The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Are you looking for the perfect summer read? Well, you can stop searching now because The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid absolutely delivers a scorching summer read. This book has it all: diversity, romance, humor, and a little intrigue. If you've never read anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid, you seriously need to. I read my first book by her last year and immediately fell in love. She's one of my favourite authors and one I can truly say just keeps getting better. This story is woven together so intricately that you will begin to wonder if you're actually reading a celebrity memoir.

Evelyn Hugo is a 79 year old former Hollywood headliner who is finally ready to tell the story of her seven husbands. Throughout her time in Hollywood she was the seductive blonde with massive sex appeal and more than one scandal to her name. There is way more than meets the eye with Evelyn, though. She recruits journalist, Monique, to tell her story. Monique is fairly young and going through a divorce. Evelyn's choice to recruit Monique leaves her curious and left me wondering if there was some sort of connection between the two.

I found myself getting lost in this beautiful story. Each section is about Evelyn's relationship with one of her husbands and I could not read this fast enough. There is one person in particular who is the love of Evelyn's life and one of the reasons she has chosen to finally tell her story. I won't spoil anything, though, because it is truly better to not know who her one true love is until she wants you to know.

This story was completely captivating. Evelyn was a fantastic character full of contradictions; humble yet bold, soft yet hard, and a little infuriating at times. She was the perfect actress and one Hollywood would surely be obsessed with today if she were real. I really did feel like she was real at times, which is a testament to Taylor Jenkins Reid. Reid has a way with words, especially when dealing with love and loss. She shines brightest when she's writing about love and loss and what it means to be human. Her characters become real people right before your eyes.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a must-read this summer! It's on sale today, so go out and buy it! While you're there, pick up one of Taylor Jenkin Reid's other books because she is amazing. I would probably read her grocery list and be enthralled.

I'm part of Simon and Schuster Canada's blog tour, so a copy of the book was provided for free, but as always, opinions remain my own. Make sure to check out my fellow bloggers posts; something tells me their feelings will be similar to my own.

The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango

From Goodreads: On the surface, Henry Hayden seems like someone you could like, or even admire. A famous bestselling author who appears a modest everyman. A loving, devoted husband even though he could have any woman he desires. A generous friend and coworker. But Henry Hayden is a construction, a mask. His past is a secret, his methods more so. No one besides him and his wife know that she is the actual writer of the novels that made him famous.

For most of Henry’s life, it hasn’t been a problem. But when his hidden-in-plain-sight mistress becomes pregnant and his carefully constructed facade is about to crumble, he tries to find a permanent solution, only to make a terrible mistake.

Now not only are the police after Henry, but his past—which he has painstakingly kept hidden—threatens to catch up with him as well. Henry is an ingenious man and he works out an ingenious plan. He weaves lies, truths, and half-truths into a story that might help him survive. But bit by bit the noose still tightens.

The Truth and Other Lies has me confused. It's one of those books that I'm not sure I either a.) liked or b.) understood. The book opens and you are thrown right into the plot, which I liked. It was so easy to get sucked into this story and into Henry's mind. I disagree about Henry being someone you could like, because I absolutely did not like him. He was manipulative, conniving, and sociopathic. I liked the ride through his mind, though, because his way of thinking is so different than my own (non-sociopathic, that is!). While I didn't like him, I did find him a bit fascinating. He may not have been an author himself, but he could definitely wind together a good story!

I can't say much about the plot without spoiling anything, so I'll just say that it's a little complicated. This is a fairly short book, so you really have to be paying attention because things happen quickly. I did not like a single character in this book as everyone seems shady. Whether they were or not, you can decide for yourself, but I felt like they were. It seemed like nobody truly knew anyone in this book, but I guess that's true life. Can we ever really know someone? Know what they're capable of?

I just finished this book, so I'm still sorting out my feelings. It left a little to be desired, especially the unsatisfying ending. I have questions that I want answers to. I didn't dislike the book, as it did leave me thinking and questioning, which is always a good thing in my mind. I will say, though, that it is pretty literary and descriptive and some of the situations are a bit gory and hard to read.

This has the potential to be a big summer hit, and I think it's the perfect book to read on a dark, rainy night, preferably at an old cabin, to really ramp up the atmosphere.

Overall, it was not my favourite book, but it was still a really interesting story that had me questioning Henry and everyone else the whole time. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars based on Goodreads rating system. It's on sale now, so check it out if you're into unreliable, twisty stories.

*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, so thank you so much!*

Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover

From Simon & Fig: When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.

If you're looking for a really fun read this summer, this should definitely be on your radar. I was offered this book for review from the publisher, and can honestly say that I really enjoyed it.

I really liked Chloe. She wasn't perfect by any means, but she was funny, intelligent, and not afraid to be herself, even if it earns her the odd glance from people. I loved following along with Chloe in her adventures, finding her way through Paris, renting a flat, making friends, and embarrassing herself.

 I really liked the group of friends, both her London friends and her Paris friends. I appreciate it when authors celebrate female friendship because I think it can be easier to not do so. I would love to be part of their group, and found myself relating to each of them in different ways. Andover did a great job of representing women in all different life stages.

