The List by Melanie Jacobson
Summary from Goodreads:
Ashley Barrett doesn't want to get married. At least, not anytime soon. She doesn't care how many of her friends and family members and fellow churchgoers had weddings before they finished college -- the last thing she needs in her fun-loving twenties is the dead-weight of some guy. And that's why she created The List. By the time she completes all twenty-five goals -- from learning a language to skydiving to perfecting the art of making sushi -- she'll be more ready to settle down. Maybe.
This summer in California is a prime time for Ashley to cross two items off the list: learn to surf (#13) and have a summer romance (#17). And Matt Gibson, the best surf instructor in Huntington Beach and the most wanted guy in the singles ward, is the perfect man for the job. Ashley hatches a plan to love him and leave him before heading off to grad school in the fall (#4, get a master's degree). But when Matt decides he doesn't like the "leaving" part, Ashley's carefully laid plans are turned sideways. Now Ashley faces an unexpected dilemma: should she stick to the safety of The List, or risk everything for a love that may tie her down —- or might set her free?
3.5 Stars
Read April 2013
LDS Romantic Fiction, Inter-Library Loan
My Review:
Having just read "Going Vintage" by Lindsey Leavitt where there was also a "list", I was a little hesitant about this book. I had read good things about Melanie Jacobson and decided to go for it. As much as I enjoyed both books, I wouldn't recommend reading them this close together.
This was a fun, quick read. It is a clean, LDS romantic fiction. It captures the young single adult life that many have experienced. I liked that as much as some parts were predictable, others were not. I was happy to see that Melanie Jacobson wrote some twists.
Warnings: None
I would let my 15 year old read this book.
The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall
An Amish Vines and Orchards Book 2
Summary from Amazon (Goodreads didn't have a description, imagine that!):
The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?
On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.
Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally.
Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?
4 Stars
Read April 2013
Adult Fiction, Library Book
My Review:
This is the second book I have read by Cindy Woodsmall, the first one being the first book in this series.
This book series fascinates me. I like learning about the Amish culture. And, this series has a "paranormal" aspect to it. Don't be afraid though, it's not sci-fi paranormal. It's more of the seeing visions/hearing voices kind of paranormal. There is mystery in this book.
There is also a lot of angst. This book has more angst in it than the first book. There is more emotional conflict between the characters. The secret keeping causes conflict as well.
And, like any good "middle" book, this book ends with new questions and some of the previous issues unresolved. Now I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment to see what happens to these fascinating people.
Warnings: I can't think of anything specifically, but they are adults (most of them) dealing with work, bullying, and relationship issues.
I would let my 15 year old read this, but it is definitely an adult book.
I had the privilege of doing a guest review on Bookshop Talk!
Check it out here. Palace Beautiful
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
Summary from Goodreads:
When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat with computer avatars). The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.
5 Stars
Read April 2013
Young Adult/Teen, Library Book
My Review:
Lindsey Leavitt has once again proven to me that cute, fun reads can also have depth.
From the premise and the cover, I figured this would be a book I would like. It has a quirky girl trying to figure out who she is, teen romance-both good and bad, and the fun style of the early 1960's.
I have to admit that as a teenager, I wished that I could have been a teen in the 1950's when my mom was a teen. I thought poodle skirts, bobby socks, and the big poofy dresses would be so much fun. I liked the idea of soda fountains and sock hops and a young Elvis Presley. I thought it would be such a great time to grow up, much like Mallory feels about 1962.
What I love about this book and Lindsey Leavitt's stories (I've only read 2) is that within this fun backdrop the characters are dealing with real difficulties that many of us face day to day. From the description one would think that Mallory's major challenge in this book is a boyfriend who cheats. However, that is what starts this story, not what it is really about.
For fun, Lindsey Leavitt has lists at the beginning of each chapter. Loved the lists! Loved the characters. Loved the setting of Orange, CA. I am not from CA, however, my parents grew up in Southern California and my husband is from Orange County (he was in the Orange Stake at church growing up) and I have visited and heard about Southern California my entire life. It was fun to read about some places that I have actually been (although I realize that many people actually live there and will identify with the setting more, it was still fun for me.).
This was a great read that I would recommend to my teens.
Warnings: talk of premarital sex, child out of wedlock (only talk)
I would let my 15 year old read this book.
