Goodreads

Release date: July 28, 2020

Publisher: Flatiron

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

There are two sides to every story: yours and mine, ours and theirs, His & Hers. Which means someone is always lying.

Anna Andrews finally has what she wants. Almost. She’s worked hard to become the main TV presenter of the BBC’s lunchtime news, putting work before friends, family, and her now ex-husband. So, when someone threatens to take her dream job away, she’ll do almost anything to keep it.

When asked to cover a murder in Blackdown―the sleepy countryside village where she grew up―Anna is reluctant to go. But when the victim turns out to be one of her childhood friends, she can’t leave. It soon becomes clear that Anna isn’t just covering the story, she’s at the heart of it.

DCI Jack Harper left London for a reason, but never thought he’d end up working in a place like Blackdown. When the body of a young woman is discovered, Jack decides not to tell anyone that he knew the victim, until he begins to realise he is a suspect in his own murder investigation.

One of them knows more than they are letting on. Someone isn’t telling the truth. Alternating between Anna’s and Jack’s points of view, His & Hers is a fast-paced, complex, and dark puzzle that will keep readers guessing until the very end. 

Review:

I read this one back in March while I was on vacation (remember those? 😏) and since it’s finally being released tomorrow I wanted to make sure it’s on your radar because I’m calling it a must read for thriller fans. It follows Anna and Jack in alternating chapters and the tag line about two sides to every story and someone being a liar is spot on. I swear I’ve never changed my mind so often in a thriller, I couldn’t decide who was being truthful, maybe neither? What if they’re both totally unreliable? And then I would switch back again, and then again it was definitely enough to make my head spin in the best way. I was doubtful of everyone and everything to put it lightly and it ended up being a complex and super twisty read. The whole thing was fast paced, exciting and had those delicious short chapters that keep propelling you forward to read just one more chapter. The end was tense, whip smart and a big surprise to me. If you like messy, unreliable characters, twisty suspense and an addictive read do not miss this one!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 28, 2020

Publisher: Pamela Dorman

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

In upstate New York, Stephanie and Patrick are adjusting to life with their colicky twin babies. The girls are a handful, but Stephanie doesn’t mind being a stay-at-home mom, taking care of them while Patrick does the nine to five to pay the bills. 

When a woman from Patrick’s past drops in on them unexpectedly, raising questions about his late first wife, Stephanie supports her husband wholeheartedly. She knows the car accident all those many years ago was just that–an accident. But Erica is persistent, and now she’s threatening to go to the police.

Patrick is afraid his job–and his reputation–will be at risk if he doesn’t put an end to Erica’s questioning immediately. And when the police start digging, Stephanie’s trust in her husband begins to falter and Patrick is primed to lose everything he loves. As their marriage crumbles, Stephanie feels herself coming unglued, and soon she isn’t sure what–or who–to believe. Now the most important thing is to protect her girls, but at what cost? 

Review:

This one is tricky for me to review because I didn’t love it but I also definitely didn’t hate it either, it falls somewhere in the middle for me. I’ve been back on a thriller kick lately and I’ve read some really fantastic ones too so in comparison this one falls a bit short for me. I am a firm fan of the author and have been from the beginning though, I just don’t think this is her best book.

So what worked for me? Well I really liked the idea of this new mom, to colicky twins no less, being utterly sleep deprived and half out of her mind. I very clearly remember the days of very little sleep when my own kids were babies very well and can only imagine how much worse it would be if you’re dealing with the kind of domestic drama that Stephanie is. The pacing was good for me, it was steady enough to keep me engaged and there was enough doubt about many of the characters to keep my brain working. What didn’t work for me was the predictability, I think it was fairly easy to see where this one was headed and I think most avid thriller readers will be able to figure it out as well. The ending fell a bit flat for me too and I always expect a strong ending from this author so I was a little disappointed. Overall it wasn’t a bad read, just not quite up to my admittedly high expectations this time but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for the authors next book.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 7, 2020

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Wanted:
One (fake) boyfriend
Practically perfect in every way

Luc O’Donnell is tangentially–and reluctantly–famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he’s never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad’s making a comeback, Luc’s back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.

To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship…and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He’s a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he’s never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened.

But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that’s when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don’t ever want to let them go. 

Review:

A fake relationship trope, two charming Brits, a little bit of angst, low key sexiness, sharp and witty banter, I mean do I really need to tell you guys more than that?! I kinda feel like I don’t, because if that doesn’t sell you on reading this one I’m all out of ideas, but I will. How about fantastic narration if you’re an audiobook fan? I switched back and forth between audio and print and can confirm both formats are equally engaging. Ok, do you like a little drama? Because this one delivers with family drama, friendship drama and relationship drama. Did I already say humor? Cause this is legit laugh out loud funny. Opposites attract? Luv and Oliver couldn’t be more different and both are endearing in their own sweet and perfect ways. There’s also a cast of quirky supporting characters that keep things interesting. Last thing, do you like feeling all the feelings when you read a rom com? Laughing one minute and getting emotional the next? That’s all I’ve got but trust me when I say this one was an absolute delight and a must for romance fans.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 28, 2020

Publisher: St. Martin’s

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Goodreads

Release date: August 18, 2020

Publisher: Flatiron

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

Eileen is sick of being 79.
Leena’s tired of life in her twenties.
Maybe it’s time they swapped places…

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen’s house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She’d like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer many eligible gentlemen.

