

This was 10000% NOT the lighthearted holiday read I was hoping for π but I loved it just the same βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
This was 10000% NOT the lighthearted holiday read I was hoping for π but I loved it just the same βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
Last holiday themed book of the year.
I haven't been reading much this year. My great #litsypenpal has come to the rescue with some perfect holiday goodies. Books on point per usual, nutcracker salt n‘ pepper shakers (which I used for Christmas dinner but forgot to fill them), fun lip balms that I so desperately need, goodies for the pup, nutcracker notepad, and the best thing. It's a reading shawl! I love it all, @Litlady thank you so much!!!!Merry Christmasπand Happy New Year all!
I was looking forward to another Christmas rom-com, & while this starts off in the direction with Josie meeting Max by chance as the perfect distraction from a dreaded anniversary & the recent bad news on both the career and her relationship, but as the year progresses, & their chance encounters continue, Max‘s own secret changes the holiday tone into something my inner-Lurlene-McDaniel-obsessed-4th-grader approved ofβ¦ but not much holiday spirit!
While this one started with great potential, I feel like it spiraled downward quickly. It was not what I expected, and there were several things in the story that I think were written poorly. This is not a light, fun holiday read!
That‘s a wrap on #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin for 2022. 2 DNFs & 22 read means all 24 are off my TBR shelf. Thank you, @TheAromaofBooks for hosting this. I‘m looking forward to participating in 2023.
This book was not the fluffy light romcom I was expecting. There was some of that, but a much deeper range of emotions and challenges as well. I never read the book jacket comments before I start a book, as I am afraid of spoilers, so I really was unprepared. All in all, a good story and a worthwhile read, but there were a few too many coincidences in the plot to suit me. #SundayBuddyRead
Giving this book a pick because the writing was good & I was very vested in the outcome even though I saw some things coming early on & there was an abrupt plot jump I didn‘t like. It‘s more personal growth than holiday romance & explores themes of loss/grief (early on we learn the MC lost her parents at a young age at Christmas) so if that triggers you, especially during the holidays or you want something light & fun, I wouldn‘t choose this one.
Our first year in #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD we skipped December π these are what we have read to date!
My favourite is Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk!
Oh My Goodness Gracious. This book. I‘m not going to give spoilers but this one is going to grab your emotions and run with them. So be fully prepared for that. I have a feeling this is an all in liked it or all in don‘t like it kinda read. This was my #doublespin #bookspin read! @TheAromaofBooks
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
That‘s a wrap for 2022!! I cannot explain in words how much Sundays mean to me, even when I throw the book multiple times!! I started with me and one person reading a BOTM book together in early fall of 2017 and then we went big the next month and formed this!!! As we are now in our 6th year I am cherishing it even more!! So grateful.
On to 2023 and I thank you for this journey of reading together !!
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Part 5
Funeral thoughts?
Part 6
Africa and letter writing
Thoughts?
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Any part you like? Any character? Is the book a pass because of the death? Would you recommend this without a warning ?
I like the London settingβ¦β¦ and Biaβ¦. π
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
SOOOO should this be marketed Christmas romance ?
Favorite Christmas romance ?
(Some folks may need it after thisβ¦)
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Then the grandma has a heart attack and here‘s Maxβ¦
And Erin just a friend.
And THEN HE JUST DIES
He‘s been saying goodbye the whole timeβ¦.
Thoughts?
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Part 3 -
SO the kiss and NO EXPLANATION? Come ON PEOPLE π΅βπ«!
Part 4-
The exhibit -so she did go for photography ..
Also CLOSURE. Her friends hinting she needs it, for Max? Her parents, both?
Isn‘t closure different for everyone ?
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Josie photography
Max‘s gift to her?
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
OOOOOOPPS. I slept waaay in!!!
OY VEY!
Here we go!
Question one - Dead animal heads
Yay or Nay
Freaks me out personally!
Our #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD discussion is tomorrow. Definitely not what I expected when I started the book but I enjoyed the writing and the story definitely gave me all the feels. It was also my #DoubleSpin book for December.
#WinterReadathon #DoubleSpin BookSpinBingo #Adventathon #LitsyLoveReads
Finished #sundaybuddyread last night. I can‘t wait until tomorrow because I have things to say!!! This was not what I was expecting and I continue to be amazed at how pacing out the reading for each sunday really impacts my reaction to the stories.
Not sure how to rate this book. It was very well written but toward the end you have a big shock coming, that in no way the book or writing prepared you for, and it just came out of nowhere and was instant. π’π Definitely doesn‘t leave you any feel good factor.
For that reason I have rated it So-So but can‘t say it was a poor book because it definitely wasn‘t, more about the reaction to what was written.
@TheBookHippie #SundayBuddyRead
I seriously hate this book. I am gutted. Absolutely gutted.
I briefly read the synopsis of this book & thought it was a holiday romance, maybe a little bit more serious than the typical holiday romance. But hey, not every romance needs to be totally light and fluffy as long as there's a HEA. I figured this was along the lines of Josie's Silvers One Day in December.
