12.30.2020 - What Could Be Saved

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this beautifully-written family saga by Liese O'Halloran Schwarz.  5 stars!

Told in dual time periods, we see the Preston family (dad Robert, mom Genevieve, kids Beatrice, Phillip, Laura) having moved to Bangkok in 1972 for Robert's job, supposedly working on building a dam.  We experience what is was like for them, moving from Washington DC to this foreign country during a time when the Vietnam War was raging.  We get a glimpse into what it was like for the servants, especially the women, who worked for the Preston's and other ex-pat families.  Both Robert and Genevieve are keeping many secrets - what are they actually doing during the day?  And the children are raised free-range with the servants doing much of the childrearing and transportation duties.  When Phillip goes missing, their entire world changes.

In 2019, we see Laura and Bea still navigating their sibling stories and living out their assigned roles - Bea as the bossy one in charge and Laura, the baby, never quite growing up.  Mom Genevieve is still in their family home but with dementia issues.  An email makes its way to Laura from a stranger in Bangkok, saying that Phillip is living there in a home owned by her father and he must leave immediately.  Is it really Phillip after all this time?  Where was he and what happened?

I loved the beautiful writing in this book and was transported into other worlds while reading it.  Sometimes in dual time period novels, I prefer one setting to the other and am anxious to get back to it.  In this book, I thought both were so intriguing and wasn't anxious for either to end.  This is mainly a book about family dynamics, especially between siblings, but it is so much more than that.  There's the mystery of Phillip intertwined through all the pages as well as all the secrets being kept.  I loved the backstories of the servants and their customs and beliefs.  Highly recommended!

12.26.2020 - Not My Boy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of this intriguing family drama/mystery by Kelly Simmons.  4.5 stars rounded up!

Hannah is newly divorced with a young son, Miles.  Desperate to get Miles away from issues at his school, she moves into a carriage house next door to her sister, Hillary, and her family, husband Ben and daughter Morgan.  The sisters have always been very close and mom, Eva, lives close by as well providing support and babysitting.  Hannah is looking forward to the cousins growing up next door to each other.  But fitting into the wealthy community isn't as easy as Hannah thought it would be.  When a young girl in the community goes missing, people start looking towards Miles.  Hannah will do anything to protect her boy, even casting the police's eyes towards her brother-in-law.  But everyone is keeping secrets here.

I really raced through this book to see how it would all play out.  Simmons has crafted a well-written novel to keep you guessing and to draw you into these characters.  I absolutely adored Eva and her comments about growing older, being mom and grandparent to such different personalities, and her role in all their lives.  What would we do to protect those we love?  

12.23.2020 - Dog Flowers

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Danielle Geller.  3.5 stars.

"You're an alcoholic," grandma would tell me, even when I was very young.  "You just haven't had your first drink."  This pretty well sums up the cycle of alcoholism, abuse and mental illness in this story.  When Danielle's mother is dying in a Florida hospital from alcohol withdrawal, Danielle travels there and collects a few boxes of family material that her mom had saved.  She tries to put together the picture of her family history from these documents, traveling back to the Navajo reservation where her mom was raised.  We also see how Danielle's dad came in and out of her life, bringing abuse, neglect, and trouble along with him.

This was a difficult book for me to read.  The generational cycles of alcoholism combined with horrible choices, mental illness and abuse are well laid out.  However, the book went between the present as Danielle was exploring her family history to the past, but it wasn't always sequential or easy to follow.  For example, one chapter would have her sister homeless and addicted to drugs; the next, she'd be in her home with a job.  I never quite understand how or when that happened.  Also, and this could definitely be an ARC issue, the footnotes didn't seem to make sense with the spot they were listed.   Danielle had a great heart and wanted to help everyone, which also caused her to be an enabler - although that certainly isn't an easy line to straddle.  The fact that Danielle made it out of this family a contributing citizen is certainly a bright spot in this tale.

12.17.2020 - The Wife Upstairs

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Rachel Hawkins - 5 stars for a book that is hard to put down and filled with twists and turns.  5 stars!  It's a retelling of Jane Eyre but it's been so long since I read that book that I have no recollection except for the names Jane and Mr. Rochester.

Jane has recently moved to Birmingham, AL, escaping from her past with a new name.  She's trying to make ends meet, living in a squalid apartment with an equally squalid roommate, John.  She gets a job walking dogs for the wealthy housewives living in Thornfield Estates.  It's there that she meets Eddie Rochester.  Eddie's husband, Bea, and her best friend and neighbor, Blanche, had a boating accident at their lake home and both are missing and presumed dead.  Soon the relationship between Eddie and Jane deepens and she is living with him., adding much to the rumor mill of the housewives in the development.  But none of these characters are who they say they are.

I don't want to give too much away - the title already gives lots of clues!  But this is a wonderfully-written twisty tale to curl up with during the current snowstorm and get lost in the world of the rich and famous.  The story gives us different viewpoints as well as glimpses of the past, but the author makes things easy to follow, titling the chapters with the character's name to help keep things straight.  Not all of these characters are likable but you'll be rooting for Jane, even when she makes questionable decision.  Great read!

12.15.2020 - The Butterfly House

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this second in the Korner/Werner Danish police procedural series by Katrine Engberg - 5 stars for a great book that leaves me anxious for the next ones to be translated into English!

This book finds Anette Werner home on maternity leave - struggling with her new baby and missing her old life, including her job as detective.  Her partner, Jeppe Korner, is temporarily living with his mom after his divorce and secretly dating a coworker, Sara.  The team is thrust into a series of horrific murders - three bodies bled out and left in fountains to die.  Their investigations lead them to look at The Butterfly House, a residential home for the treatment of mentally-disturbed teenagers.  

There are so many different suspects in this book - I questioned everyone and was still surprised at the end!  I love both of these main characters that we met in The Tenant as well as many of the supporting characters, including another repeat from the first book, Esther.  There's a lot going on in this book but the author is very skilled at keeping things flowing with just enough information to keep you guessing.  This is a highly recommended series to start reading!

12.13.2020 - We Thought We Knew You

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this true crime book by M. William Phelps.  Fascinating look into the mind of a criminal!  5 stars.

In Upstate NY, Mary and Bill Yoder ran a chiropractic/healing clinic.  Bill was semi-retired but Mary was still actively seeing patients; they were planning a big vacation.  When Mary came home from work deathly ill and had to be rushed to the hospital the next day, no one knew what was happening to make this very healthy woman suddenly be on the brink of death.  When she died and it was determined she was poisoned, the family and community were shocked.  Everyone loved Mary.  But evil was at play and it would take sharp detective and prosecutor work to solve the case.

