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.
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.
Wow, what a doozy, and so much stinkin’ fun! Buckle up for this one, friends!
Joshua is 18 years old when he accidentThis was so much fun! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wow, what a doozy, and so much stinkin’ fun! Buckle up for this one, friends!
Joshua is 18 years old when he accidentally kills a man…He leaves the scene and never calls the police. He tells his secret to is his first and best confidante, his mother, Karen.
Josh is on the cusp of going on to college. Karen is proud of his achievements, only to see them crushed by this horrific mistake. She feels forced to protect her son, and thus begins the chain of deceit that the pair will never break… or will they?
The tiniest of clues is left at the scene. What will Karen and Joshua do to bury the truth? The lie becomes bigger and bigger until it becomes massive, and I was left hanging for most of the book wondering when it would all crash wide open.
I’ve used this term recently for another book, and I think it applies to One Fatal Mistake, too: trainwreck. This book was absolutely a trainwreck where you can’t turn your eyes away, and even as things got more dramatic and over-the-top, I never lost my investment. I had to know if Karen and Josh would get away with it. And I never forgot the victim.
Overall, I found this an unexpected thriller with perfectly paced flow (how I like my thrillers!), filled with mayhem, and a highly entertaining read overall. Well-done, Tom Hunt!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Beatriz Perez lost everything during the Cuban Revolution, including her family and her home, her belA stunning and intriguing follow-up! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Beatriz Perez lost everything during the Cuban Revolution, including her family and her home, her beloved Cuba. The CIA recruits her to get close to Fidel Castro and his comrades.
Now a spy, Beatriz is thirsty with revenge for all she’s lost. The Cold War is in full swing when Beatriz finds herself in love with power hungry man; a clandestine affair, and she knows it.
Beatriz comes to a crossroads where she must choose between everything she holds dear from her past and her hopeful, possibly steadfast future. Can she let Cuba go?
When We Left Cuba is full of unexpected intrigue! I was on the edge of my seat with worry about Beatriz. One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its sense of time and place. Be prepared to be transported because you will be whisked away. The historical aspects are strong as well and seamlessly woven in. Of course, I have to mention the romance, which successfully amped up the suspense.
Overall, When We Left Cuba is a formidable woman’s story of moving beyond a tragedy and seeking revenge but also balancing her desire for love at the same time. Will love or vengeance be the victor here?
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
4 real (as in, not counterfeit) stars to City of Secrets! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Elizabeth Miles is a fascinating character, and she happens to be a con artist. 4 real (as in, not counterfeit) stars to City of Secrets! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Elizabeth Miles is a fascinating character, and she happens to be a con artist. Her only “friend” is Priscilla Knight, who has her own share of baggage.
On her second marriage, Priscilla’s husband has died in a suspicious accident. Truth be told, her first husband died in an “accident,” too.
Priscilla brought her own money into the second marriage thanks to the benefits from her first; however, all she owns is in jeopardy when a banker lets her know it’s been siphoned off. Priscilla turns to Elizabeth for help and in finding the truth.
Set in the 1920s, City of Secrets is the second installment in an engaging and well-written historical mystery series. I absolutely loved Elizabeth’s complex character. She is rough and unscrupulous, but she is warm and endearing at the same time. She is in a relationship with straight-laced Gideon, a lawyer who lives by the rules.
Every character is wonderful, the writing is smart, and I loved City of Secrets from start to finish. I’m reading book one now to get some backstory, and it’s only enriching the experience I had with book two. Well-done!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.75 stars! What a way to spice things up! A genre-bending novel with historical science fiction leanings? Breach sounded like the perfect way to test3.75 stars! What a way to spice things up! A genre-bending novel with historical science fiction leanings? Breach sounded like the perfect way to test out science fiction and fantasy again.
A wall is put in place to separate Soviet-occupied from unoccupied Berlin. After ten years, the CIA discovers the wall is being breached.
Here’s where the “fun” stuff enters…Karen is a magician with the American Office of Magical Research and Deployment (you mean we don’t have one of those already?! We should!), and she is sent to assess the breach and see if it can be fixed. What she discovers instead is much more than she planned for.
