en-US Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:24:27 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review5949555520 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:24:27 -0700 /review/show/5949555520 The Literature gave 4 stars to Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating (Paperback) by Christina Lauren
I read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren in about 24 hours. It was well-paced, sweet, light-hearted fun! Just what I was in the mood for (I’ve been in the mood for more light reads than usual, as you can tell by my book choices this year so far).

Lauren introduces us first to zany, quirky Hazel. She’s an elementary school teacher who is confident in herself and enjoys being flamboyant. She’s outspoken, honest, and full of awkward moments. Most men she’s dated are embarrassed by her, and she’s decided she won’t go through with that anymore. Then there’s Josh � orderly, mellow Josh. He’s known Hazel since college, but when they reconnect through his sister, they strike up a new friendship. Becoming fast friends, they commit to help the other find the perfect date� because they’d never date each other. Right? Right.

I have to say, this book was refreshing in the sense that it didn’t hit a lot of the typical rom-com tropes. Some of them were in there, certainly (friends to lovers, anyone?); but it wasn’t as stereotypical as other similar reads. I loved Josh and Hazel’s friendship, and I liked that it was, as a whole, a really healthy one. They had great chemistry, supported one another, and respected each other. I think it’s great when we see good relationships modeled, especially in romantic books. I thought the supporting characters were fun and made sense for the story. The pacing and plot, as a whole (more on that in a second), worked together well to keep the story moving smoothly and efficiently. No wasted time on side stories � my kind of thing!

There were a few things that led me to knock off a couple stars. First, I personally did not relate to Hazel very much. I am as straight-laced and buttoned-up as she is flamboyant and chaotic. I respected who she was as a character, but in all seriousness, she would’ve driven me crazy if I met her in real life. That’s totally a me-thing for the book, but I couldn’t help but feel a little lost trying to relate to who she was and what drove her as a person.

Secondly, I thought there were a few missed opportunities in the plot. I said above that I thought the book moved at a good pace. I still feel that way, but it almost seemed a little too streamlined. Is that me being super nitpicky? Maybe. I won’t share specifics because I don’t want to spoil, but there were at least two different plot points (one mostly on Hazel and one mostly on Josh) that were introduced and then sort of dropped. The ending, as well, wrapped up abruptly for my taste. I actually turned the page and saw “Epilogue� and went back, thinking I missed a whole chapter somehow. So, while I appreciated the efficient storytelling, there were a few spots I think Lauren could’ve slowed down and spent some time on.

I have to add there was a decent smattering of language and some� more vivid sex scenes. But as a whole, I found Josh and Hazel to be a fun and unique read. The idea of a friendship built on mutual respect and affection that develops into something very real, passionate, and special is a truly beautiful thing. In that sense, it reminded me some of my own relationship with my husband when we first started hanging out. I really liked seeing that sort of thing portrayed so nicely and so well in a novel.


]]> Review5949554448 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:24:11 -0700 /review/show/5949554448 The Literature gave 4 stars to Counting the Cost (Kindle Edition) by Jill Duggar
As mentioned in our review of Jinger Duggar’s book, your literature ladies watched a large portion of 19 Kids and Counting as well as the spinoff, Counting On. I’ve followed various family members on social media on and off through the years and watched with horror the events of Josh Duggar’s scandals unfold.

When I learned Jill Duggar had written a book detailing her time on the show and her departure from it and a lot of her family, I could not wait to read it. It did not disappoint. Both Jessica and I zoomed through Counting the Cost in less than 24 hours. I found myself at some points tearing up as Jill shared with candid and heartfelt words the ups and downs of her life connected to (and breaking free from) her family’s show and many of their strict values.

Following a chronological pattern starting with childhood and moving to present day, Jill details what it was like growing up in a “filming family,� her relationship with her husband Derick, and the lengthy process of disentangling themselves from the show and seeking to heal and grow based on the various traumas she has endured. Jill does not hold back from throwing punches, particularly at the people responsible for revealing her past abuse to the world. She details her tumultuous relationship with her father, the pressures of the show/producers, her traumatic births, their time as missionaries, and their current season of life, settled and raising their three children.

