Verity left me completely speechless, unsettled and unabashedly begging CoHo to write more thrillers!!!
I found this story creepy, dark, addictive and Verity left me completely speechless, unsettled and unabashedly begging CoHo to write more thrillers!!!
I found this story creepy, dark, addictive and absolutely unputdownable. Hoover has quite an imagination and as an avid thriller reader I was immediately drawn into the creepy world she created within the Crawford's home.
"My mother used to say that houses have a soul, and if that's true, the soul of Verity Carwford's house is as dark as they come."
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer with no family and no place to call home. She is approached by bestselling author, Verity Crawford's husband to complete the last three books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Drawn to Jeremy Crawford and needing the financial stability this arrangement would provide Lowen agrees to complete the books and finds herself a guest in the Crawford home as she sorts through Verity's papers.
"Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that see to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse."
The Crawford's have experienced devastating tragedy in the loss of their twin daughters. Lowen can't help but feel sympathy for the grieving Jeremy and his remaining son. Then she uncovers Verity's unfinished autobiography. Page upon page of bone-chilling, psychotic admissions. As Lowen uncovers Verity's deepest, darkest secrets things between her and Jeremy begin to intensify.
But is all as it seems within the Crawford house?
There were many chilling & disturbing moments here both in the present and via Verity's autobiography which we get to read select chapters of along with Lowen. I loved this foray into the romantic thriller world and certainly hope we will be seeing more of this from Hoover in the future....more
Picture this: Someone is watching you, he knows your every move, every plan you make and every word you speak. He refuses to be ignored, taunting you Picture this: Someone is watching you, he knows your every move, every plan you make and every word you speak. He refuses to be ignored, taunting you with terrifying messages in an attempt to obligate you do his bidding! Scary right?
😱 That's the premise behind this absolutely chilling thriller! John Nicholl really knows how to get a reader's pulse racing. ☠️🔪
In Anonymity we meet Mia, an author and mom with a 4yr. old daughter. Mia receives terrifying taunting emails that immediately put her on edge. The sender, although anonymous, knows personal details about Mia no stranger should know - unless they are watching her. As the internet stalker's threats intensify, Mia begins to unravel. At the advice of her sister she turns to longtime family friend DI Gravel for help.
Gravel is at a low point in his life. Having recently lost his wife and still on medical leave as he recovers from a heart attack, he spends his days drinking and smoking in excess. Knowing he needs to work to be able to move forward he decides to help Mia. Though Gravel is typically uncouth and rough around the edges I felt real pity for him in this book. There was so much hurt, heartbreak and raw emotion in his scenes. It really left me reeling.
Nicholl reveals the stalker early on in this one. I'm not typically a fan of this strategy but it works here. The main arc here is not about guessing who the stalker is. It's about the sickening cat and mouse game he plays with Mia. As outside observers we know exactly what is happening but it's a nail biting, tense ride. Instead of distracting from the thriller, it adds a heightened layer of trepidation. It was like watching a slasher movie where you find yourself yelling at the screen for characters not to go in a room or run the other way because you know what awaits them.
The plot escalated to an ending that I did NOT expect (maybe because I went into this one blind!). Nicholl knows how to create a spine tingling story. This one gripped me from beginning to end and left me feeling a bit heartbroken.
Thank you to John Nicholl, Bloodhound Books and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my unbiased, honest opinion. ...more
The Collector is an unsettling psychological thriller.
I did not read Rattle, the first book in Fiona Cummins' Bone Collector series, but this booThe Collector is an unsettling psychological thriller.
I did not read Rattle, the first book in Fiona Cummins' Bone Collector series, but this book worked well as a standalone. I didn't feel lost as Cummins did a wonderful job filling in any necessary back story. Undoubtedly, readers who have read the first book would fare better as this storyline involved many of the same characters and referenced the events from the first book.
