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Release date: July 26, 2016

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Goodreads blurb: 

Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?

Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other.

Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger than life personalities there will be a welcome respite.

Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone?

In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm. 

Review: 

I read The Husbands Secret back in 2013 and really liked it then proceeded to eagerly read everything else Moriarty had written previously. I’ve become a big fan and was highly anticipating Truly Madly Guilty. Maybe all of my excitement lead to my slight disappointment with this one, or maybe she just missed the mark this time, I honestly can’t put my finger on it.

This novel starts out with talk of an unspeakable event that happened at a barbecue. It flashes back from the day of the barbecue to present time. At first, I was desperate to learn what had happened at this ill fated barbecue. Frankly, I’m beyond sick of reading the word barbecue and irritated that I just typed it so many times! After so much painstakingly slow build up I felt utterly tortued by the suspense surrounding this mysterious event. And I don’t mean tortued in a good way, I truly appreciate being tortued by an author in order to build tension but this was ridiculous. When it finally came time for the big reveal I honestly was so annoyed by all the aching slowness (like 300 pages!!) that I didn’t even care anymore. 

Here’s what saved this book for me; genuine characters that are completely realistic and little twists in the end that didn’t leave me breathless, yet they provided a nice turn of events that added something satisfying to the story. This ensemble cast of characters reminded me a bit of the way Elin Hildebrand creates her stories, where they’re told from various perspectives. This style allows the reader to get a glimpse into the characters lives and I was able to experience their hopes, fears, problems and issues right alongside them. I especially liked Vid and Tiffany as they were harboring secrets that showed how flawed and genuine they both are.

If you decide to give this book a chance, please have your patience ready. There are so many parts of this book that are slow and at times a bit monotonous, yet the last quarter of the book and the ending were enough to keep me from throwing the book down in frustration. If you haven’t read a Moriarty novel before, I would recommend The Husbands Secret first.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

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Release date: July 11, 2016

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Goodreads blurb: 

Two ordinary women. Two damaged lives. One friendship that would save them both

Kit Mason has lived a life of unimaginable pain. An ex-prostitute, she has fled the clutches of an abusive pimp and now finds herself living hand to mouth in a new city, without anyone to help her. 

Frances Thornton seems to be living the perfect life. A lawyer from a privileged background, her perfect façade hides the painful secrets that still haunt her. 

Brought together by their attempts to conquer their addictions in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, the two women strike up an unlikely friendship. 

But can they find strength in each other – or will the demons of their past catch up with them? 

A compelling, moving and ultimately uplifting novel about overcoming the very worst life can throw at you and starting over. The perfect read for fans of Jodi Picoult and Amanda Prowse. 

Review:

This is my first time reading anything by Angela Marsons and I’m wondering what took me so long?! I relished every minute I spent reading this book and discovering the stories of Kit and Fran.

Kit is not only a forgotten woman at the start of this book, she is a broken woman. She was a prostitute at a young age and she has experienced brutal things at the unforgiving hands of men that utterly broke my heart. When she was describing her life on the streets I just wanted to scoop her up and hug her, love her and be kind to her. I admired her fiery spirit and sarcasm in the face of adversity, Kit is the definition of a fighting spirit.

Fran grew up in completely different circumstances than Kit did. Her family was successful and affluent and she never had to worry about a thing in terms of finances. Her home was lacking in love, however, a love and approval that Fran desperately craved. Despite their obvious differences, the two both struggled with the same demons; an addiction to alcohol.

After an initial meeting, the two women do not hit it off. Despite their rough start, the two strike up an unlikely friendship. I was so emotionally attached to both women in different ways, but I was rooting for them equally. Watching them both grow and find themselves, both separately and together with their burgeoning relationship was truly beautiful.

One thing I particularly liked about this book was that the ending wasn’t tied together all perfectly with a pretty bow. It did tie up several loose ends, enough to where I won’t be annoyed and bothered by unanswered questions, but leaving things imperfect was appreciated by me as this book was all about the imperfect aspects of life.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Bookouture for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Release date: April 26, 2016

Publisher: MIRA

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery 

Goodreads blurb:

Critically acclaimed author of The Mourning Hours and The Fragile World, Paula Treick DeBoard returns with a tale of dark secrets, shocking lies and a dangerous obsession that will change one neighborhood forever.