I had a slight issue with the Amanda storyline. I kind of felt like it didn't need to be part of the story. I guess she offered some comic relief, but I just found her creepy and out of place. That was my only slight issue, though.

I enjoyed reading this, and definitely think it makes a great summertime book to enjoy on a patio with a pitcher of fruity drinks. It will make you feel good, and who doesn't like that? You'll cheer for Chloe, hate certain people, and ultimately want to move to Paris. Or at least I do.

Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover is available now, and is a perfect summer book!

A solid 3 out of 5 stars for me.

Merry & Bright Blog Tour: a Christmas anthology review

I love Christmas. Actually, I should say I love the idea of Christmas. What I love is the build-up; the lights, the tree & decorations, the excitement, but I do feel like the whole event is way too commercialized and hyped. I absolutely love Christmas movies, books, & TV specials. I think I just like to see others having lovely Christmases. That being said, I especially love short Christmas stories.

I was provided with an e-copy of this book for review, but it did not sway my opinion at all. I would have read it either way.

 Sip your eggnog, linger under the mistletoe, and make a Christmas wish. Merry & Bright brings you six tales of Christmas cheer, featuring stories of budding romances, Southern charm, lost loves, heaps of humor, and lots of pie by authors Isabella Louise Anderson, Cindy Arora, Laura Chapman, Lauren Clark, Libby Mercer, and Nancy Scrofano. From sunny Los Angeles to the Rocky Mountains to the Deep South, Merry & Bright will take you on a heartwarming adventure you’ll love to visit again and again. Wrap yourself in holiday mirth and prepare to be swept off your feet.

Festive, right? The first story was A Very Dixie Christmas by Lauren Clark, and this may have been my favourite story of the bunch. It's about a mom, daughter, and their UPS man. I work for a courier company (not UPS), so I have a sweet spot for couriers, especially during Christmas. The UPS man delivers much more than gifts in this sweet story about a girl who questions her belief in Santa Claus. I loved all the characters, and would actually love to read a longer version of this story.

Christmas at Mulberry Inn by Cindy Arora made me want to spend the holidays in an inn far away, just not the way the characters do. It featured Saffron who is almost divorced and visiting her best friend, Taylor, who just happens to be Saffron's exes sister. Oh, and her ex is planning on spending Christmas there, too, with his new girl. Naturally, they decide to pretend that Saffron also has a new love interest, though the pretending may not be entirely necessary. This was a cute read with the potential to get real dramatic, but it didn't. It was sweet and hopeful, and if anyone can provide me with an inn in a small town, I'd appreciate it.

Ice Dating by Nancy Scrofano reminded me why I am so happy to be married and not have to worry about dating. Quinn and her friends decide to try ice dating, which is speed dating on skates. Sounds horrifying! I enjoyed reading about Quinn on her 'dates', as she was awkward, and funny, and perhaps a bit close-minded about the experience. With her failed dates behind her, Quinn heads for gelato where she has yet another awkward encounter with a man, Cameron, who works there. I liked this story, but I kind of thought the part where Quinn heads to her family's house & runs into her ex was out of place. I mean, I understand why because of what it led to, but it made me dislike Quinn a little bit. I think I was meant to feel bad for her, but I just didn't.

 Meet Me Under The Mistletoe by Isabella Louise Anderson was a perfectly sweet story, but I had a hard time with the insta-love connection. Perhaps it's just because I'm not a love at first sight believer. I loved the setting in this story, though, and the idea of spending the holidays at a cabin is dreamy. I'd actually love to read a book about Lexi, as she was an aspiring author in her twenties.

Libby Mercer's Secret Santa was a lot of fun! Abbie is gifted a treasure hunt by her secret Santa at work. Convinced that her Santa is her boss and that she'll find a promotion at the end of her hunt, Abbie sets out & ends up in different places reminding her of her ex. What she finds at the end of the hunt is even better than what she was expecting. I really enjoyed reading this one, and the idea of a Christmas treasure hunt is fantastic!

The story I found most emotional was Twelve Drummers Drumming by Laura Chapman. Tuck and Autumn are newlyweds and majorly excited to spend their first Christmas together as a family. It's hard to review this story without giving it away, but I loved it. It's the story that felt the most like an actual novel with a clear beginning, middle, and end. I really liked the characters, and the ending will make you swoon. Read it for all the feels.

This is a really great collection of Christmas stories, and I think it should definitely be added to any Christmas lovers wish list!

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops and author information!

Blog Tour: The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes

 

Marian Keyes is one of those authors that I've been hearing about for years, but haven't actually read anything by her. When Penguin Canada offered me the chance to read her newest release, I jumped on it.

