In 2020, I set my goodreads goal at 60 books and I am happy to say I read 63! And it was an awesome year of reading! I read so many great books, it was hard to choose just 5 for my list if top reads! But, I will also say that there was no question what my top read was going to be as soon as I finished it! It may end up being one of my top reads of all time! It’s definitely the one I am recommending the most right now. And so far, everyone else I know who read it, loved it too!
So without further ado….I present my Top 5 Reads of 2020!
First, let me begin by saying that I really enjoyed all of the author’s previous books. So needless to say, I was super excited when I was approved to read an ARC of her newest book, The Dilemma. I was expecting another fast paced thriller with lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending. That wasn’t quite the case…..
I’m struggling a little bit with how to review this one. I totally think that it was mislabeled in terms of genre. So if you are expecting a typical thriller, you will probably be pretty disappointed. Instead, I would label this as a general fiction/family drama novel. If you consider it that genre instead and don’t compare it to the author’s previous books, you may like this one.
Summary: Livia is planning her 40th birthday party to make up for the wedding she never had. Her husband Adam is planning a surprise for the party. Livia also has a secret that she is planning to tell her husband after the party. The morning of the party Adam gets news that could change his family’s entire life. Does he tell Livia now? Or allow her to enjoy her party before revealing the potentially devastating news?
Genre: it’s labeled as a thriller, but I would say more general fiction
My Review:
What I liked: This was a pretty clean read in terms of language. Typical thrillers tend to have a fair amount of foul language and I really can’t remember much (if any) foul language in the entire book. I also liked that the author made you think that you knew Livia’s secret, and then gradually showed you that you were wrong before revealing the actual secret. I was also wrong about why Livia was angry and distant with Max (who was her son’s best friend). So in that sense there were several plot lines that did have small surprises.
What I didn’t like: This is harder without giving away spoilers. I will say that I kept waiting and waiting for a surprise twist or for the ending to be wrong somehow. Neither thing happened. There was no surprise twist and the ending was really the ending and it was just downright devastating. At the same time, I feel like we didn’t get invested enough in each of the characters due to the fact that the entire story took place over three days. There was some backstory for sure, but not enough in my opinion. And I really don’t understand why the main character spent half of her life dreaming of an elaborate birthday party that ended up being a tent and a caterer and some music. It seemed so silly and also incredibly sad at the same time. I get that she was making up for the wedding she never had, but it seemed like EVERY decision she made from age 17-39 revolved around her 40th birthday party.
Disclaimer: PG-13
Do You Read Me?: This is a tough one. I say maybe?!? Again, I hate to discourage people from reading books in general. I would say read my final thoughts below to decide if this one is for you.
At the end, I was left questioning the author. What was the point of this book? Why did the things that happened happen? But if I reflect on the story overall and try to put a positive spin on it, I would say it’s a reminder of how short life can be, and how important communication is in any relationship. And also about how keeping secrets can lead to very negative consequences. So if this one makes you self reflect and possibly change the way you communicate with those you are closest to, than maybe it’s worth the read. It’s definitely a short read and pretty clean for a thriller. Just know that it won’t be anything like the previous novels by B.A. Paris.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a free ARC of this book!
Wow….I finished this one in the wee hours of the morning and didn’t even know what to say when it was over. What a thought-provoking emotional roller coaster this book is, but in such a good way. I had tears streaming down my face as I closed the book, sad to see it end. I will be surprised if this one doesn’t make it to my top 5 reads of 2020. This was a BOTM pick and I am so glad I added it to my box!
Summary: Lydia Bird has it all. A job she loves, a close-knit family, a beautiful house in a great neighborhood, and a handsome fiancé named Freddie. That is until her 28th birthday when her handsome fiancé (who she’s been in love with since they were teenagers) is killed on his way to pick her up for her birthday dinner. Now she’s lost with no idea how to move forward. Her family encourages her to try a trial run of a new sleeping pill, because they are so worried about her. She reluctantly agrees. This decision takes her down a road she never saw coming.
Turns out that those pills somehow give her the ability to visit an alternate universe where Freddie is still very much alive. Caught between both worlds, Lydia finds herself on a path to find out who she really is with and without Freddie.
