Review: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published: June 2021

The Riva family has long been known throughout Los Angeles and the world. It started with Mick Riva, the estranged father of the clan. The next generation finds Nina, Hud, Jay, and Kit. Four kids are mostly forced to raise themselves until they are old enough to be on their own. Nina the oldest, makes sure everyone is taken care of even if it means she has to go without. Hud is hiding a big secret from his brother, Jay, who has a secret of his own. Kit is trying to prove to everyone that she's better than the rest of her siblings on the surfboard if they would only give her the chance.
On the night of their annual party, their whole lives are unended. Will this be a positive or a negative change and how will it affect the rest of their lives.

This is the first book I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid and if I had to base reading the rest of her books on this one, I would not read anymore. But, I've been told by quite a few people that this is the worse of the bunch.

What I liked about this book was the family drama part. It was a lot of back and forth between the past and the "present" which was the 80s. I liked getting to know each character on a personal level and deciding who I liked and didn't. I could really relate to Nina because I am the person in my family who is always taking care of others before myself.

I've heard The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the next book of hers I should give a try.
What do you recommend?

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Review: The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Published: April 2021

Three generations of women joined together for a life-changing summer.
Mary, the grandmother, who has deep secrets from her past she would like to remain there.
Autumn, the mother, is unsure whether to move on with life even though her husband has been missing for over a year.
Taylor, the daughter, has a secret of her own, and a new friend she isn't sure she wants to be just friends with.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was swept up in all the drama this book had to offer. A missing husband, teenage pregnancy, and 35-year-old secrets. I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for their success. I knew how it was going to end, but I was hoping that would not be the case. I was disappointed with the ending which is why it got 3.5 stars instead of 4.

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Review: Every Time You Go Away by Beth Harbison

Every Time You Go Away by Beth Harbison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published: July 24, 2018

Three years ago Willa lost her husband Ben. Since his death, she hasn't been able to return to their beach house in Ocean City, MD. The main reason is because that was where he died. But now, something needs to be done with the house and Willa thinks the best thing to do is sell it. But being at the house has been quite interesting for Willa. She keeps seeing her husband Ben, and then she hears him loud and clear as if he is still there with her. Is she going crazy or is he really there? As she goes about fixing up the house with her best friend and her son, she sees Ben less and less, but her grief seems to be subsiding.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What drew me to this book initially was the fact that it was based in Maryland. I have lived my whole life here and I love reading books where I can picture myself in the setting. And when it's places your familiar with, it makes it a lot easier to imagine.

I don't know what I would do if I lost my husband unexpectedly. I'm sure the grief would tear me up inside for a very long time. We are a family that enjoys the beach, so I could really connect with this book. We don't have a beach house, but every year we make it a point to get to the beach for a least a week. If my husband were to die at the beach, I'm sure that it would be more difficult to go.

Willa doesn't want to go to the beach house, but she knows something has to be done. The memories of her husband, Ben are too great for her to keep the house, so selling it seems like the best option. Being back in the beach house is bringing up so many memories and making Willa reflect on the past three years and how she has just been going through the motions of life and not really participating in it. Not spending time with her son, Jamie or her best friend Kristin. Having them helping her get the house ready to sell reminds her of all the summers they spent together.

How can Willa sell the house if Ben is still there? If she continues to spend her summers there will she continue to see him? He doesn't know how his appearances work, so how will they know. But Willa knows this summer will change her life in more ways than one.

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Review: Bad At Love by Sterling Keyes

Bad At Love by Sterling Keyes (Shimmer Point Series #2)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

Eve Quinn is having fun with Justin Glenn, but this relationship is much different than the typical casual relationships she is used to. Could she possibly be falling in love with Justin and does he feel the same way? Justin is having as much fun with Quinn as she is with him. Being away from Shimmer Pointe during the week may have something to do with it, or is it something more. When they are both given a shock during Eve's birthday party, they have to decide what the next step for them will be.

Thank you to Sterling Keyes for the opportunity to read and review her book. This is the second book in the Shimmer Pointe series and it was just as good as the first. The stories are short(I read this one in less than an hour) and grab you right from the start.

Even though this book is short, it is chock full of interesting stuff. Love, kids, the beach, food, and even a hostage situation. There is never a dull moment in Shimmer Pointe. I'm intrigued to find out what is going to happen next with Eve and Justin as well as Charlotte and Theo. Will their love grow to marriage and growing families, or is this where their story ends. We shall wait to see.



