Book Outlet Book Haul

Contrary to what The Husband might think (*cough*), I don't buy that many books. No, really, I don't. Quit laughing! :) I one-click a Kindle book now and then, and I'm even kind of cheap when I do that. (I'll rarely go over $2.99 for a Kindle... I have my limits.) And I'll buy physical copies when it comes to my small handful of favorite authors - or when I'm dying to read a new release that I'm sure I'll love (I'm looking at you, Red, White & Royal Blue). So book hauls aren't really a thing for me. 

But a couple weeks ago I was casually perusing Book Outlet - something I hadn't done in probably a year - and what do you know? All the things! I want that book! And that one! And there's another one!

And, before you could say #NoRegrets, I had 18 books in my cart. So that happened. 

  

And because we all enjoy enabling each other sharing (sorrynotsorry), here are all my new pretties. For those interested, I'll include the Book Outlet price (at the time I ordered) in case you're tempted to nab one (or 18) for yourself. (nudge-nudge)

More Than We Can Tell - Brigid Kemmerer ($5.99)

Rev is one of my favorite fictional characters ever. I love adding the hardcover version of his story to my shelf.

9 Days & 9 Nights - Katie Cotugno ($4.89)

After loving Cotugno's 99 Days, I cannot believe I haven't read this yet. So coming across this one was a real score.

Emmy & Oliver - Robin Benway ($5.99)

Until Far From the Tree came out, this was my favorite by Benway. I adore these two main characters.

After the Game and Losing the Field - Abbi Glines ($6.49 each)

I read After the Game but only had the uncorrected e-arc and I haven't read Losing the Field yet, so I was excited to grab both of these.

The Impossibility of Us and Kissing Max Holden - Katy Upperman ($4.89 and $3.89)

I read both of these as e-arcs and love having physical copies for my shelf. Katy is a fantastic new voice in contemporary YA.

The Way I Used to Be - Amber Smith ($3.89)

I initially listened to this on audio several years ago and it was unforgettable. I'd like to do a re-read with a physical copy.

Riot - Tillie Cole ($4.89)

My first experience with Tillie Cole was an epic fail but I'm willing to give her another try. (Especially at this price.)

Riveted and Salvaged - Jay Crownover ($4.89 each)

Having just recently listened to both of these on audio (and loving them) I jumped at the chance to nab copies at such a great price.

Sin & Suffer - Pepper Winters ($4.39)

I'm still fairly new to Pepper Winters, but I know I want to read more from her.

Most of All You - Mia Sheridan ($4.39)

I adore Mia Sheridan and this one was already on my TBR.

I Found You - Lisa Jewell ($7.59)

Ditto with Lisa Jewell. I've been dying to read this one. 

Ride Hard, Ride Rough and Ride Wild - Laura Kaye ($2.79 each)

I just recently read my first by Laura Kaye. Grabbing the first three books in a series for less than $3 a book? Can't pass that up.

The Break - Marian Keyes ($3.29)

It's been a long time since I read anything from Marian Keyes but I've always enjoyed her storytelling.

So there you have it... my epic Book Outlet book haul. Because I so obviously needed more to read. (*looks away quickly*)

Have you read any of these books?

Do you ever order from Book Outlet?

Short-Take Reviews: Unbroken (Jay Crownover) & Tangled (Emma Chase)

UNBROKEN
Jay Crownover
Publication date: May 14, 2019
Series: Loveless, Texas #0.5
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Forever Yours & Netgalley



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

When rodeo star Crew Lawton loses everything in a bad bet, he has no choice but to take a new job to pay off his debts – even if it means becoming the face of an expensive male skincare line. Crew is used to getting sweaty and rustling in the dirt, not posing for photo shoots. And he’s certainly not used to being bossed around by a woman who doesn’t even know the difference between bulls and broncs. But Crew owes money to dangerous criminals, and he’ll do anything Della says in order to pay them back and keep them far away from his family in Loveless, Texas…

The launch of her new men’s line for her family’s company means everything to Della Deveaux, and she’s not willing to let some rugged, arrogant cowboy ruin her campaign. Crew Lawton is the last man she would have chosen to represent her chic, sophisticated brand. Unfortunately, her father already invested millions in Crew’s stupidly handsome face. Yet the more time they spend together, Della and Crew realize that opposites doattract. But when the time comes for Crew to face his past mistakes, will he be able to protect his family…and the woman he’s come to love? 

