I loved The Other Woman by Sandie Jones, so I had a feeling going into The First Mistake that I would love it too, and I was right!
Not only does the I loved The Other Woman by Sandie Jones, so I had a feeling going into The First Mistake that I would love it too, and I was right!
Not only does the beautiful cover draw you in, but the writing and suspense draws you in right away too. Alice is a working Mom to two girls, who we see with a thriving business and juggling her career and motherhood right away. As things progress into her story, we are left with the mystery behind the death of her first husband Tom, and the angst from her daughter, resulting in her getting in trouble at school.
This domestic psychological thriller had me in the very first chapter, already trying to unravel the clues and figure out where this story was taking me. I just know this is going to be a big hit!...more
So I’m speechless after reading The Girl With The Louding Voice over the weekend. This was one of those books that I could have easily binge read in oSo I’m speechless after reading The Girl With The Louding Voice over the weekend. This was one of those books that I could have easily binge read in one sitting, but I wanted to soak in the story of Adunni.
After a few 5 star reviews started flooding my feed, I was excited to read this debut novel, but I had no idea that I would immerse myself so fully into the story.
I was so drawn to Adunni’s powerful spirit, despite the fact that she is sold into a marriage at the age of 14, living in a village of Nigeria, with no voice regarding her future. Abi Dare has written a beautiful novel, and tackled the issues of sexism, power, grief, marriage, and women’s inequality so effortlessly, and I can see why this book is getting the early praise that it deserves.
I highly recommend this book, and you should get those pre-orders in, because this is going down as a favorite of mine!
*Thank you Dutton for the beautiful finished copy for review. All opinions are my own....more
So I’ve mentioned before that I’m always drawn to stories with family dynamics that include complicated sibling relationships and strained relat3.75 ★
So I’ve mentioned before that I’m always drawn to stories with family dynamics that include complicated sibling relationships and strained relationships with parents. So that’s honestly what drew me into the storyline of The Jetsetters, because I was intrigued at learning more about this estranged family that goes on a cruise together.
I enjoyed it for the most part, and I feel like the author did a great job of taking some heavier topics like suicide, alcoholism, and being accepted into this perception of what society wants you to be and really tackling some of those issues in a lighthearted way.
As the book began, Charlotte, the matriarch of the family, sets the tone for how things will go. I really hated how she represented herself one way to her children and community but her true self and past she kept hidden. Then I realized that maybe we can all be a bit like that, choosing to only show the best sides of us. Each sibling had their own slew of problems and addictions, but I guess those are the things that always draw me in.
*chosen as the March 2020 book club pick for Reese Witherspoon!
*Thank you @randomhouse and #BallantineBooks for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own.
There are books with shock value and then there are books like He Started It with SHOCK VALUE! I definitely needed a few days to process ev4.5 stars!!
There are books with shock value and then there are books like He Started It with SHOCK VALUE! I definitely needed a few days to process everything that I just read, but one thing I know, is that I must love some crazy family drama!
I read My Lovely Wife last year by Samantha Downing and it was one of my favorite reads of 2019. Her storyline blew me away, and I have to say that the same creative writing and slow burn crazy plot lines has done it again.
I loved that this book is a family road trip between three siblings, to re-create the same road trip they went on with their Grandfather years ago, in order to get their inheritance now that he has passed. So many weird things to see along the way as they travel state to state, which made the road trip that much more at stake with tensions rising high.
*Thank you Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own ...more
What a great story! So well written, and I really felt each passenger on flight 2977. I was wondering how that part would play out, and if I would feeWhat a great story! So well written, and I really felt each passenger on flight 2977. I was wondering how that part would play out, and if I would feel a connection at all, and I have to say that the author really did a great job of that.
I’m writing this review, and still processing my feels on this book, but it’s so powerful, and I really enjoyed the alternating timelines. I felt engaged with what was going on, and needed to see how things would pan out for Edward.
As the reader gets into the meat of the story, it really struck a chord with me as we see the struggles that Edward is now dealing with, and although he is very closed off, my heart also breaks for what he has suffered and been through at the age of 12. I just can’t even imagine.
I think the only thing holding me back from a 5 star read is that I felt things were kind of abrupt with the final plane scenes. Maybe that’s the thriller chaser in me, but I wanted the action. Overall this was a perfect choice for our book club pick, and I’m excited for the last discussion!
*Thank you to Randomhouse and Dial Press for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own...more
What a wonderful debut! I literally hugged it when I finished reading, wishing that all books could make me feel this way afterwards.
Tova, a widow nowWhat a wonderful debut! I literally hugged it when I finished reading, wishing that all books could make me feel this way afterwards.
Tova, a widow now in her seventies, works the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, in the Pacific Northwest, mopping the floors and taking her mind off of her son, who vanished when he was a teen.
