Eve was on top of the world, and couldn’t believe how lucky she was!! Eve had everything it seemed. Until she woke up one day in a hospital bed with nEve was on top of the world, and couldn’t believe how lucky she was!! Eve had everything it seemed. Until she woke up one day in a hospital bed with no recollection of how she got there. Diagnosis: grade four glioblastoma.
Each chapter of this short book details Eve’s recovery, and the pieces of her memory she was able to slowly recover.
This book is both heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s a short book, and one that I didn’t ever want to end as I fell in love with “Eve” through these pages.
This is my first read by Sophie Kinsella, but it will not be my last as I want to race back and read through all her backlist. Please read the Author’s Note at the end of this story (and even the synopsis before you read it), and have a few tissues handy.
I definitely recommend this read. And ladies- Buy the dress!! ...more
This book was chosen by my book club. So this was my June, 2024 book club read. Would I have chosen this book on my own? No. Was I happy to give it a This book was chosen by my book club. So this was my June, 2024 book club read. Would I have chosen this book on my own? No. Was I happy to give it a chance? Yes I was, as I am open to “expanding my horizons”. However… this book did not work out for me or any of the other members of my book club unfortunately.
All I have to say is this book is bizarre. An unnamed narrator tells the story of how a smog has taken over. The smog destroyed America and Southeast Asia first, and then a year and a half later it reached Europe. The smog has destroyed all the crops, sheep, and cattle. Food is made with a processed flour/meal that is highly addictive. Our unnamed narrator is a chef who gets a job in Italy - she was able to land this job by lying on her resume.
In Italy, our unnamed chef/narrator meets her rich boss and his daughter Aida. Here she also gets acquainted with foods, such as strawberries, that she hasn’t seen in years. She becomes friends with Aida and is taken to a lab where animals are reproduced. She is also taken to a place where grass is planted, called “the land of milk and honey”.
None of us were really sure what the point of this boring, depressing book was. We have several thoughts and theories (way too many to get into in this review). I mean, our food sources could certainly be destroyed one day. We already have Bill Gates manufacturing genetically engineered foods, and they’re already selling Impossible Meat at the stores- so maybe this book was a glimpse into our future. And it seemed that only the rich will be able to eat the real foods that are left, and live in proper housing to protect them from the smog…
Regardless, this was a weird book. This wasn’t my cup of tea, and I honestly couldn’t even bring myself to finish this book. Since I only read about half of this book, I have decided not to rate this book as it wouldn’t be a fair rating. ...more
If you were a big fan of the author’s previous book “Hidden Pictures” like I was, and you’re looking for the same type of suspense that was in that boIf you were a big fan of the author’s previous book “Hidden Pictures” like I was, and you’re looking for the same type of suspense that was in that book in this newest release- well, I hate to tell you that you are not going to find it here. This was a decent enough story about a pretty cool dude, named Frank Szatowski. However, there is no edge-of-your-seat thrill moments as the blurb suggests. And that ending? I feel like my book was missing a few chapters towards the end, because it was rushed and it left a whole bunch of stuff out!! I mean, I just read all that for nothing ...more
When an author writes a five star, favorite book of mine (in this case, The Midnight Library), I automatically go into their next books with super higWhen an author writes a five star, favorite book of mine (in this case, The Midnight Library), I automatically go into their next books with super high expectations. So for this book unfortunately, the expectations didn’t quite measure up. I pretty much struggled through this book, and when I finally finished reading it I wasn’t left feeling uplifted or inspired… (which is another thing to expect after reading a Matt Haig novel).
In this story we have 72 year old Grace Winters, who is writing a very lengthy email back to one of her former students who is struggling in life. Grace proceeds to tell this student how she had been struggling through her life, and how a house that was left to her in Ibiza, Spain changed her life.
It’s through this time in Ibiza, that we learn how Grace changed her life for the better. Grace met some wonderful new friends, she was able to preserve nature, the ecosystem, and even inherit some psychic capabilities.
Although this book for me was drawn out and did lose me from time to time, I still found some of the messages brilliant and I did get teary-eyed a time or two.
This may not be my favorite by Matt Haig, but this will not stop me from reading anything that he produces. The storyline may not have worked for me, but once again his messages always do.
“Everyone is a flawed person. That’s what being a person is.” ...more
This was another one of those books that when I first started reading this, I thought for sure it was going to be a full five star read for me. It hadThis was another one of those books that when I first started reading this, I thought for sure it was going to be a full five star read for me. It had our awkward owner of the Hitchcock Hotel, Alfred. Then we bring in Alfred’s former friends from college who all seemed to be less than perfect themselves (even if their outward appearance said otherwise). However, after about halfway through it started to get a little redundant and I felt the story could have easily been trimmed up by at least fifty pages. Had that happened, and our reveal been sped up a bit- then this book would have been a complete winner for me.
In this story, Alfred Smettle is the owner of an old three story Victorian home in which he has turned into The Hitchcock Hotel. Nobody is a bigger fan of Alfred Hitchcock and his films, other than Alfred Smettle himself. The Hitchcock Hotel is filled with Hitchcock film paraphernalia and many references to the Hitchcock films ...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
This book was chosen for my November Book Club. I had never heard of this author prior to reading this book, and I was generally pleased with this mysThis book was chosen for my November Book Club. I had never heard of this author prior to reading this book, and I was generally pleased with this mystery. In fact, the general consensus from book club was that we all liked this book (it wasn’t the greatest), but moving forward we would all definitely read another book from this author in the future. So I do believe that that is a good sign.
This story starts off with Sarah, who is a struggling author. Sarah is having a hard time making ends meet. Then Sarah gets a call that her Aunt Evelyn (Evie) has passed away, and she is set to inherit a large fortune if she can solve a 36 year old cold case. This cold case involves the disappearance of Aunt Evelyn’s best friend, Lucy Woodfell. Lucy disappeared 36 years ago, and no one has heard from her since, and no body was ever found. Aunt Evelyn does believe that she is dead, and she left a list of six possible suspects who could be involved in Lucy’s death. Four of the six suspects are members of Lucy’s own family. Sarah doesn’t know it, but she will definitely have her hands full when she learns about all the dysfunctional members of Lucy Woodfell’s family…
Sarah has six months to solve the case of Lucy Woodfell and gain Aunt Evelyn’s inheritance, and the pressure is on. In doing so, Sarah is able to move into Aunt Evelyn’s mansion which used to belong to the Woodfell family. At night there are strange noises, photos are moved, and strange things are left on the dining room table. Are there ghosts in this mansion? Or is someone messing with Sarah?
All in all, this was a decent read. There were some discrepancies along the way (many things that I know I wouldn’t be doing if I was in Sarah’s shoes), but we had a great discussion and many laughs with this book at book club- so for that I’m probably giving this a bit of a higher rating. 3.5 stars (rounded up) ...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
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