4.27.2024 - Within Arm's Reach

 

Many thanks to Random House Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Ann Napolitano.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The story of three generations of a large Irish Catholic family in New Jersey, the story revolves around the matriarch, Catharine, her children, and grandchildren, focusing more on her eldest living daughter, Kelly, her husband, Louis, and their two daughters, Gracie and Lila.  Catharine has suffered many losses and as she nears the end of her life, she sees how loss, grief, and lack of communication have caused trickle-down effects throughout her family.

After the well-deserved success of Dear Edward and Hello Beautiful, this is a re-release of her first book, drawing on her own family stories.  This story is told in alternating POV from the main family characters and we see how they struggle in various ways.  Louis is grieving the loss of an employee for whom he feels responsible, and pulls away from Kelly and their marriage.  Their two grown daughters have yet to find their way and now Gracie is pregnant and alone, while Lila is second-guessing her medical residency path.  I was pulled into this family's stories, and liked how there was a spiritual element of past generations running throughout.  It's definitely a nod to how important communication is for relationships, but also imperative for second chances.  Great read!

4.25.2024 - One Liar Left

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in the Detective Freya Sinclair series by Emily Shiner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Two women are found murdered in the forest, with their throats slit and their tongues cut out.  It's the same MO as in the past - is the Fawn Lake Killer back?  This is the case that has haunted Detective Freya Sinclair because she was never able to solve it and the killer seems to be taunting Freya because another victim is found in her backyard.  Freya is determined to stop him this time.

This was another good police procedural and I enjoyed spending time with Freya, Candy, and Brad as they investigated this crime.  Esther is another good character - she took in Freya after her parents went to jail.  I'm hoping there is another book in this series, because I'm anxious to learn more about the story of Frey's parents.  This is a well-written police procedural and the suspense was high throughout.  Great series!

4.25.2024 - Days of Wonder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by the wonderful Caroline Leavitt.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ella and Jude were teenagers in desperate love for the first time in their young lives.  While Ella's mother, Helen, is supportive of their relationship and treats Jude like one of her own, Jude's father, a powerful judge, is opposed.  When Ella is accused of the attempted murder of the judge, her world comes crashing down.  She discovers she's pregnant in jail and Jude is nowhere to be found.  When she is released, she wants nothing more than to be reunited with the daughter she gave up.

I absolutely loved this book.  It is beautifully written, gripping, tense, and will make you feel all the feelings.  It covers love in so many aspects - that all consuming angst of first love, the love of friends and family, the special mother/daughter bond, and eventually mature love.  It's about second chances and being able to trust others with your secrets.  These characters felt real and I was so invested in their stories.  This is my new favorite book from Leavitt - must read!

4.23.2024 - A Game of Lies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by an absolute favorite, Clare Mackintosh.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Let the games begin - on a Welsh mountaintop, seven hopefuls are competing to win a reality show.  However, the game isn't what any of them expected when they signed on.  Each of them are threatened with not only being eliminated but having their darkest secrets exposed live on air.  What will they do to keep those secrets hidden?  When one of the contestants goes missing, DC Morgan is called in to investigate.

I love everything Mackintosh writes and this one was no exception.  This is the second in a series featuring DC Morgan, her former partner, Leo, and of course, Dave the dog.  While you should definitely read The Last Party, this book could easily be read as a stand alone.  You can cut the tension in this book with a knife - not only between the contestants and crew, but between Ffion and Leo as well.  There are plenty of suspects and you'll be questioning everyone along with the detectives.  Dave is a wonderful character (dogs are characters, right?) and adds some humor and levity to the book.  Loved it - anxious for more in this series please!

4.23.2024 - Three Drowned Girls

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the first in a new series by a favorite, Emily Shiner, wonderfully narrated by Amelia Sciandra.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Detective Freya Sinclair is back in her hometown and not getting a warm welcome from its residents.  Unbeknownst to Freya, her parents were serial killers and she initially accused the wrong person, so many won't forgive her.  Minutes after returning to the police force, a young girl is pulled from the river. Before she can barely begin to investigate, another girl goes missing.  Just what is going on in the town?

I really enjoyed this police procedural.  Freya is a strong character, with a past that still haunts her, but Esther, who raised her is still a strong force in her life.  We don't learn too many details about her past, and I'm assuming those will unfold in the next book.  There were plenty of good characters - I liked both Candy and Brad, who work with Freya.  While the subject matter of missing and murdered young girls is definitely dark, it was not overly graphic.  Onto #2!

4.23.2024 - Tree Table Book

 

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Clarion Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by an icon, Lois Lowry, author of The Giver and many more.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 shining stars!

Sophie doesn't quite fit in with the other girls in her elementary glass, but her one favorite place is spending time with her elderly neighbor, another Sophie.  But lately, the elder Sophie is demonstrating some memory issues, and young Sophie overhears her parents talk about her son coming to take her for an evaluation with a possible move to an assisted living facility.  Young Sophie is determined to not let that happen.  She studies the cognitive tests that Sophie will likely be faced with, and starts practicing with her.  The one she struggles most with is remembering three words for a given amount of time - young Sophie uses Tree, Table, Book.  But those three simple words open up stories for both Sophies.

Oh my goodness, this book is beyond wonderful.  So many of us can relate to young Sophie - just not quite fitting in with the others, preferring to read instead of play.  And we can all relate to watching elderly people struggle with the effects of aging.  This book, in Lowry's trademark beautiful writing, gently shows us the value of friendship, of pausing and listening to the stories others have to share.  This is an absolute must read for all ages - highly recommended!

