Happy FIRST Day of May AND Happy FRIDAY!
Last week I tagged along on a work trip with Tab. We got back Thursday afternoon so I never got around to sharing some favorites which means I have a BIG ol’ dose for you today. As always, I’m joining forces with my girl, Andrea, to bring you some FAVORITES…
I’ve read some REALLY good stuff over the last two months! Definitely some FAVORITES!
The Lies They Told Us-If you read The Lost Girls of Willowbrook and enjoyed it, you need to read this one! In this novel we go back to the 1930’s in Virginia where low income, disabled, and racial minority families are being torn apart due to the eugenics movement. It was heart-wrenching and shocking that things like this really happened! At the same time, I couldn’t put it down!
One Golden Summer-These books are not typically my jam BUT I think Carly Fortune’s novels might be my exception. She’s SO good at a chick-lit book I find myself getting totally sucked in, not wanting to put the book down.
This is the gist…independent girl goes with her grandma to a lake house for the summer. She meets a very cute boy who happens to be her age and single living next door. I don’t wanna give too much away but it’s the perfect summer, beach-y read!
This Story Might Save Your Life-Best friends, Benny and Joy, have a podcast where they highlight a crazy survival story and then discuss weekly. One morning Benny shows up to Joy’s and she and her husband are gone. And once again, I’m stopping there with my recap because I don’t wanna ruin anything.
It’s a thriller, suspense-turner that was unlike many of the others I enjoy. I love a good plot and then a twist I don’t see coming! If you’re into this genre, give this one a go!
This Book Made Me Think of You-Hmmmmm….guys this book was ALL over so many “TOP READS” lists of 2025 so I couldn’t wait to dive in but I was tremendously underwhelmed. It was a cute book but not one I’d say is a must-read.
Tilly’s husband dies so imagine the shock when she gets a call about five months later that she has a birthday gift from her husband at the local bookstore. He’s gifted her a new book every month for the next year. Throughout the story, Tilly tries new things, gets more courageous, meets new people, and it is really sweet. BUT I think this book had a lot of hype so I was expecting to be knocked out of the park.
My Husband’s Wife-Same with this one! You guys know I love a thriller. I don’t see the point in reading book after book where you can predict the ending in chapter one. It seems kind of pointless to me?! {Which is also why I struggle a bit with Hallmark movies. Don’t hate me!}. BUT, this thriller had so many characters and so much back and forth view points that I had a hard time following. I’d pass on this one!
You Deserve to Know-Read THIS thriller instead! This was a neighborly drama where one husband is found dead. The other neighbors dive into what’s happened. We get peeks at the past and present. It’s a pretty quick read that kept me turning the pages. I’m not even sure where I found this author but thriller fans, try this!!
Mad Mabel-AHHHHH!!!! My girl, Sally, is so talented. I’m so happy to report that she does it AGAIN! I was GIDDY about reading this one and couldn’t WAIT to get started! Dare I say that this one was a suspense novel meets Theo of Golden?! If that makes ANY sense?!
In this novel, Mabel is an 80-something women who’s a grouch! She doesn’t get along with neighbors nor does she have many friends. The book teeters between “now” and “then”. We learn she’s been called “Mad Mabel” and chapter after chapter gives us a little more insight into why that is. Meanwhile, this grouchy lady starts to have people chip away at her and well…she starts to change. I laughed, I cried and I loved it! DEFINITELY a MUST READ recommendation from me!
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Last week this was the view from our hotel room…FAVORITE!
We were in Naples and it’s hard to see from the pic but I could spy water the second I walked in the door.
This has gotta be my FAVORITE way to eat breakfast….with gorgeous views outdoors!
Well, unless I’m hot then PLEASE put me in the AC! ha!
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Meanwhile my mom was holding down the fort at home. She was out late on Sunday evening watching Bowen’s team take FIRST in their tournament. FAVORITE kind of weekend!
This makes the late night totally worth it on Monday morning!
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One more FAVORITE…Shay and I are doing another Everyday in May IG challenge!! I’ll have all the details over on my IG this morning! {You can find me at @erikaslaughterblog.}
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Yesterday, Tab and I left for another work trip. This one to somewhere that’s a Bucket List kind of destination….think hats, horses, and Mint Juleps. Any guesses? 😉
See you back here next week with some pictures of the fun!
XO
So many fun favorites!! Can’t wait to see where you end up!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Thank you!!
Go Bowen!!!!! And I can’t wait to see pics from this weekend!!!!
Thank you!!
Thank you for the party! That is a gorgeous view from your hotel room.
It was my first time to Naples and I loved it!
Sounds like Kentucky Derby to me. Have fun.
YES! It was a BLAST!
Welcome back! Can’t wait to see where you are headed to next. I have to disagree with you-I loved This Book Made Me Think of You. It was predictable, but oh so sweet. Just got Mad Mable and can’t wait to start it.
Hahaha! That’s okay! That’s why there are so many authors and so many different books! Let me know what you think about Mad Mabel! Maybe we’ll agree on that one?!
What great books! I have quite a few of those on my to listen to list.
It looks like you had a fantastic trip!
YES! It was so much fun! Naples in April is amazing!
The Kentucky Derby! Jealous! Have so much fun.
Thank you, Jen! We had a blast!
OMG! You’re here in Louisville (Lou-a-vul) for the Kentucky Derby! Sorry the weather isn’t the best, but you’ll have a blast regardless. Can’t wait to see your pictures of your hats and outfits! Hope you all win big. Go Baby Go!
Oh my goodness, Stephanie! It was so much fun!! I love your town…everything was GREEN and so pretty! We had a blast!!
I’d have to agree with you on the “This Book Made Me Think Of You” their was soo much hype about it, I was excited to read it and then when I finished I was like ugh that wasn’t what everyone makes it out to be! Love some of your other recs, some months I get in a slump of what to read!
Me too! And when I have a “dud” of a month then it makes me wanna watch more tv instead of read!
I cannot wait to read Mad Mabel!! You have read a really big variety recently!
It’s SO good!!
Loved that book by Aggie Blum Thompson. I Don’t Forgive You was a good one by her too!
I’ll check it out! Thank you!
So many great books! Thank you!
Thank you!!
Thanks for the book recs! I love a good thriller and had a few of these already on my list, but I put a library request in for This Story Could Save Your Life because I love a story that includes a podcast and is a thriller! Hope the Derby was great!
OH SUE! Let me know what you think! I think you’ll enjoy it!