Brian Howley (The Bone Collector) a.k.a Mr. Silver is definitely a twisted, deranged killer. After having his collection taken from him when he caught and subsequently making his escape from the police Mr. Silver is now on the run and looking to start a new collection. Yet for all his morbid plans I spent much of this book waiting for him to actually behave like a deranged killer. He spent much of the book formulating plans and making preparation for the "grooming" of an heir to his collection. Unfortunately, I found this a bit lackluster and at times even boring.
Enter Saul, an intelligent teenage boy with a horrible home life and some secrets of his own. He looks like the perfect target for Mr. Silver. I have to say I truly enjoyed Saul's complex character. He has his own demons to face daily and Cummins did an amazing job of showing us his inner turmoil. He was well developed and by far my favorite character. His push and pull with Mr. Silver was a driving force of the plot and definitely what kept me reading to the end. I wanted to know what he would do. I had to find out what would become of Saul.
This wasn't a bad read by any means. I think I personally just anticipated something a bit more bone chillingly thrilling and sinister so it was a bit of a let down in that sense. I am happy to have been introduced to Saul's character and was left harboring hope that we might see him in future books.
Thank you to Fiona Cummins, Kensington Books, Pinnacle and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book....more
Shelter in Place 8 minutes - a mass shooting - a physical and emotional aftermath that leaves countless lives changed forever
This was a gut wrenching Shelter in Place 8 minutes - a mass shooting - a physical and emotional aftermath that leaves countless lives changed forever
This was a gut wrenching book to read in light of the mass shootings we have endured but I found it well written. Roberts' focus wasn't solely on the shooting itself. The book fast forwards and focuses instead mainly on the after effects of the shooting - on the lives of the victims and heroes and on the true mastermind behind the plot's warped quest for vengeance.
The story is part romance, part mystery & thriller. It's not always easy to blend these genres but Roberts does it well. She knows how to write an engaging plot with characters you become invested in and villains you hate. There were moments that required a definite suspension of belief but I was definitely invested enough in the story to be able to just go with it. After all, I enjoy a well written psychopath and we certainly had that here.
Overall, it wasn't my favorite Nora Roberts read but it definitely rates among the top 5. Shelter in Place is sure to draw in new fans while appealing to Roberts' tried and true readers as well....more
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi broke me while simultaneously filling my mind, soul and heart with vast emotions all at the saA Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi broke me while simultaneously filling my mind, soul and heart with vast emotions all at the same time.
This book deserves all the stars for the raw emotion it made me feel. Tahereh Mafi's voice was so honest - Shirin was funny, intelligent, clever and so angry. She was the perfect narrator. My heart bled for her. Shirin's pain was so real - I wanted to hug her fiercely. The story follows Shirin as her family moves to yet another new city. She deals with daily racism, hate and degrading comments from being a Muslim teen post 9/11. I adored her fierceness, her strength and her vulnerability. Tahereh wrote from her own personal experiences, creating a truly powerful and inspirational character in Shirin. I truly loved watching her grow throughout the book. Her self awakening was beautiful.
The romance between Ocean and Shirin was impossible not to get caught up in. Could he have been any more swoon worthy? He was the perfect complement to Shirin's fierceness. His innocence, tenderness and honesty were exactly what she needed to pierce through the armor she had built up around herself. Their relationship built up slowly and I was enthralled with every angsty moment of it. It made me feel like a love-sick teenager all over again. Their's was not an easy road to love - it was bumpy, heartbreaking and painful at times. Yet, it was wholeheartedly genuine, sweet and utterly undeniable.
To say this book was a roller coaster ride of emotion would be an understatement! I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud and I definitely cringed at some of the racism and bigotry Shirin endured. Did I mention there was breakdancing?! There is and it was a wonderful, unexpected addition for this Bronx native! A Very Large Expanse of Sea was an emotional, beautifully written story - in short it's the kind of story you know you won't soon forget....more
The Craftsman is a chilling, atmospheric read involving magic, witches, power, evil & missing children. Did that grab your attention? It absolutely grThe Craftsman is a chilling, atmospheric read involving magic, witches, power, evil & missing children. Did that grab your attention? It absolutely grabbed mine too!