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Review: I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2018

Rian has not had the easiest life so far. She and her twin sister, Marley are finally getting their lives where they want them. Their real estate business is going well and they will soon have the money they need to do their first flip. Along comes, Pierce, the dashing city boy who seems to be the perfect match. But when Pierce starts showing up everywhere Rian is to show or flip a house, she becomes suspicious of whether he is really interested in her or if he just wants an in on the properties on the beach in the Hamptons. Determined not to let her past ruin her future, Rian keeps forward with her quest despite Pierce's efforts to thwart her. Rian is not interested in men right now, her only objective is to be able to start flipping houses with her sister in an attempt to acquire the Mission Mansion which used to be in their family. Will she fall for this guy or leave him alone to continue with her own dreams?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

At first I wasn't sure how this book was going to turn out. I'm a big fan of HGTV and house flipping shows, but how would that translate into a romance novel. It's true that Rian has her share of demons in her closet, but her past shouldn't dictate her future, especially when it comes to love. I really enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the start and I didn't want to put it down. There were times when I found the main character a little whinny, but we, as independent women, can get that way sometimes when things seem to be going our way and then an obstacle comes into play. A very handsome and determined obstacle at that.

This is a great story about family and overcoming your past to make room for love and happiness in your future.



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Review: The Beach House by Sterling Keyes

The Beach House by Sterling Keyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Charlotte Winters returns to Shimmer Pointe Beach to settle her father's affairs, she's not sure what she is going to do next. Not only with the stuff in his house, but also with the rest of her life. She has just filed for divorce from her husband of 10 years after she caught him cheating. She's not sure if she will stay in the family beach house or return to life in Seattle. But when Charlotte meets Theo, things get even more confusing. She's not ready to start another relationship, but she also can't imagine her life without Theo in it.

Thank you to Sterling Keyes for the opportunity to read and review her book.

This book was a short romance that had me hooked from the start. Immediately I wanted to be Charlotte's friend and help her through her difficult time. Imagine living on the other side of the country from your family and slowly losing the closeness you once had. Losing them would be a tragic event, but even more tragic is deciding what to do with all of the things they have left behind. Finding a man while completing this task was the last thing on Charlotte's mind, but Theo was a good friend and companion to her father, so they couldn't help coming together.

Theo is not looking for a relationship either, but when he meets Charlotte Winters, things are very different. Not only is she the daughter of his friend who is now gone, but there is something about her that he just can't seem to resist.

These two were brought together for a reason. Love is the reason.

I highly recommend this short love story to all my romance lovers!!

Author Interview

ME: Where is your favorite place to write?

STERLING: Right now, I don't have a dedicated office. So, I am writing on my living room couch (At least it is comfortable!)  My dream is to one day have a nice office where I can close the door and write in peace and quiet.  I think when you have a dedicated space, it makes it easier to focus.  But, we do what we can, with what we have, and that's ok too.

ME: Which is your favorite book right now?  Of all time?

STERLING: I'm a sucker for Nora Roberts.  I love anything that woman writes.  I also really like Meredith Wild.  My favorite book of all time has to be books I read as a child, such as: Nancy Drew and Mrs. Frisby & The Rats of Nimh.  Those books really stuck with me as I grew up and helped make me want to write my own stories, they fueled the fire. 

ME:  What inspired you to become a writer?

STERLING: I think I was born with the desire to want to write stories.  I was writing stories and making little books as early as 5 years old.  It was just something I always wanted to do.  It's my passion and I am really trying to make it my full time career. 

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Winning Wednesday!! Bookish Giveaways

Each week there are hundreds of bookish giveaways out there.  Here are a few I've found.


Penguin Random House Summer Thriller Sweepstakes
Enter for your chance to win these books from Penguin Random House
       
Open to US Residents only -- Ends July 31, 2017

Read It Forward Books to Blockbusters
Enter to win five books that are being made into blockbuster movies from Read It Forward
       
Open to US Residents Only -- Ends today July 26, 2017 at 11:59 pm(Eastern Time)


Random House Beach Book Bundle Giveaway
Enter for your chance to win a book bundle which includes the following titles from Penguin Random House
               
Open to US Residents only -- Ends July 28th.

Bookclubbish Lie to Me Sweepstakes
Enter to win a writing journal, a fountain pen, a glass script mug, and a signed Advanced Reader's Copy of  from Bookclubbish
Open to Resident of US & Canada only -- Ends August 21st

Penguin Random House Halfway Through Summer Giveaway
Enter for your chance to win the books below from Penguin Random House
       
Open to US Residents only -- Ends August 3rd

Romance Devoured & Margo Bond Collins
Enter for your chance to win a free digital copy of  by Margo Bond Collins as well as one winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card and one winner will receive a $5 Amazon gift card along with chances to win every week by entering this contest and signing up for the newsletter.
Open Internationally, except to the following countries: Taiwan, South Korea, Portugal, Italy, Austria, China, Russia, Hong Kong, Greece, France, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic. -- Ends September 13th

Book Riot offers several giveaways each week.  Check out their giveaway page.  So does Goodreads.

Click ENTER on any giveaway to participate.

**What 'Cha Readin'? is not sponsoring these giveaways.  Please read the official rules for any giveaway you enter.**