Husbands and Other Sharp Objects is the follow-up to Lift and Separate, the zany and endearing story of Marcy HaIf you are looking for a chuckle... 😊
Husbands and Other Sharp Objects is the follow-up to Lift and Separate, the zany and endearing story of Marcy Hammer when she finds out her husband is cheating on her. That said, Husbands and Other Sharp Objects can completely stand on its own.
Marcy Hammer has been married to Harvey for most of her adult life. They are now separated due to his cheating, and Marcy has a boyfriend, Jon. Harvey decides he wants her back at the same time Jon decides he wants to settle down with Marcy. And on top of it all, Marcy’s daughter announces her engagement, and Marcy has a wedding to plan with an impending divorce also on her calendar.
Instead of the wedding bringing out the best in others, it brings out their claws. Marcy has her hands full with that while also trying to move her divorce forward. Ultimately, Marcy will decide her own fate and how (and with whom) she will move forward.
Marilyn Simon Rothstein has a way of handling serious topics with heart and candor balanced with fun. The dialogue is witty and smart, and the writing is smooth. There’s something lovable and completely relatable about Marcy- she really could be anyone’s mom, and it’s admirable how she shares her trials with us, as she grows into a new stage in her life.
Overall, Husbands and Other Sharp Objects is a fun, funny, and entertaining read that leaves Marcy’s story on a high note. I’m so grateful we heard from her again.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Kit Carradine is a famous author of best-selling novels when he is approached by MI6 to complete a simple mi4 stars to this spy thriller! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Kit Carradine is a famous author of best-selling novels when he is approached by MI6 to complete a simple mission for his country as he attends a festival in Morocco.
Kit’s mission doesn’t end there, and he ends up trailing Lara Bartok, a member of the Resurrection, a violent group of revolutionists. Kit finds himself at a crossroads where he can either save Lara or turn her over to the intelligence community.
The Moroccan Girl is an engaging spy thriller. The Moroccan setting and visiting Casablanca and Marrakech added so much interest. Kit is a spy novelist turned spy thanks to helping his country, and what follows is an entertaining and engrossing adventure.
Overall, The Moroccan Girl felt like an action adventure movie with a touch of romance and the tension never lets go. The ending is worth every bit of the wait. I had fun reading this and could envision it as a blockbuster movie!
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This little nugget is my first book by C.J. Tudor, and I loved it! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Joe attended Arnhill school as a child along with his many friends. He This little nugget is my first book by C.J. Tudor, and I loved it! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Joe attended Arnhill school as a child along with his many friends. He does not have good memories of his time there and vowed not to return because he left under difficult circumstances…including a suicide and a murder; all on a bed of lies and deceit.
Now Joe HAS to return to Arnhill. Something bad has happened to another student, all eerily similar to what happened to Joe’s sister. He’s the only one who can get to the bottom of what is happening because he knows the truth.
Joe lies to get the job as a teacher, and he faces his old friends that no longer want anything to do with him and vice versa. The tragedies center around an abandoned mine. What happened to his sister, the secrets at Arnhill, and all that has changed Joe’s life are enclosed in the shadows of that mine, and Joe will have to confront them.
Oh my, what a thrilling page-turner this one is. I was hooked on The Hiding Place and had to know what happened to Joe’s sister. The shock value is high, the writing is fluid, and the pacing is on point. Why is Arnhill so deliciously creepy? Why do horrific things happen there?
Overall, The Hiding Place is an exquisite thriller with a touch of horror, and I’ll be waiting in line for Tudor’s next book AND reading The Chalk Man asap!
Thanks to Crown Publishing for the complimentary book. All opinions are my own.
Renee Linnell finds a spiritual adviser and becomes an ardent follower for over seven years. She finally realizes she’s been brainwashed and i4 stars!
Renee Linnell finds a spiritual adviser and becomes an ardent follower for over seven years. She finally realizes she’s been brainwashed and is in a cult…Renee is not someone you’d expect to fall for anyone’s lines. She’s well-educated and well-traveled, and she can hardly believe what’s happened herself.
In The Burn Zone, Renee explores the trials that affected her judgment, including the loss of her parents. She also shares what life was like for her after leaving the cult, which was not an easy time for her. She battles depression and is extremely isolated because she has cut off so many people of support.
When Renee turns it around, she becomes quite the inspiration. She learns that her experiences can make her stronger and more connected to others than she ever was before.