4.20.2024 - A Calamity of Souls

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by the wonderful David Baldacci.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's 1968 in southern Virginia, when a Black man, Jerome Washington, is charged with killing the elderly wealthy white couple he works for.  Jack Lee is a white lawyer who decides to represent Jerome, but fears that his legal skills may not be good enough to overcome all the odds stacked against his client.  Enter Desiree DuBose, a Black lawyer from Chicago, who has devoted her life to furthering the causes of justice and equality for everyone. She enters into a partnership with Lee in a legal battle against the best prosecutor in the Commonwealth. Will they be able to prevent Jerome from going to the electric chair?  

This is such a powerful book.  Jack's speech after the trial is well worth the price of the book alone, and are words that each of us needs to really think about.  Because while some things have changed from the horrible racial division in this book, many have not, and we all need to step up.  Baldacci has once again created characters that make you feel about them and their experiences, which allow those bigger issues of power, racism and discrimination to feel so very personal.  I also loved that these characters had recognizable flaws that made them feel more human.  The courtroom scenes were gripping and wonderfully written.  Highly recommended!

4.20.2024 - The Last Guest House

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Caroline Mitchell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

DI Alex McKenna, her partner, Matt, and her young son, George, head to the Isle of Skye for the weekend.  Matt's plans for a romantic weekend to see the aurora borealis soon turns into a nightmare when they discover that their hotel has double booked.  They check into the only hotel with rooms available nearby - The Loch House.  With a very sordid past and reputation, things feel wrong from the beginning when the proprietors take away their phones and present them with a list of rules.  Then the snow comes and they are trapped.

I really liked the way this story played out - we hear from multiple POV as well as transcripts from a true crime podcast.  As the plot proceeded, the podcast filled in the back stories in a way that felt very natural.  There were many creepy characters, as well as the creepy house itself, that left me chilled.  You won't know who you can trust.  Add a storm to a locked-room mystery and you have yourselves a great read!  Another winner by Caroline Mitchell!

4.17.2024 - You Know What You Did

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by KT Nguyen - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Annie has worked hard to keep her childhood trauma and resulting issues at bay.  But when her elderly mother dies suddenly, things seem to spiral out of control.  Annie finds herself in the middle of investigations into crimes where Annie doesn't remember details - or does she?  Is she having dreams or memories?

This is a wonderful book with a very unreliable narrator that will have you questioning everything as well.  It's a look into the refugee experience, childhood trauma, mental illness, and the bonds between mother and daughter.  Told mostly in the present, we go back in time to Annie's childhood experiences that have shaped her life and relationships.  I didn't see all those twists and turns coming - especially the very end!  Great read - kept me glued to the pages!

4.16.2024 - Between Two Trailers

  

Many thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this amazing memoir by J. Dana Trent.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Born to drug-addicted, mentally ill parents in rural Indiana, Dana was a preschooler when her father (the King) got her involved in dealing drugs.  Her mother, the Lady, expected Dana to be her keeper.  The only normalcy she got was with her extended family for brief respites.  Otherwise, it was a poor, chaotic, mentally abusive childhood.  Even in childhood, the emotional stranglehold her mother held on her kept her from living a more normal life.  Yet, despite all those odds, she became a college professor and minister.

I am always in awe of people who are able, through their own personal strength, to rise out of such horrible childhoods to become stable, healthy, productive adults.  So many people waste the many opportunities they are handed, while others have to fight and scrabble.  Dana's parents no doubt loved her, but between their own bad childhoods, poverty, and mental illness, they were definitely not equipped to raise a child.  Eye opening memoir for sure and many wishes to Dana and Fred for a very happy life!

4.14.2024 - Darling Girls

 

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 an absolute favorite, Sally Hepworth, with the audio perfectly narrated by Jessica Clarke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Twenty-five years ago, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, became as close as sisters when they shared a foster home called Wild Meadows, run by Miss Fairchild.  Now, they are both shocked to receive a call from detectives that human bones were discovered buried under Wild Meadows.  Who do the bones belong to?  And did the girls have anything to do with whatever happened?

Told in the POV from each of the women, in both past and present timeframes, as well as from an unknown person talking with a psychologist, Dr. Warren.  I was immediately drawn into each woman's story, and both timelines were intriguing.  Hepworth is a master at creating characters that are realistic, strong, intelligent, and funny.  While the subject matter of childhood abuse is never an easy one, you will still find yourself laughing out loud at many points along the way.   This book showcases how childhood trauma spreads so deeply into a person's character, yet also presents us with strong characters who are always there for each other.  Another must read by Hepworth!

4.13.2024 - While We Were Burning

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Putnam Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Sara Koffi.  All opinions expressed are my own - 4 stars!

Elizabeth's picture perfect life in an exclusive Memphis suburb starts to unravel when she finds her friend's dead body.  As she starts spiraling, her husband convinces her to hire a personal assistant.  Enter Brianna, who instead of keeping Elizabeth away from obsessing about the death, helps her investigate.  Because Brianna has motives of her own.

This was a well-written, gripping story of a toxic friendship with themes of classism, racism, mental illness.  Straight out of the headlines, this suburban thriller blurs the line between victim and hero.  While neither of the characters are likable, theirs is an emotional story, and the author lets you see both sides.  I can't wait to read more from this author!

4.11.2024 - Everything is a Little Broken

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and High Bridge Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this thought-provoking book by Rebecca Sugar, wonderfully narrated by Sarah Welborn - 4 stars!

One family dealing with life's realities - illness and aging - and all coping in different ways.  Patriarch Matt is recovering from surgery and has severe physical issues stemming from a long ago spinal cord injury.  His childhood nanny, Mae, has always been a huge part of their family and she is dying, though still happy and hopeful.  Matt's daughter, Mira, is the one who puts her life on hold to help her parents through this part of their lives, and dreads the inevitable phone calls, while her brother is very checked out of the situation.

This book will touch anyone who is going through similar issues and I totally related.  It's not easy to watch those you love suffer.  It's hard not to be resentful of siblings who don't help.  And faith?  Faith keeps you going.  I thought this book was honest, realistic, and hopeful.

