Category: FIVE STARS

The Paradise Problem – Reviewed

On By KaylieIn FIVE STARSLeave a comment

I gave The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren FIVE stars.

The Paradise Problem follows Liam, ultra-rich professor at Stanford who is set to inherit hundreds of millions of dollars, and Anna, an unemployed and starving artist with pink hair, who is also supporting her father and his medical bills as he battles cancer.

When Liam and Anna were in college, Anna was friends with Liam’s brother, Jake, who introduced her to Liam. Both struggling to afford a place to live, they decide to marry solely for the benefit of subsidized housing, with the intent to divorce upon leaving the apartment. However, Liam’s inheritance is contingent upon him being married for five years before he receives the full amount. Three years after leaving the apartment, Liam shows up at Anna’s door, tells her they are actually still effectively married, and asks if she will accompany him on a trip to a private island for his sister’s wedding to convince everyone they’ve been happily married the entire time. After some negotiating, Anna agrees and three days later they’re off to the private island to attend the wedding, and spend time with Liam’s absolutely terrible family! Liam assures Anna the trip will be well worth both their time, as it is necessary for him to get his inheritance, and she will be generously compensated for her time. But, just as you’d expect, this doesn’t go to plan and they just might actually fall in love.

Full disclosure, I ordered this as my Book of the Month Club pick by accident, but it was such a happy accident. I loved this book! I stayed up way too late reading it, because I just could NOT put it down. This book features points of view from both Anna and Liam, which I love. Liam and Anna come from such different backgrounds, so I think the dual POV was really necessary to effectively tell this story, and they captured their individual voices so well. 

The authors hit the ground running and didn’t waste any time in the beginning with any unnecessary background info or monotonous droning on. They get straight to the point of the book, and that was what really hooked me. The alternating points of view, relatively short chapters, and casual writing style made it so easy to keep reading. Once the book started to pick up, I was so excited to read how on earth these two people were ever going to end up falling in love, because for a bit it seemed like pigs flying was more likely.

This book really has it all. Two people from entirely different backgrounds and an unlikely love story, a little bit of spice, really good banter throughout the whole book, some heartache, some scandal, some forgiveness. I was laughing, giggling, grinning, and gritting my teeth throughout this entire book. 

I adored Anna’s character. She was quirky, genuine, lovable, relatable, and she really had everyone’s best interest at heart. Even while having to play the charade of a billionaire’s wife as someone who was for all intents and purposes the exact opposite, she still managed to not lose herself in it. She fosters meaningful relationships with a few of the people in Liam’s family, despite that seeming to be an absolutely daunting task. Even when things were up in the air, or she was being treated poorly, she was always the voice of reason, even if she didn’t actually VOICE the reason.

Liam really needed Anna’s perspective in his life, in my opinion. He probably should have just actually dated her when he married her, and he could have avoided a lot of hardship in his own life, but I digress. Good guy with a good heart, just a bit closed-minded about his situation.

An honorable mention is Alex’s character. Now, I am inclined to feel bad for him, but I really can’t decide. If you’ve read this book, let me know if you think he was the hero or the villain.

Lastly, the thing that really won me over about this book, too, was the ending. This book did not end abruptly, and I finished it feeling satisfied with the outcome. I didn’t feel like anything was missing, and the only reason I feel like I want more is just because I love Anna and Liam so much. The authors really gave the reader closure at the end of this one, and for that, THANK YOU LADIES!

Just for the Summer – Reviewed

On By KaylieIn FIVE STARSLeave a comment

I gave Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez FIVE stars. I loved this book!

“Am I the a**hole?” Justin asks in a Reddit post where he mentions he has a curse where all of his girlfriends have found “the one” immediately after they break up with him. Emma, a travel nurse with the same curse, reads it and sends him a flirty message. The two devise a plan to fake date, fake breakup, and then find real love. What could go wrong? It’s not like they’ll fall in love, right?

Emma and her best friend, Maddy take turns deciding where they will take their next travel nursing contract, and it is Emma’s turn to choose. She moves them to a cute little cabin on Lake Minnetonka in the interest of fake-dating Justin, and falling in love after their fake-breakup.