Genre: General Fiction (BOTM has it as Romance)
My Review:
What I liked: The writing is so descriptive and the story is so well written. The thoughts and feelings that Lydia expresses feel raw and real. The reader can literally feel her grief. I loved how Lydia’s family and friends rallied about her in her time of need. And even though there is grief and sadness, there is also humor and lightheartedness throughout the book.
I will admit that the summary may make the story seem really far fetched (and it is in all reality), but the journey you are taken on in both worlds makes you suspend your disbelief. What if you really could get a do over? What if you had the chance to spend some more time with someone you loved who passed away unexpectedly? How do life events shape who we are as people? I also enjoyed Lydia’s growth and self reflection throughout the story.
What I Didn’t Like: Honestly, there was not much, if anything, I didn’t like. There was some foul language, but it was sporadic. The ending provided closure for Lydia and gave hope for her future.
Disclaimer: PG-13 for language
Do You Read Me?: Yes!! You really need to read this one! Overall, it was a great thought-provoking read! I highly recommend it, but make sure you have tissues!
I am a pretty big fan of Elin Hilderbrand’s books. I look forward to reading her newest release while sitting on the beach every summer. They are perfect beach reads that are typically set on the island of Nantucket. A couple of years ago, Elin wrote a series about a family that took place in the winter on Nantucket. Every October, the newest book in the series was released and I was sad to see it end in 2017. Even though that series is not the focus of the blog today, I highly recommend the Winter Street series if you haven’t read it! There are 4 books and they are great holiday reading!
In 2018, Elin announced a new winter series called “Winter in Paradise.” I quickly purchased the first book in the series and devoured it as I normally do with her books. The only problem was that meant I had to wait a full year for the next installment. Thankfully BOTM had it in their October 2019 box. But even though it technically takes place in the winter, this series is a little more “beachy” to me, so I saved it for my first summer read of 2020. I will admit that I almost wish I had reread the first one to refresh my memory, but Elin did a good job at recapping the important details. The last book in the series is set to be released in October of this year. If you are not a fan of cliffhangers, you may want to wait until that one comes out and then read them all back to back 😉
Here’s the first one is this series:
Summary: I’m actually going to try to summarize both of the books in this series, since I read the first one before I started blogging. And there is really no break in time between the two novels. In the first book, Irene has just received a phone call that her husband Russ has died in a helicopter crash off the island of St. John along with a young woman. She has no idea what he was doing in St. John, and so in an effort to find answers, she and her two sons Cash and Baker head to the island. They soon discover that Russ had been hiding lots of secrets from them including a second family and a large island villa. The woman who died with him, Rosie, is actually the mother of his young daughter Maia that no one even knew existed.
At a loss after discovering Russ’ double life, Irene and her sons spend some time on the island seeking explanations. They soon find themselves drawn to the island and the people they meet there including young Maia and her grandfather. The first book ends with a cliffhanger as everyone on the island receives more news about the helicopter crash that killed Russ and Rosie.
The second book picks up about a week later with Irene, Baker, and Cash returning to their home in Iowa City still reeling from the news and trying to figure out their next steps. One by one, they each find themselves drawn back to St. John. This time around, the book focuses on the relationships between them and the islanders they met during their last visit. The reader also gets to hear Rosie’s side of the story through a series of journal entries. As the trio settle into island life, they find out that Russ actually had a few more secrets. And this time the secrets may cost them everything they have.
This book also ends with an even bigger cliffhanger than the first one. I don’t want to give anything away, but there are plenty of things that will need explained in book #3. I’m just sad I have to wait until October to find out!
Genre: General Fiction
My Review:
What I Liked: Elin’s books are always easy reading for me and I love how she describes her characters. You feel like you know these people and you can literally picture the beaches as you read. The series aspect allows for even more character development, which makes the reader invested in the story and what happens in the characters’ lives. I liked that in book #2, we got to hear the story of how Russ and Rosie met through her diary entries. The first book gave no inkling of what had brought the two of them together. I also liked the relationships between the main characters and how they started to intertwine with the people who live on the island. There is some mystery involved too regarding the helicopter crash and Russ’ secret life.
