Review: Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

Hurricane Summer: A Novel by Asha Bromfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Published: May 2021

Tilla and her sister Mia are spending the summer in Jamaica with their father and his family. It's also hurricane season. While she feels welcome upon her arrival to the island, when her father leaves the countryside to return to town, it becomes a different story. Because she is from "foreign" and she has a lot of things these people could only dream of having(although where she is from it's not much at all)she is automatically labeled as something she is not. Jamaica is a beautiful, but poor country. In this land, Tilla will learn more about her father, her home country and herself.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

From the moment you open the cover of this book, you are gripped. Even before the author starts to tell you the story, she tells us her story. I was in tears at the start of this book and by the end, the tears were streaming down my face.

For Tilla, this summer will be her first glimpse into womanhood. She has feelings she has never felt before with her father as well as romantically. She is betrayed by people who she is supposed to love and trust and who are supposed to protect her. She finds truths she wasn't ready for. When the hurricane hits stronger than anticipated, she wants to leave the island as fast as possible. But what she learns by staying will be a greater knowledge than any book would ever teach her.

This is a deeply moving book that I will not forget any time soon!

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Books A Million

Review: The Summer Set by Aimee Agresti

The Summer Set by Aimee Agresti
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published: May 2020
 

Charlie Savoy was once at the top of her career in acting. Now, she's hit rock bottom. After she ends up in an accident which is all her fault, she is sentenced to community service at the very last place she wants to do it, the place where her career started, The Chamberlin. The Chamberlin holds a summer acting program and it is at this very program where she met and fell in love with Nick Blunt. Now, he's in charge and Charlie for sure is not ready to spend the summer with him, but she has no choice. Once there will she change her mind, or just stay for probation and then be gone?

Thank you to Graydon House/Harper Collins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I, myself have never been a thespian or really have had no desire to act. For Charlie Savoy, she grew up in that world and it has always been a part of who she was. Her mother was an actor and she easily took to the stage. When she met Nick Blunt, they had an instant connection with their art and their hearts. But Charlie wanted more and she went for it, when Nick kept trying to improve on his one great hit.

This summer is going to be hard on the both of them. Charlie because she doesn't want to be there and Nick because he still has feelings for Charlie.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but there were times where it got slow. I felt a strong connection to the author as she went to the same high school as my husband and we live in the same area. I will read other books this author writes.


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Audio Book Review: The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published: July 2010

The Cousins family thought they knew how their summer was going to be. Spend a week at the family home in Tuckernuck and then prepare for Chess's wedding in September. But those plans would not pan out as it was supposed to. When Chess calls off her engagement and then her finance ends up dead, everyone's world is thrown into a tailspin. Birdie, decides that instead of just her and Chess spending a week at the family home, it should be both of her girls for the entire month of July. Then her sister, India decides to join them as well. These four women will grow closer as family and help Chess heal from her heartache.

I have always wanted to plan a trip with my mother and my sister. Just us girls hanging out at the beach without a care in the world. Tuckernuck sounds like the perfect place, where there is no cell service, not electric and no hot water. Having to have groceries brought in by boat every morning and the trash taken away using the same method at night.

When Chess suddenly and inexplicably calls off her wedding, Birdie is shook. At first she thinks to call off the week in Tuckernuck, but when she sees how Chess is suffering she decides to extend the trip and call in reinforcements. With the help of her younger daughter Tate and her sister India, they are determined to get Chess out of the depression she has gotten herself into and try to make her life a little more cherry.

Lots of interesting things happen on the island of Tuckernuck, most importantly, these ladies learn how to love. To love themselves and one another and a few might even find love from the opposite sex.

Elin Hilderbrand's books always make me want to take a vacation. One day I hope to visit the Northeastern beaches.

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Winning Wednesday--Bookish Giveaways!!

Bookish Giveaways to get you over the HUMP!!

Happy Wednesday my bookish friends.  I hope you are having a good week.  For me, I'm exhausted.  My kids got out of school for the summer on Friday and I'm ready for them to go back already.  I've lost my voice, and they have already gone through all the snacks I bought for the week!!  Good thing there are good books to escape in to at the end of the day!!

SUMMER READING

Enter for your chance to win a Summer Reading Pack from Harlequin.  Prize includes a beach bag with these new summer releases:

Open to Residents of US and Canada only(except Quebec)--Ends August 31st


Enter for your chance to win 1 of 10 copies of Kintsugi Wellness by Candice Kumai. Brought to you by PureWow.  Giveaway is on Instagram so you have to be signed in there to win!

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 22nd


Enter for your chance to win a copy of Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins(Releasing August 7th) 
Brought to you by Penguin Random House.

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 25th




Enter for your chance to win a Tote full of Audio Books!! 14 books below will be on Audio CD.  Brought to you by Penguin Random House.


Open to US Residents only--Ends June 30th


Enter for your chance to win 1 of 100 advanced copies of It All Falls Down by Sheena Kamal.  Brought to you by HarperCollins Scene of the Crime.


Open to US Residents only--Ends when they reach 100 names. 




Enter for your chance to win an Advance Reader's Copy of Our House by Louise Candlish  Brought to you by Berkley Publishers

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 24th




Enter for your chance to win the June Doubleday Box.  The box includes:

• Doubleday Limited Edition Tote Bag
• "Books Before Bros" Doubleday Hat
• A book-scarf to match The Glitch
• A patch with a quote from Fruit of the Drunken Tree
• A discussion guide for Fruit of the Drunken Tree
• Lavinia and Louise's Guide to New York City map inspired by Social Creature
• "More Poetry!!!" Tattoos from Social Creature
• The debut fiction books pictured below

Open to US Residents only--Ends June 30th



Enter for your chance to win $500 to the Bookstore of your choice.  Which will you choose?  Brought to you by BookRiot.

Open to US Residents Only--Hurry Ends TOMORROW June 21st


Enter for your chance to win 1 of 25 advanced copies of A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay.  Giveaway is on Goodreads, so you have to be signed in to win. Brought to you by HarperCollins.

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 27th






Enter for your chance to win the Natchez Burning Trilogy by Greg Iles.  You will win all three books, signed by Greg Iles.  Brought to you by HarperCollins.

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 28th


Enter for your chance to win 1 of 25 advanced copies of Day of the Dead by Nicci French.  This is book 8 in the Frieda Klein series.  Brought to you by HarperCollins.



Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 25th

Book Riot Giveaway Page -- Click here

Giveaways from Goodreads

**These giveaways are not sponsored by What 'Cha Readin'?. Please see each giveaway for official rules.**