diversifyyourreading's reviews
282 reviews

I wanted to love this book so badly. It's a unique storyline and it tackles major issues that people face in America today - race, the justice system, the prison system, etc. I really, really wanted to fall in love with An American Marriage.

Instead, I found myself disliking the characters so much that I couldn't focus on the plot. I don't agree with many of the actions and decisions that occurred through the novel, and I don't understand Celestial's reaction(s) to her husband's unfortunate circumstances. The relationship between Celestial and Roy is meant to be a bit troubled from the beginning (at least, I think), but as a result I couldn't connect to it, which means I didn't even want to root for them throughout the book. But I didn't want to root against them, either; I just didn't care.

Me not caring about characters and how they end up says a lot about a book. I think I easily could've gone for 2 stars here, but I kind of understand why this book is getting all of the hype it's getting. Kind of. But I didn't really like the characters and I didn't enjoy the plot. And there are very few people who I would recommend this book to.

A huge thank you to Josie Silver and Broadway Books for an ARC of One Day in December!

I'm a sucker for a good love story and this is one filled to the brim with heartbreaking missed chances.

Laurie James is a 22 year old living life in London alongside her bff, Sarah. One day in December, Laurie is riding home on the bus when she sees a man out the bus window. And she falls in love. At first sight. Just like that! But she doesn't get off the bus and, just like that, he's gone.

Laurie and Sarah spend a year looking for mystery bus man, until Laurie finally finds him...on her best friend's arm...being introduced as Jack, Sarah's boyfriend. The book follows Laurie, Jack, and Sarah over the next ten years as they grow up, mature, learn to live with (and without) each other, and each find their own place in the world.

It's a bit sad at times (especially if you're like me and just want a happy ending and want it NOW) and drags on a bit, but is a wonderful cosy read for the holidays. And it's a great reminder that we can choose happiness for ourselves, even if it's a hard decision to make.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of Moonlight on the Thames!

I look forward to the Christmas-centered romance novels that come out each year because they're so easy and festive that they are simply addicting. Moonlight on the Thames was much different than any one I've read before, though. This book tackles much deeper issues than a typical Christmas novel, but does so in quite an elegant way.

Nicola hates Christmas. At first, it seems like it's probably for some petty reason, but it's not. So, instead of facing her past, she puts all of her energy into her career. And it's paying off, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's happy. Dmitri is also facing a past incident that he'd rather not reveal, and it's one that completely threw him off his path towards becoming a concert pianist. So, instead, he directs the choir and plays simple Christmas carols on the piano. Nicola and Dmitri meet when Dmitri's choir falls victim to Nicola's minor Christmas induced meltdown at Paddington Station.

I really enjoyed following Nicola and Dmitri's relationship as they got to know each other, both the good and the bad. I think these are two characters that bring out the best in each other, and you can see that based on the way they speak to each other. But this isn't what I typically look for in a Christmas romance, and I definitely wasn't expecting the turns that this story took. I definitely enjoyed it, but am happy I read it in September and not in the festive lead up to Christmas!

When I think of a cosy Christmas read, I imagine a beautifully written, heartwarming story about a family coming together during the holidays...and all the juicy drama that comes along with that. And that's exactly what The Christmas Sisters is.

Because of a tragedy in their childhood, Christmas is hard for Hannah, Beth, and Posy McBride. Each and them, along with their mother, Suzanne, deal with the holiday in a different way. Hannah is a powerful career woman that tries to avoid the holiday altogether; Beth, a stay-at-home mom, tries to paint a fairytale Christmas for her two daughters; and, Posy, the youngest, spends her time helping her mother create a perfect Christmas at their family home in Scotland.

But it's almost never the picture perfect Christmas that Suzanne wants. As Christmas approaches, the three sisters arrive home to Scotland, each one of them facing a life-changing event that they are struggling to deal with, and struggling even more to open up about to their sisters.

This touching story covers everything: the bond of sisterhood, the relationship with parents, overcoming a tragedy, and realizing that family is often the best medicine. This is the perfect book for a snowy, December night. I look forward to reading more from Sarah Morgan!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of One New York Christmas.

Mandy Baggot is an absolute GENIUS when it comes to creating a smashing set of characters, and One New York Christmas is no exception!

Lara's long-term boyfriend dumps her out of the blue and she has no idea what to do. Her small village and her relationship with him is all she knows. But her best friend, Susie, somehow convinces her to fly to New York and, once there, meet up with a dreamy actor she tweeted after a bit too much whisky. And so begins Lara's adventures in New York, which include major tourist attractions, some animal escapades, and even a little incident involving a spork. When in America, right?

There are so many moments where I laughed out loud, moments where I couldn't stop a tear from rolling down my cheek, and moments where I was so wrapped up in the adventures of Lara, Susie, Seth, Trent, and the others that I honestly wanted to be a part of the story myself. This is a romance novel, but it's also so much more than that. It's about discovering yourself and getting out of your comfort zone, and also features some relationships that aren't romantic, but are equally as charming to read about.

Mandy Baggot impressed me last year with One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill, and she's done it again with One New York Christmas. It's impossible not to fall in love with Mandy's characters and stories. I can't wait to read more from her!

There are few things I love more than Christmas in London, so I was delighted to receive a copy of One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review. Who doesn't love a cozy Christmas rom com?

This book ticked pretty much all of the boxes for feel good romances: perfect location, attractive and perfectly described characters, laugh out loud moments, a few teary moments (but they didn't overshadow the happy ones), and the perfect amount of drama. Baggot also portrayed Notting Hill (and many other parts of London) perfectly. One of my favorite thing about reading novels based in London is seeing which spots are mentioned, whether or not they are real or fictional, and whether or not they are portrayed accurately. Baggot did not disappoint!

But you know how there is sometimes one detail that drives you absolutely mad through an entire book and keeps you from giving it 5 stars?.........THE SNOW! In this perfect fairytale London-based book, it snowed every single day. The Tower of London was BLANKETED in snow! I have maybe experienced flurries a handful of times in the three winters I've spent in London, and never has snow actually stuck to the ground. Call it jealousy, but I just couldn't get past this while reading.

Ultimately, though, it's the perfect book for cozying up by the fire in your favorite Christmas jammies to give your mind a break from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period. I'll definitely be recommending this one to friends!