Liz McGinnis never imagined herself living in a luxurious gated community like The Palms. Ever since she and her family moved in, she’s felt like an outsider amongst the Stepford-like wives and their obnoxiously spoiled children. Still, she’s determined to make it work—if not for herself, then for her husband, Phil, who landed them this lavish home in the first place, and for her daughter, Danielle, who’s about to enter high school. 

Yet underneath the glossy veneer of The Palms, life is far from idyllic. In a place where reputation is everything, Liz soon discovers that even the friendliest residents can’t be trusted—and almost everyone has secrets they’d do anything to protect. So when the gorgeous girl next door befriends Danielle, Liz can’t help but find sophisticated Kelsey’s interest in her shy and slightly nerdy daughter a bit suspicious. 

But while Kelsey quickly becomes a fixture in the McGinnis home, Liz’s relationships with both Danielle and Phil grow strained. Now even her own family seems to be hiding things, and it’s not long before their dream of living the high life quickly spirals out of control… 

Review: 

Have you ever just been instantly drawn to a book and known that you were going to love it? The moment I laid eyes on this stunning cover and read the blurb I just knew that this book would be something that I would like. 

The Drowning Girls opens with Liz waking up to the sounds of screaming. Something terrible has happened to their teenage neighbor, Kelsey. But what events led to this point? Quickly the story flashes back to a year prior, always something I enjoy. It’s told primarily from Liz’s point of view, but there are brief yet important chapters from her husband, Phil. It always intrigues me when an author shows two very different perspectives about the same series of events. 

I don’t want to say too much about this one as it’s a captivating tale of obsession and domestic suspense. Treick DeBoard is an absolutely beautiful writer, she draws the reader in little by little with every turn of the page, dragging and pulling you in deeper and deeper, much like the characters are being pulled into a dark and dangerous web of deceit and betrayal.

 I was found myself so frustrated, yet fascinated with Liz, Phil and Danielle’s lack of communication with each other. Though so many terrible things could have been avoided  had the family actually talked to each other, it was very easy to understand what led each of them to keep their secrets, they definitely had their reasons. 

This book is mesmerizing, thrilling, and utterly gripping. Characters are completely understandable and easy to identify with, but again I fear discussing their growth would divulge too much. This is my first time reading anything by Treick DeBoard but it most definitely will not be my last. 

Overall rating: 5/5

A huge thank you to the author and MIRA for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads/Author Website/Amazon
Release date: June 30, 2016

Publisher: Twenty7 Books

Genre: Psychological Thriller 

Goodreads blurb:

A devastating and unsettling story of a powerful and unshakeable twin bond, Cecelia and Sebastian is a twisty and gripping tale where secrets, lies and illusions permeate the very essence of our beings. For fans of The Twins by Saskia Sarginson and I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. 

Cecelia and Sebastian have a connection like no other – more than just brother and sister, they’ll go to any lengths to protect each other. Growing up in a bleak old farmhouse, their mother gone and their father violent and abusive, the twins have only each other to keep them alive.

But when the secrets of their mother’s disappearance start to emerge, and truth and lies are thrown into question, events take a terrifying turn . . .

As Cecelia tries to break away from the ties that bind her to her brother, Sebastian is determined that the twins should be together – whatever the costs. 

Review: 

I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so conflicted after finishing a book before! I’m not even sure how to review this one, I am just so torn. While reading this, I kept going back and forth between liking it and loathing it. I will say it was a quick read for me and I did want to see how things turned out, however I have to say that my overall feeling after reading this one is that I’m highly disturbed and not in a good way. I do tend to read lots of disturbing books, but this one just left me feeling dirty and unsettled.

The book opens with an adult Cecelia waking up from a dream. But is she dreaming or sleepwalking? It’s all very confusing and vague. Then we flashback to when Cecelia and Sebastian are fourteen. Their mother has vanished and they are left with only their terrifying and abusive father. He is a real scumbag and the abuse the twins encounter at his hands is awful and unfathomable. After a series of tragic events, we jump ahead eighteen years.

