book lovers unite

by Seraphina Nova Glass

I just finished reading “On a Quiet Street” by Seraphina Glass.
This book centers around three women, each in a dysfunctional relationship who are trying to inadvertantly help each other out. Each has their own mystery to solve and each woman relies on each other to bring solutions to their problems. All three women, Cora, Paige, and Georgia are all interesting women with great personalities who are all looking for a better life. Their lives intertwine because they all live in this posh neighborhood and know each other.
I really liked this book. I found it very easy to read and follow along with. The writer kept the story going, revealing just enough to keep the reader interested in the outcome. The women were strong, yet vulnerable and I loved how they had each other’s backs. Doing the right thing for the right reasons, and using eny tactic necessary to get the results they wanted which at the end of the day was truth and love.
I love domestic thrillers. This book had everythink I could want: dynamic characters, rootworthy heroines and a very satisfying ending.
Bravo to Ms. Glass. I will definately be reading books from this author in the future.
Happy Reading.

#domesticthriller #netgalley #onaquietstreet #femaleleads #seraphinanovaglass #needtoread



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by Sally Hepworth

I just read “The Soulmate” by Sally Hepworth. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review. First I want to say Sally Hepworth is one of my favourite authors. She writes such goo story, slowly developed with bits of intrigue in every chapter. Small hints which climax into huge surprises and moments that take your breath away. Her characters are well developed and multi-layered and so so interesting. The Soulmate was such an excellent book.

It revolves around a youg couple (Gabe and Pippa) who together with their two lovely girls live in a beautiful cliffside house and have a wonderful romantic life. One evening, Gabe sees a women who looks to be contemplating jumping off the cliff behind the house. He telles Pippa to phone the police while he goes to speak to the woman. Pippa goes to phone the police and when she returns only Gabe remains…the woman is gone. Did Gabe push her? Was it an accident? Why is Gabe acting strange and lying to the police?

The story is told in two perspectives and by two different voices: past and present and Pippa’s voice and Amanda’s (the woman who dies) voice. The benefit of this is that the reader gets a wonderful glimpse into the events that preceeded the night of the jump. It is a love story in a way but not in the way I thought it would be. The ending is tragic and beautiful and endearing, especially when the reader finds out who “The Soulmate” really is. Sally Hepworth never disappoints…once again she has hit a homerun with this book. It is an absolute must-read!

#soulmate #needtoread #SallyHepworth #psychologicalthriller #NetGalley #strongfemalelead #domesticthriller

Happy Reading Everyone!



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by Bradeigh Godfrey

What is an imposter? Someone who pretends to be someone else…for the wrong reason. There is an imposter in this book but it is not who you think? In fact I will guarantee SHOCK when you find out who the real imposter is.

I just finished reading “The Imposter” by Bradeigh Godfrey” Many thanks to NetGally and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This story deals with two estranged sisters who after many years of not speaking go for dinner. On their way to the restaurant the younger sister (Rosie) tells Lilian that she has to tell her a “life or death secret”. Before anything else can be divulged, two sister are involved in a horrific car accident which leaves Lilian with a concussion and Rosie with a brain injury (Capgras syndrome),which makes her think that Lilian is an “imposter”. Lilian , because of her own guilt, vows to find out what really happened the night of the accident andwhat Rosie’s life or death secret was.

My first impression upon finished was how much research the author must have put into finding out about these brain injuries (Capgras Syndrome )and their effects. My second impression was how clever the author was to write a book like this that literally kept me guessing throughout most of the book.

The story was taught from both sister’s perspective which gave a reader wonderful insight into their past. Knowing what happened in their past (especially to Rosie) was one of the best parts of the story.

All of the characters in the book served an important purpose and the author exposed the connections between the characters in an exciting and explosive way.

There was not anything I disliked about this book. In fact, it is quite frankly one of the best books I have read this summer. A great psychological thriller that explores the relationship between sisters and the importance of relying on your instinct. Well Done Bradleigh Godfrey… Well Done.

#theimposter #NetGalley #bradeighgodfrey #mysterythiller #psychologicalthriller #sistersforlife #needtoread #traumaticbraininjury



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by Chris Pavone

I just finished reading the book “Two Nights in Lisbon” by Chris Pavone. This story takes place in the beautiful capital of Portugal,, Lisbon. A place I absolutely love, so reading about places I have visited and enjoyed made me so happy.

The story centers around a couple (Ariel and John) who are in Lisbon for John’s work. One morning Ariel wakes up and finds that John is missing. She becomes frantic because there is no note and she cannot reach him by phone. SHe contacts the Police but they don’t seem too concerned, so she goes to the American Embassy where she is met with the same non-chalance. While looking for clues, she is approached by a mystery man on a motorcycle who hands her a phone, which begins to ring. When Ariel answers the phone, she is told that her husband has been kidnapped and she has 48 hours to come up with 3 million Euros. Where is she going to get the money? How can the police or the Embassy help her, and who can she trust?

