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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.

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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.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: April 17, 2018

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

THEN

She was fifteen, her mother’s

golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her.

And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

NOW

It’s been ten years since Ellie

disappeared, but Laurel has never given up

hope of finding her daughter.

And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet.

Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter.

Poppy is precocious and pretty – and meeting her completely takes Laurel’s breath away.

Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age.

And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.

What happened to Ellie? Where did she go?

Who still has secrets to hide?

Review:

There is something about the manner in which Lisa Jewell weaves a tale, the style of her writing has a mesmerizing quality that makes her books true page turners. Just to be completely honest and upfront I do want to say that I did see several of the big twists coming from a mile away. For whatever reason I wasn’t bothered in the slightest though, there was something compelling about Then She Was Gone regardless of my being able to accurately predict several things.

Missing children stories always get to me on a personal level and when the case is years old, it’s even more heartbreaking. Laurel lost more than just her daughter Ellie, her marriage crumbled and her relationship with her two other children suffered as well. Devastation after devastation for this poor woman and I couldn’t help but hope that she would find some small bit of peace in her life, I felt awful for her and can’t imagine not knowing what happened to your child.

This was an emotional thriller, Jewell writes fascinating characters with complex histories that you can’t help but be interested in. If you’re a fan of the author already, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, it’s a fast paced engaging read with a really strong plot and the kind of book you’ll want to read in one or two sittings.

Then She Was Gone in three words: Intriguing, Spellbinding and Addictive.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|

Release date: April 17, 2018

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

When debut novelist Eliza Fontaine is found at the bottom of a hotel pool, her family at first assumes that it’s just another failed suicide attempt. But Eliza swears she was pushed, and her rescuer is the only witness.

Desperate to find out who attacked her, Eliza takes it upon herself to investigate. But as the publication date for her novel draws closer, Eliza finds more questions than answers. Like why are her editor, agent, and family mixing up events from her novel with events from her life? Her novel is completely fictional, isn’t it?

The deeper Eliza goes into her investigation while struggling with memory loss, the closer her life starts to resemble her novel until the line between reality and fiction starts to blur and she can no longer tell where her protagonist’s life ends and hers begins.

Review:

I’m a huge fan of Pretty Little Liars, both the books and the show (the books were better, duh) but I haven’t read anything else from Shepherd since the final installment of that series and that was quite a few years ago, so naturally I was very excited to read one of her adult novels to see if she could still reel me in with something with a bit more maturity. While overall this was an entertaining, easy read it didn’t have that bite, that sharpness that I need in a “grown up” thriller.

There WAS plenty that worked for me here, I absolutely love books about books and this one alternated Between Eliza’s POV in the present and chapters from her debut novel, The Dots. To begin I was equally invested in both narratives but as the lines between fact and fiction started to get fuzzy, I found myself more interested in Eliza’s book rather than her story. I don’t necessarily think that’s a problem per se, but I didn’t expect to feel like that nonetheless.

I really think that my main issue is that I’m far too seasoned in terms of reading true, gritty thrillers to be surprised by this one. This would be perfect for a YA audience or anyone who is wanting to branch out into thrillers who isn’t as jaded and picky as me. It would also be ideal for anyone who is looking for a lighter suspense read with no gore or graphic details, this focuses more on paranoia and the unknown than violence. Shepherd is a solid writer and does write page turners though, I’m sure the right audience will love this but unfortunately that’s just not me.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads|Amazon

Release date: April 17, 2018

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Blurb:

They say you never forget your first love. What they don’t say though, is that sometimes your first love won’t forget you…

A police interview room is the last place Angela expected to find herself today. It’s been hours, and they keep asking her the same inane questions over and over. “How do you know the victim?” “What’s your relationship with Mr. Parker?” Her ex’s wife has gone missing, and anyone who was close to the couple is a suspect. Angela is tired of the bottomless questions and tired of the cold room that stays the same while a rotating litany of interrogators changes shifts around her. But when criminologist Novak takes over, she can tell he’s not like the others. He’s ready to listen, and she knows he’ll understand. When she tells him that her story begins a decade before, long before Saskia was in the picture, he gives her the floor.

A twenty-something young professional, Angela claims to have no involvement. How could she? It’s been years since she and H.P., Mr. Parker that is, were together. As her story unfolds, it deepens and darkens. There’s a lot to unpack… betrayal, jealousy, and a group of people who all have motives for retribution. If Angela is telling the truth, then who’s lying?

Review:

Our Little Secret is the ultimate binge worthy book, you can’t help being drawn into an intoxicating, dark web of intrigue, betrayal and obsession. It opens with Angela being interrogated by Detective Novak about the disappearance of a woman named Saskia. Angela seems genuinely puzzled as to why she’s being questioned, Saskia is only her first love, HP’s wife. But underneath the surface there is danger lurking and Angela is the quintessential unreliable narrator.

There was a quiet intensity to this book, Angela takes her time telling the story of how her and HP met and fell in love back in high school. She’s has a captivating presence and I was hanging onto her every word, there is something about her that makes you feel sorry for her one minute and then the next you’re wondering if she’s entirely sane. She’s highly complex and endlessly fascinating, I would love to read more about her honestly. This is definitely a slow burn but I was at no time frustrated or bored, I was still very eager to find out what was really going on. The ending was perfect, chilling, dark and ultimately satisfying, recommended as the perfect weekend binge read.

Our Little Secret in three words: Subtle, Manipulative and Smart.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.