3.31.2020 - One of Us is Lying

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Shalini Boland for the opportunity to read and review her latest thriller - another great read!  4.5 stars for a twisty book that left you guessing about all the secrets.

Tia, Fiona, and Kelly have been friends since they were younger.  Suddenly, rumors seem to be swirling about each of them that leave them questioning themselves and each other.  Plus each of the friends is keeping a secret - one that they can't reveal to anyone.

Told in alternating chapters from each of the friends, we see how these anonymous threats are destroying their carefully-crafted worlds.

Quick read, hard to put down - a great book to escape into!

3.30.2020 - Wow, No Thank You

Thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday/Vintage Paperbacks, and Samantha Irby for the opportunity to read and review this series of essays.  I will preface this review with saying that I'm old, so I'm sure I'm not in the target demographic for this book but there were still so many times I laughed out loud - and loudly - while reading this!

I wasn't familiar with Samantha Irby before reading this book but, hello, that cover!  Even if like me you can't quite relate to some of the topics here, you will love the honesty and openness of Irby discussing her health issues and real true life feelings that we probably never admit to ourselves, let alone the world.  Trust me - a few of these chapters alone are worth the price of this book.  A Guide to Simple Home Repairs was absolutely hilarious, as was Hello, 911.

In today's world of social distancing and fear of everything and everyone, a little humor can only help!

3.28.2020 - The Eighth Girl

Many thanks to NetGally, William Morrow and Maxine Mei-Fung Chung for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - 4 stars for a dark but so intriguing look into mental illness, sex trafficking, psychology.

Alexa Wung has Dissociative Identity Disorder, or multiple personalities, after suffering abuse at the hands of her father after her mother died.  We meet Alexa as she meets with a therapist, Daniel, who is himself suffering from the loss of his wife and his struggle for sobriety.  There are only 3 people who know about the other personalities - Anna, Alexa's stepmom; Ella, her best friend; and Daniel.  When Ella gets involved with the shady underworld of sex trafficking, Alexa is obsessed with trying to gather enough information on the players involved to go to the police and rescue the young girls.

Told in alternating viewpoints of David and Alexa, this is a slow, character study look into a very seedy world and the long-term implications that abuse has on the psyche.  Obviously would have many triggers for readers, but although long, I thought this debut was gripping, gritty and very well-written.  Stick with it until the end - you won't be disappointed!

3.26.2020 - Hope Close

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Tina Seskis for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel.  Just finished a glass of wine and this book - totally escapism reading and I loved it!  4 stars.

A well-to-do Surrey cul-de-sac with four houses and four very different inhabitants.  There's the older couple, Joan is the local busybody, angry at the world.  Nicole is depressed after her children moved out and her husband isn't paying enough attention to her.  Layla is the newest wife of Charles, and mother to Henry.  She's coping with her husband's insistence that Henry go off to boarding school at the age of 8.  Then there's the mysterious new neighbor, who installed privacy gates and talks to no one, but we know that he just got out of prison and a halfway home.  So very many secrets for one cul-de-sac!

Just a fun read but also one that teaches us about judging others.

3.25.2020 - Breathe In Cash Out

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Madeleine Henry for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - 4 stars for an intriguing glimpse into two very different worlds with interesting characters.

Allegra is an analyst at Anderson Shaw, the biggest firm on Wall Street.  She's counting down until her 2 year mark, where she will receive her big bonus and can hopefully quit to pursue her real passion - yoga.  But until that time, we get to see the crazy intense banking world, where everyone is expected to work 24/7 and still ask for more jobs.  A contrast to the yoga world Allegra yearns for - a seemingly blissful calm place.  However, not necessarily in this book as we see the cutthroat aspect of that business as well.

I enjoyed this book and its characters - just a breezy read with similarities to The Devil Wears Prada as far as bosses and pecking order go.  The author writes this book from real-life experience - she worked at Goldman Sachs and also practices yoga.  Her instagram feed of yoga positions astounded me!

3.24.2020 - The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Jane Riley for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel.  If you like a heart-warming story with a quirky lead character, this book is for you!  4 stars to Oliver Clock!

Oliver is approaching his 40th birthday.  He runs the family funeral home, organizes his books and socks by color and even steam presses his underwear!  He keeps a list of resolutions that he never quite reaches - especially the one about letting florist, Marie, know how he really feels about her.  Then all of a sudden it is too late for him to do that.  When he gets to read her private diary, he discovers that she felt the same way about him.  His life is slowing falling down around him - the business is failing, he's gaining weight, his mom still runs his business and life, and he has no love in his life.  When he decides to open himself up to possibilities, all the messiness ensues but it's a fun ride for the rest of us!

Jane Riley has created a book of interesting characters that will leave you charmed.

3.22.2020 - Lakewood

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amistad, and Megan Giddings for the opportunity to read and review her debut novel - a disturbing account of race, class and things that have been done to others in the name of medicine, science and government.  Definitely similar to the Tuskegee and Nazi human experiments and Henrietta Lacks.

