I devoured Too Good to Be True in two days. The book is split into three perspectives at different times. It follows the very likable Skye Starling, as she falls in love and gets married. But her fiancé, Burke Michaels, turns out to be too good to be true. It’s told from their perspectives as well as (gasp!) Burke’s wife, Heather. With plot twist, after plot twist, the book held my attention until the very shocking ending.
When the wedding of a stunning couple is planned off the coast of Ireland on a remote island that has no cell phone service what can go wrong? Apparently, everything. I thoroughly enjoyed living on the edge of my seat as I read about each wedding guest in The Guest List, who go from excited to scared as a murder is revealed.
The First Mistake is one of those books that you keep thinking you’ve figured out what’s happening just before another ball drops. It kept me on my toes until the shocking reveal at the end. The book centers around a woman named Alice, who finds love, happiness and a best friend after the death of her first husband. But her friendship starts to unravel, as does her marriage. And we’re left guessing why the entire time.
I honestly had no clue Anxious People was about until I was about a quarter way through, but not in a bad way. It was entertaining. I just couldn’t understand the plot. That’s because not much action takes place in this book. It’s the nicest failed bank robbery, hostage situation you’ll ever read. Instead of twists and turns (although there is a major one at the end!), it’s a book about human kindness and how strangers can be such pivotal parts of your life, if you’re willing to give them a chance. The author has a knack for character depth and I found the ending to extremely uplifting.
The Last Mrs. Parrish was one of my favorite thrillers so I could not wait to read Liv Constantine’s newest book, The Wife Stalker. And man was it a chilling read! I couldn’t help but devour it in one day. It’s told between two different points of views of Piper and Johanna, who are both in love with the same man. We can tell that each character has their secrets, but it’s not until twist after twist and one shocking ending that we learn just how messed up one of those dark secrets are.
I’ve been looking forward to American Royals II: Majesty ever since reading American Royals. While I didn’t love it as much as the first book (but, hey, that rarely happens) I thoroughly enjoyed the sequel to the story of this fictional modern American royal family. My favorite part of the book was following the princess, as it reminded a lot of Princess Margaret’s character in real life and in The Crown. I was a little disappointed that there was not more about the Queen but perhaps Katherina McGee will change her mind and continue the series into a triology. Fingers crossed!
I read Stir while I was going through my depression and it gave me so much strength and hope about perseverance. The memoir is about a brilliant woman in her late 20s who suffers a brain aneurism. Her whole life comes to a halt and she has to re-evaluate what is truly important. She finds her strength through food (and is now a successful food blogger). I skimmed through the recipes, but if you do cook, they sounded quite delicious!
If you were outraged by the R. Kelly case and yet couldn’t stop following it, I highly recommend reading Grown. It follows the story of a beautiful young, black aspiring singer who gets caught up in the charm of one of the biggest R&B artists. Yes, the book is graphic as it reveals the dark side of this famous mucisian. And yes, at times I had to put it down and take a break because I just wanted to reach out and help the main character. But it’s a riveting read and unfortunately oh too real in current times.
I picked up Party of Two after enjoying The Wedding Date. The rom-com is about the sister of the main character of the previous book. Olivia is a brilliant black woman, who just moved from New York to Los Angeles to start her own law firm. Looking for love was the last thing on her mind. But soon after arriving in LA, she meets politician Max and the two have instant connection. The adorable read follows their relationship from one obstacle to another, mostly Max’s public life contrasted with Olivia’s desire for privacy. And there is so much food that I kept finding myself stopping to get a snack as I gobbled the book up!
A Good Marriage reminded me a lot of Big Little Lies , in that I could not figure out the murderer until the very last chapter. The thriller is full of suspense, beginning when a successful businessman is arrested for the murder of his wife at their Park Slope home. He calls an old colleague to defend him, despite her constant protests. As the plot develops, the lawyer learns more about the couples of this affluent neighborhood and the dark truths behind their marriages. And she is forced to take a hard look at her own marriage as the case develops.
I never read Younger but I devoured the TV series in a major binge fest. Older is the sequel to this hilarious and heartwarming story about Liza, a woman who lies about her age in order to get back into the workforce. Now that her secret has been revealed and turned into a book, she’s nearing her 50th birthday. She flies to LA when her former colleague wants to turn her story into a TV show. There’s love, soul searching and an inspirational message that it’s never too late to truly find yourself, and what makes you happy.
