Unofficial Book Club: August Edition

Happy September, friends! We’ve made it. Somehow in a single blink we’ve jumped from January to September. Pumpkin-flavored food + drinks are everywhere, leaves are changing color, and I’m celebrating the five books I read in August. So, let’s get to it.

The Man Who Died Twice

The Man Who Died Twice took me half of July (and the first four days of August) to get through. Here’s the thing. it’s the second book in this series and though I really, really love the characters (and am looking forward to the Netflix version of this murder-mystery), there’s one too many characters to keep up with. So at a certain point I got a bit…bored. But I am not a quitter, and the ending here was really great! Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron have a special place in my heart.

The Wedding People

I picked The Wedding People up for one reason and one reason only — Jenna Bush Hager recommended it. I didn’t read a summary of the book, I went into it blindly thinking it was a rom-com about going to weddings. I was off, way off. But in the best way. The story follows Phoebe’s visit to the Cornwall Inn where she’s mistaken for a wedding guest, which she most certainly is not. The book takes place in a post-COVID world, so there’s a lot in it that I believe some people may relate to, I know I did. Add this one to your list!

The Lincoln Lawyer

I had such high hopes for this one, such high hopes, after watching the series on Netflix. But The Lincoln Lawyer was just not it for me. The author is so descriptive in his writing that I felt like I knew what the main character did from the second he woke up to the second he went to bed. It was too much detail (for me). I also never pause books but because this one felt so slow, I actually read two others in the middle of it. I’ll give Michael Connelly some credit and say that from 70% on, the book was in fact moving and suspense-filled, but everything before it was a snooze fest. In this case, I recommend the show more than the book (and it’s not often I do)!

The Seven Year Slip

I knew nothing going into The Seven Year Slip (picking up a pattern here yet?) but I had heard about it enough to add it to my reading list. It was a magic-filled romance that was sweet! I related to the main character, Clementine in some ways, but especially with her relationship with her aunt, who plays a big part in the book. Who are we without the family around us and the role they play in pushing us forward? I recommend this one if you’re looking for something quick and sweet to read!

This Summer Will Be Different

I can’t decide where I stand on Carley Fortune’s writing and books. This is the third one I’ve read from her and This Summer Will Be Different was extremely predictable from the get-go and two or three chapters too long. TOO long. You know in rom coms how there’s always a scene where the main character finally realizes the changes she has to make (cue Vienna by Billy Joel in 13 Going on 30)? Carley took way too long to get us to that scene where the actual growth and life change happens. Also, having that take place right after the couple *finally* gets together? No thanks. I will say that this one was significantly better than Every Summer After but not as good as Meet Me At The Lake. Maybe start with that one first.

What to read next? I’m glad you asked!

On the final day of August I started *drumroll* A Court of Thorns and Roses AND finished it on September 1st. So, we’re off to a good start for September! I have a feeling this month will be filled with this series and this series alone, since I’m already about 50% of the way done with the second of the five books.

Alright, friends. That’s it from me on our recap for August! What are you reading? Anything I should add to my list?

Until next week,