What to Read this Summer

To say I’m a bookworm is an understatement. If you’re new around here I am a former high school English teacher, and I have my masters in English. I have always been a HUGE reader. I’ve mentioned this before, but since the blog, I kind of abandoned my love of reading. It feels like there is always work to be done, so, unfortunately, I was spending all my free time on my phone. That got to be completely draining and I’m happy to say that I’m back! I have read 13 books since March and I have a bunch of amazing ones that I already purchased and are next on my list. Keep reading for a mini-review on each!

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What to Read this Summer:

What I’ve Read:

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn. This book was amazing! I read it in less than a day and it totally gave me Rear Window / Girl on the Train vibes. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick read. Overall score: 7/10.

A Stranger in the House: Shari Lapena. This was also a quick read, but a little predictable in my opinion. I still really enjoyed it though! Overall score: 6.5/10.

The Wife Between Us: by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. I am a longtime reader of Sarah Pekkanen and this book was totally different than her usual stuff, but in a really good way. This book was opposite of Stranger in the House in the sense that I totally didn’t see the plot twist coming. This one was good! Overall score: 9/10.

The Flight Attendant: by Chris Bohjalian. This book was also a little bit like Girl on the Train, but mostly in the sense that the protagonist was an unstable alcoholic. It was a little unbelievable but it was still pretty entertaining. Overall score: 6/10.

The Last Mrs. Parrish: by Liv Constantine. This was one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I just recommended it to my sister and she finished it in less than two days! The characters were written brilliantly and the plot development was really well paced. Overall score: 9/10.

The Wife: by Alafair Burke. This book is in perfect timing with the whole Me Too Movement, but I don’t think it meant to be. If you enjoy a juicy allegation story, then definitely check this one out. I really liked this one. Overall score: 8/10.

A Nantucket Wedding: by Nancy Thayer. Guys, I wanted to like this, I really did. I normally really look forward to my annual Nancy Thayer book, I read one every summer. But I think since I’m on such a thriller kick lately, the plot just didn’t make enough of a punch. Overall score: 6/10.

The High Tide Club: by Mary Kay Andrews. Maybe because I’m a speed reader, or maybe I just don’t want to make that much of an effort, I really struggle with books that have a lot of flashbacks. I like to just keep it simple and easy to follow. The story was good, I think this one was just too much effort while I was on vacation, but if you like those kinds of novels, you might enjoy it more than me. Overall score: 5/10.

I’ve Got My Eyes on You: by Mary Higgins Clark. To me, this book was like old school Jodi Piccoult. An unsolved crime, and so many different suspects. The characters were all so different and well written, I truly didn’t know until the very end! So good! Overall score: 7/10.

Then She Was Gone: Lisa Jewell. I read this really quickly, but it was also another predictable one. It’s a good psychological thriller about a missing daughter. Didn’t hate it, but wasn’t completely obsessed. Overall score: 6/10.

The Family Next Door: Sally Hepworth. OMG, this book was amazing. It kind of reminded me of desperate housewives being that it centered around a bunch of nosey women who all lived on the same street. There was plenty of relationship drama, unexpected twisted and turns, and a lot of suspense! Overall score: 9/10.

The Next Girl: by Carla Kovach. This is book one in a series, and I’m so glad because I really want to see more of the main character, Gina. If you like police dramas and psychological thrillers, then I really think you’ll like this one. Overall score: 7.5/10.