Lena is trying to go to college and still deal with being the caretaker for her mother who has suffered seizures and many issues since an accident years ago.   When her beloved grandmother dies, the extent of the family's debt is realized.   Lena is offered the opportunity to take part in some memory experiments at a government research facility - she will be paid well, receive health care for herself and her mother.  However, she must sign NDAs and must lie to everyone about where she is and what she is doing.

So much to discuss in this book - How much are we willing to do and accept to better our lives and those of our families?  Why is one section of society the subject of experimentation by another section?

Amazing debut and certainly much to ponder.

3.20.2020 - The Upside of Being Down

Thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Jen Gotch for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.  5 stars for a book that will hopefully continue the discussion of mental illness but also address many other important issues.

Jen Gotch has spent her life struggling against anxiety and depression, getting bad diagnoses and prescriptions.  This book walks you through her journey of fighting to get proper care and rebalance her life.  But it's done in a way that is so relatable, honest and funny.  Along with the mental illness talk, so much can be learned from this book - changing our viewpoint to being optimistic, stopping equating being "busy" with being successful, balancing work/life.

Although before reading this book I was unaware of Gotch's podcasts or company ban.do, this is a book that battles important topics in such a positive way.  As one who has dealt with the mental illness and suicide of someone close, the fact that we can talk openly about these issues is life-changing.  Highly recommended.

3.18.2020 - The Honey-Don't List

Thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Christina Lauren for the opportunity to read their latest romantic novel - a fun way to escape from all the crazy world news lately.  4 stars!

The book is told in two viewpoints - Carey and James, working for a famous home renovation husband and wife team.  Carey is the real behind-the-scenes designer but is only ever seen as the assistant to Melissa.  James is an MIT graduate in structural engineering, looking for a way to salvage his resume after his previous company was embroiled in a nasty case of embezzlement,  hired as an engineer but is actually just the assistant to Rusty, the husband.  As they all set out on a book tour to promote the duo's new book on marriage and their new TV show, all is not well between Rusty and Melissa.  Carey and James are tasked to babysit the couple to make sure everything stays on track.  While at first not liking each other, they start developing feelings for each other as they go along.  However, interspersing police interviews with the couple show us that not all is going to end well.

Just another ride for this writing duo that makes romantic escapism so much fun!

3.17.2020 - The Boy From the Woods

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Harlan Coben for the opportunity to read and review his latest novel.  With Coben, you know you are in for a great read without question!

Wilde was found in the woods, living on his own with no memory of any family.  He has come far from that life, thanks to good foster families and friends, although he still is skittish around people and lives off the grid.  His godson, Matthew, goes for help to his grandmother, Hester, a powerful attorney with her own TV show, with news that a classmate who has been bullied has disappeared.  Hester and Matthew go to Wilde to help and he begins to investigate.  That investigation leads to powerful people and everyone has secrets to hide.

As always, a great read with fully-developed characters and fast-moving plot with requisite twists.  Plus, lots of themes such as family, loyalty, secrets, politics.  There were some plot lines left open so I'm hoping that we'll meet these characters again!

3.14.2020 - Darling Rose Gold

Many thanks to NetGalley. Berkley, and Stephanie Wrobel for the opportunity to read her debut novel - 5 stars for a book I could not turn away from!

Patty is the single mom of Rose Gold, who has believed she was seriously ill from the time she was born.  She spent 18 years of her life at the mercy of her mom, who seemed to thrive by Rose Gold's illnesses and hospitalizations.  But Patty finds herself in jail after Rose Gold testified against her.  They have tried to forge a new relationship and as Patty's release date nears, Rose Gold offers to bring her home.  The community is shocked but is the reconciliation as happy as it seems?

Told in alternating chapters of Patty's present life with Rose Gold's past, this is a sad but gripping tale.  If you watched Hulu's The Act and couldn't turn away, you'll love this book.  What a stunning debut novel - can't wait to read more from this author!

3.11.2020 - Last Couple Standing

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Publishing, and Matthew Norman for the opportunity to read this book - even if you may not agree with the premise, this was a very fun, engaging book.  4.5 stars!

Jessica and Mitch are part of the Core Four - a group of four couples who met in school and ended up all living close by.  Fast forward to when they are in their 40s and 3 of the 4 couples end up getting divorced.  Jessica and Mitch (last couple standing) get scared and try to see how to stave off divorce and stay married.  Late one night, they come up with a plan for a relaxed marriage.  And every plan must have rules so they come up with those too.  Ahh...but rules are meant to be broken and is this setting up a faster way to divorce?

Wonderfully written - you will laugh and cry at the same time as you watch these couples navigate their new single life in today's world.  Even though I'm certainly older than these couples, it was a fun escape read.

3.10.2020 - What it Seems

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Emily Bleeker for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel.  Even though some of the plot was a little implausible, still a good read that kept me wondering how it would all play out.

Tara has been with her foster mom since she was 8.  But "Mother" is extremely abusive to Tara, locking her in the dark, starving her, making her steal from stores and then sell the products online to make a living.  Tara, now 20, escapes her reality by watching a YouTube family, the Feelys.  When an internship with the family is offered, Tara is able to finally escape from Mother and join a family like she's always dreamed of.  But of course, no family is as perfect as they appear online.