I was so invested in all of the characters and all of the conflicts in this book. Some of the conflicts were serious, but most were just funny and unique. Two of the main conflicts in this book center around Justin’s and Emma’s mothers. Justin’s mother, whom he loves, is going to jail for six years, which leaves him now to parent his younger siblings, which is an issue for Emma because she is falling for Justin (obviously), but doesn’t want kids. This issue kind of left me feeling annoyed and like Emma was being a bit childish herself, because this situation was very unique, and Justin’s siblings were not his actual children, or even Emma’s responsibility. Justin was so genuine and sweet, and I was really sucked in to how he was handling all of these new responsibilities.

In terms of Emma’s mother, Amber, she was never rarely around, basically a dead beat, and comes and goes as she pleases. When Amber arrives, she finds someone to take advantage of, and when she leaves, she blows everything up, sometimes literally. I hated Amber, but I really couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen with her next.

At various times throughout the story, Abby Jimenez brings back all of the characters from the previous two books, and she did so in such subtle and satisfying ways. We also get justice for Alexis when something tragic happens to Neil’s house! 

There were a few twists and turns in this book that I didn’t see coming, and one that made me super angry. Like, I wanted to throw the book across the room, angry. I kept reading, though, and I am so glad I did, because the ending was the best part! We love a book that can make us feel all of the emotions, right?

Abby Jimenez brings this book full circle, when it ends with Justin, once again, asking Reddit if he’s the a**hole, but for an entirely different reason. I loved this ending, and I found it so perfect and satisfying.

I think Abby Jimenez’s writing is so easy and refreshing to read, and I enjoyed every second of this book. This is only my third Abby Jimenez book, but I also find she does character development really well, really consistently. This book is written from two different points of view, Emma’s and Justin’s, and this type of writing makes this story specifically really interesting. I love knowing how each character is perceiving what is going on. Honestly, I think all of my favorite books are written in at least dual POV!

I recommend this book to everyone, however I do recommend you read the other two books first. There are references to the previous books, and as I stated characters from both books pop up all throughout this book, and the context given from the other two books is certainly helpful.

Darling Girls – Reviewed

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Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was a technical 5 star read for me, but officially a 4.5 star rating.

Three “sisters,” Alicia, Norah, and Jessica, grow up in foster care, and were placed with Miss Holly Fairchild. Jessica is the first to arrive, and she and Miss Fairchild develop a strong bond. Miss Fairchild means everything to Jessica, and pleasing her is Jessica’s first priority. When the other two girls come along, Miss Fairchild immediately starts treating Jessica differently, and the whole environment of the home becomes straight up abusive, but Jessica’s feelings toward Miss Fairchild prevail.

Fast forward 25 years, the house they grew up in has been torn down and human bones have been found underneath! The mysteries that follow, including WHO the bones actually belong to, has us (and the police) asking lots of questions. As Jessica, Norah, and Alicia travel back to Port Agatha to cooperate with the investigation, we learn about each character through changing character perspectives, including past and present perspectives of each character. I love books that flip between characters view points, I think it makes a book so much more interesting, and when done well I think it is such a great way to give readers a deeper understanding of each character, and why they do the things they do.

Included in the rotation of perspectives this story is told from, is one character’s weekly psychiatrist appointments, and the story that is told through the meetings. This is really what brought this book from a potential three star read, to a five star read for me. I LIVED for these segments of this book. Nearing the end of the book, I was SHOCKED to find out whose therapy sessions I was actually reading though, and there are two scenarios that could have happened here:

  1. Without going back and rereading, it could have been clearly stated who was attending these sessions, and I could have somehow simply overlooked this. I REALLY thought they belonged to a different character, and was VERY confused when I found out I was wrong.
  2. This book is just THAT well written, where it didn’t say and I just kept on reading anyway, filling in the blanks in my head myself without even noticing.

Either way, the shock value of finding out I was wrong about whose trauma I was reading about had a huge impact on my overall opinion of this book and how much I enjoyed it. I feel deep down, that scenario 2 is true, but if it wasn’t intentionally written this way, it should have been. When I realized whose story I had been reading, so much clicked into place, yet there were STILL twists even after that. It was so so good. I can honestly say I was really surprised by then ending, and I didn’t really understand what exactly was happening until the last pages. I mean that in the absolute best way possible.