During this time, we learn that Cecelia and Sebastian have barely spoken. Their once unbreakable bond seems to have been shattered and both are worse for the wear. Here’s where things really fell apart for me. Secrets begin to be revealed, which I normally love. This time, there was something just off about things. You know how in most thrillers there is some sort of buildup and excitement that ramps up the tension? That didn’t happen here. A bomb would be dropped almost out of the blue. It sounds so weird to even write this, usually that’s a good thing. I don’t know if it was Curtis’ writing style or what, but every time there was a twist or revelation I was just left feeling disjointed and conflicted. Things just didn’t quite make sense to me. The ending seemed very sudden too, very rushed and frantic. 

This book is very sick and twisted in ways that made me uncomfortable. I’m not the type of person to shy away from dark and creepy material but this was all wrong. Things are so morbid and coupled with the lack of character development and altogether unlikable characters, I couldn’t connect with any aspect of this book. 

Overall rating: 2/5

Thanks to Twenty7 Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: December 29, 2015

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

Goodreads blurb: 

Before you get down on bended knee… 

…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O’Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she’s got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it’s the perfect time to get married. 

When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who’s now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she’s positive married life isn’t for her. 

But this time, Connor says it’s all or nothing. If she doesn’t want to marry him, he’ll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he’s never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn’t quite as sure as she thinks… 

Review: 

This book is the fifth installment in Higgins Blue Heron series. While you could easily read this as a standalone, I would not recommend doing so. I say this because this series is so fantastic and fun that you would be missing out! I love that as you continue reading the series the characters from previous novels pop up. It’s like when you run into an old and dearly missed friend unexpectedly. All of the books in this series are based in the same small town, and some of the characters are related by both blood and marriage. 

This book starts off with an ill fated proposal. Conner O’Rourke is asking his longtime yet on and off again girlfriend, Jessica Dunn to marry him. She basically laughs him off, which leads to a whole lot of awkwardness and a whole lot of funny. Higgins has such a way of taking situations that any of us could find ourselves in and making them hysterical. I swear I find myself laughing out loud frequently every time I read one of her books. She has some great one liners and I just know she must be absolutely hilarious in person. There’s just no way that she can write so many humorous scenes without being pretty funny herself.

Conner and Jessica are so normal and flawed that it’s impossible for the reader not to relate to them. Higgins has a gift of showcasing real, yet imperfect relationships and Anything For You is no exception. Conner is completely clueless, yet adorable and charming. He has no idea how to handle Jess or what she really wants. Jess is vulnerable, real and though deep down she desperately wants to find real love she is so guarded that breaking down her impenetrable walls is damn near impossible. Both of them have to deal with their issues before they can figure things out together; Conner with his strained relationship with his father and Jess has to come to terms with her promiscuous past and her terrible relationship with her father. 

Funny, heartwarming and honest, this may be my favorite book in the Blue Heron series thus far! I’m seriously hoping that Higgins continues with this series as it’s definitely one of my favorite contemporary romance series out there.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

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Release date: August 23, 2016

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery 

Goodreads blurb: 

The Dollhouse. . . . That’s what we boys like to call it. . . . The Barbizon Hotel for Women, packed to the rafters with pretty little dolls. Just like you.” 

 

Fiona Davis’s stunning debut novel pulls readers into the lush world of New York City’s glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women, where a generation of aspiring models, secretaries, and editors lived side-by-side while attempting to claw their way to fairy-tale success in the 1950s, and where a present-day journalist becomes consumed with uncovering a dark secret buried deep within the Barbizon’s glitzy past.

 

When she arrives at the famed Barbizon Hotel in 1952, secretarial school enrollment in hand, Darby McLaughlin is everything her modeling agency hall mates aren’t: plain, self-conscious, homesick, and utterly convinced she doesn’t belong—a notion the models do nothing to disabuse. Yet when Darby befriends Esme, a Barbizon maid, she’s introduced to an entirely new side of New York City: seedy downtown jazz clubs where the music is as addictive as the heroin that’s used there, the startling sounds of bebop, and even the possibility of romance.

 

Over half a century later, the Barbizon’s gone condo and most of its long-ago guests are forgotten. But rumors of Darby’s involvement in a deadly skirmish with a hotel maid back in 1952 haunt the halls of the building as surely as the melancholy music that floats from the elderly woman’s rent-controlled apartment. It’s a combination too intoxicating for journalist Rose Lewin, Darby’s upstairs neighbor, to resist—not to mention the perfect distraction from her own imploding personal life. Yet as Rose’s obsession deepens, the ethics of her investigation become increasingly murky, and neither woman will remain unchanged when the shocking truth is finally revealed. 

