[Review] Barbara the Slut and Other People by Lauren Holmes

Barbara the Slut and Other People by Lauren Holmes
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Publishing Date: Aug. 4, 2015
Format: library, hardcover
272 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Goodreads Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis 

Fearless, candid, and incredibly funny, Lauren Holmes is a newcomer who writes like a master. She tackles eros and intimacy with a deceptively light touch, a keen awareness of how their nervous systems tangle and sometimes short-circuit, and a genius for revealing our most vulnerable, spirited selves.

In “Desert Hearts,” a woman takes a job selling sex toys in San Francisco rather than embark on the law career she pursued only for the sake of her father. In “Pearl and the Swiss Guy Fall in Love,” a woman realizes she much prefers the company of her pit bull—and herself—to the neurotic foreign fling who won’t decamp from her apartment. In “How Am I Supposed to Talk to You?” a daughter hauls a suitcase of lingerie to Mexico for her flighty, estranged mother to resell there, wondering whether her personal mission—to come out—is worth the same effort. And in “Barbara the Slut,” a young woman with an autistic brother, a Princeton acceptance letter, and a love of sex navigates her high school’s toxic, slut-shaming culture with open eyes.

With heart, sass, and pitch-perfect characters, Barbara the Slut is a head-turning debut from a writer with a limitless career before her.

My Review

I'm generally not one to read short stories; I've never been too interested in them. But I heard about this book and wanted to give it a chance because people were raving about it. It's a very interesting collection of stories from Holmes and I enjoyed most of them. I wasn't entirely impressed with the first few short stories because they didn't capture my attention. However, that being said, they were still full of honesty and humor. 

The last half of the book was much better for me. I really liked the stories and couldn't wait to keep reading more. I really think the one story told from the perspective of a dog was one of my favorites! Crazy, right?! I wasn't sure if I'd actually like that one because I've never read anything from an animal's perspective, but it was a lot of fun. The namesake of this book, Barbara the Slut, was another great story that I wish I had more of. I really liked her character and wish I knew how her life turned out! She's a fun girl! And the story about the law school graduate working at a sex toy store? So much fun. 

Even though the first few stories weren't my favorite, I really enjoyed this book. It makes me want to pick up some more short stories and start reading The Art of Racing in the Rain (a book from a dog's perspective that has been on my shelf for too long). 

[Review] One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
Publishing Date: July 1, 2014
Format: hardcover, gifted
368 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Goodreads rating: 5 stars

Synopsis 

One single mom. One chaotic family. One quirky stranger. One irresistible love story from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You.

Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages... maybe ever.

My Review

Me Before You is one of my absolute favorite books. I really think it might be THE favorite of mine ever! (: So I absolutely couldn't wait to get a copy of this one by Moyes. I had been waiting since this was release to get a copy! Then I got it as a gift for Christmas and I couldn't wait to read it! Unfortunately, life got in the way... buying a house, moving in, doing some remodeling and other house projects..But I finally started reading it when I suggested my book club pick it for July. I was so excited to dive in! 

This book didn't disappoint me one bit. All of these characters were so interesting and unique. Jess is a single mom to her young daughter and teenage step-son. Her husband up and left them, doesn't work and doesn't pay any child support. Jess is trying to give him the benefit of doubt because she believes he's suffering from a mental break. But she still has to do what's right for her kids. I love that she takes care of Nicky like he's own her own flesh and blood. She sticks up for him like no one else will. Tanzie is such a sweet little girl. She's super intelligent and looks at things in a different way; and Jess embraces that whole-heartedly. 

Ed is different. He seems quiet and soft-spoken, yet very bright (obviously since he and a friend created their own company!). But he clearly doesn't make the best decisions all the time and they have landed him in a  bit of trouble. He makes a spur of the moment decision to drive Jess and her kids to the Math Olympiad and his life is never the same after. 

What I really loved about this book was the different types of characters. Some are so serious, some playful, some funny. They all fit each other really well and play off each others' strengths; they complement each other. Plus this book was funny! I wasn't expecting it, but there were so many times that dry humor crept through and I found myself literally laughing out loud. I'm sure my husband thought I was a little strange since it would just be quiet and then I'd be laughing. 

