Books I Review

Baggage Check by M.J. Pullen

baggage check, #Atlanta,

Photo Credit: St. Martin’s Press

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Baggage Check

Summary from Goodreads:

At thirty-five, Rebecca Williamson is surrounded by happy endings.

Her friends Suzanne and Marci are living out their own personal fairy tales in Atlanta. But despite Rebecca’s best efforts four years ago, her adorable college friend Jake Stillwell has officially slipped through her fingers and broken her heart. When Rebecca gets a frantic phone call from her mother back in Alabama, Rebecca is pulled back to the tiny town she worked so hard to leave behind and forced to face the hard truths about her family and past. A past that includes Deputy Alex Chen, who thinks of Rebecca as more than just an old friend’s kid sister. Can Rebecca navigate the chaos and get her life back to normal? Will Alex prove himself to be the friend she’s always needed? Or will she discover that the door to Jake is not as tightly closed as she thought?

M.J. Pullen returns in this final installment to the same captivating group of lovelorn friends, this time following the girl group’s frenemy, Rebecca, as she’s forced to confront her past. Raising the stakes, Pullen delivers an absorbing, romantic novel that poses the question, what if everything you were looking for was right where you started?

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is the last in the trilogy of 3 friends (sometimes frenemies) women living in Atlanta. While The Marriage Pact was a bit too My Best Friend’s Wedding meet Sex and The City for me at my current stage in live and Regrets Only was more satisfying- a more grown up version of chick lit- Baggage Check is where M.J. brings out big guns and deals with bigger issues (still totally readable, though). Continue reading →

The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman

the charm bracelet 1

Photo Credit: St. Martin’s Press

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Charm Bracelet

Summary from Goodreads:

Lose yourself to the magic of The Charm Bracelet.

Through an heirloom charm bracelet, three women will rediscover the importance of family and a passion for living as each charm changes their lives.

On her birthday each year, Lolly’s mother gave her a charm, along with the advice that there is nothing more important than keeping family memories alive, and so Lolly’s charm bracelet would be a constant reminder of that love.

Now seventy and starting to forget things, Lolly knows time is running out to reconnect with a daughter and granddaughter whose lives have become too busy for Lolly or her family stories.

But when Arden, Lolly’s daughter, receives an unexpected phone call about her mother, she and granddaughter Lauren rush home. Over the course of their visit, Lolly reveals the story behind each charm on her bracelet, and one by one the family stories help Lolly, Arden, and Lauren reconnect in a way that brings each woman closer to finding joy, love, and faith.

A compelling story of three women and a beautiful reminder of the preciousness of family, The Charm Bracelet is a keepsake you’ll cherish long after the final page.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this family story- it was sweet (maybe a bit sappy at times) but it’s my kind of book. The stories of the family. The little secrets. The traditions.

What I loved:

-The Cover (SO pretty!)

-The stories behind the charms. I did not grow up in a “sentimental” family. I try to keep things like this or purchase things to remind me of places, but my mom is not of that spirit. It was nice to see how the charms brought the family together.

 

As I was reading this, I kept thinking of it as a cross between The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and Hope Floats. In fact, Lolly had me thinking of the mom from Hope Floats each time I would read a section of hers.

All in all, it was a lovely story!

Recommended for fans of women’s fiction or for people wanting to read a “light” story.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

 

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

traveling with t sign off picture

Sister Dear by Laura McNeill

sister dear

Photo Credit: Thomas Nelson- 4/19

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Sister Dear

Summary from Goodreads:

All Allie Marshall wants is a fresh start. But when dark secrets refuse to stay buried, will her chance at a new life be shattered forever?

Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, Allie watched a decade of her life vanish time that can never be recovered. Now, out on parole, Allie is determined to clear her name, rebuild her life, and reconnect with the daughter she barely knows.

But Allie’s return home shatters the quaint, coastal community of Brunswick, Georgia. Even her own daughter Caroline, now a teenager, bristles at Allie’s claims of innocence. Refusing defeat, a stronger, smarter Allie launches a battle for the truth, digging deeply into the past even if it threatens her parole status, personal safety, and the already-fragile bond with family.

As her commitment to finding the truth intensifies, what Allie ultimately uncovers is far worse than she imagined. Her own sister has been hiding a dark secret one that holds the key to Allie’s freedom.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

You know how it is when you have a book that is good and you just have to find out what happens next- and who cares if the laundry gets done? That was Sister Dear for me. Continue reading →

Some Women by Emily Liebert

some women

Photo Credit: Berkley/NAL- 4/5/16

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Some Women

Summary from Goodreads:

An engrossing and thought provoking novel that examines the intricacies of marriage, friendship, and the power of unexpected connections…

Annabel Ford has everything under control, devoting her time to her twin five-year-old boys and to keeping her household running seamlessly. So when her husband of a decade announces that he’s leaving her, without warning, she’s blindsided. And suddenly her world begins to unravel.

Single mother Piper Whitley has always done her best to balance it all—raising her daughter Fern by herself and advancing her career as a crime reporter. Only now that she’s finally met the man of her dreams, Fern’s absentee father arrives on the scene and throws everything into a tailspin.