4.10.2024 - The Limits

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf Borzoi Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Nell Freudenberger - 4.5 stars!

Taking place in both Tathiti and NYC during the first year of Covid, we meet Nathalie, a French biologist obsessed with saving coral reefs; her ex-husband, Stephen, a cardiologist in NYC; and their precocious teenaged daughter, Pia.   Nathalie sends Pia to NYC to live with Stephen and his new wife, Kate, ostensibly to attend her old (better) school.  When Covid hits, Pia and Kate find themselves alone and resentful of each other, especially now that Kate is pregnant.  Kate is a NYC public schoolteacher, and we then meet one of her students, Athyna, caring for her nephew almost full time and trying to finish her senior year remotely and apply for college.  

One of the biggest challenges of Covid was the forced isolation.  This book really takes you back to that time and highlights society's innate need for social interactions, while also showing our shared connections and hope.  Conversely, Covid also highlighted our class differences - those who could afford to escape big cities, pay tutors in pods, who had insurance and those who didn't have childcare, safe jobs, or homes.  This story is told with those themes strongly running throughout, as well as all the family dramas.  I thought the writing in this book was wonderful, although I definitely had to use my Kindle translation feature a lot!  

4.8.2024 - The Gathering

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, CJ Tudor - 5 stars!

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is sent to a small town in the mountains of Alaska to determine the cause of the slaying of a teenager. in town, found with his throat ripped and his blood drained.  The townspeople know that it is the work of a member of the Colony, a community of vampires living in an abandoned mine settlement in the woods.  If it is proven to be the cause, Detective Atkins can authorize a cull.  But she's not convinced.  She brings in a former sheriff to help her investigate, since he investigated a similar murder years ago and knows the Colony well.  But the pair are in deeper trouble than they anticipated.  Who exactly are they hunting?

I love Tudor's books but I think this is my favorite - and do I dare hope that this might be a series featuring Detective Atkins?  This was such a tense,  chilling, atmospheric read  but really never delved into too much gore, which is perfect in my book.  It was a small town atmosphere, with mob mentality - while this book focused on vampyres, the lessons are easily adaptable to any group persecuted for any reason.  Atkins' character was so realistic - she was a bit overweight, not quite fit, yet her sharp mind made for a smart police procedural.  The ending was perfect - highly recommended!  

4.6.2024

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this beautifully-written book by Fiona Williams, perfectly narrated by Ben Allen, Lee Braithwaite, and Jessica Hayles - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Just like their house in the English countryside is made of broken bricks, so is the family of Tess and Richard.  They have "rainbow twins" - one appearing White and the other Black.  Tess longs for the city life in London, where she wasn't the only Black person, while Richard thrives in the outdoors.  Told over 4 seasons, we hear from each family member.

This is such a wonderfully, atmospheric story with beautiful writing - you'll be able to see the birds and the crops, taste the food, feel the weather.  But where the story shines is in its character building - each member tells the story from their viewpoint, letting the reader figure things out, and seeing if they will be able to come together and move forward.  You'll feel Tess' isolation and her yearning to be among more familiar people and setting; you'll see Richard step back inside himself, trying to figure out how to process; and how each of the boys, different in temperament and appearance, navigate all that's around them.  Took me a bit to resettle after the twist, but it was so well done.  The ending was perfect - hopeful.  High recommended!

4.5.2024 - A Better World

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Sarah Langan - 5 stars!

The world is tumbling into chaos and the Farmer-Bown family doesn't know how they will survive after Russell loses his job at the EPA.  But then they are offered a unique opportunity - a chance to live in a company town where the air and water are clean and the streets are safe.  So Linda and Russell, along with their twin teenagers, Hip and Josie, move to Plymouth Valley.  But from the start, the family doesn't seem to fit in and they are getting hazed by the other town residents.  Once Linda is invited to join a group run by powerful women, everything changes.  Suddenly, they are fitting in and feel confident that they will get the golden ticket, allowing them to stay in the community.  Until Linda realizes that something is very, very wrong.

I was a huge fan of Langan's previous novel, Good Neighbors. and this one is similar in that it takes real world issues and extrapolates them into a dystopian future that will scare you in its reality!  The writing kept me glued to the pages - you could feel the tension from all sides and you just knew things weren't going to end well.  Those rituals and festivals were so creepy!  The family was trying to do what was best, but at what cost?  Plus, this book really explored the relationships between the family members - Linda and Russell were set in their marital patterns, building resentments but not solving anything.  While Josie flourished back in the real world and Hip didn't fit in, the tables turned in Plymouth Valley.  Sticking to your belief systems in a world that promotes strict rules to get by is a tough road indeed.  This author is a must read for me!

4.4.2024 - The Rush

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut thriller by Michelle Prak, the audio wonderfully narrated by Jodie Harris - 4.5 stars!

Four strangers set out on a road trip across Australia.  Hayley and her boyfriend, Scott, are on a break from university and found two other people to share the expenses of the trip.  But they are still strangers.  Andrea and Matt own and work at a remote pub, where Quinn also works.  When a storm comes, they must prepare with sandbagging, and Matt is called away to help a neighbor, leaving Andrea alone with their young son.  Quinn is on the road when she spots a body - and stops to help. 

This story takes place over 48 hours, going back and forth in time, from multiple viewpoints.  This author nails the atmospheric tension of the desolate landscape and impending storm, coupled with the fears that all women alone face.  I was terrified for all of them!  Each different storyline will have you on the edge of your seat, and the ending was perfect.  Fabulous debut - can't wait to read more from this author!

4.3.2024 - The North Line

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Matt Riordan - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Adam is a college student, an athlete, never quite feeling like he fit in.  But one big mistake lands him in serious trouble - he lost his scholarship and needs to earn $26,000 to finish his last year of school.  Through an acquaintance, he gets a job with an Alaskan fishing crew and he learns what he's really made of.  A strike among the fishing crews ignites a whole different powder keg.  

