*This 4 Books to Look Forward to For Spring 2019 Edition themed article includes Amazon Affiliate links. If clicked for purchasing, I will make a small commission off these purchases.
Having recently shared my Currently reads for February 2019, I thought today I would elaborate to give my reviews. I mean it has been a little over a month since I updated with my recent Goodreads reviews here.
I am still going strong with my Goodreads Challenge having read nine books so far this current year. So what better time than now that I give my take on the books I read since the last time I rated my reads.
So scroll to read my book reviews for this past month.
4 Books to Look Forward to For Spring 2019
1. When Life Gives You Lululemons, by Lauren Weisberger
As a past fan of The Devil Wears Prada by Weisberger I couldn’t resist when this one became available at my public library on audiobooks. See The Devil Wears Prada was one of those books that stayed with me long after I initially read it. Not going to lie back then, I was one of those who thought the character of Emily Charlton was just a world-class b*tch. But still couldn’t get enough of her.
So the fact that this novel gave us more Emily was a huge bonus for me. Add to it the backstory of her longtime friendship with Miriam, as well as their shared connection of former model, turned senator’s wife, Karolina Hartwell and I was more than mildly intrigued. Oh and the story taking place a stone’s throw away from NYC in Greenwich, CT added another layer to this already complicated, but deliciously fun tale.
The story centers around Emily. See she is no longer Miranda’s right-hand woman. But now, she is a PR queen for LA’s most beautiful. But it seems that another, younger girl is horning in on her clients. So, she has recently suffered from losing some of her A-List clients. After one particularly lousy firing, she flees to Greenwich and seeks solace from Miriam.
It is during this time that Karolina has just recently been arrested and framed for drunk driving by her not so wonderful senator husband. So, Karolina needs Emily’s help to get to the bottom of what happened here. Miriam is also struggling to acclimate to her new life in Greenwich after having quit her high powered job as an attorney in NYC.
Plus, three ladies need each other’s friendship more than they ever could have imagined. Definitely would say this book is a fun and easy read that can be enjoyed anywhere pretty much.
My Good Reads Spring 2019 Books Rating: 



2. Next Year In Havana, by Chanel Cleeton
Marisol Ferrera is still reeling over the recent loss of her beloved grandmother, Elisa Perez. In trying to get over this loss, she takes her grandmother’s ashes from her home of Miami back to her grandmother’s original home of Cuba.
See Elisa was born and raised in Cuba. Back in 1958, she emigrated to Miami, Florida when Fidel Castro overturned the government and took control. But before this happened, Elisa and her family were part of the elite in Cuban society. But this young 19-year-old girl ends up falling in love with one of the men helping with the revolution to get rid of Battista by Castro. This romance is one that would be forbidden by her family. So, she hides it from them. But then, the Cuban government does get overthrown, leaving the country in complete disarray. Elisa and her family end up fleeing the only country the knew behind.
Flash forward to present day when Marisol lands in Cuba, she is unaware of her grandmother’s past love affair with this aforementioned revolutionary. But she ends up unearthing letters that her grandmother had that he wrote to her. Slowly but surely she begins to piece together what happened back then. But not without, putting herself in danger with the Cuban government. Plus, she ends up finding romance in the least expected place, as well.
So, this novel is fraught with history, intrigue, danger, and romance, too. The earlier portion of the book was a bit slow going. But as the story was unfolding, I could see what many others raved about this one.
My Good Reads Spring 2019 Books Rating: 



3. Class Mom, by Laurie Gelman
Having been a class mom myself for both my daughters in the past, I knew I needed to read this book when I first heard about it. Finally, I got a copy from my local library.
If you have been a class mom or ever contemplated it, then I’d say this book is for you. See Jen Dixon is indeed class mom for her youngest son’s kindergarten class. What can I say, but some of this book might’ve seemed over the top for some. But again as a former class mom, I related on more levels than one. Plus, Jen’s emails seriously were the best. She says things that a class mom only wishes she could.
While I wouldn’t say the overall novel wasn’t earth-shattering, I’d still very much highly recommend for moms with elementary school aged kids, class moms and former class moms. Trust me, there is something in this book for any and all of the aforementioned groups.
My Good Reads Spring 2019 Books Rating: 



