story starts off in an interesting way, Georgie goes to visit Travis in his apartment, thanks to her brother Stephen who gave her the key.  There, Georgie and Travis get into some sort of food fight!
  
I was surprised to see the Georgie and Travis both wanted to be taken seriously and move on from what people thought of them.  Georgie wants to be seen as more than just the youngest Castle kid.  Travis wants to be seen as someone who's more than just a pretty boy, who's reputation proceeds him.

I had an idea of how the book was going to end.  I just surprised that it panned out in the way that it did. 

I really liked this book, I thought it was super cute and really funny.  Georgie's character was written in such a way that really kept you laughing.  Travis's character though (oh my word!) I didn't realize that he would be so... aggressive! 

Because of Travis's character and the things he partakes in, this book is not for someone who has some conservative views about adult relations? (That was worded really awkwardly.  I don't know how else to write that out). 

I found that Tessa Bailey was a lot like Meg Cabot with the humor behind Georgie's character.  She was funny, I often found myself giggling at something she said or did. 

Will Georgie succeed with expanding her business? Will Travis get his commentator job? Will Georgie and Travis be able to weather this storm and stay together? 

You'll just have to read the book to find out!

I am happily giving this book 5 coffee beans out of 5!

- Jillian

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - Reshelved Books

This book, you guys. 

I was debating for WEEKS if I should put myself on the hold list for it (on the list with my home library and the list at my work library.  See where I'd get it first) OR if I was going to go out and buy the book.  

MB can totally vouch for this.  We went to Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago, so he could get Howard Stern's new book, Howard Stern Comes Again (for those of you who may have been wondering). 

The hold list for this book is HUGE! Jess said it was a few hundred people deep within my hometown library system and it was just about as big within my work library system (about 240 patrons!!)! CRAZY.  I even went as far as asking Jessica if she got as an ARC. (Sadly, she didn't get an ARC)

While I was debating, I made a trip to Target.  Good ol' Target... The place where you go to buy three things and end up spending $100 on stuff you don't really need.

Went in for diapers and wipes for C and came out with not that but this book and some various other things including a pack of fancy fine tip pens. #officesupplylove

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is one book that you should get yourself on the hold list for at your local library.  Why, you ask? Because it was just that amazing. 

After finishing the book, Jess had asked me if it was worth the hype.  I would have to say that yes, yes I believe that it is. 

(I couldn't find an article on Owen's inspiration for the book but I did find several video interviews on her inspiration.  I just didn't get the chance to sit down and watch any of them at the time of this review :(  )
The book starts in 1952, Kya is 6 years old and she is watching her mother leave.  Afraid and unsure from what's going on, Kya's older brother Jodie, tells her that her mother will come back; a mother fox doesn't leave her young behind because they won't survive without her.  Unfortunately, Jodie's words don't hold any truth to them and her mother doesn't come back.  
Soon after her mother leaves, Jodie has to leave.  The reader learns early on that Kya's father is abusive, over time he becomes increasing difficult to deal with.  Once Jodie and her mother leave, Kya (who is still 6) steps up to the plate. 

Owens flips between the past and then 10 years ahead.  10 years into the future, the reader sees that a local young man has fallen to death off of the fire tower.  There is an investigation into his death and Kya is looked at as the number 1 suspect.  Owens then tells the story of Kya raising herself alone in the marsh of North Carolina and the murder investigation of Chase Andrews. 

We learn of the few relationships that Kya has.  Growing up alone and living in the marsh is very much a taboo.  No one wants to associate with her much less speak with her.  She finds friends in Jumpin, his wife Mabel and a teenaged boy named Tate.  Tate actually helps bring Kya home after she takes her father's boat out when he left home for several days.  Tate is also the one who teaches Kya to read.  As time goes on, Kya becomes one with the marsh and all of it's living creatures.  She begins to know the water that surrounds her as well. 

The ending of this book is what got me.  I was rooting for Kya the entire time, I wanted to see her prevail and to show everyone wrong! 
Those last few chapters though, they knocked the wind outta me.  I was very much satisfied with the ending and I wouldn't have wished that it ended any other way. 

Owens wrote a powerful book that is as much beautiful as it is haunting. 

I give Where the Crawdads Sing 10 coffee beans out of 5. But seeing as how we like to stay on the side of realism here; I will give it 5 coffee beans out of 5. 

After Jess reads this book, maybe we'll bring back our Battle of the Book.  Comment down below on what you guys think about that. 

ALSO go visit our instagram! If you click on the picture up to the left of the one that's in this post, you will find a comment from Delia Owens herself! We love it when authors comment back!

~ Jillian

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand- Battle of the Book

It's the start of the fourth week of July... 

Which means....

This Tuesday is when The Spine Breakers meet!

Which means... 

This post is for the monthly Battle of the Book!

*The crowd cheers* 

I’m going to start off this review by saying that this is the BEST Elin Hilderbrand book that I’ve ever read.  And I’m totally a fan of her.  When I met her at Bookcon in 2015, I totally had a fangirl moment.

Jess did a really great job at explaining how The Perfect Couple opened. You can read that here.

Just to rehash- Greer Garrison Winsbury is hosting her son, Benji’s marriage to Celeste. The morning of the wedding, Celeste, finds her best friend and maid of honor, Merritt dead! (Yes, you heard me correctly- dead!!). 

Will Celeste still marry Benji? What happened to Merritt?

But, the story isn't all about solving this murder. No no. There is more covered!

Celeste's mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and her prognosis isn't good.  The story looks at Linda's relationship with Bruce and how Celeste sees them as being the "perfect couple".  The story also looks at the relationship between Greer and Tag - do they fit the notion of being a "perfect couple"?

Heck, are even Celeste and Benji the perfect couple??

Hilderbrand tells the story of what happened and how everything came to be in past tense and present tense. She does so in such a way that it’s not confusing (which is *awesome*).

She also unravels all of these relationships to show what is beneath the surface and how everything isn't always as it seems. 

I'm with Jess on this one - 5 coffee beans out of 5!!

This is seriously an awesome beach (and you betcha I've been telling patrons who check out this book at the library the same thing!).

It's even a great rainy day read! Since that's what the weather will be like here for the next few days.

~ Jillian