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Jay Crownover has kicked off her new Loveless, Texas series with an opposites attract tale that checks all the right boxes. A gambling problem has sent rodeo star Crew Lawton toppling from the top of his field. He reluctantly accepts a modeling gig, the face of a new high-end men’s line, as a means to an end. He’ll do anything to pay off his debts and be free of the bookie who is now threatening his family. Della didn’t want Crew for her ad campaign but once he’s dropped in her lap she can’t deny his good looks and charisma. It was great fun to watch as these two lowered their walls, dropped their prejudices, and found a connection they’d never experienced before. These total opposites brought out the best in one another. While I found the plot line with Della’s father a bit much to be believed, I was willing to roll with it because everything else was so on-point. With a sexy cowboy, a good girl ready to get a little bad, some sexytimes and a little danger thrown in, Unbroken is a great start to a new series and has me ready for more.

4/5 STARS

TANGLED

Emma Chase

Publication date: December 31, 2013 

Series: Tangled #1

Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Format: Audibook

Source: OverDrive

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Drew Evans makes multimillion-dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed? He’ll tell you he has the flu, but we all know that’s not really true.

When Katherine Brooks is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

How can one woman turn a smooth-talking player into a broken, desperate man? By making the one thing he never wanted in life the only thing he can’t live without.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

I adored Emma Chase’s Royally series and was excited to read more. Tangled looked like the kind of rom-com that that would deliver all the feels. And while it was overall enjoyable there was also an aspect that left me wanting more. Drew is a total workaholic/manwhore and kind of a jerk, too. But he’s also pretty self-aware and didn’t try to pretend that he was Mr. Nice Guy. He meets his match in Kate – a new colleague who, according to his rules, is off-limits since they work together. A forced collaboration on a project has them spending time together and Drew discovers that he actually (gasp!) respects Kate. After that it’s the usual guy realizes he actually has feelings for the girl, guy screws up big time, girl books it, and guy tries to win girl back. My main issue is that I wasn’t totally convinced of Drew’s feelings and it sometimes felt he was just focused on winning. On the plus side, I liked that the story was totally from Drew’s POV (refreshing!), loved his relationship with his niece (and the swear jar he constantly donated to), and the humor than ran throughout the book. 

3.5/5 STARS


HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS? 

Series Review: Saints of Denver by Jay Crownover

Back in 2016 I was browsing my library's OverDrive app looking for an audiobook to keep me entertained on my daily commute. I randomly downloaded Rule by Jay Crownover, the first book in the Marked Men series. To be honest, I didn't expect much but figured it would be some mindless brain candy. Here we are three years later, with multiple re-listens of each book in the series, feeling like the characters are my close, personal friends (LOL), and considering Marked Men among my favorite contemporary romance series. And now I've spent the last several weeks binge-listening to the spin-off series, Saints of Denver. These books consist largely of side-characters from the original series who now get their own stories. Having finished the series I'm positive that I'll be returning to these characters and their stories again and again, just like I've done with the Marked Men series. 

LEVELED #0.5
Pub: November 2, 2015
My rating: 3.5/5 stars

I've seen Crownover refer to Leveled as a sort of bridge between the Marked Men series and the Saints of Denver series. It tells the story of Orlando (Lando) and Dominic (Dom), two men who are totally dedicated to their careers but both crave something more in their life. They could not have been more different - Dom's rough-edged cop to Lando's polished exterior - but they couldn't have been better matched. I loved that Dom was so open with his feelings for Lando, even in the face of Lando’s hesitancy. Having experienced a great loss, and living with guilt, Lando was understandably gun-shy about opening himself up to a new relationship. And the danger involved in Dom’s job became a major factor in their story. Both guys were totally endearing in their own way and it warmed my heart to watch as they drew closer together.