1969 - Florence Lovelady is a young police officer struggling to be accepted by her fellow officers in Lancashire. There are several missing children in Pendle Hill and Florence working the case, finds the body of 13 year old Patsy Wood buried alive. Local funeral director and master carpenter Larry Glassbrook is arrested and sentenced to prison for the heinous crimes.
1999 - 30 years later Florence returns to Lancashire for Larry's funeral. Facing nightmarish memories and old demons Florence revisits the 1969 crimes. She finds herself questioning the old case when she uncovers a recently placed effigy, complete with her missing finger in the grounds of Glassbrook's family home. Could they have gotten it all wrong thirty years ago?
Uncovering the truth becomes a life or death mission for Florence. One seeped in mystical mystery and treachery at the hands of powerful, sadistic villains who will stop at nothing to achieve their dark desires.
The Craftsman was a dark, chilling and atmospheric mystery. This was my first Sharon Bolton read but it definitely won't be my last. Thank you to Sharon Bolton, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an arc of this amazing read!...more
🔥 3.5 Stars (rounded up) for J.R. Ward's Consumed! 🔥
I have been a J.R. Ward fan for years. Over time I have faithfully devoured each book in her Black🔥 3.5 Stars (rounded up) for J.R. Ward's Consumed! 🔥
I have been a J.R. Ward fan for years. Over time I have faithfully devoured each book in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Consumed is the first book in her new series so of course I had to read it! I was happy to find that it mostly stays true to the writing style Ward's fans have come to love & expect with an added bonus that I loved - a mystery twist.
The book opens strong taking us right into a two-alarm fire that has life-altering consequences for two of our main characters - Anne and Danny. As to be expected from Ward we have strong-willed, emotional and relatably flawed lead characters. The book takes a turn from the initial opening scene and takes us through Anne and Danny's road to recovery as they deal with the physical and emotional scars left by the devastating decisions they had to make in the fire.
This was very much a "first book" in a series. It introduces us to the cast of characters and offers some backstory while setting the stage for more to come. I found the characters likable. The plot was interesting and I enjoyed the mystery twist with Anne becoming an arson investigator and having to uncover the truth behind a series of fires in the warehouse district.
Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read. It did feel a bit slow towards the middle but it started and ended off strong for me which brought it all together. I understood it was a book 1 and as such was laying a foundation for the books to come so I gave some allowances for that. The title was very appropriate as the characters dealt with various things that "consumed" their lives - love, lust, work, ambition, desire, alcohol, etc. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next with this cast of firefighters.
Thank you to J.R. Ward, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance copy....more
4 stars for this tantalizing, indulgent mystery that was so much more addictive than watching a reality show or soap opera!
The Perfect Couple is se 4 stars for this tantalizing, indulgent mystery that was so much more addictive than watching a reality show or soap opera!
The Perfect Couple is set in Nantucket, amidst the no expense spared paradise of sand, sun, beautiful wealthy people, privilege, secrets, lies and of course murder. To say I could not resist this book would be an understatement. I literally had to force myself to put it down and I eagerly picked it up any chance I got.
Benji and Celeste are set to be married until the bride finds her best friend and maid-of-honor, Merritt's body floating in the water. What follows is the unraveling of so much juicy deceit and so many secrets that you will not be able to turn the pages fast enough. With so many characters and so many secrets you can't help but suspect everyone! Hilderbrand did an amazing job unfolding this whodunnit. I will admit that I had suspicions about what happened but I did not have all the logistics worked out. I was very satisfied with the ending and pleased that I did not have it all figured out.
This is by far my favorite Hilderbrand to date and one that will be difficult for her to beat in my mind!...more
"When Sadie lost Mattie, it drove her to leave her home in Cold Creek, to take on the loneliness and pain of all those miles, just to find her litt"When Sadie lost Mattie, it drove her to leave her home in Cold Creek, to take on the loneliness and pain of all those miles, just to find her little sister's murderer and make the world right again, even, possibly, at the expense of herself."