I have very little to say in terms of dislikes in this book. I felt, at times, she and Derick came across a little bit as if they did no wrong, where their victimhood felt a little contrived (while, on the whole, I feel their feeling like victims was quite valid). I occasionally got a vibe of “we did everything right, and [insert person here] did everything wrong.� I didn’t love that. But other than that minor impression I felt (which you may disagree with if you read the book!), I thought it was excellent. Their writer did a good job helping them tell their story in an impactful, well-written way. I think Jill did well respecting her siblings� privacy while still painting a picture of her relationships and family.

I really was moved by what she shared and how she’s overcoming her past. I felt the emotions she conveyed many times in reading the book and teared up more than once. The ending, in my opinion, was particularly touching and well-done.

Whether you are a Christian (as Jill is) or not, familiar with the Duggar family or not, this is just a good book. I love memoirs, and this one was exactly what I want all memoirs to be. Honest, touching, a little dramatic (we all love a tell-all), and best of all, full of hope.


]]> Review5949554448 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:23:53 -0700 /review/show/5949554448 The Literature gave 4 stars to Counting the Cost (Kindle Edition) by Jill Duggar
As mentioned in our review of Jinger Duggar’s book, your literature ladies watched a large portion of 19 Kids and Counting as well as the spinoff, Counting On. I’ve followed various family members on social media on and off through the years and watched with horror the events of Josh Duggar’s scandals unfold.

When I learned Jill Duggar had written a book detailing her time on the show and her departure from it and a lot of her family, I could not wait to read it. It did not disappoint. Both Jessica and I zoomed through Counting the Cost in less than 24 hours. I found myself at some points tearing up as Jill shared with candid and heartfelt words the ups and downs of her life connected to (and breaking free from) her family’s show and many of their strict values.

Following a chronological pattern starting with childhood and moving to present day, Jill details what it was like growing up in a “filming family,� her relationship with her husband Derick, and the lengthy process of disentangling themselves from the show and seeking to heal and grow based on the various traumas she has endured. Jill does not hold back from throwing punches, particularly at the people responsible for revealing her past abuse to the world. She details her tumultuous relationship with her father, the pressures of the show/producers, her traumatic births, their time as missionaries, and their current season of life, settled and raising their three children.

I have very little to say in terms of dislikes in this book. I felt, at times, she and Derick came across a little bit as if they did no wrong, where their victimhood felt a little contrived (while, on the whole, I feel their feeling like victims was quite valid). I occasionally got a vibe of “we did everything right, and [insert person here] did everything wrong.� I didn’t love that. But other than that minor impression I felt (which you may disagree with if you read the book!), I thought it was excellent. Their writer did a good job helping them tell their story in an impactful, well-written way. I think Jill did well respecting her siblings� privacy while still painting a picture of her relationships and family.

I really was moved by what she shared and how she’s overcoming her past. I felt the emotions she conveyed many times in reading the book and teared up more than once. The ending, in my opinion, was particularly touching and well-done.

Whether you are a Christian (as Jill is) or not, familiar with the Duggar family or not, this is just a good book. I love memoirs, and this one was exactly what I want all memoirs to be. Honest, touching, a little dramatic (we all love a tell-all), and best of all, full of hope.


]]> Review5949553390 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:23:37 -0700 /review/show/5949553390 The Literature gave 5 stars to Flight of the Sparrow (Paperback) by Amy Belding Brown
Right off the bat, I have to say this book blew me away. It was intense, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and extremely well-written. Flight of the Sparrow by Amy Belding Brown immerses the reader into early colonial America by telling the true story of Puritan settler Mary Rowlandson’s capture by the Native Americans.

With her entire world turned upside down, Mary fights to survive as a slave to the Indians; but as she toils alongside them, she begins to notice that these people are not unlike her own people. When her ransom is paid and she returns to her husband, Mary struggles to reconcile what she knows is true about the Indians and who they are and to figure out where she belongs.

