Books I Read in August

 I read so many great books again this month!  I am really hoping this reading streak continues through the fall.  I read a pretty good variety of genres too though I am still leaning heavily towards light beachy reads as summer has not quite wrapped up here.  

1. It's Better This Way by Debbie Macomber-- I loved this heartwarming story! When Julia's marriage ends she is simply crushed but uses her father's saying "it's better this way" to try and make herself feel better.  Six years later when she finally feels ready to take a chance on love once again the road is not easy.  As two divorced adults come together their grown children have major problems with the relationship.  I can't say much more without giving plot points away but Debbie's novels are always filled with relationships, growth, acceptance, and forgiveness. 

2. Wish You Were Here by Joanne Tracey-- Maxine Henderson loves her life in Brookford so when her husband tells her he's been transferred to New York Max is torn between joy for James and concern for herself.  She doesn't want to leave her home and all her friends.  Then one by one things start changing with all sorts of family members and friends and Max is left reeling from all the changes and finds herself wishing that things could just go back to the way they were. I can't say much else without giving away plot points but I really liked this story a lot.  

3.  Caramel Crush by Jenn McKinlay (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #9)-- Mel is busy helping Angie plan her wedding when she's asked to deliver some break-up cupcakes to her old college roommate's fiancé.  Of course Mel stumbles upon a dead body along the way and has to work behind the scenes to figure out who's behind it before the cops arrest one of her friends.  Another adorable cupcake mystery.

4. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn-- Kate Quinn writes some fabulous historical fiction novels and I really enjoyed this one too!  Three women with nothing in common end up working in Bletchley Park in England during WWII trying to break codes.  They form an unlikely friendship until something tears them apart and one of them end up in an insane asylum for years.  Told in alternating time lines from the time they start working at the Park and from just a few days before Queen Elizabeth's wedding in 1947 when the three are reunited through a mystery coded letter stating that there had been a spy in their midst.  I really enjoyed this book and found that by the last 100 or so pages I just could not put it down! 

5. The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms-- Completely unbelievable and totally funny, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel.  I think it's best described as mommy wars meets Freaky Friday!  Neighbors and moms, Celeste and Wendy have a bit of a feud going on-- one a stay at home Pinterest loving mom and another working hard to support her family and grow her business end up waking up in one another's bodies one morning after a drunken party and must work together to keep their lives going while they figure out how to swap back.  While completely unbelievable it was so adorably written that I just loved it!

6. The First Husband by Laura Dave-- Annie is a travel writer based out of California and has been living with Nick for a few years; they're settled and happy.. until the day Nick comes home and announces he needs a break.  After a whirlwind romance Annie finds her self married to Griffin and living in Massachusetts. Still reeling herself from all the changes in her life Annie struggles to adjust to her new life.  Then Nick shows up out of the blue begging for Annie to come back... confused and uncertain Annie doesn't know what to do.  A sweet story about finding home, happiness, and self, I thought this book was a decent read and a fun way to pass the time.  

7. Come Away With Me by Karma Brown-- This book sucked me in right from the first page!  Tegan and Gabe have everything going for them, newlyweds with a baby on the way they are blissfully happy until a patch of black ice causes a devastating car accident.  Drowning in sorrow, Tegan struggles to live again. Gabe finally convinces Tegan to try traveling with him through some of their Spontaneity Jars' destinations. A heart breaking story of love and loss and moving on that I just loved.  It made me cry though so be warned.   

8. Angels Fall by Nora Roberts-- I loved this story so much! Reece has been drifting through life the past year or so aimlessly driving and trying to leave her past behind her.  Crippled with fear and anxiety from a tragedy that left her questioning everything she finds herself coasting into Angels Fist with car trouble.  Needed to replenish her cash, Reece takes a job working at the local diner and finds herself settling in despite her intentions.  Then while out hiking one day Reece witnesses a murder; only problem is that the local law enforcement can't find any sign of a body or evidence. A great murder mystery novel with a couple love stories on the side.  I enjoyed the characters so much. 

9. The Latest Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel by Jeanne Mackin (also called The Last Collection)-- Another historical fiction novel with a big spotlight on fashion that I just adored.  It took me a bit longer to read through it but only because I kept Googling things as I was reading (famous names and places and what they looked like in the time period, styles of dresses and hats mentioned, etc).  Told in a few different voices and timelines this story was mainly set in Paris between the two World Wars, on the cusp of the second, as Schiaparelli was enjoying a rise to stardom in the fashion world rivaling Chanel.  The two were rivals and had such vastly different fashion ideals.  I really want to read Schiaparelli's autobiography now and learn more about these fascinating women that each played a role in WWII.

10. The Hot Flash Club by Nancy Thayer-- Another adorable story that I just loved and read in just under 24 hours.  I wasn't surprised though as I do tend to enjoy Nancy's books.  I was just thrilled to find that it's the first book in a 4-book series too.  Faye, Marilyn, Alice, and Shirley meet and realize that they have so much more in common than just their ages, raging hormones, and dashed dreams.  They form a club and through it the best friendships that help them each navigate the rough patch they are going through and live their best lives.  

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