Month: March 2022

Review: Magpie by Elizabeth Day

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Release date: May 3, 2022

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

She has almost everything. The rest she’ll take.

Marisa may have only known Jake a few months, but she has never felt this certain about anyone. When he asks her to move in with him and they start trying for a baby, she knows she has finally found the steadfast love and support she has been looking for all her life.

But their relationship is tested when they take in a lodger, Kate, who has little regard for personal boundaries and seems to take an uncomfortable interest in Jake – as well as the baby they are hoping to have.

Why is Kate so obsessed with the couple? And, more worryingly, why doesn’t Jake share Marisa’s concern?

In her determination to find the answers, Marisa risks losing everything she holds dear…

Magpie is a tense, twisting, brilliantly written novel about mothers and children, envy and possession, and the dangers of getting everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

Review:

Well this was a tricky one, pretty clever and definitely twisty. This is a true psychological thriller, the very definition of one actually and it definitely messed with my head. I think because I was expecting it to be twisty I was able to guess the main twist, but I didn’t even care because there was something so compelling here. There were also several other smaller twists too that I didn’t totally see coming so it still kept me on my toes. You do need to be able to suspend some disbelief here, a couple of moments, especially towards the end left me scratching my head but overall this one was enjoyable and if you like messy and addictive reads then try this one!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Audiobook Review: Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

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Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Dating Dr. Dil features a love-phobic TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody they are destined to be together.

Kareena Mann dreams of having a love story like her parents, but she prefers restoring her classic car to swiping right on dating apps. When her father announces he’s selling her mother’s home, Kareena makes a deal with him: he’ll gift her the house if she can get engaged in four months. Her search for her soulmate becomes impossible when her argument with Dr. Prem Verma, host of The Dr. Dil Show, goes viral. Now the only man in her life is the one she doesn’t want.

Dr. Prem Verma is dedicated to building a local community health center, but he needs to get donors with deep pockets. The Dr. Dil Show was doing just that, until his argument with Kareena went viral, and he’s left short changed. That’s when Kareena’s meddling aunties presented him with a solution: convince Kareena he’s her soulmate and they’ll fund his clinic.

Even though they have conflicting views on love-matches and arranged-matches, the more time Prem spends with Kareena, the more he begins to believe she’s the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But for Prem and Kareena to find their happily ever after, they must admit that hate has turned into fate.

Review:

Enemies to lovers may be my most loved romance trope ever, there’s something about that thin line between love and hate that just makes for some sizzling chemistry. Some authors do this trope better than others but I think this author may have done it better than all of them! True enemies who really and truly dislike each other and then a slow switch to lust. I found so much of this one to be original and I think I’m a romance specifically that can be tough. One of the most original and interesting things about this for me was that originally Prem and Kareena actually spend a night chatting over drinks before shit goes up in flames and pieces of their conversation are revealed slowly throughout the book. It provided such a fun insight into their instant connection and it made me root even harder for them knowing how great they could be together if they could just get along. Besides A plus romance, heat and chemistry between the leads you also have hilarious family drama brought mostly by meddling families led by aunties. Also lots of delicious sounding Indian food, which pair food alongside any story and I’m SO in but next to a romance as sweet, swoony and sexy as this and I was 🥰 Highly recommended by me if you couldn’t tell!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Audiobook Review: The Next Thing You Know by Jessica Strawser

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Goodreads

Release date: March 22, 2022

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

A musician facing the untimely end of his career. An end-of-life doula with everything, and nothing, to lose. A Star Is Born meets Me Before You in this powerful novel by the author of A Million Reasons Why.

As an end-of-life doula, Nova Huston’s job—her calling, her purpose, her life—is to help terminally ill people make peace with their impending death. Unlike her business partner, who swears by her system of checklists, free-spirited Nova doesn’t shy away from difficult clients: the ones who are heartbreakingly young, or prickly, or desperate for a caregiver or companion.

When Mason Shaylor shows up at her door, Nova doesn’t recognize him as the indie-favorite singer-songwriter who recently vanished from the public eye. She knows only what he’s told her: That life as he knows it is over. His deteriorating condition makes playing his guitar physically impossible—as far as Mason is concerned, he might as well be dead already.

