The Bookish Ashley

I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The Boardwalk Bookstore” by Susan Mallery. This novel is a heartwarming story of three women who come together to start a business and end up finding love and friendship along the way.

The characters are relatable, well-developed, and have their own unique personalities and struggles. Bree, Mikki, and Ashley all have different reasons for wanting to start a business, but they share a common desire for personal growth and finding happiness. The way their stories intertwine is seamless and keeps the reader engaged throughout the book.

Mallery’s writing is both captivating and descriptive, making it easy to visualize the charming California coast and the quaint bookstore that the women bring to life. The story is filled with humor, romance, and a touch of drama that adds depth to the characters and keeps the plot moving forward.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the emphasis on the importance of female friendships. The way Bree, Mikki, and Ashley support each other through their personal struggles is heartwarming and uplifting. The theme of personal growth and transformation is also beautifully woven into the story.

Overall, “The Boardwalk Bookstore” is a delightful read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a feel-good novel that celebrates the power of friendship, love, and personal growth. The book deserves 4/5 stars.

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Second book I finished this weekend was Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, and overall, I found it to be a helpful guide for anyone looking to improve their financial situation. The book is broken down into ten actionable steps, which I appreciated as it made the information easier to digest and implement.

One of the strengths of the book is the author’s relatable writing style. She uses personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate her points, which makes the advice feel more practical and applicable to real life. Additionally, I appreciated that the book covers a wide range of financial topics, from budgeting and saving to investing and retirement planning.

However, I did find that some of the advice given in the book was fairly basic and may not be as helpful to someone who already has a decent grasp on personal finance. For example, the section on creating a budget was very straightforward and might not provide new insights to someone who has already created a budget in the past.

Another potential drawback is that some of the advice given in the book is specific to the United States and may not be applicable to readers in other countries. For example, the author discusses specific types of retirement accounts that are only available in the US.

Overall, I would recommend “Get Good with Money” to someone who is looking for a beginner’s guide to personal finance or someone who is just starting to take control of their finances. However, if you already have a good understanding of personal finance and are looking for more advanced strategies, you may want to look elsewhere.

3.75/5

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My final book this weekend was Now Is Not The Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson. It is a delightful and heartwarming novel about teenage misfits who come together to create something beautiful that changes their lives forever. With his trademark wit and prose, Wilson takes the reader on a journey through the minds of two lonely teenagers who find solace in each other’s company.

Frankie and Zeke are two unlikely friends who bond over their love for art and their shared sense of loneliness. As they create a powerful and enigmatic poster together, the mystery surrounding its origins leads to dangerous consequences that threaten to tear them apart. The story alternates between the present and the past, as we see the aftermath of the poster’s creation and the impact it had on their lives.

Wilson’s writing is evocative and engaging, and his characters are well-drawn and relatable. Frankie and Zeke are flawed and complex individuals, and their struggles with identity and belonging are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. The themes of young love, coming-of-age, and the power of art are explored with nuance and depth, making for a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Overall, Now Is Not The Time to Panic is a fantastic novel that will appeal to anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story. Wilson’s writing is masterful, and his ability to capture the complexities of teenage emotions and relationships is truly impressive. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming and engaging read.

4/5 stars