Well clearly, I should have read some reviews. Because I was wrong. So wrong.
Next up! Hoping for a nice, quick, lighthearted holiday read β€οΈπ
I have our discussion questions ready β¦π€«π€π€π€π€
NO SPOILERS PLEASE π€π€«
π #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD until Sunday π€
What the heck?! I was listening on audio while driving or I would have thrown across the room! I‘m mad at Emily Stone. Why would she do this to us? #sundaybuddyread
#SUDAYBUDDYREAD
We get to finish it now βοΈππβ₯οΈ
So predictions?
Thoughts?
Are you liking it?
Did I miss something ?
What -if anything -stuck out to you?
Also -TWO WEEKS TIL CHRISTMAS Hanukkah is NEXT WEEK! Ten days til solstice ππβοΈ
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Erin did you tell her????
What is going on?!
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
His sister Chloe
Max‘s friend Liam
Both side characters that may couple up⦠are they helping the story ??
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Laura‘s wedding
Erin‘s plus one isβ¦
Max
Thoughts?
Ridiculous is mine ππ€£
And Erin do we like her?
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Angel of the waters
Thinking he heard Josie and then running to seeβ¦
And then Oliver AND JOSIE
Messy messy messy
I threw the book
So thoughts?
Then
Part 3
So it doesn‘t work with Oliver -
Shockerβ¦.
How you liking the story so far? π
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
So the EX
ERIN
Thoughts?
βComfortableβ relationship?!
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Friends Ross & Rachel reference
Anyone watch friends?
I was too busy working π
1994-2004
Yes I realise it‘s on now I‘ve no interest. Think most people will get the reference?
I have a girl I mentored in love with the show I feel I know it and I‘ve never seen it! Ha.
So any fans here?
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
Part 2
My favorite hot dog stand in NYC is the one in front of the library in Manhattan-
Schwarzman Building, commonly known as the Main Branch, 42nd Street Library or the New York Public Library, is the flagship building in the New York Public Library system in the Midtownβ¦
Hotdog lover ?
I slept late this morning ππ here we goβ¦.
Good morning all!
Time to return to Always in December for the second section of the #SundayBuddyRead, ready for the discussion tomorrow. Chapter 11 - 20.
@TheBookHippie
#WinterReadathon
@DieAReader @Ghabi4Roses
Just checking in friends! Why did I think I could read/listen to 16 books this month?! Because I'm delusional! π€£ I'm about 40% through this one and can catch up on the week 1 questions. I'm nearly done with Madam and about 35% through The Imaginary Lives of James Poneke. I'm not collecting points but reading by twinkle light with a glass of wine & the pup nearby brings me joy. Happy Weekend!
@Andrew65
#sundaybuddyread @TheBookHippie
This book was just lovely and heartbreaking and just great. I‘m so glad that I picked it up. This is not a romance. I had no idea what this book was going to really be about. I loved Josie and Max and the way the story unfolded.
I‘m glad I saw in the goodreads reviews about this book making people cry. I of course didn‘t know why. And I was cleaning the bathroom today and choking up! πππ
#winterreadathon
Chapters 11-20 THIS WEEK!!! #SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
SHHHHHHH no spoilers please!
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
https://www.edinburghcastle.scot
Field trip???
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/Edinburgh-Castle/
https://patch.com/new-york/upper-west-side-nyc/upper-west-side-hot-dog-stand-top...
I get a hot dog from Billy's when in NYC and yummmmmmm
https://www.restaurantji.com/ny/new-york/billy-s-hot-dog-cart-/
#SUNDAYBUDDYREAD
#WinterReadathonBingo. Week 1 - 4 corners
Most came from the tagged book but a few are from The Secret of Snow.
Prepping for #sundaybuddyread or celebrating the end of Wednesday aka why can‘t it be Friday π· ( when will I get a chip emoji?! )
Josie writes a letter every Christmas. Reading for #SundayBuddyRead and I‘m expecting a HAE which will bring joy.
#WinterReadathonDailyChallenge #Day7
Not my usual type of read, but I'm a sucker for easy to follow audiobooks where the narrator has a British accent
This book!!! It took a while to get into and up until 80% in, I was convinced it was 3 star max. Then, in the last 20%, it pulls out your heart and stomps it into the mud, only to give it back to cracked. How is this heartache boosting up the enjoyment of this story? I don't know. It just makes the story.
Having to play a bit of catch up but about to start the #SundayBuddyRead. @TheBookHippie
#WinterReadthon
#bookreport #weeklyforecast
Finished:
The Heiress, which I loved- such lush, lyrical, imaginative writing by the author. Plus @DebinHawaii kept the tone light with her daily memes!
The Winthrop Woman, A long saga of a Separatist family beginning in England, then moving to American shores in the 1630s -
Dopesick, non fiction account of the oxycontin crisis in Appalachia, attributed to the greedy, unethical Sackler family & its marketing
π½