4.5 Stayed up late, made me sob and emotionally wrecked me stars
You guys I have been missing out on reading TJR! This was my first book by her and wha4.5 Stayed up late, made me sob and emotionally wrecked me stars
You guys I have been missing out on reading TJR! This was my first book by her and what an emotional roller coaster. It's a tale of love, loss and letting yourself love again. It was powerful. The idea that that all consuming, one true love of your life doesn't necessarily last forever, and that's not only ok - it just might be necessary. People change, our wants and desires for life evolve. It doesn't diminish who were were and who we loved in the past. It just might not be what we need in the next phase of our life.
What Emma, Jesse and Sam go through, together and apart, in this story is absolutely incredible. Their journeys were devastatingly emotional. I felt so torn, wanting happiness and love for all of them. Though I must admit - I was firmly #TeamSam.TJR - you sure know how to tug on a girl's heartstrings!...more
Simply put Colleen Hoover does it again. This book about grief, love, friendship and family took me on suc4.5 Gave Me All The Feels, Emotional Stars!
Simply put Colleen Hoover does it again. This book about grief, love, friendship and family took me on such an emotional roller coaster. I loved the characters - CoHo has such a way of making her characters come to life. It feels as if you know them. I definitely felt that here.
There is a dual romance that worked really well within the story. You will find yourself invested in both these relationships and rooting for the characters to have a true shot at some well deserved happiness. The mother-daughter relationship represented really resonated with me and touched my heart.
Doesn't Hoover have a gift for thinking up the BEST leading men?! She knows how to make you fall for these fictional characters as if they were real. Both Jonah and Miles stole my heart. They now have a special space for themselves amongst my most beloved "book boyfriends". Trust me - you'll fall for them too. Just remember I claimed Jonah first! ...more
3.5 Alternating Timelines & Secrets Filled Stars (rounded up) for Recipe for a Perfect Wife
Told in alternating timelines Recipe for a Perfect Wife3.5 Alternating Timelines & Secrets Filled Stars (rounded up) for Recipe for a Perfect Wife
Told in alternating timelines Recipe for a Perfect Wife, tells the stories of dissatisfied wife Alice Hale who has given up a career in publicity to be a writer upon relocating with her husband to the suburbs. Upon discovering a vintage cookbook buried in a box in her new home's basement, Alice becomes captivated by the cookbook’s previous owner--1950s housewife Nellie Murdoch. As Alice cooks her way through the past, she realizes that within the cookbook’s pages Nellie left clues about her life--including a mysterious series of unsent letters penned to her mother. While the recipes seem harmless Nellie's secrets appear to be anything but. Alice uncovers a sinister side to Nellie’s marriage as she faces mounting pressures in her own relationship. Their marriage has become one in which the truth is an inner monologue with so much left unsaid. I struggled with Alice's character and many of her actions (hence the lower rating) but I was absolutely taken with Nellie and her backstory. I was intrigued by this book's format including (antiquated and at times laugh out loud hilarious) advice to women from 19th century publications. We’ve come a long way since then, yet many of our battles remain the same don’t they? Finally, the recipes - what a treat! Some of them made me roll my eyes in disgust while thinking, who would want to eat that? Others, I admit had me curious to try and see how they'd fare.
Overall, the plot was predictable and a bit cliche (I think that was the point though) but it was an entertaining read.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Dutton and Penguin Publishing Group for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review. ...more
4 Stars for this Charming Contemporary Retelling of a Beloved Classic!
Virginia Kantra has reimagined Little Women and brought it to life with a mo4 Stars for this Charming Contemporary Retelling of a Beloved Classic!
Virginia Kantra has reimagined Little Women and brought it to life with a modern day spin that I was so excited about as a fan of the original book. She found a way to remain true to the spirit of the classic revolving around family while making the characters modern and a bit more relatable to newer audiences. I mean Jo is a blogger - I loved that!!!
