Book Recaps

The First Lie Wins- Finished March 2024 

The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes--especially after what happened last time. Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the one identity she could always go back to—her real identity—just walked right into this town. Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there’s still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher--but then, Evie has always liked a challenge...

5/5- I loved this mystery thriller that was not frightening. The flashbacks were well executed and played along with the storyline. I appreciated the "tied up in a bow" happy ending that did not leave us hanging. This was well done! 

The Idea of You- Finished March 2024 

Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of an art gallery in Los Angeles, is reluctant to take her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band. But since her divorce, she’s more eager than ever to be close to Isabelle. The last thing Solène expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things. What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate and genuine relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways in Paris and Miami. For Solène, it is a reclaiming of self, as well as a rediscovery of happiness and love. When Solène and Hayes’ romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her romantic life has impacted the lives of those she cares about most.

4/5- It took me a little bit to get into this book, but could not put it down for the second half. Despite a few things bothering me like the undeveloped storyline with Hayes and Oliver's past, the unrealistic relationship of Solene and Hayes, and her not being a very involved mother, it was a quick and easy read and I can't wait to see the movie coming out! 

The Other Mothers- Finished April 2024

Four new mothers…one exclusive playgroup…two murders.

New mom Tash is intrigued when a young nanny is found dead under mysterious circumstances. She has been searching for a story to launch her career as a freelance journalist. But she has also been searching for something else—new friends to help her navigate motherhood. She sees them at her son’s new playgroup: the other mothers. A group of sleek, sophisticated women who live in a neighborhood of tree-lined avenues and stunning houses. The sort of mothers Tash would like to be. When the mothers welcome her into their circle, she discovers the kind of life she has always dreamt of—their elegant London townhouses a far cry from her cramped basement flat and endless bills. She is quickly swept up into their wealthy world via coffees, cocktails, and playdates. But when another young woman is found dead, it’s clear there’s much more to the tight-knit community than meets the eye. The more Tash investigates, the more she’s led uncomfortably close to the other mothers. Are these women really her friends? Or is there another, more dangerous reason why she has been so quickly accepted into their exclusive world? Who, exactly, is investigating who?

4.5/5- I could not put this one down! I was so intrigued by how it would play out and kept second-guessing who I thought the culprit was. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures- Finished April 2024

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

5/5- This was such a cute story!! I loved the back-and-forth. At first, I did not see any connection between the two storylines, but it came together so wonderfully. I also appreciated the ending, tying everything up nicely with a bow.  

Life Lately

 Married life has already been off to a busy start! Here are some highlights from the past month or so. 

1. Baby Showers: We are anticipating the arrival of many friends' babies this spring! We had a baby shower for Bianca and baby boy Kukowski at the end of January and another for Shelby and baby girl in February. I cannot wait to see these two become moms SO SOON!!

2. Work Fun: We had our firm's Recognition Dinner at Bishop Station this year, which included delicious food and the MOST fun silent disco post-party!! This event is always a lot of work for me, especially being right after the wedding, but it always turns out to be a great success, and an added bonus as always is getting to enjoy it with the fam! February also included our Southern/Western Regional Meeting, which was in San Antonio (conveniently over Valentine's Day). However, it was fun visiting a new Texas city and eating so much Tex-Mex. 

3. Family Time: One thing I was worried about having withdrawals on post-wedding was time with family. Luckily, we've been able to continue visiting with them for the past few weeks! One weekend Charles and I traveled to Augusta because Greyson, Marshall, and the kids were in town for Marshall to play The National. We enjoyed an early Valentine's spaghetti dinner on Friday night followed by way too much wine (and bourbon for Greyson!). Saturday included lunch at Tacocat, shopping at Surrey Center, and dinner at Cadwallader's, which was fun since it was a place I had not been to before! During another weekend that we were in town, I got to finally meet Charles's aunt and uncle while they were visiting his cousin who lives in Atlanta. A few other highlights with family were a sister night out to the David Foster/Katharine McPhee show at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Mom, Aunt Susan, and Sarah, and of course my 32nd birthday, which included a family dinner at Rumi's Kitchen. 

