chick lit
107 books.
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The Girl He Used to Know
by: Tracey Garvis Graves
"4.5. What a sweet love story! I completely connected with the narrator and often found myself in tears as she expressed her difficulties in navigating the world. I felt a similar connection to the narrator of The Rosie Project - another romance novel containing people with spectrum disorders.
The last few chapters had me heart-sick - reliving trauma we've all had to go through. I agree with others' reviews that the ending was abrupt, but I think her personal journey had concluded.
This would have been 5 stars if not for the level of steam - too much for my taste. It's a shame - I really felt like the detail there detracted from the story."
- katelynn
09/19/2019
The last few chapters had me heart-sick - reliving trauma we've all had to go through. I agree with others' reviews that the ending was abrupt, but I think her personal journey had concluded.
This would have been 5 stars if not for the level of steam - too much for my taste. It's a shame - I really felt like the detail there detracted from the story."
- katelynn
09/19/2019
The Cactus
by: Sarah Haywood
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Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?
by: Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Waiting for Tom Hanks (Waiting for Tom Hanks, #1)
by: Kerry Winfrey
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Little Beach Street Bakery
by: Jenny Colgan
"I have beef with the fact that this cover has a cupcake on it. This book is about BREAD! And for that, it has my heart. My heart is made of bread, basically.
This was light and lovely -- a bit sappy, but just what the doctor ordered. Jenny Colgan always delivers!
"
- katelynn
08/15/2024
This was light and lovely -- a bit sappy, but just what the doctor ordered. Jenny Colgan always delivers!
"
- katelynn
08/15/2024
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Circle of Friends
by: Maeve Binchy
"4.5
This was just the medicine I needed for a hard time. It was full of wonderful characters, a strong sense of place and a great story. It was cozy through and through. Over 700 pages read like 200.
Towards the end it took a sadder turn than I was expecting, but still great!"
- katelynn
03/24/2020
This was just the medicine I needed for a hard time. It was full of wonderful characters, a strong sense of place and a great story. It was cozy through and through. Over 700 pages read like 200.
Towards the end it took a sadder turn than I was expecting, but still great!"
- katelynn
03/24/2020
The Light We Lost
by: Jill Santopolo
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At Home in Mitford (Mitford Years, #1)
by: Jan Karon
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Ayesha at Last
by: Uzma Jalaluddin
"This was everything that a retelling (in this case, Pride and Prejudice) should be. It was loosely in the same structure and had some nice dialog moments that specifically called back to the original. It was similar enough to recognize the retelling but not too similar to feel unnecessary.
The characters had depth, and I enjoyed being immersed in a culture I don't know a lot about. I learned a lot.
It wasn't a slam dunk for me, but it was close!"
- katelynn
02/10/2020
The characters had depth, and I enjoyed being immersed in a culture I don't know a lot about. I learned a lot.
It wasn't a slam dunk for me, but it was close!"
- katelynn
02/10/2020
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The Dead Romantics
by: Ashley Poston
The Shell Seekers
by: Rosamunde Pilcher
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Winter Solstice
by: Rosamunde Pilcher
"This is a cozy story with lots of Scottish Christmas atmosphere and it has moments of sweetness. But overall it drags. "
- katelynn
12/17/2020
- katelynn
12/17/2020
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An Irish Country Doctor (Irish Country #1)
by: Patrick Taylor
Good Company
by: Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies, #1)
by: Diane Chamberlain
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The Friend Zone (The Friend Zone, #1)
by: Abby Jimenez
"Sweet. Felt fairly genuine (for the genre). I did cry at the end, which hasn't happened in a while.
Definitely requires a content warning though - language and open door scenes."
- katelynn
06/11/2020
Definitely requires a content warning though - language and open door scenes."
- katelynn
06/11/2020
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A Walk to Remember
by: Nicholas Sparks
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Beach Read
by: Emily Henry
"The chemistry! Oh man, this author deals with hard issues (pain and grief and betrayal) in a charming setting with one of the most engaging romances I've read in a while. Well done!"
- katelynn
05/18/2021
- katelynn
05/18/2021
The Library at the Edge of the World (Finfarran Peninsula, #1)
by: Felicity Hayes-McCoy
The Overdue Life of Amy Byler
by: Kelly Harms
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I'll Be Your Blue Sky (Love Walked In, #3)
by: Marisa de los Santos
"Although I didn't love this one as much as the last one, it was still great. Her writing is so RICH and romantic. It sweeps you along, puts you right into a setting with all of its feelings."
