As this post goes live Monday morning, we just got home yesterday from a fun weekend in Bisbee, Arizona. I’ll have a recap up on the blog next week with all the details of where we stayed, ate, and played during our little road trip. In the meantime, here’s book review volume XI of some books I’ve recently read:
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
I’m always wary that science settings will bore me and cause me to get lost in technical jargon. However, after loving The Soulmate Equation (read my review here), I decided to check out The Love Hypothesis and also enjoyed this one. Olive Smith, a third-year Ph.D. candidate, kisses the first guy she sees to convince her best friend that she’s not hung up on her ex (you have to set logic aside because the meet-cute is a bit far-fetched). That guy ends up being Adam Carlsen, the young hotshot professor most students simultaneously fear and despise. Surprisingly, Adam agrees to be her fake boyfriend. However, Olive soon realizes he might be the one she’s been looking for all along.
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
Last year, I read the author’s debut novel, The Flatshare, and thoroughly enjoyed that one. So, I was intrigued when I read the blurb about her latest release. Three vastly different women have one thing in common: they’ve all been stood up on Valentine’s Day by the same man, Joseph. Is there more going on with him than meets the eye? I don’t want to spoil anything, so it’s best to go into this one blind. However, I want to listen to the audiobook for fun after knowing the story and how it ends. I’ll say that I was pleasantly surprised by the twist and thought it was clever. At first, I was confused and unsure about Joseph, but the twist changed my perspective on everything that had happened earlier. This one is more romantic mystery than a rom-com, but this one is original in the land of chick-lit books.
Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay
Based on the title and cover, I thought this would be a new favorite, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The plot seemed promising enough: Chelsea Martin has been a workaholic since her mom died of cancer, so she decides to return to where she was last happy and carefree — her European adventure. She returns to Ireland, France, and Italy to reconnect with (aka stalk) men who stole her heart back then. It sounds right up my alley, but this one didn’t do anything for me. As other readers noted, I couldn’t connect with Chelsea, so I never felt invested in her journey. Even when I don’t relate to the heroine, I want to root for her, and I didn’t care enough in this instance.
The Dead Ex by Jane Corry
This one was a twisty thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Vicki, an aromatherapist, is doing her best to move forward when the police inform her that her ex-husband is missing. She insists she hasn’t seen him since the divorce, but the police believe otherwise. David’s current wife, Tanya, is the one who reports him missing. Meanwhile, Scarlet is only eight years old when her mother’s busted for dealing drugs. Scarlet bounces from one foster home to another when her only wish is to reunite with her mom. These four women’s lives are thrown into chaos by the disappearance of David. I figured out some twists before the reveal, but that didn’t deter me from flying through to see how it ended. I’m surprised this isn’t as popular as other mysteries because it’s pretty clever, and I highly recommend this one.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
I wasn’t sure how to rate this one, but I settled on 3/5. It was an easy read that I flew through in a few days, but it wasn’t as satisfying as I imagined when I reached the end. Owen Michaels has a note delivered to his wife before he disappears: Protect her. Hannah immediately knows he’s referring to Bailey, his 16-year-old daughter. Bailey wants nothing to do with her new stepmother, but as authorities close in, the two vow to uncover the truth together. Firstly, I don’t mind far-fetched storylines for a good story, but I didn’t find the mystery reveal all that interesting. It’s a quick read and passes the time, but nothing memorable. Editor’s note: This book is now a television miniseries on Apple TV+.
What have you recently read that I should add to my to-read list? Please leave your suggestions in the comments! To read my other book review(s), click here. xo
Adding all these to my To Read list!!
Sounds like a few really great books! I’ve been wanting to read The Love Hypothesis but haven’t found it at my library yet.
I’m currently reading Mariah Careys autobiography, after that I’m going to look at the Love hypothesis =)
What an awesome little collection- adding a couple to my list- I LOVED The Last Thing He Told Me- so haunting!
Looks like you’ve read some good ones lately! The Love Hypothesis and The No Show is on my tbr 🙂
The Love Hypothesis sounds nice. I barely have time for books – lots of work, my BSc thesis needs more focus so if I read anything, it’s usually related to hair.
Aside from the last thing he told me, I haven’t read any of those books!! Need to add them to my list!
I’m a huge book fan! Not always chick lit, but if it gives me some mystery, or thriller, type stuff then I might give it a go!! I’ve never heard of any of these but might have to check a couple out!
Great book review! The dead ex by Jane Corry sounds so good. Thanks for sharing!
I’m reading The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth at the moment and really enjoying it. The Dead Ex sounds good and I’m in the mood for a good thriller.
I thought The Love Hypothesis was great!
I’m always on the hunt for new books to read. I started The Last Thing He Told me book, but I didn’t like it enough to finish it. After reading your review, I’m glad I didn’t waste my time finishing it.
Thank you so many wonderful suggestions, I will be leaving for vacation in a week and was looking for suggestions. Now I must pick one. Toss up between No-Show or Paris is always a good idea.
Thank you!
I still need to read the Love Hypothesis!