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Release date: September 12, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Contemporary Fiction 

Blurb:

A win brought them together, but loss may tear them apart.

When the sound of sirens cuts through a cool fall night, the small town of Worthy, Georgia, hurtles from triumph to tragedy. Just hours before, they’d watched the Wildcats score a winning touchdown. Now, they’re faced with the deaths of three cheerleaders—their promising lives cut short in a fatal crash. And the boy in the other car—the only one to survive—is believed to be at fault. As rumors begin to fly and accusations spin, allegiances form and long-kept secrets emerge.

At the center of the whirlwind are four women, each grappling with loss, regret, shame, and lies: Marglyn, a grieving mother; Darcy, whose son had been behind the wheel; Ava, a substitute teacher with a scandalous secret; and Leah, a cheerleader who should have been in the car with her friends, but wasn’t. If the truth comes out, will it bring redemption—or will it be their downfall?

Review: 

Ahh small town Southern life never fails to fascinate me and Worthy, Georgia is the type of town you envision when you hear small town USA. Football is life for the residents and cheerleading is a close second, so when three cheerleaders are killed in a tragic car accident after a Friday night game the town is shaken to it’s core. The accident is just the beginning of the scandal, this tiny town has secrets and the gossips don’t even know the half of it.

This is told through the eyes of four different people directly affected by the accident; Ava, Marglyn, Leah and Darcy. Ava is the substitute teacher at the high school and is married to one of the towns prominent residents. Marglyn’s daughter, Mary Claire is one of the cheerleaders who dies, Darcy is the mother of the teenaged boy who was driving the other car involved in the accident and Leah was best friends with the girls who passed. Each woman is grieving in their own way and each has secrets they would rather not be revealed to the scrutinizing, critical eye of Worthy’s busybodies. I love when books have an ensemble cast, the birdseye view it provides is always enlightening and appealing to me. It showed how devastating the event was in so many ways for so many people and I was able to empathize with all of them. 

I can see why this is being compared to Liane Moriarty, while this isn’t a traditional mystery there were mysterious elements that reminded me of her books. I found myself most invested in Leah and Marglyn, they both broke my heart. Leah really should’ve been in the car with her girlfriends and you’re left wondering where she really was that fateful night right up until the end. I identified with Marglyn as a mother, the unimaginable happened when her daughter was taken away and that type of pain is something I pray I’ll never experience. How do you move on from the loss of a child?

While this is a heavy subject, there is so much heart as it’s about these women being able to find hope in the face of tragedy. They find a way to keep going, Worthy is nothing if not a town that’s strong and resilient. This was a gripping, emotional read from an extremely talented author who captivated me from the start. I just realized I still have another one of the authors books, The Things We Wish Were True to read so look for that as a TBT pick from me very soon! 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: July 1, 2017

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb: 

Gina Royal is the definition of average—a shy Midwestern housewife with a happy marriage and two adorable children. But when a car accident reveals her husband’s secret life as a serial killer, she must remake herself as Gwen Proctor—the ultimate warrior mom.

With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. Though still the target of stalkers and Internet trolls who think she had something to do with her husband’s crimes, Gwen dares to think her kids can finally grow up in peace.

But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Gwen Proctor must keep friends close and enemies at bay to avoid being exposed—or watch her kids fall victim to a killer who takes pleasure in tormenting her. One thing is certain: she’s learned how to fight evil. And she’ll never stop. 

Review: 

I love the premise of this one, the idea that a woman is married to a sadistic serial killer and has no idea. Yes, it does seem a little far fetched that she never once went into the garage where he tortured and killed young women, but just go with me here, it’s worth it. Why is it worth it? Because Caine sure knows how to write one hell of a thrilling roller coaster ride, this was highly entertaining and super intense! 

Gwen and her kids have been on the run for years but they’ve finally settled in Stillhouse Lake and are actually starting to get comfortable. I loved this setting, it was a creepy little small lakeside town and the perfect backdrop for the story. The isolation added to the mounting tension and sense of uneasiness, I feared for the Royal families safety the entire time.  Gwen doesn’t trust anyone and I found myself questioning everyone as well, the residents of Stillhouse Lake are a tight knit community that are wary of outsiders, so there was a mutual feeling of distrust and paranoia. 

This is steadily paced until the last ten percent or so when everything comes to a head in an exhilarating conclusion. There was a killer twist in the end that sets things up perfectly for the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read it! 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy. 

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Release date: September 12, 2017

Publisher: Lake Union

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb: 

Abandoned by his mother when he was young, twenty-two-year-old Rave Wayne knows all about loss. That doesn’t mean he’s used to it. After he’s dumped by the girlfriend he assumed he’d spend his life with, Rave is longing more than ever to connect.

Then, as if by miracle, he receives an invitation from his grandfather, a man he thought was long gone, to come for a visit in rural Tennessee. Loyal, honest, and loving, dear old Tuck is everything Rave could have hoped for. He’s family. Soon, Rave finds himself falling for a down-to-earth local girl, and he thinks his life is finally coming together.

But the past isn’t through with Rave. When his mother returns after many long years, looking to reconcile the terrible mistakes that once defined her, Rave struggles to put together the unsettled pieces of his heart. Will this once-estranged family be able to come together to understand the meaning of unconditional love, the fragile bonds of family, and the healing power of letting go?

Review: 

What a beautiful, moving story this was! I fell head over heels in love with the characters and the gorgeous setting of small town Tennessee and was quite emotional when I was finished reading and it was time to say goodbye, Rave and Tuck stole a little piece of my heart. 

