Books That I Loved In 2019

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Books. I love them. Reading is part of my self-care so I always make sure I have time for it. People will ask how I can find time to read, and I always answer, "Well, stay off social media and you'll have plenty of time to read." Anyone could find the time, if they really want to.


Here are some of the books I read in 2019 and enjoyed. And honestly, I'd probably add more, but I didn't want to be too overwhelming so I picked the ones that truly stuck with me after I turned the last page.



Meet Cute by Helena Hunting 

Kailyn meets Daxton Hughes, who was her crush when she was a teen. See, Daxton was an actor (I pictured James Van Deer Beek from Dawson's Creek) and he needs Kailyn's help because he's become the guardian of his thirteen-year-old sister. (She's a lawyer.) He has no idea how to take care of a teen. Can Kailyn help?

My thoughts: I was amused by this book. If you like chick flicks, you'll like this one. You can buy it here.




An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen 

So Jessica agrees to be a test subject in a psychological study for some cash. Dr. Shields begins to manipulate her and things turn frightening.

My thoughts: I was hooked! The writing is wonderful and I wanted to know what Dr. Shields was going to do to poor Jessica. You can buy here.



The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Jonathan and Annika are a sweet couple in college. Jonathan is attracted to Annika because she's smart and has quirks. Her social skills aren't always the best, but he doesn't care. However, they end up breaking up and meet years later. But will Annika forgive him?

My thoughts: Annika reminded me of my son Tommy, who has autism. A lot of her awkwardness made me think of him. This was a sweet story and you can buy it here.



Anna of Kleve: The Princess in the Portrait by Alison Weir

I'm sure you know the story of Henry VIII's wives. Anna of Kleve was the 4th wife. Henry VIII loved her portrait, he decided sure he'd marry her. She comes over and decides, uh, never mind. Will Anne have the same fate as the Anne before her? Or will Henry VIII come to love her after all?

My thoughts: I love Tudor history! Alison Weir has a bunch of fabulous books about the Tudors and I've read them all so far. You can buy the book here.



The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke 

Lila Bennetts life is split in two: in one she's taken hostage by a stranger. She's stuck in a cell with no clue on how she'll escape. In another life she isn't trapped, but she is stalked by someone. But who? Lila is a criminal attorney who has ticked off tons of people, so know knows who it can be?

My thoughts: I've always enjoyed all of Liz and Lisa's books. If you haven't checked them out, you must! This one is no different. I wanted to know what was going on and who was stalking Lila. Was it the same person in her other life that kidnapped her? You can buy the book here.



Waiting For Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

Annie loves Nora Ephron, who wrote a bunch of those famous Tom Hanks movies. (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail). Annie also writes screenplays and hopes she can find her own Tom Hanks. A movie is filmed in her town and she gets a job, where she meet actor Drew Danforth, who is NOT Tom Hanks. He's cocky and rude but...but...maybe he's not as bad as he seems.

My thoughts: This was another rom com style book. And I love Tom Hanks, so I was all about it. I absolutely LOVE Sleepless in Seattle. If you like Tom Hanks, read this! You can buy it here.



Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Evvie Drake has basically locked herself away after the death of her husband. Everyone assumes she does this because she's distraught and misses him. But is that truly the case? Evvie decides to rent the apartment in the back of her home to Dean Tenney, who is a former Major League pitcher, and a sort of friendship eventually forms. Will it turn into more?


My thoughts: Evvie is pretty hilarious and I laughed several times throughout this book. I was rooting for her! You can buy the book here.


Things You Save In A Fire by Katherine Center

Cassie Hanwell can kick butt. She's the only female firefighter in her Texas firehouse, but then her ailing mother calls her and asks if she can come and help. The problem is, Cassie is estranged from her mother so she's not keen on doing this. Eventually she agrees and moves to Boston, where she starts at another firehouse. The men aren't exactly thrilled to welcome a woman, so things don't go smoothly. To make things even more complicated, Cassie finds herself attracted to the rookie.


My thoughts: I loved Cassie! She not only cracked me up, but I loved how bad ass she was. She doesn't take crap. This book also made me want to look up Katherine Center's other books. She has several out! You can buy the book here.



UNpregnant by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan

Veronica Clarke is hoping she'll be the class valedictorian and then finds out she's pregnant. Oops. She's only 17 and her boyfriend isn't the greatest guy. She decided to enlist the help of Bailey Butler, her former best friend. Veronica left her behind when she became popular, and Bailey is known as the odd one in school. She asks Bailey to help her drive to an abortion clinic 900 miles away and they encounter all sorts of adventures.


My thoughts:This book was compared to Juno and it's technically young adult, but I didn't care. I know some people might be horrified by the abortion aspect, but I'm all about pro choice. Especially when you're 17. Plus it turns out the boyfriend poked holes in the condom to trap Veronica so yeah. I wouldn't want to be tied to someone like that. You can buy the book here.


Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella 

Becky is back and she's as hilarious as ever. She finds out she has to host Christmas because her parents have decided to move to a trendy area of town. Things don't go smoothly, and Becky finds herself in over her head. Also, an ex boyfriend comes to down, so that doesn't help either.

My thoughts: I've read all the shopaholic books! If you haven't read them, you must. You will laugh out loud, I promise. I giggled multiple times during this book. I can relate to Becky: we have kitchen and regular life mishaps often. You can buy the book here.



The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The sequel to The Handmaid's Tale is finally here! If you're wondering what happened to June at the end of that book, you'll find out here. It takes place fifteen years after The Handmaid's Tale and you'll meet three different women: one who grew up in Gilead, Aunt Lydia, and one who grew up in Canada but finds herself an orphan when her parents are killed.


My thoughts: I was so excited about this book. I loved The Handmaid's Tale and wanted to know how Gilead was faring. (Not well.) I hoped it would eventually crumble. (Read to find out!) Plus I was curious about Aunt Lydia. This book did not disappoint. You can buy it here.




So there we have it! And again, I read so many more that I liked, but these were the ones that made an impression. I look forward to reading many more books in 2020. Did you read a book this year that stuck with you?