The traditional gender roles were still very much front & center and while I would have liked to see a bit less of that it did coincide with the original book and the thinking in the time in which it was written. As with the original what I loved most was the bond between the sisters. When faced with a family crisis, who can you turn to if not your sisters even if it tests the strength of your relationship. While this book centered mostly around Meg & Jo, all the sisters played a part and I can't wait to read book 2 surrounding Amy and Beth! Overall, I found this to be a charming and inspired take on a cherished classic....more
Ten strangers are invited to Soldier Island under mysterious circumstances. Their unknown benefactor doesn’t show, leaving them to question the legitiTen strangers are invited to Soldier Island under mysterious circumstances. Their unknown benefactor doesn’t show, leaving them to question the legitimacy of their invites which they all begin to realize belongs to someone they don't really even know - a Mr. or Mrs. U.N. Owen!
Things on the island immediately take a macabre turn. The guests start dying off, one by one, in eerie accordance with the Ten Little Soldier Boys poem that is posted in each of their rooms.
Ten little soldier boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were Nine. Nine little soldier boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were Eight. Eight little soldier boys traveling in Devon; One said he’d stay there and then there were Seven. Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were Six. Six little soldier boys playing with a hive; A bumble bee stung one and then there were Five. Five little soldier boys going in for law; One got into chancery and then there were Four. Four little soldier boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were Three. Three little soldier boys walking in the Zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were Two. Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was One. One little soldier boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself And then there were None.
With no host or hostess in sight, the guest soon realize their situation is dire indeed. There can be no other explanation - the killer is one of them. How will they survive their stay on Soldier Island when they don't know who they can trust?
This was my first foray into Agatha Christie and it was an absolute delight! Though I did have my suspicions as to who the culprit was I genuinely stumped and had to reread the ending twice to fully appreciate it all! I so enjoyed the quick progression of the story and how it all unfurled. Christie weaves an amazingly intricate, puzzling plot fraught with tense moments. This certainly won't be my last book by the Queen of Mystery!...more
Michelle Spivey, a scientist working for the CDC, is kidnapped while out shopping with her daughter. Weeks later bombs go off and Will Trent & his girMichelle Spivey, a scientist working for the CDC, is kidnapped while out shopping with her daughter. Weeks later bombs go off and Will Trent & his girlfriend Dr. Sara Linton attempt to help when they’re waylaid by a car accident. In the wrong place at the right time, Will is badly beaten & Sara is taken by the same people who have Michelle. Suddenly Will and Sara find themselves embroiled in a deadly conspiracy that threatens to destroy thousands of innocent lives. Will is forced to go undercover to save Sara, putting his own life on the line for the woman and the country he loves.
This is a relevant, frightening and brutally honest read which includes cults, pedophilia, rape, child murders, prejudice and biological warfare. The story centers around Alt-Right groups and the kind of people that run these groups including militias of ex-army men. I found the story disturbing at times because of how plausible it all is.
This is only the second book I have read in this series, yet I never felt lost. Slaughter gives enough back story to fill in any blanks and the story was so engrossing and fast paced that I was glued from the first to the last page. If you've ever wanted to experience Slaughter - this would be a heck of a book to start with!...more
You guys this was like an episode of Criminal Minds and Law & Order all rolled into one but on steroids!!! What a wild4.5 Brilliantly Executed Stars!
You guys this was like an episode of Criminal Minds and Law & Order all rolled into one but on steroids!!! What a wild ride and I loved everything about it!
Lawyer Eddie Flynn is working the celebrity murder trial of the century. Evidence points to Bobby's guilt, but as the trial begins so do a series of sinister incidents that can't be ignored.
Maybe the serial killer isn't on trial, maybe he's on the jury...
Cavanagh spins such a clever tale here. He traps you in his web and there is no let up, until you turn the last page. This is a fast-paced legal thriller with some exciting twists and turns that kept me guessing.
I LOVE a good serial killer and Kane was exceptional - highly intelligent, cold, calculating, lacking remorse and completely unfeeling. Every bit of dark needs some light and Kane's counterpart was none other than our hero, Eddie Flynn. Eddie is a former con artist turned lawyer with a penchant for helping the underdog.
This is part of a series but I read it as a standalone and had no issues following along. If you enjoy a fast paced, twisty thriller - pick this one up! I'm just sorry I waited so long to read it.