While this book had a really great storyline what made it special for me was the characterization. Rave and Tuck were very well crafted and Burch really made them come to life. Rave is a young man who’s entire life has been a struggle. When he is at one of the lowest points of his life he gets word that his grandpa, Tuck is alive and wants to meet him. Rave was told that he was long dead so the opportunity to meet him seems unreal. Rave’s mom has been gone for years and he thought she was the only family he had in the world. Tuck is a lonely old man with a heart of gold and watching these two begin to build a relationship was inspiring and so lovely. There was an authenticity to their relationship as well as to their personality traits and characteristics that rang so true to real life. 

At it’s core this is a story about forgiveness and second chances and the power and meaning of family. It was simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming and brought out so many emotions in me, I laughed, I cried, I reflected and I loved every minute. There is also a sprinkling of light romance as Rave meets and falls in love with Becca that was so sweet and tender. This was my first Burch book and I can’t wait to read more of her highly evocative, gorgeous books!

Overall rating: 4.5/5

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought’s Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own. 

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Release date: September 5, 2017

Publisher: Graydon House

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Blurb: 

With wry wit and boundless heart, Eva Woods delivers an unforgettable tale of celebrating triumphs great and small, seizing the day, and always remembering to live in the moment.

“It’s simple, really. You’re just meant to do one thing every day that makes you happy. Could be little things. Could be big. In fact, we’re doing one right now…”

Annie Hebden is stuck. Stuck in her boring job, with her irritating roommate, in a life no thirty-five-year-old would want. But deep down, Annie is still mourning the terrible loss that tore a hole through the perfect existence she’d once taken for granted—and hiding away is safer than remembering what used to be. Until she meets the eccentric Polly Leonard.

Bright, bubbly, intrusive Polly is everything Annie doesn’t want in a friend. But Polly is determined to finally wake Annie up to life. Because if recent events have taught Polly anything, it’s that your time is too short to waste a single day—which is why she wants Annie to join her on a mission…

One hundred days. One hundred new ways to be happy. Annie’s convinced it’s impossible, but so is saying no to Polly. And on an unforgettable journey that will force her to open herself to new experiences—and perhaps even new love with the unlikeliest of men—Annie will slowly begin to realize that maybe, just maybe, there’s still joy to be found in the world. But then it becomes clear that Polly’s about to need her new friend more than ever…and Annie will have to decide once and for all whether letting others in is a risk worth taking.

Review: 

It’s very rare for me to read a book that touches me on such a personal level, even if I relate to the characters in a major way or if the storyline reaches someplace deep inside my heart I don’t often feel truly moved and inspired by a book. I think this is one of those magical moments where I picked the perfect book at the right time, Something Like Happy was exactly the type of book I needed and I didn’t even realize it until I was done.

Woods was inspired by the 100 days of happy posts that we’ve all seen floating around social media and I’ll be the first to admit, sometimes I’ll roll my eyes at them. No ones life is that great every single day, right?! That’s not the point though, it’s about creating your own happiness by making small changes. The concept behind it is so simple yet so pure, can’t we all find something each day to bring us our own slice of happiness? It can be as easy as eating a piece of cake or doing something kind for a stranger. But these small things can truly change our outlook and make us happier, even if only a bit happier, right?! That’s what Polly thinks and if anyone has a reason to be angry and bitter it’s her. She’s thirty five and only has months to live but when she meets Annie she convinces her to join in her happiness project despite Annie being a very unwilling participant. Annie is at the lowest point of her own life and is angry and bitter and would prefer to stay that way. Once you find out why Annie is so broken it’s easy to understand her behavior. But Polly is persistent and before she knows it the two have actually become real, true friends.

The themes here are heavy, you have loss, grief, pain, heartache and much more. But this isn’t a depressing read, it’s truly uplifting and inspiring without being cheesy. Friendship is so important to this story and the relationship that blossoms between Annie and Polly is honest and beautiful. Polly especially oozes positivity but she’s not fake, she’s just making the most of the time she has left and it was a truly gorgeous thing to witness.

If I’m ever feeling down or throwing myself a pity party I’ll pick this book up again, it’s exactly what I need to read to quit feeling sorry for myself and embrace the life that I was given. It really gave me a new, fresh perspective and inspired me to celebrate the little things and to be truly grateful for all that I have. Happiness is a choice and though it may not always be an easy choice, it’s definitely a state of mind. 

Overall rating: 5/5

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Release date: September 5, 2017

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Genre: YA

Blurb:

Dear Best Friend,

I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.

Sincerely,

Ava Helmer

(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)

We’re still in the same room, you weirdo.

Stop crying.

G

So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two best friends will document every moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance? 

Review: 

I love epistolary novels, there’s something really addictive about them, I think it’s because I feel like I’m getting an up close and personal look into someone’s life because letters/emails/texts are so personal. The format of this worked well for me, it’s all emails and texts between two eighteen year old best friends who are starting their freshman year of college at different schools. These two are polar opposites each dealing with their own issues and I found it to be a really timely read that I think will be a hit for the younger YA crowd.

This was a highly diverse read as Gen is trying to figure out her sexuality and Ava has mental health issues, it really hit on several hot button topics that are hugely relevant today. Ava is sort of naive and uninformed and she struggles to understand Gen’s sexual preferences and behaviors. Gen is mostly patient with her but there were a few times where I felt like she was too harsh with Ava. These two had the type of friendship with no boundaries and when Ava would ask a question (albeit one that’s not politically correct) Gen would bite her head off, she was flat out mean to her.  I get Gen’s frustration but I think Ava felt like it was a safe place for her and she genuinely wanted to become informed and in no way meant to offend her friend. It was just a bit over the top for me. 

This was a cute, funny,  fast paced read and the dialogue was hip and current. Ava and Gen have a fantastic banter and their exchanges really read like that of best friends. I didn’t really like either of them but that didn’t stop me from reading it, but then again these two were born the same year I graduated high school, so as far as being able to relate to them on a personal level… 😂👵🏻

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.