In February, I read 7 books.
1 novel
1 compilation of 15 short stories
5 novellas
1 DNF (Did not finish)
It was an atypical reading month, given that I mostly read full length novels. I feel like I’ve been reading less and writing more, too. Blogging every day and following all my favorite blogs takes time away from reading, but it’s something I really enjoy so it’s okay.
So, what did I actually read?
1. The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister
Number of Pages: 336
Genre: Fiction; Historical Fiction;
Book Summary: (NetGalley)
Based on a real woman from history, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets The Haunting of Hill House in this fictional tell-all narrated by the glamorous Aimee Crocker, revealing everything from her mischievous days in German finishing school to dinners with Hawaiian royalty to lavish Astor parties in Manhattan. But behind Aimee’s public notoriety, there’s private pain.
When Aimee is ten years old, as the night dips into the witching hour, the Woman in White appears to her. Minutes later, Aimee’s father is dead—and Aimee inherits a fortune. But the Woman in White never really leaves Aimee, appearing as a sinister specter before every tragedy in her life. Despite Aimee’s wealth, her cross-continental travels, and her increasingly shocking progression through husbands, Aimee is haunted by the unidentifiable Woman’s mysterious motivations.
Tearing through millions of dollars, four continents, and a hearty collection of husbands, real-life heiress Aimee Crocker blazed an unbelievable trail of public scandal, private tragedy, and the kind of strong independent woman the 1880s had never seen. Her life was stranger than fiction and brighter than the stars, and she whirled through her days as if she was being chased by something larger than herself. Greer Macallister brilliantly takes us into her world and spins a tale that you won’t soon forget.
My Review: This book is not being published until August, so I won’t be giving a review until then. I’ll come back and post a full review on the publishing date.
2. The Book of Witty Women by Helen Lederer, Kathy Lette, Sadia Azmat, Josie Long, Lucy Vine and more
Number of Pages: 352
Genre: Humor and Satire; Novellas and Short Stories; Women’s Fiction;
Book Summary: (NetGalley)
The Book of Witty Women showcases the very best in humorous short story writing, by outstanding contemporary women writers, including Kathy Lette, Sadia Azmat, Lucy Vine, Josie Long, Paula Lennon, and many more.
It includes the winning and shortlisted stories from the Comedy Women in Print Short Story Prize.
From tales of a narcoleptic biscuit lover, con artists with a twist, and the accidental death of a hamster; to consequences of accidental gluing, the imagined world of extreme shopping, and the delightfully surreal world of canine dating, these 15 boldly imaginative stories range across a multitude of genres and themes.
Each proves the power of the short story to disarm, tickle or simply entertain.
My Review: Not giving a review yet as the book isn’t being published until April.
3. The Magician by Rebecca Serle
Number of Pages: 25
Genre: Fiction; Short Stories; Contemporary;
Book Summary: (Goodreads)
A mother-to-be is awed by her own mother’s chaotic and unknowable approach to life and its natural mysteries in a smart, witty, and whimsical story by the New York Times bestselling author of One Italian Summer.
Growing up with an eccentric but loving mother who levitates for a living, Charlie always wondered, How does she do it? Defying gravity is no easy trick. Neither is motherhood. Now that her mother is leaving New York for bigger skies in New Mexico, it’s a new stage in life for both of them in an ever-evolving relationship that reveals the true magic of being a mother.
Rebecca Serle’s The Magician is part of Good Intentions, a riveting collection of stories about the instincts, fears, and fierce love inherent in motherhood from award-winning, bestselling authors. Read or listen to each in a single sitting.
My Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: It was a quick, enjoyable read. I confess I had to read it twice because I wasn’t exactly sure I was grasping its full meaning.
4. Poppy’s Story by Kristina McMorris
Number of Pages: 44
Genre: Fiction; Short Stories; Historical Fiction;
Book Summary: (Goodreads)
In 1962 Virginia, with the world teetering on the brink, a schoolteacher searches for strength and hope in this moving tale by the New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday.
Poppy Turner has spent more than a decade teaching children grammar and arithmetic. Suddenly her days are steeped in fears that reach well beyond a classroom filled with air-raid drills and anxious young faces. As a mother-to-be, she worries about bringing a child into a time of such turmoil. To find stability, she will have to decide if she’s willing to look more closely at her own past.
Kristina McMorris’s Poppy’s Story is part of Good Intentions, a riveting collection of stories about the instincts, fears, and fierce love inherent in motherhood from award-winning, bestselling authors. Read or listen to each in a single sitting.
My Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: It’s a cute story. I can definitely relate to the fear that comes with finding out you’re pregnant and wondering if you’re going to be able to be a good mother and bring a child into this crazy world. I like how relatable it felt.
5. The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
Number of Pages: 101
Genre: Romance; Novella; Contemporary;
Book Summary: (Goodreads)
On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.
One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?
Christina Lauren’s The Exception to the Rule is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.
My Rating: 3 Stars
My Review: Even though it didn’t actually blow my mind, it was still a pretty enjoyable read. I found it a bit predictable. It was pretty clear from the beginning that Terra and Callum were going to run into each other somewhere or end up in the same college or job. I also felt it was a bit too good to be true. What are the chances of someone meeting their soulmate via email and them turning out to be the hottest, hunkiest guy at school/work? And that both people are very physically attracted to each other immediately? Regardless, it was a cute story and a quick read. I will definitely continue reading the series.
6. Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
Number of Pages: 61
Genre: Romance; Novella; Contemporary;
Book Summary: (Goodreads)
They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.
Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
My Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: I quite liked this one. The dying grandmother hit me right in the feelings and I loved her story but I have a bone to pick with this book. There’s a moment when Holly’s grandmother gives a big speech about life and I have to say that the language she uses makes absolutely no sense. Check this out:
“the whole point in me telling you this story is to remind you that we need to manifest our own destiny. I never accepted less than what I deserved ever again. Never ignored a red flag or excused bad behavior.”
Listen, my grandmothers are both dead so I’m by no means an expert, but I’m pretty sure no grandmother says things like “manifest your own destiny” or “red flag”. Unless her grandmother is a 29 year old Instagram influencer and somehow I missed it?
7. Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
Number of pages: 44
Genre: Romance; Novella; Contemporary;
Book Summary: (Goodreads)
Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?
Sally Thorne’s Rosie and the Dreamboat is part of The Improbable Meet-Cute, irresistibly romantic stories about finding love when and where you least expect it. They can be read or listened to in one sitting. Let’s make a date of it.
My Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: I thought it was a pretty cute story but, apparently, everyone hated it? I mean, I don’t think the author is getting a Nobel prize anytime soon but I didn’t think it was that bad. I loved the sisters and Rosie’s personality. It’s a little too good to be true that the fireman that comes to rescue her looks like he came out of that Australian fireman catalog (you know the one I’m talking about, hunky fireman holding cute animals), though. I’ve had to call the fire department once or twice and the fireman never looked like that, unfortunately.
Did Not Finish: When the Waters Came by Candice Sue Patterson
I received an early digital copy of this book via NetGalley and it is not yet published so I won’t be telling you why I didn’t finish it. If I said why, I’d be giving a review and the publisher has asked that we don’t write review until closer to the publication date.
My March TBR List
This month, I’m focusing mostly on books I’ve received from NetGalley. On my TBR List you can find:
The Worst Woman in London by Julia Bennet
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson
The Forgotten Names by Mario Escobar
After the Rain by Laila Ibrahim (especially looking forward to reading this one)
The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
Did you read any good books in February?
Love,
Cheila
Pink for Days 