What I Didn’t Like: Honestly, the only thing I didn’t like in both books were the cliffhanger endings, but that’s what makes you want to keep reading the series. So I understand it is necessary in this case. I just wish that I had read them closer together and maybe closer to the last release.
Disclaimer: PG-13 for adult themes maybe? There’s nothing really graphic, but the topics are kind of heavy.
Do You Read Me?: Yes! Read this series and then closer to Christmas, read the Winter Street series. And this summer pick up some of her other books for sitting on the beach or sitting by the pool. (Or even just sitting in your backyard). My favorites are The Identicals, The Rumor, and The Perfect Couple. And you can also preorder her newest release “28 Summers,” which will be out June 16th. I already did 😉
I’m always a fan of Mary Kay Andrew’s books and eagerly await her new release each year. I’ve especially enjoyed the mystery aspect she has added to her most recent works. This year I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of her new book from NetGalley. And the good news is that you can pick it up now too, because today is release day for Hello, Summer!
Summary: The novel centers around a female journalist named Conley who finding herself between jobs, returns to her hometown in Florida. Without an income and with no jobs on the horizon, she reluctantly agrees to work at her family’s newspaper. The catch? Her only sister (who Conley does not have the best relationship with) is currently running the paper and it is majorly struggling.
Within days of her arrival in town, a beloved senator dies in a mysterious car crash and Conley stumbles on the story of a lifetime. As she works to find the truth behind the accident, Conley finds herself the target of some people who are not too happy with her investigation.
Genre: General Fiction (with some Mystery mixed in)
My Review:
What I liked: I loved the character development in the story, which is typical of a MKA book. (Warning: her books are typically long, but the length allows you to get to know the characters on a much deeper level). I enjoyed the investigative story weaved throughout the book. It made me feel like I was a part of the action as the story unfolded. The relationship between Conley and Skelly (her childhood neighbor) was one of my favorite things about the book. I also enjoyed the cute antidotes about life in a small southern town and the older characters’ personalities. The last chapter was a nice ending to the story. It allowed the reader to jump forward in time to see how all the characters lives changed in the year following the senator’s death.
What I didn’t like: Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The only thing I found disappointing was that even though the majority of the story revolved around investigating the senator’s car crash and the events leading up to it, major questions about it were never answered. Who were the people the neighbor heard that night arguing? Was Conley’s guess about what happened actually true or just speculation? I felt like there were details that were mentioned throughout the investigation that were never addressed at the conclusion of the story. I even feel like there could be a sequel where Conley investigates the events that took place in Winnie’s (her grandmother’s housekeeper’s) hometown with the railroad company and the abandoned chemicals. Some people will probably say that there are too many characters and subplots in the story, but honestly that’s a MKA trademark and part of the reason why I love her books.
Disclaimer: PG-13 for language
Do You Read Me?: Yes! I count down every year until the new Mary Kay Andrews book is released. I highly recommend any of her novels!
Overall, it was another solid read by MKA. I loved the characters and the investigation regarding the senator’s death. There were some surprises and some obvious twists, but definitely a book I was sad to see end. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book!
I promised that I would review books outside of the thriller genre this month, so first up is The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley! I saw this one on Instagram and thought it sounded interesting, so I ordered it from Target and I am so glad I did!
Plot Summary: This book centers around 6 people who all come in contact with a notebook entitled “The Authenticity Project.” Julian, an old man who feels invisible to society, starts the notebook as a way to be truly authentic and admit his deepest thoughts. “Do you really know the people around you?” he asks. He leaves the notebook in a coffee shop owned by a woman named Monica. She finds the notebook and develops a plan to make Julian feel less invisible. Then she adds her story, which includes her deepest longings, to the book and leaves it in a wine bar. It’s picked up by a man named Hazard whose life is spiraling out of control. And so the story goes on as these first three characters find their lives intertwining along with several other people who “find” the notebook. What happens when you know someone’s innermost thoughts, but they don’t realize you know them? What happens when they find out? That’s the root of this story. Along with how unexpected encounters and choices can lead your life down roads you didn’t expect.