I am a big fan of true crime stories and this one was written perfectly - we got to see how things progressed in real time as well as the recent past leading up to the events.  This story really showcases the diligent work that police officers, detectives, lab personnel and district attorneys put in to solve a case and see that justice is done.  This story was also made into a Dateline episode which I'm anxious to watch, especially after reading the end notes by the author.

Highly recommended for true crime fans.

12.11.2020 - No Woods So Dark As These

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book in the Ryan DeMarco series by Randall Silvis.  This is one of my favorite series so you need to start from the beginning and read them!  4.5 stars!

Former Sergeant DeMarco and his girlfriend Jayme are still recovering physically and emotionally from their last case.  They are hoping to just lie low and recover, dreaming of exotic locations to travel and get away.  But they are called in to help investigate some brutal murders nearby and they can't resist the opportunity to help.  They are required to have a trooper with them, so we meet Detectives Flores.  Another new character, a journalist, Chase Miller, is along for the ride as well.  

This installment was a tad slower than the others, mostly with the characters continuing to go over their past traumas as well as waxing poetically about their love for each other.  But I'm totally invested in these characters so that's okay.  But that ending - or more like a cliffhanger - please don't keep me waiting to find out what happens next!

12.4.2020 - An Accidental Life

Many thanks to NetGalley and Matcha Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Chelsea Cannon - 4 stars!

Margaret was 17 years old when William Hill asked her to marry him.  She had planned on going to college to be a nurse but that wasn't her passion; reading and literature were but her family would never pay for an education to study those subjects.  Margaret said yes to William and put the rest of her dreams in the past.  Life was good as long as she fell into her role as housewife and mother to their two children, but Margaret never felt complete.  When she had the chance to take a college course in literature, it changed her life in ways she never could have imagined and put her in a position of keeping secrets from her family. But secrets always come to light.

Full disclosure - I requested this book from NetGalley solely because it takes place in Saratoga Springs NY where I live - who doesn't love to read a book with such a familiar setting?  I didn't have high expectations but was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to get lost in this book.  In begins in the 1970s when women were still not as free to explore options other than marriage and babies, especially when that's all they ever knew.  But denying your hopes and dreams is never a good plan and can only lead to heartache.  I enjoyed watching Margaret mature and own her life.

12.2.2020 - Take it Back

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Kia Abdullah - 5 stars!  

Zara was a high-powered attorney, working for a top firm, when she walked away to do something more meaningful with her life.  She now works at Artemis House representing rape victims.  Her new client, Jodie, is a teenage girl with a disfiguring condition similar to the Elephant Man.  She is accusing 4 boys from her school for raping her after a party.  No one except for Zara believes her - her mom and best friend ridicule her for the allegations - you would want to rape her?  The four boys, all Muslim, maintain their innocence although their stories change a bit as evidence is brought forward.  Zara finds herself in an uncomfortable and unsafe position - while she has always fought against the cultural notion of an arranged marriage and the man having total control, she wasn't prepared for an entire community to rally against her, calling her a traitor for representing the white girl against the good Muslim boys.

This is a gripping courtroom thriller that will definitely keep you guessing until the last page and you'll continue to think about it after that!  I kept flip-flopping on who was telling the truth and feeling for both sides.  This book feels ripped out of the headlines of racial inequality and crowd vigilantes.  I see that there is another book coming featuring Zara - please sign me up for that one - can't wait to read more about her!

11.29.2020 - Here is the Beehive

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful novel by Sarah Crossan.  4.5 stars rounded up for an originally written look into a married couple's affair.

Ana is an estate lawyer, used to dealing with the after effects of death; that is, until the wife of her lover calls her to report his death.  Ana met Connor when he came in to write his will and they started an affair that lasted three years until his death.  The only other person who knew about the affair was Connor's best friend, Mark.  Ana is desperate to talk to someone about her grief and pain over Connor's loss so when his widow, Rebecca, comes into her office to discuss the estate, Ana befriends her.

Written in beautiful verse, this is a glimpse into the pain that is caused by an affair.  Ana is devastated and feels so alone but must come to grips with the reality of Connor's feelings for her and for her life with her husband, Paul.  This book certainly doesn't condone cheating; in fact, it shows the terrible results to all parties.  You do feel Ana's pain at the loss that she cannot fully own because it was secret.  You see the devastation that she's doing to her family.  But it's the unique writing style, completely in verse, that drew me in and kept me glued to the pages.  

11.26.2020 - My Name is Anton

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Ryan Hyde.  Another 5 star read!

Eighteen-year-old Anton is struggling after the tragic death of his brother and his own physical injuries.  When his parents leave him alone for the holidays, he accidentally sees a neighbor across the street being physically abused by her husband.  He arranges to meet her and to try and help her out of her situation, only to discover he's in love.  When Edith must leave and not tell Anton where she is going for his own safety, his world collapses.  

This is another wonderful character novel by this author, who specializes in getting us to feel things without the story being preachy or sugar sweet.  The theme of this story is selfless love, the kind of love where you put others first, no matter what.  And family - picking the tribe that lifts us up rather than tears us down.  Grab the Kleenex and settle in!

11.23.2020 - The Thirty Names of Night

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me the latest novel by Zeyn Joukhadar.  3.5 stars rounded up for such gorgeous writing.

This is a very complex story told in two voices - a closeted Syrian American trans boy still haunted by the death of his mother, an ornithologist.  Since her death, he has been unable to paint, except for a mural on an abandoned building at night.  At the building site, he finds a journal from a famous painter, Lydia Z., who hasn't been seen in 60 years and who is the only other person who has seen the same rare bird as his mother did.  In alternating chapters, we also hear Lydia's story, from her Syrian childhood to her American life.  Birds are at the heart of this story  - both the elusive ones, the painted and studied ones, and the ones who seem to be all around the NYC neighborhoods where the story takes place.

This is a hard book to review - it has some of the most beautiful sentences and descriptions I've ever read.  But it was a challenge to read.  It  seems as if everyone in this book was not comfortable in their skins - whether they don't fit in because of their race, their gender struggles, their lifestyles.  The Syrian language and customs in this book were also difficult for me - I really needed a glossary and my Kindle translator didn't work on any of the words!  It was a bit confusing as well - there is much symbolism and spiritualism so that I wasn't always sure what was real.  But again, the writing was beautiful and I think I just wasn't the right reader for this book.  

11.20.2020 - What My Husband Did

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Kerry Wilkinson - 4.5 stars but a well-written mystery to keep you intrigued!

