This was disturbing and yet so wickedly fun! Jane was the classic unreliable narrator with a dash of narcissist and a splash of sociopath thrown in foThis was disturbing and yet so wickedly fun! Jane was the classic unreliable narrator with a dash of narcissist and a splash of sociopath thrown in for our reading pleasure. In other words - it was a wildly entertaining read!
Jane Harris is the kind of character you love to hate. She thinks, does & says the unthinkable and yet you just can't get enough of her. With each shake of my head, I found myself drawn in, furiously turning the pages to see what she'd do next.
I think having Jane speak to us directly was brilliant and oh so entertaining. I felt like such a gossip while I devoured every word. I'll be honest and say that while the book had some twists, there wasn't anything that I didn't see coming. Jane is definitely what made the book for me. I actually found myself both rolling my eyes and laughing out loud at times. In short - read this book, meet Jane & thank me later! 😉...more
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this contemporary romantic comedy with a whole lot of heart ❤️!
This book completely stole my heart - or I guess I should say that Hen5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this contemporary romantic comedy with a whole lot of heart ❤️!
This book completely stole my heart - or I guess I should say that Henry & Alex stole my heart. Yet, that feels incomplete somehow. Yes, it was a love story between the Prince of Wales and the First Son of the United States (fairytale romance anyone!) and their love story was full of swoon worthy, heart melting moments and amazing banter making it absolutely captivating but, honestly Casey McQuiston did such an amazing job with the diverse side characters in this book that it's impossible not to fall in love with everyone.
Watching Alex and Henry come to terms with their feelings for each other was just so satisfying. The emails, texts and quotes shared back and forth between them was like a bearing of their souls. It felt intimate to read, makes you feel connected to each character and undoubtedly invested in their relationship.
This book made me laugh out loud (the humor & banter was perfection!), feel heartbreak (the emotions were so intense!) and left me feeling hopeful and content (although I was sad to see it end).
This is one book you MUST place on your TBR - go place that library hold or better yet order it now! Your heart will be swooning and gushing for days (and every time you think of it thereafter!)...more
Blake Crouch has done it again!!! Recursion was fascinating, confusing and brilliant!
Dark Matter is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time so I wBlake Crouch has done it again!!! Recursion was fascinating, confusing and brilliant!
Dark Matter is one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time so I was almost scared to delve into Recursion - nervous it wouldn't live up to my expectations for Crouch. This book was ambitious. Thankfully, I had nothing to fear. Mr. Crouch's brilliant mind hasn't failed us yet.
Recursion deals with memory - preserving memory, and using it to shift our reality. What a roller coaster ride this was. Can you imagine going back into a specific memory with all the knowledge you have now? What would you change or do differently if given the opportunity for a "do over"?
Barry Sutton is a NYPD Detective who answers a "jumper" call. As he attempts to talk her down from the ledge he learns she is suffering from False Memory Syndrome - vivid memories of an alternate life. These memories feel real and those suffering from FMS have difficulty reconciling the dual memories/lives.
Meanwhile, neuroscientist Helena Smith has devoted her life to memory research. She wants to map memories to preserve them. Her greatest hope is to help people with Alzheimers, Dementia and brain injuries. Ultimately she uncovers more than just a way to map memories. Her research leads to the discovery that causes FMS. Helena and her researchers travel back into past memories. This leads to changes which cause dual timeline memories for everyone involved.
Barry and Helena's stories intersect as they find themselves face to face with the darker implications of the research. Each change comes with a cost. As more and more people suffer from FMS, mass hysteria builds. Are our minds strong enough to handle dual realities? Can multiple timeline memories coexist in the same person? Can the world handle this type of technology?
Recursion certainly made me think and question everything I know about reality. I couldn't help but wonder about those moments of deja vu we all experience. What if there was more to them? Ultimately our memories make up who we are. They are definitely powerful and I love how Crouch explored this topic. It was thought provoking, emotional and made for fascinating reading.