Wow - if you would have told me that a book about fishing would be this tense and gripping, I wouldn't have believed it!  This is why people watch reality shows such as Deadliest Cast.  It sure puts a different definition on the word "work" so that the rest of us can buy our frozen seafood neatly shrink-wrapped into individual portions without too much thought about where it came from or who made it possible.  This is gritty, realistic (Riordan did this work and it shows), and your heart will be in your throat.  Amazing debut!

4.1.2024 - Young Rich Widows

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of this wild ride of a thriller by Vanessa Lillie; Layne Fargo; Cate Holahan; Kimberly Belle - 4 stars!  I also realized it was available free on Audible, so after reading most of it digitally, I switched to the audio - and the voices made it even better!

In 1985, four partners of a prominent law firm die in a mysterious plane crash outside NYC.  Back in Provincetown RI, their widows have to come together to figure out what happened as well as save their own lives and inheritances.  The women are very different - Justine, a former model and now mother; Camille, a trophy wife; Krystle, looking out for her sons to take over the firm; and Meredith, a stripper secretly involved with the only female partner.

This was loads of fun - the women couldn't be more different but they are forced to work together to save themselves and each other.  There are laugh out loud moments, snarky comments, and an over the top plot - who can resist?  You'll be rooting for these women - and there's going to be a sequel, so sign me up!

4.1.2024 - The Other Side of Disappearing

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me a digital ARC by a new-to-me author, Kate Clayborn - 4 stars!

Jess has spent the last 10 years raising her younger half-sister after their mother took off once again and never returned.  Only 18, Jess had to put her life on hold to become mom to Tegan.  Now as Tegan prepares to go off to college, she discovers that Jess has had some clues into her mother's disappearance that she kept secret; namely, that the man their mom ran off with was an infamous con man and subject of a true crime podcast.  When the podcast host and producer show up at their door with a proposition, Jess is not in, but she will also not let Tegan go on her own.  So the four set out on a road trip, following postcards sent by their mom, to discover the truths.

I love a good road trip story and this was a good mystery and romance as well.  But it's really a discovery of what happens when someone disappears from your life?  Can you easily let them go, especially when it's a parent?  It's learning to trust yourself and your feelings, and let those you love do the same.  You will absolutely fall in love with Adam as he falls in love with Jess, wanting only to never hurt her.  Of course, that's not reality either.  I felt for both sisters as their relationship went through changes.  A great read!

3.31.2024 - Where the Crawfish Swim

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Books Go Social for gifting me a digital ARC of this true-crime inspired fiction story by Andrea Smith - 4 stars!

Inspired by the real life 2016 Pike County, OH, massacres, this is a fictionalized story of the killings of one family by another.  In this story, DEA Agent Dalton Edwards is tasked with fitting in with the locals in order to uncover possible drug operations.  Dalton discovers the community is tight-knit and strangers aren't trusted.  But he works hard and soon becomes privy to more than a few secrets.   

The author uses the notorious names of the Hatfields and McCoys to show how these two neighboring clans fought for what they thought was rightfully theirs.  And what they would do to make sure they got it.  It's a sad reflection on what money and power can do to an evil heart.  Well written, this book will keep your interest and you'll be hoping the bad guys get theirs in the end.  

3.30.2024 - How to Solve Your Own Murder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for giving me a digital ARC of this fabulous mystery by Kristen Perrin - 5 stars!

In 1965, Frances is at a county fair with her two best friends, Emily and Rose, when a fortune teller tells her that she will be murdered.  From then on, she's obsessed with preventing her murder as well as suspicious of those around her.  In present day, Frances' great niece, Annie, is summoned by Frances' lawyer to Castle Knolls where Frances has a grand estate to discuss her inheritance.  Annie is the one to find Frances dead, the long-ago prophecy come true - she has been murdered.  And the changes in the will say that the one who solves Frances' murder is the one to inherit everything.  

Told in dual timelines from the 1960s to present, we learn Frances'  story, Emily's disappearance, how Frances came to live at Castle Knolls.  Annie, an aspiring mystery writer, is determined to solve the mystery and figure out how killed her great aunt.  There's a big cast of interesting characters, lots of clues, and you're a better person than I if you are able to figure out who did it!  But it was such a fun ride - I was totally invested in both timelines - perfectly written and executed!  Bravo!

3.30.2024 - Good Half Gone

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing Graydon House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Tarryn Fisher - 4 stars!

Iris Walsh saw her twin sister, Piper, get kidnapped, but no one except her Gran believed her and the case quickly went cold.  Iris always felt like Piper was the good half of the twins - pretty and popular where Iris stayed in the shadows.  As an adult, Iris is obsessed with finding out what happened to Piper.  To do that, she gains an internship at the Shoal Island Hospital for the criminally insane, off the shores of Washington, accessible only by ferry and water taxi.  Will she finally find her answers to what happened?

What a creepy location for a thriller - a remote hospital for the criminally insane!  You could feel the horror and isolation in the writing, on the sides of both patients and staff.  Iris' grief and obsession are so strong, and her Gran is an amazing person as well, having to take the place of the twins' mother in raising them.  This book was filled with tension and twists and another great read by Fisher!

3.29.2024 - Fill For Me, Kill For You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful stand alone thriller by Steve Cavanagh - 5 stars!

Amanda is grieving the loss of her daughter and husband.  The police are unable to pin her daughter's murder on the suspect, and Amanda can't rest until he pays for what he did.  When she meets Wendy at a grief support group, they form an alliance.  Just like in the movie, Strangers on a Train, they come up with a foolproof plan to enact their revenge against the men that destroyed their lives.  In another part of the city. Ruth is viciously attacked in her home by a man with startling blue eyes.  She is left traumatized, affecting every part of her life. 

