Let’s start with the good news first- “Home Is Where the Bodies Are” was better than last year’s disastrous “You Shouldn’t Have Come Here”, by this auLet’s start with the good news first- “Home Is Where the Bodies Are” was better than last year’s disastrous “You Shouldn’t Have Come Here”, by this author. This newest release also has a cool cover, so there’s that. Now for the bad news- in my personal opinion, I still didn’t find it to be as great as everyone else seemed to think it was. It was very predictable from the first page, and it seemed as if it could have been written for a YA audience. ...more
I’ve been flipping back and forth between four and five stars with this book, but ultimately I’m going with four stars and that’s only because this boI’ve been flipping back and forth between four and five stars with this book, but ultimately I’m going with four stars and that’s only because this book seemed a bit lengthy- and while this is a fiction book I still found a couple of the scenes very implausible (I know, why can’t I just go along for the entertainment?! ...more
After reading “The Devil Takes You Home” by this author, I could not wait to read this book (which if you haven’t read The Devil Takes You Home, I recAfter reading “The Devil Takes You Home” by this author, I could not wait to read this book (which if you haven’t read The Devil Takes You Home, I recommend that you do because that book is outstanding). However, I think my expectations were a little too high, or maybe I was expecting the same book again (just different ...more
If you’re like me, and you sit around thinking that every choice you made in your life has been a bad one- well, think no further- because Julia Fox mIf you’re like me, and you sit around thinking that every choice you made in your life has been a bad one- well, think no further- because Julia Fox might have us all beat! This poor girl didn’t hold anything back in this book, and she wasn’t ashamed to admit that she made a bunch of poor choices herself (especially in men). But we all grow up, and we all live and eventually learn.
Julia Fox was born in Italy, and as a little girl she moved to New York City with her father. Her mother would visit sporadically, and when she did she never showed any interest in Julia. Julia’s mother and father had a volatile relationship, which in itself left little attention for Julia. Julia took care of herself from a very young age, and often ran the streets as she always seemed to be in the way and her parents didn’t really want her around anyway. For a time she did travel between Italy and New York, but New York was definitely her home. I would also say Julia needed some guidance, and maybe a butt whooping or two- but she was certainly out doing her own thing (not her fault).
While running the streets, Julia made some not so nice friends and boyfriends. In fact, she reminded me of myself in some ways- because like her I was always a “loser magnet”. ...more
For starters, I personally enjoyed this book better than “The Woman in the Window” by this author. While this book was extraordinarily long (or so it For starters, I personally enjoyed this book better than “The Woman in the Window” by this author. While this book was extraordinarily long (or so it seemed), it didn’t read as slow as his previous book. This newest book also had some surprise twists at the end that I definitely did not see coming, which totally redeemed this story for me. I should also mention that although this was a long book, the chapters were short and very easy to read- which made this book go by much quicker.
In this story we have Nicky Hunter, who has been corresponding by mail for the past five years with the infamous author Sebastian Trapp. Sebastian, after learning that his health is failing, invites Nicky to come stay at his mansion and interview him for an autobiography of sorts. Twenty years prior on New Years Eve 1999, Sebastian lost both his first wife and son. They both disappeared from different areas, only to never to be seen again. All these years, Sebastian has had to live with the grief and listen to people accuse him of murdering his own family members.
When Nicky arrives at the mansion in San Francisco to meet and interview Sebastian, she also meets his new beautiful wife Diana. Sebastian married Diana fifteen years after his wife and son went missing. We also have his adult daughter Madeleine, who still lives at home with them. Nicky also meets other family members along the way, such as the handsome nephew Freddy- who now comes by to help Sebastian with his treatments now that he is sick.
As Nicky interviews Sebastian and his other family members and houseguests, she starts to wonder if she is even safe staying in the mansion herself? Is Sebastian keeping secrets? And will Nicky ever uncover the whole story of the disappearance of Sebastian’s previous wife and son?
