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Release date: March 7, 2017

Publisher: Crown Publishing 

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die.

After her mother’s suicide, fifteen year-old Lane Roanoke came to live with her grandparents and fireball cousin, Allegra, on their vast estate in rural Kansas. Lane knew little of her mother’s mysterious family, but she quickly embraced life as one of the rich and beautiful Roanoke girls. But when she discovered the dark truth at the heart of the family, she ran fast and far away.

Eleven years later, Lane is adrift in Los Angeles when her grandfather calls to tell her Allegra has gone missing. Did she run too? Or something worse? Unable to resist his pleas, Lane returns to help search, and to ease her guilt at having left Allegra behind. Her homecoming may mean a second chance with the boyfriend whose heart she broke that long ago summer. But it also means facing the devastating secret that made her flee, one she may not be strong enough to run from again.

As it weaves between Lane s first Roanoke summer and her return, The Roanoke Girls shocks and tantalizes, twisting its way through revelation after mesmerizing revelation, exploring the secrets families keep and the fierce and terrible love that both binds them together and rips them apart. 

Review: 

I’ve been struggling with this review, this book has left me feeling really conflicted and I have a feeling that I won’t be the only person who winds up feeling like this once they finish this book. There were as many strong aspects to it as there were weaker ones for me, and this is also a difficult one to review anyway based on the subject matter alone, but I’ll do my very best. 

This is told from Then and Now, then being the one summer Lane spent with her mothers family and now being when Allegra goes missing and she heads back to help find her. There are also several chapters, one for each Roanoke girl there ever was. I actually probably enjoyed those the most, there was something chilling about their accounts of what was happening behind closed doors. The Roanoke family is seriously messed up, I don’t even think the word dysfunctional begins to describe the family secret they’re all hiding. While the secret is revealed pretty early on, I’m still not comfortable discussing it here, but as much as the what shocked me, the actual manner in which it was revealed was lackluster and left me wanting a bit more drama. I wouldn’t even really label this a thriller, I would call it a mystery at the most. There wasn’t that sense of urgency that thrillers always have, I think in part because the huge secret was outed so quickly. There was another twist in the end but it was obvious to me and I had worked it out easily. Perhaps if I hadn’t I would’ve been more satisfied. 

I have to give credit to the addictive writing of Engel, there was something mesmerizing about this story that urged me to keep reading even though the subject matter was taboo and forbidden. Nothing was over the top and graphic though, she handled the situation as pleasantly as possible. I found myself wondering what the hell was wrong with me for being so enraptured by this twisted family. This will definitely be one with strong fans and those on the opposite side who can’t stomach the unsettling story or even buy into the plausibility of it actually happening. I’m honestly right in the middle, I can see both sides. If you’ve read it I would love to know how you feel!

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to Crown Publishing for my review copy. 

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Release date: March 14, 2017

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband was sent to jail and she started over with a new life. Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When her ex-husband is finally released, Lindsey believes she’s cut all ties. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But can he really change? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought? 

Chevy Stevens targets her readership with a novel that hits all the notes they come to expect from her—and ratchets up the stakes even more in a novel that explores the darkest heart of love and obsession.

Review: 

This was my first Stevens book but I’m not even exaggerating when I say before I even made it to the halfway point of this book I had filled my Amazon cart with every other book she’s released. I don’t often find myself so connected to an authors writing, you guys know I read a lot and I generally know how to choose books that I end up liking, but not always loving. But this time? I’m completely hooked on Stevens, I feel like I found one of my new favorite, auto buy authors. Is there a better feeling for a bookaholic?! I don’t think so. 

This is told from two perspectives; Lindsey a woman who has escaped a really frightening past and her daughter, Sophie. It flashes back from past to present outlining Lindsey’s abusive relationship and how it all ended to now when Sophie’s all grown up and they’re both settled and as happy as can be expected. Stevens transitions back and forth flawlessly drawing you in steadily, hooking you in with razor sharp writing and an unbelievably tense plot. The sense of dread and anxiety gradually amps up as I feared for Lindsey and Sophie’s safety. It was one of those reads where my heart was in my throat for the majority of the book. 

