When I saw that Caitlin Weaver (Things we Never Say, Such A Good Family) was releasing another book-I downloaded it without reading the synopsis-and IWhen I saw that Caitlin Weaver (Things we Never Say, Such A Good Family) was releasing another book-I downloaded it without reading the synopsis-and I am glad I did. The very FIRST sentence hints at what is to come, and I am glad that I didn’t know!
I did figure (correctly) that she would offer us another story with a good moral dilemma (or two!) to ponder-and that she did!
Is Fabiola as altruistic as she appears?
When her “BEST” friend Liz, who cannot have children, needs a surrogate, Fabiola offers up the perfect plan-she will carry the baby. But is she doing this for Liz-or for Liz’s husband Peter, who was Fabiola’s childhood friend, and remains her unrequited love, despite her marriage to Aron, and their three children.
When things become “complicated” who will she put first?
I was NOT immediately drawn in by this story, which took awhile to become interesting, although eventually, I became engaged and wanted to find out how it would all end. While it is still a good book-I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first two.
The biggest issue for me was the denouement-which was MUCH TOO TIDY, and not one that I found to be very believable. Had the dilemma occurred sooner, and had we been able to explore in the second half, the dynamics which helped the characters to come to these resolutions- this story might have been more plausible, and worked better for me.
For that reason, I will award this one 3.5 ⭐️ rounded down.
Thank You to Storm Publishing for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!...more
I have read (and loved) everything that this author has written, with “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island” being an all time favorite. So when offeI have read (and loved) everything that this author has written, with “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island” being an all time favorite. So when offered a VERY early copy of this book, I jumped at the chance to read it, and moved it ahead of several others which are publishing much sooner-I just couldn’t wait!
So, nobody is more surprised than I am that this was a bit of a MISS for me, despite the fun and clever premise!
Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, (or is it twenty?) but Jane isn’t sure they will make it another year. She decides to ask for a Divorce during their Anniversary dinner at the renowned, upscale and very OVERPRICED restaurant “La Fin du Monde”.
But before they can even finish the second course, (which didn’t sound even remotely appetizing to me!) an underground CLIMATE activist group bursts into the dining room and takes everyone hostage. Their “target” had reservations at the restaurant for that night-and it appears to be a case of “Wrong Place-Wrong time” for Jane and Dan.
OR IS IT?
Could it really be a COINCIDENCE that nearly everything that the activists SAY and DO seems to be right out of the pages of Jane’s one and only published book, “Tea is For Terror”?
How can that be when less than 500 copies were ever sold?
Not liking the main protagonist isn’t a problem in a psychological thriller but it is a problem in a story like this one, and I really didn’t like Jane! I didn’t enjoy spending time with her-and the HUMOR didn’t resonate with me either.
This was reminiscent of Fredrik Backman’s very popular “Anxious People”, another book I didn’t care for-so, if you enjoyed that one, you just might love this one too!
Be sure to read a sample of reviews as no book is for every reader and this just may be a better fit for you!
A buddy read with DeAnn. Was it a fit for her?
AVAILABLE March 11, 2025
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!...more
When Zara, who was once the fifth member of the inseparable “GiMaking Assumptions Making Excuses Keeping Secrets
None of these things ever turn out well…
When Zara, who was once the fifth member of the inseparable “Girlfriends’ Club” resurfaces at a friend’s Funeral and drops a “bombshell”, Naomi’s life implodes.
Zara’s revelation shocks the group and immediately, their daily “WhatsApp” group chat falls silent.
All of a sudden, Naomi finds herself sitting at home instead of sipping Strawberry Mojitos with the girls who she has met up with on every second Wednesday for years.
Old wounds have been opened and loyalties have been questioned- and Naomi will be forced to confront the truth about her past.
Can the Girlfriends’ Club survive “the Fall-out” or will Naomi, Rowan, Kate and Abbie all go their separate ways for good?
Sophie Ranald is a NEW author to me, so I had no idea when I downloaded this book that it was book FOUR in the “Girlfriend Club Series”-Naomi’s turn to star.