To be honest, it's not really necessary to read this novella before starting the rest of the series. I don't recall Dom or Lando appearing in any of the Saints of Denver books until the epilogue of the final book. But even so, I enjoyed their story and would recommend it. 

BUILT #1
Pub: January 5, 2016
My rating: 4/5 stars

There was definitely a hint in the Marked Men series that there was more to come with Sayer and Zeb. These two were the unlikeliest couple - the bearded ex-con and the reserved and refined lawyer - but you know what they say about opposites attracting. There was serious attraction between Sayer and Zeb but it took them a while to act on it, and even when they did Sayer was determined to keep Zeb at a distance. I gotta say, Sayer really started to annoy me as the story progressed. She was so hung up on her deceased father's expectations and it guided her every decision. Get over it already, Sayer! He's gone and you can do what you want! I was totally frustrated on Zeb's behalf. 

As much as I was annoyed by Sayer, I loved Zeb. He had such character and integrity. And when dealt with a surprise from his past he immediately regrouped and showed such amazing compassion and love and a willingness to do the right thing. It went a long way in demonstrating the kind of man he was. (Confession: I was actually moved to tears by one scene.) 

CHARGED #2
Pub: May 24, 2016
My rating: 3.5/5 stars

I admit, when I realized Charged was pairing Quaid and Avett I was more than a little skeptical. Avett, who appeared in the later Marked Men books, was a hot mess and I couldn't imagine there being a shred of compatibility or chemistry between she and Quaid. I did come around (mostly) because they did seem to bring out the best in one another but I still can't say I was ever 100% sold on the pairing. There was a common thread between them in that they were both living their lives based on their pasts. Avett was constantly atoning for a past mistake and Quaid had spent years building a persona to prove he was more than his past. Avett seemed slow to learn from her mistakes, which got a little tiresome, but I had to admire her big heart and her selflessness. Quaid was actually a good man who took a long, hard look at the life he'd created and realized it wasn't at all who he wanted to be. And then made drastic changes to become a person he could be proud of. Go Quaid!

I loved having so much of Brite, Avett's father, in this one. He's long been a favorite side character. And the inclusion of Asa and Rome (from the Marked Men series) was a great bonus. Love those guys!

RIVETED #3
Pub: February 14, 2017
My rating: 4/5 stars

I was so excited to Church and Dixie's story. The bubbly cocktail waitress who always had a smile on her face and the enigmatic ex-soldier whose whole demeanor screamed total badass. Dixie's been carrying a torch for Dash Churchill (Church) for a long time and when he asks her to go home to Mississippi with him as a favor she doesn't hesitate. It's there where Church's past comes to light and he has to confront it head-on. Dixie is there encouraging him all the way, while he's also there for her - letting her know it's okay to not be everyone's cheerleader all the time and put herself first. I wanted to shake Church every time he tried to convince himself that he wasn't what Dixie needed or deserved (gah!) but I still loved his sense of duty, his protective nature, his willingness to man up and admit his past mistakes and ask for forgiveness from those he loved and had let down. 

Even though the woman-in-danger element became kind of over the top and veered into Lifetime Movie territory, I was still completely into it and pulling hard for a happy ending for all. 

SALVAGED #4
Pub: June 20, 2017
My rating: 4/5 stars

Poppy's story was a long time coming and I loved that it was one that would intersect with Wheeler's story. Poppy was a character who had been through hell and was understandably skittish and distrustful. Wheeler had a rocky start in life and was convinced he would always be on his own, a feeling that was compounded when his longtime girlfriend/fianceé cheats on him and he ends their relationship. Watching these two come together gave me all the feels. I loved Poppy and Wheeler together. Wheeler was so patient with Poppy and gave her the space she needed to feel safe and secure. And with Poppy, Wheeler was able to finally have that person who put him first and stayed by his side no matter what. 

