Today’s post covers the second half of the books I read in August 2021. I shared the first half of the books I read here. My top books of the month can be found here. After a few great books, I had trouble loving many of the others I read afterwards! I also read Write My Name Across The Sky, which I reviewed separately here. I will be linking up this post with the Show Us Your Books Link Up, and the Amazon links to the books I’ve read are affiliate links and if you use them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. If you’ve read any of these books or are interested in them, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Title: Not A Happy Family
Author: Shari Lapena
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books, 7/27/21
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review
My Rating: 4 Stars
This was my first book by Shari Lapena, although I have another by her waiting on my shelf. Not A Happy Family is about a family with secrets which are revealed as the book goes on.
“Brecken Hill in upstate New York is an expensive place to live. You have to be rich to have a house there, and Fred and Sheila Merton certainly are rich. But even all their money can’t protect them when a killer comes to call. The Mertons are brutally murdered after a fraught Easter dinner with their three adult kids. Who, of course, are devastated. Or are they? They each stand to inherit millions. They were never a happy family, thanks to their vindictive father and neglectful mother, but perhaps one of the siblings is more disturbed than anyone knew. Did someone snap after that dreadful evening? Or did another person appear later that night with the worst of intentions? That must be what happened. After all, if one of the family were capable of something as gruesome as this, you’d know.”
There isn’t much to say other than this family wasn’t a happy one! They all seemed to have reason to want to kill their parents and they all began to suspect one another, as well as a few other possible suspects. I didn’t guess who the culprit was, though I found the reveal a little sudden at the end.
Title: What’s Mine and Yours
Author: Naima Coster
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 3/2/21
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Buddy Read
My Rating: 3 Stars
What’s Mine and Yours tells the story of two families living in the same area who eventually connect with one another. It was quite a character driven story, with multiple characters as seen over decades, with the time periods not presented in a linear order.
“A community in the Piedmont of North Carolina rises in outrage as a county initiative draws students from the largely Black east side of town into predominantly white high schools on the west. For two students, Gee and Noelle, the integration sets off a chain of events that will tie their two families together in unexpected ways over the next twenty years. On one side of the integration debate is Jade, Gee’s steely, ambitious mother. In the aftermath of a harrowing loss, she is determined to give her son the tools he’ll need to survive in America as a sensitive, anxious, young Black man. On the other side is Noelle’s headstrong mother, Lacey May, a white woman who refuses to see her half-Latina daughters as anything but white. She strives to protect them as she couldn’t protect herself from the influence of their charming but unreliable father, Robbie. When Gee and Noelle join the school play meant to bridge the divide between new and old students, their paths collide, and their two seemingly disconnected families begin to form deeply knotted, messy ties that will shape the trajectory of their adult lives. And their mothers—each determined to see her child inherit a better life—will make choices that will haunt them for decades to come.”
I thought the book would more closely focus on the school integration, but this was only a minor part of the story. This is basically a book that looks at the members of families over time and allows us to witness their relationships and more. It contains drugs and racism.
Title: The Turnout
Author: Megan Abbott
Genre: Literary Thriller
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio, 8/3/21
Source: Audio Publisher
Why I Read It: Liked the last book I read by her.
My Rating: 3 Stars
It is interesting that I read two Read With Jenna books in a row and neither were hits for me. The Turnout was a slower burn, dark thriller about a pair of sisters (Dara, with the wrong pronunciation, and Marie) who run a dance school along with Dara’s husband Charlie. They begin to work with a contractor to repair damages at the dance school and all kinds of secrets begin to come out.
“With their long necks and matching buns and pink tights, Dara and Marie Durant have been dancers since they can remember. Growing up, they were homeschooled and trained by their glamorous mother, founder of the Durant School of Dance. After their parents’ death in a tragic accident nearly a dozen years ago, the sisters began running the school together, along with Charlie, Dara’s husband and once their mother’s prized student. Marie, warm and soft, teaches the younger students; Dara, with her precision, trains the older ones; and Charlie, sidelined from dancing after years of injuries, rules over the back office. Circling around one another, the three have perfected a dance, six days a week, that keeps the studio thriving. But when a suspicious accident occurs, just at the onset of the school’s annual performance of The Nutcracker—a season of competition, anxiety, and exhilaration—an interloper arrives and threatens the sisters’ delicate balance.”
It was a slow burn and not much happened. The content included infidelity, alcohol, death, incest, and abuse. It was not the dance school story I was hoping for!