Once Leena learns of Eileen’s romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another’s shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn’t as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect – and distractingly handsome – school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

Review:

Last summer I fell in love with The Flatshare, it was such a charming read and I listened to it on audio so I was super excited to get my hands on an audio copy of her latest as well. I’m a huge sucker for an accent, I could listen to someone talk with one all day and this was just as wonderful on audio as the last book. I did flip back and forth between the audio and the book so I can safely recommend both versions, basically you cannot go wrong here!

Leena and her grandmother Eileen decide to switch places for a few months, Leena has been working herself way too hard in London and Eileen wants to start dating again but the pickings in her small village are very slim. I’ve often dreamed about switching places with someone else (right now it’s anyone without tiny kids tbh) so I loved the premise of this one. The story unfolds in alternating chapters from each woman and I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I adored Eileen’s chapters. There was something sweet, vulnerable and endearing about a woman pushing eighty dating in a big city and she completely won me over almost immediately. Leena was a fantastic character as well it’s just that Eileen now holds a special place in my heart. This was such a lovely read, it was heartwarming, funny and so so charming. I can’t recommend it highly enough and know it’ll be one of my favorites this summer.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 21, 2020

Publisher: Forever

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Welcome back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina for a heartwarming second-chance romance between a quirky café owner and a handsome park ranger.

With summer just around the corner, Emma St. James is eagerly planning a 5K run at Sweetwater Springs National Park. But first she needs the help of one charming, rugged, and handsome park ranger. Her brief high school romance with Jack Hershey may have ended in heartbreak, but Emma can’t deny that he still gives her butterflies. So when Jack responds to her request with an all-too-tempting plea to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, how can she say no?

Jack would do anything for his sister — even pretend to give up his bachelor life to care for his nephew. Passing his days with his high school sweetheart guarantees one long, hot summer — but only because every moment together leaves him wanting a real relationship. He can’t imagine spending another season without Emma by his side. Can he convince her to give their love a second chance before the summer draws to a close?

Review:

I know I say this every single time I review one of the authors books but I’m saying it again, this is hands down my new favorite in the series! This is book five and while you could definitely read it as a standalone, I think you would be missing out if you started here. Every single book is just incredibly charming and by now the characters feel like friends and I love checking in with past couples in each new installment. I’m telling you, if small town romances are your thing don’t miss this series.

This book follows Emma and Jack and I’ve been dying to hear Emma’s story for some time now. It’s a second chance romance, but Emma and Jack were in high school when they briefly dated so seeing if they could make it work as adults was seriously adorable. I love a couple with some backstory and history and I adored both of them. They had great chemistry and their developing romance was both sweet and sexy. This one gave me all the feels and Emma is dealing with her mother’s death so there was definitely an emotional component alongside the romance. Another cozy and warm addition to the cutest series, definitely recommended by me!

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 21, 2020

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Blurb:

Bridget and Will have the kind of relationship that people envy: they’re loving, compatible, and completely devoted to each other. The fact that they’re strictly friends seems to get lost on nearly everyone; after all, they’re as good as married in (almost) every way. For three decades, they’ve nurtured their baby, the Forsyth Trio—a chamber group they created as students with their Juilliard classmate Gavin Glantz. In the intervening years, Gavin has gone on to become one of the classical music world’s reigning stars, while Bridget and Will have learned to embrace the warm reviews and smaller venues that accompany modest success.

Bridget has been dreaming of spending the summer at her well-worn Connecticut country home with her boyfriend Sterling. But her plans are upended when Sterling, dutifully following his ex-wife’s advice, breaks up with her over email and her twin twenty-somethings arrive unannounced, filling her empty nest with their big dogs, dirty laundry, and respective crises.

Bridget has problems of her own: her elderly father announces he’s getting married, and the Forsyth Trio is once again missing its violinist. She concocts a plan to host her dad’s wedding on her ramshackle property, while putting the Forsyth Trio back into the spotlight. But to catch the attention of the music world, she and Will place their bets on luring back Gavin, whom they’ve both avoided ever since their stormy parting.

With her trademark humor, pitch-perfect voice, and sly perspective on the human heart, Amy Poeppel crafts a love letter to modern family life with all of its discord and harmony. In the tradition of novels by Maria Semple and Stephen McCauley, Musical Chairsis an irresistibly romantic story of role reversals, reinvention, and sweet synchronicity. 

Review:

I became a super fan of the author after I read Limelight and totally fell in love with her writing style so Musical Chairs was definitely one of my most anticipated 2020 reads. I was hoping there would be the same humor, wit, charm, authentic characters and an entreating story and I was not disappointed, I adored this one too!