At the end of this story- I will say that I enjoyed it. There were some issues that I had such as length, and I felt the setting wasn’t quite right. While this book took place in San Francisco, I kept picturing London, England somewhere. So for some reason that kept throwing me off. All in all, this was a good read and I will be looking forward to his next book! ...more
Oh boy… So here’s another book that everyone loved and rated very high- and here’s me wondering why? Yes, this book was decent enough with a good enouOh boy… So here’s another book that everyone loved and rated very high- and here’s me wondering why? Yes, this book was decent enough with a good enough storyline, but the redundancy and repetitiveness was just too much for me. And yes, I’m well aware that this is a fiction novel and that I needed to suspend my disbelief to enjoy it. But I had WAY too many eye roll moments in this book. In fact, I kept picturing a couple of giggling teenage girls writing this book, which in itself was very weird to me. Oh, and this is supposed to be a thriller novel but it deals with some heavy underlying topics instead (which I can’t mention due to spoilers)-so yeah, I think this book was just going in too many directions.
In this story we have Tate Kinsella, who is working as a temp at a very significant bank and she is also a struggling actor. A woman falls to her death from the building that Tate is employed at, and Tate is soon charged with her death. From there a trail of lies begin… There were so many twists in the story for shock value, but they were very corny for me. One after the other.
This book took me way longer than it should have to read, and I am debating on what to rate it. I feel like I should rate it higher for the women seeking their revenge, but on the flip side my enjoyment of this book was super low. I unfortunately can’t say that I would personally recommend this book, but I know that many others have loved this book - so once again, what do I know? (2.5 stars- rounded down).
“Middle of the Night” is going to get a middle of the road review and rating from me unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong- I did like this book, and I re“Middle of the Night” is going to get a middle of the road review and rating from me unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong- I did like this book, and I really enjoyed reading about Ethan, our main character. However, while this was a good story (very good in fact), I was hoping that it would be more chilling and suspenseful- so that’s a me thing, not necessarily the book’s fault.
On Saturday, July 16, 1994- 6:37 a.m. Ethan Marsh, only 10 years old at the time, wakes up alone in his tent in the backyard that he shared with his best friend the night before. His best friend Billy, has seemed to have disappeared from the tent ⛺️ After a frantic search in the neighborhood, Billy is never to be found.
Now it is 30 years later, and Ethan moves back into his childhood home. Memories of that long ago night resurface for Ethan, along with the insomnia and bad dreams. Ethan reconnects with old neighbors and friends. He learns things about people that he never knew before. Will dredging up the past help him remember what happened to Billy? Will it even bring Billy back?
This book goes back and forth between 1994 and present day. While the story was interesting enough, I just felt that it moved a little slow for me. I still enjoyed this book, but it’s just not my favorite by Sager (I mean will anything ever top Home Before Dark?). There were some twists that I enjoyed in this book, and I think that others will enjoy them too. If you are a Sager fan, then I suggest reading this book as well! ...more
Loved it!! This book was fresh, fun, and kept me turning the pages!! I needed this book! This is also Amy Tintera’s adult debut novel after writing YALoved it!! This book was fresh, fun, and kept me turning the pages!! I needed this book! This is also Amy Tintera’s adult debut novel after writing YA, and she nailed it!! I loved the short chapters, and the main character of Lucy Chase was the best I’ve read in a while- that is definitely how young adults act today (or maybe it’s just me ...more
Before I get into the review of this book, I want to state that I think Denfeld is an underrated author. This is the third book that I’ve read of hersBefore I get into the review of this book, I want to state that I think Denfeld is an underrated author. This is the third book that I’ve read of hers, and once again I was captivated from the first page all the way through until the last page. The author writes about subjects that aren’t easy to read about, yet they are topics and subjects that take place around the country today and in the past. They are topics that need to be somehow treated and solved, yet they are somehow always overlooked. Slips through the system… I was both angered and sad after having read this book.
In this story, we have Amanda Dufresne who shows up in a town off the Oregon coast in search of her brother that she never knew she had. As both Amanda and her brother were adopted, she has just found out about having a brother named Dennis Owens.
Amanda teams up with, and becomes friends with Larry who is a retired police officer. Larry is a lonely widower, and having Amanda around to help has suddenly given him some new purpose in his life as well. We learn of Amanda’s current job at the zoo in working with Molly, the lone polar bear and her mission to help this lonely bear. We also learn of both Larry’s and Amanda’s backstories, and how maybe they just happened to find each other at the right time.