It had a rough start with some ICK factor conversations, and I had trouble keeping the women straight but had I started at the beginning they would have been “old friends” by now!
Still, after a few chapters, I got my bearings and I DO think the book works fine as a stand-alone, although by the end of it, I decided that I WANTED to go back to read the earlier books in this series.
P.S. I Hate You is Abbie’s story Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend is Rowan’s and Not In a Million Years is Kate’s book
These are likable and relatable ladies living in London and Sophie Ranald writes stories to CELEBRATE FRIENDSHIP as well as to touch on the highs and lows of dating, marriage and parenting.
I don’t know if they all feature a “moral dilemma” but this one definitely does, adding substance to the story-and it’s the first book in awhile that I could not wait to get back to reading any chance that I got, because it felt so REAL.
I enjoyed my time spent with the “Girlfriend Club” and look forward to reconnecting with these ladies when I go back and read the earlier novels!
NAOMI’s story- “The Fall-Out”-is AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Storm Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!...more
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman Narrated by Joe Morton 8 hours, 13 minutes at 1.0 speed 5 hours 29 minutes at 1.5 speed
Whew! Let me gather my thoughtsWorst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman Narrated by Joe Morton 8 hours, 13 minutes at 1.0 speed 5 hours 29 minutes at 1.5 speed
Whew! Let me gather my thoughts!
T.J. Newman has managed to deliver her third electrifying, heart racing ADRENALINE THRILLER and you had better have your tissues handy-first for shredding , and then to wipe up your tears!
The International Nuclear Event Scale tracks nuclear disasters, using 7️⃣ levels.
Level 7️⃣ is considered a Major Accident, with only two on record: Fukushima and Chernobyl.
There has never been a Level 8️⃣- UNTIL NOW
It was the Perfect Storm. The Captain of the Coastal Airlines 757 has suffered a widow maker heart attack at 35,000 while the First Officer is in the lavatory. There isn’t time to declare an emergency or warn the passengers and the flight attendant in the cockpit is unable to reach the radio to call for help for the 295 souls on board.
The plane begins to NOSE DIVE toward the Clover Hill Nuclear Power Plant.
When the WORST CASE SCENARIO happens to humanity-the BEST of humanity is what pulls us through.
This is the story of HEROS-the ordinary people of Waketa, Minnesota which is GROUND ZERO for this catastrophic event with global implications.
You will root for Steve Tostig, Joss Vance, Dani Allen, Ethan Ross and President Dawson (to name a few) as they make difficult, gut wrenching decisions and risk life and limb.
AND, you will cry for the VICTIMS.
I was GRIPPED from the opening sentences and I paired my reading with the audiobook and finished in ONE TENSE SITTING! Joe Morton’s narration was smooth, and I enjoyed the CB (Citizen’s Band) radio transmissions that were peppered throughout. If you listen to AUDIOBOOKS, I can highly recommend this format!
Both of T. J. Newman’s books will soon be a major motion pictures-Falling from Universal Studios, and Drowning from Warner Bros. And I can easily see this book translating to the big screen as well.
AVAILABLE NOW!! Don’t Miss It!
Thank You to both Little, Brown & Company and Hatchette Audio for the gifted copies provided by NetGalley and NetGalley Shelf. As always, these are my candid thoughts!...more
Winner of the 2023 Kyoto Book Prize Written by Syou Ishida, translated to English by E. Madison Shimoda-A bestseller in Japan, due to be published in sWinner of the 2023 Kyoto Book Prize Written by Syou Ishida, translated to English by E. Madison Shimoda-A bestseller in Japan, due to be published in seventeen languages
Tucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the “Kokoro Clinic for the Soul” can ONLY be found by people who are struggling in their lives and genuinely need help.
Directions to the Clinic are cryptic-you will be given the names of streets that intersect in four directions.
