Author: theredheadreview

Hi, I’m Jessica! I’m a new mom, wife, teacher librarian, lover of books, travel, Hallmark movies, sarcasm, and sharing stories. Thanks for visiting!

My recent Emily Giffin phase…

THE LIE THAT BINDS

Author: Emily Giffin

Publication Date: 6/2/2020

Pages: 315

Publisher: Ballantine Books

FIRST COMES LOVE

Author: Emily Giffin

Publication Date: 6/28/2016

Pages: 382

Publisher: Ballantine Books

THE ONE AND ONLY

Author: Emily Giffin

Publication Date: 5/20/2014

Pages: 433

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

THE LIE THAT BINDS

It’s 2 AM on a Saturday night in the spring of 2001, and twenty-eight-year old Cecily Gardner sits alone in a dive bar on New York’s Lower East Side, questioning her life. Feeling lonesome and homesick for the Midwest, she wonders if she’ll ever make it as a reporter in the big city—and whether she made a terrible mistake in breaking up with her longtime boyfriend Matthew.  

As Cecily reaches for the phone to call him, she hears a guy on the barstool next to her say, “Don’t do it—you’ll regret it.”  Something tells her to listen to him, and over the next several hours—and shots of tequila—the two forge an unlikely connection. That should be it, they both decide the next morning, as Cecily reminds herself of the perils of a rebound relationship. Moreover, the timing couldn’t be worse –Grant is preparing to quit his job and move overseas. Yet despite all their obstacles, they can’t seem to say goodbye, and for the first time in her carefully-constructed life, Cecily follows her heart over her head.  

Then Grant disappears in the chaos of 9/11. Fearing the worst, Cecily spots his face on a missing person poster, and realizes she is not the only one searching for him. Her investigative reporting instincts kick into action as she vows to discover the truth. But the questions pile up fast: How well did she really know Grant? Did he ever really love her? And is it possible to love a man who wasn’t who he seemed to be? 

The Lies That Bind is a mesmerizing and emotionally resonant exploration of the never-ending search for love and truth—in our relationships, careers, and deep within our own hearts.

FIRST COMES LOVE

Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious relationship. Josie was impulsive, spirited, and outgoing; Meredith hardworking, thoughtful, and reserved. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond.
 
Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths. Josie, a first grade teacher, is single—and this close to swearing off dating for good. What she wants more than the right guy, however, is to become a mother—a feeling that is heightened when her ex-boyfriend’s daughter ends up in her class. Determined to have the future she’s always wanted, Josie decides to take matters into her own hands.
 
On the outside, Meredith is the model daughter with the perfect life. A successful attorney, she’s married to a wonderful man, and together they’re raising a beautiful four-year-old daughter. Yet lately, Meredith feels dissatisfied and restless, secretly wondering if she chose the life that was expected of her rather than the one she truly desired. 
 
As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew . . . and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first.
 
Emotionally honest and utterly enthralling, First Comes Love is a story about family, friendship, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead.

THE ONE AND ONLY

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.
 
But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.
 
Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One and Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

I have previously read and enjoyed several Emily Giffin novels (Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, All We Ever Wanted) so I searched her on my Libby App and listened to three more that were available as audiobooks! Very handy as I’m trying to get other things done around the house! Anyway, on to my thoughts on each of my most recent Emily Giffin reads.

THE LIE THAT BINDS

This was a page turner for me, or whatever the similar term is for not being able to stop listening to the audiobook! I was captivated by the storyline and though I guessed a few of the plot lines a little bit, but the ending was a surprise. Definitely a lot of twists and turns and a little bit of love along the way. I would definitely recommend this one!

FIRST COMES LOVE

Overall I was intrigued by the storyline of this book the whole time but I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the main characters. Still a good read but missing that connection to the characters.

THE ONE AND ONLY

After I started listening to this, I was pretty sure I had already read it before but I still listened to the whole book again because I couldn’t remember the ending! This is probably my least favorite Emily Giffin novel. It’s hard to explain why without giving away parts of the story so I’ll just say that the relationships between a few of the characters didn’t work for me. I just didn’t buy in like I thought the reader would need to to really enjoy the story.

