What I’ve Been Reading This Summer (and What My Team Has Been Reading!)

I’m basically always listening to an audiobook. I’m a huge bookworm…and all the girls on my team are too! Here are the books we’ve been listening to and reading lately. 

I’ve always loved reading, but recently I’ve been flying through books thanks to listening to some really fun audiobooks. The girls on my Merrick’s Art team are avid readers as well, and we all love sharing our book recommendations! Here is what we’re reading lately:

Merrick’s Books:

• Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle: I started this book with absolutely no clue about the storyline, but this was such a sweet story and I LOVED it. Every time Daphne meets a man or goes on a date, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a time frame…”six months” or “two years, two months” or “one year,” and that tells her how long that relationship will last. Her love life revolves around these papers from the universe, until she gets one with a man’s name on it and the time frame is blank. Although the notes from the universe are total fantasy, the rest of the story deals with real life situations that are relatable and difficult. Happiness, health, love, marriage, commitment, etc. I thought this book was really well done, and there were a few twists I didn’t see coming. Also, listen to it, cause it’s narrated by Julia Whalen, and I’m beyond obsessed with her voice. This one had a tiny bit of language, and spice level was low.
• The Blonde Identity: My sister, Everyday Reading, recommended this book, and it was available for my on Libby so I borrowed it and flew through it. It’s a play on the Bourne Identity storyline, but with a girl who wakes up in Paris with no memory of her past, a lot of bad guys chasing her, and a hot, but grumpy, operative trying to help her escape. It’s a little cheesy, but some laugh out loud lines, and lots of thrilling chase scenes. If you liked the “Finlay Donavan” books, you’ll love this.
• Zero G: I listened to this one with my boys while we’ve been in the car lately. It’s included in Audible memberships — no credit required — and is a fun story that we all enjoyed. Zero is 12 years old and on a transport ship that is taking him and 20,000 other people to a new planet 100 light years away. His stasis pod malfunctions one month into the journey and he wakes up to find the pilot gone, and space pirates (humans who had inhabited another planet many years before), trying to take over their transport ship. Since he’s the only one awake, he has to be the one to save the ship and all its sleeping passengers. It’s part one in a three part series, and we’ve already started part 2. Definitely recommend, if you need a good book with your kids.
• Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace: I just started this book and have heard great things. My oldest son is starting high school next year and is very smart and in advanced classes, so this feels especially applicable to us. I’m very interested to see the insights and thoughts she shares in this book. I’ll report back on Instagram when I do my roundups on instagram stories.

Laura’s Books:

• Emma of 83rd Street – This is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. I LOVED it, thought it was so charming and fun and loved the nods to the original work. These authors are coming out with a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice in August and I cannot wait. It has a chapter of spice, but otherwise is pretty clean.
• Listen For The Lie – If you choose to read this, listen to it! It’s a fantastic audiobook with a full cast. It follows a podcast trying to solve a cold case murder in rural Texas, and I was truly shocked by the ending. It has some humor too which lightens up the other aspects. It’s not spooky, but it’s a very engaging read.
• Powerless – Ok this might be a YA novel, but I really enjoyed it. It’s not really a fantasy book and is super clean (just lots of tension and some kisses). It reminded me of a mix of Hunger Games and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Mary’s Books:

• The Blonde Identity – I second Merrick’s recommendation on this book!  I loved it! The characters had such a fun connection and the whole story had me laughing out loud several times. It ends with a clear opportunity for a sequel and can’t wait to see if there is book #2!
• The Lost Bookshop – This book was incredible! It isn’t a genre that I usually reach for, but I had heard enough good things about it that I wanted to give it a try.  I ended up really enjoying it.  There is a little magic, family secrets, a love story, and a mystery that kept me captivated until the end. It is written SO well and the character development is fantastic.
• The Things We Cannot Say – This is an older book, but I just read it for the first time. I love to mix historical fiction novels into my usually steady stream of romance/love stories.  This one was riveting! I can’t even begin to imagine the lives that were forever changed during this period of war and genocide.  The story develops so well, and you think you know what is going to happen, and then you don’t.  The resolution is beautiful, and I loved watching it unfold with every page.
• It Ends with Us – A friend of mine wanted someone to read this book so she could talk about it with them before the movie comes out in a few weeks. It’s been on my list for a while, so I gladly volunteered.  All I can say is WOW! I was not expecting a book to tug at me like this did.  I thought I was adamant I knew what the main character should do, but surprisingly found myself waffling as I dived deeper into the story.  Ultimately, the main character’s final decision in this book was exactly what I would have wanted for her, but the author did an incredible job taking me on a journey that had me second guessing myself at times. It really opened my eyes to how difficult it is to end toxic cycles.

Kristy’s Book:

• The 5AM Club: Own your morning. Elevate your life by Robin Sharma: I have been struggling so much with time management lately.  I feel like my life is going in a million different directions and I just can’t seem to get everything I want to get done, done.  The title of this book had me hooked because all growing up I got up at 5AM and so I have seen the benefits of this but have drastically gotten out of the habit. This book shows the benefits of starting your day early and how it can help you in so many other parts of your life to get up, get going and start with the right mindset each day. Highly recommend, especially for those of you who like to start the school year off on the right start.
• The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker:  This is the first book in a four book series.  I was recommended this series years ago and just reread it again.  I love the description of the Alaskan wilderness in all of these books.  It makes me want to take a trip up there.  The love story is between the ultimate city girl and Alaskan boy and checks all the boxes for me.  I love a good happy ending and this has some twists and turns to get there, but when they do, its great!
• Royal Date by Sariah Wilson: I love all books by this author.  In every single book review we have done, I feel like I always have a book about some sort of Royalty.  This is the first book in a series and I read this series in less than a week this summer.  I loved them all.  You can read as a stand alone, but I loved reading about the first couple getting together and then reading about the other couples I am already invested in as they get together.  This is also a great book and author if you are looking for a good clean read.

Courtney’s Books:

• Edenbrooke: My friends and I started a book club earlier this year and this was one of our very first reads. This is such a cute story, easy read, and totally clean. Proper romance at it’s best, but also more modern language. Like an easy to read Jane Austen.
• Just for the Summer: I haven’t finished this one yet, so hopefully there isn’t a crazy weird twist in the ending haha, but so far it’s a really cute fun story. Very summer-y ready which I love. I am a big Emily Henry fan and this definitely gives the same vibes as her books.
• People We Meet On Vacation: As mentioned above, I love Emily Henry! I was a little late to the train though and hadn’t read this book until last year. It’s now a favorite.  A cute story, a little spicy, and a fun read. If you haven’t read this one yet, now is your sign!!

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