Title: Battle Royal
Author: Lucy Parker
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Avon, 8/17/21
Source: Publisher
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review.
My Rating: 3 Stars
I was hopeful for Battle Royal to be a sweet and lighter read but I found it quite slow to start and I almost gave up on it. Plenty of my friends enjoyed it, so I kept reading.
“Four years ago, Sylvie Fairchild charmed the world as a contestant on the hit baking show, Operation Cake. Her ingenious, creations captivated viewers and intrigued all but one of the judges, Dominic De Vere. When Sylvie’s unicorn cake went spectacularly sideways, Dominic was quick to vote her off the show. Since then, Sylvie has used her fame to fulfill her dream of opening a bakery. The toast of Instagram, Sugar Fair has captured the attention of the Operation Cake producers…and a princess. Dominic is His Majesty the King’s favorite baker and a veritable British institution. He’s brilliant, talented, hard-working. And an icy, starchy grouch. Learning that Sylvie will be joining him on the Operation Cake judging panel is enough to make the famously dour baker even more grim. Her fantastical baking is only slightly more troublesome than the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her pink-streaked hair and irrepressible dimple. When Dominic and Sylvie learn they will be fighting for the once in a lifetime opportunity to bake a cake for the upcoming wedding of Princess Rose, the flour begins to fly as they fight to come out on top.”
Most of the book doesn’t take place around the baking show, but rather within a competition between Sylvie and Dominic to cater a royal wedding. They competed, they cooperated, they fell in love. Not much more than that!
Title: The Push
Author: Ashley Audrain
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio, 1/5/21
Source: Audio Publisher
Why I Read It: Heard it was good.
My Rating: 4 Stars
The Push is a tense story of 4 generations of women who seem to have passed down issues of mental health and abuse. At the center of the story are Blythe and her daughter Violet. Even when the school calls about Violet’s behavior, Blythe is lead to believe her worries are unfounded and she doesn’t seek out help.
“Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. But in the thick of motherhood’s exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter—she doesn’t behave like most children do. Or is it all in Blythe’s head? Her husband, Fox, says she’s imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well. Then their son Sam is born—and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she’d always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth.”
This book reminded me of Verity and I think people will either love or hate it! It does contain a lot of difficult topics including death of a child, self harm, suicide, and miscarriage. The audio was narrated by Marin Ireland, who I love!
Title: Ayuni
Author: Sarah Ansbacher
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Casa Mocha, 5/4/21
Source: Author
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review.
My Rating: 4 Stars
In Ayuni, a Hassidic (religious Jewish) girl meets a Mizrahi (Jewish from a Middle Eastern country) boy and despite coming from different communities and upbringings, they fall for one another. It was interesting to read about these two communities that I am not entirely familiar with myself, especially because the book takes place in London.
“Miri and Ben’s paths should never have crossed. Although they live in the same north London neighbourhood of Stamford Hill, they come from two culturally different communities that rarely interact. Miri is a sheltered but contemplative young woman from a Chassidic family. Her strict upbringing has prevented her from pursuing a career or being allowed to date. She has never even spoken to a boy other than a close relative. Soon, she will be expected to marry, but she fears being forced into an unsuitable shidduch (traditional, arranged marriage). When her more adventurous friend invites her for an evening out, she agrees on a whim. It is an experience she will never forget. There, she meets Ben. Kind, sensitive, and hiding his own secret pain, Ben is from the exiled, Middle Eastern Jewish community of Aden. Despite their differences, Ben and Miri are drawn to one another. What her friend only intended as a bit of harmless fun soon develops into something more serious, with far-reaching consequences for them all, and risks tearing Miri’s family apart.”
This was a quick read and it featured some great friendships between the young people and their friends. I did not think it made the Hassidic community likeable, as it showed how Miri was raised very sheltered and her parents (at first) were quite strict. The issues seemed to be resolved in a simple way, and I am not sure they would have been so easily solved in real life!
Title: I’m Not Dying With You Tonight
Author: Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Recorded Books, 8/6/19
Source: Library Audio App
Why I Read It: Was on my list.
My Rating: 4 Stars
This very short audio book takes place when two girls get caught in a brawl at their high school and head in search of a ride together. When they reach the city, their situation only gets worse.
“Lena has her killer style, her awesome boyfriend, and a plan. She knows she’s going to make it big. Campbell, on the other hand, is just trying to keep her head down and get through the year at her new school. When both girls attend the Friday-night football game, what neither expects is for everything to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together. They aren’t friends. They hardly understand the other’s point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night.”
