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Release date: October 9, 2018

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb:

The highly acclaimed author of Watching Edie returns with a new novel of dark psychological suspense that explores how those closest to us have the most to hide…

When Clara’s boyfriend, Luke, disappears, everyone believes that he’s left her, but Clara thinks she knows the truth. Recent evidence suggests that Luke had a stalker, and Clara worries that he’s been kidnapped. Then Luke’s older sister, Emma, who vanished twenty years ago, suddenly reappears.

Emma wants to help Clara with her search for Luke, but she refuses to talk about what happened–even though it nearly destroyed her family when she vanished. And the deeper Clara digs into Luke’s mysterious disappearance, the more convinced she is that the two incidents are connected.

Review:

I’m just going to start this off by saying that if you’re a fan of the genre I’m calling this a must read. Go ahead and move it to the very top of your TBR because this has every single element needed in a psychological thriller to satisfy fans, it was consuming, addictive, sharply written and had more plot twists than a cheap garden hose. It was SO good you guys!!

This is told via alternate points of view and also two timelines. One is Clara whose boyfriend goes missing and the other is from someone unknown. The unknown narrator was my favorite, there was something totally captivating about her story, it’s one of those where you know bad stuff is about to go down and you’re on pins and needles waiting for it. Intense stuff and while I enjoyed those chapters the most the current storyline was engaging as well.

Obviously I knew that the two timelines would cross paths eventually but when they did and thus begins a relentless onslaught of reveals that left me stunned. They just kept coming, and they weren’t there just for the sake of there being twists, they were important to the plot and were so intricately handled. It’s just such a fantastic, entertaining read, comes highly recommended by me!

The Lies We Told in three words: Devious, Stunning and Captivating.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: October 2, 2018

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Genre: Historical Fiction

Blurb:

When Caroline Sears receives the news that her unborn baby girl has a heart defect, she is devastated. It is 1970 and there seems to be little that can be done. But her brother-in-law, a physicist, tells her that perhaps there is. Hunter appeared in their lives just a few years before—and his appearance was as mysterious as his past. With no family, no friends, and a background shrouded in secrets, Hunter embraced the Sears family and never looked back.

Now, Hunter is telling her that something can be done about her baby’s heart. Something that will shatter every preconceived notion that Caroline has. Something that will require a kind of strength and courage that Caroline never knew existed. Something that will mean a mind-bending leap of faith on Caroline’s part.

And all for the love of her unborn child.

A rich, genre-spanning, breathtaking novel about one mother’s quest to save her child, unite her family, and believe in the unbelievable. Diane Chamberlain pushes the boundaries of faith and science to deliver a novel that you will never forget.

Review:

I have a confession to make. This was my first DC book. (Hangs head in shame) Why is that an embarrassing confession you ask? Well, because this book was so honest to god amazing that I cannot believe I haven’t read one of her books before. I am still blown away and absolutely reeling after finishing this one, I don’t even know how to review it because I can’t do this beautiful book justice.

I don’t even want to tell you any more than what the blurb does because I went into this completely blind and I’m so glad I did. Actually, I’m sure I read the blurb months ago, but I’m glad I forgot because this was the best kind of surprise and one that swept me away and had me absorbed fully and completely. Chamberlain’s writing is magical and evocative, this is about a mother’s love and just how far one would go to help their child. It’s about family, selflessness, love, loss, heartbreak and just messy, beautiful, wonderful life. It’s gorgeous you guys, I don’t even know how else to explain it.

The characterization was outstanding, I fell head over heels in love with just about every single one of them but mostly with the main narrators, Carly and Hunter. They got under my skin and into my heart and I swear I’ll never forget them and their amazing stories. This one crosses every genre, you’ll be scared and filled with dread, you’ll laugh, you’ll be sad and if you’re like me, you’ll even cry. I can’t say enough good things, read the book. Favorite read of the whole year for me and generally I have a really hard time even picking twenty favorites so that says it all.

The Dream Daughter in three words: Breathtaking, Exquisite and Poignant.

Overall rating: 5/5 (ALL THE STARS)

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: October 1, 2018

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Family is not what it seems in this raw, edgy thriller that New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline says “you won’t be able to put down.”

When a mutilated body is found hanging in a seedy motel in Philadelphia, forensics specialist Liam Dwyer assumes the crime scene will be business as usual. Instead, the victim turns out to be a woman he’d had an affair with before breaking it off to save his marriage. But there’s a bigger problem: Liam has no memory of where he was or what he did on the night of the murder.

Panicked, Liam turns to his brother, Sean, a homicide detective. Sean has his back, but incriminating evidence keeps piling up. From fingerprints to DNA, everything points to Liam, who must race against time and his department to uncover the truth – even if that truth is his own guilt. Yet as he digs deeper, dark secrets come to light, and Liam begins to suspect the killer might actually be Sean …

When the smoke clears in this harrowing family drama, who will be left standing?

