Happy 2023! I took the last five weeks from blogging to decompress and take time for myself. It was much needed, but it also made me realize how much I missed blogging. I’m excited to get back into it with lots of exciting, fun weekly content this year.
One of the things I spent my break doing was reading to reach my goal of 35 books which I did on New Year’s Eve — talk about cutting it close, haha. My goal for 2023 is 35 books again. I figured it wouldn’t be wise to increase my goal with how many other things I have planned for this year (traveling, moving, getting married). It’s going to be a busy year, and I can’t wait to take you guys along for all the fun!
As always, you can see my latest reads on Goodreads. In the meantime, today I’m back with book review volume XIV including some great recommendations for those kicking off their reading year strong.
Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover
Friends, I think it’s time for Colleen Hoover and me to break up. Every influencer’s book club seems like a Colleen Hoover fan club, and unfortunately, I don’t get the hype. Maybe I’m getting older and more cynical, but I find the characters and dialogue more cheesy than swoon-worthy — am I the only one?! This is the second book in the Hopeless series, and I gave it 3/5 (I enjoyed Hopeless a bit more). It’s the same story as the first book, but from another character’s perspective; I don’t particularly like reading them back to back for this reason. Dean Holder spent his whole life looking for the girl who haunted him, but he couldn’t have imagined how they’d reconnect all these years later. Told from Holder’s perspective, Colleen Hoover reveals his innermost thoughts during all those hopeless moments.
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
As I neared the end of the year and was three books short of my reading goal, I knew I needed a few quick reads. Thrillers are my go-to because the action propels the story forward, which makes for a fast-paced binge-read. When I scrolled through my Goodreads, I was shocked that I hadn’t read one since July, ten books ago! This book reminded me of why I love thrillers, and I flew through this one in just four days. Matthew and Marissa Bishop have a seemingly perfect life until Marissa reveals she had an affair. Enter Avery, an unconventional therapist who lost her professional license due to her unorthodox practices. The Bishops and Avery are unwittingly set on a collision course as the sessions progress.
A Stranger on the Beach by Michele Campbell
Caroline just built a new beach house and decided to throw a housewarming party, but when her husband Jason shows up with another woman, her world is turned upside down. When Caroline goes to the local bar to drown her sorrows, she recognizes the bartender Aiden who also bartended at her party, and they soon hit it off. What’s a brief fling to Caroline means everything to Aidan; suddenly, he seems to be everywhere. Told in alternating points of view between Caroline and Aiden, this thriller keeps you in anticipation as they both have vastly different accounts of the same events. I loved the two perspectives that kept me guessing who the unreliable character was.
Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner
After the previous two thrillers, this one didn’t captivate me as much. Helen meets Rachel on their first day of prenatal class, except Rachel doesn’t seem particularly maternal with her drinking and smoking. Nonetheless, Helen befriends her, thinking maybe she needs a friend. However, Rachel’s odd behavior, like appearing everywhere Helen is, soon strains Helen’s relationships with the other people in her life. So who is Rachel, and what’s with her sudden appearance in their lives? I couldn’t understand why Helen even initially became friends with Rachel, much less continued to tolerate her increasingly strange behavior. Ultimately I didn’t care for or connect with any of the characters in this novel.
Columbine by Dave Cullen
A deep dive into what happened on April 20, 1999, the killers’ motives, and how the community recovered. I’ll forewarn you that it’s a heavy read, and I had to set it down multiple times and come back later. The author debunks what most people thought they knew about Columbine, the killers, and the rumors and assumptions the media spread. I was 3 when the massacre happened, so I don’t recall people talking about it and what the narrative was. I’m curious about other people’s accounts of that day, like the survivors, witnesses, police, etc., because I read some reviews after I finished, and it seems like numerous people, including families and friends, have issues with this book. It’s well-written, but I can’t confidently say everything was 100% accurate (I was a bit skeptical about the portrayal of Dylan).
What have you recently read that I should add to my to-read list? Please leave your recommendations in the comments! To see my other book reviews, click here. xo
I have read one or two books by Colleen that I liked, but I did try to get into others of hers. So far it hasn’t happened YET.
But I tried to read Nicholas Spark’s books this past week, and I couldn’t get into his books either. I’ve LOVED many of his books in my life.
I have not read any of Collen’s books yet but its on my TBR list. I did like Greewich Park and I thought it was such an interesting read. Great book reviews.
Ok! “The Golden Couple” was my favorite book last year- with that being said, what other thrillers do you think I would enjoy? 🙂
Have you read The Wife Between Us by the same authors? I loved that one too! xo
Yes I have had read all of their books to date- just love them- any other authors I should check out? Thanks Kelly 🙂
Some other suspense/thriller authors I like are Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, the book is even better than the movie), B.A. Paris (Behind Closed Doors is my fave, although it does include severe psychological abuse), and Shari Lapena (I †love her no-fluff writing style that allows the action to propel the story forward). Also, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty is a delicious drama that’s engaging and suspenseful. You’ll have to let me know if you end up reading any of these and what your thoughts are! xo
I’ve actually read the majority of these and greenwich park was wild!! I’m starting the year of strong – have finished two books already! Hoping to do at least 40 this year!
I have Greenwich Park on my shelf. I defs want to read it at some point but have heard similar things about it before!
I find Colleen Hoover is very hit or miss for me. It sounds like you’ve read some great thrillers though! I do like that they propel me to read through them faster too.
A very nice review! I will be checking out The Golden Couple and A Stranger On The Beach!
The Golden Couple books sounds like a read I would like. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t read any of these but The Golden Couple sounds interesting! I finished reading “The Day the World Came to Town” about how thousands of people landed in Gander, Newfoundland after 9/11 forced planes to divert and land. It was a good read, focusing on the how the residents opened their homes and hearts to helping so many strangers.
I’m not a fan of Colleen Hoover, I find the Tiktok Hyped books are not my scene and often overhyped.
Loved reading your list.
I definitely want to read Columbine!
Love this post! Definitely going to read some of these books!
I own two books by Colleen Hoover but I haven’t read any of them yet. LOL
I also own and need to read Columbine. It’s definitely going to be interesting, but I am curious how they portray everyone and the whole event.
Lauren
What an awesome review of some great books. I really like books by Collen Hoover so I can’t wait to read the one you suggested.
I vividly remember Columbine as I was about to graduate college just after April 20, 1999.
It was so hard to fathom such an intense and horrific event. So the book by David Cullen may interest me the most of this list for sure.
I’m just finishing The Personal Assistant and it was just okay, thought it needed more to the plot. Also, there were a few things a little too unbelievable. I tried to read Columbine years ago but have a lot of close family members/friends in high school and I found it too difficult 🙁 A Stranger on the Beach and The Golden Couple sound good, will be reserving from e-library. Thanks!
I LOVE Colleen Hoover! In fact I am addicted to her! Haha. I’ve also enjoyed what I’ve read of Greer Hendricks (I’ve read two of hers) so I will have to add that one to my To Read list as well. I am on Goodreads so I am going to find you and friend you!
I love your blog, it looks so amazing. I love the idea you took out time to read at least 35 books. That’s a lot of dedication and time to relax your mind.