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The Stress Relief Tip You Didn’t Know You Needed

It’s almost summer, a glorious release from the stresses of the school year. As I’m finishing up the most stressful part of the school year I was thinking about things I have done in the past when faced with stressful times. Just in case anyone else is feeling a bit overwhelmed, here is my strange, yet effective stress relief tip.

Celine Dion Meditation

When I was in college and had a big paper or project to do, I would often get writers block because I had so much on my mind. I’m not sure why I started doing this but when I needed to clear my mind, I would lay on the floor with my feet up on a chair and put on Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On (yes, from Titanic!). I would then close my eyes, relax my body, and just let Celine’s lovely voice take over. It sounds completely ridiculous but it always calmed me down and helped clear my mind so I could then move on with whatever I needed to do. Try it…you might be surprised!

*If Celine Dion isn’t your thing, try a different song depending on your mood! I find that the laying on the floor part works with almost any song.

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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder & Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Author: Holly Jackson

Publication Date: #1- 1/21/2019 #2- 3/2/2021

Pages: #1- 448 #2- 416

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT! 

An addictive must-read mystery with shades of Serial and Making a Murderer about an investigation turned obsession, full of twists and turns and with an ending you’ll never expect.

Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can’t shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn’t want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

Good Girl, Bad Blood

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestseller, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! More dark secrets are exposed in this addictive, true-crime fueled mystery. 

Pip is not a detective anymore.

With the help of Ravi Singh, she released a true-crime podcast about the murder case they solved together last year. The podcast has gone viral, yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her.

But she will have to break that promise when someone she knows goes missing. Jamie Reynolds has disappeared, on the very same night the town hosted a memorial for the sixth-year anniversary of the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh.

The police won’t do anything about it. And if they won’t look for Jamie then Pip will, uncovering more of her town’s dark secrets along the way… and this time everyone is listening. But will she find him before it’s too late?

If you like murder mystery thrillers, check out this awesome YA series! The first book (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) is your classic murder mystery following the main character Pippa as she digs into a closed murder case for her senior project. There are mysterious twists and turns with just the right amount of romance thrown in.

I was a bit concerned the second book wouldn’t live up to the first but I just finished book #2 (Good Girl, Bad Blood) and it was just as good. This time Pippa and her friends are solving a missing person’s case. I love that in book #2, Pip is chronicling the case on her true crime podcast, such an interesting addition to the story.

Both of these books are true page turners and quick reads for anyone wanting a little mystery! Not that I’m a great detective but I didn’t see either ending coming which I like! I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out this fall!

THE FINAL BOOK IN THE SERIES IS AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

The highly anticipated, edge-of-your-seat conclusion to the addictive A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series that reads like your favorite true crime podcast or show. By the end, you’ll never think of good girls the same way again…

Pip is about to head to college, but she is still haunted by the way her last investigation ended. She’s used to online death threats in the wake of her viral true-crime podcast, but she can’t help noticing an anonymous person who keeps asking her: Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears? 

Soon the threats escalate and Pip realizes that someone is following her in real life. When she starts to find connections between her stalker and a local serial killer caught six years ago, she wonders if maybe the wrong man is behind bars.

Police refuse to act, so Pip has only one choice: find the suspect herself—or be the next victim. As the deadly game plays out, Pip discovers that everything in her small town is coming full circle . . .and if she doesn’t find the answers, this time she will be the one who disappears. . .

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Adventures in Breastfeeding

There are so many things in life that end up being so much harder than anticipated, and I really don’t think that I’ve faced anything as challenging as breastfeeding. Though swimming {drowning} in the dating pool is a close second. Although the majority of my friends that have kids did breastfeed at some point, and some have even shared their struggles, until I was in it…I did not get it. I knew it might be a little tricky, but if women out on the prairie figured it out while also gathering the eggs and milking the cows, surely I could, right? Well, eventually yes but not without A LOT of struggles along the way. Even though at this point I’m making breastfeeding sound absolutely awful, it’s not! It’s the best thing now that I have it figured out, and I’m so glad that I stuck out the hard times to get to where we are today. Of course, I’m sure there are women who it does just naturally work for, but if you’re not one of those people I’m here to tell you that you’re doing great and you’re not alone!

