book lovers unite

BY SUE FORTIN

I just finished reading “Your Little Lies” by Sue Fortin. Thanks to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review. This book I would consider to be a psychological or mystery thriller revolving around a young woman who moves with her husband and daughter to a posh neighbourhood in what I can only describe as a gated community.

From the beginning we know that the main character Hannah is hiding something from everyone, including Jasper her husband, and the story switches narratives from Hannah to another woman named Laurel. Laurel is also married with a baby and she and her husband and trying to secure an investment from a somewhat shady man who has the hots for Laurel. What could possible go wrong? Well it turns out that Laurel has to make a sacriifice and restart her life as Hannah.

The problem is once whe moves into her new neighbourhood, her past meets her present…and secrets and lies are exposed in an explosive and deathly way.

What I liked about this book was the way the story unfolded step by step. I loved learning about Hannah’s past and how it was impacting her future. She was a very interesting character although sometimes I wanted to strangle her. The secrets were juicy and the author did a great job of maintaing my interest.

What I didn’t like was some of the over-the-top lines and actions of the characters. There were some characters that were written in a strange way. To further explain would mean giving away the plot so I won’t. There were also some questions that I had that went unanswered. I felt like I missed a page in some parts, especially at the end.

Nevertheless, a good read, that is entertaining and easy to follow. A recommendation from me for the lovers of this genre.

Happy Reading

#YOURLITTLELIES #SUEFORTIN #FEMALELEADCHARACTER #WOMENSFICTION #BOOKREVIEW #TOREADORNOT #MYSTERYTHRILLER #NETGALLEY #STORMPUBLISHING



View all my reviews

BY LISA UNGER

I just finished reading “The New Couple in 5B” by Lisa Unger. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the Advanced Copy in return for an honest review.

This story is about a yound couple who inherit an apartment in New York, in a beautiful part of town that is clearly out of their economic capability. When they move in, they discover that the apartment building has a rich history that is shrouded in mystery. There is a feeling of supernatural and scary vibes. Rose and Chad are awestruck in their new plae, but soon weird things start to happen thatn noone seems to be able to explain. Then someone is killed and the race to the truth leavers everyone shocked and surprised.

I felt uneasy while reading this book. I enjoyed it but it was a little too creepy for me. The characters were interesting and the back story of former residents was captivating. I am not a fan of horror or the supernatural, but if you are then this is defiinately the book for you

Happy Reading.

by Sarah Pekkanen

 I just finished reading “House of Glass” by Sarah Pekkanen. Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martins’ Press for the Advanced Copy in return for an honest review.

This story is all about lies and deception and how far people go to keep secrets, no matter what the cost. It revolves around a seemingly perfect family so are torn apart when the Nanny is murdered in their homw. She had an affair with the husband and now there is a fight for custody, but thet all life under the same home. Enter Stella, whose job it is to find out which parent will be better for for the child, Rose to stay with. The thing is that Rose is a trauma iduced mute who refuses to speak. Being a victim of trauma herself, Stella really wants to make sure she makes the right choice and decides what is best for Rose. But who killed the Nanny? it seems everyone is a suspect included Rose herself. As it turns out…someone killed tha Nanny, and all the lies and secrets are exposed when the truth explosively reveals itself.

I did like this book. I read it quickly. The characters were likeable and the author did an excellent job of freating mysery and suspence with every chapter. It truly was hard to figure out who the bad guy was. Rose was the most ineresting character because she was a small child caught in the middle of a custody battle and not able to speak because of the trauma surrounding her Nanny’s death.

It is called House of Glass for a reason. There is both a literal and figurative House of Glass which evokes the idea of a fragile house that could shatter under pressure of lies and deception.

There were some parts that I felt were unecessary, but I did like the background story of the main character, Stella. She too had secrets of her own that shaped her actions and responses.

I would recommend this book for those who enjoy a good family or psychological thrller. Not my favourite but definately worth the read.

Happy Reading.

#houseofglass, #summerread, #femaleleadcharacter #womensfiction #mysterythriller #familythriller #netgalley #bookreview #booklover

BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID

“The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved...”

—Victor Hugo.

I just finished reading “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
If you have not read this book then you need to run to the bookstore right now. I have had this book on my to read list for years and have finally decided to read it and dare I say…it was transformative. I absolutely loved it.

The thing is you need to go in blind with no expectations. I knew nothing about this book until I read it and I was so blown away that I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
It follows the life of Evelyn Hugo a beautiful stunning and sexy hollywook sex symbol that will do anything for fame and to hold onto her fame. She is a fascinating character who is constantly seeking accpetance in a time when there was little for women above a certain age. Her biggest strength is her ability to stay in the headlines even if it means keeping her true self hidden.

Evelyn Hugo is a symbol of sacrifice and unfulfilled love but she herself is to blame for that, She thinks what she wants is fame but at the end of the day what she and we really want is love and acceptance.

