What I’ve Been Reading Lately: Adult Fiction Edition

Hello hello! Time to share what I’ve been reading lately and what I thought about it! I have been on a reading roll lately in between getting ready for the baby and being semi-social (honestly I’ve been taking my social life a lot more easy I get tired so easily now in third trimester….so more curling up on the couch with a book for me than normal). So let’s talk about some of the adult fiction  I’ve been reading lately (which I feel like I’ve been picking up a bunch of books that really work for me) and then sometime next week I will share some of the YA I’ve been reading.

  My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

About In A Sentence or Two: According to Instagram, Katie is living her dream life in London which includes the almost dream job she moved there for. The reality is far from what she projects on Instagram. But then even that comes crumbling down when she gets the axe from her boss, is forced to move home but keeping her unemployment on the down low AND comes face-to-face with the boss that fired her.

Thoughts: OH THIS BOOK. So fun, made me cackle wildly quite a few times and there were some heart-fluttery swoons even though the romance is not at all the main attraction of this book. I read most of it in one day!  This was the type of book I craved in my 20’s because I was SO looking for books dealing with ups and downs of career beginnings, navigating workplace culture and just general adult life. I was about the same age as her when my own fledgling career got the axe due to layoffs and everything came crashing down so I could relate to her. I also related to the feelings of keeping up a certain persona on social media — the new keeping up with the Joneses — and realizing to some degree that everyone is doing a little of that. So much to love — I adored the London life as much as I did the countryside. I realllyyyy loved Katie’s family as well. But I REALLY loved the scenes with Demeter and Katie. Honestly it was just such a FUN book….recommend for when you want something smile-inducing and that you’ll breeze through.

Rating:

The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas

About In A Sentence Or Two: A new case for Veronica Mars when two spring breakers go missing in Neptune.

Thoughts: I’m soooo glad I listened to this one on audio because KRISTEN BELL NARRATES IT. I’ve been a huuuuuge Veronica Mars fan for a long time and even backed the movie. I kept meaning to read this book but I kept being nervous they wouldn’t have that same spark for me. I needed a new audiobook so I went for this one. BEST IDEA EVER. If I can’t have anymore VMars episodes or another movie than this is exactly what I needed. It was wonderful being reunited with Veronica and Neptune crew and Kristen does such a wonderful job narrating. The big case Veronica is solving was absolutely engaging and I hated getting out of the car sometimes because I just wanted to find out what was happening. I think it stands alone if you haven’t ever watched Veronica Mars but are craving a mystery with a badass lady private investigator. But this is a MUST MUST MUST for all Veronica Mars fans.

Rating

Faithful by Alice Hoffman

About In A Sentence Or Two: Shelby is a teen when a tragedy changes the trajectory of her young life as well as her best friend’s.  She walks away the survivor with a lifetime full of guilt that she carries into adulthood.

Thoughts: You ever read a book that is kinda slow but honestly you just can’t put it down? That’s how this one was for me — I found Shelby and her growth over the years really compelling. It felt so real…how we can hold on to things that happen in our life for many, many years down the line. It was so sad to see how the car accident shaped her and she just couldn’t shed the guilt but it was so realistic how this one thing that happens in your life can sort of define you and shape you but also how you can just lose your way. It was heartbreaking at times and I didn’t LOVE the ending but I did like this one a whole lot and came to really care about Shelby despite how much she frustrated me sometimes. I also really loved some of the secondary characters a whole lot! Very character driven book if that’s your sort of thing.

Rating

The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase

About In A Sentence Or Two: Sarina has her life all planned out and is well on her way to having the family she had always wanted especially since her mother passed away many years ago. Sarina finds herself unsure about her future when things with her boyfriend seem shaky when he has to go away for work and an old flame returns to her life….and then tragedy strikes making things seem even more uncertain and she questions everything she thought she wanted.

Thoughts: Oh this romance was so delightful! I have a love for romances where old flames reunite and this one was GREAT. Eamon is swooooony…plus he’s a swimmer. I would be lying if I said that my friend Ginger (who LOVES this book and is how I found out about it forever ago) and I didn’t text pictures of professional swimmers back and forth to each other while I was reading this book. This book was just a delight to read and I HIGHLY suggest if you are, as we approach the season, in need of a good summer read to add this to your list. It’s sexy and sweet and the tension is to DIE FOR. It also made me cry! It’s just a great story all in all.

Rating:

I Shall Be Near To You by Erin Lindsey McCabe

About In A Sentence Or Two: A wife disguises herself as a man and follows after her new husband to fight alongside him in the Civil War.

Thoughts: Oh boy this book killed me — especially the fact it is based off true stories of women who DID THIS. It was fairly predictable to me most of the time but I felt like I couldn’t help that feeling in the pit of my stomach throughout the duration of this book. Would she get caught? HOW would she pull this off? Would someone betray her? Would they all make it out alive? I really loved Rosetta and admired her courage, determination and strong will. I really enjoyed watching how this new marriage was tested by her actions in coming along. It was really compelling and I think if you love historical fiction, it should be on your to-be-read list!

Rating:

P.S. Check out what new historical fiction I have my eye on!

Have you read any of these? What did you think?! Any of these going on your TBR? Tell me what you’ve been reading!

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