Five Star Friday is my version of the monthly wrap-up. On the first Friday of each month, I will share my five-star reads from the previous month. Fingers crossed, I have lots of books to tell you about.
This month, I was able to read 26 books, and I had 2 five-star reads. I saw some interesting trends for myself this month.
- Three books featuring dogs
- Three books set in Vermont
- Six Christmas books
- Ten new-to-me authors
- Two time travel-ish books
The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons on November 7, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction, Time Travel
Goodreads
By the New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven't Met You Yet, a downtrodden twenty-six-year-old wakes up to the life she’s always wanted, but is it really a dream come true?
At twenty-six, Lucy Young is tired. Tired of fetching coffees for senior TV producers, tired of going on disastrous dates, and definitely tired of living in a damp flat share with flatmates who never buy toilet roll. She could quit her job for a better living, but she’s not ready to give up on her dreams. Not just yet. After another diabolical date lands her in a sudden storm and no money for bus fare, Lucy finds herself seeking shelter in a tiny shop, where she stumbles upon a curious wishing machine. Pushing her last coin into the slot, Lucy closes her eyes and wishes with everything she’s got: Please, let me skip to the good part of my life.
When she wakes the next morning to a handsome man, a ring on her finger, a high-powered job, and storybook perfect little boy and baby girl, Lucy can’t believe this is real—especially when she looks in the mirror, and staring back is her own forty-something face. Has she really skipped ahead to the future she’s always wanted, or has she simply forgotten a huge chunk of her life? And as Lucy begins to embrace this new life and new relationships, she’ll have to ask herself: Can she go back, and if so, does she want to?
Cousens always does a beautiful job blending humor and emotion into her stories, but she really had me thinking with this one. Lucy was having a hard time and made a wish to skip to the good part. This premise always results in lots of comedic moments, but her journey really left me thinking about what makes a life and would I want to skip to the good parts? Really well done.
[review]
Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne, Anthony Ledonne
Published by Blackstone Publishing on October 24, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne--and her real life husband and high school sweetheart, Anthony LeDonne--comes a new holiday romcom that is sure to warm even the coldest heart.
Katherine, an ambitious NYC attorney, gets diagnosed with a concussion and must be monitored for 48 hours to make sure it doesn't get worse. Unfortunately, she forgot to update her emergency contact so the person they call is her ex-husband, Tom. Unable to be left alone, Katherine reluctantly agrees to travel to Chicago with Tom for the holidays. But thanks to a blizzard, what should have been a quick plane ride turns into an antagonistic overnight misadventure that stirs up old feelings even as Tom prepares to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve.
A delightful meet-cute between The Proposal and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Emergency Contact is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.
This was such an interesting romance because it took place well after this couple's divorce. I had no doubt Lauren Layne could make me open my heart to a story like this, and I was eager to take this journey with Tom and Katherine as they embarked on an endless journey back to Tom's family as they fanned the flames that never extinguished between them. Tons of fun while also being emotional, I loved every second of this one.
[review]
Honorable Mention
October was packed with great reading. Here are my honorable mention books. All earned 4.5 stars.
- The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allard
- Maybe Once, Maybe Twice by Allison Rose Greenberg
- Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood
- Sister of the Bride by Lauren Morrill
- The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins
- The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
- The Deja Glitch by Holly James
- Betting on You by Lynn Painter
- Dog Days Forever by Shannon Richard
- Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
- Four Weddings and a Puppy by Lizzie Shane
- The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Lizzie Shane
Let us know in the comments!
I've been saving my holiday books for November, but I definitely got some good ideas from you! Can't wait to get my copy of The Good Part.
ReplyDeleteThere was something really special about The Good Part for me. Maybe it's my old age, but stuff like this hits me right in the heart. Hope you love it and enjoy all your upcoming holiday books
DeleteYay for LL making your top 2! I loved that book. I also loved Betting on You. I am happy The Sweet Gum Tree worked out as well! Maybe Once, Maybe Twice and Do Your Worst weren't really for me, but I'm glad you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteI know you don't like flashbacks, so I am not surprised Maybe didn't work out for you. I feel like the author is also not everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it a lot.
DeleteWhile I enjoyed most of what I read last month, I don't think there was a single 5 star read for me. That's unusual especially because I love a good horror book or thriller. Lots of 4 stars, but nothing really stood out. I think I'm still on a high from reading Wellness in September. That book will be hard to top!
ReplyDeleteBOO! I would be so sad if I didn't have at least one 5-star book. I am glad Wellness was a great one for you. You had to earn that with over 600 pages in the book.
DeleteI'm looking forward to Do Your Worst so I'm happy to see you loved it!
ReplyDeleteI liked it. I loved the heroine and her family "gift", the setting, and the historical/paranormal bits too. Hope you enjoy it as well
Delete6 Christmas books isn't that unusual, given the month we're in...but the other trends are kinda weird. Too bad for only having 2 five-star books, but at least there's a number of 4.5 ones...
ReplyDeleteI still read a lot of good books. I think I had three DNFs which isn't bad either.
DeleteWhat a great month you have had there. And love it when you see trends in your reading! Hope Novembers ends up being a win of a month for you. Love the Christmas reads.
ReplyDeleteI cannot get enough of the holiday books it seems. I love them though
Delete26 books is mind blowing to me!!!! And I have already added Emergency Contact to my TBR after having read your review!
ReplyDeleteHave you read any of Layne's other books? I am a big fan.
DeleteIt looks like you had a great October reading lots of wonderful books. Here's to a great November as well.
ReplyDeleteMy five star books was low, but I think it was good overall
DeleteWhoa I was about to feel bad that only two were 5 stars but DANG the 4.5 stars are aplenty! Funny enough, I had a pretty 4.5-heavy October as well, must be something in the air heh. A few of these look very good, and I shall have to further investigate. Hope November is treating you well!
ReplyDeleteMany of the books I read were great, but missing that little something that made it get all the stars. We can't complaint of reading many almost-five-star books. I am happy with that.
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