The story starts with Richard, husband to Maddy, picking up 12-year-old Alice on a cold winter's night to give her a ride home.  Except that she is later found clinging to life and Richard never came home.  Suddenly, the town's close knit circle turns on Maddy with everyone blaming Richard for her disappearance.  Maddy doesn't know what to think but thoughts of Richard's first wife's untimely death starts to weigh on her.  Is Richard really the man she thought he was?  Interspersed with the present day events are glimpses of Maddy's past.

This book kept me glued to the pages to see what would happen.  There are plenty of  twists and turns that will keep you guessing and characters that will have you questioning their behavior..  You really feel for Maddy as she waits for word of Richard and starts questioning everything she believed.  Maddy's past also had a great influence on her personality and behavior.  Great read!

11.17.2020 - The Push

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read the latest novel by Claire McGowan - 4 stars.

The book opens with a party - 6 couples who met at a prenatal class and their babies.  But someone ends up dead - did they fall or were they pushed?  And who is the victim?  The story plays out with different points of view from the characters involved as well as the policewoman investigating.  With so many people involved and everyone keeping secrets, you'll keep guessing as to who's involved.

Most of the characters are not extremely likable but you still feel for their situations.  While some of the plot was easy to figure out, there were still plenty of twists.  Just an easy, who-done-it read for a chilly day!

11.14.2020 - After All I've Done

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Mina Hardy. Between being hard to put down and that ending - 4.5 stars!  And what a gorgeous cover!

Diana Sparrow had a car accident and is still healing from her physical injuries.  In addition, she suffered medical amnesia and can't remember anything about the accident or the period before.  She keeps having vivid dreams though that are threatening her sanity.  And what she does know for sure s that her husband, Jonathan, is having an affair with her best friend, Val.  While he professes to be working late at night, she is at home trying to heal with only her mother-in-law to help her.  Then she meets a new man, Cole, at an adult ed class and finally feels she has someone to care about her.

Told in the different viewpoints of Diane, Val and Cole in different timeframes as we learn how all these characters ended up together.  While some things were obvious, there were enough twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages until that disturbing ending.  

11.11.2020 - Little Threats

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of this fabulous book by Emily Schultz - 5 stars for a wonderfully-crafted mystery!

Kennedy and Carter were young teenagers growing up in Virginia with their best friend, Haley.  They did all the typical young teenage girls do - falling in and out of love and like quickly, wanting to be older, even experimenting with drugs because the boys wanted them to.  But after fateful July 4th evening, Kennedy discovers the body of Haley.  Unfortunately, she can remember nothing about what happened to her.  She quickly became the prime suspect since she found and disturbed the body, as well as evidence given by Berk, a would-be boyfriend of both Kennedy and Haley.  Still proclaiming her innocence, she took an Alford plea to avoid a worse sentence.  When she was released 14 years later, still not remembering anything, she emerges into a whole new life.  Her mom passed away, Carter is cold and believes Kennedy responsible, and dad, Gerry, is just afraid to let her out of his sight.  A crime show comes to town to explore the case and opens up old wounds on everyone.

This is a well-written, slow-burn of a mystery story with enough clues and red herrings that had me questioning just about every character at some point, and still left me shocked at the ending!  We are privy to points of view from both sisters and their dad as they all try to adjust to the new normal of Kennedy being out of prison.  This is also a coming-of-age story, with nods to the 1990s that will bring back memories.  It's also about family, loyalty, and secrets.  Enough said - this is a great book to snuggle up with on these late fall nights!

11.9.2020 - Little Cruelties

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Liz Nugent - I was a huge fan of both Unraveling Oliver and Lying in Wait.  This was another 5 star read for me - less of a mystery and more of a character study into a very dysfunctional family.

The story opens up at a funeral.  We learn that all three Drumm brothers are there but one is in the casket.  But which one?  That mystery will remain until the end of the book.  Meanwhile, we learn about the brothers, each from their point of view, but also through the points of view of the other brothers when it's their turn.  Each brother's part of the story is told in different timeframes - it was like the author wrote the narrative with a chapter for each defining moment in time, and then threw the pages up in the air and that's that way they landed in the book for you to read.  But it worked!  In this way, we gain little bits and pieces of each of their stories, their interactions with each other, and the intertwining characters that have a role in each brother's story.

William, Brian and Luke all commit little cruelties to each other.  Their mom, in particular, was a case study in her treatment of each of her sons as well as their significant others.  There is lots at play here - mental illness, rape, infidelity, fame, money, addiction, social media - the list goes on.  This isn't a fast-paced mystery; more an introspection on family and personalities.  I loved it even though I didn't really like any of the characters!

11.6.2020 - Shadow Sands

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the fabulous new book by Robert Bryndza - 5 stars for a mystery that I couldn't put down!  I've read quite a few of this author's books and loved them but how did I miss the first in this series, Nine Elms?  No matter - I will definitely go back and read it but this one works just fine as a stand alone.

Kate Marshall is diving with her son in a reservoir when they discover a dead body - the authorities say it was an accidental drowning but Kate, who is an ex-police officer, thinks there are many questions.  When the young man's mother contacts Kate to investigate, her and her assistant, Tristan, do more investigating.  They discover that there have been too many disappearances in the same area to call it a coincidence and another woman has just disappeared.

I don't want to give much away because you definitely want to read this book yourself.  The writing pulled me in from the beginning - a well-written mystery with great characters.  I can't wait to read more Kate and Tristan adventures!

11.3.2020 - Miss Benson's Beetle

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Rachel Joyce.  Joyce is the queen of quirky, intriguing characters all tied up with beautiful, atmospheric writing - 4 stars for a lovely book about friendship and living your dreams.

Margery is a single woman, raised by elderly aunts after her parents' deaths.  Never fitting in, she put away her dream of finding a golden beetle described in one of her father's books, to be a teacher.  She reached her last straw when the students made fun of her in a drawing and she left her employment in quite the fashion.  She then decided to live her dream of going to New Caledonia to find the beetle.  But she needed an assistant and ended up with Enid Pretty, Margery's polar opposite in every way.  Enid was escaping something as well and was anxious to leave Britain.  The rest of the story is an adventure in every way as the two encounter roadblock after roadblock in their quest but end up finding something even more important - friendship.

These two characters will grow on you and stay with you, leaving good lessons on not judging other people by first impressions.  And that most important lesson - everyone you meet has a story.  We should all be more mindful of that in our interactions with people.  But Margery and Enid - and even all the peripheral characters - are colorful people that you will be rooting for.  Add in Joyce's mastery at writing these unique characters and new world and you have a great escape read!