Bridget has big plans for her summer, she’s heading to her house in Connecticut with her boyfriend and she’s counting on lots of romance and some time spent with Will, her lifelong friend and musical partner. Shit hits the fan almost immediately when her boyfriend dumps her and her two grown children show up unannounced to spend the summer with her. There’s also more chaos and drama but I’ll stop there, suffice it to say it’s funny as hell and I sympathize with poor Bridget. I mean, who’s plan haven’t been ruined this summer? I loved the ensemble cast of characters, you get to hear from people from all walks of life and they all made me laugh. Definitely recommend this as a great summer escapist read!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 28, 2020

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Is her new husband hiding something? 

Caught up in a whirlwind romance that starts in sunny Ibiza and leads to the cool corridors of a luxurious English country estate, Poppy barely has time to catch her breath, let alone seriously question if all this is too good to be true. Drew is enamored, devoted, and, okay, a little mysterious—but that’s part of the thrill. What’s the harm in letting his past remain private? 

Maybe he’s not the only one… 

Fortunately, Drew never seems to wonder why his young wife has so readily agreed to their unusual pact to live only in the here and now and not probe their personal histories. Perhaps he assumes, as others do, that she is simply swept up in the intoxication of infatuation and sudden wealth. What’s the harm in letting them believe that? 

How far will they go to keep the past buried? 

Isolated in Drew’s sprawling mansion, Poppy starts to have time to doubt the man she’s married, to wonder what in his past might be so terrible that it can’t be spoken of, to imagine what harm he might be capable of. She doesn’t want this dream to shatter. But Poppy may soon be forced to confront the dark truth that there are sins far more dangerous than the sin of omission… 

Review:

Imagine you make a deal with your future spouse that you guys don’t discuss your past at all. No past relationships, no childhood stories, very little is revealed about your family history, basically you’re starting fresh. Nothing sounds shady about that, right? 😏 This is the pact Drew and Poppy make after their whirlwind romance and right before their marriage and if that seems slightly ridiculous it’s because it is. But sometimes I like ridiculous and over the top and I flew through this wicked story about the past coming back to haunt you.

Of course you know there will be several secrets, I mean come on, why would you want to limit past talk unless you’re hiding something, but while I clearly knew that skeletons would be coming out of the closet, I did enjoy the way things all played out. For the majority of the book it almost felt like a contemporary romance with a dash of darkness and then by the time I got to the end things took a sharp turn to the super dark and twisted. So basically, the end saved it for me and I’m the type of reader that has everything riding on a strong ending. This was oddly fast and entertaining for me, I would hesitate to recommend this as a true thriller as I think it’s more of a light popcorn style thriller at best. Kinda perfect for summer though and can imagine it would be fun to read poolside.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: July 14, 2020

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

FOURTEEN YEARS BEFORE THE CABIN: Twenty-something Anne meets the man of her dreams right out of college, but after they get married, Anne notices that her husband begins acting differently. Why is Ethan suddenly so moody? And will their marriage endure?

A WEEK BEFORE THE CABIN: Ten years later, Anne and her twelve-year-old daughter, Thea, are safely living in Vermont. Anne is a successful therapist, Thea has friends at her new school, and they receive an endless stream of love, support, and baked goods from Anne’s sweet mom, Rose. When Thea takes to brooding and showing classic signs of teen angst, a trip for the three women to the White Mountains of New Hampshire seems like the perfect chance to bond.

THE CABIN: A man follows the three women on a hike at a nature reserve and drags them at gunpoint to an abandoned cabin in the woods. And just like that their peaceful weekend away turns into a fight for survival. It isn’t clear what this man wants from these women or how he is connected to them if at all, but it is increasingly clear that they won’t all get out of the cabin alive.

SURVIVAL INSTINCTS is a captivating and terrifying novel that brings to life one of the scariest truths of all–that people’s inner monsters come in various forms, some more recognizable than others, and that we are all one random encounter away from tragedy.

Review:

Before I get into my own thoughts about this one I want to address the problematic issues that I didn’t even realize were in the book until after I read my friend Toya’s review Be sure to check her post out, it was eye opening for me for sure. I also want to say that the team at Dutton and the author herself listened to Toya’s concerns and immediately began working on implementing changes. While it was too late to edit the hardcover book, the ebook and audio version will have edits and I have to applaud all parties involved in making said edits. You can also check out this post from the author as well.

I love an emotionally charged thriller and is there anything more fraught with emotion than a mother/daughter relationship? Throw in a scenario where a mom, daughter and grandma are fighting for their lives and you have one hell of a tense situation. This flips between multiple viewpoints and the one from the Man who kidnaps the family were chilling and super fascinating. He clearly had an agenda and a reason for taking them but I couldn’t figure out what that reason was before it was revealed, always a great sign in a thriller for me. This was a really solid read for me, if you like character driven thrillers check this one out!

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.