An absolute gem of a book that is so highly recommended but I think everyone has already read it.

Happy Reading

#thesevenhusbandsofevelynhugo #mustread #fivestarfiction #historicalfiction #femalelead #loveislove #taylorjenkinsreid #bookreview



View all my reviews

BY KIMBERLY BELLE

I just finished reading “The Paris Widow” by Kimberly Belle. Thank you to NetGallley and ParkRow Books for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This book has an excellent story concept. A couple in Paris, enjoying their love, but the husband is hiding a secret and one day as his wife is waiting for his in their hotel room she hears an explosion and is shocked to discover that her husband is in the vicinity. What happened to him? All of a sudden police and others, show up telling her that her husband is not what he seems. He is actually a wanted man who has done bad things…but what is the truth? Stella (the wife) doesnt want to believe that her husband (Adam) is dead, and vows to stay in Paris until she find out the truth.
And so the exciting race to find the truth begins.. Along the way we learn that Stella herself has some pretty big secrets as she tries to keep herself safe she turns to someone that she once loved…who has secrets as well.
of
What I liked about this book was the character development and the twists and turns toward the truth. They were ineresting and unique and surprising and kept me on my toes. I also liked that this book taught me about the murky artworld and also introduced me to many wonderful places I would love to visit. The characters were complicated and not only good or evil…except for two of course.

What I didn’t like about this book was the added element of life back home in the States. If found it largely uninteresting, and it didn’t really explain the motives of the characters to my satisfaction

Overall, this is a good book, filled with action and suspense and logical conclusions. A good book to read for lovers of this genre.

Happy Reading
#PARISWIDOW #KIMBERLYBELLE #MYSTERYTHRILLER #PARISACTION #THRILLER #FEMALELEADCHARACTER #NEEDTOREAD


View all my reviews

BY MEGAN MIRANDA

I just finished reading “Daughter of Mine” by Megan Miranda. Thanks you NetGalley and SImon ELement for an advancec copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I have read many books by this author. They are always filled with unique conflicts and surprises as well as characters. You can never quite tell where the story is going and the characters often are developed in a way that makes the story mysterious and revealing. This book is no different. The mystery involves two women, married to the same man, who disappeared mysteriously. The man dies and leaves his home andits possesions to his “daugher” , the reason being a mystery. When the daugher (Hazel) returns for her fathers funeral, she is thrust into the mystery when a car mysteriously is found in the lake by her family home. Hazel is confronted with questions and is told that she can’t trust anyone and everyone seems to be hiding something, including her brothers Caden and Gage. The characters in ths story are all flawed and their flaws are reviealed throughout the book. Even though there are many characters they are all integral to the development of the story.
What I liked about this story is that the characters are human, complicated and filled with emotions and secrets, but at the base of this story is a family that is trying to stick together and protect each other…or are they? There were some surprises that I didn’t see coming at first (like who is the real bad guy…or girl). But overall I found this book to be entertaining. This book started slow but it paid off with excellent story telling and suspensful action. I really wanted to know the truth and it did not disappoint.
This is a great choice for those who like mystery, suspense, long lost love, and famil drama. A well written story with a well explained ending.
Happy Reading.

#meganmiranda #daughterofmine #mysterythriller #murdermystery #familydrama #thriller #summerreading

by Sally Hepworth

I just finished reading Darling GIrls by Sally Hepworth. Thanks to Net Galley and ST. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in return for an honesy review. Here are my thoughts.

I can honestly say that Sally Hepworth has done it again…this story is about sisters born from a different womb but connected in such a way that they are each other protectors and best advocates. The story follows these sisters from when they were fostered into the same home owned by the absolutelu awful Miss Fairchild. WHile staying with her, they are horribly mistreated until they find a way to leave.

Years later they are forced to return to the place they hated when a body is found and they need to speak to the police. There is a mystery to solve: Who is buried underneath the home of Miss Fairchile, and how are the sisters connected.

The mystery is slowly unraveled and there are many surprises along the way. What i loved about this book was the bond of the sisters which was inspriring, the imperfection of the sisters. They each harborured their own secrets and trauma, and the storytelling. I am never dissapointed with Sally Hepworth’s story telling. Her plot twists and character reveals are always delightfully surprising and this story was no different.

I loved the ending. It was….awesome. I kind of figured it out, but I was stilll surprised by it. I have learned that every character that Sally Hepworth introduces in her stories has a purpose, so I knew that in some way all the characters would have a part in solving the mystery. I also loved how they trauma of the sister’s chilhood made them resilient and strong and paved a way to happiness.

While the middle of the book is a little slow, it was worth plugging through to get to the end. I definite must read for lovers of this genre.

Happy Reading.