A huge thank you to Blake Crouch, Crown Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read & review an arc of this book....more
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 A string of grisly murders on Long Island, a serial killer and a BAU profiler with doubts that her father might be the killer - I was 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 A string of grisly murders on Long Island, a serial killer and a BAU profiler with doubts that her father might be the killer - I was ALL IN for this book.I mean, it sounds like it could be an episode of my fave show Criminal Minds. How could I not read it?This book totally lived up to my expectations! If you enjoy mystery thrillers pick this one up - it will not disappoint.
The book was twisty, tension filled and mysterious, the writing was excellent and the main character was a strong, courageous bad a-- female! Nell Flynn hasn't seen her father in 10 years when she is forced to return home following his death. Nell's shaky relationship with her father is about to get even rockier as she is pulled in to a local investigation of a young undocumented latina sex worker that is suspected to be the work of a serial killer. Nell quickly realizes that her old hometown might be harboring deadly secrets and there are few, if any, people she can trust - including her own father.
Girls Like Us kept me on the edge of my seat, furiously turning the pages. I loved that there were so many strong females in positions of power who weren't afraid to do what had to be done in the face of men who were trying to keep them subservient. I also appreciated that these women were duty bound and determined to uncover what happened to these young women and saw them as "girls like us" despite the hometown boy consensus that these undocumented, latina sex workers were "less than" and not worthy of a full blown, intensive investigation. Nell and her FBI crew were definitely the kind of people you want to see in law enforcement and I'm hoping we might see more of them in the future. Hint, hint Cristina Alger! 😉
Huge thank you to Cristina Alger, Putnam Books and Edelweiss for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. Obviously, I loved it! 🥰 ...more
Mary Beth Keane's novel, Ask Again, Yes is ultimately about family, love, mistakes, forgiveness and being able to move forward in life, to move past tMary Beth Keane's novel, Ask Again, Yes is ultimately about family, love, mistakes, forgiveness and being able to move forward in life, to move past tragedy and embrace our lives - both the good and bad moments.
This is definitely not my typical type of read but I'm so glad I gave it a try. The Gleesons and the Stanhopes fully captured me. I easily found myself invested in these people as I followed their family histories through time.
Brian Stanhope and Francis Gleeson are rookie cops who meet at the academy and are then assigned to the same precinct. Years later they find themselves living next to each other, their children becoming friends and the families forever intertwined.
This is also a story that sheds light on some of the darker aspects of family life - alcoholism, mental illness, abuse and infidelity.
On a night when young Peter Stanhope and Kate Gleeson sneak out to be together, tragedy strikes causing a huge rift between the two families. The two teenagers are ripped apart from each other despite their love for each other. Can their love survive distance, time and familial obligation?
I loved Kate and Peter so much! I was fully invested in their story and how it evolved over time. Though this was a slow moving novel (which I'm typically not a huge fan of), I found myself coming back to it every chance I got. The characters were well fleshed out and Keane wrote about mental illness with sensitivity. What I enjoyed most was that the relationships were not fluffy and easy - they were messy, complicated and deeply moving. This thought provoking book is one that should not be missed!
Thank you to Mary Beth Keane, Scribner and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book!...more
At the age of 25, Libby learns she has inherited a house. Not just any house, but a mansion in Chelse3 Creepy, Disturbing and Left Me Off-Kilter Stars
At the age of 25, Libby learns she has inherited a house. Not just any house, but a mansion in Chelsea that is worth millions. The house has been vacant for the past 24 years, ever since her parents killed themselves and left her to be found. The police were never able to piece together exactly what happened in the house or what happened to the other people, including her siblings, rumored to have also been living in the house.
Told via multiple, alternating narratives, the mystery unfolds to reveal Libby's tragic family history. I enjoyed the different perspectives, told in quick, alternating chapters. Though I must admit I was thrown at times and had to take a moment to figure out which time period I was reading about - past or present.
The vibe of the book was creepy and sinister which I always appreciate but I found most of the characters to be unlikeable and none of the twists surprised me which unfortunately kept this one from being a higher rating for me. I enjoyed it. I just didn't love it.