This book was pitch perfect.  Told from multiple POV, each chapter ended with a cliff hanger that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could.  All the storylines converged in a perfect way and I never saw any of the twists coming.  And that ending!  Whew!  This is an absolute must read thriller!

3.24.2024 - The Truth About the Devlins

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam GP Putnam Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by an all-time favorite, Lisa Scottoline - 5 stars!

TJ is the black sheep of the Devlin family.  His parents, brother and sister are all lawyers in the family firm, Devlin & Devlin, while he is an ex-con only working in the firm because he is family.  Everything gets turned upside when his older brother, John, comes to TJ and tells him that he needs his help.  John has accidentally murdered one of his clients that he had accused of embezzlement.  TJ throws himself into the investigation to help John, but soon realizes that trouble runs very deep and he's in the middle of it.

Another fabulous thriller by Scottoline - I couldn't put this one down because I was so invested in TJ!  I kept rooting for him to be okay, to stay sober, and to do the right thing.  This is family drama at its best, with sibling and parent turmoil aplenty.  I was also horrified by the medical experiments inflicted on inmates at the Holmesburg Prison. and loved Gabby's passion towards social injustice.  This book addresses this issue, along with addiction issues, sensitively but truthfully.  Highly recommended!

3.20.2024 - The Trail of Lost Hearts

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Tracey Garvis Graves, perfectly narrated by Eric Meyers; Kate Handford - 4.5 stars!

Wren believes that if you pay attention, the universe will send you exactly what you need.  But she's struggling with that now when her world comes crashing down.  Suddenly, she's feeling bereft and shameful.  When she discovers geocaching, it helps give her motivation to get out of bed and be outside.  She decides to take a weeklong solo geocaching trip in Oregon.  She soon meets Marshall on the trail and he saves her from a scary encounter.  Marshall is dealing with his own issues, but they soon decide to team up.  Is the universe finally sending her what she needs?

Just like in her previous book, Heard it in a Love Song, this one features likable and relatable characters that you will be rooting for to find their way.  They are both dealing with grief and need time and understanding to process and move on.  I'm a big fan of this author's writing style, featuring mature characters dealing with real life.  Extra points for this one because of the locations - Wren is from Dayton OH, where I grew up, and Marshall from Portland, where my husband and I honeymooned.  Not sure I've read a book that mentioned Skyline Chili before!  Narration was great - mostly from Wren's POV with Marshall's voice filling in his story.  Great read and audiobook!

3.20.2024 - Never Better

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Gonzalo Riedel - 5 stars!

Less than a year after their youngest son was born, Gonzalo's wife, Erica, died from appendix cancer.  He was suddenly a single dad, raising two small boys, grieving the love of his life.

This was such a brutally honest and open memoir about grief.  Gonzalo gives us lots of "before" memories of life with Erica, while showing us the huge holes left behind afterwards.  I so appreciated the fact that he didn't sugarcoat all the emotions he felt in the height of his grief, while still having to get up every day as a single dad.  It will rip your heart apart but also give you hope, because life is always hopeful.  There's enough humor and self-deprecation to not push this book over into depressing, and I loved that he acknowledged all of his feelings.  I will return to this book again and wish nothing but happiness ahead for this family.

3.19.2024 - Mother of the Bride

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Samantha Hayes - 4.5 stars!

Lizzie is so excited to be getting married to Owen, but worried that her mother will ruin everything with her controlling ways.  Plus, the memory of her sister's husband dying on the day of their wedding hangs over the family.  Lizzie doesn't trust her mother and fears for Owen's safety.

Go into this one as blindly as possible, to more thoroughly enjoy all the twists and turns.  The relationship between Lizzie and her mom is so full of drama, and her dad is in a psychiatric facility.  You won't be sure who you can trust along the way, since everyone is keeping a secret or two or more.  Once you start reading, you'll have to finish, so block off some time and enjoy!  I thought the narration of the audiobook was perfect, and enjoyed having both versions so I could keep reading.

3.19.2024 - Still See You Everywhere

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Lisa Gardner - 4 stars!

Frankie Elkin has made it her mission to find lost people, those who no one else is really looking for.  When she gets a call to look for the missing sister of a woman on death row set to be executed in weeks, she has no time to even think about her decision.  Dubbed the Beautiful Butcher, Kaylee Pierson confessed to unspeakable crimes, filled with a rage instilled in her from childhood.  She now has a letter from her long-lost sister and is desperate to find her before she is executed.   Lea now appears to be living with Kaylee's ex, wealthy Sanders MacManus, on an atoll he owns in the Pacific Ocean.  Frankie must go undercover at the base camp to locate Lea, trying to convince the dozen members living there.

This was one of the most atmospheric novels I've read - you will definitely find yourself transported to a different world, and I'll bet you'll google those creepy crabs and even what an atoll is, or at least I did!  This is the third book in the Frankie Elkin series and I have to admit that I missed the first two, but Gardner gives you plenty of back story and this works perfectly as a stand alone.  You may have to suspend reality a bit, but it sure is a wild ride.  Frankie is a great character, and I loved her dark humor.  Can't wait to read more in this series!

3.18.2024 - The Mystery Writer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Sulari Gentill, with the audiobook narrated by Katherine Littrell - 4 stars!

Theo has dropped out of college, determined to be a writer instead of an attorney as was the planned path for her.  She shows up on the doorstep of her brother, Gus, hoping that he will support her.  She begins writing in a cafe and meets a famous author.  They slowly begin a relationship but then she finds him brutally murdered right after signing on with a prestigious agency.  And now she is considered a suspect - until they start looking at Gus.  Enter Mac, Gus' friend and a private investigator, who comes from a family of conspiracy theorists.  