Let me start by saying that this book is VERY long. I felt at times that is was too wordy, but it didn’t stop me from reading it. The twists and turns and mysteries and clues made it exciting and difficult to put down.

I also felt that there were SOOOOO many characters that it was hard to keep track of everyone. If you decide to read this book (which I hope you do), I will suggest that you read it every day so you don’t forget who is who.

The story is told from Ariel’s perspective, both past and present. You learn about her past which helps explain her present actions in the book. Bet there is one main question which is only answered in the end and WOW, is it ever a GREAT answer.

I really liked this book. It had everything a mystery thriller should have: a main character that was sympathetic and brave and totally rootworthy, and a villain that had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The other characters (Portuguese Police, the Reporter and John) were well written and equally interesting.

All in All a wonderful exciting, mysterious, thrilling, rollercoaster of a ride with such a great ending I can’t even tell you. Definately a MUST READ!

#twonightsinlisbon #NetGalley #ChrisPavone #strongfemalelead #needtoread #psychologicalthriller #bookofthe summer #mysterythriller

Happy Reading

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by Sue Watson

I jus finished reading “Our Little Lies” by Sue Watson. I would definately call this a domestic thriller because it deals with the relationship between a married couple and the lengths the wife will go to in order to keep her family together.

At first glance it appears, that Marianne and Simon are a happily wed couple. Marianne is dealing with past mistakes and struggles with mental health and trying to be the perfect wife and mother. Simon is a successful surgeon who is very handsome and connected and he wants to maintain a perfect image for himself and his family.

It slowly emerges that Simon is a manipulative narcisstic husband who verbally, and physically abuses his wife in order to control her. Marianne becomes convinced that Simon is having an affair and what follows is a discovery to find out what she is going to do about Simon and his affair.

I hated Simon. I have to give the author props for doing such a great job of bringing him to life. I wanted him to suffer and lose everything. I felt bad for Marianne, but at times I was frustrated both with her inaction and also with her inability to follow through. SHe came across as extremely weak at times, but I suppose that is what the author wanted to show the reader: the thought process behind women who are not treated well by their partners.
It was hard to read this book and I kept putting it down, the words that SImon used to berate his wife sometimes were too much.

I liked her relationship with Sophie and I knew that that was an important relationship that would save her. I didn’t like the ending because SImon went from being a complete douche to sacrificing himself and it just didn’t match up. I wish that he would have stayed wretched until the end. He deserved what he got.

So besides the ending, which might satisfy some readers, this book was well written especially in light of the topic. I think that this is a great book for female readers because it opens them up to what really happens behind closed doors. SOmetimes the most well put together families are the most fractured underneath. No body and nothing is as perfect as it seems…ever.
Happy Reading.

#ourlittlelies #domesticthriller #suewatson #femalelead #domesticabuse #husbandisadouche #finaltwist




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by Gillian McAllister

#needtoread #wrongplacewrongtime #psychologicalthriller #timetravel #femalelead #mysterytosolve #mysterythriller #gillianmcallister

I just finished reading “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” by Gillian McAllister. I chose this book because it was on Reese’s picks list and I am glad I did. It was such a departure from what I normally read in that it was a concept that was unique and extremely well-written.

The story is about a woman who sees her son commit murder. The following day when she wakes up, she realizes it is the day before the murder was committed. Each day that follows is further in her past, and is meant for her to understand what led to the murder and to somehow change the course of the future so that the murder does not take place. The story focusses on her relationship with her father and her husband, who are both not what they seem. At the end of the book there is a paragraph which explains the time travel part of the story.

The story is extremely well written and well paced in short chapters that were told from the point of view of the main character (Jenn) and an undercover police officer Ryan (who we find out later is someone else) Each chapter provides a clue as to what led to the crime being commited and unearths secrets which leave Jenn both devastated, and questions not only her decisions but also her relationships.

I really liked this unique brand of story telling, and because the chapters were short, I was able to keep up with the timeline. I would recommend that anyone reading this book do it over a short period, because important details arise in each chapter, which are crucial to the enjoyment of the book, and if the book is put down for too long, then these important detail may be forgotten.

Super excited to say that this was a pleasant surprise because I enjoyed it more that I thought I would. Sometimes it is a good idea to try a new author or a new style of writing…you may be pleasantly surprised as well.
Happy Reading!