4. Weddings: We have traveled to North Carolina the past two weekends for weddings!! I must say, it was so nice sitting back and relaxing as a GUEST this time around! The first of the lineup was in Greenville, NC for Jacob and Anna's wedding. It was a very short (but long drive!) trip as we only stayed for one night. The wedding was beautiful though. Last weekend we traveled to Raleigh, NC for Taylor and Andrew's wedding! I loved getting to visit with Charles's extended family a lot throughout the weekend since I didn't get to as much at our wedding. Raleigh was such a cute town and we had such a fun weekend with everyone! 

A good sign that this was my only picture... 

The spring weather is in the air and I can almost taste baseball season, fresh blooms, and farmer's market Saturdays!! Bring on the sunshine.

Book Recaps

 A Flicker in the Dark- Finished December 2023

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath. Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren't actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer?

4.5/5- I like how it was engaging all the way until the last page. I wish her relationship was more tied up at the end so we know what happens, but overall it was a good mystery that wasn't too scary.

The Kind Worth Killing- Finished January 2024

On a night flight from London to Boston, Ted Severson meets the stunning and mysterious Lily Kintner. Sharing one too many martinis, the strangers begin to play a game of truth, revealing very intimate details about themselves. Ted talks about his marriage that’s going stale and his wife Miranda, who he’s sure is cheating on him. Ted and his wife were a mismatch from the start—he the rich businessman, she the artistic free spirit—a contrast that once inflamed their passion, but has now become a cliché. But their game turns a little darker when Ted jokes that he could kill Miranda for what she’s done. Lily, without missing a beat, says calmly, “I’d like to help.” After all, some people are the kind worth killing, like a lying, stinking, cheating spouse. . . .

Back in Boston, Ted and Lily’s twisted bond grows stronger as they begin to plot Miranda's demise. But there are a few things about Lily’s past that she hasn’t shared with Ted, namely her experience in the art and craft of murder, a journey that began in her very precocious youth. Suddenly these co-conspirators are embroiled in a chilling game of cat-and-mouse, one they both cannot survive . . . with a shrewd and very determined detective on their tail.

4/5- This book kept me hooked from the very beginning, but some parts were unrealistic and a bit of a stretch, like how easily she got away with murder.

The Perfect Marriage- Finished January 2024

Sarah Morgan is a successful and powerful defense attorney in Washington D.C. As a named partner at her firm, life is going exactly how she planned. The same cannot be said for her husband, Adam. He’s a struggling writer who has had little success in his career and he tires of his and Sarah’s relationship as she is constantly working. Out in the secluded woods, at the couple’s lake house, Adam engages in a passionate affair with Kelly Summers. But one morning everything changes. Kelly is found brutally stabbed to death and now, Sarah must take on her hardest case yet, defending her own husband, a man accused of murdering his mistress.

3/5- I also couldn't put this book down from the very beginning, and I would probably have given it 4-5 stars up to 3/4 through. Even though the ending was a complete twist with Sarah being the one to kill the mistress, I didn't like how it ended and felt like there were random parts thrown in that were random and did not relate to the overall storyline. 

The Measure- Finished February 2024 

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.
It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out. But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live. From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise? As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

3/5- I liked having this book as a reprieve from my typical murder mysteries and it had an unique plot. However, I felt like there were too many storylines to keep up with, some more in depth than others, at least for an audiobook. 

None of this is True- Finished February 2024 

Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summer crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life. Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life—and into her home. But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.

4/5- This book kept me hooked because I could not figure out where it was going. Josie did some weird things that I did not get the point of. I also did not really like the ending, as it left me with lots of follow up questions. Overall a quick read though!

