Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hannah Martin is a bit of a nomad. She can't seem to settle in once place. Since graduating college she has jumped from one job to another. She is 29 years old and still have no idea what she wants to do with her life. She returns to her hometown of Los Angeles and moves in with her best friend Gabby. They go out to a bar and run into Hannah's ex-boyfriend Ethan at the end of the night she needs make a decision. Will she leave with Ethan or go home with Gabby? The decision she makes will result into completely different circumstances. 

The story unfolds into two different realities that run concurrently. One in which she leaves with Ethan and the other where she goes home with Gabby. The parallel universes each have their disadvantages and advantages. Each chapter flips back and forth from one version of Hannah's life to the other. The storyline is done in a seamless manner which keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more, more and more!

I have come to really enjoy alternate timeline stories and Taylor Jenkins Reid doesn't disappoint. This book is clever and entertaining. 

I Think We've Been Here Before: A Novel by Suzy Krause

Expected Publication Date: December 2, 2024

Marlen Jorgensen has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Him and his wife are trying to navigate this tragic news when more news hits them.  A cosmic blast is set to take place resulting in the end of the world. Their daughter, Nora is on another continent and not answering her phone. Their nephew goes missing and everything seems oddly familiar as though they've been there before. 

The characters navigate their last months on earth together and Nora works on finding a way back home. The story is told in multiple points of view and slowly unravels. I did have to push myself to continue reading this taking much longer than expected (took me over two weeks). I sometimes mixed up characters but the ending wrapped everything up nicely. 

** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by M.J. Wassmer

Dan and Mara are on vacation at a newly constructed island resort. The resort is broken down into three different buildings. Building A is for the ultra wealthy, Building B is for middle class (and where Dan & Mara are staying) and Building C is for those with a tighter budget and thus has fewer amenities. 

The vacation is to take place for two weeks and it should be fun in the sun with booze, food and quality time. Dan & Mara are enjoying themselves and so are other guests and then the sun explodes!

The island is plunged into darkness and shortly after chaos ensues. Classism quickly takes place as Building A commands all the supplies and attempts to take over. Shots are fired and Building B & C are at the mercy of Building A or are they?

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is told in 3rd person. It took me a bit to get into the read. The twist is easy to see and changes the direction of the book.  The book is good enough. 

You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto

 

First Published August 20, 2024

Meredith taught Aspen how to be an social media influencer without her she's be nobody. When Aspen becomes BIG she dumbs Meredith. Meredith is pissed, hurt, jealous  and misses her friendship with Aspen. Meredith was the IT girl and when she gets access to an iPad that belongs to one of Aspens kids her revenge game starts.

Meredith takes advantage of the family calendar on the iPad and uses it to mix up and cancel appointments creating confusion and havoc in Aspens life. Aspen's life is usually well cultivated and organized but the schedule mixups are causing her to lose sponsors and followers. To make matters worse fellow influencers are ghosting her and her husband is distancing himself from her.

Then Meredith goes missing .... and Aspen's live is completely turned upside down.

You Will Never Be Me is twisty, drama filled and a book that will keep you up way past bedtime! The story is told via POV  which gives a lot of insight and background information regarding the build up and break down of their close friendship.

** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris

I read Dead Until Dark back in December of 2008. While browsing Libby I came across an audio version of the book and figured I'd revisit it. I am glad I did! I forgot how clever and fun Sookie is and how Harris has a knack for developing her characters rather quickly. 

The plot is well developed and I love how supernatural elements were revealed. In this first book we learn about Sookie Stackhouse and how Vampire are not only real but have rights as legal citizens. Sookie can read minds but when she meets Bill the Vampire she learns that she can't hear him! This not only intrigues here but makes it possible for her to relax around him and form a close relationship.

You never quite know whats going to happen. I had forgotten myself! I'll likely read more books in the series and maybe I'll like the more than previously did. 

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin

 

Lainey, Tyson, Hannah and Summer become quick and close friends shortly after arriving at college. They met in a study lounge and despite being from different worlds they form an unbreakable bond. Their senior year in college a tragedy results in the group of friends making a pact. Ten years later the group of friends come together to fulfill the pact. They travel, open up to one another and have self discovery. 

The story is told from individual point of views giving insight and perspective. This book is about love, friendship and loss. Giffin tackled a sensitive subject with realism and grace. 

Part of Your World (Part of Your World, #1) by Abby Jimenez

 

Part of Your World explores the opposites attract trope. Alexis is an ER doctor in a bit city.  Daniel is 10 years younger than her. He is a carpenter, runs a B&B, a mayor of his very small town and an overall asset to his small town. Alexis comes from a family of doctors, is wealthy and comes from a family full of high expectations. 

Daniel assists Alexis in getting her car out a ditch followed by grilled cheese and baby goat in pajamas (and a adorable dog as a bonus!). They have a night of passion that is supposed to be a one off for Alexis but that one night turns into so much more!

Daniel is the ultimate dream but Alexis's family has expectations of her that would make a relationship with impossible. 

Can we get a movie out of this? The characters are well developed and Jimenez writes them in such a way that you can understand where each character is coming. This is a super fast read. My only regret is that it sat in my TBR pile way too long!

Miss Quinces: A Graphic Novel Paperback – by Kat Fajardo

This isn't a book I would normally read but my 10 year old niece spent some time with me (along with her older brother). I took her to the library (she had never been)  and we stumbled across this book and checked it out. We came home and she sat down and read it front to back within hours. She exclaimed that it was the first book she very finished in one day. She then wanted more books and a copy of this one ( I got her one). I think my girl has finally found the bookworm in her! She ended up reading two more books while visiting and taking a few home with her.. 

Miss Quinces is a coming of age graphic novel. It follows Sue (Suyapa). Sue wants nothing more than to join her friends at summer camp but her parents are taking her and her sister to Honduras to visit  family. Sue discovers that her family has planned a Quince for her. She doesn't want one but she makes a deal with her mom. If she can go to summer camp she will have the Quince. Her mom agrees but Sue has to do it the way her mom wants!

Over the course of the graphic novel you get to see the beautiful relationship Sue has with her grandmother (reminded me of the one I had with mine). You also experience Sue's struggles. She is quiet and shy while her family is loud. Sue is different from her family but learning more about her grandmother and spending time with her cousins helps her and her loved ones come to terms with her being a bit different. 

The illustrations add a lot to the story and are beautiful. There are some cultural differences in how  Quinces are done in the US and Mexico vs. Honduras but it doesn't take away from the story. Miss Quince tackles a variety of subjects including grief which made me incredibly emotional. This is a must read for all! I'll be buying it for all the young girls in my life. 

The Summoning (Darkest Powers, #1) by Kelley Armstrong

Chloe Saunders is anything but ordinary. She lives at the Lyle House and her housemates are quite peculiar. The group of teens living there all have something to hide. The inhabitants of the Lyle House are told they have various mental health issues. Chloe is told she is schizophrenic and that's why she sees ghost. 

Odd things happen at the Lyle House and when Chloe is told by another resident she is a necromancer things start to make sense and secrets start to be revealed. Others supernatural powers are also revealed and so is the truth of the Lyle House.

The Summoning is fast paced and easy to read.  I look forward to the next book.  Not sure when that will happen as my TBR list is LOOOONG and keeps growing.