A dab of politics, a background of history, and an alternate world, make Breach an original stand-out read. Magic is the winner in this forum and discovering just how so is yet another mesmerizing facet of this book.
Quirky and complex characters abound, along with smooth writing, solid plotting, adding up to a total escape of a read!
Disclosure to my sci fi and fantasy friends: remember I’m not a regular in either of these genres, but as a newbie, I definitely found this quite enjoyable!
Thank you to Berkley/Ace Rock Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
4 nostalgic stars to Manuscript for Murder! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is Jon Land’s second installment in the Murder, She Wrote series, though many other books4 nostalgic stars to Manuscript for Murder! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This is Jon Land’s second installment in the Murder, She Wrote series, though many other books (over 40 to be exact!) have been written.
I expected Manuscript for Murder to be light and cozy, but there is plenty of depth and suspense. In case you didn’t know, Jessica Fletcher is a novelist and sleuth-on-the-side. A friend of hers, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be her publisher, gets in hot water due to money corruption leading to an FBI investigation.
This friend later turns up dead. Jessica’s mission becomes proving her dear friend’s innocence. She senses a cover-up almost immediately. At the root of it all? A mysterious manuscript that Lane planned to publish, which is now missing.
Jessica is risking it all to find the manuscript. She is searching to not only find the document, but to discover who wrote it. Jessica’s sleuthing is her own signature style.
I found Manuscript for Murder to be exciting and suspenseful, and the writing is solid and engaging. If I can no longer see new episodes of the TV show (and haven’t been able to for some time!), this series is the next best thing and then some. I highly recommend this to suspense and mystery fans. It’s good stuff!
Many thanks to Berkley for the copy to review. All opinions are my own.
How fun to review an atmospheric mystery for Halloween! 👻 🎃 🕷 🎃
I love the idea behind this series! Female companions Holmes and Watson during the VicHow fun to review an atmospheric mystery for Halloween! 👻 🎃 🕷 🎃
I love the idea behind this series! Female companions Holmes and Watson during the Victorian era- how fun! This is the third installment in the Lady Sherlock series, and while I feel this can be read as a stand-alone, I think my experience would have been richer if I had known more of the backstories of Holmes and Watson, as well as the connections between installments. That said, Thomas includes some backstory as well.
Just as Sherlock did, Charlotte Holmes attracts to her those who need help. A couple big events happen. The first is Charlotte’s brother is missing. Shortly thereafter, Lady Ingram, married to Charlotte’s friend, Lord Ingram, is murdered…and it appears Lord Ingram is to blame.
Charlotte goes undercover to find out what happened. Will she be successful?
Charlotte is at once awkward and off-putting, but endearing at the same time. She is also highly intelligent and masterful in her analysis. I was especially impressed that she is able to live as an independent woman during Victorian times, which was no small feat. Sherry Thomas writes in a classic style that fits with both the time period and the Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories we all know and love.
Overall, The Hollow of Fear is a strong effort filled with a colorful cast of characters, mystery, intrigue, and ultimately, charm. I am ready to read the first two installments now to spend more time with Charlotte!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Nikole is dating an actor, and they are on a date like any other with his buddies tagging along, except this 3.5 fun stars to The Proposal! ⚾️ ⚾️ ⚾️.5
Nikole is dating an actor, and they are on a date like any other with his buddies tagging along, except this time they are a Dodgers game. In front of a stadium filled with cheering fans, he proposes after only five months together.
And Nikole wants and needs to say no. In front of everyone.
Thank goodness for Carlos Ibarra who whisks her away from the cameras and supports her when she takes a few hits on social media . Carlos becomes Nik’s “just for fun” rebound relationship, but will they ever become more?
The Proposal is not one of my typical reads, but I read it at just the right time. I needed a feel-good, engaging, fun read, and this was most definitely it. Jasmine Guillory has an easy writing style, and I enjoyed Nikole’s story. One of the best parts is the cast of characters are diverse. We need more diverse (in every sense!) reads! Now I need to read The Wedding Date to see where these characters make cameos!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
5 sentimental stars to The Travelling Cat Chronicles! 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱
If you are an animal lover, read this book. Especially if you are a cat lover, don’t m5 sentimental stars to The Travelling Cat Chronicles! 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱
If you are an animal lover, read this book. Especially if you are a cat lover, don’t miss it! If you enjoy a sentimental, loving, perfectly told story, I implore you to read The Travelling Cat Chronicles!