Montage Minimoon- Palmetto Bluff

Immediately following the wedding, we knew we would not want to go straight back to work but also that we would not have the energy or funds to travel somewhere far or extravagant. So, we started brainstorming drivable properties that would be luxurious yet relaxing. We landed on the Montage property at Palmetto Bluff and could not have asked for a better few days!! 

We left immediately after the Newlywed Brunch on Sunday. Although tempting to take a nap since we were both exhausted, we powered through so we could make the most out of our time there. We even said in the car on the way, "could you imagine going to the airport and getting on a plane right now?!?" We had a little later start than we planned along with a few stops to keep us awake (including a pitstop at the Walkers to take a 20 minute power nap) but arrived around 7 in the evening. We were immediately greeted with amazing service, a bottle of champagne, and chocolate covered strawberries. Once we dropped off our bags, we quickly changed so we could make our 7:30 reservation at Octagon. Luckily we just had to travel to the hotel lobby where we powered through a cocktail and dinner before calling it a night. 

The next morning, we enjoyed sleeping in and then took a bike ride around the property to explore. Then, we decided to venture into Bluffton for an early lunch at Agave. We took a quick nap afterwards and then headed out the the Racquet Club for some croquet. We stopped by "porching hour" on the way back for a warm cookie and then got ready for dinner. We went back to the lobby to have a drink and play cards before it was time for dinner at Buffalo's. We loved our dinner here! Afterwards, we went back to the Inn for s'mores, where we ended up talking to the staff a ton and then headed home to the cottage. 

On Tuesday, we slept in again! We skipped breakfast so we could make the yoga class, where we once again became besties with the instructor. Afterwards, we biked to Moreland Village for lunch at Canteen and explored the marsh area. We stopped by RT Market on the way back to get some snacks and beer. Then, we sat on the dock and chatted over some beers. After that, we made our way to porching hour once again for a cookie and tea while playing cards. I made a little makeshift charcuterie board to enjoy while we got ready, and then we went to our last dinner at River House! Unfortunately I was uncomfortably full and could not enjoy a real meal, BUT we had the best bread ever. Charles was also obsessed with his venison entree. We also enjoyed a bottle of Williams Selyem that dad sent with us. We were in a food coma by the time we left and decided to call it a night.

On Wednesday, Charles woke up bright and early to watch the sunrise from the dock. Then, we grabbed a coffee and croissant from Buzz before making our way to the spa for our couples massage. We of course wanted to enjoy all the amenities afterwards, which included a steam room, sauna, cold plunge, and jacuzzi. Our sweet fitness instructor had sent us a complimentary enhancement during our massage, which was the icing on the cake! Once we finished at the spa, we packed up, said our goodbyes, and grabbed a quick lunch in Bluffton at Downtown Deli before heading home! 

Since we had to go to Athens to get our other car, we stopped for dinner at the GA Club with my parents and the Turners. It was fun ending our wedding week back in the place it all began!! 

2023 Recap

 2023 at a Glance

Biggest Change of All: getting engaged and planning a wedding! Moving into our first house. 

Trips: Bahamas for Ellie and Blake's wedding, Santa Barbara for Jenna and Brendan's wedding, Figure Eight, Connecticut road trip, first trip to Europe going to London, Hilton Head with the family, Milwaukee for work conference, Cashiers for Bible Study retreat, Ponte Vedra, Grayton Beach with Ellie and Blake, Key Biscayne for my Bachelorette, Sea Island with Brad and Melissa.

Weddings: Ellie and Blake Mowry, Jenna and Brendan Wood, Maddie and John Paul, Rachel Jain and Sunil Yalamanchili, Scottie and Grayson Knox

Fun Date Nights: Lake Oconee (engagement!), double date to the Christmas Market, Bistro Niko Bar, Birthday dinner at Le Colonial, Masters with Sarah and Sam, lots of Highland yoga classes, Lark Wine Bar and dinner at Expat after our church meeting, Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, last date night being "single" at Superica, impromptu rainy night dinner at Fia.