11.1.2020 - The Harpy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Megan Hunter.  4 stars for a quick, well-written read that draws you into the story.  4 stars.

A harpy is a mythical creature with a woman's face whose mission is to harm those who have harmed her.  Quite the lead in to a story about a wronged woman!  Lucy is married to Jake and mom to two boys.  Instead of the fulfilling career she intended, she works part-time from home writing copy.  A call comes to her from a man claiming that her husband is having an affair with one of his coworkers.  When Lucy confronts Jake, they agree to her settling the score by allowing her three paybacks towards him.

This book was wonderfully written, like a dark fairy tale, with glimpses of Lucy's past explaining her fixation with the harpy.  I couldn't put it down but have to say that the ending fell short with me and left me wanting more of a resolution.

10.31.2020 - White Ivy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read the debut novel by Susie Yang - 4 stars for a very intriguing book.  I'll be looking for more from this author in the future!

Ivy was raised by her grandmother in China when she was very young while her parents immigrated to the US to start their new life.  The grandmother introduced Ivy to stealing to get the things that you want or deserve.  When they moved to Boston to reunite with their parents, Ivy continued her habit.  Her parents had high expectations and Ivy was able to attend an exclusive high school because her dad worked there.  There she was introduced to the way the rich people lived and became obsessed with golden boy, Gideon.  However, after an indiscretion with an old friend, Ivy's parents sent her to China for the summer and moved the family to NJ while she was gone.  Years later, Ivy meets up with Gideon again and it seems that fate is finally shining on Ivy and she will get what she wants.  Or will she?

This is a somewhat dark coming of age story as we see the expectations put on Ivy from her family and culture and how she will stop at nothing to get what she thinks she wants.  Ivy presents one image to the world - they all see her as a good girl - but her inside turmoil is quite different and dark.  The book was wonderfully written - you feel all the circulating emotions in Ivy from a young age and how they have formed who she is, even while she struggles to figure that out herself.  The ending was inevitable but still quite surprising.

A very strong debut novel that deserves the buzz it's gathering!

10.27.2020 - The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me an ARC of Fannie Flagg's wonderful new book, The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop - 5 stars for a heartwarming book with wonderful characters!

Back in Whistle Stop, Alabama, the setting in Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes story, Bud Threadgoode grew up with his mom, Ruth, and Aunt Idgie, who ran the cafe.  But time marched on and the railroad industry decline left Whistle Stop mostly a ghost town except in Bud's memory.  

This book is told from many different viewpoints and times in the past while it fleshes out the story of Bud's family.  This is small town America at its best where people are committed to help each other.  It's the story of how one small act of kindness or interest has a ripple effect through generations.  It's also a good reminder to not put things off because time waits for no one.

I happily curled up with this book and these characters and felt at home and comforted.  Another great read by Fannie Flagg!

10.26.2020 - I'll Be Seeing You

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the beautiful new memoir by one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Berg.  5 stars for a touching, real portrayal of dealing with parents as they age.

Elizabeth's dad was in the military and the only big soft spot he displayed was the love for his wife.  But when he developed Alzheimer's, even that relationship became strained as he didn't want his wife out of his sight for a minute and it was taking its toll.  Elizabeth and her siblings struggled to get their parents to see that it wasn't safe to stay in the home that they loved but that is never going to be an easy conversation.  We get a real portrayal of all of the emotions involved in these life-altering decisions.

If we are lucky to have our parents live long enough, we will be faced with these same decisions.  This was such a respectful but honest portrayal of a loving parent/child relationship and, of course, so beautifully written by Elizabeth Berg.  Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and the authors for writing and publishing this important book as well as gifting me a digital ARC to review.  5 stars - a must read for parents, teachers, administrators, and our youth.  As someone who has been personally touched by the suicide of my ex-husband, I can say first hand how much this story needs to be told.

Written in alternate chapters between mom and son, we get to really see the truth of mental illness.  It was so interesting to me to see how Josh interpreted his parents' questions and concerns and then see how difficult it was for Amanda and her husband to find the perfect way to interact with Josh.  

I do believe that no one wants to interject themselves in what is someone else's private struggles but that leads to ignoring situations by teachers and friends who may be the best to see what is sometimes hidden from parents.  I personally know the heartache of calling a university to check on my son who started exhibiting very concerning issues only to be told that he is an adult and they cannot provide any information.  While privacy is important, so is having correct information so that intervention can happen if need be.  This book outlines some of those changes happening in the UK..

Blessings and thanks go out to both Josh and Amanda for opening up their hearts and private struggles to help others.  In this instagram perfect world, showing flaws is not the norm so we are all starting behind the curve thinking we are the only ones struggling.  This is a beautifully written, raw account that is a must read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this novel by Cecily von Ziegesar - buckle up and prepare for a ride on the crazy side!  4 stars for an interesting character study.

The book is centered around 4 families living in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn.  There is writer Roy Clarke, his wife, Wendy, and teenage daughter, Shy.  Stuart Little is a former famous musician, living with wife, Mandy, and son, Ted.  Peaches is a nurse in Ted's school, married to Greg, with teenage son, Liam.  Then there are the artist couple, Tupper and Elizabeth.  These 4 families become very intertwined as we watch each of them go through their days, struggling for meaning and purpose, working on their relationships.  But it all adds up to some kind of funny/crazy!

I loved some of these characters - basically all the women were so relatable in their own ways.  Mandy was a hoot.  Feeling like her only purpose was to be the cheerleader in Stuart's life, she ends up faking a serious illness to explain why she stays in bed all day.  Be sure and guard your food delivery boxes!  Peaches wanted to be a drummer/writer and ended up being a nurse to help support the family.  Now she spends the days combing through kids' hair for lice.  She has a crush on Stuart from her younger days.  Wendy persuaded her family to move from London to NY where she grew up - now she's struggling at her magazine job and lying to Roy.  Shy is also trying to fit in her new world but is definitely an outsider.

Each of these stories winds in and out of each other.  I thought it was a funny, exaggerated view of what we all go through as women in life's various stages. 

10.17.2020 - The Heatwave

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC for Kate Riordan's new novel - 4.5 stars for a very Gothic-feel mystery.

Sylvie lives in London with her youngest daughter, Emma, but has to make a sudden trip to France and her family home when she receives word that a fire has been set.  Sylvie grew up in this home and lived there with her husband, Greg, and older daughter, Elodie, as well as young Emma, but hasn't been back in over 10 years since something happened to Elodie.  Sylvie has never told Emma the specifics of what happened to Elodie and she is afraid that being back will trigger memories for Emma.  But things start happening that leave all of them shaken.