This novel was truly excellent, from plot to dialogue to characters to setting. The writing is artistic and beautiful without being too flowery (at least for me). Belding captured the essence of early America and the Puritan culture so well; I felt like I was there. The way the characters spoke, how they interacted with one another, and how they viewed the world felt very accurate and real. The characters are so complex and multi-dimensional. Mary and her husband Joseph, especially, were full of ups and downs. Their marriage, while imperfect, had such a realistic dynamic.

I really enjoyed the part of the book where Mary was in captivity and getting to read about native life at the time. I could feel Mary’s fear and also her fascination as she lived with them. The contrast between the Puritan culture and Native American culture was so stark, and the reader easily picks up on that dissonance.

There is so much loss and heartache throughout the novel; it’s definitely not a happy or a light read. Belding addresses faith, family, death, trauma, slavery, et cetera all amongst that early colonial settlers versus natives conflict. She expertly navigates Mary’s changing beliefs after her captivity, and I cannot overstate how naturally she did that. As the reader, I felt along with Mary that tension between what she had always believed with what she’s now experienced.

It has taken me several days to write this review, and the whole time, I struggled to figure out exactly what to say about the novel because there was so much good about it; I just couldn’t seem to find the words. Flight of the Sparrow is one of those books that sticks with you after you’ve turned the last page. It was honest and painful with moments of hope, love, and faith. I highly recommend the novel. It’s a well-written, moving read about a foundational time in American history. ]]> Review5949553390 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:23:20 -0700 /review/show/5949553390 The Literature gave 5 stars to Flight of the Sparrow (Paperback) by Amy Belding Brown
Right off the bat, I have to say this book blew me away. It was intense, heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and extremely well-written. Flight of the Sparrow by Amy Belding Brown immerses the reader into early colonial America by telling the true story of Puritan settler Mary Rowlandson’s capture by the Native Americans.

With her entire world turned upside down, Mary fights to survive as a slave to the Indians; but as she toils alongside them, she begins to notice that these people are not unlike her own people. When her ransom is paid and she returns to her husband, Mary struggles to reconcile what she knows is true about the Indians and who they are and to figure out where she belongs.

This novel was truly excellent, from plot to dialogue to characters to setting. The writing is artistic and beautiful without being too flowery (at least for me). Belding captured the essence of early America and the Puritan culture so well; I felt like I was there. The way the characters spoke, how they interacted with one another, and how they viewed the world felt very accurate and real. The characters are so complex and multi-dimensional. Mary and her husband Joseph, especially, were full of ups and downs. Their marriage, while imperfect, had such a realistic dynamic.

I really enjoyed the part of the book where Mary was in captivity and getting to read about native life at the time. I could feel Mary’s fear and also her fascination as she lived with them. The contrast between the Puritan culture and Native American culture was so stark, and the reader easily picks up on that dissonance.

There is so much loss and heartache throughout the novel; it’s definitely not a happy or a light read. Belding addresses faith, family, death, trauma, slavery, et cetera all amongst that early colonial settlers versus natives conflict. She expertly navigates Mary’s changing beliefs after her captivity, and I cannot overstate how naturally she did that. As the reader, I felt along with Mary that tension between what she had always believed with what she’s now experienced.

It has taken me several days to write this review, and the whole time, I struggled to figure out exactly what to say about the novel because there was so much good about it; I just couldn’t seem to find the words. Flight of the Sparrow is one of those books that sticks with you after you’ve turned the last page. It was honest and painful with moments of hope, love, and faith. I highly recommend the novel. It’s a well-written, moving read about a foundational time in American history. ]]> Review5949552492 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:23:08 -0700 /review/show/5949552492 The Literature gave 4 stars to Picture Perfect Boyfriend (Paperback) by Becky Dean
Becky Dean’s Love & Other Great Expectations was an unexpectedly enjoyable read for me last year. When I saw she had released a new rom-com story, I knew I wanted to try it. Sure enough � although pretty different from her first book � Picture Perfect Boyfriend was absolutely delightful. I zoomed right through it, and it made me smile.

