Josh & Hazels Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Goodreads blurb: Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.
Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them…right?
My take: 4 out of 5. I’m starting to really like Christina Lauren’s books. Great chick lit, easy to read and interesting. Predicable in the right amount – i.e. predictable and nice not predictable and naughty. I love that its told in dual perspective. At the beginning I was hesitant because Hazel is the typical quirky lead (I’ve talked about this before, how now the rom com leads have to be quirky and weird and dress funny – can they just be normal?). But she definitely grew on me and ended up being cute by the end. You really go through the same process Josh goes through. This is a great beach read.
Not like in the Movies by Kerry Winfrey
Goodreads blurb: What happens when your life is a rom-com…but you don’t even believe in true love? Chloe Sanderson is an optimist, and not because her life is easy. As the sole caregiver for her father, who has early onset Alzheimer’s, she’s pretty much responsible for everything. She has no time—or interest—in getting swept up in some dazzling romance. Not like her best friend Annie, who literally wrote a rom-com that’s about to premiere in theaters across America…and happens to be inspired by Chloe and Nick Velez, Chloe’s cute but no-nonsense boss. As the buzz for the movie grows, Chloe reads one too many listicles about why Nick is the perfect man, and now she can’t see him as anything but Reason #2: The Scruffy-Bearded Hunk Who’s Always There When You Need Him. But unlike the romance Annie has written for them, Chloe isn’t so sure her own story will end in a Happily Ever After.
my take: 3 out of 5. A continuation of Waiting for Tom Hanks , but this one I liked less sadly. I think I am def more an Annie than a Chloe and I found Chloe as a character a bit annoying. It is a cute story and as a rom com obsessed person I loved all the movie references (i mean the idea of doing a wedding with all soundtracks of romantic comedies .. brilliant!). It is a cute story that is a fun and quick read but nothing that you MUST read. The equivalent of a good Saturday night Hallmark Movie. A good balm but high art it is not.
You are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein (audible)
Blurb: Whether you’re having a moment of minor overwhelm or find yourself in a state of panic, you can turn to this Audible Original for solutions and support. These six messages are simple, reliable, spiritual solutions that will free you from fear and inner turmoil. In order to show up for life and all its challenges, we must be able to regulate our nervous system, calm our mind, and trust our inner wisdom to give us clear direction. This Audible Original will teach you how to guide yourself back to peace at any moment. Let the number one New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein show you how to be your own guide, tapping in to a deeply unifying awareness and empathy you may not realize you possess. Gabrielle will impart the six simple, memorable messages that will illuminate the spiritual solution inside each of us and guide us through tumultuous times:
- See through the lens of love.
- Surrender to creative solutions.
- Inspired action clears the path.
- In stillness, we receive.
- Compassion creates connection.
- You are the guru.
My take: 4 out of 5. This is a great Gabby summary book, not my favorite of her but a great short and easy listen and so relevant right now, and a quick recap of a lot of her teachings! highly recommend
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