I’ve found myself drawn to books about strong women more than ever recently. The Boys Club is a fascinating look into corporate culture around the predominantly male world of Mergers and Acquisitions. The main character is a smart, driven female, who aims to find a balance between relationships and success. But as she grows in her career, she has to face challenges in a #metoo climate. After finishing the book, it encouraged me to take a good look at my own life, examining the true meaning of success.
Talk about a page turner! I could not put The Last Flight down because I wanted o find out what was next after every page. The book follows two women, who exchange identities at the airport just before a flight. It flashes back between the months leading up to the flight and what happens after they board their planes, in efforts to escape very different, but connected, lives. I’ll admit I wasn’t a fan of the ending. But the book kept me thoroughly entertained nonetheless.
I can see why The Other Mrs. is coming to Netflix soon. It’s so suspenseful, which isn’t surprising since Mary Kubica is also the author of Gone Girl. The story follows a family who moves from Chicago to a small town in Maine after they inherit a home left to them by a deceased aunt. Shortly after they move in, there is a murder on the island and the main character, Sadie, is left to discover the chilling reality behind what really happened to her neighbor.
I’ve loved all of Riley Sager’s books, so I was excited to find one I hadn’t read yet, The Last Time I Lied. While it wasn’t as suspenseful as the others, that was actually a good thing. That way I could read it at a normal speed rather than staying up all night. The story follows Emma, an artist who experienced a life-altering tragedy when she was attending summer camp as a teenager. When the camp re-opens fifteen years later, she’s invited back and slowly learns the truth about the disappearance and possible murder of her three childhood camp friends.
I loved both of Sarah Pekkanen’s books I read. And You Are Not Alone did not disappoint. We’ve all had the feeling of wanting to belong. But for the main character of this novel, Shay, this feeling runs extra deep. And it gets her into deep trouble when she meets a charismatic sister duo known as the Moore sisters. They’re successful, beautiful and smart. But they have a very dark secret that drags Shay down as she becomes their so called friend. This book is full of twists and kept me guessing until the very end.
Talk about relatable! I don’t know about you, but all my friends and I have had “that one.” Not that one you want to marry. That one man who you knew was wrong but you spent way too many months (or years!) thinking it might work out. That’s Lucy’s story when she meets bad boy Stephen in college, a relationship that continue to haunt her way past graduation. I love how Tell Me Lies alternates between both character’s voices, even though Stephen’s inner thoughts constantly made me cringe.
They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what if your best friend turns into your enemy? Necessary People centers around two best friends who meet in college and are now entering the career world. Stella is beautiful and privileged, but lacks drive. Violet comes from nothing but is determined to build a name for herself in cable news. But everything changes when Stella easily gets hired at the same network. The mix of jealousy, drama and ambition leads to a very dark twist.
If you loved Devil Wears Prada, I highly recommend Park Avenue Summer. Set it the ’60s, the book is a fictional account of how Helen Gurley Brown took Cosmopolitan from a mundane ladies magazine to the sexy publication it is today. The book follows her assistant, a single girl who just moved to NYC, and the lessons she learns along the way on what it takes to be a modern, independent woman. I was very moved and was left researching the full story after I finished the last chapter.
I was on the edge of seat the entire time I read Camilla Way’s The Lies We Told. It’s a creepy psychological thriller that centers around the disappearance in a dysfunctional family. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, there would be a new plot twist. The surprises continued until the final chapter. My only warning about this book? Start it in the morning. Because you won’t want to put it down.
I have a whole new look at women of domestic abuse after reading It Ends With Us. The main character is a young woman who grew up in a household with an abusive father. While she didn’t suffer abuse herself, she watched her mother suffer througout her life. Despite it all, she moves to Boston and creates a thriving business. But her past resurfaces upon meeting a neurosurgeon she instantly falls for. This is a powerful book that left me in deep thought after finishing the last page.
The Last Mrs. Parrish is a riveting reminder that “the perfect life” you might desire is usually never as perfect as it seems. The book is split into two parts, with the story being told from a woman who is married to a very rich man and from her supposed best friend who wants to steal that man away. I spent the entire first part surprised by the constant deceit. But it was the second part of the book that caused me to stay up late into the night because I could not put it down. Let’s just say the dark story that unfolds gives Jeffrey Epstein a run for his money.
