What I've Been Reading - April 2017

Welcome to What I've Been Reading, where I share my (quick and personal) thoughts on what I've been reading this past month. For specifics (plot summary, etc.) about each book, click on the provided links.

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the First Jane Austen Mystery (Jane Austen Mysteries)by Stephanie Baron (3 stars)

After three months of (most often) heavy reading, this was the perfect book to read. Though I only gave it three stars, I will definitely be returning to this series in the future, most likely when I am again in need of a break from heavy reading. Stephanie Barron is not Jane Austen, (nor does she claim to be,) but she does a respectable job of bringing Jane Austen to life. I definitely recommend it to those of you that enjoy Jane Austen, but are willing to not compare it to Jane Austen.

The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistressby Ariel Lawhon (2 stars)

I did not like this book, but that doesn't mean you won't. In comparison to me, my mom gave it five stars on Goodreads. This book seemed to have everything going for it...1930's New York/Historical Fiction/Mystery...All things I enjoy, yet, it fell short for me. You may want to check it out though. Side note - The MMD Book Club chatted with Ariel Lawhon in April. Lawhon was fantastic! Though this book wasn't my favorite, I am really looking forward to the book she is currently working on. (MMD Book Club pick)

The Lady of the Lakes (Historical Proper Romance)by Josi S. Kilpack (4 stars)

Have you noticed I am a sucker for a beautiful cover?! I really enjoyed this book by Josi S. Kilpack. Kilpack does Historical Fiction well. She also does (clean) Romance well. If those things are up your alley, I think you'd enjoy this book.

Courting Carrie in Wonderlandby Carla Kelly (2.5 stars)

I have enjoyed a handful of Carla Kelly's more recent books, so I thought I would give her most recent book a try. I almost didn't. That cover! Well, I now know that I could have/should have skipped over this one, cover or no. Its redeeming quality, bringing it from two to two and half stars, was its historical aspect. I learned many interesting things about the early years of Yellowstone National Park. The story-line itself, however, was lacking.

My Fair Gentleman (Proper Romance)by Nancy Campbell Allen (3 stars)

Not a lot to say about this one. Clean Regency Romance. I liked it.

The Vicar's Daughter (Proper Romance)by Josi S Kilpack (3.5 stars)

Another pretty cover! No Historical Fiction here, but plenty of (clean) Regency Romance.

The Outsidersby S.E. Hinton (4 stars)

I picked this book up one day on a whim. I am glad I did. I seemed to be hearing about it everywhere. My teenage daughter  was raving about it. I heard a news piece on it, celebrating its fiftieth birthday. I heard it mentioned on one of my favorite podcasts, What Should I Read Next. I figured it was time I read it. I can now see what all the hype was about. Great, quick read! Side note - A few Gilmore Girl references now make much more sense. (2017 MMD Reading Challenge - Reading for Growth - a book published before you were born)