This book has an eerie, ghost-story type feeling - what happened to Elodie?  Why is everything such a secret?  Told in alternating chapters in the past (beginning in late 1960s) and present (1993), the book is written from Sylvie's point of view as she is addressing Emma.  That took a bit of getting used to but I soon found myself enthralled with this story of a dysfunctional family with bad seed vibes.  I was a tad disappointed with the ending but really enjoyed this story.

10.16.2020 - First Date

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the gifted digital ARC of the latest thriller by Sue Watson - a definite must-read author for me.  4 stars for a twisted look into the dating world.

Hannah had a tough childhood but she's basically happy in her life now - she works as a social worker and she has a strong group of friends.  But she just broke up with Tom, her boyfriend of a couple of years, because he just wasn't very into her.  About to give up on love, her best friend/boss convinces her to give a dating app a try.  Her very first match, Alex, seems to be an absolutely perfect fit and Hannah starts falling fast and hard.  But is he too good to be true?

The first part of this book was like one of those horror movies where you scream at the characters to not go down into the basement alone at night.  There were so many red flags - but love is blind and things are easily explained away.  The second part of this book ramped up and became gripping as I raced through to see how things would end up - and was still surprised at the end.  Definitely a book to make you think about the internet dating world and how quickly infatuation can become obsession.

10.12.2020 - Invisible Girl

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of Lisa Jewell's latest thriller - I'm a huge fan and this is another 5 star read for me.

The story is told from 3 different points of view - Cate Fours is a mom of teenagers Georgia and Josh, and wife to Roan, a psychologist.  Owen lives across the street from the Fours in a home owned by his aunt.  Owen is a teacher and has just been suspended due to reports of sexual misconduct towards female students.  Owen is in his 30s and still a virgin - he gets pulled into an online forum for others in his situation - incels - involuntary celibates.  Saffyre had a tough childhood with a trauma that she still can't speak about.  But she was cutting herself and her guardian sent her to Roan Fours.  When Roan dismisses her saying that she is healthy now, even though she has never spoken to him of her trauma, she feels unseen and starts following Roan.  Then Saffyre goes missing - Owen is the last to have seen her.

As in all of Lisa Jewell's books, you have the mystery portion but she is a master at the character development.  You feel for these people - especially ones that are "invisible" to the rest of the world or judged as being unworthy.  Plus, as a society, we are so quick to judge others who appear different from us.  As the saying goes - everyone has a story.  Some hide those stories but they are still there, influencing behavior.  I couldn't put this book down until all these stories intersected!

10.11.2020 - In a Holidaze

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and the writing team Christina Lauren for gifting me a digital ARC of their latest book - as always, such a warmhearted, feel good romance book - 4.5 stars!  I was in a bit of a holidaze myself - it's Halloween and I'm reading about a Christmastime Groundhog Day!

Mae spends every Christmas with her family and her chosen family in Park City, Utah, at a cabin owned by her parents' best friends.  Even though her parents are divorced, they both still come for the holiday.  Every day has a tradition and traditions cannot be broken.  But everything feels broken this year for Mae - she's at a job she hates, back living at home with her mom, and her childhood crush for Andrew, the son of the cabin's owners, is stronger than ever and seems destined to remain only a fantasy.  Worst of all - as the week comes to a close, the owners  tell of their plans to sell the cabin.  Leaving in the car with her family, Mae sends up a wish to be shown what will make her happy.  Then there's a car crash and the Groundhog's Day loop begins.  Will Mae be able to fix things?

I loved these characters, their family traditions, the setting and the romance!  Christina Lauren delivers another winning read no matter what the season!

10.8.2020 - The Lost Love Song

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House/Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this wonderful story by Minnie Darke - 4.5 stars! 

Diana Clare is a famous pianist, engaged to Arie for years.  Arie is pushing her to get married and as she leaves for a tour to Singapore and Paris, he asks her for an answer when she returns.  Diana started writing a love song to let Arie know better than her words how she feels about him, but he was never able to hear the ending.  In Scotland, Evie has been traveling around, not putting down ties, since she left Australia.  She writes poems and ekes out a living with whatever jobs she can get.  One day she hears a young couple play a song - a love song - and she can't get it out of her mind.  This song travels around from person to person, opening hearts and minds, giving second chances to those that hear it.

Just a wonderfully written story - I pretty much sat and read this book in one sitting.  I loved all the chance interactions between so many characters, all pulled together with one love song.  Isn't that what music does to us?  There was not an unlikeable character in this book - they are all charming in their own ways and you will be rooting for many happily ever afters.

10.7.2020 - Keep Moving

Many thanks to NetGalley, One Signal Publishers/Atria Publishing for the gifted digital ARC of this fabulous book of essays/thoughts from Maggie Smith.  5 stars - I read it in one sitting this morning and have already ordered a hardcopy to keep plus I know this will be a definite gift item for friends struggling with change/loss.

I loved everything about this book and its message - that you just need to keep moving to get through life.  Life will throw everyone punches and this book helps guide you through coming out of it a better person.  There are so many pages and thoughts that I highlighted that just spoke to me and will speak to everyone, because we all experience these issues.  Everyone has a story - some are similar, some vastly different, but we could all use some encouragement along the way and ways to look at others going through their stories.  My husband and I have already adopted the Beauty Emergency line - just a way to pause and be grateful for the world around us.

Bravo for a fabulous book!  Plus the author is from and continues to live in central Ohio - I grew up about an hour away and then spent decades living in northeast Ohio before moving to Upstate NY.  Go Bucks!

10.7.2020 - Cardiff, by the Sea

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the short story collection by Joyce Carol Oates.  4 stars for creepy stories that will leave you wanting more!

This book contains 4 short novellas all revolving around creepy, mysterious happenings to the female subjects of each story.  The first was my favorite - a young adopted woman gets a call that her biological grandmother left her an inheritance in Cardiff, Maine.  She travels there, stays with her two very eccentric great-aunts, and tries to investigate the past she knew nothing about.  There is the story of Mia, a teenager who is uncomfortable with her body and the attention it receives.  She only finds comfort in an abandoned lot overrun with feral cats.  Another story has a quiet college student  taken advantage of by a professor and in other ways by an elderly poet.  The last story involves a young woman about to move in her fiancé's house where a horrible tragedy took place leaving his son as the only survivor.

