3rd Quarter Book Review

Good morning. I’ve finally gotten around to recapping my books from this quarter.  As always, some of these I read on my Kindle and others I listen to on Audible.  I like mixing it up and sometimes have one book going on each device :). I didn’t get through too many books this quarter, but there are some good ones.  I would love for you to send any new favorites my way that you might have!  I also included the Amazon summary for each book today in case you guys like a more thorough discription of each book 🙂

The Identicals

by Elin Hilderbrand

I love this author and was really excited to read this book.   I actually finished reading it right before my first trip up to Martha’s Vineyard this summer.  This book is based in both Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, so it made it really fun.  The story follows two identical twin sisters that are living two seperate lives only 14 miles apart.  The family has been torn apart and this book opens up about their past, but also dives into the present.  Can these two sisters find common ground again and put their differences aside?  There is love, gossip, and turmoil along with this family feud; but I think it’s relatable.  I really enjoyed this light read and would highly recommend it.

:: Amazon Summary :: 

Identical twin sisters who couldn’t look more alike…or live more differently.
Harper Frost is laid-back, easygoing. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. She likes a beer and a shot and wouldn’t be caught dead wearing anything fashionable. She’s inherited her father’s rundown house on Martha’s Vineyard, but she can’t hold down a job, and her latest romantic disaster has the entire island talking.
Two beautiful islands only eleven miles apart.
Tabitha Frost is dignified, refined. She prefers a fine wine and has inherited the impeccable taste of her mother, the iconic fashion designer Eleanor Roxie-Frost. She’s also inherited her mother’s questionable parenting skills–Tabitha’s teenage daughter, Ainsley, is in full rebellion mode–and a flailing fashion boutique on Nantucket in desperate need of a cash infusion.
One unforgettable summer that will change their lives forever.
After more than a decade apart, Harper and Tabitha switch islands–and lives–to save what’s left of their splintered family. But the twins quickly discover that the secrets, lies, and gossip they thought they’d outrun can travel between islands just as easily as they can. Will Harper and Tabitha be able to bury the hatchet and end their sibling rivalry once and for all? Before the last beach picnic of the season, there will be enough old resentments, new loves, and cases of mistaken identity to make this the most talked-about summer that Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have experienced in ages.

If You Only Knew

by Kristan Higgins

This was my first Kristan Higgins book.  It was another book about the relationship of sisters and a story of how they navigate their adult life.  One sister who seems to have it all and another who lost her marriage, but has an incredible career of her own.  Sometimes, until you are actually put into a certain situation, you really don’t have a clue what decision you would make.   This story follows both sisters and how they go about finding their own happiness.  It’s cute chick lit and an easy read to add to your list! 

:: Amazon Summary :: 

Letting go of her ex-husband is harder than wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate expected…especially since his new wife wants to be Jenny’s new best friend. Needing closure, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she’ll start her own business and bask in her sister Rachel’s picture-perfect family life…and maybe even find a little romance of her own with Leo, her downstairs neighbor, who’s utterly irresistible and annoyingly distant at the same time.

Rachel’s idyllic marriage, however, is imploding after she discovers what looks like her husband’s infidelity. She always thought she’d walk away in this situation but now she’s wavering, much to Jenny’s surprise. Rachel points to their parents’ perfect marriage as a shining example of patience and forgiveness; but to protect her sister, Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship­—and reveal a family secret she’s been keeping since childhood.Both Rachel and Jenny will have to come to terms with the past and the present, and find a way to help each other get what they want most of all.

Behind Closed Doors

by B.A. Paris

I love some good chick lit, but thrillers definitely have to be a favorite.  I like to mix between the two genres and then lately it seems like I enjoy mixing in a couple of self-help type books too.  Anyway, this book follows the “idealic” couple some might say.  They seem to have it all and Grace has found her Prince Charming.  However, some things aren’t like they seem.  This may or may not be the most realistic plot, but its an interesting read that will keep you on your toes.  If you like a good mystery, pick this one up. 

:: Amazon Summary :: 

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth; she has charm and elegance. He’s a dedicated attorney who has never lost a case; she is a flawless homemaker, a masterful gardener and cook, and dotes on her disabled younger sister. Though they are still newlyweds, they seem to have it all. You might not want to like them, but you do. You’re hopelessly charmed by the ease and comfort of their home, by the graciousness of the dinner parties they throw. You’d like to get to know Grace better.

But it’s difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are inseparable.

Some might call this true love. Others might wonder why Grace never answers the phone. Or why she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. Or why she never seems to take anything with her when she leaves the house, not even a pen. Or why there are such high-security metal shutters on all the downstairs windows.

Some might wonder what’s really going on once the dinner party is over, and the front door has closed.

Strong Looks Better Naked

by Khloe Kardashian

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I read this book, but I did.  Last month, I came across her TV series that I didn’t even know she had called Revenge Body on demand.  I binged watched all the episodes.  I really, really enjoyed the show (for the most part).  That’s how I learned about her book and decided to give it a quick read.  The thing I like about Khloe is her straight up honesty and her candidness about growing up as the “fat sister.”  Khloe talks about body image and shares that she never really saw herself as fat.  I like reading about her journey about finding love in the gym.  She’s changed her mental and physical well-being by her new passion to work out.  She looks amazing, no one can deny that!  If you aren’t a complete Kardashian-hater and enjoy reading about fitness, then you may enjoy this read. 

:: Amazon Summary :: 

Khloé Kardashian shares her secrets for finding strength of body, mind, and heart with revelatory stories of her own struggles with weight, relationships, and her self-image.

In a culture that worships skinny, Kardashian writes with passion about the power of strength: a strong body lays the foundation for a strong mind, which leads to strength of heart, character, and ultimately spirit. Filled with practical advice, recipes, and compelling personal anecdotes, Strong Looks Better Naked is an inspiring meditation on how to create strength, confidence, and true beauty in every facet of your life.

The Wellness Project :

How I learned to Do Right by My Body, without giving Up my Life

by Phoebe Lapine

This book was only so-so for me.  There were some interesting parts to me, but unless you struggle with an autoimmune disease of your own or a thyroid condition; I’m not sure it’s worth reading.  It is thorough and include humorous parts, but most things didn’t resonate with me.  I can always improve on my health and implement better habits, so I try to pick up things where I can or educate myself.  Grab this book only if you have these specific health conditions to improve.

:: Amazon Summary :: 

For those battling autoimmune disease or thyroid conditions—or just seeking healthy life balance—the voice behind the popular blog Feed Me Phoebe shares her yearlong investigation of what truly made her well.

After she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in her early twenties, Phoebe Lapine felt overwhelmed by her doctor’s strict protocols and confused when they directly conflicted with information on the bestseller list. After experiencing mixed results and a life of deprivation that seemed unsustainable at best, she adopted 12 of her own wellness directives—including eliminating sugar, switching to all-natural beauty products, and getting in touch with her spiritual side—to find out which lifestyle changes truly impacted her health for the better. The Wellness Project is the insightful and hilarious result of that year of exploration—part memoir and part health and wellness primer (complete with 20 healthy recipes), it’s a must-read not just for those suffering from autoimmune disease, but for anyone looking for simple ways to improve their health without sacrificing life’s pleasures.

You can catch up on older book reviews here:

2nd Quarter 2017 Review 

1st Quarter 2017 Review

2016 Book Review