Sadie was everything I hoped she would be and more! She is the kind of character that tays with you long after you have finished reading the book.
Sadie has had a hard life but nothing affects her more deeply than the murder of her sister. It was a horrific crime and it seems no one will answer for it. Sadie simply cannot accept that. She has nothing left to live for - except seeking her own brand of justice for her sister.
Sadie ultimately ghosts. She walks away from the life she knows, seeking revenge, armed with a switchblade and fueled by sheer determination. Sadie's story is harsh and simply heart crushing. She is the kind of character that you wish you could reach inside of the book and save. Except Sadie didn't want saving. She was beyond that.
The story is told from alternating viewpoints - that of Sadie and radio personality, West McCray. West McCray is called in to help find Sadie by her neighbor, who was essentially looking out for her and Mattie. He decides to follow the clues as part of his podcast in the hopes that the trail of crumbs will lead him to Sadie.
This book was so well crafted. Summers does an amazing job of pulling the reader into Sadie's world. We feel her grief and her anger. We see the effects of her pain. We can't help but love her for it because we know Sadie needs and deserves our love. The love she never felt from her mother. The love she has craved all her life and had freely given to her sister.
This is not a happy story. It speaks of child abuse, murder, substance abuse, parental neglect and more. This story broke me and yet I feel better for having read it. Sadie is one of those rare characters that will live on in my heart....more
🚗 3.5 Stars for Forget Me Not an emotional, whodunnit thriller 🙎🏼
What happened to Nora Altman?
17 year old Nora Altman's car was found abandoned by🚗 3.5 Stars for Forget Me Not an emotional, whodunnit thriller 🙎🏼
What happened to Nora Altman?
17 year old Nora Altman's car was found abandoned by the side of the road on January 7, 2008, out of gas but nothing else seemingly out of the ordinary. No one knew where Nora had been headed or what she had been doing at the time but she was never seen or heard from again after that night.
Nora's disappearance wreaked havoc on her family and close friends. The not knowing, the waiting, the hoping - rendering those that loved her most in a sort of limbo, unable to move on.
10 years later to the day, on the memorial of Nora's disappearance her younger sister Noelle, now also 17, suddenly goes missing. Unfortunately, this time there are immediate answers for the family - Noelle's body is recovered on the same stretch of road where her sister had gone missing ten years before. Who murdered Noelle?
Can the same person be striking again?
This is a slow burn whodunnit focusing mainly on Nora's best friend Maddie, who's life has been adversely affected by her friends disappearance. Maddie is obsessed with uncovering the truth about what happened to Nora and Noelle. She begins sleuthing, uncovering secrets and lies that have lain dormant for 10 years.
Overall, I enjoyed this emotionally fraught mystery/thriller but I simply didn't love it. There were parts that seemed too long and moments where the book dragged for me. Still, I definitely saw promise from this debut novel and I look forward to seeing what Taylor comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley, A.M. Taylor and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for an advance copy of this book. ...more
This psychological thriller had an intense start and definitely pulled me in right away. Joseph Lynch is innocently dri3.5 ⭐️s for T.M. Logan's Lies!
This psychological thriller had an intense start and definitely pulled me in right away. Joseph Lynch is innocently driving home when his son spots his wife's car on the road. He decides to follow her at his son's request to "surprise mommy". Little did he know that based on that one spontaneous decision he was unwittingly in for a life altering surprise.
While the premise of the book was interesting, it is also one that has been done many times over so I was looking for it to stand out in some way. Unfortunately, I had most of the "lies" figured out early on. There was one twist that I hadn't anticipated until the end and that definitely redeemed things a bit for me. Hence the 3.5 versus 3 stars rating. I do enjoy having the wool pulled over my eyes in any way possible! When you read thrillers as often as I do, this becomes increasing harder to experience so any little unforeseen twist is very welcome.