Each of these stories have twists that you won't expect, even though the ending may not be totally as fleshed out as you may wish.  That's always why short stories aren't my favorite genre but - Joyce Carol Oates!  Her writing is so beautiful and you won't be able to resist this collection.  You will find yourself caring about each of these female protagonists and their stories.

10.4.2020 - Magic Lessons

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this fabulous book by Alice Hoffman - it's the prequel to Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic, which are both must reads as well.  5 stars for such a fabulous read - and so appropriate to read about witches and magic as we head into the Halloween season.

This book finds us in the 1600s as Hannah Owens discovers a baby left in the field who she takes in and raises as her own.  Hannah recognizes the bloodline of witches in baby Maria and begins teaching her the valuable lessons of magic.  The first two - Do as you will, but harm no one and What you give will be returned to you threefold.  But then there's love and all the magic involved there.  When Maria falls in love a man who leaves her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts.  When things go wrong, Maria puts a curse over all the women in her family and anyone who may love them.  

Alice Hoffman is just the most gifted writer - while this book started off a bit slow for me, before long I was glued to the pages.  We learn history here too - of the Salem witch trials but also of the history of New York and the way women were treated in these times. So many life lessons here to be learned as well as to how we treat each other and how very important love is.  I loved how books were portrayed as magical - they sure are for me and this one definitely is!  Highly recommended!

10.2.2020 - Every Now and Then

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the gifted digital ARC of the new book by Lesley Kagen - 4 stars for a peek into the past coming-of-age story to lift you up.  This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed getting lost in her created world of Summit, Wisconsin.

Three best friends - Biz, Frankie and Viv - are as different as can be but each has strengths that the others may lack.  Together they form the Tree Musketeers, since their home base is a wonderful tree house built by Biz' dad in honor of his wife who died after giving birth to Biz.  It's the summer of 1960 and the girls have set up a list of things they must accomplish during the summer.  One of those is more investigation of the local mental health institute and what could possibly be happening in the basement.  But investigating could cause tragic consequences for the girls and possibly more in the community.

I loved reading about the naivety of the girls when it came to anything sexual.  Today, it's hard to imagine that you could find 11-year-olds who would be so wonderfully clueless.  Try not to laugh when an older girl explains what happens when you get your period!  While such ignorance probably isn't healthy, it still harkens back to a time of innocence which is sorely needed right now.  This was a time of unlocked doors, kids playing unsupervised until it was dark, having a healthy fear of God and disappointing parents.  On the opposite spectrum, it was also a time of racism and prejudice and terrible treatment of mental illness.  This book at its core is about friendship and loyalty and always trying to do the right things.  I loved the ending!

9.30.2020 - Confessions on the 7:45

Many thanks to NetGalley and Park Row Books for the gifted digital ARC of Lisa Unger's fabulous new book - another 5 star thrill ride!

Selena Murphy is the breadwinner of her family after her husband, Graham, lost his job.  They have two small boys and a nanny, Geneva, to help out. When Selena misses her train home, she's not altogether devastated to have 2 hours to call her own where she's not an employee, wife or mother.  When she gets on the 7:45 train to go home, a young woman sits next to her and confesses that she's having an affair with her boss.  Selena feels a connection to this woman, Martha, and feels free to unburden the fact that she saw Graham and Geneva having an affair on the nanny cam.  But soon, things veer totally out of control and Selena's life as she knows it implodes.

You're best going into this book with as little knowledge as possible.  There are many layers of secrets and lies between many characters that weave in and out of each other's lives.  Lisa Unger is a master of keeping all these balls up in the air and will leave you breathless as you race through the book.  What lies would you tell to keep your family intact?  When does the perfect instagram family become the ideal rather than the reality?  What part of ourselves are we willing to push down to accept others' behavior?  

9.27.2020 - The End of the Day

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the opportunity to read and review a digital copy of the latest novel by Bill Clegg - 3.5 stars rounded up for a wonderfully-written character novel.

The book mainly centers around Dana, Jackie and Lupita whose lives intersected in different ways when they were teenagers.  In the present time, we see how those lives turned out and how the decisions made back then influenced so many others.  Dana was the daughter of very wealthy parents and lived lives the other girls couldn't imagine.  Jackie became her best friend while Lupita's family worked for Dana's.  We learn how secrets, misconceptions, jealousy and loyalty all come into play into these relationships.

The writing is beautiful and it draws you into these characters.  However, with so many different POV and timelines going back and forth, it was a bit confusing to keep everyone's story straight.  Plus, none of the characters really resonated with me or were extremely likable although I found myself relating to bits and pieces of their stories.  It is a great character study to see how our actions really affect others.

9.25.2020 - The Nesting

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and C.J. Cooke for the opportunity to read this wonderful atmospheric novel - 4.5 stars!

It's fall and the perfect time to lose yourself in a Nordic suspense/folklore novel!  This one will surely fit the bill as the book opens with the death of Aurelia - as she plunges off a cliff to her death.  But was she killing herself due to postpartum depression or was it an abusive husband or something unworldly?  As we settle back in present time, Lexi is just recovering from a suicide attempt when her boyfriend breaks up with her.  She is instantly homeless with no prospects.  A chance bus encounter leads to her becoming Sophie and a nanny to Aurelia's two young girls in a very remote house in Norway.  Lexi/Sophie just wanted some time to recover, to work on her book, and have a place to live.  She never dreamed of falling in love with the two girls in her charge.  When things take a creepy turn, she realizes she'll do anything to keep them from harm.  

The book went from chapters of "Then" when we learn what Aurelia was going through to "Now."  The similarities of the possible hallucinations of both women are scary.  I really loved how Lexi/Sophie evolved - from being a depressed girl with no prospects to being so wonderful with the girls.  

This is a perfect creepy book to curl up with under a thick blanket.  The descriptions of the stark Norwegian landscape and the house literally hanging over the cliff add to the suspense in this book.  I loved the subplot of the repercussions of changing nature - very apt in this time of such climate worries.  

9.22.2020 - The Book of Two Ways

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House/Ballantine Books and Jodi Picoult for the opportunity to read her latest novel - 4.5 stars rounded up.

The story unfolds with a plane crash as Dawn is on her way home to her family in Boston.  But her family is not the first thing that comes to mind and she faces the possibility of her death - it's the man and the life she left behind in Egypt 15 years ago.  When the airline offers to fly her anywhere, Egypt is where she goes.  The book then alternates between her life in Boston and Egypt as different choices are made.  

I've been a huge Jodi Picoult fan since I first read The Pact more than 20 years ago.  I've devoured each one of her books since then and love how she is able to pick a controversial subject and truly show and make you feel both sides.  This book exemplifies that theme, with showing two different life paths and how to make decisions that you know will hurt you and others.  

