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Release date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Seventh Street Books

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Detective Joe “Preach” Everson, a prison chaplain turned police officer, is coming home. After a decade tracking down killers in Atlanta, and with a reputation as one of the finest homicide detectives in the city, his career derailed when he suffered a mental breakdown during the investigation of a serial killer who was targeting children.

No sooner does Preach arrive at home in Creekville, North Carolina–a bohemian community near Chapel Hill–than a local bookstore owner is brutally killed, the first murder in a decade. The only officer with homicide experience, Preach is assigned to the case and makes a shocking discovery: the bookstore owner has been murdered in exactly the same manner as the pawnbroker in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment.

With the help of Ariana Hale, a law student and bibliophile who knew the victim, Preach investigates the local writer’s community. As their questions increase, a second body is found, this time eerily resembling the crime scene in a famous Edgar Allan Poe novella. Preach and Ariana realize that their adversary is an intelligent, literate killer with a mind as devious as it is disturbed–and one or both of them may be his next target.

Review:

What is it about flawed detectives that speaks to my soul? There is something about damaged protagonists with complex and dark pasts that always gets under my skin and Preach wiggled his way into my cold, black heart. Oftentimes a brooding, handsome, complicated cop is a total cliche but for some reason, it didn’t feel that way here. I immediately connected with Preach and was dying to know more about his motivations, his history and what made him the person he is today. Throw in a clever killer and what more can a girl want?!

I absolutely loved the creativity behind the premise for this one, the idea of a killer referencing famous literary works was so intriguing to me. While the case Preach is working has a heavy literary vibe the author didn’t weigh down the text with too many dense, hard to decipher quotes but rather there were a handful of them that enhanced the story and brought a really intelligent aspect to the plot.

This was a good old fashioned police procedural with a subtle sophistication to the authors writing style. The characterization was incredibly strong both in Preach and his fellow officer Kirby and witness Ari. The plotting was super involved and there were a ton of head spinning misdirections that left me reeling. Highly recommended for a cosmopolitan type of reader that wants a classic murder mystery with a literary bent.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

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Release date: November 14, 2017

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Blurb:

Following her acclaimed debut Inherit the Bones, this is Emily Littlejohn’s next mesmerizing mystery featuring Colorado police officer Gemma Monroe.

In Emily Littlejohn’s follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Inherit the Bones, police officer Gemma Monroe has just returned to work from maternity leave. And what a first day back: a blizzard is blowing into her idyllic Colorado ski town, and while Gemma hopes for a quiet, warm evening in, she knows it will mean plenty of calls out for snow-related accidents. But when an anonymous caller reports seeing a lurker at the local high school, Gemma gets far more than she bargained for. Behind the school building, half covered in a drift of snow, lies the gruesomely murdered body of a world-famous author—whose presence in town was meant to be a secret.

Review:

Last year I had the pleasure of reading Littlejohn’s debut, Inherit the Bones and absolutely fell in love with Gemma and the town of Cedar Valley. There is something tragically poetic about the authors style then you combine that with a classic murder mystery feel and you have a wonderful juxtaposition that makes for a captivating read.

This picks up three months after Gemma has given birth to her daughter Grace, right as she’s about to head back to work. Her struggle to balance being a new mom and maintain a healthy separation between work and home is so very relatable and her and Brody’s relationship is far from perfect, especially as they adjust to parenthood. Naturally there is a murder the same day Gemma returns, there is no easing back into the job as she had hoped. Besides the murder investigation Gemma stumbles upon a horrific bully at the high school where the murder was committed. The tyrant goes by Grimm as in the brothers Grimm and doles out punishments based on fairy tales. Plenty going on here and the subplots added intrigue to an already interesting storyline.

This would be perfect to curl up with during the colder months, it’s the dead of winter in Cedar Valley and the setting is so well crafted that it’s practically a character of its own. A murder set against a series of blizzards makes a chilling combination and while it wasn’t twisty in the truest sense of the word, it still kept me on my toes and eager to follow Gemma in the future.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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Release date: October 3, 2017

Publisher: Graydon House

Genre: Women’s Fiction 

Blurb:

Yes is such a little word…

Dr. Dylan Michels has worked hard for a perfect life, so when her longtime boyfriend, Cooper, gets down on one knee, it should be the most perfect moment of all. Then why does she say no?

For too many years, Dylan’s been living for her sister, who never got the chance to grow up. But her attempt to be the perfect daughter, perfect partner and perfect doctor hasn’t been enough to silence the haunting guilt Dylan feels over her sister’s death–and the role no one knows she played in it.

Now Dylan must face her past if she and Cooper stand a chance at a future together. But when Cooper makes a startling confession of his own, can Dylan find the courage to define her own happiness before her life becomes perfectly undone?

Set among the breezy days of a sultry Portland summer, Perfectly Undone is a deeply moving novel of family secrets, forgiveness and finding yourself in the most surprising of places. 

Review: 

This was such a simple, easy read exactly the type of book I was craving as a break from several dark thrillers in a row. Though it was undemanding it still had plenty of meat, it explored some below the surface things like the constant balance many women struggling with between having a successful career AND a personal life and how important forgiveness can be, especially when we let ourselves off the hook. It also dealt with fidelity, trust and guilt and just how much these issues can effect a person. 

