February Book Review

Would you look at that? I actually got to the February book review right after February ended! It's a miracle... or a sign that my life is a little more back on track... or maybe it's some of both? As predicted, I definitely didn't conquer seven books in February - but I did get through four and considering two of the four had a combined 1100 pages, I'll consider that a win for the month of February! 

The Englisch Daughter by Cindy Woodsmall: Old Order Amish wife & mother Jemima has put her marriage & family ahead of herself for year. She's set herself aside. Raising four children, she's followed all the rules & has been patient in looking forward to her time to chase a dream of her own.

But when she finds out that her life savings for pursuing that dream is gone - and her husband, Roy, has been hiding a child with another woman - her entire world is shattered. Will she be able to listen to God & love Roy's child? With so much at stake, how can she & Roy fix their relationship before their lives come crashing down?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐of 5. I'd really be more apt to give this a 3.5 but there isn't a half star emoji available! This book was a good read and I liked how the story played out... although I think my views of how Amish families operate is a little skewed because of being married to a man who was raised in/is only a generation removed from being Amish.

From This Day Forward by Craig & Amy Groeschel: Everyone dreams of a fairytale marriage - the perfect spouse, the perfect home, the perfect family. But reality tells us that those expectations don't hold up very long. Many studies indicate that close to fifty percent of marriages don't make it. With those odds, is it even possible to have a good marriage - let alone a great one?

Craig & Amy Groeschel open their hearts, share personal experiences, & walk you through five powerful commitments you can make to fail-proof your marriage: Seek God, Fight fair, Have fun, Stay pure & Never give up. If your earnestly choose to do all five things, you will discover a richer, deeper, more authentic marriage. Starting right now - from this day forward. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐of 5. Another really easy read; this book was right at 150 pages and Craig & Amy's writing style is easy to read; like listening to someone talk! The commitments they recommend are excellent & something I plan to continue to put into practice in my own marriage. A great read for anyone engaged or married!

The Women by Kristen Hannah: Frankie McGrath is a young woman from a wealthy family who decides to enlist as a nurse in the Vietnam War after her older brother is killed in action. In doing so, she leaves her sheltered & comfortable life in California to serve in a war-ravaged country working under dangerous conditions. When she returns, the atmosphere in America is hostile to veterans, dismissive of women's contributions in the war & she struggles to reassimilate. 

In a story about patriotism, friendship, remembrance & defying expectations, The Women tells an often-overlooked story of the courageous women who served in Vietnam. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐of 5. Another incredible book by Kristen Hannah; I was hooked from the first chapter and devoured all 400+ pages in four days! This book was such an engrossing read and opened my eyes to the place women had in the war in Vietnam. I could not recommend this book more and I find myself saying again - I would read anything written by Kristen Hannah! 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas: Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger & slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron & becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern & all she lost in it. 

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand & Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites; the fire between them is undeniable & only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other. 

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realm, & the key to halting them might very well rely on Nesta & Cassian facing their haunting pasts. Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war & plagued with uncertainty, Nesta & Cassian battle monsters from within & without as they search for acceptance & healing. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐of 5. I really enjoyed this book and I enjoyed following Nesta's story since (if you've read the series) we already know so much about the other characters. I still think book two of the series is my favorite by far - but I've enjoyed reading all of them and this one was no exception!

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Now it's on to March and even more books to be read! Y'all have a great weekend!