There's a lot to unpack in this book!  There is mixed media in the form of message boards between the theorists, which I always enjoy, but had me confused in the beginning.  The author has once again created an intriguing storyline, even though there were times I was yelling at Theo to open her eyes!  Kept me on my toes until the end.

3.16.2024 - Such a Lovely Family

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Aggie Blum Thompson - 4.5 stars rounded up!

The Calhouns are hosting their annual party at their home in Washington DC to celebrate the return of the cherry blossoms.  Their three children are all home and the house is full of friends and neighbors.  Everything is perfect until the party becomes a homicide scene.  Suddenly, all the family members are under suspicion and their secrets may soon come to light.

This was a delicious scandal of a book - you won't be sure who's the guilty party but you'll know that you can trust no one.  The Calhouns' children, Theo, Nate, and Ellie Grace have very complicated relationships with their parents, to whom appearance is the utmost importance.  I love a good dysfunctional family story and this was done to perfection.  Told from multiple POV, the secrets and twists kept coming.  This is a family you will love to hate!  Loved the cover too.

3.16.2024 - My Husband's Trying to Kill Me!

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this true crime story by Jim Schutze, narrated by Jonathan Sleep - 4 stars!

Linda DeSilva married her college boyfriend, Robert Edelman, who became a wealthy real estate tycoon.  To the outside, they were the perfect family, with two children, and led a glamorous life in Dallas.  But the reality was quite different behind closed doors, where Robert was cruel and violent.  Then she learned he hired a hit man to kill her.  This is the story of how Linda worked with the FBI to trap her husband in a sting operation that nearly went very badly wrong.  

I'm a big true crime reader and this book, like so many in this genre, was disturbing on so many levels.  This is a re-release of a book written in 1993 and while I would hope that we as a society have grown into a better understanding of domestic violence, these situations of course continue to happen.  In this book, neighbors and family knew and suspected of the abuse, but no one said or did anything until Linda went missing.  My only comment about this book was that I thought the transition between timelines was abrupt.  It could be because of listening to it rather than reading it, but I would have to pause to figure out where the story was taking place.

3.11.2024 - She's Not Sorry

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookish First, Harlequin Trade Publishing Park Row for gifting me both a digital and physical ARC of the latest thriller by the wonderful Mary Kubica - 5 stars!

Meghan Michaels works as a full-time nurse in intensive care as well as being a single mom.  When a patient comes into the hospital in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, Meghan has a hard time not getting personally involved with the patient, Caitlin, and her family.  But will it put her and her daughter in jeopardy?

There's a lot going on in this book, but in Kubica's capable hands, it all comes together perfectly.  I was completely engrossed in this book and these characters from the beginning.   There was palpable tension throughout the book and I wasn't sure who I could trust.   I was shocked at the twist and loved how all the storylines came together.  The end isn't completely wrapped up in a bow, but that's okay with me.  Highly recommended!

3.9.2024 - Murder Road

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Berkley, for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Simone St. James and allowing me to participate in the blog tour (watch my instagram on 3.13!) - 4.5 creepy stars!

It's the mid-1990s, and April and Eddie are on their honeymoon, heading for a hotel on Lake Michigan.  They get lost along the way, and find themselves on a deserted stretch of road when they see a young woman along the side.  When she gets in their car, the couple realize that she is badly injured.  They drop her off at the local hospital, only to find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation when she dies.  Apparently, there have been many deaths and disappearances along this stretch of the road, going back decades with the first disappearance of a woman dubbed The Lost Girl.  April and Eddie are intrigued enough to do some investigation on their own - at their own peril.

Typical of St. James' novels, this one is creepy and will keep you scared as you read along!  There are a ton of interesting characters here -April and Eddie are both keeping secrets from each other, I loved Rose, the owner of the inn where the couple stays; and the detectives on the case add yet another layer.  I liked the book's setting in the 1990s, before everyone was glued to their phones, and investigations were a totally different ballgame.  You'll love this scary, creepy book!

3.9.2024 - Baby X

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Kira Peikoff - 5 stars!

In the near-future, technology exists that can create egg or sperm from any person's cells, creating embryos that are then analyzed for health or personality issues.  Then the parents select the embryo they wish to implant.  But of course, technology can always be manipulated.  Enter The Vault, a company that steals DNA from celebrities, then asks for ransom money.  Popular singer Trace Thorne has been targeted before, so hires Ember Ryan, a bio-security guard, to make sure it doesn't happen again.  She's good at what she does, so when they are confronted by a pregnant woman, Quinn, who says that Thorne is the father, everyone is thrown.  

This is the way I like my sci-fi - set not too far in the future so things seem very possible, realistic, and frightening.  We already have the technology to produce "designer babies," so this isn't too much of a stretch.  But beyond the scary premise, this is such a good story!  Told in the POVs of Ember, Quinn and Lily, a journalist, each with their own past secrets they are holding onto, when all the storylines come together, you will be blown away!  If you like Blake Crouch, you will love this book - highly recommended!

3.6.2024 - Finding Sophie

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Imran Mahmood - 4 stars!

Harry and Zara King have revolved their life around their only child, Sophie.  As Sophie has gotten older and started to rebel, tension is high in the house.  One day, she leaves the house and doesn't come back.  The police have no clues and the couple are desperate.  They take matters into their own hand as far as investigating and soon are convinced of someone's guilt, and he's not talking.

This is a slow burn book, focusing more on how Harry and Zara deal with their grief and obsession over finding Sophie.  The story plays out through alternating POV of the couple, as well as scenes from a courtroom trial.  The writing is wonderful, and you feel the couple's angst over Sophie as well as the fact that their relationship is now falling apart.  I also liked how the courtroom decision played out.  It's a tense and gripping story until the last page!