All in all, this was a quick and enjoyable page-turner. It's not one I'll remember for long to come but it was definitely fun while I read it.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, T.M. Logan & NetGalley for the copy to review....more
🔪☠️ The Lies We Told is a suspenseful, secrets & lies filled thriller! 🤐
Going back and forth between the past and the present we see the unfolding of 🔪☠️ The Lies We Told is a suspenseful, secrets & lies filled thriller! 🤐
Going back and forth between the past and the present we see the unfolding of two POVs. You know the stories will collide at some point but there is so much redirection and guessing that takes place along the way. I was riveted by both stories. The opening scene was chilling! First we meet Beth in 1986, a stay-at-home mother who is struggling with her daughter Hannah. Hannah was such a tantalizing character. There is something beyond frightening about a troubled child. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, waiting to see what would happen next with her. Then we meet Clara in 2017 who is the opposite of Hannah in every way. She personified trust, hope and goodness. Unfortunately, Clara wakes up one morning to discover that her boyfriend never made it home and is missing.
As I stated, you know these two stories converge. The questions are how and why. I'll be honest and say I was feeling pretty confident about having this one all figured out. The pieces began to fall into place and then I noticed there was still about 15% of the book left. What? How? Oh yes, plot twist!
This psychological thriller was filled with dark secrets, lies and satisfying twists!
Thank you to Camilla Way, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the arc....more
4 You Have No Idea What's REALLY Going On Behind Closed Doors Stars!
Welcome to Melville Heights - an idyllic, family based, wealthy neighborhood that 4 You Have No Idea What's REALLY Going On Behind Closed Doors Stars!
Welcome to Melville Heights - an idyllic, family based, wealthy neighborhood that is the kind of place everyone wishes they could live. Except for the fact that nothing is as it seems. Behind the picturesque closed doors of these painted beauty houses lies dark, ugly and sinister secrets. The kind of secrets that inevitably make it to the light of day through MURDER!
The book opens with a murder scene. We know someone was killed - now we have to figure out who and why. Jewell is skilled at diverting our attention and making us question everyone. As we begin to meet the inhabitants of this community we realize the killer could literally be anyone. There is so much going on here and nothing is quite what it seems from the outside looking in.
Each home and family has so much going on beyond it's surface. There were many themes touched on within this book - obsession, attraction, abuse, trust, infidelity, marriage and parenting. Jewell is certainly a master craftsman at spinning her tale into an intricately layered web. While there were some things that I was able to figure out, there were others that left me absolutely gobsmacked!
I loved how perspective played such a huge part in the storyline. Everyone seemed to be watching everyone else for one reason or another. Characters see things from their own vantage points, take things out of context and make assumptions based on their own beliefs. At times these collide with another character's view and sometimes things seem to perfectly align - causing us as reader's to form and reform our own beliefs as we read. I changed my mind so many times while reading, it felt like reader whiplash!
This is only my second Lisa Jewell book and each one has been an amazing reading experience. I can say with certainty that I will be reading more from her and I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with in the future.
Thank you Lisa Jewell, Atria Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book...more
4 Friends to Lovers never gets old stars for My Favorite Half-Night Stand!
Christina Lauren create genuinely endearing characters and write with such 4 Friends to Lovers never gets old stars for My Favorite Half-Night Stand!
Christina Lauren create genuinely endearing characters and write with such witty snark, humor and laugh out loud moments that I can't get enough! In My Favorite Half-Night Stand we meet Millie and her male BFF Reid as they explore the triumphs and pitfalls of friendship and online dating.
Millie is intelligent, witty and presumably "one of the guys" amongst her close group of male friends. One of the things I enjoyed most about her was her career. As an avid fan of shows like Criminal Minds I loved that she was a criminology professor and into female serial killers. Although you might imagine that isn't the best ice breaker on a first date.
Millie is guarded and emotionally stunted. Her childhood experiences taught her to bottle up her emotions, compartmentalize them and hide them away. None of this bodes well for her adult relationships. She desires to let her walls down and finally share her true self with someone but she simply doesn't know how.