Thanks to Lisa Jewell, Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
So this one was (maybe) a 3.5 ⭐️ read for me. It took me almost 2 weeks to finish this 500+ page family saga. If I'm to be honest I found myself boredSo this one was (maybe) a 3.5 ⭐️ read for me. It took me almost 2 weeks to finish this 500+ page family saga. If I'm to be honest I found myself bored at times and absolutely enthralled at others. There were times when I put the book down and read another book in its entirety before picking this one back up. Yet, I felt compelled to see it through and finish. I could see glimpses of myself in Marilyn and that was one of the main reasons why I continued turning the pages.
The Sorenson family was messy, full of both heartache and triumph and quite relatable in their interactions. If family drama is your thing - this one will pull you right in....more
I was really expecting to LOVE this book. It had everything you'd want in a contemporary romance - romance, humor and emotion - so much emotion! This I was really expecting to LOVE this book. It had everything you'd want in a contemporary romance - romance, humor and emotion - so much emotion! This isn't your typical light-hearted romance. It deals with the issue of infertility and all the feelings of sadness and inadequacy that plague so many women who are not able to conceive naturally. I was all in - from the first page right up until that ending! Wham, you broke me with that ending Abby Jimenez and not in a good way. I just can't see the reason behind it. It felt like too much. I won't spoil things for those of you who haven't read it by being specific.
What really got me was that this was absolutely a solid read for me until that ending. I didn't agree with it and it took some of the enjoyment out of the book for me. I have to be honest and say that I'm a sucker for heartbreak and emotion, just not when it seems to be done for a big wow factor or at the expense of other characters just to have some supposed life-altering impact on the main character. It just didn't sit well with me and truthfully undid most of the feeling behind the book for me.
So 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because I did enjoy most of the book but that ending - I'd give it 1 star if I could judge it on it's own. 😢...more
The Kiss Quotient was heartwarming, charming and quite steamy!
Stella Lane was completely endearing. She is smart, driven and living with high-functioThe Kiss Quotient was heartwarming, charming and quite steamy!
Stella Lane was completely endearing. She is smart, driven and living with high-functioning Aspergers. She also has relationship and intimacy issues. How does one overcome those? With a master teacher of course. Enter Michael Phan. He is suave, sexually experienced and a male escort. Sound familiar? It definitely had a flipped Pretty Woman vibe and you know what - it totally worked!
Amidst their "lessons", Stella and Michael discover there is much more to each other than meets the eye. They were just so cute together. Michael so patient, understanding and caring of Stella's need. In turn, Stella truly seeing him for who he is - encouraging him and accepting him. Is that a bit idealistic? Yes, it is but this is a romance novel. Isn't that part of its appeal. I easily got lost in their romance and found myself rooting for them to have their happily ever after. 🥰
Helen Hoang has firmly rooted herself as a must read author for me. We are 2 for 2 with her novels and I am beyond excited as I anticipate book #3 with one of my FAVORITE & swoon-worthy side characters! Write quickly Ms. Hoang - your readers are anxiously awaiting more steamy, romantic goodness!!!!...more
4 Stars for Michael Robotham's Good Girl, Bad Girl - a complex, character-driven mystery with heart!
One dead teenage girl, another with no past a4 Stars for Michael Robotham's Good Girl, Bad Girl - a complex, character-driven mystery with heart!
One dead teenage girl, another with no past and one psychologist trying to uncover the truth.
Cyrus Haven is a psychologist with a troubled past. His demons are definitely simmering beneath the surface and made him a fascinating character. Cyrus is called in to offer his expertise on two different cases. A fellow doctor reaches out for help with a particularly troublesome patient - Evie/Angel Face. Evie was found hiding in an abandoned house with her captor's decomposing dead body. Even years later, she refuses to open up and give any details about herself or her past. Her real name, age, etc are all unknown. Can Cyrus reach her and get her to finally open up?