I cheered Renee on from the start. She finds purpose in her life right before the reader’s eyes, and what’s more relatable than that? I was captivated by the story and emotional at different points due to the author’s brutal honesty and vulnerability. Overall, I found The Burn Zone an impressive and memorable memoir, one that will stick with me.
Thanks to the publicity team at FSB Associates for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
In my early twenties, I read every book as it came out, and I can remember where and when I read themSophie Kinsella is like book comfort food for me.
In my early twenties, I read every book as it came out, and I can remember where and when I read them. They are fun and funny and always have lovable characters you come to know as friends.
In recent years, Kinsella has added an emotional edge to her stories crossing over more into domestic fiction than rom com, and I’ve enjoyed that adventure, too. So where did I Owe You One measure up?
Fixie is the main character, and her motto is “family first.” Her father owned a housewares store, but he has passed away and left the store to Fixie’s mom and her siblings. And Fixie is the one left holding the bag all the time, being the most responsible and making sure the business stays afloat.
Fixie is asked to watch a stranger’s laptop in a coffee shop, and she saves it from being destroyed… The owner of the computer is an investment manager, Sebastian, and he’s in her debt for saving his laptop, so he gives Fixie an IOU.
Ryan, Fixie’s childhood boyfriend, comes back into her life, but he’s jobless, so she puts that IOU to work, hoping that Seb will hire Ryan. But things unfold and snowball, and Fixie is at a crossroads.
Will she take on life on her own terms, finally?
I found Fixie a trademark Kinsella main character. Zany, cute, warm, endearing, and I loved her, flaws and all! The romance was fun, and I loved laughing while I read.
Overall, I would say I Owe You One landed more in rom com land than domestic fiction, and I am totally ok with that. I felt like I had my classic Kinsella back!
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This is a challenging review to write because The Psychology of Time Travel is a difficult book to describe! It’s Unexpectedly emotional! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is a challenging review to write because The Psychology of Time Travel is a difficult book to describe! It’s so many things, wonderful things, and I’m going to do my best to capture it all.
Four female scientists build the first time machine in 1967. When the machine is about to make its world-wide debut, one of the scientists is removed from the team because of significant emotional difficulties…This was done to protect the debut…
Over fifty years later, the world is a different. Time travel is commonplace and a huge moneymaker. Ruby knows her grandmother was one of the inventors of time travel, and she receives a newspaper clipping from the future reporting the murder of an unidentified woman. Could it be her grandmother and why? And thanks to time travel, can Ruby save her?
The Psychology of Time Travel requires your full concentration as a reader. It’s complex and sometimes complicated. There are many characters, issues, and genres to figure out.
But at its core, The Psychology of Time Travel is a beautiful story. One that resonates and is powerful all thanks to the time travel elements.
Mascarenhas has plotted this multi-layered work with precision. You can feel her love and reverence for the subject matter with every page. While not my typical read, I’m grateful I spent the time with this one. Overall, I found it engaging, entertaining, and unexpectedly emotional.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
4 dark and chilling stars to The Liar’s Room! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Several years ago, Susanna was in danger, and she had to leave her old life behind to keep h4 dark and chilling stars to The Liar’s Room! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Several years ago, Susanna was in danger, and she had to leave her old life behind to keep her daughter, Emily, safe. She becomes a therapist and starts over.
A new client, Adam, comes to his first session with Susanna and begins asking questions that instantly make her uneasy. He says he is a danger to others, and he needs her help. Then, he begins to act aggressive and irrational, and I could feel Susanna’s heartrate rise. She is trapped in a room with this guy.
Adam may know her secret? But who is Adam? And is he a danger to Susanna and her daughter? You see, Adam has already met Emily…And he almost immediately appears unstable when he shows Susanna a picture of Emily…
One of the most intriguing things about this book is that it takes place during one therapy session. Susanna is a pretender with secrets to hide, and it appears that Adam is, too. Woo, my, what a story there is to tell. I was on the edge of my seat with this one.
It took me the whole book to figure out the truth, and I LOVE that. This is a perfectly drawn thriller. It has the page-turning suspense, emotional tension, and head shaking shock value (read: very dark) we all crave! I LOVED IT.
Thanks to Berkley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Here I go, jumping into a series late in the game.
Oh, friends, it did not matter. Rachel Getty and Esa Khattack have such good detective chemistry, I Here I go, jumping into a series late in the game.
Oh, friends, it did not matter. Rachel Getty and Esa Khattack have such good detective chemistry, I bought into the storyline instantly.
There’s been a mass shooting of twelve people at a Quebec mosque. Immediately things go awry when the police release Etienne Roy, a priest who had a weapon on him, and then arrest Amadou Duchon, a Muslim man who had been present helping those hurt during the shooting.
