The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot (Marianne Cronin)

Why I have this book: I saw it on a list somewhere online, so I bought it when it was on sale for Kindle. Then my daughter read it and loved it, so I moved it up my priority reads, and ended up borrowing the audio version.

I gave this one three stars on Goodreads. I really liked the overall story, but some of it was confusing to me. The timeline was a bit hard to follow toward the end, but I worked that out.

I felt like Margot's love stories didn't hit home for me. One did and one didn't, so that was disappointing. I did love the friendships and support the characters gave each other.

The story deals with death and dying. No descriptive sexuality, but maybe some profanity? I can't remember. Should I even keep putting these content reviews since I can't remember anything by the time I add it to my blog?

A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy (Tia Levings)

Why I have this book: I heard about it online, so I bought the audio version. 

Wow. It's quite a story. Honestly, there are some fundamental Christian religions in the US that are nearly as bad as some of the most oppressive ones I've heard of from other parts of the world. Maybe not quite as bad in the sense of society endorsing or accepting it, but definitely in the way it is quietly lived within marriages. 

This memoir was difficult to read in parts because of the horrible way she was treated by her husband. It described sickening behavior that was endorsed and encouraged by their church. It talked about how they "trained" their kids with abusive methods (they = the church, although the author did not follow those teachings with her own children, thankfully) because of a book they revered. (Side note: I was actually given this book by someone in my husband's family because another member of the family was using it. I read it and was so disturbed by the abuse it encouraged, and I let the gift-giver know that's how I felt. Sadly, the other family member did use its principles on her own children.)

Honestly, it's sad how religions can twist people's minds into believing and accepting things that are wrong. 

The author is a beautiful writer and did a great job narrating the audio version, as well. She has another book coming out next year that I will probably read. I gave this one four stars on Goodreads, but would have gone with 4.7 if I had that option. It was so close to earning five stars from me.

There was some profanity, descriptions of abuse (including sexual abuse), and a fairly graphic description of a pornographic website. It also deals with illness, death, and suicidal ideation.

The Last Thing He Told Me (Hannah Hall)

Why I have this book: I borrowed it from KU since I was doing a three-month trial again. (A trial which just ended today. Once again, I had borrowed several books I hadn't read yet... I love KU, but I also really need to read all the books I own. Same old story.)

Okay, this is the second time I've tried this book. The first time, I didn't finish it because I just didn't love it. I don't even remember how far into it I got before I quit, but I pushed through this time because my friend read it twice and really liked it.

I gave it two stars on Goodreads after I finished it this time. It's just not great. It's unrealistic. I just don't get the hype. They even made it into a series or movie on a streaming service (another reason I gave it a second try), and I really don't understand. Maybe I'll watch the series (yeah, right... I have so many "to be watched" on my list that I never get to!), and maybe that'll help me understand.

Anyway, there ya go. Didn't love. Didn't even really like.

It's been a couple of weeks since I finished this (yes, I'm dating it to the correct date AGAIN), so I don't remember anything about the swearing or sexual content. Nothing stands out at this point, so it was probably somewhat typical for this day and age? I don't think anything happened that leaned toward the extreme at all.

Dear Alyne: My Years as a Married Virgin (Alyne Tamir)

Why I have this book: I borrowed the audiobook from the ebook library after seeing it recommended.

Meeeehhhhhh. I don't even know what to say or think about this book. The author narrated the audiobook... her voice had an interesting cadence to it. Maybe that's how she talks in real life?

In all honesty, she comes across as pretty self-absorbed. It felt like she plays around with others (especially men). That's just my impression from her words in the book. On the other hand, I have to admire her for putting her life and her desires first overall. She isn't being held down or held back by others out of a sense of duty or being afraid to live her life. HER life. The one she wants and the only one she gets on this earth. I admire her courage to travel the world (on her own sometimes).

She didn't talk as much about her religious conflict as she did about her love life, so that was a bit disappointing to me just because I thought it was more about her religious journey.

She is a rather popular content creator (from what she says in the book), but I've never heard of her before now. I'll probably look at her IG account in a bit, but I doubt I'd follow her.

Anyway, I gave it three stars on Goodreads. It was somewhat interesting and some of her feelings were relatable for me, but I didn't find it inspiring.

There are some swear words, but not a lot. She discusses sexuality, but nothing is graphically described.

Uncharted Waters (Sally Hepworth)

Why I have this book: It caught my eye because I've really enjoyed other books by the author. It was a KU book, so why not?

This short story was not at all what I expected from Sally Hepworth. I don't remember any of her other books having much in the way of sexual content, so I was surprised this one did. (Maybe I'm just not remembering correctly.)

In any case, the story was clever. I gave it three stars.

Brief sexual scene, somewhat descriptive. I don't remember any profanity, but if there was, it didn't stand out to me (desensitized as I am).

Just for the Summer (Abby Jiminez)

Why I have this book: It's the third book in the series I mentioned a couple posts back. I borrowed this one from KU.

I admit it was a stretch to give this one three stars. I'd probably go with 2.5 if I had that option. I don't know... the relationship didn't feel believable. Maybe it was brilliant writing wherein the author purposely kept a little wall up for the readers because the female protagonist didn't allow herself to love people. Maybe.

Clever little tie-ins to the previous books, including a couple of "WHOA!" moments as previous characters showed up and my (slow?) brain realized who they were. I do have to applaud the author for that.

Otherwise, I'm still going to say the editors could have stepped it up a bit with the over-repeated phrases and the punctuation issues with run-on sentences and comma splices. C'mon, people!

Like the other two books in this series, there were some sexual scenes that were moderately descriptive and some profanity.

Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old (Brooke Shields)

Why I have this book: Being of a similar age to Brooke Shields (although having lived a VERY different life), I thought it sounded interesting. I bought the Kindle version when it was on sale, but was also able to borrow the audio version from the ebook library.

I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit. I couldn't relate to anything that had to do with her celebrity lifestyle or her business career, but I did relate to her thoughts on motherhood, menopause, marriage, patriarchy, etc. She seems pretty relatable, and she didn't come across as being prideful or entitled. I gave it four stars on Goodreads.

I thought she did a good job narrating the audiobook, as well.

She does use the F-word on occasion, and as part of mothering and marriage and menopause, she does discuss sex a bit. Nothing descriptive, obviously, but just as a reality in womanhood. She also describes a medical procedure she had on her nether-regions.