Kenzie Reed has resigned herself to a boring life of science clubs, spreadsheets, and� optometry. For years, her artsy, nature-photography-loving self could not get her straightlaced family to take her seriously; and thus, she has reinvented herself as Kenzie 2.0 for them. And so far, it’s working! They seem to respect her more, and she’s gotten way less disapproving looks and frustrated sighs out of Mom and Dad. She even creates a fake boyfriend, one already in college and considering optometry for a career; and boy, does Jacob Miller impress her parents! She’s stifled and miserable, but at least her family is pleased. But nothing lasts forever. And on a family vacation to Hawaii, Kenzie is surprised by none other than Jacob Miller at the airport. Waiting for her. Knowing all of her lies. Playing right along with her and sticking around all week long�

Okay, so right off the bat, I have to say: I don’t generally like books driven by lies and miscommunication. I recognize it’s an easy plot-motivator, but they can be pretty stereotypical at a certain point. I did not find Picture Perfect Boyfriend to be very stereotypical. Sure, there were moments where my brain screamed, “TELL THE TRUTH ALREADY.� But, all in all, it worked for this book and this story. In fact, it lent itself to substantial character growth and development, and I appreciated this. Plus, it actually resolves in a reasonable and fairly healthy manner (maybe I should amend my “I don’t like lie-plots� to “I don’t like unbelievable lie-resolution plots�).

Kenzie and Jake (Fake Jacob’s real name. Not confusing, ha!) are likable characters. They’re relatable, they’re funny, and they develop a really sweet connection. They help each other navigate the pressures of familial expectations and pain they’re experiencing. It shouldn’t be a spoiler that they do actually fall for each other for real, and their romance is not only appropriate for their ages (18/19) but quite healthy and normal, despite the abnormal circumstances of the novel.

As for supporting characters, Kenzie’s family annoyed me the way I think they’re supposed to. You feel stifled as a reader by their critical attitudes and feel for Kenzie as she desperately craves their approval. Although Dean attempts to give her sister Alana some redeeming qualities, I really felt like she was just as judgemental and unnecessarily close-minded as her parents. I liked the character development of her brother Tyler, and Kenzie’s Gran is a hilarious and heartwarming addition to the group. As a whole, I felt like her family was definitely on the extreme, which made for dramatic storytelling but not the most realistic. Even in Hawaii, all her family does is critique the island and everything they encounter, which definitely didn’t feel like normal behavior for anyone on vacation (maybe I just haven’t met people with that attitude yet in my life. It seems like a hard way to live).

And since we’re talking about extremes, I want to touch on Kenzie again for a second. Kenzie definitely was a little dramatic about her resigned “fate� and complained about it without showing any desire to change it. Again, this makes for storytelling, but it got a little bit old in that first 60% of the novel.

I loved the descriptions of Hawaii and seeing it through Kenzie’s photographer eyes. That was a neat way to showcase the beauty of both that place and the art of photography. Some of the dialogue felt a teeny bit cheesy for me (mostly Kenzie and her nicknames for stuff), but as a whole, I had no issues with the writing style. There is no language or graphic content of any kind. I would definitely recommend this novel for a good, fun clean rom-com story. It gets four stars from me, and it would be the perfect vacation read!


]]> Review5949552492 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:22:49 -0700 /review/show/5949552492 The Literature gave 4 stars to Picture Perfect Boyfriend (Paperback) by Becky Dean
Becky Dean’s Love & Other Great Expectations was an unexpectedly enjoyable read for me last year. When I saw she had released a new rom-com story, I knew I wanted to try it. Sure enough � although pretty different from her first book � Picture Perfect Boyfriend was absolutely delightful. I zoomed right through it, and it made me smile.