Several things I didn’t realize about breastfeeding before actually breastfeeding:

  • Where’s the milk? – I had read about women starting to leak colostrum in the last few weeks of pregnancy and how that’s the first “milk” that the baby gets after they are born, however, somehow I missed that the actual milk can take several days to “come in”. I guess I just figured, the baby comes out which triggers the body to turn on the milk faucets. This is inaccurate. My milk didn’t arrive until after we had left the hospital which is what started my issues.
  • Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) – I had never heard of this contraption prior to my lack of milk and Vivian’s difficulty latching. An SNS is as it says, a way to supplement nursing. It’s a tiny tube hooked up to a bottle that delivers donor breast milk or formula to the nipple area. That way the baby practices nursing on you but is getting milk from the SNS. This worked for us for a bit but it’s a huge pain in the behind trying to get it to stay in the right spot, especially because I was also having to use a nipple shield…
  • The Nipple Shield – Another ridiculous thing I thought was that as a woman with nipples, the baby would just attach and off we’d go. Turns out, for various reasons some babies can have a difficult time latching onto the nipple. Cue, the nipple shield. Again, I did not know that there was such a thing as a nipple shield. Turns out maybe I should have read a book about breastfeeding. Anyway, nipple shields are just as they sound, a silicone shield for your nipple. Though a bit of a pain to keep on at times, they helped Vivian be able to nurse and by around two months I was able to transition her off of the nipple shields.
  • Mastitis – In the beginning, I was feeding Vivian and pumping each time because I was making so much milk. At one point, I made the grave error of skipping one of my pumping sessions and several hours later I had the worst chills of my life (full body shakes for about a half hour) followed by spiking a fever. Luckily my mom was with us and as a former nurse, she reacted calmly and called the emergency OB number for help. My husband said if he had been the only one home, he definitely would have called the ambulance! Eventually I did get put on antibiotics, but it was still an awful week fighting that infection while still recovering from childbirth. Mastitis comes in varying levels of intensity, and I think my case was a bit more intense than some, but in any case, mastitis is extremely painful and frustrating. My advice? Don’t skip any pumping sessions no matter how tedious they seem in the beginning.
  • Something I was really worried about was feeling awkward while breastfeeding. This could just be because I’m awkward in general, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that once I got past all of the initial struggles, it was more natural feeling than I thought. Though it has been one of the hardest things in my life thus far, I am so glad that I kept trying until we were able to be successful.

So if you’re struggling or preparing yourself for breastfeeding, just know that it’s okay if it’s not immediately coming naturally, and everyone’s experience is different, so you get to decide what the best choice is for you and baby! ❤

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And Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Author: Lisa Jewell

Publication Date: 4/17/2018

Pages: 368

Publisher: Atria Books

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the New York Times bestselling author of Invisible Girl and The Truth About Melody Browne comes a “riveting” (PopSugar) and “acutely observed family drama” (People) that delves into the lingering aftermath of a young girl’s disappearance.

Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. Beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. Ellie was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.

And then she was gone.

Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie’s case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel’s breath away.

Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?

Whoa! I just finished the audiobook of this and it was so good. I could not stop listening! I previously read Lisa Jewell’s book The Family Upstairs and it wasn’t my favorite but I’m so glad I decided to listen to this book because it kept my mind racing the whole time. There were a few things that I predicted from the beginning but overall I felt that the twists and turns kept me guessing. I’m not sure if I’m just extra sensitive when I read but Ellie’s feelings about missing her mom really got to me. My heart was breaking for both her and Laurel. I don’t want to give anything away but just trust me, if you like thrillers, you will enjoy this read!

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10 fun two-player board games

Need an easy date night after the kids are in bed? Try out one of our favorite board games! Mike and I love playing board games, and pulling out one of our favorites after Vivian is in bed makes for an enjoyable evening. There are tons of fun games out there but sometimes it’s a struggle finding a game for only two players. With Mike’s help, I’ve compiled a list of our favorite games to grab when it’s just the two of us!

Exploding Kittens

What is it?

“Exploding Kittens is a highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian roulette. It features cards illustrated by The Oatmeal.”

Why do we like it?

This game is great for super competitive couples. As the description says, the exploding kittens popping up is similar to Russian roulette, but while that is left up to chance, there are plenty of other opportunities to take your partner down along the way. There are several expansion packs (Imploding, Streaking, & Barking Kittens) that add to the fun with new and interesting situations to add to the complications in the game. Very fun and usually a pretty quick game!