From the beginning, when I read Nana’s voice, I knew the author, Hiro Arikawa, has been loved by a cat. We’ve all read the story about “man’s best friend,” the dog, but what about the love of a cat?
Nana is a stray cat living in a parking garage who slowly becomes affiliated with the owner of a van he sleeps on. The owner, Satoru, begins feeding him, and when Nana is hit by a car, he needs help. Satoru rescues him, and Nana becomes his cat. They live together happily for several years.
Much later, Satoru takes Nana on a road trip to see several of his childhood friends, and all the while Nana is wondering what is happening because it appears Satoru is searching for a new home for him.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is storytelling perfection. Curl up with this book, and I promise you, you will devour it in one afternoon. It is heartfelt, poignant, endearing, and everything you could want in a book.
On a personal note, Nana loves his Satoru the way I believe my cat loves me, and to feel that devotion through Nana’s voice is one of the most masterful things I’ve read in a work of fiction.
Thank you to Berkley for the complimentary ARC and the blog tour invite. All opinions are my own.
Woo my! Solace Island represents me stretching my reading chops. I really mean S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g. But before I get started, I’ll let you know I enjoWoo my! Solace Island represents me stretching my reading chops. I really mean S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g. But before I get started, I’ll let you know I enjoyed it!
Billed as romantic suspense, Solace Island is heavy on the romance side for about the first half, and by romance, I mean the racy kind. This is steamy! About halfway through, the suspense hits, and it’s off to the races through the ending.
Maggie is dumped at the altar and to find peace, she heads to her sister Eve’s house on Solace Island in Washington state. The two decide to open up a bakery together. Eve tries to set Maggie up with their handsome neighbor, Luke, also a baker, but Maggie is not interested, at least at first.
When Maggie is almost run over by a car, and Luke then saves her life by pushing her out of the way, the suspense heat is on. Maggie has a feeling that Luke is not who he seems to be. Some unknown threat is looming and stalking Maggie.
From Luke’s perspective, he wants to help Maggie and Eve and moves them into his state-of-the-art, highly secure home; however, he has secrets of his own.
Solace Island is one part steamy romance, one part riveting suspense. The setting of Solace Island won me over instantly. I’ve spent some time on the islands around Washington state, and Meg Tilley easily captured the serenity and beauty (as she should, since she is fortunate to live there!). The writing is smooth and easy-to-read enabling me to finish this book quickly. The ending is original and surprising, and all in all, I enjoyed this exciting, haunting, thrilling book, and I cannot wait for Eve’s story in book 2!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
I’ve always wanted to read Beth Kendrick’s books, specifically those from the Black Dog Bay series, like this one, In Dog We Trust. T4 stars! 🐾 🐾 🐾 🐾
I’ve always wanted to read Beth Kendrick’s books, specifically those from the Black Dog Bay series, like this one, In Dog We Trust. This book did not disappoint. It’s a book for every animal lover, and especially every dog lover.
Set in Black Dog Bay, Delaware, in Dog We Trust is Jocelyn’s story. She is the legal guardian for the late Mr. Allardyce’s group of Labrador retrievers. With that comes a pampered new life she never expected. The dogs are charming and lovable but super high needs. They are pedigreed, after all.
On top of that, the man Jocelyn is supposed to marry leaves her with a broken heart, and Liam, the son of Mr. Allardyce, believes he should be the recipient of the inheritance.
Jocelyn is a fighter, and she has every intention of keeping the dogs and winning at life again.
Jocelyn is a character to champion. She is strong and fiercely independent. If you are an animal and/or dog lover, you will be drawn in immediately to this sweet story with a side of easy romance. Whether you are an established fan of the series, or a new reader like me, you can jump right in to Black Dog Bay and experience the fun and delightful story for yourself. Everything about this book and setting is warmhearted, quaint, and endearing.