3.6.2024 - Expiration Dates

 

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

Daphne Bell is single and searching for love.  But she has long been receiving little slips of paper with a man's name and the length of time the relationship will last.  And they've all proven true.  So when she receives a paper with just the name Jake and no expiration date, she's confused.  Is he her forever one?

I have always loved Serle's books - a touch of magical realism and a lot of heart, and this one is no exception.  Her books never feel flowery or with eye rolling scenes.  This one is short and you won't want to stop reading once you start!  Daphne has only ever told Hugo, an ex and now her best friend, about the papers she receives, because who would believe her?  We go back in time to see how her past relationships played out, and I loved the growth of her character in the end.  It's all about being true to yourself and others.  Great book!

3.6.2024 - Help Wanted

Many thanks to NetGalley and WW Norton & Company for the opportunity to read the new book by Adelle Waldman - 4.5 stars!

At a big-box store in a small, depressed town in Upstate NY, the crew of Team Movement start their day before 4:00 AM to unload trucks and get merchandise out on the floor., leaving before the first customers appear.  When an opportunity for a promotion comes up, the team decide to put a plan in motion to get their boss promoted to store manager, leaving her spot open for one of them.  

I really liked this book and was instantly drawn into all these characters and their stories.  The setting is a Target-like store in the age of Amazon, in a town where big business has closed and there are very few job opportunities.  It's full of heart, dark humor, and will cause you to think about all those people behind the scenes that make our lives better.  I felt for these characters - trying to better their lives in tough situations, not always making the best of decisions.  

3.4.2024 - Listen for the Lie

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, Celadon Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the adult debut novel by Amy Tintera - 5 stars!

Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy's blood.   Lucy has no memory of what happened, but everyone in their small town thinks she's a murderer.  She moved to LA to get away from everything and everybody and started a new life.  Then, true crime podcaster Ben Owens comes her her Texas town to investigate Savvy's murder for his second season.  Lucy is forced to return to TX to help solve Savvy's murder, even if it turns out that she's the guilty party.

All the buzz around this book is spot on - it's perfect!  Lucy is the best of characters - she's snarky, full of sass and dark humor, and her Grandma is the same.  You will find yourself laughing out loud more than you'll ever do in a thriller.  Plus, I love books that incorporate different media to tell the story, and this one uses Ben's podcast episodes to give us backstory and insight into Lucy and Savvy's relationships and her murder.  Plus, Lucy keeps hearing Savvy's voice in her head telling her to kill.  There are plenty of questionable characters that will keep you guessing as to the real story.  Listen for the Lie is just a phenomenal read - I couldn't flip the pages fast enough.  Highly recommended!

2.29.2024 - Bye, Baby

 

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 Carola Lovering, perfectly narrated by Helen Laser and Karissa Vacker - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Billie and Cassie were inseparable since they met in middle school, bonded even more tightly since they shared a traumatic event in high school.  But as they've gotten older, their paths have diverged.  Billie still misses her best friend, but Cassie moved on without looking back.  Cassie is now married to a wealthy man with a new baby, she's an instagram influencer, and has a store for wealthy shoppers.  Then Billie makes a decision that will change everything.

Best go into this one with as little information as possible for maximum enjoyment!  I always enjoy Lovering's books and this one was no exception.  Told in different timelines and from both Billie's and Cassie's POV, we learn about their relationship, their shared trauma, and they way they changed as they grew older.  I felt for Billie - she had experienced so much trauma in her life and was desperate to have her friend back, but Cassie was a different person and Billie no longer fit her image.  A page turner for sure, with themes of friendship, loyalty, trauma, motherhood, social media, and even second chances.  The audiobook narration was wonderful as well.

2.29.2024 - I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by a favorite author, Clare Mackintosh - 5 stars!

Clare and her husband lost their baby boy, Alex, at the age of 5 weeks.  His twin survived but that didn't lessen the overwhelming grief they experienced and continue to experience.  This book is inspired by a twitter post she wrote on the anniversary of Alex's death that went viral, stating 18 promises to those grieving.

We are all in various stages of grieving, especially as we get older.   While I can only imagine the pain of losing a child, grief hurts whether it is for a parent, a spouse, a friend, a pet.  This is the book that will bring you hope and give you strength.  It isn't preachy and gives you permission to go through it in whatever way works best for you.  But knowing that someone has walked the walk and come out on the other side is comforting.  It's also a guide for knowing what to do and what not to say to others.  This is a book that I will buy for myself and others.  Mackintosh's first book, I Let You Go, is still one of my all time favorite books, and I've read all her others, but this book allowed me to get a glimpse of the person behind those books., and it was a privilege.  Highly recommended and a must read for all of us!

2.28.2024 - After Annie

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the beautiful new book by an absolute favorite, Anna Quindlen - 5 stars!

Annie Brown dies suddenly in her late 30s  of a brain aneurysm, leaving behind her husband and 4 children to grieve her loss, along with Annie's best friend from childhood, Annemarie.  We follow along their path in the wake of Annie's death for the next year.  

You already know this book will be gorgeously written because it's by Anna Quindlen, but this simple book of grief is so much more in her capable hands.  Told from the POVs of Bill, eldest daughter Ali (only 13), and Annemarie, we see the family deal with Annie's loss in different ways.  Ali has to grow up too soon and takes charge of her siblings, while Bill tries to move on without really facing all of his new responsibilities.  Annemarie falls back into her dangerous addictions without Annie to keep her on track.  But what I really loved were the more subtle themes of knowing in your heart and soul what will make you happy, and then being true to that.  Letting those around us really see us and help us when we need it and stand up for us.  Sometimes friends do that more than family (contrast the nursing home resident with Bill's mom!).  This is an absolute must read - while it's sad, it's also uplifting and hopeful.  I know I will keep thinking about this family.

2.26.2024 - His Double Life

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Nicole Trope - 4 twisty stars!

