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.

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner
July 2009, Atria Books
Pages: 368

Synopsis from Goodreads: One of the nation’s most beloved and successful writers of women’s fiction, Jennifer Weiner has become a literary phenomenon with millions of copies of her books in print. Her latest work, Best Friends Forever will delight fans and critics alike, following the ups and downs of a long-time friendship between two young girls who grow up to be two very different women. Addie Downs and Valerie Adler were eight when they first met and decided to be best friends forever. But, in the wake of tragedy and betrayal during their teenage years, everything changed. Val went on to fame and fortune. Addie stayed behind in their small Midwestern town. Destiny, however, had more in store for these two. And when, twenty-five years later, Val shows up at Addie’s front door with blood on her coat and terror on her face, it is the beginning of a wild adventure for two women joined by love and history who find strength together that they could not find alone.




My Thoughts: I love the Jennifer Weiner novels I’ve read in the past, but this one fell a little short. I’m not sure why exactly, but the only word that comes to mind to describe this book would be “silly.” It started out so “silly” that I thought it was going to be a comedy. Maybe it was? It was just really hard to take seriously. It was an extremely light read – descent for a lazy beach or pool day. It made me laugh a lot, but it was also a bit ridiculous at times. Obviously not everything I read is deep, I enjoy light-hearted books, but this one was almost too ridiculous, even for me. I hate it because I really love Jennifer Weiner’s other novels, but this one just wasn’t good. I gave it 3 stars.


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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.

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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.

Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton
September, 2011 by Thomas Dunne Books

Synopsis from Goodreads: Lisa Patton won the hearts of readers last year, her book Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter became a sleeper-success. Building on a smashing debut, Lisa’s poised to go to the next level—because whether in Vermont snow or in Memphis heat, Dixie heroine Leelee Satterfield is never too far from misadventure, calamity…and ultimately, love.

Having watched her life turn into a nor’easter, 34-year-old Leelee Satterfield is back home in the South, ready to pick back up where she left off. But that’s a task easier said then done…Leelee’s a single mom, still dreaming of the Vermonter who stole her heart, and accompanied by her three best friends who pepper her with advice, nudging and peach daiquiris, Leelee opens another restaurant and learns she has to prove herself yet again. Filled with heart and humor, women’s fiction fans will delight in this novel.

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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. 

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty
July 2013, Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam


Synopsis on Goodreads: Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.

My Thoughts: If you remember, The Husband’s Secret is on my Must Read in 2014 list. I was very excited to read it and it definitely did not disappoint. I loved What Alice Forgot that I read a few months ago (and was our Literary Junkies April read), so when I saw that this book had come out, I knew I had to read it ASAP. Like her previous hit book, this one makes you think. I honestly thought I knew what this book was going to be about but it was completely different which was a great surprise. It contains loss, hurt, lies, betrayal and how different women deal with all of the above. It was a wonderful story that left me breathless and in tears at the end. It was beautifully written. I can’t wait to read more from Moriarty. I gave this book 5 stars.




Have you read The Husband’s Secret? What are you reading?

Eleanor and Park
by Rainbow Rowell
February, 2013 St. Martin’s Griffin

Synopsis on Goodreads: Eleanor… Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough…Eleanor.

Park… He knows she’ll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There’s a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises…Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.


My Thoughts: I was so excited to read this. It was actually a really good story, but I could only give it 3 stars.Why? Because it was too cliche.Your typical troubled teenage love story. There was nothing exciting about it. Nothing special about the story. It was even a bit boring in the beginning. I did like how she wrote it – going back and forth between their perspectives. I also enjoyed the characters. I don’t know if I was just too old for this novel, or if it just didn’t really captivate me like it does some people. I guess I couldn’t relate to the story. I wanted to love it. I really did, but I just didn’t. Anyways…I gave it 3 stars. Maybe Fangirl will be better? 

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
February 1999, St. Martin’s Griffin

Synopsis from Goodreads: One Thousand White Women is the story of May Dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who, under the auspices of the U.S. government, travel to the western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the Cheyenne Indians. The covert and controversial “Brides for Indians” program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, is intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man’s world. Toward that end May and her friends embark upon the adventure of their lifetime. Jim Fergus has so vividly depicted the American West that it is as if these diaries are a capsule in time.


My Thoughts: Buy it. Right now. Holy, wow that was amazing! Okay, first off, I love historical fiction. I also love Indians. I have Cherokee on both side of my family and personally inherited the dark hair, eyes, and olive skin from that ancestry. I love reading about Indians. 


This story captivated me from the first page. The story was incredible. This was a well researched work of fiction although it could have fooled me. I had to keep reminding myself that it was indeed fiction and didn’t really happen. I fell in love with May Dodd and her bravery. Every woman wants to fight among the Indians and brave the wilderness, right? Duh. 


Okay I would give this book 1,000 stars if I could. I feel like everyone should be required to read it. It is an instant favorite of mine and I am forever grateful to my MIL for loaning it to me, although I will definitely be going out to buy my own copy immediately. 


There is really no more to be said other than GO BUY IT NOW. Okay? Thanks.

Serena
by Ron Rash
October, 2008 Ecco

Synopsis from Goodreads: The year is 1929, and newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton travel from Boston to the North Carolina mountains where they plan to create a timber empire. Although George has already lived in the camp long enough to father an illegitimate child, Serena is new to the mountains—but she soon shows herself to be the equal of any man, overseeing crews, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving her husband’s life in the wilderness. Together this lord and lady of the woodlands ruthlessly kill or vanquish all who fall out of favor. Yet when Serena learns that she will never bear a child, she sets out to murder the son George fathered without her. Mother and child begin a struggle for their lives, and when Serena suspects George is protecting his illegitimate family, the Pembertons’ intense, passionate marriage starts to unravel as the story moves toward its shocking reckoning.

Rash’s masterful balance of violence and beauty yields a riveting novel that, at its core, tells of love both honored and betrayed.

My Thoughts: I wanted to read Serena because the movie is coming out later this year. I love to read the books before seeing the movie and after reading that J-Law is starring in it, I thought, “I definitely need to read this one. ” My book club also chose to read it for this month’s discussion. The book took me by surprise. Although it was a quick read, I didn’t particularly enjoy it. It captivated me and made me want to read till the end, but Serena and Pemberton’s sociopathic tendencies bothered me. It was too much after a while. I wanted to scream, “I get it, let’s move on” about 100 times. I guess it’s a preference thing. I don’t like reading about murder after murder. I wasn’t particularly fond of that creepy eagle, either. The one person I really enjoyed reading about was Rachel. I wish Rash would’ve written more of her into the story. I gave this novel 3 stars.