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
4.5 original stars to The Lies We Told! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
I am double checking my review by the synopsis so I do not risk any spoilers. You deserve to have4.5 original stars to The Lies We Told! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
I am double checking my review by the synopsis so I do not risk any spoilers. You deserve to have every bit of this book to discover for yourself should you decide to read it!
What you absolutely need to know:
Clara is dating Luke, and he vanishes. Most everyone believes he has just walked out on her, but Clara thinks otherwise. The small clues he left behind point to a possible stalker.
Emma, Luke’s older sister, who also vanished, but twenty years earlier, is now present and attempting to help Clara find Luke. She won’t tell anyone where she’s been or even what happened.
Somehow Luke’s disappearance in the present, and Emma’s in the past, are connected. The convergence is masterful!
Camilla Way weaves a sticky spider web from the start. I was caught in the web, feeling its tension, due to the massively addictive plot line and exceptional pacing. I took a peek at Lies We Told much earlier than when I could actually read it, and I had the shakes putting it down. I needed to pick it back up and find out what happened. I don’t get the shakes often! 😂
Huge kudos to Way! I am on board for Watching Edie and any other book she writes!
Thanks to Berkley for the physical ARC. All opinions are my own. I read this book with Berit, Holly, Kendall, Mackenzie, and Melisa, and it was a fun read to share with friends! ♥️
I can rely on Alyson Richman for an emotionally resonant historical novel, and The Secret of Clouds delivered. At its heart it is two things: a tributI can rely on Alyson Richman for an emotionally resonant historical novel, and The Secret of Clouds delivered. At its heart it is two things: a tribute to teachers and love for child.
Told in two storylines, past and present, the first takes place in Kiev in the 1980s around the time of the disaster at Chernobyl. Katya is a promising ballerina, and Sasha is a graduate student. The two are in love when tragedy strikes. They later have a child, Yuri, born with a health condition due to the after effects of the disaster.
The present storyline blends a dedicated, loving teacher, Maggie, into the present day with Katya, Sasha, and young Yuri. Requiring a teacher in the home due to his significant health needs, Yuri and Maggie take some time getting to know each other, but when they develop a bond, Maggie draws inspiration from Yuri’s wisdom and zest for life.
Easy-to-read, full of emotion, I was invested wholeheartedly in the characters of The Secret of Clouds. Maggie as a teacher epitomizes most of the teachers I know – selflessly giving their time and love to their students, advocating for their best interests.
You simply have to read the book to know where the title comes from, and the story behind the “Family Cloud.” The afterword is also not to be missed as Richman describes her inspiration for the book and her thankfulness for the teachers in her and her children’s lives. Overall, The Secret of Clouds was moving and insightful, and I’m grateful I read it.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
4.5 fun and endearing stars to The Guests on South Battery! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
I once lived within a short driving distance of Charleston, South Carolina. I4.5 fun and endearing stars to The Guests on South Battery! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5
I once lived within a short driving distance of Charleston, South Carolina. I never tired of my time there, the people, food, history, and architecture. The Tradd Street series by Karen White gives me the opportunity to visit those historic streets again.
If you have followed the Tradd Street series, you’ll be familiar with Melanie, one of the two main characters. She is a real estate agent in Charleston whose main sales are of the old, stately homes in the Battery. She is not thrilled to be working with these homes and for good reason. She sees and can communicate with spirits, and these historic homes have more than their share of spirits. That’s just a taste of the backstory. Melanie is now married to Jack, and the two have twins.
At the start of the story, Melanie is returning to work after her maternity leave, and it has been over a year since she has heard from any spirits; however, that quickly changes with an eerie phone all she receives.
Nonetheless, Melanie goes back to work with a bang as a home on South Battery is offered to her for a quick sale. The owner, Jayne, wants to be rid of the house as soon as possible, but whenever she is near Melanie, a spirit is as well.
