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Brooke Ralys Bursa

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September’s Book - “The Shampoo Effect” by Jenny Jackson Overall Rating - 3.48 Stars⭐️ “The Shampoo Effect” by Jenny Jackson follows Caroline Lash, who moves to the coastal town of Greenhead, Massachusetts, and falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a local guy surrounded by his lifelong circle of friends. But when Van’s ex-girlfriend, Bailey, discovers she’s pregnant with his baby, Caroline is pushed out of the group and left heartbroken. Fueled by anger and heartbreak, Caroline exposes the group’s secrets that turns the entire town upside down. We had mixed feelings about this one, as it somehow felt like so much happened while also nothing really happened at all. The book was entertaining, but it lacked the big buildup we were hoping for. We also found ourselves still confused about what ‘The Shampoo Effect’ actually is and how it ties into the overall story. While the characters’ complicated dynamics made for an enjoyable read, the plot left us wanting more. Overall, it was a fun, easy read, but one that left us a bit underwhelmed.
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August’s Book - “Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It” by Brooke Averick Overall Rating - 3.83 Stars⭐️ “Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It” by Brooke Averick is a funny and heartfelt look at anxiety, intimacy, and the pressure to have your life figured out by a certain age. At 29, pre-K teacher Phoebe has spent most of her life avoiding romantic intimacy, but after receiving a letter she wrote to her teenage self with one very specific goal for her 30th birthday, she decides to tackle it the only way she knows how: with a checklist. What follows is a messy, awkward, and surprisingly sweet journey as Phoebe tries to force herself out of her comfort zone and into the dating life she’s spent years avoiding. We loved watching Phoebe navigate anxiety, expectations, and the idea that there’s a “right” timeline for growing up, falling in love, and experiencing certain milestones. It’s a relatable look at the pressure we put on ourselves to be where we think we’re supposed to be—and what happens when we finally decide to do things on our own timeline.
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Amazing weekend out West celebrating the Sidons 🫶🏻
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July’s Book - “Yesteryear”by Caro Claire Burke Overall Rating - 4.08 Stars⭐️ Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke is a dark, addictive blend of satire, suspense, and psychological drama that dives headfirst into influencer culture, tradwife content, and the dangerous pursuit of perfection. It explores ambition, identity, motherhood, and the blurry line between what’s real and what’s performed, all while keeping you guessing until the very end. This one gave Ballerina Farm x Ruby Franke with Don’t Worry Darling vibes mixed in. Natalie is one of those deeply flawed characters you’ll love to hate, and every twist had us questioning what was actually happening. It made for such a great discussion, and we can’t wait for the movie adaptation starring Anne Hathaway!
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lifeblood (pt. 2) i love love and i freaking love my friends
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June’s Book - “Park Avenue” by Renèe Ahdieh Overall Rating - 4.1 Stars⭐️ “Park Avenue” by Renée Ahdieh is a captivating story packed with high-stakes drama, intense romance, and the glamorous yet dangerous reality of navigating an elite world. It blends rich atmosphere with sharp wit, complex relationship dynamics, and the ultimate question of what you’re willing to sacrifice to get what you want. This was our very first time reading Renée Ahdieh, and we all absolutely loved it. It was giving major Crazy Rich Asians energy, and getting lost in the drama of the ultra-wealthy lifestyle was so much fun. A fast-paced, addictive read that honestly needs to be adapted into a movie immediately because the visuals would be stunning. Highly recommend this one. Next book club retreat on the yacht?! 🥂🛥️
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May’s Book - “Cleopatra” by Saara El-Arifi Overall Rating - 3.22 Stars ⭐️ Saara El-Arifi’s “Cleopatra” reimagines the life of Egypt’s last pharaoh through her own voice, blending history, mythology, and fantasy. Set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt’s struggle against the growing power of Rome, the novel explores Cleopatra’s rise to the throne, political alliances, and fight to shape her own legacy. More than a tale of romance and power, it’s a portrait of a ruler determined to be remembered on her own terms. It took a while for most of us to get into this one, but we ended up really appreciating the rich historical details and Cleopatra’s fascinating place in history. Overall it was a hit with the group… except for @lindseyymagee , who absolutely hated it hahahahahha
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April’s Book - “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi Overall Rating - 3.05 Stars ⭐️ “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi — a quiet, character-driven story centered around Theo, a man who purchases portraits of strangers from a local café and returns them to the people they belong to. Each interaction unfolds into something deeper—grief, healing, and connection. Not a fast-paced read, but one that leaves you thinking. We really wanted to love this one given all the hype, but it didn’t fully live up to our expectations.
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March’s Book - “Dear Debbie” by Freida McFadden Overall Rating - 4.1 Stars⭐️ Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden pulls you into Debbie’s seemingly normal life—until small cracks start to show and nothing feels quite right. What begins as an everyday story quickly turns darker as secrets from her past and present start to collide, revealing hidden connections and shifting perspectives. The tension builds steadily, and just when you think you understand what’s going on, another twist flips everything, making you question who can actually be trusted. It’s classic Freida McFadden—fast-paced, addictive, and full of jaw-dropping twists. With short chapters, unreliable characters, and constant cliffhangers, it’s an easy binge that keeps you guessing until the very end. Safe to say this one had everyone talking (and slightly shook)—a solid pick if you love a quick, twisty thriller.
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February’s Book - “Next to Heaven” by James Frey Overall Rating - 3.92 Stars⭐️ “Next to Heaven” by James Frey take places in the ultra-wealthy Connecticut town of New Bethlehem. The story follows a group of rich, bored couples whose lives revolve around status, money, social power, and swinging??😯  As secrets, jealousy, and reckless behavior begins to escalate, it leads to a shocking murder that exposes just how much everyone in this town is hiding behind their seemingly perfect lives.  Overall, we really enjoyed this book and think it would make a great tv show. With so many characters, and each of them having a very detailed storyline, it left a lot for us to discuss. However, we felt as though it was maybe missing a little bit of that WOW factor by the end.
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January’s Book - “Good Grief” by Sara Goodman Confino Overall Rating - 3.38 Stars⭐️ “Good Grief” by Sara Goodman Confino follows a young widow navigating loss, unexpected friendships, and the very chaotic reality of starting over. It blends grief with humor, family dynamics, and the question of who you are when your whole life flips upside down. We really wanted to love this one. After “Don’t Forget to Write,” our expectations were HIGH… and this just didn’t hit the same. Some sweet moments, but overall it fell flatter than we expected and didn’t pack the emotional punch we were ready for. Not terrible. Just not that girl 💅📚 If you’ve read it, did it work for you or were you also underwhelmed?? ⬇️
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⭐️Best of 2025 - We’re Booked Club Edition⭐️ Looking back on the 12 books we read this year, take a peak at our favorites! Which one was your favorite? And what should we read in 2026?!?
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