Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: May 1, 2018

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Emotionally guarded Daphne Amos always believed she’d found a kindred spirit in her fiancé, Heath. Both very private people, they’ve kept their pasts hidden from the world, and each other, until Heath’s escalating nightmares begin to put an undeniable strain on their relationship. Determined to give their impending marriage the best chance of succeeding, Heath insists that Daphne join him on a seven-day retreat with Dr. Matthew Cerny, a psychologist celebrated for getting to the root of repressed memories. Daphne reluctantly agrees—even though the past is the last place she wants to go.

The retreat’s isolated and forbidding location increases her unease, as do the doctor’s rules: they must relinquish their keys and phones, they’ll be monitored at all hours by hidden cameras, and they’re never to socialize with the other guests.

One sleepless night, Daphne decides to leave her room…and only then does she realize that the institute is not at all what it seems—and that whatever’s crying out from Heath’s past isn’t meant to be heard. It’s meant to be silenced.

Review:

There is something compulsively readable about Emily Carpenter’s books, once I start them I have a difficult time putting them down. She creates the creepiest, most eerily atmospheric settings and she writes so well you find yourself completely immersed in the story, it’s as if you’re actually inside it yourself and experiencing it with the characters. It’s an unsettling experience to say the least, but one I wholeheartedly enjoy.

The whole idea of a couples retreat that focuses on therapy is unappealing to me and then when you throw in a weird atmosphere with uneasiness oozing from the pages? That’s a hard no from me, and Daphne had similar feelings but she went despite her reservations. You see, no one has ever understood her quite like Heath does, they have a hard and fast rule where they don’t discuss their pasts, ever, and this works for both of them. Until now. Until Daphne decides maybe it’s time to share her secrets with Heath and in turn he may share his as well. I loved knowing that they both had skeletons in their closets but not knowing what they were, it kept me extremely engaged and doubtful of the pair of them. I never could decide if I actually liked either of them, but they were both interesting, mysterious and highly complex.

Another thing that Carpenter excels at is the way the structures her books. The Weight of Lies had a book within a book, SO cool, and this time around she worked with flashbacks. You know how oftentimes flashbacks read as disjointed or confusing? Not the case here, it starts with a prologue that immediately reels you in and then skips back to a week earlier. It flips back and forth until the days catch up to each other and everything culminates in a shocking ending. Interspersed between these time jumps you slowly find out about Daphne’s past, Carpenter gives you a little tasty morsel to whet your appetite and then she cuts you off again, WHY does that work so well for me?! It just does, it has me hanging onto over single word, dying to know what will be revealed next.

I said Carpenter was the queen of southern gothic fiction in my review of her last book and that still stands here, she is immensely talented and she has a firm fan in me. I haven’t read any recent others that write quite like and I mean that as a huge compliment, she stands out from the crowd.

Every Single Secret in three words: Unsettling, Surprising and Absorbing.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: February 20, 2018

Genre: Fiction

Blurb:

High school is a difficult time for every teenager. When Erin enters a large public high school in 1980, she’s more than a little intimidated. Shocked by the realization that the legacy of her southern Alabama town isn’t a thing of the past, Erin struggles to find her way and in the process forms several important relationships. Brittany, whose genuine friendship and unconditional support help Erin navigate her unfamiliar surroundings. Shelby, whose strength and confidence challenge Erin to make her own decisions. And Emmet, whose magnetism and acceptance inspires her to dream of a different future.

Together they search for the answer to one important question: How do you define your own path, feel like you belong, and yet resist all of the social pressures and rigid expectations?

Ultimately, Erin is forced with a life-defining choice. Her decision will catapult her into adulthood, will test her faith, love and courage, and inevitably have an impact on the lives of those she loves most.

Review:

This is one of those books that’s tricky to slot into one particular genre, it begins when Erin is just starting high school so there were times it felt like a straight up YA novel, but this was laced with dark themes and heavy topics giving it an adult vibe as well. It’s set in the 1980’s in the south so there was some nostalgia as well and a historical feel as well, but regardless of whatever label you want to use this was a thought provoking and engaging read.