Leo and Diana are married, with 10-year-old twins, Rowan and Sawyer.  Their marriage is trying for Diana - she suspects him of cheating when he goes out of town and he doesn't have much time for the boys.  But she wants to keep their marriage together.  Until one day when only one boy returns for playing at the park, and Diana receives a message that says Leo needs to tell the truth.  

Told in short chapters from multiple POV, this book will keep you surprised and second guessing everything.  As always, Trope keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can to see how it's all going to play out.  There are characters you will love to hate in this one, and that ending was quite the surprise - it will be up to you to decide if justice was served.  

2.26.2024 - Piglet

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut novel by Lottie Hazell, with the audio perfectly narrated by Rebekah Hinds - 4.5 stars!

The clock is ticking down towards Piglet's marriage to Kit.  She's happy with her life (besides maybe that childhood nickname!) - she's a cookbook editor, has great friends including Margot, her best friend since childhood, and Kit is more than she could have dreamed for.  Until he makes a confession 2 weeks before their wedding date.  Suddenly, Piglet is ravenous as she tries to navigate her new reality.

This was a darkly funny, yet poignant character study of someone trying desperately to fit into the expected molds, but at what cost?  I loved Piglet's relationship with her sister and the backstory behind their nicknames - totally endeared her to me.  Both sets of parents leave much to be desired and you can feel Piglet's angst and understand her desire to fill those empty spots.  I loved the way the story played out - the author didn't present things in black and white, but left the reader to fill in the blanks.  And all those food descriptions - amazing!  I can't wait to read more from this author!

2.24.2024 - The Last Lifeboat

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful historical fiction book by Hazel Gaynor - 5 stars!

Two women, strangers to each other, become entwined forever.  In 1940, Alice, a teacher, is determined to do her part in the war effort.  She decides to help evacuate British children overseas to keep them safe.  Lily is one of those mothers who had to make the heart wrenching decision to send her children away.  Then a German U-boat torpedos the rescue ship on its way with the children to Canada,  Only one lifeboat of people survive, but will they make it to safety? 

Inspired by a true story, and told in alternating chapters between the POV of Alice and Lily, this is a wonderfully-written, gripping tale of sacrifice, loss, hope.  I was so engrossed in each storyline - feeling bereft along with both women, one just trying to stay alive and keep others going; one mother grieving her decision and her children.  Highly recommended!

 

2.24.2024 - Quietly Hostile

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest collection of humorous essays by Samantha Irby - 4 stars!

I'm trying to catch up on my TBR list, and listening to this audiobook made me wonder why I waited so long.  Yes, I know it's crude and talks about tons of private things, but it made me laugh out loud so many times!  While I'm probably not in the target audience for this book (read, old), there is still so much relatable - and some of it may be more relatable as you are older!  Not sure I've ever heard someone be so brutally honest about herself and her bodily functions before, let alone a celebrity, so major kudos for that.  We're all human, after all, and a little humor goes a long way.

2.22.2024 - Monkey Grip

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for gifting me a digital ARC of the American debut of the 1977 book by Helen Garner, a famous Australian author - 3.5 stars!

Monkey Grip follows single mother and writer Nora as she navigates the tumultuous cityscape of Melbourne’s bohemian underground, often with her young daughter Gracie in tow. When Nora falls in love with the flighty Javo, she becomes snared in the web of his addiction. And as their tenuous relationship disintegrates, Nora struggles to ween herself off a love that feels impossible to live without.

I was a big fan of Garner's The House of Grief but this book was its polar opposite, although equally well written.  It's just that the subject matter is tough.  Written and taking place in the late 1970s, it's all about addiction and obsession, so it's constant sex and drugs amid a constant and continuing cast of characters.  My heart broke for the children in this story - they were raised amidst all this and you could feel the neglect even through the love.  

2.22.2024 - Nowhere Like Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Sara Shepard - 4 stars1

Lenna is struggling being a new mom.  Her husband seems more aloof, her mom is dead, and she feels alone.  When her old friend, Rhiannon, contacts her and encourages her to take a break at the female community, Halcyon, where she's living, she takes the leap and heads out.  Lenna is also desperate to clear the air with Rhiannon and talk about what caused their estrangement.  But things aren't as they appear on the surface at the compound.

Told from multiple POV, we go back in time 2 years with these characters to get the backstory of their relationship.  We also learn about Gillian, who tries to befriend both Rhiannon and Lenna with mixed results.  Her story also plays out with social media snippets.  I will always be intrigued with cult stories and this women-only group was definitely interesting, highlighting female relationships.  Social anxiety and mental illness plays a prominent role here as well, and all of the women had traumatic backstories.  This one had you suspend belief a bit but kept me flipping the pages to see how it would all play out.

2.19.2024 - The Still Point

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by a favorite, Tammy Greenwood - 5 stars!

Ever, Lindsay, and Josie have spent their lives helping their daughters, Bea, Olive, and Savvy, climb the ranks in their elite dance academy in coastal California town.  They've scrimped and sacrificed for their daughters' dreams and have still maintained a friendship, just like their daughters.  But a new instructor, Etienne Bernay, shows up with a media crew to film a documentary about preparing for this season's The Nutcracker performance, culminating with the selection of one student to receive a free scholarship to attend a prestigious ballet academy in Paris.  It changes everything and suddenly the worst comes out.

As a mother of now grown boys, I am as far away from the ballet world as possible, but once again Tammy Greenwood has created an addicting story that I just couldn't put down.  Each of the mothers has an issue they are grappling with, as are their daughters, and the tension in the book is palpable.  The story plays out from the viewpoints of the mothers, with intermittent chapters from Bea.  This story and characters feel relatable - everyone wants the best for their children and for them to achieve their dreams, but at what cost?  The author's note at the beginning says just how personal this book is, and that shows through her writing.  Highly recommended!