Now that it’s “hibernation season” (or at least that’s what I call it!) nothing has made me happier than curling up on my couch with a blanket and a good book.
This month was full of fun reads: something from one of my favorite authors, one of the best fun romances I’ve read this year, a YA thriller that totally shocked me, the most incredibly written book, and a delightful romance for the New Year.
What I Read: December 2020
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
I’m a sucker for anything by Elin Hilderbrand, I think this is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read by her in 2020.
While most of her books take place in Nantucket, Winter in Paradise brings us to dreamy St. John under some not-so-dreamy circumstances. Irene Steele gets a call that her husband has passed away in a plane crash in the Caribbean. Irene heads to the island of St. John with her sons to sort things out — and also to figure out why her husband was here in the first place.
It turns out he’s been living a secret life there and has a whole life Irene never knew about.
This book is the first in a series. It’s not my favorite by Elin Hilbrand (I LOVED 28 Summers with all my heart.) but I’m still invested enough in the story to want to read the rest of the series. I will say this first book lagged a bit for me which is one of the reasons I didn’t love it. But all in all, a fun escape to St. John paired with some juicy secrets.
My Rating: 3.5/5
✨
Shipped by Angie Hockman
(Comes out 1/19/21)
A friend of mine that works in publishing kindly sent me an advanced copy of Shipped and said it would be right up my alley. Oh, it so was.
Henley Evans and Graeme Crawford-Collins work together in the marketing department for a major cruise company. They’ve never actually met IRL but Henley views Graeme as her arch-nemesis ever since he took credit for an idea that was hers.
The two are now competing for a huge promotion. As a part of the interview process, they are sent on a cruise to the Galapagos, care of the company. Whoever comes up with the best marketing pitch for how to boost bookings to this region will get the promotion.
When Henley and Graeme finally meet on the cruise for the first time, Henley starts to realize he’s not the jerk she assumed. Which makes competing with him for this promotion even more challenging.
I loved this book about flirting arch-nemesis co-workers stuck together in the Galapagos. It’s one part escape (the Galapagos sounds INCREDIBLE!) and one part romance. Pretty much the best combo for right now.
I highly, highly, recommend this book for any fans of Christina Lauren or Hannah Orenstein.
My Rating: 4.5/5
✨
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
I’ve been on a total YA thriller kick lately. My personal issue with thrillers as a whole is I’m a weenie and get scared easily. BUT I find YA thrillers to be great for me — they still have some shocking twists and turns but sans anything that will give me a nightmare. This YA thriller fits my “suspenseful by not terrifying” bill.
First cousins Millie, Aubrey, and Jonah barely know each other. They have also never met their grandmother as she suddenly cut off all communication to their parents long before the cousins were born. The trio each receive a letter inviting them to work this summer at the resort their grandma owns. Super peculiar, but their parents force them all to go.
When the kids arrive at the resort, though, it seems their grandma had no clue they were coming. Something else is happening… and there are a lot of secrets to unravel.
The Cousins fell a bit flat for me. I found it lagged at times and some of the twists and turns were a bit meh. But in the end, the BIG plot twist definitely got me and it felt oh so worth it in the end. A fun, quick read if you’re craving a thriller.
My Rating: 3.5/5
✨
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
I had heard nothing but incredible things about this YA book that’s all written in verse. I’ve never read anything like it and wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the writing still. I’m so so so happy I gave it a chance, as it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year, for sure.
All year long Camino looks forward to when her dad comes to visit her for the summer in the Dominican Republic. When she arrives at the airport to greet her father she finds out there has been a terrible accident. The plane has crashed and there are no survivors.
At the same time, Yahaira gets called down to the principal’s office at her high school in NYC. She is told about the plane crash and that her father is gone.
Camino and Yahaira, only a few months apart, do not know about each other and that they share a dad. Through his death, they start to uncover the secrets their father had been keeping from both of them.
The book is written totally in verse and flip flops between the perspective of Yahaira and Camino. The writing is really incredible and just plain beautiful. Each girl has such a distinct voice and style that accurately captures her essence.
Cannot recommend this book enough!
My Rating: 5/5
✨
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
I am a sucker for a British chick-lit sometimes. When looking at the books in my “to be read” pile on my bookshelf, I knew this book was the right choice for my last of the year — and the book that brought me to my goal of reading 52 books in 2020.
Quinn and Minnie were both born on the same day (1/1/1990) at the same hospital in London. Quinn was born just after midnight and wins a huge cash prize as the first baby born in London in the ’90s. Minnie’s mom still holds a grudge that it should’ve been them.
Since then, Minnie has spent her whole life being told she’s unlucky — especially on her birthday. Jump forward 30 years and the birthday twins end up accidentally meeting at Quinn’s 30th birthday party. Minnie’s life is a bit of a disaster, she’s dating a self-center asshole, her business is struggling, and she’s on the verge of getting evicted because she can’t pay rent. And of course to her Quinn seems to have the perfect, lucky, life — perfect posh girlfriend, surrounded by friends on his birthday, and a high-power job.
The book jumps back and forth between present-day Quinn and Minnie and previous New Years’/birthday celebrations. Turns out Minnie and Quinn have been in each other orbits more than they realized.
The book is super sweet and gave me One Day in December feels in the best way (which was actually the first book I read this year!) While it does revolve around New Years’ making it a fun read for right now, I think even if you save this one for a few months from now, it’s still a great book.
My Rating: 4.5/5
✨
