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Release date: June 28, 2016

Publisher: Random House

Genre: Crime Fiction, Mystery 

Goodreads blurb:

For readers of Kate Atkinson and Tana French comes a page-turning literary mystery that brings to life the complex and wholly relatable Manon Bradshaw, a strong-willed detective assigned to a high-risk missing persons case.

At thirty-nine, Manon Bradshaw is a devoted and respected member of the Cambridgeshire police force, and though she loves her job, what she longs for is a personal life. Single and distant from her family, she wants a husband and children of her own. One night, after yet another disastrous Internet date, she turns on her police radio to help herself fall asleep—and receives an alert that sends her to a puzzling crime scene.

Edith Hind—a beautiful graduate student at Cambridge University and daughter of the surgeon to the Royal Family—has been reported missing for nearly twenty-four hours. Her home offers few clues: a smattering of blood in the kitchen, her keys and phone left behind, the front door ajar but showing no signs of forced entry. Manon instantly knows this case will be big—and that every second is crucial to finding Edith alive.

The investigation starts with Edith’s loved ones: her attentive boyfriend, her reserved best friend, and her patrician parents. As the search widens and press coverage reaches a frenzied pitch, secrets begin to emerge about Edith’s tangled love life and her erratic behavior leading up to her disappearance. With no clear leads, Manon summons every last bit of her skill and intuition to close the case, and what she discovers will have shocking consequences not just for Edith’s family, but for Manon herself.

Suspenseful and keenly observed, Missing, Presumed is a brilliantly twisting novel of how we seek connection, grant forgiveness, and reveal the truth about who we are. 

Review: 

This blurb instantly caught my eye while browsing Netgalley, especially with the comparison to Tana French. I fell in love with her Dublin murder squad series last year and am eagerly awaiting her newest release. I’m pleased to say that the comparison is valid and fitting.

From the start, you think this may turn out to be a standard missing persons novel. Which is fine, I read quite a few of those, but as the story unfolds, you realize that there is far more to the story than just the mysterious disappearance of Edith Hind. The characters drive this story, and though the mystery plays an important role, there is so much more to be offered.

Told from several POV; Manon, her coworker Davy, Edith’s close friend Helena, her mother Miriam, and Edith herself, things are rapidly paced and the chapters flow seamlessly while revealing personal aspects of all of these characters that fascinated me.

Manon is quite the character. She is a police officer who is overwhelmingly lonely and longs for a companion, someone who can bring some joy and light to her oftentimes dreary existence. At thirty nine, she is desperate enough to try online dating and I really enjoyed following along with her on her forays into this odd world. Over the course of the book, Manon’s humanity is deeply developed and she is so very easy to identify with. 

Davy isn’t quite as developed as Manon, but as I just read that Steiner is turning this into a series, I can see her exploring his character more in the future. I loved how his optimism balanced out Manon’s jaded outlook. Speaking of balances, some police procedurals/crime fiction novels can be a bit dry, but this book maintained a nice balance between the dry parts by showcasing the characters.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Release date: August 9, 2016

Publisher: Random House/Ballantine

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Goodreads blurb: 

She never saw it coming. Without even a shiver of suspicion to warn her, Caroline Hammond discovers that her husband is having an affair with a man—a revelation that forces her to question their entire history together, from their early days as high school sweethearts through their ten years as a happily married couple. In her now upside-down world, Caroline begins envisioning her life without the relationship that has defined it: the loneliness of being an “I” instead of a “we”; the rekindled yet tenuous closeness with her younger sister; and the unexpected—and potentially disastrous—attraction she can’t get off her mind. Caroline always thought she knew her own love story, but as her husband’s other secrets emerge, she must decide whether that story’s ending will mean forgiving the man she’s loved for half her life, or facing her future without him. 

Review: 

I think it’s safe to say that any married persons worst nightmare is dealing with the hurt and betrayal in the aftermath of infidelity. Imagine finding out your spouse is unfaithful. Take it one step further and imagine they cheated on you with a man and they may be gay (or if you’re a guy, with a woman) Not only did they throw away your marriage vows for someone else, they may have been hiding a huge part of their life from you for years.

