What I Read in August 2024

Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. On the first Thursday of the month, I talk about the books I read the previous month. August was a huge reading month for me! Here’s what I read~

Eight books in one month for me might just be a record. It helped that I had two books over half done when the month started and one book was a short story that I finished one Sunday morning before even getting out of bed. Overall, I liked every one of them!

The Summer That Made Us
When I saw this book was by the same author, Robyn Carr, as Virgin River I knew I wanted to read it.  I was sucked in right away and the book held my attention to the end.  Some things were predictable and others were a shock.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it would be a great vacation read.  Here's the summary ~

The next original trade women's fiction novel from beloved best-selling author Robyn Carr. Carr is the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series. Her trade women's fiction novel Four Friends debuted at number five on the New York Times.

A television talk show host returns to her childhood summer home to rebuild her life after she's fired for falling ratings. The return is bittersweet as the house has been neglected for years. She's flooded with memories of the wonderful summers she spent with her sisters and cousins before a tragic event changed everything. Working to uncover what really happened the last summer they were all together, she reaches out to her family and the women all gather for an uneasy family reunion. As they share their stories, they realize their recollections of their summer childhoods are vastly different and no one's lives are what they'd dreamed of when they were children. But being together again helps them all to heal from the scars of the past.

Available HERE

Natural Selection: A Short Story

This Elin Hilderbrand short story was one of the free selections this month through Amazon Prime First Reads.  It's a quick read!  I liked it but didn't love it.  At least I didn't feel like I had a lot of time invested.  Here's the summary ~

After a string of bad dates and no prospects, Sophia Othonos has finally hit the jackpot: an actual nice guy. When he suggests a romantic getaway, she’s sure they’re about to take the next step toward their future. A rustic cruise to the Galápagos Islands isn’t exactly her idea of a vacation, but Sophia is ready for anything…until her boyfriend has to cancel.

Now she’s all alone on a trip that was meant for two. Sophia finds herself at a crossroads about who she is, what she wants, and whether her relationship is really everything she thought. But if she’s going to suffer an identity crisis, at least she gets to do it amid the unexpected majesty of nature.

Eight days of wild, unobstructed beauty are enough to make anyone reevaluate their life. These islands are all about adapting to your surroundings—and change just might be what Sophia needs most of all.

Available HERE

The Homewreckers

What a cute read this one was!  I was drawn to it because I love the author Mary Kay Andrews and it was free with my Kindle Unlimited subscription.  It was a great summer read that had plenty of twists and turns.  Here's the summary ~

Hattie Kavanaugh went to work restoring homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at eighteen, married the boss’s son at twenty, and became a widow at twenty-five. Now, she’s passionate about her work, but that’s the only passion in her life. “Never love something that can’t love you back,” is advice her father-in-law gives her, but Hattie doesn’t follow it and falls head-over-heels for a money pit of a house. She’s determined to make it work, but disaster after disaster occurs, and Hattie’s dream might cost Kavanaugh & Son their livelihood. Hattie needs money, and fast.

When a slick Hollywood producer shows up in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a beach house renovation reality show called The Homewreckers, cast against a male lead who may be a love interest, or may be the ultimate antagonist. Soon, there’s more at stake than bad pipes and dry rot: during the demolition, evidence comes to light that points to the mysterious disappearance of a young wife and mother years before.

With a burned out detective investigating the case, an arsonist on the loose, two men playing with her emotions, and layers upon layers of vintage wallpaper causing havoc, it's a question of who will flip, who will flop, and if Hattie will ever get her happily-ever-after.

Available HERE

Sandwich
Sandwich was another free read through Kindle Unlimited. I wish the description had mentioned that the book touches on topics like reproduction and miscarriage. I was drawn in by the mention of menopause, but the focus on reproductive issues caught me off guard in an unpleasant way. If these subjects are triggering for you, I’d recommend skipping this one. Here's the summary ~

For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.

This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.

It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

Available HERE

All the Colors of the Dark

This is one of my favorite books so far this year.  Get ready though because it is loooonnnngggg - like 586 pages long.  But honestly, it didn't seem that long while I was reading it.  Here's the summary ~

1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges—Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope.

Available HERE

A Summer Affair

Elin Hilderbrand's newest book, Swan Song, came out recently and I realized that it was the fourth book in a series.  I wanted to read the series in order so I dug into the first book, A Summer Affair.  I realized about 25 pages in that I had read this book before, but I couldn't remember all the details so I kept reading.  This wasn't my favorite Elin Hilderbrand book, but it was still good.  I was disappointed in some of the things the main character did.  But now I'm through the first book in the series and deep into the second book.  Here's what this one is about ~

Claire has a problem with setting limits. All her life she has taken on every responsibility, assumed every burden, granted every request. Claire wants it all—and in the eyes of her friends, she has it: a devoted husband, four beautiful children, even a successful career as an artist. So when she agrees to chair the committee for Nantucket's social event of the year, she knows she can handle it. Claire can handle anything.

But when planning the gala propels her into the orbit of billionaire Lock Dixon, unexpected sparks begin to fly. Lock insists on working closely with Claire—often over a bottle of wine—and before long she can't ignore the subtle touches and lingering looks. To her surprise, she can't ignore how they make her feel, either. Claire finds the gala, her life, and herself spinning out of control.

A Summer Affair captures the love, loss, and limbo of an illicit romance and unchecked passion as it takes us on a brave and breathless journey into the heart of one modern woman.

Available HERE

First Lie Wins

Loved this one!  It was a Reese Book Club selection and kept my interest from start to finish.  There were times I just couldn't read it fast enough to see what was coming next!  Highly recommend.  

Evie Porter has everything a nice Southern girl could want: a doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence, a tight group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist.

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job.

Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job isn't like the others. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time.

Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there's still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge. . . .

Available HERE

Guncle Abroad

Guncle Abroad is the second in Steven Rowley's series and it was a fun book to read.  There were things that made me laugh out loud and others that were very thought-provoking.  If you haven't read Guncle, I would suggest reading it first before this one.  Here's the summary ~

Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.

When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.

Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?

Gracing the work with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.

Available HERE

Whew - that's a lot to think about today!  Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

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