After reading quotes from my Everyday Mindfulness book for a year, I was thrilled to receive the updated version from one of my #ssInstaFam babes. Everyday Happiness, 365 Days to a Joyful Life ($13.51) is a book filled with motivational quotes and exercises to help guide you on a path to joy. I now swap between the two when posting quotes of inspiration to my Insta Stories every morning.
Then She Was Gone follows the story about a teenager who goes missing. It goes back and forth between the present and the past, as seen through the eyes of the various characters involved. I literally tried to read this book as fast as I could because I could not wait to get to the end to find out what really happened to the girl. And when I neared the end of the book, I was shocked with the truth!
My friend Elizabeth lent me The Wedding Date and it was the perfect feel-good weekend read. The rom-com starts with a fate meeting in an elevator, where Alexa takes a chance and becomes Drew’s last minute wedding date for his ex’s wedding. As the weekend goes by, the two start to develop real feelings for each other, which they later pursue long distance. The book touches on what it’s like to be an interracial couple but it’s mostly about modern romance. While slightly predictable, it’s an adorable love story.
I first read Ruth Ware’s The Lying Game but didn’t love it. While it was entertaining enough, I found it a little slow. But The Woman in Cabin 10 was anything but slow! The mystery follows a travel writer who is covering a story about a high-end cruise ship. The writing is so vivid that I almost felt like I was back on my Mediterranean cruise I took last year. Luckily, my cruise didn’t have the nightmare of a woman thrown overboard! There are so many twists in this book that I couldn’t put it down.
This is a cute story about female friendship. It’s certainly not my favorite but I’m including How Could She because it’s definitely an entertaining read. The story follows three 30-something friends, who are navigating very different parts of their lives: marriage, career and motherhood. While I couldn’t really relate to any of the characters fully, I enjoyed seeing how their lives intertwined. It also made me text my best friends after I was finished with the book to make sure we do a better job at staying in touch!
Switching back and forth from the 1950s and the present time makes The Dollhouse rich of history while still totally relatable. It follows the tale of a modern journalist whose life is falling apart as she becomes obsessed with the past of a once incredibly glamorous women-only hotel. Her life connects with one of the residents and a mysterious secret is explored and shockingly revealed.
I was thrilled when Lucy Skykes messaged me on Instagram asking if I wanted to read her newest book. I recommended The Knockoff to just about everyone I know so I couldn’t wait to dive in. Fitness Junkie is a hilarious parody on our current fitness craze culture. A woman is essentially told she has to lose weight or she loses her job. She tries everything from strange diets to insane exercise classes and ultimately, a wellness retreat. I could not stop laughing as I turned the pages.
I’ve never been so moved by a book before. I generally stick to light reads or thrillers as an escape. And I’ll admit that after seeing that The Light We Lost was described as “an emotional roller coaster,” I was nervous reading this two weeks into a breakup. But I’m so glad I did. The story follows the life of a young woman who’s future is changed by a man she meets on September 11. It’s a sentimental tale of love and heartbreak as she goes from a recent graduate to a mother torn between two loves. I finished the last chapter in tears as I reflected on my own experiences of love and loss.
I literally only have one complaint about American Royals: that the sequel doesn’t come out until 2020! Seriously, I could not put this one down. Author Katherine McGee dreamt up a world in which instead of George Washington become president, he became the king of America. The book is set in present day, following the lives of the current royal family: a princess destined to be the first ruling Queen of America, and her younger prince and princess twin siblings, who are breaking traditions left and right. I have no doubt this will become a movie. So I highly suggest reading it before it does!
They say don’t judge a book by its cover but this one is just as adorable as the lips illustration you first see when you pick it up. The Regulars reminds me of a mix between the movies 13 Going on 30 and Love Potion No.9 all told from a Lena Durham Girls perspective. Three “regular” girls suddenly become drop-dead gorgeous. But beauty isn’t all that its cracked up to be.
I know it’s strange to describe a suspense book as “cute” but that’s exactly what came to mind after reading The Rumor. Set in a small coastal town, the novel follows a young mom who has a life-altering realization after a rumor begins that a notorious female murderer now reside in her neighborhood. The woman killed a child when she herself was just a kid. Now an older lady, everyone feels differently about her living in their surroundings. Slightly predictable but still containing a few twists, this a great suspense pick if you want a light read.