Except he doesn’t know how to say goodbye.

Helping him is Nova’s biggest challenge yet. She knows she should keep clients at arm’s length. But she and Mason have more in common than anyone could guess… and meeting him might turn out to be the hardest, best thing that’s ever happened to them both.

The Next Thing You Know is an emotional, resonant story about the power of human connection, love when you least expect it, hope against the odds, and what it really takes to live life with no regrets.

Review:

Have you ever heard of an end of life doula? I hadn’t before this one and it instantly fascinated me. I can’t even imagine having such an emotionally draining job but I sure was interested in reading about it and that was just the tip of the iceberg as far as interest goes. Normally I wouldn’t describe a contemporary fiction novel as surprising or twisty but this one got me a few times which I was pleasantly surprised by. Surprised enough that I had to rewind actually to make sure I had heard what I thought I did. It was emotionally charged as well, I mean it deals with death but there’s so much more than death as far as emotional upheaval goes here. The audio narration was fantastic and engaging as well, if you enjoy unique character driven novels with plenty to discuss consider this one, it would also be a great book club read with tons to discuss.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Blog Tour: The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery

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Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

One woman discovers the beauty in chaos in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.

With her divorce settlement about to run out and a mortgage she can’t afford, Robyn Caldwell needs a plan for her future. She nurtured her family and neglected herself. But how’s she supposed to think when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could bring everything crashing down on Robyn’s head? So when her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane.

But it’s hard to run away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she left behind follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more she sees the appeal in taking chances—on dreams, on love, on family. Life is meant to be lived on purpose. All she has to do is muster the courage to take a chance on herself.

Good morning! I’m so happy to participate in the blog tour for The Summer Getaway today! Check out the excerpt below.

Excerpt:

He reached out, inviting her close. When she’d moved next to him, he laced his fingers with hers.

“I don’t want to fight,” he said. “It’s just Austin has so much potential. It’s hard to see it wasted.”

She knew what he meant, but somehow his words made her feel defensive. Or like a bad mother.

“I’m giving it some time. I’m hoping working for his dad isn’t the thrill he’s expecting. Austin can get stubborn, and I don’t want him making decisions because he feels trapped.”

“I get that.” He leaned back against the sofa. “Have you decided what to do about the house?”

“I’m still leaning toward selling. It’s too big and expensive. I haven’t talked to Harlow or Austin yet. I might start looking for something first. If I find a suitable replacement, then the idea of me moving will be less upsetting to them.”

Jase looked at her quizzically. “They’re adults with their own lives. Why do they get a say?”

“They don’t get a say, exactly. But Austin will be living with me for a while longer, and—”

Jase shifted away from her. “I thought he was moving out.”

“It’s just for the summer.”

“Since when?”

Since he’d told her yesterday, but she didn’t say that. “He’s not ready to be on his own permanently. He’ll be back in the fall.”

“You’re letting him move in and out? So, when he’s forty, he can move back? You’re letting him run your life?”

She put down her drink and told herself to stay calm. “He’s not running my life. He’s my kid, and I love him. If he wants to stay for a couple more years, that’s fine. He’s eighteen, not forty.”

“You’re making a mistake, letting him think you’ll always be his fallback plan.”

“Why do you have so much energy on the topic? It shouldn’t matter to you if Austin lives with me or not.”

“What does that mean?”

The sharp question surprised her. “I have my own place. Why do you care if my kids live with me? It doesn’t affect you.”

“I’m not ready for us to live together.”

Audiobook Review: In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer

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Goodreads

Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Franny Doyle is having the worst day. She’s been laid off from her (admittedly mediocre) job, the subway doors ripped her favorite silk dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the not-so-plus side, he can’t get away from her fast enough.

Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her knight-in-couture, Hayes Montgomery III, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping #SubwayQTs.

Only Franny and Hayes couldn’t be a more disastrous match. She’s fanciful, talkative, and creative. He’s serious, shy, and all about numbers. Luckily, in a city of eight million people, they never have to meet again. Yet somehow, Hayes and Franny keep running into each other—and much to their surprise, they enjoy each other’s company. A lot. But when Franny’s whole world is turned upside down (again!), can she find the courage to trust in herself and finally have the life—and love—she’s always wanted?