At first glance, it seems like the shooting could only be a hate crime, but Esa and Rachel’s gut instincts tell them it’s not that simple.
The community grapples with fear and unrest in the shooting’s wake, along with outright racism and hate, and with that as a backdrop, the pair try to solve what happened. There is also concern that the situation could escalate due to the chaos, and solving this case would hopefully lead to understanding.
A Deep Divide was so more than just a mystery. It presented social issues in a considered and thoughtful way. Khan’s writing is direct, and the pacing is strong. Overall, this book was timely, thought-provoking, entertained me from beginning to end, and addressed important cultural and racial dynamics. I definitely plan to spend more time with this series in the future as I can fit them in.
Thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Jonas Anderson is starting over. Again. He’s made some wrong turns and thinks Sweden is the ticket for a new life. It’s hard to find drugs there, and Jonas Anderson is starting over. Again. He’s made some wrong turns and thinks Sweden is the ticket for a new life. It’s hard to find drugs there, and drugs are one of his vices.
Malmo, Sweden has its own challenges as a city and for Jonas. The first is the large number of refugees and how to help them. Jonas volunteers to teach Swedish to the young immigrants.
Jonas really connects to the students and is going down the right path. His only obstacle is himself.
Surprisingly, Such Good Work is filled with witty humor balanced with real questions about how to help others along with helping self in a modern world. The messages here are quite strong and impactful.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Donna Everhart, author and North Carolina native, is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her stories are fiAbsolutely loved this one! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Donna Everhart, author and North Carolina native, is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Her stories are filled with unforgettably endearing characters and a sharp honesty about the times in which these characters are living.
The book is set in 1950s North Carolina, which, by the way, my dad grew up in NC during this time, though not on a cotton farm, and not in Jones County, where the only way of life was farming.
The Forgiving Kind is the story of twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech and her family, and what happens when her beloved father who runs the farm passes away. My heart stopped for this family, and I wondered about situations like this in those days. How would they make do, how would they live? Family could possibly help, but all this family has is eccentric Aunt Ruth.
Enter Mr. Fowler. Sonny gets an evil read off of him from the start. He is a bigot in every sense of the word, and Sonny’s mother makes the only choice she feels she has and marries Mr. Fowler to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. But Mr. Fowler’s malevolence bleeds into every aspect of their lives.
Sonny comes of age in this story, but The Forgiving Kind is about so much more. In North Carolina in the 1950s, it was difficult to be a woman, and it was even more challenging to be “different.” In this lovingly and sensitively told story, you’ll meet Daniel, Sonny’s best friend, who is a victim of Fowler at every turn. Sonny’s loyalty to Daniel deftly illustrates the most beautiful aspects of childhood friendship.
Donna Everhart has outdone herself with her most recent effort. The Forgiving Kind is important and emotional, and I was left feeling that even though we think we’ve come a long way since the 1950s, we still have a long way to go.
Thanks to Kensington Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
What Doesn’t Kill Her begins with this shocking scenario:
One secret, one nightmare, one lie. You guesShocking with quite the cliffhanger! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
What Doesn’t Kill Her begins with this shocking scenario:
One secret, one nightmare, one lie. You guess which is which.
1. I have the scar of a gunshot on my forehead.
2. I have willfully misrepresented my identity to the US military.
3. I’m the new mother of a seven-year-old girl.
What Doesn’t Kill Her is Kellen’s story. She’s lost a year of her memory as a result of a gunshot wound to her brain. Kellen is resilient, though, and even as she is alone and on the run in the wilderness, she finds herself, uncovers the truth she’s missing, and finds that, at her inner core, she’s unbreakable.
This is the second installment in a series and worked well as a standalone, but I think I would have gained even more insight into Kellen from the first book. The structure of this novel was one of my favorites- short, well-paced chapters that kept me flying through the pages.
Overall, there’s a wonderfully intense blend of thrilling suspense with a touch of romance in What Doesn’t Kill Her, and it ends with a HUGE, massive, giant cliffhanger that has me eager for the next book pronto!
Thanks to Harlequin Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The first thing that strikes me about When You Read This is that it’s fresh and different! And I love thatSo much more than a rom com! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The first thing that strikes me about When You Read This is that it’s fresh and different! And I love that! It is an epistolary novel for the digital age comprised of emails, texts, and blog posts. Also included were drawings from Iris, the main character.
