Tag: Book Talk Tuesday

Let’s Talk Books: THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB

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Susan Mallery is one of my writing icons. Not only is she prolific, putting out several books a year, but the books are (darn her) all so good and so different.

I understand that it takes a great deal of discipline to build a career like Mallery’s and it’s also apparent I don’t have that particular work ethic/talent/entrepreneurial gene.

That’s okay. It just means I get to appreciate Mallery and other writers like her.

Today, I’m talking about Mallery’s latest book that released Feb. 13, THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB. It’s full of the kind of layering and foreshadowing and depth I love.

From the description:

The Rules of Summer Book Club are simple:

No sad books

No pressure

Yesssssss, wine!

Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group … Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters … Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them … Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough — and and foolish enough — to marry her.

As Laurel, Paris, and Cassie read their summer books (this year it’s romances from the 1980s), they also work through their man-issues and they learn about themselves and their relationships. At the beginning, Laurel believes that all men will let her down. Paris believes she’s incapable of mature love. Cassie believes a man wouldn’t be interested in her for herself, only for what she can do for him.

All three women learn they were oh, so wrong.

I enjoyed this book, light enough for the beach, but with enough meat on its bones to make a great book club discussion. Especially with a glass of rose’.

I loved how each character grew, then failed, then grew some more, and prevailed. The male characters aren’t caricatures, but feel like real, living humans.

I highly recommend THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB for anytime of year.

(Content: Closed door. Some language.)

I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher, but it did not induce me to review the book, favorably or otherwise.

Book Talk Tuesday: ALL MY KNOTTED UP LIFE

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Okay. So anyone who reads my blog posts semi-once-in-a-while, know I’m a big Beth Moore fan. I’ve done most (all?) of her Bible studies. I’ve admired the way her theology understanding has grown and her willingness to say that what she believed when she recorded (insert issue/topic) was before she fully studied the Scripture regarding (same issue/topic)

Long story to say, Beth is someone I respect and someone I look to for teaching.

So it’s disappointing, that we’re currently members of a church that has no official “position” on Beth Moore. But, they closely follow a prominent teacher in the conservative Christian community who has publicly dismissed Ms. Moore, both her ministry and her personal life, not to mention her teachings. I believe God is sovereign and we’re at the church we’re meant to be, and, of course, liking a teacher or author is not a condition for salvation, so I’m okay.

God gave me the Spiritual Gift of Discernment. It’s taken me a long time to understand what that means and entails. Sometimes, I’ll hear a snippet of something, or notice a behavior, and tuck it away to think about later. Many times, something else happens, maybe a year or three after, and I’ll realize that earlier inkling was a red flag to my discernment.

I’ve read a LOT of Beth’s material, including her Bible studies, her non-fiction books, her fiction, (Hey! I even posted a non-4-star review. Because, in my opinion, it didn’t deserve one.)

All that to say, I loved ALL MY KNOTTED-UP LIFE, the memoir Beth released last year.

It’s honest, vulnerable, and transparently authentic. She talks about her past, the abuse she suffered as a child, struggles in her marriage, and some of the issues she and her husband faced together.

After purchasing the book in hardcover (which I rarely do anymore), and reading it, I passed it on to one daughter and gave the other a copy of the audio book. Whatever you’re preferred reading medium is, I highly recommend you grab a copy.

I’d love to know what you think! Feel free to drop me a line at carrie@carriepadgett.com!

Bonus Review: WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN

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Whew! The Tuesday riches keep coming.

As I said in a previous post, I received a free copy of WELCOME TO BEACH TOWN by Susan Wiggs through Goodreads. I promised a fuller review when it released, which is today!

I really enjoyed this.

Talented surfer Nikki left her small Central California Coast town, Alara Cove, right after graduation when she decided to tell the truth and call out the corruption and double standard in her town that resulted in a tragedy. She joins the surfing contest circuit.

Nikki returns to Alara Cove a decade later due to another personal tragedy.

Wiggs explores themes such as family, authenticity, loyalty, and friendship. Nikki grows and changes and finds the courage to go on, to dream a new life and pursue it.

I happily recommend this one, too.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway. This did not induce me to read it or write a review.

Book Talk Tuesday: THE HAPPINESS PLAN

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Tuesdays are often release day for new books hitting the shelves. I can open my Kindle on many Tuesdays to find much anticipated books have appeared overnight. It’s the best kind of magic.

Susan Mallery is one of my auto-buys and any Tuesday that begins with a new book by her is a good day.

THE HAPPINESS PLAN is the story of Heather, Tori, and Daphne. We met Heather previously in 2020’s SISTERS BY CHOICE. She’s been damaged by her horribly manipulative mother and believes she’s too broken to find love.

Daphne is married to Brody, who has two brothers. Heather used to date Campbell, but couldn’t make the commitment he needed. Never mind that it’s killing her to see him with someone else now. Grant is Tori’s next door neighbor, but they become roommates when an accident floods her condo. Daphne is an attorney who works 80 hours a week, but she’s committed to Brody and his three kids. And no matter what Brody thinks, she didn’t have an affair with a co-worker.

I enjoyed this one a lot! Mallery infuses charm and humor in her stories that really resonates with me. Heather’s emotional journey was believable. Daphne had a blind spot the size of a Hummer that I occasionally got impatient with, but not enough to set the book aside. I trusted Mallery to open Daphne’s eyes eventually, and she did.

I’m happy to recommend THE HAPPINESS PLAN!

———-

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher, but that did not induce me to read or review it, favorably or not.

Book Talk Tuesday: THE BEST SUMMER OF OUR LIVES

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I was blessed to receive an advanced reader copy of Rachel Hauck’s upcoming release, THE BEST SUMMER OF OUR LIVES.

The summer of 1977 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Snow’s lives. Friends since elementary school, the “Four Seasons” had big plans for the summer between high school and college, but they end up on probation as camp counselors in Tumbleweed, Oklahoma. But by the end of the summer, the Seasons are shattered apart by a secret and headed in four different directions.

Twenty years later, Summer Wilde is back in Tumbleweed, longing for the peace that’s eluded her since her summer at camp.

The book switches timelines and points of view seamlessly. The story is engrossing and the secrets are doled out skillfully enough to keep me turning the pages well into the night.

This story includes all the elements of a great Rachel Hauck novel: compelling characters, a fascinating story, and spiritual lessons with a special touch by God’s supernatural grace.

Rachel’s fans will gobble up (and love) this story. New readers will immediately look up her backlist books.

The book will be released June 27, but is available now for pre-order from all your favorite retailers.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, but that did not induce me to review it, favorably or not.