In searching for Amanda’s brother, Dennis- we find out that he died in the ocean running away from the horrible boy’s home he was living in. The Brightwood Center for boys was run by a woman who did treatments on the boys that were supposed to “break” them of whatever behavior issue that she thought they had. As Amanda and Larry start to uncover some of the horrific truths and secrets that happened at the now closed down Brightwood Center, someone out there is not happy that the past is being uncovered…
There were some shocks and twists that did make this a bit of a mystery, but for the most part it was a read that broke my heart a bit. I learned some things that the media NEVER talks about. I also loved the author’s Acknowledgment at the end. It was such a pleasure to read. And with that I will leave this review with a quote from the author in her acknowledgments- “In books I found understanding, hope, and belonging. I hope you find understanding in this book, dear reader. I hope you find love.” ❤️
This is one book that I highly recommend, as well as Rene Denfeld’s other fantastic books! ...more
Where to start with this book? After reading this, I am angry!! I am angry at her pathetic, non-supportive, and controlling family for what they have Where to start with this book? After reading this, I am angry!! I am angry at her pathetic, non-supportive, and controlling family for what they have put Britney through. I am angry at all the loser men that have preyed upon her kindness and naivety. I am angry at the media and paparazzi for exposing her as a mad woman. I am angry that it took years for anyone to finally help her. I am angry that someone this rich and famous can be taken advantage of.
This was a fast story to read, but believe me it told enough. I’m so glad that Britney was able to finally tell her side of the story. This story starts off with Britney as a young girl and her upbringing. Right away, I knew her parents weren’t right because she told stories of how her father (Mr. Conservator), was an alcoholic and could never keep a job or pay the bills when she was growing up. Britney’s “wonderful” mother would also take her out drinking when she was only 13 years old. Her mom also had her driving the car around at 13. Oh, and don’t worry- because they were so poor, they got Britney into show business so she could pay the bills. Yay Mom and Dad ...more
Phew! I’m glad that’s over! This book was absolutely painful to read. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it kept getting progressively worse. AnPhew! I’m glad that’s over! This book was absolutely painful to read. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it kept getting progressively worse. And for this being a short book at only 272 pages, it felt like 572 pages. I did not enjoy this book at all.
In this story we have a wife who is totally obsessed and consumed with her husband. The wife records their conversations, checks his emails, his phone messages, the mailbox, etc… She is obsessed with what he says and how he says it. She even obsesses over what fruit he calls her. How dare he call her a clementine! The wife cannot even love her own children, because she loves and obsesses over her own husband too much. And this is all happening after 15 years of marriage.
This book is called My Husband, but let me tell you, the wife is nuttier than a fruitcake! After reading so many pages of the wife’s obsessiveness, and her only hobby of stalking her husband, I grew very tired of the repetitiveness and redundancy. I could not wait for this book to be over! Many have stated that the Epilogue made this book worth reading, well for me it didn’t. It was just as lame as the rest of the book.
This book was translated from French to English, so maybe their way of writing (and their humor) is different from mine- but I just didn’t get this book. Many others have loved this book, so please read their reviews before deciding on whether to read this book or not. Because obviously, this was not my cup of tea....more
So, this is only my fifth read by Lisa Unger (with one being a short story), and I’m thinking I need to hurry up and read more from her! I really enjoSo, this is only my fifth read by Lisa Unger (with one being a short story), and I’m thinking I need to hurry up and read more from her! I really enjoyed this book and the author’s writing. I loved the main character of Rosie, and felt like I could easily connect with her. This book was very atmospheric and did keep me on my toes.
This story starts off with Rosie and her husband Chad, inheriting his late uncle Ivan’s upscale apartment. Rosie is a writer, with only one book under her belt, she needs to publish another one soon before their money runs out. Chad, is a struggling actor always looking for the next big break. However, once they learn that they have inherited this luxury apartment 5B at 55 Park Avenue, they feel their luck is finally about to change. Or is it?
Once they’ve moved into the apartment, Rosie receives phone calls from Chad’s cousin Dana who is very irate about not inheriting the apartment. Rosie hopes that she can mend things with Dana, while Chad assures her everything is as it should be. Rosie and Chad also become very friendly with their new neighbors, Charles and Ella Aldridge, who have lived at the Windermere apartments forever.
While at the apartment, tragic events start to occur and Rosie starts to have visions and see things. Because of these visions, Rosie starts to dig up the Windermere’s past history and is very bewildered by what she finds. During this time we also have flashback chapters from Willa that take place in 1963, which I loved reading! We also have the ever-present doorman Abi, who is always listening in on the intercoms located in every room. Why is he so concerned with everyone’s business?
All in all, this was a very entertaining read. My only gripe was that the chapters were a bit long (that’s a me thing). Otherwise, I highly recommend reading this story and the acknowledgments at the end as to how this story came about. Very interesting!