There were so many unpredictable twists here that I’m choosing to avoid discussing the plot at all really. The characterization was amazing, I loved Lindsey and Sophie and thought their relationship was genuine and heartfelt. The insight into a troubling abusive marriage was authentic, chilling and disturbing, so beware if abuse is a trigger for you. I loved how the mounting tension resulted in a heart pounding climax, my anxiety was through the roof but I love when a thriller makes me feel like that. If, like me you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t read Stevens before AND you consider yourself a fan of thrillers, pre order this one, its remarkable. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my review copy.

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Release date: March 1, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Blurb: 

A compelling, heartbreaking tale that will make you laugh, cry and believe in the kindness of strangers. Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Lucy Dillon and Miranda Dickinson.

Life is good for nurse Kat. That is until the man she intended to marry legs it, she’s unexpectedly promoted to a position with too much responsibility, and a patient arrives on her ward under strange circumstances.

Susan is a mystery. She refuses to speak or interact with anyone, she’s obsessed with a book of fairy tales, and the only name in her diary is that of Rhys – a plumber she barely knows.

Down-to-earth Rhys is trying to get his life back on track after the death of his beloved brother. His mum is his priority, and she needs him as much as he needs her. Or at least she did, until she starts disappearing, leaving him to find comfort in the form of his brother’s girlfriend.

Complicated is an understatement.

As the lives of these three lost strangers intertwine, will they find a way to lay ghosts past, present and future to rest? And when the chance comes to mend their broken hearts, will they be brave enough to take it? 

Review: 

This was an altogether different type of read than what I was expecting it to be. From the blurb/cover combination I assumed that it would be a lighthearted, chick lit type of read, but instead it was heavier, dealing with darker subject matter than I was expecting. It was a very emotional read, one that moved me and touched my heart.

There are three main players; Kat a nurse who has just been dumped by her boyfriend of several years who she saw as her future husband, Susan a new patient of Kat’s who refuses to utter a word, and Rhys a plumber who is the only connection anyone can find in Susan’s life. All three are dealing with their own heartaches, losses and loneliness and I was eager to see how their lives would intertwine. 

Mansell delves into several heavy issues from suicide, adoption, loss, forgiveness, and ultimately love. I felt some sort of attachment to all three of the characters, they were all able to tug at my heartstrings. Kat is so lonely after her breakup and needs to find her way again. Rhys lost his brother and the grief is overwhelming, I wanted to hug him so many times. Susan was visibly broken and after learning why she’s so devastated I shed some tears. All of them have detached themselves from the world for different reasons and it was easy to understand why. Ultimately they lean on and learn from each other in order to begin to heal. As much as I love a tidy ending, I appreciated the way Mansell left things. There was closure, but it was messy and true to real life. While this was a highly emotional read, in the end it was inspiring and left me with a smile on my face. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Bookouture for my review copy. 

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Release date: March 1, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery 

Blurb: 

World War II comes to Farleigh Place, the ancestral home of Lord Westerham and his five daughters, when a soldier with a failed parachute falls to his death on the estate. After his uniform and possessions raise suspicions, MI5 operative and family friend Ben Cresswell is covertly tasked with determining if the man is a German spy. The assignment also offers Ben the chance to be near Lord Westerham’s middle daughter, Pamela, whom he furtively loves. But Pamela has her own secret: she has taken a job at Bletchley Park, the British code-breaking facility.

As Ben follows a trail of spies and traitors, which may include another member of Pamela’s family, he discovers that some within the realm have an appalling, history-altering agenda. Can he, with Pamela’s help, stop them before England falls?

Inspired by the events and people of World War II, writer Rhys Bowen crafts a sweeping and riveting saga of class, family, love, and betrayal. 

Review: 

I’m beginning to realize that I’m a bigger fan of historical fiction than I first thought, there’s something about the way it sweeps me away to a different time that really appeals to me and I truly enjoyed being whisked away to 1940’s England while reading In Farleigh Field. 

