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It’s the second Tuesday of the month and time to share my October Reads with Steph and Jana’s Show Us Your Books linkup. I’m going to be honest, October was a pretty disappointing reading month for me. Almost all of my reads were 3 stars and just okay reads. And it was a slow reading month for me with only five books read. Here they are from least to most liked:
3 stars:
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin – I used to be a big Emily Giffin fan and have read almost every one of her books. I actually enjoyed this story that shows the divide between the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy and the effects that bad decisions teens make can have on their peers and families. My only issue was that the story felt unresolved to me and rushed at the end.
The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances – Laura is happy to meet her son’s new girlfriend. But she doesn’t get good vibes from Cherry (yes, I had a problem with this name!), and thinks that she’s a manipulative gold digger. But her son has fallen for her and now must choose between his girlfriend and mother. When Daniel is injured in an accident, Laura makes a decision that she thinks is in his best interest….but ultimately there are consequences. Some things in this book were a bit far fetched, but overall an okay suspense read.
Next of Kin by James Tucker – This is the first book in the Detective Buddy Lock series. I’ve been avoiding starting a new series, but decided to give this one a go. Detective Lock investigates the murder of the prestigious Brook family. Their 10-year-old son Ben, is the only survivor, but someone wants him dead too. Buddy tries to keep Ben safe while finding the murderer. This was a quick read and an okay mystery. I’m willing to give the next book in the series a try.
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones – I didn’t realize when I put this book on hold that it had a very similar premise to The Girlfriend – son has a girlfriend, mom is jealous. So, I might have tired of the plot line and thus my 3 star rating. But I don’t know. The story had me interested, but questioning why does Emily stay with Adam? Pammie did some shady things to keep Emily away from her son. This was a suspenseful read and the ending totally surprised me….so it may be worth the read if you like suspense books. Of the two, I’d recommend this one over The Girlfriend.
4 stars:
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis – This was my non-fiction read of the month. I have become a fan of Rachel Hollis after listening to the Rise Together podcast that she does with her husband. Then I learned that she has her own podcast Rise and realized that I read one of her fiction books Party Girl and really liked it. In this book, she talks about the lies that we tell ourselves and how we need to get over them to live our best life. It’s an inspiring read told in a very down-to-earth way.
Ive heard such mixed reviews about this Emily Giffin so I kee pushing it back.
Great reviews. Will definitely read The Girlfriend. Enjoy your week.
Thanks! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on The Girlfriend.
I actually really liked this Emily Giffin novel. I have seen mixed things on Girl Wash Your Face but think I am going to try it for myself.
Yes, I’ve heard mixed things about Girl Wash Your Face and I seem to be in the minority for liking it! Yes, this was one of Giffin’s better recent novels.
Funny that you read two books like The Girlfriend, I was thinking that feels like a story I haven’t seen much! Adding it to the TBR. Around #15 on the wait list for GWYF…it’ll come eventually, right?
Yeah and I had no idea when I put them on hold that they were so similar. Can’t wait to hear what you think about GWYF…..it seems like most people weren’t fans.
I think I have the Buddy Lock book on my kindle. I don’t think I’ve read it yet.
Love your opening photo!
Thanks. I love my reading time with my kitty! The Lock book was an okay mystery read.
Kitty! (Yes, I said that in my Boo voice from Monsters, Inc.) I love it when Max joins me when I read, although that didn’t happen at all last month. Didn’t even bother to crack a book open! I enjoyed Next of Kin. It wasn’t amazing but it was good, fast read which is exactly what I needed at the time. He’s second book is out and I did get from Netgalley (I can’t remember if you’re on netgalley) so you may still be able to grab it. They approved me, even though the book has already been published.
Almost every night Dixie, the kitty pictured here, sleeps on my lap while I read in bed. Love it!! I was on Netgalley, but it was too much pressure to try to read and review the books. I like getting them from the library where there’s no pressure to finish a book and review it.
i was not a huge fan of emily giffin’s latest, which is a bummer because i did enjoy some of her earlier books!
I thought All We Ever Wanted was okay I was just disappointed with the ending.
I enjoyed The Other Woman and had some of the same thoughts as you. I keep hearing both positive and negative about the Rachel hollis book so still on the fence on reading it.
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The Other Woman was an okay suspense read. I’m surprised about all the negative reactions to GWYF!
I really liked All We Ever Wanted, but the ending was disappointing to me, too 🙁
Yeah, otherwise I enjoyed the story line.
I have heard so many things (mostly good) about Girl, Wash Your Face that I feel like I need to read it for myself. I’m not sure I’ve ever read anything by Emily Giffin but I did hear this was a good one, for the most part. I hate it when a book feels rushed at the end though.
Yes, I’m surprised at the number of people who didn’t like GWYF. I guess you’ll have to read and decide for yourself. Emily Giffin’s earlier books were my faves.
I broke up with Emily Giffin. But I’m glad this book seems to be better than the previous two.
I crossed Girl Wash Your Face off my list for now. I just can’t do it.
Yeah, I enjoyed Giffin’s earlier books over her more recent books. Yeah, GWYF doesn’t seem to be a hit with a lot of people.
I’ve been put off by the title of that Rachel Hollis book (and maybe for other reasons, like Jana), but she was a guest on The Influencer Podcast and I really enjoyed her, so at some point I may get to it!
Yes, I first listened to the podcast she does with her husband before reading the book. I think it depends on where you are in your life and if you enjoy self-help/motivational reads.
So my issue with First Comes Love the Emily Giffin book was that the end felt rushed and like it didn’t really end the story that well. I’m sad that you felt that way about All We Ever Wanted too! I’m sure that I’ll still read it though, since I tend to read basically everything that Emily Giffin or Sophie Kinsella writes.
I think I traditionally stay away from books like The Girlfriend because I had a bf in high school with a crazy mom haha (not to any extent as in those books!). I don’t think I’ve read Emily Giffin (any of them though I am familiar with Something Borrowed due to the movie) and I’m not in a big rush – but maybe someday. I liked Girl Wash Your Face too although I don’t always love her podcast – it’s definitely been inspiring for me though I know a lot of people aren’t in love with it.
Bummer most of your reads were just OK last month. I’ve been wanting to try The Girlfriend and All You Ever Wanted.
Isn’t it odd how those mystery-style books can all blend together within the genre? I recommended one to a friend (I can’t even remember which one lol) and she read a different one that was like one word off in the title…and then I had to consult Goodreads to realize that, yes, I had read that one too.