Villainous

What is it?

“Villainous is a popular board game and the first in the Villainous line, which also includes the expansions Wicked to the Core, Evil Comes Prepared and Perfectly Wretched, along with the Marvel Villainous title. Disney fans and game board lovers of all kinds will love the asymmetric gameplay and chance to play as a villain from one of Disney’s classic films.”

Why do we like it?

This game involves a lot of strategy and deeper thinking than most games. I will admit that every time we play, it takes my brain a little bit to wrap my head around how to play again. Because each player is playing as a different villain, everyone is sort of playing their own game with their own end goal but at the same time going up against each other to be the first one to accomplish their character-specific objective and claim victory! This game is enjoyable for everyone but especially fun for lovers of Disney villains.

Flash!

What is it?

“Players race to complete eight challenges and try to rack up the most points. With three play variations, Flash is the go-to dice game for electrifying fun. Straightforward and quick, you can go at it again and again. Every one of all ages gets bit by the competition bug and has a fair shot to victory.”

Why do we like it?

This is a great game for when you’re feeling competitive but also don’t want to think too hard! Since its all about the roll of the dice, there’s no skill involved, other than quick rolling! A super fun and very quick game for 2-6 players!

Ticket to Ride

What is it?

“Ticket to Ride is an award winning, cross-country train adventure game. Players collect train cards that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. Additional points come to those who can fulfill their Destination Tickets by connecting two distant cities, and to the player who builds the longest continuous railway.”

Why do we like it?

This is one of our absolute favorite games! It does take a decent amount of strategy to claim the right routes and work toward the other goals of the game but once you get the hang of it, it’s the best! Plus there are tons of versions so there’s always a new game to try out! The original Ticket to Ride is a great place to start, New York is a much quicker experience for shorter game time, and Rails and Sails offers two maps on the same board with both trains and boats plus other added elements for ultimate strategy and longer game sessions. NOTE: the original game comes with incredibly small game cards, so I’d suggest purchasing the 1910 expansion for a full-size deck (plus a few extras).

Unstable Unicorns

What is it?

“Unstable Unicorns is a strategic card game about everyone’s two favorite things: Destruction & Unicorns. The goal of Unstable Unicorns is to be the first person to collect seven Unicorns in your play area, also known as your Stable. Use Magic, Instant, Upgrade, and Downgrade cards to hinder your opponents’ progress and destroy their Unicorns. But beware — each player has all of these tools at their disposal as well, and you may just find your plans foiled by a well-played “Neigh!” card. Get ready to destroy your friendships…but in a good way.”

Why do we like it?

This game’s art style is similar to Exploding Kittens, and things can get competitive quickly as you try to fill your stable with 7 unicorns before your opponents. The card effects are balanced and lead to occasional massive sways in the lead over the course of the game. For example, on our most recent playthrough, all of the four of us playing had 6 unicorns multiple times before being knocked back down to near-nothing. It got heated quickly, and we all had a lot of fun (and because I know you’re wondering, I won that game I just described, much to my husband’s dismay).

Risk

What is it?

“Take over the world in this game of strategy conquest, now with updated figures and improved Mission cards. In the Risk game, the goal is simple: players aim to conquer their enemies’ territories by building an army, moving their troops in, and engaging in battle. Depending on the roll of the dice, a player will either defeat the enemy or be defeated. This exciting game is filled with betrayal, alliances, and surprise attacks. On the battlefield, anything goes!”

Why Mike likes it?

I have actually never played Risk but Mike loves playing it with his friends and said I should include it in the list.

Mike’s opinions:

I also love all the other games on this list, but Risk is far and away my favorite if you’re looking for an evening of strategy, tactics, and global domination. Standard Risk has a few different modes of gameplay to keep you coming back and attempting new strategies to destroy your opponents. My buddy is a huge Game of Thrones fan, and the GoT Risk has all sorts of different elements added in to modify traditional gameplay. My favorite is Risk Europe, which is an expanded version of Castle Risk, which was one of the first spin-offs of the original game. Europe introduces a brand new, card-based turn system and mercenary armies for ultimate strategy. For a hardcore evening of whiskey and gaming, this is my go-to every time.