Thank you to Steven Cavanagh, Flatiron Books and Macmillan Publishing for a copy of this book to read and review. ...more
A stunning cover, an unsolved mystery and a motel harboring both secrets and ghosts = another winning read by Simone St. James!
I absolutely devoured tA stunning cover, an unsolved mystery and a motel harboring both secrets and ghosts = another winning read by Simone St. James!
I absolutely devoured this book and with good reason. Once you start reading, you just can't stop! It's such a page turner!!! Simone St. James has captured all those creepy thoughts we all have about those roadside, seedy looking motels and turned things ALL the way up. Talk about a place you want to run far away from!
The story is told via 2 POVs. The past - it's 1982 and Viv Delaney has dreams of making it in NY as an actress but she ends up in Fell as a night clerk at the Sun Down Motel. What starts out as a temporary stop ends up being the last place anyone ever sees her. One night she simply vanishes and her family never hear from her again. The present - Viv's niece Carly is drawn to Fell after the death of her mother. She is determined to find out what happened to her aunt Viv. The two stories mesh together, to reveal the truth of the Sound Down Motel.
I love how St. James weaves ghosts into her stories and this one was really well done. It added such a spooky element to the storyline and a great twist to the mystery. This story was totally up my alley - a 80s vibe, creepy motel with ghosts and spooky happenings, a Nancy Drew-esque vibe with the main characters and it even had a hot guy! Needless to say, I enjoyed this so much! A highly recommended read for my fellow mystery and thriller fans.
Thank you Simone St. James, Berkley & Penguin Publishing and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this arc. All thoughts are completely my own....more
Twenty-nine-year-old Jess follows her dream and moves to London. She rents a room in a Notting Hill house-share wit3.5 Slow Burn British Romance Stars
Twenty-nine-year-old Jess follows her dream and moves to London. She rents a room in a Notting Hill house-share with a college friend and three virtual strangers. On her first night, Jess meets Alex, the man sharing her floor and feels an instant connection. Unfortunately, when Jess returns from a two-week holiday, she finds Alex has started dating Emma, their housemate.
Jess and Alex become friends, walking all over London together. Their excursions were one of my favorite parts of the book. It brought London to life for me - a place I have always dreamed of visiting. Another plus was the cast of side characters - I loved Jess' relationship with her grandma, Rob the Chef and Becky. The scenes where the housemates were all together, eating and enjoying each other's company were some of my favorites.
Yet, while the story had promise it also fell a bit flat for me. Alex's relationship with Emma and his feelings toward Emma were maddening. He was painted as a "good guy" but honestly - his actions were not those of what I would deem a good guy. Plus, this was an extremely slow burn romance with very little steam factor so it felt a bit drawn out at times. It felt like I was waiting forever for their "spark" to finally ignite into something more than friendship.
Thank you to Rosie Curtis, Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
5 Heart Pounding Stars!!! You'll never see/think of chestnuts roasting on an open fire the same way again!
It takes a lot for thrillers to impress me, 5 Heart Pounding Stars!!! You'll never see/think of chestnuts roasting on an open fire the same way again!
It takes a lot for thrillers to impress me, even more for them to stump me. The Chestnut Man did both and is hands down my fave thriller read this year!
Combining a gripping storyline with great characters and the kind of intense atmosphere that will have you ferociously turning pages this was one of the best crime novels I have read in a while. I'm a sucker for police procedurals and this one definitely delivered for me. It was a twisted, slice of Nordic Noir which will appeal to those (like me!) who are not put off by upsetting content, gore or graphic violence. I have no problem admitting that I'm all in for this kind of stuff. ...more
YA Fantasy at its best - dark, mysterious and hauntingly beautiful!
This retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses is an absolute winner! Erin A. YA Fantasy at its best - dark, mysterious and hauntingly beautiful!
This retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses is an absolute winner! Erin A. Craig brought this gothic and mystical world to life - I mean it literally leaps off the page! I had such a clear vision of Highmoor, the sea, the balls and the sisters in my mind. It was all so atmospheric and enchanting.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the writing. It was dark for YA - full of foreboding, mystery, and a rather creepy (almost gruesome) ghostly vibe which I loved. Annaleigh was a character that the intended audience can easily identify with - strong, family oriented and full of heart.