This book really had it all: serious issues, drama, family feuds, comedy, and (probably my favorite) romance. I highly, highly recommend this book. It fast rose up to the near top of my list and I can't wait to read what else Moyes has written. The Girl You Left Behind is sitting on my shelf just waiting for me to pick it up and I know it won't disappoint. 

[Review] One For the Money by Janet Evanovich

One For the Money by Janet Evanovich
Publisher:
Publishing Date:
Format: paperback, purchased
Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

ONE FINE MESS

Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...

ONE FALSE MOVE

Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants, to the time Steph hit him with her father’s Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water—wanted for murder...

ONE FOR THE MONEY

Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn’t. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she’ll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight—and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man...

My Review 

This is the first Evanovich book I've read and it won't be the last! This book had been sitting on my shelves for quite a while, and I really wanted to read something from my acquired-before-2014-TBR list, so I grabbed this one. 

One For the Money is a fast-paced mystery with a touch of comedy. Stephanie Plum isn't your average bounty hunter, and she only picks up the job because she's recently out of work and low on money. As she becomes more involved in finding the suspects, she realizes this isn't as easy as she though. On top of that, she's pissed off a very prominent professional boxer, and he's out for her life. I've never read a book that's both a mystery and a comedy, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But it turns out Evanovich does a really great job balancing all aspects. The comedic parts don't take away from the mystery, which I really appreciated. I can't wait to keep reading this series and learning more about Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli! 

[Review] The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publishing Date: Sept 16, 2012
304 Pages
Format: Kindle ebook

Synopsis

Luke Carney has no idea what possessed him to move back to Shelter Springs, Colorado, to set up his veterinarian practice. His parents have long since left, the small farming community is on the brink of extinction, and only one close friend from his childhood remains--Taycee Emerson, his best friend's little sister, who isn't so little anymore.

Then there's the matter of Shelter's Bachelorette, an online reality dating show created to raise some much needed funds for the town.

Unwittingly cast as the bachelorette, Taycee wants out, especially when she discovers that Luke, her childhood crush, is back in town and will be one of the bachelors. To make matters worse, it's up to the viewers - not her - to decide which bachelors stay or go. And they all seem to like Luke.

Unwilling to let him break her heart again, Taycee launches a subtle attack on Luke's good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. But she'd forgotten that Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

My Review

This was the perfect book to pick up yesterday! Its romantic, funny, and sweet. Taycee loves her life as it is, though she could probably deal with a few less relationships-gone-wrong. Her character is sweet and you just can't help but like her right away. Same with Luke. Yes, he left for years with no communication, but the moment he walks back into Taycee's life, you just want them to be together! He's charming and funny, and a really good guy!

I thought this story was very cute and entertaining. Sometimes I'm not sure what to expect with books that are free for Amazon's Kindle, but this one didn't disappoint! I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in one day! I also really want to read Ms. Anderson's other books as well after this one! Definitely a wonderful romantic comedy (:

I loved it so much, that I wanted to share a few teasers of the book to convince others to read it!

"The silence that followed made him feel exposed, as if he'd put his heart on a platter for her to take or wave away. A few more seconds came and went without a word. Not good. Was she trying to think of a nice way of letting him down, or was she scared too - like Luke? Hopefully the latter. He should reach for her hand, touch her, something. Only a few inches and his hand would brush against hers. Still, Luke hesitated."
                             pg. 199

"Luke stared at the starlit sky, feeling that his world had suddenly aligned. As though all the dots had been connected, creating an awesome picture, way better than Hercules or Draco or any of the other constellations out there. He felt something good. Something real. Something he'd never expected to find with his old friend from Shelter Springs, Colorado."
                            pg. 199 

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[Review] Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg
Publisher: Bethany House
Publishing Date: Sept 15, 2013
358 Pages
Format: paperback

Synopsis 

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show - even if it means pretending to be married to a an who's definitely not the fiance who ran out of her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth - and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

My Review

I received a copy of this book from the Bethany House Review Program in exchange for an honest review.  I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. There was so much to love about it; from the characters, to the setting in North Carolina and a little Minnesota, to the storyline of finding love and finding yourself. I had a very hard time putting down this book. Not necessarily because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, but simply because I loved spending time with these characters that were created. I felt like I could identify with their struggles and fears, and what they wanted in life. I also liked that many of the characters were trying to find themselves, even if just a little piece. I'm so thankful that I received a copy of this book and really can't wait to read other stories by Melissa Tagg. She truly is a wonderful storyteller.

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