'Tis the Damn Season (Fiona Gibson)

Why I have this book: I borrowed it from KU.

The book didn't turn out to be what I expected. I thought it was going to be about women who feel overwhelmed and under-appreciated (according to the summary), so they go away and have a great "girls' weekend" together.

It was kinda about that, but not exactly. 

I gave it three stars on Goodreads. It was enjoyable, but not super relatable. I did enjoy her writing style.

There was an extramarital affair that was a bit weird and gross... so much so that I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone. I don't remember on the swearing. 

Two more books by Katherine Center

The Bodyguard

Happiness for Beginners

Why I have these books: My friend said she read all of this author's books, so I borrowed what I could on Kindle Unlimited (which I really should cancel again), and I'm making my way through them.

I gave both of these books 4 stars on Goodreads. I'm pretty impressed by the author's ability to write so many rom-com type books that aren't all fluffy and all have a different vibe to them.

I don't feel like there's a lot of editing issues, although in Happiness for Beginners, she used "lay, laid, lying" quite a bit... enough for me to take note because I think she didn't always use them correctly. (I've sent examples to my friend who is an expert on the subject to hear her thoughts. Haha.) That's my problem, though. Most people don't notice or think about it, and I only do because my expert friend taught me how to use them, and now (just like she predicted) it's always on my radar.

I also highlighted a bunch of quotes in Happiness for Beginners, but because I did it on my phone instead of my Kindle, apparently it didn't create a document to save them. There were several quotes about looking for the good and training your brain to see those things instead of the hard things. I guess I'll only see them again if I borrow or buy the book. Oh, well! That's the gist of it... train your brain to see the good in your life and in the world!

Anyway, these are cute stories. I'll be glad when I finish them, though, because I do want to read things besides rom-coms.

Both books have a "mostly clean" feel to them. There are some lusty moments, but nothing descriptive. There's swearing, including the F-word, but none of it is over-the-top in frequency.

Things You Save in a Fire (Katherine Center)

Why I have this book: My friend told me she's read all of this author's books (after I told her I was reading The Lost Husband, also by the author), and this was one of her favorites. I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited. I really need to cancel that service for good because I already have so many books to read and I keep borrowing more.

I gave this one four stars on Goodreads. Like the other one I read, it started out deep, then had a weird lighter tone toward the middle-end, then went back to the deeper lesson learned. I'm actually reading another book by the author right now, so I'll see if this seems to be a pattern for all her books.

There's some swearing and unmarried sex (not descriptive), and part of the storyline deals with sexual assault, which might be triggering for some readers.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank (Elle Cosimano)

Why I have this book: I borrowed it from the ebook library. It's Book 3.5 in the series.

I liked this short story that gives the background of the sidekick in the Finlay Donovan series. Like the previous book in the series, it could have used me an editor to help clean up just a couple of things. It was a short story, so it was a quick and fun read. I gave it three stars on Goodreads.

There was probably some swearing, and there was a bit of lusting, but nothing else.

The Lost Husband (Katherine Center)

Why I have this book: I got it for $1.99 (thank you, Book Bub, for saving me money and also causing me to buy more books.)

I gave this book three stars, but again, I'd have gone with 3.5 if that were an option. It's so weird because it started out feeling pretty "deep," then got a little silly and rom-com'ish, then tied it up with a nicely profound "lesson learned."

I did enjoy the book for the most part, but there's one scene where the "boyfriend" is defending the protagonist's daughter that was a big turn-off. Totally unrealistic and probably would have landed him in jail in real life. 

There's some sex, but not described in detail. There was probably some swearing, but I don't remember. My content reviews aren't as helpful as they used to be, I'm afraid, since I can't remember everything. Or maybe my standards have slipped or I just don't care enough anymore. Haha...

The Answer is No (Fredrik Backman)

Why I have this book: It was a Prime First Reads, and thus I got it for free.

I gave this short story four stars on Goodreads. Super cute read about neighbors and friends and community.

I honestly don't remember if there was any swearing. It's very possible, but I can't say for sure. There was nothing else objectionable.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (Elle Cosimano)

Why I have this book: It was a Kindle Unlimited book, I think. Or maybe I borrowed it from the ebook library. I can't remember. It's the third in a series I've been reading, though.

I gave this one four stars on Goodreads, although I would have preferred to give it a 3.5. There were some editing issues, but I did enjoy it overall. I'll be reading the whole series.

There's swearing, including the f-word, if I'm remembering correctly. I'm to the point that I barely notice them anymore. It's just too common nowadays. There is some "unmarried" sex, but not graphically described. I think that's about it.