Andrea Nourse's Blog, page 12

I’d Give Anything, Marisa de los Santos

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

I loved this book. The mother-daughter relationship between Ginny & Avery, and Ginny and her mother. Ginny’s friendship with Kiersten. The backstory. All of it.

I’m still processing it all, but this might be one of my faves of the year.

I’ve seen some confusion over this book being the fourth in a series, but I haven’t read any of the other books and this one didn’t feel like a sequel. So, I don’t think it needs to be read as such.

Something to Talk About, Meryl Wilsner

I’m a sucker for a good, slow-burn romance and boy did Something to Talk About deliver.

I adored both Jo and Emma. Each woman was both strong and confident, but they both also struggled with the same thing … trusting their hearts.

Something to Talk About also tackled the tough topic of sexual harassment in the work place and the Me Too movement.

This was a fabulous read and exactly what I needed to get out of my reading hiccup.

If you’re looking for a great queer read for Pride Month, definitely pick this one up.

Boyfriend Project, Farrah Rochon

Review: The Boyfriend Project, Farrah Rochon

I LOVED this book. It took me forever to read it but I think that has more to do with my mental/emotional state right now. Any other time and this would have been a book I devoured in a day.

This book was everything I’d hoped for … strong female lead, great female friendships, interesting insight into the world of tech, and a steamy relationship. There was also a bit of mystery and mild suspense as Daniel worked to investigate the money laundering scheme.

All in, The Boyfriend Project was a fantastic book.

Pretty Things, Jenelle Brown

Review: Pretty Things, Janelle Brown (thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the gifted copy)

When I first picked up Pretty Things I wasn’t sure what to expect. Based on the synopsis, I’d assumed it was a suspenseful women’s fiction novel. There’d been a Bookstagram debate (of course) over whether or not it was a thriller (it’s suspense), so I’d come in with a hint of caution.

But I didn’t need to because I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This book had everything I love—mother-daughter drama, relationships, flawed/awful but likable characters, and a hint of glitz and glamor.

If those elements are your jam, you’ll love Pretty Things.

Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson

Review: Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson (audiobook)I’ve spent the last day trying to find the words to review Just Mercy, and I’m not sure I have them.

This book is a must-read. It’s powerful and difficult, but so important. The inequities and injustices in our justice system have been ignored for far too long.

I’ve always had strong feelings about the death penalty and the way the US treats incarceration and the accused, especially minorities, but Just Mercy opened my eyes even wider.

Though there were moments I felt consumed by rage, there were also moments of great hope and celebration.

A Taste of Sage, Yaffa S. Santos

Review: A Taste of Sage, Yaffa S. Santos (Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy)

I really wanted to love this one. The writing was fantastic and the premise was unique and intriguing.

Lumi was an engaging character, as was Julien. I didn’t love him at first, but he grew on me.What kept me from loving it was that at times, the relationship between the two felt forced and a bit rushed. I’d have liked a bit more flirting and coyness.

All-in, A Taste of Sage was a solid restaurant-themed romance with great characters and recipes that left my mouth watering.

This was a fun, cute read. I adored Lumi and Julien grew on me. Their story did feel rushed and almost forced at times, but also genuine.

Like Air

Waiting is a game I’m not that great at.

If you’re a Hamilton fan, you’re probably familiar with the song “Nonstop.” The lines, “why do you write like you’re running out of time; write day and night like you’re running out of time” are very personal to me.

The pressure to constantly be producing and going is entirely internal. I don’t have a deadline or a word quota but I constantly feel like if I’m not writing, I’m not breathing.

There is something about creating words on a page that was once blank that breaths life into me.

But the need to write can also be suffocating. Especially when the words aren’t flowing. It often feels like I’m letting my characters down when I leave their stories untold or unfinished.

Both of these feelings—invigoration and suffocation—drive new forward. Both inspire me. Both are necessary to the process.

I’m currently in between projects and in the without air phase of writing. I’m fairly certain I know what story is coming next but I’m waiting for the words to find their way to the page.

Catch & Kill, Ronan Farrow

Wow. Guys, I know I’m late to the party on this one but damn. This was an intense ride.

I was pretty familiar with the Harvey Weinstein case when I started this book but I had no idea just how insane and predatory he was until I learned the lengths he went to kill the story.

Farrow is a phenomenal journalist and wordsmith. I was captivated from the first chapter.

Captivated and enraged.

As a female, I’ve always known that men will do just about anything to protect their status in the patriarchy. That’s an unavoidable truth. But hearing just how volatile their fragile egos are in such a detailed manner was eye opening.

Thank you to all the women who came forward and shared their stories despite the threats to their safety, careers, and families. Your voices and stories matter.

All Adults Here, Emma Straub

I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book where I loved every single character, flaws and all. But I did. I fell madly in love with the Strick family.

Astrid and Birdie. Porter, Elliot and Wendy, and Nicky. Cecilia. Each one of them perfectly imperfect and real.

I did not want this book to end but couldn’t put it down. Definitely a top book for 2020 for me.

Happy & You Know It, Laura Hankin

Oh, motherhood. The feeling that you’re always screwing up and doing it wrong. The comparisons. The desperation. The no sleep and never-ending messes. The pure, unfiltered beauty of it all.

Happy & You Know It captured it all. And then some. This was the perfect book to escape reality for a bit and get completely lost in the ridiculous world of Instagram influencers, mommy groups, and rich NYC moms.

I adored the writing and the story. I also have to admit that I did NOT see that (you’ll know when you read it) coming.