Caroline is the woman scorned and she is such a lovely character. She truly thought she had it all with her husband, Adam. Life was as close to perfect as she could imagine and she was blissfully happy in her marriage, especially  as Adam was not only her lover, but her best friend. All of that comes crashing down when she discovers he has been unfaithful and she has to learn who she really is as she begins to navigate through a life alone, one that she never dreamed of nor wanted.

I found Caroline to be so relatable and likable. I was really rooting for her the whole time and just wanted her to find her own peace and happiness within herself. She handled her terrible situation with grace and dignity and was far more classy than I think I would’ve been if I were ever in her shoes. The relationship between her and her sister, Ruby was fantastic and Chase did a great job of capturing the honesty and raw emotion that is shared between sisters. Caroline’s best friend, Jonathan was also a nice addition to the story and I always enjoy a male/female friendship that is fun and is just truly about two people who like each other with no sex involved.

This book is heartfelt, raw, honest and endearing and I really enjoyed following Caroline on her journey of forced self discovery. It’s written in a thoughtful manner that is beautiful and vulnerable and I think anyone that has ever been in love can relate to it. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Random House/Ballantine for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: June 14, 2016

Publisher: Little Brown and Company

Genre: Chick Lit

Goodreads blurb: 

Three romantic rivals. One crowded house. Plenty of room for jealousy. 

Laurel Thorpe, Belinda Rowe, and Scarlett Oliver share only two things; a love for the man they all married, Deacon Thorpe–a celebrity chef with an insatiable appetite for life–and a passionate dislike of one another. All three are remarkable, spirited women, but they couldn’t be more different. Laurel: Deacon’s high school sweetheart and an effortlessly beautiful social worker; Belinda: a high-maintenance Hollywood diva; and Scarlett: a sexy southern belle floating by on her family money and her fabulous looks. They’ve established a delicate understanding over the years–they avoid each other at all costs.

But their fragile detente threatens to come crashing down after Deacon’s tragic death on his favorite place on earth: a ramshackle Nantucket summer cottage. Deacon’s final wish was for his makeshift family to assemble on his beloved Nantucket to say good-bye. Begrudgingly, Laurel, Belinda, and Scarlett gather on the island as once again, as in each of their marriages, they’re left to pick up Deacon’s mess. Now they’re trapped in the crowded cottage where they all made their own memories–a house that they now share in more ways than one–along with the children they raised with Deacon, and his best friend. Laurel, Belinda, and Scarlett each had an unbreakable bond with Deacon–and they all have secrets to hide. 

Before the weekend is over, there are enough accusations, lies, tears, and drama to turn even the best of friends–let alone three women who married the same man–into adversaries. As his unlikely family says good-bye to the man who brought them together–for better or worse–will they be able to put aside their differences long enough to raise a glass in Deacon’s honor? 

Review: 

It isn’t summer for me until I’ve read Elin Hilderbrand’s latest novel. Now if I could just figure out a way to read one of her books while I’m actually on vacation in Nantucket, my experience would be complete.

One of my favorite parts about Hilderbrand’s books is that I get a glimpse inside the lives of the fabulously wealthy while they’re dealing with tragedies, problems, and drama. Here’s To Us provides all this and more as you’re taken into the personal life of celebrity chef Deacon Thorpe and this crazy and complicated family he’s created.

Hilderbrand holds true to her pattern of showcasing a colorful cast of characters where they each tell the story from their own viewpoint. There’s the three ex wives; Laurel, Belinda and Scarlett, their children, Hayes, Angie and Ellery, and Buck who was Deacon’s lifelong best friend. 

The drama is abounding as the three ex wives of Deacon Thorpe all deal with their own feelings and issues after his untimely passing. The story unfolds over a weekend with each section focusing on one day of said weekend. Interspersed throughout are the stories of Deacon’s version of events about his relationships with his wives. Since this book focuses so much around food, there are also some absolutely mouthwatering recipes provided. I loved this and thought it was a clever thing to add.

Hilderbrand is synonymous with summer and once again, she has crafted a sinfully delicious novel that her fans will devour. Her descriptions of the island of Nantucket are beautiful and after reading each of her novels I always find myself longing to visit there so I can visit the markets, eat some fresh seafood and relax on the beach.

Overall rating: 4/5

Goodreads Amazon
Release date: August 2, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Genre: Contemporary YA/NA

Goodreads blurb:

Model Finley needs someone to help her shed her “good girl” persona, so she’ll try Eddie on for size.