I'm not sure I've read a more meticulously researched book on so many different subjects.  You will read and learn so much Egyptology, quantum physics, and the culture of death.  I'm sure the vast information overload will bog down many readers but I personally thought that there were so many important life lessons in this book.  I was fascinated with Dawn's job as a death doula and loved the conversations she had with her client, Win, as she faced her death from cancer.  There's also the theme of how we choose our paths - are we selfish when we choose others' feelings before ours?  Or are we selfish when we choose what we want?  

Would be such a great book club read since there is so much to talk about.

9.21.2020 - The Last Agent

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Robert Dugoni for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in the Charles Jenkins series - another 5 star read!  If you haven't read The Eighth Sister, start there because otherwise you'll miss a long of the fabulous back story.

Charles is done with his trial for treason and is finally back home on his farm with wife and two children when an agent approaches him with a request for his help - to try and rescue Paulina, the agent who saved his life on his last mission in Russia.  They aren't sure if it's even Paulina who is in jail but Charles is convinced it's her and decides he has no choice but to try and rescue her.  Then let the games begin!

This is another fabulous read by Robert Dugoni who, by the way, writes in so many different genres and all most excellently!  I love the cat and mouse games that will keep you guessing as to the real plan.  Plus - how do you know who to trust?  Russian spy novels wouldn't be my top pick but when it's written by Dugoni, you know you're in for a wild ride.  Looking forward to more in this series!

9.13.2020 - Other People's Pets

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and R.L. Maizes for the opportunity to read her debut novel - 4.5 stars rounded up for such an imaginative story that really pulled me in.

La La Fine was raised by her dad, Zev, after her mom left.  Zev was a locksmith but used his skills to run a profitable burglary operation on the side.  As a child, Zev brought her along on his jobs breaking into homes, teaching her his tricks, and using her ability as an animal empath to quiet the animals they encountered.  Although she was denied a normal childhood and schooling, La La works at a vet clinic and is almost through veterinary school when Zev is charged with burglary that could turn even worse.  La La puts her dreams on hold to try and pay for his lawyer the only way she knows how - by committing burglary - justifying it by only breaking into homes with animals that are in need of assistance.  Soon everything catches up to her and she starts losing all that is dear to her.

Even though I"m not the biggest animal lover, I loved the premise of La La being able to feel what the animals felt and help them.  But this book shines in La La's journey into realizing what is important in life and not letting her past ruin her future.  The writing is perfect - while the characters continue to make bad decisions, you feel for them and ultimately root for them.  There are plenty of moments that will make you smile as well as those that will leave you with a tear in your eye.  Great book!

9.11.2020 - Don't Look for Me

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Wendy Walker for the opportunity to read and review her fabulous new thriller - 5 stars for a book you won't be able to put down.  On a personal note - I read this book right after I read Dear Child - both kidnapping books.  So even without a global pandemic - I may never leave my house again!

Five years after a horrific accident that killed her youngest daughter, Molly is trying to get through each day but it feels like the rest of her family is slipping through her fingers.  Her husband, John, may be having an affair; her oldest daughter, Nicole, is acting out and they were just in a horrible fight.  Her son, Evan, is away at boarding school but she travels to all his home football games.  When she gets to his game, he blatantly ignores her.  Desperate, she heads for home as a powerful storm sweeps through the area.  Then she runs out of gas.  When a truck stops to pick her up, she thinks her prayers are answered, but is her nightmare just beginning?  When Molly doesn't come home, her family starts searching for her until they find a note saying she left and not to look for her.  

I seriously questioned every male in this book as the "bad" guy and was still surprised at the ending.  This book has the absolute creepy atmosphere of being held against your will in the middle of the woods and the author is so skilled and making you feel all of that fear and desperation.  The story is told in alternating POVs from Molly and her daughter, Nicole.  It is a gripping, suspenseful read that you just can't miss!

9.10.2020 - Dear Child

Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Romy Hausmann for the opportunity to read this amazing debut thriller - write this name down because I can only imagine what this author might have in store next!  5 glowing stars - you won't be able to put this book down or sleep until you finish it!

Lena, a 23-year-old, goes missing.  Fourteen years later with no clue about where she is, her father, Matthias, continues to be obsessed with finding her.  When he gets a call from his old police friend that a woman they believe is Lena has been involved in an accident and is in the hospital, Matthias and Karin race to see her.  But when they do, he insists that it's not Lena.  But Lena isn't alone - daughter Hannah has also been taken to the hospital.  And Hannah keeps giving clues about what their life was like in the cabin in the woods and about the brother they left behind.

This is a sharply written, twisty tale that will grip you from the beginning.  Everyone has secrets and the fear is palpable throughout the story.  What really happened in that cabin in the woods?  The story is told through the POVs of Lena, Hannah and Matthias.  I couldn't read this book fast enough - a stunning debut and a must read!

9.8.2020 - A Knock at Midnight

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crown Publishing, and Brittany K Barnett for the opportunity to read and review this powerful book - very important especially in the current BLM climate.  5 stars!

Brittany had a tough childhood - even though she was surrounded by strong family members and felt completely loved and supported, her mom was a drug addict who eventually had to spend time in prison.  The experience of going to visit her mom in jail changed Brittany's life.  Always a smart student, she was driven to do better for herself, going to college and graduating with an accounting degree and top job opportunities.  But her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer (formed after watching The Cosby Show) became her next goal.  In her studies, she came across the story of Sharanda, a single mom serving a sentence of life without parole for a first time drug offense.  She met with Sharanda and became obsessed with finding justice for her.  Even when she graduated from law school and became a corporate lawyer with a prestigious firm, she worked tirelessly on Sharanda's case.  And she quickly discovered that Sharanda was far from the only one - the War on Drugs filled the prisons with mostly black people facing life without parole for minor drug offenses.

Powerfully written and completely eye-opening, this book is a tribute to Brittany's perseverance and dedication as well as the faith and strength of her clients in prison, trying to do what they can behind bars to improve others.  A must read!

9.7.2020 - The White Coat Diaries

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Madi Sinha for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - 4.5 stars for a well-written look into the world of medical interns.  I'm not on Twitter and have read many reviews talking about the author's tweet, but I'm sticking to reviewing the book - which I thought was wonderful!