Labyrinth

What is it?

“Search for treasure deep within the twisting maze! The playing board constantly changes so no two games are ever the same! The cards will determine your quest. Looking for the Dragon? How many routes can you take and also foil your opponents? Try to gain the advantage by inserting the extra tile to move walls and open passages of the labyrinth. Block and advance is the strategy! The first play to reach all of their treasure wins!”

Why we like it?

Labyrinth is also a strategy and thinking game so definitely play this before your drinks start kicking in! The best part of this game is not ever knowing where your opponent is going so you aren’t necessarily able to mess up their strategy but sometimes accidentally do! There are several versions of this game as well and all of them have unique elements to keep gameplay familiar yet fresh.

Set

What is it?

“SET is one of the most awarded games of all time! Race to find as many SETs as you can—the player with the most SETs at the end of the game wins! Play SET solo or with as many people as you can fit around the table! It’s perfect for travel, parties or as a quick after-dinner game. Fast-moving and fun, SET is a perfect for any get-together with family and friends! SET is a perfect game to help keep your brain active and healthy. Exercise your brain while playing a game!”

Why we like it?

This game involves a lot of focused thinking to try to find the best sets and also a bit of quickness to get those sets before your opponent. This is a game that can get frustrating as you get to the end of all of the cards but that just gives you more of a challenge! There is a daily online version of SETs if you want to check it out!

Gold Fever

What is it?

“Experience the excitement of gold fever in a highly portable press-your-luck game in which you don’t need a table to play. Whoever first draws five gold nuggets out of their bag in Gold Fever wins the game — but if you keep digging gold for too long, you risk drawing so much gravel that you may lose it all! Gold Fever offers fun decision-making with an immediate payoff in a short playing time.”

Why we like it?

This game is all about being lucky and quick! We like that this game keeps you on your toes and goes really fast. The perfect game for a quick game night when the baby might wake up at any moment!

Pandemic

What is it?

“Four diseases have broken out in the world and it is up to a team of specialists in various fields to find cures for these diseases before mankind is wiped out. Players must work together playing to their characters’ strengths and planning their strategy of eradication before the diseases overwhelm the world with ever-increasing outbreaks. For example the operation specialist can build research stations which are needed to find cures for the diseases. The Scientist needs only 4 cards of a particular disease to cure it instead of the normal 5. But the diseases are out breaking fast and time is running out: The team must try to stem the tide of infection in diseased areas while also towards cures. A truly cooperative game where you all win or you all lose.”

Why we like it?

What’s different about this game is the cooperative aspect, you’re working together to win by curing 4 different viruses causing a global pandemic. 2-4 players are randomly assigned a character with unique abilities our a pool of 7 total. This game is truly all about cooperation and thoughtful execution of your allotted actions. Though it’s always fun to try to take down your opponent, it’s nice on occasion to work together to save the world!

What awesome games would you add to our list? We are always up to try new games!

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Rating: 5 out of 5.

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: 01/29/2019

Pages: 496

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

Fall in love, break the curse.

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

 

In this re-telling of the fairytale classic Beauty & the Beast, the main character Harper witnesses a man attempting to kidnap a girl but when she steps in to help she finds herself being captured. When she wakes up she is in the land of Emberfall where she’s being held prisoner by a handsome prince with a secret. Harper learns that Prince Rehn has had a dark curse placed upon him by an evil enchantress. He has been forced to relive his eighteenth year over and over until he is able to break the curse by finding true love by the year’s end. If he doesn’t find love then at the end of each year he is transformed into a destructive monster that preys on his loved ones and the people of his kingdom. Harper finds herself torn between her life in Washington D.C. with her family and her newfound feelings of responsibility to help the people of Emberfall. 

The vivid descriptions as well as the depth of characters makes this fairytale re-telling worth reading. Though the storyline is familiar, this reimagining of the story is unique and unpredictable to the end. Each chapter is written from a different character’s point of view. This writing style allows readers to understand the complexity of the characters as well as enjoy a plot that is continually moving forward. The tortured hero Prince Rehn and his commander guard Grey show true loyalty and friendship.  Harper is a fierce and strong heroine that pushes her limits and fights for what she believes is right.  Readers will be able to relate to her sacrifices and her inner turmoil about what life she will choose in the end. Recommended for fantasy and fairytale lovers alike, both will enjoy this compelling read and finish it wanting more.