It’s here that she encounters Marcellus the octopus, who has been in captivity since he was a juvenile, now in his final days (living up to four years) of his life span. I loved the alternating chapters and POV between Tova and Marcellus, and listened to the ALC audiobook, but loved it so much I bought the hard copy.
The audiobook was fantastic! Marcellus’ chapters were my favorite, and I have a soft spot in my heart for a curmudgeon like him.
*many thanks to Ecco and Harper Audio/Netgalley for the gifted ALC copy for review...more
4.5 stars! I have started making my way through Philippa Gregory’s fabulous books, and I was so excited to read her newest series and novel, Tidelands4.5 stars! I have started making my way through Philippa Gregory’s fabulous books, and I was so excited to read her newest series and novel, Tidelands.
In this story, the reader is taken to 1648 England, in the midst of the Civil War between King and Parliament.
I loved the research that went into this book, and I’m always amazed at Gregory’s storytelling talent to retell history. I’ve always been a fan of historical fiction, and can only imagine what life for a woman would have been like during the 1640’s!
*Thank you to Atria books for this complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I had a feeling that I would love PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION, but I had no idea I would love it this much.
It’s the perfect poolside, vAll the stars!!
I had a feeling that I would love PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION, but I had no idea I would love it this much.
It’s the perfect poolside, vacation, or lounging-in-bed read. I went in thinking it would be just a cutesy rom-com, but once again, Emily Henry packs the emotions and it was so much more than a Friends-To-Lovers trope.
Poppy and Alex meet in college and form an unlikely friendship. Their angsty yet opposites-attract connection, really worked for them and I loved it! I also really enjoyed the fact that the story is told from Poppy’s POV, and she was an just all around fun character to read.
I’ve now put Emily Henry on a must-read/auto-buy author list because her romance writing is to another level, and it was everything I hoped and more.
I think this will be on everyone’s top favorite reads of the year!
*many thanks to Berkley romance for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own...more
All the Ways We Said Goodbye was so good! It was written by not one, but three fantastic authors. This story takes three POVs, by three women in threeAll the Ways We Said Goodbye was so good! It was written by not one, but three fantastic authors. This story takes three POVs, by three women in three different timelines, with the Ritz Hotel in Paris at the center of each of their stories.
This was such a beautiful story, and it captivated me right away. A beautiful story woven through the timelines of WWI 1914, WWII 1942, and post-war 1960s. I just loved this book so much, and recommend it to historical fiction lovers, and those looking to give HF a try!
*Thank you William Morrow for this gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own....more
What a surprisingly compelling story. I honestly haven’t read that many travel-esque novels, but I’m a fan! I just loved the way Oona bounced back aroWhat a surprisingly compelling story. I honestly haven’t read that many travel-esque novels, but I’m a fan! I just loved the way Oona bounced back around at different time periods of her life, and I found myself completely entranced to see what part of her life I would get to see next.
*Thank you Flatiron Books for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own...more
One word: AMAZING. I devoured this book in one sitting and I haven’t stopped thinking about the beautiful words writteJanuary pick for @reesesbookclub
One word: AMAZING. I devoured this book in one sitting and I haven’t stopped thinking about the beautiful words written by the author.
I was transported to India as Smita navigates life back in her hometown after living in America while she covers the news story for a fellow journalist friend.
Honor was such a thought provoking, impactful story of the freedom of women and culture within another country. But be warned: you may have a book hangover when you finish.
*many thanks to Algonquin for the gifted copy for review...more
Wow wow wow I love this book so much and I want to gush about it but I can’t because it comes out in February. You want a booALL THE STARS! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow wow wow I love this book so much and I want to gush about it but I can’t because it comes out in February. You want a book with ghosts? Look no further!
I read The Broken Girls last year and loved it for the paranormal elements, so I was highly anticipating this upcoming release.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about The Sun Down Motel since I read it a few days ago. A badass heroine, dual timelines, ghosts, one of the creepiest atmospheres, and layers of backstory that build and build. This book is so rich with all the chills and suspense, and it’s going down as one of my faves ever!
*Thank you Berkley Pub for this gifted copy. ...more
I abandoned everything that I was reading temporarily and binge read Pizza Girl in one sitting last night, and I loved it! Told in such an honest, unuI abandoned everything that I was reading temporarily and binge read Pizza Girl in one sitting last night, and I loved it! Told in such an honest, unusual way, with just enough humor, and I just loved this coming-of-age story. I don’t know what it is about oddball characters with wit that I gravitate towards so much, but the protagonist in this story really pulled me in. It’s weird and tender, and at every funny turn there’s also such unexpected rawness.
*thank you Doubleday for the free copy! All opinions are my own ...more
Colleen Hoover has done it again. Taking a unique storyline and developing such heartfelt characters that you can’t help but fall in love with, and roColleen Hoover has done it again. Taking a unique storyline and developing such heartfelt characters that you can’t help but fall in love with, and root for.
