Tag: Chick Lit

Book Review – The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman / Genre: Women’s Fiction

Synopsis

Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.

Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse. 

Thoughts

I loved everything about this book! It made me laugh. It made me cry. It gave me all the feels! The dual timeline was done so well and towards the end of the book there is a twist that I didn’t see coming. The characters were great and everyone needs an Aunt Poppy in their lives. It also makes me want to take a trip to Italy!

I gave this book 5/5 Stars.

Book Review – Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Chick Lit

Synopsis

It’s been a long time since the entire Quinn family celebrated the holidays under the same roof, but that’s about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for their most joyous holiday season ever . . . After all, Bart’ return isn’t the family’s only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle, Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society, Ava thinks she’s finally found the love of her life, and Kelley is thrilled to see his family reunited. But it just wouldn’t be a Quinn family gathering without a few surprises and upheavals. A celebration of everything we love — and some of the things we endure — about the holidays.

Thoughts

This was my favorite book of the entire series! It is probably the saddest as well as the Quinn’s prepare to say goodbye to Kelley who has terminal brain cancer. You will laugh and cry and won’t be disappointed. I cannot recommend the Winter Series enough. Get these books! I gave this book 5/5 stars. The series as a whole averaged out to 4.5/5 stars.

Book Review – Winter Storms

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Chick Lit

Synopsis:

The stormy weather of the past few years seems to have lifted for the Quinn family: Mitzi’s come home, Patrick’s about to be released from prison, Kevin and Isabelle are finally getting married, and there’s hopeful news about Bart, who has been captured by the enemy forces in Afghanistan.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some dark clouds on the horizon. As Kevin and Isabelle’s special day approaches, a historic once-in-a-century blizzard bears down on Nantucket, threatening to keep the Quinn family away from the place — and the people — they love most. Before the snow clears, the Quinns will have to survive enough holiday intrigue to send anyone running for the spiked eggnog.

Thoughts:

Each book in this series gets better and better! Tissues will definitely be needed for the end of this one. I gave this book 5/5 stars.

Book Review – Winter Stroll

Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Chick Lit

Synopsis:

Another Christmas on Nantucket finds Winter Street Inn owner Kelley Quinn composing a holiday letter to friends and family. Though the year has had its share of misfortune and worry, the Quinns have much to be grateful for. They are looking forward to celebrating a baptism over the holidays, as well as welcoming a new family member and enjoying the cheer of Nantucket’s traditional Christmas Stroll.

But just when a tranquil and joyous family gathering seems within reach, Kelley’s estranged second wife shows up after souring on her relationship with the inn’s former Santa Claus. Soon Kelley isn’t the only Quinn entertaining a surprise guest as lovers old and new meet beneath the mistletoe. Wtih jealousy, passion, and eggnog consumption at an all-time high, it might take more than a Christmas miracle to get the Quinns – and the inn – through the season intact.

Thoughts:

The Quinn family have more perils to overcome in this book.

While Patrick is still in prison, his wife, Jennifer, has become addicted to oxycodone. It’s become her crutch while trying to keep things running smoothly until Patrick is released.

Kevin and his fiancee are now running the inn and have a beautiful baby girl. Unbeknownst to Kevin, his ex-wife, Nina is back in Nantucket and is ready to start trouble.

Ava’s old boyfriend is back and is not shy in letting her know that he wants her back, but she’s moved on with Scott – or has she?

Bart’s battalion was captured and taken prisoner in Afganistan and the family has no idea of his condition but that could change once one of his men has escaped and been rescued. Will they find out if Bart is still alive?

Mitzi is a wreck over worrying whether Bart is safe or not and has discovered that she’s made a mistake in leaving Kelley for George. Will Kelley be able to forgive her and welcome her back?

The second book in the Winter series did not disappoint! It was a super fast read and again left me wanting to read more about the Quinn family to find out what happens to them next.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.

Book Review – Winter Street

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Chick Lit

Synopsis:

Kelly Quinn is the owner of Nantucket’s Winter Street Inn and the proud father of four children: Patrick, a hedge fund manager; Kevin, a bartender; Ava, a schoolteacher; and Bart, the youngest and the only child of Kelley’s second marriage, who has recently shocked everyone by joining the Marines.

As Christmas approaches, Kelley is looking forward to spending some quality time with his family at the inn. But when he walks in on his wife, Mitzi, kissing Santa Claus – or as the man who plays him at the annual Christmas party – utter chaos descends. With his three older children reeling in their own dramas and Bart unreachable in Afghanistan, it might be up to Kelley’s ex-wife, nightly news anchor Margaret Quinn, to save Christmas.

Thoughts (spoiler alert):

Before Christmas even takes place Kevin gets caught committing Insider Trading; Kevin gets his girlfriend pregnant (a girlfriend his family didn’t even know he had); Ava is caught in a love triangle with Nathaniel, her long-time boyfriend and Scott, the Assistant Principal at the school she teaches at; the entire family is concerned about Bart since none of them are able to make contact with him and fear that he might be in danger; Kelly leans on Margaret when his marriage to Mitzi has fallen apart which could spark some old feelings.

This book is the first in a 4-part series and it was so good! It was a heart warming story and left me wanting to find out what happens next for the Quinn Family.

I rated this book 4/5 stars.

Book Review – Christmas Shopaholic

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Genre: Chick Lit

Synopsis:

‘Tis the season for change, and Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze’s stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness – even if that only means listening to a meditation while hunting down online bargains.

But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: her parents hosting, carols playing on repeat, her mother pretending she made the Christmas pudding and the neighbors coming round for sherry in their terrible holiday seaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch – unable to resist the draw of draft beer and smashed avocados – and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?

Thoughts:

Becky puts so much pressure on herself to make this Christmas perfect that she loses sight of what the true meaning of this holiday is. On top of that, an old boyfriend shows up with his current girlfriend and it’s unclear to Becky what their motives are.

This book was laugh out loud funny! It was a light hearted story that I would suggest anyone read to get into the holiday spirit. It is part of the Shopoholic series; however, this book can absolutely be read as a standalone.

I rated this book 4/5 stars.

Book Review – The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Genre: Chick Lit

Nina Hill lives by herself with her cat and works in a local bookshop. She loves order and routine and is not spontaneous at all and she likes that. One day, she is notified that her father, who she never knew existed, has passed away and she’s been named in his will. She also finds out that she has brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews. Not everyone is happy to have her as the newest member of their family, however. On top of discovering her new found family she’s finding that she’s falling for someone she didn’t plan on. Did I mention that she also suffers from anxiety when things get to be too much for her?

This was such a great read and there are definitely aspects to Nina’s life that I could relate to. Highly recommend this book! I rated this book 5/5 Stars.

Book Review – Class Mom

Class Mom by Laurie Gelman
Genre: Chick Lit

Jen Dixon is not your typical mom with a child in Kindergarten. She’s in her 40’s and has 2 daughters who are both in college. Both of her daughters’ fathers were musicians and she wasn’t married to either of them. She ends up marrying Ron and they have a son, Max.

Jen is asked to be the class parent for Max’s kindergarten class and that’s where the fun begins.

This book is hysterically funny. It starts that way from the very beginning of the book and stays that way until the end.

I’m not a fast reader. It will typically take me a week to finish a book, but I read this book in 3 days!! A perfect read to take with you on vacation or if you are just looking for a comical quick read. I will definitely be reading the sequel to this book.

This book got a 4 star rating from me.