Review:

I love when books cross genre lines a bit, while this was firmly a thriller it was also part domestic suspense and also had the feel of a CSI episode. It was also extremely exciting and super fast paced making for an entertaining read that gripped me the entire time.

Memory loss is not exactly a new premise when it comes to thrillers but what made this one stand out for me was that every theory I would come up with was almost immediately debunked as soon as I thought of it. This was a clever tool, it kept me thinking, well if that wasn’t the answer then WTF is?! The chapters were fairly short and you guys know that’s my downfall, it always keeps me engaged and reading way past my bedtime.

At first thought I wouldn’t call this twisty but in the last quarter there were several surprises that truly shocked me. It’s one of those that may be tense throughout but the last half really picks up and the suspense is at an all time high. Definitely a new fan of the authors and will be looking forward to what he comes up with next.

What Have You Done in three words: Twisty, Gripping and Suspenseful.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: September 8, 2018

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

A city on fire, a killer on the loose, and she’s next…

Amsterdam wakes to an explosion that rips the historic heart out of the city. Weary Inspector Paul van den Bergen of the Dutch police is tasked with finding the terrorist mastermind behind what appears to have been a suicide-bombing of a university library. Hitting nothing but dead ends and finding two young men murdered in gruesome circumstances, he turns to British exchange student and aspiring criminologist, Georgina McKenzie for help. She’s young, sharp and sassy; her insight is unique.

As the case catches fire, George is certain that a murderous psychopath walks among Amsterdam’s student population and the city’s red-light-district. Have Van den Bergen’s superiors been jumping to all the wrong conclusions? Can she track down the killer before his next victim is blown sky high?

The hunt is on, but little does George realise that she is now the prey…

Review:

I’ve been hearing great things about this series from some of my blogger friends across the pond and when I heard that it was being released in the US I figured it was the perfect opportunity to start another series that I’ve been meaning to get to forever. I’m really glad that I did, I found it to be something different and exciting written by a very talented author.

George was an unusual protagonist and she offered up a unique viewpoint. She’s a student and budding criminologist and I loved the fresh insight this provided. This was really fast paced and exciting, it read like an action thriller with plenty of heart pounding moments.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the setting, Riches really brought Amsterdam to life, it was highly atmospheric. If you like entertaining thrillers with strong female leads give this one a try, it was really unique.

The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die in three words: Exhilarating, Dark and Smart.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: September 25, 2018

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

He’s giving her children a season of wonder…

Dani Capelli seized a chance to start over in a small town with her daughters. Now, facing her first Christmas in Haven Point, she wonders if leaving New York was a mistake. Dani loves working alongside veterinarian Dr. Morales, but her two children aren’t adjusting to small-town life. And then there’s Dr. Morales’s son, Ruben—Dani’s next-door neighbor. Gorgeous, muscled and dependable, the deputy sheriff is everything she secretly craves and can’t bear to risk loving…and losing.

Ruben never pictured himself falling for a big-city woman like Dani. But beneath her prickly facade, she’s caring and softhearted and she needs all the love and protection he can give. When Dani’s teenage daughter starts acting out, Ruben draws on family traditions to show the girls just how magical a Haven Point Christmas can be. But can he convince Dani that she’s found a home for the holidays—and forever—in his arms?

Review:

So now that it’s officially fall I’m assuming everyone is ok with me talking about holiday novels all the time, right? Great! (Haha) just wanted to get that out of the way. I have become a huge fan of Thayne’s magical series set in Haven Point and nothing is better than a new book that’s set during Christmas to me. All of her books have a sense of enchantment but this one had a little extra magic that made me feel like a giddy little kid on Christmas Eve.

This book follows Dani and Ruben who have intense chemistry that they’re both trying to ignore, what is it about those storylines that always make me so happy?! They were adorable and then Dani also has two daughters who rounded out the main cast. Little Mia totally stole my heart immediately and while it took me a little longer to warm to her sister Silver, she won me over in the end. As always, this is full of wonderful characters that you learn to know and love and you get to check in with a handful of characters from the previous books as well.

As much as reading in general is my escape from reality when I really want to be swept away I know I can always turn to a Thayne novel. There is something so uncomplicated and easy about her books, I always end up in a happy slightly giddy mood when I’m finished, I think she always restores my faith in humanity a little with each book and for escapism she is one of the best. I’ll follow this series as long as she keeps writing about it, firm fan here!

Season of Wonder in three words: Magical, Sweet and Heartfelt.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Little Bird Publicity and the publisher for my review copy.