Cece In The City

Tag: book worm

  • My First 5 Reads of 2025: What I Thought

    As we kick off a new year, I’ve already dived into some incredible reads! Here are the first five books I’ve enjoyed in 2025, along with my thoughts on each.

    • The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews
      This book was truly inspiring and motivating. Andy Andrews weaves a story filled with life lessons and decisions that challenge you to think deeply about your purpose. A great way to start the year! 
    • The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
      If you love a good romance with a unique twist, this book is for you. It’s a beautiful love story that had me hooked from beginning to end.
    • The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst
      Another captivating love story! This one is filled with magical elements that made it a delightful read. It’s light, fun, and perfect for escaping into a whimsical world.
    • A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison
      This book had me on the edge of my seat! Suspenseful, thrilling, and impossible to put down—I definitely recommend this one for anyone who loves a good mystery.
    • The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore
      Although I read this series out of order, this installment was a charming and cozy read. Now I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the series!

    If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Also, don’t forget to join Cece Book Club on Facebook to dive deeper into our monthly picks, share your own recommendations, and connect with other book lovers. Happy reading!

  • Love and Other Words (Book)

    Book: Love and Other Words

    Author: Christina Lauren

    Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren is a beautiful, heart-wrenching novel that explores the complexities of love and the power of words. The story follows Macy, a successful doctor who seems to have it all – a loving fiancé, a successful career, and a bright future. However, when she unexpectedly runs into her childhood best friend, Elliot, everything changes.

    The novel is told through two timelines – the present day, where Macy is engaged to her fiancé, and the past, where we see her relationship with Elliot unfold. As the two timelines intertwine, we begin to understand the depth of Macy and Elliot’s connection, and the devastating event that tore them apart.

    What sets Love and Other Words apart from other romance novels is the depth of emotion that Christina Lauren imbues into her characters. Macy and Elliot’s relationship is not just a typical love story – it’s a complex, layered connection that is rooted in their shared love of words and books. Throughout the novel, we see how the power of language can bring people together, but also how it can be used to push people away.

    The novel also explores themes of grief, family, and the difficulties of growing up. Macy’s struggle to come to terms with her past and her future is something that many readers will be able to relate to.

    Overall, Love and Other Words is a beautifully written novel that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you thinking about its characters long after you’ve finished reading. Christina Lauren’s writing is lyrical and poignant, and her characters are complex and relatable. If you’re looking for a novel that explores the power of love and the impact of words, this book is definitely worth reading.

  • One True Loves Book

    Book: One True Loves

    Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

    Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel “One True Loves” is a captivating and heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery. The story follows the journey of Emma Blair, who finds herself torn between two loves – her high school sweetheart, Jesse, and her husband, Sam, who was presumed dead in a helicopter crash.

    Reid’s writing is beautifully emotive, drawing readers into Emma’s world and her internal struggles as she navigates the complexities of her heart. The novel delves into the concept of soulmates, exploring the idea of whether there can be more than one true love in a person’s life. The exploration of grief and loss is also poignant, as Emma grapples with the devastating impact of losing her husband and the conflicting emotions that arise when he unexpectedly returns.

    The character development in “One True Loves” is exceptional, with each character feeling authentic and relatable. Readers will find themselves invested in Emma’s journey as she grapples with her past and present, and the choices she must make to find her true happiness.

    The novel also delves into the themes of self-discovery and empowerment, as Emma navigates her own desires and needs in the face of societal expectations and familial pressure. Reid’s exploration of the complexities of love, loss, and personal identity is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

    Overall, “One True Loves” is a beautifully written and compelling novel that will tug at the heartstrings of readers. It is a captivating exploration of love in its various forms, and the choices we make in the pursuit of our own happiness. Reid’s masterful storytelling will leave readers deeply moved and contemplating the nature of love long after the final page.

  • The Dead Romantics Book

    Book: The Dead Romantics

    Author: Ashley Poston

    By: Cece Hymes

     

    Got a chance to read this book. It was pretty good. It was about a lady named Florence Day who is a ghostwriter for a lady that does romance. In the last year Florence goes through a bad breakup and no longer believes in love.  She has to finish the ending and just can’t figure out how to end it now that she no longer believes in love.

