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stephsbooktalk
4.5 - Thank you so much to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue/Disney Publishing for an early copy of this book!
"Meant To Be: If The Shoe Fits" by Julie Murphy is a new series from the author. Following up with her Dumplin series, Julie's next series will be retelling of classic fairy-tales.
Julie Murphy is one of those authors that I knew about (due to the movie Dumplin on Netflix) but I had yet to read. I am glad that this was the first one I have read by her! It was such a cute book & a breezy read. I am also all for authors who write about characters I can relate to as a plus size woman.
"If The Shoe Fits" is a retelling of Cinderella, where our main character Cindy is all about shoes. She loved shoes because it is one accessory that everyone can share. Just like Cinderella, Cindy had lost both of her parents young and has a stepmother and not just 2 sisters but also 3 younger siblings who are triplets. And unlike all the stories of Cinderella that we know, the relationship amongst them all are good & are not evil towards Cindy at all.
Cindy is in the process of moving from New York City back to Los Angeles following graduation from Parsons when she meets a man, Henry, and then they suddenly are on the same flight together. You could feel the chemistry off the pages. But once the flight was over, they went their separate ways.
Cindy's stepmother Erica, is the executive producer of a reality dating show called "Before Midnight" which is comparable to our "Bachelorette." Two of the contestants were no longer going to be part of the show, so not going were Cindy's stepsisters joining the show but Cindy decided to join as well. Just like on the "Bachelorette" the girls stay at a lavish chateau and meet the suitor with a fancy limo reveal. Unbeknownst to each other, Henry is the suitor and Cindy is shocked. Henry does not make any sort of reaction as if he knew or remember Cindy. That is until there is a blackout and she is whisked away. That was when my heart fell for Henry Mackenzie.
I really loved this story & loved Cindy and Henry's relationship throughout this. The only thing I felt was missing were those steamy scenes. We got close but didn't quite get there.
One strong point is that by the Cindy put herself first and did what was best for her. It may have made people upset but she needed to do what she had to do. I thought that made her character stronger that she didn't just follow a boy.
I am looking forward to seeing what other retelling's Julie has in store for us! But please give us some steam! I want to see these plus size girls get their mojo on!
"Meant To Be: If The Shoe Fits" by Julie Murphy is a new series from the author. Following up with her Dumplin series, Julie's next series will be retelling of classic fairy-tales.
Julie Murphy is one of those authors that I knew about (due to the movie Dumplin on Netflix) but I had yet to read. I am glad that this was the first one I have read by her! It was such a cute book & a breezy read. I am also all for authors who write about characters I can relate to as a plus size woman.
"If The Shoe Fits" is a retelling of Cinderella, where our main character Cindy is all about shoes. She loved shoes because it is one accessory that everyone can share. Just like Cinderella, Cindy had lost both of her parents young and has a stepmother and not just 2 sisters but also 3 younger siblings who are triplets. And unlike all the stories of Cinderella that we know, the relationship amongst them all are good & are not evil towards Cindy at all.
Cindy is in the process of moving from New York City back to Los Angeles following graduation from Parsons when she meets a man, Henry, and then they suddenly are on the same flight together. You could feel the chemistry off the pages. But once the flight was over, they went their separate ways.
Cindy's stepmother Erica, is the executive producer of a reality dating show called "Before Midnight" which is comparable to our "Bachelorette." Two of the contestants were no longer going to be part of the show, so not going were Cindy's stepsisters joining the show but Cindy decided to join as well. Just like on the "Bachelorette" the girls stay at a lavish chateau and meet the suitor with a fancy limo reveal. Unbeknownst to each other, Henry is the suitor and Cindy is shocked. Henry does not make any sort of reaction as if he knew or remember Cindy. That is until there is a blackout and she is whisked away. That was when my heart fell for Henry Mackenzie.
I really loved this story & loved Cindy and Henry's relationship throughout this. The only thing I felt was missing were those steamy scenes. We got close but didn't quite get there.
One strong point is that by the Cindy put herself first and did what was best for her. It may have made people upset but she needed to do what she had to do. I thought that made her character stronger that she didn't just follow a boy.
I am looking forward to seeing what other retelling's Julie has in store for us! But please give us some steam! I want to see these plus size girls get their mojo on!
Audiobook: 3.5 - I liked the concept of this & the relationship between Carter & Prince Edgar. It was an enjoyable & quick listen from actor Michael Urie.But I wish we got more steam!