And, prospective patients will only hear about the Clinic indirectly-like from “a former colleague who passed the name along after his younger brother’s wife’s cousin’s company’ client recommended it”-for example. ...more
Five Years Ago: When Bridget invited her best friend, Lucy Ashby- affectionately called Bee- to her childhood home on Prince Edward Island, (Canadian PFive Years Ago: When Bridget invited her best friend, Lucy Ashby- affectionately called Bee- to her childhood home on Prince Edward Island, (Canadian Province) she gave her three rules:
#1 Eat your weight in Oysters #2 Leave the city, behind and #3 DON’T fall in love with my brother, Wolf
“Spark. Fizz. Crackle”
Bridgett missed the flight, and Lucy has arrived on the Island alone with time to kill. She never imagined she would spend the night with Felix, the hot guy who was shucking oysters at the bar she stopped at-but their instant attraction was sizzling.
That would be the hot guy, she didn’t realize also went by the nickname, Wolf.
Time for new rules, this time set by Felix: #1 Don’t tell Bridget #2 No sleeping together again #3 Don’t fall in love with me
Life goes on, and although Lucy returns to PEI (Prince Edward Island) each year, she is determined to keep her promise to Bridget-to NOT fall in love. After all, there is a good reason for that rule!!
“Tap, Tap, PAUSE Tap”
Though when Lucy hears a certain knock on her door, she doesn’t hesitate to answer.
NOW: Nine days before Bridget’s wedding
Bridget has missed her final wedding dress fitting and has called Lucy to PEI (Prince Edward Island) for an emergency visit home. Why has she flown there with no explanation and demanded that Lucy join her?!
Could the wedding be off?
Of course, Lucy rushes to her side, putting her own life on hold.
But it’s not the first time, over the past five years, that Lucy has done so- When will she finally brave enough to take her beloved late Aunt’s advice to “live her life for nobody but herself” ?
Bridget’s life is moving forward and her own seems stagnant-but Felix is urging her to DREAM BIG.
The book alternates between the PAST FIVE SUMMERS, with Lucy and Felix continuing to fight their attraction to one another to the PRESENT day timeline where the pair are trying to uncover the reason that Bridgett has run away from her fiancé.
This was a SPICY OPEN DOOR romance which transported me to yet another Island that I wouldn’t mind moving to!
Felix is a swoon worthy MMC who seemed “too good to be true”! Who wouldn’t want a hot guy who cooks, drinks tea and reads books?
And, Lucy is the kind of BFF that any girl would want.
There is some miscommunication in the story but this time it’s just between the two BFFs.
Carley Fortune has delivered yet another romance that is beach bag approved! ...more
I highly suggest that you SKIP the official synopsis for this novel as it reveals something that doesn’t happen until almost the THREE QUARTER mark ofI highly suggest that you SKIP the official synopsis for this novel as it reveals something that doesn’t happen until almost the THREE QUARTER mark of the book-and I think the story would have had MUCH MORE of an impact on me-if I hadn’t known what was coming!!
*SPOILER FREE REVIEW *
Life in Granite Harbor Maine, will never be the same after a local teenager's body is found brutally murdered in “The Settlement” the town's historic archaeological site.
The body has been hung from a handmade wooden structure, with a gruesome clue left INSIDE the corpse which has been sliced open.
And, it will be up to Alex Brangwen, the town's sole detective to solve the case.
This will be his first murder case, newly trained after a failed career as a novelist, and his skills as a detective are rudimentary. He will have to use his writer’s imagination and consider all possibilities no matter how unusual- if he hopes to succeed.
Adding to the pressure- the Victim was a friend of his daughter.
This isn’t a bad story, and I quite enjoyed the chapters when Alex was investigating BUT -I have a couple of reasons why it’s just a 3 star read for me, IN ADDITION to the synopsis giving away too much.
First, as we get to know the residents of this small Coastal town, it seemed obvious to me who would be guilty of MURDER.
Second, there is gratuitous animal harm, and if you follow my reviews, you know that I don’t want to read about that. A dog dies in an accidental death, which explains some of the plot, BUT there wasn’t a need to describe the deaths of fish, toads or Coyotes to further the plot after that. (SKIP CH 34 to avoid content the Publisher warns about if you are triggered by animal abuse)
If you go in blind, or if they make the book’s synopsis more succinct by publication date, and you aren’t bothered by animal death-you just might enjoy this one more than I did!