- katelynn
06/15/2021
- katelynn
06/15/2021
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The Flatshare
by: Beth O'Leary
"4.5
This was wonderful. A few notches above normal chick-lit. It wasn't your typical rom-com that only lightly touches on some difficult issues. The difficult issues were central, they were important. The characters were charming but also struggling. And there was enough humor to grease the wheels."
- katelynn
09/14/2020
This was wonderful. A few notches above normal chick-lit. It wasn't your typical rom-com that only lightly touches on some difficult issues. The difficult issues were central, they were important. The characters were charming but also struggling. And there was enough humor to grease the wheels."
- katelynn
09/14/2020
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That Summer
by: Jennifer Weiner
The Cafe by the Sea (Mure, #1)
by: Jenny Colgan
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Magic Hour
by: Kristin Hannah
Falling Together
by: Marisa de los Santos
Two Steps Forward
by: Graeme Simsion
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How to Walk Away
by: Katherine Center
"This was sappy and sweet and silly (although some of the content was definitely serious and treated with respect). Chick lit that is entertaining and at times thought provoking but not life-changing."
- katelynn
11/07/2019
- katelynn
11/07/2019
Well Met (Well Met, #1)
by: Jen DeLuca
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The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes
by: Diane Chamberlain
I'd Give Anything (Love Walked In, #4)
by: Marisa de los Santos
Remedial Rocket Science (Chemistry Lessons, #1)
by: Susannah Nix
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Every Summer After
by: Carley Fortune
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The Unhoneymooners
by: Christina Lauren
"This was light and fun, with enough humor and cheese to satisfy every rom-com lover. I ate this up! I found this a perfect palate cleanser between heavier books. I could've done with a bit less steaminess (it just felt gratuitous at times), but overall I loved the characters and the relationships!"
- katelynn
08/20/2019
- katelynn
08/20/2019
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Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery (Little Beach Street Bakery, #2)
by: Jenny Colgan
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Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, #1)
by: Helen Fielding
"Summed up in one word : trashy. It has funny moments but overall it dragged and the movie was better."
- katelynn
01/30/2013
- katelynn
01/30/2013
I'll Be Seeing You (I'll Be Seeing You, #1)
by: Suzanne Hayes
The Life Intended
by: Kristin Harmel
I'll Be Seeing You
by: Suzanne Hayes
Regretting You
by: Colleen Hoover
Matchmaking for Beginners
by: Maddie Dawson
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The Chilbury Ladies' Choir
by: Jennifer Ryan
"This was a sweet, light story that reads super fast. It feels strange to classify a WWII story as “light” but it felt that way (maybe in comparison to some other novels read recently).
I didn’t love the epistolary/journal style - it seemed awkward and unrealistic. And the “twists” were rather obvious and unsurprising.
I enjoyed the read though. I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were charming with good development. "
- katelynn
02/03/2018
I didn’t love the epistolary/journal style - it seemed awkward and unrealistic. And the “twists” were rather obvious and unsurprising.
I enjoyed the read though. I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were charming with good development. "
- katelynn
02/03/2018
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Big Summer
by: Jennifer Weiner
"3.5
I immediately connected with the protagonist on this one. The story ended quite sad, surprisingly. Some of the plot points were a bit far-fetched, but overall it was a sweet message."
- katelynn
08/19/2020
I immediately connected with the protagonist on this one. The story ended quite sad, surprisingly. Some of the plot points were a bit far-fetched, but overall it was a sweet message."
- katelynn
08/19/2020
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Me Before You (Me Before You, #1)
by: Jojo Moyes
"Wow, so many emotions. This is a story and a perspective that I will chew on for a while. Even though I called the ending from the very beginning, it was still completely engrossing. Very well written and careful handling of a difficult topic."
- katelynn
07/02/2015
- katelynn
07/02/2015
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Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians, #1)
by: Kevin Kwan
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The Rosie Project (Don Tillman, #1)
by: Graeme Simsion
"From the very beginning, I was completely endeared to the narrator. I rooted for him so much the whole book - I loved the way he thought through things and undertook personal growth so methodically. My heart broke for him, wanted to hug him and encourage him at so many points along the way.
Although this book won't change my life, the experience of it was so incredibly heart-warming and fun that it's an easy 5-stars. It's also lead to some interesting discussions on Asperger's and what it means to be "in love" - which have been very edifying!"
