Happy Halloween! This October has looked different than usual for us. Typically by now, we would have gone to our local pumpkin patch, picked out goofy costumes, and participated in fun fall events with family and friends all month long. Alas, none of those things happened… This year, we moved across the country into a new apartment in a new state. Thus, free time has been rare. We are thankful for the stresses of moving to be done, and we are eagerly counting down the days to finalize the sale of our house, but we are already looking forward to enjoying next fall. Next year, I promise we will make up for lost time and do all things fall!
Tonight will be a quiet night at home while we watch the season 2 finale of Yellowstone. I am obsessed with this show! Despite how busy we have been, I’ve still had time to read some excellent books this month! Now, on to my October book review.
If you missed my September Book Review:
Make Life Beautiful by Syd and Shea McGee
Overall: 4/5 stars
Earlier this year, we binged Dream Home Makeover, then my husband gifted me this book for my birthday. He knows me so well because I love Shea’s style! I don’t know why it took me five months to read it finally, but it was great! Over the last three years, I’ve become very passionate about interior design and have drawn inspiration from Studio McGee when we designed our home in Pittsburgh. I’ve been a fan for some time now.
This book dives into the start of Syd and Shea’s relationship, the beginning of their business ventures, and how they became the iconic Studio Mcgee. The chapters flip back and forth between their perspectives, where they open up about their success and failures. I found them very honest, especially when they touched on how their success negatively affected their marriage. I highlighted and wrote notes throughout because there were so many coincidences between their life story and mine. It was crazy how I had the same thoughts or doubts in similar situations. Let’s say I loved the book, and I continue to pull inspiration from them!
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Overall: 4/5 stars
This novel is about the relationship between a mother and her two adult daughters of a Russian family living present day in America. The daughters have never had a close relationship with their mother and have felt a piece of them was missing. A tragic event occurs within the family, and they force their mother to share her private Russian past. Their mother depicts survival in communist Russia through beautiful fairytales.
Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. Every story I have read from her has been a heavy, slow burn. I really couldn’t put this one down. I was very much wrapped up in this story and wanted to see how it would play out. This book made me cry like a baby by the end, which says a lot because I never cry!
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
Overall: 4.5/5
Warning: Rated R
Now, I have seen this book all over TikTok. #BookTok. However, I’ve held off reading it for a while because the Book Tok community has greatly let me down recently. And yet, here we are because I decided to give it a chance. The story starts with Bree Prescott arriving at a quaint lakeside town in Maine. In an attempt to escape a horrific tragedy, she leaves everything behind in the hope of a fresh start. On her first day there, she crosses paths with Archer Hale, the town’s recluse. From that point on, their fate has changed forever. This story was beautiful and even difficult to read at times. Quite a unique and transformative love story. My only issue was that I found the twists predictable, but I loved the story nonetheless.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Overall: 3/5 stars
Warning: Rated PG13
After reading two heavy books, I needed something light and beachy. Well, the book’s title seemed to be the right fit for my rom-com-loving heart. My expectations were set high and I had such strong momentum going into this book. Back in June, I enjoyed Book Lover so much that I’ve had this book on my list ever since. This novel is about two writers who were frenemies back in college. Many years later, they find themselves on their own, trying to write their next book while living in the middle of nowhere. He’s dark and brooding, while she’s light and romantic. There are in the perfect place to focus on what they need to accomplish, except for that pesky neighbor who won’t turn down that darn music. Quite the take two meet cute! This story checked many of my favorite boxes – light, cute, and cheesy. It was perfect until I completely lost interest halfway through. Even though the ending was neatly tied up, unanswered questions were left.
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Overall: 4.5/5 stars
Warning: Rated R
Last but not least, I read another Colleen Hoover story. Wow, that’s all I could say for some time.
This book was haunting and yet… beautiful. Hoover is known for covering tough topics. These topics almost seem too hard to read, but they end up even harder to put down. In All Your Perfects, she tackles infertility and its effect on marriage. Even though the story is fictional, it felt brutally honest. The chapters flip back and forth from when they first met and dated to their present day marriage. I felt myself fighting for the couple and gaining a better understanding of couples who have gone through infertility. As much as this is a painful story, I recommend it to everyone, even if you haven’t dealt with infertility.
That wraps up my October book review! After this month, I am going to need some truly light reads…
For all my other book reviews, click HERE!
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