I can’t believe it’s my last book review of 2022! This year I set a goal to read 35 books, and I’ve only read 32. Since I have some time off work this month for the holidays, I plan to dedicate time to finish reading the last three books. If you want to know what I’m reading in real-time, you can add me on Goodreads. In the meantime, here’s my book review volume XIII (coincidentally, I saved the best batch of 2022 for last):
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
After seeing everyone rave about this one, I finally caved and picked up a copy to see if it lived up to the hype. Piper’s known as a wild child who loves the LA lifestyle; however, when a crazy party gets her arrested, her stepfather cuts off her funding. She and her sister are sent to the small town of Westport in Washington to learn responsibilities, where she meets Brendan, a grumpy widowed fisherman. I thought it was okay, but I’ll probably skip the second book in the series, Hook, Line, and Sinker. I wasn’t particularly drawn to Piper or Brendan and found parts too cheesy for my liking. Also, a warning if this is your first Tessa Bailey novel: the steam factor is explicitly high!
What Makes Love Last? by John Gottman
I’ve heard about John Gottman for years and have always been intrigued by his work. He’s best known for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction. You might’ve heard of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling). According to Gottman, these communication styles can predict the end of a relationship. This was the first book of his I’d read, and I loved it so much that I kept annoying Brett by reading excerpts to him. It’s insightful, supported by laboratory findings, and written in an easily understandable manner. I can’t wait to read The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, his next book on my list now that I’m getting married soon!
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Last year I read People We Meet on Vacation (read my book review here) and thoroughly enjoyed that one. So I was eager to pick up Emily Henry’s newest release, Book Lovers. Remarkably, I loved this one even more! Nora Stephens, an ambitious, hardworking literary agent, has been dumped by her exes for sweet country women. Nora concedes when her little sister Libby begs for a getaway to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, hoping Nora finds her country romance. But there, she continuously runs into Charlie Lastra, a broody editor from back in the city also visiting. I appreciate how Nora wasn’t changed for being career driven and how her love interest valued her for who she was. This one just won Goodreads 2022 Best Romance award, beating out two Colleen Hoover novels which I think is pretty impressive.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
This was such a fun, unexpected twist that it could easily be turned into a rom-com movie! Although Hannah Brooks looks nothing like one, she’s a bodyguard, and her newest client is swoon-worthy actor Jack Stapleton. After a heartbreaking family tragedy a few years ago, Jack disappeared from the public’s watch and went off the grid. Now that Jack’s mom is sick, he returns to the family ranch to help. Still, he doesn’t want them to know about his bodyguard, so Hannah reluctantly pretends to be his girlfriend to explain why she’s around. If you like the fake dating trope, this one is for you. I loved the gender role reversal, found it executed exceptionally well, and enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. There are a couple of heavy moments, but overall, it’s an easy, lighthearted read.
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Another charming rom-com! When Nora Hamilton’s husband abandons her and their two children, Nora writes a script based on her marriage’s demise. As a romance channel screenwriter, it’s unlike her usual happily-ever-after stories. Not only does it get picked up for the big screen, but they’ll film part of it at her house. Leo Vance, former Sexiest Man Alive, is cast as Nora’s ex-husband, and when filming wraps, he has no intention of leaving. He offers to pay her to let him stay an additional week, and Nora could use the cash. After all, what could happen in one week? I adored Nora and Leo and was rooting for them from the beginning, and despite the (unrealistic?) misunderstanding, I found the story refreshing.
Overall, it was a great reading batch for me. What have you been reading? What should I add to my to-read list for 2023? Please let me know in the comments! xo
Wow I am gonna put all of them on my reading list for 2023 (:
I’m surprised Book Lovers was such a hit, it wasn’t my favorite by the author, but I appreciate a good romance nonetheless! Adding Nora goes off script to my list!
Loved reading your reviews. Concise with just enough information to compel the reader to decide their level of interest.
Book Lovers and The Bodyguard sound promising. Putting them on my list.
I really enjoyed Book Lovers and Nora Goes off Script too! Lately I’ve been devouring Christmas books and am really enjoying Susan Mallery’s Home Sweet Christmas.. which I hope to finish up this week.
Awesome list Kelly- thanks for sharing! I have Nora in my queue 🙂
Really liked it happened one summer. Loooooved hook line and Sinker!!
I’ve heard good things about all of these!! I also set my reading goal at 35 this year and I’m currently at 29…Depending on what genre you’re into, I had a few 5 star reads thus year that I would recommend: Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Chou Simons or A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.
All of these books would be great for my next Book Club selection! Thanks for the reviews.
I’ll be on school holidays soon and I am keen to read some good books. Thanks for this great review and I will definitely be adding “What Makes Love Last” to my list.
The Bodyguard sounds so good! Sometimes a lighthearted read is what’s needed between other books so will keep this one in mind!
I’m glad I found your book reviews because I miss reading. I gonna find What makes love last.
I read It Happened One Summer this year too finally and it was good, but not my most favorite. I guess I thought it would be funnier. LOL
Lauren @ http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Thank you for this list! I’ve been looking for a good book to read.
You have me hunting down Book Lovers now. That is impressive that the author won out over Colleen.
I notice you don’t read a lot of thrillers, and typically NEITHER do I. However, for some odd reason I picked up a Kiersten Modglin book, and she has me hooked. I’ve quite of a few of her books this month.
These books sound good! Book Lovers by Emily Henry is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing another great book review!
I appreciate your reviews! I’ll add What Makes Love Last to my reading list!
These look like great reads! Adding them to my list 📖
Thank you for these book recommendations. I love reading and I haven’t read any of these yet!
Sounds like you read a lot this year. I love reading as well. I just finished a book on the 25th. I’m on Good Reads as well. I added you on good reads!
I LOVED reading The Bodyguard by Katherine Center (she’s a great writer) as well as any book written by Emily Henry. I love Rom Coms and appreciate your book reviews!
Really enjoyed the list and already put a couple on my reading list – thank you so much!!
I had been an avid reader all these years but stopped reading from last 2-3 years ago. Your review, gave me motivation to start devoting some time to reading again.
I love a good reading challenge! I will have to check these books out. Thanks for the list!
These books look so fun! I LOVE Book Lovers. I’m glad you also loved it. I didn’t read It Happened One Summer, but I did read the second one and I didn’t love it. It was OK. The Bodyguard sounds so good. I’ll have to add it to my TBR list.
I love the book reviews that you did! Some of them are books I want to read. And I love how short yet sweet your reviews are.
These all sound like really good books! Thanks so much for sharing them! I’ll have to check them out!