    Her new editor will not give her extension and demands the book to be completed. Florence lives with her best friend and her best friend wants to get her to go out from a bad week. They get out and she runs into her ex and her new editor and also gets a call that something bad happened to her dad.

    When Florence was young her and her dad could talk to spirits. They were the only ones that were gifted with this in their family. When she was in school she solved a murder case in which the spirit helped her. Everyone in the town thought she was crazy and talked about her. She left that town and never went back. 10 years later she came back because of her dad.

    Florence starts to see her new editor as a spirit and as he comes along, they get to know each other more. He helps her get through the hard times. He tells her all the positive things she needs to hear. She opens up little by little.

    Florence has low self-esteem, I believe that she just took in what people say and tried to run from getting hurt. Sometimes it’s good to have a friend. That will push you in the right way, to give you motivation, to talk to you and let you know what you are worth.

    I don’t want to give the book away, but it is a twist to it. The book was good. I can’t even imagine myself being able to talk to spirits. I wouldn’t mind if it was for a good cause. This was something different to read. Just thinking of funerals and dead people makes me sad.

    If you read the book, what did you think about it? If not, check it out. Also make sure to join Cece Book Cub.

  • Book Lovers book by Emily Henry

    Book: Book Lovers

    Author:  Emily Henry

    By: Cece Hymes

    This book was about a lady named Nora who is complex, deep, funny and more. She is a literary agent who identifies more with the villains in romance movies than the heroines. She has a sister named Libby who swayed her to go on vacation to a small town. They make a to-do list to do before their trip ends. Her sister Libby is married with 2 kids and one on the way. Nora missed hanging out with her sister and thinks this trip is going to bring them closer together.

    When they arrive in this small town she didn’t expect to run into Charlie, the surly editor she’s avoided ever since their disastrous meeting. They email each other about books. Being in this small town they have gotten to get to know each other and see that they are alike in so many ways. They turn each other on in their own way.

    Charlie and Nora have been through a lot growing up in their lives. They seem to always put everyone first before their own happiness. They always want to make sure that everyone else is good even if they have to give up their own dreams and happiness. It’s a lot that Nora still deals with from the passing of her mom but doesn’t share with anyone until she meets Charlie.

    I like how Nora has standards and that when she sees what she wants she opens up and tells Charlie instead of playing the little game of keeping it to herself. It can be scary taking chances, but the saying goes, closed mouths don’t get fed. Libby, who is Nora’s sister, has her own agenda that Nora does not know about. Nora just thinks Libby is going through problems in her relationship. What her sister is really doing will shock you. Sometimes a small town has hidden places that can make you fall in love with it.

    I love that Nora and Charlie can talk about any and everything and feel like they can be themselves with each other. Charlie sees that Nora is everything he ever wanted and more. They have to make a decision once her vacation is over and she has to go back home to New York. Can you really have everything you really wanted? The job, the man, the city life and more. It all goes back to taking chances and not settling. You have to read the book to see what happens. I love “Love” I believe when you find it don’t let it go. True love is hard to find these days. I love to read books and I hope to find a partner that is into books like I am. It would be awesome to chat about books and other things.

    Make sure to Join Cece Book Club and if you read this book let me know your thoughts.

     

  • In Five Years

    Book: In Five Years

    Author: Rebecca Serle

    By: Cece Hymes

    Got a chance to finally read this book. I heard it was a great book and easy to read so I had to check it out. I was not disappointed. This Book was good. It was about Dannie; she is a lawyer who works hard and believes everything is done in years.  She believes in numbers that it means everything. Her boyfriend proposed to her, which she was so happy about.

    Dannie has a best friend named Bella. They’ve been friends forever since they were little. Bella is different from Dannie but they both love each other as sisters. Dannie has this dream about a guy named Aaron and sees a vision that in 5 years they would get together. She felt something different and couldn’t shake it. She decides to get therapy to see what is going on.

    Bella finally really likes this guy and wants Dannie to meet him and the vision that Dannie had about the Guy Aaron that she sees in her dreams happens to be her best friend’s boyfriend. Dannie is really busy, and her fiancé is also but it’s been years now engaged and they are still not married. Dannie’s fiancé is a little worried.