Reid is the opposite of Millie. He is fully in touch with his feelings and not afraid to show them. Amongst their groups of friends he is known as the sensitive one. You know the saying "opposites attract"? Well it's alive and well here.
Millie and Reid have a special bond. She's as much "herself" as she allows herself to be with anyone with him. Reid is her rock. He is always there for her. So when one night of passionate, drunken sex threatens to change things, Millie freaks. She isn't ready to lose her best friend over sex. No matter how great it was. Or is she?
With a big gala looming over the single group of friends. They decide to turn to online dating. Millie pens the group's profiles, writing hers superficially. It's no surprise hers leads her to receive various inappropriate pictures and lewd offers. She decides to put herself out there and pens a new one bearing her middle name, Catherine, in secret. Surprise - her new profile is a match with none other than Reid!
Written exchanges take place between "Catherine" and Reid. Under the guise of this new persona Millie is able to share more of herself with Reid than she ever has in person. Unfortunately, as the two correspond via the online dating app, things continue to heat up between them in real life causing them to question everything. Are they meant to be more than friends? How will Reid feel when he finds out the truth about Millie/Catherine? Is Millie capable of sharing her emotions and truly letting Reid into her heart?
This was a fun read that I absolutely devoured as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I was rooting for Millie and Reid the entire time. It was fun to see the twist of dynamics here with the guy being the sensitive one and the woman being closed off. There were so many hilarious texts and one-liners between the friends that made me laugh out loud. In short, this was a sweet, sexy & funny read. Pick it up, lose yourself in it.
Thank you Christina Lauren, Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an arc of this book! I look forward to whatever you pen next - I'll definitely be reading....more
This is How It Always Iswas emotional, touching and at times a bit saccharine but I loved every page!
This is a story of love, family and This is How It Always Iswas emotional, touching and at times a bit saccharine but I loved every page!
This is a story of love, family and acceptance. It is also the story of young Claude who has gender dysphoria. Claude is the youngest of Rosie & Penn's five children and the result of their final attempt at having a daughter after 4 boys. Claude was a special child and a perfect addition to the family. He walked and talked at 9 months and was baking 3-tier cakes and writing and illustrating mysteries at age 3. By the time Claude was 5, what he wanted more than anything was to "grow up and become a little girl".
"You can't tell people what to be, I'm afraid. You can only love and support who they already are."
Rosie and Penn's lives had never been what would be considered "traditional" by most people. They saw that Claude's desire to wear a dress wasn't a curiosity or a passing fancy. Together the entire family forges ahead on the emotionally wrought path to support Claude as he becomes Poppy.
Although Frankel chose to make the family almost overly accepting (thus my comment about it being saccharine at times) the story was balanced by the honest confusion, fears and emotion displayed. It wasn't easy - the decisions made were fraught with worry from both Penn & Rosie, Poppy and even the other children. We see heartbreak and prejudice and mistakes made along the way.
There were lessons to be learned within the pages of this story. I applaud Frankel for not shying away from them but for presenting them with love and honesty. Frankel herself has a transgender child and you can clearly see this story was an honest work written from her heart and rooted in personal experience.
I leave you with one final thought made by Laurie Frankel in the Author's note:"I wish for my child, for all our children, a world where they can be who they are and become their most loved, blessed, appreciated selves." Me too, Laurie! Me too!...more
A thrilling cat & mouse chase between good & evil!
DI Amy Winter is a strong, resilient and respected police officer. She wants nothing more than to maA thrilling cat & mouse chase between good & evil!
DI Amy Winter is a strong, resilient and respected police officer. She wants nothing more than to make her recently deceased police officer father proud. Then she receives a letter from Lillian Grimes, one half of a notorious and prolific serial murder duo, claiming she is her birth mother.
This book had some serious good versus evil vibes between Amy & Lillian. I enjoyed their back and forth push and pull. Lillian is pure evil. She is a master manipulator, excelling at mind games. Amy never backs down, despite the turmoil she endures as her childhood memories begin to resurface. Amy must face her past in order to uncover the location of long hidden bodies and possibly save a young girl's life.