4.75 - After really enjoying “All the Feels”, I went back and read the first book in the series. I really enjoyed it & loved how the the author wrote about things true to me with being a plus size girl. This is not a perfect score as I could’ve done without the fan fic writings. It just wasn’t for me. However I did like the personal conversations between April and her online friend(s). I also liked how there was such a connection between the first book and second book. They were during the same time and items overlapped between the two. This book made me smile and gasp at a few parts and now I’m looking forward to the next in the series (if there is one).
This book was such a delight to end (Christmas in) July with! It was a breezy, cozy read that got me excited for the holiday season.
Thank you Net Galley & Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book which comes out on August 3rd!
Charlee Chambers had not had an easy life growing up. Her mother abandoned right after she was born and she did not know who her father was so she was raised by her maternal grandparents. They have both passed and we open the book with Charlee scattering her grandmother's ashes where her grandfather's ashes were also laid. She is stuck in a dark place now not having any biological family members. We meet her boyfriend Ricky who she had been seeing for a few months. Right off the back, you think something is up with him. He just doesn't scream a good book boyfriend.
Charlee decides that she has to sell her grandparent's house. She is too consumed with memories of them while being inside. Her boyfriend convinces her to quit her job as a master chocolatier at her grandfather's old chocolate shop (It was sold & owned by a gentlemen name Pierre) and to move with him to Whitsborough. Part of the plan of moving there would be to open her own chocolate shop.
She ended up finding a space on the highly appealing Castle Street. Her friend Jodie ends up moving into the apartment above the shop and becomes her assistant. Throughout all these changes, she can feel Ricky and her growing apart. He was spending all this overtime and not paying any bills and Charlee was pretty much taking care of them both. One night while Jodie was taking a shower, water started dripping down into the Chocolate shop. Ricky was unavailable, Ricky's friend who worked on the plumbing was not picking up and so Charlee ran to a nearby shop to see if local Sarah knew anyone. And then we meet Matt Richards.
Right from meeting him Charlee is smitten. The chemistry between Matt and Charlee is something we do not see between he and Ricky. There are several series of events that occurred that I won't spoil but Charlee is worth so much more than any man. One thing I was surprised is that we get a time jump to a year later and we really see how much Charlee has changed and grown. Does Matt and Charlee get together? How does Ricky ruin their relationship? Does Charlee connect with her mother? Does Charlee find out who her dad is? You will need to read to find out!
This movie like any Hallmark or Lifetime ends on a sweet note (not pun intended). I definitely could see this being a movie as when reading any book, I picture the scenes in my head. Everything was wrapped up in a nice bow! I recommend this book as a light, easy, Christmas book that will give you all the feels.
Thank you Net Galley & Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book which comes out on August 3rd!
Charlee Chambers had not had an easy life growing up. Her mother abandoned right after she was born and she did not know who her father was so she was raised by her maternal grandparents. They have both passed and we open the book with Charlee scattering her grandmother's ashes where her grandfather's ashes were also laid. She is stuck in a dark place now not having any biological family members. We meet her boyfriend Ricky who she had been seeing for a few months. Right off the back, you think something is up with him. He just doesn't scream a good book boyfriend.
Charlee decides that she has to sell her grandparent's house. She is too consumed with memories of them while being inside. Her boyfriend convinces her to quit her job as a master chocolatier at her grandfather's old chocolate shop (It was sold & owned by a gentlemen name Pierre) and to move with him to Whitsborough. Part of the plan of moving there would be to open her own chocolate shop.
She ended up finding a space on the highly appealing Castle Street. Her friend Jodie ends up moving into the apartment above the shop and becomes her assistant. Throughout all these changes, she can feel Ricky and her growing apart. He was spending all this overtime and not paying any bills and Charlee was pretty much taking care of them both. One night while Jodie was taking a shower, water started dripping down into the Chocolate shop. Ricky was unavailable, Ricky's friend who worked on the plumbing was not picking up and so Charlee ran to a nearby shop to see if local Sarah knew anyone. And then we meet Matt Richards.
Right from meeting him Charlee is smitten. The chemistry between Matt and Charlee is something we do not see between he and Ricky. There are several series of events that occurred that I won't spoil but Charlee is worth so much more than any man. One thing I was surprised is that we get a time jump to a year later and we really see how much Charlee has changed and grown. Does Matt and Charlee get together? How does Ricky ruin their relationship? Does Charlee connect with her mother? Does Charlee find out who her dad is? You will need to read to find out!