Can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

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Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Author: Nic Stone

Publication Date: 10/17/2017

Pages: 224

Publisher: Crown Books

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning #1 New York Times bestselling debut, a William C. Morris Award Finalist.

Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.

Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack.

The New York Times bestseller, Dear Martin, tells the coming of age story of Justyce McAllister. Justyce is an African American teen torn between two worlds – his mostly white private school and his old neighborhood where his mom still lives. After an incident with the police where he is racially profiled and almost arrested, Justyce really starts to struggle with his identity. He questions his blackness, his friendships, his feelings for his white debate partner all while dealing with the current societal climate of the United States. Justyce attempts to work through all of this by writing “Dear Martin” letters to Martin Luther King Jr. and attempting to live as Martin would have lived. Through a series of events that push Justyce to his breaking point, he realizes who he is as a person and who he wants to be in the future. 

This is a thought-provoking and powerful read. Teenagers will relate to the main character while also being exposed to some of the toughest issues facing our society. Nic Stone writes about racism, social injustice, violence, and the struggle to find your own identity. It is an easy read and would be a great suggestion for reluctant readers as well as any high school age teens or adults. As with The Hate U Give and All American Boys, Dear Martin tackles important topics affecting today’s society and will inspire readers to think and reflect about their place in our world.

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20 Essential Baby Items for Months 0-3

Though I have three nieces, tons of friends with kids, and a resume that included a lot of babysitting, I still wasn’t sure what we would need or want for our first child. Of course, I knew the basics: crib, diapers, wipes, etc. But there are so many baby products out there, I wasn’t sure what to register for and what we would actually end up using. Every baby is different so what works for one might not work for others, but I came up with this list of items that we used with Vivian during the first three months and beyond to share for anyone that might be unsure where to start! These are all items we used repeatedly and worked great for us!

