Review: Waiting for Hope

Waiting for Hope by Karen J. Hasley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the series started out great. The first half kept me interested and I enjoyed the story of Hope's journey. About halfway through is when the book became super predictable and not as fun to read. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exciting or new either. It was the same old "broken girl from wrong side of the tracks meets handsome rich guy; they fall in love but don't want to acknowledge it; tragedy happens and they realize they can't live without each other." This type of story has been written time and time again. If I hadn't wanted to read book 3, I probably wouldn't have finished book 2. It was nice to learn some of the things that happened between book 1 and 2 though; I enjoy reading about Lou's family.

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READING PROGRESS

July 13, 2020 – Started Reading
July 22, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review: Lily's Sister

Lily's Sister by Karen J. Hasley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in the series was a good read. I enjoyed it and skimmed only a few passages that became too wordy.

The story progressed nicely and kept me interested the whole book. A few times I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next; a few times I was sad with the events that happened and close to tears; and a few times I was so frustrated with the naivety of the character; and one time I gasped at the events. All together it was a good story and I'm glad I took the time to read it.

The ending is what I didn't enjoy. Not the words or even the events, but how they were portrayed. The entire story is about a short time in Lou's life and then the last chapter speeds through about 25 years of her life all at once. I would have loved another book instead that went more slowly and in detail through their lives.

I did purchase the second book in the series and am interested to see what happens. I know that it can be stand alone from the first book but also has some entanglement with the original characters.


READING PROGRESS
June 18, 2020 – Started Reading
July 13, 2020 – Finished Reading

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Review: Thorn in My Heart

Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am not sure what I think about this book. At first I was interested but then it became dreadfully boring and I was just plodding though to get to the end. Did I love the book? no. It didn't have any exciting parts, no parts where I felt any particular emotion. Nothing was surprising. It was just dull and very long. Did I enjoy the book? not really, but I didn't hate the book either.

I didn't like the younger sister. The older sister was constantly seeking pity. They were both selfish. The cousin was an idiot and his flip flopping feelings annoying.

I decided to finish the 1st book but not continue the series. It just wasn't enjoyable and there are more than enough other books out there to read.


READING PROGRESS
March 16, 2020 – Started Reading
April 28, 2020 – Finished Reading

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Review: The Legacy of Armstrong House

The Legacy of Armstrong House by A. O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series. I loved each family's era and lives. It was fascinating to read how older generations impacted the current generations. The secrets and lives of the family were so fun to untangle. Everything all came full circle in this final book.
This book jumps a lot between past and present but it makes for an interesting read. Kate is annoying in her pursuit of unraveling all the secrets of the family. The ending of the book was a little shocking, I"ll admit. I didn't see that coming. And I'm glad a certain secret was not unveiled in the end.
Great series, Great book. Worth the time.

READING PROGRESS
December 17, 2019 – Started Reading
March 20, 2020 – Finished Reading

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Review: The Fire Blossom

The Fire Blossom by Sarah Lark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a good read. Some parts seem unrealistic and some parts irritated me. But overall it was a good read. The first half of the book is better than the last half. I looked for the sequel and realized it hasn't been written yet so that was a bit disappointing.

What I can't understand is how some people can be so rigid and pigheaded. Coming to a new country, a new land and expecting things to be the exact same as your homeland is foolish. By not learning the new languages and being ignorant about the natives is stupid and annoying.

To prevent any spoilers I'll just say I'm glad the German immigrants lived the life they did. I felt they lived the life they deserved because of their ways.

READING PROGRESS

March 11, 2020 – Started Reading

March 13, 2020 – Finished Reading

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Review: Growing the Good Life: Lessons in Parenting, Gardening, Health, and Meaningful Living

Growing the Good Life: Lessons in Parenting, Gardening, Health, and Meaningful Living by Alison E. Buehler
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Not at all what I expected. I expected Lessons in parenting, gardening, health, and etc. What I read was a book about her life. The author's tone is unpleasant she explains how she never had to struggle, she's never had major issues in life, she's better than all of us, she is this -she is that -- blah blah blah.

I got 3/4 the way through the book in disgust. I was still hoping for a bit of the "lessons" part to come into play. Then I realized this is not a how-to book at all, just a mish-mash of her blog posts.

Boring, pretentious, uninspiring.

READING PROGRESS
March 4, 2020 – Started Reading
March 9, 2020 – Finished Reading

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Review: Trusting God with My What-Ifs and Whys

Trusting God with My What-Ifs and Whys by Linda Dillow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could read Linda Dillow's words all day long. She has this wonderful way of making things seem like they are going to be ok. She is very easy to understand and writes in a calming manner.
When I am stressed out or really depressed I always reach for her books.
This one is a quick, short read. It has many wonderful verses that I refer back to often.

READING PROGRESS
January 27, 2020 – Started Reading
January 28, 2020 – Finished Reading

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