Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

I love beach reads season! I love the carefree, relaxed, fluffy appraoch to beach reading every year and as the summer approaches I usually have a list of books that I can’t wait to read on vacation over the summer. This book was right up there for me. It sounded like a blend of The Parent Trap and an HGTV show that I could absolutely get behind. Plus a friend of mine recently went to Destin, Florida and the photos looked amazing so I could completely visualize what this beach house might look like!

But as I got into this one I found that it was NOT in fact a fluffy easy read that I had been expecting. This one had some teeth and substance with some heavier content that I wasn’t exactly expecting. That’s not to say that it wasn’t good because it absolutely was! But I felt like the cover was a little misleading in some ways. The summary clearly promised some family drama and sibling/friendship stuggles but it also promised creative rennovations and romance so when I picked it up I thought it would be a little heavier on those topics but it was actually more focused on the sisters and their relationship.

This was a book that grew on me and took my by surprise. When I realized that it was more emotionally intense that I was expecting, I almost just wanted to pass on it because I was in the mood for easy fluff, but then this one just took hold of me in a surprising way and I was reluctant to put it down and I am glad that I didn’t because it was absolutely wonderful! If you are looking for a beach read that has some teeth this is the book for you, plus it really is a little Parent Trap mixed with an HGTV show but with so much more to recommend itself in the process!

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Special Feature: A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey

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There is nothing quite like a road trip in the summer is there? I love driving and seeing different places but with gas prices the way they are this summer, I will probably be staying mostly close to home. Which leave me feeling a little sad since every summer my family and I try to road trip somewhere either in Oregon or in the immediate vicinity. There are plenty of road trip destinations in Oregon but the gas prices are breaking the bank here!

So where does that leave me? Longing for a road trip of some kind—-enter this book! I thought this sounded like the perfect book to read this summer if you are stuck at home but dying to road trip. I am planning on living vicariously through this book and getting my ‘road trip fix’ with this one! But this one has so much to offer beyond just the road trip experience—-this one includes a fun little second chance romance for readers to enjoy and I for one am really looking forward to this one!

This author has a couple of other great romances under her belt and I cannot wait to check this one out! It is out now and already receiving a lot of positive reviews. It sounds like it’s going to have a very modern and relatable feel as it includes a podcast element and I think a lot of younger readers and maybe those who don’t read a lot of romance. So take a look and see if this is something that might appeal to you for your summer reading!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair by June Gervais

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair by June Gervais

This book appealed to me for one big reason—the main character wanted to be a tattoo artist! I loved that plot point and I was eager to read it simply for that! I have two full tattoo sleeves and tattoo culture has changed SO MUCH since I got my first tattoo. When I was 18 (1999 ish) I was sure no one would hire me with a visible tattoo so I got a tiny one on my shoulder, flash forward 20 years and here I am with a professional job and full sleeve tattoos and PLENTY of other visible ones too.

I love tattoos and the tattoo culture and I thought it would be so exciting to have a book written about a character who wants to be a tattoo artist—especially a female tattoo artist! Plus the book is set in the 1980s which would no doubt be a difficult time for a female tattoo artist to enter the field. I was so excited to see how the story would unfold and what fun bits of counter culture would be included in it!

I also loved that this book featured an LGBTQ plot. I know this isn’t for everyone but I thought it would be fun to read an LGBTQ book for Pride month even if I am straight etc I love broadening my horizons and reading tastes and trying something new and modern! I personally felt like this book was more coming of age story than LGBTQ romance centered but it did have a bit of both but I felt the coming of age part was the solid focus of the story over all. If you love coming of age stories and want something a little different I think this would be a wonderful reading option for you!

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Special Feature: The People’s Princess by Flora Harding

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I can vividly remember where I was when I found out Princess Diana had died. It was such a memorable event and one that captivated me as the events and details of her life unfolded. I was in my late teens when she died and I didn’t really know much about her personal life but in the months after her death, I found my self more and more fascinated with her life and history. Now that I am an adult I still am fascinated by the royal family and I love books that explore the royals.

When I saw this book was coming out I jumped at the chance to check it out. I am reading it later this summer but I wanted to get it out on everyones radar now since it is out! This book follows a young Diana who discovers a diary written by Princess Charlotte and finds that she and the late princess actually have quite a bit in common! This book sounds intriguing on so many levels and I cannot wait to read it! It is out now and lots of reviewers have said what a fun read this reimagined book is!

If you love historical fiction and the royals, then you are not going to want to miss this one! I love that it has a more modern story with Princess Diana blended with the historical part of Princess Charlotte’s story. I love duel time narratives and I am so looking forward to reading this one! Plus author Flora Harding is a wonderful writer! I read her previous book Before the Crown last year and loved it so I am even more excited to see how she writes Diana! Be sure to check this one out!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton

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Fiona Barton is a fairly well known thriller/mystery writer. She is probably most known for her Kate Waters series which has been on the New York Times Best Seller List. With this latest book, she steps away from her well known protagonist and creates a standalone book begging to make it’s way into your beach bag this year! I know some people like reading romance or ‘beach reads’ while on vacation but I gotta say there is something about a thriller that scream beach read for me!

I haven’t read anything by Barton before so I am eager to check this one out. I love books about missing people and dark, buried secrets and this book sounds like it’s going to be full of twists turns, missing persons, and dark secrets! I cannot wait to start this one especially since it has been receiving rave early reviews! I especially like that this one is set in a small seaside town, I think it will make great reading for the summer and vacation reading!

This book is out today and just in time for summer. If you love twisty mysteries with a smart protagonist and a plot full of intrigue from an established author then you definitely want to get this one on your radar for the summer! I love that this is a standalone book and not a series so that I can read it quickly and not have to worry that I would be missing out on some larger narratives etc. Anyway, I am so excited to check this one out a little later this summer and of course share a review with you guys as soon as I am done!

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