NOW AVAILABLE
Thank you to Celadon books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
If you are familiar with my favorite song from the Musical “Chicago” it describes this book perfectly. As I reached the climax of this book, I could hIf you are familiar with my favorite song from the Musical “Chicago” it describes this book perfectly. As I reached the climax of this book, I could hear the thundering crescendo of the “Cell Block Tango” playing in my head…..
“HE HAD IT COMING”
Wednesday 11:30 AM Police, Fire or Ambulance?
A man has been hit by a car at the corner of Williamsburg Road and Cook Avenue. Several witnesses have called it in, but nobody can describe the car that hit him. It happened too fast, and it happened in the pouring rain…
Police are appealing for help in identifying the man.
THREE women are watching the news when they recognize the hand of the man being loaded by stretcher into the ambulance that has raced to the scene.
The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Marla, Sonya, Athena, and an unnamed FOURTH narrator.
At least ONE woman knows the “truth about the accident”.
Nicole Trope has delivered another delicious tale of REVENGE which plays out with quick chapters which allow you to convince yourself “just one more”! Her stories are fun-you can usually read them in one sitting as she keeps you guessing!!
And, this one is AVAILABLE now!
A buddy read with my friend, Susan! Be sure to watch for her amazing review for additional insight!
Thank You to Novel Suspects for sending me a gifted copy! It’s always fun to find a book in the mail, and it was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its IS MONEY THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL?
When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious.
When just a child, she was the victim of a famous kidnapping, and as an adult she has become a widow four times over, earning herself the nickname of “Mrs. Killmore”.
In the aftermath of her death, her estate-the Ashby house, along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish―was passed down to her adopted son, Camden, who wants no part of it.
But his wife, Jules, does….
The story unfolds from the alternating perspectives of Jules, Camden and Ruby (through a series of TELL ALL letters) along with some clippings from various magazine and newspaper articles over the years, after Camden is called home to deal with the estate.
This sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun to read, BUT it was probably my least favorite book by this author, and I wasn’t captivated by the story at all.
But, I must give credit where credit is due.
Many authors can write an entertaining book that is ruined by a terrible ending, but this time, an average story was somewhat redeemed by a CLEVER denouement, which earned it the extra .5 ⭐️
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down
NOW AVAILABLE
A buddy read which ended up with two of us giving it a ...more
Eileen (Elsy) Merriweather loves to get lost in a good “happily-ever-after” . Reading romance novels helps her to cope with the heartbreak cauWHAT IF?
Eileen (Elsy) Merriweather loves to get lost in a good “happily-ever-after” . Reading romance novels helps her to cope with the heartbreak caused by her fiancé, Liam, who called off their wedding just one week before it was supposed to take place.
And, this year, especially, she is REALLY REALLY looking forward to going to her annual book club retreat, with her best friend, Pru, and the other members of the “Super Smutty Book Club”. She NEEDS her good friends, the cheap wine, and the grand romantic gestures found in fiction.
But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels eerily familiar-like it’s right out of her favorite novel-DAFFODIL DAYDREAMS-by Rachel Flowers.
But, how can that be?
In Eloraton, the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon, and lasts until midnight.
As, she begins to meet its residents, she realizes that she already knows who they are…all except for Anders, the grumpy bookstore owner with the “minty green eyes”.
Could she possibly, somehow, actually be IN the town written by the late author who unexpectedly died at age 32, before the could finish the fifth book of the five book series?
Could she actually be trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story? Was Anders meant to be the MC of the final book, and if so, who was he meant to meet?
As it starts to feel like MAYBE it could be her, she has to wonder WHAT IF?
Would it be possible to STAY?
For romance readers who have WISHED they could visit their favorite fictional small town, or WISHED they could actually date their favorite “book boyfriend”, this charming, delightful book is for YOU!! I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet but not spicy romance and my time spent in Eloraton.
Do you believe in magic?
You just MIGHT after reading this book!