The drama started to slip into over the top territory near the end but it also felt necessary so that Poppy could fully put the past behind her. Wheeler now holds the place of my favorite guy from any Crownover novel (sorry, Nash, but you just got bumped). This guy was nothing but sweetness and kindness wrapped up in a hot package. Salvaged was definitely my favorite of the Saints of Denver series.

HAVE YOU READ THE SAINTS OF DENVER SERIES? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

We all have them. Those tropes or keywords or settings that make us all the more likely to pick up a particular book. Some are popular (boarding school settings seems to be one that many people love) and some are a lot more unique and individual. Here are my picks along with some of my favorite examples of each.

SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

Yeah, this one is more broad in spectrum and less specific, but even so - I'm a sucker for a good second-chance romance. I like the thought of true love never really going away and that two people who are meant to be together will find a way.

    

LETTERS/EMAILS

I don't know why, but I really enjoy a story that is told either in part, or fully, through letters and/or emails. Maybe it's the romantic in me that gets a little swoony at the thought of someone taking the time to write a letter and put their feelings down on paper. 

  

YOUNG PERSON WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILTY/

MATURE FOR AGE

I find this comes into play more with a male character than a female character, but having a main character who is carrying a lot of responsibility on his shoulders at a young age is like an instant win for me. Whether he is handling the responsibility well, or buckling under the pressure, doesn't matter. I am so behind a character who takes on great responsibility either by choice or by circumstance. Same for a character who shows maturity beyond his years. Katie McGarry is a master at writing these types of characters.

    

MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS

This one is pretty self explanatory but my interest always kicks up a notch when I hear that a story features a morally gray character. I mean, few people are all good or all bad. So when a book explores that I'm intrigued. My favorite is when a villain does something completely out of character or shows kindness.

    

FRIENDS TO LOVERS

It seems like most romance readers are all about the hate-to-love trope. But not me. Nope, I'm all about the best friends to lovers. I like seeing a couple who are already friends take their relationships to the next level. They already know they get along and that they're compatible. And when they realize that they now have feelings that go beyond friendship... I love it. :)

    

TRAPPED TOGETHER

Another favorite is when the couple in question find themselves trapped somewhere together. That forced togetherness is a big check mark for me.

    

FORBIDDEN/TABOO RELATIONSHIP

There are a lot of aspects that could make a relationship fall into the forbidden/taboo category. A boss/employee dynamic, a sketchy background (criminal history), one or both people are not single/available, etc. The forbidden aspect is definitely a draw (in fiction, not real life).

    

BAD BOY + GOOD GIRL

I know, I know. This is one trope that has been done to death. Clear back to Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. It's overused and played out. But I'm still trash for it. 

    

AGE DIFFERENCE

This one sometimes gets lumped in with the forbidden relationship trope, but I'm not talking creepy under-age age differences here. These are legal, of age, consenting adults - but with an age gap. Maybe my personal experience plays into my love of this one (there is a 14 year age gap between my husband and me) but romances with an age difference are among my favorites.

    

SWEET, CINNAMON ROLL GUYS

Sure, I love a good alpha now and then, but I also have a soft spot for the sweet, cinnamon rolls. They guys who are kind. Who are listeners. Who aren't cocky or snarky or broody. But sweet and generous and give their hearts willingly. All together now... awww!

    

What makes you pick up a book?
Do we share any favorites?

Short Take Reviews: M/M Insta-Lust and Paranormal Insta-Love

Leveled (Saints of Denver #0.5) by Jay Crownover
Read: November 2017
GoodReads

SYNOPSIS:

Orlando Frederick knows what it is to be leveled by pain. Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.

Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own...if only the man will let him close enough to mend what's broken.

MY THOUGHTS:

Having listened to all six of the Marked Men books on audio, I was excited to continue with the Saints of Denver series. I’ve seen Crownover refer to Leveled as the bridge between the two series so there was no way I was going to pass it up.

