From historical fiction, to a steamy page turner, here are reviews of my 4 favorite books I read this summer!
Oh, how I love summer reading! The books I read this summer were either really big hits or pretty big misses, but towards the end of the summer I read a string of really great books that I had to share with you! Here are reviews of 4 of my favorites (plus some honorable mentions). Enjoy!
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover was a book I devoured in just 24 hours. I’ll warn you, it’s one of those books you won’t be able to put down, because there are so many twists, turns, ups and downs, you can hardly wait to find out what happens. At the same time, you don’t want the book to end because it’s quite the ride! Plan on ignoring life for a bit as you dive in to discover the story of Lily, Ryan and Atlas…3 people whose lives will become your own as you consume their story. Without giving too much away, this book is unexpectedly STEAMY. Like really steamy… I was blushing as I read part of it hoping no one else could see what I was reading. I laughed, cried, blushed, was terrified and hopeful all at once. It Ends With Us was my first Colleen Hoover and it definitely won’t be my last. She may very well be my new favorite!
You can buy It Ends With Us on Amazon by clicking here or add it to your to read shelf on Goodreads, here.
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly was a heartbreaking look into a women’s concentration camp during World War II. This historical fiction novel chronicles the lives of 3 women, all in very different situations during the war. It was an eye opening look into the horror, torture and unimaginable reality of what it was like to be a a prisoner in a concentration camp during World War II. I found myself googling so much to see if what I was reading was true – and was shocked to find that many of the situations shared were based on true events. This book was heartbreaking on so many levels, yet also incredibly inspiring. It is certainly hard to complain about much once you have the perspective of what these women endured.
Fans of The Nightingale will definitely want to read this debut novel by Martha Hall Kelly. So far it’s my favorite book I’ve read in 2016.
You can buy Lilac Girls on Amazon here, or add it to your want to read shelf on Goodreads, here.
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum was the first book I read this summer, and it set the bar high for the rest of my summer books! This book could easily fall into a contemporary fiction category or young adult…it’s on the cusp of both and crosses over both genres really well.
The premise of the novel is this… Jessie’s mom dies and her dad remarries and uproots their lives from Chicago to California. As soon as Jessie starts her new school, she begis receiving mystery emails from someone who wants to anonymously show her the ropes at her new school. Their relationship unfolds from emails, to instant messaging while Jessie still has no idea who this anonymous person is. Tell Me Three Things is a mystery of the best kind, as readers try to uncover who this lovable anonymous friend might be. Be prepared with tissues, to cry and laugh, and to fall in love with this quick read.
You can buy Tell Me Three Things on Amazon here or add it to your want to read shelf on Goodreads here.
Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand is a book I’ve been looking forward to for years. My friend and fellow blogger, Jessica with How Sweet It Is, mentioned a couple years ago when we were together that her favorite author had contacted her about creating a few recipes for a novel she was working on. What a dream that was for Jessica, and how fun was it for me to read this novel knowing that Jessica was such a huge part of it!
Foodies and Elin Hilderbrand lovers alike will really enjoy this novel about a famous chef and the family drama he leaves behind when he suddenly passes away. In true Elin Hilderbrand style, there’s plenty of romance, drama, laughter and fun in this book. Plus, as a bonus, you get some really incredible recipes – and if you know Jessica you know the recipes are top notch!
You can buy Here’s to Us on Amazon here or add it to your want to read shelf on Goodreads here.
Here are a few honorable mention books definitely worth reading and sharing with you.
Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale. I loved loved loved this book and had I not already made my graphic that said 4 books I loved this summer this one would have been included as the 5th. I probably loved this one as equally as I did the Elin Hilderbrand book. Definitely a GREAT read! You can buy this book on Amazon here or add it to your shelf on Goodreads here.
Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline was also a 4 star book that I really enjoyed. You can buy this book on Amazon here or add it to your shelf on Goodreads here.