I didn’t get to read The Handmaid’s Tale before starting the series. But you don’t need to read the first book to enjoy The Testaments if you’re hooked to the Hulu show. The sequel is about two women who have grown up in Gilead as well as Aunt Lydia. Yes, she’s still around! But things are different now. The regime is in trouble. While I miss June and her voice, the three women in this narrative are equally powerful and admirable in their own ways.
I’m not usually drawn to medical books but with mental health awareness month coming up, I wanted to give this one a try. I’m thrilled I did! Brain on Fire is true story about a young woman becomes mad as she enters adult life. While there is medical jargon, you’re really left with her tale of despair, love and hope. If you’re dealing with anxiety or depression, it’s a really helpful book to remember you’re not alone.
If you loved Big Little Lies, I highly recommend reading Whisper Network. Written by an attorney, the novel follows the lives of four lawyers. It’s partly an exploration of the struggles women face in the workplace, from pay to sexual harassment. But it’s also a mystery of a death, which we wonder is a death or suicide until the final chapters. It’s extremely relatable whether you work in a corporate environment or not. And I was left pondering many important themes while reading, and after I finished the book.
I received this Everyday Mindfulness book as a gift from one of my #ssInstaFam babes. It has 365 days of quotes that help kick off your morning in gratitude. I keep it on my vanity table and read the quotes ever morning. I often share them on my Insta Stories because I find them so inspiring.
I’ve been recommending Three Women to every woman in my life. It’s a real-life account of three women across the country. All three women are completely different. But each one shares a relatable story of sex drive, desire, infatuation and heartbreak. Journalist Lisa Taddeo spent almost a decade of reporting before writing this book. And her incredible journalism skills are apparent through each and every touching page.
I discovered The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo from my friend Grace. It follows a reporter who scores an exclusive interview with a Hollywood icon. The movie star has never opened up about her life and her life rivals the stories of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. It’s part glamour, part mystery and part a reminder that women can do anything they put their mind to.
Full disclosure: I’ve been friends with the author for years. But as her friend, I can say that there is nobody better to write a novel about royalty. Nadine has always been fascinated! Romancing the Throne is like a mixture of Gossip Girl meets Kate Middleton. It’s about two teenage sisters who are polar opposites but fall head over heels for a prince . It may be a young adult novel but the love triangle is incredibly entertaining!
I read The Happiness Equation after getting the recommendation from my friend Kiara. It’s very straight forward with easy exercises you can incorporate into your daily routine to encourage happiness. It’s also filled with a ton of inspiration quotes, which I’ve been jotting down in my journal. Some people called it life-changing. I certainly wouldn’t go that far. But I did find it thought provoking and helpful.
I read Behind Closed Doors in two days. I literally could not sleep until I found out the ending! It starts with what looks like a perfect marriage. But as you continue reading, you’re mortified in what really goes on with this seemingly happy newlywed couple. Even though it was beyond disturbing, I kept finding myself wanting more. I hope they make a movie out of this thriller.
This book was beyond creepy! An Anonymous Girl is a two person narrative told by a struggling makeup artist who sneaks into a well paid case study and the psychologist who hires her for an ethics and morality experiment. Almost everything that ensues is immoral and unethical. Unlike most thrillers, this one is a little slow, which was actually a nice change since I could read a few chapters a night. But despite the pace, the insight into the lengths a person would go for love was fascinating.
This book haunted me for weeks! Lock Every Door follows a broke young girl who receives an offer to apartment sit that seems to good to be true. Obviously, it is too good to be true and when you find out why your stomach will twist into knots. The only thing I didn’t like about this book is I’m scared that what happens in this affluent, creepy apartment building might be happening somewhere in the world.
I wish I read Big Little Lies before watching the television series with Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. So I made sure not to make the same mistake with What Alice Forgot. It’s currently in talks to be a movie starring Jennifer Aniston. I think she would make a great lead as Alice, a 39 year-old woman who suffers temporary amnesia and thinks she’s 29 again. Let’s just say a lot has changed in her life in ten years and it’s hilarious to watch her go through the process of realizing her current reality.
