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Release date: February 6, 2018

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Historical Fiction

Blurb:

From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Bridge Across the Ocean comes a new novel set in Philadelphia during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, which tells the story of a family reborn through loss and love.

In 1918, Philadelphia was a city teeming with promise. Even as its young men went off to fight in the Great War, there were opportunities for a fresh start on its cobblestone streets. Into this bustling town, came Pauline Bright and her husband, filled with hope that they could now give their three daughters–Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa–a chance at a better life.

But just months after they arrive, the Spanish Flu reaches the shores of America. As the pandemic claims more than twelve thousand victims in their adopted city, they find their lives left with a world that looks nothing like the one they knew. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amidst the tragedy and challenges, they learn what they cannot live without–and what they are willing to do about it.

As Bright as Heaven is the compelling story of a mother and her daughters who find themselves in a harsh world, not of their making, which will either crush their resolve to survive or purify it.

Review:

The Spanish Flu is not something I know very much about and admittedly it’s not something that I’ve ever had a great interest in but Meissner writes such gorgeous prose that I was utterly fascinated by it while reading this. I honestly think she could write about anything and I would be at least mildly engaged but I was completely captivated by the Bright family and their tragic tale.

This is told via the perspectives of all of the women in the Bright family, even the youngest and I loved the birds-eye point of view this provided. You got to see how the war and the Spanish flu had an impact on adults and children and also to witness firsthand the devastation it caused just in one family, can you imagine how many countless families had similar true stories like this?! Amazing. I loved each and every member of this resilient and inspiring family, but Maggie will always have a special place in my heart.

Meissner’s attention to detail is impeccable, you can see that she did her research in order to keep as historically accurate as possible with a few minor details changed that made sense to the plot. If you’re a HF fan this is a must read, it’s fascinating and the writing is just beautiful.

As Bright as Heaven in three words: Heart-wrenching, Emotional and Unforgettable.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher and the Great Thoughts Ninja review team for my copy.

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Release date: February 6, 2018

Publisher: Flatiron

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Five women go on a hike. Only four return. Jane Harper, the New York Times bestselling author of The Dry, asks: How well do you really know the people you work with?

When five colleagues are forced to go on a corporate retreat in the wilderness, they reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking down the muddy path.

But one of the women doesn’t come out of the woods. And each of her companions tells a slightly different story about what happened.

Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing hiker. In an investigation that takes him deep into isolated forest, Falk discovers secrets lurking in the mountains, and a tangled web of personal and professional friendship, suspicion, and betrayal among the hikers. But did that lead to murder?

Review:

Last year The Dry was quite possibly one of my favorite reads of the entire year and along with everyone else I was completely blown away by Harper’s debut. Force of Nature was one of my most anticipated follow ups for 2018 so the pressure was most definitely on and I’m glad to say that it stacked up quite well.

One of the things that made The Dry a standout was the amazing atmospheric setting that Harper created. Things couldn’t be more different this time around as you go from a deadly type of heat to a rain drenched bush land with treacherous conditions. Once again, the sense of place is so strong and vivid that you can’t help but be caught up in the story feeling as if you’re there right next to the characters. A small group of women being lost in such a place is just about as terrifying as it gets for me and their fear was palpable. The true events of what happened during their weekend excursion are revealed slowly throughout the book with the pacing steadily increasing as you get further along creating an intensity that had me hooked.

Deceit and deception is the name of the game here and Harper led me down a rabbit trail full of red herrings and doubt that kept me engaged and eager to find out what happened to Alice. Catching up with Aaron Falk was a pleasure and learning more about what makes him tick made me an even bigger fan of him than I already was. I highly recommend this book and urge you to read The Dry first if you haven’t already because Harper is one hell of a writer.

Force of Nature in three words: Atmospheric, Tricky and Enthralling.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: January 30, 2018

Publisher: Berkley

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

The electrifying debut thriller that asks the question: To save the one you love, is there any price you wouldn’t pay?

His wife is sick.

He needs $200,000 to save her.

A mysterious man offers to give him the money with just one catch: He has to murder someone to get it.

Gary Foster’s life is finally heading in the right direction. After years of trying, his wife, Beth, is pregnant, and he recently opened a business with his brother. But one phone call changes everything….