#darlinggirls #sallyhepworth #stmartinspress #fiction #mustreadfiction #thriller #needtoread #fivestarbook



View all my reviews

BY DAVID ELLIS

I just finished reading “Look Closer”, by David Ellis. A book like I have never read before and because of that I fear I am ab0ut to enter a reading slump because I dont think I am going to read a book like this in quite some time.

This book follows Simon and Vicky who are both involved with other people. One of the other people is murdered and the mystery of who the murderer is goea back and forth and up and down and keeps the reader guessing until it is finally revealed. I am not sure how the author thought this story up. He must have an incredible imagination as well as wonderful knowledge of the law. I can usually guess who the bad guy is but this book kept me changing my mind. And when I did guess correctly, I couldn’t figure out the loose ends. I will say it again…the author wrote a brilliant book.

There were so many surprises and interesting characters ALL with secrets that were slowly revealed. I loved the devotion that Simon carried for those he loved. I loved how most of these characters had a back story that made sense to the end of the story. I loved how the author tied up all the loose ends and explained everything so perfectly that I was completely astonished.

The best way to enjoy this book is to go in blind… not know anything about it because then it is so much more amazing. I could not put this book down. I read it in one day and I think it will stay with me for a long time.

I can confidently say that this is one of the best books I have read in a LONG LONG time… and I read A LOT.

Happy Reading

#LOOKCLOSER #PSYCHOLOGICALTHRILLER #MYSTERYTHRILLER #DAVIDELLIS #BOOKREVIEW #FICTION #NEEDTOREAD #FIVESTARS



View all my reviews

BY FREIDA MCFADDEN

I just finished reading “One by One” by Freida McFadden. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book involves three couples who leave for a one week stay in a cabin the woods. The main character Claire, is married to Noah but they hate each other. They are joined by Lindsey and her boyfriend Warner and Michelle and Jack (Noah’s. best friend). There is also a mystery narrator who seems very interesting and you know is one of the six travellers.

When the minivan breaks down on the way to their destination, the six decide to walk to the cabin because there is no cell service and they have a map as well as a compass. It is during their trek through the trails that they start to disappear and we realize that someone is after them. The story is told through the perspective of Claire and we soon realize that there are many secrets which put different characters in a shady light. Nevertheless, soon, there are only three left….what is going to happen now?

Read the book and find out. But I must warn you. It’s not heartstopping or exciting or even a little bit suspenseful. First of all, the characters are not inspiring or interesting. They serve one purpose…that is to keep the reader guessing. The twist is so out there it is not even a little bit believable, and the reason for the dissapearances is not very understandable.

The book is written such a way that the reader wants find out what happens…but mostly I just wanted the story to end. Sadly, thisis my least favourite Freida McFadden book and I have read quite a few of them. I just found it was not up to par with her others. A bit too over the top with not a lot of credibility when it came to the bad guys or their reason for what they did.
Happy Reading.

#FREIDA MCFADDEN #ONEBYONE #NETGALLEY #WOMENSFICTION #MYSTERYTHRILLER #POISONEDPENPRESS #FICTIONBOOKREVIEW



View all my reviews

By FREIDA MCFADDEN

I just finished. reading “The Inmate”, by Freida McFadden. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisone Pen Press for the advancec copy in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I enjoy Freida McFadden books. They are entertaining and twisty and full of suspense. The twists are always surprising and she uses a lot of red herrings. I have read alot of her books, and this one was no different. And that is not a bad thing. You always prepare yourself to be surprised.
This story is about a girl named Brooke, who helped put her boyfriend behind bars for trying to kill her. She left town abruptly after the trial because she found out she was pregnant, but she returns ten years later (with her sone) to work in the prison where her ex-boyfriend is being help. She also rekindles her friendship with Tim, her childhood friend who has always had a crush on her and was also present when she was attacked by her ex, and survived.
She is torn between believing her ex actually tried to kill her or believing that he is inonocent and someone else did. There are certainly alot of twisty events that lead the reader to believe that Shane (her ex) might actually be innocent. A LOT.
She begins a relationship with Tim and it seems to be going well until something happens. Then the book takes off at bullet speed to the finale where…the unexpected twist happens, and the whole truth is finally revealed.
This book had alot of twists and revelations and red herrings. It was entertaining and fun to speculate what was true and what wasn’t. Every character introduced had an important role to play in finding out the truth.
But there was a level of frustration that I felt with Brooks that didn’t sit well with me. As. a proffesional and a mother, I expected her to be a better judge of character and not to be so lofty. She had doubts…and then she didn’t. Make up your mind girl!
Anyway, I like the book but there was too much disctraction and the ending for me was different from what I imagined. I was told that the epilogue was what made the book unforgettable. I did think it was good…really good. Definately a final twist worth reading.
Happy Reading.

#PSYCHOLOGICALTHRILLER #NETGALLEY #BOOKREVIEW #THEINMATE #FREIDAMCFADDEN #MINDTWISTS #FICTIONREVIEW