5.31.2022 - The Hotel Nantucket

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Elin Hilderbrand, narrated by Erin Bennett - 5 stars for a book that must be in your beach bag this summer!

A fire in 1922 killed chambermaid Grace Hadley, and as the hotel as fell into ruins since then, it is rumored that Grace haunts the hotel to this day.  Then London billionaire, Xavier Darling, purchases the hotel and makes it into a stunning showpiece - his goal is to achieve the coveted 5 keys from a social media hotel influencer.  Xavier hires Lizbet, a staple on Nantucket, to be the general manager and she assembles an eclectic staff.  Grace, meanwhile, is determined that the truth be told about her death.

As in all Hilderbrand's books, this one is an ode to summer and I absolutely adored it.  The characters were all fun and the different points of view (including Grace's) kept me racing to the end.  It had the perfect touch of emotion, romance, and did I mention summer?

5.30.2022 - On Gin Lane

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Brooke Lea Foster - 4.5 stars!

It's summer, 1957, in Southampton, New York.  It's the period of time when a woman's worth is measured by how well she marries.  Everleigh Farrows is fresh off a broken engagement when she meets Roland, who appears to be perfect for her and her parents are thrilled.  They buy them a house but Roland whisks her away to Southampton and surprises her with an engagement present - a hotel in her name.  Hotels are a sore point for Everleigh - she grew up in The Plaza with a mother who struggled with mental illness.  When there is a fire on the hotel's opening night, cracks start  appearing in her world.

This was definitely a step back into time, both in the atmospheric setting and the societal views.  I adored so many characters in this book, but especially Everleigh, who fought against herself, her family and the world to try to be happy in her own skin.  It's also a good mystery book. with many characters with secrets and who could have set the fire that destroyed the hotel.  Definitely a good beach read!

5.30.2022 - Can't Look Away

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Carola Lovering, beautifully narrated by Caitlin Davies; Karissa Vacker; Zachary Webber.  4 stars!

In 2013, Molly is young, living in Brooklyn, working as a barista and trying to write.  When she goes to a show and locks eyes with the lead singer of the band, Molly and Jake begin.  He writes a song about her that becomes popular and the band's greatest hit.  In present day, Molly is married to Hunter, they have a young daughter and are living in Hunter's hometown in Connecticut.  Molly feels adrift from her life and the women in town.  She works as a yoga instructor and is desperately trying to get pregnant again.  When she meets Sabrina at the fertility clinic, she finally feels like she met a kindred soul.  But does Sabrina feel the same?

This is being promoted as a mystery/thriller which may leave readers a bit confused.  To me, it's a really good domestic drama, heavy on the characters, which is a good thing in my book as well.  I really felt a pull towards the characters and their thoughts and feelings were easily relatable.  It's a story of first love, obsession and growing up.  I ended up mostly listening to the audio book because of the great job the narrators did, and I was always finding a minute to listen.  Another good read by Carola Lovering!

5.27.2022 - The Woman in the Library

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Sulari Gentill - 4.5 stars!

Freddie hails from Australia and is in Boston after winning a writing scholarship to continue work on her book.  She has a random meeting with 3 other people at a table in the Boston Public Library when they hear a scream and soon learn a woman has died.  The four soon develop a close relationship, not really knowing all they should about each other and if they too are unsafe.  

This book was such fun - a whodunit story with beginnings in a library, authors writing and critiquing their work, a story in a story setting.  Add in differences between American and Australian culture, the pandemic, and racial issues and it gets better and better!  This is my first book by this author but I'll definitely come back for more!

Narrated by Katherine Littrell, who did a great job with all the voices.  I started reading the digital copy and switched to the audio, but I think the digital would probably be easier to follow due to different typesets of the correspondence - or maybe that's just me!