Case #2 involves Cyrus consulting with the police on the suspicious death of a teenage figure skater. How did this Golden Girl and Olympic hopeful end up dead and hastily buried under branches and leaves in a trail?
Fellow readers, this is definitely one to add to your "Must Read/Do Not Miss" category! Both cases are filled with secrets, twists & turns and lots of emotion. I loved Evie and Cyrus' rapport and watching it develop. There is definitely more to be explored here and I have my fingers crossed that this is the start of a series. I'd certainly look forward to more of Evie and Cyrus!
Thank you to Michael Robotham, Scribner and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this thriller!...more
Can I just say - if you are NOT reading this series yet, YOU SHOULD BE! It's a MUST READ!
Let's play a game. It's a twisty one involving revenge, murdeCan I just say - if you are NOT reading this series yet, YOU SHOULD BE! It's a MUST READ!
Let's play a game. It's a twisty one involving revenge, murder and family strife. Are you up for it? Kim Stone and her team certainly were!
In this 11th installment of one of my absolutely favorite series, Kim and her team find themselves one step behind a gruesome killer whose hunting ground seems to be child prodigies and the people who work closely with them.
The investigation takes them deep into the darker side of life for gifted children - the unyielding pressure to be the best and stay on top, bitter rivalry and resentment between siblings and eventually growing up and dealing with the fact that you are not the star of the show anymore. The storyline was intriguing and made me think about all those children you see totted on television and youtube with special talent. What happens to them after they grow up and their special talent isn't as exciting anymore now that they are no longer children? It was riveting to explore this along with Kim and her team. Marsons is a star at writing new and compelling cases for each book!
Of course, all the banter and team love was as ever present here. It's what I have come to love most about this series. We even got a new character, Tiffany/Tinks added to the team when Penn had to return to his old stomping grounds for a case. Her bright and bubbly personality was quite the clash with Kim and it was great to watch how the members of the team reacted to her.
I sped through this book in one night because as usual, when I enter the world of Kim Stone there's no coming up for air until the case has been solved. Thank you Angela Marsons for doing what you do best! This was another well written, thoroughly researched, twisty plot. It can be read as a standalone but honestly - do yourself a favor and read them all. They don't disappoint!
Huge thank you to Angela Marsons, Bookouture & Netgalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I simply couldn't wait until it's official release day - July 11, 2019! Now, I impatiently have to wait for book #12....more
🥰 The Bride Test is a sexy and sweet romance story with substance. 💖
Khai Diep is handsome, successful and autistic. He doesn't feel things like other🥰 The Bride Test is a sexy and sweet romance story with substance. 💖
Khai Diep is handsome, successful and autistic. He doesn't feel things like others and believes he is incapable of the emotion required for love. Khai's mother wants nothing more than to see her son married, even if it means going to Vietnam and finding his future bride herself!
Esme (My) is a hardworking, single mother who only wants to provide the best for her family. At her mother's urging, she accepts the offer to spend the summer in California with the intention of seducing Khai into marrying her.
Oh, how I loved the unfolding romance between Khai and Esme! I found myself smitten by them and was solidly rooting for them as a couple. Yes, I am not at all embarrassed to admit I am firmly #TeamKhaiandEsme! Hoang does such an amazing job of fleshing out her characters. They are flawed, genuine and each undergoing an emotional journey. I was genuinely invested in these characters and their story. I found myself desperately wanting Khai to realize that he is so much more than this autism. I was rooting for Esme to find her way, feel proud of who she is and see all she can become. And I may have become a tad smitten with Quan, Khai's older brother. I'm hoping we see more of him in a future story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and then I read the author's note at the end. It added even more depth for me to the overall emotion of the story. Don't skip it! As I wait for Quan's story to hopefully come to life - I'll be going back to read The Kiss Quotient. I might be one of the few people that hasn't read it but I plan to remedy that soon Helen Hoang! 😉...more
It's 1979 and there's an auto-erotic serial killer on the loose. The Thief lives for the "rush" "Some choose darkness, others are chosen by it."