Married to the heir of a thriving media conglomerate, Mackenzie Mead has many reasons to count her blessings. But with an imperious mother-in-law—who’s also her boss—and a husband with whom she can no longer seem to connect, something has to give.

On the surface, these three women may not have much in common. Yet when their lives are thrust together and unlikely friendships are formed—at a time when they all need someone to lean on—Annabel, Piper, and Mackenzie band together to help each navigate their new realities.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

As I was reading this, I thought several times that Some Women would make an excellent movie! Continue reading →

The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich

the total package

Photo Credit: William Morrow

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Total Package

Summary from Goodreads:

The New York Times bestselling author of Big Girl Panties and The Sweet Spot is back with a funny, sweet, and sizzling novel about the game of love, in which a hot quarterback must figure out how to score big with a beautiful and talented media analyst after a heartbreaking fumble.

Star quarterback, first-round draft-pick, and heartthrob Tyson Palmer has made a name for himself with his spectacular moves. When the head coach of the Austin Mavericks refuses to let him waste his million-dollar arm, Tyson makes a Hail Mary pass at redemption and succeeds with everyone . . . except Dani, whose negative comments about his performance draw high ratings and spectacular notices of her own.

Dani can’t forgive Tyson’s transgressions or forget the sizzling history the two of them shared in college, a passionate love Tyson casually threw away. And even more infuriating, he doesn’t realize that the bombshell with huge ratings is the cute girl whose heart he once broke.

But can a woman trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other? And what will happen when Tyson—riding high now that he’s revived his career—realizes he needs to make an even more important comeback with Dani? Can he make some spectacular moves to get past her defenses—or will she sideline him for good?

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I’m a big fan of Stephanie Evanovich– her books are fun and funny and while Big Girl Panties and The Sweet Spot had a lot going for them- I really think that The Total Package is where she has hit her stride. Continue reading →

Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz

Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz

Photo Credit: Berkley

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

Secret Sisters 

Summary from Goodreads:

Madeline and Daphne were once as close as sisters—until a secret tore them apart. Now it might take them to their graves.

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother’s hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn’t be bothering them anymore…ever. Still their lives would never be the same.

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother’s mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts…and wants.

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack’s brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth…

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts: Continue reading →

The Friends We Keep by Susan Mallery

the friends we keep

Photo Credit: Harlequin Mira 2/23/16

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Friends We Keep

Summary from Goodreads:

In this insightful and compelling story from book club favorite Susan Mallery, three close friends test the boundaries of how much a woman can give before she has nothing left

After five years as a stay-at-home mom, Gabby Schaefer can’t wait to return to work. Oh, to use the bathroom in peace! No twins clamoring at the door, no husband barging in, no stepdaughter throwing a tantrum. But when her plans are derailed by some shocking news and her husband’s crushing expectations, Gabby must fight for the right to have a life of her own.

Getting pregnant is easy for Hayley Batchelor. Staying pregnant is the hard part. Her husband is worried about the expensive fertility treatments and frantic about the threat to her health. But to Hayley, a woman who was born to be a mom should risk everything to fulfill her destiny—no matter how high the cost.

Nicole Lord is still shell-shocked by a divorce that wasn’t as painful as it should’ve been. Other than the son they share, her ex-husband left barely a ripple in her life. A great new guy tempts her to believe maybe the second time’s the charm…but how can she trust herself to recognize true love?

As their bonds of friendship deepen against the beautiful backdrop of Mischief Bay, Gabby, Hayley and Nicole will rely on good food, good wine and especially each other to navigate life’s toughest changes.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I read The Girls of Mischief Bay last year and enjoyed it- so I quickly requested The Friends We Keep as soon as I could. Continue reading →

#FuturisticFriday: The Widow by Fiona Barton

the widow

Photo Credit: NAL 2/16/16

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Widow

Jean is a widow. Her husband of many years has recently died- and as Jean looks around the house, their life, the reporters that still come around wanting to talk to her- she wonders what her next step should be.

Jean knows this- she’s in control of the story from now on.

Will Jean reveal the truth? The truth that the town, the community is begging for?

Maybe she will, maybe she won’t. Continue reading →

No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn

no ordinary life

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

No Ordinary Life

Faye Martin is a mom to 3 children- Emily, Tom and Molly. Faye is a woman who does not have a lot of choices. Abandoned by her husband, Sean, Faye soon realizes that her job as a waitress is not going to be enough to keep 3 kids fed and in a home.

She heads to LA to move in with her mother for a bit- find a new job, save some money, decide what the next plan for life is to be.

Fate, Youtube and Hollywood step in.

On a normal day, a day while Faye is looking for a job- she lets the kids play at the outdoor mall. While they can’t shop- there is plenty to see- street performers and such. Continue reading →

The Ex by Alafair Burke

the ex by alafair burke

Photo Credit: Harper Collins 1/26/16

This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

The Ex

Oliva Randall. Criminal defense lawyer that you want by your side if you’ve been accused of a crime. She’s tough. Strong. Determined. And wins. A lot.

When Olivia gets a phone call from a teenage girl saying her daddy needs Olivia’s help- it takes Olivia back 20 years. Back to the days when she was engaged. Because the daddy in question is Jack Harris. Author. Widower. And also known as Olivia’s ex. Continue reading →