When You Read this is a romantic comedy centered around Iris Massey who is dying from cancer. Notice the juxtaposition in that? She’s dying, but this book is full of humor, insight, and an endearing sweetness.
Iris works for a public relations hound, Smith Simonyi, when she is given the heartbreaking diagnosis. Not only is her cancer terminal, she has little time left. She secretly writes a blog, which she shares with Smith after she passes away, in hopes that he’ll find a way to publish it.
While you would think Iris’ story would be tragic, and it certainly pulled on my heartstrings and made me tear up on several occasions, there is a lightness. I mean lightness, as in airy and refreshing, not as in too easy or trivial. The writing is sincere, and the messages are important in how we handle approaching death for ourselves, and how we come to terms with the death of our loved ones. It’s a topic I connected to on a personal level.
In other words, When You Read This was much more than what I expected it would be. The pages are filled with fun, humor, and heart. I’m hoping Mary Adkins will gift us with another book (or three!) that leaves me feeling this same warmth.
I buddy read When You Read This with my friend, Mere, and it’s the perfect type of buddy read with topics to discuss and a sentimentality you will want to share with a friend.
Thanks to Harper Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The Conspiracy is first in a new romantic suspense series from Kat Martin.
Harper Winston’s brother, Michael, is missing. He has been sailing the CariThe Conspiracy is first in a new romantic suspense series from Kat Martin.
Harper Winston’s brother, Michael, is missing. He has been sailing the Caribbean and no longer responds to texts. Harper sends the Coast Guard on a search to no avail.
Chase Garrett was once Michael’s best friend, but they had a major falling out. Harper is desperate to find her brother, and Chase is her last resort. Chase owns Maximum Security, and he knows things about Harper’s father she doesn’t know.
Harper’s father is involved in some bad stuff, heavily criminal stuff, and what likely put Michael in danger. Chase would rather not get involved, but he still cares about his missing friend.
Chase’s mission to help save Michael pulls him closer to Harper, as one might expect. Harper and Michael are strong characters. Chase is the protective type, while Harper is a devoted and loyal sister.
Overall, I found the storyline tense and dramatic, the pacing was strong, along with a backdrop of crime and a touch romantic elements.
Thanks to Harlequin for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Untouchable is my first book by Jayne Ann Krentz, and it’s the third book in an established series.
Jack Lancaster is a consultant to the FB3.5 stars!
Untouchable is my first book by Jayne Ann Krentz, and it’s the third book in an established series.
Jack Lancaster is a consultant to the FBI, and he loves the challenge of cold cases, especially ones involving arson, as he himself is a survivor of a horrendous fire. Jack is uniquely able to relate to a killer and that’s how he solves his crimes, but sometimes that reliability bleeds over into his personal life.
Jack seeks help for his “gift” from Winter Meadows, a meditation therapist, who always brings him back from the dark.
Quinton Zane is an arch nemesis of Jack’s, and Zane is now hunting Jack. He is a cult leader who killed the parents of the children in a foster family, and Jack is one of the foster children for which he is searching.
Jack and Winter are two relatable and strong characters to get behind. I also enjoyed the premise of the story, and especially how well Zane, the villain, was drawn. Untouchable is an easy-to-read and engaging novel, and I think I would have gotten a tad more out of it had I read the first two books, though it was a perfectly suitable read in its own right.
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Greyhill, Virginia is known for its old money and old traditions and old…gossip.
Bess Warner, along with her husband Cole and their children, 4 stars!
Greyhill, Virginia is known for its old money and old traditions and old…gossip.
Bess Warner, along with her husband Cole and their children, move to Cole’s small hometown of Greyhill. Bess will now live across the street from her mother-in-law, and she’s excited to take over the family’s inn.
Fitting in is not easy in a small town, especially as an adult with secrets to hide, and Bess has her share from her former career in Washington. She can feel the gossip spreading, and it hurts. Not only does she have to adjust, but so do her children.
Bess is given the opportunity to write an article of a “famous” resident of Greyhill for the Washington Post, and she scoops it up.
Susannah “Cricket” lane is a native of Greyhill and from an old, established family, but she’s been living in New York for years when she decides to return. Why she left has been gossiped about, and now the town is talking about why she is returning. As Bess interviews Susannah, she can’t get a read on whether Susannah is sincere, or if she’s trying to expose Greyhill’s community on all sides, good and bad.
All small towns aren’t like Greyhill by any means. I live in a tiny town now and have never experienced the drama or gossip; however, I also know what it’s like to move to a small town as an outsider where everyone knows each other. It IS hard to start over in a town where everyone knows your business. It also can be hard to figure out just who you are.