The past is explored, and secrets are squandered, while Karen White’s signature storytelling is at its finest. I believe this book could be read as a standalone because in and of itself it’s a complete and fulfilling story. That said, there is a richness to reading the full series that cannot be beat. Melanie’s story is engaging and delightful, and the spirits add their usual … levity. I know some are not fans of paranormal in books, and I definitely understand that; however, here it’s done with a light hand and manages to add to the charm of the storytelling. A reader can tell when the author loves the characters as much she does, and that is certainly the case here with Karen White and Tradd Street.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to join the blog tour and for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
5 stars for the outstanding storytelling by Margaret George! Wow! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Historical fiction is one of my favorites, but until the last month, 5 stars for the outstanding storytelling by Margaret George! Wow! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Historical fiction is one of my favorites, but until the last month, Margaret George, a prolific author in this genre, was new-to-me. No longer because after reading and enjoying The Confessions of Young Nero, part one of this duology, I was prepared to be mesmerized and astounded with the second half of Nero’s story told through George’s impeccable research.
I had a history teacher in high school who held a doctorate and when attending his lectures, it was easy to tell how passionate he was about ancient world history. I remember him sharing what he knew about Nero, and I’d love to be able to tell him I read two books about his life.
In The Confessions of Young Nero, he ascends to the throne as emperor of Rome. In The Splendor Before the Dark, we find out everything that follows.
Nero’s first years as emperor are defined by his lovely and astute wife, Poppaea, and the cultural and artistic renaissance for which Nero is credited. Everything is off to a grand start, and Rome is in splendor.
All that comes to pass when, ten years into Nero’s reign, Rome is set aflame. Large sections of the city are lost. Rumors name Nero as complicit.
Nero makes a solemn vow to repair Rome and rebuild bigger and better than it was before. Nonetheless, rumors still spread, and there are many who doubt Nero’s ambitions. It’s hard to know if Nero will survive his time as emperorship. The unsteadiness, unhappiness, and distrust at court is deep.
Margaret George’s writing is absolutely superb. We hear from three narrators- Nero, Locusta (an herbal medicine doctor), and Acte (a woman Nero loves). The different voices allow us to pan around and see the whole Nero, both his good and not-so-good qualities.
THIS is precisely why we read historical fiction. George’s effort is polished and epic in scope and quality. Nero, just like any other human, was not all good or all bad; but instead a complex leader with fierce strengths and underlying abhorrent and fallible weaknesses.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to participate on the blog tour, as well as for the physical copy. All opinions are my own.
This is the ultimate story of revenge! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
My Thoughts:
I read The Exes’ Revenge with Holly, and this is just the kind of read you want to sharThis is the ultimate story of revenge! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
My Thoughts:
I read The Exes’ Revenge with Holly, and this is just the kind of read you want to share with a friend!
Also called Sticks and Stones in the UK, this one had me enthralled from the first line:
“The day of Phillip’s funeral.
I expected to feel free, unburdened, but when the curtains close around Phillip Rochester’s satin-lined coffin all I feel is indigestion.”
Phillip is an icky kind of character. Actually, he’s so abusive he is beyond ick and a total narcissist. Three women know his faults all too well: Ruby, his first ex-wife, Imogen his soon to be ex-wife #2 and mother of his only child, and Naomi, his bombshell live-in girlfriend.
Imogen thinks she is finally out of his clutches when they separate, but because they share a child, Phillip still tries to control her life. He shows up one day demanding that she move out of their house, or he’ll sue for custody of their son.
Faced with potentially losing it all, Imogen is understandably frantic. She does something impulsive and dangerous to take charge of her life, and somehow, Ruby and Naomi become involved, too.
This book is dark, but to me it’s a dark romp because it’s witty, entertaining, and wholly satisfying. No one likes Phillip, and I’m sure you won’t either. I shamefully went to the dark side with these ladies and reading about his demise was like watching a guilty pleasure movie with popcorn! A quick and engaging read, The Exes’ Revenge had me laughing out loud, and I enjoyed every bit!
Thank you to the Berkley book fairy for the physical ARC. All opinions are my own.
I recently listened to an audiobook about Rosemary Kennedy, and ever since, my interest has been piq4 big stars to The Kennedy Debutante! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I recently listened to an audiobook about Rosemary Kennedy, and ever since, my interest has been piqued about Kick Kennedy’s short life. Why didn’t I know more about her?
