Book Review: On A Night Like This

Folks.... I need the weekend. I need to nap all day, I need popsicles. I'm not even rational at this point.  

On A Night Like This - Lindsey Kelk

Within days of wishing she could change her life, Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and en route to a tiny Italian island and the glittering Crystal Ball, along with the world’s rich and famous.

When she – quite literally – bumps into a handsome American called Evan, a man able to keep his cool in the face of chaos, the magic really begins.

Evan makes her a promise: no last names, no life stories, just one unforgettable night. Yet Evan belongs at the Crystal Ball and Fran is a gatecrasher. They may be soulmates, but their homes are an ocean apart, and their lives a world apart. They’ll never meet again – unless, on a night like this, everything can change forever…

You GUYS. I was already a Lindsey Kelk fan, but this one has sealed the deal for me! I love a re-telling, and while this isn't really a re-telling, it kind of follows a Cinderella storyline but it injects humor throughout and is so much fun. I could identify with Frankie and her self talk because man... if someone could record the things I say to myself throughout the day.. ha! I keep saying it's probably best that we have masks because I am constantly muttering things. 

Although this isn't my favorite trope in a romance (a woman out of her 20's that is with the absolute wrong loser), I liked that our characters weren't living in the clouds, so I was more invested in this one. That aside, the romance isn't the main part of this book and I think that really helped me enjoy this one so much. The ending was predictable, but also kind of not, if that makes sense (it will when you read it), but if you are looking for something to quickly get through, maybe a mid-winter vacation read, add this to your list. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and HarperCollins for sending me a copy for review, I'm really looking forward to Lindsey's next read!

This post contains affiliate links. 

Book Review: In Case You Missed It

I am so confused on what day of the week it is anymore. Ugh. Today has been kind of crappy, we had to put one of our cats down and I'm so sad about it. We are down to one cat and one dog, and the remaining cat is older and honestly, I'm not sure how long he'll be around either. 

Let's cheer up or at least not be a sad sack! I have a book that will make you laugh throughout!

In Case You Missed It - Lindsey Kelk

When Ros steps off a plane after four years away she’s in need of a job, a flat and a phone that actually works. And, possibly, her old life back. Because everyone at home has moved on, her parents have reignited their sex life, she’s sleeping in a converted shed and she’s got a bad case of nostalgia for the way things were.

Then her new phone begins to ping with messages from people she thought were deleted for good. Including one number she knows off by heart: her ex’s.

Sometimes we’d all like the chance to see what we’ve been missing…

Listen, if you are desperately in need of something light and fun, Lindsey Kelk is where its at and this book is what will get you there. I loved this book and found myself laughing throughout. If you are a 30something wondering if you on the wrong path, or maybe you just miss your 20s, this book is going to get you in the feels. 

We start with Ros, she's at a bit of an impasse with her life. Her job in Washington D.C. didn't pan out as planned, so when she returns back to the UK, her friends are ecstatic to have her home. She can't keep thinking her ex was the one that got away, she's feeling a little left behind because her friends all have grown up lives happening, and her parents have her living in an actual shed (with a composting toilet, no less) while they are reviving their sex life. You guys, her awkwardness about this is all of us when we think of our parents having sex. She's going through this weird quarter life crisis kind of phase and its almost painful to watch her wade through it because we all know her ex is a loser, and her friends know he's a loser, but sometimes we hang onto the vision something could be. 

The interesting theme about this book is that nobody really has life figured out. Matt and I were just talking about this, how as kids we assumed our parents knew everything (but also nothing, of course) because they were adults. They were always supposed to know what to do. As adults with children ourselves, it has quickly become obvious that they were as clueless as we are now. We have no idea what we're doing at all. So watching Ros kind of come to these realizations throughout the book is something we can all really relate to. 

Also, the descriptions of her mother's rather provocative clothing and boobs breaking free is just everything. Also!! The way she meets John is kind of hilarious and I picture it every time I think of this book. 

I will say, I felt like it was a little slow in spots and Ros was almost getting on my nerves by the end. At some point a person has to just smarten up, right? If everyone thinks someone is a terrible fit for you, wouldn't you take the time to really figure out why? Also, the second mini story about her new job with a teen gaming sensation starting a podcast was just a little off and I couldn't get into it. 

Even with that, I'm giving this one a solid 4 stars because I really thought it was fun, it was great to fall into as I worried incessantly about the start of the school year. A huge thank you to Harper360 for sending this gem to me for review! I have a giveaway for this on my Instagram page, so head over there to win your very own copy... because free books are amazing, right? This post contains affiliate links.

Book Review: I Heart Hawaii

If ever there was a time that I wished I was in Hawaii, it would be this week. We had a massive snowstorm with nearly 20 inches dumped on us, my tree came down, my bushes are destroyed, and I can't see past snowbanks so I'm terrified I'm going to die. I need to be on a beach and Hawaii is a bucket list trip for me, but Christmas sucks us dry financially, so reading a book about Hawaii is my plan B.

I Heart Hawaii - Lindsey Kelk

When Angela Clark’s best friend Jenny invites her to join a press trip to Hawaii, three days of sun, sea and sleep sounds like the perfect antidote to her crazed life.

 

At work in New York, she’s supposed to be the face of Having It All. But the only thing Angela feels she excels at is hiding in the printer cupboard, eating Mini Cheddars and watching Netflix on her phone and if this is living the dream, she's more than ready to wake up.

 

A few days away with Jenny sounds like exactly what she needs but Angela’s talent for getting into a scrape guarantees nothing goes to plan – and not even the most beautiful beaches, blue skies and daiquiris will get her off the hook…

While this is the last installment of the I Heart series, it's the first one I've read and even still, I felt OK with that throughout the book; I didn't feel like I was left in the dark. I think if I had read the others though I would have enjoyed this one even more. Also, any book that references hiding in a small space while eating cheddar crackers is a book I can get behind because that is my typical Tuesday afternoon.

Right out the gate I have to tell you that I really loved the humor in this book. It's cheeky and sharp in all of the right places. Though I didn't love Angela, I really liked Alex. I have to also say that I think my issues with Angela were strictly because I didn't know her and I feel like all of the other books developed her much better so by this point readers should really connect with her, I didn't because I don't feel like I understood why she was the way she was... so I struggled. Alex though, really liked him and I felt like their relationship was more believable despite being fictional. Their interactions were more authentic, and if you're a parent yourself you'll really understand their feelings throughout the book perhaps a little better.

Another character I liked? Jenny. She is my kind of girl, she's spunky and feisty. She is who you want to be with you on a trip because she's a great friend but she can also kick the fun level up ten notches.

Parts of this book felt like that show Workin' Moms on Netflix. It's an entire gang of women, in various stages of life, and while some of it has a more serious tone, it's also funny. It's not exactly like the show, but if you like the show you might enjoy this. I really enjoyed this book and I have to give it 4 stars. Honestly, I feel like had I read all of the other books before it this could have been a 5 star so that's definitely my fault. I will say, I liked this one enough that I would like to read the rest of the series for sure.

If you are already a fan of this series, I think you'll enjoy this book. If you haven't read this one, I still think you'll enjoy it but it would be worth reading the others to really love it.

   

A huge thank you to HarperCollins and Lindsey Kelk for sending me a copy of I Heart Hawaii in exchange for review, all thoughts are my own. This post contains affiliate links.