A new month means a new book review! After two hard-to-finish reads that took me longer than expected, I finished the month with a bang. The last three books were a series that I absolutely LOVED!! You can read my reviews for each book below!
The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward (3 out of 5 stars)
70-year-old Charlotte Perkins just wants to reunited her estranged children and truly live a little after her husband and best friend both pass away. By submitting an essay about losing her virginity to her first love (sex is a big thing on her mind), Charlotte wins the “Become a Jetsetter” giveaway in hopes it’ll help her and her children reconnect. After winning, everyone packs up their baggage and spends ten days travelling around Europe on the Splendido Marveloso. Along with the literal baggage, each character brings along their figurative baggage and secrets: Charlotte’s secret about never truly being in love despite being married; Lee’s secret of her struggling and of how her father truly passed; Cord’s secret about his sexuality; and Regan’s secret about her failing marriage. During the trip, buried secrets are revealed, new and old lovers appear, and the family is forced to confront their problems head-on.
The book touches on sensitive topics such as alcoholism, suicide, and sexuality, and for the heaviness of the topics, the book seemed to lightly skim over them, which didn’t feel right to be. There were also lots of mini dramas, arguments, and breakdowns that were never elaborated on or seemed to fit in the overall plot. The plot itself never appeared to be fully developed; therefore, the resolution was incredibly weak. For such intense topics in the book, I expected more character development and growth as the book progressed as well as more resolution with the family altogether. Each character seemed to have small resolutions with each other but never as a whole family unit.
Stranger in the Woods by Anni Taylor (3.5 out of 5 stars)
Stranger in the Woods is a dark and deep psychological thriller filled with unexpected twists and turns, heartbreaking scenarios, and pranks gone horribly wrong that elicit fear in everyone involved. Australian photographer Isla Wilson landed her dream photography job after an accident involving her epilepsy: a month-long assignment in a small town in Scotland to photograph a famous architect named Alban McGregor and his family. After immediately being accepted for the position, Isla researches and learns about the history of Braithnoch, where she’ll be staying, and that the family’s oldest daughter Elodie was abducted two years earlier and was found in an old playhouse on the property… only to find out that playhouse is still on the property because Alban refuses to knock it down. Each day Isla stays in the Scottish Highlands, the weirder and weirder Alban and his wife become, and it is clear to Isla that are keeping some major secrets. Isla’s curiosity in finding out the truth about Elodie and the family takes her into dangerous territory that she might not escape.
They say the ending of a book can either make it or break it, and for me, the ending of this one broke it. I may be too much of a realist and focused too much on the details that didn’t add up for it to seem logical and real. With that said, after getting through the slow beginning, I was hooked and couldn’t stop turning each page to find out what happened next. The ending was definitely a big shock that I don’t think anyone would have expected.
Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne (5 out of 5 stars)
Passion on Park Avenue is a romance filled with angst between two characters who both have a common past that must be dealt with or their future together is at stake. The first book in the Central Park Pact series introduces us to Bronx-born Naomi Powell – a wildly successful, strongminded entrepreneur in the jewelry industry with one ultimate dream: to prove her worth among the Upper East Side elite and to stop being treated like an upper-class outsider by the same people who employed and ruined the reputation and career of her mother. We also meet Oliver Cunningham, a successful architect with his own business empire and Naomi’s incredibly attractive neighbor, who happens to be the grown son of the family that ruined Naomi’s mother’s career so many years. As her success in the industry continues to grow, Naomi comes face-to-face with the idea of finding closure with him and his family. But is keeping the secret of who she is worth jeopardizing all of the special moments she has with Oliver along the way?
Romance novels are known for all of the steamy, intimate scenes; however, this book is something completely different, and the intimacy is so much more than simply physical. There is so much depth to these two dynamic characters, and the author creates a deep, emotional connection between them that is refreshing and enjoyable that is unlike other romance novels.
Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne (5 out of 5 stars)
The second book of the Central Park Pact series follows Claire Hayes, a young widow who, after finding out that her late husband had been cheating on her with at least two other women, decides there are no good men in New York City – a decision that is challenged by a sexy, rough-around-the-edges contractor, Scott. Determined to find a way to not let her past relationship take over her new life as a single woman and to step out of her comfort zone from the past, Claire sets out to completely renovate and redesign her historic brownstone into something all her own while removing everything related to her cheating husband. However, she finds it harder than expected to let go of her feelings for him, while also complicating her secret pact with herself to never fall in love again. Enter Scott Turner, a contractor who usually works on skyscrapers and architecturally difficult projects, who doesn’t want to take on Claire’s “tiny” project and deal with the rich, spoiled Upper East Side princess he presumes Claire to be. Throughout the novel, Scott learns that keeping distance from his employer, who happens to be a friend of a friend, is much harder than he originally thinks, especially after what was supposed to be a simple renovation turns into something much more complicated with its long workdays, even longer nights, and mutual attraction.
Like the first book in the series, it is an easy to read, light romance with an incredible amount of depth and character growth. The book explores the topic of emotional connection over physical attraction while helping its dynamic character (and reader) find the strength to let go of the past and step into the future stronger than ever before. It is an enjoyable, mood-lifting read that is sure to put a smile on your face as you close it.
Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne (5 out of 5 stars)
The third and final book in the Central Park Pact series answers the question: can guys and girls ever really be just friends? According to Audrey and her childhood best friend Clarke, the answer is absolutely. When Clarke’s meddling mother and Audrey’s gossips go too far, Clarke and Audrey decide to get back at them by pretending they’re engaged. What started out as a game between two friends turns into something more complicated as the just-for-show kisses and wedding activities stir up feelings that have been hidden for far too long. As the fake wedding date quickly approaches, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can’t go back to having a strictly platonic friendship anymore, but do they even want to?
The finale of the Central Park Pact is a charming and sweet book with cute clichés that are heartfelt, lighten your mood, and make you believe in love and happiness. Similar to the other two books in the series, the author puts emphasis on emotional connection with another person and character growth. Throughout the book we see how the characters change as their feelings for the other person change and grow deeper. Clarke gives up his womanizing ways to become the mature, caring man he’s always wanted to be, while Audrey goes from young and carefree to a thoughtful, mature grown-up, shaping her decisions and views on life.
The Central Park Pact series was so much more than just following three women and their love interests. It is about unlikely friendship of three Upper East Side women, who support each other no matter what, as they achieve their dreams, find true love and happiness, and tackle the city that never sleeps one Louboutin step at a time.
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**This post is NOT sponsored, and all content is all my own.**