Straight through the very last page of this book I loved the character development. Sally Hepworth did an incredible job of keeping the identities of the three women completely separate from the others, while also showing the bond and loyalty that is created to one’s chosen family despite those differing backgrounds and life choices. I also found her writing style really easy and interesting to read. I chose this book as my April book through Book Of The Month Club, and had otherwise never heard of Sally Hepworth, but I just know she is about to become one of my favorite authors. I really loved this book, and the more I read it, the more I loved it. Now writing about it, I just want to tell anyone who loves a thriller, or who has an unconventional family life, to read this book. I feel like anybody could relate to some part of this book.

As for my rating: the storyline, the character development, Sally Hepworth’s ability to write this in so many perspectives, with time travel, and still maintain an easy to follow story — all five freaking stars. My problem with this book was her editor. In the first half of the book there were at least three really easy to locate errors, including a random “c” on one of the pages. I just feel like the editors did Sally’s writing such a disservice, and I’m upset about it on her behalf. It felt more like reading an ARC than an actual published novel. I have still given this five stars on Goodreads, though, as they require a full star rating, and there was no way I was rounding down!

Yours Truly – Reviewed

On By KaylieIn FIVE STARSLeave a comment

I gave Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez FIVE stars. This is the second book in the Part of Your World series, and I would recommend reading Part of Your World first. It’s not required, but would give you a better understanding of the backgrounds of some of the characters.

I was so upset when this book was over; I wish I could read it again for the first time. If you are considering reading this for the first time, cherish it! You’ll only get to read it for the first time once!

The first few pages of this book I wasn’t so sure how I felt about it, but sure enough, every time I picked it up (three times in total) I didn’t want to put it down.

Briana Ortiz is an ER physician, and also the best friend of Alexis – the main character of Part of Your World. Briana’s brother is in renal failure, and her divorce is almost final when an annoying, and annoyingly handsome and perfect new doctor, Jacob Maddox, transfers to her hospital. His first day, he kills almost every one of his patients and everyone hates him, especially Briana after he barges in on her lunch/secret cry closet. Everything changes though, when Briana gives Jacob a bit of unsolicited advice, and in response he gives her a handwritten letter… and her brother his kidney…

This book made me laugh, it made me tear up, and it made me want to cry. I didn’t cry, but I could have. The development of Briana and Jacob’s relationship starts off as a fake relationship to appease Jacob’s family into thinking he is fine, after Jacob’s ex-girlfriend and his brother announce they’re getting married. Obviously, things don’t go as planned with the fake relationship, and everyone develops some very not-fake feelings. The journey of self-doubt through this book on the part of both Briana and Jacob, relating to their feelings for each other and doubting the other person feels the same way, is so realistic and so relatable, and in turn SO frustrating. There were plenty of times throughout this book I just felt like screaming nothing in particular into the ether because of it. I LOVE a book that can make me feel that way!!

This was another novel where Abby Jimenez wrote about past trauma in relationships and how they show up in current relationships, and I thought she did such a great job conveying this reality. I felt like for the duration of the book the trauma Briana went through in her previous marriage was hinted at and maybe minimized, until it came in like a WRECKING BALL, just as it might present in a real life situation. I don’t like to bring other reviews into mine, but I have seen some other reviews that have suggested this detail wasn’t executed well, because the reader didn’t have all the information prior to the bombshell, and it was surprising to us, therefore we couldn’t understand it well. I disagree with this viewpoint. I think the presentation/initial omission of the extent of Briana’s trauma made her response to the events of her relationship with Jacob SO much more impactful. As the reader, we were left waiting for an explanation, just as Jacob was. And oh my, did my heart just entirely go out to Jacob during that time?? I really don’t think any book has ever made me FEEL as much as this one did.

She also tackled social anxiety HEAD ON, and reading between the lines I believe she intended to portray that Jacob was actually autistic. A constant theme throughout the book, was that Jacob was super duper wicked uncomfy in social situations, and that Briana brought him out of that, and knew how to manage it. I thought this specific dynamic between the two of them was so well-written, and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I felt through this aspect of the story, we could really feel the love between them.

I also loved the incorporation of Alexis and Daniel into this storyline. It didn’t feel necessary, per se, but it was definitely an added bonus. A gift, if you will, to be able to get a little update on them throughout this other really incredible love story.

My only neutral observation was that the moments where they were both at work felt very Grey’s Anatomy inspired. I can’t call this a complaint, as a Grey’s Anatomy fan, and I can’t think of any way I’d have liked to see these moments written differently, I just felt like my thinking about a Grey’s Anatomy-esque environment took a little bit away from the story at hand. Maybe that was just a me problem!