“Some buildings just have bad personalities. And I think maybe it attracts darkness. If you’re vulnerable to dark energies, if they speak to something going on inside you, maybe there’s a strange attraction, a lure to that dark past inside you.”
I was hoping this book was going to finish off Amazing for me, and it almost did- but as much as I loved Grace Adams, this book just went into too manI was hoping this book was going to finish off Amazing for me, and it almost did- but as much as I loved Grace Adams, this book just went into too many directions for me. Now that I’ve finished reading this book (and even thought about it for a day), I’m still not sure what the main focus was. Was it perimenopause, grief, or relationship issues? Perhaps it was all three, but I think if we would have stuck to one main focus, this book would have probably blown me away.
This story starts off with Grace abandoning her car in the middle of a traffic jam. Grace does this so she can get a birthday cake to her estranged daughter, Lotte in time. It is Lotte’s 16th birthday, and Grace has picked out the perfect cake. ...more
I just want to say that when I read “The Book of Cold Cases” by this author, I deemed her my favorite author because I loved that book so much! HoweveI just want to say that when I read “The Book of Cold Cases” by this author, I deemed her my favorite author because I loved that book so much! However, the next few books I read after “Cold Cases” have been mediocre for me, including this latest release. Now, I’m not sure if it’s because my expectations are so high or because my tastes have swayed a bit. Whatever has happened, I’m just not quite feeling it. This book started off super strong for me, and then about halfway through I started to lose interest. I even felt as if this book could have been written for a YA audience (or maybe I’m just getting too old).
In this story we have newlyweds, Eddie Carter and April Delray (she hasn’t even had time to change her name yet). Eddie and April are headed to their honeymoon at the Five Pines Resort, when they realize they are lost and heading in the wrong direction. They are on the road of Atticus Line when they see a lone woman walking down the side of the road in the middle of the night. They stop, pick up the lone woman and it isn’t until they are driving that they realize this unknown woman is bleeding to death in their backseat.
Eddie and April take the bleeding woman, who had multiple stab wounds to her stomach to the hospital. It is there the woman dies, and Eddie and April are suddenly treated as suspects in the woman’s murder. Little do Eddie and April know that there have been several murders in the town of Coldlake Falls, which they are now in. All of the murders go back over 19 years, and all of them on Atticus Line. Who did this? Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or is there something much more dangerous at hand?
I did enjoy Eddie and April’s backstories in this. However, the paranormal element was lacking for me. I think I was expecting more creepiness, maybe more of a twist (I figured it out early on), so something was missing for me. Maybe I read too many suspense novels, or paranormal just isn’t my thing anymore- but this just didn’t knock my socks off like I thought it would. Murder Road was definitely a middle of the road rating for me…
I knew going into this book that I was going to enjoy it. I’ve read a few of Garza’s books prior to this one, and there’s just something about her wriI knew going into this book that I was going to enjoy it. I’ve read a few of Garza’s books prior to this one, and there’s just something about her writing that just “clicks” with me. They may not be the best thriller/suspense books ever written, but for me they are pure entertainment and enjoyable. In fact, as with this book, I can often relate and resonate with the characters as well.
This book starts off with Tatum, who has just started to visit her daughter Adrienne after not seeing her for a long while. Adrienne was kicked out of her house by her father who is the town pastor (Pastor Shane). Her mother Tatum, feels bad for not ever having a backbone and sticking up for her daughter, Adrienne. So Tatum finally begins to start visiting Adrienne on Wednesday nights at the bar that she works at. It becomes a weekly routine for the mother and daughter until one Wednesday, Adrienne is a no-call, no-show for her shift at work.
Tatum does not believe that her daughter would just disappear without calling her or anyone else. However, people from the small town that they live in consider Adrienne a bit of a “wild child” and no one is taking her absence seriously. But Tatum knows her child better than all the “holier than thou” townsfolk, and she will stop at nothing to find her!
Along the way, Tatum meets Adrienne’s fiancé. Now that’s strange- considering Adrienne never mentioned being engaged. This fiancé seems very helpful to Tatum at first, but could he be hiding something?
This story is told in the three different POV’s of The Daughter, The Mother, and The Fiancé, with each being more and more interesting.
This book had a great storyline with characters that were easy to connect and relate to. I was kept turning the pages, and was surprised at the twists and turns along the way. A recommendable read for sure!! ...more
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