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by Rachel Hawkins

I just finished reading “Reckless Girls”, by Rachel Hawkins. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
For starters, I have read alot of books by this author, and have enjoyed them all…but this one not so much.
It is about a group of young people who take off for an adventure at a deserted island. While there, they encounter another couple…and everything is going well…until it’s not. Somehow, secrets and lies are exposed, and nothing is as it seems.
It all seemed a little too convoluted for me. I felt like there was just too much in the book that didn’t make sense. Without giving anything away, I didn’t get a strong feeling for any of the characters and there were things that happened in the book that didn’t make all that much sense.
For me to enjoy a book, I need to be vested in the characters…and I just wasn’t. I didn’t care for any of them. I felt that they were all pretentious, spoiled, and vacuous. The story was too difficult to process at some points. I almost felt like I was missing something important.
Maybe it will appeal to a younger audience sho can relate to the characters sense of entitlement. I am not sure. Suffice it to say…this book just wasn’t for me.
Happy Reading.

#recklessgirls #rachelhawkins #netgalley #stmartinspress #femalelead #psychologicalthriller #mysteriousisland


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by Lisa Jewell

I just finished reading “The Family Remains” by Lisa Jewell. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with a free copy of ths book in return for an honest review. A fabulous author who has written another fabulous book. I didn’t realize this was a sequel, it was so well written, I didn’t feel like I missed out at all not having read the first book. Lisa Jewell creates rich characters with interesting backstories. She begins the novel with four separate sub-stories and somehow manages to bring all the characters into one singular story by the end of the novel.
The story centers around a murder, a family and a young girl who meets the wrong man. Somehow all these sub stories connect to reveal what happened long ago in a rather toxic home where most of these people lived. It was defenately a page turner and I couldn’t stop reading the book. It is written from 4 different perspectives, which keeps it interesting and mysterious
I loved the family drama, the characters and the evolution of the storylines I loved that every character in this story had a purpose. I loved the twists and turns, and the evolution of the characters and the story. The only negative was that the family tree was somewhat hard to follow, especially because some of the characters changed names. But, at the beginning of the novel, there is an explanation of the family tree. I loved the character of Rachel whose story was interesting, as well as Henry, who was a conflicted and flawed character that I had great empathy for.
Overall, this was a great book. Loved every second of it and I was sad when it ended. Lisa Jewell is a magnificent writer and I am never dissapointed in anything I read from this author.
Happy Reading!

#thefamilyremains #lisajewell #femalelead #toxicfamily #thriller #needtoread

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by Rachel Hawkins

I just finished reading the book "The Villa", by Rachel Hawkins.  Thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.  Rachel Hawkins is an excellent writer who has a very steady and well paced writing style.  This book is what people call a slow-burn.  No real big moments or reveals, but steady progress towards a resolution.
The story is two fold: surrounding an event that occured in an Italian Villa decades ago, which involved a murder and a mystery.  Fast forward four decades, and two writer who are also best friends go to the same villa to finish their own books, and one of the writer stumbles upon the murder mystery and decides to delve further into it...while trying to finish the book she is currently writing.
There are many characters in this book which the author brings to life quite vividly.  She does an excellent job of breathing personality and urgency into all the characters in the book.  I enjoyed both parts of the book:  the past and the present.
This story is definately worth reading because it is well written and has consistent action.  Even though there are not big moments is has enough action and mystery to entertain the reader, whomever they are.
Happy Reading Everyone!
#thevilla #rachelhawkins #netgalley  #thriller #murdermystery #femaleleads #needtoread

by Miranda Cowley Heller

I just finished readiing “The Paper Palace” by Miranda Cowley Heller. I first time author which very much impressed me because it was so well written and wonderfully paced.

This is not my usual choice for reading, but I was intrigued by the description at the back. It is hard to describe what this story is about without revealing too much. Basically it is about unrequited, childhood love and the consequences of the choices we make, secrets that we keep and connections that we make. It is about love, and family and childhood memories and trauma…quite a bit of it actually. What really matters in the end is how this book makes you feel. I felt happy, nostalgic, sad, angry, compassionate and sentimenal. I laughed, almost cried, felt envy, felt empathy…all of these emotions, while reading this book.

It is cleverly told within a 24 hour period in the present, and then in small parts explaining the past. The main character is wonderfully flawed, and I enjoyed all the characters…the villain of the story was well written and I felt the vile and repulsion in my soul when I was reading those parts of the story.

It is a fairly long read, but I found myself stealing moments throughout the day trying to read snippets at a time. Every page served an important purpose, even if you didn’t understand why at the time of reading it.

Overall, a great book, and I can understand why it was so highly recommended.

#thepaperpalace #needtoread #mirandacowleyheller #strongfemaleleade

Happy Reading!



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