Hello, friends. It’s been a minute, eh? I don’t have a good excuse other than life and work. The past two months have been so busy. I really hope May is more laidback.

Before we talk books, let’s talk Instagram.

I have a book account: To Read & To Roam. If you’d like to connect on there, please follow me 😊

Okay. Back to the books now.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
★★★★★/5
Romance
What an absolutely fun, lovely, humorous romance novel! This was my first Emily Henry & it will not be my last. I loved every bit of this one. Nora is lovable, despite her guardedness. Charlie is swoon-y, despite his cold and judgmental appearance. Libby is fantastic, the setting is adorable, and the characters’ dedication to staying true to who they are, but still changing for the better, makes a great story. I really enjoyed this story.
BUY IT on BookShop

The Family Game by Catherine Steadman
★★★/5
Thriller
I love where this book could’ve gone… but I just don’t think it got there. The main character was so unlikeable and illogical. There were some serious loose ends. There were plot twists that were never explained and storylines that just barely made sense. I saw where the author wanted to go- and I think it could’ve been great!- but it just wasn’t. I also picked up on the twist before it happened- and I’m annoyed that the m.c. could’ve deduce something like that. Sigh. Oh well- can’t win them all!
BUY IT on BookShop

How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
★★★★/5
Nonfiction – Parenting
I first heard Julie interview on a podcast, which led me to pick up her book. For the most part, I enjoyed her thoughts and found myself agreeing with her suggested parenting style. Her book seemed to be aimed at parents slightly older than me, with kids in middle school or early high school. That said, I found a lot of value in her advice for fostering independent, self-sufficient confidence in M.
I don’t pick up a ton of parenting books, but as a type-a, somewhat controlling perfectionist, I’m glad I read this one.
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The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
★★★★/5
Young Adult Mystery
This is the third book in the Inheritance Games series. So far, book one has been my favorite. This one fell a little short, but only in comparison to its two predecessors.
I enjoyed this one a lot, but Avery was weaker in this story than all the others… and that was out of character for her. The “puzzle” was also more simple and lame than the other books. It felt lackluster in comparison. I was happy with the wrap-up, though.
*I thought Barnes was stopping with this one, but I guess she’s releasing a fourth book? It might be a sister book to the series- unsure.
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The End of Temperance Dare by Wendy Webb
★★★/5
Gothic, Horror, Mystery
I suggested this book for our bookclub. And I really wanted to give it 3.5 or 4 stars… but I just can’t. Maybe it’s the dumbass main character. Maybe it’s the overdone and cliché haunting. Maybe it’s the cringe-y love triangle. (Have I sold you on this book yet?!)
Regardless of these marks against it, I pretty much devoured the story. It was an easy read that kept me picking up my kindle and reading beyond my bedtime. It was eerie, but I think horror is a stretch. I’m excited to see what my bookclub pals thought of it.
BUY IT on BookShop

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| 5 points | Freebie: The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
| 10 points | A book set in Australia/by an Australian author: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
| 10 points | Author goes by three names: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
| 15 points | A book with “black” or “white” in the title: The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
| 20 points | A GoodReads award winner: The Martian by Andy Weir (2018, science fiction)
| 20 points | A book set in a small town or rural area: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
| 25 points | A book with “heart” or “love” in the title: Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey
| 30 points | A book that starts w/ the first letter of your first name: Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
| 30 points | A book with an unusual narrator: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt 
| 35 points | A book with a prime number in the title: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus

25 points total… Yikes.

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That was a good handful of books, but that was also a few months’ worth. Anything you’ve read?

What did you read in March & April?

-A.L.