Dom and Lando could not have been more different – Dom’s rough-edged cop to Lando’s polished exterior – but they couldn’t have been better matched.  There was no insta-love here but the insta-lust was off the charts. I loved that Dom was so open with his feelings for Lando, even in the face of Lando’s hesitancy. Having experienced a great loss, and living with guilt, Lando was understandably gun-shy about opening himself up to a new relationship. And the danger involved in Dom’s job became a major factor in their story. Both guys were totally endearing in their own way and it warmed my heart to watch as they drew closer together.

Even though this clocks in at just 220 pages, the story never felt rushed and their relationship developed in such a natural way. It wasn’t without its bumps along the way, but I loved seeing how these two worked their way through past hurts and current challenges to find their own happy ending.

4/5 STARS

  

Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians #1) by Dianne Duvall
Read: November 2017
GoodReads

SYNOPSIS:

Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.

MY THOUGHTS:

Darkness Dawns was recommended to me and I was excited for a good paranormal romance. The aspects I enjoyed were tempered by things that made me roll my eyes (a lot) but overall the scales tipped in its favor.

First, the good. I enjoyed both main characters. Sarah was no damsel in distress and showed real backbone in scary situations (Fighting off attacking vampires? She jumped in the fray. Girl power!).  Roland was a deliciously tortured hero/Immortal Guardian who led a lonely existence. Their meeting, when Sarah saved Roland from an ambush attack, paved the way for plenty of action. A vampire with a vendetta and his many minions were relentless in their attacks and created plenty of drama and adventure. The secondary characters were a truly interesting lot and knowing their stories are told in future books was a bonus.

Now for the not so good. The insta-love was in full-effect. I mean, a couple days pass and they are hard-core ready to pledge their lives to each other. I get the whole going through extreme situations together but still… no. Also, the number of convenient coincidences defied belief and made for all-too-easy resolutions. It was like, seriously? I’m supposed to just go with this, huh? Lastly, and this may seem minor, but the word count devoted to organic this and organic that and the evils of chemically treated food became obnoxious. One, it quickly felt preachy, and two, it seemed pointless and out of place considering the circumstances.

Even with the issues there was enough here for me to enjoy the story overall and I’m sure I’ll continue the series at some point.

3.25/5 STARS

HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS?

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Settings I'd Love to Visit

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme 

created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR
As I was compiling my list for this week's theme something occurred to me. While I've always been a very character-focused reader, I never realized quite how much characters take the focus above all else for me - even setting. Because even though there are some settings listed here that I truly do want to visit (I'm looking at you, Scotland), more often than not it's the characters that I want to spend time with. So here are my picks for bookish setting I want to visit - sometimes as big as a entire country, sometimes as specific as a store. And off we go...

Imperial Russia: The Crown's Game
I've long had a fascination with Russia - the history, the culture, the language. The Crown's Game did a phenomenal job of bringing Imperial Russia to life. 

Rosemary Beach, FL: The Rosemary Beach series
So here's the first case of it being more about the people I want to visit and the setting just happens to be Rosemary Beach. Because, despite being a native Floridian, I don't especially like the beach. But I'd make an exception to hang out with Rush, Blaire and all the rest.

Velaris: A Court of Mist and Fury

This pick combines the perfect blend of setting and characters. Because I would love to see the City of Starlight and stroll through its streets. At the same time I could hang out with Rhys and Feyre, Cassian and Azriel, Mor and Amren. Perfection.
Scotland: Outlander
It's been almost 20 years since I first read Outlander and it ignited an interest in Scotland that has continued all these years. If I visited it would be fun to see Castle Leoch and Lallybroch (assuming they really existed) and then finish off in modern-day Edingburgh.

The Palace in Illéa: The Selection series
Not a fan of the caste system that was in place, or the rebel attacks... but I'd be all for visiting the royal palace.  The women's room, the gardens, the overall opulence - and a tour by Maxon. 