5.27.2022 - Meant to Be

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of Emily Giffin's latest novel - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Joe Kingsley III is the descendant of American royalty and was raised with the motto of "to whom much is given, much is required.  But Joe has a bit of trouble following that and he flounders a bit under the expectations of a nation.  Meanwhile, Cate had a troubled childhood and escaped as soon as an opportunity presented itself - modeling.  When Joe and Cate have a chance meeting, there is no denying the spark.  But can two people from such different worlds make their love last?

This book is a fictionalized account of JFK Jr., and his wife Carolyn and what might have happened to their love story.  In Giffin's very capable hands, you will fall into this romance tale and not want to emerge until the end.  I loved the characters - a great cast of supporting ones as well!  This book made you think about how we treat celebrities and what it really does to them - maybe especially those that are born into their celebrity and the expectations they must live under.  It's also a story of how our past defines us and our future.  Definitely add this to your TBR list!

5.25.2022 - The Resort

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Sue Watson - 4.5 stars!

A holiday at a secluded island resort - what could be better?  Three couples meet and become friendly - and they all become embroiled in a murder investigation as well.  Sam and David got married after a brief courtship and are not starting their honeymoon on a good note.  Daisy and Tom are trying to move their relationship forward after a major loss.  Becky and Josh are celebrating their 20th anniversary.  All these couples have issues and no one can be trusted.

Sue Watson has written another great mystery to lose yourself in - and you won't see all the twists coming.  It's sort of a locked room scenario because a murder happened and no one can leave the island so everyone is suspect.  All of the characters are intriguing and you'll love to hate some of them!  Pack this one for your next trip!

5.24.2022 - Never Coming Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Hannah Mary McKinnon - 4.5 stars rounded up for a deliciously fun thriller!

Lucas has spent years crafting the perfect way to commit murder - the victim being his wealthy wife, Michelle.  Michelle's mother is ill, her brother an addict, and Lucas is set to inherit all their money.  After the murder is done, Lucas portrays the perfect grieving husband, still taking care of Michelle's mother and brother.  But then he starts receiving pictures in the mail - is someone on to him?

Lucas is such fun - he's dark, devious, terrible but still has some redeeming values.  He takes great care of his dad, he rescued his dog, Roger, and does watch out for Michelle's family, even if it's towards his own goals.  This was perfectly written to keep you guessing - and even if you guess some plot twists, you won't get them all and it takes none of the fun away.  A must read book to pack along in your beach bag - another winner by McKinnon!

5.23.2022 - The Best Friend

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Shalini Boland, beautifully narrated by Katie Villa.  4 stars!

Louisa meets a new mum at their sons' school, Darcy, and they become good friends.  Louisa's husband, Jared, even forms a new business venture with Darcy's husband, Michael.  But before long, Louisa realizes that Darcy's friendship isn't exactly what she bargained for.

I really enjoyed listening to this story - there were plenty of twists and turns, as well as snippets from the past interwoven between the present-day story.  I really felt for Louisa, who feels honored that the rich and beautiful Darcy becomes her friend.  You can feel her frustration when things go south and even her husband questions her.  Another winner from this author!

5.21.2022 - Sleepwalk

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Dan Chaon - 4.5 stars!

We meet Will Bear (one of many aliases) on his road trip for his job, a murky underworld job, that takes him across the country, flanked by his trusty rescue dog, Flip.  At 50 years old, Billy lives totally off the grid - or so he thought, until a supposed daughter born from a sperm donation somehow contacts him on of his burner phones.  And she needs his help.  Not really trusting her or himself, the cat-and-mouse game of his life continues.

I started reading the digital copy but when I switched to the audio, I never went back.  The narration by John Pirhalla is spot on - he sounds like the burnout stoner that Billy is and the somewhat stream-of-consciousness narrative is portrayed perfectly.  This is a dark and dark comedic tale that touches on practically every aspect of modern politics and life, while taking place in an obscure near future world as well.  I loved hearing Billy narrate his road trip through places I've lived.  This probably won't be for everyone but I loved the dark humor.

