book club

This was a week where I just wasn't really into any of the books all that much. Oh well, I can't love them all...

Nora Robert's The Last Boyfriend









Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish... Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent. As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…
(thanks to her website)

Since I loved this first book in this series I was rather disappointed with this second installment. I mean sure it was still cute,light and funny but I felt like something was missing to make it totally addictive. I was sort of annoyed too with Avery and Owen because they seemed to take forever to actually realize they like it each other. I was surprised by some parts though and some other parts coming;I am looking forward to the last book of this series to see how it ALL ends. I give this a B.


Tatiana de Rosnay's The House I Loved

Paris, France: 1860’s. Hundreds of houses are being razed, whole neighborhoods reduced to ashes. By order of Emperor Napoleon III, Baron Haussman has set into motion a series of large-scale renovations that will permanently alter the face of old Paris, moulding it into a “modern city.” The reforms will erase generations of history—but in the midst of the tumult, one woman will take a stand.
 Rose Bazelet is determined to fight against the destruction of her family home until the very end; as others flee, she stakes her claim in the basement of the old house on rue Childebert, ignoring the sounds of change that come closer and closer each day. Attempting to overcome the loneliness of her daily life, she begins to write letters to Armand, her beloved late husband. And as she delves into the ritual of remembering, Rose is forced to come to terms with a secret that has been buried deep in her heart for thirty years. Tatiana de Rosnay's The House I Loved is both a poignant story of one woman’s indelible strength, and an ode to Paris, where houses harbor the joys and sorrows of their inhabitants, and secrets endure in the very walls...

(thanks to Amazon.com)

This short book was just okay. A rather sad story overall but it was written in a neat way--in letters written from a wife to her deceased husband. I loved learning about this part of Paris' history because I had no idea about it and it was fun to imagine the setting and characters. I felt like the whole story was missing something though although I will admit that the secret in the end was a surprise times two!! Definitely not as gripping or thrilling as Sarah's Key but I didn't hate it. I give this a C.

Elizabeth Bass' Miss you Most of All

Sassy Spinster Farm is a place to find solace. At least, that’s what it’s become since Rue and her sister, Laura, transformed their childhood Texas homestead into a successful tourist destination. It’s where Rue is raising her preteen daughter on her own while trying to keep her outspoken sister in check. It’s not easy, but together, it seems there’s nothing to two can’t handle–until an unexpected and not entirely welcome guest shows up in the middle of one summer night.
(thanks to her website)

It sounds more interesting than it turns out to be;I wasn't a big fan of any of the characters and about a quarter of the way in it dawned on my how the story would probably end. I also felt like it was way too long and drawn out. I wish there hadn't been so many side stories because they took away from the overall idea main plot. I love a story about sisters but this one is just not that great. Unique and sometimes funny setting but I give this book a C/D.

******
Don't forget to link up with Heather!

******
Happy Friday!