I was a bit apprehensive when the book opened with a comprehensive list of the cast of characters. It was long and though I love an ensemble cast, I was worried that there be too many people to keep track of. Thankfully I didn’t have any problems keeping everyone straight and I loved reading from several viewpoints. The main narrators included most of Lord Westerham’s daughters; Pamela who is working as a code breaker in Bletchley Park, Margot who is living in Paris, Phoebe the youngest and Dido who is quite the troublemaker. There is also Ben, a family friend and M15 operative. 

For a novel set during wartime it had a lighthearted feeling to it, but not in a disrespectful way, it reminded me a little of a cozy mystery. This was based loosely on real events and Bowen did a great job of remaining historically accurate. There was a good balance of history, suspense, romance and family drama, truly something for everyone. 

I had a blast trying to figure out whose side everyone was really on, there were spies, double agents and plenty of betrayals. This was full of charm, wit and humor along with tension and intrigue. There were a few surprises along the way though I worked out a couple on my own, but this didn’t take away from my experience, it was still an entertaining read. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Lake Union and Claire McLaughlin at Little Bird Publicity for my review copy.

About the Author: 

Rhys Bowen is the New York Times bestselling author of over thirty mystery novels. Her work includes the Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1900s New York City, and the Royal Spyness novels, featuring a minor royal in 1930s England, as well as the Constable Evenas mysteries about a police constable in contemporary Wales. Rhys’s works have won fourteen awards to date, including multiple Agatha, Anthony, and MacAvity awards. Her books have been translated into many languages, and she has fans from around the world, including the 12,000 who visit her Facebook page daily. She is a transplanted Brit who now divides her time between California and Arizona. Connect with her at rhysbowen.com.

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Release date: November 6, 2016

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery 

Blurb: 

“University Lecturer David Ryan is having an affair. And he thinks no-one knows. 

He’s wrong. Someone does know. And that someone is out to blackmail him. 

But when the blackmail attempt goes wrong, both Ryan and the blackmailer find themselves dragged into an underground (and decidedly seedy) world of secrets, lies and violence. A world where no-one can be trusted and everyone has something to hide. 

Set in modern-day Dublin, ‘After the Affair’ is the debut psychological thriller from author Jonathan Kaye.” 

Review: 

Oohh do I love starting out a new month with an amazing read, it really sets the tone and I was so impressed by this book! After the Affair is Kaye’s debut novel, but let me tell you, it doesn’t read like a debut at all. The writing style reads like that of a seasoned novelist; the pacing was spot on and the plot itself? Utterly absorbing. 

This starts with one of those prologues that immediately draws you in, then flips ahead almost a year later to a completely unrelated storyline. (Or is it?) David Ryan is a married man with a young son, and he’s having an affair. He thinks that it’s his dirty little secret, but someone knows exactly what he’s been up too, and they’re not happy about it, so they begin to blackmail him. That’s as far as I’m going to delve into the plot details, but the basis of this book is the serious ramifications that David faces because of his choice to have an affair. 

I really admired the way Kaye got inside his characters heads, you get a very real sense of how they think and who they really are, warts and all. It’s not always a pretty picture, and David isn’t the most likable guy, but it’s raw and brutally honest. Besides David, you also get to know Martin. I don’t want to say exactly how he fits in, but he’s quite the rascal. The dialogue between these two felt so genuine, it read like a real conversation, no awkwardness to be found. 

I know this is a totally overused phrase, but it really was a page turner. As David’s entire life begins to fall apart, the hits just kept on coming and left my head spinning. The whole thing is a tumultuous ride that takes you on a journey into a seedy underworld, mainly that of the dark corners of the web. There is some very dark and twisted stuff here, sordid affairs and hard hitting, worrisome situations. The big twist was a stunner, the shock value was high but it wasn’t unbelievable. I highly recommend this for fans of psychological thrillers looking for a fresh twist on the whole cheating spouse plot.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to TBConFB and the author for my review copy.