I Have a Good Excuse! This Was For Book Club: You Can Thank Me Later

Author: Kelly Harms 

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Title: You Can Thank Me Later

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 31st 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.

Review:

*awkward laugh* I picked this for Book Club for our re-read time (we each pick a book we have personally read and we want the others to read). How could I not pick this gem? It's perfect for November!!!!!!

I've lost count of the times I've listened to this *ignores Goodreads telling me the number* and I still can't get enough. This story touches a part of my soul that I can't express. I still cry and laugh and cheer at the right moments.

Our main, Sophie, is a brat but I love her. I can understand her a bit. I can sympathize and empathize with her. It's hard losing a friend (been there, done that). 

The character growth of all the characters are wonderful. Sure there is some cheese (especially near the end) but I love every.single.second. 

5 stars of course. 

Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #52

TMST: Go-To Comfort Reads

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/17/24: Do you have a go-to comfort book/read?

There are soooo many books that I consider a go-to especially after the last few years. I'm so happy my list is getting so big.

LOTR for sure. 

Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig.

The Others by Anne Bishop.

Both 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen. 

Also, it's becoming a yearly tradition is 'You Can Thank Me Later'. 

Best of the Year!

Welcome to the BC Awards!!! We will be showcasing our favorites from the year!

Best Movie:

Blodeuedd's pick......Nimona (2023)

Carole's pick.......Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour (2023)

Best Show:

Carole's top 3 (no order).....

The Rookie

Queen Charlotte

Reservation Dogs

Blodeuedd's top 3 (no order).....

Hilda

The Rookie

What We Do in the Shadows

Best Book Cover:

Blodeuedd's pick.....

Carole's pick......

Best Audiobook:

Blodeuedd's pick...........Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

Carole's pick........Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Best Book (ebook, paperback, hardcover): 

Carole's pick......The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion

Blodeuedd's pick........The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths

Best Re-read: 

Blodeuedd's pick......Heartstrikers series by Rachel Aaron

Carole's pick........The Empress of Rome series by Kate Quinn

Notable Mentions: 

Carole's pick......You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

Blodeuedd's pick......The Others series by Anne Bishop

And that is the end of the BC Awards. I am excited to see what 2024 has in store for us!!

Is This Becoming a Tradition? Audiobook Review: You Can Thank Me Later

Author: Kelly Harms 

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Title: You Can Thank Me Later

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Fiction, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 31st 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.

Review:

Okay, okay. I can't get enough of this story. This is my 4th time listening to this audio. It is perfect for Turkey Day!!

I'll keep this short since ya'lls know how much I adore this story.

This has it all. Feels, laughs, and meaning. 

I could rant and rave about how much I love this story. I would kill for a movie of it and/or a sequel! WE NEED ANOTHER ONE!

5 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #51 for Audiobook challenge

3rd Time is a Charm: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

Author: Kelly Harms 

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Title: You Can Thank Me Later

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Fiction, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 31st 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.

Review:

Couldn't resist listening to this again while setting up my house with Thanksgiving and Fall decor since I'm hosting Turkey Day this year. This was the perfect listen while doing that. Plus...I'm fully addicted to this and it is perfect. 

This has everything you need....humor...tears....a meaning....family....friends....lessons...and love.

This really hits my heart hard and I feel like I can listen to this a million times. I still really want a book 2. I feel like there is more to their stories!!! 

5 stars!

Challenge(s):
- #51 for Audiobook challenge

Best of October

Happy November everyone!!!! 

Here are our best of October

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick..........The Silence of the girls by Pat Barker

"Best book goes to this one because how well written and just how gut wrenching it was in the end"

Carole's pick.......You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

"Best book HAS to go to this one. It is my second time listening to it and I love it so much. So good."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole's pick.....Halloweentown (1998)

"Didn't watch a lot of movies this month BUT I did watch this one twice. So cute. So cheesy. It made me miss my youth!"

Blodeuedd did not have a pick for this month.

"And as always I can not remember any movies, I have watched a LOT of cheesy hallmark ones on netflix."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick...........The Duchess (Season 1)

   

"I watched this tv series, it was messed up at times, but good"

Carole's pick........The Great (Season 1) & The Masked Singer (Season 4)

  

"Picking two this month. Finished 'The Great' and I loved it. Where the heck is season 2???? I also picked 'The Masked Singer". I love this show and after a rocky beginning with a person just unmasking themselves, it has turned around. Loving the music and the costumes!"




Best Cover of the Month:

Bloduedd's pick

"Best cover goes to this one, xmassy 🙂"

Carole's pick 

"Such a beautiful dress and all those soft colors? Yes. I pick this one."

2nd Listen: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

Author: Kelly Harms 

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Title: You Can Thank Me Later

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Fiction, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published:  October 31st 2019

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.

Review:

Just like pie...I had a hankering and decided to treat myself and relisten to this! I loved it last year!

The story follows Sophie and her clan. Sophie is a professional chef and she loves to feed her large family. Pete and Charlie are her older brothers. Pete is expecting his first baby. Charlie is married to Annette who was Sophie's friend first. Things happen and we find out Annette is diagnosed with cancer. This Thanksgiving will be her last. When Annette passes, Sophie is left to look after Charlie and help him through the grieving process. A couple of years pass and it is Thanksgiving time again and Charlie surprises everyone by bringing a date.

Again I was a hot mess. I cried a couple of times like I did before. I can relate to Sophie a lot and I hope that if I pass my sister-"in-law" (BF and I are not married) would miss me just as much since I was her friend first before BF and I started dating. But like Annette...I want them all to move on and be happy. However........I can see how Sophie had such a hard time. Ugh! SO sad!

Don't worry it is not all doom and gloom and buckets of tears. This is FUNNY. Especially when Sophie is wielding a wine bottle! Ooo! So funny. 

I am so glad I re-listened to it. I think a part of me liked it even more than last year (even though I gave it a 5 then too)! 

The narrator is funny and fantasic. 

I still want moreeeee from this family and Sophie!

Overall...5 stars...duh ;) 100% recommend!!

Challenge(s):
- #46 for Audiobook Challenge

Best of November 2019

Happy December! 2019 is coming to a close soon. I am in awe. 

Here are our favorites for last month. 

Best Movie of the Month (or show):

First, Blodeuedd's favorite...........Carnival Row

"I will do best tv series this month again and the honor goes to Carnival Row. Srsly you gys, watch it"

Now, Carole's favorite.........Us (2019)

"So good. Scary, creepy, and makes you think and talk. Worth it."

Best Book of the Month:

First, Carole's favorite.........You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

"I had three that really could have gotten this trophy. However, I'll have to pick this one.This had everything you could need and want. I cried, laughed, got mad, and it made me think. Super good! You can thank me after you read this."

Next is Blodeuedd's favorite............Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop

"It was a hard one this month, I am still not sure that this was the best one. I really liked the two by Seanan McGuire too. But I will close this Fall of Bishop with another best book of the month."

Best Cover of the Month:

Carole's favorite

Blodeuedd's favorite