One of the darkest themes that I alluded to earlier, the most prevalent one is racism and being set almost forty years ago really shows just how terrible race relations were back then, especially in Alabama. Erin is different from her peers, she hates how everyone is labeled and categorized, kind of ironic that I had a hard time labeling this book. She struggles to fit in and she’s not even sure that she wants to fit in, she just wants to live her life without judgement and I think we can all relate to that on some level. She was a very well constructed character, the book follows her from high through to college and through various highs and lows.

As much as I know that society has taken huge forward strides in terms of race relations this book will still strike a chord with people today, which is sad in a way, it would be so great if it wasn’t still relevant, but it is. It covers some tough topics but is very well written and ultimately uplifting.

Everybody Needs a Bridge in three words: Thoughtful, Emotive and Engaging.

Overall rating: 4/5

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: April 17, 2018

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Having left the military, Dakota Jones is at a crossroads in his life. With his elder brother and youngest sister happily settled in Sullivan’s Crossing, he shows up hoping to clear his head before moving on to his next adventure. But, like every visitor to the Crossing, he’s immediately drawn to the down-to-earth people and the seemingly simple way of life.

Dakota is unprepared for how quickly things get complicated. As a newcomer, he is on everyone’s radar—especially the single women in town. While he enjoys the attention at first, he’s really only attracted to the one woman who isn’t interested. And spending quality time with his siblings is eye-opening. As he gets to know them, he also gets to know himself and what he truly wants.

When all the Jones siblings gather for a family wedding, the four adults are drawn together for the first time in a way they never were as children. As they struggle to accept each other, warts and all, the true nature and strength of their bond is tested. But all of them come to realize that your family are the people who see you for who you really are and love you anyway. And for Dakota, that truth allows him to find the home and family he’s always wanted.

Review:

This is the third book in a series that’s set in an idyllic small town I Colorado, I read the second book last year and was excited to catch up with the characters again. You could easily jump in at any point, these books read fine as a standalone, although it was nice to see some familiar characters as secondary characters this time around. Last book it was Sierra’s story and this one focused on her brother, Dakota.

Carr writes the type of romance novels that I can handle, they’re not over the top gushy or unrealistic with insta love and other overdone tropes. She creates genuine, true to life characters and scenarios that are just so easy to get lost in. Dakota isn’t necessarily looking for love, but he’s not adverse to casual flings and though he has plenty of offers when he moves to town, he has eyes for only one lady, Sid. I like the whole play hard to get storyline but this was deeper than that, it wasn’t two flat characters playing games, it was two damaged grown adults who went into a relationship in a mature fashion, I love that!

This is just a really smooth read, it wasn’t all about the romance there was family issues and several serious complications, lots going on to keep you engaged. Carr is an excellent storyteller, she reels you in and makes you become invested in her characters, I’m totally in love with this little town and it’s residents and can’t wait to catch up with them again!

The Family Gathering in three words: Authentic, Charming and Heartwarming.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: May 1, 2018

Publisher: Harper

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Vanity Fair calls it one of the most anticipated books of the summer. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Scandal’s Kerry Washington.

An addictive psychological thriller about a group of women whose lives become unexpectedly connected when one of their newborns goes missing.

They call themselves the May Mothers—a collection of new moms who gave birth in the same month. Twice a week, with strollers in tow, they get together in Prospect Park, seeking refuge from the isolation of new motherhood; sharing the fears, joys, and anxieties of their new child-centered lives.

When the group’s members agree to meet for drinks at a hip local bar, they have in mind a casual evening of fun, a brief break from their daily routine. But on this sultry Fourth of July night during the hottest summer in Brooklyn’s history, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is abducted from his crib. Winnie, a single mom, was reluctant to leave six-week-old Midas with a babysitter, but the May Mothers insisted that everything would be fine. Now Midas is missing, the police are asking disturbing questions, and Winnie’s very private life has become fodder for a ravenous media.

Though none of the other members in the group are close to the reserved Winnie, three of them will go to increasingly risky lengths to help her find her son. And as the police bungle the investigation and the media begin to scrutinize the mothers in the days that follow, damaging secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are formed and fractured.

Review:

There’s several very compelling reasons why The Perfect Mother is one of the most talked about books of the season, but the main reason (to me at least) is that is lives up to the hype! There is nothing more satisfying as an avid reader than picking up a buzz worthy book and having it meet all of your expectations, in fact it even exceeded them.

