The One And Only by Emily Giffin
May 2014 by Ballantine Books

Pages: 432


Synopsis on Goodreads: Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Pamela Dorman Books, August 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads: In 1916, French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything – her family, reputation and life – in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.

Nearly a century later and Sophie’s portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting’s dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened…

In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for the thing they love most – whatever the cost.


My Thoughts: Amazing doesn’t begin to describe this book. I couldn’t put it down. It is the perfect mix of historical fiction and chick lit, which if you know me, you know that’s right up my alley. I think I have found a new favorite author and can’t wait to read more from her. The characters captivated me as well as their individual stories. I didn’t want it to end. I loved Mo’s eccentric and sarcastic personality. She made me laugh and was an excellent added character. I gave this book 5 stars.

Be sure to stop by and enter Karissa’s giveaway!

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
January, 2014 St. Martin’s Press

Synopsis from Goodreads: Suley, Georgia, is home to Lost Lake Cottages and not much else. Which is why it’s the perfect place for newly-widowed Kate and her eccentric eight-year-old daughter Devin to heal. Kate spent one memorable childhood summer at Lost Lake, had her first almost-kiss at Lost Lake, and met a boy named Wes at Lost Lake. It was a place for dreaming. But Kate doesn’t believe in dreams anymore, and her Aunt Eby, Lost Lake’s owner, wants to sell the place and move on. Lost Lake’s magic is gone. As Kate discovers that time has a way of standing still at Lost Lake can she bring the cottages—and her heart—back to life? Because sometimes the things you love have a funny way of turning up again. And sometimes you never even know they were lost . . . until they are found


My Thoughts: This book is on my 2014 book list, so I was pretty excited to read it. It was pretty amazing. Sarah Addison Allen did an awesome job on this novel. It had the usual mystical style we have come to expect from her books, but I loved the characters in this one more than any of her other stories. It was the perfect balance of love/mystery/excitement. I would definitely recommend it. I gave this book 4/5 stars.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
January 2012, Dutton Books

Synopsis from Goodreads: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.


My Thoughts: We all know people suffering from cancer. I know people who have died from this disease and who have beat it and are thriving today. It is a terrible thing that seems to be growing and spreading more rapidly than ever. I loved this book because it gives you a glimpse into the mind of a person fighting cancer. 


The main characters – Hazel and Gus describe cancer and talk about it in a very different way than I’ve ever thought about it personally. I loved everything about this novel. I feel like everyone should read it because in some way or another, we are all affected by cancer. Whether it is because of a loved one suffering from it, or a friend. It is a remarkable story. What would you do if you were diagnosed and knew you didn’t have much longer to live? Where would you go for your last big hoorah? I gave this book 5 stars.