I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagán

I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagán
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was surprised by how much I liked this one, and it was more of a stressful read than expected. I listen to the audio, which I thought was good and expressive.

All I wanted was just a bit more of the really sweet moments, surrounding all the hard times and tragedy, but this tackled a lot of issues that women, families, and marriages deal with. It felt authentic, and it was well-written.

Pages: 270

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I picked this up in an Audible sale, saw that it had a billion reviews, and decided to give it a try without even knowing what it was about.

It turns out the title, cover, and story don't feel in any way related to me, so I was in for a lot of interesting surprises with this story. I liked it far better than I expected, based on the title and cover, because this dealt with the impacts of a false conviction. Even though it is called An American Marriage, it's more about the family you're dealt, the family you find, and the family that you make, and how often those are not the same.

There was some extra drama at the end that didn't always seem helpful or to make much sense to me, but I really enjoyed the story overall. It's not really a feel good kind of story, but it definitely gives you things to think about.

I'm really glad I bought this and read it, and I think if you find the cover or title off-putting, just ignore them, as they don't really match what I feel are the truths of this story.

Page: 308

Mary and O'Neil: A Novel in Stories by Justin Cronin

Mary and O'Neil: A Novel in Stories by Justin Cronin

Justin Cronin's debut novel focuses on O'Neil Burke and Mary Olson, tracing their experiences through early adulthood and marriage. Told in short stories, the reader is given a glimpse into the lives of Mary and O'Neil both separately and as a couple, as well as the lives of O'Neil's parents before their untimely deaths and that of his sister, Kay, who is struggling with illness.

243 pages.

Take Me Back by Meghan March

Summary: "We fell in love on a beach, got married in paradise, and rode off into the sunset. It should have been perfect, but saying “I do” doesn’t guarantee a happily-ever-after.Two years later, I barely recognize either of us behind the walls we’ve built.
It’s time to bring it full circle. Back to a tropical paradise. Back to find out if we can still make this work.
I’m not willing to give her up, but to save us, I have to risk everything.
Two damaged people.
Countless secrets.
The fight of our lives.
We might be broken, but we’re not done." - Amazon

This is not a book I would have chosen to read of my own volition. It was a recommendation from Nicole, so I gave it a go.  And, whew!  It started as a simple 'can they save their marriage' type beach read - but then - there was a turn of events.  A big turn of events.  And I can't say much more without giving away the goods, y'all.  Is there romance?  Yep.  Suspense?  Yep.  Some sappiness that I wish had been left out because it's not real life?  Yep.  Do I regret reading it?  Nope!  It caught me by surprise, and if you read voraciously like I do, you know how difficult that is.

4.5/5

272 pages

One more thing.  The following is a note from the Amazon page - and I agree.

Author's Note: Please be aware that reviews MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. This book is best enjoyed by going in blind, and that is the experience I hope every single reader gets to have. Please read reviews at your own risk.

"For the Living" by L.A. Witt

This was a very well written story about a man coming to grips with the death of his wife and his sexuality at the same time.  Jay has been trying to make himself admit to his wife that he's gay for a year when she suddenly dies.  He's already overwhelmed with guilt for wanting to end his marriage, but after Misty dies he nearly comes unglued.  Luckily, he finds a confidant in a stranger, the assistant funeral home director, Scott.  As someone used to dealing with death and grief, Scott listens to Jay and tries to give him advice about working through his feelings and eventually coming out to his family.  I'm sure you can tell where this heading, but Jay's journey was still satisfying to read.  I like L.A.Witt's writing and will definitely read more.  279 pages (Kindle edition).

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Summary: "When Lauren and Ryan's marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes. Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren's ideas about monogamy and marriage."

After I Do is another of Taylor Jenkins Reid's amazing books, and I enjoyed it very much. It is not quite as magical as Maybe in Another Life, but its realism spoke to me. Reid is an excellent story-teller. She makes you feel intense emotions and second-guess your entire life with just a few sentences. Her words are simple but very powerful. I can't wait to read more of her work. 

336 pages

"Blood Kiss" by J.R. Ward

This is the first book in the Black Dagger Legacy, a spin off of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and centers on Paradise and Craeg, two of the newest vampires recruited by the BDB to fight the Lessening Society in their ongoing war.  Paradise is part of the glymera, the vampire aristocracy, and Craeg is a vampire commoner.  They, along with five other recruits, make it through a series of obstacles to begin their training with the Brothers Butch, Tohr, Z, Phury, and Rhage.  Although female members of the glymera are supposed to be protected instead of protectors, Paradise is determined to be a fighter.

Craeg has a different reason for wanting to fight; his entire family was killed in the raids made by the Lessoning Society.  He also hates the glymera because his father was working at an aristocrat's home when it was raided, and the commoners on the grounds were kept out of the safe rooms.  Craeg can't deny his growing attraction to Paradise, which he sees as a distraction to his training.  He also doesn't know that she's an aristocrat.

This book also focuses on the communication problems of mated pair Butch and Marissa and how the murder of a female vampire brings them closer.  It was good to read about the original Brothers and their shellans (mates) in addition to introducing new characters that will fight with them.  The scene where the ladies get together to watch Magic Mike was pretty funny.  This was a much smaller and tighter book than the last few BDB books, which I appreciated.  I am ready for the next installment! 399 pages.

Ten Seconds by Louis Edwards

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

A ten-second race at a high school track meet equals a slow-motion of Eddie’s life and future.

Audio:  4 hrs. 18 min.

Print:  166 pages

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Posted for Andrea Dennis

I have decided to read/listen to a list of 100 books to read before you die. And this was #1. I am pretty sure I am like the only person left on the planet who has not read/listened this book. But it was very good. I loved the drama!

Audio: 10 hours 23 mins

Pgs: 279

"Checking Him Out" by Debbie McGowan

Sol and Elise have been in a lavender marriage for eight years when a pushy man annoys them in the check out aisle at the grocery store.  When the man, Adam, tracks down Sol at his engineering job to return his wallet, they find out that they are both Englishmen living in Boston.  I can't say much more without giving away major spoilers, but part of the story takes place back in England with both sets of their parents and siblings.  The author did a great job of taking what could have been an ordinary boy meets boy story and freshens it with not only with a lavender marriage but anxiety about love and living fully out of the closet.  The secondary characters were done well and played important parts in the story.  I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.  193 pages (Kindle edition).

Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews

Summary:  "Annajane Hudgens truly believes she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless. They've been divorced for four years, she's engaged to a new, terrific guy, and she's ready to leave the small town where she and Mason had so much history. She is so over Mason that she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia. But when fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a halt as the bride is literally walking down the aisle, Annajane begins to realize that maybe she's been given a second chance. Maybe everything happens for a reason. And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back. But there are secrets afoot in this small southern town. On the peaceful surface of Hideaway Lake, Annajane discovers that the past is never really gone. Even if there are people determined to keep Annajane from getting what she wants, happiness might be hers for the taking, and the life she once had with Mason in this sleepy lake town might be in her future."

My favorite part of this book is the Bayless family drama surrounding their family-owned business, Quixie, a struggling cherry soft-drink company. The soda drama is one I've never read before, and I enjoyed it more than I anticipated. Mason's sister Pokey, also Annajane's best friend, is the best character, and I wish she would get her own book: she's smart, honest and fights for her family. 

402 pages