The only reason it earns 4 stars instead of 5 stars, is because we were TOO frequently reminded of the town’s charms, and of Anders “minty green eyes” which started to feel a bit repetitive-but that is just a very MINOR complaint!
4.5 stars! ⭐️
This was a buddy read with DeAnn and MarilynW. Be sure to watch for their AMAZING reviews for additional insight!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
The Revolutionary Marketing: Traditional “couples” and “family” therapy often fails because it fails to create empathy- But now there is a new device caThe Revolutionary Marketing: Traditional “couples” and “family” therapy often fails because it fails to create empathy- But now there is a new device called “The Empathyzer-a pair of bracelets which look a lot like smart watches-one worn by each person-allowing you to swap bodies and literally walk in the other person’s shoes.
When Mary gets an internship at the company who created “The Empathyzer” she decides to sneak a set out of the building, and give it a try with her best friend and roommate, Elizabeth.
At first the two girls are just having a bit of fun! (Freaky Friday!)
But then something goes horribly wrong on Halloween, seven years ago….
Told in the past and the present the chapters are labeled: Mary (Elizabeth) and Elizabeth (Mary) the first name being the actual person and the second name in parentheses, being the body they are inhabiting.
I was intrigued by the premise and IF the author had created a speculative World where we met several pairs of people wearing the Empathyzers with mixed results, I probably would have enjoyed the book. (Think John Marrs)
BUT, unfortunately, despite the use of this device to achieve the “desired outcome” this was really just ANOTHER story about a buried SECRET, BETRAYAL, and REVENGE, and not one that I enjoyed. I was looking for more of a Sci Fi style, but if you love revenge stories perhaps you will have better luck with this one?
Trigger Warnings thoughtfully provided by the author include: physical violence, gun violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, gaslighting, and drug use.
I loved the author’s debut “The Other Me” a 5 ⭐️ read for me-so I was very disappointed that her sophomore effort was a MISS.
The New York Times Book Review has just branded debut author Camryn Lane as a “brave new voice in Fiction”and labeled her novel “Burnt Orchid”, as “chThe New York Times Book Review has just branded debut author Camryn Lane as a “brave new voice in Fiction”and labeled her novel “Burnt Orchid”, as “chilling, heart wrenching and painfully authentic” (excerpts from the book are included, making this a book within a book)
And, just as Ms. Lane is about to do her first reading, while celebrating with friends and family, an email pings to the author account that her Publisher encouraged her to set up. It feels fortuitous, so she opens it as she is about to step on stage…
BIG MISTAKE
It’s an email from a reader named Ingrid Wandry, accusing her of exploiting the high school students that she counsels in her “day job”-even though the teens in her book are homeless and living on the streets.
After all, aren’t writers always told to “write what you know”?
SOON after-she notices a very articulate and convincing ONE STAR REVIEW on the popular book site- READEM.
The disgruntled reader is ANGRY, and she is getting a lot of attention for her review, which suggests that readers BOYCOTT the book. It appears to be Ingrid again-and soon the TROLL is making the attacks personal.
The site is flooded with one star reviews and the books average rating is steadily declining.
Camryn is rattled by the accusations she finds on the site, but her PR team counsels her to NOT engage.
EASIER SAID THAN DONE
As the attacks escalate from online harassment to threats in her personal life, she becomes reckless as she attempts to save her career, and discover the true identity of her accuser.
She doesn’t know who she can trust.
And, this distrust is now jeopardizing her relationships with her daughter, partner, and long time friends.
But, is the troll a random reader-or is it someone she knows? And, why has she been targeted?
Books about “One Star Reviews” are having a moment but this just may be the BEST one that I have read because the characters are well developed and the relationships felt authentic.
I felt Camryn’s anguish as she watched her “life long” dream of becoming an author, coming to end just as it was getting started-helpless to control her own narrative.
The denouement is CLEVER as it ties in Camryn’s book “Burnt Orchid” to her present day struggles, and as it alludes to the kind of book she might write next, if she can salvage her career.
Now, if I were a reviewer on READEM, “Burnt Orchid” would have only earned 3 stars ⭐️ from me-It was ALL TELL, and NO SHOW, and I didn’t find it engaging.