From Penguin Canada: 'Name: Stella Sweeney. Height: average. Recent life events: dramatic.'
One day, sitting in traffic, married Dublin mum Stella Sweeney attempts a good deed. The resulting car crash changes her life. For she meets a man who wants her telephone number (for the insurance, it turns out). That's okay. She doesn't really like him much anyway (his Range Rover totally banjaxed her car). But in this meeting is born the seed of something which will take Stella thousands of miles from her old life, turning an ordinary woman into a superstar, and, along the way, wrenching her whole family apart. Is this all because of one ill-advised act of goodwill? Was meeting Mr Range Rover destiny or karma? Should she be grateful or hopping mad? For the first time real, honest-to-goodness happiness is just within her reach. But is Stella Sweeney, Dublin housewife, ready to grasp it? 

The book opens with Stella back in Dublin after a stint in New York. We learn that she is separated from her husband, Ryan, and that her son, Jeffrey, is a frustrating teenager. The book then steps into Stella's past, where she developed a life threatening disease that left her completely paralyzed for months. In the first half of the book, one chapter is about the present, and the next is about Stella's hospital stay. Enter Mannix, Stella's neurologist who ultimately changes the course of her life.

I really enjoyed the chapters where Stella was in the hospital. I liked reading the thoughts that she couldn't physically voice herself. It's interesting the observations you can make about your own life when you're stuck and mute. Once Stella is out of the hospital, her whole life changes. She and her husband separate, and oh yeah, she has somehow written a book! Becoming a somewhat known author leads to the wrong person taking notice of her new life, which is when her life starts falling apart.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but I did have a few issues with it. I hated Jeffrey, Stella's son. He was rude, disrespectful, and spoiled. I think he was emotionally stunted by Stella's illness, but he was very difficult to like. I also didn't like Ryan, Stella's ex-husband. I feel like his storyline about giving away his things was a bit out of place. Perhaps there was an underlying message in that particular storyline, but I didn't get it.

I found this book quite funny, which is always a plus in my mind. Stella can be hard to like at times, but she's funny and self-deprecating, and at her core, has a big heart. I liked Mannix a lot, too, as well as the secondary characters like Georgia.

I would recommend this to those who are looking for a quick read (it's a chunker, but it reads quickly), or those looking for a story that will leave you feeling content.

This was my first Marian Keyes book, but now I'm interested in checking out her others. Does anyone have any suggestions on which book I should check out next?

The Woman Who Stole My Life is available now, and you should definitely check it out.

Then and Always by Dani Atkins: Blog Tour

 

From Goodreads: Rachel Wiltshire has everything she’s ever wanted: a close group of friends, a handsome boyfriend, and acceptance to the journalism program at a top-choice college. But one fateful evening, tragedy tears her world apart. Five years later, Rachel returns home for the first time to celebrate her best friend’s wedding. Still coping with grief, she can’t stop thinking about the bright future she almost had, if only that one night had gone differently. But when a sudden fall lands her in the hospital, Rachel wakes to find that her life has completely changed. Now she has her dream job as a writer and a stylish apartment, but the people she loves most are not the way she remembers them. Unable to trust her own recollections, Rachel tries to piece together what really happened, and not even she can predict the astonishing truth.

My Thoughts: Rachel is a girl who seemingly has it all, until she doesn't. Or does she? After a tragic accident claims the life of Rachel's best friend, Jimmy, she is forced to accept a life without him in it. I hurt for Rachel while reading about the accident. You could feel the love that Jimmy had for her, and while she was in a relationship with Matt, you could also feel the friendly love Rachel had for Jimmy.

Fast forward to five years later, and Rachel is heading home to celebrate her best friend's wedding. This is where we learn that in the past five years, Rachel and Matt have broken up, Rachel's dad is very ill, and Rachel is suffering some severe headaches. After taking a walk, Rachel is mugged and wakes up in the hospital. This is where the story really begins because we discover that Jimmy is alive, and Rachel is engaged to Matt! Crazy, right? Rachel definitely thinks so, and so did I.

This twist made me wonder about what I would think if I woke up and suddenly my entire life was different. How would I react? I think I'd get a lot more hysterical than Rachel did. Rachel cannot remember anything about her past life. All she remembers is that Jimmy is dead, but he's not. He is very much alive. Right?

The book then journeys into Rachel essentially trying to prove that Jimmy is dead, though he's standing right there with her at all times. I felt for Rachel throughout the whole novel. She loses her best friend, but then finds out she hasn't, but doesn't recognize anything else from her life. I think she felt conflicted because obviously she didn't want Jimmy to be dead, but she also couldn't imagine the life that everyone was telling her was hers.

The ending of this book will be what everyone talks about and remembers. Truthfully, I kind of suspected it, but when I reached the end, I still found myself pleasantly surprised. This would make the perfect book club book. I found myself trying to explain the book to my fiancé, but it's one of those books you need to read to be able to talk about it with anyone. I definitely recommend making someone else read this because you'll want to have someone to discuss it with. This really would be a perfect book club pick.

I would give this 3.5 stars out of 5 because I did see the end coming, and I did find it a bit confusing at the beginning. Definitely check it out, though. It's the perfect book to lay out in the sun with.

Then and Always will be available May 20th, 2014. Check it out on Goodreads, Penguin Canada, and Amazon Canada.

The lovely people at Penguin Canada provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but this did not sway my opinion in any way.