This movie like any Hallmark or Lifetime ends on a sweet note (not pun intended). I definitely could see this being a movie as when reading any book, I picture the scenes in my head. Everything was wrapped up in a nice bow! I recommend this book as a light, easy, Christmas book that will give you all the feels.
Audiobook: wowowowowow! This book was worth the hype! I would not want to get in the way of these dads. I also know that if I were a parent, I would imagine wanting to do the same thing as them!
Audiobook: 3.5 - It was really nice hearing the history but as an avid fan of the series it was a lot of stuff that I already knew. It was fun to hear some of the classic moments again. I love the ladies & the show has grown so much since it’s early beginnings. If you are just getting into Housewives, this is a book to check out.
Audiobook: 4.5 - Sophie Gonzales is becoming a favorite author. I have been enjoying her books lately. This was had such a different premises compared to other YA rom - a girl who is in love with her best female friend and while helping him she then falls for a boy. Of course madness ensues. This was such a quick listen & loved every minute of it!
3.5 - This was my first Grady book so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I love the concept but I think it could have been executed a little better? The last half of the book was the best part. There was a chapter regarding a “museum” that was the creepiest part. It wasn’t perfect but I still enjoyed it and needed to know how it ended. Also the cover is stellar!
Thank you so much Net Galley & Chasing Romance for an ARC of this book!
This book was such a delight! I have never read a book from the author and did not realize that this was part of the series. I don't think I needed to read others to follow the story but I did look and saw that the book prior focused on Garrett's brother and girlfriend.
The story focuses on two childhood friends whose timing just kept missing one another. Emmaline always had a crush on Garrett and Garrett always had a crush on Emmaline. But Emmaline went to prom with another classmate and ended up marrying him. Garrett had tried to remain friends with Emmaline but her husband did not like that. We fast forward to today and both are single. After some flirting back and forth, Garrett went for it. I was really happy to see that we did not have to wait until the end of the book for them to get together.
Of course things don't always go as planned. Garrett is trying to figure out what he where he wants to place roots. He became known as the veterinarian who takes off his shirt to gain attention for that particular vet clinic (which did remind me of an episode of "Schitt's Creek"). He did not want to be a joke and to be taken seriously.
There were lots of ups and downs and then a visitor came through the town that was unexpected. Everything in Garrett & Emmaline's life was affected by this visitor.
The book ended with all the loose ends wrapped up and just made me smile.
The audio of this was really great & I got through it rather quickly. Being invested in the story also helped. I definitely will have to look into the back catalog of books & keep my eye out for future books from this author.
This book was such a delight! I have never read a book from the author and did not realize that this was part of the series. I don't think I needed to read others to follow the story but I did look and saw that the book prior focused on Garrett's brother and girlfriend.
The story focuses on two childhood friends whose timing just kept missing one another. Emmaline always had a crush on Garrett and Garrett always had a crush on Emmaline. But Emmaline went to prom with another classmate and ended up marrying him. Garrett had tried to remain friends with Emmaline but her husband did not like that. We fast forward to today and both are single. After some flirting back and forth, Garrett went for it. I was really happy to see that we did not have to wait until the end of the book for them to get together.
Of course things don't always go as planned. Garrett is trying to figure out what he where he wants to place roots. He became known as the veterinarian who takes off his shirt to gain attention for that particular vet clinic (which did remind me of an episode of "Schitt's Creek"). He did not want to be a joke and to be taken seriously.
There were lots of ups and downs and then a visitor came through the town that was unexpected. Everything in Garrett & Emmaline's life was affected by this visitor.
The book ended with all the loose ends wrapped up and just made me smile.
The audio of this was really great & I got through it rather quickly. Being invested in the story also helped. I definitely will have to look into the back catalog of books & keep my eye out for future books from this author.
Audiobook: 4.5 - I was so excited to listen/read this!! It definitely was a great summer read to kick off August. This is told from multi point-of-views & multigenerational with lots of people involved. It was confusing at first while listening. The heart of this story is love between the two families and how they were more than just family friends but really a family. Throw in love and family secrets and you got a perfect combo. Also if you are a fan of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” especially season 2, this book is for you!