Review: 

I usually don’t gravitate towards books labeled as historical fiction, but the minute I read the blurb for this book and laid my eyes on that gorgeous cover I knew I had to give this one a chance. I am so glad that I did, this is such an interesting and dazzling debut.

The story is told from two perspectives; Darby, a young girl from Defiance, Ohio who has just arrived at the Barbizon Hotel for Women in 1952. She has led a very sheltered and simple life thus far and is initially overwhelmed when she is thrust into this new and glamorous world. Rose is a modern day journalist and is everything one would imagine a journalist to be; smart, ambitious, independent and gutsy. I love when books tell two parallel stories that merge at the end. It’s so fascinating and fun to try and figure out how things will tie together. 

Both of these woman were easy to connect with in their own ways. Darby is so naive and innocent, I felt immediately protective of her. She is intimidated by the other women living at the Barbizon and lacks the confidence to stand up for herself. As she struggles to find her place in NYC, a maid at the hotel befriends her. Esme is one of the few people to be kind to Darby and they begin spending time together frequently. Esme has a bit of a wild side that both intrigues Darby and scares her. She introduces her to the dark and seedy world of jazz clubs, where there are things happening that Darby could never even have imagined.

Rose has just been through a huge career setback and is working underneath her pay grade for an outlet that is too contemporary and fluffy for her taste. Her romantic life is a mess and she’s trying to find her new place in NYC. When she begins investigating a piece on the Barbizon, she starts to uncover secrets in Darby’s past. What really happened on the night of the rooftop altercation? Why does Darby always wear a veil to hide her face?

I had so much fun reading this book! I adored Darby’s sections and all the descriptions of life in NYC in the 50’s. Everything was so simple, yet so glamorous. I found myself just as dazzled as Darby was reading about the city and the men and women living there. The mystery was intriguing as well, it provided an intense backdrop for a gorgeous story. I am blown away that this is Davis’ debut, she is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to reading more from her.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Dutton for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: March 31, 2016

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Goodreads blurb:

Jessica Cahill is having one perfect night. In six weeks she’ll walk down the aisle and marry her long-time boyfriend. But for tonight, she’s celebrating hard at her bachelorette party. It’s the time of her life until… she takes things too far. 

Brent Harrison is having the worst night of his life. Across town, seven rare diamonds are tucked safely in the vault at his brother’s mansion. These diamonds are special. They hold significance. They belong to the infamous Abbott Tiara. The task should be easy, he should have them by the morning. That’s when everything goes wrong. That’s when he runs into her. 

One tiara 

Seven diamonds 

Sometimes beautiful things come at a cost… 

Review: 

Let me start off by saying that this book is the second in the Flawless series and I did not read the first book. It can be read as a standalone, however I’m so curious about some of the backstory that I added the first book to my TBR. 

Jessie and Brent have undeniable chemistry within the first few pages of the book. She is pretty, fun and smart, out with her friends at her own bachelorette party when she meets Brent. He is dark, mysterious and sexy and the last thing he wants on the night the two meet is to begin a relationship, even though his attraction to Jessie is unquestionable.

Right from the start, tensions are high. Rare and extremely valuable diamonds are missing, people are getting seriously hurt, and family loyalties are questioned. Both Brent and Jessie have complicated family issues that seem to be linked to each other. Seeing each other is just a bad idea all around, especially since Jessie is engaged to another man, Carl. 

I’m hesitant to say too much about this book as there are quite a few twists that I could spoil. These weren’t jaw dropping twists like that of I Let You Go, but this book isn’t a typical thriller where the reader expects shocking turns of events. Instead, it reminded me more of Abduction where the romance is more at the forefront yet the suspense is a nice background.

If you’re a fan of romance books, yet like suspenseful novels as well, check this book out. It’s a fun read but there is definitely enough action that it’s not entirely about the love story. The romance and suspense in this book compliment each other well, much as Jessie and Brent compliment each other.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Huge thanks to the author, Emily Duvall for my copy in exchange for an honest review.