December 2023 Reading Roundup – A Book Review
Photo by Julia Larson : https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-with-book-in-christmas-hat-6113395/
This past year, I really got into books. I mean really got into books. Not only did I want to recapture the joys of reading from days past. But I wanted to escape. To live in someone else’s world for a little bit. Because this past year has been bonkers. Whether it was what was going on in the world or going on with the everyday hustle and bustle of life. And wooo! I dove head first into worlds that were hot, mysterious, taboo, new, scary and heartbreaking. Yep, this was the year I decided to spend my quality me time with a good book. Well, not all of them were good, but most were.
Anyhoo, this past month I read and/or listened to 8 books. Dive in with me, won’t you?
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American King by Sierra Simone
I listened to this one on audible. I had to finish the series. Well, there are I think 2 additional books in this series that are novellas, but they’re about side characters, so I’m good on skipping those. This one is told from Ash’s POV. We got to see his first meeting with Greer, but from his POV, which was nice. He was just looking for love and interested in kink, so he started practicing it early on. Greer was into what he was into, so they were perfect for each other.
I still didn’t care about the characters much. Greer’s cousin is the worst and her ending was deserved. I’m still not sure I liked this book though. I felt for Leer, his son from accidental incest. He had his business out there for everyone to judge. I’m glad that Ash stepped up and said he’d be there for Leer in however way he wanted. There was so much sex in this that it started to get exhausting. I appreciated the surprise ending. Sorry to say I’m on the fence on this one. I’d say, read it for the conclusion, especially if you’re already invested in the first two, which I’ve reviewed here.
3/5 stars
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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I listened to this one through my library’s audiobook system. I wish everyone would view the world through Elizabeth Zott’s eyes. I felt like she was a living, breathing person. When she spoke about how it’s absurd for people to be held back in life due to something as ridiculous as skin color or sex, I felt that. The world would definitely be a better place if everyone were free to live up to their full potential and add something positive to society without having to deal with discrimination or prejudice.
To be a woman back then must’ve been so difficult. The audacity of a man to be able to fire a woman for getting pregnant without being married is infuriating. And it’s still not much better today. Still we must fight.
Every character was great, even the dog. Women do try to hold other women down due to misogyny, which was brilliantly illustrated with Zott’s colleague, Fran. The book touched on rape, suicide and sexism before anyone knew what sexism was. The Apple Plus TV show is good too. Incredible. Masterpiece.
5/5 stars
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Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
I read the hard copy from my library. It was interesting that Will had a problem with anxiety that he may have inherited from his depressed mom, and that’s why he gave up art. Fern was relatable. It took them too long to get together though. All the miscommunication or non communication in books like this can be exhausting. The whole holding their feelings inside thing is eye-roll inducing.
It was revealed that Will did do something surprising toward the end, but I won’t spoil it here. But that surprise was good. Overall it was okay. Lazy writing, which was disappointing because I loved her first book Every Summer After, which I reviewed here. This, however, was not her best work. It was boring and the ending was too saccharine sweet. You can skip this one.
2/5 stars
Photo by Karolina Grabowska: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-wearing-a-red-high-heels-5713298/
Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
I listened to this one through my library’s audiobook system. This was a quirky, original shoe adventure with likeable characters that go on a wild journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It would make a good movie. It even had some funny bits in it.
I didn’t like Nisha at first, but later you understand where she’s coming from. I really felt for the two main characters and felt so glad when they got their happy ending. Highly recommend.
5/5 stars
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Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
I also listened to this one through my library’s audiobook system. I finished it in 2 days. It was a cute short story. A beach read. Tedious in getting to the kissing part. And it sucked how she thought she was unworthy of such a hot guy who used to date models, but I guess it was realistic too. I just wished she had more confidence. I guess sometimes romances are all about protecting your heart so it doesn’t get crushed.
I liked the honesty the two main characters eventually had. The little fights they had were her own doing, but he was a great boyfriend to her. The descriptions of sex was not hot, but more mechanical. I hope the sex was good, but I didn’t feel it.
All the witty dialogue was more wit and less realistic, like it was too smart for its own good. Overall it was okay. There’s a big chunk of this book where the relationship is built on emails, which is weird. But it took place during the pandemic, so I guess you can get away with that. Not a typical romance, that’s for sure.
3/5 stars
Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Waste of a book and a few hours. I almost DNF’d this one. I listened to it through my library’s audiobook system. It had a saccharine sweet happy ending. The conflict I was waiting for between Gigi and Hollis was nonexistent. Ugh. No likeable characters. Didn’t care about a single one. Her daughter and husband were awful. No surprises. Do not waste your time.
0/5 stars
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Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Loooved! Listened through library’s audiobook system. Jack is my new favorite book boyfriend. He just wanted her. It was interesting how she contorted herself into something else so people would like her and he caught on to that early. The sex was so hot. I loved the honesty. There was no real big conflict. It was pretty easily resolved. The mentor thing I caught on to pretty early on, in how he was holding her back. I liked that he put out that public piece as a love letter to her really. This is Ali Hazelwood’s best book so far that I’ve read. You can check out the other book of hers, Love on the Brain, that I reviewed here.
By the end of Love Theoretically, I was smiling. What does that tell you? It just made me feel good. I may even purchase this one so I can read it again and again. READ IT!
5/5 stars
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Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I also listened to this through my library’s audiobook system. This is not my typical read. Picked it up ’cause it was a bestseller and I was curious. The 3 main characters were distinct. So many unique and tragic things happened to them. Sam was interesting (the injury, not really liking sex, shrugging at being bisexual if that). This book touched on racism, sexism, suicide, sexual harassment, gun violence and LGBTQ rights. It was a mirror held up to our society. There was truly something in here for everyone.
I didn’t necessarily like the author’s writing style, but she wrote an inclusive, interesting story that I cared about. I’m glad it’s out there in the world and that people are reading it. I even think my husband would like this one.
The characters had flaws. Sadie dealing with having a best friend whom she often felt held her back or took ownership of her work because she’s a woman. Sam being front and center simply because he’s a man. They were imperfect and beautiful. Well done.
4/5 stars
Big ups to all the authors out there who work tirelessly to bring both smiles (and tears) to our faces, as well as warmth and thrills to our hearts.
*Bonus*
Since 2023 just ended, I thought I’d list my absolute favorite books out of the 86 I’ve read this past year. Some books I may have previously rated 5 stars, but they didn’t make the list and here’s why. If I gave a book 5 stars, it may have just meant I appreciated it for what it was. But these favorites listed below, I’d read again and again in a heartbeat. I’ve included links to my reviews of these books as well. Here goes the best of the best:
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
November 9 by Colleen Hoover
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
I know now firsthand that writing a book is not for the faint of heart. It takes time. So much time. Right now, I’m working on a romance that involves cheating, lies and infidelity. It’s called The Secrets We Keep and you can check out my work in progress here. As of this writing, I’ve currently got 6 chapters posted.
Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed reading and are feeling a little generous, consider buying me coffee here.