- katelynn
05/01/2018
Although this book won't change my life, the experience of it was so incredibly heart-warming and fun that it's an easy 5-stars. It's also lead to some interesting discussions on Asperger's and what it means to be "in love" - which have been very edifying!"
- katelynn
05/01/2018
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The Opposite of Everyone
by: Joshilyn Jackson
"Joshilyn Jackson has quickly gotten herself into my top 5 favorite authors. This is my third novel I've read by her, and as with the others it's given me all the feels.
I didn't connect with the protagonist right away (similar to some of Jackson's other novels) but by the end I understood her and was rooting for her. I love the way a new, unusual sort of family was pieced together out of so much brokenness. It was so beautiful and moving! There were lots of tears with this ending."
- katelynn
04/16/2019
I didn't connect with the protagonist right away (similar to some of Jackson's other novels) but by the end I understood her and was rooting for her. I love the way a new, unusual sort of family was pieced together out of so much brokenness. It was so beautiful and moving! There were lots of tears with this ending."
- katelynn
04/16/2019
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The Late Bloomers' Club
by: Louise Miller
"4.5 - Perfectly lovely. Everything about this synopsis screams Hallmark Movie! But what you get is actually well-written and anything but cliche. Every moment that could’ve been kitschy, the author managed to make sweet, genuine and insightful. I ate this one up!"
- katelynn
01/03/2021
- katelynn
01/03/2021
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One to Watch
by: Kate Stayman-London
"This was the perfect way to indulge my secret bachelorette craving without actually having to watch real-life horrible people act so dumb. For anyone who has ever enjoyed anything in that franchise, this is a must read! It was sweet and had a lot of real moments for a book I'd consider to be my "junk food" reading. "
- katelynn
04/29/2021
- katelynn
04/29/2021
One Day in December
by: Josie Silver
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Jackpot Summer
by: Elyssa Friedland
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Love Lettering
by: Kate Clayborn
"4.5
This book was a delight to read. I loved all of the lettering talk - it was so fun and creative!
This would have been a homerun 5 star if not for the graphic open-door stuff. It just felt ... unnecessary. "
- katelynn
05/30/2020
This book was a delight to read. I loved all of the lettering talk - it was so fun and creative!
This would have been a homerun 5 star if not for the graphic open-door stuff. It just felt ... unnecessary. "
- katelynn
05/30/2020
The Hating Game
by: Sally Thorne
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The Last Anniversary
by: Liane Moriarty
"4.5
I loved this so much - as I knew I would. Liane Moriarty has yet to disappoint. She just gets it! She understands parenting, she understands relationships.
This book had a broad cast of interesting, flawed, funny characters. She showed and gave grace for the different types of mothers in the world. And there was a truly shocking twist in the last second! So so fun."
- katelynn
11/29/2021
I loved this so much - as I knew I would. Liane Moriarty has yet to disappoint. She just gets it! She understands parenting, she understands relationships.
This book had a broad cast of interesting, flawed, funny characters. She showed and gave grace for the different types of mothers in the world. And there was a truly shocking twist in the last second! So so fun."
- katelynn
11/29/2021
Women in Sunlight
by: Frances Mayes
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The Jane Austen Society
by: Natalie Jenner
"4.5
This was a surprise hit for me! I did not have high hopes - reading it only because of book club. I love Jane Austen books but I am by no means a super-fan and I generally avoid any "fan fiction". I could go without excessive talking about her too, but this book!
It has such a rich cast of characters. They had such complex issues, I was rushing to the end to see them grow and find some peace. I loved watching them make connections with each other and the way books provided a bridge across such huge social, economical and age divides."
- katelynn
08/05/2020
This was a surprise hit for me! I did not have high hopes - reading it only because of book club. I love Jane Austen books but I am by no means a super-fan and I generally avoid any "fan fiction". I could go without excessive talking about her too, but this book!
It has such a rich cast of characters. They had such complex issues, I was rushing to the end to see them grow and find some peace. I loved watching them make connections with each other and the way books provided a bridge across such huge social, economical and age divides."
