Catching Katy

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Tag Archives: books


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Evidence of the Affair

I you have a Kindle, you can find free books on Amazon. I came across Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid and thought, ‘why not?!’. I didn’t even read the synopsis but it was free! It’s a short story so I got through it in about 4 hours total (not all at once).

It’s the late ’70s and Carrie discovers love letters written to her husband. So she decides to reach out to the husband of the woman. This short story is the letters written between them and also the husband and wife having the affair. But the innocent letters of the cheated on parties turn into more and eventually turn into meeting in person. It’s a fascinating cycle.

I won’t give away the twist at the end but I definitely recommend it, especially if you need a quick beach or pool read. Or if you’re close to meeting a reading goal for the year and need a quick page-turner! I actually audibly gasped at the end, so you know it’s good. Enjoy!


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Rich People Problems

Kevin Kwan really hit it home with this series. The third book came available from the library almost as soon as I put it on my hold list so I went ahead and finished out the series.

Rich People Problems, like China Rich Girlfriend, incorporated some new characters, but mainly focused on Nick’s extended family. Their beloved grandmother’s, matriarch of the family in every sense of the word, health in failing and children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins come out the woodwork to say their goodbyes and makes their last good impressions. After all, there is expected to be a sizable will. There is also a more in-depth storyline about Nick’s cousin Astrid, who I have liked throughout the series.

Supposedly Nick was written out of the will when he married Rachel and he had not spoken to his grandmother for many years. So he, especially, felt the need to mend bridges, regardless of what was in the will. Drama and hilarity ensues, of course, which makes this a quick and entertaining read. A great “beach read”. I don’t know if there are supposed to be more movies, but I would be all for it!


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More Than Words

I know I need to take a break from fiction when two books in a row involve characters who are madly and deeply in love with multiple people. Sometimes I really need a dose of real life mixed in with the not real life, so if you have any suggestions please let me know!

This soap box is not to say I did not enjoy reading More Than Words by Jill Santopolo. It again, has elements that remind me of Gossip Girl – main character Nina grows up in the public eye in NYC as the only daughter of a successful businessman – mixed with a Nicholas Sparks novel. Poor Nina has been under her father’s shadow and when he passes away, she finally feels that she can be herself. She can dress how she wants to dress, brunch where she wants to brunch, work where she wants to work, and even date who wants to date. This especially comes to light as she learns about some big secrets her dad had kept hidden for years.

Even thought the story line was a little ridiculous (and it’s really just me getting a little tired of ending up reading similar story lines) but it was still entertaining and didn’t drag on so I still enjoyed it.


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Every Breath

I used to read Nicholas Sparks books as soon as they were printed, but I haven’t read any of his in a long time. They honestly got to be a little predictable and blah. But my mom brought one of his newer books to me recently so I gave it a shot.

Every Breath is based on a true story and it’s obviously (if you know anything about Sparks’ novels) a love story. Main character, Hope, is “on a break” in her relationship and escapes to her family’s beach house to think about some things. Other main character, Tru, born and raised in Africa, receives a letter and plane ticket from his biological father, who he has never met before. Tru, of course, ends up staying at the beach house next to Hope’s and they have an instant connection.

They spent a little less than a week together, walking the beach, cooking dinner, getting to know each other. They visit a known nearby destination called Kindred Spirit – a mailbox where people leave stories, letters, and thoughts and other people can come and read them. Kindred Spirit will play an incredible role in their story later on.

Again, I’m always torn on how much detail to give. The story is pretty absurd but you can expect nothing less from a Sparks novel. It’s a story of love, loss, and making difficult decisions. Good, quick read. Enjoy!


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China Rich Girlfriend

Kevin Kwan really fought his niche with this series. They are really fascinating and entertaining! China Rich Girlfriend picks up where Crazy Rich Asians left off but I felt like it’s not as focused on Nick and Rachel. It’s mainly the same characters with a few new ones thrown in. I was glad to have a character recap at the beginning of the book as a reminder of the main characters back-stories and relationships to one another.

Nick and Rachel are planning their wedding but Nick has only invited a couple of family members who were not concerned that Rachel was not from a prominent Asian family. But word gets out about the wedding and, of course, drama ensues. I’ll go ahead and tell you as well that they find Rachel’s real father (hence the new characters) so she and Nick end up honeymooning to Asia. There, they get to spend time with old and new friends and new family. But, again, there is drama. So much drama, in fact, that someone almost dies. Don’t worry, I won’t tell you who. All in all, it is a mostly happy ending but I am excited to see what the third book brings. Because I cannot imagine what the level of drama could be bumped up to. It almost reminds me of Gossip Girl on steroids and with adults instead of teens (side note – new Gossip Girl coming to HBO?! Anyone?!).

Great summer/beach read and I can’t wait to read the next one!


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The Silent Patient

This is going to be a difficult one to review without giving away too much information. So fair warning. I’ll go ahead and say this was a great book and I definitely recommend it. Keep reading if you don’t care about reading a few details.

I would say The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a mystery/psychological thriller. Theo is a psychotherapist and has the opportunity to work with a notorious criminal, Alicia Berenson. Alicia, a renowned artist, was found having brutally killed her husband. But she never speaks again. Not to defend herself, not to give an explanation, not to give an apology.

She lives at a residential home for criminals with mental illnesses and a position opens up. Theo has dreamed of working with Alicia and takes the job because he thinks he can get her to talk. You don’t find out why he is so obsessed with her until the end of the book but he has very personal and egotistical motivations to try to get her to talk. However, it almost backfires.

The format of the story is interesting and jumps in time between present and the days leading up to the murder of Alicia’s husband. But I never would have guessed the twist that the story takes towards the end of the book. Though there is a feeling of something being slightly off throughout the book, it’s pretty much impossible to put your finger on until the end.

This was a quick read (I finished in less than a week), which I appreciate and it definitely keeps your attention. You won’t want to put it down. Enjoy!


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Faithful Place

This is the third book in the Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French and this was probably my least favorite of the three. Maybe it was the fact that the female lead from the first two was not in this book or maybe it was because French wrote in the local dialect, which even reading made it a little difficult to follow at times. I don’t remember the first two books being that way but I may just be misremembering as it’s been a little while since I read them. The book was still good though!

Faithful Place jumps between times in Detective Mackey’s life from present time to when he was a teenager in love, living at home with his family. His love, Rosie, disappears the night they are supposed to run away together and now, 22 years later, her suitcase is found in the abandoned house on their street. Mackey is quickly sucked back into the life of his family, most of whom he hasn’t seen or spoken to in those 22 years. He works in undercover, not murder, so is instructed to stay away from the investigation. But of course he can’t – and who can blame him – and things just keep going downhill.

I wouldn’t call it a page-turner, as it was a little slow at times, but it kept my attention and I still got through it pretty quickly. And the outcome was definitely a surprise. It’s a good whodunit mystery of lost loves and quirky families. And you don’t necessarily need to have read the first two before reading this one as most of the characters from the first two are not in this story. Enjoy!