Another month has almost come and gone which, of course, means that it is time for another book haul! Once a month I am going to recap some of the books I got the previous month! I will be sharing with you some of the highlights of the books that I found in my ongoing Little Free Library hunts, my Goodwill/thrift store trips, any Barnes & Noble visits, and any books that I receive from authors and publishers!
Amazon Wishlist Splurges The Gay Best Friend by Nicolas Didomizio
Contemporary Fiction
He's always been the token gay best friend. Now, stuck between a warring bride and groom hurtling toward their one perfect day, he's finally ready to focus on something new: himself.
Domenic Marino has become an expert at code-switching between the hypermasculine and ultrafeminine worlds of his two soon-to-be-wed best friends. But this summer—reeling from his own failed engagement and tasked with attending their bachelor and bachelorette parties—he's anxious over having to play both sides.
The pressure is on. The bride wants Dom to keep things clean. The groom wants Dom to "let loose" with the guys. And Dom just wants to get out of this whole mess with his friendships intact.
But once the rowdy groomsmen show up at the beach house—including a surprise visit from the groom's old frat brother, handsome and charming PGA star Bucky Graham—chaos (and unexpected romance) quickly ensues. By the time Dom returns for the bachelorette party, he's accumulated a laundry list of secrets that threaten to destroy everything—from the wedding, to Bucky's career, to the one thing Dom hasn't been paying nearly enough attention to lately: his own life.
This is a book club pick for the Bookie Besties Book Club that I am a member of--which is why I splurged on it this month! I am looking forward to discussing this with my book club friends tonight! The author is going to be stopping in on our Zoom meeting---how exciting is that?!
Little Free Library Finds I didn't have the opportunity to go on any Little Free Library Hunts (or to any library sales) this month. I spent my birthday in Las Vegas and came home to start the summer semester of my Masters Program--hopefully I will have some more time this summer to get back to LFL hunting!
Blind Date With a Book
A few weeks ago, I published a blog post all about the Taylor Swift inspired Blind Date With a Book packages that I bought. Here are the two books that were included in those:
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
Fantasy/Fiction/Magical Realism
In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.
Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Nameless Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.
When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.
I didn't own this book and was glad to add it to my collection. I am a huge fan of the film, Practical Magic, and have been looking to read the series in its entirety this fall. This was such a welcomed addition to my bookshelf!
99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne
Romance
Crush: a strong and often short-lived infatuation, particularly for someone beyond your reach…
Darcy Barrett has undertaken a global survey of men. She’s travelled the world, and can categorically say that no one measures up to Tom Valeska, whose only flaw is that Darcy’s twin brother Jamie saw him first and claimed him forever as his best friend. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, Tom’s off limits and loyal to her brother, 99%. That’s the problem with finding her dream man at age eight and peaking in her photography career at age twenty—ever since, she’s had to learn to settle for good enough.
When Darcy and Jamie inherit a tumble-down cottage from their grandmother, they’re left with strict instructions to bring it back to its former glory and sell the property. Darcy plans to be in an aisle seat halfway across the ocean as soon as the renovations start, but before she can cut and run, she finds a familiar face on her porch: house-flipper extraordinaire Tom’s arrived, he’s bearing power tools, and he’s single for the first time in almost a decade.
Suddenly Darcy’s considering sticking around to make sure her twin doesn’t ruin the cottage’s inherent magic with his penchant for grey and chrome. She’s definitely not staying because of her new business partner’s tight t-shirts, or that perfect face that's inspiring her to pick up her camera again. Soon sparks are flying—and it’s not the faulty wiring. It turns out one percent of Tom’s heart might not be enough for Darcy anymore. This time around, she’s switching things up. She’s going to make Tom Valeska 99 percent hers.
I was thrilled to open this book up because I have heard that the author is widely loved on social media. I am hesitant when a book or author receives so much hype but I am glad to have the opportunity to give this one a read and form my own opinions on it!
Gifted books from Publishers
While I have had quite a few authors reach out to send me their books for review, I have recently started receiving recent (or advanced) releases directly from publishers.
The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon
Thriller
Aidan Thomas is a hard-working family man and a somewhat beloved figure in the small upstate town where he lives. He’s the kind of man who always lends a hand and has a good word for everyone. But Aidan has a dark secret he’s been keeping from everyone in town and those closest to him. He’s a kidnapper and serial killer. Aidan has murdered eight women and there’s a ninth he has earmarked for death: Rachel, imprisoned in a backyard shed, fearing for her life.
When Aidan’s wife dies, he and his thirteen-year-old daughter Cecilia are forced to move. Aidan has no choice but to bring Rachel along, introducing her to Cecilia as a “family friend” who needs a place to stay. Aidan is betting on Rachel, after five years of captivity, being too brainwashed and fearful to attempt to escape. But Rachel is a fighter and survivor, and recognizes Cecilia might just be the lifeline she has waited for all these years. As Rachel tests the boundaries of her new living situation, she begins to form a tenuous connection with Cecilia. And when Emily, a local restaurant owner, develops a crush on the handsome widower, she finds herself drawn into Rachel and Cecilia’s orbit, coming dangerously close to discovering Aidan’s secret.
I can never resist a good thriller and Knopf always send the best ones my way! I am looking forward to jumping into this story soon. Thank you Knopf Publishing for the gifted copy! This one is OUT NOW!
Homebodies by Tembe Denton Hurst
Contemporary/Literary Fiction
Mickey Hayward dreams of writing stories that matter. She has a flashy media job that makes her feel successful and a devoted girlfriend who takes care of her when she comes home exhausted and demoralized. It’s not all A-list parties and steamy romance, but Mickey’s on her way, and it’s far from the messy life she left behind in Maryland. Despite being overlooked and mistreated at work, it seems like she might finally get the chance to prove herself—until she finds out she’s being replaced.
Distraught and enraged, Mickey fires back with a detailed letter outlining the racism and sexism she’s endured as a Black woman in media, certain it will change the world for the better. But when her letter is met with overwhelming silence, Mickey is sent into a tailspin of self-doubt. Forced to reckon with just how fragile her life is—including the uncertainty of her relationship—she flees to the last place she ever dreamed she would run to, her hometown, desperate for a break from her troubles.
Back home, Mickey is seduced by the simplicity of her old life—and the flirtation of a former flame—but her life in New York refuses to be forgotten. When a media scandal catapults Mickey’s forgotten letter into the public zeitgeist, suddenly everyone wants to hear what Mickey has to say. It’s what she’s always wanted—isn’t it?
Intimate, witty, and deeply sexy, Homebodies is a testament to those trying to be heard and loved in a world that refuses to make space, and introduces a standout new writer.
I am always looking for new authors to obsess over! It is even better when they are debut authors--like with this book---that way I don't have to worry about getting though a never ending backlog and I can follow along as they continue to write! This book sounds like something I will love. Thank you Harper Collins Publishing for the gifted copy! This book is OUT NOW!
It has been a good month for book hauls, I hope you have enjoyed recapping some of my recent finds with me!
As always, thank you for reading! XO, Madison
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