Books (18): One Hot Italian Summer, The Leader Assistant, Girls with Bright Futures, Carrie Soto is Back, Lessons in Chemistry, Mary Jane, The Hotel Nantucket, Layla, Local Woman Missing, Life's Too Short, Meant to Be, The Happy Ever After Playlist, Happy Place, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Lion's Den, Stone Cold Fox, Fourth Wing, and A Flicker in the Dark.

Holidays: New Year's Day in Augusta with family, Valentine's Day counseling and Bartaco dinner, Easter in Athens, Memorial Day at Figure Eight, Fourth of July in Athens, Harper Halloween party as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Thanksgiving in Athens (with tradition of pickle ball and our first fried turkey!), hosting Chrismukkali and my first Ornament Exchange, Christmas in Athens/Augusta, New Year's Eve dinner at Blue Ridge Grille with friends

Parties: Your 3rd Spot for my 31st Birthday, Julia Roberts' themed sleepover with Bride Tribe, going away party for Bianca and Nate, Charles' birthday at the Braves game with Sassy and D, hosting St. Patrick's Day supper club, wine tasting at Ashton and Chris's, Engagement Party at the Malchows, Taylor Swift Concert!, St. Patrick's Day Supper Club, Color Party with Trinity Girls, fun bridal showers.

January 20, 2024

1.20.24 was the best. day. ever. I am still replaying the weekend over and over in my mind trying to savor every memory of our wedding with our amazing family and friends. 

Thankfully with the long MLK weekend right before, I had gone to Athens to knock out some tasks with my mom like stuffing the hotel welcome bags, wrapping the groomsmen and bridesmaid gifts, and assembling place cards for tables. Not to mention a million dance practices with dad! Then, I headed back to Atlanta for a short work week and spray tan, nails, etc. Charles and I also enjoyed a last "single" date night at Superica on Wednesday. I headed up to Athens Thursday afternoon and stopped by the jewelers to get my ring cleaned, CVS to print some last minute baby pictures, and Lauren Douglas's to have a play date with all the children (Pittards, Douglas's, Satterfields, and Malchows). Afterwards, Sarah, Sam, mom, the boys, and me went to an early dinner at ZZ and Simone's while the Walkers went to one last family dinner at The National. Once we were both finished with our respective dinners, mom and I went over to Hotel Indigo to check out the hospitality suite and for Charles and me to do some last minute dance practicing. I loved starting the wedding weekend off in a low key setting with our families and cherished this time so much.

I woke up Friday morning and started getting ready since Aunt Susan got there early to set up for the Bridal Tea Luncheon. Once I was ready and the guest started arriving, I loved introducing everyone and making connections. We served tea sandwiches including pimento cheese, cucumber, egg, and ham, assorted pastries, stuffed dates, chicken salad bites, and smoked salmon. For dessert, there were the most amazing scones and chocolate croissants and of course enjoyed sipping tea (and champagne!) while enjoying each other's company. Some of the special details of my bridal luncheon were using Grandma Val's china, Grandma Jane's cream and sugar dishes, and Aunt Ruthie's table cloths. I also loved giving my bridesmaids their white getting ready shirts, a handwritten note, and white furs to wear with their dresses, Doris her flower girl gift of a book and pink picture frame of us, and our moms an embroidered handkerchief. 

After the luncheon, the bridesmaids headed into town to check into our hotel rooms and get ready for the rehearsal dinner. I quickly stopped by the hospitality suite to say hello to some of the guests that were arriving and then took a cat nap. Ellie, Shelby, Nikita, and Hannah came to get ready with me and then we drove over to the church for the rehearsal. The rehearsal had all hands on deck (way too many with Nancy's committee!) but went smoothly and the children did great practicing. Once we were finished, I gave the ring bearers their gift, which was a book that reminded me of them and a white old-fashioned toy car that I wrote "just married" on the back of. Dad and Dan signed the wedding book as our witnesses and we were off! The bridal party headed back to the hotel to catch the shuttle to Five and Ten for the Rehearsal Dinner. Once we arrived, we quickly made our way to the bar, took some photos, and enjoyed some of the charcuterie while waiting for dinner. Dinner was so delicious and then we got cozy in one of the rooms for speeches. This was my favorite part of the evening as we got to hear the sweet words our friends had to say about us. A fun surprise was Greyson and Marshall's remix performance to "Aint no Mountain High Enough"! After the dinner, we made our way back to Hotel Indigo and stayed up way too late at the lobby bar (where my phone went missing thanks to Nikita!) followed by a sleepover with my mom! 