Obsession by Traci Hunter Abramson
Summary from Goodreads:
Pop singer Kendra Blake grew up in the spotlight as the daughter of a prominent actor. Now famous in her own right, she’s had enough with bodyguards shadowing her every move. So when a bomb goes off backstage at one of her concerts, she gives in to her urge to flee. In search of the privacy she’s lacked her whole life, Kendra escapes to a remote cabin in Arizona. Little does she know, FBI agent Charlie Whitmore has been assigned to keep her safe and is staying right across the street.
Stranded in severe weather, the two develop a friendship that hovers on the verge of romance—with Charlie frantically trying to keep his personal and work life separate and Kendra enjoying a new-found freedom from her glamorous world. But when law officials discover that there may be a link between a notorious serial killer and Kendra, she has far greater concerns than her independence.
Read March 2013
Borrowed from a friend
4 Stars
My Review:
Another exciting LDS fiction novel from Traci Hunter Abramson. One of the things I liked a lot about this story is that we see Charlie Whitmore who was in the Undercurrents trilogy. It is many years later and through him we "see" what has happened a bit in the lives of the 2 main characters from that book series. (I haven't read a lot of Traci Hunter Abramson's books, so for all I know some of her other books have already done this. However for me, it was nice to have read that series and then pick up this book and see where the characters are at that point.)
I liked the action, the romance, and the "surviving the weather" component. This was a fun, fast paced read.
Warnings: Action
I would let my 15 year old read this story.
The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
Summary from Goodreads:
Believing herself guilty of a crime, Olivia Keene flees her home, eventually stumbling upon a grand estate where an elaborate celebration is in progress. But all is not as joyous as it seems.
Lord Bradley has just learned a terrible secret, which, if exposed, will change his life forever. When he glimpses a figure on the grounds, he fears a spy or thief has overheard his devastating news. He is stunned to discover the intruder is a scrap of a woman with her throat badly injured. Fearing she will spread his secret, he gives the girl a post and confines her to his estate. As Olivia and Lord Bradley's secrets catch up with them, will their hidden pasts ruin their hope of finding love?
Read March 2013
Library Book
4 Stars
My Review:
I really enjoyed this clean, historical romance.
My one complaint, right off the bat, to get it out of the way, is that it is too long. Most books I read are not 400+ pages. So I sometimes get a little antsy around 300 pages. (More my problem than the books problem I suppose.)
I like the 1800's England setting. I like that there is romance as well as some adventure. I like the mystery and secrets that surround all parties involved with the story. I also like that we, as readers, know some of the secrets, but the author keeps some of them until the end. It gives us insight without revealing everything.
I like the main couple, I like the secondary characters. I like that the author shows class differentiation and how the characters interact with each other.
I would read other books by this author, being prepared, of course, for a long read.
Warnings: Babies born out of wedlock, some mild violence
I would let my 15 year old read this book.
Third Time's the Charm by Heather B. Moore
Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to the Aliso Creek Novella Series
Liz, Gemma, Arie, Jess, and Drew have been best friends since creating the “Five” at Aliso Creek High School. But that was over ten years ago, and each is still trying to find that perfect someone . . . if perfect is even possible.
In fact, Liz Carlson will settle for a normal man. A normal man with a job, that is. Married twice, then divorced twice, Liz’s rose-colored glasses fell off and shattered on the ground a long time ago. Her main focus now is raising her six-year-old daughter and surviving long days at work on her feet as a hairdresser. When Sloane Branden answers her call for help, quite literally, Liz doesn’t even give him a second glance. She’s sworn off dating for as many years as it takes, and it seems that Sloane has done the same after his own tumultuous marriage. But when Liz realizes that Sloane defies every stereotypical deadbeat she’s dated, she might just find room in her heart and discover the third time’s the charm.
Read March 2013
e-book for Nook
4 Stars
My Review:
According to Goodreads, this is the first book in the Aliso Creek Novella Series. This is a short story (thus why it says "novella") that I was able to read in one evening.
It is short, clean, cute, and sweet. I will read more of the novellas in this series.
Warnings: Some mature themes, including being a single parent and mention of someone being a nymphomaniac.
I would let my 15 year old read this story, but I wouldn't recommend it to her.