  1. Boppy Newborn Lounger – This was so handy to have in the beginning since she couldn’t roll yet, and it was safe to lay her down to fold laundry or whatever needed accomplished. I would often arrange the Boppy so I could also prop up a board book or a play & pat activity mat for her to look at.
  2. Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym – I think it’s fairly universal that babies love play gyms. What’s not to love?! There’s a comfy mat, a piano to kick, a mirror, and dangly toys!
  3. Footie PJs – Vivian is 7 months old now and still pretty much lives in footie pjs, they’re cute and easy! The type that we like the best have two way zippers for easy diaper changes but pretty much any that are soft material are great even with snaps. Carter’s, pictured above, are soft with two way zippers and lots of prints/patterns to choose from.
  4. Tummy Time Mirror – Vivian absolutely loved this mirror! Girlfriend just loves looking at herself! I get it, she’s dang cute! 🙂
  5. Halo SleepSack Swaddle – There are tons of different swaddle and sleep suit options for babies but this swaddle worked the best for Vivian. It’s easy for parents since it has the Velcro flaps and, of course, it’s safe for babies to sleep in which is obviously necessary. Safe sleep is so important! *After she could break her arms out of this swaddle, we transitioned her to the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit which I will talk more about in my next 3-6 month essentials post!
  6. Hicoco Carseat & Nursing Cover – I’ll admit that what drew me to this in the first place was the feather print, but it’s worked out really well for us. With all the Covid business we haven’t taken Vivian many public places but when we do this car seat cover has been like a mask for her car seat. Plus it doubles as a nursing cover in the event we’d ever be in public when she needs to eat.
  7. Bumco Baby Bum Brush – Otherwise known to us as the butt spatula, we have three of these bad boys! One at each diaper changing area in our house and a mini in the diaper bag. It’s just so much easier and less messy to use this spatula when putting on diaper rash cream (we use Boudreaux’s Butt Paste). I stand by this as a necessity! We also like having our Munchkin Diaper Pail to dispose of the diapers.
  8. Fisher-Price Craddle ‘n Swing – We had both this swing and mamaRoo and Vivian definitely liked Fisher-Price more. We just recently put this away because she loved swinging so much.
  9. Philips Avent Soothie Pacifiers – These are the pacifiers that the hospital sends home with you (at least ours did) and after much research I found that these are also the pacifiers that most speech and language therapists recommend. The shape of the Soothie pacifiers mirrors a mother’s nipple more closely than other pacifiers with different shaped ends. Those flatter pacifiers can actually cause tongue issues with babies later on even if at the time they stay in better. Vivian has always liked pacifiers, but I know some babies just hate all types!
  10. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottles – Along with the Soothie pacifier, we also used the Philips Avent bottles. Since I’m also breastfeeding Vivian, we have always used the size 0 nipples and so far she’s done great going back and forth between the two.
  11. Infant Optics Video Monitor – I had Mike do the research on baby monitors and this is the one he picked. So far it’s worked well for us! It has one of the best ranges of similar monitors in the price range. No Wi-Fi connectivity means no worry about unauthorized access, and it easily mounts to the wall and has optional lenses to suit any nursery!
  12. Duck Bath Thermometer – I purchased this bath thermometer so I could easily know if the water was too hot/cold for Vivian during bath time. This one might not be necessary but it gives me peace of mind that she’s safe and comfortable with her bath temperature!
  13. Promptly Childhood History Journal – I’ll admit it, I have three different baby books for Vivian…she’s my first baby! That said, the Promptly journal is my favorite! Get this right away! There’s a pregnancy section, followed by birth, and then each month of the first year, and lastly each year until they are 18. Each section asks questions for you to answer as well as having several blank pages and a spot for photos. Hopefully Vivian appreciates all of the memories I’m crying about while writing them down.
  14. NoseFrida the Snotsucker – While the bulb syringe will work, the Snotsucker is way easier and more efficient. Vivian doesn’t love it, but it definitely gets the job done. I also use the FridaBaby Picker which she hates even more but sometimes her little stuffy nose calls for more tools!
  15. Mustela Cradle Cap Foam Shampoo – Vivian had just a little bit of cradle cap but this cleared it right up! Very gentle and easy to use with DermaFrida The SkinSoother cradle cap brush.
  16. Puracy Baby Lotion – This lavender and grapefruit lotion smells amazing and has been great with Vivian’s sensitive skin. We put it on every night at bedtime and in my mind it helps calm her to sleep.
  17. Muslin Wash Cloths – My favorite wash cloths, burp cloths, and swaddle blankets are all the muslin. They’re nice because they’re soft and breathable for sensitive baby skin.
  18. Hatch Rest+ – There are so many great features on the Rest+ but since the beginning we have been using the sound feature (set to ocean waves) and the nightlight (set to dim red light).
  19. Tummy Time Board Book – We had the Happy Baby version of this fold out board book but there are many great fold out books out there. It’s just nice to have a book like this for tummy time and when baby is in the Boppy!
  20. Look, Look Board Book – We have a lot of favorite books, but in the beginning babies really connect with the black and white books. We also liked the Baby’s Very First Black and White Little Library and Hello Animals.

Whew! So that’s the list! I’m sure I’ve missed a few things, but hopefully this is a helpful start if you’re planning for your first baby or a new baby and looking for a place to start!

Veteran moms, what haven’t I shared that you and your babes loved? I’m always up for more suggestions for our future babies! ❤

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Tall Girl Talk: No Show Socks

Shopping as a tall female can be a real pain. Whether its pants that are too short, shoes that are a bit snug on the toes, or anything one-size-fits-all that definitely doesn’t fit tall, there are a bevy of complications that can come with a tall girl’s shopping trip. I figured I might as well share shopping finds that work for me and might work for other tall girls!

My newest exciting find, which may seem a little silly, is a no show sock that is actually long enough to stay put and not constantly slip off the back of my heel! I’m up on my feet all day teaching, and it’s so annoying to have to pull up my socks all the time. I typically wear a size 12 shoe – sometimes 13. Thanks pregnancy… I have tried so many types of no show socks over the years and none fit comfortably along with actually being no show. Until NOW!

The moment you’ve all been waiting for, the reveal of the no show and no slip socks!

The PEDS Women’s Ultra Low Microfiber Liner with Gel Tab are available in sizes 4-12! I got the 6 pack of black, size 8-12 for $9.50 and I love them. I’ve worn them for about a week, and I haven’t had any of the issues I’ve previously had with no show socks. I’d call that a win!

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