5.21.2022 - Dark Circles

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest mystery by Caite Dolan-Leach - 4 stars!

Liv is an actress and has made kind of a mess of her life.  Her somewhat-controlling manager, Jess, convinces her to go to the House of Light, a retreat center in upstate New York.  But Liv soon discovers, with the help of Ava, another resident, that there is darkness lurking at the retreat center - young women are mysteriously dying by suicide.  Liv uses her celebrity to start a podcast into investigating the center.

This story was told out through Liv's point of view as well as from her podcast transcripts.  I always like an interesting cult story and this one definitely filled the bill.  Plus, I loved the setting and the writing - kept me intrigued to the end with plenty of twists.  

5.18.2022 - It All Comes Down to This

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Therese Anne Fowler and beautifully narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Barrie Kreinik - 4 stars!

Beck, Claire and Sophie are the daughters of Marti, who is dying of lung cancer.  Marti has planned her estate to make things as easily as possible but it includes one stipulation - their Maine cottage must be sold right away and the proceeds split between the sisters.  But each of the sisters has a secret and each is struggling with their life.  

I absolutely loved this author's previous book, A Good Neighborhood, and thought it was a must read for everyone.  This one didn't invoke the same passion for me, but it was a good family saga and character study.  I loved the setting and the importance of family stories.  It's beautifully written - I'll look forward to Fowler's next book!

5.18.2022 - The Favor

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut thriller by Nora Murphy, perfectly narrated by Dylan Moore; Leon Nixon; Sarah Mollo-Christensen.  4.5 stars rounded up!

Lea and McKenna are perfect strangers; however, they are leading almost identical lives.  Both have perfect lives and perfect husbands - but nothing is as it seems for either of them.  

This was a wonderful debut about a topic that is all too common for too many women - domestic abuse.  Having lived through this before, I can say that this book rang very true and its portrayal of both the husbands' behaviors and those effects on their partners was spot on.  You could feel the desperation of both women as their husbands exerted more and more control of them and their lives.  Told from both women's perspectives as well as a police detective, I raced through this book to see how it would all end.  I listened to the audiobook whenever I was away from my kindle and loved the narration.  I think it was a huge help to have different women narrate Lea and McKenna to help keep things clear.  Highly recommended - can't wait to read more from this author!

5.17.2022 - His Other Wife

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Nicole Trope - 4.5 stars!

Sarah and Gideon are divorced and share a child, 5-year-old Emily.  Gideon has remarried and his new wife, Charlotte, has happily taken on the role of mother to Emily, especially because Sarah continues to struggle with her mental health.  But Charlotte is also very jealous of any time or attention that Gideon spends on Sarah.  

This was a wonderfully twisty book - I don't want to say too much to give away any secrets!  Nicole Trope has written another fast-paced book that will keep you guessing until the end.  The story is told from different viewpoints and you won't know who you can trust.  Pick this one up for a good read!

5.15.2022 - The Girl From the Sea

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Shalini Boland and wonderfully narrated by Katie Villa - 4 stars!

She wakes up on the beach, dazed and not knowing who she is or how she got there.  She's discovered and taken to the hospital where a man eventually shows up who says he is her boyfriend and that her name is Mia James.  But she has amnesia and no one or nothing is familiar - so who can she trust?

This was a fast-paced thriller with a great twisty end, filled with lots of characters that you won't be able to trust either!  The narrator was gifted at all the different voices and I enjoyed getting lost in this story - especially that crazy ending!

5.15.2022 - The Shore

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Scribner Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this beautiful debut by Katie Runde - 5 stars!

Margot and Brian own a rental home business in Seaside, New Jersey, and have two teenage daughters, Liz and Evy.  When Brian develops a brain tumor, all their lives are changed forever.  Suddenly, the business is too much for Margot and the girls, who have to figure out caretaking of Brian as he changes from the man they all loved.  