After collapsing suddenly, Beth has been rushed to the hospital. Tests reveal a devastating diagnosis: an inoperable brain tumor. Their only hope is an expensive experimental treatment available abroad, with a cost that’s out of their reach. And Beth’s time is running out….

Then a strange man approaches Gary and offers the money he needs, on one condition: that he kill someone, no questions asked. End one life to save another.

In this nail-biting debut novel of domestic suspense, one man makes a choice that forces him to confront the darkest reaches of his soul and betray those closest to him. As he’s swept up in a nightmare of escalating violence, he must question his own morality—and determine just how far he’s willing to go to save the woman he loves.

Review:

I love books about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, the idea that far fetched scenarios could actually happen to an average Joe is both scary and fascinating. Killer Choice reminded me of a David Bell novel with more of an action thriller vibe, but Hunt’s protagonist was reminiscent of some of Bell’s leads, so fans of his work should definitely add this to their TBR.

The pacing of this was spot on, you immediately dive into the story with little time spent on background information though everything you absolutely need to know is shared. Gary faces a question that’s been asked many times before, how far would you go to save a loved one? There was a uniqueness to this though, it definitely wasn’t as straightforward as I assumed it would be, the entire book isn’t based on what decision Gary makes, instead there were many twists and turns that I never saw coming.

This is an excellent debut from a very solid writer, Hunt truly has skills and I’ll be curious to see what he has in store in the future. I devoured this one, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next and though things seemed a little implausible, I was throughly entertained and didn’t care at all. This would make a great movie, there’s a nice balance between intense action and sedate family life that would appeal to a variety of people.

Killer Choice in three words: Explosive, Fervent and Tense.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: February 6, 2018

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

In the tradition of The Emperor’s Children and The House of Mirth, the forgotten granddaughter of one of New York’s wealthiest men is reunited with her family just as she comes of age—and once she’s had a glimpse of their glittering world, she refuses to let it go without a fight.

When Laila Lawrence becomes an orphan at twenty-three, the sudden loss unexpectedly introduces her to three glamorous cousins from New York who show up unannounced at her mother’s funeral. The three siblings are scions of the wealthy family from which Laila’s father had been estranged long before his own untimely demise ten years before.

Two years later, Laila has left behind her quiet life in Grosse Point, Michigan to move to New York City, landing her smack in the middle of her cousins’ decadent world. As the truth about why Laila’s parents became estranged from the family patriarch becomes clear, Laila grows ever more resolved to claim what’s rightfully hers. Caught between longing for the love of her family and her relentless pursuit of the lifestyle she feels she was unfairly denied, Laila finds herself reawakening a long dead family scandal—not to mention setting off several new ones—as she becomes further enmeshed in the lives and love affairs of her cousins. But will Laila ever, truly, belong in their world? Sly and sexy, She Regrets Nothing is a sharply observed and utterly seductive tale about family, fortune, and fate—and the dark side of wealth.

Review:

Raise your hand if you were a fan of Gossip Girl? Either the books or the TV series, I preferred to binge the series, but I digress. If you liked those books back in the day then She Regrets Nothing should be your next read. It’s a more adult version with a darker edge but still explores the glamorous side of the elite society in NYC. This was scandalous, juicy and full of family drama.

Laila never knew she had wealthy, albeit estranged family members until her mother passed away. When she finally meets her cousins she takes the opportunity and uses it to her advantage, the only thing she truly she wants is to be fabulously wealthy. Laila wasn’t likable at all but she sure was entertaining, this girl redefined the phrase social climber and took deceit and manipulation to a crazy level.,Most of the Lawrence family is pretty unlikable honestly, but Liberty was my favorite and not at all like the rest of the clan. She works in publishing and is a bookworm, what’s not to like?! Badly behaved characters are some of my favorites though and this had them in spades.

Books set in NYC always appeal to me and Dunlop brought the glittery backdrop to life. I mentioned a dark edge earlier and this part took me totally by surprise, for the majority of the book I figured this would be a three star read at best, nothing inherently bad, just a fun read about rich kids in the city. But things took a turn and I was pleasantly surprised and totally addicted. The ending was fantastic as well, one of those rare times where it was exactly what I wanted.

She Regrets Nothing in three words: Seductive, Dazzling and Dramatic.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.