Did I have it figured out? Ultimately, Yes. Did that detract from my enjoyment? Absolutely Not! There were some great twists and turns here that I didn't see coming. I know I am not the intended age/audience for these books and yet, I unabashedly love them. This book was easy to get lost in. I read it mostly in 1 sitting and it proved to be an enchanting page-turner. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see if my plot predictions were correct.
All in all, this was a strong debut novel. Erin Craig creates a dark, enchanting world that you can easily get lost in. I can't wait to see what else we get from this author in the future!...more
5 Harrowing, Heartbreaking and Unforgettable Stars for The Nickel Boys
To say that the abuse, corruption and violence in this book broke my heart and 5 Harrowing, Heartbreaking and Unforgettable Stars for The Nickel Boys
To say that the abuse, corruption and violence in this book broke my heart and touched me to my core would be a grave understatement. Though it was a work of fiction - just knowing it was based on actual events which occurred at The Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, FL made it impossible not to think about all the boys that had suffered the kind of gruesome abuse I can not even fathom.
The majority of the story is told from the perspective of Elwood Curtis, an intelligent and idealistic boy who tries to live out the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King. He's the kind of boy you immediately open your heart to, an underdog you can readily root for to end up on top. Yet, I also found myself rooting for even the most jaded of Nickel's boys. No one deserves to endure the atrocities these boys were subjected to - no one!
In short, this is the kind of book that must be read by everyone! If you haven't read it yet - what are you waiting for?...more
Amy has secrets she has spent years hiding. When new neighbor Roux shows up, determined to shake everyone's skelet4 Games Can Be Deadly Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amy has secrets she has spent years hiding. When new neighbor Roux shows up, determined to shake everyone's skeletons out of their closets, Amy finds herself drawn into a deadly game of cat & mouse. Who has more to hide? Who has more to lose? Who will win - Amy or Roux?
I love a good twisty thriller and boy did Joshilyn Jackson deliver with the twists here! Just when I thought I had things figured out - another juicy tidbit came into light. The pace was a bit slow but it never bothered me here - it felt a bit like Jackson was playing a game of cat & mouse with the reader. I was hooked and determined to figure things out. I never did!
I loved Amy. She was full of layers - loving one minute and tough the next. She was smart, no nonsense & quite a formidable opponent for Roux. Roux was the kind of character that had me shaking my head in disbelief. I love an engaging female villain and Roux was exactly that. The two of them together were pure entertainment. One twist after another and an ending that left me shocked in the best way. Well done Ms. Jackson, well done!...more
First, let me start off by saying that this book was lengthy and at times I certainly felt it BUT I amAn Explosive and Fitting End to the 4MK Trilogy!
First, let me start off by saying that this book was lengthy and at times I certainly felt it BUT I am so glad I stuck with it - in the end it was worth the time I dedicated to not only this book but the whole trilogy.
Suspense builds and tension is at an all time high as we are forced to question what we know and what we think we know about ALL the key players in this series. Barker masterfully connects dots here that were put into play beginning with Book 1. This is not a standalone book - you MUST read the first 2 books to fully appreciate all the elements at play in this finale. I wholeheartedly appreciated that everything was wrapped up and all questions were answered, especially after all the mind play going on in this book!
Anson Bishop and Sam Porter were well developed, formidable adversaries! I enjoyed how Barker took us on a journey that upended everything we thought we knew and made us ultimately not only feel for the bad guy but question who was really the good guy in it all. So although this one isn't as fast moving as Books 1 & 2 - it proved to be a satisfying end to a series that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to JD Barker, Hampton Creek Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book....more
So I didn't love this one. I didn't hate it either. It was entertaining but there was definitely something missing here for me.
It was a quick read buSo I didn't love this one. I didn't hate it either. It was entertaining but there was definitely something missing here for me.
It was a quick read but I unfortunately expected more. My expectations definitely affected my enjoyment but with so many glowing reviews I thought I'd get a sexier, grittier read. NOPE - dare I admit at times I found it a little too cliche and boring? This was definitely one of those times where I wondered if I was reading the same book as everyone else. ...more
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