It's 1979 and there's an auto-erotic serial killer on the loose. The Thief lives for the "rush" he gets from strangling his victims to death. He has managed to keep this part of him a secret from those closest to him... until now.
Forty years later, The Thief is up for parole. When his attorney dies unexpectedly the burden of his defense falls on Rory Moore, a silent/unofficial partner in her father's law firm who is also a forensic reconstructionist. Once involved in the case she quickly uncovers that her father had secrets, secrets he never wanted her to discover.
Although the story wasn't surprising, it was definitely dark and disturbing. I was fully engrossed by the main characters. I loved the two strong women who were the focus of the duel timelines - Rory and Angela. They were such complex characters. Donlea did an amazing job of developing them and writing about how autism has been viewed over time. It was so interesting to see how differently these women were treated over the span of 40 years.
This was my first Charlie Donlea book but it certainly won't be my last. I'm also hoping we get to see Rory in future books. She is definitely a character I would happily follow in a series.Special thanks to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books and Netgalley for an arc of this book to read and review....more
A modern day, female Lord of the Flies - count me in!
I must confess that I bought this book solely based on the cover! Isn’t it gorgeous? Well, it turA modern day, female Lord of the Flies - count me in!
I must confess that I bought this book solely based on the cover! Isn’t it gorgeous? Well, it turned out the story within the beautiful outer wrapping was everything I hoped for which is even better!
Rory Power did an amazing job of building this world within a world. Essentially the story is about 3 friends (Hetty, Reese and Byatt) attending the Raxter School for Girls when the school is hit with sudden, unexplained illness requiring quarantine. Soon the girls find themselves cut off from the rest of the world with very little supplies, struggling to survive their illness and fighting for their lives on an island being torn apart by the “Tox”.
I have seen reviews where readers have had issues with the book’s lack of answers and while I understand their point of view, this aspect actually worked for me. In my mind, I was as blind as the 3 main characters and uncovered bits and pieces with them. Seeing things from their POV made the story all the more interesting for me. We don’t have all the answers because they don’t either.
I adored these girls - each with their own personality, secrets and backstory. They were strong, determined, loyal and fierce. Definitely the kind of girls I’d want in my corner if the world was falling apart around me!
I hope this was a start of a series. The ending leaves further books a possibility and I’d love to see where it’s all headed. So keep writing Hetty, Reese and Byatt’s story Rory Power - I’ll definitely be following along on their journey....more
All I can say is - WOW! Layne Fargo absolutely entranced me with her seductive yet dark writing. I found myself in a constant state of foreboding whilAll I can say is - WOW! Layne Fargo absolutely entranced me with her seductive yet dark writing. I found myself in a constant state of foreboding while reading this book, yet I could not stop turning the pages - anxious for more.
I will not give anything away. I urge you not to even read the synopsis. When I picked this book up, I had forgotten what it was even about and it turned out to be the best thing. Go in blindly and savor every morsel. If you enjoy dark psychological thrillers - grab this one. You won’t regret it!...more
What a CRAZY, frantic, page-turning ride! Michele Campbell hooks you from page 1 and never lets go!
Caroline Stark seems to have it all - a gorgeous What a CRAZY, frantic, page-turning ride! Michele Campbell hooks you from page 1 and never lets go!
Caroline Stark seems to have it all - a gorgeous new beach house, a successful husband and a daughter headed to college. Now it's finally time to focus on herself and revive her career. What better way than to throw a lavish party and re-announce yourself to the world - bigger, bolder and ready for the future?
Unfortunately, Caroline's perfect life is far from perfect. In fact, the shiny surface is riddled with cracks and they get wider with every turn of the page!
I refuse to give away too much here. This is the perfect book to just jump right into and enjoy the ride. You are in for one juicy, spine tingling, creepy filled treat with this one!
Thank you to Michele Campbell, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this thriller....more
3.5 stars (rounded up) for Elly Griffiths' modern gothic mystery, The Stranger Diaries
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in Gothic write3.5 stars (rounded up) for Elly Griffiths' modern gothic mystery, The Stranger Diaries
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in Gothic writer R.M. Holland and his short story, The Stranger. Clare is working on a book based on the mysterious life of R.M. Holland, who once lived in the school where she now works.
