January Book Review

Welcome back to our monthly book review. This is the post where I share the books I read last month, rate them and share the jacket summary.  I hope you are able to find a few new books to add to your reading list!

However....

This month was a struggle for me.  On average I read about 4-5 books a month.  If I don't like a book, or can't get into it, I stop reading.  Life is too short to read a book that doesn't hold my interest.  That happened more this month than ANY month, in the last 3 years where I have been tracking what I read.  I must have started and stopped 4 books. I just couldn't not get past the first couple chapters.  It was a struggle for sure.   This month, I read a series on Kindle Unlimited that I will only count as 1 book.   I'll explain more below.  

The Christmas Retreat By Grace Meyers  

My rating: 4/5

My comments:  This was a 6 book series.  The books were about 70 pages long.  It was good, but I wish they would have just combined the "books" (They were basically short stories) into 2-3 books.  This series was on Kindle Unlimited and I was just annoyed to have to keep downloading new books.  The story was sweet, easy read and I would recommend.  If the author were to ask my opinion, I would tell her to combine the books!

Back of first book:  

For 50-year-old workaholic Lena, her career was her life. Now struggling with the sudden death of

her husband and her strained relationship with her daughter, her world spirals into chaos when she
discovers her savings account mysteriously emptied.

Forced to move into her aging parents’ quiet beachside Bed & Breakfast while she hunts for
answers, Lena is soon brought face-to-face with her estranged daughter… and she’s forced to realize
the far-reaching impact that her workaholic life has had on her family.

As Christmas draws closer and a charming, free-spirited traveler steps into her life, Lena will be
swept up into a seaside mystery that will cause her to question everything she thinks about money,
work, and the true meaning of success. Can Lena repair the fractured bond with her daughter and
create a new life for herself in this idyllic beachside town? Or will she be sucked back into her
corporate job and lose her family forever?

Perfect for fans of cozy Christmas-themed mysteries with a heartwarming dash of wholesome
romance and a gorgeous beachside setting, the Cape May Xmas Series is a charming tale that
touches on timeless themes of love and the importance of family. Scroll up and grab your copy
now.

Georgie, All Along By Kate Clayborn

My rating:  3/5

Back of book:

Longtime personal assistant Georgie Mulcahy has made a career out of putting others before herself. When an unexpected upheaval sends her away from her hectic job in L.A. and back to her hometown, Georgie must confront an uncomfortable truth: her own wants and needs have always been a disconcertingly blank page.  

But then Georgie comes across a forgotten artifact—a “friendfic” diary she wrote as a teenager, filled with possibilities she once imagined. To an overwhelmed Georgie, the diary’s simple, small-scale ideas are a lifeline—a guidebook for getting started on a new path.  

Georgie’s plans hit a snag when she comes face to face with an unexpected roommate—Levi Fanning, onetime town troublemaker and current town hermit. But this quiet, grouchy man is more than just his reputation, and he offers to help Georgie with her quest. As the two make their way through her wishlist, Georgie begins to realize that what she truly wants might not be in the pages of her diary after all, but right by her side—if only they can both find a way to let go of the pasts that hold them back. 

Second Act By Danielle Steel

Rating 4/5

My comments:  I loved the concept of rebranding yourself.  Many of us tie our identity to our job or profession, but there is more to us than that.  This book was an easy read (as all of hers are) and just a sweet story.  

Back of book:

As the head of a prestigious movie studio for nearly two decades, Andy Westfield has had every conceivable professional luxury: a stunning office on the forty-fourth floor, a loyal assistant who can all but read his mind, access to a private jet and company cars. The son of Hollywood royalty, Andy always put his career before his marriage, and now, besides his daughter and young grandchildren, it’s the only thing he truly loves.

But then Andy’s world is upended. The studio is sold, and the buyer’s son demands the top seat. Out of a job and humiliated, Andy spirals. When his head clears, he decides to get as far away from Los Angeles as possible until the dust settles and he can find a new way forward.

Andy signs a six-month rental agreement for a luxurious home in a tiny, forgotten coastal town two hours from London. When he arrives, he hires a local woman to help get his affairs in order. A former journalist, Violet Smith is at a crossroads as well, and this temporary job is exactly what she needs to tide her over. But when Violet leaves the manuscript of her unfinished novel behind after work one day, Andy lets his curiosity get the best of him and is captivated by a story that begs to be adapted for the big screen. Could this be the miracle they’ve both been looking for? 

If you missed last month's book review you can find it here.  It also has my top 3 books from 2023!

Did you read anything this month that you would recommend?  I would love to hear if you did!

Check back on Monday for inspiration to start the week strong.