- katelynn
08/05/2020
Sweet Sorrow
by: David Nicholls
When We Believed in Mermaids
by: Barbara O'Neal
Dear Emmie Blue
by: Lia Louis
Summer Island
by: Kristin Hannah
One True Loves
by: Taylor Jenkins Reid
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The Almost Sisters
by: Joshilyn Jackson
"I did not connect with protagonist for a while into the book, so it took me some time to get into it. But once I did I could not be stopped! There is a central conflict/mystery in the book and towards the end I found myself thinking, "These characters and the stories of their relationships growing and changing are so good, I don't really care if the mystery gets resolved." 👏 The romantic scenes had 0% cheese and 100% sweetness, it was the best. I loved watching the protagonist grow in her feelings of motherhood and her vision / calling for her own life. It was inspiring!
The idea of a Second South was a very helpful illustration. It's one I'll have to chew on for a while."
- katelynn
06/05/2018
The idea of a Second South was a very helpful illustration. It's one I'll have to chew on for a while."
- katelynn
06/05/2018
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The Road Trip
by: Beth O'Leary
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The Accidental Beauty Queen
by: Teri Wilson
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The Perfect Couple (Nantucket, #3)
by: Elin Hilderbrand
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Nineteen Minutes
by: Jodi Picoult
"I really liked it but oof, it was brutal. An emotional beating for sure."
- katelynn
01/20/2023
- katelynn
01/20/2023
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The Chaperone
by: Laura Moriarty
"Very interesting story and great characters, but the worldview/moral stances taken made me sad."
- katelynn
04/23/2016
- katelynn
04/23/2016
Get a Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1)
by: Talia Hibbert
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The Garden of Small Beginnings
by: Abbi Waxman
"I devoured this like a timely and delicious meal. This book goes into that rare category of books that are not just funny but make me actually laugh out loud. So much of the parenting stuff was just like, "YES! Exactly!!" She gets it."
- katelynn
10/17/2021
- katelynn
10/17/2021
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Don't You Forget About Me
by: Mhairi McFarlane
"Easy five stars. This blew me away. It captured me completely from start to finish - I drank it up.
Fantastic heroine. Adorable romance."
- katelynn
09/12/2022
Fantastic heroine. Adorable romance."
- katelynn
09/12/2022
Eight Hundred Grapes
by: Laura Dave
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Calypso
by: David Sedaris
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Thank You for Listening
by: Julia Whelan
The Things We Keep
by: Sally Hepworth
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Seven Days in June
by: Tia Williams
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Belong to Me (Love Walked In, #2)
by: Marisa de los Santos
"This book hit two sweet spots for me: fascinating and complex characters, and beautiful language. And I love relationships that turn around! I do think all of the blurbs I’ve read summarizing this have done terrible job. "
- katelynn
09/14/2019
- katelynn
09/14/2019
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Lucy's Little Village Book Club
by: Emma Davies
Little Beach Street Bakery (Little Beach Street Bakery #1)
by: Jenny Colgan
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The Lost Husband
by: Katherine Center
"I would initially categorize this book as a guilty pleasure, but (1) I don't believe in guilty pleasures with books. Don't feel guilty! You like what you like! And (2) it was actually pretty decent. It had a lot of depth - told from the perspective of a widow with young children (a position my mom was in when she was 30 years old). I feel like the emotions and process she went through was pretty authentic. And with most chic lit, it was very entertaining and a breeze to get through.
It gets a three from me because of this breakdown in my ratings:
5 - Love it, will probably read it again and recommend to others.
4 - Enjoyed it a lot, probably won't read it again but will recommend it to some people.
3 - Finished it, sometimes enjoyed it. Wouldn't recommend to most.
2 - I never have twos because if I think a book is going to be a two, I don't finish it.
I was very entertained this book but probably wouldn't recommend it unless you already love chic lit. I used to read it a lot as a teenager but now it's just too much cringing."
- katelynn
02/13/2018
It gets a three from me because of this breakdown in my ratings:
5 - Love it, will probably read it again and recommend to others.
4 - Enjoyed it a lot, probably won't read it again but will recommend it to some people.
3 - Finished it, sometimes enjoyed it. Wouldn't recommend to most.
2 - I never have twos because if I think a book is going to be a two, I don't finish it.
I was very entertained this book but probably wouldn't recommend it unless you already love chic lit. I used to read it a lot as a teenager but now it's just too much cringing."
- katelynn
02/13/2018
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Love Walked In (Love Walked In, #1)
by: Marisa de los Santos
"I'd put this on the low end of 4 stars - maybe even 3.75 stars. I loved Clare and everything from her child-like perspective. Her love of books and her thoughtful way of viewing life. I found Cornelia incredibly annoying though. She had some good moments, but overall the sappiness was too much. Blegh.