Genre: Contemporary fiction
My Review:
What I Liked: The story was unique and definitely made the reader think about the questions asked above and more. Are we truly living authentic lives especially in the age of social media and likes? What happens as you age and you lose the people in your life? Do you truly become invisible to society? What happens when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected? Definitely thought provoking and sometimes sad, but also a very timely message. I liked how the characters lives intersected and the influence they had on each other in positive ways. The chapters were each centered around one of the characters and were very short, which kept me saying “just one more chapter.” I also liked how some of the chapters had something happen and then the next chapter went back in time with another character so you could see what lead to that event from another person’s perspective. Toward the end of the book, there was a twist too that I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t expecting a surprise like that in this type of read, which was good. The ending made me cry (both happy and sad tears), which I think is a testament to how well I connected with the characters in the story.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, there wasn’t much I didn’t like. I did feel that some of the characters had a few loose ends that weren’t tied up when I closed the book. So I was left wanting a little more closure (probably because as I said above, I cared about them 😊). I’m not sure if the last chapter was completely necessary. I understand why the author did it (I won’t say what since I don’t want to spoil anything), but I also thought it was just as good without the last chapter. There was some foul language, but I felt like it was in smaller chunks and not throughout the book.
Disclaimer: PG-13 for language
Do You Read Me?: YES!! It’s well-written, it’s cute, it’s thought-provoking, it’s funny, and it has a twist I didn’t see coming. What more could you want? 😉
My final thoughts: It definitely gave me A Man Called Ove vibes especially with Julian’s character and how the other characters rallied around him when he was all alone. It was a different kind of read and a welcome break from intense thrillers. I highly recommend it!
Today’s post is going to be a little different. Since I don’t have a book review today, I am posting some books that I am excited to read! These books are all on the top of my TBR pile 😊
#1 The Authenticity Project
I decided to take a break from thrillers, and I heard good things about this one. I just started reading it and I can already tell it is going to be one that takes you through a range of emotions!
#2 Oona Out of Order
This one also has some great reviews online! The plot is really unique and I’m sure it will also be an emotional read.
#3 Suffer Strong
I really want to read more nonfiction and I follow the Wolfs on Instagram. I look forward to reading more of their story. They are definitely an inspiration to so many people!
#4 The Holdout
This was a Book of the Month pick last month. It’s also one that I’ve heard great things about!
#5 You Were There Too
I saw this one on Instagram and it sounded interesting. I think it also has a very different plot line.
So there you have it!! Some books that I am excited to read in March! I will say that I’m definitely stepping out of my comfort zone with these picks (only 1 thriller in the bunch 😂)!
Ask Again, Yes is a story of two families who live next door to each other. It’s about how their lives intersect before and after a tragedy strikes. It’s hard to reveal much more without giving away spoilers. This is another book that I loved for its overall theme and message. It’s more of a general fiction book about two families and how their lives intersect. There is not a lot of action in this book and it was honestly pretty slow at times, but I am so glad I stuck with it! This books talks so much about what it means to really love someone and what true forgiveness actually looks like. Definitely a book that makes you reflect on your own relationships.
Genre: General Fiction
Disclaimer: PG-13 for language
Do You Read Me?: YES! My top 5 of 2019 are all must reads!!
My #3 read of 2019 was….
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This was a book that I wasn’t sure if I would like when I first started reading it. It was getting all kinds of press and it was a Book of the Month choice, so I added it to my cart. It’s written as a series of interviews, so it is unlike anything I’ve ever read before (I’m beginning to notice a pattern here….lol). I almost abandoned it at the very beginning, but kept with it and then quickly became totally hooked! I’ve heard this compared to a VH1 Behind the Music episode and I think that is a perfect comparison! I totally felt like Daisy and the Six were an actual band in the 70s while I was reading it. And it was just named Book of the Year by Book of the Month Club for 2019!
Genre: General Fiction
Disclaimer: I will say this would probably be a strong R rating for language and some of the themes in the book.
![Ask Again, Yes: A Novel by [Keane, Mary Beth]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61II0mcMJLL._SY346_.jpg?w=1140&ssl=1)
