Happy Book Day! 📚 💛
I’ve noticed a pattern over the last few years where I read a bunch during the first half of the year, then fall off the wagon. This year it seems kind of opposite. Then again, nothing about this year is normal so that makes total sense. *shrug*
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
★★★★/5; Fiction, Women’s Lit 
This book was good, but it didn’t stick with me. I would label it as slightly predictable, too. An enjoyable and fairly light read, Olivia was a fun and flawed main character. All the supporting characters were fabulous, as was the setting. There were parts of the story that felt trite, but I looked forward to picking up where I left off each time and it was a nice story to get lost in- thus the four start rating. Are there deeper, more profound books in the world? Of course. But this was a perfect quaran-read. Also, the food descriptions made me D R O O L.
Read it? Sure, if you’re looking for something light. And you’re not on a diet 😉
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
★★★★★/5; Mystery, thriller 
Man… every bit as good as people said it was. I love me a good locked room mystery. I felt for Jules and Hannah and Olivia at different times. And I easily hated the men- a true “boys will be boys” theme going on there. Grrrrr. Readers on GR noted some continuity issues- and I noticed some, too- but I could look past it for the sake of story. *shrug* When I read mysteries I’m always reading suspiciously and carefully to try and solve the crime. I figured out someone’s true identity before the end, but I didn’t solve the murder. I was as shocked as the victim. And I really loved that we didn’t know who the victim was until the last few chapters! I’m adding The Hunting Party to my library holds now!
Read it? Yeah!
*I have to know. Did anyone else notice the switched groomsmen in the bog? Hannah said that two of them found her, but then a few chapters later it was different groomsmen that mentioned finding her. A few readers on GR noticed, too.
The Mermaids Melt at Dawn by Grendolyn Peach Soleil
★★★★/5; Fantasty/folklore 
This is slightly difficult to review because it’s my sister-in-law’s sister’s book. Here’s what I said on Goodreads:
How to describe a book so rich in imagery? The Mermaids Melt at Dawn is a descriptive story about a rowdy Cajun man on a hunt to understand and tame the wild monsters that plague his family history. It weaves soft and beautiful French undertones with bold and brash bayou flavor. On top of that, a strong mythical and Cretan story comes to life and grabs the reader, pulling them down into the deep, dark, fantastically terrifying ocean from which the mermaids swim.
I really enjoyed this book, but it’s not something I would’ve found & read on my own. It’s very whimsical, magical, and folklore-y. Every time I’d start reading I’d think, ‘This isn’t for me’ but then I’d read one more paragraph and get lost in her whimsical world.
Read it? If it sounds like something you’d like, absolutely.
M’s Favorite Reads
*I mentioned last time that M is into eating and shaking books right now. Two of these are cloth books and linked to baby stores since GR doesn’t have them, lol.
Buddy Dog’s Busy Day – A Taggies Adventure
Or as we call it, “Bristol Dog’s Busy Day” lol
Peek-a-Boo Forest – Lamaze
Disney Princess The Little Book of Big Ideas
The girth of this book is a little inconvenient, but I love all the learning and colors. Minus Ariel. Stupid Ariel. LOL
Little One, God Made You Special by Amy Warren Hilliker, Polona Lovsin (illustrator)
Such an adorable little book.
Erin’s Challenge 13.0
| 10 p | Starts with “S”: Salt to the Sea (Sepetys)
I have 35 out of 200 points.
What did you read this month?
Linking up with Steph & Jana for Show Us Your Books!
Life as Louise 
I really want to read The Guest List. I’m seeing so many good reviews!
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I would consider it a very engaging and quick read! And I loved that I had no idea who dun it (and to whom!) until the almost end!
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Wasn’t The Guest List great?!
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It was! I can’t wait to read The Hunting Party!
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OOH the guest list sounds pretty good! Will check it out.
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Yes yes!! Let me know what you think about it!
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I have The Guest List on my TBR, glad to see another good review. I really need to be better about sharing books Zoe is into. I did good there in the beginning and have totally fallen off. Shame, because we read several books with her every day!
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I would love to see what book you’re reading with Zoe!
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I’m so happy you reviewed The Guest List! I am definitely adding it to my TBR pile now.
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Hope you like it!! It was an engaging mystery and helped me escape pandemic world for a bit 😉
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wait – your Sister in law’s book? … I’m like – did she WRITE THE BOOK???? or is it just her book? LOL
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She wrote it! It’s my brother’s wife’s sister’s book, haha! She’s actually written two. She writes under a pseudonym.
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Yay, M’s books too!
I noticed the switched groomsmen.
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It made me just a little crazy for a second because I was like, ‘Wait… is this mix up important to the mystery??!’ LOL
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I always love seeing which books M has been enjoying this month!
A City Baker’s Guide to Country Living was such a fun and cozy read that inspired me to get baking when I read it last year. I love books where food plays a major role in the plot.
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It was such a cute read! I won’t lie… I love when the ending is tied up in a nice little bow… even if I complain sometimes. Ha.
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I have The Guest List. I should see if I can work that into BCBE. I need to switch up my last 3 picks. I read The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living back in 2016. Apparently I loved it even though I have no memory of the story… oops!
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It really wasn’t super memorable. Ha…
If you still need one set in another country The Guest List is set in Ireland!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed The Guest List. I didn’t guess the victim either, but I did put some of the other mysteries together. It was such a good read. I did not notice the continuity issue though! lol
-Lauren
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Yeah…. I figured out who F was before all was said and done. And I started to guess the victim once motive became obvious, but the end was surprising for me and I loved it!
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Loved The Guest List! So twisty! It was very well written too.
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Agreed!
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Please keep M’s reads coming because my niece is loving the ones I sent her (that I totally got from you).
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Aww!! I’m so glad!! I will tell M she’s already an influencer. Hahahaha!
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I have to check out some of the books that M loved! I’ve been meaning to do a post on M’s favorite books, but I love how you included it in your reading recap! I also really enjoyed The Guest List. I actually thought it was pretty slow and while I figured out what was going on with one of the characters, everything else took me by surprise, which I loved. I also always am trying to figure everything out when I read a mystery, but I get annoyed when I do! haha!
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Ha, I get annoyed too if I can figure it out. LOL
I figured out who F was (if that makes sense) and I eventually decided on who the victim would be after some motive came to light. But a lot of it surprised me!
Please share M’s books! We’re always looking for new ones!
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I like the descriptions of all three adult books. And how exciting to read a book when you know the author 🙂 As much as I read, I draw a blank when I sit down and try to write. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your month.
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Thank you so much! I have to write my reviews right after I finish them… otherwise I blank!
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