Kusek Lewis has written a thoughtful and illuminating take on secrets and (some) small towns. I connected to the story and its characters, and it was entertaining and well-written. It can be hard to fit in, and the author captured those feelings with authenticity and sides of drama and gossip for fun.
Thank you to Harper Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
5 stars to this story of strength and friendship! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Happy New Year to all my Goodreads friends! 🥳 🎉 🥂
Told in three voices over two time 5 stars to this story of strength and friendship! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Happy New Year to all my Goodreads friends! 🥳 🎉 🥂
Told in three voices over two time periods, The Gown is a stunning story.
In 1947 London, knee deep in a harsh winter with heavy rationing, the war has left its indelible mark. Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin are embroiderers working at the famous Mayfair owned by Norman Hartnell. Why is Hartnell famous? For designing clothing for the princesses. And what is the assignment of the 20th century that has befallen them? Making none other than future Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown.
In Toronto present day, Heather Mackenzie has found a set of embroidered flowers passed down from her beloved late grandmother. Heather discovers the flowers look much like those on Queen Elizabeth’s gown, and she wants to know why. She also uncovers a connection between her grandmother and Norman Hartnell who was known to have designed the Queen’s wedding dress.
The Gown is a well-researched work of historical fiction. The detail kept me entranced and also had me googling and yearning to know more. The friendship that forms between Anne and Miriam is tenderly drawn, and the emotional bonds and healing that resulted from that relationship is awe-inspiring.
I didn’t expect to be as absorbed in The Gown as I was. It can be hard to focus during the holidays, and my mind was in so many places. It served as a wonderful reminder of why I read historical fiction; to be transported to a different time and place and to learn. The Gown is an exquisite story of strength and friendship from start to finish. Highly recommended!
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Leigh Huyett is a divorce lawyer, and she knows better than anyone how easily marriages fail. She’s fHouse on Fire is a tense, emotional family drama.
Leigh Huyett is a divorce lawyer, and she knows better than anyone how easily marriages fail. She’s five years into her second marriage with Pete, and they are beating the odds. Their blended family is what many would aspire to.
Leigh and Pete are out for the night celebrating their anniversary, while they left Kip, Pete’s biological son, in charge of Chrissy, Leigh’s daughter.
As Leigh and Peter drive home on a rainy night, their phones blow up. Kip has been out for the night at a big party celebrating, and he crashes his car on the way home…with Chrissy inside. Chrissy later passes away, and Kip is charged with manslaughter.
You can imagine the conflicted feelings Leigh must be working through. At first, she sides with Kip and Pete, until Kip changes the story. He says that Chrissy was driving, and there a witness to that fact. Leigh believes he’s lying; Pete believes his son and continues to back him. All the while, Pete and Leigh must walk the tightrope that is their marriage as they navigate their feelings about Kip and what happened, along with the grief and loss of Chrissy’s passing.
How does it all end for Kip? And will Pete and Leigh’s marriage survive this tumultuous time?
Overall, I found House on Fire to be immersive and psychologically engaging. This is not a “thriller,” but it is fantastic at what it is: a study on family, and a blended family in particular. The topics make you question your own morality and what you would you do if you were Pete- or Leigh. It also left me thinking about these characters long after I turned the last page.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Queen Elizabeth I’s court often centers on intrigue and gossip, but everyone is thrown for a loop when her youngest An intriguing Elizabethan mystery.
Queen Elizabeth I’s court often centers on intrigue and gossip, but everyone is thrown for a loop when her youngest lady-in-waiting is found murdered.
Nick Holt, younger brother to an earl, also known as a spy and quite savvy is hired to work for the Queen in order to solve the murder; however, working for her is not easy. She is demanding, intelligent, and both generous and impetuous with those in and out of favor.
Another lady-in-waiting is murdered, and the court is in dire straits. Nick, along with his Irish Wolfhound, Hector, whom I must say steals the show at times (LOVE him), are working tirelessly to solve the murder for the good and safety of all, but especially to stay on the right side of the Queen.
Suzanne Wolfe writes flawlessly with intrigue and candor about this time in history. The details are beautifully laid out, and there’s an exceptional sense of time and place referencing 16th century England. Nick Holt is a wonderfully-drawn main character, full of charm and dedication to solving the crimes. There is plenty of mystery and tension to keep the reader guessing, and there is much to love in this terrific start to a new series. Overall, the writing inside this gem of a mystery is as glorious as the cover.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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