Alright friends, that’s it for my summer favorites! I am currently reading another book I can’t put down called When it Rains. My friend Julie promised it’d be an emotional one, and so far it is! I’m loving it.
Write me back and let me know what you are reading these days and what were your favorite books you read this summer! Also, friend me on Goodreads so we can share more book recommendations with each other!
Check out my Book Reviews section for more books you might love!
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What a great reading list! Lilac Girls is in my stack right now- I just love hearing about what you are reading, lady! xo
Move it to the top of your stack, ASAP. You’ll really really like it, I think!
I love peeking into what other people have been reading lately! Lilac Girls sounds like it might have to go on my list. I (finally) read The Girl on the Train over the weekend, in like two sessions – I just couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait for the film to come out. Now I’m moving on to The 19th Wife. It’s a deliciously thick novel that will keep me up well past my bedtime 🙂
If you liked Girl on the Train and that kind of book, you’d love the book by Colleen Hoover. It was really so good. Everything We Keep was less intense then those two as well, but really good kind of mystery-ish book!
Now I’m off to check out The 19th Wife! Thanks for the rec!
I am so glad to see Here’s to Us made the list! It was one of my favorites that I read this summer!
I’ve been looking forward to that book for so long, and it reminded me how much I really love Elin Hildebrand’s books! I need to read more of hers. It’s been awhile!
I was so lost on what to read next but now I’m not so thank you for your great reviews on these books. I also want to say how much I am thinking about you during this difficult time. I pray that everything with be okay and you will continue to live your full and happy life. xoxo
Thank you so much for this list, absolutely love your book recommendations always (you’ve shared so many great books I’ve loved reading) so I’m off to add each and every one of these to my wishlist !!
Thanks for all these recommendations. I am a Elin Hilderbrand book behind as I still haven’t read her last years release. Typically she is a must read author each summer for me. I love her books. I have heard such good things about Lilac Girls, that’s on my list too. These all sounds good so now I’ve got even more books on my to-read list! Not a bad problem to have!
Thanks for the recommendations, Kristen! I’ve been powering through a few books during my vacation in Europe. It’s surprising how much I can read when I’m not obsessing over my phone all day! I’ve been reading The Girl on the Train, the Harry Potter play, and the latest Robert Galbraith book. I’m definitely downloading Tell Me Three Things for my trip home!
Why did I click on this? I spend way too much money on books and I told myself I was going to lay down a budget. But now I want to burn that ol’ budget to the ground and read all of these. Especially the Colleen Hoover. While I am not overly familiar with her work, I do know that she and I have the same band obsession (The Avett Brothers), so now I HAVE to read it. Thanks for all these sweet recommendations, gal!
Hi Kristen,
Thanks for the book recos and I have to say: the Goodread links are immensely helpful to add them to the queue in one click.
Best,
Siri
Tell Me Three Things is a great book. Now to add the other books to my reading list!
Hi Kristen! I discovered your blog through a link Jessica of How Sweet It Is shared on her blog.:) I love love love your recommendations. I have been curious about Everything We Keep and I`ve heard good things about Tell Me Three Things. Here`s to Us was one of my favourite reads this summer as well. Did you read The Rumor? It’s the only other Hilderbrand I’ve read.
I read a ton this summer and I just shared my fall reading list!
A few favourite summer reads:
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. One of my favourite reads of the year. (I actually read it twice!)
Food and the City by Ina Yalof. I can’t stop recommending this one to everyone! It’s a behind-the-scenes look at New York’s food world through the eyes of professional chefs, restaurant owners, line cooks, food vendors, and purveyors. It’s packed with fascinating tidbits and I loved hearing about how people got into the food industry and how they overcame trials.
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley. I spent an entire Saturday reading this thriller and I can`t recommend it enough
The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis (This was a re-read for me)
The Knockoff by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza (also a re-read)
Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight (another re-read)
Currently reading Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan and Gut by Giulia Enders. Both are incredible!
Thanks again for sharing!