    Dannie saw so much stuff in her dream that now she is seeing it in reality. She knows that in due time that what she saw will come true. She is trying her hardest to put that dream away.  Bella gets sick and Dannie has to be there for her best friend no matter what. Dannie has to get used to Bella having other people in her life and I also think she should have been honest with Bella.

    There is something fascinating about the concept of knowing your future. Just having a vision. It’s like do you avoid your destiny if you don’t like it? Do you let it dictate your actions? What do you do If you can see something that’s going to happen in your future?

    I enjoyed this book. The ending threw me off a little but it was still good. I love how the best friends were there for one another. I see a lot of people that have been with their mates for a long time and love them but not be in love with them. I think everyone deserves to be in love and not just settle with a person because of the connection. I don’t think anyone should just settle for a job, relationship or anything in life. Live it to your fullest, be happy and enjoy life.

    Make sure to check out the book and let me know what you think. Also join Cece Book Club on Facebook and IG 

  • Sweeter than honey by Joy Avery

    Book: Sweeter Than Honey

    Author: Joy Avery

    By: Cece Hymes

     

    You know I love a good love book. This book was very interesting to me and seems like a lot of books that I have read always start off with pretending to be in a relationship and then really fall in love with the person. I just love books like this. They all just have a different way and story that each one falls in love with the other person.

    This book was about Rylee and Canten. Rylee owned her own shop and she loved to cook. Canten, he was the sheriff of the town that everyone loved. He really did a lot for his community. Canten’s wife had passed away and so did Rylee; they both just been living life not really trying to date anyone. They have both been friends for a long time and have attraction for one another. They just don’t want to react to it.

    When they faked their relationship, I think they both really wanted to be with each other anyway but didn’t want to let the other one know. I am glad that they were friends first. My motto is always your soulmate is your best friend. They both needed to get things off their chest and out in the open. It was secrets that they never shared with anyone that they found sharing with each other. There were also times when others tried to come and win the other person’s interest, but they didn’t let it happen.

    They both actually know a lot about each other, and they are neighbors, so they watch out for each other already. One thing I love about this book is Rylee’s parents now that love is the kind of love I want. Growing older together and years later and still having that spark for each other is definitely what I want.  I loved their characters in this book.

    Everyone wants love but when you have someone that makes you happy that’s a different kind of love. When you have not just a lover but a best friend that you can communicate with about anything and they don’t judge you but push you to be stronger than those types of people you don’t want to let go.

    Rylee and Canten grew together as a fake couple but were there each step of the way. They included each other in events and couple things. They both felt a love they had never felt before. When you know what you want you go after it. They made each other feel like a queen and king.

     

    Make sure to check out the book and let me know what you think. Also join Cece Book Club

  • The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

    Book: The Romantic Agenda

    Author: Claire Kann

    By: Cece Hymes

    I always say I love romance stories. This book was good. It was about a lady named Joy who had been best friends with a guy named Malcolm for years and years. Joy loves Malcolm but she never told him that she was in love with him. Malcolm loves Joy also and all the women he ever dated feel like he puts Joy as number one, and they leave.

    Malcolm lets Joy know that he is into this lady named Summer and that they have been chatting for over 2 months. Joy is used to knowing everything about Malcolm and gets jealous. He invites her on this getaway trip with him and Summer. They decide to bring Summer’s best friend Fox. He wants Fox and Joy to hang out so he can get closer to Summer and to see if Summer and Joy can get along.

    I like that Joy is straightforward and speaks her mind. She may not say that one thing about love to Malcolm but everything else she speaks freely and openly. Fox comes on the trip and he kind of observes. Joy and Fox spend time together. They decide to fake like they like each other to see how Malcolm would react. Fox and Joy actually end up liking each other. They brought out something different in one another.

    They thing I love about the characters is that they all are open to trying to get better and they open up to one another. The romantic getaway showed everyone what they really wanted and what they were willing to try out. I always say your best friend is your soulmate. I do think that Joy and Malcolm would have worked out, but I feel like Joy will have more fun with Fox. I also think that Fox will be more gentle with her.

    I would love to read a part 2 of this book to see how it would go with everyone. To see if Joy can handle moving on from Malcolm or if they realize that they are soul mates.

    If you read this book let me know your thoughts. Also join Cece Book Club