4. This is How It Always Is, by Laurie Frankel
So, I kept hearing about this book from others who had read it. Plus, it was a part of Reese’s Book Club Book. Therefore, I wanted to read it and patiently waited for a copy at my local library to become available.
The story of Rosie and Penn begins from the inception of their meeting and how they indeed got together. It was pretty much love at first sight for these two. They start a family. After having five boys, they try one last time for a girl. They end up having a boy and name him Claude. But by the time Claude is 5 years old, he wants to wear dresses, become a princess and renames himself, Poppy.
How Claude deals with his transition to becoming Poppy, as well as his family’s gradual acceptance is uplifting. They even move across the country to help Poppy further feel at ease with his transformation and decision. But with this comes keeping Poppy’s secret that she once was indeed Claude. While all seems OK on the surface, it most certainly isn’t. Because with this secret comes the fact that eventuality that one day it won’t be a secret any longer. And when that day does indeed come, watch out for the massive fallout for all, including Poppy/Claude.
While the overall topic of transgender for young kids was thought-provoking and dealt with realistically, the book itself seemed to drag and the whole third part I felt could have been shortened at the very least. That said, I recommend it for the timely and open discussion of children with transgender. But beware that some parts are indeed a bit on the slower side.
My Good Reads Spring 2019 Books Rating: 




Well, that wraps up my books read since last time out. I hope out of the 4 Books to Look Forward to For Spring 2019 that I have given some great reading suggestions. Stay tuned for more books reviews soon!
WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW?
TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…
Meredith Spidel says
Class Mom is on my bedside table because of your recommendation! And This is How it Always Is is my all-time favorite book–AMAZING.
Janine says
Yay and guarantee that Class Mom won’t disappoint!! 🙂
Dara says
I thought Class Mom was so funny. And Next Year in Havana is on my list!
Janine says
Same here with Class Mom and highly recommend Next Year in Havana, too!
William Holland says
Sadly I’m still not reading. Not sure how long this is going to last, but thanks for the recommendations. I hope your Thursday is all you want it to be. Have a great day, Janine!
Janine says
Aw, hope you get to reading again soon and also hope you had a fabulous Thursday so far, Bill 🙂
Jen says
Wow these all sound really good! Sometimes I will maybe like one book on people’s lists, but I like all of these. Thank you for sharing!
Janine says
So happy to share and hope you can check out a few of these books, too soon now 🙂
Tamara says
That’s interesting about the Poppy/Claude thing! And super timely.
Also I love Lauren Weisberger so it’s nice to see a new one!
Janine says
I agree with Poppy/Claude being very timely. As for Lauren Weisberger was high time for a new one from here indeed 🙂
Cynthia says
I love, love your book selections here. I really want to read next year in Havana. The whole story of what has happened in Cuba in the last 100 years is fascinating. That book, “This is how it always is” sounds intriguing, too. 5 boys! Lawd, that poor woman. I think it’s so sweet, and cute that she gets another boy, but has the tenderness of a girl. I think books like that pave the way for greater understanding. 🙂
Sending you hugs and wishes for a wonderful week.
-C
Janine says
Aw, I think both books you mentioned here you would most definitely enjoy. That said hope you can indeed try to read them soon. Hugs and Happy Monday once again, my friend xoxo <3
Katherines Corner says
I need to make time to read…..I don’t have anything on my current reading list and I think the last book I read was the Buddha Made Me Do It ( written by a dear friend). I was a class mom too. Which at times was challenging. I worked from 4 am to 1:30 pm then I would rush to the school and do whatever was needed. I even taught a few art classes. I am happy to know you are a Class Mom and I bet the book paralleled many Mother’s experience with plenty of laughter. xo
Janine says
Loved learning you were a class mom in the past and taught art classes, too!! Truly awesome and thanks my friend for sharing with me here xoxo