Leave Me

 

“Leave Me” by Gayle Forman
Published by Algonquin Books
 
When you hear “overworked and underappreciated” most people think of it as related to a job but it can definitely be said about parenthood as well.  I know I felt that way at times as a mother of two, but I would have never dreamed of walking away from my kids.  Husband yes (and did), but never my girls.  But that’s exactly what this main character does.  After suffering a heart attack at a young age, she finds herself needing to run away to heal herself – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 
 
I really enjoyed how the author told this story.  She could have easily turned this into a male bashing kind of chick-lit, but didn’t.  She took the high road and made it more about the inner healing of the female character than the events that sent her running.
 
Finished 5/18/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#leaveme #gayleforman #algonquinbooks #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

If You Would Have Told Me

 

“If You Would Have Told Me” by John Stamos
Published by MacMillian Audio
 
I greatly enjoyed listening to John Stamos read to me.  Afterall, I was one of those teenagers watching General Hospital with a poster of him on my bedroom wall.  Who didn’t love “Blackie”?  I didn’t watch much Full House when it originally came out, but I did watch it with my own kids when they were growing up.  Who didn’t love “Uncle Jessie”?  It was fun going down memory lane listening to this book.
 
Side note – if you are getting ready to marry your own Disney princess, John has the perfect wedding vows to use for inspiration to write your own.
 
Finished 5/7/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#ifyouwouldhavetoldme #johnstamos #macmillianaudio #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

Miss Morgan's Book Brigage

 

“Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade” by Janet Skeslien Charles
Published by Atria Books
 
I love historical fiction because I always learn something new while enjoying my favorite hobby.  Not only did I not know about these women keeping libraries and reading alive during the rebuilding of France after WWI, neither did the author until she was researching to write “The Paris Library” (a 5-star read for me).  I’m glad their story is getting out, even if it is fictionalized. I loved the characters and storyline but overall, the book fell flat for me.  I think there needed to be more depth to it.  I still recommend it, it’s just not as good as her other book.
 
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary copy of this book.  As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.
 
Finished 5/5/24 – 3/5 stars
 
#missmorgansbookbrigade #janetskesliencharles #atriabooks #simonandschuster #netgalley #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews