Month: October 2021

Audiobook Review: Fan Club by Erin Mayer

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Release date: October 26, 2021

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

In this raucous psychological thriller, a millennial office worker finds relief from her crippling ennui in the embrace of a cliquey fan club, until she discovers the group of women is bound together by something darker than devotion.

Day after day our narrator, a gloomy millennial, searches for meaning beyond her vacuous job at a women’s lifestyle website—entering text into a computer system while she watches their beauty editor unwrap box after box of perfectly packaged bits of happiness. Then, one night at a dive bar, she hears a message in the newest single by child-actor-turned-international-pop-star Adriana Argento, and she is struck. Soon she loses herself to the online fandom, a community whose members feverishly track Adriana’s every move.

When a colleague notices the extent of her obsession, she’s invited to join an enigmatic group of adult Adriana superfans who call themselves the Ivies and worship her music in witchy, candlelit listening parties. As the narrator becomes more entrenched in the group, she gets closer to uncovering the sinister secrets that bind them together—while simultaneously losing her grip on reality.

With caustic wit and hypnotic writing, this unsparingly critical thrill ride through millennial life examines all that is wrong in our celebrity-obsessed internet age, and how easy it is to lose yourself in it.

Review:

Do you ever finish a book and wonder what in the hell you just read? And not in a good way? That’s what happened with me here. My whole experience with this book was bizarre, on the one hand I listened to it in a day so there was definitely something compulsive about it but on the other hand it wasn’t exactly an enjoyable experience. I really liked the premise and found the whole idea of being obsessed with a celebrity fascinating but something in the execution was lacking. The whole thing felt disjointed, I was missing a solid connection to the plot and the characters, the narrator is never named so I dont think that helped. I will say that had I read instead of listened to this I don’t think I would’ve finished so audio is the way to go but overall this was a miss for me.

Overall rating: 2/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Audiobook Review: The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski

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Goodreads

Release date: October 12, 2021

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

GOOD MOTHERS…
Never show their feelings.
Never spill their secrets.
Never admit to murder.

The annual Halloween block party is the pinnacle of the year on idyllic suburban cul-de-sac Ivy Woods Drive. An influential group of neighborhood moms—known as the Ivy Five—plans the event for months.

Except the Ivy Five has been four for a long time.

When a new mother moves to town, eager to fit in, the moms see it as an opportunity to make the group whole again. This year’s block party should be the best yet… until the women start receiving anonymous messages threatening to expose the quiet neighborhood’s dark past—and the lengths they’ve gone to hide it.

As secrets seep out and the threats intensify, the Ivy Five must sort the loyal from the disloyal, the good from the bad. They’ll do anything to protect their families. But when a twisted plot is revealed, with dangerous consequences, their steady foundation begins to crumble, leaving only one certainty: after this year’s block party, Ivy Woods Drive will never be the same.

From award-winning author Tara Laskowski, The Mother Next Door is an atmospheric novel of domestic suspense in which the strive for perfection ends in murder…

Review:

This was a juicy and entertaining read about grown women behaving badly that I mostly enjoyed. I think I expected it to be a little darker and creepier based off of the synopsis than it actually was, but it was still a fun seasonal read. There were plenty of secrets and betrayals and although some of them seemed obvious to me, they were still entertaining. If you like reading about unlikable characters and specifically catty women this could appeal to you. It was almost a women’s fiction with a side of light suspense, nothing super dark which is what I was craving, but like I said earlier, it was still a fun read. The audio was great, multiple narrators kept me engaged much more than I would’ve expected and I’m positive I enjoyed this one more based on listening rather than reading. It definitely heightened the experience for me, so if you’re planning on adding this one to your TBR I would recommend the audio.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Missing Daughter by Kiersten Modglin

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Release date: November 8, 2021

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis: When I wake up with the sun in my eyes the morning after my daughter’s birthday party, I know something is very wrong. I go straight to her room but feel a surge of panic when I see an empty bed. Downstairs everything is totally quiet, and the front door is locked. Why didn’t I hear her scream? Who took our little girl?

My husband says I’ve been struggling since Skylar was born and that sometimes I forget things. But I remember every moment of my daughter’s party—including him locking the door after our family and friends left. Yes, we both had a drink and I slept heavily but I know I would have heard my child cry. A good mother always does.

My therapist says I need to stand up for myself. She wants me to confront my husband about the woman I heard him talking to the other night when he thought I was asleep. And about the child’s toy that I found that does not belong to Skylar. Is he hiding something?

But as the hours race by I soon realize I was totally wrong about everything that happened that night. I thought I’d put my past behind me long ago but I was wrong. All I know is this: I’ll do whatever it takes to save my child.

Will you believe me?

A heart-pounding, unbelievably twisty psychological thriller that will have you sleeping with the light on! Fans of Gone Girl, Behind Closed Doors and The Stepdaughter will be utterly gripped.