This is a gorgeously-written novel - one that showcases old love and first love, family, grief, sisterhood.  It's a character study of what it means to be human with all those messy emotions, a coming-of-age story of teenagers discovering themselves while losing where they came from.  I loved spending time with this family and will be missing them and thinking of them now that I finished the book.  I loved the glimpses of the future that the author sprinkled in so that we would have faith in their journey.  Although it's a touch subject matter, i highly recommend spending time with the Dunne family.  I can't wait to read more from this author.

5.13.2022 - The Summer Place

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Jennifer Weiner - 4.5 stars!

When Sarah's stepdaughter, Rudy, announces that she and her pandemic boyfriend, Gabe, are engaged and going to be married in months, she is shocked.  Rudy has already spoken to Sarah's mother, Veronica, and the wedding will be held at her summer home on the Cape.  But the wedding is only the beginning of the messy lives that will come to light in this complicated family, because everyone has secrets.

Another book you must have in your beach bag to start the summer reading season, this family saga is full of characters exploring their lives and choices.  I loved how it was set at the end of the pandemic and showed how all that forced time together brought out the best and worst of us and how we viewed our housemates.  This book explores that complicated relationship between mothers and daughters, and motherhood in general.  It's also very enlightening and true how we all view the past through different colored lenses.  It's about second chances, forgiving, grief and love - all those things that make up a family (even a house!).

5.13.2022 - Just Like Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan/Tor-Forge, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this creepy book by Anne Heltzel, perfectly narrated by Elizabeth Evans - 4 stars!

Andrea and Maeve were raised in a women-centered cult; Maeve was able to escape and was adopted by an older couple.  She hasn't seen her cousin in decades until a DNA website brought them together.  Maeve is an editor and has closed off her true feelings about her past, not letting anyone get too close.  But she longs for the closeness she used to have with Andrea, so when Andrea pulls her into her orbit and her business as a wellness guru in the Catskills, Maeve feels herself slowly opening up.  But at what cost?

I loved the creepy vibes in this book - cults, remote mansion in the woods, disturbing dolls, people who just aren't who they seem.  There's also lots of themes to unravel in this book - feminist views of motherhood, men's roles, societal expectations of women.  The end has lots of twists and turns!

5.10.2022 - It Could Be Anyone

 

Many thanks to Penzler Publishers Scarlet Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Jaime Lynn Hendricks - 4 stars for a good who-dun-it read!

A group of 5 friends travel from New York to Miami for the wedding of another of their friends.  None of them like the groom, Trevor.  So when he dies shortly after vows are exchanged, it could be anyone who caused his murder.  Unbeknownst to each other, Trevor knows secrets about each of the friends and is blackmailing them to ensure their endorsement of his marriage to their friend.  But secrets can't stay secret long!

I really liked the premise of this book - starts out with a death and then goes back a few days before with each of the characters so that we learn all their back stories.  The title was definitely on point because it could be anyone who killed him.  None of the characters were extremely likable but it was a fast, entertaining read!

5.9.2022 - My Wife is Missing

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by D.J. Palmer.  Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite narrators and she did a wonderful job with this book.  5 twisty stars!

Michael and Natalie take their children on vacation to NYC.  Michael goes out for pizza and comes back to an empty hotel room.  His wife and children are gone.  When he contacts the police and they find video, it's obvious Natalie left under her own control.  Natalie has been suffering from insomnia and hasn't been herself - is that the reason she left?  Or does Michael know the real reason?

This was another fabulous book by D.J. Palmer - the twists and turns just kept coming.  I couldn't stop reading it and loved that I had no clue how it was all going to play out.  Definitely a must read!

5.8.2022 - Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Ecco Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this amazing debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt - 5 remarkably bright stars!

Tova has lost both her husband and only son.  To fill the hours in her day, she works at the local aquarium at night, doing cleaning.  She has become friendly with Marcellus, the Giant Pacific Octopus who has remarkable abilities to understand humans.  Marcellus has figured out the mystery of Tova's son's death and is determined to help Tova.