There is so much I am missing in this review, but I really don’t want to ruin the thrill of the read for anyone.

I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody. I LOVED this book with all my heart, and again, I wish I could have the experience of reading it for the first time.

Yours Truly,

Kaylie 😉

The Housemaid’s Secret (#2 of 3) – Reviewed

On By KaylieIn FIVE STARS1 Comment

FIVE FREAKING STARS.

Truth be told, when I started reading The Housemaid, I had no idea it was the first in a series. In fact, I chose to start that book over a different one, because I thought it was a standalone novel. I was wrong. Anyway…

I was not even halfway through the first book when I rushed an order from Barnes and Noble containing this book. I could NOT wait to read this. (Naturally, it arrived a day late)

I read this book in one day, and enjoyed every second of it. Millie is now living in New York, and of course, she needs a job. So what does she do? She accepts another housemaid job for another wealthy couple! This couple, however, is MUCH more mysterious than the last. From day one, Douglas Garrick informs Millie that his wife, Wendy, is sick and Millie will not be allowed in her bedroom. He instructs her to leave her alone, and Millie does, at first not thinking anything of it. Given Millie’s past, I’m not sure how she didn’t see what happened next coming, but to be fair I didn’t either. Millie starts finding blood in strange places, hearing strange noises, and eventually does come face to face with Wendy. It all goes downhill from there. We find ourselves first questioning Douglas, then Wendy, then… Who?

This book was unbelievable (in the best way). The way Freida McFadden sets the stage for every single plot twist this book throws at us is incredible. No detail goes overlooked, and every turn toward the end of the book linked back to details prior. Once again, the execution of the storyline straight through to the ending was gold.

If you haven’t read The Housemaid, RUN to your nearest bookstore and buy these two at the same time, because once you finish the first, you won’t want to wait to start this one.

100 percent recommend this book!

The Housemaid (#1 of 3)- Reviewed

On By KaylieIn FIVE STARS3 Comments

Easy five stars!!

This book honestly blew me away, but I’m having trouble writing a detailed review, because I don’t want to give ANYTHING away! It was so easy to read, it was suspenseful, and there were twists I didn’t expect.

The book follows the story of Millie, a convicted felon who has recently been released from jail, desperate for a job. Despite her past, Millie is shocked to be hired by a wealthy family as their housemaid. Millie assumes Nina must have surpassed her background check, but could she really be so lucky? Millie is in for a shock when she finds out why she was truly hired.

About halfway through the book, it seemed like the storyline was almost over, and I wondered how that could possibly be, when I still had so much of the book left. Oh, let me tell you, it was NOT almost over.

The first half of the book is told primarily from Millie’s point of view, but once this first plot twist takes place, it switches to Nina’s for a while. I will warn you, at one or two points the storyline becomes a bit gruesome, but it is so worth the ick. The entire storyline comes together perfectly and was SO well executed. Freida McFadden is a genius, and her writing style is intriguing and so easy to read.

I actually didn’t know this was the first of a trilogy when I bought it, and I’m KICKING myself for not buying the next book at the same time.

HIGHLY recommend. Really, I cannot stop telling all of my friends they have to read this book. Please read it, you won’t regret it.

The Quiet Tenant – Reviewed

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I originally wanted to rate this book 4.5/5, but after finding out this is the very first book she’s written in English, I had to round up! 5 stars!

This book takes us through the journey of a woman who has been kidnapped and held captive by a serial killer for several years. Her captor, however, is the sweetheart of the town, and when his wife dies, he must move and take the woman with him. Suddenly, she is living in his own house along with his daughter.

This book is written from the perspectives of almost every one of the characters EXCEPT the man himself. Reading from the perspectives of all three women in his life — his captive, his daughter, and his love interest — kept me at the edge of my seat. The chapters were short, the storyline was often intense, and it was easy to read in one sitting.

My only gripes about this book were that the ending was slightly underwhelming. It was a bit outrageous, and there was a lot of build up for how suddenly it was over. I also wish there had been sections of perspective from her family included from the time frame that she went missing. It would have been interesting to read the conclusion they had come to, when unbeknownst to them she had been alive all along.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy thrillers, and especially if you are looking for a quick read!