Atmosphere

Stunning. I was already sold that is was a Taylor Jenkins Reid book. Add in Julia Whelan as the audiobook narrator and I knew that this would be killer. It was. Amazing. Wonderful love story, I loved characters, hated others (looking at you Barb!), I would even give up an organ to have an epilogue. Soo good. Soo freaking good. This romance hits all the right notes. I also love that it is set during the 80s and is about Nasa's astronaut program. Phenomenal audiobook. Would recommend to everyone! 

Carrie Soto is Back

I don't love playing sports but I do LOVE reading about them. This book was a grand slam. It started off a little slow and I did not like the main character, Carrie Soto, very much in the beginning. Throughout the book she isn't exactly the world's most lovable character - but damn you have to admire her grit and determination. And I LOVED her father who was her coach. Carrie Soto is the GOAT - she has set some of the most impressive records for Tennis and when she retired after winning 20 grand slams she thought her record was safe. Half a decade after her retirement her record is tied and Carrie can't abide by that, not for one minute. She enlists her father to help coach her again and her goal is to win at least one more slam and get her record back. But at 37 is that even possible anymore? Fantastic and keeps you at the edge of your seat. I don't even like tennis but I was hooked! 

Malibu Rising

Wow - Taylor Jenkins Reid writes some of the best characters. Not only are they so real, they have humanity and flaws - they are people you would want to meet in real life! Set in Malibu, this novel goes back in forth in time between one fateful day in 1983 and their mother's early years. Their father is the world famous singer, Mick Riva, but he checked out of their lives when they were just children. Nina is the eldest in her mid twenties and she's a talented surfer and model, next come the "twins" - Jay and Hud, one a world famous surfer and the other his photographer, the baby of the bunch is Kit who is trying to find her place in the world. One insane party that will turn their lives around.  The four Rivas kids throw one huge party every year; each year it keeps escalating with more celebrities, more drugs, and more surprises. Readers will wish they had an invite to this over the top party that will end up changing the Rivas' lives forever. Impossible to put down. 

Daisy Jones & The Six

I freaking LOVED this book. It had been getting a lot of hype, but I try not to listen to that too much so I don't get disappointed. However... it damn well lived up to the hype. This is an oral history for the best band that never existed. The whole time reading this, all I wanted to do was listen to their songs. And they don't have songs, because it's clearly about a made up band, but I wanted it to be real so damn much!! The lyrics awesome. The characters are all flawed, yet have redeeming qualities that make you root for them (most of the time). If you like Janis Joplin, rock and roll, the seventies, and I Am Spinal Tap, you will love this book. It reads easy, but is effortlessly compelling, I could not put it down! Taylor Jenkins Reid is fast becoming one of the hottest authors around. Two amazing books in a row. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I did not expect to fall head over heels with this book. It seemed too gossipy or chick lit or something, but the reality is that it freaking SUCKED ME IN! Evelyn Hugo is an aging actress in New York City and she has decided that it's time for a tell all story. She gets an up and coming journalist to come over under false pretenses and then begins to tell her whole sordid life story, one husband at a time. It's fascinating! Not just for romance and culture, but from a historical perspective it's also exciting to see old Hollywood in all its backstabbing finery. Evelyn Hugo is a complex, selfish, frank, and refreshing person, she's easy to love, hate, and emulate. There are some jaw dropping moments and a hell of a twist at the end. A surprisingly great read, I definitely want to check out more from this author!