The Art of Falling in Love by Haleigh Wenger - Book Tour

Hi guys, 

I'm excited to tell you about The Art of Falling in Love by Haleigh Wenger.  Haleigh reach out to us and asked us if we would in interested in reviewing her debut novel The Art of Falling in Love, which will be released on August 13th by Literary Crush Publishing.

We asked to participate in the book tour for this release and we couldn't have been more excited!  Part of the book tour involves a guest blog post that Haleigh wrote!  You'll be able to find that here.  As always, we were asked to read this book for an honest review. 


First things first, the cover of this book is adorable!  You will note that there is a sandcastle on the front of the cover.  The sandcastle is somewhat the main focus of the book. 

Claire is spending her summer in Florida like she does every year. Except is year is different because her Opa has passed away. Upon finding a filled registration form that he completed, for her to participate in a sand building contest. 
Claire is an artist, yes but she does her art in the form of sketching.  Sand is a new medium for her and it's taking her through uncharted territory. 

Soon after finding out about the contest, Claire meets Foster.  Claire doesn't know this right away but her and Foster are more alike than just sharing their love for art.  They know what it's like to lose someone who's close to them.  Foster lost his mother a couple years before.  While 
With the help of her new friend, Foster, Claire is determined to fulfill her Opa's wishes. When Foster's past and his present come to light, Claire learns that it's going to alter not only her present but their future.  

Foster is homeless. He’s hiding from his older brother, Johnny and from CPS. Foster and Johnny have a complicated and virile relationship; one that drives Foster to stay away. (Who could blame him??)

Filled with many up and downs, the reader gets to see Claire learn to live this summer without her Opa. We also get to see the now challenging relationship Claire has with her sister, Livvy. Livvy is a few years younger than Claire but up until this summer, they had always gotten along. 

That being said, Haleigh wrote a book dealt with realistic topics. Everyone at one time or another had lost someone close to them and had to navigate grieving.  Anyone with who's close to someone, has siblings, etc; knows what it’s like to hit a rough patch and feel distant from them and like something has changed.  Even homelessness is something that's ever present in today's society; individuals and families are struggling everyday.  Even the topic of falling in love.  Sometimes that becomes all consuming and the emotions that the reader saw Haleigh have toward Foster were relatable. 

The way that The Art of Falling in Love ended, at least to me, felt like it too was realistic.  Not every relationship is meant to last.  Sometimes they hurt but you come out stronger in the end and you end up finding yourself. 

The Art of Falling in Love gives you major feels and for that, I happily give this book 4 coffee beans out of 5.  Why, you may ask?  Well.  I actually didn't like Claire's character! (I saw some of myself in Claire with how she felt toward Foster and I think that's what got to me.  Mind you, this is me knowing what I know now at 29 and not what I knew at 18).

~ Jillian

One Day in December by Josie Silver- Reshelved Books

Back before I requested an INSANE amount of galleys from Netgalley and making myself so incredibly sick of reading and stripping away all of the enjoyment I found in reading- because I was BURIED under book after book after book; I found this book as an arc.  I thought of how cute it sounded and how I would very much like to review it.

Fast forward to the end of 2018.  That was months ago.  The book made Reese Witherspoon's Book Club.  I purchased One Day in December by Josie Silver to read it. 

Here we are in the beginnings of 2019 and I'm giving you the review!

Yes, my picture has tiny ornaments. Yes, the title says "December".  In my defense, the book does span 10 years and in that time, Laurie is always opening that new year with a list of her New Year's Resolutions.  Fact.

As noted by the red double Decker bus on the cover of this bus, we are yet again jumping across the pond! (If you can't tell, I would loooove to visit England.  Especially at Christmas time.  I think that it would be truly spectacular and beautiful)


I really really liked this book! It was a pleasure to read.  I didn't fit it to be dull or lukewarm (unlike my review from New Year's Day)

Laurie is riding the bus home from work, miserable.  When she finds that she has caught her eye on a mysterious man.  It was an instant connection! But like any good love story, the bus pulls away and Laurie spends the next year looking for this fellow. 

Again, like any other good love story, Sarah who is Laurie's best friend happens to be dating the guy from the bus- who has a name now.  He is Jack!

Obviously Laurie can't tell Sarah that Jack is the guy from the bus - that wouldn't be cool. Especially because of how happy Sarah and Jack make each other. 

There are a few moments that Jack and Laurie share; there are some major life events that Laurie goes through.  Jack even has a life altering experience himself but they're there for each other as friends. 

Over the course of the book, the reader does get to see how the dynamics of these relationships change.  I found that the book was realistic and relatable. (It was a love story that wasn't far fetched)

Silver wrote a story that left you rooting for Laurie and Jack, whatever their paths may have been.

My rating?  This book is an easy 4 coffee beans out of 5!

~ Jillian