But, Robyn Harding is getting 4.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up for “The Haters”. I was entertained from the first page through the last.
Available NOW!!
A buddy read with Mary Beth! Did she love it or hate it? Be sure to watch for her review!
Thank You to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
#What Happened To Nina sucked me in from the first page-it was “unputdownable”! And, it’s NOW AVAILABLE!!
Dervla McTiernan originally made her name as a#What Happened To Nina sucked me in from the first page-it was “unputdownable”! And, it’s NOW AVAILABLE!!
Dervla McTiernan originally made her name as a bestselling author in Australia and New Zealand, but you can’t help but wonder if this book was inspired by the 2021 Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie case in the U.S..
Nina Fraser and her long time boyfriend, Simon Jordan depart for a romantic weekend away at his parent’s lakefront second property in Vermont which is surrounded by gorgeous trails which the young couple planned to hike-
BUT ONLY ONE WILL RETURN
Simon will claim that Nina broke up with him, and he left her there, per her request but we know from the opening prologue from NINA- that what happened is probably not the tale he is telling…
WE WON’T HEAR FROM HER AGAIN (not a spoiler)
The two families will be pitted against each other—one seeking justice in the disappearance of their daughter, and the other desperate enough to clear their son’s name that they hire the best lawyers and a PR firm that doesn’t care if Nina’s parents are suffering as they start a media campaign that slanders the Frasers by planting wild accusations and conspiracies online to divert attention from Simon.
You will be a fly on the wall…and privy to all of the SCANDALOUS conversations and it feels very REAL.
This FAST PACED story unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Nina’s parents-LeeAnne and Andy, and from Simon’s parents, Jamie and Rory, but not from Simon.
An additional POV is that of Detective Matthew Wright as he tries to solve the case.
How far would you go for your child?
This is my second read from the author after being introduced to her work when I read another of her standalone books-“The Murder Rule”, and it DOES NOT disappoint !
Definitely recommended! A buddy read with DeAnn…does she recommend this one too?
Thank You to Scene of the Crime/William Morrow for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
Let me introduce you to the “Nosy Neighbors” seen peeking through the mail slot of this ADORABLE book cover!!
Flat #2 is the home of the cantankerous sLet me introduce you to the “Nosy Neighbors” seen peeking through the mail slot of this ADORABLE book cover!!
Flat #2 is the home of the cantankerous seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling -Shelley House’s longest resident. Always armed with a cup of tea, and her diary, she notes all of the coming and goings of the residence in her trusty notebook. She is seen on the left. (And, by the way that is MS. Darling to you!)
Beside her in that mail slot, on the right, is pink haired Kat Bennett. She has recently moved into Flat #1 as Joseph Chambers illegal subtenant, and she and Dorothy were not always accomplices-having gotten off on the wrong foot. Also in flat #1 is Reggie-an adorable Jack Russell terrier and scene stealer! (Or Reginald, according to Ms. Darling)
Rounding out the building is : Flat #3 Omar Siddiq and his daughter, Ayesha Flat #4 The anti-social tenant who frequently disturbs their peace Flat#5 Tomas’s Wojcik and his pit bull, Princess and Flat#6 Gloria Brown and her “latest no good”boyfriend.
This unlikely assortment of neighbors will have to band together if they have any hope of saving the historic Shelley House from demolition from an unscrupulous developer, Ferguson Alexander.
As eviction day nears, and things become dangerous, Dorothy and Kat must do something that neither one is comfortable doing-trust another person-each other-if they are to outwit and outlast Ferguson.
Once again, Freya Sampson has penned a delightful, COZY story of a community coming together, and written characters who will feel like friends by the end of the book!
There are reasons that Dorothy and Kat are both so closed off-and those secrets aren’t the only surprise revelations!
A new book from Freya Sampson is now something I am always watching for-she is three for three for me!!
“EVIL ISN’T MERELY A WORD-IT’S A TANGIBLE, DIMENSIONAL THING”
Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who suffers from “traumatic mutism”-she literally ca“EVIL ISN’T MERELY A WORD-IT’S A TANGIBLE, DIMENSIONAL THING”
Rose Barclay is a nine-year-old girl who suffers from “traumatic mutism”-she literally can no longer speak.