Kenzie Reed has resigned herself to a boring life of science clubs, spreadsheets, and� optometry. For years, her artsy, nature-photography-loving self could not get her straightlaced family to take her seriously; and thus, she has reinvented herself as Kenzie 2.0 for them. And so far, it’s working! They seem to respect her more, and she’s gotten way less disapproving looks and frustrated sighs out of Mom and Dad. She even creates a fake boyfriend, one already in college and considering optometry for a career; and boy, does Jacob Miller impress her parents! She’s stifled and miserable, but at least her family is pleased. But nothing lasts forever. And on a family vacation to Hawaii, Kenzie is surprised by none other than Jacob Miller at the airport. Waiting for her. Knowing all of her lies. Playing right along with her and sticking around all week long�

Okay, so right off the bat, I have to say: I don’t generally like books driven by lies and miscommunication. I recognize it’s an easy plot-motivator, but they can be pretty stereotypical at a certain point. I did not find Picture Perfect Boyfriend to be very stereotypical. Sure, there were moments where my brain screamed, “TELL THE TRUTH ALREADY.� But, all in all, it worked for this book and this story. In fact, it lent itself to substantial character growth and development, and I appreciated this. Plus, it actually resolves in a reasonable and fairly healthy manner (maybe I should amend my “I don’t like lie-plots� to “I don’t like unbelievable lie-resolution plots�).

Kenzie and Jake (Fake Jacob’s real name. Not confusing, ha!) are likable characters. They’re relatable, they’re funny, and they develop a really sweet connection. They help each other navigate the pressures of familial expectations and pain they’re experiencing. It shouldn’t be a spoiler that they do actually fall for each other for real, and their romance is not only appropriate for their ages (18/19) but quite healthy and normal, despite the abnormal circumstances of the novel.

As for supporting characters, Kenzie’s family annoyed me the way I think they’re supposed to. You feel stifled as a reader by their critical attitudes and feel for Kenzie as she desperately craves their approval. Although Dean attempts to give her sister Alana some redeeming qualities, I really felt like she was just as judgemental and unnecessarily close-minded as her parents. I liked the character development of her brother Tyler, and Kenzie’s Gran is a hilarious and heartwarming addition to the group. As a whole, I felt like her family was definitely on the extreme, which made for dramatic storytelling but not the most realistic. Even in Hawaii, all her family does is critique the island and everything they encounter, which definitely didn’t feel like normal behavior for anyone on vacation (maybe I just haven’t met people with that attitude yet in my life. It seems like a hard way to live).

And since we’re talking about extremes, I want to touch on Kenzie again for a second. Kenzie definitely was a little dramatic about her resigned “fate� and complained about it without showing any desire to change it. Again, this makes for storytelling, but it got a little bit old in that first 60% of the novel.

I loved the descriptions of Hawaii and seeing it through Kenzie’s photographer eyes. That was a neat way to showcase the beauty of both that place and the art of photography. Some of the dialogue felt a teeny bit cheesy for me (mostly Kenzie and her nicknames for stuff), but as a whole, I had no issues with the writing style. There is no language or graphic content of any kind. I would definitely recommend this novel for a good, fun clean rom-com story. It gets four stars from me, and it would be the perfect vacation read!


]]> Review5889198461 Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:26:22 -0700 /review/show/5889198461 The Literature gave 4 stars to Practice Makes Perfect (When in Rome, #2) by Sarah Adams
Book two in Sarah Adams� When In Rome series was delightful in pretty much every way. Practice Makes Perfect picks up several months after When in Rome ended, shifting two supporting characters from book one, Annie and Will, into the starring roles.

With Amelia and Noah’s wedding day nearing, Will Griffin is sent back to guard Amelia until the excitement is over. For a month, he is stuck in the little crazy town of Rome, Kentucky, feeling like he’s going to pull his hair out. But then Amelia ropes him into helping her soon-to-be sister-in-law Annie grow in confidence with dating, and well� as you can imagine, Rome becomes a bit more interesting to Will. Inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s 1957 film Funny Face, Practice Makes Perfect hits some popular tropes, but it was a fun and sweet read nevertheless.

