Books I Read in June

I read so many great books this month!  While I tried to keep my boys a bit eclectic I definitely tend to stuck to lighter, summery reads when it's so nice and warm and sunny outside.

1.  Inside Out by Demi Moore-- I read this book in less than a day! I have watched many of Demi's movies, I knew that she had been married to Bruce Willis and had a few kids with him, and I knew she had been with Ashton but other than that I knew very little of her life.  I loved the easy tone and straightfoward manner with which she wrote her autobiography and I enjoyed learning more about her life both the good and the bad. I also learned quite a bit of hollywood tidbits that I didn't know before (mostly because I am awful with names and don't follow much of anything having to do with famous people).

2. The Restaruant Critic's Wife by Elizabeth LaBan-- Lila and her husband Sam have recently moved to Philadelphia where he was offered a job as a restaruant critic.  Determined to keep his identity a secret Sam has asked Lila not to return to work just yet and to keep their new friendships limited to those not in the restaruant business.  As a mother to a toddler and a newborn baby Lila is struggling to obey her husband's wishes, fit into a new neighborhood of supermoms, and not forget who she once was before she was a mom.  It was a really cute and, oftentimes, funny book.

3.  Sweet Success (A Candle Beach novel) by Nicole Ellis-- In the second book of the series (I read book 1 last month) Gretchen is determined that this is the year to move away from Candle Beach and work as a realator in the big city.  But to do that she needs to make money.  She decides to rent out her house and applies for a job selling model homes in a new development just outside town.  She doesn't intend to fall for Parker Gray and is pretty determined that he's not going to stand in the way of her dreams.  A sweet and easy to read romance novel.

4.  Girls of Summer by Nancy Thayer-- Lisa was so busy raising her children and opening up her own business after her divorce that she never made any time for dating.  When her house starts literally falling down around her she hires a local handyman and Lisa finds herself attracted to him despite the fact that he's much younger.  Just as they start to date her grown children decide to move home to Nantucket for the summer.  Another great Nantucket novel that has me dreaming of a day trip there this summer...

5.  Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews-- When Sharah "Conley" Hawkins is at her going away party she gets a text that her new job has gone up in smoke.  Left with no other options she heads to Florida to see her grandmother and sister.  They convince her to put together a story for their family paper about the car accident Conley witnesses on her first night home.  Digging into the story Conley starts to get a sense that there is more than meets the eye.  This was a fun read and I was interested to see what big secrets were going to be uncovered.

6.  Sweet Promises (A Candle Beach novel) by Nicole Ellis-- In the 3rd book in the series Maggie (who has been widowed for several years) is busy trying to juggle being a single mom, running her restaruant, throwing a bridal shower and wedding reception for her friend, and possibly start up a new catering business.  She never counted on her brother in law settling down nearby to help her out and she certainly never expeted to feel anyting but brotherly love for him.

7.  Results May Vary by Bethany Chase-- Caroline's whole life is turned upside down when she discovers that her husband is having an affair... with another man!  She begins to question everything she ever thought she new about her high shcool sweetheart.  As more secrets begin unfolding, Caroline is nt sure if she even wants to work on re-building her marriage.

8.  Table for Five by Susan Wiggs-- Lily has always been afriad of making connections and fiercely guards her independence and single life.  Until her closest friend Crystal & Crystal's soon to be ex-husband Derek die.  Then Lily finds herself drawn to the family of children left behind.  While Derek's brother Sean gains custody of the kids, Lily finds that together the five of them make an unlikely family unit.  Yet, Lily can't help but hold back, afraid of getting hurt.

9.  Feels Like Falling by Kirsten Woodson Harvey-- Diana and Gray are both struggling one summer.  Gray has recently had her mother pass away while she's also facing her divorce.  Diana has decided to leave the latest in her long string of deadbeat boyfriends when she finds herself fired and homeless.  After a change meeting Gray hires Diana and the two become fast friends.  It was a sweet story of friendship, love, and forgiveness.

10.  Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore-- Set in Texas in the late 70's this story focuses mainly on the women in town and the reactions of everyone to a brutal rape of a 14 year old Mexican girl.  This book deals with racism, class, religion, & the endurance of the human spirit.  I thought it was a pretty good story but not my favorite.

Linking Up With: Spread the Kindness,  A Morning Cup of Joe,