When I tell you this was a great week for reading, I mean it was a great week for reading. These books are about the lengths to which we’ll go to protect ourselves and those important to us – and the people who are right there with us through it all. If you’re looking for fun and meaningful stories of friendship (and yes, some romance, too!), please read on… and enjoy!
Beguiling the Beauty (Fitzhugh Trilogy #1) by Sherry Thomas: After reading every other book in the series, yes, I did get around to book one! And I’m glad I did because this was so much fun, with a side of angst that was just right. Pulling off the secret identity trope can be hard in a romance, but Thomas handled it well. The reasons for the deception made just enough sense to make the heroine do it… before immediately regretting her decision. I do wish we’d spent a little more time with the hero getting to know the “real” her before the reveal, but it was still very well done, and the resolution was adorable. Now, somebody bring me a man with an impressive… fossil!
Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton: Okay. So, you know how therapy feels like you’re being splayed open and everything hurts and you just want to cry and cry, but then after the pain, you find you’ve healed back better than before? That’s how this book feels. The marketing makes it seem rather fluffy, but our characters are dealing with very real traumas, of both the long-standing and the brand new variety, and they’re dealing with those traumas in ways that feel devastatingly real. I was concerned Houghton would solve it all with “True Love,” but she very wisely understands that some things need to be dealt with before that’s even a healthy option. And I loved, loved, loved watching our protagonists fight for themselves before finally coming together.
Finlay Donovan is Killing It (Finlay Donovan #1) by Elle Cosimano: Who’s kicking herself for waiting so long to read this? Me! My friends have been raving about Finlay for months now, and, of course, I knew I’d love it, but was I delighted by how much I loved it. The mystery keeps you turning the pages, and the romantic subplot is satisfying without being cliché or overpowering the main story. And best gal pal Vero would totally make me jealous… if I didn’t already have a squad I can count on to help me bury the body. If you enjoy in-over-your-head comedic setups and mysteries, definitely give Finlay Donovan a chance!
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: And now we come to the one reread of the week! The Little Prince is one of my favorites and also has a lot of sentimental value. I love the humor and the whimsical illustrations – but most of all, I love the simple insights into the nature love and friendship. As my dad says, this is a book you should read regularly, “so you don’t go bad.”
Going through all of these has me thinking about other favorite literary friendships. What are some of yours?
–b
Book It With Becca 
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