There was a strong feeling of authenticity to this book, both in the authors writing style and the characters she created. Dylan was really easy to relate to, her struggles were common even if the circumstances she experienced were unique. It was one of those debuts where you think, no way is this their first book, the writing is so solid! Raintree is definitely an author I’ll follow closely, she has a keen ability to craft excellent characters that you grow to care about.

This would be a fantastic choice for a book club as there are definitely many things that could be explored and discussed. As an added bonus there are some really awesome questions in the readers guide at the back of the book too! This was honest, heartfelt and touching, definitely an emotional journey that I really enjoyed. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Booksparks for my review copy.

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Release date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Henery Press

Genre: Chick Lit

Blurb:
Is Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year? New Yorkers Robyn Lane and Sidney Bellows aren’t so sure.

Robyn has always dated struggling creative types. For once, her parents would love her to bring someone with health insurance and a 401(k) to their Chrismukkah celebration. Her actor boyfriend doesn’t qualify. While across town, Sidney’s professional life already belongs to her parents. She’s an attorney at her father’s law firm and she works tirelessly to keep her love life private. If she brings her lawyer boyfriend to their annual Christmas extravaganza, her parents will have the wedding planned by New Year’s Eve. 

A mutual friend playfully suggests they trade boyfriends for the holidays. The women share a laugh, but after copious amounts of wine, decide The Boyfriend Swap could be the perfect solution. This way, Robyn can show off her stable attorney boyfriend and Sidney’s high-society family will take no interest in her flakey actor beau.

It’s a brilliant plan—in theory. In practice—not so much. When Will turns out to be the boy-next-door Robyn crushed on hard throughout her teenage years, and Sidney’s family fawns all over Perry like he’s an Oscar-winner rather than a D-list wannabe, one thing is certain: The Boyfriend Swap might just change their lives forever. 

Review: 

Do you ever read a book and just know it would be an awesome movie? The characters are larger than life and they’re screaming to be brought to life and you’re silently casting said movie in your head? That’s exactly what happened while I was reading this one, this would be the cutest romantic comedy movie, but it was also a super fun read.

As a reader, you know that the whole idea of swapping mates is a disaster waiting to happen, but that’s part of what made this so entertaining. Robyn was my favorite character, she kind of gets bulldozed by Sidney and just sort of goes along with her crazy scheme and after getting to know Sidney, it’s easy to see how she was manipulated. She is a lawyer after all AND she’s crafty and smart too boot, this is a woman used to getting her way. Sidney and Robyn are pretty different in terms of personality, Robyn is quirky and sweet to Sidney’s bold and brash and I really enjoyed getting to know both of these woman, Schorr created memorable, relatable characters that I think any woman would enjoy reading about. 

This was my first book by the author but it certainly won’t be my last, she’s a solid writer and this was a really funny book. The scenes that happened on Christmas Day were some of my favorite moments, and both Will and Perry were charming in their own right. Chick lit fans who haven’t had the pleasure of reading Schorr’s books should definitely pick this one up, it was adorable!

Overall rating: 4/5 

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

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Release date: October 3, 2017

Publisher: Little Brown and Co.

Genre: Holiday, Women’s Fiction

Blurb: 

Raise one last glass with the Quinn Family at the Winter Street Inn. 

It’s been too long since the entire Quinn family has been able to celebrate the holidays under the same roof, but that’s about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for a holiday more joyous than any they’ve experienced in years. And Bart’s safe return isn’t the family’s only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle; Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society; Ava thinks she’s finally found the love of her life; and Kelly is thrilled to see his family reunited at last. But it just wouldn’t be a Quinn family gathering if things went smoothly. A celebration of everything we love–and some of the things we endure–about the holidays, WINTER SOLSTICE is Elin Hilderbrand at her festive best. 

Review: 

Winter Solstice is the fourth and final book in a series that’s followed the Quinn family over the past four years, mainly during the holidays. Winter Storms, the third book was actually supposed to be the last book, but we got this one as a bonus! I was so happy because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this family, and even a year later I’m realizing I’ll never be ready, but this really was a fitting ending to a fabulous series that proves the queen of the beach read can more than hold her own as a holiday writer as well. 

One of the biggest surprises for me was that Fast Eddie from The Rumor was in this one and he hasn’t been in any of the previous books, but it totally makes sense for him to make a cameo here. It was a blast checking in with him, Grace and their twin daughters and an unexpected treat. The rest of the narration comes from the Quinns and it was so awesome to finally hear things from Bart’s point of view. Spending time with these characters is equivalent to catching up with old, well adored friends and I enjoyed every minute with them.

This was a bittersweet ending to what’s become a highly emotional series, I don’t often cry when I read but this one got me right in the feels. It didn’t end all happily ever after, that’s not what these books are about, they’re about real life, The good, the bad, the messy and the real. In the authors note Hilderbrand revealed that she’ll begin a new series next fall and I couldn’t be more excited, if she writes it I’ll happily read it, I think she’s that good.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.