The book only covers the events as they take place and doesn’t leave much room for the girls to reflect or come to a mutual understanding of one another. Therefore, this book would best be read with discussion of the themes for the best understanding and learning that can come from it.
Title: Paper Doll Lina
Author: Robyn Lucas
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Lake Union, 9/1/21
Source: Book Publicity Teams
Why I Read It: Sent to me for my review.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Paper Doll Lina by Robyn Lucas is not an easy read as it describes the volatile relationship Lina is in due to her husband’s abusive behaviors. It is so important to understand how these behaviors are abusive and how control and power can lead to violence.
“Lina Henry is a wife and mother who likens herself to a pretty paper doll. She lives in a beautiful home in the Atlanta suburbs. Her husband, David, is a well-to-do investment banker. She’s raised two wonderful teenagers. To the outside world, the Henry family is perfect. What no one knows is that Lina’s paper doll life is being torn apart in a controlling and abusive marriage. When Lina develops an unexpected friendship with another man, and reconnects with her former best friend, she begins navigating a way out of the emotional minefield that is her home. But as David senses his loss of control, he becomes more dangerous, and Lina must do everything in her power to protect herself and her children. In order to take back the happiness she deserves, Lina must first rediscover the strength and the fearlessness of her three-dimensional self.”
Lina was a strong character who realized that she and her children were not in a good place and that they needed help. Her friend Nancy was a great help to her. Ultimately, Lina helped herself, which I was pleased to see, although she did put herself at great risk to do so! There is a love story included in the book as Lina meets Noah, a celebrity who also helps promote the website her children created. If infidelity is difficult for you, please know it is in this book as well. Other included topics are racism, interracial marriage (Lina is Black), religion, and police who aren’t supportive to the victim.
Title: What If You and Me
Author: Roni Loren
Genre: Rom Com
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, 7/6/21
Source: Libro.fm
Why I Read It: Buddy read
My Rating: 4 Stars
What If You and Me is the sequel to Yes and I Love You, which I read earlier this month. It can be read separately as well. Andi is a horror writer after facing her own real life horror and Hill is her neighbor, a former firefighter who has been through a trauma of his own.
“The world can be a scary place. At least, that’s what Andi Lockley’s anxiety wants her to believe. It doesn’t help that she narrowly escaped a dangerous man years ago, or that every relationship since has been colored with that lingering fear. But things are better now―she’s channeling everything into her career as a horror novelist and true crime podcaster, and her next book may be the breakthrough she needs. If only her grumpy new neighbor would stop stomping around at all hours of the night. Former firefighter Hill Dawson can’t sleep. After losing part of his leg in a rescue gone wrong, he’s now stuck in limbo. He needs to figure out what he’s supposed to do with his life, and he can’t let himself get distracted by the pretty redhead next door. But when someone breaks into Andi’s place, Hill can’t stop himself from rushing in to play the hero. Soon, a tentative bond forms between the unlikely pair. But what starts out as a neighborly exchange quickly turns into the chance for so much more…if Andi can learn to put aside her fear and trust in herself―and love―again.”
I’m not sure I love the idea that falling in love can solve your mental health issues, but I did like that the couple both had separate issues that they were able to help each other with, rather than the man “saving” the woman. Still, this is a great rom com and love story, which does include sexy scenes.
Title: Never Saw You Coming
Author: Erin Hahn
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: Wednesday Books, 9/7/21
Source:Publisher via Net Galley
Why I Read It: Review and Buddy read
My Rating: 3 Stars
This book was not for me. It was very readable and not a bad story, but I believe it is meant for Christian youth who are coming to terms with being themselves while remaining faithful, something that I found myself unable to relate to.
“Eighteen-year-old Meg Hennessey just found out her entire childhood was a lie. So instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed – all while questioning the ideals she grew up with. While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship with faith. The clock is ticking on his probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive – even when he can’t possibly forget. As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.”
When Meg heads to the UP of Michigan to meet her father’s family, she manages to meet and instantly fall for Micah, whose father was a disgraced pastor. Both of them have issues with the church and must come to terms with their ability to stay true to both themselves and their religious upbringings. This will be the right book for many people, but it was not for me.
This concludes my August reads, with 10 books in addition to the ones I covered in previous posts. Overall, in August I read 16 print books, 2 ebooks, and 7 audio books! I share my monthly reading wrap ups with stats on my Instagram each month!
Have you read any of these books or do you want to? What have you been reading lately?