Creepy, especially because such things as this happen far too frequently.

3.9.2020 - The Road to Zoe

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Nick Alexander for the opportunity to read his latest novel - another great read!  Alexander is the king of family dramas!  4.5 stars.

Mandy and Ian are happily married, or at least Mandy thinks so until the day she walks in to find him with another woman.  But that was just the start of the drama in this family.  Mandy eventually starts a new relationship with Scott and realizes just how happy she can be.  Her son, Jude, loves Scott but Zoe, always a more difficult child, hates him.  Things come to a breaking point after a family trip to a funfair.  Something happened and now Zoe won't have anything to do with Scott or even be in the same room with him.  Then she disappears.  Years later, Jude and his girlfriend, Jessica, take a two-week holiday to see if they can find Zoe.

The book is told in alternating chapters of Jude & Jessica's adventures and more of the history of the family from Mandy's point of view.  There was so much emotion in this book and it felt very real.  Breaking up families is difficult for everyone and causes long-term issues.

3.8.2020 - Framed

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and S.L. McInnis for the opportunity to read her debut suspense novel - 4.5 stars!  I'm so excited that she is working on the sequel to this book - that means lots more twisty fun on the way!

Beth and Cassie were roommates at music school - Beth studying piano, Cassie voice.  But years later, Beth is married and teaching piano to children and Cassie is involved in drugs and has ties to a scene where an undercover cop was killed.  Their paths meet up again - but who can be trusted?

Best not know too much going into this book because there are lots of twists and turns, so enough said!  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, told in many different viewpoints,  Highly recommended!

3.6.2020 - A Good Neighborhood

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Therese Anne Fowler for the opportunity to read and review this amazing novel.  5 stars for a book that will be undoubtedly at the top of many best of lists.  This is the perfect book club book - I want to talk to someone about it right now!  And if books can change the world, even a little, we all need to read this book!

Oak Knoll, NC, has a history of being A Good Neighborhood.  Good people, those who will be there for you when you need them.  Valerie Alston-Holt has lived in the Neighborhood for a long time; she's a single mother raising her nice, bright, musically-gifted biracial son soon to be heading off to private college with a music scholarship.  New neighbors move in next door after raising the small home and all the trees on the property and building a huge new home, complete with a pool in the backyard.  The Whitman's seem to have it all - Brad is a hugely successful HVAC business owner; wife, Julia, has come far from her upbringing and young adult life.  Juniper is Julia's daughter from her past; Lily is a product of the marriage.  But all might not be what it seems.  A giant oak tree on Valerie's property is threatened by the loss of the other trees and begins dying.  A lawsuit is filed against neighbors.

The book is narrated by "we", those who also live in the Neighborhood,  The narrator provides us with background into the characters, a glimpse into their thoughts, and hints of events to come.  I loved this point of view.

This is an extremely powerful read.  The topics of race, class, judgment, love are spot on and will make you squirm, think and want things to change.  Plus it was just so beautifully written.  I can't recommend this book highly enough!

3.5.2020 - Writers & Lovers

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and Lily King for the opportunity to read this book - 4.5 stars for a wonderfully, messy glimpse into the world of Casey Kasem (real name Camila Peabody).

Casey is a struggling writer trying to keep her life afloat.  She's living in a converted shed on the property of a friend of her brother's, walking his dog for a bit off her rent.  She works as a waitress at Iris, a popular restaurant complete with lots of good/bad coworkers.  She's massively in debt from her student loans and her mother just died.  She has two guys of interest that cause her to feel very different things.  Whew.  It's a lot.  And Lily King takes us on her wonderful journey.

I just loved Casey as well as so many characters in this book (Harry!).  This should definitely be a must-read for anyone who wants to be a writer or is struggling just to get through grief or life in general.

3.3.2020 - Girl at the Edge

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Karen Dietrich for the opportunity to read and review this dark thriller.  4.5 stars!

A serial killer walked into a mall and killed 11 people in St Augustine, FL, and now sits on death row.  His daughter, whom he has never met, is a teenager now obsessed with death and trying to understand why her father did what he did.  Her mother encourages her to go to a support group for kids with incarcerated parents where she meets Clarisse, daughter of another murderer.  They instantly have a connection and spent the summer together talking about testing each other to see if they could be like their fathers.

This is both a coming of age story as well as exploring the topic of nature vs nurture.  The writing is spot on, even when it is dark enough to make you shiver.

3.2.2020 - The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Josie Silver for the opportunity to read her sophomore book.  I absolutely adored her first, One Day in December, and this book stole my heart as well.  5 glorious stars!

Lydia and Freddie have been together since they were teenagers - happily, madly in love and planning their wedding.  On Lydia's birthday, Freddie and their other best friend, Jonah, are in a car accident and Freddie dies.  Lydia is consumed by grief.  Her mom and sister/best friend, Elle, do their best but Lydia can't find her way out.  Until she discovers a way to see and interact with Freddie in her dreams.  But what will living two lives cost Lydia and the ones she loves?

This is a fabulous story about grief and learning to live again.  I loved Lydia and all of these characters - I didn't want it to end.  This is a must-read author for me - highly recommended!