February was a pretty good month for me and reading. While I’ve gotten back into reading over the last couple of years, I’ve only recently been getting in the habit of reading before bed (instead of watching tv) and it’s been a game changer. Not only have I been reading more because of this new little routine of mine, but I’ve also felt a heck of a lot better knowing I’m doing something besides staring at more screens.
I read three books this month, and I’m hoping to do the same (or more) for next month.
February Reads:
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. (Genre: Romantic Comedy. Pages: 437)
Summary:
Catalina Martin desperately needs a date to her sisters wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiraled out of control. Now everyone she knows – including her ex and his fiancée – will be there and eager to meet him. She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool. Enter Aaron Blackford – her tall, handsome, condescending colleague – who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man. But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.
Review:
This book really surprised me. It was one that was sitting in my nightstand for god only knows how long until I decided to pack it for my trip to the Dominican Republic. I mean, it seemed like the perfect pool and beachside read. Light and fun…just how I wanted my vacation days to go! The beginning of the book started off really slow for me (it felt like the same dialogue was repeated a million times), but once I got past the first 100 pages, I have to say, I was actually hooked. I caught myself towards the end even reading slower or trying really hard to shorten my reading time because I was not wanting this book to end.
Spoilers ahead -> Was it predictable? Yes, of course. This wasn’t my first go on the romance book train, I knew what I was getting myself into! But it was also cute, and sweet, with such good banter between our ‘enemies to lovers’ characters. If you’re looking for an easy read with a slow burn (that’s totally worth it), this is the book for you! I’ve heard many compare it to the Hating Game by Sally Thorne though, so if you’ve read that one and loved it, keep that in mind.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐
The Rural Diaries by Hilarie Burton Morgan. (Genre: Memoir. Pages: 255)
Summary:
The beloved actress and star of One Tree Hill, White Collar, and Lethal Weapon, Hilarie Burton Morgan, tells the story of leaving Hollywood for a radically different kind of life in upstate New York with her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan—a celebration of community, family, and the value of hard work in small town America. While Hilarie Burton Morgan’s hectic lifestyle as an actress in New York and Los Angeles gave her a comfortable life, it did not fulfill her spiritually or emotionally. After the birth of their first son, she and her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the star of The Walking Dead, decided to make a major change: they bought a working farm in Rhinebeck, New York, and began a new chapter in their lives. The Rural Diaries chronicles her inspiring story of farm life: chopping wood, making dandelion wine, building chicken coops. Burton looks back at her transition from urban to country living—discovering how to manage a farm while raising her son and making friends with her new neighbors. She mixes charming stories of learning to raise alpacas and buying and revitalizing the town’s beloved candy store, Samuel’s Sweet Shop, with raw observations on the ups and downs of marriage and her struggles with secondary infertility. Burton also includes delicious recipes that can be made with fresh ingredients at home, as well as home renovation and gardening tips. Burton’s charisma, wide eyed attitude, and fortitude—both internal and physical—propels this moving story of transformation and self-discovery. The Rural Diaries honors the values and lifestyle of small-town America and offers inspiration for anyone longing to embark on their own unconventional journey.
Review:
I had to think long and hard about my review for this one. On the one hand, as a One Tree Hill (obsessed) fan, I loved this book. Hilarie Burton Morgan’s captivating personality shined through this book as if I was listening to her read it herself. On the other hand, I have to wonder if I would have felt the same way if she wasn’t one of my favourite ‘celebrities’.
What I do know though, is whether you know her or not, you will be in admiration of her honesty, her vulnerability, and her choice of a more simplistic lifestyle. I caught myself throughout the book wanting to pack up my city-life, head straight to a farm and start raising goats, chickens, and donkeys. Okay, maybe I wouldn’t make it as a true farmer, but she certainly inspired me with her overall message of living a life that is important to you. The value she places on her family, her community, and the importance of giving back will sure make you fall in love with Hilarie Burton Morgan.
A few things I didn’t like: it felt like it ended abruptly and sometimes the writing/stories didn’t quite flow well. A fun fact: Hilarie Burton Morgan directed fans and followers to buy this book from her local independent bookstore. Because of this, the store sold enough copies to help them stay open during the 2020 pandemic.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 ⭐
Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover. (Genre: Romance. Pages: 320)
Summary:
A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover. After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself. The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them. The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing.
Review:
I’m coming right out of the gate with a big statement for this one – not only was this my favourite Colleen Hoover book to date (I previously read ‘It Ends With Us‘, ‘It Starts With Us‘, and ‘Ugly Love’), this may have been my favourite book….ever! I’m a little nervous throwing those words around but, hey, I guess if the shoe fits!
While there are a few things I could pick apart or criticize, I’m ultimately basing my review on how I felt while reading it. This book had my interest from the very first page, and I caught myself staying up way past my bedtime just to squeeze in as many pages as I could.
While it is classified as a romantic novel, the romance takes a backseat to bigger themes like motherhood, morality, growth, and forgiveness. There were a few nights that I shed tears, and even more nights where I was constantly asking myself what I would do if I were in these characters places. I was utterly torn and conflicted. I really liked that each chapter switched between the point of view of the two main characters- this allowed us to feel the struggles each of them was facing, and the story just wouldn’t have been the same if it was only told from one perspective. Overall, this was both a heartbreaking and heartwarming read.
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
Have you read any of these books? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Stay tuned for the books I read in March.
Until next time.
