Review: We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions

We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions by Glennon Doyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Self help that was put together by the authors after a life changing year (anorexia, cancer, death of a family member all in the same year). Divided into 20 questions most people ask themselves (for example; Why am I like this? How do I make and keep real friends?). Each question has quotes from the authors and from other people (mostly famous ones).
I didn't realize this until the end, but the authors have a podcast and this was a collection of quotes/sayings based on that podcast.

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Review: Brewing Up a Bad Boy

Brewing Up a Bad Boy by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When she was 18 Poppy married Alistair. She asked for a divorce when it was later revealed he married her for business reasons (his family wanted her family tea recipes). Now 9 years later, she is part owner of a successful business with her best friends; Sera and Liberty. They own a multi-use bookstore; Poppy her a tea shop located there.
It turns out that Alistair, while he loved Poppy, was also striving to make his father happy too. He wanted his father's love and approval which (because he was an asshole) came with conditions. He got wise and pursued therapy. He's also expanded his knowledge and base and brews beer.
Nice, sweet story. Neither ever got over the other one, so they picked up when they left off (for the most part). People can grow and change if they want to.

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Review: Roped In

Roped In by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Colt and Avery's story. We met them in the first book. They had previously had a relationship and Colt's inability to tell Mack what happened in a SWAT shooting that went wrong and his inability to trust/accept when Avery had to leave for a work trip. Anyway, they broke up and Colt left the city they both lived in (LA) for a remote ranch (Clean Slate).
Avery comes back in Colt's life when the remains of a ghost town are found on ranch property. Feelings come back. 2nd chance romances aren't my favorite (in my mind y'all broke up for a reason), but I did enjoy this. Both characters are not who they were 5 years prior. They are more mature and own their mistakes. Not super big on BDSM story-lines, but I didn't feel that was a big deal for me in this one (your mileage will probably vary).
Mack and Colt's relationship was improving. Colt made the decision to re-connect with his (very religious, conservative) family. That reunion was (I felt) thrown in towards the end and was a bit rushed. I thought the ending was a bit rushed when all said and done; luckily we get an epilogue.
Next book is Reyes (Mack and Colt's friend) and Miles (Wes's roommate).

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Review: All Boys Aren’t Blue

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well written. Lots of heavy topics (rascism, homophobia, rape, etc). This is a book that some groups have successfully had pulled from school bookshelves and others that are trying. I do think people overlook that abuse knows no boundaries and teens do experience it. Teens do think about sex and have sex. Topics that make people uncomfortable should be discussed. No one lives in a perfect world. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. You can tell the author writes for a living; the writing style and flow is very well done.

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Review: Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America's Dangerous Divide

Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America's Dangerous Divide by Keith Payne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This covers the divide in the US that has split families/friends. It's amazing how many people believe fake news (ie immigrants are evil, the Democrats are pedophiles, etc). Not surprising that a lot of this comes down to the education one gets during their schooling. If one goes on to higher education (or some sort of secondary education) they are less susceptible to false information.

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Review: Dreaming in Cuban

Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina García
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This follows 3 generations of women (Celia- the matriarch, her daughters Lourdes and Felicia, and granddaughter Pilar). Well written, but hard to follow a times due to shifting point of view, time, and location. This deals with difficult topics; depression, rape, abuse.
I'm trying to make a point of reading some challenged books each year. This is one such book.

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