The first book review of 2021!! Let’s just get started…
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (5 out of 5 stars)
Firefly Lane takes place in the 1970s and goes through the early 2000s, showing the ups and downs of a friendship that is built to last. Tully and Kate are best friends who complete each other. Tully wants what Kate has (a family) while Kate wants what Tully has (gorgeous looks and popularity); together, they were a dynamic duo. The book alternates viewpoints and goes through the motions of best friends choosing two different paths in life without saying whether one path is better than the other (depending on your view of what’s important in life). Tully’s view shows the consequences of choosing a career and job over anything, and Kate’s view shows the impact of choosing a family over having a career.
This was my first book by Kristin Hannah, and I am so ready to read more of her books! Firefly Lane is a rollercoaster of emotions – I laughed and I cried and laughed some more and cried some more {note: have a box of Kleenex handy!}. Hannah’s writing was so descriptive and thorough. You could picture every scene as if you were there, and the author takes you on a journey with the characters. My one complaint, which has nothing to do with the book or the author and has everything to do with me, is do not read this at the beach. I made that mistake and it was very deep and intense in some points; it is not a light beach read like the book I read after this one.
Beach Read by Emily Henry (3.5 out of 5 stars)
The definition of ‘beach read’ is something light-hearted and easy to read, and while Beach Read, sounds like it would be that way, there was a surprising amount of substance to the storyline and depth to the characters. Beach Read is a summery story about a romance writer – January – and a serious lit writer – Augustus, who are living in neighboring beach houses for the summer which they try to get inspiration to write their next books. While the two have been long-time rivals since college, they spend the summer getting to know each other, and, as competitive as they are, decide to strike a deal. January writes about serious literature and Augustus writes a happily ever after story. Whoever sells their manuscript first is the winner. What could possibly happen between these two?
The book is entirely told from January’s point of view, and we see the sarcastic but entertaining banter between the two characters. Throughout the book, we see tension from their competitive history but also from their growing feelings for each other. Overall, Beach Read is a very cute and very sweet romance and was the perfect read for my beach trip.
Making It in Manhattan by Caroline Vazzana (4.5 out of 5 stars)
After creating a career and gaining tons of experience as a fashion editor, stylist, and influencer in the fashion industry, Caroline Vazzana takes her knowledge and puts it into Making It in Manhattan – an insider’s guide to the fashion industry. Vazzana takes the reader through her journey into and through the world of fashion and helps readers find their path in the industry while providing advice on how to be successful and land their dream jobs.
Making It in Manhattan is written like an autobiography full of basic advice that can be applied to your career path in the fashion industry. Vazzana explains her specific path into the fashion industry while presenting many tips and tricks that anyone can use (in the fashion industry or not). Reading this book felt like I was having a conversation with a good friend and mentor rather than sounding like a textbook. Overall, it was contained great energy and was very inspiring to someone who has decided to have a career in the fashion industry.
The Shark Club by Ann Kidd Taylor (3.5 out of 5 stars)
18 years ago, Maeve Donnelly kissed by the boy she’s in love with (Daniel) and was bitten by a blacktip shark. Since that point, Maeve dove headfirst into her work, travelling the world, studying sharks, and learning all she can about the misunderstood creature that bit her. Following a budding, new romance with her fellow marine biologist Nicholas and before her next research trip to Mozambique, she heads back to visit the woman who raised her, her grandmother who owns a popular boutique hotel, and her twin brother. During the short time she’s been back at the hotel, Maeve learns that there is an undercover finning operation killing the animals she’s set her life to protect and raise public awareness about. If that’s not enough to worry about, Maeve’s old feelings for her former love and ex-fiancé are brought up after she learns that Daniel is back in town for good with his daughter, the result of a betrayal Maeve has never gotten over.
A quick, enjoyable read, The Shark Club is a non-fiction book about sharks with romance and a dash of suspenseful subplot of shark finning. Throughout the book we see motifs of romance and heartbreak, family drama and grief/loss, and a little mystery. Maeve’s character was truly inspiring as the brave, intelligent heroine, who we watched grow up and learn to forgive her past and truly step into what she wants for her life. After finishing, all I wanted to do was sit by the Gulf with my feet in the water while watching for sharks.
The Obsession by Nora Roberts (3 out of 5 stars)
At almost 12 years old, strong, independent Naomi learns of her father’s true self and the extent of his heinous crimes. The book then fast forwards a little as the plot works through the aftermath of her discovery and how she and her family members dealt with the truth about her father. Fast forwarding even more to the present, the protagonist Naomi moves to a new town all alone for another fresh start. Even though she doesn’t believe in putting down roots anywhere, she purchases a huge fixer upper, meets a potential love interest Xander, and adopts a stray dog Tag. Throughout the storyline, we see how Naomi faces her past while embracing the present and looking forward to a different future where she doesn’t have to run and hide.
The Obsession had an engaging plot with tons of complex characters while showing the depth that Naomi’s discovery affected her view on relationships and her ability to open up to people. While there were a few scenes that felt like they were just dragging on, Nora Roberts grabbed my attention on the first page and had me hanging on to every word by the end of the book. The suspense was gripping, and at times I felt like I couldn’t read the book fast enough to solve the many mysteries presented. Overall, I gave it three stars due to the dragging-on moments and the somewhat easy-to-solve main mystery plot; nonetheless, this certainly will not be my last Nora Roberts book.
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