Nothing bonds new mothers quicker than their pregnancies, and then newborn babies, especially if you narrow them down to women all due in the same birth month. There’s a sense of kinship and understanding between them that constructs this weird little bubble of isolation and acceptance that feels both like a safe place and one where you’re harshly judged. I actually never joined a mommy group that met up in real life but I was in a few online groups and while they can be extremely fun as informative, they can also be super catty and mean. That’s the type of atmosphere the May Mother’s are in, although they take their friendships offline and meet up in real life, they still don’t really know very much about each other and their common ground is their children, they’re virtual strangers.

Molloy explored many issues that new parents, and especially mothers, face in a very relevant way. There is an immense amount of pressure for new moms, and it comes from every direction, social media, the internet in general, friends, family and even strangers. I swear, some strangers have no problem making snarky comments about the way you’re handling your baby, it’s insane but it really does happen, the pressure is overwhelming.

This is told from several viewpoints and I could wholeheartedly relate to many of the thoughts and feelings of these women, Molloy was spot on in terms of relatable characters. The juxtaposition of emotional, hormonal, brand new moms that are full of self doubt and/or insecurity AND an incredibly terrifying situation where one of their tiny little babies vanishes was beyond intense and engrossing, I seriously could not put this one down until I knew what happened to baby Midas and I was guessing and then second guessing throughout the entire book. I never did see where things were headed, I was pretty shocked when things came to a head and I was left impressed and awed.

Make sure this one is on your summer reading list, I predict it’s gonna fly off the shelves, it has all the magic ingredients that make up that perfect summer read. I’ll be impatiently waiting for the movie to be released as well as waiting to see what the author comes up with next!

The Perfect Mother in three words: Devious, Misleading and Clever.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: March 6, 2018

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Non Fiction

Blurb:

The first definitive, unauthorized, behind-the-scenes cultural history of the Bachelor franchise, America’s favorite guilty pleasure

For fifteen years and thirty-five seasons, the Bachelor franchise has been a mainstay in American TV viewers’ lives. Since it premiered in 2002, the show’s popularity and relevance has only grown–more than eight million viewers tuned in to see the conclusion of the most recent season of The Bachelor.

The iconic reality television show’s reach and influence into the cultural zeitgeist is undeniable. Bestselling writers and famous actors live tweet about it. Die-hard fans–dubbed “Bachelor Nation”–come together every week during each season to participate in fantasy leagues and viewing parties.

Bachelor Nation is the first behind-the-scenes, unauthorized look into the reality television phenomenon. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman is a proud member of Bachelor Nation and has a long history with the franchise–ABC even banned her from attending show events after her coverage of the program got a little too real for its liking. She has interviewed dozens of producers, contestants, and celebrity fans to give readers never-before-told details of the show’s inner workings: what it’s like to be trapped in the mansion “bubble”; dark, juicy tales of producer manipulation; and revelations about the alcohol-fueled debauchery that occurs long before the fantasy suite.

Kaufman also explores what our fascination means, culturally: what the show says about the way we view so-called ideal suitors, our subconscious yearning for fairy-tale romance, and how this enduring television show has shaped society’s feelings about love, marriage, and feminism by appealing to a marriage plot that’s as old as Jane Austen.

Review:

I’m assuming anyone who has Bachelor Nation on their TBR is either a fan of the show or they “hate” watch it like I do. If you’ve never watched the show then this book won’t appeal to you at all, but if you haven’t HOW have you escaped it?! It’s such a pop culture phenomenon that I’m genuinely curious.

Back to hate watching, I use that term because every time I decide to tune into a new season I wind up regretting it. I watched the first few seasons religiously then got bored and stopped. A few years ago I decided to give it another chance to see if much had changed. Spoiler alert, it hadn’t, really you could just tell the shows budget was larger as the dates were more extravagant. But this past season was SO bad that I didn’t even make it past the first few episodes, one small

example of my frustration was that the bachelor was like twelve years older than one of the front runners. She was over eighteen, who cares, right? It only annoyed me because it was guarded like some sort of state secret, she was the only contestant without a name attached to her bio. I had to Google to find out how old she was and I was just annoyed by the whole thing, it felt like a cheap way to create drama when really, putting her age like all of the other women would’ve been the right thing to do, she was clearly very young, but again NO ONE cared until it became this very noticeable difference. So as you can see by my ranting, I truly do hate watch, but I really couldn’t pass up an opportunity to read a book that promised juicy details and behind the scenes information about a totally addictive show. Did it deliver? Mostly.