I’m at risk of sounding like a broken record and repeating everything I wrote in my review of When in Rome. But Practice Makes Perfect had all the same things I liked so much about its predecessor while still feeling like its own story. I loved the little town of Rome and its cast of quirky characters. I loved the instant attraction but slow-build relationship Adams developed between Will and Annie. In that way, it’s similar to Amelia and Noah’s love story, but that’s the only real similarity. Outside of that pattern, Annie and Will’s relationship is unique to them and what they are going through as characters. The way their friendship and then romantic relationship progresses is thoughtful, believable, and genuine.

I want to break down Annie and Will for you because I actually identified a lot with Annie. She’s an introvert who has a hard time putting herself first and being honest with herself about things she experiences or feelings she has, mostly for fear of others� expectations for her. On top of the things she is wrestling with, she’s also portrayed as somewhat shy, not very confident, and trying to figure out if she can branch out of that mold people have placed her in. It definitely felt a bit like a love letter to the introverts, perfectionists, and people-pleasers out there! My life has been very different then Annie’s, but the way her mind worked reminded me so much of myself. I rarely find truly relatable characters in rom-coms, so this was a nice surprise for me. I loved seeing her progression and growth and how Will helped her in this � again reminding me of my relationship with my husband, who has often led me outside my comfort zone, patiently holding my hand and cheering me on. Just like Will. Okay, stopping that train of thought before I get emotional.

I greatly appreciated Adams writing a novel about a character who adhered to (generally) more traditional values and with a more quiet personality without making her a stick-in-the-mud. While Annie doesn’t want to be a “goodie-two-shoes� anymore, it’s not because that’s bad, or wrong or embarrassing. It’s that she’s ready to grow and move on from who she was at 15. I found that refreshing, simply because it can often be “boring� and “unattractive� to be cautious, or safe, or take your time; Adams showed that doesn’t have to be the case.

This (sort of) leads me to Will. Will has his reputation as a “baddie,� but I found him the opposite of the bad-boy trope, which was super refreshing. Yes, he appeared a little hard on the outside and was much more soft on the inside � as usual � but instead of glamorizing toxic behavior as so many romances do, Will was actually not a bad guy at all and had no concerning behavioral patterns or control issues or violence in his nature. He had a traumatic past that led him down a path of isolation and thrill-seeking, but Annie shows him that it’s okay to open up, to need people, and to find a safe place to land again. Their relationship really was sweet, and I enjoyed reading about both of them. I like that Adams actually provides good backstory and character development to her romances.

Any negatives in Practice Makes Perfect? Sure. There’s a little bit of language (though it felt like nothing compared to Christina Lauren books� Sorry, guys. It’s the truth) and plenty of rom-com tropes. There’s plenty of romantic longing and sexual tension with a bit of spice. The plot was pretty predictable as a whole, but the journey was still enjoyable. All in all, I loved it. I didn’t want to put it down. I look forward to any other When in Rome books Adams writes � and I do believe she hinted at the next couple pairing. I’ll be waiting!

Before you go, we have a bonus blog coming out this Thursday in honor of our upcoming vacation! We hope you’ll check it out!


]]> Review5889197447 Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:26:06 -0700 /review/show/5889197447 The Literature gave 3 stars to Same Time Next Summer (Paperback) by Annabel Monaghan
If you’re looking for a light summer read (even though summer is technically over. So sad), look no further than Annabel Monaghan’s Same Time Next Summer. It tells the up and down tale of the young love of Sam and Wyatt and how events pulled them apart and (as I’m sure you can guess) bring them back together again. After a heartbreaking end, Sam is determined to live a life as straight and predictable as possible, all ducks in a row, neat and tidy. Her fiance, Jack, anchors her in this lifestyle with his own cemented rhythms, and together, they will crush the NYC corporate life before returning home to their muted gray, chic apartment each evening. Until they go to Sam’s childhood beach house and everything Sam is trying to hold together erodes in the salty air.

Everything about this book is fairly stereotypical for a rom-com read, but I still found it enjoyable. There were parts that made me eye-roll and parts I found really sweet. As a whole, it is a fairly vanilla read for me, I don’t feel strongly one way or the other, but I’ll highlight below some things I liked and disliked in the story.

