July Book Review

Y'all - I am so stinking excited for today's book review. 

Like... I haven't been this excited since I told you about The Royal We. 

Right before I left for Australia I didn't do much reading. Those last few weeks consisted of a lot of packing, hugging, and binge watching Brothers & Sisters. 

BUT - since I've been in Australia I've done a lot of reading...and not necessarily because I'm by myself. Primarily it's because I don't drive. Anywhere. I take the train/buses everywhere I go, and I have a book with me always. I'm basically reading anytime I'm commuting. 

So I basically look like this.

....but really. Everytime I get off the train and can't put the book down (sometimes you're just at a good part!), I think about this. And naturally get the song stuck in my head. 

This month I have three fictional books and a Jesus-book (a must-read if you're looking for a new devotional book!). Of the three fictional books, two were NEW authors - and both were HUGE successes in my opinion! I honestly loved them more than the "old" author. 

Let's begin....

Silver Girl
by Elin Hilderbrand

Ohhhh Elin. If you've read my book reviews before, you know I'm an Elin Hilderbrand fan. I discovered her when my girls and I decided to start a book club (pretty sure it lasted about 2 months...) and a Hilderbrand book was our first. I've been reading them ever since! Elin really develops the characters and makes you feel like you're living on Nantucket. Not to mention all of her novels are based here, so by my 5th or 6th novel, I actually am familiar with street names! 

It wouldn't be my #1 pick from her repertoire, but it still was a good read! What intrigued me about this one was it was about two ladies in their fifties. A lot of books these days (...or maybe just the ones I'm reading) are about young girls in their late 20s/early 30s. So if you're sick of reading about young love and wish those silly girls would just grow up - maybe give this one a try :)

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The Best Man
by Kristan Higgins

Kindle recommended this book to me and I'm completely sold. Sign me up. I've never heard of  Miss Higgins before but we are going to get along juuuust fine. I've told you how much I love Catherine Bybee books, and this is very similar writing except less... "saucy," as my mama likes to call it. I laughed out loud, I got choked up, I seriously just loved it. It's totally a love story, and kind of predictable (hello - title much?), but it's so intriguing and does have some unexpected twists/turns. 

I just really love the way she writes. It makes it enjoyable and easy. If you need a summer read - I'd highly recommend this one. This is part of a series and I can guarantee that you'll see one of these books in each of my reviews the next few months. Actually - you know what this reminded me of? A Hallmark movie. In book form. Agh - so good!

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Cancel the Wedding
by Carolyn Dingman

This book was AMAZING. 

And not really at all like what you would expect from the title. 

I originally expected some dramatic story line (insert all those rom-coms here), but it actually was a love story mixed in with deep roots of family mystery and history. I ran into a trashcan reading this book (obviously I'm not as smooth as Belle). I just couldn't put it down. I found myself intrigued with the romantic layer but more-so trying to predict (albeit, unsuccessfully) what was happening next. 

And it is SU-THERN. Like they eat boiled peanuts. And say "bless your heart." Someone hold me.

I also completely fell in love with her writing (and often chuckled out loud). The second I finished I immediately went online to see what else she had written that I could read. And much to my dismay, this is her first book. Sigh. Oh well - when her next one is available I'm totally pre-ordering. 

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The Battle Plan for Prayer
Stephen and Alex Kendrick

If your prayer life needs a kick-start, re-boot, or downright slap in the face - you need this book. I'm not even halfway through (I read a chapter a day) and it has already done wonders for my prayer life. It speaks to your soul and wakens up your faith. The kind of faith you should have in prayer. You know - the faith that prayer can literally do the impossible. May the next "Jesus-book" you buy be this one. 

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And those are my books! Any other must reads? I love walking into large immobile objects when I read. So if there's one that I must add to my list, please let me know! 

To see my other book reviews, click here.

Have a great day everyone!

Until next time,
Katy