Regretting You is more than just a love story though. With themes of grief, family, love, and friendship, CoHo delivers such a rich mother/daughter dynamic, and the development of the relationship between Morgan and Clara was one of my favorite parts of this book!
I mean of course that also means that Jonah and Miller have become my new book crushes, but that’s always the case with a new Hoover romance. I’ve definitely been hit with all the emotions while reading this, and I loved it!
*Thank you Montlake Romance, and Colleen Hoover for this gifted copy for review....more
What a remarkable debut! Thought provoking and layered in topics such as race, class, privilege and humanity. I loved Emira’s character, and while thiWhat a remarkable debut! Thought provoking and layered in topics such as race, class, privilege and humanity. I loved Emira’s character, and while this novel wasn’t solely character driven, I gravitated towards her bond with Briar.
Despite these heavy topics, Such A Fun Age was a fast read, and the writing felt light, and it really made me think after I finished.
*Thank you @libro.fm and @prhaudio for the Advanced Listening Copy for review. All opinions are my own...more
*It’s been days later since I finished reading this, and I’m still processing all of my emotions and maybe had a bit of a book hangover..
It’s heartbre*It’s been days later since I finished reading this, and I’m still processing all of my emotions and maybe had a bit of a book hangover..
It’s heartbreaking and frustrating, and it definitely brought the emotions. I think this one is best to go into blindly, but while the first half was a 3 for me, that last half deserves all the stars. *thank you St Martin’s Press and Goodreads for the gifted copy for review. All opinions are my own....more
I admit I took a few days to ponder over this one, because I was between 4-5 stars but I just haven’t stopped thinking about the Another 5 star read!
I admit I took a few days to ponder over this one, because I was between 4-5 stars but I just haven’t stopped thinking about the story and characters. Isn’t that one of the best things about reading?
As one of my new favorite ways to read, I read the physical book while listening to the audiobook and was pleasantly surprised by the narration of Tom Hanks. His comforting voice may have swayed me even more on my 5 stars!
As a fan of dysfunctional families, I was so pulled deeply into the story of The Dutch House, and the Conroy family that has resided in it. Cyril and his two kids, Danny and Maeve, had to grow up fast as their mother leaves them and their father is always working.
I loved that the story unfolds over many different decades, and we get to see Danny and Maeve on their journey in life through adulthood. I love Ann Patchett and her storytelling ability is amazing, once again writing a book with such rich characters and development!
*Thank you netgalley and publisher, as well as libro.fm for the gifted copy and audiobook for review. All opinions are my own. ...more
Colleen Hoover’s books are like skittles.. you taste the rainbow of variety because each book she writes is incredible but SO different! I think that’Colleen Hoover’s books are like skittles.. you taste the rainbow of variety because each book she writes is incredible but SO different! I think that’s my favorite thing about her as a writer, she can basically write anything and it grips you right away.
I’ve wanted to read Heart Bones for months and I’m so glad I read it in February. I went in not knowing much about it other than I was pretty obsessed with the cover and to later find out that her sister drew the art and CoHo later filled in the story based on it was just such a fun tidbit to learn.
My initial thoughts were that this was a sad coming-of-age story about a girl who has raised herself while her addict Mom is on the hunt for her next fix that eventually leads to her demise. What I found was so much more, a story of finding yourself and building relationships you never thought possible.
Miracle Creek is a beautiful and touching debut, that is set in a fictional town in Virginia.
This legal drama story begins when readers meet Young anMiracle Creek is a beautiful and touching debut, that is set in a fictional town in Virginia.
This legal drama story begins when readers meet Young and Pak Yoo, owners of Miracle Submarine, The experimental treatment for autism and other disabilities. It is here that a fire happens one night, causing an explosion and two deaths. The story begins to unravel as each person takes the stand, as we try to uncover the story of what went terribly wrong, and who is to blame.
I enjoyed this one and realized that I have a thing for legal dramas apparently. Each chapter takes you on a hunt to find the missing piece to finding out the details of the night everything went horribly wrong....more
As with all thrillers, I went in with an open mind and a blank slate so that I wouldn’t let my opinion be swayed. I loved this book! It was intense anAs with all thrillers, I went in with an open mind and a blank slate so that I wouldn’t let my opinion be swayed. I loved this book! It was intense and I flew through it, and honestly can’t stop thinking about it since reading it.
I have read way darker storylines before, so maybe I’m immune to some of the plots I’ve read by now. Either way, this started as a 5 star read for me because I couldn’t put it down, and I needed to see how the dual storyline would all make sense as they intertwined.
*Thank you to the publisher for this free copy in exchange for an honest review. I won this book in a Giveaway...more
