Review: The Last Girl

The Last Girl by Joe Hart
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Really torn what to rate this one. On one hand, I thought the premise was interesting. On the other, it was about 100 pages too long. It was a slow read for something that should have been full of action.

Meet Zoey, a woman in a world that isn't having girl babies anymore, and no one knows why. She has spent her life in a compound with other girls who are basically prisoners, but for their own safety. Lots of things happen, then more things happen, then we reach the cliffhanger ending to send us right into book 2's arms. Book 2 may be waiting quite a while (no offense).

My main beef may sound strange. Actually, I have two main beefs--one on the writing, one on the plot. 1) The writing. Zoey (and the rest of the girls) are written like young teens. I had to keep reminding myself that she was turning 21 in a few weeks. She seemed 14 at most. 2) The plot. Seriously, has everyone in America lost their minds at that point? Females do not determine gender, males do. So unless I misunderstood that they were (view spoiler)[killing the women if they did not produce a female, and they had to have been because there was only one girl there (hide spoiler)], then this book makes no sense from top to bottom. Now that I'm thinking more about it, there are more threads to unravel and I may end up with no sweater, so I will stop this review and go drink coffee instead.

2.5 stars. I reserve the right to read book 2 at some point if it fits a challenge. Otherwise I will pretend they all lived happily ever after.

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Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

True confession time: I'm a bit socially awkward like Bernadette. Like 2 steps removed. So I can relate to the cringe moments and had to laugh. Plus, who hasn't dreamed about escaping for a while? Just me? Oh, ok.

I enjoyed how it flowed, with the letters, emails, and inserted thoughts from Bee. I think the odd format just worked really well for the storyline. The family was flawed, the neighbors and school moms were flawed. It just hit a lot of really real notes with me.

I found it curious to see some of the reviews. I have to assume you are all well-adjusted people who couldn't relate to the ridiculousness happening in parts, but it all resonated with me. BRB while I pack warm clothes for Antarctica.

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Review: Rushing Amy

Rushing Amy by Julie Brannagh

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Ah, contemporary romance. I keep trying to love you, but we just can't seem to connect. Maybe someday I will find the one that gets me hooked, but this wasn't it.

Amy Hamilton (Emily's younger sister from Blitzing Emily) meets the dashing, successful, and gorgeous Matt Stephens in the bar after her sister's wedding. She holds him at arm's length, he pursues her, and some nonsense happens that could have been avoided, which is my main issue with contemporary romance. But I did not hate both characters, in fact, I rather liked them, so I am giving this 2.5 stars. It's pretty ok, and if contemporary romance is your thing you will probably rate this much much higher.



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Review: The Big Tiny: A Built-It-Myself Memoir

The Big Tiny: A Built-It-Myself Memoir by Dee Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love tiny houses. I want to build one and live in it. My husband, who is a giant, does not share my love of small spaces. You see, he's over a foot taller than me, and would not like to live in the small box Dee Williams designed for herself and her dog.

A house on wheels? Yes, please. Then you can hit the road and go where the four winds take you. (Not literally, because I don't think this house would stand up to a tornado, but you take my point.) Sometimes life makes you stop and listen. The author had some health issues that made her take a different path. For some people it's tragedy. For some it's grief. For some it's a close call or a glimpse of someone else's horror. Whatever causes the wake-up call, more people need to hear it. Life is too short. Are you living the life you want?

She is a free-spirit, a vagabond, and thinks differently than most of the world. I like that. Dee, if you are reading this, I want to hang out on your front stoop and chat. I'll bring the coffee.

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Review: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Friday Harbor #1)

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Now I want to visit Friday Harbor. I enjoyed this cute, cheesy romance about love and second chances.

Meet Mark. He loses his sister in an accident and is suddenly the father to his niece, Holly. He's doing the best he can raising her with his brother.

Meet Maggie. She's a widow who owns a toy store at Friday Harbor. For those of you who are not new to the romance genre, I'll just bet you can guess what happens next! But I won't spoil it for you. I'll let you find out for yourself.

Maggie makes me a little crazy with her waffling and hot/cold reaction to Mark. He sounds like a saint wrapped up in a hot, coffee-roasting, lumberjack body. Grrrrr! Yummy.

It's cute. It's sappy. You might tear up a little at the end. I'm not saying I did, because I just had something in my eye. You can't prove otherwise.



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Grey (Fifty Shades #4)

Grey by E.L. James

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Well, I hated it less than the story from Anastasia's POV. I guess there's that.



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Blitzing Emily

Blitzing Emily by Julie Brannagh

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


*Movie trailer announcer voice* "He's an NFL star. She's a rising opera diva. Can they blend their two perfect, fabulous lives and find love?"

I rarely read contemporary romance. I find myself hating the characters and rolling my eyes. I think it's a sign that I'm getting old. I can't say I hated the characters here, but I found myself doing a large amount of eye rolling. Unrealistic? Yes. Ridiculous at times? Yes. But the story was sweet and Brandon, while a perfectly drawn romantic hero with literally no flaws, was likeable. But unrealistic. Seriously, real life is nothing like these two. The end was especially ridiculous but perfect for those wanting a HEA.



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