Happy October 1!! Goodness this year is flying by, I've already got sugarplums dancing in my head and Christmas will be here before we know it! But today, I've got a new list of books I'm loving lately to share with you- my list reflects the aforementioned sugarplums with several holiday themed selections included. I only share books I enjoyed with you, usually a combo of historical fiction, family dramas, suspense, and lighthearted beach reads. I hope you find some winners, see the end of this post for previous book lists I've shared if you missed those. Happy reading!
(Yes, I still like to use my wired headphones from time to time... 😂)
Home Again by Kristin Hannah- Madelaine is a world renown heart surgeon, overworked and struggling in her relationship with her teenage daughter, thick in a stage of rebellion. Years earlier, while pregnant with their daughter, Angel abandoned her in search of fame and fortune leaving her devastated and alone. In the meantime through the years mother and daughter have remained close with his brother, a priest who is always there for them willing to help with whatever they need. Now, in dire need of a life saving medical procedure, Angel is forced to return and ask for help from the family he betrayed so long ago. I really enjoyed this engaging and heartwarming story!
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah- a gripping family story following two sisters who are polar opposites as they return home to be with their ill father. Their mother has been cold and distant with them their entire life, with the exception of the times she occasionally shared pieces of a Russian fairy tale with them at bedtime. On his deathbed, the father requests a promise from his wife and daughters that the fairytale will be told in its entirety. So begins the journey of mother and daughters to truly understand one another and to know and appreciate their history and heritage, full of secrets that will shape their identity. Loved it!
Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah- Joy is recently divorced and alone, and buys a ticket to the Pacific Northwest on a whim. She finds herself deep in the Olympic forest and makes the decision to walk away from her ordinary life to start fresh. When her path intersects with a motherless boy and his hurting father, a bond is formed between them to help them all begin to heal. This is a short, winsome holiday story that has a twist you won't expect!
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore- A suspenseful plot unfolds when a teenage camper disappears from her summer camp in the Adirondack mountains. Not just any camper, she's the daughter of the family that owns the camp. Added to the story, her brother also vanished 14 years ago without a trace. A wide spread search ensues, triggering long held secrets to be revealed and some deeply buried truths to be discovered.
What in the World by Leanne Morgan- Leanne is having her moment, for good reason! She's relatable, adorable and hilarious and I enjoyed her story. Definitely try to get the audio version so you can listen to her read it in her own voice!
Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz- Another memoir, I never watched One Tree Hill so I wasn't familiar with her in that role, but I do remember seeing her in some Hallmark movies! Wow, what a fascinating story chronicling not only her life as an actress on a mega hit show, but also her secret life as she was drawn in to a cult and the manipulation that plagued her choices and life path for years as a result. Again, I highly recommend listening to her read it in the audio version.
The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler- A touching story that brings together a lonely woman and single Dad who has a chronically ill daughter. Lovable characters, an unlikely meeting ultimately resulting in a marriage of convenience, a charming small town story and a miracle or all come together to create some true holiday spirit!
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon- Set in Maine in the late 1700's, a mysterious death prompts examination of the body by town midwife and healer Martha Ballard. When the town physician disagrees on the cause of death, she is forced to investigate on her own. The death and investigation consume the close knit community, and the diary that Martha always keeps relating to her life and her patients becomes a key piece of evidence. Inspired by the real life Martha Ballard, this was a fascinating look into the past!
Mercury by Amy Jo Burns- Marley West, a perpetual loner, is a teenager new to the town of Mercury, Pennsylvania. The first thing she sees when she arrives in town is three men standing on a rooftop, their silhouettes blotting out the sun. The Joseph brothers become Marley’s whole world. As their own mother fades away and their roofing business crumbles under the weight of their unwieldy father’s inflated ego, Marley steps in to shepherd these unruly men. Years later, an eerie discovery in the church attic causes old wounds to resurface and suddenly the family’s survival hangs in the balance. With Marley's help, the Joseph brothers must decide whether they can save the family they’ve always known—or whether together they can build something stronger in its place.
When in Rome by Sarah Adams- I stumbled on this author and really enjoyed this one for a cute rom com entertaining read. A mega famous singer with a deep love for all things Audrey Hepburn takes a cue from the star and her movies and steals away to away to Rome (Kentucky that is!). She gets stranded in the small town, falls for the town pie baker who inherited the shop from his grandmother... 😂 If you like Hallmark style movies you'll enjoy this one, it was cute!
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams- #2 in the series which follows the Walker siblings, 3 girls and a guy. Annie Walker is the quiet, people pleasing, flower shop owning sister who perceives herself as "boring" when potential dates run slim in her small town. She convinces her sister-in-law's bodyguard (from book 1) to tutor her to be better at dating, building her confidence and helping her realize what she truly wants in a partner in the process. (This one is a little spicier than the first in the series- easy to skip over if you'd prefer.)
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose- Our favorite Maid Molly returns in this short novella full of the Christmas Spirit. Molly has always loved the holidays, but the first few Christmases without Gran have been difficult. Her doting boyfriend Juan Manuel works to make the season special, but spurs some suspicion from Molly in the process. And, a secret Santa gift exchange among the hotel staff adds to the mystery and intrigue. I loved the previous books in the series, this one is delightful as well!
See my other book recommendation posts here-
Books I'm Loving 6Never miss a post!
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