New Orleans: The Wicked trilogy
Considering it's actually within driving distance, I'm surprised I've never visited New Orleans. It seems a lot more interesting if I could go and hang out with Ivy and Ren. And of course eat beignets with Tink.

Denver: The Marked Men series
Okay, no offense to anyone who lives in Denver but I can't say I've ever had a burning desire to visit. But I definitely would like to hang with the Marked gang and since they're in Denver... so be it. I want to visit the tattoo shop(s) and see Rule and Nash and Rowdy at work. I want to go to The Bar and see Rome and Asa. And I totally want to have a girls night out with Shaw, Saint, Cora, Ayden and Royal (Salem isn't invited to my girls night LOL).

Barbary Lane, San Francisco: Tales of the City series
I have so much love for this series and such nostalgia for the unforgettable characters. I want to visit 28 Barbary Lane and spend time with all the inhabitants there: Michael (Mouse) Tolliver, Mary Ann, Mrs. Madrigal, Mona, Brian and all the rest. 

Philadelphia: The Addicted series
Not gonna lie - this one is all about the characters. Philly is just the backdrop for my favorite contemporary series of all time. I'd go anywhere to spend time with these complicated, flawed, amazing people.

Howling Good Reads: The Others series
While I find the world Anne Bishop created in The Others series fascinating, it's also filled with danger so not really a place I'd want to visit. But I'd make an exception for the Lakeside Courtyard and Howling Good Reads. Running into Simon Wolfgard and Vladimir Sanguinati while browsing for a book? Hanging out with Meg at the liaison's office? Getting something to eat from Tess at A Little Bite? Yes, please!

What bookish setting tops your list?

Best In Books | August 2017

Best in Books is a monthly feature created by BookTuber Hope Ortego. 

A playlist of her Best In Books videos can be found HERE.

_________________________________________________

Welcome to my Best In Books for August! 

Best in Books was created by my friend Hope and she was kind enough to let me join in on her feature (because she's awesome that way). Her BookTube channel is linked above and I hope you'll check her out. Now on to all the best bookishness in August...

Jill from Kissing Max Holden
I was so impressed with Jill. She was a girl with such a good head on her shoulders. She was going through a lot of changes in her life (dad and stepmom fighting, a new step sibling on the way, her dream of culinary school suddenly in jeopardy) but she never wallowed in self-pity or threw a tantrum. She was usually level headed and determined to make the best of what she was dealt. No drama, no angst. I loved that about her.

Luke from Ready to Run

I had so much respect for Luke. And, truthfully, I think I liked him even better than Jordan, the female main character. Being labeled a "runaway groom" after three weddings that didn't happen, Luke was the subject of a lot of gossip. I loved that he never shared details, refused to 'kiss and tell' about the hows and whys, and instead took all responsibility and allowed people to think what they wanted. He was such a stand-up guy - self-sacrificing and dignified - and that made him an easy choice for my favorite male character of the month.

Rome by Jay Crownover

Rome on how to raise a child:

"What do you mean? We have it, we raise it, we send it to school, keep it from getting eaten by wolves or becoming a stripper, and we're good."

Nash by Jay Crownover

"I think on the journey to finding the love we crave, the love we truly deserve, the first stop has to be the love we have for ourselves. That's a love that can never be lost and can only grow and get stronger the more it is fostered and developed. Appreciate who you are. Love what makes you different."

it rode in on

Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino

I'm starting to think that Carlino is one of those always spot-on authors for me. As in, she just always seems to get it right. Wish You Were Here was the third book I'd read from Carlino and it was another hit. She has a way of introducing characters that feel so real that I can imagine them being my real-life friends. She also has a way of making me completely invested in their lives - so much so that I feel like I'm experiencing their every sadness and joy. She pulled out all the emotional stops with this one. I laughed and swooned and cried (and then cried some more) and was left feeling so hopeful. Wish You Were Here was an easy choice for my best book of the month.

______________________________________________________

Now it's your turn: 
What was the best book you read in August?