Mini-Reviews is a blog series where I’ll be sharing mini reviews of the books I’ve been reading lately. Each post will include 3 books I’ve recently read and will be grouped by genre (though we’re bound to get a hodgepodge post every once in a while!). Let me know if you’ve read anything I’ve talked about or if you feel inspired to pick anything up after hearing my thoughts! I also want to note that I’m attempting to do away with half stars this year and I’m going to use the official goodreads rating system which is based on enjoyment level (1 star = didn’t like it, 2 star = it was okay, 3 star = liked it, 4 star = really liked it, 5 star = it was amazing).
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – First off I should start by saying that I cannot believe I waited so long to finally read this book, knowing full well just how much I adore Daisy Jones. Evelyn Hugo is an icon. I almost feel silly summarizing her story since it feels like I’m the last one to read it, but we’re following Monique, an unknown journalist at Vivant, who finds herself in an unusual situation. After avoiding the media for ages, Evelyn is making headlines by donating her most infamous dresses to be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research. To everyone’s surprise, the only journalist Evelyn will talk to is Monique. When she arrives, it turns out that Evelyn has ulterior motives and she wants Monique to write her biography. Evelyn is known for her seven husbands and Monique chronicles her story throughout the years by her many suitors. I was completely captivated by Evelyn’s story. Evelyn is not a likeable character and she has no illusions to her personality, nor any regrets about how everything played out. As someone who’s always been fascinated by inside Hollywood stories, I love love love this one and I hope it also gets adapted soon!
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #4) – This is the Bridgerton book I have been waiting for! I’ve been very slowly making my way through the series (so slowly in fact, that I read book 3 back in November of 2020). Knowing that this installment is my friend Alexa’s favorite in the series, there’s been a lot of hype for myself leading up to it and I’m so pleased to say that it completely delivered for me. I do think one of the reasons I enjoyed it as much as I did is because in addition to the first three books, I’ve also had time to fall in love with Penelope and Colin on the Netflix adaptation and I’ve been rooting for them since I first found out they would be a couple. I realize this is unrelated to the actual book, but I really adore Penelope! I don’t want to give anything away, but it is fantastic to read about a heroine who is underappreciated come into her own and get the happy ending she deserves. I also really loved all of the time spent with Lady Danbury and watching Colin mature and realize what’s been right in front of him for years but he was too blind to see. I’ll definitely be reading book five soon!
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren – In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren was an unexpected pleasure! I went into it knowing almost nothing and it was so much fun to see the story unfold. We’re following Mae, who’s family and family friends spend every year together at a charming cabin. Everyone’s getting older and traditions are losing some of their charm, so after Mae and her family depart the cabin, she makes a wish during a near death experience and ends up in a time loop a la Groundhog’s Day, reliving the same festive week over and over until she can make things right. I really enjoyed the cast of characters in In a Holidaze from the kid-ups to the adults and even the adorable twins. Christina Lauren has mastered writing relationships and In a Holidaze is no exception. I was very much rooting for Mae and Andrew and their friends to lovers vibe is the perfect pairing for a Christmas story with a touch of magic. This story is sweet as gingerbread without a lot of spice. My one complaint is that the events in the epilogue felt a little fast, but I’ve had that same feeling in some of their other books as well.
2 Responses to “Mini-Reviews #12: Evelyn Hugo, In a Holidaze & Romancing Mister Bridgerton”
I love that edition of Evelyn Hugo! So pretty.
-Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog
Agreed! I had to order it from Waterstones as soon as I saw it!