I can't say enough about this book - it will give you all the quirky, heartwarming vibes you need in your life right now.  The story is full of wonderful characters who exemplify the meaning of taking care of each other, as well as resolving past issues.  I couldn't put it down and was sad when it was over!  

5.6.2022 - Our Little World

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Karen Winn - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Bee (short for Borka) lives in a small NJ town with her one-year-younger sister, Audrina, and her parents.  It's the summer of 1985, and Bee is a soon-to-be seventh grader, always feeling in the shadow of her prettier and more popular sister, even with her parents.  When their next-door neighbor, 4-year-old Sally, goes missing when they are all at the nearby lake, no one's world will ever be the same.  Families are scared and have lost trust in the community and its members.  And the two sisters have secrets and their closeness feels far away.

This is an emotional coming-of-age story, exploring sisterhood, grief, and how each decision we make builds to change the course of our lives. I got pulled into this story from the beginning and couldn't wait to figure out all the storylines.  In addition, get ready for some 1980s nostalgia back to when the world wasn't on instant access 24/7 and we felt safer.  A beautifully written debut - I can't wait to read more from this author!

5.4.2022 - Trailed

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Press for gifting me both a digital and physical ARC of this true crime book and allowing me to participate in the blog tour - 4.5 stars!  

In 1996, Julie Williams and Lollie Winans were brutally murdered while backpacking in the Shenandoah National Park, adjacent to the Appalachian Trail.  The two were experienced outdoor backcountry leaders and were happily in love.  But no one was ever found to be their killer and the case went cold.  In 2002, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft used the case as the country's first federal hate crime death penalty case, charing Darrell Rice, already in prison for another crime.  Two years later, charges against him were suspended.

Kathryn Miles is herself an experienced outdoors person and was a professor at Unity College, where Lollie attended.  On the 20th anniversary, she started looking into the case and it soon became an obsession.

She discovered so many police and ranger investigative errors and apparent coverups, as well as suspect biases that never looked at other suspects.  This is an exhaustive look into the case, the fear it invoked for women to be in the national parks where they should feel safe, the women involved, their families and the science behind DNA and evidence.  Unfortunately, it remains a cold case but this book should be held up as a reason for more eyes on this case.

Highly recommended reading for true crime and forensic science fans.

5.3.2022 - The Homewreckers

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest story by Mary Kay Andrews, wonderfully narrated by Kathleen McInerney - 5 stars for a wonderful book to get lost in!

Hattie Kavanaugh met her husband, Hank, when she went to work for his family restoration business.  But she became a widow at age 25 when Hank was killed in a motorcycle accident.  Hattie continued working for her father-in-law, with her best friend as her construction foreman.  But their last house renovation lost money and she's desperate for money so as not to hurt the business.  When a producer shows up in Savannah with an idea for a reality TV show, she decides it's her chance to make back some money.  But she may have gotten more than she bargained for with the house she bought at auction.

I love Mary Kay Andrews' stories - it feels like summer is definitely here when you can immerse yourself in another of her books.  I loved the mix of house renovation talk, romance, a cold case mystery, and the Hollywood lights come to shine in Georgia.  Highly recommended - this should be your first beach read of the year!

5.1.2022 - Magpie

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital copy of this twisty thriller by Elizabeth Day - 4 stars!

Marisa and Jake are happily married and desperate for a baby to complete their family.  They allow Kate to rent a room in their home, wanting the money to help their financial situation.  However, conceiving a baby isn't going according to plan and now Marisa is worried that Kate is becoming much too familiar with Jake.

This was a twisty book - best gone into blind.  This was a character-driven book and I raced through it.   The infertility issue was done very realistically and respectfully, and there are a lot of other issues going on.  Part of me expected another twist but it was an enjoyable read!