After pages and pages of non stop laughter, I’ve been recommending The Knockoff book to anyone and everyone. It’s about an editor of a top glossy magazine who finds herself essentially replaced by her former assistant in the magazine’s efforts to go digital. It’s such a relatable book whether you roll your eyes at people who don’t understand social media or can sympathize with a generation struggling to tweet for the first time. And if you’re at all related to the fashion, tech or beauty industry, you’ll find it even that much more entertaining.
Quick Sand is a great mystery novel written by a Swedish author. In showcasing a teen’s murder trial, you learn about the division of classes from the wealthy to the underprivileged. Unlike other mystery books I read in a day, I took my time with this one, absorbing the main character’s narrative. It really left me to stop and think about society, rather than just be intrigued by thrilling twists. It has since been turned into a series on Netflix. I can’t wait to watch!
I found Such a Fun Age through Reese Witherspoon’s book club. It’s a story of a 20-something girl who has a life-altering night when she’s accused of kidnapping the baby she’s babysitting. The story of race, love and deception is told through her account and the woman who hired her.
If you loved Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, make Watching Edie next on your list. The book is so suspenseful that I finished it in one day. The story is based on a 33 year-old pregnant woman living alone in London. She is reconnected with her creepy old childhood friend. It weaves in and out of the present time and from when they were teenagers, leaving you wondering about the friend’s motives for returning. The ending is shocking!
Lauren Weisberger is the brilliant author behind Devil Wears Prada. Her book The Singles Game is centered around a young tennis star, who rebrands her image for her career. She whisked away to celebrity events around the world while still giving her all to her tennis game. And it starts to take a toll on her. It’s such an entertaining, light read that I actually finished it in one day when I was by the pool in Palm Springs! I hear they’re going to make a movie around it and I can’t wait to see the cute tennis outfits!
If you like The Handmaid’s Tale, I highly recommend Red Clocks. Even though it’s set in the future, it feels as if it could happen next month. The book touches on a world where abortion is illegal, and single women are losing the rights. The five female characters range in ages and backgrounds but all connect in this beautifully written tale that leaves you wondering what will happen with our freedom.
After sharing my Bill Cunningham memory on Insta Stories, my friend sent me his memoir. Bill Cunningham was extremely influential in the fashion world, but I never knew how he got started. This memoir of his beginning is not only fascinating but also extremely inspirational. I learned that he was a man who was able to put an optimistic spin on everything in life, a lesson I think we can all take whether we’re associated with fashion or not.
I don’t usually read YA novels but my friend Nadine wrote All American Muslim Girl and she’s such a talented writer. So I decided to give it a go. And I’m so glad I did! The story follows a teenager stuck between two worlds. She looks like the All-American Christian girls in her Southern high school but her family is Muslim. I was so impressed by the way Nadine combined politics and religion in such an entertaining read. I kept finding myself Googling various phrases, learning so much as I continued reading the book. It’s such a wonderful novel if you’re a young girl or woman struggling to find where you belong. Or, if you’re like me, it’s a fascinating way to learn more about other cultures.
I love a good mystery and The Woman Inside certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s told through two perspectives of a husband and wife as their marriage severely unravels. It’s unbelievable how many secrets a couple can carry! Granted, I didn’t like either of the man characters. But their deception and sins were certainly an entertaining ride.
I was talking about Valley of the Dolls with a friend and she insisted on me reading The Love Machine. Even though it’s set in the 1960s, I found the novel to still be completely relevant. It’s about the rise and fall of a television executive and his three major love affairs with a model, journalist and aging wife. He is beyond narcissistic, sometimes so much that it makes you cringe. But I found the relationship aspect very compelling and relatable.
A Paris Apartment is based on the true story a furniture specialist who is sent to France to appraise pieces in a hidden gem apartment. Anything that’s set in Paris gains major points for me! The writing is so descriptive that I can almost see the antiques come to life, as if I’m scrolling through a beautiful feed on Instagram. The story winds between the current day and the past of an intriguing woman, and how their two lives connect.
Having gone to school in Boston, I was instantly drawn to the setting of the The Island House. The story takes place in Nantucket, where the main character spent the best summers of her childhood. Now a professor in Kansas, she returns back to the island to see if her love interest and feelings still there. Is this a page turner? No. But it’s a nice read for a lazy beach or pool day. You can put it down while you take a swim and return to it as you please.
