When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to the audio version of the sweet, young adult romance.

Dimple and Rishi are likeable characters who are both children of Indian parents. Rishi is traditional while Dimple fights hard to live her life as an American teenager. When they meet at a summer camp preceding their freshman years of college free he believes he's meeting the woman his parents have arranged for him to marry, and she has no idea about her family's plans of matrimony for her.

The story is sappy and predictable in parts but it is a nice love story with a satisfying ending. My favorite part of the story was getting to know the Indian culture a little bit better.

View all my reviews

A Strange Companion by Lisa Manterfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kat is a student at university but she doesn't get back home much. Her boyfriend, Gabe, died unexpectedly nearly two years ago so it's hard for her to go back and face all of the memories that come from being where the two of them shared their lives together. When her brother brings home his adopted daughter Kat finds herself back home for a few weeks. The strange thing is she feels a connection to her new niece, Mai, and thinks she could be Gabe reincarnated.

Yes, I said reincarnated but don't give up yet!

This is a story of a young girl learning to handle her grief rather than a paranormal adventure story. Readers who have lost anyone in their lives should find some comfort in Kat's story. There's more than one way to handle the death of a loved one and Lisa Manterfield shows that it's not always going to be graceful.

I enjoyed the characters in this story. Kat's family were interesting and added depth to this story. I may have teared up a time or two, but this won't be a book to sob over.

My reading of this book was really enhanced by Once Upon A Book Club. If you've never heard of them be sure to check them out here. They include gifts (but don't open them until the correct page number!) that really make the story come to life. It's such a cool, unique reading experience and I recommend you give it a whirl!

View all my reviews

The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simsion
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Graeme Simsion wrote The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. I loved both of these book and was looking for more of the same. Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. Three stars is a bit much, but there were some parts that I liked and I do enjoy Simsion's writing, so I'm rounding up.

In this new book Adam meets Angelina while he's traveling the for work. He winds up spending a lustful six weeks with her and manages to fall madly in love. As he must continue his work abroad they separate and twenty years pass. Adam has spent a long time in a loving partnership with Claire when suddenly Angelina contacts Adam. The past comes rushing back to him and the books is about what happens.

Adam and Angelina's relationship seems to be nothing more than passion, alcohol, and hormones. I didn't really enjoy either of these two characters nor did I see the deep love they had for each other. True, they are flawed and fairly believable characters. However, I had trouble caring about their story. The second half of this book is disturbing at best. It was tough to read and enjoy.

One element of this story that stood out was the great music throughout the story. There's even a complete playlist on Spotify that readers can enjoy while they're following this story. The music choices were pretty great and has a little something for everyone.

I hope to find another installment of Rosie's story soon, but I won't be revisiting Adam and Angelina's tale again.

What's the best love story you've read recently? Comment below!

View all my reviews

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chick lit is not always my first choice, but I always (nearly always) get such enjoyment out of Sophie Kinsella's books. This was a really fun book to read.

Each of her characters are goofy, big-hearted, and easy to root for. In this book Katie Brenner has left the country and moved to London. She's got a glamorous life and works in branding. Well - she wants a glamorous life anyway. What she's got is a really long commute, a tiny apartment, and a tight budget. Still, she has a positive attitude as things at work begin to go a little off course.

Kinsella's writing had me laughing out loud. Katie finds herself in more than one Lucy and Ethel type of moment. This is a great book if you're looking for something light and fun. A perfect book to take to the beach this summer!

What's your favorite Sophie Kinsella book? Comment below!

View all my reviews