The High Season by Judy Blundell

This is exactly the kind of book I want on my summer reading list. I love a nuanced domestic drama that keeps me flipping pages and that's exactly what I got with The High Season by Judy Blundell.

The novel is the quintessential beach read, from the setting right down to the ocean blue cover art. This story takes place in Orient - a cozy and less popular spot than the sparkling, prestigious Hamptons - where Ruthie lives with her daughter and runs the local museum. It's here that she owns a beautiful beach house, but every summer has to give it up to be able to afford it. When her tenant for the summer turns out to be a New York socialite with ties to Ruthie's past in the art world, the summer becomes less predictable, setting off a chain of events that will change North Fork.

I loved this book so much. To be honest, I find that I enjoy a domestic drama with characters who are flawed, their motivations questionable at best. These are the characters who come to life on the page for me, and this book was full of them. There were the obvious villains - I mean who could stand the petulant child that is Adeline's step-son (I'll be honest, I wanted a different outcome for him). But my favorite was Doe, who had questionable morals and who's actions sometimes blurred between right and wrong - but wasn't afraid to go after what she needed. These are the types of characters I find interesting, their stories and motivations compelling.

This isn't a huge plot book - instead it's a character driven narrative about betrayal, love and finding your way when things don't go the way you expected them. This book is exactly what you'll want to be taking with you on vacation or settling in with a crisp glass of wine for an evening escape.

An advanced Egalley of this book was provided by the publisher and netgalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Book Gawker's buy it or borrow it recommendation: Buy It

Buy It

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indie Bound

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

Okay gushing review here.

ALL THE STARS for How to Walk Away by Katherine Center. 

Just please, please trust me and read this book. 

It's not very often that I find something so compelling that I can't put it down. I'm a fast reader, but this book took less than a day to read and I enjoyed it so much. I think that there will be a lot of people comparing this to Me Before You - and I can see some similarities, but this book is just so much more hopeful than MBY is, it's about recovering and getting up out of the ashes when life literally shatters your plans. It's about finding that there are all types of happy endings and how to move forward through hardship. It's about self love and acceptance, and finding value in yourself as a human being who is worthy of loving oneself and accepting the love of others. And this book doesn't do this by glossing over the emotional hardships and challenges that come with a life altering injury. I thought the author did a great job of addressing the emotional state of her main character and the way she worked through her recovery in a way that was accessible and easy to empathize with. It's an emotionally engrossing read that I think many will enjoy.

Margaret's first person narrative reads like a conversation with a friend. It's warm and inviting, even though the hard parts. She's surrounded by a quirky sister, sometimes overbearing mother, and supportive father. These characters are flawed, but still relatable and I loved hanging out with them, and watching them work through their fears and conflicts together.

Overall this is probably going to be one of my favorite books this year, it's the one I immediately told my bestie to grab a copy of and will be recommending to all my friends this summer.

Book Gawker's buy it or borrow it recommendation: Buy It

A free finished copy of this book was provided to me by Booksparks for their Summer Reading Challenge 2018.

All opinions are my own

Buy It:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indie Bound

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“People have so closely followed the most intricate details of the fake story of my life.”  

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was sent to me by Booksparks as part of their summer reading challenge. It was one of my most anticipated books of the summer (I’m a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid – I really enjoyed One True Loves – see my review here) and it is probably one of my favorite books this year.

Hollywood legend, Evelyn Hugo, recounts her seven marriages for her memoir. The memoir is to be published posthumously – and having the rights to publish it would be any aspiring writer’s dream. When Monique Grant, an inexperienced journalist with big dreams, is given the incredible opportunity to write Evelyn Hugo’s memoir, she can’t believe it.

Told in chronological order of her marriages - beginning with husband number one and moving through husband number seven, Evelyn recounts her journey from humble beginnings in Hells Kitchen to Oscar gold. She’s unabashedly unapologetic and opportunistic in her endeavors –exchanging her virginity for a ride to Hollywood, a string of strategic marriages prompted by Hollywood executives, hiding her Cuban roots by bleaching her hair blonde and using her body as a means to move up the Hollywood ladder – every facet of Evelyn’s life is rife with triumph and tragedy.

Book Club: July's Pick is The One That Got Away by Leigh Himes

Who’s ready for the Book Gawker’s July book club pick?

This month we’ll be reading The One that Got Away by Leigh Himes!

For those of you who haven’t heard of Leigh Himes’ debut novel, here’s the synopsis from Amazon:

“Meet Abbey Lahey . . .

Overworked mom. Underappreciated publicist. Frazzled wife of an out-of-work landscaper. A woman desperately in need of a vacation from life--and who is about to get one, thanks to an unexpected tumble down a Nordstrom escalator.

Meet Abbey van Holt . . .

The woman whose life Abbey suddenly finds herself inhabiting when she wakes up. Married to handsome congressional candidate Alex van Holt. Living in a lavish penthouse. Wearing ball gowns and being feted by the crème of Philadelphia society. Luxuriating in the kind of fourteen-karat lifestyle she's only read about in the pages of Town & Country. The woman Abbey might have been . . . if she had said yes to a date with Alex van Holt all those years ago.

In the tradition of the romantic comedy Sliding Doors and Lionel Shriver's The Post-Birthday World, Leigh Himes's irresistible debut novel tells the funny and touching story of an ordinary woman offered an extraordinary opportunity to reboot her life, explore the road not taken, and ultimately, find her true self--whoever that may be.”

I’ve heard good things about this book – it appears to be light hearted and fun, which is always a plus when it comes to choosing an entertaining summer read. Hailed as a witty love story about the choices that shape the lives we lead, I’m excited to read this charming debut novel and I hope you are too.

Join the discussion of The One That Got Away on July 29th, here on the blog, Facebook and Instagram! I'm excited to know your thoughts!

Buy it on Amazon
Buy it at Barnes & Noble
Visit Village Books in Lynden or Fairhaven

A B O U T  T H E  A U T H O R

Author Leigh Himes has spent fourteen years working in the public relations field. Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, she now lives just outside of Philadelphia with her husband and their two children. This is her first book.
Visit her website at: www.leighhimes.com