There was definitely good writing in there, and I'm still excited to continue in the series to get to the last book which is highly recommended. "
- katelynn
06/04/2018
There was definitely good writing in there, and I'm still excited to continue in the series to get to the last book which is highly recommended. "
- katelynn
06/04/2018
How to Find Love in a Book Shop
by: Veronica Henry
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Mrs. Mike (Mrs. Mike, #1)
by: Benedict Freedman
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Midnight at the Blackbird Café
by: Heather Webber
I'd Give Anything
by: Marisa de los Santos
Haven Point
by: Virginia Hume
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What Alice Forgot
by: Liane Moriarty
"Another perfect book from Liane Moriarty.
Motherhood, marriage, identity - she explores topics with such a delicate balance of depth and humor. I devour them."
- katelynn
02/18/2021
Motherhood, marriage, identity - she explores topics with such a delicate balance of depth and humor. I devour them."
- katelynn
02/18/2021
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I Was Told It Would Get Easier
by: Abbi Waxman
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The Bookshop on the Corner (Scottish Bookshop, #1)
by: Jenny Colgan
"If reading a book is like consuming a meal then this book is purely dessert. I loved it - so feel-good and relatable as an avid reader, a great setting and interesting characters. The romance brought the ending down a little for me, but like dessert I think I had just had too much by that point. Too much sweet."
- katelynn
12/09/2018
- katelynn
12/09/2018
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In Five Years
by: Rebecca Serle
"4.5- This book is shockingly great! It has the dressing of a typical romantic dime-a-dozen chick-lit novel - which I have nothing against. But boy, the ending is so surprising in the best way!
It starts out a lot like One Day in December, which I abandoned. What kept me going in this one, (even though the overarching plot was slightly predictable), was the great writing. And then in end it takes a complete left turn, which I LOVE. There is a lot of depth to this novel."
- katelynn
04/18/2020
It starts out a lot like One Day in December, which I abandoned. What kept me going in this one, (even though the overarching plot was slightly predictable), was the great writing. And then in end it takes a complete left turn, which I LOVE. There is a lot of depth to this novel."
- katelynn
04/18/2020
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This Place of Wonder
by: Barbara O'Neal
"Meh. It kept me reading. It was entertaining. But overall not a ton of substance."
- katelynn
07/17/2024
- katelynn
07/17/2024
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Big Little Lies
by: Liane Moriarty
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First Frost (Waverley Family, #2)
by: Sarah Addison Allen
"This story plunged me right back into that wonderful, magical Waverly world. Even the most simple plotlines (and this was a very simple story) are completely enchanting! I certainly don't think this followup novel was as riveting as the first, but I still loved it. Sweet characters, beautiful language, easy-to-relate-to issues handled in thoughtful ways, all wrapped up in a lovely package with just the littlest bit of magic."
- katelynn
11/03/2019
- katelynn
11/03/2019
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A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty
by: Joshilyn Jackson
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Tara Road
by: Maeve Binchy
"3.5
My second Maeve Binchy after Circle of Friends. Some similarities? Yes indeed. After these two books I'm suspicious of all men. And beautiful best friends, which should be outlawed.
But like the first, it was cozy and atmospheric and full of a huge, fun cast of characters. There were definitely some tear-jerking moments. Also some cringing, but nothing too crazy. It's easy, fast reading that kept me entertained from start to finish!"
- katelynn
11/24/2023
My second Maeve Binchy after Circle of Friends. Some similarities? Yes indeed. After these two books I'm suspicious of all men. And beautiful best friends, which should be outlawed.
But like the first, it was cozy and atmospheric and full of a huge, fun cast of characters. There were definitely some tear-jerking moments. Also some cringing, but nothing too crazy. It's easy, fast reading that kept me entertained from start to finish!"
- katelynn
11/24/2023
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The Persian Pickle Club
by: Sandra Dallas
"A quick and entertaining read. It has great characters and an interesting mystery that keeps you guessing. Very heartwarming! I'll definitely be checking out more by this author."
- katelynn
08/10/2014
- katelynn
08/10/2014
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Happy Place
by: Emily Henry
The Library at the Edge of the World (Finfarran #1)
by: Felicity Hayes-McCoy
The Wedding Date (The Wedding Date, #1)
by: Jasmine Guillory
The Perfect Couple
by: Elin Hilderbrand
If You Only Knew
by: Kristan Higgins
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