The story took some well crafted twists & turns and left us with a very enticing cliffhanger. Mitchell certainly has an excellent start to a series here. I look forward to seeing what book 2 has in store for Amy....more
3.5 stars (rounded up) for Nell and Lady - a touching story of family, loss and forgiveness.
Set against the backdrop of prejudice in the deep south N3.5 stars (rounded up) for Nell and Lady - a touching story of family, loss and forgiveness.
Set against the backdrop of prejudice in the deep south Nell and Lady tells the story of a friendship that defies race and social class. Mavis is a young Black woman who finds herself pregnant and working for Willa Bellemore who is also expecting a child. The two become best friends and raise their daughters, Nell and Lady, together in the Bellemore home until tragedy strikes. Mavis unexpectedly suffers a stroke and dies, leaving Nell without family. Willa adopts Nell and continues to raise her as her own daughter, despite the social implications of the time.
The girls are as close as sisters until the age of 16, when Nell suddenly drifts from both Lady and Willa. She shuts them out of her life, without ever explaining why. Years later, Willa is suffering from cancer and begs her daughter, Lady to find Nell. She wants more than anything to reconnect with her before she dies.
What follows is the unraveling of years of secrets, emotion and bitterness. The story was heartwarming and the characters were easy to like, especially Willa. She is the grandmother every child wishes they had!
Thank you to Ashley Farley, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book to review....more
WOW! I was riveted as I read this book. My mind was racing and suspicions were at an all time high. This book is definitely a slow burn. It simply simWOW! I was riveted as I read this book. My mind was racing and suspicions were at an all time high. This book is definitely a slow burn. It simply simmers as you read. You are seeped into anxiety right alongside the main character, Jessie.
The story is told from two main viewpoints and alternating timelines. We experience Jessie's story firsthand, in the present. While also uncovering her mother, Eden's story, told from the past. Their's is a relationship built on a secret. Secrets always have a way of finding their way into light, don't they? It's the journey to the revelation that Kubica so expertly pens. She opens us up to so many questions, so many possibilities.
Then, we get to the big reveal. I'm almost sorry to admit what a letdown it was for me. After all those enticing possibilities - it was the lamest of them all! I truly enjoyed the book - right up until the ending! Personally, it didn't work for me but I will say it was unexpected and different. I just felt there was so much more potential for the ending. Given all the twists the book took, I was simply expecting a much juicer culmination to it all.
Thank you to Mary Kubica, Harlequin - Hanover Square Press & NetGalley for the advance copy. ...more
This was a fast paced, fun read that definitely kept me turning the pages. It has a certain edge of your seat factor to🏢3.5 Stars for #murdertrending🔪
This was a fast paced, fun read that definitely kept me turning the pages. It has a certain edge of your seat factor to it as you ultimately never know when someone will be killed.
In a nutshell the plot centers around Alcatraz 2.0. America has green lighted a prison reality show where being on death row means you are sent to a prison "island" run by the mysterious Postman where his appointed executioners/psychotic killers hunt you down for America's viewing pleasure. On the beloved app you can bet, comment and create fanfare for your favorite killers!
Dee Guerrera awakens on Alcatraz 2.0 and immediately must fight for her life. She knows that she was wrongfully convicted of a heinous crime and wants to prove her innocence before she becomes the apps next victim. On the island she meets a group young, attractive inmates - who else would be starring on this reality show? The group unexpectedly begins looking out for each other despite the fact that they could all be killers. America aptly names them the #DeathRowBreakfastClub and can't stop watching their feed. Ratings are at an all time high but that means that time is running out for them because the more popular a criminal is on the feed, the more the Postman wants them dead.
This is not the type of book to go into expecting lots of character development or a well crafted and deeply probed backstory but it was definitely a lot of fun to read. It has a cheesy 80s horror film vibe & I'm not ashamed to admit that I loved that about it!...more
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