The Kennedy Debutante is Kick’s story. In 1930s London, Kick’s father is an ambassador in England, and she is a big time society girl. She has a yearning for a life of adventure, and with all her might, she works her way out of her strict mother’s grasp and into the arms of Billy Hartington, the soon-to-be Duke of Devonshire.
The lovers are star-crossed, though, because Kick’s family is devout Catholic, and Billy’s family is Protestant. Their parents would never approve.
World War II begins, which sends Billy to war and the Kennedys back home to the States. Nothing stops determined Kick from making her way back overseas where she becomes a journalist and works for the Red Cross. Will Kick choose her family or her love?
The Kennedys are like royalty in the US. Their contributions have been complex- from scandal to civil rights advocacy, to everything in between, including devastating tragedies of their own, but there is always a lurid fascination. Kerri Maher’s slower pacing of this story is deliciously detailed and offers insights into each of the Kennedy family members.
The Kennedy Debutante is a wonderfully engaging story of the search for forbidden love while questioning family and faith. With World War II as its backdrop, The Kennedy Debutante is rife with a secured time and place and charming, robust characters. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, especially set against WWII.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to participate in the blog tour and for the finished copy. All opinions are my own.
4 “appearances can be deceiving” stars to The Boy at the Door! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Cecilia Willborg is a lucky lady. She lives in a wealthy neighborhood in Norway4 “appearances can be deceiving” stars to The Boy at the Door! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Cecilia Willborg is a lucky lady. She lives in a wealthy neighborhood in Norway and has the ideal husband and two children. Cecilia is a consummate perfectionist, which means she has to work diligently to keep up appearances and an over-scheduled calendar.
One day Cecilia is at the pool and notices a little boy named Tobias whose parents have not picked him up. She delivers him to his address, but she is exasperated to find his house completely empty. Cecilia then takes him to her own home, for safety, and somehow this child’s existence sets off a chain of events and an airing of secrets that shreds apart Cecilia’s perfect world.
Even though Cecilia presents as having a flawless life, she is rough and abrasive, with her own priorities, and yet, somehow when she interacts with Tobias, she becomes softer around the edges.
The Boy at the Door is a gripping, dark, and original thriller. The last chunk sent me hurtling toward the end. I had to know the finish and all the details of what happened and why. Well-done debut for Alex Dahl!
Thank you to Berkley for the finished copy to review. All opinions are my own. The Boy at the Door will be published on July 24, 2018.
4 dysfunctional family stars to Seven Days of Us! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A few of my friends read this book last year, and it turns out not only did they have a 4 dysfunctional family stars to Seven Days of Us! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A few of my friends read this book last year, and it turns out not only did they have a wonderful discussion, they connected to the book and its characters. That’s one of my favorite aspects of reading, and since that time, I have wanted to share in the same experience with reading this book.
The Birch family reunites at Weyfield Hall, their country estate, for Christmas after many years apart.
Olivia is one of the adult children, and she is a doctor who has been abroad and exposed to an epidemic. She is told she and her family must be quarantined for a week. The father, Andrew, is a restaurant critic wiling away his time solo writing reviews, with a secret tucked away, and meanwhile, his wife, Emma, has a secret of her own. Also present is another daughter, Phoebe, who only seems to care about planning her wedding.
The entire Birch family is living under one roof, and they have to interact again, good, bad, or indifferent.
The Birches are on top of each other in the estate, which forces their honesty and communication about past transgressions. But when the biggest secret of all arrives with a knock at the front door, will their family ever recover?
Seven Days of Us is an entertaining family drama. The nuances to each character brought the family dynamics to life. Even though at times the drama is … well, pretty over-the-top, the issues at the heart of this family are distinctly relatable to most anyone, including strained communication, hidden family secrets, and yearning for a sense of belonging. The characters are insightful about themselves, which is refreshing and adds to the relatability.
Seven Days of Us is a heartwarming, dramatic, engaging, and ultimately uplifting read. The Birches are as dysfunctional as they come, and I was fully invested in their escapades and efforts to survive their holiday together. This is truly the perfect book to read this time of year; maybe even share it with one of your favorite (dysfunctional?) family members? I know know I plan to!
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to be part of the blog tour and for the paperback copy. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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