Kaufman is clearly well versed in all things The Bachelor related, she knows her stuff and while she did have a few juicy stories, most of what she discussed was stuff I already knew or assumed. Let me clarify, there’s a show called Unreal, it’s a scripted series about the producers of a bachelor style show co created by a woman who used to be a producer on The Bachelor. Still with me? This show opened up my eyes about how much producers actually manipulate contestants into doing things on these type of reality shows. Sure, it’s a TV show so obviously there’s some exaggeration, but my point is that some of Kaufman’s reveals were less than shocking to me. Now that’s not to say that they weren’t interesting and entertaining, but never before revealed? Eh, not exactly.

So what kept me turning pages? Kaufman’s writing style for one, I felt like I was chatting with a friend about this train wreck of a show, albeit a friend that’s met most of the former cast mates, but her style really read like a laid back, gossipy conversation you would have with a buddy. She is snarky and funny and this was a fast paced read, she snagged some pretty big names as far as past contestants go and her overall knowledge was impressive. Read this if you’re a fan of the show and don’t know some of the inner workings.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: May 3, 2018

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux/MGD

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb:

This is a love story. This is a tragedy.

This is a book about a break up so bad that when you put the pieces of the love story back together, what you get is murder.

Mike understands that most of us travel through the world as one half of a whole, desperately searching for that missing person to make us complete.

But he and Verity are different. They have found each other and nothing and no one will tear them apart.

It doesn’t matter that Verity is marrying another man.

It’s all just part of a plan: you see, Verity and Mike play a game together, a secret game they call ‘the crave’, the aim being to demonstrate what they both know: that Verity needs Mike, and only Mike.

Verity’s upcoming marriage is the biggest game she and Mike have ever played. And it’s for the highest stakes.

Except this time in order for Mike and Verity to be together someone has to die.

Review:

You know what I’ve never realized until I started this book? That the majority of psychological thrillers are told from a woman’s perspective, it’s rare but not unheard of for the lead to be a man. That’s probably something obvious that most of you have noticed before, but it was a lightbulb moment for me. Maybe that explains my utter fascination with this book, Mike’s backstory and depressing past were so interesting to me, it was such a unique experience reading about a damaged man compared to reading about yet another woman who may or may not be paranoid/delusional/insert your choice here.

This book will definitely not be for everyone, Mike has a very unique voice and the bulk of the novel is almost like a stream of his consciousness, which can be slightly tedious at times, but I found it to be oddly intriguing. I never tire of getting to see inside the mind of someone toeing the line between insanity and sanity, so this one was right up my alley. I also liked that it was told solely from his POV and laid out in a linear fashion, there were no crazy timeline jumps. It’s also just divided up into three parts with no actual chapters, just another little quirk that I appreciated.

I don’t wanna touch the plot, the blurb is sufficient and entices you enough I think, so if it interests you I say that’s enough to give it a shot! Plus, have you seen Gillian Flynn’s endorsement?! That’s what sold me, she called it nasty and I couldn’t agree more. This is not a pretty little love story, it’s downright ugly and disturbing, again right up my alley!

Our Kind of Cruelty in three words: Slick, Seductive, and Twisted.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: April 24, 2018

Publisher: Harper

Genre: Non Fiction, Humor

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Ali Wentworth offers her hilarious and unique advice on surviving the absurdity of modern life in her third collection of laugh-out-loud comic vignettes.

Ali Wentworth’s first two books, Ali in Wonderland and Happily Ali After, were lauded by readers, critics, and fellow comedians alike. Entertainment Weekly included Happily Ali After on its “Must List” and hailed it as “hilarious. . . . Her glass isn’t half full—it’s “empty and cracked,” while Cosmopolitan praised it as “razor-sharp.” Chelsea Handler called Ali in Wonderland “truly hilarious,” and Kathy Griffin christened it, “Chicken Soup for the Vagina.” Alec Baldwin has described Ali as “funny and warm and crazy all at once. Like Barbara Eden. But on something. Like crystal meth,” and Jerry Seinfeld has raved, “Everything that comes out of Ali Wentworth’s mouth is funny!”