On the morning of our (chilly!) wedding day, I popped up to Charles's room for some quick cuddles (and to retrieve my phone/drop off my luggage!) before we would go our separate ways. Then, the bridesmaids and I made our way to Athens Country Club to start getting ready! We had the best time listening to girlie music, attempting Tiktoks, popping champagne, and getting glammed all day. The hours quickly passed and before we knew it it was time for the photographer and videographer to arrive, and I headed upstairs to put on my dress and then read my letter from Charles. Once all the photo ops were through, I did my first look with Charles (where we were both so awkward not knowing what to say in front of the photographers), and then we quickly went outside to bear the cold for bridal party photos. This was one of my favorite moments... having everyone all together for the first time of the day- bridal party, the children, and parents. We loaded up the trolley and enjoyed a drink on our way to the church! 

We took a few more photos once we were at the church to take advantage of the pretty courtyard area. Shortly after, the bagpiper arrived, everyone got in place, and it was game time! Sarah said a beautiful prayer for the girls before we lined up. Everything about the ceremony was so special. The children did an amazing job, I loved the music- especially Lance's solo, and communion was so special getting to watch everyone come down the aisle. We took a few pictures after the ceremony and then got on the trolley to head to the reception!

Once we arrived, Steve the planner took Charles and me back to a private room so we could enjoy our appetizers and champagne in peace. This was a special time together, but I was mostly anxious about my dress during our first dance! Once cocktail hour was over, we got introduced and had our first dance as husband and wife. Then, we made our way to our seats, listened to the blessing from Mr. Johnson, had a tequila shot with some friends, and made our way around our sides of the room to say hello to our guests. I really did not have much of an appetite because of nerves/adrenaline, but the food was delicious! Once we were wrapping up, my dad went up to give his speech. Of course there was no surprise that he did an amazing job reciting it all from memory! We shared our father/daughter dance (which he was so nervous about!!), watched Sassy and Charles dance, and then opened the dance floor for the party to get started! I loved our band and had the best time dancing my heart out. In fact, I never left the dance floor since people kept bringing us drinks the whole night! My favorite parts were bringing out the light up sticks, doing the limbo (and falling for the first time!), having fries come out as our late night snack, and everyone chanting "ONE MORE SONG!" at the end of the evening, which the band responded to with "All I Do is Win." Of course Charles and I got on stage to help out. After that, we had our sparkler exit and Bill and Erica drove us back to Hotel Indigo so we could change for 9D's Bar!!

Sarah picked us up and took us to 9D's. Much to my surprise, it was ONE IN ONE OUT, but I made sure people with the wedding cut the line. We had the absolute best time jamming out (with all the young college kids!) with our favorite people. Once we were finished there, we walked back to the hotel where Blake, Justin, Carl, Alex, and Lawson came up to our hospitality suite and hung out until 3 am!!! I cannot believe we made it that long but were on cloud nine the entire night. 

The next morning, we tried to sleep in a bit before packing up and heading to mom and dad's for our farewell brunch. It was so nice spending some last minute time with family before everyone headed out of town. From there, Charles and I reorganized our stuff and hit the road for Palmetto Bluff!! We wanted to relive the entire weekend over and over again because it truly was so special and fun. Being in the same room as all of your favorite people is the best feeling ever.

Minimoon recap coming next...