Tag: Beach Read

Books, Reading

Special Feature: Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

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Bring on all the summer books! I spent Mother’s Day at the beach where it was over 90 degrees (highly unusual for Oregon!) and I sat there reading a book set in the French Revolution and all I could think about was—-where are all my good beach reads at??? As soon as that sun comes out and we start spending more time at the coast, I start really looking for books that are going to be light and relaxing plus set on the beach is a bonus!

One of the first authors I thought of was Jenn McKinlay! I read her book Wait for It last year that was set in Arizona, she writes great destination novels and I saw that this book was coming out soon and I couldn’t wait to share it with you guys! Her other book Paris is Always a Good Idea was another travel based book that I really enjoyed so naturally I saw this one and had to add it to my TBR list for later this summer! This book is set in Martha’s Vineyard and I am super excited to share a bit about this one with you guys today!

If you love beach reads and romances that are enjoyable, relaxing and well written with a travel flair I think you will really enjoy McKinlay’s books! I couldn’t fit this one in presently but you better believe I am going to toss this one in my summer beach bag and read it on my next trip to the coast! This book is out now so don’t wait to snag yourself a copy! Lots of early readers have been loving this one and if her other books are any indicator, this one is going to be a hit with fans as well!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak

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There are a few ‘beach read’ authors that I love featuring and reading as the sunshine starts peaking out in the spring and one of them is Brenda Novak! I have enjoyed her books and while she also write holiday themed books, I have a special place in my heart for her summer beach reads. Novak is a prolific writer and has many many many novels under her belt most of which are women’s fiction/romance but some have elements of mystery as well. I am super excited to share this one with you guys today, as it sounds like it’s going to have her trademark women’s fiction/romance blend but also a mystery element.

Plus doesn’t the title, The Seaside Library, sound so fun?! I would read the book just based on the title. Even though the title suggests something light and maybe a bit fluffy, it sounds like this book has a bit more substance than the title suggests. This book also features an old murder so I think there are going to be things that appeal to lots of readers not just fans women’s fiction or beach read fans. There is going to be all that but also romance and a murder mystery angle.

If you are looking for a tried and true author then Brenda Novak is it. She has written so many novels and has a huge fan base, including myself. Whenever I read one of her books, I always find that the books are well written, interesting and page turners. While some I have liked more than others (as have had some of her fans noted) overall I find that her books are always diverting and enjoyable even if I like some more than others. If you are looking for a book for your breach bag this summer, then this book and author might be it! Take a look at this upcoming new release and see what you think!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade

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I have been a huge fan of Victoria Schade over the years! I love the adorable dogs on the covers of her books plus, the stories feature strong women who are maybe struggling with something in their personal or professional lives (hello this could be ANY of us ladies!) and then she throws in a touch of romance and cute dogs and I just can’t say no to one of her books! This book is no different! I am reading it a little later this summer and I cannot wait to meet more cute dogs plus a hunky surfer if the summary is to be trusted!


Schade’s books are just fluff reading (pun intended), they always have substance and real world issues and this one promises to be no different. Since she typically features a professional female lead, I always feel like I relate to the main character even if I do not work in veterinary medicine. She always finds a way for readers to relate to the different challenges facing the main characters and this book features a burned out vet names Morgan Pearce. I already know I can relate to Morgan’s character just based on the description alone! I am heading on vacation to Cabo this summer and I am doing just what Morgan is doing—escaping work burnout and hoping to relax and escape all the work stress. I would actually read this one while on vacation but it might be a little too close to home which is why I am saving it for when I come back!


If you love love and dogs I think this is going to be a huge hit for you! I personally cannot say no to books that feature dogs and these cute pups on the cover just win me over every single time! But it’s Schade’s name that really draws me in. Her books are solid and never disappoint. I have loved many of her books and I have no doubt this one will be another hit. It’s out now and already receiving pawsitive ratings! Be sure to check it out!

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

Review: The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

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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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Books, Reading

Special Feature: Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins

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You all should know by now that I am a sucker for book covers with adorable dogs on them! And this book—-that sweet dog lounging on the beach living his best life just GOT ME! I am definitely taking this one on my trip to Cabo this summer but since today is the release day I just couldn’t resist sharing this book with you guys!

I mean don’t we all need more cute pets in our lives?? I know I do! But beyond the adorable dog on the cover lies a story that promises to satisfy your beach read craving! Author Kristan Higgins has penned over 20 books and many of which have made it to the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling lists! So obviously she is a strong and well loved author.

This book promises something for everyone—romance, family dynamics, second chances, and an ending that will leave you happy and satisfied. I am so excited to check it out this summer! Many of the early reviews are raving about this one, rating it at either 4 or 5 stars so this one moved right on up my TBR list for those reasons. It is out now and you can snag a copy for yourselves now! Be sure to get this one added to your TBR list today!

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