Norah is under so much pressure - after always being at the top of her class, she's starting her internship and finds herself at the bottom of the food chain at Philadelphia General Hospital.  In fact, those above her rarely call her by her correct name; it's usually just Intern.  But she's also struggling with her Indian family's expectations that she get married early, stay at home and take care of her mother, be who they want her to be.  How does she have time to be a good friend when she never has time to sleep?  Plus, she has never dated and now finds herself attracted to the resident in charge of her, Ethan.  When a patient under her care dies, she is faced with a moral and ethical dilemma that will change everything.

I enjoyed reading this story of what our young doctors are faced with as they go through their training, even without the current pandemic crisis.  I loved Norah's character - you could feel the push and pull of her emotions and thoughts - wanting to do what's right, wanting to fit in, wanting to be her own person, wanting someone to care - all while trying to do the best job she can to take care of her patients.  You could feel her exhaustion as she tries to catch just a little sleep in between her pages asking her to do something else.  Plus dealing with the patients and their families!  I think I will remember these people any time I have to deal with medical personnel.  This book felt true with many light, laugh out loud moments.

I look forward to reading more from this author - a very strong debut!

9.5.2020 - One by One

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press, and Ruth Ware for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - 5 stars!  When you read comparisons of Ruth Ware to Agatha Christie, they are dead on.  This was such a good thriller with multiple suspects.

Snoop, an online music app, is having a company meeting at a remote chalet in the French Alps.  There is talk of an investor buyout that would make some of the group very wealthy but the decision is split amongst them.  Danny and Erin are the only employees of the chalet and are in charge of the group's week with them, from cooking and cleaning to keeping them happy.  But when an avalanche hits and they are snowed in, things quickly take a bad turn and survival becomes questionable.  And one by one, people are dying.

The remote setting and the winter weather put you in the perfect mood for this intriguing whodunit.  Add an avalanche that takes away all communication and power and you are stranded with people you can't trust and the suspense really amps up.  The story is told from alternating viewpoints of Erin, the chalet employee, and Liz, the outsider of the Snoop group.  I loved how their Snoop account details prefaced each book - you'll understand the significance of that as you read.  I think this is Ware's best book yet - loved it!

9.2.2020 - The Best of Friends

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Lucinda Berry for the opportunity to read her latest gripping thriller - 4.5 stars rounded up for an emotional ride!

Three women - Dani, Kendra and Lindsey - have been best friends forever.  They each have a teenage son the same age who are also best friends.  But one night a tragic accident happens and no one's life will ever be the same.  One boy is dead, one is in a coma, and one is so traumatized he can't speak.  As the police are investigating, the women themselves are desperate to know the true story behind the accident - but at what cost?  Told from the viewpoint of each of these women, we see how this accident affects their life, their marriages, their other children and their relationship to each other.  

This was a gripping, emotional read that I couldn't put down.  It all comes to the heart of how well we can really know another person - especially as our children grow older and have lives separate from ours.  Throw in social media and everything takes on a new level.  Are we the type to excuse our children's behavior?  Blame ourselves for their behavior or our husband?  Much to think about in this book.  My only issue with this book was that I had trouble keeping the characters fixed in my brain as to whose mother and wife they were and kept having to go back and double check!  I love this author's work; she was a clinical psychologist who specialized in childhood trauma so she knows her stuff and knows how to write a gripping story!

9.1.2020 - Deadly Waters

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Dot Hutchison for the opportunity to read her latest book and the first in a new series.  I have heard only rave things. about her Butterfly Garden series so I was anxious to read this one.  3.5 stars rounded up.

Rebecca is attending the University of Florida (home of the Gators!) and lives in a dorm with her roommates.  Male students are suddenly being found murdered by alligators at a rate too common to be considered normal alligator behavior.   But all of the victims are fellow college students who have portrayed horrible behavior towards women students, whether it be drugging drinks, physical assaults, verbal assaults or a combination.  Rebecca begins thinking that a serial killer may be at work - maybe one of her own friends?

While I enjoyed the mystery part of this book, the overall message that all men are predators was so overwhelming that it took away some of the enjoyment of the book.  There was a great message of empowerment of women and finding their voice, but not at the expense of coloring all men in such a broad stroke.  I would definitely read the next in this series in hopes that the author tones down the men hating aspect.

8.29.2020 - Daddy

 

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Emma Cline for the opportunity to read this collection of short stories.  I was a huge fan of Cline's debut novel, The Girls, and was so excited to read this book.  3.5 stars rounded up.

I will preface this review with the note that I'm not a huge fan of short stories - I like digging into a novel with more teeth and better developed characters and plot.  These stories revolve around human failings, mostly of the male variety, and how small decisions change lives.  Each of these stories was well written and left me wanting more - which was the problem for me - I wanted more!  At the end of each short, I felt a bit sad that it ended so abruptly because I was just getting into the story.

Emma Cline is a gifted writer and I'm hoping she is feverishly at work on her next novel!

8.28.2020 - When I Was You

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin/Mira Books, and Amber Garza for the opportunity to read this mind-twisting psychological thriller - 4.5 stars rounded up for a deliciously good book!

Just a short synopsis - Kelly Medina is an empty nester with son Aaron off at college and professor husband, Rafael, teaching in another town during the week and coming home most weekends.  Kelly tries to stay busy with friends and yoga but it's not enough to fill her hours or her heart.  When a chance phone call leads her to discover that another Kelly Medina just moved into town with a young son, she becomes obsessed.  Is this her chance to rewind time and do things right this time?

This is one of those books that it's best to go in somewhat blind to because there are so many twists and turns that you'll have fun trying to unravel.  It's told in the second person which is usually somewhat annoying to me but  works so well in this book.  There were a few times I had to flip back a few pages to let my brain catch up - love books that make me do that!  This is the first book I've read by this author but it definitely won't be the last.  

8.26.2020 - The Silence

Many thanks to NetGalley, Montlake, and Kendra Elliot for the opportunity to read her latest thriller - I loved getting back into these characters' lives but they are written so well that you don't need to have read the first book in this series to enjoy.  There are many returning characters from many of Elliot's books which is always fun.  4.5 stars rounded up because I love these characters!

Detective Mason Callahan and his partner, Ray, find a man brutally murdered and evidence at the scene leads them to a possible bomb threat at the nearby courthouse.  The evidence also mentions Mason's fiancee, FBI agent Ava McLane, so Mason is doubly worried.  Ava is investigating the shootings of multiple police officers and finds that Mason's investigation intertwines with her own.  When Ava's troubled twin sister disappears, there are too many coincidences to believe that all these crimes are anything but personal.

A quick read and one that was hard to put down as the story built to its conclusion.  I loved all the emotions and relationships between the characters even in the midst of murder and mayhem.