One evening one of Clare's closest friends and colleagues, Ella, is murdered with a line from R. M. Holland’s story left by her body. Clare's life eerily begins to collide with some of her favorite pieces of literature. Confused and concerned about what is happening around her, Clare turns to her trusty diary only to find that someone has been to it first and left her a note. Who is this stranger writing in her diary? Could the killer ultimately be out for Clare?
The gothic vibe of the story definitely added to its sense of eeriness. I will confess that I had the killer figured out - I just wasn't sure on the why. The motive actually left me a bit underwhelmed but overall, it fit within the context of the story and it was definitely plausible. Griffiths did a thorough job of leading us with a trail of breadcrumbs throughout and throwing in a few red herrings here and there. Personally, I was just hoping for a bit more - some of the red herrings would have actually been quite an interesting route to take.
The cast of characters here was ecclectic and wonderful though I admit that Clare was actually my least favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed her daughter Georgie, their adorable and pampered dog Herbert and DS Harbinder Kaur. I can actually see DS Kaur in her own series. She is witty, critical and has quite an interesting backstory. Dare I hope we might see more of her in the future from Griffiths?
Overall, if you enjoy gothic mysteries with that classic "whodunit" vibe - this one's for you. Thank you to Elly Griffiths, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book....more
"The Chain is a metaphor for the ties that bind all of us to friends and family. It is the umbilical link between mother and child, the way or path"The Chain is a metaphor for the ties that bind all of us to friends and family. It is the umbilical link between mother and child, the way or path that the hero must travel in a quest, and it is the thin clew of crimson thread that is the solution Ariadne comes up with to the problem of the labyrinth."
It all starts with a phone call from an Unknown Caller. The caller informs Rachel O'Neill's that her daughter, Kylie, has been kidnapped. The caller's child has also been kidnapped by another stranger. The only way to get Kylie back is to kidnap another child within 24 hours. Would you have what it takes to get your child back? Are you ruthless enough to be both victim and kidnapper?
The premise of this book was fascinating! In the face of your worst nightmare becoming reality, what are you willing to do for your loved one? Rachel became the ultimate Mama Bear - nothing was going to stop her from getting Kylie back. That resonated with me deeply - there is nothing I wouldn't do for my girls.
This was a compulsive, page-turning roller coaster of a read. McKinley's deadly spin on those darn chain letters we've all received at some point in our lives coupled with our current all digital, social media addicted world was absolutely genius! It's a tale unlike any other and I can't wait to watch the movie. ...more
An amazing & satisfying end to Dot Hutchinson's The Collector series!
"We heal, mostly, but even scars can bleed."
I've come to love the CAC team i An amazing & satisfying end to Dot Hutchinson's The Collector series!
"We heal, mostly, but even scars can bleed."
I've come to love the CAC team in this series. With the last two installments we really get to know them and become invested in the family they have formed. In The Vanishing Season 8 year old Brooklyn Mercer goes missing on her short walk home from school. The disappearance allows us to dig deeper into Brandon Eddison's past. I have thoroughly enjoyed Bran and his interaction with both the members of his team and the girls from the Garden whom he adopted over time. It was fitting to finally get his full backstory. What an emotional case and journey! This one got to me the way The Butterfly Garden did - I was emotionally invested and couldn't tear myself away from its pages.
I appreciate that Dot Hutchinson gave us this fitting conclusion to the series. The ending was like catching up with old friends and feeling that sense of contentment at finding out what they have been up to. The book was emotional, heartbreaking and absolutely wonderful! It's hard not to get sucked in to the dynamics between the members of this team. I will definitely miss them but I am satisfied with where Hutchinson chose to go with her conclusion and so happy I went along with her for the The Collector journey!
Special thanks to Dot Hutchinson, Thomas & Mercer Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book....more
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