At once endearing and hilarious, thoughtful and far-fetched, this third collection offers Ali at her wisest and wittiest as she delivers tips, pointers, and quips on a host of life’s conundrums and sticky situations, including the funny, sometimes embarrassing yet unforgettable situations that have shaped her inimitable world view as a wife, mother, actress, comedian, and all around bon vivant. Thoroughly entertaining, Go Ask Ali is packed with thoughts and musings from “the girlfriend you want to have a glass of wine with, the one who makes you laugh because she sees the funny and the absurd in everything” (Huffington Post).

Review:

Do you have a friend that always makes you laugh, no matter what? Whether you go to her/him for advice and wind up going from miserable to laughing so hard you’re crying after a single conversation with them or maybe they’re just the type of person who is on the spot funny and always has the best quips and one liners. My point is, I think we all have at least one of those types of friends and reading Go Ask Ali was like one long, hilarious conversation with said friend.

This book is a mix of advice from Ali and tidbits from her life, little stories about her family, marriage and childhood delivered in a self deprecating and laugh out loud funny manner, seriously I really did laugh. (Multiple times) As funny as Wentworth is, she really does give solid advice, her delivery is just blunt and straightforward with a little snark thrown in on the side. It’s written in a really laid back and conversational tone that makes it seem like a pretty effortless read, I read it in a couple of hours and barely even noticed the time, it was just fun.

This would be perfect to read on a road trip or a plane ride, except fellow travelers may think you’re a little crazy when you snort with laughter, but whatever. A really perfect summer read, I mean just look at that cover!

Go Ask Ali in three words: Sarcastic, Feisty and Witty.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: May 15, 2018

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

When five hyper-successful women agree to appear on a reality series set in New York City called Goal Diggers, the producers never expect the season will end in murder…

Brett’s the fan favorite. Tattooed and only twenty-seven, the meteoric success of her spin studio—and her recent engagement to her girlfriend—has made her the object of jealousy and vitriol from her cast mates.

Kelly, Brett’s older sister and business partner, is the most recent recruit, dismissed as a hanger-on by veteran cast. The golden child growing up, she defers to Brett now—a role which requires her to protect their shocking secret.

Stephanie, the first black cast member and the oldest, is a successful bestselling author of erotic novels. There have long been whispers about her hot, non-working actor-husband and his wandering eye, but this season the focus is on the rift that has opened between her and Brett, former best friends—and resentment soon breeds contempt.

Lauren, the start-up world’s darling whose drinking has gotten out of control, is Goal Diggers’ recovery narrative—everyone loves a comeback story.

And Jen, made rich and famous through her cultishly popular vegan food line plays a holistic hippie for the cameras, but is perhaps the most ruthless of them all when the cameras are off.

Review:

Calling all Real Housewives fans, line up ladies, because have I got THE perfect juicy summer read for you! If you’re a fan of any reality TV shows I have a feeling this book will be for you actually, it’s like getting an insiders look into the making of a reality show with the added bonus of a murder mystery, I mean is there anything better?! Not to me, and this will be one of the most talked about books this summer, I have no doubt about it, so mark your calendars.

It took me a little while to keep the cast of characters straight here, you’re thrust right into the action and keeping all the players and their over the top personalities and complex lives separate took a bit of time. The beginning is also setting the stage for what’s to come later, so be patient to start and the reward will come later, and believe me, it really does! You hear from Brett, her sister Kelly and Stephanie, Brett’s ex BFF and man do they have a lot to say. These are women with strong and loud opinions, bad ass entrepreneurs, boss bitches, exactly the type of women who dominate shows like RH, but their fictional show, Goal Diggers has a female empowerment edge that eschews traditional roles and this book had a lot to say about current social issues, especially those effecting women today. Sure, reality TV isn’t the classiest setting for feminism, but it’s sure as hell makes for an entertaining read!

This was juicy and a little campy, Knoll has an acerbic wit and her pop culture references were so on point and hilarious. She created a cast of characters that were, at face value inspiring, strong women but underneath the surface they were actually all hiding some pretty dark secrets. They’re they type of people that you love to hate when you watch reality TV and in the end I can’t decide if I really liked any of them, but that didn’t stop me from being fascinated by them. They are cutthroat and super driven and will do all sorts of messy and shady things to get what they want, again how could I not be entertained?! Plan to pack this in your beach bag this summer and prepare for some drama…

The Favorite Sister in three words: Biting, Dramatic and Edgy.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.