New York City model Finley is fed up with hearing the same feedback at castings: she needs to take some serious action to wipe the “good girl” stamp from her resume if she wants to launch to stardom.

Enter Eddie Wells. He’s shallow, predictable…and just as lost as Finley feels. Deep down, Finley is drawn to Eddie’s bravado, his intensity. Except Eddie is hiding something. A big something. And when it surfaces, both loving and leaving Finley will become so much harder. 

Review: 

This book starts out like many YA/NA romance novels do; good girl meets bad boy and there’s sparks, then they hook up. Nothing wrong with that formula, clearly it sells, but it’s pretty typical nonetheless. What saves this book from being too clichéd is that the two main characters are so fun and likable.

Finley is a young model who is constantly playing the role of the good girl, both in her personal life and in her professional life as a model. She’s ready to ditch that label and what better way than to hook up with a hot guy? Eddie is also a model, albeit a reluctant one. He needs cash, fast but why? There is definitely a secret buried but will it harm the fragile new friends with benefits type relationship the two have started?

Yes Finley is the typical good girl, but I still really liked her. She’s sweet, but she has a sassy side and her personality is fun loving and relatable. I think most young girls would love to have a friend like her. Eddie is just downright adorable and clueless but he has a charm about him. These two have an undeniable chemistry that made for some fun banter throughout the book.

There is of course a twist, one that deals with what Eddie is hiding. This could have been resolved in several ways and I’m really pleased with the direction the authors took it. It could’ve went south and been totally and unrealistically “perfect” but it wasn’t.

Finley’s character especially goes through tremendous growth and maturity. I loved this aspect as character development is everything to me. I also really liked the fact that both Finley and Eddie refused to sacrifice their own personal goals for each other. So many YA/NA books show the girl or guy throw away their hopes and dreams in the name of love and that wasn’t the case here.

This book kept me entertained with its warm and endearing characters and their own separate personal journeys. It beautifully showcased a healthy and stable young relationship which is always so refreshing.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to Sourcebooks for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads  Amazon
Release date: August 2, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller

Goodreads blurb: 

Who will be left after lights out?

At Cate’s isolated boarding school, Killer is more than a game- it’s an elite secret society. Members must avoid being “Killed” during a series of thrilling pranks, and only the Game Master knows who the “Killer” is. When Cate’s finally invited to join the Assassins’ Guild, she know it’s her ticket to finally feeling like she belongs.

But when the game becomes all too real, the school threatens to shut it down. Cate will do anything to keep playing and save the Guild. But can she find the real assassin before she’s the next target? 

Review:

Even though the premise of this story is a bit played out I was still interested after reading the blurb. How many movies and books have we all read/watched where kids play a game then things turn deadly? Tons, right? I had hoped that there would be some originality in this one, but alas I was left disappointed and irritated.

Cate is a pretty boring main character. McKay tries to create a creepy setting, but Cate’s lack of genuine fear makes it all fall flat. She’s very unemotional and bland, she’s overall just a lackluster person so I found I couldn’t even really like her, much less relate to her.

I was really hoping that at least the killer would be hard to identify, after all there was a pretty large cast of characters to choose from as the whole book takes place in a school. I guessed the killer about thirty percent into the book, which was obviously a huge disappointment. To be fair, I read a lot of mysteries and can guess whodunnit oftentimes. But I felt like this time it was so obvious that even the youngest of YA readers would guess correctly as well.

The pacing of this book was just off for me too. There were parts that just dragged on so slowly and others that just didn’t feel necessary. Something else complete unnecessary? The blatant sexism throughout. I was too annoyed to grab actual quotes, but things along the line of, oh the killer has to be male because he’s “killing” all females, and bitch has got to go. No thank you. I say “killing” because for a book with the premise of a killing game, not a whole lot of killing happens. 

Maybe I could recommend this to the younger side of YA readers. On second thought, no I cannot. I wouldn’t want anyone impressionable reading a book that alludes to sexism, mocking of athletes for being unintelligent for no other reason than they’re athletic, and sketchy relationships between students and teachers. Also, it does that typical thing that all YA readers hate! The absent parents who don’t care about their kids but only care about their money. Over. Done. To. The. Extreme. 

Overall rating: 2/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for my copy in exchange for an honest review.