August Wrap Up

I know, I know...I'm extremely late with my reviews. Life has thrown quite a bit at me lately, and as much as I want to keep up with my reviews, I also need to just keep escaping into stories to help me move forward with my life! So, here we go---very much overdue reviews of the books I read in August!

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston started the month off with a bang! I loved this story! It was definitely not what I was expecting, and fantasy is usually too outlandish for me, but there was something about this "fantasy" story that felt so real. The love between August and Jane was felt through the pages. I found myself laughing out loud, crying, and feeling a full heart! I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Dates Read: July 31, 2021 - August 1, 2021

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer was one of my favorite books for the month. The story was heart-wrenching, but it was one that I strongly recommend that everyone experience at some point. World War 2 Historical Fiction is my jam, and this helped solidify why! I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars as well.

Dates Read: August 1, 2021 - August 3, 2021

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz was my add on for Book of the Month's August choices, and then I found out that Reese made it her book for the month as well. I just had to read it! The characters Emily, Kristen, and Aaron are still with me to this day. What a story! Young love, a jealous friend, and some action--what more can you ask for? I loved this book! 5 out of 5 stars for sure!

Dates Read: August 3, 2021 - August 4, 2021

The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan has been on my TBR for a while now. I had been putting it off since I wasn't overly impressed by Daisy Jones and the Six which I had seen it was compared to often, but this was very different. I loved the current pop culture references tied into it, and made for a very enjoyable read. By the end of the book, I really got a good feel for the characters. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 5, 2021 - August 7, 2021

Okay, so I had seen They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera many times on TikTok...so I obviously had to read it! The book gave me major In Time vibes...you know, the movie with Justin Timberlake where time is money and when you run out of time, you die. Now, the premise wasn't exactly the same, but I can say with confidence that if you enjoyed that movie, you'll enjoy this book. The characters were very easy to love, even in the short time we knew them. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fiction with a small amount of fantasy thrown in! I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 7, 2021 - August 8, 2021

Troubles in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand is the third in the paradise series, and by far, my least favorite. I felt like the storyline was way too drawn out, none of the characters were developed any further, and the story just fell flat. It wasn't my favorite series by a long-shot, but the ending really disappointed me. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 9, 2021 - August 13, 2021

Colleen Hoover has my whole heart, so I was beyond excited to read Layla! I truly did enjoy the book, but the element of the supernatural just rubbed me the wrong way. Fantasy has never been my genre of choice, but I don't HATE it. The element of fantasy in Layla was the only reason this book went from 5 to 4 stars. Other than that, the book was steamy, witty, and a wild journey to have gone on! Way to go, Colleen!

Dates Read: August 8, 2021 - August 15, 2021

So, if there would've been a book to DNF in August, it would've been Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll, but alas, I pushed through. I pushed through for a couple reasons...first, Reese Witherspoon liked it...and also, it's being made into a movie. Let's just say this, a little over a month ago, I finished this book, and I remember little to nothing about it. I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 15, 2021 - August 20, 2021

Every month, I have a streak where the books just aren't great. The same thing happened when I read Dare Me by Megan Abbott. I liked the storyline and all, but the book didn't leave any sort of lasting impression on me. I will say though that the cover art was very enticing! I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 21, 2021 - August 22, 2021

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson was a re-read for me...but the last time I read this book was over 15 years ago. the book holds up though. I remember the feelings I had the first time I read this book, and the second time around, the feelings all came flooding back. The topic of rape is never an easy one to read about, but I do feel like this book is one that every high schooler should read. I would even go as far as to say that it should be required reading in high school English classes...4 out of 5 stars for sure.

Dates Read: August 23, 2021 - August 24, 2021

As stated before, World War 2 Historical Fiction is my genre of choice, but Send for Me by Lauren Fox wasn't a favorite. The story wasn't awful, but it didn't leave me feeling the same way I feel when I read other books in the same genre and setting. I did like the descriptions of the settings though. The author painted a very vivid picture of what life was like at that time. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 25, 2021 - August 28, 2021

August wrapped up with such a cute book! The Dating Plan by Sara Desai was such a cute rom-com! While the book was very predictable, I loved the way it all played out. The characters were cute, and I loved the diversity! The traditions of the Indian family was a great contrast to the white family's traditions. I also don't believe I've read another book with a main Indian character, and I loved it! I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Dates Read: August 28, 2021 - August 29, 2021

August takeaway: Favorite book -- One Last Stop. Least favorite -- Luckiest Girl Alive. September is almost over (yes, I suck)...but I can't wait to see what other journeys I'll be going on!