Review:

This one had one of the funniest and cutest openings I’ve read in awhile, a totally awkward yet adorable meet cute that instantly pulled me into the story all the while set in NYC which I always enjoy. Franny and Hayes are total opposites but in a weird way they still fit in the end. You get both of their perspectives and that means tow narrators for the audio version and I love seeing things from each of their viewpoints. Hayes can come off like kind of an ass but reading his chapters gives insight into who he is and he’s not actually a jerk, he’s just shy and a little awkward. Franny was great as well, I really liked her sense of humor and I loved her relationships with her two best friends. This one is a slow burn and closed door giving it more of a women’s fiction vibe, but I didn’t mind because it was so charming and lighthearted. Definitely recommended as an escapist, flirty little read!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose

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Goodreads

Release date: April 26, 2022

Publisher: Blackstone

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Meet the women of Buckhead–a place of expensive cars, huge houses, and competitive friendships.

Shannon was once the queen bee of Buckhead. But she’s been unceremoniously dumped by Bryce, her politician husband. When Bryce replaces her with a much younger woman, Shannon sets out to take revenge …

Crystal has stepped into Shannon’s old shoes. A young, innocent Texan girl, she simply has no idea what she’s up against …

Olivia has waited years to take Shannon’s crown as the unofficial queen of Buckhead. Finally, her moment has come. But to take her rightful place, she will need to use every backstabbing, manipulative, underhand trick in the book …

Jenny owns Glow, the most exclusive salon in town. Jenny knows all her clients’ secrets and darkest desires. But will she ever tell?

Who amongst these women will be clever enough to survive Buckhead–and who will wind up dead? They say that friendships can be complex, but no one said it could ever be this deadly.

Review:

As the weather (hopefully) gets a little warmer and we all start to find ourselves in the mood for a vacation/beachy type of read allow me to introduce you to one of the juiciest reads I’ve found lately! This one was pure fun, totally brain candy think Real Housewives but make it darker and cattier and that’s this book. It did take me a few chapters to settle into things and keep all the women straight, they seemed interchangeable at first 😂 but once I figured it out I was IN. Rich people behaving badly and hiding all sorts of terrible secrets is my catnip and this delivered in a big way. These women are total disasters, mean girls doesn’t even begin to describe how awful they behave and I couldn’t get enough. You know someone ends up dead but you don’t know who until they very end and the ride to the truth was such wickedly delicious fun. I really thought I had it all figured out, I was paying close attention to the gossip and chatter about everyone’s lives and secrets the whole time but I will admit the ending got me pretty good! Definitely recommended as an entertaining, addictive, campy and soapy type of read that you should pick up when you want something over the top and outrageous.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Review: The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

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Goodreads

Release date: March 15, 2022

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Timesbestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect–a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.

Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases–a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea’s surprise, Beth says yes.

They meet regularly at Beth’s mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she’s not looking, and she could swear she’s seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn’t right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house?

Review:

Well this author is now 3 for 3 with me and it’s safe to say she’s landed herself a firm spot on my auto read list! This isn’t an easy feat for thriller authors for me as of late, I’ve gotten super picky as of late and my expectations are incredibly high. All of that to say, I count this one as a must read for thriller fans but especially for those of you who like a supernatural aspect as well because she pulls this off so well!

I’m not one to read many supernatural type books no matter the genre but the reason I think I’m always so drawn to this authors books is that the way she infuses the paranormal into her books. What I mean by that is she creates these situations that feel like they actually could happen, there’s a layer of plausibility here that gives me full body goosebumps just thinking about it. So if you’re hesitant about a thriller with that aspect I promise that as chilling as the authors books are they still feel grounded in reality. Once again the author managed to craft a story with alternating timelines, a creepy ass atmosphere and a compelling mystery. I was equally invested in both timelines and totally fascinated by Beth, was she a stone cold killer or is there more to her story? Shea was also interesting as well and the way their stories are weaves together was ultimately satisfying. Highly recommended by me if you like disturbing, creepy and chilling books!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.