Review:

Yet another page turner from the queen of twisty thrillers, I swear I can always count on KMod when I’m in the mood for an unputdownable thriller and this was no exception. Missing children stories are nothing new but the author puts her own twisted spin on things here and I am into it! When a child disappears the police always look at the parents, much like when a married person vanishes the spouse is always the first suspect and the added tension this added to Ginny and Cameron’s already contentious relationship was so great. I had the who figured out fairly easily but I wasn’t too bothered because the why was so well done, it was emotionally charged and complicated and ultimately satisfying. She’s a go to author for me like I said earlier and this didn’t disappoint!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Audiobook Review: Sleigh Bells Ring by RaeAnne Thayne

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Goodreads

Release date: October 26, 2021

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Ranch manager Annie McCade thought her twin niece and nephew could join her at the Angel View Ranch for Christmas with her absent employer being none the wiser. But when the ranch’s owner, Tate Sheridan, shows up out of the blue, Annie’s plans are upended. Soon she finds herself helping Tate make a Christmas to remember for his grieving and fractured extended family.

Sleigh Bells Ring is the latest heartwarming, festive Christmas story by New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne.

Review:

I just adore the authors books, they’re a shining little light for me always and I know when I start one of her books I’m in for a totally delightful read. When one of her books is a holiday novel it’s just an added treat, she infuses so much holiday warmth and charm into her stories and this was no exception. Read this if you like: adorable kids, cute animals, an idyllic setting, family traditions and bonding and all the cozy holiday vibes. This was my first experience listening to narrator Stacy Gonzalez and she was wonderful, very engaging and personable and I would definitely listen to her again. Add this one to your December TBR or if you’re like me read it in October because it was so fun!

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: In Another Light by A. J. Banner

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Release date: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Three years ago mortuary cosmetologist Phoebe Glassman lost her husband in a tragic accident. No longer the hopeful wife and mother she once was, Phoebe is disappearing into her grief and into the quietude of her job—restoring to the dead the illusion of life. Then the body of a woman named Pauline Steele arrives in the mortuary, and for Phoebe, everything changes.

Pauline is unmistakably Phoebe’s mirror image and bears an alarmingly familiar tattoo. Even more startling is that among Pauline’s effects is a faded photograph of Phoebe. Aided by an eccentric colleague, her curiosity sparked, Phoebe investigates her doppelgänger’s life and death—and uncovers surprising clues to a shared past.

Phoebe’s emotional journey soon leads to shocking revelations about those closest to her…and even herself. When she’s driven to the brink, how much of what she discovers can she trust?

Review:

I really liked the premise of this one, the idea that everyone has a doppelgänger is so interesting and I haven’t read many books about the subject, so I was hooked right away. As usual with the author this was a binge worthy read, I never want to put her books down once I start them and always finish them in just a few sittings and this was no exception. She does such a great job at conveying a sense of dread and paranoia in her books and Phoebe had so many reasons to be suspicious and paranoid which just heightened the intensity. She also always manages to throw these curveballs at the reader in a sly way where I tend to wonder if I had been paying closer attention maybe I would’ve figured it out but she’s just so damn good at NOT saying things that make you assume something and then when other things are revealed you’re like, Oohh you sneaky thing you got me! I know that probably doesn’t make sense but iykyk, just know she has this quiet, subtle style that sneaks up on you. A definite page turner written in such a compelling way!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist by Codi Hall

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Release date: October 5, 2021

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casa

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Curl up this Christmas with a sparkling romance filled with:
• Irresistible friends-to-lovers romance
• The kiss that changed everything
• Warm nights on the family Christmas tree farm
• All your favorite Christmas songs!

Nick Winter is just out of the military, and his Christmas homecoming is not going as planned. What was supposed to be a memorable holiday with his long-time girlfriend goes sour when he learns she cheated on him while he was stationed overseas. At least Nick can rely on his usual shift at the family Christmas tree farm with his best friend, Noel Carter, and her endless supply of Christmas tunes to lift his spirits. A night of fun together is just what he needs to forget about his ex.

But then they kiss. And it feels…so right.

If Noel can turn Nick’s Blue Christmas merry and bright, this might be the last Christmas Nick spends with a broken heart. This year, they’ll be Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree as a couple―as long as Nick’s ex doesn’t go standing under any mistletoe.

Review:

If you’re looking for charming and sexy read to add to your December TBR consider this one! Friends to lovers is usually just ok for me but I really liked it here and so enjoyed seeing Nick and Noel’s relationship go from friends to something more. Although I really liked both of them the secondary characters really stole the show for me. They have a hilarious group of friends and Nick’s family was delightful, I’m thrilled this is a start to a series because I need more of these people. There is also plenty of depth here too as Noel is grieving the loss of her parents so it’s not just all laughs, though it is really funny too! While there is some Christmas charm it wasn’t overly holiday heavy so you could definitely read this anytime. Overall just a really well balanced and entertaining read!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.