It all started after she witnessed the “possible murder” of her nanny Tina, in the midst of her parent's imminent divorce.
Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney, appointed to serve as counsel for children in custody cases. She usually refuses to accept clients under the age of thirteen due to a her own traumatic childhood.
But since she also suffered from “traumatic mutism” as a child, she seems best suited to find a way to reach Rose. Her job will be to determine which parent is better suited to be awarded full custody.
But that won’t be the only challenge.
Certain details surrounding Tina’s fall, lead the Police to have doubts about it being an accident, and although they have been unable to build a case against ANYONE -EVERYONE remains a suspect:
Beth Barclay-Rose’s mom Ian Barclay-Rose’s dad Harriett-Rose’s grandmother and even Rose herself…
The Barclays have removed all of the GLASS in the home, after Rose started collecting sharp objects. And, Stella has discovered that this strangely formal, extremely intelligent little girl is hiding “The Stranger Beside Me” a book about the serial killer, Ted Bundy, within the covers of “Anne of Green Gables” …
Why are the Barclays so HESITANT to allow Stella to spend time alone with Rose?
“FEAR TAKES MANY FORMS. IT’S A GREAT MOTIVATOR and a POWERFUL DETERRENT “
I really enjoyed this book from the very first pages! The author created a sinister, disturbing atmosphere and a child you will feel leary of…
It’s a more linear mystery which DOESN’T rely on crazy twists, instead revealing its surprises as we become further invested. I prefer more plausible stories, and a chance to get to know the characters so it worked well for my tastes. I am always THRILLED when I find a book with an ORIGINAL PLOT in a genre filled with tired, repeated tropes.
I was satisfied with MOST of the resolution, and even got teary eyed at one point, but felt that one small aspect felt forced and contrived (-.5 for that!) That brings me to 4.5 rounded up.
It seems that Sarah Pekkanen will make my “favorites list” two years in a row! I have also enjoyed her collaborations with Greer Hendricks.
A buddy read with DeAnn, MarilynW and Mary Beth. Be sure to read their reviews for additional insight!
AVAILABLE NOW!
THANK YOU to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!...more
“The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale” may be a story inspired by “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, but this contemporary reimagining is all about STEPPING “The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale” may be a story inspired by “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, but this contemporary reimagining is all about STEPPING OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE and FINDING THE POWER YOU HAVE THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN INSIDE OF YOU, ALL ALONG!
And, I LOVE that concept! ❤️
Dorothy “Dee” Gale grew up with her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas. But when Dee’s relationship with Grayson Kettering, a graduate school faculty member and bestselling novelist, ends in humiliation, she finds herself caught up in a “tornado of negative publicity”!
Looking for a fresh start, Dee applies to, and gets accepted into, a writing program at Trinity College Dublin.
And, suddenly, Dorothy (Dee) definitely isn’t in Kansas anymore!
Along the way on her new journey, she will meet Sam Clery—a guy who may be loyal to a fault, and who doesn’t realize just how SMART he really is-Tim Woodman-a guy who wears an armor-like shield to protect his HEART and Reeti Kaur, a friend who offers great support and advice, but lacks the COURAGE to practice what she preaches- and tell her parents what her own dreams are.
Will her path (yellow brick road) to the Emerald Isle (Emerald City) lead to her own fairy tale ending?
When I was offered the opportunity to read this early copy, I knew I had to download it, since I have been meaning to read Virginia Kantra’s work for awhile now! Her books include “Meg and Jo” and “Beth and Amy”, contemporary retellings of “Little Women” which received starred reviews from “Publishers Weekly” and “Booklist” and praise in “People Magazine” and “USA Today”, but which somehow, I haven’t gotten around to reading (yet!!)
And, I wasn’t disappointed!
Well developed characters, messy relationships, and strong women, woven into an ENTERTAINING story made this one a winner for me!
I flew through it, dare I say, like a witch on a broom? ...more