The Perfect Couple (Nantucket,#3)

 

 

★★★★★

It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. 

But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect. 

 

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Mysterious. 

Given how long I've been reading Elin Hilderbrand books, I shouldn't be surprised. Nonetheless, practically every book she's written has surprised me. I bought The Perfect Couple long before there was talk of a TV show. I chose to read the book before seeing the show, and I'm pleased. I loved the storyline, most of the characters, and the writing style. I couldn’t stop reading. I liked how the writing was written from many characters' points of view, allowing the reader to come to know each character better. Celeste's point of view when she first met Benji intrigued me. I didn't like him immediately and thought Celeste didn't love him as much as he loved her. I wanted to know if the wedding will take place. 

Greer, the Groom's mother, was someone about whom I had skeptical thoughts. I didn't always like her and suspected she was hiding something. Sometimes, when I saw how she treated Celeste and her parents, I adored her and realized she had nothing to do with it. I kept going back and forth over her character. Meritt was another complex character, and despite her actions, she did not deserve what happened to her. I hoped that they would figure out what had happened. 

I enjoyed the mystery itself. While reading The Perfect Couple , I could envision everything and was on the edge of my seat. I thought I had discovered what had happened several times, but my theories were wrong. These are my favorite mysteries in which you don't know the answer until the end. This is the best novel I have ever read by Elin Hilderbrand, and I highly suggest it. I'm eager to see the TV series and hope it lives up to the book.

The Pumpkin Spice Café(Dream Harbor, #1)

 

 

 ★★★

3.5 ★

When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job. 

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. 

Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes… 

The Pumpkin Spice Café is a cozy romantic mystery for fans of Gilmore Girls, with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed! 

 

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I had no idea what to expect from this book. Even though it was a well-known book, I was unaware of it until it was chosen as the book of the month for my book club. I'm glad it did, and I'm glad I decided to try this book. It took me a few chapters to get into the plot, and Jeanie initially bothered me, mainly because of how she acted. The story lagged, and I worried whether it would end up being DNF books for me, but I continued reading, and I'm glad I did because as the story picked up, I couldn't get enough of it, and Jeanie ended up being one of my favorite characters. It’s one of those times that I am glad I kept reading. 

The Pumpkin Spice Café was a lovely story, and I believe the mystery surrounding who was messing with the Café kept me reading. Though I knew who it was before it, the truth was recovered. I enjoyed the story with Jeanie and Logan, albeit I believe their relationship progressed too quickly. The two of them met, and before you could blink, they were together, which didn't seem realistic to me. I knew how they felt about each other, but sometimes, I thought they were trying to figure out why they shouldn't be together. They were unwilling to accept that they were in love with one other. I was waiting for them to admit it, finally. I was rooting for them throughout the whole book. 

I loved how most of the town accepted Jeanie. I understand how difficult it is to move to a new city and start over. I loved how Jeanie was able to make new friends. Overall, I loved reading this book. I'm eager to read Hazel's narrative, another character I enjoyed in The Cinnamon Bun Book Store , and I'm also keen to see if Logan and Jeanie will make an appearance.

Happy Place.

 

★★★★★

 

A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends.

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. 

They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends. 

Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. 

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best? 

 

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Heart wrecking. 

Don't let the title deceive you. When I first started listening to this book, I figured based on the title that it would be a sweet, happy romantic story. I should've known. Happy Place is anything but that. There are a few happy moments throughout the novel, but not in the way that I expected. I listened to the audiobook for hours last night because I couldn't find a decent spot to stop, and I had to know what would happen to Wyn and Harriet—as well as to Parth, Kimmy, Sabrina, and Cleo. I simply couldn't get enough of their stories. Naturally, a part of me was terrified of how the story would end. The only reason it took me so long to read was because it was an audiobook, which takes longer to finish than reading a book. I'm pleased I listened to the audiobook; it brought the story to life for me. 

Julie Wheelan was one of the best narrators I've listened to. This was the second book I listened to by her, and she has quickly become one of my favorites. Wheelan captures each character and their emotions exactly as I see them, which is perhaps why I ended up crying several times while listening to this book. I especially loved how she represented Wyn and Harriet, making their interactions and relationship feel more real, and I could see it happening as I listened to the book. It was hard to not fall in love with Wyn and Harriet; at least for me. There was something unique about the two of them, and I couldn't help but root for them. There were also moments when they would frustrate me, and I wished they would finally grasp that the two of them belonged together. 

I could write about Wyn and Harriet for a whole page. Over the years, I've read about a few couples that have made me fall in love. But there's something unique about Wyn and Harriet; I can't stop thinking about them. Another great aspect of the book was the relationship between Wyn, Parth, Sabrina, Cleo, Kimmie, and Harriet. Whatever happens, they are always there for one another. It made me think and miss my best friends, who don't live close by.It is the friendship that will last for years to come.
I've read a few books by Emily Henry, but Happy Place is my favorite so far. I would recommend this book to any romance fan. I highly recommend that you listen to the audiobook; it will be an unforgettable experience!

If I Can Save One Child.

 

 

★★★★

Thank you to publisher, Bookoture for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

France, 1942: Robert curls sleepily into me, his tiny hand grasping mine like a lifeline. He’s been so brave, this little boy who has been through the unimaginable. As his eyes close, I wonder how much longer we can go on. But I promised to save him. And I can’t give up now… 

Young linguist Elisabeth has been working for the British secret service since the war began, rescuing downed pilots and Jewish refugees. Now the Gestapo are on her her next mission must be her last. Or she may never see the white cliffs of Dover again. 

But she can’t even think about abandoning her post when so many remain in danger. So when daredevil fellow agent Guy arrives with a frantic plea, there was never any doubt that Elisabeth would help. Somewhere in occupied France is a little boy, the last survivor of a Jewish orphanage, desperately trying to make his way to safety. They have to save him. 

Elisabeth knows the mission may be suicide. But she also knows she could never live with herself if she didn’t try to save this child. And so she and Guy set off on one last journey together, into the mountains. For freedom – for this child – they’ll risk it all…

 

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 Heart -wrenching. 

This novel will break your heart into a thousand pieces. The novel was tough to read at some parts, but you won't be able to put it down. Almost every page has something happening, which kept you flipping the pages because you wanted to know what would happen next. This book's emotions were so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing everything the characters did. I felt the horror that they were experiencing at that time. The book had some slow parts in the beginning, but after it picked up, I was so involved in the story that I didn't even know how much time had passed. I was eager but anxious about how it would end. 

Elisabeth was my favorite character in the story. She was full of courage. She went through so much, even putting herself in danger, to save the little boy. The title, If I Can Save One Child , perfectly sums up the story. Aside from the author, the title was what drew my attention. Elisabeth was the book's most developed character. I found myself rooting for her all the way to the end. I adored how she cared for all the children. 

I loved the connection that Elisabeth and Guy had. I hoped that the two of them would find a way to each other. It was apparent from the start that the two of them cared for one another. This was the second book I read by Amanda Lees , and my only regret is that I didn't discover her earlier. I'm excited to check out the other of her works. A beautifully written book about strength, loss, and love.