I liked the beach setting. I resonated with Sam. While my parents didn’t own a beachfront mansion in Long Island, they did take me to a rented beach house every summer for my entire childhood (and well through early adulthood, too). While I didn’t have familiar faces I reconnected with each summer, I had familiar places. We went to the same town, did the same outings, ate the same food, etc. This backdrop for Monaghan’s story was really lovely and made me so pumped for the next time I get to go to the beach. There is also a relational redemption arc (that is not our two main characters) I enjoyed, but it’s pretty pivotal to the plot so I shall say no more on that one. Overall, the characters were fine. They were all pretty stereotypical but not unlikeable. And that’s about all I have to say about each of them, including Sam and Wyatt.

What I disliked: Sam’s coping with the back-in-the-past-twist seems rather extreme to me. She doesn’t sleep, doesn’t have the will to do anything with her days, etc. Maybe I am simply out of touch, but for a high school romance to absolutely demolish someone’s life at that level seems unrealistic. And I guess, regardless of realism, it just made me see her as immature and didn’t do anything to enhance her character in a positive light for me. Other dislikes include the usual: some foul language, reference to an unborn baby as a “fertilized egg,� etc. I did find the sex scenes to be fairly mild.

Overall, I don’t really recommend or not recommend Same Time Next Summer. If you’d like a fluffy rom-com that checks all the appropriate boxes, look no further. Despite my rather bland thoughts on it, I did zoom through this book pretty quickly and enjoyed doing so.


]]> Review5889197447 Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:25:50 -0700 /review/show/5889197447 The Literature gave 3 stars to Same Time Next Summer (Paperback) by Annabel Monaghan
If you’re looking for a light summer read (even though summer is technically over. So sad), look no further than Annabel Monaghan’s Same Time Next Summer. It tells the up and down tale of the young love of Sam and Wyatt and how events pulled them apart and (as I’m sure you can guess) bring them back together again. After a heartbreaking end, Sam is determined to live a life as straight and predictable as possible, all ducks in a row, neat and tidy. Her fiance, Jack, anchors her in this lifestyle with his own cemented rhythms, and together, they will crush the NYC corporate life before returning home to their muted gray, chic apartment each evening. Until they go to Sam’s childhood beach house and everything Sam is trying to hold together erodes in the salty air.

Everything about this book is fairly stereotypical for a rom-com read, but I still found it enjoyable. There were parts that made me eye-roll and parts I found really sweet. As a whole, it is a fairly vanilla read for me, I don’t feel strongly one way or the other, but I’ll highlight below some things I liked and disliked in the story.

I liked the beach setting. I resonated with Sam. While my parents didn’t own a beachfront mansion in Long Island, they did take me to a rented beach house every summer for my entire childhood (and well through early adulthood, too). While I didn’t have familiar faces I reconnected with each summer, I had familiar places. We went to the same town, did the same outings, ate the same food, etc. This backdrop for Monaghan’s story was really lovely and made me so pumped for the next time I get to go to the beach. There is also a relational redemption arc (that is not our two main characters) I enjoyed, but it’s pretty pivotal to the plot so I shall say no more on that one. Overall, the characters were fine. They were all pretty stereotypical but not unlikeable. And that’s about all I have to say about each of them, including Sam and Wyatt.

What I disliked: Sam’s coping with the back-in-the-past-twist seems rather extreme to me. She doesn’t sleep, doesn’t have the will to do anything with her days, etc. Maybe I am simply out of touch, but for a high school romance to absolutely demolish someone’s life at that level seems unrealistic. And I guess, regardless of realism, it just made me see her as immature and didn’t do anything to enhance her character in a positive light for me. Other dislikes include the usual: some foul language, reference to an unborn baby as a “fertilized egg,� etc. I did find the sex scenes to be fairly mild.

Overall, I don’t really recommend or not recommend Same Time Next Summer. If you’d like a fluffy rom-com that checks all the appropriate boxes, look no further. Despite my rather bland thoughts on it, I did zoom through this book pretty quickly and enjoyed doing so.


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